JP2023524831A - potion capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, the portion capsule (1) comprises a base element (2), eg a cup, having a capsule base (4) and a circumferential side wall (3). A cover element (8) is attached to the base element (2) and together forms an interior space (7) having an extraction material area filled with extraction material. A filter element (11) is arranged in the interior space (7). Said element separates the extraction material area from the capsule base or capsule cover formed by the cover element. The filter element (11) is made of an open-pored foam material.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of systems for preparing beverages by means of liquids introduced into beverage capsules. The present invention particularly relates to portion capsules containing extraction material or extracts from which beverages or beverage ingredients can be prepared by injecting water.

Among the systems for preparing beverages, so-called coffee capsule systems are known (there are also variants for preparing tea), generally for preparing coffee or tea beverages by extraction, typically Hot water is introduced into the capsule under pressure. To introduce hot water, the capsule is often punctured on one side (the injection side). Various possibilities are known for expelling the brewed beverage, generally on the other side of the capsule (brewing side). One is a system in which perforations with corresponding perforation spikes are provided on the extraction side. Alternatively, systems are known in which the boundary of the capsule on the brewing side is pierced or torn by the internal pressure during the brewing process, and for this purpose a present) or means inside the capsule. Finally, there are already opened capsules that do not require puncturing or tearing the capsule wall or membrane to expel the beverage.

In order, inter alia, to prevent the ground coffee (or tea leaves) from entering the brewed beverage in an undesired manner, the brewing material area is separated from the joint area and liquid is removed in a suitable manner, for example by providing a plurality of filter openings. Capsules are known in which a filter element that is permeable to is placed inside the capsule.

Examples of portion capsules with such filter elements can be found, for example, in EP 1 344 722 and WO 2010/085824.

Disadvantages of portion capsules with filter elements according to the prior art are that said capsules are generally manufactured as injection molded parts and are therefore rather complicated to manufacture, require large amounts of polymeric material, and are disadvantageous in terms of energy consumption in manufacturing and the weight of the capsules. It is important to have a positive impact. Said capsule also introduces a certain complexity to the capsule design. For example, the joint product area must generally be implemented to receive the piercing tip of the beverage preparation machine on the extraction side without being damaged by the tip hitting the filter element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a portion capsule with a filter element and a method for manufacturing the same. Portion capsules, especially filter elements, should be inexpensive, easy to manufacture and environmentally friendly.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portion capsule comprises a base element, such as a cup, having a capsule base and a circumferential side wall. The cover element is attached to the base element and together forms an interior space with an extraction material area filled with extraction material. A filter element is arranged in the interior space. Said element separates the extraction material area from the capsule base or capsule cover formed by the cover element. The filter element is formed of an open-pored foam material.

An open-pored or open-celled foamed material here refers to a foamed material in which the walls between the pores are not at least partially completely closed, so that the foamed material can receive and release liquids. In addition to open cells, the presence of closed cells is not thereby excluded.

The foam material can be open-pored polypropylene (PP) plastic. Open-pored PP foams are known, for example, from EP 1 479 716, EP 1 625 174 and EP 2 233 516. Open-pored PP foam has been found to be particularly well suited for use as filter elements in beverage portion capsules, as it is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight, heat resistant and recyclable. EP 2233516 further discloses an approach for making such foams biodegradable.

In a further group of embodiments, the open-pored foam material is made from bioplastic. So-called bioplastics have already been discussed as materials for beverage capsules. Plastics produced from renewable resources are called bioplastics (so-called bio-based plastics). Bioplastics are also biodegradable plastics (so-called biodegradable plastics). For example, biodegradable plastics for applications in the food industry, which partially comprise biobased plastics, are known.

As used herein, "biodegradable" means biologically degradable according to standard EN 13432 (version: end of 2019) and "bio-based" is "made from renewable resources rather than fossil-based." means

The material of the open-pored foam material may in particular be biodegradable. It has been found that the biodegradability of foamed materials made from biodegradable polymers is particularly good and advantageous. Open-pore foam materials have a particularly large surface area. The organisms responsible for biodegradation (composting) can correspondingly operate over a larger surface area per decomposition volume and are more readily able to supply oxygen, so the process is prior art. is more efficient than filtering by Embodiments of filter elements made of biodegradable plastic are therefore particularly advantageous and preferred for embodiments.

In one group of embodiments, the material from which the foamed material is made (such as PP or bioplastic) may be the same as the material of the base element and/or the capsule cover. Said combination has great advantages for recycling.

Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous if the base element and/or the cover element and the filter element are each made of biodegradable plastic (not necessarily the same material). Said combination is also particularly advantageous with respect to good recyclability.

Manufacture of the filter element can be particularly simple. The effectiveness of the filter element utilizes the circumstance that it suffices for said element to be in area contact with the capsule base or capsule cover radially outwardly. During the extraction process, the filter element is lightly pressed against the capsule base or capsule cover due to the hydraulic pressure inside the capsule, so that said element has a sealing effect. A very precise match of the shape and orientation of the filter element to the capsule shape is not required for this purpose.

In some embodiments, the filter element can be manufactured such that strands made of expanded plastic are used and cut into slices. The slice thickness corresponds to the filter element thickness. Each slice then forms a filter element. Said manufacturing method is particularly advantageous and efficient. If the capsule has a conventional cup shape that is substantially symmetrical about the axis, the strands may be circular in cross-section. The strands may also have a substantially rectangular cross-section, for example if the capsule has a shape with a rectangular cross-section, or said strands may have a different cross-sectional shape substantially adapted to the capsule shape.

Strands for producing filter elements can in particular be produced by foam extrusion. Foam extrusion is a process applicable to a range of known plastics, including bioplastics.

The filter element can in some embodiments be attached to the capsule base or capsule cover, for example by welding or a suitable adhesive. In other embodiments, the filter element can simply be placed within the base element or cover and retained within the capsule without adhesive. The extraction material thereby prevents the filter element from shifting from its provided position within the capsule during storage and transport.

With the method according to the invention, in addition to the brewing material area, a joint product area, separated from the brewing material area by a filter element, into which the beverage flows and into which said beverage is discharged, is provided in the capsule, as provided in the prior art. Does not need to be implemented internally. Rather, the perforated design allows the filter element itself to have a dual function in that the element not only forms the filter but also forms the bonded product area itself. Direct contact between the filter element and the capsule base or potentially the capsule cover is thus possible.

The invention further relates to a brewing system comprising a capsule of the kind described above and a beverage preparation machine comprising a brewing module in which the capsule is fitted. The beverage preparation machine comprises, in a manner known per se, a water tank or water inlet line, water heating means, a pump and a beverage outlet. The extraction module comprises, for example, a puncturing device on the injection side and a capsule puncturing and/or scoring device on the extraction side. The pump is arranged to pump water heated by the water heating means from the injection side to the extraction module and thus to the capsule. The brewing material is discharged from the brewing side of the capsule and from there reaches the beverage outlet. The extraction module and capsule shape can be matched to each other such that the filter element is on the extraction side of the capsule.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion capsule with a filter element and a puncture device on each of the injection and extraction sides; FIG. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative portion capsule; 1 is a schematic diagram of a foam strand for manufacturing a filter element; FIG.

The same reference numbers in the figures indicate the same or similar elements.
The capsule 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a base element in the form of a cup 2 (eg having an axis 20 about which the cup is substantially rotationally symmetrical) and a cover element 8 attached thereto along a circumferential flange 5. . The base element forms the capsule base 4 and the circumferential side wall 3 and together with the cover 9 formed by the cover element 8 forms the outer capsule wall and defines the capsule interior 7 .

The cup and cover can be made of plastic, for example polypropylene (PP), in a manner known per se. However, the invention is also applicable to capsules made of other materials such as aluminum or paper. The cover is also attached to the cup in known ways, for example by ultrasonic welding, thermal methods, or potentially by gluing.

Instead of conventional plastics, the cup and/or cover can also be made from bioplastics such as Ecovio from BASF, a compound made from biodegradable polyester (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) and polylactide.

A filter element 2 made of open-pored (open-celled) foam material is present in the capsule interior space. Said filter element can be made, for example, of expanded polypropylene or expanded bioplastic. Said filter element can simply be placed in the cup and held only by the brewing material, eg ground coffee, to fill the capsule interior space. However, the filter element can also be welded or glued or otherwise attached to the capsule base.

The material of the filter element is foam material. The material composition can be the same as that of the capsule cup and/or cover element.

FIG. 1 also schematically shows an injection-side lancing device 21 having an injection-side lancing tip 22 and an extraction-side lancing device 23 having an extraction-side lancing tip 24 . Said lancing devices 21, 23 (each having at least one lancing tip 22, 24) are present in the brewing module of the beverage preparation machine. Said puncture device serves, as is known per se, to puncture the capsule before and/or during extraction, so that water can be introduced into the capsule on the injection side and extraction material can be extracted. can be ejected from the capsule on the side. Systems are known in which liquid is delivered through the piercing tip, and systems are known in which the piercing tip simply pierces and the liquid passes through the piercing tip and into or out of the capsule. ing. Instead of a system with a piercing tip, a system in which the capsule is ripped on the extraction side or the capsule is already provided with an opening prior to the extraction process and is e.g. covered or potentially covered with a removable film. Systems that do not are also known. The principle of operation of the present invention is independent of how the liquid openings are created.

In the example of embodiment shown, the liquid is introduced into the capsule from the cover side (top in FIG. 1) and is discharged from the capsule through the capsule base 4, the filter element being on the side of the capsule base. However, the reverse configuration (introduction through the capsule base, exit through the capsule cover, etc.) is also possible and also has filter elements on each of the two sides, as is also implemented in the embodiments described below. Configurations are also possible.

Due to the flexibility of the foam material, the filter element 11 need not include any specific alterations in the location of contact with the corresponding piercing tip 24 . The filter element may have some deflection and/or perforation at the tip, depending on the design of the tip.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment. Said embodiment differs from that of FIG. 1 by the following features.
- the shape of the capsule is not rotationally symmetrical about the axis 20, but rather the shape is for example as described in WO 2015/096989 and has a substantially rectangular, in particular square cross-section; have
- The cover element is not implemented as a film or plate, but as a three-dimensionally shaped element, for example by injection molding or deep drawing. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the cover element is dome-shaped so that said element forms part of the circumferential side wall, as also described in WO 2015/096989. The actual capsule cover 9 is thus offset axially outwardly from the flange 5 .
- The filter element is placed on the capsule cover and not on the capsule base. Thus, the capsule can, but need not, be adapted to the brewing chamber such that liquid is introduced through the capsule base and discharged through the capsule cover.

Said features can be implemented independently of each other and in combination. That is, the filter element can also be placed on the capsule cover for a capsule shape with a circular cross section, the three-dimensional shaped cover can also be combined with a circular cross section and/or the filter element can be placed on the capsule base. It can also be combined with

It is also possible to apply one filter element each to both the capsule cover and the capsule base. This is particularly advantageous for embodiments in which it is possible to discharge the extraction material not only on the extraction side but also on the injection side, which should be prevented.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the manufacture of the filter element A strand 30 made of extruded foam material is cut into slices to form the filter element 11 .

Claims (11)

A portion capsule (1), a base element (2) having a capsule base (4) and a circumferential side wall (3), and a brewing material attached to said base element (2) and filled therewith with brewing material a cover element (8) forming an interior space (7) having an area, and a cover element (8) positioned within said interior space and separating said extraction material area from said capsule base or capsule cover (9) formed by said cover element. A portion capsule (1) comprising a filter element (11), characterized in that said filter element (11) is made of an open-pored foam material. A portion according to claim 1, wherein said base element forms a circumferential flange (5) and said cover element (8) is attached to said base element (2) along said circumferential flange (5). capsule. Portion capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said foam material is open-pored polypropylene (PP) plastic. A portion capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said foam material is biodegradable. Portion capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (2) and/or the cover element (8) are made of biodegradable plastic. Portion capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material composition of the foam material corresponds to the material composition of the base element (2) and/or the cover element (8). Portion capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (11) is in direct contact with the capsule base (4) or the cover element (8). Any preceding claim, wherein the filter element is manufactured by cutting a strand (30) made of the foam material into slices, the filter element (11) being one of said slices. Portion capsule according to item 1. a filter element is produced by cutting a strand (30) made of foam material into slices, one of said slices being placed in said base element (2) as said filter element (11), or 9. A method of manufacturing a portion capsule according to claim 8, wherein said cover element is attached to said base element, said base element is filled with said brewing material, and said cover element is then attached to said base element. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said strands are manufactured by foam extrusion. 11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the same material used for the base element (2) and/or the cover element (8) is used as material for the strands (30).

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