EP4116224A1

EP4116224A1 - Capsule for infusion products

Info

Publication number: EP4116224A1
Application number: EP22183354.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raffaele Rondelli
Original assignee: Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl
Current assignee: Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl
Priority date: 2021-07-09
Filing date: 2022-07-06
Publication date: 2023-01-11

Abstract

A capsule (1) for infusion products comprising: a cup-shaped body (2) which has a side wall (5) and a bottom wall (6); and a closing element (3) for closing the cup-shaped body (2); the bottom wall (6) also comprises a perforation area (8) which develops along a first substantially annular crown; and a stiffening element (10) arranged inside the first substantially annular crown and configured to laterally delimit, on a first side, the perforation area (8) so as to increase the stiffness thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102021000018149 filed on 9 July 2021 .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a capsule for infusion products.
In particular, the present invention is advantageously (but not exclusively) applied to the field of capsules for the infusion of granular, powder or leaf products, such as for example coffee, barley, milk powder, tea, chamomile, or fruit.

PRIOR ART

A known capsule for infusion products generally comprises a cup-shaped body which is closed at the top by a lid and which has a side wall and a bottom wall. Together with the lid, the cup-shaped body defines a chamber inside which the infusion product is housed.
The capsule is also configured to be housed inside a percolation chamber of a beverage extraction machine. In detail, the percolation chamber of a known beverage extraction machine defines a housing intended to receive the capsule and typically has an upper shoulder against which, in use, an upper edge of the side wall of the cup-shaped body of the capsule abuts.
In use, the capsule, housed in the percolation chamber, is perforated, by means of a perforation unit, at the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body and at the lid so as to inject hot water under pressure through the holes made on the bottom wall, said hot water mixes with the infusion product inside the cup-shaped body, generating an infused beverage. Such infused beverage outflows from the cup-shaped body through the holes made at the lid to be collected inside a container, such as for example a coffee cup, mug or glass.
From the foregoing it is apparent that a correct perforation of the capsule by the perforation unit of the beverage extraction machine is essential to guarantee the correct formation and dispensing of the infused beverage.
In this regard, it should be noted that beverage extraction machines, in particular the perforation unit of such machines, is generally designed to perforate capsules made of aluminium. However, today there are more and more capsules for infusion products that have the cup-shaped body (and therefore the bottom wall to be perforated) made of polymer material. Polymer materials have features, in terms of stiffness and deformability, different from aluminium, in particular they are materials that have an elastic memory and therefore are more difficult to perforate. Therefore, the perforation unit of the known beverage extraction machines risks not functioning correctly, compromising the quality of the infused beverage or in some cases preventing the formation and/or dispensing thereof.
In detail, the polymer materials typically used for forming the cup-shaped body, under the action of the perforation unit of the known beverage extraction machines, risk deforming and yielding plastically without perforating, giving rise to the so-called "bouncing" phenomenon.
To try to solve this drawback, some manufacturers of capsules for infusion products made of polymer material have developed capsules having a bottom wall with a large thickness and/or stiffening ribs along the entire extension thereof. This solution improves the penetrability of the bottom wall, which being more rigid is less deformable and therefore less subject to the "bouncing" phenomenon. However, in addition to being very expensive in terms of the amount of polymer material required, it determines a high and early wear of the perforation unit.
Another solution adopted to date by manufacturers of capsules made of polymer material provides for the production of capsules with a bottom wall already perforated and an aluminium film coupled to such bottom wall to seal it. In detail, in these cases, the bottom wall and the aluminium film are arranged in such a way that between them a central chamber remains defined, inside which the infused beverage formed inside the cup-shaped body passes. In use, the perforation unit, by perforating the aluminium film, allows the outflow of the infused beverage. Such solution guarantees a correct outflow of the infused beverage since the perforation unit, acting on the aluminium film, always manages to perform a correct perforation without wearing excessively. However, also this solution has drawbacks, among which the following. The need to weld the aluminium film on the bottom wall entails the addition of a step to the production process of the capsule (compared to the known production processes of capsules made of polymer material), with a consequent increase in costs and production times. Furthermore, the presence of the aforementioned chamber between the perforated bottom wall and the aluminium film reduces the internal volume of the cup-shaped body, and therefore (the dimensions of the capsule being equal) the quantity of infusion product that the capsule can receive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for infusion products which is devoid of the drawbacks of the prior art and which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture.
According to the present invention, a capsule for infusion products is provided according to what claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by mere example some non-limiting example embodiments thereof, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views of a capsule manufactured in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a side view of the capsule of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the capsule of Figures 1 to 3 made along section A-A of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of the capsule of Figures 1 to 4 inserted in a percolation chamber of a beverage extraction machine of known type;
Figures 6 and 7 are two perspective views of a capsule manufactured in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of the capsule of Figures 6 and 7;
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the capsule of Figures 6 to 8 manufactured along section A-A of Figure 8; and
Figure 10 is a schematic and cross-sectional view of the capsule of Figures 1 to 4 inserted in a percolation chamber of beverage extraction of known type machine.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a capsule for infusion products, in particular for granular, powder or leaf products such as for example coffee, barley, powdered milk, tea, chamomile, fruit.
Within the scope of the present description, the use of the term "second" component/feature does not imply the presence of a "first" component/feature. Sometimes, in fact, such terms are used only as labels for improving the clarity and should not be understood in a limiting way.
The capsule 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 2 and a closing element 3 (partially and schematically illustrated only in Figures 5 and 10), i.e. a lid, which is coupled to the cup-shaped body 2 to close the cup-shaped body 2. Advantageously but not limitedly, the closing element 3 can be perforated. Even more advantageously but not limitedly, the closing element 3 comprises (is mainly made of aluminium) metallic material. Alternatively, the closing element 3 comprises (in particular, is made of) compostable material (for example of biopolymer).
With reference to the accompanying figures, advantageously, the capsule 1 for infusion products, in particular the cup-shaped body 2 of the capsule 1, has a lower end EI (at which, in use, water is injected, preferably but not necessarily hot, under pressure) and an upper end ES, opposite the lower end EI (at which, in use, the infused beverage outflows).
Advantageously but not limitedly, the cup-shaped body 2 defines, together with the closing element 3, a chamber 4 configured to house therein an infusion product, in particular a granular, powder or leaf material (for example coffee, barley, powdered milk, tea, chamomile, fruit, etc.).
Advantageously but not limitedly, the closing element 3 is coupled to the cup-shaped body 2 at the upper end ES to close the chamber 4 at the top.
The cup-shaped body 2 also has a symmetry axis X and comprises (in particular, consists of) a side wall 5 and a bottom wall 6.
The closing element 3 is connected to the cup-shaped body 2 on the opposite side (opposite end ES of the cup-shaped body 2) relative to the bottom wall 6.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the side wall 5 and/or the bottom wall 6 (i.e. at least part of the bottom wall 6 and/or at least part of the side wall 6) have a thickness S1 (illustrated in Figures 5 to 10).
According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments, such thickness S1 is at least equal to approximately 0.5 mm; more advantageously it is at least equal to approximately 0.6 mm; and at the most equal to approximately 0.8 mm.
It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the term "thickness" of a component means the dimension measured orthogonally to the surfaces with the greatest development of the component; therefore, for example, the dimension measured in the radial direction for the side wall 5 and the components with main development substantially parallel to the symmetry axis X; and the dimension measured in the longitudinal direction for the bottom wall 6 and the components with main development substantially orthogonal to the symmetry axis X.
Furthermore, advantageously but not limitedly, the cup-shaped body 2 is preferably manufactured as one single piece (advantageously by means of injection or thermoforming processes), of polymer material suitable for food uses, such as for example Polypropylene, Copolyesters, etc. Even more advantageously, the cup-shaped body 2 is made of biodegradable or compostable polymer material in accordance with the UNI EN 13432 standard, for example the cup-shaped body is made of polylactic acid (PLA) compound. This makes the capsule 1 easily recyclable. Even more advantageously but not limitedly, when the closing element 3 is made of compostable material (replacing aluminium, generally used in the other types of capsules 1), the capsule 1 can be disposed of in the collection of wet waste.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the cup-shaped body 2 has the shape of a truncated cone. It is understood that according to alternative embodiments, the cup-shaped body 2 could have other shapes, for example it could be substantially cylindrical or polygonal in shape.
According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments of the invention (such as those illustrated in the accompanying figures, see for example Figures 3, 4, 8 and 9), the side wall 5 has three annular sectors 5A, 5B, 5C arranged in sequence along the symmetry axis X (from the upper end ES to the lower end EI). In detail (advantageously but not necessarily), the side wall 5 has an upper annular sector 5A which develops from the upper end ES, a central annular sector 5B, and a lower annular sector 5C which develops from the lower end EI.
Advantageously but not necessarily, the sectors 5A, 5B and 5C have a dimension (in particular a diameter) which decreases compressively from the upper end ES to the lower end EI.
In particular, according to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments (such as those illustrated in the accompanying figures), the lower annular sector 5C comprises at least one section with a substantially constant dimension (in particular diameter) and a further section, arranged below (i.e. closer to the lower end EI), with a dimension (in particular diameter) decreasing towards the lower end EI.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the upper annular sector 5A is provided with an annular shoulder 7 which projects radially towards the outside of the cup-shaped body 2 and at which the closing element 3 rests and is connected (see Figures 5 and 10). In particular, such closing element 3 is preferably coupled by welding or by interlocking to the cup-shaped body 2 at the annular shoulder 7.
According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments (such as those illustrated in Figures 1 to 5), the central annular sector 5B has a plurality of stiffening prisms, already known and not further described herein.
With particular reference to Figures 4, 5, 9 and 10, advantageously, the bottom wall 6 comprises a perforation area 8 (of reduced thickness), such perforation area 8 has a thickness S2, (advantageously but not limitedly) which is smaller than the thickness S1 (see in particular Figures 5 and 10), develops along a first substantially annular crown, and is intended, in use, to be perforated by a perforation unit 9 of a beverage extraction machine (as will be better explained in the following).
In the present disclosure, the expression "substantially annular" means the shape of any regular curve (for example a circle or an ellipse or a pentagon etc.) or irregular closed on itself.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the first substantially annular crown along which the perforation area 8 develops (i.e. which it defines) is a substantially circular crown, more advantageously dimensioned so as to ensure that such perforation area 8 is, in use, at the area where the perforation unit 9 acts (more particularly, at the substantially annular crown along which the needles 9A of the perforation unit 9 are arranged). It is understood that the first substantially annular crown along which the perforation area 8 develops (i.e. which it defines) could be substantially elliptical, or square or irregular, provided it is configured in such a way as to be, in use, at the area where the perforation unit 9 acts.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the thickness S2 of the perforation area 8 is smaller by approximately 0.4 mm; more advantageously, by approximately 0.3 mm; even more advantageously, is smaller by approximately 0.2 mm.
According to some non-limiting (and not illustrated) embodiments, the perforation area 8 comprises one or more sections (i.e. areas) having a thickness greater than the aforementioned thickness S2 (for example approximately equal to the thickness S1 of the bottom wall 6 and/or of the side wall 5), such sections (or areas) are arranged along the mentioned first substantially annular crown for interrupting at sections the perforation area 8 with a thickness equal to S2. In other words, the perforation area 8 (having the thickness S2) may not be continuous along the entire extension of the first substantially annular crown, or it may be present only in those sections (or areas) of the first substantially annular crown intended, in use, to be perforated by the perforation unit 9 (in detail, by the needles 9A of the perforation unit 9), as will be better explained in the following.
Advantageously, the capsule 1 also comprises a stiffening element 10 (preferably but not limitedly centred relative to the symmetry axis X), which is arranged inside the first substantially annular crown, at least partially projects relative to the bottom wall 6, and is configured to laterally delimit, on a first internal side, the perforation area 8 in order to increase the stiffness thereof.
In the present disclosure the expressions "internal", "internally" etc. or "external", "externally", etc. mean respectively towards the inside or the outside of the capsule 1 (along the radial direction). In other words, internally means on the closest (i.e. approaching) side of the symmetry axis S of the capsule 1, while externally means on the farthest (i.e. away from) side of the symmetry axis X of the capsule 1.
With particular reference to Figures 5 and 10, in use, the capsule 1 is inserted into a percolation chamber C of a beverage extraction machine (of known type and not further described herein). Such percolation chamber C (partially and schematically illustrated in Figures 5 and 10) comprises the aforementioned perforation unit 9, which in turn comprises a plurality of needles 9A (typically three needles 9A arranged along a substantially annular crown as mentioned above) configured to make holes at the bottom wall 6 (in this case, at the perforation area 8), by means of which (holes) water, preferably hot, under pressure is fed into the cup-shaped body 2. Such water, preferably hot, once inside the chamber 4 mixes with the infusion material, generating an infused beverage (for example in the illustrated case coffee) which outflows by means of the holes made on the closing element 3.
The particular conformation of the bottom wall 6 with the presence of a perforation area 8, and the presence of the stiffening element 10 ensure a correct making of the holes on the bottom wall 6 by the perforation unit 9, preserving the perforation unit 9. In other words, the presence of the stiffening element 10 adjacent to the perforation area 8 (preferably in contact with such perforation area 8) gives the perforation area 8 such a stiffness as to guarantee the correct perforation, avoiding the risk of deformation of the bottom wall 6 and/or the onset of the "bouncing" phenomenon.
According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments such as those illustrated, the stiffening element 10 has a wall 11 having a thickness S3, which is at least greater than the aforementioned thickness S2 of the perforation area 8. Such wall 11, in turn, comprises (in particular is formed by) a side portion 12 which extends along a second substantially annular crown (inside the first substantially annular crown) crosswise to the bottom wall 6 towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2. In other words, advantageously but not limitedly, such side portion 12 rises from the bottom wall 6 towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2.
In other words, such side portion 12 is ring-shaped and extends (in particular, rises) from the internal surface of the bottom wall 6 at the internal edge of the perforation area 8 towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2 so as to delimit (and therefore constrain and stiffen) the perforation area 8 laterally.
Advantageously but not limitedly, such second substantially annular crown is substantially circular. It is understood that also the second substantially annular crown could be a substantially elliptical, or square or irregular crown, etc.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the second substantially annular crown has a size (in particular, a maximum diameter) which is smaller than a size (in particular, a maximum diameter) of the first substantially annular crown. Even more advantageously but not limitedly, the greater diameter of such second substantially annular crown coincides with the smaller diameter of the first substantially annular crown. In other words, advantageously but not limitedly, such side portion 12 is arranged adjacent to (in contact with) the first substantially annular crown (in particular, to the perforation area 8). Even more advantageously but not limitedly, such side portion 12 is arranged internally in contact relative to the first substantially annular crown (in particular, to the perforation area 8) without the interposition of other sections/portions.
According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments (such as those illustrated), the portion 12 of the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 (which extends crosswise to the bottom wall 6) is inclined relative to the perforation area 8 at an angle ranging from approximately 90°, in particular from approximately 110°, and approximately 150°.
In other words, the portion 12 of the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 has a flared shape from the inside of the cup-shaped body 2 towards the bottom wall 6.
Such conformation of the portion 12 allows increasing the stiffness of the perforation area 8, with the same thickness of such wall 11, as well as increasing the resistance to the action of the perforation unit 9, avoiding the risk of plastic deformations.
Advantageously but not necessarily, the thickness S3 of the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 is approximately equal to the thickness S1 of the side wall 5. According to alternative embodiments, the thickness S3 is greater than the thickness S1. This further increases the stiffening effect of the stiffening element 10 on the perforation area 8.
According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments (such as those illustrated in the accompanying figures), the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 also has at least one further portion 13 which develops (substantially) parallel to the closing element 3 at a distance defined by the bottom wall 6 (in particular, equal to at least approximately 0.2 mm, even more particularly at least approximately 0.5 mm). Advantageously but not limitedly, the further portion 13 also develops (substantially) parallel to the bottom wall 6 (at least when this is substantially parallel to the closing element 3). Even more advantageously but not limitedly, such second portion 13 develops (substantially) orthogonal to the symmetry axis X of the capsule 1.
Advantageously but not limitedly, such second portion 13 comprises at least one (substantially) flat portion, which develops (substantially) parallel to the closing element 3 and (substantially) orthogonal to the symmetry axis X of the capsule 1.
Advantageously, the presence of such portion 13 allows (among other things) avoiding the risk of deformation of the area adjacent to the perforation area 8, improving the performance of the capsule 1.
Advantageously but not limitedly, such portion 13 defines, together with the portion 12, a recess in the bottom wall 6 (in particular, advantageously but not limitedly centred relative to the symmetry axis (X)). Advantageously, such recess substantially has the shape of a truncated cone and, preferably but not necessarily, is internally hollow.
The term "recess" means an annular depression (or extrusion or slot) which prolongs towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2 from the lower end EI of the capsule 1 towards the upper end ES of the capsule 1, i.e. it extends towards the chamber 4 of the capsule 1.
According to some embodiments not illustrated and non-limiting, the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 comprises a first portion which extends along the aforementioned second substantially annular crown crosswise to the bottom wall 6 (in particular, substantially parallel to the symmetry axis X) towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2 and a further portion, which develops (substantially) parallel to and in contact with the bottom wall 6 and has a thickness at least equal to the thickness S1. Even more advantageously but not necessarily, such further portion comprises (in particular, is formed by) a part of the bottom wall 6 which is arranged adjacent to (in contact with) the perforation area 8 and internally to such perforation area 8 and, advantageously but not necessarily, it has a greater thickness than the remaining part of the bottom wall 6.
It is understood that the stiffening element 10 could also assume other conformations suitable for laterally (at least on the internal side) delimiting the perforation area 8 so as to increase the stiffness thereof. For example, it could comprise (in particular, consist of) a cylindrical or parallelepiped shaped recess.
According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments (such as those illustrated), the portion 13 of the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 has a depression 14, which is centred relative to the symmetry axis X and has a concavity facing the inside of the cup-shaped body 2. According to alternative embodiments not illustrated, the portion 13 of the wall 11 of the stiffening element 10 has a projection which is centred relative to the symmetry axis X, in place of the depression 14.
Advantageously but not limitedly, the stiffening element 10 is manufactured as one single piece together with the bottom wall 6; even more advantageously, the stiffening element 10 is manufactured as one single piece together with the entire cup-shaped body 2.
According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments (such as those illustrated), the capsule 1 comprises further stiffening means which give the capsule 1 greater stiffness and mechanical resistance, in particular to the stresses induced by the perforation unit 9 during the perforation of the bottom wall 6.
More in detail, according to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments (such as those illustrated), the capsule 1 comprises at least one annular projection 15 which is arranged between the first annular crown and the side wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 2 (i.e. outside the first annular crown) in order to laterally delimit the perforation area 8 on a second external side, opposite the internal side.
The term "projection" means a relief, advantageously but not necessarily annular, made in the bottom wall 6, which extends towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2, i.e. a projection (advantageously annular) which prolongs from the lower end EI towards the upper end ES of the capsule 1.
Such annular projection 15 has a further thickness S4 which is greater than the thickness S2, in particular such thickness S4 is greater than or equal to the thickness S1.
Alternatively or in addition (as in the advantageous but non-limiting embodiments illustrated), the capsule 1 comprises a plurality of radial ribs 16, each projecting from the side wall 5 and from the bottom wall 6 towards the inside of the cup-shaped body 2.
Advantageously but not limitedly, such radial ribs 16 are arranged, preferably equidistant from each other, along the lower annular sector 5C of the side wall 5.
Advantageously but not necessarily, the radial ribs 16 extend for a portion (i.e. part) of the lower annular sector 5C in the longitudinal direction (in particular parallel to the symmetry axis X) and have a substantially triangular shape.
Advantageously but not limitedly (see Figures 4, 5, 9 and 10) such radial ribs 16 have a width in a radial direction which increases towards the bottom wall 6. It is understood that also such ribs 16 may have different shapes and dimensions (for example width and/or height and/or thickness) depending on the variation of the stiffness features to be obtained, but also on the type of (plastic) material that makes up the capsule. 1.
Alternatively or in addition, the capsule 1 could comprise further stiffening means such as for example partitions, and/or concentric stiffeners etc., together with or instead of the annular projection 15 and/or the radial ribs 16.
The capsule 1 of the present invention has numerous advantages, among which the following may be mentioned.
Firstly, the capsule 1, thanks to the particular conformation of the bottom wall 6 and to the presence of the stiffening element 10, has improved mechanical properties in terms of stiffness, deformability and mechanical response to the action of the perforation unit 9. This guarantees a correct perforation of the capsule 1 by the perforation unit 9, ensuring a correct dispensing of the infused beverage.
The conformation of the bottom wall 6 and the presence of the stiffening element 10 also allow improving the stiffness of the perforation area 8, without the need to increase the thickness of the bottom wall 6 or to arrange a large number of stiffeners, which allows, compared to the known capsules, considerable advantages in terms of material saving, increase of the free internal volume of the chamber 4 (therefore of the quantity of infusion product that it can contain) and reduction in the wear of the perforation unit 4.
Furthermore, the capsule 1 of the present invention can be manufactured, preferably by automatic injection processes of thermoplastic materials, quickly without the need for additional production steps (for example welding and/or sealing), with obvious advantages in terms of costs and production times compared to the known capsules.

Claims

A capsule (1) for infusion products comprising:
a cup-shaped body (2), which comprises, in turn, a side wall (5) and a bottom wall (6); and

a closing element (3), which is coupled to the cup-shaped body (2) in order to close the cup-shaped body (2) on the opposite side (opposite end (ES) of the cup-shaped body (2)) relative to the bottom wall (6);

characterized in that the bottom wall (6) comprises a perforation area (8), which has a first thickness (S2) and develops along a first substantially annular crown; and in that the capsule (1) comprises a stiffening element (10), which is arranged inside the first substantially annular crown, at least partially projects relative to the bottom wall (6), is configured to laterally delimit, on a first side, said perforation area (8) in order to increase the stiffness of said perforation area (8) and has a wall (11) having a second thickness (S3), which is at least greater than the first thickness (S2); said wall (11) comprises a first portion (12), which extends along a second substantially annular crown crosswise to the bottom wall (6) towards the inside of the cup-shaped body (2) and a second portion (13) which develops substantially parallel to the closing element (3) at a defined distance from said bottom wall (6) and defines, together with the first portion (12), a recess.
The capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein: said second substantially annular crown has a size (in particular, a maximum diameter) which is smaller than a size (in particular, a maximum diameter) of the first substantially annular crown.
The capsule (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first portion (12) of the wall (11) of the stiffening element (10) is inclined relative to the perforation area (8) at an angle ranging from approximately 90° to approximately 150°.
The capsule (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein: the cup-shaped body (2) has a symmetry axis (X); and said recess is centred relative to the symmetry axis (X) .
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second portion (13) develops substantially parallel to the bottom wall (6).
The capsule (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said second portion (12) of the wall (11) of the stiffening element (10) has a depression (14), which is centred relative to the symmetry axis (X) and has a concavity facing the inside of the cup-shaped body (2).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom wall (6) has a third thickness (S1); said first thickness (S2) being smaller than said third thickness (S1).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (5) has a third thickness (S1); said first thickness (S2) being smaller than said third thickness (S1).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first thickness (S2) is smaller by approximately 0.4 mm (more advantageously, by approximately 0.3 mm; even more advantageously, is smaller by approximately 0.2 mm).
The capsule (1) according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein the third thickness (S1) is at least equal to approximately 0.5 mm (more advantageously, is at least equal to approximately 0.6 mm); in particular, the second thickness (S3) coinciding with the third thickness (S1).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening element (10) is manufactured as one single piece together with the bottom wall (6).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one annular projection (15); said annular projection (15) is arranged between the first substantially annular crown and the side wall (5) of the cup-shaped body (2) in order to laterally delimit the perforation area (8) on a second side, opposite the first one, and has a fourth thickness (S4), which is greater than the first thickness (S2); in particular, said fourth thickness (S4) being equal or greater than said third thickness (S1).
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising a plurality of radial ribs (16), each projecting from the side wall (5) and from the bottom wall (6) towards the inside of the cup-shaped body (2) .
The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup-shaped body (2) is made of a polymer material.