Capsules for producing beverages

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising a capsule body (2) containing a soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredient and defining a chamber (21), an upper membrane (3) configured to be pierced to close the upper opening and to inject a liquid into the capsule, a lower membrane (4) provided inside the chamber so as to define an ingredient chamber between the upper and lower membranes, and an opening device (5) provided inside the chamber and configured to open the chamber by relative engagement with the lower membrane under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the ingredient chamber during the injection of the liquid, the opening device being made of a biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates, at least one nucleating agent and at least one inorganic filler.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] [Technical field] The present invention relates to a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine.

[0002] [Background technology] Single-serving beverage capsules are known in the art and are commonly used in beverage preparation machines to dispense beverages such as coffee or tea when desired.

[0003] For this purpose, a beverage capsule, which typically has a capsule body containing beverage ingredients, is inserted into a capsule receptacle of a beverage preparation machine. The capsule receptacle is closed and beverage preparation is started. In the capsule receptacle, the upper membrane of the capsule is pierced with a needle and a fluid, typically water, is injected into the capsule, which interacts with the beverage ingredients inside the capsule to produce the desired beverage. The fluid fills the capsule, which causes the pressure inside the capsule to increase. Once a sufficient amount of fluid has filled the capsule, a self-opening mechanism in the capsule is activated, which opens the lower membrane of the capsule when the extraction of the beverage ingredients is complete, releasing the prepared beverage. An example of the operating principle of this type of container is described in EP 1 472 156.

[0004] In the prior art, beverage containers of this type are usually made of plastic. Considering that the containers are designed for one-time use, it is necessary to control their disposal, since the reuse and recycling of the materials used can be difficult. Attempts are therefore made to replace these materials with alternatives, such as cellulose or bioplastics, which allow overcoming the problems associated with the disposal and / or recycling of the containers after use. However, it must be taken into account that these alternative materials do not have the same material properties and advantages as the usual plastic materials.

[0005] In particular, taking into consideration capsules such as those described in EP 1 472 156 and shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, capsules 1 of such type include: a capsule body 2 defining a chamber 21 having an upper opening 23 closed by an upper membrane 3 configured to be pierced for injecting a liquid into the capsule; a lower membrane 4, which is provided inside the chamber so as to define a source chamber between the upper membrane 3 and the lower membrane 4; an opening device 5 provided inside the capsule body and below the lower membrane, configured to open the ingredient chamber by relative engagement between the opening device and the lower membrane under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the chamber during injection of liquid; Equipped with.

[0006] When the opening device 5 of a capsule having such a structure is made from bioplastics, some drawbacks may be observed.

[0007] One drawback is that under increasing temperature and pressure, the properties of objects made of bioplastics may change. In the case of the capsules mentioned above, this change in properties is a significant problem for the opening device made of bioplastics, because by the time hot water is introduced into the chamber and the pressure increases to force the lower membrane against the opening device, this opening device may deform and break, and / or the lower membrane may tear and not recover to its original shape after the pressure has decreased. As a result, beverage ingredients such as roast and ground coffee particles or undissolved soluble powders may be delivered from the ingredient chamber to the drinking cup, or some of the beverage may not be prepared correctly. This beverage preparation is not acceptable to the consumer.

[0008] Another drawback is that the opening device has a certain thickness to provide resistance to the pressure that builds up in the capsule during beverage preparation, so that if this thick piece of material is made of bioplastic, its decomposition as a home compostable object will be relatively long.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The object of the present invention is to address the above existing problems.

[0010] [Summary of the invention] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine, the capsule containing a soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredient, a capsule body defining a chamber; an upper membrane closing the upper opening and configured to be punctured to inject liquid into the capsule; a lower membrane disposed within the chamber to define a source chamber between the upper membrane and the lower membrane; an opening device provided inside the chamber, configured to open the chamber by relative engagement of the opening device with the lower membrane under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the source chamber during injection of liquid; Equipped with The opening device is a molded part made of a biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being a polymeric composition, the polymeric composition comprising: At least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs); At least one nucleating agent; At least one inorganic filler; Includes.

[0011] The capsule comprises a capsule body defining a chamber for the beverage ingredients, an upper membrane closing the chamber, a lower membrane provided inside the chamber, and an opening device configured to open the lower membrane.

[0012] The capsule body is usually a sidewall defining a chamber and extending axially between an upper opening; a peripheral flange projecting radially outwardly from the upper opening, the peripheral flange having an upper surface opposite the chamber relative to the opening, and an opposite lower surface.

[0013] Typically, the lower part of the capsule body is provided with an outlet through which the beverage can be dispensed.

[0014] Typically, the upper membrane is attached to the upper surface of the flange of the body.

[0015] The capsule contains a beverage ingredient, which may be a soluble or extractable beverage ingredient, which is held between an upper membrane and a lower membrane.

[0016] The opening device is disposed within the body but outside the source material chamber, and thus is disposed below the lower membrane.

[0017] Typically, the opening device comprises a plate with opening elements rising from the upper surface of the plate and thus towards the lower membrane, which opening elements are designed to pierce, tear or puncture the lower membrane under the effect of the liquid pressure increase in the ingredient chamber during the injection of the liquid.

[0018] These raised opening elements may be cone or pyramid shaped spikes (optionally with truncated tips) directed upwards towards the lower membrane and may form protrusions and recesses on the lower membrane facing the opening device.

[0019] Preferably, the aperture element has a sharply pointed tip.

[0020] Preferably, the plate of the opening device is provided with beverage ejection holes extending from the upper surface of the plate to the lower surface of the plate, said holes being located between the raised opening elements.

[0021] In the current state of the art, this opening device is a molded part of a plastic such as polypropylene.

[0022] In this embodiment, the opening device is a molded piece of biodegradable material. At least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs); At least one nucleating agent; At least one inorganic filler; A polymer composition comprising:

[0023] An opening device is manufactured by molding from the polymer composition.

[0024] Typically, the opening device is integrally made from the polymeric composition.

[0025] Generally, the polymer composition has the formula (I): -O-CHR i -(CH2) n -CO- At least one polyhydroxyalkanoate containing a repeat unit of During the ceremony, Ri is -H, C1-C 12 Alkyl, CC 16 Cycloalkyl, C2-C 12 alkenyl, optionally substituted with at least one group selected from halogen (F, Cl, Br), -CN, -OH, -COOH, -OR, -COOR (R = C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl); n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 6, and is preferably 1 or 2.

[0026] Preferably, the polymer composition comprises at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate, Ri is methyl or ethyl, and n is 1 or 2.

[0027] Preferred repeat units of formula (I) are 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 3-hydroxyoctanoate, 3-hydroxydodecanoate, 3-hydroxy-10-undecenoate, 4-hydroxyvalerate, or mixtures thereof It may be derived from

[0028] Particularly preferred polyhydroxyalkanoates are Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), Poly-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV), Poly-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHH), Poly-3-hydroxyoctanoate (PHO), Poly-3-polyhydroxydodecanoate (PHDd), Poly-3-hydroxy-10-undecenoate (PHU), and copolymers thereof. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate), Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecen-10-enoate) (PHOU), Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-4-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBW), or mixtures thereof It may be derived from

[0029] In one embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate may be a copolymer or terpolymer containing repeat units of formula (I) in combination with at least one repeat unit derived from a comonomer that can be copolymerized with the hydroxyalkanoate.

[0030] These comonomers can be lactones and / or lactams.

[0031] In this embodiment, typically the repeat units of formula (I) are present in an amount equal to at least 10% moles relative to the total moles of repeat units.

[0032] Preferably, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is 10 4 ~10 6 It has a weight average molecular weight (M) that can be in the g / mol range.

[0033] Generally, the polymer composition comprises: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), Acetyl-tri-n-butyl citrate (ATBC), Isosorbide diesters (ISEs), sorbitol, Glycerol, Acetylated monoglycerides, Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), Triethyl citrate (TEC), Tri(ethylene glycol) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (TEG-EH), Tributyl citrate (TBC), 1,3,2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol, 1,3-p-Methylbenzylidene-2,4-benzylidenesorbitol Bis(stearylureido)hexane, 1,3,2,4-di(p-methylbenzylidene)sorbitol, 1,3,2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol, and mixtures thereof The composition comprises at least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of:

[0034] The polymer composition comprises at least one nucleating agent which may be selected from the group consisting of boron nitride, talc, hydroxyapatite, zinc stearate, nanocrystalline cellulose, montmorillonite nanoclay, single-walled carbon nanotubes, wollastonite, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, cyanuric acid, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid amines, fatty acid metal salts, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, urea derivatives, sorbitol-based compounds, sodium benzoate, and mixtures thereof.

[0035] Preferably, the polymer composition comprises at least one nucleating agent in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight.

[0036] The polymer composition comprises at least one inorganic filler which may be selected from the group consisting of talc, wollastonite, mica, silica, calcium carbonate, kaolin, nanoclay.

[0037] Preferably, the polymer composition comprises at least one inorganic filler in an amount of at least 1% by weight, preferably at most 50% by weight.

[0038] Preferably, the polymer composition comprises wollastonite, talc or nanoclay as inorganic filler, even more preferably in a content of 5-40% by weight.

[0039] It has been observed that the presence of inorganic fillers in the polymeric composition of an opening device comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) accelerates the degradation of the opening compared to polymeric compositions lacking these inorganic fillers.

[0040] The polymer composition comprises Pentaerythrol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate), Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl 4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 2,4-bis[(octylthio)methyl)]-o-cresol, 2,2t-dihydroxy-4,4t-dimethoxy-benzophenone, Ethylene bis(oxyethylene) bis-(3-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-m-tolyl)propionate, Octadecyl-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionate, 2t,3-bis[[3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyl]]propionohydrazide, Beeswax, Carnauba wax, Candelilla wax, Sumac wax (wood wax), Berry Wax, Paraffin wax, Silicone and its derivatives, Magnesium hydroxide, Calcium stearate, and mixtures thereof The composition may include at least one functional additive selected from the group consisting of:

[0041] These functional additives can be used to improve processability, compatibility between materials, and / or promote biodegradation.

[0042] The polymer composition comprises Dicumyl peroxide (DCP), tert. butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB), Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), Multifunctional styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate oligomer (Joncryl®), Triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) The composition may contain at least one viscosity modifier and / or compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of:

[0043] Preferably, the polymer composition may comprise fibers such as fibers selected from the group consisting of flax, corn, rice husk, hemp, bamboo, sisal, kenaf and mixtures thereof.

[0044] The advantage of incorporating fibers into the polymeric composition of the opening device is that the degradation of the opening article is accelerated compared to the pure PHA-based composition without these fibers.This is particularly useful for opening devices that may be thick material parts and therefore require more time to degrade than other parts of the capsule.

[0045] Preferably, the polymer composition contains such fibers in a content of 5 to 40% by weight.

[0046] Typically, the opening device comprises a plate having an opening element protruding from an upper surface of the plate, the opening element being designed to pierce, tear or puncture the lower membrane under the influence of an increase in liquid pressure in the raw material chamber during injection of the liquid.

[0047] Preferably, the opening element has a sharp pointed tip, especially if the lower membrane is made of a material that has some elasticity, which is the case if the lower membrane is made of a biodegradable material.

[0048] It is because the lower membrane is continuously A parchment paper layer; An adhesive layer; a nonwoven material layer comprising fibers that are biodegradable fibers; In such a bottom membrane, the parchment paper support usually faces the opening device inside the capsule.

[0049] In one embodiment, the plate of the opening device comprises beverage ejection holes extending from the upper surface of the plate to the lower surface of the plate, preferably located between the raised opening elements, which is particularly preferred when the lower membrane is a laminated multi-layer material as described above.

[0050] Preferably, the capsule body is made of a biodegradable or compostable material such as paper-based, starch, polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or mixtures thereof.

[0051] Preferably, the top membrane is made of a biodegradable or compostable material such as paper-based, starch, polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), and / or polybutylene adipate terepthalate (PBAT), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or mixtures thereof.

[0052] The capsule may comprise a feed wall extending through an internal cross section of the chamber to define a lower subchamber for the ingredient and an upper feed chamber for the liquid, the feed wall comprising small holes for dispensing the liquid evenly over the ingredient.

[0053] Such feeders can be compostable films made of cellophane and starch, or polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or mixtures thereof.

[0054] Usually, the capsule is manufactured by manufacturing the capsule body and the opening device separately and assembling them in a further step.

[0055] In certain embodiments, the capsule body may comprise a lower wall integral with the opening device.

[0056] Thus, in this embodiment, the opening device is integrally molded with the capsule body, which is molded from the same biodegradable polymer composition as the opening device.

[0057] In this application, the technical requirements and procedures for determining the biodegradability and compostability of materials are determined according to international standards such as EU 13432 or US ASTM D6400. For example, one of the tests requires that for a material to be considered "(industrially) compostable", at least 90% of the material in question is biologically degraded within 6 months under controlled conditions. A similar test scheme exists for the certification of home compostability.

[0058] Therefore, the entire capsule system can be disposed of in a compost pile after use so that nutrients can be provided to the soil once the material has fully biodegraded.

[0059] 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.

[0060] [Brief description of the drawings] Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A graph showing the strain of various polymer materials. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule according to the present invention;

[0062] [Mode for carrying out the invention] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a capsule 1 according to the invention.

[0063] The capsule 1 comprises a capsule body 2 having one or more side walls 21 extending axially from the bottom to the top. The side walls extend towards a top opening 23. At the top opening 23, the body comprises a peripheral flange 24 extending radially outwardly from the side walls.

[0064] Generally, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, every cross section of the main capsule is circular from bottom to top, and the flanges are also circular.

[0065] The sidewalls define a chamber 22 for containing soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredients.

[0066] The soluble beverage ingredient is a water-soluble powder ingredient and can be selected from the list consisting of instant coffee powder, dairy powder, creamer powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of said powders. The powders may be agglomerated or sintered.

[0067] The packaged beverage ingredient may be an ingredient that can be extracted or infused, such as roast and ground coffee or tea leaves, in which embodiment the water extracts the beverage ingredient.

[0068] The capsule comprises an upper membrane 3 fixed, sealed or attached to at least a portion of the upper surface of the peripheral flange, thus covering and closing the upper opening 23 .

[0069] The upper membrane is configured to be pierced to inject liquid into the capsule. Preferably, the upper membrane is pierceable by an injection needle of a beverage preparation machine, the injection needle being configured to inject brewing liquid under pressure into or in the chamber. Preferably, the piercing operation is performed in a single location by a water injection needle as described in WO 2006 / 082064 or WO 2008 / 107281.

[0070] The term "upper membrane" should be understood as the membrane that is pierced by the injection needle of the machine, in contrast to the "lower membrane" (explained below), which should be understood as the membrane located on the opposite side of the capsule 1.

[0071] The capsule comprises a lower membrane 4 closing the lower part of the chamber 22. The soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredients are thus enclosed between the upper and lower membranes. The upper and lower membranes bound the interior space of the ingredient chamber 22, which is a chamber configured to hold the beverage ingredients for preparing the beverage.

[0072] In one embodiment, a feed wall 6 may extend through the interior cross section of the chamber and defines a lower subchamber for the raw material and an upper feed chamber for the liquid. This feed wall includes small holes for dispensing the liquid evenly onto the raw material.

[0073] The capsule comprises an opening device 5 configured to open the chamber by relatively engaging with the lower membrane 4 under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the chamber during injection of the liquid in question. The opening device 5 may comprise a rigid plate 51 with opening elements 52 on its surface, such as cone- or pyramid-shaped spikes, optionally with truncated tips, directed upwards towards the lower membrane 4, which opening elements may form protrusions and recesses with respect to the lower membrane 4 facing the opening device. The opening device 5 may be commonly referred to as a "pyramid plate".

[0074] Holes 53 may be provided in the plate 51 for delivering the beverage produced in the ingredient chamber 22 to the beverage outlet 25 .

[0075] When liquid is injected inside the chamber 4, the pressure increases and deforms the lower membrane 4 relative to the opening means 5 until the lower membrane is pierced, expelling the beverage prepared inside the capsule 1 from the chamber 21 under the opening device 5. The expression "engage" may for example mean that the opening device or the second membrane, or both, may be moved relative to each other to cause opening.

[0076] Typically, the capsule body comprises a lower beverage outlet 25 below the opening device 5. The lower part of the capsule body preferably extends below the opening means to hold said opening means and collect the beverage in said beverage outlet 25 for dispensing the beverage outside the capsule 1, e.g. into a cup.

[0077] The upper membrane 3 is fixed to the flange 24 in such a way that the brewing liquid injected into the chamber 21 increases the internal pressure up to the pressure required to achieve a puncture of the deformed lower membrane 4 by the opening device 5. The upper membrane 3 is thus fixed to the flange in such a way that it does not peel off at least until a defined pressure inside the chamber is reached. This defined pressure may be at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar or at least 6 bar. Due to this fixing, the capsule 1 therefore does not leak through the interface between the flange and the upper membrane during beverage preparation.

[0078] In the state of the art, capsules of this type are made of plastic, such as polypropylene. Such material has properties adapted to the introduction of hot water at a temperature higher than 90° C. and the increase in pressure inside the ingredient chamber 22, which rises until the lower membrane 4 is pierced. During the beverage preparation, the opening device 5 made of polypropylene deforms and bends slightly under the forces exerted by the highest pressure, but returns to its original shape when the pressure is reduced at the end of the beverage preparation. As a result, the function of opening the lower membrane and filtering the beverage is ensured.

[0079] If this opening device 5 is made of bioplastic, it has been observed that the opening device deforms itself under the effect of the temperature and pressure loads exerted by the hot water inside the beverage ingredients chamber, and the beverage is not well prepared for the following reasons: The high pressure required to extract the roast and ground coffee or mix the soluble ingredients with water is not maintained throughout the beverage preparation. Alternatively, the deformation may create such high pressure that it blocks the beverage flow, causing the capsule to burst or the opening device to break. The resulting beverage will not have the expected quality. Some beverage ingredients, such as coffee chunks or undissolved soluble ingredients, flow unfiltered into the inside of the drinking cup. Some broken pieces of the deformed pyramid may also be released into the cup.

[0080] These disadvantages are addressed as biodegradable materials for opening device materials. at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs); at least one nucleating agent, and at least one inorganic filler; This can be avoided by selecting a polymer composition comprising:

[0081] In particular, a plate made of such a polymer composition was subjected to a load of 1.4 MPa to mirror the pressure exerted by pressurized water generated by the water pump of a beverage machine and introduced inside a beverage capsule. The load was applied for 1.5 seconds and then released. The following was observed: These plates deformed over time under load. When the load was removed, the plates returned to their original dimensions or were only slightly deformed.

[0082] The opening devices 5 made from these polymer compositions were used to produce beverage capsules as shown in Figure 1. The beverage raw material was roasted and ground coffee. The coffee was prepared from the various capsules using a beverage machine commercially available under the trademark Nescafe Dolce Gusto, from which the coffee was suitably prepared.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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."

[0086] [Explanation of symbols] 1 capsule 2 Capsule body 20 Chamber 21 Side wall 22 Raw Material Chamber 23 Upper opening 24 Flange 25 Bottom exit 3 Upper membrane 4 Lower membrane 5 Opening Device 51 Rigid Plate 52 Aperture element 53 holes 6 supply wall

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for use in a beverage preparation machine, containing a soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredient; a capsule body (2) defining a chamber (21); an upper membrane (3) closing the upper opening and adapted to be punctured to inject liquid into said capsule; a lower membrane (4) disposed inside said chamber (21) so as to define a source material chamber between said upper membrane (3) and said lower membrane; an opening device (5) provided inside the chamber, configured to open the chamber by relative engagement of the opening device with the lower membrane (4) under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the source chamber during the injection of the liquid; Equipped with The opening device (5) is a molded part made of a biodegradable material, the biodegradable material being a polymer composition, the polymer composition comprising: at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs); at least one nucleating agent; at least one inorganic filler; Including, capsule.

2. The polymer composition comprises a polymer having formula (I): -O-CHR ｉ -(CH ２ ) ｎ -CO- and at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate containing repeating units of During the ceremony, Ri is —H, C １ -C １２ Alkyl, C-C １６ Cycloalkyl, C ２ -Ci2 alkenyl, optionally selected from halogen (F, Cl, Br), -CN, -OH, -COOH, -OR, -COOR (R=C １ -C ４ alkyl, benzyl), n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 6, preferably 1 or 2; The capsule of claim 1.

3. 3. The capsule of claim 2, wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate, Ri is methyl or ethyl, and n is 1 or 2.

4. 4. The capsule of claim 2 or 3, wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is a copolymer or terpolymer containing repeat units of formula (I) in combination with at least one repeat unit derived from a comonomer copolymerizable with the hydroxyalkanoate.

5. the polymer composition poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), Acetyl-tri-n-butyl citrate (ATBC), isosorbide diesters (ISEs), sorbitol, glycerol, acetylated monoglycerides, Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), Triethyl citrate (TEC) Tri(ethylene glycol) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (TEG-EH) Tributyl citrate (TBC) 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol, 1,3-p-methylbenzylidene-2,4-benzylidene sorbitol, Bis(stearylureido)hexane, 1,3:2,4-di(p-methylbenzylidene)sorbitol, and mixtures thereof At least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of: The capsule according to claim 1 or 2.

6. 3. The capsule of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of boron nitride, talc, hydroxyapatite, zinc stearate, nanocrystalline cellulose, montmorillonite nanoclay, single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, cyanuric acid, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid amines, fatty acid metal salts, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, urea derivatives, sorbitol-based compounds, sodium benzoate, and mixtures thereof.

7. 7. The capsule of claim 6, wherein the polymer composition comprises a nucleating agent in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight, preferably at most 5% by weight.

8. 3. The capsule of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one inorganic filler selected from the group consisting of talc, wollastonite, mica, silica, calcium carbonate, kaolin, nanoclay.

9. 9. The capsule of claim 8, wherein the polymer composition comprises inorganic fillers in an amount of at least 5% by weight, preferably at most 40% by weight.

10. the polymer composition pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate), octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 2,4-bis[(octylthio)methyl]-o-cresol, 2,2t-dihydroxy-4,4t-dimethoxy-benzophenone, Ethylene bis(oxyethylene) bis-(3-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-m-tolyl)propionate), 2t,3-bis[[3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyl]]propionohydrazide, beeswax, Carnauba wax, Candelilla wax, sumac wax (wood wax), Berry wax, Paraffin wax, Silicones and their derivatives, magnesium hydroxide, calcium stearate, 3. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising at least one functional additive selected from the group consisting of:

11. the polymer composition dicumyl peroxide (DCP), tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), multifunctional styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate oligomer (Joncryl®); Triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), benzoyl peroxide (BPO), Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) 3. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising at least one viscosity modifier and / or compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of:

12. 3. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening device (5) comprises a plate (51) with an opening element (52) protruding from an upper surface (511) of the plate, the opening element (52) being designed to perforate, tear or puncture the lower membrane (4) under the effect of an increase in liquid pressure in the ingredient chamber during the injection of the liquid.

13. 13. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the opening element (52) has a sharply pointed tip.

14. 13. The capsule according to claim 12, wherein the plate (51) of the opening device (5) comprises beverage ejection holes (53) extending from the upper surface (511) of the plate to the lower surface (512) of the plate, the holes being arranged between the raised opening elements (52).

15. The lower membrane (4) is a laminated multilayer material, and the laminated multilayer material is successively: Parchment paper layer and an adhesive layer; a nonwoven material layer comprising fibers that are biodegradable fibers; Including, the parchment paper layer faces the opening device (5), The capsule according to claim 1 or 2.

16. 3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capsule body (2) comprises a lower wall, said lower wall being made integral with the opening device (5).

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