Device and method for improving the extraction of a food substance contained in a refill

A device for extracting a food substance contained in a closed refill, comprising:

• a hollow body provided with a housing for accommodating the refill;
• a water inlet channel passing through the body and communicating with the housing;
• a plurality of piercing elements arranged in the housing for piercing the refill in several different places in order to allow the water to pass through the refill, wherein the piercing elements are spaced apart in the housing with respect to the water inlet direction in the housing, and
• wherein each piercing element comprises:
• a base portion secured to the body and projecting into the housing, the base portion being designed to engage at least partially inside the refill so as to form a passage of water inside the capsule, the base portion forming a solid element and having a closed cross section;
• and a cutting surface which intersects the base portion at an acute angle, wherein the base portion has a cross section which is tapered in the direction of the cutting surface at an angle smaller than the angle of the cutting surface.

A device for extracting a food substance contained in a closed refill, comprising:

• a hollow body provided with a housing for accommodating the refill;
• a water inlet channel passing through the body and communicating with the housing;
• a plurality of piercing elements arranged in the housing for piercing the refill in several different places in order to allow the water to pass through the refill, wherein the piercing elements are spaced apart in the housing with respect to the water inlet direction in the housing, and
• wherein each piercing element comprises:
• a base portion secured to the body and protecting into the housing, the base portion being designed to engage at least partially inside the refill so as to form a passage of water inside the capsule, the base portion forming a solid element and having a closed cross section;
• and a cutting surface which intersects the base portion at an acute angle, and
• wherein the base portion is in the form of a cone having an angle of about 1° to 10°.

A device for extracting a food substance contained in a closed refill, comprising:

• a hollow body provided with a housing for accommodating the refill;
• a water inlet channel passing through the body and communicating with the housing;
• a plurality of piercing elements arranged in the housing for piercing the refill in several different places in order to allow the water to pass through the refill, wherein the piercing elements are spaced apart in the housing with respect to the water inlet direction in the housing, and
• wherein each piercing clement comprises:
• a base portion secured to the body and projecting into the housing, the base portion being designed to engage at least partially inside the refill so as to form a passage of water inside the capsule, the base portion forming a solid element and having a closed cross section;
• and a cutting surface which intersects the base portion at an acute angle,
• wherein the base portion comprises, on its outer surface, at least one open groove oriented longitudinally in order to facilitate introduction of water into the refill.