JPH07509393A - Extraction method and equipment from a sealed flexible bag - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] A method and apparatus for extraction from a sealed flexible bag The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preparing beverages. a sealed flexible bag containing at least one substance and having at least one weld The present invention relates to a method for extracting from a bag having parts.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Filtration type (works under atmospheric pressure and by positioning a column of hot water above the coffee layer) (type with extraction pressure of 0.5 bar or more and up to 20 bar) Add) Pre-measure ground coffee to prepare espresso type coffee However, using pre-packed quantities makes the coffee preparation process easier, while It has the advantage of ensuring relatively constant quality of the product.

Currently, the above quantities are provided in two main forms. According to the first form, the British patent The amount stated in Application No. 2,121,702 is for squirting the liquid into one cart. It consists of a package with a nozzle that is drilled to allow water to flow.

After the liquid has been extracted through the coffee layer, it is placed under pressure at the bottom of the cartridge. Cracks that are created automatically by the action of Served.

This cartridge, which requires an intervening nozzle, is complex to make and use, and It's expensive. In addition, the extraction equipment is extremely complex, and the aqueous solution must be stored in a sealed cart. Requires equipment to be introduced to interact with the ridge.

According to the second form described in WO Patent No. 9210775, the amount is After it has been deformed against the head, it opens into the extraction device by introducing the extraction fluid. Consists of a sealed capsule. This capsule has a side wall and one side of the cart. two walls forming the bottom of the cartridge and the other sealing the opposite end of the cartridge. The use of various hole/cage materials to form a sealed body has disadvantages. some of the materials are thick enough to provide semi-rigidity and may only be used on extractors that are fully compatible with the extractor and its arrangement. It is.

This device includes a device for introducing water toward the top of the cartridge, and a device for introducing water toward the top of the cartridge. ・Includes a device for perforating the bottom of the cartridge toward the bottom of the cartridge; The ridge is completely sealed and tightened between the two removable parts of the extraction device over the rim. It needs to be tightened.

The object of the invention is to directly and immediately without the need for a nozzle introducing fluid. Can be used to interact between the fluid introducing device and the bag or for the extraction device Allows extraction from sealed flexible bags without requiring a complete seal between the two parts. The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device that make it possible.

The present invention provides a sealed flexible container containing at least one substance for preparing a beverage. A method for extracting from a bag, the bag having at least one straight weld. The bag includes a handle for gripping the bag and a housing for holding the bag. , the bag is tightened in its weld area, and the bag and bag holder are placed in the extractor. , the bag is pierced by a needle in its lower part above the welding area, and 0.5 A mixture of air and water at a pressure between is injected, and at least one of the two undersides of the bag is exposed to the extraction device under the action of pressure. It is torn against the ridges and depressions of the bag, and then the ori made in the bottom part of the bag is relates to a method in which the extract that has just passed through the layer of material is collected via the fiss. Ru.

The concept of the upper and lower parts of the bag mentioned above is important once the bag is in place in the extraction device. defined for the first time. The bag is usually placed in a vertical position. However, deformation and The bag may be placed in an oblique position or in a horizontal position. In the latter case, the bag's In the so-called lower part, the bag is tightened by the bag holder's clamp, and the injection needle is The area considered to be the area to be invaded, while the part called the upper part corresponds to the area opposite to the above. do. The extraction fluid enters the layer of material to be extracted at one end and exits at the other end; and the extraction head loss is significantly larger than the thickness of the coffee layer (layer thickness 0.5-1 If the loss of the extraction head is 5-100 meters for 0 cm, i.e. a factor of 100 0), the bag can be extracted correctly in the horizontal position.

The method includes an apparatus for holding the bag, injecting water into the bag, and collecting the coffee extract. Commercial coffee machines including means for configuring or adding adapters A description of the sequence of steps carried out when using coffee, especially when used with coffee. Good (understood) from the explanation.

In the first step, the bag is placed in the bag holder. In a first alternative embodiment , the bag holder is a clamp operable by known means for closing at the lower weld of the bag. including. The bag is thus held securely in place in the bag holder.

According to the second embodiment, especially when vacuum sealing the bag, the shape of the bag is completely defined. It will be done. Therefore, it is not necessary to completely fix the bag to the bag holder, but rather to fix the bag in the bag's shape. and into the cavity of the bag holder corresponding to the dimensions.

In the second stage, the bag holder and the bag are placed in the extractor. At the same time, this work During this period, the bag is perforated by a water jet needle at the base just above its lower weld. Ru. The needle advances over its entire length to the upper part of the bag above the layer of material to be extracted. Enter.

According to a variant of this method, the perforation by the water injection needle finally positions the bag holder in the extractor. It can be executed after attaching.

According to another variant of this method, especially for large bags, several water injection needles arranged in parallel Adopt a vine.

In the third stage, water which may or may not be mixed with air is added between 0.5 and 1 Water is injected into the bag through a water injection needle at a pressure of 0 bar. This extraction fluid looks like this It is directed towards the top of the bag and flows down onto the top of the layer of material to be extracted, causing the pressure inside the bag to build up. The surface of the bag rises and deforms, causing damage to the walls of the extraction device and, in particular, to certain ridges and Pressed against the recessed elements, these elements create cracks in the material of the bag. The purpose is to ensure that Additionally, this step pre-wets the sheet before extraction. It will be done.

Air is present in the machine's piping and is mixed with the water at the beginning of the extraction process.

Under certain conditions, depending on the machine employed and the initial heating temperature, the initial The portion may be in vapor form.

According to a variant of the method, the pause period during which the injection of the extraction fluid is stopped occurs during the third and fourth stages. can be recognized between.

In a fourth step, according to a first variant of the method, the bag is placed in place in the bag holder. Close the clamp or place the bag and bag holder combination in place on the extraction device. The fissure created by placing the eye on the bag applies pressure to the bag against the protruding element. It can be made larger by pressing the material.

According to the second variant, the tear is only created when the pressure inside the bag increases.

after the material making up the face of the bag reaches bursting stress, a protruding ridge, and (or) a depression that is a cavity (hollow part) formed between said raised parts. At the location of the part the fissure begins to form. Depending on the shape of the ridge, the fissure may be invisible. In addition, it may extend to the two areas mentioned above.

This ruptured part of the extraction surface is pressed against the raised part, resulting in The opening is then enlarged to facilitate the flow of the extraction fluid, but the outside of the bag Avoid material diffusion. The internal pressure of the bag partially decreases, but at this moment The decompression is caused by the tearing of the extraction surface where the flow of fluid escaping from the bag abuts the ridge. small voids formed by the lip of the material and the flow created in the raised elements. It is restricted because it is squeezed by both exit orifices. In this way, the leakage is completely controlled and does not obstruct the flow orifice or question the uniformity and reproducibility of the extraction process. This specifically eliminates any unwanted movement of the solid phase in the bag contents which could cause problems. weakened in advance The application adopted in Swiss Patent No. 668,545 for capsules with covers According to the Japanese language, this step of making an opening in the bag can be considered as the step of supplying air to the powdered material. .

According to a variant of the method, the stop times during which the injection of extraction fluid is stopped are divided into the fourth and fifth periods. recognized between stages.

In the fifth stage, the sheet is extracted under a pressure of 0.5-1O bar and this pressure The force is intentionally and essentially passed through the wet and therefore compacted layers of the sheet. This is related to all head losses. This is the extraction phase. Sheet extraction , the torn part has a very small relative stiffness, so it is less stiff than the raised part. Since the bag cannot be pressed in a completely sealed manner, the extraction surface of the bag may be torn, The potash terminates by passing between the deformed portions to the outflow orifice.

The number of cracks made on the extraction surface is preferably between 5 and 200. these The cleft is the raised and recessed element on the fixed part of the bag holder and/or Depending on whether they are located on the removable part (clamp) or not, the two bottom sides of the bag Can be made on the one hand and/or on the other.

The extract is also passed through the eye through the crack made around the area where the water injection needle was inserted into the bag. There is a possibility of running away.

If the extraction pressure reaches high values, auxiliary openings may be made in the extraction surface.

In a sixth step, the bag holder is released and, for example, by simply inverting the bag holder. Remove the bag by releasing the clamp.

The description below regarding the example applied to roasted and ground sheets is not limiting, and this method is only an example. Any product in a flexible bag, such as tea, or a mixture thereof, or an infusion. Stunt sheet, mixture of ground sheet and instant sheet, containing chocolate For making beverages or foods in infused form, such as commercially available or dehydrated foods. Applicable to the product.

The bags used for carrying out the method according to the invention are made from a single piece of material. is made directly from a single sheet of this material and can contain said substances a shape that provides a volume that is greater than the volume occupied by said substance; A small, sealed, flexible bag for use in a given extraction device. A bag containing at least one straight weld.

The term sealed means that the bag is impermeable to oxygen and water vapor, i.e. Means practically impermeable. The term usable refers to such bags is directly ready for use and according to the invention, it is This means that no advance preparation is required. Especially before attaching the bag to the extraction device. (No need to consciously open or tear the bag) means. Its advantage is that it provides many functions during the stages of its use .

First, pack the measured amount of the substance and place the application substance in oxygen or water for the duration of storage. The material contained in the bag then escapes the non-extractable part. Extraction and filtration as it is extracted directly by the extraction fluid inside the bag without any Serving as a reactor, after extraction, the final residual amount of said substance (2 vs. Provides a function as a cage and prevents stains due to the diffusion of the residual components.

Such bags are made using known and practiced techniques. Novelty of said bag depends on its content, material, and degree of filling, and is therefore related to a particular brewing device. This package has various functions other than package functions.

The bag is made directly from a single sheet of packaging material, which sheet contains the weighed After weighing the powder material, it is folded, welded and cut at various points.

The bag has one longitudinal weld and two transverse welds. Like that The method for making a bag is as follows. The sheet is the metering tube in which the substance is transported wrapped around. A longitudinal weld of the bag is made around this tube. . A lower weld is made, material is introduced into the bag, and an upper weld is made.

In this description, the terms longitudinal and transverse welding are used as is clear from the drawings. means two welds perpendicular to each other.

In the first embodiment, two vertical welds are arranged in two vertical planes. Ru. In this case, the bag made is in the form of a tetrahedron.

In a second embodiment, two lateral welds are made in the same plane. . In that case, the bag can take various forms, for example after welding, it can be placed on one side of the transverse weld or fold the other side over the top and/or bottom surface, or after welding. A shape similar to a parallelepiped that allows the sheet to be bent by pressing the corners. have.

The bag is filled with at least one powder substance for preparing a beverage. this Preferably the substance is a roasted and ground sheet, but even tea can be used instantaneously. Chocolate sheets, even mixtures of ground sheets and instant sheets. It may also be a salt-containing product or other dehydrated edible material. In the bag Several substances can be mixed together or, if necessary, separated by porous walls. You can also put it in.

In one particular embodiment, the bag is at a pressure between 1000 and 1800 mbar, above atmospheric pressure. It has a larger internal pressure. This overpressure has the effect of increasing the apparent volume of the bag. This allows the bag to maintain its desired shape, makes it easier to grip the bag, and makes it easier to hold the bag during extraction equipment. for easy use with the extraction device.

This overpressure can be generated directly when making the bag or subsequently, e.g. Decompose gases, such as freshly roasted and ground sheets that slowly release O2. This can be achieved by using substances that release

According to another specific embodiment, if storage of the product is important, the filling method may be complex and expensive. If the temperature is high, the bag can be sealed after being exposed to the vacuum. There are quite a few bags like that. degree of rigidity, maintains its initial shape, facilitates handling, and minimizes overall dimensions. It's useful.

According to a particular embodiment of the bag, the substance to be extracted may be consolidated in the form of one or more pieces. I can do it.

In its preferred form, the bag is virtually resistant to gases such as oxygen and water. The lining is made from a material that is completely impermeable. The bag is therefore called sealed is ready for direct use and is No advance preparation is required.

In this preferred form, the sheet is made of aluminum having a thickness of, for example, 20 to 50 microns. Compatible with flexible materials such as aluminum or plastics such as PET It may be constructed of a material with an adhesive layer.

Preferably, the sheet is made from a flexible multilayer material. The following material combinations are recommended. Recommended.

Outer layer: PET (regular, woven or non-woven), PE, PP , PA, PS or paper Oxygen and/or water vapor barrier layer: aluminum with a thickness of 5 to 30 microns, EVOH, PVDC, PVA, silicon oxide or metal coating layer, inner layer: thermofusible Adhesive plastics, preferably PE or PP or PSo, for example A combination is also possible. PET-EVOH-PE, paper-aluminum-PE, PE T-silicon oxide-PET-PP or PET-metal coating-PP.

According to a second form, the bag is made with filter paper, woven or non-woven plastic fibers. can be done. A bag called a non-hermetic bag is a separate envelope that is impermeable to oxygen. You need to back up to the whelk. Before using the bag, remove the bag from its protective cover. (f) Remove it from the bag and use it with an extraction device specifically installed for the bag.

The surface of the bag has a length between 3 and 25 cm, preferably between 4 and 15 cm. The thickness of the bag is between 0.5 and 10 cm depending on the type of bag made; The internal pressure is preferably between 1 and 5 centimeters.

The effective filling level of material to bag volume is usually between 10 and 70%. This existence The effective filling level is determined by the fact that the material itself is extremely porous and there are large gaps between the particles. The filling level is extremely lower than the apparent filling level because it has a large amount of free space.

It is also recognized that when the internal pressure of the bag is high, the effective filling level of the bag is low. true bag When air-sealed, the filling level is much higher.

The weighed amount of substance to be extracted in the bag is preferably between 5 and 300 grams. Preferably between 6 and 30 grams.

If the powder material is susceptible to oxidation, a flow of oxygen-free inert gas, e.g. under nitrogen It is sufficient to carry out manufacturing operations while protecting the

The invention further relates to a device for carrying out this method. This device is fixed to the extractor. The bag holder includes a handle and an opening handle for the bag. and a coffee outflow area, the housing being above the outflow area. , means for retaining the bag at its lower portion; and at least one of the two sides of said bag. Contains raised and recessed elements on the spill grid to facilitate tearing. The extractor has at least one needle for injecting the extraction fluid and has a bag hole. A needle provided to enter the bag in the outflow grate area of the bag holder and a bag holder. and a complementary portion which, when in place, enables the housing for the bag to be sealed.

The bag holder is placed in place and fitted with a known mechanism such as a tongue that interacts with a groove. is retained in the extractor by physical means.

The means for holding the bag in the bag holder is a one-finger lever (i.e. a trigger). (a It can be represented by a clamp that firmly grasps the lower part. The force that grips the bag is A water injection needle pierces the bag and then pressurized water is sprayed into the bag to ensure that the bag does not move. It has to be something.

for tearing the material of said bag at its lower part to allow the extract to drain; The raised and recessed elements in the outflow grid are described in WO Patent Application No. 9. It may be the same as that described in No. 4102059. These factors also The same type as that described in Patent No. 3,403,617 may be used.

The raised and recessed elements in the spill grate are used to tighten the bag to the bag holder. It may be arranged on one and/or the other side of the clamp for this purpose.

The needle that injects the extraction fluid is beveled at the end and has an outer diameter of 1. Between 5 and 5 mm, directly It is a hollow needle with a diameter that varies over the length of the needle. Its length is at the base of the bag (1 into the bag and exit through the upper part of the needle above the layer of material to be extracted. Adapted to bag size. According to a variant of this hollow needle embodiment, the needle is The sections have various orifices that provide water exit at varying angles.

According to a particular embodiment variant, for example in the case of large bags, several parallelly arranged A water injection needle can be adopted.

According to a first variant embodiment of the device, the injection needle is integrated with the bag holder. this place If so, the needle is removable. The needle will only pass through the bag once the bag is in place in the bag holder. and be placed in the right place.

According to a second variant embodiment of the device, the injection needle is integral with the extractor. the needle is fixed It may be attached or removable. In the latter case, the required force is placed at the extraction position. Ru. i.e., if the bag holder is partially inserted into the bag during operation after positioning the bag holder in the extractor. It will be done.

According to a particular variant of the extractor, the complementary parts of the bag holder and the extractor and has a seal to provide a sealed cavity.

The extract released from the bag during extraction is stored in a bag holder and/or a basic extractor is directed towards the container by outflow ducts and flow channels provided in the area of.

It protects the extremely thin injection needle and therefore prevents injury to the extractor user from this needle (1). In order to protect the bag holder, place the extractor (this , a protection connected to a spring that rotates the bag holder force or sideways when inserted into the Uji Puffer. A member can be provided. When the bag holder is removed from the extractor, the above protection The member protects the housing of the bag holder, in particular the injection needle.

The invention also relates to a bag holder that can be used in the above-mentioned device. in this case, What has been explained above regarding the bag holder is still valid, so there is no need to repeat the explanation. There isn't.

Finally, the invention relates to an extractor that can be used in the device described above. In this case, The above explanation regarding aircraft departure remains valid, so there is no need to repeat the explanation.

The remaining description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows one longitudinal weld and two transverse welds arranged in a vertical plane. FIG. Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing the extractor seen from the side, and Figure 3 is the extractor seen from above. The figure shown in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. The example bag has upper and lower welds oriented vertically. It has the shape of a tetrahedron.

The bag 8 shown in FIG. 1 has two lateral welds 20° arranged in two vertical planes. 21 and one longitudinal weld 22, and has a tetrahedral shape.

The machine shown in Figures 2 and 3 is designed to heat, pressurize and inject the extraction fluid. Ru. The bag holder 4, which can be handled by means of a handle 5, has two grooves that interact with each other. It is positioned in place on the extractor by two symmetrical tongues.

Referring to FIG. 6, the trigger actuating a clamp 7 tightening the lower border of the bag 8. can. Clamp 7 allows the bag to be placed in place or removed. by pivoting about axis 16. The bag is filled with the substance to be extracted 14 It will be done. Raised and recessed elements 9 located on the outflow grate 10 form the bag holder 4 and communicates with the outflow path 3. The injection needle 11 integrated with the extractor 1 is attached to the bag holder. It enters the base of the bag 8 through the hole 17 provided in the bottom of the bag and enters the upper part of said bag. Ru.

The complementary part 12 integral with the extractor l, together with the bag holder 4, has a tight fitting which generally matches the outer shape of the bag. A sealed housing 13 is defined.

Abbreviation explanation PVDC: Polyvinylidene chloride EVOH: Copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol PP: Polypropylene PE polyethylene PET polyester PA・Polyamide PVA: Polyvinyl alcohol PS, polystyrene Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Continuation of front page (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, DE.

DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, S E), CA, JP, US

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sealed flexible bag containing at least one substance for preparing a beverage A method for extracting from the bag, the bag having at least one linear weld. In the method, the bag includes a handle for gripping the bag and a housing for the bag. a bag holder, the bag being welded towards the bottom of the housing of the bag holder; area, the bag and bag holder assembly is placed in the extractor, and the bag and bag holder assembly is placed in the extractor; The bag is pierced with a needle in its lower part above the welding area, 0.5-10 A mixture of air and water at pressure between crowbars is injected into the upper part of the bag by the needle. and at least one of the undersides of the bag is raised by the action of pressure on the extraction device. A slit was made at the bottom of the bag, and then at the bottom of the bag. characterized in that the extract that has just passed through the layer of material through the orifice is collected. method of extraction. 2. A tear created in the underside due to the increase in pressure during extraction holds the bag in place in the bag holder. Claim 1, characterized in that the fabrication is started before being placed. Method. 3. The bag and bag holder assembly is placed in place on the extractor, and said bag is at the same time Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower part is continuously perforated. The method described in any one of paragraphs. 4. It consists of a bag holder for fixing to the extraction machine, and the bag holder is connected to a handle. , an open housing for said bag, an outflow area for coffee, and a lower part thereof for retaining said bag; means for holding the bag; Contains raised and recessed elements that facilitate the extraction machine's injection of extraction fluid. a needle arranged to enter the bag in the outflow grate area of the bag holder; Once the needle and bag holder are in place, the bag housing can be sealed. Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that they include complementary portions that Apparatus that can be used to carry out the method according to any one of the claims. 5. The means for holding the bag in the bag holder includes a tray disposed on the handle of the bag holder. Claims comprising a clamp that can be actuated by a mower. Apparatus according to paragraph 4. 6. The claim is characterized in that said bag holder and extractor provide a sealed assembly. The device according to any one of the claims 4 and 5. 7. Used in the device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. Urubukuro holder. 8. Used in the device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. Uru extract machine.