WO2023286008A1

WO2023286008A1 - Capsule for preparing beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2023286008A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/056503
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Bartoli; Davide CAPITINI
Original assignee: Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2021-07-16
Filing date: 2022-07-14
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: IT202100018908A1

Abstract

Described is a capsule (1) for preparing beverages by injecting a fluid, for example water, under pressure which comprises a casing (2), which extends about an axis (Z), which comprises a base wall (201 ), a side wall (202) defining a cavity (203) containing an initial product to be joined to the fluid to obtain the beverage. A flanged edge (204) extends from the side wall (202) and a covering element is fixed to the flanged edge (204) for closing the cavity (203). The base wall (201) can be pierced by an injection device, or by an extraction device of a dispensing machine and comprises at least one piercing zone configured for receiving the injection device, or the extraction device, and at least one stiffening zone, configured for stiffening the base wall (201 ) allowing a correct piercing of the piercing zone. The casing (2) comprises a supporting layer (5) made of cellulose pulp, the base wall (201) and the side wall (202) forming a body with a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm. In addition, the stiffening zone has ribs (208), which are absent in the piercing zone.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CAPSULE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

This invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages by injecting water under pressure.

More specifically, the invention relates to a single-dose, single-use capsule, which contains an initial product, for example coffee powder, which is able to make, interacting with the pressurised water injected into the capsule, a final product, for example a coffee beverage.

The prior art capsules for use on dispensing machines are single-use and single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shape of a glass or cup. The casing usually has a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity containing the initial product, for example ground coffee or tea, from which to obtain the final product, for example the beverage. A flanged edge extends from the side wall and is positioned around the cavity, on the opposite side relative to the base wall.

The cavity, at a relative opening, is hermetically sealed by a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge, in such a way as to seal the initial product inside the container. The capsule can be pierced to allow the introduction of pressurised liquid, typically water, and the dispensing of the beverage obtained.

The base wall must be made of a material which can be pierced, so that the capsule can be used with great flexibility of use in the most common dispensing machines.

In effect, with regard to the type of system for preparing the beverage in which the capsule is inserted, the base wall may be pierced by an injection device, or extraction device, of the dispensing machine. The capsule may, for example, be used in a dispensing machine of a first type in which the base wall is pierced by a respective injection device for injecting liquid under pressure, for example water, into the capsule and the covering element is pierced by a respective extraction device to allow the final product to be dispensed.

For example, the injection device may comprise three blades configured for piercing the base wall in a respective piercing zone with cuts and a central injection duct, independent and separate from the blades, which is configured for supplying the pressurised fluid. The flanged edge of the capsule may in fact comprise a sealing element configured to engage with the housing of the dispensing machine and make a fluid-tight seal with the housing in such a way as to prevent undesired leaks of liquid from the housing and guarantee that the liquid is fed through the cuts to the cavity of the capsule.

The extraction device may comprise a plurality of sharp elements which, engaging with the covering element during extraction, pierce it in a plurality of different zones.

On the other hand, if a dispensing machine of a second type is used, the base wall may be pierced by a respective extraction device to allow the extraction of the beverage whilst the covering element may be pierced by a respective injection device.

Typically, in this case, the fluid injection device and the extraction device of the dispensing machine are made as respective nozzles provided with a pointed end. For example, the extraction device may pierce in a respective piercing zone the base wall for extracting the beverage.

An example of a capsule which can be used in a dispensing machine of the first type is provided in patent EP1654966 in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is an elastic ring made of silicone rubber fixed to the flanged edge.

An example of a capsule which can be used in a dispensing machine of the second type is given by patent US5325765A, wherein the casing is made of a plastic material and the capsule comprises, in addition, a filter contained in the cavity and fixed to the flanged edge, which is configured to contain the initial product, to which the covering element may be fixed. Numerous other capsules for beverages are known in the prior art, which can be used in dispensing machines of the first type, or of the second type, which are made of a biodegradable or compostable material.

In these capsules, the outer casing, the sealing element and the covering element may be made entirely of a compostable material according to European standard UNI EN13432:2002, which requires that all the components of a package can be disposed of at least by means of industrial composting.

Even though these capsules satisfy environmental sustainability requirements, it is necessary for them to guarantee a high quality of dispensing equal to the prior art capsules wherein the casing is made of aluminium, or plastic material.

For this purpose, it is necessary for the base wall to be easily pierced, to guarantee the correct injection of water into the capsule or the extraction from it of the final product.

WO 2017/063680 relates to a capsule to be used in a device for preparing beverages, wherein the capsule comprises a housing defining a cavity which is closed by a film, wherein the film is a laminate comprising at least one weakened layer.

WO 2015/082982 relates to a capsule to be used in a device for preparing beverages which comprises a housing made of compostable material.

WO 2015/177591 relates to a capsule to be used in a device for preparing beverages wherein at least part of a film covering the capsule is made of a multilayer material.

The technical purpose which forms the basis of the invention is therefore to provide a capsule that can be inserted in a machine for beverages which overcomes the drawbacks of prior art capsules.

A further purpose of the invention is to obtain an alternative capsule with respect to the prior art capsules, made of a compostable material, which guarantees an excellent quality of extraction of the beverage and which is made at a limited cost. A further different purpose of the invention is to obtain a capsule which allows an excellent quality of extraction of the beverage, allowing an injection device, or an extraction device, of a dispensing machine to easily pierce piercing zones of the base wall.

These aims are achieved by a capsule according to the invention, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a capsule as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule according to the invention comprising a casing which comprises a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity, an element for covering the cavity removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the capsule of Figure 1 , from the side of the base wall;

Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the capsule of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of a first version of the casing of the capsule of Figure 1 , wherein the casing comprises a supporting layer made of cellulose pulp and a coating layer, wherein the coating layer is positioned outside the supporting layer.

Figure 5 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of a second version of the casing of the capsule of Figure 1 , wherein the coating layer is positioned inside the supporting layer.

The same elements in the various drawings will be indicated below with the same reference numerals.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a capsule for preparing beverages according to the invention, which can be used in a dispensing machine for the production of beverages by injecting water under pressure. More in detail, the capsule 1 can be inserted in a dispensing housing of the dispensing machine.

The capsule 1 , as illustrated in detail in Figures 1 to 3, comprises an casing 2 which has an axis A of longitudinal extension, for example an axis of symmetry.

The casing 2 is substantially frustoconical in shape, that is to say, in the form of a glass or cup. The casing 2 includes a base wall 201 and a side wall 202, defining an open cavity 203, and a flanged edge 204, which extends, for example radially, from the side wall 202.

In detail, the side wall 202 is divergent starting from the base wall 201 to the flanged edge 204.

The base wall 201 and the side wall 202 define a body of the casing 2 which has an inner surface, facing towards the cavity 203 and an outer surface, facing the opposite side relative to the cavity 203.

The cavity 203 is designed to contain an initial product (not illustrated) to be joined to a fluid (not illustrated) to obtain a final product (not illustrated). The fluid is, preferably, a hot or cold liquid under pressure, introduced in the cavity 203 in a step of injecting the fluid, to obtain the final product.

As mentioned above, the initial product may be, for example, a food product which is soluble, freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, percolatable, in powder form - for example coffee; alternatively, the initial product may be, for example, a food product in leaf form - for example tea. The fluid is preferably water, hot and under pressure, which makes it possible to obtain a beverage, for example coffee, barley coffee, tea, or herbal tea.

The base wall 201 may be pierced by a fluid injection device (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, or by a device for extracting the beverage, and comprises at least one piercing zone configured to receive said injection device, or said extraction device.

For example, the injection device may comprise piercing blades and a fluid dispensing device, which is independent of the piercing blades, the piercing blades being positioned, for example, around the dispensing device. In this way, in use, upon closing the dispensing housing in which the capsule is inserted, the piercing zone of the base wall 201 is brought to interfere with the piercing blades of the injection device and through the tears obtained in it, the pressurised fluid dispensed by the injection device can flow inside the cavity 203.

The base wall 201 may also be pierced by an extraction device of the dispensing machine.

In this case, the extraction device may comprise an extraction nozzle, typically a single nozzle, provided with a pointed end configured for piercing the piercing zone.

In this way, in use, upon closing the dispensing housing in which the capsule 1 is inserted, the piercing zone of the base wall 201 receives the extraction nozzle, which can therefore pierce the cavity 203 of the capsule 1 for collecting, at the end of dispensing, the beverage obtained in it.

The capsule 1 comprises a covering element (not illustrated), fixed to the flanged edge 204, so as to close the cavity 203.

The covering element may be fixed to the flanged edge 204 by heat or ultrasonic welding, or gluing.

Thanks to the covering element, the cavity 203 is hermetically closed and the initial preparation is isolated from the outside environment. The covering element is typically a film which may be made of compostable material.

The covering element can be pierced by an extraction device of a dispensing machine in which the capsule 1 can be used and the final product can be dispensed through it, or it can be pierced by an injection device of the dispensing machine and the fluid can be injected through it, that is to say, the pressurised water, with which to obtain the beverage.

The casing 2 is made of a material which comprises a pulp of natural vegetable fibres, for example virgin cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp or other pulp of natural vegetable fibres. Reference will be made below to cellulose pulp, without in any way limiting the scope of the invention.

The casing 2 may comprise a supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp. The supporting layer 5 may be obtained, for example, by compression moulding from a liquid cellulose pulp material and, thanks to this, the supporting layer 5 can be made in a preferred shape, in a very simple manner, with the desired thicknesses.

The supporting layer 5, made of cellulose pulp, may have a grammage of between 50 and 600 gr/m2.

The base wall 201 comprises a stiffening zone, configured to stiffen the base wall 201 , allowing a correct piercing of the piercing zone.

The stiffening zone has ribs 208, which are absent in the piercing zone.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base wall 201 of the capsule 1 may comprise an edge region 205, which is annular and extends up to the side wall 202, a central region 206, which is, for example, circular, and an intermediate region 207, which is interposed between the central region 206 and the edge region 205.

The piercing zone may be defined by the intermediate region 207, which is configured to receive the piercing blades of a fluid injection device, or the extraction nozzle of an extraction device, and it is, for example, annular. The shape of the intermediate region 207 may be planar, to facilitate the piecing of the base wall 201, and is different from the shape of the edge region 205 and of the central region 206, which, on the other hand, have a shape with ribs 208.

The stiffening zone is defined by the edge region 205 and by the central region 206 which comprise the ribs 208, which are absent in the piercing zone.

It should be noted that the ribs 208 are arranged in radial fashion in the central region 206 around an inner zone 209, which is circular and recessed towards the inside of the cavity 203. The ribs 208 can be equally spaced in the central region 206.

The ribs 208 can extend from the edge region 205 to the side wall 202 through an outer edge 205a of the edge region 205.

In this way, the side wall 202 may also advantageously be stiffened by the presence of the ribs 208.

Also in the edge region 205, the ribs 208 may be, for example, arranged in radial fashion and equally spaced.

The term “have a shape with ribs" means the fact that the base wall 201 and the side wall 202 are undulated.

In effect, from a surface of the body, selected between the inner surface and the outer surface, at least one protruding element can be projected, which defines a rib 208, whilst from another surface of the body, selected between the outer surface and the inner surface, and at the protruding element, there is a recess.

Preferably, there are a plurality of ribs 208 which extend circumferentially in the base wall 201 whilst in the side wall 202 they extend circumferentially at least in the proximity of the base wall 201.

In other words, the body comprising the base wall 201 and the side wall 202 of the casing 2 has an outer surface with a plurality of protruding elements defining the ribs 208 which correspond in the inner surface to corresponding recesses.

Vice versa, between the protruding elements defining the ribs 208, there are recesses on the outer surface which correspond on the inner surface to corresponding protruding elements.

These ribs 208 are able to render the base wall 201 more rigid, or the side wall 202, on which they are positioned, so a thickening of the base wall 201 (optionally of the side wall 202) is not necessary in order to stiffen the base wall 201. However, this does not mean that a thickness of the base wall 201 , or of the side wall 202, must remain constant since thickened sections may be present at parts of the ribs 208, or of other zones of the side wall 202. Thanks to the ribs 208, it is therefore possible to make a capsule 1 made of cellulose pulp with limited thicknesses, and therefore low costs, whilst guaranteeing high dispensing efficiency since the ribs stiffen the base wall 201 , and optionally the side wall 202, of the capsule 1. Advantageously, the thickness of the body of the capsule 1 , that is to say, the thickness of the base wall 201 and optionally of the side wall 202 may be between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm (that is to say, greater than, or equal to, 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 0.8 mm; the end values of the ranges indicated in this text being always included in the ranges themselves). Preferably, the thickness may be between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, even more preferably it may be between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm.

With the above-mentioned thicknesses of the body of the capsule 1 , and thanks to the ribs 208 of the base wall 201 , the piercing of the base wall

201 , at the piercing zone, by the piercing blades, or the dispensing nozzle, of the dispensing machine, is guaranteed.

It should be noted that the thicknesses indicated above allow a base wall 201 to be made in an inexpensive manner (being made with a reduced thickness of the cellulose pulp material used) whilst at the same time being robust thanks to the stiffening zone in which the ribs 208 are present. According to a variant embodiment not illustrated, the base wall 201 comprises a central part and an edge part, which extends up to the side wall

202. The piercing zone, without ribs 208, may be defined by the central part which is planar and is shaped to receive an extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine, positioned centrally. The stiffening zone, which comprises the ribs 208, may be defined by the edge part. The ribs 208 may be, also in this case, positioned in radial fashion and equally spaced.

If the base wall 201 comprises a dispensing zone shaped to receive an extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine, whether the piercing zone is defined by the intermediate region 207 or by the central part, the capsule (not illustrated) may comprise a filter (not illustrated) fixed to the flanged edge 204 which is designed to contain the initial product. The covering element of the cavity 203, in this case, is fixed to the filter for closing the cavity and may be pierced by an injection nozzle of the dispensing machine. If, on the other hand, the base wall 201 comprises a dispensing zone shaped to receive the piercing blades of an injection device, the flanged edge 204 may also comprise a sealing element for making a fluid-tight seal with the housing element of the dispensing machine.

The covering element is fixed to the flanged edge 204 and is configured to be pierced by an extraction device of the dispensing machine comprising a plurality of sharp elements which, engaging with the covering element during the extraction, pierce it in a plurality of different zones.

In Figures 1 to 5, the flanged edge 204 has a first portion 204a, which is planar, and a second portion 204b, positioned at the end of the flanged edge 204 and outside the first portion 204a, which is thicker than the thickness of the first portion 204a.

In order to make the sealing element, the first portion 204a has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2.8 mm, even more preferably between 0.4 mm and 2.4 mm, even more preferably between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, even more preferably between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm.

For example, the first portion 204a may be 1.2 mm thick.

Moreover, the second portion 204b may have a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3.0 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, for example equal to 2.0 mm, to guarantee an effective uncoupling of the portion at the end of dispensing.

The thickness of the second portion 204b may also facilitate an optimum centring of the capsule 1 during its insertion in the housing element before dispensing.

Thanks to the thickness of the first portion 204a and thanks to the thickness of the second portion 204b it is in effect possible to provide a capsule with a casing made of cellulose pulp whose performance is optimum, both during dispensing and during the subsequent uncoupling from the housing at the end of dispensing.

Whilst, in effect, the range of thickness selected for the flanged edge 204 in the first portion 204a guarantees the sealing efficiency during dispensing, the thickness of the second portion 204b, which is greater than that of the first portion 204a, creates a protrusion at the end of the flanged edge 204, towards the base wall 201 , which makes it possible to avoid any friction between the first portion 204a and expulsion guides (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, which can prevent the capsule 1 from being correctly released.

Since the casing 2 of the capsule 1 is made with the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp, a material which can be easily moulded by compression, the flanged edge 204 may have the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b with different thicknesses which can also be different from the thickness given for the body of the capsule 1 , and that is to say from the thickness of the base wall 201 and of the side wall 202, in a very simple and inexpensive manner.

It should be noted that, radially, the first portion 204a extends from the side wall 202 to the second portion 204b and that the second portion 204b has a radial extension at least equal to 0.2 mm.

The selection of the radial extension of the second portion 204b, in the predetermined interval, allows the flanged edge 204 to be stiffened.

The casing 2 may also be made using a layered structure which comprises the supporting layer 5 and at least one coating layer 6.

The coating layer 6 may be located inside, or outside, the supporting layer 5.

It should be noted that the coating layer 6 may therefore be applied after making the supporting layer 5, when the supporting layer 5 has already been made.

It should be noted that if, in addition to the supporting layer 5, there is also the coating layer 6, or the pair of coating layers 6, the thickness of the first portion 204a and of the second portion 204b, or of the base wall 201 and of the side wall 202 must be exclusively referred to the thickness of the supporting layer 5, since the coating layer 6 is negligible in thickness.

It should be noted in Figure 4 that the coating layer 6 is positioned outside the supporting layer 5.

In Figure 5, on the other hand, it should be noted that the coating layer 6 is positioned inside the supporting layer 5.

For example, the coating layer 6 may also be sprayed for coating the outer or inner part of the supporting layer 5 (for example, as in a metallizing process using silicon oxides).

It should be noted that, even though Figures 4 and 5 show a capsule 1 wherein the base wall 201 can be pierced by piercing blades of the injection device and the flanged edge 204 comprises the second portion 204b, with a thickness greater than the first portion 204a, everything that has been mentioned, or will be mentioned, with reference to the layered structure comprising the supporting layer 5 and the coating layer 6, also applies without restricting the scope of the invention to a capsule 1 wherein the base wall 201 can be pierced by an extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine. The coating layer 6 may be made, for example, from a compostable material, for example polyactic acid (PLA).

In detail, the coating layer 6 can be chosen from among one of the following materials of a first list:

- Polyolefin (preferably PP or PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PET comprising aluminium oxides and silicon oxides), polyactic acid PLA;

- PVDC;

- PLA;

- EVOH;

- PVOH;

- biodegradable and compostable bioplastics (for example Mater-Bi);

- and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer 6 may comprise at least two components, or three layered components, wherein each component can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list (for example PLA/PVOH/PLA, or Mater Bi/PVOH/Mater-Bi, or PE/EVOH/PE).

The coating layer 6 provides the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp of the casing 2 with a moisture and oxygen barrier and provides the capsule with a shelf life, after production, which is longer than would be possible if the casing were made only with the supporting layer 5.

According to a version not illustrated, the layered structure may, optionally, comprise a pair of coating layers 6 positioned both outside and inside the supporting layer 5. The coating layers 6 can be made of the same material or of different materials, selected from among those on the first list.

It should be noted that the coating layer 6, or both the coating layers 6 may be made of compostable material.

It should be noted that the coating layer 6 is not however necessary if the capsule 1 is individually packaged inside a bag which performs the purpose of a moisture and oxygen barrier (single flow-pack).

Figure 4 shows that the coating layer 6 covers the entire outer part of the casing 2 and extends up to the entire second portion 204b of the flanged edge 204 without, however, also covering the side surface 204c of the flanged edge 204.

In effect, since the casing 2 may be joined to a plurality of other casings before being individually filled and closed by the closing element, any separation of one casing 2 from the other casings is performed after the coating layer 6 has already been applied to the supporting layer 5. Thanks to the fact that the separation of the casing 2 for the purposes of forming the capsule 1 is performed with a layered structure already formed, the side surface 204c is not coated.

Alternatively, according to a variant not illustrated, if the casing 2 has already been separated and is coated externally when it is not joined to other casings, the side surface 204c may also be coated.

The same considerations also apply to the coating layer 6 covering the inside surface of the cavity 203 and a front surface of the flanged edge 204, facing the same side as the opening of the cavity 203, but not the side surface 204c. In effect, in this case, too, the casing 2 may be separated from the remaining casings 2 with a layered structure which has already been formed.

Similarly, according to another variant embodiment not illustrated, the side surface 204c may also be coated if the casing 2 has already been separated and is coated internally when it is not joined to other casings 2.

It should be noted, therefore, that, thanks to the fact that the capsule is made with the layered structure comprising the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp (optionally the coating layer 6, preferably made of a compostable material), it can be made at limited costs since the thickness of the capsule 1 can be selected in a suitable manner for the base wall 201 , and optionally for the side wall 202 and the flanged edge 204, in such a way that, in association with the ribs 208 present at least in the base wall 201 which define the stiffening zone, the latter can easily be pierced in the piercing zone in which the ribs 208 are, on the other hand, absent.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for preparing beverages by injecting a fluid, for example water, under pressure comprising: a casing (2), which extends about an axis (Z), which comprises a base wall (201), a side wall (202) defining a cavity (203) containing an initial product to be joined to the fluid to obtain the beverage, and a flanged edge (204) extending from said side wall (202); a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge (204) for closing the cavity (203); and wherein

- the base wall (201) can be pierced by an injection device, or by an extraction device of a dispensing machine and comprises at least one piercing zone configured for receiving the injection device, or the extraction device, and at least one stiffening zone, configured for stiffening the base wall (201) allowing a correct piercing of the piercing zone; wherein

- the casing (2) comprises a supporting layer (5), made of cellulose pulp, - the base wall (201) and the side wall (202) forming a body (201 , 202) wherein said body (201 , 202) has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm; and wherein

- the stiffening zone has ribs (208), which are absent in the piercing zone.

2. The capsule (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said body (201 , 202) has a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm.

3. The capsule according to claim 1 , or 2, wherein at least one protruding element projects from a surface of said body (201 , 202), selected between an inner surface facing towards the cavity (203) and an outer surface facing in the opposite direction to the cavity (203), which defines one of said ribs (208), whilst from another surface of the body (201 , 202), selected between the outer surface and the inner surface, and at the protruding element, there is a recess.

4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the ribs (208) define a base wall (201) and optionally a side wall (202), which are undulated.

5. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall (201) comprises an edge region (205), which is annular and extends up to the side wall (202), a central region (206), and an intermediate region (207), which is interposed between the central region (206) and the edge region (205); wherein the piercing zone is defined by the intermediate region (207) and is shaped to receive piercing blades of a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine, or an extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine, and wherein the stiffening zone is defined by the edge region (205) and by the central region (206), the latter comprising the ribs (208).

6. The capsule according to claim 5, wherein in the central region (206) the ribs (208) are arranged in radial fashion and are equally spaced about an inner zone (209), which is circular and recessed towards the inside of the cavity (203).

7. The capsule according to claim 5, or 6, wherein the ribs (208) extend from the edge region (205) to the side wall (202) through an outer edge (205a) of the edge region (205).

8. The capsule according to claim 7, wherein in the edge region (205) and in the side wall (202) the ribs (208) are arranged in radial fashion and are equally spaced.

9. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall (201) comprises a central part and an edge part, which extends as far as the side wall (202); wherein the piercing zone is defined by the central part which is shaped to receive an extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine and wherein the stiffening zone is defined by the edge part which comprises the ribs (208), which are arranged in radial fashion and are equally spaced.

10. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the capsule (1 ) comprises a filter fixed to the flanged edge designed to contain the initial product and wherein the covering element is also fixed to the filter for closing the cavity; and wherein the piercing zone is shaped to receive the extraction nozzle of the dispensing machine.

11. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flanged edge (204) comprises a sealing element, suitable for creating a fluid-tight seal with a housing element of a dispensing machine and wherein the piercing zone is shaped to receive the piercing blades of the fluid injection device of the dispensing machine, wherein to define the sealing element, a first portion (204a) of the flanged edge (204) has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 2.4 mm, still more preferably between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, even more preferably between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably 1.2 mm.

12. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (2) is made of a layered structure comprising the supporting layer (5), and at least one coating layer (6) positioned inside, and/or externally, relative to the supporting layer (5); wherein the coating layer (6) is made of compostable material.