BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to a system for preparing a beverage. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for preparing a beverage. More specifically the invention relates to a system for preparing a beverage using a capsule. In particular the invention relates to a system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including a second exchangeable capsule having a second body with a second flange-like rim and a second exit face attached to the second flange-like rim, and an apparatus for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, said apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity for holding the second exchangeable capsule, and a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the second exchangeable capsule, and the first brew chamber part having a first substantially annular abutment surface in the cavity.

A system for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption is known from WO-A1-2015/004613. This known system can use prepackaged capsules having different respective axial lengths. The length of a capsule used is recognized mechanically, and the configuration of the brewing chamber is determined accordingly, as a function of the specific shape of the transverse flange of the capsule used on each occasion. In particular the flange-like rim of each capsule has at least one indentation or protrusion having a perimetric dimension which is correlated with the axial length or height of said capsule. As an example, WO-A1-2015/004613 describes capsules having a flange-like rim having indentations with a width that is inversely proportionate to the length of the capsule. Thus a capsule having a shorter length has indentations of a larger width. The brewing unit of the known system comprises a capsule carrier unit having a receiving element including an essentially cup-shaped central part from which a kind of flange extends radially outwards. Two essentially planar appendages, facing one another horizontally, extend vertically upwards from the flange of the receiving element. The appendages extend transversely outwards and are spaced apart from the cup-shaped central portion of the receiving element. Respective projecting formations in the shape of isosceles triangles extend from the frontally facing surfaces of the appendages, and the arrangement of these appendages is such that two opposed indentations of the flange of a capsule are initially coupled to, and slide along, the oblique sides of the projecting formations of the appendages. As a result of this construction e.g. shorter capsules having wider indentations can penetrate farther between the appendages of the capsule carrier unit before its projecting formations bear on and are stopped by the oblique sides of the projecting formations. The known apparatus is further constructed such that as soon as the protuberances of the flange-like rim of the capsule begin to interfere with the oblique sides of the projecting formations, the capsule starts to drag the receiving element downwards, and that further rotation of a control lever, together with a number of other components of form a brewing chamber with a dimension adapted to the length of the capsule used such that a beverage can be prepared. Although this known system can be uses to prepare a beverage using prepackaged capsules having different respective axial lengths, the construction of the brewing chamber of which the length is adaptable to the length of the capsule used is relatively complicated. Further, since the flange-like rim of all the capsules used comprises indentations the surface area of the flange-like rim is reduced. As a result the contact surface area of the flange-like rim with components of the brewing chamber is reduced, in particular for capsules having a shorter length. Since this contact surface area at least partly provides the sealing between the capsule and the brewing chamber during the brewing operation, the sealing of in particular the capsules of shorter length can be insufficient for using an apparatus in which e.g. hot water is supplied to the capsule under relatively high pressures.

SUMMARY

It thus is an object of the invention to provide a system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption which can use capsules having different dimensions in which the brewing chamber can be constructed in a relatively simple manner. It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption which can use capsules having different dimensions in which for each capsule the sealing is sufficient during brewing even when liquid is supplied to the capsule at relatively high pressures. It is still a further object of the invention to provide an alternative system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption which can use capsules having different dimensions.

In order to achieve at least on of the objects identified above the invention provides a system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including a second exchangeable capsule having a second body with a second flange-like rim and a second exit face attached to the second flange-like rim, and an apparatus for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, said apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity for holding the second exchangeable capsule, and a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the second exchangeable capsule, and the first brew chamber part having a first substantially annular abutment surface in the cavity, characterized in that the first brew chamber part further has a second substantially annular abutment surface, a diameter of the second annular abutment surface being larger than a diameter of the first annular abutment surface, and in that the second abutment surface is arranged for abutting the second flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the second exchangeable capsule. By using such a first and a second annular abutment surface the system can be constructed in a relatively simple manner to prepare a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption selectively using a first exchangeable capsule having a flange-like rim dimensioned to abut the first annular abutment surface and a second exchangeable capsule having a flange-like rim dimensioned to abut the second annular abutment surface. In a particular embodiment the system then further includes a first exchangeable capsule having a first body with a first flange-like rim and a first exit face attached to the first flange-like rim, wherein the cavity of the first brew chamber part of the apparatus is arranged for selectively holding one of the first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the second brew chamber part is arranged for closing the first brew chamber part around the first or second exchangeable capsule, wherein the first abutment surface is arranged for abutting the first flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the first exchangeable capsule, and wherein the second flange-like rim has a larger diameter than the first flange-like rim. Thus exchangeable capsules having different diameters can be used in the inventive system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption.

In an advantageous system according to the invention the first substantially annular abutment surface is spaced from the second substantially annular abutment surface in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part. In particular it is then possible in an embodiment of a system according to the invention that an axial length of the second capsule is larger than an axial length of the first capsule. It is thus possible to use exchangeable capsules having different lengths in the inventive system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention can be constructed in a relatively simple manner and relatively compact when the second substantially annular abutment surface is arranged at an open end of the cavity.

In a further embodiment of a system according to the invention the system can be constructed in a relatively simple manner when the first substantially annular abutment surface and the second substantially annular abutment surface are immobile relative to each other. The cavity of the first brew chamber part can be a predetermined cavity arranged for holding the first or second capsule. The cavity can have an invariable shape for holding the first or second capsule. The first brew chamber part can be arranged for holding the first or second capsule without changing a configuration of the first brew chamber part. The first brew chamber part can be a monolithic part.

Preferably the second brew chamber part has an extraction plate for abutting against the second exit face and optionally the first exit face. It is then advantageous from a constructional point of view when the extraction plate includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, the central portion being axially movable relative to the peripheral portion. Preferably the peripheral portion is arranged to abut against the second exit face when the cavity holds the second capsule while brewing, which can aid in providing a proper sealing during brewing. The same is valid when the peripheral portion is arranged to abut against the first brew chamber part when the cavity holds the first capsule while brewing. The central portion can be arranged to abut against the second exit face when the cavity holds the second capsule while brewing, and the central portion can further be arranged to abut against the first exit face when the cavity holds the first capsule while brewing.

When the first and/or second brew chamber part is arranged to seal against the second flange-like rim or optionally the first flange-like rim the system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption which can use capsules having different dimensions in which for each capsule the sealing is sufficient during brewing even when liquid is supplied to the capsule at relatively high pressures. Preferably a liquid supply system is included for supplying liquid to the first brew chamber part, wherein the liquid can enter into an interstice between the first brew chamber part and the second capsule or optionally an interstice between the first brew chamber part and the first capsule.

The system according to the invention is in particular suitable when first and second exchangeable capsules are used having substantially the same length to diameter ratio.

In a further embodiment of a system according to the invention the first brew chamber part includes centering means at the bottom of the cavity, wherein the second exchangeable capsule and optionally the first exchangeable capsule are arranged for selectively cooperating with the centering means for selectively centering the first and second exchangeable capsules near the bottom of the cavity. In a still further embodiment of a system according to the invention the first brew chamber part and the first exchangeable capsule are adapted to each other such that the first exchangeable capsule centers in the cavity by means of the flange-like rim. In an even still further embodiment of a system according to the invention the first brew chamber part and the second exchangeable capsule are adapted to each other such that an outer part of the second exchangeable capsule engages the inner circumferential wall of the first brew chamber part when loading the second exchangeable capsule into the first brew chamber part, and wherein the first brew chamber part and the second exchangeable capsule are adapted to each other such that the second exchangeable capsule centers in the cavity by means of the outer part. In these manners capsules can be centered accurately in the brew chamber part thereby facilitating correct brewing.

In an embodiment of a system according to the invention in which the first abutment surface provides the cavity with a stepped shape, the first and second exchangeable capsule can be easily an correctly inserted into the brew chamber part.

In a further embodiment of a system according to the invention the second body is a cup-shaped second body including a second bottom and a second circumferential wall, said cup-shaped second body having a second open end, wherein the second flange-like rim is an outwardly extending second rim continuously circumferentially extending along the second open end of the cup-shaped second body, said outwardly extending second rim substantially having a single second width. Preferably, the first body is a cup-shaped first body including a first bottom and a first circumferential wall, said cup-shaped first body having a first open end, wherein the first flange-like rim is an outwardly extending first rim continuously circumferentially extending along the first open end of the cup-shaped first body, said outwardly extending first rim substantially having a single first width. Such continuously circumferentially extending rims having a single width can during brewing provide a sufficient seal even in case liquid under pressure is supplied to the capsules. In case the first width and the second width are identical the brew chamber part can be constructed in a relatively easy manner. In particular the first generally annular abutment surface can then be continuously annular and the second generally annular abutment surface can then be continuously annular.

The invention further relates to an apparatus for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the apparatus being arranged for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a second exchangeable capsule having a second body and a second flange-like rim, the apparatus including a brew chamber part having a cavity for holding the second exchangeable capsule, the brew chamber part having a first annular abutment surface in the cavity, characterized in that the brew chamber part has a second annular abutment surface, the second abutment surface being arranged for abutting the second flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the second exchangeable capsule and in that a diameter of the second annular abutment surface is larger than a diameter of the first annular abutment surface. Preferably the apparatus is further arranged for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a first exchangeable capsule having a first body and a first flange-like rim, the cavity of the brew chamber part being arranged cavity for selectively holding one of the first and second exchangeable capsules, the first abutment surface being arranged for abutting the first flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the first exchangeable capsule. The apparatus is thus suitable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using a second exchangeable capsule having a second flange-like rim with a larger diameter than the first flange-like rim. In case the first substantially annular abutment surface is spaced from the second substantially annular abutment surface in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part it is possible for the apparatus to use capsules having different lengths.

The apparatus can be constructed relatively simple when the second substantially annular abutment surface is arranged at an open end of the cavity. The apparatus can be further constructed relatively simple when the first substantially annular abutment surface and the second substantially annular abutment surface are immobile relative to each other.

Preferably the second brew chamber part has an extraction plate, which then includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, the central portion being axially movable relative to the peripheral portion.

In an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention the first brew chamber part includes centering means at the bottom of the cavity for correctly centering the capsule in the brew chamber part.

In a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention the first abutment surface provides the cavity with a stepped shape so that capsules of different diameter can be inserted relatively easily. In order to provide a correct sealing even when liquid under pressure is used for brewing the beverage it is preferred that the first generally annular abutment surface is continuously annular and wherein the second generally annular abutment surface is continuously annular.

According to an aspect is provided a method for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption as described herein.

According to an aspect is provided a capsule, and a set of a first and second capsule as described herein.

It will be appreciated that any of the embodiments, aspects, features and options described in view of the system apply equally to the apparatus, capsules and method. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above embodiments, aspects, features and options can be combined.

