US 11,673,738 B2
Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
Hielke Dijkstra, Neede (NL); Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek, Borculo (NL); Ralf Kamerbeek, De Meern (NL); Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Borculo (NL); and Marc Hendrikus Joseph Ottenschot, Delden (NL)
Assigned to Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Utrecht (NL)
Filed by Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Utrecht (NL)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/188,173.
Application 16/188,173 is a continuation of application No. PCT/NL2017/050300, filed on May 15, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 2016780 (NL), filed on May 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0177078 A1, Jun. 13, 2019
Int. Cl. B65D 85/804 (2006.01); A47J 31/36 (2006.01); A47J 31/40 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 85/8064 (2020.05) [A47J 31/369 (2013.01); A47J 31/407 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a central capsule body axis, and wherein a circumferential capsule direction of the capsule is extending around said central capsule body axis, said aluminum capsule body being provided with a bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange, the capsule further comprising an aluminum cover attached to the outwardly extending flange, the cover hermetically closing the capsule, wherein the side wall, the bottom and the cover are enclosing an inner space of the capsule, and wherein the cover has an outer cover surface facing away from the inner space and an inner cover surface opposite the outer cover surface and facing toward the inner space, and 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 when the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by a closing member 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 with the enclosing 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,
wherein the capsule further comprises an elastic support structure, which is attached to the outer cover surface of the cover in a support structure attachment area of the outer cover surface, wherein the support structure attachment area, as seen in projection along the central capsule body axis, is extending at least partly along the outwardly extending flange and at least partly in the circumferential capsule direction, in such manner that, when the capsule is freely resting with its elastic support structure on a fully straight reference surface, the elastic support structure provides a spacing between the outwardly extending flange and said fully straight reference surface, said spacing being constant all around in the circumferential capsule direction, the elastic support structure being formed by a separate piece attached to the outer cover surface of the cover and being made of rubber-elastic material.
 
11. System for preparing a potable beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule, the system comprising:
a beverage preparation device comprising an enclosing member for receiving the capsule, wherein the beverage preparation device further comprises a closing member 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;
a capsule containing 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, wherein the capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a central capsule body axis, and wherein a circumferential capsule direction of the capsule is extending around said central capsule body axis, said aluminum capsule body being provided with a bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange, the capsule further comprising an aluminum cover attached to the outwardly extending flange, the cover hermetically closing the capsule, wherein the side wall, the bottom and the cover are enclosing an inner space of the capsule, and wherein the cover has an outer cover surface facing away from the inner space and an inner cover surface opposite the outer cover surface and facing toward the inner space, and wherein the capsule further comprises a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device when 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, such that the outwardly extending flange of the capsule and at least a portion of the sealing member of the capsule are sealingly engaged with the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device,
wherein the capsule further comprises an elastic support structure, which is attached to the outer cover surface of the cover in a support structure attachment area of the outer cover surface, wherein the support structure attachment area, as seen in projection along the central capsule body axis, is extending at least partly along the outwardly extending flange and at least partly in the circumferential capsule direction, in such manner that, when the capsule is freely resting with its elastic support structure on a fully straight reference surface, the elastic support structure provides a spacing between the outwardly extending flange and said fully straight reference surface, said spacing being constant all around in the circumferential capsule direction, the elastic support structure being formed by a separate piece attached to the outer cover surface of the cover and being made of rubber-elastic material.