US20160362247A1 - Capsule For Beverages - Google Patents

Capsule For Beverages Download PDF

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Publication number
US20160362247A1
US20160362247A1 US15/120,960 US201515120960A US2016362247A1 US 20160362247 A1 US20160362247 A1 US 20160362247A1 US 201515120960 A US201515120960 A US 201515120960A US 2016362247 A1 US2016362247 A1 US 2016362247A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
capsule
edge
annular
capsule according
cavity
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US15/120,960
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English (en)
Inventor
Andrea Bartoli
Davide Capitini
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Sarong SpA
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Sarong SpA
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Assigned to SARONG SOCIETA' PER AZIONI reassignment SARONG SOCIETA' PER AZIONI ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BARTOLI, ANDREA, CAPITINI, Davide
Publication of US20160362247A1 publication Critical patent/US20160362247A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • B65D85/8064—Sealing means for the interface with the processing machine
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • A47J31/34—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure
    • A47J31/36—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
    • A47J31/3604—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means with a mechanism arranged to move the brewing chamber between loading, infusing and ejecting stations
    • A47J31/3623—Cartridges being employed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4403—Constructional details
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D53/00—Sealing or packing elements; Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material
    • B65D53/02—Collars or rings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/30—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during filling or closing of containers
    • B65D77/32—Tearing-strings or like flexible elements
    • B65D77/36—Tearing-strings or like flexible elements disposed beneath a wrapper, label, or other element of sheet material securing a lid, cover, or container mouth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package

Definitions

  • the invention relates to capsules or containers for preparing products, for example beverages, in automatic dispensing machines.
  • the invention relates to a sealed, single-dose and disposable capsule containing an initial product that is able to make an end product by interacting with pressurised fluid
  • Capsules known for use in dispensing machines are disposable and single-dose containers comprising an external casing, made of plastic material impermeable to liquids and gases and having a beaker or cup shape.
  • the casing has a bottom wall and a side wall defining an upper opening through which the product from which to obtain the beverage can be inserted.
  • the upper opening is closed hermetically by a cover element, typically an aluminium film or a plastic film so as to seal the product inside the container.
  • the cover element is generally fixed to a peripheral and annular flange-shaped edge of the casing, that is opposite the bottom wall and arranged around the upper opening.
  • the capsule is perforable to enable pressurised liquid to be delivered, typically water, and to enable the beverage obtained to exit.
  • the cover and the bottom wall of the casing are perforable by a suitable arrangement of a dispensing machine to enable respectively the pressurised liquid to be delivered from above and the beverage to be extracted from below.
  • a dispensing machine 500 of known type comprises a housing 501 arranged for receiving and enclosing a capsule 550 .
  • a bottom portion of the housing 501 is provided with a perforating arrangement 502 for perforating a bottom wall 551 of the capsule 550 and injecting the pressurised fluid or extracting the beverage therefrom.
  • a sealing arrangement 503 have to be interposed between the capsule 550 and the housing 501 .
  • the sealing arrangement 503 generally comprises an annular washer, made of elastomeric material, interposed between a flange edge 552 of the capsule 550 and an abutting portion 505 of the housing 501 .
  • the sealing arrangement 503 is compressed by a perforating element 504 , thus ensuring the hydraulic seal.
  • a drawback of this solution consists of the fact that the washer, in addition to being subject to wear and deterioration with use, comes into contact with the product and/or the fluid at each dispensing without being able to be properly washed subsequently. From a hygiene point of view this solution is not therefore optimum.
  • capsules are known that integrate a sealing element in yieldable, typically elastomeric, material that is crushed when the capsule is inserted into the dispensing machine and ensures the seal thereof.
  • Such capsules can also be used in dispensing machines devoid of a sealing arrangement.
  • Patent EP 1654966 illustrates a capsule for beverages comprising an elastic sealing element fixed to a circumferal edge of the capsule made of elastomeric material, in particular silicone rubber, which is different from the material used for forming the capsule.
  • the elastic element can be fixed to the casing of the capsule at a peripheral edge or at a bottom wall of said casing.
  • a capsule of this type is nevertheless very costly because it requires the sealing element in silicone rubber to be made and connected to the casing of the capsule, the capsule being nevertheless difficult to fix by thermowelding.
  • Capsules are also known from example from patent EP2303077 or from application EP2389326 which comprise a sealing element made of the same material as the casing of the capsule.
  • the sealing element is in this case made of a plurality of concentric circumferal ridges present in the edge of the capsule, which nevertheless require very precise manufacturing by injection moulding to ensure an optimum seal when the capsule is inserted into the dispensing machine.
  • An object of the present invention is to improve known capsules for beverages, in particular capsules that are usable in known dispensing machines provided with a housing suitable for containing and enclosing in a sealed manner a capsule.
  • Another object is to make a capsule that is usable in known dispensing machines that guarantees the seal during dispensing without the need for a specific sealing arrangement of the housing.
  • a further aim is to obtain a capsule that is cheap and simple to make.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section of a known capsule for beverages associated with a dispensing machine which is also of known type;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross section of a capsule according to the invention associated with a dispensing machine, which is illustrated schematically;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial front view, with certain illustrated parts sectioned for clarity, of a capsule according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic partial cross section of an edge of the capsule of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic partial cross section of an edge of an alternative embodiment of the capsule of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are schematic cross sections like that of FIG. 5 , of further embodiments of the capsule of FIG. 3 .
  • a capsule 1 for beverages according to the invention, which is usable in a dispensing machine 60 , disclosed below, for producing an end product, in particular a hot beverage, for example coffee, barley, herbal tea, tea, chocolate, etc by injecting a hot pressurised fluid F thereinto.
  • a hot beverage for example coffee, barley, herbal tea, tea, chocolate, etc.
  • the capsule 1 of the invention comprises an external casing or container 2 , in turn comprising a base wall 3 and a side wall 4 defining a cavity 5 that is open and suitable for containing an initial product P, for example a soluble or percolable food product to be combined with a fluid, typically water, to obtain an end product.
  • the base wall 3 and the side wall 4 define a body of the capsule 1 that has substantially a beaker or cup shape.
  • the casing further comprises a flange-shaped edge 7 connected to the side wall 4 and extending therefrom, arranged around an opening 29 of the cavity 5 ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the edge 7 is moreover opposite the base wall 3 and faces outwards with respect to the cavity 5 .
  • the casing 2 is made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastic material that is suitable for the process of preparing the end product from the initial product P, which is, for example, able to withstand without deformation temperatures up to 100° C. and pressure up to 5 bar.
  • This sheet of plastic material can have a thickness comprised between 15 micron and 1400 micron, in particular between 350 micron and 1200 micron and is made of a polyolefin, for example polypropylene PP and/or polyethylene PE and/or polyamide PA.
  • a polyolefin for example polypropylene PP and/or polyethylene PE and/or polyamide PA.
  • the sheet material can comprise a first layer of material, in particular suitable for contacting and/or preserving the initial product P, for example made of polypropylene PP that is impermeable to humidity, a second layer of material that is not in contact with the initial product P made of material that is impermeable to gases, in particular to oxygen and optionally also to humidity, which is also known as a barrier layer, and a third layer of outer material.
  • the barrier layer interposed between the first and the second layer, ensures complete insulation of the outer environment of the cavity 5 , in particular if the first layer is permeable over time to oxygen.
  • the barrier layer has a thickness comprised between 2 micron and 100 micron, in particular between 15 micron and 70 micron, and is made for example of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which is gas-impermeable only to oxygen or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), which is gas-impermeable to both oxygen and to humidity.
  • EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
  • PVDC polyvinylidene chloride
  • the first and the third layer are made of the same material, for example polypropylene PP and are coupled with the barrier layer interposed therebetween.
  • Such layers may have the same thickness (for example 350 micron), or different layers (for example the first layer may have a thickness of 500 micron whereas the third layer may have a thickness of 300 micron).
  • the first layer is a support layer and is made of polypropylene PP
  • the second layer is the barrier layer (EVOH or PVDC)
  • third layer is an extruded layer of polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE, that is 15 micron thick, that is coupled with the first and the second layer during the process of producing the sheet material.
  • the sheet material both according to the first and to the second embodiment, is thus selected so as to protect over time the initial product P contained in the capsule from humidity and from oxygen.
  • the capsule comprises, further, a cover element 8 fixed to the edge 7 of the casing 2 to close hermetically the capsule 1 , i.e. the open cavity 5 and thus preserve the product P.
  • the cover element 8 comprises an aluminium film or a plastic film provided with a barrier layer that is perforable by an extracting arrangement of the end product of the dispensing machine 60 .
  • the cover element 8 is fixed to the edge 7 of the casing 2 by means of thermowelding, or ultrasound welding or gluing.
  • the cover element 8 is fixed to the casing by thermowelding, as will be seen below.
  • the base wall 3 of the capsule further has a hole that is for example circular bounded by a further annular edge 3 a extending as far as the side wall 4 of the capsule.
  • a further cover element 25 that is similar to the cover element 8 and is perforable by a cutting arrangement and/or an injection arrangement for cutting and/or injecting the fluid F of the dispensing machine 60 , is fixed to the further edge 3 a outside the base wall 3 , to close the hole thereof, in a similar manner to what has already been said for the cover element 8 .
  • the cover element 8 and the further cover element 25 can be made of aluminium with a thickness comprised between 10 and 50 micron and a basic weight of ⁇ 200 gr/m 2 .
  • the edge 7 of the capsule comprises a sealing element 9 that comprises at least one protrusion 10 , which is also obtainable by thermoforming that faces the base wall 3 and defines at least one further cavity 11 that is open in an opposite direction to the base wall 3 .
  • the protrusion 10 and the further cavity 11 of the sealing element 9 give the edge 7 of the capsule 1 elasticity and deformability that enable a seal to be made between the capsule 1 and the dispensing machine 60 when the capsule 1 is introduced into the dispensing machine 60 , as will be disclosed below.
  • the edge 7 also has a flat annular end 6 .
  • the dispensing machine 60 As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the dispensing machine 60 , of known type and not disclosed in detail, comprises a seat or space 61 suitable for containing and receiving the capsule 1 and a locking arrangement 62 arranged for locking the capsule 1 firmly inside the aforesaid space 61 in an operating configuration.
  • the dispensing machine 60 further comprises a cutting arrangement 65 located on the bottom 66 of the space 61 and arranged for piercing the base wall 3 of the capsule, in particular the further cover element 25 .
  • An arrangement for injecting the fluid F (not shown) is suitable for supplying the pressurised fluid F to the seat 61 of the dispensing machine 60 .
  • This fluid F is in turn injected inside the cavity 5 of the capsule through the openings made on the base 3 of the capsule by the cutting arrangement 65 .
  • An extracting arrangement (not shown) is provided for drilling the cover element 8 so as to enable the end product to exit the capsule 1 .
  • the flange edge 7 of the capsule 1 is tightened and compressed between the locking arrangement 62 and a portion 63 of a supporting frame 67 of the dispensing machine 60 in which the space 61 is obtained.
  • the locking arrangement 62 comprises, for example, an annular plate that acts on the edge 7 of the casing 2 .
  • An abutting arrangement 64 is provided on the supporting portion 63 of the frame 67 and comprises one or more annular ridges that abut on the sealing element 9 of the capsule 1 .
  • the sealing element 9 is elastically deformable, owing to the contact pressure generated by the locking arrangement 62 in the operating configuration, the sealing element 9 deforms locally and substantially takes on the shape of the annular ridges of the abutting arrangement 64 .
  • the sealing element 9 is able to engage in a sealing manner, when pressed, with the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machine 60 .
  • This deformation ensures an optimum seal of the edge 7 with the supporting portion 63 of the frame 67 , which prevents the exit from the latter of fluid F or of pressurised end product during a dispensing operating step.
  • the protrusion 10 that is obtainable by thermoforming is arranged in a first circumferal annular zone 12 ( FIG. 4 ) of the edge 7 .
  • the protrusion 10 is also shaped as a beaker or cup and comprises a respective base wall 13 , parallel to the base wall 3 of the capsule 1 , a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 26 defining the further open cavity 11 .
  • the first annular zone 12 is determined by the overall dimensions of the protrusion 10 in the edge 7 in a direction that is radial with respect to a longitudinal axis A of the capsule 1 , that can coincide with the axis of symmetry of the capsule, and thus as the maximum radial extent of the opening of the further cavity 11 .
  • the sealing element 9 can comprise a single continuous annular protrusion 10 arranged in the first annular zone 12 and in this case the further cavity 11 is annular, circumferal and continuous and is arranged externally to the cavity 5 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the sealing element 9 comprises a plurality of protrusions 10 arranged in separate portions of the first annular zone 12 , that define a plurality of further cavities 11 that are separate and arranged circumferally in the first annular zone 12 .
  • the plurality of protrusions 10 are arranged alternatively in separate portions of the first annular zone 12 and of a second circumferal annular zone (which is not shown) of the edge 7 , arranged externally to the first annular zone 12 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the radial extent, i.e. measured in a radial direction, of the first annular zone 12 is selected in such a manner as to enable the capsule 1 to adapt to dispensing machines of different models, abutting on the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machine 60 however they are arranged radially in the dispensing machine 60 . It should be observed that if optionally both the first annular zone 12 and the second annular zone are present because the protrusions 10 are arranged in distinct concentric annular zones, the measures of radial extent that will be subsequently supplied are to be deemed not to lose scope for a radial extent that includes the first annular zone 12 and the second annular zone.
  • the first annular zone 12 has a radial extent comprised in an interval from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, in particular in an interval comprised between 1.50 mm and 2.50 mm, in particular equal to 1.65 mm.
  • edge portion 15 is interposed having a length that is less than 4.00 mm, in particular 0.75 mm.
  • the length of the edge portion 15 is not nil because a substantially annular gap 16 is present that is interposed between the side wall 4 of the capsule and the second side wall 26 of the protrusion 10 that spaces the protrusion 10 from the side wall 4 of the capsule 1 .
  • the cover element 8 is joined to the edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding along a first annular joining portion 21 that extends along the edge portion 15 .
  • the cover element 8 does not extend above the further cavity 11 , which is thus open.
  • This fixing mode of the cover element 8 is particularly preferred when the sealing element 9 comprises a plurality of protrusions 10 arranged in separate portions of the first annular zone 12 , or a plurality of protrusions 10 arranged alternatively in separate portions of the first annular zone 12 and of a second circumferal annular zone of the edge 7 , arranged externally to the first annular zone 12 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A.
  • the annular gap 16 is absent and the distance between the protrusion 10 and side wall 4 of the capsule 1 is substantially nil because the side wall 4 of the capsule and the second side wall 26 of the protrusion 10 have a common origin and define together an acute angle of top 17 .
  • the cover element 8 is joined to edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding, along a single annular joining portion 27 that extends along the entire edge 7 , extending thus also inside the cavity 11 , which remains open.
  • the cover element 8 is joined to edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding, at least along a first annular joining portion 21 , that is internal in a direction that is radial with respect to the first annular zone 12 , a second annular joining portion 22 , that is external in a direction that is radial with respect to the first annular zone 12 on the flat annular end 6 of the edge 7 , and a third annular joining portion 24 on the bottom of the cavity 11 , respectively.
  • the first joining portion 21 has a radial extent comprised between 0.10 mm and 3.00 mm, for example equal to 0.45 mm.
  • the second joining portion 22 has a radial extent of at least 0.3 mm and extends substantially along the entire flat annular end 6 . Also in this embodiment, the cover element 8 extends inside the cavity 11 , which remains open.
  • the third annular joining portion 24 has a radial extent of at least 0.1 mm.
  • the cover element 8 is joined to edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding, at least along a first annular joining portion 21 that is internal in a direction that is radial with respect to the first annular zone 12 and a third annular joining portion 24 on the bottom of the cavity 11 , respectively.
  • the first joining portion 21 has a radial extent of at least 0.1 mm.
  • the third annular joining portion 24 has a radial extent of at least 0.1 mm.
  • the cover element 8 extends only partially inside the cavity 11 , in the zone comprised between the side wall 4 of the capsule and the bottom of the cavity 11 , without extending on the flat annular end 6 . Also in this embodiment the cavity 11 remains open.
  • the cover element 8 is joined to edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding, at least along a second annular joining portion 22 that is external in a direction that is radial with respect to the first annular zone 12 .
  • the second annular joining portion 22 has a radial extent of at least 0.1 mm and extends substantially along the entire flat annular end 6 .
  • the cover element 8 extends inside the cavity 11 , which remains open.
  • the cover element 8 is joined to edge 7 of the capsule 1 , in particular by thermowelding, along a further single annular joining portion 28 that extends along the edge 7 as far as the start of the flat annular end 6 , thus also inside the cavity 11 , which remains open, without however extending above the flat annular end 6 .
  • the flat annular end 6 contributes to making the sealing element, as will be seen below.
  • the flat annular end 6 has a radial extent 23 of at least 0.3 mm.
  • the protrusion 10 has a longitudinal extent 18 and i.e. a height, from a surface 6 a of the flat annular end 6 facing the base wall 3 of the capsule 1 to the base wall 13 of the protrusion 10 comprised between 0.30 mm and 0.80 mm. If the base wall 13 of the protrusion 10 is parallel to the base wall 3 of the capsule 1 , the longitudinal extent 18 is constant and for example equal to 0.75 mm.
  • the protrusion 10 can have a total longitudinal extent that is greater than the longitudinal extent 18 , added to the thickness of the casing 2 , if thermoforming is deeper in some portions of edge 7 than the flat annular end 6 thereof, as for example in FIGS. 5 to 8 , in which the top 17 of the capsule is not aligned on a surface 6 b of the flat annular end 6 of the edge 7 , opposite the surface 6 a.
  • the deformation of the sealing element 9 is effective if in the protrusion 10 the casing 2 has a first thickness 19 , corresponding to the thickness of the bottom of the cavity 11 , i.e. of the base wall 13 , comprised in a range from 0.15 mm to 0.90 mm, in particular between 0.20 mm and 0.60 mm, still more in particular equal to 0.25 mm.
  • the deformation of the sealing element 9 is further facilitated if the flat annular end 6 has a second thickness 20 comprised between 0.15 mm and 0.90 mm, in particular between 0.20 mm to 0.60 mm, still more in particular equal to 0.25 mm, if the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 26 both have a thickness from 0.15 mm to 0.90 mm, in particular between 0.20 mm and 0.60 mm, still more in particular equal to 0.25 mm.
  • the first thickness 19 is suitably selected because it has to enable the sealing element 9 to flex and deform when it is compressed by the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machine 60 and has to ensure the sealing element 9 sufficient mechanical resistance.
  • a first thickness 19 greater than 0.90 mm makes the sealing element 9 too stiff, preventing it from deforming sufficiently to ensure that it can engage in a sealing manner on the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machine 60 . Further, the aforesaid tests have shown that if the first thickness 19 is less than 0.15 mm there is the risk that the sealing element 9 and the edge 7 of the capsule 1 may get damaged during welding of the cover element 8 , or during conveying of the capsule 1 , or during handling of the capsule 1 by a user. The inventors have also ascertained that also the thickness selected for the first side wall 14 and for the second side wall 26 can contribute, together with the first thickness 19 , to sufficient flexibility and deformability of the sealing element 9 , ensuring it at the same time sufficient mechanical resistance.
  • the second thickness 20 , the longitudinal extent 18 of the protrusion 10 , the length of the edge portion 15 , in the capsule embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 are chosen to facilitate flexure and deformation of the sealing element 9 .
  • the joining portions 21 , 22 , 24 , 27 and 28 joining the cover element 8 to the edge 7 which are mentioned above, above all when they are obtained by thermowelding, have blocking features in the sense that they ensure that the capsule preserves the initial product P over time in ideal conditions when stored during warehousing but at the same time they ensure that the sealing element 9 is maintained unaltered even when the latter flexes and is deformed by the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machine 60 .
  • the joining portions do not yield and maintain the cover element 8 whole and joined to the casing 2 even when subject to pressure, for example generated by the development of CO 2 inside the capsule 1 .
  • first and the second annular joining portion 21 and 22 are arranged, with respect to the annular joining portion 24 , on a different level with respect to the opening 29 of the cavity 5 , i.e. are staggered with respect to the third annular joining portion 24 in a direction parallel to said axis A of the capsule, makes the cover element 8 resist better mechanical stresses that are due to a pressure increase inside the cavity 5 and does not detach from the edge 7 through the effect of said mechanical stress.
  • the annular joining portions 27 and 28 extend on different levels with respect to the opening 29 of the cavity 5 , i.e.
  • the cover element 8 resist better mechanical stresses that are due to a pressure increase inside the cavity 5 and does not detach from the edge 7 through the effect of said mechanical stress.
  • the cover element 8 is joined to the edge 7 of the capsule 1 in zones of the edge 7 that are at different levels with respect to the opening 29 of the cavity 5 , i.e. are mutually staggered in a direction that is parallel to said axis A of the capsule, a significant increase of resistance of the cover element 8 to said mechanical stress is obtained.
  • the capsule 1 of the invention thus ensures an optimum seal inside the dispensing machine, during the dispensing step without requiring the use of specific washers associated with the dispensing machine and/or with the capsule.
  • the capsule can adapt to different embodiments of the abutting arrangement 64 of the dispensing machines 60 , without the need to make different shaped edges 7 for each type of model of dispensing machine.
  • the capsule 1 of the invention is thus able to adapt to different models of dispensing machine 60 .
  • the deformability of the sealing element 9 is ensured both by the type of selected sheet material, which is per se deformable, but above all by the thickness of the casing 2 in the edge 7 of the capsule 1 , which is makeable by thermoforming, as detailed previously.
  • the thickness 19 of the thermoformed casing 2 in the protrusion 10 ensures the deformability and the flexibility of the sealing element 9 . Further, it has been observed in experiments that also selecting a suitable thickness 20 for the flat annular end 6 and the radial extent 23 thereof is important inasmuch as the flat annular end 6 contributes to making an effective seal.
  • the flat annular end 6 of the edge 7 is in fact able, when deformed, to follow the contour of the abutting arrangement of the dispensing machine for all the radial extent 23 thereof, contributing to avoiding undesired losses of liquid.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
US15/120,960 2014-02-28 2015-02-26 Capsule For Beverages Abandoned US20160362247A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMO20140046 2014-02-28
ITMO2014A000047 2014-02-28
ITMO2014A000046 2014-02-28
ITMO20140047 2014-02-28
PCT/IB2015/051430 WO2015128827A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-02-26 Capsule for beverages

Publications (1)

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US20160362247A1 true US20160362247A1 (en) 2016-12-15

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US15/120,960 Abandoned US20160362247A1 (en) 2014-02-28 2015-02-26 Capsule For Beverages

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US (1) US20160362247A1 (zh)
EP (2) EP3110722B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2017510339A (zh)
KR (1) KR102291344B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN106061339A (zh)
AU (2) AU2015221757B2 (zh)
BR (1) BR112016018264B1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2939313C (zh)
ES (2) ES2672365T3 (zh)
WO (1) WO2015128827A1 (zh)
ZA (2) ZA201606600B (zh)

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US10940995B2 (en) * 2015-05-15 2021-03-09 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11198556B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2021-12-14 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11198557B2 (en) 2016-10-07 2021-12-14 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage
US11352199B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2022-06-07 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11540659B2 (en) 2017-07-14 2023-01-03 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Assembly of a capsule and a brew chamber
US11673738B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2023-06-13 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11679929B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2023-06-20 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule and a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule
US11760561B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2023-09-19 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11772883B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2023-10-03 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device

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US11760561B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2023-09-19 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US20210204750A1 (en) * 2015-05-15 2021-07-08 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11198556B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2021-12-14 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11352199B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2022-06-07 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US10940995B2 (en) * 2015-05-15 2021-03-09 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11851268B2 (en) * 2015-05-15 2023-12-26 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11772883B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2023-10-03 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US10835074B2 (en) 2015-05-15 2020-11-17 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11679929B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2023-06-20 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule and a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule
US11673738B2 (en) 2016-05-13 2023-06-13 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
US11198557B2 (en) 2016-10-07 2021-12-14 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage
US11866249B2 (en) 2016-10-07 2024-01-09 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System for preparing a potable beverage
US11844453B2 (en) 2017-07-14 2023-12-19 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts N.V. Capsule for the preparation of a beverage
US11540659B2 (en) 2017-07-14 2023-01-03 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Assembly of a capsule and a brew chamber

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3110722B1 (en) 2018-04-04
CA2939313C (en) 2022-04-19
ZA201708540B (en) 2022-05-25
AU2020200129B2 (en) 2021-03-25
WO2015128827A1 (en) 2015-09-03
ES2773886T3 (es) 2020-07-15
BR112016018264B1 (pt) 2022-05-24
AU2015221757A1 (en) 2016-09-29
KR20160127006A (ko) 2016-11-02
AU2020200129A1 (en) 2020-01-30
KR102291344B1 (ko) 2021-08-20
JP2017510339A (ja) 2017-04-13
EP3369677A1 (en) 2018-09-05
EP3369677B1 (en) 2019-12-18
AU2015221757B2 (en) 2020-01-30
ES2672365T3 (es) 2018-06-14
EP3110722A1 (en) 2017-01-04
CA2939313A1 (en) 2015-09-03
CN106061339A (zh) 2016-10-26
BR112016018264A2 (zh) 2017-08-08
CN106061339A8 (zh) 2017-02-01
ZA201606600B (en) 2020-02-26

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