Closed capsule with opening mean

<td>REPUBLIC POLAND</td><td>(12) PATENT DESCRIPTION (19) PL (21) Application number: 370778</td><td>(11) 201 325 (13) B1</td>

<td></td><td>(22) Date of notification: 13.01.2003</td><td>(51) Int.Cl. B65D 81/00 (2006.01)</td>

<td></td><td>(86) Date and number of the international application: 2003-01-13, PCT / EP03 / 00384</td><td>B65D 85/804 (2006.01)</td>

<td>patent Office</td><td>(87) Date and publication number of the international application:</td><td></td>

<td>Polish Republic</td><td>2003-07-24, WO03 / 059778 PCT Gazette No. 30/03</td><td></td>

Capsule subjected to extraction and a method of improving hygiene and reducing contamination when preparing a drink from the capsule (73) The patent holder:

(30) Priority:

2002-01-16, EP, 02000943.7

SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA, Vevey, CH (43) Application announced:

May 30, 2005 BUP 11/05 (72) Inventor (s):

Jean-Luc Denisart, Cully, CH Antoine Cahen, Lausanne, CH Alfred Yoakim, St-Legier-La, CH (45) The granting of the patent was announced:

31.03.2009 WUP 03/09 (74) Proxy:

Karcz Katarzyna, PATPOL Sp. z o. o

⁽⁵⁷⁾ Capsule subjected to extraction by injection of a fluid under pressure therein in a beverage production device containing a substance for preparing a beverage, comprising a closed chamber for containing this substance and means for opening the capsule in use, in which the opening of the capsule for the outflow of the beverage is effected by the interaction of the opening means with the wall of the chamber due to the increase in fluid pressure in the chamber. A method of improving hygiene and reducing contamination when preparing a beverage from a capsule containing a food substance in a closed chamber.

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PL 201 325 B1

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to an extractable capsule provided with opening means.

The invention also relates to a method of improving hygiene and reducing contamination in the preparation of a beverage from a capsule.

Containers designed for extraction under pressure and containing a substance for the preparation of a drink are already on the market. The subject of the patent EP 0512468, to which the applicant is entitled, is such a container. This container is intended to be placed in the extraction system. The container is thus opened using the support portion of the system including the raised elements under the influence of the pressure of the fluid flowing into the container. A problem with this type of container is that the beverage to be extracted flows around the support portion and the means of the discharge channel, which means that it is difficult, if at all possible, to avoid contamination, and because of the strong taste, to use this a system of containers containing substances other than ground roasted coffee, due to the presence of beverage residues in the support elements.

GB 1256247 discloses a container containing a substance suitable for the preparation of a drink. The container is opened by deforming the container lid using an external piston which cooperates with the internal piercing member. Using this system is very complicated, it is difficult to open the capsule at the right moment.

The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule which is free from these drawbacks, i.e. a capsule which can contain a wide variety of substances to be extracted as needed and which allows the beverage to be dispensed so that it does not come into contact with any part of the system at any time.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a capsule which is injected under pressure in an extraction device.

The capsule according to the invention, subjected to extraction by the injection of a fluid under pressure therein in a beverage production machine, containing a substance for preparing a beverage, comprising a closed chamber for containing this substance and means for opening the capsule in use, is characterized in that the opening of the capsule permitting the outflow of the drink occurs due to the interaction of the opening means with the wall of the chamber due to the increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

The opening means is preferably located inside the closed chamber and is pressed against the wall of the chamber by increasing fluid pressure in the chamber.

Optionally, the opening means are outside the closed chamber and the wall of the chamber is pressed against the opening means due to the increase in fluid pressure in the chamber.

The opening means are preferably an element comprising at least one piercing element.

The wall is preferably a thin film that can be pierced.

The closed chamber preferably comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the rim of the cup, and the opening means are located in the bottom of the cup and comprise a disk provided with means piercing the bottom of the cup as a result of the pressure build-up inside the chamber.

Optionally, the closed chamber comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the rim of the cup, and the opening means are located on the membrane and constitute an element provided with means to pierce the membrane due to the pressure increase inside the chamber.

Preferably, the capsule comprises a cup with a rim and a bottom having a beverage outlet opening and a membrane welded to the rim of the rim of the cup and in that the opening means are located on the bottom of the cup and in that the opening means is a multi-piercing element covered with a thin film which is torn by piercing agents during extraction.

Preferably, the capsule comprises a cup with a rim and a bottom having a beverage outlet opening and a membrane welded to the rim of the rim of the cup and in that the opening means comprises projections and recesses that form a bottom of the cup covered with a thin film which is torn by the protrusions and recesses during extraction .

In another variant, the capsule further comprises a beverage discharge collection means with a widened cross-sectional portion followed by a narrowed cross-section portion which directs the beverage in one or more directions.

PL 201 325 B1

The piercing means element may be an injection molded disc or a flat surface element provided with opening means with a curved surface pressing against the bottom of the cup.

The opening means preferably comprises projections and recesses on the bottom of the cup, the bottom having a beverage outlet opening substantially in the center.

Preferably, the capsule comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the rim of the cup and a beverage outlet and in that the opening means are housed in a housing in the center of the membrane and consist of a piercing means member covered with a thin film which is torn by the piercing means during extraction.

Also preferably, the capsule comprises two welded halves, one of which has a beverage outlet, and in that the opening means are positioned in the half with an opening and consist of a puncturing disk covered with a thin film which is torn by the opening. piercing agents during extraction.

In a further variant, the capsule comprises a cup and a disk welded to the rim rim of the cup which has a beverage outlet opening and in that the opening means comprises a thin film welded between the disk and the cup, moreover, the projections on the disk cooperate with the thin film during extraction to allow the thin film to open due to growth. pressure.

The capsule may further include a filter welded to the rim of the cup between the thin film and the disc.

The protrusions are preferably a continuous or discontinuous annular element.

The annular element may be discontinuous and the disc may include, between the annular elements, ribs directed towards the central portion of the disc.

The materials of the closed chamber are preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum / plastic composite, aluminum / plastic / paper composite, plastic in pure or multi-layer form.

The material of the closed chamber is preferably selected from the group consisting of EVHOH, PVDC, PP, PE, PA, in single or multi-layer form.

The piercing means are preferably selected from the group consisting of a spike, blade, knife, needle or the like.

The thin film is preferably made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum / plastic composite, aluminum / plastic / paper composite, plastic in monolayer or multilayer form.

The filter material is preferably selected from the group consisting of filter paper, woven fibers and non-woven fibers.

The beverage preparation material is preferably selected from the group consisting of ground roasted coffee, tea, soluble coffee, a mixture of ground roasted coffee and soluble coffee, chocolate products, milk-based products, syrup concentrate, fruit extract concentrate or other dehydrated food substances.

The method according to the invention is to improve hygiene and reduce contamination when preparing a beverage from a capsule containing a food substance in a closed chamber, the capsule having its own opening means, including the introduction of pressurized fluid into the capsule, and characterized by that when the pressure in the capsule reaches a certain level, the opening means are actuated, thereby opening the capsule and releasing the drink.

Preferably, the capsule is opened at a pressure of 4 to 8 bar.

Also preferably, the capsule is opened using opening means located outside the closed chamber.

The capsule is preferably opened by contacting the opening means against the wall of the chamber.

Preferably, a chamber wall made of a thin film is used which is pierced by at least one piercing element in the opening means.

One of the main principles of the invention is that each capsule comprises its own opening means which is actuated upon emptying due to the increase in pressure caused by liquid being introduced into the capsule. The second principle is that the capsule has a drainage channel with its conduits, which avoids or significantly reduces contact with elements of the extraction system or device. Due to these principles, taken separately or together, it is possible to extract substances of different types or kinds in succession without compromising the taste and without risk of cross-contamination. Capsules can contain substances of very different nature

The nature and / or the type which can be extracted or dissolved in water. So it is possible to apply them to any infusible substance or any other soluble substance; it should be noted that for both extraction, infusing or dissolving, the liquid agent is hot, cold, or warm water.

The configuration in which each capsule has its own opening means also has the advantage that each opening means can be adapted and adjusted to suit the nature and / or type of the substance to be extracted. In other words, depending on the substance, opening may occur at different pressure levels and at different times in order to obtain an optimal result.

The opening of the capsule is carried out by mutual cooperation of the opening means and the wall of the chamber. Mutual cooperation is due to the increase in pressure of the fluid inside the chamber. By the expression "mutual co-operation" it is meant that either the opening means or the wall of the closed chamber or alternatively both can move relative to each other in an opening.

In the event that the opening means are inside the closed chamber, they are actuated by a force caused by the increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber pressing against the wall of the chamber.

In the event that the opening means are outside the closed chamber, the wall of the chamber moves under the force created by the increase in pressure against the opening means. In this case, the means may be within the capsule but outside the substance containing chamber.

The closed chamber extends, of course, from the closed main part of the capsule which contains the substance to be extracted.

Preferably, the opening means is an element comprising at least one piercing element. The opening means form a surface containing a plurality of piercing elements. This configuration is advantageous because the surface acts as a pressure-distributing means and allows the pressure inside the capsule to rise sufficiently before the breakthrough occurs; it is important to achieve a pressure level such that the substance can be extracted and a good quality drink is formed.

The wall of the chamber serves to close the chamber as well as other elements forming a capsule containing the substance to be extracted, such as a cup or other elements. The wall can be a thin film or a membrane.

The opening means and the wall are so arranged that opening takes place at a predetermined pressure level corresponding to the optimal release pressure. The release pressure may range from 4 to 6 bar, in particular, preferably around 6 bar. The optimal pressure may vary with the type of substance being released.

The capsule according to the invention preferably has means for collecting the discharged drink. Such means are intended to direct the stream or jets of the drink exiting the capsule towards a receptacle such as a cup, so that any contact with the system components is avoided. The incoming substance collection and directing means preferably comprises a portion with a widened cross-section including a supporting portion of the chamber, below which there is a portion of narrower cross-section which directs the beverage in one or more preferred directions. The parts with the widened and narrowed cross-section form one and the same part which branches from the collecting part towards one or a set of outlets of the capsule. Such a part may, for example, be a bowl with a downwardly concave inner surface which ends in at least one discharge opening.

There are many different embodiments of the closed capsules according to the invention. According to a first embodiment, the closed chamber comprises two welded halves of symmetrical or other shape and the opening means which are in the form of a core interposed between these halves, the core having at least one opening, preferably a plurality of openings, directed upwards or located in the top portion. for the introduction of water, directed downwards or placed in the lower part, a shape that allows the two halves to be pierced to be welded when the capsule is placed in the extraction device, this shape also constitutes a filter. The core preferably has a pointed shape. In order to release substance from such a capsule, the evacuation device may simply have a water supply head and a system for moving the core inside the capsule so as to open the capsule and thus allow the liquid to flow into the cup below the evacuation device. It is essential to place the filter element in the tapered portion of the core to prevent coffee beans from entering the cup. Of course, for all embodiments, a capsule

The amount of substance intended for one cup, two or more dishes is predetermined, the amount will preferably be in the range from 4 to 30 g.

In a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the closed chamber will comprise a cup and a membrane welded to the rim of the bowl and an opening means located in the bottom of the bowl and containing a disc provided with piercing means placed on the bottom of said bowl and activated by the pressure build-up inside the chamber at the moment. emptying the capsule. When placing the capsule in the evacuation system, it is necessary to have one or a set of sputtering elements which pierce the membrane and allow water to be introduced into the capsule so as to pre-prepare coffee or other substance, so the pressure inside the capsule may build up and cause displacement. disc from a convex position to a concave position, this movement will displace the piercing means which pierce the bottom of the bowl. At the time of piercing, the disc of the capsule acts as a seal, the bottom of the disc has means for filtering the flowing beverage substance.

The piercing means may have any feasible shape, for example needles, blades, needle knives and the like. The injection means may be blades, needles, knives, needles and the like.

In a third embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the capsule comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the periphery of the cup and an opening means adapted to be opened on the membrane and composed of an element having a piercing means piercing the membrane due to the increase in pressure inside the chamber. By comparison with the previous embodiment, instead of placing the opening means inside the bowl, the opening means are placed on the membrane, but the opening process remains the same, i.e. the piercing means will pierce the membrane and not the cup. The disc still has a sealing function and will contain filtering means.

In a fourth embodiment, the capsule comprises a cup provided with a rim and a bottom having an opening for the outflow of the drink and a membrane welded to the rim of the rim of the bowl, the opening means being located on the bottom of the bowl and being an element provided with piercing means. covered with a thin film that tears at the piercing means upon discharge. The piercing agents also have a filtering function. In this embodiment, the piercing means remains stationary and is a thin film which deforms under pressure and breaks on the above-mentioned piercing members. As in the previous embodiment, it is necessary to have one or a plurality of injection elements piercing the membrane, so that the coffee can be prepared in advance and the pressure is raised inside the capsule, so that the thin film is deformed and tears at the piercing means. The capsule has a substantially oval cross section. The diameter of the opening means is not critical, the capsule of this embodiment has a ratio of the opening means to the capsule diameter ranging from 1: 6 to 1: 1.

In this embodiment, there are two options. The first is that the opening element has to be a separate part placed on the bottom of the cup, this part comprises a flat element provided with piercing means and a slightly curved surface pressing against the bottom of the cup. The piercing means are not critical elements and can take the form of blades, needles, knives, needles, projections and recesses with a conical, pyramidal or other geometric shape. The second option relates to an opening means comprising a disc provided with projections and recesses, the disc being placed on the rim of the bottom of the cup, said bottom having substantially in its central part an opening for the outflow of the drink. The projections and recesses may be conical, pyramidal, or other geometric shapes.

In this fifth embodiment, the capsule comprises a cup provided with a rim and a bottom having a beverage outlet opening, and a membrane welded to the rim of the rim of the bowl, the opening means comprising protrusions and recesses forming the bottom of the cup covered with a thin foil, foil. this is torn by the protrusions and recesses during extraction of the drink. The thin foil also acts as a filter. In this embodiment, the protrusions and recesses remain stationary, the thin film deforms under pressure and tears at the protrusions and recesses so as to allow the coffee to be pre-prepared and to build up the pressure inside the chamber so that the thin film deforms and tears open. out. The capsule has a substantially oval cross section. The diameter of the opening means is not critical. Capsule according to the invention

The ratio of the opening means diameter to the capsule diameter is normally in the range from 1: 6 to 1: 1. In this embodiment, the projections and recesses form the bottom of the capsule. They are critical elements and can have various geometric shapes, for example a conical shape, a pyramidal shape or any other geometric shape.

In a sixth embodiment, the capsule comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the rim of the cup, furthermore has a beverage outlet and opening means disposed in a housing in the central part of the diaphragm containing a thin film coated piercing means, the thin film tears into piercing agents at the time of extraction. Punctures also have a filtering function. By comparison with the previous embodiments, instead of arranging the opening means on the bottom of the cup, they are arranged in the central part of the membrane. The extraction method remains the same: the sprinkling agents pierce the top surface of the cup, the coffee is pre-prepared, the pressure inside the capsule rises and the thin film deforms and breaks on the piercing means. The drink flows into a container below the capsule.

In another embodiment of the previous solution, the capsule comprises two welded halves containing the substance to be extracted, one having a beverage outlet, moreover, opening means placed in the half having an opening and being in the form of a disk provided with piercing means covered with a thin film, the thin film tears on disruptors at the time of extraction.

The piercing agents are the same as those described above.

In the seventh embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the capsule comprises a cup and a disk welded to the periphery of the cup, it has a beverage outlet opening, moreover, the capsule comprises opening means including a thin film welded between the disk and the cup and protrusions provided on the disk cooperating with the thin film at the time of extraction. film so as to break the thin film as a result of the pressure build-up and allow the drink to flow directly into the cup. Also in this case, in order to extract the contents of the capsule, it is necessary to have an extraction device comprising one or a plurality of spraying means for supplying water. In a preferred embodiment, the projections include radial elements extending around the entire periphery of the disc. In this latter embodiment, it is necessary that the disc is always supported by the carrier so as to allow the thin film to tear.

In the latter embodiment, if the beverage substance is a soluble substance, the thin film is sufficient, however, if the substance is insoluble, it is necessary to insert a filter inside the capsule across the beverage flow path, e.g. below the thin film, which will retain substance residues. The material of the filter was selected from the group consisting of filter paper, braided fibers and non-woven fibers. The fibers can be made of PET (polyethylene tetraphthalene) or PP (polypropylene) or another polymer.

In the latter case, the peripheral elements of the disc may be continuous or discontinuous. In an embodiment including discontinuous peripheral members, the disc comprises, between the peripheral members, ribs directed towards the central portion of the disc.

It should be noted that in all embodiments of the capsule according to the invention, each capsule comprises means for collecting and draining the beverage. Such means may take the form of a channel so that the prepared drink does not come into contact with the extraction device. The position of this channel is not critical, preferably it is located in the central part of the capsule. The flow channel is preferably designed as part of the cup and forms an integral whole thereof. The channel may have a concave internal shape allowing the drink flowing through the channel or along the edge of the opening means to be collected. The shape of the capsule is also not critical, the capsule preferably has a substantially oval shape.

The capsule may be positionable and non-positionable. A positionable capsule is a capsule which is not symmetrical along the welding plane (referring to Fig. 17) and which need not be symmetrical along a vertical axis (also referring to Fig. 17). A non-positionable capsule is a capsule which is symmetrical with respect to the welding plane and symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis.

The closed chamber is made up of either halves or a cup and a membrane or a cup and a disc. Depending on the load capacity, the material of the closed chamber is preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum / plastic composite, composite

Aluminum / plastic / paper, single-layer or multi-layer plastic. The plastic used is a food-safe plastic and has been selected from the group consisting of EVOH, PVDC, PP, PE, PA in the form of a single-layer or multi-layer material. The thickness of the material used ranges from 5 to 100 microns depending on the type of material used.

The piercing means for the fourth to seventh embodiments are the same as those described above.

In embodiments 4 to 7, the capsule comprises a thin film. This thin film is made of the same material as that of the closed chamber.

The substance for preparing the beverage was selected from the group consisting of ground roasted coffee, tea, soluble coffee, a mixture of ground roasted coffee and soluble coffee, syrup concentrate, fruit concentrate, chocolate products, or other dehydrated food substances. According to the invention, it is possible to prepare hot and cold beverages with equal ease.

As mentioned above, the main advantage of the capsule according to the invention is that it contains, on the one hand, its own opening means and, on the other hand, it allows, using the same extraction device, the extraction of different types and / or varieties of substances, such as coffee, over which it is distributed. tea so that the customer consuming the drink does not notice the taste of what kind of drink was served before. The benefits result from the cleanliness of the extraction device. This means that each capsule has its own drainage channels that do not contaminate the extraction device. The result of this solution is less or no need to clean the device, greater food safety and hygiene reducing the risk of contamination or the growth of microorganisms inside the device and ultimately the possibility of extracting substances more susceptible to microbial contamination, such as powdered milk or other substances, for example, with neutral or slightly acidic pH factor.

The subject of the invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the drawing, in which: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a closed capsule according to a first embodiment, fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the core of a capsule according to a first embodiment, fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a capsule according to the first embodiment. a second embodiment of the invention; fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a capsule according to a third embodiment (first option), fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a fourth embodiment (first option), fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a capsule according to a fourth embodiment (first option), fig. 7 is a perspective view of the capsule according to the previous figure, fig. 8 is a perspective view of a means for opening a capsule according to the second option, fig. 9 is a perspective view of a means for opening a capsule according to a second option, fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view according to a fifth embodiment, fig. 11 is a perspective view of the capsule according to the previous figure, fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the bowl from below, Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the bowl from above, Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of a capsule inserted in the extraction system, Fig. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a capsule according to a sixth embodiment , Fig. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a capsule according to another aspect of the sixth embodiment. and Fig. 17 is an exploded view of a capsule according to a seventh embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a half 1, the other half not shown, which is welded along the weld 2 and thus encloses the capsule 4. The capsule has a housing 3 in which the substance to be extracted is contained. The core 5 is sandwiched between two symmetrical halves. The core is shown in Fig. 2, in its upper part it has openings 6 through which the hot water required for coffee preparation is introduced. The core further comprises, in its lower part, a tapered shape 7 piercing the weld joining the two halves. The pointed portion furthermore comprises openings 8 allowing the coffee to flow freely but preventing the entry of extract particles. When the capsule is placed in the extraction system, the core is pushed downwards so that the sharpened shape 7 pierces the seam joining the two halves.

Figure 3 shows a capsule 9 in a second embodiment of the invention. The capsule comprises a cup 10 and a membrane 11 welded to the rim 13 of the cup. The capsule contains the substance 12. The capsule opening system comprises a disc 14 located on the bottom of the cup 10, which it has

The piercing blade 15 and the filter 60. The piercing blade is thus placed in a chamber formed by the cup 10 and the diaphragm 11. The disc is thus placed at the bottom of the bowl and forms a widened area over which pressure can be distributed during extraction. During extraction, the capsule is introduced into the extraction device, water is fed through the needle which pierces the membrane 11 and as a result of the pressure increase in the capsules, the disk 14 moves downwards against the support part 16 so that the blade 15 pierces the support part 16 of the cup. allowing the drink to drain out. The capsule is held in place by the support 61, the filter 60 prevents the ingress of extract particles not shown in the cup below the capsule.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. The difference with the previous figure is that instead of arranging the opening system in the cup, it is housed in the membrane. The capsule comprises a cup 17 and a membrane 18 welded to the rim edge at 62. The substance to be extracted 19 is contained in the capsule. The disc 20 forming the opening system has a piercing blade 21 and a filter 63. During extraction, the increase in pressure inside the capsule means that the disk 20 moves downwards against wall 22 and the spike 21 pierces the wall 22 of the diaphragm. The filter 63 allows the coffee particles to be retained.

Figure 5 shows the capsule according to the invention in its fourth embodiment. The capsule comprises a cup 23 and a membrane 24 welded on the rim 26 to the cup. The capsule contains the substance to be extracted 25. The opening means are housed in a housing 27 at the bottom of the cup. These means include a piece 28 provided with piercing means and covered with a thin film 29. The piercing means are in the form of blades 64 directed towards the thin film. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane and the increase in pressure will press the thin film 29 against the piercing means such that it will tear said thin film and the drink can flow out into the cup positioned below. The element 28 has a filtering function, for this purpose it has a series of openings 65 for allowing the flow of the drink.

Figures 6 and 7 show the capsule of the invention in an alternative form of a fourth embodiment. The capsule comprises a cup 66 and a membrane 67 welded to the rim 68 of the cup. The capsule contains the substance to be extracted 69. The opening means are housed in a housing 70 at the bottom of the bowl. These means comprise an element 71 provided with opening means, covered with a thin film 72. The opening means are in the form of blades 73 distributed over the entire surface of the element 71 and are directed towards the thin film 72. The means may also take the form of projections and recesses having a shape different from the one shown. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane 67 and the increase in pressure will press the thin film 72 against the piercing means in such a way that it breaks said thin film and the drink can flow into the cup below. The element 71 also functions as a filter and includes a plurality of channels 74 to allow the beverage to flow. Channels 74 are located on the surface of the elements 71 and separate the blades 73 so as to form a beverage distribution network. The beverage flows along the channels and exits the edge 75 of element 71 where it flows into the interior 76 at the bottom of the cup 66. The openings 77 allow the beverage to flow into a cup not shown below. The bottom 66 of the cup and the openings 77 together form a beverage collection system and beverage drainage means. The openings 77 are preferably formed in the edge of the insertion portion of the tubular bowl which is defined at the base by a small edge channel. This configuration allows a controlled and less turbulent flow and also avoids splashing in the service area. As in Fig. 5, a four-piece capsule is described herein, the four elements include a bowl, an element having an opening means, a diaphragm and a thin film. The cup is made using heat treatment and the disc is formed by injection molding.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the opening means of the capsule according to the fourth embodiment. The means 80 is an injection molded disk located at the bottom of the cup. The means include elements in the form of sets of cones 81 and spaces 82 between the projections. In the capsule, when the film is torn, the beverage flows along space 82 towards the outer 83 of the disk. It can be envisaged that the disc is placed on the bottom of the bowl of Fig. 6 and 7: the drink flows on the inside 76 of the bottom of the cup 86.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the means for opening the capsule. It is a disk 84 that allows the capsule to be opened. Disc 84 is an injection molded wafer located at the bottom of the cup. It includes projections in the form of pyramids 85 and spaces 86 between the projections. In the capsule, as the thin foil is torn, the beverage flows along space 86 towards

External 87 of the disk. It is very easy to predict that the disc is at the bottom of the bowl of Figs. 6 and 7: the drink flows out on the inside 76 of the bottom of the cup 66.

Figures 10 and 11 show the capsule according to the invention in a fifth embodiment. In this case, a three-piece capsule is discussed. The capsule comprises a cup 88 and a membrane 89 welded to the edge of the rim 90 onto the cups. The capsule contains the substance that is being extracted 91. The opening means are located at the bottom of the cup. These means are in the form of projections 93 and recesses 94 forming the bottom of said cup and are obscured by a thin film 92. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane 89 and the increase in pressure will press the thin film 92 against the projections and recesses such that these tear the thin film apart and the drink can flow into the cup below. The thin film 92 also functions as a filter and the beverage flows through the recesses 94 and flows out of the tubular portion containing the central opening 95 located in the bottom of the cup 66. This opening 95 allows the drink to flow into a cup not shown below. As mentioned previously, the three-piece capsule is discussed, the elements being the cup, the diaphragm, and the thin film. The cup is made by applying heat treatment, it is possible to simultaneously provide means for opening the capsule, i.e. projections and recesses.

Figures 12 and 13 show a perspective plan view of the cup 88 of Figures 10 and 11. Clearly the central opening 95 is visible to allow the drink to flow out at the time of extraction. The cup is produced by heat treatment in the form of a single piece using a suitable molding device. Thereafter, the thin film is placed on the inner edges of the bottom of the cup, then the substance is introduced, for example under a nitrogen atmosphere or other atmosphere with a higher or lower oxygen content, and finally the membrane is sealed.

Figure 14 schematically shows the capsule 100 according to the invention placed in the extraction system. The capsule is housed in elements 101 and 102 of the extraction system. The element 101 allows water to be introduced at the top of the capsule through a channel 103 and needles 104 piercing the top of the capsule. Sealing is provided by gasket 106. A support member holds the capsule in place and when opened, the beverage flows through the outlet 105 into a cup not shown below.

Figure 15 shows the capsule in its sixth embodiment. Compared to the structure of Figure 5, it differs in the arrangement of the opening system, which has been positioned so that it is enclosed by a membrane rather than covered by a cup. The capsule comprises a cup 30 to which a membrane 31 is welded along the rim 35. The capsule contains a substance 36. The opening system comprises a member 32 provided with piercing means covered by a thin film 33. As with the previous capsule, water is introduced from the top of the cup and pressurizes inside the capsule against the thin film 33 against the piercing means of member 32, the drink flows out at the center 34 of the membrane.

Figure 16 shows a capsule having two symmetrical halves 37, 38 welded on the rim 39 and containing the substance to be extracted 42. The means for opening are placed inside the enclosure 38 and comprises a disc 41 provided with piercing means covered by a thin film 40. As with other capsules increasing the pressure inside the capsule forces the thin film towards the piercing means until the thin film is not ruptured. The drink then flows into the cup below.

Figure 17 is an exploded view showing the capsule in the last embodiment. The capsule comprises a cup 44 to which a disk 46 is welded along the periphery 51. The capsule contains the substance to be extracted 43. The opening means comprises a thin film fused between the disk and the cup. The disc includes a projection 48 and a circumferential recess 49 for draining the drink. This capsule is ideal for applications where the substance to be extracted is instant coffee. However, if the substance is ground roasted coffee, then a filter 47 needs to be added to the capsule of this embodiment, the filter is positioned below the thin film and thus serves to retain coffee particles.

The method in this case comprises: introducing the capsule into an extraction device. The device comprises a means for opening the capsules at 50, the water flows into the capsule and the increase in pressure presses the thin film 45 against the peripheral member 48.

PL 201 325 B1

The thin film is ruptured and the drink flows through channel 49 into the cup below. In this case, a carrier (see Fig. 14) is always necessary to support the disc, the carrier forming part of the extraction system.

The terms "piercing" and "piercing" refer to one or a set of means whose function is to open a permanent, flexible or otherwise weakened or partially open part not only by a puncture in the literal sense of the word but also in the understanding of the impact of other appropriate methods such as cutting and breaking.

The term "beverage" includes any type of beverage that can be made from a soluble or partially soluble substance, or from a pre-infusible substance, and also includes the preparation of a soup, bouillon or other similar type of food product.

Shortcuts:

PET = polyester

PP = polypropylene

EVOH = ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer

PVDC = polyvidyl chloride

PE = polyethylene

PA = polyamide