This specification relates to beverage capsules and in particular to beverage capsules adapted for use with beverage preparing machines.
The following background discussion is not an admission that anything discussed below is citable as prior art or common general knowledge. The documents listed below are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference to them.
Beverage capsules containing filters and ingredients for use with beverage preparing machines are well known. A fluid, such as hot water, is injected into the beverage capsule using the beverage preparing machine in order that the fluid may mix with the ingredients to form a desired beverage. The desired beverage then flows through the filter and exits the capsule through an opening that is formed in the capsule downstream of the filter.
One problem with such capsules is that the flow of fluid through the filter may be slowed or impeded by fines that collect in the filter. The fines comprise small particles of ingredients that may block some or all of the pores or openings of the filter.
Another problem with such capsules is that the flow of fluid injected into the capsule may be concentrated along a particular path (such as the central axis of the capsule where the fluid is injected) with the result that the fluid does not sufficiently saturate all of the ingredients contained within the capsule.
There is a need for an improved beverage capsule that addresses the above problems or that otherwise provides advantages over conventional capsules.
In one aspect the invention provides a beverage capsule intended for use in a beverage preparing machine, said beverage capsule comprising:
In another aspect the invention provides a beverage capsule intended for use in a beverage preparing machine, said beverage capsule comprising:
In another aspect the invention provides a beverage capsule intended for use in a beverage preparing machine, said beverage capsule comprising:
In another aspect the invention provides a beverage capsule intended for use in a beverage preparing machine, said beverage capsule comprising:
Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide examples of the claimed invention. The claimed invention is not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. The claimed invention may reside in a combination or sub-combination of the apparatus elements or method steps described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an example of the claimed invention. The applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) reserve all rights in any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
A beverage capsule in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 10 in the FIGS. Beverage capsule 10 includes a body 12, filter 14, ingredients 16 and cover 18.
Body 12 includes a side wall 20 and an end wall 22 together defining an interior space 24. An opening 26 is defined at one end of body 12. A flange 28 extends around the perimeter of opening 26 and a stacking ring 30 (if required) is defined in side wall 20 below flange 28.
End wall 22 includes an extraction region 32 adapted for being pierced by an extraction needle 34 of a beverage preparing machine 36. Extraction needle 34 is adapted to extend a maximum distance d into body 12 from end wall 22.
As shown in
Ingredients 16 may be coffee grounds, tea leaves, chocolate powder, milk powder, instant coffee or any other ingredients or combinations of ingredients that may be used to prepare a beverage in a beverage preparing machine 36 as described herein. Ingredients 16 have a desired particle size range however it is common for fines 16a (particles much smaller than the desired range), to be present in ingredients 16. In conventional capsules, fines 16a tend to collect at the lowest most regions of the filter 14 and may block the pores of the filter 14 to such an extent as to slow down or stop the flow of beverage through the filter 14.
Filter 14 may be formed of any food grade filter material suitable for filtering the ingredients under the conditions of use for the beverage preparing machine. Paper or synthetic filter materials (polymers or biopolymers) are preferred with non-woven filter materials being most preferred.
Body 12 includes a boss 50 that extends into interior space 24 from end wall 22 inwardly of extraction region 32. Boss 50 is preferably integrally formed with end wall 22 but may alternatively be formed as a separate piece that is supported within body 12 as shown in
Referring to
Preferably engagement surface 54 is relatively flat and extends generally parallel to end wall 22. However, engagement surface 54 may instead be dimpled, scored or otherwise profiled. Also, engagement surface 54 may extend at an incline or a curve relative to end wall 22.
Engagement surface 54 includes a plurality of arms 56 that define voids 58 between respective arms 56. Boss 50 preferably is a frustum that is star shaped in cross section or top view as shown in
Referring to
In addition to providing collection zones in valleys 62 for fines 16a, it is believed that contact between bottom portion 44 of filter 14 and engagement surface 54 of boss 50 encourages fluid flow through filter 14 in a similar manner as contact between one's finger and the walls of a tent encourages flow of water through the tent wall. It is believed that the plurality of arms 56 and voids 58 aid in increasing the surface tension at bottom portion 44 of filter 14 as filter 14 becomes saturated during use. The increased surface tension further opens the pores of filter 14 to encourage fluid flow particularly at the location of voids 58.
Boss 50 preferably defines a corresponding recess 66 on outer surface of end wall 22 that may be adapted to fit with a corresponding shaped key 66a extending from the beverage preparing machine 36. The recess 66 aids in aligning capsule 10 in a desired orientation within beverage preparing machine 36 and also provides an opportunity for capsules 12 to be adapted for use only with machines 36 having corresponding keys 66a.
Body 12 may also include channels 68 defined in side wall 14 between upper and lower regions of the interior space of capsule 10 to facilitate air and fluid flow between the regions. Channels 68 may be defined between ribs 70 that provide additional rigidity to side wall 14. The added rigidity of ribs 70 allows capsule 10 to be better suited to withstand forces associated with manufacturing, handling, and brewing. Channels 68 and ribs 70 are optional elements however and side wall 14 of body 12 may have other configurations including the flat sided configuration seen with conventional beverage capsules.
Referring to one embodiment of capsule 10 as shown in
Referring to another embodiment of capsule 10 as shown in
Referring to another embodiment of capsule 10 as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Body 12 includes a boss 200 that extends into interior space 24 from end wall 22 inwardly of extraction region 32. Boss 200 is preferably integrally formed with end wall 22 but may alternatively be formed as a separate element that is supported within body 12 as shown in
Referring to
As fluid is introduced into capsule 10 centrally through cover 18, fluid tends to form eddies and carry fines 16a to the peripheral regions of bottom portion of filter 14. Fines 16a tend to settle and collect at the lower outer portion 210 of filter 14. Tented filter zone 206 includes an inclined filter wall 212 that ensures that the remainder of bottom portion 44 is sufficiently clear of fines 16a to allow beverage to flow at a desired rate.
Tip 204 preferably defines a diffusing surface 220 to engage and diffuse a laminar stream of fluid that enters capsule 10 for optimum saturation of ingredients within capsule 10. Diffusing surface 220 may be integrally formed with tip 204 or it may be disposed as a separate element within capsule 10 as shown in
For beverage preparing machines having a central nozzle that directs fluid in a laminar stream into the capsule 10, diffusing surface 220 is preferably sized to engage the entire stream of fluid without occupying more space than is necessary within capsule 10. Preferably, diffusing surface 220 has a cross-sectional area that is no greater than 20% of the cross-sectional area of interior space of capsule 10 as measured in a plane P in which diffusing surface 220 is located. It is also preferable that diffusing surface 220 is disposed at a height within capsule 10 that optimizes the saturation of ingredients within the capsule without occupying more space than is necessary within capsule. Preferably, diffusing surface 220 is spaced a distance H from opening that is no less than 20% and no more than 80% of the overall height of capsule 10 as measured from end wall 22 to opening 24.
Boss 200 preferably defines a recess 230 on an outer surface of end wall 22 that may be adapted to fit with a corresponding shaped key 232 extending from the beverage preparing machine 36. The recess 230 aids in aligning capsule 10 in a desired orientation within beverage preparing machine 36 and also provides an opportunity for capsules 12 to be adapted for use only with machines 36 having corresponding keys 232.
Referring to one embodiment of capsule 10 as shown in
Referring to another embodiment of capsule 10 as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
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