Cartridge for beverage dispenser

Abstract

A cartridge for a beverage dispenser includes a top that has a perimeter forming an opening therein, an intermediate portion connected to the top, and a bottom connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has at least five openings formed therein. The intermediate portion forms a receiving space between the top and the bottom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge ( 100 ) for a beverage dispenser, the cartridge ( 100 ) comprising:
 a top ( 102 ) having a perimeter ( 104 ) forming an opening ( 106 ) therein;   an intermediate portion ( 108 ) connected to the top ( 102 ), the intermediate portion ( 108 ) having at least five openings ( 110 ) formed therein; and   a bottom ( 112 ) connected to the intermediate portion ( 108 ),   wherein the intermediate portion ( 108 ) forms a receiving space ( 130 ) between the top ( 102 ) and the bottom ( 112 ).   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the at least five openings ( 110 ) in the intermediate portion ( 108 ) are covered with a filtration material ( 114 ). 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration material comprises polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the top ( 102 ) and the bottom ( 112 ) are substantially circular. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 4 , wherein a width of the top ( 102 ) is greater than a width of the bottom ( 112 ). 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion ( 108 ) is tapered ( 116 ) from the top ( 102 ) to the bottom ( 112 ). 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate portion ( 108 ) has an upper portion ( 118 ) proximate the top ( 102 ) and a lower portion ( 125 ) proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion ( 122 ) connecting the upper portion ( 118 ) and the lower portion ( 125 ). 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom ( 112 ) has at least five openings ( 132 ) formed therein corresponding to the five openings ( 110 ) in the intermediate portion ( 108 ). 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the five openings ( 132 ) in the bottom ( 112 ) are proximate the five openings ( 110 ) in the intermediate portion ( 108 ) and separated therefrom by a perimeter ( 134 ) of an outer edge ( 136 ) of the bottom ( 112 ). 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the five openings ( 132 ) in the bottom ( 112 ) are proximate the five openings ( 110 ) in the intermediate portion ( 108 ) and share at least one side. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 8 , wherein at least three of the five openings ( 132 ) in the bottom ( 112 ) are the same size as each other, and at least two of the five openings ( 132 ) in the bottom ( 112 ) are the same size as each other. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein a height of the five openings is at least 30% of a height of the cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge ( 100 ) is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge ( 100 ) of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer is polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . A cartridge ( 100 ) having a height of 36.5 millimeters for a beverage dispenser, the cartridge ( 100 ) comprising:
 a top ( 102 ) having a diameter of 52.5 millimeters and having a perimeter ( 104 ) forming an opening ( 106 ) therein, the opening ( 106 ) having a diameter of 46.5 millimeters;   an intermediate portion ( 108 ) connected to the top ( 102 ), the intermediate portion ( 108 ) having at least five openings ( 110 ) formed therein; and   a bottom ( 112 ) connected to the intermediate portion ( 108 ), the bottom having a diameter of 37 millimeters,   wherein the intermediate portion ( 108 ) forms a receiving space ( 130 ) between the top ( 102 ) and the bottom ( 112 ); and   wherein the intermediate portion ( 108 ) has an upper portion ( 118 ) having a height of 7.8 millimeters, proximate the top ( 102 ), and a lower portion ( 125 ) having a height of 27.85 millimeters, proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion ( 122 ) connecting the upper portion ( 118 ) and the lower portion ( 125 ).