EP4301672A1

EP4301672A1 - Biodegradable single-serve capsule

Info

Publication number: EP4301672A1
Application number: EP22710103.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Kuhl
Original assignee: Tchibo GmbH
Current assignee: Tchibo GmbH
Priority date: 2021-03-05
Filing date: 2022-03-04
Publication date: 2024-01-10
Also published as: CN116963966A; EP4053038A1; AU2022231389A1; US20240140691A1; BR112023017766A2; KR20240007122A; WO2022184914A1; JP2024508169A

Abstract

The invention falls within the field of devices and methods for preparing beverages, more particularly coffee, by use of a single-serve capsule and relates to a single-serve capsule, to a beverage-preparing machine matched to the single-serve capsule, and to a method for operating a beverage-preparing machine by use of the single-serve capsule. A single-serve capsule according to the invention comprises a peripheral side wall (3), a first cover element (4) and a second cover element (8). The peripheral side wall (3), the first cover element (4) and the second cover element (8) form a closed interior (7). The first cover element (4) and/or the second cover element (8) has a dome (15) directed into the interior (7). At least the cover element having the dome (15) is made of a biodegradable material.

Description

BIODEGRADABLE PORTION CAPSULES

The invention is in the field of devices and methods for preparing beverages by means of liquid introduced into a beverage capsule, the beverage capsule containing a soluble food substance from which a beverage or beverage ingredient can be prepared by injecting water. The invention is located in particular in the field of preparing coffee using a coffee capsule. The invention particularly relates to a portion capsule, a beverage preparation machine matched to the portion capsule according to the invention, and a method for operating a beverage preparation machine using a portion capsule according to the invention.

Among the systems for preparing beverages, the so-called coffee capsule systems are known (they also exist in variants for preparing tea), in which hot water is generally introduced into a capsule, usually under pressure, in order to prepare a coffee or tea beverage by extraction. The capsule is often pierced on one side (injection side) to introduce the hot water. Various possibilities are known for discharging the brewed beverage, generally on the other side of the capsule (the extraction side). On the one hand, there are systems in which a piercing through corresponding perforation domes is also provided on the extraction side. On the other hand, systems are known in which an extraction-side limitation of the capsule is pierced or torn under the internal pressure during the brewing process, for which purpose a capsule-external (in the brewing chamber of the corresponding coffee machine) or a capsule-internal means can be present. Finally, there are also capsules which are already open, meaning that no capsule wall/membrane needs to be punctured or torn to drain the beverage.

The most common are capsules made from materials that are neither biodegradable nor renewable. The capsules consist to a large extent, for example, of aluminum or of plastic, for example polypropylene (PP). Such capsules can have advantageous properties both for storage (eg tightness, in particular air/oxygen impermeability) and for use (eg heat resistance, piercing behavior, etc.). A major disadvantage of these capsules is the waste that occurs after use or the high effort required to recycle the materials used in the capsules. The latter includes the collection of the capsules, which are generally used in the private sector, the transport of the same to recycling plants and the recycling process itself. In other words, even recycling requires considerable resources (time, energy, but also transport costs) that can in turn pollute the environment (e.g. CO ₂ emissions during transport and to obtain the energy required for recycling). Furthermore, the extraction material contained in the capsule is usually lost during reprocessing.

The use of less resource-intensive materials for portion capsules is known per se. In particular, the use of bio-plastics has been discussed. On the one hand, this refers to plastics that are made from a renewable raw material (so-called bio-based plastics). On the other hand, bio-plastics are plastics that are biodegradable (so-called biodegradable plastics).

In this text, “biodegradable” means biodegradable according to the EN13432 standard (status: end of 2019), and “bio-based” means “made from renewable raw materials, not on a fossil basis”. In addition to the use of biodegradable and/or bio-based plastics, composite materials have been and are being developed in the packaging industry that are biodegradable and/or bio-based and have a proportion of bio-based additives. Here forms a biodegradable and / or bio-based plastic in the

Usually the plastic component (also called plastic matrix) and a bio-based additive form the filler.

US 2018/0127554 A1, US 2012/0071591 A1 and J Mater Sci (2018) 53:10920-10932 provide an overview of such composite materials that are suitable for use in packaging in the food industry, among other things. In general, bio-plastics such as polylactide (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalta (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) form the plastic component, while various bio-based fillers are discussed.

As an alternative to bio-plastics and the composite materials mentioned, in which a bio-plastic is used in combination with a bio-based filler, for example, the use of packaging that consists entirely or largely of a bio-based material has been proposed. For example, WO 2015/170358 A2 teaches the use of materials obtained from wood for containers and capsules.

It has been shown that the bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials mentioned above are only of limited use in portion capsules. A disadvantage of the bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials mentioned is that they have physical properties, for example tightness, in particular air/oxygen impermeability, heat resistance, SStteeiiffhheeiitt ooddeerr brittleness (piercing behavior), which are necessary for use in portion capsules and the associated associated preparation process are unsuitable. In particular, they are different in terms of physical properties and with a view to use in portion capsules and the associated preparation process inferior material. Adjusting the physical properties of the bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials for use in portion capsules would - if such an adjustment should be possible at all - result in the base material of the portion capsule, i.e. the bio-plastic used, the composite material used or the bio-based material used, would be complex and expensive to manufacture.

For example, WO 2017/186743 A1 teaches the use of a bio-material for coffee and tea capsules, among other things, the bio-material containing a biodegradable plastic and sunflower seed shells or

includes sunflower seed pods. The sunflower seed shells

Sunflower seed pods must be processed prior to compounding with the biodegradable plastic. In particular, in addition to the actual extraction of the sunflower seed shells or sunflower seed pods, crushing, drying and de-oiling are necessary. According to the teaching of WO 2017/186743 A1, said bio-material has physical properties that make it better suited for use in coffee capsules or tea capsules in particular than other biodegradable plastics.

Other approaches according to the prior art aim to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages resulting from the physical properties of bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials in a different way, i.e. not by adjusting the properties, in order to still be able to use these materials in To be able to use portion capsules. As a rule, these approaches considerably increase the effort involved in producing the portion capsule.

DE 202016104950 Ul teaches a hermetically sealable portion pack or a hermetically sealable portion bag with a biodegradable capsule or a biodegradable pad, the portion pack or the portion bag consisting entirely of biodegradable material. The pack, or sachet, consists of two films bonded together to bring the physical properties closer to the needs of the environment to bring portion capsules. In other words, the disadvantages inherent in bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials when used in portion capsules are mitigated somewhat by placing the portion capsule in a multi-layer pack or bag, with the layers ensuring that the overall system "pack/bag and portion capsule", have properties that allow use in the field of beverage preparation.

WO 2011/015973 A1 teaches a capsule that consists entirely of biodegradable material, with the implementation of the capsule-closing membrane being at the forefront of the teaching of WO 2011/015973 A1. The membrane is reinforced by an additional element to allow use of the biodegradable material used in the field of beverage preparation.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art portion capsules.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a portion capsule made of a biodegradable base material which can compete better with portion capsules made of other materials both in terms of physical properties and in terms of production. The "other" materials can in particular

• be non-biodegradable or substantially non-biodegradable; and or

• be more complex in terms of material production; and or

• be such that for use in portion capsules, disadvantageous properties are compensated for by additional elements of the portion capsule or by elements that are additional to the portion capsule. That means that the "other" materials can be such that the capsule production is more complex.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a portion capsule made of a base material that performs better than portion capsules made of biodegradable material according to the prior art in an overall consideration, which includes physical properties and effort involved in production.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a beverage preparation machine matched to the portion capsule according to the invention and a method for operating a beverage preparation machine using a portion capsule according to the invention.

A disadvantage that prevents the use of many biodegradable materials, such as the bio-plastics, composites and bio-based materials mentioned above, in portion capsules for beverage preparation is their puncture behavior during the preparation process. This disadvantage in particular is reduced by a portion capsule according to the invention.

Many biodegradable materials are brittle compared to other materials used in portion capsules, such as aluminum. This means that the portion capsules are pierced prematurely by the injection-side piercing device and/or extraction-side piercing device, i.e. too early in the preparation process, in particular before the water pressure required for the desired extraction and/or the temperature required for the desired extraction is present.

In contrast to approaches according to the prior art, for example WO 2017/186743 A1 or the document US 2018/0127554 A1, which does not relate to portion capsules, the physical properties of many biodegradable materials that are problematic in relation to the piercing behavior are The present invention is not addressed, or not only by appropriate adjustment of the materials via their composition, but via the shape and behavior of parts of the portion capsule during the preparation process. In other words, the portion capsule according to the invention has structural features that reduce the disadvantages of using biodegradable materials for portion capsules.

The use of structural features to impart a specific property to a portion capsule is nothing new in itself and is particularly used in portion capsules that are neither biodegradable nor contain renewable raw materials. For example, US 2020/0180856 A1, WO 2005/066040 A2, DE 20 2005021 174 A1 and DE 10 2012 105 282 A1 disclose portion capsules with specific structural features. However, the structural features disclosed in the prior art are not

Features designed to compensate for problematic properties of biodegradable material used.

A portion capsule according to the invention has a peripheral side wall, a first cover element and a second cover element, the peripheral side wall, the first cover element and the second cover element being arranged relative to one another such that a closed interior space is formed.

The first cover element or the second cover element has a bulge directed into the interior, the cover element having the bulge being made of a biodegradable material.

In one embodiment, both cover elements have a curvature in one of the embodiments described below. Correspondingly, both cover elements can also be made of a biodegradable material.

In one embodiment, the cover element having the curvature and the peripheral side wall are made of a biodegradable material. In particular, the cover element having the curvature and the peripheral side wall can be made of the same biodegradable material. This can be the case in particular when said cover element and the peripheral side wall form the base element described below.

In one embodiment, the first cover element, the second cover element and the peripheral side wall are made from a biodegradable material, in particular from the same biodegradable material. Optionally, further elements of the portion capsule, for example the filter element described below, can be made of a biodegradable material.

In one embodiment, the entire portion capsule is made from a biodegradable material. Optionally, the entire portion capsule can be made from the same biodegradable material.

As a rule, the first cover element is a base element and the second cover element is a cover element of the portion capsule, or vice versa.

In many embodiments, the peripheral side wall and one of the two cover elements, for example the first cover element, particularly if it is a base element, form a base element of the portion capsule. In other words, the portion capsule has a base element that encompasses the peripheral side wall and one of the two cover elements.

The other of the two cover elements, for example the second cover element, in particular if it is a cover element, is then attached to the base element in such a way that the base element and the other of the two cover elements form the interior.

For example, the base element can form a circumferential flange and the other of the two cover elements, ie the cover element that is not part of the base element, can be attached to the base element along the circumferential flange. In contrast to the cover element, which is not part of the base element, the cover element, which is part of the base element, is usually already connected to the peripheral side wall when it is formed. In particular, the base element can be formed in one piece.

In one embodiment, the base element has the curvature. That is, that cover element which is part of the base element has the curvature.

The cover element having the curvature or the base element, if the cover element having the curvature is part of the base element, can be shaped in a manner known for the production of portion capsules, in particular by injection molding or deep drawing. When using such production methods, the production of a portion capsule according to the invention is not, or at least not significantly more complex or expensive than the production of portion capsules according to the prior art, which are not biodegradable, and it becomes simpler and cheaper than the production of biodegradable portion capsules, in which the physical properties that are disadvantageous for use in a portion capsule are not compensated according to the invention.

The bulge is in particular a bulge that is visible when the capsule is viewed from the outside.

The bulge is in particular a bulge which extends in the direction of the interior from a plane which is defined by a peripheral transition region from the cover element which has the bulge to the peripheral side wall.

The preparation of a brewed beverage using a portion capsule according to the invention takes place in a beverage preparation machine which has a brewing module. The brewing module comprises a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part that can be moved relative to this, it being possible for the first and second brewing module parts to form a brewing chamber which is in a brewing position located portion capsule at least partially surrounds during the brewing process. The brewing module is set up to brew a brewed beverage by introducing a brewing liquid into the portion capsule and to drain it from the brewing module. For this purpose, the brewing module has a piercing device on the injection side and a piercing device on the extraction side.

In beverage preparation machines of this type, a portion capsule placed in the open brewing chamber reaches the brewing position by the second brewing module part being moved along an axis of the brewing chamber towards the first brewing module part. In beverage preparation machines according to the prior art, the piercing device on the injection side comes into contact with the cover element through which the brewing liquid is introduced into the portion capsule, and the piercing device on the extraction side comes into contact with the cover element through which the brewed beverage is drained. When making contact, the injection-side piercing device exerts a force on the corresponding cover element, which causes one (or more) injection-side piercing tip to pierce the cover element. At the same time, at least one extraction-side piercing tip of the extraction-side piercing device exerts a force on the corresponding cover element, which leads to a deformation of the cover element, but not to its piercing. The perforation itself only takes place, at least in the case of high-quality beverage preparation systems and portion capsules tailored to them, when the pressure in the interior is suitable for the brewing process. Otherwise, for example, in a first phase of the preparation process, a brewed beverage would be produced that is of insufficient quality because the parameters required for the brewing process, in particular pressure, temperature and flow rate, do not prevail in the interior and the brewed beverage would still be derived from the portion capsule.

Now, if the cover element over which the brewed beverage is drained is made of a biodegradable material, the force that occurs when the brewing module is closed, i.e. when the portion capsule moves into the brewing position, occurs, lead to the cover element over which the brewed beverage is drained being punctured. This is because the physical properties of the biodegradable material, particularly its brittleness, favor tearing of the cover member.

Due to this fact, when preparing a scalded beverage using a portion capsule, the curvature of a portion capsule according to the invention can in particular extend so far into the interior, ie extend away from the aforementioned plane that the extraction-side

Piercing device, in particular a piercing tip of the same, cannot pierce the cover element in the area of the curvature or cannot pierce it to the extent that would be necessary for the drainage of the brewed beverage. In other words, during the transition to the brewing position, the cover element only comes into contact with the end region of the piercing device that projects into the brewing chamber, for example only with the end region of the piercing tip that projects into the brewing chamber, or the cover element does not come into contact with the piercing device at all, but rather with the piercing device only comes to rest within the curvature.

In a method for operating a beverage preparation machine tailored to a portion capsule according to the invention, the piercing device on the extraction side, in particular a piercing tip thereof, penetrates the corresponding cover element in a manner suitable for draining a brewed beverage from the portion capsule only when the minimum pressure required for the brewing process is in the interior of the portion capsule, in that this pressure ensures that the bulge flattens out. In other words, the portion capsule and a beverage preparation machine that is matched to it, in particular its brewing module, are set up such that the cover element, which has the curvature at the beginning and which is suitable for discharging the brewed beverage from the portion capsule, is only punctured when a minimum for the brewing process required pressure is present in the interior of the portion capsule, in that this pressure ensures that the bulge flattens out. The flattening of the curvature represents a deformation of that cover element which has the original curvature before the portion capsule is inserted into the brewing chamber. The deformation can go beyond a simple flattening of the bulge and can include the following, for example: folding over the cover element or a part thereof and/or forming a

Collection area and / or the formation of a topography that directs the scalded beverage to a point at which the scalded beverage is derived from the capsule interior favored.

Whether and how far the cover element showing the curvature is pierced when the portion capsule is in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet started can depend on the selected way in which the brewed beverage is derived from the portion capsule:

• If the extraction-side diversion device is set up to divert the brewed beverage via one or more extraction-side piercing tips by having a channel on the inside and one or more channel openings through which the brewed beverage can get into the channel below, the extraction-side piercing tip can pierce the cover element, whereby the piercing tip does not protrude so far into the interior of the capsule that the channel opening comes to rest in the interior of the capsule.

Of course, in the case of an extraction-side piercing device with a channel underneath and channel openings, piercing the cover element can be dispensed with entirely.

• If the extraction-side diversion device is set up to divert the brewed beverage around the piercing tip or spikes, the curvature and the extraction-side piercing tip(s) should be matched in such a way that the extraction-side piercing tip(s) does not or does not cover the cover element only rudimentarily pierced (pierced). • If the extraction-side piercing tip(s) only serve(s) to open the capsule and otherwise do not directly contribute(s) to the drainage of the brewed beverage, the dome and the extraction-side piercing tip(s) should be such be matched so that the extraction-side piercing tip(s) does not pierce (pierce) the cover element.

Whether and to what extent the piercing tip on the extraction side pierces the cover element, which has the curvature when the portion capsule is in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet started, generally depends on the configuration of the curvature and the piercing device on the extraction side, in particular on how far the extraction-side piercing tip(s) protrudes into the brewing chamber.

In particular, the bulge flattens out when the portion of the cover member that constitutes the bulge moves in the direction of the plane defined by a peripheral transition area from the cover member having the bulge to the peripheral side wall. In other words, the bulge flattens out in particular when the area of the cover element that makes up the bulge moves in the direction of the piercing device.

The cover element can be set up such that the flattening only begins when a certain pressure is present in the interior. This can be implemented, for example, using at least one of the following measures: the curvature of the arch; the thickness (thickness) of the decking member; the material of the cover element; an element, in particular an element of the cover element, which changes from a first state to a second state when a certain force is applied.

The flattening can end in a folding over of the original curvature, at least in a partial area of the original curvature. This means that at least a partial area of the cover element, which was part of the original curvature, can be curved outwards, ie away from the interior, after the flattening. The flattening can take place partially or completely by means of an element of the portion capsule which is arranged in the interior and which can exert a force on the cover element.

In one embodiment, the portion capsule has a filter element arranged in the interior, which separates an extraction material area from the first cover element or from the second cover element, with that cover element which is separated from the extraction material area by the filter element having the curvature directed into the inner space.

The filter element can be arranged in the inner space in such a way that it can move in the direction of the cover element, which has the curvature, and can exert a force on this.

In one embodiment of the portion capsule with filter element, the portion capsule has a positioning device for the filter element, which is arranged relative to the filter element in such a way that a movement of the filter element in the direction of the cover element, which passes through the filter element from the

Extraction material area is separated, that is, is not prevented in the direction of the cover element, which has the curvature.

In other words, the positioning device allows the filter element to move toward the cover element, which has the curvature.

The positioning device can additionally be arranged relative to the filter element in such a way that movement of the filter element in the direction of that cover element which is not separated from the extraction material region by the filter element is prevented.

Embodiments of the portion capsule with a filter element and optionally with a positioning device for the filter element can additionally have at least one of the following features: • The filter element separates the extraction material area from a collection area in order to prevent extraction material from getting into the drained brewed beverage in an undesired manner.

The collection area can be delimited by the cover element, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, and a surface of the filter element directed towards this cover element.

The cover element, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, can also have a shape after the flattening of the curvature, which is optionally accompanied, caused or partly caused by a movement of the filter element in the direction of said cover element lying collection area limited.

• The filter element can have a central element. This can include, for example, a projection of the filter element toward the extraction material area.

The portion capsule can be designed in such a way that the brewed beverage is only drained off via the central element.

The cover element, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, can also have a shape after the flattening of the curvature, which is optionally accompanied, caused or partly caused by a movement of the filter element in the direction of said cover element lying collecting area is generated, which enables the brewed beverage passing through the filter element to be fed to the central element.

For example, after it has been flattened out, the cover element can be curved outwards in the area of the central element, that is to say in the direction of the adjoining part of the brewing module. Alternatively or additionally, the cover element can have a topography after it has been flattened, in which the filter element does not lie flat on the cover element and/or in which the brewed beverage passing through the filter element is fed to the central element, for example by the brewed beverage passing through the filter element becoming the Central element is passed out.

In embodiments in which the filter element has the central element, the central element can be arranged in such a way that a piercing tip on the extraction side comes to rest in the central element when the curvature flattens out.

For example, the portion capsule can have a longitudinal axis which runs through the first and second cover element and about which the portion capsule is essentially rotationally symmetrical.

The crest of the curvature and the central element can then be arranged along an axis which runs parallel to said longitudinal axis.

After the portion capsule has been introduced into the brewing chamber, the attachment tip can also be arranged along said axis, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Particularly in embodiments in which the portion capsule has only one curvature, said axis, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis, can be the longitudinal axis itself.

• In the collection area, a plurality of spacers can be arranged, which limit the movement of the filter element in the direction of the cover element, which initially has the curvature. • The portion capsule can have a distribution element. This is arranged in the interior and delimits the extraction material area towards an injection side, so that a distribution area is defined in the interior of the capsule.

As already mentioned, the portion capsule can extend along a longitudinal axis, which is an axis of symmetry of the portion capsule. As a rule, the longitudinal axis runs through the first and second cover element, or through the base element and the cover element, or through the surface that is pierced for the purpose of extraction and injection.

The portion capsule can be shaped in such a way that it is rotationally symmetrical at any angle of rotation about the longitudinal axis.

However, the portion capsule can also be shaped in such a way that it is rotationally symmetrical only at certain angles of rotation, for example at an angle of rotation of 90 or 180 degrees.

In one embodiment, the portion capsule has a rectangular, in particular square, basic shape.

Each of the embodiments of the portion capsule described above and below can have one of the basic shapes just described.

The portion capsule according to any embodiment can have features that correspond to or are matched to features of the beverage preparation machine and/or the method described below.

The invention also relates to a beverage preparation machine which is optimized for use of a portion capsule according to the invention in any embodiment.

As can be seen from the above, the beverage preparation machine has a brewing module comprising a first brewing module part and a part that can be moved relative to this second brewing module part, wherein a brewing chamber can be formed by the first and second brewing module part, which at least partially surrounds the portion capsule located in a brewing position during the brewing process. The brewing module is set up to brew a brewed beverage by introducing a brewing liquid into the portion capsule and to derive this from the brewing module via a piercing device on the extraction side.

The brewing chamber is formed by a wall of the first and/or second brewing module part and a piercing tip on the extraction side of the piercing device on the extraction side is arranged in a depression in the wall.

The depression of the wall extends in particular laterally to an axial axis of the extraction-side piercing tip and beyond a width of the extraction-side piercing tip, the width of the extraction-side piercing tip being an extension of the extraction-side piercing tip in a direction that is lateral to the axial axis of the extraction-side piercing tip.

In other words, the indentation is not only formed by the end of a bore on the brewing chamber side, which is used to guide the piercing tip on the extraction side into the brewing chamber and which is matched to the width of the piercing tip on the extraction side, but the indentation forms an indentation in the wall that extends over the hole required to carry out the extraction-side piercing tip.

This shape of the brewing chamber in the area of the extraction-side piercing device ensures that the curvature of the cover element of the portion capsule, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, can deform in a way that the deformation includes a flattening of the curvature, which precludes the portion capsule from returning to its original shape, having the original curvature, or a comparable shape during the preparation process. In particular, the aforementioned shape of the brewing chamber allows the curvature to be folded over from the curvature directed into the interior space into a curvature projecting into the depression in the wall.

Furthermore, the stated shape of the brewing chamber allows the cover element to protrude outwards after its deformation in the area of the attachment tip, which also contributes to

Embodiments of the portion capsule with a filter element that can move in the direction of the cover element, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, forms a collection area.

In embodiments, the beverage preparation machine has at least one of the following features:

• The wall of the brewing chamber, which faces the cover element, which has the curvature at the beginning of the preparation process, when the portion capsule is inserted, can have a topography that promotes the drainage of the brewed beverage if the cover element adopts this topography after changing its shape.

In particular, the topography can be such that the filter element does not lie flat on the cover element and/or that feeding of the brewed beverage passing through the filter element to a central element of the filter element is promoted, for example by brewed beverage passing through the filter element being guided towards the central element .

• The piercing tip on the extraction side protrudes beyond an edge of the depression into the brewing chamber. This means that the piercing tip on the extraction side is not countersunk in the recess, but protrudes from it.

The beverage preparation machine according to any embodiment can have features that correspond to or are matched to features of the portion capsule and/or the method described below. The invention also relates to a method for operating a beverage preparation machine using a portion capsule according to the invention.

As can be seen from the above, the method has a step of providing a portion capsule according to the invention in any embodiment.

As can also be gathered from what has been disclosed so far, the method can also have one or more of the following steps:

• Inserting the portion capsule into a brewing chamber

Beverage preparation machine, wherein the brewing chamber is formed by a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part that can be moved relative to this.

• Closing the brewing chamber by moving the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part.

This step corresponds to the already mentioned "bringing the inserted portion capsule into a brewing position by moving the second brewing module part along an axis of the brewing chamber towards the first brewing module part".

The step of closing the brewing chamber can consequently trigger one or more of the following steps: o Bringing an injection-side piercing device into contact with the cover element via which the brewing liquid is introduced into the portion capsule.

In addition, the piercing device on the injection side, in particular a piercing tip thereof, can pierce said cover element. The injection-side piercing device, in particular a

The piercing tip of the same can pierce said cover element in such a way that a brewing liquid can be introduced into the interior space via the piercing device on the injection side.

Alternatively, the cover element can only be pierced or pierced in a manner suitable for introducing the brewing liquid after it has been established that a brewed beverage is to be produced using the inserted portion capsule. This can require manipulation by a user, for example. o Positioning of an extraction-side attachment tip in an area of the bulge that is accessible from the outside.

This step can optionally include bringing the extraction-side piercing tip into contact with the cover element that initially has the original curvature, ie with the cover element via which the brewed beverage is drained from the portion capsule.

The step may further optionally include piercing the cover member. As already mentioned, however, the step does not include pushing through the cover element in such a way that a liquid can be efficiently drained from the portion capsule without further steps, in particular without deforming the curvature. A derivation would be efficient in this context if, for example, the derivation were comparable to the derivation during the preparation of the brewed beverage and/or if the derivation were such that it would prevent a sufficient pressure build-up in the interior and/or if the amount of liquid, which in a first phase of the preparation process, in which the conditions required for the brewing process do not yet prevail in the interior, would be such that this amount accounts for a noticeable part of the brewed beverage ultimately produced. As a rule, 2-3 drops form a noticeable part of the brewed beverage that is ultimately produced.

In one embodiment, the attachment tip on the extraction side is positioned in a region of the bulge that is accessible from the outside, without the cover element being pierced.

In addition, the cover element cannot be deformed due to the positioning of the extraction-side piercing tip.

Additionally or alternatively, the cover element does not come into contact with the extraction-side piercing device, in particular its piercing tip, during the step of positioning the extraction-side piercing tip in a region of the curvature that is accessible from the outside.

• Introducing a brewing liquid into the interior of the portion capsule, the introduction of the brewing liquid causing the curvature directed into the interior to flatten out.

The curvature and its flattening can be as described in connection with the portion capsule and the beverage machine.

The brewing liquid is introduced in particular via the injection-side piercing device.

The step of introducing a brewing liquid into the interior may trigger one or more of the following effects which may cause the dome to flatten: o An increase in pressure in the interior. o A relative movement eeiinneess iimm IInnnneennrraauumm arranged filter element, which separates an extraction material area from that cover element, which has the original curvature, the relative movement being in the direction of the cover element, which has the curvature.

In embodiments of the method which have said relative movement, the portion capsule provided is in particular one of the portion capsules described above with a filter element arranged in the interior.

In many embodiments, the movement or deformation of the cover element or part thereof associated with the flattening of the curvature leads to a relative movement between said cover element or said part thereof and an extraction-side piercing device, in particular an extraction-side piercing tip. This relative movement corresponds to a movement of the extraction-side piercing device in the direction of the interior.

As a rule, it is the cover element or a part of it that moves, while the piercing device on the extraction side, in particular its piercing tip, does not move, for example relative to other parts of the beverage preparation machine.

In particular, the relative movement can correspond to an inner movement of the extraction-side piercing device in the direction of the inner space, because said cover element or said part thereof moves towards the piercing device. In other words, the relative movement of a movement of the extraction-side piercing device in the direction of the interior, because the interior expands in the direction of the piercing device.

In one embodiment, the method has the above-mentioned steps of inserting the portion capsule into a brewing chamber, closing the brewing chamber and introducing a brewing liquid into the interior of the portion capsule, the introduction of the brewing liquid causing the curvature directed into the interior to flatten out.

In the method according to this embodiment, the flattening can only be achieved by increasing the pressure in the interior space or by increasing the pressure in the interior space in combination with the relative movement of the filter element arranged in the interior space in the direction of the cover element, which initially has the original curvature, for example as above described, caused.

Additionally or alternatively, in the method according to the aforementioned

Embodiment cause the flattening of the curvature, the aforementioned relative movement between the cover element, which has the original curvature at the beginning of the method, or a part thereof and the extraction-side piercing device, in particular an extraction-side piercing tip.

The method according to any embodiment can have features that correspond to or are adapted to features of the portion capsule and/or the beverage preparation machine.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to figures. Show it:

1 shows an exemplary portion capsule after it has been introduced into a brewing chamber and the closing of the brewing chamber in cross section;

FIG. 2 shows the portion capsule according to FIG. 1 during the brewing process; 3 shows an exemplary portion capsule and a brewing module part matched to the portion capsule after the portion capsule has been introduced into said brewing module part in cross section; and

FIG. 4 shows the portion capsule and the brewing module part according to FIG. 3 during the brewing process.

In the figures, the same reference numbers designate the same or analogous elements.

The exemplary portion capsule 1 according to FIG. 1 has a base element 2 in the form of a cup. The base element is formed by a peripheral side wall 3 and a first cover element, which forms a capsule base 4 in the embodiment shown.

In the embodiment shown, the base element is formed in one piece from the peripheral side wall 3 and the capsule base 4 .

The base element 2 has a peripheral flange 5 and a second cover element attached thereto. In the embodiment shown, the second cover element is a cover element 8.

Together with the cover 9 formed by the cover element 8 , the base element forms an outer capsule wall which defines a capsule interior 7 .

The cover element 8 can be attached to the base element 2 in a manner known per se, for example by ultrasonic welding, a thermal method or possibly by gluing.

In the embodiment shown, a brewed drink prepared in the capsule interior 7 is discharged via the capsule base. Correspondingly, the capsule base 4 has a curvature 15 directed into the interior 7 and accordingly at least the capsule base is made of a biodegradable material, for example a bio-plastic such as Terrablend, Arboblend or PLA, or another brittle plastic. If the brewing liquid is introduced via the capsule base 4 and the brewed beverage prepared in the capsule interior 7 is drained off via the cover element 8 , the cover element 8 has the curvature 15 and the biodegradable material instead of the capsule base 4 . The features described below, which are associated with the drainage of the brewed beverage, change accordingly, and in particular they can be features of the portion capsule 1 and/or the brewing module.

In the embodiment shown, the entire portion capsule 1 is made from a biodegradable material.

The portion capsule shown in FIG. 1 is shown inside a brewing chamber, which is formed by a first brewing module part 25 and a second brewing module part 26 that is movable relative to this. The brewing chamber is shown in the closed state, that is, the portion capsule 1 assumes its brewing position. However, in the configuration shown in Figure 1, the brewing process has not yet begun. This means that no brewing liquid has yet been introduced into the interior 7 .

In the embodiment shown, the brewing chamber is shaped in the area of the curvature 15 in such a way that a free space 27, ie an unfilled space (cavity), is created when the portion capsules are in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet started. Thanks to this free space 27, the bulge can flatten out when brewing liquid is introduced into the interior 7.

In particular, the second brewing module part 26 is shaped in such a way that the free space 27 is created.

The extraction-side piercing tip 24 is arranged in the free space 27 . As a result, the piercing tip 24 on the extraction side penetrates into the interior space 7 as soon as the bulge 15 flattens out.

In the embodiment shown, the first brewing module part 25 has an injection-side piercing device 21 with at least one injection-side Piercing tip 22 and the second brewing module part 26 have a piercing device 23 on the extraction side with at least one piercing tip 24 on the extraction side.

Particularly in embodiments with a filter element 11 arranged in the interior 7, as shown in FIG. 1, the piercing device 23 on the extraction side can have exactly one piercing tip 24 on the extraction side. This is generally arranged along the longitudinal axis 20 of the portion capsule 1 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the injection-side piercing device 21 has two injection-side piercing tips 22 . However, more piercing tips 22 on the injection side are conceivable, for example three or four. The number of piercing tips 22 on the injection side can be matched to the basic shape. However, only one piercing tip 22 on the injection side is also conceivable. This can be the case in particular when the portion capsule 1 has a distribution element arranged in the interior for the introduced brewing liquid.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first brewing module part 25, in particular its injection-side piercing device 21, and the second brewing module part 26, in particular the extraction-side piercing device 23, are matched to the shape of the portion capsule 1 such that the injection-side piercing tips 22 pierce the cover element 8, while the extraction-side piercing tip 24 comes to rest in the bulge 15 of the capsule base 4, but at most snags the capsule base but not through when the portion capsule 1 is in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet started.

A configuration in which the piercing tip 24 on the extraction side does not pierce the capsule base 4 or the cover element via which the brewed beverage is removed from the portion capsule is particularly advantageous in the case of piercing devices 23 on the extraction side, in which the brewed beverage is removed past the piercing tip 24. This means in configurations in which the piercing tip or piercing tips 22 primarily have the function of piercing but, for example, no derivation via one in their interior arranged line. Particularly in the case of such configurations, a central element 12, as described below, can optionally be dispensed with.

A configuration in which the piercing tip 24 on the extraction side does not pierce the capsule base 4 or the cover element via which the brewed beverage is removed from the portion capsule is also advantageous for piercing devices 23 on the extraction side, in which the piercing tip or piercing tips 22 primarily tear, to open the portion capsule on the extraction side or to initiate its opening during the brewing process, the piercing tip(s) having no function directly related to draining the brewing liquid, for example by draining along its surface(s) or across a line arranged inside it. In such configurations, a central element 12, as described below, can generally be dispensed with.

As already mentioned, the portion capsule 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a filter element 11 . In the embodiment shown, this has a central element 12 . This is arranged along the longitudinal axis 20 of the portion capsule 1 and has a basic shape that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 .

The portion capsule 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a portion capsule in which a movement of the filter element 11 towards the curvature 15 at least contributes to the flattening of the curvature. The portion capsule 1 therefore has no structure in its interior 7 that prevents the filter element 11 from moving in the direction of the capsule base 4 .

However, means can be provided in the brewing module, in particular in its wall that faces the capsule base, which ensure that a collection area 16 is formed even after the filter element 11 has been moved. In the embodiment shown, an unintentional movement of the filter element 11 towards the cover element 8 is prevented by a positioning device 13 in the form of a circumferential projection protruding into the interior space 7 .

FIG. 2 shows the situation during the brewing process, ie after it has started.

The introduction of the brewing liquid via the injection-side piercing tips 22 has led to the capsule base 4 being deformed under the effect of an increased pressure in the interior 7 and under the effect of a force exerted by the filter element 11 on the bulge 15 . In particular, the curvature has flattened out in the direction of the extraction-side piercing tip 24 , as a result of which the extraction-side piercing tip 24 has penetrated into the interior space, more precisely into the central element 12 of the filter element 11 . As a result, the brewed beverage can now be discharged from the portion capsule 1 via the central element 12 and the piercing tip 24 on the extraction side, for example via a channel located inside the piercing tip 24 or along the piercing tip 24 .

Not shown in FIG. 2 is the collection area 16 in which the brewed beverage collects after passing through the filter element 11 and is fed to the central element 15 .

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a portion capsule 1 introduced into a brewing chamber and a brewing module part 26 matched to the portion capsule 1, which differ from the configuration according to FIGS. 1 and 2 as described below.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the injection-side part of the brewing chamber (ie the first brewing module part 25 in the embodiment shown) has been omitted.

The portion capsule 1 is again shown in the brewing position, the brewing process not having been started in the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the brewing process running in the configuration shown in FIG. The configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4 differs from the configurations shown in Figures 1 and 2 in particular in the following points:

The piercing tip 24 on the extraction side is arranged in a depression in the wall of the brewing chamber. As a result, the bulge 15 can not only flatten out, but it can fold over from protruding into the interior 7 (FIG. 3) to protruding from the interior 7 (FIG. 4). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, a collection area 16 is formed even after the capsule base 4 has been deformed and the filter element 11 has been moved in the direction of the capsule base 4 .

The piercing device 23 on the extraction side has a piercing tip 24 on the extraction side with an internal channel 28 and a channel opening 29 in the area of the tip of the piercing tip 24 .

It is self-evident that the piercing tip 24 on the extraction side can have a large number of channel openings which open into the inner channel 28 .

Due to this structure of the extraction-side piercing device 23 and the associated drainage of the brewed beverage through the channel 28 of the piercing tip 24, the piercing tip 24 can already pierce the capsule base 4 when the portion capsule 1 is in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet started (Figure 3). The piercing tip 24 simply must not penetrate so far into the interior space 7 that the channel opening 29 comes to rest in the interior space before the conditions required for the brewing process, in particular pressure and temperature, prevail in the interior space.

• The piercing tip 24 on the extraction side, in particular the position of the channel opening 29, is matched to the portion capsule 1 and the shape of the brewing chamber, in particular to the shape of the capsule base 4 after its deformation, so that the channel opening 29 after the deformation of the Capsule bottom, that is, during the brewing process, are located in a channel-bottom-side end region of the central element 12 (Figure 4).

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1) Portion capsule (1) having a peripheral side wall (3), a first cover element (4) and a second cover element (8), wherein the peripheral side wall (3), the first cover element (4) and the second cover element (8) have one form a closed interior (7), the first cover element (4) and/or the second cover element (8) having a curvature (15) directed into the interior (7) and the cover element having the curvature (15) made from a biodegradable Material is made, wherein the portion capsule has a filter element (11) arranged in the interior (7) which separates an extraction material region (6) from the first cover element (4) or from the second cover element (8), wherein that cover element which passes through the filter element ( 11) is separated from the extraction material area (6), which has a curvature (15) directed into the interior (7), characterized in that the portion capsule (1) has a positioning device (13) for the filter element (11), wob ei the positioning device (13) is arranged relative to the filter element (11) in such a way that movement of the filter element (11) in the direction of that cover element which is separated from the extraction material region (6) by the filter element (11) is not prevented.

2) Portion capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning device (13) is arranged relative to the filter element (11) in such a way that a movement of the filter element (11) in the direction of that cover element which is not separated from the extraction material region ( 6) is disconnected, is prevented. 3) Portion capsule (1) according to claim 1 or 2, having a base element (2) which comprises the peripheral side wall (3) and one of the two cover elements, the other of the two cover elements being attached to the base element (2) and together with it forms the interior (7).

4) portion capsule (1) according to claim 3, wherein the base element (2) forms a peripheral flange (5) and the other of the two cover elements along the peripheral flange (5) is attached to the base element (2).

5) Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 -4, wherein the portion capsule has a rectangular, in particular square, basic shape.

6) Method for operating a beverage preparation machine comprising the step

• Providing a portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

7) Method according to claim 6, comprising the steps:

• Insertion of the portion capsule (1) in a brewing chamber

Beverage preparation machine, wherein the brewing chamber is formed by a first brewing module part (25) and a second brewing module part (26) movable relative thereto;

• closing the brewing chamber by moving the second brewing module part (26) relative to the first brewing module part (25); • Introduction of a brewing liquid into the interior (7) of the portion capsule; the introduction of the brewing liquid flattening the curvature (15) directed into the interior (7).

8) The method according to claim 7, wherein the flattening of the curvature is caused by at least one of the following effects:

• An increase in pressure in the interior (7);

• A relative movement of a filter element arranged in the interior, which separates an extraction material region (6) from that cover element which has the curvature (15), the relative movement being in the direction of the cover element which has the curvature (15).

9) The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the movement of the cover element or a part thereof associated with the flattening leads to a relative movement between said cover element or said part thereof and an extraction-side piercing device (24), the relative movement of a movement of the extraction-side The piercing device (24) corresponds in the direction of the interior (7).

10) Method according to claim 9, wherein the extraction-side piercing device (24) moves relatively towards the inner space because said cover element or said part thereof moves towards the piercing device.

11) Beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a portion capsule according to any one of claims 1-5, having a brewing module comprising a first brewing module part (25) and a second brewing module part (26) that can be moved relative thereto, wherein a brewing chamber can be formed by the first and second brewing module part, which at least partially surrounds the portion capsule located in a brewing position during the brewing process and which is formed by a wall of the first and/or second brewing module part is formed, the brewing module being set up to brew a brewed beverage by introducing a brewing liquid into the portion capsule and to derive this from the brewing module via a piercing device on the extraction side; characterized in that a piercing tip (24) on the extraction side of the piercing device on the extraction side is arranged in a depression in the wall.

12) Beverage preparation machine according to claim 11, wherein the piercing tip on the extraction side protrudes beyond an edge of the depression into the brewing chamber.

13) Beverage preparation machine according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the depression of the wall extends laterally to an axial axis of the extraction-side piercing tip (24) and over a width of the extraction-side piercing tip.