FR2566749A1 - DISPOSABLE SINGLE PACK FOR GROUND COFFEE HAVING FILTER AND CUP ADAPTER - Google Patents

Abstract

Device allowing the packaging of ground coffee in individual doses and allowing the instant preparation of the latter. The invention relates to a device allowing the retention under partial vacuum of a quantity of ground coffee whose value is that required for a standard cup, the same object, designed as a miniature coffee maker, allows instant preparation. It is constituted by a cylinder 1 containing the coffee grindings and provided with filters 4 and 5 and with caps 6 and 7 ensuring the retention of the coffee, surmounted by a cylinder 2 intended to receive boiling water. The assembly is held on a cup by means of an adapter 3. The user removes the caps, pours in the boiling water, the coffee passes through and infuses.

Description

 The present invention relates to a disposable device for packaging an individual dose of ground coffee. It allows the simple and instant preparation of a cup of coffee.

 The preparation of individual new coffee is traditionally carried out either with the aid of a percolator, or with the aid of individual metal filters, or even with the aid of a coffee maker, the latter functioning optimally only for several cups. In the three aforementioned cases the preparation of coffee requires, in addition to the dosage of ingredients to have a certain amount of material (more or less cumbersome) within reach. When you want to brew only one cup of coffee, you most often use instant coffee.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks. It has the advantage of being able to taste real ground coffee with only boiling water and a cup. In addition, there is little and a prolonged conservation of the same weight of coffee because this device ensures the conservation of an individual dose under partial vacuum. An ordinary packet of coffee already opened tends to become stale and therefore to lose its arore. Due to its presentation, this packaging can be easily taken away (workplace, picnic, travel). It also offers the possibility of diversifying the aromas and characteristics of the coffee for each guest at the same table. It can therefore be used in communities as well as in catering services (cafeteria, railroad, airplanes, bateawY) improving the possibilities of choice. Its particularity being to be disposable it covers a hygienic character.

 Figure 1 plate 1/7 shows the device in its overall appearance. This device is made up of two parts to be assembled with a simple gesture. I1 comprises (Figure 2 - Plate 1) an adapter (3) for cup which supports and maintains the basic body of the device. The latter consists essentially of cylinders 1 and 2 (plate 1/7 - Figures 2 and 3).

The connection with the adapter (3) is shown in Figures 3 (plate 1/7) and 9 (plate 4/7 - profile 18).

 Figure 3 - plate 1/7 shows the device in section.

 Figure 4 - plate 2/7 shows an exploded view of the body of the device (cylinders 1 and 2).

 The lower cylinder (1) contains the dose of coffee inserted between two sheets of filter paper. The lower sheet (4) is placed on the same curved bottom urging a rim (8) and is held in place by the weight of the coffee. The bottom is pierced at its center and fitted with ribs (Figure 3 - plate 1/7 section B) ensuring the drainage of the liquid. Figure 11 - plan che 5/7 represents this bottom in plan. The upper filter sheet (5) is welded to a flange (9) provided for this purpose. Its purpose is to detach the ground from rising to the surface of the water. The partial vacuum preservation device consists of drux capsules (6 and 7) of plasticized aluminum, welded to the flanges 10 and 11 which are intended for them.

The upper cylinder (2) constitutes the water tank. Its volume corresponds to 3/4 of the capacity of a standard coffee cup. This avoids any risk of overflow. 0
This device can be produced in plastic, either by injection (matrix and counterpart) or by thermoforming (on matrix only) by blowing or by vacuum.

 According to a preferred embodiment relating to a more rational packaging method, this packaging can be structured differently.

1, Plate 3/7 presents the variant according to which the device is formed of three parts, the body (2 'figure 7) and the adapter (3) figure 8) form a permanent device
(IsAPI) on which a removable cartridge (the) is fitted figure 5). FIG. 5 also represents the segment (13) of truncated thoracic shape whose function is to provide a
watertight contact between the two parts (1 'es 2') o
2) This second cartridge can be the subject of a second model (l ") - plate 3/7 - figure 6) based on the prin
conical filter pipe of common coffee makers.
Figures 11 and 12 show the cartridges 1 'and 1 "in plan and section. The principle of the cartridge 1' is similar to the basic principle. The cartridge 1" is provided with edges (25) ensuring the drainage of the liquid between the filter
and the wall,
FIG. 21 - plate 7 represents the positioning of the filter (31) in the cartridge. A segment (26) of conical shape is intended to receive the upper edge of the filter (31).

 These two parts being welded they force the water to pass through the grind. The necessary filter must be made up as shown in Figure 23 on page 7/7. This one shows a recto / verso collage (33) for the side of the filter and a recto / verso collage (34) for the rtte.

FIG. 22 shows on the filter (31) a recto / verso bonding which, being folded against the filter could present risks of leakage at the level of the zone F, given the need for a weld (26 ′) against the segment (26) figure 21.

 3) The mode of assembly of the cartridges (1 'and I ") with the body (2') can be modified. The segment (13) of the cartridges can be replaced on the cartridge l 'by a cylindroconical segment (12). On the cartridge 1 "by a cylindrical segment (14) shown in Figures 11 and 12 - plate 5/7.

The 2 "cOrps has a contact point (16) with a truncated theoretical profile (figure 9 and 10 - plate 4/7). Figures 9 and 10 describe the shape and contact relationships between the different joining of the constituent elements of the device.

The partial vacuum preservation system (plate 6/7). Figure (13) shows the cartridge 1 'with the preservation system comprising plasticized aluminum capsules (6 and 7), hermetically welded on flanges (10 and 11). This system, similar to that of the basic device, is also suitable for the 1 "cartridge, the capsule (6) of which then corresponds to the shape and dimensions of the flange 10n (fig. 12 plate 5 / 7.Figure 14: according to one embodiment preferential of the hernétise with regard to the vacuum, the cartridges 1 'and 1 "can be provided with an appendix (28)
This one is then melted and pinched thus ensuring the hermetic closure of the cartridge. It is then weakened at point (29> (Figures 14 and 15). Rn addition it forms on its point a grip (30) which has the function of allowing to turn the appendage previously weakened, in order to break it.

This results in the appearance of an orifice (27) (Figure ll plate 5/7. This embodiment can also be attributed to the cartridge 1 "(Figure 16).

It is important to emphasize that the choice of filters depends on the texture of the grind and the opacity or clarity of the coffee desired. The paper filters make crystal clear coffee. The filters formed from a sheet perforated by a grid of 0.7 mm diameter holes produce more opaque coffee. This sheet can be made of aluminum or polystyrene (4.4A, 4C, 5 - figures 17, 18 and 20 - plate 7/7)
In Figure 19 the bottom (4B) is perforated with a frame of holes.

Figure 23, the filter (31) can be made of polystirene.

 Assembly of the body 2 'with the adapter - 3. Figures 9 and 10 represent the different possibilities of joining by the following modifications - on the adapter (figure 9 - profile 3') the element i8 is modified in 19 . (3 "profile) the element 18 is changed to 22 - on the body (2 ') the point (17) is changed to (20) and (21), fitting the profile (3") into a point 22.

Claims (7)

lREVzNDICATIOtTS  1) Disposable device for the individual packaging of ground coffee, made of thermoformed polystirene on a single matrix, allowing the simple and instant preparation of a cup of coffee (standard model). This device is characterized in that it is the equivalent of a coffee maker produced inexpensively and in that it comprises a filter box 1, provided with filters 4 and 5, coffee conservation capsules (6 and 7) which maintain a partial vacuum. This case is surmounted by a reservoir 2, the assembly being completed by an adapter for cup 3  2) Device according to the claim characterized in that the filter housing (l) constitutes a removable and interchangeable element, it is provided with a segment (13) ensuring a flexible and waterproof connection with the fin (15) of the body (2 '), which forms with the adapter (3) and (3') the permanent apparatus: ("Ap"); the joining being provided by the ridge (17) adapting to the profiles (18) and (19).  3) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower filter (31) modifying the external appearance, this filter is conical (l ")  4) Device according to claims 2 and 7 characterized in that the securing segments (12) and (14), ctlin-dro-conical ensure the securing with the area (16) of the body (2 ') 5) Device according to one que'quenque of the preceding claims; characterized in that the capsule (6) is replaced REV-NDICAXIONS  çée by a self-breaking appendix (28) (29) by which we practice the vacuum Dartiel  6) Device according to claims 1 to 5 characterized in that qugil relates to the embodiment of the filters (4) (5) and (31); according to a preferred manufacturing method and according to a concern for adaptation to the different grinds, these filters can be produced in perforated films of different materials suitable for the unalteration of coffee, such as: polyester, plastic, plasticized aluminum , paper, shown, with regard to filters (4) and (5) plate 7 fig. 20 (4C). As regards the conical filter (31): fig. 23 plate 7. These same filters, lower ( 4) and conical (31) can be made by thermoforming of polystirene and then perforated; shown i as regards the filter (31): plate 7bis figo24, and as regards the filter (4) figol8 (4A); in this case the bottom of the cylinders (1) and (2 ') according to claims 1 and 2 can be flat and perforated, shown in fig. 19 (4B)  7) device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized with regard to the variation of the principle of securing the bodies (1-2) or (2 ') with the adapter (3), relating to formal questions as to the emotional relationship to the object: the noise it produces at the time of joining and depending on the choice of possible or not decoupling; the basic device presents the adapter (3) provided with fins (fi 9 detail (18) receiving the body (1) or (2 ') offering an easy desoliarization and producing a noise of the clictO type According to the choice of a reinforcement of the concept "disposable" the adapter (3) can be provided with a narrower housing and without fins therefore without possibility of play, represented (3 ') fig.9 detail (19) in which is wedged the end (17) fig.9 of the bodies 1 or 2 ', the separation becoming dangerous it offers many risks of damaging the bodies (l) or (2'). The connection can be ensured by the sole contribution of the weight of the body (2 ′) on the adapter (3 "), these being provided with truncated segments (20) and (22) fiv. 10. According to the adapter (3 ") fig.10, the body (2 ') can between provided with a cylindrical segment (21) fig.10 getting stuck in the adapter and ensuring a very stable connection.