Beverage Preparation Systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation system comprising a module 1 for preparing a beverage from a pack 10, the pack having a bottom 101, the bottom of the pack having an openable area 104, the openable area being made of a flexible material, the module comprising a pack holder assembly 2, a fluid processing device for opening the openable area of ​​the pack, and an actuation device 12 for moving the fluid processing device and the pack relative to each other, the pack holder assembly comprising a movable locking device 24 for positioning the pack in a pack chamber 22 when the beverage is to be prepared, the bottom of the pack comprising fixing means 103, the fixing means being a hole or a deformable area, the movable locking device comprising positioning means 242, each of the positioning means being configured to move into a corresponding hole of a pack held in the chamber or into a corresponding deformable area of ​​a pack held in the chamber and to fit into the resulting deformed area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage system that uses a pack of beverage ingredients. [Background technology]

[0002] WO2021110652 describes a beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from containers containing beverage ingredients. The system uses a specific water injection needle in the machine, which is designed to pierce the bottom of a container introduced into the machine, introduce water into the container through a water inlet of the container, and dispense the beverage resulting from the mixing of the ingredients and water through a specific dispensing outlet of the needle. Two different relative positions of the needle and the container allow either the introduction of water or the dispensing of the beverage.

[0003] This system machine requires that the container be perfectly positioned relative to the water injection needle during the various steps of beverage preparation: incorrect alignment, either vertically or centrally, can result in leakage (of water or beverage), incorrect preparation of the beverage (not enough water introduced into the container), and staining due to leakage.

[0004] The relative position of the fluid treatment device within the container is important to obtain accurate preparation of the beverage. In particular, if the device does not pierce the bottom of the container correctly, there is a risk that the device will not fully enter the volume of the container. In that situation, when fluid is introduced through the fluid treatment device and into the interior of the container, water will leak under the device, i.e., the beverage will be incompletely prepared. Water or incomplete beverage may spurt into the area near the needle, causing staining, especially if a code reader is present, which may result in the reader being unreadable. This requires frequent cleaning, which is unacceptable.

[0005] If the needle is provided with an air intake for frothing the beverage, this intake may become blocked due to its small size, resulting in an inability to obtain optimal beverage preparation.

[0006] These problems are further accentuated when the container is made of an inherently flexible material.

[0007] It has been observed that piercing the bottom of the container can be difficult due to the flexibility of the material and ultimately due to its stretching properties which may be due to the nature of the material, as the bottom of the container moves or deforms under the force of the fluid processing device.

[0008] In addition, it has been observed that even if the fluid treatment device is properly inserted into the bottom of a container, the force of the water jet ejected from the device's inlet may be strong enough to strike the inner wall of the container and cause the container to move upward. This is particularly true for flexible containers, because under the influence of the upward force, the top of the container may bend along the top wall of the container holder. This upward movement of the container directly affects the connection between the fluid treatment device and the bottom of the container, which causes fluid leakage or premature pouring of the beverage during the beverage preparation process. In addition, if the container is bent, the beverage may not be prepared correctly; for example, some soluble ingredients may not dissolve.

[0009] Efficient drilling and efficient beverage preparation must be ensured.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned existing problems. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage preparation system comprising a module for preparing a beverage from a pack, The pack contains beverage ingredients, the ingredients configured to be mixed with a fluid to produce a beverage, the pack having a planar shape oriented along a plane (P), and a bottomsurface The bottom of the pack surface includes an openable region, the openable region being made of a flexible material; The module is a puck holder assembly configured to receive and hold a puck, the puck holder assembly comprising a puck chamber configured to receive a puck through the top puck entrance and to hold the puck in an essentially vertical position within the module, the chamber having a bottom opening configured to allow access to a bottom of a puck held within the chamber; 1. A fluid treatment device comprising: at least one inlet for introducing a fluid into the pack to prepare a beverage by mixing the fluid with ingredients contained within the pack; at least one outlet for dispensing the beverage from the pack; a fluid handling device designed to open the openable area of ​​the pack; The fluid handling device is located at the bottom of the pack. surface moving the fluid treatment device and the pack relative to each other to open the A fluid handling device projects into the interior volume of the pack to introduce fluid. At the fluid introduction position Fluid treatment device and pack Positioning each other 、 Operating device Su and , and the pack holder assembly includes a movable locking device configured to position the pack within the pack chamber when the beverage is prepared; The bottom of the pack has at least two fastening means, the fastening means being holes or deformable areas, and the two fastening means Steps , Pack of Bottom Located near the openable area, The movable locking device comprises at least two positioning means, each of the positioning means having: to move into at least one corresponding hole in a puck held within the chamber; or The puck is configured to move into at least one corresponding deformable region of the puck held within the chamber and to mate with the resulting deformed region.

[0012] The system includes a pack containing a food or beverage ingredient that can be further mixed with an aqueous fluid, preferably water, to produce a beverage.

[0013] The food or beverage ingredient packed in the package can be a water-soluble powder or a soluble concentrate in liquid or semi-liquid form. In that embodiment, water dissolves or dilutes the beverage ingredient. The ingredient can be selected from the list of soup, fruit juice, vegetable juice, bouillon, coffee, cocoa, tea, milk or creamer, smoothie, puree, coulis, cream, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the food or beverage ingredient is a soluble or dilutable food or beverage ingredient selected from the list below: Instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of these powders; Coffee concentrate, milk concentrate, syrup, fruit or vegetable concentrate, tea concentrate, fruit or vegetable puree.

[0014] The powder may be agglomerated or sintered. The powder or liquid concentrate can be mixed with solid pieces to prepare, for example, soups containing the solid pieces or encapsulated pieces.

[0015] The food or beverage ingredients contained within the package may also include infusible food or beverage ingredients such as roast and ground coffee or tea leaves, in which embodiment water extracts the beverage ingredients.

[0016] The pack is bottom surface and has a planar shape oriented along a plane (P) extending between the upper end.

[0017] This bottom surfaceis configured to be openable for introducing fluid into the pack and for dispensing the prepared beverage from the pack. Preferably, this area is configured to be openable by puncturing, tearing, punching or puncturing, in particular by applying a pointed, sharp or sharp device, such as a fluid handling device, to this area. Preferably, this area is located centrally in the transverse dimension of the longitudinal shape of the pack.

[0018] The openable area is made of a flexible material.

[0019] In one preferred embodiment, the openable area is made of a flexible material, which may be included in the following list: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, polymers containing food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavengers, or combinations thereof.

[0020] Preferably, the remainder of the pack is also made of a flexible material, which, depending on the nature of the material used, offers the advantages of compactness, speed of production (form, fill and seal can be carried out in succession) and improved recyclability, and this flexible material is preferably water-impermeable.

[0021] The flexible material can be selected from the following list: Fiber-based materials, A paper material coated on its interior with a sealant layer to form a sealed edge, preferably with a barrier coating between the paper and the sealant layer, the barrier coating being configured to form a barrier to oxygen, air, and moisture. Such a barrier can include a metallized coating, a silicon oxide coating, an aluminum coating, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating, or any combination thereof. plastic laminates, Metallized foil or alufois.

[0022] Preferably, the flexible material is selected from environmentally friendly materials, such as recyclable, biodegradable, industrially compostable, or home compostable materials.

[0023] Additionally, the system includes a module for producing a beverage, the module including a puck holder assembly configured to hold a puck within the module, a fluid treatment device configured to introduce fluid into a puck present in the puck holder assembly, and an actuation device for moving the fluid treatment device and the puck held in the module relative to one another.

[0024] The pack holder assembly includes a pack chamber configured to receive a pack for beverage preparation within the module, the pack chamber including an upper pack inlet for introducing a new pack, the pack chamber configured to hold the pack in an essentially vertical position within the module, the vertical position ensuring efficient preparation of the beverage, and in particular the pouring of the beverage from the pack, thereby reducing any liquid that may remain in the pack at the end of extraction and when the pack needs to be removed from the system for disposal in a trash bin.

[0025] The puck chamber has a bottom opening configured to allow a fluid treatment device access to the bottom of a puck held in the chamber, the access or path being specifically designed to allow the fluid treatment device to be moved upward to the bottom of the puck when the puck is held in the chamber.

[0026] The fluid treatment device comprises at least one inlet for introducing fluid into the pack and at least one outlet for dispensing beverage from the pack. In addition, the fluid treatment device is preferably connected to the bottom of the pack by perforations. surfacePreferably, the fluid treatment device has a pointed portion facing upwards within the module.

[0027] The fluid treatment device is configured to cooperate with the bottom of the pack to introduce fluid into the pack for preparing a beverage within the pack and then dispensing the prepared beverage from the pack. The fluid treatment device may be one of the devices described in WO 2021 / 110650.

[0028] The fluid treatment device is movable to different positions, including at least one position where the device is outside the pack and another position where the device is introduced into the pack during beverage preparation.

[0029] Additionally, the pack holder assembly In one position, positioning the pack in the pack chamber when the beverage is prepared; and In another position, a movable locking device is provided that is configured to release the pack to allow a user to introduce or remove the pack.

[0030] The locking device is movable to position the pack in cooperation with the pack or to move away from the pack.

[0031] This movable locking device allows the puck to be well positioned and secured within the puck chamber when the fluid handling device cooperates with the bottom of the puck and when fluid is introduced into the puck.

[0032] In particular, the bottom of the pack comprises at least two fastening means, which may be holes or deformable areas. These two holes or deformable areas are surface Preferably, these holes or deformable areas are arranged symmetrically around the openable area.

[0033] Also, for positioning the puck held in the chamber, the movable locking device comprises at least two positioning means, preferably at least two pins, each configured to move into and fit within at least one corresponding hole in the puck or to move into at least one corresponding deformable region of the puck and fit within the resulting deformable region.

[0034] The hole can have any shape, such as round, oval, square, etc., as long as one positioning means of the movable locking device can enter the hole.

[0035] The deformable region can be designed or made of a material such that when a positioning means of the movable locking device, such as a pin, is pressed against the deformable region, the deformable region deforms and the positioning means extends perpendicular to the planar shape of the pack to secure the bottom of the pack to the module, i.e., the pin's securing and positioning function is achieved. If the material is sufficiently stretchable, deformation can occur without the material being torn or perforated. Such a deformable region can also be a slit or two intersecting slits, for example, at the edge of the pack.

[0036] Preferably, the pack comprises two identical holes or two identical deformable areas, but the following embodiments are also possible. Pack bottom surface a pack having holes of different shapes or different sizes on different sides of the openable area; or Pack bottom surface The pack has one hole on one side of the openable area, and the bottom surface a pack having one deformable region on the other side of the openable region; Pack bottom surface A pack having different types of deformable regions on different sides of the openable region.

[0037] Preferably, the pack comprises two circular fastening areas, the distance (D) between the centers of the circular fastening areas being at most 52 mm, preferably at most 50 mm; Each of the holes and / or deformable regions of the puck encompasses one of the circular fixation regions.

[0038] These fixing areas correspond to zones of the pack defined to cooperate with the pins of the movable holder and represent the smallest holes or deformable areas present in the pack so that the pack can be fixed and positioned by the positioning means of the movable holder.

[0039] Accordingly, the holes or deformable areas may have a larger surface than these fixed areas, for example due to small variations during manufacturing operations, but the overlap of the holes or deformable areas and the fixed areas may prevent the fluid treatment device from being stuck to the bottom of the pack. surface When the pack enters the openable region of the chamber pack, it remains well secured within the chamber pack.

[0040] The distance between the circular fastening regions may not be critical to ensure limited movement of the pack during the introduction of the fluid treatment device and subsequent introduction of fluid into the pack. This distance must ensure that the portion of the pack near the openable region is held securely. Specifically, if the bottom of the pack is made of a flexible or stretchable material, this distance prevents the flexible material from bending around the fluid treatment device without allowing for complete and correct opening of the openable region and introduction of the fluid treatment device into the pack. Such bending could result in gaps or leaks around the device during certain steps of beverage preparation, particularly during the fluid introduction step.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is configured to move the fluid treatment device while the puck remains fixed by the pins of the movable holder, in which embodiment each hole or deformable region of the puck preferably includes one circular fixing region below the hole or below the deformable region, respectively.

[0042] As a result, the fluid handling device is located at the bottom of the pack. surfaceAs soon as an upward pressure is applied to the releasable area of ​​the pack, the pack is held firmly by the pins of the movable holder. This fixation is not loose.

[0043] In one preferred embodiment, the pack comprises a front wall and a rear wall, the front wall and the rear wall being made of a flexible material, and at least the edges of the bottom of the walls being flexible. surface and the circular fixing area is provided on the sealed edge, The distance (D) between the centers of the circular fixation regions is at least 40 mm, preferably at least 42 mm, and more preferably at least 44 mm.

[0044] It has been observed that during the introduction of fluid into the pack during beverage preparation, the pack may expand and the sealed edges may partially separate from each other. If a circular fastening area is provided on a part of the sealed edge close to the interior volume of the pack, there is an increased risk of the sealed edge coming off and causing leakage between the interior volume of the sachet and one of the fastening areas. Accordingly, it is preferable to provide a system and pack with a fastening area that is not too close to the releasable area.

[0045] This distance (D) is particularly useful when the openable area of ​​the pack comprises a reinforcing piece of material and the bottom of the pack comprises a sealed edge adjacent the piece of material.

[0046] Preferably, such a piece of reinforcing material is located at the bottom of the pack. surface The device is designed to provide a flat surface.

[0047] The piece of reinforcing material is less flexible or more rigid than the flexible material in the open area, and also less flexible or more rigid than the wall of the pack if the wall is flexible.

[0048] Preferably, the piece of reinforcing material has an opening that is closed by the flexible material to form an openable area. Preferably, the size of the opening is larger than the size of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device. Accordingly, the fluid treatment device can perforate the flexible material in the openable area and pass through the opening while the perforated flexible material covers a portion of the fluid treatment device. Preferably, when the cross-section of the opening and the fluid treatment device have a circular shape, the diameter of the opening is about 1 mm larger than the diameter of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device, and the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device corresponds to the portion located at the opening when the fluid treatment device protrudes into the interior volume of the pack to introduce fluid.

[0049] The reinforcing strips may be made of a rigid material or a material that is less flexible than the flexible front and rear walls of the pack, for example the flexible walls may be made of paper or plastic laminate and the reinforcing strips may be made of paper, cardboard, cabasse-based material, bamboo-based material, starch-based material, cellophane or plastic.

[0050] If plastic is used, preferably the walls and reinforcing pieces are made of the same nature, preferably recyclable plastic.

[0051] In one first mode, the piece of reinforcing material has an opening which is closed by a flexible material which is the same as the remainder of the pack.

[0052] In this mode, such a pack with the reinforcing pieces can be made from a material that is flexible and openable under the force of the fluid treatment device. providing a primary flexible sheet having a central reinforcing piece, the reinforcing piece having an opening; The edges of the flexible sheet are attached to the top, sides, and lateral bottom of the pack. surface folding the sheet in two along the area of ​​the reinforcing piece so that they are joined together along the and sealing the joined bottom and lateral edges, A circular fastening area is provided on the sealed edge adjacent the reinforcement piece.

[0053] Preferably, the manufacturing operations described above include the additional step of forming an area of ​​reinforcement piece by placing it between the plunger and the conformal cavity, which additional step is performed before or simultaneously with the folding step.

[0054] In a second mode, the opening in the reinforcing material piece can be closed by a flexible material that is different from the flexible material in the rest of the pack. This mode offers the advantage of applying a stretchable flexible material to the openable area, which allows optimal interaction with the fluid treatment device. In particular, after the fluid treatment device is introduced, the perforated edges of the stretchable material can conform to the surface of the fluid treatment device to provide a liquid-tight seal and limit fluid leakage.

[0055] Another advantage is that a flexible material can be selected that is easier to open and requires less force to open the openable area.

[0056] Another advantage is that it is possible to choose a material for the openable area that has better food properties than the material of the rest of the pack.

[0057] In this second mode, the bottom of the pack surface teeth, an outer primary sheet of flexible material, the outer primary sheet having a first opening in the openable area; an intermediate secondary sheet of flexible, preferably stretchable, material covering the first opening; and an interior piece of reinforcing material having a second opening facing the first opening.

[0058] For better interaction with the fluid treatment device, the second opening preferably has the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the fluid treatment device, which is generally circular.

[0059] Preferably, the size of the first and second openings is slightly larger than the size of the cross section of the fluid treatment device. Accordingly, the fluid treatment device can perforate the stretchable material in the openable region and pass through the second opening while the perforated stretchable material covers a portion of the fluid treatment device. Preferably, when the fluid treatment device and the second opening are circular in shape, the diameter of the second opening and the cross section of the fluid treatment device can differ by about 1 mm.

[0060] Preferably, the size of the first opening is larger than the size of the second opening and the size of the cross section of the fluid treatment device. Therefore, the fluid treatment device does not contact the edge of the first opening during the opening operation. Depending on the nature of the flexible material of the outer primary sheet, it may be preferable to limit this contact.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, in the pack of the system, the distance (D) between the centers of the circular fastening regions is 40 to 52 mm, preferably 43 to 50 mm, and even more preferably 45 to 49 mm.

[0062] Typically the pack will exhibit a lateral dimension of 60 to 80 mm, preferably 65 to 75 mm, optimally about 70 mm. The longitudinal dimension will generally be at least 70 mm and may vary depending on the volume of beverage ingredient stored therein.

[0063] The dimensions in this range are: holding a quantity of a soluble or dilutable beverage ingredient configured to prepare a beverage; and This allows for the production of packs with sufficient internal volume to allow the liquid diluent introduced into the pack to efficiently dissolve or dilute the beverage ingredients, particularly by providing sufficient room for mixing of the fluid with the beverage ingredients.

[0064] In a second aspect, the packs described in claims 12 to 20 are provided.

[0065] In a third aspect there is provided the use of a pack as claimed in claims 12 to 20 in a beverage preparation system as described in the first aspect.

[0066] The terms "interior," "rear," "front," "top," "bottom," "side," "upper," and "lower" are used herein to describe the relative positions of features of the present invention. It should be understood that these terms refer to the pack in its normal orientation when placed in a module for beverage production as shown in the figures.

[0067] In this application, the term "flexible" means that the material can be easily deformed or bent.

[0068] The above-described 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-described aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage production system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are perspective and cross-sectional views of a fluid treatment device that can be used in a beverage production system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a pack holder assembly of a module for producing a beverage. [Figure 4A] 10A-10C are horizontal cross-sectional views of the puck and the movable locking device in different relative positions. [Figure 4B] 10A-10C are horizontal cross-sectional views of the puck and the movable locking device in different relative positions. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is an isolated side view of a pack held by a locking device and pierced by a fluid treatment device. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is an isolated bottom view of the pack held by the locking device and pierced by the fluid treatment device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a pack. [Figure 7A] 10A-10C illustrate various packs that can be used in the beverage production system of the present invention. [Figure 7B] 10A-10C illustrate various packs that can be used in the beverage production system of the present invention. [Figure 7C] 10A-10C illustrate various packs that can be used in the beverage production system of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one preferred releasable region material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a beverage preparation system 100 according to the present invention.

[0071] The system 100 comprises a module 1 and a pack 10. The module is configured to receive the pack and produce a beverage from the pack.

[0072] The module 1 comprises a puck holder assembly 2 and a fluid system for introducing fluid into the puck.

[0073] The fluid system typically comprises a fluid source 13, such as a water tank, and pumping means 14 for pumping fluid from the fluid source. Heating and / or cooling means are typically part of the system for regulating the temperature of the fluid introduced into the pack.

[0074] The fluid is supplied to a fluid treatment device 11 which is arranged to cooperate with the bottom of the puck to introduce the fluid into the puck.

[0075] Generally, the module includes an actuation device 12 that moves the fluid treatment device 11 to a puck held within the puck holder assembly 2 .

[0076] The module typically comprises a system control unit 16 for controlling the different devices mentioned above for preparing the beverage from the pack.

[0077] Such a beverage preparation system 100 corresponds to the systems described in WO 2021 / 110650, WO 2021 / 110654 and / or WO 2021 / 110652.

[0078] 2 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device 11 that can be used in a beverage production system. a fluid inlet 111 for introducing fluid into the openable region 104 of the pack held in the chamber; and a beverage outlet 112 for dispensing prepared beverage from a pack held in the chamber.

[0079] The actuation device 12 is configured to move the fluid processing device 11 into the puck held in the chamber, specifically the pointed portion 113, into the openable area 104 in order to open the openable area 104 or any membrane or cover provided in this area.

[0080] Other fluid treatment devices 11, such as those described in WO 2021 / 110650, can be used in the system of the present invention.

[0081] 3 is a diagram of the puck holder assembly 2 of the module 1. The assembly includes a puck chamber 22 having a planar shape oriented along a plane (Pc), with the chamber plane oriented in an essentially vertical position of the puck chamber, and the puck chamber configured to hold a puck 10 such that the plane (P) of the puck extends along the chamber plane (Pc). The puck chamber includes an upper puck inlet 222 for introducing the puck 10.

[0082] The chamber includes at least a bottom portion of the pack held in the chamber. surface The device has a bottom opening 221 configured to allow access to the

[0083] The pack holder assembly 2 includes a movable locking device 24 configured to secure the pack 10, and in particular the bottom portion of the pack, within the pack holder assembly when the beverage is prepared.

[0084] FIG. 4A illustrates a puck, a movable locking device, and rock FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the bottom of the chamber from which the device releases the puck.

[0085] The movable locking device 24 comprises two positioning means 242 in the form of pins, each of which is positioned away from the pack 10. In this position, the operator can remove the pack holder from the pack form or has just introduced a new pack into the chamber.

[0086] Figure 4B shows rock 10A and 10B are corresponding horizontal cross-sectional views showing the device locking and positioning the puck.

[0087] At this time, the locking device 24 is positioned close to the chamber 22, and the pins 242 enter the holes or deformable regions 103 of the puck present in the chamber. Preferably, the pins are arranged perpendicular to the planar shape of the puck. These corresponding pins and holes allow for a precise positioning of the puck inside the chamber, which ensures a correct interaction with the fluid treatment device 11. They also keep the puck secure during the introduction of the fluid treatment device 11 and prevent the puck from moving upwards in the chamber when fluid is sprayed into the puck.

[0088] This movable locking device can be moved between two positions either automatically or manually by a dedicated actuation device on the module.

[0089] 5A is an isolated side view of a pack 10 held by a locking device 24 and pierced by a fluid treatment device 11, which projects into the interior volume of the pack for introducing fluid. The device 11 is actuated (as shown diagrammatically) by an actuation device (motor) of module 1, which moves the device upward vertically as well as the bottom of the pack. surface The pin 242 of the locking device 24 holds the pack during its operation.

[0090] FIG. 5B is a corresponding isolated bottom view of the pack held by the locking device and pierced by the fluid handling device; surface The penetration of the fluid treatment device 11 within 101 is shown.

[0091] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a pack 10 that can be used in a beverage preparation system 100 according to the present invention.

[0092] The pack contains ingredients adapted to be mixed with a fluid to produce a beverage. The pack has a planar shape oriented along a plane P. Two longitudinal planar walls 105 (front and rear) extend along this plane P.

[0093] In this particular embodiment, the walls 105 are made of a flexible material and the lateral edges 106 of these walls are sealed, as well as the edges of the top end 107. surface 101 is configured to be releasable. surface Pack 101 comprises an openable area 104 made of a flexible material. Typically, area 104 is configured to be openable by a fluid treatment device 11 of the system. Openable area 101 is configured to allow the introduction of a fluid treatment device such that the fluid treatment device 11 protrudes into the interior volume of the pack for the introduction of fluid, as shown in Figure 5A.

[0094] The pack includes at least two holes 103 at the bottom end 108 .

[0095] The bottom 108 of the pack is provided with two fastening means 103 which are holes. surface 1. These holes are arranged in the vicinity of the openable area 104 of the chamber 22. These holes are configured to cooperate with two positioning means 242 of a movable locking device as shown in Figure 4A, 4B, 5A or 5B. To be precise, the distance between the two holes corresponds to the distance between the two pins 242, by means of which the locking device can move, position and fix the pack in the chamber 22 during the opening of the openable area 104 by the fluid treatment device 11, during its upward movement and during the introduction of fluid into the pack from a device 10 that protrudes into the interior volume of the pack.

[0096] In this illustrated embodiment, the holes 103 are: rock They are precisely positioned to accommodate the pins of the device. Preferably, these holes are circular.

[0097] The pack 10 may include a readable code 102 at its bottom end 108 and the module 1 may include a code reader within or near the chamber 22 .

[0098] Figure 7B shows an alternative embodiment of the puck, in which the holes 103 have a different shape and size, in particular the surface of these holes is larger than the holes 103 defined in Figure 7A.

[0099] 7C shows an alternative embodiment of the above pack in which the bottom 108 of the pack is provided with a deformable region, specifically two fixing means 103 which are intersecting slits across the sealed bottom edge of the pack. These slits are configured to deform when two positioning means 242 of the movable locking device press against the slits and then traverse the slits. As a result, the same locking and A positioning function is obtained. A similar effect can be obtained by using only one slit instead of two crossed slits.

[0100] In different alternative forms of the pack, the holes and / or deformable areas encompass specific circular fixing areas 1030, which correspond to two optimal fixing positions of the pack within the chamber for beverage preparation.

[0101] In Figure 7A, the two holes 103 correspond exactly to the circular fastening areas, while in Figures 7B and 7C the fastening means 103 encompass these circular fastening areas 1030, thereby ensuring proper positioning and fastening of the pack.

[0102] Preferably, these fixed areas 103 are located at the same longitudinal height as the releasable areas 104 in the planar shape of the sachet.

[0103] Preferably, the distance D between the centres of the circular fixing areas is not too large to prevent deformation of the flexible material which may bend around the fluid treatment device and create undesirable gaps around the device during certain steps of beverage preparation, in particular during the step of fluid introduction, this distance being preferably at most 52 mm, preferably at most 50 mm.

[0104] In the preferred illustrated embodiment of the pack of Figures 7A-7C and 6, the bottom edges 1051, 1061 of the walls are surface The seals 102 and 103 are sealed together near the openable area 104, and a circular fastening area 1030 is provided at the sealed edge.

[0105] Preferably, the distance D between the centres of the circular fastening areas should not be too small to prevent possible separation of the sealed edges due to expansion of the pack: this distance is preferably at least 40 mm, preferably at least 42 mm, even more preferably at least 44 mm.

[0106] The distance (D) between the centers of the circular fixing regions 1030 is 40 to 52 mm, preferably 43 to 50 mm, and more preferably 45 to 49 mm.

[0107] Preferably, the pack has a lateral dimension of between 65 and 75 mm.

[0108] In the preferred illustrated embodiment of the pack of Figures 7A-7C, the openable area 104 of the pack may comprise a piece of reinforcing material 1040. This reinforcing material may define a flat surface adjacent the flexible openable area 104 to facilitate the introduction of the fluid treatment device 11 inside the pack.

[0109] Generally, the piece of reinforcement material includes an opening that is closed by the flexible material to define the openable area 104 .

[0110] In general, it is preferred that the openings in the pieces of reinforcement material and the cross section of the fluid treatment device be circular as shown in the figures.

[0111] Preferably, the diameter of the opening in the reinforcing material is about 1 mm larger than the diameter (d) of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device, which corresponds to the portion of the opening in the reinforcing material piece that is located when the fluid treatment device 11 protrudes into the interior volume of the pack to introduce fluid, as shown in Figure 5A.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 8, in one preferred embodiment, the bottom of the pack surface 101 is an outer primary sheet 4 of flexible material, the outer primary sheet 4 having a first opening 41 in the openable area; an intermediate secondary sheet 5 of flexible, preferably stretchable material, covering the first opening; and an inner piece of reinforcing material 1040 with a second opening 1041 facing the first opening, the second opening and the first opening preferably being aligned.

[0113] Preferably, the size of the first and second openings 41, 1041 is slightly larger than the size of the transverse portion (d) of the fluid treatment device. Thus, the fluid treatment device can perforate the flexible or stretchable material 5 and pass through the second opening 1041 while the perforated flexible or stretchable material covers part of the fluid treatment device 11. Preferably, if the fluid treatment device and second opening 1041 are circular in shape, the diameter of the second opening 1041 and the diameter d of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device may differ by about 1 mm.

[0114] Preferably, the diameter of the first opening 41 and the diameter d of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device may differ by about 1 mm.

[0115] In particular, the above value (1 mm) applies to the diameter d of the transverse section of the fluid treatment device, which is between 5 and 15 mm, preferably between 5 and 12 mm, and even more preferably between 6 and 10 mm.

[0116] While the invention has been described with reference to the above-described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0117] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0118] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 100 systems 1 module 11 Fluid Processing Devices 111 Entrance means 112 Means of exit 12 Actuation Device 13 Fluid source 14 Pressure feeding means 15 Heating and / or cooling means 16 Process Control Unit 2 Pack Holder Assembly 22 Pack Chamber 221 Bottom opening 222 Pack Entrance 24 Lock Device 242 Positioning means 10-pack 101 bottom surface 102 Code 103 holes 104 Openable area 1040 Reinforcement material piece 1041 Second Opening 105 Front wall 1051 Bottom edge 106 Back wall 1061 Bottom edge 107 Reinforcement Insert 108 Opening 4 Primary Sheet 41 First Opening 5 Secondary Sheet

Claims

1. A beverage preparation system comprising a module (1) for preparing a beverage from a pack (10), the pack (10) contains beverage ingredients, the ingredients configured to be mixed with a fluid to produce a beverage, the pack having a planar shape oriented along a plane (P), the pack having a bottom surface (101), the bottom surface (101) of the pack including an area (104) configured to be openable, the openable area being made of a flexible material; The module (1) a pack holder assembly (2) configured to receive and hold the pack, the pack holder assembly (2) comprising a pack chamber (22) configured to receive the pack (10) through an upper pack inlet (222) and to hold the pack in an essentially vertical position within the module, the chamber having a bottom opening (221) configured to allow access to at least the bottom surface (101) of the pack held in the chamber; A fluid treatment device (11), comprising: at least one inlet (111) for introducing a fluid into the pack to prepare a beverage by mixing said fluid with ingredients contained in the pack; at least one outlet (112) for dispensing the beverage from the pack; a fluid treatment device (11) designed to open the releasable area (104) of the pack; an actuation device (12) for moving the fluid treatment device (11) and the pack (10) relative to each other so that the fluid treatment device opens the bottom surface (101) of the pack, and for positioning the fluid treatment device (11) and the pack (10) relative to each other at a fluid introduction position where the fluid treatment device (11) protrudes into the internal volume of the pack to introduce the fluid; the pack holder assembly (2) comprises a movable locking device (24), the movable locking device being configured to position the pack (10) within the pack chamber (22) when a beverage is being prepared; the bottom of the pack (10) comprises at least two fastening means (103), which are holes or deformable areas, and the two fastening means (103) are located near the openable area of ​​the bottom surface of the pack; The movable locking device (24) comprises at least two positioning means (242), each of which has: to move into at least one corresponding hole (103) in the puck held in the chamber, or a beverage preparation system configured to move into at least one corresponding deformable area (103) of said pack held in said chamber and to fit into said resulting deformed area.

2. The beverage production system of claim 1 , wherein the openable area is made of a stretchable material.

3. 3. The beverage production system of claim 2, wherein the elastic material is included in the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, polymers containing food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavengers, or combinations thereof.

4. the pack comprises two circular fastening areas (1030), the distance (D) between the centers of the circular fastening areas being at most 52 mm, preferably at most 50 mm; A beverage production system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the holes and / or the deformable areas (103) of the pack encompasses one of the circular fixing areas (1030).

5. the pack (10) comprises a front wall (105) and a rear wall (106), the front wall and the rear wall are made of a flexible material, at least the edges (1051, 1061) of the bottom of the walls are sealed to each other near the openable area (104) of the bottom surface, and the circular fixing area (1030) is provided on the sealed edges (1051, 1061); 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the distance (D) between the centers of the circular fixation areas (1030) is at least 40 mm, preferably at least 42 mm, more preferably at least 44 mm.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the openable area (104) of the pack comprises a piece of reinforcing material (1040), and the bottom of the pack comprises a sealed edge (1051, 1061) adjacent the piece of reinforcing material.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the piece of reinforcing material includes an opening, the opening being closed by a flexible material.

8. the opening in the piece of reinforcement material and the fluid treatment device have a circular cross section; 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the diameter of the opening is approximately 1 mm larger than the diameter of the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device, and the transverse portion of the fluid treatment device corresponds to the portion located at the opening in the piece of reinforcing material when the fluid treatment device protrudes into the interior volume of the pack to introduce the fluid.

9. The bottom surface of the pack is an outer primary sheet (4) of flexible material, the outer primary sheet (4) having a first opening (41) in said openable area; an intermediate secondary sheet (5) of flexible, preferably stretchable material, covering said first opening; an internal piece of reinforcing material (1040) comprising a second opening (1041), said second opening facing said first opening; The system of claim 8 , comprising:

10. A system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the distance (D) between the centres of said circular fixing areas (1030) is between 40 and 52 mm, preferably between 43 and 50 mm, more preferably between 45 and 49 mm.

11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pack has a lateral dimension of 65 to 75 mm.

12. a pack containing beverage ingredients, the pack being configured to prepare a beverage by injecting a fluid into the pack; the beverage ingredient is a water-soluble, dilutable, or infusible beverage ingredient; The pack - a planar shape, which is oriented along a vertically oriented plane (P) during beverage production; a bottom (101) with an area (104) configured to be openable for introducing the fluid into the pack and for dispensing the prepared beverage from the pack, the openable area being made of a flexible material, the bottom of the pack having at least two fastening means (103) which are holes or deformable areas, the two fastening means being arranged near the openable area of ​​the bottom of the pack, each of the holes and / or the deformable areas (103) of the pack comprising one circular fastening area (1030), A pack in which the distance (D) between the centers of the circular fastening areas is at most 52 mm, preferably at most 50 mm.

13. The pack of claim 12 , wherein the openable area is made of a stretchable material.

14. 14. The pack of claim 13, wherein the elastic material is from the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, polymers containing food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavengers, or combinations thereof.

15. the pack (10) comprises a front wall (105) and a rear wall (106), at least the edges (1051, 1061) of the bottom of the walls being sealed together near the openable area (104) of the bottom, the circular fastening area (1030) being provided at the sealed edges (1051, 1061); A pack according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the distance (D) between the centres of the circular fastening areas (1030) is at least 40 mm, preferably at least 42 mm, more preferably at least 44 mm.

16. 16. A pack according to claim 15, wherein the openable area of ​​the pack comprises a piece of reinforcing material (1040), and the bottom of the pack comprises a sealed edge (1051, 1061) adjacent the piece of material.

17. The bottom surface of the pack is an outer primary sheet of flexible material, the outer primary sheet having a first opening in the openable area; an intermediate secondary sheet of flexible, preferably stretchable, material covering the first opening; and 17. The pack of claim 16, comprising: an inner piece of reinforcing material including a second opening, said second opening facing said first opening.

18. the first opening is circular and has a diameter of 10 mm; 18. A pack according to claim 17, wherein the second opening is circular and has a diameter of 9 mm.

19. A pack according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the distance (D) between the centres of the circular fastening areas (1030) is between 40 and 52 mm, preferably between 43 and 50 mm, and more preferably between 45 and 49 mm.

20. A pack according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the pack has a lateral dimension of 65 to 75 mm.

21. Use of a pack according to any one of claims 12 to 20 in a beverage production system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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