HK1077274B - Closed capsule with opening mean and use thereof - Google Patents

Description

Closed container with opening device and application thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container/capsule (capsule) for extraction under pressure, such container containing a substance for preparing a food product, such as a beverage.

Background

Cartridges for extraction under pressure and containing substances for the preparation of beverages are already on the market. Patent EP0512468 by the applicant company relates to such a cartridge. The cartridge may be inserted into an extraction system. The cartridge thus opens on the support part of the system containing the raised element under the effect of the pressure of the fluid entering the cartridge. A problem with this cartridge is that the beverage extracted from the cartridge overflows the supporting element and flows through the duct system, which means that it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine the use of this system for extracting substances other than roast and ground coffee powder for reasons of contamination and taste, since beverage residues remain on said supporting element.

GB1256247 relates to a cartridge containing a substance suitable for preparing a beverage. The cartridge is opened by deforming the cartridge lid with an external plunger that engages an internal piercing element. This system is complicated to use in order to open the cartridge at the right time.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide the consumer with a container that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks, i.e. a container that can contain a wide range of substances that need to be extracted and that can prepare a beverage and allow it to flow out without the beverage ever coming into contact with a certain part of the system.

The invention relates to a capsule designed for extraction under pressure by injection of a fluid in an extraction device, containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage, and comprising a closed chamber containing said substance and a device which, in use, opens the capsule and allows the outflow of said beverage.

One principle of the invention is that each container comprises respective opening means, which are activated by the pressure increase of the fluid introduced into the container when extraction is carried out. Another principle of the invention is that each container has a respective outflow channel, each outflow channel having a respective pipe system, so that contact with elements of the system or of the extraction device can be avoided or at least greatly reduced. The result of using these principles alone or in combination is that different types or varieties of substances can be extracted in succession without spoiling the taste and without the risk of cross-contamination. These containers may therefore contain substances which vary widely in nature and/or variety and which can be extracted or dissolved in water. Thus, any infused material and any soluble material can be envisaged: it must be understood that the liquid component, whether for extraction or for brewing or dissolution, is hot, cold or warm water.

The particular configuration of the opening means with respect to the container also has the advantage that each opening can be adapted or adapted by adjustment to the nature and/or variety of the substance to be extracted. In other words, the substances are different and the opening can take place at different pressures and at different times for optimum effect.

Preferably, the opening is achieved by relative engagement of the opening means and a retaining portion of the closed chamber. In this way, the opening means and the retaining portion are brought into relative engagement under the effect of the pressure increase of the fluid in the chamber. The term "relative engagement" should be understood as: either the opening device or the holding part of the closed chamber may be moved relative to the other or alternatively both may be moved relative to each other, thereby achieving the opening.

In a first principle, the opening means may be placed within the closed chamber and may thus be moved by being pressed towards the holding portion of the chamber under the effect of the pressure increase of the fluid in the chamber.

In a second principle, the opening device can be placed outside the closed chamber and the retaining wall can be moved under the effect of the increase in pressure acting on the opening device. In this case, the opening means may be placed inside the container but outside the chamber containing the substance.

The closed chamber should of course be understood as a closed body part of the container containing the substance to be extracted.

Preferably, the opening device is an element comprising at least one piercing structure. In this way, the opening device may form a surface comprising a plurality of piercing structures. This configuration is preferred because such a surface acts as a pressure expansion means and may allow the pressure of the fluid to increase sufficiently within the container before puncturing occurs: this pressure is very important to achieve in order for the substance to be extracted and to form a good quality beverage.

As a further preference, the retaining wall is a membrane (or cap) which can be pierced. The retaining wall acts as a closed chamber, just like other elements forming a vessel for containing the substance to be extracted, such as a cup or other elements. The retaining wall may be a membrane or a diaphragm.

The opening device and the retaining wall are defined and arranged in relation to each other in such a way that the opening takes place within a determined pressure range, preferably at a given pressure corresponding to an optimal extraction pressure. The extraction pressure may vary between 4 and 8 bar, more preferably the extraction pressure is about 6 bar. The optimum pressure may vary depending on the substance to be extracted.

Advantageously, the capsule according to the invention also has a device for collecting and dispensing the beverage. Such devices have the purpose of directing one or more streams of beverage from the container to a vessel, such as a cup, and thereby avoiding any contact with parts of the system. The collecting and outflow means preferably comprise a cross-sectionally widened portion covering the holding portion of the chamber, followed by a cross-sectionally narrowed portion which concentrates the beverage in one or several preferred directions. The portions of widening and narrowing cross-section may form one and the same continuous portion, which diverges from the retaining portion towards the outlet or outlets of the container. Such a portion may be, for example, an internally concave and downwardly directed cup-shaped portion, the end section of which has at least one outlet opening.

There are various embodiments of the closed container of the present invention. According to a first embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the closed chamber comprises two symmetrical or asymmetrical "half-shells" welded together, the opening means being a rod-like element arranged between said "shells", said rod-like element comprising at least one or preferably several openings for the entry of water towards the top or at its upper end and a shape towards the bottom or at its lower end which allows the seam of the two "half-shells" to be pierced when said capsule is placed in the extraction device, said shape also forming a filter. The rod preferably has a pointed shape. For extraction from such a container, the extraction device may have only one spray head for supplying water and a system allowing the rod to move inside the container to open the container and thus allow the liquid to flow out into a cup arranged below the extraction device. The tip portion of the rod-like member is necessarily provided with a filter element to prevent coffee grounds from entering the cup. Of course, for all embodiments, the container contains a quantity of substance, such as one, two or more cups: this amount may preferably vary between 4-30 g.

In a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the closed chamber comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the outer rim of the cup, the opening means being arranged at the bottom of the cup and comprising a disc with piercing means, the increase in pressure in said chamber causing the piercing means to pierce the bottom of said cup during extraction. During insertion of the capsule into the extraction system, one or more sprinkling elements are required which pierce the membrane and allow water to enter the capsule in order to pre-wet the coffee or other substance, so that the pressure inside the capsule can be increased, moving the disk from the raised position to the lowered position, which also moves the piercing structure and pierces the bottom of the cup. The disc of the container has a sealing effect and, upon piercing, the underside of the disc has a structure which allows the passage of the substance for the desired beverage. The piercing structure may have any possible shape, such as a pointed shape, a bladed shape, a knife shape, a needle shape, etc. The spray elements may be in the form of blades, tips, blades, needles, etc.

In a third embodiment of the container according to the invention, the container comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the outer rim of the cup, the opening means being provided on the membrane and being constituted by an element having piercing means for piercing said membrane by an increase of the pressure in the chamber. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the opening means are not arranged in the cup, but in the membrane, but the opening process remains the same, i.e. the piercing structure will pierce the membrane instead of the cup. The disc still has a sealing effect and comprises a filter structure.

In a fourth embodiment, the container comprises a cup comprising a rim and a bottom having an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and a membrane welded to the periphery of the rim of said cup, the opening means being arranged at the bottom of the cup and being an element having a piercing structure covered by a film which is opened by the piercing structure upon extraction. The puncture structure also has a filtering function. In this embodiment, the element with the piercing structure remains fixed and the membrane deforms under pressure and opens on the piercing structure. As in the previous embodiments, one or more spraying elements are required to pierce the membrane, thereby prewetting the coffee and increasing the pressure inside the container, so as to deform the membrane and tear it on the piercing means. The cross-section of the container is substantially circular. The diameter of the opening device of the container is not critical. In this embodiment, the ratio of the diameter of the opening device to the diameter of the container is typically between 1: 6 and 1: 1.

In this embodiment, there are two options. The first option is to make the opening element a separate element and to place it at the bottom of the cup; the element comprises a flat portion with piercing means and a suitably curved surface pressing against the bottom of the cup. The puncturing device is not critical and may be a blade, tip, blade, needle-shaped recessed and raised element of conical, pyramidal or any other geometric shape. A second option is that the opening element consists of a disc with a concave or convex portion, which is placed on the edge of the bottom of the cup, which has an opening for the outflow of the beverage substantially in its middle. The recessed or raised portions may be conical, pyramidal, or any other geometric shape.

In a fifth embodiment, the container comprises a cup with a rim and a bottom with an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and a membrane welded to the periphery of the rim of said cup, the opening means being constituted by concave and convex portions forming the bottom of said cup, the bottom of said cup being covered by a film which opens onto the concave and convex portions during extraction. The membrane also has a filtering effect. In this embodiment, the concave and convex portions remain fixed and the membrane deforms under pressure and opens on the above-mentioned concave and convex portions. As in the previous embodiments, one or more spraying elements are required to pierce the membrane, thereby prewetting the coffee and increasing the pressure inside the container, so as to deform the membrane and tear on the concave and convex portions. The cross-section of the container is substantially circular. The diameter of the opening device of the container is not critical. In this embodiment, the ratio of the diameter of the opening device to the diameter of the container is typically between 1: 6 and 1: 1. In this embodiment, the recessed and raised portions form the bottom of the container. The concave and convex portions are not critical and may be of various geometries, such as conical, pyramidal, or any other geometry.

In a sixth embodiment, the container comprises a cup and a membrane welded to the periphery of the cup, the membrane having an opening for allowing the outflow of the beverage, the opening means being arranged in a cavity in the centre of the membrane and being constituted by an element having a piercing structure covered by a film which tears on the piercing structure upon extraction. These piercing structures also have a filtering effect. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the opening means are not arranged at the bottom of the cup, but in the centre of the membrane. The extraction process remains the same: the sprinkler pierces the top of the cup, the coffee is pre-moistened, the pressure inside the container increases, the membrane deforms and opens on the piercing structure. The beverage flows into a vessel arranged below the container.

In another embodiment of the previous solution, the container comprises two welded-together "half-shells" containing the substance to be extracted, one of which has an opening for the outflow of the beverage, the opening means being arranged in the "half-shell" having the opening and being constituted by a disc having a piercing structure covered by a film which opens onto the piercing structure upon extraction.

The piercing structures are the same as those described above.

In a seventh embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, the capsule comprises a cup and a disc welded to the periphery of said cup and having an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and the capsule further comprises an opening device comprising a membrane welded between the disc and the cup and raised portions on the disc which cooperate with said membrane at the time of extraction, so as to allow said membrane to open by the rise in pressure and allow the beverage to flow directly into the cup. In this case, in order to extract the container (contents), it is necessary for the extraction device to comprise one or more sprinkling elements for obtaining the water. In a preferred embodiment, the raised portion is formed by an annular portion that wraps around the entire periphery of the disc. In this last embodiment, in order to open the film, it is necessary for the disc to be supported at all times by the supporting element.

In this last embodiment, if the substance used for preparing the drink is a soluble substance, a membrane is sufficient, and if the substance is insoluble, it is necessary to provide a filter in the drink passage in the capsule, for example below the membrane, which filter would stop said substance. The filter material can be selected from filter paper, woven fiber and non-woven fiber. These fibers may be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PP (polypropylene) or other polymers.

In the last case, the annular portion of the disc may be continuous or discontinuous. In the case where the annular portions are discontinuous, the disc includes a rib between the annular portions towards the centre of the disc.

It must be clearly understood that in all the embodiments of the capsule of the invention, each capsule comprises means for collecting and for discharging the beverage. The device may be formed by a flow tube, so that the prepared beverage does not contact elements of the extractor. The location of the tube is not critical; the tube is preferably arranged substantially centrally in the container. The flow tube is advantageously formed from and forms an integral part of the cup. The tube may have an internal recess allowing the beverage to collect through or along the edge of the opening device. The shape of the container is also not important. The container preferably has a substantially circular shape.

The container may include a location-determinable (positional) or a non-positional type. A container whose position can be determined refers to a container that is not symmetrical along the welding plane (see for example fig. 17) but can be symmetrical or asymmetrical along its vertical axis (see also fig. 17). A container with indeterminate position is a container which is symmetrical along its welding plane and also symmetrical along its vertical axis.

The closed chamber comprises either two half-shells or a cup and a diaphragm, or a cup and a disc. The material of the closed chamber is preferably selected from aluminium, aluminium/plastic composite, aluminium/plastic/paper composite, single or multi-layer plastic, as the case may be. The plastic used is a single-layer or multi-layer plastic compatible with food, selected from EVOH, PVDC, PP, PE, PA. The thickness of the material used is between 5 and 100 microns, depending on the type of material used.

The puncture devices used in the fourth to seventh embodiments are the same as those described above.

In examples 4-7, the container comprises a film. The membrane is made of the same material as the material constituting the closed chamber.

The substance for preparing the beverage is selected from the group consisting of roast and ground coffee powder, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of roast and ground coffee powder and instant coffee, concentrated syrup, concentrated fruit juice, chocolate products, dairy products or any other dehydrated food such as raw materials. Cold, hot or warm beverages can be prepared equally easily according to the invention.

As mentioned above, the greatest advantage of the capsule according to the invention is that it comprises, on the one hand, its own opening means and, on the other hand, allows different types and/or varieties of substance to be extracted with the same extractor, for example coffee and then tea, without the consumer noticing the aftertaste of the last extraction when drinking the beverage. The advantage also stems from the cleanliness provided by the extraction. This means that each container has its own outflow opening without soiling the extractor. This allows less or no cleaning of the machine, safer and more hygienic food products with a reduced risk of contamination or proliferation of microorganisms in the machine, and therefore allows extraction of substances with a higher sensitivity to bacteria, such as milk powder or other substances, such as those with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing various beverages with the same machine, wherein the liquid beverage is not in contact with the machine and an element of the machine supports the capsule from below. The vessel of the invention can also be used for extraction at lower pressures, i.e. pressures below 10 bar. The invention also relates to a method for improving hygiene and reducing cross-contamination when preparing a beverage from a container containing food in a closed chamber thereof, said container having an opening device of its own, characterized in that a fluid is introduced into the container under pressure, and that the opening device is activated as soon as the pressure in the container reaches a certain value, thereby opening the container and releasing the beverage.

The opening device is preferably actuated by the action of an internal pressure formed within the closed chamber.

Drawings

The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a closed container in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rod-like member of the container in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in a third embodiment;

figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in a fourth (preferred) embodiment;

figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in a fourth (preferred) embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an opening device of a second alternative container;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an opening device of a second alternative container;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cup from below;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cup from the top;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a container in an extraction system;

fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container in another form of the sixth embodiment; and

fig. 17 is an exploded view of the container in the seventh embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows clearly one half-shell 1, the second half-shell (not shown) being welded along a welding line 2, thus closing the container 4. The container has a chamber 3 containing the substance to be extracted, for example roast and ground coffee. A rod-like member 5 is located between the two symmetrical half-shells. The rod-like member is shown in fig. 2 and has a plurality of holes 6 in its upper part, through which hot water arrives for preparing coffee. The lower part of the rod also comprises a tip 7 for piercing the weld of the two half-shells. The tip portion further comprises a plurality of openings 8 allowing free passage of coffee but preventing passage of coffee grounds. When the container is introduced into the extraction system, the rod is pushed downwards, so that the tip 7 pierces the weld of the two half-shells.

Fig. 3 shows a container 9 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The container comprises a cup 10 and a membrane 11, the membrane 11 being welded to a welded periphery 13 forming the outer edge of said cup. The container contains a substance 12. The opening system of the container is constituted by a disc 14, which disc 14 is arranged at the bottom of the cup 10 and comprises a piercing tip 15 and a filter 60. The piercing tip is thus enclosed within the chamber formed by the cup 10 and the septum 11. In this way, the disc is arranged at the bottom of the cup and forms a wide area onto which the internal pressure may expand during extraction. During extraction, the capsule is introduced into the extraction device, water is introduced through a needle that pierces the membrane 11, and under the influence of the rising pressure in the capsule, the disc 14 is pressed downwards against the retaining portion 16, so that the tip 15 pierces the retaining portion 16 of the cup, allowing the beverage to flow out. The container is held firmly in place by means of the support 61 and the filter 60 prevents the coffee grounds from entering a cup (not shown) located below said container.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment. (this figure) differs from figure 3 only in that the opening system is not arranged in the cup but in the membrane. The container comprises a cup 17 and a diaphragm 18 welded to the outer rim 62 of said cup. The substance 19 to be extracted is located in the container. The disc-shaped member 20 constituting the opening system has a piercing tip 21 and a filter 63. During extraction, the pressure in the container rises, which means that the disc 20 will press down against the holding part 22 and the tip 21 will pierce the holding part 22 of the septum. The filter 63 prevents the passage of coffee grounds.

Fig. 5 shows a container in a fourth embodiment of the invention. The container comprises a cup 23 and a diaphragm 24 welded to the outer rim of said cup along a welded periphery 26. The container contains the substance 25 to be extracted. The opening means are arranged in a cavity 27 in the bottom of the cup. The device consists of an element 28 with a piercing structure covered by a membrane 29. The piercing structure is directed toward the tip 64 of the membrane. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane and the rise in pressure presses the membrane 29 against the piercing structure, tearing it, so that the beverage can flow into the cup disposed below. The element 28 therefore has a filtering action and, for this purpose, has a plurality of holes 65 for the passage of the beverage.

Figures 6 and 7 show another form of container in a fourth embodiment of the invention. The container includes a cup 66 and a diaphragm 67 welded to the outer rim of the cup along a welded perimeter 68. The container contains the substance 69 to be extracted. The opening means is arranged in a cavity 70 in the bottom of the cup. The device consists of an element 71 with an open structure covered by a film 72. The open structure is a plurality of tips 73 distributed over the entire surface of the element 71 and directed towards the membrane 72. In addition to the tips shown, these structures may also have a concave or convex shape. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane 67 and the rise in pressure presses the membrane 72 against the piercing structure, tearing it, so that the beverage can flow into the cup disposed below. To this end, the element 71 also has a filtering action, and the element 71 comprises a plurality of channels 74 for the passage of the beverage. Channels 74 are located on the surface of the element 71, separating the tips 73 to form a beverage distribution network. The beverage flows along said channel and ends at the outer edge 75 of the element 71 to flow therefrom to the inner side 76 at the bottom of the cup 66. The opening 77 allows the beverage to flow into a cup (not shown) arranged below. The bottom of the cup 66 and the opening 77 together form a beverage collecting and outflow means. It is preferred to have the opening 77 pass through the rim of the re-entry (re-entry) tubular portion of the cup, the base of which is defined by a small internal circumferential channel. This solution allows to control the flow and to reduce sudden flows and to avoid liquid splashing out of the working area. As with fig. 5, we discuss here a four-component container, by which is meant a cup, an element with an open structure, a membrane and a membrane. The cup is made by thermoforming and the disc is made by injection moulding.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an opening device of a container in a fourth embodiment. The device 80 is an injection molded disc placed on the bottom of the cup. It comprises raised portions 81 in the form of truncated cones and spaces 82 between said raised portions. In this container, when the film is torn, the beverage flows along the space 82 towards the outside 83 of the disc. It is envisaged that the disc is located at the bottom of the cup in figures 6 and 7; the beverage flows on the inside 76 of the bottom of the cup 66.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the opening arrangement of the container. This is a disc 84 that can open the container. The disc 84 is an injection molded disc that rests on the bottom of the cup. It comprises raised portions 85 in the form of pyramids and spaces 86 between said raised portions. In this container, when the film is torn, the beverage flows along the space 86 towards the outside 87 of the disc. It is not difficult to imagine that the disc is located at the bottom of the cup in fig. 6 and 7; the beverage flows on the inside 76 of the bottom of the cup 66.

Fig. 10 and 11 show a container in a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this case we discuss a three component container. The container includes a cup 88 and a membrane 89 welded to the outer rim of the cup along a welded perimeter 90. The container contains the substance 91 to be extracted. An opening structure is located in the bottom of the cup. The structure has raised portions 93 and recessed portions 94 which form the bottom of the cup, and the structure is covered by a membrane 92. As in the previous embodiments, water is introduced through the membrane 89 and the rise in pressure presses the film 92 against the raised and recessed portions, tearing it, so that the beverage can flow into the cup disposed below. The membrane 92 also has a filtering effect and the beverage flows in the space of the recess 94. The beverage flows along the space and ends in a tubular portion in the bottom of the cup 88 comprising a central opening 95. The opening 95 allows beverage to flow into a cup (not shown) arranged below. As mentioned above, we discuss a three component container, the components being the cup, the diaphragm and the membrane. The cup is manufactured by thermoforming and the open structure of the container, i.e. the raised and recessed portions, is directly obtained.

Fig. 12 and 13 simply present perspective views looking from below and above cup 88 in fig. 10 and 11. The central opening 95 allowing the beverage to flow out during extraction is clearly visible. The cup is a single piece obtained by thermoforming with suitable thermoforming equipment. Thereafter, the membrane is sealed onto the inner rim of the cup bottom, then filled with a substance, for example in an atmosphere of nitrogen or in another atmosphere more or less free of oxygen, and finally the membrane is sealed.

Fig. 14 schematically shows the container 100 of the present invention in an extraction system. The container is enclosed in elements 101 and 102 of the extraction system. The element 101 allows water to reach the top of the container through the duct 103 and the needle 104 is perforated at the top of the container. The seal is ensured by a seal 106. The support element 102 holds the container in position and, when it is open, the beverage passes through the outlet 105 into a cup (not shown) placed below.

Fig. 15 shows a container in a sixth embodiment. The difference compared to fig. 5 is the position of the opening system, which in fig. 15 is located in the cavity of the diaphragm, not in the cavity of the cup. The container comprises a cup 30, the membrane 31 being welded to the cup 30 along a weld line 35. The container contains a substance 36. The opening system comprises an element 32 with a piercing structure covered by a membrane 33. As with the previous container, water is injected from the top of the cup, the pressure rise in the container presses the membrane 33 against the piercing structure of the element 32, and the beverage flows out through the centre 34 of the membrane.

Fig. 16 shows a container having two symmetrical half-shells 37, 38 welded together along a weld line 39, the container containing a substance 42 to be extracted. The opening device is arranged in the housing 38 and is constituted by a disc-shaped member 41 having a piercing structure covered by a film 40. As with the other containers, the pressure rise within the container pushes the membrane toward the piercing structure until the membrane tears. The beverage then flows into a cup disposed below.

Figure 17 shows the container in a final embodiment in exploded form. It comprises a cup 44 to which a disc 46 is welded 44 along a weld line 51. The container contains the substance 43 to be extracted. The opening device comprises a membrane 45 welded between the disc and the cup. The disc comprises a raised annular portion 48 and an annular channel 49 for outflow of the beverage. The container is very suitable if the substance to be extracted is instant coffee. However, if the substance to be extracted is roast and ground coffee, it is necessary to add a filter 47 in the container of the invention, which is arranged below the membrane and thus serves to stop the coffee grounds. The process is as follows: the container is introduced into the extraction device; the apparatus comprises means for opening the container into which water flows and the rise in pressure presses the membrane 45 against the annular portion 48.

The film is torn and the beverage flows through the channel 49 into the cup arranged below. In this case, a support element for the disc is always required (see fig. 14), which forms part of the extraction system.

The terms "piercing" and "piercing" refer to one or more devices that function to open in a solid, flexible or otherwise weakened or partially open section, which may be by any equivalent means, such as cutting or rupturing, as well as by the "piercing" method in the strict sense.

The term "beverage" covers any type of beverage that can be prepared with a soluble or partially soluble substance or a substance that can be filtered, which also includes sauces for soups and gravies or other similar types of food sauces.

Abbreviations:

PET ═ polyester

PP-PP

EVOH-copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol

PVDC ═ polyvinylidene chloride

PE ═ polyethylene

PA ═ polyamide

Claims (29)

1. A capsule for extraction by injection of a fluid under pressure into an extraction device, the capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage, the capsule comprising a closed chamber containing the substance and means for allowing the capsule to be opened in use, characterised in that the opening for allowing the outflow of the beverage is achieved by relative engagement of the opening means and a retaining wall of the chamber, the relative engagement being under the effect of a rise in pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

2. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means (14, 15, 20, 21) are housed in the closed chamber and are pushed towards the holding portion (16, 22) of the chamber under the effect of the pressure rise of the fluid in the chamber.

3. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means (28, 32, 41, 48, 64, 71, 73, 74, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 93, 94) are located outside the closed chamber and that the retaining wall (29, 33, 40, 45, 72, 92) is moved towards the opening means under the effect of the pressure increase.

4. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means is an element (14, 20, 28, 41, 71, 80, 84) comprising at least one piercing structure (15, 21, 48, 64, 73, 81, 85, 93).

5. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining wall is a pierceable membrane (29, 33, 40, 45, 72, 92).

6. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the closed chamber comprises a cup (10) and a membrane (11) welded to the outer rim (13) of the cup, the opening means being arranged in the bottom of the cup and comprising a disc (14) having piercing means (15) which pierce the bottom of said cup by an increase in the pressure in the chamber.

7. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the closed chamber comprises a cup (17) and a membrane (18) welded to the outer rim (62) of the cup, the opening means being provided on the membrane and comprising an element (20) having a piercing structure (21) which pierces said membrane by an increase in the pressure in the chamber.

8. A container as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a cup (23) having a rim (26) and a bottom having an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and a membrane (24) welded to the outer edge of the rim (26) of said cup, the opening means being provided in the bottom (27) of the cup, and the opening means being an element (28) having a plurality of piercing structures (64) covered by a film (29) which tears on them during extraction.

9. A capsule according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a cup (66) with a rim and a bottom with an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and a membrane (67) welded to the outer edge of the rim of said cup, the opening means comprising concave and convex portions (73, 74) forming the bottom of said cup covered by a film (72) which tears on extraction.

10. A container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for collecting and dispensing the beverage, the means having a portion with a widened cross-section followed by a portion with a narrowed cross-section which concentrates the beverage in one or more preferred directions.

11. A container as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the element (71) with the piercing structure (73) is an injection disc (80, 84) or an element with a flat surface with an open structure and a curved surface pressing against the bottom of the cup.

12. A container as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the opening means comprise concave and convex portions (94, 93) on the bottom of the cup, said bottom having an opening (95) for the outflow of the beverage substantially in its middle.

13. A container as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a cup (30) and a membrane (31) welded to the periphery (35) of the cup and having an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and in that the opening means are arranged in the cavity at the centre of the membrane and comprise an element (32) having a piercing structure covered by a film (33) which tears on the piercing structure upon extraction.

14. A container as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises two welded-together half-shells (37, 38), one of which has an opening for the outflow of the beverage, opening means being provided in the half-shell (38) having the opening and being constituted by a disc having a piercing structure covered by a film (40) which tears on the piercing structure upon extraction.

15. A container as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a cup (44) and a disc (46) welded to the outer edge (51) of said cup, the disc having an opening for the outflow of the beverage, and in that the opening means comprise a membrane (45) welded between the disc and the cup and a raised portion (48) on the disc, which portion cooperates with said membrane (45) during extraction, so as to open said membrane by the rise in pressure.

16. A container as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a filter (47) welded to the outer edge of the cup between the membrane (45) and the disc.

17. A container as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the raised portion comprises a continuous or discontinuous annular portion.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the annular portions are discontinuous and the disc includes ribs between the annular portions and toward the center of the disc.

19. The container of claim 1, wherein the material of the closed chamber is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum/plastic composite, aluminum/plastic/paper composite, pure plastic, and multi-layer plastic.

20. Container according to claim 19, wherein the material closing the chamber is a single-or multilayer plastic selected from the group comprising EVOH, PVDC, PP, PE, PA.

21. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the piercing structure is selected from a tip, blade, needle and the like.

22. Container as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the material constituting the film is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, aluminium/plastic composite, aluminium/plastic/paper composite, single-or multi-layer plastic.

23. The container of claim 16, wherein the filter material is selected from the group consisting of filter paper, woven fibers, and non-woven fibers.

24. A container according to claim 1, wherein the substance for preparing a beverage is selected from the group consisting of roast and ground coffee powder, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of roast and ground coffee powder and instant coffee, a chocolate product, a dairy product, a concentrated syrup, a concentrated fruit juice or any other dehydrated food.

25. A method for improving hygiene and reducing cross-contamination when preparing a beverage from a container containing a food in a closed chamber thereof, said container comprising an opening means of its own, wherein a fluid is introduced under pressure into the container, characterized in that, once the pressure in the container reaches a certain value, the opening means is activated by the effect of the internal pressure in the chamber, thereby opening the container and releasing the beverage.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the opening occurs at a pressure of 4 to 8 bar.

27. Method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the opening takes place by means of an opening device located outside the closed chamber.

28. A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the opening occurs by relative engagement of the opening means and a retaining wall of the chamber.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the retaining wall of the chamber is a membrane pierced by the at least one piercing structure of the opening device.