EP3998221A1 - Kapsel zur infusion eines getränks - Google Patents

Kapsel zur infusion eines getränks Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3998221A1
EP3998221A1 EP20836052.9A EP20836052A EP3998221A1 EP 3998221 A1 EP3998221 A1 EP 3998221A1 EP 20836052 A EP20836052 A EP 20836052A EP 3998221 A1 EP3998221 A1 EP 3998221A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laminar membrane
capsule
base
membrane
laminar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP20836052.9A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3998221B1 (de
EP3998221C0 (de
EP3998221A4 (de
Inventor
Alberto Salata
Miguel BIRIGAY MÍNGUEZ
Santiago RIVERO MARTÍNEZ
Rafael OCÓN BERANGO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cocatech SL
Original Assignee
Cocatech SL
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Publication date
Application filed by Cocatech SL filed Critical Cocatech SL
Publication of EP3998221A1 publication Critical patent/EP3998221A1/de
Publication of EP3998221A4 publication Critical patent/EP3998221A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3998221B1 publication Critical patent/EP3998221B1/de
Publication of EP3998221C0 publication Critical patent/EP3998221C0/de
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • B65D85/8052—Details of the outlet

Definitions

  • the capsule for infusing a beverage is configured to be inserted into a machine prepared to inject water into a cup structure, flooding the interior space of said cup structure, in order to finally obtain a liquid mixture formed by the infusion and the water; wherein said liquid mixture will come out through a lower outlet mouth.
  • a first objective of the invention is to reduce the amount of plastic material used in the manufacture of the capsule;
  • a second objective of the invention is to reduce the complexity of its manufacture;
  • a third objective of the invention is to achieve an opening of the capsule by means of the breaking of a laminar membrane solely by means of an increase in the pressure of the liquid mixture inside the capsule without physical contact of an additional element in order to break said laminar membrane. All of the above enables an emulsion of the food substance (for example, coffee) with the formation of a long-lasting rich, abundant cream.
  • beverage preparation capsules wherein, after mixing a liquid with a food product such as teas and coffee, said mixture is filtered inside the capsule through a filtering surface.
  • Capsules for producing beverages which comprise a filter with a filtering surface in the interior space thereof, through which the mixture passes before being extracted to the outside through a lower mouth of the capsule.
  • the filter Due to the pressure reached inside the food beverage preparation capsule when a liquid is injected therein, the filter tends to destabilise and move internally due to the stresses to which said filter is subjected, which causes abnormal operation inside the capsule.
  • Another problem that occurs in known capsules is the formation of a crater in the volume of the food product housed inside the capsule when the liquid is injected into the capsule, such that the formation of said crater creates a channel through which part of the liquid is evacuated directly to the outlet mouth of the capsule with a poor mixture of the tea or coffee; the formation of said crater can even cause part of the food product to not be soaked by the liquid injected into the capsule.
  • an upper chamber which contains the food product and a lower chamber which may or may not house a filter, such that in some cases both chambers are initially isolated from each other by means of a laminar membrane.
  • a laminar membrane In this situation, when water is introduced into the upper chamber, it soaks the food product and at the same time the pressure increases progressively, reaching a moment when the membrane breaks and then the liquid mixture of water and food product reaches the lower chamber, which communicates with an outlet hole through which the mixture is extracted for consumption thereof.
  • the membrane is broken by means of physical contact between the membrane and a sharp element, such as in the patent with Spanish publication number ES 2260626 ( EP 02000943 ), wherein with the increase in pressure inside the upper chamber of the capsule, the membrane moves and comes into contact with the sharp element.
  • the laminar membrane breaks due to the increase in pressure inside the upper chamber of the capsule without requiring a sharp element that penetrates the laminar membrane.
  • the laminar membrane includes specific incisions or notches which constitute weakened areas, and it is through where the membrane finally breaks when the pressure increases sufficiently.
  • the invention patent with Spanish publication number ES 2359284 T3 with priority of the European patent EP 07104813 refers to a capsule of ingredients for beverages which comprises a cup structure including an upper chamber and a lower chamber which are separated by a filter, such that when the pressure increases inside the upper chamber wherein the food substance is located, the liquid mixture (beverage) of water and the food substance passes into the lower chamber through a perimeter gap which is released as a consequence of the increase in pressure in the upper chamber, such that said perimeter gap is delimited between an internal side face of the cup structure and a perimeter part of the filter adjacent to said internal side face.
  • the filter includes direct capillary holes which communicate directly between the upper chamber and the lower chamber.
  • the invention patent with application number in Spain P 201930359 relates to a capsule for infusing a beverage which is owned by the same holder as the invention at hand. It comprises a laminar membrane which separates an upper chamber and a lower chamber inside a capsule structure; wherein said laminar membrane includes a circumferential pre-slit facing an annular valley of a filter located inside the lower chamber of the capsule, such that when the pressure inside the upper chamber increases, the laminar membrane breaks along said circumferential pre-slit, the beverage moving from the upper chamber to the lower one travelling through two mazes of the filter, in order for the beverage to finally come out through an outlet mouth for the consumption thereof.
  • the invention proposes a capsule for infusing a beverage comprising a cup structure which includes a base, a lateral wall and a mouth which is closed by means of a cover; wherein said base includes a central area with at least one outlet hole for the beverage.
  • the capsule of the invention further comprises a laminar membrane which separates a lower chamber from an upper chamber which is configured to house a food substance; wherein said laminar membrane includes a circumferential pre-slit; and wherein the upper chamber is delimited between a part of the lateral wall, the cover and the laminar membrane, while the lower chamber is delimited between the base and the laminar membrane.
  • the base of the cup structure comprises a first annular plateau which surrounds the central area, and a second annular plateau which surrounds a channel located around the first annular plateau; wherein said channel constitutes a valley which separates the first annular plateau and the second annular plateau; and wherein the circumferential pre-slit of the laminar membrane is facing the channel.
  • the laminar membrane is attached to a first surface of the first annular plateau of the base by means of a first welded attachment, which corresponds to a first internal part by way of a central disc of the laminar membrane; wherein an annular portion of said first internal part is welded to the first surface of the first annular plateau of the cup structure.
  • the laminar membrane is attached to a second surface of the second annular plateau of the base by means of a second continuous welded attachment which corresponds to a second end part of the laminar membrane welded to the second surface of the second annular plateau of the cup structure.
  • the lower chamber comprises the channel and a central cavity delimited between the central area of the base and a central part of the laminar membrane; wherein said channel and the central cavity communicate with each other through a maze located in the first annular plateau; and wherein the outlet hole communicates with said central cavity.
  • the maze comprises a grooved structure located on the first structure of the first annular plateau of the base of the cup structure; wherein said grooved structure interrupts the continuity of said first surface on which the laminar membrane is attached by means of the first welded attachment.
  • the capsule for infusing a beverage comprises a cup structure 1 with a perimeter step 2, a cover 3, a filter paper 4 which is optional, and a laminar membrane 5.
  • the cover 3 is attached by means of sealing on an upper perimeter rim 1a which delimits a mouth of the cup structure 1.
  • the cup structure 1 includes a base 6 located below the perimeter step 2; wherein said base 6 comprises a central area 6a, a first annular plateau 6b which surrounds the central area 6a and a second annular plateau 6c which surrounds a channel 6d located around the first annular plateau 6b; wherein said channel 6d constitutes a valley which separates the first annular plateau 6b and the second annular plateau 6c.
  • the central area 6a of the base 6 of the cup structure 1 includes in the entire contour of the perimeter thereof holes 7 to give the beverage an outlet.
  • the laminar membrane 5 is attached to a first surface of the first annular plateau 6b of the base 6 by means of a first welded attachment, which corresponds to a first internal part 5c by way of a central disc of the laminar membrane 5; wherein an annular portion of said first internal part 5c is welded to the first surface of the first annular plateau 6b of the cup structure.
  • the laminar membrane 5 is attached to a second surface of the second annular plateau 6c of the base 6 by means of a second continuous welded attachment which corresponds to a second end part 5a of the laminar membrane 5 welded to the second surface of the second annular plateau 6c of the cup structure 1.
  • the filter paper 4 which is welded to a part of one face, the internal one of a lateral wall 9 of the cup structure 1 is joined to a laminar membrane face 5.
  • the laminar membrane 5 together with the filter paper 4 separate a lower chamber and an upper chamber; wherein the upper chamber is configured to house a food substance 10 which will be in contact with the laminar membrane 5 or with the filter paper 4 when this latter element 4 is incorporated.
  • the lower chamber comprises at first the channel 6d and a central cavity 11 delimited between the central area 6a of the base 6 and a central part of the laminar membrane 5, such that said channel 6d and the central cavity 11 communicate with each other through a maze 8 located in the first annular plateau 6b.
  • the outlet holes 7 communicate with said central cavity 11.
  • said maze 8 comprises a grooved structure located on the first structure of the first annular plateau 6b, such that said grooved structure interrupts the continuity of said first surface on which the laminar membrane 5 is welded.
  • the laminar membrane 5 includes a continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b which has a diameter greater than the dimension of the contour of the first annular plateau 6b and smaller than the dimension of the contour of the second annular plateau 6c of the base 6 of the cup structure; wherein said continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b is facing the channel 6d which separates both annular plateaus 6b, 6c.
  • the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b delimits the surface area of the first internal part 5c of the laminar membrane 5; wherein said continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b is located in a part delimited between the two welded attachments; and wherein the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b separates the first internal part 5c of a part 5d of the laminar membrane 5 which includes the second end part 5a.
  • the lower chamber of the capsule constitutes a discharge and filtration chamber, wherein the water mixed with the food substance 10 flows through the spaces and clearance of the maze 8, the water with the food substance 10 being filtered and homogenised as it travels from the channel 6d, then passing through the maze 8 in order to finally reach the central cavity 11 which communicates with the outside through the outlet holes 7 through which the liquid mixture (beverage) of water with the food substance 10 will flow out.
  • a cannula 12 of the machine After introducing the capsule of the invention into a machine for infusing a beverage, and operating said machine, one end of a cannula 12 of the machine pierces the cover 3 of the capsule and is inserted into a hollow space existing in the upper part of the capsule, above the food substance 10 housed in the upper chamber; all this in order to flood said upper chamber with water in a liquid state.
  • the food substance 10 occupies a filling space which is complemented with the hollow space wherein the end of the cannula 12 opens, such that the upper chamber comprises the hollow space and the space occupied by the food substance 10.
  • the cannula 12 introduces hot water into the upper chamber of the capsule, flooding the interior space of said upper chamber; wherein during this operation the hot water is mixed with the food substance 10. As the hot water is being introduced, the pressure inside the upper chamber of the capsule progressively increases.
  • the controlled breaking of the laminar membrane 5 begins in an area of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b thereof, and then along the entire closed path of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b; whereby communicating the upper chamber and the lower chamber.
  • the laminar membrane 5 breaks progressively along the entire path of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b, with a continuous annular opening being generated around the first annular plateau 6b. So, with the increase in pressure inside the capsule, the laminar membrane 5 initially breaks at the weakest point of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b (laser marked) and then the breaking is progressively completed along the entire path of said continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b.
  • a main advantage of the invention is the fact that by means of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b of the laminar membrane 5, the shape of the breaking of said laminar membrane 5 is completely controlled as it has a contour with a path closed solely by the increase in pressure of the injected water fluid; whereby the laminar membrane 5 is prevented from generating irregular opening areas, from which parts of the material of said laminar membrane 5 may become detached, or deficient liquid fluid passage areas.
  • the laminar membrane 5 comprises a first aluminium layer and a second polyester layer; wherein the first layer is the one which is welded to the corresponding areas of the base 6.
  • the double welding in order to attach the laminar membrane 5 forms contour conditions which prevent any movement other than the deformation of the laminar membrane 5 itself.
  • the laminar membrane 5 is deformed with the pressure exerted by the liquid fluid inside the upper chamber, said laminar membrane 5 being able to be divided into two separate parts, without participating in physical contact with other elements of the capsule through the break area.
  • a section of the second polyester layer is removed (evaporated) by means of a laser; wherein said section corresponds to the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b wherein only the aluminium material of the first layer remains.
  • Removing the polyester material from a specific area reduces the mechanical capabilities of the laminar membrane 5 in a precise manner which is designed to break along the area etched with the laser.
  • the adaptation of the laminar membrane 5 on the base 6 of the cup structure 1 causes sectors with different deformations to be differentiated, such that in this situation the laminar membrane 5 is subjected to stress in the entirety of the extension thereof, where, having reached the moment of maximum deformation and stress, the laminar membrane 5 will break at the weakest part thereof, which is precisely the area wherein the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b has been previously made, where only the aluminium material of the first layer remains.
  • the breaking thereof occurs in coincidence with the weakened portion of the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b, such that the weakened properties of the aluminium material of the first layer produce a controlled break at a specific pressure of the liquid fluid inside the upper chamber without mechanical contact.
  • the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b has been designed in the laminar membrane 5.
  • the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b does not have a beginning or an end.
  • other conventional linear slits have a final segment which is susceptible and sensitive to the concentration of stresses, the appearance of uncontrolled cracks possible due to the deformation of the laminar membrane including said linear slits.
  • the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b is a geometry without a beginning or an end, wherein, once the laminar membrane 5 starts to break, it extends through the area weakened by the laser, producing the total breaking of the first aluminium layer into two sections.
  • This effect includes a self-conclusive effect, without the possibility of the weakened areas of the aluminium layer being in contact with other parts of the capsule before breaking.
  • the aluminium layer is designed to break without mechanical contact or coupling with other areas of the capsule, but by only participating in the deformation and tensile stress due exclusively to the pressure generated by the liquid fluid inside the upper chamber of the cup structure 1.
  • the base 6 of the cup structure 1 includes a channel 6d by way of an annular valley around the first annular plateau 6b on the first surface of which the first interior part 5c of the laminar membrane 5 is welded; wherein said channel 6d is facing an annular portion 13 of the laminar membrane 5 wherein the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b is located.
  • the channel 6d limits and defines the span over which the elongation (stretching) of the first aluminium layer will be carried out; wherein the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b of the laminar membrane 5 is facing said span of the channel 6d.
  • the channel 6d is the empty space over which the first aluminium layer of the laminar membrane 5 is deformed to the breaking point thereof along the continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b of said laminar membrane 5.
  • the first interior part 5c and the complementary part 5d of said laminar membrane 5 are physically separated, such that the adjacent portions of both parts 5c, 5d bend towards the interior space of the channel 6d until they make contact with side faces and a base of said channel 6d.
  • the geometry of the channel 6d in the direction of the escape of the liquid beverage, maintains passage cross sections at the limits of the channel 6d open through the clearance of the maze 8 located in the first annular plateau 6b of the base 6 of the cup structure.
  • One of the problems associated with the manageability of capsules for the infusion of beverages is the initial impact of the front of the liquid flow when leaving the capsule, caused by the high pressure at which the infused beverage is formed.
  • the characteristic base 6 has been designed to first expand the beverage, and then concentrate, reduce and soften the speed and/or pressure thereof, and centralise the extraction of the beverage through the outlet holes 7.
  • the channel 6d of the base 6 of the cup structure 1 distributes the liquid beverage along the entire annular path thereof, homogenising the flow of the liquid beverage before proceeding to the next step which corresponds to the passage of the beverage through the maze 8 until it reaches the central cavity 11.
  • the laminar membrane 5 is progressively and slowly torn until the entire path of said continuous circumferential pre-slit 5b is completed.
  • the mixture of water with the food substance 10 reaches the channel 6d; then the liquid mixture will travel through the maze 8 concentrating until it reaches the central cavity 11 and from here the liquid mixture will run through the outlet holes 7 located in the centre of the base 6 of the cup structure 1.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Tea And Coffee (AREA)
EP20836052.9A 2019-07-09 2020-03-04 Kapsel zur infusion eines getränks Active EP3998221B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES201931167U ES1235376Y (es) 2019-07-09 2019-07-09 Capsula para infusion de bebida
PCT/ES2020/070159 WO2021005251A1 (es) 2019-07-09 2020-03-04 Cápsula para infusión de bebida

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3998221A1 true EP3998221A1 (de) 2022-05-18
EP3998221A4 EP3998221A4 (de) 2022-08-31
EP3998221B1 EP3998221B1 (de) 2023-09-20
EP3998221C0 EP3998221C0 (de) 2023-09-20

Family

ID=67998787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20836052.9A Active EP3998221B1 (de) 2019-07-09 2020-03-04 Kapsel zur infusion eines getränks

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3998221B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2022540438A (de)
ES (2) ES1235376Y (de)
WO (1) WO2021005251A1 (de)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2274503T3 (es) 2002-01-16 2007-05-16 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Capsula cerrada con medios de abertura.
DK2129595T3 (da) 2007-03-23 2011-04-18 Nestec Sa Drikkevareingredienskapsel
DE102007024579A1 (de) * 2007-05-25 2008-11-27 Inde Plastik Betriebsgesellschaft Mbh Portionspackung zur Getränkezubereitung
DE502008003326D1 (de) * 2008-02-06 2011-06-01 Nestec Sa Labyrinth-kapsel für getränkepulver
PT3071495T (pt) * 2014-02-12 2021-11-18 Bisio Progetti Spa Cápsula para a preparação de bebidas de infusão
ES2555631B2 (es) * 2015-06-26 2016-08-09 Cocatech, S.L.U. Cápsula de preparación de bebida alimenticia con sistema de salida controlado
IT201600082488A1 (it) * 2016-08-04 2018-02-04 Bisio Progetti Spa Capsula per la preparazione di bevande ad infusione e solubili
IT201700019425A1 (it) * 2017-02-21 2018-08-21 Bisio Progetti Spa Capsula per bevande ad infusione o solubili dotata di sistema anti-gocciolamento
IT201800004732A1 (it) * 2018-04-19 2019-10-19 Capsula per la preparazione di bevande
ES2788799B2 (es) * 2019-04-22 2022-05-12 Cocatech S L U Capsula para infusion de bebida

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3998221B1 (de) 2023-09-20
ES1235376U (es) 2019-09-27
WO2021005251A1 (es) 2021-01-14
ES2961339T3 (es) 2024-03-11
EP3998221C0 (de) 2023-09-20
JP2022540438A (ja) 2022-09-15
EP3998221A4 (de) 2022-08-31
ES1235376Y (es) 2019-12-18

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