Cartridge System, Beverage Preparation Machine, and Process For Manufacturing a Cartridge System

Abstract

Proposed is a cartridge system for making a beverage, the cartridge system being insertable into a beverage preparation machine and comprising a cartridge that includes a reservoir filled with a beverage substance; and a cartridge receptacle; the cartridge receptacle includes a mixing chamber fluidically connectable to the reservoir, and a fluid feed line extending into the mixing chamber; characterized in that the cartridge system comprises an intermediate cap, the cartridge includes a first connection means, the intermediate cap includes a first mating connection means that is complementary to the first connection means, and the first mating connection means is connected to the first connection means.

Claims

1. A cartridge system for making a beverage, wherein the cartridge system can be inserted into a beverage preparation machine, wherein the cartridge system comprises: a. a cartridge comprising a reservoir filled with a beverage substance; and b. a cartridge receptacle comprising: a mixing chamber, which can be brought into fluidic connection with the reservoir; and a fluid feed opening into the mixing chamber; and c. an intermediate cap; wherein the cartridge has a first connecting means; wherein the intermediate cap has a first mating connecting means complementary to the first connecting means; and wherein the first mating connecting means is connected to the first connecting means.

2. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge system comprises a sealing element, wherein an opening of the cartridge is closed by the sealing element in an initial state of the cartridge system.

3. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mating connecting means is connected to the first connecting means positively, nonpositively, and/or materially.

4. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connecting means comprises an external thread, wherein the first mating connecting means comprises an internal thread, wherein the cartridge and the intermediate cap are connected to one another by the external thread of the cartridge and the internal thread of the intermediate cap.

5. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a first twist prevention means and/or wherein the intermediate cap has a further first twist prevention means, wherein a relative orientation between the cartridge and the intermediate cap is defined with the aid of the first twist prevention means and/or the further first twist prevention means.

6. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first twist prevention means of the cartridge comprises a vertical rib and/or a vertical groove, and/or wherein the further first twist prevention means of the intermediate cap comprises a vertical rib and/or a vertical groove.

7. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first twist prevention means is designed as part of an external thread of the cartridge and/or formed adjacent to the external thread of the cartridge, and/or wherein the further first twist prevention means is designed as part of an internal thread of the intermediate cap and/or formed adjacent to the internal thread of the intermediate cap.

8. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate cap has a base region and an intermediate cap wall, wherein the intermediate cap wall extends generally perpendicularly from the base region and circumferentially around the base region.

9. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base region of the intermediate cap has a through-opening for passing a piercing spike through the through-opening of the base region.

10. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first mating connecting means is arranged on the intermediate cap wall.

11. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing element is arranged between an edge of a cartridge wall of the cartridge and a base region of the intermediate cap.

12.-28. (canceled)

29. A beverage preparation machine, comprising the cartridge system as claimed in claim 1.

30. A process for manufacturing the cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, comprising: providing the cartridge and the intermediate cap in a first process step; and connecting, in a second process step, after the first process step, the cartridge and the intermediate cap to one another by the first connecting means of the cartridge and the first mating connecting means of the intermediate cap.

31. The process as claimed in claim 30, in which, in an intermediate step, before the second process step, a sealing element is arranged on the intermediate cap and/or is secured on the intermediate cap.

32. The process as claimed in claim 31, wherein the sealing element is secured on the intermediate cap by a wax and/or a plastic in the intermediate step before the second process step.

33. The process as claimed in claim 31, wherein the sealing element secured on the intermediate cap is adhesively bonded, sealed, and/or welded to an edge of a cartridge wall in the second process step.

34. The process as claimed in claim 31, wherein, in a first partial step of the second process step, the cartridge and the intermediate cap are connected to one another, in particular screwed to one another, by the first connecting means of the cartridge and/or the first mating connecting means of the intermediate cap; and wherein, in a second partial step of the second process step following the first partial step, the sealing element secured on the intermediate cap is connected to an edge of a cartridge wall by inductive welding.

35.-38. (canceled)

39. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the intermediate cap is of a cup-shaped design.

40. The process as claimed in claim 31, wherein the sealing element is a sealing film.

41. The process as claimed in claim 32, wherein the sealing element is secured by adhesive bonding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an intermediate cap according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a mouth region of a cartridge according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c show a perspective illustration, a schematic sectional view, and the general operating principle of a cartridge system according to an illustrative first embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sectioned sealing element according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a sectioned intermediate cap according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0098] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore each generally also mentioned only once.

[0099] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge 2 comprises a cup-shaped hollow main body 2′, with the aid of which a reservoir 6 for a beverage substance 7 is formed. Here, “of cup-shaped design” means that the main body 2′ has a cartridge base 2″′ (cf. FIG. 5b) and a cartridge wall 2″ projecting at a right angle, in particular in the direction of the cartridge receptacle 10, from the cartridge base 2″′. In this case, the cartridge wall 2″ is of at least partially cylindrical and encircling design, while the cartridge base 2″′ in this example has a circular configuration. The main body 2′ of the cartridge 2 or the cartridge 2 itself is preferably formed by or at least with the aid of a glass bottle. The reservoir 6 of the cartridge 2 can be filled with a beverage substance 7.

[0100] On a side opposite the cartridge base 2″′ in the axial direction, the cartridge 2 has an opening 90, which is closed by a sealing element 18 designed as a sealing film 18″. It is conceivable, for example, for a diameter of the opening 90 to be matched to the dimensions of a piercing spike 73. However, the opening 90 can also be larger than the piercing spike 73. The opening 90 is surrounded by an edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. An intermediate cap 60 is fitted around the cartridge 2 in this mouth region of the cartridge 2. The intermediate cap 60 comprises a base region 61 and an intermediate cap wall 62, which projects at right angles from the base region 61 of the intermediate cap 60. As a result, the intermediate cap 60 is of cup-shaped design. The intermediate cap wall 62 has a larger radius than the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″, and therefore the intermediate cap wall 62 is arranged radially on the outside around the cartridge wall 2″. The base region 61 comprises a through-opening 63 which is provided for the passage of a piercing spike 73. In this way, the piercing spike 73 can penetrate the intermediate cap 60 and thus advance as far as the sealing element 18 and perforate, pierce and/or open the latter. The cartridge 2 has a first connecting means 20 which is designed as an external thread 20′ around the cartridge wall 2″ and thus forms a threaded mouth for the cartridge 2. The intermediate cap 60 comprises a first mating connecting means 21 which is designed as an internal thread 21′. The intermediate cap 60 is screwed onto the external thread 20′ of the cartridge 2 via its internal thread 21′. One advantage of the intermediate cap 60 is that a sealing film 18″ can be attached to the cartridge 2 in a particularly advantageous manner with the aid of the intermediate cap 60. For this purpose, the sealing film 18″ is secured on the intermediate cap 60 before the intermediate cap 60 is screwed onto the cartridge 2. In particular, the sealing film 18″ is adhesively bonded to the base region 61 in the interior of the intermediate cap 60 by means of a wax and/or a plastic (and/or with the aid of some other suitable material). When the intermediate cap 60 is screwed onto the cartridge 2, the sealing film 18″ connected in this way to the intermediate cap 60 is then positioned and/or fixed above the opening 90 of the cartridge 2 and on an end face 5 of the cartridge wall 2″ at the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. Subsequently, the sealing film 18″ is preferably connected to the end face 5 of the cartridge wall 2″ by inductive joining or welding. Alternatively, adhesive bonding of the sealing element 18 to the end face 5 is also conceivable. Thus, the reservoir 6 of the cartridge 2 is sealed by the sealing element 18.

[0101] The intermediate cap 60 is thus designed as a screw cap and particularly advantageously performs the function of fixing the sealing film 18″ on the cartridge 2, thus enabling the sealing film 18″ to be sealed inductively to the cartridge 2 after the screw cap has been screwed onto the cartridge 2. In this case, the cartridge 2 is preferably a glass bottle. However, a plastic cartridge, for example a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle, can also be used as a cartridge 2.

[0102] The intermediate cap 60 connected to the cartridge 2 is furthermore connected to the cartridge receptacle 10. The connection is formed with the aid of a second connecting means 22 of the intermediate cap 60 and with the aid of a second mating connecting means 23 of the cartridge receptacle 10, which second mating connecting means is complementary to the second connecting means 60. For this purpose, the second connecting means 22 comprises a latching groove 22′, which interacts with a latching bead 23′ of the second mating connecting means 23, such that the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 are latched together. Here, the latching groove 22′ is formed on the radially outer side of the intermediate cap wall 62, and the latching bead is formed on the radially inner side of the side wall 10″′ of the basic structure 10′ of the cartridge receptacle 10. Furthermore, the intermediate cap 60 optionally comprises an edge region 64 which projects radially outward and which overlaps with the side wall 10″′ of the basic structure 10′ of the cartridge receptacle 10. The projecting edge region 64 can serve for additionally fixing the intermediate cap 60 on the cartridge receptacle 10 and/or for sealing. It is also conceivable, for example, for the edge region 64 to be formed by crimping. As an alternative or in addition to the edge region 64, many other geometries are conceivable in order to connect the cartridge receptacle 10 to the intermediate cap 60.

[0103] Furthermore, the cartridge 2 comprises a first twist prevention means 25 and/or the intermediate cap 60 comprises a further first twist prevention means 26. With the aid of the first and/or further first twist prevention means 25, 26, the relative orientation between the cartridge 2 and the intermediate cap 60—in the screwed-on state of the intermediate cap 60 on the cartridge 2—is defined. In this way, on the one hand, particularly accurate and reproducible positioning and fixing of the sealing film 18″ on the cartridge 2 for subsequent connection of the sealing film 18″ to the cartridge 2 is made possible. On the other hand, the defined orientation between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge 2 advantageously makes it possible for the cartridge 2 always to be inserted into the beverage preparation machine with the same orientation. It is thus possible, for example, for an information element, such as a QR code, applied to the cartridge system 1, in particular to the cartridge 2, to be advantageously read out in the state of the cartridge system 1 in which it is inserted into the beverage machine. Furthermore, with the aid of the first and/or further first twist prevention means 25, 26, the intermediate cap 60 can preferably be prevented from unintentionally becoming detached from the cartridge 2. The first twist prevention means 25 of the cartridge 2 comprises, in particular, a vertical rib and/or a vertical groove. It is conceivable for the further first twist prevention means 26 of the intermediate cap 60 to comprise a complementary vertical rib and/or a complementary vertical groove. Other first and further first twist prevention means, such as an undercut or a spring tongue, are also alternatively or additionally conceivable. A schematic example of a first twist prevention means 25 of a cartridge 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0104] Furthermore, provision is preferably made for the intermediate cap 60 to comprise a second twist prevention means and/or for the cartridge receptacle 10 to comprise a further second twist prevention means. The second twist prevention means and/or the further second twist prevention means define/defines a relative orientation between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 in the connected state of the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10. The second twist prevention means is formed with the aid of the latching groove 22′ of the second connecting means 22, and the further second twist prevention means is formed with the aid of the latching bead 23′ of the second mating connecting means 23, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 2.

[0105] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional view of an intermediate cap 60 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the second connecting means 22 of the intermediate cap 60, which interacts with the second mating connecting means 23 of the cartridge receptacle 10, is illustrated. The second connecting means 22 comprises a latching groove 22′, which runs around the entire circumference of the intermediate cap 60. However, the radial extent of the latching groove 22′, that is to say the depth of the latching groove 22′, is preferably not constant around the circumference of the intermediate cap 60. In particular, the radial extent of the latching groove 22′ on one side of the intermediate cap 60 (right-hand side in FIG. 2) is greater than on the opposite side (left-hand side in FIG. 2). The latching groove 22′ is thus deeper on one side of the intermediate cap 60 than on the opposite side of the intermediate cap 60. As a result, the second connecting means 22 is simultaneously designed as a second twist prevention means. Owing to the varying radial extent (i.e. depth) of the latching groove 22′, there is a defined orientation for the latching groove 22′ when interacting with the latching bead 23′ of the cartridge receptacle 10. For this purpose, the latching bead 23′ too has a radial extent (not illustrated) which changes in a manner complementary to the radial extent of the latching groove 22′. The latching means 22′, 23′ thus each comprise at least one flattened region in the circumferential direction. By means of the flattened regions, a twist prevention means for the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 is formed. When the intermediate cap 60 is connected to the cartridge receptacle 10, a defined relative orientation between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 is thus advantageously set.

[0106] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a mouth region of a cartridge 2 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge 2 comprises a first connecting means 20 which is designed as an external thread 20′. The external thread 20′ has a first twist prevention means 25, which in particular comprises one or more vertical grooves 25′ and/or ribs 25″. A complementary further first twist prevention means 26, for example complementary ribs and/or grooves, is provided on the internal thread 21′ of the intermediate cap 60. When the intermediate cap 60 is connected to the cartridge 2, a defined relative orientation between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge 2 is thus advantageously formed. Furthermore, the first and/or further first twist prevention means 25, 26 advantageously prevent the intermediate cap 60 from unintentionally becoming unscrewed from the cartridge 2.

[0107] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, only the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 are illustrated, while the cartridge 2 is not shown. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate cap 60 does not comprise an edge region 64. In contrast, the cartridge receptacle 10 comprises an edge region 14 projecting radially inward from the side wall 10″′ of the basic structure 10′. The edge region 14 extends below the intermediate cap wall 62 and has an overlap with the intermediate cap wall 62. The edge region 14 is preferably provided for fixing the intermediate cap 60 on the cartridge receptacle 10 and/or for sealing. It is also conceivable, for example, for the edge region 14 to be formed by crimping.

[0108] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c show a perspective illustration, a schematic sectional view, and the general operating principle of a cartridge system 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] The cartridge system 1 depicted is intended for insertion into a beverage preparation machine (not illustrated) in order to prepare a beverage 70. For this purpose, the cartridge system 1 has the cartridge 2, which is filled with a beverage substance 7, and a cartridge receptacle 10, which is connected to the cartridge 2, in particular via an intermediate cap 60. Within the beverage preparation machine, a corresponding beverage 70 is made with the aid of the beverage substance 7 and an additional water source, referred to as fluid source 41 in the following text. The cartridge 2 is in this case preferably filled with a pre-portioned quantity of beverage substance 7 which is necessary for making a specific drinking portion, for example a drinking glass filling of the desired beverage 70. The beverage substance 7 is, in particular, a liquid and carbonated beverage concentrate in the form of syrup.

[0110] In principle, there is in particular a plurality of different cartridge systems 1 available, the cartridges 2 or reservoirs 6 of which are filled with different beverage substances 7 for making different beverages 70. When the user of the system 1 wishes to drink a particular beverage 70, all he needs to do is choose, from the plurality of different cartridge systems 1, that cartridge system 1 which contains the corresponding beverage substance 7 for making the desired beverage 70, insert it into a retaining unit of the beverage preparation machine and start the beverage making process at the beverage preparation machine, for example by pressing a start button, by touching a touch sensitive display in an appropriate manner, by gesture or voice control, or by means of a suitable application on a cell phone. It is also conceivable for the beverage making process to start automatically when the insertion of a new cartridge system 1 into the retaining unit is detected. In each of the abovementioned cases, the desired beverage 70 is then made automatically, conveyed into a drinking vessel and thus provided to the user. Subsequently, the used-up cartridge system 1 is removed and disposed of. The beverage preparation machine is now ready once again to be filled with any desired new cartridge system 1 in order to make a further beverage 70.

[0111] The beverage substance 7 comprises preferably liquid premixing constituents for soft drinks, such as caffeinated, carbonated, fruity and/or sugary sodas and juices, beer (mixed) drinks, or other alcoholic or nonalcoholic (mixed) drinks.

[0112] The cartridge 2 is connected, preferably screwed, to the intermediate cap 60 via a preferably encircling first connecting means 20 of the cartridge 2 and a preferably encircling first mating connecting means 21 of the intermediate cap 60. The intermediate cap 60, in turn, is connected to the cartridge receptacle 10. The cartridge receptacle 10 is connected to the cartridge 2 and/or to the intermediate cap 60, in particular after the production of the main body 2′, after the filling of the cartridge 2 with the beverage substance 7 and after and/or during and/or before the closing of the reservoir 6 by the application of the sealing element 18. The first connecting means 20 and/or the first mating connecting means 21 preferably comprise/comprises a first twist prevention means and/or a further first twist prevention means, by means of which a twist prevention device for the cartridge 2 and the intermediate cap 60 is formed. It is conceivable for the cartridge wall 2″ and the intermediate cap 60 additionally to be adhesively bonded, welded and/or pressed together.

[0113] The cartridge receptacle 10 preferably has a second mating connecting means 23, which is connected to a complementary second connecting means 22 of the intermediate cap 60. The second mating connecting means 23 and the second connecting means 22 can be, for example, complementary latching grooves and latching beads, but also, for example, threads. With the aid of the second mating connecting means 23 and/or the second connecting means 22 and/or with the aid of further elements, a twist prevention device is additionally formed for securing and defining the relative orientation between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10.

[0114] The cartridge 2 is preferably designed in such a way that it can withstand an internal pressure of up to 12 bar, preferably up to 10 bar, particularly preferably up to 8 bar and very particularly preferably up to 6 bar, without bursting (at a temperature of 20° C. and an external pressure of 1 bar). The reservoir 6 preferably comprises a volume of between 10 and 500 milliliters, particularly preferably between 30 and 90 milliliters and very particularly preferably substantially 60 milliliters.

[0115] The cartridge receptacle 10 has a mixing chamber 8 which is fluidically connected to the reservoir 6 during the beverage production process, such that, with the aid of a cartridge emptying device of the cartridge receptacle 10, the beverage substance 7 can be transferred at least partially out of the reservoir 6 into the mixing chamber 8. For this purpose, the cartridge emptying device comprises a compressed-air line 40. One end of the compressed-air line 40 is connected to a compressed-air connection 42 which can be connected to a compressed-air source of the beverage preparation machine in order to introduce compressed air into the compressed-air line 40, while the other end leads into a compressed-air outlet which is open in the direction of the reservoir 6 and introduces compressed air into the reservoir 6. The introduction of the compressed air causes the beverage substance 7 to be pushed into the mixing chamber 8. It is conceivable for the compressed-air line 40 to extend in the interior of the piercing spike 73 from the outer compressed-air connection 42, for connection to a compressed-air source, to a compressed-air outlet 43 in the region of a tip of the piercing spike.

[0116] A fluid feed 12 of the cartridge receptacle 10, which is supplied by a fluid source of the beverage preparation machine, also leads into the mixing chamber 8. It is conceivable for the fluid feed to have a quick coupling, by way of which the fluid feed 12 can be connected to the fluid source of the beverage preparation machine. The quick coupling can be configured for example such that, when the cartridge system 1 is inserted into the retaining unit, a fluidic connection is automatically established between the fluid source and the mixing chamber 8 via the fluid feed 12. During the beverage production process, fluid, in particular cooled and carbonated drinking water, passes from the fluid feed 12 into the mixing chamber 8 via this fluidic connection. Furthermore, during the beverage production process, beverage substance 7 passes from the reservoir 6 into the mixing chamber 8, as described above. As a result of the beverage substance 7 being blended with the fluid in the mixing chamber 8, the beverage 70 is formed, which then leaves the mixing chamber 8 through a beverage outlet 11.

[0117] The cartridge receptacle 10 has the beverage outlet 11, through which the beverage 70 produced within the mixing chamber 8 leaves the mixing chamber 8, and is conveyed in particular directly into the drinking vessel (not depicted), i.e. without parts of the beverage preparation machine coming into contact with the beverage 70. In this way, back-contamination of the beverage preparation machine is prevented. The drinking vessel is arranged in particular directly beneath the beverage outlet 11.

[0118] Following completion of the beverage making process, the cartridge system 1 is removed from the retaining unit, such that the beverage production machine can be fitted with a new and unused cartridge system 1. The cartridge receptacle 10 can optionally be reused by being separated from the used cartridge 2 and the intermediate cap 60 by releasing the latching connection, and being clip-fastened onto a new cartridge 2 and/or intermediate cap 60. It is conceivable for the cartridge 2 also to be reusable. In particular, it is conceivable that the cartridge 2 can be filled with a new beverage substance 7 and sealed with a sealing element 18. It is furthermore conceivable that the intermediate cap 60 can be reused, in particular in order to attach a new sealing film 18″ to a new cartridge 2 with the aid of the intermediate cap 60.

[0119] To establish the fluidic connection between the reservoir 6 and the mixing chamber 8, the cartridge receptacle 10 has a spike guide 80, in which a piercing spike 73 is displaceably mounted. The sealing element 18 is perforated by the displaceable piercing spike 73 being transferred between a retracted position, in which the piercing spike 73 is away from the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 5b), and an extended position, in which the piercing spike 73 pierces the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 5c) and projects into the reservoir 6. During the transfer from the retracted position into the extended position, the piercing spike 73 passes through the through-opening 63 of the intermediate cap 60 before the piercing spike 73 pierces the sealing element 18.

[0120] The outer wall of the piercing spike 73 is provided with the plurality of lateral channels 71 for conveying the beverage substance 7 from the reservoir 6 in the direction of the mixing chamber 8 when the sealing element 18 is pierced. The lateral channels 71 are configured in the form of grooves that are open on one side and extend parallel to one another. Following the piercing of the sealing element 18, the lateral channels 71 become fluidically connected to the reservoir 6, such that the beverage substance 7 can flow around the edges of the pierced sealing element 18 in the direction of the mixing chamber 8.

[0121] The cross section of the lateral channels 71 and/or the number of the lateral channels 71 is in this case preferably adapted to the viscosity of the beverage substance 7, such that the lateral channels 71 control or limit the flow of the beverage substance 7 in the direction of the mixing chamber 8. At a high viscosity, a plurality of lateral channels 71 and/or lateral channels 71 with a relatively large cross section are used, while, at a lower viscosity, fewer lateral channels 71 and/or lateral channels 71 with a smaller cross section are provided.

[0122] Also integrated into the piercing spike 73 is the compressed-air line 40, which acts as the cartridge emptying device. The compressed-air line 40 leads into the reservoir 6 at the end of the piercing spike 73 when the piercing spike 73 is in the extended position.

[0123] On a side of the piercing spike 73 that is in particular remote from the reservoir 6, the compressed-air connection 42 is formed, which is thus accessible from outside the cartridge receptacle 10 and is connectable to the compressed-air source of the beverage preparation machine.

[0124] Preferably, the piercing spike 73 is transferred from the retracted position into the extended position during or after the insertion of the cartridge system 10 into the beverage preparation machine or after the starting of the beverage making process, preferably by a fixed release element of the retaining unit, against which the piercing spike 73 is pushed. The piercing spike 71 is preferably configured as a plastic part and particularly preferably as an injection-molded plastic part.

[0125] It is preferably conceivable for both the fluid source and the compressed-air source to be coupled directly to the fluid feed 12 and to the compressed-air connection 42, respectively, as soon as the cartridge system 1 is inserted into the beverage preparation machine or a beverage making process is started, and in particular before the sealing element 18 is pierced. In this way, back-contamination in the direction of the beverage preparation machine is effectively avoided because the fluid feed 12 and the cartridge emptying device are under overpressure, in particular immediately upon insertion of the cartridge system 1, and this prevents the beverage substance 7 from traveling in the direction of the fluid source and compressed-air source, respectively. The beverage substance 7 can thus move only in the direction of the mixing chamber 8 from the reservoir 6 (see FIG. 5c) as soon as the sealing element 18 is opened.

[0126] The cartridge receptacle 10 comprises a basic structure 10′ with a cup-shaped configuration. The open side of this cup-shaped configuration points in the direction of the cartridge 2 and at least partially accommodates the cartridge 2 and the intermediate cap 60. On an opposite bottom side 10″, the basic structure 10′ has the beverage outlet opening 11 and the outwardly open spike guide 80. The fluid feed 12 is formed on a side wall 10″′ of the basic structure 10′. In particular, the basic structure 10′ is configured as a plastic part and particularly preferably as an injection-molded plastic part.

[0127] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge 2 comprises a reservoir 6 for a beverage substance 7. The main body 2′ of the cartridge 2 or the cartridge 2 itself is manufactured, in particular, from or with the aid of glass. An intermediate cap 60 is attached to the cartridge 2 in the mouth region of the cartridge 2. The intermediate cap 60 comprises a base region 61 and an intermediate cap wall 62, which projects from the base region 61 and surrounds the cartridge wall in the mouth region of the cartridge 2. The base region 61 comprises a through-opening 63 which is provided for the passage of a piercing spike 73. The through-opening 63 can have different sizes and/or shapes. For example, a circular through-opening 63 or an angular or oval through-opening 63 are conceivable. It is possible for the through-opening 63 to be matched to the dimensions of the piercing spike 73 and/or to surround the latter when the piercing spike 73 is passed through. The piercing spike 73 can be passed through the through-opening 63 and in this way advance as far as the sealing element 18 and perforate, pierce and/or open the latter. In particular, the sealing element 18 is designed as a sealing film 18″. In the illustration shown in FIG. 6, the piercing spike 73 is in an extended position, in which the piercing spike 73 has pierced the sealing element 18 and projects into the reservoir 6. The cartridge 2 has a first connecting means 20 which is designed as an external thread 20′ on the cartridge wall 2″. The intermediate cap 60 comprises a first mating connecting means 21 which is designed as an internal thread 21′. The intermediate cap 60 is screwed onto the external thread 20′ of the cartridge 2 via its internal thread 21′. The intermediate cap 60 is thus designed as a screw cap. A sealing means 16 in the form of a circumferential sealing ring 16′ is formed between the base region 61 of the intermediate cap 60 and the end face 5 of the cartridge 2. The transition between the cartridge 2 and the intermediate cap 60 is sealed by the sealing ring 16′, and therefore no liquid escapes from the cartridge system 1 through this transition. Furthermore, the sealing ring 16′ advantageously serves to balance out or compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the cartridge 2 and/or of the intermediate cap 60. A further sealing means 17 is arranged between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 and seals the transition between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10, ensuring that no liquid can escape from the cartridge system 1 through this transition between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10. Furthermore, the further sealing means 17 preferably serves as a twist prevention device (friction) between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10, in particular in the case where both the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 are designed to be rotationally symmetrical and/or have no flattened portion for twist prevention. It is furthermore optionally conceivable to form toothing between the hard components (i.e. in particular the intermediate cap and/or the cartridge receptacle) and the soft components (i.e. in particular the further sealing means 17) in order to achieve particularly advantageous protection against unwanted twisting of the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 relative to one another. The further sealing means 17 can be injection-molded as a two-component plastic injection-molded part, for example, or can be inserted manually as an additional part, and can be arranged at any desired location, in particular in the groove. In the embodiment shown, the further sealing means 17 is designed as a circumferential sealing ring 17′. The further sealing means 17 is arranged, in particular, in the region of the second connecting means 22 and of the second mating connecting means 23. The second connecting means 22 can be designed as a latching groove 22′, for example, and the second mating connecting means 23 can be designed as a latching bead 23′. Alternatively, the second connecting means 22 can be designed as a latching bead, for example, and the second mating connecting means 23 can be designed as a latching groove. The intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10 are fastened to one another via the second connecting means 22 and the second mating connecting means 23.

[0128] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional view of part of a cartridge system 1 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment according to FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. The sealing element 18 is designed as a sealing film 18″ and the cartridge 2 is preferably manufactured partially or completely from glass. A sealing means 16 designed as a sealing ring 16′ is arranged between the end face 5 of the cartridge 2 and the base region 61 of the intermediate cap 60. Furthermore, a further sealing means 17 designed as a sealing ring 17′ is arranged between the second connecting means 22 and the second mating connecting means 23 in order to seal the transition between the intermediate cap 60 and the cartridge receptacle 10. The second connecting means 22 is designed as a latching groove 22′ in the intermediate cap 60, and the second mating connecting means 23 is designed as a latching bead 23′ of the cartridge receptacle 10. In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the intermediate cap 60 is latched and/or snapped onto the cartridge 2 with the aid of its first mating connecting means 21 and, in particular, is not screwed on. For this purpose, the cartridge 2 has, for example, a first connecting means 20 which is designed as a flange region on the cartridge mouth or as a latching bead. For the sealing means 16 and the further sealing means 17, the configurations, functions and advantages which have already been described in connection with FIG. 6 can be used.

[0129] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of a sealing element 18 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The sealing element 18 is designed as a plastic cap and comprises one or more plastics. The plastic cap can be formed with the aid of injection molding, for example. It is conceivable here for the plastic cap to be designed as a crimp cap, latching cap or screw cap, i.e. for it to be possible, for example, for it to be crimped, latched or screwed onto a cartridge. The sealing element 18, in particular the plastic cap, has a weakening 18″″ for the passage of the piercing spike 73. The weakening 18″″ is, in particular, a region of the plastic cap which has a reduced thickness in comparison with the adjacent regions of the plastic cap. The weakening 18″″ is preferably produced during the formation of the plastic cap, for example during injection molding, as a thinned region of the plastic cap, and therefore no further post-processing of the plastic cap is necessary to produce the weakening. The plastic cap shown in FIG. 8 can be combined as a sealing element 18 with the different embodiments of intermediate caps 60 described above, for example. The plastic cap shown in FIG. 8 can be combined as a sealing element 18 with the different embodiments of sealing means 16 and further sealing means 17 described above, for example. For example, use together with an annular or full-area sealing means 16 is conceivable, said means being designed as a separate insert or, with the aid of two-component injection molding, as part of the sealing element 18 or as part of the intermediate cap 60. For example, use together with a further sealing means 17 is conceivable, said means being designed as a separate insert or, with the aid of two-component injection molding, as part of the intermediate cap 60 or as part of the cartridge receptacle 10.

[0130] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of an intermediate cap 60 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Here, the intermediate cap 60 is designed, in particular, as a plastic cap with a weakening 60′ and/or pre-punching. In this case, it is possible for the intermediate cap 60 to have no through-opening 63 in the initial state, illustrated in FIG. 9, of the intermediate cap 60. The through-opening 63 is produced by the piercing spike 73 opening the base region 61 of the intermediate cap 60 in the region of the weakening 60′. The through-opening 63 is accordingly produced by the movement of the piercing spike 73, which pierces and/or penetrates the intermediate cap 60 in the region of its weakening 60′, in particular before the piercing spike 73 opens the sealing element 18. The plastic cap shown in FIG. 9 can be combined as an intermediate cap 60 with the different embodiments of cartridge systems 1 described above, for example. The plastic cap shown in FIG. 9 can be combined as an intermediate cap 60 with the different embodiments of sealing means 16 and further sealing means 17 described above, for example. For example, use together with an annular or full-area sealing means 16 is conceivable, said means being designed as a separate insert or, with the aid of two-component injection molding, as part of the sealing element 18 or as part of the intermediate cap 60. For example, use together with a further sealing means 17 is conceivable, said means being designed as a separate insert or, with the aid of two-component injection molding, as part of the intermediate cap 60 or as part of the cartridge receptacle 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0131] 1 Cartridge system [0132] 2 Cartridge [0133] 2′ Main body [0134] 2″ Cartridge wall [0135] 2″′ Cartridge base [0136] 2″″ Edge of the cartridge wall [0137] 5 End face [0138] 6 Reservoir [0139] 7 Beverage substance [0140] 8 Mixing chamber [0141] 10 Cartridge receptacle [0142] 10′ Basic structure [0143] 10″ Bottom side [0144] 10″′ Side wall of the basic structure [0145] 11 Beverage outlet [0146] 12 Fluid feed [0147] 14 Edge region of the side wall of the basic structure [0148] 16 Sealing means [0149] 16′ Sealing ring [0150] 17 Further sealing means [0151] 17′ Sealing ring [0152] 18 Sealing element [0153] 18″ Sealing film [0154] 18″″ Weakening of the sealing element [0155] 20 First connecting means [0156] 20′ External thread [0157] 21 First mating connecting means [0158] 21′ Internal thread [0159] 22 Second connecting means [0160] 22′ Latching groove [0161] 23 Second mating connecting means [0162] 23′ Latching bead [0163] 25 First twist prevention means [0164] 25′ Groove [0165] 25″ Rib [0166] 26 Further first twist prevention means [0167] 40 Compressed-air line [0168] 42 Compressed-air connection [0169] 43 Compressed-air outlet [0170] 60 Intermediate cap [0171] 60′ Weakening of the intermediate cap [0172] 61 Base region of the intermediate cap [0173] 62 Intermediate cap wall [0174] 63 Through-opening [0175] 64 Edge region of the intermediate cap [0176] 70 Beverage [0177] 71 Lateral channel [0178] 73 Piercing spike [0179] 80 Spike guide [0180] 90 Opening