WO2010137950A1

WO2010137950A1 - Capsule assembly, system and method for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2010137950A1
Application number: PCT/NL2009/050818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kon Euan Gerard Wong; Guido Brandt; Hendrik Cornelis Koeling; Ralf Kamerbeek; Arend Cornelis Jacobus Biesheuvel
Original assignee: Sara Lee/De N.V.
Priority date: 2009-06-17
Filing date: 2009-12-30
Publication date: 2010-12-02
Also published as: EP2442694A1

Abstract

Capsule assembly (1) for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a beverage ingredient, wherein the assembly comprises a frame (2) and an ingredient holding element (3), wherein the ingredient holding element comprises a first wall (4) and at least a second wall (5), the walls defining an inner space (6) enclosing a predetermined amount of beverage ingredient, wherein the frame is adapted to at least partially receive the ingredient holding element, wherein the frame is further adapted to cooperate with the first wall to form an exit area (9) of the capsule assembly such that fluid supplied to the capsule assembly is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area. The invention further relates to a system and a method for preparing a beverage preferably by using the mentioned capsule assembly.

Description

Title: Capsule assembly, system and method for preparing a beverage

The invention relates to a capsule assembly for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a beverage ingredient.

Capsules comprising for instance an extractable or soluble product such as roast and ground coffee that can be used in an apparatus for preparing a beverage such as coffee by supplying fluid under pressure to the product are known. Such capsules may be hermetically sealed capsules comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid closing the circumferential wall at a second end opposite the bottom, wherein the wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. Such a capsule can be manufactured of for instance metal or metal like sheet material or plastic sheet material. It will be appreciated that the term hermetically sealed should be interpreted as a feature enabling the extractable or soluble product to remain substantially intact, by providing enclosure which is fluid and/or air tight. This feature may allow preservation of flavour or extractability during a relative long period before use.

Other known capsules may for instance be open capsules comprising a substantially rigid circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a perforate or porous third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second end opposite the second wall, wherein the first, second and third wall enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product.

Such an open capsule can for instance comprise a plastic coffee receiving cup and a filter element that closes the inner space of the cup after filling the cup with coffee. Such filter element may for instance be of a filtering material such as filter paper, polymeric foil comprising a plurality of exit openings and the like. Such capsules may be used in an apparatus for preparing a beverage such as coffee, for instance a cup of espresso, wherein the apparatus comprises a receptacle for receiving such a known capsule, a fluid dispensing device arranged for supplying fluid, such as hot water, to the inner side of the capsule and an outlet that in use is in fluid communication with an exit area of the capsule for draining the prepared fluid from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup.

After preparing a beverage using one of the known capsules, the used capsule is taken out of the apparatus and thrown away together with the coffee ingredient. Such capsules are relatively expensive and not particularly environmental friendly, since the capsule exterior is only used once and disposed after that.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a capsule intended to at least diminish the above problem; more specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide a capsule assembly of the abovementioned type that can be re-used.

Thereto, according to a first aspect of the invention, a capsule assembly for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a beverage ingredient is provided, wherein the assembly comprises a frame and an ingredient holding element, wherein the ingredient holding element comprises a first wall and at least a second wall, the walls defining an inner space enclosing a predetermined amount of beverage ingredient, wherein the frame is adapted to at least partially receive the ingredient holding element, wherein the frame is further adapted to cooperate with the first wall to form an exit area of the capsule assembly such that fluid supplied to the capsule assembly is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area.

By using such a capsule assembly for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage, the ingredient holding element can be removed from the frame after preparing and can be disposed. The frame of the assembly can be re-used by inserting a non-used ingredient holding element into or connecting a non-used ingredient to the frame. The frame is adapted such that it together with the first wall of the ingredient holding element forms an exit area of the capsule assembly. Consequently, water supplied to the beverage ingredient will leave the capsule assembly through the exit area without bypassing the frame and/or the ingredient holding element. Therefore, by using the capsule assembly according to the invention, a good quality cup of beverage can be prepared, without the risk of it being watery.

In order to further prevent the risk of fluid such as water bypassing the frame and/or the ingredient holding element, it is advantageous when, in further elaboration of the invention, the frame comprises a substantially circumferential receiving wall adapted to receive the first wall of the ingredient holding element such that at least a circumferential edge of the first wall and/or of a further wall is removably connected to the receiving wall of the frame. By connecting the first wall to the receiving wall of the frame, no apertures between the frame and the ingredient holding element will be provided. Thus, this further enhances that the supplied fluid will extract the extractable product to prepare the beverage, and that the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule assembly without supplied fluid directly, thus without extracting the product, leaving the capsule.

It is advantageous that according to another aspect of the invention, the exit area comprises an exit filter provided in the first wall that is adapted to drain the prepared beverage from the ingredient holding element. Such an exit filter preferably comprises a porous or perforate sheet such as a sheet of filtering paper or a polymeric foil comprising a plurality of openings forming said exit filter. Such an exit filter prevents the beverage ingredient from leaving the capsule assembly and entering for instance the cup of prepared beverage.

In order to provide a determined fluid flow to the beverage ingredient in the inner space of the ingredient holding element, the at least second wall of the ingredient holding element may be at least partially of a porous or perforate sheet material, such as a paper filtering material or a polymeric foil with a plurality of openings. By providing at least such a second wall, the supply of fluid to the inner space can be controlled. Dependent on the kind of second wall and/or on the position and amount of openings in said second wall, a certain kind of fluid flow to the beverage ingredient can be arranged. According to the kind of beverage ingredient and the kind of beverage to be prepared, a certain kind of second wall can be chosen.

The ingredient holding element, in further elaboration of the invention, preferably comprises at least an extractable or soluble product, such as roast and ground coffee, tea leaves, and/or a soluble product, such as instant coffee powder, instant chocolate powder, instant milk powder and the like. Because the disposable nature of the ingredient holding element, a user can easily put together a frame and a beverage ingredient holding element containing his or her favourite beverage ingredient. For instance, an ingredient to prepare a certain kind of coffee with a certain strength, a special coffee such as a cappuccino or a cafe latte, or a hot chocolate if so desired with a special flavour such as vanilla, cinnamon and the like.

In order to be able to easily position the beverage ingredient holding element with respect to the frame it may be advantageous that the ingredient holding element, according to a further aspect of the invention, comprises a circumferential side wall, said first wall closing the circumferential side wall at a first end and a second wall opposite the first wall closing the circumferential side wall at a second end, wherein the walls enclose an inner space wherein the beverage ingredient is provided. By providing the beverage ingredient holding element with a recognisable first, second and a circumferential sidewall, it may be evident for a user how the ingredient holding element should be positioned with respect to the frame. To further increase the ease of positioning it may be advantageous if the beverage ingredient holding element has a shape that cooperates with a shape of the frame such that by looking at both shapes it is clear how to position the beverage ingredient holding element in the frame. This prevents that the ingredient holding element is positioned in a wrong way with respect to the frame thereby risking preparation of a poor quality beverage, for instance because in use the supplied fluid will not completely interact with the beverage ingredient to provide the desired beverage.

If the beverage ingredient, according to a further elaboration of the invention, is compacted within beverage ingredient holding element, the occurrence of preferential fluid flow paths through the beverage ingredient is prevented. Preferential fluid flow paths can result in poor beverage quality due to poor extraction and/or dissolving of the beverage ingredient because of poor fluid distribution in the beverage ingredient bed. Compacting of the beverage ingredient provides the advantage that the speed of the fluid flow can be controlled between an entrance area of the beverage ingredient holding element and the exit area of the capsule assembly. Furthermore, such a compressed beverage ingredient together with the exit area of the capsule assembly provides a desired flow restriction within the capsule assembly during preparation of the beverage. This allows a higher extraction pressure building up within the inner space of the capsule assembly, thereby providing a higher extraction pressure to build up inside the capsule assembly.

In order to further prevent fluid bypassing the capsule assembly, the circumferential receiving wall of the frame may comprise, according to another aspect of the invention, a substantially outward extending circumferential rim adapted to cooperate with a receptacle of an apparatus for preparing a beverage such that water supplied to the receptacle is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area. Such a rim may for instance extend in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the exit area. Preferably, the rim cooperates with the receptacle such that the inner space of the receptacle is closed by the rim, the circumferential receiving wall and the exit area. Consequently, the supplied fluid is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area to be able to drain prepared beverage from the capsule assembly.

In further elaboration of the invention, the frame may further comprise a circumferential side wall at least partially extending in a direction substantially perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall. The circumferential side wall provides a receiving section of the frame to receive a non-used beverage ingredient holding element. Preferably, said circumferential side wall may comprises at least two clamping elements that extend in a direction substantial perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall such that the ingredient holding element in use is clamped between the clamping elements. Such clamping elements provide that the beverage ingredient holding element is pressed against the circumferential receiving wall in order to prevent occurrence of apertures between said circumferential receiving wall and at least the first wall of the beverage holding element such that in use fluid flow between the circumferential receiving wall and the ingredient holding element is prevented. Furthermore, due to the clamping elements, the beverage ingredient holding element in use stays in the preferred position with respect to the circumferential receiving wall even when subjected to fluid supply under relatively high pressure.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the circumferential receiving wall may comprise two parts opposing each other, wherein in use in between said two parts at least an outer circumferential edge of the first wall of the ingredient holding element is clamped. Such two parts may for instance be hingedly connected to each other by means of a film hinge or the like. The first wall of the beverage ingredient holding element is clamped tightly between the two parts of the circumferential receiving wall. In this embodiment of the invention, when using the capsule assembly, the risk of occurrence of fluid flow between the circumferential receiving wall and the ingredient holding element is further reduced and the prepared beverage is only able to leave the receptacle of the apparatus and the capsule assembly via the exit area.

It may further be advantageous if the two parts each comprise cooperating locking means for interlocking the parts. After inserting the ingredient holding element, the parts are hinged towards each other to a position wherein at least the outer circumferential edge is clamped between the parts. To secure the parts in this clamping position, the locking means are provided. One of the parts may for instance be provided with a lip and the other one may for instance be provided with an aperture adapted to receive the lip in a snap like manner. Also other suitable locking means are possible to secure both parts. The frame according to the invention may be an injection moulded product which is durable enough to be re-used and to be cleaned many times.

The invention further relates to a system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, comprising: an above described capsule assembly, an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the capsule assembly, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the capsule assembly, wherein the receptacle is adapted to in use receive the exit area of the capsule assembly, formed by the frame and the first wall of the ingredient holding element, such that fluid supplied to the capsule assembly is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area substantially without bypassing the exit area.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the method comprising the steps of: providing a capsule assembly frame and a capsule assembly beverage ingredient holding element, wherein the ingredient holding element is connected with the frame such that an above described capsule assembly is formed, wherein a first wall of the ingredient holding element is received in the frame such that an exit area is formed adapted to drain prepared beverage from the ingredient holding element, providing an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the capsule assembly, a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the ingredient holding element of the capsule assembly, and an outlet which, in use, is in fluid communication with the exit area of the capsule assembly for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup, placing the capsule assembly in the receptacle of the apparatus such that the frame and the first wall of the ingredient holding element together provide the exit area, wherein the exit area cooperates with the receptacle such that prepared beverage is forced through the exit area substantially without bypassing the exit area.

Such system and method provide similar effects and advantages as described with the capsule assembly.

Further advantageous embodiments of the capsule assembly, the system and the method for preparing a beverage according to the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. The invention will now be further elucidated by means of, non- limiting, examples referring to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a capsule assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a capsule assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a system for preparing a beverage according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a system for preparing a beverage according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a capsule assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a frame of a capsule assembly as shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a capsule assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 8 shows a capsule assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

It is noted that identical or corresponding elements in the different drawings are indicated with identical or corresponding reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a capsule assembly 1 for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption according to a first embodiment of the invention. The capsule assembly 1 comprises a frame 2 and an ingredient holding element 3. The ingredient holding element 3 comprises an amount of beverage ingredient such as an extractable product like roast and ground coffee. In other embodiments of the invention, the beverage ingredient may also comprise tea leaves or a soluble product, such as instant coffee powder, instant chocolate powder, instant milk powder or the like. It is also possible that the beverage ingredient holding element 3 comprises two ingredients for instance an instant coffee powder and an instant milk powder so as to provide a cup of cappuccino.

The ingredient holding element 3 comprises a first wall 4 and a second wall 5. The walls 4, 5 define an inner space 6 enclosing the beverage ingredient. The frame 2 is adapted to receive the ingredient holding element 3, in this embodiment an outer circumferential edge 7, 8 of the respective first wall 4 and second wall 5. The outer circumferential edge 7 of the first wall 4 is connected to the outer circumferential edge 8 of the second wall 5, for instance by means of an adhesive, after providing the beverage ingredient in the inner space 6. The frame 2 is further adapted to cooperate with the first wall 4 to form an exit area 9 of the capsule assembly 1. Consequently, in use, fluid supplied to the capsule assembly 1 is forced through the beverage ingredient and subsequently, thus after interacting with the beverage ingredient to prepare the beverage, through the exit area 9. The frame 2 comprises a substantially circumferential receiving wall

10 that in this example receives the outer circumferential edges 7, 8 at an outer surface 10a of the receiving wall 10. The ingredient holding element 3 can be removably connected to the outer surface 10a of the receiving wall 10 by means of suitable connection means, such as an adhesive layer, a Velcro connection, a clamp connection or the like, such that the circumferential edges 7, 8 are connected to the frame 2 before and during the preparation of the beverage.

In another embodiment of the capsule assembly 1, as shown in Figure 2, the circumferential receiving wall 10 comprises, at a side facing the ingredient holding element 3, a stop 11. The stop 11 is formed by an upper edge 10b of the circumferential receiving wall 10 that extends substantially outward, thus in a direction away from the ingredient holding element 3. The circumferential edges 7, 8 comprise an elastic portion 12 extending substantially along said edges 7, 8. When connecting an ingredient holding element 3 to the frame 2, the elastic portion 12 is pulled out such that it can pass the stop 11. Then the elastic portion 12 will contract such that the edges 7, 8 are positioned between the stop 11 and the circumferential rim 13 of the receiving wall 10. The circumferential rim 13 of the receiving wall 10 extends substantially outward in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the exit area 9. The circumferential rim 13 of the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention is adapted to cooperate with a receptacle 22 of an apparatus 21 (see Figure 3) for preparing a beverage such that water supplied to the receptacle 22 is forced through the beverage ingredient and subsequently through the exit area 9. This will be further explained with Figure 3. As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the exit area 9 comprises an exit filter 14 provided in the first wall 4. The exit filter 14 is adapted to allow the prepared beverage to drain easily from the ingredient holding element 3. The exit filter 14 comprises a porous or perforate sheet, in the shown embodiments a sheet of filtering paper. In another embodiment of the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention, the exit filter 14 may comprise a polymeric foil comprising a plurality of openings. Also other suitable exit filters may be used. Furthermore, the second wall 5 may also be from such a porous or perforate sheet material. In the shown embodiments, the second wall 5 is also of a sheet of filtering paper. Such a second wall 5 allows for easy supply of fluid to the beverage ingredient provided in the inner space 6 of the ingredient holding element 3.

In Figure 3 a system 20 for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption is shown. The system 20 comprises an apparatus 21 for preparing the beverage from a capsule assembly 1 for instance according to the above described embodiments. The apparatus 21 comprises a receptacle 22 for holding the capsule assembly 1. In Figure 3, a gap is drawn between the capsule assembly 1 and the receptacle 22 for clarity reasons. It will be appreciated that, in use, the capsule assembly 1 may at least partly lie in contact with the receptacle 22. In this example the receptacle 22 has a shape complementary to the shape of the capsule assembly 1, but having a slightly larger volume. In this example the receptacle 22 comprises an upper part 23 and a support surface 24. The apparatus 21 further comprises a fluid dispensing device 25 for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as hot water, under a high pressure, of e.g. more than approximately six bars (absolute pressure), to the exchangeable capsule assembly 1.

In this example, the capsule assembly 1, more specifically, the ingredient holding element 3 comprises an amount of extractable product, e.g. approximately 5.0-5.5 grams of roasted and ground coffee, preferably of approximately 5.2. grams ±0.15 grams, suitable for preparing a single portion of the beverage, preferably a single cup of the beverage, e.g. from 30-200ml of the prepared beverage. In another embodiment of the invention, the capsule assembly may also comprise between 4.0 - 8.0 grams of coffee, preferably, between 4.5 and 8 grams of coffee. The exchangeable capsule, thus, is a single- portion-pack. Preferably, the exchangeable capsule is hermetically sealed.

The system 20 shown in Figure 3 is operated as follows for preparing a cup of coffee. The capsule assembly 1 is placed in the receptacle 22. The circumferential receiving wall 10, more in particular the circumferential rim 13, is brought into abutment with the support surface 24. The fluid, here hot water under pressure, is supplied from the fluid dispensing device 25 to the extractable product in the inner space 6 through the filter paper of the second wall 5. The fluid dispensing device 25 may be adapted to supply the water to the capsule assembly 1, under a pressure of approximately 4-20 bars, for instance 9-15 bars. The water supplied via a fluid inlet 25a will wet the coffee grounds and extract the desired substances to form the coffee beverage. The prepared coffee will drain from the capsule assembly 1 through the exit filter 14 forming porous first wall 4. The coffee beverage is further drained from the receptacle 22 via a plurality of outlets 26, and may be supplied to a container (not shown) such as a cup. In the example of Figure 3, the fluid is supplied to the extractable product via the filter paper second wall 5 which causes the extractable product to be wetted over substantially the entire cross section of the ingredient holding element 3. Hence, a very homogeneous supply of fluid to the extractable product is obtained. Thus, the risk of occurrence of preferential paths via which the fluid flows through the extractable product is greatly reduced. The apparatus 21 further comprises piercing means 27 for piercing a lid of a hermetically sealed known capsule. Said piercing means 27 will not be used when preparing the beverage with the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention.

It will be appreciated that in other, not shown, embodiments of the system 1, the apparatus may be different than the apparatus 21 as described with the first embodiment of the system. For instance, the apparatus can be provided with a relatively large hollow space between the first wall 4 of the capsule assembly 1 and the outlet openings 26 of the apparatus 4.

Consequently, it is noted that the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention can be used in any suitable apparatus for preparing a beverage by using high pressure. Typically, the pressure build-up in the apparatus for preparing beverage is about 6 bars.

In Figure 4, a further embodiment of the system 20 according to the invention is shown. The system 20 shown in Figure 4 is operated similarly as described with Figure 3, for preparing a cup of coffee. Consequently, this will not be described again. Only the elements of the system 20 that differ from the above described system will be elucidated. For the other elements referral is made to the description related to Figs. 1-3.

According to this example, the system 20 comprises bottom piercing means 25b, being part of the fluid dispensing device 25, intended for piercing the second wall 5 of the ingredient holding element 3 of the capsule assembly 1. Figure 4 shows the bottom piercing means 25b in an extended position for creating an entrance opening 28 in the second wall 5. Through the entrance opening 28, the fluid can be supplied to the beverage ingredient contained in the inner space 6 of the ingredient holding element 3 under a pressure of approximately 4-20 bars, preferably 9-15 bars. The piercing means 25b comprise the inlet, a bore 25a through which the fluid from the fluid dispensing device 25 can be supplied to the beverage ingredient.

In the receptacle 22 of the apparatus 21 according to the shown example, a capsule assembly 1 according to a third embodiment is provided. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, this example of the capsule assembly 1 will be described. It is noted that only elements differing from the first and second embodiments (Figures 1 and 2) are explained. For the already described elements, referral is made to the above description.

The capsule assembly 1 comprises a frame 2 and an ingredient holding element 3 comprising the beverage ingredient such as roast and ground coffee. The frame 2 comprises a substantially circumferential receiving wall 10 that in this example comprises two parts 30, 32 opposing each other. In use, as shown in Figure 5, at least an outer circumferential edge 7 of the first wall 4 of the ingredient holding element 3 is clamped between the two parts 30, 32. The exit area 9 of the capsule assembly 1 is thus formed by the receiving wall 10 and the first wall 4 of the beverage ingredient holding element 3. As can be seen in Figure 4, such an assembly provides a tight seal between the inner space 22a of the receptacle 22 and the outlet openings 26 such that bypass of the supplied fluid is prevented. Thus, the fluid is forced through the beverage ingredient before leaving the capsule assembly 1, resulting in a high quality beverage.

As shown clearly in Fig, 6, the two parts 30, 32 are hingedly connected by a film hinge 34. Both parts 30, 32 comprise cooperating locking means 36, 38 for interlocking the parts after inserting the ingredient holding element 3 in the upper part 30 of the frame 2. For providing an ingredient holding element 3 in the frame 2, the locking means 36, 38 have to be opened and the first part 30 has to be hinged in direction Rl. Then the ingredient holding element 3 is inserted in the opening 31 of the first part 30, by first inserting the second wall 5 side of the element 3 (indicated by direction R2). When the circumferential edge 7 of the ingredient holding element 3 is positioned adjacent a first part surface 30a facing the second part 32, the first part 30 is hinged back in direction R3 and the locking means 36, 38 are closed again. In another (not shown) embodiment, the two parts 30, 32 may be separate parts that can be connected only by cooperating locking means provided on the respective parts 30, 32. This provides easy positioning of the holding element 3 in the frame 2.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the extractable product in the inner space 6 of the beverage ingredient holding element 3 of the capsule assembly 1 may be compacted. During the supply of the water to the compacted coffee in the inner space 6 of the capsule assembly 1, coffee particles are redistributed in the inner space 6 of the ingredient holding element 3, such that a relatively loose coffee bed layer L adjacent the second wall 5 and a relatively compact coffee bed layer C adjacent the first wall 4 is formed (see Figure 5). This provides a desired pressure drop and thus a desired extraction pressure inside the capsule assembly 1, such that for instance soluble dry matter from the compacted coffee can be extracted and a cup of beverage with a desired brewing strength and quality can be obtained.

In Figures 7 and 8 a respective fourth and fifth embodiment of the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention are shown. For similar elements as shown in the previous embodiments, the description relating to Figs 1-6 can be consulted.

In both the fourth and the fifth embodiment, the frame 2 of the capsule assembly 1 comprises a circumferential receiving wall 10 and a circumferential side wall 40 at least partially extending in a direction substantially perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall 10.

The embodiment shown in Figure 7 comprises a circumferential side wall 40 having two clamping elements 42, 44 that extend from the circumferential receiving wall 10, such that the ingredient holding element 3 is clamped between the clamping elements 42, 44. The ingredient holding element 3 comprises a first wall 4 and a second wall 5, which walls 4, 5 close a circumferential side wall 3a at both ends. The respective walls 4, 5, 3a can be interconnected by means of for instance adhesive layers connecting the respective edges of the respective walls 4, 5, 3a. Such an ingredient holding element 3 has a shape that can easily fit in between the clamping elements 42, 44 or within the circumferential side wall 40 of the frame 2 as shown in Figure 8. The circumferential side wall 40 of the frame 2 extends along the entire circumference of the receiving wall 10 thereby enclosing a receiving space 46. In use, the ingredient holding element 3, or at least part of the outer surfaces thereof, abuts with the inner surfaces 40a of the receiving wall 40 and the circumferential side wall 40, thereby providing a clamping connection of the holding element 3 and the frame 2.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is for instance possible that the respective walls of the ingredient holding element 3 are of different materials, as long as the supplied water is able to reach the beverage ingredient and the prepared beverage is able to drain from the capsule assembly 1. Furthermore, the frame 1 may be of different materials, such as a plastic, and may be manufactured in different ways. The frame 2 may for instance be an injection moulded product. The material of the frame 2 preferably has such properties that it can be re-used a lot of times without loosing functionality. Furthermore, the capsule assembly 1, and/or the frame 2 and the ingredient holding element 3 may have different dimensions such that the capsule assembly 1 according to the invention can be used in many different kinds of apparatuses for preparing a beverage.

However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other features or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. Capsule assembly for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a beverage ingredient, wherein the assembly comprises a frame and an ingredient holding element, wherein the ingredient holding element comprises a first wall and at least a second wall, the walls defining an inner space enclosing a predetermined amount of beverage ingredient, wherein the frame is adapted to at least partially receive the ingredient holding element, wherein the frame is further adapted to cooperate with the first wall to form an exit area of the capsule assembly such that fluid supplied to the capsule assembly is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area.

2. Capsule assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a substantially circumferential receiving wall adapted to receive the first wall of the ingredient holding element such that at least a circumferential edge of the first wall and/or of a further wall is removably connected to the receiving wall of the frame.

3. Capsule assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exit area comprises an exit filter provided in the first wall that is adapted to drain the prepared beverage from the ingredient holding element.

4. Capsule assembly according to claim 3, wherein the exit filter comprises a porous or perforate sheet such as a sheet of filtering paper or a polymeric foil comprising a plurality of openings forming said exit filter.

5. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least second wall of the ingredient holding element is at least partially of a porous or perforate sheet material.

6. Capsule assembly according to any one the preceding claims, wherein the ingredient holding element comprises at least an extractable product, such as roast and ground coffee, tea leaves, and/or a soluble product, such as instant coffee powder, instant chocolate powder, instant milk powder and the like.

7. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ingredient holding element comprises a circumferential side wall, said first wall closing the circumferential side wall at a first end and a second wall opposite the first wall closing the circumferential side wall at a second end, wherein the walls enclose an inner space wherein the beverage ingredient is provided.

8. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage ingredient is compacted within the beverage ingredient holding element.

9. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential receiving wall of the frame comprises a substantially outward extending circumferential rim adapted to cooperate with a receptacle of an apparatus for preparing a beverage such that water supplied to the receptacle is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area.

10. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame further comprises a circumferential side wall at least partially extending in a direction substantially perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall.

11. Capsule assembly according to claim 10, wherein the circumferential side wall comprises at least two clamping elements that extend in a direction substantial perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall such that the ingredient holding element in use is clamped between the clamping elements.

12. Capsule assembly according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the circumferential receiving wall comprises two parts opposing each other, wherein in use in between said two parts at least an outer circumferential edge of the first wall of the ingredient holding element is clamped.

13. Capsule assembly according to claim 12, wherein the two parts are hingedly connected, for instance by means of a film hinge.

14. Capsule assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the two parts each comprises cooperating locking means, for instance a snap connection, for interlocking the parts.

15. Capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is an injection moulded product.

16. System for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, comprising: a capsule assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, and an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the capsule assembly, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the capsule assembly, wherein the receptacle is adapted to in use receive the exit area of the capsule assembly, formed by the frame and the first wall of the ingredient holding element, such that fluid supplied to the capsule assembly is forced through the beverage ingredient and the exit area substantially without bypassing the exit area.

17. Method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the method comprising the steps of: providing a capsule assembly frame and a capsule assembly beverage ingredient holding element, wherein the ingredient holding element is connected with the frame such that a capsule assembly according to any one of claims 1-15 is formed, wherein a first wall of the ingredient holding element is received in the frame such that an exit area is formed adapted to drain prepared beverage from the ingredient holding element, providing an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the capsule assembly, a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the ingredient holding element of the capsule assembly, and an outlet which, in use, is in fluid communication with the exit area of the capsule assembly for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup, placing the capsule assembly in the receptacle of the apparatus such that the frame and the first wall of the ingredient holding element together provide the exit area, wherein the exit area cooperates with the receptacle such that prepared beverage is forced through the exit area substantially without bypassing the exit area.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the frame comprises a circumferential receiving wall having two parts opposing each other, wherein in between said two parts at least an outer circumferential edge of the first wall of the ingredient holding element is clamped.

19. Method according to claim 17, wherein the frame comprises a circumferential receiving wall and a circumferential side wall at least partially extending in a direction substantial perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall, wherein the circumferential side wall comprises at least two clamping elements that extend in a direction substantial perpendicular from the circumferential receiving wall, wherein the ingredient holding element is clamped between the clamping elements.