CN118076546A

CN118076546A - Capsule for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: CN118076546A
Application number: CN202280067382.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·阿贝格勒; N·加莱弗; M·K·豪斯曼
Original assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Current assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Priority date: 2021-10-29
Filing date: 2022-10-26
Publication date: 2024-05-24
Also published as: CA3234579A1; TW202327956A; AR127502A1; AU2022374942A1; WO2023072997A1

Abstract

Capsules for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device are disclosed. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a lid for closing the cup-shaped body. The cup-shaped body includes an annular flange for sealing the lid thereon. At least the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp and comprises: a bottom wall, a tubular side wall and the annular flange. The tubular sidewall is inclined in a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped body. The cup-shaped body also includes a connecting wall connecting the side wall and the annular flange. The connecting wall comprises at least one portion protruding outwards with respect to the side wall of the cup-shaped body. The protruding portion cooperates with an edge of an encapsulating member of the beverage preparation device for improving the sealing during the beverage preparation.

Description

Capsule for preparing a beverage

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body made of cellulose pulp.

Background

Containers or capsules made of cellulose pulp are known in the art of beverage preparation devices. Materials made from cellulose pulp are also known, which are capable of maintaining the quality of the beverage substance in the capsule for at least a period of time. Disposable capsules for preparing beverages in beverage production devices are also known.

Disposable capsules made from cellulose pulp produce less potential environmental impact than capsules made from other materials.

Capsules made of cellulose pulp are known for use in beverage preparation devices and comprise means for encapsulating the capsule during the beverage preparation process and during the injection of water into the capsule for preparing a beverage.

It is important that the engagement between the capsule and the enclosing member is tight to prevent water injected into the capsule from flowing out of the capsule body.

In case of a poor sealing engagement between the capsule and the enclosing member, water flows to the outside of the capsule because it is not subjected to a sufficient resistance to flow, resulting in that the inside of the capsule will not accumulate the pressure necessary for tearing the capsule lid or alternatively the low pressure will result in an incomplete tearing of the lid and thus in poor extraction of the beverage substance contained in the capsule. In this scenario, water will be drained from the beverage production device without interacting or fully interacting with the beverage substance under sufficient pressure conditions.

The present invention aims to improve the sealing characteristics of known capsules made of cellulose pulp for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device as claimed in claim 1. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a lid for closing the cup-shaped body, wherein the cup-shaped body comprises an annular flange for sealing the lid thereon. At least the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp and comprises a bottom wall, a tubular side wall and the annular flange. The cup-shaped body also includes a connecting wall connecting the side wall and the annular flange. According to the invention, the connecting wall comprises at least one portion protruding outwards with respect to the side wall of the cup-shaped body. Advantageously, the protruding portion cooperates with an edge of an encapsulating member of the beverage preparation device for improving the sealing during the beverage preparation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the density of the protruding portion is less than the maximum density of the side wall and the thickness of the protruding portion is greater than the maximum thickness of the side wall of the cup-shaped body, in order to increase the deformability of the protruding portion and also improve the tightness during beverage preparation.

More preferably, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the difference between the maximum density of the side wall of the cup-shaped body and the density of the protruding portion of the connecting wall is a value comprised between 0,1% and 20%. Even more preferably, the difference between the maximum density of the side wall of the cup-shaped body and the density of the protruding portion of the connecting wall is a value comprised between 0,1% and 10%.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the protruding portion of the connecting wall has a circular shape, and preferably the outer contour of the protruding portion is a circular arc.

According to another preferred embodiment, the connecting wall comprises at least one inner surface facing the chamber of the cup-shaped body. The inner surface, seen in longitudinal section, is inclined in a direction forming an angle with the direction of inclination of the side wall of the cup-shaped body. The angle is comprised between 100 ° and 150 ° and is preferably about 135 °.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the protruding portion of the connecting wall has a shape selected from one of the following shapes, or has a shape that is a combination of one or more of the following shapes:

-the protruding portion of the connecting wall has a circular shape on the outside and a flat shape inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped body on the inside; and/or

-The protruding portion of the connecting wall has a circular shape on the outside and inside; and/or

-The protruding portion of the connecting wall on the outside and on the inside has a flat shape inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped body; and/or

The protruding portion of the connecting wall has a stepped shape on the outside and inside.

Preferably, the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a weight percentage range of 80 to 100%, and comprises at least one oxygen barrier liner attached at the inner and/or outer surface of said cup-shaped body made of cellulose pulp.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the capsule of the invention is a disposable coffee capsule.

According to the invention, the use of the aforementioned capsule in a beverage preparation device is also disclosed.

In the context of the present invention, the term "cellulose pulp" refers to pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a weight percentage range of 80 to 100%.

The term "cellulosic fibers" refers to fibers having wood and/or no wood origin. As a non-limiting example, the fiber is: hardwood cellulose fibers, softwood cellulose fibers, wheat fibers, corn fibers, bagasse fibers, bamboo fibers, hemp fibers, cotton fibers, other similar vegetable or plant fibers, or combinations thereof.

At least one oxygen barrier liner made of one layer, preferably multiple layers, is attached to the cup-shaped body made of cellulose pulp.

The oxygen barrier liner is made of a known single or multi-layer polymeric liner, including for example a polymer of fossil or non-fossil origin or a bio-derived polymer, and is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup-shaped body of the capsule.

A preferred multilayer barrier liner comprises a core layer with oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties surrounded by a sealing layer for sealing the barrier liner to the cellulose pulp material, and preferably by a second outer sealing layer for sealing the closure cap, so as to close the capsule after it has been filled with the composition.

As a non-limiting example, the oxygen barrier liner includes one or more of the following layers:

-an outermost polymer layer comprising a biodegradable polymer selected from the list of: polybutylene succinate (PBSA/bioPBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)

Or a combination thereof,

A first tie layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin,

-A barrier layer comprising a polymer selected from the list of: butene diol vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or combinations thereof,

A second tie layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin,

-An innermost polymeric layer comprising a biodegradable polymer selected from the list of: polybutylene succinate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

The cover is made of a known material, preferably a polymer film.

The cover may be flat, i.e. not formed in a three-dimensional shape.

The lid is sealed to a sealing layer of the cup-shaped body opening to close the cup-shaped body opening after filling with ingredients.

The cup-shaped body of the capsule is preferably obtained by molding dry or wet (preferably wet) cellulose pulp in a mold.

Preferably, after moulding the cup-shaped body of the capsule, the above-mentioned "barrier liner" is laminated on the inner and/or outer surface of said body.

Preferably, the oxygen barrier of both the lid and the cup-shaped body is selected to provide a sufficient shelf life depending on the nature of the beverage ingredient. For example, for coffee, the expected shelf life may be 12 months.

Preferably, the cup-shaped body, its oxygen barrier liner and/or lid are made of a home compostable material. The capsules according to the invention generally mean recycled (for example in a paper recycling stream, or in a general waste recycling or disposal stream) in a recycling process organized at an official recycling facility according to national regulations. However, in the case where the capsule is placed in nature, in household compostable waste or in landfill, the capsule is designed to have a material that is naturally susceptible to degradation by bacteria under the temperature and humidity conditions naturally found in nature. In this way it is ensured that such capsules will not remain in nature and will disappear naturally in a short time (in principle several weeks) under the conditions defined by the home compostability standard.

More precisely, home compostability is now well defined at a national level and is mainly based on international standard EN 13432; they do not therefore need to be further defined in depth in this specification. Materials or products meeting these criteria can be identified by a consistency marking that illustrates their home compostability. Some examples of country-level home compostability authentication include, but are not limited to, the following. Authentication mechanismAUSTRIA BELGIUM provides such a home compostability authentication scheme and DIN CERTCO provides home compostability authentication according to australian standard AS 5810. Italy has the national standard UNI 11183 for composting at ambient temperature: 2006. 11 months 2015, the French standard "NF T51-800 plastic-a plastic specification suitable for home composting was introduced. This standard is covered in the DIN CERTCO scheme.

The preparation of the beverage is obtained by mixing the fluid substance with the ingredients contained in the capsule. Preferably, the ingredients are selected from the list of: roast and ground coffee, compacted or non-compacted coffee, soluble powdered coffee or leaf tea. Dairy ingredients (e.g., milk or creamer) may also be provided, as well as chocolate, fruit juice, soup, vegetable juice, bouillon, smoothie, puree, cream, chicory, barley, culinary aid, soup base, infant formula, or combinations thereof, in powdered soluble form, in liquid concentrated form or in gel form having various viscosities.

Most preferably, the beverage ingredient is roast and ground coffee.

The capsules of the present invention may generally interact with beverage and/or food preparation devices, such as by feeding a diluent (e.g., hot water, cold water, or ambient water) into a container; such diluents are mixed or otherwise interacted with the beverage ingredients. By the expression "mixing a diluent with the beverage ingredients", all ingredients contained in the capsule should be intended to be in a form compatible with the general mixing operation (dissolving, extracting or pouring) of the diluent to obtain the beverage product.

Preferably, the chamber defined by the capsule body and the lid of the capsule is substantially free of oxygen, and the empty space is saturated with an inert gas (such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and combinations thereof). Preferably, the capsule has a gas internal pressure above atmospheric pressure, due to gases contained in the coffee and emitted in the chamber after sealing, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

The beverage preparation device preferably comprises a capsule holder for receiving and tightly enclosing a capsule, a pressurized liquid supply system for supplying the liquid to the interior of the capsule. Devices of this type are, for example, commonly used for extracting traditional onesThose of the capsule.

Drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments, which is set forth below with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the capsule of fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow W in fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a schematic partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the capsule of fig. 1 when enclosed in an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device;

Fig. 4A is a schematic enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow W1 in fig. 4;

fig. 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to fig. 3, showing three further embodiments of the capsule.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1,2 and 3, a first embodiment of a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device according to the present invention is shown. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body 1 and a lid 2 for closing the cup-shaped body 1.

The cup-shaped body 1 comprises an annular flange 3 for sealing the lid 2 thereon. The cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp and comprises at least a bottom wall 4, a tubular side wall 5 and the annular flange 3. The side wall 5 and the annular flange 3 are connected by a connecting wall 6 (see fig. 3) of the cup-shaped body 1.

According to the invention, the connecting wall 6 comprises at least one portion 7 (fig. 3) protruding outwards with respect to the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. The outwardly protruding portion 7 may be defined as convex. The protruding portion 7, which is part of the connecting wall 6, is integral with the side wall 5 of the capsule and said annular flange 3. Thus, the protruding portion is made of cellulose pulp. The outwardly protruding portion 7 may be defined as convex. In use, the protruding portion 7 cooperates with the rim 8 of the enclosing member 9 of the beverage preparation device 10 (partially shown in fig. 4) for improving the tightness between said enclosing member 9 and the cup-shaped body 1 during beverage preparation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the density of the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 is less than the maximum density of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. In addition, said protruding portion 7 also has a thickness T1 greater than the maximum thickness T2 of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1.

Preferably, the difference between the maximum density D1 of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 and the density D2 of the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 is a value comprised between 0,1% of D1 and 20% of D1, namely:

0,1％D1≤(D1–D2)≤20％D1

more preferably, the difference between the maximum density D1 of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 and the density D2 of the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 is a value comprised between 0,1% of D1 and 10% of D1, namely:

0,1％D1≤(D1–D2)≤10％D1。

In the context of the present invention, the term "density" refers to the "bulk mass density" of a material, which is the mass per unit volume of the material. The lower density of the cellulose pulp of the protruding portion 7 results in a lower stiffness and hardness of the portion 7 relative to the stiffness and hardness of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 having a greater density.

Preferably, the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 has a circular shape in longitudinal section (see fig. 3), and more preferably, the outer contour of the protruding portion 7 is a circular arc. Even more preferably, the arc is an arc of 0,53mm +/-30% diameter.

The shape and size of the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 is such that the interaction with the edge 8 of the movable enclosing member 9 of the beverage preparation device 10 is better and more gradual and the sealing is better.

The shape, size and density of the protruding portion 7 of the connecting wall 6 ensure tightness during beverage preparation. Due to the lower density and greater thickness of the protruding portion 7 relative to the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1, tightness is achieved by local compression and/or deformation of the cellulose pulp of the protruding portion 7 (as shown in fig. 4A). This density difference produces a "rubber effect" and/or increased mechanical flexibility of the protruding portion 7, which is excellent for providing tightness. When the movable enclosing member 9 of the beverage preparation device 10 is enclosed around a capsule (as shown in fig. 4 and 4A) and the rim 8 of the movable enclosing member 9 is pressed against the protruding portion 7, said protruding portion 7 is capable of bending and deforming due to its lower density relative to the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. Furthermore, the lower density of the protruding portions 7 may also have another advantageous technical effect. When water is injected into the capsule, the lower density of the protruding portion 7 enables this protruding portion 7 to "absorb" some water and expand, thus increasing its non-compressed volume and thereby also increasing the contact surface between said protruding portion 7 and the inner surface of the rim 8 of the enclosing member 9, thereby further improving the tightness.

The cup-shaped body 1 is preferably rotationally symmetrical. Preferably, the tubular wall 5 has a frustoconical shape, with a circular cross section and with a diameter that increases towards the annular flange 3.

Preferably, the tubular side wall 5 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis a of the cup-shaped body 1 in a first inclination direction M1 (as shown in fig. 3) when seen in longitudinal section.

The bottom wall 4 preferably comprises a first inclined wall 4A and a second wall 4B so as to define a shallow concave volume. The first inclined wall 4A preferably has a frustoconical shape, with a circular cross section and with a diameter that increases towards the side wall 5. The second wall 4B is preferably flat (as shown in fig. 2) or convex (from the perspective of the chamber 1A, i.e. protruding inwards towards the chamber 1A).

The connecting wall 6 preferably comprises an inner surface 6B facing the chamber 1A of the cup-shaped body 1. The inner surface 6B, which is observed in longitudinal section when not compressed/deformed, is inclined in a direction M2 (fig. 3) forming an angle G with the inclination direction M1 of the side wall 5. The angle G is preferably comprised between 100 ° and 150 ° and more preferably about 135 °. The inclination of the connecting wall 6 facilitates the deformation of said connecting wall 6 when the edges 8 of the encapsulated component 9 are engaged and finally the sealing.

The annular flange 3 comprises a preferably flat wall 3A.

The beverage preparation device 10 partly disclosed in fig. 4 comprises a movable enclosing member 9 and a support plate 11 for supporting the lid 2 of the capsule. When the liquid injected into the capsule generates a predetermined pressure in the capsule, the support plate 11 tears off the lid 2 and allows the beverage to flow out of the capsule.

As is usual to a person skilled in the art, the enclosing member 9 is movable from an initial position (not shown) allowing the introduction of the capsule into the beverage preparation device and a brewing position (shown in fig. 4 and 4A), wherein the enclosing member 9 and the support plate 11 tightly enclose the capsule. In this position, pressurized liquid is injected into the capsule through the opening formed by the one or more spike elements 12 of the beverage preparation device 10. These spike elements 12 are designed to pierce the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1. The operation of the beverage preparation device 10 and the technical features of its various components are well known to a person skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in detail.

As previously mentioned, the cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a weight percentage ranging from 80% to 100%.

Or the cup-shaped body 1 may be formed from a sheet of cellulose pulp by deforming it into a mould to give the sheet the desired cup shape, as is usual to a person skilled in the art.

The cup-shaped body made of cellulose pulp comprises at least one oxygen barrier liner 14 (fig. 3) made of at least one layer, preferably a plurality of layers.

Preferably, after molding the cup-shaped body of the capsule, an oxygen barrier liner 14 (fig. 3) is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup-shaped body in a known manner. For example, the oxygen barrier liner 14 is laminated to the inner and/or outer surfaces of the body.

Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner 14 is made of at least one home compostable polymer so that the capsule or at least the cup-shaped body can be thrown into the home compostable waste.

Preferably the multilayer oxygen barrier liner comprises a core layer with oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties surrounded by a sealing layer for sealing said barrier liner to the cellulose pulp material.

A preferred multilayer barrier liner comprises a core layer with oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties surrounded by a sealing layer for sealing the barrier liner to cellulose pulp.

Preferably, the barrier liner 14 is provided at all inner surfaces of the cup-shaped body 1 so as to delimit at least the whole chamber 1A for containing the beverage substance.

The oxygen barrier liner 14 is made of a known single or multi-layer polymeric liner, including for example, polymers of fossil or non-fossil origin or polymers of biological origin, and is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup-shaped body of the capsule.

Or a combination thereof,

Preferably, the first and outermost polymer layers have a thickness comprised between 10 μm and 50 μm and said layers have an elongation at break comprised between 10% and 800%, have a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) comprised between 2 and 4 when measured at 150 ℃ for 10 minutes at a pressure of 2.16kg and said layers have a melting point temperature below 80 ℃.

Preferably, the first adhesive layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 180 ℃ and 230 ℃ and a thickness comprised between 1 μm and 12 μm.

Preferably, the barrier layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 180 ℃ and 230 ℃ and a thickness comprised between 1 μm and 15 μm.

Preferably, the second adhesive layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 180 ℃ and 230 ℃ and a thickness comprised between 1 μm and 10 μm.

Preferably, the innermost polymer layer has a thickness comprised between 10 μm and 50 μm and the innermost layer has an elongation at break comprised between 10% and 1000%, has a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) comprised between 4 and 10 when measured at 190 ℃ for 10 minutes at a pressure of 2.16kg and the layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 110 ℃ and 180 ℃.

Preferably, the cup-shaped body 1 and its oxygen barrier liner 14 are made of a home compostable material (e.g., one or more of the materials listed above) so that the body can be put into home compostable waste.

The cover 2 is made of a known material, preferably a polymer film.

The cover 2 may be flat, i.e. not formed in a three-dimensional shape.

The cover 2 preferably comprises an oxygen barrier layer.

Preferably, the lid 2 is also made of at least one home compostable polymer so that it can be put into the home compostable waste, more preferably also the cup-shaped body.

The lid 2 preferably comprises a sealing layer oriented towards the chamber 1A of the cup-shaped body 1.

Typically, if the capsule has a gas internal pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, the cover 2 may take a convex form, i.e. protruding outwards with respect to the chamber 1A (as shown in fig. 2).

Fig. 5 to 7 show a second, third and fourth embodiment of the invention, respectively, wherein the capsule has the same technical features as discussed with reference to the first embodiment, but has different connecting walls 106, 206 and 306.

In fig. 5, the connecting wall 106 is circular both externally and internally (if viewed in longitudinal section), and the protruding portion 107 is also circular. Preferably, the outer contour of the protruding portion 107 is a circular arc. Preferably, the arc is an arc of 0,53mm +/-30% diameter.

In fig. 6, the connection wall 206 and the protruding portion 207 have the form of inclined surfaces and are inclined in a direction M3 forming an angle G1 with the inclined direction M1 of the side wall 5 when viewed in a longitudinal section. The angle G1 is preferably comprised between 100 ° and 150 ° and more preferably about 135 °.

In fig. 7, the connecting wall 306 has the form of a step and the protruding portion 307 comprises a first wall portion 315 substantially parallel to the annular flange 3 and a second wall portion 320 inclined in a direction M4, seen in longitudinal section, forming an angle with the direction of inclination M1 of the side wall 5: the angle is preferably comprised between 100 ° and 150 ° and more preferably about 135 °.

The density of the protruding portions 107, 207 and 307 of the second, third and fourth embodiments may be the same as the density of the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 or may be less than the maximum density of the side wall 5.

The maximum thickness T3, T4, T5 of the protruding portions 107, 207 and 307 may be equal to the maximum thickness T2 of the side wall 5, or may be greater.

The shape and size of the protruding portions 107, 207 and 307 of the connecting walls 106, 206 and 306 allow a better interaction and a more gradual and better sealing with the edge 8 of the movable envelope 9.

The shape, size and density of the protruding portions 107, 207 and 307 ensure tightness during beverage preparation. The tightness is achieved by local compression and/or deformation of the cellulose pulp of the protrusions 107, 207 and 307.

As previously mentioned, the complete capsule is biodegradable, most preferably compostable.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments of the capsules described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as encompassed by the appended claims. For example, the shape of the connecting wall may be a combination of the shapes of two or more connecting walls in the previously discussed embodiments.

Claims

1. A capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device (10), the capsule comprising:

A cup-shaped body (1) and a lid (2) for closing the cup-shaped body (1),

The cup-shaped body (1) is made of cellulose pulp and comprises a bottom wall (4), a tubular side wall (5) and an annular flange (3) for sealing the lid (2) thereon,

Wherein the side wall (5) and the annular flange (3) are connected by a connecting wall (6; 106;206; 306) of the cup-shaped body (1),

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The connecting wall (6; 106;206; 306) comprises at least one portion (7; 107;207; 307) protruding outwards with respect to the side wall (5);

The at least one protruding portion (7; 107;207; 307) cooperates with an edge (8) of an encapsulating member (9) of the beverage preparation device (10) for improving the tightness during the beverage preparation.

2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion (7; 107;

207 (x, y); 307 Is integral with the side wall (5) and the annular flange (3) of the capsule and is made of cellulose pulp.

3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting wall (6;

106. 206;306 Is provided, the at least one protruding portion (7; 107;207 (x, y); 307 Is less than the maximum density of the side walls (5).

4. A capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one protruding portion has a thickness (T1; T3; T4; T5) greater than the maximum thickness (T2) of the side wall (5).

5. Capsule according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one protruding portion (7; 107) of the connecting wall (6; 106) has a circular shape, and preferably the outer contour of the protruding portion (7; 107) is an outwardly protruding arc.

6. Capsule according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the maximum density D1 of the side wall (5) of the cup-shaped body (1) and the WO 2023/072997A1 of the connecting wall (6)

The difference between the densities D2 of the protruding portions (7) is a value comprised between 0,1% of D1 and 20% of D1, namely:

1％D1≤(D1–D2)≤20％D1

and more preferably, the difference is a value comprised between 0,1% of D1 and 10% of D1, i.e.:

0,1％D1≤(D1–D2)≤10％D1。

7. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting wall (6, 206, 306) comprises at least one inner surface (6B) facing the chamber (1A) of the cup-shaped body (1), wherein the inner surface (6B) seen in longitudinal section is inclined in a direction (M2, M3, M4) forming an angle (G; G1) with the direction of inclination of the side wall (5) of the cup-shaped body (1), wherein the angle (G; G1) is comprised between 100 ° and 150 ° and preferably about 135 °.

8. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least the protruding portion (7; 107) of the connecting wall (6; 106) has a shape selected from one of the following shapes, or a shape that is a combination of one or more of the following shapes:

-the protruding portion (7; 107) has a circular shape on the outside and the protruding portion (7; 107) has a flat shape on the inside inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (a) of the cup-shaped body (1); and/or

-Said protruding portion (7; 107) has a circular shape on the outside and inside; and/or

-Externally and internally said protruding portion (7; 107) has a flat shape inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (a) of said cup-shaped body (1); and/or

-Said protruding portion (7; 107) has a stepped shape on the outside and on the inside.

9. Capsule according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a weight percentage range of 80 to 100%, and the cup-shaped body comprises at least one oxygen barrier inner WO 2023/072997A1 attached at the inner and/or outer surface of the cup-shaped body made of cellulose pulp

A liner (14), wherein the oxygen barrier liner is made of at least one home compostable polymer, wherein preferably the lid (2) is also made of a home compostable material.

10. Capsule according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the capsule is a single-use coffee capsule.

11. Use of a capsule according to any of claims 1 to 10 in a beverage preparation device (10).