AU2013392999A1

AU2013392999A1 - Capsule having a capsule body and method for producing said capsule

Info

Publication number: AU2013392999A1
Application number: AU2013392999A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Raphael Gugerli
Original assignee: Delica AG
Current assignee: Delica AG
Priority date: 2013-06-17
Filing date: 2013-06-17
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-17
Also published as: EP3010838B1; BR112015031232B1; AU2013392999B2; ES2634334T5; PT3010838T; WO2014202105A1; ES2634334T3; BR112015031232A2; DK3010838T3; JP2016529942A; DK3010838T4; EP3010838A1; EP3010838B2

Abstract

A capsule for preparing a beverage consists of a capsule body (2), which has a side wall (3) and a bottom (4), and a lid that covers the capsule body for forming a closed chamber, which is filled with a substance. The capsule body made of plastic material is provided with at least one aroma-tight barrier layer. Openings (8) are provided on the bottom (4), through which openings liquid can flow in a beverage preparation machine in addition to the openings that are created by a penetration means (12). A likewise aroma-tight membrane (9) for sealing the closed chamber (6) with respect to the opening (8) is arranged on the inside of the bottom (4). Said membrane is connected to the bottom either along a connection zone (10) following the circumference of the bottom or over the entire area.

Description

WO 2014/202105 PCT/EP2013/062462 Capsule having a capsule body and method for producing said capsule The invention relates to a capsule according to the 5 preamble of claim 1. Capsules of this type are currently used in different forms for the preparation of a beverage, in particular of coffee or tea in a beverage preparation machine. 10 Here, the capsules perform a dual function in that they on the one hand protect the substance contained therein against external influences and preserve the aroma thereof and on the other hand, due to the cooperation with the beverage preparation machine, they also 15 perform a mechanical function for the passage of hot water at high pressure. Here, the capsule is received in a brewing chamber, which is closed in a pressure tight manner for the brewing process. In many beverage preparation machines the base is penetrated as the 20 brewing chamber is closed, whereby, following the actuation of the pump, water can infiltrate the capsule. The cover closing the capsule body is either likewise perforated or tears open at a number of points due to the build-up of internal pressure, such that the 25 hot beverage can flow out from the brewing chamber. A capsule of this type is described for example in WO 2012/080501. A problem with capsules made of plastics material lies 30 in the fact that, as a result of the material resilience, when the base is perforated the base bears closely against the perforation means, such that the infiltrating water volume per unit of time is lower than for example in the case of capsules made of 35 aluminum. It has therefore been found that it is particularly advantageous to make additional openings in the base as early as the production stage of the capsule, said openings increasing the flow rate in the beverage preparation machine. These openings are WO 2014/202105 - 2 - PCT/EP2013/062462 advantageously slits produced without material removal, which are closed in the pressureless state and assume a sort of valve function when exposed to pressure. 5 A disadvantage of this embodiment, however, is that each individual capsule still has to be packaged separately in an aroma-tight pouch. It would be desirable, however, to dispense with this additional packaging means, because, apart from the openings in 10 the base, an oxygen- and aroma-tight embodiment of the capsule can be provided without difficulty. The object of the invention is therefore to create a capsule of the type mentioned in the introduction which does without additional outer sleeve and with which the flow 15 rate in the beverage preparation machine can be controlled by arbitrary openings in the base of the capsule. This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with a capsule having the features in claim 1. 20 The capsule body is already provided itself with a barrier layer in a manner known per se. Plastics films constructed in a number of layers having a barrier layer of this type are already known. Covers having 25 barrier properties are also known. In order to prevent the infiltration of moisture or atmospheric oxygen or the release of flavorings via the openings in the capsule base made at the factory, a membrane having barrier properties in order to seal off the closed 30 chamber with respect to the opening is arranged on the inner side of the base. Here, the membrane may be connected to the base along a connection zone following the circumference of the base. All openings already made in the base are thus hermetically sealed, such 35 that the base and the membrane are only pierced simultaneously by the penetration means in the beverage preparation machine.

WO 2014/202105 - 3 - PCT/EP2013/062462 The dimensioning of the connection zone is selected such that a sufficiently rigid connection to the base is ensured. Here, it may be particularly expedient when the connection zone encloses a central region of the 5 capsule base, in which the membrane is not connected to the base. This unconnected region may serve to compensate for unevennesses, such as folds or impressions, in the membrane. 10 On the other hand, however, it may also be particularly expedient when the openings are arranged at least partly in the central region of the capsule base, in which the membrane is not connected to the base. The liquid infiltrating through the openings in this way 15 can spread immediately in all directions in the unconnected membrane region, such that a sufficient flow is maintained. The capsule may be rotationally symmetrical, wherein 20 the connection zone may extend annularly. Of course, the same principle can also be provided for example in the case of a capsule that is polygonal in cross section and has a polygonal capsule base. 25 In the case of an annular connection zone, it has proven to be particularly advantageous when the connection zone has an outer diameter between 14 and 17 mm and an inner diameter between 8 and 11 mm. As a result of these measurements, a secure connection 30 between membrane and capsule base is ensured on the one hand, and on the other hand a sufficiently large central area remains, in which the membrane is not connected to the base. 35 The term "barrier properties" is known in general to a person skilled in the art of the packaging of foodstuffs. Key criteria here are the oxygen permeability and the water vapor permeability in each WO 2014/202105 - 4 - PCT/EP2013/062462 case at a certain temperature for example of 23 0C or 25 0C. By way of example, polyethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is known as a plastics material having excellent barrier properties. This material can be used in 5 laminated films as barrier layer and has permeability values in the range from 0.01 to 1. The oxygen permeability of plastics films is measured in accordance with DIN 53 380. The value for the oxygen permeability is given from cm 3 /m 2 x d x bar. For the 10 present application, permeability rates as already used with thermoformed plastics capsules for portioned coffee apply. In certain cases it may also be expedient when the 15 membrane is connected over its entire area to the base of the capsule. Depending on the embodiment of the penetration means on the machine, the openings in a case of this type may also produce a better flow rate. This is the case in particular when the penetration 20 means pierce the base of the capsule in the region of the slits. As already mentioned in the introduction, the opening is advantageously a slit which is closed in the 25 pressureless state and which can be widened and when exposed to hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical pressure. The individual slit may extend in a straight or curved manner, or these slits may also be crossed slits. Advantageous embodiments of slit valves, which also 30 open when exposed to pressure, are already known to a person skilled in the art from various fields of technology. Of course, instead of slits, other types of openings 35 may also be used, in particular round or polygonal holes.

WO 2014/202105 - 5 - PCT/EP2013/062462 A particularly optimal effect is attained when a plurality of openings, preferably at least three openings, are made in the base. This is due to the fact that the position of the capsule relative to the 5 penetration means in the beverage preparation machine is not always foreseeable. With at least three openings, however, the risk of an unfavorable relative position is considerably reduced. 10 The base at the outer circumference particularly advantageously borders a reinforcement zone, which is formed by a plurality of indentations. The base can thus be penetrated by a penetration means for the passage of the liquid through the chamber in a beverage 15 preparation machine, without the capsule body bending. A sufficient resistance force at the bottom of the capsule is of particular significance in the case of capsule bodies made of plastics material, since this material puts up a greater resistance to the 20 penetration than aluminum, for example. The aforementioned indentations may have inner wall portions which lie on a common circular circumference, wherein the diameter of the circular circumference 25 corresponds approximately to the diameter of the membrane. The membrane is in this way also centered by the inner wall portions, which has a positive influence on the production method. 30 The membrane may consist of an aluminum-based film. Here, the film may also be a film made of an aluminum alloy or made of a laminate comprising at least one aluminum layer. The cover for closing the capsule body may also be produced from the same film material. As is 35 known, aluminum has excellent properties with regard to the barrier effect to diffusion. For this reason, films of this type are often also used in the food industry for aroma-tight packagings.

WO 2014/202105 - 6 - PCT/EP2013/062462 The capsule body is particularly expediently formed as a thermoformed part. In the thermoforming method multi layer plastics films may be processed which are 5 oriented exactly to the packaged content and to the use of the capsule. Of course, it would however also be conceivable to form the capsule body for example as an injection molded part. 10 The invention also relates to a method for producing a capsule body for a capsule having the features in claim 13. Here, it has proven to be particularly advantageous when the openings in the base of the capsule are made in a separate process step following the production of 15 the capsule body. In this way, the openings can be exactly positioned, which is particularly important for the sought effect. The membrane is then inserted, the surface configuration of said membrane corresponding approximately to that of the base of the capsule. The 20 connection is made here along a connection zone following the circumference of the base as already mentioned, or over the entire surface. An optimization of the production process can also be 25 achieved in that the capsule body is produced in a thermoforming method, wherein the base is preferably formed as a flat surface. The openings can be made more easily in a flat surface than when this surface is curved. Lastly, the membrane can also be better applied 30 to a flat base surface. The opening is formed without material removal by means of an incision in such a way that a slit that is self closing in the rest state is produced. Here, the base 35 is preferably pierced by a sharp cutting edge. However, the openings could of course also be punched out or for example burned out by means of laser beams.

WO 2014/202105 - 7 - PCT/EP2013/062462 The membrane is connected to the base advantageously by heat sealing, wherein the membrane may be provided with a layer that can be sealed accordingly, for example with a sealing wax. However, other connection methods 5 are of course also conceivable, such as adhesive bonding or welding or purely mechanical pressing. Lastly, the invention also relates to a system comprising a capsule filled with a substance as 10 described beforehand and a beverage preparation machine that has a capsule holder for receiving the capsule, and an arrangement for allowing a liquid to pass through the capsule in order to extract or dissolve the substance in order to produce a beverage, wherein the 15 beverage preparation machine has at least one device for penetrating the base of the capsule. Due to the use of the capsules according to the invention in a beverage preparation machine known per se, the performance of said machine can be considerably 20 increased. The additional openings in the capsule base reduce the loading of the pump in the beverage preparation machine and therefore extend the service life thereof. Nevertheless, the capsule is absolutely aroma-tight and does not require any additional 25 external wrapping. Further advantages in the system can be achieved in that the arrangement of the opening or of the openings in the base of the capsule is adapted to the device for 30 penetrating the base in such a way that at least one penetration means contacts at least one opening. Depending on the configuration of the openings, an excellent flow rate can be obtained in this way. 35 Further advantages and individual features of the invention will emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which: WO 2014/202105 - 8 - PCT/EP2013/062462 figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a capsule, figure 2 shows a plan view of the capsule according to 5 figure 1, figure 3 shows a plan view of the empty capsule body according to figure 1 in the direction of the capsule opening, 10 figure 4 shows a cross section through the capsule body according to figure 3 in the plane of section A-A, 15 figure 5 shows a cross section through the capsule body according to figure 3 in the plane of section B-B, figure 6 shows an enlarged cross section through a 20 capsule base with inserted membrane, figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of the production of a capsule body, 25 figure 8 shows a plan view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the capsule, figure 9 shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a capsule, and 30 figure 10 shows an enlarged cross section through a capsule base with continuously connected membrane. 35 According to figure 1 a capsule 1 known per se consists of a substantially rotationally symmetrical capsule body 2 having a side wall 3 and having a base 4. The capsule body 2 on the whole has the form of a graduated WO 2014/202105 - 9 - PCT/EP2013/062462 truncated cone, wherein the last truncated cone portion 17 has the steepest truncated cone angle to the longitudinal center axis. The base 4 extends in a substantially planar manner, but for production reasons 5 may have a slight concave curvature 25 in the central region. Reinforcement ribs 18 are arranged around the side wall 3 in a manner distributed at equal angles. A circumferential flange 19 on the one hand provides the seal in the beverage preparation machine and on the 10 other hand fastens a cover 5. The outer circumference of the base 4 is a joined by a reinforcement zone 13, which is formed by individual indentations 14. These indentations interrupt the 15 truncated cone portion 17 in a manner distributed at equal angles. As can also be seen in particular from figure 2, openings 8 in the form of slits are arranged in the 20 base 4 and fully penetrate the base, but in the rest state are closed on account of the material resilience. In the shown exemplary embodiment four slits are arranged in each case at an angle of 90'. 25 Figures 3 to 5, for reasons of improved clarity, show an empty capsule body 2 in the state prior to filling with a substance and prior to the closing of the capsule opening by the cover 5. As can be seen from figure 3, the capsule base is covered on the inner side 30 with a membrane 9. The connection zone 10 is indicated here by a dashed circular line, at which the membrane is fixedly connected to the base. This connection zone follows the circumference of the base and is annular here. 35 Figure 4 also shows further details of the reinforcement zone 13 or the individual indentations 14. Each indentation is provided with an inner wall WO 2014/202105 - 10 - PCT/EP2013/062462 portion 15, which in cross section extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the capsule. The inner wall portions 15 lie on a common circular circumference, which corresponds 5 approximately to the outer diameter of the membrane 9. Each indentation 14 additionally has two side wall portions 16, the spacing of which from one another here widens slightly away from the base 4. In this way, a particularly good level of stability is provided 10 against an application of force externally onto the capsule base. In figure 5 the cross section through the truncated cone portion 17 is illustrated in the left half of the 15 image. These are in each case the portions between two individual indentations 14. Figure 6 in a simplified illustration shows the situation following the penetration of the capsule base 20 4 by the penetration means 12 in a beverage preparation machine. The membrane 9 is fixedly connected to the capsule base 4 at a circular connection zone 10. This membrane consists of an aroma-tight film having barrier properties, for example made of aluminum. The capsule 25 body 2 made of plastics material also has an aroma tight barrier layer of this type, which is not designated in greater detail in the drawings. The connection zone 10 has an outer diameter dl, which at the same time corresponds approximately to the outer 30 diameter of the membrane 9. The membrane 9, however, may also still overlap the side wall 3 of the capsule in part. The inner diameter d2 of the connection zone 10 encloses a central region 11, in which the membrane 9 is not fixedly connected to the capsule base 4. The 35 penetration means 12 pierces the capsule base 4 and the membrane 9 inside or where appropriate also outside the central region 11. Hot brewing water flows through the opening 8, which is a slot that is closed in the rest WO 2014/202105 - 11 - PCT/EP2013/062462 state, into the region between capsule base 4 and membrane 9, and from there through the opening in the membrane 9 created by the penetration means 12. At the same time, however, brewing water also penetrates 5 through the opening in the base 4, likewise created by the penetration means 12. Prior to insertion in the beverage preparation machine, the chamber 6 formed by the capsule clearly remains hermetically sealed with respect to the external atmosphere. 10 Figure 7 shows in individual sequences the production of a capsule body for a capsule according to the invention. According to a, a capsule body 2 is firstly produced in a thermoforming tool 20. The production 15 technique and the materials are known to a person skilled in the art. By way of example, a film having a number of layers based on polypropylene and polyethylene can be used. 20 The finished capsule body 2 in accordance with b is provided with the openings in the base with the aid of a piercing tool 21. According to c, a membrane 9 is then provided and is 25 placed on the base on the inner side of the capsule body. According to d, the membrane 9 is then fixedly connected to the base of the capsule body 2 using a 30 heat sealing tool 22 in the manner described above. The initially completely planar base of the capsule body may obtain a slightly concave curvature towards the inner side as a result of the sealing process. 35 According to e, the capsule body 2 is filled with a substance 7, i.e. for example with coffee powder, at a filling station 23.

WO 2014/202105 - 12 - PCT/EP2013/062462 Lastly, according to f, the capsule body 2 is closed by a cover 5 with the aid of a closing tool 24. In particular, the process steps e and f can be performed chronologically far apart from the process step d. The 5 pre-prepared capsule bodies 2 for example following process step d can be stacked and stored in this state until they are fed to the filling station. In the alternative exemplary embodiment according to 10 figure 8, the openings 8 consist of a total of eight circular holes which penetrate the base 4. The capsule according to figure 9 differs from that according to figure 2 in that the four slits 8 serving 15 as openings are arranged relatively far outwardly almost in the region of the indentations 14. With an arrangement of this type the openings are located in the region of the connection zone, i.e. in the region in which the membrane 9 is fixedly connected to the 20 basis 4 of the capsule. This is irrespective of whether the membrane is connected to the base only at an annular connection zone or over the entire surface. Figure 10 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the 25 membrane 9 is connected over the entire surface to the base 4. The slit-shaped openings 8 here likewise extend far outwardly, as shown in figure 9. The penetration means 12 and 12' also penetrate the base 4 in the outer circumferential region of the base 4. The illustrated 30 penetration means 12 pierces the base in a region in which no opening is arranged. At this point, there is no increase in the flow rate. By contrast, the penetration means 12' pierces the base 4 in a region in which an opening 8 is also arranged. Here, the slit 8 35 causes an increased flow rate, which is caused on the one hand by the enlarged opening cross section and on the other hand by a reduction of the recovery behavior of the base wall.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) having a capsule body (2) made of a plastics material, having a side wall (3) and 5 having a base (4) formed in one piece therewith, and also having a cover (5) covering the capsule body in order to form a closed chamber (6) containing a substance (7) for the preparation of a beverage, wherein the capsule body (2) in the 10 base (4) has at least one opening (8) for allowing a liquid to pass through the capsule, characterized in that the capsule body (2) and the cover (5) have barrier properties with respect to permeability of oxygen and flavorings, and in that 15 a membrane for sealing off the closed chamber with respect to the opening (8) is arranged on the inner side of the base (4), wherein the membrane is fixedly connected to the base (4) and likewise has barrier properties. 20

2. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the membrane is connected to the base (4) along a connection zone (10) following the circumference of the base, which connection zone 25 encloses a central region (11) of the capsule base (4), in which the membrane (9) is not connected to the base.

3. The capsule as claimed in claim 2, characterized 30 in that the opening (8) is arranged at least in part in the central region (11) of the capsule base (4), in which the membrane (9) is not connected to the base. 35

4. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the capsule (1) is rotationally symmetrical, and in that the connection zone (10) extends annularly. WO 2014/202105 - 14 - PCT/EP2013/062462

5. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the membrane is connected over its entire surface to the base (4). 5

6. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the membrane (9) is connected to the base by means of heat sealing. 10

7. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening (8) is a slit that is closed in the pressureless state and that can be widened when exposed to hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical pressure. 15

8. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a number of openings (8), preferably at least three openings, are arranged in the base (4). 20

9. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base (4) can be penetrated by penetration means for the passage of the liquid through the chamber in a beverage 25 preparation machine, and in that the base at the outer circumference borders a reinforcement zone (13), which is formed by a number of indentations (14). 30

10. The capsule as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the indentations (14) have inner wall portions (15) which lie on a common circular circumference, wherein the diameter of the circular circumference corresponds approximately 35 to the diameter of the membrane (9). WO 2014/202105 - 15 - PCT/EP2013/062462

11. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the membrane (9) consists of an aluminum-based film. 5

12. The capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the capsule body (2) is a thermoformed part.

13. A method for producing a capsule body (2) for a 10 capsule (1), in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the following steps: - providing a capsule body (2) made of plastics 15 material having at least one barrier layer, having a side wall (3) and having a base (4) formed in one piece therewith; - making at least one opening (8) in the base; - providing a membrane (9) having barrier 20 properties, of which the surface configuration corresponds approximately to that of the base (4); - introducing the membrane (9) into the capsule body (2) and connecting said membrane to the 25 inner side of the base (4) either along a connection zone (10) following the circumference of the base or over the entire surface of the membrane. 30

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the capsule body is produced in a thermoforming method, wherein the base is preferably formed as a flat surface. 35

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the opening (8) is formed without material removal by an incision in such a WO 2014/202105 - 16 - PCT/EP2013/062462 way that a slit that is self-closing in the rest state is produced.

16. The method as claimed in one of claims 13 to 15, 5 characterized in that the membrane (9) is connected to the base (4) by heat sealing.

17. A system comprising a capsule (1) filled with a substance as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12 and 10 comprising a beverage preparation machine, which has a capsule holder for receiving the capsule, and comprising an arrangement for allowing a liquid to pass through the capsule in order to extract or dissolve the substance in order to 15 produce a beverage, wherein the beverage preparation machine has at least one device for penetrating the base (4) of the capsule.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, characterized 20 in that the arrangement of the opening or of the openings (8) in the base (4) of the capsule is adapted to the device for penetrating the base in such a way that at least one penetration means contacts at least one opening. 25

19. A capsule body for a capsule as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12.