Beverage capsule with Anti-dripping membrane

Abstract

The present invention concerns a beverage capsule (11) comprising capsule side walls (20), a capsule top, and a capsule bottom (21) having a dispensing outlet (22), that define a chamber for containing a food or beverage precursor ingredient soluble and / or extractable when a fluid is injected inside said chamber under pressure, said capsule (11) further comprising a pressure-sensitive membrane (25), characterized in that said pressure-sensitive membrane (25) comprises at least one weakened or precut zone defining a non-reclosable opening (26) which: (i) elastically and plastically opens, respectively widens when the fluid pressure inside said capsule reaches a predetermined value between 0.5 and 20 bar relative pressure, and then (ii) maintains a widen configuration after the fluid pressure within the chamber is released to an atmospheric pressure value, such that the width of said at least one opening (26) does not exceed 1 mm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns an ingredient capsule for use in a food preparation machine, for instance in a liquid food preparation machine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Beverage preparation machines are well known in the food science and consumer goods area. Such machines allow a consumer to prepare at home a given type of beverage, for instance a coffee-based beverage, e.g. an espresso or a brew-like coffee cup.[0003]Today, most beverage preparation machines for in-home beverage preparation comprise a system made of a machine which can accommodate portioned ingredients for the preparation of the beverage. Such portions can be soft pods or pads, or sachets, but more and more systems use semi-rigid or rigid portions such as rigid pods or capsules. In the following, it will be considered that the beverage machine of the invention is a beverage preparation machine working with a rigid or semi-rigid capsule.[0004]The machine comprises a receptacle or ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is related to a new design for a beverage capsule, which has a precut opening that can be opened to dispense the beverage, and then partially closed to prevent any leakage or dripping when the pressure inside the capsule decreases. The new shape of the precut opening allows for easier flow of the beverage, while still providing good anti-dripping properties to the capsule. This design can be beneficial for products that have different viscosities and may contain small edible particles, like croutons or herb pieces.

Problems solved by technology

Particularly when the capsule is then taken out from the beverage production machine, there is the problem of water or beverage dripping e.g. from the water inlet side of the capsule.

Such dripping forces to consumer to leave ones cup below the capsule dispensing outlet several seconds after the completion of the dispensing, which is undesirable.

In some instances, dripping can also cause messiness in or around the machine, in case the consumer has removed the cup from below the dispensing outlet, which is also undesirable.

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