WO2025193814A1

WO2025193814A1 - Beverage tablets with ultraviolet laser-marked indicia

Info

Publication number: WO2025193814A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/019544
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Leslie MINCAR; John Antonios Panteleos; Jacob Gregory LEMIEUX; Christina Marie Mitsock CAPPS; Bertan Atamer
Original assignee: Keurig Green Mountain Inc
Current assignee: Keurig Green Mountain Inc
Priority date: 2024-03-12
Filing date: 2025-03-12
Publication date: 2025-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-12

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to beverage tablets having a ultraviolet laser-marked indicia that is machine readable. The indicia may be read by a beverage machine or a remotely located resource to determine various information relating to the beverage tablet, such as beverage tablet type. Such information may be used to determine brew parameters for forming a beverage from the beverage tablet.

Description

BEVERAGE TABLETS WITH ULTRAVIOLET LASER-MARKED INDICIA

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application serial number 63/564,036, filed March 12, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are related to package-less beverage tablets, methods of making such beverage tablets, and methods of forming beverages with package-less beverage tablets.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Tablets of compacted beverage ingredients can be used for forming a beverage. In some arrangements, such beverage tablets are mixed directly with hot water to form a beverage. In some arrangements, water is permitted to percolate through beverage tablets to form a beverage.

SUMMARY

[0004] A beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage is provided. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a body formed of compacted beverage ingredient, a coating at least partially covering the compacted beverage ingredient, and ultraviolet laser-marked indicia on the tablet indicating a beverage tablet type. In some embodiments, the coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber. [0005] A method of forming a beverage using a beverage tablet is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: compacting a beverage ingredient comprising a plurality of particles into a solid body, covering at least a portion of the body with a coating, and marking the coating with indicia using ultraviolet laser marking. In some embodiments, the coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

[0006] It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 A shows a perspective view of a package-less beverage tablet according to an embodiment;

[0009] FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage tablet of FIG. 1 A taken along line B-B;

[0010] FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a beverage tablet;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a beverage tablet inserted into a brew chamber of a beverage machine;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows the beverage tablet of FIG. 5 being compressed by the beverage machine;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows the beverage tablet of FIG. 5 being expanded by the beverage machine; and

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a first end of a beverage tablet marked with indicia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Many brewed beverages are conventionally prepared by enclosing an amount of loose particles of beverage ingredient, such a loose coffee grinds or tea leaves, into a brewing machine. Use of loose particles of beverage ingredient to prepare brewed beverages may be inconvenient as it may require additional steps of measuring out a specific amount beverage ingredient. Additionally, loose particles of beverage ingredient carries the risk of spillage while preparing and transporting the desired amount of beverage ingredient to and from the beverage machine. Additionally, many brewing machines that use loose particles of beverage ingredient require cleaning after each use to remove loose particles from the inside of the machine. [0019] Single serve beverage pods have been implemented to alleviate some of these concerns. However, such beverage pods generally contain loose beverage ingredient in a disposable packaging. Utilizing such packaging may generate additional waste.

[0020] The inventors have therefore recognized benefits of providing package-less beverage consumables that can be used with a beverage machine to form a beverage. In some embodiments, a beverage consumable comprises a tablet which includes beverage ingredient compacted into a desired shape and density. The tablet may be at least partially surrounded by a coating. Such beverage tablets may allow for the increased convenience of single-serve beverage consumables while reducing waste.

[0021] According to some aspects described herein, the coating may be marked with indicia formed by ultraviolet (UV) laser. Such indicia may be machine-readable and/or readable by a person. In some embodiments, the indicia may be readable to provide information to a machine and/or a person. The indicia may provide various types of information, such as the type of beverage tablet, the expiration date, the lot/batch number, brew parameters, or any other suitable information. In some embodiments, the indicia may be logos or artwork. In some embodiments, indicia may not necessarily be machine-readable, and instead are to be read/viewed only by human users.

[0022] The inventors have appreciated that UV laser marking may be, in some embodiments, less ablative than other laser marking techniques, such as carbon dioxide laser marking. As such, the inventors have appreciated that UV laser marking may result in less removal of a coating from the beverage tablet, which may help to better preserve the integrity of the coating. This may improve performance of the coating, e.g. reduce oxidation of the beverage ingredients and improve shelf stability of the beverage tablet, decrease cracking of the beverage tablet during transport and storage, and/or preserve the ability of the coating to stretch when wetted during a beverage formation process, and so on.

[0023] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet comprises a solid body comprising a beverage ingredient where the body, including an outer wall of the body, is made of one or more beverage ingredients. For example, one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet may be formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. The beverage tablet may be able to hold its own shape, and thus may not require individual packaging to prevent dispersing of the beverage material prior to use in forming a beverage. The beverage tablet may be configured to be received within a beverage machine without packaging such that the beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet directly contacts the beverage machine (e.g. a brew chamber) during a brewing process (e.g. without requiring the beverage machine to pierce through or otherwise open packaging to access the beverage ingredients).

[0024] A beverage tablet may be used to form a beverage such as tea, coffee, espresso, cocoa or other beverages prepared from a powder, dry concentrate or dry beverage material such as suitably prepared coffee beans, tea leaves etc. The beverage machine may form such beverages using a base liquid, such as water, that may be combined with the beverage material under suitable conditions to form the beverage.

[0025] The beverage tablet may comprise any suitable beverage ingredient. Examples of beverage ingredients include, but are not limited to: coffee (e.g., coffee grounds, soluble coffee), tea (e.g. tea leaves, dry herbal tea), powdered beverage concentrate, dried fruit extract or powder, powdered or liquid concentrated bouillon or other soup, powdered or liquid medicinal materials (e.g. nutraceuticals), powdered milk or other creamers, sweeteners, thickeners, flavorings, binding agents, coating agents, cellulose, chaff, filter aids, extracts, plant husks, plant fibers, bagasse, additives, or any other type of food. Examples of filter aids include, but are not limited to, perlite, diatomaceous earth, diatomite, chaff, and cellulose. Examples of binding agents include, but are not limited to, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, cream, honey, starch, sucrose, mannitol, liquid glucose, and zein.

[0026] As discussed above, in some embodiments, a package-less beverage consumable (e.g., a beverage tablet) may include a coating disposed along at least a portion of the outer surface at the periphery of the consumable. In some embodiments, the coating may bind the beverage ingredients within the interior of the consumable. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredients held within the coating may be loose, such as loose ground coffee, or compacted. The coating may be a food grade binder, an alginate, edible, soluble, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the coating may serve as a barrier to reduce infiltration of oxygen and/or moisture such as to maintain freshness of the beverage ingredients. Material of the package-less beverage consumable, including a coating of the consumable if one is present, may directly contact some portion of the beverage machine, such as the brew chamber, before brewing the beverage, without intervening packaging in-between.

[0027] Beverage tablet coatings may provide any of a number of advantages for use in beverage tablets. For example, in some embodiments, a coating helps to keep one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet fresh (e.g., by helping to limit the amount of oxygen or water to which one or more beverage ingredients of the beverage tablet are exposed), to mechanically support the beverage ingredient, to mark or label the beverage ingredient, or to retain the beverage ingredient within the beverage tablet (e.g. the coating may be configured to retain a residual beverage ingredient formed during brewing). [0028] The coating may be biodegradable, e.g., to further reduce waste and/or to make the beverage tablets compostable after use.

[0029] The coating of the beverage tablet may be configured to permit wetting and/or dissolution of beverage ingredients of a beverage tablet. Generally, the coating at least partially surrounds the beverage tablet. The coating is configured to become malleable when wet, allowing for deforming of the beverage tablet by surfaces of a brew chamber. In some embodiments, the coating is configured to stretch without rupturing as the beverage tablet is deformed. The coating may remain intact and may hold the deforming body within an encapsulated space to prevent the beverage ingredients from dispersing.

[0030] The coating may be configured to be pierced by at least one inlet needle and one outlet needle. In some embodiments, the coating may not permit transmission of water through the coating, preventing water from flowing in or out of the beverage tablet at locations other than locations where the beverage tablet is pierced.

[0031] In some embodiments, a beverage tablet may have a cylindrical shape with a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region in between. A cylindrical shape may reduce the complexity and cost of a beverage machine configured to brew different sized beverage tablets. Such beverage tablets may be scaled along a single dimension by simply altering the height of the intermediate region of the beverage tablet between the first and second ends. A brew chamber of the beverage machine could therefore accommodate various sized beverage tablets while maintaining proper geometry by simply scaling along that single dimension. For example, the brew chamber could adjust along the height dimension to accommodate different sized beverage tablets. Additionally, manufacturing such beverage tablets could only require the use of a single sized die, potentially reducing cost and increasing the flexibility of manufacturing lines.

[0032] The indicia may be on the first end, the second end, or both the first and second ends. In some embodiments, the first and/or second ends may have a surface upon which the indicia is marked. According to one aspect, marking the indicia on both ends may facilitate placement of the beverage tablet into the beverage machine and reading of the indicia. With a cylindrical shape, a user may be able to insert the beverage tablet into the beverage machine in more than one orientation. Marking the indicia on both the first and second end may allow the beverage tablet to still be readable and/or imageable by the beverage machine in more than one orientation (e.g. two orientations) without requiring a second reader/imager or requiring the beverage machine to move the beverage tablet into a suitable orientation for imaging/reading. [0033] In some embodiments, the indicia is marked on a flat surface on the first and/or second ends. In some embodiments, the first and/or second ends may have a domed shape. In some embodiments, the first and second domed regions may include flat surfaces at distal ends of the first and second domed regions. In some embodiments, the first end of the beverage tablet is domed, but not the second end, or vice versa. In some embodiments, both the first and second ends are domed, but only one of the first and second ends has a flat surface.

[0034] In some embodiments, a domed shape at the first and/or second ends may allow for more even distribution of the coating over the entire surface of the tablet. It may also reduce likelihood of breakage during manufacture or transport due to its avoidance of sharp edges leading to stress concentrations. Such geometry may also allow for even deformation of the beverage tablet in the brew chamber.

[0035] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet includes rounded transition regions between the generally cylindrical intermediate region and the domed regions of the first and second ends. Such rounded transitions may further improve the homogeneity of the coating and reduce stress concentrations. Such rounded transition regions may also allow for better deformation of the beverage tablet in the brew chamber.

[0036] In some embodiments, a method of brewing a brewed beverage using the beverage tablet is provided. In use, a beverage tablet is inserted into a brew chamber of a brewing machine, such that the first and second ends each face one of an inlet surface or outlet surface of the brew chamber. The coating is then wet with a precursor volume of water, allowing the coating to become malleable. The inlet surface is then configured to move towards the outlet surface, compressing the beverage tablet between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. In some embodiments, the shape of the first and/or second ends may change when the beverage tablet is compressed. As an example, the dome shape of the first and/or second ends may transition into a flat surface.

[0037] As the beverage tablet is compressed, the tablet may be deformed to conform to the shape of at least the inlet surface. This may help to seal the beverage tablet against the inlet surface, preventing a flow of water from circumventing the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, because the coating is malleable, the coating stretches with the beverage tablet as the tablet is deformed, rather than fracturing. However, in other embodiments, as the beverage tablet is deformed, the compressed beverage ingredient inside the coating is fractured.

[0038] The beverage tablet is then pierced through one of the first and second ends by at least one inlet needle. In some embodiments, the at least one inlet needle extends from the inlet surface. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may be pierced through the other of the first and second ends by at least one outlet needle. In some embodiments, the at least one outlet needle extends from the outlet surface. It is contemplated that the at least one outlet needle may pierce the beverage tablet at the same time as, or before, the at least one inlet needle pierces the beverage tablet, or may pierce the beverage tablet at any point of the brewing process. [0039] A first volume of water is then introduced into the beverage tablet from the inlet needle. Because the beverage tablet is sealed against the inlet surface, this volume of water is not discouraged from circumventing the beverage tablet, and rather must enter the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, this first volume of water causes the beverage tablet to expand and loosens the compacted beverage ingredient up, lowering the density of the beverage ingredient in the beverage tablet.

[0040] A second volume of water is then injected into the beverage tablet through the inlet needle which flows through the beverage tablet and through the outlet needle to a dispensing station, forming a brewed beverage.

[0041] Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and/or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein. FIGS. 1 A and IB show a perspective and cross-sectional view respectively of a beverage tablet 100 according to an embodiment. The beverage tablet includes a body 102, which includes one or more beverage ingredients formed into a solid body by compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. Compressed beverage ingredient may be any beverage ingredient or combination of beverage ingredients for forming a brewed beverage. For example, beverage ingredient may be coffee grinds, tea leaves, a combination of coffee grinds or tea leaves and additives such as powdered creamer, or any other conventional brewed beverage ingredient. The beverage tablet may have a cylindrical shape having a first end 106, a second end 108, and an intermediate region 110. However, it should be appreciated that other shapes are possible.

[0042] The body 102 of the beverage tablet may be at least partially covered by a coating 104. The coating 104 may be configured to help retain body 102 in its shape after being formed. Coating 104 may also be configured to seal the beverage ingredient in body 102 to preserve the beverage ingredient by limiting the amount of water or air a beverage ingredient is exposed to. Coating 104 may also be configured to be malleable when wet, in order to allow for deforming of the beverage tablet 100 during a brew process without fracturing or tearing the coating 104. Coating 104 may be configured to be pierced by needles to allow introduction of water into the beverage tablet 100, and extraction of brewed beverage from the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the coating 104 may be water impermeable, such that water is prevented from flowing in or out of the beverage tablet at locations other than locations where the beverage tablet 100 is pierced. The coating may have any suitable number of layers, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 layers, or more. [0043] In some embodiments, the coating 104 may be marked with indicia to indicate information about the beverage tablet. Different types of indicia may be marked on the coating. Some indicia may be machine-readable, and may be read by a beverage machine and/or a mobile device or remote resource. In some embodiments, the machine-readable indica may be a barcode, including, but not limited to: one-dimensional barcodes (also called linear barcodes), two-dimensional barcodes (also called matrix codes, e.g. QR codes), and any other suitable barcode. Indicia 116a shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of a machine-readable indicia: a barcode. Some indicia may be text that can be read by a human user and/or a machine. In some embodiments, the text may be intended just for a human user, and are not read by the beverage machine and/or a mobile device or remote resource. In other embodiments, however, the text may also be read by the beverage machine and/or a mobile device or remote resource. Indicia 116b shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of indicia in the form of human-readable text: “Dark Roast”. Such text may help to inform the user of the beverage tablet type.

[0044] Some indicia may be logos that can be read by a human user and/or a machine. In some embodiments, the logos may be intended just for a human user, and are not read by the beverage machine and/or a mobile device or remote resource. In other embodiments, however, the logo may also be read by the beverage machine and/or a mobile device or remote resource. In some embodiments, the logo may inform the human user and/or machine of which company produced the beverage tablet. Indicia 116c shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of indicia in the form of a logo.

[0045] In some embodiments, indicia are for the human user only, and are not read by a machine or otherwise used by a machine for any type of recognition. For example, some indicia may be artwork or other designs used purely for aesthetic purposes. In some embodiments, the certain indicia may help the human user identify the beverage tablet type and/or the company that produced the beverage tablet type, but the indicia is not read by a machine for such recognition. Indicia 116d shown in FIG. 1 A is an example of indicia in the form of design for aesthetic purposes, and is not read by a machine.

[0046] In some embodiments, more than one type of indicia may be marked on a beverage tablet, and a mix of machine-readable only, human-readable only, and/or both machine and human readable indicia may be present. For example, the beverage tablet 100 of FIG. 1A has four different types of indicia: barcode indicia 116a (which may be machine-readable only), text indicia 116b (which may be both human and machine readable), logo indicia 116c (which may be both human and machine readable, or just human readable), and artwork/design indicia 116d (which may be human-readable only).

[0047] According to aspects discussed herein, indicia 116a-d is formed on coating 104 via UV laser marking. In some embodiments, the UV laser marking may be non-ablative. In other embodiments, the UV laser marking may cause some ablation, but less ablation than in a carbon dioxide laser marking process.

[0048] In some embodiments, at least one layer of the coating (e.g. an innermost layer closest to the body 102 of beverage ingredient) is not ablated such that the coating maintains a barrier around the body of the tablet. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 A-1B, the indicia 116a-d is formed via a non-ablative UV laser marking process, and thus the coating 104 maintains a consistent thickness around the body 102 without any indented areas caused by the UV laser marking.

[0049] In another illustrative embodiment, FIG. 1C depicts a cross-sectional view of a beverage tablet with a coating 104 having multiple layers: an inner layer 105 and an outer layer 107. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, a coating may further include any number of intermediate layers between the inner layer and the outer layer. In the embodiment of FIG. 1C, the UV laser marked indicia 116a-d is slightly indented into the outer layer 107, e.g. due to some ablation or other indenting effect of the UV laser marking. However, the indentation does not introduce into the inner layer 105. As such, the inner layer 105 does not have any indented areas caused by the UV laser marking.

[0050] In some embodiments, the UV laser marking may form the indicia based, at least in part, on a chemical reaction that changes the color of the coating at the locations where the UV laser is applied. For example, in some embodiments, prior to UV laser marking, the coating may have a transparent or translucent color. The UV laser marking may change the color to an opaque color, e.g. white, or any other suitable color.

[0051] According to one aspect, a method of forming a beverage tablet is provided. First, a solid body is formed from one or more beverage ingredients comprising a plurality of particles. The body may be formed by any suitable method, such as compression, adhesion, solidification in a mold, or any of a variety of other suitable methods for making a rigid body from one or more beverage ingredients. At least a portion of the body may then be covered by a coating. In some embodiments, the entire body is covered by the coating. The coating may have one or more layers. In some embodiments, a coating process may be repeated a plurality of times to achieve a multi-layer coating.

[0052] After the beverage tablet has been coated, the tablet may be UV laser-marked to form the indicia. In some embodiments, the UV laser is applied to the coating at a first end of the beverage tablet. In some embodiments, the UV laser is also applied to the coating at a second end of the beverage tablet.

[0053] The composition of the coating may interact with the UV laser marking to produce a specific desired result. According to some embodiments, a coating of a beverage tablet comprises a polysaccharide (e.g., a food-safe and/or a biodegradable polysaccharide). A polysaccharide generally comprises a polymerized sugar. The polysaccharide may be a natural polysaccharide, a synthetic modification of a natural polysaccharide, or a purely synthetic polysaccharide, depending on the embodiments. The polysaccharide may be a homopolysaccharide or a heteropolysaccharide. Any of a variety of suitable polysaccharides, including but not limited to cellulose, chitin, starch, glycogen, alginate (e.g., sodium alginate, calcium alginate), and galactogen may be used in a coating of a beverage tablet, depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments, the coating comprises sodium alginate.

[0054] A coating of a beverage tablet may include exactly one polysaccharide or may include a plurality of polysaccharides, depending on the embodiment. For example, according to some embodiments, the coating comprises exactly one polysaccharide coating the beverage tablet. As another example, according to some embodiments, the coating comprises a homogenized blend of two or more polysaccharides. To provide yet another example, in some embodiments, the coating comprises two or more unmixed polysaccharides. Unmixed polysaccharides of the coating may have any of a variety of different dispositions within the coating. For example, unmixed polysaccharides may be included in the coating in the form of two or more distinct layers of the coating, or in the form of a single, multi-phase composite layer. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a multi-phase composite layer wherein a first polysaccharide forms a matrix, and the second polysaccharide is present in the matrix in the form of a dispersed phase such as fibers or particles. For example, in some embodiments, the coating comprises a composite of an alginate matrix and a second polysaccharide (e.g., starch). The second polysaccharide may provide mechanical support to the coating and/or may be a filler configured to dilute the alginate without degrading coating properties.

[0055] Polysaccharides may be present in a coating in any of a variety of suitable phases. For example, in some embodiments, a coating comprises a polysaccharide gel or a polysaccharide that is configured to form a gel when contacted with a liquid (e.g., water or an aqueous solution). A polysaccharide gel may have any of a variety of advantages for use in coatings of beverage tablets. For example, in some embodiments, a polysaccharide gel is water penetrable and maintains its structural integrity during brewing of the beverage tablet. Water penetrability and structural integrity at brewing temperatures may be advantageous properties of beverage tablets, particularly when present in combination. Of course, in some embodiments, the coating comprises a polysaccharide that is not a gel or a gel former. For example, the coating may comprise a solid polysaccharide (e.g., a crystalline or glassy polysaccharide), in some embodiments. As a specific, non-limiting example, in some embodiments, a coating comprises alginate, which is a gel-forming polysaccharide. The alginate may or may not be mixed with a second, solid polysaccharide such as starch. [0056] A polysaccharide may be a cross-linked polysaccharide. Any of a variety of suitable cross-links may be used. For example, cross-links may be covalent or ionic. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide is cross-linked reversibly. For example, a polysaccharide may be reversibly, ionically cross-linked. In some embodiments, a polysaccharide is cross-linked using a cross-linking agent. Generally, a cross-linking agent is a chemical species that facilitates cross-linking, e.g., by chemically reacting to form a cross-link as part of a cross-linking reaction, or by catalyzing a cross-linking reaction. A cross-linking agent may be consumed during the cross-linking reaction, or may simply facilitate the reaction without undergoing a net chemical change.

[0057] In some embodiments, a cross-linking agent comprises an ionic cross-linker. The ionic cross-linker may be configured to react with the polysaccharide to form a cross-linked polysaccharide, e.g., by providing appropriate reaction conditions. For example, the ionic crosslinker may be configured to form ionic cross-links in an aqueous environment under appropriate salt and/or pH conditions. The ionic cross-linker may comprise a salt. For example, the ionic cross-linker may comprise a salt comprising one or more multivalent ions. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, multivalent ions may be useful for ionic cross-linkers, since multivalent ions may form ionic bonds with multiple polysaccharides simultaneously.

According to some embodiments, an ionic cross-linker comprises a multivalent cation. For example, according to some embodiments, a salt comprising a divalent cation may be particularly advantageous if used as a divalent ionic cross-linker. Any of a variety of suitable ionic cross-linkers may generally be used to cross-link a polysaccharide. For example, in some embodiments, a polysaccharide provided herein is cross-linked using an ionic cross-linker comprising calcium chloride, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium lactate, ferrous chloride, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, magnesium chloride, copper chloride, and/or magnesium sulfate. In some embodiments, calcium chloride is used. Calcium chloride may be a particularly advantageous cross-linker because all the byproducts of its use as a polysaccharide cross-linker are non-toxic and edible. However, any of a variety of suitable cross-linkers may generally be used, as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, a trivalent ion cross-linker may be used, e.g., in combination with a divalent ion to modulate the mechanical properties of the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, one or more additional agents, e.g., monovalent ions, may be used as competitive inhibitors of cross-linking agents. The one or more competitive inhibitors of cross-linking agents may be used to modulate the properties of the cross-linked polysaccharides. According to some embodiments, a plurality of cross-linking agents (e.g., calcium chloride and copper chloride) are used in combination, e.g., because the combination of cross-linking agents may result in a mixture of cross-links with different properties. The mixing of cross-linking agents provides another route for controlling mechanical properties of the polysaccharide, according to some embodiments.

[0058] In some embodiments, the coating comprises a polysaccharide that is not crosslinked. For example, a coating may comprise a composite of polysaccharides (e.g., a first polysaccharide matrix and a second polysaccharide phase dispersed in the first polysaccharide matrix), wherein a first polysaccharide is cross-linked while a second polysaccharide is not. [0059] In some embodiments, the indicia is decoded by the beverage machine. The beverage machine may include any suitable reader/imager (e.g. a photosensitive detector) to decode the indicia, such as a camera or barcode reader (e.g. ID barcode reader, 2D barcode reader, 3D barcode reader, including a QR code reader).

[0060] In some embodiments, an image of the indicia is captured by the beverage machine, and the image is sent to a remote resource, such as a remote server, for decoding. In some embodiments, the remote resource may decode the indicia and send information and/or commands back to the beverage machine. For example, the remote resource may decode the indicia, determine the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed, and send brew parameter instructions to the beverage machine. The remote resource may perform other actions with the decoded information, such as automatic reordering of beverage tablets, sending reorder suggestions to a user via email, phone application, via a display on the beverage machine, etc., updating a usage tracking database e.g., for supply chain information.

[0061] The indicia may be used for a variety of purposes. In some embodiments, the indicia may be used to indicate the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed, such as the variety, flavor, espresso versus drip coffee, etc. Such information can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the beverage machine may automatically adjust one or more brew parameters based on the type of beverage tablet that is reflected by the indicia. For example, if the indicia indicates that the beverage tablet is an espresso type of beverage tablet, the beverage machine may utilize a higher brew pressure. Likewise, if the indicia indicates that the beverage tablet is a drip coffee type of beverage tablet, the beverage machine may utilize a lower brew pressure. Alternatively or in addition, identification of the type of beverage tablet that is being brewed may be used for inventory purposes, e.g. automatic re-ordering of the beverage tablet type that is being brewed when the total amount of beverage tablets of that type owned by the user or organization falls below a certain threshold. A user may have an account that tracks purchases and uses to determine how many beverage tablets the user or organization still has. In some embodiments, the indicia may include information regarding product shelf life and/or batch/lot number. For example, the indicia can be used to indicate whether the beverage tablet has passed its expiration date, and/or whether there is safety information associated with the beverage tablet. A beverage machine may then communicate such information to a user, e.g. by providing an alert to a user reflecting the information from the indicia on a display. The indicia may also include information such as ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, any of which may be displayed by a beverage machine to a user.

[0062] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first and/or second end of the beverage tablet may be domed. As seen in FIG. 2, first end 106 may be dome-shaped, and second end 108 may be dome-shaped. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, only one of the first and second ends is dome-shaped, while the other end is flat.

[0063] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 3, domed regions of the first and second ends 106 and 108 may include flat surfaces 118 and 120.

[0064] In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 2, to further improve coating evenness and reduction of stress concentrations, transitions 112 and 114 between the intermediate region 110 and the domed regions of the first and second ends 106 and 108 may be generally curved. It is contemplated that this curve may have any suitable radius. In other embodiments, transitions 112 and 114 are sharper (smaller radius of curvature), as can be seen in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, transitions 112 and 114 are more gradual (larger radius of curvature), as can be seen in FIG. 4.

[0065] FIGS. 5-7 show an exemplary embodiment of a method of brewing a beverage using the beverage tablet.

[0066] In use, a beverage tablet 100 may be received into a brew chamber 202 of a beverage machine 200 while the brew chamber 202 is in an expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 5. Brew chamber 202 includes an inlet surface 204 and an outlet surface 206. An inlet needle 210 may be coupled to the inlet surface 204, and an outlet needle 212 may be coupled to the outlet surface 206. It is contemplated that inlet needle 210 may be a plurality of inlet needles, and/or outlet needle 212 may be a plurality of outlet needles. In some embodiments, inlet surface 204 may have a curved profile. In some embodiments, outlet surface 206 may have a curved profile.

[0067] Beverage tablet 100 may be received within the brew chamber such that first and second ends 106 and 108 each face one of an inlet surface 204 or an outlet surface 206.

[0068] In some embodiments, the brew chamber 202 may include a lid 208 that opens to permit entry of a tablet into the brew chamber. The lid 208 may close after a tablet has been inserted.

[0069] As a wetting step, a precursor volume of water may be introduced into the brew chamber in order to soften coating 104 to allow for deforming and piercing of the beverage tablet 100. In some embodiments, the precursor volume of water in introduced into the brew chamber through inlet needle 210. In some embodiments, precursor volume of water is introduced into the brew chamber from a separate inlet that is distinct from inlet needle 210. [0070] In some embodiments, after the tablet coating has been softened, the beverage machine may then compress the tablet. To achieve this, in some embodiments, the inlet surface 204 and outlet surface 206 may move relative to one another, moving the brew chamber 202 from an expanded configuration (FIG. 5) to a compressed configuration (FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the inlet surface 204 moves toward the outlet surface 206, in some embodiments, the outlet surface 206 moves toward the inlet surface 204, and in some embodiments, both surfaces 204, 206 move toward each other. In some embodiments, as the beverage tablet 100 is compressed, the first and/or second ends 106 and 108 may change shape. For example, the first and/or second ends 106 and 108 may change from a domed shape to a flattened shape.

[0071] The movement distance of the inlet surface 204 and/or outlet surface 206 may differ depending on the size of the beverage tablet. For example, the inlet surface 204 and/or outlet surface may move a greater distance when used with tablets of a shorter height H as compared to tablets with a taller height H. As discussed above, one benefit of using a cylindrical shaped beverage tablet is that different beverage tablet sizes (and thus beverage volumes and/or strengths) may be used with the same beverage machine, where the beverage machine may be able to adjust along a single dimension to accommodate the different sizes. In this case, the brew chamber expands and contracts linearly to accommodate different beverage tablet heights.

[0072] In some embodiments, as the distance between the inlet surface 204 and the outlet surface 206 decreases, the beverage tablet 100 is deformed such that the tablet conforms to match the shape of the inlet surface 204 and/or outlet surface 206 in the compressed position. In some embodiments, the conforming of the beverage tablet 100 to inlet surface 204 seals the beverage tablet 100 against inlet surface 204. In some embodiments, conforming of the beverage tablet 100 to the outlet surface 206 seals the beverage tablet 100 against the outlet surface 206.

[0073] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet is subjected to a force of 450 N, can go up to 700 N during compression of the tablet by the beverage machine.

[0074] In some embodiments, compressing the beverage tablet 100 causes the compacted beverage ingredients forming the body 102 to fracture, breaking body 102 into smaller pieces. The coating 104, due at least in part to its malleable properties when wet, may remain intact and may hold the fractured pieces of the body within an encapsulated space to prevent the beverage ingredients from dispersing. The coating may stretch to permit the shape of the tablet to deform without rupture of the coating.

[0075] As the beverage tablet 100 is compressed, the inlet needle 210 pierces coating 104 and enters the beverage tablet 100 through the first end 106. In some embodiments, the outlet needle 212 may also pierce coating 104 and enter the beverage tablet 100 through the second end 108 contemporaneously with the inlet needle. In other embodiments, the outlet needle 212 pierces coating 104 after the inlet needle 210 pierces the coating 104. [0076] A first volume of water is then injected into the beverage tablet 100 through the inlet needle 210. In some embodiments, this causes beverage tablet 100 to expand, as seen in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, as beverage tablet 100 expands, the surfaces of the brew chamber may move away from one another to allow for expansion. For example, the inlet surface 204 of the brew chamber may move away from the outlet surface 206 of the brew chamber (or vice versa, or both surfaces may move away from each other). As beverage tablet 100 expands, the contents of the body 102 may become broken up, reducing the density of the beverage ingredient in the beverage tablet 100. The coating 104, however, may remain intact, keeping the contents contained within an enclosed space and preventing the contents from dispersing in the beverage machine. The coating may stretch to permit the shape of the tablet to deform and the density of the body to change without rupture of the coating.

[0077] In some embodiments, the coating may be configured to permit the tablet to expand inside the brew chamber without rupture of the coating. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 10% to 27%, 11% to 26%, 12% to 25%, 13% to 24%, 14% to 23%, 15% to 22%, 16% to 21%, 17% to 20%, or 18% to 19%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 10%- 20%, 11% to 19%, 12% to 18%, 13% to 17%, 14% to 16%, or 15%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion inside the brew chamber is from 14% to 30%, 15% to 29%, 16% to 28%, 17% to 27%, 18% to 26%, 19% to 25%, 20% to 24%, 21% to 23%, or 22%. In some embodiments, the permitted range of expansion of the beverage tablet inside the brew chamber is from 15%-30%.

[0078] In some embodiments, a second volume of water may then be introduced into the beverage tablet 100 through inlet needle 210. At least some of the first and second volumes of water then flow through the beverage tablet 100, out the outlet needle 212, and to a dispensing station, forming a brewed beverage.

[0079] In some embodiments, prior to operation with a beverage machine, a beverage tablet may have a density of 500 g/1 to 750 g/1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 400 g/1 to 850 g/1, 425 g/1 to 825 g/1, 450 g/1 to 800 g/1, 475 g/1 to 775 g/1, 500 g/1 to 750 g/1, 525 g/1 to 725 g/1, 550 g/1 to 700 g/1, 575 g/1 to 675 g/1, or 600 g/1 to 650 g/1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 400 g/1 to 600 g/1, 425 g/1 to 575 g/1, 450 g/1 to 550 g/1, 475 g/1 to 525 g/1, or 500 g/1. In some embodiments, the beverage tablet may have a density that ranges from 650 g/1 to 850 g/1, 675 g/1 to 825 g/1, 700 g/1 to 800 g/1, 725 g/1 to 775 g/1, or 750 g/1.

[0080] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the beverage tablet may comprise at least one coating that at least partially covers the compacted beverage ingredient. In some embodiments, the at least one coating completely envelops the compacted beverage ingredient. The coating may be configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the beverage tablet to deform during a beverage formation process without rupture of the coating. In some embodiments, the coating has an ultimate elongation of at least 10% when exposed to liquid. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 10% to 40%, 12% to 38%, 14% to 36%, 16% to 34%, 18% to 32%, 20% to 30%, 22% to 28%, or 24% to 26%. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 10% to 28%, 12% to 26%, 14% to 24%, 16% to 22%, or 18% to 20%. In some embodiments the coating has an ultimate elongation that ranges from 24% to 40%, 26% to 38%, 28% to 36%, 30% to 34%, or 31% to 33%.

[0081] In some embodiments, the beverage tablet with coating may have a break force of 40 to 500 N.

[0082] As discussed above, the inventors have appreciated that UV laser marking may be, in some embodiments, less ablative than other laser marking techniques, such as carbon dioxide laser marking. As such, UV laser marking may result in less removal of a coating from the beverage tablet, which may help to better preserve the integrity and performance of the coating. The inventors have thus recognized that with UV laser marking, a larger percentage of the surface area of a beverage tablet coating may be UV laser marked while still preserving coating integrity and performance. This may permit the beverage tablet to be marked with larger indicia. Larger indicia may be beneficial, such as being easier to read (e.g. by a machine and/or by a human) and/or being able to encode more information.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a first end 106 of a beverage tablet with machine-readable indicia 116a in the form of a 2D barcode. As discussed above, the first end 106 may have a domed shape. In other embodiments, however, the first end 106 may be flat. In some embodiments, at least 2%, at least 2.5% or at least 3% of the surface area of the first end 106 is UV laser marked with indicia. This may be a single indicia or multiple indicia. In some embodiments, 10% or less, 8% or less, 7% or less, 6% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less of the surface area of the first end 106 is UV laser marked with indicia. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges are also possible. For example, in some embodiments, 2 to 10%, 2 to 8%, 2 to 7%, 2 to 6%, 2 to 5%, 2.5 to 8%, 2.5 to 7%, 2.5 to 6%, 2.5 to 5%, 3 to 8%, 3 to 7%, 3 to 6%, or 3 to 5% of the surface area of the first end 106 is UV laser marked with indicia.

[0084] Beverage tablet shapes that may not have distinct ends (such as with a sphere, spheroid, or other similar shapes), may still be considered to have a first end with respect to percent surface area marked with indica. With machine-readable indicia on such beverage tablet shapes, the surface area of the “first end” as used with respect to percent surface area marked with indica is considered to be the area of the beverage tablet surface that is visible to a reader/imager when reading/imaging the indicia. [0085] The percent surface area of the entire beverage tablet as a whole (rather than just the surface area of one end of the beverage tablet) that is UV laser marked may also be considered. In some embodiments, at least 0.3%, at least 0.4%, at least 0.5%, at least 0.6%, at least 0.7%, at least 1%, at least 1.5%, or at least 2% of the total surface area of the beverage tablet is UV laser marked with indicia. This may be a single indicia or multiple indicia. In some embodiments, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2.5% or less, 2% or less, or 1.5% or less of the total surface area of the beverage tablet is UV laser marked with indicia. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges are also possible. For example, in some embodiments, 0.3 to 10%, 0.3 to 5%, 0.3 to 4%, 0.4 to 10%, 0.4 to 5%, 0.4 to 4%, 0.4 to 3%, 0.4 to 2.5%, 0.4 to 2%, 0.4 to 1.5%, 0.5 to 10%, 0.5 to 5%, 0.5 to 4%, 0.5 to 3%, 0.5 to 2.5%, 0.5 to 2%, 0.5 to 1.5%, 1 to 10%, 1 to 5%, 1 to 4%, 1 to 3%, 1 to 2.5%, 1 to 2%, or 1 to 1.5% of the total surface area of the beverage tablet is UV laser marked with indicia.

[0086] While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage, the beverage tablet comprising: a body formed of compacted beverage ingredient; a coating at least partially covering the compacted beverage ingredient; and ultraviolet laser-marked indicia on the coating, wherein the coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

2. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the body and the coating are configured to be pierced to allow liquid to flow into the beverage tablet and wherein the malleability of the coating when exposed to liquid allows the beverage tablet to be expanded by the liquid to decrease a density of the beverage ingredient while the coating retains the beverage ingredient within an enclosed space.

3. The beverage tablet of claim 1, further comprising a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region between the first end and the second end, wherein the ultraviolet laser- marked indicia is positioned on the first end.

4. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein the intermediate region comprises a cylindrical shape.

5. The beverage tablet of claim 3, further comprising second ultraviolet laser-marked indicia positioned on the second end.

6. The beverage tablet of claim 4, further comprising second ultraviolet laser-marked indicia positioned on the second end.

7. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein the first end includes a flat surface, and the ultraviolet laser-marked indicia is positioned on the flat surface.

8. The beverage tablet of claim 7, wherein the first end comprises a domed shape including the flat surface.

9. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being closer to the body formed of compacted beverage ingredient, and wherein the indicia does not intrude into the inner layer.

10. The beverage tablet of claim 9, wherein the coating further comprises at least one intermediate layer between the inner layer and the outer layer.

11. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia indicates a beverage tablet type.

12. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia is machine-readable.

13. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia is human-readable.

14. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises text.

15. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises a barcode.

16. The beverage tablet of claim 15, wherein the barcode comprises a two-dimensional barcode.

17. The beverage tablet of claim 1, wherein at least 0.3 of a total surface area of the beverage tablet is marked with the ultraviolet laser-marked indicia.

18. The beverage tablet of claim 17, wherein 0.5 to 10% of the total surface area of the beverage tablet is marked with the ultraviolet laser-marked indicia.

19. The beverage tablet of claim 3, wherein at least 2% of a surface area of the first end is marked with the ultraviolet laser-marked indicia.

20. The beverage tablet of claim 19, wherein 2 to 10% of the surface area of the first end is marked with the ultraviolet laser-marked indicia.

21. A method of forming a beverage tablet for use with a beverage machine to form a beverage, the method comprising: forming a beverage ingredient comprising a plurality of particles into a solid body; covering at least a portion of the body with a coating; and marking the coating with indicia using ultraviolet laser marking, wherein the coating is configured to be malleable when exposed to liquid to allow the tablet to be deformed by application of force from a beverage machine in order to conform to a shape of a brew chamber of the beverage machine and form a seal against the brew chamber.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the coating comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being closer to the body of compacted beverage ingredient, and wherein the indicia does not intrude into the inner layer.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the coating further comprises at least one intermediate layer between the inner layer and the outer layer.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the beverage tablet further comprises a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region between the first end and the second end, wherein the step of marking the coating comprises marking the first end.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising marking the second end with a second indicia using ultraviolet laser marking.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the body and the coating are configured to be pierced to allow liquid to flow into the beverage tablet, and wherein the malleability of the coating when exposed to liquid allows the beverage tablet to be expanded by the liquid to decrease a density of the beverage ingredient while the coating retains the beverage ingredient within an enclosed space.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia indicates a beverage tablet type.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia is machine-readable.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia is human-readable.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia comprises text.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the indicia comprises a barcode.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the barcode comprises a two-dimensional barcode.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein at least 0.3 of a total surface area of the beverage tablet is marked with the indicia.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein 0.5 to 10% of the total surface area of the beverage tablet is marked with the indicia.

35. The method of claim 24, wherein at least 2% of a surface area of the first end is marked with the indicia.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein 2 to 10% of the surface area of the first end is marked with the indicia.