Capsule for beverages and beverage preparation method

Abstract

A capsule and method of mixing a beverage are described. A capsule for beverages includes a casing with a top and a base. The capsule also includes a separator located within the casing with at least one hole wherein the separator is attached to the casing along the separator's perimeter. A substance in an upper part of the capsule casing between the upper barrier and the separator, wherein said substance is subjected to the processes of extracting, dissolving and diluting substance content by injecting liquid under pressure into the casing upper part within an appliance for preparing beverages. The capsule contains a mixing unit located between the separator and the lower barrier which seals an outflow duct.

1 . A capsule for beverages comprising:
 a casing having a top and a base wherein an upper barrier seals tightly the top and a lower barrier seals the base,   a separator located within the casing with at least one hole wherein the separator is attached to the casing along the separator's perimeter; and   a substance in an upper part of the capsule casing between the upper barrier and the separator, wherein said substance is subjected to the processes of extracting, dissolving and diluting substance content by injecting liquid under pressure into the casing upper part within an appliance for preparing beverages, wherein said capsule contains a mixing unit located between the separator and the lower barrier which seals an outflow duct, through which the prepared content flows out, wherein the separator is frictionally engaged along its perimeter to the inner surface of the casing, and an outflow from each hole in the separator is controlled by a pressure control valve.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve, between the separator and the upper barrier, wherein said sleeve is fitted with openings at its base for the liquid to flow out in order to mix the substance in a direction from the separator towards the upper barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure control valve, wherein said pressure control valve comprises a diaphragm mounted in the mixing unit and in wherein said diaphragm in one position blocks the entire hole. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve and the separator form one component. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve and the separator are detachable. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing unit further comprises a guide which is inside an area of the separator defined by a ring fastened to the separator at the base, and the guide is seated in a recess in the mixing unit, wherein said guide defines arms having outflow holes at the ends placed in the walls of the recess and connected to the central hole of a piercer that punctures the barrier which has at least one notch in the center of the casing and where the piercer in its working position, after puncturing through the lower barrier, seals with its outer surface the resulting hole during the outflow of the prepared mix, and the generating line of the piercer is longer than half the length cut on the inside of the barrier, and the height of the piercer is shorter than the height of the casing outflow duct. 
     
     
         7 . A method of beverage preparation comprising:
 inserting a capsule having a substance contained in a hermetically sealed area into an appliance for preparing beverages, wherein said capsule comprises:   a casing,   a separator separating an upper part of the capsule interior situated between the separator and an upper barrier of the casing and,   the substance is contained in the upper part and below the separator,   a mixing unit and an outflow duct sealed by the lower barrier, and   wherein the method further comprises inserting the capsule in the appliance for preparing beverages and opening it from the base, and then piercing the upper barrier and injecting a liquid under pressure, wherein the liquid under pressure is injected through at least one pressure nozzle into a central hole of a sleeve, and in the lower part of the side wall of the sleeve there is at least one opening located in the immediate vicinity of the capsule separator surface, through which the liquid under pressure is fed continuously from the base towards the upper part of the casing containing the said substance for the purpose of its dilution until at least one pressure control valve through which the diluted substance flows into the mixing unit opens and, when the beverage is finally mixed, the liquid is discharged from the capsule through the central hole in the mixing unit piercer located in the outflow duct.   
     
     
         8 . A method of beverage preparation comprising inserting a hermetically sealed capsule containing a substance in an appliance for preparing beverages, wherein said capsule comprises defined inside its casing a separator separating an upper part of the capsule interior situated between the separator and an upper barrier of the casing, where the said substance is contained in the upper part and below the separator, the capsule further comprising a mixing unit and an outflow duct closed by the lower barrier,
 comprises inserting the capsule in the appliance for preparing beverages and opening it from the base, and puncturing the upper barrier and injecting liquid under pressure, wherein the liquid under pressure is injected through at least one pressure nozzle into the upper part of the casing containing the said substance for the purpose of its dilution until at least one pressure control valve through which the diluted substance flows into the mixing unit opens and, when the beverage is finally mixed, the substance is discharged from the capsule through the central hole in the mixing unit piercer located in the outflow duct.   
     
     
         9 . The capsule as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure control valve, wherein said pressure control valve comprises a diaphragm mounted in the mixing unit and in wherein said diaphragm in one position blocks the entire hole. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve and the separator form one component. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve and the separator form one component. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve and the separator are detachable. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve and the separator are detachable.