US Patent 9387980 Beverage capsule with safety feature

The present invention concerns a capsule (12) for the preparation of a food or beverage by injection therein of a fluid under pressure, comprising a chamber containing a substance, a bottom pierceable membrane (23), and opening means (24) allowing the capsule to be opened by piercing the bottom membrane for allowing the beverage to flow out of the capsule, the opening means (24) comprising a surface with a multitude of piercing elements (25) which are configured to engage the bottom membrane (23) under the effect of the rise in pressure in the chamber, characterized in that said opening means (23) further comprises at least one safety piercing element (26) that is surrounded by a safety wall (27) such that the apex (28) of said safety piercing element is located within the vicinity of said safety wall (27).