Beverage capsule with anti-dripping membrane

Abstract

The present invention concerns a beverage capsule ( 11 ) comprising capsule side walls ( 20 ), a capsule top, and a capsule bottom ( 21 ) having a dispensing outlet ( 22 ), that define a chamber for containing a food or beverage precursor ingredient soluble and/or extractable when a fluid is injected inside said chamber under pressure, said capsule ( 11 ) further comprising a pressure-sensitive membrane ( 25 ), characterized in that said pressure-sensitive membrane ( 25 ) comprises at least one weakened or precut zone defining a non-reclosable opening ( 26 ) which: (i) elastically and plastically opens, respectively widens when the fluid pressure inside said capsule reaches a predetermined value between 0.5 and 20 bar relative pressure, and then (ii) maintains a widen configuration after the fluid pressure within the chamber is released to an atmospheric pressure value, such that the width of said at least one opening ( 26 ) does not exceed 1 mm.

1 . A beverage capsule comprising capsule side walls, a capsule top, and a capsule bottom having a dispensing outlet, that define a chamber for containing a food or beverage precursor ingredient soluble and/or extractable when a fluid is injected inside the chamber under pressure, the capsule further comprising a pressure-sensitive membrane, the pressure-sensitive membrane comprises at least one weakened or precut zone defining a non-reclosable opening which:
 elastically and plastically opens, respectively widens when the fluid pressure inside the capsule reaches a predetermined value between 0.5 and 20 bar relative pressure; and   maintains a widen configuration after the fluid pressure within the chamber is released to an atmospheric pressure value, such that the width of the at least one opening does not exceed 1 mm.   
     
     
         2 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one precut opening is a slit having a length to width ratio of between 1:1 and 1000:1. 
     
     
         3 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive membrane is constructed from a material having the following physical characteristics: a Young's modulus within the range of 800 MPa to 5000 MPa, a Yield point within the range of 10 MPa to 50 MPa, and a melting point within the range of 100° C. to 200° C. and a thickness of between 50 μm and 800 μm. 
     
     
         4 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive membrane is constructed of at least one layer of a thermoplastic material, selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the capsule side walls and capsule top are moisture and oxygen permeable, and wherein the capsule further comprises a pierceable or tearable moisture and oxygen barrier bottom membrane, such that the capsule chamber is closed. 
     
     
         6 . A capsule according to  claim 5 , wherein the bottom membrane is openable by piercing through action of a piercing element located within or outside of the capsule vicinity. 
     
     
         7 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage prepared within the capsule has a viscosity of between 0.1 and 100 mPa·s. 
     
     
         8 . A capsule according to  claim 1 , which comprises a precursor ingredient for making a beverage selected from the group consisting of: soups, fruit juices, vegetable juices, bouillons, coffee, chocolate, tea, milk or creamer, and combinations thereof.