Capsule with Sensory Attributes

Abstract

A capsule is provided for use in a machine for preparing a consumable product from capsules. The capsule includes a body that defines an interior space with an opening. Ingredients are disposed within the interior space for preparing a desired product and cover is disposed over the opening. A window is defined in at least one of the cover and the body for viewing the ingredients. In another embodiment, at least one vent is defined in at least one of the cover and the body for venting the capsule. A carton is also provided for containing a plurality of capsules. The container includes a body that defines an interior space for containing the capsules and at least one window defined in the body for displaying a portion of one or more capsules.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A capsule, for use in a machine for preparing consumable products from capsules, said capsule comprising:
 a body defining an interior space with an opening;   ingredients disposed in said interior space for preparing a desired product;   a cover disposed over said opening; and   a window defined in said cover for viewing said ingredients.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is formed of one or more transparent materials to define said window. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said cover is opaque. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover includes brand elements and/or product information. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a multilayered material having a transparent outer layer and a transparent sealing layer. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises a multilayered material having a transparent outer layer, a transparent barrier layer and a transparent sealing layer. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein said multilayered material further comprises a non-transparent graphics layer. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein said multilayered material further comprises a luminescent taggant. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein said transparent outer layer comprises PET and said transparent sealing layer comprises PE. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 6 , wherein said transparent outer layer comprises PET, said transparent barrier comprises one of EVOH or metalized PET and said transparent sealing layer comprises PE. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is resistant to tearing upon puncturing or the application of a peel force. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has a minimum tensile strength of 3000 psi. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is formed of a material that is adapted to shrink upon exposure to heat. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover has a minimum elongation of 50%. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said cover comprises at least 90% polymer materials. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter that is disposed in said interior space to define an ingredients chamber for containing at least some of said ingredients. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule of  claim 16 , wherein said ingredients contained in said ingredients chamber occupy no less than 90% of the volume of said ingredients chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a first filter that is disposed in said interior space to define a first ingredients chamber proximate to said cover and a second filter that is disposed in said interior space to define a second ingredients chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule of  claim 18 , wherein said first ingredients chamber contains ingredients having visual attributes that may be viewed through said window. 
     
     
         20 . The capsule of  claim 18 , wherein said first filter has larger openings than said second filter. 
     
     
         21 . The capsule of  claim 16 , further comprising an integral tab defined in a flange of said body that is adapted for removing said filter and said cover from said body with the application of a peeling force following use of said capsule. 
     
     
         22 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said ingredients include one or more of whole leaf teas, herbs, spices, fruits and flowers. 
     
     
         23 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said ingredients have a particulate size greater than a #16 mesh (1.18 mm). 
     
     
         24 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the ingredients comprise ingredients having a particulate size greater than a #16 mesh (1.18 mm). 
     
     
         25 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a window defined in said body for viewing said interior space. 
     
     
         26 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein said capsule further includes a vent for venting said capsule. 
     
     
         27 . The capsule of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one vent is defined in said cover. 
     
     
         28 . The capsule of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one vent is defined in said body. 
     
     
         29 . A capsule, for use in a machine for preparing consumable products from capsules, said capsule comprising:
 a body defining an interior space with an opening;   ingredients disposed in said interior space for preparing a desired product;   a cover disposed over said opening; and   at least one vent defined in said capsule for venting said capsule.   
     
     
         30 . The capsule of  claim 29 , wherein said at least one vent is defined in said cover. 
     
     
         31 . The capsule of  claim 29 , wherein said at least one vent is defined in said body. 
     
     
         32 . The capsule of  claim 31 , wherein said body comprises a flange extending around the perimeter of said opening and wherein said cover is bonded to said flange, said at least one vent being defined in said flange internally of where said cover is bonded to said flange. 
     
     
         33 . The capsule of  claim 32 , further comprising a filter that is disposed in said interior space to define an ingredients chamber for containing at least some of said ingredients. 
     
     
         34 . The capsule of  claim 33 , wherein said filter is secured to said body between said cover and said flange. 
     
     
         35 . A carton for containing a plurality of capsules, said capsules being adapted for use in a machine for preparing consumable products from capsules, said carton comprising:
 a body defining an interior space for containing a plurality of capsules; and   at least one window, defined in said body, for displaying a portion of one or more capsules.   
     
     
         36 . A carton as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said at least one window includes a cover window for displaying a cover of at least one said capsule. 
     
     
         37 . A carton as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said at least one window includes a side window for displaying a side portion of at least one said capsule. 
     
     
         38 . A carton as claimed in  claim 35 , in combination with a plurality of said capsules, at least one of said capsules having a cover defining a window for viewing ingredients that are disposed in said capsule. 
     
     
         39 . A carton as claimed in  claim 35 , in combination with a plurality of said capsules, at least one of said capsules having a body defining a window for viewing the interior of said capsule. 
     
     
         40 . A carton as claimed in  claim 35 , in combination with a plurality of said capsules, at least one of said capsules having a vent that is adapted for venting aroma from said capsule.