EP3849922A1 - Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member - Google Patents
Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing memberInfo
- Publication number
- EP3849922A1 EP3849922A1 EP19762806.8A EP19762806A EP3849922A1 EP 3849922 A1 EP3849922 A1 EP 3849922A1 EP 19762806 A EP19762806 A EP 19762806A EP 3849922 A1 EP3849922 A1 EP 3849922A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- capsule
- rim
- flange
- sealing
- beverage preparation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 214
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 164
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 81
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 68
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 23
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 9
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000008504 concentrate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000021539 instant coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019219 chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004922 lacquer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013616 tea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
- B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
- B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
- B65D85/8064—Sealing means for the interface with the processing machine
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/02—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by shape
- B65D7/04—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by shape of curved cross-section, e.g. cans of circular or elliptical cross-section
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/42—Details of metal walls
- B65D7/48—Local reinforcements, e.g. adjacent closures
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a capsule designed for preparation of a food product such as a beverage with enhanced sealing means.
- the invention relates to a capsule having a body with an integrally formed sealing member made from metallic material such as aluminum.
- Capsules for preparation of a food product such as a beverage are widely known in the market.
- An example of such capsule that is intended for being used with a beverage preparation machine is described in EP 0 512 468 Al.
- the capsule is inserted into the machine and ingredients contained in the capsule are made to interact with liquid provided to the capsule in order to form a desired beverage that is then made to leave the capsule.
- the capsule is opened under the effect of rising pressure within the capsule, which urges an outlet face of the membrane against opening means such as raised elements provided on a supporting part of the beverage preparation machine.
- Sealing of the capsule with the beverage preparation machine during the beverage preparation process is obtained by an outer portion of a flange-like rim of the capsule which is contacted along a circumferential contact line by a suitably shaped engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- capsules In order to enhance sealing between the capsule and an engagement member of the beverage preparation machine, capsules have been developed in which a dedicated sealing member is applied and wherein the sealing member is of different material than the capsule body.
- EP 1 654 966 Al, EP 1 849 715 Al and EP 2 151 313 Al relate to such a capsule in which a sealing member of rubber elastic material is applied to the capsule.
- the sealing member may be applied onto the capsule body by means of liquid depositing and hardening, gluing or by crimping a portion of the capsule body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule onto the sealing member.
- a disadvantage of these capsules is a more complex manufacturing process in which the capsule and the sealing member are manufactured in individual manufacturing steps and then assembled.
- the solution is more costly to produce both in terms of material cost and production cost and has also an environmental impact due to the use of two different materials. Therefore, a solution is sought-after which enables a facilitated manufacturing process while at the same time providing enhanced sealing properties of the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- Capsules are also known, which comprise an integrally formed sealing member, i.e. a sealing member made from the same material as the capsule body respectively the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- EP 1 654 966 Al, EP 2 303 077 Bl, EP 2 387 922 B1 and EP 2 814 328 Bl for example relate to a capsule comprising a sealing member formed of a plurality of concentric annular protrusions integrally formed with the flange-like rim.
- EP 1 654 966 Al discloses, in its third embodiment, to have the resilient nature of the sealing member made by the geometrical shape of the capsule itself. It proposes to have the sealing member in the shape of a step that increase the diameter of the side wall of the capsule . When the capsule is engaged with the inclined sealing surface of the beverage preparation machine, a deflection of the sealing member occurs on the capsule.
- WO2014/012783 Al, WO2014/184652 Al, WO2016/186489 Al, WO2016/186495 Al and WO2016/186496 Al also disclose capsules for beverage preparation and which comprise a flange-like rim portion with an integrally formed annular sealing member.
- WO2016/186495 Al relates to a plastic capsule comprising a flange-like rim with two spaced projections projecting axially from the flange-like rim and a plateau between the two projections.
- a specific part of the beverage preparation machine is configured to interact with the projections and the plateau to provide sealing engagement.
- tensions may occur during forming of the projections in the manufacturing process, which in turn lead to defects in the sealing member and/or the flange-like rim and which negatively affect the sealing properties of the sealing member.
- metal capsules e.g. made from aluminum or aluminum alloy.
- defects such as stress cracking, wrinkling and other surface defects may occur during the deep drawing process of aluminum when forming the capsule.
- the invention relates to a capsule designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by means of a beverage preparation machine.
- the proposed capsule has a longitudinal axis and comprises a cup-shaped base body being provided with a closed end and lateral sidewalls for holding beverage preparation ingredients, and a flange-like rim arranged at an open end of the base body and radially ending with a curled outer edge.
- the proposed capsule is in a first state before being used in the beverage preparation machine wherein the capsule further comprises a sealing member for providing a fluid sealing engagement with a sealing profile of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine, said sealing profile having at least one sealing surface, wherein the base-body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum as a one piece element, and wherein the sealing member comprises at least one dedicated surface located at the junction between the sidewalls of the base body and the flange-like rim, said dedicated surface being in the form of at least one step extending over the flange-like rim.
- the proposed capsule presents a second state after being used in the beverage preparation machine.
- the at least one step in the second state, after engagement between the the capsule engagement member and the at least one step of the dedicated surface of the sealing member, the at least one step is plastically deformed and the capsule comprises, at the location of the at least one step, a flange-like rim having a profile corresponding to the shape of the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member, said profile presenting at least three contiguous surfaces (SI, S2, S3) having each a different orientation.
- the newly created profile comprising the three surfaces having each a different orientation, generates axial and radial forces around the engagement member producing an effective tightness between the flange-like rim and the sealing member of the engagement member.
- the contiguous surfaces created by the plastic deformation of the at least one step present the following orientation:
- the first surface is substantially parallel to a surface of the engagement member facing the sidewalls of the base body of the capsule;
- the second surface is substantially parallel to flange-like rim
- the third surface forms an angle b with the base body sidewall, said angle being comprised between 1 and 50°.
- the capsule according to the invention enables an efficient, reliable and tolerant sealing structure made from a single integral piece and thus by omitting any additional material such as rubber.
- the capsule may be formed in a facilitated manufacturing process at reduced costs, while at the same time providing an enhanced sealing member without any material defects such as cracks, wrinkling and surface defects that could affect the capsule quality and tightness and as well the extraction process.
- the flange-like rim is preferably an essentially planar collar that extends from an open end of the cup-shaped base body essentially perpendicular to outer lateral sidewalls of the base body and/or to a rotational axis of the capsule.
- the dedicated surface is arranged at the junction between the cup-shaped base body and the flange-like rim and extends over a length D that is larger than the sealing profile of the engagement member.
- the dedicated surface extends over a length D comprised between 0.5 and 4 mm.
- the dedicated surface of the sealing member comprising at least one step, is preferably integrally formed in the otherwise essentially planar flange-like rim.
- the step formed in the flange-like rim preferably comprises a material thickness essentially corresponding to the rest of the flange-like rim.
- the step(s) in the flange-like rim are preferably made by a deep-drawing process.
- the capsule body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member are manufactured in a single deep-drawing process.
- the capsule may e.g. be produced by deep-drawing an initially flat metal sheet.
- the capsule is preferably made from a single sheet of metal such as aluminum.
- the sealing member is considered as part of the flange-like rim and forms a continuous surface with it.
- the surface is directed towards the cup-shaped base body of the capsule.
- a closing membrane may be connected to the capsule base body.
- the dedicated surface is designed for receiving and engaging a preferably annular sealing profile of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member comprising at least one sealing surface.
- the engagement member is preferably an essentially bell-shaped engagement member respectively a so-called capsule cage designed to house the cup-shaped base body of the capsule.
- the sealing profile of the engagement member may be a flat or rounded end surface of the engagement member.
- the sealing profile of the engagement member is arranged for engaging the at least one step of the sealing member.
- the engagement of the sealing profile of the engagement member is designed such that it deforms the dedicated surface of the sealing member when engaging with it.
- the engagement of the sealing profile of the engagement member may be such that it provides at least substantially radially and axially oriented sealing forces with the sealing member.
- the dedicated surface comprises one step, said one step is substantially parallel to the flange-like rim. It comprises a length d between 0.5 and 3 mm and a height H between 1 and 3 mm.
- the dedicated surface comprises two steps: a first step adjacent the remaining flange-like rim portion and parallel to the flange-like rim and a second step located between the first step and the sidewalls.
- the second step forms an angle a with the longitudinal axis of the capsule and has a height h comprised between 0.2 and 2 mm.
- the capsule preferably further comprises a closing membrane connected to the base body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- the closing membrane is preferably connected to a surface of the flange-like rim opposite to the surface at which dedicated surface of the sealing member is arranged.
- the closing membrane may be connected to the flange-like rim by means of an adhesive and/or welding technique.
- the closing membrane is preferably a closed membrane, i.e. void of any perforations.
- the closing membrane may however as well comprise pre-formed perforations therein.
- the closing membrane is preferably an aluminum foil.
- the foil is preferably sealed to the flange-like rim such as to form a seal hermetical to gas with the capsule base body for preserving freshness of the ingredients contained in the cartridge.
- the thickness of the closing membrane preferably lies between 60 and 100 microns (including the embossed structure and lacquer(s) on surface).
- the invention relates to a system comprising a capsule as described above and a beverage preparation machine designed to provide heated and/or pressurized liquid into the capsule for preparing a beverage upon interaction of the liquid with ingredients held within the capsule.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a pump, heating and/or cooling means, a liquid supply such as a water tank and/or a beverage brewing chamber for selectively receiving a capsule in order to prepare a beverage therefrom.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a capsule engagement member, e.g. as part of the brewing chamber, which is designed to house a capsule and in particular the capsule base body when the capsule is provided into the machine.
- the engagement member comprises an annular sealing profile designed to interact with the sealing member of the capsule in order to enable an effective sealing of the capsule during the beverage preparation process.
- the sealing profile of the engagement member may be arranged for engaging the dedicated surface comprising at least one step.
- the engagement of the sealing profile of the engagement member may be such that it deforms the dedicated surface.
- the engagement of the sealing profile of the engagement member may be such that it provides at least substantially radially and axially oriented sealing forces with the dedicated surface
- the beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises perforation means such as injection blades or the like, which are designed to perforate an inlet face of the capsule, in particular situated at a closed end of the capsule base body, and to inject liquid into the capsule interior.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises a capsule support designed to hold the flange-like rim of the capsule at a side opposite to a side at which the engagement member of the machine engages the sealing member of the capsule.
- the capsule support preferably comprises opening means such as e.g. truncated pyramid like elements against which a closing membrane of the capsule may be urged during pressure rise within the capsule such as to open the closing member e.g. by of tearing or rupturing.
- the capsule according to the present invention is preferably rotational symmetric, i.e. symmetric along its vertical axis.
- the beverage preparation ingredients provided in the capsule are preferably chosen from the group consisting of roasted ground coffee, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of roasted ground coffee and instant coffee, a syrup concentrate, a fruit extract concentrate, a chocolate product, a milk-based product or any other dehydrated edible substance, such as dehydrated stock.
- the liquid to be used for beverage preparation is preferably water of any temperature.
- the invention further relates to a cup-shaped base body of a capsule for preparation of a food product with an enhanced integrally formed sealing member.
- a cup-shaped base body of a capsule for holding beverage preparation ingredients and a flange-like rim and a sealing member comprising a dedicated surface with at least one step at the junction between the cup shaped base body and the flange-like rim and extending over the flange-like rim, the at least one step being conformed for engaging with at least one sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine, wherein the base- body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum.
- the proposed flange-like rim is in a first state before being used in a beverage preparation machine; and is in a second state after being used in the beverage preparation machine.
- the flange-like rim In the second state of the flange-like rim, at the location of the at least one step, the flange-like rim is plastically deformed and presents a profile corresponding to the shape of at least one of the sealing surface, said profile comprising at least three contiguous surfaces (SI, S2, S3) having each a different orientation and generating axial and radial forces around the engagement member producing an effective tightness between the flange-like rim and the sealing member of the engagement member.
- SI, S2, S3 contiguous surfaces
- the solution as proposed allows producing an effective tightness between the flange like rim and the sealing member of the engagement member thereby improving the current state of the art.
- Fig. la is a perspective side view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention.
- Fig. lb is a top view of the capsule according to Fig. la;
- Fig. lc is cross sectional side view of the capsule according to Fig. la;
- Fig. 2 is sectional side view of the capsule of Fig. la integrating the first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other;
- Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged sectional side view of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other;
- Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged sectional side view of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine engaged with each other;
- Fig. 5a is a perspective side view of a second embodiment of a capsule according to the invention.
- Fig. 5b is a top view of the capsule according to Fig. 5a;
- Fig. 5c is cross sectional side view of the capsule according to Fig. 5a;
- Fig. 6 is sectional side view of the capsule of Fig. 5a according to the second embodiment of the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other;
- Fig. 7 is a partial enlarged sectional side view of the second embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other;
- Fig. 8 is a partial enlarged sectional side view of the second embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine engaged with each other.
- Figure la to figure 4 relate to a first embodiment of a capsule 10 according to the invention.
- the capsule 10 comprises a cup-shaped base body 1.
- the base body 1 comprises a closed end la (whole area of the top portion of the capsule and not only the central one), lateral sidewalls lb and an open end lc.
- the closed end la may serve as an injection face during a beverage preparation process, which may be opened by a dedicated injection member of a beverage preparation machine 20.
- an engagement member 21 of the dedicated beverage preparation machine 20, as presented in figure 3, is engaged with the capsule 10.
- the engagement member 21 preferably comprises an essentially hollow bell-shaped engagement member for receiving the capsule base body 1 therein.
- the engagement member 21 comprises a sealing profile presenting several sealing surfaces 21a, 21b and 21c.
- the sealing surfaces are located on an inner part of the engagement member 21, on a portion of the engagement member 21 that comes into contact with the capsule 10.
- the sealing surfaces for example, may be in the form of an annular lower surface with rounded inner and outer circumferential edges, a flat surface that in use is parallel to the sidewalls of the capsule.
- the sealing surface 21a facing the peripheral portion of the capsule comprises a radial thickness which preferably lies between 0.1 and 0.6 mm, more preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.
- the capsule 10 further comprises a flange-like rim 2, which is preferably arranged at the open end lc of the capsule 10.
- the flange-like rim 2 extends radially outwardly from lateral sidewalls of the cup-shaped base body 1.
- the flange-like rim 2 is preferably arranged transversally to a rotational axis Y of the capsule 10 and presents a curled outer edge 2c at its extremity opposite the base body 1.
- the capsule is preferably made of aluminum.
- the base body 1 has a diameter comprised between 8 and 30 mm, a height of about 24 to 30 mm, the thickness of the base body sidewalls is between 0.08 and 0.12 mm.
- the flange-like rim 2 extending from the body base 1 has a length L measured from the body base sidewalls lb to the curled out edge 2c that is between 2 and 4 mm.
- a closing membrane 9 may be arranged at the open end lc (shown in figure lc) of the capsule base body 1.
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably connected to the flange-like rim 2, as presented in figure lc and in figure 2.
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably connected to at least one lower annular surface 2b of the flange-like rim 2, which surface 2b is directed away from the capsule base body 1.
- the closing membrane 9 may be connected to the base body 1 or to both the base body 1 and the flange-like rim 2.
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably an aluminum foil sealed to the flange-like rim 2.
- the cup-shaped base body 1 preferably encloses beverage ingredients suitably for preparing a liquid comestible upon interaction with liquid injected into the capsule 10.
- the ingredients are preferably enclosed by the cup-shaped base body 1 and the closing membrane 9.
- the beverage ingredients may be roasted ground coffee or other kinds of ingredients as previously described.
- the flange-like rim 2 comprises an integrally formed sealing member 3 which is arranged at an upper annular surface 2a of the flange-like rim.
- the annular surface 2a is arranged opposite to the surface 2b to which the closing membrane 9 is preferably connected. The annular surface 2a is thus facing away from the open end lc of the capsule.
- the sealing member 3 is positioned between the capsule body base 1 and the flange-like rim 2. It comprises a dedicated surface 4 located at the junction between the lateral sidewalls lb of the body base 1 and the flange-like rim 2.
- Said dedicated surface 4 extends over a length D that is larger than the inner part (where the sealing surfaces are located) of the engagement member 21.
- the dedicated surface 4 extends over a length D (measured from the sidewalls lb) comprised in the range from 0.5 to 4 mm.
- length D is about 2.5 mm.
- the dedicated surface 4 comprise a step 4a extending from the lateral sidewalls lb over the flange-like rim 2, the step 4a being substantially parallel to the flange-like rim direction.
- the step 4a is integrally formed with the flange-like rim 2 and the base body 1. This means that it is formed of same material as the flange-like rim and as the body base and is formed from the flange-like rim such as (and are not add-on parts) to extend from the surface 2a.
- the step 4a extends continuously and annularly around the lateral sidewalls lb and is arranged to engage with a sealing surface 21a of a capsule engagement member 21 of the beverage preparation machine 20. This is visible in figure 2 showing the capsule 10 interacting with the engagement member of the beverage machine 20.
- the length d of the step 4a (extending from the lateral sidewalls lb) is preferably chosen such that it suitably and fully interacts in sealing engagement with the dedicated sealing surface 21a of the engagement member 21.
- the length d of step 4a is preferably between 0.5 and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 and 2.5 mm.
- the height H of step 4a preferably lies between 1 and 3 mm, more preferably between 1.5 to 2.5 mm.
- the step 4a then extends over a length d that is larger than the inner part (where the sealing surfaces are located) of the engagement member 21 and the remaining portion of the flange-like rim 2 is then preferably between 0.5 to 1 mm.
- the system to which the capsule and the beverage preparation machine are integrated in is operated as follows for the preparation of a cup of a beverage, for example, a coffee.
- the capsule 10 is placed in the beverage preparation machine and the capsule engaging member 21 is brought into contact with the capsule 10 when the beverage preparation machine is closed.
- the capsule is pierced on its closed end la by piercing means (not represented) for creating the entrance of a fluid (hot or cold) under pressure into the capsule 10.
- the water wets the coffee stored inside the capsule and extracts the desired substance to form the coffee beverage.
- the rise in pressure causes the closing membrane 9 to rupture (through pressing of the closing membrane 9 on some cover piercing means, for example) and the coffee beverage is delivered by drainage of the coffee beverage from the capsule to a cup.
- step 4a extends over a length d that is larger than the inner part of the engagement member 21 where the sealing surfaces are located.
- the length d of step 4a is larger than the radial extension of sealing surface 21a.
- the plastic deformation is due to the force that is applied:
- the step 4a then closely conforms with the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the engagement member 21 so that during the extraction process, the surface of the flange like rim 2 conforms with the shape of the sealing profile (with sealing surfaces 21a, 21b and 21c) on the overlap portion.
- Figure 4 shows this close conformation between the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c and the flange-like rim 2 occurred during use (and visible after use), where the step 4a and the flange-like rim 2 are deformed leading to a structure conforming the grooves of the sealing member.
- the resulting structure presents at least three new contiguous (or adjacent) surfaces SI, S2, S3 formed during the plastic deformation, said surfaces following the shape of the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the capsule engagement member 21.
- the new shape of the flange-like rim 2 presents at least three new surfaces SI, S2; S3 having each a different orientation.
- the first surface SI of the flange-like rim deformed capsule is substantially parallel to the base body sidewall lb and to sealing surface 21b.
- the second surface S2 of the flange-like rim deformed capsule is substantially parallel to flange-like rim 2 and to sealing surface 21a.
- the third surface S3 of the flange-like rim deformed capsule forms an angle b with the base body sidewall lb, comprised between 1 and 50°.
- surface S3 is substantially parallel to sealing surface 21c of the engagement member 21 and angle b is about 22°.
- the cup-shaped base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing member 3 are integrally formed, i.e. by one single piece made from the same material. Accordingly, the cup-shaped base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing member 3 can be manufactured from the same material by a conventional forming process.
- the base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the integrally formed sealing member 3 can be formed in a deep-drawing process. The deep drawing process may require more than one deep drawing step to properly form from a flat piece of material, preferably a metal sheet, the body of the capsule and the sealing member.
- the base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing member 3 are formed of one piece made of metal, preferably of aluminum, most preferably an aluminum alloy.
- Figure 5a to figure 8 relate to a second embodiment of a capsule 10 according to the invention.
- figure 5a presents a perspective side view of a first embodiment of a capsule
- figure 5b a top view of said capsule
- figure 5c a cross sectional side view of said capsule
- figure 6 a sectional side view of said capsule
- the dedicated surface 4 of the sealing member 3 comprises two steps:
- first step 4a adjacent the remaining flange-like rim 2 portion and parallel to the flange-like rim.
- Said first step has a length d in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm; and a second step 4b located between the first step 4a and the sidewalls lb of the base body 1.
- the second step 4b is shorter than the first step 4a. It forms an angle a with the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Angle a is in the range of 10 to 80°.
- the second step 4b has a height h comprised between 0.2 and 2 mm.
- step 4b when the engagement member 21 is lowered from the position shown in figure 7 onto the sealing member 3 by closing force F, the annular sealing profile of the engagement member 21 first engages with step 4b.
- the edge between sealing surfaces 21a and 21b engages with step 4b.
- step 4b initiates to undergo a plastic deformation.
- sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the sealing profile further engage with the sealing member and enters in engagement with the first step 4a.
- first step 4a undergoes a plastically deformation during said engagement.
- the two steps 4b, 4a, one after the other closely conform with at least one of the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the engagement member 21.
- Figure 8 shows this close conformation between the sealing surface 21a, 21b, 21c and the flange-like rim 2 after use of the capsule.
- the steps 4a and 4b have been deformed leading to a structure of the flange-like rim 2 conforming the grooves of the sealing surface 21.
- the resulting structure presents at least three new contiguous (or adjacent) surfaces SI, S2, S3 coming from the deformation, said surfaces following the shape of the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member 21.
- the new shape of the flange-like rim 2 presents at least three new surfaces SI, S2; S3 having each a different orientation.
- first surface SI of the flange-like rim in its second state is substantially parallel to the surface (21b) of the capsule engaging member (21).
- second surface S2 of the flange-like rim in its second state is substantially parallel to flange-like rim 2 and to sealing surface 21a.
- third surface S3 of the flange-like rim in its second state forms an angle b with the base body sidewall lb, comprised between 1 and 50°.
- surface S3 is substantially parallel to sealing surface 21c of the engagement member 21 and angle b is about 22°
- the dedicated surface 4 of this second embodiment, with steps 4a and 4b, is larger than the dedicated surface 4 of the first embodiment. This leads to having a sealing surface 21a larger thus providing an improved fluid tightness between the engagement member and the capsule.
- step 4b also contributes to the centering between the capsule and the engagement member. Indeed, step 4b is extending form the sidewalls lb of the body base and also presents a certain angle (angle a with longitudinal axis) allowing a self-centering effect.
- the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the sealing profile deform the dedicated surface (first and second steps) and the flange-like rim 2 conforms to the sealing profile of the engagement member 21.
- the conformation has the effect to increase the contact surface area between the engagement member 21 and the capsule flange-like rim 2 and therefore to increase the fluid tightness between the capsule 10 and the beverage machine 20.
- the proposed embodiments show a capsule engagement member 21 with a given geometry however other geometries of the capsule engagement member may be envisaged.
- the proposed capsule has the specificity to adapt to the capsule engagement member.
- the sealing member 3 which comprises at least one step 4a, 4b conforms with the shape of the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member 21 over at least three surfaces having different orientation thereby leading to an increase sealing between the capsule and the beverage machine.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18194446 | 2018-09-14 | ||
PCT/EP2019/073781 WO2020053075A1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2019-09-06 | Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3849922A1 true EP3849922A1 (en) | 2021-07-21 |
Family
ID=63592561
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19762806.8A Pending EP3849922A1 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2019-09-06 | Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member |
Country Status (14)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20210323758A1 (es) |
EP (1) | EP3849922A1 (es) |
JP (1) | JP2022500317A (es) |
KR (1) | KR20210059702A (es) |
CN (1) | CN112703160A (es) |
AR (1) | AR116398A1 (es) |
AU (1) | AU2019340821A1 (es) |
BR (1) | BR112021002097A2 (es) |
CA (1) | CA3112611A1 (es) |
MX (1) | MX2021002142A (es) |
SG (1) | SG11202101101WA (es) |
TW (1) | TW202023919A (es) |
WO (1) | WO2020053075A1 (es) |
ZA (1) | ZA202102229B (es) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021005437A1 (en) | 2019-07-10 | 2021-01-14 | Mizzon Sandro | Group with capsule for the preparation of beverages |
Families Citing this family (7)
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GB201308927D0 (en) | 2013-05-17 | 2013-07-03 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | A beverage preparation system, a capsule and a method for forming a beverage |
PL3134330T3 (pl) | 2015-05-15 | 2019-12-31 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | Kapsułka, układ do przyrządzania napoju pitnego z takiej kapsułki i zastosowanie takiej kapsułki w urządzeniu do przyrządzania napojów |
NL2019254B9 (en) | 2016-10-07 | 2018-09-10 | Douwe Egberts Bv | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
NL2022269B1 (en) | 2018-12-20 | 2020-07-15 | Douwe Egberts Bv | System for preparing a beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule and a capsule for use in such a system |
NL2022931B1 (nl) * | 2019-04-11 | 2020-10-20 | Stas I P B V | Bereidingssysteem voor het extraheren van in een capsule aanwezig product |
IT202100007367A1 (it) * | 2021-03-25 | 2022-09-25 | Marco Besana | Sistema di produzione di bevande e capsula per la produzione di bevande |
IT202100022040A1 (it) * | 2021-08-18 | 2023-02-18 | Laminazione Sottile S P A | Capsula in alluminio per la preparazione di bevande con sistema di tenuta migliorato |
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AU1505192A (en) | 1991-05-10 | 1992-11-12 | Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. | Sealed cartridge for the prepartion of a beverage |
DK1654966T3 (da) | 2004-10-25 | 2007-02-19 | Nestec Sa | Kapsel med forseglingsmidler |
DK1839543T3 (da) | 2006-03-31 | 2008-08-11 | Nestec Sa | Kapsel med udvendigt forseglende materiale tryksat af en fluide |
ATE435170T1 (de) | 2006-04-24 | 2009-07-15 | Nestec Sa | Kapsel zur getränkezubereitung mit dichtungselement und verfahren zu dessen herstellung |
ATE529248T1 (de) | 2008-07-15 | 2011-11-15 | Nestec Sa | Verfahren zur aufbringung eines flüssiggummisiegels auf eine kapsel |
PL2630899T3 (pl) | 2009-06-17 | 2020-03-31 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | Kapsułka, układ i sposób przyrządzania wstępnie określonej ilości napoju nadającego się do spożycia |
ITVR20120043A1 (it) | 2012-03-14 | 2013-09-15 | Coffee Star S A | Sistema per la produzione di bevande |
RU2633241C2 (ru) | 2012-07-16 | 2017-10-11 | Туттоэспрессо С.Р.Л. | Капсула и система для приготовления напитков с адаптивным уплотнительным элементом |
GB201308927D0 (en) * | 2013-05-17 | 2013-07-03 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | A beverage preparation system, a capsule and a method for forming a beverage |
US10273076B2 (en) | 2013-05-17 | 2019-04-30 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | Beverage preparation system, a capsule and a method for forming a beverage |
WO2015101394A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-09 | Landmax Ltd | Capsule for a beverage preparation with deformable sealing element |
GB201420262D0 (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2014-12-31 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | A method of forming a cup-shaped body for a beverage capsule |
WO2016186488A1 (en) * | 2015-05-15 | 2016-11-24 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
PL3134330T3 (pl) * | 2015-05-15 | 2019-12-31 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | Kapsułka, układ do przyrządzania napoju pitnego z takiej kapsułki i zastosowanie takiej kapsułki w urządzeniu do przyrządzania napojów |
NL2016783B1 (en) * | 2015-05-15 | 2016-12-30 | Douwe Egberts Bv | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
CA2985977C (en) * | 2015-05-15 | 2023-08-29 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
WO2016186495A1 (en) | 2015-05-15 | 2016-11-24 | Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
NL2016780B1 (en) * | 2016-05-13 | 2017-11-16 | Douwe Egberts Bv | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
NL2019254B9 (en) * | 2016-10-07 | 2018-09-10 | Douwe Egberts Bv | A capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device |
CN106697614A (zh) * | 2017-02-07 | 2017-05-24 | 王亚辉 | 用于萃取液体的胶囊 |
-
2019
- 2019-08-21 TW TW108129908A patent/TW202023919A/zh unknown
- 2019-09-06 EP EP19762806.8A patent/EP3849922A1/en active Pending
- 2019-09-06 JP JP2021513427A patent/JP2022500317A/ja active Pending
- 2019-09-06 US US17/275,273 patent/US20210323758A1/en active Pending
- 2019-09-06 SG SG11202101101WA patent/SG11202101101WA/en unknown
- 2019-09-06 KR KR1020217004958A patent/KR20210059702A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2019-09-06 CA CA3112611A patent/CA3112611A1/en active Pending
- 2019-09-06 CN CN201980058596.1A patent/CN112703160A/zh active Pending
- 2019-09-06 MX MX2021002142A patent/MX2021002142A/es unknown
- 2019-09-06 BR BR112021002097-7A patent/BR112021002097A2/pt unknown
- 2019-09-06 WO PCT/EP2019/073781 patent/WO2020053075A1/en unknown
- 2019-09-06 AU AU2019340821A patent/AU2019340821A1/en active Pending
- 2019-09-13 AR ARP190102599A patent/AR116398A1/es unknown
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2021
- 2021-04-01 ZA ZA2021/02229A patent/ZA202102229B/en unknown
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021005437A1 (en) | 2019-07-10 | 2021-01-14 | Mizzon Sandro | Group with capsule for the preparation of beverages |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2020053075A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 |
TW202023919A (zh) | 2020-07-01 |
CN112703160A (zh) | 2021-04-23 |
AR116398A1 (es) | 2021-05-05 |
US20210323758A1 (en) | 2021-10-21 |
JP2022500317A (ja) | 2022-01-04 |
MX2021002142A (es) | 2021-05-12 |
AU2019340821A1 (en) | 2021-02-18 |
BR112021002097A2 (pt) | 2021-05-04 |
KR20210059702A (ko) | 2021-05-25 |
CA3112611A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 |
ZA202102229B (en) | 2022-10-26 |
SG11202101101WA (en) | 2021-03-30 |
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