WO2022042973A1

WO2022042973A1 - A single use container for a beverage preparation machine

Info

Publication number: WO2022042973A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/070854
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Sébastien Paul HEYDEL; Christian Talon; Jean-Luc Denisart; Enzo Bonacci
Original assignee: Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A.
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2021-07-26
Publication date: 2022-03-03

Abstract

A single use container (10) designed to be used in a beverage preparation machine (100), said container (10) comprising: at least one chamber (12A) configured for containing at least one ingredient for the preparation of a beverage product, and at least one valve device (14), configured for the inlet in said chamber (12A) of at least one fluid substance to be mixed with said ingredient and for the outflow from said chamber (12A) of a beverage product obtained as a mixture between said fluid substance and said ingredient, wherein said valve device (14) is movable in a plurality of operative positions (C, I, E).

Description

A SINGLE USE CONTAINER FOR A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE

Field of the invention

The present invention concerns a single use or disposable container for a beverage preparation machine, particularly a machine for preparing a beverage product by mixing a fluid substance with an ingredient contained in such a single use or disposable container.

Background of the invention

Systems for in-home preparation of beverages usually involve a machine that receives an ingredient storage container for storing an ingredient for the preparation of a beverage product. Generally, the ingredient container is introduced in the beverage preparation machine, and the machine passes a fluid (typically hot water) through a dose of the ingredient. The beverage product prepared by mixing the soluble ingredient and the fluid substance is then dispensed out of the container to a user's receptacle (typically a cup).

Typically, the fluid passed from the beverage preparation machine to the container is introduced in the container either by a shower plate that is in contact with a fluid permeable side of the container, or by a fluid processing device that pierces through an inlet wall of the container and injects the fluid therein (generally under a certain pressure). In such beverage preparation machines known in the art, dispensing of the beverage product from the container is performed either by:

- building a fluid pressure inside a closed cavity of the container until a dispensing wall of the container self opens and lets the beverage product out, or - by piercing a dispensing wall of the container by a dispensing needle means (or other similar piercing means) of the beverage preparation machine, that is able to withdraw or let the beverage product out of the container vicinity.

Regardless of the operation of the beverage preparation machine, most of the ingredient containers according to the prior art are not recyclable in existing waste streams. Actually, these ingredient containers are manufactured with different plastic materials and/or with other materials (e.g. metallic materials such as aluminum) for which the collect and recycling streams are not fully organized.

Additionally, in cases where the beverage preparation machine comprises a dispensing needle means for piercing a dispensing wall of the ingredient container, this container and, more specifically, the ingredient contained therein, may be subject to contamination due to fact that an external element, i.e. the dispensing needle means, which may not even be perfectly clean, is put in contact with the inside of the capsule and thus with the soluble ingredient.

There is therefore a need for a single use or disposable container for a beverage preparation machine which obviates the above cited drawbacks of existing containers in a simple and particularly functional manner.

Summary of the invention

One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a single use or disposable container for a beverage preparation machine which is recyclable using existing waste recycling streams.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single use or disposable container for a beverage preparation machine which avoids any contact between the ingredient, as well as the beverage product that comes out from the container, and the beverage preparation machine. The invention as claimed in claim 1 is thus a single use container designed to be used in a beverage preparation machine, wherein the container comprises:

- at least one chamber configured for containing at least one ingredient for the preparation of a beverage product, and

- at least one valve device, configured for the inlet in said chamber of at least one fluid substance to be mixed with said ingredient and for the outflow from said chamber of a beverage product obtained as a mixture between said fluid substance and said ingredient, wherein said valve device is movable in a plurality of operative positions, and comprises:

- at least one stationary element, comprising a first wall which is provided with a first plurality of openings, and

- at least one movable element, comprising a second wall which is provided with a second plurality of openings, said movable element being movable with respect to said stationary element so as to selectively open or close one or more of said openings, depending on the relative positions between said movable element and said stationary element.

The operative positions of the valve device comprise:

- a fluid inlet position of said valve device, wherein at least one fluid substance inlet opening of the second plurality of openings of said movable element is in fluid communication with at least one corresponding fluid substance inlet opening of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element, so as to allow the entrance of said fluid substance into said chamber, and

- a beverage outflow position wherein at least one beverage outflow opening of the second plurality of openings of said movable element is in fluid communication with at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element, so as to allow the outflow of said beverage product from said chamber, wherein in said inlet position and said beverage outflow position said movable element is in the same position with respect to said stationary element or in one or more different positions, so that during the fluid entrance in the chamber of the container the beverage may also flow out, or this beverage outflow occurs only after the fluid for the preparation of the beverage has completely or at least partially entered said chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operative positions of the valve device comprise also at least one of following further operative positions:

- a closed position of said valve device, wherein said movable element closes all of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element, and/or

- an emptying position, wherein:

- at least one beverage outflow opening of the second plurality of openings of said movable element is in fluid communication with said at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening of said stationary element used for the beverage outflow, and with at least an additional outflow opening of said stationary element, and

- at least a further opening of said movable element is in fluid communication with at least a further air inflow opening of said stationary element, so that air is introduced into the chamber for compensating the outflow of liquid from said chamber, wherein in this emptying position the maximum passage area through the valve device is available, so as to quickly and fully empty and clean the chamber after the preparation of a beverage.

The closed position may be suitable for air tightly closing the container, wherein in this contest "air thigh" means that if air penetrates in the container it does not modify the ingredient contained into the chamber at least for a fixed period of time (for example some months). This closed position may also be used for avoiding any possible dripping of the beverage from the capsule when a capsule has been used and should be removed from the beverage machine. The emptying position may be used for quickly and completely emptying the capsule at the end of the extraction of the beverage product, so that the capsule can be completely emptied and is readily prepared for recycling.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the valve device comprises at least one actuator element connected with the movable element for moving the movable element with respect to the stationary element, at least in said fluid inlet position and said beverage outflow position. More preferably, the actuator element is a rotatable wheel provided with first connecting means for rotatably connecting the actuator element with at least one corresponding connection element of the movable element.

The provision of this actuator element facilitates the automatic movement of the valve device.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the actuator element is a rotatable wheel provided with second connecting means for connecting said actuator element with actuator means of a beverage preparation machine. This embodiment.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the actuator element is provided with at least one outflow through hole, designed to be in fluid communication with at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening of the stationary element, which in turn is in fluid communication with the at least one outflow opening of the movable element so as to allow the outflow of the beverage product from the chamber.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the at least one beverage outflow opening of said stationary element, and/or the at least one outflow through hole of the actuator element are in fluid communication with a tubular conduit configured for directing the outflow of the beverage product from the container directly in a user's receptacle without contacting/contaminating any part of the beverage machine. According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the stationary element comprises four distinct through holes, the movable element comprises three distinct through holes, and the actuator element comprises three distinct through holes, wherein one of the distinct through holes of said movable element has an oblong shape in such a waythat, in said emptying position of the valve, said outflow opening with an oblong shape is simultaneously in fluid communication:

- with two through holes of said distinct through holes of said stationary element,

- and with two through holes of said distinct through holes of said actuator element, so as to increase in the emptying position the maximum passage area through the valve device, wherein another through hole of the movable element in said emptying position of the valve is in fluid communication with a third through holes of said stationary element and a through hole of said actuator element, so that air is introduced into the chamber for compensating the outflow of liquid from said chamber, wherein in the fluid inlet and in the beverage outflow positions said outflow opening with an oblong shape is in fluid communication only with:

- one through hole of said distinct through holes of said stationary element , and the other holes of said stationary element are closed by the movable element, except for an air inlet hole which is in fluid communication with a corresponding air inlet opening provided in the movable element,

- and one through hole of said distinct through holes of said actuator element is in fluid communication with said beverage outflow opening of the stationary element, and the other two holes of said actuator element are closed by the stationary element.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the movable element comprises means for rotatably connecting said movable element to the stationary element, and/or that the actuator element comprises means for rotatably connecting the actuator element to said stationary element and for rigidly connecting said actuator element to said movable element, so that a rotation movement of the actuator element according to a predefined angle width corresponds to a rotation movement of the movable element according to the same predefined angle width, and one of the operative positions of the valve device.

Preferably, the means for rotatably connecting the movable element to the stationary element comprise a shaft integrally formed in one piece with said second wall of the movable element passing in a through hole of the stationary element, and/or the means for rotatably connecting the actuator element to said stationary element and for rigidly connecting said actuator element to said movable element, comprise a shaft integrally formed in one piece with said second wall of the movable element passing in a shaped hole for an interlocking coupling of said shaft in said shaped hole.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the movable element comprises at least one air or gas inlet bore which is in fluid communication with the fluid substance inlet opening of the second plurality of openings and/or with said fluid substance inlet opening of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element, to allow the entrance of air or gas into the chamber of the container at least in said fluid substance inlet position, when said air or gas inlet bore is in fluid communication with an opening provided in the stationary element for the entrance of said air or gas.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid substance inlet opening of the first plurality of openings of the stationary element is in fluid communication with at least one fluid substance inlet conduit, said fluid substance inlet conduit being located within said stationary element and upstream with respect to said fluid substance inlet opening of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element, wherein, preferably, said fluid substance inlet opening of the first plurality of openings of said stationary element has an average cross-sectional area which is smaller than the average cross-sectional area of said fluid substance inlet conduit.

According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the at least the valve device and preferably the whole container is completely made in one or more recyclable plastic materials.

Additionally, also a beverage preparation machine for a container of the type described above, is claimed. The beverage preparation machine at least one holding device comprising: means for holding a container, fluid means for providing to said container the fluid for the preparation of the beverage, and actuator means for moving the valve device of said container in the different operative positions provide for this valve.

Advantageously, the actuator means comprise a gear mechanism driven by a motor, wherein the gear mechanism engages with a toothed surface of the of the actuator element once the container is housed in the holding means.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a container for a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the container of Figure 1, wherein all the components of the respective valve device are shown;

Figure 4 is a schematic exploded sectional view of the container shown in Figure 3; Figure 5A is a schematic partial view taken from above of the valve device when it is not connected to a container, wherein said valve device is shown in its closed position;

Figure 5B is a schematic bottom view of the valve device in the closed position of Figure 5A, wherein also the container is shown;

Figure 5C is a schematic sectional view of the valve device in the closed position of Figure 5A wherein also the container is shown;

Figure 6A is a schematic view, identical to the view of figure 5A but with valve device in its fluid substance inlet position and beverage outflow position;

Figure 6B is a schematic view, identical to the view of figure 5B but with valve device in its fluid substance inlet position and beverage outflow position;

Figure 6C is a schematic sectional view, taken along the sectional line 6B/6B of figure 6A with valve device in its fluid substance inlet position and beverage outflow position;

Figure 6D is a schematic perspective sectional view, taken along the sectional line 6B/6B of figure 6A with valve device in its fluid substance inlet position and beverage outflow position;

Figure 7A and 7B are schematic views from above and from the bottom of only the component indicated with the reference 16 in figure 4;

Figure 8A is a schematic view, identical to the view of figure 5A but with valve device in its emptying position;

Figure 8B is a schematic view, identical to the view of figure 5B but with valve device in its emptying position;

Figures 8C-8E are schematic perspective sectional views, taken along the sectional lines 8C/8C, 8D/8D, 8E/8E of figure 8b with valve device in its in its emptying position;

Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a beverage preparation machine that can be provided with a container according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic and simplified view from above of a container holder device of the beverage preparation machine of Figure 9, wherein said container holder device is not supporting a container according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a schematic and partial sectional view of a container holder device of figure 9;

Figure 12 is an enlargement of a portion of figure 11, and

Figure 13 is a schematic and sectioned top view of a part of the container holder device.

Detailed description of the invention

A preferred embodiment of a single use container for a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention is illustrated in figures 1 to 4. The container is indicated as a whole with reference numeral 10 and is designed to be used in a beverage preparation machine 100 for the preparation of a beverage product.

The container 10 comprises at least one container element 12 delimiting a chamber 12A configured for containing at least one ingredient for the preparation of the beverage product.

Preferably, the ingredient is chosen within the list comprising:

- roast and ground coffee, compacted or not,

- soluble powder coffee,

- leaf tea,

- dairy ingredients chosen within the list comprising: milk or creamer, chocolate, fruit juices, soups, vegetable juices, bouillons, smoothies, purees, coulis, creams or a combination thereof, in powdered soluble form, liquid concentrated form having various viscosities or in gel form. The container 10 also comprises at least one valve device 14, configured for the inlet in the chamber 12A of at least one fluid substance to be mixed with the ingredient and for the outflow from the chamber 12A of the beverage product obtained as a mixture between the fluid substance and the ingredient. With the concept of "mixing of a fluid substance with an ingredient" it should be intended that all the ingredients that can be individually or simultaneously contained in the chamber 12A are in a form which is compatible with a generic mixing operation (dissolution, extraction or infusion) with the fluid substance (typically water) to obtain the beverage product. Therefore, in the present context, with the term "mixing" is intended whatever combination between the fluid substance and one or more ingredients. For example, the mixing can be carried out by an infusion process between the fluid substance (typically hot water, that acts as a solvent) and the ingredient (usually a flavour of any kind, e.g. coffee, tea, etc.), or by an actual mixing process between the fluid substance and the ingredient.

According to the present invention, the valve device 14 comprises at least one stationary element 16, comprising a first wall 20 (fig. 7A, 7B) which is provided with a first plurality of openings 24, 28, 46, 47, and 124 forfluid/air/beverage inlet/outflow (fig. 4), and at least one movable element 18, comprising a second wall 22 (fig. 2, 3) which is provided with a second plurality of openings 26, 30, 42 for fluid/air/beverage inlet/outflow (fig. 3). The stationary element 16 is fixed with respect to the chamber 12A of the container 10, whereas the movable element 18 is movable with respect to the stationary element 16 so as to selectively open or close one or more of the openings 24, 28, 46, 47, 124; provided in said stationary element 16 and openings 26, 30, 42 provided in said movable element 18.

Depending on the relative positions between the movable element 18 and the stationary element 16, the valve device 14 is operable between following operative positions: a closed position C (fig. 5A), a fluid substance inlet position and beverage outflow position I (fig.6A), and an emoting position E (fig. 8A). In the closed position of the valve device 14 (Figures 5A-5C), the wall 22 of the movable element 18 closes all the openings 24, 28, 46, 47, 124 for fluid/air/beverage inlet/outflow of the stationary element 16. In this closed position, the container 10 is tightly closed and no fluid communication can occur between the chamber 12A and the outside.

As discussed below the tightness of the container and in particular of the valve device 14 may be increased by adding a sealing film.

For example, the container 10 is in its closed position before being inserted into the beverage preparation machine 100, and in this closed position the ingredient contained into the chamber is preserved from possible contamination, at least for a fixed period of time (for example some months).

This closed position may be used also for avoiding any possible dripping of the beverage from the capsule when a capsule has been used and should be removed from the beverage machine.

In the fluid substance inlet position of the valve device 14 (Figures 6A-6C), at least one fluid substance inlet opening 26 of the openings 26, 30, 42 of the movable element 18 is in fluid communication with at least one corresponding fluid substance inlet opening 24 of the openings 24, 28, 46 of the stationary element 16 (in figures 6A-6C the opening 24 is in fluid communication with the opening 26), and preferably, also at least a fluid outlet opening 28 of the openings 24, 28, 46 of the stationary element 16 is in fluid communication with at least one fluid substance outlet opening 30 of the openings 26, 30, 42 of the movable element 18 (see in particular fig. 6C).

In other words, in the fluid substance inlet position of the valve device 14, the entrance of the fluid substance into the chamber 12A is allowed, and at the same time, preferably also the outlet of the beverage from the chamber 12A is allowed, and this beverage can preferably directly flow, for example, to a user's receptacle Z (such as the cup shown in figure 9), as it will be better explained hereinafter. In this context with "direct flow" it is meant that the beverage exiting the container reaches the user's receptacle Z without contacting/contaminating any other part of the machine. This preferred outflow mode prevents contamination between two different types of beverage obtained with two different containers prepared one after the other, because the beverages flow directly from the container into the user's cup without contacting/contaminating any other part of the machine.

As discussed below, preferably, in this inlet/outlet position and during the inflow of the fluid for the preparation of the beverage also air or gas may be allowed to enter into the chamber 12A.

Preferably, as shown in figure 6C the fluid inlet opening 26 of the movable element 18 is in fluid communication with a tubular conduit 26' for directing the inlet fluid into the chamber 12A, and the opening 30 for the beverage outflow is a hole extending through the entire thickness of the wall 22 and has an oblong shape as discussed below.

In the preferred embodiment of the container 10, as shown in the attached figures, the valve device 14 further comprises (that is, in addition to the stationary element 16 and the movable element 18) at least one actuator element 32. This actuator element 32 is engaged with the movable element 18 of the valve device 14, so as to move this movable element 18 with respect to the stationary element 16.

Preferably, the actuator element 32 is a rotatable wheel provided with first engaging means 34 (fig. 1-4), to be engaged with a corresponding actuator means 104 (figure 13) of the beverage preparation machine 100, and with second engaging means 36 (figure 2), to be engaged with at least one corresponding connection element 38 of the movable element 18. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the valve device 14 shown in the figures, the movable element 18 is rotatably connected to the stationary element 16.

Preferably, the first engaging means 34 of the actuator element 32 comprise a gear wheel 34A, whereas the second engaging means 36 of this actuator element 32 preferably comprise a shaped tubular element 36A (fig. 4) defining a through hole 36B having a cross section which is compatible with the cross section of at least a portion of a shaft 38A (fig. 4) which forms the connection element 38 of the movable element 18. This shaft 38A is preferably integrally formed in one piece with the second wall 22 of the movable element 18, so that said shaft 38A may be interlocking coupled with the shaped through hole 36B of the second engaging means 36 of the of the actuator element 32. In this way, a rotation movement of the actuator element 32 according to a predefined angle width corresponds to a rotation movement of the movable element 18 according to the same predefined angle width.

Any known means may be used to axially constrain the movable element 18 to the actuator element 32, for example the lower end of the shaft 38A may exit from the tubular element 36A (fig. 2) and may be provided with small protrusions 38C (fig. 4) for a snap fit coupling of this lower end of the shaft 38A with the lower edge 36C (fig. 2) of the tubular element 36A .

To allow the valve device 14 to be operated between its different operative positions, the actuator element 32 is provided with at least one through hole 40C, 40B (fig. 5B) designed to be in fluid communication with the beverage outflow opening 30 of the movable element 18 and the beverage outflow opening 28, 47 of the stationary element 16. Advantageously, each of the outflow through holes 40C, 40B of the actuator element 32 is in fluid communication with a respective tubular conduit 40C', 40B' configured for directing the outflow of the beverage product from the chamber 12A directly in a user's cup C (figure 9) and for permitting a direct flow of the beverage into the user's cup C.

In the preferred embodiment of the container 10, as shown in the attached figures, the stationary element 16 of the valve device 14 comprises also at least one emptying opening 46, 47 (in fig. 8A two emptying openings 46, 47 are shown). Thus, the valve device 14 comprises a further operative position between the movable element 18 and the stationary element 16, i.e. an emptying position E (fig. 8A-8E) of the valve device 14. In this emptying position E of the valve device 14, shown in Figures 8A-8E, the movable element 18 is movable with respect to the stationary element 16 in such a way that the openings 26 and 30 of the movable element 18 are in fluid communication: with the openings 46 and 28, 47 of the stationary element 16, and with all the through holes 40A, 40B, 40C of the actuator element 32 (fig. 8C-8E) and at the same time the movable element closes the fluid inlet opening 24 and air inlet 124. Therefore, in this emptying position of the valve device 14, the openings 28, 46, 47; 26, 30; 40A, 40B, 40C respectively provided in the stationary element 16, in the movable element 18 and in the actuator element 32 of the valve device 14 are all in fluid communication one with the other. As it will be better explained hereinafter, this feature allows the chamber 12A to be emptied quickly and completely after the extraction of the beverage product, so that the container 10 can be completely emptied and is readily prepared for recycling.

Preferably, as shown in the preferred embodiment of the attached figures, the actuator element 32 is provided with three distinct outflow through holes 40A, 40B, 40C, each delimited by a respective tubular conduit 40A', 40B', 40C'.

Still preferably, in this embodiment of the container 10 the beverage outflow opening 30 of the movable element 18 has an oblong shape in such a way that, in the emptying position (fig. 8A) of the valve device 14, this beverage outflow opening 30 is simultaneously in fluid communication with two through holes 47, 28 of the stationary element 16 and with two through holes 40C, 40B of the actuator element 32 (Figure 8C, 8E). In the same emptying position of the valve device 14, the remaining through hole 40A of the actuator element 32 is in fluid communication with the opening 46 of the stationary element 16 and with the opening 26 of the movable element 18 (fig. 8D), so that air is introduced into the chamber 12A for compensating the outflow of any liquid from said chamber 12A. During this emptying position of the valve device 14, the fluid inlet opening 24 and the air inlet opening 124 are closed by the movable element 18.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the movable element 18 may comprise at least one air or gas inlet bore 42 (fig. 3 and 6B) which is in fluid communication with the fluid substance inlet opening 26 of the movable element 18, only when the fluid for the preparation of the beverage is injected in the chamber 12 through the opening 24. The air or gas inlet bore 42 is designed to allow the entrance, through the inlet opening 26 of the movable element 18 and through the corresponding fluid substance inlet opening 24 of the stationary element 16, of air or gas into the chamber 12A in the fluid substance inlet position of the valve device 14.

The entrance of air or gas into the chamber 12A is possible together with the entrance of fluid substance by means of the Venturi effect. The Venturi effect is obtained when the fluid substance enters at a high speed into the chamber 12A and pulls in a quantity of air or gas through the air or gas inlet bore 42. This is due to an aspiration which is a physical property known in the field of fluid mechanics. When air or gas is pulled in (i.e. sucked) into the flow of fluid substance which enters into the chamber 12A, this air or gas too is mixed with the soluble ingredient contained in said chamber 12A. The mixture consisting of soluble ingredient, fluid substance and air or gas creates a foaming boost, which is needed for foamy beverage products (foamed milks, creamy chocolates, etc.).

Preferably the air or gas inlet bore 42 is in communication with a channel 42B (fig. 6B and 3) which in turn is in communication with a larger inlet mouth 42A (fig.3). This inlet mouth 42A when the movable element 18 is in its inlet/outlet position (fig. 6A-6E) is in fluid communication with a through hole 124 (fig. 7A, 7B) provided in the stationary element 16 and which is in fluid communication with the opening 40A of the auxiliary element 34 when this is in its inlet/outlet position (as it is partly visible in fig. 6D).

Preferably, in this inlet/outlet position of the valve the fluid substance inlet opening 24 of the stationary elements 16 is in fluid communication with at least one fluid substance inlet conduit 44 (fig. 6B). This fluid substance inlet conduit 44 (fig. 6B) is located within the stationary element 16, preferably within the wall 22, and upstream with respect to the fluid substance inlet opening 24. Advantageously, the fluid substance inlet opening 24 has an average cross-sectional area which is smaller (see figure 6B) than the average cross-sectional area of the fluid substance inlet conduit 44, so as to increase the speed of the fluid substance entering into the chamber 12A.

Preferably the stationary element 16 comprises a cylindrical body 50 (fig. 3) comprising: an external upper annular seat 51 for housing and tightly blocking a lower annular portion 12C of the container element 12, an internal upper tubular seat 52 for rotatably housing the movable element 18, and a lower seat 53 (fig. 4) for rotatably housing, at least partially, the actuator element 32.

More in detail the external annular seat 51 is delimited by an external wall 51 A (fig. 7A) an internal wall 51B and a bottom wall 51C dimensioned for tightly housing the lower portion 12C of the container provided with an externally protruding portion 10B which rest on said bottom wall and is axially constrained by a plurality of flexible wings 51D protruding in the space between the two walls 51A and 51B from a portion of the external wall 51A (as shown in figure 5C).

The connection between the lower portion 12C of the container and the stationary element 16 may be provided also by connection means different from that described above and usual for the skilled person such as for example screw connections. Preferably these connection means are suitable for air tightly connecting the container to the valve device. In this contest "air thigh" means that if air penetrates in the container it does not modify the ingredient contained into the chamber at least for a fixed period of time (for example some months).

The internal wall 51B and the inner bottom wall 20 of the stationary element 16 delimit also the internal upper tubular seat 52 (fig. 7A) for rotatably housing the movable element 18.

The inner bottom wall 20 of the internal upper tubular seat 52 comprises a central through hole 54 (fig. 7A) sized so as to allow the shaft 38A to rotate freely. This shaft 38A and the corresponding hole 54 forming means for rotatably connecting the movable element 18 to the stationary element 16. The inner bottom wall 20 comprises also the already mentioned openings 24, 28, 46, 124.

The lower seat 53 (fig. 7B) for rotatably housing an upper disc shaped portion 32A (fig. 3) of the actuator element 32 is delimited by a lower portion 51A' of the external wall 51A and by a lower surface 22B (fig. 4) of the wall 22.

Advantageously, the lower edge 51E (fig.4) of the external wall 51A comprises a toothing 55 for avoiding rotation of the stationary element 16 when the container 10 is connected to the beverage machine and the actuator element 32 is moved by an actuator device 104 of the beverage machine, as described in detail below.

Preferably, at least the stationary element 16 and the movable element 18 but more preferably also the actuator element 32 and the container element 12, are all shaped dimensioned and connected together so as to have a common longitudinal axis L (fig. 4) and also a common rotational axis for the two rotatable element 18 and 32.

The container element 12 may have any known shape known in the art. Preferably the container element 12 comprises a tubular neck 12B (fig.4) provided with two annular protruding portions the already mentioned lower portion 12C and an upper portion 12D (fig. 4) for connecting the container 10 to the beverage machine.

Preferably, to improve its recyclability, the container 10 is completely made with a recyclable plastic material. In other words, the chamber 12A of the container 10, as well as the valve device 14 and its respective components, i.e. the stationary element 16, the movable element 18 and the optional actuator element 32, are all made with the same recyclable plastic material, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, in different embodiments of the container 10, at least the container element 12 delimiting the chamber 12A could be made in a material which is different from the material of the valve device 14. For example, the container element 12 could be made in glass or in other suitable recyclable materials. With reference to Figures 5A-8C, all the possible operative positions of the valve device 14 are shown. In the closed position C shown in figures 5A-5C, all the openings 24, 28, 46 124 of the stationary element 16 are covered and closed by the wall 22 of the movable element 18, and also all the openings 26, 30, 42 of the movable element 18 are covered and closed by the wall 20 of the stationary element 16. In particularthe fluid inlet hole 24 is closed by a dedicated rib 22A (fig. 5C) provided in the wall 22 of the movable element.

The outflow through holes 40A, 40B, 40C of the actuator element 32, if present, are also covered and closed by the wall 20 of the stationary element 16. The valve device 14 is thus completely closed and no passage of any fluid substance to and from the chamber 12A is allowed.

It is to be noted that the airtightness between the movable and the auxiliary elements 18, 34 and the stationary element 16 is obtained by the insertion of the movable and the auxiliary elements 18, 34 into the dedicated tubular seats 52 and 53 provided in the stationary element 16. According to the invention the auxiliary elements 18, 34 and the stationary element 16 are housed in the stationary element in such a way that there is not a significant passage of air between the side walls of these elements 18, 34, 16, which are in contact with each other.

In the fluid substance inlet position I, shown in figures 6A-6C, the fluid substance inlet opening 26 of the movable element 18 is in fluid communication with the corresponding fluid substance inlet opening 24 of the stationary element 16, and preferably, also the fluid outlet opening 28 of the stationary element 16 is in fluid communication with the fluid substance outlet opening 30 of the movable element 18.

Preferably, in this inlet position and during the inflow of the fluid for the preparation of the beverage also air or gas may be allowed to enter into the chamber 12A, through the air inlet opening 42 provided in the movable element and in fluid communication through the hole 124 of the stationary element 16 and the hole 40A of the auxiliary element 34 with the ambient air. Actually, in this inlet position the fluid substance and air or gas through the respective inlet bores 26, 24, 42 enters into the chamber 12A, the fluid substance, that is, for example hot water, is then mixed with the ingredient contained in the chamber 12A in a way known per se, in order to create the desired beverage which then flows out from the container through the holes 30, 28, 40B of the movable, stationary and auxiliary elements 18, 16, 32. The beverage flows out from the container due the rise in pressure inside this chamber which is in turn due to the fluid entering the chamber. Additionally, due to the preferred tubular configuration of the outflow through hole 40B, there is a "direct flow" of the beverage exiting the container 10 to the user's receptacle Z, without contacting/contaminating any other part of the machine. In

Advantageously, a further optional operative position of the valve device 14 may be provided, that is, the emptying position E of Figures 8A-8E. In this emptying position, which is the final position of the valve device 14, the openings 26 and 30 of the movable element 18 are in fluid communication, respectively, with the openings 46 and the opening 28, 47 of the stationary element 16 and the fluid inlet opening 24 and air inlet opening 42 are closed.

Additionally, the above openings 26, 30 and 28, 46, 47 are in fluid communication with all the through holes 40A, 40B, 40C of the actuator element 32. Through holes 40C and 40B are used for emptying the chamber and are in communication with the openings 47, 28 of the stationary element 16 and with the opening 30 of the movable element 18, while the remaining through hole 40C of the actuator element 32 is in fluid communication with the opening 46 of the stationary element 16 and with the opening 26 of the movable element 18, so that air is introduced into the chamber 12A for compensating the outflow of any liquid from said chamber 12A.

In other words, in this emptying position the maximum outflow passage area through the valve device 14 is obtained, so as to quickly and fully empty the chamber 12A after the extraction of the beverage product, as well as make the container 10 as clean and dry as possible for a better recycling thereof.

Additionally, due to the preferred tubular configuration of the outflow through hole 40B, and 40C there is a "direct flow" of the beverage exiting the container 10 to the user's receptable Z, without containing/contaminating any other part of the machine, also during the fluid circulation system described above.

A possible embodiment of a beverage preparation machine 100 for the use of containers 10 according to the present invention is shown in figures 9-13. The beverage preparation machine 100 per se can be of any type known in the state of the art. This beverage preparation machine as usual for the expert in the filed comprises a fluid circulation system for the fluid substance to be introduced into the chamber 12A of the container 10. The fluid substance is typically water, at cold state (between 4°C and 20°C), ambient state (between 20°C and 35°C) or hot state (between 35°C and 95°C). Preferably, the fluid substance is water at a temperature comprised between 40°C and 90°C. The fluid circulation system of the beverage preparation machine 100 is known in the state of the art and may comprise at least one fluid source, at least one fluid pump and at least one fluid circulation conduit 106A (figures 10-12) for providing said fluid to the inlet conduit 44 of the container 10.

The beverage preparation machine 100 further comprises at least one container holder device 102 adapted: for receiving one container 10, for providing the fluid for the preparation of the beverage, and for controlling the valve device 14.

Preferably, the container holder device 102 comprises at least a support frame 111 (fig. 10) supporting: a container holder element 110, actuator means 112 (fig. 11) for the automatic movement of the valve 14 of the container 10 housed in the container holder element, and fluid means 106 (partially shown in fig. 10) for providing the fluid for the preparation of the beverage.

Preferably, the container holder element 110 comprises a seat 110A (fig. 12) which is adapted to house a lower portion of the container 10 comprising the valve 14, in an upside-down position (as shown in figures 11, 12), i.e. with the valve device 14 placed below the chamber 12A, in such a way that the beverage outflow openings can be opened downwards.

The container holder element 110 is for example, slidably mounted on a horizontal guide element 113 (partially visible in figure 10) of the support frame 111 in such a way that it may move along this guide element back and forth with respect to an outer surface 111A of the support frame (as schematically shown by arrow E in figure 10). As explained in more detail below it is sufficient that this movement of container holder element 110 is comprised between a few millimetres (for example 1mm to 10mm). When the container holder element 110 is moved out from the holder element 110, a container 10 may be inserted in the seat 110A, then by releasing the container holder element it is automatically moved inside the holder element by the action of springs 113A, as shown in figures 10-13. In this position as explained in more detail below the actuator means 112 for moving the valve 12 and the means 106 for providing the fluid for the preparation of the beverage may be activated.

Preferably, the seat 110A of the container holder element 110 comprises a bottom resting surface 114 (fig. 12) for the lower end portion of the valve 14 comprising a toothed annular element 114A which cooperates with the toothed edge 55 (fig. 4) of the stationary element 16 of the valve 14 for avoiding any rotational movement of the container 10. The bottom resting surface 114 of the container holder element 110 and also the support frame 111 for the latter, comprise each a large through hole 115 wherein the lower end portion of the valve 12 of the container is housed (as shown in figure 12), so that the tubular element 40B' and 40A' (fig. 12) of the valve 12, for the outflow of the beverage, at least partially protrude from said through hole 115 of the container holder element 110 and also the support frame 111 such that there is a "direct flow" of the beverage exiting the container 10 to the user's receptacle Z, without contacting/contaminating any part of the machine.

In this way, if a receptacle Z is placed below the container holder element 110 and a respective container 10 is housed therein, such as in the embodiment of figures 9-13, the beverage product may be directly sent to this receptacle Z after the extraction. Additionally, these tubular elements 40B' and 40A' guarantee a correct and precise outflow of the beverage product into receptacle Z.

Preferably, the container holder element 10 is connected for example through a tube 106A (fig. 10) to the usual fluid circulation system of the beverage machine, and comprises an annular open channel 116 (fig. 12) for providing this fluid to the inlet conduit 44 of the stationary element 16 of the valve 12 and to the inlet opening 24. Preferably seals 117 (for example O rings) are provided above and below the open channel 116. It is to be noted that fig. 12 shows a closed operative position of the valve 12 of the container, wherein the fluid inlet opening 24 is closed by the movable element 18 and also all other openings of the valve element are closed.

Preferably, the actuator means 112 for the automatic movement of the valve 12 of the container 10 between its operative positions described above, comprise a gear mechanism 110A-C (fig. 13) driven by a motor 108, wherein the mechanism 110A-C may be engaged with the toothed surface 34A (fig. 13) of the actuator element 32 once the container 10 has been correctly housed in the container holder 102 (in figure 13 the actuator element 32 is partially and schematically shown).

Preferably, the gear mechanism comprises a plurality, preferably three, of toothed wheels 110A-C which always engage with each other. The toothed wheel 110A engaging with the teeth 34A (fig. 13) of the actuator element 32 preferably has a portion of it outer edge 110A' where the teeth are missing so that the gear mechanism is not always engaging the actuator element 32 of the valve 12 of the container. This allows to better control the movement of the valve and allows to rapidly rotate the movable valve elements in their different operative positions.

Preferably, for a more precise control of the movement of the valve 14, the diameter of the toothed wheels 110A-C increases from the toothed wheel connected to the motor to the wheel connected to the valve 14 of the container.

Finally, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiment of the container and the beverage preparation machine described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention covered by the appended claims.

For example, the beverage preparation machine 100 may also be configured for receiving another format of conventional ingredient container in addition to the container 10 according to the present invention. This feature allows the simultaneous, or sequential, preparation of two or more beverage products starting from respective ingredients contained in different package formats. For example, the beverage preparation machine 100 can accept a container 10 according to the present invention, but also coffee pods of the type well known in the state of the art.

Moreover, different actuation means may be used to move the actuator element 34 and or the movable element 18 of the valve 14 of the container 10, for example conventional actuation means comprising one or more movable arms or a rack system, or conventional actuation means for a manual actuation of the movable element 18 and/or the auxiliary element 34

As discussed below the tightness of the container and in particular of the valve device 14 may be increased by adding one or more sealing films at the capsule openings for example a sealing film attached to the lower edge of the stationary element 16, which may be removed by the user before inserting the capsule in the beverage machine.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the injection of the fluid in the capsule may be temporarily separated from the beverage outflow at least for an initial period of operation of the valve device of the capsule; in other words the valve device may comprise a fluid inlet position, wherein, for example, in an initial period of operation of the valve device only the fluid inlet openings 24, 26 and possibly the air openings 42, 124 are open, and all other openings of the valve device are closed, and a subsequent period of operation of the valve deice wherein the beverage outflow openings 30, 28, 40B are open, and also said fluid inlet openings 24, 26 and possibly the air openings 42, 124 are also open, or wherein said fluid inlet openings

24, 26 and possibly the air openings 42, 124 are closed.

The embodiment wherein in an at least initial period of operation the fluid inlet opening are open 24, 26 and possibly the air openings 42, 124 are open and the beverage outflow openings 30, 28, 40B are closed, allows the ingredient contained in the capsule to initially mix with the injected fluid without an immediate outflow of the beverage.

Claims

1. A single use container (10) designed to be used in a beverage preparation machine (100)₇ said container (10) comprising:

- at least one chamber (12A) configured for containing at least one ingredient for the preparation of a beverage product, and

- at least one valve device (14), configured for the inlet in said chamber (12A) of at least one fluid substance to be mixed with said ingredient and for the outflow from said chamber (12A) of a beverage product obtained as a mixture between said fluid substance and said ingredient, wherein said valve device (14) is movable in a plurality of operative positions (C, I, E), characterised in that sa d valve device (14) comprises:

- at least one stationary element (16), comprising a first wall (20) which is provided with a first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46, 47, 124), and

- at least one movable element (18), comprising a second wall (22) which is provided with a second plurality of openings (26, 30, 42, 47, 124), said movable element (18) being movable with respect to said stationary element (16) so as to selectively open or close one or more of said openings (24, 28, 46, 47, 124; 26, 30, 42), depending on the relative positions between said movable element (18) and said stationary element (16), and in that said plurality of operative positions comprise:

- a fluid inlet position (I) of said valve device (14), wherein at least one fluid substance inlet opening (26) of the second plurality of openings (26, 30, 42) of said movable element (18) is in fluid communication with at least one corresponding fluid substance inlet opening (24, 124) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46, 47, 124) of said stationary element (16), so as to allow the entrance of said fluid substance into said chamber (12A),

- a beverage outflow position wherein at least one beverage outflow opening (30) of the second plurality of openings (26, 30, 42) of said movable element (18) is in fluid communication with at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening (28) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46, 47 124) of said stationary element (16), so as to allow the outflow of said beverage product from said chamber (12A), wherein in said inlet position and said beverage outflow position said movable element (18) is in the same position with respect to said stationary element (16) or in one or more different positions, so that during the fluid entrance in the chamber (12A) of the container (10) the beverage may also flow out, or this beverage outflow occurs only after the fluid for the preparation of the beverage has completely or at least partially entered said chamber (12A).

2. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of operative positions comprises at least one of following further operative positions:

- a closed position (C) of said valve device (14), wherein said movable element (18) closes all of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46, 47, 124) of said stationary element (16),

- and/or an emptying position (E), wherein:

- at least one beverage outflow opening (30) of the second plurality of openings (26, 30, 42) of said movable element (18) is in fluid communication with said at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening (28) of said stationary element (16) used for the beverage outflow, and with at least an additional outflow opening (47) of said stationary element (16),

- and at least a further opening (26) of said movable element (18) is in fluid communication with at least a further air inflow opening (46) of said stationary element (16), so that air is introduced into the chamber (12A) for compensating the outflow of liquid from said chamber (12A), wherein in this emptying position the maximum passage area through the valve device (14) is available, so as to quickly and fully empty and clean the chamber (12A) after the preparation of a beverage.

3. The container (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve device (14) comprises at least one actuator element (32) connected with said movable element (18) for moving said movable element (18) with respect to said stationary element (16), at least in said fluid inlet position and beverage outflow position.

4. The container (10) according to claim 3, wherein said actuator element (32) is a rotatable wheel provided with first connecting means (36) for rotatably connecting said actuator element (32) with at least one corresponding connection element (38) of said movable element (18).

5. The container (10) according to claim 3, wherein said actuator element (32) is a rotatable wheel provided with second connecting means (34) for connecting said actuator element (32) with actuator means (112) of said beverage preparation machine (100).

6. The container (10) according to one of claims 3-5, wherein said actuator element (32) is provided with at least one outflow through hole (40C, 40B), designed to be in fluid communication with at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening (28) of said stationary element (16), which in turn is in fluid communication with said at least one outflow opening (30) of said movable element (18) so as to allow the outflow of said beverage product from said chamber (12A).

7. The container (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one corresponding beverage outflow opening (28) of said stationary element (16), and/or said at least one outflow through hole (40C, 40B) of said actuator element (32) are in fluid communication with a tubular conduit (40C', 40B') configured for directing the outflow of said beverage product from said container (10) directly in a user's receptacle (Z) without contacting/contaminating any part of the beverage machine.

8. The container (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:

- said stationary element (16) comprises four distinct through holes (28, 46, 47, 124) for fluid/air/beverage inlet/outflow,

- said movable element (18) comprises three distinct through holes (26, 30, 42) for fl u i d/a i r/beverage i n let/outf low,

- said actuator element (32) comprises three distinct through holes (40A, 40B, 40C) for fl u i d/a i r/beve rage i n let/o utf I ow; wherein one of the distinct through holes (26, 30, 42) of said movable element (18) has an oblong shape in such a way that, in an emptying position (E) of the valve device, said outflow opening with an oblong shape (30) is simultaneously in fluid communication:

- with two through holes (28, 47) of said distinct through holes (28, 46, 47, 124) of said stationary element (16) and

- with two through holes (40C, 40B) of said distinct through holes (40A, 40B, 40C) of said actuator element (32), so as to increase in the emptying position the maximum passage area through the valve device (14); wherein another through hole (26) of the movable element (18) in said emptying position of the valve device is in fluid communication with a third through hole (46) of said stationary element (16) and a trough hole (40A) of said actuator element (32), so that air is introduced into the chamber (12A) of the container (12) for compensating the outflow of liquid from said chamber (12A); wherein in the fluid inlet and the beverage outflow position (I):

- said outflow opening with an oblong shape (30) is in fluid communication only with: one through hole (28) of said distinct through holes (28, 46 47, 124) of said stationary element (16), and the other holes (46, 47) of said stationary element (16) are closed by the movable element (18), except for an air inlet hole (124) which is in fluid communication with a corresponding air inlet (42 42A 42B) opening provided in the movable element (18), - and one through hole (40B) of said distinct through holes (40A, 40B, 40C) of said actuator element (32) is in fluid communication with said beverage outflow opening (28) of the stationary element (16), and the other two holes (40A, 40C) of said actuator element (38) are closed by the stationary element (16).

9. The container (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (18) comprises means (38, 38A, 54) for rotatably connecting said movable element (18) to said stationary element (16), and/or that the actuator element (32) comprises means (38A, 36A) for rotatably connecting the actuator element (32) to said stationary element (16) and for rigidly connecting said actuator element (32) to said movable element (18), so that a rotation movement of the actuator element (32) according to a predefined angle width corresponds to a rotation movement of the movable element (18) according to the same predefined angle width, and to one of the operative positions of the valve device.

10. The container (10) according to claim 9, wherein the means (38) for rotatably connecting said movable element (18) to said stationary element (16) comprise a shaft (38A) integrally formed in one piece with said second wall (22) of the movable element (18) passing in a through hole (54) of the stationary element (16), and/or in that the means (38A, 36A) for rotatably connecting the actuator element (32) to said stationary element (16) and for rigidly connecting said actuator element (32) to said movable element (18), comprise a shaft (38A) integrally formed in one piece with said second wall (22) of the movable element (18) passing in a shaped hole (36B) for an interlocking coupling of said shaft in said shaped hole.

11. The container (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable element (18) comprises at least one air or gas inlet bore (42, 42A, 42B) which is in fluid communication with said fluid substance inlet opening (26) of the second plurality of openings (26, 30, 42) and/or with said fluid substance inlet opening (24) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46) of said stationary element (16), to allow the entrance of air or gas into said chamber (12A) at least in said fluid substance inlet position when said air or gas inlet bore (42, 42A, 42B) is in fluid communication with an opening (124) provided in the stationary element for the entrance of said air or gas.

12. The container (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said fluid substance inlet opening (24) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46) of said stationary element (16) is in fluid communication with at least one fluid substance inlet conduit (44), said fluid substance inlet conduit (44) being located within said stationary element (16) and upstream with respect to said fluid substance inlet opening (24) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46) of said stationary element (16), wherein, preferably, said fluid substance inlet opening (24) of the first plurality of openings (24, 28, 46) of said stationary element (16) has an average cross-sectional area which is smaller than the average cross-sectional area of said fluid substance inlet conduit (44).

13. The container (10) according to any claims 1 to 13, wherein at least the valve device (14) and preferably the whole container (10) is completely made in one or more recyclable plastic materials.

14. A beverage preparation machine (100) for a container (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising at least one holding device (102) comprising: means (110) for holding said container (10), fluid means (106) for providing to said container the fluid for the preparation of the beverage, and actuator means (112) for moving the valve device (14) of said container in the different operative positions provide for this valve.

15. A beverage preparation machine (100) according to claim 14, wherein the actuator means (112) comprise a gear mechanism (110A-C) driven by a motor (108), wherein the gear mechanism (110A-C) engages with a toothed surface (34A) of the of the actuator element (32) once the container (10) is housed in the holding means (110).