Capsule for preparing and delivering a drink by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule
The invention relates to a capsule for delivering a drink by injecting a pressurized fluid comprising a body ( 2 ), an injection wall ( 3 ), a chamber ( 4 ) containing a bed of food substance to be extracted, means for retaining the internal pressure ( 5 ) in the said chamber. The improvement consists in the provision of an injection space ( 7 ) allowing a means of injecting fluid in the form of at least one jet of fluid to be introduced through the injection wall and in providing a means ( 6 ) for breaking the jet of fluid and distributing the distribution of fluid at a reduced speed across the surface of the bed of substance. These means may adopt various forms such as that of a rigid or flexible perforated wall, or a layer of discrete elements or a spongy layer. Such a capsule improves the flow of liquid extract through the pressure retaining means ( 5 ) and improves the extraction conditions.
1. A capsule for delivering a drink by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule comprising:
a hollow body and an injection wall attached to the body;
an injection space allowing an injection means in the form of at least one jet of pressurized fluid to be introduced through the injection wall;
a chamber defined by the body and containing a bed of at least one food substance to be extracted;
means for retaining an internal pressure in the chamber; and
means for impacting the jet of fluid so as to reduce a speed of the jet of fluid injected into the capsule and distribute the fluid across the bed of substance at a reduced speed, wherein the means for impacting the jet of fluid comprises (i) at least one wall that separates the injection space from the chamber, and (ii) a multitude of openings passing through the wall in such a way as to distribute the flow of fluid across the bed of substance.
2. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the wall comprises welding edges which are welded against an internal surface of the hollow body in such a way as to position the wall back from the injection wall.
3. The capsule according to claim 2 , wherein the wall is a deformable flexible film.
4. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the wall of the means for impacting the jet of fluid is at an orientation selected from the group consisting of substantially parallel to, convex and concave with respect to the injection wall.
5. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the openings of the perforated wall are distributed substantially uniformly across the wall so as to distribute the stream of fluid substantially uniformly across the bed of substance.
6. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the perforated wall is selected from the group consisting of a plastic wall with holes, a film with holes, a grating, a layer of woven or nonwoven material, a porous layer and combinations thereof.
7. The capsule according to claim 3 , wherein the food substance to be extracted substantially occupies an entire interior of the chamber and the perforated wall is immobilized a distance of 1 mm or less away from the surface of the bed.
8. The capsule according to claim 7 , wherein the perforated wall is in contact with the surface of the bed of substance in the chamber.
9. The capsule according to claim 8 , wherein the perforated wall is positioned so as to keep the bed of substance in a compression state.
10. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the wall of the means for impacting the jet of fluid is rigid.
11. The capsule according to claim 10 , wherein the wall of the means for impacting the jet of fluid forms a bottom of a dish which is inserted inside the body.
12. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the means for impacting the jet of fluid comprise a layer of material which separates the fluid jet inlet from the surface of the bed of the substance.
13. The capsule according to claim 12 , wherein the layer is in a form selected from the group consisting of beads, granules and sticks.
14. Capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure-retaining means comprise:
a puncturable membrane,
raised elements which open the membrane in order to create punctures and allow the liquid extract to pass through the punctures, the punctures in the membrane being created due to an effect of the rise in pressure in the chamber of the capsule.
15. Capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the raised elements are positioned on the outside of the chamber.
16. Capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the raised elements are positioned on the inside of the chamber.
17. Capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the raised elements are distributed over a plate which comprises ducts leading to openings through which the drink can flow.
18. Capsule according to claim 14 , wherein the raised elements have a shape selected from the group consisting of pyramids, cone frustums, domes, elongate ribs, spikes and blades.
19. Capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprise:
a filter wall comprising pre-formed openings or points of weakness.
20. Capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a collector for a drink and at least one passage for dispensing the drink.
21. Capsule according to claim 20 , wherein the collector comprises drink overflow means bordering the passage so as to slow a stream of drink leaving the capsule.
22. Capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the food substance contains ground coffee or tea.
23. A capsule comprising:
a hollow body and an injection wall attached to the body;
an injection space allowing an injection means in the form of at least one jet of pressurized fluid to be introduced through the injection wall;
a chamber defined by the body and containing a food substance to be extracted;
a member located so as to reduce the speed of the jet of fluid injected into the capsule and distribute the fluid across the bed of substance at a reduced speed, wherein the member comprises (i) at least one wall that separates the injection space from the chamber, and (ii) a multitude of openings passing through the wall in such a way as to distribute the flow of fluid across the bed of substance.