IP Library Granted Patent US 8,834,948
Granted Patent B2
US 8,834,948 · App. 13/523,995 · Granted Sep 16, 2014

Compositions, systems and methods for portion-packaged soups and meals

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,834,948
App. No.
13/523,995
Granted
Sep 16, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.

Claims (23)

1. A method for forming a food product, comprising:

providing a cartridge including a first container having a closed interior space, a liquid component medium located in the interior space;

providing a second container including a closed interior space, and an insoluble component located in the closed interior space;

associating the cartridge with a cartridge receiver of a beverage forming machine;

opening the closed interior space of the second container;

causing the beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product by mixing a liquid with the liquid component medium of the cartridge; and

dispensing the liquid component from the beverage forming machine directly into the second container such that the second container holds the liquid component and the insoluble component of the food product wherein the cartridge and the second container are initially attached together, and the step of associating the cartridge includes separating the cartridge from the second container prior to associating the cartridge with the cartridge receiver.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid component medium and the insoluble component are separated from each other by an impermeable barrier.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to separation of the cartridge from the second container, the cartridge is attached to a lid of the second container, the lid closing the interior space of the second container.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cartridge is at least partially received in a recess of the lid.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the lid has an outer side and an inner side exposed to the interior space of the second cartridge in a first orientation, and wherein the lid is arranged to engage with the second container in a second orientation in which the outer side is exposed to the interior space of the second cartridge.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second container includes a handle attached to a body that defines the interior space of the second container, and wherein prior to separation of the cartridge from the second container, the cartridge is attached to the handle.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the handle defines a cavity and the cartridge is received in the cavity prior to separation of the cartridge from the second container.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the second container includes a lid that covers the interior space of the body and the cavity of the handle.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the lid includes a utensil that is removable from the lid.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes the first container, having a first rim that defines a first opening of the container, and a lid that covers the first opening, and the second container includes a second rim defining a second opening, and wherein prior to separation of the cartridge from the second container, the first and second rims are engaged with each other.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid component medium includes materials that are soluble, dissolvable or otherwise dispersible in water.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

piercing the cartridge with a piercing element of the beverage forming machine to form an inlet opening in the cartridge; and

introducing liquid into the cartridge via the inlet opening.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

piercing the cartridge with a piercing element of the beverage forming machine to form an outlet opening in the cartridge; and

allowing liquid component to exit the cartridge via the outlet opening.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 046556/0460 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENT 7398729 AND REPLACE IT WITH PATENT 7398726 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038037 FRAME 0887. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Mar 23, 2016
From: KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038234/0293 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 8, 2016
From: KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038037/0887 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 7, 2014
From: GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS, INC.
To: KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 032403/0192 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2012
From: ESTABROOK, RICHARD; ANGOTTI, MARC; NOVAK, THOMAS J.
To: GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028544/0893 →