RU239065U1 - A container for a single-component beverage, containing a flexible element in the upper part and equipped with a positioner, water, an adhesive layer, and stiffeners - 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 flexible element that passes into a holder of one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows for the installation of a capsule in it, wherein by means of the said flexible element the holder can move from its upper position to its lower position, wherein the container is provided with a piercer containing one piercing element, which is located inside the container and attached to the inner part of the container, wherein the piercer is located in such a way that, when the holder is in its upper position, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when the holder is in its lower position, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the piercer is provided with a capsule positioner, the internal shape of which repeats the external shape of the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains 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 flexible element that goes into a holder for one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows a capsule to be installed in it, wherein by means of the said flexible element, the holder can move from its upper position to its lower position, wherein the container is provided with a piercer containing one piercing element, which is located inside the container and attached to the inside of the container, wherein the piercer is located in such a way that when the holder is in its upper position, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when the holder is in its lower position, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the piercer is provided with a capsule positioner, the internal shape of which repeats the external shape of the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains 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 around the perimeter 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 - Flexible element

4 - Holder

5 - Capsule

6 - Piercing element

7 - Puncturer

8 - Positioner

9 - Water

10 - Adhesive layer

11 - Stiffener.

Implementation of a utility model

The beverage container 2 comprises a flexible element 3 at its upper portion, which extends into a holder 4 for a single capsule 5, which has a single opening of a shape and size suitable for inserting a capsule. By means of said flexible element, the holder can be moved from its upper position to its lower position. The container is equipped with a piercer 7, comprising a piercing element 6, which is located within the container and attached to the interior of the container. The piercer is positioned such that when the holder is in its upper position, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when the holder is in its lower position, the piercing element pierces the capsule.

When moving the capsule from the upper position to the lower position, the capsule may become tilted, as a result of which the puncture of the lower part of the capsule may not occur, which will lead to splashing of water supplied through the puncture in the upper part of the capsule through the connection of the upper piercer with the capsule, or a rupture of the water lines of the beverage preparation device may occur.

This situation creates a risk of hot water splashing onto the user.

To reduce the likelihood of such a hazard, the lancing device is equipped with a positioner attached to the lancing device. The internal shape of the positioner matches the external shape of the lower portion of the capsule. This positioner is designed to position the capsule as it moves from the upper to the lower position and is pierced. This positioner prevents the capsule from becoming distorted and ensures that the lower portion of the capsule is pierced, increasing the safety of the device.

To prepare the drink, water is forced under pressure through a substance contained in a capsule. To add water to the coffee machine, you need to pour water from a bottle into the device. This involves opening the bottle, turning it upside down, and pouring the water into the device. In a moving vehicle, where there may be shaking, braking, or sudden maneuvers, this operation could result in water spilling onto the user or interior components of the vehicle. To reduce the risk of this hazard, the device contains water from which the drink is prepared.

The coffee machine is designed to receive water from the container using a receiving piercer, a pointed tube designed to pierce the lid. The piercer is lowered vertically to the bottom of the container, for example, by a lever or linear actuator, with the opening of the tube facing downwards, and a pump draws water out of the container. The water passes through the beverage preparation components 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, containing in its upper part a flexible element, which passes into a holder of one capsule, which has one opening, the shape and size of which allows for the installation of a capsule in it, wherein by means of the mentioned flexible element the holder can move from its upper position to its lower position, wherein the container is provided with a piercer, containing one piercing element, which is located inside the container and attached to the inner part of the container, wherein the piercer is located in such a way that, when the holder is in its upper position, the piercing element does not interact with the capsule, and when the holder is in its lower position, the piercing element pierces the capsule, wherein the piercer is provided with a capsule positioner, the internal shape of which repeats the external shape of the lower part of the capsule, wherein the container contains 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.