Extracting arrangement of a beverage extraction device

Abstract

The invention concerns an extracting arrangement (121; 131), for extracting a beverage from a pod comprising a beverage ingredient, comprising a plurality of opening elements (122; 132) rising from at least one piercing surface (123; 133), facing in use an enclosing wall (11) of the pod (10) to open, and a plurality of traversing holes, to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the opened enclosing wall (11), wherein each of the opening elements (122; 132) presents an outlet opening (122''; 132'') cooperating with the traversing holes and / or a tip end (122'; 132'), wherein the tip ends (122'; 132') and / or the outlet openings (122; 132) are arranged to lay on a non-planar virtual surface facing in use the enclosing wall (11), so as to substantially match with the enclosing wall (11) of the pod (10).

Description

[0001] EXTRACTING ARRANGEMENT OF A BEVERAGE EXTRACTION DEVICE

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of preparation of beverages with a system including a single-serve container comprising a beverage ingredient and a machine with an extraction chamber designed to receive and extract the container.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to the field of extracting arrangement of a beverage extraction device from container bodies for food products, preferably cellulose-based pod containing a beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Single serve containers for the automatic preparation of beverages encompass various formats of containers that can be relatively soft or flexible, such as pods, and made of any material, recyclable or non-recyclable, biodegradable or non-biodegradable, such as aluminum, plastic, filter paper.

[0007] WO 2020 / 089404 describes such a system extracting beverages from soft or flexible pods. These pods comprise a pod body and a lid attached to the flange of the pod body: their shape is asymmetrical relatively to the plane comprising the flange of the pod body. The extraction device is provided with an extraction chamber configured to adapt its size to the shape and volume of the pod introduced. The extraction chamber comprises:

[0008] - an upstream part defining a cage and bearing an upstream piercing arrangement for opening the bottom wall of the pod and a liquid injector to supply liquid through the opened bottom wall, and

[0009] - a downstream part defining a plate that comprises a downstream plane extracting arrangement for opening the lid of the pod. This plate, often abusively called pyramid plate, comprises rising elements designed to pierce, open or tear the inflated lid and holes to evacuate the beverage flowing out of the holes in the lid created by the rising elements.

[0010] During the process of extraction, water is supplied in the pod through the opened bottom wall which increases pressure inside the pod. The downstream plane extracting arrangement is designed for opening the lid by relative engagement with the lid under the effect of this rise in pressure of the injected liquid in the pod body chamber and inflation of the lid against the extracting arrangement.

[0011] In order to respect environment, it is required today to use pods made of biodegradable and / or compostable materials, in particular essentially made of cellulose-based material.

[0012] These new materials lead to specific problems during the beverage preparation and the handling of the pod in the extraction device, in particular optimal extraction of roast and ground coffee is hardly obtained. In the case of a cellulose-based material, the cellulose-based layer can present a high thickness in order to provide a certain rigidity for the capsule and to maintain the shape of the capsule. In addition, since the cellulose-based layer does not protect the beverage ingredient from the atmosphere, a cellulose-based material generally comprises a layer that creates a protective barrier to atmosphere. This layer is usually made of a compostable polymer and the cellulose-based material is a laminate of at least a cellulose-based layer, such as paper, and a layer of said compostable barrier polymer. For example, such a barrier layer of compostable polymer is described in WO 2023 / 052144A1.

[0013] The use of this type of cellulose-based material impacts the correct extraction of the beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee, within the extraction chamber. In particular, the compostable barrier polymer can present such stretchable properties that it is difficult to get it pierced by current existing downstream plane extracting arrangement. In particular, the material is stretched by the rising elements of the pyramid plate, but due to its stretching property, it is not systematically pierced, opened or torn on each of the rising elements. In addition, even if the material is pierced, opened or torn, due to its stretchable properties, the material tends to tightly surrounds the rising elements with the effect of covering and closing the holes configured for evacuating the beverage.

[0014] Due to these problems, optimal extraction is not obtained: flow of coffee is reduced, flow time is increased and the expected taste profile of the final coffee is not obtained. In addition, each pod is extracted differently depending on the number of openings created in the pod and the number of holes remaining free for evacuation of the beverage, which makes the system of the machine and the pod not consistent in quality of the extracted beverage.

[0015] It has been observed that this high stretchability of the cellulose-based layer is particularly flagrant when the pod is used and stored in humid conditions such as tropical conditions. The stretchability of the paper material can increase by 5 times in such tropical conditions. Consequently, this problem of quality of extraction is amplified in countries with tropical climate.

[0016] Moreover, cellulose-based pods form wrinkles that need to be sealed with a high force thus requiring big mechanisms with high torque motors in a beverage extraction device or in a corresponding beverage preparation machine.

[0017] In the state of the art, there have been defined different types of downstream plane extracting arrangement comprising rising elements designed to pierce the inflated wall and holes to evacuate the beverage flowing out of the openings created by the rising elements.

[0018] In EP1247480 and EP1295554, the rising elements are needles presenting a conical shape. Each of these needles comprises an opening communicating with a beverage outlet conduit.

[0019] Such needles and opening of plane extracting arrangements do not enable a reliable piercing and evacuation of beverage when a capsule made of a stretchable paper material is used. Summary of the invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide an extracting arrangement for piercing a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, able to minimize the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0021] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an extracting arrangement able to allow the proper extraction, by maintaining consistency in quality of the extracted beverage even for cellulose-based pods.

[0022] The aforementioned objects are achieved, in a first aspect of the invention, by an extracting arrangement for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.

[0023] The extracting arrangement comprises, preferably consist of, a plurality of opening elements rising from at least one extracting surface, facing in use a non-planar enclosing wall of the pod to open and the opening elements defining outlet openings of the enclosing wall, and a plurality of traversing holes, to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the outlet opening of the opened enclosing wall, wherein each of the opening elements presents an outlet opening cooperating with the traversing holes and / or a tip end, wherein the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on a non-planar virtual surface facing the enclosing wall so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing wall of the pod to open, and wherein the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged so that they are at different position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement compared to the position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement adjacent to the centre portion.

[0024] The extraction of the beverage can be done with the enclosing wall of the body of the pod against the tip ends and / or the outlet openings which lay on such virtual surface. In particular, the shape of the non-planar virtual surface can substantially follow the shape of the enclosing wall to open, such as a top wall having a non-planar shape, to extract (or brew) the beverage in a reverse way (i.e. , from a surface which defines a container body and not from the lid). Moreover, wrinkles formed on the body do not affect the extraction due to the lower effort required to pierce the body of the pod.

[0025] In an embodiment, the virtual surface is a curved virtual surface or a stepped virtual surface. In an embodiment, the virtual surface is concave.

[0026] The curved or stepped virtual surface allows to better extract the beverage ingredient, especially from pods defined by a cellulose-based material. This appears to be more relevant when the virtual surface has a concave surface. Anyway, a convex virtual surface may also be used to match with a corresponding concave enclosing wall of the pod. In an embodiment, the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged so that they are at lower position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement and at higher position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement adjacent to the centre portion.

[0027] This allows to follow the shape of the body of the pod, such has the curved, conical or frustoconical shape of the bottom wall.

[0028] In an embodiment, the opening elements have different heights, so that the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface. Alternatively, or in combination, the extracting surface has a non-planar shape, preferably a curved shape or a stepped shape, so that the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface, preferably on the curved virtual surface or on the stepped virtual surface.

[0029] In an embodiment, the extracting surface has the same shape of the virtual surface.

[0030] Thus, the virtual surface, i.e. the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface, can be defined by having a planar extracting surface having opening elements with different height or by an extracting surface which presents a non-planar shape or even by a combination of the two solutions.

[0031] In an embodiment, the curved virtual surface is defined by a spherical cap surface or a hemisphere surface. Alternatively, the stepped virtual surface is defined by at least two planar portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar portion and at least one higher planar portion.

[0032] When the stepped virtual surface comprises more than one higher planar portion, they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the stepped virtual surface.

[0033] The lower piercing portion can be arranged at a centre portion of the piercing arrangement and the higher piercing portion, or higher piercing portions, can be arranged at a side portion of the piercing arrangement. In particular, the higher piercing portions can be arranged substantially concentrically to the lower piercing portion.

[0034] In an embodiment, the extracting surface, or extracting surfaces, has the same shape of the virtual surface, preferably of the curved virtual surface or of the stepped virtual surface. Thus, preferably, the opening elements rising from at least one extracting surface can have the same height so as to define a corresponding virtual surface, i.e. the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface for the the tip ends and / or the outlet openings.

[0035] In an embodiment, the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a curved shape, preferably a concave curved shape. That is the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a spherical cap shape or a hemisphere shape. Alternatively, the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape, provided with at least two planar extracting portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar extracting portion and at least one higher planar extraction portion, preferably defining the corresponding lower planar portion and at least one higher planar portion. That is, the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape or by at least two extracting plates arranged at different positions, such as to define a lower extracting plate and at least one higher extracting plate. In the latter embodiment, when the extracting plates comprises more than one higher piercing plate, they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the concave stepped shape, as already described for the stepped virtual surface.

[0036] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a beverage extraction device for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.

[0037] The beverage extraction device comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts relatively movable between an opened position, for inserting and / or ejecting the pod, and a closed position, for forming an extraction chamber able to enclose the pod during extraction, and vice versa, wherein the first pod enclosing part comprises a piercing arrangement, for opening a first enclosing wall of the pod, and a liquid injector fluidly connected to the piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the piercing arrangement, wherein the second pod enclosing part comprises an extracting arrangement for opening a second enclosing wall of the pod, and wherein the extracting arrangement is according to the attached claims.

[0038] The first and second pod enclosing parts can refer respectively to an upstream enclosing part and to a downstream enclosing part with reference to the flow of liquid to be injected for the extraction of the pod.

[0039] In an embodiment, the piercing arrangement is also an extracting arrangement according to the attached claims.

[0040] In this case, pod having symmetric shape can be properly used.

[0041] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a beverage preparation machine for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.

[0042] The beverage preparation machine comprises a beverage extraction device according to the attached claims.

[0043] In an embodiment, the extraction device is positioned in the beverage machine in a nonremovable manner.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, at least the second pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage machine in a removable manner.

[0045] In a further alternative embodiment, the beverage preparation machine comprises: a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod, and a pod holder receiving area for receiving the removable pod holder, and wherein the removable pod holder comprises at least the second pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device, and preferably the first pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device.

[0046] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a system comprising a beverage preparation machine and a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.

[0047] The system comprises a beverage preparation machine according to the attached claims, wherein the pod comprises a first and a second enclosing walls, the first and second pod enclosing walls defining a chamber for enclosing the beverage ingredient, and wherein the first and second pod enclosing walls of the pod are made of a multilayer cellulose- based material, the cellulose-based multilayer material comprising at least one layer of paper assembled with at least one layer of plastic, preferably a compostable plastic layer, the layer of plastic being stretchable.

[0048] Brief description of the drawings

[0049] These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosure of the preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0050] - Figure 1A is a top perspective view of a pod used with the extracting arrangement of the invention;

[0051] - Figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the pod of Figure 1 A;

[0052] - Figure 1C is a top perspective cross-section view of the pod of Figure 1 A;

[0053] - Figure 2A is a top perspective cross-section view of an extracting arrangement of the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0054] - Figure 2B is a top perspective cross-section view of the extracting arrangement of Figure 2A with a pod of Figure 1A;

[0055] - Figure 3A is a top perspective view of an extracting arrangement of the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0056] - Figure 3B is a top perspective cross-section view of the extracting arrangement of Figure 3A with a pod of Figure 1A;

[0057] - Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a beverage extraction device, according to the present invention;

[0058] - Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the beverage extraction device of Figure 4;

[0059] - Figure 6A is an isolated view of a (bottom part) downstream pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device of Figure 4;

[0060] - Figure 6B is an isolated view of the downstream pod enclosing part of Figure 6A holding a pod; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a system comprising a removable beverage extraction device according to the present invention.

[0061] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0062] Figures 1A (perspective top view), 1 B (perspective bottom view) and 1C (cross-section perspective top view) illustrate a preferred embodiment of the pods 10 used for the extraction. In the present invention, the term “pod" refers to any kind of single-dose container suitable for preparing beverages or other edible products such as capsule, cartridge, portioned or individual package without limitation to the shape of this container, in particular the shape of the body.

[0063] The pod 10 comprises a pod body provided with a bottom wall 11 and a sidewall 12 that extends axially from the bottom wall 11 towards a top opening. At the top opening, the body comprises a circumferential annular flange 12’ that extends radially outward from the sidewall 12 along the circumference of the opening.

[0064] The flange 12’ comprises a top surface facing the top and a bottom surface.

[0065] Generally, any transversal cross section of the body is circular from the bottom to the top and the flange is circular too.

[0066] The body delimits a chamber 10’ for containing a beverage ingredient, clearly illustrated in Figure 10.

[0067] This beverage ingredient packed is preferably an ingredient able to be extracted under pressure like roast and ground coffee. Preferably, this roast and ground coffee is compacted. In a less preferred manner, the beverage ingredient can be infused like tea leaves or dissolved like a water-soluble powder ingredient such as: instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixture of said powders or even a soluble liquid ingredient or a beverage concentrate such as a syrup or milk concentrate. The powders can be compacted, agglomerated or sintered.

[0068] The pod 10 comprises a lid 13 that is fixed, sealed or attached, to at least a part of the top surface of the circumferential flange 12’ and accordingly covers and closes the top opening.

[0069] The bottom wall 11 and the lateral wall 12 define the body of the pod 10, while together with the lid 13 also define enclosing walls of the same pod 10.

[0070] Generally, the bottom wall is adapted to be injected with the liquid to introduce in the pod, while the lid is adapted to be pierced so that the beverage can be extracted. On the contrary, as described further below, in the present invention the lid 13 is adapted to be injected with the liquid to introduce in the pod 10, while the extraction of the beverage is defined by piercing the bottom wall 11 and / or the lateral wall 12 of the same pod 10.

[0071] In Figures 1A-1C, this bottom wall 11 is rather curved, yet the bottom wall can present other shapes such conical ore frustoconical shapes. Preferably the pods 10 are essentially made of a biodegradable or compostable material, preferably a home compostable material since extracted coffee cakes can easily be made composted at home.

[0072] In the present invention, the term “compostable material" refers to any material that can be broken down into environmentally innocuous products by (the action of) living things (such as microorganisms, e.g. bacteria, fungi or algae). This process could take place in an environment with the presence of oxygen (aerobic) and / or otherwise without presence of oxygen (anaerobic). This may be understood, for example, as meaning that composting can be carried out without reservation. In particular, at the end of a composting process there are no residues of the material, which may be problematic for the environment, or any non-biodegradable components. International standards, e.g. Ell 13432 or US ASTM D6400, specify technical requirements and procedures for determining compostability of a material.

[0073] Preferably, the body and the lid of the pod 10 are made of a multilayer cellulose-based material, that comprises a layer of paper coated with at least a layer of plastic.

[0074] In the present invention, the term “multilayer cellulose-based material" refers to a multilayer packaging laminate, or otherwise provided (by deposition, Layer-by-Layer assembly, extrusion or coextrusion methods), based on a bulk layer (or core layer) of paper, paperboard, carton or other cellulose-based material, and an additional plastic layer, liquid-tight and heat-sealable layer. Such multilayer cellulose-based materials are intended for packaging of food, then containers for food products made from such packaging material require some tightness from the outside environment into the package interior, i.e. tightness to the ingress of substances, such as dirt or liquid as well as a gas-tightness, in particular oxygen gas-tightness for oxygensensitive products, i.e. coffee in form of powder or grinded, the latter barrier being typically provided by the plastic layer.

[0075] Whatever the type of the layer of paper, this layer of paper is assembled with at least one layer of plastic. This layer of plastic can also be identified as the secondary layer in the present application.

[0076] The layer of plastic can be selected in the list of :

[0077] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0078] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0079] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0080] - a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) layer,

[0081] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0082] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0083] The paper layer can be assembled with several of these different layers of plastic.

[0084] This plastic layer reinforces the protection of the paper layer against liquid, gas and moisture for the beverage ingredient. Usually, the part of the multilayer paper material that is stretchable is this layer of plastic.

[0085] In addition to these paper and plastic layers, preferably, the multilayer paper material can comprise an additional layer of material providing a barrier to oxygen. This layer can also be identified as the tertiary layer in the present application.

[0086] This layer can be selected in the list of:

[0087] - a polyvinyl-alcohol copolymer (PVOH) layer, in particular a butenediol-vinyl-alcohol- copolymer (BVOH) layer,

[0088] - a polyglycolic acid (PGA) layer,

[0089] - a metallization coating,

[0090] - a SiOxbased coating,

[0091] - an AIOx based coating,

[0092] - a combination thereof.

[0093] It has been noticed that a polyvinyl-alcohol copolymer (PVOH) layer, in particular a butenediol- vinyl-alcohol-copolymer (BVOH) layer, can present variable stretchable properties.

[0094] Consequently, for pods made of a material including at least a layer of this type of copolymer, the use of the extracting arrangements according to the present invention, as belove described, is particularly recommended.

[0095] In one particular embodiment where this additional or tertiary layer is a plastic polymer, the secondary and tertiary layer can be assembled together as a multilayer plastic film. In this embodiment, this multilayer layer of plastic can comprise the internal tertiary layer positioned between two external secondary layers.

[0096] Preferably, the internal tertiary layer is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) film, in particular a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.

[0097] Preferably, the external secondary polymer layers can be chosen among films of polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and starch. The secondary film can also be composed of a polymer blend formed of any combination of these listed polymers.

[0098] Preferably, these three layers are attached by means of two intermediate adhesive layers, preferably an anhydride modified polymer resin. Generally, this multilayer layer of plastic is produced by co-extrusion.

[0099] In the present invention, the term “bulk layer" refers to the thickest layer or the layer containing the most material in the multilayer cellulose-based material, i.e. the layer which is contributing most to the mechanical properties and the dimensional stability of the multilayer cellulose- based material and of the corresponding cellulose-based container body formed from the multilayer cellulose-based material.

[0100] In this multilayer cellulose-based material, the paper layer is formable, i.e. a sheet of paper can be given a three-dimensional shape that is the form of the body of the above described pod 10. Contrary to common pods made of filter paper, this paper is thick and keep the three- dimensional shape provided during a shaping step of manufacturing of the pod in order to enable handling and extraction with an extracting arrangement, i.e. the extracting arrangement according to the invention.

[0101] Preferably, the paper layer of the pod can have a grammage of at least 20 g / m2, preferably at most 150 g / m2. The paper of the body can present a higher grammage than the paper of the lid because it needs to be stretched and deformed during manufacturing.

[0102] The grammage of the paper of the body can be comprised between 80 and 150 g / m2.

[0103] The lid can present a grammage comprised between 20 and 120 g / m2.

[0104] In the multilayer cellulose-based material, the layer of plastic provides additional properties such as air barrier, stretchable or deformable properties, for example as described in WO 2020 / 114995 or WO 2022 / 022899.

[0105] In fact, in order to shape the multilayer cellulose-based material as a container for the beverage and to create a barrier to protect the beverage ingredient, the paper layer must be sufficiently thick. In addition, to create a barrier to atmosphere, in particular oxygen to which roast and ground coffee is particularly sensitive, the multiplayer cellulose-based material comprises compostable layers of plastic. Sealants layers are often necessary to attach the different layers and prevent delamination.

[0106] According to the preferred embodiment, the layer of plastic of the multilayer cellulose-based material is a multilayer layer of plastic comprising an internal barrier film positioned between two external polymer films, wherein:

[0107] - the internal barrier film is a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film (tertiary layer),

[0108] - the external polymer films can be chosen among films of polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and starch (secondary layer).

[0109] This layer provides the part of the paper laminate with stretching properties, in particular the internal barrier film made of butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.

[0110] The multilayer cellulose-based material of the lid can comprise at least one additional layer that the multilayer cellulose-based material of the body does not necessary comprise. Yet, it is possible that the multilayer cellulose-based materials of the lid and the body are the same too.

[0111] Precisely, the external surface of the multilayer cellulose-based material of the lid can be covered by a protective layer. According to the preferred embodiment, this protective layer is a film comprising regenerated cellulose. Like the paper layer, this protective layer is usually torn by a downstream extracting arrangement in the brewing process.

[0112] According to a further embodiment, not illustrated, the pods can comprise a first and second enclosing walls that are identical. This means that each of them comprises a pod body, said pod body defining half of the chamber and a circumferential annular body flange, and the circumferential annular body flanges of said pod bodies are attached together so as to delimit a chamber for containing the beverage ingredient. The pod shape is symmetric relatively to a central axial axis extending from the bottom wall to the lid and relatively to the plane of the attached flanges. Moreover, according to a further embodiment, the pod can be defined by a single enclosing wall enclosing a chamber and defining a symmetrical shape according to one or more axis, such as a conical, frustoconical, spherical or oval shape. Thus, it is preferable that both enclosing parts present the same the multilayer cellulose-based material with the external surface covered by a protective layer.

[0113] It is common to extract the content of the pod by piercing the lid 13 (or membrane defining a lid) against an extracting arrangement, or improperly “pyramid plate”, designed for the evacuation of the beverage. In the prior art disclosures, the lid 13 is adapted to be opened by relative engagement with an extracting arrangement under the effect of the liquid pressure increase inside the pod during injection of liquid.

[0114] In case of pods made of biodegradable and / or compostable materials, in particular pods made of cellulose-based material, due to the high thickness of the cellulose-based layer and the rigidity defined it is difficult to operate a proper extraction by piercing the lid with the pyramid plate. In addition, since a cellulose-based material generally comprises also a layer made of a compostable polymer, the use of this type of cellulose-based material impacts the correct extraction of the beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee, within the extraction chamber. In particular, the compostable barrier polymer can present such stretchable properties that it is difficult to get it pierced by current existing downstream plane extracting arrangement. In particular, the material is stretched by the rising elements of the pyramid plate, but due to its stretching property, it is not systematically pierced, opened or torn on each of the rising elements. In addition, even if the material is pierced, opened or torn, due to its stretchable properties, the material tends to tightly surrounds the rising elements with the effect of covering and closing the holes configured for evacuating the beverage.

[0115] Due to these problems, optimal extraction is not obtained: flow of coffee is reduced, flow time is increased and the expected taste profile of the final coffee is not obtained. In addition, each pod is extracted differently depending on the number of openings created in the pod and the number of holes remaining free for evacuation of the beverage, which makes the system of the machine and the pod not consistent in quality of the extracted beverage.

[0116] Moreover, cellulose-based pods form wrinkles that need to be sealed with a high force thus requiring big mechanisms with high torque motors in a beverage extraction device or in a corresponding beverage preparation machine.

[0117] In the state of the art, there have been defined different types of downstream plane extracting arrangement comprising rising elements designed to pierce the inflated wall and holes to evacuate the beverage flowing out of the openings created by the rising elements.

[0118] Contrary to the prior art disclosure, it has been surprisingly found that a better and proper extraction can be defined using a “reverse extraction”, meaning by piercing the beverage from the bottom wall 11 of the pod 10, and eventually the bottom wall11 and the lateral wall 12, instead of the lid 13 (or membrane defining a lid) against an extracting arrangement, or “pyramid plate”, designed for the evacuation of the beverage.

[0119] This is particularly true when pods made of biodegradable and / or compostable materials, in particular pods made of cellulose-based material, are used. Moreover, this is particularly true when pods have a symmetric shape according to one or more axis, i.e. conical, frustoconical, spherical and oval shape.

[0120] Due to the specific shape of the bottom wall 11 , the reverse extraction cannot be defined by a known extracting arrangement, in particular the plane ones. In this regard, the extracting arrangement according to the present invention allows to solve the aforementioned problems and to properly perform the desired reverse extraction.

[0121] Below description relates to an extracting arrangement 121 according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 2A-2B, and to an extracting arrangement 131 according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3A-3B, for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee. Thus, the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 can be used with the above pods 10 in an advantageous manner.

[0122] Figures 2A and 3A are an isolate view of the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 according to the present invention. Each of the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 comprises at least one extracting surface 123, 133 and a plurality of opening elements 122, 132 rising from the extracting surface 123, 133, facing in use an enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open and the opening elements 122; 132 defining outlet openings (not shown) of the bottom wall 11 (or enclosing wall), being the bottom wall 11 in the embodiments herewith illustrated.

[0123] Generally, the opening elements 122, 132 present a shape enabling the opening, piercing, cutting or tearing of the enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open. Usually, this shape is such that the transversal section decreases from the bottom to the end. These opening elements 122, 132 can present the shape of pyramids, stepped pyramid or preferably a conical shape or truncated cone shape. The shape can be a combination of a bottom cylindrical or paralepidid part and a top pyramidal or conical end.

[0124] Whatever the shape, the opening elements 122, 132 preferably present a tip end 122’, 132’. This tip end 122’, 132’ is sufficiently pointed to pierce or cut the paper layer of the paper material when this paper layer is pressed on the tip end, in particular when the upstream and downstream enclosing parts are moved from the opened position to the closed position forming the extraction chamber around the pod, as described in greater details below. Preferably, this tip end 122’, 132’ presents a conical shape. This tip end 122’, 132’ extends by a height from the extracting surface 123, 133. Generally, this height can be defined according to the nature of the material of the pod designed to be used in the extraction device. In particular, the height must be sufficient to obtain the opening of the paper material when the paper material is pressed against the tip end 122’, 132’ during inflation of the lid 13 due to the rise of pressure inside the pod 10 while water is being injected. In general, the height can be of at least 1.5 mm.

[0125] In addition, the surfaces of these opening elements 122, 132 comprise beverage outlet openings 122”, 132” configured to enable the dispensing of beverage from the pierced pod 10 to a drinking a cup. This tip end 122’, 132’ facilitates the piercing of the paper layer during the extraction. In particular, this tip end 122’, 132’ can enter the bed of coffee hold inside the pod 10 so that the outlet openings 122”, 132” can be positioned inside said bed of coffee during the coffee preparation. As illustrated in Figures 2B, 3B, transversal cross section views of the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 , each of these outlet openings 122”, 132” cooperates with a traversing hole configured to drive the beverage from the beverage outlet opening 122”, 132” through and downstream the extracting surface 123, 133, or plates. In particular, each of these outlet openings 122”, 132” cooperates with a traversing hole, as well as with a tip end 122’, 132’. Accordingly, beverage produced in the pod 10 is able to flow though these outlet openings 122”, 132” of the opening elements 122, 132 and to be dispensed out of the extraction chamber. In this regard, the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 according to the present invention are also provided with a plurality of traversing holes to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the outlet opening of the opened enclosing wall.

[0126] According to a further embodiment (not shown), the opening elements may be only provided with outlet openings thus without any tip ends, or vice versa may be only provided with tip ends without any outlet openings.

[0127] The tip ends 122’, 132’ and / or the outlet openings 122”, 132” are arranged so that they are at different position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 compared to the position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 adjacent to the centre portion.

[0128] The tip end 122’, 132’ extends by a predefined height from the extracting surface 123, 133, as described in more details in the specific descriptions of the embodiments. The outlet opening 122”, 132” is preferably positioned above a predefined intermediate position between the extracting surface 123, 133 and the tip end 122’, 132’, and preferably closer to the tip end 122’, 132’ of the opening element 122, 132 rather than from the extracting surface 123, 133. Accordingly, when a stretchable material is used, the risk that the outlet opening 122”, 132” is obstructed by the stretched material is avoided. As a result, the chance that the outlet opening 122”, 132” is positioned above the torn stretchable paper is increased compared to outlets positioned at the bottom of the opening elements. This intermediate position can be defined according to the nature of the material of the pod designed to be used in the extraction device. In particular, the height must be sufficient to guarantee that the stretched paper does not cover the beverage outlet opening when the paper material is pressed against the tip end during inflation of the lid due to the rise of pressure inside the pod while water is being injected. For example, the intermediate position can be set at least 1 mm from the surface of the extraction surface. When the beverage ingredient is roasted and ground coffee, the intermediate position can be defined too so that the beverage outlet is positioned inside the bed of roasted and ground coffee enclosed in the pod.

[0129] Preferably, all the opening elements comprise a beverage outlet.

[0130] Preferably, all the beverage outlets present the same shape.

[0131] In addition, the outlet opening 122”, 132” is preferably defined by a slit extending at least partly in the extracting surface 123, 133 along a plane parallel to the same plane defining the extracting surface 123, 133. In particular, the slit can be dimensioned to filter grains presenting a diameter of about 0.3 mm. Consequently, the risk that a part of the outlet opening 122”, 132” is partially closed by the paper layer, precisely the part closer to the base of the opening element 122, 132, is avoided. As a result, the full surface of the outlet opening 122”, 132” remains free for evacuation of the beverage and enables a consistent preparation of the beverage.

[0132] The extracting arrangements 121 , 131 are preferably, as illustrated, an assembly of an upper sub-part element 121a, 131a and a lower sub-part element 121 b, 131 b. In particular, each of the sub-part elements 121a, 121 b and 131a, 131 b comprises a part of each opening element 122, 132 of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131. The lower sub-part element 121a, 131a and the upper sub-part element 121 b, 131 b are designed so that the lower sub-part element 121a, 131a is able to slide in the receiving hole of the upper sub-part element 121 b, 131b and, when positioned in said receiving hole, to cooperate to form the complete extracting arrangement 121 , 131. The two parts can be simply assembled together without any sealing member in between so that they can be easily detached one from the other for cleaning or maintenance. For example, they can be assembled by snap-fitting.

[0133] This construction of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 with two sub-part elements enable the design of an outlet opening 122”, 132” inside each opening element 122, 132 with a very small size which would not be possible to reach by injection moulding of a plate made of one single piece of material.

[0134] According to further embodiments, not illustrated, the opening elements can present a different shape. Moreover, the extracting arrangement can present different arrangements or being made in a single part.

[0135] According to the invention, the tip ends 122’, 132’ and the outlet openings 122”, 132” are arranged to lay on a non-planar virtual surface, preferably on a curved virtual surface or on a stepped virtual surface, facing in use the enclosing wall, which is the bottom wall 11 in the present embodiment, so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open (thus with the non-planar bottom wall 11). According to further embodiments, not illustrated, the opening elements can be provided with only tip ends or alternatively with only outlet openings, thus only the tip ends or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on such a non-planar virtual surface. Moreover, according to further embodiment, the non-planar virtual surface may face, in use, more than one wall, such as the bottom wall and the lateral wall of the pod, so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing walls of the pod to open (thus with the non-planar bottom and lateral walls).

[0136] In the present invention, the term “virtual surface" refers to a surface virtually, and ideally, defined by the non-planar plane, curved or stepped, on which all the tip ends and / or all the outlet openings lay. Therefore, the virtual surface can be defined by different heights for the opening elements rising from a planar extracting surface, so that the tip ends and / or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface, or by different heights for the outlet openings at the opening elements or by an extracting surface having a curved shape or a stepped shape and provided with opening elements having the same height or by a combination of the aforementioned solutions. Thus, the non-planar virtual surface, such as the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface, can be defined by having a planar extracting surface with opening elements having different heights or by an extracting surface which presents a non-planar shape or even by a combination of the two solutions.

[0137] The non-planar virtual surface, either the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface, herewith defined is concave.

[0138] In the present invention, the term “concave" refers to a surface, or a plurality of surfaces, able to defines a concave shape with respect to the enclosing wall of the pod to which it, or they, faces to, i.e. the bottom wall or the bottom and lateral walls. In particular, such a surface, or surfaces, may comprise one or more portions wherein at least one portion is concave. In this regard, the enclosing wall of the pod is preferably also concave shaped to match with the concave shape of the non-planar virtual surface.

[0139] According to further embodiments (not shown), the non-planar virtual surface, either the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface, herewith defined can be convex, wherein in the present invention the term “convex" refers to a surface, or a plurality of surfaces, able to defines a convex shape with respect to the enclosing wall of the pod to which it, or they, faces to, i.e. the bottom wall or the bottom and lateral walls. In particular, such a surface, or surfaces, may comprise one or more portions wherein at least one portion is convex. In this regard, the enclosing wall of the pod is preferably convex shaped to match with the same convex shape of the non-planar virtual surface. As result, when a beverage extraction device is closed around the pod 10 and the bottom wall 11 (or bottom and lateral walls) of the pod enclosing wall is positioned on the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 , then the contact surface between the opening elements 122, 132 and the same enclosing walls is increased to be sufficiently large to enable the paper layer to extend along the extracting surface 123, 133 between several rising opening elements 122, 132. In particular, the extraction of the beverage can be done with the enclosing wall(s) of the body of the pod 10 against the tip ends 122’, 132’ and / or the outlet openings 122”, 132” which lay on such a non-planar virtual surface, preferably a curved virtual surface or on a stepped virtual surface, thus improving the contact with the shape of the enclosing wall(s), i.e. the bottom wall 11. Moreover, wrinkles formed on the body don’t affect the extraction due to the lower effort required to pierce the body of the pod 10.

[0140] With specific reference to the first embodiment of Figures 2A-2B, is shown an extracting arrangement 121 defined by a non-planar virtual surface, in particular by a curved virtual surface defined by the arrangement of the tip ends 122’ and of the outlet openings 122”. The curved virtual surface is preferably defined by a spherical cap surface, which is by the arrangement of the tip ends 122’ and of the outlet openings 122” in an area defined by a spherical cap surface as showed in the first embodiments of Figures 2A-2B. The radius of the sphere defines such geometries to be greater than R50, preferably in a range of R50-R70, more preferably in a range of R55-R65, even more preferably equal to R60. However different curved shapes can be used, such as the hemisphere shape. Moreover, according to further embodiments not shown, the virtual surface can be defined by the specific arrangement of the tip ends only or, on the contrary, of the outlet opening only.

[0141] In the present invention, the term “spherical cap surface" (or “spherical dome") refers to a portion of a sphere or of a ball cut off by a plane. It is also a spherical segment of one base, i.e., bounded by a single plane. If the plane passes through the center of the sphere (forming a great circle), so that the height of the cap is equal to the radius of the sphere, the spherical cap surface is called a hemisphere surface.

[0142] Preferably, the extracting surface 123 has the same shape of the non-planar virtual surface, thus a curved virtual surface. Thus, preferably, the opening elements 122 rising from at least one extracting surface 123 can have the same height so as to define a corresponding curved virtual surface for the the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122”.

[0143] In this regard, in the first embodiment the extracting surface 123 is defined by an extracting plate having a curved shape, preferably a concave curved shape. Moreover, the opening elements 122 rising from the extracting surface 123 of said extracting plate have preferably the same heights. As illustrated, the extracting surface 123 is defined by an extracting plate having a spherical cap shape, wherein the radius of the sphere is greater than R50, preferably in a range of R50-R70, more preferably in a range of R55-R65, even more preferably equal to R60. However different concave curved shapes can be used, such as the hemisphere shape. In the same embodiment, the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122” are arranged so that they are at lower position (or level) in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement 121 and at higher position (or level) in the side portions of the extracting arrangement 121 adjacent to the centre portion. This allows to follow the shape of the body of the pod 10, such has the curved, conical or frustoconical shape of the bottom wall 11. In particular, the the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122” having the same heights, also the corresponding non-planar virtual surface has the same values for the radius of the aforementioned extracting surface 123.

[0144] A lowest piercing portion is arranged at a centre portion of the piercing arrangement 121 and higher piercing portions are arranged at a side portion of the piercing arrangement 121 , in turn at side of the lowest piercing portion. Preferably, as shown in Figures 2A-2B, the higher piercing portions are arranged concentrically to the lower piercing portion(s).

[0145] However different arrangement of the tip ends and / or of the outlet openings can be provided falling in the same inventive concept, such as by defining the curved virtual surface, or the non-planar virtual surface in general, by the different heights of the opening elements.

[0146] With specific reference to the second embodiment of Figures 3A-3B, is shown an extracting arrangement 131 defined by a non-planar virtual surface, in particular by a stepped virtual surface, defined by the arrangement of the tip ends 132’ and of the outlet openings 132”. The stepped virtual surface is preferably defined by a plurality of planar layers (or portions), in particular at least two planar portions, arranged at different positions (or levels) which are at least a lower planar portion and a higher planar portion , which is by the arrangement of the tip ends 132’ and of the outlet openings 132” in an area defined by a a plurality of planar layers arranged at different positions (or levels). The distance between these layers is in a range between 0.1-0.5 mm, preferably 0.2-0.4 mm.

[0147] Moreover, according to further embodiments not shown, the virtual surface can be defined by the specific arrangement of the tip ends only or, on the contrary, of the outlet opening only. Preferably, the extracting surface 133 has the same shape of the stepped virtual surface. Thus, preferably, the opening elements 132 rising from at least one extracting surface 133 can have the same height so as to define a corresponding stepped virtual surface for the the tip ends 132’ and / or the outlet openings 132”.

[0148] In this regard, in the second embodiment the extracting surface 133 is defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape. The extracting plate is preferably provided with at least two planar extracting portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar extracting portion and at least one higher planar extracting portion. Moreover, the opening elements 132 rising from the extracting surface 133 of said extracting plate have preferably the same heights. As illustrated, the extracting surface 133 is defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape. Each of the layers (or portions) defined by the stepped shape is arranged at different positions (or levels) . The distance between these layers is in a range between 0.1-0.5 mm, preferably 0.2-0.4 mm. In particular, the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A-3B shows five layers or portions arranged at different positions. Preferably the first layer (or portion) is the lowest in the centre, used as reference zero plane. The second layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.2 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer. The third layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.4 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.2 mm from the second layer. The fourth layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.8 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.4 from the third layer and of 0.2 mm from the second layer. Finally, the fifth layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 10 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.4 mm from the fourth layer, of 0.4 mm from the third layer and of 0.2 mm from the second layer. However different values can be used.

[0149] In the same embodiment, the tip ends 132’ and the outlet openings 132” are arranged so that they are at lower position (or level) in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement 131 and at higher position (or level) in the side portions of the extracting arrangement 131 adjacent to the centre portion, the opening elements 131 having all the same heights. This allows to follow the shape of the body of the pod 10, such has the curved, conical or frustoconical shape of the bottom wall 11. In particular, the the tip ends 132’ and the outlet openings 132” having the same heights, also the corresponding non-planar virtual surface has the same values for the radius of the aforementioned extracting surface 133.

[0150] The lowest piercing portion is arranged at a centre portion of the piercing arrangement 131 and the higher piercing portions are arranged at a side portion of the piercing arrangement 131 , in turn at side of the lowest piercing portion. Preferably, as shown in Figures 3A-3B, the higher piercing portions are arranged concentrically to the lower piercing portion(s).

[0151] However different arrangement of the tip ends and / or of the outlet openings can be provided falling in the same inventive concept, such as by defining the stepped virtual surface, or the non-planar virtual surface in general, by the different heights of the opening elements.

[0152] However different stepped arrangement (not shown) can be used, such as at least two separate extracting plates arranged at different positions (or levels), such as to define a lower extracting plate (or portion) and at least one higher extracting plate (or portion). In the latter embodiment, when the extracting plates comprises more than one higher piercing plate (or portion), they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the concave stepped shape, as already described for the stepped virtual surface.

[0153] Thus, when the stepped virtual surface comprises more than one higher planar portion, they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the stepped virtual surface.

[0154] In an embodiment, the extracting surface, or extracting surfaces, has the same shape of the curved virtual surface or stepped virtual surface. Thus, preferably, the opening elements rising from at least one extracting surface can have the same height so as to define a corresponding curved virtual surface or stepped virtual surface for the the tip ends and / or the outlet openings. The present invention also relates to a beverage extraction device 100 for extracting a beverage from a pod 10 containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee. The beverage extraction device 100 is typically comprised in a beverage preparation machine, as described in greater details below, configured for receiving pods. Preferably it is a coffee machine, though the machine can be designed to prepare tea, chocolate or soup for instance, depending on the ingredient enclosed in the pod. In particular, the device is arranged for preparing within the extraction chamber a beverage by passing water, preferably hot, or another liquid through a pod containing an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared, preferably roasted ground coffee, or eventually tea leaves or instant coffee or instant tea or chocolate or cacao or milk powder or dehydrated soup. In the preferred embodiment, the beverage ingredient is roasted and ground coffee.

[0155] Figures 4 and 5 are respectively front and rear perspective views of a beverage extraction device 100 according to the invention comprising a first pod enclosing part 110, defining an upstream or top part pod enclosing part, and a second pod enclosing part 120, defining a downstream or bottom pod enclosing part as illustrated in the isolated views of Figure 6A and 6B.

[0156] The first and a second pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are relatively movable between an opened position, for inserting and / or ejecting the pod 10, as illustrated in the aforementioned Figures 6A-6B, and a closed position, and vice versa. In the latter position, the pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are able to form an extraction chamber able to enclose the pod 10 during extraction. The upstream pod enclosing part 110 and the downstream pod enclosing part 120 are relatively rotatable along a longitudinal axis Z, to define the relative movement. Usually, this longitudinal axis Z is essentially horizontal, but other options can define the same relative movement, such as a translation of at least one of the two parts with respect to the other.

[0157] The first pod enclosing part 110 bears a piercing arrangement or upstream piercing arrangement (not shown), for opening a first enclosing wall of the pod 10, and a liquid injector 111 fluidly connected to the piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the piercing arrangement. In the present embodiment, the first enclosing wall of the pod 10 is defined by the lid 13, as illustrated in Figures 6A-6B. The piercing arrangement is disposed in the inner surface of the first pod enclosing part 110, which is the surface facing the pod 10 when in use. This upstream piercing arrangement can comprise piercers in the form of blades. These blades can be designed and positioned to pierce the first enclosing wall (the lid 13) of the pod 10 when the upstream and downstream pod enclosing parts are brought to the closed position as in Figures 4 and 5. The liquid injector 111 extends from the outer surface of the same first pod enclosing part 110 to the aforementioned inner surface to allow the channelling of the liquid injected. The liquid injector 111 , such as a shower at the upstream pod enclosing part, can introduce the extracting liquid in the cage and through the pre-pierced openings The piercing arrangement thus defines a shower, which is the element of the brewing chamber from which the liquid, typically water, is injected or channelled toward (and then into) the pod 10.

[0158] The second pod enclosing part 120 comprises an extracting arrangement for opening a second enclosing wall of the pod 10 and extracting the beverage from the same pod 10. The extracting arrangement is therefore according one of the embodiments of the extracting arrangements above described, such as the extracting arrangement 121 according to the first embodiment or the extracting arrangement 131 according to the second embodiment, or combination of the same.

[0159] When the first pod enclosing part 110 and the second pod enclosing part 120 are moved in the opened position an extraction cavity 130 is accessible for the pod 10, as in Figure 6A wherein the second pod enclosing part 120 is visible in a receiving position for receiving and holding the pod 10 (the first pod enclosing part 110 being removed for sake of clarity). The pod 10 is then introduced in the extraction cavity 130, as in Figure 6B, with the lid 13 facing the first pod enclosing part 110 and the bottom wall 11 facing the extracting arrangement. The shape of the extracting arrangement, as already described, is such that it allows a perfect match with the shape of the bottom wall 11 (and eventually with the lateral wall 12), so as to define the proper extraction from the pod 10. In Figures 4 and 5, the upstream (first) and downstream (second) pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are positioned in the closed position , to close the extraction cavity 130 and to form the extraction chamber enclosing the pod 10 during extraction.

[0160] The extracting arrangement according to the present invention comprises a plurality of opening elements for opening the bottom wall 11 (and eventually also the lateral wall 12) of the pod 10 when the extracting liquid is introduced inside the pod 10 by the piercing arrangement of the first pod enclosing part 110. The piercing arrangement, preferably circular like the lid 13 of the pod 10 to open, inflates the lid 13 and, in turn, the whole pod 10 together with the bottom wall 11 . Opening happens by relative engagement of opening means with the bottom wall 11 under the effect of the rise in pressure of the injected liquid in the pod chamber 10’.

[0161] After extraction, the pod 10 can fall by gravity (by reversing the beverage extraction device 100) or by the action of an ejector able to detach it from the two enclosing parts 110, 120, for example when one of the part move away from the other.

[0162] According to a further embodiment, not shown, the piercing arrangement of the beverage extraction device can also be defined by a further extracting arrangement, thus defining a beverage extraction device having two opposite extracting arrangements, one in the respective first pod enclosing part and second pod enclosing part. Thus, also the further extracting arrangement, i.e. the one located in the first pod enclosing part, can be according one of the embodiments of the extracting arrangements above described, such as the extracting arrangement 121 according to the first embodiment or the extracting arrangement 131 according to the second embodiment, or combination of the same. In this case, the extraction of pod having symmetric shape can be properly defined.

[0163] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a beverage preparation machine T for extracting a beverage from a pod 10 containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee.

[0164] According to one embodiment, the beverage preparation machine T for extracting a beverage according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 7, as part of a more complex system. The machine T for extracting a beverage comprises a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod 10, and a pod holder receiving area 101 for receiving the removable pod holder. In particular, the removable pod holder is preferably defined by the beverage extraction device 100 according to one of the embodiments above described, or combination of them. The beverage extraction device 100 is thus provided with the first pod enclosing part 110 and the second pod enclosing part 120, as already detailed.

[0165] According to a further embodiment, not shown, the removable pod holder can be only defined by the second pod enclosing part only. In this case, the piercing arrangement may be already provided in the machine for extracting a beverage, so as to match with the second pod enclosing wall to be introduced in the same machine.

[0166] According to a further embodiment, not shown, the machine for extracting a beverage comprises a beverage extraction device according to one of the embodiments above described, or combination of them. In particular, the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a non-removable manner, thus defining a nonremovable brewing chamber inside the machine.

[0167] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 comprises a beverage preparation machine T and a pod 10 containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the details above provided. The pod 10 comprises a first and a second enclosing walls, respectively the lid 13 and the bottom wall 11 (or the bottom and the lateral walls) in the present invention. The first and second pod enclosing walls 13, 11 defining a chamber 10’ for enclosing the beverage ingredient. In particular, the first and second pod enclosing walls 13, 11 of the pod 10 are made of a multilayer cellulose-based material, the cellulose-based multilayer material comprising at least one layer of paper assembled with at least one layer of plastic, preferably a compostable plastic layer, the layer of plastic being stretchable. The system 1 is configured to extract a coffee beverage from the pod 10 comprising roast and ground coffee. In this process of preparation of a coffee beverage from the system 1 , at least the following steps occur.

[0168] In a preliminary step, the pod 10 is inserted between the upstream and downstream pod enclosing parts 110, 120 that are positioned in their opened position. This operation can be operated manually by the user or automatically by a motor of the beverage machine T. Usually, the pod 10 is received in a pod holder, or beverage extraction device 100, that keeps it between the two pod enclosing parts 110, 120 which are hold far from each other in their opened positions.

[0169] Then, in a first step, the upstream and / or downstream pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are moved relatively one to the other to their closed position in order to form the extraction chamber that encloses the pod 10 for the coming extraction. At that step, the external surfaces of the first and second walls 13, 11 of the pod 10 are in contact respectively with the surfaces of the upstream piercing arrangement (or extracting arrangement) and the downstream extracting arrangement. Usually, the upstream piercing arrangement, such as blades or hollow needle, pierces the first enclosing wall of the pod 10, which is the lid 13, except if this upstream piercing arrangement is retractable and can be moved in a further step.

[0170] Then, in a second step, the extraction water is injected by the liquid injector 111 through holes pierced inside the lid 13 of the pod 10 by the upstream piercing arrangement. As water is being injected, it fills the chamber 10’ of the pod 10. Pressure rises until the second wall, which is the bottom wall 11 (or the combination of bottom and lateral walls 11 , 12) of the pod 10 opens. Opening happens when the pressure makes the second wall inflate so much that its engagement with the downstream extracting arrangement tears or pierces it. Once tearing happens, coffee extracted by pressurised water from roast and ground coffee flows and is dispensed from the machine T.

[0171] Based on the latest developments of pyramid plates (or extracting arrangements), the piercing of the pod 10 can be performed through the top membrane (lid 13) and extraction can be done with the body (bottom and / or lateral walls 11 , 13) of the pod 10 against the pyramid plate (or extracting arrangement). The forces required to seal against the top membrane that is flat are little, and this not only reduces size and force required to seal the pod 10 but also significantly simplifies the overall beverage extraction device.

[0172] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

[0173] Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification. As used in this specification, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

[0174] List of references in the drawings:

[0175] I System

[0176] T Beverage preparation machine

[0177] 101 Pod receiving area

[0178] 10 Pod

[0179] 10’ Chamber

[0180] I I Bottom wall

[0181] 12 Lateral wall

[0182] 12’ Flange

[0183] 13 Lid

[0184] 100 Beverage extraction device

[0185] 110 First pod enclosing part

[0186] 111 Liquid injector

[0187] 120 Second pod enclosing part

[0188] 130 Extraction cavity

[0189] 121 ; 131 Extracting arrangement

[0190] 121a; 131a Upper sub-part element

[0191] 121b; 131b Lower sub-part element

[0192] 122; 132 Opening elements

[0193] 122’; 132’ Tip ends

[0194] 122”; 132” Outlet openings

[0195] 123; 133 Extracting surface

[0196] Z Longitudinal axis

Claims

CLAIMS1. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) for extracting a beverage from pod (10) containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) comprising a plurality of opening elements (122; 132) rising from at least one extracting surface (123; 133), facing in use a non-planar enclosing wall (11) of the pod (10) to open and the opening elements (122; 132) defining outlet openings of the enclosing wall (11), and a plurality of traversing holes, to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the outlet opening of the opened enclosing wall (11), wherein each of the opening elements (122; 132) presents an outlet opening (122”; 132”) cooperating with the traversing holes and / or a tip end (122’; 132’), wherein the tip ends (122’; 132’) and / or the outlet openings (122”; 132”) are arranged to lay on a non-planar virtual surface facing in use the enclosing wall (11) so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing wall (11 ) of the pod (10) to open , and wherein the tip ends (122’; 132’) and / or the outlet openings (122”; 132”) are arranged so that they are at different position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) compared to the position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) adjacent to the centre portion.

2. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to claim 1 , wherein the virtual surface is a curved virtual surface or a stepped virtual surface.

3. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to claim 1 or2, wherein the virtual surface is concave.

4. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the tip ends (122’; 132’) and / or the outlet openings (122”; 132”) are arranged so that they are at lower position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) and at higher position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) adjacent to the centre portion.

5. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the opening elements (122; 132) have different heights so that the tip ends (122’; 132’) and / or the outlet openings (122”; 132”) are arranged to lay on the virtual surface.

6. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to one of claims 1 -5, wherein the extracting surface (123; 133) has a non-planar shape, preferably a curved shape or a stepped shape, so that the tip ends (122’; 132’) and / or the outlet openings (122”; 132”) are arranged to lay on the virtual surface, preferably on the curved virtual surface or on the stepped virtual surface.

7. Extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) according to one of claims 1 -6, wherein the extracting surface (123; 133) has the same shape of the virtual surface.

8. Extracting arrangement (121) according to one of claims 1-7, wherein the curved virtual surface is defined by a spherical cap surface or a hemisphere surface.

9. Extracting arrangement (131) according to one of claims 1-7, wherein the stepped virtual surface is defined by at least two planar portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar portion and at least one higher planar portion.

10. Extracting arrangement (121) according to one of claims 1 -9, wherein the extracting surface (123) is defined by an extracting plate having a curved shape, preferably a concave curved shape.

11. Extracting arrangement (121) according to claim 10, wherein the extracting surface (123) is defined by an extracting plate having a spherical cap shape or a hemisphere shape.

12. Extracting arrangement (131) according to one of claims 1-9, wherein the extracting surface (133) is defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape, provided with at least two planar extracting portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar extracting portion and at least one higher planar extracting portion.

13. Extracting arrangement (131) according to one of claims 1-9, wherein the extracting surface (133) is defined by at least two extracting plates arranged at different positions, a lower extracting plate and at least one higher extracting plate, so as to define a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape, of the extracting surface (133).

14. Beverage extraction device (100) for extracting a beverage from a pod (10) containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, the beverage extraction device (100) comprising a first and a second pod enclosing parts (110, 120) relatively movable between an opened position, for inserting and / or ejecting the pod (10), and a closed position, for forming an extraction chamber able to enclose the pod (10) during extraction, and vice versa, wherein the first pod enclosing part (110) comprises a piercing arrangement, for opening a first enclosing wall (13) of the pod (10), and a liquid injector (111) fluidly connected to the piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the piercing arrangement, wherein the second pod enclosing part (120) comprises an extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) for opening a second enclosing wall (11) of the pod (10) and extracting the beverage from the pod (10), and wherein the extracting arrangement (121 ; 131) is according to one of claims 1-13.

15. Beverage extraction device according to claim 14, wherein the piercing arrangement is a further extracting arrangement according to one of claims 1-13.

16. Beverage preparation machine (T) comprising a beverage extraction device (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a non-removable manner, or wherein at least the second pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a removable manner, or wherein the beverage preparation machine (T) comprises: a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod (10), and a pod holder receiving area (101) for receiving the removable pod holder, and wherein the removable pod holder comprises at least the second pod enclosing part (120) of the beverage extraction device (100), and preferably the first pod enclosing part (110) of the beverage extraction device (100).

17. System (1) comprising a beverage preparation machine (T) and a pod (10) containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, wherein the beverage preparation machine (T) is according to claim 16, wherein the pod (10) comprises a first and a second enclosing walls (13, 11), the first and second pod enclosing walls (13, 11) defining a chamber (10’) for enclosing the beverage ingredient, and wherein the first and second pod enclosing walls (13, 11) of the pod (10) are made of a multilayer cellulose-based material, the cellulose-based multilayer material comprising at least one layer of paper assembled with at least one layer of plastic, preferably a compostable plastic layer, the layer of plastic being stretchable.

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