WO2009008723A1

WO2009008723A1 - Holder and cup containing concentrate for preparing warm drinks

Info

Publication number: WO2009008723A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/050463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cornelis Margaretha Theodorus Maria Bongers; Wiebe Nicolaas Van Druten
Original assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-07-09
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: EP2164778B1; EP2164778A1; ES2394162T3; NL2000739C2

Abstract

Cup for preparing a drink with the aid of an accompanying holder (30) which is suitable for use in a hot water appliance. The cup (10) comprises a bowl-shaped dish body ( 11 ) for retaining a preparation substance with an inlet opening and discharge opening (24). The bowl-shaped dish body (11) is further provided with a perforation space (23) which is located around the discharge opening (24) and extends toward the interior of the cup (10), the discharge opening (24) and perforation space (23) being sealable by a seal (IS). The seal (15) comprises a layer of metal (3) and is provided with a weakening (4). The weakening (4) has a predetermined pattern extending radially at least at the site of the perforation space (23).

Description

Holder and cup containing concentrate for preparing warm drinks

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cup for preparing a drink with the aid of a hot water appliance, comprising a bowl-shaped dish body for retaining a preparation substance with an inlet opening and discharge opening, the bowl-shaped dish body being further provided with a perforation space which is located around the discharge opening and extends toward the interior of the cup, the discharge opening and perforation space being scalable by a seal.

Prior art

A cup or cartridge of this type is known from Netherlands application NL 1029312 in the name of the applicant of the present application.

Cartridges for use in the preparation of (warm) drinks based on a liquid concentrate are known from inter alia WO-A-01/58786, EP-A-O 449533, EP-A-I 101 430, WO-A1-03/073896, WO-Al -03/053200, WO-Al -02/19875, US 6,130,990, US 4,886,674, EP-A-I 440 907 and EP-A-I 440908.

WO-A-01/58786 and EP-A-O 449533 describe a cartridge wherein (hot) water is passed via a punctiform inflow opening on the underside of the cartridge, via a 'ring line' containing distribution openings, and furthermore via these distribution openings through a compartment containing a concentrate, the water diluting the concentrate by means of turbulence to form a drink, which drink is subsequently passed via a siphon to an outflow opening on the underside of the cartridge.

EP-A-I 101 430 describes a stepped cartridge wherein inter alia provisions are received for using a liquid concentrate (paras. [0034] and [0035]). During use of this cartridge, the wall of the cartridge is pierced, after which (hot) water is passed through the concentrate via the inflow opening(s) thus created and the hot concentrate is thus diluted to form a drink, this drink leaving the cartridge via a likewise pierced outflow opening. WO-Al -03/073896 describes a cartridge wherein the underside of the cartridge is provided with perforations and is covered with a foil, which foil should be removed for use. This cartridge is also suitable for a liquid concentrate (p. 14, lines 3-8 and claim 18), (hot) water being passed from an inflow opening on the upper side through the concentrate and the concentrate as a result being diluted to form a drink, this drink leaving the cartridge via the preformed perforations on the underside.

WO-A1-03/053200 and WO-Al -02/19875 describe cartridges which are made of a flexible material and are inter alia suitable for a liquid concentrate (WO-Al- 03/053200 p. 5, lines 19-21; WO-A 1-02/19875 p. 19, lines 4-6) for use in a hot water appliance, the cartridge being clamped in a cavity intended for this purpose and pierced with a hollow needle, after which the water is passed through the concentrate to the outflow opening.

US 6,130,990 describes a hot water appliance which is suitable for preparing a drink based on concentrate in a cartridge (col. 5, lines 54-67; col. 7, lines 58-61 , col. 9, line 66 - col. 10, line 6)

US 4,886,674 describes a cartridge which is made of a flexible material and is inter alia suitable for a liquid concentrate, the supply of water being passed via a connection point, through the concentrate to an outflow opening, the outflow opening being created by a weakened sealing seam, which sealing seam is opened by the operating pressure of the appliance.

European patent applications EP-A-I 440907 and EP-A-I 440908 describe a cartridge for use in the preparation of drinks. This cartridge has a dome shape which on the underside is sealed by a foil, and is provided on the side of the foil with both an inlet opening (on the edge) and a discharge opening (in the center). Water (hot water) is passed via a punctiform inflow opening on the underside of the cartridge, via a 'ring line' containing distribution openings against the sealing foil, and furthermore is passed via these distribution openings through a compartment The compartment contains a concentrate, the water diluting the concentrate by means of turbulence to form a drink, which drink is subsequently passed via a siphon to an outflow opening on the underside of the cartridge. Special measures are also provided in the cartridge in order to cause the water to run from the inlet opening proportionally, directed radiantly inward through the interior of the cartridge.

In a further embodiment, EP-A-I 440907 describes a method for controlling the mixing of the water with the concentrate by means of provisions which slow down the mixing of die concentrate with the water. In this case, this provision is configured as a sort of saucer, the concentrate being added in a slowed-down manner via the holes on the underside of the saucer on the flow path of the water.

None of the above-discussed cartridges can be used in a hot water appliance which is suitable for extraction pads made of filter material, thus necessitating the use of a preparation appliance which is especially suitable for these respective types of cartridge.

Summary of the invention The present invention seeks to provide a cartridge or cup for a liquid concentrate and a holder which are suitable for preparing drinks using a generally used hot water appliance, for example a hot water appliance which is suitable for extraction pads made of filter material. Furthermore, the actual use of the cup in the appliance, by breaking of the seal on the underside, the cup, should take place in an efficient and simple manner. According to the present invention, provided for this purpose is a cup of the above-defined type, the seal comprising a layer of metal (for example a layer of aluminum on a plastics material carrier layer) and being provided with a weakening in the side of the layer of metal that is remote from the discharge opening, the weakening having a predetermined pattern extending radially at least at the site of the perforation space. The exertion of pressure on the seal during the utilization of the cup in a hot water appliance will cause a force to be exerted at the site of the weakening, and on exceeding of a critical limit the seal at the site of the weakening will start to open. Because this takes place at a controlled location, the result is easier to predict and more reliable than a seal without weakening. hi one embodiment, the predetermined pattern is linear. The linearity coincides for example in the center with the discharge opening. In an alternative embodiment, the predetermined pattern comprises a multiplicity of radially directed lines.

In a further embodiment, the weakening is a notch (or a groove). The weakening can for example be provided by pressing in the metal layer using a non-sharp edge, as a result of which the underlying metal yields somewhat and becomes brittle. As an alternative, the notch can be formed by cutting-in or cutting-away of a part of the layer of metal. In a still further embodiment, the weakening reaches at least to half the thickness of the layer of metal. This ensures with a high degree of certainty that the seal breaks at the site of the weakening on exertion of pressure, and not at other locations, thus increasing the reliability of the opening behavior of the seal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge opening is positioned in a side opposing the open side of the bowl-shaped dish body. As a result of the fact that the intake and output openings lie on opposing sides of the cup, the cup is suitable for use in the aforementioned conventional hot water appliances. The discharge opening is formed in a discharge body, and the discharge body has an outer diameter which decreases non-linearly (in the direction of flow of the prepared product). Viewed in the other direction, the discharge body thus has a shape wherein the diameter increases non-linearly, resulting in extremely effective opening and rolling-up of the seal. The outer diameter decreases, in a further embodiment, in accordance with a predetermined continuous function, for example an exponential function.

The bowl-shaped dish body is in a further embodiment provided with one or more first channels which lie parallel to a longitudinal axis of the perforation space and are configured for forming a labyrinthine liquid connection between perforations of the perforated cover layer and the discharge opening. The outer edges of the channels are connected, together with the walls forming the perforation space, to the cover layer in order thus to form a labyrinthine route for the liquid. hi one embodiment, the first channels are formed by channels tapering in the direction of flow. As a result of the tapering shape, the mixture of liquid and preparation substance comes to rest somewhat before covering the last part of the labyrinthine route wherein, again, mixing results from turbulence. The alternating turbulent and quiescent parts in the labyrinthine route result in very efficient mixing of the liquid and preparation substance.

The cup comprises in a further embodiment one or more cutting elements which are positioned in proximity to the discharge opening and extend in the perforation space. In the storage state, the perforation space is sealed by a seal which in interaction with the holder, and in this embodiment with the cutting elements, is cut through and pushed away from the discharge opening. Because the cutting element is in this embodiment present on the cup which is intended for one-off use, the holder, which can be used a plurality of times, does not have to be provided with a cutting element This can simplify the production of the holder.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a holder for use with a cup according to the present invention, the holder being provided with a bowl-shaped dish body which is substantially congruent with the bowl-shaped dish body of the cup and is configured to receive the cup. This holder can be positioned in the hot water appliance in a space intended for this purpose.

In a further embodiment, the bowl-shaped dish body of the holder comprises a central opening having a cylindrical edge, the cylindrical edge comprising a first edge part and a second edge part, the first edge part being sharper and reaching further into the bowl-shaped dish body than the second edge part. As a result, the seal of the cup on the discharge side can be broken through or cut through in a simple and secure manner, after which the second edge part pushes the seal into, without cutting through, the perforation space of the cup. In this way, the discharge opening of the cup is opened for use in a simple and secure manner.

In an alternative embodiment, the bowl-shaped dish body comprises a central opening having a straight cylindrical edge. This embodiment is capable, in interaction with an embodiment of the cup which is provided with one or more cutting elements, of breaking through the seal on the underside of the cup, and of pushing the remnants away from the discharge opening in the perforation space.

In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a holder and a cup according to the present invention in a hot water appliance which is provided with a receiving space for receiving the holder and cup, the hot water appliance being configured for passing heated water through the holder and cup via the perforated cover layer of the cup.

Brief description of die drawings

The present invention will now be discussed in greater detail based on a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an oblique perspective view from below of a first embodiment of the cup according to the present invention;

Fig.2 an oblique perspective plan view of the cup according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cup according to Fig. 1 ; Fig.4 is a view from below of the cup according to Fig. 1 without a seal; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a holder for use with the cup of Fig. 1 ;

Fig.6a to 6c inclusive show in cross section a sequence for the attachment of the cup of Fig. 1 in a holder;

Fig. 7 is a perspective plan view of a cup according to still a further embodiment; Fig. 8 is a perspective view from below of the cup according to the embodiment of Fig. 7;

Fig.9 is a perspective view in partial cross section of the cup according to the embodiment of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a side view in partial cross section of the cup according to the embodiment of Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a partial cross section of a seal with a weakening; Fig. 12 is a view from below of a seal with a weakening in a first pattern; Fig. 13 is a view from below of a seal with a weakening in a second pattern; and Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view of a discharge body as used in a further S embodiment of the cup.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The holder and cup according to the present invention allow the preparation of (warm) drinks, such as for example warm chocolate milk, using a hot water appliance. 0 The cup (also referred to as the pattern, cartridge or reservoir) is for this purpose filled with a concentrate which is mixed, with the aid of the appliance, with warm/hot water and is passed into a cup or mug. Other drinks or snacks can also be prepared based on a concentrate or other preparation substance, milk products, fruit juices, sources and desserts. S The preparation substance is a product which is soluble or suspendable in a liquid and can be in the form of a powder, a (concentrated) liquid, a syrup, a gel or in another similar form. If a powder is used, said powder preferably does not contain substances which are difficult to dissolve or non-soluble (such as certain proteins), so that good mixing with the hot water is ensured in the cup. It is possible, for example in the0 embodiment of the cup 10 with a plurality of compartments to be described hereinafter, to use combinations of preparation substances, even a combination of a concentrate and a powder.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an underside of a cup 10 according to one embodiment according to the present invention. The cup 10 has a bowl-shaped5 underside 11 and on the upper side an edge 12. The edge 12 is further provided with a sealing edge 13 which ensures, in interaction with a holder (see hereinafter), a seal of the assembly of the holder and cup 10, so that water is forced out of the appliance through the cup 10. The bowl-shaped underside 11 is further provided with an edge 14. The bowl-shaped underside 11 is sealed within the edge 14 by a seal 15 for 0 transportation and storage. The seal 1 S is for example a plastics material seal which is suitable for use in combination with food.

Fig. 2 is a perspective plan view of the cup 10 of Fig. 1. The cup 10 is sealed on the upper side by a double seal comprising a perforated cover layer 16 and a pull-off layer 17. The perforated cover layer 16 is for example made from a suitable plastics material (for example polypropylene) and the pull-off layer 17 from another suitable material (for example an aluminum-based foil).

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cup 10 according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2, revealing the internal layout of the cup 10. The inside of the cup 10 comprises a chamber portion 25 in which the concentrate can be placed. Interior parts, comprising a cylindrical body 20 and a central guide body 26, are present on the inside of the cup 10. The cylindrical body 20 is positioned coaxially on the central guide body 26. The complete unit is circular symmetrical and can be made in a known manner from plastics material (for example by injection molding). The cylindrical body 20 can be provided with tangentially projecting ribs 29 which give a certain rigidity. Furthermore, the width of the projecting ribs 29 is such that said ribs fit into the edge 14 of another cup 10, making the cups nestable, and this has advantages in the production process of filled cups 10 (stock of nested cups 10 for filling with concentrate).

The cylindrical body 20 is of such a height that the upper side of the cylindrical body 20 is flush with the edge 12 and touches the perforated cover layer 16. The perforated cover layer 16 is secured to the edge 12 and to the upper side of the cylindrical body 20, thereby producing two zones of the cover layer: a central portion without perforations and an annular portion with perforations.

The guide body 26 is shaped in such a way as to form on the underside a (cylindrical) perforation space 23 which is connected to the outside of the cup 10 (but sealed after filling by seal 15). The view from below of Fig. 4 shows that the perforation space 23 is delimited by a first edge 23a and a second edge 23b. With the cylindrical body 20, the guide body 26 forms a first channel 22. On the underside of the cylindrical body, the bowl-shaped underside 11 contains feed-through openings 21 connecting the chamber portion 25 to the first channel 22. In the embodiment shown, the openings 21 are formed in an injection molding process. As an alternative, the openings 21 can be formed subsequently by drilling holes from the outside of the cup 10. The cup 10 can be formed easily as a complete unit, and the size and height of the openings 21 can easily be determined. All of this may clearly be seen in the view from below of Fig. 4, the seal 15 having been omitted.

The outward opening is later sealed by the seal 15. In the center of the cup 10, the guide body 26 forms a second channel 28 which on the underside is provided with a central opening 24 (or discharge opening) and is connected to the first channel 22. In this embodiment, the central opening 24 has a smaller cross section than any of the first openings 21.

The central opening 24 in the embodiment shown is in the form of a hole in a flat part 25 of the guide body 26, delimited by the first edge 23a. It has been found that the shape of the opening 24 and the thickness of the flat part 25 influence the preparation of the drink. In particular, the thickness of the flat part 25 influences the formation of froth in the product to be prepared. The thinner the flat part 25, the more compact and sturdy the froth layer is on the product being prepared by the hot water appliance.

Fig.5 is a sectional view of a holder 30 which can be used together with a cup 10 in the hot water appliance. The holder 30 is provided with a bowl-shaped dish body 34 which is substantially congruent on the bowl-shaped underside 11 of the cup 10, and which can be placed in the hot water appliance instead of a conventional holder for coffee pads. The holder is provided on an upper side with a raised ring 31 , against which a sealing body (rubber ring) of the hot water appliance rests during operation. Furthermore, the holder 30 is in this embodiment provided with a lock 33 for fixing the holder 30 in the hot water appliance. Furthermore, the holder 30 is on the upper side provided with a second edge 32 which together with the edge 31 forms a depression in which the edge 12 of the cup 10 can be placed. The sealing edge 13 ensures that water supplied under pressure to the upper side of the assembly of the holder 30 and cup 10 by the hot water appliance is in fact passed through the perforated cover layer 16 to the inside of the cup 10, and not around it The holder 30 is removable from the hot water appliance again after use, after which it can be used again in the conventional manner for preparing a cup of coffee.

On the side of the holder 30 opposite the ring 31, the bowl-shaped dish body 34 is provided with a central opening 36 and one or more off-center openings 35 (for example eight concentrically distributed openings 35). The off-center openings 35 are located at the site of the central opening 36 as far as possible on the outside of the bowl-shaped dish body 34, so that when the holder 30 is positioned horizontally, the off-center openings 35 form the lowest point, and ultimately any liquid present in the holder 30 flows outward through the off-center openings 35. The hot water appliance is configured to collect the prepared liquid from the opening 36 (in fact the discharge opening 24 in the cup 10) and the off-center openings 35 and to pass it to a cup or mug, for example via a discharge hose. In this embodiment, the holder 30 is provided with a straight edge 39. This straight edge 39 does not have to be sharp, thus ruling out the risk of injury caused by the use of the holder 30. As an alternative, the central opening 36 comprises a cylindrical edge having a first edge part 37 and a second edge part 38. The first edge part 37 is a sharp edge which projects further inward into the bowl- shaped dish 34 than the second edge part 38 which in this embodiment is less sharp than the first edge part 37.

5 Fig.6a to 6c inclusive show how a cup 10 containing concentrate is positioned in a holder 30 (which is positioned in the hot water appliance). The cup 10 is men merely provided with the perforated cover layer 16; the pull-off layer 17 has then already been removed. The seal IS on the underside of the cup covers both the openings 21, 24 and the perforation space 23 (Fig.6a). Fig. 6b shows that the first edge part 37 of the holder0 30 cuts through the seal IS when the cup 10 is pressed downward in the holder 30. As soon as the second edge part 38 touches the seal 1 S, said second edge part will not cut any further through the seal IS, but will push it into the perforation space 23, as represented in Fig. 6c. The shape of the perforation space 23 in combination with the shape of the first and second edge parts 37, 38 and the properties of the seal IS ensure S that the openings 21 remain sealed, whereas the central opening 24 is in fact opened. Ultimately, the edge 14 of the cup 10 rests on the inside of the bowl-shaped dish 34 of the holder 30. The whole unit is now ready to receive warm or else hot liquid on the upper side of the cup 10.

The cup 10 has in one embodiment a cross section of approximately 73 mm, and0 in a further embodiment 67 mm, so that in combination with the holder 30 said cup can be used in a conventional hot water appliance, as described hereinbefore. A hot water appliance of this type is provided with a ring seal which in the embodiment shown touches the outside edge 31 of the holder. The sealing edge 13 ensures a liquid-tight connection between the holder 30 and the cup 10 during use. By adaptations of both the5 cup 10 and the holder 30, it is possible to increase the cross section of the cup 10, for example to 75 mm, the ring seal of the hot water appliance entering into as direct contact as possible with the cup 10. In this case, more concentrate can be placed in the cup 10. As an alternative, the sealing edge 13 is part of the holder 30, and not of the cup 10. 0 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of still a further embodiment of the cup 10. The cup comprises, again, a bowl-shaped underside 11 having an edge 12 and edge 14 on the underside. The cup 10 is also provided with a chamber portion 25 and a cylindrical body 20. A wall 60 is present within the cylindrical body 20, so that a second chamber portion 65 is formed next to the chamber portion 25. The second channel 28, which on the underside of the cup 10 opens into the central opening 24, is present within the wall 60. Three tapering channels 62, which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, are also present within the wall 60. A number of barriers 27, which are effective in mixing the flow of liquid containing the diluted concentrate, are present at the edge of S the start of the second channel 28. As shown in Fig. 11 , the barriers 27 can be of a special shape, with a sharp edge on the outside and a rounded edge on the inside. This reinforces the turbulence effect in the cup 10, and in this form can also be used in the embodiments discussed hereinbefore.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the underside of the cup 10 according to the 0 embodiment of Fig. 7. Clearly apparent are the openings 21 which are formed at the level of the cylindrical body 20 and produce a connection between the chamber portion 25 and second chamber portion 65. Also apparent are the openings 41 at the level of the walls 60. After filling of the cup 10 with concentrate, the underside of the cup 10 is sealed by a seal 15, thus sealing the openings 21 and 41. 5 In the first instance, the perforation space 23 and central opening 24 are then also sealed, hi order to open this seal 15 for use, use may be made of a holder 30 which is shown in a sectional view in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the holder 30 is provided with a straight edge 39. This straight edge 39 does not have to be sharp, thus ruling out the risk of injury caused by the use of the holder 30. The holder 30 can interact with a cup0 10 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the central guide body 26 being provided on the underside (Le. in proximity to the outflow opening 24) with two cutting elements 64. As a result of the interaction of the straight edge 39 and the cutting elements 64, the cover foil 15 on the underside of the cup 10 will be cut through precisely at the desired location, and the parts of the sealing foil 15 will be pressed into5 the perforation space 23, whereas the openings 21, 41 will simply remain sealed. The embodiment shown of the cup 10 can still be produced using simple production methods, such as injection molding with a simple mold. Obviously, it is possible to attach a plurality of cutting elements 64, or cutting elements of a different shape. This embodiment has furthermore the advantage that the cutting elements 64 are part of the0 cup 10 for one-off use. This prevents wear to the cutting edges 37, 38. The cutting elements 64 can also be used in the other foregoing embodiments of die cup 10.

The central opening 24, or outflow opening, is formed slightly depressed in the centra] guide body 26 in the embodiment shown, so that remnants of a prepared drink cannot enter the holder 30 or hot water appliance. The central guide body 26 can project slightly beyond the base of the cup 10 in which the openings 21 , 41 are formed. This places the seal 1 S underside tension, thus largely preventing leakage of the product from the cup 10 during storage or transportation.

5 Fig. 9 is a perspective view with a partly sectional view of the cup 10. On the upper side, the perforated cover layer 16 may be seen in the drawing, the dotted lines indicating where the underlying structures are present. Thus, the cover foil 16 is fastened both to the edge 12 and to the edge 20a of the cylindrical body 20 and the edge 63 of the wall 60. As a result, the cover layer 16 is distributed, just as in the 0 embodiment of Fig. 10, into three portions: a first annular part 16a with perforations, a second annular part 16b, also with perforations, and a central part 16c without perforations. The first annular part 16a lies above the chamber portion 25 and the second annular part lies above the second chamber portion 65.

The sectional view of Fig. 9 clearly shows that the tapering channels 62 taper S upward. As a result of the tapering shape, the mixture of water and concentrate which flows into the tapering channels via the openings 41 is slowed down, after which the flow through the bend to the second channel 28 and the barriers 27 is made turbulent again for an optimum mixing result This embodiment has three tapering channels 62, although the number may vary and may for example be two. 0 In the cut-away side view of the embodiment in Fig. 10, arrows indicate the flow of liquid. From the upper side, the hot water appliance presses liquid through the cover layer 16, i.e. through the two annular parts 16a and 16b, after which said liquid enters the chamber portion 25 and second chamber portion 65 respectively. Both chamber portions 25, 65 contain concentrate for, for example, chocolate drink, which 5 concentrate mixes with the hot water. From the chamber portion 25, the mixture of water and concentrate is pushed into the second chamber portion 65 via the openings 21. This is however counteracted by the mixture present in the second chamber portion 65, which mixture flows to the tapering channels 62 via openings 41. At a given moment, all concentrate from the second chamber portion 65 will however be 0 dissolved, after which the flow of hot water via the openings 21 will entrain the mixture out of the chamber portion 25, by a sort of venturi effect On the upper side of the tapering channels 62, the mixture flows via the barriers 27, which cause additional turbulence and thus mixing, to the second channel 28 and from there outward via the central opening 24 in order ultimately to end up in a cup. Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of a seal 1 S with a (local) weakening. The seal IS comprises a couple-layered foil, for example a layer of plastics material 2 and a layer of metal 3 (for example aluminum). Such foils are generally used in the food industry. The outside (aluminum) layer 3 is provided with a weakening 4. The sectional view of Fig. 11 shows mat on the inside the edges 23a, 23b of a discharge body (in which the discharge opening 24 is formed) lie against the seal IS. Also shown is the edge 39 of the holder 30, which presses against the foil IS during operation. This is possible as a result of the perforation space 23 between edges 23a, 23b. In this embodiment, the weakening 4 extends from outside die ring 39 to past the first edge0 23a (see for example the embodiment of Fig. 12 hereinafter).

The weakening 4 can for example be produced in the metal layer 3 by notching the material. This can for example take place by pressing a blunt-edged knife from the outside to a specific depth in the metal layer 3. As a result of this pressing-in, the metal is locally hardened and obtains a channel or groove. As a result, the metal which is still S present becomes brittle, thus producing a line of break. Other treatments can also bring about a result of this type, for example by punching. Exerting pressure on the holder 30 and cup 10 will produce on the weakening 4 a point of rotation and a force at right angles to the line of break of the weakening 4. In the event of a critical force, the weakening will break and the seal 1 S burst open and be rolled up along the first edge0 23a. If the weakening 4 is provided to at least half the thickness of the metal layer 3, a reliable line break, which bursts open sufficiently quickly, will be produced.

Fig. 12 is a view from below of a seal with a weakening 4 in a first pattern. The pattern consists of two intersecting lines, with the center substantially at the site of the discharge opening 24. Indicated on the upper side is how the forces act on the 5 weakening 4 when pressure is exerted as described hereinbefore.

Fig. 13 is a view from below of a seal 1 S with a weakening 4 in a second pattern, consisting of four radially directed lines at the site of the perforation space 23 located between the first and second edges 23a, 23b. In this case, the weakenings 4 extend merely radially on both sides of the edge 39. In this case too, the seal 1 S will break0 completely open after a critical force has been exceeded.

The pattern of the weakening 4 can, in addition to the embodiments shown (cross, broken cross), also be of other shapes, such as a U shape, a V shape, etc. A single line has also proven particularly effective, the entire force exerted on the seal IS being exerted on the weakening 4 in a single line. The seal 1 S breaks, once the critical threshold has been reached, open in the horizontal plane, and subsequently the seal tilts to one side and upward into the perforation space 23. The weakening 4 can be in die form of a line part extending radially (in the sense of perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis of the cup) over the seal IS. Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view of a discharge body as used in a further embodiment of the cup 10. The discharge body is the part of the guide body 26 that in the center adjoins the perforation space. In this embodiment, the discharge body has an outer diameter which decreases non-linearly in the direction of the discharge opening 24. In this embodiment, the outer diameter decreases in accordance with a predetermined continuous function, for example an exponential function. This allows the seal 1 S to be broken for use in an effective manner in interaction with the edge 39 of the holder 30. The shape also ensures that almost no residue remains in the cup 10.

Claims

1. A cup for preparing a drink with the aid of a hot water appliance, comprising a bowl-shaped dish body (11) for retaining a preparation substance with an inlet opening S and a discharge opening (24), characterized in that the bowl-shaped dish body (11) is further provided with a perforation space (23) which is located around the discharge opening (24) and extends toward the interior of the cup (10), the discharge opening (24) and perforation space (23) being sealable by a seal (15), 0 the seal (IS) comprising a layer of metal (3) and being provided with a weakening (4) in the side of the layer of metal (3) that is remote from the discharge opening (24), the weakening (4) having a predetermined pattern extending radially at least at the site of the perforation space (23). S

2. The cup as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined pattern is linear.

3. The cup as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined pattern comprises a multiplicity of radially directed lines. 0

4. The cup as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the weakening (4) is a notch.

5. The cup as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the5 weakening (4) reaches at least to half the thickness of the layer of metal (3).

6. The cup as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge opening (24) is positioned in a side of the bowl-shaped dish body (11) opposing the open side. 0

7. The cup as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge opening (24) is formed in a discharge body (26), and the discharge body (26) has an outer diameter which decreases non-linearly.

8. The cup as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the outer diameter decreases in accordance with a predetermined continuous function.

9. The cup as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bowl- 5 shaped dish body (11) is provided with one or more first channels (42; 62) which lie parallel to a longitudinal axis of the perforation space (23) and are configured for forming a labyrinthine liquid connection between perforations of the perforated cover layer (16) and the discharge opening (24). 0

10. The cup as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the first channels are formed by channels (62) tapering in the direction of flow.

11. The cup as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup (10) further comprises one or more cutting elements (64) which are positioned in S proximity to the discharge opening (24) and extend in the perforation space (23).

12. A holder for use with a cup as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11 inclusive, characterized in that the holder (30) is provided with a bowl-shaped dish body (34) which is substantially congruent with the bowl-shaped dish body (11) of the cup (10)0 and is configured to receive the cup (10).

13. The holder as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the bowl-shaped dish body (34) comprises a central opening (36) having a cylindrical edge, the cylindrical edge comprising a first edge part (37) and a second edge part (38), the first edge part5 (37) being sharper and reaching further into the bowl-shaped dish body than the second edge part (38).

14. The holder as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the bowl-shaped dish body (34) comprises a central opening (36) having a straight cylindrical edge (39).0

15. A use of a holder as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, and a cup as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11 inclusive in a hot water appliance which is provided with a receiving space for receiving the holder (30) and the cup (10), characterized in that the hot water appliance is configured for passing heated water through the holder (30) and cup (10) via the perforated cover layer (16) of the cup (10).

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