Patent Application
20110041702
The present invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule by hot water injected under pressure in the capsule using a water injection device having perforating blades. The invention also relates to a system of capsule comprising the capsule of the invention associated to a water injection device in a beverage production device.
The background of the present invention is the field of capsules which contain beverage or other comestible ingredients. By means of an interaction of these ingredients with a liquid, a beverage such as coffee, tea or other comestibles, such as for example soup, can be produced. The interaction can be based on the principle of extraction of a beverage-forming substance, the mixing or the dissolution, in presence of a liquid diluent such as water.
The capsule of the invention is more particularly adapted to contain ground coffee in order to produce a coffee beverage by injecting hot water under pressure into the capsule and obtaining a coffee beverage from the capsule.
Systems and methods for obtaining fluid comestibles from substances containing capsules are for example known from European patent application EP 512 470 A. Therefore, the capsules are closed by walls, preferably liquid impermeable walls including an inlet wall which is pierced only during use, for injection of water, for example, when the capsule is introduced in the device.
An improvement in these systems and methods consists in providing an injection device comprising a series of blades separated from the central injection conduit as described in European patent EP 12 99 022 B1. A better flow distribution is obtained as compared to a central perforation obtained by a single injection needle. Such device works properly with a capsule body made of thin aluminum because that material tends to perforate easily due to its mechanical properties. Furthermore, the perforations can be well dimensionally and geometrically defined and therefore they provide a good flow distribution across the bed of ingredients in the capsule. However, the known embodiments suffer the disadvantage that certain capsules made of more elastic materials such as polymers can be difficult to pierce in a repeated manner and the resulting perforations are not so well dimensionally and geometrically defined. This is especially true for capsules comprising plastic walls or biodegradable polymers, as the material can be relatively difficult to pierce and the piercing members of the device may become blunt relatively rapidly. Therefore, new capsules can no longer be pierced correctly, i.e., they are pierced partially or insufficiently thereby providing poor flow distribution of liquid in the capsule which affects the quality of extraction and the qualities of the liquid food that is produced. The beverage preparation device may also have to be returned to a service or maintenance station for repairing or replacing the piercing members which have been damaged.
The present invention aims at solving this problem by providing a capsule which is more easy perforable for ensuring a good quality of extraction and which does not damage the injection devices of the existing art or of existing beverage preparation devices.
WO2010/041179 relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage with an upper wall comprising on its internal surface a weakening zone adapted to be displaced when an external element exerts a force thereon.
Despite the foregoing, further improvements are needed and these are now provided by the present invention.
A capsule containing a comestible ingredient for preparing a liquid food when contacting water injected under pressure into the capsule by a water injection device. The capsule comprises a frusto-conical body comprising a rim, a sidewall, an inlet wall for receiving water from the blades of an injection device, and a lower delivery wall sealed to the rim of the body. It also has an interior cavity containing a predosed amount of beverage forming ingredients. The inlet wall comprises a continuous or discontinuous annular portion configured, positioned and arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device therethrough, and which portion extends on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 at least equal to radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend.
The inlet wall generally has a flat or convex shape and the annular portion advantageously has a width that is greater than that of the blades. Numerous variations of the annular portion are disclosed herein. These include one: (a) having a wall thickness that is less than that of the sidewall, (b) that is a recess having sides and a base that is sufficiently deep such that the blades do not contact the base of the recess; (c) that is made of a material that is more easy to penetrate than that of the sidewall, (d) that is made of a material that is flexible and can be deformed by the blades upon contact thereby; and (e) that is scored or otherwise provided with weakened areas. All of these designs are intended to facilitate the introduction of the blades of the water injection device in a way to avoid wear of the blades and thus maximize fluid flow into the capsule and the useful like of the water injection device and liquid food preparation unit.
The annular portion may form a continuous recess having sides and a base facing outwardly or inwardly. It also may comprise a plurality of discontinuous recesses or score lines. Furthermore, the annular portion may comprise a continuous or discontinuous embossment. In another arrangement, the annular portion has a locally reduced thickness of the inlet wall compared to the thickness of side wall or of the inlet wall outside the annular portion. The wall thickness is preferably reduced by at least 20 to 30% compared to that of the sidewall or of the inlet wall outside the annular portion. Furthermore, the annular portion may be a recess having sides and a base and optionally one is sufficiently deep such that the blades do not contact the base of the recess and the sides include a plurality of injection holes. If desired, the recess may optionally include a gastight membrane sealed onto the inlet wall to sealingly cover the recess and the injection holes.
In another variation, the annular portion may comprise a porous membrane or filter that forms the inlet wall, sidewall and delivery wall of the capsule and is supported on a rigid skeleton comprising several legs to facilitate penetration of the membrane or filter by the blades without interference. If desired, the annular portion can extend to the entire inlet wall and have a reduced thickness compared to that of the sidewall with the capsule body further comprising inner or outer reinforcement members to ensure improved rigidity of the wall during perforation by the blades. The annular portion can be substantially free of reinforcement members to not interfere with the insertion of the blades of the water injection device.
A further embodiment of the invention relates to a beverage production device comprising a water injection device and a capsule system that includes one of the capsules disclosed herein. The water injection device comprises a series of blades for injecting water in the capsule through the inlet wall; wherein the blades are placed along a circular path of radius R2 substantially equal to the radius R1 of the annular portion of the capsule.
In the description that follows, a capsule that contains roast and ground coffee is used to exemplify the invention.
In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device, the capsule comprising a frusto-conical body comprising a rim, a sidewall and an inlet wall comprising a flat or convex portion, and a lower delivery wall sealed to the rim of the body. The capsule contains a predosed amount of coffee therein. The flat or convex portion of the inlet wall has a structure in relief or in recess arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device therethrough and extends on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 identical to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend.
In a first mode, the structure forms a continuous recessed circular or annular portion of radius R1. In a second mode, the structure forms a plurality of arcuated recessed portions of radius R1. In a third mode, the structure forms a continuous circular or annular embossing of radius R1. The advantage of an embossed structure is essentially to increase the local rigidity around the structure to facilitate perforation. In a fourth mode, the structure forms a plurality of discontinuous embossed portions extending along a circular path of radius R1.
In general, the structure preferably forms a locally reduced thickness of the inlet wall compared to the thickness of inlet wall outside the structure. As a result, the perforation resistance decreases in the structure compared to the other part of the body of the capsule which so facilitates piercing by the blades but also provide better geometrically and dimensionally defined perforations.
In a fifth mode, the structure comprises an annular recessed portion of radius R1 comprising a plurality of injection holes and a gastight membrane sealed onto the inner wall to sealingly cover the injection holes.
In all the preceding modes, the body is preferably formed of a self-standing integrally moulded cup-shaped piece forming at least the inlet wall and side wall and preferably the rim as well.
In a sixth mode, the structure is formed by a porous membrane or one or more filters supported onto a rigid skeleton. The skeleton can form several legs separating porous portions forming the structure facilitating penetration of the blades.
In a seventh mode, the structure forms one or more weakened lines. The lines can be distributed as a circle as in the first embodiment or preferably as a series of lines oriented transversally and distributed along a circular path of radius R1. More preferably, the lines are obtained by reducing thickness of the inlet wall such as by laser or mechanical scoring.
In an eighth mode, the structure is obtained by the inlet wall which is of reduced thickness compared to the side wall of the capsule.
The invention also relates to a capsule for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device. This capsule comprises a frusto-conical body comprising a rim, a sidewall, an inlet wall, and a lower delivery wall sealed to the rim of the body. The capsule contains a predosed amount of coffee in the capsule. The inlet wall has a structure arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device in the form of a reduced thickness, compared to the thickness of the side wall, at least in a radius equal to the radius of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend.
In this embodiment, the body is preferably a self-standing, integrally moulded piece extending by the flange-like rim. The reduction of thickness of the inlet wall can extend from the central axis of the capsule to or towards the junction of side wall. The inlet wall of reduced thickness may also comprise (inner and/or outer) reinforcement members extending locally on the inlet wall to ensure an improved rigidity of the wall during perforation by the blades. The reinforcement members can extend radially as a plurality of narrow ridges and/or concentrically around the central axis of the inlet wall. Preferably, the reinforcement members extend both on the inlet wall and side wall of the body, e.g., as narrow radially extending ridges.
The predefined circular line of radius R1 corresponding to the circular line of radius R2 for extension of the blades is substantially free of reinforcement member. By “substantially free”, it is meant here that at least 80%, more preferably at least 95%, of the perimeter of the radius line is not covered by the reinforcement member(s). Preferably, the concentrically extending ridge(s) forming reinforcing members extends outside the circular line of radius (R1).
In all embodiments, the frusto-conical body can be made of polymer material. Preferably, the frusto-conical body comprises polypropylene or polyethylene. In an alternative, the frusto-conical body can also comprise a biodegradable material. For instance, the frusto-conical body comprises cellulose, starch-based material or polylactic acid (PLA).
In an alternative, the structure of reduced thickness is formed of a material different from the material of the body outside of the structure. More specifically, the structure can be formed of a plastic or aluminum foil which is embedded or sealed or connected otherwise with the side wall of the body.
The delivery wall can be a membrane that perforates under the effect of the pressure building in the capsule against a capsule holder comprising perforating elements such as described in detail in EP 512 470. Preferably, the delivery wall is a thin aluminum, thin polymer or combination thereof In a preferred example, the delivery wall is an aluminum foil of about 20-100 microns.
The delivery wall can also be a permeable wall such as a plastic filter membrane, a paper filter or a filter made of other biodegradable material. The delivery wall is sealingly connected to the bottom surface of the rim of the body such as heat or ultrasonic welding.
The rim can comprise sealing means which forms at least one integral protrusion or lip extending from the rim or which is an added seal element such as rubber, soft plastic, foam or fibers. The sealing means can be formed by a thickness of material that softens when it is compressed under the compressive forces of the device and/or softens by the liquid at the temperature of injection in the capsule. The sealing means can be integral with the body of the capsule, i.e., made of the same material. For instance, it can be a biodegradable material comprising starch and optionally constituents chosen amongst: at least one biodegradable resin, fibers, proteins, lipids and combination thereof.
Regarding the critical dimensions and geometry of the capsule, the radius R1 of the structure is preferably comprised between 4 and 12 mm, most preferably between 6 and 9 mm. The inlet wall has preferably a diameter comprised between 22 and 25 mm. The delivery wall of the capsule has preferably a diameter between 30 and 40 mm. The body of the capsule has preferably a height comprised between 27 and 30 mm. The rim of the capsule has preferably a width comprised between 3 and 5 mm. For improving perforation of the capsule, the inlet wall has a convex portion forming an angle of between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the plane passing by the flange-like rim of the body.
The present invention also relates to a capsule system comprising the capsule of the invention associated to a water injection device in a beverage production device comprising a series of blades for injecting water in the capsule through the inlet wall; wherein the blades are placed along a circular path of radius R2 substantially equal to the radius R1 along which the structure in relief or recess extends. Preferably, the water injection device comprises three blades evenly distributed along the circular path of radius R2 for ensuring an even distribution of water in the capsule through the bed of ingredient, e.g., ground coffee.
A first preferred embodiment of the capsule is illustrated in
The injection device of
The capsule of the invention comprises a frusto-conical body 2 comprising a rim 3, a sidewall 4 and an inlet wall 5. The inlet wall comprises a portion 6 that is flat or convex. The capsule further comprises a lower delivery wall 7 sealed to the rim 3 of the body. The capsule comprises a predosed amount of a comestible or beverage forming ingredient in the capsule, e.g., roast and ground coffee.
The flat or convex portion 6 has a annular structure 8 in recess arranged for facilitating penetration of the blades 20, 21, 22 of the injection device 50. The structure 8 extends on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 substantially equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades 20, 21, 22 of the injection device extend.
In the embodiment of
In any of the preceding continuous or discontinuous embodiments, the reduction of thickness can be of between 30 to 90% of the thickness of the wall outside the structure. This reduction of thickness can be obtained by different means such as directly by thermoforming, blow moulding or injection moulding of the body or by moulding of the body and then laser or mechanical scoring or stamping the structure itself. As the inlet wall has no openings, the capsule remains closed by the structure of reduced thickness thereby ensuring preservation of coffee against humidity.
As illustrated in
Preferably, the rim of the capsule comprises a sealing means 40 for filling radial grooves 52 formed at the end pressing surface 53 of the injection device (see
When more rigidity is necessary depending on the specific rigidity of the polymer and/or biodegradable material, reinforcing members 70, 71, 72, 73 are provided in or on the walls 4, 5. The reinforcing members may have different lengths, e.g., with shorter ones 70, 72, to reduce the coverage along the radius R1. The reinforcing members are preferably made integral with the body by moulding (e.g., injection, thermoforming, blow-moulding, stamping, etc.) on the outer or inner surface of the body. However, reinforcing members can also be provided as elements embedded in the constituting material of the body itself such as metal or hard plastic fibers and/or wires. The reinforcing members can extend only at the inlet wall 5 but preferably they extend also at the side wall 4 for ensuring an improved axial resistance to axial deformation during perforation. In order to prevent accidental bending of the blades and/or too high resistance forces acting against the closure of the device on the capsule, the reinforcing members are substantially free in the circular line of radius R1 so as to not interfere with the insertion of the blades into the capsule.
Although illustrated for the preparation of a coffee beverage, the capsule can contain any comestible substance for the preparation of other liquid foods such as tea, fruit drinks or soup and wherein the water to be injected is hot or cold.
The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to not limit the scope of the invention, since these embodiments are illustrations of several preferred aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternate useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the preceding detailed description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Finally, a number of references are cited herein, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference for all purposes to the extent necessary. Further, none of the cited references, regardless of how characterized above, is admitted as prior to the invention of the subject matter claimed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09168130.4 | Aug 2009 | EP | regional |
| 09174573.7 | Oct 2009 | EP | regional |
| 10151781.1 | Jan 2010 | EP | regional |
