Cartridge for the preparation of a liquid product, and corresponding assortment

Abstract

A cartridge ( 10 ) for the preparation of a liquid product by means of liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge ( 10 ) comprises a casing ( 14 ) with a central axis (X 14 ), which has inside it a receiving 5 chamber with a filling of a substance ( 12 ) for preparation of the liquid product. The casing has a bottom wall ( 142 ), through which the liquid product is able to flow out of the cartridge ( 10 ). The aforesaid bottom wall ( 142 ) has a peripheral rim ( 1432 ) lying in 10 a plane (B-B′) and has, when viewed from outside the cartridge ( 10 ), a protruding central portion ( 1420 ) that provides on its inside an extension of said receiving chamber with a filling of a substance for preparation of the liquid product. The central portion 15 ( 1420 ) protrudes from the casing of the cartridge beyond (d) the plane (B-B′) in which the peripheral rim ( 1432 ) lies and is surrounded by an annular portion ( 1422 ) of the bottom wall, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis (X 14 ) of the cartridge. 20 At least one opening ( 1428 ) for outflow of the liquid product from the cartridge ( 10 ) is provided, located in the protruding central portion ( 1420 ), with the bottom wall ( 142 ) that, in the aforesaid annular portion ( 1422 ), is without openings ( 1428 ) for outflow of said 25 liquid product from the cartridge ( 10 ).

1 . A cartridge for the preparation of a liquid product by means of liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge, the cartridge including a casing with a central axis, said casing having therein a receiving chamber with a filling of a substance for the preparation of said liquid product, said casing having a bottom wall for said liquid product to flow from the cartridge, wherein said bottom wall has a peripheral rim lying in a plane and presents, when observed on the outer side with respect to the cartridge, a central protruding portion providing therein an extension of said receiving chamber with a filling of a substance for the preparation of said liquid product, wherein:
 said central portion protrudes from the casing of the cartridge beyond the plane where said peripheral rim,   said central portion is surrounded by an annular portion of said bottom wall which extends in a direction orthogonal to said central axis,   at least one opening is provided for the outflow of said liquid product from the cartridge located at said central protruding portion, with said bottom wall exempt from apertures for the outflow of said liquid product from the cartridge in said annular portion.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , including a filter element coupled with said at least one opening for the outflow of said liquid product from the cartridge located at, preferably at the distal end of, said protruding central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein said filter element is coupled to said at least one opening for the outflow of said liquid product from the cartridge at the inner side of the bottom wall with respect to the cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein said filter element includes filter paper or a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said central protruding portion of said bottom wall includes a dispensing spout for said liquid product. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of sclaim  1 , wherein said peripheral rim:
 is substantially coplanar with said annular portion of said bottom wall, or   protrudes from the casing of the cartridge with respect to said annular portion of said bottom wall.   
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein said substance for preparing said liquid product is selected out of: powdered roasted and ground coffee, leaf tea, powdered or soluble milk, soluble coffee, soluble chocolate, soluble barley, sugar, powdered soluble flavourings, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the casing of the cartridge includes a sealing foil closing the casing of the cartridge at the end opposite said bottom wall. 
     
     
         9 . An assortment of cartridges according to  claim 1 , including at least a first and a second cartridge a, wherein:
 in said first cartridge, said central portion protrudes with respect to said bottom wall of a first amount, and   in said second cartridge, said central portion protrudes with respect to said bottom wall of a second amount, said first amount and said second amount being different from each other.