WO2016014568A1

WO2016014568A1 - Pod with built-in inlet fluid ports to increase mixing

Info

Publication number: WO2016014568A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/041382
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy LAPLANTE; Jeremy Mcbroom; Sriram Tharmapuram
Original assignee: Abbott Laboratories
Current assignee: Abbott Laboratories
Priority date: 2014-07-21
Filing date: 2015-07-21
Publication date: 2016-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-21

Abstract

A pod (10) for preparation of a nutritional liquid composition. The pod (10) includes a nutritional powder (22) and one or more ports (12,14) for fluid introduction to the nutritional powder (22). The nutritional powder (22) is hermetically sealed within the pod (10).

Description

POD WITH BUILT-IN INLET FLUID PORTS TO INCREASE MIXING

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority to and any benefit of U.S. Provisional Application

No. 62/026,846, filed July 21, 2014, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

[002] Many drinks, nutritional products, and other beverages can be made by mixing water or steam with a powder or liquid concentrate. Exemplary liquid products made from powder include infant formula, soup, and hot chocolate. Infant formula is a particularly popular choice for a nutrition product by certain mothers, caregivers, and health care providers.

[003] The choice of infant formula requires the caregiver to prepare a single serving of a nutritional product. Infant formula powder is mixed with water to create formula. Also, the choice of infant formula powder requires the caregiver to manage certain inconveniences related to the preparation of the formula, such as for example, the temperature of the finished product, the time to prepare the finished product, the size of the serving, and the threat of contamination within the finished product. Further, the powder must be reconstituted to a predetermined level within an amount of water prior to serving.

[004] Infant formula powder may be mixed with water to create formula several different ways, including manually shaking a bottle. Other prior art techniques to reconstitute consumable powders with a liquid such as water to render the powders fit for consumption are known. For example, WO 2006/015689 discloses reconstituting consumable powders with a liquid to provide a food liquid such as milk, cappuccino-type beverage, or soup. WO

2011/031294 discloses a method and apparatus that use a cartridge which includes a beverage medium, such as a dry fruit material. An interaction between water and the beverage medium within a single-serving machine produces a beverage. Other prior art techniques are known. Summary

[005] The present application describes a pod for preparation of a nutritional liquid composition.

[006] In an exemplary embodiment, a pod includes a nutritional powder or liquid concentrate and one or more built-in ports. The ports are either a fluid introduction port, which introduces fluid to the nutritional powder, or concentrated liquid or a fluid evacuation port. The nutritional powder or concentrated liquid is hermetically sealed within the pod.

[007] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[008] Figure la is a front sectional view of a pod, showing two built-in ports on the side of the pod, each port disposed above the level of a nutritional powder;

[009] Figure lb is an enlarged view of the designated circular area of Figure la;

[010] Figure 1 c is an enlarged side view of a portion of the pod of Figure 1 a;

[01 1] Figure 2 is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports on the top of the pod, each port disposed above the level of a nutritional powder;

[012] Figure 3 is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports on the bottom of the pod, each port disposed below the level of a nutritional powder;

[013] Figure 4 is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports, one port on the top of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and one port on the bottom of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[014] Figure 5 is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports, one port on the side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder and one port on the bottom of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[015] Figure 6 is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports with different diameters, the smaller port on one side of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and the larger port on an opposite side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[016] Figure 7a is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports disposed at an angle, a downwardly placed port on one side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder and an upwardly placed port on an opposite side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[017] Figure 7b is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports disposed at an angle, a downwardly placed port on the top of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and an upwardly placed port on the side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[018] Figure 7c is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports disposed at an angle, a downwardly placed port on the top of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and an upwardly placed port on the side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder;

[019] Figure 8a is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports, each port on an opposite side of the pod and above the level of a nutritional liquid concentrate;

[020] Figure 8b is a front sectional view of another pod, showing two built-in ports on the same side of the pod, each port above the level of a nutritional liquid concentrate;

[021 ] Figures 9a-9d are a series of sectional views of a built-in port, showing a port which is variable in size and increases in diameter during use;

[022] Figures 10a- lOd are a series of sectional views of a built-in port, showing a port which is variable in size and decreases in diameter during use;

[023] Figure 11 is a front perspective view of a pod, showing two ports on a pod, each port formed onto the top edge of a side wall of a pod;

[024] Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a pod, showing two ports on a pod, each port formed onto an inside of a side wall of a pod and having release ports within the pod body; and

[025] Figure 13 is a sectional view of a pod, showing a rigid port center mounted at the top of the pod and spraying water downward through a plurality of holes.

Detailed Description

[026] This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the specification is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

[027] The general inventive concepts will now be described with occasional reference to the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The general inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will introduce the scope of the general inventive concepts to those skilled in the art.

[028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassing the general inventive concepts. The terminology set forth in this detailed description is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the general inventive concepts. As used in this detailed description and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[029] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, percentages and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the suitable properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the general inventive concepts are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

[030] When discussing the invention, the term "pod" is used in the specification and the claims. The term is generally used to mean a hermetically sealed body containing ingredients that, when mixed with water, yield a liquid beverage. A pod may be single or multi-chambered and may contain soluble powder or liquid concentrate. A pod may be loaded into a machine in which water is automatically mixed with the ingredients to produce a single serving of a liquid beverage. The pod may be loaded into a machine in a commercial, healthcare, or residential environment.

[031 ] The present invention may be practiced with a pod containing a powder or a liquid concentrate. For example, a nutritional powder for an infant formula, a toddler formula, or an adult nutritional beverage may be used in the practice of this invention. The pod may have between 2 grams and 150 grams of powder within the body and may produce a beverage between 25 ml and 500 ml.

[032] When discussing the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the exemplary pod discussed is an infant formula pod. In this type of nutritional liquid product, and others, the temperature of the finished product is product dependent. Infant formula is especially temperature dependent because of safety issues surrounding the infant, rather than for example, very hot coffee which is consumed by an adult. For example, the infant formula may be dispensed in the 25 to 40° C temperature range while an adult nutritional product may be dispensed in a wider temperature range, and in a range outside of the narrow infant formula range, such as for example, a hotter temperature range, or a colder temperature range, such as the 10 to 20° C temperature range.

[033] A pod system has other typical features. Any mixing, reconstitution, and dispensing may be assisted through the use of hot water and pressure. A combination of air, steam, and water may also be used. The reconstituted product leaves the pod through means of a exit valve, discharge unit, or dispenser, designed into the pod or created through a mechanical action within a machine (e.g., piercing by a needle). The water entering the pod may be pre- filtered or filtered through filtration units assembled within the pod structure. The entry of water into the pod may be mechanical (e.g., injection through the piercing of the pod surface) or through inlet ports designed into the pod. For example, the inlet ports may be formed into the walls of the pod. Other features of a pod system will be discussed herein.

[034] When discussing the invention, the term "pre -treat" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a process by which a liquid and/or gaseous fluid is applied to the nutritional powder to partially reconstitute the powder and/or to prepare the powder for reconstitution (e.g., by deagglomerating clumps of nutritional powder) while the powder is retained in the pod chamber and before an outlet aperture is produced in the pod chamber. This pre-treating phase, when applicable, precedes a reconstituting phase in which a reconstituting liquid mixes with the pre-treated nutritional powder to complete reconstitution of the nutritional composition as the reconstituting liquid enters the pod chamber, passes through an outlet aperture produced in the pod chamber, and is discharged into a serving body that collects the reconstituted nutritional liquid.

[035] When discussing the invention, the term "reconstitute" is used in the specification and the claims. The term "reconstitute" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a process by which the nutritional powder is mixed with a liquid, typically water, to form an essentially homogeneous liquid product. Once reconstituted in the liquid, the ingredients of the nutritional powder may be any combination of reconstituted, dispersed, suspended, colloidally suspended, emulsified, or otherwise blended within the matrix of the liquid product. Therefore, the resulting reconstituted liquid product may be characterized as any combination of a solution, a dispersion, a suspension, a colloidal suspension, an emulsion, or a homogeneous blend. A nutritional composition may be said to be "reconstituted" even if a nominal portion (e.g., less than 10%) of the powder remains un-reconstituted in the resulting liquid product.

[036] When discussing the invention, the term "built-in" is used in the specification and the claims. The term "built-in" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a

characteristic of a port, and more specifically, to the construction by which the ports are interfaced, adhered, fixed, secured, molded, or otherwise made part of the pod itself. The term is used in the specification and the claims to describe both inlet ports and outlet ports.

[037] The present application describes a pod which may be conveniently loaded into a single serving dispensing machine. For example, the pod may be loaded into a single serving dispensing machine to produce a liquid volume of infant baby formula. The formula could be outputted by the machine into and through the open neck of a clean baby bottle. Other advantages are discussed herein.

[038] One embodiment of the invention features a hermetically sealed pod. The pod includes a nutritional powder and a plurality of built-in ports for fluid introduction to the nutritional powder.

[039] Another embodiment of the invention features a pod for preparing a nutritional liquid composition. The pod includes a body, a nutritional powder within the body, and a plurality of built-in ports for fluid introduction to the nutritional powder. The nutritional powder is hermetically sealed within the pod. Each port is secured to a wall of the body. An alternative embodiment may contain a condensed nutritional liquid, rather than a powder.

[040] Another embodiment of the invention features a pod for preparing a nutritional liquid composition. The pod includes a body formed of molded plastic, a beverage compartment within the body and containing a nutritional powder, and a first port and a second port. The body has walls and a top opening. Each port is spaced apart from the other and formed within the walls of the body. Each port allows for fluid introduction from the outside of the beverage compartment to the inside of the beverage compartment for formation of the nutritional liquid composition within the pod.

[041 ] Another embodiment of the invention features a body for use in a pod. The body includes a bottom wall, a dispenser extending downward from the bottom wall, side walls, a single beverage compartment, and a first port and a second port. The side walls extend upward from the outer edges of the bottom wall and define a top opening to the body. The single beverage compartment is surrounded by the bottom wall and contains a nutritional powder. Each port is spaced apart from the other and formed within the side walls of the body. The body is a single piece of molded plastic. Further, each port allows for fluid flow in a direction only from the outside of the single beverage compartment to the inside of the single beverage compartment.

[042] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. When discussing the invention, a pod will be discussed for use in a single serve machine. The exemplary discussion and figures are directed to a pod which a caregiver may easily load and unload from a machine. For example, the pod may produce formula to fill one baby bottle. The exemplary pod includes nutritional powder. Powder of a variety of sizes may be used, such as for example, infant formula powder, which may have a particle size range of 10-500 microns.

[043] Referring now to the drawings, a front sectional view of a pod is shown in Figure la. The pod 10 has two built-in ports 12, 14 which are each disposed on the side walls of the pod. When discussing the plurality of ports of the exemplary embodiment, a first port and a second port will be discussed. The invention may be practiced with the first port and second port as discussed in the exemplary embodiments, and in addition, may also have other ports in addition to the first port and second port.

[044] In Figure la, the first port 12 and the second port 14 are each located above the level of a nutritional powder 22. Air, steam, or water may be added through either of the ports, and may be added at ambient temperature or pressure, or may be added at a temperature above or below ambient temperature, or at a pressure above ambient pressure.

[045] A dispenser 18 protrudes downward from the pod 10 and opens to allow the passage of a mixture of powder and any material which is added to the pod through the port, such as for example, water, steam or a gas, such as air. Various types of dispensers may be used in the practice of this invention, such as a one-way pressure valve or a butterfly valve.

[046] Still referring to Figure la, the pod 10 is shown in an assembly view with a hermetic seal 20 removed from a body 16. The seal 20 is hermetically sealed to the body 16 to protect the contents of the pod 10 from the atmosphere before and during the mixing,

reconstituting, and discharging. The seal may be made of foil, a plastic film, or any suitable material to form a hermetic seal over the body 16.

[047] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure la, the contents are a nutritional powder 22, such as infant baby formula. In the practice of the invention, other powder may be used, and the contents may be a nutritional liquid concentrate.

[048] As discussed, the pod 10 includes a body 16. The body 16 may be formed of a plastic, such as for example, a single piece of thermoplastic. The body may be a container that includes polypropylene or polyethylene. The container may be a single molded piece. The container may be a multiple layer structure which incorporates an oxygen barrier. The body 16 includes a side wall 26 and a bottom wall 28 which collectively define a single internal compartment 24. The side walls 26 extend upward from the outer edges of the bottom wall 28 to define a top opening 27 to the body 16. As discussed, the hermetic seal 20 covers the opening 27 and hermetically seals the pod 10.

[049] The built-in ports 12, 14 may be secured on, or formed into, at a variety of positions throughout the outer surface of the pod. The variety of positions may cause a variety of flow patterns of material within the pod during pre-treating. The placement of the built-in ports may substantially eliminate any clumping of the nutritional powder. For example, the built-in ports may create turbulent flow within the pod. The variety of positions may cause a variety of flow of material within the pod during mixing and reconstitution.

[050] Reconstitution will occur at different locations within this inventive pod system.

Reconstitution may occur within the pod, within the dispenser, or outside of the pod itself, i.e., within the bottle during filling. For example, the body of the pod may be configured to reconstitute at least 50 percent of the total amount of nutritional powder within the internal compartment by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports. Further, the pod may be configured to reconstitute at least 20 percent of the total amount of nutritional powder within the dispenser of the pod by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports. Also, the pod may be configured to reconstitute at least 70 percent of the total amount of nutritional powder within the pod by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports.

[051 ] The timing of reconstitution during this inventive pod system is also a feature of port characteristics. Under certain variables, at least 90 percent of the nutritional powder is pre- treated by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports within 90 seconds, and may be as low as within 30 seconds. Under other variables, it is believed that at least 90 percent of the nutritional powder is pre-treated by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports prior to any solution exiting the internal compartment through the dispenser. Also, it is believed that at least 75 percent of the total amount of nutritional powder is reconstituted by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports within 45 seconds. More specifically, it is believed at least 75 percent of the total amount of nutritional powder is reconstituted by the fluid introduced through the plurality of built-in ports within 30 seconds. These times are given for exemplary discussion and the invention may be practiced under different times, some as for example, under faster or slower times.

[052] The built-in ports may offer a variety of flow rates or velocities. For example, a flow rate of fluid through at least one of the plurality of built-in ports may be variable. Also, a flow rate of fluid through at least one of the plurality of built-in ports may be pulsating. Further, the flow rates between two ports may be alternating.

[053] The built-in ports also offer a safety feature during operation of the pod system.

The plurality of built-in ports prohibit the nutritional powder from exiting the pod through any and all of these built-in ports. In other words, a built-in port prohibits backflow of reconstituted material through the port. Also, each of the plurality of built-in ports prohibit fluid to travel in a direction from the inside of the pod to the outside of the pod. Further, each of the plurality of built-in ports prohibit fluid to travel in a direction from the inside the pod to the outside of the pod during treating, or pre-wetting, and reconstitution stages. In other words, the ports will not inhibit evacuation of the reconstituted product. Further, each of the plurality of built-in ports prohibit atmospheric introduction to the nutritional powder before the fluid introduction.

[054] The placement of one, or two, or more built-in inlet ports may vary in the practice of this invention. For example, two ports may be disposed on the top surface of the pod, two ports may be disposed on the bottom surface, one port may be on the bottom and one port may be on the top, etc. Figures la-8b illustrate embodiments of various port placement, but do not disclose all possible combinations in the practice of this invention, or all possible number of ports.

[055] The body of the pod has other invention features which are advantageous to the preparation of a nutritional liquid composition. For example, the body 16 is shaped to allow mechanical grasping by a machine, i.e., the single serve machine which produces the beverage. The grasping can be grabbing, pinching, squeezing, or other temporary securing in an effort to hold the pod in place.

[056] Referring now to Figure lb, an enlarged view of the designated circular area of

Figure la is shown. The body 16 is shown in a sectional view such that a corner of the body 16 is illustrated. The side wall 26 and the bottom wall 28 meet at corner. The corner 29 has a plastic wall of increased thickness in comparison to the side wall or the bottom wall. In the embodiment shown, the corner is a foundation with a beveled inside surface. In the practice of this invention, a corner of increased thickness could have a variety of shapes or sizes.

[057] The machine may engage the pod at other surface areas. For example, the machine will engage the pod near or around the outside surface of one or more of the ports. This area immediately around the port will likely undergo mechanical grasping by a machine, i.e., the single serve machine which produces the beverage. For example, the machine contact may be by tubing or other machinery which engages or otherwise contacts the port.

[058] Referring now to Figure lc, an enlarged side view of a portion of the pod of

Figure la is shown. The area immediately around the port 14 is shown in an enlarged view. The port 14 is surrounded by a base 15. The base strengthens the port and prohibits the port from being snapped-off or otherwise damaged. The base 15 may also offer port identification features and pod content identification features, such as the type and amount of the nutritional powder within the pod. For example, protrusion 15a, point 15b, and knob 15c may individually or collectively provide keying for the port, such that the port may offer ID protection in addition to any bar code identification on the pod.

[059] Referring now to Figure 2, another exemplary pod is shown in a front sectional view. In this embodiment, the pod 30 has two built-in ports 32, 34 which are each disposed on the top surface 49 of the pod. The first port 32 and the second port 34 are each located above the level of a nutritional powder 42. A dispenser 38 protrudes downward from the pod and opens to allow the passage of a mixture of powder and any material which is added to the pod through the port, such as for example, water, steam or a gas, such as air. As discussed, the pod 30 includes a body 36. The body 36 may be formed of a flexible or rigid plastic, such as for example, a unitary piece constructed of polypropylene or polyethylene. The unitary piece 36 includes a side wall 46 and a bottom wall 48 which collectively define a single internal compartment 44.

[060] Another exemplary pod is shown in a front sectional view in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the pod 50 has two built-in ports 52, 54 which are each disposed on the bottom surface of the pod. As disposed, the first port 52 and the second port 54 are each located below the level of a nutritional powder 62. A dispenser 58 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position between the inlet ports 52, 54. As discussed, the pod 50 includes a plastic body 56 and is hermetically sealed by a seal 60.

[061 ] Referring now to Figure 4, a front sectional view of another pod is shown. In this embodiment, the pod 70 has two built-in ports 72, 74 which are disposed on opposing surfaces of the pod. As disposed, the first port 72 is located above the level of the nutritional powder 71 and the second port 74 is located below the level of a nutritional powder 71. A dispenser 78 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position between the inlet ports 52, 54. As discussed, the pod 50 includes a plastic body 76 and is hermetically sealed by a hermetic seal 77. The seal may be foil, plastic, or any other suitable material.

[062] Referring now to Figure 5, a front sectional view of another pod is shown. In this embodiment, the pod 80 has two built-in ports 82, 84 which are disposed below the level of a nutritional powder 81 , but are disposed on different surfaces of the pod. As disposed, the first port 82 is on a side wall and the second port 84 is on a bottom wall. A dispenser 88 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position near the second port 84. As discussed, the pod 80 is hermetically sealed by a hermetic seal 86.

[063] The invention may be practiced with two or more ports in which at least one of the ports is not equal in diameter to at least one of the other ports. For example, the pod 90 has two built-in ports 92, 94, one which is disposed above the level of a nutritional powder 91 and one which is disposed below the level of a nutritional powder 91. As disposed, the first port 92 is on a side wall and has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the second port 94 which is disposed on the opposing side wall, that is to say, D₂ is greater than Di. A dispenser 98 protrudes downward from the pod 90. As discussed, the pod 90 is hermetically sealed by a hermetic seal 96.

[064] Figure 5 also illustrates another features of the invention. In some embodiments, a height of the first port relative to a bottom wall of the pod is not equal to a height of the second port relative to a bottom wall of the pod. As shown, the first port 92 has a greater height than the height of the second port 94 which is disposed on the opposing side wall, that is to say, H₂ is less than Hi. Figure 7a-7c, discussed herein, also discloses a pod 100 having a first port disposed at a different height than a second port.

[065] The inlet ports of the pod may be positioned at an angle to achieve predetermined and desired performance characteristics in the reconstitution of the nutritional powder of liquid concentrate. For example, and addressing only two ports of a pod, the first port may be disposed at a first angle relative to a vertical center axis of the pod and the second port may be disposed at a second angle relative to a vertical center axis of the pod. In this position, the first angle may be equal to the second angle, or the first angle may not be equal to the second angle. In one embodiment, the first angle may be disposed downwardly, and the second angle may be disposed downwardly. In another embodiment, the first angle may be disposed downwardly, and the second angle may be disposed upwardly. For example, the first angle may be disposed downwardly and between 90 and 135 degrees, or more specifically, disposed downwardly and between 105 and 120 degrees. The second angle may be disposed upwardly and between 45 and 90 degrees, or more specifically, the second angle is disposed upwardly and between 60 and 75 degrees. [066] Referring now to Figure 7a, a front sectional view of an exemplary pod is shown.

In this embodiment, the pod 100 has two built-in ports 102, 104 which are each disposed below the level of a nutritional powder 101. The first port 102 and the second port 104 are each on a side wall. A dispenser 108 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position near the second port 104. As discussed, the pod 100 is hermetically sealed by a seal 106.

[067] In the pod 100 shown in Figure 7a, the ports 102, 104 are each disposed at an angle to the vertical axis A_\ of the pod 100. Specifically, the first port 102 is disposed downwardly and at an angle i to the vertical axis Ai of the pod 100. The angle i as shown is greater than 90 degrees. The second port 104 is disposed upwardly and at an angle a₂ to the vertical axis A_\ of the pod 100. The angle a₂ as shown is less than 90 degrees.

[068] The pod configuration may be adjusted to accomplish a predetermined fluid rotation within the pod. For example, the first port and the second port may each be disposed on a surface of the pod to promote fluid rotation within the pod about a vertical center axis of the pod. Likewise, the first port and the second port may be disposed on a surface of the pod to promote fluid rotation within the pod about a horizontal axis.

[069] Performance features of the pod may also be controlled by adjusting the temperature of the liquid of gas which enters the pod through the inlet ports. In a first example, the fluid introduced through the first port is at a first temperature and the fluid introduced through the second port is at a second temperature. The first temperature may not be equal to the second temperature. For example, the fluid introduced through the first port may be of water and the fluid introduced through the second port may be of steam.

[070] Performance features of the pod may also be controlled by using air through one or more of the inlet ports. The air may be used in a pre -treating phase in which the amount of some inlet ports apply steam and some inlet ports apply air. This pre -treating phase occurs before any outlet port is opened. For example, the first port is configured for fluid introduction of steam, and the second port is configured for fluid introduction of air. Other pre -treating patterns may be used in the practice of this invention.

[071 ] Other port and temperature patterns may be used in the practice of this invention.

For example, a height of a first port relative to a bottom wall of the pod is less than a height of the second port relative to the bottom wall, and the first temperature of water entering the pod through the first port is greater than the second temperature of water entering the pod through the second port. This arrangement will create turbulent flow within the pod as a result of the velocity, flow rate, angle of flow, and other physical properties of each port and the flow of water entering each port, but will also create turbulent flow within the pod as a result of higher temperature water in the pod rising and lower temperature water in the pod falling. Other arrangements may be made to use temperature as a mixing agent.

[072] The location of the plurality of ports may be arranged based on the amount of nutritional powder or liquid concentrate in the pod. For example, the first port and the second port may each be disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction above the surface of the nutritional powder. In another example, the first port and the second port may each be disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction below the surface of the nutritional powder. In another example, one of the first port and the second port may be disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction above the surface of the nutritional powder, and the other of the first port and the second port may be disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction below the surface of the nutritional powder.

[073] The pod may be configured to promote timely reconstitution which is completed during a predetermined cycle. For example, the pod may be flushed of nutritional powder or liquid concentrate within a predetermined time. For example, the pod may be configured to introduce fluid into the plurality of inlet ports, and out of the pod, such that the pod is void of nutritional powder within 75 seconds. More specifically, the pod may be void of nutritional powder within 60 seconds. More specifically, the pod may be void of nutritional powder within 45 seconds.

[074] The positioning of one or more of the angled ports may be different than discussed herein. For example, Figure 7b is a front sectional view of another pod. This figure shows a downwardly placed port on the top of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and an upwardly placed port on the side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder. Specifically, a first port 102 is on the top of the pod, and the second port 104 is on the side wall. A dispenser 108 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position near the second port 84. As discussed, the pod 100 is hermetically sealed by a seal 106.

[075] In the pod 100 shown in Figure 7b, the first port 102 is disposed downwardly and at an angle i to the top surface of the pod 100. The angle i as shown is less than 90 degrees, but in the practice of the invention may be more than 90 degrees, such as illustrated in Figure 7c. The second port 104 is disposed at an angle to the side wall. The second port 104 is positioned upwardly and at an angle a₂ to the surface of the pod 100. The angle a₂ as shown is 90 degrees.

[076] Figure 7c is a front sectional view of another pod. This figure shows two built-in ports disposed at an angle to the surface of the pod, a downwardly placed port on the top of the pod and above the level of a nutritional powder and an upwardly placed port on the side of the pod and below the level of a nutritional powder. Specifically, a first port 102 is on the top on the pod and the second port 104 is on the side wall. A dispenser 108 protrudes downward from the pod and at a position near the second port 104. As discussed, the pod 100 is hermetically sealed by a seal 106.

[077] In the pod 100 shown in Figure 7c, the first port 102 is disposed downwardly and at an angle i to the top surface of the pod 100. The angle i as shown is more than 90 degrees, but in the practice of the invention may be less than 90 degrees, such as illustrated in Figure 7b. The second port 104 is disposed at an angle to the side wall. The second port 104 is positioned upwardly and at an angle a₂ to the surface of the pod 100. The angle a₂ as shown is less than 90 degrees.

[078] As discussed herein, the pod may include nutritional liquid concentrate. Figure 8a is a front sectional view of another pod 120 enclosing an amount of liquid concentrate 132. The pod 120 includes a first port 122 and a second port 124. Each port 122, 124 is disposed on a side wall of the pod 120 and is disposed at a height above the liquid concentrate 132. The pod is hermetically sealed by a seal 126. Many properties of a pod which encloses liquid concentrate are common with a pod which encloses powder.

[079] A front sectional view of another pod 120 enclosing an amount of liquid concentrate 132 is shown in Figure 8b. The pod 120 includes a first port 122 and a second port 124. As in the embodiment of Figure 8a, the ports 122, 124 are disposed on a side wall of the pod 120 and are disposed at a height above the liquid concentrate 132. In this embodiment, the ports 122, 124 are disposed on the same side wall 129. A pod having two or more ports on the same side wall may also be used to contain nutritional powder.

[080] The inlet ports of the pod may have variable structural features during use. For example, the diameter of at least one of the plurality of built-in ports may vary during use.

Referring now to Figures 9a-9d, a series of sectional views of a built-in port is shown. The port 130 is shown at four stages of use. The port 130 varies in size during use, and more specifically, increases in size during use. Figure 9a illustrates a sectional view of the port 130 at an original diameter D₃ prior to the flow of water through the port. As water flows, the port 130 gradually increases. Figures 9b-9d illustrate the port at three larger diameters D₄, D₅, and D₆. If the mass flow rate stays constant, the velocity through the port 130 will decrease through the increase in diameter from Figures 9a-9d. Further, Figures 9a-9d are exemplary and other patterns of increase may be used in the practice of this invention.

[081] Referring now to Figures 10a- lOd, another exemplary series of sectional views of a built-in port is shown. The port 140 is shown at four stages of use. The port 140 varies in size during use, and more specifically, decreases in size during use. Figure 10a illustrates a sectional view of the port 140 at an original diameter D₆ prior to the flow of water through the port. As water flows, the port 140 gradually decreases. Figures lOb-lOd illustrate the port at three smaller diameters D5, D₄, and D₃. If the mass flow rate stays constant, the velocity through the port 140 will increase through the decrease in diameter from Figures 10a- lOd. Further, Figures 10a- lOd are exemplary and other patterns of decrease may be used in the practice of this invention.

[082] Referring now to Figure 11 , a front perspective view of another pod is shown.

The pod 200 has two ports 202, 204 which are each secured onto the top edge of a side wall. More specifically, the ports are plastic and are part of the body 210. The ports each have a water conduit which begins with a mouth at the top of the port and bends inward in a direction toward the other port. Water, or steam or gas, may be injected into the mouth of a conduit and travel to the end of the conduit. Each conduit ends with diffusing structure such that the injected water sprays inward and toward the pod contents and further interacts with the spray from the opposing port. For example, a water stream in a direction Ai may enter first port 202 and exit the port in multiple streams toward an inner compartment 205. Likewise, a water stream in a direction A₂ may enter the second port 204 and exit the port in multiple streams toward an inner compartment 205.

[083] The invention may be practiced with more than two ports in a similar position on the top edge of a side wall and pointing inward toward the center of the pod. In the practice of the invention, the inner compartment may hold nutritional powder or liquid concentrate and is hermetically sealed by a structure, such as for example, a metallic or plastic seal.

[084] Referring now to Figure 12, a front perspective view of another pod is shown.

The pod uses conduits which travel primarily vertical to distribute the water within the pod, rather than distribute the water primarily horizontal. The pod 300 has two ports 302, 304 which are each formed onto the top edge of a side wall of the pod 300. Each port is configured to release water within the pod. Referring to the first port 302, for example, the first port defines a conduit which runs from a mouth at the top of the pod and travels in a direction downward and inward toward the bottom of the pod. Throughout the length of the conduit, a plurality of release ports, or exit holes, are within the walls of the conduit to release water, or steam or gas, in an inward direction toward the center of the pod and toward the second port 304 on the opposing side wall. For example, a water stream in a direction A₃ may enter the first port 302 and exit the port through multiple exit holes 306a, 306b, 306c and into an inner compartment 320. Likewise, a water stream in a direction A₄ may enter the second port 304 and exit the port through multiple exit holes 308a, 308b, 308c and into an inner compartment 320. Partially finished or finished product may exit the pod through an evacuation port 310 in a direction Ei.

[085] The invention may be practiced with more than two ports in a similar position on the top edge of a side wall and descending downward on the inner walls of the pod.

Reconstituted material or mixed liquid may be dispensed out of the evacuation port 310 at a predetermined time, such as for example, when the pressure in the pod reaches a predetermined level. In the practice of the invention, the inner compartment 305 may hold nutritional powder of liquid concentrate and is hermetically sealed by a structure, such as for example, a metallic or plastic seal.

[086] Another pod having a top mounted port is shown in Figure 13. The pod has a port at the top of the pod which sprays water downward through a plurality of holes. The pod 400 includes a body 408, a hermetic seal 422, and a rigid port 402. The rigid port 402 is mounted or otherwise secured in the center of the seal. In the practice of the invention, more than one location can be used for securing the port, and more than one port can be used.

[087] The port 402 is configured to release water within the pod. The port 402 defines an inlet for water, or steam or gas, on the top of the pod in a direction A₅. At the bottom of the port, and exposed to the inner compartment 406, are a plurality of holes, which, for example, may spray water downward into the inner compartment 406 and onto the contents of the pod, such as for example, nutritional powder or liquid concentrate. In an embodiment, the holes are laser scored in a pattern to promote an advantageous distribution spray over the entire contents of the inner compartment 406. In this embodiment, the rigid port 402 is mounted on the seal over an area that has laser scored holes. The inlet of the fluid, such as water, at a predetermined pressure causes the holes to open up and let water into the pod. Figure 13 shows only four holes 404a, 404b, 404c, and 404d for clarity, but the invention in practice may have many more holes in the port.

[088] As discussed in other embodiments, a seal 410 is secured to a plastic container

408 to hermetically seal an inner compartment. The seal may be a metallic or plastic seal. In the practice of the invention, the inner compartment 412 may hold nutritional powder or liquid concentrate. After reconstituting of the material or mixing of the liquid, material may be dispensed out of the evacuation port 420 in a direction E₂, and at the predetermined time, such as for example, when the pressure in the pod reaches a predetermined level.

[089] In some embodiments, the port 402 may include other components. For example, the port may include an integrated filter to treat water prior to entry into the pod. The filter may be located in various places, for example, the filter may be located upstream from the port and remove from the port itself, the filter may be attached to the port yet still upstream from the inlet, or the filter may be positioned between the inlet and the outlet spray.

[090] It is believed the reconstitution time for a given pod and a set type and volume of contents can be shortened by adjusting the spray pattern, using the same amount of water at the same pressure. Other diffusing patterns or structures may be used in the practice of this invention. For example, the port may be mounted over an area which includes a frangible section.

[091 ] In another embodiment, welding technology may be used for the construction of the pod. For example, the seal may be secured on one or more sides by welding. In one embodiment, the hermetic seal may be welded on the bottom side to the top surface of the pod body, such as for example, a flange on the pod body. On another embodiment, the top surface of the hermetic seal is welded to the rigid port. In another embodiment, both the top surface and the bottom surface of the hermetic seal may be welded to a surface. In the practice of the invention, welding may be used in other parts of the pod to secure one surface to another surface.

Testing Results

[092] A detailed study was performed on the advantageous features of this invention.

An automated reconstitution system was assembled which was capable of evaluating the invention under a multitude of variables, including nozzle location and fluid entry properties. Under this evaluation system, the invention demonstrated performance improvements for criteria related to the reconstitution of nutritional powders.

[093] In general, the system tested the performance criteria of a pod containing a test amount of nutritional powder and having one or more ports, the one or more ports intended for fluid introduction to the pod to reconstitute the nutritional powder into a single serving nutritional liquid consumption. The system included reusable testing pods. The testing pods included various features of the invention. The pods are detailed below:

Testing Pod A - One downward sidewall port, below level of powder;

Testing Pod B - Two downward sidewall ports, one below/one above the level of powder; and Testing Pod C - Two downward sidewall ports, each below the level of the powder.

A testing pod which included features of a conventional pod (baseline) was also used, e.g., a conventional inlet port on the top of the pod. Each pod was constructed to hold a test amount of a nutritional powder. Fluid entering a testing pod was controllable by temperature, pressure, and volume. The system used multiple water tanks, multiple hot and cold water supply lines, water pumps, steam tanks, air supply lines, and other mechanical equipment to control the

characteristics of water, steam, or air entering the testing pod.

[094] For the testing, the following parameters were used: 35.1 grams of an infant formula powder and 240 ml of water introduced to the pod. A testing series of eight pairs were run, with the performance of each of the testing pods compared to the baseline pod under at least one condition. Table 1 below shows eight pairs of pods and the testing parameters (flow rate into pod, outlet valve pressure). Table 1. Test pairs for comparison purposes, water inlet flow rates, and outlet valve opening pressures.

[095] Table 2 below contains the mean foam volume, number of clumps, and utilization for six replicates of each of the eight test pairs.

Table 2. Means values and statistical significance for the eight pairs of tests.

ID5 25 79 0.04

Baseline ID6 73 14 0.98

ID6 27 38 0.06

Baseline ID7 74 16 1.23

ID7 36 39 0.11

Baseline ID 14 73 14 0.98

ID14 30 6 0.18

[096] In the predominant number of testing pairs, the configurations which used at least one built-in port on the side of the pod, tangential to the body and angled downward, reduced the amount of foam produced when reconstituting infant formula. In addition, these configurations often reduced the amount of infant formula remaining in the pod at the end of the reconstitution cycle. The configuration using a single built-in port on the side of the pod located at a height typically below the top surface of the infant formula powder, tangential to the body and angled downward, reduced foam and improved utilization without having an adversely negative effect on the number of clumps that were evacuated from the pod.

[097] Reduction in foam may be beneficial in the preparation of certain nutritional drinks made from powder. For example, foam is perceived to have a negative influence on the tolerance of formula in infants. Additionally, the improved utilization in the pod consequently increases the accuracy of infant formula used relative to the amount of water required. This increased dosing is especially important because of the special dietary needs of infants, and because infant formula is predominately a single source nutrition product.

[098] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions (such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit, and function, and so on) may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hermetically sealed pod comprising:

a nutritional powder; and

one or more built-in ports for introducing fluid into the pod to mix with the nutritional powder.

2. The pod of claim 1 , wherein the fluid introduced through the one or more ports creates turbulent flow within the pod.

3. The pod of claim 1, wherein the fluid introduced through the one or more ports pre-treats of the nutritional powder.

4. The pod of claim 1, wherein the one or more ports comprises a first port disposed on a side surface on the pod, and the first port is disposed downwardly relative to a vertical center axis of the pod.

5. The pod of claim 4, wherein the first port is disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction below an upper surface of the nutritional powder.

6. The pod of claim 1, wherein at least 90 percent of the nutritional powder is reconstituted by the f uid introduced through the one or more ports within 60 seconds.

7. The pod of claim 1, wherein at least 75 percent of the nutritional powder is reconstituted by the f uid introduced through the one or more ports within 45 seconds.

8. The pod of claim 1 , wherein the pod comprises a first port and a second port.

9. The pod of claim 8, wherein a height of the first port relative to a bottom wall of the pod is not equal to a height of the second port relative to the bottom wall of the pod.

10. The pod of claim 8, wherein the first port and the second port are each disposed on a side of the pod.

11. The pod of claim 8, wherein the first port is disposed at a first angle relative to a vertical central axis of the pod and the second port is disposed at a second angle relative to the vertical central axis of the pod.

12. The pod of claim 11, wherein the first angle is equal to the second angle.

13. The pod of claim 11, wherein the first angle is disposed downwardly and the second angle is disposed downwardly.

14. The pod of claim 11 , wherein the first angle is disposed downwardly and between 90 and 135 degrees.

15. The pod of claim 8, wherein the first port and the second port are each disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction below an upper surface of the nutritional powder.

16. The pod of claim 8, wherein one of the first port and the second port is disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction above the surface of the nutritional powder, and the other of the first port and the second port is disposed at a height on the pod to promote fluid introduction below the surface of the nutritional powder.

17. A pod for preparing a nutritional liquid composition, the pod comprising:

a body; and

one or more ports for introducing fluid into the body, wherein each port is secured to a wall of the body;

wherein a nutritional powder is hermetically sealed within the body;

wherein the introduction of the fluid through the one or more ports creates turbulent flow of that promotes mixing of the fluid and the nutritional powder within the pod.

18. The pod of claim 17 further comprising a first port and a second port, each port spaced apart from the other and secured to an outer surface of the body.

19. A pod for preparing a nutritional liquid composition, the pod comprising:

a body formed of molded plastic, the body having one or more walls and a top opening; a beverage compartment within the body, said beverage compartment containing a nutritional powder; and

a first port and a second port, each port spaced apart from the other and formed within the one or more walls of the body;

a seal disposed over the top opening of the body to hermetically seal the nutritional powder in the body;

wherein each port is configured to introduce fluid from the outside of the beverage compartment to the inside of the beverage compartment for formation of a nutritional liquid composition within pod.

20. The pod of claim 19, wherein the pod is configured to introduce fluid into the first port and into the second port and out of the pod, and wherein the pod is 99% devoid of nutritional powder within 60 seconds.