JP2023506504A - Capsules for preparing beverages, made of aluminum alloy - Google Patents

Abstract

A capsule (1) designed to prepare a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by a beverage machine comprises a cup-shaped body (10) and a closing lid (11) through which the beverage to be dispensed is passed. , the closure lid (11) is sealed to the body (10), and the closure lid (11) has an internal volume with the body (10) for holding beverage preparation raw materials such as ground coffee beans. be defined between. The capsule (1) is made from a series 3xxx aluminum alloy, preferably from aluminum alloy 3004 or 3104. Use to improve the sustainability of capsules for beverage preparation. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to capsules containing food products such as beverage preparation ingredients for the preparation of beverages. In particular, the invention relates to capsules made from metallic materials such as aluminum. More particularly, the present invention relates to single-use capsules made from metallic materials such as aluminum.

The present invention also relates to the use of capsules made from a specific metallic aluminum material to improve the sustainability of single-use capsules for beverage preparation.

It is known to prepare beverages, in particular coffee beverages, by using capsules containing coffee in a serving beverage machine. The capsule has an interior volume in which ground coffee beans are contained and a beverage or drink is produced in the interior volume when water is introduced therein.

Such capsules designed to prepare a beverage upon injection of a liquid into the capsule comprise a cup-shaped body and a closing lid through which the beverage to be dispensed is passed.

A closure lid is sealed to the body to define an interior volume therebetween for holding beverage preparation ingredients such as ground coffee.

Capsules for the preparation of food products such as beverages are widely known on the market. Often these capsules are single use and made from aluminum. Most specifically, these capsules are currently made of aluminum alloys, which themselves are made primarily of primary (virgin) aluminum, with a small percentage of the alloying elements being primary. added to aluminum.

The method of manufacturing aluminum capsules uses a flat lacquered aluminum foil, which is formed into the shape of the capsule using a deep drawing method. This manufacturing method is well known to those skilled in the art.

Even if several types of aluminum capsules exist on the market, all these capsules, in addition to their different shapes, have specific Aluminum grade, alloy 8011A is used.

This particular aluminum alloy allows good performance in formability (easy formation of capsules during the manufacturing process). This particular aluminum alloy is also suitable for capsule pierceability (easy piercing of the capsule) in dispensing beverage machines for injecting liquids into the capsule.

Alloy 8011A is a very pure aluminum alloy with low amounts of alloying elements. It is rather difficult to manufacture such aluminum alloys using recycled pre-consumer scrap resources, which in turn makes it rather difficult to manufacture aluminum capsules using such recycled resources.

Recycled aluminum for alloy 8011A to make capsules is actually available on the market because in most cases the capsules collected after use are mixed with other aluminum scraps of lower purity. not something

In fact, the material obtained as soon as the alloy is mixed can no longer practically be reconverted into the purer aluminum alloys such as 8011A currently required for capsule manufacture.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved capsule that overcomes the drawbacks of prior art solutions.

More specifically, the present invention aims at providing capsules in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner by limiting the amount of material used to manufacture such capsules.

This object is solved by the independent claims. The dependent claims define further preferred embodiments of the invention.

The present invention is a capsule designed to prepare a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by a beverage machine, the capsule comprising a cup-shaped body and a closing lid through which the beverage to be dispensed is passed. , the closure lid is sealed to the body, the closure lid defining between the body and an interior volume for holding beverage preparation ingredients such as ground coffee.

The proposed capsule is made from an aluminum alloy of series 3xxx, preferably from aluminum alloy 3004 or 3104.

Therefore, by changing from the current aluminum alloy 8011A to a series 3xxx aluminum alloy, capsule manufacturing will use aluminum alloys widely used around the world, in particular alloy 3104, which is used for beverage cans.

With this change in materials, a large market for recycled aluminum, especially aluminum recycled from beverage cans, is tapped for the production of beverage capsules.

Another benefit is also to recycle the aluminum recovered from used capsules in the same recycling stream as that of beverage cans, leveraging the existing widespread collection system for aluminum cans.

If the capsule contents (beverage ingredients) are to be separated from the capsule body, existing aluminum collection systems and recycling can be implemented.

All of these benefits improve the sustainability of aluminum capsules by reducing their environmental impact.

In practice, the body of the capsule is provided with side walls and a bottom through which the liquid to be introduced is passed.

Preferably, the thickness of the aluminum alloy at the bottom and sidewalls of the body is comprised between 50 and 100 micrometers, preferably between 60 and 90 micrometers.

Advantageously, the thickness of the aluminum alloy is comprised between 90 and 100 micrometers.

Due to the high strength of series 3xxx aluminum alloys, the aluminum gauge is reduced from the current capsule body thickness of about 100 micrometers to a lower thickness, less than 95 micrometers, preferably less than 90 micrometers. Is possible.

Therefore, by having less deformation of the body or bottom of the capsule to keep the same or better performance in the beverage machine, and to reduce damage during transportation (such as scratches and dents) during product transportation. allows the use of lower aluminum gauges.

This reduces the consumption of aluminum material and reduces the cost and environmental impact of the capsule.

In practice, the thickness of the closing lid is comprised between 20 and 60 micrometers.

Another benefit of increased strength is that there is no need to corrugate or rib the body of the capsule to achieve sufficient stiffness in the capsule when the aluminum gauge is lowered.

The capsule, without corrugations or ribs, has sufficient rigidity to withstand the beverage extraction process during operation in the serving beverage machine and to avoid damage during transportation and distribution of the finished product. .

In one embodiment, the shape of the body is frusto-conical with sloping sidewalls and a dome-shaped bottom. In the proposed embodiment, the current iconic specifications of Nespresso® capsules can be preserved.

In one embodiment, the body includes a flange and the closure lid is sealed to the flange.

Preferably the closure lid is flat.

Thus, the well-known frusto-conical specification of the capsule, with no ribs or corrugations on the body, can be preserved.

In one embodiment, the flange comprises sealing means.

In a further embodiment the sealing means are integrally formed with the flange.

In practice, the body of the capsule is made from a single foil of aluminum alloy, for example by stamping or drawing.

Preferably, the capsule is made from recycled aluminum alloy.

Thus, not only are the aluminum alloys used to manufacture the capsules recyclable, but the capsules can also be manufactured from recycled aluminum alloys.

The sustainability of the overall system of preparation of beverages, especially coffee beverages, from capsules is improved.

Additional features and advantages of the invention are set forth in, and will become apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments set forth below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective side view of a capsule according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. Fig. 3 is a side view of a capsule according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of the capsule according to Figure 2 cooperating with the engagement member of the beverage preparation machine before and after engaging each other; Figure 3 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of the capsule according to Figure 2 cooperating with the engagement member of the beverage preparation machine before and after engaging each other;

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. However, the illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter described herein.

The aspects of the disclosure generally described herein and shown in the figures may be arranged, permuted, combined and designed in a variety of different configurations, All of these are expressly contemplated and readily understood to form part of this disclosure.

In the drawings, similar symbols and reference characters typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the words "comprises," "comprising," and similar words are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean include, but not limited to.

Figure 1 shows a capsule 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The capsule 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 10 and a closing lid 11 .

A closing lid 11 is sealed to the body 10 so that the capsule is completely closed.

The body 10 and the closure lid 11 form an interior volume in which beverage preparation ingredients, in particular coffee, are contained.

The body 10 has a three-dimensional shape. A three-dimensional shape means that the body is "formed" or, in other words, that the body is not flat. The body 10 has the shape of a truncated cone extending around a vertical axis Y of rotation. Body 10 has a bottom 101 and side walls 102 . The sidewalls 102 are slightly slanted with respect to the vertical axis Y of rotation. The tilt angle is less than 45°, preferably less than 30°.

Finally, the capsule 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a frusto-conical shape and has the iconic Nespresso® capsule specification.

In another embodiment, sidewalls 102 may extend substantially perpendicular to bottom 101 .

Here, the bottom 101 has a dome shape. Of course, the bottom 101 may also be flat.

As is known, the bottom 101 may serve as an injection surface during the beverage preparation process, which injection surface may be opened by a dedicated injection member (knife, needle) of the beverage preparation machine.

Body 10 includes a peripheral edge that surrounds side wall 102 and forms flange 103 .

The closing lid 11 is flat. In other words, the closure lid 11 extends substantially in one plane. Closing lid 11 is sealed to flange 103 at the end opposite bottom 101 .

A closing lid 11 is tightly attached to the body 10 to ensure that the capsule 1 is completely sealed. The capsule 1 is impermeable to liquids and moisture. Preferably, the capsule 1 is also impermeable to gases.

The bond between body 10 and closure lid 11 may be obtained by, but not limited to, heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing.

It is also known to provide sealing means on the flange 103 on the side opposite the closing lid in order to obtain an effective fluid tightness between the capsule 1 and the beverage preparation machine during brewing of the beverage. ing.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, flange 103 is provided with a peripheral seal (not shown) located between side wall 102 and flange 103 .

Perimeter seals are in the form of polymer seals such as rubber rings or silicone rings.

Figures 2, 3A and 3B show a capsule according to another embodiment of the invention.

Compared to the first embodiment described herein below, in this second embodiment the capsule 1 is provided with a reinforced integrally formed sealing member, the flange 103 The use of rubber or silicone seals on top is avoided.

In a first embodiment, the capsule 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 10 . The body 10 comprises a bottom 101 and side walls 102 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule 1 further comprises a flange 103 which is preferably arranged at the open end of the body 10 opposite the bottom 101 . A flange 103 extends radially outwardly from sidewall 102 of body 10 . The flange 103 is preferably arranged transversely to the vertical axis of rotation Y of the capsule 1 and has a curled outer edge 103 c at the end of the flange 103 opposite the body 10 .

At the open end of the capsule body 10 a closing lid 11 may be arranged. Closing lid 11 is preferably connected to flange 103 . As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the closure lid 11 is preferably connected to at least one lower annular surface 103b of the flange 103, the surface 103b facing away from the capsule body 10. .

Alternatively, closure lid 11 may be connected to body 10 or to both body 10 and flange 103 .

Flange 103 includes an integrally formed sealing member 104 located on an upper annular surface 103 a of flange 103 . The annular surface 103a is arranged opposite the surface 103b to which the closing lid 11 is connected. The annular surface 103a thus faces away from the open end of the body 10 of the capsule 1 .

A sealing member 104 is arranged between the capsule body 10 and the flange 103 . Sealing member 104 comprises a dedicated surface 104 located at the junction between side wall 102 of body 10 and flange 103 .

In this embodiment, dedicated surface 104 comprises a step 104a extending from side wall 102 above flange 103, step 104a being substantially parallel to the flange orientation. The step 104a is integrally formed with the flange 103 and the body 10. As shown in FIG. This means that the step 104a is made from the same material as the flange-like rim 103 and the body 10. FIG.

In this embodiment, the cup-shaped body 10, the flange 103 and the sealing member 104 are integrally formed, i.e. formed by one single part made from the same material. Thus, the cup-shaped body 10, the flange 103 and the sealing member 104 can be manufactured from the same material by conventional forming methods. In particular, the body 10, the flange 103 and the integrally formed sealing member 104 may be formed by a deep drawing method. The deep drawing process may require two or more deep drawing steps to properly form the body and sealing member of the capsule from a flat piece of material, preferably a metal sheet.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the step 104a is arranged to engage the sealing surface 21a of the capsule engaging member 21 of the beverage preparation machine (entire machine, not shown, engaging surface 21a). 21 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B).

As is known, a beverage preparation machine feeds a heated and/or pressurized liquid into a capsule to prepare a beverage by interaction of the liquid with ingredients held within the capsule. Designed.

The beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a pump, heating and/or cooling means, a liquid supply such as a water tank and/or a beverage brewing chamber for selectively receiving capsules for preparing a beverage from the capsules.

The brewing chamber comprises a capsule engaging member, which is designed to accommodate the capsule, in particular the capsule body, when the capsule is provided/introduced into the machine.

During the brewing process, the engagement member 21 of the beverage preparation machine is engaged with the capsule 1, as shown in Figures 3A and 3b. The engagement member 21 preferably comprises an essentially hollow bell-shaped engagement member for receiving the capsule body 10 therein. When the capsule 1 is placed in the beverage preparation machine, the engaging member 21 is lowered onto the capsule 1 by a dedicated closing force.

Engagement member 21 comprises a sealing profile having a plurality of sealing surfaces 21a, 21b and 21c. The sealing surface is located on the inner portion of the engagement member 21 on the portion of the engagement member 21 that contacts the capsule 1 . The sealing surface may be, for example, in the form of an annular lower surface with rounded inner and outer peripheral edges, a flat surface which in use is parallel to the side wall 102 of the capsule.

Figures 3A and 3B show partial enlarged side cross-sectional views of embodiments of the sealing member 104 and the beverage preparation machine engagement member 21 before and during engagement with each other.

In particular, annular sealing surface 21a engages step 104a when engaging member 21 is lowered onto sealing member 104 from the position shown in FIG. 3A by a closing force.

As a result of the force applied on the sealing member 104 in the overlapping region between the engaging member 21 and the sealing member 104, the step 104a of the sealing member 104 plastically deforms during said engagement.

Plastic deformation is
by the clamping system when the coffee machine is closed by the engagement member 21 and by hydraulic pressure on the capsule through the engagement member 21 during the brewing process;
Due to the force applied.

The step 104a then conforms closely to the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c of the engaging member 21, so that during the extraction process the surface of the flange 103 will not (seal) over the overlapping area. conforms to the shape of the sealing profile (having stop surfaces 21a, 21b and 21c).

FIG. 3B illustrates this close conformation between the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c and the flange 103 that occurs during use. Step 104 a and flange 103 are deformed to provide a conforming structure for sealing member 21 .

This structure matching the sealing member 21 provides an effective fluid tightness between the capsule 1 and the beverage preparation machine.

The seal between the capsule flange 103 and the engagement member 21 is increased by the deformed flange 103 conforming to the shape corresponding to the sealing surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c.

Thus, when used in a beverage preparation machine, the sealing member 104 plastically deforms such that the capsule 1 has a flange 103 with a new profile corresponding to the shape of the sealing profile of the capsule engaging member 21. . The new profile provides an effective seal between flange 103 and the sealing member of engagement member 21 .

The capsule according to this second embodiment is made from a single unitary piece and is therefore an efficient, reliable and durable seal made by omitting additional materials such as rubber. It enables a stop structure.

Of course, other embodiments of capsules may also be contemplated.

A system in which such a capsule and beverage preparation machine are integrated operates as follows for the preparation of a single beverage, eg coffee. The capsule 1 is placed in the beverage preparation machine and the capsule engaging member 21 contacts the capsule 1 when the beverage preparation machine is closed. The capsule is pierced in the bottom 101 by a piercing means (injection needle or blade or knife, not shown) so that a fluid such as water (hot or cold) under pressure can enter the capsule 1 through the bottom 101 . can be opened. The water wets the coffee contained inside the capsule and extracts the desired substances to form the coffee beverage.

During the supply of water under pressure to the capsule, the increase in pressure ruptures the closure lid 11 (e.g. by pressing the closure lid 11 onto some cover piercing means) and the coffee beverage is transferred from the capsule to the cup. coffee beverage emissions. Beverage is thus dispensed through the closure lid 11 .

The beverage preparation ingredients provided in the capsule are preferably roasted coffee grounds, tea, instant coffee, mixtures of roasted ground coffee grounds and instant coffee, syrup concentrates, fruit extract concentrates, chocolate products, milk. It is selected from the group consisting of base product or any other dehydrated edible material such as dehydrated stock. The liquid used for beverage preparation is preferably water at any temperature.

The present invention aims at providing a capsule for beverage ingredients as described above, which capsule is recyclable and can be made from recycled materials.

The capsule is therefore made from an aluminum alloy of series 3xxx according to standard DIN EN 573-3.

Preferably, the entire capsule, body 10 and closing lid 11, are made from aluminum alloy 3004 or 3104.

For example, the body 10 is made from a single foil of aluminum alloy and the closure lid 11 is made from the same material used to manufacture the body 10 of the capsule 1 .

According to standard DIN EN 573-3, aluminum alloys of series 3xxx are alloys with manganese as main alloying element.

Preferably, the capsule is made from aluminum alloy 3104, which is widely used for manufacturing beverage cans.

Aluminum alloy 3104 is used for the bodies of beverage cans, for example for beer and soft drinks.

By using common aluminum alloys in beverage cans, it is possible to source recycled aluminum for capsule manufacturing.

The capsule (body and closure lid) can thus be made from recycled aluminum alloys.

This also allows aluminum to be recycled from used capsules in the same stream used for beverage cans.

Therefore, the used capsules can be collected by the same collection system for metal products, and if the beverage ingredients (e.g. coffee) are separated from the capsules first, they can be sorted and recycled in the same manner as is done with beverage cans. obtain.

Aluminum alloy 3104 also has higher strength than alloy 8011A.

It is therefore possible to reduce the thickness of the aluminum alloys used to manufacture the capsules below the 100 micrometers typical thickness of standard capsules made of alloy 8011A.

Even with this reduced gauge, the capsules have sufficient rigidity to have good mechanical performance during use in beverage preparation machines and during transportation and distribution of the capsules.

At this most important point, a comparative study was conducted to verify product resistance during transport.

The resistance of the capsules comprises a single packaging unit corresponding to a consumer unit (e.g. a sleeve with 10 aligned capsules) and a plurality of single packaging units for transport, e.g. on pallets. Transport can be tested both in the grouping box of

One common test is, for example, a drop test that simulates shipping by mail. A drop test consists of dropping a single packaging unit from a predetermined height multiple times in different orientations and inspecting the shape of the capsule for damage after the drop.

The predetermined height can be comprised between 600 and 800 mm, for example.

Comparative drop tests on standard and novel capsules were performed as follows.

Standard capsule: aluminum alloy 8011A with a thickness of 100 micrometers.

New capsule: aluminum alloy 3104 with a thickness of 90 micrometers.

One sleeve with 10 standard capsules and one sleeve with 10 new capsules were dropped seven times with a drop height of 610 mm. The sleeve did not open or modify during the series of seven drops.

For each drop, a different orientation of the sleeve is chosen, and a specific face (sleeve side, sleeve end face), or a specific corner or edge is selected before dropping the sleeve from a given height to the ground. Orient to face the ground.

The same series of drops was performed on a sleeve with 10 standard capsules and a sleeve with 10 new capsules.

After a series of drops, the capsules are removed from their respective sleeves and inspected for damage to the bottom and sidewalls of each capsule.

Injuries can be classified into three categories.
No damage Low damage (less than 3 mm deformation)
High damage (deformation greater than 3mm)

The results are as follows.

Thus, especially with respect to damage in the capsule wall, the new capsule in aluminum alloy 3104 has a thickness limited to 90 micrometers, whereas the standard in aluminum alloy 8011A with a thickness of 100 micrometers Less susceptible to transport damage in the sleeve than in the capsule.

Preferably, the thickness of the aluminum alloy in the side walls 102 and the bottom 101 of the body 10 of the capsule 1 can be comprised between 50 and 95 micrometers, preferably between 60 and 90 micrometers.

Most preferably, the aluminum alloy has a thickness between 90 and 100 micrometers.

The aluminum alloy is also covered by a lacquer that forms an outer layer on the body of the capsule. The lacquer thickness is comprised between 5 and 15 micrometers.

Closing lid 11 is also made of aluminum alloy 3104 and comprises a thickness between 20 and 60 micrometers.

Also, the mechanical performance of the new capsule during extraction in the beverage preparation machine is the same as or even better than that of the standard capsule made of aluminum alloy 8011A.

Due to the increased stiffness, more force is required for the new capsule to plastically deform like the standard capsule made of aluminum alloy 8011A.

結論として、新規のカプセルの底部に飲料マシンのナイフによって穴があけられたときに、ナイフによって形成された穴の周りの底部の変形が、標準カプセルと比較して低減される。 A comparative example of the compressive force required to deform the capsule bottom is presented below.

In conclusion, when the bottom of the novel capsule is pierced by the knife of the beverage machine, the deformation of the bottom around the hole made by the knife is reduced compared to the standard capsule.

Other things being equal, the height of the capsule is then maintained and the knife can be introduced deeper into the capsule through the bottom. The hole punched by the knife may be larger, facilitating the introduction of water into the capsule during brewing of the beverage.

Thus, the use of series 3xxx aluminum alloys, such as 3004 or 3014, maintains capsule stiffness without the need to introduce corrugations on the capsule surface, even when the gauge is lowered, thus preserving the shape and specifications of the capsule. make it possible.

Without corrugations or ribs, the capsule can retain its frusto-conical shape with a dome-shaped bottom and sloped smooth side walls.

Thus, the current image and specifications of the capsule can be maintained unchanged without ribs or corrugations on the body sidewalls or bottom.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (13)

A capsule designed to prepare a beverage upon injection of a liquid into the capsule by a beverage machine, said capsule (1) comprising a cup-shaped body (10) and a closing lid through which the beverage to be dispensed is passed. (11), said closure lid (11) being sealed to said body (10), said closure lid (11) having an internal volume for holding beverage preparation ingredients such as ground coffee beans. A capsule defining a portion between said body (10), characterized in that said capsule (1) is made from an aluminum alloy of series 3xxx, preferably from an aluminum alloy 3004 or 3104. Capsule to be. The body (10) of the capsule is provided with a side wall (102) and a bottom (101) through which liquid to be introduced passes, and the bottom (101) of the body (10) and the side wall Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the aluminum alloy at (102) is comprised between 50 and 100 micrometers, preferably between 60 and 90 micrometers. Capsule according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the aluminum alloy is comprised between 90 and 100 micrometers. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the closure lid (11) is comprised between 20 and 60 micrometers. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the body (10) is frusto-conical with sloping side walls (102) and a dome-shaped bottom (101). Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (10) comprises a flange (103) and the closure lid (11) is sealed to the flange (103). 7. Capsule according to claim 6, wherein the flange comprises sealing means. Capsule according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sealing means are made of a peripheral seal in the form of a polymer seal located between the side wall (102) and the flange (103). Capsule according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said flange (103) comprises integrally formed sealing means (104). Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure lid (11) is flat. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (10) is made from a single foil of an aluminum alloy. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule (11) is made from recycled aluminum alloy. Use of a capsule according to any one of claims 1-12 for improving the sustainability of single-use capsules for beverage preparation.

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