FI96738B - A closed cartridge for making a beverage and a method and apparatus for making it - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closed cartridge (1), provided in order to be extracted under pressure, containing ground roasted coffee (5), comprising a dish (2) with a lateral wall having substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone, an upper face with a diameter greater than the lower face (7), and, on the said lower face (7), a filter (4), the said lower face being detached from the said filter and the upper face comprising an edge (6) with an annular bead on which a cover (3) is welded.

Description

96738

Closed cartridge for the preparation of a beverage and method and apparatus for its preparation - Sluten patron for framställning av drycker och förfarande och anordning för dess framställning. The present invention relates to a closed cartridge according to the preamble of claim 1, adapted for extraction under pressure and containing a substance for preparing a beverage.

10 There are several reasons for the use of coffee capsules, in particular when using espresso-type coffee which is extracted by pressure, namely: hygiene, the best possible storage of coffee, ease of use, better quality control of the coffee obtained and good reproducibility of extraction conditions. Of the several capsules available, only sealed capsules that open under the pressure of the sprayed water quite well meet the requirements listed above. These capsules are characterized by their opening system.

Capsules according to CH 605 293 have weakened areas which preferably rupture under pressure. The disadvantage of this solution is that the complexity and cost of the capsule increase due to the fact that the materials used have to be handled very carefully to ensure the correct opening and reproducibility of the capsules 25.

• The batch according to the present invention is much cheaper and easier to prepare, but can still be used as a batch for making espresso coffee, i.e. the coffee is extracted at a pressure of 30 to 20 bar.

The invention relates to a closed cartridge characterized by the features set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

35 Separate means that the filter and the lower surface are not in contact and the distance between them is of the order of 1 mm. In the meantime, a collection compartment is formed - during the extraction of 2 96738 batches - the volume of which increases as the pressure in the capsule increases, thus achieving efficient discharge of the coffee extract and good extraction. The filter and the lower surface are in contact only with respect to the edge of the filter and the lower surface.

In the context of the invention, the shape of a truncated cone means both a truncated cone in the strict sense and also a truncated oval, a truncated spherical shape or even a cylindrical shape.

The batch according to the invention can be extracted by the method and apparatus disclosed in the applicant's European patent application filed on the same day as the present application entitled "Method and apparatus for extracting closed batches" (EP-90114401.4).

The annular edge folded up or down allows good impermeability by squeezing between the batch holder and the extractor 20 during the extraction step.

The cartridge is filled with a substance for making a beverage. This substance is preferably roasted and ground coffee, but may also be tea, instant coffee, a mixture of ground coffee and instant coffee, or a chocolate product.

The cartridge according to the invention is made of aluminum or food plastic. When aluminum is used, the wall thickness of the cup is between 50 and 120 and preferably between 70 and 80. When plastic is used, the wall thickness of the cup is between 300 and 500.

Since the filter must withstand considerable pressure fluctuations, its thickness should be greater than that of the cup, namely in the range of 100 to 300 and preferably in the order of 200 when made of aluminum and in the range of 300 to 1000 when made of aluminum. form 3 96738 vista. For example, a filter according to EP 309 708 can be used.

The size of the batch according to the invention may vary according to the amount of coffee to be prepared. The dose of coffee in the cartridge can vary from 5 to 20 g, the diameter of the cartridge is 2.5 to 6 cm and the thickness of the coffee layer is between 10 and 25 mm.

In one embodiment of the charge according to the invention, the filter-10 is welded to the lower surface, in particular in the case of a charge made entirely of aluminum. Welding is performed by heat sealing, in which case there is a heat sealing varnish on the opposite surfaces of the parts to be welded. The weld seam is 1 -3.5 mm wide, regardless of the diameter of the charge, so that the resulting charge is able to withstand pressures of up to 20 bar. The lower surface is separated from the filter so that the filter cannot be welded over its entire surface. In another embodiment of the charge according to the invention, the lower surface is welded to the filter, in particular when a plastic charge is used. In this case, the welding is performed by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.

When aluminum is used, the cup is formed by stamping, while when plastic is used, it is formed by injection molding or thermoforming. To facilitate the opening of the stake. during the extraction, a weakened area can also be formed in the middle part of the lower surface or an opening can be formed in this middle part, in which the closure is welded.

In this way, the invention provides a batch which withstands high pressures during extraction and thus: provides a coffee having all the characteristics of an espresso.

The invention also relates to a method according to claim 5 for the preparation of these capsules (or cartridges). The starting point is a preformed aluminum or plastic cup and then 4 96738 the filter is placed on the lower surface and welded to it, the cup is filled with roasted and ground coffee and after filling the lid is welded to the top flange of the cup. The welding of the filter is performed by heat-sealing the cartridge with 5 aluminum and by heat-sealing or ultrasonic welding with the cartridge being plastic. After filling the cup, its top flange can also be cleaned before placing the lid in place. The capsules move from one stage to another in a stepped feed system using linear or circular motion depending on the design of the machine. Filters placed at the bottom of the cup are made in a parallel or perpendicular line. They are made by punching holes in a moving aluminum or plastic web and then cutting the filter from the web. The cup is filled with coffee in an inert atmosphere, for example nitrogen, CO2.

The process according to the invention can be carried out in one step on a production line or even in two steps, namely: first a cup with a filter is made and then it is filled with coffee and the lid is fitted.

Finally, the invention also relates to a device according to claim 8 25 for carrying out the method. This apparatus includes a punching means and means for cutting a filter from an aluminum web, the cutting means also being used to install and weld the filter directly below the bottom wall of the cup under the cutting means, a roasted and ground coffee dispensing and filling station and a welding station for top lid welding.

The machines performing these work steps can be constructed so that the stations are arranged either directly in a row or on a rotating carriage 35.

5,96738

As mentioned above, the cup is moved from one position to the next by a stepped feed system.

On the front of the filter welding means, the device further comprises a system for folding an annular bevel around the top flange of the cup and a system for cleaning the top flange of the cup on the back of the coffee dispensing and filling station. The cleaning is preferably performed by suction or wiping.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows an insert according to the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows another embodiment.

Figure 3 schematically shows a third embodiment.

Figures 4 and 5 schematically show an apparatus for manufacturing capsules according to the invention 20.

The cartridge 1 comprises a cup 2 with a frustoconical wall into which the filter 4 is welded. The extractable, roasted and ground coffee 5 is placed on top of the filter. The cartridge is closed by a lid 3 which forms the upper surface. The upper flange 6 of the cup has an annular ball which pivots downwards, ensuring that the charge remains firmly in the extraction system. The lower surface 7 is not in direct contact with the filter 4 and forms a collection compartment 8 which ensures good extraction of the coffee. The filter 4 is welded to the lower surface 7 from the circumference 9 of the surface 7. The shoulder 10 effectively separates the filter 1 from the surface 7.

Figure 2 shows a cartridge 11 comprising a cup 12, 35 with a truncated elliptical wall and containing ground and roasted coffee 16. The upper flange 13 has an annular, downwardly turned bead 14 which provides 6 96738 impermeability during the extraction of the cartridge. The curved cover 15 is welded to the flange 13.

The filter 19 is welded to the cartridge in the same way as the circumference 18 of the curved lower surface 17, forming a collecting compartment 20, the function of which has already been explained above.

The cartridge shown in Figures 1 and 2 is made of aluminum or plastic. The cartridge shown in Figure 3 is plastic. The cartridge 21 includes a cup 22 with a frustoconical wall. The cup includes an upper flange 23 having a welded lid 24. The roasted and ground coffee 25 rests on a filter 26 which forms an integral part of the cup 22. The lower surface 27 is welded to the filter circumference 28. .

The collection compartment 29 allows good extraction of the charge and the intermediate space 30 in the upper flange 23 ensures good impermeability during the extraction of the charge.

Figures 4 and 5 show an apparatus for making batches. First, the fabrication of filters 32 at station 31, which includes a roll of aluminum foil or plastic film 33 disposed on a drum 35, is described. The rest of the aluminum foil is wound on the capsule 41 in the form of a roll 34 25 after it has passed the return roll 42. around. The station for mounting the filter 32 includes a cup feeder 44 which places the cups on a stepped feed system 45 (not shown), a folding press 46 and its support matrix 47, cutting means 39 - which can also be used as a system for mounting and welding the filter 32 - with its support matrices 48 and finally a piston 50 equipped with a tank 43 and a filter feeder 49.

The machine works as follows:

The input device 44 sets the cups 43 successively stepwise feed system 45. The cup arrives at the support matrix 47 7 35 96 738 which rises in the direction of the arrow 51, while the folding clamp 45 descends in the direction of arrow 52, folding the annular service. I make 53 cups on top. The cup detaches when the folding press 46 returns and the support matrix 47 descends. The cup moves, 5 towards the means 39 for mounting and welding the filter. This is taken into account before the filter 32 is made. The drum 35 aluminum foil 36 to move in the direction of the arrow 54. piercing with needles 55 37 56 rises in the direction of the arrow, while the bores 57 provided with a matrix of 38 to 10 descends in the direction of arrow 58 to pierce the foil 36. In this way, the filter formed from the foil advances to the cutting means 39. The accuracy with which the perforated holes are centered with respect to the cutting means 39 is ensured by a feeding system comprising a detection system known per se based on, for example, a photocell (not shown). The filter is cut off until the instrument 39 descends in the direction of the arrows 59 to 40 in a solid matrix. The cutting means 39 causes the filter to settle, places it in the cup and includes an annular heating system by means of which the filter 20 is welded to the bottom of the cup. After the filter has been cut off, the remainder of the aluminum foil is wound onto the shaft 41. The cup will pass the filter in the device 49 of the piston 50 rises in the direction of the arrow 60.

The system 61 for dispensing coffee (Fig. 5) comprises a channel 62 for supplying roasted and ground coffee, a filling system 63 and a support 64. The station 65 for attaching the lid comprises a welding head 66 and a support 67.

The system operates as follows: The feeder 49 places the cups 43 with its filter 32 on the stepped feed system 68. The support 64 rises as the coffee dispensing system descends and surrounds the cup 35 48. The coffee 69 is dispensed through the channel 62 and the filling or packaging system 63 descends so that the coffee is flush with the top flange of the cup. The filled capsule 8 96738 is removed and arrives at the lid attachment station where it engages between the welding head 66 and the support 67. The lid 71 is welded to the top flange of the capsule by means of an annular heating system 70 of the welding head 66. The batch is then detached 5 and transferred to a packing station for coating.

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Claims (10)

A closed cartridge, designed to be extracted under pressure and containing a substance for the manufacture of a beverage, the cartridge comprising a cup (2), with a substantially frusto-conical lateral wall, one with a ring portion (9) provided lower surface (7) and an upper flange (6), the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the lower surface, an even filter (4) on the ring part (9) of the lower surface (7) and separated from said lower surface surface and a lid (3) welded to the upper flange (6) of the cup, characterized in that the upper flange (6) comprises a downwardly directed annular edge (14), that the filter (4) is welded to the ring part (9) by the lower surface of the cup, and the lower surface is pian and even. 15 Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of aluminum or plastic. Cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the cup is 50-120 µm, when made of aluminum and 300-500 µm, when made of plastic. Cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that its diameter is 2.5 - 6 cm and thickness 10-25 mm. Process for making the cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter (4) is placed and welded to the ring part (9) of the lower surface of the cup 30, the cup is filled with roasted and ground coffee and after filling the lid ( 3) to the upper flange (6) of the cup. 6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the filter (4) is made by punching heels in a movable aluminum or plastic strip, after which the filter is cut from the strip. 96738 1 2 7. A process according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the cup is filled with coffee in a gas atmosphere of nitrogen or CO 2. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any of claims 5-7, characterized in that it comprises a punching tool (37) and a tool (39) for cutting the filter from the aluminum strip, wherein the cutting tool is also used for installing and welding the filter. the annular portion of the cup wall immediately below the cutting tool, a dosing and filling station (61) for the roasted and ground coffee, and a welding station (66) for welding the lid to the upper surface of the cup. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cup is transmitted through a step-by-step system. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises on the front side of the filter welding tool a system (46) for folding the annular edge around the upper flange of the cup.