Beverage pod system having a pod holder

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extraction device for extracting beverage ingredients by supplying an extract into a pod, the pod comprising a pod body having a bottom wall and a top lid, the extraction device comprising upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions which are movable relative to one another, a removable pod holder comprising a pod receiving hole for receiving and holding a pod, and an upper insertion section configured to introduce the pod holder into the device and position the holder between the upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions, the upper insertion section being configured to introduce the holder along a vertical direction from an upper portion of the device, the pod receiving hole and the upper insertion section being configured to vertically position the pod lid when the removable pod holder is positioned inside the device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of beverage preparation using a system including a single-serving container containing beverage ingredients and a machine having a brewing chamber into which the container can be inserted, brewed and removed. [Background technology]

[0002] Single serving containers for the automatic preparation of beverages include various types of containers that can be brewed according to various types of systems, in which the container introduced into the system by the user is enclosed in a chamber to carry out the brewing process and then removed from the chamber, the chamber comprising two parts that are configured to be separated during the introduction of the container and then moved towards each other to form a brewing chamber around the container for brewing the beverage.

[0003] The containers can be introduced into these systems according to a variety of formats.

[0004] In one first type of system, the user introduces the container into a receiving area of ​​the system that leads the container directly between the two parts of the machine, such as in EP 1859714 or EP 1646305. In such type of system, the two parts of the chamber are generally movable along a horizontal direction relative to one another so that the container can be introduced into the two parts along a vertical direction and then removed from the chamber, utilizing the gravity drop of the container in these movements.

[0005] Therefore, such types of systems require the provision of a container catcher and container ejector within the chamber to control the movement of the container, which makes them relatively complex to manufacture.

[0006] In addition, this system requires bins to collect the discharged containers below the two parts of the chamber, which means that the system has a certain height, and this height and the bins also increase the manufacturing costs of the system.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned existing shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an extraction device for extracting a beverage ingredient by supplying an extraction liquid into a pod, said pod comprising: a pod body including a side wall and a bottom wall defining a chamber; a top cover for closing the top opening of the pod body; Equipped with The extraction device comprises: an upstream pod enclosing portion and a downstream pod enclosing portion relatively movable, preferably translatable, along a horizontal longitudinal axis (XX') between an open position for insertion and / or removal of a pod and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber enclosing the pod during brewing; a removable pod holder having a pod receiving hole for receiving and holding a pod; an upper insertion section configured to introduce a pod holder into the device and position said holder between the upstream pod enclosing portion and the downstream pod enclosing portion; Equipped with the upper insertion section is configured to introduce the holder vertically from the top of the device; The pod receiving aperture and upper insertion section are configured to vertically position the pod lid when the removable pod holder is placed within the device.

[0009] The pod holder provides the advantage of retaining the pod inside the brewing chamber during the brewing operation, so that the chamber does not need to be provided with additional complex pod catchers and ejectors for accepting and ejecting the pods, and the concept of the chamber can be kept simple and low cost.

[0010] The pod holder can be manually introduced into and removed from the brewing device, saving manufacturing and usage costs.

[0011] The ability to manually operate the pod holder allows the conception of beverage machines that have no bins and no means of transferring the pods to the bins after preparation, making the machines smaller and less expensive.

[0012] The pod holder is removable, i.e. detachable, from the brewing device.

[0013] The pod holder can be completely removed from the upper insertion section and then placed back into the brewing device, so that when the pod holder is outside the brewing device, the user can easily introduce a pod inside the holder, and after brewing, the user can easily transport the pod holder placed in the holder to a bin and then place the pod holder back into the brewing device, with or without a new pod.

[0014] Preferably, the pod holder comprises orientation means for correctly orienting the pod inside the holder and then inside the extraction device, in particular taking into account the downstream or upstream portion depending on the configuration of the pod.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the orienting means is arranged to orient the pod lid so that it faces either the downstream portion or the upstream portion depending on the configuration of the pod.

[0016] Such an orientation means can be a special design of the insertion path of the holder and extraction device, forcing the user to position the pod and pod holder in only one way.

[0017] Preferably, the relative movement of the upstream and downstream surrounding parts is linear, which is preferably translational. Preferably, the introduction and removal of the pod holder is also linear, preferably perpendicular to the linear movement of the surrounding parts.

[0018] As a result, the dimensions of the extraction device can be kept small.

[0019] Typically, the upstream portion supports an upstream piercing device and a liquid injector for opening the bottom wall of the pod, and the downstream portion comprises a downstream piercing device for opening the lid of the pod.

[0020] In one particular embodiment, the upstream portion defines a cage and the downstream portion defines a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX'), said plate comprising a downstream planar perforation device for opening the lid of the pod.

[0021] Generally, the holder and its hole are designed so that when a pod is placed in the hole, at least a portion of the pod's lid and at least a portion of the bottom are not covered or enclosed by the pod holder but remain accessible for piercing by the downstream pod surrounding portion and the upstream pod surrounding portion during beverage preparation.

[0022] Preferably, the entire surface of the lid and the bottom of the pod body is not covered by the holder.

[0023] These portions therefore remain fully accessible by the piercing elements of the extraction device.

[0024] Preferably, the downstream and upstream portions are each movable between a respective open position for insertion and / or removal of the pod holder and a respective closed position for forming a brewing chamber surrounding the pod holder during brewing.

[0025] In many cases, following beverage extraction, it is preferred that the upstream and downstream portions, respectively, move to and from the pod, as a portion of the lid or bottom of the pod body may remain engaged with piercing elements rising from the upstream and surrounding portions, which movement of the surrounding portions allows the pod holder to disengage from the pod and be safely removed.

[0026] Preferably, the upper insertion section comprises a passage for guiding the pod holder to an extraction region between the upstream pod surrounding portion and the downstream pod surrounding portion; The brewing device includes a holder stopper for stopping the pod holder at a temporary intermediate position within said path.

[0027] This temporary intermediate position may be configured to allow a user to load a pod holder into the device and then the holder is automatically moved further into the brewing chamber formed by the upstream and downstream enclosing portions.

[0028] This intermediate position makes it possible to avoid any incorrect or inaccurate manual introduction into the core, ie the brewing chamber, of the extraction device.

[0029] Preferably, the brewing device may comprise a recognition device configured to recognize or identify the pod held in the pod holder when the pod holder is in a temporary intermediate position. To provide the process control unit of the brewing device with information about beverage preparation (correct pod, best recipe), or To stop the preparation and warn the user via the display if an irregularity is identified (an already extracted pod has not been removed from the pod holder), This allows for a recognition step, for example by a code reader: the user can immediately remove the holder and check the pod inside it.

[0030] Preferably, the brewing device may comprise an actuation means for moving the pod holder from the intermediate position to the brewing area between the upstream pod enclosing portion and the downstream pod enclosing portion, the actuation means being preferably manually actuated such as a handle, so that the pod holder can be directly manually operated when loading a pod with the pod holder into the intermediate position and then indirectly moved to the brewing area using the handle.

[0031] Preferably, said actuating means is kinematically coupled to the holder stopper such that when the actuating means is operated said stopper is configured to drive the pot holder from the intermediate position to the extraction area.

[0032] As a result, even if the actuation means is manually operated, the holder is automatically moved to the extraction area, ensuring correct positioning inside the two enclosing parts, which is preferred if both of the two enclosing parts are movable towards each other.

[0033] Preferably, the pod holder and the holder stopper are designed such that the holder stopper can engage a surface of the pod holder.

[0034] Preferably, the actuation means comprises a handle which closes the passage of the upper insertion section when the downstream and upstream portions are in the closed position.

[0035] As a result, movement of the handle simultaneously drives the holder inside the extraction device, closing the path of the insertion section and preventing the user from pulling on the holder while the extraction action is taking place.

[0036] Preferably, the actuation means is also arranged to move each of the upstream and downstream portions between their open and closed positions.

[0037] Specifically, the actuation means includes: such that the pod holder is disposed in the extraction region between the two enclosing portions before the two enclosing portions enclose the pod; and such that the two enclosing portions are moved away from the pod before the pod holder is removed from the extraction area; It may be configured to coordinate the movement of the upstream and downstream portions as well as the movement of the pod holder.

[0038] Preferably, when the pot holder is in the extraction region and the upstream and downstream enclosing portions are in the closed position, the periphery of the receiving hole in the pot holder is sandwiched between the upstream and downstream enclosing portions.

[0039] Preferably, the pod holder comprises a plate, the plate comprising a hole for receiving the pod, the plate comprising a front surface and a rear surface, and the pod holder comprises a seal, the seal covering the entire front surface and rear surface of the periphery of the receiving hole of the pod holder.

[0040] The holder therefore contributes to the airtightness of the brewing chamber during beverage preparation.

[0041] In one embodiment, the portion of the seal that covers the front surface of the plate of the pod holder may include a ridge, the ridge rising in the downstream direction.

[0042] In addition, preferably, the downstream surrounding portion defines a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX'), said plate comprising: a downstream planar piercing device for opening the pod lid; a peripheral area, Preferably, this peripheral region of the downstream surrounding portion may be provided with a groove that matches the shape of the ridge of the seal, the ridge being disposed within the groove when the upstream pod surrounding portion and the downstream pod surrounding portion are in the closed position.

[0043] This embodiment is particularly useful for improving the airtightness of the brewing chamber when the body of the pod exhibits corrugations on its outer surface, and when the shape of these corrugations provides fluid flow paths during beverage preparation: the ridges and grooves close such flow paths.

[0044] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage preparation machine comprising a brewing device as described above.

[0045] Generally, the beverage machine comprises a liquid supply system connected to the upstream surrounding part. The liquid supply system comprises: A liquid supply unit such as a liquid tank; a pump means for driving liquid from the liquid supply to the extraction device; Heating and / or cooling means may be provided for adapting the temperature of the liquid before it is introduced inside the pod.

[0046] The liquid is usually water.

[0047] Typically, the beverage machine comprises at least a control unit configured to control the supply of liquid to the extraction device, which may be configured to control the recognition operation of the recognition device, if present, or to display information to the user. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a brewing device and a pod as described above, or comprising a beverage preparation machine and a pod as described above, the pod comprising: a pod body including a side wall and a bottom wall defining a chamber; and a top lid for closing the top opening of the pod body.

[0048] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of preparing a beverage using a device as described above, the method comprising: removing the pod holder; Introducing a pod into a pod holder; directing a pod holder in the brewing device downward to a temporary position; and c) actuating the actuation means to move the pot holder from the intermediate position to the extraction area.

[0049] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a removable pod holder, said holder comprising a pod receiving aperture for receiving and holding a pod in a brewing device as described above.

[0050] Preferably, the extraction device comprises: a path for guiding the pod holder to an extraction region between the upstream pod surrounding portion and the downstream pod surrounding portion; A holder stopper, The pod holder is designed to engage with this holder stopper.

[0051] In this application: The term "pod" is used broadly to denote any type of single-dose container suitable for preparing a beverage or other edible product, such as a capsule, cartridge, portioned package or individual package, without limiting the shape of this container, particularly the shape of the body, or the type of piercing means required to extract the beverage therefrom.

[0052] The term "longitudinally" refers to the orientation and movement of two enveloping parts relative to each other along the longitudinal axis XX'.

[0053] The terms "vertically", "upwardly" and "downwardly" refer to the movement of the pod in the brewing device from its introduction between two enclosing parts to its removal therefrom. The terms "upper" and "lower" also refer to this vertical axis.

[0054] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the path of liquid through the extraction device from an upstream enclosure to a downstream enclosure.

[0055] Generally, these terms are used to describe the relative placement of features of a brewing device and should be understood to refer to said device in its normal orientation when placed in a beverage preparation machine for producing a beverage, as shown in Figures 2A, 2E, and 4A-4H.

[0056] The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0057] Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] 1A-1D are various perspective views of a pod used in the extraction device of the present invention; [Figure 1B] 1A-1D are various perspective views of a pod used in the extraction device of the present invention; [Figure 1C] 1A-1D are various perspective views of a pod used in the extraction device of the present invention; [Figure 2A] 2A and 2B are respectively a side view and a top view of an extraction device according to the invention, with the pot holder removed from the extraction device; [Figure 2B] 2B and 2C are perspective views of several separated portions of the extraction device of FIG. 2A, respectively. [Figure 2C] 2B and 2C are perspective views of several separated portions of the extraction device of FIG. 2A, respectively. [Figure 2D] 2A and 2B are respectively a side view and a top view of an extraction device according to the invention, with the pot holder removed from the extraction device; [Figure 2E] FIG. 2B is a side view of the extraction device of FIG. 2A with the pod holder enclosed therein. [Figure 2F] FIG. 2F is a side view of several separated portions of the extraction device of FIG. 2E. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder that holds a pod. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder that holds a pod. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder without the pod. [Figure 3D] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the holder holding the pod. [Figure 4A] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views illustrating the introduction step of the pod holder inside the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4B] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views showing the introduction step of the pod holder inside the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4C] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views showing the introduction step of the pod holder inside the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4D] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views illustrating the introduction step of the pod holder inside the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4E] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views showing the introduction step of the pod holder inside the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4F] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views illustrating the removal step of the pod holder from the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4G] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views illustrating the removal step of the pod holder from the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4H] 13A-13C are cross-sectional views illustrating the removal step of the pod holder from the extraction device according to a preferred embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4E is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4E. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows a fluid system of the extraction device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] FIG. 1A (perspective view) and FIG. 1B (exploded view) illustrate a pod 3 that can be used in the extraction device of the present invention.

[0059] The pod 3 comprises a pod body 31 having a sidewall 311 extending axially from a bottom wall 313 to a top. The sidewall 311 extends to a top opening 312. At the top opening 312, the body comprises a peripheral annular flange 314 extending radially outward from the sidewall 311 along the periphery of the opening 312.

[0060] The flange has an upper surface 3142 facing the top and a lower surface 3141 .

[0061] Generally, any transverse cross section of the body will be circular from base to top and the flanges will also be circular.

[0062] The body defines a chamber for containing a beverage ingredient.

[0063] The beverage ingredient is preferably one that can be brewed, such as roast and ground coffee.

[0064] In a second preferred method, the beverage raw material may be tea leaves or a water-soluble powder raw material 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 a soluble liquid raw material or even a beverage concentrate such as a syrup or a milk concentrate. The powder may be agglomerated or sintered.

[0065] The capsule includes a lid 32 that is secured, sealed or otherwise attached to at least a portion of the upper surface 3142 of the peripheral flange, thus covering and closing the top opening 312 .

[0066] The bottom wall 313 is adapted to be perforated so that liquid can be injected into the pod through the perforated opening.

[0067] The lid 32 is adapted to be opened by relative engagement with a piercing device under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure inside the pod during injection of liquid.

[0068] The pod shape is symmetrical about a central axis ZZ' that extends from the bottom wall to the lid, and the pod shape is asymmetrical about the plane and flange of the lid.

[0069] Figure 1C illustrates another pod 3' that can be used in the brewing device of the present invention and differs from the pod 3 of Figure 1A only in the depth size (along ZZ') of the pod body 31'. The pod body 31 of the large pod 3 defines an ingredient chamber having a larger volume than the pod body 31' of the small pod 3', and the side wall 311 is taller than the side wall 311'. The diameters of the lid 32' of the small pod and the lid 32 of the large pod are the same.

[0070] This difference in size allows for the preparation of different beverages, preferably different coffee beverages such as ristretto, espresso, lungo (long cup), americano, etc.

[0071] Sizes other than those illustrated may be provided, such as intermediate sizes.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the pod 3 can be made of essentially biodegradable or compostable materials, preferably home compostable materials, since coffee grounds after extraction can be easily composted at home.

[0073] Preferably, the material of the pod comprises a paper layer, which is mouldable, i.e. a sheet of paper capable of being given a three-dimensional shape in the shape of the body of the pod as described above, in contrast to typical pods made of filter paper, this paper is thick and maintains the three-dimensional shape provided during the moulding process of the manufacture of the pod.

[0074] Preferably, the paper layer of the pod is at least 20 g / m 2, preferably up to 150 g / m 2 The body paper can have a basis weight of 1.0 g / m2 or more. The body paper can exhibit a higher basis weight than the lid paper because it needs to be stretched and deformed during manufacture.

[0075] The paper weight of the main body is 80 to 150 g / m 2 It can be said that:

[0076] The lid is 20 to 120 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight comprised between 1.

[0077] Both papers are approximately 100 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of 100 g.

[0078] The material of the pod may include a layer of paper and some other material to provide additional properties such as air barrier properties, stretchable properties, or deformable properties. These additional properties may be provided by at least one plastic layer, for example as described in WO 2020 / 114995. Some additional layers of the body and lid may be different.

[0079] In fact, the paper must be thick enough to be molded into a beverage container and to form a barrier to protect the beverage ingredients. In addition, the paper layer is preferably coated with a compostable plastic film to create a barrier against the atmosphere, specifically against oxygen, to which roast and ground coffee is particularly sensitive. A sealant layer is often necessary to attach the different layers together and prevent delamination. For example, such a multi-layer paper material can be the material described in WO 2020 / 114995 or PCT / EP 21067316.

[0080] In such pod materials, the thickness of the multi-layer paper material of the body may be about 200 μm and the thickness of the multi-layer paper material of the lid may be about 140 μm, which means that the flange thickness is usually more than 200 μm or even more than 300 μm.

[0081] The manufacture of such particular pods generally involves: - preparing a first deformable sheet of paper material of circular shape, the diameter of said first sheet being adapted to the size of the pods (small or large) to be produced; deforming the first sheet to form a pod body having a flange from the pod body, this operation is usually performed by molding the first sheet in a dedicated recess, die, or mold that assumes the shape of the pod body; filling the shaped body with a serving of beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, and compressing said serving of roast and ground coffee preferably inside the shaped pod; - providing a circular second sheet of material, the diameter of said second sheet corresponding to the diameter of the pod lid, regardless of the size of the pod (small or large) to be produced; and sealing the second sheet onto the flange of the filled molded body.

[0082] Due to the nature of the paper material being a non-uniform material (the position of the plant fibres within the sheet is random) and due to the thickness of the paper material, the shaping of the first sheet of material produces pods with specific characteristics that affect the preparation of the beverage in the extraction device.

[0083] When the paper material is formed in the mould, wrinkles are formed along the entire periphery of the side walls 311 and the bottom surface 3142 of the flange. In larger pods (FIG. 1A), the wrinkles are more severe and deeper, since the original diameter of the first sheet is much larger than the final diameter of the pod. For example, in a first sheet disk having a thickness of about 200 μm and a diameter of 70 mm, used to produce a final pod with a lid diameter of about 53 mm and a pod body diameter (below the flange) of about 48 mm, the wrinkle depth in the formed body can vary between 25 and 200 μm (measured by interferometer). These wrinkles affect the airtightness of the brewing chamber during beverage preparation. The more severe wrinkle depth can reach almost 200 μm.

[0084] The extraction device of the invention can be adapted to use alternative containers to those described above, provided that the container comprises a body defining a chamber and a lid for closing the chamber. Typically, the two enclosing parts present an internal shape that matches the container.

[0085] For example, the container can be a frusto-conical capsule made of aluminum or plastic.

[0086] Figure 2A shows a side view of an extraction device 10 according to the invention, comprising an upstream pod enclosing part 2 and a downstream pod enclosing part 1, which are relatively translatable along a longitudinal axis XX'. Usually, this axis XX' is essentially horizontal. In Figure 2A, these two parts are in an open position arranged to receive a pod for extraction. These two enclosing parts are supported by a chassis 9 and can be moved from said open position to a closed position by actuating a handle 8 connected to them by a system 81 of mutually associated knee levers.

[0087] The device comprises a pod holder 6 which holds a pod 3. This holder is fully removable from the extraction device and is shown in Fig. 2A outside the chassis, when it is outside it is ready for an operation of introduction between the enclosing parts or at the end of said operation during the removal of an extracted pod from the extraction device. The pod is introduced through an insertion section 4 arranged above the two enclosing parts 1, 2.

[0088] 2B and 2C are perspective and separated views of the two pod enclosing parts 1, 2 and the pod holder 6 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2A.

[0089] The downstream part 1 comprises a plate perpendicular (i.e. transverse) to the longitudinal axis XX', which comprises a central downstream flat perforation device 12 for opening the lid 32 of the pod when the brewing liquid is introduced into the interior of the pod causing the lid to expand. Typically, this central downstream flat perforation device 12 is circular like the lid of the pod.

[0090] The opening occurs due to the relative engagement of the spike with the lid under the effect of the increased pressure of the liquid injected into the pod body chamber. This downstream planar piercing device may comprise a rigid plate with opening elements 121, such as spikes, which may have the shape of a cone or pyramid, optionally with truncated ends, on the surface facing the lid. In addition, the plate comprises transverse holes for ejecting the beverage dispensed from the opened lid to a beverage outlet 14, such as a tube or nozzle, which collects the beverage and pours it into a drinking cup.

[0091] The plate comprises a peripheral area 13 around the perforation device 12 .

[0092] The upstream part 2 defines a cage 21, i.e. a cavity for enclosing the pod body. This cage has an adjustable internal volume. A movable end wall 22 transverse to the longitudinal axis XX' of the cage allows this adjustment. This end wall 22 supports piercing elements 222 for opening the bottom wall 313 of the pod body and liquid outlet openings 223 for supplying liquid into the pod through holes drilled in the bottom wall of the pod. These piercing elements can comprise perforators in the form of blades. These blades can be designed and arranged to perforate the bottom wall of the pod body when the upstream and downstream pod enclosing parts are in the closed position. The liquid outlet openings 223 can form a shower in front of the end wall of the cage, the supplied liquid being able to be introduced into the pod through pre-drilled openings.

[0093] Since pods 2 of different sizes can be introduced to perform the extraction, the end walls 22 of the cage can be movable to adapt the internal volume of the cage to the pods.

[0094] The upstream part 2 is supported by a carrier 24 allowing it to move along an axis XX'.

[0095] The top view of the extraction device in Fig. 2D shows a pod holder insertion section 4 provided in a chassis 9. This insertion section 4 is designed to allow the pod holder 6 to be introduced such that the lid 32 of the pod held in the holder is located in front of the downstream enclosure part 1.

[0096] Figures 2E and 2F show the brewing device of Figures 2A-2C, where the pod holder 6 is arranged between the upstream pod enclosing part 2 and the downstream pod enclosing part 1, which have been moved towards each other by actuating an associated lever by means of a handle 8. In this position, the pod holder 6 is tightly sandwiched between the two enclosing parts 1, 2.

[0097] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a pod holder 6 holding a pod 3, showing the front 641 of the pod holder where the pod lid 32 is located. Figure 3B shows the back 642 of the pod holder where the pod bottom 313 emerges. Figure 3C is a perspective view of the holder without a pod.

[0098] The pod holder 6 has a hole 61 in its front face 641 capable of receiving the body 31 of the pod. The holder and its hole are designed such that when the pod 3 is placed in the hole 61, at least a part of the lid 32 and at least a part of the bottom 313 of the pod are not covered or enclosed by the pod holder but remain accessible for piercing by the downstream and upstream pod enclosing parts during beverage preparation. In the above-mentioned particular embodiment of the extraction device, the piercing elements 12, 222 of the downstream and upstream enclosing parts are configured to pierce a large surface of the lid 32 and the pod bottom 313, so that the holder does not comprise a shell covering the bottom of the pod body, which remains uncovered and accessible for piercing.

[0099] In other types of piercing elements of the extraction device, the perforations may be made in narrower areas of the lid and / or bottom and the holder may comprise several parts to enclose the pod except for its pierceable area.

[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder can include several retention elements around the inner periphery of the hole, such as the illustrated short flexible tongue 612, that can maintain the pod inside the holder by friction when the pod holder is manipulated by a user and introduced vertically inside the insertion section.

[0101] The handle 63 facilitates handling by the user, in particular by forcing the user to orient the holder with the pod handle facing upwards while introducing the pod holder into the insertion section, i.e. with the lid 32 in front of the downstream portion 1 and the pod bottom 313 in the form of the upstream portion 2.

[0102] As shown in Figure 3D, the shape of the bottom 643 of the pod holder is asymmetrical, exactly like the shape of the insert section 4, thus forcing the user to position the pod exactly between the upstream portion and the surrounding portion, as described above in relation to Figure 2D.

[0103] 4A-4E show the steps of the introduction of the pod holder 6 inside the extraction device 10 according to a preferred embodiment.

[0104] In Figure 4A, The handle 8 is in an open position, in which the handle Do not cover the insert section 4, The two surrounding parts 1, 2 are arranged apart from each other, The pod holder 6 is loaded with a pod 3 and positioned above the insertion section 4 , and is slid vertically inside the path 41 as indicated by arrow A.

[0105] In Figure 4B, The pod holder 6 is introduced into the channel 41 by the user and is then held in a temporary intermediate position inside the channel 41 by a stopper 42 against which the pod holder abuts. A downstream end 42a of the stopper 42 is disposed inside the channel 41 when the handle 8 is in the open position and is configured to interact with the bottom 643 of the pod holder and to stop any downward sliding movement due to user manipulation.

[0106] This intermediate position may allow an operation of identification or recognition of the pod by a recognition device 7 located in that part of the path 41 before the pod is further introduced between the enclosing parts 1, 2. This recognition device may obtain input information for further preparation of a beverage from the recognized or identified pod. At the same time, the downstream end 42a of the stopper engages in a slot 644 designed through the bottom 643 of the holder. This engagement makes it possible to automatically drive the pod holder 6 into its final lower position between the two enclosing parts 1, 2, as will be explained below.

[0107] In Figure 4C, The user begins to move the handle 8 as indicated by arrow B to the closed position. By means of an interlocking knee-lever system 81 between the handle 8 and the carrier 24 of the upstream enclosing portion 2, this upstream portion starts to move towards the downstream portion 1 as shown by arrow C. In this illustrated preferred embodiment, the downstream pod enclosing portion 2 is also moving towards the upstream portion by means of an interlocking knee-lever system 81. The upstream end 42b of the holder stopper is connected to this movable carrier 24 and engages in a slot 241 in the carrier. Thus, any movement of the carrier 24 itself simultaneously causes a movement of the stopper 42, as the stopper engages in a slot 644 in the holder and in the pod holder 6. The slots 644, 241 in the pod holder 6 and the carrier 24 respectively are designed such that a movement of the upstream pod enclosing part 2 towards the downstream pod enclosing part, i.e. closing of the brewing chamber, induces a downward movement of the pod holder between these two enclosing parts 1, 2 before the two parts form the brewing chamber.

[0108] In FIG. 4D, The handle 8 continues to close and the carrier 24 of the upstream surrounding part 1 continues to move towards the downstream part 1 to close the brewing chamber. However, the pod holder 6 stops sliding downwards due to the design of the slot 241 followed by the upstream end 42b of the stopper in the carrier. At this step of closing the handle 8, the pod holder 6 is well aligned along the longitudinal axis XX' between the two surrounding parts 1, 2.

[0109] In Figure 4E, The handle 8 reaches a closed position, covering the passage 41 of the insertion section. The downstream and upstream surrounding parts 1, 2 and the holder 6 form a brewing chamber 5 (dotted line) which surrounds the pod 3. The bottom 313 of the pod is pierced by a piercing element 222 and the preparation of a beverage can be started by introducing liquid through the liquid outlet 223 of the upstream surrounding part.

[0110] 4F-4H illustrate the steps of removing the pod holder from the extraction device after the extraction operation of FIG. 4E.

[0111] These steps are performed while the user pulls the handle 8 to open the extraction device, resulting in movements exactly opposite to those depicted in Figures 4C-4E.

[0112] In Figure 4F, the user begins to pull the handle upwards, as indicated by arrow D, so that the carrier 24 of the upstream enclosing part 2 moves away from the pod holder 6, as indicated by arrow E. The two enclosing parts 1, 2 release the pod holder.

[0113] 4G, the user continues to pull the handle 8, causing the downstream end 42a of the pod holder stopper to push the pod holder up, as indicated by arrow F. In FIG.

[0114] In FIG. 4H, the stopper 42 is not engaged in the slot 644 at the bottom of the pod holder and the pod holder 6 is returned to the intermediate position and can be pulled out of the insertion path by the user to discard the extracted pod.

[0115] 5 is a close-up view of the interaction of the pod holder 6 and the upstream and downstream surrounding parts 1 and 2 when the brewing chamber is formed. Preferably, the pod holder is provided with a seal 62 covering the entire front and rear of the periphery 611 of the receiving hole in the pod holder, which can cooperate with the peripheries of the upstream and downstream surrounding parts 1 and 2 respectively to provide a tight seal during beverage preparation, in particular the edge 211 of the cage can engage with the seal at the rear of the periphery of the hole and the peripheral area 13 of the downstream surrounding part can engage with the seal at the front of the periphery of the hole.

[0116] In addition, the pod holder 6 may be designed such that the annular flange 314 of the pod is sandwiched between the front surface of the periphery of the hole and the periphery of the peripheral region 13 of the downstream enclosure.

[0117] Preferably, the seal in front of the periphery of the hole includes a ridge 621 that runs along the periphery of the seal and rises in the downstream direction.

[0118] Thus, in the closed position of the enclosing parts 1, 2, the flange 314 of the pod may be pressed between the seal 62 and the periphery of the downstream part and pinched tightly by the ridges. As a result, the liquid path created by the presence of wrinkles around the flange of the pod is closed in the flange and airtightness is obtained. This embodiment is particularly useful when a paper pod is used as described above. In one preferred embodiment, the peripheral area 13 of the downstream part may comprise a groove 131 into which the ridges 621 may engage to further improve airtightness.

[0119] 6 shows a fluid system 101 of an extraction device, configured to supply liquid to the upstream surrounding part 2. This system 101 may comprise a tank 1011 of fluid, typically water, a pump 1012 for pumping said fluid from the tank, and at least one device such as a heater 1013 and / or a cooler for adapting the temperature of the fluid before it is distributed to the upstream part 2.

[0120] The process control unit 102 of the beverage machine is configured to control the pump and the heater when a beverage is ordered.

[0121] This unit 102 can be used to control the recognition device or other controllable devices such as a display, if present.

[0122] While the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to those illustrated embodiments.

[0123] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0124] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 100 Drinking Devices 10 Extraction Device 1. Downstream Enclosure 12 Downstream drilling equipment 121 Spike 13 Surrounding Areas 131 Groove 14 Beverage outlet 2. Upstream Enclosure 21 Cage 211 End 22 End Wall 222 Perforation elements 223 Liquid outlet 24 Career 241 Slots 3,3' pod 31,31' Main body 311,311' side wall 3111 Top edge 312 Upper opening 313 Bottom wall 314 Annular flange 3141 Top surface 3142 Bottom 32 Lid 321 Annular Region 322 Peripheral Annular Region 4 Insert Section 41 Routes 42 Holder stopper 5 Extraction chamber 6 Removable Pod Holder 61 Pod receiving hole 611 Hole Surroundings 612 Vero 62 Seal 621 Ridge 63 Handle 641 Front 642 Back 643 Bottom 644 Slots 7 Recognition Devices 8. Operating Means 81 Interrelated Knee Levers 9. Chassis 101 Fluid supply system 1011 Tank 1012 Pump 1013 Heater 102 Process Control Unit

Claims

1. A brewing device (10) for brewing a beverage ingredient by feeding a brewing liquid into a pod, comprising: The pod (3) a pod body (31) having a side wall (311) and a bottom wall (313) defining a chamber; and an upper cover (32) for closing the upper opening of the pod body. The extraction device comprises: an upstream pod enclosing part (2) and a downstream pod enclosing part (1) relatively movable, preferably translatable, along a horizontal longitudinal axis (XX') between an open position for insertion and / or removal of said pod (3) and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (5) enclosing said pod during brewing; a removable pod holder (6) having a pod receiving hole (61) for receiving and holding the pod; an upper insertion section (4) configured to introduce the pod holder (6) into the device and position the holder between the upstream pod enclosing part (1) and the downstream pod enclosing part (2), the upper insertion section (4) is configured to introduce the holder (6) vertically from the top of the device; the pod receiving hole (61) and the upper insertion section (4) are configured to vertically position the lid (32) of the pod when the removable pod holder (6) is introduced inside the device. Extraction device.

2. 2. The extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the upstream surrounding part (2) supports an upstream piercing device (222) and a liquid injector (223) for opening the bottom wall (313) of the pod, and the downstream surrounding part (1) comprises a downstream piercing device (12) for opening the lid (32) of the pod.

3. 3. The extraction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder (6) and the pod receiving hole (61) are designed such that when the pod is placed in the hole, at least a part of the lid (32) of the pod and at least a part of the bottom (313) of the pod are not covered by the pod holder and are accessible to be pierced by the downstream pod surrounding part (1) and the upstream pod surrounding part (2) during extraction.

4. The extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the downstream part (1) and the upstream part (2) are each movable between a respective open position for inserting and removing the pot holder (6) and a respective closed position for forming an extraction chamber (5) surrounding the pot holder (6) during extraction.

5. the upper insertion section (4) comprises a path (41) for guiding the pod holder to an extraction area between the upstream pod enclosing portion (1) and the downstream pod enclosing portion (2); the extraction device comprises a holder stopper (42) for stopping the pod holder (6) at a temporary intermediate position inside the path (41); An extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The extraction device according to claim 5, wherein the extraction device comprises a recognition device (7) configured to recognize or identify the pod (3) held in the pod holder (6) when the pod holder is in the temporary intermediate position.

7. 7. The extraction device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the extraction device comprises an actuation means (8) for moving the pod holder (6) from the intermediate position to the extraction area between the upstream pod surrounding portion (1) and the downstream pod surrounding portion (2).

8. 8. The extraction device according to claim 7, wherein the actuating means (8) is kinematically connected to the holder stopper (42) such that when the actuating means (8) is operated, the stopper (42) is configured to drive the pot holder (61) from the intermediate position to the extraction area.

9. The extraction device according to claim 8, wherein the pot holder (61) and the holder stopper (42) are designed such that the holder stopper can engage with a surface of the pot holder.

10. The extraction device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the actuation means (8) comprises a handle, which closes the channel (41) of the upper insertion section when the downstream part (1) and the upstream part (2) are in the closed position.

11. The extraction device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the actuation means (8) is configured to move the upstream part (1) and the downstream part (2), respectively, between the open and closed positions of the upstream and downstream parts.

12. The extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the pot holder (6) is in the extraction area and the upstream surrounding part (1) and the downstream surrounding part (2) are in the closed position, a peripheral portion (611) of the receiving hole of the pot holder is sandwiched between the upstream surrounding part and the downstream surrounding part.

13. the pod holder (6) comprises a plate, the plate comprises the hole (61) for receiving the pod, the plate comprises a front surface and a back surface; the pot holder (61) is provided with a seal (62), the seal covering the entire front and rear surfaces of the periphery (611) of the receiving hole of the pot holder; 13. An extraction device according to claim 12.

14. the portion of the seal covering the front surface of the plate of the pod holder comprises a ridge (621), the ridge protruding in a downstream direction; The downstream surrounding portion (1) defines a plate transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX'), the plate comprising: a downstream plane piercing device (12) for opening the lid (32) of the pod; a peripheral region (13), the peripheral area (13) of the downstream enclosing portion comprises a groove (131) which matches the shape of the ridge (621) of the seal, the ridge being located within the groove (137) when the upstream pod enclosing portion (1) and the downstream pod enclosing portion (2) are in the closed position; 14. An extraction device according to claim 13.

15. A beverage preparation machine comprising an extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. An extraction device and a pod according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or a beverage preparation machine and a pod according to claim 15, The pod (3) a pod body (31) having a side wall (311) and a bottom wall (313) defining a chamber; and an upper cover (32) for closing the upper opening of the pod body. system.

17. A method for preparing a beverage using an extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or a beverage machine according to claim 15, or a system according to claim 16, the extraction device comprising an actuation means (8), the method comprising: removing the pot holder (6) from the extraction device; Introducing a pod (3) into the pod holder; directing the pod holder downwardly in the extraction device to a temporary position; and actuating the actuation means (8) to move the pot holder from the intermediate position to an extraction area. method.

18. Use of a pod holder (6) in an extraction device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 or in a beverage machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the holder comprises a pod receiving hole (61) for receiving and holding the pod, and wherein the holder is fully removable.

19. The extraction device comprises: a path (41) for guiding the pod holder to an extraction area between the upstream pod surrounding portion (1) and the downstream pod surrounding portion (2); A holder stopper (42); Equipped with The pod holder is designed to engage with the holder stopper.

20. The use according to claim 18.

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