Capsule for preparing a beverage

The capsule design with a lightweight absorbent sealing ring addresses sealing and recyclability issues in beverage preparation, ensuring effective liquid containment and high recyclability of metallic capsules.

WO2026082897A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-23BRAIN CORP SA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
BRAIN CORP SA
Filing Date
2025-10-16
Publication Date
2026-04-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing beverage capsules face challenges in achieving effective sealing during beverage preparation while ensuring high recyclability, particularly when using metallic materials like aluminum, as sealing structures add significant weight and complicate recycling.

Method used

A capsule design featuring a lightweight sealing ring made of absorbent material, such as blotting paper or biodegradable cardboard, attached to the rim of the capsule body, ensuring a tight seal with a minimal weight impact, allowing easy recycling of the metallic body.

Benefits of technology

The design provides a reliable seal against liquid leakage during beverage preparation while maintaining a high recyclability of the metallic capsule body, exceeding 95% recyclable material content, and enhancing environmental sustainability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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  • Figure EP2025079956_23042026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure EP2025079956_23042026_PF_FP_ABST
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Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule comprising a rim (4) which has a lower wall (4b) projecting laterally from the upper edge of a side wall (2) over a radial dimension D, the capsule being fitted with a sealing ring (9) which is mounted on the lower wall, the ring having at least one inner dimension Di and at least one outer dimension De which define between them an upper face (9a) of length Fs which rests on the lower wall and a free lower face (9b) of length Fi, the faces being axially spaced by a distance corresponding to a thickness E of the ring, the lengths Fs and Fi each being less than the radial dimension D of the lower wall (4b) by a value which is such that the weight Pa of the ring (9) is less than 5% of the total weight Pc of the capsule.
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Description

[0001] CAPSULE FOR PREPARING A DRINK

[0002] The invention relates to a capsule intended to contain a substance for the preparation of a beverage.

[0003] It also relates to an assembly consisting of such a capsule and a lid intended to be associated with it to close it after loading of the substance, as well as a system for preparing a beverage by means of such an assembly, said system comprising a piston which has a housing in which said assembly is intended to be disposed to allow the preparation of said beverage.

[0004] Such capsules are intended, in particular, for the preparation of hot beverages such as coffee, tea, or infusions. To this end, systems are known in which the piston housing is equipped with a device arranged to inject, under pressure, a liquid to extract the beverage, for example hot water, through the capsule, which is fitted with a lid, and the substance it contains, notably by piercing the capsule and / or the lid using injection pins for such liquid provided for this purpose in the housing.

[0005] During beverage preparation, the piston mechanism injects approximately 50 milliliters of extractor fluid into the chamber, and about 45 milliliters of this fluid are actually used for the preparation. Following this injection, approximately 5 milliliters of extractor fluid remain in the chamber and may potentially leak out.

[0006] To limit leakage of extractor liquid from the housing, documents EP-2 966 006 and EP-2 951 108 describe a capsule which has an upper rim with an upper wall on which a lid is intended to be associated after loading of the substance for the preparation of a beverage, and a lower wall which is equipped with a sealing structure comprising inner and outer rings of substantially triangular sections, between which extends a sealing lip, also of triangular section.

[0007] Thus, when the capsule is placed in the piston housing, the peripheral edge of said housing is positioned between the outer and inner rings, crushing the sealing lip, the piston-rings-lip assembly forming a sealing baffle to limit leaks when the extractor liquid is injected into the capsule.

[0008] In particular, the capsules described in these documents comprise a body made of a plastic material, and the sealing structure is formed as a single piece with said body. Advantageously, the body is produced by injection molding of a plastic material, which makes it easy to produce the sealing structure simultaneously with said body.

[0009] Since plastic materials can be relatively difficult to recycle, it is advisable to limit their use.

[0010] To achieve this, capsules made of metallic materials, particularly aluminum, are also known. These capsules have the advantage of being easy to manufacture, notably by stamping a sheet of metal, while also being easy to recycle, as the metal constituting the body can be recovered by melting it down, after extracting the residues of the substance it contained.

[0011] To provide a seal for such capsules, on which sealing rings as described above cannot be formed, document WO-2020 / 260300 provides for attaching to their radial rim a ring made of an absorbent material, for example based on paper and / or cotton, and for providing on the capsule and / or said ring outer and inner bearing surfaces each extending outward from the rim in an axial direction, forming between them a groove arranged to receive the peripheral edge of the piston in a hermetic manner during the preparation of the drink, at least the outer bearing surface being formed in one piece on the free lower face of said ring.

[0012] This arrangement, while ensuring a good seal for the capsule when preparing a drink, nevertheless poses a problem in terms of recyclability, since the ring has too much mass.

[0013] Indeed, the ring itself can represent more than 8% of the total weight of the assembly, so that the assembly as a whole contains approximately 92% aluminum to be recycled, which is not sufficient to guarantee good recyclability.

[0014] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a capsule which is arranged to ensure a good seal of the piston housing in order to prevent leakage of the extractor liquid during its injection, while also offering improved recyclability.

[0015] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a capsule for containing a substance for preparing a beverage by placing said capsule in the housing of a piston. The capsule comprises a body having a lateral wall bordered on both sides by a base and by a rim surrounding an opening in said body. This rim has a lower wall projecting laterally from the upper edge of said lateral wall over a radial dimension D. The capsule is equipped with a sealing ring attached to said lower wall. This ring has at least one internal dimension Di and at least one external dimension D. e defining between them a top face of length F s which is disposed in support on said lower wall and a free lower face of length Fi, said faces being axially spaced by a distance corresponding to a thickness E of said ring, the lengths Fs and Fi being each less than the radial dimension D of the lower wall by a value such that the weight P a of the ring is less than 5% of the total weight P c of the capsule. According to a second aspect, the invention proposes an assembly comprising such a capsule and a lid intended to be attached to an upper wall of the rim to cover the opening after the substance has been loaded into the capsule through said opening, the total weight P c of the capsule incorporating the weight of the operculum.

[0016] According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a system for preparing a beverage by means of such an assembly in which a substance for preparing said beverage is conditioned in the capsule whose opening is closed by the operculum, said system comprising a piston which has a housing for receiving the assembly, said housing comprising a device arranged to inject under pressure a liquid extracting the beverage through said assembly, as well as a peripheral edge arranged to move on an axial stroke from a position of placement of the assembly in the housing to a position in tight interaction with the free lower face of the ring.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0018] - Figures 1 and 1a represent the body of a capsule according to the invention, respectively in axial section (Figure 1) and following an enlargement of area A of Figure 1 (Figure 1a);

[0019] - Figures 2 and 3 represent, following a view similar to that of Figure 1a, two stages of the arrangement of the peripheral edge of a piston on a sealing ring according to a first embodiment of the invention, said ring equipping the capsule of Figures 1 and 1a, Figure 2a being an enlargement of Figure 2 centered on the interface between said peripheral edge and said ring;

[0020] - Figure 4 shows a top view of a ring according to one embodiment of the invention, Figure 4a showing, in section along the median axial plane AA shown in Figure 4, a ring according to one embodiment; - Figures 5a and 5b each show, in enlarged partial views similar to the left part of Figure 4a, a sealing ring according to another embodiment respectively;

[0021] - Figures 6a to 6c each represent, according to enlarged partial views similar to the right part of figure 4a, a sealing ring according respectively to another embodiment.

[0022] In relation to these figures, a capsule intended to contain a substance for the preparation of a beverage is described below, as well as an assembly comprising such a capsule and a system for the preparation of a beverage by means of such an assembly.

[0023] The capsule comprises a body 1 for packaging such a substance, said body preferably being made of metallic material, in particular aluminum. Thus, the capsule can be easily manufactured, in particular by stamping, but also recycled, in particular by melting said body after extraction of the substance residues, in order to recover the aluminum for subsequent use.

[0024] The body 1 has a geometry of revolution around a central axis X, with a lateral wall 2 bordered on both sides by a bottom 3 and by a rim 4 surrounding an opening 5 of said body.

[0025] The rim 4 includes a smooth upper wall 4a to which a lid is intended to be associated, in particular by gluing, to cover the opening 5 after loading of the substance into the capsule through said opening, and thus form an assembly intended to be used with a system provided for this purpose to prepare a beverage.

[0026] In the description, the terms "lower" and "upper" are defined with respect to the representation of the capsule in figures 1 and 1a. Furthermore: - the terms "axial" and "radial" are defined with respect to the axis of revolution X, to designate a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this axis X;

[0027] - the terms "inside" and "outside" refer to radial arrangements respectively close to and far from said X-axis.

[0028] In particular, the assembly is intended for preparing a hot beverage such as coffee, tea, or infusion. To this end, the system includes a piston 6 which has a housing 7 in which the assembly is intended to be placed, said housing including a device (not shown) which is arranged to inject under pressure a liquid extracting the beverage through said assembly.

[0029] In one embodiment, the housing 7 includes a base equipped with such an injection device, in particular in the form of pins arranged to pierce the base 3 of the capsule and inject the extractor liquid through said base. Furthermore, the upper lid is traversed by raised patterns provided on a base which is positioned opposite the housing 7 to hold the capsule, thereby allowing the beverage to flow out of said capsule. Such systems are described, in particular, in documents EP-1 839 543 and EP-1 816 935.

[0030] Body 1 has a very thin thickness, in particular on the order of 0.1 mm, at least at the bottom 3, in order to facilitate its drilling by the injection pins during the preparation of the drink.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the base 3 has a lower portion 3a that is substantially radial, and an upper portion 3b that lies generally within a truncated cone with a right-handed generatrix between said lower portion and the side wall 2. In particular, the upper portion 3b has an axial dimension of approximately 4 mm, forms an angle α of approximately 60° with the axis of revolution X, and is connected to the side wall 2 by a rounded fillet 8 with a radius of curvature between 0.7 and 1.5 mm. Similarly, the side wall 2 of the body 1 lies generally within a truncated cone with a right-handed generatrix between the upper portion 3b of the base and the rim 4, and forms an angle P of approximately 7.5° with the axis of revolution X.

[0032] The upper rim 4 also has a lower wall 4b which is laterally projecting from the upper edge of the lateral wall 2 over a radial dimension D, the capsule being equipped with a sealing ring 9 which is attached to said lower wall having an upper face 9a bearing on said lower wall and a free lower face 9b on which a peripheral edge 10 of the piston 6 is intended to come into contact when the capsule is placed in the housing 7, in order to limit leakage of liquid out of said housing.

[0033] The ring 9 can be joined to the rim 4 by bonding its upper face 9a to the lower wall 4b, for example by means of an adhesive, heat bonding, or heat sealing. To this end, the ring 9 may include a heat-sealable coating, particularly one based on polyethylene, which is applied to its upper face 9a to allow the ring 9 to be joined to the rim 4.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the ring 9 includes a self-adhesive strip which is disposed on its upper face 9a to allow the association, in particular by pressure, of the ring 9 to the rim 4. In particular, the strip may have a first self-adhesive face for its association with the ring 9 and an opposite self-adhesive face for its association with the rim 4.

[0035] In the figures, the rim 4 includes a free end which is folded back on itself to form a bead 4c, the ring 9 being arranged laterally between said bead and the side wall 2.

[0036] In particular, the rim 4 is connected to the side wall 2 by a rounded fillet 12 with a radius of curvature R between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm. Furthermore, the bead 4c has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximately 1.3 mm. Moreover, the bead 4c extends from the lower wall 4b to a height H that is greater than the thickness E of the ring 9, so as to accommodate said ring between the side wall 2 and said bead.

[0037] Advantageously, the sealing ring 9 is made of an absorbent material to improve sealing by absorbing the liquid passing through the sealed interface between the edge 10 of the piston 6 and the lower face 9b of the ring 9. In particular, the ring 9 can be made of blotting paper with a water absorption rate greater than or equal to 200 ml / cm³. 3measured according to the Cobb method, as described for example in the NF ISO 535 standard.

[0038] The sealing ring 9 can also be made of a biodegradable and / or compostable material, in particular according to the EN 13432 standard, which improves the recycling of the capsule by limiting its impact on the environment.

[0039] According to one design, ring 9 is made from a cellulosic material, in particular cardboard and / or paper, such a material having good properties in terms of liquid absorption and recycling.

[0040] In particular, ring 9 can be made from cardboard with the following characteristics:

[0041] - a weight between 350 and 370 g / m 2 , measured according to the NF ISO 536 standard;

[0042] - a total thickness, including any heat-sealable coating, between 486 and 516 pm, measured according to standard NF ISO 534;

[0043] - a water absorption rate of approximately 30 g / m³ 2 for an exposure lasting 60 seconds, measured according to the Cobb method as described for example in the NF ISO 535 standard;

[0044] - a longitudinal bending moment between 31.7 and 36.4 mNm and a transverse bending moment between 13.2 and 15.2 mNm, measured according to the Taber method, as described in particular in standard NF ISO 2493;

[0045] - a longitudinal tensile strength between 28 and 28.5 kN / m and a transverse tensile strength between 12.5 and 14 kN / m, measured according to standard NF ISO 1924-2;

[0046] - a longitudinal tear resistance of between 4900 and 5300 mN and a transverse tear resistance of between 5300 and 5800 mN, measured according to the NF ISO 1974 standard.

[0047] Advantageously, ring 9 can be made from a material based on recycled cardboard and / or paper, which further limits the pollution generated by the manufacture of the capsule.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the ring 9 can be made of a synthetic polymer material, particularly one based on silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer, which, in addition to being food-grade, is heat-resistant and has good flexibility to ensure a seal. Furthermore, the polymer can be self-sealing to allow the ring 9 to be attached to the rim 4 by heat pressure.

[0049] Ring 9 has at least one inner dimension Di and at least one outer dimension D e which define each other:

[0050] - a top face 9a of length F s , measured between two substantially axial inner 13 and outer 14 edges of said ring, said upper face being disposed in support against the lower wall 4b of the rim 4, as indicated previously; and

[0051] - a free lower face 9b of length Fi, measured between the same edges 13, 14, and against which the peripheral edge 10 of the piston 6 is intended to bear during the preparation of a beverage, the faces 9a, 9b being axially spaced by a distance corresponding to the thickness E of said ring. As shown in particular in Figures 4 and 4a, the ring 9 has two inner diameters Di and outer diameters D ewhich respectively define the interior and exterior dimensions mentioned above, and therefore define between them the upper face 9a and lower free face 9b of said ring.

[0052] As shown in more detail in Figures 1 and 1a, the lengths F s and Fi are each less than the radial dimension D of the lower wall 4b, and by a value such that the weight P a of ring 9 is less than 5% of the total weight Pc of the capsule.

[0053] This arrangement allows for a ring 9 of sufficient thickness E to ensure a tight seal of the peripheral edge 10 on it during the preparation of a drink, and thus to guarantee optimal sealing of the capsule against leakage of extracting liquid, while limiting the weight of said ring to the maximum, in order to have a capsule which has a mass percentage of the material forming the body 1 which is greater than 95%, which allows optimal recycling of said material.

[0054] In particular, this arrangement of the ring 9 allows to form on the lower wall 4b an outer ring 11 which is free, which allows the edge 10 of the piston 6 to come into tight contact against the lower wall 9b of said ring following a greater axial stroke, avoiding any untimely interaction of an outer part of said edge with a possible outer thickness of said ring.

[0055] Furthermore, this arrangement allows for a crown 11 made of metallic material on the rim, which is visible from outside the capsule, thus improving the overall aesthetic appearance of the capsule by avoiding an additional dyeing operation for the ring 9.

[0056] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ring 9 has a thickness E between 0.2 and 0.7 mm, while the radial dimension D of the lower wall 4b is between 2.5 and 3 mm. To further limit the weight of the ring 9, the lengths F s and Fi can each be less than 70% of the aforementioned radial dimension D, in particular being between 40% and 60%.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 1a, the inner dimension Di is in particular equal to the outer dimension of the upper edge of the side wall 2, so that the inner periphery of the ring 9, which is inscribed in its inner edge 13, is in radial contact with said side wall.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the free lower face 9a and / or the upper face 9a of the ring 9 extends radially along its length Fi and / or F s corresponding.

[0059] In figures 2, 2a, 3, 4a and 5b, the two faces 9a, 9b each extend radially along their length Fi, F s respective.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the free lower face 9a and / or the upper face 9a of the ring 9 may have at least one geometric singularity 15 along its length Fi and / or F s corresponding, the said singularity extending in relief and / or in depression of the thickness E of the said ring.

[0061] In figures 5a and 6a to 6c, the lower free face 9b has a hollow singularity 15, in particular intended to receive in a sealed support an inner lip 10a formed on the peripheral edge 10 of the piston 6, in order to form at their interface a sealing baffle to block leaks of extractor liquid injected into the capsule during the preparation of a drink.

[0062] In particular, the geometry of singularity 15 is adapted to accommodate the inner lip 10a by complementary shape. Advantageously, singularity 15 can be produced by material removal in thickness E, for example by means of a laser, and / or by embossing in said thickness. In Figure 5a, singularity 15 has a substantially triangular cross-section, and in Figure 6c, a U-shaped cross-section. In particular, singularity 15 extends over a depth E1 which is between 20% and 80% of the thickness E, leaving a thickness E2 of the ring 9 at the base of said singularity.

[0063] In figures 6a and 6b, the singularity 15 has an L-shaped section which opens into the outer edge 14 of the ring 9, the junction between the free lower face 9b and the bottom of the singularity 15 being able to have a straight profile (figure 6a) or progressive (figure 6b) on the depth E1.

[0064] In an alternative not shown, the free lower face 9b may have a raised singularity in the form of a localized or global overthickness, for example by being convex along a large part or all of its length Fi, in order to improve its interaction with an inner lip 10a of the edge 10 as described previously, and thus to guarantee optimal sealing between said edge and the ring 9 during the preparation of a drink.

[0065] Furthermore, the upper face 9a may also present a hollow and / or raised singularity such as described above, in combination with a free lower face 9b which extends radially or itself presents such a singularity.

[0066] In figures 2, 3, 2a, 4a, 5a, and 6a-6c, ring 9 has dimensions Di and De that are identical along the entirety of its respective inner 13 and outer 14 edges, both of which extend strictly axially. In particular, in these figures, ring 9 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, notably hollowed out by a recessed singularity 15 in figures 5a and 6a-6c.

[0067] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5b, the ring 9 has a first upper inner diameter Dia and a first upper outer diameter D ea defining between them the upper face 9a, and a second lower inner diameter Dib and a second lower outer diameter D e b defining between them the free lower face 9b, at least one of the first and second diameters being different.

[0068] In Figure 5b, ring 9 has a trapezoidal cross-section, with inner edge 13 and outer edge 14 both having a diameter greater than Dia, D ea which is different from their respective lower diameters Dt, Db. In particular, edges 13 and 14 both extend continuously along slopes that are respectively divergent and convergent with respect to the capsule's axis of revolution X (on the right in this figure), from a free lower face 9b of greater length Fi to an upper face 9a of greater length Fa. e lesser.

[0069] Depending on unrepresented variations, ring 9 may have sections with different geometries, notably with one edge 13, 14 extending strictly axially and the other edge 14, 13 having a different geometry, for example with a larger diameter Dia, D eawhich is different from its lower diameter Dib, Deb. In particular, ring 9 can exhibit a toroidal geometry, with a substantially circular cross-section.

[0070] The capsule described above is intended in particular to form an assembly for the preparation of a beverage after it has been loaded, in particular through its upper opening 5, with a suitable substance, in particular for the preparation of a hot beverage such as coffee, tea or infusion, a lid being intended to be associated on the upper wall 4a of its rim 4, in particular by gluing, in order to be able to cover said upper opening after said loading.

[0071] In particular, the total weight P cThe weight of the capsule incorporates the weight of the lid, the latter preferably being designed to have a reduced weight while still meeting the oxygen and / or moisture barrier properties required to preserve the organoleptic properties of the packaged substance as a whole. Advantageously, the lid may have a layered structure as described in document WO-2022 / 112613, such a structure having in particular at least one outer layer intended to be positioned opposite the opening 5 and an inner layer intended to be positioned between the rim 4 and said outer layer, said layers being joined one on top of the other, such that:

[0072] - They are both made of fibrous material, particularly cellulosic fibers, to make them more easily biodegradable and / or compostable; and

[0073] - the surface mass of the outer layer is less than the surface mass of the inner layer; and

[0074] - the oxygen transmission rate of the inner layer is lower than the oxygen transmission rate of the outer layer.

[0075] When an assembly consisting of a capsule and a lid as described above is placed in the housing 7 of a system provided for this purpose, said housing is then closed by moving the piston 6, so that its peripheral edge 10 moves over an axial stroke from a position of placement of said assembly in said housing (figure 2), in which said housing is effectively open, to an effective closing position of said housing (figure 3), in which said edge comes into tight interaction with the free lower face 9b of the ring 9.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, the ring 9 can be arranged to be plastically and / or elastically deformed according to its thickness E by the peripheral edge 10 of the piston 6 at the end of the stroke, in order to improve the sealing of the interaction between said ring and said edge.

[0077] In particular, the presence of a free outer ring 11 on the lower face 4b, due to the radial dimensions Fi, F e reduced of the ring 9, allow the latter to have space to deform radially, under the effect of the pressure exerted on it by the edge 10 during its closing stroke of the housing 7. Alternatively, in particular in relation to a hollow singularity 15 as described previously, the free lower face 9b of the ring 9 is arranged to receive in a sealed manner the peripheral edge 10 of the piston 6 at the end of the stroke, in order to ensure the sealing of their interaction by cooperation of form between said ring and said edge.

[0078] In relation to figures 2, 2a and 3, and as previously indicated, the peripheral edge 10 has in particular an inner lip 10a which is arranged to come into tight interaction with the free lower face 9b of the ring 9, as well as an outer lip 10b.

[0079] In particular, thanks to its reduced length Fi, the free lower face 9b of the ring 9 is arranged to extend radially at a distance from the outer lip 10b, so that said outer lip, at the end of the stroke of the piston 6, comes into axial contact with the lower wall 4b of the rim 4, and in particular with the outer ring 11 left free by the ring 9, without any contact with said lower face.

[0080] To do this, as shown in particular in figure 2a, the free lower face 9a can have a length Fi which is less than the radial spacing formed between the lips 10a, 10b of the peripheral edge 10.

[0081] Thus, as explained previously, the peripheral edge 10 can move over an optimal axial stroke, without its outer lip 10b interacting with any possible overthickness formed by the ring 9 on the lower wall 4b of the rim 4.

[0082] Advantageously, the peripheral edge 10 is extended externally by a hook 11c extending substantially axially, said hook being intended to engage under the ridge 4c to ensure that the capsule 1 is held in the housing 7, and thus to position the ring 9, and more particularly a singularity 15 formed on its free lower face 9b, in axial relation to said peripheral edge.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A capsule intended to contain a substance for the preparation of a beverage by placing said capsule in the housing (7) of a piston (6), said capsule comprising a body (1) having a side wall (2) bordered on both sides by a base (3) and by a rim (4) surrounding an opening (5) of said body, said rim having a lower wall (4b) projecting laterally from the upper edge of said side wall over a radial dimension D, said capsule being equipped with a sealing ring (9) which is attached to said lower wall, said ring having at least one inner dimension Di and at least one outer dimension D e defining between them a top face (9a) of length F swhich is disposed in support on said lower wall and a free lower face (9b) of length Fi, said faces being axially spaced by a distance corresponding to a thickness E of said ring, said capsule being characterized in that the lengths F s and Fi are each less than the radial dimension D of the lower wall (4b) by a value such that the weight P a of the ring (9) is less than 5% of the total weight P c of the capsule.

2. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the lengths F s and Fi are each less than 70% of the radial dimension D of the lower wall (4b), in particular being between 40% and 60% of said radial dimension.

3. Capsule according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower wall (4b) of the rim (4) has an outer ring (11) which is free.

4. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the free lower face (9b) and / or the upper face (9a) of the ring (9) extends radially along its length Fi and / or F s respective.

5. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the free lower face (9b) and / or the upper face (9a) of the ring (9) has at least one geometric singularity along its length Fi and / or F s respective, the said singularity extending in relief and / or in hollow of the thickness E of the ring (9).

6. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ring (9) has an inner diameter Di and an outer diameter D e defining between them the upper (9a) and lower free (9b) faces.

7. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ring (9) has a first inner diameter Dia and a first outer diameter D ea defining between them the upper face (9a), and a second internal diameter Dib and a second external diameter D e b defining between them the free lower face (9b), at least one of the first diameters Dia, D ea and second diameters Dib, Deb being different.

8. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sealing ring (9) is made of a cellulosic material, in particular cardboard or paper.

9. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the body (1) is made of metallic material, in particular aluminium.

10. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the thickness E of the ring (9) is between 0.2 and 0.7 mm.

11. An assembly comprising a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a lid intended to be attached to an upper wall (4a) of the rim (4) to cover the opening (5) after loading the substance into the capsule through said opening, the total weight P c of the capsule incorporating the weight of the operculum.

12. A system for preparing a beverage by means of an assembly according to claim 11, wherein a substance for preparing said beverage is conditioned in the capsule, the opening of which (5) is closed by 19 the operculum, said system comprising a piston (6) which has a housing (7) for receiving the assembly, said housing comprising a device arranged to inject under pressure a beverage extracting liquid through said assembly, and a peripheral edge (10) arranged to move over an axial stroke from a position of placement of the assembly in the housing (7) to a position in tight interaction with the free lower face (9b) of the ring (9).

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the ring (9) is arranged to be deformed plastically and / or elastically according to its thickness E by the peripheral edge (10) of the piston (6) at the end of the stroke.

14. System according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the free lower face (9b) of the ring (9) is arranged to receive in a sealed manner the peripheral edge (10) of the piston (6) at the end of the stroke.

15. System according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the peripheral edge (10) comprises an inner lip (10a) which is arranged to come into tight interaction with the free lower face (9b) of the ring (9) and an outer lip (10b), the free lower face (9b) being arranged so that said outer lip at the end of the stroke of the piston (6) comes opposite the lower wall (4b) of the rim (4) without contact with said lower face.

Citation Information

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