Cartridge for preparing a beverage

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge for preparing a beverage, such as coffee, that comprises a hollow member for containing a dose of, for example, ground coffee, said hollow member comprising a side wall, an upper face and a lower face including an extraction membrane, said cartridge being characterised in that it further comprises several separate protrusions provided on said side wall and/or said upper wall, each protrusion including at least one perforation area. The invention also relates to a device for using said cartridge.

1 . A cartridge for preparing a drink, for example coffee, comprising a hollow element ( 1 ) designed to contain a dose, e.g. of ground coffee, said hollow element ( 1 ) comprising a side wall ( 2 ), an upper face ( 3 ) and a lower face ( 4 ) comprising an extraction membrane; said cartridge being characterized in that it also comprises several distinct protrusions ( 5 - 8 ) placed on said side wall ( 2 ) and/or said upper face ( 3 ), each protrusion ( 5 - 8 ) comprising at least one perforation zone. 
     
     
         2 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are formed by embossing, stamping, thermoforming or any other similar method. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising protrusions ( 5 - 7 ) on its upper face ( 3 ). 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the periphery of the upper face ( 3 ) is lowered, the protrusions ( 7 ) being placed on the periphery. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising protrusions ( 8 ) on its side wall ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . A cartridge for the preparation of a drink, for example coffee, consisting of a biodegradable material comprising the following elements: Starch (>70%), fibers, proteins, lipids and at least one biodegradable resin. 
     
     
         7 . A device for the use of a cartridge as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a cartridge-holder, a cartridge-housing ( 12 ), a water inlet ( 15 ) and a perforation element ( 9 ), characterized in that said perforation element ( 9 ) is placed so as to perforate only the protrusions ( 5 - 8 ) placed on the side wall ( 2 ) and/or upper face ( 3 ) of a cartridge that is placed on said cartridge-holder and in said cartridge-housing ( 12 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the perforation element ( 9 ) is a circular blade.