Beverage extraction device

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage extraction device (100), for extracting a beverage from a pod comprising a beverage ingredient, comprising an ejection device (150) of the pod (10) which is movable with respect to a pod holding part (120) to tilt the pod (10) with respect to a holding piercing arrangements (121), the ejection device (150) comprising a seat portion (151) for the pod (10) movable between a rest position, wherein the seat portion (151) is at an end of the pod holding part (120) to contact a flange (12') of the pod (10), and an ejecting position, wherein the seat portion (151) is moved away from the pod holding part (120) to tilt the pod (10) with respect to the holding piercing arrangement (121), and vice versa, and wherein the ejection device (150) is provided with a recess (154) facing the extraction chamber (130) and able to separate the ejection device (150) at least partly from an inner lateral wall (120') of the pod holding part (120) when in the rest position.

Description

[0001] 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 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 extraction 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. After the extraction of the beverage, the known beverage extraction devices do not enable a reliable ejection of the pod when a capsule made of a stretchable paper material is used. In particular, when paper-based pods are used they soften due to the humidity after extraction and stick on the known pod ejectors.

[0019] Summary of the invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a beverage extraction device for extracting a beverage from 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 beverage extraction device able to allow the proper ejection of the pod after extraction, while 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 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.

[0023] The beverage extraction device comprises a pod holding part, for housing a pod and provided with a holding piercing arrangement for opening an enclosing wall of the pod, and a pod enclosing part, provided with an enclosing piercing arrangement for opening an enclosing wall of the pod opposite to the holding piercing arrangement, wherein the pod holding part and the pod enclosing part are relatively movable between an open 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 beverage extraction device is provided with an ejection device of the pod which is movable with respect to the pod holding part to tilt the pod with respect to the holding piercing arrangements, wherein the ejection device comprises a seat portion for the pod movable between a rest position, wherein the seat portion is an end of the pod holding part to contact a flange of the pod, and an ejecting position, wherein the seat portion is moved away from the end of the pod holding part to tilt the pod with respect to the holding piercing arrangement, and vice versa, and wherein the ejection device is provided with a recess facing the extraction chamber and able to separate the ejection device at least partly from an inner lateral wall of the pod holding part when in the rest position.

[0024] The pod enclosing part and the pod holding part 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.

[0025] Thus, the ejection device allows the discard of the pod is a reliable way.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the holding piercing arrangement is defined by an extracting arrangement comprising a plurality of opening elements rising from at least one extracting surface, facing in use the enclosing wall of the pod to open, and a plurality of traversing holes, to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the opened enclosing wall, and wherein each of the opening elements presents an outlet opening cooperating with the traversing holes and / or a tip end.

[0027] In an embodiment, the enclosing piercing arrangement is also an extraction arrangement according to the attached claims.

[0028] In this case, pod having symmetric shape can be properly used.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the ejection device comprises a lateral portion solidly connected to the seat portion, and wherein in the rest position the lateral portion is at an inner lateral wall of the pod holding part, to define a portion of the inner lateral wall, and in the ejecting position the lateral portion is moved away from the inner lateral wall, to tilt the pod with respect to the holding piercing arrangement, and vice versa.

[0030] In this way, the lateral portion can be easily contained in the pod holding part.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the recess is provided in the lateral portion to be able to separate the lateral portion at least partly from the inner lateral wall of the pod holding part when in the rest position.

[0032] Thus, the seat portion and the lateral portion can be defined in a single element, shaped so as to define the surface for the flange to lay on and part of the surface for the lateral wall of the pod to lay on.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the seat portion has an annular shape and / or the lateral portion has an annular shape, or they can be defined by a ring elements or portions.

[0034] This shape defines the better support for the pod to eject.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the recess extends all around the extraction chamber.

[0036] This allows a better detach of the pod from the pod enclosing part.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the recess has a dimension comprised between 0.2 mmm and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, more preferably equal to 0.4 mm.

[0038] These dimensions have been found to be optimal for detachment while maintaining good structural properties.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the pod enclosing part comprises a liquid injector fluidly connected to the enclose piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the first piercing arrangement.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the ejection device is movable with respect to the pod holding part at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part relatively to the pod holding part.

[0041] In particular, the seat portion and / or the lateral portion are movable between the rest position and the ejection position at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part relatively to the pod holding part.

[0042] In this way, the ejection of the pod can be automatically operated.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the ejection device comprises an operating portion solidly connect to the seat portion and / or to the lateral portion and operatively connected with the pod enclosing part and / or with the pod holding part, and wherein the operating portion is able to operate the movement of the seat portion and / or the lateral portion between the rest position and the ejection position according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part and of the pod holding part.

[0044] The operation portion(s) allows the ejection in a simple a reliable way, without the use of complex and expensive elements or devices.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the pod enclosing part and the pod holding part are relatively movable between the open position and the closed position, and vice versa, by rotating around a common axis of rotation, and wherein the operating portion is able to operate the movement of the seat portion and / or the lateral portion according to the relative rotation between the pod enclosing part and the pod holding part.

[0046] Thus, the single rotation of one of the pod enclosing part and of the pod holding part can operate the ejection of the pod.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the pod enclosing part comprises at least a connecting protrusion operatively connected to the operating portion, and wherein the connecting protrusion is able to operate the operating portion according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part and of the pod holding part.

[0048] The combination of the connecting protrusion(s) with the operation portion(s) allows the ejection in a simple a reliable way, without the use of complex and expensive elements or devices.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The beverage preparation machine comprises a beverage extraction device according to the attached claims, 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 comprises: a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod, a pod holder receiving area for receiving the removable beverage extraction device, and wherein the removable pod holder is defined by the beverage extraction device.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Brief description of the drawings

[0054] These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosure of the preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0055] - Figure 1 A is a top perspective view of a pod used with the extracting arrangement of the invention;

[0056] - Figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the pod of Figure 1 A;

[0057] - Figure 1 C is a top perspective cross-section view of the pod of Figure 1 A;

[0058] - Figure 2 front perspective view of a beverage extraction device, according to the present invention;

[0059] - Figure 3 is an isolated view of a (bottom part or downstream) pod holding part of the beverage extraction device of Figure 2;

[0060] - Figure 4 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 1 C (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 1 1 and a sidewall 12 that extends axially from the bottom wall 1 1 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 1 C.

[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 1 1 and / or the lateral wall 12 of the same pod 10.

[0071] In Figures 1 A-1 C, this bottom wall 1 1 is rather curved, yet the bottom wall can present other shapes such conical ore frustoconical shapes.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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. EU 13432 or US ASTM D6400, specify technical requirements and procedures for determining compostability of a material.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] The layer of plastic can be selected in the list of:

[0078] - a polylactic acid (PLA) layer,

[0079] - a polybutylene succinate (PBS) layer,

[0080] - a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) layer,

[0081] - a polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) layer,

[0082] - a polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0083] - a layer of a polymer blend formed of any combination of above polymers.

[0084] The paper layer can be assembled with several of these different layers of plastic.

[0085] This plastic layer reinforces the protection of the paper layer against liquid, gas and moisture for the beverage ingredient.

[0086] Usually, the part of the multilayer paper material that is stretchable is this layer of plastic.

[0087] 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.

[0088] This layer can be selected in the list of:

[0089] - a polyvinyl-alcohol copolymer (PVOH) layer, in particular a butenediol-vinyl-alcohol- copolymer (BVOH) layer,

[0090] - a polyglycolic acid (PGA) layer,

[0091] - a metallization coating,

[0092] - a SiOx based coating, - an AIOx based coating,

[0093] - a combination thereof.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Preferably, the internal tertiary layer is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) film, in particular a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The grammage of the paper of the body can be comprised between 80 and 150 g / m2.

[0104] The lid can present a grammage comprised between 20 and 120 g / m2.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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:

[0108] - the internal barrier film is a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film (tertiary layer),

[0109] - 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).

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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 1 1 of the pod 10, and eventually the bottom walH 1 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.

[0120] 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. Due to the specific shape of the bottom wall 1 1 , the reverse extraction cannot be defined by a known extracting arrangement. In this regard, the extraction arrangement according to the present invention allows to solve the aforementioned problems and to properly perform the desired reverse extraction.

[0121] The present invention thus 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.

[0122] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a beverage extraction device 100 according to the invention comprising a pod enclosing part 110, defining an upstream or top or first pod enclosing part, and a pod holding part 120 for housing a pod 10, defining a downstream or bottom or second pod enclosing part as illustrated in the isolated view of Figure 3.

[0123] The first and a second pod enclosing parts 1 10, 120 are relatively movable between an opened position, for inserting and / or ejecting the pod 10, and a closed position, as illustrated in the aforementioned Figure 2, and vice versa. In the latter position, the pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are able to form an extraction chamber 130 able to enclose the pod 10 during extraction. The upstream pod enclosing part 110 and the downstream pod enclosing part 120 are preferably 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.

[0124] The pod enclosing part 1 10 bears an enclosing piercing arrangement or upstream piercing arrangement (not shown), for opening an enclosing wall 13 of the pod 10 opposite to a holding piercing arrangement 121 . The pod enclosing part 1 10 also preferably bears a liquid injector 1 11 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 1A-1 C. The holding piercing arrangement is disposed in the inner surface of the pod enclosing part 110, which is the surface facing the pod 10 when in use. This enclosing (or 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 the closed position as in Figure 2. The liquid injector 1 11 extends from the outer surface of the same pod enclosing part 110 to the aforementioned inner surface to allow the channelling of the liquid injected. The liquid injector 1 11 , 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.

[0125] The pod holding part 120, as better illustrated in Figure 3, comprises a holding extracting arrangement 121 for opening an (second) enclosing wall of the pod 10 and extracting the beverage from the same pod 10.

[0126] The holding extraction arrangement 121 comprises at least one extracting surface and a plurality of opening elements rising from the extracting surface facing in use a non-planar enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open, being the bottom wall 1 1 (or the bottom wall 11 and the lateral wall 12) in the embodiments herewith illustrated.

[0127] Generally, the opening elements 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 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 parallepipedic part and a top pyramidal or conical end.

[0128] Whatever the shape, the opening elements preferably present a tip end. This tip end 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, presents a conical shape.

[0129] This tip end extends by a height from the extracting surface. 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 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.

[0130] In addition, the surfaces of these opening elements comprise beverage outlet openings configured to enable the dispensing of beverage from the pierced pod 10 to a drinking a cup. This tip end facilitates the piercing of the paper layer during the extraction. In particular, this tip end can enter the bed of coffee hold inside the pod 10 so that the outlet openings can be positioned inside said bed of coffee during the coffee preparation. Each of these outlet openings cooperates with a traversing hole configured to drive the beverage from the beverage outlet opening through and downstream the extracting surface, or plates. In particular, each of these outlet openings cooperates with a traversing hole, as well as with a tip end. Accordingly, beverage produced in the pod 10 is able to flow though these outlet openings of the opening elements and to be dispensed out of the extraction chamber. In this regard, the holding extracting arrangement 121 according to the present invention are also provided with a plurality of traversing holes to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the opened enclosing wall.

[0131] 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.

[0132] The tip end extends by a predefined height from the extracting surface, as described in more details in the specific descriptions of the embodiment. The outlet opening is preferably positioned above a predefined intermediate position between the extracting surface and the tip end, and preferably closer to the tip end of the opening element rather than from the extracting surface. Accordingly, when a stretchable material is used, the risk that the outlet opening is obstructed by the stretched material is avoided. As a result, the chance that the outlet opening 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.

[0133] Preferably, all the opening elements comprise a beverage outlet.

[0134] Preferably, all the beverage outlets present the same shape.

[0135] In addition, the outlet opening is preferably defined by a slit extending at least partly in the extracting surface along a plane parallel to the same plane defining the extracting surface. 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 is partially closed by the paper layer, precisely the part closer to the base of the opening element, is avoided. As a result, the full surface of the outlet opening remains free for evacuation of the beverage and enables a consistent preparation of the beverage. The holding extraction arrangement 121 preferably comprises an assembly provided with an upper sub-part element and a lower sub-part element. In particular, the sub-part element comprises a part of each opening element of the holding extraction arrangement 121. The lower sub-part element and the upper sub-part element are designed so that the lower subpart element is able to slide in the receiving hole of the upper sub-part element and, when positioned in said receiving hole, to cooperate to form the complete holding extraction arrangement 121. 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.

[0136] This construction of the holding extraction arrangement 121 with two sub-part elements enable the design of an outlet opening inside each opening element 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. According to further embodiments, not illustrated, the opening elements can present a different shape. Moreover, the extraction arrangement can present different arrangements or being made in a single part.

[0137] In this regard, in the preferred embodiment the extracting surface is defined by an extracting plate having a flat shape. Moreover, the opening elements rising from the extracting surface of said extracting plate have preferably the same heights.

[0138] The beverage extraction device 100 according to the present invention is also provided with an ejection device 150 of the pod 10, as illustrated in the isolated view of Figure 3. The ejection device 150 is movable with respect to the pod holding part 120 to tilt the pod 10 with respect to the holding piercing arrangements 121.

[0139] The ejection device 150 comprises a seat portion 151 for the pod 10 movable between a rest position, wherein the seat portion 151 is at an end of the pod holding part 120 to contact a flange 12’ of the pod 10, and an ejecting position, wherein the seat portion 151 is moved away from the end of the pod holding part 120 to tilt the pod 10 with respect to the holding piercing arrangement 121 , and vice versa.

[0140] As illustrated, the seat portion 151 preferably has an annular shape, being defined by a ring element in the present embodiment. According to different embodiments, not shown, the seat portion may be defined according to different shape, i.e. a partial ring (or annular) shape. Being at the end of the pod holding part 120, the seat portion 151 is designed to lay at least partly around the extraction chamber 130 when in the rest position. In the present embodiment, the seat portion 151 is designed to lay completely around the extraction chamber 130 when in the rest position. Moreover, the thickness of the seat portion 151 is such that the seat portion 151 allows the flange 12’ to lay on it and the wall to be pierced to lay on extracting surface of the holding piercing arrangement 121.

[0141] In the present embodiment, the ejection device 150 further comprises a lateral portion 152 solidly connected to the seat portion 151 . The lateral portion 152 is at an inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120, in particular it defines a portion of the inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120 in the rest position, so that when in the rest position (of the seat portion 151 and consequently of the lateral portion 152) the pod 10 can be retained in the pod holding part 120. In particular, the pod 10 can be retained between the holding extracting arrangement 121 and the inner lateral wall 120’, which is also between the holding extracting arrangement 121 and the lateral portion 152. Thus, the rest position the lateral portion 152 is at an inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120, to define a portion of the same inner lateral wall 120’, while in the ejecting position the lateral portion 152 is moved away from the inner lateral wall 120’, to tilt the pod 10 with respect to the holding piercing arrangement 121 , and vice versa.

[0142] As illustrated, the lateral portion 152 also preferably has an annular shape, being defined by a ring element in the present embodiment. According to different embodiments, not shown, the lateral portion may be defined according to different shape, i.e. a partial ring (or annular) shape.

[0143] According to the present invention, the ejection device 150 is provided with a recess 154 facing the extraction chamber 130 and able to separate the ejection device 150 at least partly from an inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120 when in the rest position. In particular, in the preferred embodiment recess 154 is provided in the lateral portion 152 to be able to separate the lateral portion 152 at least partly from the inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120 when in the rest position.

[0144] Anyway, different position for the recess can be provided according to different embodiments (not shown).

[0145] The recess 154, and preferably its design, allows the pod 10 to slightly expand in that region, so inside the recess at least partly, and does not stick on the ejector 150, which is does not stick to the seat portion 151 and / or to the lateral portion 152.

[0146] As illustrated, the recess 154 preferably extends all around the extraction chamber 130, thus defining a continuous recess 154, being defined by a ring shape in the present embodiment. According to different embodiments, not shown, the recess may extend according to different shape, i.e. a partial ring shape, or with discontinuities.

[0147] Preferably, the recess 154 has a dimension comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, even more preferably equal to 0.4 mm. The dimension refers to the separation distance between the lateral portion 152 (or eventually the seat portion, if the lateral portion is not present) and the inner lateral wall 120’ of the pod holding part 120, at surface of the same inner lateral wall 120’. Eventually, the same dimension can be used to define the depth of the recess.

[0148] The geometry of the recess can vary, but preferably it has a triangular shape cross-section. This means that the aforementioned dimension can be interpreted as the maximum separation distance between the lateral portion 152 (or eventually the seat portion) and the inner latera wall 120’.

[0149] The ejection device 150 is movable with respect to the pod holding part 120 preferably at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part 1 10 relatively to the pod holding part 120. The seat portion 151 and the lateral portion 152 are movable between the rest position and the ejection position at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part 1 10 relatively to the pod holding part 120. According to further embodiments, not shown, only the seat portion is moved between the rest position and the ejection position, if the lateral portion is not present.

[0150] Preferably, the ejection device 150 comprises an operating portion 153 solidly connect to the to the seat portion 151 , and consequently to the lateral portion 152. The operating portion 153 is also operatively connected with the pod enclosing part 110. In the present embodiment, the ejection device 150 comprises two operation portions 153 having the same shape and arranged at the two brackets operatively connecting the ejection device 150 with pod enclosing part 1 10. According to different embodiments, not shown, the operating portion(s) can be operatively connected with the pod holding part (or with both the enclosing and holding parts). The operating portion 153 is able to operate the movement of the lateral portion 152, by the action of the seat portion 151 , between the rest position and the ejection position according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part 110 and of the pod holding part 120.

[0151] In the present embodiment, the pod enclosing part 110 and the pod holding part 120 are relatively movable between the open position and the closed position, and vice versa, by rotating around a common axis of rotation Z. The ejection device 150 is also movable around the same axis of rotation Z. In this regard, the operating portion 153 is able to operate the movement of the seat portion 151 , and consequently of the lateral portion 152, according to the relative rotation between the pod enclosing part 110 and the pod holding part 120. Preferably, the pod enclosing part 1 10 comprises at least a connecting protrusion (not shown) operatively connected to the operating portion 153. In the present embodiment, being present two operating portions 153, the pod enclosing part 110 is provided with two corresponding connecting protrusions.

[0152] The connecting protrusion(s) is able to operate the operating portion(s) 153 according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part 110 and of the pod holding part 120.

[0153] When the pod enclosing part 110 and the pod holding part 120 are moved in the opened position an extraction chamber (or cavity) 130 is accessible for the pod 10, as in Figure 3 wherein the pod holding part 120 is visible in a receiving position for receiving and holding the pod 10 (the pod enclosing part 110 being removed for sake of clarity). The pod 10 is then introduced in the extraction chamber (or cavity) 130 with the lid 13 facing the pod enclosing part 1 10 and the bottom wall 11 facing the holding extraction arrangement 121. In Figure 2, the upstream (first) and downstream (second) pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are positioned in the closed position, to close the extraction chamber 130 and to form the extraction chamber enclosing the pod 10 during extraction.

[0154] The extracting arrangement comprises a plurality of opening elements for opening the bottom wall 1 1 (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 1 1 under the effect of the rise in pressure of the injected liquid in the pod chamber 10’.

[0155] After extraction, the pod 10 is usually not able to fall by gravity (by reversing the beverage extraction device 100), due to the sticking of the pod 10 as already described, and the action of an ejector device 150 is needed. The latter is able to detach the pod 10 from the two enclosing parts 1 10, 120, in particular from the pod holding part 120.

[0156] When using cellulose-based pods 10, they soften due to the humidity after extraction and stick on the ejector 150. Thus, the recess 154, and preferably its design, allows the pod 10 to slightly expand in that region, so inside the recess at least partly, and does not stick on the ejector 150, which is does not stick to the seat portion 151 and / or to the lateral portion 152.

[0157] The relative movement between the pod holding part 120 and the pod enclosing part 110 from the closed position to the open position in turn moves the ejection device 150. In particular, during the rotation of the pod enclosing part 1 10, the two connection protrusions engage the operating portions 153, thus operating the ejection device 150, i.e. the seat portion 151 and consequently the lateral portion 152, to move from the rest position to the ejection position for tilting the pod 10 to discard.

[0158] According to a further embodiment, not shown, the piercing arrangement of the beverage extraction device can also be defined by a further extraction arrangement, thus defining a beverage extraction device having two opposite extraction 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 to the preferred embodiment of the extracting arrangement above described, such as the holding extracting arrangement 121 . In this case, the extraction of pod having symmetric shape can be properly defined.

[0159] Moreover, according to a further embodiment, not shown, the ejection device can be operated differently, such as manually or with a different engagement.

[0160] In a further aspect, the aforementioned objects are achieved by a beverage preparation machine 1 ’ for extracting a beverage from a pod 10 containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the beverage preparation machine 1 ’ for extracting a beverage according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4, as part of a more complex system. The machine 1 ’ 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 pod enclosing part 1 10 and the pod holding part 120, as already detailed.

[0162] According to a further embodiment, not shown, the removable pod holder can be only defined by the pod holding 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.

[0163] 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.

[0164] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 comprises a beverage preparation machine 1 ’ 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, 1 1 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.

[0165] 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.

[0166] In a preliminary step, the pod 10 is inserted between the upstream and downstream pod enclosing parts 1 10, 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.

[0167] 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 enclosing piercing arrangement) and the downstream extracting arrangement (or holding piercing 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.

[0168] Then, in a second step, the extraction water is injected by the liquid injector 11 1 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 1 1 (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 1 ’.

[0169] 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 extraction 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.

[0170] Finally, the ejection of the pod 10 after extraction is performed by the ejection device 150, as already described.

[0171] 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.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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". List of references in the drawings:

[0174] 1 System

[0175] 1 ’ Beverage preparation machine

[0176] 101 Pod receiving area

[0177] 10 Pod

[0178] 10’ Chamber

[0179] 11 Bottom wall

[0180] 12 Lateral wall

[0181] 12’ Flange

[0182] 13 Lid

[0183] 100 Beverage extraction device

[0184] 110 Pod enclosing part

[0185] 111 Liquid injector

[0186] 120 Pod holding part

[0187] 120’ Inner lateral wall of the pod holding part

[0188] 130 Extraction chamber

[0189] 121 Extracting arrangement

[0190] 150 Ejecting device

[0191] 151 Seat portion

[0192] 152 Lateral portion

[0193] 153 Operating portion

[0194] 154 Recess

[0195] Z Longitudinal axis

Claims

CLAIMS1 . 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 pod holding part (120), for housing a pod (10) and provided with a holding piercing arrangement (121 ) for opening an enclosing wall (11 ) of the pod (10), and a pod enclosing part (110), provided with an enclosing piercing arrangement for opening an enclosing wall (13) of the pod (10) opposite to the holding piercing arrangement (121 ), wherein the pod holding part (120) and the pod enclosing part (1 10) are relatively movable between an open position, for inserting and / or ejecting the pod (10), and a closed position, for forming an extraction chamber (130) able to enclose the pod (10) during extraction, and vice versa, wherein the beverage extraction device (100) is provided with an ejection device (150) of the pod (10) which is movable with respect to the pod holding part (120) to tilt the pod (10) with respect to the holding piercing arrangements (121 ), wherein the ejection device (150) comprises a seat portion (151 ) for the pod (10) movable between a rest position, wherein the seat portion (151 ) is at an end of the pod holding part (120) to contact a flange (12’) of the pod (10), and an ejecting position, wherein the seat portion (151 ) is moved away from the end of the pod holding part (120) to tilt the pod (10) with respect to the holding piercing arrangement (121 ), and vice versa, and wherein the ejection device (150) is provided with a recess (154) facing the extraction chamber (130) and able to separate the ejection device (150) at least partly from an inner lateral wall (120’) of the pod holding part (120) when in the rest position.

2. Beverage extraction device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the holding piercing arrangement (121 ) is defined by an extracting arrangement comprising a plurality of opening elements (122) rising from at least one extracting surface (123), facing in use the enclosing wall (12) of the pod to open, and a plurality of traversing holes (124), to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the opened enclosing wall (12), and wherein each of the opening elements (122) presents an outlet opening (122”) cooperating with the traversing holes (124) and / or a tip end (122’).

3. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejection device (150) comprises a lateral portion (152) solidly connected to the seat portion (151 ), and wherein in the rest position the lateral portion (152) is at an inner lateral wall (120’) of the pod holding part (120), to define a portion of the inner lateral wall (120’), and in theejecting position the lateral portion (152) is moved away from the inner lateral wall (120’), to tilt the pod (10) with respect to the holding piercing arrangement (121 ), and vice versa.

4. Beverage extraction device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the recess (154) is provided in the lateral portion (152) to be able to separate the lateral portion (152) at least partly from the inner lateral wall (120’) of the pod holding part (120) when in the rest position.

5. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -4, wherein the seat portion (151 ) has an annular shape and / or the lateral portion (152) has an annular shape.

6. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -5, wherein the recess (154) extends all around the extraction chamber (130).

7. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -5, wherein the recess (154) has a dimension comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, more preferably equal to 0.4 mm.

8. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -6, wherein the pod enclosing part (110) comprises a liquid injector (11 1 ) fluidly connected to the enclosing piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the enclosing piercing arrangement.

9. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -7, wherein the ejection device (150) is movable with respect to the pod holding part (120) at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part (1 10) relatively to the pod holding part (120).

10. Beverage extraction device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the seat portion (151) and / or the lateral portion (152) are movable between the rest position and the ejection position at least according to the movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part (1 10) relatively to the pod holding part (120).1 1 . Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -9, wherein the ejection device (150) comprises an operating portion (153) solidly connect to the seat portion (151 ) and / or to the lateral portion (152) and operatively connected with the pod enclosing part (110) and / or with the pod holding part (120), and wherein the operating portion (153) is able to operate the movement of the seat portion (151 ) and / or the lateral portion (152) between the rest position and the ejection position according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part (1 10) and of the pod holding part (120).

12. Beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 10, wherein the pod enclosing part (1 10) and the pod holding part (120) are relatively movable between theopen position and the closed position, and vice versa, by rotating around a common axis of rotation (Z), and wherein the operating portion (153) is able to operate the movement of the seat portion (151 ) and / or the lateral portion (152) according to the relative rotation between the pod enclosing part (110) and the pod holding part (120).

13. Beverage extraction device (100) according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the pod enclosing part (110) comprises at least a connecting protrusion operatively connected to the operating portion (153), and wherein the connecting protrusion is able to operate the operating portion (153) according to the relative movement between the closed position and the open position of the pod enclosing part (1 10) and of the pod holding part (120).

14. Beverage preparation machine (1 ’) comprising a beverage extraction device (100) according to one of claims 1 -12, wherein the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a non-removable manner, or wherein at least the pod holding part of the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a removable manner, or wherein the beverage preparation machine (1 ’) comprises:- a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod (10),- a pod holder receiving area (101 ) for receiving the removable pod holder, and wherein the removable pod holder is defined by the beverage extraction device (100).

15. System (1 ) comprising a beverage preparation machine (1 ’) and a pod (10) containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, wherein the beverage preparation machine (1 ’) is according to claim 13, 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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