Beverage extraction system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising an extraction device and a capsule of a beverage preparation machine, where-the capsule comprises a capsule body and a top cover, and-the extraction device comprises:-an upstream capsule enclosing part and a downstream capsule enclosing part, the present invention relates to a capsule extraction device comprising an upstream capsule enclosing member and a downstream capsule enclosing member relatively translatable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the capsule and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber enclosing the capsule during extraction, the downstream member comprising a downstream planar piercing arrangement for opening the cover of the capsule, and wherein the body of the pouch and the cover are made of a multi-ply paper material comprising a paper ply coated with at least one plastic ply, and wherein the multi-ply material of the downstream piercing arrangement and the second envelope wall (32) of the pouch is designed to enable progressive piercing of the top cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of preparing beverages using a system comprising a single-cup container containing beverage ingredients and a machine having an extraction chamber into which the container can be inserted and in which extraction takes place. Background Art

[0002] Single-cup containers for automatic preparation of beverages encompass various forms of containers that may be relatively soft or flexible (such as pods) and made of any material such as aluminum, plastic, filter paper that may be recyclable or non-recyclable, biodegradable or non-biodegradable.

[0003] WO 2020 / 089404 describes a system for extracting a beverage from such soft or flexible capsules. These capsules present an asymmetrical shape relative to a plane including the flange of the capsule. The extraction device is provided with an extraction chamber configured to adapt its size according to the shape and volume of the introduced capsule. The extraction chamber comprises:

[0004] an upstream part defining a holder and carrying an upstream piercing arrangement for opening the bottom wall of the pad and a liquid injector for supplying liquid through the opened bottom wall, and

[0005] - A downstream part defining a plate comprising a downstream planar piercing arrangement for opening the cover of the pad.

[0006] During the extraction process, water is supplied into the capsule through the opened bottom wall, which increases the pressure inside the capsule. The downstream planar piercing arrangement is designed to open the cover by engaging the cover against the piercing arrangement under the effect of this pressure increase of the injected liquid in the capsule body chamber and the expansion of the cover against the piercing arrangement.

[0007] In order to respect the environment, it is nowadays desirable to use packets made of biodegradable and / or compostable material, in particular substantially made of paper.

[0008] These new materials cause certain problems during beverage preparation and handling of the capsule in the extraction device, in particular it is difficult to obtain an optimal extraction of the roast and ground coffee, the coffee being either over-extracted or under-extracted.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the invention

[0010] A system is provided, comprising a beverage preparation machine and a capsule containing beverage ingredients, preferably roasted and ground coffee,

[0011] wherein the capsule comprises a first enclosure wall and a second enclosure wall, wherein the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall define a chamber for enclosing the beverage ingredient, and

[0012] wherein the first capsule enclosure wall and the second capsule enclosure wall of the capsule are made of a multi-layer paper material, the multi-layer paper material comprising at least one paper layer and at least one plastic layer, preferably a compostable plastic layer, assembled together, and

[0013] wherein the multi-layer paper material is oriented so that at least one plastic layer faces an interior portion of the chamber of the pad, and

[0014] and

[0015] Wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises an extraction device for extracting the beverage from the capsule, and the extraction device comprises:

[0016] an upstream capsule-closing member and a downstream capsule-closing member, which are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the capsule and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber enclosing the capsule during extraction,

[0017] - The upstream component carries:

[0018] an upstream piercing arrangement for opening the first enclosure wall of the pad, and

[0019] Liquid injector,

[0020] - the downstream part comprises a downstream piercing arrangement for opening the second enclosing wall of the pad, said downstream piercing arrangement comprising a plate, wherein:

[0021] the surface of the plate turned towards the second wall of the pad comprises an opening element protruding from said surface, and

[0022] the plate comprises perforations for venting the beverage dispensed from the opened second wall, and

[0023] Wherein during the preparation of the beverage, the extraction device is constructed as follows:

[0024] - in a first step, enclosing the capsule between the upstream capsule enclosing member and the downstream capsule enclosing member, and

[0025] - Then, in a second step, liquid is introduced into the interior of the enclosed capsule by means of the liquid injector,

[0026] Wherein the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement and the multilayer material of the second enclosure wall of the pad are designed such that:

[0027] - in the first step, the opening element only partially pierces the multilayer paper material, so that at least the plastic layer of the inner part of the multilayer paper material facing the chamber of the pad is not pierced, and

[0028] - During the second step, the opening element completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement under the effect of the pressure increase of the injection liquid in the pad and by expansion of the second envelope wall cover against the opening element.

[0029] The extraction device of the system is typically included in a beverage preparation machine configured to receive a capsule. Preferably, the beverage preparation machine is a coffee machine, although the machine can be designed to prepare, for example, tea, chocolate or soup, depending on the ingredient enclosed in the capsule. In particular, the machine is arranged for preparing a beverage in an extraction chamber by passing water, preferably hot water, or other liquid through a capsule containing the ingredient of the beverage to be prepared, preferably roasted and ground coffee, or ultimately tea leaves, or instant coffee, or instant tea, or chocolate, or cocoa, or milk powder, or dehydrated soup. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage ingredient is roasted and ground coffee.

[0030] The device is configured for extracting beverage ingredients contained in a capsule by supplying an extraction liquid such as water into the capsule. The device comprises an upstream capsule enclosing part and a downstream capsule enclosing part which are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting such a capsule and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber enclosing the capsule during extraction of the beverage ingredients.

[0031] Typically, the capsule can be inserted into the device from above under the effect of gravity. The ejection or removal of the capsule when the enclosing part is reopened can also be driven by gravity.

[0032] The upstream capsule enclosing part and the downstream capsule enclosing part are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the capsule and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber enclosing the capsule during extraction. In a specific embodiment, the upstream capsule enclosing part and the downstream capsule enclosing part are relatively movable in translation along the longitudinal axis (XX').

[0033] The upstream part or injection part comprises an upstream piercing arrangement in the form of one or more piercers for piercing the first wall of the inserted pad and at least one liquid injector for supplying liquid through the pierced first wall of the pad.

[0034] The upstream piercing arrangement may include a piercer in the form of a blade. The blades may be designed and positioned to pierce the first wall of the pad body when the upstream pad enclosure and the downstream pad enclosure are placed in the closed position. The liquid injector, such as a sprayer located at the upstream part of the holder, may introduce the extraction liquid through the pre-pierced opening.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the upstream piercing arrangement structure may include at least one hollow needle, which is configured to pierce the wall of the bottom of the capsule body, and the hollow needle may include an internal axial channel for guiding the extraction liquid in the chamber of the capsule.

[0036] The downstream part or dispensing part defines a downstream piercing arrangement for opening the second wall of the capsule when the extraction liquid is introduced into the interior of the capsule. Typically, the downstream planar piercing arrangement is designed to open the second wall by relative engagement with the second capsule enclosure wall and expansion of the second wall against the piercing arrangement under the effect of the increased pressure of the liquid injected into the chamber of the capsule. The downstream planar piercing arrangement comprises a plate, which is preferably rigid and which comprises opening elements (like a plurality of protrusions) and recessed elements (such as spikes), which opening elements may present the shape of a cone on its surface turned toward the second wall.

[0037] Furthermore, the plate comprises perforations for draining the beverage dispensed from the opened second wall to a tube or nozzle that collects the beverage and dispenses it into a drinking cup.

[0038] Typically, the shape of the upstream part and the enclosing part of the extraction device is defined according to the shape of the pad it is configured to extract from.

[0039] In a first embodiment of the system:

[0040] - The capsule is constructed such that:

[0041] the first enclosure wall is a capsule body, said capsule body comprising side walls and a bottom wall defining the chamber, and a circumferential annular body flange, said capsule body containing the beverage ingredient, and

[0042] the second enveloping wall is a top cover attached to the peripheral flange, said top cover closing the top opening of the pad body,

[0043] and

[0044] - The extraction device is constructed such that:

[0045] the upstream part defines a cage designed to enclose the pad body and to carry an upstream piercing arrangement for opening the bottom wall of the pad,

[0046] The downstream part defines a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX′), said plate comprising a downstream piercing arrangement for opening the cover of the pad.

[0047] In this first embodiment, the capsule presents an asymmetrical shape.

[0048] When a capsule is present, the capsule body is surrounded by the holder of the upstream part and the capsule cover extends along the downstream piercing arrangement. The asymmetric shape of the capsule has the advantage of forcing the operator to correctly position the capsule inside the extraction device, precisely with the cover in front of the downstream piercing arrangement.

[0049] In a second embodiment of the system:

[0050] - The capsule is constructed such that:

[0051] each of the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall is a capsule body, the capsule body comprising a side wall and a bottom wall defining half of the chamber, and a circumferential annular body flange,

[0052] The circumferential annular body flanges of the pad body are attached together,

[0053] and

[0054] The extraction device is configured such that the upstream part and the downstream part together define a holder for enclosing the pad.

[0055] In this second embodiment, generally speaking, the upstream encapsulation part and the downstream encapsulation part present similar shapes corresponding to the half-shells, and the capsule is symmetrical along the plane defined by the flange. Thus, the capsule can be oriented indifferently so that the first encapsulation wall or the second encapsulation wall faces the upstream capsule encapsulation part or the downstream encapsulation part. For this purpose, preferably, the two encapsulation walls have the same properties of material as described below.

[0056] Generally speaking, the extraction device may include an insertion section for inserting the capsule into the device. Generally speaking, the section is positioned above the upstream capsule enclosing part and the downstream capsule enclosing part, so that the capsule is inserted between these two parts by gravity. Depending on the shape of the capsule, the insertion section may be designed so as to encourage the user to position the capsule with its cover facing the downstream piercing arrangement.

[0057] Generally speaking, the beverage machine comprises a liquid supply system connected to the upstream enclosure component. The liquid supply system may include:

[0058] - a liquid supply source, such as a liquid tank,

[0059] - a pumping member for driving liquid from the liquid supply source to the extraction device,

[0060] - Heating and / or cooling means which adapt the temperature of the liquid before it is introduced into the interior of the pad.

[0061] The liquid is typically water.

[0062] The beverage machine usually comprises a manual or electric actuator for actuating the movement of the enclosing part of the extraction device.

[0063] Typically, the beverage machine comprises a control unit configured to control the supply of liquid to the extraction device and optionally the movement of the enclosing member of the extraction device.

[0064] Typically, the system is configured to extract a coffee beverage from a capsule comprising roasted and ground coffee. In the process of preparing a coffee beverage from the system, at least the following steps occur:

[0065] - In a preliminary step, the pad is inserted between the upstream pad enclosing part and the downstream pad enclosing part positioned in their open position. This operation can be manually operated by a user or automatically operated by a motor of the beverage machine. Typically, the pad is received in a pad holder which holds the pad between the two pad enclosing parts which are held away from each other in their open position.

[0066] - Then, in a first step, the upstream capsule enclosing part and / or the downstream capsule enclosing part are moved relative to each other to their closed position so as to form the extraction chamber enclosing the capsule for the upcoming extraction. In this step, the outer surfaces of the first wall and the second wall of the capsule come into contact with the surfaces of the upstream piercing arrangement and the downstream piercing arrangement. Typically, the upstream piercing arrangement (such as a blade or a hollow needle) pierces the first enclosing wall of the capsule, unless the upstream piercing arrangement is retractable and can be moved in another step.

[0067] - Then, in a second step, extraction water is injected by the liquid injector through the hole pierced by the upstream piercing arrangement inside the first wall of the capsule. As the water is injected, it fills the chamber of the capsule. The pressure increases until the second wall of the capsule opens. The opening occurs when the pressure expands the second wall to such an extent that its engagement with the downstream piercing arrangement tears or pierces the second wall. Once the tear occurs, the coffee extracted from the roasted and ground coffee by pressurizing the water flows and is dispensed from the machine. Depending on the properties of the second encapsulating wall, the tear may not occur at the optimal pressure, which directly affects the quality of the final coffee beverage.

[0068] In the present system, the first and second pod enclosure walls of the pod are made of a multi-layer paper material made of different material layers, the multi-layer paper material comprising at least one paper layer and at least one plastic layer assembled together.

[0069] Preferably, all components of the pad, in particular all components of the multi-layer paper material, are compostable.

[0070] The plastic layer reinforces the paper layer's protection of the beverage ingredients from liquids, gases and moisture.

[0071] In the pad, the multi-layer paper material is oriented so that at least one plastic layer faces the interior portion of the chamber of the pad.

[0072] In the present system, the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement and the multilayer material of the second enclosure wall of the pad are designed in conformity with each other such that:

[0073] - in the first step of preparing the beverage, the opening element only partially pierces the multilayer paper material, so that at least the plastic layer of the multilayer paper material facing the inner part of the chamber of the pad is not pierced, and

[0074] - During the second step of preparing the beverage, the opening element completely pierces the multilayer paper material by relative engagement under the effect of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the pad and by expansion of the second enclosure wall cover against the opening element.

[0075] Thus, the system is configured to achieve a progressive opening and interaction of the second pad enclosure wall during beverage preparation, in particular during coffee preparation from roast and ground coffee.

[0076] During the first step of encapsulating the pad, the opening element pierces only a portion of the paper layer or preferably the entire paper layer of the multilayer paper material, but the opening element does not pierce the plastic layer of the inner part facing the chamber of the pad. This means that the opening element does not completely pierce the second pad encapsulation wall laterally, which ensures that the pad remains sealed during filling with the extraction fluid and that the fluid can fill the pad during the second step of preparation, so that the pressure in the pad can rise and the production of crema from the roasted and ground coffee can be achieved.

[0077] This partial piercing of the second capsule envelope wall also ensures that the opening element can completely pierce the second envelope wall when the pressure increases and the capsule expands. Due to the fact that the paper layer of the multi-layer paper material has already been pierced in the first step, the piercing of the other plastic layer of the multi-layer paper material is easier than it would be necessary to pierce all layers (paper and plastic) of the multi-layer material under the effect of the increased pressure of the injection liquid in the capsule and the expansion of the second envelope wall cover against the opening element.

[0078] Preferably, the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement structure and the multi-layer material of the second encapsulation wall of the bag are designed so that: during the second step, the opening element completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement with the second encapsulation wall under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the bag and the second encapsulation wall cover expands against the opening element after the pressure inside the bag reaches at least 3 bar, preferably at least 4 bar.

[0079] Therefore, with a pressure opening above 4 bar, the roast and ground coffee will not be under-extracted.

[0080] Preferably, the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement structure and the multi-layer material of the second encapsulation wall of the bag are designed so that: during the second step, the opening element completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement with the second encapsulation wall under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the bag and the second encapsulation wall cover expands against the opening element before the pressure inside the bag reaches at most 10 bars, preferably at most 9 bars.

[0081] Thus, with a pressure opening below 10 bar, the roast and ground coffee will not be over-extracted due to a too long flow time for dispensing the coffee in the cup or there is a risk that the flow will stop and the coffee will not be dispensed at all.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement is designed with a pointed end, and

[0083] wherein the plastic layer facing the inner part of the chamber of the capsule:

[0084] - can be stretched by the tip of the opening element during the first step of the beverage preparation,

[0085] and

[0086] - being pierceable by the pointed end of the opening element in the second step of the beverage preparation.

[0087] The pointed end of the opening element is able to tear the paper of the paper layer of the multilayer material, but not the plastic layer, due to the fact that the plastic layer is constructed to be able to stretch and because the position of the plastic layer in the inner part of the chamber of the bag is such that it only comes into contact with the top end of the opening element.

[0088] However, the stretchability of the plastic layer is set so that: once the extraction fluid fills the pad, the pressure of the fluid on the plastic layer stretches it so much over the tip of the opening element that the layer is finally pierced and the extracted coffee is dispensed.

[0089] Preferably, the extraction device is constructed so that: when the capsule enclosing part is moving from one to another to enclose the capsule in the extraction chamber, at least a portion of the extraction device pushes the capsule so that the second enclosing wall of the capsule is pressed against the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement structure.

[0090] Thus, tearing of the paper layer of the second envelope wall is improved.

[0091] Preferably, the pad contains compacted beverage ingredients, preferably compacted roast and ground coffee.

[0092] When a portion of the extraction device pushes the pad so as to press it against the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement, the compacted coffee provides a counter surface that improves the tearing of the paper layer during the first step.

[0093] For example, the coffee may be compacted as described in WO2020 / 089403 or by any other process.

[0094] Typically, the paper layer of the multi-layer paper material may be a paper sheet.

[0095] Alternatively, but preferably for the pad body, the paper layer may be formed by:

[0096] - Wet pulp molding. Wherein, the process of forming the body may include the following steps: placing a pulp slurry in a mold, for example by filling the mold with the slurry or by dipping the mold into the slurry. The pulp slurry may be pressed in the mold, and the body so formed may be dried. The pulp may be any form of material, such as cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp, wood pulp, bagasse, non-wood pulp, cellulose-based pulp or other alternative pulp sources.

[0097] or

[0098] - Dry pulp molding. Therein, the process of forming the body may include the step of providing a blank of preferably dry cellulose fibers. The blank may then be formed into the shape of the body using a tool, preferably under application of heat and / or water.

[0099] Preferably, the paper layer of the multi-layer paper has a thickness of at least 20 g / m 2 , preferably up to 150g / m 2 The paper layer forming the forming wall of the body may have a higher grammage than the paper layer in the cover because the paper layer needs to be stretched and deformed during manufacturing.

[0100] The paper layer of the multi-layer paper material may also be identified as the primary layer in the present application.

[0101] Whatever the type of the paper layer, this layer is assembled with at least one plastic layer. This plastic layer may also be identified as a second layer in the present application.

[0102] The plastic layer may be selected from the following list:

[0103] - Polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0104] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0105] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0106] - a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) layer,

[0107] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0108] - A layer of a polymer blend formed from any combination of the above mentioned polymers.

[0109] The paper layer may be assembled together with several of these different plastic layers.

[0110] The plastic layer reinforces the paper layer's protection of the beverage ingredients from liquids, gases and moisture.

[0111] In addition to these paper and plastic layers, the multi-layer paper material may preferably comprise an additional layer of a material providing a barrier to oxygen. This layer may also be identified as a third layer in the present application.

[0112] The layer can be selected from the following list:

[0113] - a layer of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH), in particular a layer of a butene glycol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH),

[0114] - a polyglycolic acid (PGA) layer,

[0115] -Metallic coating,

[0116] -SiO x Base coating,

[0117] -AlO x Base coating,

[0118] -A combination of these.

[0119] In a specific embodiment where the additional or third layer is a plastic polymer, the second layer and the third layer may be assembled together as a multilayer plastic film. In this embodiment, the multilayer plastic layer may include an inner third layer positioned between two outer second layers.

[0120] Preferably, the inner third layer is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) film, in particular a butene vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.

[0121] Preferably, the outer second polymer layer can be selected from polylactic acid (PLA) film, polybutylene succinate (PBS) film, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) film, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film and starch film. The second film can also be composed of a polymer blend formed by any combination of these listed polymers.

[0122] Preferably, the three layers are attached by two intermediate adhesive layers, preferably anhydride-modified polymer resins. Generally, the multilayer plastic layers are produced by coextrusion.

[0123] The multi-ply paper material may further comprise an ink print on one of its surfaces. The ink print is preferably food safe.

[0124] The multi-layer paper material may also include a protective layer at its outermost surface. The protective layer may provide protection in the case of ink printing. In this case, the protective layer is preferably transparent.

[0125] Furthermore, depending on the quality of the paper used, the protective layer may provide the function of preventing the paper from sticking to the downstream piercing arrangement, with the risk that some small pieces of torn paper remain attached to the downstream piercing arrangement when and after the capsule is ejected from the extraction device.

[0126] The assembly of the layers can be achieved by any type of process depending on the nature of the different layers of material, such as:

[0127] - co-lamination or co-extrusion of these layers,

[0128] - coating or depositing one compound on another layer to form a layer on another layer,

[0129] - Coextrusion coating.

[0130] Furthermore, the different layers may be bonded to one another via an intermediate adhesive layer.

[0131] Generally speaking, the first and second enveloping walls are made of the same multi-ply paper material, except that at least for the second enveloping wall the outer surface of the multi-ply paper material is covered by a protective layer. Depending on the type of the capsule, all enveloping walls may be covered by the protective layer, in particular in the case where the capsule can be introduced into the interior of the extraction device in any orientation, as in the second embodiment of the capsule described above.

[0132] This protective layer can be:

[0133] - Polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0134] - a cellulose layer (cellophane),

[0135] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0136] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0137] - a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) layer,

[0138] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0139] - A layer of a polymer blend formed from any combination of the polymers listed above.

[0140] Preferably, the protective layer is a film comprising regenerated cellulose, in particular Cellophane TM .

[0141] In this application:

[0142] - The term "capsule" is used broadly to denote any kind of single-dose container suitable for preparing a beverage or other edible product, such as a capsule, box, portion pack or individual pack, without being limited to the shape of the container, in particular the shape of the body, or the type of piercing member required to extract the beverage therefrom.

[0143] - The expression "compostable material" may be understood as any material which can be decomposed into environmentally harmless products by (the action of) organisms, such as microorganisms, for example bacteria, fungi or algae. The process may be carried out in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) and / or in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic). This may be understood to mean, for example, that composting can be carried out without reservation. In particular, at the end of the composting process, there are no residues of material which could cause problems for the environment, or any non-biodegradable components. International standards (e.g., EU 13432 or US ASTM D6400) specify technical requirements and procedures for determining the compostability of materials.

[0144] The above aspects of the present invention may be combined in any suitable combination. In addition, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Additional objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the claims, specific embodiments, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0145] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0146] - Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a view of a capsule for use in the system of the invention according to a first embodiment,

[0147] - Figure 1C and Figure 1D is a view of a capsule for use in the system of the invention according to a second embodiment,

[0148] - Figure 1E Schematically illustrating the multi-layer paper material of the pouch,

[0149] - Figure 2A and Figure 2B are side and top views of an extraction device in a closed position for use in the system of the present invention,

[0150] - Figure 3A is a separated side view of an upstream capsule enclosing part and a downstream capsule enclosing part of an extraction device in an open position,

[0151] - Figure 3B is in closed position Figure 3AA side view of the separation of the upstream bladder enclosing component and the downstream bladder enclosing component,

[0152] - Figure 3C It is in the ejection position of the capsule Figure 3A A side view of the separation of the upstream bladder enclosing component and the downstream bladder enclosing component,

[0153] - Figure 4A yes Figure 3A An isolated perspective view of the upstream bladder encapsulation component,

[0154] - Figure 4B yes Figure 3A An isolated perspective view of the piercing arrangement of the downstream capsule encapsulation component,

[0155] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4B An enlarged view of the opening element of the piercing arrangement structure.

[0156] - Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a fluid system of a beverage preparation machine,

[0157] - Figure 7 A graph is provided relating to the preparation of coffee using a system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0158] Figure 1A (Perspective) and Figure 1B (Exploded view) illustrates a first embodiment of a capsule 3 that can be used in the extraction device of the present invention.

[0159] The capsule 3 comprises a capsule body 31 having a side wall 311 extending axially from a bottom wall 313 toward the top. The side wall 311 extends toward a top opening 312. At the top opening 312, the body comprises a circumferential annular flange 314 extending radially outward from the side wall 311 along the circumference of the opening 312.

[0160] The flange includes a top surface 3142 facing the top and a bottom surface 3141 .

[0161] Generally speaking, any transverse cross-section of the body is circular from bottom to top, and the flange is also circular.

[0162] The body defines a chamber for containing beverage ingredients.

[0163] The beverage ingredient that is packaged is preferably an ingredient that can be extracted under pressure like roasted and ground coffee.Preferably, the roasted and ground coffee is compacted.

[0164] In a less preferred manner, the beverage ingredient may be brewed like tea leaves or dissolved like a water-soluble powder ingredient such as instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of said powders, or even a soluble liquid ingredient or beverage concentrate such as a syrup or milk concentrate. The powder may be compacted, agglomerated or fired.

[0165] The capsule includes a cover 32 that is secured, sealed or attached to at least a portion of the top surface 3142 of the circumferential flange and thereby covers and closes the top opening 312 .

[0166] The bottom wall 313 is adapted to be pierced so that liquid can be injected into the bladder through the pierced opening, as further described below. Figure 1A to Figure 1B In the embodiment, the bottom is relatively flat, however the bottom may have other shapes, such as a conical or frusto-conical shape.

[0167] The cover 32 is adapted to open during injection of liquid by relative engagement with the piercing arrangement under the effect of the increased liquid pressure inside the pad.

[0168] The shape of the pad is symmetrical relative to a central axial axis ZZ′ extending from the bottom wall to the cover and is asymmetrical relative to the plane of the cover 32 and the flange 314 .

[0169] Preferably, the pad 3 is substantially made of a biodegradable or compostable material, preferably a home compostable material, as the extracted coffee cake can be easily composted at home.

[0170] Preferably, the body and the cover of the pad are made from a multi-layer paper material comprising a paper layer coated with at least one plastic layer.

[0171] In this multi-layer paper material, the paper layers are formable, i.e. the paper sheets can be given a three-dimensional shape, which is in the form of the body of the pad as described above. In contrast to ordinary pads made of filter paper, the paper is thicker and retains the three-dimensional shape set during the forming step of making the pad.

[0172] Preferably, the paper layer of the pad may have a thickness of at least 20 g / m 2 , preferably up to 150g / m 2 The paper of the main body may have a higher grammage than the paper of the cover because the paper of the main body needs to be stretched and deformed during manufacturing.

[0173] The weight of the paper of the main body can be included in 80g / m 2 Up to 150g / m 2 between.

[0174] The cover may have a thickness of 20 g / m2 Up to 120g / m 2 The weight between.

[0175] In multi-layer paper materials, the plastic layer provides additional properties, such as an air barrier, stretchable or deformable properties, for example as described in WO 2020 / 114995 or WO 2022 / 022899.

[0176] Indeed, in order to shape the paper into a container for the beverage and to form a barrier for protecting the beverage ingredients, the paper must be sufficiently thick. Furthermore, in order to form a barrier to oxygen of the atmosphere, to which roasted and ground coffee is particularly sensitive, the multi-layer paper preferably comprises a compostable plastic layer. A sealant layer is usually required to attach the different layers and prevent delamination.

[0177] According to a preferred embodiment, the plastic layer of the multi-layer paper is a multi-layer plastic layer comprising an inner barrier film positioned between two outer polymer films, wherein:

[0178] - The inner barrier film is a butene vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film (third layer),

[0179] - The outer polymer film may be selected from polylactic acid (PLA) film, polybutylene succinate (PBS) film, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) film, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film and starch film (second layer).

[0180] The multi-ply paper material of the cover may comprise at least one additional layer, without the paper material of the body necessarily comprising the at least one additional layer. However, the multi-ply paper material of the cover and the body may also be identical.

[0181] Specifically, the outer surface of the multi-layer paper material of the top cover can be covered by a protective layer. According to a preferred embodiment, the protective layer is a film comprising regenerated cellulose. Like the layer paper, the protective layer is torn by the downstream piercing arrangement during the first step.

[0182] Figure 1E Schematically illustrated is a multi-layer paper of the cover 32, which comprises, from the inner surface facing the chamber to the outer surface facing the outside of the pad:

[0183] - a plastic layer B having barrier properties,

[0184] -Plastic layer A,

[0185] - Optional protective layer C.

[0186] Figure 1C (Perspective) and Figure 1D (Exploded view) illustrates a second embodiment of a capsule 3 that can be used in the extraction device of the present invention.

[0187] The pad comprises identical first and second enclosure walls 31, 31': each of them comprises a pad body 311, 311' defining half of a chamber and a circumferential annular body flange 314, 314', and

[0188] The circumferential annular main body flanges of the pad bodies are attached together so as to define a chamber for containing beverage ingredients 33 .

[0189] With this second embodiment, the capsule shape is symmetrical relative to a plane extending from the bottom wall to the central axial axis ZZ' to the cover and relative to the attached flanges 314, 314'. The capsule can thus be oriented indifferently inside the extraction device, with the first enveloping wall 31 or the second enveloping wall 31' facing the upstream capsule enveloping part. For this purpose, preferably, the two enveloping parts 31, 31' have the same multilayer paper material, with the outer surface consisting of a Figure 1E The illustrated protective layer C covers.

[0190] The following description relates to the ability to be used in an advantageous manner with Figure 1A , Figure 1B The extraction device is used together with the above-mentioned capsule 3 of the first embodiment.

[0191] For pads according to the second embodiment, the following description applies, with the difference that the extraction device must be adapted to receive such pads. For example, extraction devices described in WO2007 / 135135, WO2004 / 071259, WO2013026844 or EP1767129 may be used.

[0192] Figure 2A is a side view of an extraction device according to the invention comprising an upstream capsule-enclosing member 2 and a downstream capsule-enclosing member 1 capable of relative translation along a longitudinal axis XX'. Typically, this axis XX' is substantially horizontal. Figure 2A , the two parts are in a closed position and form an extraction chamber which is configured to enclose the capsule during extraction. The capsule is introduced through an insertion section 4 positioned above the two enclosing parts 1, 2, from which the capsule can fall by gravity to the two enclosing parts 1, 2. After extraction, when the two enclosing parts 1, 2 are moved away from each other, the capsule can fall again by gravity below the two enclosing parts. Arrow F illustrates the movement of the capsule from insertion inside the extraction device to ejection from the device.

[0193] The two capsule encapsulating parts 1, 2 are held between two lateral and longitudinal metal sheets 6a, 6b and can be moved between them. At least one of these parts can be moved in translation between the two sheets in order to assess different relative and functional positions. In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the downstream encapsulating part 1 is fixed and only the upstream encapsulating part 2 can be moved forward and backward along the longitudinal axis XX'.

[0194] Figure 2B is a top view of the extraction device in the same relative position of the upstream capsule enclosing part 2 and the downstream capsule enclosing part 1. The insertion section 4, in particular its housing, is designed so that the capsule 2 can be introduced with its cover 32 facing the downstream capsule enclosing part 1 and therefore facing the piercing arrangement 12 of said enclosing part, as will be explained below. Thus, the user is encouraged to correctly position the asymmetric capsule 3 inside the extraction device.

[0195] like Figure 6 As exemplified in FIG. 1 , in a beverage preparation machine comprising an extraction device, the upstream capsule encapsulation component (specifically, the liquid injector 25) is connected to a liquid supply source, preferably pressurized water. The liquid supply system generally comprises:

[0196] - a liquid supply source, such as a liquid tank 74,

[0197] a pump 72 for driving liquid from a liquid supply source to the liquid injector 25,

[0198] - Heating and / or cooling means 73 for adapting the temperature of the liquid before it is introduced into the interior of the pad by the liquid injector.

[0199] The beverage machine comprises a control unit 8 which is configured to supply liquid to the extraction device.

[0200] The upstream pad enclosure member is designed to collect the beverage 91 prepared from the extraction of the pad and to dispense it into the drinking cup 9 through the dispensing tube.

[0201] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are in different relative and functional positions Figure 2A , Figure 2B 1 , 2. In these isolated views, the insert section 4 and the longitudinal sheets 6a, 6b are removed in order to better see the different elements of the parts 1, 2. Furthermore, the position of the pad 3 is schematically illustrated in dotted lines.

[0202] exist Figure 3AIn the embodiment, the upstream and downstream pad enclosing parts 1, 2 are positioned in an open position for inserting a pad from the upper side. A pad holder 11 can be seen in front of the downstream pad enclosing part 1 in a receiving position for receiving and holding a pad, as described below with reference to Figure 4A Further described.

[0203] exist Figure 3B In the embodiment, the upstream and downstream capsule enclosing members 1 , 2 are positioned in a closed position and form an extraction chamber enclosing the capsule during extraction.

[0204] Figure 3C The upstream capsule encapsulation component 2 is illustrated as being Figure 3B The moment when the closed position moves to the capsule ejection position as shown by arrow H.

[0205] Figure 4A yes Figure 3A and Figure 3B An isolated perspective view of the upstream capsule encapsulation component 2.

[0206] The upstream part defines a hollow holder or cavity 21 for enclosing the pad body.

[0207] The upstream wall of the holder carries an upstream piercing arrangement 22 for opening the bottom wall 313 of the pad body. The upstream wall comprises at least one liquid injector 25 for supplying liquid into the pad through a hole opened in the bottom wall of the pad.

[0208] The upstream piercing arrangement may include piercers in the form of blades. These blades may be designed and positioned so that when the upstream capsule enclosing member and the downstream capsule enclosing member are placed in a manner such as Figure 3B The liquid injector 25, such as a sprayer located at the upstream wall of the retainer, can introduce the extraction liquid into the retainer and introduce the extraction liquid through the pre-pierced opening.

[0209] Figure 4B yes Figure 3A 2. The downstream part 1 defines a plate perpendicular (i.e. transverse) to the longitudinal axis XX'. The plate comprises a fixed central downstream plane piercing arrangement 12 for opening the cover 32 of the capsule when extraction liquid is introduced into the capsule interior and expands the cover.

[0210] Typically, the central downstream planar piercing arrangement 12 is circular, similar to the cover of a bladder.

[0211] The opening occurs by the relative engagement of the spike and the cover under the effect of the pressure increase of the injected liquid in the capsule body chamber. The downstream planar piercing arrangement may comprise a rigid plate comprising, on its surface turned towards the cover, opening elements 121 such as spikes, which may have the shape of a cone. Furthermore, the plate comprises perforations for draining the beverage dispensed from the opened cover to a tube or nozzle that collects the beverage and dispenses it into a drinking cup.

[0212] The downstream component 1 comprises a pad holder 11 attached to a peripheral area 13 .

[0213] When attached, the pad holder can be moved between two positions. Figure 4B In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the pad holder 11 is in a first position for receiving a pad and holding the pad's cover in front of the downstream planar piercing arrangement.

[0214] The pair of retaining elements 11a, lib are movable from a receiving position to a second, retracted position at a lateral side of the downstream planar piercing arrangement.

[0215] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the plate 12 and the opening element 121 of the downstream plane piercing arrangement according to the preferred illustrated embodiment.

[0216] The opening elements are cones protruding from the surface of the plate and having tips or prongs designed to pierce the paper layers of the multi-layer paper material when the downstream and upstream parts 1 , 2 are moved into the closed position, with the effect of pushing the cover of the capsule against these cones.

[0217] The downstream planar piercing arrangement comprises perforations 122 designed so that their upstream ends (at the side of the plate facing the capsule) are arranged in a portion of the cone of the opening element 121. These upstream ends of the perforations extend from the bottom of the cone along a portion of the side of said cone. This design enables the beverage to be dispensed when the multi-layer paper of the cover is thick.

[0218] Figure 7 Provides the same Figures 2A to 6 The illustrated features and the extraction device according to the present invention from such Figure 1A The illustrated profile relates to coffee preparation for a pod comprising roast and ground coffee.

[0219] Curve C1 corresponds to the pressure curve measured inside the fluid system just after the heater and corresponds to the water pressure inside the pad during coffee preparation.

[0220] Curve C2 corresponds to the weight of coffee 91 received in a drinking cup 9, said cup being positioned on a scale.

[0221] also, Figure 7 Provided are photos of capsules at different times of extraction. These photos were obtained by stopping the extraction at the corresponding time and taking pictures:

[0222] - the outer surface of the second capsule envelope wall for the photographs of series P1,

[0223] - After opening and disassembling the capsule for the series P2 of photographs, the second capsule encloses the inner surface of the wall.

[0224] A photo was taken on the back side of the multi-ply paper using a magnifying glass and light to observe holes in the paper, if any.

[0225] The multi-layer paper material of the body 31 of the pad has a thickness of 195 μm and comprises:

[0226] - an outer paper layer A, and

[0227] - an inner plastic layer B comprising an inner barrier film positioned between two outer polymer films, wherein:

[0228] The inner barrier film is a BVOH sheet (Nichigo G-Polymer supplied by Nippon Goshei TM ),and

[0229] The two outer polymer films have the same properties and are a polymer blend of polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) (supplied by BASF 40FS23N1).

[0230] The multi-layer paper material of the cover 32 of the pad has a thickness of about 165 μm and comprises:

[0231] - an inner plastic layer B, which is the same as the inner plastic layer used for the body of the pad,

[0232] - an intermediate layer of paper A having a lower thickness than the paper layers used in the main multi-layer paper material, and

[0233] - An outer protective layer C made of regenerated cellulose (glass paper 23NE manufactured by Futamura).

[0234] The coffee pods were extracted with 110 ml of hot water at 78°C and supplied at a pressure between 10 and 12 bars.

[0235] based on Figure 7 , we can observe that:

[0236] - At time t1 , the two closing parts of the extraction device are moved to close the pad.On the outside of the cover, the protective layer and the outer paper layer are torn, but on the inside of the cover, there is no noticeable puncture.

[0237] - At time t2, water is introduced into the bladder and it fills. The pressure rises. The cover is still not pierced on its inside, but the stretching of the plastic layer is noticeable and can be felt by passing a finger over the surface of the cover.

[0238] - At time t3, water is still introduced and the pressure continues to rise. The small depression just above t3 in the pressure curve C1 corresponds to the opening of the closure when the tip of the opening element further tears the inner surface of the closure to cause it to expand and engage with the opening element. The black arrow at time t3 on series P2 shows one of the cracks. This first opening occurs at a pressure of 5 bar, which is optimal for the creation of crema in the coffee.

[0239] - At times t4, t5, t6, water is still introduced and the pressure continues to rise in the pad. Additional cracks are created on the inner surface of the cover, and the surface of these cracks becomes larger and larger (see series P2 photos and black arrows), which enables the dispensing of coffee: at t6, the coffee starts to drip in the drinking cup, as illustrated by curve C2.

[0240] - At times t7 to t9, a maximum pressure of about 12 bar is reached and coffee dispensing takes place regularly, which means that no flow stops occur.

[0241] Curve C1 corresponds to the optimal preparation of a Longo coffee from roast and ground coffee: it is neither under-extracted nor over-extracted and comprises a layer of crema.

[0242] The design of the above-described system has the advantage of enabling progressive piercing of the different layers of the secondary capsule enclosure wall, which guarantees optimal preparation of espresso, in particular by opening the capsule at a pressure higher than 4 bars to provide crema and at a pressure lower than 10 bars to avoid prolonged dispensing or even flow stoppage.

[0243] Other systems with different opening elements and different multi-layer materials can be designed in accordance with one another under the following conditions:

[0244] - in a first step of preparing the beverage, the opening element only partially pierces the multi-layer paper material, so that at least the plastic layer of the inner part facing the chamber of the pad is not pierced, and

[0245] - During the second step of preparing the beverage, the opening element completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement under the effect of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the pad and by expansion of the second enclosure wall cover against the opening element.

[0246] The system depends on the characteristics of each opening element and the multi-layer material in the opening element. The following rules can be followed to design the system according to the present invention:

[0247] If the opening element is not sharp enough (such as a truncated pyramid), the paper layer may not be pierced when the extraction device is closed, or the plastic layer may not be torn.

[0248] If the opening elements are too sharp or too high compared to the thickness of the multi-ply paper, they may pierce all the layers of the multi-ply paper at the closure of the extraction device and the pressure will not build up to produce crema.

[0249] - if the paper layer is too thick for the opening element, it may not be sufficiently pierced when the extraction device is closed, and complete piercing of the multi-layer paper may not be possible,

[0250] - If the plastic layer of a multi-ply paper stretches too well, the plastic layer may never tear or too late resulting in no dispensing or dispensing taking too long.

[0251] If the plastic layer of the multi-ply paper is non-stretchable, it may tear at the closure of the extraction device and the pressure will not build up to produce crema.

[0252] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed is not in any way limited to these illustrated embodiments.

[0253] Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents shall be incorporated as if explicitly mentioned in this specification.

[0254] As used in this specification, the words "include", "comprises" and similar words should not be understood as having exclusive or exhaustive meanings. In other words, these words are intended to mean "including but not limited to".

[0255] List of references in the accompanying drawings :

[0256] Downstream encapsulation component 1

[0257] Bag holder 11

[0258] Downstream plate piercing arrangement 12

[0259] Nail 121

[0260] Surrounding area 13

[0261] Chassis 14

[0262] Upstream encapsulation component 2

[0263] Cage 21

[0264] Upstream piercing arrangement 22

[0265] Liquid injector 25

[0266] Bag 3

[0267] Main body 31, 31'

[0268] Side wall 311

[0269] Top 3111

[0270] Top opening 312

[0271] Bottom wall 313

[0272] Flanges 314, 314'

[0273] Top surface 3141

[0274] Bottom surface 3142

[0275] Cap 32

[0276] Ingredients 33

[0277] Insertion section 4

[0278] Extraction chamber 5

[0279] Side sheets 6a, 6b

[0280] Tank 71

[0281] Pump 72

[0282] Heater 73

[0283] Control unit 8

[0284] Drinking cup 9

[0285] Coffee 91

Claims

1. A system comprising a beverage preparation machine and a capsule containing beverage ingredients, preferably roasted and ground coffee, The capsule (3) comprises a first encapsulation wall and a second encapsulation wall (31, 31', 32), wherein the first encapsulation wall and the second encapsulation wall define a chamber for encapsulating the beverage ingredient (33), and wherein the first pod enclosure wall and the second pod enclosure wall of the pod are made of a multi-layer paper material comprising at least one paper layer (A) and at least one plastic layer (B), preferably a compostable plastic layer, assembled together, and wherein the multi-layer paper material is oriented so that at least one plastic layer faces an interior portion of the chamber of the pad, and wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises an extraction device for extracting the beverage from the capsule, and the extraction device comprises: - an upstream capsule-closing member (1) and a downstream capsule-closing member (2) which are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the capsule (3) and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (5) enclosing the capsule during extraction, - The upstream component (2) carries: an upstream piercing arrangement (22) for opening the first enclosure wall (31) of the pad, and Liquid injector (25), - the downstream component (1) comprises a downstream piercing arrangement (12) for opening the second enclosing wall (32) of the pad, the downstream piercing arrangement comprising a plate (121), wherein: the surface of the plate turned towards the second wall of the pad comprises an opening element (122) protruding from said surface, and the plate comprises perforations for venting the beverage dispensed from the opened second wall, and Wherein during the preparation of the beverage, the extraction device is configured as follows: - in a first step, enclosing the capsule (3) between the upstream capsule enclosing means (1) and the downstream capsule enclosing means (2), and - Then, in a second step, liquid is introduced into the interior of the enclosed capsule (3) through the liquid injector (23), wherein the opening element (122) of the downstream piercing arrangement and the multilayer material of the second enclosure wall (32) of the pad are designed such that: - in said first step, said opening element (122) only partially pierces said multilayer paper material, so that at least said plastic layer of said inner part facing said chamber of said pad is not pierced, and - During said second step, said opening element (122) completely pierces said multi-layer paper material by relative engagement under the effect of the pressure increase of the injection liquid in said pad and by the expansion of the second envelope wall cover against said opening element (122).

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the opening element (122) of the downstream piercing arrangement structure and the multi-layer material of the second encapsulation wall (32) of the bag are designed so that: in the first step, the opening element (122) only pierces the paper layer of the multi-layer paper material.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening element (122) of the downstream piercing arrangement structure and the multi-layer material of the second encapsulation wall (32) of the bag are designed so that: during the second step, the opening element (122) completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement with the second encapsulation wall under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the bag and the second encapsulation wall cover expands against the opening element (122) after the pressure inside the bag reaches at least 3 bar, preferably at least 4 bar.

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening element (122) of the downstream piercing arrangement structure and the multi-layer material of the second encapsulation wall (32) of the bag are designed so that: during the second step, the opening element (122) completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement with the second encapsulation wall under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the bag and the second encapsulation wall cover expands against the opening element (122) before the pressure inside the bag reaches at most 10 bar, preferably at most 9 bar.

5. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement is designed with a pointed end, and wherein the plastic layer (B) facing the inner part of the chamber of the pad: - can be stretched by said tip of said opening element during said first step of said beverage preparation, and - is torn by said pointed end of said opening element during said second step of said beverage preparation.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction device is constructed so that: when the capsule encapsulation parts (1, 2) are moving from one to the other to encapsulate the capsule in the extraction chamber, at least a portion of the extraction device pushes the capsule so that the second encapsulation wall of the capsule is pressed against the opening element of the downstream piercing arrangement structure (12).

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule (3) contains compacted beverage ingredients, preferably compacted roast and ground coffee.

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic layer (A) facing the inner part of the chamber of the pad is selected from the list of: - Polylactic acid (PLA) layer, - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer, - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer, - a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) layer, - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer, - A layer of a polymer blend formed from any combination of the above mentioned polymers.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multi-ply paper material comprises additional layers selected from the list of: - a layer of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH), in particular a layer of a butene glycol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), - a polyglycolic acid (PGA) layer, -Metallic coating, -SiO x Base coating, -AlO x Base coating, -A combination of these.

10. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional layer is a plastic polymer and the plastic layer is a multilayer plastic comprising the additional layer positioned between two outer layers, the two outer layers being selected from any film of a polylactic acid (PLA) film, a polybutylene succinate (PBS) film, a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) film, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film, a starch film or a polymer blend formed by any combination of the polymers mentioned.

11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - In the capsule: the first enclosing wall is a capsule body (31), the capsule body comprising a side wall (311) and a bottom wall (313) defining the chamber, and a circumferential annular body flange (314), the capsule body containing the beverage ingredients, and the second enclosure wall is a top cover (32) attached to a peripheral flange, the top cover closing the top opening of the pad body, and - In the extraction device: the upstream part (2) defines a holder (21) designed to enclose the pad body (31) and to carry an upstream piercing arrangement (22) for opening the bottom wall (313) of the pad, The downstream part (1) defines a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX'), said plate comprising a downstream piercing arrangement (12) for opening the cover (32) of the pad.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: - In the capsule: Each of the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall is a capsule body (31), the capsule body comprising a side wall (311) and a bottom wall (313) defining half of the chamber, and a circumferential annular body flange (314), and the circumferential annular body flanges of the pad body are attached together, and - In the extraction device, the upstream and downstream parts (1, 2) define a holder (21) for enclosing the pad.

13. Use of a capsule in a system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The capsule (3) comprises a first enclosure wall and a second enclosure wall (31, 31', 32), the first capsule enclosure wall and the second capsule enclosure wall defining a chamber for enclosing the beverage ingredient (33), and wherein the first pod enclosure wall and the second pod enclosure wall of the pod are made of a multi-layer paper material comprising at least one paper layer (A) and at least one plastic layer (B), preferably a compostable plastic layer, assembled together, and wherein the multi-layer paper material is oriented so that at least one plastic layer faces an interior portion of the chamber of the pad, and The multi-layer material of the second enclosure wall (32) of the pad is designed such that: - when the upstream and downstream pad closing means (1, 2) close the pad, the opening element (122) only partially pierces the multi-layer paper material, so that at least the plastic layer of the inner part facing the chamber of the pad is not pierced, and - When liquid is introduced inside the enclosed capsule (3), the opening element (122) completely pierces the multi-layer paper material by relative engagement under the effect of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the capsule and the expansion of the second encapsulation wall cover against the opening element (122).

Images