Patent Application
20230079531
The present invention relates to a capsule for beverages that is a capsule that is suitable for containing an initial product to be joined to a fluid to obtain a final product.
In particular, the invention relates to a single-dose and disposable capsule containing an initial product, for example like coffee powder that is able to make, by interacting with pressurized water, a final product, for example a coffee beverage.
In detail, the capsule is particularly configured to prepare products, for example beverages, in automatic dispensing machines.
The known capsules for use in dispensing machines are disposable, single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shape of a glass or cup. The casing usually has a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity containing the initial product, for example ground coffee or tea, from which the final product is to be obtained, for example the beverage. A flanged edge extends from the side wall and is arranged around the cavity, on the side opposite the base wall.
The cavity, at a mouth thereof is hermetically closed by a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge, so as to seal the initial product inside the container.
The capsule can be used in a dispensing machine in which the capsule can be inserted by a user, into a chamber of the dispensing machine. During dispensing, the base wall of the capsule is perforated by an injection device to inject pressurized liquid, for example water, into the capsule and the covering element is perforated by a dispensing device of the dispensing machine to enable the final product to be dispensed.
The dispensing device of the dispensing machine comprises a dispensing plate provided with a plurality of pointed elements that, when a pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element and perforate it in a plurality of different zones. The final product can flow into a fruition container through the perforations made by the dispensing device of the dispensing machine.
For good dispensing results, the capsule further comprises a sealing element arranged at the flanged edge which is configured to make a fluidic seal with the dispensing machine, in particular with a protrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine, the capsule being insertable into the protrusion-shaped housing element.
The sealing element prevents an outflow of the pressurised liquid at high operating pressure of the dispensing machine and, in use, is crushed between the housing element of the dispensing machine and the dispensing plate of the dispensing device.
An example of a capsule with sealing element is provided by patent EP1654966, in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is an elastic ring made of silicone rubber fixed to the flanged edge.
Using aluminium for the casing of the capsule is particularly advantageous because it enables the initial product to be kept a long time inside the cavity, being impermeable to oxygen and to water vapour. However, placing the elastomeric ring in the silicone casing requires devices to apply the silicone rubber to the flanged edge and it is difficult to produce, with the consequence that, if the sealing element is applied imprecisely, undesired leaks of water can occur during dispensing of the beverage.
In addition, although the aluminium itself is recyclable, a body formed by the aluminium casing and by the silicone rubber sealing element is no longer recyclable and this constitutes a problem for the increasingly felt need to make an entirely recyclable product for the purposes of waste disposal.
For this purpose, capsules have become widespread on the market in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is a ring of compostable material, for example it is made of a cellulose-based material, for example paper or of natural fibres to ensure that the capsule has only compostable or completely recyclable material.
In the most widespread capsules on the market with an aluminium casing, the flanged edge is planar and can comprise a curled annular end bead, at which one border of the aluminium casing is folded on itself in accordance with the prior art and can extend symmetrically, in a direction parallel to an axis of symmetry of the capsule, towards the base wall and on the opposite side thereto.
An example of a capsule with an aluminium casing and a sealing element made of a cellulose-based material is provided by application WO 2019092144, which comprises a casing having an end curved border to define an open concave end arranged both on the side of the base wall and on the opposite side thereto.
By conducting experimental dispensing tests with capsules with an aluminium body, which comprise a planar flanged edge provided with an annular end bead, and in which the sealing element is not made of silicone rubber but of cellulose-based material, for example paper and/or cardboard, the Applicant has noted that defective dispensing operations may occur.
For example, the Applicant has verified that in many dispensing operations, for example of espresso coffee, at the end of dispensing the capsule may remain suspended in the machine and not fall automatically into the inner receptacle dedicated to receiving the capsules already used. The user is thus forced to open the machine to free manually the capsule trapped in order to be able to continue to use the dispensing machine in the subsequent dispensing operations. This is particularly unwelcome, since the user is obliged to access internal mechanisms of the dispensing machine, which are often difficult to access and dangerous if not treated with due care.
This defectiveness is due to the fact that the capsule remains coupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine, without uncoupling automatically, since the paper sealing element makes friction with the ejection guides of the dispensing machine. When the capsule is not automatically ejected, the user is forced, for example, to detach the capsule from the ejection guides manually.
The Applicant has verified that in the same or in other dispensing operations, the beverage can be preceded by dispensing of only water.
This defectiveness is due to the occurrence of leaks of water from the front and/or rear side of the dispensing machine that, being conveyed to the fruition container intended to subsequently receive the beverage, dilute in an undesired manner the beverage to be obtained.
Such leaks are fluidic losses that can be front and/or rear losses.
The technical purpose which forms the basis of the present invention is thus to make available a capsule that overcomes the drawbacks of capsules of known type.
A further purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule with aluminium casing and sealing element made of paper material in which the percentage of defectiveness is reduced, that is the percentage of defective dispensing operations with respect to the total of dispensing operations conducted, due to failed uncoupling from the dispensing machine at the end of dispensing with respect to the defectiveness of the capsules of the known type, to allow a user to use the dispensing machine safely.
Another further purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule, that is simple to make and of moderate cost, with aluminium casing and a sealing element made of paper material which improves the automatic uncoupling at the end of dispensing, to ensure that a user does not need to access internal mechanisms of the dispensing machine, which are difficult to access and dangerous.
A further different purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule with aluminium casing and sealing element made of paper material which, by ensuring the automatic uncoupling, allows a good beverage extraction quality, and reduces fluidic losses.
Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule with aluminium casing and sealing element made paper material which is economical and easy to make while allowing a good beverage extraction quality.
These purposes are achieved by a capsule in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.
These purposes are also achieved by a capsule in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a capsule as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
In the following description, the same elements are indicated with the same reference numbers in the various Figures. It is also specified that unless differences are explicitly stated, the same elements are deemed to be applicable to all the different variants.
With reference to attached
The capsule 1 comprises a casing 2 that has an axis Z of longitudinal extent shown in
The casing 2, as will be seen better in detail below, is preferably made of aluminium, for example by drawing.
The casing 2 is substantially of truncated-cone shape, and i.e. shaped as a glass or cup. The casing 2 comprises a base wall 201 and a side wall 202, defining a cavity 203 that is open, shown in
In detail, the side wall 202 is divergent from the base wall 201 as far as an end, starting from which the flanged edge 212 extends substantially radially.
The cavity 203 is suitable for containing an initial product (not illustrated) to be joined to a fluid (not illustrated) to obtain a final product (not illustrated). The fluid is, preferably, a hot or cold pressurized liquid, introduced into the cavity 203 in a step of injecting the fluid to obtain the final product.
As said previously, the initial product is for example a soluble, freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, percolatable, lyophilised, powdered food product — for example coffee; alternatively, the initial preparation can be for example a leaf food product — for example tea. The fluid is preferably water, which is hot and pressurized, which enables a beverage to be obtained, for example coffee, barley, tea or an herbal drink.
The flanged edge 212 may comprise an annular bead 205, which is arranged at an outer end of the flanged edge 212 itself.
A border 2' of the casing 2 can typically be folded in the annular bead 205 so that it is positioned inside the bead 205 itself. Nevertheless, this is not necessary and the annular bead 205 can have a different conformation, for example open.
The capsule 1 comprises a covering element 3 fixed to the flanged edge 212 to close the cavity 203. The covering element 3 is fixed to the flanged edge 212 by heat or ultrasound welding, or gluing, on the opposite side of the base wall 201.
The covering element 3 is perforable by a dispensing device of the dispensing machine so that the final product can be dispensed through the covering element 3.
A sealing element 4 is associated with the flanged edge 212 to make a fluidic seal with the dispensing machine, for example with a housing element of the dispensing machine, the housing element being shaped as a protrusion.
The sealing element 4 comprises an annular body 401, arranged on the side of the base wall 201, which is made of a cellulose-based material and thus made as a paper or cardboard ring, or natural fibre ring or ring made of a composition which comprises a combination of these materials.
Subsequently, for simplicity’s sake, but without limiting the scope, the ring 401 will be cited as being made with a cellulose base, for example paper and/or cardboard.
Owing to the fact that the sealing element 4 comprises the cellulose-based ring 401, the sealing element 4 is easily made and moreover makes the capsule 1 entirely recyclable.
The flanged edge 212 comprises a first portion 211 which comprises the annular bead 205 and a second portion 207 contiguous with the side wall 202.
The second portion 207 is annular and lies on a first plane.
The first portion 211 is contained in a half-space, defined by the first plane and facing the base wall 201 and extends in a direction parallel to the axis Z towards the base wall 201 as far as a free edge 205' of the annular bead 205.
The free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 is, in other words, the end closest to the base wall 201 of the annular bead 205.
Since the annular bead 205 represents the outer end of the flanged edge 212, the free edge 205' also represents the end of the first portion 211 closest to the base wall 201.
As illustrated in
The expression “without discontinuity” means that, starting from the border 2' of the casing 2, the first portion 211 is without angles, that is, it is a curved surface in which angles are absent between contiguous sections thereof.
This can still be valid even if the border 2' of the casing 2 is not folded inside the annular bead 205.
Between the first portion 211 and the side wall 202 facing the first portion 211, a recess 210 can therefore be defined in which the ring 401 is accommodated, the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 being at a first distance D1 from the first plane that is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, so that the recess 210 can contain the ring 401 entirely.
The recess 210 defined between the first portion 211 and the side wall 202 is concave and has a bottom which is defined by the second portion 207.
Owing to the capsule in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the ring 401 can be contained inside the overall dimensions of the first portion 211 as far as the annular bead 205 within the first distance D1.
In other words, the first portion 211 delimits the recess 210 on the opposite side of the side wall 202 as far as the free edge 205' and, thanks to the fact that the thickness of the ring 401 is less than or equal to the first distance D1, the free edge 205' protrudes, or is aligned, with respect to ring 401.
As will be seen, this enables an effective uncoupling from the dispensing machine to be obtained after dispensing.
As already disclosed previously, the dispensing plate is provided with a plurality of pointed elements (not illustrated) that, during dispensing when a pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element 3 and perforate it in a plurality of different zones.
In fact, the Applicant was able to experimentally verify a considerable improvement in defectiveness due to the fall of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing.
The recess 210, in fact, is able to contain internally the ring 401 and thus possible friction between the paper and ejection guides (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine that may prevent the capsule 1 from being correctly uncoupled can be avoided.
Owing to the fact that the free edge 205' extends beyond the thickness of the ring 401, or is aligned therewith and the recess 210 contains the ring 401 entirely, the capsule 1 in accordance with the present invention shows a surprising technical effect as it is able to considerably reduce the defectiveness related to the automatic uncoupling from the dispensing machine, managing to zero them.
However, it should be noted that the first portion 211 comprises a tilted wall 211' which is joined on one side to the annular bead 205 without discontinuity and on the other side to the second portion 207 with discontinuity.
The first portion 211, and in detail the tilted wall 211', in fact forms an angle α with the second portion 207 which therefore defines a discontinuity between the second portion 207 and the tilted wall 211'.
0081] If we now consider the first distance D1, it can be noted that this first distance D1 is comprised between 0.4 mm and 2.20 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.90 mm and 1.90 mm, still more preferably equal to 1.60.
According to an alternative version, the first distance can be for example equal to 2.1 0 mm.
As shown in
If the curled annular bead 205 has a diameter of 0.4 mm, the border 2' of the casing is almost folded on itself, while starting from a diameter of 0.8 mm up to a diameter of 1.5 mm, the annular bead 205 is rounded in shape, as represented in
In addition to the diameter of 1.1 mm, other preferred diameters are possible, such as 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, or 1.3 mm.
The annular bead 205 can extend in the first plane towards the base wall 201 so that the free edge 205' is placed at a first distance D1 equal, at least, to the minimum diameter of the curled annular bead 205.
However, in order for the free edge 205' to extend beyond the thickness of the ring 401, preferably the annular bead 205 is displaced towards the base wall 201 so that the first distance D1 is greater than the maximum diameter of the bead ring 205 itself.
For example, if the annular bead 205, for example curled, has a diameter equal to 1.1 mm, the free edge 205' can be advantageously placed at the first distance D1 equal to 1.6 mm, i.e. be further displaced by 0.5 mm with respect to the diameter of the annular bead 205, taking into account the dimension and inclination of the tilted wall 211'.
Alternatively, according to a different version of the capsule, if the annular bead 205 has a diameter equal to 1.1 mm and the free edge 205' can be placed at the first distance D1 equal to 2.1 mm, it can be further displaced by 1.0 mm with respect to the diameter of the annular bead 205.
The first portion 211 is contained radially between the inner edge 205" and the outer edge 205''' of the annular bead 205.
In fact, the border 2' can be folded in the annular bead 205 and can extend without discontinuity through the tilted wall 211' as far as the second portion 207.
The absence of discontinuity in the first portion 211 of the flanged edge 212, which is contained in the half-space facing the base wall 201, the discontinuity present between the tilted wall 211' of the first portion 211 and the second portion 207, as well as the fact that the free edge 205' is preferably displaced with respect to the diameter of the annular bead 205 towards the base wall 201, makes the flanged edge 212 itself more easily adaptable when, together with the ring 401, is clamped between the housing element and the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine and cooperates in making the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine, as we shall see later.
Furthermore, in the half-space the recess 210 can be defined in a simple way.
Preferably, the first portion 211 can be shaped so as to be wound initially around the border 2', defining the curled annular bead 205, and subsequently to progressively move away from the annular bead 205 as far as the second portion 207.
The first portion 211 can be shaped, for example, like a spiral which, starting from the border 2' is wound initially around it, defining the curled or rounded annular bead 205, and which, subsequently, progressively moves away from the annular bead 205 as far as the second portion 207 through the tilted wall 211'.
It can be noted that, if the annular bead 205 is curled and the first portion 211 extends without discontinuity, the user can handle the capsule in total safety, as there are no pointed parts that might damage the user. In fact, not only is the border 2' of the casing folded inside the annular bead 205, but also edges that might annoy the user are absent.
The angle α, which generates the inclination of the tilted wall 211', can be comprised between 10° and 90°, preferably comprised between 14° and 65°, still more preferably comprised between 20° and 45°, preferably equal to 25°. Alternatively, the angle α can also preferably be equal to 38°. In fact, it is preferable that the tilted wall 211' forms an acute angle with the base wall 207 so that the annular bead 205 is displaced towards the base wall 201 and at the same time the first portion 211 extends without discontinuity through the inclined wall 211'.
As regards the position of the ring 401, it is associated with the flanged edge 212 at least in a region intended to make the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine and i.e. in the region with which, during dispensing, the protrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine engages.
This applies both considering the capsule 1 of
The ring 401 can comprise an outer zone 402, shown in
In other words, the radial extension of the ring 401 can be such as to abut on the first portion 211, and more precisely the inner edge 205" of the annular bead 205, in relation to the thickness of the ring 401, as shown in
Optionally, the ring 401 can be retained associated with the casing 2 by interference between the outer zone 402 and the first portion 211.
Owing to this interference, the ring 401 can be stably associated with the capsule 1 without the need to be further fixed to the flanged edge 212 and this increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.
The ring 401 can also comprise an inner zone 403 from which the outer zone 402 extends, which can extend as far as it abuts on the side wall 202 of the capsule 2, as shown in
If, for example, the ring 401 is about 1 mm wide and extends as far as to abut on the side wall 202, the fluidic seal with the housing element of the dispensing machine is anyway guaranteed.
Optionally, the ring 401 can be retained associated with the capsule 1 by interference between the inner zone 403 and the side wall 202.
Again, owing to this interference with the side wall 202, the ring 401 can be stably associated with the capsule 1 without the need to be further fixed to the flanged edge 212.
Again, this increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.
However, the ring 401 can also be associated only with the second portion 207 without necessarily abutting on the first portion 211 and/or the side wall 202.
In a variant, the ring 401 can be L-shaped to follow, at least partially, both the flanged edge 212 and the side wall 202.
As regards the manner in which the ring 401 is made, it is specified that this applies to all the variants or versions of capsules shown in
The ring 401 can comprise a single layer of cellulose-based material intended to contact the dispensing machine. The layer can be, for example, made of paper or cardboard, with grammage comprised between 250 g/m2 and 900 g/m2, preferably comprised between 300 g/m2 and 750 g/m2, preferably equal to 350 g/m2 and 700 g/m2.
The term grammage means a density value of the paper and/or of the cardboard, which is expressed as a value in grams by square metre.
Although the paper and/or the cardboard has a thickness that usually depends on the grammage used, the thickness of the paper and/or cardboard can vary according to different factors, like for example the type of processing performed during production of the paper and/or cardboard or the quantity of wood fibre present therein.
In fact, for the same grammage, high density paper and/or cardboard may exist that has a set thickness and a low density paper and/or cardboard that has thickness greater than the set thickness.
For this reason, although the preferred grammage for making the paper ring is comprised in a grammage range as disclosed above, the thickness of the ring 401 will also be indicated below because the experimental tests conducted were based on the thickness of the ring 401.
The ring 401 can comprise a stratified structure which comprises at least one outer layer 404, based on cellulose, and a joining layer 405 configured to enable the stratified structure to be joined to the flanged edge 212, that is, to the second portion 207.
The joining layer 405 is a layer of adhesive material that is activatable by heat.
In other words, the paper or cardboard ring 401, which makes the sealing element 4, can be made of a single paper and/or cardboard layer, as shown in
As shown in
The stratified structure can comprise the outer cellulose-based layer 404, arranged outwardly for contacting the dispensing machine, the joining layer 405 configured to enable the stratified structure to be joined to the flanged edge 212, an inner layer 406 made of cellulose-based material and a further joining layer 407, the latter joining together the outer layer 404 and the inner layer 406. The inner layer 406 is joined to the flanged edge 212 by the joining layer 405.
The ring 401 can be, for example, made with a double cellulose-based layer.
Optionally, according to a variant that is not shown, the outer layer 404 can be L-shaped to follow at least partially both the flanged edge 212 and the side wall 202.
The joining layer 405 can be made of an adhesive material or a material like polythene, or a polyolefin, or polylactic acid (PLA) that, when it is applied to the second portion 207 by heat, becomes sticky and joins the single layer (if the ring is made of a single layer of cellulose-based material) or the inner layer 406 (in the case of the stratified structure) to the second portion 207.
The same considerations also apply for the further joining layer 407, configured to join together the outer cellulose-based layer 404 and the inner cellulose-based layer 406, which is also made with a material that is activatable by heat.
The joining layer 405, and optionally the further joining layer 407 can also be made by a hot glue that acts when it is activated by a heating device with heat, for example a device provided with a heating element with electrical resistance.
The joining layer 405 and optionally the further joining layer 407 can also be activated by a heating device with ultrasound welding.
In accordance with one variant, which is not shown, the flanged edge 212, and preferably the entire casing 2, can optionally be coated externally by a lacquer, which can be transparent, or coloured, which is suitable for joining with the joining layer 405 when the joining layer 405 is softened, or melts, by heat to obtain adhesion of the joining layer 405 to the flanged edge 212.
The lacquer is configured to coat externally the aluminium, simultaneously personalizing the aluminium if it is coloured, and to facilitate the adhesion of the joining layer 405 to the aluminium of the casing 2. The lacquer can in fact be joined to the polythene or the polylactic acid, when both are heated (optionally the lacquer can also be heated), being activatable by heat, to enable the cellulose ring to be joined to the lacquer coating the aluminium.
Preferably, the lacquer is selected so as to be compatible with the joining layer 405, thus ensuring a permanent weld or in any case adhesion that is suitable for not detaching the ring 401 from the flanged edge 212 even after dispensing.
According to one version, the ring 401 is made by the stratified structure comprising the outer layer 404, the inner layer 406, the joining layer 405 and the further joining layer 407, and is configured to be placed resting on the second portion 207 when the joining layers 405, 407 have not been activated yet. In this case, the joining layers 405, 407 can both be activated simultaneously by heat, to join both the ring 401 to the flanged edge 212 and to join the cellulose-based layers together, thus defining a compact and monobloc annular body 401.
Each cellulose-based layer, and i.e. the outer layer 404 and the inner layer 406, can have, for example, a grammage equal to 350 g/m2 for a total of 700 g/m2.
Each joining layer, i.e. the joining layer 405, or the further joining layer 407, can have, for example, a grammage of 15 g/m2, which corresponds to a thickness of a few microns, even before the stratified structure is joined to the flanged edge 212.
Owing to the fact that the ring 401 can be made at least by a pair of cellulose-based layers 404, 406 that are joined together it is possible to select each layer 404, 406 in an appropriate manner in terms of the grammage and/or the thickness and/or the composition.
For example, the outer layer 404, configured to be arranged externally, can be chosen with a grammage and/or thickness and/or composition that is different from the inner layer 406, such that the ring 401 has the characteristics required for uncoupling from the housing element of the dispensing machine, as will be seen in detail below, but at the same time also has a reduced cost.
The possibility of having a plurality of cellulose-based layers allows each layer to be selected with different properties. For example, the outer layer 404 can be selected with a lower density than the inner layer 406 underlying the outer layer 404, in order to deform better and promote the fluidic seal during dispensing, or can be selected by a colour or texture that is different from the inner layer 406 (which is preferably neutral-white), so as to be able to be distinguishable for a user.
According to one variant shown in
The further ring 408 is aligned on the ring 401 so as to form a stratified sealing element 4, in which the planar second portion 207 made of aluminium, and the covering element 3 joined thereto are inserted between the ring 401 and the further ring 408, arranged opposite and facing one another.
The ring 401 is associated with the second portion towards the base wall 201 while the further ring 408 is fixed to the covering element 3.
With regards to the further ring 408, what was said before applies, and thus also the further ring 408 can be made of a single layer 404 of cellulose-based material, joined to the covering element 3 by the joining layer 405, or the further ring 408 can be made by the stratified structure comprising the outer layer 404, the inner layer 406 as well as the joining layer 405 and the further joining layer 407.
The further ring 408 can have a grammage and/or thickness and/or composition that is different from the ring 401.
It should be noted that, during dispensing, the further ring 408 contributes to the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine but it also performs the function of spacer between the capsule 1 and the dispensing machine.
In fact, the further ring 408, which is placed in contact with the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine, maintains the flanged edge 212 spaced apart from the dispensing plate and displaces the flanged edge 212 and the ring 401 towards the base wall 201, that is towards the protrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine.
As a result, owing to the presence of the further ring 408, a reduced thickness can be sufficient for the ring 401, with a consequent economical advantage for selecting the material with which the ring 401 can be made.
The ring 401, or if present the further ring 408, preferably have a constant thickness and are planar.
It should be noted that, from experimental tests, it has emerged to be particularly advantageous, in order to improve the defectiveness due to the uncoupling of the capsule at the end of dispensing, that the thickness of the ring 401 is comprised between 0.30 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.55 mm and 1.10 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.70 mm and 1.00 mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.
Experimental tests carried out by the Applicant have shown that by making a capsule 1, in accordance with the invention, in which the casing 2 is made of aluminium and the sealing element 4 is made of a cellulose-based material, in which the first portion 211 is contained in a half-space, defined by the first plane identified by the second portion 207 and extends towards the base wall 201 as far as a free edge 205' of the annular bead 205, defining a recess 210 in which the ring 401 is housed entirely, the defectiveness linked to the failed uncoupling of the capsule 1 at the end of the dispensing is reduced.
Advantageously, the first portion 211 can be shaped without discontinuity from the border 2' through the annular bead 205 as far as the second portion 207.
Owing to the fact that the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 is at a first distance D1 from the second portion 207 which is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, the ring 401 is entirely contained in the recess 210, friction is avoided between the ring 401 and the ejection guides of the dispensing machine and this enables the percentage of defectiveness of the dispensing machine due to the suspension in the machine to be reduced.
Experimental tests have shown that the defective dispensing operations due to the automatic uncoupling are reduced both with a thickness of the ring 401 equal to 0.45 mm, and with the thickness of the ring 401 equal to 0.90 mm.
The Applicant has also verified a significant improvement in the defectiveness due to fluidic losses, in addition to the improvement in the defectiveness due to uncoupling, with a thickness of the ring 401 comprised between 0.55 mm and 1.10 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.70 mm and 1.00 mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.
With an increased thickness of the ring 401, although the uncoupling at the end of dispensing is still ensured, it is possible to obtain a reinforced fluidic seal, that is, a reduced quantity of front and/or rear fluidic losses compared to known aluminium capsules.
As indicated previously, the term “fluidic losses” means leaks of water from the front and/or rear part of the dispensing machine that are due to a defective fluidic seal between the sealing element 4 and the dispensing machine.
Despite the increased thickness, it has been experimentally proved that the defective dispensing operations due to failed uncoupling are decreased also with a thickness of the ring 401 equal to 0.90 mm, as will be highlighted below.
The experimental tests were conducted using the following Nespresso™ coffee machines: Essenza Mini™ and Citiz™.
A first series of tests and a second series of tests were conducted using capsules with an aluminium casing of known type and sealing element made as a paper ring, in which the casing comprises a planar aluminium flanged edge and an end annular bead that, in a direction parallel to the axis Z, extends symmetrically with respect to the planar flanged edge towards a base wall of the casing and on the opposite side thereto.
Since the annular bead 205 has a diameter approximately equal to 1.3 mm, in the first series of tests and in the second series of tests the annular bead extends towards the base wall 201 as far as the free edge 205' and the distance between the free edge 205' and the first plane defined by the second portion is approximately equal to 0.65 mm.
In the first series of tests a 0.45 mm-thick paper ring was used, in the second series of tests a 0.90 mm-thick paper ring was used.
A third series of tests and a fourth series of tests were conducted using capsules 1 with an aluminium casing 2 in accordance with the invention shown in
In the third series of tests and in the fourth series of tests, the capsule 1 with aluminium capsule of
The third series of tests and the fourth series of tests was aimed at verifying the uncoupling of the capsule at the end of dispensing.
A first series of tests (96 dispensing operations) was conducted using capsules of known type as indicated above, with an aluminium casing with a planar flanged edge and an annular bead symmetrical in a direction parallel to the axis Z and a sealing element made as a paper ring that is 0.45 mm thick.
A second series of tests (35 dispensing operations) was conducted using capsules of known type as indicated above, with an aluminium casing with a planar flanged edge and an annular bead symmetrical in a direction parallel to the axis Z and a sealing element made as a paper ring that is 0.90 mm thick.
A third series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted using capsules 1 according to the invention, with the first portion 211 of the flanged edge without discontinuity and having an annular bead, in which the sealing element is made as a paper ring 401 that is 0.45 mm thick.
A fourth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted using capsules 1 according to the invention, with the first portion 211 of the flanged edge without discontinuity and having an annular bead, in which the sealing element is made as a paper ring 401 that is 0.90 mm thick.
In the tests conducted, the capsules were all filled with the same 5.50 g dose of coffee.
As already indicated previously, suspension in the machine means the fact that the capsule, at the end of dispensing, remains coupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine and is not uncoupled automatically.
A fifth series of tests was conducted using capsules 1 with aluminium casing 2 in accordance with the invention, with the first portion 211 of the flanged edge without discontinuity and having a rounded annular bead and a paper ring that is 0.90 mm thick.
In the fifth series of tests the free edge 205' is at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6 mm from the second portion 207 and the annular bead 205 is axially displaced by 0.5 mm towards the base wall, the diameter of the annular bead 205 being equal to 1.1 mm.
The fifth series of tests was aimed at verifying the uncoupling of the capsule at the end of dispensing and at the same time the defectiveness due to fluidic losses.
A fifth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted using capsules 1 according to the invention, with the first portion 211 of the flanged edge without discontinuity and having an annular bead, in which the sealing element is made as a paper ring 401 that is 0.90 mm thick.
As already indicated previously, fluidic losses mean the frontal and/or rear losses that occur in the presence of leaks of water from the frontal and/or rear part of the dispensing machine.
In use, the capsule 1 is inserted by a user into a chamber of the dispensing machine that is opened for this purpose by, for example, a lever mechanism. Using the same mechanism, the user can close the chamber to start dispensing and, when the chamber is closed, the protrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine can compress the sealing element 4 that is the ring 401 inelastically to make the fluidic seal. During dispensing, the pressurized fluid is injected into the capsule and the ring 401, compressed inelastically by the housing element, makes the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine.
The same thing happens if the capsule 1, in addition to the ring 401, comprises also the further ring 408, arranged on a side opposite the ring 401.
When the pressurized liquid is injected, the pressure of the final product increases inside the capsule 1, which in turn deforms the covering element 3 towards the pointed elements of the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine, which perforate the covering element 3.
At the end of dispensing, the user can open the chamber by actuating again the lever mechanism to enable the capsule 1 to be uncoupled.
Owing to the fact that the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 is at a first distance D1 from the second portion 207 which is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, the ring 401 is entirely contained in the recess 210, friction is avoided between the ring 401 and the ejection guides of the dispensing machine and this enables the percentage of defectiveness of the dispensing machine due to the suspension in the machine to be reduced. For this purpose, preferably, the annular bead 205 is displaced towards the base wall 201 to ensure that, axially, the free edge 205' is beyond the thickness of the ring 401. The capsule 1 that has just been used, as soon as the user opens the chamber, can be in fact uncoupled from the housing element and can fall into the recovery receptacle of the already used capsules.
However, fluidic losses are also reduced since the movement of the annular bead 205 towards the base wall 201 promotes a deformability of the flanged edge 212 during dispensing.
Furthermore, if the thickness of the ring 401 is increased, a reinforced fluidic seal can be ensured and the uncoupling of the capsule 1 is in any case ensured.
However, what has been said previously still applies, i.e. the first portion 206 is contained in a half-space, defined by the first plane and facing the base wall 201 which extends in a direction parallel to the axis Z towards the base wall 201 as far as the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205, between the first portion 206 and the side wall 202 facing the first portion 206, the recess 210 being defined in which the ring 401 is housed and entirely contained, since the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 is at the first distance D1 from the first plane which is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401.
However, the flanged edge 204 additionally comprises a connecting portion 208 arranged between the first portion 206 and the second portion 207, the first portion 206 being displaced towards the base wall 201 at at least a second predetermined distance D2 from the first plane, between the connecting portion 208 and the side wall 202 a seat 209 in which the ring 401 is at least partially housed being defined.
The seat 209 is concave and has a respective bottom which is defined by the second portion 207.
The recess 210, which is defined between the first portion 206 and the side wall 202 and is itself delimited by a respective bottom which corresponds to the second portion 207, thus contains the seat 209.
Thanks to the fact that the first portion 206 is displaced towards the base wall 201 and creates the seat 209 in which the ring 401 is at least partially housed, the Applicant has been able to experimentally verify that, with this capsule 1', an effective uncoupling from the dispensing machine after dispensing is ensured but there is also an important improvement in the fluidic seal, that is, a reduced quantity of front and/or rear fluidic losses.
As regards the fluidic seal, the displacement to the second distance D2 and the consequent change of level between the first portion 206 and the second portion 207, which lies in the first plane, allows the generation of a deformation in the flanged edge 204, at the connecting portion 208, which makes the flanged edge 204 itself more easily adaptable when, together with the ring 401, it is clamped between the housing element and the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine.
On the other hand, as regards the fall of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing, the fact that the recess 210 can contain the ring 401 entirely inside itself still applies, since the free edge 205' is placed at a first distance D1 from the first plane which is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401.
The seat 209, which can partially contain the ring 401 inside itself, can further facilitate the containment of the ring 401 and therefore further prevent any friction between the paper and the ejection guides (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, which can prevent the capsule 1 from being properly uncoupled.
Also with this variant, therefore, thanks to the fact that the flanged edge 204 has the annular bead 205 displaced and thanks to the fact that the paper ring can be housed at least partially in the seat 209, the capsule 1 in accordance with the present invention shows a surprising technical effect as it can considerably reduce the defectiveness linked to the automatic uncoupling from the dispensing machine.
In addition, the Applicant has also experimentally verified a reduction in defectiveness related to fluidic losses.
It should be noted that the first portion 206 is contained in a half-space facing the base wall 201, which is defined by a second plane which is placed at the said second predetermined distance D2.
In other words, the second distance D2 is the distance at which the first portion 206 is displaced, which also comprises the annular bead 205.
It should be noted that the first portion 206 comprises an annular part 206', which is contiguous with the connecting portion 208 and is planar, the annular part 206' lying on the second plane.
The distance D2 is thus measurable in a direction parallel to the axis Z between the second portion 207 of the flanged edge 204, annular and planar, and the annular portion 206' of the first portion 206.
Again what has been said previously applies, that is, the first portion 206 is comprised between the inner edge 205' and the outer edge 205" of the curled annular bead 205 and the first portion 206 is defined without discontinuity by the border 2' of the casing 2 through the curled annular bead 205, as far as the planar annular wall 206'. The first portion 206 is therefore shaped like a spiral which, starting from the border 2' is wound initially around the border 2', defining the annular bead 205, and which, subsequently, is maintained in proximity to the curled annular bead 205 by the annular wall planar 206' as far as the connecting portion 208.
Unlike the first portion 211 of the capsule 1, which extends from the border 2' of the casing 2 without discontinuity as far as the first portion 207, between the first portion 206 of the capsule 1' and the connecting portion 208 there is a first change of slant, and between the connecting portion 208 and the second portion 207 there is a second change of slant. In other words, while in the flanged edge 212 of the capsule 1 there is a single discontinuity between the first portion 211 and the second portion 207, at the joint between the first portion 211 and the second portion 207, in the flanged edge 204 of the capsule 1' there is a first discontinuity between the first portion 206 and the connecting portion 208 (a first angle is defined) and a second discontinuity between the connecting portion 208 and the second portion 207 (a second angle is defined).
Although what has been said before still applies with respect to the first distance D1, which allows the thickness of the ring 401 to be entirely contained in the recess 210 within the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205, in a direction parallel to the axis Z, it is specified that the second distance D2 can be comprised between 0.10 mm and 0.90 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.60 mm, still more preferably equal to 0.30.
The second predetermined distance D2 can also be equal to 0.50 mm.
Considering a dimension of the annular bead 205 in a direction parallel to the axis Z, which is for example equal to 1.30 mm and considering a second distance D2 equal to 0.30 mm, it can be noted that, in this way, a free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 extends towards the base wall 201 as far as a distance D1 from the first plane that is equal to 1.60 mm.
In relation to the second distance D2 and to the thickness of the ring 401, it can be observed that the ring 401 can be contained entirely, in a direction parallel to the axis Z, inside the seat 209 or can protrude therefrom and be contained entirely in the recess 210.
In other words, being the second portion 206 displaced towards the base wall 201, the annular bead 205 contributes to delimiting the recess 210 further laterally and defines, together with the connecting portion 208, a respective outer wall of the recess 210, that on the opposite side faces the side wall 202 of the capsule.
With the values provided above by way of example, the recess 210 is delimited externally by the connecting portion 208 and/or by the annular bead 205 up to 1.60 mm.
The connecting portion 208 can have a stepped truncated-cone conformation, as shown in
In other words, the connecting portion 208 can be shaped as a tilted planar surface that connects the first portion 206 and the second portion 207 or as a surface in which a change of curvature is present.
As regards the association between the ring 401 and the flanged edge 204, what has been said previously with reference to the flanged edge 212 applies, specifying that the outer zone 402 of the ring 401 can extend as far as abutting on the first portion 206, and/or the connecting portion 208.
For example, the outer zone 402 can also abut on the curled annular bead 205 in relation to the thickness of the ring 401, as illustrated in
Optionally, also in this embodiment, the ring 401 can be retained associated with the casing 2 by interference between the outer zone 402 and the first portion 206 and/or the connecting portion 208, without the need to be further fixed to the flanged edge 204.
The inner zone 403 of the ring 401, as previously mentioned, can also extend as far as it abuts on the side wall 202 and, without being further fixed to the flanged edge 204, the ring 401 can optionally be retained associated with the capsule 1 by interference between the inner zone 403 and the side wall 202, in a manner not illustrated.
Furthermore, in a variant not shown, the fact that the ring 401 can be L-shaped to at least partially follow both the flanged edge 204 and the side wall 202 is still valid.
However, as already said, the ring 401 can be associated only with the second portion 207 without necessarily abutting on the first portion 206, and/or the connecting portion 208, and/or the side wall 202, as it is sufficient for it to be associated to the flanged edge 204 in the region with which, during dispensing, the protrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine engages.
The fact that the ring 401 can be joined to the flanged edge 204, and more precisely to the second portion 207, by the joining layer described above, is still valid.
As regards the way in which the ring 401 is made, it is specified that what previously described in relation to the capsule 1 of the
The ring 401 can comprise a single layer of cellulose-based material like in
Again, optionally according to a variant that is not shown, the outer layer 404 can be L-shaped to follow at least partially both the flanged edge 204 and the side wall 202.
Each cellulose-based layer, i.e. the outer layer 404 and the further layer 406, can have the grammage and thickness indicated above, which can be selected in an appropriate way as regards the grammage and/or thickness and/or the composition to guarantee the characteristics required for the purpose of the fluidic seal and the uncoupling of the dispensing machine from the housing element and a reduced cost.
Again, as previously said, the sealing element 4 can comprise the further ring 408, made according to the methods described above, fixed to the covering element 3 on the side opposite the second portion 207 like in
In use, the capsule 1' is inserted by the user into the chamber of the dispensing machine and is used as previously described in relation to the capsule 1.
Owing to the connecting portion 208, in which the flanged edge 204 is deformed to connect the first portion 206, displaced towards the base wall 201 at the second distance D2, and the second planar portion 207 to which the ring 401 is associated, the flanged edge 204 adapts to the dispensing machine and thus the fluidic seal achieved by the ring 401, and optionally by the ring 408, with the dispensing machine can be improved.
At the end of dispensing, when the chamber is opened to allow the capsule 1' to be uncoupled, thanks to the fact that the recess 210 contains the ring 401 entirely and the seat 209 contains at least partially the ring 401, the ejection guides of the dispensing machine do not contact the ring 401 and the capsule 1 just used, as soon as the user opens the chamber, can be uncoupled falling into the receptacle for the recovery of the capsules already used.
Experimental tests carried out by the Applicant have shown that by making a capsule 1', in accordance with
The improvement of the uncoupling at the end of the dispensing is ensured also for the capsule 1' with a thickness of the ring 401 comprised between 0.30 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.55 mm and 1.10 mm, still more preferably between 0.70 mm and 1.00 mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.
However, in the alternative, the experimental tests conducted with the capsule 1' with flanged edge 204 provided with the connecting portion 208, have shown that the defectiveness linked to front and/or rear fluidic losses is also further improved, even if the ring does not have an increased thickness but is comprised between 0.30 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.55 mm and 1.10 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.70 mm and 1.00 mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.
The experimental tests for capsule 1' were conducted using the same Nespresso™ coffee machines: Essenza Mini™ and Citiz™, used for the experimental tests of capsule 1.
The first series of tests and the second series of tests, for the aluminium capsule of the known type described above, are not repeated here, for the sake of brevity.
A sixth series of tests and a seventh series of tests was conducted using capsules 1' with an aluminium casing 2 and a sealing element 4 made as a paper ring, in which the casing 2 comprises a flanged edge 204 comprising a first portion 206 comprising the annular bead 205 displaced towards the base wall 201 and the connecting portion 208, the free edge 205' being at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6 mm from the second portion 206, the displacement of the first portion 206 to the second distance D2 being equal to 0.3 mm.
In the sixth series of tests and in the seventh series of tests the capsule 1' was used but in the sixth series of tests a 0.45 mm thick paper ring was used, while in the seventh series of tests a 0.90 mm thick paper ring was used.
The sixth series of tests and the seventh series of tests was aimed at verifying the uncoupling of the capsule at the end of dispensing.
In addition, defectiveness due to fluidic losses was also verified.
In the tests conducted, again, the capsules were all filled with the same 5.50 g dose of coffee.
A sixth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted out using capsule 1', with flanged edge with connecting portion 208, in which the sealing element is made as a paper ring 401 that is 0.45 mm thick.
A seventh series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted out using capsules 1', with flanged edge with connecting portion 208, in which the sealing element is made as a paper ring 401 that is 0.90 mm thick.
The following table shows the percentage of defects found in each series of tests, defective dispensing operations being expressed as a percentage of total dispensing operations performed.
Therefore, it has been advantageously verified experimentally that both the capsule 1, in which the first portion 211 is shaped without discontinuity from the curled annular bead 205 as far as the second portion 207 and is joined thereto with discontinuity and in which the first distance D1 is greater than the maximum diameter of the annular bead 205 itself, that the capsule 1', in which the first portion 206 can be joined with a first discontinuity to the connecting portion 208 and with a second discontinuity from the connecting portion 208 to the second portion 207, guarantee not only an improvement but also a zeroing of the defectiveness due to the failed uncoupling of the capsule 1, 1' at the end of dispensing. In fact, the free edge 205' of the annular bead 205 defines a recess which contains the ring 401 entirely inside it and furthermore, in both types of capsule, the annular bead 205 has its own free edge 205' axially displaced towards the base wall 201, the first distance D1 being greater than the maximum diameter of the annular bead 205 itself.
Furthermore, it has been experimentally verified that in the capsule 1 in accordance with the invention it is capable of positively influencing the defectiveness due to fluidic losses, although an uncoupling at the end of dispensing is ensured, even with an increased thickness of the ring 401.
Still experimentally, it has instead been verified that the shape of the flanged edge 204 with the movement of the first portion to the second distance D2 is capable of positively influencing, with any thickness of the ring 401, also the defectiveness due to fluidic losses, ensuring at the same time the capsule itself to be uncoupled at the end of dispensing.
In detail,
The first portion 216 comprises a tilted wall 216' which is coplanar with the annular bead 215 and which forms the discontinuity with the second planar portion 207.
An angle β is defined between the tilted wall 216' and the second portion 207 and can be greater than or equal to 20° and less than or equal to 135°. In
For the angles β comprised between 90° and 135°, the first portion 216 is tilted towards the side wall 202, that is towards the ring 401.
The considerations previously made with reference to the capsule of
It should be noted that the annular bead 215 of
In fact, in the annular bead 215 there is a first flap defined between the free edge 215' and the border 2' of the casing which is placed in contact with a second flap defined starting from the free edge 215', on the side opposite the first flap.
The second flap extends, for example, from the free edge 215' to the tilted wall 216'.
In a version not shown, the annular bead 215 can also be V-shaped meaning that the first flap and the second flap may not be parallel and in contact with each other, but form an angle between them whose vertex is the free edge 215'.
As regards the manner in which the ring 401 is made and the positioning thereof in association with the second portion 207 of the flanged edge 214, it is specified that what has already been described above is valid.
Thanks to the fact that the annular bead 215 is folded in the first portion 216, the aluminium casing 2 is very simple to make and is economical.
In addition, the border 2' of the casing 2, after being folded, faces the second portion 207 and is also partially hidden by the ring 401.
In this way, no pointed aluminium parts which could harm the user are exposed.
In fact, in relation to the angle β between the first portion 216 and the second portion 207, the ring 401 can entirely, along its entire thickness, abuts on the first portion 216, like in
The annular bead 215 can be flattened but, as previously detailed, the annular bead 215 can also be V-shaped, in relation to whether the first flap and the second flap are, or not, in contact with each other.
Note that the first portion 218 is displaced towards the base wall 201 by the second distance D2.
The first portion 218 comprises a tilted wall 218' which is coplanar with the annular bead 215 and which forms a first discontinuity (i.e. a first angle) with the connecting portion 208, which in turn forms a second discontinuity (i.e. a second angle) with the second portion 207.
Again, the considerations previously made with reference to the capsule 1' of
As regards the manner in which the ring 401 is made in the flanged edge 217 and the positioning thereof, it is specified that what previously described applies, in relation to
Also in this case, since the annular bead 215 is folded in the first portion 218, it is very simple to make and is economical.
Again, since the border 2' of the casing 2 is folded and partially hidden by the ring 401, no pointed aluminium parts which might damage the user are exposed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102020000003425 | Feb 2020 | IT | national |
| 102020000007669 | Apr 2020 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2021/051367 | 2/18/2021 | WO |
