WO2013136210A1

WO2013136210A1 - System for making beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2013136210A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051597
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Digiuni
Original assignee: Caffita System S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Also published as: ITVR20120044A1

Abstract

A system (1 ) for making beverages comprises a capsule holder (9) and a capsule (2) which can be inserted in it. The capsule (2) contains a powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing pressurised water through it to make a beverage. The capsule (2) comprises a substantially cup-shaped body (3) and a lid (8). The body (3) also comprises a lower wall (5) intended to be perforated by perforating means (11 ) which are associated with the capsule holder (9). The system (1 ) also comprises injection means (15) for injecting pressurised water into the capsule (2) through the lower wall (5). The system (1) further comprises capsule (2) stiffening means (20) for stiffening the capsule (2) substantially limiting the movement and/or deformation of the lower wall (5) towards the lid (8) when the perforating means (11 ) act on the lower wall (5), but in any case allowing perforation and/or tearing of the lower wall (5) by the perforating means (11 ). The stiffening means (20) in turn comprise at least one rigid skeleton (21 ) which is positioned inside the body (3) of the capsule (2) at the lower wall (5) of the body (3).

Description

SYSTEM FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

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DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a system for making beverages.

In particular, it relates to a system for making beverages based on capsules containing a powdered food substance (for example coffee powder) which can be extracted by passing water through it to make a beverage (for example coffee). The term powdered food substance refers to a substance which can be extracted by infusion or which is soluble.

This invention covers those systems in which the capsule, equipped with a lower wall, a lateral wall and a lid, is inserted in a capsule holder. In particular, reference is made to those systems in which perforating means are inserted in the capsule holder, allowing at least one slit to be made in the lower wall of the capsule through which the pressurised water can be injected into the capsule to interact with the food substance and make a beverage which is then dispensed through the capsule lid.

In prior art systems, for example those described in patents US4846052, US 6854378 and US4136202, the slit is made with blades or spikes which make impact against the lower wall of the capsule, perforating or tearing it.

Said systems were originally invented to only use aluminium capsules. However, recently capsules compatible with such systems but made of other materials, such as plastic, have appeared on the market.

However, the perforating or tearing action may not be successful in some cases. In fact, the lower wall of the capsule rather than being torn or perforated may be deformed after the impact with the perforating means (such as the blades). This phenomenon may occur due to the resistance to cutting/tearing of the lower wall of the capsule. In fact, if the lower wall of the capsule is very resistant to cutting, then under the action of the perforating means it will tend to deform more easily, even only locally, rather than being perforated. In particular, the resistance to cutting / perforation / tearing depends strictly on the material used to make the capsule and its thickness. For example, capsules made of thick plastic do not allow correct perforation of the capsule. In fact, that material tends to withstand cutting/tearing and deforms. In contrast, a lower wall made for example of a multi-layer sheet of aluminium, offering moderate resistance to cutting, is usually easy to tear and perforate. However, even with capsules made of aluminium there may be cases in which the lower wall is deformed rather than being torn (or perforated, etc.).

Furthermore, there may be cases in which the lower wall of the capsule undergoes partial tearing / perforation / cutting, not sufficient to guarantee optimum passage of water into the capsule.

Therefore, said prior art has several disadvantages.

Failure to tear the lower wall of the capsule or the fact that optimum passage of the water into the capsule is impossible respectively cause no dispensing or incorrect dispensing of the beverage from the system, resulting in a failure in the preparation of the beverage. The failure in the preparation of the beverage is irreversible because, once extracted from the system, the capsule is deformed and so cannot be reused. The failure in the preparation of the beverage causes not only economic damage for the consumer, who must substitute the deformed capsule with a new one, but in the long term may also harm the image of the manufacturer of the system for making beverages.

Finally, it should be noticed that this invention is intended exclusively for systems for making beverages which use capsules in which the extraction water is injected into the capsule through the bottom of the capsule. In fact, there are also prior art systems, such as those described in patents EP1344722 and EP1555219 in which the water is injected into the capsule through its lid.

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide a system for making beverages which overcomes the above- mentioned disadvantages.

In particular, the technical purpose of this invention is to provide a system for making beverages which allows the risk of failures in the preparation of beverages to be avoided.

It is also the technical purpose of this invention to provide a system for making beverages which allows the capsule to be perforated or torn at the lower wall, minimising the risk of capsule deformation.

The technical purpose specified and the aims indicated are substantially achieved by a system for making beverages as described in the appended claims.

Further features and the advantages of this invention are more apparent in the detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several preferred, non-limiting embodiments of a system for making beverages, in which:

- Figure 1 is an axial section of a system according to a first embodiment of this invention in which the capsule is partly inserted in the capsule holder;

- Figure 2 is an axial section of the system of Figure 1 in which the capsule is inserted in the capsule holder and the top of it is locked in place by a contact element;

- Figure 3 is an axial section of the capsule of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows the detail IV from Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a body of a capsule cut according to an axial section, according to a second embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 6 shows a detail corresponding to that of Figure 4, with reference to the second embodiment;

- Figure 7 is an axonometric view of the body of the capsule of Figure 3 cut according to an axial section;

- Figure 8 is an axonometric view of the body of Figure 7 with a rigid skeleton positioned at the lower wall; - Figure 9 is an exploded axonometric view of the capsule of Figure 3.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a system for making beverages according to this invention.

The system 1 according to this invention comprises a capsule 2 containing at least one powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing pressurised water through it to make a beverage. The term powdered food substance refers to any powdered food substance which can be extracted by infusion or which is soluble, for example coffee, tea, infusions, soups, etc. The capsule 2 in turn comprises a substantially cup-shaped body 3 which has a central axis 4. Advantageously, the body 3 is substantially a rotation solid whose axis of rotation is the above-mentioned central axis 4. The body 3 in turn comprises a lower wall 5 and a lateral wall 6 extending upwards from the lower wall 5. Advantageously, the lateral wall 6 comprises a perimetric edge 7 positioned at the end of the lateral wall 6 opposite to the lower wall 5 (therefore at the upper end). The perimetric edge 7 preferably extends substantially radially, with reference to the central axis 4, and projects outwards. The capsule 2 also comprises a lid 8 for closing the top of the body 3. Advantageously, the lid 8 is sealed to the lateral wall 6, preferably on the perimetric edge 7. The lid 8 may advantageously be torn (for example against pointed elements) and consists of a plate made either of metal, for example aluminium, or of plastic.

The system 1 also comprises a capsule holder 9 which forms a housing 10 inside it for accommodating the capsule 2.

The system 1 also comprises perforating means 11 associated with the capsule holder 9 at the housing 10 for perforating and/or tearing the lower wall 5 of the body 3 (Figures 1 and 2). The perforating means 11 are usually sharpened elements, substantially of the known type, such as perforating spikes. In the embodiment illustrated, the perforating means 11 are advantageously metal blades 12 which allow the lower wall 5 of the body 3 to be torn and/or cut after applying pressure on it. Advantageously, the perforating means 11 are fixed to the capsule holder 9. Consequently, the tearing and/or cutting action occurs after the relative movement between the capsule 2 and the capsule holder 9. Even more advantageously, the cutting and/or tearing action occurs concomitantly with insertion of the capsule 2 in the housing 10, substantially in the known way.

The system 1 also comprises a contact element 13 against which the capsule 2 can make impact at least at the lid 8 and advantageously at the portion of the lid 8 which is sealed on the perimetric edge 7. The capsule holder 9 and the contact element 13 may advantageously adopt an open position in which they are distanced and allow positioning of the capsule 2 between them, and a closed position in which they are drawn close and, if the capsule 2 is inserted in the housing 10 of the capsule holder 9, the contact element 13 advantageously closes the capsule 2 between itself and the capsule holder 9 at least at the perimetric edge 7, substantially in the known way (Figure 2). Advantageously, in the closed position there is a watertight seal both between the capsule holder 9 and the capsule 2 to prevent fluid communication between the inside of the capsule holder 9 and the outside, and between the contact element 13 and the capsule 2 to prevent the beverage dispensed through the lid 8 from coming out of the system 1 where the capsule 2 makes contact with the contact element 13. Furthermore, at least in the closed position, the perforating means 11 tear and/or perforate the lower wall 5 of the body 3 inserted in the housing 10. Advantageously, perforation occurs while the closed position is being reached.

The action of the perforating means 11 creates at least one slit 14 in the lower wall 5 through which pressurised water can be injected into the capsule 2. In fact, the system 1 according to this invention comprises injection means 15 mounted in the capsule holder 9 for injecting pressurised water into the capsule 2 through the lower wall 5 once the latter has been perforated and/or torn by the perforating means 11. The injection means 15 in turn advantageously comprise at least one injection duct 16 for carrying the pressurised water to the lower wall 5, that is to say, to the slit 14 made by the perforating means 11. In the embodiment illustrated the injection duct 16 allows pressurised water to be carried substantially into the space existing between the capsule 2 and the capsule holder 9, in the known way. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the injection duct 16 is integrated in the blades 12 and allows pressurised water to be injected directly into the capsule 2.

The system 1 also comprises collecting means 17 for in use collecting the beverage dispensed through the lid 8 of the capsule 2. The collecting means 17 in turn comprise at least one collecting duct 18 (Figures 1 and 2) for collecting the beverage which is dispensed through the lid 8 of the capsule 2 and for carrying it to a drop point (not illustrated) where the beverage is definitively released by the system 1. In the embodiment illustrated the collecting duct 18 is advantageously made in the contact element 13.

The beverage may be dispensed through the lid 8 of the capsule 2 in various ways (of the known type). For example, if the lid 8 of the capsule 2 is pierced and comprises one or more through holes, the beverage is dispensed through the holes. If, in contrast, as in the embodiment illustrated, the lid 8 has no holes (it consists for example of a breakable metal sheet), then the contact element 13 will advantageously comprise projecting elements 19 (which are also part of the collecting means 17) against which the lid 8 can tear as the pressure inside the capsule 2 increases after insertion of water by the injection means 15 (this solution also being of the known type).

As already indicated, the action of the perforating means 11 on the lower wall 5 of the body 3 could cause local deformation of the lower wall 5, for example of the portion of lower wall 5 at a blade. Moreover, the action of the perforating means 11 could cause the lower wall 5 of the body 3 to move towards the lid 8, for example due to yielding of the lateral wall 6 which could be folded over itself. To avoid one or both of these problems, advantageously, the system 1 according to this invention comprises capsule 2 stiffening means 20 for stiffening the capsule 2 substantially limiting the movement and/or deformation of the lower wall 5 towards the lid 8 when the perforating means 11 act on the lower wall 5, but in any case allowing perforation and/or tearing of the lower wall 5 by the perforating means 11. In particular, the stiffening means 20 may first limit, or even prevent, movement of the lower wall 5 of the body 3 towards the lid 8 (for example by avoiding deformations of the lateral wall 6 of the body 3). Alternatively, or in addition, the stiffening means 20 may limit the deformation of the lower wall 5 of the body 3 under the action of the perforating means 11 in such a way that the lower wall 5 of the body 3 at least locally (that is to say, at the tip of a blade) can easily be perforated and/or torn and/or cut.

According to this invention the stiffening means 20 advantageously comprise at least one rigid skeleton 21 which is positioned inside the body 3 of the capsule 2 at the lower wall 5. The rigid skeleton 21 is also constrained to the inside of the lateral wall 6 of the body 3 at one or more contact portions 22 of the lateral wall 6. In particular, in the preferred embodiment, the lateral wall 6 of the body 3, proceeding from the lower wall 5 towards the lid 8, comprises at least one narrowing 23 of its cross-section relative to the cross-section defined by the immediately adjacent portion of lateral wall 6 positioned towards the lower wall 5. Advantageously, the contact portions 22 between the rigid skeleton 21 and the lateral wall 6 of the body 3 are formed by the narrowing 23 of the cross-section. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, the narrowing 23 of the cross-section forms at least one contact portion 22 facing towards the lower wall 5 of the body 3 against which the rigid skeleton 21 can rest. More precisely, the rigid skeleton 21 advantageously comprises one or more contact regions 24 with the lateral wall 6 of the body 3. The rigid skeleton 21 can rest against the contact portion 22 (which in the preferred embodiment is formed by the narrowing 23) at its contact regions 24 so as to limit the movement of the rigid skeleton 21 towards the lid 8. In fact, the rigid skeleton 21 is intended to be in contact with the lower wall 5 of the body 3 at a plurality of contact points 25 which are identified on the lower wall 5. In particular, the contact may occur at least after the action of the perforating means 11 on the lower wall 5. In fact, in a first embodiment, the rigid skeleton 21 is always substantially in contact with the lower wall 5 (except for construction tolerances). In contrast, in a second preferred embodiment (Figure 3) the rigid skeleton 21 is (slightly in the accompanying drawings) distanced from the lower wall 5 and the action of the perforating means 11 on the lower wall 5 of the body 3, for example the action of the one or more blades 12, may cause partial deformation of the lower wall 5 (for example locally, at the contact zones between the blades 12 and the capsule 2) or even its partial movement towards the lid 8, causing contact between the rigid skeleton 21 and the lower wall 5 (inside the capsule 2) at the above-mentioned contact points 25. In this sense the rigid skeleton 21 rests against the narrowing 23 at least after the action of the perforating means 11 on the lower wall 5. That is to say, in the second embodiment, the contact between the rigid skeleton 21 and the narrowing 23 (that is to say, between the contact region 24 and the contact portion 22) substantially occurs after the contact at the contact points 25 between the rigid skeleton 21 and the lower wall 5 (which is subjected to the deformation/movement action by the perforating means 11 ).

The presence of the rigid skeleton 21 allows an increase in the ability of the lower wall 5 to be cut / perforated / torn. In fact, the perforating means 11 could cause deformations in the lower wall 5 rather than cutting it. The perforating means 11 could even cause movements of the lower wall 5 due to the pressure/thrust that they apply (without resulting in a cut/tear, etc.). The rigid skeleton 21 limits movements and deformations (even at local level) of the lower wall 5 at the contact points 25 with the lower wall 5 itself. In fact, the rigid skeleton 21 , being constrained to the lateral wall 6 of the body 3 at the narrowing 23 at least once resting against the narrowing 23 itself, is not substantially subjected to movements towards the lid 8 of the capsule 2 caused by deformations and/or movements at the lower wall 5 and it resists deformations/movements of the lower wall 5 at the contact points 25. In particular, the rigid skeleton 21 in the second embodiment, in which it is in contact with the lower wall 5 substantially after the action of the perforating means 11 , allows partial deformations and/or complete movements of the lower wall 5 only until the lower wall makes contact with the rigid skeleton 21 at the contact points 25. The rigid skeleton 21 , identifying on the lower wall 5 the contact points 25 substantially located in intermediate positions relative to the outline of the lower wall 5, acts as a structural support for the lower wall 5 which will provide greater resistance to deformation/bending even at its intermediate portions between the contact points 25, at the same time being easier for the perforating means 11 to pass through.

Advantageously, when the capsule 2 is inserted in the housing 10, the perforating means 11 (for example blades 12) are positioned at one or more portions of the lower wall 5 of the body 3 which are different to those on the opposite side where the contact points 25 with the rigid skeleton 21 are located.

In a first embodiment (Figures 1 to 4 and 7 to 9), the narrowing 23 is formed by an annular groove 26 on the lateral wall 6. The annular groove 26 in particular extends radially outwards, with reference to the central axis 4, relative to the portions of the lateral wall 6 surrounding it. The annular groove 26 also forms a contact portion 22 at an annular portion of surface facing towards the lower wall 5, that is to say, the one closest to the lid 8 (or the upper one). In other words, the narrowing 23 which forms the contact portion 22 between the rigid skeleton 21 and the lateral wall 6 is identified in the annular groove 26 and should be considered the narrowing 23 of the cross- section, relative to the cross-section defined by the bottom 27 of the annular groove 26, which is on the same side as the lid 8 of the capsule 2 relative to the bottom 27 of the annular groove 26. Advantageously the rigid skeleton 21 has its contact region or regions 24 inserted in the annular groove 26 so as to constrain it to the lateral wall 6 at the contact portion 22 (Figure 4). Advantageously, the rigid skeleton 21 comprises its own annular contact region 24, with reference to the central axis 4. In the embodiment illustrated (Figures 3, 4 and 9), the rigid skeleton 21 comprises a contact region 24 with the lateral wall 6 which is substantially constituted of an annular edge 28. In contrast, in a second embodiment (Figures 5 and 6), the narrowing 23 is formed by an annular tooth 29 identified on the lateral wall 6. The annular tooth 29 extends radially inwards, with reference to the central axis 4, relative to the portions of the lateral wall 6 surrounding it. The annular tooth 29 also forms the contact portion 22 at its annular portion of surface facing towards the lower wall 5 and closest to the lower wall 5. In other words, the narrowing 23 which forms the contact portion 22 between the rigid skeleton 21 and the lateral wall 6 is identified on the annular tooth 29 and should be considered the narrowing 23 of the cross-section, relative to the cross- section defined by the portion of the lateral wall 6 adjacent to the annular tooth 29 and which is on the same side as the lower wall 5 of the body 3 relative to the annular tooth 29.

The rigid skeleton 21 advantageously has its contact region 24 (similar to that described for the first embodiment) resting against the annular tooth 29 so as to constrain it to the lateral wall 6 at the contact portion 22. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, the rigid skeleton 21 rests against the annular tooth 29 at its own annular edge 28.

Describing the rigid skeleton 21 in more detail, in the embodiment illustrated it comprises a disk 30 delimited at its perimeter by the above-mentioned annular edge 28. Moreover, at the disk 30, the rigid skeleton 21 comprises a plurality of holes 31 for allowing the passage of liquid through it. In addition, the disk 30 may act as a stand and support for a filter or it may itself constitute a filter for the powdered food substance.

Advantageously, the rigid skeleton 21 extends substantially circularly about the central axis 4. Moreover, identified on the rigid skeleton 21 there is an inner circular region 32 (having the shape of a circle in plan view) and an outer circular region 33 (having the shape of a circular ring in plan view), both concentric relative to the central axis 4. In the embodiment illustrated both the inner circular region 32 and the outer circular region 33 are defined by and identified on the disk 30.

In the embodiment illustrated (Figures 3 and 8), first spacer means extends from the inner circular region 32 and in particular from its perimeter, substantially in a direction parallel with the central axis 4 and towards the lower wall 5 of the body 3. In contrast, second spacer means extend from the outer circular region 33 and in particular from its perimeter, substantially in a direction parallel with the central axis 4 and towards the lower wall 5 of the body 3. Advantageously, the height of the second spacer means is less than that of the first spacer means (however, in other embodiments the height of the second spacer means may be equal to or greater than that of the first spacer means, substantially depending on the shape of the lower wall 5). Although in general the first spacer means and the second spacers means may adopt any shape suitable for the purpose (for example they could be a plurality of projecting elements distributed along the respective perimeters), in the preferred embodiment illustrated the first spacer means are constituted of an inner cylindrical wall 34 and the second spacer means are constituted of an outer cylindrical wall 35. Therefore, hereinafter, explicit reference will be made to this embodiment, but what was said with reference to the inner cylindrical wall 34 and the outer cylindrical wall 35 shall be understood to be valid (where compatible) even for respective generic first and second spacer means having different shape and structure.

The bottoms of the inner cylindrical wall 34 and of the outer cylindrical wall 35 are in contact with the lower wall 5 of the body 3 at contact points 25 at least after the action of the perforating means 11 on the lower wall 5. In particular, the inner cylindrical wall 34 and the outer cylindrical wall 35 respectively identify with their inner ends 36 and their outer ends 37, the contact points 25 on the lower wall 5 of the body 3.

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated, the inner cylindrical wall 34 forms, with the inner circular region 32 and with the lower wall 5, substantially an inner chamber 38. In other words, the inner cylindrical wall 34, the inner circular region 32 (therefore, in the embodiment illustrated, the disk 30) and the lower wall 5 between them form an inner chamber 38. Moreover, the outer cylindrical wall 35 forms with the outer circular region 33 (therefore, in the embodiment illustrated, the disk 30), with the inner circular wall and with the lower wall 5, an outer chamber 39. Advantageously, the inner chamber 38 and the outer chamber 39 are in fluid communication through one or more communication openings 40 which are made in the inner cylindrical wall 34. In particular, the fluid communication between the inner chamber 38 and the outer chamber 39 allows improved distribution of the water, injected through the slit 14 by the injection means 15, at the lower wall 5 of the body 3. In other words, if the water enters the capsule 2 at the outer chamber 39, it will pass, through the communication openings 40, into the inner chamber 38 before moving upwards towards the lid 8 of the capsule 2 through the food substance, and vice versa. In fact, advantageously, the powdered food substance is not present in the space of the capsule 2 occupied by the rigid skeleton 21. Therefore, the presence of the inner chamber 38 and of the outer chamber 39 allows, in the embodiment illustrated, distribution of the water entering the capsule 2 substantially evenly respectively on the inner circular region 32 and on the outer circular region 33 which in turn comprise holes 31 (advantageously those made in the disk) which allow the water to flow towards the powdered food substance.

Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated, the perforating means 11 are positioned in the capsule holder 9 in such a way as to penetrate the capsule

2 through the portion of lower wall 5 giving onto the outer chamber 39 (Figure 2).

According to the system 1 disclosed, the stiffening means 20 may also allow the limiting, or even prevention, of movement of the lower wall 5 of the body

3 towards the lid 8, for example by avoiding deformation of the lateral wall 6 of the body 3.

For that purpose, advantageously, the stiffening means 20 comprise stiffening ribs 41 on the lateral wall 6. The stiffening ribs 41 (clearly visible in Figure 3), may be made in various ways, for example they may be thickened areas of the lateral wall 6 which are made directly during the process of forming of the capsule 2 body 3. Alternatively, they may be obtained with special folds, without the need to vary the thickness of the lateral wall 6 of the body 3. In other words, the stiffening ribs 41 give stiffness to the lateral wall 6 of the body 3 thanks to their thickness, which is greater than that of the rest of the lateral wall 6, and/or thanks to the geometric shape they have been given. In the embodiment illustrated, for example, the stiffening ribs 41 are configured as concavities and/or convexities relative to the rest of the lateral wall 6.

Advantageously, the stiffening ribs 41 comprise axial ribs 42 extending in planes passing through the central axis 4, and/or circular ribs 43 extending in planes which are transversal to and preferably at a right angle to the central axis 4 (both types are present in the embodiment illustrated). However, in general the directions of extension of the stiffening ribs 41 may be many and varied even in the same capsule 2 and are not reduced only to those referred to and/or illustrated herein. Moreover, each stiffening rib 41 may have any geometric shape. The geometry of each stiffening rib 41 and the geometry according to which the stiffening ribs 41 (even of different types to one another) are arranged, may therefore vary from one case to the next depending on preferences or requirements. If both the axial ribs 42 and the circular ribs 43 are present, obviously they may intersect, as in the embodiment illustrated.

In a first embodiment the lower wall 5 of the body 3 is substantially smooth and free of ribs (Figure 5). In contrast, in a second embodiment the stiffening means 20 comprise bottom ribs 44 even on the lower wall 5 of the body 3 (Figure 7) which substantially have the features of the stiffening ribs 41 previously referred to. In this case the bottom ribs 44 allow reduced deformation of the lower wall 5 under the action of the perforating means 11. According to this invention, alternatively or in addition to the stiffening ribs 41 and/or the bottom ribs 44, the stiffening means 20 comprise a fold 45 of the lateral wall 6 on itself in a direction substantially parallel with the central axis 4 (shown in detail in Figures 4 and 6). The fold 45 has a substantially structural function and stiffens the lateral wall 6 where it is located, limiting deformation of the lateral wall in a radial direction.

Advantageously, in the embodiment illustrated, the fold 45 affects an annular portion of the lateral wall 6 and extends substantially in a radial direction towards the central axis 4. In more detail, the fold 45 seen in axial section (for example in Figures 4 and 6) is substantially "S"-shaped. In particular, the lateral wall 6 comprises a first stretch 46 (more external) and a second stretch 47 (more internal) which are substantially opposite and radially distanced from one another. The first stretch 46 and the second stretch 47 are connected to each other respectively by a third stretch 48 with centripetal extension towards the central axis 4 and extending from the lower edge of the first stretch 46, a fourth stretch 49 which from the third stretch rises towards the lid 8, and a fifth stretch 50 with centripetal extension towards the central axis 4, extending from the fourth stretch and connected to the upper edge of the second stretch 47. The fold 45 is therefore inserted in the lateral wall 6 at the first stretch 46 and at the second stretch 47 and is itself part of the lateral wall 6. In the preferred embodiment the fold 45 is formed on the lateral wall 6 substantially on the same side as the lid 8 relative to the narrowing 23.

In this invention, the rigid skeleton 21 , the stiffening ribs 41 , the bottom ribs 44 and the fold 45 shall be understood to be inventive aspects which are completely independent, that is to say, which may be present on a capsule 2 each independently of the others.

This invention brings important advantages.

The system designed in this way allows the number of failures in the preparation of beverages to be minimised. In fact, the presence of the stiffening means allows a reduction in the risk of deformation (even local) of the lower wall and the risk of movement of the lower wall due to its overall yielding (rigid skeleton and/or bottom ribs) or the risk of deformation of the lateral wall (stiffening ribs and fold). Moreover, the stiffening means allow production costs to be kept low, avoiding overall thickening of the body of the capsule which would involve the use of a larger quantity of material.

Finally, it should be noticed that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementing the invention is not very high. The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements and the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the various components, may vary according to requirements.

Claims

1) A system for making beverages comprising:

a capsule (2) containing at least one powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing pressurised water through it to make a beverage, the capsule (2) comprising a substantially cup-shaped body (3) having a central axis (4) and a lid (8) for closing the top of the body (3), the body (3) comprising a lower wall (5) and a lateral wall (6) extending from the lower wall (5);

a capsule holder (9) forming a housing (10) inside it for accommodating the capsule (2);

perforating means (11 ) associated with the capsule holder (9) at the housing (10) for perforating and/or tearing the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2);

injection means (15) mounted in the capsule holder (9) for in use injecting pressurised water into the capsule (2) through the lower wall (5) once the latter has been perforated and/or torn by the perforating means (11);

collecting means (17) for in use collecting the beverage dispensed through the lid (8) of the capsule (2);

capsule (2) stiffening means (20) for stiffening the capsule (2) substantially limiting the movement and/or deformation of the lower wall (5) towards the lid (8) when the perforating means (11 ) act on the lower wall (5), but in any case allowing perforation and/or tearing of the lower wall (5) by the perforating means (11 );

the stiffening means (20) comprising:

at least one rigid skeleton (21 ), the rigid skeleton (21 ) being positioned in the body (3) of the capsule (2) at the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2), the rigid skeleton (21 ) being in contact with the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2) at plurality of contact points (25) formed on the lower wall (5) at least after the action of the perforating means (11 ) on the lower wall (5) itself, and being internally constrained to the lateral wall (6) of the capsule (2) at one or more contact portions (22) of the lateral wall (6) itself;

when the capsule (2) is inserted in the housing (10) the perforating means (11 ) being positioned at one or more portions of the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2) different to those where the contact points (25) are located.

2) The system according to claim , characterised in that the rigid skeleton (21 ) extends in a substantially circular fashion around the central axis (4) and in that on said rigid skeleton (21 ) an inner circular region (32) and an outer circular region (33) are identified, both being concentric relative to the central axis (4), first spacer means extending from the perimeter of the inner circular region (32), substantially in a direction parallel with the central axis (4) and towards the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2), and second spacer means extending from the perimeter of the outer circular region (33), substantially in a direction parallel with the central axis (4) and towards the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2), having a height which is less than that of the inner cylindrical wall (34), the bottom of the first spacer means and the second spacer means being in contact with the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2) at the contact points (25) at least after the action of the perforating means ( 1 ) on the lower wall (5).

3) The system according to claim 2, characterised in that the first spacer means substantially form (38) with the inner circular region (32) and with the lower wall (5) an inner chamber (38), and in that the second spacer means form with the outer circular region (33), with the inner circular wall and with the lower wall (5) an outer chamber (39), the inner chamber (38) and the outer chamber (39) being in fluid communication through one or more communication openings (40) made in the first spacer means.

4) The system according to claim 3, characterised in that the perforating means (11 ), at least when they are in contact with the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2), are located in the portion of the lower wall (5) corresponding to the outer chamber (39). 5) The system according to any one of the claims from 2 to 4, characterised in that the first spacer means are constituted of an inner cylindrical wall (34) and in that the second spacer means are constituted of an outer cylindrical wall (35).

6) The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lateral wall (6) of the capsule (2), proceeding from the lower wall (5) towards the lid (8), comprises at least one narrowing (23) of its cross- section relative to the cross-section defined by the immediately adjacent portion of lateral wall (6) positioned towards the lower wall (5), and in that the rigid skeleton (21 ) comprises one or more contact regions (24), the narrowing (23) forming one of the contact portions (22) facing towards the lower wall (5) and against which the rigid skeleton (21) can rest at its contact regions (24) for limiting the movement of the rigid skeleton (21) towards the lid (8).

7) The system according to claim 6, characterised in that the lateral wall (6) comprises an annular groove (26) forming the contact portion (22) and extending radially outwards, with reference to the central axis (4), relative to the portions of the lateral wall (6) surrounding it, and in that the rigid skeleton (21 ) has its contact regions (24) inserted in the annular groove (26) to constrain it to the lateral wall (6) at the contact portion (22).

8) The system according to claim 6, characterised in that the lateral wall (6) comprises an annular tooth (29) forming the contact portion (22) and extending radially inwards, with reference to the central axis (4), relative to the portions of the lateral wall (6) surrounding it, and in that the rigid skeleton (21 ) has its contact regions (24) resting against the annular tooth (29) at the contact portion (22), at least after the action of the perforating means (11 ) on the lower wall (5).

9) The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rigid skeleton (21) comprises a contact region with the lateral wall (6) which is substantially constituted of an annular edge (28) of the rigid skeleton (21 ).

10) The system according to claim 9, characterised in that the rigid skeleton (21 ) comprises a disk (30) delimitated at its perimeter by the annular edge (28), the disk (30) comprising a plurality of holes (31) for allowing the passage of liquid through it.

11) The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stiffening means (20) also comprise stiffening ribs (41 ) on the lateral wall (6) for limiting the movement of the lower wall (5) towards the lid (8) under the action of the perforating means (11 ) on the lower wall (5).

12) The system according to claim 11 , characterised in that the stiffening ribs (41 ) comprise axial ribs (42) extending in planes passing through the central axis (4), and/or circular ribs (43) extending in planes which are transversal to and preferably at a right angle to the central axis (4).

13) The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stiffening means (20) also comprise one or more bottom ribs (44) on the lower wall (5) of the capsule (2).

14) The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stiffening means (20) comprise a fold (45) of the lateral wall (6) on itself in a direction substantially parallel with the central axis (4).

15) The system according to claim 14, characterised in that the fold (45) affects an annular portion of the lateral wall (6) and extends substantially in a radial direction towards the central axis (4).