Patent Publication Number: US-2009235827-A1

Title: Holder and cup with concentrate for preparation of hot beverages

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cup for preparing a beverage by means of a hot water appliance, comprising a cup-shaped dish element for holding a preparation substance, said cup-shaped dish element having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the cup-shaped dish element on an open side being provided with a covering layer, so that an interior space of the cup is formed for holding the preparation substance. 
     STATE OF THE ART 
     Cartridges for use in the preparation of hot beverages based on a liquid concentrate are disclosed in, inter alia, WO-A-01/58786, EP-A-0 449 533, EP-A-1 101 430, WO-A1-03/073896, WO-A1-03/053200, WO-A1-02/19875, U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,674, EP-A-1 440 907 and EP-A-1 440 908. 
     WO-A-01/58786 and EP-A-0 449 533 disclose a cartridge in which (hot) water is conveyed by way of a point shaped inflow aperture on the underside of the cartridge, by way of a ‘ring line’ containing distribution apertures, and further by way of said distribution apertures through a compartment containing a concentrate, the water diluting the concentrate by means of turbulence to form a beverage, which beverage is subsequently conveyed by way of a siphon to an outflow aperture on the underside of the cartridge. 
     EP-A-1 101 430 discloses a stepped cartridge in which, inter alia, facilities are accommodated for using a liquid concentrate (paragraphs [0034] and [0035]. For use of this cartridge the wall of the cartridge is pierced, after which (hot) water is conveyed through the concentrate by way of the inflow aperture(s) thus created and the concentrate thereby diluted to a beverage, said beverage leaving the cartridge by way of a likewise pierced outflow aperture. 
     WO-A1-03/073896 discloses a cartridge in which the underside of the cartridge is provided with perforations and is covered with a film, which film has to be removed before use. This cartridge also is suitable for a liquid concentrate (p. 14, lines 3-8, and Claim 18), hot water being conveyed through the concentrate from an inflow aperture on the upper side and the concentrate thereby being diluted to a beverage, and said beverage leaving the cartridge through the preformed perforations on the underside. 
     WO-A1-03/053200 and WO-A1-02/19875 disclose a cartridge made of a flexible material which are suitable, inter alia, for a liquid concentrate (WO-A1-03/053200, p. 5, lines 19-21; WO-A1-02/19875, p. 19, lines 4-6) for use in a hot water appliance, the cartridge being wedged in a cavity intended for said cartridge and being pierced with a hollow needle, after which the water is conveyed through the concentrate to the outflow aperture. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,990 discloses a hot water appliance which is suitable for preparing a beverage based on concentrate in a cartridge (col. 5, lines 54-67; col. 7, lines 58-61, col. 9, line 66-col. 10, line 6). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,674 discloses a cartridge made of a flexible material which is suitable, inter alia, for a liquid concentrate, the water supply being passed through the concentrate, by way of a connection point, to an outflow aperture which is created by a weakened sealing seam, which sealing seam is opened by the working pressure of the appliance. 
     European Patent Applications EP-A-1 440 907 and EP-A-1 440 908 disclose a cartridge for use in the preparation of beverages. Said cartridge is dome-shaped, which dome shape is closed by means of a film on the underside, and on the side with the film is provided with both an inlet aperture (on the edge) and an outlet aperture (in the centre). Water (hot water) is conveyed by way of a point shaped inflow aperture on the underside of the cartridge, by way of a ‘ring line’ containing distribution apertures, against the closing film, and further by way of said distribution apertures through a compartment. The compartment contains a concentrate, and the water dilutes the concentrate to a beverage by means of turbulence, which beverage is subsequently conveyed by way of a siphon to an outflow aperture on the underside of the cartridge. Special measures are also present in the cartridge to make the water from the inlet aperture flow proportionally, directed radially inwards, through the interior space of the cartridge. 
     In a further embodiment EP-A-1 440 907 discloses a method for controlling the mixing of the water with the concentrate by means of facilities with which the mixing of the concentrate with the water is retarded. This facility is in the form of a type of dish, and the concentrate is added in a retarded manner through the holes on the underside of the dish to the flow path of the water. 
     None of the cartridges discussed above can be used in a hot water appliance suitable for extraction pads made of filter material, so that it is necessary to use a preparation appliance suitable specifically for these respective cartridge types. In particular, the connection of the inflow point to the cartridges means that hot water appliances which are suitable for extraction pads made of filter material are unsuitable for the above-mentioned cartridges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention aims to provide a cartridge or cup for a liquid concentrate and a holder which are suitable for the preparation of beverages making use of a conventionally used hot water appliance, for example a hot water appliance that is suitable for extraction pads made of filter material. 
     According to the present invention, a cup (also called a cartridge or reservoir) of the type defined in the preamble is provided, in which the covering layer is provided with liquid-permeable perforations and substantially the greater part of the surface of the covering layer serves as the inlet aperture for receiving a liquid suitable for the preparation substance. By this measure, said cup can be used in conventional hot water appliances designed for the portion-wise preparation of beverages. The possibility of feeding in liquid over a large surface also ensures that a good mixing result is obtained without complex measures being necessary in the cup itself. 
     In a further embodiment, on a side facing away from the cup-shaped dish element the covering layer is furthermore provided with a removable closing layer, for example in the form of a pull-off aluminium foil. This ensures that the product remains in the cup and that the product stays fresh. The closing layer can simply be removed before use. 
     In a further embodiment the outlet aperture is placed in a side of the cup-shaped dish element situated opposite the open side. Owing to the fact that the inlet aperture and outlet aperture are situated on opposite sides of the cup, the cup is suitable for use in the abovementioned conventional hot water appliances. 
     The cup-shaped dish element can furthermore be provided with a perforation space (substantially cylindrical), which is situated around the outlet aperture and extends to the interior space of the cup, the outlet aperture and perforation space being closable with a cut-through seal. When a cup for use in the holder is placed in the hot water appliance, this automatically results in the seal on the outlet side of the cup being broken, and the cup is ready for use. 
     In a further embodiment the cup-shaped element is furthermore provided with a cylindrical element, which is situated concentrically around the perforation space, an edge of the cylindrical element connecting to the cup-shaped dish element and being provided with at least one aperture, and an opposite edge thereof being connected to the covering layer. This produces a sort of labyrinth or meandering channel from the interior space of the cup, by way of the apertures, a first channel (between cylindrical element and a wall of the perforation space) and a second channel (bounded by another wall of the perforation space) to the outlet aperture, as a result of which good mixing of concentrate with liquid can occur. 
     In a further embodiment the at least one first aperture comprises at least one meandering channel at the level of the edge of the cylindrical element. A channel formed in this way can advantageously influence a venturi effect which occurs. 
     In a further embodiment the cup furthermore comprises a second wall parallel to and situated on the inside of the cylindrical element, an edge of the second wall connecting to the cup-shaped dish element and being provided with at least one aperture, and an opposite edge thereof also being connected to the covering layer. A first and a second chamber part are formed in this way, in which chamber parts, for example, two different preparation substances, or two of the same preparation substances, can be stored for the preparation of a hot beverage. Apertures are present, for example in the wall on the cup-shaped part side, for connection of the first chamber part and the second chamber part. Apertures can also be provided in the second wall in order to make connections between the second chamber part and the first channels. This produces a labyrinthine path for the liquid, with the result that good mixing of the liquid with the preparation substances occurs. 
     In yet a further embodiment the cup is shaped in such a way that the seal blocks the at least one first aperture and/or the at least one second aperture and opens them by pressure build-up. The preparation substances possibly present then cannot mix with each other during storage and transport of a filled cup. Owing to the pressure increase occurring during use, apertures are in fact produced, so that the above-described flow of liquid through the cup becomes possible. 
     In a further embodiment in a central part the covering layer is supported by additional supporting elements, in order to ensure that under pressure from the hot water appliance the covering layer does not close off the path to the outlet aperture of the cup. 
     For improvement of the mixing of concentrate with introduced liquid, in a further embodiment on the side facing the cup-shaped dish element the covering layer is provided with a segmented layer. The parts of the segmented layer are moved away from the covering layer under pressure from the liquid and, as it were, fall onto the concentrate in the cup, resulting in more gradual mixing. 
     In yet a further embodiment the cup-shaped dish element is provided with one or more first channels, which lie parallel to a longitudinal axis of the perforation space, and are designed to form a labyrinthine liquid connection between perforations of the perforated covering layer and the outlet aperture. The outside edges of the channels together with the walls forming the perforation space are connected to the covering layer, in order to form a labyrinthine path for the liquid in this way. 
     In one embodiment the first channels are formed by channels tapering outward in the direction of flow. By means of the tapering shape, the mixture of liquid and preparation substance calms down slightly before completing the last part of the labyrinthine path in which mixing by turbulence occurs again. More efficient mixing of liquid and preparation substance occurs through the alternating turbulent and calm parts in the labyrinthine path. 
     In a further embodiment the cup comprises one or more cutting elements, which are placed in the vicinity of the outlet aperture and extend into the perforation space. In the storage position the perforation space is closed by a seal, which in interaction with the holder, and in this embodiment with the cutting elements, is cut through and pushed away from the outlet aperture. 
     Because in this embodiment the cutting element is present on the cup, which is intended for a single use, the holder, which can be used a number of times, does not have to be provided with a cutting element. This means that the production of the holder can be simpler. 
     In a further embodiment the inside of the cup-shaped element comprises several walls, which sub-divide the interior space into two or more compartments. The compartments can contain the same preparation substance or different preparation substances. 
     In a further aspect the present invention relates to a holder for use with a cup according to the present invention, the holder being provided with a cup-shaped dish element which is substantially congruent with the cup-shaped dish element of the cup and is designed to receive the cup. Said holder can be placed in the hot water appliance in a space provided for the purpose. 
     In a further embodiment the cup-shaped dish element of the holder comprises a central aperture with a cylindrical edge, the cylindrical edge comprising a first edge part and a second edge part, the first edge part being sharper and extending further into the cup-shaped dish element than the second edge part. In this way the seal of the cup can be broken or cut through on the outlet side in a simple and reliable manner, after which the second edge part pushes the seal into the perforation space of the cup without cutting through it. In this way the outlet aperture of the cup is opened for use in a simple and reliable manner. 
     In an alternative embodiment the cup-shaped dish element comprises a central aperture with a straight cylindrical edge. This embodiment, in conjunction with an embodiment of the cup which is provided with one or more cutting elements, is capable of breaking the seal on the underside of the cup and pushing the residues away from the outlet aperture into the perforation space. 
     In yet a further aspect the present invention relates to the use of a holder and a cup according to the present invention in a hot water appliance provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the holder and cup, the hot water appliance being designed to convey heated water through the holder and cup by way of the perforated covering layer of the cup. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will now be discussed in more detail on the basis of a number of illustrative embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which 
         FIG. 1  shows an inclined bottom view in perspective of a first embodiment of the cup according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an inclined top view in perspective of the cup according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the cup according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the cup according to  FIG. 1  without seal; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of a holder for use with the cup of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6   a  to  6   c  show a sequence in section of the fitting of the cup of  FIG. 1  in the holder of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a sectional view in perspective of a part of a cup according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows a sectional view in perspective of yet a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows a sectional view in perspective of a part of a cup according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a cup according to yet a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  shows a top view in perspective of a cup according to yet a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  shows a bottom view in perspective of the cup according to the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view with partial section of the cup according to the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows a side view with a partial section of the cup according to the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a cup according to yet a further embodiment with several compartments; 
         FIG. 16  shows a side view in section of a holder according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 17   a  shows a perspective view with partial section of a cup according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 17   b  shows a bottom view of the cup  10  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 17   a , with the seal removed; 
         FIG. 18   a  shows a perspective view with partial section of a cup according to yet a further embodiment; and 
         FIG. 18   b  shows a bottom view of the cup  10  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 18   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     With the holder and cup according to the present invention it is possible to prepare hot drinks such as hot chocolate using a hot water appliance. For this purpose, the cup (also called a cartridge or reservoir) is filled with a concentrate, which is mixed with warm/hot water by means of the appliance and conveyed into a drinking cup or mug. It is also possible to prepare other beverages or dishes based on a concentrate or other preparation substance, milk products, fruit juices, sauces and desserts. 
     The preparation substance is a product which is soluble or suspendable in a liquid and can be in the form of a powder, a (concentrated) liquid, a syrup, a gel or in another similar form. If a powder is used, said powder preferably does not contain difficulty soluble or non-soluble substances (such as certain proteins), so that good mixing with hot water is ensured in the cup. It is possible, for example in the embodiment of the cup  10  with several compartments to be described later, to use combinations of preparation substances, even a combination of a concentrate and a powder. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an underside of a cup  10  according to an embodiment according to the present invention. The cup  10  has a cup-shaped underside  11  and an edge  12  on the upper side. The edge  12  is furthermore provided with a sealing edge  13 , which in conjunction with a holder (see below) provides a seal of the assembly of holder and cup  10 , so that water from the appliance is forced through the cup  10 . The cup-shaped underside  11  is furthermore provided with an edge  14 . The cup-shaped underside  11  is closed within the edge  14  by a seal  15  for transport and storage. The seal  15  is, for example, a plastic seal which is suitable for use in combination with foods. 
     A top view in perspective of the cup  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The cup  10  is closed on the upper side with a double seal, which comprises a perforated covering layer  16  and a pull-off layer  17 . The perforated covering layer  16  is made of, for example, a suitable plastic (for example, polypropylene), and the pull-off layer  17  of another suitable material (for example an aluminium-based foil). 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the cup  10  according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating the internal layout of the cup  10 . The inside of the cup  10  comprises a chamber part  25 , in which the concentrate can be placed. Interior parts, comprising a cylindrical element  20  and a central guide element  26 , are placed on the inside of the cup  10 . The cylindrical element  20  is positioned coaxially with the central guide element  26 . The complete unit is circular symmetrical and can be manufactured in a known manner from plastic (for example by injection moulding). The cylindrical element  20  can be provided with tangentially projecting ribs  29 , which give a certain rigidity. Furthermore, the width of the projecting ribs  29  is such that said ribs fit into the edge  14  of another cup  10 , making the cups nestable, which has advantages in the production process of filled cups  10  (stock of nested cups  10  for filling with concentrate). 
     The cylindrical element  20  is of such a height that the upper side of the cylindrical element  20  is flush with the edge  12  and touches the perforated covering layer  16 . The perforated covering layer  16  is fastened to the edge  12  and to the upper side of the cylindrical element  20 , thereby producing two zones of the covering layer: a central part without perforations and an annular part with perforations. 
     The guide element  26  is formed in such a way that a cylindrical perforation space  23  is formed on the underside, which perforation space is in communication with the outside of the cup  10 . The guide element  26  with the cylindrical element  20  forms a first channel  22 . On the underside of the cylindrical element feed-through apertures  21  are present in the cup-shaped underside  11 , which feed-through apertures connect the chamber part  25  to the first channel  22 . In the embodiment shown the apertures  21  are produced in an injection-moulding process. As an alternative, the apertures  21  can be provided later by drilling holes from the outside of the cup  10 . The cup  10  can be formed easily as a complete unit, and the size and height of the apertures  21  can be determined easily. The aperture to the outside is subsequently sealed by the seal  15 . In the centre of the cup  10  the guide element  26  forms a second channel  28 , which on the underside is provided with a central aperture  24  (or outlet aperture) and is in communication with the first channel  22 . In this embodiment the central aperture  24  has a smaller cross section than any of the first apertures  21 . 
     The central aperture  24  in the embodiment shown is in the form of a hole in a flat part of the guide element  26 . It has been found that the shape of the aperture  24  and the thickness of the flat part have an influence on the preparation of the beverage. In particular, the thickness of the flat part influences the formation of froth in the product to be prepared. The thinner the flat part, the more compact and sturdy the froth layer is on the product being prepared by the hot water appliance. 
       FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of a holder  30  which can be used together with a cup  10  in the hot water appliance. The holder  30  is provided with a cup-shaped dish element  34 , which is substantially congruent with the cup-shaped underside  11  of the cup  10 , and which can be placed in the hot water appliance instead of a conventional holder for coffee pads. The holder is provided on the upper side with a raised ring  31 , against which a sealing element (rubber ring) of the hot water appliance rests during use. The holder  30  in this embodiment is furthermore provided with a lock  33  for fixing the holder  30  in the hot water appliance. Furthermore, the holder  30  is provided on the upper side with a second edge  32  which together with the edge  31  forms a recess in which the edge  12  of the cup  10  can be placed. The sealing edge  13  ensures that water supplied by the hot water appliance to the upper side of the assembly of holder  30  and cup  10  is in fact conveyed through the perforated covering layer  16  to the inside of the cup  10 , and not around it. The holder  30  is removable from the hot water appliance again after use, after which it can be used again in the conventional manner for making a cup of coffee. 
     On the side of the holder  30  opposite the ring  31  the cup-shaped dish element  34  is provided with a central aperture  36  and one or more off-centre apertures  35  (for example, eight concentrically distributed apertures  35 ). The off-centre apertures  35  at the position of the central aperture  36  are situated as far as possible on the outside of the cup-shaped dish element  34 , so that when the holder  30  is placed horizontally, the off-centre apertures  35  form the lowest point, and ultimately any liquid present in the holder  30  flows out through the off-centre apertures  35 . The hot water appliance is designed to collect the prepared liquid from the aperture  36  (in fact the outlet aperture  24  in the cup  10 ) and the off-centre apertures  35  and convey it to a drinking cup or mug, for example by way of an outlet hose. The central aperture  36  comprises a cylindrical edge with a first edge part  37  and a second edge part  38 . The first edge part  37  is a sharp edge which projects further inwards into the cup-shaped dish element  34  than the second edge part  38 , which in this embodiment is not as sharp as the first edge part  37 . 
       FIGS. 6   a  to  6   c  show how a cup  10  with concentrate is placed in a holder  30  (which is placed in the hot water appliance). The cup  10  at that stage only has the perforated covering layer  16 ; the pull-off layer  17  has already been removed. The seal  15  on the underside of the cup covers both the apertures  21 ,  24  and the perforation space  23  ( FIG. 6   a ).  FIG. 6   b  shows that the first edge part  37  of the holder  30  cuts through the seal  15  when the cup  10  is pressed down into the holder  30 . As soon as the second edge part  38  touches the seal  15 , it will not cut any further through the seal  15 , but will push it into the perforation space  23 , as shown in  FIG. 6   c . The shape of the perforation space  23  in combination with the shape of the first and second edge parts  37 ,  38  and the properties of the seal  15  ensure that the apertures  21  remain closed, while the central aperture  24  is in fact opened. The edge  14  of the cup  10  ultimately rests on the inside of the cup-shaped dish  34  of the holder  30 . The whole unit is now ready to receive warm or hot liquid on the upper side of the cup  10 . 
     In one embodiment the cup  10  has a cross section of approximately 73 mm, and in a further embodiment 67 mm, so that in combination with the holder  30  said cup can be used in a conventional hot water appliance of the type described above. Such a hot water appliance is provided with a sealing ring, which in the embodiment shown touches the outside edge  31  of the holder. Between the holder  30  and the cup  10  the sealing edge  13  provides a liquid-tight connection during use. 
     By adaptations of both the cup  10  and the holder  30  it is possible to increase the cross section of the cup  10 , for example to 75 mm, in which case the sealing ring of the hot water appliance possibly makes direct contact with the cup  10 . In this case more concentrate can be placed in the cup  10 . As an alternative, the sealing edge  13  is part of the holder  30 , and not of the cup  10 . 
     It can be seen in  FIG. 2  that the perforations in the perforated covering layer  16  are provided in a particular pattern. By changing the distribution of the perforations in the covering layer  16 , a different flow pattern or flow ratio through the cup  10  can be achieved, which can lead to better mixing of the final product. The flow pattern or flow ratio can also be adapted to product properties, such as the viscosity. In general, the covering layer  16  can be divided into two areas, a central part which is bounded by the annular element  20 , and an annular part which is situated outside it directly above the chamber part  25  of the cup  10 . The central part is not provided with perforations, and owing to the fact that the covering layer  16  is fixed to the cylindrical element  20 , no liquid can flow from the hot water appliance directly into the first channel  22  or the second channel  28 . Liquid which penetrates through the perforated annular part comes into contact with the concentrate in the chamber part  25 , will mix with said concentrate and will flow out through the central aperture  24  by way of one of the feed through apertures  21 , the first channel  22  and the second channel  28 . The whole combination of perforations, apertures  21 , channels  22  and  28  and central aperture  24  gives a certain resistance to the liquid and also provides turbulence effects, with the result that the concentrate is mixed with the liquid. All the dimensions of the different parts of the cup  10  can be changed, so that the flow characteristics are influenced. 
     The perforations in the perforated covering layer  16  can be formed by round holes, as shown in the figures. In an alternative all of the perforations or, for example, only the perforations in a part of the perforated covering layer  16  can be of a different shape, for example elongated slits, transverse cuts etc. 
     In a further illustrative embodiment, of which the interior part of the cup  10  is shown in perspective and in sectional view in  FIG. 7 , a number of additional supporting elements or barriers  27  are placed in a circular arrangement on top of the guide element  26 , which supporting elements or barriers increase the resistance to the liquid with concentrate in the flow channel (first channel  22  and second channel  28 ) and cause additional turbulence in the liquid flow, so that the mixing result is improved even further. The barriers  27  also support the central part of the covering layer  16 , so that the pressure from the hot water appliance does not cause the covering layer to close the second channel  28 . 
       FIG. 7  also indicates the height h 1  of the cylindrical element  20 , which corresponds to the local height of the cup  10 , so that the cylindrical element  20  connects with its edge  20   a  to the perforated covering layer  16 , and a good seal is produced for the central part of the covering layer  16 . In a further embodiment the height of the cylindrical element  20  and of the guide element  26  is approximately half the height h 1 . This, possibly in combination with a different distribution of the perforations in the perforated covering layer  16 , produces a different flow pattern in the cup  10 . 
     The flow pattern, and consequently the mixing behaviour of liquid with concentrate, can also be influenced in other ways in the cup  10 . For instance,  FIG. 8  shows in a sectional view in perspective an embodiment of the cup  10  in which a distribution layer  18  is provided between the perforated covering layer  16  and the remainder of the cup  10 . In the embodiment shown the distribution layer  18  comprises a large number of flaps  19 , which are fixed on the edge  12  of the cup  10 . When liquid is forced through the perforated layer  16  the flaps  19  will bend back as far as the concentrate in the chamber part  25  and will cause additional turbulence in the chamber part, resulting in better mixing of liquid and concentrate. 
       FIG. 9  shows a part of yet a further variant of the cup  10  in a sectional view in perspective. In contrast with the single first channel  22 , which in the embodiments described above was formed by the cylindrical element  20  and the guide element  26 , this embodiment is provided with a plurality of first channels  42 , which are partly formed by walls  40  on the guide element  26  (the cylindrical element  20  is completely absent in this embodiment). The upper edges of the channels  42  with the extended wall of the guide element form an edge  43  with a flower-shaped pattern, on which the covering layer is immovably fixed. This again produces a central part (without perforations) and an annular part (with perforations) in the covering layer  16 . Each channel  42  is provided with one or more appropriate apertures  41  on the side near the cup-shaped underside  11 . Said apertures  41  can be provided in the same way as the apertures  21 . Owing to the fact that the first channels  42  have a smaller cross section than the single first channel  22 , a different flow pattern again is obtained. 
     Yet another flow pattern occurs when in the embodiment of  FIG. 9  a cylindrical element  20  is also fitted, with a plurality of apertures  21 , as shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment the flow pattern can be influenced even further by varying the position of the apertures  21  relative to the position of the first channels  42 . In this embodiment not only the flower-shaped edge  43  of the guide element  26 , but also the top edge  20   a  of the cylindrical element  20  is fixed to the covering layer  16 , so that next to the central part without perforations a first annular part with perforations (between edge  43  and the edge of cylindrical element  20 ) and a second annular part with perforations (between the edge of cylindrical element  20  and the edge  12 ) is formed. The perforation pattern of the perforated covering layer  16  is then, for example, selected in such a way that approximately 80% of the surface area of the apertures is situated in the first annular part, and approximately 20% is situated in the second annular part. A satisfactory mixing result is achieved in this way. By making a large part of the liquid flow through the first annular part, a sort of venturi effect is obtained, with the result that liquid with concentrate is drawn through the apertures  21 . A good effect is obtained at ratios between 60:40 and 80:20, the best result being obtained between 66.7% and 75% of the surface area of the apertures in the first annular part. 
     In an alternative embodiment the covering layer  16  is perforated only at the position of the second chamber part  65  and the wall  20   a  is provided with notches or grooves (not shown). Said notches or grooves serve to prevent a vacuum forming in the second chamber part  65 . This makes a fully controlled flow path in the cup  10  possible. 
       FIG. 11  shows yet a further embodiment of the cup  10  in a perspective view. The cup again comprises a cup-shaped underside  11  with edge  12  and edge  14  on the underside. The cup  10  is also provided with a chamber part  25  and a cylindrical element  20 . A wall  60  is present inside the cylindrical element  20 , so that a second chamber part  65  is formed next to the chamber part  25 . The second channel  28  is present within the wall  60 , which second channel on the underside of the cup  10  opens into the central aperture  24 . Within the wall  60  three tapering channels  62  are also present, which will be described in more detail below. Just as in embodiments discussed earlier, a number of barriers  27  are present on the edge of the start of the second channel  28 , which barriers are effective in mixing the flow of liquid containing the dilute concentrate. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the barriers  27  can be of a special shape with a sharp edge on the outside and a rounded edge on the inside. This reinforces the turbulence effect in the cup  10 , and in this form can also be used in the embodiments discussed earlier. 
       FIG. 12  shows the underside of the cup  10  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 11  in perspective view. Clearly visible are the apertures  21  provided at the level of the cylindrical element  20  and giving a connection between the chamber part  25  and second chamber part  65 . The apertures  41  at the level of the walls  40  (in the embodiment of FIG.  10 ) or the walls  60  (in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ) are also visible. After filling of the cup  10  with concentrate the underside of the cup  10  is closed with a seal  15 , so that the apertures  21  and  41  are closed. 
     In the first instance the perforation space  23  and central aperture  24  are therefore closed. In order to break this seal  15  before use, the holder shown in  FIG. 5  can be used, or a variant which is shown in sectional view in  FIG. 16  can be used. In this further embodiment the holder  30  is provided with a straight edge  39 . Said straight edge  39  does not need to be sharp, so that there is no risk of injuries from use of the holder  30 . The holder  30  can interact with a cup  10  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , in which case the central guide element  26  is provided on the underside (i.e. near the outflow aperture  24 ) with two cutting elements  64 . Through the interaction of straight edge  39  and the cutting elements  64 , the covering film  15  on the underside of cup  10  will be cut through at exactly the desired point, and the parts of the sealing film  15  will be pressed into the perforation space  23 , while the apertures  21 ,  41  will simply remain sealed. The embodiment of the cup  10  shown can still be produced by simple production methods, such as injection moulding with a simple mould. Of course, it is possible to provide a plurality of cutting elements  64 , or cutting elements of a different shape. This embodiment furthermore has the advantage that the cutting elements  64  are part of the disposable cup  10 . Wear of the cutting edges  37 ,  38  is consequently prevented. The cutting elements  64  can also be used in the other abovementioned embodiments of the cup  10 . 
     The central aperture  24 , or outflow aperture, is provided in a slightly recessed manner in the central guide element  26  in the embodiment shown, so that residues of a prepared beverage cannot fall into the holder  30  or hot water appliance. 
     The central guide element  26  can project slightly beyond the bottom of the cup  10  in which the apertures  21 ,  41  are provided. This means that the seal  15  is under slight tension, so that leakage of product from the cup  10  during storage or transport is largely prevented. 
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view with a partial sectional view of the cup  10 . On the upper side the perforated covering layer  16  is visible in the drawing, the dotted lines indicating where the underlying structures are present. Thus the covering film  16  is fixed not only on the edge  12 , but also on the edge  20   a  of the cylindrical element  20  and the edge  63  of the wall  60 . In this way the covering layer  16 , as in the case of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , is divided into three parts: a first annular part  16   a  with perforations, a second annular part  16   b , likewise with perforations, and a central part  16   c  without perforations. The first annular part  16   a  lies above the chamber part  25  and the second annular part lies above the second chamber part  65 . Compared with the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the edge  63  has a smaller perimeter than the edge  43 , so that there is less risk of the fastening of the covering layer  16  becoming detached, which could give rise to leakage of concentrate from the second chamber part  65 . 
     It is clearly visible in the sectional view of  FIG. 13  that the tapering channels  62  taper outward from the bottom to the top. Owing to the tapering shape, the mixture of water and concentrate flowing through the apertures  41  into the tapering channels is slowed down, after which the flow through the bend to the second channel  28  and the barriers  27  is made turbulent again for an optimum mixing result. In this embodiment three tapering channels  62  are present, but the number can vary and, for example, can be two. 
     In the cutaway side view of the embodiment in  FIG. 14  the flow of liquid is indicated by arrows. From the upper side the hot water appliance forces liquid through the covering layer  16 , i.e. through the two annular parts  16   a  and  16   b , after which said liquid passes into the chamber part  25  and second chamber part  65 , respectively. Concentrate, for example for drinking chocolate, is present in the two chamber parts  25 ,  65 , which concentrate mixes with the hot water. From the chamber part  25  the mixture of water and concentrate is forced through the apertures  21  in the second chamber part  65 . This is, however, counteracted by the mixture present in the second chamber part  65 , which flows through apertures  41  to the tapering channels  62 . At a particular point, however, all concentrate from the second chamber part  65  will be dissolved, after which the flow of hot water through the apertures  21  will carry the mixture along with it out of the chamber part  25  by a sort of venturi effect. On the upper side of the tapering channels  62  the mixture flows through the barriers  27 , which cause extra turbulence and thus mixing, to the second channel  28  and from there out through the central aperture  24  and into a drinking cup. 
     The cup  10  according to the above embodiment has a single interior space or chamber part  25 . For the preparation of some products in a hot water appliance various preparation substances are used for a single beverage/dish. The cup  10  can be adapted for this, by using a separate part (compartment) of the cup for each preparation substance. Each part then has its own chamber part  25 , labyrinthine path (aperture(s)  21 , first channel  22 , second channel  28 ), and outlet aperture  24 . In this way it is possible to place a basic concentrate in a large compartment and an added flavouring in a small compartment, so that in the production process there can be differentiation according to flavour, while the same basic concentrate can be used for all flavours. The geometry of the cup  10  is determined in such a way that the two compartments flow out uniformly through two separate outlet apertures  24 . By directing the outflow of liquid relative to the outlet aperture of the hot water appliance, the two different parts of the beverage can, if necessary, largely be prevented from mixing with each other. 
       FIG. 15  shows yet a further embodiment of the cup  10 . In this case the chamber part  25  is split into two unequal parts or compartments  25   a  and  25   b , and the second chamber part  65  is split into two parts or compartments  65   a  and  65   b  by means of walls  66 . The division is chosen to be the same as the division of the tapering channels  62 , so that, for example, it is possible to use two different preparation substances which come together only at the upper side of the second channel  28 , after they have been mixed well with the liquid by the turbulent flow through apertures  41  and  21 . The mixed product is then discharged through the single outlet aperture  24 . A division into three compartments can be made in a similar way in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
     The different compartments can again be filled with different preparation substances, but it is also possible to fill several compartments with the same preparation substance. 
     In a known hot water appliance the hot water will penetrate into the cup  10 , i.e. into the perforated parts  16   a ,  16   b  present, spread over the entire covering layer  16 . This means that in the embodiments with compartments  25   a ,  25   b ,  65   a ,  65   b  mixing with the preparation substances present will occur virtually simultaneously. In many applications, for example chocolate concentrate with a flavouring concentrate, this is actually what is desired. However, in some cases two preparation substances are required to be mixed substantially one after the other and discharged through the outlet aperture  24 . This is possible, for example, by, during production, closing off the tapering channel  62  for the substance to be mixed later, using a virtually tasteless and odourless wax product, which melts slowly through the supply of hot water. 
     As an alternative, it is possible to adapt the hot water appliance in such a way that a certain part of the perforations in the covering layer  16  is provided with a hot water supply at a different time from that of an other part (for example, corresponding to the division into compartments  25   a ,  65   a ,  25   b ,  65   b ). 
     In one embodiment the cup  10  is filled with two preparation substances, for example a coloured and/or flavoured concentrate and a milk concentrate. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, the chamber part  25  is filled with the milk concentrate, and the second chamber part  65  is filled with the coloured and/or flavoured concentrate. Through the distribution of the holes in the first and second annular parts  16   a ,  16   b  of the perforated covering layer  16 , the water from the hot water appliance seeks the easiest route. This means that the preparation substance (coloured and/or flavoured concentrate) is first forced out of the second chamber part  65 , and only then is the preparation substance (milk concentrate) forced out of the chamber part  25 . The result is a two-layer beverage perfectly prepared with the hot water appliance, the preparation also being visually attractive: the coloured beverage first flows out of the appliance, after which the flow becomes white and the hot water appliance serves up an attractive white milky froth layer. In order to prevent the two preparation substances from mixing in the cup (after production), the specific gravity and viscosity of the two preparation substances are selected to be substantially equal. 
     In the embodiment of the cup  10  shown in  FIG. 3  it is also possible to accommodate two preparation substances, a first chamber part  25  being formed by the boundary of dish-shaped element  11 , cylindrical element  20  and covering layer  16 , and a second chamber part being formed by the first channel  22  (adjoining the other side of cylindrical element  20  and covering layer  16 ). In the embodiment of the cup  10  shown in  FIG. 10  it is also possible to accommodate two preparation substances in the cup  10 : a first preparation substance in a first chamber part  25  which is bounded by dish-shaped element  11 , covering layer  16  and cylindrical element  20 , and a second preparation substance in a second chamber part which is bounded by cylindrical element  20 , dish-shaped element  11 , covering layer  16  and walls  40 . 
     If a cup  10  with two chamber parts  25 ,  65  is used, the substances in those chamber parts  25 ,  65  may possibly mix slightly through the apertures  21 . In order to prevent this, the alternative embodiment shown in the views with partial section in  FIG. 17   a  and the bottom view in  FIG. 17   b  (in which for the sake of clarity the seal  15  is omitted) can be used. Instead of the aperture  21  in the cup-shaped underside  11  at the level of the cylindrical element  20  (see, for example, the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ), which extends on into a part of the cylindrical element  20 , in this embodiment two partial apertures  21   a  are provided on either side of a bottom edge  75  of the cylindrical element  20 . In the embodiment shown two outflow channels  72  are present, being placed diametrically opposite each other in the second chamber part  65 . Two ribs  70  are formed on the cylindrical element  20 , so that the entire interior parts of the cup  10  are fixed on the cup-shaped underside  11 . At the level of the outflow channels  72  and the wall  60  respective edges  76  and  77  are present. The seal  15  is fixed sturdily (for example, by means of gluing or sealing techniques) on an edge  74  of the cup-shaped underside  11 , and on the edges  76  and  77 , and is detachably fixed to the edge  75 . In this way mixing of preparation substance in the first chamber part  25  and preparation substance in the second chamber part  65  during transport and storage of filled cups  10  is effectively prevented. During use of the cup  10  in a hot water appliance under the influence of the pressure built up in the first chamber part  25  the seal  15  will then come away from the edge  75  of the cylindrical element  20 , so that a throughflow aperture is still produced from the first chamber part  25  to the second chamber part  65  through the apertures  21   a , the edge  75  and the seal  15 . An aperture  61  is made in the wall between second chamber part  65  and the space between edge  75  and edge  76 . Apertures  78  are made in the edge  76  at the level of the outflow channels  72 . During use liquid will flow through the first chamber part  25 , mixing with the preparation substance present there, through the apertures  21   a  and the apertures  78 , and through the two outflow channels  72  and the apertures  73  present on the upper side of said outflow channels to the outflow aperture  24 . Liquid will also flow through the second chamber part  65 , mixing with the preparation substance present there, through the apertures  61  and the apertures  78 , and through the two outflow channels  72  and the apertures  73  present on the upper side of said outflow channels to the outflow aperture  24 . 
       FIG. 18   a  shows a partial sectional view of yet a further embodiment, in which an improved venturi effect occurs to carry along the mixture of liquid and preparation substance out of the first chamber part  25 .  FIG. 18   b  shows the bottom view of the cup  10  according to this embodiment, in which just as in  FIG. 18   a  the seal  15  is omitted. A number of elements of this embodiment are designed in the same way as those in the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b , and are provided with the same reference numerals. Instead of the normal apertures  21  (see, for example, the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ), meandering channels  21   b  are present, which channels influence the flow of the solution in the cup  10 . On the underside of the cup  10 , just as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b , a first annular space  85  (between edges  76  and  77 ) and a second annular space  86  (between edges  74  and  76 ) are formed. The meandering channels  21   b  are formed by apertures in the bottom part of the cylindrical element  20  (or the edge  74 ) and a number of partitions  80 . The partitions  80  are substantially directed towards the apertures  78  between the first and second annular spaces  85 ,  86 . A better venturi effect can be achieved in this way, so that the preparation substance in the first chamber part  25  is carried along even more efficiently, and a stronger turbulence is also caused, so that better mixing with the second preparation substance is produced in the second chamber part  65 . The flow of liquid is furthermore virtually the same as that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b.