Beverage cartridge and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A beverage cartridge comprising an outer container, a sleeve, and a support device adapted for supporting a filter element. The sleeve comprises one or more protrusions extending towards the interior of the sleeve, and the support device comprises one or more recesses adapted for receiving the one or more protrusions. The outer container, the sleeve, and the support device are securely engaged. The outer container is made of a biodegradable and compostable fibre material such as, but not limited to, polylactic acid, bamboo, bagasse, or a combination thereof. At least a part of the sleeve and support device is made of a biodegradable and compostable material such as, but not limited to, polylactic acid, or a combination of biodegradable and compostable materials. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the beverage cartridge, and use of the support device in the manufacture of the beverage cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device adapted for inserting into a beverage cartridge, the device comprising:
 (a) a first element, the first element comprising:
 (i) a first surface; 
 (ii) a second surface that is substantially opposed to the first surface; 
 (iii) a channel extending between the first surface and the second surface; and 
 (iv) a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the third surface comprising one or more recesses adapted for securely engaging to an inner surface of the beverage cartridge. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (b) a second element coupled to the first element and adapted for supporting a filter element, the second element comprising:
 (i) a first extension extending away from the first element and along a first axis; and 
 (ii) a second extension extending away from the first element and along a second axis; 
 wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect. 
   
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a platform extends between the first extension and the second extension, the platform adapted for supporting a part of the filter element. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first element and the second element are integrally formed. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the device is made of a compostable material. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the compostable material is polylactic acid. 
     
     
         7 . A beverage cartridge, the cartridge comprising:
 (a) a sleeve comprising: (i) a perimetral ledge; (ii) an opening surrounded by the perimetral ledge; (iii) a base; (iv) a side wall extending between the base and the perimetral ledge; and (v) one or more protrusions extending away from an inner surface of the side wall and towards the centre of the beverage cartridge; and   (b) a device as claimed in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         8 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more recesses receives the one or more protrusions, and wherein the device is securely engaged to the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the sleeve is made of a compostable material. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the compostable material is polylactic acid. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising an outer container into which the sleeve is inserted. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the outer container comprises: (i) a perimetral ledge; (ii) an opening surrounded by the perimetral ledge; (iii) a base; and (iv) a sidewall extending between the base and the perimetral ledge. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve perimetral ledge couples to the container perimetral ledge. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the shape of the sleeve and the shape of the container are complementary. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the sleeve is heat-melted to the container, and wherein the inner wall of the sleeve forms the inner wall of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the container is made of a compostable fibre material. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the compostable fibre material is selected from the group consisting of: polylactic acid, bamboo, bagasse, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage cartridge as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a filter element that is supported by and coupled to the device. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a beverage cartridge, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting the device as claimed in  claim 1  into the beverage cartridge; and   (b) engaging the one or more recesses of the device to one or more protrusions extending away from an inner surface of the beverage cartridge.   
     
     
         20 . Use of the device as claimed in  claim 1  in the manufacture of a beverage cartridge.