JP2018528052A - Disposable capsule for machine to dispense leachable beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a disposable capsule 100 for a machine for preparing a beverage, wherein the capsule 100 is i) a cup-shaped hollow body 110 adapted to receive a metered dose of granular or particulate product comprising: A hollow body 110 having a bottom 111 with a through-opening 114 and a peripheral wall 112 with a flange 113 formed at the periphery, ii) a cover 120 fixed on the flange 113 to be sealed, and iii) a through-hole A film 130 applied to the bottom 111 inside the hollow body 110 to seal the opening 114, and iv) an insert 200 accommodated in the hollow body 110, wherein a plurality of through openings 213 are provided in the mantle 212. A frustoconical disc-shaped part 210 formed with a punching element 214 formed in the cavity; Comprising an insert 200 and a stem 220 extending axially from the top of the 0. The insert 200 has an assembly or packaging position where the frustoconical disc-shaped portion 210 rests on the bottom 111 of the hollow body 110 and the stem 220 presses the cover 120 to deform it outward, and the free end of the stem 220 has Between the open position, axially advanced, substantially aligned with the flange 113, the disc-like portion 210 is flattened at the bottom 111, and the punching element 214 conflicts with the inner film 130 and thus breaks it It can move in the axial direction. The insert 200 further comprises a liquid-impermeable cup-shaped element 230 housed in the body 110 of the capsule 100 in a seat 116 formed proximate its flange-like rim, the cup-shaped element 230 comprising a stem A central hole 231 is provided in which 220 is slidably fitted.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the preparation of brewed beverages such as coffee, tea, herbal teas, etc., poured from disposable capsules, and also to the preparation of beverages based on syrups, liquids and powder concentrates. The invention particularly relates to single dose or multiple dose disposable capsules for machines for dispensing such beverages.

  Disposable capsules used in brewed beverage dispensing machines include products in granular or particulate form, such as coffee. It is known that the final beverage is obtained through a “leaching” process in which a leachate, typically water, supplied under pressure and at a high temperature is traversed across a capsule containing a granular or particulate product. Beverages where a scent of a granular or particulate product is desired and a leachate coming out of a capsule is desired, which is properly flowed through a dispensing machine, for example a dispensing head in a cup Dispensed from.

  Known disposable capsules comprise a cup-shaped hollow body, with an open top provided with a flange, and a cover, typically formed of a gas impermeable film, is applied over the flange. This film has the function of sealing the cavity of the cup-shaped body and allows long-term storage of the granular or particulate product contained therein.

  During the leaching process, the capsule is inserted into the brewing chamber of the dispensing machine, followed by a special piercing member at the bottom of the cup-shaped body and at its top sealed by a gas impermeable film. Perforated. The holes thus created allow the flow of leachate to pass through the capsule from one of its ends to the opposite end. Depending on the type of dispensing machine, the leachate can flow from the bottom to the top of the cup-shaped body or in the opposite direction.

  Since the brewed beverage prepared from the capsules is flowed through a dispensing machine and dispensed from a dispensing head, for example into a cup, there is a beverage residue after every brewing cycle, such as coffee, tea, It is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid the inclusion of flavors between different beverages that are produced one after the other, such as chocolate. Residues typically remain on the piercing member and also inside the channels formed in the dispensing head.

  In order to overcome this drawback, capsules have been developed for preparing brewed beverages that are opened by special opening means that utilize the pressure exerted by the brewing liquid encapsulated in the capsule and injected into the inside of the capsule. . The brewed beverage exits the dispensing machine directly from the capsule without touching the channel, thus avoiding any possible taste contamination between different beverages.

  An example of such a capsule is described in EP 1472156. The capsule comprises a closed chamber containing a granular or particulate product and means adapted to allow the capsule to be opened, the opening being between the opening means and the sealing film of the closed chamber Obtained by relative movement. The relative movement is caused by the pressure increase that occurs in the chamber during the infusion of the leachate. According to an embodiment, the opening means comprises a plurality of sharp elements attached to a support disk housed under the sealing film of the chamber at the bottom of the capsule. When the film is pierced, the brewed beverage coming out of the chamber passes through a channel formed between the sealing film and the sharp element and is collected at the bottom of the capsule where the dispensing opening is formed. Relative movement occurs in particular beyond the pressure threshold, which makes it possible to overcome the mechanical resistance countered by the opening means and the sealing film.

  The problem with this type of capsule is that it is difficult to accurately predict the pressure threshold above which capsule opening will occur. The internal pressure may actually vary depending on the structure of the sealing film, its thickness, and the material from which it is made, as well as the shape and size of the sharp elements, which are affected by manufacturing tolerances.

  The variability of the pressure threshold at which the opening means is activated determines the variability of the leachate flow through the product contained in the capsule, has variable sensory stimulation properties and is not appreciated by the user The result is a brewing beverage that can be afraid.

  Preparing a brewed beverage that allows the brewed beverage to be dispensed directly from the capsule from the dispensing machine without touching the appropriate dispensing channel, thus avoiding any possible taste contamination between different beverages Another example of a capsule for this is described in WO 2012/121597.

  The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body adapted to receive a metered dose of granular or particulate product. The cup-shaped main body includes a peripheral wall and a bottom wall having a truncated cone shape in which a plurality of through openings are formed. The cup-shaped body is placed at the top by a cover fixed on the flange of the peripheral wall and below the bottom wall and is therefore sealed at the bottom by a film exposed to the outside of the cup-shaped body.

  One or more cutting elements are formed on the surface of the bottom wall facing the film that seals the cup-shaped body. A columnar element extending to the cover is formed on the opposite surface of the bottom wall. The columnar element is hollow and has a plurality of depressions at its free end facing the cover.

  The capsule described in WO 2012/121597 is configured to be inserted into a brewing chamber of a machine for preparing a brewed beverage. The injection needle of the machine pierces the cover corresponding to the cavity of the columnar element so that the exudate fills this cavity and passes through the recess formed in the free end of the columnar element, Flows into the cavity. The injection needle is associated with the shaped element, which presses the columnar element simultaneously with the perforation of the cover, thus moving the columnar element relative to the peripheral wall of the cup-shaped body and sealing the cup-shaped body The bottom wall of the cup-shaped body is deformed toward the film. A cutting element formed on the bottom wall pierces the film and thus allows the brewed beverage to flow out of the capsule body.

  According to an embodiment of the capsule, a metered dose of granular or particulate product is produced by an annular filter applied from the inside to the cup-shaped body close to the bottom wall, and a liquid permeable or perforated having an annular shape. It can be enclosed between films. The liquid permeable or perforated film is fixed to the columnar element at the inner periphery and to the peripheral wall at the outer periphery at an axially intermediate position between the bottom wall and the cover.

  This type of capsule allows the opening of the capsule to be obtained mechanically from the inside without relying on a predetermined pressure threshold imposed by the exudate injected into the product contained within the capsule body. To do.

  The configuration of the capsule may be improved with respect to the arrangement of some of its components / parts and the axial movement of the columnar elements and the bottom wall.

EP 1472156 International Publication No. 2012/121597

  The technical problem raised and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a disposable capsule for brewed beverages and beverage dispensing machines based on syrups, liquids and powder concentrates. The capsule makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

  This problem is solved by the disposable capsule according to claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

  The idea of the solution underlying the present invention is to realize a capsule with an opening means housed in a cavity sealed by a top cover film and a bottom inner film, the opening means comprising an insert, The insert rests on the bottom of the capsule cavity at its frustoconical portion and acts on the stem, assembling or packaging position, pressing the capsule's top cover film with its stem and thus deforming the top cover film outward An open position in which the insert is moved axially towards the bottom of the capsule cavity and a plurality of punching elements formed in the frustoconical portion of the insert conflict with the bottom inner film and thus tear it open Can move in the axial direction.

  Similar to the capsule described in WO 2012/121597 discussed above, the opening of the capsule according to the present invention is based on the thrust applied to the stem of the insert and the subsequent insertion of the insert with the punching element formed. It is generated mechanically from the inside by deformation of the truncated cone part.

  In contrast to disposable capsules with opening means that are hydraulically actuated by the pressure of the leachate, the capsules according to the invention do not have any pressure threshold of the opening means and thus ensure a constant sensory stimulation property of the beverage produced. Provides the advantage.

  Providing an insert housed in the capsule body and comprising a stem and a frustoconical portion results in a capsule having a significantly simpler structure than the capsule described in WO 2012/121597. The capsule insert of the present invention is actually an independent component that can be manufactured separately from the capsule body by a well-known injection molding process, which can be similarly manufactured using injection molding. Makes it possible to maintain a simple cup shape.

  In contrast, the integral shape of the capsule according to WO 2012/121597, which comprises a hollow column, ie a stem and a perforated bottom wall with a frustoconical shape, entails the need for more complex and expensive injection molding. .

  Furthermore, the direct connection between the bottom of the frustoconical and the peripheral wall of the capsule body makes the overall structure rather stiff and, on the other hand, breaks and opens the film sealing the capsule body. This adversely affects the function of the bottom wall that is flattened on the other hand, while preventing the column from moving in the axial direction, which can be bent laterally.

  The capsule insert according to the invention further comprises a cup-shaped element housed in the capsule in a seat formed close to its flange-like rim. The cup-shaped element is provided with a central hole in which the stem of the insert is slidably fitted. The central hole allows the insert to be accurately positioned inside the capsule body during assembly or packaging, guiding it and facilitating its axial movement to the open position.

  The stem of the insert and the hole of the cup-shaped element are configured to achieve a tight connection in the assembled or packaged state, so that the cup-shaped element contains the cavity of the capsule body and contains a granular or particulate product A lower part between the cup-shaped element and the bottom of the capsule body and a second product such as milk powder or more generally another beverage ingredient may be advantageously added during the assembly or packaging operation. Divide into two parts, the upper part between the cup-shaped element and the cover.

  The portion of the stem protruding from the hole formed in the cup-shaped element in the assembly or packaging position has a reduced cross-sectional area, so that in the open position of the capsule, the flow of leachate and possible second products are Allows passage from the upper part of the cavity to the lower part to prepare a beverage.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frustoconical portion of the insert comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in its mantle with shallow relief. This feature facilitates the flattening of the frustoconical portion and the axial movement of the stem of the insert, thus providing the advantage of facilitating punching of the underlying film that seals the bottom of the capsule body .

  Another advantage provided by the present invention is that the capsule with the insert is not only for preparing a beverage in a brewing form, but also in two parts of the capsule cavity with the base product and Because of the feasibility of placing the ingredients, carbon dioxide additive, suitable for completing the beverage, it can also be used to prepare beverages based on syrup, liquid, and powder concentrates.

  Further advantages, features, and aspects of using the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration.

  Reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a top perspective view of a capsule according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a capsule according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the capsule of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a capsule insert according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a capsule insert according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing the assembly position of the capsule insert according to the present invention, with the capsule shown without its cover; FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing the open position of the insert of the capsule according to the present invention, with the capsule shown without its cover. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the assembly position of the insert of the capsule by this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the open position of the insert of the capsule by this invention.

  Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a disposable capsule according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100.

  Capsule 100 includes a cup-shaped hollow body 110 that is adapted to receive metered doses of not only granular or particulate products, such as coffee powder, but also liquid concentrates such as syrup. The hollow main body 110 includes a bottom portion 111 and a peripheral wall 112 having a flange 113 formed on the periphery. The cup-shaped hollow body 110 is sealed by a cover 120 of a film made of, for example, a polylaminate material, fixed on the flange 113, which covers the cavity of the hollow body 110 and is contained therein. It has the function of enabling long-term storage of the produced granular or particulate product.

  A through-opening 114 is formed in the bottom 111 for dispensing a brewed beverage that can be obtained from a granular or particulate product, for example the opening has a circular cross section.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the through-opening 114 has a funnel shape that facilitates brewed beverage spill and is reinforced by a plurality of radial ribs 115.

  The through-opening 114 is sealed by a film 130 made of, for example, a polylaminate material applied to the bottom 111 inside the hollow body 110, and the film 130 is granular or Define a closed chamber suitable for storing the particulate product.

  The capsule 100 further includes an insert 200 accommodated in the main body 110 thereof. The insert 200 extends in the axial direction from the bottom 111 of the hollow body 110 to the cover 120.

  The insert 200 includes a perimeter 211 intended to contact the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 and a mantle 212 formed with a plurality of through openings 213 to allow exudate to flow. A disk-shaped portion 210 having a trapezoidal shape is provided. The through opening 213 is preferably circular or polygonal, such as a quadrangle as shown in FIG.

  The frustoconical portion 210 further comprises one or more punching elements 214 projecting axially from its concave portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the punching element 214 is, for example, in the form of a sharp fin that is arranged to form a star whose center coincides with the axis of the frustoconical portion 210.

  The insert 200 further comprises a stem 220 that extends axially from the top of the frustoconical disc-shaped portion 210 and thus from the opposite side to the punching element 214.

  In the assembled configuration of the capsule 100, the peripheral edge 211 of the frustoconical disc-shaped portion 210 of the insert faces the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 so that the punching element 214 faces the film 130 that seals the bottom 111. Appear. In the assembled or packaged state of the capsule 100 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the insert is configured so that the punching element 214 is in close proximity without contacting the film 130. In the same assembled or packaged state shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, at the axially opposed end, the stem 220 extends beyond the flanged edge 113 so that the free end of the stem 220 biases the cover, thereby Is a convex shape or a dome shape.

  With particular reference now to FIGS. 6 to 9, a subsequent opening step of the capsule 100 is described which allows the brewing of the product contained inside the capsule 100 and the dispensing of the beverage.

  As described above, the configuration of the stem 220 is a configuration in which the free end portion of the stem 220 urges the cover 120 into a convex shape or a dome shape in the capsule assembly or packaging configuration. Further, again in an assembled or packaged configuration, the disc-shaped portion punching element 214 of the insert 200 is in close proximity without contacting the film 130 that seals the bottom 111 of the capsule 100.

  It is known that after a capsule has been placed in the brewing chamber of a machine that dispenses brewed beverages, the chamber is typically sealed to secure the capsule with its flanged edges. The cover is squeezed and pierced by one or more piercing elements, just during or immediately after the closing phase, in order to allow infusion of the exudate.

  Due to the configuration of the capsule 100 and insert 200 described above, the compression of the cover 120 causes a deformation in which the stem 220 is displaced axially and the disc-shaped frustoconical portion 210 is flattened and thus formed thereon. It should be understood that the punched element 214 is directed toward the film 130, resulting in the film 130 being torn open. The capsule 100 can thus be opened in both the cover 120 and the film 130, thus allowing the leachate to flow.

  In other words, the insert 200 has an assembly or packaging position where it presses the cover 120 of the capsule 100 and its stem 220 deforms the cover 120 outward, and the free end of the stem 220 is advanced in the axial direction. Substantially aligned with the flange 113, the disc-like portion 210 is deformed relative to the bottom 111, in particular flattened on the bottom 111, and the punching element 214 conflicts with the film 130 and thus breaks it. It can move in the axial direction between the opening and the open position.

  In order to facilitate the flattening of the disc-shaped truncated cone portion 210, its diameter in the assembled state, i.e. in the undeformed state, is smaller than the diameter of the bottom 111 of the capsule 100, and thus in the undeformed state. A gap is defined for the peripheral wall suitable for including the disc-shaped truncated cone portion 210 in a flattened state having a slightly larger diameter.

  Further, again to facilitate flattening of the disc-shaped truncated cone portion 210, a plurality of circumferential grooves 215 are advantageously formed in the mantle 212 with shallow relief.

  Unlike the known capsules which are opened by the pressure applied by the leachate, ie hydraulically, such as the capsules disclosed in EP 1472156, the capsule 100 according to the invention is mechanically, in particular a leachate. It should be understood that it is opened independently of the flow of The opening of the capsule 100 actually occurs when the brewing chamber is closed well before the brewing liquid is injected into the brewing chamber.

  The insert 200 also includes a liquid impermeable cup-shaped element 230 housed in the body 110 of the capsule 100 in a seat 116 formed proximate its flange-like rim. The cup-shaped element 230 includes a central hole 231 into which the stem 220 is slidably fitted.

  The central hole 231 accurately positions the stem 220 within the body 110 of the capsule 100 during assembly or packaging of the capsule 100 and guides the stem 220 axially, facilitating its movement from the assembled position to the open position. Make it possible to do.

  The guiding function performed by the cup-shaped element 230 is that the closing lever of the infusion group of the machine for preparing the brewed beverage is generally pivoted separately from the capsule seat, so that during the closing step In particular, it is particularly important to take into account that the capsule cover is subjected to an axial load suitable for pushing the stem 220 and a lateral load that can bend the stem 220 and thus prevent its axial movement. . Providing an axial guide for the stem 220, located close to the cover 120 of the capsule 100, can minimize the problem of bending of the stem 220 and ensure its correct operation It becomes.

  The stem 220 of the insert 200 and the hole 231 of the cup-shaped element 230 have substantially the same diameter to achieve a tight bond in the assembly or packaging configuration of the capsule 100.

  Thus, the cup-shaped element 230 can be used to evacuate the milk powder or other during packaging into the cavity of the body 110 of the capsule 100, the lower portion between the cup-shaped element 230 and the bottom 111, which contains a granular or particulate product. The second product or raw material, such as the above material, is divided into two parts, the cup-shaped element 230 and the upper part between the cover 120, which can be advantageously inserted.

  The end portion of the stem 220 that protrudes from the hole 231 of the cup-shaped element 230 in the assembled configuration instead has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the portion of the stem 220 that engages the hole 231 and thus the capsule. In the open configuration, the flow of brewing liquid and possible second products are allowed to pass from the upper part of the cavity to the lower part for brewing the beverage.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the end portion of the stem 220 defines a radial cavity 222 through which exudate can flow, for example, when the insert 200 is in the open position. The plurality of ribs 221 are formed. Figures 6 to 9 schematically show the insert 200 in an assembled position and an open position, respectively. The arrows in the longitudinal section of FIG. 9 schematically show the path of leachate through the cavity of the hollow body 110.

  Alternatively, the end portion of the stem 220 can comprise a plurality of radial grooves.

  Further alternatively, the end portion of the stem 220 may have a tapered shape, such as a frustoconical shape.

  The present invention has been disclosed herein with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It should be understood that there may be other embodiments that are related to the same inventive concept as defined by the scope of protection of the claims that follow.

Claims (7)

A disposable capsule (100) for a machine for preparing a beverage,
i) a cup-shaped hollow body (110) adapted to receive a metered dose of granular or particulate product, a bottom (111) formed with a through-opening (114), and a flange ( 113) a hollow body (110) comprising a peripheral wall (112) formed with;
ii) a cover (120) fixed on the flange (113) for sealing;
iii) a film (130) applied to the bottom (111) inside the hollow body (110) to seal the through-opening (114);
iv) An insert (200) housed in the hollow body (110) having a plurality of through openings (213) formed in the mantle (212) and a punching element (214) formed in the cavity An insert (200) comprising a pedestal disc-like portion (210) and a stem (220) extending axially from the top of the frustoconical disc-like portion (210);
In the insert (200), the frustoconical disk-shaped portion (210) rests on the bottom (111) of the hollow body (110), and the stem (220) presses the cover (120) to remove it. An assembly or packaging position that deforms in an orientation, and the free end of the stem (220) is axially advanced to substantially align with the flange (113), and the disc-shaped portion (210) is the bottom ( 111), and the punching element (214) is axially movable between an open position, which conflicts with and breaks the inner film (130),
A liquid-impermeable cup-shaped element (200) in which the insert (200) is housed in the body (110) of the capsule (100) in a seat (116) formed proximate its flange-like edge. 230), wherein the cup-shaped element (230) comprises a central hole (231) into which the stem (220) is slidably fitted.   The stem (220) and the hole (231) of the cup-shaped element (230) have the same diameter to achieve a tight bond in the assembly or packaging position, and the stem (220) has a surface area The capsule (100) of claim 1, comprising an end portion having a reduced cross-section, wherein the end portion protrudes from the hole (231) in the assembly or packaging position.   The end portion of the stem (220) extends from a plurality of radial ribs (221) that define cavities (222) through which leachate can flow when the insert (200) is in the open position. The capsule (100) of claim 2, wherein the capsule (100) is configured.   The capsule (100) of claim 2, wherein the end portion of the stem (220) comprises a plurality of radial grooves.   The capsule (100) of claim 2, wherein the end portion of the stem (220) has a frustum shape.   The diameter of the frustoconical disk-shaped part (210) of the insert (200) in an undeformed assembled or packaged state is smaller than the diameter of the bottom (111) of the capsule body (110). Capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.   A plurality of circumferential grooves (215) are formed with shallow relief in the mantle (212) of the frustoconical disk-like portion (210) of the insert (200). A capsule (100) according to claim 1.

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