A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, seen in cross-section along a plane through the capsule body axis, a transition from the bottom of the trough to the projection has a sloping section that is straighter than adjacent curved sections inside and outside of said sloping section.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a radially outer wall of said projection is oriented at an enclosed angle relative to the capsule body axis of less than 8° and more preferably less than 6° and, at the outer foot of the projection, a transition from the projection to a radially outwardly projecting portion of the outwardly extending flange preferably has an internal radius of less than 0.15 mm and more preferably less than 0.12 mm.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outwardly extending flange has no more than one single annular projection comprising a projection top projecting axially towards the bottom from an inner projection foot radially outside of an inner flange portion and an outer projection foot racially inside of an outer flange portion.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one projection is configured such that its projection top exerts an outward radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom of the trough is axially spaced from the cover.

Capsule according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member is deformable such that, in use, closure of the enclosing member causes the axial spacing between the outer projection foot and the bottom of the trough to be reduced.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection top end extends around the capsule axis at a diameter of 31.9 to 32.4 mm.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, the projection has a generally inwardly facing surface portion extending at an enclosed angle of less than 8° and preferably less than 6° or less than 4° to the capsule body axis.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection and the bottom of the trough are arranged such that the free contact end of the annular element contacts the bottom of the trough if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member, said bearing being formed by at least the projection.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection is shaped to roll and buckle radially outwards if compressed in axial direction, while in contact with an outwardly facing surface of a free end of the annular element.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule contains an extractable product as substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, said extractable product preferably being 5-20 grams, preferably 5-10 grams, more preferably 5-7 grams of roasted and ground coffee.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the capsule.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange is approximately 37.1 mm and the diameter of the bottom of the capsule is about 23.3 mm.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the aluminum capsule body is such that it is deformed easily if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member of the beverage preparation device, preferably the thickness of the aluminum capsule body is 20 to 200 micrometer, preferably 100 micrometer.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the aluminum cover is 15 to 65 micrometer, preferably 30-45 micrometer and more preferably 39 micrometer.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness of the aluminum cover is smaller than the wall thickness of the aluminum capsule body.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aluminum cover is arranged to tear open on the closing member of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the beverage preparation device under the influence of fluid pressure in the capsule.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall of the aluminum capsule body has a free end opposite the bottom, the outwardly extending flange extending from said free end of the side wall in a direction at least substantially transverse to the central capsule body axis.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outwardly extending flange comprises a curled outer edge.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a height of the aluminum capsule body is about 28.4 mm.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aluminum capsule body is truncated, wherein preferably the side wall of the aluminum capsule body encloses an angle with a line transverse to the central capsule body axis of about 97.5°.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom of the aluminum capsule body has a largest inner diameter of about 23.3 mm.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the sealing member portion to be contacted first by the free end of the enclosure member when the enclosure member is closed is at least about 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm and most preferably at least 0.8 mm and at most 3 mm, more preferably at most 2 mm and most preferably at most 1.2 mm.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises an inner surface, and wherein on the inner surface of at least the side wall of the capsule an inner coating is provided.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule comprises an outer surface, and wherein on the outer surface of the capsule a color lacquer is provided.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection, the side wall of the aluminum capsule body and the bottom of the trough are arranged such that the free contact end of the annular element contacts the bottom of the trough if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of the closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection fluid sealingly contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, in use, the maximum fluid pressure in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection fluid sealingly contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, during brewing, said free contact end of the annular element exerts a force F2 on the sealing structure of the capsule, wherein F2 is in the range of 500-1500 N preferably in the range of 750-1250 N when the fluid pressure P2 in said enclosing member outside the capsule is in the range of 6-20 bar, preferably between 12 and 18 bar.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection fluid sealingly contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if, in use, prior to or at the start of brewing, said free contact end of the annular element exerts a force F1 on the sealing structure of the capsule, wherein the force F1 is in the range of 30-150 N, preferably 40-150 N and more preferably 50-100 N, when the fluid pressure P1 in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device outside the capsule is in the range of 0.1-4 bar, preferably 0.1-1 bar.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection fluid sealingly contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if the free contact end of the annular element that is pressed against the sealing structure has a plurality of radially extending open grooves uniformly spaced relative to each other in circumferential sense of said free contact end of the annular element.

Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure is deformable such that said projection sealingly contacts at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element if the greatest width of each of said grooves is 0.9-1.1 mm, preferably 0.95 to 1.05 mm, more preferably 0.98 to 1.02 mm wherein a maximal height of each of said grooves in an axial direction of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device is 0.01-0.09 mm, preferably 0.03 to 0.07 mm, more preferably 0.045 to 0.055 mm, most preferred 0.05 mm and wherein the number of said grooves is 90 to 110, preferably 96.

Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing structure and the remainder of the capsule body are made of the same plate material.

System for preparing a potable beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule comprising:

• a beverage preparation device comprising an enclosing member for receiving the capsule, wherein the enclosing member comprises fluid injection means for supplying fluid under pressure into the capsule, wherein the beverage preparation device further comprises a closing member, such as an extraction plate, for closing the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device, wherein the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device further comprises an annular element having a central annular element axis and a free contact end, said free contact end of the annular element optionally being provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves;
• and
• a capsule according to any of the preceding claims.