Cartridge System and Method for Producing a Cartridge System

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a bever-age (70), wherein the cartridge system (1) can be introduced into a beverage preparation machine (3). The invention also relates to a cartridge (2) which comprises a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7) and to a cartridge receiving region (10) connected to the cartridge (2). The cartridge receiving region (10) has a mixing chamber (8) which can be fluidically connected to the reservoir (6) and a fluid feed line (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The mixing chamber (8) has a beverage discharge (11), through which the beverage (70) made of the mixture of the beverage substance (7) and the fluid supplied by the fluid feed line (12) in the mixing chamber (8) is dispensed, said beverage discharge (11) comprising a tubular line piece (30). The invention is characterized in that the line piece (30) is designed such that the main extension direction (31) of the line piece (30) runs at an angle α (33) to the longitudinal axis (32) of the cartridge (2).

Claims

1. A cartridge system for producing a beverage, wherein the cartridge system is insertable into a beverage preparation machine, has a cartridge comprising a reservoir filled with a beverage substance and a cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a mixing chamber which can be brought into fluid communication with the reservoir and a fluid feed opening into the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber has a beverage outlet through which the beverage made from a mixture of the beverage substance with the fluid supplied through the fluid feed in the mixing chamber is discharged, wherein the beverage outlet has a tubular line piece, wherein the line piece is configured such that a main extension direction of the line piece extends at an angle α to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

2. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is between 5 and 85 degrees, preferably between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, and particularly preferably between 25 and 65 degrees.

3. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is between 40 and 85 degrees, preferably between 60 and 85 degrees and particularly preferably between 70 and 80 degrees, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

4. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α is between 20 and 60 degrees, preferably between 25 and 55 degrees, particularly preferably between 30 and 50 degrees and most particularly at substantially 40 degrees, in particular if the beverage substance contains a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate.

5. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle α changes along the main extension direction of the line piece, in particular decreases or increases.

6. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line piece has an inner cross-section perpendicular to its main extension direction, which has an oval, circular, angular, triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, trapezoidal, star-shaped, slit-shaped, and/or annular shape.

7. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the line piece has an inner contour for bursting foam bubbles, preferably in a form of an edge or tip extending in the main extension direction.

8. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shape of the cross-section or an inner contour changes along the main extension direction of the line piece, in particular from an angular or slit-shaped shape to a round or oval shape.

9. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line piece has an inner cross-section perpendicular to its main extension direction, a cross-sectional area of which changes along the main extension direction of the line piece, in particular decreases or increases.

10. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional area is between 5 and 200 square millimeters, preferably between 10 and 150 square millimeters, and more preferably between 25 and 125 square millimeters.

11. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional area is between 50 and 200 square millimeters, preferably between 75 and 150 square millimeters, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

12. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional area is between 10 and 125 square millimeters, preferably between 50 and 100 square millimeters, in particular if the beverage substance contains a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate.

13. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line piece has a length parallel to its main extension direction, being between 2 and 40 millimeters, preferably between 3 and 20 millimeters, more preferably between 4 and 15 millimeters.

14. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length is between 10 and 30 millimeters, and preferably between 10 and 20 millimeters, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

15. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length is between 2 and 30 millimeters, and preferably between 5 and 10 millimeters, in particular if the beverage substance contains a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate.

16. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line piece has a length and an inner cross-section, wherein a shape of the cross-section and/or the angle α and/or a cross-sectional area and/or the length and/or an inner contour is formed as a function of the beverage substance.

17. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein mixing and/or swirling elements, in particular at least one baffle element, are arranged within the line piece.

18. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beverage outlet consists exclusively of the tubular line piece.

19. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line piece has a wall that is permeable to air and, in particular, porous or penetrated by at least one relief opening.

20. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 19, wherein porosity of the wall and/or number of relief openings in the wall and/or diameter of the relief openings changes along the main extension direction, and preferably increases.

21. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beverage outlet comprises a further line piece which adjoins the tubular line piece in a direction of flow.

22. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the further line piece is configured as a channel piece that is open on one side and, in particular, is configured to be open at the top.

23. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the further line piece is configured as a closed channel with an inner cross-section perpendicular to its main extension direction, which has an oval, circular, angular, triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, trapezoidal, star-shaped, slit-shaped, and/or annular shape.

24. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the further line piece is configured such that a main extension direction of the further line piece is at an angle β to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, wherein the angle β is not equal to the angle α.

25. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the angle β is larger than the angle α, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

26. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the angle β is smaller than the angle α, in particular if the beverage substance contains a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate.

27. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the angle α is between 10 and 60 degrees, preferably between 2 and 55 degrees, more preferably between 3 and 50 degrees, and the angle β is between 40 and 85 degrees, preferably between 60 and 85 degrees, and more preferably between 70 and 80 degrees, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

28. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the further line piece has a length parallel to its main extension direction, comprising between 2 and 40 millimeters, preferably between 3 and 20 millimeters, particularly preferably between 4 and 15 millimeters.

29. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the line piece has a length parallel to its main extension direction, which is between 2 and 10 millimeters, and the further line piece has a length parallel to its main extension direction, which is between 10 and 20 millimeters, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine.

30. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the further line piece has an inner contour for bursting foam bubbles, preferably in a form of an edge or tip extending in the main extension direction.

31. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 30, wherein a shape of the inner contour changes along the main extension direction of the further line piece, in particular from an angular or slit shape to a round or oval shape.

32. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the further line piece has a wall which is permeable to air and, in particular, porous or penetrated by at least one relief opening.

33. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 32, wherein porosity of the wall and/or number of relief openings in the wall and/or diameter of the relief openings changes and preferably increases along the main extension direction.

34. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beverage outlet has a flow resistance adapted to the beverage substance.

35. The cartridge system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the line piece has a flow resistance which differs from a flow resistance of the further line piece, preferably wherein the flow resistance of the line piece is greater than the flow resistance of the further line piece, in particular if the beverage substance comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea, or sparkling wine

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIGS. 1a to 1d show a perspective view, a schematic sectional view and the general operating principle of a cartridge system according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle of a cartridge system according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIGS. 5a and 5b show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle of a cartridge system according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a schematic detailed view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary seventh embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0064] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore each generally also mentioned only once.

[0065] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show a perspective view, a schematic sectional view and the general operating principle of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The cartridge system 1 shown is provided to be inserted into a beverage preparation machine (not shown) for preparing a beverage 70. For this purpose, the cartridge system 1 has a cartridge 2, which is filled with a particular beverage substance 7, and a cartridge receptacle 10 connected to the cartridge 2. Within the beverage preparation machine 3, a corresponding beverage 70 is created 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 creating 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.

[0067] In principle, a plurality of different cartridge systems 1 are available, the cartridges 2 or reservoirs 6 of which are filled with different beverage substances 7 to produce 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 producing the desired beverage 70, insert it into a retaining unit of the beverage preparation machine and start the beverage production 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 production process to start automatically when the insertion of a new cartridge system 1 into the retaining unit 90 is detected. In each of the abovementioned cases, the desired beverage 70 is then produced 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 3 is now ready once again to be filled with any desired new cartridge system 1 in order to produce a further beverage 70.

[0068] The beverage substance 7 preferably comprises liquid premixing constituents for soft drinks, such as caffeinated, carbonated, fruity and/or sugary sodas, syrups, concentrates and juices, non-carbonated beverages, beer (mixed) beverages, sparkling wine, or other alcoholic or non-alcoholic (mixed) beverages.

[0069] The cartridge system 1 comprises a cartridge 2 in the form of a cylindrical container. The container is hollow and thus contains a reservoir 6 for the beverage substance 7. The cartridge 2 is formed by a main body 2′, particularly made of plastic or aluminum, which is cup-shaped. Cup-shaped means here that the main body 2′ has a cartridge bottom 2′″ (shown above in the drawing) and a cartridge wall 2″ projecting at right angles from the cartridge bottom 2′″ in the direction of the cartridge receptacle 10. In this context, the cartridge wall 2″ has a cylindrical and circumferential configuration, while the cartridge bottom 2′″ in this example has a circular and disc-shaped configuration. The main body 2′ is deep-drawn during its manufacture (preferably from an aluminum sheet) and optionally stamped out (optionally first deep-drawn and then punched out or vice versa) so that the cartridge bottom 2′″ and the cartridge wall 2″ are joined together in one piece. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the main body 2′ to be deep-drawn from a plastic foil or injection-molded from plastic during its manufacture. In principle, however, a cartridge made of glass would also be conceivable.

[0070] On a side opposite the cartridge bottom 2′″ in the axial direction, the main body 2′ is closed by a sealing element 18. In the first embodiment, the sealing element 18 comprises exclusively a sealing foil 18″, in particular a thin sealing foil, which closes the reservoir 6 so that the beverage substance 7 is sealed in an aroma-tight manner. For this purpose, the outer circumferential edge region of the sealing element 18 is fixed circumferentially to the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. Preferably, the sealing element 18 is bonded, sealed or welded here to the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. In particular, the sealing foil 18″ comprises a plastic foil, an aluminum foil or a multilayer foil made of plastic and/or aluminum.

[0071] The cartridge 2 is firmly or reversibly connected to the cartridge receptacle 10. The cartridge receptacle 10 is connected to the cartridge receptacle 10 in particular after the main body 2′ has been produced (deep drawing and punching), after the cartridge 2 has been filled with the beverage substance 7 and after the reservoir 6 has been closed by applying the sealing element 18. For this purpose, the cartridge wall 2″ optionally has circumferential connecting means 20, in particular in the form of a circumferential latching bead. The cartridge receptacle 10 optionally has mating connecting means 21 complementary to the connecting means 20, in particular in the form of a circumferential latching bulge, which latches into the latching bead when the cartridge 2 is connected to the cartridge receptacle 10. It is conceivable that the cartridge wall 2″ and the cartridge receptacle 10 are additionally bonded, welded and/or pressed together.

[0072] The cartridge is preferably configured such that it can withstand an internal pressure of up to 10 bar, particularly preferably up to 8 bar and most preferably up to 6 bar without bursting (at a temperature of 20° C. and an external pressure of 1 bar). The cartridge 2 is then preferably configured such that it can withstand an internal pressure of up to 10 bar, particularly preferably up to 8 bar and most preferably up to 6 bar without bursting (at a temperature of 20° C. and an external pressure of 1 bar). The reservoir 6 preferably has a volume of between 10 and 500 milliliters, particularly preferably between 30 and 90 milliliters and most preferably essentially 60 milliliters.

[0073] 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. The cartridge emptying device to this end 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.

[0074] A fluid feed 12 of the cartridge receptacle 10, which is supplied by a fluid source of the beverage preparation machine 3, 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.

[0075] 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 3 is prevented. The drinking vessel is arranged in particular directly beneath the beverage outlet 11.

[0076] In this context, the beverage outlet 11 is formed in particular exclusively by a tubular line piece 30. The line piece 30 is configured in the form of a closed channel with a circular cross-section 34 (cf. FIG. 1d). The channel extends rectilinearly along a main extension direction 31, which extends at an angle α to the longitudinal axis 32 of the cartridge 2. The angle α is between 5 and 85 degrees, preferably between 15 degrees and 75 degrees and particularly preferably between 25 and 65 degrees.

[0077] In the present example according to the first embodiment, the beverage substance 7 exemplarily comprises a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate. The angle α 33 is therefore in particular between 20 and 60 degrees, preferably between 25 and 55 degrees, particularly preferably between 30 and 50 degrees, and most particularly at substantially 40 degrees, in order to promote a visually appealing light foaming in the drinking vessel.

[0078] Optionally, mixing and/or swirling elements are arranged within the line piece 30.

[0079] The line piece 30 has a length 35 parallel to the main extension direction 31, which is between 2 and 40 millimeters, preferably between 3 and 20 millimeters, particularly preferably between 4 and 15 millimeters. Preferably, the length 35 is between 2 and 30 millimeters and preferably between 4 and 20 millimeters, since the beverage substance 7 contained in the cartridge 2 contains a particularly sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or a caffeinated concentrate.

[0080] Following completion of the beverage production 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 by releasing the latching connection, and being clip-fastened onto a new cartridge 2.

[0081] To establish the fluid 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 slidably 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. 1b), and an extended position, in which the piercing spike 73 pierces the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 1c) and projects into the reservoir 6.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The piercing spike 73 also incorporates the compressed air line 40, which functions as a cartridge emptying device. The compressed air line 40 opens into the reservoir 6 at the end of the piercing spike 73 when the piercing spike 73 is in the extended position.

[0085] On a side of the piercing spike 73 facing away from the reservoir 6 in particular, the compressed air connection 42 is formed, which can thus be accessed from outside the cartridge receptacle 10 and connected to the compressed air source of the beverage preparation machine.

[0086] Preferably, the piercing spike 73 is transferred from the retracted position to the extended position during or after insertion of the cartridge system 10 into the beverage preparation machine or after starting the beverage production process, preferably by a stationary release element of the retaining unit, against which the piercing spike 73 is pressed. The piercing spike 71 is preferably a plastic part and particularly preferably a plastic injection molded part.

[0087] Provision is preferably made 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 production 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 immediately under overpressure 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 as soon as the sealing element 18 is opened.

[0088] The cartridge receptacle 10 comprises a base structure 10′ with a cup-shaped configuration. The open side of this cup-shaped configuration points towards the cartridge 2 and at least partially receives the cartridge 2, in particular the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. On an opposite bottom side 10″, the base 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′. The basic structure 10′ is configured in particular as a plastic part and especially preferably as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0089] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, wherein, in contrast to the first embodiment, the beverage substance 7 according to the second embodiment exemplarily comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea or sparkling wine.

[0090] The angle α 33 is therefore in particular between 40 and 85 degrees, preferably between 60 and 85 degrees and particularly preferably between 70 and 80 degrees, so as to prevent excessive foaming in the drinking vessel. The length 35 is preferably between 10 and 30 millimeters and preferably between 15 and 25 millimeters.

[0091] Additionally, it would be conceivable for the shape of the cross-section 34 or the area of the cross-section 34 to change along the main extension direction 31 of the line piece 30 in the first and/or second embodiments.

[0092] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1d and 2, wherein, in contrast, the beverage outlet 11 in the third embodiment comprises, in addition to the line piece 30, a further line piece 37 which adjoins the line piece 30 in the direction of flow of the beverage 70.

[0093] The main extension direction 38 of the further line piece 37 runs at an angle β 39 to a longitudinal axis 32 of the cartridge 2. In the transition region between the line piece 30 and the further line piece 37, a kink is provided, since the angle β 39 is not equal to the angle α 33. In the present example according to the third embodiment, the beverage substance 7 comprises beer or beer-like substances, tea or sparkling wine. The angle β 39 is therefore larger than the angle α 33 to avoid excessive foaming in the drinking vessel. It is conceivable for the angle α 33 to be between 10 and 60 degrees, preferably between 2 and 55 degrees, particularly preferably between 3 and 50 degrees, while the angle β 39 is between 40 and 85 degrees, preferably between 45 and 80 degrees, and particularly preferably between 50 and 70 degrees.

[0094] In particular, the further line piece 37 has a length parallel to its main extension direction 38, which comprises between 2 and 40 millimeters, preferably between 3 and 20 millimeters, particularly preferably between 4 and 15 millimeters. Optionally, the further line piece 37 comprises a channel open on one side towards the top, i.e. towards the cartridge 2.

[0095] FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic views of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, wherein, in contrast, the line piece 30 in the fourth embodiment has an internal cross-section 34 perpendicular to its main direction of extension 31 with a cross-sectional area 35 that increases along the main direction of extension 31.

[0096] The angle α 33 is between 70 and 80 degrees and, in the present example, in particular 76 degrees, so that the beverage dispensing jet emerging from the line piece 30 is directed as far as possible against a wall of the drinking vessel (not shown) in order to prevent excessive foaming of the beverage, since the beverage substance 7 in this example again comprises beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea or sparkling wine. The main extension direction 31 of the line piece 30 is determined in particular by the lower wall/lower side 47 of the channel or of the line piece 30.

[0097] The inner cross-section 34 of the line piece 30 has a cross-sectional area 35 which is in particular round, oval or rectangular (with rounded corners). The cross-sectional area at the beginning 45 of the channel is in particular between 25 and 35 square millimeters, preferably about 30 square millimeters. The cross-sectional area at the end 46 of the channel, thus at the exit point of the beverage dispensing jet, is in particular between 70 and 90 square millimeters, preferably at about 77 square millimeters.

[0098] In particular, the length of the line piece 30 is between 5 and 15 millimeters, preferably at approximately 10 millimeters.

[0099] In the cartridge receptacle 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the interior of the line piece 30 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 8 through an inner opening 44. This inner opening 44 has a diameter of 7.5 to 8.5 millimeters.

[0100] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate schematic views of a cartridge receptacle 10 of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] The fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, wherein, in contrast, the line piece 30 has an inner contour 90 which extends partially along the main extension direction 31 of the line piece 30. This inner contour has a star-shaped inner cross-section, so that the cross-section of the line piece 34 is also star-shaped in this region. The inwardly projecting edges 91 of the inner contour 90 thereby form edges or tips (in cross-section) for bursting the foam bubbles of the beverage, which is accompanied by reduced foaming.

[0102] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] The sixth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, wherein, in contrast, the wall of the line piece 30 is provided with a plurality of relief openings 92. It is conceivable for the diameter or the number of the relief openings 92 to increase along the main extension direction 31, thus in the direction from the mixing chamber to the drinking vessel.

[0104] In a preferred manner, a more continuous pressure reduction thus takes place in the line piece 30, whereby an increased foaming is advantageously avoided in the case of strongly foaming beverage substances, such as beer-containing or beer-like substances, tea or sparkling wine, for a reduced foaming in the drinking vessel.

[0105] Alternatively, the wall could also be porous, with the porosity increasing along the main extension direction 31.

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a schematic detailed view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] The sixth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, wherein in FIG. 7—as in FIG. 1d—the cross-section of the line piece 30 can be seen. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the sixth embodiment a baffle element 93 is arranged in the line piece 30.

[0108] This baffle element 93 serves as an additional mixing and/or swirling element and ensures additional swirling when the beverage is passed through the line piece 30 by the flow of the beverage liquid bouncing on the baffle element 93. In this way, additional foaming is advantageously induced in particular with low-foaming beverage substances, such as in particular sugary and non-alcoholic syrup or caffeinated concentrates.

[0109] The baffle element 93 is attached to the wall of the line piece 30 via lateral webs 94 to hold the baffle element 93 in the center of the line piece 30.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0110] 1 Cartridge system [0111] 2 Cartridge [0112] 2′ Main body [0113] 2″ Cartridge wall [0114] 2′″ Cartridge bottom [0115] 2″″ Edge of the cartridge wall [0116] 6 Reservoir [0117] 7 Beverage substance [0118] 8 Mixing chamber [0119] 10 Cartridge receptacle [0120] 10′ Base structure [0121] 10″ Bottom side [0122] 10′″ Side wall of the base structure [0123] 11 Beverage outlet [0124] 12 Fluid feed [0125] 18 Sealing element [0126] 18′ Through-opening [0127] 18″ Sealing foil [0128] 18′″ Sealing body [0129] 19 Partial area [0130] 20 Connecting means [0131] 21 Mating connecting means [0132] 22 Support structure [0133] 23 Longitudinal seam [0134] 24 Lid body [0135] 30 Tubular line piece [0136] 31 Main extension direction of the line piece [0137] 32 Longitudinal axis of the cartridge [0138] 33 Angle α [0139] 34 Cross-section of the line piece [0140] 35 Cross-sectional area [0141] 36 Length of the line piece [0142] 37 Further line piece [0143] 38 Main extension direction of the further line piece [0144] 39 Angle β [0145] 40 Compressed-air line [0146] 42 Compressed-air connection [0147] 43 Compressed-air outlet [0148] 44 Inner opening [0149] 45 Beginning of the channel [0150] 46 End of the channel [0151] 47 Lower side of the channel/line piece [0152] 71 Lateral channel [0153] 70 Beverage [0154] 73 Piercing spike [0155] 80 Spike guide [0156] 90 Inner contour [0157] 91 Edge [0158] 92 Relief opening [0159] 93 Baffle element [0160] 94 Webs