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

Abstract

Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having 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 may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. The sealing member comprises a single annular projection comprising a projection top projecting from an inner projection foot radially outside of a flat inner flange portion extending between the capsule body side wall and the projection and an outer projection foot radially inside of a flat outer flange portion extending between the projection and the curled outer edge. The flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body or the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion are in line the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion are in line and a radially outer wall of said projection is oriented transverse to the flat outer flange portion.

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 capsule body bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange comprising a curled outer edge, said outwardly extending flange extending transverse to the central capsule body axis, 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, said free contact end of the annular element optionally being provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves, characterized in that, the sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a single annular projection comprising a projection top projecting axially towards the capsule body bottom from an inner foot portion racially outside of a flat inner flange portion extending between the capsule body side wall and the projection and an outer foot portion racially inside of a flat outer flange portion extending between the projection and the curled outer edge, and wherein:
 the flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body; or   the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion are in line and wherein a radially outer wall of said projection is oriented transverse to the flat outer flange portion.   
     
     
         2 . Capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the curled outer edge axially extends at both sides of the flat outer flange portion. 
     
     
         3 . Capsule according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein a racially inner wall of said projection is oriented at an angle between 93° and 110°, preferably between 95° and 98°, and most preferably at an angle of 97° with regard to the flat inner flange portion. 
     
     
         4 . Capsule according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body, and wherein a racially outer wall of said projection is oriented at an angle between 93° and 110°, preferably between 95° and 98°, and most preferably at an angle of 97° with regard to the flat outer flange portion. 
     
     
         5 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection is configured such that its projection top exerts an outward 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 the closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         6 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is attached to the flat inner flange portion. 
     
     
         7 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is attached to the flat outer flange portion. 
     
     
         8 . Capsule according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein the flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body, wherein the sealing member is deformable such that, in use, closure of the enclosing member causes the axial spacing between the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion to be reduced. 
     
     
         9 . Capsule according to  claim 8 , wherein the sealing member is deformable such that, in use, closure of the enclosing member causes the axial spacing between the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion to be eliminated. 
     
     
         10 . Capsule according to  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the axial distance between the flat inner flange portion and the flat outer portion is between 0.5 and 0.7 mm or is 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         11 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member, said bearing being formed by at least the projection. 
     
     
         12 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection is shaped to roll and buckle radially outwards if compressed in axial direction, while in contact with an outwardly facing surface of a free end of the annular element. 
     
     
         13 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the capsule. 
     
     
         14 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange is 31.7 mm. 
     
     
         15 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the aluminum capsule body is between 20 to 200 micrometer, preferably between 80 and 110 micrometer, most preferably 90 micrometer or 100 micrometer, such that it is deformed easily if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member of the beverage preparation device. 
     
     
         16 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the aluminum cover is 15 to 65 micrometer, preferably 30-45 micrometer and more preferably 39 micrometer. 
     
     
         17 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness of the aluminum cover is smaller than the wall thickness of the aluminum capsule body. 
     
     
         18 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aluminum cover is arranged to tear open on the 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. 
     
     
         19 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curled outer edge of the outwardly extending flange has a largest dimension of about 1.2 millimeter. 
     
     
         20 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aluminum capsule body is truncated, wherein preferably the side wall of the aluminum capsule body encloses an angle with a line transverse to the central capsule body axis of about 97.5°. 
     
     
         21 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the sealing member portion to be contacted first by the free end of the enclosure member when the enclosure 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. 
     
     
         22 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises an inner surface, and wherein on the inner surface of at least the side wall of the capsule an inner coating is provided. 
     
     
         23 . Capsule according to  claim 22 , wherein the aluminum cover of the capsule is attached to the outwardly extending flange by means of a sealing lacquer, said inner coating being composed of the same material as the sealing lacquer. 
     
     
         24 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises an outer surface, and wherein on the outer surface of the capsule a color lacquer is provided. 
     
     
         25 . Capsule according to  claim 24 , wherein on an outer surface of the color lacquer an outer coating is provided. 
     
     
         26 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element in a fluid sealingly manner 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. 
     
     
         27 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element in a fluid sealingly manner if, during brewing, said free contact end of the annular element exerts a force F 2  on the sealing structure 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. 
     
     
         28 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element in a fluid sealingly manner 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 structure of the capsule, wherein the force F 1  is in the range of 30-150 N, preferably 40-150 N and more preferably 50-100N, 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 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element in a fluid sealingly manner if the free contact end of the annular element that is pressed against the sealing structure 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. 
     
     
         30 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure and the remainder of the capsule body are made of the same plate material. 
     
     
         31 . Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion are in line, wherein a radially outer wall of said projection is oriented transverse to the flat outer flange portion transition. 
     
     
         32 . Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a transition from the projection to the flat outer flange portion of the outwardly extending flange has an internal radius of less than 0.15 mm, preferably less than 0.12 mm. 
     
     
         33 . System for preparing a potable beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule comprising:
 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, said free contact end of the annular element optionally being provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves; and   a capsule according to any of the preceding claims.   
     
     
         34 . System according to  claim 33 , wherein said free contact end portion of the annular element has an outer circumferential surface portion contacting said projection, if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member and as the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member, and wherein said racially extending open grooves are deeper in an inner surface portion than in said outer surface portion or said radially extending open grooves are absent in said outer surface portion. 
     
     
         35 . System according to  claim 33  or  34 , wherein the flat inner flange portion has a radial width that is substantially larger than the radial thickness of said free contact end portion of the annular element, so that a clearance is left between said free contact end portion of the annular element and said side wall of said capsule body. 
     
     
         36 . System according to any of the  claims 33 - 35 , wherein the capsule is a capsule according to  claim 3 , and wherein the annular element is arranged for deformation of the radially inner wall of said projection. 
     
     
         37 . System according to any of the  claims 33 - 36 , wherein the capsule is a capsule according to  claim 12 , and wherein the annular element has one or more bridges between outer and inner ridges, the or each bridge constituting an interruption of an annular space between the outer and inner ridges. 
     
     
         38 . System according to any one of the  claims 33 - 37 , 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. 
     
     
         39 . System according to any one of the  claims 33 - 38 , 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. 
     
     
         40 . System according to any one of the  claims 33 - 39 , 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. 
     
     
         41 . System according to any one of the  claims 33 - 39 , 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. 
     
     
         42 . System according to any of the  claims 33 - 41 , wherein a free contact end of the annular element is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves, wherein a 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. 
     
     
         43 . System according to any of the  claims 33 - 42 , wherein, in 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 positon 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 39  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 39  and wherein optionally the force F 2  according to  claim 40  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 40 . 
     
     
         44 . System according to any one of the  claims 33 - 43 , 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. 
     
     
         45 . Use of a capsule according to any one of the  claims 1  to  32  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, said free contact end of the annular element optionally being provided with a plurality of radial grooves; wherein the capsule contains a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by means of the fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule by the fluid injection means of the beverage preparation device, wherein the capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a central capsule body axis, said aluminum capsule body being provided with a capsule body bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange comprising a curled outer edge, said outwardly extending flange extending transverse to the central capsule body axis, 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 integral with the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with 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 the closing, 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 sealing member comprises a single annular projection comprising a projection top projecting axially towards the capsule body bottom from an inner projection foot racially outside of a flat inner flange portion extending between the capsule body side wall and the projection and an outer projection foot racially inside of a flat outer flange portion extending between the projection and the curled outer edge, and wherein:
 the flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body; or 
 the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion are in line and wherein a radially outer wall of said projection is oriented transverse to the flat outer flange portion. 
 
     
     
         46 . Use according to  claim 45  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. 
     
     
         47 . Use according to  claim 45  or  46 , wherein, 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 and wherein there exists the fluid sealing contact. 
     
     
         48 . Use according to any one of the  claims 45 - 47 , wherein, 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 and wherein there exists the fluid sealing contact. 
     
     
         49 . Use according to any one of the  claims 45 - 48 , 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. 
     
     
         50 . Use according to any of the  claims 45 - 49 , wherein the annular element urges the projection outwardly. 
     
     
         51 . Use according to any of the  claims 45 - 50 , wherein the flat outer flange portion is axially spaced from the flat inner flange portion towards the bottom of the capsule body, and wherein the flat outer flange portion is axially displaced by the annular element as the enclosing member is closed, urging the projection to be tilted and to roll off outwardly against the free end of the annular element. 
     
     
         52 . Use according to  claim 51 , wherein, closure of the enclosing member causes the axial spacing between the flat outer flange portion and the flat inner flange portion to be reduced or eliminated. 
     
     
         53 . Use according to any of the  claims 45 - 52 , wherein a system according to  claim 37  is used, and wherein the projection rolls and buckles racially outwards where it is compressed by the bridge.