CAPSULE FOR PREPARING A DRINK

The invention relates to a capsule for preparing a drink, for example coffee, comprising a space for containing a concentrated dose, for example of ground coffee, and an inlet and an outlet that both communicate with said space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the preparation of drinks, e.g. coffee, by introducing water into an element containing a concentrated dose of product, e.g. ground coffee, and by extraction of the mixture thus obtained and to the devices used for this purpose.

PRIOR ART

Various types of elements containing a concentrated dose through which water is introduced, mixed with the concentrated dose, then extracted from the element are known.

The element is in the form e.g. of a capsule or of a capsule or of another equivalent receptacle.

Water is introduced into the element by puncturing at least one wall of the element. Extraction may be performed by puncturing, tearing or bursting a wall of the element or by another equivalent process.

Application WO 2011/024103 discloses a pouch for preparing a beverage comprising an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice communicating with a volume containing a concentrated dose for example of coffee.

Overview of the Invention

One of the objectives of the invention is to offer an element for preparing a drink which is improved and an improved extraction machine.

Another advantage is a lower cost, ease of manufacture and operation and biodegradability.

These objectives are achieved notably by means of a capsule as defined in the claims.

According to the invention, the capsule for preparing a drink, e.g. coffee, comprises at least one volume intended to contain a concentrated dose, e.g. of ground coffee, an inlet and an outlet, both communicating with said volume.

For preference, the inlet and the outlet are positioned at distant locations on the capsule.

According to one embodiment, the capsule comprises a tubular element formed of two ends, the first being connected to the inlet, the other being positioned in said volume, at a location distant from the outlet.

According to another embodiment, the outlet is in the bottom of the capsule.

The outlet may comprise at least a filter and a membrane and at least one opening between the filter and the membrane.

The capsule may comprise several outlets and/or several openings between the filter and the membrane.

The membrane may comprise one or more region(s) of weakness and/or one or more region(s) of weakened attachment to the capsule.

The membranes are for example laminated onto the capsule.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a capsule cage in combination with a capsule as described in the present application.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a device for extracting a drink suited to the use of a capsule or a cage as described in the present application.

The walls of the capsule may be flexible, semi-rigid or fully rigid.

The capsule has the overall shape of a mushroom or a cylinder with a cap2and a body3, as depicted inFIGS. 1 to 3for example.

FIG. 4illustrates a view in cross section of the first embodiment of the capsule1. The cap2comprises a membrane4intended to be punctured during extraction of the drink, a volume5into which a pressurized liquid is introduced, said liquid being extracted from the volume5in order to be introduced into the product contained in the capsule via a duct6the outlet of which is in the bottom of the body3of the capsule1. Because the liquid introduced is under pressure, it will fill the body3of the capsule1and rise up (refer to the arrows inFIG. 4).

As illustrated in greater detail inFIGS. 5,5A (which is a detail ofFIGS. 5),6and6A (which is a detail ofFIG. 6), in order to allow the drink to be extracted from the capsule1, the latter comprises an annular outlet7produced in the form of one or more outlets7distributed for example under the cap2or on the body, for example on the side of the body3. The outlets7comprise, toward the inside of the capsule1, a filter8and, toward the outside of the capsule1, a closure membrane9and at least one opening between the filter and the membrane. Said membrane9becomes at least partially detached from its fixing to the capsule in order to allow the prepared drink to exit, for example, under the effect of the pressure.

InFIG. 3, two outlets7are illustrated, but there may be more of them (three or more . . . ) or fewer, but there is at least one. The outlet7under the cap2may be embodied by one or more piercing(s)/opening(s) or hole(s) of any shape in the cap2.

The outlets7may be on the cap2, on the body3of the capsule, or both, and there may be one or more openings per outlet7.

Typically, the cap2may be fixed to the body3by welding, bonding and any other suitable method.

The body3may comprise a lip10for the manufacture thereof: for example, the body3may be formed of two half-containers which are assembled and welded together by the lips10. That makes it possible to form a container (the body3) in which the product (for example ground coffee) is placed. The capsule1is then closed by adding and fixing the cap2on the body3.

The membrane9is attached to the head2(or to the body3) for example by a peripheral weld. For preference, part of the weld is weaker so as to allow the membrane to be detached in the weakened region (and therefore at a chosen location). The membrane9can also tear under the effect of the pressure of the liquid in the capsule1. This tearing may be induced by a weakening of the membrane or by external means (spikes etc.) situated outside, for example on the capsule cage11(seeFIG. 7).

More specifically,FIGS. 7,8and8A illustrate the capsule1placed in a cage11. The capsule is introduced into the cage11and a free volume12is provided between the inside of the cage11and the outside of the capsule1into which volume the prepared drink will flow when it leaves the capsule via the openings7.

The drink can then flow out of the cage11via the outlet13. Sealing is afforded by the cap2and the upper edge of the cage11, either directly or using suitable seals.

FIGS. 9 to 14Aillustrate another embodiment of the capsule20. In this embodiment, the duct6and the outlets7under the cap2are replaced by one (or more) outlet(s)21in the bottom of the capsule22. More specifically, in this embodiment, the capsule comprises a body22and a cap23. The cap23itself comprises a membrane24similar to the membrane4of the first embodiment, which opens onto a volume25which provides direct access to the product contained in the capsule. During use, the pressure in the capsule1will rise and the drink will pass through the filter26which in this embodiment is located in the bottom of the capsule rather than under the cap (as it was in the first embodiment). As it passes through the filter26, the drink will press against a membrane27and the latter will rupture when predetermined conditions have been reached, such as the conditions described in respect of the membrane7of the first embodiment. The filter26may be in the form of a cup which rises up along the capsule forming a lining of the wall, something that allows for the use of a greater number of openings for letting the drink out and for a drop in pressure. Each opening may have a membrane27and a filter26or alternatively a membrane27and a filter may cover several openings. The filter26and/or the membrane27may be in a single piece or in several.

FIGS. 15,16and16A (which is a detail ofFIG. 16) illustrate the capsule20of the second embodiment in a cage28. The principle is the same as in the first embodiment: a free volume30may be provided around the capsule20once the latter has been introduced into the cage28, and the cage28comprises an opening29for the flow of the drink leaving the capsule via the outlet21.

FIGS. 17 to 23Aillustrate another embodiment of the capsule31.

This capsule comprises a cap32and a body33the two of which may be formed in a single piece. The capsule further comprises a membrane34which will be punctured/torn to allow the liquid to enter the product contained in the capsule31. The bottom35of the capsule31comprises a filter36and a membrane37similar to the membrane9and27of the previous embodiments. The filter36may be in the form of a cup which rises up along the capsule forming a lining of the wall, something that allows for the use of a greater number of openings situated for example on the bottom and on the sides of the body33for letting the drink out and for a drop in pressure. Each opening may have a membrane37and a filter36or alternatively a membrane37and a filter36may cover several openings. The filter36and/or the membrane37may be in a single piece or in several.

As illustrated inFIGS. 22,23and23A, the capsule31is introduced into a cage38and preferably leaves a gap40in which the prepared drink collects once it has left the capsule31via the bottom35. The drink will be able to leave the cage38via the outlet39.

The elements of the capsule1may be made of any suitable material: for example biodegradable materials, synthetic or metallic materials. The body and the cap may be in a single piece or in two or more parts. For preference, the capsule, particularly the bodies3and22of the first two embodiments, are made of flexible material(s) and that of the third embodiment(s) of rigid material(s). Of course, the capsules of the first two embodiments may also be made entirely of rigid material(s).

The capsule and/or the body thereof may have different sizes. The choice of size may be connected with the drink prepared (e.g. coffee, tea or other) or with the desired quantity of drink (e.g. one or more cups, espresso or long coffee, etc.).

The elements are attached using suitable methods, notably according to the materials used: welding (fusion bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), pressing, clipping, adhesive bonding, etc.

To open it, the outlet membrane (9,27,37) may have one or more region(s) of deliberate weakness or alternatively one or more weakened capsule-attachment region(s) to make it easier to open in a controlled manner. Additional puncturing means, for example connected with the capsule cage11,28,38, may also be provided. The same principle may apply to the membrane4,24,34.

Each opening may have its own membrane9,27,37or alternatively one membrane may cover several openings. Likewise, each outlet may have a filter8,26,36or alternatively one filter may cover several outlets.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described and alternative forms are conceivable without departing from the scope of the protection claimed. The embodiments described and features thereof may be combined with one another as desired, according to the circumstances.