Capsule, system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016264349-A1
Application number	US-201615069629-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2016
Priority date	Jun 17, 2009
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage with a beverage brewing device is disclosed. The beverage brewing device comprises a receptacle for receiving the capsule. The capsule comprises a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. At least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle.

First claim

1 . A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, by means of a beverage brewing device comprising a receptacle for receiving the capsule, the capsule comprising:
a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom, wherein the wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle, and wherein the capsule comprises a further ridge which is substantially concentrically enveloping the at least one projection, wherein a height of the further ridge is different from the height of the at least one projection.

2 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the cup further comprises a flange-like rim extending outwardly of the circumferential wall at the second end, wherein the at least one projection is provided on the flange-like rim.

3 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection is circumferential with respect to the capsule.

4 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection is provided on separate regions along a periphery of the capsule.

5 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein a height of the at least one projection is modulated.

6 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a circumferential ridge.

7 . The capsule according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a plurality of circumferential ridges.

8 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one projection is not a plurality of concentric circumferential ridges made of the same material as the cup provided on the flange-like rim.

9 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a body capable of retaining fluid.

10 . The capsule according to claim 9 , wherein said body comprises a sponge.

11 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of elongated individual projections is provided, said projections forming a brush-like area.

12 . The capsule according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the elongated individual projections has a different height than the other elongated individual projections.

13 . The capsule according to claim 12 , wherein a height of the elongated individual projections is in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm.

14 . The capsule according to claim 13 , wherein a height of the elongated individual projections is in the range of 0.13 to 1 mm.

15 . The capsule according to claim 13 , wherein a height of the elongated individual projections is in the range of 0.15 to 0.5 mm.

16 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a plurality of interconnected tubular structures.

17 . The capsule according to claim 16 , wherein the plurality of interconnected tubular structures comprises polygonal structures, preferably honeycomb structures.

18 . The capsule according to claim 16 , wherein the tubular structures are hollow.

19 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises an oblique bridge extending between the flange-like rim and the wall.

20 . The capsule according to claim 19 , wherein the bridge comprises two or more branches bifurcating from a base portion attached to the flange-like rim.

21 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection is flexible.

22 . The capsule according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one projection is elastically deformable.

23 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection is plastically deformable.

24 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the projection is made of the same material as the cup.

25 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the projection is integral with the cup.

26 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges has substantially the same height.

27 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges has substantially the same width.

28 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a width of a ridge of the plurality of ridges is smaller than a height of that ridge.

29 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a ridge of the plurality of ridges has a width that is equal to or less than a thickness of the flange-like rim.

30 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a ridge of the plurality of ridges has a height that is equal to or less than a thickness of the flange-like rim.

31 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges has substantially the same cross sectional shape.

32 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a ridge of the plurality of ridges has a tapered, substantially triangular, cross section.

33 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a radial distance between two neighbouring ridges is less than a maximum width of the ridges, preferably less than 50% of the maximum width, more preferably less than 25% of the maximum width.

34 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of ridges comprises two, three, four, five or six ridges.

35 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a ridge of the plurality of ridges has a height of less than 0.3 mm.

36 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein a ridge of the plurality of ridges has a maximum width of less than 0.3 mm.

37 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the ridges are made from a plastic material.

38 . The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the ridges are plastically deformable.

39 .- 41 . (canceled)

42 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the lid is connected to cup at the second end of the circumferential wall and the inner space is at least partially filled with the extractable product.

43 . The capsule according to claim 42 , wherein the capsule is hermetically closed.

44 . The capsule according to claim 42 , wherein the lid and/or bottom is porous and/or comprises openings for allowing a liquid to enter and/or exit the inner space.

45 . The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the capsule is disposable.

46 . A system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising:
a capsule according to claim 1 ; and a beverage brewing device comprising a receptacle for interacting with the capsule, wherein, in use, the at least one projection abuts against at least a portion of the receptacle such that a sealing engagement between the capsule and the receptacle is formed.

47 . The system according to claim 46 , wherein the receptacle is provided in a form of an enclosing member.

48 .

Assignees

• Douwe Egberts Bv

Inventors

• Kamerbeek Ralf
• Flamand John Henri
• Van Loon-Post Angenita Dorothea
• Koeling Hendrik Cornelis
• Biesheuvel Arend Cornelis Jacobus

Classifications

• A47J31/407

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title

• A47J31/369

  Impermeable cartridges being employed · CPC title

• A23F5/262

  the extraction liquid flowing through a stationary bed of solid substances, e.g. in percolation columns · CPC title

• B65D65/466

  Bio- or photodegradable packaging materials · CPC title

• A47J31/368 Primary

  Permeable cartridges being employed · CPC title