JP2690207B2 - Sealed package - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealed package containing one or more powder, paste or liquid comestible preparation ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the said package comprising a compartment (2) containing the said one or more comestible preparation ingredients, an inlet (12) which communicates with the said compartment and an outlet (3) which communicates with the said compartment the package being provided with control means (8) to prevent the ingress of the powder, paste or liquid ingredient or ingredients into the outlet from the compartment containing the ingredients prior to the preparation of a comestible from the said ingredients. <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a package for holding food products, in particular a hermetically sealed container which holds one or more ingredients which make up a food product, preferably a beverage, which is made of a substantially air and water impermeable material. Regarding packaging.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has previously been proposed to seal beverage making ingredients within individual air impermeable packages. For example, there are known cartridges or capsules that hold ground and compressed coffee used in some coffee making machines commonly referred to as "esprosso" machines. When using these coffee making machines to add coffee, the coffee cartridge is placed in the brewing chamber and generally hot water is passed through the cartridge under pressure, which extracts the aromatic savory ingredients from the ground coffee and makes the coffee beverage. make.

Cartridges for holding broth and ground coffee are also known, in which hot water flows under gravity through the cartridge through its interior. Such a general type of cartridge is described in British Patent No. 1397116.

European patent application No. 87311325.2 by the applicant
The publication describes a package containing at least one beverage-making ingredient, for example roasted and ground coffee. In a preferred embodiment, the package is a compartment formed of a substantially air and water impermeable material to hold a beverage ingredient, and
A sealed body having an outlet passage is provided, the compartments and outlet passage working together in a manner such that, in use, the beverage is filtered, thereby eliminating the need for an external filter.

In European Patent Application No. 87311325.2, a method of making a beverage is provided, in which a package holding the beverage is positioned at a brewing station, and water is introduced into the package through a water introducing means. A method is described which comprises allowing water to mix with the ingredients of the beverage and collecting the beverage thus formed through an outlet formed in the package.

Beverage packages such as those described in European Patent Application No. 8731125.2 are intended primarily for use with beverage making machines which automatically or semi-automatically handle the packages. A machine of this type is described in the applicant's European patent application No. 89302708.6.

[0007]

The packaging carries one or more powdered beverage making ingredients such as brewed and ground coffee, black tea, or powdered chocolate, powdered coffee or powdered soup. You can in this way,
Beverage making ingredients are usually soluble and melt in the water introduced into the package thereby forming drinking water. However, if the package contains one or more powder, paste or liquid beverage-making ingredients, one or more beverage-making ingredients may enter the exit nozzle through the capsule or cartridge and cause problems. There is a nature. When forming the outlet of the beverage in the package, the one or more beverage-making ingredients contaminate the cup in which the beverage is to be dispensed, which is disfiguring to the user, is not preferred, and / or Alternatively, it may contaminate the cutting or piercing tools used to form the outlets in the package during the process of making the beverage.

Packages are also known for holding foodstuffs other than beverage making ingredients such as, for example, mustard powders or pastes and powders or pastes for making sweeteners or flavor sauces.

[0009]

Applicants have developed an improved packaging carrying one or more powders, pastes or liquid food ingredients which prevent the ingredients from entering the exit nozzle of the packaging. .

Accordingly, the present invention is in the one or more powder, the components to make a food product consisting of a paste or a liquid held, sealed package which is formed in a substantially air and water-impermeable materials, wherein the one or comprising a compartment for holding a component to make two or more food, an inlet communicating with said compartment for introducing liquid into said compartment, and an outlet communicating with the compartment, before making food from said components Control means are provided to prevent one or more powder, paste or liquid components from entering the outlet from the compartment holding said components.

The package of the present invention comprises one or more powders,
It is desirable to have a package that holds a food-making ingredient consisting of a paste or liquid, and the invention will be described in more detail below with respect to such a package.

The beverage package of the present invention preferably comprises a body portion made of, for example, a molded plastic material. The inlet and / or the outlet of the package are
It can be closed by molded plastic plugs in the inlet and / or outlet. Alternatively, the inlet and / or outlet may be covered with an air and water impermeable material such as aluminum foil or laminated material prior to opening the inlet and / or outlet. Specific examples of materials that can be used are:
Polypropylene or polypropylene / aluminum foil / polyester laminate coated thickness 30 to 6
It is also possible to use a 0 μm aluminum foil.

The outlet of the package can be formed, for example, during the process of making a beverage using a cutting and piercing tool of the type described by the applicant in EP 89302708.6.

The control means incorporated into the beverage package of the present invention are generally located between the compartment holding the beverage making ingredients and the outlet such that the beverage making ingredients are placed in the outlet prior to making the beverage. Block entry. The control means can be of various different types, some examples of different control means are described below. Some control means are powder,
Other control means can be used to prevent paste and / or liquid from entering the outlet,
It is only suitable for preventing powdered components from entering the outlet.

The first type of control means is a flap disposed between the compartment and the outlet, which remains closed due to the weight of the ingredients but, in use, of the beverage formed from the ingredients. It has a flap that deforms under pressure, thereby allowing the beverage to flow therethrough.

A second type of control means is a slit positioned between the compartment and the outlet and formed of a deformable material such as a plastic material, metal foil or laminate, the slit of the material It does not allow passage, but in use it is provided with slits that are deformed by the pressure of the beverage formed from the ingredients and allow the beverage to flow.

A third type of control means is a seal located between the compartment and the outlet that provides mechanical peeling and / or
Alternatively, a seal is provided which is susceptible to the effects of high temperatures and which is held in place by an adhesive which is easily broken by the pressure and / or temperature of the beverage formed from the ingredients that make up the beverage.

A fourth type of control means is a soluble stopper or membrane made of a water-soluble, harmless substance positioned between the compartment and the outlet, which is made from the beverage-making ingredients and contacted by the beverage. Sometimes it is equipped with a melting plug or membrane.

A fifth type of control means comprises a mechanical stop positioned within the outlet and adapted to move from a position that closes the outlet to a position that opens the outlet. The mechanical stopper is described in European patent application No. 8930 by the applicant.
A drilling tool of the type described in 2708.6 makes it possible to move from its closed position to its open position.

It is desirable that the package of the present invention be provided with identification means so that the package can be identified by the machine into which it is inserted for processing, by identifying such a package the liquid medium can be identified within the package. The correct processing steps, including the steps of introducing into When making a beverage from a beverage making ingredient, the liquid medium to be introduced into the package is generally a water / air mixture.

The identification means may comprise one or more surface features formed on the body of the beverage package. For example, the package body can be provided with one or more notches, notches, protrusions or holes that can be identified by mechanical sensors in the beverage-making machine. The mechanical sensor responds according to the presence or absence of notches, notches, protrusions or holes.

Apart from this, the identification means is a simple optical device, for example, a bar code printed on the body of the package, a through hole pattern of the package, or one or more packages holding beverages of different colors. It can be a color tone pattern or a color pattern printed on the body with a large difference in light and shade.

The identification means is also attached to the body of the package and one or more strips of magnetic material which can be read by a suitable magnetic sensor, and to the body of the package for packaging in a machine. One or more molded or divided areas that produce an inductive effect on the movement of the body and can detect the inductive effect, and one or two that are formed in the body of the package and can be detected electrically. The above conductive region can be provided.

As mentioned above, the package of the present invention may be, for example, coffee or tea that has been cultivated and ground as desired.
And one or more beverage making ingredients such as sugar and / or creamer. One machine, equipped with identification means, which facilitates the production of beverages from the preferred beverage packaging of the present invention, is described in European Patent Application No. 89302708.6. The only modification required for such a beverage making machine is to incorporate the appropriate one or more sensors into the machine, which sensor will read a specific code on the capsule, send a signal to the controller, All that is needed is to allow the controller to select the process for making the appropriate beverage.

The identification means used in the beverage package of the present invention is such that the machine for producing a single beverage makes it possible to produce a very different number of beverages from different beverage packages which require different beverage making conditions. It makes it possible.

The package of the present invention can be processed by a machine equipped with one or more sensors adapted to detect and identify identification means provided on the package inserted into the machine.

The sensor can be, for example, a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an electrical sensor or an inductive sensor. The machine is preferably designed to operate automatically after inserting the package into the machine. For example, a machine of the type described in European Patent Application No. 89302708.6 can be equipped with suitable sensors to detect and identify the beverage with which the package is intended to be used by the identification means provided on the package.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a beverage package is shown at 1. The body can be formed of, for example, a molded plastic material. Body 1
Has a compartment 2 holding one or two beverage making ingredients. The package comprises an outlet nozzle 3 and an inlet 12 formed. The compartment 2 has a wall 4 and a nozzle 3
Is separated from the formed body region. The extension 5 of the wall 4 separates the compartment 2 from the chamber 7 arranged between the compartment 2 and the outlet nozzle 3. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a flap 8 covers the chamber 7 and thus prevents powder migrating from the compartment 2 from entering the outlet nozzle 3. The flap 8 is connected along its edge 9 to the folded portion of the outer wall 10 of the container, the other three edges of the flap being close to but not attached to the other wall of the chamber 7. . The flap 8 is made of a thin-walled plastic material that can withstand the weight of the powdered ingredients substantially before the capsule is used. The flap 8 is attached to the folded portion of the wall 10 by flap edges 9 and may be formed by forming a small gap around the flap as a post-molding step or by shearing the three sides of the flap. I can.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when using a beverage package, the bottom of the package 1 is at the lower edges of the vertical walls 4, 14 and the lower outer edge 23 of the wall 10. It is sealed with a heat-sealed aluminum foil or laminated foil. The wall W that closes the upper part of the package is molded as a part of the package. Water enters the package at a pressure Pa of about 10 ⁵ through the inlet 12, which is opened by piercing or cutting the material covering the inlet 12. This water enters the passageway 11 which surrounds the two sides of the compartment 2 which holds the drink component. Pressurized water is an elongated slot 13 formed in a wall 14 separating the passage 11 from the compartment 2.
Sent through. Each of the slots 13 shown in FIG.
The width is about 0.5 mm and the length is 3.5 mm. These slots 13 restrict the flow of pressurized water, supply jet water into the compartment and create a turbulent flow of water in the compartment 2. These jets and turbulence mix and melt the ingredients that make up the beverage. The so-formed beverage or mixture of beverage ingredients and water passes through the slits 25 formed between the bottom of the wall 5 and the aluminum foil or laminated foil sealing the bottom of the package into the chamber 7. to go into. The flap 8 is pressed by the pressure of the drink or the mixture of the drink component and water.
Is displaced by its flow and the beverage or mixture flows into the outlet nozzle 3. The beverage or mixture is then collected in a cup or other container located below the outlet nozzle 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, flap 8 is shown in its closed position in FIG. 1C and is hinged at point 9 to the downwardly bent portion of wall 10. In FIG. 1D, the flap 8 is opened by the beverage flowing under the wall 5 through the slit 25 in the direction shown and into the compartment 7. The flap 8 is opened by the pressure of the beverage in the compartment 7, and the beverage flows in the direction indicated by the arrow and enters the outlet nozzle 3. The beverage is then collected in a cup or other container located below the outlet nozzle 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the flap 8 is shown in a state of extending in a substantially horizontal direction before being displaced by the beverage.
Preferably extends downward at a slight angle to the horizon. In this way, the flap 8 presses firmly against the wall 4 and is not easily displaced during the transport or storage of the package, which prevents the flap from accidentally opening or opening part of it. During the making of the beverage, the pressure of the beverage in the compartment 7 is sufficient to cause the flap 8 to flex and thereby open.

The beverage package shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D comprises identification means, which is a preferred feature of the present invention.
The packaging 1 of the invention, which holds one or more beverage-making ingredients, is of a substantially rectangular shape with a flat top and bottom surface and is therefore described, for example, in European Patent Application No. 89302708.6. It is suitable for longitudinal insertion through slots in machines of different types of beverage.

The package is also provided with teeth 15 molded along one side wall of the compartment 2, as shown in FIG. 1B. The tooth 15 has a recess 16 formed therebetween. These teeth 15 are intended to enable the beverage package to be driven through the beverage making machine by engaging the teeth 15 with the teeth of a cam (not shown). The side wall 17 of the beverage package has an elongated recess 18 formed near the front end 19 of the package.

When the package is introduced into the beverage making machine,
The elongated recess 18 is detected when the side edge of the package passes under a detection arm (not shown). The recess 18 has a plurality of upstanding projections 20, 21, 22 such that when the package is introduced into the machine by the engagement of the teeth 15 with the teeth of the cam, the sensor causes the upstanding projections 20, 21, 22 is detected.

If one or more protrusions 20, 21, 22 are absent, this allows the detection arm to identify different types of beverage packages. The detection arm actuates a switch (not shown), which sends information to the control mechanism of the beverage dispensing machine whether there is a protrusion on the package. In this way, the protrusions 20, 21, 22 are attached to the package.
Is located to allow the controller to identify the package type and select the appropriate package-making conditions based on it.

The presence or absence of the three projections 20, 21, 22 means that the detection arm is capable of detecting eight different types of beverage packages.
In this way, if the code is encoded when the projection is present at a specific position and code 0 when the projection is not present, the following encryption combinations are possible.

000 001 010 100 101 101 110 011 111 If there are one or more further protrusions on the top of the wall 17 of the package, the number of cipher combinations will be further increased.

Once the beverage making machine has chosen the conditions for making the appropriate beverage, the water inlet 12 of the package is pierced or cut and a cup or container is placed under the outlet 3 formed in the package. Through the compartment where the water holds the beverage ingredients,
Flow under pressure. The selected beverage is then collected in a cup or container located below the outlet 3 of the package.

It will be appreciated that for different types of packaging, the beverage or other ingredient will require significantly different treatments. Thus, some beverages can be made with hot water, while some other beverages can be made with cold water and other beverages, such as espresso coffee, with less water. The time to make a beverage needs to be changed.
Similarly, water and / or air may be needed for the air to make and dispense the beverage / content of the package, or for the purpose of pre-cleaning the inlet pipe or cleaning the used package. . In addition, the user may also be required to dispense a particular beverage in combination with one or more ingredients from an independent source, such as powdered milk and / or sugar.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plastic film or foil laminate 31 is welded to a shoulder 32 formed in the wall of the chamber 7 and surrounds said chamber 7.
The plastic film or foil laminate 31 has formed slits 33. The powder moving from the chamber 2 through the slit 25 cannot pass through the slit 33 by its own weight because the slit 33 does not open. However, if the beverage is made from powdered ingredients held in chamber 2, the pressurized liquid or liquid / powder mixture flows through chamber 7 to open slit 33, and then the beverage is discharged from outlet nozzle 3 And to a cup or container located below the outlet nozzle 3 for collection.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. For example, a seal 3 made of a plastic film material
4 is a chamber 7 along its edge with a low tack adhesive.
Glued to a continuous shoulder 32 surrounding the. The low tack adhesive may be used when the beverage formed from the beverage-making ingredients held in chamber 2 travels into chamber 7 through slit 25, or by the action of the beverage's high temperature, or a combination of both of these mechanisms. Receives a mechanical peeling action. This breaks the seal and allows the beverage to flow through the outlet nozzle 3 into a cup or other container located below the outlet nozzle 3.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, where a plug 35 of fusible material covers the outlet nozzle. Beverage made from the beverage ingredients in compartment 2 travels into chamber 7 through slit 25. next,
The beverage contacts the soluble stopper 35, causing the stopper to melt, thereby exposing the exit nozzle and allowing the beverage to flow through the exit nozzle into a cup or other container. Soluble stopper 3
5 is of course made of a harmless material or a material to be incorporated into the beverage. For example, the stopper may be formed of sugar to make a sweetened beverage. Note that FIGS.
In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, a wall W closing the bottom of the package is molded as part of the package, and the opening in the top of the package is heat sealed to the upper edge 23 of the vertical wall. It is sealed with an aluminum foil or laminated foil.

Another embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. With reference to these figures, the body of the beverage package is shown generally at 40. A compartment holding one or more beverage ingredients is illustrated at 41. The package has an outlet nozzle 42 surrounded by a counterbore 43. The outlet nozzle is prevented from communicating with the rest of the body of the package by a seal 44 molded in the plastic material forming the body of the package. The seal is surrounded by a weak plug 45.
The outlet and bottom of the package are closed by an air and water impermeable material 46, for example a metal foil. or,
The upper wall of the package is molded as part of the package.
The outlet nozzle 42 has a rupturable seal 44 as described above.
And a mechanical plug 47 is located within the outlet nozzle. The plug 47 is provided with a wing 48 that seats in a groove (not shown) formed in the outlet nozzle 42.

When the package is used in a beverage manufacturing machine, a platen 49 holding a punching and folding mechanism 50.
Are positioned below the package. The piercing and folding mechanism is moved upward by the beverage dispensing machine to cut the air and water impermeable material 46. The mechanism 50 also folds the cut material back into the counterbore 43. Thus, the piercing and folding mechanism moves upwards and the unbroken edge 51 of the mechanism cooperates with the wing 48 formed in the mechanical plug 47, which causes the mechanical plug to move within the nozzle. It moves upward and breaks the breakable seal 44. The mechanical plug moves within a groove (not shown) in the outlet nozzle 42. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, there are no obstructions between the outlet nozzle and the rest of the beverage package. Therefore, when a beverage is made, the beverage passes through the outlet hole 42 and the mechanical stopper 4
It can flow through a hole 52 in 7 into a cup or other container located below platen 49.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to making beverages from powdered beverage making ingredients, the present invention is not limited to packages containing only powdered beverage ingredients and other powders. Also, a package holding a paste or liquid food is included in the range.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of the beverage package of the present invention. 1B is a plan view of the beverage package of FIG. 1A. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the beverage package of FIG. 1B taken along the line AA when the control means is in operation. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the beverage package of FIG. 1B taken along the line AA when the control means is biased by the beverage flowing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention showing another control means.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention showing another control means.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of the control means with the mechanical stopper in its closed position. 5B is a schematic illustration of the mechanical plug shown in FIG. 5A in its open position.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Package 2. Compartment 3. Outlet nozzle 4. Wall 5. Wall 7. Compartment room 8. Flap 9. Edge 10. Wall 11. Passage 12. Entrance 13. Slot 14. Wall 15. Teeth 16. Recess 17. Side wall 18. Recess 19. Front end 20. Upright protrusion 21. Upright protrusion 22. Upright projection 23. Lower edge 25. Slit 31. Foil laminate 32. Shoulder 33. Slit 34. Seal 35. Soluble stopper 40. Main body 41. Compartment 42. Outlet nozzle 43. Counterbore 44. Seal 45. Weak body stopper 46. Impermeable material 47. Mechanical stopper 48. Wing 49. Platen 50. Machine 51. Edge 52. hole

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Andrew Robert Gibbs British Seabuoy 32.5 HGH, Wawkes, Leamington Spa, Dayle Street 16 (72) Inventor Alistair John McMahon NNU, England 13.5 Edy, Northerns, Blackley, Westminister Croft 12 (72) Inventor James Ferguson UK OX 15.4 Ex Wy, Oxon, Bunbury, Broxham, Brookside Way 26 (72) Inventor Andrew Charles Bentley UK Ox 16/7 Bx, Oxon, Bunbury, Nuffield Drive 26 (72) Inventor-Christine Anne King O'Kx17 2 in the UK Elpie, Oxon, Bunbury, Middleton Cheney, Houghton Drive 7 (72) Inventor Alec Thomas Newman Ox 17 in the UK 1B, Oxon, Bunbury, Wharmington, Greenways (No address) (56) Reference JP-A-58-20673 (JP, A) JP-A-58-20672 (JP, A)

Claims (17)

(57) [Claims] 1. One or more powders, pastes or liquids
Holding the component to create a more becomes food in the sealed package formed in a substantially air and water-impermeable materials, wherein the 1 or 2
Compartment holding the above ingredients to make food, and the compartment
An inlet communicating with said compartment for introducing the liquid within, an outlet communicating with said compartment, before making food from said components, one or more powder, paste or liquid body component said component A hermetically sealed package, characterized in that a control means is provided for preventing entry into the outlet from the compartment holding the. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is
In use, before forming an outlet in the package, the package is covered with an air and water impermeable material. 3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is
In use, the package is closed with a stopper before forming an outlet in the package. 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a flap positioned between the compartment and the outlet, the flap being the weight of one or more components. A package which is kept closed by means of a container, which in use is deformed by the pressure of the food product formed from the ingredients, allowing said food product to flow through said flap. 5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a slit-deformable material positioned between the compartment and the outlet, and the material is 1 or 2 or more. A package which is not deformed by the weight of the ingredients of claim 1, but is deformed by the pressure of the food product formed from the ingredients during use, thereby allowing the food product to flow through the material. 6. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means is positioned between the compartment and the outlet and ruptures due to the pressure and / or temperature of the food product formed from the ingredients. A package comprising a seal that allows the food product to flow through. 7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the control means is positioned between the compartment and the outlet and melts when the food formed from the ingredients comes into contact with the harmless material. A package comprising a water-soluble stopper made of a material. 8. A mechanical closure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means is positioned in the outlet and is movable from a position where the outlet nozzle is closed to a position where the outlet nozzle is opened. A package comprising: 9. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one or more powders, pastes or liquid components are components for making a beverage. 10. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is provided with an identification means, whereby during use the package is identified by a machine which places it inside for processing. The package is characterized in that the package is subjected to an accurate processing step including introducing the liquid medium into the package by identifying the package. 11. The package according to claim 10, wherein the identifying means includes one or more surface characteristic portions formed on the body of the package. 12. The package according to claim 10, wherein the identifying means includes a bar code. 13. The package of claim 10, wherein the identifying means comprises a pattern of holes formed in the body of the package. 14. The beverage package according to claim 10, wherein the identifying means has a color tone or a color pattern having a large difference in brightness. 15. The package of claim 10 wherein the identifying means comprises one or more strips of magnetic material. 16. The package according to claim 10, wherein the identifying means includes a guiding device. 17. The package according to claim 10, wherein the identifying means includes a plurality of conductive means.