CAPSULE FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE, AND DEVICE
The invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage, for example coffee, including a hollow element ( 1 ) for containing a metered amount of ground coffee, for example, said hollow element ( 1 ) including a side wall ( 2 ), an injection surface ( 3 ) and an extraction wall ( 4 ) for extracting a mixture of water and coffee; said capsule including at least one self-piercing raised pattern ( 5 ) arranged on said extraction wall ( 4 ). The invention also relates to a device for using said capsule.
1 . A capsule for preparing a beverage, for example coffee, comprising a hollow element ( 1 ) intended to contain a serving, for example of ground coffee, said hollow element ( 1 ) comprising a side wall ( 2 ), an injection face ( 3 ) and an extraction wall ( 4 ) suitable for the extraction of a water-coffee mixture; said capsule comprising at least one self-piercing relief ( 5 ) located on said extraction wall ( 4 ).
2 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of self-piercing reliefs ( 5 ).
3 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , in which the relief or reliefs is/are formed by embossing, stamping, thermoforming or any other similar process.
4 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , in which the self-piercing relief or reliefs ( 5 ) comprise(s) a peripheral weakening zone which has a thickness less than the thickness of the rest of the extraction wall ( 4 ).
5 . The capsule as claimed in claim 4 , in which said weakening zone is symmetrical about its relief ( 5 ) with which it is combined.
6 . The capsule as claimed in claim 4 , in which said weakening zone is asymmetrical about its relief ( 5 ) with which it is combined.
7 . The capsule as claimed in claim 6 , in which said weakening zone has a point of attachment having a thickness at least the same as that of the rest of the extraction wall ( 4 ).
8 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , in which each relief ( 5 ) has a circular base.
9 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , in which each relief ( 5 ) has a polygonal base.
10 . The capsule as claimed in claim 9 , in which each relief ( 5 ) has a cross-shaped base.
11 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , comprising reliefs ( 5 ) on its injection face ( 3 ).
12 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , comprising reliefs ( 5 ) on its side wall ( 2 ).
13 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a semipermeable element ( 8 ) located on the inner face of the extraction wall ( 4 ).
14 . The capsule as claimed in claim 13 , in which each relief ( 5 ) has a spike ( 9 ) located inside the capsule.
15 . The capsule as claimed in claim 1 , in which said extraction wall is made of a biodegradable material, for example comprising the following elements: starch (>70%), fibers, proteins, lipids and at least one biodegradable resin.
16 . A device for using a capsule as defined in claim 1 , comprising a capsule holder ( 10 ), a capsule housing ( 7 ), a water inlet and a perforating element, said capsule holder being designed to deform the relief or reliefs ( 5 ) of the capsule ( 1 ) in order to produce their self-perforation.
17 . The device as claimed in claim 16 , in which said capsule holder ( 10 ) has at least one protuberance ( 12 ) intended to come into contact with said relief ( 5 ).