COMPOSTABLE TOP CLOSURE STRUCTURE FOR BEVERAGE PREPARING CAPSULES - Patent application

Abstract

To provide a capsule facilitating use of compostable materials for the entire capsule while maintaining quality and continuity standards of the prepared beverage.SOLUTION: A capsule 100 comprises: a capsule body 200 having a sidewall 210 defining a chamber 250 and having a rim portion 211; an injection wall 220 for injecting fluid in the chamber; and a delivery wall 300 being connected to the capsule body to close the chamber. The delivery wall comprises: a retention layer 320 being adapted to be opened upon interaction with opening elements under the effect of rising pressure of the fluid being injected into the capsule; a filter layer 310 for filtering out particles from the beverage dispensed via the delivery wall, the filter layer being provided opposite to the chamber with respect to the retention layer; a barrier layer against liquid and / or gaseous entering and / or leaving the chamber; and a first adhesion agent layer covering, at least partially, the delivery wall to bond the delivery wall to the capsule body. Each of the filter layer, the retention layer, barrier layer, and the first adhesion agent layer is made of a biodegradable material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine, a method for manufacturing the capsule, and the use of the capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine.

[0002] [Technical background] Disposable beverage capsules for beverage preparation machines are known in the art. These capsules are commonly used for dispensing individual servings of beverages such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and have gained popularity due to their fresh taste, flavor variability, and beverage preparation convenience.

[0003] Typically, a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted into a capsule holder of a beverage preparation machine, and beverage preparation begins when the capsule holder is closed. A fluid, such as water or milk, is delivered to the capsule to interact with the beverage ingredients contained therein to produce the desired beverage. When a sufficient amount of fluid fills the capsule, the capsule opens under the pressure of the fluid to release the prepared beverage. For example, capsule opening can be achieved by forcing the capsule's dispensing surface against an opening structure provided in the capsule holder with a force influenced by the increase in fluid pressure within the capsule, causing the dispensing surface to tear when its breaking stress is reached. The opening structure can be, for example, a multiplicity of protruding and recessed elements, such as pyramidal elements, on which the extraction surface extends and which rupture under the influence of the internal pressure of the fluid. Such pressure-controlled beverage preparation has the advantage of being able to produce high-quality beverages.

[0004] However, many parameters and dynamic effects can influence the opening process of a capsule on an extraction surface having the aforementioned opening structures, and therefore repeatability and consistency in the opening process can be difficult to achieve and can have a negative impact on the outcome of the finished beverage.

[0005] In particular, it has been found that the extraction surface needs to exhibit a certain amount of rigidity to ensure pressure buildup within the capsule while avoiding its collapse during the opening process. Conversely, the extraction surface should be configured so that it can be torn apart by the opening structure during the opening process. It is also desirable that particles and fibers from the beverage ingredients are retained inside the capsule to avoid not only contamination of the prepared beverage, but also obstruction of the capsule opening and / or opening structure that provides for the dispense of the prepared beverage outside the beverage preparation machine.

[0006] In the prior art, these technical challenges have been addressed by forming the membrane dispensing surface from aluminum with a very precisely controlled thickness, typically about 30-40 micrometers. Aluminum offers many advantages, including high pressure resistance, durability, flexibility, light weight, a long shelf life, and consistent taste of the prepared beverage. Unfortunately, aluminum capsules are difficult to recycle because in many countries, systems for recycling aluminum are nonexistent or not well developed, or require the provision of additional waste disposal systems, such as consumer collection stations, which are difficult to implement. Furthermore, producing aluminum bullion for capsules requires a large amount of energy and leads to increased carbon emissions if the capsules are not successfully recycled.

[0007] Therefore, various attempts have been made recently to replace the materials used in capsules with alternative materials. For example, bioplastics made from corn starch or dried pulp made from sugarcane fibers have been proposed for use as capsule materials. However, the drawback of such materials is that they do not have the same material properties as currently used materials such as aluminum. For example, capsules made from alternative materials often do not provide the same reliable oxygen and moisture barrier as aluminum, and therefore often have a limited shelf life.

[0008] In particular, designing brewing surfaces using alternative materials can be difficult because the design principles and solutions applied to the original aluminum brewing surfaces cannot be simply transferred to these new materials. For example, attempts to simply replace known aluminum brewing surfaces with paper-based materials have proven unsuccessful, as the quality of the prepared beverage, the reproducibility of flavor, and the consistency of the beverage quality could not be compared to the high standards set by known aluminum-based brewing surfaces.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a capsule having a construction and design that facilitates the use of compostable materials throughout the capsule, while maintaining and / or exceeding the prepared beverage quality and sustainability standards set by comparative aluminum capsules.

[0010] These objects, as well as others that become apparent on reading the description, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0011] [Summary of the Invention] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine. The capsule comprises a capsule body having a side wall defining a chamber for containing a substance for preparing the beverage, and an injection wall for injecting a fluid into the chamber to prepare the beverage by interaction of the fluid with the substance. The capsule further comprises a delivery wall connected to the capsule body and closing the chamber. The delivery wall comprises, in a layered manner, a retaining layer adapted to open upon interaction with an opening element under the influence of an increasing pressure of a fluid injected into the capsule, and a filter layer for filtering particles from the prepared beverage dispensed through the delivery wall. Each of the filter layer and the retaining layer is made of a biodegradable material, where the filter layer is provided on the opposite side of the chamber from the retaining layer.

[0012] Here, the expression "biodegradable material" can be understood as any material that can be broken down by living organisms (such as bacteria, fungi, or algae) into environmentally harmless products. This process can occur in the environment with the presence of oxygen (aerobic) and / or otherwise without the presence of oxygen (anaerobic). This can be understood to mean, for example, that composting can be carried out without conditions. In particular, at the end of the composting process, there are no material residues or any non-biodegradable components that could be problematic for the environment.

[0013] Examples of biodegradable materials can be different plant materials such as wood, bamboo, bamboo fibers, cellulose, cellulose pulp, wood pulp, sugarcane pulp, paper and / or cardboard, etc. In addition, other examples include the family of bioplastics such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers, polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBS-A / PBSa), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), cellulose acetate, starch, and / or compounds of the above-mentioned materials.

[0014] International standards, such as European 13432 (EU 13432) or American ASTM D6400, specify the technical requirements and procedures for determining the compostability of materials. Biodegradation can be tested according to standards such as ISO 14855, ISO 17556, or ISO 14851. For example, one test requires that at least 90% of a material be biologically degraded under controlled conditions for six months to be considered "industrially compostable." Similar tests exist to allow for certification of home composting.

[0015] In other words, a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine is provided. For example, a capsule can be understood as a container for containing a substance for preparing a beverage, and preferably forms a case or container surrounding the substance. The capsule body defines (at least a part of) a chamber with its side walls, which can be, for example, a compartment, cavity, or hollow space within the capsule. The capsule further comprises an inlet wall suitable for injecting a fluid into the chamber. The injection of the fluid can result in an interaction between the fluid and the substance, which can include any type of chemical and / or physical reaction between the substance and the fluid, such as wetting, infusion, extraction, dissolution, and / or any other type of corresponding interaction to produce a beverage product. The capsule further comprises a delivery wall connected to the capsule body and closing the chamber. For example, the space within the capsule can be (completely) surrounded on all sides by the container body (side walls), the inlet wall, and the delivery wall, preferably forming (and closing) a chamber for receiving the substance. This makes it possible to provide a capsule that can be filled with a substance for preparing a beverage and used in a known capsule machine. The substance can be protected from deterioration and external influences such as oxidation or moisture, and the flavor of the substance can be maintained within the capsule even when the substance is stored for a long period of time.

[0016] The delivery wall of the present invention comprises a retaining layer and a filter layer in a layered manner. Accordingly, the delivery wall may comprise different parts configured as plies, sheets, steps, or layers. This allows the delivery wall to be provided with any number of layers, each with a desired functionality, for example, a layer for sealing, (further layers) for forming a (moisture / oxygen) barrier, and / or, for example, a filter layer, for purifying and / or screening specific particles or contents from the prepared beverage before it leaves the capsule (chamber). The delivery wall may have various (layer) configurations, forms, and shapes. Additionally, the retaining layer may be configured so that it can be opened by an opening element (e.g., of a beverage production machine) under the influence of the increased pressure of the fluid injected into the capsule, for example, by relative movement between the respective elements. The opening element may have various configurations, forms, and shapes, and may comprise multiple convex and concave elements, such as pyramidal elements. This design allows the design of the delivery wall to be adapted to technical needs.

[0017] Each of the filter and retainer layers is made of a biodegradable material, which may result in easier regeneration of the organic material within the capsule, as well as the capsule material itself.

[0018] The filter layer is provided on the opposite side of the chamber from the retaining layer. Surprisingly, it has been found that a specific order of orientation of the retaining layer and the filter layer relative to the capsule body as defined in the present invention leads to several improvements. For example, it has been observed that the pressure profile during beverage preparation is more consistent and reproducible. Furthermore, better crema formation and extraction, as well as lower concentrations of particles and residues of substances such as roast and ground coffee, are found in the beverage with this configuration.

[0019] In the configuration of the present invention, during operation, the filter layer may be in direct contact with the opening element, which is commonly used to create local pressure points for breaking material under pressure. This would increase the risk of the filter layer losing its filtering ability due to puncturing the material, which is unexpected in the art. For this reason, in the prior art, filters, if provided, are always provided inside the capsule. Similarly, it is surprising that the retaining layer would be opened by the opening element in a more effective manner. In the configuration of the present invention, the openings in the delivery wall are more numerous, more evenly, and more centrally distributed than in known capsule configurations. The injected fluid is uniformly distributed inside and outside the capsule, resulting in better and more uniform extraction results. This effect is counter to the technical intuition that placing a puncture tool in direct contact with the intended object results in better puncture results.

[0020] This effect can be achieved, for example, by the damping effect of the filter layer on the deformation of the retaining layer during a pressure increase in the capsule. The thrust generated in the chamber due to the increase in pressure of the fluid injected into the chamber may have to act against the tensile forces of both layers, i.e., the filter layer as well as the retaining layer. This can delay the deformation of the delivery wall towards the opening element towards higher pressures in the chamber that can be reached more quickly, and the opening element interacts with the delivery wall at a higher pressure level than would be the case with a different capsule configuration. Due to the increased pressure increase, the delivery wall is more effectively perforated.

[0021] From the above, it can be concluded that the present invention facilitates the provision of a capsule whose outer interface is made entirely of biodegradable material, yet still provides sufficient or even improved pressure resistance that may be required to build up pressure sufficient for beverage preparation. Furthermore, the design of the present invention facilitates the filtration and extraction capabilities of the capsule necessary to prepare high quality beverages, a quality that has so far been found in the prior art for beverages from aluminum-based capsules.

[0022] Preferably, the retaining layer may face the chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining layer may be provided closer to the chamber than the filter layer. Here, for example, the expression "facing" may be understood to be directed towards the respective reference object, without necessarily being provided directly on the respective reference object.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, each of the filter layer and the retaining layer may be made of different biodegradable and preferably (home) compostable materials.

[0024] This allows the capsules to be disposed of in a compost pile after use, a designated site with specific conditions that depend on wind, sunlight, drainage, and other factors, allowing nutrients to be provided to the soil once the material has fully decomposed. Composting can be achieved in industrial compost sites and / or home composters. For example, according to the aforementioned internationally accepted legal standards, compostable plastic materials must simultaneously possess the following characteristics to be defined as compostable: They must be biodegradable and disintegrable, i.e., fragment and invisibly disintegrate in the final compost, and must not adversely affect the composting process or quality. This is expected to further reduce the ecological impact of using disposable capsules.

[0025] The different materials may preferably be distinguished by at least one of their respective physical properties, such as tensile strength, ductility, elasticity, puncture resistance, density, porosity, and / or, if applicable, fiber structure and / or fiber orientation.

[0026] By providing at least two of the aforementioned layers from different materials, the delivery wall can be provided as a composite structure. However, it is also conceivable that the delivery wall can include multiple different layers, preferably made from different materials. This can have the advantageous effect of combining two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties to create a structure with properties different from each of the individual components. This allows the capsule's outer interface to be tailored to the technical needs of the application. For example, by providing each layer with a different tensile strength, the pressure buildup within the capsule can be controlled and defined as needed. This allows, for example, the capsule to be designed to produce a beverage according to the recipe specifications. Furthermore, by providing two layers from materials with different fiber configurations, the material properties related to the interaction of the delivery wall with the prepared beverage can be tailored to individual applications, such as defining the filtration capacity of the delivery wall. Also, differences in the orientation of the individual layers of the delivery wall can result in different stresses within the layers, which can be taken into account in the above-mentioned configuration by selecting different materials. For example, the material of one of the layers may fracture under less pressure than the material of another layer, but the structure may be held together by the combined resistance of each material, which may support each other under the influence of pressure.

[0027] According to further preferred embodiments, the retaining layer (preferably the material of the retaining layer) may be configured to preferably provide a two-way barrier to liquids and / or gaseous substances entering and / or exiting the chamber, where it is contemplated that the retaining layer may include additional layers or coatings on (which may be provided on) either the opposite side of the chamber or filter layer from the retaining layer.

[0028] This can provide the capsule with a barrier against certain substances exiting or entering the capsule, thereby increasing the shelf life of the capsule and keeping the substances contained within the capsule fresh. By endowing the retaining layer with such capabilities, the design and manufacture of the capsule can be simplified, and the capsule can be made entirely from alternative materials.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining layer (preferably the retaining layer material) may be configured to be resilient to increased pressures in the chamber of 1 to 20 bar, more preferably 10 to 20 bar, most preferably 12 to 18 bar.

[0030] This allows for the preparation of beverages that require a defined pressure for successful preparation to be achieved. Furthermore, the capsule can remain closed for extended periods during the preparation process, as the time it takes for the pressure to reach that predetermined level depends on the pressure limits of the ingredients. This allows the preparation time of the beverage to be controlled by the choice of ingredients.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the filter layer may be made of a compostable material. Alternatively or additionally, the filter layer may be made of a nonwoven material. Examples include wood pulp, sugarcane pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon fibers, polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBS-A / PBSa), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and / or polylactic acid (PLA).

[0032] Generally, nonwoven materials can be made by bonding short and long fibers together through mechanical, chemical, or thermal treatment. Nonwoven materials are advantageous because they can be manipulated for their specific use, can be recycled after use, and can provide material functionality such as elasticity and tear resistance, tensile strength, light weight, filtration, and / or sterility and bacterial barrier properties. For example, the length of the fibers in the nonwoven material and their respective bonding can be adapted according to the requirements of the application, thereby improving the application.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the filter layer has a weight of 10 to 150 g / m 2 , preferably 20 to 100 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of

[0034] The properties of the filter layer can thus be set by defining the areal density of the material, i.e., the mass per unit area. For example, the tensile strength of the filter layer can be improved by increasing the basis weight of the material and / or by using a (nonwoven) material containing fibers of a defined length and / or with a defined fiber bond. Furthermore, the filtration capacity and / or porosity of the filter layer can be adjusted by setting the material properties of the filter layer accordingly, e.g., reduced to smaller particle diameters. This allows the filter layer to be adapted to the specific requirements of beverage preparation.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining layer may be made of a compostable material. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining layer may be made of a material with a defined, preferably closed, fibrous structure. For example, the retaining layer material may have a fibrous structure corresponding to at least 50% by weight of softwood pulp, and may be cellulose fibers, paper, biopolyester, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB) and copolymers, and / or polybutylene succinate (PBS) or poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBS-A / PBSa). Furthermore, the retaining layer material may be cellulose acetate, starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or may include a polymer in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining layer material may be a compound or laminate of the aforementioned materials.

[0036] By providing the retaining layer from a material with a closed fiber structure, such as highly refined, i.e., mechanically and / or chemically treated, paper, it may be possible to provide the retaining layer with a material that has a low tendency to absorb liquid while increasing the rigidity of the material. In particular, materials with low water absorption and low elongation have a beneficial effect on the properties of the capsule. By providing the retaining layer from such a material, the advantageous effects of the present invention can be amplified.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the retention layer may have a density of 20 to 150 g / m 2 , preferably 30 to 100 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of

[0038] This allows the properties of the retainer layer to be set by defining the areal density of the material, for example the tensile strength of the retainer layer can be improved by increasing the basis weight of the material.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining layer and the filter layer can be at least partially joined to each other on opposite sides, preferably via adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding or heat welding. Preferably, an adhesive layer can be provided between the retaining layer and the filter layer, which is made of a biodegradable and preferably compostable material. For example, vegetable starch or an acrylic adhesive can be used as the material for the adhesive layer.

[0040] By joining the two layers of the delivery wall, the stretching and deformation processes of the respective materials can be correlated. By using adhesive bonding or heat welding (preferably by using some kind of adhesive) to connect the two layers together, a smooth, uniformly effective bond is created between the two layers. Therefore, the pressure applied to the retention layer is also uniformly distributed on the filter layer. This allows the advantageous effects of the present invention to be amplified in such a configuration.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the delivery wall may be connected to a rim portion defining an opening in the side wall of the capsule body. For example, the delivery wall may be connected to the capsule body by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, or heat welding. Alternatively or additionally, an adhesive layer may be provided between the delivery wall (preferably the retaining layer) and the capsule body, bonding the capsule body and the delivery wall to each other. Preferably, the adhesive layer may at least partially (or completely) cover the opening and / or the rim portion. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive layer may (completely) cover the retaining layer on the side or surface facing the chamber. For example, vegetable starch or acrylic adhesive may be used as a material for the adhesive layer. It is also conceivable that the adhesive layer may, for example, form part of the layered structure of the delivery wall.

[0042] By joining the delivery wall to the capsule body, the two elements are tightly connected to each other, preventing bacterial contamination of the capsule contents, which may be protected from external moisture or oxygen via the sealed bond formed between the delivery wall and the capsule body.

[0043] Preferably, by using the above-mentioned bonding methods, the adhesive layer between the two layers can be considered to form an oxygen / moisture barrier and / or sealant, and preferably the adhesive layer can be food safe and / or suitable for use at normal operating temperatures for beverage preparation, e.g., 100-150°C.

[0044] According to a further preferred embodiment, the capsule body (preferably at least the side wall and / or rim portion) may be provided with a protective layer for providing a barrier against moisture and / or oxygen. Alternatively or additionally, the inlet wall may include a protective layer for providing a barrier against moisture and / or oxygen. Preferably, the protective layer may be configured to provide a sealing interface between the capsule body and the inlet wall. The protective layer may be made of a biodegradable and preferably compostable material, such as a biopolymer or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and may comprise a polymer in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol. Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer may be made of a compound or laminate of the above-mentioned materials. Preferably, the protective layer may be made of a material different from the filter layer and / or the retaining layer.

[0045] This allows the contents of the capsule to be protected from external moisture or oxygen and allows a wide range of different materials to be used for the capsule.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule body and / or the inlet wall may comprise a layered and / or laminated structure. Preferably, the capsule body and / or the inlet wall may be made of laminated molded pulp fibers.

[0047] This allows the mechanical properties such as stiffness and / or rigidity of each element to be adapted to the particular application, for example the capsule body may be provided with additional (integral) structural elements for stiffening, such as fins or ridges.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule body and the injection wall may consist of separate parts or may be integrally formed, for example as one piece.

[0049] This allows the capsule to be provided in separate parts or in a single piece or integrally, each of which configurations offers advantages in the planning, manufacturing and preparation of beverages using the capsule.

[0050] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing such a capsule.

[0051] The method includes steps in which the capsule body is formed in any form from a biodegradable (and / or compostable) pulp material, such as cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp, wood pulp, bagasse, non-wood pulp, or cellulosic pulp. Preferably, the injection wall can be formed together (simultaneously / in the same step) with the capsule body. The injection wall is formed so as to form at least a part of a chamber for receiving a substance for preparing a beverage. The delivery wall is provided and attached to the capsule body, for example, by heat welding. Here, the delivery wall is provided on the capsule body such that the filter layer is provided on the opposite side of the chamber from the retaining layer. Preferably, the retaining layer can face the chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining layer can be provided closer to the chamber than the filter layer.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule body may be formed by wet pulp molding, where the method of forming the capsule body may include placing a pulp slurry in a mold, for example, by filling the mold with the slurry or by submerging the mold in the slurry, and the pulp slurry may be forced into the mold, and the capsule body so formed may be dried.

[0053] Alternatively, the capsule body may be formed by dry pulp molding, where the method of forming the capsule body may include providing a blank of preferably dry cellulose fibers, which may then be formed into the shape of the capsule body using a tool, preferably under the application of heat and / or water.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule body may be filled with substances necessary for preparing a beverage. The injection wall may be formed by (wet or dry) pulp molding. Preferably, the injection wall may be formed together with the capsule body by pulp molding. Alternatively or additionally, the injection wall may be formed by attaching a membrane or film as the injection wall to the capsule body after drying the capsule, for example, using a biodegradable (and / or compostable) adhesive. Preferably, the method may further comprise the step of adding a protective layer, which may preferably be made of a biodegradable and / or compostable material. The protective layer may be added on the inner or outer surface of at least a portion of the capsule body defining the chamber (preferably at least a portion of the side wall). Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer may be added on the inner or outer surface of at least a portion of the injection wall defining the chamber. It is also conceivable that the protective layer may be added to at least a portion of the surface of the rim portion (facing away from the chamber). This may be achieved, for example, by thermoforming. Preferably, the protective layer is provided as a liner.

[0055] This allows for the production of capsules with all the advantages and benefits described above. Furthermore, (wet / dry) pulp molding offers the advantage of greater freedom in designing the capsule shape and its components while facilitating the use of different materials, thereby providing at least a portion of the capsule as a composite structure. Therefore, existing capsule designs can be structurally improved and provided from alternative materials, which may be ecologically beneficial.

[0056] A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a capsule as described above for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine having a capsule holder, so that the beverage can be prepared in an advantageous and ecologically beneficial way.

[0057] Further features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: where numerals have been omitted from the drawings for clarity, for example, the corresponding features may still be present in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0058] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic enlarged view of a capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a line graph showing the pressure profile over time within the capsule of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 shows a comparative graph of two different capsule configurations, one configuration showing the pressure profile of the capsule of the present invention of FIG. 1 (as shown in FIG. 2) and the other configuration showing the pressure profile of a comparative capsule having a delivery wall in which the order of the layers of the respective delivery walls is reversed from the delivery wall of the capsule of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a line graph showing a pressure profile of a typical paper material. [Figure 5] 1 is a line graph illustrating the pressure profile of a typical nonwoven material.

[0059] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] The figures show different views and aspects of an embodiment of a capsule 100 for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine according to the invention. The capsule 100 may have a composite structure and / or be made from a composite material, which may preferably consist entirely of a biodegradable and / or compostable material.

[0060] The capsule 100 comprises a capsule body 200 having a side wall 210. The capsule body 200 may have any shape or form. For example, the capsule body 200 may have a form suitable for the capsule 100 to be inserted into a capsule holder of a (known) beverage preparation machine. The capsule body 200 may have a truncated, cup-shaped or bowl-shaped form. The capsule body 200 may have a circular cross section. This may, for example, allow for absorbing pressure-related forces acting on the capsule body 200.

[0061] The capsule body 200 includes a sidewall 210. The sidewall 210 defines a chamber 250 within the capsule 100. The sidewall 210 may be provided to enclose a continuous space inside the capsule body 100. This is exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0062] The chamber 250 is configured to receive and store a substance 500 for the preparation of a beverage, where the substance 500 can be any type (solid, liquid, at least partially soluble and / or exudable) of a specific or defined chemical composition. Examples of substances can be roast and ground coffee, instant coffee, tea leaves, syrup concentrates, fruit extract concentrates, chocolate products, dried food substances, and / or combinations thereof. Thus, examples of beverages that can be prepared can be coffee-based or chocolate-based beverages, or other similar types of food products. However, the above examples of substances 500 and beverages should not be viewed as an exhaustive list. Instead, various other examples can be considered.

[0063] The capsule body 200 may have an opening 230 to the chamber 250. The opening 230 may be located at at least one of the opposing ends of the capsule body 200. For example, the substance 500 may be filled into the interior of the capsule 100 through the opening 230. The substance 500 may completely fill the chamber 250. However, there may be a free space between the opening 230 and the filling level of the substance 500, which may be filled with an inert gas to keep the substance 500 fresh. Preferably, a rim portion 211 of the side wall 210 may define the opening 230. The rim portion 211 may have the form of a flange and extend from the side wall 210, preferably away from the chamber 250. During operation, the capsule 100 may be placed on the rim portion 211 in a capsule holder of a beverage production machine.

[0064] The side wall 210 may be provided to form a continuous mantle surface of the capsule body 200. For example, the side wall 210 may have an inner surface facing the chamber 250 and an outer surface facing away from the chamber 250.

[0065] A protective layer 400 for providing the substance 500 with a preferably two-way barrier against moisture and / or oxygen may be provided on the capsule body 200 and / or the side wall 210. In FIG. 1 , the protective layer 400 is exemplarily shown as a liner on the inner surface of the side wall 210, which may extend up to and above the rim portion 211. The protective layer 400 may additionally or alternatively be provided on the outer surface of the side wall 210. Here, the protective layer 400 may be made of a biodegradable and preferably compostable material, such as a family of biopolymers or bioplastics, such as PHB and copolymers, PBS, PBS-A, PLA, PBAT, cellulose acetate, starch, PVOH, etc., a polymer in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol, and any combination or laminate of the above-mentioned materials. Preferably, the protective layer 400 may be made of a food-safe material (FCS, FCM).

[0066] For example, the capsule body 200 may be made of (laminated) (wet / dry) molded pulp fibers. Preferably, the capsule body 200 may be made of biodegradable and / or compostable materials. The capsule body 200 may be made of food-safe materials (FCS, FCM). The capsule body 200 may have a layered and / or laminated structure. For example, the capsule body 200 may be relatively rigid or stiff so as not to collapse during operation in a beverage production machine or during storage. The layered and / or laminated design may provide the capsule body 200 with additional stiffness and / or stiffness compared to other designs. Here, the molded pulp fibers may be a composite material having an additional substrate, such as a biodegradable resin, laminated on the capsule body 200. For example, the laminated structure of the capsule body 200 may be created by providing a protective layer 400 thereon. However, it is also contemplated that the capsule body 200 may include, for example, an additional laminate layer in addition to the protective layer 400.

[0067] The capsule 100 comprises an injection wall 220 for injecting a fluid into the chamber 250 for preparing a beverage after interaction of the fluid with the substance 500. This is exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0068] The injection wall 220 may be provided at the end of the capsule body 200 opposite the opening 230. The injection wall 220 may be provided integrally with or separately from the capsule body 200. Thus, the capsule body 200 and the injection wall 220 may be configured as separate parts or may be integrally formed as one part. The injection wall 220 may form a tapered end of the capsule body 200. The injection wall 220 may be configured to be perforated by a blade of a coffee making machine to provide an opening for fluid injection with the blade. Preferably, the fluid may be a liquid or a liquid / gas mixture, such as water or milk. As with the capsule body 200, the injection wall 220 may also include the protective layer 400 described above. It is also contemplated that the injection wall 220 may include a (small) opening through which the blade of the coffee making machine can penetrate the protective layer 400. Similar to the capsule body 200, the injection wall 220 may comprise a layered and / or laminated structure and may be made of (laminated) molded pulp fibers and / or food-safe materials (FCS, FCM).

[0069] The capsule body 200 and the inlet wall 220 may be arranged such that the chamber 250 is preferably closed (sealed) on at least three sides as shown in Figure 1. The capsule body 200 and the inlet wall 220 may be arranged such that the infused fluid is uniformly distributed within the chamber 250 along the side wall 210.

[0070] The capsule 100 comprises a delivery wall 300 connected to the capsule body 200 and closing the chamber 250. This is exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0071] For example, the delivery wall 300 may be connected to the rim portion 211. This may be achieved, for example, by heat welding or adhesive bonding. Accordingly, an adhesive layer or a sealable coating may be provided between the delivery wall 300 and the capsule body 200, by which the capsule body 200 and the delivery wall 300 may be attached (bonded) to each other. The mentioned sealable / adhesive layer may cover the entire area of the retaining layer 320 closest to the capsule body 200. The adhesive layer may form part of the delivery wall 300 or may be a separate element from the capsule body 200 and the delivery wall 300. For example, the adhesive layer may form part of the protective layer 400 or may be provided in addition thereto. The delivery wall 300 may be attached to the capsule body 200 via the rim portion 211. For example, the adhesive layer may cover the opening 230 and extend over the opening 230 to overlap the rim portion 211. The adhesive layer may also cover the entire surface of the delivery wall 300 facing (i.e., facing) the chamber 250. The delivery wall 300 may be provided on the opposite side of the injection wall 220 from the chamber 250. The delivery wall 300 and the injection wall 220 may be provided relative to each other so that, during operation, injected fluid traverses the capsule 100 in the following order: injection wall 220, chamber 250 (and, if available, substance 500 contained therein), and delivery wall 300. The chamber 250 may be completely surrounded by (one end of) the delivery wall 300, (its opposite end of) the injection wall 220, and the side wall 210 (along / around the surface between the two opposite ends of) the side wall 210. The delivery wall 300 may extend at least partially, preferably completely, over the opening 230. Preferably, the delivery wall 300 may overlap (at least partially) the rim portion 211.

[0072] The delivery wall 300 is provided in a layered manner, as exemplarily shown in Figure 1. There is no limit to the number of (different) layers that the delivery wall 300 may have.

[0073] One of the layers of the delivery wall 300 is a retaining layer 320, which is exemplarily shown in Figure 1. The retaining layer 320 is adapted to open upon interaction with an opening element of a beverage production machine under the effect of an increase in pressure of the fluid injected into the capsule 100. The retaining layer 320 may be a film, membrane or ply having a defined thickness and preferably having a substantially planar surface.

[0074] The retaining layer 320 is made of a biodegradable material. Preferably, the retaining layer 320 may also be made of a material that is compostable and / or food-safe (FCS, FCM). Additionally or alternatively, the (material of) the retaining layer 320 may have a defined fiber structure, such as a closed fiber structure. For example, the material of the retaining layer 320 may have a fiber structure in which at least 50% of its weight corresponds to softwood pulp. Further examples of the material of the retaining layer 320 may be one or any combination of the following group: cellulose fibers, paper, biopolyester, PHA, PHB and copolymers, PBS, PBS-A, PVOH, and / or polymers in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol.

[0075] The retaining layer 320 may be provided to be resilient to elevated pressures within the chamber 250, preferably between 1 and 20 bar, more preferably between 10 and 20 bar, and most preferably between 12 and 18 bar. In particular, the material of the retaining layer 320 may be configured to be resilient to elevated pressures within the chamber 250 within such pressure ranges. Here, the thickness and density of the material may affect the stiffness of the retaining layer 320, i.e., its resistance to bending. The retaining layer 320 may have a material thickness of between 10 and 150 micrometers, preferably between 30 and 70 micrometers. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining layer 320 may have a material thickness of between 20 and 150 g / m 2 , preferably 40 to 100 g / m 2 Preferably, the retaining layer 320 may be attached to the capsule body 200 (at the rim portion 211), preferably by heat welding or adhesive bonding.

[0076] Figure 4 shows an exemplary pressure curve for a paper-based material that may be suitable for use in the retention layer 320. From Figure 4, it can be seen that the paper-based material provides resistance to pressures of up to 17 bar for a time interval of at least about 15 seconds, thereby blocking fluids under pressure, and is therefore suitable as a layer in the delivery wall 300 for beverage preparation.

[0077] Another layer of the delivery wall 300, as exemplarily shown in Figure 1, is a filter layer 310. The filter layer 310 may be configured to filter particles from the prepared beverage before dispensing the particles through / from the delivery wall 300. The filter layer 310 may be a film, membrane, or ply of a defined thickness (and / or having a (predominantly) planar surface).

[0078] The filter layer 310 is made of a biodegradable material. Preferably, the filter layer 310 is also made of a material that is compostable and / or food-safe (FCS, FCM). For example, the filter layer 310 can be a nonwoven material such as cellulose fiber or PLA. Further examples include cellulose fiber, wood pulp, sugarcane pulp, rayon fiber, PBS, PBS-A, PHB, and / or PLA.

[0079] The mechanical and filtering properties of the filter layer 310 may be influenced by the thickness of the material, its density, and particle permeability. The filter layer 310 may have a material thickness of 10 to 300 micrometers, preferably 30 to 250 micrometers. Additionally or alternatively, the filter layer 310 may have a density of 10 to 200 g / m 2 , preferably 20 to 150 g / m 2 The sheet may have a basis weight of

[0080] Figure 5 shows exemplary pressure curves for various nonwoven materials that may be used for the filter layer 320. From Figure 5, it can be seen that the nonwoven materials exhibit a pressure resistance of up to 2.5 bar for a time period of less than 10 seconds. Considering the typical conditions of a beverage preparation process, this pressure resistance appears to be relatively limited and short.

[0081] However, the present invention provides a solution, whereby a particular configuration and combination of different types of materials, as exemplarily shown in the above-mentioned Figures 4 and 5, provides advantageous effects.

[0082] Here, the retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310 are provided on the capsule body 200 such that the filter layer 310 is provided on the opposite side of the chamber 250 from the retaining layer 320 .

[0083] Preferably, the retainer layer 320 may face the chamber 250. Alternatively or additionally, the retainer layer 320 may be provided closer to the chamber 250 than the filter layer 310. This is exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0084] Preferably, the retaining layer 320 may at least partially, preferably completely, cover the opening 230. An adhesive layer may be provided between the retaining layer 320 and the capsule body 200 (or the rim portion 211), and the adhesive layer may completely cover the surface of the retaining layer 320 facing the container body 200. The filter layer 310 may at least partially cover the retaining layer 320. Preferably, the filter layer 310 may be provided flush with the retaining layer 320 in the circumferential direction (and / or preferably with the outer periphery of the capsule body 200). The retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310 may be at least partially joined to each other on opposing surfaces, preferably by adhesive bonding or thermal welding. Here, an adhesive layer may preferably be provided between the retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310, and the adhesive layer is a biodegradable and preferably compostable material such as vegetable starch or an acrylic adhesive. Preferably, the retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310 may form a substantially uniform surface at one end of the capsule 100. For example, the retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310 may be joined together, for example, by heat welding, with the adhesive layer being provided as stripes covering only a portion of the surface of each of the two layers 310, 320. For example, the stripes may be provided along the periphery of the two layers 310, 320. However, this is merely an example and should not be considered an exhaustive list. Alternatively, for example, the adhesive layer may also be provided in the center of the overlap between the two layers 310, 320.

[0085] Preferably, each of the filter layer 310 and the retention layer 320 may be made of different materials that are biodegradable and preferably compostable. The different materials of the two layers may be distinguished by at least one of their respective physical properties, such as tensile strength, ductility, elasticity, puncture resistance, density, porosity, and / or, if applicable, fiber structure and / or fiber orientation. For example, it may be preferable that the elasticity of the filter layer 310 may be higher than the elasticity of the retention layer 320, such that layers further away from the base layer experience greater strain during bending compared to layers closer to the base layer, as is typical in layered structures.

[0086] In such a configuration, it is possible to achieve a pressure curve such as that exemplarily shown in Figure 2. As is immediately apparent from Figure 2, the corresponding pressure curve of the capsule 100 is highly advantageous for preparing a beverage.

[0087] 3 shows a comparison between the pressure curves of two capsules made of the same ingredients and materials, but the first capsule does not use the configuration of the present invention to form its delivery wall, while the second capsule has the configuration of the capsule 100 of the present invention. As can be seen, the pressure resistance and pressure stability during extraction of the capsule 100 (second capsule) are significantly more stable and improved than those of the other capsule (first capsule) for beverage preparation applications.

[0088] Preferably, filter layer 310 and / or retainer layer 320 may be made of a different material than protective layer 400. It is contemplated that retainer layer 320 (and / or the material of retainer layer 320) may be configured to provide a two-way barrier to liquids and / or gaseous substances entering or exiting chamber 250, so as to also provide a barrier to oxygen or moisture in delivery wall 300. Delivery wall 300 may comprise additional layers separate from filter layer 310 and retainer layer 320. Protective layer 400 may form part of delivery wall 300.

[0089] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing the capsule 100 described above.

[0090] Here, the capsule body 200 is formed from a biodegradable pulp material such as cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp, bagasse pulp, or wood pulp. The injection wall 220 is formed (preferably together with the capsule body 200) so as to form at least a part of a chamber 250 for receiving a substance 500 for preparing a beverage. The delivery wall 300 is provided and attached to the capsule body 200, for example by heat welding. Here, the delivery wall 300 is provided on the capsule body 200 so that the filter layer 310 is provided on the opposite side of the chamber 250 with respect to the retaining layer 320.

[0091] Preferably, the capsule body 200 may be formed by wet pulp molding, where a slurry of biodegradable pulp material, such as wood pulp, bagasse pulp, non-wood pulp, and / or cellulosic pulp, in any form, may be forced into a mold to form the capsule body 200. The capsule body 200 thus formed may then be dried. At least a portion of the inner surface (before filling) or at least a portion of the outer surface of the capsule body 200 may be provided with a protective layer 400, for example, by thermoforming.

[0092] Alternatively, the capsule body 200 may be formed by dry pulp molding. Thus, a blank of preferably dry cellulose fibers may be provided, from which the capsule body 200 is formed using a tool, preferably under the application of heat and / or water. The protective layer 400 may be applied to the inside of the capsule body 200 as a liner (e.g., by applying heat and / or vacuum), and may extend over and cover the inward-facing surfaces of the side walls 210 between both ends of the capsule body 200, and may extend over and cover the surface of the rim portion 211 facing away from the chamber 250.

[0093] In both of the above-mentioned two methods, the injection wall 220 can be formed together with the capsule body 200, for example, in the same step. Preferably, the injection wall 220 can be formed by (wet / dry) pulp molding or by attaching a membrane or film as the injection wall 220 to the capsule body 200 after formation of the capsule body 200, for example, using a biodegradable adhesive. For example, by (wet / dry) pulp molding, the injection wall 220 can be formed together with the capsule body 200 in the same method step, whereas a second separate method step may be required to attach the injection wall 220 with an adhesive. The capsule body 200 can be filled with a substance 500 for preparing a beverage. The delivery wall 300 can be provided and attached to the capsule body 200 such that the retaining layer 320 can face (be directed) toward the chamber 250. The protective layer 400 may be added to the (circumferential) surface of the capsule 100 and is preferably made from a biodegradable and / or compostable material. At least a portion of the inward-facing or outward-facing surface of the injection wall 220 (as well as surfaces that may define the chamber 250) may be provided with the protective layer 400.

[0094] A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a capsule 100 as described above for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine having a capsule holder.

[0095] For example, the capsule 100 as described above can be provided and inserted into a beverage production machine. Preferably, the capsule 100 is positioned in the beverage production machine such that the filter layer 310 is closer to (and ultimately contacts) an opening element of the machine than the retaining layer 320. The injection wall 220 of the capsule 100 can be perforated by an injection nozzle of the beverage production machine to inject a fluid into the chamber 250. A fluid, such as a liquid or a liquid / gas mixture, is injected into the chamber 250, thereby increasing the pressure within the capsule 100 and forcing the delivery wall 300, for example, against an opening element of the beverage production machine. At least a portion of the delivery wall 300 can be perforated by the opening element when the pressure of the injected fluid reaches a predetermined level in the chamber 250. Preferably, the retaining layer 320 can be perforated. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery wall 300 can be provided (e.g., with respect to its material composition / selection) such that the retaining layer 320 is perforated while the filter layer 310 is not. The prepared beverage may be expelled from the capsule 100, and the beverage may pass through the openings in the retaining layer 320 and the filter layer 310 (cavities in the porous material thereof), which may be closer to the chamber 250 than the filter layer 310, which is located on the opposite side of the chamber 250 from the retaining layer 320.

[0096] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, as long as it is covered by the appended claims. All features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any possible manner and provided interchangeably. For example, the above-described order of steps in the manufacturing method of the capsule 100 can be arbitrarily changed.

[0097] [Invention 1] A capsule (100) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, said capsule (100) comprising: a capsule body (200) having a side wall (210) defining a chamber (250) for containing a substance (500) for preparing said beverage; an injection wall (220) for injecting a fluid into the chamber (250) for interaction of the fluid with the substance (500) to prepare the beverage; a delivery wall (300) connected to the capsule body (200) and closing the chamber (250), said delivery wall (300) being in a layered manner; a retaining layer (320) adapted to open upon interaction with an opening element under the influence of an increased pressure of the fluid injected into the capsule (100); a filter layer (310) for filtering particles from the prepared beverage dispensed through the delivery wall (300); a delivery wall (300) comprising: each of the filter layer (310) and the retainer layer (320) is made of a biodegradable material; The capsule (100) wherein the filter layer (310) is provided on the opposite side of the chamber (250) from the retaining layer (320).

[0098] [Invention 2] 10. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein each of the filter layer (310) and the retaining layer (320) is made of different biodegradable and preferably compostable materials, preferably said different materials being distinguished by at least one of their respective physical properties, such as tensile strength, ductility, elasticity, puncture resistance, density, porosity, and / or, if applicable, fiber structure and / or fiber orientation.

[0099] [Invention 3] 10. The capsule (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retaining layer (320), preferably the material of the retaining layer (320), is configured to provide a preferably two-way barrier to liquids and / or gaseous substances entering and / or leaving the chamber (250).

[0100] [Invention 4] 4. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining layer (320), preferably the material of the retaining layer (320), is configured to be resilient to an increased pressure in the chamber (250) of 1 to 20 bar, more preferably 10 to 20 bar, most preferably 12 to 18 bar.

[0101] [Invention 5] the filter layer (310) is made of compostable and / or nonwoven materials, such as wood or sugarcane pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon fibers, polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBS-A / PBSa), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and / or polylactic acid (PLA); and / or The filter layer (310) has a density of 10 to 150 g / m 2 , preferably 20 to 100 g / m 2 The capsule (100) according to any one of inventions 1 to 4, having a basis weight of

[0102] [Invention 6] said retaining layer (320) is made of a material that is compostable and / or has a defined, preferably closed, fibrous structure, for example at least 50% by weight of softwood pulp, cellulose fibers, paper or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers, polybutylene succinate (PBS / PBS-A), biopolyesters, cellulose acetate, starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polymers in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol, compositions and / or laminates of the aforementioned materials; and / or The retention layer (320) has a weight of 20 to 150 g / m 2 , preferably 30 to 100 g / m 2 The capsule (100) according to any one of inventions 1 to 5, having a basis weight of

[0103] [Invention 7] The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining layer (320) and the filter layer (310) are at least partially joined to each other on opposite sides, preferably via adhesive bonding or heat welding, and preferably an adhesive layer is provided between the retaining layer (320) and the filter layer (310), which adhesive layer is a biodegradable and preferably compostable material, such as vegetable starch or an acrylic adhesive.

[0104] [Invention 8] 10. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the delivery wall (300) is connected to the capsule body (200), preferably to a rim portion (211) defining the opening (230) in the side wall (210) of the capsule body (200), preferably by adhesive bonding or heat welding, and preferably an adhesive layer is provided between the delivery wall (300), preferably the retaining layer (320), and the capsule body (200), bonding the capsule body (200) and the delivery wall (300) to each other, and preferably the adhesive layer at least partially, preferably completely, covers the opening (230), the rim portion (211) and / or the retaining layer (320), preferably on the surface of the retaining layer (320) facing the chamber (250).

[0105] [Invention 9] 10. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the capsule body (200), preferably the side wall (210), more preferably the rim (211) and / or the inlet wall (220) comprise a protective layer (400) for providing a preferably two-way barrier against moisture and / or oxygen and / or for providing a sealed interface between the capsule body (200) and the inlet wall (220), wherein the protective layer (400) is made of a biodegradable and preferably compostable material, such as a biopolymer or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a polymer in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol, and a compound or laminate of the aforementioned materials, preferably wherein the protective layer (400) is made of a material different from the filter layer (310) and / or the retaining layer (320).

[0106] [Invention 10] The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the capsule body (200) and / or the injection wall (220) have a layered and / or laminated structure, preferably the capsule body (200) and / or the injection wall (220) are preferably made from laminated molded pulp fibres, and / or the capsule body (200) and the injection wall (220) are made from separate parts or are integrally formed, for example as one part.

[0107] [Invention 11] A method for producing a capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: forming the capsule body (200) from a biodegradable pulp material, such as cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp, bagasse pulp or wood pulp; forming the injection wall (220), preferably together with the capsule body (200), to form at least a part of the chamber (250) for receiving the substance (500) for the preparation of the beverage; Preferably, filling the capsule body (200) with the substances (500) necessary for the preparation of the beverage; providing and attaching the delivery wall (300) to the capsule body (200), for example by heat welding; The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery wall (300) is provided on the capsule body (200) such that the filter layer (310) is provided on the opposite side of the chamber (250) from the retaining layer (320).

[0108] [Invention 12] A method for producing the capsule (100) according to invention 11, wherein the capsule body (200) is The method for forming the capsule body (200) is a wet pulp molding method, comprising the steps of: placing the pulp slurry in a mold, for example, by filling the mold with the slurry or by submerging the mold in the slurry; forcing the pulp slurry into the mold; and drying the capsule body (200) thus formed. Alternatively, the method for forming the capsule body (200) is dry pulp molding, Providing a blank, preferably of dry cellulose fibers; and forming the blank into the shape of the capsule body (200) using a tool, preferably under the application of heat and / or water, by dry pulp molding. Formed, method.

[0109] [Invention 13] 13. A method for producing the capsule (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the injection wall (220) is formed by pulp molding, preferably wet or dry pulp molding, more preferably together with the capsule body (200) and / or by attaching a membrane or film as the injection wall (220) to the capsule body (200) after drying the capsule body (200), for example by using a biodegradable adhesive.

[0110] [Invention 14] 14. The method for producing the capsule (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the step of adding, for example by thermoforming, a protective layer (400) made of a biodegradable and / or compostable material onto the inner or outer surface of at least a part of the capsule body (200), preferably the side wall (210) and / or the injection wall (220), more preferably at least a part of the rim portion (211), most preferably at least a part of the capsule body (200) defining the chamber (250), wherein the protective layer (400) is preferably a liner.

[0111] [Invention 15] Use of a capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine having a capsule holder.

Claims

1. A capsule (100) for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine, said capsule (100) comprising: a capsule body (200) having a side wall (210) and a rim (211) defining a chamber (250) for containing a substance (500) for preparing said beverage; an injection wall (220) for injecting a fluid into said chamber (250) for preparing said beverage upon interaction of the fluid with said substance (500); a delivery wall (300) connected to the capsule body (200) and closing the chamber (250); The delivery wall (300) is in a layered manner: a retaining layer (320) adapted to open in interaction with an opening element of the beverage production machine under the effect of an increase in pressure of the fluid injected into the capsule (100); a filter layer (310) for filtering particles from the prepared beverage dispensed through the delivery wall (300), the filter layer (310) being provided on the opposite side of the chamber (250) from the retaining layer (320); a moisture and / or oxygen barrier layer that provides a barrier to liquids and / or gaseous substances entering and / or exiting the chamber (250); a first adhesive layer for at least partially covering the delivery wall (300), preferably the side of the delivery wall (300) facing the retaining layer (320), preferably the retaining layer (320) facing the chamber (250), and for bonding the delivery wall (300) to the capsule body (200), preferably to the rim portion (211); each of the filter layer (310), the retention layer (320), the barrier layer, and the first adhesive layer is formed of a biodegradable material; Capsules (100).

2. 2. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the delivery wall comprises a second adhesive layer disposed between the retaining layer (320) and the filter layer (310) and at least partially bonding the retaining layer (320) and the filter layer (310) to each other on their opposing sides.

3. 10. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the filter layer and the retainer layer are each made of different materials that are distinguished by at least one of their respective physical properties, such as tensile strength, ductility, elasticity, puncture resistance, density, porosity, fiber structure, and / or fiber orientation.

4. 4. The capsule (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining layer (320) is configured to be resilient to an increased pressure in the chamber (250) of 1 to 20 bar, more preferably 10 to 20 bar, and most preferably 12 to 18 bar.

5. said retaining layer (320) is made of a material that is compostable and / or has a defined, preferably closed, fibrous structure, for example at least 50% by weight of softwood pulp, cellulose fibers, paper or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers, polybutylene succinate (PBS / PBS-A), biopolyesters, cellulose acetate, starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polymers in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol, compositions and / or laminates of the aforementioned materials; and / or The retaining layer (320) has a weight of 20 to 150 g / m ２ , preferably 30 to 100 g / m ２ The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a basis weight of

6. the filter layer (310) is made of compostable and / or nonwoven materials, such as wood or sugarcane pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon fibers, polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBS-A / PBSa), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and / or polylactic acid (PLA); and / or The filter layer (310) has a thickness of 10 to 150 g / m ２ , preferably 20 to 100 g / m ２ The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having a basis weight of

7. 7. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the capsule body (200), preferably the side wall (210), more preferably the rim portion (211), and / or the inlet wall (220) comprise a protective layer (400) for providing a preferably two-way barrier against moisture and / or oxygen and / or for providing a sealed interface between the capsule body (200) and the inlet wall (220), wherein the protective layer (400) is made of a biodegradable and preferably compostable material, such as a biopolymer or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a polymer in which at least one of the monomer units is vinyl alcohol, and a compound or laminate of the aforementioned materials, preferably wherein the protective layer (400) is made of a material different from the filter layer (310) and / or the retaining layer (320).

8. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the capsule body (200) and / or the injection wall (220) have a layered and / or laminated structure, preferably the capsule body (200) and / or the injection wall (220) are preferably made from laminated molded pulp fibres, and / or the capsule body (200) and the injection wall (220) are made from separate parts or are integrally formed, for example as one part.

9. Use of a capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine, comprising: The beverage preparation machine comprises: A capsule holder; an injection nozzle for injecting a fluid into the chamber (250) of the capsule (100); an aperture element; the capsule (100) is inserted into the beverage production machine and positioned such that the filter layer (310) of the delivery wall is closer to the opening element than the retaining layer (320); the injection wall (220) of the capsule (100) is pierced by the injection nozzle and a fluid is injected into the chamber (250), which fluid causes a pressure increase within the capsule (100) and presses the delivery wall (300) against the opening element of the beverage production machine; Use wherein the prepared beverage is expelled from the capsule (100) by passing through openings in the retaining layer (320) and cavities in the porous material of the filter layer (310).

10. 10. The use according to claim 9, wherein during extraction of the capsule, the retaining layer (320) is perforated while the filter layer (310) is not perforated.

Images