A beverage preparation machine and a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule that is suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines having an opening apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an orifice enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least one side surface that surrounds the orifice.

1 . A capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines having an opening apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an orifice enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least one side surface that surrounds the orifice, characterized by a skirt that surrounds the side surface all around so that at least some portion thereof is seated on the side surface almost without any gaps, a cover attached on the skirt so as to cover the orifice, and an opening that remains between the side surface and the skirt and that enables the cover to separate from the receptacle by being seated on at least some portion of the opening apparatus. 
     
     
         2 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt, the upper side of which is lower than the level of the orifice. 
     
     
         3 . A capsule as in  claim 1  characterized by the skirt that surrounds at least some portion of the side surface. 
     
     
         4 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt that longitudinally surrounds the side surface. 
     
     
         5 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt that is attached to the side surface. 
     
     
         6 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt that is produced in an integrated manner with the side surface. 
     
     
         7 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by a housing wherein the receptacle is seated, and the upper side of which is connected to the skirt. 
     
     
         8 . A capsule as in  claim 7 , characterized by the receptacle which is snap-fittingly seated into the housing. 
     
     
         9 . A capsule as in  claim 7 , characterized by a recess that is arranged on the receptacle or the housing and a protrusion that is disposed on the receptacle or the housing correspondingly and that is seated into the recess by aligning with the recess when the receptacle is seated into the housing, the recess and the protrusion preventing the housing and the receptacle from being separated. 
     
     
         10 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by a protector that extends from the side surface outwards almost in a direction perpendicular to the side surface so as to remain under the cover and that prevents the beverage raw material from entering the opening. 
     
     
         11 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by a frame that is disposed on the upper side of the skirt, that extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the skirt and whereon the cover is attached. 
     
     
         12 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by a casing wherein the receptacle is seated so as to surround the receptacle and the skirt, and that enables the beverage raw material to stay fresh for a longer period of time. 
     
     
         13 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt that extends parallel to the side surface. 
     
     
         14 . A capsule as in  claim 1 , characterized by the skirt that extends in an inclined manner with respect to the side surface. 
     
     
         15 . A beverage preparation machine that is suitable for using a capsule as in  claim 1  characterized by an opening apparatus which enters the opening by cutting the cover.