Apparatus and method for preparing to make a hot beverage in a coffee machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a use for preparing to make a hot beverage in a coffee machine. In particular the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a) a filter-construction element (a) having a first, upper side and a second, lower side, which has a seat for holding a compostable beverage capsule, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) fitted on the lower side of the filter means (2), and wherein the base of the abutment surface of the filter-construction element (a) is surrounded on the upper side by a sealing ring (1), and wherein the abutment surface has a multiplicity of bores for filtering purposes, wherein the filter-construction element (a) additionally has a holding function (6), and b) a preparation vessel (b), which is closed off by a base plate (16) and, on the bottom, has a plurality of penetration means for opening the compostable beverage capsule, and wherein the filter-construction element (a) is introduced re-releasably into the preparation vessel (b).

Description

[0001] Device and method for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for preparing a hot beverage in a coffee machine. The invention further relates to the use of the device according to the invention for preparing a hot beverage in a coffee machine.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to a device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine, comprising a) a filter construction element with a first upper side and a second lower side, which has a seat for holding a compostable beverage capsule, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) which is attached to the filter means (2) on the lower side and wherein the base of the contact surface of the filter construction element on the upper side is surrounded by a sealing ring (1) and wherein the contact surface has a plurality of holes for filtering, wherein the filter construction element also has a holding function (6) and b) a preparation vessel,which is closed by a base plate (16) and has on the base several penetration means (9) for opening the compostable beverage capsule and wherein the filter construction element a) is releasably inserted into the preparation vessel b).

[0004] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] This invention thus addresses an area that affects many people. According to the International Coffee Organization, 242 million kilograms of coffee were consumed in the European Union between June 2020 and June 2021. Including the United Kingdom (21.8 million kg) and Switzerland (9.3 million kg), this totals 273 million kilograms of coffee. One kilogram of coffee beans yields an average of 120 cups. This means that, with coffee consumption on the rise, approximately 33 billion cups of coffee are consumed annually in Europe today.

[0006] Just to give an example, 80% of the population in Italy, 78% in Spain and 75% in Germany drink coffee regularly.

[0007] Coffee preparation technology has changed dramatically over the past few decades. It has long been standard practice to use pre-measured and pre-packaged portions of coffee, tea, or other beverages to simplify preparation and ensure that the quality and strength of the beverage remain unchanged under the same preparation conditions.

[0008] What is so pleasant and convenient for consumers on the one hand, however, presents a virtually insurmountable challenge for society as a whole. The small, pre-portioned packaging units pose a massive disposal problem, as the common single-serve units are not biodegradable. The vast majority of coffee and tea capsules are made of aluminum, or aluminum and plastic. Since coffee residue always remains in the aluminum, they cannot be recycled. Used capsules usually end up in incinerated waste or landfilled, as consumers dispose of the capsules as residual waste after use.

[0009] In 2016, 3.1 billion coffee capsules were consumed in Germany. To produce this amount, approximately 31,000 tons of new aluminum had to be produced. This generated 25,000 tons of CO2 (the above information is taken from the online article: "Unnecessary Waste / Why Coffee Capsules Are Not Environmentally Friendly," published on November 6, 2018, updated on November 11, 2019, by Norbert Völl, spokesperson for the "Green Dot" organization, and Thomas Fischer of the "Deutsche Umwelt Hilfe" organization). In addition to the disposal problem, coffee capsules also pose a climate problem due to avoidable carbon dioxide emissions.

[0010] There is currently a strong desire throughout society, at all levels of daily life, to develop, produce, and use sustainable products. A significant aspect of this sustainability is waste prevention. In this context, there is a current proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste amending Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1020 and Directive (EU) 94 / 62 / EC from Brussels dated 30 November 2022 (COM (2022) 677 final) (Text with EEA relevance). Recital (11) states that, given consumer disposal behavior regarding single-serve units for coffee or tea systems, which are in practice disposed of together with the product residue, leading to contamination of compost and recycling streams, these specific items should be treated as packaging.Another reason to treat all single-serve units for coffee and tea systems, which are required to contain coffee and tea, as packaging is to ensure consistency regarding the financial and operational obligations at the end of the product's life. In conjunction with the definition in Article 3g (single-serve units for coffee and tea systems), Article 8 sets out the conditions under which packaging is considered compostable and stipulates that conventional coffee capsules must be compostable 24 months after the entry into force of this regulation. Thus, policymakers have addressed this waste CO2 emissions issue and are attempting to counteract the waste of non-recoverable, valuable raw materials (metals and organic materials) and end unnecessary CO2 emissions through bans.

[0011] The EUBP (European Bioplastics) association has published a position paper in March 2023 at the following link: https: / / docs.european-bioplastics.org / publications / pp / EUBP PP_Compostable _Coffee_Capsules.pdf, in which the interrelationships are once again clearly presented - from the relevant association's perspective.

[0012] Biodegradable capsules are known from the state of the art. For example, DE 10 2018 201 187 B3, titled "Portion containers made of wood material compounded with bioplastic," discloses coffee capsules made of wood material reprocessed with bioplastic. These capsules, which are manufactured using an injection molding process, are said to be suitable for use in espresso machines.

[0013] EP 3 225 566 B1, entitled "Capsule containing beverage powder, in particular for preparing brewed coffee", also addresses the above topic and proposes capsules that are easy and inexpensive to produce, biodegradable and therefore environmentally friendly to dispose of.

[0014] DE 10 2014 000 187 B4, entitled "Capsule consisting of a compact with a coating layer," also originates from the same inventor. Here, the compact consists essentially of a cellulosic powder, and the coating layer consists at least essentially of a biodegradable material, which is a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof in combination with a polyol spacer and the associated crosslinker, and is a compound composed of plant starch and fatty acids. EP 2 308 776 B1, entitled "Capsule system with a capsule and a water injection device," discloses a truncated-cone-shaped coffee capsule containing a biodegradable material containing cellulose, a starch-based material, or polylactic acid.

[0015] Commercially available single-serving units based on lignin or cellulose are also offered as beverage capsules, but their distribution on the market does not seem to be particularly widespread.

[0016] Furthermore, reference is made to application EP 4 183 257 A1, entitled "Method for producing a compostable beverage capsule." These beverage capsules are currently being marketed commercially on a large scale by the company "Migros," with enormous advertising effort, as "Coffee Balls" under the name "CoffeeB," claiming to be 100% compostable. The coffee balls are said to consist of pure coffee, coated in a protective layer of natural origin based on alginates. However, in order to access this particularly environmentally friendly alternative to conventional coffee capsules, consumers would have to purchase a new coffee machine, the "CoffeeB Globe," also from "Migros," which is said to feature a single-serve system with special brewing technology.

[0017] The disposal and CO2 emission problem of single-serve units is therefore not limited to the coffee / tea capsules, but also to all existing coffee machines currently in use. Should consumers scrap these machines and all buy the new "CoffeeB Globe"? This would be a gigantic waste of precious raw materials from existing devices and an unprecedented environmental crime.

[0018] The inventor has therefore set himself the socially extremely relevant task of solving the pressing problems of avoiding waste and CO2 emissions from beverage capsules and the dilemma with the coffee machines available on the market, while at the same time producing a hot beverage that meets all the requirements for an enjoyable coffee.

[0019] For his experiments, he chose, on the one hand, the currently most commercially successful coffee machine for dispensing frothy coffee beverages from capsules, which is designed for extraction under pressure and produces particularly tasty espresso, ristretto, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, cocoa, teas or even soups and which is commercialised under the brand name "Nespresso" by the company "Nestle" and which is used in millions of households, as the coffee machine. On the other hand, he chose the currently commercially successful beverage capsules, the "CoffeeB" described above as a compostable and commercially available beverage capsule.

[0020] Through numerous experiments, the inventor discovered that simply piercing and pressing the coffee beans against the pyramid plate of the coffee machine's brewing chamber was not enough to produce a delicious cup of coffee. The inventor realized that the compostable beverage capsule needed to undergo a preparation process independent of the coffee machine before use in the coffee machine so that the flavor of the hot beverage could fully develop.

[0021] Surprisingly, a device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine comprising a) a filter construction element with a first upper side and a second lower side, which has a seat for holding a compostable beverage capsule, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) which is attached to the filter means (2) on the lower side and wherein the base of the contact surface of the filter construction element on the upper side is surrounded by a sealing ring (1) and wherein the contact surface has a plurality of holes for filtering, wherein the filter construction element also has a holding function (6) and b) a preparation vessel,which is closed by a base plate (16) and has on the base several penetration means (9) for opening the compostable beverage capsule and wherein the filter construction element a) is releasably inserted into the preparation vessel b), the ambitious inventive project.,

[0022] Preferred embodiments according to the invention relate to the holding means (3) for holding the compostable beverage capsule, wherein the holding means (3) is of course a holder adapted to the geometry of the beverage capsule, which is attached to the lower side of the filter construction element.

[0023] A particular embodiment according to the invention provides a retaining bracket (4) or a multi-arm holder as the holding means (3), or the compostable beverage capsule is placed on the outlet side of the filter construction element on a spike (conical pin) with an undercut (5). The spike with an undercut can have spiral undercuts similar to a wood screw. When rotated, the spike penetrates the capsule. Alternatively, it can also have barbs, like a fishhook.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the skewer with an undercut can also be directly molded from plastic. It can also be designed to penetrate the compostable beverage capsule and feature a bead-like thickening at the end, over which a concave plastic plate is clipped. The engineer's design options are endless.

[0025] Furthermore, a ring or clip can be used as a holding means (3), which can also be shaped as a grid cage into which the compostable beverage capsule can be clipped.

[0026] A variant of the above device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to the invention has been found to be particularly advantageous, wherein the preparation vessel b) has two separate chambers, namely a closed base area, the time measuring chamber (12), which has a time measuring unit which, after a certain time, triggered by the starting of a clock, emits a signal, preferably an acoustic signal, and a remaining area of ​​the preparation vessel, the preparation chamber (7).

[0027] Preferred embodiments according to the invention of the above-described advantageous variant of the preparation vessel b) include an embodiment in which the time-measuring unit 13) is an electronic time-measuring unit, advantageously powered by a replaceable 3V lithium battery (14). Another advantageous embodiment is one in which the clock is started by pressing a button (15).

[0028] Such timing systems are commercially available.

[0029] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) according to the invention consists in the provision of a circumferential marking for the required filling level of the water (8) in which the compostable beverage capsule is prepared for the preparation of a hot beverage.

[0030] A further preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the penetration means (9) for opening the compostable beverage capsule of the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7), which is / are advantageously either one or more needle(s) (10) and / or one or more piercing spike(s) (11) inserted in the bottom of the preparation vessel b) or in the bottom of the preparation chamber (7) and / or one or more slitting knives which are similar to a wallpapering knife and which are attached laterally in the preparation vessel b) or in the preparation chamber (7).

[0031] Example

[0032] The inventor, himself a passionate espresso drinker and owner of several Nespresso machines, originally acted out of sheer necessity, wanting to drink espresso sustainably and not forgo the ultimate pleasure of drinking it. He experimented with DeLonghi machines, both the EN 167.B and EN 265.BAE types. However, all the available compostable coffee capsules he tested with his machine failed to provide him with unadulterated sensual pleasure. A flavorful espresso is highly aromatic and therefore strong in flavor, unfolding a wide range of flavor nuances and lingering on the nose. Therefore, the inventor experimented with every conceivable variation, particularly using the "CoffeeB" beverage capsules described above in his experiments.

[0033] He first built the "filter construction element" a) in two versions:

[0034] The first prototype was manufactured as a turned metal part (aluminum), with the holes drilled on a CNC (computerized numerical control) machine. The brackets were bent from stainless steel wire and attached.

[0035] The second prototype was manufactured from plastic (ABS PC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene mixed with polycarbonate) using 3D prototyping based on CAD data (computer-aided design). Here, too, a steel bracket was attached, with the spherical, compostable beverage capsule being held by a retaining means (3) attached to the round filter means (2) on the lower side of the filter construction element. The base of the concave contact surface of the round filter means (2) is enclosed on the upper side by a round sealing ring (1). The concave contact surface has a plurality of holes for filtering, with the round filter construction element additionally having a retaining function (6). According to the invention, the entire component can also be made of plastic. In his experiments, the inventor initially used only the filter construction element a) to test the sphere in the brewing chamber of his Nespresso machines. He did not like the taste of the espresso.It neither exhibited its typical creamy consistency nor developed its distinctive flavor. Even pre-wetting the ball with water proved unsuccessful.

[0036] Surprisingly, only a special process in an independent device separate from the coffee machine produced the desired result.

[0037] The necessary and required "preparation vessel" b) was turned from a round plastic (ABS) using a CNC-controlled lathe.

[0038] The device is shown in the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a device according to the invention for preparing a hot beverage in a coffee machine. In the drawings, the number of holes in filter construction element a) does not correspond to the number of holes the inventor has identified as preferable for producing a frothy espresso. The high number of preferred holes cannot be represented in the drawings.

[0040] Figures 2 and 3 show preferred dimensions of an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figures 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the holding means (3) of the compostable beverage capsule according to the invention.

[0042] Figure 6 shows the appearance of a preferred external shape of a device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to the invention.

[0043] This is a device for preparing the preparation of a frothy hot beverage in an espresso machine, comprising a) a round filter construction element with a first upper side and a second lower side, which has a seat for holding a spherical, compostable beverage capsule, wherein the spherical, compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) attached to the round filter means (2) on the lower side of the filter construction element, and wherein the base of the concave contact surface of the round filter means (2) is surrounded on the upper side by a round sealing ring (1), and wherein the concave contact surface has a plurality of holes for filtering, wherein the round filter construction element also has a holding function (6), and b) a cylindrical preparation vessel b),which is closed by a base plate (16) and which has a plurality of penetration means (9) on the base for opening the spherical, compostable beverage capsule, and wherein the round filter construction element a) is releasably inserted into the preparation vessel b) and / or wherein the cylindrical preparation vessel b) without the holding function is from 80 mm to 44 mm high, in particular from 70 mm to 54 mm high and preferably 62 mm high and has an outer diameter of 55 mm to 29 mm, in particular from 48 mm to 36 mm and preferably from 42 mm and has an inner diameter of 50 mm to 24 mm, in particular from 43 mm to 31 mm and preferably from 37 mm, and wherein the outer diameter of the sealing ring (1) is from 50 mm to 24 mm, in particular from 43 mm to 31 mm and preferably 37 mm, and wherein the collar of the filter means (2) has a diameter of 35.5 mm to,

[0044] 21.5 mm, in particular from 31.5 mm to 25.5 mm and preferably

[0045] 28.5 mm and wherein the number of bores is from 152 to 80, in particular from 134 to 98 and preferably 116 and / or wherein the cylindrical preparation vessel b) has two chambers

[0046] - a closed floor area, the time measuring chamber (12), which has a time measuring unit which, after a certain time, triggered by the starting of a clock, emits a signal, preferably an acoustic signal, and

[0047] - a remaining area of ​​the cylindrical preparation vessel b), the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the base plate (16) is from 3.5 mm to 0.5 mm thick, in particular from 2.5 mm to 1.5 mm thick and preferably 2 mm thick and wherein the height of the timing chamber (12) is from 16 mm to 8 mm, in particular from 14 mm to 10 mm and preferably 12 mm and the height of the preparation chamber (7) is from 51 mm to 39 mm, in particular from 48 mm to 42 mm and preferably 45 mm and / or wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has a marking (8) for the fill level of the water with which the spherical, compostable beverage capsule is prepared for the preparation of a foamy hot beverage and / or wherein the marking (8) for the fill level of the water is at a height in the range from 40 mm to 28 mm,in particular in the range from 37 mm to 31 mm and preferably from 34 mm of the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the penetration means (9) of the preparation vessel b) or of the preparation chamber (7) for opening the spherical, compostable beverage capsule can be one or more needle(s) (10) and / or one or more spike(s) (11) and / or wherein the needle(s) (10) and the spike(s) (11) are anchored in the partition wall between the preparation chamber (7) and the time-measuring chamber (12), which is from 5 mm to 1 mm thick, in particular from 4 mm to 2 mm thick and preferably 3 mm thick, in a range from 2.0 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in a range from 1.7 mm to 1.0 mm and preferably 1.5 mm, and the needles (10) have a diameter in a range from 3.0 mm to 1.0 mm, in particular in a range of 2.5 mm to 1.5 mm and preferably 2.0 mm and 16 mm to 8 mm,in particular 14 mm to 10 mm and preferably 12 mm protrude into the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the needles (10) taper to a point and / or wherein the mandrel (11) is anchored in the partition wall between the preparation chamber (7) and the time measuring chamber (12), which is from 5 mm to 1 mm thick, in particular from 4 mm to 2 mm thick and preferably 3 mm thick, in a range from 2.0 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in a range from 1.7 mm to 1.0 mm and preferably 1.5 mm and the mandrel (11) at its widest point has a diameter in a range from 5 mm to 1 mm, in particular in a range from 4 mm to 2 mm and preferably 3.0 mm and 18 mm to 13 mm, in particular 17 mm to 14 mm and preferably 15,5 mm into the preparation chamber and / or wherein the mandrel (11) tapers to a point and / or wherein the plurality of bores of the contact surface of the filter medium (2) widen conically from the inside to the outside and / or wherein the concave part of the filter medium (2), the contact surface for the balls, is penetrated by bores with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular 1.2 mm to 0.8 mm and preferably 1 mm, wherein the cone end has a diameter of 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular 3.2 mm to 2.8 mm and preferably 3 mm and / or wherein the holding function of the round filter construction element a) is a lifting bracket or a lifting arm and wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has one or more recesses, preferably two recesses, for receiving the bracket.

[0048] According to the invention, a method for preparing the preparation of a frothy hot beverage in an espresso machine is also provided, comprising

[0049] I. Providing a round filter construction element a) as described in the embodiment, II. Providing a cylindrical preparation vessel b) or a cylindrical preparation chamber (7) as described in the embodiment,

[0050] III. Clamping a spherical, compostable beverage capsule into the seat of the round filter construction element a) from I.,

[0051] IV. Insert the round filter construction element a) from III., which is provided with a spherical, compostable beverage capsule, into the preparation vessel b) filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) or into the preparation chamber (7) from II. filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) until the seal on the upper flange is flush with the upper container edge and the beverage capsule is surrounded by water,

[0052] V. Starting the clock,

[0053] VI. When the signal is triggered, preferably an acoustic signal, press the filter construction element a) from IV. downwards until the seal has reached the marked water level ring (8),

[0054] VII. Starting the clock,

[0055] VIII. When the signal is triggered, preferably an acoustic signal, removal of the filter construction element a) from VI. with the holding function (6) and insertion of the round filter construction element a) with the prepared, spherical, compostable beverage capsule into the brewing chamber of an espresso machine, wherein the process stage IV, in which the compostable beverage capsule is conditioned in the water, lasts between 20 to 30 seconds, in particular between 23 to 27 seconds and preferably 25 seconds and wherein the process stage VI, in which the compostable beverage capsule is opened by the penetration means, lasts between 1 to 10 seconds, in particular between 3 and 7 seconds and preferably 5 seconds.

[0056] Of course, the invention also involves running through the clock, which then emits two signals in succession for process stages IV and VI.

[0057] The invention also provides for the use of a device comprising a) a round filter construction element a) as indicated in the embodiment, b) a cylindrical preparation vessel b) or a cylindrical preparation chamber (7) as indicated in the embodiment, for preparing the preparation of a frothy hot beverage in an espresso machine.

[0058] It will, of course, be clear to those skilled in the art that the beverage capsules could have any geometric shape; the invention is not limited to a spherical shape of the beverage capsule, nor is it limited to the preparation of a frothy espresso in a "Nespresso machine." The device according to the invention can generally be used for the preparation of hot beverages in coffee machines. Very advantageous embodiments such as the conical widening of the holes in the filter medium (2) are not absolutely necessary for the preparation of other coffee forms; it has been shown that cylindrical holes are sufficient in many cases.

[0059] The invention therefore also relates to a device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is a sphere, an ellipsoid, an ovoid, a truncated cone, a cone, a cylinder, a cuboid, a cube, a square or hexagonal pyramid, a trigonal or a hexagonal or a pentagonal prism, a torus, a tube, a tetrahedron, an octahedron, a dodecahedron or any other geometric body, preferably a sphere, an ellipsoid and an ovoid.

[0060] In this respect, the use of a device comprising a.) filter construction element a) as stated in the general part of the description, b.) a preparation vessel b) or a preparation chamber (7) as stated in the general part of the description, for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine is also according to the invention. In this respect, a method for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine is also according to the invention, comprising

[0061] I. Providing a filter construction element a) as specified in the general part of the description,

[0062] II. Providing a preparation vessel b) or a preparation chamber (7) as specified in the general part of the description,

[0063] III. Clamping a compostable beverage capsule into the seat of the filter construction element a) from I.,

[0064] IV. Insert the filter construction element a) from III. provided with a compostable beverage capsule into the preparation vessel b) filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) or into the preparation chamber (7) from II. filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) until the seal on the upper flange is flush with the upper container edge and the beverage capsule is surrounded by water,

[0065] V. Starting the clock,

[0066] VI. When the signal is triggered, preferably an acoustic signal, press the filter construction element a) from IV. downwards until the seal has reached the marked water level ring (8),

[0067] VII. Starting the clock,

[0068] VIII. When the signal is triggered, preferably an acoustic signal, removal of the filter construction element a) from VI. with the holding function (6) and insertion of the filter construction element a) with the prepared, compostable beverage capsule into the brewing chamber of a coffee machine, wherein the process stage IV, in which the compostable beverage capsule is conditioned in the water, lasts between 20 to 30 seconds, in particular between 23 to 27 seconds and preferably 25 seconds and wherein the process stage VI, in which the compostable beverage capsule is opened by the penetration means, lasts between 1 to 10 seconds, in particular between 3 and 7 seconds and preferably 5 seconds.

[0069] Of course, the invention also includes the running of the clock, which then emits two signals in succession for process steps IV and VI. List of reference symbols a filter construction element b preparation vessel

[0070] 1 sealing ring

[0071] 2 filter media

[0072] 3 Holding means of the compostable beverage capsule

[0073] 4 retaining brackets

[0074] 5 Skewer with undercut

[0075] 6 Holding function of the filter construction element a

[0076] 7 Preparation chamber of the preparation vessel b

[0077] 8 Marking for the water level

[0078] 9 Penetrating agents for opening the compostable beverage capsule

[0079] 10 needles

[0080] 11 Thorn

[0081] 12 Timing Chamber

[0082] 13 electronic timing unit

[0083] 14 replaceable 3V lithium batteries

[0084] 15 push button

[0085] 16 Base plate

Claims

Claims 1. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine, comprising a) a filter construction element with a first upper side and a second lower side, which has a seat for holding a compostable beverage capsule, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) which is attached to a filter means (2) on the lower side of the filter construction element and wherein the base of the contact surface of the filter construction element on the upper side is surrounded by a sealing ring (1) and wherein the contact surface has a plurality of holes for filtering, wherein the filter construction element also has a holding function (6), and b) a preparation vessel,which is closed by a base plate (16) and has on the base several penetration means (9) for opening the compostable beverage capsule and wherein the filter construction element a) is releasably inserted into the preparation vessel b).

2. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (3) for holding the compostable beverage capsule is a holder adapted to the geometry of the beverage capsule, which is attached to the lower side of the filter construction element.

3. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means (3) is a holding bracket (4) or a multi-arm holder or a skewer with an undercut (5) onto which the compostable beverage capsule can be attached or is a ring or clip, which can also be shaped as a mesh cage into which the compostable beverage capsule can be clipped.

4. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the preparation vessel b) has two chambers - a closed floor area, the time measuring chamber (12), which has a time measuring unit (13) which emits a signal, preferably an acoustic signal, after a certain time, triggered by the starting of a clock, and - a residual area of ​​the preparation vessel b), the preparation chamber (7).

5. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to claim 4, wherein the time measuring unit (13) is an electronic time measuring unit, which is preferably operated by a replaceable 3V lithium battery (14).

6. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the starting of a clock is triggered by pressing a button (15).

7. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has a marking (8) for the fill level of the water with which the compostable beverage capsule is prepared for the preparation of a hot beverage.

8. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the penetration means (9) of the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) for opening the compostable beverage capsule is / are one or more needle(s) (10) and / or one or more piercing spike(s) (11) inserted in the bottom of the preparation vessel b) or in the bottom of the preparation chamber (7) and / or one or more Slotting knives, which are mounted laterally in the preparation vessel b) or in the preparation chamber (7), is / are.

9. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bores of the contact surface of the filter means (2) widen conically from the inside to the outside.

10. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding function (6) of the filter construction element a) is a lifting bracket or a lifting arm and wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has one or more, preferably two, recesses for receiving the bracket.

11. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compostable beverage capsule is a sphere, an ellipsoid, an ovoid, a truncated cone, a cone, a cylinder, a cuboid, a cube, a square or hexagonal pyramid, a trigonal or hexagonal or pentagonal prism, a torus, a tube, a tetrahedron, an octahedron, a dodecahedron or any other geometric body, preferably a sphere, an ellipsoid and an ovoid.

12. Device for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hot beverage is a frothy hot beverage and the coffee machine is an espresso machine and wherein the filter construction element a) is round and its seat holds a spherical, compostable beverage capsule and wherein the spherical, compostable beverage capsule is held by a holding means (3) which is attached to the round filter means (2) on the lower side of the filter construction element and wherein the base of the concave bearing surface of the round Filter means (2) is enclosed on the upper side by a round sealing ring (1) and wherein the concave contact surface has a plurality of bores for filtering, wherein the round filter construction element additionally has a holding function (6), and wherein the cylindrical preparation vessel (b) is closed by a base plate (16) and has on the bottom several penetration means (9) for opening the spherical, compostable beverage capsule and wherein the round filter construction element a) is releasably inserted into the preparation vessel b) and / or wherein the cylindrical preparation vessel b) without the holding function is from 80 mm to 44 mm high, in particular from 70 mm to 54 mm high and preferably 62 mm high and has an outer diameter of 55 mm to 29 mm, in particular from 48 mm to 36 mm and preferably from 42 mm and an inner diameter of 50 mm to 24 mm,in particular from 43 mm to 31 mm and preferably from 37 mm and wherein the outer diameter of the sealing ring (1) is from 50 mm to 24 mm, in particular from 43 mm to 31 mm and preferably 37 mm and wherein the collar of the filter means (2) has a diameter of 35.5 mm to, 21.5 mm, in particular from 31.5 mm to 25.5 mm and preferably 28.5 mm and wherein the number of bores is from 152 to 80, in particular from 134 to 98 and preferably 116 and / or wherein the cylindrical preparation vessel b) has two chambers - a closed floor area, the time measuring chamber (12), which has a time measuring unit which, after a certain time, triggered by the starting of a clock, emits a signal, preferably an acoustic signal, and - a residual area of ​​the cylindrical preparation vessel b), the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the base plate (16) is from 3.5 mm to 0.5 mm thick, in particular from 2.5 mm to 1.5 mm thick and preferably 2 mm thick and wherein the height of the time-measuring chamber (12) is from 16 mm to 8 mm, in particular from 14 mm to 10 mm and preferably 12 mm and the height of the preparation chamber (7) is from 51 mm to 39 mm, in particular from 48 mm to 42 mm and preferably 45 mm and / or wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has a marking (8) for the fill level of the water with which the spherical, compostable beverage capsule is prepared for the preparation of a foamy hot beverage and / or wherein the marking (8) for the fill level of the water is at a height in the range from 40 mm to 28 mm,in particular in the range from 37 mm to 31 mm and preferably from 34 mm of the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the penetration means (9) of the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) for opening the spherical, compostable beverage capsule can be needles (10) and / or mandrels (11) and / or wherein the needles (10) are anchored in the partition wall between the preparation chamber (7) and the time-measuring chamber (12), which is from 5 mm to 1 mm thick, in particular from 4 mm to 2 mm thick and preferably 3 mm thick, in a range from 2.0 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in a range from 1.7 mm to 1.0 mm and preferably 1.5 mm, and the needles (10) at their widest point have a diameter in a range from 3.0 mm to 1.0 mm, in particular in a range from 2.5 mm to 1.5 mm and preferably 2.0 mm and 16 mm to 8 mm,in particular 14 mm to 10 mm and preferably 12 mm into the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the needles (10) taper to a point and / or, wherein the mandrel (11) is anchored in the partition wall between the preparation chamber (7) and the time-measuring chamber (12), which wall is from 5 mm to 1 mm thick, in particular from 4 mm to 2 mm thick and preferably 3 mm thick, in a range from 2.0 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in a range from 1.7 mm to 1.0 mm and preferably 1.5 mm, and the mandrel (11) has a diameter in a range from 5 mm to 1 mm at its widest point, in particular in a range from 4 mm to 2 mm and preferably 3.0 mm and projects 18 mm to 13 mm, in particular 17 mm to 14 mm and preferably 15.5 mm into the preparation chamber (7) and / or wherein the mandrel (11) tapers to a point and / or wherein the plurality of bores of the contact surface of the filter means (2) widen conically from the inside to the outside and / or wherein the concave part of the Filter medium (2), the contact surface for the balls with holes with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular from 1.2 mm to 0.8 mm and preferably 1 mm, wherein the cone end has a diameter of 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm, in particular 3.2 mm to 2.8 mm and preferably 3 mm and / or wherein the holding function of the round filter construction element a) is a lifting bracket or a lifting arm and wherein the preparation vessel b) or the preparation chamber (7) has one or more, preferably two, recesses for receiving the bracket.

13. A method for preparing a hot beverage in a coffee machine comprising I. Providing a filter construction element a) according to one of the preceding claims, II. Providing a preparation vessel b) or a preparation chamber (7) according to one of the preceding claims, III. Clamping a compostable beverage capsule into the seat of the filter construction element a) from I., IV. Insert the filter construction element a) from III. provided with a compostable beverage capsule into the preparation vessel b) filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) or into the preparation chamber (7) from II. filled with water up to the marked fill level (8) until the seal on the upper flange is flush with the upper container edge and the beverage capsule is surrounded by water, V. Starting the clock, VI. When the signal is triggered, press the filter construction element a) from IV. downwards until the seal has reached the marked water level ring (8), VII. Starting the clock, VIII. When the acoustic signal is triggered, remove the filter construction element a) from VI. using the holding function (6) and insert the filter construction element a) with the prepared, compostable beverage capsule into the brewing chamber of a coffee machine.

14. A method for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage in a coffee machine according to claim 13, wherein the method step IV, in which the compostable beverage capsule is conditioned in the water, lasts between 20 to 30 seconds, in particular between 23 to 27 seconds and preferably 25 seconds, and wherein the method step VI, in which the compostable beverage capsule is opened by the penetration means, lasts between 1 to 10 seconds, in particular between 3 and 7 seconds and preferably 5 seconds.

15. Use of a device comprising a) a filter construction element a) according to any one of claims 1-12 and b) a preparation vessel b) according to any one of claims 1-12 for preparing the preparation of a hot beverage.

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