Cartridge for the preparation of beverages

Abstract

A cartridge for preparation of a beverage is provided which is sealed prior to use and contains one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises: a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients; a first filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber; a second filter downstream of, and spaced apart from, the first filter; and a flow constriction downstream of the second filter, such that in use beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients passes, in order, through the first filter, the second filter and the flow constriction.

1 . A cartridge for preparation of a beverage, the cartridge being sealed prior to use and containing one or more beverage ingredients, the cartridge being suitable to receive in use an aqueous medium which may be brought into contact with the one or more beverage ingredients to produce a beverage which may be output from the cartridge,
 the cartridge comprising:
 a body defining a beverage ingredient chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients; 
 a filter defining an exit from the beverage ingredient chamber; and 
 a first and a second flow constriction downstream of the filter, 
   wherein the cartridge comprises a first flow path from the filter to the first flow constriction and a second flow path from the filter to the second flow constriction,   wherein the first and second flow constrictions are configured such that, in use, a first beverage jet emanates from the first flow constriction and a second beverage jet emanates from the second flow constriction, and the first and second flow constrictions are configured so that the first and second beverage jets collide.   
     
     
         2 . A cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flow constrictions are located opposite one another such that the first and second beverage jets impact one another substantially head-on. 
     
     
         3 . A cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an air inlet aperture is located in the vicinity of each flow constriction and downstream thereof, such that the jets of beverage each pass over an air inlet aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a filter wall. 
     
     
         5 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a rigid element having a plurality of filtering apertures located therein. 
     
     
         6 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a tubular member having a plurality of filtering apertures located therein. 
     
     
         7 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to direct the aqueous medium entering the beverage ingredient chamber to circulate around the filter. 
     
     
         8 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the beverage ingredient chamber is annular, with the filter forming at least a part of an inner surface of the annular beverage ingredient chamber, and preferably the body of the cartridge is configured to direct the aqueous medium entering the beverage ingredient chamber at an angle greater than 45°, preferably at 90° from a radial direction of the annular beverage ingredient chamber such that the aqueous medium is caused to circulate around the annular beverage ingredient chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises filtering apertures in the form of elongated slots formed in a rigid, otherwise impermeable, wall element, and preferably the elongated slots extend from a free edge of the wall element. 
     
     
         10 . A cartridge as claimed in in  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a cup-shaped member housing the filter, an open mouth of the cup-shaped housing being sealed by a lid, and preferably the filter comprises filtering apertures in the form of elongated slots formed in a rigid, otherwise impermeable, wall element, wherein the elongated slots extend into contact with the lid.