Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device

Abstract

A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element.

1 . Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by means of supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a central capsule body axis, said aluminum capsule body being provided with a bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange, the capsule further comprising an aluminum cover attached to the outwardly extending flange, the cover hermetically closing the capsule, wherein the capsule further comprises a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the beverage preparation device, such that the outwardly extending flange of the capsule and at least a portion of the sealing member of the capsule are sealingly engaged between the enclosing member and the closing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a central annular element axis and a free contact end, characterized in that, the capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element, wherein prior to use at least a first portion of the bearing lays at a first height above the cover, wherein, in use, upon closing of the enclosing member by means of the closing member the at least one first portion of the bearing is lowered by means of the free contact end of the annular element being moved towards the closing element wherein the bearing is at least partly folded over the free contact end of the annular element so that after closing of the enclosing member by means of the closing member the at least one first portion of the bearing lays at a second height above the cover wherein the first height is larger than the second height and the second height may be zero, wherein the bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element is at least partly formed by the sealing member and wherein the sealing member comprises a projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange and a plateau between the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body, wherein the bearing is formed by the projection, plateau and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body, wherein the distance between the projection and the side wall is such that the free contact end of the annular element is enclosed by the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein prior to use at least one first portion of the plateau lays at a first height above the cover, wherein, in use, upon closing of the enclosing member by means of the closing member the at least one first portion of the plateau is lowered by means of the free contact end of the annular element being moved towards the closing element so that the plateau is at least partly folded over the free contact end wherein after closing of the enclosing member by means of the closing member, the at least one first portion of the plateau lays at a second height above the cover wherein the first height is larger than the second height and the second height may be zero. 
     
     
         2 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the aluminum capsule body is 20 to 120 micrometer, preferably 100 micrometer. 
     
     
         3 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum cover is arranged to tear open on a closing member of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the beverage preparation device under the influence of fluid pressure in the capsule. 
     
     
         4 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall of the aluminum capsule body has a free end opposite the bottom, the outwardly extending flange extending from said free end of the side wall in a direction at least substantially transverse to the central capsule body axis, wherein the outwardly extending flange comprises a curled outer edge, wherein the sealing member is positioned between the free end of the side wall of the aluminum capsule body and an inner edge of the curled outer edge of the outwardly extending flange. 
     
     
         5 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the sealing member portion to be contacted first by the free end of the enclosing member when the enclosing member is closed is at least about 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm and most preferably at least 0.8 mm and at most 3 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm and most preferably at most 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         6 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body is such that the free contact end of the annular element is contacted by the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         7 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the projection, the side wall of the aluminum capsule body and the plateau are arranged such that the free contact end of the annular element is contacted by the plateau if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         8 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the projection comprises a projection top, and wherein the projection is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         9 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein projection comprises projection side wall which is inclined with regard to the outwardly extending flange of the aluminum capsule body. 
     
     
         10 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the plateau is substantially flat. 
     
     
         11 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the plateau comprises a curved portion. 
     
     
         12 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the plateau is substantially flat and wherein the plateau is inclined with regard to the outwardly extending flange of the aluminum capsule body. 
     
     
         13 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that said bearing fluid sealingly encloses at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, in use, the maximum fluid pressure in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar 
     
     
         14 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that said bearing fluid sealingly encloses at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, during brewing, said free contact end of the annular element exerts a force F 2  on the sealing member of the capsule, wherein F 2  is in the range of 500-1500 N preferably in the range of 750-1250 N when the fluid pressure P 2  in said enclosing member outside the capsule is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar. 
     
     
         15 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that said bearing fluid sealingly encloses at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, in use, prior to or at the start of brewing, said free contact end of the annular element exerts a force F 1  on the sealing member of the capsule, wherein the force F 1  is in the range of 30-150 N, preferably 40-150 N and more preferably 50-100 N, when the fluid pressure P 1  in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device outside the capsule is in the range of 0.1-4 bar, preferably 0.1-1 bar. 
     
     
         16 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that said bearing fluid sealingly encloses at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if the free contact end of the annular element that is pressed against the sealing member has a plurality of radially extending open grooves uniformly spaced relative to each other in circumferential sense of said free contact end of the annular element. 
     
     
         17 . Capsule according to  claim 16 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that said bearing sealingly encloses at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if the greatest width of each of said grooves is 0.9-1.1 mm, preferably 0.95 to 1.05 mm, more preferably 0.98 to 1.02 mm wherein a maximal height of each of said grooves in an axial direction of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is 0.01-0.09 mm, preferably 0.03 to 0.07 mm, more preferably 0.045 to 0.055 mm, most preferred 0.05 mm and wherein the number of said grooves is 90 to 110, preferably 96. 
     
     
         18 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member and the remainder of the capsule body are made of the same plate material. 
     
     
         19 . System for preparing a potable beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule comprising:
 a capsule according to  claim 1 ; and   a beverage preparation device comprising an enclosing member for receiving the capsule, wherein the enclosing member comprises fluid injection means for supplying fluid under pressure into the capsule, wherein the beverage preparation device further comprises a closing member, such as an extraction plate, for closing the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device further comprises an annular element having a central annular element axis and a free contact end.   
     
     
         20 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein said free contact end of the annular element is provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves. 
     
     
         21 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the aluminum cover is arranged to tear open on a closing member of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the beverage preparation device under the influence of fluid pressure in the capsule. 
     
     
         22 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the height of the sealing member portion that is contacted first by the free end of the enclosing member is at least about 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm and most preferably at least 0.8 mm and at most 3 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm and most preferably at most 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         23 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the distance between the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body is such that the free contact end of the annular element is contacted by the projection and the side wall of the aluminum capsule body if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         24 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the projection, the side wall of the aluminum capsule body and the plateau are arranged such that the free contact end of the annular element is contacted by the plateau if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         25 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the projection comprises a projection top, and wherein the projection is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         26 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein, in use, the maximum fluid pressure in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar. 
     
     
         27 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the system is arranged such that, in use, during brewing, a free end of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device exerts a force F 2  on the sealing member of the capsule to provide a fluid sealing contact between the outwardly extending flange of the capsule and the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein F 2  is in the range of 500-1500 N preferably in the range of 750-1250 N when the fluid pressure P 2  in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device outside the capsule is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar. 
     
     
         28 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein the system is arranged such that, in use, prior to or at the start of brewing, a free end of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device exerts a force F 1  on the sealing member of the capsule to provide a fluid sealing contact between the outwardly extending flange of the capsule and the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein F 1  is in the range of 30-150 N preferably 40-150 N, more preferably 50-100 N, when the fluid pressure P 1  in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device outside the capsule is in the range of 0.1-4 bar, preferably 0.1-1 bar. 
     
     
         29 . System according to  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of radially extending open grooves are uniformly spaced relative to each other in tangential direction of the free contact end of the annular element of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         30 . System according to  claim 29 , wherein the greatest width of each groove is 0.9-1.1 mm, preferably 0.95 to 1.05 mm, more preferably 0.98 to 1.02 mm wherein a maximal height of each groove in an axial direction of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is 0.01-0.09 mm, preferably 0.03 to 0.07 mm, more preferably 0.045 to 0.055 mm, most preferred 0.05 mm and wherein the number of grooves is 90 to 110, preferably 96 and wherein optionally the radial width of the free contact end at the location of the grooves is 0.05-0.9 mm, preferably 0.2-0.7 mm and more preferably 0.3-0.55 mm. 
     
     
         31 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein during use when the closing member of the beverage preparation device closes the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device at least the free contact end of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device can move relative to the closing member of the beverage preparation device under the effect of the pressure of the fluid in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device towards the closing member of the beverage preparation device for applying the maximum force between the flange of the capsule and the free end of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein optionally the enclosing member comprises a first part and a second part wherein the second part comprises the free contact end of the enclosing member wherein the second part can move relative to the first part between a first and second position wherein the second part can move from the first position towards the second position in the direction of the closing member under the influence of fluid pressure in the enclosing member wherein optionally the force F 1  according to  claim 28  is reached if the second part is in the first position with a fluid pressure P 1  in the enclosing member as indicated in  claim 28  and wherein optionally the force F 2  according to  claim 27  is reached if the second part is moved towards the second position under the influence of the fluid pressure P 2  in the enclosing member as indicated in  claim 27 . 
     
     
         32 . System according to  claim 19 , wherein during use when the closing member of the beverage preparation device closes the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device can move relative to the closing member of the beverage preparation device under the effect of the pressure of the fluid in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device towards the closing member of the beverage preparation device for applying the maximum force between the flange of the capsule and the free end of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         33 . Use of a capsule according to  claim 1  in a beverage preparation device comprising an enclosing member for receiving the capsule, wherein the enclosing member comprises fluid injection means for supplying fluid under pressure into the capsule, wherein the beverage preparation device further comprises a closing member, such as an extraction plate, for closing the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device further comprises an annular element having a central annular element axis and a free contact end.