Patent Grant
12208957
This application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application PCT/IB2020/054770, having an International Filing Date of May 20, 2020 which claims priority to Italian Application No. 102019000007962 filed Jun. 4, 2019, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages.
In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule for the packaging of concentrated products (for example in the form of powder, granules, leaves) in predetermined and single-use doses, for the extemporaneous preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by means of the introduction, inside the capsule itself, of a pressurized fluid (mostly hot water).
In the field of capsules or pods for coffee or other infusions it is well known to use automatic or semi-automatic machines provided with a dispensing unit capable of producing an infusion through the passage of hot water under pressure through the capsule containing precisely the essence to be infused or dissolved.
The common operating principle of these machines involves the perforation of the lid closing the capsule to allow the insertion of a flow of hot water under pressure by the infuser unit. Once the infusion of the essence contained inside the capsule has been achieved, the infused beverage comes out of the capsule and is directed by the machine into the cup or final container.
Capsules with mechanical opening, i.e. in which the opening for the outlet of the beverage is activated by a force external to the capsule, are known in the industry. These known capsules are provided with a layer of sealing film, usually made of aluminum, placed at the bottom of the capsule at a base provided with one or more cutting or severing points or profiles. When the capsule is inserted into the infusion chamber of the extraction machine, the beating of the capsule against the wall of the infusion chamber activates the opening means, i.e. the points or severing profiles inside the capsule, which engage against the aluminum layer until they perforate or tear. Once the opening is created through the sealing film layer, the infused beverage may escape through a suitable opening in the base of the capsule.
These known capsules are quite complex from a construction point of view, especially with regard to the forming of the tips or the cutting/severing profiles on the base. Therefore, the known capsules are rather costly, especially when it comes to producing the relevant molds. Moreover, in such capsules where the opening is obtained by perforating the sealing film, there is a risk that the tip that made the opening, said tip remaining inside the opening itself, will obstruct it, thus compromising the correct dispensing of the beverage.
Alternatively, capsules are known which do not have actual tips per se, but have cutting or severing profiles, in which case the opening is obtained by tearing the sealing film. However, in such capsules it is difficult to control the course of the tear, which could undesirably extend to other areas of the base, for example at the labyrinth intended to prevent dripping, compromising its function. Furthermore, uncontrolled tearing could also lead to the detachment of portions of the sealing film, which could escape from the capsule along with the beverage.
The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages that solves the problems in the known prior art.
In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule that guarantees greater control during opening, as well as simpler and less costly production while achieving similar performance in terms of quality of the infused beverage.
This object is achieved by a capsule in which the opening for the release of the infused beverage is made following the detachment of the sealing disc placed inside the capsule by way of pushing means activated by a force external to the capsule, thus avoiding the use of any perforation or severing means as are provided in known capsules.
This object is achieved by a capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages and by a method for preparing an infused beverage as described and claimed herein. Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are also described.
The characteristics and advantages of a capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages according to the present invention will become evident from the description below, given by way of example and without limitation in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular
The capsule 1 comprises a body or cup 2 adapted to define an internal volume V for containing at least one substance to be infused or dissolved, typically in powder or granular form.
The cup 2 is provided, on one side, with a bottom 3 and, on the opposite side, with an inlet opening 21 defined by an edge 4 protruding outwards.
The capsule 1 comprises a lid 6 fixed, by gluing or welding, to the edge 4 in order to seal the cup 2 at the top.
The cup 2 is provided, at the bottom 3, with an outlet opening 31, defined by a nozzle 32, which allows the infused beverage to escape.
The cup 2 is provided internally, at the bottom 3, with a base 33 provided with a plurality of reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, vertically protruding from said base 33.
The upper surface of the reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 is substantially flat and free from cutting or puncturing or tearing elements. In addition, the reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 have smooth and rounded edges.
Preferably, the reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 all have substantially the same vertical extent.
On the upper surface of at least some of the reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 360, a sealing disc 5 is fixed by gluing or welding.
As shown for example in
The base 33 comprises a labyrinth 30 defined by at least one additional relief 320, 330, 340. The labyrinth is substantially circular in shape and arranged concentrically with respect to the nozzle 32 (and the central portion 310).
Each relief 320, 330, 340 of the labyrinth 30 is provided with a plurality of preferably diagonal grooves, provided on the upper surface of each relief of the labyrinth, adapted to allow the infused beverage to flow out of the capsule 1.
In the example shown in
In an example (not shown), the labyrinth 30 is formed by a single, annular relief provided with radial grooves in a zigzag pattern.
Advantageously, when a sealing disc 5 is fixed to the upper surface of the labyrinth 30, the plurality of grooves of the labyrinth provide an anti-drip function, utilizing the principle of capillary action.
The base 33 comprises an external edge 360, defined by an additional relief, on which a sealing disc 5 is fixed by gluing or welding.
In one exemplary embodiment, shown in
In a different exemplary embodiment, shown in
In the example of
In the example of
The sectors 350 are advantageously smooth and free of cutting or puncturing or tearing elements.
In one exemplary embodiment, the sealing disc 5 is supported on the upper surface of the sectors 350.
In one exemplary embodiment, the sectors 350 are provided with a substantially flat upper surface.
In one variant, the sectors 350 have substantially the same vertical extent as the other reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340 that form the base 33. In a different variant, the sectors 350 have a shorter vertical extent, that is to say they are lowered as compared to the other reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340 that form the base 33.
The sectors 350 define a plurality of compartments 351, or compartments or spaces, which allow the infused beverage to flow out of the capsule 1. In particular, a compartment 351 is defined between a pair of adjacent sectors 350. The presence of the sector 350 allows the disc 5 to be supported in such a way as to ensure an adequate width of the passage for the correct and easy outflow of the infused beverage.
Advantageously, since the disc rests only on the upper surface of the sectors 350, without being welded or glued thereto, it may slide freely during the axial displacement generated by the pushing means actuated by a pressure force outside the capsule.
Capsule 1 comprises a sealing disc 5, fixed inside the cup 2 at the bottom 3, adapted to seal the cup 2 at the bottom. The disc 5 is positioned between the internal volume V and the reliefs 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360.
The capsule 1 is therefore provided with a sealed chamber 12, which is defined at the top by the lid 6 and at the bottom by the disc 5, and inside which the substance to be infused or dissolved is contained.
The presence of a hermetically sealed chamber 12 is important for the good maintenance and preservation of the substance: the hermetically sealed chamber 12 allows the organoleptic properties of the substance to be infused or dissolved to be maintained over time, and ensures an optimal quality of the infused beverage. An essential element for obtaining a hermetically sealed chamber 12 is the correct gas tightness of the fixing system of the sealing disc 5 inside the capsule 1.
Preferably, the sealing disc 5 is formed by a single disc portion, that is to say it is a single piece.
The disc 5 is fixed at the base 33 of the cup 2, in particular at the outer edge 360, in a yielding, that is to say peelable, manner such that it is detached from the outer edge 360 when pushed (lifted) by pushing means actuated by a force external to capsule 1.
The yielding or peelable fixing is achieved, for example, by the use of a heat-sealing lacquer with a low level of adhesion, or by an adhesive with a low level of adhesion, or by a weakened weld referred to as being peelable.
Preferably, the weld is of the peelable weld type and ensures a lower release force than a traditional weld.
In one exemplary embodiment, the peelable weld is obtained by introducing a percentage of different material, referred to as a contaminant (or even pollutant), into the material making up the lower layer of the disc 5 (material corresponding to that of the base 33 on which the disc 5 is to be fixed) in order to obtain a weakening of the weld.
For example, the capsule is made of polypropylene (PP) and the bottom layer of the disc 5 is a polypropylene compound with polyethylene as the pollutant (PP/PE compound). The polyethylene (PE) in the layer of the disc 5 that is to be in contact with the bottom of the capsule is used to make the disc 5 incompatible with the capsule, which is made of polypropylene. The polyethylene (PE) introduced into the disc 5 aims to create a discontinuity of interaction during the welding phase, which results in a lower sealing force of the weld itself, exploiting the concept of incompatibility between polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
In a preferred example, the bottom layer of the disc is a polypropylene compound with polyethylene as a pollutant (or other component that is not very compatible with polypropylene) present in a percentage between 3% and 25%, preferably between 8% and 20%, even more preferably between 10% and 15%.
In a different exemplary embodiment, the peelable weld is obtained by using, as the material making up the bottom layer of disc 5, a material different from the one used for the base 33 on which the disc 5 is to be fixed.
In the capsule 1, the disc 5 is permanently fixed on the labyrinth 30, or at least on the outermost relief 340 that forms the labyrinth 30. This permanent weld prevents the sealing disc 5 from detaching or separating from the labyrinth, which would compromise the anti-drip function.
The disc 5 is preferably permanently glued or welded also to the central portion 310.
In the exemplary embodiment with sectors 350 (
The capsule 1 for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages, also comprises means for pushing the sealing disc 5, operated before the injection of the fluid under pressure into the capsule. The pushing means are adapted to push the disc 5 until the peelable weld yields so as to cause the disc 5 to detach from the base 33 and allow the opening of a passage P for the outlet of the infused liquid.
The pushing means are formed at the bottom 3 of the capsule.
The means for pushing the disc comprise a peripheral edge 81, connected by means of a first folding line 84 to an intermediate portion 82, which is connected in turn by means of a second folding line 85 to a central portion 83. The intermediate portion 82 is therefore placed between the peripheral edge 81 and the central portion 83.
It should be noted that at least the central portion is collapsible towards the inside of the cup 2 by rotating around said second folding line 85 under the action of a pressure force exerted from outside the capsule on said central portion 83 and/or on said intermediate portion 82.
Preferably, the intermediate portion 82 is also collapsible towards the inside of the cup 2 by rotating around the first folding line 84 and the second folding line 85, respectively, under the action of the pressure force exerted from outside on the central portion 83 and/or the intermediate portion 82.
It should be noted that:
Preferably, the central portion 83 is of circular shape, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of symmetry X of the cup 2. In addition, the pressure force is exerted from outside the capsule 1 at least on the central portion 83 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry X.
Therefore, starting from the closed operating position of the capsule 1 (shown in particular in
Preferably, the pushing means are snap-action means, that is to say the capsule 1 is bistable, i.e. it maintains the closed operating position until the pushing means are activated, and, once open, it maintains the dispensing operating position.
Preferably, the folding lines 84, 85 are formed as narrowed material lines, or as thinned wall portions or grooves in the wall. In addition, the intermediate portion 82 is rigid to allow the snap-action opening.
Preferably, the central portion 83 is provided externally with at least one abutment 88 adapted to strike against a portion of the beverage extraction machine, for example against a wall of the infusion chamber into which capsule 1 is inserted.
The abutment 88 may be made in the form of one or more flaps or a circular collar (as shown in
Preferably, the disc 5 is a plastic film, which does not break or tear due to increased pressure inside the capsule 1.
In use, the capsule 1 is placed in a special seat, generally in the infusion chamber, provided in the extraction machine. When inserting the capsule 1, the abutment 88 protruding from the central portion 83 strikes against the wall of the infusion chamber. When the infusion chamber is closed, the capsule is pushed further against the walls of the infusion chamber, generating a pressure force against the abutment 88, which activates the pushing means.
Alternatively, the capsule 1 may be opened manually by the user prior to its insertion into the extraction machine by applying pressure to the bottom of the cup 2, at the central portion 83 and/or the intermediate portion 82, which pressure activates the pushing means.
The pushing means, activated by the pressure from outside the capsule, push the sealing disc 5 upwards until it detaches (without breakage or tearing) from the edge 360 to which it is fixed in peelable fashion, thus moving the capsule from the closed operating position (as in
A capsule according to the present invention is usable for the packaging of concentrated products (in the form of powder or granules or leaves) in predetermined and single-use doses, for the extemporaneous preparation of beverages such as leaf or instant tea, powdered or instant coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, or other dehydrated and soluble products.
The capsule 1, in its different variants, may be used for the extemporaneous preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by means of automatic or semi-automatic machines provided with a dispensing group capable of producing an infusion by the passage of hot water under pressure through the capsule 1.
Preferably, in the variant of the capsule 1 intended for the preparation of infusion beverages, for example containing coffee powder to be extracted, or tea leaves or herbal teas, there is provided a filter 25, placed between the food substance and the disc 5.
The filter 25 is fixed (at the inner side wall of the cup 2) at a certain distance above the disc 5, so that the pushing means (i.e. the labyrinth 30) do not damage the filter as the capsule is opened.
Advantageously, the presence of the filter slows down the outlet flow of the extraction fluid, which remains for a certain period of time in contact with the substance to be infused or dissolved, so as to ensure an optimal infused beverage.
In a further exemplary embodiment, shown in
In one example of operation, the labyrinth 30 is a means for pushing the disc 5, that is to say it is the labyrinth 30 that pushes the disc 5 to lift itself away, detaching from the edge 360, so as to form a passage P towards the exit of the capsule.
In a further example of operation, the capsule also comprises a plurality of sectors 350 arranged at the intermediate portion 82, and it is the sectors 350 that push the disc 5 to lift away and detach from the edge 360 so as to form a passage P towards the exit of the capsule (
The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage infused by means of a capsule 1 according to the present invention, in which the opening of a passage for the release of the beverage is obtained by detaching/separating the sealing disc 5 from the edge to which it is fixed, in peelable fashion, by way of pushing means, inside the cup 2, activated by an external pressure acting on the bottom 3 of the capsule.
In particular, the method comprises the steps of:
It should be noted that the pressure means may be activated manually or by inserting the capsule into the extraction machine.
In use therefore, starting from the closed operating position of the capsule 1, by exerting a pressure force on the central portion 83 or on the intermediate portion 82, the central portion 83 is pushed to collapse internally, and with it also the labyrinth 30 to which the disc 5 is fixed. The displacement of the labyrinth 30 causes a lifting of the disc 5 and its consequent detachment from the edge 360 to which it is fixed in peelable fashion, so as to reach the dispensing operating position by opening a passage for the beverage from the internal volume towards outside of the capsule 1, through the nozzle 32.
It should be noted that the outlet passage for the beverage does not pass through the disc 5, but goes around it.
The extraction machine then perforates the lid 6, closing the capsule 1, and inserts, inside the chamber in which the food substance is contained, a fluid (mostly pressurized hot water) intended to infuse or dissolve this food substance to form a beverage. The beverage flows out, through the outflow passage, around disc 5, to the outlet opening 31 to then be directed, through the nozzle 32, into the cup or final container.
In known capsules, due to residual pressure and gas trapped inside the capsule at the end of the extraction, a jet of liquid may escape from the lid through the hole made by the injection needle of the extraction machine. This phenomenon is known in the industry as the “whale effect” and, although it occurs rarely and randomly, it is considered a negative and undesirable effect. First of all, the residual liquid inside the capsule at the end of dispensing is still very hot, and since the splashes are completely uncontrollable, this effect is dangerous for the user, who could burn himself. Furthermore, a leakage of liquid from the lid is also undesirable from the point of view of cleaning the extraction machine, as it could lead to the proliferation of bacteria around or inside the infusion chamber.
The capsule 1 forming the subject of the present invention is advantageously devoid of this “whale effect” which is typical of known capsules.
The capsule 1 is in fact provided with an elastically deformable portion that allows an initial reduction in capsule volume and a subsequent increase to return to the initial volume. The reversibility of the elastically deformable portion allows the capsule 1 to compress and then expand to regain its initial volume.
At the bottom 3, the capsule 1 comprises a collapsible portion 82, 83 towards the inside of the cup 2 under the action of an external pressure force. This collapsible portion 82, 83 is reversible, that is to say it is able to expand again towards the outside of the cup 2 in order to return to its initial configuration under the action of an internal pressure force.
Preferably, the external volume of the capsule is reduced between 1% and 3%. Preferably, the volume reduction occurs at the bottom 3 of the cup 2, while the internal volume V of the compartment in which the food substance to be infused or dissolved remains contained substantially in unchanged form.
With particular reference to
The folding line 84, 85, also referred to as a diaphragm, has a thickness Sd between 20% and 60% of the thickness Sc of the central portion 83 or the thickness Sb of the peripheral edge 81, where 20% is the minimum limit to allow the production of the cup 2 by injection molding, and 60% is the maximum limit to avoid excessive rigidity of the diaphragm. Preferably, the folding line 84, 85 has a thickness Sd between 30% and 50% of the thickness Sc of the central portion 83 or the thickness Sb of the peripheral edge 81, and this range represents the best compromise between printability and elasticity of the diaphragm.
In the initial configuration shown in
The bending zone has a thickness Sf between the thickness Sd of the first folding line 84 and the thickness Sb of the peripheral edge 81. Preferably, the thickness Sf of the bending zone is gradually reduced towards the first folding line 84.
As described above, the capsule 1 is inserted into the infusion chamber of the extraction machine until the bottom 3 of the cup 2 contacts the wall of the infusion chamber. When the infusion chamber is closed, the capsule is pushed further against the walls of the infusion chamber, generating a pressure force acting on the bottom 3 until the collapsible portion 82, 83 collapses into the cup 2. Alternatively, the bottom 3 of the cup 2 may be pushed manually by the user, before insertion into the extraction machine, until the collapsible portion 82, 83 collapses inwards.
At the end of dispensing, the infusion chamber is reopened and the capsule returns to its initial configuration: the residual pressure inside the capsule 1 acts internally on the bottom 3 of the cup 2 until the collapsible portion 82, 83 is re-collapsed outwards. In this way the internal volume of the capsule 1 increases, allowing a decompression of the gas trapped in the cup 2 and a consequent reduction of the pressure inside the capsule itself. This change in the internal volume of the capsule 1 makes it possible to solve the “whale effect” problem.
The use of a collapsible structure at the bottom 3 of the cup 2 as a deformable portion of the capsule 1 allows a reversible reduction of the capsule volume V without compromising the volume of the compartment in which the food substance is contained, which remains substantially unchanged. On the contrary, a deformable portion (for example in the form of a bellows) at the side walls that define the compartment in which the food substance is contained would not only reduce the useful space provided for containing the substance itself, but in the compression phase would generate convex geometries undesirable for the correct extraction of the food substance.
Furthermore, the use of a collapsible structure at the bottom 3 of the cup 2 as a deformable portion of the capsule 1 is advantageously technically simpler from a construction point of view and is producible by injection molding.
Innovatively, a capsule for the preparation of infusion or instant beverages according to the present invention allows precise control of the formation of the beverage outlet passage. In fact, in such a capsule, the beverage outlet passage does not pass through the disc 5, but runs around it, thus avoiding any risk of uncontrolled tearing.
Advantageously, the pushing means are able to exert a high force on the disc, ensuring the safety of the peelable weld as this yields, and therefore ensuring the safety of the opening of a passageway for the outlet of the beverage.
The opening of the capsule is advantageously determined by the disengagement (detachment) of the disc from the base to which it is fixed, which disengagement occurs only at the peelable weld, while no disengagement occurs at the permanent weld, that is to say at the labyrinth intended to exert an anti-drip action.
Advantageously, in the capsule according to the invention, the pushing element of the disc is the labyrinth itself: this solution prevents any detachment of the disc from the labyrinth, which is intended to exert an anti-drip action.
It is clear that a person skilled in the art could make changes to the above-described capsule without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102019000007962 | Jun 2019 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/054770 | 5/20/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/245685 | 12/10/2020 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180296024 | Bisio | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20190202628 | Bisio | Jul 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2016193961 | Dec 2016 | WO |
| 2018025120 | Feb 2018 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report for International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2020/054770 filed May 20, 2020, mailed Aug. 7, 2020. |
| Reply to the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/IB2020/054770, Dated Dec. 23, 2020. |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2020/054770 filed May 20, 2020, mailed Aug. 7, 2020. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2020/054770 filed May 20, 2020, mailed Feb. 25, 2021. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220227575 A1 | Jul 2022 | US |
