JP2022507576A - Capsules for food or beverage preparation with oversized membranes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule (1) for preparing a food or beverage, wherein the capsule (1) is pierced to inject fluid into the capsule (1), and a hollow body (2). A membrane (9) that covers the chamber (10), which is formed inside the main body (2) and contains raw materials, and the opening formed at the bottom end of the chamber (10). At the membrane and outside the chamber (10), the edges of the membrane are secured to the rim (12) surrounding the opening by a fixing means that forms a seal between the body (2) and the membrane (9). It includes an opening means arranged in the vicinity of the membrane (9), which is configured to open the membrane when the membrane is pressed against the opening means under opening pressure. The portion of the membrane (9) surrounded by the seal has an expanded surface area which is 110% to 140% of the area of the flat surface surrounded by the seal. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

The present invention relates to the field of food or beverage capsules comprising a hollow body containing raw materials for preparing food or beverage. In the field of food or beverage preparation, a single feed capsule for mixing raw materials contained within the capsule with a fluid supplied from a pressurizing source contained within the food or beverage preparation machine. , It is known to use single feed capsules. More specifically, such capsules are adapted for the preparation of food or beverage preparations by dissolution in fluid or extraction with fluid under preparation pressure. This includes coffee preparation (in which case the raw material is ground roasted coffee extracted in steam and / or hot liquid water), and dissolved in hot or cold water or milk. Includes the preparation of soluble or a mixture of soluble ingredients for preparing beverages such as instant coffee, hot chocolate, or soups or other dry edible products.

The principle of extracting and / or dissolving the contents of a closed capsule (ie, raw material) under pressure is known, and this principle typically inserts the capsule into the receptor or cavity of the machine. And, in general, by injecting a certain amount of pressurized water or other compatible fluid after puncturing the surface of the capsule with a puncture injection element such as a fluid injection needle attached to the machine. It consists of creating a pressurized environment inside to extract or dissolve the substance and then release the extracted or dissolved substance through the capsule.

Capsules for such food preparation applications, in particular for beverage preparation, have been developed and these capsules are the applicant's European Patent No. 1784344 (B1) or European Patent Application Publication No. 2062831. It is explained in and claimed in.

In short, such capsules are typically,
A hollow body that includes an injection wall that is impermeable to liquids and air, with the injection wall attached to the rest of the body (or made integrally with the body), eg. The hollow body, which is designed to be punctured by the injection needle of the machine,
A chamber and chamber containing a layer of ground roasted coffee to be extracted, or a soluble or mixture of soluble raw materials.
It is usually made of aluminum and includes a membrane that is located at the bottom end of the capsule and secured to the body.

The membrane closes the chamber to retain the internal pressure in the chamber as the pressurized fluid is introduced into the capsule.

The opening of the chamber for beverage delivery is achieved by increasing the pressure inside the chamber. This pressure is increased by introducing a pressurized fluid, such as water, into the chamber. When the internal pressure is sufficient, the membrane is opened upon contact with the opening means. The present invention relates to a capsule having an opening means inside the capsule, or in other words, a capsule having its own opening means activated by an increase in pressure of a fluid introduced into the capsule during beverage extraction. This type of capsule is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 1472156. The opening means is located inside the capsule, outside the chamber, near the membrane. Once sufficient pressure has been established within the chamber, the membrane is opened by rupturing in a direction that is pressed against the opening means. Beverages flow through the openings thus created.

The opening means is formed, for example, by a so-called "pyramid plate" containing raised and recessed elements. The membrane engages with the raised and recessed elements of the pyramid plate under the influence of increased pressure in the chamber of the capsule until the membrane ruptures and opens.

To provide a safe and reproducible pressure inside the capsule as the food or beverage product is prepared, and to work with the opening means to provide the membrane with an efficient filter function. Accurate engagement between the opening means and the membrane must be obtained.

In fact, the membrane must take the shape of the opening means as much as possible before opening. The exact engagement is that the membrane is a given percentage of the total area of the expanded surface of the opening means (ie, the surface of the opening means in the vicinity of the membrane before the pressure rise inside the capsule), eg at least 60%. It corresponds to the state of being deformed so as to cover.

However, the membrane must be made of a material of sufficient rigidity to allow the pressure to rise to the desired level inside the chamber. The membrane is generally made of aluminum. This material is convenient for forming membranes and its implementation in food or beverage capsules is well known. However, due to the mechanical properties of this material, it is not possible to significantly stretch the membrane before it ruptures.

Therefore, the present invention relates to capsules for food or beverage preparation configured to address the above-mentioned problems.

According to the present invention, it is a capsule for preparing a food or beverage.
A hollow body that is impermeable to liquids and air and is designed to be punctured to inject fluid into the capsule.
A chamber, which is formed inside the body and contains raw materials for preparing foods or beverages by dissolving in a fluid under pressure or extracting with a fluid under pressure.
A membrane that is secured to the body to hold pressure in the chamber, at least a portion of which covers an opening formed at the bottom edge of the chamber, which is the opening. Surrounded by a rim (12), the rim (12) is secured to the edge of the membrane by a fixing means that forms a seal between the body and the membrane.
Capsules comprising opening means located outside the chamber in the vicinity of the membrane, which are configured to open the membrane when the membrane is pressed against the opening means under opening pressure. Provided.

The portion of the membrane surrounded by the seal has an expanded surface area that is 110% to 140% of the surface area of the flat surface surrounded by the seal.

Therefore, the capsules according to the invention provide an additional surface area (compared to the prior art) for engaging the opening means without the membrane being stretched, or at least not significantly stretched. .. When a pressure above atmospheric pressure is established inside the chamber by the introduction of a fluid for food or beverage preparation under pressure, the membrane is pressed towards the outside of the chamber. Therefore, the membrane engages the opening means by protruding from the chamber before being elastically or plastically deformed.

The opening formed at the bottom end of the chamber can have an area of about 600 mm ² , while the portion of the membrane covering this opening has an expanded surface area of more than 750 mm ² .

The fixing means may be an adhesive seal band.

The membrane can be formed from a flat sheet having a rim that is longer than the rim margin surrounding the opening and exceeds the length of the rim rim of the opening. The length portions are evenly distributed along the perimeter of the opening rim.

The openings formed at the bottom edge of the chamber are substantially circular and the membrane is at the bottom edge of the chamber when pressure is established within the chamber (10) that exceeds the pressure outside the chamber. A dome can be formed on the opening formed in.

The portion of the membrane covering the opening formed at the bottom edge of the chamber may include a fold so that it is substantially flat when the pressures on both sides of the membrane are balanced. Under the influence of the pressure established in the chamber, the membrane folds can be at least partially unfolded.

One of the difficulties in practicing the present invention is to place the membrane on a smaller dimensional opening and the peripheral edge of the membrane to be a smaller sized fixed area, such as a rim surrounding the opening. It is a method of fixing to. Due to the use of adhesive seal bands such as heat seal lacquer, the edges of the membrane on such rims, even if the edges of the membrane are longer than the edges of the rim surrounding the opening. Can be fixed. The adhesive seal band material can be selected from known materials used in the food industry.

For example, by creating a small fold on the periphery of the membrane, its apparent length is reduced. The heat-sealed lacquer band adapts to the small irregularities formed by the folds at the periphery of the membrane, resulting in a liquidtight seal between the membrane and the body of the capsule.

If the membrane is secured to the body by a circular adhesive seal band, the membrane tends to take a dome shape inside the chamber of the capsule. To maximize the volume of the chamber, the membrane so constructed can be flattened by creating folds that are unfolded when high pressure is established inside the chamber.

The opening means can include (or be composed of) a plate having an upper surface facing the membrane, the upper surface forming or supporting a sharp element. The sharp element can be a pyramid or a truncated pyramid.

Plates with an upper surface supporting a truncated pyramid or other sharp puncture element, such a surface acts as a means of pressure diffusion and inside the capsule before membrane puncture (and opening) occurs. It has the effect of allowing the pressure of the fluid to rise sufficiently, thus providing an advantageous configuration. In cooperation with the membrane, this plate provides a filtering function to prevent raw materials such as ground roasted coffee from being delivered with the prepared beverage.

The portion of the membrane covering the opening formed at the bottom edge of the chamber can have a surface area of more than 60% of the area of the spread surface of the plate.

Such a configuration allows the membrane to engage precisely with the opening means, thereby allowing the membrane to accurately adapt to the shape of the opening means, thereby providing filter function. Efficient cooperation between the membrane and the opening means is brought about.

The membrane is made of, for example, aluminum or a laminated structure comprising an aluminum foil and a polymer layer. Alternatively, the membrane is made of, for example, a plastic with a metal coating. The membrane may contain pre-weakened spots.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to use a membrane having extremely high rigidity (having low elasticity or having no elasticity), while it is possible to surely obtain an accurate engagement between the membrane and the opening means.

The material forming the chamber can be at least one of aluminum, aluminum / plastic composites, aluminum / plastic / paper composites, and single-layer or multi-layer plastics.

Ingredients housed in the chamber can include ground roasted coffee extracted into steam and / or hot liquid water, or instant coffee, which is dissolved in hot or cold water or milk. Includes soluble or a mixture of soluble ingredients for preparing beverages such as hot chocolate, or soups or other dry edible products.

Further features and advantages of the invention are described in the description of currently preferred embodiments presented below with reference to the drawings and will be apparent from those descriptions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cross section of a capsule for preparing a food or beverage according to the prior art. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cross section of a capsule for preparing a food or beverage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a pyramid plate constituting an opening means that can be used within a capsule according to the present invention. It is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a capsule which shows the behavior of the membrane of the capsule by the prior art. It is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a capsule which shows the behavior of the membrane of the capsule by the prior art. It is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a capsule which shows the behavior of the membrane of the capsule by the prior art. Two alternative embodiments of the capsule according to the invention are shown in a diagram similar to FIG. 4a. Two alternative embodiments of the capsule according to the invention are shown in a diagram similar to FIG. 4a. The behavior of the capsule membrane according to the present invention when a high pressure is established inside the capsule chamber is shown in the same diagram as in FIG. 4b. The behavior of the capsule membrane according to the present invention when a high pressure is established inside the capsule chamber is shown in the same diagram as in FIG. 4c.

The capsule 1 of FIG. 1 includes a capsule body 2 made of a capsule wall portion 3. In the embodiment shown, the capsule body wall portion 3 has a substantially truncated cone shape.

The capsule wall portion 3 can be made of various materials. They can be made of aluminum, aluminum / plastic composites, or aluminum / plastic / paper composites. They can be made of hard or semi-hard thermoplastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The plastic can be in single-layer or multi-layered form. The capsule body may also be any suitable, such as, for example, coated paper, coated balls, eg, other materials containing cellulose fibers or starch, metals or alloys, glass, synthetic or natural rubber or elastomers, or combinations thereof. It can also be made of a type of impermeable material. The raw material is preferably selected from cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials, such as biodegradable materials, which have at least barrier properties against moisture and oxygen.

Depending on the material used, the manufacturing method can be thermoforming or injection. The manufacturing method can also include in-mold labeling for imparting specific barrier properties to capsules, for example by using film labels with moisture and oxygen barrier properties. Such an in-mold labeling method for making capsules is outlined in Applicant's European Patent Application Publication No. 2559636 (A1). Moisture and oxygen barrier properties of the vessel wall can be achieved with any kind of suitable material, such as a single-layer or multi-layered barrier thermoplastic plastic film, or aluminum, or paper, or a combination thereof. The capsule body wall portion 3 includes an upper opening and a lower opening.

The upper opening of the capsule body is closed by the upper injection wall 4 forming the top surface 5. The upper injection wall portion 4 can be welded onto the upper peripheral edge portion 6 of the capsule body wall portion 3.

Capsule 1 further comprises a bottom wall portion 7 having a pouring opening 8. The capsule further comprises a perforable membrane 9 made of, for example, aluminum. The film 9 is preferably made of a laminated structure containing an aluminum foil and at least a polymer layer. More specifically, the membrane 9 may include a sealing layer that allows the aluminum foil to be secured to the body of the capsule (eg, made of plastic). Optionally, a top layer of protective lacquer can be provided to prevent aluminum foil from damage caused by the aggressive powder particles of raw material contained within the capsule. The membrane 9 is fixed to the capsule body 2. Therefore, the chamber 10 defined by the main body wall portion 3, the injection wall portion 4, and the membrane 9 is formed inside the main body 2.

The film 9 is fixed to the main body 2 by the adhesive seal band 11. The adhesive seal band 11 provides a seal between the body 2 and the membrane 9.

More specifically, the chamber 10 is closed by the membrane 9 at its bottom end, and the bottom end of the chamber 10 includes an opening closed by the membrane 9. The opening at the bottom end of the chamber 10 is surrounded by the rim 12. The rim 12 extends in a plane parallel to the top surface 5 of the capsule and provides a flat surface for fixing the membrane 9. The adhesive seal band 11 is interposed between the rim 12 and the peripheral edge of the film 9.

The capsule 1 of the illustrated embodiment further comprises a rigid distributor wall 13 located between the injection wall 4 and the capsule lower compartment 14.

Preferably, the raw material contained within the capsule is located within the internal compartment 14, i.e., within the portion of the capsule chamber 10 between the distributor wall 13 and the bottom membrane 9.

However, it is also possible to place the same raw material over the entire volume of the chamber 10, or alternatively, two different raw materials can be separated from each other by the distributor wall 13.

The distributor wall portion 13 has a through hole. Their diameters are appropriately selected depending on the type of raw material contained in the capsule and the type of corresponding product preparation. If the distributor wall has a single hole, the flow of fluid through that hole will create a single jet with a strong mixing effect. This configuration is preferably a soluble powder in which the raw material contained within the capsule requires a strong vortex motion of the water injected into the capsule to improve the dissolution of the powder in water. Is selected for. Alternatively, for example, if the raw material housed in the capsule compartment is ground roasted coffee, the appropriate wetting of the coffee layer housed between the distributor wall 29 and the bottom wall 32 of the capsule. To ensure that, the distributor wall 13 has a plurality of holes that are evenly distributed over its surface.

The diameter of the pores is preferably smaller than the smallest particles of raw material, but sufficient to ensure proper flow of water through the rigid distributor wall 13. The diameter can typically be, for example, 10 μm to 3 mm, preferably 100 μm to 1 mm.

An opening means 15 is provided between the membrane 9 and the bottom wall portion 7. The opening means 15 has the overall shape of the plate, with the upper surface of the plate facing the membrane 9 and located in the vicinity of the membrane 9 inside the capsule body 2. The upper surface of the plate of the opening means engages the membrane with the opening means 15 by increasing the fluid pressure inside the capsule compartment, and is configured to perforate or tear the membrane 9 when the membrane is pressed against the opening means. , Forming a sharp element.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, which is shown in a similar diagram to FIG.

The general configuration of the capsule of FIG. 2 is the same as the general configuration of the capsule of FIG. 1, except for the membrane 9. Therefore, although the above detailed description of the capsule of FIG. 1 is applicable to the capsule of FIG. 2, it has the following differences.

Typically, the membrane 9 of the prior art capsule of FIG. 1 covers the opening at the bottom of the chamber 10 and forms a seal between the membrane 9 and the rim 12 (eg, made of heat seal lacquer). Made of flat aluminum foil (or compatible material foil) cut to the appropriate dimensions so that the membrane is fixed by a fixing means such as an adhesive seal band (made) so that it can be placed on the rim 12. Has been done. If the membrane 9 is not subject to pressure differences between the inside and outside of the chamber, the membrane is substantially flat.

According to the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, the portion of the membrane surrounded by the seal is an expanded surface that is 110% to 140% of the area of the flat surface surrounded by the seal. Has an area of. In other words, the portion of the membrane surrounded by the fixing means has a surface area that is 10% to 40% greater than the corresponding surface area of the prior art flat membrane shown in FIG. This means that the portion of the membrane 9 surrounded by the fixing means cannot be flat. If the seal formed by the adhesive seal band 11 is substantially circular, this portion of the membrane 9 may have the shape of a dome.

Similar to the prior art, the film 9 can be obtained as a flat aluminum (or other compatible material) foil. For example, if the rim 12 to which the membrane is fixed is circular, a circular membrane 9 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the rim 12 can be used. Therefore, the peripheral edge of the film 9 is longer than the peripheral edge of the rim 12 surrounding the opening. The extra length of the peripheral edge of the membrane can be evenly distributed along the peripheral edge of the rim 12. Specifically, in order to arrange the film 9 on the rim 12 having a smaller peripheral edge portion, a small folded portion can be formed on the peripheral edge portion of the film 9.

By using an adhesive seal band such as a heat seal lacquer as the fixing means, the liquid-tight seal can be provided in spite of the surface unevenness caused by the folded portion of the peripheral portion of the film 9.

As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4a-5d, the larger membrane surface area compared to the prior art capsules is when the food or beverage preparation fluid is injected into the chamber 10. When a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is established in the chamber 10, the membrane 9 will be useful for accurately engaging the opening means 15 and adapting to the opening means.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the opening means 15 corresponding to the opening means used in the capsule of FIG. The upper surface of the opening means 15 is shown in FIG. According to this embodiment, the opening means 15 for opening the membrane 9 consists of a disk having a recessed and raised element 16. The recessed and raised elements 16 have a pyramidal shape (more precisely, a slightly truncated pyramidal shape). In other embodiments, the recessed and raised elements have any other geometric shape that is designed to open the membrane, such as a conical shape. The smaller ridge elements 17 are also located in the space 18 between the pyramidal ridge elements 16.

This plate is preferably the space 18 between the pyramidal ridge elements 16 in order to drain the product formed by dissolution or extraction within the compartment 14 towards the consumer's cup when the membrane 9 is opened. It comprises a hole formed within (eg, at the top of a smaller raised element).

Since the membrane is engaged and pressed against the upper surface of the opening means, the membrane also has a filtering function for the prepared beverage.

The membrane must engage exactly with the opening means, specifically to provide regular openings such as pores or tears that are evenly distributed over the surface of the membrane in a reproducible manner. And also deformed and adapted to fit the pyramidal surface (or the surface of other opening elements) to provide a filter function to prevent raw material particles from being delivered with the food or beverage product. Must be stretched. To improve the reproducibility of the membrane opening, the membrane may contain pre-weakened spots. The pre-weakening spot can advantageously be arranged to align with the raised element of the opening means as the membrane engages with the opening means.

4a, 4b, and 4c show the behavior of the capsule membrane according to the prior art when a food or beverage product is manufactured.

FIG. 4a shows the bottom end portion of a capsule for food or beverage preparation prior to injecting fluid into chamber 10. The film 9 is fixed to the rim 12 formed by the wall portion 3 of the main body 2 by an adhesive seal band 11. Since the pressure is balanced between the inside of the capsule (chamber 10) and the outside of the capsule, no force due to the pressure difference is applied to the membrane 9. In this state, the outer surface of the film 9 (the surface of the film outside the chamber 10) faces the opening means 15 in the vicinity of the upper surface of the opening means 15.

In FIG. 4b, a fluid, typically water and / or water vapor, is introduced under pressure (ie, above atmospheric pressure) into the chamber 10 formed inside the capsule body 2. The pressure rises inside the chamber 10. This pressure is applied to the main body wall portion 3 and the film 10. More specifically, pressure is applied to the portion of membrane 9 that closes the opening surrounded by the rim 12. The pressure difference between the inside of the capsule (chamber 10) and the outside of the capsule, especially under the membrane 9, produces a distributed force over the membrane surface area closing the opening surrounded by the rim 12. This force presses the membrane 9 in the direction from the inside to the outside of the chamber 10. The membrane 9 engages with the opening means 15. As shown in FIG. 3b, since the film is made of a rigid material such as aluminum, the deformation of the film 9 is limited. More specifically, the increased surface area of the membrane, i.e., the ability of the membrane to be stretched before it ruptures, is limited. Therefore, the membrane fits only the apex portion of some of the raised elements of the opening means.

The pressure rises in chamber 10 with the introduction of fluid until the so-called opening pressure is reached. With the increase in pressure inside the chamber, the membrane is pressed against the opening means by the force generated by the pressure difference between the pressure inside the chamber 10 and the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber 10. An opening means that creates a mechanical stress effect on the membrane and therefore creates mechanical stress in the membrane material until the membrane material reaches its mechanical failure point and tears, or more generally breaks. The raised element 16 of the fifteen causes the membrane to open (ie, perforate, cut, or tear) as shown in FIG. 3c when the opening pressure is reached. The breakage of this material does not necessarily have to be in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of the membrane, it can also be in any other direction, from the inside of the capsule to the outside of the product. As long as a passage is created between the inside and outside of the capsule to allow flow, it does not necessarily have to span the entire thickness of the material. The obtained food or beverage product flows through the membrane 9 and the opening means 15 and is delivered by the pouring opening 8.

However, because the suitability of the membrane to the raised element is limited before the membrane is opened, the membrane may have irregular openings, which are on the surface of the membrane in contact with the opening means. It can be irregularly distributed and the membrane can rupture before it fits into the opening means (so that the pressure drops and the beverage has an undesired shape of the membrane opening. Pass through and flow). The membrane openings can also be different for each capsule. The filter function of the membrane 9 that cooperates with the opening means can be changed for each capsule. Particles of raw material housed in compartment 14 (or generally in chamber 10) can pass through membranes and opening means. With respect to coffee preparation, this can result in coffee with an unpleasant taste or texture.

Poor capsule-by-capsule reproducibility of membrane openings and their filter function can change the quality or taste of prepared food products or beverages, which is the pressure inside the chamber during beverage preparation. However, it may change from capsule to capsule, and the filter function of the membrane and opening means may be changed.

For comparison, FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d show the behavior of the capsule membrane according to the present invention when a food or beverage product is manufactured.

More specifically, FIGS. 5a and 5b show two alternative embodiments of the capsule according to the invention in a similar diagram to FIG. 4a, where FIGS. 5c and 5d show high pressure inside the capsule chamber. The behavior of the capsule membrane according to the present invention (eg, according to the embodiments of FIGS. 5a and 5b) when is established is shown in the same diagram as in FIGS. 4b and 4c.

FIG. 5a shows the bottom end of a capsule for food or beverage preparation prior to injecting fluid into chamber 10. The embodiment of FIG. 5a corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. The membrane 9 is surrounded by an adhesive seal band 11 that is larger than the flat surface surrounded by the adhesive seal band (ie, in this case larger than the opening at the bottom edge of the chamber 10). Has a part that is. The membrane 9 forms a dome above the opening.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5b, as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 5a, the membrane has an apparently flat shape above the opening at the bottom end of the chamber 10 (preparation of food or beverage product). It is folded in the initial state (before). The folded portion of the membrane may have a fixed or irregular configuration. The apparent flat shape of the membrane 9 increases the available space for the raw materials inside the chamber 10.

In FIG. 5c, similar to FIG. 4b, a fluid such as water and / or water vapor is introduced under pressure (that is, under pressure above atmospheric pressure) into the chamber 10 formed inside the capsule body 2. .. The pressure rises inside the chamber 10. This pressure is applied to the main body wall portion 3 and the film 10. The pressure difference between the inside of the capsule (chamber 10) and the outside of the capsule, especially under the membrane 9, creates a distributed force over the membrane surface closing the opening surrounded by the rim 12. This force presses the membrane 9 in the direction from the inside to the outside of the chamber 10. The membrane 9 therefore engages with the opening means 15.

The configuration of the membrane within the capsule according to the invention provides an additional surface for the membrane's fit to the shape of the raised element 17 of the opening means (or, generally speaking, for the membrane's fit to the shape of the opening means). Provided. Compared to the capsule membrane of the prior art, the capsule membrane 9 according to the invention can penetrate deeper into the space 18 between the pyramidal ridge elements 16. This membrane covers the surface of the surface of the opening means facing the membrane in a higher proportion. For example, the membrane 9 can be sized to obtain a coverage of more than 60%, preferably more than 70% of the surface of the membrane before it opens.

In the capsules according to the invention, the adaptation of the membrane to the shape of the opening means is more regular over the entire surface of the membrane (or more precisely, over the surface of the portion of the membrane facing the opening means).

As shown in FIG. 5d, the pressure rises in chamber 10 with the introduction of fluid until the opening pressure is reached. The membrane is pressed against the opening means by the force generated by the pressure difference between the pressure inside the chamber 10 and the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber 10. Upon reaching the opening pressure, the sharp design of the raised element 16 of the opening means 15 causes the membrane to open (ie, drill, cut, or tear) as shown in FIG. 5c. The resulting food or beverage product flows through the membrane 9 and the opening means 15 and is properly filtered by these means to provide an excessive amount in the product delivered by the pouring opening 8. The presence of raw material particles is avoided.

A better membrane fit to the shape of the opening means can provide regular openings over the entire surface of the membrane in contact with the opening means. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the post-opening membrane exhibits a uniformly distributed opening formed by the apex of each pyramidal opening element. This also results in a constant and therefore more predictable pressure inside the chamber 10 when the food or beverage is prepared on a capsule-by-capsule basis. The cooperation between the membrane and the opening means provides an effective filter function. Ultimately, a certain quality and taste of the product is brought about.

It should be appreciated that various changes and modifications to the current preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its associated advantages. Therefore, such changes and amendments are intended to be included in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

Capsules for food or beverage preparation
A hollow body (2) that is impermeable to liquids and air and is punctured to inject fluid into the capsule.
A chamber (10) formed inside the body (2) and containing raw materials for preparing a food or beverage by dissolving in the fluid under pressure or extracting with the fluid under pressure. )When,
A membrane (9) fixed to the body (2) to hold pressure in the chamber (10), at least a portion of the membrane (9) is the bottom end of the chamber (10). It covers an opening formed in the portion, the opening is surrounded by a rim (12), and the rim (12) is provided between the main body (2) and the film (9). The edge of the membrane (9) is fixed by a fixing means for forming a seal on the membrane.
An opening means (15) located outside the chamber (10) in the vicinity of the membrane (9) when the membrane (9) is pressed against the opening means (15) under opening pressure. In the capsule (1) provided with the opening means (15) configured to open the membrane (9).
The portion of the film (9) surrounded by the seal has an expanded surface area which is 110% to 140% of the area of the flat surface surrounded by the seal. ,capsule. The opening formed at the bottom end of the chamber (10) has an area of about 600 mm ² , while the portion of the membrane (9) covering the opening is more than 660 mm ² , preferably more than 660 mm 2. The capsule according to claim 1, which has an expanded surface area of more than 750 mm ² . The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing means is an adhesive seal band. The film (9) is formed of a flat sheet having a peripheral edge having a length larger than that of the peripheral edge of the rim (12) surrounding the opening, and is formed of the rim (12) of the opening. Claims 1 to 1, wherein the peripheral length portion of the film (9), which exceeds the peripheral length, is evenly distributed along the peripheral edge of the opening rim (12). The capsule according to any one of 3. The opening formed in the bottom end of the chamber (10) is substantially circular, and the pressure of the membrane (9) to exceed the pressure outside the chamber (10) is the chamber (10). 10. The aspect of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a dome is formed on the opening formed in the bottom end of the chamber (10) when established within 10). Capsule. The portion of the membrane (9) covering the opening formed in the bottom end of the chamber (10) is substantially flat when the pressures on both sides of the membrane (9) are balanced. 1-5, wherein the folded portion is included so as to be, and the folded portion of the film (9) can be expanded at least partially under the influence of the pressure established in the chamber (10). The capsule according to any one of the above. One of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening means (15) includes a plate having an upper surface facing the film (9), the upper surface forming or supporting a sharp raised element (16). The capsule described in item 1. The capsule according to claim 7, wherein the raised element (16) is a pyramid or a truncated pyramid. Claimed that the portion of the membrane (9) covering the opening formed in the bottom end of the chamber (10) has a surface area of more than 60% of the area of the expanded surface of the plate. The capsule according to 7 or 8. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the film (9) is made of aluminum or is made of a laminated structure containing an aluminum foil and a polymer layer. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the film (9) is made of a plastic having a metal coating. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the membrane comprises a pre-weakened spot. 1. The material forming the chamber (10) is at least one of aluminum, an aluminum / plastic composite, an aluminum / plastic / paper composite, and a single-layer or multi-layer plastic. The capsule according to any one of 12 to 12. Instant coffee in which the raw material contained in the chamber (10) contains ground roasted coffee extracted into steam and / or hot liquid water, or is dissolved in hot or cold water or milk. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises a soluble raw material or a mixture of soluble raw materials for preparing a beverage such as hot chocolate, or a soup or other dry edible product.

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