WO2013050820A1

WO2013050820A1 - Capsule and method for making beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2013050820A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/000633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evans Santagiuliana
Original assignee: Taplast SRL
Current assignee: Taplast SRL
Priority date: 2011-04-04
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2013-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-04
Also published as: ITVI20110078A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) suited to contain a substance for making a beverage, comprising an area (3) suited to house the substance and at least one closing element (7, 8) of the housing area (3). Said capsule comprises breaking means (11; 40; 69) of the closing element (7, 8) suited to be inactive when said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) is in a first rest condition and suited to be active when said capsule (1; 21;. 31; 61; 81) is in a second operating condition. The invention also implements a method for making a beverage using said capsule.

Description

CAPSULE AND METHOD FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a capsule containing a substance for making beverages, suited to be accommodated in apposite apparatuses for making beverages.

In particular, the present invention concerns a capsule containing coffee powder suited to be used in systems for making espresso coffee.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

It is known that in the field of the preparation of beverages apparatuses are used that employ containers, commonly known as capsules, containing a portion of a substance suited to be used to obtain the desired beverage.

Said capsules are of the disposable type and therefore they are used for making a beverage and then thrown away.

Said capsules are inserted in a suitable housing seat in the apparatus and then a pressurized fluid is passed through the substance, in such a way that the desired beverage flows out of the apparatus.

The pressurized fluid is usually constituted by hot water or steam, properly generated in a suitable boiler provided in the apparatus.

A first known type of capsule is substantially constituted by a container in a plastic material inside which there is the base substance of the beverage to be obtained, like for example coffee powder or tea leaves, said container being closed by suitable closing elements at the level of two of its opposite side walls. A first type of closing element can be constituted by a breather element, for example a breather paper filter or a holed plastic film, which is applied to the container once the substance has been placed inside it.

The capsules constructed in this way are usually supplied in sealed packs, for example contained in plasticized packs, which are opened only at the moment of — se in-order-to-maintain-the-aroma-of the substance contained in the capsule as intact as possible.

Once the pack has been opened, the capsule is inserted in the apparatus in the apposite housing seat and then the pressurized fluid is forced to flow between the two side walls through the substance. The beverage obtained in this way is conveyed towards a suitable container, for example a glass or a cup.

The operation is performed successfully and thus a good beverage is obtained when the fluid flows as homogeneously as possible through the two side walls of the capsule.

Another type of closing element normally used is constituted by a non breathing or impermeable element (called sealing film) usually made of aluminium foil applied to the container, too. Compared to breather paper, this type of closing element makes it possible to maintain the aroma of the substance unchanged over time in the most effective way. When these capsules are used, furthermore, there is no need to use external containing packs, as they are sealed.

In fact, thanks to the use of this type of seal, the substance is contained in a substantially tight container. This type of capsule is also called sealed or tight capsule.

In order to be able to use said capsules of the sealed type, the apparatuses are provided, at the height of the housing seat, with suitable means for perforating the sealing film in order to create ducts for the passage of the fluid.

Said perforating means are preferably constituted by a plurality of needles that act on the side walls of the capsule once it has been inserted in the apposite housing seat.

The operation of said needles preferably takes place when the operator exerts pressure manually through a suitable lever mechanism that acts on a thrust element provided with said needles.

Once the sealing films have been perforated, the fluid for the preparation of the beverage is supplied. Said fluid passes through the container between the perforated sealing films and thus through the base substance, in such a way that the desired substance flows out of the apparatus.

The operation is performed successfully and thus a good beverage is obtained when the fluid flows as homogeneously as possible through the two side walls of the capsule, and this depends in particular on the ability of the machine's perforating means to perforate the sealing films.

A drawback posed by the capsules of known type is associated with the fact that the fluid does not flow through the capsule in a perfectly homogeneous manner. This is connected, in fact, to the characteristics of the closing elements, independently of whether they are permeable or impermeable.

Another drawback posed by the capsules of known type, in particular by the capsules with closing elements of the impermeable type, is constituted by the fact that the apparatus intended to use them must be provided with means for perforating the impermeable closing element and therefore a complex and/or expensive apparatus is required.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks typical of the known art at least partially.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a capsule ensuring that the passage of the fluid through the substance for preparing a beverage contained therein is more homogeneous compared to the capsules of known type, and thus to obtain a higher quality beverage.

It is another object of the invention to provide a capsule of the universal type, which can be used both in apparatuses provided with seal breaking means and in apparatuses not provided with said breaking means.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration that the object is to provide a capsule suited to contain a substance for making a beverage comprising an area suited to house said substance and at least one element for closing said housing area, the capsule being provided with breaking means of the closing element that are suited to be activated when the capsule is compressed in order to use it.

According to a first embodiment, the subject of the present invention is a capsule according to claim 1, meaning a capsule suited to contain a substance for making a beverage comprising an area suited to house said substance and at least one element for closing said housing area, the capsule comprising breaking means of said at least one closing element that are suited to be inactive in a first rest condition of said capsule and suited to be active in a second operating condition of said capsule.

The second operating condition of the capsule is preferably a condition of compression.

The capsule properly comprises deformation means suited to allow the breaking means and the closing element to mutually approach each other.

The deformation means preferably comprise an elastically yielding portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element is applied to an annular edge associated with the housing area, said annular edge being associated with the elastically yielding portion.

The breaking means preferably comprise at least one projecting element directed towards the closing element. Advantageously, the breaking means comprise a plurality of projecting elements directed towards the closing element and are distributed peripherally with respect to the closing element.

As an alternative, the breaking means comprise a plurality of projecting elements directed towards the closing element and distributed in such a way as to substantially occupy the entire area of the closing element towards which they are directed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the breaking means are interposed between the housing area and the closing element.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the breaking means are arranged outside the closing element with respect to the housing area.

The breaking means preferably comprise one or more pointed elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the capsule of the invention comprises at least one duct suited to place the area housing the substance in communication with the outside of the capsule in the second, compressed operating condition of the capsule.

Said duct is suitably associated with said breaking means.

The capsule preferably comprises two opposite closing elements for the housing area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the closing element is of the impermeable type.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the closing element is of the permeable type.

The capsule preferably comprises a container suited to define said housing area and said container comprises at least one controlled breaking area suited to be sound in the first rest condition of the capsule and suited to be broken in the second operating condition of the capsule, so as to create a communication way between the housing area and the outside of the capsule.

Advantageously, the controlled breaking area comprises a projecting element that protrudes from the external surface of the container.

In the second operating condition the projecting element properly comes to be arranged at least partially inside the container.

The projecting element is preferably defined between a base portion associated with the container and an end portion that projects with respect to the external surface of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at the level of the base portion of the projecting element, the container comprises a portion with reduced thickness. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at the level of the base portion of the projecting element, the container comprises a portion with lower mechanical hardness compared to the surrounding areas.

The projecting element is advantageously made in a single piece with the container.

The projecting element has preferably the shape of a truncated pyramid.

More preferably, the truncated pyramid shape has a substantially triangular base. In a variant embodiment of the invention, the projecting element is substantially cylindrical in shape.

The external surface of the projecting element preferably comprises at least one grooved portion intended to create said communication way between the housing area and the outside of the capsule.

The container is advantageously produced through a moulding process.

The controlled breaking area is preferably associated with a bottom portion of the container.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the capsule comprises several controlled breaking areas.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the controlled breaking areas are distributed on the container at equal distances.

Advantageously, the capsule substantially has the shape of a truncated cone. A second aspect of the invention concerns a method according to claim 14, meaning a method for making a beverage by making a fluid flow through a portion of a substance for the preparation of said beverage, said method including the following steps:

- preparing a capsule comprising an area suited to house said substance and at least one closing element of said housing area, said capsule comprising means for breaking said at least one closing element;

- exerting a force on said capsule so as to activate said breaking means and break said at least one closing element.

Said method is preferably implemented in an apparatus comprising a seat suited to house the capsule.

Advantageously, the step of exerting a force on the capsule comprises the step of compressing the capsule in the housing seat provided in the apparatus. The passage of the fluid in the portion of the substance for preparing the beverage properly comprises the step of making the fluid pass through the housing area of the capsule when this is inserted in the housing seat provided in the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be illustrated in the following description, with reference to the enclosed drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a capsule according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows the capsule of Figure 1 without the upper closing element;

- Figure 3 shows a sectional view of Figure 1 along line III-III;

- Figure 3 A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 3;

- Figure 4 shows the capsule of Figure 3 inserted in an apparatus for making a beverage in a first operating position;

- Figure 5 shows the capsule of Figure 3 inserted in an apparatus for making a beverage in a second operating position;

- Figure 5 A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 5;

- Figure 6 shows a variant embodiment of Figure 2;

- Figure 7 shows a perspective bottom view of Figure 6;

- Figure 8 shows a sectional view of Figure 6 along line VIII- VIII;

- Figures from 9 to 13 show different steps during use of the capsule of Figure

8;

- Figure 13 A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 13 ;

- Figure 14 shows a sectional view of a variant embodiment of the capsule of the invention;

- Figure 14A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 14;

- Figure 15 shows the capsule of Figure 14 in a special configuration for its embodiment;

- Figures 16 and 17 show the capsule of Figure 14 in two different operating conditions during its use;

- Figure 18 shows another variant embodiment of the capsule shown in Figure 2; - Figure 19 shows a perspective bottom view of Figure 18;

- Figure 20 shows a sectional view of Figure 18 along line XX-XX;

- Figures 21 and 22 show the capsule of Figure 20 in two different operating conditions during its use;

- Figure 22 A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 22;

- Figure 23 shows a perspective bottom view of a variant embodiment of the capsule of the invention;

- Figure 24 shows a sectional view of Figure 23 along line XXIV-XXIV;

- Figure 24A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 24;

- Figures from 25 to 28 show different stages during use of the capsule of Figure 24;

- Figure 28A shows an enlarged detail of Figure 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The capsule of the invention described here below is particularly suited to make espresso coffee.

It is clear that the inventive concept can be extended to any type of known capsules that are commonly used to make express beverages in general, like teas, infusions, cappuccinos etc.

Figures from 1 to 3 show a capsule 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 1 substantially comprises a container 2 that defines inside it an area 3 suited to house a base substance used for making a beverage.

The base substance, not shown in the figures, can be constituted for example by coffee powder in the case of espresso coffee, or tea leaves or other essences for making teas or infusions in general.

As is known, for the preparation of beverages a fluid, for example hot water, steam or milk, is passed through the substance in order to obtain the desired beverage that thus flows out of the apparatus.

The container-2 comprises a side surface 4, substantially in the shape of a truncated cone, delimited by two upper and lower closing areas 5 and 6.

The lower closing area 6 comprises a closing element 7. Said closing element 7 preferably comprises a film made of a permeable material, for example a layer of breather paper. In variant embodiments of the invention said closing element 7 may be constituted by other permeable materials, like for example a plastic film provided with small holes, a film provided with micro holes or a non-woven fabric with filtering characteristics.

The upper closing area 5 comprises a closing element 8. The closing element 8 may comprise a film in a permeable material, analogously to the description provided regarding the lower closing element 7, or it may comprise a film in an impermeable material, for example an aluminium layer, in which case the closure with be tight.

In particular, the closing element 8 is associated with an external annular edge 9 of the upper closing area 5.

The closing element 8 can be associated with the external annular edge 9 through connection means of the known type, for example by glueing with an adhesive substance, welding or induction.

The upper closing area 5 is provided with an internal annular edge 10 provided with a plurality of projecting elements 11, in the number of twelve in the embodiment illustrated herein, that extend from the internal annular edge 10 in the direction of the closing element 8, as is better visible in Figure 3.

The projecting elements 11 are preferably constituted by pointed projections, in the case at hand having the shape of a truncated cone, and preferably carried out in a single piece with the container 2. This can advantageously be obtained directly, during production of the capsule 1, for example when this is made of a plastic material and is obtained by means of a moulding process.

In construction variants of the invention, however, the number and shape of the projecting elements can be different. This choice can depend, for example, on the material of which the closing element 8 is made.

Between the peripheral annular edge 9 and the internal annular edge 10, the container 2 is provided with an intermediate shaped area 12, better visible in the detail shown in Figure 3A.

Said intermediate area 12 is elastically yielding, as will be shown further on in the present description. The yielding nature of said intermediate area 12 may be the result of the appropriate choice of the thickness of the area 12 itself, or of the use of a suitable material with resilient properties.

The use of the capsule 1 of the invention in a suitable apparatus A of the known type used for making beverages, in particular espresso coffee, is described here below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Only the part of the apparatus A intended to accommodate the capsule 1 is shown herein. The apparatus A comprises a first portion 50 provided with a seat 51 suited to accommodate the capsule 1 and a second portion 52 suited to lock the capsule 1 on the first portion 50 before use. The first portion 50 comprises an inlet channel 53 through which the fluid for making the beverage is supplied, said fluid being usually constituted by hot water and/or stream suitably produced by a boiler in the apparatus A. The second portion 52 comprises an outlet channel 54 suited to convey the ready beverage towards a receiving container, like for example a glass or a cup.

The preparation of the beverage requires first the insertion of the capsule 1 in the seat 51 in the first portion 50. Successively, the second portion 52 is moved near the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 4. In the apparatuses of the known type this operation is carried out by means of a suitable mechanical system, for example by operating a lever that displaces the second portion 52. The second portion 52 is then pushed towards the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 5.

During said step in which the second portion 52 is pushed towards the first portion 50, the external annular edge 52a of the second portion 52 comes to be arranged in contact with and thrusting against the peripheral annular edge 9 of the capsule 1, causing the deformation of the intermediate area 12, as shown in Figure 5A. At the same time, the closing element 8 is pressed and pulled peripherally downwards, thus causing it to come into contact with all the projecting elements 11 along the internal annular edge 10. Said pressure causes the closing element 8 to break at the level of said projecting elements 11. Said breaking effect is further amplified by the contact of the second portion 52 against the projecting elements 11 in said final closed condition.

In this closed condition of the apparatus A, shown in fact in Figure 5, the capsule 1 is ready for use. The successive step, in fact, consists in supplying the fluid from the inlet channel 53 towards the capsule 1, in order to make it pass through the substance contained inside it and to convey it outside through the outlet channel 54 in the form of a beverage.

The breakage of the closing element 8 at the level of the projecting elements 11 makes it possible to improve the passage of the fluid coming from the inside of the capsule 1 and to make the flow of the same fluid through the substance more homogeneous. This means improving the quality of the beverage that flows out of the apparatus.

This advantage is ensured, for example, when the closing element 8 is constituted by a permeable material, like for example breather paper. In fact the fluid, in addition to passing through the centre of the permeable layer, passes also through the breaking areas created at the level of the projecting elements 11.

The use of the capsule 1 is thus advantageous in all those apparatuses of the standard type that are intended for making beverages and use capsules provided with permeable closing elements, substantially in the apparatuses of the type shown in Figures 4 and 5.

However, the presence of the means for breaking the closing element 8 constituted by the projecting elements 11 advantageously makes it possible to use a closing element of the impermeable type, for example made of aluminium foil. In this case, in fact, the breaking areas in proximity to the projecting elements 11 create the passage ducts needed by the fluid coming from the inside of the capsule 1 to reach the outlet channel 54. Said ducts represent the only areas through which the fluid passes, the closing element 8 being impermeable.

A capsule 1 provided with a closing element 8 of the impermeable type can thus be used also in an apparatus A of the standard type as shown in Figures 4 and 5, normally used only with capsules with permeable closing elements. The apparatuses used with capsules with impermeable closing elements differ from the standard apparatuses used with capsules with permeable closing elements in that they are provided with their own means suitable for breaking the tight closing element, for example perforating needles, thus becoming more complex and expensive.

Owing to the above, thanks to the presence of the breaking means constituted by the projecting elements 11 and to the deformability of the intermediate area 12, the tight closing element 8 is automatically perforated during the positioning of the capsule 1 inside the apparatus A of the standard type.

Advantageously, therefore, the capsule 1 of the invention makes it possible to use a tight closing element for producing it and it can be used in apparatuses of any — type independently^'of^"whether^_or no tKey^"aTe >r ided with suitable means for breaking the closing element.

The capsule 1 of the invention is therefore of the universal type suited to be used in all the known types of apparatuses.

Figures from 6 to 8 show a capsule 21 according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 21 differs from the capsule previously described with reference to Figures from 1 to 3 due to the different configuration of the lower closing area 26.

The lower closing area 26 is tight and comprises a substantially annular bottom portion 27 carried out in a single piece with the side wall 4 and a centre projecting element 28 that is also carried out in a single piece with the bottom portion 27. Longitudinal grooves 29 are defined on the external surface of the projecting element 28.

The lower closing area 26 is tight, as already explained. Advantageously, this is obtained by making it through a plastic moulding process.

The centre projecting element 28 is carried out so that it can be released from the bottom portion 27 following a thrusting action exerted on the same towards the inside of the capsule 21, as will be explained in greater detail below. This can be obtained, for example, by defining a reduced thickness in the circular connection area 30 between the projecting element 28 and the bottom portion 27.

According to variant embodiments of the invention, however, at the level of the base of the projecting element the material of the container may have lower mechanical hardness than the surrounding areas, so that when the projecting element is pushed towards the inside of the capsule said areas will break and the projecting element can therefore be released from the bottom portion.

The use of the capsule 21 in an apparatus A for making beverages substantially of the same type as previously described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 is described below with reference to Figures from 9 to 13.

Regarding the upper closing area 5 and the action of the projecting elements 11, the description provided above applies.

The preparation of the beverage requires first the insertion of the capsule 21 in the seat 51 in the first portion 50 of the apparatus A, as shown in Figure 9. The projecting element 28 comes to be placed against the bottom 51a of the housing seat 51 in the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 10. Successively, the second portion 52 is moved near the first portion 50, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In particular, when the second portion 52 is pushed against the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 12, the projecting element 28 breaks and is thus released from the bottom portion 27, thus being arranged towards the inside of the capsule 21. Owing to the continuing thrusting action, as shown in Figure 13, the closing element 8 will break at the level of the projecting elements 11, according to the description provided above regarding the first embodiment of the invention. The presence of the grooves 29 on the external surface of the projecting element 28 defines a corresponding number of passage ducts between the seat 51 in the first portion 50 and the inside of the capsule 21, as schematically shown by the arrow in Figure 13 A.

In this closed condition of the apparatus A, shown in fact in Figure 13, the capsule 21 is ready for use. The successive step, in fact, consists in supplying the fluid from the inlet channel 53 towards the capsule 21, in order to make it pass through the substance contained inside it and to convey it outside through the outlet channel 54 in the form of a beverage.

In particular, the fluid coming from the inlet channel 53 reaches the inside of the capsule 21 passing through the ducts defined by the grooves 29.

Also in this case, therefore, the capsule 21 can be used in a standard apparatus without means for breaking tight elements.

In fact, thanks to the presence of the breaking means constituted by the projecting elements 11 on one side and of the projecting element 28 on the other side, the fluid passage ducts are automatically created on the two upper and lower closing areas 5, 26 during the positioning of the capsule 21 inside the apparatus A, as just described.

Advantageously, therefore, the capsule 21 of the invention makes it possible to use tight closing elements for producing it and it can be used in apparatuses of any type, independently of whether or not they are provided with suitable means for breaking the closing element.

The capsule 21 that is the subject of the invention is thus of the universal type and is suited to be used in all the apparatuses of known type, in addition to being completely tight, with the known advantages for the aroma, which is maintained over time, and the possibility to avoid using external sealing packages.

Figures 14 and 15 show a capsule 31 according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 31 differs from the capsule previously described with reference to Figures from 6 to 8 due to the different configuration of the upper closing area 35.

The upper closing area 35 comprises a closing element 8, either of the permeable type or of the impermeable type, and an elastically yielding closing element 39. The closing element 39 is provided with projecting elements 40 directed towards the closing element 8. The projecting elements 40 are preferably constituted by pointed projections, in the case at hand having the shape of a truncated cone, and each one of them is provided with a through hole 41, as shown in Figure 14A. The closing element 39 is advantageously hinged at the top to the side wall 4 of the capsule 31, as shown in Figure 15, in such a way as to favour the completion of the capsule 31 when the substance is placed inside it. Successively, the closing element 39 is brought to its position of use as shown in Figure 14, meaning the position in which it is integral with the side wall 4.

The use of the capsule 31 of the invention in an apparatus A for making beverages is described here below with reference to Figures 16 and 17.

The preparation of the beverage requires first the insertion of the capsule 31 in the seat 51 in the first portion 50. Successively, the second portion 52 is moved near the first portion 50. The second portion 52 is then pushed towards the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 17.

During this step in which the second portion 52 is pushed towards the first portion 50, the projecting element 28 is released from the bottom portion 27 and comes to be arranged towards the inside of the capsule 21, as previously explained concerning the embodiment described with reference to Figures from 6 to 8, thus forming the fluid passage ducts at the level of the grooves 29.

At the same time, the external annular edge 52a of the second portion 52 of the apparatus A pushes the closing element 39, deforming it and causing the perforation of the closing element 8 by the projecting elements 40.

Following said perforation, the inside of the capsule 31 housing the substance communicates with the fluid outlet channel 54 via the through holes 41 provided in the projecting elements 40.

In this closed condition of the apparatus A, shown in fact in Figure 17, the capsule 31 is ready for use. The successive stage in fact consists in supplying the fluid from the inlet channel 53 towards the inside of capsule 31, so that it passes through the substance contained inside it and is conveyed outside through the through holes 41 provided in the projecting elements 40 and the outlet channel 54 in the form of a beverage.

Advantageously, therefore, the capsule 31 of the invention makes it possible to use tight closing elements for producing it and it can be used in apparatuses of any type, independently of whether or not they are provided with suitable means for breaking the closing element.

The capsule 31 that is the subject of the invention is thus of the universal type, is suited to be used in all the apparatuses of known type and is completely tight, with the known advantages for the aroma, which is maintained over time, and the possibility to avoid using external sealing packages.

Figures from 18 to 20 show a capsule 61 according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 61 differs from the capsule previously described with reference to Figures from 1 to 3 due to the different configuration of the lower closing area 66.

The lower closing area 66 comprises a bottom 67 provided with through holes 68 and a plurality of projecting elements 69 that extend from the bottom 67 towards the outside of the capsule 61.

An annular edge 70 extends beyond the bottom 67. The annular edge 70 is associated with a closing element 7, not shown in Figure 19 for the sake of simplicity, which can be permeable or impermeable. It is preferably chosen of the impermeable type. A portion of the annular edge 70 is elastically yielding, as will be shown further on in the present description. The yielding nature of said portion may be the result of the appropriate choice of the thickness of the same portion, or of the use of a suitable material with resilient properties.

The projecting elements 69 are arranged on the bottom 67 of the lower closing area 66 so that they come to be distributed with respect to the closing element 7 towards which they are directed.

The use of the capsule 61 in an apparatus A for making beverages is described here below with reference to Figures 21 and 22.

The preparation of the beverage requires first the insertion of the capsule 61 inside the first portion 50 of the apparatus A, as shown in Figure 21. The annular edge 70 comes to be arranged against the walls of the bottom 51a of the seat 51 in the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 21. Successively, the second portion 52 is moved near the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 22. In particular, when the second portion 52 is pushed towards the first portion 50, the annular edge 70 becomes deformed and the pointed projecting elements 69 approach the closing element 7 until perforating it.

This results in the creation of a plurality of passage ducts from the bottom of the seat 51 towards the inside of the capsule 61. In this closed condition of the apparatus A, shown in fact in Figure 22, the capsule 61 is ready for use. The successive step, in fact, consists in supplying the fluid from the inlet channel 53 towards the capsule 61, in order to make it pass through the substance contained inside it and to convey it outside through the outlet channel 54 in the form of a beverage.

The fluid reaches the substance inside the capsule 21 passing through the holes 68 provided in the bottom 67 of the capsule 61 and then passes through the ducts created by the perforation of the closing element 7. From here the beverage is conveyed through the outlet channel 54 in order to be dispensed.

Also in this case, therefore, a standard apparatus without the means for breaking tight elements can be used.

In fact, thanks to the presence of the breaking means constituted by the projecting elements 11 on one side and by the projecting elements 69 on the other side, the fluid passage ducts are automatically created on the two closing areas 5 and 66 during the positioning of the capsule 61 inside the apparatus A, as just described. Advantageously, therefore, the capsule 61 of the invention makes it possible to use two tight closing elements for producing it and it can be used in apparatuses of any type, independently of whether or not they are provided with suitable means for breaking the closing element.

The capsule 61 that is the subject of the invention is thus of the universal type, is suited to be used in all the apparatuses of known type and is completely tight, with the known advantages for the aroma, which is maintained over time, and the possibility to avoid using external sealing packages.

Figures 23 and 24 show a capsule 81 according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 81 differs from the capsule previously described with reference to Figures from 1 to 3 due to the different configuration of the lower closing area 86.

The loweT^tos ng^~are^ made of the same material as the side surface 4.

The bottom 87 is provided with controlled breaking areas 88, four in the embodiment shown herein. The controlled breaking areas 88 are advantageously equally distributed on the bottom 87 of the lower closing area 86 and are thus substantially positioned at the vertices of a square.

Each controlled breaking area 88 comprises a projecting portion 89 that protrudes from the external surface 86a of the capsule in the lower closing area 86, as shown in Figure 24A.

The projecting portion 89 has substantially the shape of a truncated pyramid with triangular base.

At the level of the base of the projecting portion 89 the thickness of the wall W of the capsule is reduced with respect to the adjacent portions.

The particular shape of the projecting portion 89 and of the area with reduced thickness W is advantageously obtained directly, during the production of the capsule 81, for example through a moulding process.

The use of the capsule 81 in an apparatus A for making beverages is described here below with reference to Figures from 25 to 28.

Regarding the upper closing area 5 and the action of the projecting elements 11 , the description provided above applies.

The preparation of the beverage requires first the insertion of the capsule 81 in the seat 51 in the first portion 50 of the apparatus A, as shown in Figure 25. The projecting portions 89 come to be placed against the walls of the bottom 51a of the housing seat 51 in the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 26. Successively, the second portion 52 is moved near the first portion 50, as shown in Figure 27. In particular, when the second portion 52 is pushed towards the first portion 50, the thrusting forces are concentrated in the controlled breaking areas 88 and the projecting portions 89 are pushed towards the inside of the capsule 81. The areas W with reduced thickness are thus subjected to high stress and to breakage. The projecting portions 89 thus come to be arranged towards the inside of the capsule 81.

This results in the creation of a plurality of passage ducts, one per each controlled breaking area 88, from the bottom of the seat 51 towards the inside of the capsule 81.

In this closed condition of the apparatus A, shown in fact in Figure 28, the capsule 81 is ready for use.

The successive step, in fact, consists in supplying the fluid from the inlet channel 53 towards the capsule 81, in order to make it pass through the substance contained inside it and to convey it outside through the outlet channel 54 in the form of a beverage.

The fluid coming from the inlet channel 53 reaches the substance inside the capsule 81 passing through the ducts created by the breakage of the controlled breaking areas 88.

In fact, thanks to the presence of the breaking means constituted by the projecting elements 11 on one side and by the controlled breaking areas 88 on the other side, the fluid passage ducts are automatically created on the two closing areas 5 and 86 during the positioning of the capsule 81 inside the apparatus A, as just described.

Advantageously, therefore, the capsule 81 of the invention makes it possible to use tight closing elements for producing it and it can be used in apparatuses of any type, independently of whether or not they are provided with suitable means for breaking the closing element.

The capsule 81 that is the subject of the invention is thus of the universal type, is suited to be used in all the apparatuses of known type and is completely tight, with the known advantages for the aroma, which is maintained over time, and the possibility to avoid using external sealing packages.

The breakage of the container in the controlled breaking areas as described above is determined, as explained above, by the reduced thickness of the container in those same areas. In variant embodiments of the invention, however, said breakage can be obtained in a different manner. For example, at the level of the base of the projecting element the material of which the container is made may present lower mechanical hardness compared to the surrounding areas, so that when the projecting element is pushed towards the inside of the capsule said areas break.

Even though the invention has been described with reference to the enclosed drawings, upon implementation certain modifications may be made that shall all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they fall within the scope of the inventive concept expressed in the following claims.

In variant embodiments of the invention, for example, the shape of the container can be different, so that it can adapt to the different shapes of the seats for the capsules provided in the known apparatuses. Again, the materials used for making the capsule, meaning both the container and the closing elements, may be of different types and suited to the type of substance to be contained therein. More generally, it should also be underlined that all the parts can be replaced with other technically equivalent parts, that any material can be used, provided that it is compatible with the intended use, and that the various elements can have any size, depending on the needs.

It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to provide a capsule ensuring that the passage of the fluid through the substance for preparing a beverage contained therein is more homogeneous compared to the capsules of known type, thus obtaining a higher quality beverage.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

1. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) suited to contain a substance for making a beverage, comprising an area (3) suited to house said substance and at least one element (7, 8) for closing said housing area (3), characterized in that it comprises breaking means (11; 40; 69) of said at least one closing element (7, 8) suited to be inactive when said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) is in a first rest condition and to be active when said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) is in a second operating condition.

2. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to claim 1), characterized in that said second operating condition of said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) is a compression condition for said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81).

3. Capsule (1; 21 ; 31; 61; 81) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises deformation means (12; 70) suited to allow said breaking means (11; 40; 69) and said closing element (7, 8) to mutually approach each other.

4. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to claim 3), characterized in that said deformation means comprise an elastically yielding portion (12; 70).

5. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to claim 4), characterized in that said at least one closing element (7, 8) is applied to an annular edge (9; 70) associated with said housing area (3), said annular edge (9; 70) being associated with said elastically yielding portion (12; 70).

6. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said breaking means (11; 40; 69) comprise at least one projecting element directed towards said at least one closing element (7, 8).

7. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said breaking means (11 ; 69) are interposed between said housing area (3) and said at least one closing element (7, 8).

8. Capsule (31) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said breaking means (40) are arranged outside said at least one closing element (8) with respect to said housing area (3).

9. Capsule (31; 61) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one duct (41; 68) suited to place said area (3) housing said substance in communication with the outside of said capsule (31; 61) in said second compressed operating condition of said capsule (31; 61).

10. Capsule (31) according to claim 9), characterized in that said at least one duct (41) is associated with said breaking means (40).

11. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one closing element (7, 8) is of the impermeable type.

12. Capsule (21; 31; 81) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a container (2) suited to define said housing area (3) and in that said container (2) comprises at least one controlled breaking area (30; 88) suited to be sound when said capsule (21; 31; 81) is in said first rest condition and to be broken when said capsule (21; 31; 81) is in said second operating condition, so as to create a communication way between said housing area (3) and the outside of said capsule (21 ; 31 ; 81).

13. Capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) according to claim 12), characterized in that said controlled breaking area (30; 88) comprises an element (28; 89) that projects with respect to the outer surface (86a) of said container (2).

14. Method for making a beverage by having a fluid pass into a portion of a substance for preparing said beverage, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- preparing a capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) comprising an area (3) suited to house said substance and at least one closing element (7, 8) of said housing area (3), said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) comprising breaking means (11; 40; 69) of said at least one closing element (7, 8);

- exerting a force on said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81) so as to activate said breaking means (11; 40; 69) and break said at least one closing element (7, 8).

15. Method according to claim 14), characterized in that it is implemented in an apparatus (A) comprising a seat (51) suited to accommodate said capsule (1; 21; 31; 61; 81).