FILTER DISC FOR A BEVERAGE POD
A pod assembly for use in a beverage machine is provided. The pod assembly includes a container and a filter disc that is detachably coupled to the container. The container includes a base, a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base, and a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim. The filter disc includes a central portion with multiple central openings, a dome-shaped portion with multiple secondary openings, an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion, a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction, and a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction.
1 . A pod assembly for use in a beverage machine, the pod assembly comprising:
a container comprising:
a base;
a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base; and
a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim;
a filter disc detachably coupled to the container and comprising:
a central portion comprising a plurality of central openings;
a dome-shaped portion comprising a plurality of secondary openings;
an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion;
a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction; and
a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
2 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a locating protrusion disposed on an interior surface of the side wall.
3 . The pod assembly of claim 2 , wherein the locating protrusion is configured to retain the filter disc between the base and the lower rim.
4 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the filter disc is detachably coupled to the container using a snap fit assembly process.
5 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of central openings is larger than each of the plurality of secondary openings.
6 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of secondary openings has an elongated slot shape.
7 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retention flange forms a continuous ring extending vertically from the annular portion.
8 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retention flange comprises a plurality of flange segments extending vertically from the annular portion.
9 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retention flange is located radially outward of the foot portion.
10 . The pod assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the container and the filter disc is fabricated using an injection molding process.
11 . A filter disc for use in a beverage pod assembly, the filter disc comprising:
a central portion comprising a plurality of central openings;
a dome-shaped portion comprising a plurality of secondary openings;
an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion;
a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction; and
a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction,
wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
12 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of central openings is larger than each of the plurality of secondary openings.
13 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of secondary openings has an elongated slot shape.
14 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein the retention flange forms a continuous ring extending vertically from the annular portion.
15 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein the retention flange comprises a plurality of flange segments extending vertically from the annular portion.
16 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein the retention flange is located radially outward of the foot portion.
17 . The filter disc of claim 11 , wherein the filter disc is fabricated using an injection molding process.
18 . A method of providing a pod assembly for use in a beverage machine, the method comprising:
providing a container comprising:
a base;
a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base; and
a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim;
providing a filter disc comprising:
a central portion comprising a plurality of central openings;
a dome-shaped portion comprising a plurality of secondary openings;
an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion;
a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction; and
a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction; and
detachably coupling the filter disc to the container using a snap fit assembly process.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the container further comprises a locating protrusion disposed on an interior surface of the side wall.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein detachably coupling the filter disc to the container comprises sliding the filter disc over the locating protrusion toward the base.