Cartridge for providing a liquid product, system for providing a liquid product, and method of using the system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single-use or disposable cartridge, wherein the cartridge is provided with a capsule (2) in the form of a sealed reservoir. The reservoir is defined by a capsule body (5) that allows the use of multiple layers of material. The cartridge, more particularly the capsule body of the cartridge, can thereby be provided with barrier properties suitable for the ingredients to be held in the reservoir. In this way, the cartridge is configured to provide a capsule for holding an ingredient, more particularly a sealed reservoir, which capsule has barrier properties suitable for the specific base ingredient to be held in the reservoir.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for providing a liquid product and a method of providing such a cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Cartridges for providing liquid products are known, for example one such cartridge is disclosed in WO 2016081480. This document discloses a disposable cartridge filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, in particular a beverage base to be mixed with carbonated water to prepare a beverage.

[0003] The cartridge is provided with a dispensing channel having an outlet orifice for dispensing the base liquid, located near the central channel outlet. The cartridge enables the liquid ingredient and base liquid to be dispensed in parallel streams. Actual mixing of the liquid ingredient and base liquid occurs only after both are dispensed.

[0004] The barrel is particularly suitable for production by injection molding, which allows a simple and fast production process.

[0005] One disadvantage of injection-molded cartridges is that the barrier properties of injection-molded plastics are not optimal for all food products. Furthermore, injection molding techniques are difficult to integrate with products comprising multiple layers of material (i.e., products having walls comprising multiple layers of different materials). Consequently, the injection molding process is not optimal for providing cartridges with a barrier product having a reservoir and employing ingredients specifically designed for the ingredients contained within the reservoir.

[0006] US2010064899 discloses a cartridge for preparing coffee. The cartridge includes a cartridge body defining a reservoir and a top seal that seals the reservoir's inlet. Coffee grounds are packaged in the reservoir in an aroma-impermeable and moisture-proof manner. The top seal is pierced to allow water to enter the reservoir. To allow the coffee to flow from the reservoir, an external piercing device is used to pierce the bottom of the capsule.

[0007] The capsule body can be produced by deep-pressing a laminate, allowing the cartridge to be given barrier properties tailored to the product contained within the capsule. However, the cartridge design is relatively simple, i.e., it does not include a dispensing channel or groove to guide the flow of the liquid, but rather a simple outflow opening. Furthermore, an external piercing device is required to open the reservoir. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide an alternative cartridge for providing liquid products, in particular a cartridge for providing beverage products by dispensing a base liquid and a liquid ingredient in parallel streams. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cartridge, i.e., one that completely eliminates or significantly reduces one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a cartridge comprising a multi-layer capsule body having a wall comprising multiple layers of different materials for containing the liquid ingredient.

[0009] One or more of the above objects are achieved by providing a cartridge as claimed in claim 1 .

[0010] The cartridge for providing a liquid product of the present invention comprises:

[0011] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example, a beverage base to be mixed with water (e.g., carbonated water) to prepare a beverage, wherein the sealed capsule comprises:

[0012] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0013] wherein the wall of the capsule body preferably comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties;

[0014] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0015] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0016] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an aperture or a pierceable bottom area; and

[0017] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner sealing surface and the outer sealing surface and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening,

[0018] The cartridge further comprises:

[0019] - a nozzle for directing a base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for distributing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0020] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle, the nozzle being received in the cavity of the column, and

[0021] The nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position.

[0022] According to the claimed invention, the cartridge comprises a capsule body having an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom wall, the capsule body defining an annular reservoir between these walls.Thus, the capsule body is of a simple shape.

[0023] The inner wall of the capsule body forms a cylinder. The capsule is configured such that the top end of the cylinder can be pushed downward relative to the outer wall of the capsule. The barrel is configured such that such movement of the top end of the cylinder opens the capsule, more specifically, causes the seal to be removed and / or the bottom region to be pierced.

[0024] The capsule body having a simple shape allows the wall of the capsule to be constructed of multiple layers of material and thereby allows the capsule body to achieve improved barrier properties at a very low cost.

[0025] The simple shape of the capsule body allows for the addition of a barrier layer, for example by laminating a foil material with improved barrier properties onto the capsule body. Additionally, materials can be added by spraying to improve the barrier properties of the capsule body.

[0026] Furthermore, the simple shape of the capsule body is suitable for provision by thermoforming.Thermoforming allows the use of laminated materials, thereby providing a capsule body with improved barrier properties at a very low cost.

[0027] Thus, the cartridge includes a capsule in the form of a sealed reservoir for containing the ingredient. The reservoir (more specifically, the capsule body) is configured to comprise multiple layers of different materials to impart barrier properties appropriate for the specific base ingredient to be retained in the reservoir. For example, a double-walled capsule body can be provided by thermoforming using a sheet comprising layers of polyethylene and polypropylene. This multi-layered wall, combined with a seal that seals the reservoir opening and, optionally, the reservoir outlet, forms a capsule for containing the liquid ingredient that isolates the liquid ingredient from its environment and prevents, or at least reduces, migration of the ingredient from the reservoir.

[0028] The capsule body has a central cylinder with a top end that can be pushed downward to open the capsule. The downward movement of the top end of the cylinder pulls the outflow orifice and the bottom seal apart from each other, or causes the bottom piercing member to pierce the pierceable area at the outflow orifice.

[0029] Thus, a simple pushing motion can open the capsule and allow the use of the liquid ingredient.Thus, there is no need to use an external piercing device to open the capsule.

[0030] The cartridge of the claimed invention is preferably a single-use or disposable cartridge, that is, the contents of the cartridge are used to provide a single beverage. After the cartridge is emptied, it can be discarded by the user.

[0031] The cartridge is configured to include limited amounts of different materials to enable the materials to be recovered after the cartridge has been used. It is believed that this design of the cartridge allows the capsule body to include barrier properties with respect to the liquid ingredient to be stored in the capsule's reservoir, while still enabling the cartridge, and in particular the capsule body, to be recovered.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder, i.e., the inner peripheral wall is configured to buckle when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwardly toward the bottom end of the cylinder. The cylinder wall is provided with, for example, an annular buckling portion comprising a web consisting of a triangular area that promotes localized collapse of the cylinder.

[0033] In such embodiments, a movable nozzle or a movable bottom piercing member is provided to pull the bottom seal away from the outflow orifice, or to pierce the bottom wall to provide the outflow orifice.

[0034] Since the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder, only a portion of the capsule body needs to be moved to open the capsule. Therefore, the remaining portion of the capsule body can be designed to be harder, which can provide an impact-resistant capsule body.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the column is a movable column, ie the bottom wall has an annular flexible bottom surrounding the column, such that the column can be moved downwardly from an initial position to a lowered operational position relative to the peripheral wall.

[0036] In such an embodiment, a bottom seal is provided within the reservoir. The bottom seal has an inner end that seals the outflow orifice and an outer end that is fixed in position relative to the peripheral wall. By moving the inner section of the bottom wall (including the outflow orifice) downward relative to the peripheral wall, the top end of the cylinder can be moved relative to the peripheral wall to trigger the peeling of the bottom seal from the outflow orifice.

[0037] The present invention also provides a cartridge having a cylindrical body fixed therein, wherein a nozzle is disposed within the fixed cylindrical body. The nozzle is movable relative to the cylindrical body from a raised, passive position to a lowered, dispensing position. With such a cartridge, the nozzle can be pushed downward to open the capsule. The downward movement of the nozzle pulls a bottom seal away from a discharge orifice at the bottom of the capsule body.

[0038] According to the claimed invention, the capsule includes an inner wall and an outer wall (i.e., an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall), and a bottom wall extending between the bottom ends of the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder. The top ends of the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall form sealing surfaces for attaching a top seal to the capsule body.

[0039] Pushing down on the top of the post causes the nozzle to be pushed down as well.

[0040] In one embodiment, the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder, i.e., the inner peripheral wall is configured to flex when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwardly toward the bottom end of the cylinder. In one embodiment, the cartridge is configured to cooperate with a dispensing device, particularly a feed boom of the dispensing device for dispensing water. In such an embodiment, the feed boom engages the top end of the cylinder and can also partially penetrate the passageway of the cylinder.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the column is a movable column, ie the bottom wall has an annular flexible bottom surrounding the column, such that the column can be moved downwardly from an initial position to a lowered operational position relative to the peripheral wall.

[0042] The one or more outflow openings or pierceable areas for forming outflow openings are preferably provided on the inner peripheral wall, or at least spaced apart from the outer wall, especially when the bottom wall is a flexible wall enabling movement of the cylinder relative to the outer wall.

[0043] In another embodiment, the cylinder is configured to both flex and move as a whole. In such an embodiment, pushing the top end of the cylinder downward first causes the cylinder to flex and move the top end of the cylinder downward while the bottom end of the cylinder is stationary relative to the outer wall of the capsule, which then causes the bottom end of the cylinder to also move downward.

[0044] In one embodiment, the top end of the column directly engages with the top end of the nozzle, or engages with the top end of the nozzle after moving an initial distance, so that the top end and the nozzle move downward together.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle is fixed to the bottom wall of the capsule, or to the bottom of the cylinder. In such an embodiment, the cylinder is a movable cylinder.

[0046] The nozzle is configured to combine the flow of water dispensed through the capsule with the flow of ingredients released from the reservoir. Furthermore, by providing a nozzle, the feed bar can dispense water through it without coming into contact with the ingredients. Therefore, there is no need to clean the nozzle. Furthermore, there is no risk of cross-contamination between different capsules (i.e., ingredients from one cartridge mixing with ingredients from a previous one).

[0047] The nozzle comprises a central channel directing a flow of water.Preferably, the cartridge is configured to dispense ingredient from the reservoir along the outside of the channel so that ingredient and water are dispensed as parallel streams beneath the nozzle.

[0048] The nozzle is received in the cylinder and is movable relative to the peripheral wall.

[0049] In one embodiment, the nozzle is fixed to the cylinder and moves relative to the peripheral wall together with a part of the cylinder. For example, in one embodiment, the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder, and the nozzle is coupled to the top end of the cylinder.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder is a movable cylinder (ie, coupled to a flexible bottom) and thereby movable as a whole relative to the outer wall. In such an embodiment, the nozzle may be fixed to the bottom end of the cylinder, or to the bottom wall of the capsule.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle can be moved in the channel of the column, that is, moved relative to the column. In such an embodiment, the nozzle is, for example, placed in the column and supported in the column by a bottom seal.

[0052] The nozzle is configured to receive a water flow at its tip, such as a water flow distributed by a feed boom. In one embodiment, the nozzle is configured to couple with the feed boom when the feed boom is inserted into the column. In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle is configured to receive the water flow without being connected to the feed boom. In such an embodiment, the nozzle may have a funnel-shaped tip for receiving the water flow.

[0053] In one embodiment, the nozzle is provided with an internal guide plane extending perpendicular to the inner surface of the nozzle's channel and parallel to the direction of the water flow dispensed by the nozzle, to minimize turbulence during water dispensing. This allows the water flow to merge with the parallel flow of the liquid ingredient, and the water is more effectively enriched with carbon dioxide. Preferably, the planes extend through the channel and intersect at its center. In one embodiment, two intersecting guide planes are provided, and in a cross-sectional view of the channel, the two planes form an X-shape.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge is provided with a guide member disposed below the bottom of the capsule body and configured to receive the liquid ingredient dispensed from the reservoir and guide the liquid ingredient to the nozzle, more specifically, to the base liquid stream, such as water, dispensed from the nozzle, so as to dispense the liquid ingredient stream parallel to and preferably adjacent to the water stream dispensed through the nozzle.

[0055] In one embodiment, the nozzle comprises a flange and a bottom seal, which together serve as guide members for guiding the liquid ingredient.

[0056] In such an embodiment, the bottom seal seals to the nozzle at one end and to the bottom wall of the capsule at an opposite end. Between these two ends, the seal covers the at least one outflow opening of the reservoir. Initially, the seal also seals to the bottom wall of the capsule body around the outflow opening of the reservoir, thereby sealing the reservoir outlet.

[0057] In such an embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of the nozzle out of the passage of the cylinder of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls one end of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0058] The seal, which is still sealed to the bottom of the capsule at one end and to the nozzle at the opposite end, then acts as a guide or funnel that receives the liquid ingredient dispensed from the reservoir and then guides the liquid ingredient to the outlet of the nozzle (i.e., the opening for dispensing the base liquid) so that the liquid ingredient can be dispensed parallel to and adjacent to the stream of the base liquid.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, the capsule is provided with a guide member fixed to the bottom wall of the capsule.In one embodiment, the guide member is an injection molded part.

[0060] When the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position, the guide member is configured to receive the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet toward and below the bottom opening of the cylinder, so as to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the nozzle outlet. Thus, by providing the guide body, the reservoir outlet can be spaced apart from the base liquid stream, while the ingredient can be dispensed along the base liquid stream, preferably adhering to the base liquid stream. This is particularly beneficial when the cartridge is used in a dispensing device that utilizes pressurized gas (e.g., air) to propel the liquid ingredient (e.g., syrup) from the reservoir to mix with a base liquid (e.g., carbonated water). In such a system, the pressurized gas ejected from the reservoir outlet can be ejected along with the last bit of the liquid ingredient. If the reservoir outlet is located near the nozzle (especially near the base liquid stream), the injection of pressurized gas may disrupt the flow of the base liquid. Especially when the base liquid is a carbonated water stream, this disturbance of the liquid flow can reduce the carbon dioxide content in the liquid flow.

[0061] The guide member has a fixed shape. For example, in one embodiment, the guide member includes a guide member body. The guide member body includes a guide surface for guiding the liquid ingredient and a central opening for receiving the bottom end of the nozzle. Furthermore, the guide member body is provided with one or more sealing areas, such as flanges extending along the periphery of the guide member, at which the guide member body is sealed to the bottom wall of the capsule body.

[0062] It is contemplated that the guide member body may be secured to the capsule body, for example by heat sealing or other techniques, such as by clamping a flange of the guide member body behind a rib or protrusion formed in the bottom wall of the capsule.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the central opening of the guide member is in line with the nozzle and is sized such that the bottom end of the nozzle is received in the guide opening when the nozzle is lowered relative to the outer wall of the capsule, and one or more orifices are present between the nozzle and the body of the guide member for dispensing the liquid ingredient at the nozzle.

[0064] Compared to the seal of the previous example, such a guide member is preferably a harder component, for example having a hardness similar to or harder than the capsule body.

[0065] In another embodiment, the guide member is fixed to the nozzle, preferably is an integral part of the nozzle. In such an embodiment, the guide member moves together with the nozzle, rather than being fixed to the bottom wall of the capsule body.

[0066] In one embodiment, the guide member is fixed to the bottom wall of the capsule body and is configured to position and support the nozzle in the channel of the column. In this configuration, the capsule is provided with a flexible bottom that enables the column and the nozzle received therein to be pushed downward relative to the periphery of the capsule.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the guide member is configured to remove the bottom seal from the reservoir outlet.In such an embodiment, the guide member is attached to the bottom of the capsule at or near the peripheral wall such that the guide member is in a fixed position relative to the peripheral wall.

[0068] When the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position, a guide member extends from below the at least one reservoir outlet for receiving liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet toward and below the bottom opening of the column to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet of the nozzle.

[0069] Furthermore, the guide member is provided with a rib element extending in an upward direction towards a bottom seal attached to the bottom of the capsule body and to a nozzle fixed in a movable cylinder such that a gap exists near the nozzle, which gap is covered by the seal extending between the reservoir outlet and the nozzle.

[0070] When the cylinder is moved to the lowered operating position, the rib element engages the bottom seal and is received in the gap. The seal, which is fixed to the nozzle and releasably attached to the bottom of the capsule (more specifically, the capsule body), is pulled loose from the bottom of the capsule body and partially pushed into the gap by the rib element. The rib element thus pulls the bottom seal away from the reservoir outlet, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet and, thereby, out of the reservoir and capsule.

[0071] In one embodiment, the capsule is provided with a diamond-shaped seal. In such an embodiment, the capsule body is provided with two outflow openings in its bottom wall, which are arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder and have a diamond-shaped bottom seal.

[0072] The bottom seal has a central opening through which the bottom end of the nozzle can extend. The seal seals to the bottom of the capsule body at its periphery and to the flange of the nozzle along the central opening of the seal. The seal also seals to the bottom wall of the capsule body around the reservoir outflow orifice.

[0073] In such an embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of the nozzle out of the passage of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls the center of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0074] The seal then seals to the bottom of the capsule at its peripheral edge and to the nozzle along its central opening, serving as a guide for dispensing the liquid ingredient from the reservoir. The seal guides the liquid ingredient to the outlet of the nozzle (i.e., the opening for dispensing water) so that the liquid ingredient can be dispensed parallel to and adjacent to the water flow.

[0075] In such an embodiment, the nozzle is preferably provided with a flange at its bottom end which provides an attachment surface for a seal and a dispensing orifice adjacent the central passage of the nozzle for dispensing the liquid ingredient parallel to the flow of water dispensed through the passage of the nozzle.

[0076] It is believed that the diamond shape of the seal, combined with the two outflow openings of the reservoir, makes the seal an optimal guide for the liquid ingredient. This diamond shape creates a guide channel through the seal that leads from below the reservoir outflow openings to the nozzle. The surface of the seal is inclined toward the center of the guide channel and the nozzle. As a result, all the liquid ingredient is directed toward the dispensing opening, and the risk of liquid ingredient remaining in the guide channel (i.e., undispensed) is reduced.

[0077] In one embodiment, the bottom seal is located inside the reservoir.In such an embodiment, the capsule is provided with a flexible bottom, more particularly a cylinder movably supported by the bottom wall of the capsule.

[0078] The bottom wall of the capsule body is preferably provided with a corrugated portion, thereby locally providing flexibility to the bottom wall so that the inner portion of the bottom wall can be pushed downward relative to the protruding portion of the bottom wall. In addition, the corrugated portion preferably provides some additional extension to the bottom wall so that the inner portion of the bottom wall can be pulled away from the outer portion of the bottom wall when the inner portion of the bottom wall is pushed downward relative to the outer portion of the bottom wall.

[0079] Furthermore, in such embodiments, the seal extends from the outer peripheral side of the bottom wall (i.e., the outer portion of the bottom wall at the outer wall of the capsule) to the inner peripheral side of the bottom wall (i.e., the inner portion of the bottom wall at the inner peripheral wall of the capsule body).

[0080] Outside the periphery, the seal is fixed to the core body or the capsule body in the capsule, such as the bottom wall and / or the outer wall.

[0081] Inside the periphery, a seal covers the at least one outflow aperture of the reservoir and is sealed to the bottom wall of the capsule to seal the at least one outflow aperture.

[0082] In such an embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing the cylinder of the capsule body downwardly relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls the bottom wall away from the seal, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0083] It can be considered that in such an embodiment, the bottom wall is not only configured to enable the cylinder to be pushed downward, but also has a buffer area (e.g., a corrugated portion) in which the bottom wall is free of the seal and is spaced relative to the seal. This buffer area allows the bottom wall, or at least the inner portion of the bottom wall provided with the outflow orifice, to move a longer distance than the inner end of the seal, thereby ensuring that the bottom wall, or at least a portion thereof, is indeed pulled away from the seal at least at the outflow orifice by moving the cylinder downward.

[0084] In another embodiment, a core is provided in the reservoir, which provides a sealing area for the seal at the peripheral wall, and the core area at least partially separates the seal from the bottom wall, thereby allowing the bottom wall to be pulled away from the seal at least at the outflow orifice.

[0085] The capsule body is provided with a top seal which seals to the top ends of the outer and inner walls of the capsule (ie, the top end of the cylinder).

[0086] The top sealing membrane is configured to be pierced or ruptured, thereby enabling pressurized gas to enter the reservoir to facilitate dispensing of the liquid ingredient through the one or more outflow orifices of the reservoir.

[0087] Preferably, the top sealing membrane is configured to be pierced or ruptured by pushing the top end of the cylinder downwardly against the outer wall of the capsule.

[0088] In one embodiment, the capsule is provided with a piercing element located within the reservoir for piercing the top seal from within the reservoir. Additionally, or alternatively, the seal may be provided with a score line to facilitate tearing of the seal in specific areas. In one embodiment, pushing downward on the top end of the post creates tension in the top seal, causing it to rupture.

[0089] In another embodiment, the top seal ruptures under pressure applied locally by a blunt portion of a dome member of the dispenser receiving the cartridge to dispense the beverage. In such an embodiment, one or more top seal rupturing projections are provided on the bottom side of the dome member for engaging with the top seal. Thus, when the dome member is lowered onto the cartridge, the one or more top seal rupturing projections engage and rupture the top seal.

[0090] In one embodiment, the bottom side of the dome member is further provided with one or more capsule stabilizing members, which are inserted into the inlet opening of the capsule body before the top seal is opened. The stabilizing members are located at or near the top of the peripheral wall to prevent the peripheral wall from being pulled inward by the inwardly pulled top seal when the top of the cylinder is pushed downward.

[0091] In one embodiment, the stabilizing member is a ring concentric with the access opening and capable of supporting the peripheral wall along its entire circumference. In another embodiment, for example, two stabilizing fingers are provided on opposite sides of the cylindrical body of the cartridge to be opened (e.g., arranged at the three and nine o'clock positions), and two tensioning members are provided on opposite sides of the cylindrical body for tensioning the top seal to tear it open (e.g., arranged at the twelve and six o'clock positions). It should be noted that when the two tensioning members are used to stress the top seal until it ruptures, these members tend to pull the two opposite sides of the peripheral wall inward. To prevent this from occurring, stabilizing fingers are provided to support the two opposite sides, thereby maintaining the shape of the cartridge.

[0092] It can be seen that placing the capsule stabilizing member in the capsule access opening before opening the top seal can also tension the top seal, but to a lesser extent than that required to tear the top seal apart.

[0093] In one embodiment, a core member is disposed within the reservoir of the capsule body. The core member can be configured to serve as a base for securing one end of a bottom seal, also disposed within the reservoir. In such an embodiment, the core member is provided with one or more sealing areas for securing the seal. In another embodiment, the core member can be provided with a piercing element for piercing the top seal from within the reservoir, thereby providing an orifice in the top seal to enable pressurized gas to flow within the reservoir and facilitate the flow of liquid ingredients out of the reservoir. In another embodiment, the core member provides both a sealing surface for securing the outer end of the bottom seal and a piercing element for piercing the top seal.

[0094] In one embodiment, the barrel is provided with a piercing member for piercing the bottom of the capsule. The bottom piercing member is arranged in the reservoir and is movable at least relative to the outer wall of the capsule.

[0095] Preferably, the bottom piercing member engages with the top end of the column so that when the activation surface of the bottom piercing member is pushed downwards, the top end of the column moves therewith and the column collapses. Preferably, the column guides the bottom piercing member downwards.

[0096] In one embodiment, the bottom piercing element comprises two or more piercing members, which are preferably arranged at equal intervals around the cylinder, wherein each piercing member is located above a pierceable bottom area, for example above a larger pierceable bottom area or above multiple pierceable bottom areas.

[0097] In one embodiment, the bottom piercing member further comprises a top seal piercing element and / or a top seal pulling element.

[0098] The present invention also provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0099] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example a beverage base to be mixed with water (for example carbonated water) to prepare a beverage,

[0100] The sealed capsule comprises:

[0101] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0102] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0103] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a compressible cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0104] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and a peripheral sealing surface and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outflow orifice are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall, wherein the orifice sealing surface is located between the peripheral sealing surface and the bottom opening of the cylinder;

[0105] - a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner and outer sealing surfaces and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening; and

[0106] - a bottom seal releasably sealable to the orifice sealing surface, thereby hermetically sealing the reservoir outlet, and secured to the peripheral sealing surface, and;

[0107] The cartridge further comprises:

[0108] a nozzle received in the cavity for directing a flow of base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0109] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle,

[0110] wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position,

[0111] wherein the nozzle further comprises a flange at a bottom end, the flange having a sealing surface for a bottom seal and having at least one dispensing orifice penetrating the flange near or at the outlet for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet,

[0112] wherein the bottom seal is fixed to a sealing surface of the nozzle and, when the nozzle is moved to the dispensing position (preferably by compressing the cylinder), the nozzle pulls the bottom seal away from the orifice in the bottom wall of the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir, and

[0113] When the nozzle is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface of the bottom of the capsule and the sealing surface of the nozzle, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient to flow along the bottom seal from the orifice of the bottom of the capsule to the dispensing orifice of the nozzle.

[0114] In one embodiment, the top seal is a sealing film covering the reservoir, which is preferably provided with one or more pre-formed score lines (e.g., formed partially through the thickness of the film by laser processing or other means), and when the body is pressed inwardly (e.g., downwardly) to the dispensing position, the one or more pre-formed score lines are broken to provide the one or more openings.

[0115] In one embodiment, the bottom seal is a sealing membrane, and the one or more reservoir outlets are initially sealed by the bottom sealing membrane of the cartridge, for example, the bottom sealing membrane is the only closure component of the one or more outflow openings, wherein movement of the cylinder to its lowered dispensing position causes the bottom sealing membrane of the cartridge to form a guide surface for directing the liquid ingredient dispensed from the one or more reservoir outlets initially sealed by the bottom sealing membrane to the nozzle, thereby enabling the liquid ingredient to be dispensed from the cartridge via the nozzle.

[0116] In such an embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of the nozzle out of the cylinder of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls the center of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0117] In one embodiment, pushing the top of the cylinder downward to move the nozzle to the dispensing position first tears the bottom seal from the orifice sealing surface, thereby opening the outflow orifice, and only then opens the top seal (e.g., by providing sufficient tension in the top seal to cause it to tear apart), for example, by pushing the top seal downward at a preformed score line and / or by pushing the top seal downwardly on the body (e.g., a blunt portion of the dome). Thus, before the top seal is fully pushed down, the liquid ingredient can flow freely from the reservoir, which prevents pressure from building up in the reservoir due to pushing the top seal downwardly by moving the top of the cylinder downward. This, in turn, reduces the chance of the liquid ingredient being explosively expelled from the reservoir when the bottom seal is pulled away from the outflow orifice to open the sealed capsule.

[0118] Preferably, the bottom sealing film has a pre-formed hole aligned with the outlet of the nozzle for dispensing the base liquid. The sealing film is sealed to the nozzle along the periphery of the pre-formed hole, preferably to the flange of the nozzle.

[0119] In one embodiment, the top seal and the bottom seal are multi-layer sealing films, the seals comprising multiple layers of different materials.

[0120] In one embodiment, the capsule is provided with an oval or diamond-shaped bottom seal, and the capsule body is provided with two outflow openings in its bottom wall, which are arranged on opposite sides of the cylindrical body. Preferably, the oval or diamond-shaped seal has a longitudinal axis and a shorter transverse axis, and the outflow openings are located above the longitudinal axis. This configuration is optimal for providing a guide or funnel after the bottom seal is pulled away from the reservoir, which receives the liquid ingredient dispensed from the reservoir and then guides the liquid ingredient to the liquid ingredient dispensing orifice provided in the nozzle for dispensing the liquid ingredient at the nozzle outlet (i.e., the opening for dispensing the base liquid), such that the liquid ingredient is dispensed through the liquid ingredient dispensing orifice parallel to and adjacent to the base liquid flow.

[0121] In one embodiment, the capsule body is provided with a shoulder (i.e., a recess) along the periphery of the bottom wall (i.e., at the transition from the peripheral wall of the capsule body to the bottom wall) to provide additional rigidity to the capsule in this area, thereby supporting the bottom seal when the capsule is stretched by the nozzle when it is lowered into the dispensing position and preventing the capsule from being pulled out of the mold by the nozzle stretching the bottom seal. This is particularly advantageous when the bottom seal is rectangular (i.e., oval or diamond-shaped) and the load exerted on the capsule body by the stretched bottom seal is unevenly distributed along the bottom wall.

[0122] The bottom seal has a central opening through which the bottom end of the nozzle can extend. The seal seals to the bottom of the capsule body at its periphery and to the flange of the nozzle along the central opening of the seal. The seal also seals to the bottom wall of the capsule body around the reservoir outflow orifice.

[0123] In such an embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of the nozzle out of the cylinder of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls the center of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0124] In one embodiment, the nozzle (preferably the flange of the nozzle) and the bottom sealing membrane together act as a guide member to direct the liquid ingredient from the one or more reservoir outlets to the nozzle when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position.

[0125] In one embodiment, the capsule body is made of a multilayer material, preferably thermoformed from a single piece of multilayer material, such that the capsule wall comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties. In one embodiment, the multilayer material comprises at least one layer of EVOH material and / or stretched PP material.

[0126] In one embodiment, the top seal and / or the bottom seal is a sealing film, preferably a multilayer sealing film, eg comprising multiple layers of different materials, the multiple layers preferably comprising at least one layer of EVOH material and / or stretched PP material.

[0127] In one embodiment, the nozzle comprises one or more injection molded components.

[0128] In one embodiment, the cylinder of the cartridge is a compressible cylinder, and the top of the cylinder is movable relative to and towards the bottom of the cylinder.

[0129] In another embodiment, the column is provided with a flexure, ie a localized area of the column configured to flex when pressure is applied to the top of the column. The flexure thereby enables the top of the column to move towards the bottom of the column.

[0130] In another embodiment, the flexure comprises an annular band of parallelogram-shaped recesses separated by linear ridges, wherein the parallelogram-shaped recesses (e.g., diamond-shaped recesses) are each arranged such that two opposing sides are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder when viewed in side view, and the other two opposing sides are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder when viewed in side view.

[0131] In one embodiment, the lower portion of the column is provided with a reinforcement structure comprising linear ribs extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column when viewed in side view.

[0132] The present invention also provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0133] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example a beverage base to be mixed with water (for example carbonated water) to prepare a beverage,

[0134] The sealed capsule comprises:

[0135] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0136] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0137] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0138] wherein the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder, that is, the inner peripheral wall is configured to buckle when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwardly toward the bottom end of the cylinder,

[0139] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of a pierceable bottom region; and

[0140] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner sealing surface and the outer sealing surface and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening,

[0141] The cartridge further comprises:

[0142] a nozzle received in said cavity for directing the liquid through at least a portion of said cavity and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule,

[0143] The nozzle comprises:

[0144] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle,

[0145] wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position,

[0146] - preferably further provided with a guide member attached to the bottom of the capsule and extending from below the pierceable bottom region, the guide member being adapted to receive the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet towards and below the bottom opening of the column so as to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the nozzle outlet when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position;

[0147] - a bottom piercing element, wherein the bottom piercing element has a top end and a bottom end, and is provided with an activation surface at its top end, the activation surface being located at or adjacent to the top end of the column, and the bottom piercing element is provided with a piercing member at its bottom end, the piercing member being located at or adjacent to the bottom end of the column and above the pierceable bottom region, and

[0148] Pushing the bottom piercing member in a downward direction causes the piercing member to pierce the pierceable area of the bottom of the capsule, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet.

[0149] In one embodiment, the bottom piercing member is provided with two top seal opening members, which are connected to the bottom piercing member, for example, so as to move downwardly with the bottom piercing member. Each top seal opening member engages with the top seal at one or more regions respectively located between the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, for example, is attached to the top seal. When the bottom piercing member is moved downwardly from its initial position to a lower position, in which the reservoir outlet is pierced, the top seal opening members cause localized overstressing of the top seal membrane, thereby rupturing the top seal and providing the one or more air pressure introduction openings.

[0150] The present invention also provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0151] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example a beverage base to be mixed with water (for example carbonated water) to prepare a beverage,

[0152] The sealed capsule comprises:

[0153] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0154] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0155] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0156] wherein the bottom wall has an annular flexible bottom surrounding the column so that the column can be moved downward from an initial position to a lower operating position,

[0157] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the orifice is provided on the top surface of the bottom wall; and

[0158] wherein the bottom wall is provided with a peripheral sealing surface on the top surface, the sealing surface extending along the circumference of the bottom wall,

[0159] or

[0160] The capsule comprises a core member located on or at a bottom wall of the capsule, wherein the core member is provided with a peripheral sealing surface extending along the circumference of the bottom wall; and

[0161] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner sealing surface and the outer sealing surface and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening,

[0162] - a bottom seal releasably sealable to the orifice sealing surface, thereby hermetically sealing the reservoir outlet, and secured to the peripheral sealing surface, and;

[0163] The cartridge further comprises:

[0164] - a nozzle for directing a liquid flow through at least a portion of the cavity and for dispensing a base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0165] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle,

[0166] wherein the nozzle is movable with the cylinder relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position,

[0167] - preferably further provided with a guide member attached to the bottom of the capsule and extending from below the reservoir outlet, the guide member being adapted to receive the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet towards and below the bottom opening of the cylinder so as to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the nozzle outlet when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position;

[0168] Pushing the post in a downward direction from the initial position to the lowered operational position pulls the orifice sealing surface away from the bottom seal, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet.

[0169] The present invention also provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0170] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example, a beverage base to be mixed with water (e.g., carbonated water) to prepare a beverage, wherein the sealed capsule comprises:

[0171] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0172] wherein the capsule body preferably comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties;

[0173] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0174] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0175] wherein the bottom wall has an annular flexible bottom surrounding the column so that the column can be moved downward from an initial position to a lower operating position,

[0176] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the orifice is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall; and

[0177] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner and outer sealing surfaces and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the access opening of the capsule,

[0178] The cartridge further comprises:

[0179] - a nozzle for directing a base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for distributing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0180] a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle, and

[0181] - a sealing surface is provided on the bottom surface, the sealing surface being located in the cavity so that a gap exists between the inner peripheral wall of the capsule body and the sealing surface provided on the nozzle, the gap being located between the reservoir outlet and the sealing surface on the nozzle,

[0182] wherein the nozzle is movable with the cylinder relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position,

[0183] a bottom seal that releasably seals to the orifice sealing surface, hermetically seals the reservoir outlet, and is secured to a sealing surface on the nozzle such that the bottom seal extends over the gap;

[0184] a guide member attached to the bottom of the capsule at or near the peripheral wall so as to be in a fixed position relative to the peripheral wall and extending from below the reservoir outlet for receiving the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet towards and below the bottom opening of the cylinder for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet of the nozzle when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position,

[0185] The guide member is provided with a rib element, which extends in an upward direction toward the bottom seal when the cylinder is in the initial position, and engages with the bottom seal and is received in the gap when the cylinder is in the lowered operating position, so that by moving the cylinder from the raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position relative to the outer peripheral wall of the capsule body, the rib element pulls the bottom seal away from the reservoir outlet to enable the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet.

[0186] Thus, the present invention provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0187] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example, a beverage base to be mixed with water (e.g., carbonated water) to prepare a beverage, wherein the sealed capsule comprises:

[0188] a capsule body having a bottom and a top, the body defining a reservoir partially filled with liquid ingredient, wherein the top has an access opening communicating with the reservoir,

[0189] The capsule body further comprises a column protruding upward from the bottom to the top of the column, the column providing the reservoir with an annular shape,

[0190] The cavity extends from a top opening at the top end of the cylinder through the cylinder to a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and the bottom opening is located at the bottom of the capsule body.

[0191] The column comprises a wall having an inner surface defining a cavity and a top surface located at a top end of the column,

[0192] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an aperture sealed by a bottom seal or in the form of a pierceable bottom area, and

[0193] wherein at least the top end of the cylinder can be moved downwardly from an initial position to a lower operational position because the cylinder is a collapsible cylinder (i.e., the inner peripheral wall is configured to flex when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwardly toward the bottom end of the cylinder), or because the cylinder is a movable cylinder (i.e., the bottom wall has an annular flexible bottom around the cylinder so that the cylinder can be moved downwardly from the initial position to a lower operational position); and

[0194] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner and outer sealing surfaces and covering the reservoir, the top seal thereby hermetically sealing the access opening of the capsule,

[0195] - a nozzle for directing a base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity of the column and for distributing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0196] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle,

[0197] wherein the nozzle is received in the cavity of the column, with its inlet pointing to the upper opening of the cavity and its outlet pointing to the lower opening of the cavity, and

[0198] wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position, preferably together with the top end of the cylinder,

[0199] Moving the top end of the cylinder relative to the peripheral wall triggers removal of the bottom seal from the outflow aperture or piercing a pierceable area of the outflow aperture to open the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir.

[0200] The present invention also provides a cartridge having a fixed column and a movable nozzle received in the column. In such an embodiment, the cartridge is configured to receive a feed boom from a dispensing device that engages the nozzle and moves the nozzle from an initial raised position to an actively lowered position.

[0201] In such an embodiment, the cartridge for providing a liquid product comprises:

[0202] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example a beverage base to be mixed with water (for example carbonated water) to prepare a beverage,

[0203] The sealed capsule comprises:

[0204] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0205] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0206] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at the top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at the bottom end of the cylinder, and

[0207] wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and a peripheral sealing surface and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outflow orifice are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall, wherein the orifice sealing surface is located between the peripheral sealing surface and the bottom opening of the cylinder;

[0208] - a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner and outer sealing surfaces and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the access opening of the capsule; and

[0209] - a bottom seal releasably sealable to the orifice sealing surface, thereby hermetically sealing the reservoir outlet, and secured to the peripheral sealing surface, and;

[0210] The cartridge further comprises:

[0211] a nozzle received in the cavity for directing a flow of base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0212] - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle,

[0213] wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the column from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position,

[0214] wherein the nozzle further comprises a flange at a bottom end, the flange having a sealing surface for a bottom seal and having at least one dispensing orifice penetrating the flange near or at the outlet for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet,

[0215] wherein the bottom seal is fixed to a sealing surface of the nozzle and, when the nozzle is moved to the dispensing position (preferably by compressing the cylinder), the nozzle pulls the bottom seal away from the orifice in the bottom wall of the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir, and

[0216] When the nozzle is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface of the bottom of the capsule and the sealing surface of the nozzle, so that the liquid ingredient can flow along the bottom seal from the outflow orifice of the bottom of the capsule to the dispensing orifice of the nozzle.

[0217] Preferably, the cartridge of the claimed invention is configured to dispense a base liquid through a nozzle and a liquid ingredient at the bottom of the cartridge. Preferably, the base liquid and the liquid ingredient do not mix in the cartridge, but are dispensed as separate streams. Furthermore, preferably, the separate streams adhere to one another during dispensing, preferably, one or more streams of liquid ingredient adhere to a single stream of base liquid at the bottom of the cartridge.

[0218] For example, in one embodiment, the cartridge includes a guide member and a nozzle defining a dispensing orifice therebetween for dispensing the liquid ingredient proximate to the base liquid dispensed from the nozzle, preferably in the form of a shroud covering the base liquid stream.

[0219] The present invention also provides a system for preparing a liquid product (e.g., a liquid food, e.g., a beverage), the system comprising:

[0220] a) a cartridge of the present invention;

[0221] b) a dispensing device, such as a beverage dispensing device, comprising:

[0222] - a holder suitable for receiving and holding said cartridge in a dispensing position of said device,

[0223] a base liquid feeding assembly having a base liquid feeding member (e.g. a spray bar) arranged in a dispensing position, the base liquid feeding member being connected to a channel in the cylinder of the cartridge such that base liquid can be fed into the channel,

[0224] - operable displacement means adapted to move the cartridge holder and the base liquid feeding member relative to each other so as to connect the base liquid feeding member to the channel and to move the column, or at least the top of the column, downwardly from a raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position,

[0225] - a pressurized gas source, preferably a pressurized air source, such as an air pump,

[0226] wherein the apparatus is adapted to place the source of pressurized gas in direct communication with the reservoir of the capsule to allow the liquid ingredient therein to be pressurized by the gas, thereby facilitating its dispensing from the reservoir via the one or more dispensing passages,

[0227] wherein the system is adapted to create one or more air pressure introduction openings in a top sealing membrane covering an access opening to the reservoir,

[0228] The dispensing device further includes a pressurized dome member having a peripheral gas seal, such as an outer gas seal disposed along its periphery, the outer gas seal being adapted to sealingly engage the cartridge around the location where the one or more openings are created in the top sealing membrane to allow the pressurized gas to enter the reservoir,

[0229] the pressurized gas source being connected to the dome member and being adapted to feed pressurized gas beneath the dome member within the contour of a peripheral gas seal sealingly engaged with the cartridge, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient in the reservoir to be pressurized by the gas via the one or more gas pressure introduction openings in the sealing membrane, thereby facilitating dispensing of the liquid ingredient from the reservoir via the at least one reservoir outlet,

[0230] The cartridge is configured such that moving at least the top of the column downwardly causes the top sealing membrane to be partially punctured and / or overstressed, thereby rupturing, and providing the one or more gas pressure introduction openings.

[0231] In one embodiment of the system, the top sealing membrane is pre-weakened to facilitate rupture of the membrane, preferably pre-weakened at or near one or more locations.

[0232] In one embodiment of the system, the peripheral wall of the capsule body is provided with a flange (eg an outwardly protruding flange), the flange forming the peripheral top of the cartridge body, and the top seal is attached to the flange at the outer sealing area.

[0233] In one embodiment of the system, the base liquid feed member is a base liquid feed boom that protrudes from the pressurized dome member, preferably within the contour of the peripheral gas seal.

[0234] In one embodiment of the system, the one or more reservoir outlets of the cartridge are arranged on the bottom side of the cartridge and spaced apart from the column, so that the liquid ingredient flows out of the one or more reservoir outlets as one or more liquid streams different from the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, and wherein the one or more reservoir outlets are arranged so that the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, or are provided with a guide member so that the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle.

[0235] In one embodiment of the system, the one or more reservoir outlets of the cartridge are arranged at a height corresponding to the height of or above the outlet of the nozzle when the nozzle is in the lowered position.

[0236] In one embodiment of the system, the one or more reservoir outlets are initially sealed by a bottom seal of the cartridge, such as the bottom sealing membrane that serves as the sole closure for the one or more reservoir outlets, and wherein downward movement of the column, or at least the top end of the column, causes the bottom seal of the cartridge to rupture and / or be torn away from the one or more reservoir outlets initially sealed by the bottom seal, thereby allowing dispensing from the cartridge.

[0237] In one embodiment of the system, the one or more reservoir outlets are arranged so that the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, or are provided with a guiding member so that the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, acting as an annular shroud around the base liquid stream.

[0238] In one embodiment of the system, the dispensing device is adapted to pressurize the liquid ingredient in the reservoir so that the one or more streams of liquid ingredient flowing out of the one or more reservoir outlets flow as a slow stream together with the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, the slow stream being adjacent to the outside of the base liquid stream.

[0239] In one embodiment of the system, a guide member is provided below the capsule body and below the reservoir outlet, the guide member comprising a guide surface which is angled relative to the flow of liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir such that a jet of liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet due to gas pressurization of the liquid ingredient impinges on the guide surface of the guide member, thereby reducing (preferably eliminating) the velocity of the jet.

[0240] In one embodiment of the system, the holder is a drawer comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge therein, e.g., the cartridge being suspended in the cavity by an outward flange of a peripheral wall of the capsule body, the drawer being movable into the housing of the device such that the cartridge is movable into the dispensing position, and wherein the operable displacement means is adapted to move the pressurizing dome member up and down relative to the housing to sealingly engage the peripheral gas seal with the cartridge in an underside position of the dome member about a position where the sealing membrane is opened to allow pressurized gas to enter the reservoir.

[0241] In one embodiment, the holder is configured to support the cartridge only below its flange. In such an embodiment, the holder is, for example, annular or a drawer, wherein the cavity for receiving the cartridge is completely devoid of a bottom or similar component to support the bottom of the cartridge. Thus, in such an embodiment, when the cartridge is in the holder, the cartridge has a freely hanging bottom.

[0242] In one embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention, the top seal is provided with a temperature-responsive color-changing region that changes color in response to temperature changes, thereby providing an indication of the actual temperature of the liquid ingredient. In this case, the dispensing device may include a sensor or an indicator disposed on the cartridge to read the temperature, or the user may be instructed to provide the correct input to the device.

[0243] In one embodiment, the cylinder of the cartridge is a compressible cylinder, and the top of the cylinder is movable relative to and towards the bottom of the cylinder.

[0244] In another embodiment, the column is provided with a flexure, ie a localized area of the column configured to flex when pressure is applied to the top of the column. The flexure thereby enables the top of the column to move towards the bottom of the column.

[0245] In one embodiment, the column is provided with an annular flexure comprising a multi-faceted region that promotes local collapse of the column.

[0246] In another embodiment, the flexure comprises an annular band of parallelogram-shaped recesses separated by linear ridges, wherein the parallelogram-shaped recesses (e.g., diamond-shaped recesses) are each arranged such that two opposing sides are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder when viewed in side view, and the other two opposing sides are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder when viewed in side view.

[0247] The parallelogram recesses locally reduce the ability of the column's walls to support loads applied to the top of the column. Instead, the ridges separating the parallelogram recesses form narrow, rigid regions that connect the portion of the column below the band of parallelogram recesses to the portion of the column above the band of parallelogram recesses.

[0248] When the top of the column is pushed downward, the wall of the column flexes at the parallelogram-shaped recesses, while the ridges between the recessed areas remain more or less unchanged. The ridges are pushed from an inclined position to a horizontal position, causing the recessed areas between the ridges to fold in on themselves. As a result, the column flexes, and the top of the column moves downward toward the lower end of the column.

[0249] In another embodiment, the cylinder is provided with two bands of parallelogram-shaped recesses, wherein the ridges between the recesses of the upper band extend at an angle opposite to the angle of the ridges of the lower band.

[0250] It can be thought that the flexing of a column using parallelogram-shaped recesses causes the portion of the column above the band of parallelogram-shaped recesses to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the portion of the column below the band of parallelogram-shaped recesses. By providing the lower and upper bands of parallelogram-shaped recesses with ridges at opposite angles, the rotational movement caused by the upper row of parallelogram-shaped recesses is offset by the rotational movement of the lower row of parallelogram-shaped recesses. Thus, in such an embodiment, the flexing does not cause the upper end of the column to rotate relative to the lower end, or causes only minimal rotation.

[0251] In one embodiment, a reinforcement structure is provided at the lower portion of the column. This reinforcement structure is provided to resist buckling of the column when the top of the column is pressed downward, thereby further facilitating limiting the buckling to a specific area of the column, i.e., limiting the buckling of the column to the buckling portion of the column.

[0252] In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure comprises linear ribs extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column when viewed in side elevation. The ribs extend parallel to the direction of the force applied to the top of the column to move it downward, thereby resisting buckling of the column.

[0253] It is understood that in the above context, the recesses may also be provided in the form of projections. In both cases, the recessed or raised areas are located outside the plane of the wall.

[0254] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a liquid product (e.g. a liquid food, e.g. a beverage), wherein the method uses a cartridge of the present invention, preferably uses a system comprising a cartridge of the claimed invention, wherein the method comprises:

[0255] - sealingly engaging the peripheral gas seal of the pressurized dome member with the barrel, for example to the upper end of the peripheral wall of the barrel, around the location where the top sealing membrane is or is to be opened to allow pressurized gas to enter the reservoir,

[0256] - opening the top sealing film at said one or more locations,

[0257] - opening the at least one reservoir outlet, preferably by pushing downwards at least the top end of the cylinder of the cartridge,

[0258] - feeding pressurized gas beneath the dome member, thereby pressurizing the liquid ingredient in the reservoir of the capsule by the gas, thereby assisting in dispensing the liquid ingredient from the reservoir via the one or more dispensing channels.

[0259] In another embodiment, the method includes opening a sealed capsule of the cartridge by pushing downward on a top end of the cylinder, thereby collapsing a portion of the cylinder, and moving the nozzle downward to a dispensing position, whereby the nozzle pulls a bottom seal away from the at least one reservoir outlet, causing the outlet to open.

[0260] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the cartridge of the present invention, the method comprising:

[0261] - The capsule body is formed from a multilayer sheet using thermoforming technology.

[0262] In another embodiment, the method comprises:

[0263] - installing the nozzle in the cavity of the cylindrical body of the capsule body; and

[0264] - securing a bottom seal to the bottom of the cartridge and to the nozzle, and sealing the at least one reservoir outlet with the bottom seal.

[0265] In another embodiment, the method comprises:

[0266] - filling the reservoir of the capsule body with the liquid ingredient; and

[0267] - Sealing the capsule reservoir by sealing the top seal to the top of the peripheral wall and the top of the cylinder.

[0268] The cartridge of the claimed invention is preferably a single-use or disposable cartridge, i.e., the contents of the cartridge are used to provide a single beverage. In one embodiment, the cartridge is configured to dispense multiple beverages (i.e., containing a certain amount of liquid ingredients) simultaneously. In such an embodiment, the dispensing device or cartridge receiving the cartridge is provided with a device for separating the combined flow of base liquid and liquid ingredients, e.g., into two independent streams, to fill two reservoirs with a single beverage.

[0269] The cartridge design allows the capsule body to be manufactured by thermoforming. This process allows the capsule body (and more specifically, its capsule body) to be manufactured from multilayer sheets. These multilayer sheets typically include a base layer, which provides structural integrity to the capsule body, and one or more barrier layers, which provide the capsule body with appropriate barrier properties. Preferably, the barrier layers are relatively thin compared to the base layer. Consequently, the multilayer material represents a minimal percentage of the total material, facilitating cartridge recycling.

[0270] Furthermore, the nozzle and the guide channel (if present) are preferably injection moulded parts and are preferably made of the same material as the base material used in the capsule body. Thus, the barrel is mainly composed of the same material, which is conducive to the recycling of the barrel.

[0271] In one embodiment, the channel in the nozzle is divided into sub-channels. In such an embodiment, the channel is provided with one or more fins extending axially along the channel. For example, a single fin may extend through the channel to divide the channel into two sub-channels. Furthermore, the fin preferably extends over a substantial portion of the length of the channel, preferably along the entire channel. Thus, the base liquid flow through the channel is divided into two sub-streams. It has been found that the fins further reduce turbulence in the distributed base liquid flow, particularly when the fins extend substantially along the entire length of the channel.

[0272] The present invention also provides a thermoformed capsule for providing the sealed capsule of the present invention, and a plurality of nested thermoformed capsules for providing the sealed capsule of the present invention.

[0273] The present invention also provides a cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising:

[0274] a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example a beverage base to be mixed with water (for example carbonated water) to prepare a beverage,

[0275] The sealed capsule comprises:

[0276] a preferably thermoformed capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, these walls defining an annular reservoir between them,

[0277] wherein the capsule body comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties;

[0278] wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween,

[0279] wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at a top of the cylinder, preferably surrounded by the inner sealing surface, and a bottom opening at a bottom end of the cylinder, and wherein the cylinder is a compressible cylinder having a flexure portion, i.e., a localized region of the cylinder configured to flex when pressure is applied to the top of the cylinder;

[0280] The bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and a peripheral sealing surface and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outflow orifice are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall.

[0281] a top seal, such as a top sealing membrane, sealed to the inner sealing surface and the outer sealing surface and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening,

[0282] - a bottom seal releasably sealing to the orifice sealing surface, thereby hermetically sealing the reservoir outlet, and secured to the peripheral sealing surface, and

[0283] The cartridge further comprises:

[0284] - a nozzle for directing a base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for distributing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises:

[0285] a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle also has a sealing surface for a bottom seal and has at least one dispensing orifice for receiving a flow of liquid ingredient directed to the nozzle by the bottom seal and for dispensing the flow of liquid ingredient in or adjacent to a base liquid flow directed through the passage of the nozzle,

[0286] The nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position.

[0287] wherein the bottom seal is secured to a sealing surface of the nozzle and, when the nozzle is moved to a dispensing position (preferably by compressing the cylinder), the nozzle pulls the bottom seal away from an orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outlet orifice, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir, and

[0288] When the nozzle is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface of the bottom of the capsule and the sealing surface of the nozzle, so that the liquid ingredient can flow along the bottom seal from the outflow orifice of the bottom of the capsule to the dispensing orifice of the nozzle.

[0289] The capsule according to the present invention may also be configured to combine a flow of liquid ingredient dispensed from the reservoir and a flow of base liquid dispensed through the nozzle.

[0290] The present invention also provides a method for providing a cartridge holding a liquid ingredient to be dispensed with a base liquid, the method comprising: filling a cartridge of the present invention comprising a capsule, a nozzle and a bottom seal; and then sealing the capsule using a top seal.

[0291] In one embodiment, the sealed capsule has a height between 36 mm and 40 mm, for example a diameter of 38 mm, and a diameter at the top of the outer wall between 48 mm and 50 mm, for example a diameter of 50 mm.

[0292] In one embodiment, the sealed capsule has a protruding outer wall, so that the circumference of the outer wall at the bottom of the sealed capsule is smaller than the circumference of the outer wall at its top. In one embodiment, the sealed capsule has a diameter between 48 mm and 50 mm at the top of the outer wall, for example, a diameter of 50 mm, and a diameter between 47 mm and 40 mm at the bottom of the outer wall, for example, a diameter of 43 mm or 46 mm.

[0293] In one embodiment, the cylinder is a compressible cylinder, and the cylinder is configured to be compressed by 5 mm to 10 mm, for example, configured to be compressed by 7 mm. In such an embodiment, when moving to the dispensing position, the cylinder moves by 7 mm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0294] Advantageous embodiments of the cartridge according to the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the description, wherein the invention is further illustrated and explained on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, some of which are shown in the schematic drawings. In the figures, for components that correspond in terms or in construction and / or function, their reference numerals have the same last two digits.

[0295] In the attached figure:

[0296] Figure 1 a perspective top view of a capsule body showing a first exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention;

[0297] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A perspective bottom view of the capsule body;

[0298] Figure 3 A perspective view of the nozzle of the cartridge of the present invention is shown;

[0299] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1-3 a side view of a cross section of the cartridge with the nozzle received in the capsule body in a first position;

[0300] Figure 5 Shown Figure 1-3 a side view of a cross section of the cartridge with the nozzle received in the capsule body in a second position;

[0301] Figure 6 a perspective top view showing a capsule body and a bottom piercing member received in a reservoir defined by the capsule body of a second exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention;

[0302] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 A perspective bottom view of the capsule body;

[0303] Figure 8 Shown Figure 6-7 a side view of a cross section of the cartridge with the bottom piercing member in a first position;

[0304] Figure 9 Shown Figure 6-7 a side view of a cross section of the cartridge with the bottom piercing member in a second position;

[0305] Figure 10 showing a perspective top view of a capsule body of a third exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention with a bottom seal received in a reservoir defined by the capsule body;

[0306] Figure 11 Shown Figure 10 a perspective side view of a cross section of a barrel;

[0307] Figure 12 Shown Figure 10 a side view of a cross section of the barrel in a first position;

[0308] Figure 13 Shown Figure 10 a side view of a cross section of the barrel in a second position;

[0309] Figure 14 Shown Figure 10 A perspective bottom view of the capsule body;

[0310] Figure 15 showing a perspective top view of a capsule body of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention with a bottom seal and a core member received in a reservoir defined by the capsule body;

[0311] Figure 16 Shown Figure 15 a perspective side view of a cross section of a barrel;

[0312] Figure 17 Shown Figure 15 a side view of a cross section of the barrel in a first position;

[0313] Figure 18 Shown Figure 15 a side view of a cross section of the barrel in a second position;

[0314] Figure 19 Shown Figure 15 A top view of the cylinder;

[0315] Figure 20 Shown Figure 10 A perspective bottom view of the capsule body;

[0316] Figure 21 a perspective side view showing a cross section of a capsule body of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention with a bottom seal located outside of a reservoir defined by the capsule body and a guide member mounted to the bottom of the capsule body;

[0317] Figure 22 Shown Figure 21 a side view of a cross section of a capsule body;

[0318] Figure 23 Shown Figure 21 a partial close-up view of a cross section of the capsule body in a first position;

[0319] Figure 24 Shown Figure 21 a partial close-up view of a cross section of the capsule body in the second position;

[0320] Figure 25 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the components of the liquid food dispenser and the cartridge prior to being placed in the cartridge holder of the device;

[0321] Figure 26 Shown Figure 25 , wherein the cartridge is placed in the cartridge holder;

[0322] Figure 27 Shown Figure 25 a view in which the cartridge holder is moved relative to the device to bring the cartridge to the dispensing position;

[0323] Figure 28 shows that before the allocation process begins Figure 27 The cross section of the device and the barrel in the case;

[0324] Figure 29 shows the device and cartridge after the pressurizing dome member and the liquid feed boom have been moved downwardly to engage the cartridge and valve member, respectively, with the valve member in its lowered dispensing position;

[0325] Figure 30Schematically illustrates a beverage dispensing device with a cartridge in an open state;

[0326] Figure 31 a perspective top view of a capsule body showing a sixth exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention;

[0327] Figure 32 Shown Figure 31 A side view of a partial cross-section of a capsule body;

[0328] Figure 33 Shown Figures 31-32 a perspective view of a cross-section of the cartridge with the nozzle received in the capsule body in a first position;

[0329] Figure 34 Shown Figure 33 A perspective bottom view of the cylinder;

[0330] Figure 35 Shown Figure 31 a perspective view of a cross-section of the cartridge of FIG. 1 , wherein the nozzle is received in the capsule body in a second position; and

[0331] Figure 36 Shown Figure 35 Perspective bottom view of the cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0332] exist Figure 1-5 A first exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1 for providing a liquid product according to the invention is shown in FIG.

[0333] The cartridge 1 comprises a sealed capsule 2 and a nozzle 21 .

[0334] The sealed capsule 2 shown is to be filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient which is to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, such as a beverage base which is to be mixed with water (eg carbonated water) to prepare a beverage.

[0335] The sealed capsule comprises a capsule body 5, a top seal 20, and in the particular embodiment shown, a bottom seal 28. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The capsule body 5 is shown alone in FIG.

[0336] The capsule body 5 has a bottom 6 and a top 7 and further comprises an outer peripheral wall 8, an inner peripheral wall 9 and a bottom wall 10. These walls define an annular reservoir 11 between them.

[0337] The inner peripheral wall 9 and the outer peripheral wall 8 are provided at their top ends with an inner sealing surface 13 and an outer sealing surface 12 , respectively, these sealing surfaces 12 , 13 defining a reservoir access opening 14 therebetween.

[0338] A top seal 20, which in the particular embodiment shown is a top sealing membrane, is sealed to the inner sealing surface 13 and the outer sealing surface 12. The top seal 20 covers the reservoir 11 and hermetically seals the reservoir access opening 14.

[0339] The inner peripheral wall 9 forms a cylinder 15 having an interior cavity 16 extending between an upper opening 17 at the top of the cylinder and a bottom opening 18 at the bottom end of the cylinder.

[0340] exist Figure 1-5 In the particular embodiment shown, the upper opening 17 is surrounded by the inner sealing surface 13. A top seal 20 is sealed to the inner sealing surface and thereby to the top of the post 15.

[0341] According to the present invention, the bottom wall 10 of the capsule body 7 is provided with at least one reservoir outlet 19. Figure 1-5 In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 19 is in the form of two apertures 19A located on opposite sides of the column 15. These apertures are sealed by a bottom seal 28.

[0342] In addition, for Figure 1-5 In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule body 4 is provided with a peripheral sealing surface 26 and an orifice sealing surface 27 on the bottom surface of the bottom wall 10 , the orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outflow orifice 19A. The orifice sealing surface 27 is located between the peripheral sealing surface 26 and the bottom opening 18 of the cylinder 15 .

[0343] Bottom seal 28 releasably seals to orifice sealing surface 27 and hermetically seals reservoir outflow orifice 19A. Bottom seal 28 is also secured to peripheral sealing surface 26 and nozzle 21.

[0344] Cavity 16 is maintained at Figure 3 The nozzle 21 is shown separately in FIG. 1 and is configured for directing a base liquid (eg water) through at least a portion of the cavity 16 and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule.

[0345] The nozzle 21 comprises a nozzle body 22 having a passage 23 extending between an inlet 24 at the top end of the nozzle and an outlet 25 at the bottom end of the nozzle.

[0346] The nozzle 21 can be moved relative to the peripheral wall 8 of the capsule body 5 and relative to the bottom of the cylinder. Figure 4 Move to the elevated passive position shown Figure 5 Lowered dispense position shown.

[0347] exist Figure 1-5In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 21 also has a flange 29 at the bottom end. The flange 29 provides a sealing surface for the bottom seal 28 and has two outflow orifices 44. The outflow orifices 44 penetrate the flange 29 of the nozzle near the outlet 25 of the nozzle for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet 25 (i.e., dispensed from the outlet 25).

[0348] The bottom seal 28 is fixed to a sealing surface 30 on a flange 29 of the nozzle. When the nozzle 21 is moved to the dispensing position (in the embodiment shown, by compressing the cylinder 15), the nozzle pulls the bottom seal 28 away from the outflow aperture 19A in the bottom wall of the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir. The bottom seal 28 remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface 26 of the bottom wall 10 of the capsule body 5.

[0349] Thus, when the nozzle 21 is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal 28 remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface 26 of the bottom wall 10 of the capsule body 5 and the sealing surface 30 of the nozzle 21, so that the liquid ingredient can flow along the bottom seal 28 from the outflow orifice 19A in the bottom of the capsule to the dispensing orifice 44 in the flange 29 of the nozzle 21.

[0350] therefore, Figure 1-5 The cartridge shown in is configured to simultaneously dispense a base liquid stream and two liquid ingredient streams from a reservoir via a channel in a nozzle as unmixed liquid streams at the bottom of the cartridge.

[0351] In addition, the dispensing orifice 44 of the nozzle 21 is located adjacent to the inner wall that defines the channel in the column (i.e., the channel for dispensing the base liquid), so that the liquid ingredient stream is dispensed adjacent to the base liquid stream, and the liquid ingredient stream is preferably attached to the base liquid stream. When the liquid ingredient stream hits the reservoir for accommodating the beverage (e.g., a beverage glass), the liquid ingredient mixes with the base liquid. Therefore, the turbulence generated in the reservoir by the dispensed liquid stream is used to mix the liquid stream. Compared to traditional devices in which the base liquid and the liquid ingredient are usually mixed in a mixing chamber before dispensing, the cartridge of the present invention allows the base liquid and the liquid ingredient to be mixed in a state with minimal turbulence in the liquid stream. This is particularly advantageous when dispensing beverages containing carbonated water. Since turbulence is reduced during the dispensing process, less carbon dioxide is separated from the water, and a beverage containing a higher carbon dioxide content can be obtained.

[0352] exist Figure 1-5 In the embodiment shown, the cartridge is configured such that movement of the top end of the cylinder opens the capsule.The combination of a sealed capsule body provided with a nozzle allows the capsule body to have a simple shape.

[0353] The capsule has a central cylinder whose top end can be pushed downwards. In the embodiment shown, the cylinder 15 is a collapsible cylinder, that is, the inner peripheral wall 9 is configured to buckle when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwards towards the bottom end of the cylinder.

[0354] exist Figure 1-5 In the illustrated embodiment, pushing the top end of the cylinder moves the nozzle to a lowered dispensing position. Thus, the downward movement of the top end of the cylinder pulls the bottom seal, which is sealed to the bottom end of the nozzle, away from the outflow orifice. The capsule does not require a complex capsule body or external piercing device to open the reservoir, and more specifically, does not require a complex capsule body or external piercing device to open the capsule.

[0355] The capsule body having a simple shape allows the capsule body and the walls of the capsule body to be constructed from multiple layers of material. Furthermore, the simple shape of the capsule body is suitable for thermoforming. Thermoforming allows the use of laminated materials, thereby providing a capsule body with improved barrier properties at a significantly lower cost.

[0356] In this way, the cartridge is configured to provide a capsule for holding an ingredient, more specifically a sealed reservoir having barrier properties suitable for the particular base ingredient to be held in the reservoir.

[0357] It can be considered that in Figure 1-5 In the embodiment shown, the sealed reservoir 2 is provided with a diamond-shaped bottom seal 28. In such an embodiment, the capsule body is provided with two outflow openings in its bottom wall, which are arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder and have diamond-shaped bottom seals.

[0358] The diamond-shaped bottom seal has a central opening through which the bottom end of the nozzle can extend. The seal seals to the bottom of the capsule body at its periphery and to the flange of the nozzle along its central opening. The seal also seals to the bottom wall of the capsule body around the reservoir outflow orifice.

[0359] exist Figure 1-5 In the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom of the capsule body is provided with an annular recess, which serves as a base to which a diamond-shaped bottom seal is secured. The recess extends below the portion of the bottom wall where the reservoir outflow orifice is located and serves as a base to which the diamond-shaped bottom seal is secured. Consequently, the outer ends of the seal are spaced apart perpendicularly to the bottom wall where the sealed outflow orifice is located, facilitating the peeling of the bottom seal from the outflow orifice as the nozzle moves downward.

[0360] It can be considered that in the embodiment shown, the recess is diamond-shaped because two outflow orifices are provided on opposite sides of the cylinder. The recess can have different shapes (e.g., circular) and can be used in combination with different numbers of outflow orifices. For example, the recess can be triangular in shape combined with three outflow orifices, each of which is located at a point in the triangle.

[0361] In these embodiments, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of the nozzle out of the cylinder of the capsule body, whereby the nozzle pulls the center of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, thereby opening the outflow orifice of the reservoir.

[0362] The seal then seals to the recessed portion of the bottom of the capsule at its peripheral edge and to the nozzle along its central opening, serving as a guide for dispensing the liquid ingredient from the reservoir. The seal guides the liquid ingredient to the outlet of the nozzle (i.e., the opening for dispensing water) so that the liquid ingredient can be dispensed parallel to and adjacent to the water flow.

[0363] It is believed that the diamond shape of the seal, combined with the two outflow openings of the reservoir, makes the seal an optimal guide for the liquid ingredient. This diamond shape creates a guide channel through the seal that leads from below the reservoir outflow openings to the nozzle. The surface of the seal is inclined toward the center of the guide channel and the nozzle. As a result, all the liquid ingredient is directed toward the dispensing opening, and the risk of liquid ingredient remaining in the guide channel (i.e., undispensed) is reduced.

[0364] In a preferred embodiment, the capsule body is made of a multilayer material, preferably thermoformed from one piece of multilayer material, whereby the capsule wall comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties.

[0365] Figure 6-9 A second exemplary embodiment of a cartridge of the present invention for providing a liquid product is shown.

[0366] The cartridge includes a sealed capsule 102 , a bottom piercing element 134 and a guide member 133 .

[0367] and Figure 1-5 The illustrated sealed capsule 2 is similar and includes a top seal 120 , such as a top sealing membrane.

[0368] Sealed capsule 102 and Figure 1-5 The difference of the sealed capsule 2 disclosed in is that it has no bottom seal. Furthermore, the at least one reservoir outlet is in the form of a pierceable bottom area 119B rather than a sealed orifice 19A.

[0369] In order to dispense the liquid ingredient from the reservoir, the pierceable bottom area is pierced by a bottom piercing member 134 .

[0370] and Figure 1-5 The sealed capsule 2 shown is similar, Figure 6-9 The capsule body 105 of the illustrated sealed capsule 102 has a bottom 106 and a top 107, and further comprises an outer peripheral wall 108, an inner peripheral wall 109 and a bottom wall 110. These walls define an annular reservoir 111 therebetween.

[0371] The inner peripheral wall 109 and the outer peripheral wall 108 are provided at their top ends with an inner sealing surface 113 and an outer sealing surface 112 , respectively, these sealing surfaces 112 , 113 defining a reservoir access opening 114 therebetween.

[0372] A top seal 120 (which in the particular embodiment shown is a top sealing membrane) is sealed to the inner sealing surface 113 and the outer sealing surface 112. The top seal 120 thereby covers the reservoir 111 and hermetically seals the reservoir access opening 114.

[0373] The inner peripheral wall 109 forms a column 115 having an interior cavity 116 extending between an upper opening 117 at the top of the column and a bottom opening 118 at the bottom end of the column.

[0374] exist Figure 6-9 In the particular embodiment shown, the upper opening 117 is surrounded by the inner sealing surface 113. A top seal 120 is sealed to the inner sealing surface and thereby to the top of the post 115.

[0375] According to the present invention, the bottom wall 110 of the capsule body 105 is provided with at least one reservoir outlet 119. Figure 6-9 In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 119 is in the form of two apertures 119B located on opposite sides of the column 115 .

[0376] The cavity 116 holds a nozzle 121 configured for directing a base liquid (eg, water) through at least a portion of the cavity 116 and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule.

[0377] The nozzle 121 comprises a nozzle body 122 having a passage 123 extending between an inlet 124 at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet 125 at a bottom end of the nozzle.

[0378] The nozzle 121 can be moved relative to the outer peripheral wall 108 of the capsule body 105. Figure 8 Move to the elevated passive position shown Figure 9 Lowered dispense position shown.

[0379] exist Figure 6-9In the embodiment shown, the capsule body is provided with a collapsible cylinder, that is, the cylinder 115 is provided with a flexure region 132 which is configured to collapse when pressure is applied to the top of the cylinder. Figure 1-5 Similar to the first embodiment shown, the inner peripheral wall is configured to flex when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downwardly toward the bottom end of the cylinder, while the bottom of the capsule body remains in place. Therefore, the cylinder is provided with an annular flexure comprising a multi-faceted region that promotes local collapse of the cylinder.

[0380] In an alternative embodiment, the movement of the nozzle from the raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position is achieved by a cylinder that can move integrally relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body. In such an embodiment, the bottom of the capsule body is provided with an annular flexible bottom surrounding the cylinder.

[0381] The top seal 120 seals to the inner sealing surface 113 and the outer sealing surface 112 and covers the reservoir 121. The top seal 120 seals the reservoir access opening 114 hermetically.

[0382] The bottom piercing element 134 has a top end 135 and a bottom end 136 and is provided with an activation surface 137 at its top end and a piercing member 138 at its bottom end.

[0383] The bottom piercing member 134 is located in the reservoir 111 of the capsule body 105. The activation surface 137 of the bottom piercing member 134 is located at or adjacent to the top end of the column 115. The piercing member 138 of the bottom piercing member 134 is located at or adjacent to the bottom end of the column 115 and above the pierceable bottom area 119B.

[0384] In the particular embodiment shown, the bottom piercing member 134 is provided with two top seal opening members, which are connected to the bottom piercing member, for example, so as to move downwardly with the bottom piercing member. Each top seal opening member engages with the top seal at one or more regions respectively located between the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall, for example, is attached to the top seal. When the bottom piercing member is moved downwardly from its initial position to a lower position, in which the reservoir outlet is pierced, the top seal opening members cause localized overstressing of the top seal membrane, thereby rupturing the top seal and providing the one or more air pressure introduction openings.

[0385] Pushing the bottom piercing piece 134 in a downward direction causes the piercing member 138 to pierce the pierceable area 119B of the bottom 106 of the capsule, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet 119 .

[0386] It should be noted that in Figure 6-9In the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom piercing member 134 is pushed downward by pushing on its activation surface 137. Furthermore, the bottom piercing member 134 is mounted on the collapsible cylinder 115 so that its activation surface 137 is located adjacent to the inner sealing surface 113 at the top of the collapsible cylinder. This facilitates the cylinder 115 engaging the bottom piercing member 134 and simultaneously pressing downward. Thus, when the nozzle 121 is moved to the lowered dispensing position, the bottom region 119B is pierced. Furthermore, the collapsible cylinder 115 keeps the bottom piercing member 134 centered relative to the pierceable bottom region 119B, particularly when the bottom piercing member is pressed downward.

[0387] In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 119 is in the form of a pierceable bottom region 129B. In an alternative embodiment, the reservoir is provided with a reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice sealed by a bottom seal, and the bottom piercing member is used to pierce these bottom seals rather than the pierceable bottom region of the capsule.

[0388] In the preferred embodiment shown, the cartridge 101 is provided with a guide member 133 attached to the bottom 106 of the sealed capsule 102 and extending from below the pierceable bottom region 119B for receiving the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet toward and below the bottom opening 118 of the column 115 to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet 125 of the nozzle 121 when the nozzle 121 is in the lowered dispensing position, as shown. Figure 9 shown.

[0389] In the preferred embodiment shown, the guide member 133 and the nozzle 121 define a dispensing orifice 144 therebetween for dispensing the ingredient proximate to the liquid being dispensed from the nozzle, preferably in the form of a shroud that covers the liquid stream.

[0390] Figure 10-14 A third exemplary embodiment of a cartridge for providing a liquid product according to the present invention is shown.

[0391] Cartridge 201 includes a sealed capsule 202 and a nozzle 221 .

[0392] The sealed capsule 202 shown is to be partially filled with a liquid ingredient that is to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, such as a beverage base that is mixed with water (eg, carbonated water) to prepare a beverage.

[0393] The sealed capsule includes a capsule body 205 , a top seal 220 , and in the particular embodiment shown, a bottom seal 228 .

[0394] The capsule body 205 has a bottom 206 and a top 207, and further comprises an outer peripheral wall 208, an inner peripheral wall 209 and a bottom wall 210. These walls define an annular reservoir 211 therebetween.

[0395] The inner peripheral wall 209 and the outer peripheral wall 208 are provided at their top ends with an inner sealing surface 213 and an outer sealing surface 212 , respectively, these sealing surfaces 212 , 213 defining a reservoir access opening 214 therebetween.

[0396] A top seal 220 (which in the particular embodiment shown is a top sealing membrane) is sealed to the inner sealing surface 213 and the outer sealing surface 212. The top seal 220 covers the reservoir 211 and hermetically seals the reservoir access opening 214. Figure 10 and 11 The cartridge is shown without the top seal.

[0397] The inner peripheral wall 209 forms a column 215 having an interior cavity 216 extending between an upper opening 217 at the top of the column and a bottom opening 218 at the bottom end of the column.

[0398] exist Figure 10-15 In the particular embodiment shown, the upper opening 217 is surrounded by the inner sealing surface 213. A top seal 220 is sealed to the inner sealing surface and thereby to the top of the post 215.

[0399] Furthermore, in the particular embodiment shown, the bottom wall 210 of the capsule 202 has an annular flexible bottom 239 surrounding the post 215 that enables the post 215 to move downwardly from an initial position to a lowered operational position.

[0400] According to the present invention, the bottom wall 10 of the capsule body 207 is provided with at least one reservoir outlet 219. Figure 10-14 In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 219 is in the form of two apertures 219A located on opposite sides of the post 215. These apertures are sealed by a bottom seal 228 which, in the particular embodiment shown, is disposed within the reservoir 211.

[0401] On the top surface of the bottom wall 210, the capsule 202 is provided with an orifice sealing surface 240 for sealing the seal to the bottom of the capsule. The orifice sealing surface surrounds the orifice to achieve a leak-proof seal of the orifice.

[0402] In addition to the orifice sealing surface 240, in the embodiment shown, the bottom wall 210 is provided on the top surface with a peripheral sealing surface 241. The peripheral sealing surface 241 extends along the circumference of the bottom wall 210.

[0403] exist Figure 15-20In an alternative embodiment shown, a cartridge 301 is provided with a capsule 302 comprising a core 342 located in a reservoir 311 on or at a bottom wall 310 of the capsule 302, wherein the core 342 is provided with a peripheral sealing surface 341 extending along the circumference of the bottom wall 310. Figure 10-14 This alternative embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in that the bottom seal seals at one or more of its outer ends. However, the bottom seal seals to the bottom wall at the reservoir outlet and the seal is similar to that in the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 10-14 The bottom seal is removed in the illustrated embodiment by being removed from the reservoir outlet, ie, by pushing the post in a downward direction (ie, towards the bottom wall).

[0404] The cavity 216 holds a nozzle 221. The nozzle 216 is configured for directing a base liquid (eg, water) through at least a portion of the cavity 216 and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule.

[0405] The nozzle 221 comprises a nozzle body 222 having a passage 223 extending between an inlet 224 at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet 225 at a bottom end of the nozzle.

[0406] In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 216 can be moved relative to the peripheral wall 208 of the capsule body 205 together with the cylinder 215. Figure 12 Move to the elevated passive position shown Figure 13 Lowered dispense position shown.

[0407] The bottom seal 228 releasably seals to the orifice sealing surface 240, hermetically seals the reservoir outlet, and is secured to the peripheral sealing surface.

[0408] The column 215 is removed from Figure 12 Push down to the initial position shown Figure 13 The lowered operating position shown pulls the orifice sealing surface 240 disposed on the top of the bottom wall 210 away from the bottom seal 228 , allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet 219 .

[0409] In the preferred embodiment shown, the cartridge is further provided with a guide member 233 attached to the bottom of the capsule 202 and extending from below the reservoir outlet 219 for receiving the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet 219 toward and below the bottom opening 218 of the cylinder 215 for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet 225 of the nozzle 221 when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position.

[0410] and Figure 6-9 Compared to the embodiment shown, for Figure 10-20 In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 221, 321 and the guide member 233, 333 are combined into a single component. The single component including the nozzle and the guide member is attached to the bottom part that moves with the column. Therefore, the single component is in a fixed position relative to the column.

[0411] and Figure 6-9 Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 10-20 In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG, the nozzle 221, 321 and the guide member 233, 333 form a dispensing orifice 244, 344 therebetween for dispensing the ingredient in close proximity to the liquid dispensed from the nozzle, preferably in the form of a shield that covers the liquid flow.

[0412] In an alternative embodiment, the single component comprising the nozzle and the guide member is attached to a bottom portion that does not move with the column. Thus, the single component is in a fixed position relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule, while the column is movable relative to the nozzle and the guide member.

[0413] In another alternative embodiment, the guide member and the nozzle are separate components, and the guide member is attached to the bottom portion that does not move with the cylinder, while the nozzle is attached to the movable cylinder. Thus, the single component is in a fixed position relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule, while the nozzle can move with the cylinder.

[0414] In the illustrated embodiment, the core 342 is provided with two piercing elements 347 located on opposite sides of the cylinder 315. The piercing elements 347 extend upward from the bottom of the capsule 302 all the way to the top seal 320. When the top end of the cylinder 315 is pushed downward, the piercing elements 347 pierce the top seal to allow gas to be injected into the reservoir 311.

[0415] It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom seal 328 has a rectangular shape. The bottom seal 328 does not cover the entire bottom wall 310 of the capsule 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom seal 328 extends from one side of the cylinder 315 to the opposite side of the cylinder. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom seal may include a first seal and a second seal, wherein one seal is disposed on one side of the cylinder to seal the first reservoir outlet, and the other seal is disposed on the opposite side of the cylinder to seal the second reservoir outlet. Many other bottom seal shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0416] exist Figure 21-24 An alternative embodiment of a cartridge 501 of the present invention is shown in FIG.

[0417] exist Figure 21-24An alternative embodiment of a cartridge 501 for providing a liquid product is shown in FIG. The cartridge 501 includes a sealed capsule 502, a nozzle 521, and a guide member 533. The cartridge further includes a bottom seal 528 disposed on the bottom surface of the sealed capsule, between the capsule 502 and the guide member 533, which is also mounted on the bottom surface of the sealed capsule.

[0418] The sealed capsule 502 is similar to the sealed capsule discussed above. It is filled with a portion of liquid ingredients that will be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, for example, a beverage base that will be mixed with water (e.g., carbonated water) to prepare a beverage.

[0419] The sealed capsule 502 includes a capsule body 505 and a top seal 520 .

[0420] The capsule body 505 has a bottom 506 and a top 507, and further comprises an outer peripheral wall 508, an inner peripheral wall 509 and a bottom wall 510. These walls define an annular reservoir 511 therebetween.

[0421] The inner peripheral wall 509 and the outer peripheral wall 508 are provided at their top ends with an inner sealing surface 513 and an outer sealing surface 512 , respectively, these sealing surfaces 512 , 513 defining a reservoir access opening 514 therebetween.

[0422] A top seal 520 (which in the particular embodiment shown is a top sealing membrane) is sealed to the inner sealing surface 513 and the outer sealing surface 512. The top seal 520 covers the reservoir 511 and hermetically seals the reservoir access opening 514.

[0423] The inner peripheral wall 509 forms a column 515 having an interior cavity 516 extending between an upper opening 517 at the top of the column and a bottom opening 518 at the bottom end of the column.

[0424] The bottom wall 510 has an annular flexible bottom 539 surrounding the column 515 so that the column can be moved from Figure 23 The initial position shown moves downwards to Figure 24 Shown in lowered operating position.

[0425] The cavity 516 holds a nozzle 521 configured for directing a base liquid (eg, water) through at least a portion of the cavity 516 and for dispensing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule.

[0426] The nozzle 521 comprises a nozzle body 522 having a passage 523 extending between an inlet 524 at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet 525 at a bottom end of the nozzle.

[0427] The nozzle 521 is fixed to the bottom of the column 515, thereby Figure 23 The initial position shown moves downwards to Figure 24 In the lowered operating position shown, the nozzle 521 moves together with the cylinder. Thus, the nozzle can be moved together with the cylinder relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position.

[0428] According to the present invention, the bottom wall 510 of the capsule body 507 is provided with at least one reservoir outlet 519. Figure 21-24 In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 519 is in the form of two apertures 519A located on opposite sides of the column 515. These apertures are sealed by a bottom seal 528.

[0429] In addition, for Figure 21-24 In the illustrated embodiment, an orifice sealing surface 527 is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall 510. The orifice sealing surface 527 surrounds the reservoir outlet orifice 519A. A bottom seal 528 releasably seals to the orifice sealing surface 527 and hermetically seals the reservoir outlet orifice 519A.

[0430] The bottom seal 528 is also fixed to the nozzle 521. Figure 21-24 In the particular embodiment shown, the nozzle is provided with a sealing surface 543 on its bottom surface. The sealing surface 543 is positioned within the cavity 516 such that a gap 545 exists between the inner peripheral wall 509 of the capsule body 505 and the sealing surface 543 provided on the nozzle 521. The gap 545 is located between the reservoir outlet 519 and the sealing surface 543 on the nozzle 521, such that the bottom seal 528 extends over the gap 545.

[0431] The guide member 533 is attached to the bottom of the sealed capsule 502 at or near the peripheral wall 508 so that the guide member 533 is in a fixed position relative to the peripheral wall 508, that is, the guide member 533 does not move with the cylinder 515 when the cylinder moves downward from the initial position to the lower operating position, and the nozzle moves from the raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position.

[0432] When the nozzle is in the dispensing position, the guide member 533 extends from below the reservoir outlet 519 to receive the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet to the bottom opening 518 of the column 515 and flowing below the bottom opening 518 to dispense the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet of the nozzle 521.

[0433] In this embodiment, the guide member 533 is provided with rib elements 546. Figure 23 As shown, when the post 515 is in the initial position, the rib member 546 extends upwardly toward the bottom seal 528. Figure 24As shown, rib member 546 engages bottom seal 528 and is received in gap 545 when the post is pushed to the lowered operative position.

[0434] Thus, by moving the post 515 from the raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position relative to the peripheral wall 508 of the capsule body 505, the rib member 546 pulls the bottom seal 528 away from the reservoir outlet 519 to enable the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir outlet.

[0435] Based on Figure 1-24 For a further understanding of the cartridge shown in FIG and its cooperation with a suitable dispensing device (such as a beverage preparation and dispensing device), reference will now be made to Figure 25-30 Preparation of beverages or other liquid products is discussed. It should be noted that the cartridges discussed herein can be used in conjunction with the same device and can achieve dispensing based on the same principles.

[0436] Figure 25-29 Components of a dispensing device 1100 are shown, including:

[0437] - housing 1105,

[0438] a holder 1110 , here a sliding drawer, movable relative to the housing 1105 , for receiving and holding the cartridge 1 in the dispensing position in the device,

[0439] - A base liquid feeding assembly having a base liquid feeding spray bar 1120 arranged in a dispensing position, which spray bar 1120 can pierce the top sealing membrane 20 of the cartridge 1 and is connected to the channel 23 of the nozzle 21 of the cartridge 1 so that base liquid can be fed into the channel 23.

[0440] The device 1100 is provided with a pressurized gas source, which is preferably a pressurized air source, such as an air pump or a gas cylinder, schematically indicated here at 130 .

[0441] The device 1100 is adapted to place a source of pressurized gas 1130 in direct communication with the reservoir of the cartridge 1001, and more specifically with the reservoir of the capsule, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient therein to be pressurized by said gas, thereby facilitating dispensing of the liquid from the reservoir when the nozzle 23 of the cartridge 1 has reached its dispensing position.

[0442] This is advantageous in cases where the liquid ingredient is quite viscous and also allows control of the dispensing (e.g. based on the ratio of liquid ingredient to base liquid), for example during the dispensing process of a single beverage. Gas pressure control can also be used as needed to compensate for any temperature-related viscosity effects of the liquid ingredient, for example by increasing the gas pressure when the temperature of the liquid ingredient is lower.

[0443] In one embodiment, the device may comprise a temperature sensor adapted to sense the temperature of the liquid ingredient and / or cartridge at the start of the dispensing process, for example when placed in a holder of the device or when reaching or moving to a dispensing position.

[0444] It is also conceivable that the temperature is input by the user, for example "cartridge taken out of the refrigerator" and "cartridge at ambient temperature".

[0445] It is also conceivable that the top sealing film has a temperature-responsive color-changing area that changes color as the temperature changes, thereby providing an indication of the actual temperature of the liquid ingredient. In this case, the device can have a sensor to read the temperature or an indicator arranged on the barrel, or the user can be guided to provide the correct input to the device.

[0446] The device 1100 includes a pressurized dome member 1140 having an outer gas seal 1146 along its periphery adapted to sealingly engage the cartridge 1 around the location where the top sealing membrane is pierced to allow pressurized gas to enter the reservoir. Here, the outer gas seal 1146 is implemented to seal to the outer sealing surface 12 of the peripheral wall 8 of the cartridge 1.

[0447] A pressurized gas source 1130 is connected to the dome member 1140 to allow pressurized gas to be fed into the space sealed by the outer gas seal that is sealingly engaged with the cartridge beneath the dome member 1140. This supply of pressurized gas (e.g., air) pressurizes the liquid ingredient when the top sealing membrane is opened (e.g., by tearing open the top end of the cartridge's cylinder by moving downward).

[0448] Here, a base liquid feed boom 1120 protrudes from a dome member 1140. The boom and dome member 1140 are integrated for unitary movement. The boom 1120 is provided with a gas seal 1146, here an O-ring, which seals to the top of the column to prevent pressurized air from entering the passage.

[0449] The dispensing device has an operable displacement device 1150 , here with an eccentric mechanism 1151 and an electric motor, suitable for moving the dome member 1140 and the spray bar 1120 relative to the cartridge 1 held in the holder 1110 .

[0450] When the displacement device 1150 is operated, the spray bar 1120 can pierce the top sealing membrane 20 and connect to the channel 23 of the nozzle 21. The continued downward movement of the spray bar 1120 (here moving downward together with the dome member 1140) causes the base liquid feed spray bar to collapse part of the column and move the top of the column 15 and the nozzle 21 to its dispensing position, thereby pressing the column and nozzle downward from the raised position to its lower dispensing position, thereby allowing the beverage base etc. to be dispensed from the cartridge 1, see Figure 29 .

[0451] The liquid feed assembly is preferably used to feed water (e.g. carbonated water) as a base liquid, for example, selectively feeding carbonated water and non-carbonated water, via the hose 1121. For example, the liquid feed assembly includes a pump for the base liquid and / or is connected to a water supply pipe, for example, via an intermediate heat exchanger for cooling and / or heating the liquid and / or via an intermediate carbonation device for carbonating the water.

[0452] The holder 1110 of the cartridge 1 is configured to receive and hold the cartridge in a substantially horizontal position, bottom-down. The holder has an aperture below the bottom of the cartridge 1, so that the liquid product does not come into contact with the holder during dispensing. This avoids unnecessary disturbances in the liquid flow, such as a reduction in the carbon dioxide content of the liquid product and / or contamination of the device and / or cross-contamination between successive supplies.

[0453] In the embodiment shown, the holder 1110 is configured to support the cartridge only below its flange. In the embodiment shown, the holder is a drawer, wherein the cavity for receiving the cartridge is completely devoid of a bottom or similar component to support the bottom of the cartridge. Thus, when the cartridge is in the holder, the cartridge has a freely hanging bottom.

[0454] At a distance below the dispensing position of the holder, the device has a standing position for a cup or other container, such as a beverage glass.

[0455] Here, the user opens the drawer 1110 by sliding it open and places the cartridge in the corresponding cavity of the drawer 1110. Preferably, the cartridge is now suspended on the upper flange, since the holder forms a corresponding support surface for the upper flange. The user now closes the drawer 1110 by sliding the drawer 1110 together with the cartridge 1 into the housing, so that the cartridge is moved to the dispensing position of the device 1100. Figure 25-27 This situation is shown in .

[0456] The displacement device 1150 is now operated so that the spray bar 1120 pierces the top sealing membrane 20 and connects to the passage 23 of the nozzle 21. Continued downward movement of the spray bar 1120 (here in conjunction with the dome member 1140) causes the base liquid feed spray bar to move the top end of the cylinder 15, thereby moving the nozzle 21 to its dispensing position, pressing the nozzle downward from the raised position to its lowered dispensing position, thereby allowing the beverage base etc. to be dispensed from the cartridge 1.

[0457] In the embodiment shown, the top seal 20 of the cartridge 1 is opened by the top of the cylinder (the top seal seals to the inner sealing surface 13 at the top of the cylinder) and is pressed downwardly against the peripheral wall to the outer sealing surface 14 of the cylinder (the seal also seals to the outer sealing surface 14). The tension thus generated in the seal causes the seal to tear open. In an alternative embodiment, a piercing device for piercing the top seal from the inside out can be provided in the reservoir. In another embodiment, the dispensing device can be provided with a seal piercing device.

[0458] from Figure 28 and 29 By comparison, it can be understood that moving the upper portion of the column structure 15 (combined with the nozzle 21 here) from the initial position downward to a lower position causes local overstress in the top sealing film 6 and thus ruptures. The rupture provides one or more desired gas pressure introduction openings in the top sealing film 20.

[0459] In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the top sealing film 20 is pre-weakened at or near one or more locations, such as having one or more pre-made score lines, such as made by laser scribing the film.

[0460] The downward movement of the boom 1120 causes the base liquid feed boom to move the nozzle 20 to its dispensing position, tearing the bottom seal away from the orifice sealing surface, thereby opening the outflow orifice and allowing the liquid ingredient to flow from the reservoir of the capsule.

[0461] The diamond shape of the seal, combined with the two outflow openings of the reservoir, makes it an optimal guide for the liquid dosage. This diamond shape creates two guide channels in the seal, which lead from below the outflow openings of the reservoir towards the nozzle, more specifically towards the dispensing orifice provided in the flange of the nozzle. The surface of the seal is inclined towards the center of the guide channels and towards the nozzle.

[0462] The carbonated water and pressurized gas (e.g., air) are now delivered, possibly with some time delay relative to the other. The liquid ingredient now passes through the outflow opening of the capsule body, from where it flows along the guide channel formed by the bottom seal to the dispensing orifice in the nozzle. In this embodiment, after the liquid ingredient and water are dispensed from the nozzle at the bottom of the cartridge, the liquid ingredient mixes with the water flowing through channel 23.

[0463] When a beverage is prepared, the flow of water or other base liquid is stopped. If necessary, some air flow can be continued to completely empty the cartridge and / or ensure that the last few drops of liquid ingredients, such as beverage base, are discharged. This can avoid loss of ingredients and contamination of the device.

[0464] At the end of the dispensing process, the dome member 1140 and the spray bar 1120 are moved to their initial positions, away from the cartridge 1, thereby allowing the cartridge 1 to be removed, thereby opening the drawer 1110 and removing the cartridge.

[0465] Figure 30 Schematically shows the Figure 25-29 The beverage dispensing device shown is similar to beverage dispensing device 2200, wherein the cartridge 2001 is in an open state.

[0466] The device has a housing 2205 and a holder 2210 (here a drawer) for the cartridge, which is used to accommodate and hold the cartridge 2001 in a dispensing position in the device. The dispensing position is located just above a holder 2215 for a beverage glass 2216.

[0467] The device 2000 includes an air pump 2230 and a pressurized dome member 2240 having an outer gas seal along its periphery adapted to sealingly engage the cartridge 2001 around the location where the top sealing membrane is perforated to allow pressurized air from the air pump to enter the reservoir.

[0468] The base liquid feeding spray rod 2220 is integrated with the dome member 2240 into a reciprocating unit (here moving vertically) driven by an operable displacement device 2250, wherein the operable displacement device 2250 has an eccentric mechanism and an electric motor, which is suitable for moving the dome member 2240 and the spray rod 2220 relative to the cylinder 2001 held in the retaining frame 2210.

[0469] When the displacement device 2250 is operated, the spray bar 2220 is connected to the channel in the nozzle in the column of the cartridge 2001. Moreover, when the spray bar 220 is moved further, the column, or at least its tip, is pressed downwards to its dispensing position and, in the process, the nozzle is also moved downwards.

[0470] The device 2000 has a water inlet 2260 to be connected to a water supply pipe. If desired, the device can include a water filter to filter the water flowing into the device.

[0471] Reference numeral 2265 denotes a water cooler device that cools water to a temperature of, for example, 2 to 10 degrees Celsius.

[0472] The outlet of the water chiller unit 2265 is connected directly to the spray boom 2220 on the one hand and to a carbonator 2270, such as an in-line or tankless carbonator, on the other hand, via a valve assembly 2266. A carbon dioxide bottle 2275 is also connected to the carbonator 2270 so that the carbon dioxide can be dissolved in the cooling water and then fed to the spray boom 2220.

[0473] Reference numeral 2280 denotes an instantaneous water heater adapted to provide hot water to the spray bar 2220. The flow rate thereof is controlled by a hot water valve 2281.

[0474] In some embodiments, the air pump 2230 is adapted to generate an air pressure 0.5 to 2.5 bar higher than atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the air pump 2230 generates a predetermined air pressure according to readable instructions on the cartridge (e.g., by reading a barcode), preferably a constant pressure during dispensing.

[0475] In one embodiment, the dispensing process of a cup (eg, approximately 250 ml) of beverage may take 15 to 30 seconds.

[0476] In one embodiment, the volume ratio between the liquid ingredient and the base liquid may be between 1:4 and 1:10. For example, a 50 ml volume of the liquid ingredient in the reservoir is mixed with 200-250 ml of carbonated water to fill a beverage glass.

[0477] In one embodiment, during the dispensing of the base liquid, the dispensing rate of the liquid formulation from the reservoir is substantially consistent, for example, about 2-3 ml per second.

[0478] Figures 31-36 A sixth exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 601 for providing a liquid product according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1-5 The cartridge shown is similar.

[0479] See also Figure 33 and 35 , the cartridge 601 includes a sealed capsule 602 and a nozzle 621 .

[0480] The capsule 602 includes a capsule body 605, a top seal 620, and, in the particular embodiment shown, a bottom seal 628. Figure 31 and Figure 32 The capsule body 605 is shown alone in FIG.

[0481] The capsule body 605 has a bottom 606 and a top 607, and further comprises an outer peripheral wall 608, an inner peripheral wall 609 and a bottom wall 610. These walls define between them an annular reservoir 611 which will be filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient, such as a beverage base, which will be combined with the base liquid to prepare a liquid product.

[0482] The inner peripheral wall 609 and the outer peripheral wall 608 are provided at their top ends with an inner sealing surface 613 and an outer sealing surface 612 , respectively, these sealing surfaces 612 , 613 defining a reservoir access opening 614 therebetween.

[0483] A top seal 620 (a top sealing membrane 620 in the particular embodiment shown) is sealed to the inner sealing surface 613 and the outer sealing surface 612. The top seal 620 covers the reservoir 611 and hermetically seals the reservoir access opening 614.

[0484] Inner peripheral wall 609 forms a cylinder 615 having an interior cavity 616 extending between an upper opening 617 at the top of the cylinder and a bottom opening 618 at the bottom end of the cylinder. Upper opening 617 is surrounded by inner sealing surface 613. Top seal 620 is sealed to the inner sealing surface and thereby to the top of cylinder 615.

[0485] Cavity 616 holds nozzle 621, which is connected to Figure 3 The nozzle shown separately in is similar. Figure 33 and 35 A cross-section of the nozzle 621 is shown in FIG. The nozzle 621 is configured to direct a base liquid (e.g., carbonated water) through at least a portion of the cavity 616 and dispense the base liquid at the bottom side of the capsule. The base liquid will be mixed with the liquid ingredients stored in the reservoir.

[0486] The nozzle 621 comprises a nozzle body 622 and has a channel 623 for guiding the flow of the base liquid. The channel 623 extends between an inlet 624 at the top end of the nozzle and an outlet 625 at the bottom end of the nozzle.

[0487] The nozzle 621 also has a flange 629 at the bottom end. The flange 629 has a sealing surface for a bottom seal 628 and has two liquid ingredient dispensing orifices 644. The dispensing orifices 644 penetrate the flange 629 of the nozzle near the outlet 625 of the nozzle for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet 625 of the nozzle (i.e., dispensed from the outlet 625 of the nozzle).

[0488] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown, a wall is provided in the dispensing orifice 644, which divides the dispensing orifice into two parallel channels located on opposite sides of the wall. In the accompanying drawings, the cross section passes through the wall provided in the respective dispensing orifice. Thus, Figure 33 and 35 A portion of a wall and one of two channels extending along the wall are shown.

[0489] The nozzle 621 is held in the cylinder 615 and can move with the top of the cylinder relative to the peripheral wall 608 of the capsule body 605. Therefore, by pushing the top of the cylinder 615 downward, the nozzle 621 can be moved from Figure 33 Move to the elevated passive position shown Figure 35 Lowered dispense position shown.

[0490] According to the present invention, the bottom wall 610 of the capsule body 607 is provided with at least one reservoir outlet 619. Figures 31-36 In the particular embodiment shown, the reservoir outlet 619 is in the form of two apertures 619A located on opposite sides of the column 515. These apertures are sealed by a bottom seal 628.

[0491] In addition, for Figures 31-36 In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule body 604 has a peripheral sealing surface 626 and an orifice sealing surface 627 on the bottom surface of the bottom wall 610. The orifice sealing surface 626 surrounds the reservoir outflow orifice 619A. The orifice sealing surface 627 is located between the peripheral sealing surface 626 and the bottom opening 618 of the cylinder 615.

[0492] Bottom seal 628 releasably seals to orifice sealing surface 627 and hermetically seals reservoir outflow orifice 619 A. Bottom seal 628 is also secured to peripheral sealing surface 626 and to a sealing surface 630 on flange 629 of the nozzle.

[0493] Capsule 602 has a central cylinder 615, the top end of which can be pushed downward. In the illustrated embodiment, cylinder 615 is collapsible; that is, the inner peripheral wall 609 of capsule body 605 is configured to flex when the top end of the cylinder is pressed downward toward the bottom end of the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a structure that facilitates flexion. Furthermore, a flexing structure 632 is provided to confine flexion of the cylinder to a specific area.

[0494] In the illustrated embodiment, the buckling structure comprises diamond-shaped recesses separated by linear ridges. The column's walls are provided with recesses to locally reduce their ability to support loads applied to the top of the column. The ridges between the recesses create rigid regions. When the top of the column is pushed downward, the column's walls buckle in the recessed regions, while the ridges separating the recesses remain more or less unchanged. Thus, the ridges are moved from an inclined position to a horizontal position, causing the recessed regions between the ridges to fold in on themselves. The column buckles, and the top of the column moves downward toward the lower end of the column.

[0495] In the illustrated embodiment, two rows of diamond-shaped recesses are provided, with the ridges between the recesses in the upper row extending at an angle opposite to that of the ridges in the lower row. It can be assumed that flexing of a column using diamond-shaped recesses causes the top of the column to rotate about a vertical axis. By providing the ridges of the lower and upper rows of diamond-shaped recesses at opposite angles, the rotational motion caused by the upper row of diamond-shaped recesses is offset by the rotational motion of the lower row of diamond-shaped recesses. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the flexing does not cause the upper end of the column to rotate relative to the lower end, or causes only minimal rotation.

[0496] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion of the column 615 is provided with a reinforcement structure 662. The reinforcement structure 662 is configured to resist buckling of the column 615 when the top of the column is pressed downwardly, and thereby further helps to limit the buckling to a specific area of the column.

[0497] In the embodiment shown, the reinforcing structure comprises ribs extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column when viewed in side elevation. The ribs extend parallel to the direction of the force applied to the top of the column to move it downward, so that the recess resists buckling of the column.

[0498] exist Figure 1-5 In the illustrated embodiment, pushing the top end of the cylinder moves the nozzle to a lowered dispensing position. Thus, the downward movement of the top end of the cylinder pulls the bottom seal, which is sealed to the bottom end of the nozzle, away from the outflow orifice. The capsule does not require a complex capsule body or external piercing device to open the reservoir, and more specifically, does not require a complex capsule body or external piercing device to open the capsule.

[0499] exist Figure 33 and 34 The cartridge 601 is shown in a passive position without a top seal. Figure 35 and 36 6. The cartridge 601 is shown in the active position. By pushing the top of the post 615 downward, the nozzle 621 is moved from the passive position to the dispensing position.

[0500] When the nozzle 621 is moved to the dispensing position, the nozzle pulls the bottom seal 628 away from the outflow aperture 619A in the bottom wall of the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir 611. The bottom seal 628 remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface 626 of the bottom wall 610 of the capsule body 605 along its periphery.

[0501] Thus, when the nozzle 621 is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal 628 is attached along its periphery to the peripheral sealing surface 626 of the capsule body 5 and at its center to the sealing surface 630 of the nozzle 621. The bottom seal 628 thus forms a funnel for guiding the liquid ingredient dispensed from the outflow orifice 619A at the bottom of the capsule to the two dispensing orifices 644 in the flange 629 of the nozzle 621.

[0502] therefore, Figures 31-36 The illustrated cartridge 601 is configured to dispense a stream of base liquid through a base liquid outlet orifice 631 at the bottom end of a passage 623 of a nozzle 621, while simultaneously dispensing two streams of liquid ingredients through a dispensing orifice 644 in the flange of the nozzle 621. The base liquid and liquid ingredients are combined into an unmixed stream at the bottom of the cartridge.

[0503] In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 621 helps combine the liquid ingredient stream with the base liquid stream. The liquid ingredient dispensing orifice 644 of the nozzle 621 is located near the inner wall of the nozzle, which defines a channel 623 of the nozzle 621 through which the base liquid is dispensed so that the liquid ingredient stream is dispensed adjacent to the base liquid stream. The liquid ingredient stream is preferably dispensed to adhere to the base liquid stream. When the liquid ingredient stream hits a container (e.g., a beverage glass) for accommodating a beverage, the liquid ingredient mixes with the base liquid. Therefore, the turbulence generated in the container by the dispensed liquid stream is used to mix the liquid stream. Compared to conventional devices in which the base liquid and liquid ingredient are usually mixed in a mixing chamber before dispensing, the cartridge of the present invention allows the base liquid and liquid ingredient to be mixed under conditions in which the turbulence in the liquid stream is minimized. This is particularly advantageous when dispensing beverages containing carbonated water. Since turbulence is reduced during the dispensing process, less carbon dioxide is separated from the water, and a beverage containing a higher carbon dioxide content can be obtained.

[0504] exist Figures 31-36 In the exemplary embodiment shown, cartridge 601 is configured so that movement of the top end of cylinder 615 opens sealed capsule 602. The combination of capsule body 605 and nozzle 621 allows the capsule body to have a simple shape, with the capsule being sealed by top seal 620 and bottom seal 628. The simple shape of the capsule body allows the capsule body and its walls to be constructed from multiple layers of material. Furthermore, the simple shape of the capsule body is suitable for providing it through thermoforming. Thermoforming allows the use of laminated materials, thereby providing a capsule body with improved barrier properties at a very low cost.

[0505] In this way, the cartridge is configured to provide a capsule for holding an ingredient, more specifically a sealed reservoir having barrier properties suitable for the particular base ingredient to be held in the reservoir.

[0506] It can be considered that in Figures 31-36 In the embodiment shown, the sealed reservoir 602 is provided with a diamond-shaped bottom seal 628. In such an embodiment, the capsule body 605 is provided with two outflow openings 644 in its bottom wall 610, which are provided on opposite sides of the cylinder 615.

[0507] In the embodiment shown, the diamond-shaped bottom seal 628 has a central opening through which the bottom end of the nozzle 621 extends. The bottom seal 628 seals to the bottom of the capsule body 605 at its circumference and to the flange 629 of the nozzle 621 along its central opening. The bottom seal 628 also seals to the bottom wall 610 of the capsule body 605 around the outflow orifice 619A of the reservoir 611.

[0508] exist Figures 31-36 In the preferred embodiment shown, the bottom of the capsule body 605 is provided with an annular shoulder. A bottom seal 628 is sealed to the annular shoulder along its periphery. The nozzle is provided with an annular flange. The bottom seal 628 is fixed to the flange along its central opening.

[0509] In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule is opened by pushing a portion of a nozzle comprising a flange out of the cylindrical portion of the capsule body. The nozzle thereby pulls the center of the bottom seal away from the bottom wall of the capsule body, which causes the bottom seal to be pulled away from the outflow orifice of the reservoir, thereby opening the sealed capsule.

[0510] The bottom seal is then still fixed to the bottom of the capsule at its peripheral edge and seals to the nozzle along its central opening, serving as a guide for dispensing the liquid ingredient from the reservoir. The seal guides the liquid ingredient to the outlet of the nozzle (i.e., the opening for dispensing the base liquid) so that the liquid ingredient can be dispensed parallel to and adjacent to the flow of the base liquid.

[0511] It is believed that the diamond shape of the seal, combined with the two outflow openings of the reservoir, makes the seal an optimal guide for the liquid ingredient. This diamond shape creates a guide channel through the seal that leads from below the reservoir outflow openings to the nozzle. The surface of the seal is inclined toward the center of the guide channel and the nozzle. As a result, all the liquid ingredient is directed toward the dispensing opening, and the risk of liquid ingredient remaining in the guide channel (i.e., undispensed) is reduced.

[0512] In a preferred embodiment, the capsule body is made of a multilayer material, preferably thermoformed from one piece of multilayer material, whereby the capsule wall comprises multiple layers of different materials having different barrier properties.

Claims

1. A cartridge for providing a liquid product, the cartridge comprising: - a sealed capsule filled with a portion of a liquid ingredient to be mixed with a base liquid to prepare a liquid product, to prepare a beverage, The sealed capsule comprises: a capsule body having a bottom and a top, the capsule body comprising an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and a bottom wall, the walls defining an annular reservoir therebetween, wherein the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall are provided with an inner sealing surface and an outer sealing surface at the top end, respectively, these sealing surfaces defining a reservoir access opening therebetween, wherein the inner peripheral wall forms a cylinder having an interior cavity extending between an upper opening at a top of the cylinder and a bottom opening at a bottom end of the cylinder, and wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an aperture sealed by a bottom seal; a top seal sealed to the inner and outer sealing surfaces and covering the reservoir, the top seal hermetically sealing the reservoir access opening, The cartridge further comprises: - a nozzle for directing a base liquid through at least a portion of the cavity and for distributing the base liquid on the bottom side of the capsule, wherein the nozzle comprises: - a nozzle body having a passage extending between an inlet at a top end of the nozzle and an outlet at a bottom end of the nozzle, and wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the peripheral wall of the capsule body from a raised passive position to a lowered dispensing position, wherein the cylinder is a compressible cylinder, wherein the bottom wall of the capsule body is provided with the at least one reservoir outlet in the form of an orifice, and a peripheral sealing surface and an orifice sealing surface surrounding the reservoir outflow orifice are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall, wherein the orifice sealing surface is located between the peripheral sealing surface and the bottom opening of the cylinder; and wherein the sealed capsule further comprises the bottom seal releasably sealed to the orifice sealing surface, hermetically sealing the reservoir outlet, and secured to the peripheral sealing surface; and wherein the nozzle has a sealing surface for a bottom seal and at least one dispensing orifice for dispensing the liquid ingredient at or near the base liquid stream exiting the outlet, wherein the bottom seal is fixed to a sealing surface of the nozzle and, by compression of the cylinder, when the nozzle is moved to the dispensing position, the nozzle pulls the bottom seal away from the orifice in the bottom wall of the capsule, allowing the liquid ingredient to flow out of the reservoir, and When the nozzle is in the dispensing position, the bottom seal remains attached to the peripheral sealing surface of the bottom of the capsule and the sealing surface of the nozzle, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient to flow along the bottom seal from the orifice of the bottom of the capsule to the dispensing orifice of the nozzle.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the capsule body is made of multiple layers of material, whereby the wall of the capsule comprises multiple layers of different materials, the different materials having different barrier properties. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the top seal and / or the bottom seal is a sealing membrane.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the top seal is a sealing film having one or more pre-formed score lines.

5. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the bottom seal is a sealing membrane and the one or more reservoir outlets are initially sealed by the cartridge's bottom sealing membrane, and wherein movement of the cylinder to its lowered dispensing position causes the cartridge's bottom sealing membrane to form a guide surface for directing liquid ingredient dispensed from the one or more reservoir outlets initially sealed by the bottom sealing membrane toward the nozzle, thereby enabling dispensing of the liquid ingredient from the cartridge via the nozzle.

6. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the bottom seal is a diamond or oval bottom seal, the capsule body is provided with two outflow openings in its bottom wall, the outflow openings being arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder, wherein the oval or diamond bottom seal has a longitudinal axis and a shorter transverse axis, and wherein the outflow openings are located above the longitudinal axis.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the bottom seal has a central opening through which the bottom end of the nozzle extends, and wherein the seal seals at its periphery to the bottom of the capsule body and to the flange of the nozzle along the central opening of the bottom seal.

8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cylinder of the cartridge is provided with a flexure, ie, a localized area of the cylinder configured to flex when pressure is applied to the top of the cylinder.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the column is provided with a reinforcement structure comprising linear ribs extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column when viewed in side view.

10. A system for preparing a liquid food, the system comprising: a) a cartridge as claimed in claim 1; b) a dispensing device comprising: - a holder suitable for receiving and holding said cartridge in a dispensing position of said device, a base liquid feeding assembly having a base liquid feeding member arranged in a dispensing position, the base liquid feeding member being connected to a channel in the body of the cartridge such that base liquid can be fed into the channel, - operable displacement means adapted to move the cartridge holder and the base liquid feed member relative to each other so as to connect the base liquid feed member to the channel and to move the top of the column downwardly from a raised passive position to the lowered dispensing position, - pressurized air source, wherein the dispensing device is adapted to place the source of pressurized gas in direct communication with the reservoir of the capsule to allow the liquid ingredient therein to be pressurized by the gas, thereby facilitating its dispensing from the reservoir via the one or more dispensing passages, wherein the system is adapted to create one or more air pressure introduction openings in a top sealing membrane covering an access opening to the reservoir, The dispensing device further includes a pressurized dome member having a peripheral gas seal adapted to sealingly engage the barrel about the location where the one or more openings are created in the top sealing membrane to allow the pressurized gas to enter the reservoir, the pressurized gas source being connected to the dome member and being adapted to feed pressurized gas beneath the dome member within the contour of a peripheral gas seal sealingly engaged with the cartridge, thereby allowing the liquid ingredient in the reservoir to be pressurized by the gas via the one or more gas pressure introduction openings in the sealing membrane, thereby facilitating dispensing of the liquid ingredient from the reservoir via the at least one reservoir outlet, The cartridge is configured such that moving at least the top of the column downward causes the top sealing membrane to be locally overstressed and rupture, thereby providing the one or more gas pressure introduction openings.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the top sealing membrane is pre-weakened to facilitate rupture of the membrane.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the peripheral wall of the capsule body is provided with a flange, the flange forming a peripheral top of the capsule body, the top seal being attached to the flange at the outer sealing area.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the base liquid feed member is a base liquid feed boom that protrudes from a pressurized dome member.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more reservoir outlets of the cartridge are arranged on the bottom side of the cartridge and spaced apart from the column, such that the liquid ingredient flows out of the one or more reservoir outlets as one or more streams different from the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, and wherein a guide member is provided such that the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The one or more reservoir outlets of the cartridge are arranged at a height above the outlet of the nozzle when the nozzle is in the lowered dispensing position.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more reservoir outlets are initially sealed by a bottom seal of the cartridge, and wherein downward movement of the column, or at least the top end of the column, causes the bottom seal of the cartridge to rupture and / or be torn away from the one or more reservoir outlets initially sealed by the bottom seal, thereby allowing dispensing from the cartridge.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the guide member is arranged so that the liquid ingredient flowing from the reservoir outlet abuts the outside of the base liquid stream flowing from the nozzle as an annular shroud around the base liquid stream.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the dispensing device is adapted to pressurize the liquid ingredient in the reservoir so that the one or more streams of liquid ingredient flowing out of the one or more reservoir outlets flow as a slow stream together with the base liquid stream flowing out of the nozzle, the slow stream being adjacent to the outside of the base liquid stream.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein a guide member is provided below the capsule body and below the reservoir outlet, the guide member comprising a guide surface that is angled relative to the flow of the liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir such that a jet of liquid ingredient flowing out of the reservoir outlet due to gas pressurization of the liquid ingredient strikes the guide surface of the guide member, thereby reducing the velocity of the jet.

20. The system of claim 10 wherein the holder is a drawer including a cavity for receiving the cartridge therein, the drawer being movable into the housing of the device so that the cartridge can be moved to the dispensing position, and wherein the operable displacement device is adapted to move the pressurized dome member up and down relative to the housing to sealingly engage the peripheral gas seal with the cartridge in an underside position of the dome member about a position where the sealing membrane is opened to allow pressurized gas to enter the reservoir.

21. A method for preparing a liquid food, wherein the method uses the system of claim 10, wherein the method comprises: - sealingly engaging the peripheral gas seal of the pressurized dome member with the barrel around the location where the top sealing membrane is or is to be opened to allow pressurized gas to enter the reservoir, - opening the top sealing film at said one or more locations, - opening the at least one reservoir outlet by pushing downwards the top end of the cylinder of the cartridge, - feeding pressurized gas beneath the dome member, thereby pressurizing the liquid ingredient in the reservoir of the capsule by the gas, thereby assisting in dispensing the liquid ingredient from the reservoir via the one or more dispensing channels.

22. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the flexure comprises at least one annular band comprised of parallelogram-shaped recesses separated by linear ridges.

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