System, a method and a capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage

Abstract

A system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product includes at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid to the at least one capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least an exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule.

1 . A system for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, the comprising:
 at least one disposable capsule;   an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, to the at least one disposable capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one disposable capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup;   wherein the at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product, wherein the material barrier comprises:
 an entrance area enabling passage of the amount of fluid towards the inner space for interacting with the extractable product for preparing the beverage; 
 an exit area for conducting at least a portion of the beverage away from the disposable capsule; 
   wherein the system is further arranged for:
 bringing the fluid dispensing device in fluid communication with the entrance area for supplying the fluid; 
 enabling the exit area to be positioned in fluid communication with the outlet arrangement, 
   wherein the disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least the exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the disposable capsule, and wherein said displaceable body is arranged to be actuated by an internal force caused, for example, by an inner pressure of the fluid accumulated in the inner space.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disposable capsule is substantially cylindrically formed, the material barrier comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom, and a lid. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the exit area is provided in the lid of the disposable capsule. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the entrance area is provided in the bottom of the disposable capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displaceable body is chemically inert with respect to the extractable product and/or the fluid, and/or the beverage. 
     
     
         6 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the material barrier comprises displaceable parts. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a surface of the material barrier constitutes the outer surface of the disposable capsule. 
     
     
         10 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displaceable body comprises at least one working organ for discontinuing a material of the exit area. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein, in use, the at least one working organ is displaced substantially perpendicular with respect to a surface of the exit area. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displaceable body comprises a conduit provided with lateral openings for distributing a portion of the fluid in the internal space of the disposable capsule. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit area is conceived to cooperate with an exit filter. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit area of the material barrier comprises a portion, which is mechanically weaker than other regions of the material barrier. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a capsule. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the capsule is constructed of a bio-degradable material. 
     
     
         24 . A method of using a capsule according to the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A method of preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using extractable product in a system, the method comprising:
 providing at least one disposable capsule;   providing an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, to the at least one disposable capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one disposable capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup;   wherein the at least one disposable capsule is provided with an outer material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product, wherein the material barrier is provided with an entrance area enabling passage of the fluid towards the inner space for interacting with the extractable product for preparing the beverage and an exit area for conducting at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule; and   wherein the system is further arranged for bringing the dispensing device in fluid communication with the entrance area for supplying the fluid and enabling the exit area to be positioned in a fluid communication with the outlet arrangement, the method comprising the steps of: actuating a displaceable body provided in the disposable capsule by an internal force caused by, for example, an inner pressure of the fluid accumulated in the inner space for causing it to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least the exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule.   
     
     
         26 . A method of manufacturing a disposable capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using extractable product, the method comprising:
 forming the disposable capsule with an outer material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product, the material barrier comprising:
 an entrance area enabling passage of a fluid towards the inner space for interacting with the extractable product for preparing the beverage; 
 an exit area for conducting at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule; 
 providing a displaceable body in the disposable capsule for causing it in use to interact with the material barrier by an internal force caused by, for example, an inner pressure of the fluid accumulated in the inner space for discontinuing at least the exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule; and 
 filing the inner space of the disposable capsule with the extractable product.