WO2013135937A2

WO2013135937A2 - Instantaneous hot beverage capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2013135937A2
Application number: PCT/ES2013/070170
Authority: WO
Inventors: Javier Lastra Ruiz
Original assignee: Javier Lastra Ruiz
Priority date: 2012-03-15
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Also published as: ES2385235A1; WO2013135937A3; ES2385235B1

Abstract

The invention makes it possible to provide, without loss of organoleptic properties, a capsule suitable for use in espresso coffee machines that have no perforation means for perforating the capsules. The invention comprises a receptacle (1) with ground coffee, which is provided with a base (9) at a first end (3), said base (9) being provided with first perforations (5) and sealed with a first heat-sealed closure film (7) that can be removed by the user, and further comprising a second heat-sealed closure film (10) arranged at a second end (4) of the receptacle and provided with second perforations (10), and also comprising a third non-perforated heat-sealed closure film (12) arranged over the second film (10) and designed to be removed by the user.

Description

INSTANT HOT DRINK CAPSULE

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be included in the technical field of obtaining instant hot drinks, such as coffee, soluble products or infusions, which require the use of a capsule containing the product of the instant hot beverage, through which makes hot water to prepare the drink.

The object of the invention relates more specifically to one such instant hot beverage capsule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, machines for the preparation of instant hot beverages of espresso coffee are known, where said machines employ a capsule containing ground coffee, such that the capsule must have, at some time prior to or during its use, a plurality of holes or perforations to allow the access of hot water to the interior of the capsule and its corresponding contact with the coffee, as well as the exit of said water once it has made contact with the product.

Said perforations may be made in the capsule by means of perforation arranged in the machine itself, or they may alternatively be arranged in the capsule prior to the introduction of said capsule into the machine.

In the last case mentioned, there is a decrease in time over time. Organoleptic properties of coffee, such as aroma, because the capsule is perforated prior to its introduction into the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resolves the aforementioned drawback, by means of an instant hot beverage capsule, preferably an espresso coffee capsule, as explained below. The capsule according to the invention comprises a container containing an instant hot beverage product, for example, ground coffee to preferably prepare espresso coffee, although it can also be an infusionable product (chamomile, tea, etc.) or soluble (cocoa, soluble coffee, etc.) The container comprises a side wall, which defines in the container a first end and a second end, opposite the first end.

The first end is closed, by means of a bottom provided with a plurality of first perforations, to allow the entry of pressurized steam (or hot liquid water) into the capsule, said steam or water being put in contact with the product. The first perforations can have varied shapes: grooves, holes, or equivalent. The presence of first perforations allows the capsule to be used in instant hot beverage making machines that do not have drilling means to pierce the capsule before entering hot water or steam.

Outside the bottom located at the first end, a first heat seal film is arranged to seal the first perforations and intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule into the instant hot beverage making machine. By including the first film, the loss of organoleptic properties of the product (such as aroma or taste) due to the presence of the first film is avoided perforations

When the capsule is introduced into the instant hot beverage making machine, once the first film has been removed, the water or steam accesses the capsule through the first end through the first perforations and passes through the product, reaching the second end.

At the second end there is also a second heat seal film provided with second perforations to allow the release of water or steam. Preferably, the second perforations are arranged in number, shape, size and position suitable to cause an overpressure inside the capsule, in order to slow down the water or steam outlet and, therefore, obtain a greater product extraction . The specific configuration of the second perforations for this purpose depends on various factors, such as the pressure of the machine used to obtain instant hot drinks, the size of the coffee bean (if it is a coffee machine), the degree desired extraction, etc. and its concrete dimensioning is left to the knowledge of the expert in the field. The presence of the second film with second perforations allows the capsule to be used in instant hot beverage making machines that do not have drilling means to pierce the capsule to cause hot water or steam to escape. The capsule additionally comprises a third heat-sealed, non-perforated closure film, arranged externally to the second film, to provide, in collaboration with the first film, a tight seal that prevents the loss of organoleptic properties. Optionally, the third film is intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule into an instant hot beverage making machine.

Preferably, the second end incorporates an protruding wing adapted to receive the heat seal of the second film and the third film.

Preferably, the side wall and the bottom are made of a material adapted for food use and of sufficient hardness and rigidity to withstand the efforts of handling and transport, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Preferably, the container is made by injection. Also, the heat seal films are made of materials adapted for heat sealing with the side wall, and / or the wing, and / or the edge and / or the bottom. In particular, it is preferred that the films are made of the same material as the area to which they will be heat sealed (side wall, wing, edge, bottom), for example, polypropylene or polyethylene, as indicated above, for greater compatibility with heat sealing. There is the option of making the films in aluminum materials, for example, films comprising a first outer layer of aluminum and a second inner layer of polyethylene or polypropylene, although it is known that the pressures at which espresso coffee is obtained (from 8 atmospheres) cause degradation in aluminum and its compounds that apparently produce carcinogens. Therefore, in the case of coffee capsules, films intended not to be removed (the second film, for example) are preferably made of heat-compatible materials that do not contain aluminum. The capsule can be made in different sizes with different content of the instant hot beverage product depending on the needs, in particular, depending on the destination of the customer and end and the quality to be obtained, the capsule can contain more or less amount of product depending on whether it is capsules for a white line, for domestic consumption or for a professional line (hospitality).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end It comprises a stepped profile made of a deformable material, for example low density polyethylene, which is compatible with the embodiments described above. The stepped profile is crowned by a V-shaped projection. The combination between the stepped profile and the projection avoids, in the case of making espresso coffee, the water leaks caused by a poor adjustment between a stem that the machines have to extract the Coffee and capsules included in the state of the art.

Without prejudice to the necessary hardness and stiffness, as explained above, a comparatively soft and deformable plastic, such as low density polyethylene, softens and deforms with the pressure and temperature associated with the preparation of an espresso coffee , in a suitable way to adapt its shape to that of the stem, providing a tight seal. However, since it is such a soft and light material, it has a reduced stiffness, which can lead, in certain situations, to the material flexing, so that the capsule could fit into the wing, due to the flexion of the material.

The present invention solves the aforementioned problem by incorporating into the wing a solid projection, preferably of circular section. The incorporation of this projection implies providing said wing with a greater amount of material and, therefore, greater rigidity, which prevents it from becoming clogged.

According to another preferred embodiment, the first perforations have a broken or curved shape, preferably with a boomerang shape. Said broken form, together with a sufficient number of first perforations, preferably in an odd number, greater than ten, and preferably not a multiple of three, allow the capsule of the invention to be used in conjunction with a large number of espresso machines. , since most espresso machines have three symmetrically arranged water injection needles (at 120 °). Indeed, it is possible that any radius drawn from the center of the bottom intersects at least two points with the less one of the first perforations, which produces the effect that, whatever the arrangement of the water injection needles of the espresso machine, some will face directly with a perforation, allowing the entry of water into the capsule , and others are going to rest on a zone of material very weakened by the first perforations that surround it, so that these first perforations are not going to oppose the stability of the capsule, which favors the tightness.

The use of first perforations of a broken or curved shape is or especially advantageous in the case of capsules of higher capacity, since their length is greater, so that they better fit the dimensions of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where with character or illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 .- Shows a first perspective view of the capsule according to the invention, where heat sealing films are not shown. 5 Figure 2.- Shows a side view of the capsule of the invention.

Figure 3.- Shows a second perspective view of the capsule of the invention, where the first sheet and the third sheet have not been represented, but the second sheet has.

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Figure 4.- Shows a detailed view of the stepped profile. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An example of a preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with the help of the attached figures 1 to 4.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the instant hot beverage capsule of the invention comprises a container (1) containing ground coffee for making espresso coffee, although it may also contain an infusible or soluble product. The container (1) comprises a side wall (2) defining in the container (1) a first end (3) and a second end (4), opposite the first end (3). The first end (3) is closed by a bottom (9) provided with a plurality of first perforations (5), to allow the entry of pressurized water vapor into the capsule, said steam being brought into contact with the coffee ground.

Outside the bottom (9) a first heat seal film (7) is arranged to seal the first perforations (5), intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule into the espresso machine.

When, once the first film (7) is removed, the capsule is introduced into the espresso machine, the steam enters the capsule at the first end (3) through the first perforations (5) and passes through the product, reaching the second end (4).

At said second end (4), a second heat seal film (10) provided with second perforations (1 1) is also arranged to allow steam to be released, such that the second perforations (1 1) are arranged in number, shape, size and position convenient to cause an overpressure inside the capsule, in order to slow down the steam output and, therefore, obtain a higher coffee extraction. The capsule further comprises a third heat seal film (12), not perforated, arranged externally to the second film (10), and intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule into the espresso machine, for provide, in collaboration with the first film (7), a tight seal that prevents the loss of organoleptic properties of coffee.

The second end (4) incorporates an outstanding wing (13) adapted to receive the heat sealants of the second film (10) and the third film (12).

The second end (4) has a stepped profile (14) made of a deformable material, for example low density polyethylene, to provide a tight seal and avoid water losses during the preparation of an espresso coffee. The stepped profile (14) is crowned by a protrusion (15) in a V-shape. The combination between the stepped profile (14) and the projection (15) prevents, in case of making espresso coffee, water leaks caused by a deficient adjustment between a rod available for coffee machines and capsules included in the state of the art. The side wall (2) and the bottom (9) are made of polypropylene or polyethylene

(preferably, low density polyethylene). Also, the second heat seal film (10) is made of polypropylene or polyethylene, while the first film (7) and the third film (12) are made of aluminum materials coated internally with polyethylene.

Since the materials referred to are soft and light, they have a reduced stiffness, which can lead, in certain situations, to the material flexing, so that the capsule could be fitted by the wing (13), due to the flexion of the material, and lose the tightness. To solve said drawback, the invention provides for the incorporation into the wing (13) of a solid projection (17) of circular section, as shown in Figure 4. Also, Figures 1 to 3 show an aspect of a preferred embodiment, according to which the first perforations (5) have a boomerang shape, so that any radius drawn from the center of the bottom (9) intersects at least two points with at least one of the first perforations (5). The use of first boomerang-shaped perforations (5) is especially advantageous in the case of capsules of higher capacity, since their length is greater, so that they better fit the dimensions of the machine.

Claims

one . Instant hot beverage capsule, comprising a container (1) containing an instant hot beverage product and in turn comprising a side wall (2) defining in said container (1) a first end (3) and a second end ( 4), opposite the first end (3), characterized in that the container additionally comprises:

- a bottom (9), to close the first end (3), and provided with a plurality of first perforations (5) to allow the entry of hot water or steam under pressure into the capsule;

- a first heat seal film (7), for external sealing of the first perforations (5), and intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule in an instant hot beverage making machine;

- a second heat seal film (10) disposed at the second end (4) and provided with second perforations (1 1) to allow the release of water or steam after passing through the capsule; Y

- a third heat seal film (12), not perforated, arranged externally to the second film (10), and intended to be removed by the user prior to the introduction of the capsule in an instant hot beverage making machine, for provide, in collaboration with the first film (7), a tight seal to prevent the loss of organoleptic properties.

2. - Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end (4) comprises:

- a stepped profile (14), crowned by a V-shaped projection (15).

3-. Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises an outstanding wing (13) disposed at the second end (4), to receive the heat sealants of the second film (10) and the third film (12) .

4. - Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises in the wing (13) a solid projection (17).

5. - Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the projection (17) has a circular section.

6. - Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the second perforations (1 1) are arranged in number, shape, size and position suitable for slowing down the water or steam outlet and, therefore, obtaining Greater product extraction.

7. - Capsule for instant hot drink according to claim 1, characterized in that the side wall (2) and the bottom (9) are made of material selected from polyethylene and polypropylene.

8. - Capsule for instant hot drink according to claim 7, characterized in that the second film (10) is made of a material selected from polypropylene or polyethylene, as well as the first film (7) and the third film (12) are made of aluminum materials coated internally with polyethylene.

9. - Instant hot beverage capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the instant hot beverage product is ground coffee.

10. - Capsule for instant hot drink according to claim 1, characterized in that the first perforations (5) have a broken or curved shape, as well as their number is not less than ten.

eleven . - Capsule for instant hot drink according to claim 10, characterized in that the first perforations (5) are in the form of boomerang