ES2577652T3 - One capsule of ingredients for beverage preparation - Google Patents

Description

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DESCRIPTION

A capsule of ingredients for beverage preparation Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine; more precisely, it refers to a capsule having an anti-reflux element.

Background of the invention

Beverage preparation machines are well known in food science and the area of consumer goods. Such machines allow a consumer to prepare in their home a certain type of beverage, for example, a beverage based on coffee, for example, a cup of espresso coffee or similar to an infusion.

Today, the majority of beverage preparation machines for preparing beverages in the home comprise a system manufactured from a machine that can accommodate divided ingredients for the preparation of the beverage. Such portions may be pods or soft pads, or sachets, but more and more systems use semi-rigid or nested portions such as nested pods or capsules. Next, it will be considered that the beverage machine of the invention is a beverage preparation machine that works with a rigid or semi-solid capsule.

The machine comprises a receptacle for housing said capsule and a fluid injection system for injecting a fluid, preferably water, under pressure in said capsule. Water injected into the capsule, for the preparation of a coffee beverage according to the present invention, is preferably hot, that is to say at a temperature higher than 70 ° C. However, in some particular cases, it may be at room temperature. The pressure inside the capsule chamber during the extraction and / or dissolution of the contents of the capsule is normally about 100 to 800 kPa for dissolution products and about 200 to about 1200 kPa for the extraction of roasted and ground coffee. Such preparation process differs greatly from the so-called "distillation" process of preparation of beverages, particularly for tea and coffee, since the distillation involves a long time of infusion of the ingredient by means of a fluid (e.g., hot water), while The beverage preparation process allows a consumer to prepare a beverage, for example, coffee, in a few seconds.

The principle of extraction and / or dissolution of the contents of a capsule closed under pressure is known and normally consists of confining the capsule in a receptacle of a machine, injecting an amount of pressurized water into the capsule, generally after perforating one face of the cap. capsule with a piercing injection element such as a fluid injection needle mounted on the machine, to create a pressurized environment within the capsule either to extract the substance or dissolve it, and then release the extracted substance or the dissolved substance through of the capsule. Capsules that allow the application of this principle have already been described, for example, in applicant's European Patent No. EP 1 472 156 B1, and in EP 1 784 344 B1.

The machines that allow the application of this principle have already been described, for example, in patents CH 605 293 and EP 242 556. According to these documents, the machine comprises a receptacle for the capsule and a perforation and injection element made in the The shape of a hollow needle comprising in its distal region one or more liquid injection orifices. The needle has a double function since it opens the upper portion of the capsule, on the one hand, and because it forms the water inlet channel in the capsule on the other hand.

The machine further comprises a fluid tank (in most cases this fluid is water) for storing the fluid that is used to dissolve and / or infuse and / or extract the ingredients contained in the capsule under pressure. The machine comprises a heating element such as a heater or a heat exchanger, which can heat the water used in its interior to working temperatures (normally temperatures of up to 80-90 ° C). Finally, the machine comprises a pump element for circulating the water from the tank to the capsule, optionally through the heating element. The manner in which the water circulates within the machine is selected for example by means of a selection valve means, such as for example a peristaltic valve of the type described in the applicant's European patent application EP 2162653 A1.

When the beverage to be prepared is coffee, an interesting way to prepare the coffee is to provide the consumer with a capsule containing roasted and ground coffee powder, which is to be extracted with hot water injected into it.

Capsules have been developed for such an application, which are described and claimed in the applicant's European patent EP 1 784 344 B1, or in the European patent application EP 2 062 831.

In summary, such capsules usually comprise:

- a hollow body and an injection wall which is impermeable to liquids and air and which is attached to the body and adapted to be punctured by, for example, an injection needle of the machine,

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- a chamber containing a bed of roasted and ground coffee to be extracted,

- an aluminum membrane disposed at the lower end of the capsule, closing the capsule, to retain the internal pressure in the chamber, the membrane being associated with perforation means for drilling distribution holes in the aluminum membrane when the internal pressure inside of the camera reaches a certain predetermined value,

optionally, means configured to break the fluid jet to reduce the speed of the jet of fluid injected into the capsule and distribute the fluid through the bed of substance at a reduced rate.

The capsules of the prior art have a wall or injection membrane (so-called upper membrane) to be pierced by a fluid injection element (eg, needle) of a beverage preparation machine that is part of a fluid system . When the fluid is injected into the capsule compartment, the pressure increases, which serves as a means of extraction to extract and / or dissolve ingredients contained within the capsule, as described above. Such ingredients can be, for example, a bed of roasted and ground coffee "RG" as shown in Figure 1.

In the capsules of the prior art, when the injection needle is removed from the injection wall of the capsule, after the beverage has been prepared and distributed, the upper membrane of the capsule is punctured and an "H" hole remains. as illustrated in Figure 1. However, the internal extraction fluid pressure "P" remains at least partially in the compartment of the capsule.

The consumer can stop the extraction at any given moment and open the head of the machine, which will create an "H" hole in the upper membrane while the capsule is still inside the machine. This results in the product coming out of the upper hole (this phenomenon is called "reflux") and causing a problem of cleaning the machine. The tests showed that even 5 kPa is enough to create reflux of the product from the upper hole in the capsule, because the capsule is full of water or diluted product depending on when the consumer stops the machine.

In some exceptional cases, the reflux is very important due to a very high residual internal pressure inside the capsule so a jet of liquid splashes out of the capsule, which is called "whale effect". Such a "whale effect" is represented as a jet "J" in Figure 1. Although such a phenomenon occurs infrequently and randomly, it is ill-advised since the splashes of hot liquid are unpleasant. Furthermore, in the case where the liquid is water mixed with an ingredient, such leakage of liquid from the upper membrane of the capsule is also unwise from the point of view of cleaning, which forces the consumer to spend time cleaning the machine and the surroundings after use.

In the present machines a solution was developed to avoid the early opening of the machine's processing head, particularly until the internal fluid pressure of the capsule is sufficiently low. This solution is a flashing light of 5 seconds on the machine to show the consumer not to open the head of the machine until the blinking stops. However, this solution does not work during the extraction of recipes for which it takes more than 5 seconds to release the pressure inside the capsule after the fluid injection has stopped inside the capsule.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage preparation system and a capsule that avoids the so-called "reflux" or "whale effect" described above, whatever the conditions of beverage preparation or the properties of the ingredients.

The prior art is also disclosed in WO 2008/132 751 A1.

Summary of the invention

The main objective set forth above coincides with a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine, said capsule comprising side, lower and upper walls defining a closed chamber, said chamber containing an ingredient to be dissolved and / or extracted by an injected fluid to pressure inside said capsule, said fluid being provided through an injection element of the machine that can pierce an injection wall of the chamber, said capsule further comprising a beverage distribution wall that can be opened to release a beverage prepared from of said ingredient and said fluid,

Said capsule comprises a wall of separation inside the chamber that separates, in a hermetic manner:

- a compartment containing ingredients, and

- a fluid injection compartment,

said partition wall comprising a retention valve to allow fluid under pressure to flow only from the injection compartment into the compartment containing ingredients.

Of course, at least a portion of said partition wall is located at a distance from the wall of

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injection that is sufficient to ensure that the injection element of the machine does not puncture through said partition wall within said compartment containing ingredients.

This invention describes a system in which the fluid (e.g., water) that is injected by the machine through the injection wall of the capsule, will first fill the fluid compartment, and the hydraulic pressure in said compartment will open the valve that connects to the compartment that contains ingredients.

The retention valve can be placed at any point according to where the water jet should be created. At the end of the extraction when the pump is stopped, the hydraulic pressure in the upper chamber will descend and the valve will close. This in turn prevents the product from reaching the hole in the upper membrane. This will also cause airtightness since the upper level will be filled with water. This tightness also ensures that there is no drip from the bottom of the capsule. In any case, even if a little liquid comes out of the hole drilled through the injection wall of the capsule by means of the injection element of the machine, this liquid can only be water and not product, which will not therefore be a cleaning problem.

According to an essential aspect of the invention, the retention valve is:

- a piston or umbrella valve that can circulate fluid under pressure within the compartment containing ingredients, to produce a divergent multidirectional spray in the form of at least one thin layer of water, or

- a duckbill or piston valve that can circulate fluid under pressure within the compartment containing ingredients, in the form of a jet.

In the event that the check valve used is a piston valve, the shape of the water flow that is injected into the compartment containing ingredients of the capsule depends on the shape of the flow conduit channel in which it is placed. Slide the piston. For example, if said channel is a straight cylinder, the injected water will generally have the form of a single jet that can be directed vertically or at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the capsule. In case the flow conduit channel has for example at least one horizontally directed groove-shaped outlet, then the injected water will take the form of at least one thin layer of water which is sprayed through the ingredients compartment of the capsule .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the injection wall is the top wall, and the beverage distribution wall is the bottom wall.

A jet will be preferred for injection into a capsule containing a soluble ingredient because the jet creates a whirlpool within the chamber, and the dissolution of the ingredient improves. On the other hand, if the capsule contains an ingredient that is not soluble but needs a uniform distribution of the fluid to perform an appropriate preparation of beverage, for example in the case where the ingredient is roasted and ground coffee, then the fluid injection in the shape of a thin layer of water will be preferred. In that case, the thin layer of fluid (eg, water) preferably extends continuously over the periphery of the injection site and is sprayed on / wetted in a substantially circular manner.

Advantageously, the fluid is injected by the machine into said capsule at a pressure comprised between 10 and 2000 kPa, preferably between 100 and 1500 kPa, more preferably between 2O0 and 1200 kPa. All pressure values are given in relation to the atmospheric pressure, which for the sake of simplification is considered as 100 kPa.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluid injection member of the machine comprises at least one fluid injection needle.

In any case, the beverage distribution wall preferably comprises:

- opening means for opening said wall when said fluid pressure inside said chamber increases above a predetermined first level, and

reclosure means for closing the capsule, after said beverage has been distributed from said chamber and after the pressure of the fluid inside said chamber has decreased below a second predetermined level.

In the field of the invention, the ingredient contained in the capsule can be roasted and ground coffee, and / or can be chosen from the list of water-soluble ingredients such as: coffee, tea, coconut, milk, soup, fruit juice, vegetable juice, soda mixture, or infant nutrition products, powder, gel, compacted powder, or liquid concentrate form, or a combination thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

The additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the

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Description of the currently preferred embodiments that are set forth below with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a capsule of the prior art in which the resurgence of "whale effect" fluid has occurred;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a beverage preparation machine suitable for use with a capsule according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a divided perspective view of a capsule according to the invention; Figure 4 is a side perspective cutaway view of a capsule of the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view, cut away and enlarged showing the disposition of the fluid injection member of the machine within the fluid injection compartment of the capsule;

Figures 6A and 6B are schematic side views of an umbrella valve in a capsule according to the invention, respectively in its open and closed configurations;

Figures 7A and 7B are schematic side views of a duckbill valve in a capsule according to the invention, respectively in its open and closed configurations.

Detailed description of the invention

The capsule according to the present invention is for use in a beverage preparation machine as illustrated in Figure 2.

Such a beverage preparation machine comprises a base having a tank 2, a processing head 3, a tray of cups 4 for holding a cup below the processing head 3 and in which the prepared beverage flows. The beverage preparation machine further comprises a control panel 5 for setting working parameters of the machine (for example, volume of beverages to be dispensed, pressure of fluid to be injected into the capsule, temperature of the beverage, etc.).

The beverage preparation machine further comprises a handle 6 for opening and closing the processing head, respectively in configurations for receiving a capsule and for preparing a beverage (closed processing head in functional configuration). It also comprises a monitor 7 for displaying information to the user about the settings of the machine, the progression of the preparation of the drink, etc. In addition, the machine 1 comprises a capsule holder 8 for holding a capsule 9. Said capsule holder is adapted to be removably inserted in a specific recess of the processing head 3. In Figure 2, the capsule holder is shown in place inside the head of the cap. elaboration.

A capsule 9 for use in the beverage preparation machine 1 is also illustrated in Figure 2. It comprises a body with side walls 10 and an upper membrane 11. The side walls 10 of the capsule are made of thermoplastic material, semi-rigid or semi-hinged , and the upper membrane 11 is made of a single layer or multiple layer thermoplastic material that is sufficiently thin to be punctured by a fluid injection needle located in the processing head of the machine 1.

A capsule according to the invention is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The lower wall 12 and the side walls 10 of the capsule are manufactured as an integral part. The capsule further comprises an upper membrane 11, which must be sealed at an upper peripheral edge 13 of the side walls 10 of the capsule.

According to the invention, a partition wall 14 is disposed within the inner chamber of the capsule. The wall 14 separates, in a hermetic manner:

- a compartment containing ingredients 15, and

- a fluid injection compartment 16.

The partition wall 14 comprises a retention valve 17 which can allow the pressurized fluid to flow only from the injection compartment into the compartment containing ingredients.

In the embodiment of the capsule illustrated in Figure 5, the retention valve 17 is an umbrella valve, which is directed so that the umbrella portion 18 of the valve projects into the compartment containing ingredients. This portion of umbrella 18 covers the fluid conduit channels 19. When fluid (eg, water) is injected from the beverage preparation machine into the fluid injection compartment 16, the fluid pressure increases in the latter. At a certain predetermined pressure level, the portion of the valve umbrella 18 is deformed to allow the fluid under pressure to flow from the fluid injection compartment 16, into the compartment containing ingredients 15, as illustrated by double arrows in Figure 6A.

Once the fluid pump of the machine stops, the fluid injection ceases and the fluid pressure inside the capsule decreases. When said pressure inside the capsule decreases below a certain predetermined level (which corresponds mainly to the mechanical properties of the valve), the portion of

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umbrella 18 is flexed back to its original position to close the valve and fluid circulation through channels 19 is stopped, as illustrated in Figure 6B.

An alternative capsule construction is illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, in which the umbrella valve and the fluid circulation channels 19 drilled through the partition wall 14 are replaced by a duckbill valve connecting the fluid injection compartment with the one containing ingredients.

The principle of fluid circulation with the duckbill valve is identical to that described above for the umbrella valve. The key difference between an umbrella valve and a duckbill valve is the form of fluid flow that is created in the compartment that contains ingredients. In the case of the umbrella valve, the shape of the fluid flow is a flat, substantially disc-shaped fluid spray, which is evenly distributed over the surface of the ingredient. On the other hand, in the case of a duckbill valve the fluid flows directly through the valve channel as illustrated by double arrows in Figure 7A, so that the fluid flow within the compartment containing ingredients It has the form of a jet with great speed, which creates a whirlpool through the ingredient and therefore improves the mixing effect between the ingredient and the fluid. This last embodiment is particularly useful for the preparation of beverages when the ingredient is soluble (in the form of powder, gel, compacted or liquid).

In all embodiments, the valve is made of a flexible and deformable material such as for example natural or synthetic rubber or silicone.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the partition wall 14 is sufficiently far from the upper membrane 11 to ensure that the fluid injection needle 20 of the machine does not pierce said wall 14, and protrudes through the upper wall 11. only inside the internal space of the fluid injection compartment 16.

In case the retention valve is a piston valve (not illustrated in the drawing), the piston is mounted in a slidable disposition within a fluid conduit channel extending between the injection compartment and the fluid compartment. ingredients. The piston is normally mounted by spring so that:

- in its normal and closed position, no fluid can pass through the channel, and the spring is in its extended rest configuration, and

- in its open position, the fluid (water) can pass from the injection compartment to the ingredients compartment, and the spring is compressed.

The piston valve is actuated by any suitable means, internal or external to the capsule, but more preferably, the piston valve moves to its open position when the fluid pressure inside the injection compartment increases, so that said pressure pushes the piston with a counterforce that increases above the mechanical resistance of the spring. When the pump of the beverage machine stops, the pressure inside the injection compartment of the capsule decreases below the force of the spring, and the piston valve closes again.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (6)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five A capsule (9) for use in a beverage preparation machine (1), said capsule comprising side walls (10), lower (12) and upper (11) defining a closed chamber, said chamber containing an ingredient to dissolve and / or extract by means of a fluid injected under pressure into said capsule, said fluid being provided through an injection element (20) of the machine that can pierce an injection wall of the chamber, said capsule also comprising a wall of dispensing beverage that can be opened to release a beverage prepared from said ingredient and said fluid, said capsule comprising a partition wall (14) within the separating chamber, hermetically: - a compartment containing ingredients (15), and - a fluid injection compartment (16), said partition wall (14) comprising a retention valve (17), characterized in that the retention valve is: - a piston or umbrella valve that can circulate fluid under pressure within the compartment containing ingredients to produce a multidirectional divergent spray in the form of at least one thin layer of water, or as an alternative -a duckbill or piston valve that can circulate fluid under pressure within the compartment containing ingredients, in the form of a jet and can allow the pressurized fluid to flow only from the injection compartment (16) into the compartment containing ingredients (15). A capsule (9) according to claim 1, wherein said fluid injection wall is the top wall (11), and said beverage distribution wall is the bottom wall (12). 3. A capsule (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is injected by the machine with said capsule at a pressure comprised between 10 and 2000 kPa, preferably between 100 and 1500 kPa, more preferably between 200 and 1200 kPa. A capsule (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid injection element (20) of the machine comprises at least one fluid injection needle. 5. A capsule (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said beverage distribution wall comprises: - opening means for opening said wall when the fluid pressure inside said chamber increases above a predetermined first level, and reclosing means for closing the capsule, after said beverage has been distributed from said chamber and the fluid pressure inside said chamber has decreased below a second predetermined level. 6. A capsule (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said ingredient is roasted and ground coffee, and / or is chosen from the list of water-soluble ingredients such as: coffee, tea, coconut, milk , soup, fruit juice, vegetable juice, soda mixture, or infant nutrition products, powder, gel, compacted powder, or liquid concentrate form, or a combination thereof.