Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to the field of portioned beverage using capsules for preparing a beverage in a beverage extraction device. The invention more particularly relates to an improved capsule and a method for preparing the beverage.

Background: The preparation of a beverage by a capsule containing beverage ingredients is known. In general, the capsule is inserted in a beverage extraction device, such as a coffee machine, liquid is fed in the capsule, the liquid interacts with the beverage ingredients and a beverage is extracted from the capsule under pressure or by gravity. The preparation of a beverage by using the centrifugation is known. The principle mainly consists in providing beverage ingredients in a container of the capsule, feeding liquid in the receptacle and rotating the receptacle at elevated speed to ensure interaction of liquid with ingredients while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the receptacle; such pressure increasing gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the receptacle. As liquid traverses the ingredients, such as ground coffee, extraction of the food compounds takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the receptacle.

The term "capsule" refers to any flexible, rigid or semi-rigid packaging container containing beverage ingredients. Other synonyms to a capsule are: "pod", "pad", "cartridge" or "sachet". The capsule can be designed for a single use. The container can also be filled with ingredients by the user to form the capsule just before use.

The term "ingredients" means any suitable beverage substance such as ground coffee, soluble coffee, leaf tea, soluble tea, herbal tea, dairy powder, culinary powder, baby food, other beverage nutritional ingredients and any combinations thereof. A capsule system and method for preparing a beverage from a capsule using centrifugation forces is described in the following documents: EP2210539, WO2008/148604, WO2008/148650, WO2008/148646, WO2008/148656 and WO2010/026045, WO 2008/148834, WO 2010/066705A1 and WO 2010/063644. It is known to use a capsule in a beverage brewing device using centrifugation wherein a closing wall of the capsule is removed or perforated for enabling insertion of beverage extracting means.

In WO2008/148601 , a capsule for use in a centrifugal extraction device is disclosed. The capsule comprises a lid and a body attached to the lid via a peripheral deflectable sealing means which opens by effect of the centrifugal effect to let the food liquid pass. The deflectable sealing means comprises at least one peripheral plastic lip engaged in a seat. A problem of such sealing means configuration lies in that the centrifugal forces exerted by the centrifuged liquid tend to separate the lid from the body of the capsule. In order to avoid this separation, the lid must be supported by a rotating part of the device while at the same time be given a sufficient flexibility at the periphery of the capsule to allow the sealing means to open for allowing release of the centrifuged beverage. Therefore, the beverage flow leaving the capsule is highly dependent on the mechanical closure forces exerted by the device on the capsule. In particular, the beverage flow can be hindered by flow restrictions due to the compressive forces of the device on the lid.

There is a need for providing a solution that alleviates this problem. Summary of the invention:

For this, the invention is more generally defined by the appended claims.

In particular, the invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a centrifugal extraction device by feeding liquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule along a rotational axis in the device to produce centrifugal forces on the liquid, wherein the capsule comprises containment walls forming an interior cavity containing beverage ingredients; said containment walls comprising a lid and a side wall extending substantially revolutionary around a central axis and a peripheral flange extending peripherally in radial direction to said axis , said flange comprising an annular base extending outwardly and a valve means connected to said annular base, said valve means extending in a direction transversal to said radial direction and being configured with at least one deflectable valve portion which deflects for leaving a transversal passage upon the centrifugal pressure exerted by liquid flowing thereon when the capsule is rotated about the axis during the centrifugal extraction wherein the peripheral flange forms an extension part of the side wall and is independent from said lid. Contrary to the prior art, the functioning of the valve or sealing means is independent from the closure forces exerted by the device on the capsule for preventing separation of the lid from rest of the capsule. This solution results in a better control of the flow of beverage leaving the capsule and, consequently, results in an improved mastering of the quality of the released beverage.

In a mode, the valve means is formed of a single annular portion extending continuously at the flange around the central axis capable of leaving a passage in a 360-degree radial direction upon the centrifugal pressure exerted by liquid during extraction.

In another mode, the valve means is formed of a plurality of discrete deflectable valve portions between portions of the annular base; said valve portions extending discontinuously at the flange around the central axis capable of leaving flow passages in multiple radial directions upon the centrifugal pressure exerted by liquid during extraction.

In particular, the deflectable valve portion or, respectively, each discrete deflectable valve portion terminates by a free deflectable edge. The valve portion or, respectively, each discrete valve portion may also terminate by a deflectable edge in engagement, at rest, with a surface or portion of the annular base.

In a mode, radial apertures are provided between the valve means and the annular base to allow the centrifuged liquid to flow through the flange towards the deflectable valve portion or, respectively, discrete valve portions. For a greater flexibility and a better sealing to liquid, the valve portion or, respectively, each discrete portion preferably tapers towards its free edge. In a mode, the deflectable valve portion or, respectively, each deflectable discrete valve portion is made thinner than the annular base and/or is made of a softer or more flexible material than the material of the annular base, respectively, each portion of the annular base. In particular, the delectable valve portion or, respectively, each discrete deflectable valve portion can be made of rubber or TPE or be made of the same plastic or starch-based material than the annular base, respectively portions.

In another mode, the valve means is integrally formed with the annular base of the flange.

In a particular configuration of the invention, the annular base portion forms a battlement structure forming radial through-passages for liquid between notches.

In another configuration, the annular base portion forms a battlement structure occupied or covered by deflectable valve portions.

The invention further relates to the use of a capsule as aforementioned in beverage extraction device in which the capsule is rotated around its central axis during extraction for the preparation of a beverage.

Brief description of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a first mode of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a capsule in place in a beverage extraction device before closure by the liquid injection assembly of the device;

Fig. 3 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the first mode;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to a second mode of the invention; Fig. 5 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the second mode;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a third mode of the invention; Fig. 7 is a detailed view in bottom perspective of a capsule according to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the third mode;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a fourth mode of the invention; Fig. 10 is a detailed view in bottom perspective of a capsule according to Fig. 9; Fig. 1 1 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the fourth mode;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a fifth mode of the invention; Fig. 13 is a detailed cross-sectional view in top perspective of a capsule according to Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the fifth mode;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a sixth mode of the invention; Fig. 16 is a detailed view of a capsule according to Fig. 15;

Fig .17 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the sixth mode;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a seventh mode of the invention;

Fig. 19 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a capsule according to Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the seventh mode;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to an eighth mode of the invention;

Fig. 22 is a detailed top view of a capsule according to Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 shows a detail of the engagement of the capsule in the device according to the eighth mode.

Detailed description of the drawings

First and second modes of the capsule of the invention are illustrated in relation to Figs. 1 to 5. The capsule 1 of the invention comprises containment walls forming an interior cavity 2. The cavity is sized to receive beverage ingredients 3 such as ground coffee powder. The containment walls preferably comprise a lid 4 and a sidewall 5 extending substantially revolutionarily around a central axis I passing through the centre of the capsule. The sidewall can be part of a cup-shaped body 6 also including a bottom wall 7. A flange 8 is also provided which extends peripherally in substantially radial direction relative to the axis I when the capsule is viewed in cross section such as in Figs. 2, 3 or 4. The flange also extends annularly about the axis I when the capsule is viewed in top perspective view of Fig. 1 . The lid comprises beverage outlets 26 located in the vicinity of the flange. Therefore, when the capsule is submitted to centrifugal forces, as will be explained later, extracted liquid forming the beverage is forced to leave the cavity through these outlets 26.

According to an aspect of the invention, the flange 8 comprises an annular base 9 and a valve means 10. The valve means 10 is arranged at the flange to connect to the annular base 9. The valve means 10 is also arranged to extend at least in a direction A transversal to the radial direction B as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The valve means 10 is further configured with a deflectable valve portion 1 1 . The deflectable valve portion 1 1 prolongs a connection portion 12 of the valve means which connects the valve means to the annular base 9. The deflectable portion preferably tapers towards its free continuous edge.

As a general principle of the invention, the flange 8 thereby forms an annular outwardly oriented extension of the side wall 5. Furthermore, the flange (and so the valve means too) is mechanically independent from the lid 4 since the lid is directly connected to the internal surface of the side wall and placed inset relative to the flange. As a result, an outer recess 27 is obtained. The lid may be sealed to the side wall such as by ultrasonic or thermal welding.

In the first mode of the capsule (Figs 1 to 3), the valve means extends in radial direction B beyond the annular base 9. More particularly, the deflectable portion 1 1 extends outwardly beyond the base portion of the flange in order to seal against a portion of the capsule holder when the valve means is in closure mode as will be explained later. Furthermore, radial through-apertures 14 are preferably provided between the valve means and the annular base 9 of the flange. These apertures are meant to allow the beverage to flow through the flange during the centrifugal extraction. The annular base forms a battlement structure with a top annular ridge 15 extending continuously and delimiting with a plurality of joining wall portions 16 a plurality of through-apertures 14 extending in multiple radial directions and distributed all along the annular flange.

In such configuration, the valve means 10 can be connected to the annular base 9 by injection moulding of a plastic or thermoplastic elastomeric material (TPE). The valve means is preferably formed of a softer or more flexible material than the material of the annular base.

Figs 2 and 3 show the capsule of the first mode when in position in a centrifugal extraction device 50. The device typically comprises a rotating capsule holder 51 for placing the capsule in a stable position of reference in the device enabling a rotation of the capsule around the central axis I. The device further comprises a fluid interface assembly 52. The fluid interface assembly may take many various configurations. For example, it comprises a central liquid supply member 53 with a hollow needle 54 comprising a liquid conduit. The conduit is usually in communication with a liquid reservoir, a pump and a heater (not shown). The central liquid supply member 53 is mounted on an disc-shaped interface member 55. The interface member comprises a peripheral engaging portion 56 which is arranged for engaging against the flange 8 of the capsule when the fluid interface assembly 52 is engaged on the capsule holder with the capsule inserted there between. The interface member 55 is also arranged to rotate around axis I. For this, the interface member is mounted in rotation relative to a frame of the device (not shown). The liquid supply member 53 may be fixed or be mounted in rotational relationship with the frame. A driving system (not shown) is provided to drive these rotating parts of the device (capsule holder, fluid interface assembly) in rotation with the capsule. The driving system usually comprises a rotary motor.

Fig. 3 shows the system in engagement of the interface member 55 against the capsule when the capsule is positioned in the capsule holder. In such configuration, the hollow needle traverses the lid in such a manner that its liquid conduit communicates with the interior cavity 2 of the capsule. The deflectable valve portion 1 1 of the valve means engages against an annular sealing portion 57 of the capsule holder. Depending on the relative dimensions between the flange of the capsule and the capsule holder, the valve portion 1 1 more or less deflects already when the flange of the capsule is engaged by the engaging portion 56 of the interface assembly. The engaging portion 56 may be provided with elastic biasing means 58 so that a certain compensation of the clearances is possible between the capsule and the device depending on the tolerance of the material constituting the capsule. However, it can be noticed that the function of the valve means is not hindered by more than the degree of force necessary for maintaining the flange and capsule in position. Such force can be relatively moderate without affecting the work of the valve means. Therefore, the valve means is given a great degree of freedom to be able to deflect relative to the capsule holder independently from the pressure exerted by the device on the capsule. The valve means deflects as a result of the centrifugal forces of the beverage C acting on the interior of the deflectable portion 1 1 . The forces of the beverage are obtained by rotating the capsule around axis I at relatively high rotational speed in the device during the centrifugal extraction. The valve portion will thus deflect in direction D as illustrated in Fig. 3 thereby forming a 360-degree passage between the end of the portion 1 1 of the flange and the sealing portion 57. An annular reservoir 59 for liquid can be provided upstream the sealing portion 57 in order to ensure a sufficient volume of liquid acting on the valve means.

In the alternative of the second mode (Figs. 4 and 5), the valve means does not extend in radial direction B beyond the annular base and its deflectable portion directly seals against a complementary support surface 13 of the annular base when the valve means is in closure mode. The base portion forms a battlement structure comprising a plurality of notches 17 distributed annularly on the flange. The valve means 10 is formed of a single member with an annular connection portion 12 forming in cross section an inverted U shape and which fits over the joining portion 16 and delimiting the top edge of the notches 17. As a result, a plurality of radial passages or apertures 14 is formed enabling the flow of beverage to traverse the flange when the capsule is engaged in the device as illustrated in Fig. 5. The valve means 10 can be connected to the annular base 9 by injection moulding, gluing, welding, press-fitting or any other suitable technique. The valve means can be made of a plastic, rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric material (TPE). The valve means is also preferably formed of a softer or more flexible material than the material of the annular base.

Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate a third mode of the capsule of the invention in which the valve means 10 is formed integrally with the annular base 9 of the flange. Preferably, the valve means forms an inverted V- or U- shape in transversal cross-section. In this case, radial apertures 14 are formed through the flange, in particular, through a joining wall portion 16 of the flange extending in axial direction A and joining the flat portion of the annular base to the valve means. The valve means 1 1 forms deflectable valve portions 1 1d, 1 1 e separated by more rigid (non-deflectable) portions 9d, 9e. The deflectable portions 1 1d, 1 1 e are formed by a lower thickness compared to the other portions 1 1d, 1 1 e. This configuration enables to better control the deflection of the flange under the pressure exerted by the pressure of liquid, especially, in discrete areas of the flange distributed all along the periphery of the capsule. The flange is preferably formed integrally of a relatively soft plastic, starch- based polymer or TPE. The flange is preferably formed in one piece with the body of the capsule. The increased flexibility of the deflectable portions 1 1d, 1 1 e is obtained by a thickness of the portions which is smaller than the thickness of the other portions 9d, 9e.

Figs. 9 to 1 1 illustrate a fourth mode of the capsule of the invention in which the valve means is formed of a plurality of discrete valve portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c between more rigid, non-deflectable, portions 9a, 9b, 9c of the annular base 9. The valve portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c are distributed discontinuously at the flange around the central axis (I) for leaving flow passages in multiple radial directions when the portions deflect under the pressure the centrifuged beverage. The valve portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 1 1 c extend, at the free end by soft tapered edges and, at the other end, by an annular continuous connection portion 12 made of the same material. The connection portion 12 connects the valve means to the annular base 9 by any suitable means such as welding or over-moulding. Additionally, liquid flow through-apertures 14 are provided in the inner joining wall portion 16 of the annular base. In this mode, the valve means 1 1 and annular base are formed of two distinct materials; the material of the valve means being softer than the material of the annular base. Preferably, the material of the valve means is TPE or rubber. Preferably, the material of the annular base is plastic or a biodegradable polymer such as starch. Therefore, in this mode, the deflection of the valve means is obtained by a choice of softer material.

In a fifth mode of the capsule illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15, the flange comprises an annular base 9 forming a battlement structure extending axially in direction A and perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the base 9. In particular, the battlement structure comprises a series of notches 18 distributed all along the periphery of the flange and delimited by rigid portions 9f, 9g, 9h forming crenels. Each notch is filled with a discrete valve portion 1 1f, 1 1 g, 1 1 h, 1 1 i made of a softer and, preferably, thinner material. The upper edge of the valve portion thereby engages the engaging portion 56 of the device. The valve means thereby form a valve system in conjunction with the engaging portion 56 of the fluid interface assembly of the device as apparent in Fig. 14. When the extraction takes place by rotation of the capsule at elevated rotational speed, liquid passing through the lid is pressurized by effect of centrifugation against the valve means 1 1 and provokes the deflection of the softer portions in outward direction B. Since the pressure threshold of the elastic biasing means 58 is higher than the pressure threshold of the valve means, the valve portions will deflect outwardly when such pressure threshold is reached thereby leaving passages for the flow of liquid which then hits a collecting wall 60 of the device.

In the sixth mode of Figs. 15 to 17, the flange comprises a annular base 9 forming a battlement structure extending axially in direction A and perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the base 9. In particular, the battlement structure comprises instead of notches as in the previous embodiment, through-apertures 19 distributed all along the periphery of the flange and delimited by rigid portions 9i, 9j, 9k joining to a top annular ridge 20. The rigid portions 9i-9k and the ridge 20 are integrally formed with the annular base 9 such as in plastic material. The valve means is formed by a plurality of softer valve portions 1 1j, 1 1 k positioned in the through-apertures. The valve portions may be formed of a rigid connecting portion 21 affixed in the aperture 19 and a thinner soft membrane 22. The portions 21 , 22 can be formed integrally of a same rubber or TPE material. As shown in Fig. 17, under the pressure of liquid, the membrane 22 will deflect outwardly in direction B to form a passage for the extracted liquid. The top ridge 20 serves as a rigid support for the engaging portion 56 of the device.

Figs. 18 to 20 illustrate a seventh mode of the capsule in which the flange comprises an annular base 9 forming a battlement structure extending axially in direction A and perpendicular to the main direction (or radial direction B) of extension of the base 9. In particular, the battlement structure comprises a series of notches 18 distributed all along the periphery of the flange and delimited by rigid portions 9I, 9m, 9n forming crenels. The valve means is formed by a soft continuous annular band 23 surrounding the structure at its external side, thereby forming deflectable portions 1 11, 1 1 m, 1 1 n in the areas of the band overlapping with the notches 18. The band 23 extends in radial direction B by a connection portion 24 provided with a plurality of connecting studs 25 traversing the annular base and ending by an enlarged retaining end. The valve means is preferably over-injected in TPE on a more rigid plastic base.

In the eighth mode of the capsule of the invention illustrated in Figs. 21 to 23, the flange comprises an annular base 9 forming a battlement structure extending axially in direction A and perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the base 9. In particular, the battlement structure comprises a series of notches 18 distributed all along the periphery of the flange and delimited by rigid portions 9o, 9p, 9q forming crenels. The valve means is formed integrally with the annular base by thin a plurality of deflectable wall portions 1 1 p, 1 1 q, 1 1 r joining two neighbouring crenels. The deflectable portions are thinner than the crenels and integrally formed with the crenels. Furthermore, fracture initiating means 25 are provided for allowing the valve wall to deflect more largely. These fracture initiation means can be formed as a reduced thickness (e.g. grooves) of the deflectable portions at the junction line with the crenels.