CAPSULE WITH ENHANCED PRODUCT DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (1) for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurized liquid into the capsule (1), the capsule (1) comprising at least one compartment (13) containing nutritional ingredients (14) for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule (1) further comprising a product delivery system (15) arranged at an outlet face (8) of the capsule (1) and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system (15) comprising one or several plurality of perforating elements (16) designed to perforate a membrane (17) arranged between the compartment (13) and the outlet face (8) of the capsule (1) as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment, wherein the perforating elements (16) each comprise three blade members (21) extending from a common axis (A).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a capsule for hygienically preparing a nutritional product containing nutritional ingredients by mixing the ingredients with a liquid, the capsule being designed for insertion in a device for supplying liquid to the capsule. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved product delivery system of such a capsule for enabling an enhanced evacuation and dissolution of the nutritional ingredients with the liquid provided to the capsule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nutritional compositions can be, for instance, infant formulas or also nutritional liquids for toddlers, invalids, elderly people, persons having nutritional deficiencies or athletes.

In general, different forms in which nutritional compositions may be provided exist, each of them having their own advantages.

For instance, although the nutritional composition provided in a powder form a relative high nutritional quality, the preparation thereof may be regarded as inconvenient and time consuming, since water which has been boiled in advanced and allowed to cool has to be poured into a drinking vessel containing the powder in order to prepare a liquid nutritional composition such as an infant formula. The same inconvenient preparation process exists for nutritional compositions in concentrated liquid form.

A more convenient preparation of a nutritional composition is enabled by capsule-based preparation devices in which a single-serving of a preferably powdered composition being provided within a cartridge or capsule is dissolved by means of injection with filtered respectively sanitized liquid such as water. Thereby, any undesired contaminants should be removed from the liquid before the liquid is mixed with the ingredients. For this purpose, such a device preferably comprises filter means for filtering respectively sanitizing the water.

WO2006/077259 for example discloses a method for preparing a single serving of a nutritional composition comprising introducing liquid such as water into a cartridge containing a unit dose of the composition in concentrated form. Thereby, the water is treated prior to the introduction into the cartridge in order to remove pathogens from the water. This treatment may be for instance a pre-heating, a filtering or an irradiation of the water with ultra-violet light.

WO 2008/012314 relates to a device that teaches the principle of treating water by means of a filter used for the preparation of nutritional compositions from a capsule inserted in a dispenser.

A capsule with an integrated antimicrobial filter has been described in WO 2009/092629 and No. 09156782.6 filed on 31 Mar. 2009.

WO2009/115475 and PCT/EP2010/056005 propose a capsule containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional product in combination with liquid injected into the capsule by means of a beverage production machine, wherein the capsule is equipped with a product delivery system for ensuring a proper interaction of the supplied liquid and the ingredients contained in the compartment of the capsule and for reducing, preferably avoiding, contact of nutritional liquid with the device. Thereby, the product delivery system is designed to open at least one orifice through the capsule for delivery of the composition when a sufficient pressure of liquid has been reached in the compartment. For this, a bottom portion of the capsule comprises X-shaped perforating elements that are strategically placed to perforate a lower membrane normally separating the compartment from the liquid product outlet of the capsule.

In the known prior art, the nutritional compositions are generally in powdered form and contained within a body portion respectively a dedicated compartment of a capsule or cartridge.

It has been found however that contrary to ordinary nutritional compositions in powdered form that are provided to a dedicated receptacle and reconstituted by means of addition of liquid under vigorous shaking or stirring, for which usually a heated liquid is used, the reconstitution of a nutritional composition within a restricted compartment of the capsules at ambient or close to ambient temperature poses a problem in particular with regard to a proper dissolution within the capsule upon injection of liquid thereto.

Thereby, it is particularly desired that the powdered composition provided within the capsule properly interacts respectively dissolves in the liquid injected to the capsule. Hence, a full release of the dedicated amount of the nutritional composition contained in the capsule is desired to ensure a complete feed for each capsule, e.g., to the consumer. No significant amount of nutritional liquid should be left in the capsule, most preferably, the capsule should be emptied from any liquid and solids. Accordingly, the amount and the concentration of the nutritional composition to be prepared upon reconstitution of the nutritional composition by means of liquid is the same for each capsule and is thus reproducible.

Hence, a device is sought-after which enables the proper reconstitution of a nutritional composition by means of injection of liquid into a capsule holding a predefined amount of nutritional ingredients.

In particular, an enhanced design for a product delivery system of such a capsule is sought-after which enables the ejection of preferably all remaining nutritional composition from the capsule while at the same time ensuring a proper dissolution of the ingredients provided within the capsule with the provided liquid.

The present invention seeks to address the above-described problems. The invention also aims at other objects and particularly the solution of other problems as will appear in the rest of the present description.

Object and Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurized liquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule further comprising a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system comprising a membrane arranged between the compartment and the outlet face of the capsule and at least one perforating element, preferably a plurality of perforating elements, designed to perforate the membrane as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment, wherein the perforating element or plurality of elements comprise(s) three blade members extending from a common axis.

The capsule preferably comprises an inlet face, designed for being pierced by an injection means of the beverage production machine to be used in conjunction with the capsule in order to supply liquid to the capsule. Thereby, the inlet face is preferably arranged at a face of the capsule opposite to the outlet face thereof.

When liquid is injected into the inlet face and thus, into the compartment containing nutritional ingredients, the liquid is made to interact with the ingredients provided in the compartment to form a nutritional composition. Thereby, the pressure within the compartment continuously rises such that the membrane arranged between the ingredients compartment and the outlet face of the capsule is urged against the provided perforating elements of the product delivery system of the capsule. This leads to a perforation of the membrane after a certain pressure threshold has been exceeded within the ingredients compartment of the capsule. The nutritional composition is then able to exit the compartment via the perforations created within the membrane and flow towards the outlet face of the capsule at which at least one outlet opening is provided from which the resulting nutritional composition can then be drained into a provided receiving vessel.

The invention thus provides a capsule that enables the proper reconstitution of a nutritional composition by means of injection of liquid into the compartment of the capsule holding a predefined amount of nutritional ingredients.

The capsule according to the invention preferably includes nutritional ingredients such as for example infant formula, suitable for interacting with liquid provided to the capsule in order to produce a cold or hot nutritional composition. Thereby, the nutritional ingredients are preferably in the form of a liquid concentrate, a paste, a gel or powder.

Due to the perforating elements comprising three blade members extending from a common axis, a very accurate and smooth breaking of the membrane is enabled. This is to be understood as providing a breaking of the membrane solely at specific portions of the membrane that are perforated by the perforating elements. Hence, the membrane is prevented from being broken arbitrarily at undesired regions such as for example at a region of the membrane located between two neighbouring perforating elements. Hence, the membrane is also prevented from being broken against perforating elements insufficiently or partially that could result in a sudden pressure drop within the capsule before an effective dissolution of the ingredients could take place.

This is in particular important for an improved dissolution of the nutritional composition from the capsule since a breaking of the membrane at other portions or insufficiently than the specific portions broken by the perforating elements may lead to an undesired flow rate value (too high or too low) of the nutritional composition from the ingredients compartment towards the outlet face of the capsule which would in turn negatively affect the dissolution of the ingredients within the provided liquid. In particular, if the open section of the membrane is too large, the liquid does not fully circulate inside the compartment. If the open section is too small, the pressure increases and negatively affects the power of the water jet.

At the same time, the three blade members of the respective perforating element enable a predefined deflection of the membrane during breaking thereof such that a predefined opening is created within the membrane having a cross-sectional area large enough to enable a desired effective draining of the nutritional composition from the ingredients compartment to an outlet face and thus to the outlet opening of the capsule.

Hence, the product delivery system according to the invention enables a proper draining of all remaining nutritional composition from the ingredients compartment towards the outlet face of the capsule, while at the same time breaking of the membrane at undesired regions thereof is effectively prevented and thus, a proper dissolution of the ingredients with the provided liquid is ensured.

It is to be understood that the term “breaking” of the membrane comprises any of tearing, piercing, pinching, rupturing and/or perforating the membrane due to a penetration by means of the perforating elements which leads to the above desired effect that the membrane is solely opened at desired regions being penetrated by the perforating elements.

The term “dissolution” encompasses dissolving, dispersion, or any other interaction of the provided nutritional ingredients resulting in a liquid composition. Thereby, the dissolution of the ingredients preferably takes place at ambient or warm temperature which is to be understood as being a temperature between 19 and 40° C. It is to be understood however that the dissolution may as well take place at higher temperatures.

The membrane arranged between the ingredients compartment and the outlet face of the capsule is preferably a thin liquid-tight and perforable membrane made of aluminium and/or a polymer. The membrane is preferably sealed to a bottom edge of a cup-shaped body portion of the capsule. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is made of aluminium having a thickness between 15 and 50 microns, more preferably between 25 and 35 microns. The membrane thickness is chosen according to the sharpness of the perforating elements and the relative distance between the perforating elements and the membrane. Accordingly, the liquid injected into the capsule is enabled to fully circulate within the ingredients compartment without breaking the membrane. Hence, effecting dispersing of the ingredients provided within the ingredients compartment is enabled before breaking of the membrane.

Thereby, the larger the thickness of the membrane is, the larger is the pressure necessary to open the membrane by means of the perforating elements. Accordingly, the opening of the membrane by means of the perforating elements may be delayed with a membrane of relative greater thickness, which in turn leads to more water being circulated within the ingredients compartment of the capsule and to disperse powder inside the compartment at the time of the opening of the membrane by means of the perforating elements which leads to a sudden pressure drop within the compartment. With the sudden pressure drop, the gas regains its initial volume and shakes the powder-liquid mixture thereby enabling proper dispersion inside the capsule and avoiding formation of lumps.

In a preferred embodiment, the blade members of the perforating elements extend from their common axis to equal extent. Thereby, a “Y”-shaped arrangement of the perforating element—when seen from a top view—is preferably formed by the blade members that extend from the common axis.

The common axis from which the blade members of the perforating elements extend is preferably arranged essentially perpendicular to the membrane.

Accordingly, a very accurate opening is created in the membrane when being perforated by the blade members of the respective perforating elements. In particular, a more accurate breaking of the membrane at the edges of the perforating elements is obtained.

The blade members of the perforating elements are preferably arranged at equal angular distance to each other. Thereby, since the blade members extend from a common axis perpendicular to the membrane, liquid flow passages of equal cross-sectional area for the nutritional composition flowing from the ingredients compartment to the outlet face of the capsule are provided between the respective adjacent blade members of the perforating elements. Accordingly, a more constant flow rate and shearing of the nutritional composition through the perforated membrane is obtained. The shearing and flow between the respective adjacent blade members of the perforating elements act as a static mixer to better disperse and dissolve the ingredients in liquid.

In a preferred embodiment, the product delivery system comprises a plurality of perforating elements being arranged around a central axis of the ingredients compartment. Preferably, the product delivery system of the capsule comprises at least three, more preferably at least four perforating elements. Thereby, the angular distance at which the respective perforating elements are arranged around the rotational axis of the delivery system is preferably equal for all of the perforating elements.

Accordingly, at each of the respective perforating elements an essentially equal flow rate of the nutritional composition from the ingredients compartment to the outlet face of the capsule is obtained regardless of the number of openings. The number of openings can vary from one to the highest number of perforating elements (e.g., 4 or 5). The “Y” shape of the perforating elements is advantageous in that it provides a large enough flow area when the membrane is cut. The opening becomes comprised between 1 and 10 mm in length, preferably 3 and 8 mm, and it remains distanced from the base of the shape (depth) by a distance comprised between 1 and 5 mm, preferably 2 and 3 mm (since the membrane is prevented from collapsing). The optimum depth was found to be different per capsule depending on the volume of the compartment of the capsule. Moreover, it is ensured that all remaining ingredients are effectively drained from the ingredients compartment towards the outlet face of the capsule.

In a preferred embodiment, the perforating elements are arranged at equal distance to the membrane separating the ingredients compartment and the outlet face of the capsule. Thereby, the perforating elements are preferably arranged at a distance “d” to the membrane that is between 0 and 1.0, preferably between 0 and 0.5 mm. The distance may vary dependent on the size of the capsule and in particular the size of the capsule ingredients compartment.

Thereby, the distance “d” may be controlled for example by the size of the perforating elements that protrude from a bottom portion of the product delivery system of the capsule. Alternatively, the bottom portion of the ingredients compartment to which the membrane separating the ingredient compartment and the outlet face is preferably attached respectively sealed may be arranged at a predefined height with respect to the perforating elements.

It is to be understood that due to a larger distance between the perforating elements and the membrane, a higher pressure is necessary to deflect the membrane towards the perforating elements and thus, to brake the membrane. Such a higher pressure may be particularly necessary to assist in the dissolution for certain powdered ingredients that are more difficult to dissolve. Therefore, the distance between the perforating elements can be varied depending on the weight of ingredient contained in the capsule and/or the type of the ingredients. For instance, for a larger weight and/or ingredients having a lower ability to dissolve in the injected liquid, this distance is increased to ensure a higher pressure in the ingredient compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the perforating elements is essentially constant. This means that the outer edges of the perforating elements are preferably not tapered. However, the outer edges of the perforating elements may as well be slightly chamfered.

An upper cutting edge of the perforating elements defined by the blade members is preferably arranged in parallel to the lower membrane of the capsule. Accordingly, perforation of the membrane is prevented from occurring too soon which would otherwise result in a sudden pressure drop within the capsule before effective dissolution of the ingredients within the liquid provided to the ingredients compartment is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, the product delivery system further comprises essentially barrier elements protruding from a bottom portion of the product delivery system and provided across the flow path between the perforating elements and the outlet face of the capsule. The barrier elements serve to create a meandering or tortuous flow path of the liquid between the membrane and the outlet face to smoothen the flow. The barrier elements extend transversally to the virtual line joining the perforating elements to the outlet face. They can be arch-shaped or be rectilinear or take a wavy shape.

Thereby, the distance between the barrier elements and the membrane is preferably greater than between the perforating elements and the membrane. In particular, the distance between the respective barrier elements and the membrane is preferably between 0.3 and 1.0 mm, more preferably between 0.35 and 0.75 mm. Accordingly, it is ensured that the membrane is solely opened by means of the provided perforating elements.

The barrier elements may support the membrane from a too large deflection due to the pressure rise within the capsule before opening of the membrane is obtained by means of the perforating elements. Thereby, the barrier elements are preferably free of sharp edges in particular at their endings directed towards the membrane.

As the barrier elements can be arch-shaped and set radially offset relative to the perforating elements, a defined circulation of the liquid respectively a predefined liquid flow pattern around the barrier elements is obtained within the product delivery system. In particular, a labyrinth path of the liquid is provided by the product delivery system for the liquid flowing from the openings created within the membrane by means of the perforating elements towards an outlet that is preferably arranged at a centre portion of the outlet face of the capsule. Thereby, liquid that is entering the space between the membrane and an outlet face of the capsule at which the outlet is provided has to meander around the arch-shaped barrier structure provided by the respective barrier elements.

Accordingly, the liquid entering the space between the membrane and the outlet face is slowed down before exiting the capsule via the outlet and thus, dissolution of the ingredients within the liquid is further improved.

The outlet of the product delivery system is preferably provided in a centre portion of the outlet face of the capsule. Thereby, a single outlet or a plurality of outlet apertures may be provided in the outlet face. Thereby, the shape and/or the dimensions of the outlet is preferably chosen such that a sufficient flow rate of the liquid flowing from the membrane towards the outlet of the capsule is obtained.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply liquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule further comprising a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system comprising a plurality of non-rotation symmetric outlet openings.

The feature of this second aspect of the invention may be used alternatively or additionally to the features of the first aspect of the invention, explained before the preceding paragraph.

The product delivery system may here be a perforable membrane. The perforable membrane or wall may perforate by effect of the inside pressure (as aforementioned) or by applying an internal or external mechanical constraint. The membrane or wall may for instance be a breakable by means of pre-weakened lines or partially cut lines. The product delivery system may also be a pre-opened filtering wall separating the compartment from the outlet face such as a filter paper, a woven or non woven material and combinations thereof. The filtering wall may be associated with supporting elements at the outlet face.

Preferably, the openings are arranged around a common central axis which is preferably coincident with the central axis of the compartment. This axis may form a symmetry axis of the compartment of the capsule, which is symmetric in rotation.

Thereby, the term “non-rotation symmetric” opening refers to an outlet opening of the product delivery system that, when seen in top view, is not rotation symmetric about an axis provided in the centre of the outlet opening, the axis being arranged perpendicular to a bottom of the product delivery system in which the outlet opening is formed.

It is to be noted that the symmetry axis of the compartment may correspond to the symmetry axis of the capsule and/or the product delivery system.

By means of the non-rotation symmetric outlet opening formed in the outlet face of the capsule, dissolution of the ingredients in an area upstream of the liquid outlet is enhanced. Accordingly, a capsule with an enhanced product delivery system is provided which enables an improved dissolution of the nutritional ingredients.

Moreover, the formation of swirls or vortices within the liquid flowing through the outlet openings is reduced and thus, the formation of bubbles and foam is effectively minimized. Thereby, it has to be understood that the provision of bubbles or a foam layer is not desired for a nutritional composition, as in particular in the field of infant formula, bubbles present in the nutritional composition may lead to undesired gas ingestion of the infant.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the outlet openings is narrowed towards the rotational axis of the compartment. Thereby, the outlet openings preferably comprise an essentially petal-shaped form when seen in top view. A petal-shaped form means an asymmetrical form opening comprising a large side and an opposite tapered side; with the larger side forming preferably but not necessarily a convex edge (it may also be concave or rectilinear line thereby forming a somewhat triangular form) and the opposite side preferably, but not necessarily, ending by an apex (or a smaller transversal concave or rectilinear edge thereby forming an opening of trapezoidal form). It has been found that this form particularly smoothens the flow and reduces the formation of bubbles within the nutritional composition to be drained from the outlet openings. Moreover, a constant flow rate large enough for providing an effective ejection of the reconstituted nutritional composition from the capsule is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet openings are preferably separated from each other by a barrier member that extends from a central bottom portion of the product delivery system. Thereby, the barrier member preferably comprises a plurality of wall portions extending from a common axis arranged essentially perpendicular to the outlet face of the capsule.

Accordingly, liquid entering the area between the membrane and the outlet face of the capsule is directed to a specific outlet opening of the outlet face. Hence, a predefined liquid flow pattern is provided and controlled within the product delivery system.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a beverage production system comprising a capsule according to the invention and a beverage production machine designed for accommodating the capsule in a dedicated brewing chamber, the beverage production machine further comprising a pump for supplying liquid to the capsule, a control unit for controlling at least the pump of the device, opening means which are designed to interact with an inlet face of the capsule, wherein the opening means are arranged to supply a liquid received from the pump to the inside of the capsule.

A beverage production machine suitable for being used in conjunction with the capsule according to the invention is described in International Patent Application PCT/EP2010/056002 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Accordingly, a system for preparing a nutritional composition is provided that enables a convenient and proper reconstitution of the composition by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule holding a predefined amount of nutritional ingredients. Thereby, the volume, flow rate and temperature of the liquid fed in the capsule are controlled by the control unit of the beverage production machine.

The liquid injected into the capsule may be heated at warm temperature or non-heated liquid at ambient temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for the skilled person when reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a perspective top and bottom view of the capsule according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 relates to a sectional side view of the capsule according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the product delivery system of the capsule according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the product delivery system of the capsule according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the product delivery system of the capsule according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7a shows an enlarger top view of the bottom portion of the product delivery system according to another preferred embodiment which has petal-shaped outlet openings.

FIG. 7b shows a top view of the embodiment of the product delivery system according to FIG. 7a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The general aspect of the capsule 1 of the invention is illustrated in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 3 given as a preferred example only. The capsule 1 generally comprises a body 2 for receiving nutritional ingredients 14, an inlet face 4 and an outlet face 8 arranged at a position essentially opposite to the inlet face 4 of the capsule 1.

The inlet face is preferably formed by a liquid impermeable top membrane or foil 4 which is sealed onto a flange like rim 5 of the body 2, thereby closing off a cup 3 formed in the body 2 of the capsule 1.

The top membrane 4 may be solely liquid impervious or, most preferably, liquid and gas impervious. The top membrane 4 is preferably made of a puncturable material such as plastic and/or aluminium. In particular, the membrane can be a monolayer membrane such as aluminium or a multilayer membrane comprising gas barrier such as for example Plastic/EVOH/Plastic, or Plastic/aluminium and metalized Plastic. “Plastic” may be one or more layers of PP, PET, PE and combinations thereof. It is therefore possible to enable a liquid to be supplied to the body 2 of the capsule by means of a liquid injector 6. Optionally, a gas may be supplied to the capsule by means of a gas injector 7. The liquid injector 6 and optional gas injector 7 are provided at a beverage production machine to be used in conjunction with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outlet face respectively the bottom 8 of the cup 3 comprises a product outlet 9 intended for the release of the liquid nutritional composition from the capsule 1.

The product outlet 9 may comprise one or several openings for streaming of the liquid composition towards a receptacle such as a baby bottle, glass or cup. The product outlet 9 may extend from the cup bottom by a short duct 10 for directing the flow of liquid and reducing side projections of liquid that could contaminate the surroundings of the receptacle.

The product outlet 9 preferably comprise an X-shaped directing member 12 integrally formed with the outlet 9 and which is preferably arranged between adjacent outlet openings 11. Accordingly, the flow of liquid from the respective openings 11 may be accurately directed towards a provided receiving vessel arranged below the product outlet 9.

The body 2 of the capsule may extend on the upper side by an extension portion 18 in which a filter F for filtering liquid supplied to the capsule may be arranged. A detailed description of a capsule comprising a suitable filter F is provided in International Patent Application PCT/EP2010/056005.

As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule 1 comprises, in the cup 3, a compartment 13 containing nutritional ingredients 14 formed by the bottom and sidewall of the cup 3. The volume of the compartment may vary depending on the volume of liquid to be injected into the capsule 1. In general, a large volume is preferred for large volume of liquid so that the compartment serves as a mixing bowl for the ingredients 14 and the provided liquid to form the nutritional composition. The volume of the ingredients compartment 13 preferably lies between 25 and 250 ml. For infant formula, the ingredient volume increases with the age of the infant and consequently so do the volume of the compartment necessary for storing such ingredient volume.

The capsule 1 comprises a product delivery system 15 for ensuring a proper interaction of the supplied liquid and the ingredients 14 contained in the compartment 13 of the capsule 1 and for reducing, preferably avoiding, contact of nutritional liquid with the device. In a particular mode, the product delivery system 15 is designed to open at least one orifice through the capsule 1 for delivery of the composition when a sufficient pressure of liquid has been reached in the compartment. For this, the product delivery system 15 comprises perforating elements 16 protruding from a bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15 towards the body 2 of the capsule. The perforating elements 16 are directed towards a lower membrane 17 arranged to separate the compartment 13 from the outlet face 8 and thus from the product outlet 9 of the capsule 1. Thereby, the perforating elements 16 are strategically situated to perforate the lower membrane 17 when a predefined pressure is reached within the compartment 13 upon liquid injection into the capsule 1.

The lower membrane 17 is preferably a piercable membrane made from plastic and/or aluminium and is preferably sealed to a stepped portion 17a formed within the body 2 of the capsule 1.

FIG. 4 relates to a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the product delivery system 15 of the capsule 1 according to the invention. The product delivery system 15 is preferably made of an integral plastic part that may be manufactured by injection molding for example. The product delivery system is also preferably molded in one integral part with the cup 3, extension portion 18 and rim 5 to form a body. The material for this body is preferably made of plastic such as PP.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the product delivery system 15 preferably comprises four perforation elements 16 which are arranged at equal angular distance with respect to a rotational axis Y of the product delivery system 15. Preferably said rotational axis Y corresponds to the rotational axis Z of the compartment 13 of the capsule 1. Accordingly, the perforation elements 16 are preferably equally distributed about the rotational axis Y. It is to be understood that the number of perforation elements 16 may vary preferably between three and six perforation elements 16.

Each perforation element 16 comprises three blade members extending from a common axis A arranged essentially perpendicular to a bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15 and also perpendicular to plane in which an outer circumferential rim portion 17a of the product delivery system 15 is arranged, to which the membrane 17 separating the outlet face 8 and the compartment 13 of the capsule 1 is preferably sealed.

The blade members 21 preferably extend from the respective common axis A to preferably equal extent. Thereby, the length of the blade members by which they extend from the common axis A preferably lies between 0.1 and 2 mm, more preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. Accordingly, a Y-shaped arrangement of the blade members 21 is provided. Thereby, the thickness of the blade members preferably lies between 0.1 and 1 mm, more preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.

The blade members 21 are preferably arranged at equal angular distance to each other. Hence, between the blade members 21 flow passages 30a (see FIG. 5) of equal cross-section are preferably provided.

In the central portion of the product delivery system 15, outlet openings 11 are arranged which enable an ejection of the liquid from the outlet face 8 of the capsule 1. Preferably, four outlet openings 11 are provided within the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15.

The outlet openings 11 are preferably separated from each other by a barrier member 24 that is preferably protruding from the centre of the bottom portion 20 in x-shaped form.

Between the outlet openings 11 and the perforating elements 16 arch-shaped barrier elements 22 are preferably arranged that protrude from the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15. Thereby, the arch-shaped barrier elements 22 are preferably arranged about the rotational axis Y of the product delivery system 15, wherein a passage 26 is provided between the arch-shaped barrier elements 22.

As indicated in FIG. 5 which relates to a top view of the product delivery system 15, the protruding perforating elements 16 provide a breaking 30 of the membrane 17 upon pressure rise within the compartment 13, which urges the membrane 17 against the perforating elements 16, when liquid is injected into the capsule by means of the liquid injection means 6 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, an arbitrary opening of the membrane 17 at undesired portions thereof is prevented due to the specific shape of the perforating elements 16. In particular, the membrane 17 is only opened at the indicated regions 30 of the membrane 17 which are directly penetrated by the provided perforating elements 16.

After the opening of the membrane 17, the nutritional composition is enabled to flow from the compartment 13 through the provided flow passages 30a between the blade members 21 of the perforating elements 16 towards the space between the membrane 17 and the outlet face 8. The liquid is then forced to meander within the product delivery system 15. Accordingly, the dissolution of the ingredients within the provided liquid is significantly enhanced.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the liquid is deflected by the barrier elements 22 to the spaces 26 provided between barrier elements 22 and is then guided towards the outlet openings 11 by means of the central barrier element 24 as indicated by arrows L in FIG. 5. Accordingly, a desired liquid flow pattern is provided within the product delivery system 15 for enhancing the dissolution of the ingredients 14 within the delivery system 15.

At the circumference of the product delivery system 15, protruding ridges 23a extend radially inwards from a circumferentially arranged outer ridge 23 towards the centre portion of the product delivery system 15. The ridges 23,23a are protruding from the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15 and serve the purpose of rigidifying the structure of the product delivery system 15. In addition, these ridges may serve the purpose of providing additional deflection means for the liquid flowing from the created respective opening 30 within the membrane 17 towards the outlet openings 11, thereby enhancing the dissolution of the ingredients within the injected liquid.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the product delivery system 15 of the capsule 1 according to FIGS. 4 and 5. As can be seen in the figure, the membrane 17 is preferably arranged at a distance d with respect to the perforating elements 16. Thereby, the distance d preferably lies within a range of 0 and 0.5, preferably between 0 and 0.25 mm. It is to be understood that the distance may vary dependent on the size of the capsule and in particular the size of the capsule ingredients compartment.

In case a relatively greater distance d is chosen for the particular capsule, a higher pressure is needed to open the membrane 17 by means of the perforating elements 16 and thus, the opening of the membrane 17 is delayed compared to an arrangement in which the distance d between the perforating elements 16 and the membrane 17 is chosen to be relatively smaller. This leads to more liquid being able to circulate within the compartment 13 before opening of the membrane 17 and thus, leads to an improvement for certain ingredients 14 provided within the compartment 13. Moreover, due to the higher pressure built up within the compartment 13, a shock effect is provided as the pressure rapidly drops when the membrane 17 is opened, which also leads to an enhanced dispersion of the nutritional ingredients inside of the compartment 13.

The barrier elements 22 are arranged at a distance d2 to the membrane 17. The distance d2 between the respective barrier elements 22 and the membrane is preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 mm, more preferably between 0.35 and 0.55 mm. Accordingly, it is ensured that the membrane 17 is solely opened by means of the provided perforating elements 16, as the membrane 17 first contacts the perforating elements 16 when being deflected towards the outlet face 8 of the capsule 1.

The edge portions 22a of the barrier elements 22 are preferably chamfered or rounded such that no sharp edge is protruding from the barrier elements 22 towards the membrane 17. Accordingly, even in case the membrane 17 contacts the barrier elements 22, breaking of the membrane 17 by means of the barrier elements 22 is prevented.

The central barrier element 24 is arranged at a distance d3 to the membrane 17. Said distance d3 preferably lies within a range of 0.3 and 0.9 mm, more preferably between 0.45 and 0.65 mm. Hence, the distance d3 is preferably equal to or smaller than the distance d2 between the barrier element 22 and the membrane 17.

The ridges 23, 23a are arranged at a distance d4 with respect to the membrane 17 which preferably lies between 0.7 and 1.3 mm, more preferably between 0.8 and 1.1 mm.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the perforating elements 16, the barrier elements 22, 24 and the ridges 23,23a are protruding from a bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15. Thereby, the perforating elements 16, the barrier elements 22, 24 and the ridges 23,23a are preferably integrally formed with the product delivery system 15.

The upper cutting edge 25a of the perforating elements 16 defined by the blade members 21 is preferably arranged parallel to the membrane 17 of the capsule 1. Hence, the edges 25b of the blade members 21 arranged essentially perpendicular to the membrane 17 are preferably not chamfered respectively tapered. Hence, the width (w) of the perforating elements is preferably essentially constant. Thereby, the width w preferably lies within the range from 1 to 5 mm, more preferably between 1.5 and 3.5 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, the edges 25b of the blade members 21 may as well be slightly chamfered at an angle of about 1 to 8°. Thereby, however, the upper cutting edge 25a of the perforating elements 16 is preferably also arranged parallel to the membrane 17.

The outlet openings 11 may be circular holes comprising a diameter c that preferably lies between 1.2 and 2.2 mm. Preferably, four outlet openings 11 are provided in the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15. However, the number of outlet openings may preferably vary between three and six openings.

In another particular preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the outlet openings 11 comprise a non-rotation symmetric shape. This is to be understood, as when seen in top view, the respective outlet opening 11 is not rotation symmetric about a centre axis provided in the centre of the outlet opening 11, which is arranged perpendicular to the bottom 20 of the product delivery system 15 in which the outlet opening 11 is formed.

In a preferred embodiment as indicated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the outlet openings 11 formed in the bottom 20 of the product delivery system are petal-shaped. Thereby, the width b of the respective outlet openings 11 as indicated in FIG. 7a is narrowed towards the rotational axis Y of the product delivery system 15. The width b preferably lies within a range of 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably between 0.7 and 2.5 mm.

The radially outer portions 20a of the openings 11 are preferably rounded and have a radius which lies between 1.0 and 2.5 mm. The side portions 20b extending radially inwardly from the outer portion 20a are preferably straight. The intersection 20c of the side portions 20b is preferably also rounded, thereby preferably having a radius between 0.05 and 0.5 mm.

It has been shown that such a design improves the stability of the liquid flow from the product delivery system 15 towards a provided receiving vessel placed under the capsule outlet openings 11. Accordingly, a more constant flow rate is provided within the product delivery system 15.

Moreover, the formation of bubbles within the nutritional composition is effectively prevented, since in particular for infant formula the presence of bubbles is undesired as gas ingestion is to be avoided by infants.

Claims

1. A capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurized liquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising:

at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid;

a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition;

the product delivery system comprising a membrane arranged between the compartment and the outlet face of the capsule and at least one perforating element designed to perforate the membrane as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment; and

the perforating element comprises three blade members extending from a common axis.

2. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein the product delivery system comprises a plurality of perforating elements.

3. A capsule according to claim 2,

wherein the blade members of the perforating elements extend from their common axis to an equal extent.

4. A capsule according to claim 2,

wherein the blade members of the perforating elements are arranged at an equal angular distance to each other.

5. A capsule according to claim 2,

wherein the perforating elements are arranged around a rotational axis of the product delivery system.

6. A capsule according to claim 2,

wherein the perforating elements are arranged at an equal angular distance with respect to a rotational axis of the product delivery system.

7. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein the perforating elements are arranged at an equal distance to the membrane.

8. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein the perforating elements are arranged at a distance to the membrane which is between 0 and 0.5 mm.

9. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein the width of the perforating elements is essentially constant.

10. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein an upper cutting edge of the perforating elements defined by the blade members is arranged parallel to the membrane of the capsule.

11. A capsule according to claim 1,

wherein the product delivery system comprises essentially arch-shaped barrier elements protruding from a bottom portion of the product delivery system and provided radially offset relative to the perforating elements, the distance between the barrier elements and the membrane being greater than a distance between the perforating elements and the membrane.

12. A capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply liquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising:

at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid;

a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition; and

the product delivery system comprising a plurality of non-rotation symmetric outlet openings formed in the outlet face of the capsule.

13. Capsule according to claim 12, wherein the openings are arranged around a common center axis coincident with the central axis of the compartment.

14. A capsule according to claim 13,

wherein a width of the outlet openings is narrowed towards the rotational axis of the product delivery system.

15. A capsule according to claim 12,

wherein the outlet openings comprise an essentially petal-shaped form in top view.

16. A capsule according to claim 12,

wherein the outlet openings are separated from each other by a barrier member extending from a central bottom portion of the product delivery system.

17. A beverage production system comprising:

a capsule comprising at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional composition, a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system comprising a membrane arranged between the compartment and the outlet face of the capsule and at least one perforating element designed to perforate the membrane as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment; and the perforating element comprises three blade members extending from a common axis; and

a beverage production machine designed for accommodating the capsule in a dedicated brewing chamber, the beverage production machine further comprising:

a pump for supplying liquid to the capsule,

a control unit for controlling at least the pump of the device,

an opening member which is designed to interact with an inlet face of the capsule; and

the opening member is arranged to supply a liquid received from the pump to the inside of the capsule.