US 5,762,987 · Granted 1998-06-09

Process for extracting a substance contained in a sachet

A substance for preparation of a beverage contained in a sealed flexible sachet is extracted with a device which provides a chamber formed by two members configured so that they each form a cavity which is substantially one-half of the chamber and so that when brought and fastened together, they form the chamber containing the sachet and provide for penetrating the sachet for subsequent injection of water for extraction of the substance. One member has a base which has a surface from which raised portions project and holes for flow of extract therethrough, and this member and the sachet are configured so that upon placing the sachet on the member, one sachet sheet is supported by the raised portions and a sealed peripheral sachet edge extends onto a rim of the member. Upon bringing and fastening the two members together, the members grip the sachet edge for fluid-tight sealing and shape the sachet uniformly and confine the substance within the sachet within the cavities, and the sachet is penetrated. After sealing, water is injected into the sachet under pressure to force the sachet sheet in contact with the raised portions against the portions so that this sheet first is deformed at multiple locations by the raised portions before being torn so that the substance is wetted and then, the sheet is deformed further and torn at multiple locations by the raised portions for flow of extract from the sachet to and through the base holes.

Curated and verified by the IsItPatented Editorial team