RU2645651C2 - Capsule, system and method for beverage preparation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: beverage preparation system comprising a capsule (1) comprising a sidewall (2), a water inlet wall (3) and an outlet wall (4) forming a hollow closed housing (5) containing a boiling product. The water inlet wall (3) comprises at least one piercing area (6) adapted to be pierced by piercing means (40) of a boiling device to form one or more water inlet holes (6a) in the capsule wall (3) for water inlet under pressure into the hollow housing (5) of the capsule during the boiling cycle. The water inlet wall (3) comprises at least one reinforced area (7) different from at least one piercing area (6) of the water inlet wall (3); and a boiling device comprising piercing means (40) for piercing at least one piercing area (6) of the water inlet capsule (3) to form one or more water inlet holes (6a) in the water inlet wall (3) of the capsule. The boiling device also comprises water injection means configured to inject water under pressure into the hollow housing (5) of the capsule through one or more water inlet holes (6a), characterized in that at least one piercing area (6) of the water inlet wall (3) comprising at least one water inlet hole (6a) is made with the possibility of at least partial plastic deformation into the hollow housing of the capsule under the action of pressure applied thereto by water injected by the water injection means of the boiling device during the beverage preparation cycle, after the piercing area is pierced by the piercing means of the boiling device. At least part of the transferred deformation is stored in the piercing area (6) at the end of the mentioned boiling cycle.

EFFECT: improvement of the beverage taste.

30 cl, 24 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a capsule, system and method for preparing a beverage.

In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage, such as coffee, from one or more products contained in a disposable capsule, using a cooking machine that pumps hot water under pressure into the capsule to extract the product contained therein. The invention also relates to a system for preparing a beverage comprising a capsule according to the invention and a cooking device for injecting cooking liquid into a capsule equipped with piercing means for perforating the capsule in order to obtain at least one passage for pumping cooking liquid. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

State of the art

Capsules for the preparation of beverages, containing, for example, instant, dehydrated, concentrated or freshly ground or freshly ground food products, have become very popular in recent years, although they have been known since the first half of the 20th century.

These capsules are usually made of soft, semi-rigid or hard material, such as paper, laminate, aluminum, injection molded plastic, or co-injection plastic. Recently, capsules made by thermo-injection or co-injection of plastic materials under pressure have gained popularity and are widely used because they are a hygienic and practical means for preparing drinks.

Some capsules are known, such as the capsule described in WO 2010076048, which have two opposing walls perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsules, one so-called wall for the inlet of the medium, where during use a diluting substance (usually water) is pumped through the corresponding inlet means, and a wall including a flange that acts as a wall for discharging the beverage, i.e. as a release for a prepared beverage. A substantially truncated cone-shaped side wall connects two opposing walls to form a closed chamber for storing food and preparing a finished drink that can be prepared in various ways, for example, by infusing, boiling, or dissolving dehydrated food.

Those skilled in the art know that the water inlet wall and the side wall can be continuously connected along the same radius, and together with the beverage outlet wall they can also be designed and assembled so that the capsules are completely sealed. In this case, they can be made of a barrier material that is highly impervious to oxygen, such as aluminum or EVOH, sometimes used in conjunction with other materials, and various technologies can be used to obtain the desired shape. Alternatively, these walls can be made of a material slightly permeable to oxygen, which allows gases and other small molecules, depending on the relative pressures relative to the medium outside the chamber, to penetrate into or leave the chamber, while creating a limited barrier effect for counteract the deterioration in the quality of the food contained in the capsule.

In completely different embodiments, capsules that can be used with dispensers designed for the aforementioned prior art can be provided with openings on the surface of the wall for water inlet or the wall for the release of the drink, or on both of these walls, which form a chamber bounded by two opposite walls and side wall, ie, in fact, a “half-open" camera. With respect to half-open chambers, it is preferable that the capsule be wrapped in an additional “auxiliary” package in order to avoid oxidation of the products contained therein or deterioration of their quality due to contact with media such as air and moisture, or contamination as a result of direct contact with the environment and pollutants. In these capsules, the presence of openings on the surface of the wall for water inlet or walls for the release of the beverage or on both of these walls is considered to be a desirable feature in the prior art, since such openings allow free passage of the medium and / or prevent the unstable characteristics of the material of the capsule, which to take place during the opening of the intake means or exhaust means or both of these means.

As for the wall for the release of the drink, according to the prior art, it is limited to an annular flange, which, as a rule, but not necessarily, is made of the same material on the side wall and the wall for water inlet. The material is selected appropriately to obtain the necessary mechanical properties with respect to the operating pressures and temperatures used to prepare the finished product, and the flange usually has sealing means to provide a waterproof seal during the preparation of the beverage.

The present invention is not oriented to the aforementioned beverage outlet wall and corresponding sealing means, although it is worth noting that currently available technologies may offer the use of tearable hard caps or pre-punctured foil or tearable foil or corresponding injection disks with pre-formed holes, for specialists, some other technologies are readily available, involving the dissolution of materials upon contact diluents in order to ensure the passage of the medium through the discharging means. In other words, to obtain means of release for the finished drink, specialists in this field will be able to choose from a variety of solutions that can be considered in relation to the capsule described in this application.

For the purposes of this application, it suffices to say that the preferred field of application is the use of a fully sealed wall for dispensing a beverage, which can be opened by using hydraulic pressure during product preparation or by tearing a weakened wall of a rigid element or using other methods known to those skilled in the art.

A device intended for use with the capsule of this application is a device of the type that is available to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in WO 2009115474. In particular, it is intended to provide a tight connection between a hydraulic system directing the incoming medium (usually water), and a capsule chamber to ensure the preparation of the drink. The sealing means of the capsule is in contact with the mating sealing means of the metering device. Working pressures are usually 1-20 bar.

In order to ensure that water enters the chamber through the wall for water inlet in known machines, piercing means are used (for example, item 28, FIG. 2, WO 2009115474). Such piercing means can, for example, be made by punching metal or other technologies, such as, for example, polymer casting. In general, these tools are in the form of knives with inclined planes and pointed peaks to ensure proper interaction with the capsule.

The essence of such an interaction, which does not have to be an interaction with the goal of tearing, is in fact different according to the technology used in relation to the technology that is chosen to provide a fluid connection between the capsule chamber and the water circuit of the metering device.

EP 2476633, for example, describes a capsule and a wall for water inlet, which are made of thermoformed laminated material, with knives for piercing the wall for water inlet are provided. Such an interaction is well known, for example, from WO 2009115474.

Since in EP 2476633 the capsule is made of a thermoformed laminated plastic material, it cannot create the required fluid connection that is provided by aluminum capsules, and the characteristics of the capsule are not predictable, which leads to a significant variation in the quality of the beverage or even the inability to serve the beverage. In fact, in the case of improper fluid bonding, significant capsule disruption may occur.

EP 2452893 describes yet another interface between the piercing means and the water inlet wall, where the knives (“perforating means”) come into contact with the wall of the water inlet capsule, which in this case is made of plastic material obtained by injection molding, and has pre-made holes. In this application, the pressure applied by the knives to the water inlet wall is not intended to tear the water inlet wall, but to expand the aforementioned previously punctured inlets in order to provide improved free passage of the diluent.

GB2489409 describes a capsule in which the knives can contact the water inlet wall and, thanks to such contact, even without the formation of diluent inlet means, since such means are previously formed in the above wall, can interact to deform the elastically deformable section of the capsule.

Embodiments of the prior art do not provide a proper boundary between the piercing means and the capsule, since pre-punctured holes in the wall for water inlet are required, which, in turn, allow oxygen to quickly degrade the quality of the food contained in the chamber, especially when used roasted ground coffee, or the use of aluminum. In the case of plastic capsules where the water inlet wall is pierced with knives, the applicant found that the knives prevented water from entering the chamber, since they occupy the punctured area of the plastic material and make it difficult to properly prepare the food contained in the chamber.

Another problem with known capsules is to seal the digester receptacle at the capsule during the brewing cycle to prevent water from leaking out of the machine. Sealing is difficult when using capsules made of a single-component plastic material due to the high pressure acting during the cooking water cycle.

Thus, an improved capsule is required, which can provide, first of all, a reliable hydraulic connection between the water supply means of the metering device and the capsule chamber, so that the capsules provide the finished product with improved quality.

Secondly, a fully sealed capsule is also required in which the intake means are formed after the capsule is inserted into the dispensing device (brewing device) for preparing the beverage. This ensures the maximum preservation of aromatic properties, at the same time, taking into account auxiliary packaging, excluding the costs of environmental protection and the inconvenience associated with the above packaging.

Thirdly, a capsule is required, where it is necessary to ensure the predicted characteristics during its opening, and the product preparation cycle in order to avoid unstable conditions and to ensure reliable consistent quality of the finished drink.

The objective of the present invention is to solve or at least partially eliminate the above problems.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a capsule that has a surface shape and design that can be adapted to co-injection technology to form a barrier within the body that counteracts oxidizing agents or substances that degrade the quality of the food contained in the chamber , and ensuring the quality of stored foods for a long time.

In addition, the improved capsule of the present invention is intended to create an extended range of puncturing schemes to provide inlet means in a fully sealed capsule and to maximize the flexibility of the design of the metering device for preparing the finished product and to manipulate the capsule itself during the beverage preparation process.

And finally, the present application is also intended to provide a system consisting of an improved capsule and a metering device that improves the extraction or dissolution of the food products contained in the chamber, and thus improves the quality of the finished products.

Disclosure of invention

These and other problems are solved using the capsule of the present invention, i.e. capsules for preparing a drink from a serving of a product according to claim 1. Other objects of the invention are a system and method for preparing a beverage, respectively, according to paragraphs. 18 and 24 of the claims. Preferred embodiments are characterized by the dependent claims.

The capsule according to the invention contains a side wall, a wall for water inlet and a wall for the release of the drink, which form a hollow closed housing in which the product intended for cooking is placed. The water inlet wall comprises at least one puncturing region that is pierced by the piercing means of the cooking device to receive one or more water inlet openings on the above wall of the water inlet capsule to supply pressurized water to the inside of the capsule during the brewing cycle. During use, at least one puncturing region of the water inlet wall is suitable for perforation with appropriate puncturing means provided on the beverage preparation device (i.e., the brewing device) into which the capsule is inserted.

In addition, the water inlet wall comprises at least one reinforced region, and at least one piercing region of the water inlet wall is different from the reinforced region, i.e. it is located outside the above at least one reinforced area. The term “outside” in this context indicates that the piercing region is not part of at least one reinforced region. At least one puncturing region has such dimensions and is made in such a way that it can undergo plastic deformation during preparation of the drink at least at the holes made by the knives of the digester. The piercing step leads to some deformation of the punctured region, with additional deformation due to the action of water under pressure occurs after perforating at least one perforation region with the above piercing means of the cooking device.

The expression “undergoes plastic deformation” or “plastic deformation” means here that at least a portion of one puncturing region is deformed in the capsule during the beverage preparation process, while at least a portion of the transmitted deformation is stored in the puncturing region at the end of the above cooking cycle.

In other words, the shape of the capsule is deformed compared to the shape of the capsule when it is inserted into the cooking device, and at least part of this deformation is stored by the capsule at the end of the cooking cycle.

Advantageously, the presence of at least one reinforced region and at least one puncturing region located on the water inlet wall outside of the above reinforced zone of the water inlet wall makes it possible to obtain water inlet wall regions that undergo various deformations during the beverage preparation process.

In fact, at least one area of piercing the wall for the inlet of water can be more flexible and deformable compared to other parts of the wall for the inlet of water and, in particular, with respect to the reinforced region having increased stiffness.

Thus, during use, the water inlet wall region can be effectively pierced by the piercing means of the beverage brewing apparatus that come into contact with the water inlet wall and, in particular, with at least one piercing wall of the water inlet capsule.

In addition, the puncturing region, including at least one hole made by knives, is predominantly at least partially subjected to plastic deformation, moving inside the hollow capsule body after piercing the piercing region by the piercing means of the cooking device. Thus, at least a portion of the water inlet wall where the hole is located will move relative to the piercing knife, while the area of the hole where the knife is not located will increase, and the flow rate of the water pumped into the hollow capsule body may also increase full and effective infusion of a portion of the product contained in the capsule.

At least one hole provided in the area of piercing the wall for water inlet, after deformation of the area of piercing may no longer come into contact with the piercing means of the cooking device. If one or more piercing agents is provided, at least one of them may not be in full contact with the piercing region of the capsule after plastic deformation. Thus, the flow of water injected into the capsule can be increased due to the increased space that is formed between the at least one piercing means and the corresponding hole in the piercing region of the capsule after its deformation. In other words, after deformation of the wall of the capsule for water inlet, the piercing means of the cooking device do not impede or restrict the flow of water into one or more openings located in at least one piercing region.

At least a portion of the at least one puncturing region undergoes plastic deformation by moving at least 50%, preferably up to 150%, of the penetration depth of the above piercing means of the cooking device into the wall of the water inlet capsule. In this way, increased water passage between the water inlet wall and at least one of the piercing means can be ensured. The expression "penetration depth" here means the relative movement of the piercing means from the first contact between the piercing means and the outer surface of the capsule (i.e., the outer surface of the wall for water inlet). In other words, the value of the penetration depth corresponds to the distance that the piercing means travel from the position of the first contact with the outer surface of the capsule to their final position, which is reached at the end of the piercing step.

At least one puncturing region is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation under the influence of pressure applied to the above wall by water being pumped into the capsule. As is known in the art, the supply of water or other cooking liquid is provided by the injection means of the cooking device. Preferably, the water pressure is 2-6 bar, most preferably 2-4 bar, i.e. the capsule inlet is deformed at a pressure which can be 2-6 bar, preferably 2-4 bar. In addition, plastic deformation of at least one puncturing region occurs between the increase in pressure inside the hollow body of the capsule and the first release of the prepared beverage from the wall to release the beverage. During the beverage preparation process, after perforating the capsule piercing region with the piercing means of the brewing device, water is pumped into the hollow capsule body through one or more holes formed in the piercing region in order to increase the pressure inside the capsule to ensure that the product contained therein is effectively infused.

Plastic deformation of the wall of the capsule for water inlet provides at least two separate stages of increasing the pressure of the injected water. The first increase in pressure is achieved after perforating at least one area of piercing the capsule by the piercing means of the cooking device and injecting water into the capsule. The pressure increases until at least a portion of the at least one puncturing region is deformed, thereby providing an increased flow of water into the capsule. A second increase in pressure is achieved by pumping water into the capsule through a deformed water inlet wall until the product contained in the hollow capsule body is infused and the pressure inside the capsule opens the wall to release the finished product from the capsule.

At least one boundary line is formed between the at least one reinforced region and the at least one piercing region of the water inlet wall. In other words, at least one boundary line essentially separates the wall region of the water inlet capsule that is not deformed (at least part of the reinforced region) and the water inlet wall region that is deformed (at least part of the piercing region).

It should be noted that at least one puncturing region and at least one reinforced region can be located at different places on the wall of the water inlet capsule according to various possible embodiments.

At least one puncturing region and at least one reinforced region are located on the wall for water inlet in a checkerboard pattern (or along a “checkerboard” path). Preferably, the aforementioned at least one reinforced region and the aforementioned at least one puncturing region are staggered in a radial direction extending from the side wall of the capsule and, in particular, its peripheral edge, to the central axis of the hollow capsule body.

In an embodiment, at least one reinforced region and at least one puncturing region are arranged along an annular path. However, in other possible embodiments, the reinforced region and / or the puncturing region can be located along a circumferential path, i.e. the above region corresponds to the circumferential surface of the wall of the capsule for water inlet.

According to preferred embodiments, the capsule comprises at least one peripheral reinforced region essentially located on a portion of the wall of the capsule for water inlet near the side wall. In other possible embodiments, the capsule comprises a central reinforced region substantially located on the upper portion of the water inlet wall.

At least one peripheral reinforced region and at least one central reinforced region may be provided on the wall of the capsule for water inlet together or separately. In fact, in an illustrative embodiment, the wall of the water inlet capsule may have a peripheral reinforced region and a puncturing region extending outside the reinforced region essentially at the upper portion of the wall of the water inlet capsule. Conversely, in a possible embodiment, the wall of the water inlet capsule may have a central reinforced region, and at least one puncturing region may be provided on a portion of the water inlet wall between the central reinforced region and the side wall.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one peripheral reinforced region and at least one central reinforced region may be jointly provided on the wall of the capsule for water inlet, with the piercing region extending between them. According to this preferred embodiment, at least one puncturing region extends continuously or discontinuously along an essentially annular region of the wall for water inlet between the two reinforced regions.

Advantageously, such a configuration provides effective perforation of the piercing region and also effective plastic deformation of at least a portion of the piercing region. Different behaviors of different regions with respect to the effect of water pressure cause deformation, which occurs preferably in the puncturing region of at least the puncture holes.

At least one reinforced region comprises reinforcing means, and / or it contains at least a portion having an increased thickness with respect to the thickness of at least one piercing wall of the water inlet wall. Ultimately, the increased thickness of the reinforced region with respect to the puncturing region can also be used in conjunction with reinforcing means, such as ribs, to form at least one reinforced region.

In any case, the presence of reinforcing means and / or an increased wall thickness for water inlet in at least one puncturing region makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the above region in comparison with at least one piercing wall of a water inlet located outside of at least one piercing region. Therefore, at least one puncturing region may be deformed during the preparation of the beverage; deformation is at least partially plastic deformation, which can be observed in the capsule after its use in the brewing cycle. The final deformation is different from the deformation at the piercing stage.

In a possible embodiment, the reinforcing means forming at least one reinforced area extend at least partially along the side wall of the capsule.

The aforementioned reinforcing means for forming at least one reinforced wall region for the water inlet can be made in various forms according to various possible embodiments. The reinforcing means comprises one or more protrusions or ribs protruding from the wall surface for water inlet (or the inner or outer surface of the wall for water inlet or from both surfaces of the wall for water inlet). The reinforcing means in the form of ribs can be located in the circumferential direction and / or in the radial direction on the above wall for water inlet.

The term "rib" here means a narrow protrusion or similar element located on the wall of the capsule. In addition, the terms “in the radial direction” or “in the circumferential direction” respectively mean that one or more ribs extend essentially in the radial direction relative to the central axis of the capsule and in a circular line relative to the central axis of the capsule.

In possible embodiments, the reinforcing means forming at least one reinforced zone comprise at least one recessed portion that is either completely contained in the wall for water inlet or extends both along the side wall and along the wall for water inlet.

It should be borne in mind that the recessed areas contain at least one surface for the formation of a kind of continuous "corrugation" in the wall of the capsule for water inlet. During the design process, the in-depth section can be considered as a “remote” section of the capsule volume in the capsule wall for water inlet / capsule side wall; Thus, the surface of the wall for water inlet is modified, and it is “recessed” below its initial level and again rises to the initial level and shape.

In a preferred illustrative embodiment, the number of recessed portions or recesses can be selected from indivisible numbers, preferably from 5, 7, 11 or 13. It has been found that this creates a particular advantage in a system where the number of knives or perforating elements in the cooking device is 3 or another odd number.

Other design features of this type of capsule are described in one of the pending applications PCT / IB2012 / 002408. In an embodiment, the recessed portions of the capsule comprise at least one surface that lies on a plane or that contains at least one axis that maintains a constant angle of inclination (α) with respect to the aforementioned central axis of the capsule or with respect to a vertical axis parallel to the central axis. In addition, at least one surface or axis extends between the nearest and farthest end parts of the recessed portion with respect to the above central axis of the capsule. It should be noted that preferably the inclination of at least one surface of the recessed portion is measured using the corresponding inclination of a plane or axis (straight line) directed to the central axis of the capsule or to a vertical axis parallel to and intersecting the central axis of the capsule. This means that in at least one place, preferably in a number of places, there is no section of the wall for water inlet, and that in these places the wall is replaced by at least one surface, which is defined as a “recessed section”, i.e. "Recessed area" of the capsule body; the term "in-depth" is used with reference to the level of the wall relative to the rest of the capsule body.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one surface of the recessed portion, which maintains a constant angle of inclination relative to the central axis of the capsule or vertical axis, is the bottom surface of the recessed portion.

In other words, each recessed portion contains at least one surface, preferably a beveled surface, i.e. inclined, which forms an additional surface, preferably the lower surface of the recessed portion, which is located at an angle to the vertical axis (i.e., to the central axis of the capsule or its parallel axis) with a constant inclination.

The above surface or axis is located at an angle relative to the central axis of the capsule or relative to a vertical axis parallel to the central axis and preferably forms an acute angle α with the vertical, i.e. relative to a direction parallel to the central axis A of the capsule or (which is the same) the central axis of the capsule. Preferably, the angle α, as defined above, is 10-75 °, preferably 25-60 °, most preferably about 35-50 °.

At least the side wall and the wall for the inlet of water are made as a whole, and preferably they are made of the same material, preferably plastic material. For a simple and economical mass production of capsules, another manufacturing process may be used. In a possible embodiment, at least the water inlet wall and the side wall are made by injection molding or co-injection of plastic material.

Experimental studies performed by the applicant show that the use of a plastic material having the following thermal and mechanical properties provides both effective perforation of at least one piercing region of the capsule wall for water inlet and plastic deformation of at least a portion of the piercing region as a result of pressure water during the preparation process of the drink.

Suitable materials include PP and PE, preferably HDPE, having a density of 850-1050 kg / m ³ , preferably 951 kg / m ³ (measured according to ISO 1872), a melt flow rate of 9-13 g / 10 min, preferably 11 g / 10 min (melt flow rate, measured according to ISO 1133), tensile load 23-29 MPa, preferably 26 MPa (measured according to ISO 527-2 / 1B). The preferred material should meet all of the above preferred values.

Suitable material has a Charpy impact strength on notched specimens (at 23 ° C.) of 3.1-3.9 kJ / m ² , preferably 3.5 kJ / m ² (measured according to ISO 179). The preferred material should meet all of the above preferred values and Charpy impact strength on notched specimens.

In addition, the Vicat softening temperature is 50-80, preferably 55-75, and most preferably 60-70 (measured according to ISO 306 (method B50). When measured according to ASTM D1525 B50, the Vicat softening temperature is preferably 50-60, preferably 54-58 and most preferably 56. Melting point (second heating) is preferably 115-145 ° C., preferably 131 ° C. (as measured by ASTM D2117). Suitable material has a Shore D hardness of 55-66, preferably 60 (ASTM D2240).

A suitable plastic material for the manufacture of the capsule is a material which is commercially available under the name Rigidex® BD5211EA and is manufactured by INEOS.

The present invention also relates to a system for preparing a beverage comprising a capsule of the type described above and a brewing device comprising puncturing means for piercing (perforating) at least one puncturing region of the wall of the capsule for water inlet, and injection means for pumping water under pressure inside the hollow body of the capsule through one or more water inlet openings made in the wall of the capsule for water inlet by piercing means. Advantageously, at least one piercing region of the water inlet wall undergoes at least partially plastic deformation during preparation of the beverage.

At least a portion of the deformed puncturing region may not come into contact with at least one piercing means, therefore, the holes formed by the piercing means will not be blocked, and the flow of water entering the hollow body of the capsule may be increased.

Additional features of the beverage system are disclosed in the dependent claims. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage from a capsule of the type described above, and to a brewing apparatus comprising piercing means and a means for pumping water according to claim 24.

The method comprises the following steps:

piercing at least a portion of at least one area of piercing the water inlet wall by the piercing means of the cooking apparatus to obtain one or more water inlet openings in the wall of the water inlet capsule;

plastic deformation of at least part of at least one area of piercing the wall for water inlet under the action of water pressure applied to the wall, which is pumped by means of water injection of the brewing device during the preparation of the drink,

however, at least a portion of the transmitted strain is retained in the puncturing region at the end of the cooking cycle.

Additional features of the method according to the invention are disclosed in dependent clauses 25-31 claims.

Another object of the invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage from the contents of a capsule according to the above-described embodiment and a cooking device comprising piercing means and means for pumping water, the method comprising piercing at least one area of piercing the water inlet by piercing means of the cooking device to form one or more water inlet openings in the wall of the water inlet capsule and also comprises a step of deforming at least a portion shey least one field for puncturing the wall of the water inlet under the action of pressure applied to the wall of the pressure member for inlet of water, wherein the piercing region around said holes moves inside the hollow body, freeing at least in part said openings of said piercing means. Preferably, at least a portion of the transmitted strain is stored in the puncturing region at the end of the above cooking cycle. In this aspect of the invention, the pressure is preferably applied mechanically, for example, by a pressure member that moves with knives, or other piercing means, or relative to the knives, to compress a portion of the wall for water inlet, for example, a central reinforced region or an area near the knives, in order to move into at least a portion of the tingling region and providing the necessary degree of release of the holes from the knives or other piercing means.

A capsule suitable for this method is a capsule that corresponds to the above-described capsule deformable by water, wherein at least a portion of at least one puncturing region of the water inlet wall is deformed by the pressure applied by the pressure member to said water inlet wall, and the puncturing region around said holes moves inside the specified hollow body, freeing at least partially said holes from the piercing means. Another object of the present invention is a machine for brewing drinks, as well as a system including a machine for brewing drinks, wherein said machine includes a receiver for receiving capsules and lancing means, and said machine also comprises a pressure member suitable for contacting with at least part of the wall for water inlet to deform, while the puncturing region around the above holes moves inside the specified hollow body, freeing at least partially the above ny holes from the above piercing means.

Advantageously, as indicated above, plastic deformation of at least a portion of the piercing region of the capsule, which includes holes made by piercing means, allows an increase in the flow of water into the capsule. In fact, after deformation of the water inlet wall, the piercing means of the cooking device no longer block one or more holes made in the water inlet wall by perforation.

This leads to a decrease in the duration of the cooking cycle and increase the cooking efficiency, as shown by tests of a certain amount of extracts. In addition, the pressure in the cooking step using the capsule of the invention can be reduced compared to conventional capsules, which also provides advantages in sealing the receiver of the system in contact with the capsule.

In fact, the reduced cooking pressure also allows the use of simpler sealing means that cannot withstand the high pressure used in the existing cooking device without leakage of injected water to the outside of the capsule-containing receiver. In particular, surprisingly, the above results were obtained for materials other than traditionally used aluminum, which currently provides the best results during the brewing cycle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a capsule of the present invention containing at least one reinforced region having recesses extending along a water inlet wall and a side wall;

in FIG. 2 is a radial sectional view along a plane passing through the central axis of the capsule of FIG. one;

in FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the inner portion of the hollow capsule body of FIG. 1 and 2;

in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a capsule of the present invention comprising at least one reinforced region having a recess extending along a water inlet wall and a side wall;

in FIG. 5 and 5A are two possible embodiments of the capsule of the present invention;

in FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another possible embodiment of a capsule of the present invention containing one reinforced region having a recess contained in a wall for water inlet;

in FIG. 7 is a radial sectional view along a plane passing through the central axis of the capsule of FIG. 6;

in FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the inner portion of the hollow capsule body of FIG. 6 and 7;

in FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another possible embodiment of a capsule of the present invention containing at least one reinforced region having a recess contained in a wall for water inlet;

in FIG. 10 is another possible embodiment of a capsule according to the invention;

in FIG. 11 and 11A are two possible embodiments of the capsule of the present invention having reinforcing means in the form of recessed portions that are completely contained in the water inlet wall;

in FIG. 12A and 12B are a partial cross-sectional view and a bottom view of the upper portion of another possible embodiment of a capsule according to the invention having reinforcing means in the form of ribs;

in FIG. 12 and 13 are another possible embodiment of a capsule according to the invention having reinforcing means in the form of recessed sections and ribs;

in FIG. 14 and 15 are a perspective view in partial section of a capsule of the present invention with part of a puncturing region in a plastically deformed state;

in FIG. 16-20 - the results of comparative studies of cooking processes performed by the applicant.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1-15 show a capsule 1 according to illustrative embodiments of the present invention, for example, for the preparation of drinks such as coffee, tea, hot and cold alcoholic beverages or any other liquid food from a predetermined amount of extractable or soluble or diluted product, liquid or solid contained in the capsule. Preferably, the portion of the product contains a granular or powdered product, such as coffee powder or tea leaves, which are brewed using a cooking liquid, preferably hot pressurized water, which is pumped into the capsule to produce the desired beverage.

The capsule of the invention is used in a device for preparing drinks (for example, in a brewing device) provided with a closure element or container (not shown in the drawings) and designed to house at least a portion of the capsule during the preparation process of the beverage. The cooking device is also provided with a piercing device 40, for example, one or more knives or similar elements for piercing the capsule, preferably at the wall of the capsule for water inlet (at the wall of the water inlet), for supplying the cooking liquid, preferably hot pressurized water, inside the capsule. Although specific reference will be made to water, it should be noted that the capsule of the invention can be used with other types of cooking liquids. Some of the piercing means of the cooking device are shown schematically in FIG. 1, 10, 14 and 15. Pressurized cooking water is injected into the capsule in a known manner, for example, using the injection means of the cooking device, containing, for example, a water pump, which is not shown in the attached drawings.

The capsule 1, used in conjunction with a brewing device, forms a system for preparing beverages according to the invention, as will be described in detail below.

During use, the closing element of the cooking device is moved relative to the capsule 1 and / or vice versa to obtain tight tight contact with the capsule 1 (at the flange), and the piercing means 40 come into contact with the capsule to perforate it, in particular, with the piercing area 6 of the wall 3 capsules for water inlet. The brewing device and the method of its functioning are known in the art and interact with the capsule of the invention to obtain the claimed system for preparing drinks and to perform the steps of the claimed method for preparing drinks.

The capsule 1 according to the invention contains a side wall 2, a wall 3 for water inlet and a lower wall 4, while the above walls form a hollow body 5, which contains a portion of the product. The water inlet wall 3 is the surface of the water inlet capsule and is to be perforated by the piercing means 40 of the cooking device to receive the inlet openings 6a (see FIGS. 14 and 15) allowing the cooking liquid to pass into the capsule. The bottom wall 4 enables the release of the brewed beverage from the capsule into the container and means for discharging the beverage from the capsule, i.e. the elements providing the release of the brewed beverage can be made in various ways.

The bottom wall 4, i.e. a beverage outlet wall or a wall containing an outlet through which the beverage exits the capsule may be a separate element that is connected to the lower portion of the capsule body 5 to close the capsule.

Any suitable means may be used to secure the bottom wall 4 to the capsule body 5, and in other possible embodiments, the bottom wall 4 can be made integrally with the side wall of the capsule.

The bottom wall of the capsule may be made of a different material with respect to the material of the capsule, for example, the bottom wall 4 may preferably be a non-porous membrane, for example, an aluminum or multilayer foil, preferably a multilayer foil including aluminum, as shown in section in FIG. 2 and 7. Other suitable materials include a paper filter, a non-woven fabric, or a thermoplastic lid or similar rigid or semi-rigid material having openings that are known for use in other beverage capsules.

According to known alternative embodiments, the discharge means may comprise self-perforating elements that are destroyed by mechanical and / or pressure forces that are applied to the capsule, or one or more holes that are made by piercing means of the cooking device. Alternatively, the release means may include open channels. These technologies are available to specialists in this field of technology.

A self-perforating element suitable for the lower wall 4 protrudes from the lower surface of the lower wall 4 and is formed by grooves or lines of reduced thickness, which are destroyed by the mechanical force exerted by the cooking device and / or the force exerted by the water that is supplied to the capsule. Self-perforating elements of this type are described in detail in the application WO 2007/063411, to which reference is made with respect to other structural characteristics.

Other means of release may be provided, i.e. the extraction of the beverage from the capsule can be achieved, for example, by perforating the capsule with suitable piercing means of the cooking device; in another embodiment, the release means is a water-soluble membrane.

As shown in the drawings, the capsule 1 has a substantially cup-shaped or truncated cone shape with a central axis A (vertical axis), in other words, in the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, the side wall 2 is not parallel to the central axis, and the hollow body 5 is closed by a bottom wall 4 at one end and a wall 3 for water inlet from the opposite end of the side wall relative to the bottom wall 4.

The side wall 2 comprises a peripheral end 2c from which the water inlet wall 3 extends to the central axis A. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the peripheral end 2c of the side wall 2 from which the water inlet wall 3 passes is identified by an annular line 2c. Furthermore, although this is not shown in the drawings, the side wall 2 may have a different thickness when it extends between the water inlet wall 3 and the lower wall 4. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the side wall 2 is essentially divided by a line 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) to the lower portion 2a and the upper portion 2b; the lower portion 2a of the side wall 2 has a greater thickness than the thickness of the upper portion 2b of the side wall 2. As can be seen in the illustrative embodiment shown, the thickness of the water inlet wall 3 is the same as the thickness of the upper portion 2b of the side wall.

Although in the embodiment of FIG. 12A and 12B, the upper portion of the side wall 2 has a different thickness than the wall 3 for water inlet, the capsule may have a wall for water inlet and the upper portion of the side wall of the same thickness, as in other embodiments shown in the drawings.

According to possible embodiments, the thickness of the side wall 2 and the wall 3 for the water inlet is 1.6-0.15 mm, and preferably 1.2-0.2 mm. In preferred embodiments, the thickness t1 of the water inlet wall 3 is 0.2-0.5 mm. The thickness t2 of the lower portion 2a of the side wall 2 is 0.55-0.7 mm.

It should be noted that in the embodiments shown in the drawings, the lower portion 2a of the side wall 2 has a constant thickness t2. However, in other possible embodiments, the side wall portion 2d adjacent to the flange-shaped capsule rim portion may have an increased thickness compared to the lower portion 2a of the side wall 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the lower portion 2a of the side wall 2 has a larger thickness compared to with the thickness of the upper portion 2b of the side wall 2. As can be seen in the drawings, the portions 2a and 2b of the side wall may have different slopes relative to the vertical (i.e., longitudinal) axis A of the capsule.

As shown in the drawings, the thickness of the inlet wall 3 is constant, i.e. at least one puncturing region 6 and at least one reinforced region 7, 7 ′ have the same thickness except for the ribs. However, in a possible embodiment, the reinforced wall region 7, 7 'for the water inlet may have an increased thickness compared to at least one portion of the wall 3 for water inlet outside of at least one reinforced region 7.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-15, the wall 3 of the capsule for water inlet extends from the central axis A (from the upper portion of the wall for water inlet) to the side wall 2 of the capsule, while the upper portion of the capsule is closed by the inner wall 3.

In addition, as shown in the drawings, the water inlet wall 3 extends from the central axis A up to the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2.

It should be noted that the water inlet wall 3 may be at least partially flat and / or convex and / or conical, in other words, the water inlet wall 3 may have various shapes to facilitate insertion of the capsule into the receiver of the cooking device, as well as for perforation walls 3 for water inlet using perforating means of the cooking device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule extends to the circumferential edge 2c of the side wall 2. The inclination of the water inlet 3 wall 3 at the circumferential edge 2c of the side wall 2 can vary depending on different embodiments, and preferably the angle β (see FIG. 2) formed (inside the capsule) between the water inlet wall 3 and the side wall 2 at the peripheral edge 2c is equal to or greater than 90 °. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the capsule has a substantially convex wall 3 for water inlet, and an angle β formed between the side wall 2 and the water inlet wall 3 exceeds 90 ° to provide additional structural rigidity; the preferred angle range β is 100-130 °.

In another possible embodiment shown in FIG. 6-11, the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule is substantially domed; this shape of the water inlet wall 3 can be obtained according to other possible embodiments using a curved surface or two or more flat surfaces inclined relative to each other to obtain a substantially domed shape.

In other words, in the form of a capsule in cross section along a radial plane passing through the central axis of the capsule, the water inlet wall is formed by a curved line having a substantially circular or elliptical shape, or two or more straight lines inclined to each other. In the last example, straight lines, for example, can be tangent to a circular or elliptical line.

It should be noted that according to another possible embodiment, the wall for water inlet can be formed by one flat surface located obliquely relative to the central axis, i.e. can form a conical surface. In addition, it should be noted that the wall for the inlet of water can be formed by a combination of curved and flat surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6-10, the capsule comprises a domed water inlet wall formed by a substantially circular surface having a substantially flat upper portion 3a. In other words, as most clearly shown in sectional view in FIG. 7 along a radial plane passing through the central axis A of the capsule, the water inlet wall 3 is formed by a curved line having a substantially circular or elliptical shape with the exception of the upper portion, which is substantially flat.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the substantially domed shape of the water inlet wall 3 is formed by flat surfaces 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e inclined to each other. In fact, as shown in sectional view in FIG. 10, the inclined flat surfaces 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e of the water inlet wall 3 correspond to straight lines inclined to each other. It should be noted that flat surfaces / straight lines can be tangent to a circular or elliptical line to form a substantially domed surface.

Other examples of domed capsules are shown in FIG. 11, 11A, 12A and 12B.

The capsule 1 of the present invention contains at least one reinforced region 7, 7 ′ of the water inlet wall 3 and at least one puncturing region 6 for perforating with the piercing means of the cooking device, which is located outside of at least one reinforced region 7, 7 '.

Reinforcement is provided by ribs and / or increased thickness with respect to the piercing region or other materials.

At least one puncturing region 6 is more flexible and deformable than other portions of the water inlet wall 3 and, in particular, with respect to at least one reinforced region 7, 7 ′ of the water inlet capsule wall 3.

Thus, first of all, at least one puncturing region 6 is actually perforated by the piercing means 40 of the cooking device 40 to produce holes 6a, and then it is deformed during the preparation process of the beverage.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one puncturing region 6 including openings 6a is at least partially deformed into the hollow capsule body 5 to increase the passage of cooking water into the capsule through the openings 6a. At least one perforation region 6 is at least partially plastically deformed after puncturing the piercing region 6 with the piercing means of the cooking device, when one or more water inlets 6a are formed in the piercing region 6 of the wall 3 of the capsule for water inlet.

A capsule of the invention having a deformed puncturing region is shown in FIG. 14 and 15.

As will be described in detail below, at least one puncturing region 6 may be deformed by the pressure applied by water to the wall 3 of the capsule for releasing water, which is pumped into the capsule by means of an appropriate injection means of the cooking device; the capsule can be deformed at a water pressure of 2-6 bar, preferably 2-4 bar.

The piercing region or regions 6 are punctured using piercing means of the cooking device, which follow a predetermined path to perforate the capsule in order to ensure the path of supply of cooking liquid to the capsule. The capsule piercing region or regions 6 provided on the water inlet wall 3 extend at least partially along a path that corresponds to the path on which the piercing means of the cooking device are located.

The puncturing region is pierced and subsequently deformed inwardly inside the hollow body of the capsule so that the piercing region and, in particular, at least one of the openings provided therein, no longer come into contact with the piercing means of the cooking device.

At least a portion of the at least one puncturing region 6 is deformed by moving at least 50-150% of the penetration depth of the cooking device piercing devices 40 into the water inlet wall to provide increased water passage between the water inlet wall 3 and the piercing devices.

In use, the piercing region or regions 6 of the water inlet wall 3 is contacted or perforated by the piercing means and then deformed inwardly, preferably by the pressure of the water injected into the capsule.

As mentioned above, the capsule according to the invention contains at least one reinforcing region 7, 7 ′ of the water inlet wall 3, which provides effective perforation of the piercing region by increasing the rigidity of the water inlet wall outside the perforation region, while reinforcing the region (s) 7 , 7 'may be deformed and may not be deformed during the injection of water under pressure into the capsule.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, which is not shown in the drawings, the reinforced zone 7 of the wall for water inlet has an increased thickness compared to portions of the wall 3 for water inlet outside the reinforced regions 7 and, in particular, compared with at least one region 6 piercing, which is located outside the reinforced areas 7.

In other words, in a possible embodiment, the reinforced regions 7 of the water inlet wall 3 have a greater thickness than at least one piercing region 6 to provide other characteristics of these regions of the water inlet wall, so that the piercing regions 6 can first be pierced efficiently with piercing means of the cooking device and then deformed under the influence of water pressure.

At least one reinforced area 7 of the wall 3 of the capsule for the inlet of water contains reinforcing means 10, 20. In a possible embodiment, the reinforcing means may extend at least partially also on the side wall 2 of the capsule. It should be noted that an increase in the stiffness of at least one reinforced wall region 7, 7 ′ for the water inlet can be achieved by combining an increased thickness compared to at least one puncturing region and the presence of reinforcing means 10, 20.

In a possible embodiment, the reinforcing means 10, 20, intended to form at least one reinforced region 7 on the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule, contain one or more protrusions or ribs 20 protruding from the surface of the water inlet wall and located in the circumferential direction and / or radially on the wall 3 for water inlet.

Reinforcing means 10, 20, forming at least one reinforced region 7, contain at least one recessed section 10, which is completely located in the wall 3 for water inlet or passes along the side wall 2 and wall 3 for water inlet.

It should be noted that the reinforcing means 10, 20 in the form of protrusions 20 and recessed sections 10 can be used together or separately in the same reinforced area 7.

As will be described in detail below, at least one boundary line 8, 8 ′ is formed between at least one reinforced region 7 and at least one puncture region 6 of the water inlet wall 3. It should be noted that the boundary line 8 may be an imaginary line and may not be a physical line or a distinctive element of the capsule. When at least one puncturing region 6 is deformed, at least the boundary line corresponds to the boundary of the deformable (bent) part of the wall 3 for water inlet, i.e. at least one puncturing region and a non-deformable (non-bending) part of the wall for water inlet, i.e. at least one reinforced area 7. Line 8 can act as a “hinge” between different sections of the wall for water inlet.

At least one puncturing region 6 and at least one reinforced region 7 are arranged in alternating order on the water inlet wall 3. Preferably, at least one reinforced region 7 and at least one puncturing region 6 are alternated in the radial direction, connecting to the peripheral edge 2c of the side wall 2 relative to the central axis A of the hollow body 5 of the capsule.

As shown in the attached drawings, two reinforced regions 7, 7 ′ of the water inlet wall 3 are provided, and at least one puncturing region 6 extends continuously or intermittently along a substantially annular region of the water inlet wall 3 between the two reinforced regions 7.

Preferably, a first reinforced region 7 ′ is provided in a central upper portion of the water inlet wall 3, and a second reinforced region 7 is provided in a peripheral portion of the water inlet wall, preferably adjacent to the circumferential edge 2 between the water inlet wall 3 and the capsule side wall 2. Between the central reinforced region 7 'and the circumferential reinforced region 7, at least one puncturing region 6 is located in the region of the wall for water inlet.

The capsule of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, has reinforcing means forming at least one reinforced region 7 containing at least one or preferably a number of recessed sections 10 extending along the water inlet wall 3 and on the side wall 2 and connecting the regions of these walls. In other words, the capsule has at least one recessed portion 10 forming a stiffener at the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2. It should be noted that at least one recessed portion 10 defines a shape modification of the wall 3 for water inlet and the side wall 2 at the peripheral edge 2c of the side wall 2, from which the wall 3 for water inlet passes.

In particular, a recessed portion 10 is provided at the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2 from which the water inlet wall 3 extends, and thus, the recessed portion extends both along the side wall and the wall of the water inlet capsule. The recessed portion 10 includes at least one surface that connects the side wall to the wall of the capsule for water inlet and forms, in fact, an additional wall that connects the side wall 2 and the wall 3 for water inlet and is located at an angle relative to both of these walls.

At least one recessed portion 10 comprises at least one surface 12 that lies in the plane P or contains at least one axis B having a constant angle of inclination α relative to the central axis A of the capsule or relative to a vertical axis parallel to the central axis A. note that preferably the inclination angle α of the surface 12 of the recessed portion 10 is measured by the corresponding inclination angle of the plane P or axis (straight line) B.

Preferably, the plane P or at least one axis B of the surface 12 is directed towards the central axis A of the capsule or the vertical axis parallel to the central axis A or intersects with said axis.

In the shown embodiment, the thickness of the wall 3 for water inlet, the upper portion 2b of the side wall and the recessed portions 10 is constant; however, the invention includes embodiments with different thicknesses in various wall areas. As shown in sectional view in FIG. 2, each outer recessed portion 10 corresponds to a protrusion 11 inside the hollow capsule body 5, i.e. the recessed portions 10 of the capsule form a modification of the side wall and wall for the capsule water inlet, providing a corresponding internal protrusion within the capsule.

The recessed portion 10 may be considered as “removing” part of the volume of the capsule from the joint (circumferential edge 2c) between the water inlet wall 3 and the side wall 2; Thus, the walls are modified, and they are “recessed” below their initial level and again rise to the initial level and shape. Illustrative forms of the remote volume are prisms or parts of prisms, preferably a prism selected from prisms with a base in the form of a triangle, parallelepiped, cylinder and hexagon, or prisms having a base formed by a regular or irregular polygon. Thus, at least one surface 12 of the recessed portion 10 “refers” to at least a portion of the prism used in the design to “remove” a certain volume of the capsule.

Thus, the recessed portion 10 includes a surface 12 connecting the water inlet wall 3 to the side wall 2 of the capsule. Thus, surface 12 forms an additional portion of the wall of the capsule. In other words, in the recessed portion 10, the water inlet wall 3 is connected to the side wall 2 with at least one surface 12 of the recessed portion 10.

In other possible embodiments, each recessed section 10 is formed by one continuous surface or two or more surfaces that can be oriented differently to form a recessed section 10. It should be noted that if the recessed section 10 is obtained by “removing” the volume corresponding to parts of the cylinder, the recessed portion 10 contains only one continuous surface 12 connecting the wall for water inlet and the side wall (see the embodiment shown in Fig. 5). In the case where a recessed portion is obtained by removing a volume corresponding to a portion of a prism with another shape, such as a box or a hexagonal prism, the recessed portion is formed by two or more surfaces 12 (see the embodiment shown in Fig. 5a).

As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, the recessed portion 10 comprises at least one inclined surface 12 with respect to a vertical that connects the water inlet wall 3 to the side wall 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, the recessed portion 10 comprises at least one inclined surface 12 relative to the vertical, i.e. relative to the central axis (A) or parallel to it axis.

Preferably, at least one surface 12 of the recessed portion 10, which maintains a constant angle of inclination relative to the central axis A of the capsule or the vertical axis, is the bottom surface of the recessed portion 10. In other words, each recessed portion 10 comprises at least one surface 12, preferably a “beveled” ", I.e. inclined and forming an additional surface, preferably the lower surface of the recessed portion 10, which is located at an angle relative to the vertical axis (i.e., the central axis A of the capsule or its parallel axis) with a constant inclination.

As mentioned above and shown in the drawings, the surface 12 of the recessed portion 10 is preferably flat, in fact, the above surface lies in the plane P or it contains at least one straight line B (axis). In addition, at least one surface 12 of the recessed portion 10 preferably maintains a constant inclination angle α relative to the central axis A of the capsule or its parallel axis throughout its entire length. In other embodiments, the central axis A is formed by angled portions, and the recessed portion comprises angled surfaces along axis A.

Preferably, the inclined surface 12 forms an acute angle α (see FIG. 2) with the vertical, i.e. relative to a direction parallel to the central vertical axis of rotation, i.e. the longitudinal axis A of the capsule, or simply axis A, as shown in FIG. 2. In general, the acute angle α, as defined above, is 10-75 °, preferably 25-60 °, most preferably 35-50 °.

As shown in the drawings, the surface 12 of the recessed portion 10 and preferably the lower surface extend between the proximal and farthest end portions 10a, 10b of the recessed portion 10 with respect to the central axis A of the capsule.

In other words, at least one surface 12 extends from the proximal end portion 10a of the recessed portion 10 with respect to the central axis A to the furthest end portion 10b of the recessed portion 10 from the central axis A of the capsule.

It should be noted that the expression “end portion 10a of the recessed portion 10 closest to the central axis A of the capsule” means at least one point or region of the recessed portion 10 closest to the central axis A of the capsule. Similarly, the expression “end portion 10b of the recessed portion 10 that is farthest from the central axis A of the capsule” means the greatest distance of at least one point or region of the recessed portion 10 from the central axis A of the capsule.

The farthest end portion 10b of the recessed portion 10 is located on the side wall 2 below the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2. In other words, at least one point or region of the recessed portion 10 furthest from the central axis A is below the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2 .

In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, each recessed portion 10 is formed by an inclined surface 12, which has two side surfaces 12 '. The inclined surface 12 is substantially flat and inclined with respect to the vertical, and the angle α formed between the inclined surface 12 and the vertical, i.e. a direction parallel to the central axis A is an acute angle. The side surfaces 12 ′ of the recessed portion 10 are preferably located on a plane passing through the central axis A of the capsule.

In an aspect of the present invention, the recessed portions 10 are located radially relative to the central axis A of the capsule, and preferably the capsule contains a number of recessed portions 10 located at an equal distance along the circumferential end 2c of the side wall 2, thereby providing a uniform increase in the rigidity of the side wall and the intake wall water capsules.

Preferably, the recessed portions 10 are dimensioned so as to provide a constant “whole-hollow” alternation along the peripheral end 2c of the side wall from which the water inlet wall 3 extends, i.e. continuous alternation of the recessed section 10 (hollow) and the section of the side wall 2 and the wall for water inlet, where there are no hollow sections (whole).

In the capsule embodiment shown in FIG. 1-4, the number of recessed portions 10 is increased compared to the embodiments shown in FIG. 5, 5a. In addition, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-4, the recessed portions are narrower compared to the recessed portions 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, 5a. In particular, in FIG. 1-4, the width w of the inclined surface 12 of the recessed sections 10 is smaller compared with the embodiments of FIG. 5, 5a.

In FIG. 5, 5a, an even number of recessed sections is shown, namely, six recessed sections. As indicated above, the number of recessed sections can be selected from indivisible numbers, preferably from 5, 7, 11, and 13; in FIG. 4 shows a capsule with eleven recessed portions. The choice of an indivisible number in relation to the number of recessed portions leads to increased random positioning of the capsule inside the receiver of the cooking device, where the capsule is placed for piercing, relative to the piercing elements provided in the above receiver. This increase in random positioning of the capsule relative to the piercing elements will reduce the possible malfunctioning of the system.

Advantageously, in a possible embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the recessed portion 10 is equal to the thickness of the water inlet wall 3 and / or the side wall 2 outside the aforementioned recessed section, while other thicknesses may be provided according to the specifications for the materials used to make the capsule. As indicated above, in the present description, the expression "thickness of the recessed section" means the thickness of the cross section of the capsule of the wall of the capsule in the recessed section and, in particular, the thickness of at least one surface 12 of the recessed section 10 that connects the water inlet wall and the side wall of the capsule.

At least one puncturing region 6 of the water inlet wall 3 is located adjacent to the reinforced region 7 of the water inlet wall 3 formed by the recessed portions 10, preferably beyond the end portion 10a of at least one recessed portion 10 on the water inlet wall 3.

Preferably, the boundary line 8 between the reinforced region 7 and at least one puncturing region 6 is formed by an annular line connecting the end portions 10a of the recessed portions 10.

It should be noted that the expression “end portion” 10a of the recessed portion is used here to indicate where the recessed portion 3 ends on the water inlet wall 3, i.e. means the part that is located next to the central axis A of the capsule and is indicated on the drawings by the reference number 10a. The side of the recessed portion opposite the end 10a represents the end 10b, which is located on the side wall 2; surface 12 connects end portions 10a and 10b.

It should be noted that in other possible embodiments, at least one puncturing region 6 may be provided in the region between the end portions 10a of the recessed portions 10 and the apex point of the water inlet 3 corresponding to the central axis A of the capsule.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule has a second reinforced region 7 'located in the central upper portion of the water inlet wall. In the shown embodiment, the reinforced region 7 'is formed by reinforcing means in the form of a number of ribs 20 protruding from the inner surface of the water inlet wall 3. The ribs 20 are preferably located radially from the central portion of the water inlet wall 3, substantially from the central axis A. The ribs 20 provided in the central portion of the inner surface of the water inlet wall 3 are shown in a capsule form from below in FIG. 3.

Preferably, the boundary line 8 'between the reinforced region 7' and the puncturing region 6 is formed by an annular line connecting the ends 20a of the radially spaced ribs 20. It should be noted that in an embodiment of the capsule having such ribs 20, one or more puncturing regions 6 are preferably located between the recessed sections 10 and ribs 20. In particular, one or more puncture areas 6 are located on the water inlet wall 3 between the end portion 10a of the recessed section 10, i.e. reinforced region 7, and the end portion 20a of the ribs 20, i.e. reinforced area 7 '.

As indicated above, the thickness of the piercing region 6 may be less than the thickness of the wall 3 for water inlet in the reinforced region 7.

The capsule embodiments shown in FIG. 6-11 are similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, with the exception of reinforcing means in the form of recessed portions 10 intended to form at least one reinforced area 7 of the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule.

In fact, as indicated above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, the recessed portions 10 extend along the water inlet wall and the side wall, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6-11, the recessed portions are completely located in the wall 3 of the capsule for water inlet, i.e. they do not extend along the side wall 2 and, in particular, they do not extend below the circumferential end 2 from the side wall 2. In FIG. 1-5 and in FIG. 6-11, corresponding elements are indicated by corresponding reference numbers.

As described with reference to FIG. 1-5, and also in FIG. 6-11, the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule has a second reinforced region 7 'located in the central upper portion of the water inlet wall. In the shown embodiment, the reinforced region 7 'is determined by reinforcing means in the form of a number of ribs 20 protruding from the inner surface of the water inlet wall 3. The structural features of the central reinforced portion 7 'are the same as the structural features described above with reference to FIG. 1-5.

In FIG. 12, 13 show another possible embodiment of the capsule of the invention. In particular, capsule 1 contains a number of recessed portions 10, which, as described above, can be located both on the water inlet wall 3 and on the side wall 2 of the capsule, or can be completely located in the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule. The sections 10 have a first outer circumferential reinforced region 7. The central reinforced region 7 'has ribs 20 located radially; at two boundary lines 8, 8 ', circumferential ribs 20b are provided.

According to a possible embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, the circumferential rib 20b located between the central reinforced region 7 'and the piercing region 6 can be removed.

In fact, it should be noted that the annular rib 20b located at the end portions 20a of the radially arranged ribs 20 located on the central upper portion 7 'of the water inlet wall 3 is optional.

The boundary line 8 'between the reinforced region 7' located centrally on the upper portion of the water inlet wall and at least one piercing region 6 of the water inlet capsule wall 3 substantially corresponds to the annular rib 20b. The boundary line 8 between the reinforced region 7 located on the periphery of the water inlet wall, and at least one piercing region 6 of the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule essentially corresponds to the annular rib 20b.

In FIG. 12A and 12B show an embodiment in which the recessed portions 10 are replaced by reinforcing means 20c in the form of ribs, preferably spaced radially and extending along the water inlet wall 3, or preferably both along the water inlet wall 3 and along the side wall 2. A certain amount radial ribs 20c are located on the peripheral part of the water inlet wall 3, i.e. on the portion adjacent to the circumferential edge 2c between the water inlet wall and the side wall, to obtain a reinforced portion 7. In a preferred aspect, the radially arranged ribs 20c also extend along the side wall 2 of the capsule.

Furthermore, the annular rib 20b protrudes from the lower surface of the water inlet wall 3, and preferably it extends in a circumferential direction relative to the circumferential edge 2c of the water inlet wall 3, i.e. forms an annular line relative to the center line A of the capsule. Thus, the reinforced region 7 located on the peripheral part of the water inlet wall 3 is defined by an annular rib 20b and radially spaced ribs 20c (as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B). It should be noted that the boundary line 8 between the reinforced region 7 and at least one puncturing region 6 of the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule essentially corresponds to the annular rib 20b. In the case where an annular rib 20b on the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule is not provided, a boundary line 8 between the peripheral reinforced region 7 and at least one puncturing region 6 may be formed by end portions of radially spaced ribs 20c that are close to the central axis A capsules.

It should be noted that according to other possible embodiments, at least one puncturing region 6 may be provided in the region between the boundary line 8 of the reinforced region 7, i.e. annular rib 20b in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, 13, 12A and 12B, and the upper portion of the water inlet wall 3 corresponding to the central axis A of the capsule.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A and 12B, the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule has a second reinforced region 7 'provided in the central upper portion of the water inlet wall 3. In the shown embodiment, the reinforced region 7 'is formed by reinforcing means in the form of a number of ribs 20, preferably protruding from the inner surface of the water inlet wall 3. The ribs 20 are preferably located radially from the central portion of the water inlet wall 3, substantially from the central axis A.

Preferably, the boundary line 8 'between the central reinforced region 7' and at least one puncturing region 6 is defined by an annular line connecting the ends 20a of the radially spaced ribs 20 of the central reinforced region 7 '.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A and 12B, and, as most clearly shown in FIG. 12V, i.e. on the bottom of the capsule, the central reinforced region 7 'contains the first some number 20' of radially spaced ribs that start at a point corresponding to the central axis A of the capsule.

In addition, the central reinforced region 7 'contains a second number of radially spaced ribs 20ʺ, which begin at a point corresponding to the central axis A of the capsule.

Preferably, the boundary line 8 'between the central reinforced region 7' and at least one puncturing region 6 is defined by an annular line connecting the ends 20a of a second number of radially spaced ribs 20ʺ.

In the shown preferred embodiments of the capsule having ribs 20 radially located on the upper reinforced portion 7 'of the water inlet wall, (one or more) puncturing region 6 is located between the recessed portions 10 or the peripherally located radial ribs 20c and the ribs 20 radially located on section of the wall for water inlet. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, 13, one or more puncturing regions 6 may be located on the water inlet wall 3 between the end portion 10a of the recessed portion 10 and the end portion 20a of the ribs 20 located on the upper portion of the water inlet wall 3 to obtain a centrally reinforced region 7 .

As mentioned above, the thickness of the piercing region 6 may be less than the thickness of the water inlet wall 3 in the reinforced region 7.

In the capsule, at least one puncturing region 6 is preferably located on an annular portion of the water inlet wall having two boundary circles spaced from each other at a distance of 3.1-4.1 mm and preferably 3.3-3, 9 mm.

With reference to the shown embodiments, in which the puncturing region 6 is located between two reinforced regions 7, 7 ′ (located on the periphery and in the center on the water inlet wall 3), boundary lines 8 and 8 ′ between the reinforced regions and the puncturing region are arranged from a friend at a distance of 3.1-4.1 mm and preferably 3.3-3.9 mm

In the capsule of the invention, the peripheral reinforced region 7, i.e. the reinforced region adjacent to the circumferential edge of the side wall 2c extends (in the radial direction) along the wall 3 for water inlet by 20-40% and preferably 25-35% of the radial distance between the side wall 2 (and preferably its peripheral edge 2c) and the upper edge of the wall 3 of the capsule for the inlet of water (and preferably its Central axis A). In a preferred embodiment, each section 7, 7 'and 6 extends 20-40% and preferably 25-35% of the radial distance between the side wall 2 (and preferably its peripheral edge 2c) and the central axis A of the wall 3 of the capsule for water inlet at 100% ) of radius from axis A to edge 2c.

In addition, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-15, with the exception of the embodiments shown in FIG. 12A and 12B, the capsule has vertical racks 9 protruding from the inner surface of the side wall 2 and designed to prevent capsules from stacking during the preparation of the beverage. The protruding racks may be truncated, as shown in FIG. 12A to facilitate and facilitate stacking if necessary. The thickness, shape and radius of such a rack (such racks) will vary depending on the manufacturing methods selected from a number of methods mentioned above, as should be clear to experts in this field.

The uprights can extend both on the water inlet wall 3 and on the side wall 2, or they can only be provided on the side wall 2 of the capsule, as in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-12 and 13-15. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 12A to 12B, and, in general, in a capsule in which the peripheral reinforced region 7 comprises reinforcing means in the form of ribs 20c extending also on the side wall 2, a section of reinforcing ribs 20c extending along the side wall 2 can serve as vertical struts 9.

In addition, in the illustrated illustrative embodiments, at least one sealing element 30 is provided on the rim of the capsule in the form of a flange, i.e. a portion of the capsule intended for contact with the receiver and, in particular, with the lower edge of the receiver, i.e. receiver compression section to provide sealing contact.

Any suitable sealing member may be used.

The capsule according to the invention can be made of plastic, bioplastics, the so-called “green” plastic (plastic obtained from renewable sources).

The capsule may be made by injection molding or thermoforming. The capsule may be provided with a layer that acts as a barrier to oxygen and gas penetration.

A known suitable barrier material is, for example, EVON, which may take the form of a multilayer structure with polypropylene, for example PP-EVON-PP, or preferably with polyethylene, for example PE-EVON-PE. The multilayer structure may be a laminate that is used in thermoforming; alternatively, a multilayer structure can be obtained by co-injection of the capsule body; co-injection of coffee capsules is a method that is well known to specialists in this field and is not the subject of the present invention. This method is commercially available.

The barrier can also be provided externally as a coating. Suitable coatings include such coatings as, for example, Nanolok ™ PT ADV-7 and PDV or PECVD coatings. Coatings can be applied by spraying or dipping, while suitable coatings, especially nanocoatings, can be obtained using a composition comprising kaolin clay or silicate nanoparticles and polymers, optionally as a water-based composition. Such compositions are, for example, a concentrated nanocomposite suspension, which includes a silicate filler and a matrix polymer and is sprayed in an aqueous medium, as described, for example, in WO 2009/114071, WO 2006/115729, WO 2008/147380, WO 2009 / 114072, US 8309230. A different type of barrier can be obtained by adding the corresponding nanocomposite to the plastic material, as described, for example, in WO 2007/106671.

At least the side wall 2 and the capsule water inlet wall 3 are integrally formed. In addition, in another aspect of the invention, the water inlet wall 3 and the side wall 2 are made of the same material, preferably plastic material.

Another manufacturing process may be used to prepare the capsule of the invention, for example, at least the water inlet wall 3 and the side wall 2 can be made by injection molding or co-injection of plastic material.

It should be noted that the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the material used to make the capsule, and in particular the water inlet wall 3, are critical for deforming at least part of one or more puncture areas.

Experimental studies carried out by the applicant show that the use of a plastic material having the following thermal and mechanical properties provides at the same time effective perforation of at least one piercing region of the capsule wall for water inlet and subsequent deformation of at least a portion of the piercing region during the beverage preparation process.

Suitable materials include PP and PE, preferably HDPE, having a density of 850-1050 kg / m ³ , preferably 951 kg / m ³ (measured according to ISO 1872), a melt flow rate of 9-13 g / 10 min, preferably 11 g / 10 min (melt flow rate, measured according to ISO 1133), tensile load of 23-9 MPa, preferably 25 MPa (measured according to ISO 527-2 / 1 V). The preferred material should meet all of the above preferred values.

Suitable material has a Charpy impact strength on notched specimens of 3.1-3.9 kJ / m ² , preferably 3.5 kJ / m ² (measured according to ISO 179). The preferred material should meet all of the above preferred values and Charpy impact strength on notched specimens.

In addition, the Vicat softening temperature is 50-80, preferably 55-75, and most preferably 60-70 (measured according to ISO 306 (method B50). When measured according to ASTM D1525 B50, the Vicat softening temperature is preferably 50-60, preferably 54-58 and most preferably 56. The melting point (second heating) is preferably 115-145 ° C., preferably 131 ° C. (as measured by ASTM D2117). Suitable material has a Shore D hardness in the range 55-66, preferably 60 (ASTM D2240).

A suitable plastic material for the manufacture of the capsule is a material that is commercially available under the name Rigidex® HD5211EA and manufactured by INEOS.

As indicated above, the present invention also relates to a system for preparing a beverage containing a capsule of the type described above.

In particular, the capsule is used in a cooking device comprising piercing devices for perforating at least one piercing area of the wall 3 of the water inlet capsule in order to obtain one or more water inlet openings 6a. The cooking device comprises water injection means for pumping water under pressure into the hollow capsule body 5 through one or more water inlets 6a.

At least one puncturing region 6 of the water inlet wall 3 is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation during the preparation process of the beverage.

The piercing region or regions 6 provided on the water inlet wall 3 extend at least partially along a path corresponding to the path on which the piercing means of the cooking device are located.

As indicated above, at least one puncture region of the capsule is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation in the inner direction of the hollow body. A deformable water inlet wall according to a possible embodiment of the capsule is shown in FIG. 14 and 15.

In fact, at least one puncturing region 6 is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation after puncturing the piercing region 6 by the piercing means 40 of the cooking device and forming one or more water inlets 6a in the puncturing region 6 of the water inlet capsule wall 3.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 14 and 15, at least one piercing region 6 of the water inlet wall 3 after deformation no longer contacts the piercing means 40 of the cooking device.

In addition, at least a portion of at least one puncturing region 6 undergoes plastic deformation by moving at least 50-150% of the penetration depth of the piercing means 40 of the cooking device in the water inlet wall. Thus, it is possible to provide increased water passage between the water inlet wall and the piercing means of the cooking device.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage from a capsule of the type described above and a brewing device comprising piercing means and water injection means.

The method comprises the steps of piercing at least a portion of at least one puncturing region of a water inlet wall using the piercing means of a cooking device to produce one or more water inlet openings in the wall of the water inlet capsule; and a plastic deformation step of at least a portion of at least one puncturing region of the water inlet wall during preparation of the beverage.

Advantageously, as indicated above, plastic deformation of at least a portion of the piercing region of the capsule allows an increase in the passage of water into the capsule. In fact, after deformation of the water inlet wall, the piercing means of the cooking device do not close one or more water inlet openings formed on the water inlet wall as a result of its deformation.

It should be noted that in the method according to the invention, at least one puncturing region 6 is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation after perforating by the piercing means 40 of the cooking device at least part of the puncturing region in order to obtain one or more water inlets 6a.

As indicated above, at least one puncturing region 6 at least undergoes plastic deformation under the pressure applied to the inlet wall by water pumped by means for pumping water of the cooking device.

In this regard, the method comprises the step of injecting water into the hollow capsule body 5 through one or more water inlet openings 6a formed on the water inlet wall 3 in step a) of the method using means for pumping water into the cooking device. Thus, at least one puncturing region 6 is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation at the indicated step b) of the method under the influence of water pressure applied to the water inlet wall 3, which is pumped by means for pumping water of the cooking device.

Preferably, the water pressure is 2-4 bar.

According to the method, at least two separate steps for increasing the pressure are specified when the above means for injecting water of the cooking device pump water into the capsule.

Preferably, plastic deformation of the at least one puncturing region occurs between an increase in pressure inside the hollow body of the capsule and the first release of the prepared beverage from the beverage outlet wall. In fact, during the process of preparing the beverage after perforating the capsule piercing region with the piercing means of the brewing unit, water is pumped into the hollow capsule body through one or more holes formed in the piercing region in order to increase the pressure inside the capsule to ensure that the product contained therein is effectively infused.

Plastic deformation of the wall of the capsule for water inlet provides at least two separate stages of increasing the pressure of the injected water. In fact, the first increase in pressure is achieved after perforating at least one area of piercing by the piercing means of the cooking device and injecting water into the capsule. The pressure increases until at least a portion of the at least one puncturing region is deformed, thereby providing an increased flow of water into the capsule. A second increase in pressure is achieved by pumping water into the capsule through a deformed water inlet wall until the product contained in the hollow capsule body is infused and the pressure inside the capsule opens the wall to release the finished product from the capsule.

According to another feature of the method, plastic deformation of at least one puncturing region 6 takes place between the increase in pressure inside the hollow body 5 and the first release of the prepared beverage from the beverage outlet wall 4.

In FIG. 14 and 15 show a capsule according to the invention having a shape similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1-4, in which at least a portion of the puncturing region 6 undergoes plastic deformation.

As shown in FIG. 14 and 15, at least a portion of the puncturing region 6 is deformed inside the hollow body 5 of the capsule, and advantageously only the puncturing region 6 is at least partially deformed. In fact, the reinforced region or regions 7 are not deformed during the beverage preparation process. In particular, deformation of the puncturing region essentially takes place within at least a boundary line 8, which essentially extends between at least one reinforced region 7 and at least one puncturing region 6.

As shown in FIG. 14, 15, the puncturing region 6 is deformed substantially in the region between two boundary lines 8, which theoretically separate the two reinforced regions 7 from the annular puncturing region 6.

Although the puncturing region shown in the drawings is completely deformed, only at least a portion of the piercing region can be deformed.

In addition, it should be noted that, although not shown in the drawings, the capsule shown in the embodiments of FIG. 5-13 will have similar characteristics during the beverage preparation process, with at least part of the puncturing region being deformed, as in the capsule shown in FIG. 14 and 15.

The invention will also be described with reference to the following comparative tests of a capsule according to the invention and a commercially available capsule.

The results of comparative tests show an increased cooking yield in a capsule according to the invention, regardless of the machine used.

The cooking output parameter is calculated using the mathematical formula below:

The cooking yield depends on the percentage of extracted solids, the mass of the prepared beverage, and the mass of the capsule filling.

The tests described below were performed using two different coffee powders.

Coffee A: a mixture of roasted ground coffee of Robusta and Arabica varieties with a medium-dark roast color (8.5 La).

Coffee B: 100% roasted ground coffee arabica with a dark roast color (6.5 La).

The following commercially available coffee machines were used.

Nespresso® U Coffee Machine, an automatic espresso machine using automatic pressing force.

Nespresso® Pixie Coffee Machine, an automatic espresso machine using manual pressing force.

Example 1

Exactly 5.2 g of coffee A was placed in the capsule of the present invention. This capsule was then placed in an U Nespresso® automatic espresso machine, after which espresso was made. % Of the extracted solids was then measured using a Kyoto densitometer known in the art to calculate extractable / extracted solids based on the cooking density and in terms of g per 100 g.

The finished drink had a 26% yield of brewing.

Comparative Example 1

Coffee A was also brewed using a Nespresso capsule (i.e. without using the improved capsule design of the invention) in the same espresso machine, and only 24% of the brewing yield was obtained.

In FIG. 16 shows a comparison of cooking yield (%) in an improved capsule and a Nespresso capsule in a U machine.

Example 2

Exactly 5.2 g of coffee A was placed in the capsule of the present invention. This capsule was then placed in a Pixie Nespresso® automatic espresso machine, after which espresso was made. Then% of the extracted solids was measured using a Kyoto densitometer, and% of the brewing yield was calculated as described in Example 1. The finished drink had a 25% brewing yield.

Reference Example 2

Coffee A was also brewed in the original Nespresso capsule without using the improved capsule design of the invention, and only 24.5% of the brewing yield was obtained.

In FIG. 17 shows a comparison of cooking yield (%) in an improved capsule and a Nespresso capsule in a Pixie machine.

Example 3

Exactly 5.2 g of coffee B was placed in the Nespresso® capsule and the capsule of the present invention. Both capsules were then placed in a Pixie Nespresso® machine, after which espresso was made. As a result of using the improved capsule of the present invention, a 21% cooking yield was obtained.

Reference Example 3

Coffee B was also brewed in the original Nespresso capsule without using the improved capsule design of the invention, and only 18.5% of the brewing yield was obtained.

In FIG. Figure 18 shows a comparison of boiling yield (%) in an improved capsule and a Nespresso capsule in a Pixie machine.

Example 4

Exactly 5.2 g of coffee B was placed in the Nespresso® capsule and the capsule of the present invention. Then both capsules were placed in a Pixie Nespresso® machine, after which espresso drinks were prepared. During cooking, cooking time and cooking pressure were also measured. The coffee B in the capsule of the present invention was brewed in less time (17 s) and at a lower pressure (11.5 bar), and a higher brewing yield was obtained, i.e. 21%

Reference Example 4

Coffee B was also brewed using a Nespresso® capsule in the same espresso machine, while the brewing time was longer (21 s) at a higher pressure (14.5 bar), and a lower brewing yield was obtained, t .e. 18.5%.

In FIG. 19 shows the cooking time, cooking pressure and% of cooking yield in a Pixie machine with and without the use of the improved capsule design of the present invention.

Example 5

Exactly 5.2 g of coffee B was placed in the Nespresso® capsule and the capsule of the present invention. Then both capsules were placed in a U Nespresso® machine, after which espresso drinks were prepared.

During cooking, cooking time and cooking pressure were also measured. The coffee B in the capsule of the present invention was brewed in less time (20 s) and at a lower pressure (15 bar), while the same% yield was obtained, i.e. 20% as for coffee B in a Nespresso capsule brewed in a U Nespresso® machine.

In FIG. 20 shows cooking time, cooking pressure, and% cooking yield in a U machine with and without the use of the improved capsule design of the present invention.

The above results confirm the benefits provided by the capsule of the present invention.

Claims (32)

1. A system for preparing a beverage containing a capsule (1) containing a side wall (2), a wall (3) for water inlet and a wall for (4) for release, forming a hollow closed housing (5) containing the product for cooking, with this wall (3) for water inlet contains at least one area (6) of puncturing, made with the possibility of piercing it with piercing means (40) of the cooking device to form one or more holes (6a) of the water inlet in the wall (3) of the inlet capsule water under pressure inside the hollow body (5) of the capsule during cooking cycle, wherein the wall (3) for the water inlet comprises at least one reinforced region (7) different from the at least one area (6) piercing the wall (3) for the inlet of water; and a cooking device comprising piercing means (40) for piercing at least one area (6) of piercing the wall (3) of the water inlet capsule to form one or more water inlet openings (6a) in the wall (3) of the water inlet capsule while the cooking device also contains means for pumping water, configured to pump water under pressure inside the hollow body (5) of the capsule through one or more holes (6a) for water inlet, characterized in that at least one area (6) proca the wall of the water inlet (3), comprising at least one water inlet (6a), is configured to deform at least partially plastic into the hollow body of the capsule under the pressure applied to it by water pumped by means for pumping cooking water the device during the cycle of preparation of the drink after the area of piercing the wall was punctured by the piercing means of the brewing device, while at least part of the transmitted deformation is stored in blasts (6) piercing the end of said cooking cycle. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two reinforced regions (7) of the wall (3) for water inlet, and at least one puncture region (6) is at least partially formed by the reinforced regions. 3. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least one puncturing region (6) is configured to deform around at least one or more water inlets (6a) immediately after the formation of holes (6a) in the wall piercing region (6) (3) ) an inlet capsule, wherein the piercing region (6) around the holes (6a) is movable inside the hollow body (5) to at least partially free the holes (6a) from the piercing means (40). 4. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least one area (6) of piercing the wall (3) for water inlet is made with the possibility of at least partial plastic deformation under the action of pressure on the wall (3) for inlet by means of water pumped by means for pumping cooking water devices (40), wherein the water pressure is 2-6 bar, preferably 2-4 bar. 5. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one boundary line (8) is formed between at least one reinforced region (7) and at least one piercing region (6) of the wall (3) for water inlet. 6. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least one puncture region (6) and at least one reinforced region (7) are staggered on the water inlet wall (3), preferably in a radial direction that extends from the peripheral edge (2c ) of the side wall (2) to the central axis (A) of the hollow body (5) of the capsule. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one puncturing region (6) extends continuously or discontinuously along a substantially annular region of the wall (3) for water inlet between at least two reinforced regions (7). 8. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which after deformation at least one of the holes (6a) in the deformed puncture region (6) does not come into contact with the piercing means (40) of the cooking device. 9. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least a portion of at least one puncture region (6) is plastically deformable by moving the cooking device piercing means (40) at least to a depth of 50-150% of penetration into the water inlet wall to provide increased passage of water between the wall (3) for water inlet and piercing means. 10. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least the side wall (2) and the wall (3) for water inlet are made as a whole from the same material. 11. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least the water inlet wall (3) and the side wall (2) are made by injection molding or co-injection of plastic material. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said material contains HPDE having a density of 850-1050 kg / m ³ , preferably 951 kg / m ³ (measured according to ISO 1872), a melt flow rate of 9-13 g / 10 min, preferably 11 g / 10 min (melt flow rate, measured according to ISO 1133), tensile load 23–29 MPa, preferably 26 MPa (measured according to ISO 527-2 / 1B). 13. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which the wall (3) for the inlet of water has a substantially domed shape. 14. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which at least one reinforced region (7) contains reinforcing means (10, 20) and / or contains at least a portion having an increased thickness with respect to the thickness of at least one wall piercing region (6) ( 3) for water inlet. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the reinforcing means (10, 20) forming at least one reinforced region (7) also extend at least partially along the side wall (2) of the capsule. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the reinforcing means (10, 20) forming at least one reinforced region (7) comprise one or more projections (20) protruding from the wall surface (3) for water inlet and located in the circumferential direction and / or radially on the wall (3) for water inlet. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the reinforcing means (10, 20) forming at least one reinforced region (7) comprise at least one recessed portion (10) completely located inside the inlet wall (3) or passing along the side wall (2) and the wall (3) for water inlet. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the piercing region (6) around the holes (6a) is configured to deform into the hollow body (5) to at least partially free the holes (6a) from the piercing means (40) during the cycle making a drink. 19. The system according to claim 1 or 18, in which at least one area (6) of puncturing the wall (3) for water inlet is configured to at least partially deform after it is pierced by the piercing means (40) of the cooking device and the formation of one or several holes (6a) for water inlet in the piercing wall (3) of the inlet capsule wall (3). 20. The system according to claim 1 or 18, in which at least one area (6) of piercing the wall (3) for water inlet is made with the possibility of at least partial deformation under the action of the pressure of water pumped to the wall (3) to inlet means for pumping water into the cooking device, while the water pressure is preferably 2-6 bar. 21. The system according to claim 1 or 18, wherein at least one of the holes (6a) in the deformable puncture region (6) does not come into contact with the piercing means (40) of the cooking device after deformation. 22. The system according to claim 1 or 18, in which at least part of at least one area (6) of puncturing is made with the possibility of plastic deformation by moving the piercing means (40) of the cooking device at least to a depth of 50-150% penetration into a water inlet wall to provide increased water passage between the water inlet wall (3) and the piercing means. 23. A method of preparing a beverage from a capsule (1) containing a side wall (2), a wall (3) for water inlet and a wall (4) for release, forming a hollow closed housing (5) containing a product for cooking, the wall ( 3) for the water inlet contains at least one puncturing region (6) configured to pierce it with piercing means (40) of the cooking device to form one or more water inlet openings (6a) in the wall (3) of the pressurized water inlet inside the hollow body (5) of the capsule during the cooking cycle, with this wall (3) for water inlet contains at least one reinforced area (7), different from at least one area (6) piercing the wall (3) for water inlet; and a cooking device containing piercing means (40) and means for pumping water, the method comprising piercing at least one area (6) of piercing the wall (3) for water inlet by piercing means (40) of the cooking device to produce one or several holes (6a) for water inlet in the wall (3) of the capsule, characterized in that at least a part of at least one area (6) of piercing the wall (3) for water inlet is deformed inside the capsule body by applying of the wall (3) for inlet water pressure, pumping means for pumping water cooking device during beverage preparation, wherein at least a portion of the transmitted deformation stored in area (6) in the piercing end of the cooking cycle. 24. The method according to p. 23, in which at least one area (6) of puncturing is deformed at least around one or more holes (6a) for water inlet immediately after the formation of holes (6a) in the area (6) of piercing the wall ( 3) capsules for intake, wherein the piercing region (6) around the holes (6a) moves inside the hollow body (5) to at least partially free the holes (6a) from the piercing means (40). 25. The method according to p. 24, in which at least one area (6) of puncturing at least partially undergoes plastic deformation after piercing of the area (6) of puncturing the wall (3) for water inlet by the piercing means (40) of the cooking device and the formation of one or several holes (6a) for water inlet in the area (6) of piercing the wall (3) of the capsule for inlet. 26. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, in which at least one area (6) of puncturing the wall (3) for water inlet is at least partially subjected to plastic deformation under the pressure applied to the wall (3) for water inlet, pumped by means for pumping water of the cooking device (40), wherein the water pressure is 2–6 bar, preferably 2–4 bar. 27. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, which includes at least two separate stages of increasing pressure when the water is injected with a means for pumping the water of the cooking device into the capsule. 28. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, in which the deformation of at least one area (6) of piercing is carried out between increasing the pressure inside the hollow body (5) and the first release of the prepared beverage from the wall (4) for release. 29. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, in which the piercing region (6) around one or more holes (6a) is moved inside the hollow body (5) to free the holes (6a) from the piercing means (40) so that one or more holes do not come into contact with the piercing means (40) cooking device. 30. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 23-25, in which at least a portion of the at least one puncturing region (6) is deformed by moving the cooking means of the cooking device (40) at least to a depth of 50-150% penetration of the water inlet wall to provide increased water passage between wall (3) for water inlet and piercing means.

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