Stretchable beverage cartridges and methods

Abstract

Present embodiments generally relate to a single-serve beverage cartridge for use with a single-serve coffee brewer. In some embodiments, the cartridge has a body portion, a first filter element, and a second filter element. The cartridge can include a single serving of coffee or another beverage component or precursor. The cartridge can be formed of a biodegradable and/or compostable material. In some embodiments, at least one of the filters is configured to stretch when pressed by a tamping head, thereby allowing the tamping head to be received in the cartridge to facilitate tamping of the beverage component or precursor.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing a single serving of a beverage, the method comprising:
 providing a cartridge for insertion into a single-serve beverage machine, the cartridge comprising:
 a body portion having a sidewall; 
 a first filter element coupled with a first end of the body portion, the first filter element being generally planar; 
 a second filter element coupled with a second end of the body portion, the second filter element being generally planar; 
 a chamber defined by the body portion, the first filter element, and the second filter element; and 
 a beverage component or precursor positioned in the chamber; 
   extending a tamping head of the machine into the chamber of the cartridge, thereby deforming the first filter element into a non-planar configuration;   compressing the beverage component or precursor in the cartridge;   introducing liquid through the first filter element and into communication with the beverage component or precursor to form a beverage; and   dispensing the beverage through the second filter element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises biodegradable materials. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deforming the first filter element does not comprise piercing the first filter element. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage component or precursor comprises espresso coffee grounds and the beverage comprises an espresso beverage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming a pressure differential between the chamber and the ambient environment, the pressure differential created due to the second filter element having a greater flow resistance than the first filter element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deforming the first filter element comprises stretching the first filter element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deforming the first filter element comprises unfolding the first filter element.