US 11,939,143 B2
System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
Ralf Kamerbeek, Utrecht (NL); John Henri Flamand, Utrecht (NL); Angenita Dorothea van Loon-Post, Utrecht (NL); and Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Utrecht (NL)
Assigned to Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Utrecht (NL)
Filed by Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Utrecht (NL)
Filed on Jan. 22, 2016, as Appl. No. 15/004,812.
Application 15/004,812 is a continuation of application No. 13/323,640, filed on Dec. 12, 2011, granted, now 9,271,601.
Application 13/323,640 is a continuation of application No. PCT/NL2009/050820, filed on Dec. 30, 2009.
Claims priority of application No. 09162917 (EP), filed on Jun. 17, 2009; application No. 09162927 (EP), filed on Jun. 17, 2009; application No. 09162941 (EP), filed on Jun. 17, 2009; and application No. 09162984 (EP), filed on Jun. 17, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2016/0214788 A1, Jul. 28, 2016
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A23F 5/26 (2006.01); A47J 31/06 (2006.01); A47J 31/36 (2006.01); A47J 31/40 (2006.01); B65D 65/46 (2006.01); B65D 85/804 (2006.01); A47J 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 85/8046 (2013.01) [A23F 5/262 (2013.01); A47J 31/0673 (2013.01); A47J 31/368 (2013.01); A47J 31/407 (2013.01); B65D 65/466 (2013.01); B65D 85/8061 (2020.05); A47J 31/005 (2013.01); A47J 31/0663 (2013.01); A47J 31/40 (2013.01); B65D 85/804 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, the capsule comprising:
a rigid circumferential wall,
a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and
a lid closing the circumferential wall at a second end opposite the bottom,
wherein the wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product,
wherein the bottom comprises an entrance area for supplying a fluid to the extractable product for preparing the beverage,
wherein the lid comprises an exit area for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule;
wherein the exit area of the capsule comprises a filter layer, wherein the filter layer is a multi-layer filter comprising a layer of a non-woven and/or woven fibrous material and a further layer;
wherein the filter layer comprises a first region where the layer of non-woven and/or woven material has been sealed to prevent egress of liquid there through, and a second region where the layer of non-woven and/or woven material has not been sealed to allow egress of liquid there through during use of the capsule;
wherein the further layer is a perforate and/or porous layer bonded to the layer of fibrous material;
wherein the first region forms a peripheral edge of the filter layer, and the second region forms a center area of the filter layer;
wherein, at the second region, openings and/or perforations of the further layer correspond with openings of the layer of fibrous material to allow a passage for the fluid;
wherein the filter layer is configured to enable preparation of the beverage while the exit area stays intact and is not torn or ruptured.