WO2014128315A1

WO2014128315A1 - Capsule for preparing infusions

Info

Publication number: WO2014128315A1
Application number: PCT/ES2013/070396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Javier Reinoso Velasco
Original assignee: Productos Solubles S.A.
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2013-06-20
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: ES1078818Y; EP2960181B1; EP2960181A1; ES2674981T3; ES1078818U

Abstract

A capsule for preparing infusions comprising [a] first and second capsule (1) parts (2, 4) connected to each other such as to delimit an inner chamber (6) containing an infusion product (8) and [b] a sealing member (10) provided on the outer surface of said capsule (1) and which on the side corresponding to the inner chamber (6) side forms a hollow space (12) delimited between said first and second capsule (1) parts (2,4), [c] said sealing member (10) being deformable such as to provide a watertight seal between a fixed part (100) and a movable part (102) of a machine housing said capsule (1) for preparing said infusión, by causing a pressurized fluid to pass between an injection side (14) and an extraction side (16) of said capsule (l),characterized in that [d] it further comprises separating means (18) between said hollow space (12) and said inner chamber (6) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of said capsule (1) and being formed such as to prevent the accumulation of said infusión product (8) in said hollow space (12).

Description

CAPSULE TO PREPARE INFUSIONS DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a capsule for preparing infusions comprising first and second capsule portions joined together so as to delimit an inner chamber containing an infusion product and a sealing element provided on the outer surface of said capsule and that on the side corresponding to the inner chamber forms a gap that is delimited between said first and second capsule portions, said sealing element being deformably configured so as to provide a tight seal between a fixed part and a moving part of a machine that it houses said capsule to prepare said infusion, by passing a pressurized fluid between an injection side and an extraction side of said capsule.

State of the art

The infusion preparation system, such as coffee, tea, soups or the like from single or multiple dose capsules in which hot water under pressure is introduced, is known. In this system, the capsule is inserted into the capsule holder of a machine for preparing infusions, the capsule holder being formed by a fixed part and a movable part that have a complementary shape to that of the capsule. When the capsule holder is closed, the fixed and mobile parts imprison and pierce the capsule on two opposite sides; the injection side and the extraction side. On the injection side, the hot water under pressure is introduced, between 1 and 20 bar which is impregnated with the infusion product. On the extraction side, once the water has completely passed through the inner chamber of the capsule, the infusion already prepared goes to the corresponding cup. Due to the high working pressures, achieving a correct seal between the fixed part and the mobile part of the capsule holder is essential to achieve an infusion of optimal organoleptic properties. In the described system, it is usual for the capsule to have a perimeter annular flange than in the area where it is trapped between the fixed part and the mobile part of the capsule holder to prevent water leaks from this point.

Document FR2617389 discloses a capsule for the preparation of an express beverage containing an infusion product. The capsule has a trunk-shaped cuvette open at its major base. In addition, the tray has a flange on this base that acts as a sealing element in the machine. Before use, the capsule is hermetically sealed by its major and minor base by means of sealing hinges that must be removed to prepare the infusion. During use, to ensure a tight seal with the machine, in the area of the flange on which the machine imprisons the capsule, an internal step is provided that facilitates the elastic deformation of this area. On the inside of the capsule, the step is covered by an operculum of filtering material that prevents the infusion product granules from leaving once the sealing operculum has been removed from the main base, but allows the passage of water . This capsule presents the problem that it is complicated and expensive to manufacture, since it requires three hinges for proper operation.

From EP1700548 a capsule is known that is designed to be inserted into a beverage production device and perforated by an injection side and an extraction side. Then, a pressurized fluid penetrates the capsule by the injection side to interact with the ingredients and drain a beverage from the capsule by the extraction side. The capsule comprises a tray-shaped base body and a closure sheet; or a lenticular capsule with two facing and matching walls, comprising a hollow sealing element on the outer surface of the capsule, to provide a sealing effect between the envelope element of the beverage production device and the capsule holder. This capsule simplifies the capsule of document FR2617389 as it dispenses with operculi that must be removed. before the preparation of the infusion. However, the sealing element does not always work satisfactorily since it can cause the closing force of the machine to be not uniform throughout the perimeter of the sealing element. Due to this, the sealing element can be irregularly deformed, affecting the seal of the capsule holder. An irregular deformation of the sealing element can reduce the pressure of the injected water and therefore affect the organoleptic properties of the infusion drink. Summary of the invention

The purpose of the invention is to provide a capsule for preparing infusions of the type indicated at the beginning, which guarantees a correct seal on the entire perimeter of the sealing element and therefore allows the production of infusion drinks whose organoleptic properties do not depend on the structural characteristics of The capsule itself.

This purpose is achieved by means of a capsule for preparing infusions of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that it also comprises means for separating said hollow and said inner chamber which extend in the longitudinal direction of said capsule and which are configured so as to avoid accumulation of said infusion product in said recess.

The most popular capsules of the state of the art are truncated conical and have a flange that protrudes from the main base, radially outward and incorporates the deformable sealing element formed from an annular flange that by the face corresponding to the inner chamber of the The capsule has an internal step that forms a gap that facilitates deformation when the capsule holder rests on this point. In turn, a closure sheet adhered to the flange seals the side of the capsule from which the infusion is removed. Among the machines adapted to this type of capsules, there are those that the direction of infusion extraction is vertical and those that the direction is horizontal. Thus, this type of capsules presents the problem that, between the packaging and its final use, in The aforementioned gap accumulates and cakes the infusion product, for example ground coffee granules. If the capsule has a vertical extraction direction, and therefore the sealing element is oriented horizontally, all the coffee seals the gap uncontrollably. This can cause irregular deformations of the sealing element that lead to a worsening of the sealing at this point and increase the effort required to close the capsule holder. This same effect is more pronounced in the case of vertical extraction machines, since all the coffee accumulates by gravity in the lower part of the capsule.

On the contrary, using the capsule according to the invention in a particularly simple and economical way, this effect is avoided. The separation means ensure that a significant amount of infusion product can accumulate in the recess provided below the sealing element that can cause the negative effects observed in the state of the art capsules in which the recess is part of the inner chamber of the capsule. In addition, this configuration also simplifies the capsules of the state of the art in which a filtering sheet was provided on the step that configures the recess, since it allows to dispense with an element, but also increases the useful volume of the inner chamber or in its defect allows to manufacture a more compact capsule. The increase of the useful volume in radial direction allows to increase the amount of coffee inside the capsule and to improve the infusion obtained.

Furthermore, the invention encompasses a series of preferred features that are the subject of the dependent claims and whose usefulness will be highlighted later in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

The separation means can completely seal the gap so as to prevent the infusion product from entering. However, this is not essential for the invention, since depending on the granulometry of the product, it may be sufficient to leave a slight opening that separates the inner chamber from the gap under the sealing element. This has the advantage that the element of Sealing can be configured in a highly deformable way, since this opening allows the sealing element to deform freely if it is supported by the side corresponding to the inner chamber of the capsule. Thus, preferably said separation means leave an opening between said gap and said inner chamber between 0 and 0.5 mm. Preferably the opening extends in the longitudinal direction, but alternatively it could extend in the radial direction. As an example, in the case of ground coffee, in which its granules have a finer granulometry, compared to other products such as tea, the granulometric distribution is such that there is a non-negligible proportion of granules with a diameter greater than 0, 5 mm Thus, although some granules have a granulometry of less than 0.5 and therefore can enter the hole formed below the sealing element, the amount that can pass will not be enough to fill the hole, since the granules of larger diameters collaborate with the separation means by blocking access to the hole.

Also, especially in the case of coffee, it may be necessary to obtain mixtures with finer granules to obtain a more intense flavor. For this, it is necessary that the granulometry be finer, that is, of granules of diameters smaller than 0.3 mm in a proportion of up to 20% of the mixture. Therefore, preferably, the opening between said gap and said inner chamber is comprised between 0.1 and 0.3 mm. Again, 80% of granules with a diameter greater than 0.3 mm collaborate with the opening of the separation means to prevent the massive entry of fines into the hollow and thereby allow the sealing element to freely deform .

The invention also aims to simplify the capsule structure as much as possible avoiding complicated assemblies. For this, preferably the separation means are a perimeter skirt forming a single piece said first and / or second capsule parts, said skirt being facing said gap as a dividing wall with respect to said inner chamber. The skirt can be formed completely in the first or second parts, but in the invention it is not ruled out that both the first and the second parts have an integrated half-skirt.

Thus, optionally, the separation means 18 comprise at least two concentric skirts 22 being a skirt provided in said first part 2 and a second skirt provided in said second part 4 and the two consecutive skirts 22 are offset from each other and configured so that they form a maze. This increases further reduces the possibility of granule entry into the gap below the sealing element, since the path of the granule is even greater.

In order to achieve a correct elastic deformation of the sealing element without weakening other parts of the capsule in one embodiment, it is provided that the perimeter skirt comprises a plurality of breakpoints throughout its perimeter.

In order to improve the barrier formed by the separation means in the event that the breakpoints are especially large, in a preferred form of the invention it is provided that said separation means comprise at least two concentric skirts comprising said plurality of points. of interruption, and that the interruption points of two consecutive skirts are displaced from each other so that they form a maze. Thus, in the event that a granule can cross the interruption of the first skirt, it will always run into the second skirt, making it difficult for it to sneak into the hollow below the sealing element.

In an alternative embodiment, the second piece is a sheet and the skirt consists of a fold in said sheet. Thanks to this, the consumption of material in the capsule is reduced.

In another alternative embodiment, the separation means are a perimeter skirt, said skirt being facing said gap as a dividing wall with respect to said inner chamber and said annular skirt is formed by an elastic material other than the material of said first or second capsule parts. This embodiment completely seals the gap completely preventing infusion material from entering, but instead does not prevent deformation of the sealing element because the skirt is made of elastic material.

Preferably the separation means are an independent ring of said first and second parts arranged so as to allow free deformation of said sealing element. This embodiment is especially appropriate in the case that the capsule is made of a sheet material, such as aluminum.

In an embodiment of the capsule the first and second parts are externally convex and are joined along a flange adjacent to said sealing element.

Alternatively, said first part is a truncated conical cuvette comprising an annular flange projecting radially out of its major base, which is open by said major base, and constituting said sealing element, a hollow step being provided below said sealing element and said second part is a sheet that seals said cuvette through the support surface of said capsule said flange. This facilitates that the sheet that seals the cuvette does not detach from the flange, since the only part that deforms substantially is the sealing element.

Finally, in order to achieve optimum circulation of the infusion fluid inside the capsule, it is preferably provided that the injection side and said extraction side are facing each other. Likewise, the invention also encompasses other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures. Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention are mentioned, mentioning the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a detail view cut longitudinally of a capsule according to the state of the art.

Fig. 2, a longitudinally cut detail of the capsule according to the state of the art, during the closing of the capsule holder.

Fig. 3, a schematic longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention inserted inside a capsule holder of an infusion machine.

Fig. 4, a detail view cut lengthwise of the capsule of figure 3, during the closing of the capsule holder.

Fig. 5, a longitudinally cut detail view of a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 6, a bottom perspective view of a third embodiment of the cuvette of a capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 7, a longitudinally cut detail view of the third embodiment of the capsule according to the invention with the cuvette of Figure 6.

Fig. 8, an enlarged detail in perspective of the zone VIII of the capsule of the figure

6.

Fig. 9, an enlarged perspective detail of a fourth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, corresponding to an area analogous to zone VIII in Figure 7.

Fig. 10, a longitudinally cut view of a fifth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 1 1, a longitudinally cut detail view of a sixth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 12, a longitudinally cut detail view of a seventh embodiment of the capsule according to the invention. Fig. 13, a longitudinally cut detail view of an eighth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 14, a longitudinally cut detail view of a ninth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 15, a longitudinally cut detail view of a tenth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 16, a longitudinally cut detail view of an eleventh embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Fig. 17, a longitudinally cut detail view of a twelfth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 show two capsule alternatives known in the state of the art.

In particular, the state-of-the-art capsule 201 shown in FIG. 1 is formed by a conical trunk 202 with the minor base closed and the major base open. From the main base a flange 214 protrudes radially outwards. The capsule 201 has a sheet 204 adhered to the flange 214. The tray 202 and the sheet 204 delimit an infusion chamber 216 to contain an infusion product 208, coffee type, Tea, broth or similar. Capsule 201 is designed as a single dose capsule that works with known machines for preparing infusions specifically adapted to the outer shape of the capsule. The machine, which can be seen better in Figure 3, has a capsule holder formed by a fixed part 100 and a movable part 102, movable with respect to the fixed part 100. The cylinder 102 moves in the direction of arrow A (see figure 2) to imprison the capsule 201 in the capsule holder by compressing the sealing element 218. The mobile part 102 perforates the capsule 201 by its smaller base with punches 106. Likewise, the sheet 204 that seals the major base of cuvette 202 is also perforated by projections 1 10 as a pyramid. The pump 104 circulates an infusion fluid, such as water at a temperature close to 100 ^e C, or a fluid containing primarily water, through the perforations in the major and minor bases of the capsule 201. The water is impregnated with infusion product 208 and leaves the capsule 201, already in the form of an infusion prepared for consumption, by the steps 108 of the holder 100 of the capsule holder in the direction of a cup not shown. However, in this first state-of-the-art capsule 201 it is difficult to achieve a tight seal in the area of the sealing element 218. This is because the capsule 201 does not deform at this point. Thus, due to unwanted games in the capsule holder or manufacturing tolerances, considerable water losses may occur that affect the organoleptic properties of the infusion.

The capsule of figure 2 represents a step forward with respect to the capsule of figure 1, since in the area near the major base of the bucket 202, below the sealing element 218 a diametral step is formed which it forms a recess 220. This recess 220 is intended to allow free deformation of the sealing element 218 during the closing of the capsule holder. However, this objective cannot always be achieved satisfactorily, since as explained in the previous paragraphs in relation to document EP1700548, the infusion product is introduced into the gap 220 and makes it difficult to homogenize the sealing element 218 and consequently losses of fluid can also occur due to the sealing element. Again, the organoleptic properties of the infusion are affected, as well as the repetitiveness of the manufacturing process.

A first embodiment of the capsule 1 according to the invention can be seen in Figures 3 and 4. In this case, the capsule 1 also comprises first and second parts 2, 4 joined together to delimit an inner chamber 6 containing an infusion product 8 such as coffee, tea, broth or the like.

In this embodiment, the first part 2 is also a truncated cone tray with the minor base closed and the major base open. As will be seen below, the smaller base corresponds to the injection side 14 of the capsule, while the larger base corresponds to the extraction side 16. The flange 28 also radially protrudes from the larger base. manufactured in any type of material that can be punched by punches 106. For example, food plastics such as bioplastics, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, polypropylenes, polyamides or others are applicable. In this embodiment shown one low density polyethylene, known as LDPE, having a Vicat softening temperature comprised 80 ^and C, according to ISO 306. Another preferred material test in this case is a mixture of 50% HPDE high density polyethylene and 50% LPDE low density polypropylene. However, other percentages or materials, such as aluminum, are not discarded.

The second part 4 of the capsule 1 is in this case also a sheet of perforable material through the projections 1 10 and which seals the extraction side 16 of the capsule 1. Preferably, the sheet is an aluminum sheet reinforced with a polyethylene sheet to preserve the organoleptic properties of the product contained in the chamber 6. However, under what circumstances the aluminum sheet can be dispensed with. Thus, the sheet constituting the second part 4 is adhered to the support surface 38 of the capsule when it rests on the flange 28 of the cuvette. On the outer bearing surface 38 of the capsule 1, and in particular in the tray flange 28, the capsule 1 comprises a sealing element 10, consisting of an annular area around the cuvette. On the side of the sealing element 10 corresponding to the inner chamber 6, a diametral step is provided that forms a gap 12 that is delimited between the first and second capsule parts 2, 4, that is to say that the gap 12 alone It would be part of the inner chamber 6.

As seen in Figure 2, thanks to this gap 12, the sealing element 10 can be deformed to ensure the tight seal between the fixed and mobile parts 100, 102 of the infusion machine in which the capsule 1 is housed. . Once the capsule 1 is inside the machine and the mobile part 102 of the capsule holder compresses it against the fixed part 100 in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 4 and the capsule 1 is perforated by the injection side 14 with the punches 106 and on the extraction side 16 with the projections 1 10. Despite this, it should be noted that the fixed and mobile parts 100, 102 of the state-of-the-art machine should not be construed as limiting in the invention. That is, although in the example shown here it is considered that the fixed part 100 is the one corresponding to the extraction side 16 of the capsule 1 and the mobile part 102 to the injection side, the configuration could be the other way around. In this case, the part of the capsule holder corresponding to the extraction side 16 of the capsule 1 would be mobile, while the part of the capsule holder adapted to the injection side 14 would be fixed. Finally, the infusion is obtained by passing the infusion fluid at a pressure between 1 and 20 bar between the injection side 14 and the extraction side 16 of the capsule 1.

The invention provides that in order to achieve optimum sealing in the area of the sealing element 10 during the injection of the infusion fluid, the capsule 1 also comprises the separation means 18 arranged between the recess 12 and the inner chamber 6 to physically separate both parts . However, the term "separating" does not necessarily imply that the inner chamber 6 and the recess 12 are isolated from each other in all embodiments.

As seen in Figure 4, these separation means 18 are a perimeter skirt 22 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the capsule 1. In this embodiment, the skirt 22 forms a single piece with the truncated cone tray and faces the gap 12 as a dividing wall with respect to the inner chamber 6. This same figure, allows to observe how to compress the sealing element 10 in the direction of the arrow B, it deforms freely on the side closest to the longitudinal axis L, since at this point the sealing element 10 is not supported until it stops against the fixed part 100 of the machine. Simultaneously, the skirt 22 prevents the accumulation of the infusion product 8 in the recess 12 at all times before the injection of the infusion fluid. That is, from the moment of packing the infusion product in the inner chamber until the use of the capsule 1 to prepare the infusion, the skirt prevents the infusion product 8 from entering in relevant quantities. By preventing the massive entry of granules into the hollow 12 it is avoided that these can be caked at this point and prevent or hinder the free deformation of the element of sealing 10 when closing the capsule holder and impairing the sealing function of the sealing element 10. Another important advantage of the capsule according to the invention is that the closing force of the machine is reduced and its comfort of use is increased.

Hereinafter, the capsules of Figures 5 to 9 and 1 1 to 16 are structurally similar to those of Figures 3 and 4, whereby, for all common features reference is made to the description of these two previous figures. On the contrary, from now on all those novel features will be described, not described in previous paragraphs.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the capsule 1 for brewing coffee in individual doses according to the invention. In this case, the truncated cone tray is made from a combination of high density (HDPE) and low density (LDPE) polyethylene. In particular, the material consists of 15% HPDE with a Vicat softening temperature of 128 ^e C and 85% LPDE with a Vicat softening temperature of 80 ^e C. As mentioned, capsules 1 according to The invention presents the separation means 18 which extend in the longitudinal direction L to separate the gap 12 from the inner chamber 6. In this embodiment, the separation means 18 are also a skirt 22. Between the gap 12 and the chamber interior 6, and more particularly between the sheet and the base of the skirt 22, an opening 20 is formed which is preferably between 0.1 and 0.3 mm. In this specific embodiment, the skirt 22 leaves an opening of 0.25 mm, which allows to avoid the massive entry of coffee granules when it is desired to obtain coffee with greater flavor intensity. In this embodiment it is also appreciated that the perimeter skirt 22 comprises a plurality of breakpoints 24 throughout its perimeter. These interruptions give elasticity to the cuvette in the area of the skirt to improve its deformation. Also in this embodiment these breakpoints are radial, but they could have other orientations, such as spiraling, straight parallel to each other or others. In addition, the opening space they leave is within the same ranges as the opening 20, that is between 0.1 and 0.3 mm to prevent the massive passage of brown granules.

A third embodiment of the capsule 1 according to the invention is shown in Figures 6 to 8 in which the separation means 18 comprise two concentric skirts 22. As in the previous case, in order to improve the deformability of the capsule 1 in the area of the sealing element 10, a plurality of breakpoints 24 are provided. In this case, the cuvette is designed for larger infusion products, such as tea. Thus, preferably, the opening 20 between the recess 12 and the inner chamber 6 is between 0 and 0.5 mm, and in particular in this case 0.4 mm. On the other hand, in this embodiment it is not necessary that the interruption points 24 be as narrow as in the previous embodiment, that is to say they can be larger than 0.5 mm and preferably smaller than 1 mm. It is also worth commenting that at no time the width of the tabs that remain on the skirt will be less than the width of the breakpoints themselves. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is provided that the interruption points 24 of the two consecutive skirts 22 are displaced from each other so that they form a maze. Thus, two interruption points 24 of two different skirts 22 may never face each other if they leave a light larger than 0.5 mm. However, particularly preferably, the breakpoints 24 of two consecutive skirts 22 will be angularly offset from each other so that they never leave a radial gap between them. An embodiment is shown in Figure 9 in which two concentric skirts 22 are also provided. However, in this case, the skirts 22 are formed by a plurality of lugs as cylinders. This makes it possible to considerably reduce the dimensions of the continuous sections of the skirt 22 and therefore improve the elastic deformability of the sealing element 22.

Figure 10 shows a capsule 1 in which the first and second parts 2, 4 are externally convex and specularly symmetrical made in a material laminate such as aluminum. However, both parts can also be manufactured in food plastics provided that the wall thickness is sufficiently reduced. Both parts 2, 4 are joined along the flange 28 to delimit an inner chamber 6 and define a lenticular capsule 1. Again, in the vicinity of the inner chamber 6 the sealing element 10 consists of a perimetral ring formed in two parts, that is to say each half is formed respectively in the first and second parts 2, 4. Thus, below the element With sealing 10, the capsule 1 has the hollow 12 which facilitates its deformation. Also in this case, the capsule 1 has separation means said separation means 18 as a plastic ring 26 independent of said first and second parts 2, 4 and which again extends in the longitudinal direction L of the capsule 1. In this case, the physical separation between the chamber 6 and the gap 12 is total, that is the opening 20 between the gap and the inner chamber void.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 1 to 13, the separation means 18 are provided on the second part 4 of the capsule 1, that is to say on the sealing sheet provided on the flange 28 that seals the larger base of the bowl conical trunk

In Figure 1 1, the skirt 22 consists of a fold in the sheet generated by thermoforming. Because the sheet is a thin sheet of polyethylene, the gap 12 can be completely separated from the inner chamber 6. In this case, the apex 30 of the fold rests directly against the bottom of the element of the sealing element 10. No However, the sealing element 10 can be freely deformed, since the sheet due to its limited thickness, less than 0.2 mm hardly exhibits deformation resistance.

In the embodiment of Figure 12, separation means 18 are a perimeter skirt 22 protruding in the longitudinal direction L as a ring of the second part 4. In this case, the second part 4 is an injection piece a from polypropylene. The skirt 22 completely seals the gap 12. However, it is provided that the outer diameter of the skirt 22 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inner wall of the chamber 6, to thereby allow free deformation of the sealing element 10. In this case, to ensure the infusion exit from the extraction side 16, the cover that seals the cuvette it has a plurality of ducts 32.

In the embodiment of Figure 13, the separation means 18 is a perimeter skirt 22 extending in the longitudinal direction as a dividing wall with respect to said inner chamber 6. Unlike the shapes of Figures 1 1 and 12 the annular skirt 22 is formed by a rubber-like elastic material other than the sheet material that forms the second part 4, that is the sheet that seals the extraction side 16 of the bowl. Thus, the rubber-like elastic material is any that can have properties similar to rubber, such as elastomers, synthetic resin, latex or others. Alternatively, the annular skirt 22 could be provided on the tray instead of the sheet also touching its apex against the sheet.

Figures 14 and 15 show two last embodiments similar to those described in Figures 5 to 8. However, in this case, in order to increase elasticity and deformability in the outer zone of the sealing element 10, some emptyings are provided. which increase the pressure of the capsule holder at this point.

In Fig. 14, a plurality of recessed concentric grooves 34 is provided with respect to the outer surface of the capsule 1 in the area of the sealing element 10. In the event that some water could escape, it could accumulate in the stretch marks 34 and thus avoid any leakage of liquid. Stretch marks 34 also allow increasing the surface pressure in case the sealing element 10 stops at the end of its travel and the capsule holder has not closed completely. With increasing surface pressure, stretch marks could deform plastically and further improve the tightness. Alternatively, stretch marks could be provided in projection with respect to the outer surface of the capsule. It should also be noted that the shape of the Stretch marks are not limited to the triangular shape, but could also be rectangular, or trapezoidal.

In Fig. 15, a plurality of uniformly distributed cylindrical holes 36 is provided. Again, the holes 36 improve the deformation of the sealing element because they make the wall less rigid. In addition, the holes 36 allow accumulating eventual liquid losses and increase the surface pressure that the capsule holder exerts at this point. Again, these point holes 16 do not have to be limited to the cylindrical shape, so that within the scope of the invention the holes 36 can also be polygonal-based binoculars or, as a polygonal or circular base pyramid, they can also be It is truncated by its apex.

In Figure 16 another alternative of the capsule 1 according to the invention can be seen, which starts from the concept of Figure 12. In this case, the separation means 18 comprise two concentric skirts 22. However, they could also be more than two. A skirt 22 is provided in the sheet or piece of plastic that closes the mouth of the bucket. The other skirt 22 is provided in the truncated cone tray. Both consecutive skirts 22 are displaced in the longitudinal direction of the capsule so that they form a labyrinth that further hinders the entry of coffee into the hollow 12.

Figure 17 shows another embodiment of the capsule 1 according to the invention, in which the sealing element 10 comprises a layer 40 of elastic material of the rubber, resin or similar type and different from the material of the capsule 1. This additional highly deformable layer 40 can be applied independently, for example, by overmolding or projection.

Finally, it should be noted that despite not having been represented in detail any of the embodiments of Figures 3 to 13 and 16, they can also have on the outer surface of the sealing element 10 a stretch-type finish, cylindrical, prismatic holes or the like or a layer 40 of highly deformable material.

Claims

1 .- Capsule to prepare infusions comprising

[a] first and second parts (2, 4) of capsule (1) joined together so as to delimit an inner chamber (6) containing an infusion product (8) and

[b] a sealing element (10) provided on the outer surface of said capsule (1) and which on the side corresponding to the inner chamber (6) forms a gap (12) that is delimited between said first and second parts ( 2, 4) capsule (1),

[c] said sealing element (10) being deformably configured so as to provide a tight seal between a fixed part (100) and a moving part (102) of a machine housing said capsule (1) to prepare said infusion, making passing a pressurized fluid between an injection side (14) and an extraction side (16) of said capsule (1),

characterized because

[d] further comprises separation means (18) between said recess (12) and said inner chamber (6) extending in the longitudinal direction

(L) of said capsule (1) and which are configured so as to prevent the accumulation of said infusion product (8) in said recess (12).

2. - Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 1, characterized in that said separation means (18) leave an opening (20) between said gap (12) and said inner chamber (6) between 0 and 0.5 mm.

3. - Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 2, characterized in that said opening (20) between said recess (12) and said inner chamber (6) is comprised between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

4. - Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said separation means (18) are a skirt (22) perimeter formed by a single piece said first and / or second capsule parts (2, 4) (1), said skirt (22) facing said recess (12) as a dividing wall with respect to said inner chamber (6 ).

5. Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 4, characterized in that said perimeter skirt (22) comprises a plurality of breakpoints (24) throughout its perimeter.

6. Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 5, characterized in that said separation means (18) comprise at least two concentric skirts (22) comprising said plurality of breakpoints (24), and because the breakpoints ( 24) of two consecutive skirts (22) are displaced from each other so that they form a maze.

7. Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 4 to 5, characterized in that said separation means (18) comprise at least two concentric skirts (22) being a skirt provided in said first part (2) and a second skirt provided in said second part (4) and because said two consecutive skirts (22) are displaced from each other and configured so that they form a maze.

8. - Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second piece is a sheet and because said skirt (22) consists of a fold in said sheet.

9. - Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said separation means (18) are a perimeter skirt (22), said skirt (22) facing said hollow (12) as a wall divider with respect to said inner chamber (6) and because said annular skirt (22) is formed by an elastic material other than the material of said first or second capsule parts (2, 4) (1).

10. Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said separation means (18) are a ring (26) independent of said first and second parts (2, 4).

1 .- Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first and second parts (2, 4) are externally convex and are joined along a flange (28) adjacent to said sealing element (10)

12. Capsule for preparing infusions according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first part (2) is a truncated cone tray comprising

[a] an annular flange (28) projecting radially outward from its major base, which

[b] is open by said major base, and that

[c] constitutes said sealing element (10),

[d] a hollow step (12) being provided below said sealing element (10) and because

said second part (4) is a sheet that seals said cuvette through the support surface (38) of said capsule (1) on said flange (28).

13. Capsule for preparing infusions according to claim 1 or 12, characterized in that said injection side (14) and said extraction side (16) are facing each other.