A BEVERAGE CAPSULE
A beverage capsule ( 100 ) for a beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a cup-shaped capsule body ( 102 ) defining a cavity ( 108 ) enclosed by an injection membrane ( 112 ) in which a volume of a beverage ingredient ( 110 ) is disposed, an outlet ( 116 ) disposed in the capsule body ( 102 ) communicating with the cavity ( 108 ); said beverage capsule ( 100 ) further comprises an elongate member ( 120 ) which extends from the capsule body ( 102 ) into the cavity ( 108 ) and has a channel ( 130 ) extending through it from an extremity ( 122 ) of the elongate member ( 120 ) distal to the capsule body ( 102 ), to the outlet ( 116 ), such that the cavity ( 108 ) is in fluid communication with the outlet ( 116 ) solely through the channel ( 130 ).
1 . A beverage capsule for a beverage-preparation apparatus, comprising:
a substantially cup-shaped capsule body having a first end and a second end, and defining a cavity;
an outlet disposed in the second end in communication with said cavity;
an injection membrane disposed upon the first end so as to close the cavity; and
a quantity of a beverage ingredient disposed within the cavity;
an elongate member extending from the second end into the cavity; and
a channel extending through the elongate member from an extremity of the elongate member opposite the second end, the cavity being in fluid communication with the outlet solely through the channel.
2 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the extremity of the elongate member opposite the second end is notched about at least part of the periphery thereof.
3 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the extremity of the elongate member opposite the second end is disposed proximate to the injection membrane, such that when the injection membrane is deflected into the cavity said the injection membrane bears upon the extremity of the elongate member.
4 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is mobile between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position wherein an outlet membrane disposed upon and enclosing the outlet is ruptured by the elongate member.
5 . The beverage capsule according to claim 4 , wherein the elongate member is biased into the first, retracted position.
6 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is substantially cylindrical.
7 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is a solid of revolution about a longitudinal axis of the beverage capsule, the elongate member having a substantially W-shaped cross-section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis, an orifice being disposed in an apex of the elongate member proximate to the outlet.
8 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is attached to the capsule body by a living hinge.
9 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the capsule body and the elongate member are formed by co-injection moulding of at least two different plastic materials such that the capsule body and elongate member comprise at least three superimposed layers, a middle layer thereof forming an oxygen barrier.
10 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is formed integrally with the capsule body.
11 . The beverage capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the capsule body and the elongate member are formed as separate components and subsequently assembled together.
12 . A method for preparing a beverage, comprising the steps of:
providing a beverage capsule for a beverage-preparation apparatus, comprising a substantially cup-shaped capsule body having a first end and a second end, and defining a cavity, an outlet disposed in the second end in communication with said cavity, an injection membrane disposed upon the first end so as to close the cavity, a quantity of a beverage ingredient disposed within the cavity, an elongate member extending from the second end into the cavity, and a channel extending through the elongate member from an extremity of the elongate member opposite the second end, the cavity being in fluid communication with the outlet solely through the channel;
injecting a volume of water into the cavity of the beverage capsule to create a beverage; and
dispensing the beverage through the channel of the elongate member and the outlet.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising an opening step after the providing step, wherein the elongate member is displaced from the first, retracted position into the second, extended position so as to rupture the outlet membrane.
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the opening step comprises exerting a force on the injection membrane such that it is displaced into contact with the extremity of the elongate member, the force being consequently exerted on the elongate member.
15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the injection membrane is depressed by a complementary structure of a capsule receptacle of a beverage-preparation apparatus in which the beverage capsule is disposed.