Capsule, Device and Method for Preparing a Beverage by Extraction

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule for use in a device for preparing beverages. The invention also relates to an assembly of such a capsule and a device for preparing beverages. The invention further relates to a method for preparing beverages by making use of such an assembly.

1 . A capsule for preparing beverages, comprising:
 a housing at least partially filled with a substance to be extracted and/or dissolved, such as ground coffee, wherein the housing is provided with a supply side for pressing a liquid such as water into the capsule, and with a discharge side located a distance from the supply side for discharging liquid provided with extract and/or dissolved substance and guided through the capsule, wherein at least a part of the discharge side of the housing is initially sealed by a perforable foil;   a laterally protruding engaging edge connected to the housing to enable clamping of the capsule in a device for preparing beverages; and   a perforation structure coupled substantially rigidly to the engaging edge and/or the housing and provided with at least one perforation element facing toward the foil for perforating the foil, which perforation structure is positioned substantially on a side of the foil remote from the housing, wherein perforation of the foil is caused by deformation of the foil during pressing of the liquid through the capsule.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the perforation structure is positioned at least partially in a volume enclosed by the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the perforation structure is connected integrally to at least a part of the engaging edge. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foil initially seals the housing substantially medium-tightly. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the perforation structure takes a substantially plate-like form. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an edge periphery of the perforation structure is connected via at least one connecting element to the engaging edge. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule as claimed in foregoing claims  claim 1 , wherein the engaging edge comprises at least one flange connected integrally to the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the engaging edge has a laminated structure and comprises at least one flange connected to the housing and a support structure coupled to the flange and connected to the perforation structure. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a side of the perforation structure remote from the foil and a side of the engaging edge are located in the same plane. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the engaging edge is manufactured from a resilient material, in particular an elastomer, more particularly a rubber elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the resilient material comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the resilient material is manufactured at least partially from a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). 
     
     
         13 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic polyolefin resilient material comprises a composition of polyolefins comprising polypropylene and an elastomeric copolymer, the copolymer comprising units of ethylene and units of an ∀-olefin. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the ∀-olefin is formed by ethylene, propylene or 1-butene. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the capsule is provided with at least one sealing element for sealing the capsule in the device. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the perforation structure is provided with a plurality of throughflow channels for discharge of liquid, the throughflow channels extending from a side of the perforation structure facing toward the foil to a side of the perforation structure remote from the foil. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the perforation structure is provided with a plurality of perforation elements. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein at least a number of throughflow channels are located at a distance from the perforation elements. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein at least one perforation element is provided with at least one throughflow channel. 
     
     
         20 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a side of the perforation structure remote from the foil is provided with at least one surface groove, the surface groove connecting to at least one outer end of at least one throughflow channel. 
     
     
         21 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein a side of the perforation structure remote from the foil is provided with a plurality of surface grooves, the surface grooves connecting the outer ends of the throughflow channels to each other. 
     
     
         22 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a number of perforation elements take a pointed, in particular pyramid-shaped and/or cone-shaped form. 
     
     
         23 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an edge part of the perforation structure facing toward the foil is provided with at least one perforation element for realizing an edge perforation in the foil. 
     
     
         24 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foil engages under bias on at least one perforation element. 
     
     
         25 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a side of the perforation structure remote from the foil is provided with an upright sealing edge which protrudes in a direction away from the foil. 
     
     
         26 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule is assembled with a device for preparing beverages, which device comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the capsule holder comprises a plurality of holder parts which are mutually displaceable between an opened position, in which the capsule can be placed in the capsule holder, and a closed position in which the engaging edge of the capsule is clamped substantially liquid-tightly by the holder parts. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for preparing a beverage by making use of an assembly as claimed in  claim 26 , comprising the steps of:
 A) placing a capsule in at least a part of an opened capsule holder,   B) closing the capsule holder with substantially liquid-tight clamping of the engaging edge of the capsule,   C) pressing liquid, in particular water, into the capsule via the supply side of the capsule, whereby the foil will be pressed against the perforation structure and will be perforated by the at least one perforation element, and   D) discharging via the perforated foil liquid guided through the capsule.   
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein during closing of the capsule holder as according to step B) the supply side of the capsule is perforated by the capsule holder.