The invention relates to a multi-chamber capsule system for producing a beverage, in particular for producing an individual portion of a beverage.
A very wide variety of capsule-based beverage systems are used in both professional and consumer applications. On the basis of the capsule content, it is possible to produce hot beverages such as coffee or tea and cold beverages such as carbonated beverages etc. To this end, a capsule usually contains the carrier of a substance to be dissolved in a liquid (in particular in water) in various forms such as for example syrup, powder, etc. The preparation machines prepare the respective beverage in portions as required with the assistance of the capsule contents.
The capsules contain a foodstuff and the storage life of capsules is an important factor for the acceptance of a capsule-based beverage system. One option for extending the storage life of the ingredients of a capsule is to separate the substances (in particular to separate liquid and solid substances), in order for example to prevent chemical reactions. Furthermore, the ingredients of a capsule can also be separated for functional reasons (for example to produce multilayer beverages and/or to control chemical reactions) or for aesthetic reasons.
One example of a multi-chamber capsule is a capsule which has separate chambers for coffee powder and milk powder, as described in EP 2 030 915 A2. On use, the chambers of a multi-chamber capsule are punctured or pierced for example with a hollow needle and flushed with liquid in order to convey the ingredients out of the chambers into the beverage. Alternatively or in addition, a predetermined breaking point can be provided in a capsule which, on production of a beverage, can be broken by means of vapor or liquid pressure in order to open one or more of the capsule chambers.
Further types of capsule and/or capsule systems are described in documents US 2005/0266122 A1, DE 37 22 554 C1, US 2012/0058226 A1, US 2012/0308688 A1, US 2015/0099046 A1, US 2015/0166257 A1, EP 2 030 915 A2, WO 2014/093321 A1 and WO 2014/102701 A1.
The present document addresses the technical object of providing a multi-chamber capsule system which enables improved opening of individual chambers and/or improved mixing of the ingredients from the chambers. The multi-chamber capsule system can to this end comprise means for opening the chambers and/or for mixing the ingredients from the chambers of a multi-chamber capsule. The ingredients of the individual capsules can assume solid, powdered and/or liquid form.
The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are in particular defined in the dependent claims, described in the following description or illustrated in the appended drawings.
This document describes a multi-chamber capsule system for producing a beverage. The multi-chamber capsule thereof can accommodate or include in different chambers different ingredients which can be used to produce one or more portions of a beverage. In particular, all the ingredients of the different chambers of a multi-chamber capsule can be mixed within the multi-chamber capsule to form an ingredient mixture in order subsequently to produce the beverage from the ingredient mixture or to provide the ingredient mixture as the beverage.
The multi-chamber capsule comprises an outer shell, which has an outer bottom, an outer side wall and an outer lid which together form an overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule. In particular, the outer physical form of the multi-chamber capsule can be formed by the outer shell covered with the outer lid. The outer shell can have a round, for example cylindrical and/or conical, shape. In particular, the outer side wall can form the circumferential surface of a hollow cylinder or cone which is covered at one end by the outer bottom and at the other end by the outer lid and so forms the overall cavity in the interior.
The multi-chamber capsule further comprises at least one inner shell which is arranged within the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule and forms a second chamber for accommodating a second volume of a second ingredient. The inner shell is here typically formed by an inner bottom and an inner side wall which form a cavity as a second chamber. The inner shell can have a cylindrical and/or conical shape. The multi-chamber capsule can optionally comprise a plurality of such inner shells which are arranged within the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule. Different ingredients can be accommodated within each inner shell. In particular, each inner shell can form a cavity as a chamber in which a specific volume of an ingredient can be accommodated. The ingredients can here be liquid, solid and/or powdered.
Subtracting the at least one inner shell (i.e. in particular subtracting all the inner shells of the multi-chamber capsule) from the overall cavity forms a residual cavity of the multi-chamber capsule as the first chamber for accommodating a first volume of a first ingredient. The multi-chamber capsule thus has a plurality of chambers in which in each case a specific volume of (typically different) ingredients can be accommodated.
The multi-chamber capsule is here designed such that, prior to discharge of the ingredients from the multi-chamber capsule (in particular before any ingredient leaves the inner of the multi-chamber capsules), an ingredient mixture can be produced within the multi-chamber capsule, which mixture (substantially completely) comprises at least the first ingredients and the second ingredients. The multi-chamber capsule can thus be designed such that a multi-chamber capsule system can, in the course of the production process, create a cavity within the multi-chamber capsule, in which cavity an ingredient mixture which (substantially completely) comprises at least the first ingredients and the second ingredients can be accommodated. In particular, the ingredient mixture can completely comprise all of the ingredients of the multi-chamber capsule.
The capsule can thus provide a cavity (for example the first chamber) in which the all the ingredients of the capsule can be mixed in order to produce an ingredient mixture which, following the complete mixing operation of the ingredients, can be discharged from the capsule. This complete mixing operation of the ingredients of a multi-chamber capsule prior to discharge of the ingredient mixture enables reliable production of a beverage (of a consistently high quality).
In order to produce an ingredient mixture within the multi-chamber capsule, the volume of the residual cavity of the multi-chamber capsule can preferably be greater than or equal to the sum of the first volume (of the first ingredient) and of the second volume (of the second ingredient). In other words (in particular when a plurality of inner shells are used), the volume of the residual cavity of the multi-chamber capsule (i.e. the volume of the first chamber) can be greater than or equal to the sum of the volumes of all the ingredients present in the capsule. The ingredient mixture can accordingly reliably be produced within the multi-chamber capsule.
As explained above, the inner shell can comprise an inner bottom, an inner side wall and an inner lid. The inner bottom, the inner side wall and/or the inner lid can here be formed at least in part by the outer bottom, by the outer side wall and/or by the outer lid. An inner shell can thus at least in part use a component of the outer shell. This allows a cost-effective multi-chamber capsule to be provided. This moreover enables an efficient and reliable opening and mixing mechanism and thus reliable production of a beverage.
The outer bottom, the outer side wall and/or the outer lid can be formed from a material (for example from a foil, for instance a metal foil) in which an opening can be produced by a needle and/or by pressure in order to provide access to the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule and in particular to a chamber. The inner shell, in particular the inner bottom of the inner shell, can furthermore be formed from a material (for example from a foil, for instance a metal foil) in which an opening can be produced by a needle and/or by pressure in order to open the inner shell and thus produce the mixture of the first and second ingredients. This enables the use of efficient and reliable opening and mixing mechanisms and thus reliable production of a beverage.
The at least one inner shell can be arranged in the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule in such a manner that, if an opening is present in the inner shell (and if the multi-chamber capsule is suitably arranged in three-dimensional space), the second ingredient is conveyed into the first chamber by gravity. The ingredients can accordingly be mixed particularly efficiently (optionally also without using a flush medium).
The capsule can have an outer shape which enables reliable accommodation of the capsule in a capsule system for producing a beverage and/or which, after use of the capsule, enables reliable ejection of the capsule out of the capsule system. For example, the capsule can have a cuboidal shape or a cylindrical or puck shape.
One aspect of the invention describes a multi-chamber capsule system for producing a beverage. The multi-chamber capsule system can take the form of a home appliance, in particular a household appliance. The multi-chamber capsule system comprises a multi-chamber capsule described in this document. The multi-chamber capsule system moreover comprises means for opening the inner shell of the multi-chamber capsule and for conveying the second ingredient from the second chamber into the first chamber, such that an ingredient mixture is obtained which (largely completely) comprises the first ingredient and the second ingredient. In other words, the multi-chamber capsule system can comprise means (for example one or more needles and/or one or more pressure ducts) for opening the inner shell of the multi-chamber capsule and for creating within the multi-chamber capsule a cavity for accommodating a mixture which completely comprises the first ingredient and the second ingredient.
The multi-chamber capsule can be designed such that the first chamber has a sufficiently large volume to completely accommodate the ingredient mixture (which comprises the entire first volume of the first ingredient and the entire second volume of the second ingredient). Alternatively or in addition, the above-stated means of the multi-chamber capsule system can be configured, on opening of the multi-chamber capsule, to produce a cavity within the multi-chamber capsule which can completely accommodate the ingredient mixture. For example, an inner shell of the multi-chamber capsule can be opened as widely as possible for this purpose. This can, for example, be achieved by a relatively broad needle. The multi-chamber capsule system can thus be configured to produce within the multi-chamber capsule an ingredient mixture which completely comprises all the ingredients of the separate chambers of the multi-chamber capsule. The ingredient mixture can here comprise or be a solution and/or an emulsion of the ingredients from the chambers of the multi-chamber capsule.
The means of the multi-chamber capsule system may for example comprise a first needle which can be introduced from outside into the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule (and in particular into an interior of an inner shell) in order to produce an opening in the inner shell (for example in the inner bottom) through which the second ingredient can pass into the first chamber (for example under the action of gravity and/or under the action of a flush medium). Use of a needle enables reliable production of the ingredient mixture.
In order to produce an opening, the first needle can first pierce the material of the outer and/or inner lid in order to pass into the interior of the inner shell. The first needle can then pierce the inner bottom in order to produce the opening through which the second ingredient can pass into the first chamber. On subsequent withdrawal of the first needle (for example after production of the ingredient mixture), the first needle is then passed back past the material of the outer and/or inner lid, whereby the first needle can be automatically cleaned. The production process for a beverage can thus be implemented in cost-effective manner.
The first needle can comprise a first duct (also denoted needle duct) through which a flushing medium (also denoted flush medium) can be flushed from outside into the second chamber in order to convey (for example flush and/or force) the second ingredient through the opening (in the inner bottom of the inner shell) into the first chamber. The first duct can here comprise an elongate cavity which has an outlet on a circumferential surface or at a tip of the first needle, which outlet is at least temporarily located in the second chamber during operation of the multi-chamber capsule system. Using a flushing medium (such as for example water and/or alcohol) enables reliable transfer of the entire second volume of the second ingredient into the first chamber and thus reliable production of the ingredient mixture. Moreover, the first needle duct can be directly cleaned by the flushing medium, such that an efficient production process is enabled.
The first needle can comprise a second needle duct (for example a groove on the side wall of the first needle) through which the second ingredient can pass into the first chamber. Provision of a second needle duct enables reliable transfer of the entire second volume of the second ingredient into the first chamber and thus a high quality ingredient mixture. The second needle duct can here optionally automatically be cleaned by a flushing medium which enables an efficient production process.
The means can comprise a second needle which can be introduced from outside into the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule (in particular into the residual cavity, i.e. into the first chamber) in order to produce an opening in the outer shell of the multi-chamber capsule for pressure equalization. The second needle can here optionally comprise a duct (for example a cavity) through which a gaseous medium (for example air or an inert gas from the multi-chamber capsule) can pass outwards out of the overall cavity of the multi-chamber capsule (in particular out of the first chamber). Provision of an opening or a needle duct for pressure equalization enables reliable production of an ingredient mixture.
Alternatively or in addition to the use of a needle, the means can comprise a pressure duct (for example a plunger with one or more pressure ducts) by which an opening can be made in the outer shell and/or in an inner shell. In particular, an opening can be made by a liquid jet, a vapor jet and/or a gas jet. Using a pressure duct is in particular advantageous with regard to cleaning the means for opening the multi-duct capsule.
The multi-chamber capsule system can comprise a control unit which is configured to actuate the means for opening the multi-chamber capsule in order to bring about production of the ingredient mixture in the multi-chamber capsule, in particular in the first chamber. Automatic production of a beverage based on the ingredients of a multi-chamber capsule can be brought about by the control unit.
The multi-chamber capsule system can comprise means for discharging the ingredient mixture from the multi-chamber capsule (in particular from the first chamber) via the outer bottom, via the outer side wall and/or via the outer lid. The entire combined ingredient mixture which comprises a solution and/or emulsion of all the ingredients of the multi-chamber capsule can here be discharged. The ingredient mixture can, for example, be poured from the multi-chamber capsule via a (previously produced) pressure equalization opening in the outer lid. This enables efficient and reliable production of a beverage.
It should be noted that any aspects of the multi-chamber capsule described in this document and/or of the multi-chamber capsule system described in this document can be combined with one another in many and varied ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in many and varied ways.
The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
As initially explained, the present document relates to a multi-chamber capsule system which enables improved opening of individual chambers and improved mixing of the ingredients of the individual chambers.
The inner shell forms the second chamber 120 for accommodating a second ingredient 121. A plurality of inner shells which form a plurality of separate chambers 120 for accommodating different ingredients can optionally be arranged within the outer shell, i.e. within the overall cavity of the capsule 100. Subtracting the one or more inner shells from the overall cavity forms a residual cavity which forms the first chamber 110 for accommodating a first ingredient 111. The ingredients 111, 121 (which are also denoted substances in this document) can be liquid and/or solid (for example powdered) or comprise liquid and/or solid (for example powdered) components. Each chamber 110, 120 of the capsule 100 can comprise a specific volume of an ingredient. These volumes of different ingredients are substantially completely used for producing a beverage. The chambers 110, 120 can furthermore optionally comprise gases (for example air or inert gas) which are not used to produce the beverage.
The multi-chamber capsule 100 can be constructed such that, in the course of producing a beverage, a cavity can be created within the multi-chamber capsule 100 for accommodating an ingredient mixture 101 which (substantially completely) comprises the first ingredient 111 and the second ingredient 121. In other words, the multi-chamber capsule 100 can be constructed such that an ingredient mixture 101 can be produced within the multi-chamber capsule 100 (for example within the first chamber 110), which mixture comprises all of the ingredients 111, 121 (for example in the form of a solution and/or emulsion) of the capsule 100 which are intended for the beverage. A beverage can accordingly be reliably repeatably produced from multi-chamber capsules 100.
The multi-chamber capsule system can thus for example comprise a needle for puncturing a capsule 100 and means for mixing and/or dissolving the substances 111, 121 (optionally with one or more liquids such as for example water or alcohol or with steam). The multi-chamber capsule system can further comprise means for draining the resultant ingredient mixture 101 and optionally mixing it with a further liquid or transferring it directly into a glass in order to provide a beverage.
As shown in
The inner shell 220 can thus be arranged directly on the outer lid 104 of the capsule 100. This enables separate production, filling and sealing of the inner shell 220.
The inner shell 220 can, however, also be arranged at other locations within the outer shell 200, as shown in
In the example shown in
The opening means shown in
The opening/mixing mechanism shown in
The control unit 601 then ensures that the means 310, 320 for opening the capsule 100 (for example the needles 310, 320) are guided up to the capsule 100 (as shown in connection with
The described multi-chamber capsules 100 make it possible to accommodate the ingredients 111, 121 for a beverage in separate chambers 110, 120, such that the storage life of beverage capsules 100 can be extended. In particular, liquid ingredients can be separated from solid/powdered ingredients. Alternatively or in addition, separate storage of ingredients 111, 121 can bring about additional functions when the ingredients 111, 121 are combined, for example deliberately brought about chemical reactions such as the liberation of CO2 and/or the creation of a multilayer beverage.
The means 310, 320, 410, 420 described in this document for opening a capsule 100 enable efficient and reliable opening of a capsule 100. For example, by withdrawing a needle 310, 320 from a resilient closure foil 204 which has previously been precisely pierced by needle 310, 320, the needle 310, 320 can be automatically cleaned on withdrawal by contact with the closure foil 204. By flushing the inner shell 220 with a flush medium 311, the substance 121 present therein can be completely transported out of the inner shell 220. The flush operation also cleans the needle 310, such that contamination between different beverages is avoided. The respectively used opening tool (for example a needle or a pressure duct) can inject further liquids or gases into the capsule 100 via ducts and so ensure optimum mixing of the ingredients 111, 121. Pressure can be equalized within the capsule 100 via openings 105 or notches/ducts 301 on the opening tool (for example on a needle 320).
The present invention is not limited to the indicated exemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are merely intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed capsule and/or proposed system.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102016202674.7 | Feb 2016 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2017/051195 | 1/20/2017 | WO | 00 |