WO2019171287A1

WO2019171287A1 - Capsule for the preparation of beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2019171287A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/051803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Bartoli; Davide CAPITINI
Original assignee: Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2018-03-06
Filing date: 2019-03-06
Publication date: 2019-09-12
Also published as: IT201800003319A1

Abstract

A capsule (1) for preparing a beverage comprises a glass- or cup-shaped body (2) comprising in turn: a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4) defining an open cavity (5) and a flange (6) connected to the side wall (4) and extending around an opening (7) of the cavity (5); a filtering element (8) adapted to contain an initial product for preparing the beverage, the filtering element (8) being fixed to the flange (6); the side wall (4) comprising in its inner surface (14) a plurality of grooves (15) alternating to a plurality of reliefs (16), wherein the grooves (15) and the filtering element (8) delimit channels (17) for the passage of the beverage obtained by a dispensing fluid introduced into the capsule (1) and passing through the filtering element (8).

Description

Capsule for the preparation of beverages

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule, or a similar container, provided with an inner filter adapted to contain a product for preparing a beverage, for instance coffee, tea or other beverages.

[0002] They are known disposable, sealed capsules, with a filtering element or inner filter, comprising an outer container or casing, made of plastic material, glass- or cup shaped, provided with a bottom wall and a side wall defining an open cavity. The upper opening of the latter is air-tightly closed by a cover element such as to seal inside the cavity of the casing the filtering element containing the product from which the beverage is obtained. The cover element and the bottom wall of the container are generally pierceable to allow the introduction of a liquid under pressure, typically water, (typically through a hole made on the cover element) and the extraction of the beverage obtained by percolation of the aforesaid liquid through the product (typically through a hole made on the bottom wall).

[0003] The filter, which is shaped so as to form a respective upwardly-open cavity to contain the product, is welded to the side wall of the container at one upper peripheral edge thereof.

[0004] In known capsules, the filter divides the inside of the container into one first upper chamber containing the product and accessible through the upper opening of the container (to allow its filling) and a second lower chamber, comprised between the filter and the bottom wall and/or the side wall of the container, which receives the beverage obtained from the product.

[0005] When a liquid under pressure is introduced into the capsule for preparing the beverage, the filter expands, as a result of the liquid pressure. In order to prevent the filter from adhering, by expansion, to the side wall and/or to the bottom of the capsule, thereby hindering the beverage delivery, the filter dimensions are selected such that the expansion caused by the liquid pressure introduced into the capsule does not lead the filter to adhere to the side wall and/or to the bottom of the capsule.

[0006] This precaution, however has the drawback of considerably reducing the volume available for the product to be contained within the filter, and consequently the quality of obtainable beverage, with the same capsule external dimensions.

[0007] The present invention intends to provide a capsule provided with an inner filter adapted to contain a product for preparing a beverage, in which the filter dimensions are maximized, the capsule having the same external dimensions, such that the volume of the filter inner cavity is also maximized for the filter within which a product for preparing a beverage is inserted.

[0008] The present invention also intends to provide a capsule configured such that the filter does not represent an obstacle for the beverage delivery, even if it contacts the side wall and/or the bottom of the capsule, expanding as a result of the liquid under pressure introduced into the capsule.

[0009] The object of the present invention is reached by a capsule according to one or more of the enclosed claims.

[0010] Owing to the invention, it is possible to introduce into the capsule an amount of substance for preparing a beverage greater than the amount which can be introduced in a known capsule of the state of the art, the capsule external dimensions being the same.

[0011] This allows to obtain, if compared to the capsules of the state of the art, a greater amount of beverage, with a capsule having the same external dimensions, with significant space being saved in packaging and storing the capsules according to the invention.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages will result from the following exemplary and non-limiting description of some embodiments of a capsule according to the present invention, referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a view from below of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is an elevation view of the capsule of Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 3 is a section of the capsule of Figures 1 and 2, according to line III-III of Figure 1;

[0016] Figure 4 is a section of the capsule of Figure 1 and 2, according to line IV-IV of Figure 2;

[0017] Figure 5 is a section of a detail of Figure 1, referred to as V in Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of Figure 4, referred to as VI in Figure 4, before introducing a liquid under pressure into the capsule;

[0019] Figure 6a is the same detail of Figure 6, but after introducing a liquid under pressure into the capsule;

[0020] Figure 7 is a view from below of a second embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 8 is an elevation view of the capsule of Figure 7; [0022] Figure 9 is a perspective view from below of the capsule of Figures 7 and 8;

[0023] Figure 10 is a view from below of a third embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 11 is an elevation view of the capsule of Figure 10;

[0025] Figure 12 is a perspective view from below of the capsule of Figures 10 and 11;

[0026] Figure 13 is a view from above of a fourth embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention devoid of the filtering element;

[0027] Figure 14 is a section of the capsule of Figure 13, according to the plane XIV-XIV in Figure 13.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a capsule 1, usable in a beverage dispensing machine, comprises a body 2, substantially glass-or cup-shaped, comprising in turn a bottom wall 3 and a side wall 4 defining an open cavity 5 within which a filtering element 8 is housed, arranged to contain an initial product, for example a food product, to be joined to a dispensing fluid, typically water, such as to obtain a final product. The final product can be a beverage, such as for instance tea or coffee or other beverages.

[0029] The body 2 further comprises an annular- shaped flange 6, substantially flat, connected to the side wall 4, arranged around the opening 7 of the cavity 5 and extending radially from the side wall 4 towards the outside.

[0030] The filtering element 8 is shaped such as to realize a respective cavity 9 upwardly open to receive and contain the final product and comprises an edge 13 which delimits circumferentially its own upper opening 10. The filtering element 8 is fixed to the body 2 at the flange 6 through its own edge 13, which is arranged at least partially overlapped to the flange 6 onto which it is fixed in a known way.

[0031] The filtering element 8 divides the cavity 5 in one first upper chamber 11, accessible through the upper opening 10 to be filled with the initial product, and a second lower chamber 12, comprised between the filtering element 8 and the bottom wall 3 and/or the side wall 4 of the body 2, arranged to receive the final product, such as for instance the beverage.

[0032] The filtering element 8 comprises a glass-shaped body or basket and it can be flexible or rigid.

[0033] The flexible-type filtering element 8 is for instance made of recyclable or compostable material of the known type, in particular of a non-tissue material containing plastics fibres. [0034] The rigid-type filtering material 8 is on the contrary a rigid body, that is a self bearing rigid body, perforated or in any case provided with pass-through openings, for instance made of recyclable or compostable material, in particular obtained by thermoforming of plastic material.

[0035] The cavity 5 can be closed by a cover, not shown in the figures, for instance composed of a pierceable film fixed to the flange 6 in a known way. When the cover is applied to the flange 6, the edge 13 of the filtering element 8 is therefore interposed between the cover and the flange 6 itself.

[0036] The capsule cover 1 can be pierced by injection means of a dispensing machine to allow the introduction of the dispensing fluid, typically water, at a certain pressure, with which the beverage is prepared.

[0037] The bottom wall 3 can be also pierced by extraction means of the dispensing machine which allow the product to pass from the second chamber 12 outwardly of the capsule 1 and thus allow the beverage delivery.

[0038] In the hereinafter description, the elements and/or characteristics related to a version of the capsule can be present in all the other versions as far as they are compatible or not directly excluded or referred to as alternatives. Furthermore, structurally or functionally similar elements in the various versions will be referred to with the same reference numbers.

[0039] The internal surface 14 of the side wall 4 includes a plurality of grooves 15 alternating with a plurality of reliefs 16 which extend from a zone closer to the flange 6 until the bottom wall 3.

[0040] Referring to Figure 6a, the grooves 15 and the filtering element 8 delimit channels 17 for the passage of the beverage or final product obtained by the dispensing fluid introduced in the capsule outflowing from the filtering element 8.

[0041] The grooves 15 are tapered between an upper larger portion and a lower narrower portion, the upper portion being closer to the flange 6 and the lower portion being closer to the bottom wall 3. By contrast, reliefs 16 have a smaller width in an upper region near the flange 6 and a larger width in a lower region near the bottom wall 3. In not illustrated versions, the upward or downward tapered shape of reliefs and grooves can be opposite to the illustrated one, i.e. the reliefs have larger width in the upper region and smaller width in the lower region.

[0042] Internal channels and reliefs are related to analogue and complimentary external channels and reliefs, therefore an internal groove is related to an external relief and vice versa. In other words, the side wall 4 has a wavy-wall shape, in particular with uniform waves, i.e. wherein grooves and reliefs have an average width substantially equal between them.

[0043] Referring to the internal surface 14, grooves 15 and reliefs 16 are sized in such a way as to check the beverage preparation and delivery conditions within the capsule. In particular, the average height Hm of reliefs 16, i.e. the average distance measured in the radial direction between the top 20 of a relief 16 and a bottom 21 of a groove 15 adjacent to such relief 16, is not less than 1/6 of the average width Lm of the groove 15 itself, where the average width Lm is the average distance measured in the circumferential direction between the two end sides of a same groove 15. In particular, the average height Hm of reliefs 16 is greater than or equal to 1/3 of the average width Lm of the groove 15 itself.

[0044] For instance, considering an average width Lm of the grooves of 1.6 mm, the average height Hm of reliefs 16 can be for instance of about 0.55 mm. In this case, for an average body 2 diameter of 36 mm, considering grooves and reliefs of equal average width, the number of grooves/reliefs present on the side wall is of 36 grooves/reliefs.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6 and 6a, reliefs 16 serve as contact zones for the wall of the filtering element 8.

[0046] In case the filtering element 8 is flexible, the average dimensions Hm, Lm of reliefs 16 and groves 15 prevent the filtering element 8, which expands as a result of the dispensing fluid pressure, from adhering to the side wall 4 of the capsule 1, hindering the delivery of the beverage. In fact, as shown in Figure 6a, when a liquid under pressure is introduced into the capsule 1, the wall of the filtering element 8 tends to approach the side wall 4, however the dimensions of grooves 15 and reliefs 16 are such that the wall of the filtering element 8 is prevented from laying completely on the internal surface 14. Channels 17 are thus free for the passage of the liquid under pressure.

[0047] If the filtering element 8 is rigid, grooves 15 and reliefs 16 having pre- established dimensions ensure a passage always free for the dispensing fluid and thus allow a definite control on the pressure for preparing and dispensing the beverage. Furthermore, in both versions with the flexible-type or rigid-type filtering element 8, the average diameter of the body 2 of the capsule 1 being equal, the volume available for the product which is to be contained within the filtering element 8 can be greater than that of a capsule of the known-type as the expansion of the filtering element 8 is no longer a limiting aspect on the dimension of the filter.

[0048] With the capsule 1 internally provided with some grooves 15 and reliefs 16, the quantity of beverage that can be obtained, the capsule external dimensions being equal, is greater, because the filtering element 8 can have an initial greater volume and can thus house a greater quantity of initial product.

[0049] By contrast, the volume of the filtering element 8 being equal, the capsule 1 provided with grooves 15 and reliefs 16 can have smaller average dimensions than a capsule of the known-type.

[0050] Furthermore, reliefs 16 act as stiffening ribs which strengthen the side wall 4 of the capsule, making it more stable and less susceptible to deformation when, while being used, it undergoes a certain compression by the dispensing machine in particular when the cover and the bottom wall 3 are pierced.

[0051] In one version, the filtering element 8 is not only fixed to the flange 6 but also to the inner surface 14 of the side wall 4 at one or more reliefs 16. In the version where the body 2 and the filtering element 8 comprise a thermo-weldable material, the filtering element 8, whether it is flexible or rigid, can be fixed to reliefs 16 by thermo -welding or by ultrasonic welding techniques.

[0052] The capsule 1 can comprise inner protrusions also in the bottom wall 3, which in this case is not completely flat.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1 and to other Figures which show in plan view external walls of the body 2, assuming that externally visible reliefs and depressions correspond to complimentary depressions and reliefs arranged inside the cavity 5, elements on the inner walls of the body 2 will be indicated at external elements complimentary thereto. Inner elements will be indicated on corresponding external elements but by a reference dotted line. As regards Figure 1, it will be considered as if it was a view from above of the capsule, without the cover element and the filtering element 8.

[0054] An inner face 22 of the bottom wall 3 comprises a plurality of radial projections 26 radially extending from a peripheral zone 23 of the inner face 22 to a central zone 24 of the inner face 22, such central zone 24 being able to comprise a portion of relief 25 in the form of a cylinder relief arranged in the middle of the inner face 22.

[0055] Radial projections 26 on the bottom wall 3 extend along radii of capsule 1 corresponding to determined reliefs 16 of the side wall 4, such as to define ribs for the bottom wall 3 matching with corresponding ribs of the side wall 4. The number of radial ribs 26 is for instance lower than the relief 16 one, in particular a radial projection 26 is provided every two reliefs 16, so that on the side wall 4 a relief 16 having continuity with a radial projection 26 alternates to a subsequent relief 16 terminating into the side wall 4 without proceeding in the bottom wall 3. The radial projections 26 are thus angularly equidistant between them. The radial projections 26 have width T substantially equal to the one of reliefs 16 at the lower region. Furthermore, the width T is substantially constant along the radial direction proceeding from the peripheral zone 23 to the central zone 24. Obviously, in embodiments not shown, radial projections 26 can have variable width along the radial direction, for example reducing from the peripheral zone 23 to the central zone 24.

[0056] Between two angularly consecutive radial projections 26 a radial channel 27 is therefore defined wherein the final product is gathered, before exiting from the capsule 1 through one or more holes made on the bottom wall 3 by the dispensing machine extraction means. Each radial channel 27 has lower width near the central zone 24 and greater width near the peripheral zone 23.

[0057] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the average height Zm of radial projections 26 with respect to the bottom of radial channels 27 is substantially equal to the average height Hm of the reliefs 16 on the side wall 4. In embodiments not shown, such average height Zm of radial projections 26 can be different from Hm, for instance greater or lower.

[0058] Referring also to Figure 1 and Figure 3, the portion of relief 25 comprises a plane surface 30 which is at a height from the bottom of the radial channels 27 substantially equal to the average height Zm of radial projections.

[0059] Similarly to reliefs 16, the radial projections 26 too and/or the portion of relief 25 serve as contact zones of the wall of the filtering element 8, in particular for a base portion 28 of the filtering element 8. The filtering element 8 can for instance stand on the radial projections 26.

[0060] If the filtering element 8 is flexible, the radial projections 26 and/or the portion of relief 25 prevent the filtering element 8, which expands as a result of the pressure of the dispensing fluid, from adhering to the bottom wall 3 of the capsule 1, hindering the beverage delivery. As a matter of fact, as shown in Figure 5 when a liquid under pressure is introduced into the capsule 1, the base portion 28 of the filtering element 8 tends to approach to the bottom wall 3, however the dimensions of the radial projection 26 are such as to prevent the filtering element 8 from laying completely on the inner face 22. Radial channels 27 remain thus free for the passage of the beverage, which is formed by the liquid under pressure which has passed through the initial product and the wall of the filtering element 8.

[0061] If the filtering element 8 is rigid, radial projections 26 and/or the portion of relief 25 ensure free passages for the beverage and thus allow a definite monitoring on the pressure for preparing the beverage and the dispensing speed.

[0062] In both versions with the flexible or rigid filtering element 8, the base portion 28 can be fixed to the bottom wall 3 at one or more of the radial projections 26 and/or of the portion of relief 25. Fixing can occur for instance by thermo-welding, or by ultrasonic welding, in case materials used for the body 2 and the filtering element 8 can be thermo- welded.

[0063] Thanks to the grooves 15 and reliefs 16 and radial projections 26 and radial channels 27, it is possible to provide a capsule in which the dimensions of the filtering element are maximized, the capsule external dimensions being equal, such that the volume of the cavity inside the filter into which the product for preparing the beverage is introduced, is also maximized.

[0064] This advantage is obtained also by capsules 101 and 201 according to the versions as per Figures 7-9 and Figures 10-12 respectively.

[0065] These versions differ from the capsule 1 of Figure 1 in that radial projections on the bottom of the body 2 are delimited within an annular region 33 which is interposed between a flat annular portion 31 near the peripheral zone 23 and the central zone 24, such annular region 33 thus having a certain radial distance from the peripheral zone 23. In other words, radial projections, which are referred to as "radial reliefs" 36 in these versions, do not extend radially from the central zone 24 to the peripheral zone 23, therefore they do not join defined reliefs 16 of the side wall 4 and have radial extension smaller than the radial projections 26.

[0066] In these versions, the flat annular portion 31 surrounds the annular region 33 including a circular arrangement of inner radial reliefs 36, angularly spaced, which resembles the arrangement of a garland of petals at which centre a cylindrical relief defining the portion of relief 25 can be present.

[0067] The version as per Figures 10-12 differs from the version as per Figures 7-9 in that the side wall 4 connects with the peripheral region 23 of the bottom wall 3 by means of a curved portion 29 in which grooves 15 and reliefs 16 of the cup-shaped portion of the side wall 4 continue as curved surfaces with no interruptions.

[0068] In both these last versions, as in the above described versions, the base portion 28 of the filtering element 8 can be in contact with radial reliefs 36, as, in function, the presence of free passages for the dispensing fluid in the regions adjacent to radial reliefs 36 is ensured. In these versions also, the filtering element 8 can be fixed to one or more radial reliefs 36 and/or to the portion of relief 25 with the same advantages of the above described versions.

[0069] Radial reliefs 36 on the bottom wall 3 are positioned at radii of the capsule 101, 201 corresponding to those of determined reliefs 16 of the side wall 4.

[0070] Internal reliefs 36 and 25 correspond to depressions on the external face 32 of the bottom body 3, therefore a garland of petals made of depressions is visible at the outside of the capsule 101, 201 as shown in Figures 9 and 12. The garland of petals gives the capsule a unique aspect and can be associated to a type of beverage or flavour, to distinguish the capsule from those having another arrangement of reliefs or depressions, composing a different decoration, which another beverage or flavour can be associated to. The shape and arrangement of radial reliefs 36 can be different from the illustrated garland of petals. For instance, there may be non-radial reliefs reproducing a geometrical pattern or a logo, thereby allowing the capsule personalization. In particular, the geometrical pattern or logo can occupy the annular region 33 possibly in relief.

[0071] In all the versions with the flexible-type filtering element 8, the filtering element 8 can be formed by pressing directly within the cavity 5 of the body 2. Fixing the filtering element 8 to reliefs 16 of the side wall 4 and/or radial projections 26 and/or radial reliefs 36 of the bottom wall 3 provides the advantage to hold the filtering element 8 in position once it has been shaped, such as to reduce the post-forming elastic return which the flexible-type filtering element 8 is subjected to, keeping a greater volume available for the initial product to be placed inside the filtering element 8.

[0072] Referring to the version as per Figure 13 and 14, the capsule 301, differently from the version of Figure 7, comprises radial reliefs 36 on the bottom wall 3 which are at the radii of the capsule 301 in between two consecutive reliefs 16 on the side wall 4, that is radii of the capsule corresponding to grooves 15. Similarly to capsule 1, in the capsule 301 also grooves 15 are tapered between an upper larger portion 18 and a lower narrower portion 19, the upper portion 18 being closer to the flange 6 and the lower portion 19 being closer to the bottom wall 3. By contrast, reliefs 16 have smaller width in an upper region 38 near the flange 6 and greater width in a lower region 39 near the bottom wall 3. In not illustrated versions, the upward or downward tapered shape of reliefs and grooves can be opposite to the illustrated one, that is reliefs have larger width in the upper region and smaller width in the lower region.

[0073] Also in this version, the height of the radial reliefs 36 inside the bottom wall 3 is substantially similar to that of the portion central relief 25.

[0074] In all the above illustrated and described versions, the side wall 4 of the body 2 comprises an upper part 34, for example annular- shaped, directly connected to the flange 6 and a truncated-cone lower part 35 with grooves 15 and reliefs 16. The upper part 34 and the lower part 35 are connected by a portion of substantially horizontal wall 37 forming a step.

[0075] Radial projections or radial reliefs on the bottom wall allow to ensure free passages for the dispensing fluid and to make the bottom wall more rigid, which can be pierced at radial channels or at the flat annular region 31 near the peripheral zone 23.

Claims

1. Capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage, comprising:

- a body (2) shaped like a glass or a cup, in turn comprising:

- a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4) defining an open cavity (5) and

- a flange (6) connected to the side wall (4) and extending around an opening (7) of said cavity (5),

- a filtering element (8) suitable for containing an initial product for preparing said beverage, said filtering element (8) being fixed to said flange (6);

- said side wall (4) comprising in the inner surface (14) thereof a plurality of grooves

(15) alternating with a plurality of reliefs (16), in which said grooves (15) and said filtering element (8) delimit channels (17) for the passage of the beverage obtained from a dispensing fluid introduced into said capsule (1) and passing through said filtering element (8).

2. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the average height (Hm) of said reliefs (16) is not less than 1/6 of the average width (Lm) of said grooves (15), said height being measured in the radial direction and said width being measured in the circumferential direction.

3. Capsule (1) according to claim 2, wherein the average height (Hm) of said reliefs (16) is not less than 1/3 of the average width (Lm) of said grooves (15), said height being measured in the radial direction and said width being measured in the circumferential direction.

4. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said filtering element (8) is also fixed to said inner surface (14) of the side wall (4) at one or more of said reliefs

(16).

5. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inner face (22) of said bottom wall (3) comprises one or more projections (26; 36) defining one or more contact surfaces for a base portion (28) of said filtering element (8).

6. Capsule (1) according to claim 5, wherein said projections comprise radial projections (26; 36) extending radially from a peripheral zone (23) of said bottom wall (3) towards a central zone (25) of said bottom wall (3).

7. Capsule (1) according to claim 6, wherein said radial projections (26) conjoin with corresponding reliefs (16) of said side wall (4).

8. Capsule (1) according to claim 5, wherein said projections (26; 36) are arranged in an annular region (33) of said bottom wall (3) interposed between a peripheral zone (23) of said bottom wall (3) and a central zone (25) of said bottom wall (3), said annular region (33) being at a certain distance from said peripheral zone (23).

9. Capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein said projections comprise radial projections

(36) extending radially from said central zone (25) within said annular region (33).

10. A capsule (1) according to claim 6, or 7 or 9, wherein said radial projections (26; 36) are angularly equidistant.

11. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said filtering element (8) is also fixed to said internal face (22) of the bottom wall (3) at one or more of said projections (26; 36).

12. Capsule (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said filtering element (8) comprises a flexible body or a self-bearing rigid body.

13. Capsule (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said side wall (4) links up with said bottom wall (3) by curved surfaces (29).