EP3487788B1 - Capsule for preparing a beverage - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage according to claim 1.

Various capsules for preparing beverages, in particular for preparing coffee, are known from the prior art. For example, the EP 1 908 706 A2 a capsule, in the interior of which an insert is arranged which, together with the bottom of the capsule body, fulfills a valve function, so that after a liquid pressure has dropped, no drink can escape from the capsule. A labyrinth structure downstream of the valve calms the beverage flow and mixes the prepared beverage.

In WO 2015/049269 A1 , WO 2015/165627 A1 , EP 1 767 467 A1 and WO 2005/092160 various capsules are disclosed which are in the prior art.

It has been shown that the solutions from the prior art are complex to manufacture. In addition, the labyrinth structure behind the valve temporarily stores a large amount of drink, which drips from the capsule after the preparation process has ended.

It is the object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a capsule for the preparation of a drink is to be made available, which can be produced simply and inexpensively. In addition, dripping of the capsule after the end of the preparation process should be prevented as far as possible or prevented entirely. At the same time, a foaming of the drink and a crema by producing shear forces should be made possible when preparing coffee.

This object is achieved by the capsule defined in independent claim 1. Further embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A capsule according to the invention for the preparation of a beverage comprises a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body which completely or partially delimits a substance chamber for receiving at least one substance, a preferably centrally arranged outlet nozzle with an outlet opening and a cover for closing the substance chamber. A liquid can be introduced into the substance chamber and can be discharged through the outlet opening. A slit valve, which in particular opens further under increasing liquid pressure in the substance chamber, is arranged between the substance chamber and the outlet nozzle in such a way that the slit valve opens directly into the outlet nozzle and in particular generates a beverage jet. The slit valve is not necessarily tightly sealed under atmospheric pressure, at least not airtight.

The use of a valve, which only opens completely under increasing liquid pressure, can prevent the beverage from escaping prematurely, which in particular allows a coffee substance to be pre-brewed. Accordingly, the capsule will not only allow the beverage to be dispensed drop by drop, but will also enable continuous beverage dispensing due to the design. The design of the valve as a slotted valve ensures that an increased shear effect in the beverage is achieved with a constant cross-sectional area. Thus, an improved crema is produced, particularly in the production of coffee. The fact that the slit valve opens directly into the outlet connection makes it easier to dispense the beverage. If the outlet nozzle is cylindrical and in particular has straight inner walls, the dripping time can be reduced after the preparation is finished.

The slit valve can be part of an inlet-side boundary wall of the outlet connection. The entire length of the outlet nozzle can thus be used to calm the beverage jet. The drink will flow out of the capsule accordingly and can be collected in a cup.

The slit valve can extend over the entire diameter of the outlet nozzle. Such a slit valve opens up further degrees of freedom with regard to the design. For example, the slit valve can comprise a movable or a deflecting wall element, which is not only separated from the outlet nozzle by the slit of the slit valve, but the deflection is simplified by further design measures. For example, further weakening zones can be provided in the edge region of the boundary wall.

According to the invention, the slit valve is formed by mutually offset wall sections. Such wall sections, which for example each form half of the boundary wall, which are arranged offset, make injection molding possible in a simple manner. A slot can be formed in this way, which can be as thin as desired. It is even possible to easily manufacture a closed valve with a predetermined breaking point. In the case of injection molding production with forced demolding, it is also possible for the valve to be open from the start.

The slit valve can be designed such that it only opens when a minimum liquid pressure is reached. For example, such a minimal fluid pressure for a capsule for the "Tassimo®" system be greater than 0.5 bar, preferably greater than 1.0 bar, particularly preferably 1.5 bar. In another capsule system, for example for the "Dolce Gusto®" system, this minimum internal pressure can be 3 to 4 bar. Such a valve ensures, for example, that a drink can only emerge from the capsule when it is under a pressure required for the shear effect in the valve. Accordingly, the quality of the prepared drink, in particular the crema when preparing coffee, can always be kept the same.

The slit valve can be designed to be self-closing in such a way that it closes automatically when there is no fluid pressure or when the fluid pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure. For example, it is conceivable that the valve closes gradually when the pressure falls below 0.2 bar. For example, the pressure can be continuously reduced, regardless of the capsule or machine system, before it is completely closed. A self-closing valve ensures that the capsule no longer drips after the preparation process has ended.

The slit valve can be designed as a predetermined breaking point and can be closed tightly, in particular fluid-tight, preferably aroma-tight, before the minimum liquid pressure is applied for the first time. Such a dense, in particular aroma-tight design of the slit valve allows that no additional membrane has to close the outlet opening and nevertheless a loss of aroma of the beverage substance can be prevented. If the lid and the capsule body are designed accordingly, the quality of the prepared drink can be guaranteed even after the capsule has been stored for a long time.

The slit valve can be arranged in such a way that the beverage jet pours transversely to an outlet direction of the outlet nozzle. The outlet direction extends from the slit valve to the outlet opening and is generally approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outlet nozzle and / or approximately parallel to an axis of symmetry of the preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body. A beverage jet, which flows into the outlet nozzle transversely to the outlet direction, will strike a side wall of the outlet nozzle, so that on the one hand its flow rate is reduced and on the other hand mixing of the beverage with air is promoted.

An air inlet opening connected to an air supply duct can be arranged in the outlet nozzle in such a way that the beverage jet can be guided past the air inlet opening. Such a construction is for example in the EP 1 440 910 A1 disclosed. By passing the beverage jet past the air inlet opening, air can be entrained, which then mixes with the beverage jet. Accordingly, an airy liquid does not have to be formed in the capsule from the beverage substance in order to produce, for example, a foamed beverage. The air content can be increased by adding air to the drink at a later date.

The air inlet opening can be arranged and / or configured such that when the capsule is used as intended, no drink can enter the air inlet opening under the effect of gravity. Accordingly, a machine for preparing the beverage is prevented from being contaminated unintentionally by a beverage emerging through the air inlet opening and the air inlet channel of the capsule. For example, this air inlet opening is dimensioned so small that due to the viscosity of the prepared drink cannot pass through the air inlet opening.

When the capsule is used as intended, the air inlet opening can be arranged laterally or in the direction of gravity above the beverage jet formed by the nozzle. This opening, which is arranged on the side or above the beverage jet, prevents the beverage from escaping under the action of gravity, even with a larger air inlet opening. Accordingly, the machine for preparing the drink must also be taken into account, since this machine determines the orientation of the capsule when used as intended.

The outlet nozzle can have two, three or more air inlet openings. It has been shown that more air can be introduced into the drink through a plurality of air inlet openings. Accordingly, more or less can be foamed depending on the drink.

The valve and the air inlet opening can be designed such that when the valve is opened, a Venturi nozzle is formed. By designing the valve as a Venturi nozzle, the entrained air or the air introduced into the drink can be precisely determined. The term venturi nozzle means any arrangement whose entrainment of air is based on the venturi effect or Bernoulli's law. It is also conceivable that the capsule has only one venturi nozzle and the valve is dispensed with. This venturi nozzle can be arranged instead of the slit valve and inject the drink directly into the outlet nozzle.

The air supply duct or partial areas thereof can be created by an interaction of the capsule body with one on the capsule body attached plug be formed. Such a two-part construction of the capsule enables additional degrees of freedom and in particular simplifies inexpensive production of the capsule.

The stopper can be attached to the capsule body from the outside. This construction allows further degrees of freedom in the construction of the capsule. The prior art shows, for example, that an additional part is inserted into the capsule body, which contains the outlet nozzle. In the case of a construction in which the outlet connection is closed by the same cover as the capsule body, a construction is advantageous in which an additional part is attached to the capsule body on the side opposite the cover. Accordingly, the tolerance chain on the side of the cover is not affected.

The capsule body and the outlet nozzle can be formed in one piece. By integrally forming the capsule body and outlet nozzle, tolerances can be very easily maintained, which are required, for example, for closing the capsule by the lid. Accordingly, the capsule can be manufactured inexpensively. However, it is also conceivable that the outlet nozzle is a separate component which interacts with the capsule body and is attached to the capsule body.

A filter can be arranged in front of the slit valve. A filter ensures that no undissolved beverage substance particles are flushed onto and / or into the valve and clog it. This ensures that the valve functions correctly.

The outlet nozzle with its outlet opening can be closed by the lid. Simultaneously closing the capsule and the outlet opening increases the hygiene of the capsule. When storing them, no foreign substances can get into the outlet nozzle, which could contaminate a prepared drink or the machine for preparing the drink.

However, the cover can also have a recess in the area of the outlet opening. This is particularly useful in the case of an aroma-tight design of the slit valve. Tolerance problems can also be avoided with a two-part construction of the capsule body and outlet nozzle if the lid does not have to close the capsule body and the outlet nozzle.

The capsule body and optionally also the outlet nozzle and / or the stopper and / or the insert can be manufactured by an injection molding or deep drawing process. The use of an injection molding process allows great flexibility with regard to the design of the shape of the capsule body and / or the outlet connector and / or the stopper and / or the insert part. Although this is limited in a deep-drawing process, it is possible to produce capsules that are particularly oxygen and / or aroma-tight. However, oxygen and / or aroma tightness is not limited to capsules produced by a deep-drawing process.

If the capsule is made oxygen-tight, penetration of oxygen into the capsule during the storage of a substance contained therein is essentially avoided. Aging of the substance, for example coffee powder, by oxidation can thereby be avoided. An oxygen-tight capsule is usually also aroma-tight. Accordingly, an exit from in the substance contained aroma substances substantially prevented during storage thereof within the capsule. Oxygen or aroma tightness is required in order to achieve a minimum shelf life of 12 months, preferably 18 months, especially with coffee. Accordingly, in the present context, an oxygen and / or aroma-tight capsule is understood to mean a capsule in which coffee powder can be stored in ambient air at room temperature for at least 12 months, preferably 18 months, without the coffee powder being changed , which affects the quality of a coffee beverage made from it.

If an oxygen and / or aroma-tight capsule is produced using a deep-drawing process, the film material used for this can have an OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) of less than 5, preferably less than 2. The OTR specifies the amount of oxygen per unit area and time that diffuses through a film, in the unit: cm3 / m2 / day / 0.21 bar. However, the finished oxygen- and / or aroma-tight capsule body, or the entire capsule (including the stopper and / or insert and lid) can have an OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) of less than 5, preferably less than 2. This applies separately from the manufacturing process used.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Kapsel mit Kapselkörper und abgehobenem Stopfen,

Figur 2:

einen Querschnitt durch die zusammengesetzte Kapsel aus Figur 1,

Figur 3a:

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg unten auf eine aufgeschnittene Kapsel gemäss Figur 1, wobei der Schnitt quer zum Schnitt aus Figur 2 verläuft, wobei die Kapsel erfindungsgemäß ist,

Figur 3b:

einen vergrösserten Ausschnitt aus der Figur 3a,

Figur 3c:

eine vergrösserte perspektivische Ansicht von schräg oben auf einen zentralen Bereich der aufgeschnittenen Kapsel gemäss Figur 1, wobei die Kapsel erfindungsgemäß ist,

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen zentralen Bereich des Kapselkörpers aus Figur 1, wobei die Kapsel erfindungsgemäß ist,

Figur 5:

eine vergrösserte perspektivische Ansicht von schräg unten auf einen zentralen Bereich einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel,

Figur 6:

eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben auf einen zentralen Bereich des Kapselkörpers gemäss der Ausführungsform von Figur 5,

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg oben auf eine aufgeschnittene erfindungsgemässe Kapsel in einer weiteren Ausführungsform, und

Figur 8:

einen Querschnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of figures which merely represent exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a capsule with capsule body and lifted plug,

Figure 2:

a cross section through the assembled capsule Figure 1 ,

Figure 3a:

a perspective view obliquely from below onto a cut capsule Figure 1 , the cut being transverse to the cut Figure 2 runs, the capsule according to the invention,

Figure 3b:

an enlarged section of the Figure 3a ,

Figure 3c:

an enlarged perspective view obliquely from above onto a central area of the cut capsule according to Figure 1 , the capsule according to the invention,

Figure 4:

a perspective view of a central area of the capsule body Figure 1 , the capsule according to the invention,

Figure 5:

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view obliquely from below of a central area of a further embodiment of a capsule according to the invention,

Figure 6:

a perspective view from above of a central region of the capsule body according to the embodiment of Figure 5 ,

Figure 7:

a perspective view obliquely from above of a cut capsule according to the invention in a further embodiment, and

Figure 8:

a cross section through a further embodiment of a capsule according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a capsule 1 with a capsule body 2 and a stopper 9 lifted off the capsule body 2 and to be connected to it. The capsule 1 is oriented in such a way that it is used in its intended use. Accordingly, a cover 8 (see Figure 2 ) arranged on the underside of the capsule 1. The capsule body 2 has a receptacle on the visible upper side in a central area, in which the stopper 9 can be inserted. In the intended use, the stopper 9 is firmly connected to the capsule body 2, for example glued, welded or snapped. The capsule body 2 has through openings 16 which allow a drink formed in the capsule 1 to pass through to the stopper 9. The stopper 9 has on its lower side in the illustration shown a filter 15 which is formed by a plurality of slots. However, the actual filter function only comes into effect when the stopper 9 is inserted in the capsule body 2, the drink is in an intermediate space between the capsule body 2 and the stopper 9 and is passed through the slots of the filter 15.

In the Figure 2 is a cross section through the assembled capsule 1 from the Figure 1 pictured. The capsule body 2 can again be seen, in which the stopper 9 is inserted from above in the illustration shown. The stopper 9 closes the capsule body 2 tightly on the upper side, which in the illustration shown and in the intended use lies at the top. The capsule body 2 forms a substance chamber 3, in which a substance 4 for preparing the drink is present. The capsule 1 or the capsule body 2 is closed on the lower side by a cover 8. This cover 8 not only closes the substance chamber 3 but also an air supply channel 7 and an outlet connection 5 with its outlet opening 6. The air supply channel 7 is arranged coaxially around the outlet connection 5. The outlet nozzle 5 is closed off on the side opposite the outlet opening 6 by a boundary wall 12. Furthermore, the slots in the additional part 9 can be seen, which form the filter 15.

In the Figures 3a to 3c is a perspective view of a cut capsule according to Figure 1 shown, the capsule according to the invention. The section runs transversely to the section from FIG. 2. The function of the capsule is explained on the basis of these figures. Again, the capsule body 2 and the additional part 9 can be seen. As for the Figure 1 mentioned, the capsule body 2 forms a substance chamber 3, which receives the substance required to produce the drink. The outlet connection 5 with its outlet opening 6 is arranged in a central region of the capsule body 2. The air supply duct 7 is provided coaxially around this outlet connection 5. The cover 8 is not shown (see Figure 2 ), which closes the capsule 1. When used as intended, the capsule 1 is pierced from below, that is to say through the lid, so that a liquid is injected into the capsule or into the substance chamber 3. After a short time, the beverage will fill the entire substance chamber 3 and enter through the through openings 16 into an intermediate space 17 between the capsule body 2 and the stopper 9. The drink will flow down there and through the filter 15 (see Figure 3b ) get into a collecting space 13 above the outlet connection 5. The collecting space 13 is separated from the outlet connection 5 by a boundary wall 12. This boundary wall 12 is formed by two wall sections 20, 21 which are arranged offset from one another. A slit valve 14 is formed between these two wall sections 20, 21. The slit valve 14 opens under pressure of the adjacent beverage and allows a jet of liquid to flow out into the outlet connection 5. In addition, this slit valve 14 acts upon it of the beverage with shear forces in order to produce a crema when preparing coffee or to condition any air bubbles contained in the beverage.

After the beverage has passed out of the substance chamber 3 through the through openings 16 into an intermediate space 17 between the stopper 9 and the capsule body 2, the beverage is pushed downward due to the internal pressure. The beverage must press the filter 15, which is formed from the slots of the stopper 9 in cooperation with the capsule body 2. The drink is filtered. If, for example, coffee powder is used as the beverage substance, a filter cake is formed in the intermediate space from the substance particles that have been swept along, which favors the filtration. The filtered drink arrives in a collecting space 13 above the outlet nozzle 5. This collecting chamber is separated from the outlet nozzle 5 and the outlet opening 6 by a boundary wall 12 and a slotted valve 14 arranged therein. The slit valve 14 only opens when there is a minimum internal pressure of 0.5 bar inside the capsule. As soon as the required internal pressure is reached, the slit valve 14 will open, ie the slit of the slit valve 14 is pressed open by the pressure and a beverage jet is formed. As already mentioned above, this internal pressure depends on the capsule system and can be adjusted during the production of the capsule. This beverage jet is injected into the outlet nozzle 5, the beverage can reach the outlet opening 6 unhindered. The drink is subjected to shear forces through the slit valve 14. Air contained in the beverage is thus formed into fine air bubbles that are carried along in the beverage jet. In particular when coffee is made from coffee powder, a crema is thus produced which forms as a fine foam, for example in a cup, on the coffee being prepared. By using a slit valve 14, the Shear force compared to a perforated valve with a constant nozzle cross-section can be increased.

The slit valve 14 extends over the entire diameter of the outlet connection 5. The slit accordingly extends over the entire boundary wall 12. The slit is formed by two mutually offset wall sections 20, 21, one wall section 21 comprising a partition 19 of the air supply duct 7. The other partition 20 is comparatively thin, so that it can deform under the liquid pressure to enlarge the slot of the slit valve 14 accordingly. The partition 20 preferably has a thickness of between 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, so that it can be deformed correspondingly simply by an applied liquid pressure. Of course this thickness can be adjusted depending on the material used and the internal pressure required.

The slit valve 14 is designed in such a way that the resulting beverage jet is directed past an air inlet opening 11, that is to say injected transversely to an outlet direction 10 from the boundary wall 12 to the outlet opening 6 into the outlet nozzle 5 and impinges on the side wall of the outlet nozzle 5. This air inlet opening 11 is connected to the air supply duct 7, which is arranged coaxially around the outlet connection 5. The beverage jet entrains air as it passes under the air inlet opening 11 and mixes with this air. An air-foamed drink is formed, which leaves the capsule through the outlet opening 6. In particular when preparing milk, additional foam formation is often desired in order to produce a cappuccino or a latte macchiato, for example. A fine foam in the form of a crema is also desirable when preparing coffee. As soon as the desired amount of the drink has been prepared, the liquid is introduced into the substance chamber 3 (see Figure 3a ) prevented, the internal pressure in the capsule will decrease and when the pressure falls below 0.2 bar, the slit valve 14 closes again. This means that no more drink can get into the outlet nozzle 5, and dripping will be ended after a short time. The pressure mentioned is in turn adjustable depending on the capsule system and during the manufacture of the capsule. Figure 4 shows a perspective view from above of a central region of the capsule body 2 from the Figure 1 the capsule according to the invention. This central area is designed as a depression in the capsule body, as in the Figure 1 can be seen. The through openings 16 through which the drink enters the intermediate space 17 (see Figures 3a and 3b ) arrives. In the bottom region of this depression, ribs 18 are arranged in a circle, which support the stopper 9 to be inserted (see Figure 1 ) serve. Also in the floor area, two sub-areas with two wall sections 20, 21 can be seen, which together form a boundary wall 12 to the outlet connection 5 (see Figures 3a to 3c ) form. A first partial area with the wall section 20 represents the collecting space 13, which collects the prepared drink before it passes through the slit valve 14. The second partial area with wall section 21 is separated from the ribs 18 and from the collecting space 13 by a partition wall 19. This partition 19 is tightly connected to the plug 9. The area separated in this way has access to the air supply duct 7 and three air inlet openings 11 which open into the outlet connection. This separated section makes it possible for air to be entrained by the beverage jet in the outlet nozzle. The arrangement of the air inlet openings 11 prevents that the drink can reach the air inlet openings 11 and the air inlet duct 7 under the effect of gravity.

As already described above, the beverage collects after it has passed through the through openings 16 and the filter 15 (for both see Figures 3a and 3b ) in the collecting space 13. The slit valve 14 is closed in its rest position, the slit is only recognizable as a hairline crack. Accordingly, there is still no opening, but the plastic has already been separated at the location of the slit valve 14 by the hairline crack. As soon as the liquid pressure inside the capsule rises and reaches a certain minimum internal pressure, the slit valve 14 opens in that the wall section 20 of the collecting space 13 is bent downwards. The existing slot of the slit valve 14 is correspondingly larger until a balance is established between the restoring force of the wall section 20 of the collecting space 13 and the force resulting from the internal pressure of the capsule. The beverage emerges through the slit valve 14 thus opened and reaches the outlet connection 5 (see Figures 3a to 3c ). When the internal pressure decreases, for example when the process of preparing the drink is complete, the wall section 20 of the collecting space 13 resets due to its elasticity and the gap of the slit valve 14 is narrowed again. The slit valve 14 is closed. A further leakage of drink from the capsule is prevented.

The slit valve 14 can be completely closed before the first opening. For example, a predetermined breaking point can be provided instead of a slit, which, however, enables opening under pressure.

In the Figures 5 and 6 Another embodiment of a capsule according to the invention is shown in sections. These in turn represent an enlarged perspective view obliquely from below onto a central area of the capsule and a perspective view from above onto the recessed central area of the capsule body, similar to that Figures 3b and 4th . Accordingly, only the differences are pointed out. The reference numbers are left unchanged.

The collecting space 13 is designed as a recessed channel. The slit valve 14 is located at the end of the channel adjacent to the partition 19 and is open. With increased internal pressure, the wall section 20 of the boundary wall 12 of the stopper 2 can bend, so that the opening of the nozzle 12 increases. There is again a balance between internal pressure and restoring force. However, the valve 14 could also be designed as a closed slot, which only opens under pressure. In contrast to the first embodiment, the jet of the drink is not formed by a wide slot over the entire diameter of the outlet nozzle 5 but by the slot in the channel of the collecting space 13. Accordingly, it does not make sense to provide several air inlet openings to the outlet nozzle 5, it exists in this embodiment only one air inlet opening 11.

The Figure 7 shows a perspective view obliquely from above of a cut capsule 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The reference numerals are again used in analogy to the previous figures. A capsule body 2 is closed by a lid. An insert 22 is introduced into this capsule body 2, in which the outlet connection 5 with its outlet opening 6 and the slit valve 14 are formed. The insert 22 has on its Outlet nozzle 5 opposite side on a surface with ribs 18 on which a filter layer is arranged. The filter layer is not shown. The insert part 22 has a spoke 23 on the edge, with which it is supported on a stepped edge in the capsule body 2. The capsule body 2 forms a substance chamber 3. A liquid is injected into the capsule 1 during beverage preparation. This liquid gets into the substance chamber 3 so that the drink can form there. Under increasing pressure of the beverage, it is pressed through the filter layer (not shown) consisting of a perforated film and / or a filter fleece and collects in a collecting space 13 above the outlet connection 5. The collecting space 13 is in turn separated by a boundary wall 12 with two wall sections 20 , 21 separated from the outlet nozzle 5. The two wall sections 20, 21 are arranged offset from one another and form a slit valve 14, which opens under the applied liquid pressure. The liquid jet is injected into the outlet connection 5 by the arrangement of the slit valve 14 transversely to an outlet direction 10, which extends approximately parallel to the side wall of the outlet connection 5 in the direction from the boundary wall 12 to the outlet opening 6. An air inlet opening, which is connected to an air supply duct that extends coaxially around the outlet connection 5, is not configured. However, as already described in the previous embodiments, such a construction can be easily implemented.

In the Figure 8 a cross section through a further embodiment of a capsule 1 according to the invention is shown. This capsule 1 is formed by a capsule body 2, which is closed by a lid (not shown). On the side opposite the cover, an outlet nozzle 5 with an outlet opening 6 is arranged. An outlet direction 10 extends approximately parallel to an axis of rotational symmetry of the capsule 1 from the lid to the outlet opening 6. The capsule body 2 has a substance chamber 3, in which the substance for producing the beverage is arranged. A filter 15 is arranged between the substance chamber 3 and the outlet nozzle 5, which prevents undissolved substance particles from escaping from the capsule 1. The filter 15 is followed by a collecting space 13 which collects the prepared drink in an area above the outlet connection 5. This collecting space 13 is separated by a boundary wall 12, comprising two mutually offset wall sections 20, 21. The two wall sections 20, 21 in turn form a slit valve 14, which opens under pressure in a similar manner to that described for the other exemplary embodiments. Of course, an air inlet opening could also be integrated in this exemplary embodiment.

Claims (14)

1. Capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage, comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrically formed capsule body (2), which completely or partially delimits a substance chamber (3) for receiving at least one substance (4), a preferably centrally arranged outflow connecting piece (5), which has an outflow opening (6), and a cover (8), which serves for closing off the substance chamber (3), wherein a liquid is able to be introduced into the substance chamber (3) and is able to be removed through the outflow opening (6), wherein a slit valve (14) which opens under an increasing liquid pressure in the substance chamber (3) is arranged between the substance chamber (3) and the outflow connecting piece (5) such that the slit valve (14) opens directly into the outflow connecting piece (5) and produces in particular a beverage jet, characterized in that the slit valve (14) is formed by wall sections (20, 21) which are offset with respect to one another.
2. Capsule (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the slit valve (14) is a part of an entryside delimiting wall (12) of the outflow connecting piece (5).
3. Capsule (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the slit valve (14) extends over the entire diameter of the outflow connecting piece (5).
4. Capsule (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the slit valve (14) is of self-closing design such that it closes automatically in the absence of liquid pressure or with a reduction of the liquid pressure below a predetermined pressure.
5. Capsule (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the slit valve (14) is configured as a predetermined breaking point and, prior to the minimum liquid pressure being present for the first time, is closed off in a sealed, in particular fluid-tight, preferably aroma-tight, manner.
6. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the slit valve (14) is arranged such that the beverage jet pours into the outflow connecting piece (5) transversely with respect to the outflow direction (10) of the outflow connecting piece (5).
7. Capsule according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an air inlet opening (11) connected to an air supply channel (7) is arranged in the outflow connecting piece (5) such that the beverage jet is able to be guided past the air inlet opening (11).
8. Capsule (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the air inlet opening (11) is arranged and/or formed such that, in the case of intended use, no beverage can enter the air inlet (11) opening under the action of gravitational force.
9. Capsule (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the case of intended use, the air inlet opening (11) is arranged laterally with respect to, or, in the direction of gravitational force, above, the beverage jet formed by the slit valve (14).
10. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the air supply channel (7) is formed at least partially by an interaction of the capsule body (2) with a plug (9) mounted on the capsule body (2).
11. Capsule (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the plug (9) is mounted onto the capsule body (2) from the outside.
12. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the capsule body (2) and the outflow connecting piece (5) are integrally formed.
13. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outflow connecting piece (5) is a component which is separate from the capsule body (2).
14. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a filter (15) is arranged in front of the slit valve (14).

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