EP3272675B1 - Capsule for preparing a liquid food - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a liquid food according to the preamble of claim 1.

A large number of different portion packs and systems for producing liquid foods are known in the prior art. Capsules in particular are often used for the preparation of various hot drinks, especially coffee or tea, in home use. Such capsules, which are designed as disposable products, usually comprise a capsule body, which forms a receiving space for the beverage ingredients, and a lid covering the capsule body. The ingredients are mostly roasted and ground coffee powder, but sometimes also dried tea leaves. However, soluble products in general or concentrates can also be used. During the actual preparation, water under pressure is passed through the capsule, which causes the material contained in the chamber to be extracted or dissolved.

So describes the EP 1 440 913 A1 a capsule that is suitable for holding various beverage ingredients. Said capsule consists of essentially air and water impermeable materials. The capsule comprises a capsule body which forms a receiving space for the beverage ingredients. To discharge the beverage from the capsule, an outlet nozzle is held in the receiving space by a support means acting on the base of the capsule. In the delivery state of the capsule, both the receiving space and the outlet nozzle are closed with a cover covering the capsule body. To prepare a beverage product, the lid is penetrated in two places at the same time; On the one hand for introducing pressurized water into the chamber, on the other hand to open the outlet nozzle.

The problem with said capsule is that the support means for holding the outlet connection runs through the receiving space and thus reduces its usable volume. This is particularly disadvantageous when larger portions of beverage ingredients are required, for example for the simultaneous production of several cups of coffee or a particularly strong coffee beverage, which requires large amounts of coffee powder.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages in the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a capsule for the preparation of a liquid food that can be used in a versatile and structurally simple manner and which, with the same total volume of the capsule body, can hold a larger amount of starting substance than the prior art. The capsule should be inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities.

These objects are achieved by a capsule, which has the features in claim 1.

The capsule for the preparation of a liquid food comprises a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body with a side wall and with a base, in particular in one piece with it. In addition, the capsule comprises a lid covering the capsule body to form a receiving space for at least one starting substance for the preparation of the liquid food. To discharge the liquid food from the capsule there is an outlet nozzle with a Entry opening and an outlet opening held in the capsule body. The outlet nozzle is directed towards the inside of the cover with its outlet opening.

The outlet nozzle can be held in the capsule body by at least one support means. The at least one support means engages the capsule body on the side wall, in particular in an edge region, preferably on an inner shoulder or on an inner edge.

Alternatively, the outlet nozzle can also be fastened to the inside of the lid and thus held in the capsule body.

The receiving space extends at least between the inlet opening of the outlet nozzle and the bottom of the capsule body.

This configuration of the capsule can prevent the at least one support means from running through the receiving space for the starting substance. The proportion of the total volume of the capsule body which can be used to hold the starting substance can thus be increased.

The at least one support means can be designed as a perforated plate covering the receiving space. This enables a liquid introduced through the lid of the capsule to flow through the holes of the perforated plate into the receiving space with the starting substance. The resulting flow resistance is comparatively low. The spout is reliably held in the capsule body by the perforated plate.

The at least one support means can also be designed as a valve plate covering the receiving space. An edge of the Valve plate can form mutually contacting valve surfaces with the capsule body in a depressurized state. The design of the at least one support means as a valve plate largely prevents accidental and undesired leakage of liquid from the receiving space through an opening in the lid after the liquid food has been prepared. The outlet nozzle is also held reliably in the capsule body.

The at least one support means can also be designed as a plurality of struts, in particular, which run radially. This design eliminates the need to subdivide the capsule body into several compartments, so that the receiving space for the at least one starting substance extends essentially through the entire capsule body. This allows the capsule body to be filled with starting substance up to the lid. The available volume of the capsule body is used accordingly. There is no increase in the flow resistance of a liquid passed through the capsule through the at least one proppant. The spout is still reliably held in the capsule body.

The outlet nozzle and the at least one support means can be formed in one piece. This eliminates the problem of creating a reliable connection between the support means and the outlet connection. Furthermore, such a capsule can be produced efficiently and inexpensively.

The outlet connection and / or the support means can be connected firmly, in particular in a fluid-tight manner, to the cover covering the capsule body. This can in particular prevent the capsule contents from inadvertently leaking out during food preparation.

In addition, the outlet nozzle can be closed by the cover covering the capsule body. This makes it possible to store the at least one starting substance for the preparation of the liquid food in a hermetically sealed manner in the receiving space of the capsule body.

A filter element can be arranged on the outlet nozzle, in particular at its inlet opening. Such is usually necessary for the preparation of liquid foods by extracting a starting substance. This applies in particular to coffee or tea. An arrangement with the filter element directly at the inlet opening of the outlet nozzle is advantageous in that no further fluid-carrying elements for guiding the filtrate to the outlet nozzle are necessary. As a result, a larger proportion of the total volume of the capsule body can be used as a receiving space for the at least one starting substance.

The filter element can cover the inlet opening of the outlet connection and have an area of 200 to 1000 mm ² , preferably 400 to 800 mm ² , preferably 500 to 700 mm ² . It has been shown that such a surface area is particularly advantageous in the case of capsules which are provided for producing a single portion of a coffee beverage. This can be justified by the fact that such a dimensioning of the filter element represents a good balance between its space requirement within the capsule body and the flow resistance caused by it.

The filter element can be designed as a fleece, perforated film or filter plate. These are filter types that are used in the manufacture of beverages, particularly in the manufacture of coffee drinks. In addition, these are inexpensive to manufacture and can therefore be used in disposable capsules. The filter element can be supported by a support structure. The use of a support structure effectively prevents the filter element from bursting due to the occurrence of a pressure gradient during a filtration.

To introduce liquid into the capsule, an inlet, in particular an inlet channel, can be arranged inside the capsule body and directed in the direction of the lid covering the capsule body. However, it is also possible to design the inlet, if necessary additionally, as an inlet nozzle. The presence of an inlet makes it possible to better control the introduction of a liquid into the receiving space of the capsule body. With an inlet trough, for example, the distribution of the liquid over the entire capsule content can be better achieved. The presence of an inlet nozzle makes it easier to establish a tight fluid connection between a food production device and the capsule.

The inlet can be closed with the cover covering the capsule body. In such an embodiment, both the inlet and the outlet nozzle are arranged on the same side of the capsule. This has the advantage that in order to pass a liquid through the capsule, only the cover covering the opening of the capsule body may have to be broken through. An often difficult penetration of the capsule body, which may also require the attachment of predetermined breaking points, is eliminated.

The end faces of the capsule body and the outlet nozzle, and possibly also the inlet, can in particular be arranged essentially in one plane. So that can attach of the lid on the capsule body are carried out by conventional methods as are customary for sealing food packages. The outlet nozzle can be arranged centrally and the inlet in an edge region of the capsule body. This is particularly advantageous since, in practice, extraction or dissolution of the capsule contents from the outside in has proven to be advantageous.

The capsule body can be manufactured by an injection molding or a deep-drawing process and in particular can be made oxygen and / or aroma-tight. If the capsule is made oxygen-tight, penetration of oxygen into the capsule during the storage of a starting substance contained therein is essentially avoided. Aging of the starting substance, for example coffee powder, by oxidation can thereby be avoided. An oxygen-tight capsule is usually also aroma-tight. Accordingly, the escape of flavoring substances contained in the starting substance is essentially prevented during the storage thereof within the capsule. Oxygen or aroma tightness are required in order to achieve a minimum shelf life of twelve months, preferably eighteen months, especially with coffee. Accordingly, in the present context, an oxygen and / or aroma-tight capsule is understood to mean a capsule in which coffee powder can be left in atmospheric air for a period of at least twelve months, preferably at least eighteen months, without the coffee powder being changed which would affect the quality of a coffee beverage made from it.

If an oxygen and / or aroma-tight capsule is produced using a deep-drawing process, the film used for this has an OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) of less than 5, preferably less than 2. The OTR indicates the amount of oxygen per unit area and time that diffuses through a film, in the unit: cm ³ / m ² / day / 0.21 bar.

The capsule body and optionally also the outlet nozzle and / or the holding means can be made of a single or multi-layer plastic, preferably containing polyepropylene. It is a material that has proven itself for the production of food packaging. In addition, polypropylene can be easily processed by injection molding.

The present invention further relates to a food preparation system comprising a capsule as described above and a food preparation device.

Further advantages and individual features of the present invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings.

Figuren 1 und 2:

Perspektivische Darstellungen eines Kapselkörpers für eine erfindungsgemässe Kapsel;

Figuren 3 und 4:

Perspektivische Darstellungen eines einstückig mit einer Lochplatte ausgebildeten Auslaufstutzens für eine erfindungsgemässe Kapsel mit einem Kapselkörper gemäss den Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 5:

Explosionsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 1 bis 4;

Figur 6:

Perspektivische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 1 bis 5;

Figur 7:

Vergrösserung des Teilbereichs A aus Figur 6;

Figuren 8 und 9:

Perspektivische Darstellungen eines Kapselkörpers für ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel;

Figuren 10 und 11:

Perspektivische Darstellungen eines einstückig mit einer Ventilplatte ausgebildeten Auslaufstutzens für eine erfindungsgemässe Kapsel mit einem Kapselkörper gemäss den Figuren 8 und 9;

Figur 12:

Explosionsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 8 bis 11;

Figur 13:

Perspektivische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 8 bis 12;

Figur 14:

Vergrösserung des Teilbereichs B aus Figur 13;

Figur 15:

Perspektivische Darstellung eines einstückig mit Streben ausgebildeten Auslaufstutzens für ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel;

Figur 16:

Explosionsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel mit einem Auslaufstutzen gemäss Figur 15;

Figur 17:

Perspektivische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 15 und 16, ohne Filterelement;

Figur 18:

Vergrösserung des Teilbereiches C aus Figur 17;

Figur 19:

Perspektivische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemässen Kapsel gemäss den Figuren 15 bis 18, mit Filterelement;

Figur 20:

Vergrösserung des Teilbereichs D aus Figur 19;

Figur 21:

Explosionsdarstellung einer Kapsel mit einem an der Innenseite des Deckels angebrachten Auslaufstutzen;

Figur 22:

Perspektivische Schnittansicht einer Kapsel gemäss Figur 21;

Figur 23:

Vergrösserung eines Teilbereichs aus Figur 22.

They show schematically:

Figures 1 and 2:

Perspective representations of a capsule body for a capsule according to the invention;

Figures 3 and 4:

Perspective representations of an outlet nozzle designed in one piece with a perforated plate for a capsule according to the invention with a capsule body according to FIGS Figures 1 and 2 ;

Figure 5:

Exploded view of a capsule according to the invention Figures 1 to 4 ;

Figure 6:

Perspective sectional view of a capsule according to the invention according to the Figures 1 to 5 ;

Figure 7:

Enlargement of subarea A. Figure 6 ;

Figures 8 and 9:

Perspective representations of a capsule body for an alternative embodiment of a capsule according to the invention;

Figures 10 and 11:

Perspective representations of an outlet nozzle formed in one piece with a valve plate for a capsule according to the invention with a capsule body according to FIGS. 8 and 9;

Figure 12:

Exploded view of a capsule according to the invention Figures 8 to 11 ;

Figure 13:

Perspective sectional view of a capsule according to the invention according to the Figures 8 to 12 ;

Figure 14:

Enlargement of sub-area B. Figure 13 ;

Figure 15:

Perspective view of an outlet nozzle formed in one piece with struts for a further exemplary embodiment of a capsule according to the invention;

Figure 16:

Exploded view of a capsule according to the invention with an outlet nozzle according to Figure 15 ;

Figure 17:

Perspective sectional view of a capsule according to the invention according to the Figures 15 and 16 , without filter element;

Figure 18:

Enlargement of subarea C. Figure 17 ;

Figure 19:

Perspective sectional view of a capsule according to the invention according to the Figures 15 to 18 , with filter element;

Figure 20:

Enlargement of sub-area D. Figure 19 ;

Figure 21:

Exploded view of a capsule with a spout attached to the inside of the lid;

Figure 22:

Perspective sectional view of a capsule according to Figure 21 ;

Figure 23:

Enlargement of a partial area Figure 22 .

Like from the Figures 1 and 2 a capsule body 2 for a capsule 1 according to the invention comprises a side wall 3 which is formed in one piece with a bottom 4. The capsule body 2 forms a receiving space 6 for at least one starting substance for the preparation of a beverage. The capsule body 2 has in one Edge area 11 on an inner shoulder 12, on which a support means 10 can engage. Furthermore, the capsule body 2 has an end face 24 to which a lid 5 covering the capsule body can be glued, sealed or welded.

From the Figure 3 more details on the outlet nozzle 7 can be seen, such as the outlet opening 9. The outlet nozzle 7 is formed in one piece with the support means 10, here a perforated plate 14. The perforated plate 14 has a plurality of holes 25. The outlet nozzle 7 is surrounded by two circumferential collars 26 and 27. The outlet nozzle 7 and the two circumferential collars 26 and 27 have the end faces 24 ', 24 "and 24'".

The Figure 4 shows the back of the perforated plate 14. Here the inlet opening 8 of the outlet nozzle 7 can be seen. Furthermore, the support structures 20 for the filter element 19 'are clearly visible in this illustration.

The exploded view 5 illustrates the structure of a capsule 1 according to the Figures 1 to 4 . It can be seen that in the exemplary embodiment shown there are two filter elements 19 and 19 ′, both of which are arranged one above the other at the inlet opening 8 of the outlet connection 7. On the opposite side of the perforated plate 14, a cover 5 is attached.

The Figures 6 and 7 show the corresponding capsule 1 in the assembled state. It is clear that the unit formed from the outlet nozzle 7 and the perforated plate 14 rests on the inner shoulder 12 when it is inserted into the capsule body 2. Said unit is held in the capsule body 2 by the cover 5 covering the capsule body 2. In the shown For example, the cover 5 is welded on the one hand to the end face 24 of the capsule body 2, but on the other hand also with the end faces 24 ″ and 24 ′ ″ of the circumferential collar 26 and 27. As a result, both the capsule body 2 and the outlet connection 7 are fluid-tight through the cover 5 locked.

If a liquid is introduced into the capsule 1 through the inlet trough 23, it can pass between the cover 5 and the perforated plate 14 to the holes 25 and flow into the receiving space 6 via these. The large number of holes 25 provided ensures a uniform distribution of the liquid introduced into the capsule 1 over the entire receiving space 6. After extraction or dissolution of an initial substance stored in the receiving space 6, the introduced liquid passes through the two filter elements 19 and 19 'in succession in order to reach the outlet port 7 via the inlet opening 8. The second filter element 19 'is supported with the support structures 20, which is clear from the enlargement of the partial area A in Figure 7 can be seen.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inlet opening 8 is designed as a cream slot 28. In order to flow into the outlet nozzle 7, the liquid must pass through the cream slot 28, which causes the latter to foam. The lid 5 is penetrated between the outlet nozzle 7 and the circumferential collar 26 by an annular penetration element provided on a beverage production device. As a result, the finished drink can be derived from the capsule 1.

As from the Figure 8 shows, the capsule body 2 of an alternative embodiment of a capsule 1 according to the invention does not have an inner shoulder 12 but an inner edge 13. Together with the side wall 3 of the capsule body 2, this forms an inlet gutter 23. The Figure 9 shows the outside of the capsule body 2 of the embodiment of a capsule 1 according to the invention described here. It can be seen that the outside of the capsule 1 corresponds to that of the first embodiment according to FIGS Figures 1 to 6 is identical. The two capsules can therefore be used in connection with one and the same beverage production device.

The Figure 10 shows the associated outlet nozzle 7, which is integrally formed with the valve plate 15 as a support means 10. Here too, the outlet nozzle 7 is surrounded by a circumferential collar 26. Instead of a further circumferential collar 27, however, there is a shoulder 30 which merges into the valve plate 15. The Figure 11 shows the back of the unit formed by the outlet nozzle 7 and the filter plate 15. Here, too, the inlet opening 8 and the support structures 20 for the filter element 19 'can be seen.

The Figure 12 shows the structure of the capsule 1 according to the corresponding embodiment. It can be seen that two filter elements 19 and 19 'are also present here. The valve plate 15 with the outlet nozzle 7 is inserted into the capsule body 2, as a result of which the edge of the valve plate 15 rests on the inner edge 13 of the capsule body 2. The edge 16 of the valve plate 15 and the inner edge 13 thus form the valve surfaces 17 and 17 '.

The Figures 13 and 14 show the capsule 1 in the assembled state. Here too, the unit formed from the outlet nozzle 7 and the valve plate 15 is held in the capsule body 2 by the cover 5. The cover 5 is welded to the capsule body 2 on the end face 24. In addition, the cover 5 is on the end face 24 "of the circumferential collar 26 and on the end face 24 '"is welded to the valve plate 15. When liquid is introduced into the inlet channel 23, it must therefore pass between the two valve surfaces 13 and 13' in order to reach the receiving space 6. As can be seen from the illustration 14, the further configuration is of outlet spout 7 with filter elements 19 and 19 'identical to the previously discussed embodiment.

The Figure 15 shows the support means 10 and the inlet opening 8 of the outlet connector 7 of a further exemplary embodiment of a capsule 1 according to the invention. Here, the outlet connector 7 is held in the capsule body 2 via radially extending struts 18. In addition, the support structures 20 for the filter element 19 can be seen. These are arranged here in the radial direction around the inlet opening 8 of the outlet connector 7. The structure of the capsule 1 according to the corresponding exemplary embodiment can be seen from the exploded view 16. There is only one filter element 19 here. However, several, in particular two, filter elements would also be conceivable.

For better clarity, the Figures 17 to 20 the capsule 1 without ( Figures 17 and 18 ) or with ( Figures 19 and 20 ) Filter element 19 and cover 5, additionally in partial enlargement ( Figures 18 and 20th ). It is clear that the support means 10 formed by the struts 18 rests on the inner shoulder 12 of the capsule body 2 when the unit formed by the outlet nozzle 7 and the support means 10 is inserted therein. From the enlargement of subarea C of Figure 17 according to Figure 18 it can also be seen that the liquid introduced into the capsule 1 during the preparation of the beverage is guided through the support structures 20 in the radial direction to the cream slot 28, which forms the inlet opening 8 of the outlet connector 7.

The Figure 19 it can also be seen that the cover 5 is connected to the capsule body 2 on the end face 24. In addition, there is a collar 26 running around the outlet nozzle 7, which is also connected to the cover 5 via its end face 24 ″. This prevents the contents of the capsule from leaking out of the receiving space 6, in particular during the preparation of a beverage Beverages with the cream slot 28 are the same as in the previously discussed exemplary embodiments according to FIGS Figures 1 to 14 .

The Figures 21 to 23 show one of the Figures 15 to 20 modified embodiment, in which the outlet nozzle 7 is attached to the inside of the lid 5 and thus held in the capsule body 2. Correspondingly, such a capsule 1 does not require support means 10. Piercing the lid 5, both for introducing and for draining off liquid, can take place simultaneously when the capsule 1 is inserted into a suitable beverage production device. However, it is also possible that the cover 5 is only penetrated for the introduction of liquid. If a liquid pressure has built up in the receiving space 6, a further piercing of the cover 5 for draining a beverage through the outlet nozzle 7 can be carried out significantly more easily.

Claims (15)

1. Capsule (1) for preparing a liquid food, comprising a capsule body (2) which is preferably configured so as to be rotationally symmetrical and has a side wall (3) and a base (4) which is in particular configured so as to be integral to said side wall (3), as well as a cover (5) which for forming a receptacle space (6) having at least one initial substance for preparing the liquid food covers the capsule body (2), wherein for discharging the liquid food from the capsule (1) an outlet port (7) having an entry opening (8) and an exit opening (9) is held in the capsule body (9) and by way of the exit opening (9) directed towards the internal side of the cover (5), wherein

   a) the outlet port (7) is held in the capsule body (2) by at least one support means (10), wherein the support means (10) engages on the capsule body (2) on the side wall (3), in particular in a peripheral region (11), preferably on an internal shoulder (12) or on an internal periphery (13);

   b) or that the outlet port (7) is fastened to the internal side of the cover (5) and is thus held in the capsule body (2),

   characterized in that the receptacle space (6) extends at least between the entry opening (8) of the outlet port (7) and the base (4) of the capsule body (2).
2. Capsule (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the support means (10) is configured as a perforated plate (14) that covers the receptacle space (6).
3. Capsule (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the support means (10) is configured as a valve plate (15) that covers the receptacle space (6), and a periphery (16) of the valve plate (15) conjointly with the capsule body (2) in a non-pressurized state form mutually contacting valve faces (13, 13').
4. Capsule (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the support means (10) is configured as a multiplicity of stays (18) that run in particular in a radial manner.
5. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the outlet port (7) and the support means (10) are configured so as to be integral.
6. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the outlet port (7) and/or the support means (10) are/is connected in particular in a fluid-tight manner to the cover (5) that covers the capsule body (2).
7. Capsule (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the outlet port (7) is closed by the cover (5) that covers the capsule body (2).
8. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein a filter element (19) is disposed on the outlet port (7), in particular on the entry opening (8) of the latter.
9. Capsule (1) according to Claim 8, wherein the filter element (19) covers the entry opening (8) of the outlet port (7) and has an area of 200 to 1000 mm², preferably 400 to 800 mm², more preferably 500 to 700 mm².
10. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 8 and 9, wherein the filter element (19) is configured as a non-woven, a perforated film/foil, or a filter plate.
11. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein for introducing a liquid into the capsule (1) an inlet, in particular an inlet channel (23), is disposed within the capsule body and is directed in the direction of the cover (5) that covers the capsule body (2).
12. Capsule (1) according to Claim 11, wherein the inlet (18) is closed by the cover (5) that covers the capsule body (2).
13. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the capsule body (2) is made by an injection-moulding or vacuum-forming method and is in particular configured so as to be tight in terms of oxygen and aroma.
14. Capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the capsule body (2) is made from a single-layer or multiple-layer plastics material, preferably containing polypropylene.
15. Food preparation system comprising a capsule (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14 and a food preparation device.

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