WO2010046923A1

WO2010046923A1 - Beverage preparation device with cartridge containing an edible substance designed to avoid contamination

Info

Publication number: WO2010046923A1
Application number: PCT/IN2009/000569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dinesh Talreja; Manisha Talreja; Manesh Kumbhar
Original assignee: Dinesh Talreja; Manisha Talreja; Manesh Kumbhar
Priority date: 2008-10-14
Filing date: 2009-10-12
Publication date: 2010-04-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device comprising of a cartridge (100, 200, 300) and its supporting part (121, 221, 321), containing an edible substance(107, 207, 307) for preparing a beverage, by injecting fluid under pressure, in a beverage extraction system, with the cartridge piercing means (122, 222, 322) in the cartridge support designed to pierce open the cartridge to allow for outflow of beverage, when the cartridge is placed in the cartridge support and subsequently move out of the expected beverage flow path into a pocket (111, 211, 311) adapted to the piercing means, provided either inside or outside the cartridge, when the cartridge reaches its final position in the cartridge support, before the system is ready for beverage extraction stage, to avoid contamination of the cartridge support for improved hygiene and for extracting beverages from cartridges containing different edible substances consecutively one after the other.

Description

Beverage preparation device with cartridge containing an edible substance designed to avoid contamination.

Description :

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device with a cartridge containing an edible substance, in an extraction system in which the cartridge is designed to be extracted under pressure, for preparation of a food product such as a beverage. The substance in the cartridge may be ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, milk, chocolate, flavoured drinks, soup and the like.

Background Art :

Various types of cartridges containing a substance for preparation of a beverage by the action of a fluid introduced in the cartridge already exist on the market. These cartridges are increasingly gaining acceptance with consumers due to the known advantages such as convenience of use, higher shelf life, a more consistent quality of beverage without dependence on user skill compared to traditional beverage extraction systems eg. espresso coffee machines, etc...

US Patent number 5472719 (Coffea SA - Favre Eric 1992) relates to one such cartridge. Such cartridges are intended to be opened, by one or more elements in the form of piercing spike(s), incorporated in the cartridge supporting part of the extraction system.

The problem with such cartridges is that the beverage extracted from the cartridge runs over the said supporting part and through the ducting means provided to collect the extracted beverage and transport it to the beverage receptacle, eg a mug. Thus all parts of the extraction system that come in contact with the beverage are contaminated and need to be thoroughly cleaned frequently, usually after every use, for taste and hygiene reasons. Further, it is difficult to use such a system for extracting beverages from cartridges containing different edible substances consecutively one after the other, because of the beveraαe residue left over on the said supporting part and other parts of the system. Disclosure of the invention:

Aim of the present invention is to offer the consumer a solution to the above drawbacks of the cartridges and their extraction systems already available in the market by means of a cartridge and its supporting part, which avoids contact of the extracted beverage with any part of the extraction system and therefore does away with the need for frequent cleaning. Further, it allows preparation and outflow of a wide variety of beverages to be extracted in the same extraction system, consecutively one after the other, without the need for cleaning in between such frequent changes of the edible substance being extracted.

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device comprising of a cartridge and its supporting part, containing an edible substance for preparing a beverage, by injecting fluid under pressure, in a beverage extraction system, having a cartridge piercing means in the cartridge support designed to pierce open the cartridge to allow for outflow of beverage, when the cartridge is placed in the cartridge support and which subsequently moves out of the expected beverage flow path and into a pocket adapted to the piercing means provided inside or outside the cartridge, when the cartridge reaches its final position in the cartridge support, before the system is ready for beverage extraction stage.

Brief Description of the Invention:

One of the principles of the present invention lies in the fact that there is an arrangement to ensure fool-proof opening of the cartridge when it is placed in the cartridge support and at the same time the design of the cartridge and the cartridge support parts, including the piercing means and Ks supporting members, are adapted to the cartridge in such a way as to move all the parts of the cartridge support arrangement, out of the beverage flow path, into a beverage free pocket provided either inside or outside the cartridge.

Another principle of the present invention lies in the fact that the cartridge has its own ducting means for collecting and transporting the extracted beverage, and beverage outflow passage, making it possible to avoid, meaning either completely eliminate or at least very considerably reduce, contact with the elements of the extraction system.

Wrth these principles taken alone or together, it is possible to extract different types of beverages consecutively, one after the other without the risk of cross contamination. The cartridges can thus contain a wide variety of edible substances for preparing different types of beverages either by extracting, infusing or dissolving in fluid. For extraction, infusion or dissolution the fluid element can be hot, cold or warm water.

Cartridge opening is achieved by the cartridge piercing device, which pierces the bottom membrane welded to the bottom or a weakened bottom portion of the cartridge, as it is placed on the cartridge support when it reaches its final position in the cartridge support ready for beverage extraction. This eliminates the chance of the cartridge remaining closed accidentally due to oversight by the user and subsequent unpredictable bursting of the cartridge during use under the effect of pressure of the fluid entering the cartridge.

The piercing means to open the cartridge may simply be a movable or flexible member of the cartridge support arrangement, which retracts and moves out of the beverage flow path, after opening the cartridge either into an adapted pocket inside the cartridge or a position outside the cartridge. The main disadvantage with this configuration is the complexity of its execution and consequently, higher cost and lower reliability also due to user abuse of the relatively weak, moving or flexible piercing means, in the cartridge support arrangement. Another disadvantage of a moving or flexible piercing means is that it may compromise the strength and rigidity of the cartridge support and therefore may reduce its ability to withstand the pressure during beverage extraction.

Further, in order to facilitate the operations of loading and unloading the cartridge, and periodical cleaning, usually the cartridge support is a manually removable part of the extraction system. This allows an alternative, fool-proof opening of the cartridge by the piercing means which pierces the bottom membrane and subsequently moves out of the beverage flow path, upon insertion of the cartridge support loaded with the cartridge in the extraction system. In this configuration, the moving or flexible cartridge piercing means is mounted on some other part of the extraction system, or it is mounted on the cartridge support itself, and is actuated by relative engagement of the piercing means with another part of the extraction system.

The following description illustrates the various non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

In a first embodiment, the cartridge piercing device, which is a rigid part, along with the supporting member of the cartridge piercing device, in the cartridge supporting arrangement, enters a beverage free pocket inside the cartridge, in the form of a groove matching the profile of the piercing means and its supporting members. This configuration requires the user to orient the cartridge in the cartridge support. In the event that the user does not take care to orient the cartridge and forces the cartridge into the cartridge support, there is a possibility of damage to the cartridge by displacing the transport means and compromising the seal which is retaining the edible substance to be extracted inside the cartridge. This embodiment requires a fool-proof arrangement for orienting the cartridge in the cartridge support.

In a second embodiment, which is similar to the first embodiment, however in this only the cartridge piercing means enters the beverage free pocket inside cartridge, the supporting member of the cartridge piercing means does not enter the cartridge. The main advantage of this configuration is its user friendliness, by eliminating the need to orient the cartridge relative to the cartridge support and the consequent chance of damage to the cartridge in case the cartridge is not properly oriented, as explained in the first embodiment above. One limitation of this configuration is that some part of the supporting member of the cartridge piercing means may remain within the beverage flow path, resulting in some contamination of the supporting member of the cartridge piercing means with the beverage. However, the said supporting member can be designed to limit the contamination to a very small area.

In a third embodiment, the cartridge piercing means does not enter the cartridge, it enters a beverage free pocket formed outside the cartridge by a groove or alternate profile on the underside of the cartridge. The cartridge piercing means cooperates with the matching groove or alternate profile on the underside of the cartridge to shear the bottom membrane through an angle of a little less than 360 degrees and then bend the bottom membrane at the unsheared end to move the membrane out of the beverage flow path. This embodiment has the advantage of completely eliminating the chance of contamination of the cartridge supporting parts.

As is known in the art, the cartridge of the invention is provided with a filtering means to avoid the chance of insoluble edible substance to escape into the beverage and a beverage transport means in the form of a disc, working in co-operation with the bottom of the cartridge, whose main purpose is to convey the extracted beverage from the filter to the outlet of the cartridge from where it can be collected into the beverage receptacle such as a mug, avoiding contact with any element of the beverage extracting system.

The filtering means can be fixedly attached to the transport means by heat sealing or alternate process. Alternately, it can be fixedly attached to the inside of the peripheral wall of the cartridge. The top surface of the beverage transport means can serve to support the filtering means.

The material of the filtering means is chosen from a group consisting paper, woven textile fabric, non-woven textile fabric, any plastic material or any other permeable material as is known in the art.

The size of the holes in the transport means may be reduced to eliminate the need for the additional filtering means. The size and location of the holes may also be varied to suit different flow rates of different beverages.

As is known to persons skilled in the art, foaming action in a beverage can be enhanced by providing a torturous path for the extracted beverage by varying the cross section to provide sudden variations in the velocity of the extracted beverage.

After passing through the said filter, the beverage is transported through the holes in the beverage transport means near its outer periphery to the underside of the beverage transport means. The profile on the underside of the transport means and the cartridge bottom co-operate to provide such a torturous path with varying cross section as the beverage is transported from the holes near the periphery of the transport means to the outflow passage in the center. This torturous path and the additional effect of pressurized water from the top, makes it possible to obtain a beverage with a thick layer of foam for example an Italian style coffee with a thick layer of foam generally referred to as espresso, or milk with froth, etc...

The beverage flow path below the transport means may be made streamlined instead of torturous to reduce foaming for beverages where foam may be undesirable, for example for preparation of tea in which foam is generally considered to be undesirable. The bottom of the cartridge is kept conical or spherical, firstly to collect the extracted beverage and direct it to the outflow passage in the center and secondly to make a beverage free pocket for example in the central area around the longitudinal axis - volume directly above the beverage outlet. The objective of this patent in the first and second embodiment is to move the cartridge piercing means and its supporting members according to the first embodiment, and only the cartridge piercing means without its supporting members according to the second embodiment, into this area, after piercing the bottom membrane of the cartridge, to avoid contamination of the cartridge supporting parts during outflow of the beverage.

The cartridge of the invention as per the first embodiment can be provided with an orienting means for example in the form of a lip which is required to be matched with a orienting means in the cartridge support. Alternately, atleast some part of the shape of the cartridge can be made square or some other shape which enables fool-proof orientation in the cartridge support. Such a shape can also advantageously be used to orient the transport means inside to the cup.

The cartridge contains a certain quantity of edible substance for one, two, or more servings, which may preferably vary between 2 and 25gms. The quantity of the edible substance depends on the nature of the beverage to be extracted.

The cartridge of the invention may be designed to have a small cross section in the bottom area which is required for producing a good quality extract for some beverages, and a larger cross section in the top area to at the same time increase the size of the cartridge to accommodate adequate quantity of edible substance required for preparing some other beverages. For extracting some beverages, the resulting collar formed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge may advantageously be used to fixedly attach a porous membrane whose main purpose is to retain the substance in the bottom area below the collar and at the same time allow the fluid for extracting the substance to pass through. As is known to persons skilled in the art, a uniform dispersion of the fluid in the substance to be extracted is required to produce a good quality beverage. Accordingly, the number and position of the holes in the porous membrane may be designed to provide a uniform distribution through the edible substance. The edible substance to be extracted can be loose filled, or compacted and made into a tablet and then inserted in place, or pre-packaged in a bag/pad/pod of permeable material for easy handling in the cartridge filling and packing machine.

Of course, all embodiments of the cartridge can be made in a reusable version which can be made strong and rigid enough to eliminate the need for a separate cartridge supporting member for it. Since such a cartridge is reusable it is environment friendly and enables the user to prepare a beverage without a high level of skill and at the same time at a lower cost, although it necessitates frequent cleaning after every use.

In such a reusable version, the cartridge is already open to allow outflow of the extracted beverage. The edible substance to be extracted can be filled in by the user. Alternately, a pre-packaged bag can be made and used to enable accurate dosing and particulate size distribution of the edible substance, to ensure a better quality beverage.

The cartridge of the invention is provided with a top membrane fixedly attached to a top collar in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Fluid is injected into the cartridge by piercing the top membrane. The elements used to inject fluid into the cartridge are known to persons skilled in the art and may be in the form of blades, sharp points, knives, needles and the like.

The cartridge of the invention is provided with a bottom membrane fixedly attached to a bottom collar in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The piercing means for the bottom membrane is in the form of one or more puncturing spike(s) and may have any possible shape, for example sharp points, knives, blades, needles and the like.

Ribs and collars around or along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge may advantageously be provided on the cartridge for strength reasons.

The materials for making the cartridge are compatible with food products and chosen from a group consisting of thermoplastics, aluminum, rubber, polylaminate plastics, thermosetting compositions, paper, or any biodegradable or compostable material and in any combination thereof, in single layer or multilayer. The thickness of the material used is between 5 microns to 2mm depending on the role of the material and the material used. The edible substance for preparation of the beverage is chosen from the group consisting roasted ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, instant tea, milk based products, a chocolate product, powdered chocolate, a syrup concentrate, a fruit or herb extract, dehydrated milk or any other dehydrated edible substance such as dehydrated stock or a combination thereof.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from description of the preferred but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated by means of non- limitative embodiments in the accompanying drawings.

List of drawings of cartridge according to first embodiment :

- Figure 1A shows schematic sectional views of the cartridge taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 1B shows perspective, cross-sectional exploded views of the cartridge of figure 1A and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 1C is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 1A, just before the cartridge pierces the bottom membrane.

- Figure 1 D is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 1A, after the cartridge has reached its final position in its support.

List of drawings of cartridge according to second embodiment :

- Figure 2A shows schematic sectional views of the cartridge taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 2B shows perspective, cross-sectional exploded views of the cartridge of figure 2A and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 2C is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 2A, just before the cartridge pierces the bottom membrane.

- Figure 2D is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 2A, after the cartridge has reached its final position in its support. List of drawings of cartridge according to third embodiment :

- Figure 3A shows schematic sectional views of the cartridge taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 3B shows perspective, cross-sectional exploded views of the cartridge of figure 3A and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B.

- Figure 3C is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 3A', just before the cartridge pierces the bottom membrane.

- Figure 3D is a schematic sectional view of the cartridge and its support, taken along section A-A and section B-B of figure 3A, after the cartridge has reached its final position in its support.

Figures 4A to 4C show a few non-limiting embodiments of transport means with beverage free pockets.

Figure 5 shows purely by way of example, approximate and preferred dimensions of the cartridge

Detailed description of drawings :

Figures 1A to 1 D show a half of the cartridge(IOO) and cartridge support(121) according to the first embodiment..

Figure 1A to 1C show a half of cartridge(IOO) according to the first embodiment and a cartridge support(121), in which the user needs to orient the cartridge(IOO) to the cartridge support(121), before it is pierced by the piercing means(122). Second half of the cartridge(IOO) and cartridge support(121) are not shown. The cartridge(IOO) comprises a cup(101), a top membrane(102) welded to the top of the cup(101) at the top collar(108) on the periphery, a bottom membrane(103) welded to the bottom of the cup at a bottom collar(109) around the cartridge outlet(113), retaining membrane(106) welded to the intermediate collar(110), transport means(104), filtering means(105) and the edible substance to be extracted(107) in between the retaining membrane(106) and the filtering means(105). The cartridge incorporates an orientation means(114) in the form of a lip, for orienting the cartridge(IOO) in a cartridge holder(121) with a matching orientation means(124) in the form of a groove. The bottom of the cartridge(100) incorporates a rib(112) for strength purposes. On the bottom side of the cartridge support(121) the cartridge piercing means(122) is shown along with its supporting members(123). The cross sectional profile of the beverage free pocket(111) matches the cross sectional profile of the piercing means(122) along with its supporting members(123). For preparing the beverage, the cartridge(IOO) is placed in the cartridge support(121). The cartridge(100) has to be oriented by matching the orienting means(114) in the cartridge to the matching orienting means(124) in the cartridge support(121), while being placed in the cartridge support(121) to accept the cartridge piercing means(122) along with its supporting member(123). The cartridge piercing means(122) then pierces the bottom membrane(103) to open the cartridge(IOO) to allow outflow of the beverage through cartridge outlet(113) during beverage extraction stage. The cartridge(IOO) then reaches its final position in the cartridge support(121) as shown in Fig 1 D, ready for beverage extraction stage. In this position, the piercing means(122) and its supporting member(123) have both entered into the matching beverage free pocket(111) directly above the cartridge outlet(113). Water is then introduced via a water injection means not shown in the drawings, which punctures the top membrane(102), passes through the holes in retaining membrane(106) and the beverage is extracted from the edible substance(107) under the effect of pressure of water acting against the said edible substance(107) and the said filter(105). After extraction, the beverage enters the said transport means(104) and is directed to the outlet(113) of the cartridge through the ducts created by the profile on the underside of the transport means acting in co-operation with the inside wall of the bottom of the cup(101), the extracted beverage(130) exits the cartridge(IOO) from the outlet(113) which is now directly under the piercing means(122), and thus leaves the cartridge(IOO) avoiding contamination of the cartridge support(121) piercing means(122) and its supporting members(123) and into the users cup or mug - not shown in the drawings.

Figure 1D shows the cartridge in its final position in the cartridge support, ready for beverage extraction stage. As can be clearly understood by studying the figure 1 D, for the cartridge(IOO) to reach its final position in the cartridge support(121), it has to be oriented to accept the supporting member(123) of the cartridge piercing means(102). In the event that the cartridge(IOO) is not properly oriented to accept the said supporting member(123) of the piercing means, and the cartridge(IOO) is forced into place by the user, there is a chance that the cartridge support(121) will displace the transport means(104) and damage the cartridge(IOO), resulting in the edible substance(107) to be extracted, to leak out from the cartridge(IOO) and thereby damage the cartridge(100) and render it unusable.

Figures 2A to 2D show a half of the cartridge(200) and cartridge support(221) according to the second embodiment.

Figure 2A to 2C show a half of cartridge(200) and cartridge support(221) according to the second embodiment, in which the user does not need to orient the cartridge(200) to the cartridge support(221), before it is pierced by the piercing means(222). Second half of the cartridge(200) and cartridge support(221) are not shown. The cartridge(200) comprises a cup(201), a top membrane(202) welded to the top of the cup(201) at the top collar(208) on the periphery, a bottom membrane(203) welded to the bottom of the cup at a bottom collar(209) around the cartridge outlet(213), retaining membrane(206) welded to the intermediate collar(210), transport means(204), filtering means(205) and the edible substance to be extracted(207) in between the retaining membrane(206) and the filtering means(205). The cartridge(200) does not need to be oriented when placed into the cartridge holder(221), therefore no orientation means in the cartridge or matching groove in the cartridge support(221) needs to be provided. The bottom of the cartridge(200) incorporates a rib(212) for strength purposes. On the bottom side of the cartridge support(221) the cartridge piercing means(222) is shown along with its supporting member(223). For preparing the beverage, the cartridge(200) is placed in the cartridge support(221). The cartridge piercing means(222) then pierces the bottom membrane(203) to open the cartridge(200) to allow outflow of the beverage through cartridge outlet(213) during beverage extraction stage. The cartridge(200) then reaches its final position in the cartridge support(221) as shown in fig 2D, ready for beverage extraction stage. In this position, only the piercing means(222) has entered into the beverage free pocket(211) directly above the cartridge outlet(213). The supporting members(223) of the piercing means(222) have not entered into the cartridge(200) and partly remain within or close to the beverage flow path. Water is then introduced via a water injection means not shown in the drawings, which punctures the top membrane(202), passes through the holes in retaining membrane(206) and the beverage is extracted from the edible substance(207) under the effect of pressure of water acting against the said edible substance(207) and the said filter(205). After extraction, the beverage enters the said transport means(204) and is directed to the outlet(213) of the cartridge through the ducts created by the profile on the underside of the transport means(204) acting in co-operation with the inside wall of the bottom of the cup(201), the extracted beverage(230) exits the cartridge(200) from the outlet(213) which is now directly under the piercing means(222), and thus leaves the cartridge(200) avoiding contamination of the cartridge support(221), piercing means(222) and much of its supporting members(223) and into the users cup or mug - not shown in the drawings.

Figure 2D shows the cartridge in its final position in the cartridge support, ready for beverage extraction stage. As can be clearly understood by studying the figure 2D, for the cartridge(200) to reach its final position in the cartridge support(221), it does not need to be oriented to accept the piercing means(222), since the supporting member(223) of the cartridge piercing means(202) in any case does not enter the cartridge(200). Therefore, unlike the cartridge 100 as per the first embodiment as explained by figure 1A to 1D above, the chance of the transport means being pushed-up accidentally and consequent damage to the cartridge(200) by the user is avoided.

Figures 3A to 3D show a half of the cartridge(300) and cartridge support(321) according to the third embodiment, in which the beverage free pocket(311) is made by a groove in the underside of the cup(301), and the cartridge opening is achieved by first piercing by piercing means(322) and subsequent bending by bending means(325) of the bottom membrane(303) welded to the bottom of the cup(301). Figure 3A to 3C show a half of cartridge(300) and its support(321) according to the third embodiment. The user does not need to orient the cartridge(300) to the cartridge support(321). Second half of the cartridge(300) and cartridge support(321) are not shown. The cartridge(300) comprises a cup(301), a top membrane(302) welded to the top of the cup(301) at the top collar(308) on the periphery, a bottom membrane(303) welded to the bottom of the cup(301) at a bottom collar(309) around the cartridge outlet(313), retaining membrane(306) welded to the intermediate collar(310), transport means(304), filtering means(305) and the edible substance to be extracted (307) in between the retaining membrane(306) and the filtering means(305). The cartridge(300) does not need to be oriented when placed into the cartridge holder(321), therefore no orientation means in the cartridge or matching groove in the cartridge support(321) needs to be provided. The bottom of the cartridge(300) incorporates a rib(312) for strength purposes. On the bottom side of the cartridge support(321) the cartridge piercing means(322) and the bending means(325) are shown. For preparing the beverage, the cartridge(300) is placed in the cartridge support(321). The cartridge piercing means(322), working in cooperation with beverage free pocket(311) in the form of a groove in the bottom of the cup(301), shears the bottom membrane(303) through an angle of little less than 360 degrees and then the bending means(325) working in cooperation with sidewall of the groove making up the beverage free pocket(311) in the bottom of the cup(301), bends the bottom membrane(303) at its unsheared end by an angle of approximately 90 degrees to move the bottom membrane(303) sufficiently out of the beverage flow path and to thereby open the cartridge(300) to allow outflow of the extracted beverage(330) through cartridge outlet(313) during beverage extraction stage. The cartridge(300) has now reached its final position in the cartridge support(321) as shown in fig 3D, ready for beverage extraction stage. Water is then introduced via a water injection means not shown in the drawings, which punctures the top membrane(302), passes through the holes in retaining membrane(306) and the beverage is extracted from the edible substance(307) under the effect of pressure of water acting against the said edible substance(307) and the said filter(305). After extraction, the beverage(300) enters the said transport means(304) and is directed to the outlet(313) of the cartridge through the ducts created by the profile on the underside of the transport means(304) acting in co-operation with the inside wall of the bottom of the cup(301), the extracted beverage(330) exits the cartridge(300) from the outlet(313), and thus leaves the cartridge(300) avoiding contamination of the cartridge support(321), piercing means(322), and bending means(325) and into the users cup or mug - not shown in the drawings. Figures 4A to 4C show a few non-limiting embodiments of transport means with beverage free pockets. As is known in the art the bottom side of the transport means can be made to co-operate with the base of the cartridge to create torturous paths for the beverage white it is transported from the holes in the transport means to the beverage outlet

Purely by way of example, with reference to figure 5, the cup (101 ,201 ,301) has the following main dimensions :

- A (diameter of the roughly cylindrical portion inside the cartridge) : between 40 and 50 mm, preferably equal to 45 mm.

- B (outer diameter of the intermediate collar inside the cartridge) : between 35 and 45 mm preferably equal to 40 mm.

- C (inner diameter of the intermediate collar inside the cartridge) : between 27 and 37 mm, preferably equal to 32 mm.

- D (minimum diameter in the area where the substance is placed inside the cartridge) : between 23 and 33 mm, preferably equal to 28 mm.

- P (Overall height of the cartridge) : between 33 and 43mm, preferably equal to 38 mm.

- Q (Height from the filter to the intermediate collar) : between 17 and 27mm, preferably equal to 22 mm.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1) Beverage preparation device for extracting beverage from an edible substance by injecting a fluid under pressure avoiding contamination of any part of the extraction system from the said beverage comprising:

a fluid injection means for injecting fluid in a cartridge, the cartridge^ 00,200,300) with or without an orientation means(114), having a cup(101,201,301), a top membrane(102,202,302), a retaining membrane(106,206,306), an edible substance(107,207,307), a filtering means(105,205,305) for retaining and filtering the edible substance(107,207,307), a transport means(104,204,304) for transporting the extracted beverage(130,230,330) to the cartridge outlet(113,213,313), a bottom membrane(103,203,303), and a cartridge support(121 ,221 ,321),

- characterised in that, said cartridge support(121 ,221 ,321) has a piercing means(122,222,322), with or without its supporting member(123,223,323), and with or without a bending means(325) for the bottom membrane(103,203,303), which moves sufficiently out of the beverage flow path, into an adapted beverage free pocket(111 ,211 ,31 1) either inside or outside the cartridge(100,200,300), when the cartridge(100,200,300) reaches its final position in the cartridge support(121 ,221 ,321) ready for beverage extraction phase, to facilitate flow of prepared beverage(130,230,330) avoiding contamination of the cartridge support(121 ,221 ,321), for improved hygiene and also for extracting beverages from cartridges containing different edible substances consecutively one after the other.

2) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , characterised by an adapted beverage free pocket(11 1,21 1) provided inside the cartridge( 100,200), by the transport means(104,204) and the bottom of the cartridge(100,200) cooperating or acting alone.

3) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , characterised by an adapted beverage free pocket(311) provided outside the cartridge(300), by the transport means(304) and the bottom of the cartridge(300) cooperating or acting alone. 4) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 and 2, characterised by the beverage free pocket(111) in the form of a matching groove to accommodate the piercing means(122) along with its supporting members(123), wherein both the piercing means(122) and its supporting members(123) move into the beverage free pocket(111) when the cartridge(IOO) with orientation means(114) is oriented to the orientation means(124) in the cartridge support(121).

5) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 and 2, characterised by the beverage free pocket(211) to accommodate the piercing means(222) without its supporting members(223), wherein only the piercing means(222) without its supporting members(223) moves into the beverage free pocket(211) when the cartridge(200) is placed in the cartridge support(221).

6) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 and 3, characterised by the beverage free pocket(311) in the bottom of the cartridge(300) to accommodate the piercing means(321) and bending means(325) in the cartridge support(321), wherein the piercing means(321) and the bending means(325) cooperate with the beverage free pocket(311) in the cartridge bottom to shear the bottom membrane(303) through an angle of a little less than 360 degrees and then bend the bottom membrane(303) out of the beverage flow path when the cartridge(300) is placed in the cartridge support(321).

7) Beverage preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piercing means(121 ,221,321) for the bottom membrane(103,203,303) comprises any number and form of a sharp object eg. a point, blade, knife, needle etc... capable of piercing, the bottom membrane(103,203,303).

8) Beverage preparation device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cartridge outlet(113,213,313) hole or holes in the bottom of the cartridge^ 00,200,300) can be of any shape round, oval, oblong, square or rectangular or any other shape to avoid as far as possible the contamination of the cartridge support(121 ,221 ,321).

9) Beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the materials of the cartridge are chosen from a group consisting of thermoplastics, aluminum, rubber, polylaminate plastics, thermosetting compositions, paper, or any other biodegradable or compostable material and in any combination thereof, in single layer or multilayer.

10) Cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the substance for the preparation of the beverage is chosen from the group consisting roasted ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, instant tea, milk based products with or without flavoring, a chocolate product, a syrup concentrate, extracts of fruits or herbs, dehydrated milk or any other dehydrated edible substance such as dehydrated stock.