CA2880161A1 - Capsule for preparing beverages - Google Patents
Capsule for preparing beverages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2880161A1 CA2880161A1 CA2880161A CA2880161A CA2880161A1 CA 2880161 A1 CA2880161 A1 CA 2880161A1 CA 2880161 A CA2880161 A CA 2880161A CA 2880161 A CA2880161 A CA 2880161A CA 2880161 A1 CA2880161 A1 CA 2880161A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- foil
- capsule
- seat
- layer
- edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 57
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- -1 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetaldehyde Chemical compound CC=O IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920001707 polybutylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002215 polytrimethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001634 Copolyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019568 aromas Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003205 fragrance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001802 infusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000005498 phthalate group Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
- 238000003856 thermoforming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005992 thermoplastic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
- B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
- B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
- B65D85/8046—Pods, i.e. closed containers made only of filter paper or similar material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
- B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
- B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
- Tea And Coffee (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
A capsule (10) for preparing a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material is provided with a body (12) of polymeric material, comprising a seat (14) suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material. The capsule is characterized in that the seat (14) comprises an opening (16) provided with a first edge (18) sealed by a first foil (20) impermeable to fluids. A collection chamber (22) divided from said seat (14) by means of a bottom wall (24) having a second edge (26) projecting in the longitudinal direction (28) is also provided. The edge (26) is sealed with a second foil (30) impermeable to fluids. The body (12) is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to atmospheric oxygen.
Description
"Capsule for preparing beverages"
The present invention relates to an improved capsule for preparing beverages.
In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages, which, on the one hand, has a simplified structure and, on the other hand, once used, may be completely recycled.
The description which follows will refer to a capsule containing coffee powder, for preparation of the corresponding beverage. However, as will become clear from the description below, the principles of the present invention apply also to capsules containing granular or powder substances for the preparation of beverages other than coffee, such as tea or infusions.
Many types of capsule are known from the prior art. Among these, a capsule = comprising a body made of polymeric material is described for example in the patent EP
1608569, in the name of the same applicant. The capsule body has a slightly frustoconical form and is made of food grade propylene. It may be manufactured for example by thermoforming a sheet or by means of injection-moulding.
The capsule body has a continuous perirnetral top edge projecting towards the outside of the capsule in the radial direction and a perimetral bottom edge projecting in the longitudinal direction from the bottom of the body. An intermediate wall divides the capsule into two zones: a first zone inside which the powdery or granular substance is contained and a second zone for collecting the beverage being prepared, before it is dispensed. The intermediate wall is provided with at least one hole for allowing the beverage being prepared to pass from the first zone to the second zone.
The top perirnetral edge and the bottom perirnetral edge are sealed, respectively, with a top foil and a bottom foil, both made of aluminium, or other fluid-impermeable material of the food grade type known per se.
The expression "sealing an edge" is understood as meaning applying a foil to the top edge or bottom edge of the capsule so that there is no fluid communication between the inside and outside of the capsule through this foil. In a manner known per se, in fact, the edges sealed by means of the foils prevent the coffee powder from losing its organoleptic properties as a result of coming into contact with air.
This type of capsule, although widely used, is not without drawbacks.
As mentioned further above, the capsule body is made of polypropylene, a material which - albeit to a small degree - allows oxygen to pass through. Therefore, the powdery or granular substance contained inside the first zone is not totally isolated from the external environment, even if the top edge is sealed with an aluminium foil. In fact, it is possible, albeit to a very small degree, for air to pass between the inside of the capsule and the outside of the capsule and vice versa.
For this reason, the capsules are normally packaged inside an outer sealing wrapping so as to safeguard as far as possible the organoleptic properties of the powdery or granular material contained inside the capsule.
Usually the outer wrapping is made of TRIPLEX , a material widely used in the packaging sector, consisting of three layers of combined materials, at least one of which is aluminium.
It is evident that the packaging with the outer TRIPLEX wrapping results in a longer and more costly process for manufacture of the end product.
Moreover, the material forming the wrapping, such as TRIPLEX , although highly satisfactory from the point of view of isolation, constitutes packaging which is difficult to recycle.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome, at least partly, the drawbacks of the prior art.
The idea which has occurred, therefore, is that of providing a capsule for preparing a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material, provided with a body of polymeric material comprising a seat suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material.
The capsule is characterized in that the seat comprises an opening provided with a first edge sealed by a first foil impermeable to fluids; and a collection chamber divided from the seat by means of a bottom wall having a second edge projecting in the longitudinal direction, said edge being sealed with a second foil impermeable to fluids. It is characterized furthermore in that the body is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to atmospheric oxygen.
In the preferred embodiment said plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The characteristic features and advantages of a capsule provided by applying the principles of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description below of a number of examples of embodiment provided by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a front view of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a capsule according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 shows a partially exploded view of the capsule according to Figure 4;
and Figs. 6 and 7 show two partial schematic views of two components of the capsule according to the present invention.
Figures 1 and 2 show a capsule 10 for the preparation of a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material according to the present invention. The capsule 10 is provided with a body 12 made of polymeric material comprising:
- a seat 14 suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material and comprising an opening 16 provided with a first edge or top edge 18 and sealed by a first foil 20 impermeable to fluids; and - a collection chamber 22 divided from said seat 14 by means of a bottom wall 24.
The bottom wall 24 has a second edge 26 projecting in the longitudinal direction and sealed with a second foil 30 impermeable to fluids.
The capsule according to the present invention is characterized, as already mentioned, in that the body 12 is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to oxygen.
In the embodiment shown said plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is also advantageous because of its easy moulding also in complex forms.
With reference to Figure 1 the following are defined:
- an axial direction, parallel to the direction of the main axis 28 of the capsule10;
and - a radial direction perpendicular to and passing through the main axis 28 of the capsule 10.
As is known, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) forms part of the family of polyesters and is a thermoplastic resin composed of phthalates, suitable for contact with food. The other main polyester polymers of the same family are polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polytrimethylene terephthalate (P1-1). Unlike PET, which is amorphous/crystalline, PBT and PTT are crystalline. Moreover, PBT and P1`1 are more costly than PET. In particular, the type of PET advantageously used for capsules is a copolymer polyester or copolyester. Moreover, the PET polymer used is advantageously of a suitably pure type, with only one known additive of the type useful for preventing the formation of substances of the AA (Acetic Aldehyde) type which may alter the taste of water or food products which come into contact with the polymer. Any alteration of the taste of the coffee is thus avoided.
During processing, the crystallinity of the PET may also be advantageously controlled in a known manner so as to obtain an optimum barrier effect for oxygen and for the aromas/fragrances.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first foil 20 and the second foil 30 are made of aluminium.
Advantageously, the first foil 20, as can be clearly seen in the detail of Figure 6, may consist of a first layer 32 of aluminium and a second layer 34 of polyethylene terephthalate joined together in a manner known per se. In operating conditions, the first layer 32 is facing the outside of the seat 14 and the second layer 34 is facing the inside of the seat 14.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the second foil 30, as can be clearly seen in the detail of Figure 7, consists of a first layer 38 of aluminium and a second layer 36 of polyethylene terephthalate joined together in a manner known per se.
In operating conditions, the first layer 38 faces the outside of the seat 14 and the second layer 36 faces the inside of the seat 14.
The foils may be advantageously sealed by means of heat-sealing, magnetic induction or ultrasound.
Advantageously, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 3-5, the first foil 20 may be provided with a first tab 40. The first tab 40 is suitable for facilitating removal of the first foil 20 from the body 12 of the capsule 10 both before use of the capsule 10 and after, as will be clarified below.
Advantageously, as shown in Figures 3-5, the second foil 30 may be provided with a second tab 42. The second tab 42 is suitable for facilitating removal of the second foil 30 from the body 12 of the capsule 10 after use of the capsule 10.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first foil 20 is suitable for being perforated by perforation means (not shown) for supplying water to the inside of the seat 14 of the capsule 10.
Advantageously, a possible embodiment of the present invention envisages that the first foil 20 is removed before the capsule 10 is used. In this case, a permeable foil 44 fixed to the top edge 18 which covers the opening 16 is provided between the first foil 20 and the top edge 18. The permeable foil 44 prevents powdery or granular material from coming out of the seat 14, but allows water to pass through and be supplied to the seat 14.
The permeable foil 44 may be made of paper, fabric or polymeric material provided with holes 46 (as can be clearly seen in Figure 5).
Advantageously, the permeable foil 44 may be provided with a third tab 48 for facilitating removal of the foil from the top edge 18 of the body 10.
The advantages of a capsule according to the present invention compared to the capsules of the prior art are therefore clear.
Firstly, the product contained inside the capsule is completely sealed from the external environment by means of a combination of a plastic material impermeable to fluids, and in particular oxygen, such as polyethylene terephthalate, used for the capsule body, and foils which are impermeable to fluids. This enables the organoleptic properties of the powdery or granular material contained inside the capsule to be preserved for a very long time, without having to enclose the capsule inside an outer wrapping, such as a TRIPLEX wrapping, in order to ensure a hermetic seal with respect to the oxygen of the external air.
The use of foils formed by a layer of polyethylene terephthalate and aluminium is in this connection particularly advantageous and preferable.
Moreover, since packaging of the capsules is preferably performed under a vacuum, the powdery or granular material does not come into contact with air which could negatively affect its organoleptic properties.
Moreover, polyethylene terephthalate has a high recyclability index and may be recycled essentially in two ways: either to produce fibres which are then used as fabrics, or chemically treated so as to be reutilizable for alimentary purposes.
The removability of the foils allows advantageously the degree of recyclability of the capsule to be increased still further, since the various materials may be separated.
The person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to the embodiments described above and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.
The present invention relates to an improved capsule for preparing beverages.
In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages, which, on the one hand, has a simplified structure and, on the other hand, once used, may be completely recycled.
The description which follows will refer to a capsule containing coffee powder, for preparation of the corresponding beverage. However, as will become clear from the description below, the principles of the present invention apply also to capsules containing granular or powder substances for the preparation of beverages other than coffee, such as tea or infusions.
Many types of capsule are known from the prior art. Among these, a capsule = comprising a body made of polymeric material is described for example in the patent EP
1608569, in the name of the same applicant. The capsule body has a slightly frustoconical form and is made of food grade propylene. It may be manufactured for example by thermoforming a sheet or by means of injection-moulding.
The capsule body has a continuous perirnetral top edge projecting towards the outside of the capsule in the radial direction and a perimetral bottom edge projecting in the longitudinal direction from the bottom of the body. An intermediate wall divides the capsule into two zones: a first zone inside which the powdery or granular substance is contained and a second zone for collecting the beverage being prepared, before it is dispensed. The intermediate wall is provided with at least one hole for allowing the beverage being prepared to pass from the first zone to the second zone.
The top perirnetral edge and the bottom perirnetral edge are sealed, respectively, with a top foil and a bottom foil, both made of aluminium, or other fluid-impermeable material of the food grade type known per se.
The expression "sealing an edge" is understood as meaning applying a foil to the top edge or bottom edge of the capsule so that there is no fluid communication between the inside and outside of the capsule through this foil. In a manner known per se, in fact, the edges sealed by means of the foils prevent the coffee powder from losing its organoleptic properties as a result of coming into contact with air.
This type of capsule, although widely used, is not without drawbacks.
As mentioned further above, the capsule body is made of polypropylene, a material which - albeit to a small degree - allows oxygen to pass through. Therefore, the powdery or granular substance contained inside the first zone is not totally isolated from the external environment, even if the top edge is sealed with an aluminium foil. In fact, it is possible, albeit to a very small degree, for air to pass between the inside of the capsule and the outside of the capsule and vice versa.
For this reason, the capsules are normally packaged inside an outer sealing wrapping so as to safeguard as far as possible the organoleptic properties of the powdery or granular material contained inside the capsule.
Usually the outer wrapping is made of TRIPLEX , a material widely used in the packaging sector, consisting of three layers of combined materials, at least one of which is aluminium.
It is evident that the packaging with the outer TRIPLEX wrapping results in a longer and more costly process for manufacture of the end product.
Moreover, the material forming the wrapping, such as TRIPLEX , although highly satisfactory from the point of view of isolation, constitutes packaging which is difficult to recycle.
The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome, at least partly, the drawbacks of the prior art.
The idea which has occurred, therefore, is that of providing a capsule for preparing a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material, provided with a body of polymeric material comprising a seat suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material.
The capsule is characterized in that the seat comprises an opening provided with a first edge sealed by a first foil impermeable to fluids; and a collection chamber divided from the seat by means of a bottom wall having a second edge projecting in the longitudinal direction, said edge being sealed with a second foil impermeable to fluids. It is characterized furthermore in that the body is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to atmospheric oxygen.
In the preferred embodiment said plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The characteristic features and advantages of a capsule provided by applying the principles of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description below of a number of examples of embodiment provided by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a front view of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a capsule according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 shows a partially exploded view of the capsule according to Figure 4;
and Figs. 6 and 7 show two partial schematic views of two components of the capsule according to the present invention.
Figures 1 and 2 show a capsule 10 for the preparation of a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material according to the present invention. The capsule 10 is provided with a body 12 made of polymeric material comprising:
- a seat 14 suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material and comprising an opening 16 provided with a first edge or top edge 18 and sealed by a first foil 20 impermeable to fluids; and - a collection chamber 22 divided from said seat 14 by means of a bottom wall 24.
The bottom wall 24 has a second edge 26 projecting in the longitudinal direction and sealed with a second foil 30 impermeable to fluids.
The capsule according to the present invention is characterized, as already mentioned, in that the body 12 is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to oxygen.
In the embodiment shown said plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is also advantageous because of its easy moulding also in complex forms.
With reference to Figure 1 the following are defined:
- an axial direction, parallel to the direction of the main axis 28 of the capsule10;
and - a radial direction perpendicular to and passing through the main axis 28 of the capsule 10.
As is known, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) forms part of the family of polyesters and is a thermoplastic resin composed of phthalates, suitable for contact with food. The other main polyester polymers of the same family are polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polytrimethylene terephthalate (P1-1). Unlike PET, which is amorphous/crystalline, PBT and PTT are crystalline. Moreover, PBT and P1`1 are more costly than PET. In particular, the type of PET advantageously used for capsules is a copolymer polyester or copolyester. Moreover, the PET polymer used is advantageously of a suitably pure type, with only one known additive of the type useful for preventing the formation of substances of the AA (Acetic Aldehyde) type which may alter the taste of water or food products which come into contact with the polymer. Any alteration of the taste of the coffee is thus avoided.
During processing, the crystallinity of the PET may also be advantageously controlled in a known manner so as to obtain an optimum barrier effect for oxygen and for the aromas/fragrances.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first foil 20 and the second foil 30 are made of aluminium.
Advantageously, the first foil 20, as can be clearly seen in the detail of Figure 6, may consist of a first layer 32 of aluminium and a second layer 34 of polyethylene terephthalate joined together in a manner known per se. In operating conditions, the first layer 32 is facing the outside of the seat 14 and the second layer 34 is facing the inside of the seat 14.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the second foil 30, as can be clearly seen in the detail of Figure 7, consists of a first layer 38 of aluminium and a second layer 36 of polyethylene terephthalate joined together in a manner known per se.
In operating conditions, the first layer 38 faces the outside of the seat 14 and the second layer 36 faces the inside of the seat 14.
The foils may be advantageously sealed by means of heat-sealing, magnetic induction or ultrasound.
Advantageously, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 3-5, the first foil 20 may be provided with a first tab 40. The first tab 40 is suitable for facilitating removal of the first foil 20 from the body 12 of the capsule 10 both before use of the capsule 10 and after, as will be clarified below.
Advantageously, as shown in Figures 3-5, the second foil 30 may be provided with a second tab 42. The second tab 42 is suitable for facilitating removal of the second foil 30 from the body 12 of the capsule 10 after use of the capsule 10.
According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first foil 20 is suitable for being perforated by perforation means (not shown) for supplying water to the inside of the seat 14 of the capsule 10.
Advantageously, a possible embodiment of the present invention envisages that the first foil 20 is removed before the capsule 10 is used. In this case, a permeable foil 44 fixed to the top edge 18 which covers the opening 16 is provided between the first foil 20 and the top edge 18. The permeable foil 44 prevents powdery or granular material from coming out of the seat 14, but allows water to pass through and be supplied to the seat 14.
The permeable foil 44 may be made of paper, fabric or polymeric material provided with holes 46 (as can be clearly seen in Figure 5).
Advantageously, the permeable foil 44 may be provided with a third tab 48 for facilitating removal of the foil from the top edge 18 of the body 10.
The advantages of a capsule according to the present invention compared to the capsules of the prior art are therefore clear.
Firstly, the product contained inside the capsule is completely sealed from the external environment by means of a combination of a plastic material impermeable to fluids, and in particular oxygen, such as polyethylene terephthalate, used for the capsule body, and foils which are impermeable to fluids. This enables the organoleptic properties of the powdery or granular material contained inside the capsule to be preserved for a very long time, without having to enclose the capsule inside an outer wrapping, such as a TRIPLEX wrapping, in order to ensure a hermetic seal with respect to the oxygen of the external air.
The use of foils formed by a layer of polyethylene terephthalate and aluminium is in this connection particularly advantageous and preferable.
Moreover, since packaging of the capsules is preferably performed under a vacuum, the powdery or granular material does not come into contact with air which could negatively affect its organoleptic properties.
Moreover, polyethylene terephthalate has a high recyclability index and may be recycled essentially in two ways: either to produce fibres which are then used as fabrics, or chemically treated so as to be reutilizable for alimentary purposes.
The removability of the foils allows advantageously the degree of recyclability of the capsule to be increased still further, since the various materials may be separated.
The person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to the embodiments described above and/or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.
Claims (7)
1. Capsule (10) for preparing a beverage from a powdery or granular raw material, provided with a body (12) of polymeric material comprising a seat (14) suitable for containing the powdery or granular raw material, characterized in that - said seat (14) comprises an opening (16) provided with a first edge (18) sealed by a first foil (20) impermeable to fluids;
- a collection chamber (22) is divided from said seat (14) by means of a bottom wall (24) having a second edge (26) projecting in the longitudinal direction (28), said edge (26) being sealed with a second foil (30) impermeable to fluids;
- said body (12) is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to atmospheric oxygen.
- a collection chamber (22) is divided from said seat (14) by means of a bottom wall (24) having a second edge (26) projecting in the longitudinal direction (28), said edge (26) being sealed with a second foil (30) impermeable to fluids;
- said body (12) is made of plastic material impermeable to fluids, in particular to gases and even more particularly to atmospheric oxygen.
2. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that said plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate.
3. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first foil (20) consists of a first layer (32) of aluminium and a second layer (34) of polyethylene terephthalate joined together, with the first layer (32) facing the outside of the seat (14) and the second layer (34) facing the inside of the seat (14).
4. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second foil (30) consists of a first layer (38) of aluminium and a second layer (36) of polyethylene terephthalate joined together, with the first layer (38) facing the outside of the seat (14) and the second layer (36) facing the inside of the seat (14).
5. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a permeable foil (44) provided between the first foil (20) and the top edge (18), said permeable foil (44) covering the opening (16).
6. Capsule according to claim 3, characterized in that said first foil (20) comprises a first tab (40) facilitating removal of the first foil.
7. Capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that said second foil is provided with a second tab (42) facilitating removal of the first foil.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT000147A ITTV20120147A1 (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2012-07-30 | CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRINKS |
| ITTV2012A000147 | 2012-07-30 | ||
| PCT/IB2013/056059 WO2014020492A1 (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2013-07-24 | Capsule for preparing beverages |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2880161A1 true CA2880161A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 |
Family
ID=46845941
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2880161A Pending CA2880161A1 (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2013-07-24 | Capsule for preparing beverages |
Country Status (19)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20150307268A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP2879977B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN104661932A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2880161A1 (en) |
| CY (1) | CY1118868T1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK2879977T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2624201T3 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1210450A1 (en) |
| HR (1) | HRP20170636T1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUE031711T2 (en) |
| IT (1) | ITTV20120147A1 (en) |
| LT (1) | LT2879977T (en) |
| PL (1) | PL2879977T3 (en) |
| PT (1) | PT2879977T (en) |
| RS (1) | RS55921B1 (en) |
| RU (2) | RU2015106934A (en) |
| SI (1) | SI2879977T1 (en) |
| SM (1) | SMT201700215T1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2014020492A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014109761B4 (en) | 2014-07-11 | 2020-07-09 | Melitta Single Portions Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device and method for preparing a brewed beverage |
| CH710353A2 (en) * | 2014-11-11 | 2016-05-13 | Tpresso Ag | Packaging unit with a filter layer and protective layer of plant parts, especially tea, for the manufacture of an infusion beverage. |
| DE102016104407A1 (en) * | 2015-09-23 | 2017-03-23 | Melitta Single Portions Gmbh & Co. Kg | Capsule for cleaning a beverage preparation machine and method for cleaning a brewing chamber |
| US10279952B2 (en) * | 2015-10-23 | 2019-05-07 | The Coca-Cola Company | Syrup dispensing cups and methods for improved shelf-life |
| ITUA20163965A1 (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2017-12-01 | Faps Eng Sa | CAPSULE FOR BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION. |
| CA3094372C (en) * | 2018-04-23 | 2021-05-18 | 2266170 Ontario Inc. | Capsules and other containers with optimized recycling attributes and methods for making same |
| DE102018115236A1 (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2020-01-02 | Spc Sunflower Plastic Compound Gmbh | Multi-layer film, especially sealing film |
Family Cites Families (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK0521186T3 (en) * | 1991-07-05 | 1995-04-18 | Nestle Sa | Soft packaging and process for its manufacture |
| EP0844195B1 (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2001-10-24 | Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. | Closed container containing a pulverized substance |
| CA2439991C (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2007-05-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Beverage brewing devices for preparing creamy beverages |
| ITTV20030058A1 (en) * | 2003-04-02 | 2004-10-03 | Hausbrandt Trieste 1892 S P A | SINGLE-DOSE PLASTIC CAPSULES FOR POWDER COFFEE AND SIMILAR. |
| BRPI0509166A (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2007-09-11 | Illycaffe Spa | cartridge for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained therein by pressurized water, and extraction assembly for mounting on a beverage extraction machine |
| ES2289382T3 (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2008-02-01 | Illycaffe' S.P.A. | ASSEMBLY FOR THE EXTRACTION OF DRINK FROM A PARTICULAR SUBSTANCE CONTAINED IN A CARTRIDGE. |
| EP1792726A4 (en) * | 2004-09-21 | 2008-12-31 | Konica Minolta Holdings Inc | Transparent gas barrier film |
| ITMI20060301A1 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2007-08-18 | Maddalena Ricotti | APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INFUSION OF AN AROMATIC DRINK |
| ITBO20060723A1 (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2008-04-21 | Aroma System Srl | CAPSULES CONTAINING HYDRO-SOLUBLE PRODUCTS OR INFUSION PRODUCTS TO OBTAIN HOT DRINKS |
| US20090179541A1 (en) * | 2007-12-12 | 2009-07-16 | Nanopore, Inc. | Vacuum insulation panel with smooth surface method for making and applications of same |
| WO2010016753A1 (en) * | 2008-08-08 | 2010-02-11 | Sara Lee/De N.V. | System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage |
| EP2375945B1 (en) * | 2008-12-03 | 2014-04-23 | Nestec S.A. | Capsule for the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation |
| US8474368B2 (en) * | 2009-05-13 | 2013-07-02 | Curwood, Inc. | Mineral composite beverage brewing cup and cartridge |
| US20110054429A1 (en) * | 2009-08-25 | 2011-03-03 | Sns Nano Fiber Technology, Llc | Textile Composite Material for Decontaminating the Skin |
| IT1396947B1 (en) * | 2009-12-16 | 2012-12-20 | Illy | CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE |
| US8393940B2 (en) * | 2010-04-16 | 2013-03-12 | Applied Materials, Inc. | Molding windows in thin pads |
| ITTV20120146A1 (en) * | 2012-07-30 | 2014-01-31 | Hausbrandt Trieste 1892 Spa | CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRINKS |
-
2012
- 2012-07-30 IT IT000147A patent/ITTV20120147A1/en unknown
-
2013
- 2013-07-24 SI SI201330625A patent/SI2879977T1/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 DK DK13773377.0T patent/DK2879977T3/en active
- 2013-07-24 LT LTEP13773377.0T patent/LT2879977T/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 CN CN201380040176.3A patent/CN104661932A/en active Pending
- 2013-07-24 RS RS20170392A patent/RS55921B1/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 EP EP13773377.0A patent/EP2879977B1/en active Active
- 2013-07-24 RU RU2015106934A patent/RU2015106934A/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 CA CA2880161A patent/CA2880161A1/en active Pending
- 2013-07-24 PT PT137733770T patent/PT2879977T/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 HU HUE13773377A patent/HUE031711T2/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 WO PCT/IB2013/056059 patent/WO2014020492A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-07-24 ES ES13773377.0T patent/ES2624201T3/en active Active
- 2013-07-24 PL PL13773377T patent/PL2879977T3/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 SM SM20170215T patent/SMT201700215T1/en unknown
- 2013-07-24 US US14/418,131 patent/US20150307268A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2015
- 2015-11-11 HK HK15111151.5A patent/HK1210450A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2017
- 2017-04-24 HR HRP20170636TT patent/HRP20170636T1/en unknown
- 2017-04-25 CY CY20171100462T patent/CY1118868T1/en unknown
-
2018
- 2018-11-15 RU RU2018140279U patent/RU190123U1/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HK1210450A1 (en) | 2016-04-22 |
| ES2624201T3 (en) | 2017-07-13 |
| PT2879977T (en) | 2017-05-03 |
| LT2879977T (en) | 2017-04-25 |
| RU2015106934A (en) | 2016-09-20 |
| EP2879977B1 (en) | 2017-02-01 |
| RS55921B1 (en) | 2017-09-29 |
| HRP20170636T1 (en) | 2017-06-30 |
| HUE031711T2 (en) | 2017-07-28 |
| DK2879977T3 (en) | 2017-05-01 |
| WO2014020492A1 (en) | 2014-02-06 |
| SMT201700215T1 (en) | 2017-05-08 |
| US20150307268A1 (en) | 2015-10-29 |
| CN104661932A (en) | 2015-05-27 |
| PL2879977T3 (en) | 2017-07-31 |
| RU190123U1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
| CY1118868T1 (en) | 2018-01-10 |
| SI2879977T1 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
| ITTV20120147A1 (en) | 2014-01-31 |
| EP2879977A1 (en) | 2015-06-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20180201 |