AU2015220937A1

AU2015220937A1 - Capsule comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body

Info

Publication number: AU2015220937A1
Application number: AU2015220937A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roland Affolter; Markus Bronnimann; Guillaume Bugnard; Raphael Gugerli; Alexander Panos
Original assignee: Delica AG
Current assignee: Delica AG
Priority date: 2014-02-21
Filing date: 2015-02-17
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: CH709273A2; CN106029526A; WO2015124558A1; EP3107833B1; EP3107833A1; EP3107833C0

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (1) comprising a capsule body (2), which has a side wall (3) and a base (4) integrally formed with said side wall, and a cover (5), which covers the capsule body to form a chamber (6). The chamber (6) contains a substance (7) for the preparation of a liquid foodstuff, wherein a liquid can be conducted through the chamber. An outlet opening (8) is arranged on the base of the capsule body. The side wall or floor has a holding shoulder (10), on which a retaining floor (11) is held, which retains the substance (7) and through or around which the liquid can flow. A blocking membrane is arranged between the retaining floor (11) and the outlet opening (8) in such a manner that a substance-free intermediate space remains between the retaining floor and the blocking membrane. The blocking membrane can be ruptured under the internal pressure of the capsule.

Description

Capsule comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body

The invention relates to a capsule comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body according to the preamble of claim 1. These types of capsules are used more and more today in particular for the preparation of coffee or coffee-mix beverages. Capsules of this type can also be used for the production of milk foam, milk-mix beverages or fruit beverages produced from concentrate.

The capsule, in this case, forms a single portion package which has to receive the contents in a manner that is stable when stored and is preferably aroma-tight or oxygen-impermeable. In the case of numerous generically comparable capsules, the opening of the capsule and the introduction of the liquid is effected on the inlet side as a result of penetrating the lid when the capsule is enclosed in a beverage preparation machine. On the outlet side, the outlet opening is sealed by a blocking membrane which only tears open under the effect of the developing internal pressure and in this case releases the prepared liquid.

Thus, WO 2009/115475 A1 has disclosed a capsule where the bottom comprises a support structure over which a penetratable outlet wall is tensioned. When an internal pressure is developed, the outlet wall is pressed against penetration elements on the bottom of the capsule such that the wall is penetrated. The substance, in this case, is located directly on the penetratable outlet wall. A structure of this type, however, is only suitable when the substance is to be dissolved by an inflowing liquid. For an extraction, as in the case of coffee preparation, an additional filter would have to be to be provided because otherwise coffee particles would be flushed away. EP 1 555 219 A1 has disclosed a single portion capsule with ground coffee for producing a coffee beverage. The bottom-side opening, in this case, is sealed by a piercable film. A filter element, which is supported on the capsule bottom and is latched laterally in a circumferential groove in the side wall of the capsule, is arranged directly above the bottom of the capsule. A disadvantage of the known capsules is that they are strongly oriented in each case to the beverage to be prepared and consequently are not able to be used universally. In addition, the independent opening under the effect of an internal pressure is controllable only with difficulty. Finally, it is desirable in the case of numerous beverages for a foam to be formed which, however, once again, is only possible under certain pressure conditions and with the addition of air. It is consequently an object of the invention to create a capsule of the type named in the introduction which avoids the named disadvantages and which is suitable both for extraction processes and for dissolving processes, the hermetic seal being releasable at the outlet opening exclusively under the effect of the internal pressure and/or by way of penetration means. In addition, good blending and as far as possible foam forming are to be achieved.

Said objects are achieved by a capsule which comprises the features in claim 1. In this case, the side wall or the bottom of the capsule comprises an, in particular, circular receiving shoulder. A retaining bottom, which holds back the substance and is traversable or can be flowed around by the liquid, is held, in particular latched-in or inserted, on said receiving shoulder. A tearable and/or penetratable blocking membrane is arranged between the retaining bottom and the outlet opening as well as at a spacing from the retaining bottom, wherein a substance free space remains between the retaining bottom and the blocking membrane.

The receiving shoulder makes it possible for different retaining bottoms to be able to be used, depending on the application, using the same capsule body. A latching connection has proved particularly advantageous in this case. However, pressing-in or even bonding-in or welding-in would also be conceivable. The capsule body can be produced as an injection molded part or as a deep-drawn part. The retaining body has the job of holding back the, as a rule, powdery substance such that the blocking membrane is not acted upon by the substance. The substance-free space, which is delimited by the blocking membrane and the retaining bottom, contains a small gas supply of, for example, air or nitrogen, which improves foam formation in a considerable manner.

The blocking membrane can be tearable or burstable exclusively under the effect of the internal pressure in the capsule. The advantage of this is that no mechanical means whatsoever have to be provided in order to release the outlet opening. Depending on the wall thickness, the fastening or support means of the blocking membrane, the opening operation is able to be controlled in a relatively precise manner in this case.

As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable for the blocking membrane to be penetratable as a result of penetration means which are arranged in the capsule or outside the capsule. As is already known from WO 2009/115475 A1 described above, it is possible to provide penetration elements in this case on the inside surface of the capsule which penetrate the blocking membrane as soon as it bows under the effect of the internal pressure. However, the penetration means can also be arranged on the capsule in such a manner that they are struck by the blocking membrane when the brewing chamber is closed in the beverage preparation machine. Finally, it is also possible for the penetration means to be associated with the beverage preparation machine and to penetrate the lid and the blocking membrane at the same time when the brewing chamber is closed.

The retaining bottom and the blocking membrane can be arranged in a plane-parallel manner with respect to one another. This is, however, not compulsory. The retaining bottom in particular could thus also be realized in a conical or convex manner.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the blocking membrane is fastened at its outside edge on a circumferential edge which is realized integrally with the bottom of the capsule and which extends inside the receiving shoulder. In this way, both the blocking membrane and the retaining bottom have in each case fastening lines associated with them. With regard to rational production, the blocking membrane can be inserted first followed by the retaining bottom.

Further advantages can be achieved when the blocking membrane is fastened in the center on a support body which is arranged co-axially with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the capsule and in particular to the outlet opening. It is particularly significant in this case for the blocking membrane not only to rest on the support body but also to be fixedly connected to said support body. Depending on the nature of the blocking membrane, this promotes the tearing or bursting thereof, in a circumferential region about the center of the capsule. The blocking membrane, in this case, is freely tensioned between the circumferential edge and the support body advantageously without support or fastening. In certain cases, however, it would also be conceivable for penetration elements, which penetrate when the blocking membrane bows, to be arranged on the bottom of the capsule below the blocking membrane.

Depending on the volume of the capsule and on the nature of the substance, the distance between the blocking membrane and the retaining bottom can vary greatly. In this case, a distance of between 0.1 and 6 mm has proved to be particularly advantageous.

Reinforcing ribs which extend in a star-shaped manner can be arranged on the bottom surface of the retaining bottom. However, reinforcing ribs are also conceivable on the top surface of the retaining bottom or on both sides. These types of ribs prevent a retaining bottom which is produced from plastics material from bowing too greatly under the effect of pressure and temperature .

The retaining bottom can be realized as a sieve bottom with a plurality of openings. The size and number of the openings, in this case, is oriented to the grain size of the substance to be held back and to the desired flow speed.

The retaining bottom can also be a component part of a cylindrical receiving cup for the substance. In this case, the substance obviously does not fill up the entire capsule body. Rather, a cavity or a ring-shaped cavity remains around the receiving cup. This can be utilized as an inflow chamber for the liquid or can, in turn, receive a second substance.

The receiving cup can be supported on the side wall of the capsule by way of a collar in the upper region which faces the lid. Said collar can be provided with openings such that liquid is also able to flow into the ring-shaped chamber below the collar. The upper edge of the receiving cup extends, in this case, beyond the point of attachment of the collar such that an upwardly open channel is formed between the collar and the upper edge. A space can remain between the upper edge and the lid in this case such that the substance in the receiving cup is also able to spread out in the channel above the collar.

The retaining bottom can, however, also be closed and be provided simply on its outer circumference with a plurality of slots or grooves. Said slots or grooves can be arranged, for example, in a skirt which is directed toward the bottom or toward the lid of the capsule. The slots or grooves promote the flow around the closed retaining bottom, it being possible to achieve strong shear forces depending on the structure. A retaining bottom which is closed in this manner is suitable, for example, for receiving milk powder for the formation of milk foam.

The blocking membrane can consist of a film produced from aluminum or from an aluminum alloy. A wall thickness of between 0.01 and 0.4 mm has proved to be particularly advantageous under the internal pressure of up to 20 bar which occurs in a beverage machine. The blocking membrane could obviously also consist of a plastics material or a laminate. The blocking membrane can also be realized as an actual bursting disk produced from plastics material. In such a case, the wall thickness is, for example, between 0.005 and 0.4 mm.

Independent of the nature of the blocking membrane, it can be particularly advantageous when said blocking membrane comprises one or several predetermined breaking points. In this way, openings can be created in a very targeted manner and can produce specific flow conditions . A particularly advantageous assembly of the retaining bottom can be achieved when a gripping part is arranged on the side facing the lid. This can consist, for example, of ribs which are arranged in a star-shaped manner, by way of which more rigidity of the retaining bottom is additionally produced.

Further advantages can be achieved when the blocking membrane is fastened in the center on a support body, which is arranged over the outlet opening and on the outer circumference of which are preferably arranged slot-shaped openings, which extend from the support plane of the blocking membrane toward the bottom. As a result, once the blocking membrane has been torn, the liquid flows down concentrically toward the support body into the outlet opening. The portions of the blocking membrane still remaining on the support body form a delimitation upward to the flow.

In addition, the support body can be surrounded by a baffle wall which is provided with openings, wherein the openings in the baffle wall are arranged radially offset with respect to the openings in the support body. Said arrangement achieves a turbulent outflowing of the liquid toward the outlet opening, particularly good blending being effected. Foam formation, in this case, is promoted by the air supply present in the substance-free space. In a particularly advantageous manner, the blocking membrane is also fastened fixedly to the upper edge of the baffle wall such that the ring-shaped chamber between the support body and the baffle wall on the top surface remains delimited by the blocking membrane even once it has been torn into.

The invention also relates to a system comprising an above-described capsule as well as to a beverage preparation machine having a receiving chamber for the capsule and having means for penetrating the lid and/or the blocking membrane of the capsule and for conducting a liquid under pressure through the capsule. In this case, it is insignificant whether the liquid is injected into the interior of the capsule, for example by means of a hollow needle, or whether the liquid is pressed through a plurality of perforation openings.

Further individual features and advantages of the invention are produced from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which : figure 1 shows an exterior view of a capsule according to the invention, figure 2 shows a cross section through the capsule according to figure 1 with a receiving cup which is sealed by the lid, figure 3 shows a cross section through a modified exemplary embodiment with a receiving cup which is sealed by a filter film, figure 4 shows a cross section through a modified exemplary embodiment of a capsule with an incorporated riser pipe, figure 5 shows a cross section through a modified exemplary embodiment of a capsule with a simple sieve bottom, figure 6 shows a cross section through a modified exemplary embodiment of a capsule with an incorporated retaining cage, figure 7 shows an exploded drawing of a further exemplary embodiment of a capsule with a receiving cup and a bursting disk, figure 8 shows a cross section through the assembled capsule according to figure 7, figure 9 shows a perspective representation of a part sectional view of the capsule according to figure 8, figure 10 shows a cross section through a modified exemplary embodiment of the capsule according to figure 8, figure 11 shows a perspective representation of a cross sectional view through a capsule with a closed retaining bottom, figure 12 shows a perspective part representation of the retaining bottom in the capsule according to figure 11, figure 13 shows the capsule according to figure 11 with the retaining bottom removed, figure 14 shows the capsule according to figure 13 with the blocking membrane removed. figure 15 shows a perspective representation of a retaining bottom realized as a sieve bottom, figure 16 shows a perspective representation of a cross sectional view through a capsule with an alternatively developed receiving cup, figure 17 shows a perspective part representation of the receiving cup in the capsule according to figure 16, figure 18 shows a perspective representation of a capsule body with an alternatively developed support body, figure 19 shows a greatly enlarged cross section through the support body in the capsule according to figure 18, figure 20 shows a perspective representation of a cross sectional view through a capsule with an alternatively developed support body, figure 21 shows an enlarged perspective representation of the support body according to figure 20.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, a capsule 1 consists of a capsule body 2, for example produced from plastics material, which comprises a side wall 3 and a bottom 4. A pipe connector 23 with an outlet opening 8 is arranged on the bottom 4 in a coaxial manner with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the capsule. In the present case, the pipe connector 23 is additionally connected to the bottom 4 by means of reinforcing ribs 24. A circumferential edge 22, on which a lid 5 is fixed, is arranged at the top end of the side wall 3.

Additionally, arranged on the bottom 4 is a circular receiving shoulder 10 which is formed by an indentation 25 in the bottom. A pipe connector 23, in the cross section of which a baffle plate 26 is held, extends downward from the indentation. The pipe connector 23 opens out into the outlet opening 8.

The capsule body 2 entirely surrounds a chamber 6 which is able to receive a substance 7. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, said substance is held inside a receiving cup 17 which is realized integrally with a retaining bottom 11. Said retaining bottom is developed as a sieve bottom with sieve openings. A circumferential snap-type edge 28, by means of which the entire receiving cup is latched into the receiving shoulder 10, is arranged below the retaining bottom. The upper edge of the receiving cup is welded in a circumferential manner to the lid 5. In addition, vertical slots 27, by means of which a liquid injected into the outer ring-shaped chamber is able to penetrate into the interior of the receiving cup, are provided in a circumferential manner on the upper edge. A blocking membrane 9 in the form of a film is fastened on the bottom of the indentation 25 and over the outlet opening 8. A substance-free space 12 is formed between the blocking membrane 9 and the retaining bottom 11 in this way. A liquid introduced into the chamber 6 on the inlet side traverses the substance 7 and the perforated retaining bottom 11 and then causes the blocking membrane 9 to tear open.

The exemplary embodiment according to figure 3 differs from that according to figure 2 mainly as a result of the receiving cup 17 not being sealed at the upper end by the lid 5, but by a separate filter film 29 which is able to be traversed by the liquid. The lid 5, which is curved inward somewhat, rests loosely on said filter film. Another circumferential sealing lip 30, which presses laterally against the receiving cup 17 and thus brings about improved sealing, is arranged in addition on the bottom 4. Even the pipe connector 23 with the incorporated baffle plate 26 has a somewhat different configuration .

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 4, the retaining bottom 11 is realized substantially as a closed plate. An overflow pipe 31, the upper end of which is sealed by means of a predetermined breaking point 32, is arranged in the center. Said predetermined breaking point can be realized, for example, as a slot or as a cross slot.

The bottom 4 of the capsule is realized in practically the same manner as in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 3. A liquid introduced into the chamber 6 through the lid 5 traverses the substance 7 and initially causes the predetermined breaking point 32 to burst open. The liquid subsequently flows through the overflow pipe 31 into the substance-free space 12 and then causes the blocking membrane 9 to tear before it flows away through the outlet opening 8.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 5, the retaining bottom 11 is realized just as a simple sieve bottom with openings 16. The anchoring in the bottom 4 is effected in the same way as in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 3.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 6, a cage 34 which is provided with openings is arranged on the closed retaining floor 11 in place of the overflow pipe. A soft capsule 35 filled, for example, with flavorings is held in said cage. The rest of the arrangement is identical to the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 4. A liquid introduced into the chamber 6 initially traverses the substance 7 and then penetrates into the cage 34 where the soft capsule is dissolved. The thus formed mixture made up of extract and substances from the capsule then flows down into the substance-free space 12 and causes the blocking membrane 9 to tear.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figures 7 to 9, the blocking membrane is realized as an actual bursting disk with predetermined breaking points 20. Said disk produced from plastics material rests on the bottom of the indentation 25 and is sealingly connected to the same at the outer circumference. In order to prevent the disk bowing, it additionally has on the bottom surface supporting means 36 which are also supported on the bottom of the indentation. The engaged receiving cup 17 is realized in a similar manner to that according to figure 2. Here too, the lid 5 is connected directly to the upper edge of the receiving cup and the liquid penetrates through lateral slots 27. When the interior pressure builds up, the blocking membrane, which is realized as a bursting disk, is only opened precisely in the region of the predetermined breaking points 20 which are arranged in a star-shaped manner in the case of the present exemplary embodiment. Here too, however, a substance-free space 12 is obviously formed.

The exemplary embodiment according to figure 10 is realized in the same manner, with regard to the nature of the blocking membrane 9, as in the case of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, only a simple retaining bottom 11, which is developed as a sieve bottom, is incorporated in place of the receiving cup, in a similar manner to in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 5.

The exemplary embodiment according to figures 11 to 14 shows an arrangement where the blocking membrane 9 is connected to a support body 14 in the center. On the outer circumference, the blocking membrane is fixedly connected to a circumferential edge 13 which is realized integrally with the bottom 4 of the capsule. The blocking membrane 9 is freely tensioned between said circumferential edge 13 and the support body 14. The support body 14 is realized in a star-shaped manner here. Under the effect of the interior pressure, the tearing stress in the blocking membrane 9 increases sharply along the outside edge of the support body 14 until the blocking membrane tears and the resultant tears continue toward the circumferential edge 13.

The circumferential edge 13 is arranged inside the receiving shoulder 10 and is somewhat lower than said receiving shoulder. The retaining bottom 11, here, is realized completely closed without any sieve structure and is provided with a circumferential skirt 18 on the outer circumference. Vertical grooves 19, which extend up to the transition region between the skirt and the retaining bottom, are arranged at regular intervals in said skirt. A gripping piece 21, which facilitates assembly and at the same time brings about rigidity, is also arranged on the side of the retaining bottom facing the lid. A circumferential intermediate rib 33, the upper end face of which abuts against a corresponding rib on the retaining bottom 11, is arranged between the receiving shoulder 10 and the edge 13.

In figure 14, which only shows the capsule body 2, it is easy to see the star-like configuration of the support body 14. In addition, it can be seen that at the lowermost point of the capsule bottom 4 the outlet opening 8 is surrounded by blade-like segments 37 which lend a swirling action to the outflowing liquid. A liquid introduced into the chamber 6 initially penetrates through the grooves 19 as far as into the region of the latching connection on the receiving shoulder 10 and traverses the shearing gap line. The butt joint on the end face of the intermediate rib 33 is then pressed and the liquid mixed with the substance penetrates into the substance-free space 12 between the blocking membrane 9 and the retaining bottom 11. The blocking membrane 9 then tears and the mixture flows out of the outlet opening 8. Said arrangement is suitable for substances which form a solution or a mixture with the traversing liquid, such as, for example, milk powder or chocolate powder. Figure 15 shows a retaining bottom 11 which can be inserted into the capsule body 2 according to figure 11 and which is realized, however, as a sieve bottom with openings 16. A gripping part 21 is provided in this case also.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figures 16 and 17, a receiving cup 17, which is provided, however, with a circumferential collar 38 on the outside surface in the upper region, is inserted into the capsule body 2 or into the receiving shoulder 10. Said collar is supported on the side wall 3 of the capsule and is additionally provided with openings 39. The retaining bottom 11 is realized as a sieve bottom with openings 16 and additionally with reinforcing ribs 15 on both sides. The capsule body 2 is realized substantially in the same manner as in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figure 11. The lid, which is not shown here, rests loosely on the upper edge of the receiving cup 17 or is, where applicable, detachably connected to the same under pressure. In addition, inlet slots 27 can also be provided on the upper edge. A liquid introduced into the region above the collar 38 penetrates, on the one hand, through the openings 39 into the circumferential ring-shaped chamber outside the receiving cup 17 and, on the other hand, into the interior of the receiving cup 17. The collar, in this case, has the function of a flow brake. The liquid then penetrates through the substance in the receiving cup and through the perforated retaining bottom 11 into the substance-free space 12 between the blocking membrane 9 and the retaining bottom 11.

The capsule body 2 according to figure 18 corresponds substantially to that according to figure 16. The support body 14, in this case, however, is not developed in a star-shaped manner, but in a slightly frusto-conical manner with vertical slots 40 which extend up to the contact surface of the blocking membrane 9. As a result, when viewed from above, a gearwheel-like edge region is also formed, at which the blocking membrane 9 is able to tear under the effect of pressure. As can be seen in figure 19, a flow element 41 also extends in the center as far as into the pipe connector 23. The compartment-like segments 37, which promote a swirl-like flow, can be seen, in turn, from figure 18.

The capsule according to figures 20 and 21 is designed in a similar manner to that according to figure 16. A receiving cup 17, which is provided with a sieve bottom 11, is engaged in an indentation in the capsule bottom. The sieve bottom is reinforced by means of reinforcing ribs 15 which extend in a star-shaped manner. In the upper region facing the lid 5, the receiving cup is supported on the side wall 3 by means of a trumpetshaped collar 38. The upper edge of the cup, in this case, extends beyond the attachment point of the collar. The lid 5, however, is arranged at a spacing from the upper edge of the collar such that the substance in the receiving cup 17 is also able to spread out into the ring-shaped channel above the collar 38.

The support body 14, in the case of said exemplary embodiment, is provided, in a similar manner as in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to figures 18 and 19, with slots 40 which are arranged at regular spacings on the outer circumference.

For reasons of better clarity, the blocking membrane 9 is not shown in figure 20 and in figure 21 is partially broken open. It can be seen in this case that the support body 14 is surrounded by a baffle wall 42 in which slots 43 are also arranged. The baffle wall, in this case, has the appearance of a battlement with battlement crenels arranged therein. The slots 43 in the baffle wall are arranged radially offset with respect to the slots 40 in the support body 14, as a result of which the flow is forced into turbulence. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, eight slots are arranged in each case in the support body and in the baffle wall. Said number could obviously be amended depending on the application and it would additionally be conceivable for the number of slots in the support body not to match the number of slots in the baffle wall.

The blocking membrane 9 is fixed, for example welded or sealed, both on the surface of the support body 14 and on the upper edge of the baffle wall 42. The blocking membrane 9 is connected to the surface of the circumferential edge 13 on the outer circumference.

Claims

Claims

1. A capsule (1) comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body (2) having a side wall (3) and having a bottom (4), which is realized integrally with said side wall, as well as a lid (5), which covers the capsule body, for forming at least one chamber (6) which contains a substance (7) for the preparation of a liquid foodstuff, wherein for conducting a liquid through the chamber, the lid forms an inlet side and the bottom forms an outlet side with at least one outlet opening (8), characterized in that the side wall (3) or the bottom (4) comprises an, in particular, circular receiving shoulder (10), on which a retaining bottom (11), which holds back the substance (7) and is traversable or can be flowed around by the liquid, is held, in particular latched-in or inserted, and in that a tearable and/or penetratable blocking membrane (9) is arranged between the retaining bottom (11) and the outlet opening (8) as well as at a spacing from the retaining bottom (11), wherein a substance free space (12) remains between the retaining bottom (11) and the blocking membrane (9) .
2. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the blocking membrane is tearable under internal pressure in the capsule.
3. The capsule as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking membrane is penetratable as a result of penetration means arranged in the capsule or outside the capsule.
4. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining bottom (11) and the blocking membrane (9) are arranged in a plane-parallel manner with respect to one another.
5. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) is fastened at its outside edge on a circumferential edge (13) which is realized integrally with the bottom (4) of the capsule and which extends inside the receiving shoulder (10).
6. The capsule as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) is fastened in the center on a support body (14) which is arranged co-axially with respect to the outlet opening (8).
7. The capsule as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) is freely tensioned between the circumferential edge (13) and the support body (14) without support or fastening .
8. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distance between the blocking membrane (9) and the retaining bottom (11) is at least between 0.1 and 6 mm.
9. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that reinforcing ribs (15) which preferably extend in a star-shaped manner are arranged on the bottom surface of the retaining bottom (11).
10. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the retaining bottom (11) is a sieve bottom with a plurality of openings (16).
11. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the retaining bottom (11) is a component part of a cylindrical receiving cup (17) for the substance (7) .
12. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the retaining bottom (11) is closed and is provided with a plurality of slots or grooves on its outer circumference.
13. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) consists of a film produced from aluminum or from an aluminum alloy and in that it comprises a wall thickness of between 0.01 and 0.4 mm.
14. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) consists of plastics material and in that it comprises a wall thickness of between 0.005 and 0.4 mm.
15. The capsule as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) comprises one or several predetermined breaking points (20).
16. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a gripping part (21) is arranged on the side of the retaining bottom (11) facing the lid.
17. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the blocking membrane (9) is fastened in the center on a support body (14) which is arranged over the outlet opening (8) and on the outer circumference of which are preferably arranged slot-shaped openings (40) which extend from the support plane of the blocking membrane toward the bottom.
18. The capsule as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the support body (14) is surrounded by a baffle wall (42) which is provided with openings (43), wherein the openings in the baffle wall are arranged radially offset with respect to the openings (40) of the support body (14) and wherein the blocking membrane (9) is preferably fastened on the upper edge of the baffle wall.
19. A system including a capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 18 as well as a beverage preparation machine having a receiving chamber for the capsule, as well as having means for penetrating the lid and/or the blocking membrane of the capsule and for conducting a liquid under pressure through the capsule.