Patent ID: 8322271

Claim:
A disposable infusible material capsule for use in apparatus for dispensing a brewed beverage into a beverage receptacle wherein the apparatus includes liquid delivery means for delivering liquid to said infusible material capsule and wherein said disposable infusible material capsule comprises: A) capsule base means having a bottom, a side wall characterized by a conical shape at a draft angle and an open top for defining a receiving cavity including a permeable support structure for containing a quantity of infusible material, the brewed beverage being dispensed from said bottom of said capsule base means, B) cover means attached to said open top of said capsule base means for sealing said receiving cavity and including a pierceable inlet means for directing liquid from the liquid delivery means into said receiving cavity, and C) liquid distribution means in said capsule base means receiving cavity intermediate said cover means and the infusible material at an adjustable predetermined position in said capsule base means receiving cavity for distributing the liquid across the infusible material and for compressing the infusible material, said liquid distribution means including flexible positioning means with a peripheral portion having a J-shape for engaging the interior surface of said capsule base means side wall for maintaining the adjustable predetermined position of said liquid distribution means in said capsule base means receiving cavity whereby during capsule manufacture said liquid distribution means is adapted to be displaced to a position in said capsule base means receiving cavity corresponding to the amount of and desired packing density of the infusible material within said capsule base means receiving cavity thereby to enable said infusible material capsule to contain any of a range of quantities of infusible material under a desired compression after capsule manufacture has been completed and whereby the engagement of said J-shaped peripheral portion with the interior surface of said side wall blocks any reverse displacement of said liquid distribution means.