System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage

Abstract

A system including a capsule is usable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system includes a substantially rigid circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and lid of a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material closing the circumferential wall at a second, open, end opposite the bottom. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space include the extractable product, and the lid includes an impermeable outer circumferential area and an exit area being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that, in use, the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said beverage using the above system.

1 . A system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising:
 an exchangeable capsule, and   an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule,   wherein the exchangeable capsule comprises 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,   wherein the fluid dispensing device is arranged for supplying the fluid to the extractable product through the bottom for forming the beverage,   wherein the receptacle comprises a support surface, and wherein the capsule is arranged to at least partly abut against the support surface for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule through the lid and through the support surface,   wherein the lid comprises a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material and the system comprises an outlet which, in use, is in fluid communication with the lid for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup,   wherein the lid comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area and an exit area being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material is a flexible foil, such as a polymeric film, at least partly provided with a plurality of exit openings. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible foil is a multilayer foil of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET-P) and chlorinated polypropylene (CPP). 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the foil comprises a first layer of polyethyleneterephthalat (PET-P) with a thickness of approximately 15 μm and a second layer of chlorinated polypropylene (CPP) of approximately 30 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of exit openings is provided in a centre area of the lid, wherein the impermeable outer circumferential area of the lid does not comprise any exit opening. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein on a side of the lid facing the support surface of the system an additional substantially annular sealing member is provided that forms the impermeable outer circumferential area of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the lid and the annular sealing member are of the same material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the annular sealing member is of a resilient material such as a plastic, for instance PE or a rubber. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impermeable outer circumferential area extends from the circumferential wall radially inward, preferably over a radial distance between 1 mm-5 mm from the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule comprises an outwardly extending rim, wherein the lid is attached to the outwardly extending rim. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a radial length of the outwardly extending rim at a side facing the lid is approximately 4.7 mm±0.1 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit area comprises 75-170 openings, preferably 90-150, more preferably 100-125 openings, wherein an opening diameter is between 0.4 mm±0.05 mm and 0.2 mm±0.05 mm, preferably approximately 0.3 mm±0.05 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the capsule is permeable to liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom of the capsule is perforate and/or porous. 
     
     
         15 . A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising:
 a substantially rigid circumferential wall,   a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and   lid of a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material closing the circumferential wall at a second, open, end opposite the bottom,   wherein the circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product,   wherein the lid comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area and an exit area being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that, in use, the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area.   
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 15 , wherein the capsule is the capsule of the system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A use of a capsule for preparing a beverage using the apparatus of the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising:
 providing an exchangeable capsule, 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,   providing an apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule, and an outlet which, in use, is in fluid communication with the capsule for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup,   wherein the receptacle comprises a support surface, and wherein the capsule at least partly abuts against the support surface for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule through the lid and through the support surface,   wherein the lid comprises a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material and the apparatus comprises an outlet which is in fluid communication with the lid for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule and supplying the beverage to a container such as a cup,   wherein the lid comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area and an exit area being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area,   wherein the method further comprises supplying the fluid to the extractable product for preparing the beverage.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid dispensing device is arranged for supplying the fluid to the extractable product through the bottom for forming the beverage.