Component Separating Device for Beverage Pods

Abstract

A hand-held coffee pod processing device is provided that enables individual components of a coffee pod to be separated and recycled appropriately. The device includes a handle section defining an internal cavity and has opposite closed and open ends. A ring of teeth is formed on the rim of the open end and a series of ridges extend radially outward adjacent to the rim. The circular array of teeth may be inserted through a top foil of the pod and can be advanced into the mouth of the pod so that the ridges of the device are in close contact with a coffee filter within the pod. The device and pod can be rotated relative to one another so that the array of teeth of the device separates the foil from the pod and so that the ridges of the device separate the filter from the pod.

Claims

1. A hand-held device for use in separating components of a beverage pod, comprising: a hollow handle section defining an internal cavity, said handle section having an opening end with a rim and an opposite closed end; a circular array of teeth formed on the rim; and a series of ridges extending radially outward adjacent the rim; whereby the components of the beverage pod can be separated for being recycled, used as composting material, or the like.

2. The device according of claim 1, wherein the circular array of teeth project from said rim so that the circular array of teach are insertable through a top foil of the beverage pod covering the mouth of the beverage pod and are able to be advanced into the beverage pod.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the series of ridges extend laterally outward of the circular array of teeth and include a plurality of edges extending longitudinally relative to the handle section such that, upon insertion of the device into a mouth of the beverage pod, the series of ridges are in close contact with a filter of the beverage pod which is secured to an inner rim of the beverage pod and extends within the beverage pod.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the circular array of teeth and series of ridges are configured such that, when the device and beverage pod are rotated relative to each other, the circular array of teeth of the device separates a top foil from the beverage pod as the series of ridges of the device separate a filter from an inner rim of the beverage pod.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the internal cavity of the handle section is sized and located relative to the circular array of teeth and series of ridges such that a severed top foil and a volume of spent beverage pod contents are able to fall and be contained within the internal cavity of the handle section.

6. The device according claim 1, wherein the circular array of teeth and series of ridges are integrally formed with the handle section.

7. The device according claim 1, wherein the circular array of teeth, series of ridges, and handle section are made of plastic.

8. A hand-held device for use in separating components of a beverage pod, comprising: a handle; and a beverage pod component separating member capable, the beverage pod component separating member being removable from the handle and replaceable with a like beverage pod component separating member; whereby the components of the beverage pod can be separated and recycled appropriately.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the separating member includes a circular array of teeth forming a rim of an open end of the device.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the circular array of teeth is of a size for being inserted through a top foil of the beverage pod covering a mouth of the beverage pod and for being advanced into the beverage pod.

11. The device according claim 10, wherein the separating member includes a series of ridges extending radially outward adjacent the rim.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the series of ridges are located and sized such that, upon insertion of the circular array of teeth into the mouth of the beverage pod, the series of ridges are in close contact with a filter secured to an inner rim of the beverage pod and extends within the beverage pod.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the series of ridges are positioned relative to the circular array of teeth such that, upon insertion and rotation of the device relative to the beverage pod, the circular array of teeth is able to separate the top foil from the beverage pod as the series of ridges separate the filter from the inner rim of the beverage pod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a circular array of teeth formed on the rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view of a circular array of teeth formed on the rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a series of ridges extending radially outward adjacent to the rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view of a ridge extending radially outward adjacent to the rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view of a hollow handle section defining an internal cavity and having a closed end and an opposite open end defining a rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a perspective view of a hollow handle section defining an internal cavity and having a closed end and an opposite open end defining a rim of a component separating device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the component separating device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Various embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments of the present inventions.

[0017] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device 10 capable of separating the contents of pods used for the preparation of beverages. The device 10 features a handle 12 for the user to grip, a circular array of teeth 14 formed on a rim 16 for penetrating through a top foil layer of a coffee pod, a series of ridges 18 extending radially outward adjacent to the rim 16 for detaching the coffee pod's filter from the inside of the coffee pod's plastic cup, and an internal cavity 20 within the device 10 that facilitates the temporary relocation of coffee pod components away from the location where work is being applied to detach the coffee filter which thereby makes rotating the device 10 within the coffee pod easier.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the circular array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 used to penetrate through the top foil layer of a coffee pod. At their maximal point, the effective diameter of the circular array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 of the device 10 is smaller than the diameter of the inner rim of the coffee pod's plastic cup. The smaller diameter allows for the circular array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 to be plunged into the coffee pod without coming into direct interference with the inner rim of the plastic cup. The inner diameter of the plastic cup of a coffee pod compatible with Keurig® single-cup coffee makers, for instance, has an internal diameter of approximately 44.0 mm. At the maximal tip of the array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16, the effective diameter of the device 10 may be approximately 41.5 mm, as an example. The spatial positioning of the individual teeth allows for force to be distributed evenly when the array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 are pushed into the aluminum foil of a coffee pod. This more even distribution of force around the perimeter allows for a disc of aluminum foil to be cut out in a relatively uniform circular shape. While still very capable of piercing through the aluminum foil, the array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 are not sharp to the touch. Other ways or means or components capable of piercing through the foil layer in a similar fashion that are also contemplated include, but are not limited to, blades or saws.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a cross-sectional view of a circular array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16 of the device 10. The slope of the teeth on the inside wall 22 of the device 10 are more severe than that of the pointed edges 24 on the outer wall 26 of the device 10. When the device 10 penetrates through the top foil layer of a coffee pod, the outer wall 26 of the device 10 can lay flush with the inside surface of the plastic cup. This closer fit helps contain the coffee pod components within the device and plastic cup during the separation process, minimizing any potential mess. The more severe slope of the inside wall 22 of the pointed edges 24 is designed to reduce potential friction between the device 10 and the coffee pod components (such as the coffee grounds) and facilitate their relocation into the internal cavity 20 of the device 10.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the series of ridges 18 extending radially outward adjacent to the rim 16 of the device 10. As the ridges rise off the outer wall 26 of the device 10, edges 28 are created that run parallel to the length of the device 10. When contacting the coffee filter during the component separation process, these edges 28 facilitate the scraping of the coffee filter from the inside surface of the plastic cup.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cross-sectional view of ridges 18 extending radially outward adjacent to the rim 16 of the device 10. Toward the top of the device 10, closest to the maximal point of the circular array of teeth 14 formed on the rim 16, the ridges 18 are initially flush with the outer wall 26 of the device 10. Moving down the length of the device 10, the height (i.e., extending in a radial or lateral direction) of the ridges 18 increase and create direct interference between the embedded ridges 18 and the coffee filter attached to the inside rim of the plastic cup. This variance in embedded ridge height allows for the device 10 to at first be plunged into the plastic cup of the coffee pod with minimal resistance and then transition into a tighter fit between the device and the plastic cup. A combination of this tight fit, the hard edges 28 of the ridges 18, a firm grasp on the coffee pod just below the plastic cup's lip, and rotation facilitates the user's ability to scrape the coffee filter away from the inner surface of the plastic cup.

[0023] By way of example, at the location 30, where the embedded ridges 18 are flush with the outer wall 26 of the device 10 (closest to the circular array of teeth 14), there may be an effective diameter of approximately 42 mm. This effective diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the coffee pod's plastic cup and thus allows for penetration of the device 10 into the coffee pod without direct resistance by the plastic cup. Moving down the length of the device 10 from the rim 16, the ridges 18 increase in height (i.e., extend laterally outward to a greater extent) relative to the outer wall 26 of the device 10 and their initial flush position at location 30. This increased height (i.e., lateral extension) translates to an increase in the effective diameter of the device 10 to approximately 44 mm at location 32, for instance, matching the approximate internal diameter of the plastic cup and thus creating a tight fit. Continuing to move down the length of the device 10, the height of the ridges 18 relative to the outer wall 26 continues to increase giving the outer wall of the device an effective diameter of approximately 45 mm at location 34. This effective diameter exceeds the approximate internal diameter of the plastic cup which causes the device to interfere with the inner rim of the plastic cup to such a degree that further insertion of the device into the mouth of the pod is inhibited. At the approximate, maximum penetration depth of the device 10 into the mouth of the pod, the series of ridges 18 extending radially outward adjacent to the rim 16 of the device 10 are in close proximity to where the coffee filter is attached to the inside surface of the plastic cup. This thus allows for the embedded ridges 18 to be closely located for the component separation process by the device user in a fashion that is both repeatable and consistent. Other ways or means or components capable of detaching the coffee filter from the inside surface of the plastic cup in a similar fashion that are also contemplated include, but are not limited to, grated surfaces, barbed surfaces, or perforated surfaces.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the internal cavity 20 within the handle 12 of the device 10. During the component separation process, this internal cavity 20 provides a space for loose coffee grounds and the coffee filter to be relocated. When there is less material in the vicinity of where the coffee filter is attached to the inside rim of the plastic cup, it is easier to both rotate the device within the coffee pod and press the plastic cup against the device's embedded ridges to improve the efficacy of detaching the coffee filter. Additionally, the design of this internal cavity allows for the entire device to be manufactured with a single shot of plastic during an injection molding process. No additional assembly or modifications are needed to create a functional device 10.

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the handle 12 of the device 10. This handle 12 allows for the user to firmly grip the device 10 during the component separation process. Moving down the length of the device 10 from the rim 16, the cross-sectional shape of the handle 12 may transition from a circular shape to a polygon shape. This thus creates edges on the handle 12 that can help facilitate the component separation process by providing favorable ergonomics for exerting torque. The gradual transition from a circular shape to a polygon shape allows for a relatively seamless integration between the handle 12 and other device features (such as the outer wall 26 that the embedded ridges 18 are formed) while at the same time allowing for the handle 12 to maintain a relatively uniform wall thickness down the length of the device 10. Other ways or means or components capable of allowing the user to firmly grip the device in a similar fashion that are also contemplated include, but are not limited to, having a modular handle on which the top of the device (featuring components such as the ring of pointed teeth and embedded ridges) can be installed.

[0026] FIG. 8 provides an example of a top plan view of the device 10. The ridges 18 extend radially outward from the outer wall 26 and from the teeth 14.

[0027] The foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles thereof, and various modifications and additions may be made to the anchor by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.