Pod with spray nozzle and method of use

Abstract

A pod ( 10 ) for preparation of a nutritional liquid composition. The pod ( 10 ) includes a nutritional liquid concentrate ( 20 ) and at least one nozzle ( 12 ) or diffuser for fluid introduction to the nutritional liquid concentrate ( 20 ). The nutritional liquid concentrate ( 20 ) is hermetically sealed within the pod ( 10 ). The nozzle ( 12 ) is arranged to diffuse a flow of fluid in the pod ( 10 ) prior to contact with the nutritional liquid concentrate ( 20 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hermetically sealed pod comprising:
 a nutritional liquid concentrate; and   a nozzle;   wherein the nozzle is operable to diffuse a flow of fluid being introduced into the pod prior to the fluid contacting the nutritional liquid concentrate.   
     
     
         2 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is an atomizing nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a spray nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is arranged such that the flow of fluid is diffused into a plurality of flows of fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid introduced through the nozzle pre-treats the nutritional liquid concentrate. 
     
     
         6 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein a flow rate of fluid through the nozzle is variable. 
     
     
         7 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid introduced through the nozzle reconstitutes the nutritional liquid concentrate to a nutritional liquid composition suitable for consumption. 
     
     
         8 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle defines a plurality of diffuser apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The pod of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of nozzles. 
     
     
         10 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein water is introduced through the nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein steam is introduced through the nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein air is introduced through the nozzle to pre-treat the nutritional liquid concentrate. 
     
     
         13 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured to prohibit the nutritional liquid concentrate from exiting the pod through the nozzle. 
     
     
         14 . The pod of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is a one-way nozzle, wherein fluid flow is prohibited from the inside of the pod to the outside of the pod. 
     
     
         15 . The pod of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a body defining a top opening; and 
 a seal disposed over a top opening of the body. 
 
     
     
         16 . A pod for preparing a nutritional liquid composition, the pod comprising:
 a body;   a nutritional liquid concentrate within the body, wherein the nutritional liquid concentrate is hermetically sealed within the pod; and   a plate having a plurality of diffuser apertures for fluid introduction into the nutritional liquid concentrate, the plate secured in a position relative to the body and within the flow of fluid;   wherein the plate is arranged to diffuse a flow of fluid into the pod prior to contact with the nutritional liquid concentrate.   
     
     
         17 . The pod of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a seal disposed over a top opening of the body; 
 wherein the seal hermetically seals the nutritional liquid concentrate within the pod. 
 
     
     
         18 . A body for use in a pod, the body comprising:
 a bottom wall;   side walls extending upward from the outer edges of the bottom wall, the side walls defining a top opening to the body; and   a beverage compartment surrounded by the bottom wall and the side walls for containing a nutritional liquid concentrate;   wherein the body is a single piece of molded plastic.   
     
     
         19 . The body of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a nozzle secured to the side walls; 
 wherein the nozzle is configured for fluid flow in a direction only from the outside of the beverage compartment to the inside of the beverage compartment. 
 
     
     
         20 . The body of  claim 18  further comprising a dispenser extending downward from the bottom wall.