EP4134331A1 - Capsule pour produits d'infusion - Google Patents

Capsule pour produits d'infusion Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4134331A1
EP4134331A1 EP22188757.3A EP22188757A EP4134331A1 EP 4134331 A1 EP4134331 A1 EP 4134331A1 EP 22188757 A EP22188757 A EP 22188757A EP 4134331 A1 EP4134331 A1 EP 4134331A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
capsule
side wall
bottom wall
cup
proximal end
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
Application number
EP22188757.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Raffaele Rondelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl
Original Assignee
Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl filed Critical Macchiavelli A Socio Unico Srl
Publication of EP4134331A1 publication Critical patent/EP4134331A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a capsule for infusion products.
  • the present invention is advantageously (but not exclusively) applied to capsules for the infusion of granular, powder or leaf products such as for example coffee, barley, powdered milk, tea, camomile tea, fruit.
  • capsules for infusion products typically comprise a cup-shaped body preferably having, as a whole, a truncated cone shape which comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and has a proximal end closed by a closing element, also called lid.
  • a closing element also called lid.
  • the proximal end has a dimension (in particular, diameter) greater than the distal end (in the area of the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body).
  • the cup-shaped body thus defines a cavity inside which the granular, powder or leaf infusion material is housed.
  • the capsule for infusion products is configured to be arranged, in use, inside a percolation chamber of a beverage extraction machine.
  • the percolation chamber defines a housing and typically has a support which defines an upper shoulder against which an upper edge of the side wall of the cup-shaped body abuts.
  • the capsule housed in the percolation chamber is perforated by means of a perforation unit which comprises perforation means.
  • the perforation means are configured to perforate the capsule in the area of the closing element and of the bottom wall of the cup-shaped body.
  • water is injected under pressure for mixing it inside the cup-shaped body with the infusion product.
  • the infused beverage comes out of the cup-shaped body for being collected inside a container, such as for example a coffee cup, mug or glass.
  • the cup-shaped body of the capsule for infusion products typically consists of a single element made of a plastic material or a biodegradable or compostable material (i.e. a material that complies with standard UNI EN 13432).
  • the above-described capsules have a plurality of drawbacks and disadvantages.
  • the capsule inclines, not arranging itself in its correct position.
  • the longitudinal axis of the capsule is not parallel to the vertical axis of the percolation chamber.
  • This relative inclination of the capsule prevents the correct operation of the beverage extraction machine.
  • the relative inclination between the capsule and the percolation chamber prevents the perforation means of the perforation unit from perforating (in particular, uniformly) the bottom wall of the capsule, thus preventing the infused beverage from coming out homogeneously and distributed on the entire bottom wall.
  • the relative inclination of the capsule during the perforation can also cause the damaging of the capsule, as well as of the perforation means which are subjected to greater stresses than in the condition where the capsule is arranged in the correct position.
  • centring elements project from the side wall in the area of the proximal end.
  • the centring elements project from an annular shoulder present in the proximal end, to which the closing element is connected.
  • these capsules have the disadvantage that the centring elements allow the correct positioning of the capsule only upon the complete insertion of the capsule in the percolation chamber.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for infusion products which is devoid of the drawbacks of the state of the art and which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture.
  • a capsule for infusion products is provided according to what is claimed in the appended claims.
  • reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a capsule for infusion products according to the present invention.
  • the capsule 1 has a proximal end EP (in the area of which, in use, water is injected under pressure) and a distal end ED (in the area of which, in use, the infused beverage comes out).
  • the proximal end EP is opposite the distal end ED.
  • the water injected under pressure is hot, but alternatively it could be cold or warm.
  • the capsule 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 2 and a closing element 3, i.e. a lid.
  • the cup-shaped body 2 defines a cavity 7 configured to house therein an infusion material, preferably granular, powder or leaf.
  • the closing element 3 is schematically illustrated only in Figure 1 , whereas it was removed in the remaining figures for improving the clarity.
  • the closing element 3 is arranged so as to close the cavity 7 of the cup-shaped body 2 in the area of the proximal end EP.
  • the capsule 1 has centring elements 11 in the area of the side wall 4, as it will be specifically described in the following.
  • the capsule 1 has a preferably truncated cone shape and is provided in particular with a symmetry axis X which is a longitudinal axis of the capsule 1.
  • the capsule 1 can have a shape, i.e. section transverse to the longitudinal extension between the ends EP and ED of the capsule 1, which is (non-exhaustive list) elliptical, rectangular, square, polygonal, shaped or a combination thereof.
  • the cup-shaped body 2 is preferably manufactured as a single block (i.e. is manufactured as one single piece).
  • the cup-shaped body 2 comprises (in particular, is composed of) a side wall 4 and a bottom wall 5.
  • the bottom wall 5 is closed (i.e. is devoid of through openings).
  • the side wall 4 has three annular sectors arranged one after the other between the proximal end EP and the distal end ED.
  • the side wall 4 has a proximal annular sector 6A, a central annular sector 6B and a distal annular sector 6C.
  • the proximal annular sector 6A has a dimension (in particular, diameter) preferably constant between the proximal end EP thereof and the distal end ED thereof; whereas, the sectors 6A, 6B and 6C have a dimension (in particular, diameter) decreasing from the proximal end EP thereof to the distal end ED thereof.
  • the side wall 4 can have all three sectors 6A, 6B and 6C with a truncated cone shape.
  • the proximal annular sector 6A is provided with an annular shoulder 8 which laterally (in particular, radially) extends (i.e. projects) outwards and in the area of which the closing element 3 rests and is connected.
  • the closing element 3 is preferably connected by welding or by fixed joint to the cup-shaped body 2 in the area of the annular shoulder 8.
  • the capsule 1 has the centring elements 11 in the area of the side wall 4.
  • the centring elements 11 laterally (in particular, radially) project outwards from the side wall 4, so as to ensure, in use, the correct positioning of the capsule 1 inside a percolation chamber C of a beverage extraction machine M (as it will be specifically described in the following).
  • the centring elements 11 engage a side wall P of the percolation chamber C, so as to maintain the capsule 1 (in particular, maintaining the symmetry axis X thereof) in a substantially vertical position.
  • the capsule 1 has centring elements 11 (in particular, exclusively) in the area of the central annular sector 6B which is spaced apart from the proximal end EP.
  • the centring elements 11 are arranged at a distance from the proximal end EP which is 20% greater than the height (measured parallel to the axis X) of the capsule 1.
  • the distance is comprised between 20 and 80% of the height of the capsule 1, more in particular between 35 and 65%.
  • the central annular sector 6B is also spaced apart from the distal end ED. Therefore, the central annular sector 6B, and thus the centring elements 11, are spaced apart both from the proximal end EP, and from the distal end ED. According to a non-limiting example, the centring elements 11 are arranged spaced apart from the distal end ED with a distance that is 20% greater than the height (measured parallel to the axis X) of the capsule 1. In particular, the distance is comprised between 20 and 80% of the height of the capsule 1, more in particular between 35 and 65%.
  • the centring elements 11 are at least three, preferably four, and laterally (in particular, radially) project outwards from the side wall 4.
  • the centring elements 11 are equally spaced apart from one another on the circumference of the side wall 4, in particular in the area of the central annular sector 6B.
  • the centring elements 11 comprise (in particular, are composed of) a longitudinal rib which extends for a portion (i.e. part) of the central annular sector 6B in longitudinal direction between the proximal end EP and the distal end ED (in particular, parallel to the symmetry axis X).
  • Each centring element 11 has a head wall 13 (or a head surface) and two flanks 14 which are arranged on opposite sides of the head wall 13.
  • the head wall 13 is substantially vertical.
  • the head wall 13 is substantially parallel to the symmetry axis X (if present).
  • the centring elements 11 have a thickness which increases from the proximal end EP towards the distal end ED of the capsule 1.
  • the term “thickness” means the dimension measured from the inside towards the outside of the cavity 7 of the capsule 1.
  • the term “thickness” means the dimension substantially measured in the lateral (in particular, radial) direction for the side wall 4 and in the longitudinal direction (i.e. the direction defined between the proximal end EP and the distal end ED) for the bottom wall 5.
  • the maximum thickness of the centring element 11 (in the area of an end, in particular the distal end, of the centring element 11, without keeping into account the thickness of the side wall 4) is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, is preferably equal to 0.2 mm.
  • the centring elements 11 have a width which decreases from the proximal end EP towards the distal end of the capsule 1.
  • each centring element 11 in particular, the front wall 13 thereof
  • the term "width” means the transverse dimension measured in the direction tangent to the side wall 4 (which is transverse, in particular orthogonal, for example to a lateral, in particular radial, direction).
  • the centring elements 11 have a width which is uniform.
  • the centring elements 11 have a width which increases from the proximal end EP towards the distal end ED of the capsule 1.
  • the capsule 1 also comprises a plurality of stiffening elements 15 of the side wall 4 and a plurality of preferential deformation areas 16 of the side wall 4.
  • the stiffening elements 15 (in particular laterally, preferably radially) project from the side wall 4 towards the outside or towards the inside of the cavity 7.
  • the stiffening elements 15 are (in particular, exclusively) arranged in the area of the distal annular sector 6C.
  • the stiffening elements 15 laterally (in particular, radially) project from the side wall 4 towards the outside of the cavity 7.
  • the stiffening elements 15 can laterally (in particular, radially) project from the side wall 4 towards the inside of the cavity 7.
  • stiffening elements 15 can laterally (in particular, radially) project towards the inside and laterally (in particular, radially) project towards the outside of the cavity 7 in an alternated manner.
  • the stiffening elements 15 are alternated with the preferential deformation areas 16.
  • the preferential deformation area 16 is interposed between two stiffening elements 15.
  • the stiffening element 15 is interposed between two preferential deformation areas 16.
  • the preferential deformation areas 16 are configured, in use, to laterally (in particular, radially) deform outwards.
  • the preferential deformation areas 16 are more deformable than the stiffening elements 15.
  • the lateral deformation (in particular, the deformation in radial direction) of the preferential deformation areas 16 is greater than the stiffening elements 15.
  • only the preferential deformation areas 16 are configured to laterally (in particular, radially) deform outwards, whereas the stiffening elements 15 substantially maintain their shape and dimension unvaried.
  • the stiffening elements 15 are substantially laterally (in particular, radially) non-deformable outwards. Therefore, the preferential deformation areas 16 define preferential deformation areas of the side wall 4.
  • the preferential deformation areas 16 of the side wall 4 have a thickness (in particular, measured from the inside of the cavity 7 to the outside of the cavity 7) which is smaller than the side wall 4 in the area of the stiffening elements 15.
  • the side wall 4 has a greater thickness (in particular, given by the thickness both of the side wall 4 and of the stiffening elements 15 which project therefrom) than the preferential deformation areas 16. Therefore, the areas having a smaller thickness (i.e. the preferential deformation areas 16) have, in use under the action of the pressure of the water, an expansion (i.e. a preferably lateral, in particular radial, deformation) greater than the stiffening elements 15.
  • the side wall 4 (and thus each preferential deformation area 16) has a thickness comprised between 0.5 mm and 6.0 mm, in particular equal to approximately 3.0 mm.
  • the stiffening elements 15 have a thickness (without keeping into account the thickness of the side wall 4) comprised between 0.4 mm and 1.0 mm, in particular equal to approximately 0.8 mm. Therefore, the side wall 4 in the area of the stiffening elements 15 has a thickness (keeping into account both the thickness of the side wall 4, and of the stiffening element 15 thereof) which is comprised between 0.8 and 2 mm, in particular equal to approximately 1.2 mm.
  • the stiffening elements 15 are longitudinal ribs.
  • the stiffening elements 15 comprise (in particular, are composed of) a longitudinal rib which extends for a portion (i.e. part) of the distal annular sector 6C in longitudinal direction (in particular, parallel to the symmetry axis X) from the proximal end EP to the distal end ED.
  • the longitudinal ribs that make the stiffening elements 15 are different as to shape and/or dimension (in particular diameter and/or height and/or thickness) relative to the same dimensions of the longitudinal ribs that make the centring elements 11.
  • the longitudinal ribs that make the stiffening elements 15 have a dimension (for example width and/or height and/or thickness) which is greater than the same dimension of the longitudinal ribs that make the centring elements 11.
  • the longitudinal ribs that make the stiffening elements 15 are longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal ribs that make the centring elements 11.
  • the longitudinal ribs that make the stiffening elements 15 can be staggered relative to the longitudinal ribs that make the centring elements 11.
  • the stiffening elements 15 are equally spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the side wall 4.
  • the capsule 1 has a number of stiffening elements 15 comprised between 15 and 40, preferably 20 and 30, in particular equal to 24.
  • each stiffening element 15 has a head wall 17 (or, a head surface) and two flanks 18 arranged on opposite sides of the head wall 17 thereof.
  • the head wall 17 is inclined by an angle of inclination which is equal to an angle of inclination of the cup-shaped body 2.
  • the stiffening elements 15 do not protrude beyond the lateral (in particular, radial) bulks of the central annular sector 6B.
  • the stiffening elements 15 comprise hollow ribs.
  • the side wall 4 is shaped (in particular, bent) so as to define the longitudinal rib (which on the inside is empty, i.e. does not have filling material).
  • the stiffening elements 15 comprise full ribs.
  • the side wall 4 has massive longitudinal ribs (i.e. they are not hollow and are provided with filling material).
  • the stiffening elements 15 are tapered towards the proximal end EP.
  • each flank 18 is jointed with the side wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 2.
  • the capsule 1 also comprises at least one deformation damping member 21 of the bottom wall 5 which is configured to allow at least one portion of the bottom wall 5 (or the entire bottom wall 5) to move, in use, in particular along the symmetry axis X, between an initial position PI (illustrated, for example, in Figures 4 , 6 , 9 and 13 ) and a final position PF (not illustrated).
  • the final position PF the at least one portion of the bottom wall 5 is longitudinally shifted (in particular, along the symmetry axis X) towards the proximal end EP relative to the initial position PI.
  • the deformation damping member 21 allows the bottom wall 5 to yield (i.e.
  • the deformation damping member 21 acts as elastic return means of the bottom wall 5.
  • the portion of the bottom wall 5 which is movable is a central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 which is peripherally (in particular, externally) delimited by the deformation damping member 21.
  • the deformation damping member 21 is arranged between the central portion 22 and the side wall 4.
  • the deformation damping member 21 is manufactured as one single piece together with the cup-shaped body 2.
  • the deformation damping member 21 is integral with the bottom wall 5 and is part of the bottom wall 5.
  • the deformation damping member 21 is obtained from the conformation of the bottom wall 5 in such area.
  • the deformation damping member 21 has a smaller thickness than the side wall 4.
  • the deformation damping member 21 has a smaller thickness than the bottom wall 5.
  • the deformation damping member 21 has a thickness comprised between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm.
  • the deformation damping member 21 comprises at least one annular recess 23 and/or at least one annular projection 24.
  • the bottom wall 5 has a conformation that is such as to have an annular recess 23 and/or an annular projection 24.
  • the term “recess” means an annular groove made in the bottom wall 5. That is, the term “recess” means an annular depression which prolongs towards the inside (i.e. in the direction from the distal end ED to the proximal end EP) of the capsule 1, i.e. which prolongs towards the cavity 7 of the capsule 1.
  • the term “projection” means an annular relief made in the bottom wall 5. That is, the term “projection” means an annular protrusion which prolongs towards the outside (in the direction from the proximal end EP to the distal end ED) of the capsule 1.
  • the capsule has the annular recess 23 and/or the annular projection 24 in the area of the inner surface SI of the bottom wall 5 and/or of the outer surface SE of the bottom wall 5.
  • the annular recess 23 and/or the annular projection 24 are substantially annular, i.e. they define a complete ring (i.e. a closed curve).
  • the ring can also not have a circular shape (for example it could have a shape which is elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal, shaped or a combination thereof).
  • the annular recess 23 and/or the annular projection 24 could also, instead, only comprise a substantially annular sector, i.e. which does not define a complete ring (i.e. closed curve), but only a portion thereof.
  • the annular recess 23 and/or the annular projection 24 comprises at least one ring portion.
  • the ring can also not have a circular shape (for example it could have a shape which is elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal, shaped or a combination thereof).
  • annular recess 23 and/or the annular projection 24 confer to the bottom wall 5 an elasticity such to yield (i.e. follow the shifting of the bottom wall 5) thus making the bottom wall 5 more elastic and preventing the formation of cracks.
  • the deformation damping member 21 comprises the annular recess 23 externally (i.e. made in the area of an outer surface SE of the bottom wall 5) and the annular projection 24 internally (i.e. made in the area of the inner surface SI in the cavity 7 of the capsule 1, i.e. of the bottom wall 5) .
  • the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 is coplanar to a distal end of the side wall 4.
  • the central portion 22 is arranged flush with the distal end of the side wall 4.
  • the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 has a central recess 25 (i.e. a depression) which is concentric to the symmetry axis X.
  • the bottom wall 5 is shifted towards the proximal end EP (in the direction from the distal end ED towards the proximal end EP) in the area of the central recess 25.
  • the capsule 1 comprises two deformation damping members 21 arranged side by side (i.e. arranged beside another).
  • a deformation damping member 21 is arranged more internally and the other one more externally (i.e. closer to the side wall 4).
  • the capsule 1 has the two deformation damping members 21 concentric to one another.
  • the two deformation damping members 21 are of the same type (i.e. they are both recesses or projections).
  • the two deformation damping members 21 have the same dimension (i.e. thickness and/or height and/or width). Alternatively, the two deformation damping members 21 have dimensions (i.e. thickness and/or height and/or width) different from one another.
  • the deformation damping member 21 comprises the annular recess 23 internally (i.e. made in the area of the inner surface SI of the cavity 7 of the capsule 1, i.e. of the bottom wall 5) and the annular projection 24 externally (i.e. made in the area of the outer surface SE of the bottom wall 5). Furthermore, in the initial position PI the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 is shifted by an initial quantity X0 (in particular, along the symmetry axis X) relative to the distal end ED of the side wall 4. In particular, according to what is illustrated in Figures 9-11 , the central portion 22 recesses by the initial quantity X0 relative to the distal end of the side wall 4.
  • the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 is shifted by the initial quantity X0 towards the proximal end EP, in particular towards the inside of the cavity 7. Therefore, in the final position PF, the bottom wall 5 will be further shifted towards the proximal end EP of the capsule.
  • the central portion 22 protrudes by the initial quantity X0 relative to the distal end of the side wall 4. That is, in the initial position PI the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 is shifted by the initial quantity X0 in the direction of the distal end ED, in particular towards the outside of the cavity 7. In the final position PF, the protruding portion of the bottom wall 5 is shifted towards the proximal end EP of the capsule 1.
  • the central portion 22 of the bottom wall 5 has a central projection 26, i.e. a protrusion (which in particular is concentric to the symmetry axis X).
  • the central projection 26 is shifted towards the proximal end EP (in the direction of the symmetry axis X).
  • the central projection 26 is flush (i.e. coplanar) with the distal end ED of the side wall 4.
  • the central recess 25 and the central projection 26 involve less than 40% of the central portion 22.
  • the inner surface SI of the bottom wall 5 facing the cavity 7 (i.e. the surface in contact with the infusion product) has one or more annular ribs 27 which are concentric to one another and one or more radial ribs 28 which intersect in particular the annular ribs 27.
  • Figure 3 illustrates two annular ribs 27 and six radial ribs 28.
  • the capsule 1 also comprises a plurality of material weakening areas 31 configured to define, in use during the perforation of the bottom wall 5, preferential breaking areas, in particular for making the through openings through which the infused beverage comes out.
  • the bottom wall 5 breaks, preferably in the area of the material weakening areas 31, creating the through openings which allow the infused beverage to come out.
  • the perforation means E can perforate the bottom wall 5 in the area of the material weakening areas 31 or in the proximity of the material weakening areas 31 (i.e. in the area of the bottom wall 5 devoid of (but near) material weakening areas 31.
  • the thickness of the bottom wall 5 is greater than the thickness of the material weakening areas 31.
  • the material weakening areas 31 are defined by a reduction in thickness of the bottom wall 5.
  • the material weakening areas 31 are thinner than the remaining part of the bottom wall 5.
  • the material weakening areas 31 do not comprise through openings.
  • the thickness of the material weakening areas 31 is 50% smaller than the thickness of the remaining portion of the bottom wall 5. That is, the thickness of the bottom wall 5 (in the area of an area devoid of material weakening areas 31) is 50% greater than the thickness of the material weakening areas 31.
  • the bottom wall 5 has a thickness comprised between 0.2 mm and 0.9 mm, preferably equal to 0.4 mm.
  • the material weakening areas 31 have a thickness comprised between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, preferably equal to 0.2 mm.
  • the material weakening areas 31 are uniformly distributed on the bottom wall 5, in particular in the area of the central portion 22.
  • the material weakening areas 31 are arranged (i.e. extend with main orientation) in the radial direction.
  • the material weakening areas 31 have a substantially rectangular shape.
  • the material weakening areas 31 have a shape which is substantially elliptical, cross, triangular, circular, square, polygonal, shaped or a combination thereof.
  • the bottom wall 5 has two groups 32A and 32B of material weakening areas.
  • the two groups 32A and 32B of material weakening areas 31 are arranged side by side (in particular, in a concentric manner).
  • the group 32B is arranged closer to the symmetry axis X; whereas, the group 32A of material weakening areas 31 is arranged between the group 32B of material weakening areas 31 and the side wall 4 or the deformation damping member 21 (if present).
  • the two groups 32A and 32B of material weakening areas 31 have the same thickness.
  • the bottom wall 5 has in the area of the group 32A of material weakening areas 31 the same reduction in thickness of the bottom wall 5 in the area of the other group 32B of material weakening areas.
  • the two groups 32A and 32B of material weakening areas 31 can have two thicknesses different from one another.
  • the group 32A of material weakening areas 31 has the thickness which is greater or is smaller than the other group 32B of material weakening areas 31.
  • the bottom wall 5 when the bottom wall 5 is provided with the material weakening areas 31, it can also be provided with the annular ribs 27 and/or the radial ribs 28.
  • the capsule 1 described up to here can be provided with at least one element chosen among: the centring elements 11, the stiffening elements 15 together with the preferential deformation areas 16, one or more deformation damping members 21, the material weakening areas 31 or a combination of at least two thereof.
  • the cup-shaped body 2 comprises (in particular, is made of) a material that is, in particular completely, biodegradable or compostable in compliance with standard UNI EN 13432.
  • the cup-shaped body 2 mainly comprises (in particular, is made of) polylactic acid (PLA).
  • the closing element 3 comprises (in particular, is made of) a metallic material, such as for example aluminium.
  • the entire capsule 1 (i.e. the cup-shaped body 2 and the closing element 3) comprises (in particular, is made of) a material that is, in particular completely, biodegradable or compostable in compliance with standard UNI EN 13432.
  • a use is provided of a capsule 1 as described above (and/or according to any one of the appended claims) in a beverage extraction machine M (in particular as described above) which comprises perforation means E; according to said use, while the capsule 1 is arranged in the percolation chamber C of the machine M, the perforation means E penetrate the bottom wall 5 so as to make at least one opening (in particular, through hole).
  • the capsule 1 is inserted in the percolation chamber C (which is not part of the present invention) of the beverage extraction machine M.
  • the capsule 1 inserted in the percolation chamber C has the centring elements 11 which engage in abutment against the side wall P of the percolation chamber C.
  • the percolation chamber C has the perforation unit U which is configured to make a hole in the closing element 3 and in the bottom wall 5.
  • the perforation unit U comprises a plurality of perforation means E. It is highlighted that, for simplicity, Figures 8 and 11 only illustrate the perforation means E of the bottom wall 5; whereas, the perforation means E of the closing element 3 are not illustrated.
  • the pressure of the injected water increases the inner pressure of the capsule 1 and leads it to expand (i.e. to laterally, in particular radially, deform) towards the outside of the cavity 7.
  • the preferential deformation areas 16 expand (i.e. laterally, in particular radially, deform outwards) more than the stiffening elements 15 (which expand less than the preferential deformation areas 16 of the side wall 4 or do not expand at all).
  • the deformation damping members 21 allow the bottom wall 5 to yield (i.e. shift thanks to the action of the deformation damping member 21) for making the perforation through the perforation unit U less violent and for preventing the stresses induced by the perforation means E from breaking (i.e. cracking) the bottom wall 5.
  • the infused beverage comes out of the cup-shaped body 2 through at least one opening (in particular, hole) made in the area of the bottom wall 5 (for example in the area or in the proximity of the material weakening areas 31) for being collected inside a container (such as, for example, a coffee cup, mug or glass).
  • a container such as, for example, a coffee cup, mug or glass.
  • the capsule 1 described up to here has a plurality of advantages.
  • the capsule 1 provided with the centring elements 11 ensures a correct insertion and orientation of said capsule 1 in the percolation chamber C during the entire insertion step of the capsule in the percolation chamber.
  • the centring elements 11 prevent the capsule 1 from being arranged in the percolation chamber C with an inclination relative to the optimal positioning (in particular, with the symmetry axis X vertical).
  • the centring elements 11 force the capsule 1 to be substantially arranged vertically in the percolation chamber C (i.e. in particular, to substantially maintain the symmetry axis X vertical).
  • the centring of the capsule 1 in the percolation chamber C further increases.
  • the centring elements 11 are made spaced apart from the proximal end EP, they allow ensuring the centring of the capsule 1 in the percolation chamber C when the capsule 1 is still partially inserted. In this manner, the capsule is guided for a longer time (i.e. for a longer stroke), ensuring a greater centring thereof. This is more advantageous in the beverage extraction machines which start the perforation step of the capsule 1 in an initial stage, i.e. when the capsule 1 is not yet completely accommodated in the percolation chamber C. In fact, in this case, the perforation means are subjected to less stresses than in the condition where the capsule is arranged with an incorrect orientation.
  • the contact area between the centring element 11 and the side wall P of the percolation chamber C is increased.
  • the capsule 1 provided with the stiffening elements 15 (if present) alternated with the preferential deformation areas 16 (if present) allows reducing the total expansion of the side wall 4 (in particular, at the distal annular sector 6C).
  • the side wall 4 expands (i.e. laterally, in particular radially, deforms towards the outside of the cavity 7) in a differential manner between the stiffening elements 15 and the preferential deformation areas 16.
  • the portions of the side wall 4 in the area of the distal annular sector 6C will expand, i.e. will deform more than the stiffening elements 15 which provide rigidity to the side wall 4. Therefore, as a whole, the side wall 4 expands (i.e. deforms, in particular laterally) less and therefore the capsule 1 cannot remain jammed in the percolation chamber C. Therefore, the overall deformation of the side wall 4 is a lot less.
  • the capsule 1 provided with the stiffening elements 15 has a greater mechanical resistance to the stresses induced by the perforation means E during the perforation of the bottom wall 5.
  • the capsule 1 provided with at least one deformation damping member 21 (if present) allows the bottom wall 5 to accompany the perforation means E during the perforation act, making the perforation less sudden and preventing the bottom wall 5 from forming cracks.
  • the deformation damping member 21 thus contributes to improving the mechanical resistance of the bottom wall 5 and consequently of the capsule 1.
  • the capsule 1 provided with the material weakening areas 31 allows the perforation means E to more easily perforate the bottom wall 5, since the material weakening areas 31 have a reduction in material. Furthermore, the material weakening areas 31 allow the perforation means E to make an opening (i.e. hole) with a dimension and a configuration such to ensure that the infused beverage comes out with a continuous and uniform jet. Additionally, the material weakening areas 31 allow better controlling the making of the hole by the perforation means E, increasing the outflow of the infused beverage and thus reducing (in particular, completely eliminating) the dispensing discontinuities.
  • this capsule also allow using all the new materials of the so-called “Green Economy” (such as for example biopolymers, biobased materials, etc.), known for their low physical-mechanical characteristics and for their reduced environmental impact.
  • Green Economy such as for example biopolymers, biobased materials, etc.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
EP22188757.3A 2021-08-10 2022-08-04 Capsule pour produits d'infusion Pending EP4134331A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202100021698 2021-08-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4134331A1 true EP4134331A1 (fr) 2023-02-15

Family

ID=78770886

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22188757.3A Pending EP4134331A1 (fr) 2021-08-10 2022-08-04 Capsule pour produits d'infusion

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4134331A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019197940A1 (fr) 2018-04-11 2019-10-17 Goglio S.P.A. Capsule pour la préparation de boissons, en particulier de café
WO2020095151A1 (fr) * 2018-11-06 2020-05-14 Imper S.P.A. Capsule jetable pour machines distribuant des boissons infusées
EP3705419A1 (fr) 2019-03-04 2020-09-09 FLO - Societa' Per Azioni Capsule pour la preparation de boissons
WO2020202028A1 (fr) 2019-04-01 2020-10-08 Essse Caffe' S.P.A. Capsule pour produits à infuser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019197940A1 (fr) 2018-04-11 2019-10-17 Goglio S.P.A. Capsule pour la préparation de boissons, en particulier de café
WO2020095151A1 (fr) * 2018-11-06 2020-05-14 Imper S.P.A. Capsule jetable pour machines distribuant des boissons infusées
EP3705419A1 (fr) 2019-03-04 2020-09-09 FLO - Societa' Per Azioni Capsule pour la preparation de boissons
WO2020202028A1 (fr) 2019-04-01 2020-10-08 Essse Caffe' S.P.A. Capsule pour produits à infuser

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