CN115066378A

CN115066378A - Capsule for beverages

Info

Publication number: CN115066378A
Application number: CN202180013419.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德烈亚·巴尔托利; 达维德·卡皮蒂尼
Original assignee: Sarong SpA
Current assignee: Sarong SpA
Priority date: 2020-02-19
Filing date: 2021-02-18
Publication date: 2022-09-16
Also published as: CA3168269A1; BR112022015655A2; IL295454A; EP3983313B1; BR112022015616A2; CA3168618A1; AU2021223100A1; EP3983313A1; IL295453A; WO2021165866A1; CN115087605A; US20230052831A1; US20230079531A1; ES2928099T3; AU2021222411A1; WO2021165865A1; EP4107092A1; ZA202208948B

Abstract

The application discloses a capsule (1) comprising: a shell (2) extending around an axis (Z), the capsule comprising a bottom wall (201) and a side wall (202) defining a cavity (203) containing an initial product of the fluid to be combined to obtain a final product, and a flanged rim (212) extending from the side wall (202) and comprising an annular ridge (205) at the outer end. A cover element (3) is fixed to the flanged edge (212) to close the cavity (203); a sealing element (4) is associated with the flanged edge (212) to form a fluid seal with the dispensing machine. The housing (2) is made of aluminium and the sealing element (4) comprises a cellulose matrix ring (401). The flanged edge (212) comprises a first portion (211) comprising the annular rib (205) and a second portion (207) contiguous with the sidewall (202), the second portion being annular and lying in a first plane; the first portion (211) is contained in a half-space defined by the first plane and facing the bottom wall (201), which extends towards the bottom wall (201) in a direction parallel to the axis (Z) as far as the free edge (205') of the annular rib (205), and is defined to pass continuously from the boundary (2') of the casing (2) through the annular rib (205) as far as the second portion (207), between the first portion (211) and the side wall (202) facing the first portion (211), defining a recess (210) housing the ring (401), the free edge (205') of the annular rib (205) being at a respective first distance (D1) from the first plane, which is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring (401), so that the recess (210) completely contains the ring (401).

Description

Capsule for beverages

Technical Field

The present invention relates to capsules for beverages, which are capsules suitable for containing an initial product to be combined with a fluid to obtain a final product.

In particular, the present invention relates to single-dose and disposable capsules containing an initial product (for example coffee powder) capable of producing a final product (for example a coffee beverage) by interaction with pressurized water.

Background

In detail, the capsule is particularly configured to prepare a product (e.g. a beverage) in an automatic dispensing machine.

Known capsules for dispensing machines are disposable, single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shape of a glass or cup. The housing generally has a bottom wall and a side wall defining a cavity containing an initial product (e.g. ground coffee or tea) from which a final product (e.g. a beverage) is to be obtained. On the side opposite the bottom wall, a flanged edge extends from the side wall and is disposed around the cavity.

The cavity is closed hermetically at its mouth by a covering element fixed to the flanged edge in order to seal the initial product inside the container.

The capsule may be used in a dispensing machine, wherein the capsule may be inserted into a chamber of the dispensing machine by a user. During dispensing, the bottom wall of the capsule is perforated by an injection device to inject a pressurized liquid (for example water) into the capsule, and the covering element is perforated by a dispensing device of the dispensing machine to enable the final product to be dispensed.

The dispensing device of the dispensing machine comprises a dispensing plate provided with a plurality of pointed elements which, when the pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element and perforate it in a plurality of distinct zones. The end product can flow into the product container through the perforations produced by the dispensing apparatus of the dispensing machine.

For good dispensing results, the capsule further comprises a sealing element arranged at the flanged edge, which sealing element is configured to form a fluid seal with the dispensing machine (in particular with a protruding housing element of the dispensing machine) into which the capsule can be inserted.

The sealing element prevents the pressurised liquid from flowing out at the high operating pressures of the dispensing machine and, in use, is crushed between the housing element of the dispensing machine and the dispensing plate of the dispensing apparatus.

Patent EP1654966 provides an example of a capsule with a sealing element in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is an elastic ring made of silicone rubber fixed to a flanged rim.

The use of aluminium for the shell of the capsule is particularly advantageous because it enables the initial product to be retained within the cavity for a long time and is impermeable to oxygen and water vapour. However, placing the elastic ring in the silicone housing requires the device to apply silicone rubber onto the flanged edge, and this makes production more difficult, as a result of which undesired water leakage during dispensing of the beverage may occur if the sealing element is not applied precisely.

Furthermore, although aluminium itself is recyclable, the body formed by the aluminium casing and by the silicone rubber sealing element is no longer recyclable and this constitutes a problem for the increasing need to make fully recyclable products for waste disposal purposes.

For this reason, capsules have been widely used on the market, in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is a ring of compostable material, for example, it is made of cellulosic based material (e.g. paper or natural fibres) to ensure that the capsule has only compostable or fully recyclable material.

In the most widespread capsules on the market with an aluminium shell, the flanged edge is planar and may comprise a curled annular end bead where one border of the aluminium shell is folded on itself according to the prior art and may extend symmetrically towards the bottom wall and on opposite sides thereof in a direction parallel to the symmetry axis of the capsule.

Patent application WO 2019092144 provides an example of a capsule having an aluminium shell and a sealing element made of cellulosic substrate material, comprising a shell having an end curved boundary to define an open concave end arranged on the side of the bottom wall and on the side opposite thereto.

The applicant has noticed that by carrying out experimental dispensing tests using capsules having an aluminium body comprising a planar flanged edge provided with an annular end fin, and in which the sealing element is not made of silicone rubber but of a cellulosic based material, such as paper and/or cardboard, defective dispensing operations can occur.

For example, the applicant has verified that in many dispensing operations (for example of espresso coffee), at the end of the dispensing, the capsule can remain suspended in the machine and does not automatically fall into an internal container dedicated to receiving the capsule that has been used. Thus, the user is forced to open the machine to manually release the captured capsule in order to be able to continue using the dispensing machine in a subsequent dispensing operation. This is particularly undesirable because the user must access the internal mechanisms of the dispensing machine, which are often difficult and dangerous to access without due care.

This drawback is due to the fact that the capsule remains coupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine without being automatically detached, since the paper sealing element generates friction with the ejection guide of the dispensing machine. When the capsule is not automatically ejected, the user is forced to e.g. manually detach the capsule from the ejection guide.

The applicant has verified in the same or other dispensing operations that water is only dispensed before the beverage is formed.

This drawback is due to the occurrence of water leaks from the front and/or rear side of the dispensing machine, which is conveyed to the product container intended to subsequently receive the beverage, diluting the beverage to be obtained in an undesired manner.

Such leakage is fluid loss which may be front and/or rear loss.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical purpose forming the basis of the present invention is therefore to realise a capsule which overcomes the drawbacks of the known types of capsules.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a capsule having an aluminium casing and a sealing element made of paper material in which the percentage of defects, i.e. the percentage of defective dispensing operations with respect to the total number of dispensing operations performed, due to the separation of the failure from the dispensing machine at the end of dispensing with respect to the defects of capsules of known type, is reduced, so as to allow the user to use the dispensing machine safely.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a capsule which is simple and moderate in manufacture, with an aluminium casing and a sealing element made of paper material, which improves the automatic separation at the end of dispensing, so as to ensure that the user does not need to access the difficult-to-access and dangerous internal mechanisms of the dispensing machine.

A further different object of the present invention is to obtain a capsule with an aluminium casing and a sealing element made of paper material which allows a good beverage extraction quality by ensuring automatic separation and reduces fluid losses.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a capsule having an aluminium casing and a sealing element made of paper material which is both economical and easy to manufacture, while allowing a good beverage extraction quality.

These objects are achieved by a capsule according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

These objects are also achieved by a capsule according to the second aspect of the invention, comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following illustrative and therefore non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a capsule as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule according to a first aspect of the invention, comprising a shell having a flanged edge from which a covering element fixed to the flanged edge is shown detached for the sake of clarity, on the side of the bottom wall of the capsule;

figure 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the capsule in figure 1 on the side opposite to the side of the bottom wall;

figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the capsule of figure 1;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, wherein the flanged edge is shown in detail, comprising a first portion comprising an annular bead arranged at the end of the flanged edge and wherein the boundary of the housing is crimped, a second planar portion and a sealing element made as a ring and associated with the second portion of the flanged edge on the side facing the bottom wall;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the flanged edge of one version of the capsule of FIG. 1, wherein the ring is made of a layered structure fixed to a second portion of the flanged edge, comprising an outer layer and an inner layer superimposed and fixed together;

figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the flanged edge of a different version of the capsule of figure 1, wherein the ring made of the layered structure of figure 5 abuts on the annular rib and the side wall of the capsule;

fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a flanged edge of another different version of the capsule of fig. 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a ring associated with the flanged edge on the side facing the bottom wall and a further ring arranged on the opposite side of the flanged edge and facing the ring;

figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a variant of the capsule of figure 1, which differs from the capsule of figure 1 in that it comprises a flanged edge, a connecting portion interposed between the first portion and the second portion;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of a flanged edge of a version of the capsule of FIG. 8, wherein the ring is made of the layered structure of FIGS. 5 and 6;

figure 11 shows an enlarged view of the flanged rim of a different version of the capsule of figure 8, with the ring abutting on the connecting portion and the annular rib;

fig. 12 shows an enlarged view of the flanged edge of another different version of the capsule of fig. 8, wherein the sealing element comprises a ring associated with the flanged edge on the side facing the bottom wall and a further ring arranged on the opposite side of the flanged edge and facing the ring;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of a flanged edge of another version of the capsule of FIG. 8, wherein the ring has an outer flexure zone extending from an inner planar zone to abut the connecting portion and the annular rib;

fig. 14 shows an enlarged view of a flanged edge of another variant of the capsule of fig. 1 according to the second aspect of the invention, which differs from the capsule of fig. 1 in that the flanged edge comprises an annular rib in which the border of the shell is folded and flattened, the first portion being planar and forming an angle equal to 90 ° with the second portion;

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of a flanged edge of a different version of the capsule of FIG. 14, wherein the first portion forms an acute angle with the second portion;

figure 16 shows an enlarged view of the flanged edge of a different variant of the capsule of figure 14, which comprises a connecting portion between a first portion, which is planar and forms a first discontinuity with the connecting portion, and a second portion, which forms a second discontinuity with the second portion, and which differs from the capsule of figure 8 in that the boundary of the shell is folded and flattened in the annular ridge comprised by the flanged edge.

Detailed Description

In the description below, like elements are indicated in the various drawings with the same reference numerals. It is also specified that the same elements are considered to apply to all the different variants unless a difference is explicitly stated.

With reference to the accompanying figures 1 to 7, the reference numeral 1 indicates a capsule according to a first aspect of the invention, which can be used in a dispensing machine, not shown. More precisely, the capsule 1 can be inserted into a dispensing chamber, not shown, of a dispensing machine.

The capsule 1 comprises a shell 2 having an axis Z of longitudinal extent, for example an axis of symmetry, as shown in fig. 3.

As will be seen in more detail below, the housing 2 is preferably made of aluminium, for example by drawing.

The housing 2 has substantially a truncated cone shape and is i.e. shaped as a glass or a cup. The housing 2 comprises a bottom wall 201 and a side wall 202 defining an open cavity 203 as shown in fig. 2 and 3, and a flanged edge 212 extending from the side wall 202.

In detail, the side wall 202 diverges from the bottom wall 201 to an end from which the flanged edge 212 extends substantially radially.

The cavity 203 is adapted to contain an initial product (not shown) to be added to a fluid (not shown) to obtain a final product (not shown). Preferably, the fluid is a hot or cold pressurized liquid introduced into the cavity 203 during the step of injecting the fluid to obtain the final product.

As previously mentioned, the starting product is for example a soluble, freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, permeable, freeze-dried, powdered food product-for example coffee; alternatively, the initial formulation may be, for example, a leaf food product such as tea. The fluid is preferably water, which is hot and pressurized, which enables obtaining a beverage (e.g. coffee, barley tea, tea or herbal drinks).

The flanged edge 212 may include an annular rib 205 disposed at an outer end of the flanged edge 212 itself.

The border 2' of the housing 2 is typically foldable in the annular rib 205 so that it is positioned within the rib 205 itself. However, this is not required and the annular rib 205 may have a different configuration, such as an open configuration.

The capsule 1 comprises a covering element 3 fixed to a flanged edge 212 to close the cavity 203. The covering element 3 is fixed to the flanged edge 201 on the opposite side of the bottom wall 212 by thermal or ultrasonic welding or gluing.

The covering element 3 can be perforated by the dispensing device of the dispensing machine so that the final product can be dispensed through the covering element 3.

The sealing element 4 is associated with the flanged edge 212 to form a fluid seal with the dispensing machine (for example with a housing element of the dispensing machine), which is shaped as a protrusion.

The sealing element 4 comprises an annular body 401 arranged on the side of the bottom wall 201, made of a cellulosic base material and therefore made as a paper or cardboard ring, or a natural fiber ring or a ring made of a composition comprising a combination of these materials.

Subsequently, for the sake of simplicity, but without limiting the scope, the ring 401 will be cited as being made with a cellulose substrate (for example paper and/or cardboard).

Due to the fact that the sealing element 4 comprises a cellulose matrix ring 401, the sealing element 4 is easy to manufacture and moreover makes the capsule 1 completely recyclable.

Flanged edge 212 includes a first portion 211 that includes an annular ridge 205 and a second portion 207 that abuts sidewall 202.

The second portion 207 is annular and lies in a first plane.

The first portion 211 is contained in a half-space defined by a first plane and facing the bottom wall 201 and extending towards the bottom wall 201 in a direction parallel to the axis Z as far as the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205.

In other words, the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205 is the end of the bottom wall 201 closest to the annular rib 205.

Since the annular rib 205 represents the outer end of the flanged edge 212, the free edge 205' also represents the end of the first portion 211 closest to the bottom wall 201.

As shown in fig. 1-7, the first portion 211 is defined without discontinuity from the boundary 2' of the housing 2 through the annular rib 205 to the second portion 207.

The expression "continuous" means that, starting from the boundary 2' of the housing 2, the first portion 211 has no corners, i.e. it is a curved surface in which there are no corners between its consecutive sections.

This may still be effective even if the boundary 2' of the housing 2 is not folded within the annular rib 205.

Thus, between the first portion 211 and the side wall 202 facing the first portion 211, a recess 210 can be defined in which the ring 401 is housed, the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205 being at a first distance D1 from the first plane, the first distance being greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, so that the recess 210 can completely contain the ring 401.

The recess 210 defined between the first portion 211 and the sidewall 202 is concave and has a bottom defined by the second portion 207.

Thanks to the capsule according to the first aspect of the invention, the ring 401 may contain the annular ridge 205 within the entire size of the first portion 211 up to the first distance D1.

In other words, the first portion 211 delimits the recess 210 on the opposite side of the side wall 202 as far as the free edge 205', and due to the fact that the thickness of the ring 401 is less than or equal to the first distance D1, the free edge 205' protrudes or is aligned with respect to the ring 401.

As will be seen, this enables an effective separation from the dispensing machine to be obtained after dispensing.

As already discussed previously, the dispensing plate is provided with a plurality of pointed elements (not shown) which, during dispensing, engage with the covering element 3 and perforate it in a plurality of different areas when the pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases.

In fact, the applicant was able to verify experimentally the significant improvement of the defects due to the drop of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing.

In fact, the recess 210 is able to house the ring 401 internally and therefore possible friction between the paper and an ejection guide (not shown) of the dispensing machine that prevents the capsule 1 from being correctly separated can be avoided.

Since the free edge 205' extends beyond the thickness of the ring 401 or is aligned therewith and the recess 210 completely contains the ring 401, the capsule 1 according to the invention shows a surprising technical effect, since it is capable of significantly reducing the drawbacks associated with automatic detachment from the dispensing machine, so as to null them.

It should be noted, however, that the first portion 211 comprises an inclined wall 211' which is continuously joined to the annular rib 205 on one side and discontinuously joined to the second portion 207 on the other side.

The first portion 211 (and in detail the inclined wall 211') practically forms an angle a with the second portion 207, which angle a thus defines a discontinuity between the second portion 207 and the inclined wall 211'.

If we now consider the first distance D1, it can be noted that this first distance D1 is comprised between 0.4mm and 2.20mm, more preferably between 0.90mm and 1.90mm, more preferably equal to 1.60.

According to an alternative form, the first distance may be equal to 2.10mm, for example.

As shown in fig. 1 to 7, the annular rib 205 is curved and extends radially between the inner edge 205 "and the outer edge 205'" with a maximum diameter of width R, which may be comprised in the range from 0.4mm to 1.5mm, preferably equal to 1.1 mm.

If the curled annular bead 205 has a diameter of 0.4mm, the boundary 2' of the housing is generally folded over on itself, while the annular bead 205 is circular in shape, starting from a diameter of 0.8mm to a diameter of 1.5mm, as shown in fig. 1 to 13.

In addition to a diameter of 1.1mm, other preferred diameters are possible, such as 0.9mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm or 1.3 mm.

The annular fin 205 may extend in a first plane toward the bottom wall 201 such that the free edge 205' is positioned at a first distance D1 at least equal to the smallest diameter of the coiled annular fin 205.

However, in order for the free edge 205' to extend beyond the thickness of the ring 401, it is preferred that the annular ridge 205 be displaced towards the bottom wall 201 such that the first distance D1 is greater than the maximum diameter of the ridge ring 205 itself.

For example, if the annular fin 205 has a diameter (e.g., is rolled) equal to 1.1mm, the free edge 205 'may advantageously be placed at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6mm, i.e., further displaced by 0.5mm with respect to the diameter of the annular fin 205, taking into account the size and inclination of the inclined wall 211'.

Alternatively, according to different versions of the capsule, if the annular ridge 205 has a diameter equal to 1.1mm and the free edge 205' can be placed at a first distance D1 equal to 2.1mm, it can be further displaced by 1.0mm with respect to the diameter of the annular ridge 205.

The first portion 211 is radially contained between the inner edge 205 "and the outer edge 205'" of the annular rib 205.

In practice, the border 2 'may be folded in the annular rib 205 and may extend continuously through the inclined wall 211' as far as the second portion 207.

The absence of a discontinuity in the first portion 211 of the flanged edge 212 (which is contained in the half-space facing the bottom wall 201), the presence of a discontinuity between the inclined wall 211 'of the first portion 211 and the second portion 207, and the fact that the free edge 205' is preferably displaced towards the bottom wall 201 with respect to the diameter of the annular rib 205, makes the flanged edge itself easier to adapt, as we will see later, when the flanged edge 212 is clamped together with the ring 401 between the housing element of the dispensing machine and the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine and cooperates with the dispensing machine to form a fluid seal.

Furthermore, the recess 210 can be defined in a simple manner in half space.

Preferably, the first portion 211 may be shaped to initially wrap around the boundary 2' to define the coiled annular rib 205, and then gradually move away from the annular rib 205 to the second portion 207.

The first portion 211 may be shaped, for example, as a spiral that initially wraps around the boundary starting at the boundary 2', thereby defining a coiled or rounded annular rib 205, and which then gradually moves away from the annular rib 205, through the inclined wall 211', to the second portion 207.

It may be noted that if the annular rib 205 is curled and the first portion 211 is continuously extended, the user may handle the capsule completely safely, since there is no tip portion that may injure the user. In fact, not only is the boundary 2' of the housing folded inside the annular fin 205, but also edges that may be annoying to the user are not present.

The angle α generating the inclination of the inclined wall 211' may be comprised between 10 ° and 90 °, preferably between 14 ° and 65 °, still more preferably between 20 ° and 45 °, preferably equal to 25 °. Alternatively, the angle α may also preferably be equal to 38 °. Indeed, it is preferred that the inclined wall 211 'forms an acute angle with the bottom wall 207, so that the annular rib 205 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201, and at the same time the first portion 211 extends continuously through the inclined wall 211'.

With regard to the position of the ring 401, which is associated with the flanged edge 212, at least in the area intended to form a fluid seal with the dispensing machine, and i.e. in this area, during dispensing, the projecting housing element of the dispensing machine engages therewith.

Considering the capsule 1 according to the invention of figures 1 to 7 and 14 and 15, and considering the capsule 1' which will be described below and illustrated in figures 8 to 13 and 16, this applies to both.

The ring 401 may include an outer region 402 as shown in fig. 4 that extends until abutting on the first portion 211.

In other words, as shown in fig. 4 and 6, the radial extension of ring 401 may abut on first portion 211, and more precisely on inner edge 205 ″ of annular rib 205, relative to the thickness of ring 401.

Optionally, the ring 401 may remain associated with the housing 2 by interference between the outer region 402 and the first portion 211.

Due to this interference, the ring 401 can be stably associated with the capsule 1 without the need of further fixing to the flanged edge 212, and this increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.

The ring 401 may also include an inner region 403 from which the outer region 402 extends, which may extend until it abuts the sidewall 202 of the capsule 2, as shown in fig. 4, regardless of whether the outer region 402 may abut on the first portion 211.

For example, if the ring 401 is about 1mm wide and extends until abutting on the side wall 202, a fluid-tight seal with the housing element of the dispensing machine is guaranteed anyway.

Alternatively, ring 401 may remain associated with capsule 1 by interference between inner region 403 and side wall 202.

Also, thanks to this interference with the side wall 202, the ring 401 can be stably associated with the capsule 1 without the need for further fixing to the flanged edge 212.

Again, this increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.

However, the ring 401 may also be associated with the second portion 207 only, without necessarily abutting on the first portion 211 and/or the side wall 202.

In a variation, the ring 401 may be L-shaped to at least partially follow both the flange edge 212 and the sidewall 202.

Regarding the way in which the ring 401 is made, it is provided that this applies to all variants or versions of the capsule shown in fig. 1 to 16.

The ring 401 may comprise a single layer of cellulosic substrate material intended to contact the dispensing machine. This layer can be made, for example, of paper or cardboard, the grammage of which is 250g/m ² And 900g/m ² Preferably 300g/m ² And 750g/m ² Preferably equal to 350g/m ² And 700g/m ² 。

The term grammage refers to the density value of paper and/or paperboard, expressed as a value in grams per square meter.

Although the thickness of the paper and/or paperboard is generally dependent on the grammage used, the thickness of the paper and/or paperboard may vary depending on different factors, such as the type of treatment performed during the production of the paper and/or paperboard or the amount of wood fibers present therein.

In fact, for the same grammage, there may be high density paper, and/or paperboard, of a set caliper, and low density paper and/or paperboard, of greater than the set caliper.

For this reason, although the preferred grammage for making paper rings is included in the grammage range as disclosed above, the thickness of the ring 401 will also be indicated below, as the experimental tests performed are based on the thickness of the ring 401.

The ring 401 may comprise a layered structure comprising at least one outer layer 404 of cellulosic substrate; and a bonding layer 405 configured to enable the layered structure to be bonded to the flanged edge 212, i.e. to the second portion 207.

The tie layer 405 is a layer of adhesive material that can be activated by heat.

In other words, the paper or paperboard ring 401 making up the sealing element 4 may be made of a single paper and/or paperboard layer, as shown in fig. 2-4, and in fig. 7, and held by interference or additionally secured by the joining layer 405 to the second portion 207 of the aluminum flanged edge.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, ring 401 may alternatively be manufactured from a layered structure made by means of a plurality of layers superimposed on each other (i.e. several cellulosic based layers alternating with bonding layers), wherein bonding layers 405 are present for coupling to flanged edge 212 of ring 401, and furthermore a further bonding layer 407 is interposed between the two cellulosic based layers.

The hierarchical structure may include: an outer cellulosic layer 404 arranged outwardly for contacting the dispensing machine, a bonding layer 405 configured to enable the layered structure to bond to the flanged edge 212, an inner layer 406 made of cellulosic material and a further bonding layer 407 bonding the outer layer 404 and the inner layer 406 together. The inner layer 406 is bonded to the flanged edge 212 by a bonding layer 405.

The ring 401 may be made, for example, from a double cellulose matrix layer.

Optionally, according to a variant not shown, the outer layer 404 may be L-shaped to at least partially follow both the flange edge 212 and the side wall 202.

The tie layer 405 may be made of an adhesive material or a material such as polyethylene or polyolefin or polylactic acid (PLA) which becomes tacky and joins the monolayer (if the ring is made of a single layer of cellulosic based material) or the inner layer 406 (in case of a layered structure) to the second portion 207 when it is applied to the second portion 207 by heat.

The same considerations apply to another bonding layer 407 configured to bond together the outer cellulose matrix layer 404 and the inner cellulose matrix layer 406, which is also made of a material that is activatable by heat.

The bonding layer 405, and optionally also the further bonding layer 407, may also be made of a thermal glue which is activated by heat when the thermal glue is activated by a heating device, for example a device provided with a heating element having an electrical resistance.

The bonding layer 405, and optionally also the further bonding layer 407, may also be activated by a heating device by ultrasonic welding.

According to a variant not shown, flanged edge 212 (and preferably the whole casing 2) can optionally be coated externally with a lacquer, which may be transparent or coloured, suitable for engaging with bonding layer 405 when bonding layer 405 is softened or melted by heat to obtain adhesion of bonding layer 405 to flanged edge 212.

The lacquer is configured to coat the aluminum externally while personalizing the aluminum (if the aluminum is colored) and to promote adhesion of the bonding layer 405 to the aluminum of the housing 2. Indeed, the lacquer may bond to the polyethylene or polylactic acid when both are heated (optionally the lacquer may also be heated), which may be activated by heating to enable the cellulose rings to bond to the aluminium coated lacquer.

Preferably, the lacquer is chosen so as to be compatible with the tie layer 405, ensuring that the permanent welding or in any case the adhesion is adapted so as not to detach the ring 401 from the flanged edge 212 even after dispensing.

According to one version, ring 401 is made of a layered structure comprising an outer layer 404, an inner layer 406, a bonding layer 405, and another bonding layer 407, and is configured to be placed on second portion 207 when bonding layers 405, 407 have not been activated. In this case, the bonding layers 405, 407 may be simultaneously activated by heat to bond the ring 401 with the flanged edge 212 and bond the cellulosic matrix layers together, thereby defining a compact and unitary annular body 401.

Each cellulosic substrate layer (and i.e., outer layer 404 and inner layer 406) may have a thickness, for example, equal to 350g/m ² Has a total gram weight of 700g/m ² 。

Each bonding layer, i.e., bonding layer 405 or another bonding layer 407, can have, for example, 15g/m ² Corresponding to a thickness of a few microns, before the layered structure is bonded to the flanged edge 212.

Since the ring 401 may be made of at least one pair of

cellulosic layers

404, 406 joined together, each

layer

404, 406 may be selected in a suitable manner in terms of grammage and/or thickness and/or composition.

For example, the outer layer 404 configured to be arranged externally may be selected to have a different grammage and/or thickness and/or composition than the inner layer 406, so that the ring 401 has the required characteristics for separation from the housing element of the dispensing machine, as will be seen in detail below, but at the same time with reduced costs.

The possibility of having multiple cellulosic substrate layers allows the selection of each layer having different properties. For example, the outer layer 404 may be selected to have a lower density than the inner layer 406 below the outer layer 404 to better deform and promote fluid-tightness during dispensing, or may be selected by a different color or texture than the inner layer 406 (which is preferably a neutral white color) to be distinguishable to the user.

According to a variant shown in fig. 7, the sealing element 4 comprises a further ring 408 made of a cellulosic material, which is fixed to the covering element 3 on the side opposite to the flanged edge 212 and more precisely on the side opposite to the second portion 207.

The further ring 408 is aligned on the ring 401 so as to form a layered sealing element 4, wherein the flat second portion 207 made of aluminum and the covering element 3 joined thereto are interposed between the ring 401 and the further ring 408, arranged opposite and facing each other.

The ring 401 is associated with a second portion directed towards the bottom wall 201, while the other ring 408 is fixed to the covering element 3.

With respect to the further ring 408, the above applies and therefore the further ring 408 may also be made of a single layer 404 of cellulosic material, joined to the covering element 3 by a joining layer 405, or the further ring 408 may be made of a layered structure comprising an outer layer 404, an inner layer 406 and a joining layer 405 and a further joining layer 407.

The further ring 408 may have a different grammage and/or thickness and/or composition than the ring 401.

It should be noted that the further ring 408 contributes to the fluid seal with the dispensing machine during dispensing, but it also performs the function of a spacer between the capsule 1 and the dispensing machine.

In fact, the further ring 408, which is placed in contact with the distribution plate of the dispensing machine, keeps the flanged edge 212 spaced apart from the distribution plate and displaces the flanged edge 212 and the ring 401 towards the bottom wall 201, i.e. towards the convex shaped housing element of the dispensing machine.

Thus, due to the presence of the further ring 408, a reduced thickness may be sufficient for the ring 401, with the result that there is an economic advantage in selecting the material with which the ring 401 may be manufactured.

The ring 401 or, if present, the further ring 408 preferably has a constant thickness and is planar.

It should be noted that, from experimental tests, in order to improve the defects due to the separation of the capsules at the end of dispensing, it has proved particularly advantageous for the thickness of the ring 401 to be comprised between 0.30mm and 1.2mm, preferably between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, still more preferably between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.

Experimental tests carried out by the applicant have shown that by making a capsule 1 according to the invention in which the shell 2 is made of aluminium and the sealing element 4 is made of a cellulosic material, in which the first portion 211 is contained in a half-space defined by the first plane defined by the second portion 207 and extending towards the bottom wall 201 as far as the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205, thus defining a recess 210 in which the ring 401 is completely housed, the drawbacks linked to the failed separation of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing are reduced.

Advantageously, the first portion 211 may be continuously shaped from the boundary 2' through the annular rib 205 until the second portion 207.

Since the first distance D1 of the free edge 205' of the annular fin 205 from the second portion 207 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, the ring 401 is completely contained in the recess 210, friction is avoided between the ring 401 and the ejection guide of the dispensing machine, and this reduces the percentage of defects of the dispensing machine due to hanging in the machine.

Experimental tests have shown that in the case where the thickness of the ring 401 is equal to 0.45mm and the thickness of the ring 401 is equal to 0.90mm, defective dispensing operations due to automatic separation are reduced.

In addition to the improvement of the defects due to separation, the applicant has also verified a significant improvement of the defects due to fluid loss, wherein the thickness of the ring 401 is comprised between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, still more preferably between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.

With an increased thickness of the ring 401, although separation at the end of dispensing is still ensured, a reinforced fluid seal, i.e. a reduced amount of front and/or rear fluid losses compared to known aluminium capsules, may be obtained.

As indicated previously, the term "fluid loss" refers to the leakage of water from the front and/or rear of the dispensing machine due to a defective fluid seal between the sealing element 4 and the dispensing machine.

Despite the increased thickness, experiments have shown that defective dispensing operations due to failed separations also decrease with a thickness of the ring 401 equal to 0.90mm, as will be highlighted below.

Experimental testing the following Nespresso was used ^TM The coffee machine is used for: essenza Mini ^TM And Citiz ^TM 。

The first and second series of tests were carried out using capsules having a known type of aluminium casing and a sealing element made as a paper ring, the casing comprising a planar aluminium flanged edge and an end annular bead extending, in a direction parallel to the axis Z, towards the bottom wall of the casing and on the opposite side of the axis with respect to the planar flanged edge, symmetrically.

Since the annular bead 205 has a diameter approximately equal to 1.3mm, in the first series of tests and in the second series of tests, the annular bead extends towards the bottom wall 201 as far as the free edge 205 'and the distance between the free edge 205' and the first plane defined by the second portion is approximately equal to 0.65 mm.

In the first series of tests a 0.45mm thick paper ring was used, and in the second series of tests a 0.90mm thick paper ring was used.

The third and fourth series of tests were carried out using capsules 1 having an aluminium casing 2 according to the invention as shown in figures 1 to 7 and a sealing element 4 made like a paper ring, wherein the casing 2 comprises a flanged edge 212 comprising a continuous first portion 211 provided with a circular annular ridge 205, and wherein the free edge 205' is at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6mm from the second portion 207. In the third and fourth series of tests, the annular bead 205 was axially displaced towards the bottom wall by 0.5mm, the diameter of the annular bead 205 being equal to 1.1 mm.

As described above, in the third series of tests and the fourth series of tests, the capsule 1 having the aluminum capsule of fig. 1 to 7 was used, but in the third series of tests, a ring paper having a thickness of 0.45mm was used, and in the fourth series of tests, a paper ring having a thickness of 0.90mm was used.

The third and fourth series of tests are intended to verify the separation of the capsules at the end of dispensing.

Comparative example 1

A first series of tests (96 dispensing operations) was carried out using capsules of the known type indicated above, in which the aluminium shell has a planar flanged edge and an annular rib symmetrical in a direction parallel to the axis Z, and the sealing element is made as a 0.45mm thick paper ring.

Comparative example 2

A second series of tests (35 dispensing operations) was carried out using capsules of the known type indicated above, in which the aluminium shell has a planar flanged edge and an annular rib symmetrical in a direction parallel to the axis Z, and the sealing element is made as a 0.90mm thick paper ring.

Example 3 according to the invention

A third series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was carried out using the capsule 1 according to the invention, in which the first portion 211 with flanged edge was continuous and provided with an annular ridge, in which the sealing element was made as a paper ring 401 0.45mm thick.

Example 4 according to the invention

A fourth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was carried out using the capsule 1 according to the invention, in which the first portion 211 with flanged edge was continuous and provided with an annular ridge, in which the sealing element was made as a 0.90mm thick paper ring 401.

In the tests carried out, the capsules were all filled with the same 5.50 gram dose of coffee.

(1) All detected hangs in the machine are in one of the tested coffee machines.

(2) About 66% of the coffee machines tested were suspended in the machine (i.e. the same coffee machine that was detected as suspended in the machine in comparative example 1).

As mentioned before, hanging in the machine implies the fact that at the end of dispensing, the capsule remains coupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine and is not automatically detached.

A fifth series of tests was carried out using a capsule 1 according to the invention with an aluminium shell 2, in which the first portion 211 with flanged edge is continuous and has a circular annular rib and a paper ring of 0.90mm thickness.

In a fifth series of tests, the free edge 205' was at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6mm from the second portion 207, and the annular rib 205 was axially displaced 0.5mm towards the bottom wall, the diameter of the annular rib 205 being equal to 1.1 mm.

The fifth series of tests was aimed at verifying the separation of the capsules at the end of dispensing and at the same time verifying the defects due to the loss of fluid.

Example 5 according to the invention

A fifth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was carried out using the capsule 1 according to the invention, in which the first portion 211 with flanged edge was continuous and provided with an annular ridge, in which the sealing element was made as a paper ring 401 0.90mm thick.

	Comparative example 2	Example 5
			Fluid loss (%)	14.3 ⁽³⁾	0.0

(3) In one of the coffee machines tested (i.e. the same coffee machine that was suspended in the machine as detected in comparative example 1) the entire fluid loss was detected.

As already indicated before, fluid loss refers to front and/or rear loss occurring in case there is a leakage of water from the front and/or rear of the dispensing machine.

In use, the capsule 1 is inserted by the user, for example by means of a lever mechanism, into a chamber of a dispensing machine open for this purpose. Using the same mechanism, the user can close the chamber to start dispensing and when the chamber is closed, the protruding housing element of the dispensing machine can inelastically compress the sealing element 4 as a ring 401 to form a fluid seal. During dispensing, pressurized fluid is injected into the capsule and the ring 401, which is inelastically compressed by the housing element, forms a fluid seal with the dispensing machine.

The same thing happens if the capsule 1 comprises, in addition to the ring 401, a further ring 408 arranged on the opposite side to the ring 401.

When injecting the pressurized liquid, the pressure of the final product increases inside the capsule 1, which in turn deforms the covering element 3 towards the pointed elements of the dispensing plate of the dispensing machine, which perforate the covering element 3.

At the end of dispensing, the user can open the chamber by actuating the lever mechanism again to enable the separation of the capsule 1.

Since the first distance D1 of the free edge 205' of the annular fin 205 from the second portion 207 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401, the ring 401 is completely contained in the recess 210, avoiding friction between the ring 401 and the ejection guide of the dispensing machine and this allows a reduced percentage of defects of the dispensing machine due to hanging in the machine. To this end, preferably, the annular rib 205 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201 to ensure that the free edge 205' axially exceeds the thickness of the ring 401. Once the user has opened the chamber, the just used capsule 1 can in fact be detached from the housing element and can fall into the recovery container of the capsule already used.

However, since the deformability of the flanged edge 212 during dispensing is promoted by the movement of the annular ridge 205 towards the bottom wall 201, the fluid losses are also reduced.

Furthermore, if the thickness of the ring 401 is increased, an enhanced fluid-tightness and in any case a separation of the capsule 1 can be ensured.

Fig. 8 to 13 show a capsule 1 'which differs from the capsule 1 shown in fig. 1 to 8 in that the capsule 1' is provided with a flanged edge 204 which differs from the flanged edge 212 described so far in that it comprises a first portion 206 which differs from the first portion 211 described above.

However, the same applies, namely the first portion 206 is contained in a half-space defined by a first plane and facing the bottom wall 201, which extends in a direction parallel to the axis Z towards the bottom wall 201 as far as the free edge 205 'of the annular rib 205, between the first portion 206 and the side wall 202 facing the first portion 206, defining a recess 210 in which the ring 401 is housed and completely contained, since the first distance D1 of the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205 from the first plane is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401.

However, flanged edge 204 additionally comprises a connecting portion 208 arranged between first portion 206 and second portion 207, first portion 206 being displaced towards bottom wall 201 at least a second predetermined distance D2 from the first plane, between connecting portion 208 and side wall 202, defining a seat 209 in which ring 401 is at least partially housed.

The seat 209 is concave and has a corresponding bottom defined by the second portion 207.

The recess 210 defined between the first portion 206 and the side wall 202 and itself delimited by a respective bottom corresponding to the second portion 207 therefore contains the seat 209.

Due to the fact that the first portion 206 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201 and creates a seat 209 in which the ring 401 is at least partially housed, the applicant has been able to verify experimentally that with this capsule 1', an effective separation from the dispensing machine after dispensing is ensured, but there is also a significant improvement in the fluid seal, i.e. a reduced amount of front and/or rear fluid losses.

With regard to the fluid seal, the displacement to the second distance D2 and the resulting horizontal change between the first portion 206 and the second portion 207, which lie in the first plane, allow a deformation to be generated in the flanged edge 204 at the connection portion 208, which makes the flanged edge element itself easier to adapt when the flanged edge 204 itself is clamped together with the ring 401 between the housing element and the distributor plate of the dispensing machine.

On the other hand, the fact that the recess 210 can contain the ring 401 completely inside it still applies with respect to the falling of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing, since the free edge 205' is placed at a first distance D1 from the first plane greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401.

The seat 209, which may partially contain the ring 401 inside, may further facilitate the containment of the ring 401 and thus further prevent any friction between the paper and the ejection guide (not shown) of the dispensing machine, which would prevent the capsule 1 from being properly separated.

Thus, with this variant, the capsule 1 according to the invention shows a surprising technical effect, due to the fact that the flanged edge 204 has a shifted annular rib 205, and due to the fact that the paper ring can be at least partially housed in the seat 209, since it can significantly reduce the drawbacks related to the detachment from the dispensing machine automatically.

In addition, the applicant has also verified experimentally the reduction of the defects related to the fluid losses.

It should be noted that the first portion 206 is contained in a half-space facing the bottom wall 201, which half-space is defined by a second plane placed at said second predetermined distance D2.

In other words, second distance D2 is the distance first portion 206 is displaced, which also includes annular ridge 205.

It should be noted that the first portion 206 includes an annular portion 206 'that is contiguous with the connecting portion 208 and is planar, with the annular portion 206' lying in a second plane.

Thus, the distance D2 may be measured between the second portion 207 (annular and planar) of the flanged edge 204 and the annular portion 206' of the first portion 206 in a direction parallel to the axis Z.

Again, as previously mentioned, the first portion 206 is comprised between the inner edge 205' and the outer edge 205 "of the curved annular rib 205, and the first portion 206 is defined by the curved annular rib 205 continuously from the boundary 2' of the housing 2 up to the planar annular wall 206 '. The first portion 206 is thus shaped as a spiral, which, starting from the boundary 2', is initially wound around the boundary 2', defining the annular rib 205, and which is subsequently held close to the coiled annular rib 205 by the annular wall plane 206' up to the connecting portion 208.

Unlike the first portion 211 of the capsule 1, which extends from the boundary 2 'of the housing 2 up to the first portion 207 without discontinuity, there is a first variation of inclination between the first portion 206 and the connecting portion 208 of the capsule 1', and a second variation of inclination between the connecting portion 208 and the second portion 207. In other words, there is a single discontinuity between the first portion 211 and the second portion 207 in the flanged edge 212 of the capsule 1 (at the junction between the first portion 211 and the second portion 207), a first discontinuity between the first portion 206 and the connecting portion 208 (defining a first angle) and a second discontinuity between the connecting portion 208 and the second portion 207 (defining a second angle) in the flanged edge 204 of the capsule 1'.

Although what has been said before still applies to the first distance D1, which allows the thickness of ring 401 to be fully contained in recess 210 in free edge 205' of annular rib 205 in a direction parallel to axis Z, provision may be made for second distance D2 to be comprised between 0.10mm and 0.90mm, more preferably between 0.20mm and 0.60mm, more preferably equal to 0.30.

The second predetermined distance D2 may also be equal to 0.50 mm.

Considering the dimension of the annular rib 205 in a direction parallel to the axis Z (which is equal to 1.30mm, for example), and considering the second distance D2 equal to 0.30mm, it is noted that, in this way, the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205 extends towards the bottom wall 201 up to a distance D1 equal to 1.60mm from the first plane.

With respect to the second distance D2 and the thickness of ring 401, it can be observed that ring 401 may be completely contained inside seat 209, in a direction parallel to axis Z, or may protrude therefrom and be completely contained in recess 210.

In other words, if the second portion 206 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201, the annular ridge 205 contributes to further laterally delimit the recess 210 and, together with the connecting portion 208, the respective outer wall on the opposite side facing the side wall 202 of the capsule, delimits the recess 210.

By the values provided above by way of example, the recess 210 is delimited externally by the connecting portion 208 and/or by the annular ridge 205 by up to 1.60 mm.

The connecting portion 208 may have a stepped, frustoconical configuration as shown in fig. 8-13, or a curved configuration, not shown, having a change in slope, for example.

In other words, the connecting portion 208 may be shaped as an inclined plane surface connecting the first portion 206 and the second portion 207, or as a surface in which there is a change in curvature.

With respect to the association between the ring 401 and the flanged edge 204, the same previously described with reference to the flanged edge 212 applies, providing that the outer region 402 of the ring 401 may extend until abutting on the first portion 206 and/or the connecting portion 208.

For example, as shown in fig. 11 and 13, the outer region 402 may also abut the coiled annular rib 205 relative to the thickness of the ring 401, particularly it may abut the inner edge 205' of the coiled annular rib 205 and optionally flex toward the bottom wall 201, as shown in fig. 13.

Optionally, also in this embodiment, the ring 401 may remain associated with the housing 2 by interference between the outer region 402 and the first portion 206 and/or the connecting portion 208 without further securing to the flanged edge 204.

As previously mentioned, the inner region 403 of the ring 401 may also extend until it abuts on the side wall 202, and the ring 401 may optionally be held in association with the capsule 1 in a manner not shown by interference between the inner region 403 and the side wall 202 without further fixing to the flanged rim 204.

Furthermore, in a variant not shown, the fact that the ring 401 may be L-shaped to at least partially follow both the flange edge 204 and the side wall 202 is still valid.

However, as previously mentioned, the ring 401 may be associated with the second portion 207 only and need not abut the first portion 206 and/or the connecting portion 208 and/or the side wall 202, as it is sufficient to associate it with the flanged edge 204 in the region where the protruding housing element of the dispensing machine engages during dispensing.

The fact that the ring 401 can be bonded to the flanged edge 204, more precisely the second portion 207, by means of the above-mentioned bonding layer is still valid.

With regard to the way in which the ring 401 is made, it should be noted that what was described previously with regard to the capsule 1 of fig. 1 to 7 is also applicable, without limiting the general scope to the capsule 1' of fig. 8 to 13.

The ring 401 may comprise a single layer of cellulosic substrate material (as in fig. 8, 9 and 13) having the grammage and thickness described above, or it may comprise a layered structure as described above, with, for example, an outer layer 404 and a tie layer 405, and optionally an inner layer 406 and another tie layer 407 (as shown in fig. 10 and 11).

Again, optionally, according to a variant not shown, the outer layer 404 may be L-shaped to at least partially follow both the flange edge 204 and the side wall 202.

Each cellulosic substrate layer (i.e., outer layer 404 and further layer 406) can have the grammage and thickness described above, which can be selected in an appropriate manner with respect to grammage and/or thickness and/or composition to ensure the desired characteristics and reduced cost of separation of the fluid sealing and dispensing machine from the housing element.

Again, as previously mentioned, the sealing element 4 may comprise a further ring 408 made according to the method described above, which is fixed to the covering element 3 on the side opposite to the second portion 207 (as shown in fig. 12), so that the further ring 408 and the ring 401 are aligned and are opposite to each other.

In use, the capsule 1' is inserted by the user into the chamber of the dispensing machine and used as previously described with respect to said capsule 1.

Due to the connecting portion 208 being displaced towards the bottom wall 201 by the second distance D2 (wherein the flanged edge 204 is deformed to connect the first portion 206), and the second planar portion 207 being associated with the ring 401, the flanged edge 204 is adapted to the dispensing machine and may thus improve the fluid seal with the dispensing machine achieved by the ring 401 (and optionally by the ring 408).

At the end of dispensing, when the chamber is open to allow the capsule 1' to be separated, the ejection guide of the dispensing machine does not contact the ring 401 due to the fact that the recess 210 completely contains the ring 401 and the seat 209 at least partially contains the ring 401, and once the user opens the chamber, the just used capsule 1 can be separated to fall into the receptacle for recovering the capsule that has been used.

Experimental tests carried out by the applicant have shown that by making a capsule 1 according to figures 8 to 13, in which the shell 2 is made of aluminium and the sealing element 4 is made of a cellulosic material, in which the first portion 206 is contained in a half-space defined by the first plane defined by the second portion 207 and extending towards the bottom wall 201 as far as the free edge 205' of the annular rib 205, thus defining a recess 210 in which the ring 401 is completely housed, the drawbacks linked to the failed separation of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing are reduced.

An improvement of the separation at the end of dispensing is also ensured for capsules 1' having a thickness of the ring 401 comprised between 0.30mm and 1.2mm, preferably comprised between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.

However, in the alternative, experimental tests carried out with the capsule 1' having the flanged edge 204 provided with the connecting portion 208 have shown that the drawbacks related to the front and/or rear fluid loss are further improved even if the ring has no increased thickness, but is comprised between 0.30mm and 1.2mm, preferably between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, still more preferably between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.

Experimental testing of the capsules 1' the same Nespresso used for the experimental testing of the capsules 1 was used ^TM Coffee machine (Essenza Mini) ^TM And Citiz ^TM ) To proceed with.

For the sake of brevity, the first and second series of tests of the above-described known type of aluminium capsule are not repeated here.

A sixth series of tests and a seventh series of tests were carried out using a capsule 1 'having an aluminium shell 2 and a sealing element 4 made as a paper ring, wherein the shell 2 comprises a flanged edge 204 comprising a first portion 206 (comprising an annular rib 205 displaced towards the bottom wall 201) and a connecting portion 208, the free edge 205' being at a first distance D1 equal to 1.6mm from the second portion 206, the displacement of the first portion 206 to a second distance D2 being equal to 0.3 mm.

In the sixth and seventh series of tests, capsule 1' was used, but in the sixth series of tests, a 0.45mm thick paper ring was used, and in the seventh series of tests, a 0.90mm thick paper ring was used.

The sixth and seventh series of tests are intended to verify the separation of the capsules at the end of dispensing.

In addition, defects due to fluid loss were also verified.

In the tests carried out, the capsules were all refilled with the same 5.50 gram dose of coffee.

Example 6

A sixth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was performed using a capsule 1' with a flanged edge with a connecting portion 208, in which the sealing element was made as a 0.45mm thick paper ring 401.

Example 7

A seventh series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was performed using a capsule 1' with a flanged edge with a connecting portion 208, in which the sealing element was made as a 0.90mm thick paper ring 401.

The table below shows the percentage of defects found in each series of tests, the defective allocation operations being expressed as a percentage of the total allocation operations performed.

	Comparative example 1	Comparative example 2	Example 6	Example 7
					Suspended in the machine (%)	16.7 ⁽¹⁾	77.1 ⁽²⁾	0.0	0.0

(1) All detected hangs in the machine are in one of the tested coffee machines.

	Comparative example 1	Comparative example 2	Example 6	Example 7
					Fluid loss (%)	89.5	14.3 ⁽³⁾	25.0 ⁽⁴⁾	0.0

(3) The total fluid loss was detected in one of the tested coffee machines, i.e. the same coffee machine that was detected to be suspended in the machine in comparative example 1.

(4) The total fluid loss was detected in one of the coffee machines tested (i.e. the same coffee machine that was suspended in the machine was detected in comparative example 1).

Thus, it has been advantageously verified through experiments that the capsule 1, in which the first portion 211 is shaped without discontinuity from the curved annular rib 205 to the second portion 207, and is discontinuously joined to the second portion and in which the first distance D1 is greater than the maximum diameter of the annular rib 205 itself, and the capsule 1', in which the first portion 206 can be joined with a first discontinuity to the connecting portion 208 and with a second discontinuity from the connecting portion 208 to the second portion 207, guarantee not only an improvement, but also a zeroing of the defects due to the failed separation of the capsules 1, 1' at the end of dispensing. In fact, the free edge 205 'of the annular fin 205 defines a recess which completely contains the ring 401 inside it, and moreover, in both types of capsules, the annular fin 205 has its own free edge 205' axially displaced towards the bottom wall 201, the first distance D1 being greater than the maximum diameter of the annular fin 205 itself.

Furthermore, it has been verified experimentally that in the capsule 1 according to the invention, which is capable of positively influencing the defects due to the loss of fluid, also the detachment at the end of dispensing is ensured, even in the case of an increased thickness of the ring 401.

Still by experiment, it has been verified that the shape of the flanged edge 204 as the first portion moves to the second distance D2 can also positively affect defects due to fluid loss at any thickness of the ring 401, while ensuring that the capsule itself separates at the end of dispensing.

Fig. 14 to 16 show a flanged edge 214 of a variant (not shown) of the capsule 1 according to the second aspect of the invention.

In detail, fig. 14 and 15 show a flanged edge 214 that differs from the flanged edge 212 of fig. 1 to 7 in that it comprises a planar first portion 216 and an annular ridge 215 folded from the boundary 2'.

The first portion 216 includes an inclined wall 216' that is coplanar with the annular rib 215 and discontinuous with the second planar portion 207.

The angle β is defined between the inclined wall 216' and the second portion 207, and may be greater than or equal to 20 ° and less than or equal to 135 °. For example, in fig. 14, the angle β is equal to 90 °, while in fig. 15, the angle β is equal to 60 °.

For an angle β comprised between 90 ° and 135 °, the first portion 216 is inclined towards the side wall 202, i.e. towards the ring 401.

The considerations previously made with reference to the capsule of fig. 1 are valid, i.e. the fact that the annular rib 215 has a free edge 215' defining a recess 210 able to fully contain the ring 401, and that the first distance D1 from the first plane (defined by the second planar portion 207) is greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring 401 is still valid.

It should be noted that the annular bead 215 of fig. 14 and 15 is flattened in addition to being folded around the free edge 215'.

In fact, in the annular rib 215, between the free edge 215' and the boundary 2' of the shell, there is defined a first tab, which is placed in contact with a second tab defined starting from the free edge 215' (on the side opposite to the first tab).

For example, the second tab extends from the free edge 215 'to the inclined wall 216'.

In a version not shown, the annular rib 215 may also be V-shaped, which means that the first and second flaps may not be parallel to each other and in contact with each other, but form an angle between them, the apex of which is the free edge 215'.

It is stated that what has been described above is valid with regard to the way in which the ring 401 is manufactured and its positioning in relation to the second portion 207 of the flanged edge 214.

Due to the fact that the annular rib 215 is folded in the first portion 216, the aluminium housing 2 is very simple and economical to manufacture.

Furthermore, the border 2' of the housing 2, after being folded, faces the second portion 207 and is also partially hidden by the ring 401.

In this way, no portion of the tip aluminum is exposed which could harm the user.

In fact, with respect to the angle β between the first portion 216 and the second portion 207, if the first portion 401 forms an angle of 90 ° with the second portion 207, the ring 216 may be entirely on the first portion 216 along its entire thickness, as shown in fig. 14. If the angle β is acute, the ring only partially abuts on the first portion 216, as shown in FIG. 15.

Fig. 16 shows a flanged edge 217 of a variant (not shown) of the capsule 1', which differs from the flanged edge 204 of fig. 8 to 13 in that it comprises a planar first portion 218, a connecting portion 208 connecting the first portion 218 and the second portion 207, and an annular rib 215 folded around a free edge 215' starting from the boundary 2 '.

The annular rib 215 may be flattened, but as previously described, the annular rib 215 may also be V-shaped, as to whether the first and second flaps are in contact with each other.

It should be noted that the first portion 218 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201 by a second distance D2.

The first portion 218 includes an angled wall 218' that is coplanar with the annular ridge 215 and forms a first discontinuity (i.e., a first angle) with the connecting portion 208, which in turn forms a second discontinuity (i.e., a second angle) with the second portion 207.

Also, the considerations previously made with reference to the capsule 1 'of fig. 8 to 13 are valid, i.e. the fact that the annular rib 215 has a free edge 215' defining the recess 210 able to fully contain the ring 401, and that the first portion 218 is displaced towards the bottom wall 201 and is arranged at least at a second distance D2 from the first plane (defined by the second portion 207) is still valid.

With respect to the manner in which the ring 401 is manufactured in the flanged edge 217 and its positioning, the foregoing applies specifically with respect to fig. 1-13.

Also in this case, since the annular rib 215 is folded in the first portion 218, its manufacture is very simple and economical.

Also, since the border 2' of the shell 2 is folded and partially hidden by the ring 401, no pointed aluminium parts are exposed which could harm the user.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) comprising:

-a casing (2) extending around an axis (Z), comprising a bottom wall (201) and a side wall (202) defining a cavity (203) containing an initial product of the fluid to be combined to obtain a final product, and a flanged edge (212) extending from said side wall (202) and comprising, at an outer end, an annular bead (205);

-a covering element (3) fixed to the flanged edge (212) to close the cavity (203);

-a sealing element (4) associated with said flanged edge (212) to form a fluid seal with a dispensing machine; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

-the housing (2) is made of aluminium and the sealing element (4) comprises a cellulose-based ring (401); and wherein the (a) and (b) are,

-the flanged edge (212) comprises a first portion (211) comprising the annular ridge (205) and a second portion (207) contiguous with the side wall (202), the second portion being annular and lying on a first plane; and wherein the (a) and (b) are,

-said first portion (211) is contained in a half-space defined by said first plane and facing said bottom wall (201), said half-space extending towards said bottom wall (201) in a direction parallel to said axis (Z) as far as a free edge (205') of said annular rib (205), and wherein,

-said first portion (211) is defined so as to define, continuously from the boundary (2') of said casing (2) through said annular rib (205) to said second portion (207), between said first portion (211) and said side wall (202) facing said first portion (211), a recess (210) housing said ring (401), the free edge (205') of said annular rib (205) being at a respective first distance (D1) from said first plane, said first distance being greater than or equal to the thickness of said ring (401), so that said recess (210) completely contains said ring (401).

2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein said first portion (211) has an inclined wall (211') continuously joined on one side to said annular rib (205) and discontinuously joined on the other side to said first portion (207), an angle (a) being defined between said inclined wall (211') and said second portion (207).

3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first distance (D1) is comprised between 0.40mm and 2.20mm, more preferably between 0.90mm and 1.90mm, more preferably equal to 1.60 mm.

4. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the annular rib (205), for example of a curled or rounded shape, extends radially with a maximum diameter between an inner edge (205 ") and an outer edge (205" '), the first portion (211) being radially comprised between the inner edge (205 ") and the outer edge (205"') of the annular rib (205).

5. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (211) is shaped to initially wrap around the boundary (2') of the shell (2), defining the annular rib (205) and then gradually move away from the annular rib (205) to the second portion (207).

6. A capsule according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said first portion (211) is shaped as a spiral defining said annular rib (205) and extending gradually away from said annular rib through said inclined wall (211') up to said second portion (207).

7. Capsule according to any one of claims 2 to 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein said angle (a) is greater than or equal to 10 ° and less than or equal to 90 °, preferably greater than or equal to 14 ° and less than or equal to 65 °, still more preferably greater than or equal to 20 ° and less than or equal to 45 °.

8. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 4, wherein the annular rib (205) is displaced towards the bottom wall (201), the first distance (D1) being greater than the maximum diameter of the annular rib (205) itself.

9. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (401) comprises an outer zone (402) extending at least until abutting on the first portion (211), the ring (401) optionally remaining associated with the housing (2) by interference between the outer zone (402) and the first portion (211).

10. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (401) comprises an inner region (403) extending at least until abutting on the side wall (202) of the capsule (1), the ring (401) optionally remaining associated with the capsule by interference between the inner region (403) and the side wall (202).

11. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (401) comprises a single layer of cellulosic substrate material for contacting the dispensing machine.

12. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ring (401) comprises a layered structure comprising at least one cellulose matrix outer layer (404), and a bonding layer (405) configured such that the layered structure can be bonded to the second portion (207).

13. Capsule according to claim 12, wherein the layered structure is made of a plurality of superimposed layers and comprises the outer layer (404), the binding layer (405), an inner layer (406) of cellulosic based material, and a further binding layer (407) binding the outer layer (404) and the inner layer (406) together, the inner layer being bound to the second portion (207) by the binding layer (405).

14. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the ring (401) is comprised between 0.30mm and 1.20mm, preferably between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, still more preferably between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90mm, to ensure separation of the capsule at the end of dispensing.

15. Capsule according to claim 14, wherein the thickness of the ring (401) is comprised between 0.55mm and 1.10mm, more preferably between 0.70mm and 1.00mm, preferably equal to 0.90mm, to ensure separation of the capsule at the end of dispensing and moreover to ensure improvement of the defects due to the fluid seal.

16. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (4) comprises another cellulose-based ring (408) fixed to the covering element (3) on the opposite side to the flanged edge (212).

17. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the border (2') of the shell (2) is folded inside the annular ridge (205).

18. A capsule, comprising:

-a shell (2) extending around an axis (Z) and comprising a bottom wall (201) and a side wall (202) defining a cavity (203) and a flanged edge (214; 217) extending from said side wall (202) and comprising, at an outer end, an annular rib (215) inside which is folded a border (2') of said shell (2), said cavity containing the fluid to be combined to obtain an initial product of a final product;

-a covering element (3) fixed to said flanged edge (214; 217) to close said cavity (203);

-a sealing element (4) associated with said flanged edge (214; 217) to form a fluid seal with a dispensing machine; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

-the housing (2) is made of aluminium and the sealing element (4) comprises a cellulose-based ring (401); and wherein the one or more of the one or more,

-said flanged edge (214) comprises a first portion (216; 218) comprising said annular rib (215) and a second portion (207) contiguous to said side wall (202), said second portion being annular and lying on a first plane; and wherein the one or more of the one or more,

-said first portion (216; 218) is contained in a half-space defined by said first plane and facing said bottom wall (201), said half-space extending in a direction parallel to said axis (Z) towards said bottom wall (201) as far as a free edge (215') of said annular rib (215), between the first portion (216; 218) and the side wall (202) facing the first portion (216; 218), a recess (210) is defined which accommodates the ring (401), the free edge (215') of the annular ridge (215) being at a respective first distance (D1) from the first plane, the first distance being greater than or equal to the thickness of the ring (401) such that the recess (210) completely contains the ring (401), wherein the first portion (216; 218) is planar and the annular bead (215) is folded around the free edge (215') starting from the border (2').

19. Capsule according to claim 18, wherein the first portion (211) of the flanged edge (214) has an inclined wall (216') joined on one side to the annular rib (215) and discontinuously joined on the other side to the first portion (207), an angle (β) being defined between the inclined wall (216') and the second portion (207).

20. Capsule according to claim 21, wherein the angle (β) between the inclined wall (216') and the second portion (207) is greater than or equal to 20 ° and less than or equal to 135 °.

21. Capsule according to claim 18, wherein the flanged edge (217) further comprises a connecting portion (208) between the first portion (218) and the second portion (207), such that the first portion (218) is displaced towards the bottom wall (201) by a second distance (D2).

22. Capsule according to claim 21, wherein said first portion (218) comprises an inclined wall (218') joined on one side to said annular rib (215) and on the other side to said connection portion (208), said inclined wall (218') forming a first discontinuity with said connection portion (208), said connection portion in turn forming a second discontinuity with said first portion (207), an angle (β) being defined between said inclined wall (218') and said second portion (207).

23. Capsule according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein said first distance (D1) is comprised between 0.40mm and 2.20mm, more preferably between 0.90mm and 1.90mm, more preferably equal to 1.60 mm.

24. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims 18 to 23, wherein the annular rib (215) is folded and flattened around the free edge (215') starting from the border (2'), the annular rib (215) having a first tab defined between the free edge (215') and the border (2') in contact with a second tab defined on the opposite side from the first tab starting from the free edge (215 ').

25. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims 18 to 23, wherein the annular rib (215) is folded around the free edge (215') starting from the border (2') and is V-shaped, the annular rib (215) having a first tab defined between the free edge (215') and the border (2') forming an angle with a second tab defined on the opposite side from the first tab starting from the free edge (215 ').