Enhanced compressed tablet and system for extracting beverages comprising the same

Abstract

The invention discloses a compacted coffee tablet (1), in particular a tablet of compacted roasted and ground coffee beans, which has an advantageous configuration in terms of compaction method, shape maintenance and coffee extraction efficiency, in particular espresso coffee. The invention also discloses a beverage preparation system comprising the compacted coffee tablet (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of compacted tablets for preparing beverages, in particular to the field of roasted and ground coffee beans, and to a beverage preparation system comprising said compacted tablets. Background Art

[0002] The prior art includes several documents relating to compacted ground coffee tablets. Such compacted coffee tablets have several limitations in their industrial production, in particular in terms of the shapes that can be obtained.

[0003] The form of the compacted tablet can play an important role in the preparation of beverages, particularly in the case of concentrated coffee or the like. In fact, it is important to provide a cavity on the upstream directional side so that the beverage can be temporarily accumulated in a package associated with the tablet, for example in the form of a two-piece film cover.

[0004] Document EP 0229920 B1 discloses a method for producing coffee tablets, comprising applying a pressure of 20.7 MPa to 48.3 MPa to a mass of roasted and ground coffee particles having a mass of at least 3%, in particular between 3% and 6%, and an average particle size of between 0.4 mm and 2.0 mm, in particular between 0.6 mm and 1.2 mm. The method also comprises coating the outside of the compacted tablet with an edible material dispersible in water, wherein the coating comprises wetting with an aqueous liquid and applying the dry solid.

[0005] Document US 6,068871 discloses a beverage preparation made of a tablet compact, the beverage preparation having a generally disc shape. The tablet may have an upstream oriented portion, a downstream oriented portion and an intermediate portion, wherein the portions extend along similar extensions in the main flow direction. In addition, the tablet may have a cavity arranged in a centered manner in at least one of the upstream oriented face and the downstream oriented face. In particular, the tablet may have a cavity that is only spherical and extends along the entire upstream oriented face of the upstream oriented portion.

[0006] Document WO 2008 / 123775 A1 discloses a method for producing coffee tablets and coffee tablets obtained by means of said method. The coffee tablets may have a generally irregular shape.

[0007] No document in the prior art discloses a compacted coffee tablet having a structural configuration providing an optimization of the structural resistance and therefore of the amount of material used. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having improved size and functional properties.

[0009] In particular, the compacted coffee tablet should have a better general configuration so as to have a better structural resistance and a better exposure of the coffee volume to the upstream flow, as well as a better configuration of the upstream directional part so as to facilitate the extraction of coffee, in particular roasted and ground coffee beans, in the preparation of coffee-based beverages, for example of the espresso type.

[0010] In particular, the compacted coffee tablet according to the invention has an upstream cavity that is different from the downstream cavity, including having a different extension in the main flow direction.

[0011] The upstream cavity may be contained in an upstream oriented portion and the downstream cavity may be contained in a downstream oriented portion, wherein the upstream oriented portion and the downstream oriented portion of the compacted coffee tablet are separated by an intermediate portion.

[0012] The downstream directed portion may have a downstream cavity which is arranged in a central manner and extends along only a portion of the transverse dimension of the downstream directed portion, such that a peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity has a portion extending along the transverse direction to an outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the compacted coffee tablet according to the invention has at least a majority of its compacted coffee volume, preferably at least 60%, particularly preferably at least 70%, in a region extending transversely upwards to the total height, included in said intermediate portion, and / or a second smaller portion of its compacted coffee volume, preferably at most 30%, particularly preferably at most 20%, in a region extending transversely to a dimension less than the total width, included in said upstream directional portion.

[0014] Compacted coffee tablets according to the invention may have a relationship between overall width and overall height of at most 5:1, preferably at most 4:1.

[0015] A related object is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having, for a given amount of ground coffee, improved physical properties with respect to extraction efficacy and physical stability of the compacted tablet.

[0016] In particular, it is advantageous if the amount of ground coffee is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferably between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferably between 5.3 and 6.7 grams, and if said amount of coffee beans has a moisture content comprised between 1 and 5% by mass, preferably between 2 and 4% by mass.

[0017] Furthermore, advantageously, said amount of coffee corresponds to ground coffee having a particle size distribution with at least 90% of the particles having an average size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm, preferably at least 85% of the particles having an average size comprised between 250 μm and 2000 μm.

[0018] Another related object is to provide a compacted coffee tablet having a better distribution of at least a larger part of the coffee mass with respect to the main flow direction and thus a better extraction efficiency of said coffee mass.

[0019] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a compacted coffee tablet, the majority of the coffee mass of which is in an intermediate portion extending in a direction transverse to the main flow direction up to the overall outer dimension.

[0020] Another related object is to provide a beverage preparation system having a compacted coffee tablet and providing further advantages in the preparation of beverages such as espresso coffee.

[0021] The system may include at least one type of compacted coffee tablet and at least one type of cover confining at least one of the compacted coffee tablets, wherein the type of tablets may vary in at least one of the mass of compacted ground coffee, the volume of the tablet, and the configuration of at least one of the upstream and downstream directed portions, and wherein the type of cover may vary in at least one of the material, type, shape, and size of the cover of the tablet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The accompanying drawing shows in a simplified schematic diagram:

[0024] Figure 1 : A top view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 : A bottom view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 : A side view of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 :according to Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tablet (1);

[0028] Figure 5 : A side view of a second embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 :according to Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tablet (1);

[0030] Figure 7 : A top view of a first embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 : A top view of a second embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in the tablet (1) according to the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 9 : A side view of a first embodiment comprising a separate portion (10) of a first type of tablet (1) according to the invention;

[0033] Fig.10 : Side view of an embodiment of a second type of individual portion (10') comprising a second type of tablet (1') according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figures 1 to 4 A representative view of a first embodiment of a tablet 1 according to the invention is reproduced.

[0035] The tablet 1 corresponds to a volume of coffee grounds which has been compacted so as to retain a corresponding three-dimensional shape. The volume corresponds to a regular geometric shape, including a geometric shape which is rotationally symmetric with respect to a central longitudinal axis XX.

[0036] In particular, the tablet 1 may have an amount or mass of coffee grounds, which have been previously roasted and compacted, and have a suitable general shape and size so that the tablet 1 can be used as a separate portion 10 in the preparation of an aromatic beverage. In particular, the separate portion 10 is adapted to enable it to be supplied to an extraction device and operated therein to prepare a coffee-based beverage, such as espresso.

[0037] The tablet 1 has a cross section with an overall width D T and is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis XX and is configured with respect to the main flow direction an upstream oriented portion 11 and a downstream oriented portion 12 and also with an intermediate portion 13 extending between said upstream oriented portion 11 and downstream oriented portion 12 and extending in the main flow direction, over at least a large part of its extension, along said total width D T extend.

[0038] As shown, the separate part 1 may have a substantially circular cross-section, so that the separate part 1 has a substantially disc-like shape or the like.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, and in particular Figure 2 and Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the upstream directional portion 12 has an upstream cavity B extending from the upstream directional surface of the upstream directional portion 12 in a central manner.

[0040] In particular, if Figure 4 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the downstream cavity B extends only along a portion of the lateral dimension of the downstream directional portion 12, so that the peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity B has a portion extending along at least approximately the lateral direction to the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directional portion 12.

[0041] In terms of the structural resistance of the tablet, it is determined to be advantageous that the characteristic dimension (e.g., diameter) of the downstream cavity B in the downstream directing surface does not exceed 95%, preferably does not exceed 90%, of the corresponding characteristic dimension (e.g., diameter) measured on the same plane of the peripheral edge of the downstream directing surface of the downstream directing portion 12.

[0042] On the other hand, with regard to the extraction of the beverage, it has proven to be advantageous if the characteristic dimensions of the downstream cavity B are at least 40%, preferably at least 40%, of the characteristic dimensions of the downstream directed surface of the downstream directed portion 12 .

[0043] Thus, a cavity and a closed chamber are advantageously provided, as well as at least one of the following: the packaging wall of the tablet 1, and the wall of the extraction device, in which the beverage produced downstream can temporarily accumulate. In addition, the downstream cavity B is configured to extend only along a portion of the downstream oriented surface of the tablet 1, without occupying its entire lateral extension.

[0044] In particular, said downstream directed portion 12 may have a peripheral zone of the downstream cavity B extending between the downstream cavity B and an outer peripheral zone of said downstream directed portion 12 along an at least substantially similar extension, preferably along an extension greater than that of the outer peripheral zone.

[0045] Preferably, the lateral dimension of the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directional portion 12 is smaller than the total width D T , wherein the transition from the downstream directed portion 12 to said intermediate portion 13 preferably comprises a surface extending in at least a substantially transverse direction.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferred that the outer edge of said downstream directed portion 12 is rounded with a radius of curvature comprised between 1 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm.

[0047] This advantageously provides an enhancement of the structural resistance of the tablet 1 when subjected to the hydraulic pressure of the pressurized extraction flow along the main flow direction, which is the largest extension relative to the volume of the tablet 1, i.e. relative to the total width D T At least roughly orthogonal.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment (not shown), the downstream directional portion 12 may have a peripheral area of ​​the downstream hollow cavity B with only a circular shape without a planar surface, and the downstream peripheral area is preferably constructed with a circular shape that is at least approximately connected to the downstream hollow cavity B in a continuous curve.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the upstream directional portion 11 may have at least one upstream cavity A, which may extend in a central manner. The upstream cavity A may extend up to the intermediate portion 13 and further additionally extend to the interior of the intermediate portion 13 in order to promote the initial penetration of the pressurized fluid in the compacted coffee volume.

[0050] According to another aspect of the present invention, Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, the tablet 1 is constructed so that most of the volume of the compacted coffee is located transversely to the total width D T The area extending from the intermediate portion 13 and the second smaller partial volume of the compacted coffee is located transversely to the total width D T The area extending from the upstream directional portion 11 is included in the upstream directional portion 11.

[0051] Furthermore, it is very advantageous if the total width D of the tablet 1 is T The relationship between φ and the total height H is at most 5, preferably at most 4.

[0052] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the intermediate portion 13 extends along the total height H of the tablet 1. T and the intermediate portion 13 extends at least for the most part thereof, and the intermediate portion 13 is configured with an angled peripheral transition towards the upstream portion 11 and the downstream portion 12, preferably including an angle of at least approximately 90°, in particular a reduction in width.

[0053] This provides a greater structural resistance to compacting the coffee tablet. In addition, this provides a greater relative fraction of the total coffee mass along the maximum transverse dimension D T Exposure to the main brewing flow direction, thereby contributing to greater extraction efficacy of the coffee beverage.

[0054] Figure 3 and Figure 4represents a first embodiment of a tablet 1 according to the invention, wherein the upstream oriented portion 11 has an upstream cavity A extending only over said upstream oriented portion 11 and not extending downstream to the area of ​​the intermediate portion 13, while Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of a tablet 1' according to the invention is represented in which the upstream cavity A extends downstream to the region of the intermediate portion 13. In the first case, the upstream cavity A may have a cylindrical shape, while in the second case it may have a conical shape.

[0055] It has proven to be advantageous if the downstream cavity B has a hemispherical, spherical cap or oval shape.

[0056] Furthermore, the second embodiment provides a tablet 1 ′ having an overall height H′ greater than the overall height H of the tablet 1 of the first embodiment.

[0057] In particular, the beverage preparation system according to the invention may comprise at least two types of tablets 1, 1' having different heights H and similar heights H of the upstream and downstream parts. 11 , H 12 , so that only the height H of the corresponding intermediate part is changed 13 It is further preferred that tablets 1, 1' of the type described have a similar overall diameter D T .

[0058] The tablet 1 according to the invention has an amount of roasted and ground coffee beans compacted in a compacting method comprising providing said amount of previously roasted and ground coffee beans to a compacting die having an internal shape and dimensions corresponding to the tablet 1 according to the invention.

[0059] Said amount of coffee grounds is advantageously comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferably between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferably between 5.3 and 6.7 grams, while said amount of coffee grounds has a moisture content comprised between 1 and 5% by mass, preferably between 2 and 4% by mass.

[0060] Furthermore, it has proven to be particularly advantageous in tests that have been carried out if the amount of coffee corresponds to particulate coffee having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have an average size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm, preferably at least 85% of the particles have an average size comprised between 250 μm and 2000 μm.

[0061] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two preferred embodiments of the upstream cavity A provided on the upstream oriented surface of the upstream oriented portion 11 are shown.

[0062] When viewed in top view, the at least one upstream cavity A may advantageously have an outer perimeter corresponding to a geometric shape different from a circle. In particular, the shape may correspond to at least one of: a polygon and an unclosed line (not shown in the figures).

[0063] It has proven to be advantageous that the upstream cavity A extends along at least one closed path defined by an outer periphery and an inner periphery, both extending at the surface of the upstream surface of said upstream oriented portion 11. Thus, the upstream cavity A can provide a preferential entry zone for the upstream pressurized flow, favoring the cross orientation thereof of the compacted coffee tablet 1.

[0064] In the case of the embodiment shown, the upstream cavity A may delimit a cavity between an outer periphery and an inner periphery, wherein the outer periphery and the inner periphery may advantageously have at least approximately similar geometries, as shown in top view.

[0065] Among the beverage preparation systems known in the prior art, it is known to use a beverage preparation device adapted to enable collection of individual portions of, for example, roasted and ground coffee in order to prepare a beverage, for example, espresso.

[0066] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Two types of individual portions 10, 10' are shown comprising compacted coffee tablets 1, 1'.

[0067] exist Fig. 9 In the case of the first type shown in , the individual portion 10 has a compacted coffee tablet 1, in particular a tablet 1 having a general configuration according to the invention, and a cover 2 in the form of an edible coating which provides gas barrier properties and which is dissolvable when exposed to a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably at least 60° C. The edible coating is advantageously provided in an at least substantially uniformly configured layer around the entire outer surface of the tablet 1, preferably such that the edible coating at least substantially follows the contour surface of at least one of the respective upstream cavities A and downstream cavities B, which are also coated by the edible coating.

[0068] exist Fig.10 In the case of the second type shown, the separate portion 10 ′ has a tablet 1 and a cover of inedible material, in particular synthetic material, provided so as to delimit the cavities A, B but without following their shape contours.

[0069] In this case, the downstream cavity B advantageously provides an extraction chamber, and the cover 2 is preferably configured at least on the upstream oriented side so that the beverage flow accumulated on said downstream cavity B is temporarily retained against the retention of said cover 2 until a previously defined pressure value is reached. Several embodiments of covers of this type are known in the prior art, so that a more detailed description thereof is omitted in this case.

Claims

1. A tablet for preparing an aromatic beverage, The tablet (1) has a certain volume and a certain amount of compacted ground coffee, The tablet (1) has a side cross-section having an overall width (D T ) and has a generally symmetrical shape relative to a central longitudinal axis (XX), The tablet (1) has an upstream oriented portion (11) and a downstream oriented portion (12) relative to the main flow direction, and also an intermediate portion (13) between the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12) along the total width (D T )extend, The tablet (1) is characterized in that The downstream directed portion (12) has a downstream cavity (B) extending in a centrally located manner and a curved surface when viewed in a side cutaway view along a portion of the transverse dimension of the downstream directed portion (12), so that the peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity (B) has a portion extending along the transverse plane up to the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12), in, said portion of said peripheral zone of said downstream cavity (B) extending along said transverse plane extends along a greater extension than the extension of said outer peripheral zone of said downstream oriented portion (12), and The upstream directional portion (11) has at least one upstream cavity (A) arranged in a central manner, extending along at least one closed path defined by an outer periphery and an inner periphery and confining the cavity between the outer periphery and the inner periphery, wherein both the outer periphery and the inner periphery extend at the surface of the upstream surface of the upstream directional portion (11).

2. The tablet according to claim 1, characterized in that The downstream directional portion (12) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12) comprises a curved surface when viewed in a transverse side cut, - said peripheral zone of said downstream cavity (B) extends between said curved surface of said downstream cavity (B) and said curved surface of said outer peripheral zone of said downstream directed portion (12), and - the downstream directed portion (12) has a peripheral area of ​​the downstream cavity (B) in an extension smaller than the extension of the outer peripheral area, the peripheral area extending between the downstream cavity (B) and the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream directed portion (12).

3. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The downstream directional portion (12) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the transverse dimension of the outer peripheral area of ​​the downstream oriented portion (12) is smaller than the total width (D T ),as well as - said outer peripheral edge of said downstream directed portion (12) is rounded when viewed in a transverse side cut.

4. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The downstream cavity (B) is configured to have at least one of the following: - in the total width (D T ) of at least 50% and at most 75%, - a characteristic dimension of the downstream cavity (B) measured on the downstream directional surface of the downstream directional portion (12), which characteristic dimension does not exceed 95% of the corresponding characteristic dimension measured on the same plane of the peripheral edge of the downstream directional surface of the downstream directional portion (12) adjacent to the intermediate portion (13).

5. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The at least one upstream cavity (A) is capable of extending at least as far as the intermediate portion (13), and The at least one upstream cavity (A) occupies at least one of: a linear shape defining an area, and an area-type shape.

6. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that At least one of the upstream directional portion (11) and the downstream directional portion (12) has at least one corresponding cavity (A, B) extending downstream and upstream, respectively, wherein the cavities (A, B) have at least one of the following dimensional relationships: - the cavities (A, B) have different cavity volumes; - said cavities (A, B) have different lateral extensions; - the cavities (A, B) have different configurations; - At least one of the cavities (A, B) extends at least as far as the vicinity of the intermediate portion (13).

7. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) is configured to have at least one of the following: - the majority of the compacted coffee volume is located in a transverse direction extending up to the total width (D T ), including on the intermediate portion (13); - the second smaller portion of the compacted coffee volume is located laterally extending until it is greater than the total width (D T ) in an area of ​​small size, including on said upstream directional portion (11); - the total width (D T ) and total height (H T ) is at most 5:

1.

8. The tablet according to claim 7, characterized in that The intermediate portion (13) extends along the total height (H) of the tablet (1). T ), and The intermediate portion (13) is configured with a peripheral transition at an angle toward the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12).

9. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following shape relationships: - having an asymmetrical configuration in terms of its geometry relative to a central transverse plane (YY), consisting in that said intermediate portion (13) extends in a non-uniform manner relative to the central transverse plane; - having an asymmetrical configuration in terms of the total mass relative to a central transverse plane (YY), such that the mass fraction upstream of said intermediate portion (13) is different from the mass fraction downstream of said intermediate portion (13).

10. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following structures: - the outer side edge of the upstream directional portion (11) defines a transverse dimension that is smaller than the total width (D T ), wherein the transition of the upstream oriented portion (11) to the intermediate portion (13) comprises an upstream oriented peripheral surface, and - the upstream directed portion (11) has a surface extending at least substantially transversely with respect to the main flow direction along at least a large part of the extension of the upstream directed portion (11), The outer side edge of the upstream directed portion (11) lies in a plane inclined at an angle (α) of at least 65° and at most 85° with respect to the main flow direction.

11. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following size relationships: - Overall height (H T ) is between 5 mm and 10 mm inclusive; - the height (H) of the upstream directional portion (11) 11 ) is at most 2 mm; - the height (H) of the downstream directional portion (12) 12 ) is at least 2 mm and at most 4 mm; - the height (H) of the intermediate portion (13) 13 ) is at most 7 mm, and The tablet (1) has a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have an average size comprised between at least 100 μm and at most 3000 μm.

12. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The tablet (1) has at least one of the following size relationships: - Overall width (D T ) is between 30 mm and 44 mm inclusive; - the maximum lateral extension of the upstream cavity (A) is comprised between 5 mm and 40 mm; The maximum lateral extension of the downstream cavity (B) is comprised between 20 and 30 mm.

13. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The transition areas from the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12) to the intermediate portion (13) in each case comprise a surface extending in the transverse direction and forming at least approximately a right angle with the outer wall of the intermediate portion (13).

14. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The amount of ground coffee is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, and Said amount of coffee grounds has a moisture content by mass comprised between 1% and 5%.

15. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Said amount of ground coffee corresponds to granulated coffee having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% of the particles have a mean size comprised between 100 μm and 3000 μm.

16. The tablet according to claim 2, characterized in that The curved surface extends from the vicinity of the peripheral region of the downstream cavity (B) to the intermediate portion (13).

17. The tablet according to claim 3, characterized in that The transition of the downstream directed portion (12) to the intermediate portion (13) comprises a surface extending in at least a generally transverse direction.

18. The tablet according to claim 3, characterized in that Said outer peripheral edge of said downstream directed portion (12) presents an at least substantially circular curvature with a radius of curvature comprised between 1 mm and 6 mm.

19. The tablet according to claim 18, characterized in that The radius of curvature is comprised between 2 mm and 5 mm.

20. The tablet according to claim 4, characterized in that The characteristic dimension is the diameter.

21. The tablet according to claim 4, characterized in that The characteristic dimension does not exceed 90% of the corresponding characteristic dimension measured on the same plane of the peripheral edge of the downstream directed surface of the downstream directed portion (12) adjacent to the intermediate portion (13).

22. The tablet according to claim 6, characterized in that The volume of the downstream cavity (B) is greater than the volume of the upstream cavity (A), the lateral extension of the downstream cavity (B) is greater than the lateral extension of the upstream cavity (A), at least the upstream cavity (A) does not have a rotationally symmetrical structure relative to the central longitudinal axis (XX), and at least one of the cavities (A, B) does not extend beyond the intermediate portion (13).

23. The tablet according to claim 8, characterized in that The intermediate portion (13) configures a peripheral transition toward the upstream oriented portion (11) and the downstream oriented portion (12) at an angle of at least about 90°.

24. The tablet according to claim 8, characterized in that The peripheral transition is of reduced width.

25. The tablet according to claim 9, characterized in that The mass fraction upstream of the intermediate portion (13) is greater than the mass fraction downstream of the intermediate portion (13).

26. The tablet according to claim 11, characterized in that At least 85% of the particles have an average size of at least 250 μm and at most 2000 μm.

27. The tablet according to claim 12, characterized in that The maximum lateral extension is the maximum diameter.

28. A system for preparing an edible product, and comprising: - A tablet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 27, - a cover (2) for tablets (1), the cover being suitable for providing gas barrier properties and being arranged in at least one of the following ways: associated with at least one tablet (1) and at least in the vicinity of the at least one tablet (1), defining a plurality of tablets (1); It is characterized in that The system comprises at least one type of tablet (1) and at least one type of separate portion (10) comprising the tablet (1), wherein a tablet (1) of the type described can vary in at least one of the following aspects: the mass of the compacted coffee grounds, the volume of the tablet, and the configuration of at least one of the upstream directional portion (11) and the downstream directional portion (12), and The individual parts (10) of the type described can vary in at least one of the following aspects: the inclusion or not of a cover (2), the material, type, shape and size of the cover (2).

29. The system according to claim 28, characterized in that The tablet (1) is arranged inside a cover (2) having gas barrier properties, wherein the cover comprises at least one of the following: - a sheath (2) of edible material provided as a coating of the tablet (1) and making it possible to follow the contour of at least one of the cavities (A, B); - a cover (2) of inedible material, said inedible material being a synthetic material, said cover being arranged so as to delimit the space adjacent to said cavities (A, B) without following the contours of the shape of said cavities, and The separate part (10) comprises at least one cover support, wherein the cover support is configured to limit at least one of the following: - a single separate part (10); - a plurality of individual parts (10) arranged continuously along the cover support.

30. The system according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The individual portion (10) is adapted to enable identification of at least one characteristic associated with the upstream directed portion (11) and the downstream directed portion (12), including identification by at least one of the following methods: by a user, by mechanical means supplying the individual portion (10) to an extraction device, and by an automatic identification device.

31. The system according to claim 29, characterized in that The cover support piece is a foldable cover support piece.

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