Disposable Single Serve Coffee Pod Usage Indicator and Messaging System

Abstract

Apparatus and method for visibly changing the appearance of a single serve hot beverage cartridge pod to identify its having been previously brewed, along, where desired, together with or independently visualizing previously hidden message content embedded within the cartridge pod construction itself.

I claim: 
     
         1 . In a single serve beverage cartridge pod including one of a cup and frame supporting coffee grounds, tea leaves, or cocoa or cappuccino powders, a cover, and a filter, and in which hot brewing water is directed through the pod, passing through the grounds, leaves or powders and through the filter, the combination therewith of a thermochromic medium on said cartridge pod to develop an externally visual change in color, transparency, shading or appearance on said cartridge pod in response to activation heat from a beverage brewing process on said pod. 
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic medium is positioned on any of said cover, frame and cup of said beverage cartridge pod. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said thermochromic medium is printed, sprayed, dipped, coated, laminated, rolled, injected, pressed, taped or bonded onto any of said cover, frame and cup of said beverage cartridge pod. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said thermochromic medium is positioned on any of said cover, frame and cup as a hidden message to be visually revealed by elevating the temperature of said thermochromic medium during said beverage brewing process. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said thermochromic medium positioned on said cartridge pod as a hidden message is sealed with a clear coating. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said thermochromic medium positioned on said cartridge pod as a hidden message is any of complimented, defined and supported by other printed indicia on said cartridge pod. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 3 , wherein said thermochromic medium positioned on said cartridge pod is accompanied by alphanumeric notations printed on said cartridge pod. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein said thermochromic medium produces an irreversible change in color, transparency, shading or appearance on said cartridge pod in response to activating heat from said beverage brewing water on said pod. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic medium is positioned in annular regions on any of said cover, frame and cup. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said thermochromic medium is mixed in pellet form into at least one of said cup, frame and cover of plastic molded materials of said cartridge pod. 
     
     
         11 . In a single serve beverage cartridge pod including one of a cup and frame filled with coffee grounds, tea leaves, or cocoas or cappuccino powders, a cover, and a filter, and in which hot brewing water is directed through the pod, passing through the grounds, leaves or powders and through the filter, the method of conveying a hidden message to a consumer of said single serve beverage cartridge pod comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning a thermochromic medium in an easily viewable area on said beverage cartridge pod;   b. positioning the thermochromic medium to one of obscure and form said hidden message; and   c. activating the thermochromic medium with one of a hot brewing process and said hot brewing water to reveal said hidden message; and   d. whereby said activating of said thermochromic medium during the beverage brewing reveals said hidden message as a visualization of said hidden message.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the positioned thermochromic medium obscures said hidden message until the activation of said thermochromic medium by one of said hot brewing process and said hot brewing water and to transform said thermochromic medium to reveal said hidden message. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said positioned thermochromic medium forms said hidden message until the activation of said medium by said hot brewing water to transform said thermochromic medium to an unhidden message. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said thermochromic mediums chromic appearance is altered by the activation of said thermochromic medium by said hot brewing water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said hidden message is one of obscured and formed as a secret code with said thermochromic medium. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said hidden message is one of obscured and formed as a printed graphic with said thermochromic medium. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said hidden message is one of obscured and formed as a printed alphanumeric notation with said thermochromic medium. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said hidden message is one of obscured and formed as a printed alphanumeric notation with said thermochromic medium to entertain said consumer of said single serve beverage cartridge pod. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said hidden message is one of obscured and formed as a printed alphanumeric notation with thermochromic medium as an answer to a question printed on said single serve beverage cartridge pod. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said hidden message is deposited to convey information respecting said single serve beverage cartridge pod to a brewing apparatus therefor.