RU237857U1 - A container for a single-component beverage, containing two rods in the upper part and equipped with a lower support platform for the capsule nest, a sealed bag with water, an adhesive layer, and stiffening ribs - Google Patents

Abstract

This utility model relates to beverage preparation devices, as well as specially adapted containers for specific products. The utility model can be used for preparing and consuming beverages in challenging conditions, such as by passengers in vehicles, particularly taxis. A container for a single-component beverage, which in its upper part contains a holder for one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows one capsule to be installed in it, wherein the holder is provided with a piercer, which contains a piercing element, which has two rods, passing upward into additional holes in the said holder and protruding from it, wherein each rod contains a hook at its protruding end, wherein, when there is no effect on the rods, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when a pulling force is applied to the rods, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the capsule seat is provided with a lower support platform, which ensures a stop of the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains a sealed bag containing water for preparing the beverage, wherein the capsule holder is provided with an adhesive layer, located in the area of contact with the capsule, wherein the capsule holder is provided with stiffening ribs, located evenly along the perimeter of the holder. The technical result achieved by the utility model consists in increasing the operational safety of the claimed device. 3 ill.

Description

Field of technology

This utility model relates to beverage preparation devices, as well as specially adapted containers for specific products. The utility model can be used for preparing and consuming beverages in challenging conditions, such as by passengers in vehicles, particularly taxis.

State of the art

The prior art discloses containers for preparing and consuming beverages described in RU 218200 U1, 16.05.2023, RU 219996 U1, 18.08.2023, RU 221418 U1, 07.11.2023, RU 220130 U1, 28.08.2023, RU 220368 U1, 20.07.2023, RU 220129 U1, 28.08.2023, as well as in RU 229407 U1, 04.10.2024, RU 229400 U1, 04.10.2024, RU 228658 U1, 09.09.2024, and equipped with capsule holders, and also with piercing tools.

However, in known solutions, neither the capsule holders nor the piercers are movable; therefore, the capsule is pierced by the user when inserting it into the holder, immediately before preparing the drink.

Therefore, known solutions cannot be stored with capsules installed, and also require the user to properly install the capsules. Operating the coffee machine with incorrectly installed capsules can result in hot water splashing out, which can land on the passenger, burn them, and stain clothing and/or the car's interior.

Thus, the known designs are unsafe to operate.

The technical result achieved by the utility model consists in increasing the operational safety of the claimed device.

In order to achieve the technical result, a container for a single-component beverage is claimed, which in its upper part contains a holder for one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows one capsule to be installed in it, wherein the holder is provided with a piercer, containing a piercing element, which has two rods, passing upward into additional holes in the said holder and protruding from it, wherein each rod at its protruding end contains a hook, wherein, when there is no effect on the rods, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when a pulling force is applied to the rods, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the capsule seat is provided with a lower support platform, providing a stop for the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains a sealed bag containing water for preparing the beverage, wherein the capsule holder is provided with an adhesive layer, located in the area of contact with the capsule, wherein the capsule holder is provided with stiffening ribs, located evenly along the perimeter of the holder.

The essence of the claimed utility model is explained by illustrations.

Fig. 1 - The claimed device with the capsule installed before puncture of the capsule. Side cross-sectional view.

Fig. 2 - The claimed device with the capsule installed after puncture of the capsule. Side cross-sectional view.

Fig. 3 - The claimed device. Side sectional view. A - before installation in a car coffee machine. B - after installation in a car coffee machine.

In this case:

1 - Car coffee machine

2 - Capacity

3 - Holder

4 - Capsule

5 - Piercing element

6 - Puncturer

7 - Traction

8 - Hooks

9 - Lower support platform of the capsule nest

10 - Sealed bag of water

11 - Adhesive layer

12 - Stiffener

Implementation of a utility model

A beverage container 2, which contains a holder 3 for one capsule 4 at its upper portion, having a single opening of a shape and size suitable for inserting one capsule. The holder is equipped with a piercer 6, comprising a single piercing element 5, which has two rods 7 extending upward into additional openings in said holder and protruding therefrom, each rod having a hook 8 at its protruding end. When no force is applied to the rods, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, but when a pulling force is applied to the rods, the piercing element pierces the capsule.

When pressurized water is injected into the capsule through a puncture in the top of the capsule, the water, as it passes through the beverage extract, creates pressure within the capsule body. This pressure creates tension on the capsule body walls, which can cause it to stretch and thin. This can lead to rapid rupture of the capsule body and an explosive spray of hot water under pressure from the ruptured capsule body. Such a pressurized capsule explosion can damage the inside of the glass body, potentially causing hot liquid to splash onto the user. To reduce the likelihood of such a hazard, the claimed device includes a capsule seat with a lower support pad that provides support for the lower portion of the capsule. The pad is shaped like a flat ring, permanently connected via guides to any element of the claimed device. The lower support platform is provided with an opening that allows for piercing the lower part of the capsule and the flow of the finished drink from the lower puncture of the capsule into the glass, wherein the location of the opening corresponds to the location of the lower piercing element and is designed to allow access of the lower piercing element to the capsule.

The capsule holder's design, using a lower support pad, helps contain the water pressure entering the capsule, preventing its expansion. Because the lower support pad absorbs some of the water pressure, it prevents the capsule body from expanding, weakening, or rupturing, thereby increasing the safety of the device.

To prepare the beverage, water is forced under pressure through a substance contained in a capsule. To add water to the coffee machine, pour water from a bottle into the device. This requires opening the bottle, turning it upside down, and pouring the water into the device. In a moving vehicle, subject to shaking, braking, or abrupt maneuvers, this operation could result in water spilling onto the user or interior components. To reduce the risk of this hazard, the device contains the water used to prepare the beverage. However, water contained within the container could leak during transport from the production line to storage and/or from storage to use, or at any other stage of the device's operation. To reduce the risk of this hazard, the water is contained in a sealed bag.

The coffee machine is designed to receive water from a sealed bag using a receiving piercer, a pointed tube designed to pierce the lid and the sealed bag. The tube is lowered vertically to the bottom of the container, for example, by a lever or linear actuator, with the opening of the tube facing down and a pump drawing water out of the sealed bag. The water passes through the beverage preparation elements and, through the upper piercer, is fed into the capsule. After passing through the capsule filler, it flows into the container as the finished beverage.

When tilting the device while drinking, the liquid inside the device may press on the inserted capsule, causing the capsule to fall out of the capsule slot. This could result in the hot beverage leaking through the unsealed capsule slot onto the user. To reduce the risk of this hazard, the capsule holder is equipped with an adhesive layer located in the capsule contact area, designed to adhere the capsule to the capsule slot.

The adhesive used is a food-grade hot-melt adhesive, such as silicone adhesive, epoxy resin, or other solvent-free adhesives that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds, making them safe for food contact. The adhesive layer is pre-applied to the finished product in a continuous layer or in dots.

The presence of an adhesive layer on the capsule seat where it contacts the device prevents capsules from falling out of the capsule socket. The adhesive layer in the capsule-lid contact area secures the capsule in the socket, preventing it from falling out and increasing the safety of the device.

When pouring liquid into the claimed device, the upper piercer presses against the capsule located within the claimed device with significant force. This significant force is required due to the high water pressure generated by the coffee machine, which is necessary to force the water through the beverage extract contained within the capsule. The force exerted by the upper piercer against the capsule is transmitted from the capsule to the components of the claimed device and may cause damage to these components. This could result in splashing of hot liquid onto the user during the pouring process.

To reduce the likelihood of such a hazard, the claimed device is equipped with stiffening ribs located on any part of the claimed device, designed to increase the strength of the product and prevent its deformation and destruction. The stiffening ribs are implemented as localized thickenings of the product walls during the molding process of the claimed device (e.g., injection molding). The pressure generated by the upper piercer on the capsule is transferred to the elements of the claimed device reinforced by the stiffening ribs, reducing the likelihood of damage to the components of the claimed device, thereby increasing the safety of its operation.

The utility model works as follows.

The user can use a beverage container pre-packaged with a capsule corresponding to the beverage's recipe. Alternatively, the user can customize the container by inserting the appropriate capsules into the beverage container holder. It's important to note that the capsules are not punctured during installation.

The user then places the beverage container into the coffee machine, which, by moving the holder, punctures the capsules from below. The coffee machine also punctures the capsules from above.

Next, the coffee machine heats and forces water under pressure through the capsules into the container, according to the recipe, thus providing the user with a ready-made drink.

Claims (1)

A container for a single-component beverage, which in its upper part contains a holder for one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows one capsule to be installed in it, wherein the holder is provided with a piercer, which contains a piercing element, which has two rods, passing upward into additional holes in the said holder and protruding from it, wherein each rod contains a hook at its protruding end, wherein, when there is no effect on the rods, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when a pulling force is applied to the rods, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the capsule seat is provided with a lower support platform, which ensures a stop of the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains a sealed bag containing water for preparing the beverage, wherein the capsule holder is provided with an adhesive layer, located in the area of contact with the capsule, wherein the capsule holder is provided with stiffening ribs, located evenly along the perimeter of the holder.