Beverage capsule with elevated dome shaped needle penetration region

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage capsule (C), comprising a cup-shaped capsule body (CB) with a circumferential side wall (SW) and a base wall (BW). The capsule has a cover member (CM) and an upper fluid director member, as well as a lower fluid director (LF), to define a discharge chamber (DC) in between the base wall and the lower fluid director member. The base wall is configured to be pierced by a hollow discharge needle (DN) to allow the fluid with the extracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber into the hollow discharge needle, characterized in that the base wall comprises: - an annular bottom section ( adjoining the side wall at an outer edge thereof, - an elevated central section surrounded by the annular bottom section, upwardly projecting into the discharge chamber. The elevated central section is elevated relative to the annular bottom section at an elevation height, and the base wall is configured to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle in the elevated central section.

Description

[0001] Title: Beverage capsule with elevated dome shaped needle penetration region

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a beverage capsule for containing an extractable substance from which a beverage can be produced, in particular ones adapted to contain a single serving of a particulate substance, extractable by means of a fluid, like pressurized hot water, for preparing a beverage. Particularly the substance may be coffee powder for preparing a coffee, like espresso, lungo, cafe crema or filter coffee.

[0004] The present invention further relates to a system for producing a beverage from an extractable substance, to a method of producing a beverage using such a system and to a method of manufacturing a beverage capsule for holding an extractable substance for producing a beverage.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] At present, beverage capsules are well known in a variety of different embodiments, like Nespresso®, Dolce Gusto® and Cafissimo®. US 7,543,527 B2 shows a coffee capsule of the Cafissimo® type, that is known to comprise a cup-shaped capsule body, a distinctive bowlshaped lower fluid director member, a distinctive inverted bowl-shaped upper fluid director member, and a cover member. A single-serve batch of coffee powder fills up a reception volume inside the main body in between the upper fluid director member and the lower fluid director member.

[0007] At a start of a brewing cycle, an injection inlet piercing member is pushed at a center position through the cover member and hot pressurized brewing water is fed into a free space between the cover member and the upper fluid director member. At a same time, a hollow discharge needle is pushed at a center position through the base wall of the capsule body such that an outlet opening is formed therein.

[0008] During brewing, the upper fluid director member serves as a filter and as a distributing means for spreading the injected water via inflow channels over the entire upper surface of the badge of coffee powder. At a same time, a conically shaped recess advantageously prevents that the inlet piercing member may accidentally pierce through the upper fluid director member, so that it would otherwise come in direct contact with the coffee powder. This is important because otherwise the inlet piercing member may get increasingly contaminated or even blocked for subsequent brewing cycles. After the brewing water has flown through the entire badge of coffee powder, it arrives in outflow channels between the lower fluid director member and the base wall of the capsule body, from where it can flow out of the capsule via the pierced outlet opening. The lower fluid director member then serves both as a collecting means and as a filter for the prepared coffee beverage. At a same time a conically shaped recess advantageously prevents that the hollow discharge needle may accidentally pierce through the lower fluid director member and then may come in direct contact with the coffee powder. This is important because otherwise coffee powder itself may end up in the brewed coffee beverage.

[0009] Another example of a beverage capsule is disclosed in EP 1 710 173 A1, which has similar components as the prior art capsule disclosed in US 7,543,527 B2. However, the aim of this capsule is to control the crema layer on the brewed beverage, e.g. on the coffee. Such a foamy crema layer is desired on espresso or lungo types of coffees, whereas filter-style coffee generally lacks such a crema layer. For brewing filter-type coffees from beverage capsules, the pressure level of the pressurized water is typically lower than for espresso-type coffees, for example about 2 bar for filter-type coffees and about 12 bar for espresso-type coffees. It is acknowledged in EP 1 710 173 A1 that the lower water pressure levels will have an influence on the piercing of the lower fluid director member, for which a solution is proposed, also taking into account the presence, absence and thickness of a crema layer.

[0010] US 2024 / 140691 A1 discloses a biologically degradable beverage capsule with a capsule body, an upper cover element, a lower cover element and a slidable filter element at the bottom that shields coffee grounds from a free space for extracted fluid. The slidable filter element is held in an upper position prior to brewing, being prevented from upward sliding by a positioning device, e.g. an annular ring. During brewing, built-up pressure in the capsule interior will force the filter element to slide downward.

[0011] In a first embodiment of this prior art disclosure, a rigid and substantially flat capsule bottom is provided, that is to be fully pierced by a hollow discharge needle. In a second embodiment of this prior art disclosure, the capsule is instead provided with a lower cover element that is distinct from the base element of the capsule. The lower cover element comprises an inward arching that is to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle during brewing upon flattening of the arching under influence of the built-up pressure in the capsule interior. According to this prior art citation, the pressure level will determine the degree of flattening of the arching and thus the degree of piercing, and is additionally controllable by means of other parameters, such as curvature of the arching, thickness of the lower cover element and the material of the lower cover element.

[0012] However, the passive piercing of the lower cover element, e.g. piercing under influence of flattening caused by the pressurized fluid introduced in the capsule, might result in unreliable behaviour. Hence, the piercing does not take place in a geometrical manner, whereby the degree of piercing is determined by the height of the arching and the length of the hollow discharge needle. Instead, the force acting on the arching, under influence of the pressurized fluid, will determine the extent of the piercing. Over time during brewing, variations may occur in the pressure level, which will inherently cause variations in the piercing depth over the course of the brewing, giving rise to fluctuating beverage quality.

[0013] Object of the invention

[0014] It was found by the present inventors that, at present, especially the thickness of a crema layer is not yet controllable in a way that is desired. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a beverage capsule allowing beverages, e.g. coffees, to be brewed with improved control over a crema layer, or at least to provide an alternative beverage capsule.

[0015] Detailed description

[0016] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a beverage capsule for containing an extractable substance from which a beverage can be produced. The extractable substance may be grindings of roasted coffee beans, allowing coffee-type beverages to be brewed upon extraction with water. Alternatively, other substances, such as ground tea leaves, may envisaged as well.

[0017] The present capsule comprises a cup-shaped capsule body that has a circumferential side wall and a base wall on one end of the side wall, e.g. at a lower end thereof. The side wall and the base wall define a reception volume with an open end, e.g. an open top end, for containing the extractable substance. The side wall thereby surrounds the reception volume, as it may for example have a cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

[0018] The base wall and the side wall may be integral with each other, for example being made integrally out of the same material. As such, it is not needed to provide for a separate cover element at the bottom of the capsule that is to be pierced for discharging the extracted substance. Instead, a hollow discharge needle of the brewing apparatus can readily pierce the base wall directly.

[0019] The capsule further comprises a cover member attached to and covering the open end of the capsule body. The cover member is thus located opposite to the base wall of the capsule body, e.g. at the top end. Upon brewing in a brewing apparatus, the cover member is configured to be pierced at an upper piercing position by an inlet piercing member of the brewing apparatus to allow pressurized fluid to be dispensed through the cover member during brewing. The inlet piercing member may for example be a hollow fluid inlet needle, allowing pressurized fluid, e.g. water, to be fed into the capsule.

[0020] An upper fluid director member is disposed within an upper portion of the capsule body, right underneath the cover member, so in between the extractable substance in the reception volume and the cover member. This defines an entrance chamber in between the cover member and the upper fluid director member in which, during brewing, the inlet piercing member projects after piercing and in which the pressurized fluid is received. The fluid is thereby collected in the entrance chamber and is allowed to pass from the entrance chamber toward the extractable substance in the reception volume. During brewing, the upper fluid director member is not pierced by the inlet piercing member, to prevent the fluid from being discharged in the reception volume directly.

[0021] Similarly, a lower fluid director member is disposed within a bottom portion of the capsule body, right above the base wall, so in between the extractable substance in the reception volume and the base wall. This defines a discharge chamber in between the base wall and the lower fluid director member in which, during brewing, fluid with extracted substance is received from the reception volume and passed along into the discharge chamber to be discharged in a cup or the like. The lower fluid director member thereby prevents passage of substance residue that would otherwise pass along with the fluid.

[0022] During brewing, the base wall is configured to be pierced by a hollow discharge needle to allow the fluid with the extracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber into the hollow discharge needle and further towards a cup, or the like, that is placed underneath a fluid outlet of the brewing apparatus. The hollow discharge needle will project into the discharge chamber, but will not pierce the lower fluid director member, so as to ensure that no solid residue, e.g. coffee grounds, will end up in the hollow discharge needle. A distance between the base wall and the lower fluid director member is thereby selected to ensure that the base wall can be pierced reliably and that sufficient fluid can be discharged from the discharge chamber, whilst not causing piercing of the lower fluid director member.

[0023] The beverage capsule according to the present invention is characterized in that the base wall comprises an annular bottom section adjoining the side wall at an outer edge thereof. The annular bottom section may be ring-shaped, e.g. at least where the side wall has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape, so that an outer circumference of the annular bottom section contacts the side wall at an inner edge thereof. The annular bottom section may comprise a hollow interior, for example a central opening, that is surrounded by the annular bottom section.

[0024] The base wall further comprises an elevated central section that is surrounded by the annular bottom section. The elevated central section upwardly projects into the discharge chamber and may, as such, be located above the central opening in the annular bottom section. The elevated central section may for example be dome-shaped, for example being embodied semi-spherical. An outer contour of the elevated central section, i.e. adjoining the annular bottom section, may have a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the annular bottom section. The elevated central section may, for example, have a circular outer contour when the side wall has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. The elevated central section is elevated relative to the annular bottom section at an elevation height. Seen in an upward direction, parallel to a central axis of the side wall, from the base wall, the elevated central section is thus raised at the elevation height. The base wall is configured to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle in the elevated central section. This means that the base wall is pierced at the elevation height. Compared to a regular beverage capsule, for example as disclosed in US 7,543,527 B2, the hollow discharge needle will pierce the base wall at a higher point, i.e. at the elevation height. Accordingly, only a smaller part of the hollow discharge needle will pierce into the discharge chamber, since a remaining part of the hollow discharge needle will remain underneath the elevated central section, thus not projecting in the discharge chamber.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the elevated central section is substantially rigid against deforming under influence of the pressurized fluid. This forms a crucial difference in view of prior art publication US 2024 / 140691 A1, where the arching was not pierced by the hollow discharge needle directly, but only after it has flattened up to a certain extent. With the present rigid base wall with elevated central section, the piercing is performed at the onset of placing the capsule in the beverage capsule receptacle of the brewing apparatus, so before the pressurized fluid is introduced. Furthermore, the rigid elevated central section provides that a piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle into the elevated central section will remain substantially constant during brewing, so as to ensure a constant, and more importantly: controlled piercing depth during the entire brewing cycle. According to the present invention, the term rigid is to be understood as being sufficiently strong to prevent it from deforming substantially under influence of the fluid pressure in the capsule interior during beverage production.

[0026] It was found by the present inventors that the reduced piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle by means of the elevated central section will result in a smaller part of the hollow discharge needle’s inner channel is exposed, which results in a larger pressure buildup in the discharge chamber. As a result, the inventors found that the thickness of the crema layer on the final beverage is increased.

[0027] The presence and thickness of the crema layer may thus depend on a piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle and, likewise, depend on the elevation height. This may allow that the present beverage capsule can be customized in dependence of a desired crema layer thickness, whereas no adjustments need to be made to the hollow discharge needle of the brewing apparatus. Furthermore, no adjustments need to be made to the height of the lower fluid director member for adjusting the amount of crema.

[0028] Compared to the known capsule in EP 1 710 173 A1, the present invention may allow for an improved controlling of the crema layer. If needed, certain parameters of the lower fluid director member may be adjusted as well, for example by changing the porosity thereof. It may, however, no longer be required to actually change a position of the lower fluid director member inside the capsule body.

[0029] In embodiments, the capsule body, e.g. at least the base wall thereof, is made of a metallic material, for example comprising aluminium. It was found by the present inventors that the use of these metallic materials is beneficial in combination with elevated central sections in the base walls, since they are generally less elastic compared to plastic materials. Such elasticity could become a problem in combination with the reduced piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle into plastic elevated central sections at elevation heights, since the relatively small pierced portions could spring back elastically in front of openings in the hollow discharge needle, therewith clogging discharge of the extracted fluid. In conventional capsules with flat base walls, the piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle is sufficiently large to avoid clogging, even when made of plastic material. However, the small piercing depth may be more prone to such spring-back, which can be avoided when the capsule body of made of metallic material, especially when comprising aluminium.

[0030] In embodiment, the capsule body is a single-piece part, for example such that at least the side wall and the base wall are unitary with each other. The side wall and the base wall are thereby made of a single piece of material, not including any welds, joints or the like. The capsule body is for example made by means of a deep-drawing process, wherein the three- dimensional capsule body is made out of a two-dimensional sheet by means of a stamping process over a die.

[0031] In particular, the capsule body may be made by means of a two-step deep-drawing process, whereby the side wall and a flat base wall are made in a first deep-drawing step and whereby the elevated central section is formed in the flat base wall in a second forming step, for example a second deep-drawing step.

[0032] In embodiments, the elevation height is in the range between 2 mm and 4 mm, for example about 3 mm. This elevation height is thereby measured along a central axis of the capsule body, i.e. a symmetry axis of the circumferential side wall.

[0033] It was found by the present inventors that an elevation height in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possible even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of elevation heights may especially be beneficial for coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type, which generally have a height of the side wall, i.e. in between the base wall and the cover member, of about 30 mm.

[0034] In embodiments, the elevation height is in the range between 5% and 15%, for example of about 10%, of a height of the capsule, e.g. of the side wall. The elevation height may thus be selected as a certain percentage of the overall height of the capsule, measured along the central axis of the capsule body.

[0035] It was found by the present inventors that an elevation height in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possibly even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of elevation heights may especially be beneficial for coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type, which generally have an overall height, i.e. in between the base wall and the cover member, of about 30 mm.

[0036] In embodiments, a transverse elevation width of the elevated central section is in the range between 6 mm and 10 mm, for example about 8 mm. This transverse elevation width is measured in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the capsule body, so for example parallel to the cover member.

[0037] It was found by the present inventors that a transverse elevation width in this range may be beneficial, for example in terms of manufacturability of the capsule body and rigidity of the elevated central section during piercing by the hollow discharge needle. This range of transverse elevation widths may especially be beneficial for coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type, which generally have an overall width, e.g. a largest diameter of the base wall, of about 40 mm.

[0038] In embodiments, a transverse elevation width of the elevated central section is in the range between 10% and 50%, for example of about 30%, of a width of the capsule, e.g. of the base wall. The transverse elevation width may thus be selected as a certain percentage of the overall width of the capsule, measured perpendicular to the central axis of the capsule body.

[0039] It was found by the present inventors that a transverse elevation width in this range may be beneficial, for example in terms of manufacturability of the capsule body and rigidity of the elevated central section during piercing by the hollow discharge needle. This range of transverse elevation widths may especially be beneficial for coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type, which generally have an overall width, e.g. a largest diameter of the base wall, of about 40 mm. In embodiments, the upper fluid director member is disposed within an upper portion of the main capsule body, right underneath the cover member, so in between the extractable substance in the capsule interior and the cover member. This defines an injection space in between the cover member and the upper fluid director member in which, during brewing, the inlet piercing member projects after piercing and in which the pressurized fluid is received. The fluid is thereby collected in the injection space and is allowed to pass from the injections space toward the extractable substance in the reception volume through a plurality of inlet filtering openings of the upper fluid director member. The size, shape and number of inlet filtering openings may be selected to achieve a desired pressure drop for the pressurized fluid when passing through the upper fluid director member. During brewing, the upper fluid director member is not pierced by the inlet piercing member, to prevent the fluid from being discharged in the reception volume directly.

[0040] The upper fluid director member may be dimensioned to correspond to an interior cross-sectional area of the top portion of the main capsule body, allowing the upper fluid director member to reliably seal against the side wall along the perimeter of the upper fluid director member.

[0041] The upper fluid director member comprises an upper cavity that downwardly projects into the capsule interior for receiving the inlet piercing member during beverage production. This allows the inlet piercing member to reliably pierce the cover member, without unintendedly piercing the upper fluid director member, since the distance between the inlet piercing member and the upper cavity may be chosen to be relatively large.

[0042] Similarly, the lower fluid director member is disposed within a bottom portion of the capsule body, right above the base wall, so in between the extractable substance in the capsule interior and the base wall. This defines a collection space in between the base wall and the lower fluid director member in which, during brewing, fluid with extracted substance is received from the capsule interior through a plurality of outlet filtering openings in the lower fluid director member. The size, shape, and number of outlet filtering openings may be selected to achieve a desired filtering against residues, whilst offering a desired crema for the beverage.

[0043] The lower fluid director member may comprise a lower cavity that upwardly projects into the capsule interior for receiving the outlet piercing member during beverage production. This allows the outlet piercing member to reliably pierce the base wall, without unintendedly piercing the lower fluid director member, since the distance between the outlet piercing member and the lower cavity may be chosen to be relatively large.

[0044] The base wall comprises a plurality of integrally formed raised portions in the collection space that define a plurality of outflow channels therebetween arranged to direct the produced beverage flow from the plurality of outlet filtering openings towards said lower piercing position. The plurality of raised portions have been integrally formed in the base wall of the main capsule body, wherein the lower fluid director member that defines the plurality of outlet filtering openings for the passage of the produced beverage therethrough, is positioned above the integrally formed raised portions of the base wall of the main capsule body. This ensures that the base wall comprises an inverse pattern of hollow cavities underneath its plurality of raised portions.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, the base wall, with its integral formed raised portions and lower piercing position, and the side wall are manufactured as an integral main capsule body out of aluminium by means of a stamping or deep-drawing process. Similarly, the upper fluid director member may be manufactured out of aluminium by means of a deep- drawing process. The lower fluid director member may, but not necessarily needs to, be manufactured out of aluminium by means of a stamping process as well.

[0046] In the following, the terms stamping and deep-drawing are used interchangeably and essentially concern a deformation of a two-dimensional material, such as a sheet, foil or plate, depending on the thickness, into a three-dimensional product by applying mechanical to achieve such deformation. Stamping is a similar process that, instead, obtains more shallow products compared to deep-drawing. However, both methods involve using presses and dies for deforming the material.

[0047] The deep-drawing may be carried out either at elevated temperatures, e.g. to soften the material, but may as well be carried out at ambient temperatures, i.e. so-called cold forming. Cold forming may be beneficial, since it may effect work hardening of the material and introduce anisotropic material properties to the product. Work hardening may make the material harder, stiffer, and stronger. On the other hand, the material may become less plastic or ductile, and may cause initiation of cracks in the product.

[0048] With the term ‘aluminium’, it is meant herein that the majority of the main capsule body is made of a material that for the majority contains aluminium. The aluminium will likely be an aluminium alloy, contains metallic and non-metallic alloying elements. It is to be understood that in the context of the present invention, the aluminium main capsule body is substantially free of plastic ingredients. The same may apply for the fluid director members.

[0049] The upper fluid director member may be manufactured by means of a deep-drawing process, whereby a sheet of aluminium material is pressed in between two dies. Similarly, the upper fluid director member may be manufactured by means of a stamping process as well, since the aspect ratio of the upper fluid director member, e.g. defined as its height relative to the diameter, is relatively small, especially when compared to the aspect ratio of the main capsule body. The present embodiment is based on the insight that immediately during manufacturing of the main capsule body by means of the deep-drawing process, the upwardly raised base wall portions can be integrally formed in its base wall, such that a lower fluid director member with outlet filtering openings can be directly supported on top of those integrally formed upwardly raised base wall portions. By doing this a number of important advantages can be achieved.

[0050] First of all, the present invention makes it possible to design and use a rather straightforward and simple lower fluid director member that in terms of functionality merely needs to comprise a plurality of outlet filtering openings. This makes it possible to save on material and manufacturing costs for the lower fluid director member.

[0051] With this it is noted that the impact on material and manufacturing costs of the main capsule body may remain limited, because the main capsule body inevitably must be made with a three-dimensional shape, and even when having to include the integrally formed upwardly raised base wall portions, can still be manufactured by making use of deep-drawing as desired manufacturing technique.

[0052] Second of all, it has now become possible to manufacture the main capsule body and the upper fluid director member out of such similar or even same types of materials, i.e. aluminium, that it has become much easier to recycle the capsule. This may especially apply when also the lower fluid director member is made of the same aluminium material.

[0053] Third of all, due to the outflow channels being integrally co-manufactured in the base wall of the main capsule body itself and due to the lower fluid director member with its outlet filtering openings lying directly on top thereof, all produced beverage now can efficiently flow through the lower fluid director member into the created outflow channels. This prevents dripping or leakage to occur when the used capsule is thrown away or falls down into a collective trash bin of a brewing machine, and helps to prevent dirtying or mould starting to grow.

[0054] Fourth of all, the integrally formed upwardly raised base wall portions with the lower fluid director member directly supported on top thereof, advantageously are well able to create enough free space inside the created pattern of outflow channels that are defined between the base wall and the lower fluid director member, for said outlet piercing member to be pierced through a lower base wall part for forming an outlet opening therein, without running a risk of this outlet piercing member to accidentally also get pierced through the lower fluid director member itself.

[0055] In an embodiment, the lower fluid director member is manufactured out of aluminium by means of a deep-drawing process. According to this embodiment, not only the main capsule body and the upper fluid director member are made out of aluminium by means of a deep- drawing process, but additionally the lower fluid director member is manufactured this way. Compared to known lower fluid director members, the deep-drawing out of aluminium material may be beneficial, as it relies on the same material as the main capsule body and the upper fluid director member. This may improve the recyclability of the capsule. Furthermore, the aluminium may offer desirable mechanical properties for the lower fluid director member in terms of strength and rigidity, whilst still allowing to be perforated with the outlet filtering opening to allow passage of the produced beverage.

[0056] In particular, the aluminium lower fluid director member has an increased strength compared to the known lower fluid director members made of plastic material, as those are generally more flexible and thus more prone to bowing-out under influence of the fluid pressure in the capsule during brewing.

[0057] On the other hand, the aluminium lower fluid director member could involve a large risk of undesired penetration. A common solution to avoid such piercing may be to raise the lower fluid director member relative to the base wall, in order to increase the distance between the lower fluid director member and the base wall. This would, however, go at the cost of the internal volume of the capsule interior, which may reduce the amount of substance that can be contained. According to the present invention, the risk of undesired piercing of the lower fluid director member can be mitigated, whilst still having a large internal volume, by providing the lower cavity in which the outlet piercing member can be received after having pierced through the base wall of the main capsule body.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the number, density, and / or size of the outlet filtering opening may be varied in dependence of the type of beverage that is to be produced. By providing fewer and / or narrower outlet filtering openings, the resistance of the beverage flowing through the outlet filtering openings may be increased, which could increase the amount of crema formed on the beverage. The outlet filtering opening may be provided prior to, during, or just after the deep-drawing of the lower fluid director member, for example by means of a combined deep-drawing and punching process.

[0059] The lower fluid director member may as well be manufactured by means of a stamping process, since the aspect ratio of the lower fluid director member, e.g. defined as its height relative to the diameter, is relatively small as well, especially when compared to the aspect ratio of the main capsule body.

[0060] In an embodiment, the lower fluid director member and / or the upper fluid director member has / have been manufactured by means of deep-drawing out of aluminium sheet material, for example the same aluminium sheet material out of which the main capsule body is manufactured, e.g. having the same thickness. The upper and lower fluid director members may be made out of the same sheet of aluminium material as that used for manufacturing the main capsule body, although it may also be envisaged that the fluid director members are made out of sheet material with different thickness. The fluid director member are eligible for manufacturing out of sheet material due to their relatively low profile, e.g. height. Especially when the fluid director members are substantially flat, a stamping process may be relied upon for their manufacturing as well.

[0061] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for producing a beverage from an extractable substance. The extractable substance may be grindings of roasted coffee beans, allowing coffee-type beverages to be brewed upon extraction with water. Alternatively, other substances, such as ground tea leaves, may envisaged as well.

[0062] The system comprises the beverage capsule disclosed herein, in particular as recited in the appended claims. The system further comprises a brewing apparatus with which the beverage can be brewed, for example a conventional brewing apparatus similar as the one utilized in EP 1 710 173 A1. The apparatus comprises a beverage capsule receptacle for receiving the capsule, as well as an inlet piercing member and a hollow discharge needle, which both face towards, preferably projecting into the beverage capsule receptacle.

[0063] During producing of the beverage, the hollow discharge needle projects in the beverage capsule receptacle at a discharge needle length. This can be a discharge needle length that is similar to any other discharge needle length in other brewing apparatuses, for as the brewing apparatus in EP 1 710 173 A1, since the eventual aim of increasing thickness of a crema layer, is in the end effected by the elevated central section that allows a reduction in the piercing depth.

[0064] During brewing of the beverage, the beverage capsule is configured to be placed in the beverage capsule receptacle, so that the cover member faces towards inlet piercing member and that it can be pierced by the inlet piercing member. After piercing, the inlet piercing member will project into the entrance chamber, however not into the reception volume, after which a pressurized fluid can be dispensed in the entrance chamber. Likewise, the base wall faces the hollow discharge needle and can thus be pierced by the hollow discharge needle, so that the fluid with the extracted substance is allowed to be discharged from the discharge chamber and into the hollow discharge needle.

[0065] According to the present invention, the inventive beverage capsule comprises the elevated central section at the elevation height that upwardly projects into the discharge chamber. During brewing, the hollow discharge needle faces the base wall at the elevated central section, so that the base wall is configured to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle in the elevated central section. As a result, the hollow discharge needle is configured to project into the discharge chamber along a piercing depth corresponding to part of the discharge needle length.

[0066] The piercing of the elevated central section is performed prior to the dispending of the pressurized fluid. This allows that the piercing is performed at the onset of placing the capsule in the beverage capsule receptacle of the brewing apparatus. The piercing thereby takes place in a geometrical manner, whereby the degree of piercing is determined by the height of the elevated central section and the length of the hollow discharge needle. The piercing no longer relies on the pressurized fluid introduced in the capsule, as it was the case in the prior art, where the piercing was caused by pressure-driven flattening of an arching of a bottom cover member of the capsule. As a result, the piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle into the elevated central section may remain substantially constant during brewing, so as to ensure a constant, and more importantly: controlled piercing depth during the entire brewing cycle.

[0067] The discharge needle length is thereby defined as the entire length of the hollow discharge needle, so being a property of the beverage apparatus itself, for example being similar to existing beverage apparatuses. The piercing depth is defined as the length of the hollow discharge needle that projects into the discharge chamber of the beverage capsule. As a result, the piercing depth is defined by the beverage apparatus and the beverage capsule jointly, in particular approximately corresponding to the discharge needle length minus the elevation heigh of the elevated central section.

[0068] The elevated central section thus enables that the hollow discharge needle only partly projects into the discharge chamber and that only part of the surface area of the hollow discharge needle’s inner channels faces the discharge chamber, whereas a remainder of this surface area projects outside the beverage capsule. The reduced insertion of the hollow discharge needle allows for an improved build-up of pressure in the discharge chamber of the capsule. This may increase the thickness of the crema layer that is formed on the eventual beverage, i.e. even at relatively low fluid pressures of the fluid fed into the entrance chamber.

[0069] The system according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features and / or benefits disclosed herein in relation to the beverage capsule according to the first aspect of the invention, for example as recited in the claims.

[0070] In embodiments of the system, the piercing depth is less than 50% of the discharge needle length, for example about 30%. It was found by the present inventors that a piercing depth in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possible even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of piercings depths may especially be beneficial for beverage apparatuses and coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type.

[0071] In embodiments of the system, the piercing depth is in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example about 2 mm. It was found by the present inventors that a piercing depth in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possible even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of piercings depths may especially be beneficial for beverage apparatuses and coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type.

[0072] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a beverage using the system as disclosed herein, in particular as recited in the appended claims. The present method comprises the steps of: inserting the beverage capsule in the beverage capsule receptacle, piercing the cover member with the inlet piercing member, piercing the base wall with the hollow discharge needle, dispensing a pressurized fluid in the entrance chamber, and allowing the fluid with the extracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber into the hollow discharge needle.

[0073] These steps of the beverage production method are similar to those known in the art, for example as the method disclosed in in EP 1 710 173 Al.The hollow discharge needle of the beverage apparatus projects in the beverage capsule receptacle at a discharge needle length. This can be a discharge needle length that is similar to any other discharge needle length in other brewing apparatuses, for as the brewing apparatus in EP 1 710 173 A1, since the eventual aim of increasing thickness of a crema layer, is in the end effected by the elevated central section that allows a reduction in the piercing depth.

[0074] However, the method according to the present invention is characterized in that the base wall is pierced by the hollow discharge needle in the elevated central section, which upwardly projects into the discharge chamber at the elevation height. The hollow discharge needle therefore projects into the discharge chamber along a piercing depth corresponding to part of the discharge needle length, which enables that the hollow discharge needle only partly projects into the discharge chamber. Only part of the surface area of the hollow discharge needle’s inner channels will face the discharge chamber, whereas a remainder of this surface area projects outside the beverage capsule. The reduced insertion of the hollow discharge needle may result in a larger pressure build-up in the discharge chamber of the capsule. As a result, the inventors found that the thickness of the crema layer on the final beverage is increased on the eventual beverage, possibly even at relatively low fluid pressures of the fluid fed into the entrance chamber.

[0075] The piercing of the elevated central section is performed prior to the dispending of the pressurized fluid. This allows that the piercing is performed at the onset of placing the capsule in the beverage capsule receptacle of the brewing apparatus. The piercing thereby takes place in a geometrical manner, whereby the degree of piercing is determined by the height of the elevated central section and the length of the hollow discharge needle. The piercing no longer relies on the pressurized fluid introduced in the capsule, as it was the case in the prior art, where the piercing was caused by pressure-driven flattening of an arching of a bottom cover member of the capsule. As a result, the piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle into the elevated central section may remain substantially constant during brewing, so as to ensure a constant, and more importantly: controlled piercing depth during the entire brewing cycle.

[0076] The production method according to the third aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features and / or benefits disclosed herein in relation to the beverage capsule according to the first aspect of the invention and / or to the system according to the second aspect of the invention, for example as recited in the claims.

[0077] In embodiments of the production method, the piercing depth is less than 50% of the discharge needle length, for example about 30%. It was found by the present inventors that a piercing depth in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possible even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of piercings depths may especially be beneficial for beverage apparatuses and coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type.

[0078] In embodiments of the production method, the piercing depth is in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example about 2 mm. It was found by the present inventors that a piercing depth in this range may be beneficial, allowing the hollow discharge needle to pierce deep enough into the discharge chamber to allow the extracted beverage to be discharged, whilst still having sufficient pressure build-up to enable formation of a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed, possible even at lower pressure levels of the pressurized fluid. This range of piercings depths may especially be beneficial for beverage apparatuses and coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type.

[0079] In embodiments of the production method, the pressurized fluid is dispensed at a pressure level in the range between 1 bar and 3 bar, for example about 2 bar. The aim of the method according to this embodiment is to improve the thickness of the crema layer on the brewed beverage, e.g. on the coffee. Such a foamy crema layer is desired on espresso or lungo types of coffees, whereas filter-style coffee generally lacks such a crema layer. In typical beverage apparatuses, the pressure level of the pressurized water is typically lower than in machines for brewing regular espresso coffee, namely in the range between 1 bar and 3 bar, for example about 2 bar and about 12 bar for espresso coffees. However, the beverage capsule relied on according to the present invention may still allow a crema layer with sufficient thickness to be formed on the eventual beverage, even at relative low pressure levels of the pressurized fluid at the inlet.

[0080] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a beverage capsule for holding an extractable substance for producing a beverage, for example a beverage capsule as disclosed herein, in particular as recited in the appended claims. The present method comprises the steps of: designing the cup-shaped capsule body, comprising: o determining an intended type of beverage, e.g. coffee, for example an espresso, lungo, americano or filter type of coffee, o determining, based on the intended beverage type, whether the base wall needs to comprise an elevated central section, and if so o determining the required elevation height for the elevated central section, and providing a capsule base material, for example a sheet of metallic material, and forming the cup-shaped capsule body out of the capsule base material, for example by means of a deep-drawing process.

[0081] The present method is intended design and manufacture beverage capsules, for example coffee capsules of the Cafissimo® type, whereby the presence or absence of a crema layer on the eventual beverage is taken into account as a design parameter for the beverage capsule. To this effect, it first needs to be determined what type of beverage, e.g. type of coffee, is to be brewed.

[0082] In case the beverage capsule is intended to brew a coffee type with crema layer, it may be necessary to rely on the present beverage capsule, so that the pressure level in the discharge chamber can be increased. However, in case no crema layer is desired, for example for filter-type coffees, the beverage capsule may be provided with the flat bottom wall in order to increase the piercing depth of the hollow discharge needle and to obtain a relatively low pressure level in the discharge chamber.

[0083] As a subsequent step, when it is determined that an elevated central section needs to be provided, the elevation height may be determined. It was explained before that the elevation height will determine the presence and thickness of the crema layer. The elevation height may for example be determined on the basis of empirical data.

[0084] After the designing, the capsule body is manufactured out of the capsule base material. The three-dimensional capsule body may therewith be made out of a two-dimensional sheet material, for example by means of a stamping process over a die, such as deep-drawing.

[0085] The manufacturing method according to the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features and / or benefits disclosed herein in relation to the beverage capsule according to the first aspect of the invention and / or to the system according to the second aspect of the invention and / or to the production method according to the third aspect of the invention, for example as recited in the claims.

[0086] In embodiments of the manufacturing method, the forming comprises: a first deep-drawing step, during which the circumferential side wall and the base wall are made out of the capsule base material, an elevation forming step, for example a second deep-drawing step, during which the elevated central section is formed in the base wall. The method according to this embodiment may allow that the circumferential side wall and the flat base wall are made in a first deep- drawing step. In a second deep-drawing step, the elevated central section is formed in the flat base wall.

[0087] In the following, the terms stamping and deep-drawing are used interchangeably and essentially concern a deformation of a two-dimensional material, such as a sheet, foil, or plate, depending on the thickness, into a three-dimensional product by applying mechanical to achieve such deformation. Stamping is a similar process that, instead, obtains more shallow products compared to deep-drawing. However, both methods involve using presses and dies for deforming the material.

[0088] The two forming steps may take place subsequently, so after one another. However, both steps may be performed separately as well, for example such that the second deep- drawing step takes place in a different production location than the first deep-drawing step.

[0089] The present method may envisage that conventional capsule bodies, for example capsule bodies of Cafissimo® type beverage capsules, like the one disclosed in EP 1 710 173 A1, may be sourced elsewhere and provided with the elevated central section in the second deep-drawing step later. In embodiments, the manufacturing method further comprises the step of selecting, based on the intended beverage type and on the elevation height of the elevated central section, a lower fluid director member, for example selecting a porosity and / or thickness and / or material of the lower fluid director member. It has explained before that the lower fluid director member may also have an influence of the presence and thickness of the crema layer on the eventual beverage. This may be beneficial, since both the elevated central section, in particular the elevation height thereof, and the lower fluid director member may used to control the crema layer.

[0090] According to the present embodiment, the beverage capsule may be designed and manufactured using only few different components. For example, two or three different capsule bodies may be used, e.g. one without an elevated central section, one with an elevated central section having a relatively small elevation height and one with an elevated central section having a relatively large elevation height. For capsule bodies of Cafissimo® type beverage capsules, the relatively small elevated central section may have an elevation height of about 1 mm and the relatively large elevated central section may have an elevation height of about 2 mm.

[0091] Similarly, the lower fluid director member may be selected from a few, for example three, different lower fluid director members. The lower fluid director members may for example differ in porosity, e.g. one with a relatively coarse porosity, one with an average porosity and one with a relatively fine porosity. As a result, many different capsule bodies may be obtained, possible all having different properties in terms of the presence and thickness of a crema layer on top of the eventual beverage.

[0092] In embodiments, the manufacturing method further comprises the steps of: arranging the extractable substance, for example coffee grounds, in the reception volume, and arranging the cover member on the circumferential side wall at an end thereof that is located opposite to the base wall , for example attaching the lower fluid director member to a circumferential flange thereof.

[0093] In embodiments, the upper fluid director member may be manufactured out of aluminium by means of a deep-drawing process. The lower fluid director member may, but not necessarily needs to, be manufactured out of aluminium by means of a stamping process as well.

[0094] The deep-drawing may be carried out either at elevated temperatures, e.g. to soften the material, but may as well be carried out at ambient temperatures, i.e. so-called cold forming. Cold forming may be beneficial, since it may effect work hardening of the material and introduce anisotropic material properties to the product. Work hardening may make the material harder, stiffer, and stronger. On the other hand, the material may become less plastic or ductile, and may cause initiation of cracks in the product.

[0095] With the term ‘aluminium’, it is meant herein that the majority of the main capsule body is made of a material that for the majority contains aluminium. The aluminium will likely be an aluminium alloy, contains metallic and non-metallic alloying elements. It is to be understood that in the context of the present invention, the aluminium main capsule body is substantially free of plastic ingredients. The same may apply for the fluid director members.

[0096] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of forming by means of deep- drawing the lower fluid director member (LF) out of aluminium. According to this embodiment, not only the main capsule body and the upper fluid director member are made out of aluminium by means of a deep-drawing process, but additionally the lower fluid director member is manufactured this way. Compared to known lower fluid director members, the deep-drawing out of aluminium material may be beneficial, as it relies on the same material as the main capsule body and the upper fluid director member. This may improve the recyclability of the capsule. Furthermore, the aluminium may offer desirable mechanical properties for the lower fluid director member in terms of strength and rigidity, whilst still allowing to be perforated with the outlet filtering opening to allow passage of the produced beverage.

[0097] In particular, the aluminium lower fluid director member has an increased strength compared to the known lower fluid director members made of plastic material, as those are generally more flexible and thus more prone to bowing-out under influence of the fluid pressure in the capsule during brewing.

[0098] On the other hand, the aluminium lower fluid director member could involve a large risk of undesired penetration. A common solution to avoid such piercing may be to raise the lower fluid director member relative to the base wall, in order to increase the distance between the lower fluid director member and the base wall. This would, however, go at the cost of the internal volume of the capsule interior, which may reduce the amount of substance that can be contained. According to the present invention, the risk of undesired piercing of the lower fluid director member can be mitigated, whilst still having a large internal volume, by providing the lower cavity in which the outlet piercing member can be received after having pierced through the base wall of the main capsule body.

[0099] According to this embodiment, the number, density, and / or size of the outlet filtering opening may be varied in dependence of the type of beverage that is to be produced. By providing fewer and / or narrower outlet filtering openings, the resistance of the beverage flowing through the outlet filtering openings may be increased, which could increase the amount of crema formed on the beverage. The outlet filtering opening may be provided prior to, during, or just after the deep-drawing of the lower fluid director member, for example by means of a combined deep-drawing and punching process.

[0100] In an embodiment, the forming of the upper fluid director member and / or the lower fluid director member comprises forming the edge rim at the outer circumference of the flat surface of the upper fluid director member and / or of the lower fluid director member.

[0101] The edge rims form a three-dimensional portion of the fluid director members that projects out of the plane of the flat surface. As such, the edge rim may provide additional stiffness to the fluid director members against bulging. Furthermore, a circumferential seal may be provided between the edge rim and the side wall with a height that is larger than the thickness of the fluid director member allowing, which may improve the sealing of the capsule interior during beverage production.

[0102] Brief description of drawings

[0103] Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which:

[0104] Figure 1 schematically depicts a prior art beverage capsule,

[0105] Figures 2A and 2B depict piercing of the prior art beverage capsule of figure 1,

[0106] Figure 3 schematically depicts an embodiment of the beverage capsule according to the present invention,

[0107] Figures 4A and 4B depict piercing of the beverage capsule of figure 3,

[0108] Figure 5 depicts a top view on the beverage capsule in figure 2B, and

[0109] Figure 6 depicts a top view on the beverage capsule in figure 4B.

[0110] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.

[0111] Detailed description of embodiments

[0112] Figure 1 schematically depicts a prior art beverage capsule C, comprising a cup-shaped capsule body CB that has frustoconical side wall SW and a base wall BW at a lower end of the side wall SW. At the top end, the capsule C comprises the cover member CM by which the reception volume RV is closed. The base wall BW of the capsule C in figure 1 is substantially flat, at least in a central region, surround by upward elevation to enable discharge of fluid with extracted substance out of the capsule C.

[0113] Figure 2A shows the insertion of the capsule C of figure 1 in the beverage capsule receptacle CR of a brewing apparatus BA. It is shown that the base wall BW is lowered towards the hollow discharge needle DN that is located in the beverage capsule receptacle CR. The hollow discharge needle DN thereby pierces the base wall BW in a central region thereof, so that fluids can flow out of the capsule C into channels in the hollow discharge needle DN.

[0114] In figure 2B, the capsule C is lowered such, that the base wall BW seats against a lower wall of the beverage capsule receptacle CR. The hollow discharge needle DN has thereby pierced the capsule C along a piercing depth PD that is approximately equal to the discharge needle length NL. Above the base wall BW, a lower fluid director member LF is provided, which is shown schematically by means of a dashed line. The extractable substance, e.g. coffee grounds, can be arranged above the lower fluid director member LF and the discharge chamber DC is located below the lower fluid director member LF. The lower fluid director member LF shields the discharge chamber DC and prevents residues of the extractable substance from entering the discharge chamber DC, for where they could otherwise end up in the beverage. The tip of the hollow discharge needle DN does not reach the lower fluid director member LF, so as to avoiding piercing thereof.

[0115] The inventors have found that the piercing depth PD of the hollow discharge needle DN into the base wall BW will have an influence on the presence and thickness of a crema layer on the beverage. The present invention therefore aims to reduce the piercing depth PD of the hollow discharge needle DN. In figure 5, top view is shown on the prior art capsule C of figures 1 and 2B, showing that a relatively large area of the hollow discharge needle DN is pierced upward through the base wall BW. However, figure 6 shows an embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention, as shown in figures 3 and 4B, which comprises an elevated central section CS, therewith reducing the piercing depth PD of the hollow discharge needle DN, allowing that a relatively small area of the hollow discharge needle DN is pierced upward through the base wall BW, i.e. through the elevated central section CS.

[0116] The elevated central section CS in the base wall BW is clearly displayed in figure 3, which shows an embodiment of the beverage capsule C according to the invention, in particular a capsule of the Cafissimo® type. The elevated central section CS is formed in the base wall BW by means of a deep-drawing process and is surrounded by the annular bottom section BS that adjoins the side wall SW and which is arranged similar as the base wall BW in the know prior art beverage capsules. In a first deep-drawing step, the capsule body CB with the side wall SW and the base wall BW have been formed. The elevated central section CS has been formed in a second step, by stamping a complementary shaped die, i.e. a semi- spherical die in an upward direction.

[0117] Figure 4A and 4B show that, during insertion of the present capsule C in the beverage capsule receptacle CR, the hollow discharge needle DN will pierce the discharge chamber DC to a lesser extent. Hence, the piercing depth PD amounts to only part of the discharge needle length NL, in the present embodiment about 30%. In the present Cafissimo® type beverage capsule C, the piercing depth PD is about 2 mm.

[0118] An elevation height EH of the elevated central section CS is about 3 mm, which corresponds to approximately 10% of the side wall height SH. Similarly, the elevated central section CS has an elevation width EW, measured transversely to the elevation height EH, which is about 8 mm, which corresponds to approximately 30% of a width of the base wall BH.

[0119] During brewing, part of the elevated central section CS aside the hollow discharge needle DN and part of the annular bottom section BS may deform under influence of the fluid pressure, so that its shape accommodates to the shape of the hollow discharge needle DN so as to effect sealing thereagainst.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Beverage capsule (C) for containing an extractable substance from which a beverage can be produced, the capsule comprising: a cup-shaped capsule body (CB) that has: o a circumferential side wall (SW), o a base wall (BW) on one end of the side wall (SW), wherein the side wall (SW) and the base wall (BW) are integral with each other and define a reception volume (RV) with an open end for containing the substance, a cover member (CM) attached to and covering the open end of the capsule body (CB) and configured to be pierced at an upper piercing position by an inlet piercing member to allow pressurized fluid to be dispensed through the cover member (CM), an upper fluid director member disposed within an upper portion of the capsule body (CB) between the reception volume (RV) and the cover member (CM), to define an entrance chamber in between the cover member (CM) and the upper fluid director member and to allow passage of the fluid from the entrance chamber towards the reception volume (RV), and a lower fluid director member (LF) disposed within a bottom portion of the capsule body (CB) between the substance and the base wall (BW), to define a discharge chamber (DC) in between the base wall (BW) and the lower fluid director member (LF) and to allow passage of fluid with extracted substance into the discharge chamber (DC) whilst preventing passage of substance residue, wherein the base wall (BW) is configured to be pierced by a hollow discharge needle (DN) to allow the fluid with the extracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber (DC) into the hollow discharge needle, characterized in that, the base wall (BW) comprises: an annular bottom section (BS) adjoining the side wall (SW) at an outer edge thereof, an elevated central section (CS) surrounded by the annular bottom section (BS), upwardly projecting into the discharge chamber (DC), wherein the elevated central section (CS) is elevated relative to the annular bottom section (BS) at an elevation height (EH), in that the elevated central section (CS) is substantially rigid against deforming under influence of the pressurized fluid, and in thatthe base wall (BW) is configured to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle (DN) in the elevated central section (CS).

2. Beverage capsule (C) according to claim 1, wherein the capsule body (CB) is made of a metallic material, for example comprising aluminium.

3. Beverage capsule (C) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capsule body (CB) is a single-piece part, for example made by means of a deep-drawing process.

4. Beverage capsule (C) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevation height (EH) is in the range between 2 mm and 4 mm, for example about 3 mm.

5. Beverage capsule (C) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevation height (EH) is in the range between 5% and 15%, for example of about 10%, of a height (H) of the capsule (C), e.g. of the side wall (SW).

6. Beverage capsule (C) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse elevation width (EW) of the elevated central section (CS) is in the range between 6 mm and 10 mm, for example about 8 mm.

7. Beverage capsule (C) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse elevation width (EW) of the elevated central section (CS) is in the range between 10% and 50%, for example of about 30%, of a width of the capsule (C), e.g. of the base wall (BW).

8. System for producing a beverage from an extractable substance, the system comprising: a brewing apparatus (BA), comprising: o a beverage capsule receptacle (CR), o an inlet piercing member, and o a hollow discharge needle (DN), the beverage capsule (C) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the extractable substance in its reception volume (RV), wherein, during producing of the beverage, the hollow discharge needle (DN) projects in the beverage capsule receptacle (CR) at a discharge needle length (NL), wherein the beverage capsule (C) is configured to be placed in the beverage capsule receptacle (CR), so that the cover member (CM) is pierced by the inlet piercing member to allow a pressurized fluid to be dispensed in the entrance chamber and that the base wall (BW) is pierced by the hollow discharge needle (DN) to allow the fluid with theextracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber (DC) into the hollow discharge needle (DN), characterized in that, the base wall (BW) is configured to be pierced by the hollow discharge needle (DN) in the elevated central section (CS) prior to the dispensing of the pressurized liquid, and in that the hollow discharge needle (DN) is configured to project into the discharge chamber (DC) along a piercing depth (PD) corresponding to part of the discharge needle length (NL).

9. System according to claim 8, wherein the piercing depth (PD) is less than 50% of the discharge needle length (NL), for example about 30%.

10. System according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the piercing depth (PD) is in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example about 2 mm.

11. Method of producing a beverage using the system according to any of the claims 8 - 10, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the beverage capsule (C) in the beverage capsule receptacle (CR), piercing the cover member (CM) with the inlet piercing member, piercing the base wall (BW) with the hollow discharge needle (DN), dispensing a pressurized fluid in the entrance chamber, and allowing the fluid with the extracted substance to be discharged from the discharge chamber (DC) into the hollow discharge needle (DN), characterized in that, the base wall (BW) is pierced by the hollow discharge needle (DN) in the elevated central section (CS) prior to the step of dispensing, in that the hollow discharge needle (DN) projects into the discharge chamber (DC) along a piercing depth (PD) corresponding to part of the discharge needle length (NL), and in that the piercing depth (PD) remains substantially constant after the piercing and during the dispensing.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the piercing depth (PD) is less than 50% of the discharge needle length (NL), for example about 30%.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the piercing depth (PD) is in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example about 2 mm.

14. Method according to any of the claims 11 - 13, wherein the pressurized fluid is dispensed at a pressure level in the range between 1 bar and 3 bar, for example about 2 bar.

15. Method of manufacturing a beverage capsule (C) for holding an extractable substance for producing the beverage capsule (C) according to any of the claims 1 — 7, comprising the steps of: designing the cup-shaped capsule body (CB), comprising: o determining an intended type of beverage, e.g. coffee, for example an espresso, lungo, americano or filter type of coffee, o determining, based on the intended beverage type, whether the base wall (BW) needs to comprise an elevated central section (CS), and if so o determining the required elevation height (EH) for the elevated central section (CS), and providing a capsule base material, for example a sheet of metallic material, and forming the cup-shaped capsule body (CB) out of the capsule base material, for example by means of a deep-drawing process.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the forming comprises: a first deep-drawing step, during which the circumferential side wall (SW) and the base wall (BW) are made out of the capsule base material, an elevation forming step, for example a second deep-drawing step, during which the elevated central section (CS) is formed in the base wall (BW).

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising the step of selecting, based on the intended beverage type and on the elevation height (EH) of the elevated central section (CS), a lower fluid director member (LF), for example selecting a porosity and / or thickness and / or material of the lower fluid director member (LF).

18. Method according to any of the claims 15 - 17, further comprising the steps of: arranging the extractable substance, for example coffee grounds, in the reception volume (RV), and arranging the cover member (CM) on the circumferential side wall (SW) at an end thereof that is located opposite to the base wall (BW), for example attaching the lower fluid director member (LF) to a circumferential flange thereof.

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