Beverage filter cartridge

Abstract

Beverage filter cartridge comprising a cup having at least one sidewall; a cover sealed to the cup to form an interior; and a filter pod provided the interior and having a substance provided therein for brewing a beverage; wherein at least a portion of the sidewall comprises a helical channel extending the cup.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage filter cartridge comprising:
 a cup having at least one sidewall;   a cover sealed to the cup to form an interior; and   a filter pod provided within the interior and having a substance provided therein suitable for producing a brewed beverage;   wherein at least a portion of the sidewall comprises a helical channel extending about the cup.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cup comprises an inwardly-extending annular rib. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cup comprises a post extending upward from a bottom of the cup. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 3 , wherein the filter pod is supported within the cup by the annular rib and the post to define a space between the filter pod and the bottom of the cup. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the filter pod is not coupled to the cup and is not coupled to the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 5 , wherein the filter pod contains the substance within an interior of the filter pod such that the substance is retained within the interior of the filter pod. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the helical channel extends from adjacent a top of the cup. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the helical channel extends from adjacent the top of the cup to adjacent the bottom of the filter pod. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the helical channel is configured to generate an area of reduced fluid pressure when fluid is introduced into the cartridge by a brewing device. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the helical channel is configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid to flow in a circular motion as the fluid flows downward through the cup. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the cup and the cover are sealed to preserve the substance within the filter pod prior to use of the cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cup and cover are configured to be pierced by a brewing machine to permit fluid to flow through the interior of the cup and the filter pod to produce the brewed beverage. 
     
     
         13 . A beverage filter cartridge comprising:
 a cup having an open top, a closed bottom, and a sidewall extending between the top and the bottom, the top, bottom, and sidewall defining an interior;   a filter disposed within the interior such that a space is maintained between the filter and the bottom; and   a lid coupled to the top and configured to retain the filter within the interior;   wherein the filter is not coupled to the cup or the lid.   
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 13 , wherein the sidewall comprises a helical portion extending adjacent the filter. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom comprises a raised portion configured to support the filter and maintain the space between the filter and the bottom. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall comprises an annular rib extending at least partially about the perimeter of the sidewall.