Method, system and receptacle for preparing a beverage

Abstract

A method for preparing a beverage using an extractable product is disclosed. The method comprises providing an exchangeable capsule that comprises a circumferential first wall, a second wall and a third wall which together enclose an inner space comprising an extractable product. The second wall of the capsule is pierced by means of at least one blade. Via the pierced second wall there is supplied an amount of fluid under a pressure to the inner space of the capsule. The prepared beverage is drained through the third wall of the capsule. A length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the said fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 80 percent of the overall axial capsule length.

1 . A method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage, such as coffee, using an extractable product, comprising:
 providing an exchangeable capsule, comprising a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a 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, wherein the capsule has a longitudinal central capsule axis and an overall axial capsule length measured along said central capsule axis;   piercing the second wall of the exchangeable capsule by means of at least one blade;   supplying, via the pierced second wall of the exchangeable capsule, an amount of fluid, such as water, under a pressure to the inner space of the exchangeable capsule; and   draining the prepared beverage through the third wall of the exchangeable capsule;   wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the fluid supplying the fluid the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 80 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance, measured along the central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 75 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 70 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length. 
     
     
         4 . A system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage, such as coffee, using an extractable product, the system comprising:
 an exchangeable capsule comprising a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a 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, wherein the exchangeable capsule has a longitudinal central exchangeable capsule axis and an overall axial exchangeable capsule length measured along said central exchangeable capsule axis; and   an apparatus comprising:
 a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, the receptacle comprising a first holding part and a second holding part, wherein the second holding part in use is movable in the apparatus relative to the first holding part from an open position at which the two parts are distant relative to one another to enable the insertion of the exchangeable capsule between the two parts and a closed position at which the first and second holding parts together are defining an internal cavity of the receptacle for containing the exchangeable capsule to be extracted with the first and second holding parts closed about the exchangeable capsule, wherein the second holding part comprises a fluid intake channel arranged for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under a pressure to the internal cavity, and a blade system comprising at least one blade arranged for piercing the second wall of the exchangeable capsule in the internal cavity for letting the fluid flow into the exchangeable capsule, and wherein the first holding part comprises a support surface arranged to abut against the third wall of the exchangeable capsule in the internal cavity for draining through that third wall and through the support surface the prepared beverage; and 
 a fluid dispensing device for the supplying of fluid to the fluid intake channel; 
 wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the said fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 80 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length. 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance, measured along the central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 75 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that during the fluid supplying the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central exchangeable capsule axis, between the third wall and the at least one blade in the inner space is less than 70 percent of said overall axial exchangeable capsule length. 
     
     
         7 . A receptacle for holding an exchangeable capsule containing an extractable product and for use in an apparatus for preparing, out of the extractable product, a predetermined quantity of beverage, such as coffee, the receptacle comprising a first holding part and a second holding part;
 wherein the second holding part in use is movable in the apparatus relative to the first holding part from an open position at which the two parts are distant relative to one another to enable the insertion of the exchangeable capsule between the two parts and a closed position at which the first and second holding parts together are defining an internal cavity of the receptacle for containing the exchangeable capsule to be extracted with the first and second holding parts closed about the exchangeable capsule, wherein the internal cavity has a longitudinal central cavity axis and an overall axial cavity length measured along the central cavity axis;   wherein the second holding part comprises:
 a fluid intake channel arranged for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under a pressure to the internal cavity, and 
 a blade system comprising at least one blade arranged for piercing the exchangeable capsule in the internal cavity for letting the fluid flow into the exchangeable capsule; 
   wherein the first holding part comprises a support surface arranged to abut against a wall of the exchangeable capsule in the internal cavity for draining through that wall and through the support surface the prepared beverage; and   wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that in the said closed position the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central cavity axis, between the support surface and the at least one blade in the internal cavity is less than 80 percent of said overall axial cavity length.   
     
     
         8 . The receptacle of  claim 7 , wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that in the said closed position the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central cavity axis, between the support surface and the at least one blade in the internal cavity is less than 75 percent of said overall axial cavity length. 
     
     
         9 . The receptacle of  claim 8 , wherein a length of the at least one blade is chosen such that in the said closed position the shortest possible axial distance, measured along said central cavity axis, between the support surface and the at least one blade in the internal cavity is less than 70 percent of said overall axial cavity length. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage, such as coffee, using an extractable product, comprising:
 the receptacle according to  claim 7 ; and   a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under a pressure to the fluid intake channel of the receptacle.