ES2634334T3 - Capsule with a capsule body and procedure for its production - Google Patents

Abstract

Capsule (1) with a capsule body (2) of a plastic material, with a side wall (3) and with a bottom (4) configured in one piece with this, as well as with a cover (5) that covers the capsule body for the formation of a closed chamber (6), which contains a substance (7) for the preparation of a beverage, where the capsule body (2) has at the bottom (4) at least one opening (8) for the passage of a liquid through the capsule, and where on the inner face of the bottom (4) there is arranged, to seal the closed chamber with respect to the opening (8), a membrane (9) that is firmly connected with the bottom (4) and consisting of an aluminum-based film, characterized in that the capsule body is a deep drawing piece and because the capsule body (2) and the cap (5) possess, with respect to oxygen permeability and aromatic substances, barrier properties and because the membrane (9) also presents barrier properties, and because The membrane is connected to the bottom along a connection zone that follows the circumference of the bottom.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Capsule with a capsule body and procedure for its production

The invention relates to a capsule according to the generic term of claim 1. These capsules are used today in various forms for the preparation of a beverage, particularly coffee or tea in a beverage preparation machine.

The capsules also perform a double function, in that on the one hand they protect the substance contained therein against external influences and retain their aroma and on the other hand through cooperation with the beverage preparation machine they also play a mechanical function for the conduction of hot water at high pressure. The capsule is also incorporated in a preparation chamber, which for the scalding process is closed by pressure. In many beverage preparation machines, a bottom penetration is carried out with the closing of the scalding chamber, so that hot water can penetrate inside the capsule after the pump is activated. The lid, which closes the body of the capsule, is also perforated or broken by establishing internal pressure at several points, so that the hot beverage can leave the scalding chamber. Such a capsule is described for example in WO 2012/080501.

WO 2013/076519 A1 describes a plastic material capsule for the preparation of a beverage with a side wall, a bottom and a lid. In the perimeter area of the bottom there are deeper areas, which join the bottom and the side wall.

WO 2012/144885 A1 also describes a closed capsule of a plastic material with a circumferential collar for fixing the lid, on which a sealing element for sealing the capsule is arranged in a beverage preparation machine.

WO 2012/127233 A2 describes a plastic material capsule with a side wall, a bottom and a lid, where at the bottom of the capsule there is an inlet opening for the liquid. This opening is closed by an inlet filter, which adheres on the inside of the capsule to the bottom.

US 2011/0033580 A1 also shows a capsule with a circumferential wall, a bottom and a lid for the formation of a closed chamber. The bottom shows at least one inlet opening, which is covered by the inner face with an inlet filter.

DE 10 2004 056 224 A1 describes a capsule made of plastic, whose bottom of the capsule is provided with a central opening. It is covered with a piece of sealed foil to the inner face, which consists of an aluminum foil.

A problem in the case of capsules of plastic material is that, when the bottom is perforated, as a result of the elasticity of the material, the bottom is shot to the perforation medium, so that the amount of water that penetrates per unit of time It is smaller than for example in aluminum capsules. It has been shown, therefore, that it is especially favorable, since in the production of the capsule, to place additional openings in the bottom, which raise the flow rate in the beverage preparation machine. These openings are favorably made grooves without removal of material, which are closed in a state without pressure and under the effect of pressure assume a type of valve function.

A drawback of this arrangement, however, is that each individual capsule has yet to be packaged separately in an aromatic bag. however, it would be desirable to give up this additional packaging material, because a tight ordering of the oxygen and the aromas of the capsule with the exception of the openings in the bottom can be carried out without problems. It is therefore an object of the invention to produce a capsule of the type mentioned above, which can be managed without additional outer cover and in which the flow rate in the beverage preparation machine can be controlled by arbitrary openings in the bottom of the capsule. . This objective is solved according to the invention with a capsule, which presents the indications of claim 1.

The capsule body is already already provided in a known manner with a barrier layer. Multilayer constructed plastic sheets with a barrier layer of these are already known. Caps with barrier properties are also known. To avoid that through the openings placed on the side of the fabrication at the bottom of the capsule moisture or oxygen can enter the air or leave aromatic substances, a membrane with barrier properties for the sealing of the camera closed with respect to the opening. The membrane is also connected to the bottom along a connection zone that follows the bottom perimeter. In this way, all the openings already placed in the bottom are tightly closed, so that only the penetration means in the beverage preparation machine simultaneously pass through the bottom and the membrane at the same time.

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The dimensioning of the connection zone is selected in such a way as to ensure a sufficiently firm connection with the bottom. In addition, it may be especially convenient for the connection zone to enclose a central area of the bottom of the capsule, whereby the membrane is not connected to the bottom. This unconnected area can be used to compensate for imperfections such as wrinkles or membrane impressions.

On the other hand, it may also be especially convenient for the openings to be arranged at least partially in the central area of the bottom of the capsule, whereby the membrane is not connected to the bottom. In this way the liquid that penetrates through the openings in the area of the membrane not immediately connected in all directions can be extended, so that a sufficient current is conserved.

The capsule can be configured with rotational symmetry, where the connection zone can pass annularly. The same principle can clearly be realized, but for example also in a polygonal shaped capsule in cross section with a bottom of the polygonal capsule.

In an annular connection zone it has proved to be especially favorable, that the connection zone has an external diameter between 14 and 17 mm and an internal diameter between 8 and 11 mm. With these measures on the one hand, a secure connection between the membrane and the bottom of the capsule is ensured and on the other hand there is a sufficiently large central surface, whereby the membrane is not connected to the bottom.

The term "barrier properties" is generally known to the expert in the field of food packaging. Considerable criteria are also the permeability of water vapor oxygen in each case at a certain temperature of, for example, 23 ° C or 25 ° C. As a plastic material with excellent barrier properties, for example, polyethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is known. . This material is used in hidden sheets as a barrier layer and shows permeability values in the range of 0.01 to 1. The oxygen permeability of plastic sheets is measured according to DIN 53 380. The value of oxygen permeability results of cm3 / m2 xdx bar. Permeability ratios are valid for the present application, such as those already used in deep drawing plastic capsules for portioned coffee.

In certain cases it may also be convenient for the membrane to be connected on its entire surface with the bottom of the capsule. Depending on the arrangement of the means of penetration into the machine, the openings can also produce better flow rates. This is particularly the case when the penetration means penetrate the bottom of the capsule in the groove area.

As previously mentioned, the opening is favorably a closed groove in a pressureless state, which can be extended when exposed to hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical pressure. The individual groove may also run straight or curved, or they may also be through grooves. Favorable configurations of split valves, which open under pressure, are already known by the expert from different fields of the technique.

Clearly other types of openings, particularly spherical or polygonal holes, can also be used instead of grooves.

An especially optimal effect is obtained when several openings are made in the bottom, preferably at least three openings. This is related to the fact that in the beverage preparation machine the relative location of the capsule with respect to the penetration means is not always predictable. With at least three openings, however, the risk of an unfavorable relative location is considerably reduced.

Especially favorable limits the bottom by the external perimeter with a reinforcement zone, formed by several indentations. For this, the bottom for the conduction of the liquid through the chamber in a beverage preparation machine can be penetrated by means of penetration, without the capsule body bending. A sufficient strength of strength at the bottom of the capsule is especially important in capsule bodies of plastic material, as this material opposes a greater resistance to penetration than, for example, aluminum.

The so-called indentations may have internal wall sections, which are on a common circumference, where the diameter of the circumference corresponds approximately to the diameter of the membrane. The membrane is also centered in this way through the inner wall sections, which has a positive effect on the production process.

The membrane consists of an aluminum-based film. In addition, it can also be a film of an aluminum alloy or a laminate with at least one layer of aluminum. The lid for closing the capsule body can also be made from the same film material. Aluminum has, as is known, excellent properties, which concerns the barrier effect with respect to diffusion. For this reason, these films are frequently used for watertight wrappers, also in the food sector.

The capsule body is designed as a deep drawing piece. In the deep drawing process, multilayer plastic sheets can be processed, which exactly match the packaged material and the use of the capsule.

The invention also relates to a process for the production of a capsule body for a 5 capsule, which has the indications of claim 12. It has also proved especially favorable, when the openings are made at the bottom of the capsule in a separate work operation after the production of the capsule body. In this way the openings can be positioned exactly, which is especially important for the desired effect. Subsequently, the membrane is used, whose surface configuration corresponds approximately to that of the bottom of the capsule. The connection is also carried out as already mentioned, along a connection zone that follows the perimeter of the bottom or its entire surface.

An optimization of the manufacturing process is obtained by preparing the capsule body in a deep drawing procedure, where the bottom is preferably configured as a flat surface. The openings can be placed more easily on a flat surface than when it is curved. Finally, the membrane can also be applied better on a flat bottom surface.

The opening is formed without removal of material by means of an incision such that a self-closing groove is produced in the rest state. In addition, the bottom is preferably pierced with a sharp blade. However, the openings could clearly also be punched or cauterized, for example, by laser beam.

The connection of the membrane with the bottom is carried out favorably by hot stamping, where the membrane can be equipped with a corresponding sealable layer for example with a sealing. Clearly, however, other joining procedures are also conceivable, such as glueing or welding, or a purely mechanical pressing.

Finally, the invention also relates to a system comprising a capsule filled with a substance as described above and a beverage preparation machine, which for the incorporation of the capsule has a capsule holder as well! as a device for the conduction of a liquid through the capsule 25 for the extraction or dissolution of the substance for the production of a beverage, where the beverage preparation machine has at least one mechanism for the penetration of the bottom of the capsule . By using the capsules according to the invention in a known beverage preparation machine, their performance capacity can be considerably increased. Additional openings at the bottom of the capsule reduce the pump load on the beverage preparation machine and thereby prolong its life. Even so, the capsule is absolutely watertight and does not require any additional external coating.

Other advantages in the system can be obtained by making the distribution of the opening or openings in the bottom of the capsule so adjusted to the device for the penetration of the bottom, that at least one penetration means encounters at least one opening. Depending on the configuration, the openings can thus achieve a great flow.

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Other advantages and individual characteristics of the invention are deduced from the following description of exemplary embodiments and designs. They show:

Figure 1 a perspective representation of a capsule,

Figure 2 a top view of the capsule according to Figure 1,

Figure 3 A top view of the empty capsule body according to Figure 1 in the opening direction

of the capsule,

Figure 4 a cross section through the capsule body according to Figure 3 in the sectional plane

A-A,

Figure 5 a cross section through the capsule body according to Figure 3 in the sectional plane

B-B,

Figure 6 an enlarged cross section through a capsule floor with membrane inserted,

Figure 7 a schematic representation of the production of a capsule body,

Figure 8 a top view of an example of alternative execution of a capsule,

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Figure 9 a top view of another example of executing a capsule, and

Figure 10 an enlarged cross section through a capsule floor with membrane attached

keep going.

According to Figure 1, a known capsule 1 consists of a capsule body 2 essentially configured with rotational symmetry with a side wall 3 and with a bottom 4. The capsule body 2 together has the shape of a gradual cone trunk, where the last truncated cone section 17 has the steepest cone trunk angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis. The bottom 4 runs essentially flat, although it may, however, have a slightly concave curvature for technical reasons in the central zone. Regular reinforcement ribs 18 are arranged around the side wall 3. A rotating flange 19 serves on the one hand for the isolation in the beverage preparation machine and on the other hand for the fixing of a lid 5.

To the external perimeter of the bottom 4 a reinforcement zone 13 is joined, formed by individual indentations 14. These indentations interrupt the truncated cone section 17 in a regular angle partition.

As can also be seen particularly in Figure 2, at the bottom 4 openings 8 are arranged in the form of grooves, which cross the bottom completely, but in the rest state they are closed due to the elasticity of the material. In the execution example, four slots are arranged in an angle partition of each 90 °

Figures 3 to 5 show, for reasons of the best clarity, a capsule body 2 hollow in the state before filling with a substance and before closing the capsule opening with the lid 5. As can be seen in Figure 3, the bottom of the capsule is covered by the inner face with a membrane 9. With a discontinuous circular line it is suggested however the connection zone 10 is suggested, whereby the membrane is firmly connected to the bottom. This connection zone follows the perimeter of the bottom and is designed here annular.

Figure 4 shows still other details of the reinforcement zone 13 and / or the individual indentations 14. Each indentation is provided with an internal wall section 15, which in cross section runs almost parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the capsule. The inner wall sections 15 are on a common peripheral circle, which corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the membrane 9. Each indentation 14 also has two side wall sections 16, the distance of which extends slightly here against the bottom 4. In this way an especially good stability is obtained against a force application from outside on the bottom of the capsule.

Figure 5 shows the left half of the cross section through the truncated cone section 17. These are in each case the sections between two individual indentations 14.

Figure 6 shows in a simplified representation the situation after the penetration of the capsule body 4 by a penetration means 12 in a beverage preparation machine. The membrane 9 is connected by a connection zone 10 firmly annular with the bottom of the capsule 4. This membrane consists of an aromatic seal with barrier properties for example of aluminum. Also the capsule body 2 of plastic material has a blocking layer that is watertight to the aromas, not fully described in the designs. The connection zone 10 has an external diameter d1, which at the same time corresponds approximately to the external diameter of the membrane 9. The membrane 9 can of course partially also overlap even the side wall 3 of the capsule. The internal diameter d2 of the connection zone 10 encloses a central zone 11, in which the membrane 9 is not firmly connected with the bottom of the capsule 4. The penetration means 12 crosses the bottom of the capsule 4 and the membrane 9 inside or optionally also outside the central zone 11. Through the opening 8, which can be a closed groove in the resting state, hot scalding water circulates in the area between the bottom of the capsule 4 and the membrane 9 and from there! through the opening in the membrane 9, created by the penetration means 12. Simultaneously, however, also scalding water penetrates through the opening in the bottom 4, also created by the penetration means 12. Before use in the beverage preparation machine, chamber 6 remains formed through the capsule evidently hermetically isolated from the outside atmosphere.

Figure 7 shows in separate sequences the production of a capsule body for a capsule according to the invention. First, it is made according to a capsule body 2 in a deep drawing tool 20. The production technique and materials are known to the expert. For example, a film with several layers based on polypropylene and polyethylene can be used.

The final configured capsule body 2 is equipped according to b with the aid of a hole tool 21 of the openings in the bottom.

Subsequently, a membrane 9 is provided according to c and is located on the inner face of the capsule body at the bottom.

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According to d, the firm connection of the membrane 9 with the bottom of the capsule body 2 is then carried out with a thermal sealing tool 22 in the manner described above. The first bottom of the completely flat capsule body can obtain a slightly concave curvature against the inner face by the sealing process. Accordingly, the filling of the capsule body 2 with a substance 7 is carried out in a filling station 23, that is, for example, with coffee powder.

Finally, the closure of the capsule body 2 with a cover 5 is carried out according to f with the aid of a closing tool 24. Particularly the operational steps e and f can be temporarily carried out at a great distance from the operational step d. The prepared capsule bodies 2 can for example be stacked according to the operational step d and so! stored, until they are fed to the filling station.

In the alternative embodiment according to Figure 8, the openings 8 consist, together, of eight circular holes, which cross the bottom 4.

The capsule according to Figure 9 differs from that according to Figure 2 because the four slots 8 serving as openings are arranged relatively far outside almost in the area of the indentations 14. In such a distribution, the openings are in the region of the connection zone, that is to say in the zone, in which the membrane 9 is firmly connected to the bottom 4 of the capsule. This occurs regardless of whether the membrane is only connected to the bottom by an annular connection zone or its entire surface.

Figure 10 shows an exemplary embodiment, in which the membrane 9 is connected in its entire surface with the bottom 4. The groove-shaped openings 8 also extend widely outside, as shown in Figure 9. Also the penetration means 12 and 12 'cross the bottom 4 in the outer peripheral zone of the bottom 4. The penetration means 12 shown crosses the bottom in an area, in which there is no opening arranged. In this position there is no increase in flow. In contrast, the penetration means 12 'crosses the bottom 4 in an area, in which there is also an opening 8 arranged. Here, the groove 8 produces a high flow rate, which is caused on the one hand by the enlarged cross section of the opening and on the other hand by a reduction in the resilience module of the base wall.

Claims (17)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five 1. Capsule (1) with a capsule body (2) of a plastic material, with a side wall (3) and with a bottom (4) configured in one piece with this, as well as with a lid (5) that covers the capsule body for the formation of a closed chamber (6), which contains a substance (7) for the preparation of a beverage, where the capsule body (2) has at the bottom (4) at least one opening ( 8) for the passage of a liquid through the capsule, and where on the inner side of the bottom (4) there is arranged, to seal the closed chamber with respect to the opening (8), a membrane (9) that is firmly connected with the bottom (4) and consisting of an aluminum-based film, characterized in that the capsule body is a deep drawing piece and because the capsule body (2) and the cap (5) have, with respect to permeability of oxygen and aromatic substances, barrier properties and because the membrane (9) also presents barrier properties, and because the membrane is connected to the bottom along a connection zone that follows the circumference of the bottom. 2. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection zone (10) encloses a central zone (11) of the capsule body (4), in which the membrane (9) is not connected to the bottom. 3. Capsule according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening (8) is arranged at least partially in the central area (11) of the capsule body (4), in which the membrane (9) is not connected to the bottom. 4. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the capsule (1) is configured with rotational symmetry and because the connection zone (10) runs annularly. 5. Capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the connection zone has an external diameter between 14 and 17mm and an internal diameter between 8 and 11mm. 6. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the membrane is connected on its entire surface with the bottom (4). 7. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the membrane (9) is connected to the bottom by means of a hot seal. 8. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening (8) is a closed groove in a state without pressure, which can be extended when exposed to hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical pressure. 9. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at the bottom (4) several openings (8) are arranged, preferably at least three openings. 10. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom (4) can be penetrated with penetration means for the conduction of the liquid through the chamber in a beverage preparation machine and because the bottom by the outer perimeter it borders a reinforcement zone (13), formed by several indentations (14). 11. Capsule according to claim 10, characterized in that the indentations (14) have internal wall sections (15), which are on a common circumference, where the diameter of the circumference corresponds approximately to the diameter of the membrane (9). 12. Method for the production of a capsule body (2) for a capsule (1), particularly according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following steps: - Provision of a capsule body (2) of plastic material made in a deep drawing process with at least one barrier layer, with a side wall (3) and with a bottom (4) configured in one piece with it; - Placing at least one opening (8) in the bottom; - Provision of a membrane (9) with barrier properties, whose surface configuration corresponds approximately to that of the bottom (4); - Introduction of the membrane (9) in the capsule body (2) and union with the inner face of the bottom (4) or along a connection area (10) that follows the circumference of the bottom, or over all the surface of the membrane. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the bottom is designed as a flat surface. 14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the opening (8) is formed without removal of material by means of an incision such that a self-closing groove is produced in the rest state. 15. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the opening (8) is stamped or burned by laser beam. 16. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the connection of the membrane (9) with the bottom (4) is carried out by hot sealing. 17. System comprising a capsule (1) filled with a substance according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a beverage preparation machine, which for the incorporation of the capsule presents a capsule holder, as! as a device for the conduction of a liquid through the capsule for the extraction or dissolution of the substance for the production of a beverage, where the beverage preparation machine has at least one mechanism for bottom penetration (4) of the capsule. 10 18. System according to claim 17, characterized in that the distribution of the opening or openings (8) in The bottom (4) of the capsule is adapted in such a way to the device for bottom penetration, that at least one penetration means comes into contact with at least one opening. 19. Capsule body for a capsule according to one of claims 1 to 11.