Beverage production system and capsule with force ring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule (1) designed for insertion in a beverage production device (23) for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, the capsule comprising: a body (2) comprising a bottom end and an open end; an upper wall (3) for covering the body at its open end; an enclosure (14) between the body and upper wall containing a predetermined amount of beverage substance; the capsule comprising a flange-like rim (4) extending outwardly from the body (2), wherein the flange-like rim comprises an annular force ring (8) designed for being engaged by an enclosing member (49) of a dedicated beverage production device (23), wherein the force ring comprises at least one curved, folded part (16) forming of at least one ply of material.

Claims

1. A method for producing a beverage using a capsule in a centrifugal beverage producing device, the method comprising: placing the capsule in the centrifugal beverage production device for preparing the beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing the liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, the capsule comprising a body comprising a bottom end and an open end, an upper wall for covering the body at the open end, an enclosure between the body and the upper wall containing a predetermined amount of the substance, and a flange-like rim extending outwardly from the body, wherein the flange-like rim comprises an annular force ring designed for being engaged by an enclosing member of the centrifugal beverage production device, wherein the annular force ring comprises at least one curved, folded part formed of at least a first folded ply and a second folded ply, the first folded ply forms (i) an inner section tilted at an angle with respect to a central axis of rotation of the capsule, (ii) a bent intermediate section extending from the inner section, and (iii) an outer section extending from the bent intermediate section to a lower circumferential edge in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis of rotation; and the second folded ply forms a section of the annular force ring bent inwardly from the lower circumferential edge toward the body of the capsule, and wherein the curved, folded part of the annular force ring extends, in a direction away from the body of the capsule and beyond a plane in which a portion of the flange-like rim is sealed on the upper wall, by a distance of extension from the plane; and centrifuging the capsule wherein in the centrifugal beverage producing device the annular force ring is engaged by the enclosing member of the centrifugal beverage production device, the annular force ring forming part of a valve for selectively blocking and/or restricting a flow of the liquid coming out of the capsule.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the capsule further comprises an upper wall with an annular dedicated outlet area which is positioned circumferentially distant from the central axis above the enclosure to enable the beverage to be released from the capsule by effect of the centrifugal forces exerted in the capsule when rotated along the central axis in the beverage producing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an external diameter of the annular force ring is between 50 and 70 mm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the curved, folded part of the annular force ring is a pressed section of the flange-like rim.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rim comprises a portion extending from the body to the curved, folded part and having the same thickness of each of the first folded ply and the second folded ply.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first folded ply and the second folded ply are substantially adjacent including a reentrant ply.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first folded ply and the second folded ply are distant to form a hollow structure or a filled structure containing a filling and/or reinforcing material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance of extension is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the flange-like rim is free of any downward extension below the plane or has an extension shorter than the distance of extension above the plane.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the curved, folded part of the annular force ring is integrally formed with the body of the capsule.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular force ring is an inverted U- or V-shaped open form when viewed in a transversal cross section.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the annular force ring is made of aluminium or a multilayer of aluminium and polymer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of a capsule of the system according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a rim portion of the capsule of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3a-3c are sectional side views of the device for forming the embossed rim portion of the capsule according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the beverage production device of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a beverage production device with a capsule inside;

(7) FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional side view of the view of FIG. 5 in a closed configuration of the valve means;

(8) FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional side view of the view of FIG. 6 in a closed configuration of the valve means;

(9) FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional side view of the view of FIG. 6 in an open configuration of the valve means;

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of another preferred embodiment of the rim portion of the capsule comprising a double ply arrangement;

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of another preferred embodiment of the rim portion of the capsule comprising a single ply arrangement with a free end section;

(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of another preferred embodiment of the rim portion of the capsule comprising a single ply arrangement with an annular section; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a sectional side view of another preferred embodiment of the rim portion of the capsule comprising a double ply arrangement with a filling portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(14) FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a capsule 1 according to the present invention. Thereby, it should be understood that the shown embodiment is just an exemplary embodiment and that the capsule 1 in particular the capsule body 2 according to the invention can take various different embodiments.

(15) The capsule 1 can be preferably a single-use or re-fillable capsule. The capsule can contain a dose for a single beverage, e.g., a single coffee cup, or multiple doses for more than one beverage. For single-use capsule, it preferably comprises a dished body 2 onto which an upper wall such as a perforable membrane 3 is sealed. Preferably, the membrane 3 is sealed onto a peripheral rim 4 of the body. The rim 4 preferably extends outwards forming an annular portion R between about 2-10 mm. The upper wall can also be a porous wall such as a filter paper or a woven or non woven layer that is sealed onto the rim 4. The upper wall can also be a combination of a perforable membrane and a porous wall as predefined.

(16) The dished body comprises a bottom wall respectively bottom end 6 and a side wall 7 which preferably widens in direction of the large open end of the body opposed to the bottom wall 6. The dished body 2 is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. It can be formed of a food grade plastic, e.g., polypropylene, with a gas barrier layer such as EVOH and the like or aluminium or a laminate of plastic and aluminium, such as PP/Aluminium or PP/Aluminium/PET. By definition, the term aluminium encompasses here any alloy containing aluminium. The membrane 3 can be made of a thinner material such as a plastic film also including a barrier layer or aluminium alloy or a combination of plastic and aluminium alloy. The membrane 3 is usually of a thickness between 20 and 350 microns, for example. The membrane is perforated for creating the water inlet as will be described later in the description. The membrane also further comprises a perforable peripheral area 36.

(17) In addition or in replacement to the membrane 3, the upper wall of the capsule 1 may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid lid member which preferably has the form of a disk of plastic comprising a central portion having an inlet port for enabling the introduction of a water injection member and a peripheral portion having circumferentially arranged outlet openings.

(18) The membrane may also be provided, at least in its central region, with a dedicated liquid-tightness layer 41 as described in co-pending European patent application No. 09169679.9, such layer having the function of ensuring a liquid-tight arrangement between the perforating injection element of the device and the membrane to avoid leakage of liquid outside of the central perforation as will be later described.

(19) The upper wall of the capsule 1 may as well be constituted by a removable lid member. Hence, a refillable capsule may be provided which essentially comprises a body 2 and a removable or attachable lid member. Thereby, the lid member may be connected to the body 2 of the capsule by e.g. a press-fitting joint.

(20) The capsule is preferably designed as being rotationally symmetric about the central axis Z. Thereby, it should be noted that the capsule may not necessarily have a circular section around the axis Z but may take another form such as a square or polygonal form.

(21) As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule body 2 comprises a cylindrical or slightly trunconical section 9, e.g. a stepped section. Preferably, the section has a low angle relative to a pure cylinder of about 7 (+/1 tolerance); such angle simplifying the operation of forming the body, in particular, when deep-drawing an body made of thin aluminium. Thereby, the section 9 extends to a distance L2 perpendicular to the plane in which the membrane 3 is arranged. Distance L2 is preferably between 1 and 5 mm. Moreover, the stepped section 9 preferably comprises an outer diameter D2 which preferably lies between 45 and 55 mm. As a preferred example, outer diameter D2 is of 48.9 mm. It should be noted that the capsule according to the present invention may comprise a body portion 2 of different forms in order to accommodate a different amount of beverage substance within the enclosure 14 of the capsule. Accordingly, the indicated distance L1 between the bottom portion 6 and the rim 4 of the capsule may vary, preferably between 15 and 40 mm.

(22) Thereby, the stepped section 9 with its outer diameter D2 enables a concentric positioning of the capsule 1 within a dedicated capsule holder 34 (see FIG. 5) having an inner diameter (not shown) designed for accommodating respectively enclosing the stepped section 9. Furthermore, the rim portion 4 is arranged to be positioned on an upper surface of said capsule holder 34 of the dedicated beverage production device in order to enable a stable support of the capsule.

(23) As indicated in FIG. 1, the capsule according to the present invention is surrounded by a circumferential force ring 8 preferably protruding to the exterior of the capsule perpendicular to a plane in which the membrane 3 is arranged. Thereby, the force ring 8 comprises an outer diameter D1 which preferably lies between 50 and 70 mm. In a preferred example, outer diameter D1 is 58 mm. The force ring 8 constitutes an engagement member which is designed to be engaged by a dedicated pressing surface of a capsule enclosing member of the device.

(24) FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of the force ring 8 arranged at an outer circumferential portion of the rim 4 of the capsule body 2. Thereby, the force ring 8 extends upwardly from the flange-like rim 4 and is designed to form part of a valve means for selectively blocking and/or restricting the flow of the centrifugal liquid coming out of the capsule as will be explained later in the present description.

(25) Thereby, the force ring 8 preferably extends to a height h from the plane in which the membrane 3 is arranged. Thereby, it is to be noted that the height h lies between 0.5 and 10 mm, most preferably between 0.8 and 8 mm, in order to adapt the back-pressure exerted by a dedicated pressing surface of a beverage production device to be used in conjunction with the present capsule. Thereby, it is to be understood that the greater the measure of height h is, the higher is the back pressure exerted by the pressing surface onto the force ring 8 of the capsule; therefore, the higher the overcoming pressure of the centrifuged liquid must be, to open the valve and maintained it opened.

(26) In a preferred embodiment, height h of the force ring 8 of the capsule is preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 mm high in order to exert a high back-pressure onto the capsule which will resolve in a high crema quality and quantity, but as well in a proper flow rate.

(27) However, for capsules from which large-volume type coffee beverages are to be prepared, the height of the sealing portion is preferably lower, i.e., between 0.5 and 1.4 mm such that an essential higher flow rate is obtained, at reasonable speeds (e.g., between 2500-8000 rpm) during beverage extraction without significantly reducing the crema quality and quantity.

(28) As can be seen in FIG. 2, the force ring 8 is preferably an embossed portion forming a multi-ply arrangement 16. The force ring 8 is preferably of inverted U- or V-shaped form when seen in cross-sectional side view.

(29) Thereby, the force ring 8 comprises an inner section 8a, a bent intermediate section 8b, and, optionally, an outer section 8c. The inner section 8a is preferably tilted by an angle with respect to the central axis of rotation z of the capsule 1. Thereby, is preferably between 2 and 15 degrees.

(30) Moreover, the outer section 8c preferably extends in a direction essentially parallel to the central axis of rotation Z of the capsule 1. A lower circumferential edge 8d of said outer section 8c is preferably arranged at a distance a to a lower surface of the flange like rim 4 of the capsule 1. Thereby, the distance a lies preferably between 0.1 and 1 mm.

(31) It is to be noted that the embossed force ring 8 is preferably made integral with the rim 4 and the capsule body 2. Accordingly, the multi-ply arrangement of the embossed ring 8 consists of preferably two plies 16a, 16b of the capsule's body material being folded at the edge 8d, to essentially an inverted U- or V-shaped form. Thereby, the inner section 8a, the bent intermediate section 8b and the outer section 8c in the shown embodiment are preferably formed by a first upper ply 16a. Moreover, a reentrant second ply 16b constitutes an embossed section of the multi-ply arrangement 16 and is bent inwardly from the lower circumferential edge 8d towards the capsule body 2.

(32) Hence, a very stable force ring 8 is arranged at the circumference of the flange like rim 4 in order to present a rigid engagement portion for providing valve means when being engaged by a dedicated pressing surface of a beverage production device.

(33) The force ring 8 is preferably formed such that its inner and outer sections 8a and 8c extend in horizontal direction to a width b which preferably lies between 1 and 5 mm.

(34) FIGS. 3a to 3c relate to the different steps used for forming the embossed force ring 8 of the capsule 1 according to the present invention.

(35) As shown in FIG. 3a, before the forming of the annular rim portion of the capsule is performed, the capsule 2 is preferably formed by deep drawing in which the body 2 comprising the shown side wall 7 and rim portion 4 are integrally formed as a single piece. Thereby, the rim portion 4 comprises an outer annular curled portion 8 which may be formed as well during the deep drawing operation or can be formed by an additional forming step.

(36) As shown in FIG. 3a, the capsule of such a configuration is preferably positioned in a dedicated supporting member 11 having a preferably cup-shaped inner surface 11a and an upper surface 11b which are complementary formed to the wall 7 and rim 4 of the capsule in order to provide a solid support during the forming process. Thereby, the supporting member 11 is preferably designed such that the curled section 8 extends to the circumference of the supporting member 8.

(37) The curled section 8 preferably extends to the upper and lower direction perpendicular to the plane in which the flange like rim 4 is arranged.

(38) A dedicated forming or embossing device further comprises an enclosing member preferably having a recess 10c which is shaped to support an upper convex portion 18 of the curled section 8 during the forming process. As indicated in the figure, the enclosing member may be constituted by two adjacent parts 10a, 10b which are positioned adjacent to each other at a joint face 10d which is preferably arranged at the provided recess 10c of the enclosing member. Accordingly, an intermediate member (not shown) may be provided in said joint face 10d to narrow or widen the recessed section 10c in order to adapt the resulting form of the embossed force ring 8.

(39) The enclosing member may further comprises a planar surface 13a being arranged with respect to the recessed section 10c in order to form an enclosing section complementary formed to the capsule's rim 4 and curled section 8 in order to provide a stable support during the forming process.

(40) The enclosing member preferably further comprises an annular enclosing surface 13b extending in direction of the axis of rotation Z (see FIG. 1) of the capsule in order to prevent the extension of the curled section 8 away from the body of the capsule during the forming process.

(41) It has to be noted that the enclosing member is preferably shaped to provide a solid support for at least an upper convex portion 18 of the curled section 8 during the forming process. The shown geometrical shape of the enclosing member is however just an exemplary embodiment and thus, the enclosing member may be of any different shape designed to provide a support for at least said upper convex portion 18.

(42) Furthermore, a dedicated forming or embossing device preferably comprises pressing means 12 which are preferably arranged at a circumference of the supporting member 11. Thereby, the pressing means 12 comprise an annular protrusion 12a which is preferably of inverted U- or V-shaped form and which is used as the tool for deforming the curled section 8. Thereby, the protrusion 12a is preferably distanced from the outer surface 11c of the supporting member 11 by a slanted portion 12b. Thereby, the protrusion 12a is preferably arranged to press from below onto a central portion of the curled section 8 when seen in sectional side view.

(43) The pressing means 12 may further comprise a stepped section 12c at its outer circumference which also helps to deform the curled section 8.

(44) As shown by arrows A, the enclosing member 10a, 10b and the pressing means 12 are preferably arranged to be moved with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation Z of the capsule body. Therefore, driving means such as a motor (not shown) may be coupled to the enclosing member 10a, 10b and/or the pressing means 12.

(45) FIG. 3b relates to an intermediate step of the forming process in which an outer circumferential surface 12d of the pressing means 12 engages with the inner circumferential surface 13b of the enclosing means. Thereby, it is to be understood that before the pressing means 12 engage with the enclosing means, the enclosing means 10a, 10b are lowered and brought into contact with the rim 4 and the curled section 8 in order to enable a stable support for the capsule during the forming process.

(46) As can be seen in FIG. 3b, the pressing means 12 press a lower convex portion 17 of the curled section 8 towards the enclosing member 10a, 10b. Thereby, the stepped portion 12c of the pressing means 12 prevents the curled section 8 from bypassing the pressing means and thus, enables the pressing means to press the curled section 8 into a predefined shape as defined by the recessed portion 10c. Furthermore, due to the slanted surface 12b of the pressing means 12 the curled section 8 is enabled to partially yield towards a space present between pressing means 12 and the supporting member 11. Accordingly, a multi-ply arrangement as shown in FIG. 3c which is essentially of inverted U-respectively V-shaped form is obtained by the forming process. In particular, the lower convex portion 17 of the curled section 8 is embossed into the opposite convex portion 18 of the curled section 8 and thus, formed to a reentrant portion 17 (see FIG. 3c). Accordingly, a rigid and stable force ring 8 is formed at the circumference of the flange like rim 4 which is integrally formed with the capsule body 2.

(47) After the forming process, the enclosing member 10a, 10b and the pressing means 12 may preferably be distanced from each other in order to eject the capsule 1 from the supporting member 11.

(48) Instead of the shown embodiment in which pressing means 12, an enclosing member 10a, 10b and a support member 11 are provided, the method according to the invention may as well be carried out by use of another arrangement such as a mould of different geometrical form.

(49) Moreover, in particular the shown pressing means 12 are just an exemplary embodiment and thus, the pressing means may be of any particular geometrical shape in order to enable an embossing of the curled section 8 in the direction opposite to the body. As an alternative for example, instead of the shown solid pressing means 12, embossing of the curled section 8 may be obtained by applying pressurized air or liquid onto at least the convex portion 17 of the curled section 8.

(50) A preferred embodiment of a system including a capsule of the invention and a beverage preparation device is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8 and is described in the following.

(51) The system comprises a capsule 1 as aforementioned and a beverage preparation device 23. The device has a module 24 which a capsule can be inserted in. The capsule contains a food substance for being brewed and the capsule is removed from the module after use for being discarded (e.g., for waste or recycling of the organic and inorganic raw materials). The module 24 is in fluid communication with a water supply such as a water reservoir 25. A fluid transport means such as a pump 26 is provided in the fluid circuit 27 between the module and the water supply. A water heater 28 is further provided to heat water in the fluid circuit before water enters the module. The water heater can be inserted in the fluid circuit to heat fresh water coming from the reservoir. Alternatively, the water heater can be placed in the water reservoir itself that becomes a water boiler in such case. Of course, water can also be taken directly from a domestic water supply via a water plug connection. The device may further comprise control means and activation means for activating the beverage preparation method (not illustrated).

(52) Water can be fed in the module 24 at low pressure or even at gravity pressure. For example, a pressure of between 0 and 2 bar above atmospheric pressure can be envisaged at the water inlet of the module. Water at higher pressure than 2 bar could also be delivered if a pressure pump is utilized such as a piston pump.

(53) The brewing module 24 can comprise two main capsule encasing sub-assemblies 29, 30; mainly comprising a water injection sub-assembly or water injection head and a liquid receiving subassembly including a capsule holder. The two subassemblies form positioning and centring means for referencing the capsule in rotation in the device.

(54) The two subassemblies close together to encase a capsule therein for example by a bayonet-type connection system 31 or any other suitable closure means such as a mechanism based on a jaw-type closure principle. The liquid receiving subassembly 30 comprises a liquid duct 32, for example, protruding on a side of the subassembly for guiding the centrifuged liquid coming out of the capsule to a service receptacle such as a cup or glass. The liquid duct is in communication with a liquid receiver 33 forming a U-like or V-like shaped annular section surrounding a capsule holder comprising a rotating drum or capsule-holder 34 into which the capsule can be inserted as illustrated in FIG. 5. The liquid receiver 33 defines a collecting cavity 63 for collecting the liquid as will be explained later in the description. Below the liquid receiving subassembly 30, are placed means for driving the capsule receiving drum 34 in rotation inside the subassembly.

(55) The driving means preferably comprise a rotary motor 40 which can be supplied by electricity or gas power.

(56) The water injection subassembly comprises a water inlet side comprising a water inlet 35 communicating upstream with the water fluid circuit 27.

(57) The rotary drum 34 prolongs itself axially by a rotating shaft 37 which is maintained in rotational relationship relative to an outer base 38 of the liquid receiver 33 by a rotational guiding means 39 like a ball bearing or needle bearing. Therefore, the rotary drum is designed to rotate around a median axis I whereas the outer base 38 of the receiver is fixed relative to the device. A mechanical coupling can be placed at the interface between the rotating shaft 37 of the drum and the shaft 42 of the motor 40.

(58) Considering the water injection subassembly 29, it comprises a centrally arranged water injector 45 which is fixed relative to longitudinal axis I of the device. The water injector comprises a central tubular member 46 for transporting water from the inlet 35 to a water outlet 47 that is intended to protrude inside the enclosure 14 of the capsule. The central tubular member extends by a hollow needle 90 for intruding in the capsule and injecting liquid therein. For this, the water outlet is associated by a puncturing means such as a sharp tubular tip 48 that is able to create a punctured hole through the membrane lid 3 of the capsule.

(59) About the water injector is mounted an enclosing member respectively a rotary engaging part 49. The engaging part 49 has a central bore for receiving the water injector and rotational guiding means such as a ball or needle bearing 50 inserted between the part 49 and the end of the injector 45. A sealing means 89 is positioned between the ball bearing 50 and the injection needle 90 for preventing any possible ingress of liquid from the capsule inside the bearing.

(60) The capsule engaging subassembly 29 may further comprise a tubular portion of skirt 62 which protrudes in the internal annular chamber 63 of the liquid receiving subassembly 30 when the two subassemblies are closed relatively one another about a capsule. This tubular portion of skirt 62 forms an impact wall for the centrifuged liquid which exits the centrifuged capsule. This portion 62 is preferably fixed on the subassembly 29. The subassembly further comprises a handling portion 64 for facilitating the connection on the liquid receiving subassembly 30. This handling portion 64 can have a knurled peripheral surface for handling. The handling portion can be fixed on the fixed base of the subassembly 29 by screws 67.

(61) This portion could of course be replaced by a lever mechanism or a similar handling means.

(62) According to the invention, the rotary engaging part comprises perforating members 53 located at the periphery of the part (FIG. 6). The perforating members are placed for perforating the membrane 3 of the capsule at its periphery, more particularly, in the annular peripheral area of the top membrane 3 of the capsule. More particularly, the perforating members are formed of sharp projections protruding from the lower surface of the engaging part. The membrane is preferably perforated when the water injection subassembly 29 is moved relative to the capsule, when the capsule is in place in the capsule holder of the lower subassembly 30, during closure of the device, i.e., of the two sub-assemblies 29, 30, about the capsule.

(63) The perforating elements are preferably distributed along a circular path of the part and close to the rim of the capsule.

(64) In a preferred mode, the perforating members 53 are solid (i.e., not traversed by a liquid supply conduit) at the tip.

(65) A valve means 51 is provided in the system in the flow path of the centrifuged liquid downstream of the perforating elements. The valve means can be any suitable valve providing opening or enlargement of the flow path of the centrifuged liquid leaving the capsule when a given threshold of pressure is attained. The valve means is so calibrated to open at a given pressure. Such calibration is essentially carried out by the force ring of the capsule in function of its height or thickness. For instance, the opening pressure is of about 0.5 to 4 bar, preferably of about 1-2 bar, of pressure (above atmospheric pressure).

(66) In the preferred mode, as illustrated, the valve means 51 of the system comprises an engagement portion, i.e., a force ring 8 of the capsule 1, which projects from the flange-like rim 4 of the capsule. This portion of engagement preferably forms a projection extending upwards from the substantially flat surface of the rim 4. The force ring 8 is preferably formed integrally from the flange-like rim. On the opposed side, the valve means comprises an engaging surface respectively pressing surface 83 of the rotary engaging part 49. The engaging surface 83 is part of an annular pressing portion 52 of the engaging part 49. The pressing portion 52 is mounted around the perforating plate 55 bearing the perforating members 53. A sealing element such as an O-ring 56 is also placed between the central plate 55 and the annular pressing portion 55. The perforating plate 55 may have a convex shape to ensure a pressure of contact in the centre of the capsule in order to reduce leakage of liquid outside the central perforation of the membrane.

(67) The pressing surface 83 may comprise various shapes depending on the particular shape of the force ring 8. In a preferred mode, the engaging surface 83 is a substantially planar surface such as an annular flat surface. The engaging surface may be formed as an annular recessed portion of surface at the periphery of the lower surface 54 of the rotary engaging part 49 thereby allowing the base of perforating members to be lower than the base of the force ring 8.

(68) It should be noted that the engaging surface 83 may take many different shapes other than flat such as concave or convex.

(69) The valve means 51 is designed to close under the force of a resilient closure load obtained by a load generating system 70 comprising spring-biasing elements 71, 72 (see FIG. 6). The spring-biasing elements 71, 72 are inserted between pressing portion 52 and an annular support base 57. The elements 71, 72 apply a predefined resilient load onto the rotary pressing portion 52. The spring-biasing elements can be formed of two, three, four or more helicoidal springs. Since the pressing portion 52 is biased against the force of the springs 71, 72 independently from the central perforating plate 55, it can move relative the plate as a response to the insertion of the capsule in the device. Thereby, the load primarily distributes itself onto the engaging surface 83 acting in closure against the force ring 8 of the capsule. While the annular pressing portion 52 retracts more or less depending on the thickness or height of the force ring 8, the perforating plate 55 takes a fixed position of engagement against the capsule thereby ensuring a reliable and reproducible surface area of perforations into the membrane 3 of the capsule.

(70) As illustrated in FIG. 7, the valve means normally closes off the flow path for the centrifuged liquid until a sufficient pressure is exerted on the force ring 8 by the centrifuged liquid exiting through the orifices 58 created by the perforating elements in the membrane 3. The liquid flows thus between the membrane 3 and the upper surface 54 of the perforating plate 55 and forces the valve 51 to open by pushing the annular pressing surface 52 upwards relative to central plate 55, against the force of the spring-biasing elements 71, 72, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The centrifuged liquid can thus be ejected at a high velocity on the impact surface 62.

(71) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the capsule holder 34 of the device may comprise a support portion. The support portion forms a stepped edge with an inner part and an outer part; wherein the inner part is lowered relatively to the outer part in a manner to be engaged, respectively, by the sealing portion of the rim and the force ring of the rim. The force ring of the capsule comprises circumferential edge 8d which is distanced from the plane of the sealing portion of the flange-like rim thereby enabling a firm support onto the outer part of the support portion of the capsule holder.

(72) Furthermore, the support portion comprises a support surface from which extends an annular indentation 92 which matches the shape of the inner recess 81 (see also FIG. 2) of the force ring 8. Hence, the indentation 92 can serve to position and reference the capsule in the device as well as to support the annular projection 8 of the valve means when being compressed by the rotary part 49. Preferably, the counter-shape 81 of the embossed force ring 8 is specifically formed by the above described forming process in order to receive the indentation 92 (optional means) of the provided capsule holder.

(73) It should be noticed that the spring-biasing means for exerting the load on the valve means can be designed differently. For instance, the spring-biasing means 71, 72 can be a rubber band or ring or any equivalent resilient structure.

(74) The closing force adjustment of the valve means respectively the restriction of the flow path between the force ring 8 and the pressing surface 83 of the device is obtained by the dimension of the force ring which is specific to the inserted capsule engaged in the beverage preparation device. Thereby, due to different height h of the force ring 8 the back-pressure of the valve means respectively the restriction of the liquid flow path between the capsule and the outlet 32 of the device can be adjusted to meet predefined needs. Thereby, for a fixed predefined closure load onto the force ring of the capsule, the back-pressure can be adapted by the height of the force ring 8 in order to adapt in particular the flow rate, the crema quality and/or the crema quantity of the beverage to be prepared.

(75) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lower surface 54 of the rotary perforating plate 55 preferably comprises a series of perforating elements or projections 53 being distributed in a circular pattern in a peripheral region of the surface. Each perforating element 53 will produce a perforation 58 in the upper membrane of the capsule and therefore a passage for the centrifuged liquid for leaving the capsule engaged in rotation. If necessary, the number of perforating elements can be changed by removing the plate and replacing it by a plate having a higher number of perforating elements.

(76) During operation of the capsule 1 placed into the system according to the invention, the capsule 1 is rotated about its axis Z. Thereby, liquid which is centrally injected into the capsule 1 through the injection needle 90 will tend to be guided along the inner surface of the side wall of the body, up to the inner side of the membrane, and then through the outlet openings created by the projections 53. Due to the centrifugation of the liquid provided centrically to the capsule 3, the liquid and the substance within the enclosure 14 of the capsule 1 are made to interact in order to form a liquid comestible.

(77) FIGS. 9 and 12 show a sectional side view of other preferred embodiments of the rim portion 4 of the capsule 1 comprising another double-ply arrangement. Thereby, the curved folded part 16 of the rim portion 4 is formed such that an upper ply 16a of the part 16 is of essentially inverted U-shaped form.

(78) Moreover, a lower ply 16b of the part 16 is bent inwardly, i.e. towards the body 2 of the capsule 1, such that a hollow annular space 19 is formed between the two plies 16a, 16b. Thereby, the ply 16b is preferably arranged parallel to a plane P in which the upper wall 3 of the capsule 1 extends. Moreover, an annular edge 20b of the ply 16b may be arranged adjacent to an inner circumferential edge 20a of the upper ply 16a.

(79) As shown in the figures, the curved folded part 16 preferably extends, beyond a plane P in which the upper wall 3 is arranged, in the opposite direction of the body 2. Thereby, the flange-like rim 4 is preferably free of any downward extension below the plane P to form a stable support onto the edge of the capsule holder (The lower ply 16b being here not considered as a downward extension below plane P but a transversal extension adjacent to the sealing portion of the flange-like rim).

(80) Furthermore, the curved folded part 16 preferably extends to a height h from the plane P in which the upper wall 3 is arranged.

(81) As shown in FIG. 9, a hollow structure is formed by the plies 16a, 16b which forms a rigid force ring 8. Alternatively, the hollow structure respectively hollow space 19 as shown in FIG. 9 may as well be filled by a dedicated filling and/or reinforcing material 15 in order to further enhance the rigidity of the structure of the force ring 8 as shown in FIG. 12. Thereby, the filling material 15 may be any material to be dispensed or provided to the hollow space 19 such as e.g. solid or granular plastic material.

(82) FIGS. 10 and 11 show another preferred embodiments of the rim portion of the capsule comprising a single ply arrangement according to the present invention.

(83) As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the force ring 8 comprises a single ply 16a being formed in essentially inverted U-shaped form. Thereby, the single ply 16a extends to a height h from plane P in which the upper wall 3 of the capsule 1 is arranged.

(84) According to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the single ply 16a comprises an outer circumferential edge 8d which delimits the single ply 16a. Thereby, the outer circumferential edge 8d preferably does not extend over a plane F in which a lower surface of the rim portion 4 of the capsule is arranged towards the body 2 of the capsule 1. More preferably, the lower surface of the rim portion 4 and the outer circumferential edge 8d are arranged in a common plane F such that the lower surface of the rim portion 4 and the circumferential edge 8d may provide a stable support of the capsule 1 when being engaged by a dedicated enclosing member of a beverage production device. However, the circumferential edge 8d may as well be distanced from plane F by a distance a as explained for example with respect to the embodiment according to FIG. 2.

(85) As shown in FIG. 11, the single ply 16a of the force ring 8 may as well comprise an outer annular end portion 20c which is arranged essentially parallel to the plane P in which the upper wall 3 of the capsule 1 is arranged. Thereby, the annular portion 20c is preferably delimited by an outer circumferential edge 8d.

(86) The annular portion 20c is preferably distanced by a distance a from plane F in which the lower surface of the rim portion 4 of the capsule 1 is arranged. However, the distance a may as well be 0 such that the annular portion 20c lies within the same plane F in which the rim portion 4 is arranged.

(87) Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.