Beverage Capsule

Abstract

A beverage capsule is provided having a body, a filter disposed in the body, ingredients disposed in the filter and a cover. The body includes a side wall that extends from an end wall to an opening that is covered by the cover. A boss extends into the interior space from the end wall inwardly of an extraction region. In one embodiment, the boss defines an engagement surface having a plurality of arms adapted for engaging a bottom portion of the filter during use. In another embodiment, the boss engages the filter to define a tented filter zone wherein an inner portion of the filter is spaced a further distance from the end wall than an outer portion of the filter. In another embodiment, a diffusing surface is disposed in the body downstream of where a fluid is intended to enter the opening of the capsule during use with a beverage preparing machine, the diffusing surface being adapted to redirect fluid that engages the diffusing surface to desired locations within the capsule.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A beverage capsule intended for use in a beverage preparing machine, said beverage capsule comprising:
 a body having a side wall extending from an end wall to an opening to define an interior space, said end wall including an extraction region that is constructed and arranged to be pierced to facilitate flow of beverage from said capsule;   a filter disposed in said body to define an ingredients chamber, located between said opening and said filter, and an extraction chamber located between said filter and said end wall;   a boss extending from said end wall into said interior space, said boss engaging a bottom surface of said filter;   one or more ingredients disposed in said ingredients chamber for preparing a desired beverage; and   a cover for covering said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage capsule of  claim 2 , wherein said boss is integrally formed with said base.