Cellulose-based beverage cartridge

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture for cartridges. A cartridge in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cartridge body, a filter, a beverage material, and a cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge, comprising:
 a frustoconical cartridge body comprising:
 a closed end having a first diameter; and 
 an open end opposite the closed end, the open end of the cartridge body comprising a rim, the rim having an outer diameter that is greater than the first diameter, 
   the rim further comprising an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter;   the cartridge body further comprising a compostable material, wherein the cartridge body is adapted to be received in a receptacle of a single-serve beverage brewer such that the closed end of the cartridge body is placed into the receptacle of the single-serve beverage brewer, wherein the closed end of the cartridge body is piercable by an outlet needle in the single-serve brewer;   a compostable filter, coupled to the cartridge body proximate to the rim of the open end of the cartridge body, such that the filter extends below an upper edge of the open end of the cartridge body and extends into an interior of the cartridge body, the filter extending toward the closed end of the cartridge body such that at least a portion of the filter is proximate an interior surface of the cartridge body, wherein the filter is unpierced by the outlet needle in the single-serve brewer when the closed end of the cartridge body is pierced by the outlet needle in the single-serve brewer;   a beverage material, coupled to the filter, such that the beverage material extends below the upper edge of the open end of the cartridge body and extends into the cartridge body toward the closed end of the cartridge body; and   a compostable cover, coupled to the open end of the cartridge body, such that the cover encapsulates the beverage material within the interior of the cartridge body, the beverage material further being encapsulated between the filter and the cover, the cover being adapted to be pierced by a fluid delivery nozzle in the single-serve brewer, in which the filter has a variable porosity to limit the flow of fluid through at least a portion of the filter with respect to at least another portion of the filter.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , in which the cartridge body comprises a first cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , in which the cover comprises a second cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , in which the filter comprises a third cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 4 , in which the beverage material is ground coffee. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , in which at least the second cellulose-based material has a different density than the first cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 6 , in which at least the coupled cover and cartridge body reduces oxidation of the beverage material when the beverage material is encapsulated in the interior of the cartridge. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 7 , in which the second cellulose-based material and the first cellulose-based material cover comprise the same material. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 8 , in which at least the first cellulose-based material and the second cellulose-based material comprise wood pulp. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , in which the filter is a substantially frustoconical shaped filter.