System and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage

<p num="0001">The present invention relates to a system for making a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for ingestion using an extractable product. The system includes replaceable capsules. The system supplies a fluid supply device for supplying a certain amount of fluid, eg water, to the replaceable capsule, a container for holding the replaceable capsule, and a beverage to a container, eg, a cup. Provided with an instrument with an outlet device for. The capsule comprises an outer peripheral wall, a bottom, a lid, an inlet area, and a closed exit area. The outer wall, bottom and lid surround an interior space containing an extractable product. The system is arranged so that the fluid feeding device is in fluid contact with the inlet region in order to feed the extractable product with fluid to make a beverage. The system is further arranged such that the outlet device is in fluid contact with the outlet region during use in order to drain the produced beverage from the capsule.</p><p num="0002">The present invention further relates to methods for making a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for ingestion using an extractable product. The method provided a replaceable capsule with an outer wall, a bottom, a lid, an inlet area and a closed exit area, the wall, bottom and lid provided with an extractable product. Surround the interior space. The method ejects the beverage made from the capsule, a container for holding the replaceable capsule, a fluid supply device for supplying a certain amount of fluid, such as water, to the replaceable capsule. Further provide an instrument with an outlet device that is in fluid contact with the capsule during use to supply the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The device is arranged to feed the fluid to the extractable product and bring the fluid feeding device into fluid contact with the inlet region of the capsule to make a beverage.</p><p num="0003">In the prior art, hermetically sealed capsules containing ground coffee for placement in coffee distributors are known. While making coffee, the inlet area of such a sealed capsule is perforated, resulting in an inlet opening to supply fluid under pressure to the ground coffee in the interior space of the capsule. Is prepared. This then increases the pressure in the internal space of the capsule, so that the outlet region of the capsule is pressed against the lid penetrating means present in the instrument. When sufficient pressure is applied, the outlet region tears against the lid penetrating means, creating an outlet opening, through which the coffee beverage is discharged from the capsule through the outlet present in the device. can do. During use, the outlet is in fluid communication with the outlet area of the container so that the coffee beverage can be drained through the outlet.</p><p num="0004">In the system described above, the preferred passage of fluid flows through the extractable product within the capsule, eg, from at least one inlet opening to at least one outlet opening, which is the result. It has been found that it can result in a capsule-by-capsule variation in the desired concentration and / or the concentration of the beverage made. Moreover, since the outlet openings are formed by the pressure of the fluid, the number, position and / or size of the outlet openings are formed by chance.</p><p num="0005">Therefore, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide alternative systems, capsules and methods.</p><p num="0006">In addition, according to the first feature, the system of claim 1 is provided.</p><p num="0007">Capsules according to the invention have an opening element arranged to provide at least one opening through an exit region that is closed if not opened. This opening element may be present in the capsule itself instead of being present in the containment or outlet device. The opening element may provide the capsule with additional features or adjustments. The opening element itself may open the exit region. Through at least one outlet opening formed, the produced beverage can be discharged from the capsule through the outlet device into a container. Providing an opening element in a capsule largely depends on the pressure of the fluid inside the capsule, but instead depends on a predetermined number of outlet openings, a predetermined position of each outlet opening and / or an outlet opening of a predetermined size. Can be prepared.</p><p num="0008">In the present invention, the arrangement of the outlet opening can be predetermined independently of the instrument. The number, location and / or size of outlet openings can be determined based on, for example, the type of product that can be extracted, the particle size of the product that can be extracted, the desired strength of the beverage, and the like. Capsules carrying such extractable products may include one or more opening elements of the outlet opening that may give its predetermined number, position and / or size. In addition, the opening element may form an outlet opening independently or partially independent of the pressure exerted inside the capsule. Multiple openings may be provided.</p><p num="0009">Advantageously, the capsule may be hermetically sealed to the surrounding environment. Preferably, the encapsulation is impermeable to fluids and / or air, so that the extractable product is substantially free of aroma or extractability for a relatively long period of time prior to use, preferably little or no. Can be as it is. The opening element may be actuated so that the beverage can flow through the outlet region just before or during use.</p><p num="0010">In one embodiment, the opening element is arranged to be manually actuated, eg, before manipulating the instrument. In another embodiment, the opening element may be arranged to be actuated by the instrument, for example during an operation.</p><p num="0011">In one embodiment, the outlet region may be provided on the lid of the capsule and / or part of the outer wall. The outlet region may further comprise an outlet filter to retain the extractable product and discharge the beverage. The inlet area may be provided on the bottom and / or part of the outer wall of the capsule. The inlet may be equipped with an inlet filter to allow the pressurized fluid to pass through and to keep the extractable product.</p><p num="0012">In one embodiment, the opening element may be independent of the outlet filter and / or lid. For example, the opening element can be moved at least partially to open the exit area. In one embodiment, by moving the opening element at least partially, the exit region can be partially torn, snapped, torn or opened. In a further embodiment, the device may have moving elements such as bottom penetrating means and / or accommodators. The opening element may be moved by the movement of the bottom penetration means and / or the container to open the outlet area.</p><p num="0013">In another embodiment, the opening element may be arranged to be moved at least partially away from each outlet opening provided in the outlet region filter. For example, the opening element may be arranged so that it is at least partially deformed by, for example, a reaction to heat and / or fluid.</p><p num="0014">In yet another embodiment, the opening element may be integrated with an outlet filter and / or lid. In another embodiment again, the opening element may be arranged to be at least partially dissolved and / or decomposed by fluid from a fluid feeding device to provide an opening through the outlet region. .. For example, the outlet opening containing a soluble and / or degradable material may be provided in and / or with respect to the outlet filter. The outlet opening can be opened by feeding the fluid to the outlet filter.</p><p num="0015">In one embodiment, the same opening element may be arranged to provide an opening through the inlet region to feed the fluid into the capsule, especially through the extractable product, especially at about the same time. Good. In another embodiment, the opening element may include first and second opening elements. During use, the first opening element may provide an opening through the inlet area, while the second opening element may provide an opening through the exit area.</p><p num="0016">The capsule may have a stiff edge and / or a stiff outer wall, and the capsule may be supported by a container. During use, the rim can be pressed between the container and the outlet device to hold the capsule in place while ejecting the beverage from the capsule.</p><p num="0017">In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises a bottom-penetrating means intended to penetrate the bottom of an alternative capsule, creating at least one inlet opening in the capsule inlet region and the at least one inlet. Feed the fluid through the openings in the extractable product. The capsules of the system are arranged so that the bottom is positioned away from the bottom penetrating means so that the bottom of the capsule of the system is not penetrated by the bottom penetrating means and remains intact.</p><p num="0018">In a further embodiment, the container provides the outlet region of the alternative capsule when the outlet region is sufficiently pressed against the lid penetrating means under the influence of fluid and / or beverage pressure in the alternative capsule. A lid penetrating means intended to penetrate is provided, resulting in at least one outlet opening in the outlet region through which the beverage can be expelled from the alternative capsule. Preferably, the lid penetrating means and the capsules of the system are adapted to each other such that the lid remains intact during use without being penetrated by the lid penetrating means.</p><p num="0019">The fluid supply device of the system may be arranged to supply fluid to the replaceable capsule under a pressure of about 4-20 bar, preferably 5-18 bar, more preferably 6-15 bar. In one embodiment, an ascending pressure of 6 bar in a suitable fluid feeding device is delivered to the capsule. For example, the extractable product may include ground particles of coffee and the system may be arranged to produce espresso and / or coffee type beverages.</p><p num="0020">According to the second feature, a method according to claim 25 is provided.</p><p num="0021">In this method, a capsule with an opening element that provides an opening through the outlet region is used, after which the beverage made is discharged from the capsule. Prior to use, the exit area may be closed. During or just before use, the opening element is actuated to create an opening through the outlet area. The fluid or beverage is then discharged from the capsule through the outlet opening into the outlet device, preferably into a container such as a cup. By operating the opening element, for example by pushing, heating, moistening, pressurizing, tearing, tearing, etc. The exit area and / or the entrance area can be opened.</p><p num="0022">Further embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are described in the claims and detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings.</p>

<figref num="1a">The prior art system for making beverages is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="1b">The prior art system for making beverages is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="1c">The prior art system for making beverages is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="2">A system for making a beverage is schematically shown in a front view of a cross section.</figref><figref num="3">The capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="4">Another capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="5">Yet another capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="6">A part of yet another capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="7">The capsule and the bottom penetrating means are schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="8">Yet another capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref><figref num="9">Yet another capsule is schematically shown in the front view of the cross section.</figref>

In the present specification, the same and corresponding regions have the same or corresponding reference numbers. The exemplary embodiments shown should not be construed as restrictive in any aspect, but merely serve as an example.

Figures 1a-1c show a prior art system 101 for making a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for ingestion using extractable products. System 101 comprises a replaceable capsule 102 and an instrument 104. Instrument 104 comprises a container 106 for holding the replaceable capsule 102. In FIGS. 1a-1c, a gap is drawn between the capsule 102 and the container 106 for clarity. It will be appreciated that during use, the capsule 102 may be in contact with the container 106. In general, the container 106 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the capsule 102. Instrument 104 further comprises a fluid supply device 108 for supplying a certain amount of fluid, such as water, to the replaceable capsule 102 under pressure, for example 9 bar. In addition, an outlet device 109 may be provided to provide fluid from the capsule 102 to a container, eg, a cup.

In the system 101 shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, the replaceable capsule 102 is an outer wall 110tp, a bottom 112 that closes the outer wall 110 at a first end 114, and a second opposite the bottom 112. A lid 116, which closes the outer peripheral wall 110 at the second end 118, is provided. The outer wall 110, bottom 112 and lid 116 surround an interior space 120 that houses the extractable product 20.

The system 101 of FIGS. 1a-1c comprises a bottom penetration means 122 intended to penetrate the capsule 102. FIG. 1a shows the bottom penetrating means 122 in the retracted position. FIG. 1b shows a bottom penetrating means 122 in an extended position for making an inlet opening 124 at the bottom 112 and feeding fluid through the opening 124 to the extractable product 20. In FIGS. 1a-1c, the penetrating means 122 comprises a hole 126 through which fluid can be fed to the extractable product 20 housed in the interior space 120. The system 101 of FIGS. 1a-1c further includes a lid penetrating means 128 (here embodied as a protrusion) intended to penetrate the lid 116 of the capsule 102. In the embodiments shown, the lid penetrating means 128 may form part of the outlet device 109.

The system 101 shown in FIGS. 1a-1c is operated as follows to make a cup of coffee, where the extractable product 20 is roasted and ground coffee.

Capsule 102 is placed in container 106 (see Figure 1a). A bottom penetration means is actuated to create an inlet opening 124 through the bottom 112 of the capsule 102 (see FIG. 1b). A fluid, here hot water under pressure, is fed through the inlet opening 124 to the extractable product 20 in the interior space 120. Water wets the ground coffee and extracts the desired substance to form a coffee beverage.

The pressure inside the capsule 102 will increase while supplying pressurized water to the interior space 120. The increase in pressure deforms the lid 116 so that it is pressed against the lid penetrating means 128. Once the pressure reaches a certain level, the tear strength of the lid 116 is exceeded and the lid bursts against the lid penetrating means 128, creating an outlet opening 130 (see Figure 1c). The coffee made can be discharged from the capsule 102 through the outlet opening 130 and the outlet 132 of the outlet device 109 and fed into a container, eg, a cup (not shown).

While making a beverage in the system 101 shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, a preferred flow path may be present in the extractable product 20 inside the interior space 120 of the capsule 102. These preferred passages may extend from the inlet opening 124 to the exit opening 130. One such possible preferred passage is shown by line PP in Figure 1c.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a first embodiment of System 1 for making a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for ingestion using the extractable product 20. System 1 comprises a replaceable capsule 2 and an instrument 104. Capsule 2 is in the open state and the opening element (not shown in FIG. 2) has already been activated to open the outlet and inlet areas. Aperture elements are described below.

Instrument 104 comprises a container 106 for holding the replaceable capsule 2. In this embodiment, the container 106 has a shape complementary to the shape of the capsule 2. In FIG. 2, a gap is drawn between the capsule 2 and the incubator 106 for clarity. It will be appreciated that the capsule 2 may be in contact with the incubator 106 during use. Instrument 104 further comprises a fluid supply device 108 for supplying a quantity of fluid, such as water, to the replaceable capsule 2 under pressure.

In system 1 shown in FIG. 2, the replaceable capsule 2 has an outer wall 10, a bottom 12 that closes the outer wall 10 at a first end 14, and a second end opposite to the bottom 12. A lid 16 that closes the outer peripheral wall 10 at the portion 18 is provided. The outer wall 10, the bottom 12, and the lid 16 surround the interior space 20 that houses the extractable product 20. In this example, the replaceable capsule 2 contains a certain amount of extractable product 20, which is suitable for making a single serving, preferably a cup of beverage, eg 30-200 ml of made beverage. Including. That is, the replaceable capsule is a single-use, subdivided pack.

According to one embodiment, system 1 of FIG. 2 comprises a bottom penetration means 122 intended to penetrate the prior art capsule 102 shown in FIGS. 1a-1c. FIG. 2 shows a bottom penetration means in an extended position intended to create an inlet opening 124 at the bottom 112 of the prior art capsule 102. According to a further embodiment, the capsule 2 penetrates the bottom so that the capsule 2 is not penetrated by the bottom penetrating means 122 and the bottom 12 remains intact when the bottom penetrating means is brought to the extended position. It comprises an inlet filter 34 located away from the means 12. Therefore, the inlet filter 34 prepares an inlet region. The inlet filter is provided with an inlet opening 24 which can be formed by activating the inlet opening element, as described below.

In FIG. 2, the penetrating means 122 includes a hole 126 through which fluid is supplied to the interior space of the container 106. The fluid is, in the present specification, hot water under a pressure of more than 6 bar, for example, a product 20 capable of flowing through an inlet filter 34 into the interior space 20 of the capsule 2 and extracting the desired substance, this embodiment. Extract from about 7 grams of roasted and ground coffee, and in this example make a cup of beverage, here coffee.

That is, more generally, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bottom 12 comprises an inlet region formed by an inlet filter 34, and system 1 supplies fluid to the extractable product 20 to make a beverage. Therefore, the fluid supply device 108 is arranged so as to make fluid contact with the inlet region.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the outer peripheral wall 10 is substantially rigid. The outer wall may contain, for example, a plastic material and may be molded, for example, by injection molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bottom 12 is integrated with the outer peripheral wall 10. In this embodiment, the inlet filter 34 is formed by a plurality of inlet openings 24 at the bottom 12, i.e. forming an inlet region. In this embodiment, the openings 24 of the plurality of inlets are distributed substantially throughout the bottom 12. In the embodiments shown, the fluid is fed to the extractable product 20 through the openings 24 of the plurality of inlets, which means that the extractable product 20 is wetted substantially across the cross section of the capsule 2. To do so. Therefore, a very uniform supply of fluid to the extractable product 20 is obtained. That is, the risk of creating a preferential passage through which the fluid flows through the extractable product 20 is greatly reduced. In another embodiment, an additional opening 24 may be provided on the outer wall 10, preferably near the bottom 12, so that the entrance area is along the bottom 12 and along the outer wall 10. It may be provided.

In a further embodiment that can be used in addition to or separately from the above embodiments, at least one outlet opening 130 can be made and the beverage can be drained from the prior art capsule 102 through the opening. As such, system 1 of FIG. 2 is the lid of the prior art capsule 102 when the lid 116 is sufficiently pressed against the lid penetrating means 128 under the influence of fluid and / or beverage pressure in the capsule 102. A lid penetrating means 128 intended to penetrate 116 is provided. According to embodiments of the present invention, the capsule 2 comprises an outlet filter 36 comprising an outlet opening 30 that is an opening through which the beverage can be expelled from the capsule 2. As described below, the capsule may be provided with an outlet opening element for opening these outlet openings 30 before or during use. The outlet filter 36 may be arranged to have a sufficiently high tear strength that is not penetrated by the lid penetrating means 128 under the influence of the pressure in the capsule 2. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet filter 36 forms a sufficiently low flow resistance to the beverage exiting the capsule 2, and the outlet filter 36 has sufficient force to be penetrated by the lid penetrating means 128. Not pressed against, the lid remains intact. Therefore, the outlet filter 36 is adapted to the lid penetrating means 128 so that the capsule 2 in use is not penetrated by the lid penetrating means 128 and the lid 16 is intact. More generally, the outlet filter 36 and the lid penetrating means 128 are adapted together such that the capsule 2 is not penetrated by the lid penetrating means 128 during use and the lid 16 is intact.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outlet filter 36 forming the outlet region of the capsule 2 through which the beverage, in this case coffee, can be discharged from the capsule is formed of a porous sheet such as filter paper. In this embodiment, the entire lid 16 is formed as an outlet filter 36. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the capsule 2 comprises an outwardly extending edge 38 at the second end 18, the lid 16 being glued, welded, etc. to the outwardly extending edge 38, for example. Is attached by. Therefore, in this embodiment, the outlet filter 36, the porous sheet, is attached to the outwardly extending edge 38.

In this embodiment, the outlet filter 36 forms a substantially contiguous sheet of fluid-permeable that spreads substantially throughout the second open end 18 of the capsule 2. That is, the fluid can be discharged from the capsule 2 over a wide area. Therefore, a very uniform beverage effluent is obtained from the extractable product 20. That is, the risk of creating a preferential passage through which the fluid flows through the extractable product 20 is greatly reduced.

In one embodiment, the parameters of the outlet filter 36 of Capsule 2 of System 1 have a sufficiently high tear strength and / or so that the outlet filter does not tear or tear, eg, penetrate or tear. It can be selected to form a sufficiently low flow resistance. It will be appreciated that the lid and / or outlet filter 36 does not tear or tear, but can deform relative to the lid penetrating means. When the outlet filter 36 is made of, for example, paper for filtering, the parameters of the paper for filtering, such as density, thickness and / or PE-content, have sufficiently high tear strength and / or sufficient. Can be readily selected to provide an outlet filter 36 that forms a low flow resistance. Alternatively, when the outlet filter 36 is formed, for example, by a polymeric film with a plurality of outlet openings, the parameters of the polymeric foil, such as density, thickness, number of outlet openings, and the like. The size and / or shape of the outlet opening can be readily selected to provide a third wall with sufficiently high tear strength and / or forming a sufficiently low flow resistance.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the lid penetrating means 128 is shown to have sharply toothed points intended to penetrate the lid. Alternatively, the lid penetrating means 128 may have a blunt penetrating surface, for example as shown by the dashed line in FIG. Nevertheless, in such an embodiment, the prior art capsule 102 is pierced by blunt penetrating means 128, for example when the lid 116 is made of a sheet of aluminum foil. The parameters of the outlet filter 36 of the capsule 2 of the system 1 according to embodiments of the present invention have a sufficiently high tear strength and / or form a sufficiently low flow resistance so that they are not penetrated or torn. Can be selected for. It is understood that when the lid penetration means are blunt, the parameters of the outlet filter can be selected to match these blunt penetration means. When the penetrating means is dull, the outlet filter may be, for example, thinner than, for example, when the lid penetrating means is sharp, but has sufficiently high tear strength and / or sufficient so that the exit filter is not penetrated or torn. Guarantees the formation of low flow resistance.

The lid penetrating means comprises a ridge with which the lid abuts during use. Such a ridge can be formed by the blunt penetration means 128, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. The ridge covers, for example, at least 10%, perhaps at least 25%, of the surface portion of the incubator 106 that is in use and coincides with the portion of the surface region of the lid 16 that overlaps the second open end 18. It may be formed. Thus, during use, the lid 16 may be supported by the ridge over, for example, at least 10%, preferably at least 25%, of the surface area portion of the lid 16 that overlaps the second open end 18. .. As already shown, the lid 116 of the prior art capsule 102 may be penetrated by such a ridge, but the parameter of the outlet filter 36 of the capsule 2 of the system 1 according to the present invention is that the outlet filter 36 It can be easily selected to have a sufficiently high tear strength and / or to form a sufficiently low flow resistance so that it will not be penetrated or torn. It is understood that when the lid penetrating means comprises a ridge, the parameters of the outlet filter can be selected to suit such lid penetrating means.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the ridge comprises a non-sharp end. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the end is about 50 μm, but other radii, such as 100, 200, or 500 μm, can be assumed. Nevertheless, the prior art capsule 102 may be pierced by blunt penetrating means 128 when the lid 116 is made of aluminum foil. When the lid penetrating means have blunt edges, it will be understood that the parameters of the outlet filter 36 are selected to suit such penetrating means. The parameters of the outlet filter 36 of Capsule 2 of System 1 according to one embodiment of the invention have a sufficiently high tear strength and / or form a sufficiently low flow resistance so that they are not penetrated or torn. Can be selected for.

The ridge of the lid penetrating means 128 can also have a convex top with which the lid 16 abuts. Thus, when the lid 16 is pressed against the ridge during use, the surface area on the lid supported by the ridge increases, i.e. reduces the local pressure exerted by the ridge on the lid. That is, it is possible to provide in an easy manner that the lid 12 remains intact without being torn and / or torn during use.

Before the capsule 2 is placed in the container 106, the capsule 2 may be sealed and the extractable product 20 may remain intact until the beverage is made. Before the capsule 2 is placed in the container 106, the capsule 2 may be sealed, so that the extractable product 20 can remain intact until the beverage preparation. As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule 2 may include an outlet opening element arranged to provide an opening 30 through an outlet region for discharging the made beverage. Before opening, the opening element closes the exit area. The opening element may include a seal 40. By removing the seal 40, the opening 30 of the filter 36 is exposed and the beverage can be drained through the bottom. The seal 40 can be removed by hand before the capsule 2 is placed in the container 106. The seal 40 may be provided with a lip 42 for sandwiching between fingers to remove the seal 40. The seal 40 may form an independent component separate from the outlet filter 36 and / or edge 38, i.e. a component formed independently of the outlet filter 36 and / or edge 38. The seal 40 may include a cap, foil or sheet, etc., and may be made of, for example, paper, plastic and / or metal leaf. The seal 40 can be attached to the capsule 2, especially to the rim 38, by any suitable method, such as welding or gluing.

As shown, the inlet region opening element may be provided to provide an opening through the inlet region to supply fluid to the capsule 2 through the inlet region, which is closed if not opened. Good. The inlet region opening element may be provided with a second seal 44. The inlet opening 24 of the inlet filter 34 is exposed by removing the second seal 44, for example by pulling it with the second lip 46. The inlet seal 44 may have the same properties as the outlet seal 40. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet seals 44, 40 may be connected to each other and / or together to form a seal.

In another embodiment, the capsule 1 must be manually pushed or torn to provide an opening through each of the outlet and / or inlet regions. The outlet region opening element and / or the inlet region opening. It can have elements (see Figure 4). Such opening elements may include sheets 48, 50, respectively. For example, by pushing or locally tearing the respective sheets 48, 50, the respective openings 30, 24 can be exposed and fluids and beverages can flow into and out of the capsule 2. For example, the outlet filter 36 and / or the inlet filter 34 can be made of a relatively strong material and / or a thick material so that it is not torn and / or pushed together with the respective opening elements. For example, the outlet filter 36 and / or the inlet filter 34 may include metal and / or reinforced paper and / or plastic. The filters 34 and 36 may be, for example, relatively thicker than the sheets 50 and 48, respectively.

In another embodiment, the opening element may comprise packaging 52 (FIG. 5). The package 52 may be formed of a surrounding foil, seal, paper, or the like that surrounds and seals the bottom 12, the outer peripheral wall 10, and the lid 16. The packaging 52 may seal the filter 3436 so that the extractable product 20 remains intact. Prior to use, the packaging 52 must be removed to extract the extractable product 20. The edge 38 may be attached to the outer peripheral wall 10 and / or the lid 16 of the capsule 2. Another, reusable rim 38 may be provided independently, where the independent rim is connected to a disposable capsule 52 before use, which is reused after use. It may be removed to obtain. In another embodiment, all capsules 2 may be provided with rim 38, where the entire capsule 2 including rim 38 is disposable.

In one embodiment, the opening element is provided with an outlet region and / or an inlet to provide openings 30, 24 through the outlet and / or inlet regions, respectively, preferably while at least partially connected to the capsule. It is arranged so that it is moved at least partially relative to the area. In FIG. 6, the opening element for the exit region is shown. Similarly, opening elements may be prepared for the entrance area. For example, the capsule 2 may include an opening element actuated by means of heat. When the heated water comes into contact with the opening element, the opening element moves at least partially, exposing the respective outlet or inlet openings 30, 24. For example, the aperture element may comprise a shape memory alloy and / or bimetal strip 54 that is arranged to deform under the influence of heat, i.e., when its temperature rises above a certain threshold temperature.

In a further embodiment, the opening element may comprise, for example, an element containing a fluid and / or a substance that reacts with a particular amount of moisture. For example, when the element comes into contact with an amount of fluid, the material becomes relatively weak and thus deforms, resulting in the opening of the outlet and / or inlet region, or the effect of the fluid to which the element is supplied. It weakens below and can then be moved or deformed by the pressure of the pressurized fluid and / or by the movement of the extractable product 20.

In another embodiment, the opening element may comprise a locally dried and / or pressured extractable product 20, such as particles. The locally dried and / or pressured extractable product 20 has an outlet and / or inlet opening so that the rest of the extractable product 20 in the interior space is substantially intact. Can block 24 and 30. Locally dried and / or pressured material can be weakened or disintegrated under the influence of a fluid, which fluid can flow through openings 24, 30 and is an extractable product. Extract the flavor from 20.

In a further embodiment, the opening element and the device are arranged such that the device moves the opening element to provide an opening through the outlet and / or inlet area. The moving portion of the instrument may be, for example, the bottom penetrating means 122 and / or the contacting portion of the container 106 or otherwise the capsule 2 of the instrument 104.

In one embodiment, the opening element comprises an opening element for opening an inlet and / or exit area. The opening element may include one integral part. Also, a plurality of opening elements may be provided, for example, at least one in the inlet region and at least one in the exit region, and the plurality of opening elements may be connected. The opening element can be actuated by the bottom penetration means 122. For example, during use, the bottom penetration means 122 may push the opening element away from the inlet area and / or towards the exit area (FIG. 7). At least one opening 24 may be provided in the inlet area by pushing the opening element away from the inlet area. For example, the opening element may be removed from the bottom or extruded from its fit. In a further embodiment, the exit area is also opened by the same pushing action. As shown in FIG. 7, the opening element 55 can penetrate the outlet region by the pushing action, so that one or more outlet openings 30 can be prepared. In another embodiment, similar opening elements may be manually pressed or otherwise manually actuated before the capsule 2 is placed in the container 106.

In another embodiment, the capsule 2 (not shown) is provided with an integral opening element. After the capsule 2 is placed in the container 106, the system 1 moves the container 106 toward the outlet device 109 so that the edge 38 can be fixed between the container 106 and the outlet device 109. Can be placed in. By moving the container 106 with the capsule 2 towards the exit device 109, the instrument can deform a local portion of the capsule 2, which deformation passes through the exit and / or inlet region, the local of the capsule 2. Can cause tearing and / or breakage. Here, the opening element may be integrally formed in the capsule 2, for example, at the lid and / or the bottom and / or in the vicinity thereof. For example, the opening element may comprise one or more protrusions placed under stress while the containment device 106 and the exit device 109 push the edges and move with each other. The edge 38 is such that by pushing the edge 38 or fixing the edge 38, the protrusion is placed under stress and the lid and / or bottom is locally damaged, for example, in the vicinity of the protrusion or in a notch in the protrusion. It may be arranged in.

In a further embodiment, covers 60, 62 may be placed to seal the outlet and / or inlet regions, respectively (FIG. 8). For example, a plurality of covers may each cover the outlet opening 30 and the inlet opening 24. When supplying fluid to capsule 2, the cover can be removed from the respective openings 30, 24 by water pressure when it is placed in the container 106. Therefore, the inlet and outlet areas are opened and fluids and beverages can flow through the openings 30, 24.

Again, in a further embodiment, the opening element may be at least partially soluble in, for example, a fluid and / or a pressurized fluid. In FIG. 9, melting opening elements 62, 64 arranged to close the openings 24, 30 are shown. When the fluid is fed into capsule 2, the soluble opening elements 62,64 dissolve, allowing the fluid and / or beverage to pass through. Soluble opening elements 62,64 are located at and / or within openings 24,30 and preferably seal openings 24,30.

In one embodiment, in addition to having an opening element to provide an opening through the exit region, the capsule 102 is arranged such that it is penetrated by the bottom penetrating means 126 and / or the lid penetrating means 128. obtain. For example, the opening element may be arranged to provide an opening through the exit region, and the bottom 12 is arranged to be penetrated by the bottom penetrating means 126.

In the above description, sealing or "closing" is understood to seal the opening substantially airtightly or at least to seal the capsule 2 so that it is an extractable product 20. obtain.

In the above, the extractable product 20 may include extractable coffee or tea products, such as roasted and ground and / or cut coffee beans, dried and / or cut tea leaves. The extractable product 20 may include chocolate-late extract, milk powder, or any other suitable extractable product 20. The extractable product 20 can further include any mixture of the above products and / or any of the above products placed on top of each other and / or in layers between each other. Chemical products for adding flavor to the fluid may also be included in the extractable product 20. The extractable product 20 may be compressed to fit in the capsule 2. The fluid added to the extractable product 20 to obtain a beverage may include, for example, hot or cold water, milk. The beverages obtained may include coffee beverages, tea beverages, chocolate beverages or other beverages, among others.

The material in Capsule 2 may include products based on cellulose, paper, cotton, and / or starch. For example, the substance in capsule 4 may include a biodegradable substance. In another embodiment, the material in Capsule 4 may include plastic. The bottom 12 and lid 14 may include inlet and outlet filters 34, 36, respectively. The capsule 4 can be molded by, for example, injection molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, compression molding or the like. In the above description, integrally molded, can be understood to include that each part of the capsule 2 is molded at about the same time in one step. For example, each part can be molded in the same mold. In another embodiment, the various parts can be heat-sealed, glued or welded to form capsule 2.

At least one of the filters 34, 36 may include a porous fluid permeable sheet. At least one of filters 34, 36 may contain filter paper and / or polyethylene (PE) fibers. Substantially the entire surface of the bottom 12 and / or the lid 14, at least the portion extending inside the outer wall 10, may be fluid permeable. Filters 34, 36 can also be permeable when water is supplied under a particular pressure, eg at least 6 bar pressure. For example, at lower pressures, fluid does not flow through 34, 36. At least one of filters 34, 36 may be flexible. Filters 34, 36 may include polymer foil.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments shown in the detailed description and drawings. Many modifications and combinations are possible within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims. A combination of one or more features of a plurality of embodiments or a combination of different embodiments is possible within the framework of the present invention. It should be understood that all comparable variations fall within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims.

2: Capsule 12: Bottom 16: Lid 24: Entrance opening 38: Edge 40: Seal 42: Lip 44: Seal 46: Lip