Capsule, system and use of the system for preparing double beverages like a double espresso, a double lungo and a double ristretto
A capsule, a system and a use of the system for preparing double beverages like a double espresso, a double lungo and a double ristretto are provided. With the capsule, system and use, a high quality double espresso, double lungo and double ristretto can be brewed in an on demand apparatus. The capsule has a shape and configuration which is easily acceptable for the average user whereas the brew which is obtainable with the capsule meets high quality standards. To that effect, the capsule has a frusto-conical capsule body with a radial flange at one end, a foil lid closing off the body and connected to the flange, and a coffee bed which is accommodated in the internal space bounded by the capsule body and the foil lid and which has a weight of 9-13 g and a (height)/(maximum width) ratio within the range of 0.9-1.2.
1 . A system comprising an apparatus for brewing coffee and a set of capsules comprising a capsule of a first type configured to prepare a single espresso, single ristretto or single lungo and a capsule of a second type configured to prepare a double espresso, double ristretto or double lungo, wherein the single espresso and the double espresso, the single ristretto and the double ristretto, or the single lungo and the double lungo have a strength of 2.5-4% and a yield of 20-29%, each capsule comprising:
a frusto-conical capsule body comprising:
a circumferential side wall extending around a central axis of the frusto-conical capsule body;
a bottom wall connected with a first end of the circumferential side wall for closing off the first end of the frusto-conical capsule body;
a flange extending radially outwardly from a second end of the circumferential side wall;
wherein the capsule further includes:
a foil lid that is connected with the flange;
a coffee bed of coffee grind that is accommodated within an internal space bounded by the frusto-conical capsule body and the foil lid, the coffee bed having a maximum coffee bed diameter that corresponds with an inner diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the second end of the circumferential side wall, the internal space having a height defined by the maximum distance between the bottom wall and a plane in which the second end of the circumferential side wall extends;
wherein a top radius, bottom radius and height of the capsule of the second type are scaled relative to the capsule of the first type by a single scale factor;
wherein the scale factor is in the range of 1.3-1.7;
wherein the weight of the coffee bed in the capsule of the first type is in the range of 4-8 grams, and wherein the weight of the coffee bed in the capsule of the second type is in the range of 9-13 grams and wherein the (height)/(maximum width) ratio of the coffee bed in the capsule of the second type is within the range of 0.9-1.2;
the apparatus comprising:
a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part, closeable against each other to form a brew chamber;
a fluid supply system;
a piercing member;
an extraction plate; and
an outlet.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the ratio of (the height of the internal space of the frusto-conical capsule body)/(the inner diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the second end of the circumferential side wall) is in the range of 0.9-1.2.
3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the coffee bed in the capsule of the second type is substantially the same as the height of the internal space of the capsule of the second type.
4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the weight of the coffee bed in the capsule of the second type is in the range of 10.0-12.5 grams.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the volume of the coffee bed is at least substantially the same as the volume of the internal space and/or wherein the ratio of the (volume of the coffee bed)/(volume of the internal space) is within the range of 0.6-1.0.
6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the volume of the internal space is within the range of 25.0-30.0 ml and wherein the volume of the coffee bed is within the range of 25.0-30.0 ml.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the volume of the coffee bed is within the range of 25.0-30.0 ml.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the height of the internal space is in the range of 37.0-39.0 mm; and/or
the inner diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at second end of the circumferential side wall is in the range of 33.0-35.0 mm; and/or
the inner diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the first end of the circumferential side wall is in the range of 27-30 mm.
9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the frusto-conical capsule body and the foil lid are made from aluminum.
10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the capsule of the second type is hermetically closed prior to insertion into the brew chamber.
11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the capsule of the second type is arranged for preparing a volume of coffee brew larger than 50 ml.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the capsule body and/or the foil lid are provided with a coating.
13 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the ratio (foil lid diameter)/(foil lid thickness) is within the range of 700-2100.
14 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type:
the height of the coffee bed is in the range of 23.0-39.0 mm; and/or
the maximum coffee bed diameter is in the range of 33.0-35.0 mm; and/or
the volume of the coffee bed is in the range of 25.0-30.0 ml; and
wherein at least one of the coffee bed properties is within the following ranges:
tap density: 380-500 g/l;
percentage of fines: 6-24%<90 microns;
volume mean diameter: 240-440 microns.
15 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type:
the height of the internal space is in the range of 37.0-39.0 mm; and/or
the internal diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the second end is in the range of 33.0-35.5 mm; and/or
the volume of the internal space is in the range of 25.0-30.0 ml; and
wherein the angle of the circumferential side wall relative to the central axis is in the range of 4.5-5.5 degrees.
16 . The system according to claim 1 , the capsule of the second type further comprising an adhesive in the internal space at a transition edge between the circumferential side wall and the flange.
17 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type:
the internal diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the second end of the circumferential side wall is in the range of 33.0-35.0 mm; and/or
the internal space has a volume in the range of 25.0-30.0 ml; and/or
the height of the internal space is in the range of 37.0-39.0 mm; and
wherein the thickness of the circumferential side wall and the bottom wall of the frusto-conical capsule body is in the range of 105-120 μm.
18 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the internal diameter of the frusto-conical capsule body at the second end of the circumferential side wall is in the range of 33.0-35.0 mm; and
wherein the foil lid has a diameter in the range of 34.0-48.0 mm; and
wherein at least one of the following conditions is complied with:
foil lid thickness is within a range of 20-47 micro meter;
the foil lid is connected along a ring like connection area with the flange of the frusto-conical capsule body, wherein a ratio (Ar/Al) of a surface area (Ar) of the ring like connection area and a surface area (Al) of the foil lid is within a range of 0.36-0.41;
the amount of bulging, i.e. the distance between a center of the foil lid and the plane in which the second end of the circumferential side wall extends is in the range of 0.8-2.0 mm; or an internal pressure at which the foil lid bursts open without contacting a studplate of the apparatus or at which the foil lid is torn from the flange is in the range of 1.2-1.9 bar.
19 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the foil lid that is connected with the flange is provided with an outflow opening or a plurality of outflow openings wherein the capsule of the second type further comprises an outlet filter which is positioned between the coffee bed and the foil lid.
20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein for the capsule of the second type the total surface area of the outflow opening or the plurality of outflow openings is in the range of 1.5-5.0 cm2.
21 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein the capsule of the second type is arranged for preparing a double lungo with substantially no crema.
22 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is arranged such that for preparing a double ristretto or a double espresso while using the capsule of the second type a pump of the apparatus operates at full power.
23 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is arranged such that if used for the capsule of the first type the pump operates at full power.
24 . The system according to claim 23 , wherein the flowrate when the capsule of the first type is used and the pump operates at full power is in the range of 1.5-7.0 ml/s.
25 . The system according to claim 23 , wherein a piercing pattern in the foil lid of the capsule of the first type formed during brewing differs from a piercing pattern in the foil lid of the capsule of the second type formed during brewing wherein the area comprising pierced openings of the capsule of the first type is slightly smaller than the area comprising pierced openings of the capsule of the second type.
26 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is arranged for preparing a double lungo while using the capsule of the second type wherein a flow of water which is submitted by means of the pump to the capsule of the second type is controlled during a time period so that the flowrate does not exceed a predetermined value wherein the predetermined value lays in the range of 2.5-5.0 ml/sec; or
wherein the apparatus is arranged for preparing a double lungo while using the capsule of the second type wherein the pump of the apparatus operates at full power so that a flowrate of the fluid which is submitted to the capsule of the second type by means of the pump for brewing coffee is maximal.
27 . The system according to claim 22 , further comprising a second capsule of the second type of which the foil lid that is connected with the flange is provided with an outflow opening or a plurality of outflow openings, wherein the second capsule of the second type further comprises an outlet filter which is positioned between the coffee bed and the foil lid, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that for preparing a double lungo without substantially crema while using the second capsule of the second type wherein a flow of water which is submitted by means of the pump to the second capsule of the second type is controlled during a time period so that the flowrate does not exceed a predetermined value wherein the predetermined value lays in the range of 2.5-5.0 ml/sec.
28 . The system according to claim 27 , wherein the apparatus is provided with four buttons for selecting a brewing process, including a first button for selecting the preparation of a double ristretto wherein, if the first button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing the double ristretto at maximum pump power, a second button for selecting the preparation of a double espresso wherein, if the second button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double espresso at maximum pump power, a third button for selecting the preparation of a double lungo with crema wherein, if the third button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double lungo at maximum pump power and a fourth button for selecting the preparation of a double lungo with substantially no crema wherein, if the fourth button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double lungo with substantially no crema while the flowrate is kept below a predetermined maximum value.
29 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the flowrate when the capsule of the second type is used and the pump operates at full power is in the range of 2.0-7.0 ml/s.
30 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the water temperature profile in a water inlet of the brew chamber that accommodates the capsule of the second type during brewing complies with the following parameters:
from start to 3 seconds: water temperature is in the range of 90-95° C.
from 3 seconds to 15 seconds: water temperature is in the range of 83-95° C.;
after 15 seconds: water temperature is in the range of 88-95° C.
31 . The system according to claim 22 ,
wherein the capsule of the second type, when being used, provides an amount of coffee brew in the range of 50-220 ml within a time range of 10-73.3 s so that an average flowrate is obtained of 3-5 ml/s,
wherein the ratio of the (average flowrate)/(maximum coffee bed diameter) is in the range of 0.008-0.16 ml/mm.
32 . The system according to claim 22 wherein the apparatus is provided with three buttons for selecting a brewing process, including a first button for selecting the preparation of a double ristretto wherein, if the first button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing the double ristretto at maximum pump power, a second button for selecting the preparation of a double espresso wherein, if the second button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double espresso at maximum pump power and a third button for selecting the preparation of a double lungo wherein, if the third button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double lungo while during a time period wherein the pump is powered the flowrate is kept below a predetermined maximum value.
33 . The system according to claim 32 , wherein the apparatus is also designed for preparing a single ristretto, a single espresso or a single lungo by using the capsule of the first type which is smaller than the capsule of the second type, and wherein the apparatus is arranged to distinguish the capsule of the first type from the capsule of the second type wherein if the presence the capsule of the first type in the apparatus is detected the actuation of the three buttons is as follows: the first button is for selecting the preparation of a single ristretto wherein, if the first button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing the single ristretto at maximum pump power, the second button is for selecting the preparation of single espresso wherein, if the second button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing a single espresso at maximum pump power and the third button is for selecting the preparation of a single lungo wherein, if the third button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing a single lungo at maximum pump power.
34 . The system according to claim 33 , wherein the apparatus is arranged to distinguish the capsule of the first type from the capsule of the second type wherein if the presence of the capsule of the first type in the apparatus is detected the actuation of the three buttons is as follows: the first button is for selecting the preparation of a single ristretto wherein, if the first button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing the single ristretto at maximum pump power, the second button is for selecting the preparation of single espresso wherein, if the second button is selected, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing a single espresso at maximum pump power and the third button is for selecting the preparation of a single lungo wherein, if the third button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the first type for preparing a single lungo at maximum pump power.
35 . The system according to claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is provided with three buttons for selecting a brewing process, including a first button for selecting the preparation of a double ristretto, wherein, if the first button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing the double ristretto at maximum pump power, a second button for selecting the preparation of a double espresso, wherein, if the second button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double espresso at maximum pump power and a third button for selecting the preparation of a double lungo, wherein, if the third button is activated, in use, the apparatus provides sufficient hot water to the capsule of the second type for preparing a double lungo, wherein the apparatus is provided with detection means to determine whether during a predetermined first time period of the brewing process the flowrate exceeds a predetermined first value and/or the amount of beverage produced exceeds a predetermined second value wherein the apparatus is further arranged to keep the flow rate below a predetermined maximum value for the flow rate within a second time period of the brewing process which follows after the first time period if during the first time period it is detected that the flowrate exceeds the predetermined first value and/or the amount of beverage produced exceeds the predetermined second value.