# US 12,213,615 B2 · Adapter for use in preparing a beverage by means of a capsule and a beverage preparation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,615 B2 - Document ID: US12213615B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/976,883 - Filed: 2018-03-12 - Published: 2021-01-07 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-12 - Assignees: Delica AG - Applicants: Delica AG - Inventors: Roland Affolter; Tim Thilla; Markus Brönnimann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213615B2 ## CPC - A47J 31/0647: {with means to adjust the brewing chamber volume to accommodate different quantities of brewing material} - A47J 31/0668: {specially adapted for cartridges} - B65D 85/8043: {Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents (B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06)} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract An adapter (1) for preparing a beverage by a capsule (2) and a beverage preparation device (3). The adapter (1) has a disk-shaped main body (17) with a capsule side (4) and a device side (7). On the capsule side (4), a mechanism (5) for introducing a liquid into the capsule (2) and mechanism (6) for discharging a liquid from the capsule (2) are arranged. On the device side (7), an inlet (8) and an outlet (9) are arranged. The inlet (8) is fluidically connected to the mechanism (5) for introducing the liquid, and the outlet (9) is fluidically connected to the mechanism (6) for discharging the liquid. The device side (7) is at least partially covered with a covering (67) to form an intermediate volume (19), between the main body (17) and the covering (67), which fluidically connects the inlet (8) to the mechanism (5) for introducing the liquid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter for use in preparing a beverage with a capsule comprising a capsule body for receiving the beverage ingredients and a cover closing off the capsule body, and a beverage preparation device, wherein the adapter can be placed together with the capsule into the beverage preparation device, the adapter comprises a basic body being generally disk shaped with a top side to receive a capsule and a bottom side to be connected to a beverage preparation device, means for introducing a liquid into the capsule and means for discharging a liquid from the capsule are arranged on the top side of the basic body such that both the introduction of liquid into the capsule and the discharge of liquid from the capsule take place on only one side of the capsule, an inlet for the liquid provided by the beverage preparation device and also an outlet are arranged on the bottom side of the basic body, the inlet is fluidically connected to the means for introducing the liquid into the capsule and the outlet is fluidically connected to the means for discharging the liquid from the capsule, the bottom side of the basic body is at least partially covered with a covering in order to form an intermediate volume, between the basic body and the covering, via which the inlet is fluidically connected through the intermediate volume to the means for introducing the liquid into the capsule, wherein the inlet and the means for introducing the liquid into the capsule are placed separated locally from one another at different angular orientation with regard to a center of the generally disk shaped basic body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the basic body is completely covered with the covering. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the basic body is formed from a plastics material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering is formed by a film or a foil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering is formed integrally with the basic body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering for forming the intermediate volume is connected to the basic body by at least one of adhesive bonding or sealing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the means for introducing the liquid into the capsule comprises at least one penetration element for penetrating a contact surface of the capsule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the means for discharging the liquid from the capsule comprises at least one penetration element for penetrating the contact surface of the capsule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the top side has at least one structure for at least one of securing and positioning the capsule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adapter according to claim 9, wherein said at least one structure has a projection which is configured for engaging in a corresponding offset of the capsule. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The adapter according to claim 9, wherein the adapter has, on at least one of said at least one structure, latching means, which can be latched to corresponding latching means of the capsule. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the outlet is arranged within the projection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A capsule for preparing a beverage with an adapter according to claim 10, and a beverage preparation device, wherein the capsule can be placed together with the adapter into the beverage preparation device, the capsule comprises a capsule body which is covered with a cover, the cover forms the contact surface of the capsule and closes the capsule body, and the capsule body has at least one offset for engagement of a projection of the adapter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A set comprising an adapter according to claim 1, and at least one capsule. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A beverage preparation system comprising as set according to claim 14, and a beverage preparation device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The adapter according to claim 3, wherein the basic body is formed by injection molding. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering is formed by an aluminum foil or a plastics film. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering is formed by a plastics film composed of a plastics material selected from the group comprising PET, PET/PP and PET/heat-sealing lacquer, or from a multi-layered laminate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the covering for forming the intermediate volume is connected to the basic body by heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the means for introducing the liquid into the capsule comprise at least one puncture cannula for penetrating a contact surface of the capsule. ### Claim 21 (depends on 8) The adapter according to claim 8, wherein the at least one penetration element is selected from the group comprising pyramids, spikes, cones, truncated pyramids, truncated cones, cylinders and prisms. ### Claim 22 (depends on 10) The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the projection is configured to be circular-cylindrical. ### Claim 23 (depends on 11) The adapter according to claim 11, wherein the latching means are in the form of at least one of a groove or a latching lug. ### Claim 24 (depends on 12) The adapter according to claim 12, wherein the projection is centrally arranged. ### Claim 25 (depends on 13) The capsule according to claim 13, wherein the cover hermetically closes the capsule body. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The set according to claim 14, wherein the at least one capsule is for preparing a beverage with an adapter and a beverage preparation device, the at least one capsule can be placed together with the adapter into the beverage preparation device, the at least one capsule comprises a capsule body which is covered with a cover, the cover forms the contact surface of the at least one capsule and closes the capsule body, and the capsule body has at least one offset for engagement of a projection of the adapter.