Single brew beverage cartridge system including same and method of use

In combination a single brew beverage cartridge and a beverage brewing apparatus, said single brew beverage cartridge being compostable and biodegradable and comprising a filter, a beverage brewing ingredient, and a lid, said lid comprising a piercable portion, a flange and a collar, said collar comprising a side wall having a peripheral surface projecting downward from said flange and extending about a longitudinal axis and being resistant to flexure when a force is applied to said lid in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said filter comprising an expandable, cup-shaped hollow body formed of a layer of material having a first portion secured to periphery of said collar and a second portion extending substantially below said collar, said cup-shaped body holding said beverage brewing ingredient therein, said lid sealing said beverage brewing ingredient in said cup-shaped body, said beverage brewing apparatus comprising a brewing chamber, a supply of a hot liquid, and a piercing member, said cartridge being arranged to be suspended by said flange in said beverage brewing chamber, said piercing member being arranged to apply a force in said longitudinal direction to said piercable portion of said lid to pierce said lid when said cartridge is suspended within said brewing chamber, said lid being resistant to flexure from the application of said force to facilitate the piercing of said lid by said piercing member, whereupon the hot liquid can be introduced through said piercing member into said cartridge.

A method of brewing a beverage by means of a single brew beverage cartridge placed in a beverage brewing apparatus, said single brew beverage cartridge being compostable and biodegradable and comprising a filter, a beverage brewing ingredient, and a lid, said lid comprising a piercable portion, a flange and a collar, said collar comprising a side wall having a peripheral surface projecting downward from said flange and extending about a longitudinal axis and being resistant to flexure when a force is applied to said piercable portion of said lid in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said filter comprising an expandable, cup-shaped hollow body formed of a single layer of material having a first portion secured to periphery of said collar and a second portion extending substantially below said collar, said cup-shaped body holding said beverage brewing ingredient therein, said lid sealing said beverage brewing ingredient in said cup-shaped body, said method comprising:

• suspending said cartridge by said collar in said brewing chamber;
• causing said piercing member to apply a force in said longitudinal direction to said piercable portion of said lid when said cartridge is suspended within said brewing chamber to pierce through said lid, with said collar resisting flexure of said lid from the application of said force to facilitate the piercing of said lid by said piercing member;
• and
• introducing a hot liquid through said piercing member into said cartridge.