EP3533725B1

EP3533725B1 - Capsule for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected into said capsule for obtaining a beverage exiting from said capsule

Info

Publication number: EP3533725B1
Application number: EP19160225.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio DALLA VECCHIA
Original assignee: Tecnostampi Srl
Current assignee: Tecnostampi Srl
Priority date: 2018-03-02
Filing date: 2019-03-01
Publication date: 2022-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-01
Also published as: EP3533725A1; PT3533725T; ES2935760T3; IT201800003246A1

Description

The present invention relates to a capsule for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected into said capsule for obtaining a beverage exiting from said capsule.
Various types of this kind of capsules are known; as described for example in WO2012/055751 A2 , in particular, capsules are known comprising:

a cup-like body which comprises a bottom portion that is connected to a tubular lateral wall that, at the end axially opposite to the bottom portion, defines an upper opening that can be closed by means of a closing membrane that can be coupled to this end, wherein the closing membrane can be pierced by at least one element for piercing and dispensing a fluid, the piercing element being part of a dispensing machine in which the capsule can be inserted, and in which the bottom portion is crossed by at least one beverage dispensing opening,
a substantially disc-shaped filter body which is housed inside the cup-like body at the bottom portion and whose surface facing the upper opening of the cup-like body is provided with a plurality of recessed and raised elements, wherein the filter body has a plurality of openings for the passage of the beverage which are distributed along a perimeter crown which surrounds the recessed and raised elements and wherein the raised elements are constituted by points, blades, knives or in any case pyramidal, conical or truncoconical pointed elements,
a retaining film for retaining a dose of substance and which is arranged inside of the cup-like body above the recessed and raised elements and substantially resting on them so as to define, together with the internal lateral surface of the tubular lateral wall and the closing membrane, a closed chamber for containing the dose of substance, wherein the retaining film can be opened by means of the raised elements which engage it, piercing or otherwise tearing it as a result of the pressure increase inside the closed chamber following the injection of a fluid therein.

In use, the capsule is inserted into a dispensing machine which is provided with at least one pressurized piercing and fluid (generally water) dispensing element which pierces the upper closing membrane and injects the fluid into the closed chamber. Following the pressure increase inside the closed chamber after the injection of the fluid therein, the retaining film is pushed towards the filter body so that the raised elements pierce or cut it, forming holes or openings through which the beverage flows. The beverage then crosses the passage openings of the filter body and collects in the bottom portion to then flow out through the at least one dispensing opening.
Capsules of this type are known for example from EP1472156 in the name Société des Produits Nestlé.
In such capsules, therefore, the filter body has a plurality of pointed or cutting raised elements which, as the pressure inside the closed chamber of the capsule increases, press against the retaining film, causing its opening through piercing or cutting precisely at such contact.
However, this known technique as described above has the disadvantage that the retaining film is pierced precisely at the pointed or cutting raised elements and, therefore, the latter limit the free flow of the beverage, in part obstructing the openings therefrom formed in the retaining film.
Capsules of the type described above are also known whose filter body has a cylindrical recess in the centre which forms an area for the accumulation of the beverage. The surface of the annular portion of the filter body which surrounds the central recess and faces the upper opening of the cup-like body has a plurality of recessed and raised elements on which the retaining film rests and which is surrounded by a plurality of through holes for the passage of the beverage. In these last known capsules, the raised elements consist of chamfered dowels which only act as a support for the retaining film and which delimit a plurality of beverage flow channels.
In use, the capsule is inserted into a dispensing machine which is provided with at least one pressurized piercing and fluid (generally water) dispensing element which pierces the upper closing membrane and injects the fluid into the closed chamber. Following the increase in pressure inside the closed chamber as a result of the injection of the fluid therein, the retaining film is pushed towards the filter body and, resting on the raised elements of the latter, opens by spontaneous explosion or tearing where not supported and in particular at the central recess. The beverage collects in the central recess and, flowing along the channels defined by the recessed and raised elements, passes through the passage holes of the filter body and collects in the bottom portion to then flow out through the at least one dispensing opening.
Capsules of this type are for example known from the Italian application IT102014902310859 .
However, this known technique as described above has the disadvantage that the raised elements, which are distributed along the annular portion of the filter body surrounding the cylindrical recess obtained at the centre of the latter, while acting as a support for the retaining film, also limit its free expansion, which generates the opening by spontaneous tearing substantially only at the central cylindrical recess. The opening by spontaneous tearing that is thus formed may not be sufficient to allow the correct outflow of the beverage, thereby being able to generate excessive pressures that cause malfunctions.
Starting from this known technique, the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected inside said capsule for obtaining a beverage exiting from said capsule which is alternative to those known and wherein the retaining film can spontaneously and locally open in a safe manner, ensuring the correct outflow of the beverage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a capsule which is structurally simpler than known capsules and which can be made with fewer components than required to make the known capsules and, in particular, with fewer components obtained by means of moulding plastic material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a capsule which can be obtained with the use of a smaller amount of plastic material than known capsules and which, therefore, has a lower weight with consequent lower production costs and lower environmental impact.
These objects according to the present invention are achieved by providing a capsule for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected into said capsule for obtaining a beverage exiting from said capsule, as set forth in claim 1.
Further characteristics are set forth in the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of a capsule according to the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is to be understood as exemplifying and not limiting, with reference to the schematic attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a lateral elevation view of a capsule according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a lateral view from below of a capsule according to the present invention;
figure 3 is a partially transparent plan view from above of a capsule according to the present invention, empty and without the upper closing membrane;
figures 4 and 5 are sectional views according to the plane IV-IV and V-V of figure 3, respectively;
figure 5A shows a detail of figure 5 in an enlarged scale;
figure 6 is a schematically sectioned and intentionally enlarged scale of a possible retaining film applied to a capsule according to the present invention;
figure 7 is an axonometric and cutaway view of only the cup-like body of a capsule according to the present invention;
figure 8 is an axonometric and cutaway view of the cup-like body of a capsule according to the present invention, complete with the retaining film and the closing element.

With reference to the attached figures, the reference number 10 indicates a capsule for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected inside the capsule 10 for obtaining a beverage exiting from the capsule itself.
Food substance is meant to indicate either a food substance in the form of powder, leaves, granules or the like and adapted to interact with a liquid to form a beverage by infusion, solubilization, extraction or the like, either a food substance in the form of a liquid or a fluid adapted to interact with a fluid such as a gas or a mixture of a liquid and a gas.
For example, the food substance can consist of coffee (powder or soluble), tea (powder or soluble), soluble milk, herbal teas and beverages in general (powdered or soluble), broth (granular) and the like.
The fluid under pressure generally consists of water, generally hot water.
Note that in the following description adjectives such as "upper" and "lower", "internal" and "external" refer to the position of the capsule 10 as shown in the attached figures and corresponding to the usual disposition of use in a dispensing machine.
It should also be noted that in the attached figures the capsule is shown without the upper closing membrane, empty, i.e. without the dose of substance to be dispensed, and before the injection in the same of the dispensing liquid.
The capsule 10 comprises a cup-like body 11 which is made in a single piece, for example by injection moulding of food-grade plastic of the type PE, PET and the like.
The cup-like body 11 has a longitudinal extension axis B and comprises a bottom 12 which is connected to a tubular lateral wall 13.
The tubular lateral wall 13 has an axial end which connects to the bottom 12 and its end axially opposite the bottom 12 is open so as to define an upper opening 14, through which the capsule 10 is filled. The upper opening 14 can be closed by means of a closing membrane (not shown) that can be coupled, for example by welding or gluing, to the open end of the tubular lateral wall 13. Advantageously, at its open end, the tubular lateral wall 13 has a flange 15 on which a perimeter edge of the closing membrane can be fixed, for example by welding or gluing.
The closing membrane can be pierced by at least one piercing and fluid dispensing element of a dispensing machine into which the capsule 10 can be inserted.
The bottom 12 is constituted by a substantially flat disc (except for its central portion) which has a lower surface 12a facing the outside of the cup-like body 11 and an upper surface 12b facing the inside of the cup-like body 11, i.e. towards the upper opening 14.
The bottom 12 is stiffened by ribs 16 protruding from the lower surface 12a thereof.
The ribs 16 extend in radial directions with respect to the longitudinal extension axis B; they preferably have the shape of circular sectors.
The bottom 12 has a central portion surrounded by an annular portion.
At least one beverage dispensing opening 17 is formed at the central portion of the bottom 12.
With reference to the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the dispensing openings 17 are formed in a tubular body 18 which is coaxial with the axis B and which extends for a portion inside the cup-like body 11 and for a portion outside the same so as to define a duct 19 for the flow of the beverage exiting the capsule 10.
The tubular body 18 is stiffened by ribs 20 inside the same. The ribs 20 are distributed along radial planes with respect to the axis B.
The dispensing openings 17 are formed by voids defined between successive ribs 20 formed inside the tubular body 18.
The tubular body 18 has its lower end open and its upper end at least partially closed by a plate 21.
The annular portion of the bottom 12 has a plurality of raised elements 22, which are obtained projecting towards the inside of the cup-like body 11 and define a plurality of channels 23 along which the beverage flows towards the at least one dispensing opening 17.
The raised elements 22 are for example constituted by a plurality of annular elements which are concentric to the axis B and which are arranged spaced apart from each other. Each annular element is crossed by a plurality of recesses 25.
The spaces delimited by pairs of successive annular elements are in communication with each other through the recesses 25; the whole of these intercommunicating spaces forms a labyrinthine path consisting of the channels 23.
The raised elements 22 project from the upper surface 12b of the bottom 12.
The raised elements 22 have a maximum height with respect to the bottom 12 and, more precisely, with respect to the upper surface 12b thereof, which is indicated by h in the attached figures.
Advantageously, the raised elements 22 all have the same height h compared to the bottom 12.
Advantageously, the upper surface of the plate 21 is coplanar with the upper surface of the raised elements 22.
The raised elements 22 are obtained in the annular portion of the bottom 12 which surrounds the central portion thereof at which the at least one dispensing opening 17 is formed.
The set of the raised elements 22 and, therefore, of the channels 23 defined therein is surrounded by an annular groove 26. The annular groove 26 is obtained in the bottom 12 and more precisely, indents the upper surface 12b thereof. The annular groove 26 is open at the top, i.e. towards the upper opening 14 of the cup-like body 11.
The channels 23 open at the annular groove 26 through respective access openings. The channels 23 are thus in fluid communication with the annular groove 26.
In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, for example, the channels 23 are in fluid communication with the annular groove 26 through the recesses 25 obtained in the radially outermost annular element with respect to the axis B.
The channels 23 are closed above by a closing element 27.
The closing element 27 has dimensions such as to close the channels 23 above, but not the annular groove 26 which surrounds them, at most only partially extending above it.
The closing element 27 is constituted by a membrane which is fixed, for example by welding or gluing, directly on the upper surface of the raised elements 22 and possibly on the plate 21.
The closing element 27 advantageously forms a disc membrane diameter D1 equal for example to 27 mm.
The closing element 27 advantageously has a thickness comprised between 0.25 mm and 0.80 mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the closing element 27 is constituted by a film of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The capsule 10 further comprises a retaining film 28 for retaining a dose of substance and which is arranged inside the cup-like body 11 above the raised elements 22 so as to define, together with a portion of the inner lateral surface of the tubular lateral wall 13 extending above it and with the upper closing membrane, a closed chamber C for containing the dose of substance.
The retaining film 28 has dimensions such as to also extend above the annular groove 26 and to delimit together with the bottom 12 and a portion of the tubular lateral wall 13 which extends beneath it a zone for collecting the beverage.
The retaining film 28 has for example a disc-like shape with a diameter D2 which, evidently, is larger than the diameter D1 and which for example is about 35 mm.
The retaining film 28 is taut above the bottom 12 at a defined distance D from the closing element 27 without contact therewith.
This distance D is comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm and even more preferably it is 3 mm.
This distance D is selected in such a way that, following the increase of the pressure inside the closed chamber C following the injection of the extraction fluid therein, the retaining film 28 can expand freely until it tears apart by traction without interacting with the underlying raised elements 22.
The space delimited between the retaining film 28 and the closing element 27 is empty; in particular, note the lack of disc-like filter bodies therein obtained through the moulding of polymeric material.
The retaining film 28 is made to tear apart by traction as a result of the pressure thereon.
In a possible embodiment, the retaining film 28 is constituted by a multilayer element comprising:

an upper layer 28a facing the upper opening 14 and made of plastic material of the PET type,
a lower layer 28b facing the upper surface 12b of the bottom 12 and made of an impermeable material of the aluminium type, for example,

upper layer

film

Preferably, the top layer 28a of the multilayer element forming the retaining film 28 comprises a single central pre-cut. This single central pre-cut has a length such as to remain confined within the area circumscribed by the annular groove 26, for example it has a length of about 8-12 mm.
The upper layer 28a is glued to the lower layer 28b (figure 6 schematically shows the adhesive layer 28d, where present) with the exclusion of an area surrounding the at least one pre-cut, at which, therefore, the upper layer 28a is not glued to the lower layer 28b.
The pre-cut 29 is obtained for example by laser engraving.
The lower layer 28b is made, for example, of an aluminium film having a thickness of 12-15 µm.
The retaining film 28 can then comprise a further layer 28c arranged below the lower layer 28b and made of a filtering material of the non-woven fabric type, for example.
The cup-like body 11 will now be described in greater detail.
The tubular lateral wall 13 of the cup-like body 11 comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion 13a which at one end is connected to the bottom 12 and at the opposite end is connected to a second substantially cylindrical portion 13b. The second portion 13b has a larger cross-section than that of the first portion 13a; between the first portion 13a and the second portion 13b a first annular step 30 is obtained inside the cup-like body.
The first annular step 30 forms a supporting and fixing plane thereon for an annular portion of the retaining film 28.
That is, the retaining film 28 extends resting on the first annular step 30 at which it is fixed, for example by gluing or welding, to the cup-like body 11.
The first annular step 30 has a height H1 with respect to the bottom 12 and, more precisely, with respect to the upper surface 12b thereof, which is greater than the maximum height h of the raised elements 22.
Preferably, the first annular step 30 has a height H1 with respect to the bottom 12 and, more precisely, with respect to the upper surface 12b thereof, which is greater than or equal to twice the maximum height h of the raised elements 22.
In a preferred embodiment, the first annular step 30 has a height H1 comprised between 4 mm and 5 mm and the raised elements 22 have a maximum height h respectively comprised between 1 mm and 2 mm.
The second portion 13b of the tubular lateral wall 13 then connects to a third substantially cylindrical portion 13c which ends in the upper opening 14 from which it protrudes with the flange 15.
The third portion 13c has a greater cross-section than that of the second portion 13b; between the second portion 13b and the third portion 13c a second annular step 31 is obtained inside the cup-like body 11.
On the second annular step 31 it is possible to weld a film which is permeable to fluid and constituted, for example, by a micro-perforated membrane; the volume between this possible film permeable to fluid and the upper closing membrane acts as a distributor of the fluid injected into the capsule 10.
The permeable film (not shown) is present in particular in the case wherein the capsule 10 contains an extractable substance for infusion, such as for example powdered coffee. In this case, it is then possible to provide an additional filtering membrane on the retaining film 28, made for example of filter paper or non-woven fabric.
The volume delimited by the second portion 13b and, in the absence of any permeable film, by the third portion 13c, by the retaining film 28 and by the upper closing membrane defines the closed containment chamber of the substance for preparing the beverage.
The volume delimited by the first portion 13a, the bottom 12 (with the raised elements 22 whose channels 23 are closed at the top by the closing element 27) and by the retaining film 28 defines the collection area wherein the formed beverage collects and flows outside the capsule 10 through the at least one dispensing opening 17.
The assembly and operation of the capsule according to the present invention are immediately comprehensible to a person skilled in the art in light of the description provided above and the attached figures.
Briefly, the closing element 27 is fixed, by welding or gluing, onto the raised elements 22 and the retaining film 28 is taut above it; a perimeter portion of the retaining film 28 extends resting on the upper face of the first annular step 30 to which it is fixed, for example, by welding or gluing.
If necessary, a filtering membrane is superimposed on the retaining film 28.
After introducing a dose of substance to be extracted into the cup-like body 11, a closing membrane is fixed to the flange 15 after its fixing, if necessary, to the permeable film inside the cup-like body 11 at the second annular step 31.
Considering the capsule 10 in the assembled configuration and filled before dispensing, the retaining film 28 is taut above the bottom 12 and in particular above the closing element 27, thus resulting in contact only with the upper face of the first annular step 30, while it is otherwise spaced apart from the closing element 27 by at least one non-null distance D.
In use, the capsule 10 is inserted into a dispensing machine of the type comprising at least one piercing element which pierces the closing membrane and which is configured to inject a pressurized fluid into the closed chamber C which is typically, but not necessarily, hot water.
Following the increase of the pressure inside the closed chamber C after the injection of the fluid therein, the retaining film 28 spontaneously opens by tearing at one or more portions thereof without any contact or interaction with the bottom 12 and with the raised elements 22 defined thereon.
The distance between the retaining film 28 and the closing element 27 is sufficient to allow the retaining film 28 to expand and tear before it, once opened, comes into contact with the raised elements 22 and/or the bottom 12.
The closing element 27 is made such that it does not tear and will at most deform, keeping the channels 23 closed at the top.
The beverage flows along the upper surface of the closing element 27 and collects in the annular groove 26 to then enter the labyrinthine path formed by the channels 23 and flow through it towards the dispensing openings 17 to pour into an external container.
The distance between the retaining film 28 and the closing element 27 is such as to allow the expansion and tearing of the retaining film 28, favouring an opening of the single central cut 29 to form a well-defined slot whose opposite longitudinal edges are well spaced from each other, abundantly exceeding distances around 1 mm, favouring the free flow of the beverage.
In practice, it has been found that the capsule according to the present invention achieves the aims set forth above.
Upon opening the retaining film, there is no relative engagement between the same and the upper surface of the underlying bottom, thus leaving a free passage for the beverage.
The capsule according to the present invention lacks the filter body present in the known type of capsules, with respect to which, therefore, it has lower production costs, having a lower number of components obtained through the moulding of polymeric material.
Moreover, the capsule according to the present invention makes it possible to limit the use of polymeric material with respect to similar capsules of the known art and, therefore, in addition to having a lower weight, it has a lower environmental impact.
The film made of polymeric material which forms the upper closing element of the labyrinthine path, in fact, has a substantially lower weight in grams than that of the filter bodies present in the capsules of the known art, and therefore lower production costs.
The shape of the cup-like body is in any case such as to give it sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressure and temperature conditions to dispense a beverage.

Claims

Capsule (10) for containing a food substance adapted to interact with a pressurized fluid injected into said capsule for obtaining a beverage exiting from said capsule, comprising:
- a cup-like body (11) that comprises a bottom (12) that is connected to a tubular side wall (13) which, at the end axially opposite to said bottom, defines an upper opening (14) that can be closed by means of a closing membrane that can be coupled to said end, wherein said closing membrane can be pierced by at least one element for piercing and dispensing a fluid of a dispensing machine in which said capsule can be inserted and in which said bottom (12) has a central portion at which at least one beverage dispensing opening (17) is obtained, and an annular portion, which surrounds said central portion and has a plurality of raised elements (22) which are obtained projecting towards the inside of said cup-like body and define a plurality of channels (23) along which said beverage flows towards said at least one dispensing opening (17),

- a retaining film (28) for retaining a dose of said substance and which is arranged inside said cup-like body (11) above said raised elements (22) so as to define, together with a portion of the inner side surface of said tubular side wall (13) and with said closing membrane, a closed chamber (C) for containing said dose of substance,

- said channels (23) are closed from above by a closing element (27) and have access openings that exit at an annular groove (26) that is obtained in said bottom (12), surrounds said annular portion and is open at the top,
and in that said retaining film (28) is stretched above said bottom (12) by a defined distance (D) from said closing element (27) of said channels (23) without contact therewith, wherein following an increase in the internal pressure in said closed chamber (C) following the injection of said fluid therein, said retaining film (28) opens at at least one area overlying said closing element (27) of said channels, characterised in that said closing element (27) is shaped and sized so as to close said channels from above but not said annular groove (26) .
Capsule (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said closing element (27) comprises a substantially disc-shaped membrane fixed onto the upper surface of said raised elements (22).
Capsule (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said closing element (27) comprises a film made of thermoplastic material.
Capsule (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said film is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Capsule (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said distance (D) is comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm.
Capsule (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side wall (13) comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion (13a) which at one end is connected to said bottom (12) and at the opposite end is connected to a second substantially cylindrical portion (13b), wherein said second substantially cylindrical portion (13b) has a larger cross section than that of said first substantially cylindrical portion (13a) and wherein between said first substantially cylindrical portion and said second substantially cylindrical portion a first annular step (30) is obtained, inside said cup-like body, wherein an annular portion of said retaining film (28) extends in abutment on said first annular step (30) at which it is fixed to said cup-like body (11) .
Capsule (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said first annular step (30) has a height (H1) relative to said bottom (12) that is greater than or equal to double the maximum height (h) that said raised elements (22) have relative to said bottom (12).
Capsule (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said first step (30) has a height (H1) relative to said bottom (12) comprised between 4 mm and 5 mm.
Capsule (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retaining film (28) is a multilayer element comprising an upper layer (28a) facing said upper opening (14) and made of plastic material, a lower layer facing said bottom (12) and made of waterproof material, wherein said upper layer (28a) is provided with at least one pre-cut (29) or with one opening guide area obtained in a substantially central position of said retaining film (28) .
Capsule (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that said retaining film (28) comprises a further layer (28c) placed below said lower layer (28b) and made of filtering material.
Capsule (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said upper layer (28a) is provided with a single central pre-cut (29) that extends in length and that is obtained at an area of said upper layer (28a) not adhering to said lower layer (28b) .
Capsule (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said cup-like body (11) comprises a single body, wherein said retaining film (28) and said closing element (27) are fixed thereto by gluing, welding or the like.