JP7217235B2 - Packs for preparing whipped food or beverage products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pack for preparing a frothed food or beverage product from one or more food or beverage ingredients. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pack comprising an insert and a container in which one or more ingredients are stored.

It is known in the art to prepare a beverage by introducing a capsule containing a beverage or food ingredient such as ground or instant coffee into a beverage dispensing machine and injecting water into the capsule. be. Beverage or food ingredients are typically extracted or dissolved in water to produce the beverage or desired end product, which flows out of the capsule through a suitable outlet.

Accordingly, various capsules have been developed in the past, distinguished at least by the nature of the capsule body used to contain the food or beverage ingredients. Most capsules are made from a rigid or semi-rigid body, typically by injection molding or thermoforming, but flexible type packs can be made from foil material. Flexible packs generally use less material to pack the product as an advantage over semi-rigid and hard capsules. As a result, users seeking less space available to store these packs due to their lower overall manufacturing cost, lower life cycle impact as indicated by multiple life cycle assessments, and more compact size. side is dominant.

In the state of the art flexible beverage sachets are known, for example as described in WO 99/05044. The sachet contains the beverage ingredients within a volume formed by joining two laminates at the edge with a base seam in which a hard plastic conduit is bonded. The top of the resulting sachet was provided with an inlet nozzle for introducing water, the water being mixed with the beverage or food ingredients in the inner volume of the sachet and the beverage produced then provided with closure means. It is discharged through a beverage outlet located at the bottom of the pack. When pressurized water is introduced into the sachet, the closing means are opened under pressure so that the beverage is discharged through the beverage outlet.

Other configurations of flexible beverage preparation sachets are known in the art. However, when it is desired to froth food or beverage products in these flexible sachets, the air-filled internal free space (known as headspace, free of food or beverage product) is , is required to obtain foam when water is mixed with food or beverage ingredients in the interior volume of the sachet. Therefore, for good foaming of the delivered beverage or food product, it is necessary to have a large volume sachet that is only partially filled with ingredients and the rest filled with air only. Therefore, these sachets are more costly, bulkier and require greater capacity for storage. The equipment connected to prepare the final product is also consequently larger and more expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flexible pack with minimal headspace volume and capable of providing food or beverage products with very good foam delivery. is.

The present invention provides a further described solution to the above needs. The present invention is also directed to other problems, and in particular to solutions to other objectives as described in the remainder of the specification.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a pack for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more food or beverage ingredients, comprising an insert and a container in which the one or more ingredients are stored. and a pack comprising: The insert includes a fluid inlet configured to introduce an aqueous fluid in jet form into the interior volume of the pack, the insert being in communication with the exterior of the pack and configured to introduce air into the interior volume of the pack. and an air inlet.

Preferably, in the pack of the invention, the air inlet is connected to the inlet, through which the jet enters the inner volume of the pack, and when the jet is introduced into the interior of the pack, the air is It is configured to be inhaled through the inlet.

According to another embodiment of the pack of the present invention, the air inlet is connected to an inlet, typically through which the jet enters the interior volume of the pack, the air inlet entering into the interior volume of the pack. It is connectable to external means for actively injecting air.

The fluid inlet is configured to convert pressurized fluid, typically introduced by the beverage machine, into a high velocity fluid jet within the interior volume of the pack. Preferably, the fluid inlet communicates with a nozzle that has a very restricted diameter with respect to the fluid inlet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pack comprises two flexible, water-impermeable sheets joined together to define the interior volume of the pack.

The packs of the invention are typically provided with a beverage outlet through which the beverage is delivered as a free stream. The beverage outlet is preferably a straight tube oriented substantially vertically at the bottom of the pack.

In the pack of the invention, the insert is preferably located on one side of the pack and comprises a fluid inlet, an air inlet and a beverage outlet.

Typically, the container is configured to open at a specific predetermined area to allow dispensing of the prepared food or beverage.

In packs according to the invention, typically the relative placement of the inlet to the air inlet, together with the diameter of the air inlet, define the foaming level of the prepared food or beverage.

Preferably, the diameter of the nozzle and/or the diameter of the inlet define the jet within the internal volume of the pack.

Typically the food or beverage ingredient is a soluble food or beverage ingredient.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container is configured as a sachet, capsule or the like.

Preferably, the pack of the present invention is configured so that the fluid inlet can be accessed from the front and/or the rear for introducing aqueous fluids through one or two sides.

The packs of the present invention typically allow the air inlet occlusion to be adjusted to control the amount of air injected.

The packs of the present invention typically have a flat shape along a plane that is substantially vertical during beverage production, the fluid inlet directing a jet of fluid in a direction contained in the plane. .

According to a second aspect, the invention further relates to the use of a pack as described for preparing food or beverage products.

Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention should become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a pack according to the invention for preparing a frothed food or beverage product; 1 shows a pack according to the invention for preparing a frothed food or beverage product; Figure 2 shows a detailed view of an insert with air inlets that together with the container constitute a pack for preparing a frothed food or beverage product, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of an insert with an air inlet forming a pack with a container for preparing a frothed food or beverage product according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a detailed front view of the insert according to Fig. 2 or 3, constituting together with a container a pack for preparing a whipped food or beverage product according to the invention; FIG. 5 shows a view according to section AA of the insert of FIG. 4, which together with the container constitutes a pack for preparing a whipped food or beverage product according to the invention;

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a pack 100 for preparing food or beverage products from one or more food or beverage ingredients. The pack of the present invention comprises an insert 10 and a container 20, as shown in FIG. 1A or 1B. Container 20 contains, in its interior volume, food or beverage ingredient(s), typically a soluble powder that is dissolved by a fluid introduced into the volume of the container through insert 10 . Typically, the fluid introduced through insert 10 is a liquid, preferably water.

According to the present invention, the food or beverage ingredients of the container are soups, fruit juices, vegetable juices, broths, coffee, chocolate, tea, milk or cream for coffee, smoothies, purees, coulis, creams, or a list of combinations thereof. can contain anything in The food or beverage ingredient may be a soluble food or beverage ingredient. Preferably, the food or beverage ingredient is a soluble food or beverage ingredient selected in the list below:
instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixtures of these powders,
Coffee concentrates, milk concentrates, syrups, fruit or vegetable concentrates, tea concentrates, fruit or vegetable purees.

The powder may be agglomerated or sintered. A powder or liquid concentrate may be mixed with the solid pieces, for example, to prepare a soup with the solid pieces. The food or beverage ingredient may also be a leachable food or beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee or tea leaves. In this embodiment, water extracts the leachable raw material.

In the present invention, fluid covers any aqueous diluent (eg, water, carbonated water, milk, etc.) that can be mixed with soluble beverage ingredients to prepare a beverage. However, according to the present invention water is the preferred fluid to be used.

The insert 10 has a fluid inlet 110 which receives a liquid, typically water, to be injected at a pressure higher than 2 bar, more preferably higher than 3 bar, preferably 2-10 bar, more preferably about 7 bar. Prepare. Fluid inlet 110 is configured such that high pressure fluid injected by external means (not shown) through fluid inlet 110 is converted into a high velocity jet 50 within the interior volume of vessel 20 . This is because the restricted diameter of the fluid inlet 110, which communicates with the interior volume of the vessel 20 through a greatly reduced diameter nozzle 120, allows the conversion of a high pressure jet to a high velocity jet. is carried out by The fluid inlet 110 communicates with the internal volume of the container through at least one nozzle 120, the diameter of which is at most 1 mm, preferably at least 0.24 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, preferably 0.2 mm. It is configured between 3 and 0.5 mm, more preferably about 0.4 mm. With such a configuration, when high pressure fluid is injected through the fluid inlet 110 by the external injection means, the high pressure fluid is conveyed internally towards the nozzle 120 . From there, the high pressure fluid is converted into a high velocity jet 50 of fluid that is injected inside the vessel 20 as it passes through the small section nozzle bore. Typically, this jet 50 of fluid fed into the vessel has a velocity of at least 20 m/s.

Further, the insert 10 is configured to communicate with the exterior of the pack 100 and introduce air into the interior volume of the pack 100 to obtain good foam during dissolution of the powder product contained within the container 20. It further comprises an air inlet 150 (see, eg, FIG. 5).

The insert 10 is preferably rigid and formed of a hard plastic material, preferably by injection molding. Typically, this plastic material can be selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid. Also, according to a less preferred embodiment, the mounting assembly 10 may be made of metal, such as aluminum or tin.

The insert of the present invention is structured to create adequate water jets 50 and air within the volume of the container to control and stabilize the foaming of the product beverage produced. Typically the product inside the container is a soluble powder that is dissolved by the water jets 50 . Additionally, as air is introduced into the volume of the pack through the air inlet 150, proper foaming of the product is also achieved.

The pack of the invention can be configured as a sachet, for example by flexible film or sheet folded to fit the container 20 . Other configurations are possible, for example, in which the container is configured as a capsule, such as a pod. Preferably, the insert 10 has other configurations in which the fluid inlet 110 is made directly, for example, by perforating the material that makes up the walls of the container 20 (the container being a pouch, capsule, pod, etc.). is the portion containing the fluid inlet 110 .

Preferably, the pack 100 of the present invention comprises two flexible water-impermeable sheets joined together to define the interior volume of the pack or container 20, the interior volume containing the product (typically powder) is stored and the product is further processed in water jets 50 to prepare the beverage to be dispensed. The pack further comprises a beverage outlet 160 through which the beverage is delivered as a free stream. There are several possibilities for providing the beverage outlet 160 in the pack 100, one of which is a straight line oriented substantially vertically at the bottom of the pack provided in the insert 10 as shown in FIG. It is a shaped tube. Another possibility is that the outlet 160 is not located in the insert 10 (see FIG. 3) but is located directly in the container 20 and is configured to open in a specific predetermined area, such as the food or food being prepared. If the container 20 is configured to allow the beverage to be poured (typically, if the container 20 is made of one or more flexible sheets that make up the internal volume, the sheets can e.g. can be separated from each other with a release (drainage) of the beverage inside.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, insert 10 is located on one side of pack 100 and includes fluid inlet 110 and air inlet 150 . The insert 10 also preferably comprises a beverage outlet 160. As shown in FIG.

1A and 1B, a pack 100 is disclosed according to a possible embodiment of the invention. The pack is configured to comprise an insert 10 and a container 20 substantially defining a vertical plane P, the insert 10 being arranged on the lower side of the pack. The container 20 contains within its volume a product, typically a powder, more particularly a concentrated powder, to which a liquid (typically water) is added as a jet of liquid through the insert 10 to Powders are dissolved, mixed and homogenized into a beverage. The prepared beverage is dispensed through an outlet 160 configured as a vertical tube, as shown in FIG. As described, pouring occurs through an opening created by the separation of the sheets that make up the container 20 (this separation occurs under certain controlled pressure conditions). In any of these cases, insert 10 does not include a beverage outlet, as shown in FIG.

Figure 4 shows details of an insert 10 arranged in a pack 100 according to the invention, also showing a fluid inlet 110 through which fluid (typically water) is introduced into the interior of the pack. According to the invention, the insert 10 is configured so that the pack can be accessed from the front as well as from the back, since the pack is accessible from both sides, i.e. reversible, so that the consumer can , meaning you don't have to worry about the orientation the puck is placed on the machine. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the fluid inlets 110 are made on two sides of the insert 10 (front and back). In fact, the fluid inlet 110 consists of a substantially horizontal tube that runs across the insert 10 from one side to the other, allowing access through its two ends. When the container 20 is constituted by a flexible sheet which is also arranged to cover the front and rear portions of the insert 10, the injection means (not shown) perforate the sheet from above the fluid inlet 110. It is also configured as a piercing means through which a fluid can be injected thereafter. The injection means will pierce the fluid inlet 110 as long as the puck is oriented substantially vertically along the plane P, regardless of which side of its two faces the puck is positioned. , is located at a specific location in the beverage preparation machine to access it.

Preferably, in packs of the present invention, the one or more flexible sheets comprising the container 20 are located inside the insert 10 and are in communication with the interior volume of the container 20, except for the portion thereof. completely envelops. More preferably, a single flexible sheet is placed over the insert 10 and sealed at the ends to form the interior volume of the container 20 .

Preferably, the injection and piercing means are fluid needles, hereinafter referred to as needles, and these injection and piercing means typically comprise internal ducts or pipes for injecting high pressure fluid into the fluid inlet 110 .

Referring now to FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view taken along AA of FIG. ing. The pressurized fluid is forced through a nozzle 120 of greatly reduced diameter relative to the cross-section of the fluid inlet 110 , whereby the fluid gains velocity instead of losing pressure and a jet of fluid 50 is formed into the container 20 . formed within the interior volume of the A jet of fluid 50 enters the interior volume of the container 20 through an inlet 130 which also communicates with the outside of the pack by an air inlet 150 . Thus, as the jet of fluid 50 is conveyed into the interior of the container at high velocity, air is sucked or aspirated through the open air inlet 150 thereby adding air within the jet of fluid 50 . Since this jet also contains air, the dissolution of the product (powder) contains these air bubbles, thus resulting in very good and precise foaming.

As described, the air inlet 150 is connected to the inlet 130 through which the jets 50 enter the interior volume of the pack 100 so that when the jets 50 are introduced into the interior of the pack, the contents of the pack are exposed to pressure. It is designed to be drawn in through this air inlet 150 by the velocity of the jet entering the stack. Another possibility is that the air inlet 150 is connected to an external means for actively injecting air into the interior volume of the pack 100, such as an air pump.

Typically, two possible configurations are: passive aspiration (by opening air inlet 150 outward so that air is aspirated while jet 50 enters the interior volume of vessel 20), or active air Active air injection that actively injects air through the inlet 150 when the pump is connected to this air inlet 150 .

In addition, the amount of air injected through inlet 150 is typically varied from no bubbling (close air inlet 150) to a specific bubbling (regulating air inflow and opening of air inlet 150) to actively The occlusion of the air inlet 150 can be adjusted to control up to moderate air injection (maximum foaming).

FIG. 5 also shows the dimensions of the insert 10, the dimensions of its elements and their positions within the insert, and the dimensions relative to the pack 100, which affect the properties of the final beverage obtained. These dimensions are typically as follows.
Diameter D ₁ : the diameter of fluid jet 50 .
Diameter D ₂ : the diameter of air inlet 150 .
Diameter D ₃ : diameter of inlet 130 .
L ₁ : relative placement of air inlet 150 to fluid jet 50 and inlet 130;
L ₂ : height of inlet 130 measured relative to air inlet 150;

Typical dimensions for the above parameters may be the following (these dimensions should be construed as examples only and are based on experience).
D1: 0.3 to 0.6 _mm
D2: 0.5 to 1.0 _mm
D3 : 1.0 to 2.0 mm
L1: _3.0mm
L2: _2.0 to 7.0mm

Typically, the relative placement of inlet 130 to air inlet 150 (dimensions L ₁ , L ₂ ), along with the diameter of air inlet 150 (D ₂ ), define the foaming level of the prepared food or beverage. . On the other hand, the diameter of nozzle 120 (the diameter of jet 50, which is the same as dimension D1) and/or the diameter of inlet ₁₃₀ (diameter _D3 ) defines the specifications of jet 50 within the internal volume of the pack.

According to the present invention, the fluid inlet 110 provides a directable high velocity jet into the vessel 20, preferably at about 90° to the fluid supply provided in the fluid inlet by the injection and perforation means. Configurable, any other angle is possible and within the scope of the present application.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. can be implemented.

Claims (15)

A pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more food or beverage ingredients, comprising an insert (10) and a container (20) in which said one or more ingredients are stored; with
said insert (10) comprises a fluid inlet (110) configured to introduce aqueous fluid in the form of a jet (50) into the interior volume of said pack;
A pack (100), wherein said insert (10) further comprises an air inlet (150) configured to communicate with the exterior of said pack (100) and introduce air into said interior volume of said pack (100). in
Said air inlet (150) is connected to an inlet (130) through which said jet (50) enters said internal volume of said pack (100) and said jet ( 50) is introduced into the pack (100), air is drawn in through the air inlet (150), and the air intake (130) relative to the air inlet (150) A pack (100) characterized in that the relative placement together with the diameter of the air inlet (150) defines the foaming level of the prepared food or beverage . The pack of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet (110) is configured to convert pressurized fluid introduced by a beverage machine into high velocity fluid jets (50) within the interior volume of the pack. (100). A pack (100) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said fluid inlet (110) communicates with a nozzle (120) having a diameter restricted to said fluid inlet (110). A pack (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising two flexible, water-impermeable sheets joined together to define the interior volume of the pack. A pack (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising a beverage outlet (160) through which the beverage is delivered as a free stream. 6. The pack (100) of claim 5 , wherein the beverage outlet (160) is a straight tube oriented vertically at the bottom of the pack. 6. The insert (10) is arranged on one side of the pack (100) and comprises the fluid inlet (110), the air inlet (150) and the beverage outlet ( 160), or 7. The pack (100) according to 6. 5. The container (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said container (20) is configured to be opened in a specific predetermined area to allow dispensing of said prepared food or beverage. 10. A pack (100) according to claim 1. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the nozzle (120) and/or the diameter of the inlet (130) defines the specifications of the jet (50) within the internal volume of the pack. A pack (100) as described. A pack (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein said food or beverage ingredient is a soluble food or beverage ingredient. Pack ( 100 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (20) is configured as a sachet or capsule . A pack according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid inlet (110) can be accessed from the front and/or the rear to introduce aqueous fluids through one or two sides. (100). The pack (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure of said air inlet (150) can be adjusted to control the amount of air injected. having a flat shape along a plane (P) that is vertical during beverage production, said fluid inlet (110) directing said jet of fluid in a direction contained in said plane (P); Pack (100) according to any one of the preceding claims. Use of a pack (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for preparing food or beverage products.

Images