Beverage preparation system and method including a portion container with enhanced seal and closure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for preparing a beverage based on extracting a pre-measured amount of a precursor substance in a brewing device (4), wherein the single portion (1) has a compostable restriction (2) and can be collected in a portion container (3) adapted to be retained in a cavity of the brewing device (4). In particular, the invention solves the problem of ensuring that the portion container (3) operates in an effective and reliable manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of beverage preparation systems and methods based on extracting a portion of a beverage precursor substance arranged in a single portion to an extraction device of a beverage preparation apparatus. Background Art

[0002] The prior art comprises brewing devices having a collecting space adapted to receive a portion of a beverage precursor substance, wherein the collecting space is connected to a cover by a pivot connection such that the cover is operable in an open position and a closed position.

[0003] WO 97 / 43939 discloses a brewing device of this type, comprising a dose container having a handle and defining a percolation chamber suitable for receiving a prepackaged dose of coffee; and a lid associated with the dose container so as to open and close on the dose container, thereby defining a second portion of the percolation chamber, wherein the lid is hinged to the dose container. This document discloses providing a manually operable means for opening and closing the lid, such that an operator can open the lid with the hand holding the handle of the dose container. In particular, the lid can be actuated by operating a lever associated with a resilient means via a lever-like button. The resilient means can be in the form of a return spring adapted to retract the lid and maintain it in the closed position.

[0004] US Pat. No. 5,910,205 provides another embodiment of such a brewing device. In this case, the brewing device includes a brewing basket that holds ground coffee and is hingedly connected to a lid above the ground coffee. The lid has a plurality of spaced-apart apertures through which water is distributed generally evenly over the layer of ground coffee. The hinged connection between the basket and the lid member appears to be provided by a rod-like portion of the lid that is pivotally retained in mutually opposed apertures in a peripheral support member of the basket, located adjacent to the opening thereof. The brewing basket includes a base and a sidewall having a plurality of fins extending generally radially from the base and further along the sidewall.

[0005] WO 2014 / 063998 A1 discloses a brewing device adapted to be operatively attached to the exterior of a beverage preparation machine. The brewing device comprises a container portion connected to a cover portion in a pivotally connected manner.

[0006] WO 2015 / 132203 A1 further discloses a brewing device having a container portion connected to a lid portion via a swivel connection provided at a peripheral portion thereof.

[0007] The type of slewing connection can determine ergonomics and reliability, as it may be affected by intensive use and is limited by construction complexity and cost.

[0008] Furthermore, the popularity of single-use portion capsules, which are mostly manufactured from metal and plastic materials, is increasingly limited in the market by environmental concerns.

[0009] This problem has been addressed by several methods known in the art.

[0010] One approach is to provide a capsule adapted to be reusable.

[0011] DE 20 2009 009125 U1 discloses a capsule having a container part hingedly connected to a cover part.

[0012] US 8,707,855 B2, US 8,561,524 B2 and US10,154,751 B2 also disclose a beverage brewing device similar to a capsule, which has: a main body defining a brewing chamber, which is configured to contain a dry beverage medium; and a cover removably fixed to the main body (in particular in a hinged connection provided by a laterally supported swivel rod).

[0013] Another approach is to use a reusable capsule holder, providing the user with the option of refilling the capsule with, for example, some ground and roast coffee.

[0014] Document WO 02 / 082963 A1 discloses a reusable beverage filter cartridge of the type of the present invention, wherein the beverage filter cartridge is configured to be collected inside a brewing device and to collect individual portions of beverage portions.

[0015] EP 24019445 A1 discloses a device of the type described herein for fitting a food capsule into a capsule container. The device comprises a container portion for accommodating at least a portion of the capsule; and sealing means for circumferentially fitting to the capsule container and / or a fluid injection element and / or an outer surface of the capsule in an airtight manner. The container portion is hingedly connected to a cover portion, which further comprises sealing means (e.g., a circular O-ring) to ensure an airtight contact surface between the container portion and the cover. Furthermore, the internal shape of the container portion can be adapted to enclose a soft capsule pod having substantially flexible walls, which is generally discus-shaped.

[0016] EP 3089634 B1 also discloses a brewing device of the type of the present invention, wherein the partial container includes a container portion, which is hingedly connected to a cover portion and is adapted to operate with different types of single parts. The cover portion includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, the second sealing member being different from the first sealing member and configured to seal a second brewing chamber between the cover portion and the second container when the second container is inserted into a hollow portion of the brewing unit configured to receive different types of portable pads and / or capsule containers.

[0017] EP 2907425 B1 discloses a brewing system of the type according to the present invention, wherein the container part is hingedly connected to the lid part and discloses several types of flow distribution upstream of the edible portion.

[0018] Thus, the prior art includes solutions for adapting the brewing device of a beverage preparation machine to operate with separate portions of beverage precursor substances in different types of capsules or sachets, but there is a need to further optimize said adapting devices. Summary of the Invention

[0019] The present invention discloses a beverage preparation system comprising: a beverage preparation device (e.g., an extraction device) operable with a single portion of a beverage precursor substance (e.g., roasted coffee, tea, etc.); and an adapter device configured as a portion container operable within a portion receiving portion of the extraction device and operating with a single portion having an envelope of compostable material, thereby minimizing the environmental impact associated with the packaging material confining the precursor substance.

[0020] A first object is to provide a partial container of the above-mentioned type so as to provide an effective liquid seal in the interface region between its container portion and cover portion, thereby preventing any leakage of the pressurized fluid from the partial container.

[0021] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a partial container, wherein the container portion has a container sealing portion, which is configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step of the container portion, thereby providing an upstream-oriented and inwardly protruding support surface for the edge area of ​​the single portion, and also providing a support surface for the downstream-oriented peripheral free edge of the cover portion, in particular being configured as a lid sealing portion, thereby providing a sealing connection between the container portion and the lid sealing portion when the partial container is in the closed position.

[0022] In particular, the container portion may have a container sealing portion, which is configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step of the container portion, which provides an upstream-oriented and inwardly protruding support surface with an elastically deformable material, wherein the container sealing portion is arranged upstream of the downstream side wall portion and on the inner side of the upstream side wall portion.

[0023] This advantageously provides for an effective and reliable liquid seal in the interface region between the container part and the cover part of the partial receptacle.

[0024] Advantageously, the lid sealing arrangement is configured such that it can be provided by two-material injection molding of the container part and the lid part, so that these components can be produced as a single piece.

[0025] In addition, the container sealing portion can be provided by the same elastically deformable material and as a continuation of at least one of the retaining device and the lid connecting device associated with the container portion of the partial container, in particular extending around its side wall and upstream-oriented inwardly protruding step portion and being configured for sealing the interface area of ​​the container portion and the lid portion of the partial container.

[0026] This advantageously optimizes the use of two different materials or materials with different properties in a partial container.

[0027] A related object is to provide a portion container of the above type that can be closed reliably and simply by a user, thereby enhancing the liquid-tight closure of the lid part on the container part and preventing harmful spillage of hot pressurized fluid when removed from an extraction device in a beverage preparation apparatus.

[0028] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a partial container, which comprises a container part and a cover part, wherein the container part and the cover part have a cover retaining device, which is configured to provide a user-operable mechanical retention of the cover part on the container part, wherein the cover retaining device is not arranged in the immediate vicinity of an articulated connection between the cover part and the container part.

[0029] This feature advantageously provides for a secure fixation of the lid portion to the container portion by a simple user-implementable mechanical arrangement (particularly of the hardpoint type or the like). Furthermore, the lid retaining means provides for efficient actuation of the container sealing means and the lid sealing means, thereby enhancing the sealing effect provided by the sealing means.

[0030] In particular, the container portion and the lid portion have a lid retaining device, which is configured to provide mechanical retention of the lid portion on the container portion by a user applying pressure on a peripheral portion of a top area of ​​the lid portion sufficient to drive the lid retaining portion over the container retaining portion.

[0031] Moreover, the container portion and the cover portion may have a cover retaining device, which is configured to provide mechanical retention of the cover portion on the container portion even when part of the container is not engaged with the flow supply portion of the brewing device, preferably also requiring the user to apply pressure to release the retention of the cover portion from the container portion.

[0032] This advantageously prevents harmful uncontrolled spillage of the pressurized hot fluid when the partial receptacle is removed from the beverage preparation device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention will be described in more detail below with the support of preferred embodiments of the main components and various drawings.

[0034] The diagram shows:

[0035] Figure 1 : A side cross-sectional view of a first step of a system and method according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 : a side sectional view of the second and third steps of the system and method according to the invention, which comprise supplying a portion container 3 and inserting a single portion 1 therein;

[0037] Figure 3 : A side sectional view of a fourth step of the system and method according to the present invention, the fourth step comprising introducing the portion receiving portion 41 containing the portion container 3 into the flow supply portion 42 of the brewing device 4;

[0038] Figure 4 : A side sectional view of the third step of the system and method according to the invention, which comprises supplying a portion of the container 3.

[0039] Figure 5 : A side view of an embodiment of an open partial container 3 in a system according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 : A top perspective view of the opened portion of the container 3;

[0041] Figure 7 : A top view of the partially opened container 3;

[0042] Figure 8 : A detailed view of the cover connecting device 6 between the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32 of the partial container 3;

[0043] Figure 9 : A side perspective view of the opened portion of the container 3;

[0044] Figure 10: Side sectional views of successive moments of the introduction of a partial container 3 into the extraction device 4 of a beverage preparation device 5 in the system according to the invention;

[0045] Figure 11 : A side perspective view of a portion of the container 3 in an almost closed position;

[0046] Figure 12 : A detailed side sectional view of the cover connecting device 6 of the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32;

[0047] Figure 13 : A side perspective view of a portion of the container 3 in a closed position;

[0048] Figure 14 : A side sectional view of a closed portion of the container 3;

[0049] Figure 15 : A top perspective view of a closed portion of the container 3;

[0050] Figure 16 : A side view of a first embodiment of a partial container 3;

[0051] Figure 17 : A side view of a second embodiment of a partial container 3;

[0052] Figure 18 : A side view of a third embodiment of a partial container 3;

[0053] Figure 19 : A top view of the closed portion of the container 3;

[0054] Figure 20 : A top perspective view of a part container 3 in a non-closed position and containing a single part 1;

[0055] Figure 21 : a side sectional view of a portion container 3 in a non-closed position and containing a single portion 1;

[0056] Figure 22 : A side sectional view of the part container 3 in the closed position and containing a single part 1;

[0057] Figure 23 : a side sectional view of a portion container 3 in a non-closed position and containing a single portion 1, the portion container 3 being located inside a portion receiving portion 41 of the extraction device;

[0058] Figure 24 : a side sectional view of a portion container 3 in a closed position and containing a single portion 1, the portion container 3 being located inside a portion receiving portion 41 of the extraction device;

[0059] Figure 25: A top view of a second embodiment of a partial container 3 in an open position;

[0060] Figure 26 : Bottom view of the second embodiment of the partial container 3 in the open position;

[0061] Figure 27 : A side perspective view of a second embodiment of a partial container 3 and a second embodiment of a single part 1;

[0062] Figure 28 : A side sectional view of a second embodiment of a part container 3 and a second embodiment of an individual part 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The invention will be described based on a general embodiment of a beverage preparation system for preparing espresso-like, instant coffee and similar aromatic beverages, the beverage preparation system being adapted to operate with a single portion 1 such as a capsule or pod.

[0064] The individual portions 1 have a confining means 2 adapted to confine a pre-measured amount of a beverage precursor substance, such as roast and ground coffee, wherein the confining means 2 is preferably provided in a compostable material, such as a cellulose-based material or the like, and excludes other non-compostable materials, thereby advantageously eliminating environmental waste disposal impact.

[0065] In addition to the individual portions 1, such a system comprises a beverage preparation device 5 having an extraction device 4, as is known in the prior art, which extraction device 4 is adapted to be able to collect the individual portions 1 when in the open position and to expose the individual portions 1 to an upstream pressurized fluid flow, typically at a fluid pressure higher than 2 bar, preferably higher than 8 bar, and a fluid temperature higher than 80°C, preferably higher than 88°C, in the closed and operating position.

[0066] Furthermore, a general embodiment relates to a system in which the beverage preparation apparatus 5 comprises an extraction device 4 having a portion receiving portion 41 provided as a separate component, which is, for example, configured as a general door filter design, has a cavity adapted to receive a single portion 1 and can be manually inserted into a corresponding, preferably form-fitting, flow supply portion 42, for example in a general pull-out or drawer-like arrangement, to reach its operating position.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown in , one embodiment of the system may comprise a single portion 1 ' of a first type and a beverage preparation device 5 comprising an extraction device 4 having a portion receiving part 41 and a flow supply part 42, which provides a pressurized flow upstream of the single portion 1 ', such as a plastic capsule, and collects and / or discharges the produced beverage downstream thereof.

[0068] The beverage preparation device 5 may further comprise a flow pressurizing device such as a hydraulic pump and a flow heating device such as a thermoblock. Other aspects of such a beverage preparation device 5 are known in the prior art, so further detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0069] In a first step of the method according to the invention, a portion holder 3 is provided, which comprises a container part 31 hingedly connected to a cover part 32 and is adapted to receive a single portion 1 different from the first single portion 1' when the cover part 32 is in the open position and to confine the single portion in a liquid-tight manner in the closed position.

[0070] exist Figures 2 to 4 The method according to the invention is further represented in a series of steps.

[0071] In a second step (in which the portion receiving portion 41 is located outside and the beverage preparation device 5 is not engaged with the flow supply portion 42), the portion container 3 is inserted into the portion receiving portion 41 so that the lid 32 can be operated between the open and closed positions. According to an advantageous aspect, the portion container 3 is inserted at least along its lateral portions in a press-fit manner so that it is retained in the portion receiving portion 41 by means of the container retaining means 7 provided on the container portion 31 and does not fall out thereof even when the portion receiving portion 41 is finally oriented downwards.

[0072] In a third step, an individual portion 1 of the second type is inserted into the container portion 31 of the portion container, preferably by manually dropping it therein.

[0073] In a fourth step, the portion of the receiving portion 41 is manually inserted into the fluid supply portion 42 (e.g., in a drawer-like arrangement) so that the receiving portion 41 reaches a closed position and the upstream pressurized fluid can be injected. In particular, the hinged connection of the cover portion 32 is adapted to be pushed downwardly by the fluid supply portion 42 when it is driven into the fluid supply portion 42 and to be held in sealing engagement with the container portion 31 while located within the fluid supply portion 42.

[0074] The method may further comprise removing the partial receiving portion 41 from engagement with the flow supply 42 , wherein the hinged connection of the cover 32 is adapted to only partially raise when removed from engagement pushed downwardly by the flow supply 42 .

[0075] The method may further comprise rotating the portion receiving portion 41 downwards, so that the single portion 1 falls out of the container portion 31 under the driving force of gravity, but the portion container 3 further remains in the portion receiving portion 41. This feature advantageously improves the convenience of using the portion container 3.

[0076] Figures 5 to 8 A preferred embodiment of a partial container 3 according to the present invention is shown, wherein the partial container 3 includes a container portion 31 and a cover portion 32, wherein the container portion 31 has rotationally symmetrical side walls 311 and a base wall 312 that define a cavity space, and the cover portion 32 is hinged to the container portion 31 at the periphery by means of a cover connecting device 6 so that it can be operated to a closed position, whereby a single portion 1 can be confined within the cavity space.

[0077] The container portion 31 is adapted to be held within a partial receiving portion 41 of an extraction device 4, which can be manually held and operated in a drawer or pull-out manner to an operating position engaged with a flow supply portion 42 of the extraction device 4, and the extraction device 4 can have the general features described in connection with the previous figure.

[0078] As depicted, the partial container 3 includes: a container portion 31 having a side wall 311 and a base wall 312; and a cover portion 32, the cover portion 32 having a guide wall 321 and a collar-shaped flow limiting wall 322, the guide wall extending transversely to the main flow direction and having a flow channel 33, the collar-shaped flow limiting wall extending laterally around the guide wall 321, and together defining a collection space extending upstream and downstream of the peripheral interface area between the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32.

[0079] As mentioned above, partial containers of this type are known in the prior art, which have an articulated connection between a container portion and a lid portion. Due to repeated and multiple actuations of the articulated connection, this type of connection may be prone to mechanical wear and tear (for example, in the case of a spring-driven connection) or ergonomic limitations (for example, in the case of a lever-type digital actuation stand).

[0080] According to a notable feature of the partial container 3 of the present invention, the cover part 32 is hingedly connected to the container part 31 at the periphery by means of a cover connecting device 6, which includes a material connection 61 between the container part 31 and the cover part 32, whereby the cover connecting device 6 is configured to be provided by injection molding of the container part 31 and the cover part 32, so that these parts can be produced as a single piece.

[0081] This advantageously simplifies the hinged connection of the lid portion 32 and the container portion 31 , providing a durable, reliable and simple connection.

[0082] It is further advantageous that the lid connecting device 6 includes a material connection 61 provided in the form of an elastically bendable element (preferably a strip or similar shape), which extends continuously from the upstream area of ​​the upstream side wall 311 of the container portion 31 to the lid portion 32, wherein the material connection 61 preferably includes an elastic material band, which is arranged so as to apply an elastic force upward to the lid portion 32 relative to the container portion 31, thereby causing the lid portion 32 to tend towards the open position.

[0083] from Figure 6 and Figure 8 As best seen in FIG, the lid connection arrangement 6 may include a connection retention arrangement (or connection retention structure) 62 adapted to assist in retaining the lid portion 32 in a closed position on the container portion 31 .

[0084] The connection retention arrangement 62 preferably includes a male-female arrangement (or male-female structure) 621, 622 on opposite edges of the material connection 61 and arranged laterally relative to the material connection 61, and the male-female arrangement 621, 622 is adapted to provide a first hard point retention of the cover portion 32 on the container portion 31.

[0085] The male-female arrangements 621 , 622 are preferably provided on the peripheral supporting non-arc portions of the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32 respectively, and correspond to a portion of the upstream free edge region and a protrusion on the upstream free edge region respectively.

[0086] The lid connecting means 6 and the receiver holding means 7 are provided by materials having similar elastic properties, preferably by the same material so as to extend continuously from the receiver holding means 7 to the lid connecting means 6 .

[0087] The lid connecting device 6 and the container holding device 7 may be provided as a separate component or piece together with the container portion 31 and the lid portion 32 by means of two-material injection molding.

[0088] The partial container 3 may further include a beverage flow distribution device 36, which is preferably configured as a disc-shaped single piece and is adapted to be retained on the base wall 312 of the container portion 31, preferably retained on the base wall 312 by means of a nut-groove peripheral engagement with the base wall 312, wherein the beverage flow distribution device 36 has a protrusion 361 extending upstream from the base and is configured to be a non-piercing and non-perforated shape, such as a sphere with a circular cross-sectional profile, and the beverage flow distribution device 36 further has at least one, preferably a plurality of, flow channels 362, which are configured as holes on the base of the beverage flow distribution device 36.

[0089] Figures 9 to 14 Several cutaway views of embodiments of parts of a container 3 in a system according to the invention are shown.

[0090] The Applicant has tested several embodiments of a portion container of the type of the invention and has determined that its retention within the portion receptacle 41 of the extraction device 4 should be very advantageous in terms of its general ergonomic use.

[0091] According to a notable feature, the partial container 3 according to the present invention has a container retaining device 7, which has a configuration and material properties different from the configuration and material properties of the side wall 311 of the container part 31, and is adapted so that the container part 31 can be retained in the partial receiving part 41 in a press-fit manner.

[0092] In particular, the container holding means 7 may be provided by a different material or a different material composition than the remainder of the container part 31 .

[0093] Furthermore, the container holding means 7 is provided by an elastically deformable material, for example a rubber-like synthetic material, whereas the container portion 31 may be provided by a substantially rigid material.

[0094] This feature advantageously provides for a more effective retention of the container portion 31 , as the receptacle retaining device 7 thus provides for an enhanced press fit of the partial receptacle 3 within the cavity of the partial receiving portion 41 of the extraction device 4 .

[0095] Preferably, the container portion 31 supports the container holding device 7 which is arranged in a tubular shape around at least a portion, preferably at least most, and more preferably all of the side wall 311 so that it can be pressed into the partial receiving portion 41 under peripheral tension.

[0096] Furthermore, the container retaining device 7 may have at least one, preferably several, protrusions extending outwardly relative to at least a majority of the remaining side wall 311 of the container portion 31 (preferably the entirety of the remaining side wall 311 within the partial receiving portion 41 ).

[0097] Furthermore, at least one of the container holding device 7 and the container portion 31 of the partial container 3 , and preferably both, are provided in a different material or a different material composition than the partial receiving portion 41 .

[0098] The container retaining device 7 can have a non-smooth, preferably grooved outer surface having at least one of a roughness and a pattern, wherein the protrusion extends outward in at least one of a transverse and parallel direction relative to the main flow direction, and is configured to generate a material pressure transverse to the main flow direction with the corresponding inner surface of the partial receiving portion 41, whereby the container retaining device 7 is preferably provided by a material that is at least partially elastically deformable.

[0099] The container retaining means 7 may be provided as a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions arranged successively (eg, in a row) from at least near the peripheral interface region between the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32 to the base wall 312 .

[0100] In particular, the container retaining means 7 may be provided as an outwardly extending projection having a cross-sectional profile that narrows from a base towards its free edge.

[0101] As further shown in these figures, the partial container 3 includes a container portion 31 having a side wall 311, which has an upstream side wall portion 3111 and a downstream side wall portion 3112, the downstream side wall portion 3112 being recessed inwardly relative to the upstream side wall portion 3111 and preferably also relative to the outward extension portion of the base wall 312, and the container retaining device 7 is arranged on a laterally oriented recess relative to the downstream side wall portion 3112, so that the container retaining device 7 extends inwardly and outwardly relative to the upstream side wall portion 3111.

[0102] According to another notable feature of the partial container 3, the container retaining device 7 is provided as an injection-molded part extending through the peripheral transition area between the upstream side wall portion 3111 and the downstream side wall portion 3112, thereby forming at least one of the following:

[0103] - a container sealing portion 34 that extends inwardly along the inner periphery and provides seating support for the rim portion of the single portion 1 and the lid sealing portion 35 at the peripheral interface area between the container portion 31 and the lid portion 32; and

[0104] A material connection 61 of the lid connecting device 6 , which provides a hinge-like connection of the lid part 32 to the container part 31 in their peripheral areas.

[0105] This feature advantageously provides the benefit of multiple uses and applications of the resiliently deformable material in part of the receptacle 3, not only as the receptacle retaining means 7 thereof, but also as a liquid sealing means and at least part of the articulated connection means.

[0106] It will also be known to those skilled in the art that a system of this type comprising an extraction device and individual parts configured to be impacted by a pressurized flow presents a problem of fluid sealing.

[0107] According to another notable feature of the partial container 3 of the present invention, the container portion 31 has a container sealing portion 34 for providing a liquid seal for the partial container 3 in the closed position, and the container sealing portion 34 is configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step, thereby providing an upstream-oriented support surface for the edge area of ​​the single part 1, and also providing a support surface for the downstream-oriented peripheral free edge of the cover portion 32, thereby providing a sealing connection between the container sealing portion 34 and the cover sealing portion 35 when the partial container 3 is in the closed position, and the downstream-oriented peripheral free edge is particularly configured as the cover sealing portion 35.

[0108] This feature advantageously provides for an effective and reliable liquid seal of the interface region between the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32 of the partial receptacle 3 .

[0109] In particular, the container portion 31 may have a container sealing portion 34, which is configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step, which is provided by an elastically deformable material, wherein the container sealing portion 34 is arranged upstream of the downstream side wall portion 3112 and on the inner side of the upstream side wall portion 3111.

[0110] The container sealing portion 34 and the container retaining device 7 can be set by materials with similar elastic properties, preferably by the same material or a material with similar composition, which extends continuously from the container retaining device 7 to the container sealing portion 34, wherein the cover connecting device 6 and the container retaining device 7 are set as a single component or single piece with the container part 31 and the cover part 32 by means of two-material injection molding.

[0111] This again offers the benefit of using an elastically deformable material and a different material, in particular a rigid material, in the partial receptacle 3 .

[0112] The cover portion 32 may have a cover sealing portion 35 arranged on a downstream-oriented peripheral free edge of the cover portion 32, wherein the cover sealing portion 35 has a downstream-oriented peripheral nut, such as a peripheral nut with a V-shaped cross-sectional shape or a similar shape, wherein the cover sealing portion 35 is configured to be placed on the container sealing portion 34 under pressure, thereby providing a sealing engagement between the container sealing portion 34 and the cover sealing portion 35 when the partial container 3 is closed.

[0113] The container portion 31 may support a container sealing portion 34 which is provided by a resiliently deformable material, preferably a different material than the container portion 31 .

[0114] The cover portion 32 may have a cover sealing portion 35 that is provided from the same material as the rest of the cover portion 32 , preferably a non-elastic, rigid material.

[0115] The partial container 3 may comprise a container portion 31 and a lid portion 32 with respective container sealing portions 34 and lid sealing portions 35, which are respectively arranged in mutually opposing regions, in particular in the downstream-oriented base region and in the upstream-oriented inwardly extending step, and are adapted such that the lid sealing portion 35 rests on the container sealing portion 34 along a continuous peripheral extension under a closing actuation pressure in the closed position of the partial container 3, wherein the closing actuation pressure may be provided by at least one of:

[0116] - pressurized engagement of the top region of the cover 32 with the flow supply 42 of the extraction device 4;

[0117] - a pressurized engagement of the cover retaining means 324 corresponding to the closed position of the partial receptacle 3 .

[0118] The expert in the field is familiar with the dependence of the upstream flow distribution on the upstream orientation surface of the edible substance within a single portion 1 , in particular if the flow supply 42 of the extraction device 4 has a single pressurized flow inlet.

[0119] According to another significant feature, the partial container 3 comprises a cover 32 having a guide wall 321 of generally downstream-oriented convex shape, for example of frustoconical shape, configured so as to extend the cavity space defined by the partial container 3 to the vicinity of its upstream feed edge, while providing an upstream-oriented free space extending peripherally with respect to the guide wall 321 and at a distance downstream of the upstream free edge of the cover 32. In particular, said guide wall 321 has a plurality of flow channels 33 (for example arranged in a matrix pattern), extending in a direction similar to the main flow direction and arranged on different parts of the downstream-oriented convex shape of the guide wall 321 and at different levels downstream of the upstream free edge of the cover 32.

[0120] This feature advantageously provides a better flow distribution upstream of the individual portions 1, thereby improving the extraction efficiency of the edible substance (eg roasted ground coffee or instant coffee or similar beverage precursor substance).

[0121] In addition, the partial container 3 may include a cover portion 32 having a collar-shaped flow-restricting wall 322, which extends laterally around the periphery of the guide wall 321 and extends upstream from a cover placement area 323 shared with the guide wall 321, whereby the outer periphery (or circumference) of the guide wall 321 is at least equivalent to 80% of the inner periphery (or circumference) of the collar-shaped flow-restricting wall 322, preferably at least 85%.

[0122] The collar-shaped flow-restricting wall 322 can extend upstream, thereby constituting an upstream free edge of the cover portion 32, so that when the partial container 3 is closed, the upstream free edge of the collar-shaped flow-restricting wall 322 can extend at a level similar to the peripheral edge of the container portion 31 (preferably, higher than the peripheral edge of the container portion 31 by a tolerance).

[0123] According to another significant feature, the partial container 3 may include a cover 32 having a collar-shaped flow restriction wall 322 extending laterally along the peripheral area of ​​the flow guide wall 321, and the cover 32 includes or supports at least one of the following, and preferably includes or supports all of the following:

[0124] - lid connection means 6 (61, 62), which are arranged in a first peripheral area of ​​the lid part 32 and provide a pivotal connection to the container part 31;

[0125] - a cover retaining device 324, which is arranged in a second peripheral area of ​​the cover part 32, preferably opposite the first peripheral area;

[0126] A cover sealing portion 35 extending along a downstream-oriented peripheral edge common to the flow guide wall 321 .

[0127] This arrangement advantageously provides a simple overall construction of the partial receptacle 3 .

[0128] The applicant has tested several possible partial containers in different extraction devices 4 and has learned that, after terminating the injection of the pressurized fluid associated with beverage extraction, the unrestrained removal of the partial container from the extraction device 4 presents a risk to the user, as uncontrolled hydraulic actuation could lead to the opening of the partial container and an unintended spillage of hot water.

[0129] In this regard, according to another significant feature of the present invention, the partial container 3 includes a container portion 31 and a cover portion 32 having a cover retaining device 314, 324, wherein the cover retaining device is configured to provide a user-performable mechanical retention of the cover portion 32 on the container portion 31, wherein the cover retaining device 314, 324 is not arranged near the hinged connection between the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32.

[0130] This feature advantageously secures the lid portion 32 to the container portion 31 with a simple user-implementable mechanical arrangement, particularly a hard-point mechanical arrangement. Additionally, the lid retaining means 314, 324 described provide effective actuation force for the container sealing portion 34 and the lid sealing portion 35.

[0131] In addition, the partial container 3 includes a container portion 31 and a cover portion 32 having cover retaining devices 314, 324, and the cover retaining devices 314, 324 are configured to provide mechanical retention of the cover portion 32 on the container portion 31 by the user applying pressure to the peripheral portion of the top area of ​​the cover portion 32, which pressure is sufficient to drive the cover retaining device 324 over the cover retaining device 314.

[0132] In addition, the partial container 3 includes a container part 31 and a cover part 32 having a cover retaining device 314, 324, and the cover retaining device 314, 324 is configured to provide mechanical retention of the cover part 32 on the container part 31 even when the partial container 3 is not engaged by the flow supply part 42 of the brewing device, preferably also requiring the user to apply pressure in order to release the retention of the cover part 32 from the container part 31.

[0133] Furthermore, the partial container 3 comprises a container portion 31 and a cover portion 32 having a cover retaining device 314, 324, the cover retaining device 314, 324 being configured to resist the upward acting hydraulic pressure accumulated within the confined space of the partial container 3 associated with the flow injection, wherein the cover retaining device 314, 324 is preferably configured to be capable of providing its retention and release by similar gestures and pressures of the user, and preferably providing its tactile perception to the user.

[0134] In addition, the partial container 3 has cover retaining devices 314, 324 that are opposite to the connecting device 6, in particular the connecting retaining devices 621, 622 associated with the connecting device 6 of the cover part 32 and the container part 31, thereby providing mechanical retention of the cover part 32 relative to each other of the partial container 3, whereby the retention is preferably configured to be actuated together.

[0135] In addition, the partial container 3 has a cover retaining device 314, 324, which is configured as a local embossed portion on the inner surface of the container portion 31, which is operatively aligned with the flat outer portion of the ring-shaped flow restricting wall 322 of the cover portion 32, so that the cover portion 32 can be maintained in a closed position and the cover sealing portion 35 is pressed downward on the container sealing portion 34.

[0136] Figures 15 to 18 Several preferred embodiments of the container holding device 7 in the partial container 3 according to the invention are shown.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment, the container retaining device 7 can include a plurality of protrusions configured as ribs extending outward and circumferentially around the sidewalls of the container portion 31. Alternatively, these rib-like protrusions can extend along a meridian alignment arranged in series around the outer engaging surface of the container portion 31 immediately adjacent to its base wall 312. The wall thickness of each retaining rib can be less than the spacing between adjacent ribs. It is advantageous if these protrusions do not extend further outward than the widest vertical protrusion of the container portion 31.

[0138] In a different embodiment, the container retaining means 7 may be configured as spherical or frustoconical protrusions arranged in successive rows along the outer surface so as to be engaged by a press fit when the partial container 3 is inserted into the partial receiving portion 41 of the extraction device 4 .

[0139] Figure 19 A top view of the cover part 32 with the plurality of flow channels 33 and the corresponding relationship to the cover connection device 6 is shown.

[0140] As mentioned above and depicted in the previous figures, the flow channels 33 are arranged on different concentric regions of the guide wall 321 of the cover portion 32, each of the concentric regions extending at a different inclination relative to the main flow direction, so that the upstream flow can be directed downstream at different relative levels.

[0141] Advantageously, the flow channels 33 are provided in a regular matrix arrangement on the guide wall 321, including extending essentially transversely to the main flow direction in the central area and extending at a reduced angle relative to the main flow direction in the peripheral area, for example less than 30°, preferably less than 20°.

[0142] Figure 20 The portion container 3 is shown in an open position, with a single portion 1 located within a container portion 31 of the portion container.

[0143] Figures 21 to 22 Different side sectional views of a part container 3 with a single part 1 located therein are shown in an open position and a closed position.

[0144] According to a significant feature, the single portion 1 has a volume shape and dimensions similar to those of the collection space provided by the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32 .

[0145] This feature is advantageous for maximizing the use of the available volume within the portion container 3 , in particular for edible substances containing individual portions 1 .

[0146] The single part 1 can have a peripheral wall portion arranged at a relatively horizontal position, so that the single part 1 can be placed on a supporting step of the container part 31 which is configured as a container sealing portion 34 using the peripheral wall portion, wherein the container sealing portion 34 is preferably configured with an elastically deformable material, whereby most but not all of the beverage precursor substance is provided in the downstream portion of the container sealing portion 34.

[0147] The single part 1 can define an edible substance collection space having a volume shape and volume dimensions similar to the volume shape and dimensions of the collection space provided by the container part 31 and the cover part 32, whereby a beverage flow distribution device 36 is provided on the bottom area of ​​the container part 31, which is upstream of the beverage discharge outlet arranged on the base wall 312 and is in flow communication with it, so that the outer surface of the single part 1 is in direct contact with the guide wall 321 of the cover part 32 on the upstream side, and in direct contact with the beverage flow distribution device 36 arranged on the base wall 312 of the container part 31 on the downstream side.

[0148] The single portion 1 can define an edible substance collection space having a volumetric shape and size similar to the volumetric shape and size of the collection space provided by the container portion 31 and the cover portion 32, so that its top area contacts the convex inner surface of the guide wall 321 of the cover portion 32, and thereby the portion of the volume of the single portion 1 occupied by the edible substance extends within the volume defined by the cover portion 32 upstream of the container sealing portion 34.

[0149] In this embodiment, the larger volume portion of the single part 1 extends downstream of the interface area between the container part 31 and the cover part 32, and the smaller volume portion extends upstream, and its outer surface is adjacent to or in contact with the inner surface provided by the container part 31 and the cover part 32, and optionally also in contact with the beverage flow distribution device 36 provided on the base wall 312.

[0150] The individual parts 1 can be configured such that, within the closed part container 3 , in a non-flow state, they can be pressed downwards by the convex inner surface of the flow guide wall 321 .

[0151] Figure 23 and Figure 24 Two specific moments in the beverage preparation method according to the invention are indicated.

[0152] Figures 25 to 28 A second embodiment of the portion container 3 is shown, in which the flow guide wall 321 has a flat configuration that is not recessed relative to the top wall of the individual portion 1 .

[0153] In this case, the single part 1 has a cover part and a container part, wherein the cover part comprises a planar disc-shaped top wall which can be coplanarly coupled to a rim area so that all edible matter can be confined below said top wall and the corresponding rim area.

[0154] In this case, the beverage flow distribution device 36 is provided as a circular plate (preferably of metal or synthetic material) having a plurality of adjacent flow discharge openings and adapted to be retained on an internally oriented portion of the base wall of the partial container 3, e.g. by a press fit, and in flow communication with its flow outlet.

Claims

1. A portion container for receiving a single portion (1), said single portion comprising a compostable and permeable restriction for collecting a given amount of a beverage precursor substance, said portion container (3) comprising: - a container portion (31) having a side wall (311) and a base wall (312), wherein the side wall (311) has an upstream side wall portion (3111) and a downstream side wall portion (3112); and a cover portion (32) having a flow guide wall (321) with a flow channel (33), wherein the cover portion (32) has a cover sealing portion (35) arranged on a downstream-oriented peripheral free edge of the cover portion (32), The container portion and the cover portion together define a collecting space extending at least downstream of a peripheral interface region between the container portion (31) and the cover portion (32), The cover part (32) is hingedly connected to the container part (31) at the periphery by means of a cover connection device (6) so as to be operable into a closed position in which the individual parts (1) are confined within the collecting space. The container portion (31) is adapted to be held by a container holding device (7) in a partial receiving portion (41) of an extraction device (4), the partial receiving portion (41) being manually held and operable in a withdrawable manner to an operating position engaging with a flow supply portion (42) of the extraction device (4), and wherein the container portion (31) has a container sealing portion (34) for providing a liquid-tight seal of the partial container (3) in the closed position, the container sealing portion (34) being configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step that provides an upstream-oriented support surface for the rim portion of the single portion (1) and also provides a support surface for the downstream-oriented peripheral free edge of the cover portion (32), so as to provide a sealing engagement between the container sealing portion (34) and the cover sealing portion (35) when the partial container (3) is closed, the downstream-oriented peripheral free edge being configured as the cover sealing portion (35), wherein the downstream side wall portion (3112) is recessed inwardly relative to the upstream side wall portion (3111), and the container retaining device (7) is arranged on a laterally oriented recessed portion relative to the downstream side wall portion (3112), and wherein the container retaining device (7) extends through a peripheral transition area between the upstream side wall portion (3111) and the downstream side wall portion (3112) to form the container sealing portion (34).

2. The partial container according to claim 1, characterized in that The lid sealing portion (35) has a downstream oriented peripheral nut, wherein the lid sealing portion (35) is configured to be seated on the container sealing portion (34) under pressure to provide a sealing engagement between the container sealing portion (34) and the lid sealing portion (35) when the partial container (3) is closed.

3. The partial container according to claim 1, wherein: The container portion (31) supports the container sealing portion (34), the container sealing portion (34) is provided with an elastically deformable material, and The cover sealing portion (35) is made of the same material as the rest of the cover portion (32).

4. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container portion (31) and the lid portion (32) have respective lid retaining means (314, 324) configured to provide user-operable mechanical retention of the lid portion (32) on the container portion (31), wherein the lid retaining means (314, 324) are not arranged proximate to an articulated connection of the lid portion (32) and the container portion (31).

5. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container sealing portion (34) and the lid sealing portion (35) are respectively arranged in mutually opposing regions and are adapted so that the lid sealing portion (35) rests on the container sealing portion (34) along a continuous peripheral extension under a closing actuation pressure in the closed position of the partial container (3), wherein the closing actuation pressure can be provided by at least one of: - pressurized engagement of the top region of the cover portion (32) with the flow supply portion (42) of the extraction device (4); - Pressurized engagement of the lid retaining means (324) corresponding to the closed position of the partial container (3).

6. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container portion (31) and the cover portion (32) have cover retaining means (314, 324), which are configured to provide mechanical retention of the cover portion (32) on the container portion (31) by a user applying pressure on a peripheral portion of a top area of ​​the cover portion (32) sufficient to drive the cover retaining means (324) of the cover portion (32) over the cover retaining means (314) of the container portion (31), wherein the cover retaining means (314, 324) are configured to provide mechanical retention of the cover portion (32) on the container portion (31) even when the partial container (3) is not engaged with the flow supply portion of the extraction device.

7. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container portion (31) and the cover portion (32) have respective cover retaining means (314, 324) configured to resist upwardly acting hydraulic pressure accumulated within the confined space of the partial receptacle (3) in connection with fluid injection.

8. The partial container according to claim 7, characterized in that The cover holding device (314, 324) is configured to provide holding and releasing thereof through a user's gesture and pressure, and to provide a tactile perception thereof to the user.

9. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container part (31) and the cover part (32) have cover holding devices (314, 324), which are arranged opposite to the cover connecting device (6) to provide mutually opposed mechanical holding of the cover part (32) of the partial container (3).

10. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container portion (31) and the cover portion (32) have a cover retaining device (314, 324), which is configured as a local embossed portion on the inner surface of the container portion (31), and the local embossed portion is operatively aligned with the flat outer portion of the collar-shaped flow restricting wall (322) of the cover portion (32), so that the cover portion (32) can be maintained in a closed position, wherein the cover sealing portion (35) is pressed downwardly on the container sealing portion (34).

11. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container sealing portion (34) and the container holding device (7) are provided by a material having similar elastic properties, the material extending continuously from the container holding device (7) to the container sealing portion (34), The cover connecting device (6) and the container holding device (7) are provided as a single component or a single piece together with the container portion (31) and the cover portion (32) by means of two-material injection molding.

12. Partial container according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The downstream side wall portion (3112) is also recessed inwardly relative to the outwardly extending portion of the base wall (312), and The container sealing portion (34) is configured as an inwardly extending peripheral step provided with an elastically deformable material, wherein the container sealing portion (34) is provided upstream of the downstream side wall portion (3112) and on the inner side of the upstream side wall portion (3111).

13. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The cover portion (32) has a collar-shaped flow restriction wall (322) extending laterally along the peripheral area of ​​the flow guide wall (321), and the cover portion (32) includes or supports at least one of the following: - lid connection means (6; 61, 62) arranged at a first peripheral area of ​​the lid portion (32) and providing a pivotal connection to the container portion (31); - a cover retaining device (324) arranged at a second peripheral area of ​​the cover portion (32), the second peripheral area being opposite to the first peripheral area; - said cover sealing portion (35) extending along a common downstream-oriented peripheral edge with said flow guide wall (321).

14. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The downstream side wall portion (3112) supports a container retaining device (7) adapted to retain the container portion (31) in a press fit within the portion receiving portion (41), and The cover portion (32) has a collar-shaped flow-restricting wall (322) extending laterally around a flow-guiding wall (321) extending transversely to a main flow direction.

15. The partial container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The container retaining device (7) is configured as an injection molded component, which extends through a peripheral transition area between the upstream side wall portion (3111) and the downstream side wall portion (3112), thereby forming a material connection (61) of the cover connecting device (6), and the material connection provides a hinged connection between the cover portion (32) and the container portion (31) at the peripheral area of ​​the cover portion (32) and the container portion (31).

16. The partial container according to claim 3, characterized in that The container sealing portion (34) is provided with a material different from that of the container portion (31).

17. The partial container according to claim 3, characterized in that The cover sealing portion (35) is made of a non-elastic rigid material.

18. The partial container according to claim 4, characterized in that The lid retaining means (314, 324) is configured as a local embossed portion of the inner surface of the container portion (31), which is operatively aligned with the flat outer portion of the collar-shaped flow restricting wall (322) of the lid portion (32), thereby enabling the lid portion (32) to be maintained in a closed position and the lid sealing portion (35) to be pressed downwardly onto the container sealing portion (34).

19. The partial container according to claim 5, characterized in that The container sealing portion (34) and the lid sealing portion (35) are respectively provided in a downstream-oriented base region and an upstream-oriented inwardly extending step.

20. The partial container according to claim 6, characterized in that The lid retaining means (314, 324) is configured to also require a user to apply pressure to release the lid portion (32) from the container portion (31).

21. The partial container according to claim 9, characterized in that The cover holding means (314, 324) is arranged opposite to connection holding means (621, 622) associated with the cover connection means (6) of the cover portion (32) and the container portion (31).

22. The partial container according to claim 9, characterized in that The retainers are configured to be actuated collectively.

23. The partial container according to claim 11, characterized in that The container sealing portion (34) and the container holding device (7) are made of the same material.

24. A system for preparing beverages, comprising a portion container (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that The system further comprises a beverage preparation device (5) comprising the extraction device (4) and a pressurized flow device located upstream of the extraction device (4) so ​​that a pressurized fluid can flow in a main flow direction through the extraction device (4), the portion container (3) and the individual portions (1) located in the portion container (3).

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