Cartridge System and Method for Producing a Cartridge System

Abstract

What is proposed is a cartridge system (1) for producing a beverage (70), wherein the cartridge system (1) can be inserted into a beverage preparation machine (3) and has a cartridge (2), which comprises a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7), and a cartridge receptacle (10), which is connected to the cartridge (2), wherein the cartridge receptacle (10) has a mixing chamber (8), which can be fluidically connected to the reservoir (6), and a fluid supply line (12), which opens into the mixing chamber (8), wherein, furthermore, the cartridge (2) is manufactured at least in part from aluminum. Also proposed is a method for producing this cartridge system (1).

Claims

1.-25. (canceled)

26. A method for producing a cartridge system for producing a beverage, wherein the cartridge system is insertable into a beverage preparation machine, has a cartridge which comprises a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, and has a cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a mixing chamber which can be fluidically connected to the reservoir and a fluid feed opening into the mixing chamber, wherein the cartridge is at least partially made of aluminum, wherein in a first method step, an aluminum sheet is provided, wherein, in a second method step, a main body is generated at least partially from the aluminum sheet by punching and deep-drawing or impact extrusion, wherein, in a third method step, a sealing element is attached to the main body, and wherein, in a fourth method step, the main body is connected to the cartridge receptacle.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein in an intermediate step carried out before the fourth method step, the cartridge receptacle is produced by injection molding of plastic.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein in a further intermediate step carried out before or after the fourth method step, a piercing spike is produced and inserted into a spike guide of the cartridge receptacle.

29. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein, in a further intermediate step carried out before the third method step, the sealing element in a form of a sealing body is punched out and/or cut out from an aluminum sheet and/or from a sealing foil.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein in the further intermediate step a partial area in the sealing body is partially punched to form a pre-punched hole.

31. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein in a further intermediate step carried out before or during the third method step, the sealing element is formed around an edge of the cartridge wall.

32. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein during the third method step the sealing element is crimped, bonded, sealed, and/or welded to an edge of the cartridge wall.

33. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein during the fourth method step a fastening region of the sealing element is arranged between an edge of the cartridge wall and a part of the cartridge receptacle and in particular is clamped, welded, and/or bonded in place.

34. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein in a further intermediate step a through-opening is created in the sealing element, and wherein the through-opening is closed with a sealing foil in a later further intermediate step, wherein the sealing foil is preferably bonded, welded, and/or sealed to the sealing element.

35. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein during or after the second method step performed further intermediate step a connecting means, is produced in the cartridge wall, in particular by forming.

36. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein prior to the fourth method step and in particular during injection molding of the cartridge receptacle, a mating connecting means is created on the cartridge receptacle.

37. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein during the fourth method step a fastening region of the sealing element is arranged between a connecting means and a mating connecting means and is in particular clamped, welded, and/or bonded in place.

38. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the sealing foil is a plastic foil, an aluminum foil, or a multilayer foil made of plastic and/or aluminum.

39. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the through-opening is created in the sealing element by drilling into the sealing element.

40. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the connecting means is a detent bead, a detent bulge, or an undercut.

41. The method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the mating connecting means is a detent bead, a detent bulge, or an undercut.

42. The method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the connecting means is a detent bead, a detent bulge, or an undercut; and wherein the mating connecting means is a detent bead, a detent bulge, or an undercut.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIGS. 1a, 1b und 1c 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.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIGS. 3a und 3b show a schematic sectional view and the general operating principle of a cartridge system according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIGS. 8a und 8b show a perspective view and a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system according to an exemplary eighth embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0058] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore each generally also mentioned only once.

[0059] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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′ made of 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 and punched out of an aluminum sheet during its manufacture (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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 or impact extrusion 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.

[0066] In its typical wall region, the main body 2′ preferably has a wall thickness of between 0.01 and 0.5 millimeters, preferably between 0.01 and 0.2 millimeters, particularly preferably between 0.03 and 0.1 millimeters and most preferably of essentially 0.05 millimeters, in particular with a maximum error tolerance of 15%. The cartridge 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 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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 and 1c, wherein, in contrast, the cartridge receptacle 10 additionally has support structures 22 which support the sealing foil 18″.

[0080] In the present example, the support structures 22 comprise column and support-like elements which extend from the bottom side 10″ of the base structure 10′ (in particular within the mixing chamber 8) in the direction of the reservoir 6 to such an extent that the sealing foil 18′ can be supported or rest on the elements and is protected from unintentional tearing, in particular during transport and storage of the cartridge system 1.

[0081] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a schematic sectional view and the general operating principle of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c, with the difference that the sealing element 18 does not consist exclusively of a sealing foil 18″, but comprises a rigid or semi-rigid sealing body 18′″, which is made of aluminum.

[0082] The sealing body 18″ has a through-opening 18′, which in the initial state of the cartridge system 1 is in turn closed by a sealing foil 18″ (see FIG. 3a). The through-opening 18′ is arranged such that when the piercing spike 73 is transferred from the retracted position to the extended position, it protrudes through the through-opening 18′, thereby piercing the sealing foil 18″ (see FIG. 3b). In particular, the piercing spike 73 does not come into contact with the sealing body 18″. The sealing body 18′″ can therefore be very stable.

[0083] The sealing foil 18′ in turn comprises a plastic foil, an aluminum foil or a multilayer foil made of plastic and/or aluminum, the circumferential edge of which is preferably bonded, sealed and/or welded to the sealing body 18′″. The sealing foil 18′ is arranged on and/or fastened to the sealing body 18′″ in particular on the outside of the sealing body 18′″, i.e. on the side facing the mixing chamber 8.

[0084] The sealing body 18′″ is preferably crimped with its edge region to the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″ in order to fasten the sealing body 18′″ to the main body 2′. It is conceivable that the cartridge wall 2″ has a circumferential web at the edge 2″″ as a connecting means 20, around which the sealing body 18′″ is crimped. The sealing body 18′″ thus represents a type of crimp cap.

[0085] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the sealing body 18′″ is screwed to the cartridge wall 2″, thus an internal thread of the sealing body 18′″ engages in an external thread on the cartridge wall 2″. The screw connection is preferably adapted such that only screwing on with subsequent latching is possible, so that subsequent unscrewing is prevented by the latching.

[0086] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the edge of the cartridge wall 2″ has a connecting means 20, in particular a latching bead, a latching bulge or an undercut, for connecting the cartridge 2 to the sealing body 18″. Preferably, the sealing body 18′″ has a mating connecting means 21 complementary to the connecting means 20, in particular a further latching bead, a latching bulge or an undercut, which is connected to the connecting means 20 in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or material-fitting manner.

[0087] In its typical wall region, the sealing body 18″ preferably has a wall thickness of between 0.09 and 0.5 millimeters, preferably between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, particularly preferably between 0.15 and 0.25 millimeters, and most preferably of essentially 0.2 millimeters, in particular with a maximum error tolerance of 15%.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view 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 on the basis of FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c, wherein, in contrast to the third embodiment, the sealing foil 18″ is not arranged on the outside of the sealing body 18′″, but wherein the sealing foil 18″ is arranged and, in particular, fastened on the inside of the sealing body 18′″ facing the reservoir 6.

[0089] The sealing foil 18′ again comprises a plastic foil, an aluminum foil or a multilayer foil made of plastic and/or aluminum, the circumferential edge of which is preferably bonded, sealed and/or welded to the inside of the sealing body 18″.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, wherein, in contrast to the third embodiment, the sealing body 18″ has a fastening region at its edge.

[0091] This fastening region is angled at 90 degrees relative to the remaining region of the sealing body 18′″ and thus extends parallel to the cartridge wall 2″. There is therefore an overlap area between the fastening region and the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″. The sealing body 18″ is thus also cup-shaped. In the present example, the fastening region has a slightly larger radius than the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″, so that the fastening region is arranged at least partially between the edge 2″″ of the cartridge wall 2″ and the edge of the cartridge receptacle 10.

[0092] The fastening region is arranged in particular between the connecting means 20 and the mating connecting means 21 and is additionally fastened there, in particular by bonding, clamping, pressing, welding or the like.

[0093] In particular, the sealing body 18″ is formed from the aluminum sheet into its cup-shaped configuration by deep drawing or impact extrusion.

[0094] It is conceivable that the cartridge wall 2″ and the cartridge receptacle 10 also have the connecting and mating connecting means 20, 21. Alternatively, these connecting and mating connecting means 20, 21 are not realized.

[0095] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIG. 5, wherein, in contrast to the fourth embodiment, the sealing body 18′″ has a smaller radius than the cartridge wall 2″.

[0096] The fastening region is thus arranged on the inside of the cartridge receptacle 2″, so that the edge 2″″ of the cartridge receptacle 2″ is arranged between the fastening region and the edge of the cartridge receptacle 10 and is fastened there, in particular by bonding, clamping, pressing, welding or the like.

[0097] It is conceivable for the cartridge wall 2″ and the cartridge receptacle 10 to also have the connecting and mating connecting means 20, 21. Alternatively, these connecting and mating connecting means 20, 21 are not realized.

[0098] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIG. 5, wherein, in contrast to the fourth embodiment, the sealing foil 18″ extends to the fastening region.

[0099] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a perspective view and a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c, wherein, in contrast, the main body 2′ is not manufactured by a deep-drawing process.

[0100] The main body 2′ therefore also does not consist of a cartridge wall 2″ and a cartridge bottom 2′″, which are integrally connected to one another. In the eighth embodiment, the main body 2′ is formed by bending an aluminum sheet into a cylindrical tube. The abutting sides of the sheet bent into the tube are then bonded, welded or pressed together, forming a longitudinal seam 23.

[0101] In addition, the cartridge bottom 2′″ is formed as a separate lid body 24, in particular by deep drawing or impact extrusion of a further aluminum sheet. This cartridge bottom 2′″, formed as a separate lid body 24, is then slipped over that end of the cartridge wall 2″ bent into the tube which faces away from the cartridge receptacle 10, where it is circumferentially bonded, welded and/or pressed to the cartridge wall 2″. In particular, the lid body 24 is crimped onto the tubular cartridge wall 2″ to form the cartridge bottom 2″.

[0102] Depending on the embodiment of the sealing element, the subsequent manufacturing steps may optionally be carried out as in any of the other embodiments described above (first to seventh embodiments).

[0103] FIGS. 9a and 9b respectively show a schematic sectional view and a detailed view of the sealing element 18 of the cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary ninth embodiment of the present invention. The ninth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment illustrated and explained with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, although in contrast the sealing element 18 does not comprise a sealing foil 18″, but only comprises the sealing body 18″. The sealing body 18′″ is again rigid or semi-rigid and is made of aluminum.

[0104] The sealing body 18′″ has a pre-punched hole 27, in which a partial area 19 of the sealing body 18′″ is partially pre-punched out of the sealing body 18′″. However, this partial area 19 is not completely punched out by the pre-punched hole 25, but only partially punched out, so that it still remains integrally connected to the remaining sealing body 18′″ in its corner areas and seals the reservoir 7 with respect to the mixing chamber 8. This initial state (also referred to as the delivery state of the cartridge) is illustrated in FIG. 9a.

[0105] Due to the pre-punched hole 25 of the sealing element 18 or sealing body 18′″, the sealing body 18′″ has a weakened or predetermined breaking point in the edge region of the partial area 19. If now, before or during the beverage production, the piercing spike 73 hits the partial area 19 and presses it in the direction of the reservoir 7, the connection between the partial area 19 and the remaining sealing body 19 at least partially tears or collapses, whereby the through-opening 18′ is formed, in particular according to the size of the pre-punched hole 25.

[0106] Due to the fact that the partial area 19 is punched out of the sealing body 18′″, it has essentially the identical size or diameter as the through-opening 18′, in which the piercing spike 73 is additionally arranged during beverage production. This advantageously prevents the detached partial area 19 from passing through the through-opening 18′ into the mixing chamber 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0107] 1 Cartridge system [0108] 2 Cartridge [0109] 2′ Main body [0110] 2″ Cartridge wall [0111] 2′″ Cartridge bottom [0112] 2″″ Edge of the cartridge wall [0113] 6 Reservoir [0114] 7 Beverage substance [0115] 8 Mixing chamber [0116] 10 Cartridge receptacle [0117] 10′ Base structure [0118] 10″ Bottom side [0119] 10′″ Side wall of the base structure [0120] 11 Beverage outlet [0121] 12 Fluid feed [0122] 18 Sealing element [0123] 18′ Through-opening [0124] 18″ Sealing foil [0125] 18′″ Sealing body [0126] 19 Partial area [0127] 20 Connecting means [0128] 21 Mating connecting means [0129] 22 Support structure [0130] 23 Longitudinal seam [0131] 24 Lid body [0132] 25 Pre-punched hole [0133] 40 Compressed-air line [0134] 42 Compressed-air connection [0135] 43 Compressed-air outlet [0136] 71 Lateral channel [0137] 70 Beverage [0138] 73 Piercing spike [0139] 80 Spike guide