US20210347556A1 - Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member - Google Patents
Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member Download PDFInfo
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- US20210347556A1 US20210347556A1 US17/283,875 US201917283875A US2021347556A1 US 20210347556 A1 US20210347556 A1 US 20210347556A1 US 201917283875 A US201917283875 A US 201917283875A US 2021347556 A1 US2021347556 A1 US 2021347556A1
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- Prior art keywords
- capsule
- arc
- rim
- flange
- shaped protrusions
- Prior art date
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- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 185
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 152
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 74
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000008504 concentrate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000021539 instant coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019219 chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004922 lacquer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000011514 reflex Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013616 tea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a capsule designed for preparation of a food product such as a beverage with enhanced sealing means.
- the invention relates to a capsule having a body with an integrally formed sealing member made from metallic material such as aluminum.
- Capsules for preparation of a food product such as a beverage are widely known in the market.
- An example of such capsule that is intended for being used with a beverage preparation machine is described in EP 0 512 468 A1.
- the capsule (provided with a membrane) is inserted to the machine and ingredients contained in the capsule are made to interact with liquid provided to the capsule in order to form a desired beverage that is then made to leave the capsule.
- the capsule is opened under the effect of rising pressure within the capsule, which urges an outlet face of the membrane against opening means such as raised elements provided on a supporting part of the beverage preparation machine.
- Sealing of the capsule during the beverage preparation process is obtained by an outer portion of a flange-like rim of the capsule that is contacted along a circumferential contact line by a suitably shaped engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- capsules In order to enhance sealing between the capsule and an engagement member of the beverage preparation machine, capsules have been developed in which a dedicated sealing member is applied and wherein the sealing member is of different material than the capsule body.
- EP 1 654 966 A1, EP 1 849 715 A1 and EP 2 151 313 A1 relate to such a capsule in which a sealing member of rubber elastic material is applied to the capsule.
- the sealing member may be applied onto the capsule body by means of liquid depositing and hardening, gluing or by crimping a portion of the capsule body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule onto the sealing member.
- a disadvantage of these capsules is a more complex manufacturing process in which the capsule and the sealing member are manufactured in individual manufacturing steps and then assembled.
- the solution is also costly to produce both in terms of material cost and production cost and it has also an environmental impact due to the use of two different materials. Therefore, a solution is sought-after which enables a facilitated manufacturing process while at the same time providing enhanced sealing properties of the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- Capsules are also known, which comprise an integrally formed sealing member, i.e. a sealing member made from the same material as the capsule body respectively the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- EP 1 654 966 A1, EP 2 303 077 B1, EP 2 387 922 B1 and EP 2 814 328 B1 relate to a capsule comprising a sealing member formed of a plurality of concentric annular projection in the form of protrusions or steps integrally formed with the flange-like rim.
- EP 1 654 966 A1 discloses, in its third embodiment, to have the resilient nature of the sealing member made by the geometrical shape of the capsule itself. It proposes to have the sealing member in the shape of a step that increase the diameter of the side wall of the capsule . When the capsule is engaged with the inclined sealing surface of the beverage preparation machine, a deflection of the sealing member occurs on the capsule.
- WO2014/012783 A1, WO2014/184652 A1, WO2016/186489 A1, WO2016/186495 A1 and WO2016/186496 A1 also disclose capsules for beverage preparation and which comprise a flange-like rim portion with an integrally formed annular sealing member.
- WO2016/186495 A1 relates to a plastic capsule comprising a flange-like rim with two spaced projections projecting axially from the flange-like rim and a plateau between the two projections.
- a specific part of the beverage preparation machine is configured to interact with the projections and the plateau to provide sealing engagement.
- WO2016/207845 A1 relates to a plastic capsule comprising a flange-like rim with a single annular sealing ring that is enclosed by inner and outer centering projections.
- the centering projections comprise a multitude of arc-shaped elements separated circumferentially by gaps which are designed to provide a better centering of the sealing ring with respect to a circumferential sealing edge of a beverage preparation machine.
- tensions may occur during forming of the projections in the manufacturing process, which in turn lead to defects in the sealing member and/or the flange-like rim and which negatively affect the sealing properties of the sealing member.
- metal capsules e.g. made from aluminum or aluminum alloy.
- defects such as stress cracking, wrinkling and other surface defects may occur during the deep drawing process of aluminum when forming the capsule.
- circumferentially arranged sealing protrusions may lead to a less tolerant sealing adjustment with concentricity problems.
- the invention relates to a capsule designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by means of a beverage preparation machine, the capsule having a longitudinal axis and comprising a cup-shaped base body for holding beverage preparation ingredients, a flange-like rim and sealing means.
- the base body, the flange-like rim and the sealing means are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum, as a one piece element and the sealing means comprise a dedicated surface located on the base body at the junction with the flange-like rim and a projection comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim.
- the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing means are concentrically arranged such as to form an annular space there-between for receiving at least one sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- the capsule according to the invention enables a reliable and tolerant sealing structure made from a single integral piece and thus by omitting any additional material such as rubber.
- the capsule may thus be formed in a facilitated manufacturing process at reduced costs, while at the same time providing an enhanced sealing member without any material defects such as cracks, wrinkling and surface defects that could affect the capsule quality and tightness and as well the extraction process.
- the arc-shaped protrusions of one series of protrusion and dedicated surface being arranged such that the protrusions are at least partially covering the dedicated surface in side view.
- the flange-like rim is preferably an essentially planar collar that extends from an open end of the cup-shaped base body essentially perpendicular to outer lateral sidewalls of the base body and/or to a rotational axis of the capsule.
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions are arranged distant from the cup-shaped base body and from the outer periphery of the flange-like rim.
- the arc-shaped protrusions and dedicated surface of the sealing member are preferably integrally formed in the otherwise essentially planar flange-like rim.
- the protrusions formed in the flange-like rim may comprise a material thickness essentially corresponding to the rest of the flange-like rim.
- the arc-shaped protrusions and dedicated surface in the flange-like rim are preferably made by a deep-drawing process.
- the capsule body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member may be manufactured using deep-drawing process.
- the capsule may e.g. be produced by deep-drawing an initially flat metal sheet.
- the capsule is preferably made from a single sheet of metal such as aluminum.
- the arc-shaped protrusions of one series of protrusions are arranged equidistant to the dedicated surface such as to form a circumferentially constant annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions.
- the annular space extends over a radial distance asD (corresponding to the distance between the dedicated surface and the arc shaped protrusions) comprised between 0.25 and 0.80 mm.
- the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing member are arranged on the same surface of the flange-like rim.
- the surface is directed towards the cup-shaped base body of the capsule.
- a closing membrane may be connected to the capsule base body.
- the dedicated surface extends over a radial distance D comprised between 0.1 and 0.6 mm to cooperate with the sealing surface of the capsule engagement member.
- the capsule engagement member interact, on one side with the dedicated surface and on the other side with the arc shaped protrusions.
- the dedicated surface is selected in the group of a step, an inclined surface, a double step or a combination thereof.
- the dedicated surface When the dedicated surface is in the form of a step, it has a height H comprised between 0.5 and 3 mm.
- the dedicated surface When the dedicated surface is an inclined surface, it is inclined vis à vis the external surface of the base body.
- the inclination may be of an angle that is a sharp angle or a reflex angle.
- the arc-shaped protrusions of the series arc shaped protrusions of the sealing member are preferably continuous protrusions with gaps formed between the respective protrusions of a given series.
- the gaps are thus annular gaps that extend between respective adjacent arc-shaped protrusions of a given series.
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions may each comprise a multitude of arc-shaped protrusions, preferably, at least two, at least three, four, five or six arc-shaped protrusions.
- the protrusions extend over a total angle comprised between 200 and 340°, which allows a good angular overlap with the dedicated surface, and therefore participate in an efficient sealing with the engagement member.
- the angular overlap between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions equals at least 60 to 95%, preferably 75 to 85%.
- the arc-shaped protrusions are arranged distant from the cup-shaped base body and from an outer periphery of the flange-like rim and the annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions is void of any protrusion for receiving the annular sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- a bottom portion of the annular space is preferably a flat annular portion.
- the bottom portion of the annular space preferably corresponds to an upper surface of the flange-like rim portion.
- the engagement member is preferably an essentially bell-shaped engagement member respectively a so-called capsule cage designed to house the cup-shaped base body of the capsule.
- the sealing surface of the engagement member may be a flat or rounded end surface of the engagement member.
- the sealing surface of the engagement member is arranged for engaging the annular space between the dedicated surface and the series of arc shaped protrusions.
- the engagement of the sealing surface of the engagement member may be such that it may deform at least partially the protrusions and dedicated surface.
- the engagement of the sealing surface of the engagement member may be such that it provides at least substantially radially oriented sealing forces with the protrusions and dedicated surface.
- the radial distance asD of the annular space is preferably chosen such as to be equal to or less than the radial length L of the sealing surface of the capsule engagement member in order to provide efficient fluid tightness.
- the radial distance asD is chosen to be at least 1-2%, preferably at least 2-5% less than the radial length L of the annular sealing surface of the engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing means are arranged at a radial distance d of between 0.5 to 1.2 mm, more preferably between 0.8 and 1.0 mm from the base body.
- the arc-shaped protrusions of the series of arc shaped protrusions preferably comprise a base width BW of between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm and/or a height h of between 0.8 and 1.7 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.
- the respective protrusions preferably comprise in sectional side view a lower base portion B with two opposing preferably linear wall sections and an upper portion A with two opposing preferably rounded wall sections.
- the two opposing rounded wall sections of the upper portion A are preferably joined by a rounded tip portion C.
- the two opposing linear wall sections are preferably arranged to converge towards the upper portion A of the respective protrusions.
- the two opposing linear wall sections are preferably arranged at an angle of inclination of between 3 to 12°, more preferably of between 5 to 10° with respect to the normal of the flange-like rim and/or with respect to a rotational axis of the capsule.
- the two opposing rounded wall sections of the upper portion A preferably comprise a radius R 1 of between 0.5 to 5.5, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm.
- the rounded tip portion C preferably comprise a radius R 2 of between 0.2 and 2.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm.
- the two opposing wall sections of the lower portion B may be not strictly linear but slightly convex.
- the two opposing wall sections A and B may form together continuously convex wall sections of increasing curvature in direction to the tip portion C.
- the capsule preferably further comprises a closing membrane connected to the base body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- the closing membrane is preferably connected to a surface of the flange-like rim opposite to the surface at which the inner and outer series of arc-shaped protrusions are arranged.
- the closing membrane may be connected to the flange-like rim by means of an adhesive and/or welding technique.
- the closing membrane is preferably a closed membrane, i.e. void of any perforations.
- the closing membrane may however as well comprise pre-formed perforations therein.
- the closing membrane is preferably an aluminum foil.
- the foil is preferably sealed to the flange-like rim such as to form a seal hermetical to gas with the capsule base body for preserving freshness of the ingredients contained in the cartridge.
- the thickness of the closing membrane preferably lies between 50 and 100 microns (including the embossed structure and lacquer(s) on surface).
- the invention relates to a system comprising a capsule as described above and a beverage preparation machine designed to provide heated and/or pressurized liquid into the capsule for preparing a beverage upon interaction of the liquid with ingredients held within the capsule.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a pump, heating and/or cooling means, a liquid supply such as a water tank and/or a beverage brewing chamber for selectively receiving a capsule in order to prepare a beverage therefrom.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a capsule engagement member, e.g. as part of the brewing chamber, which is designed to house a capsule and in particular the capsule base body when the capsule is provided into the machine.
- the engagement member comprises an annular sealing surface designed to interact with the sealing member of the capsule in order to enable an effective sealing of the capsule during the beverage preparation process.
- the sealing surface of the engagement member may be arranged for engaging the dedicated surface and the arc shaped protrusions of the series of arc-shaped protrusions.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises perforation means such as injection blades or the like, which are designed to perforate an inlet face of the capsule, in particular situated at a closed end of the capsule base body, and to inject liquid into the capsule interior.
- perforation means such as injection blades or the like, which are designed to perforate an inlet face of the capsule, in particular situated at a closed end of the capsule base body, and to inject liquid into the capsule interior.
- the beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises a capsule support designed to hold the flange-like rim of the capsule at a side opposite to a side at which the engagement member of the machine engages the sealing member of the capsule.
- the capsule support preferably comprises opening means such as e.g. truncated pyramid-like elements against which a closing membrane of the capsule may be urged during pressure rise within the capsule such as to open the closing member e.g. by of tearing or rupturing.
- the capsule according to the present invention is preferably rotational symmetric, i.e. symmetric along its vertical axis.
- the beverage preparation ingredients provided in the capsule are preferably chosen from the group consisting of roasted ground coffee, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of roasted ground coffee and instant coffee, a syrup concentrate, a fruit extract concentrate, a chocolate product, a milk-based product or any other dehydrated edible substance, such as dehydrated stock.
- the liquid to be used for beverage preparation is preferably water of any temperature.
- the invention further relates to a cup-shaped base body of a capsule for preparation of a food product with an enhanced integrally formed sealing member comprising a dedicated surface and a circumferentially arranged projection for receiving there-between a sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a capsule according to the invention.
- FIG. 1 b is a top view of the capsule according to FIG. 1 a.
- FIG. 2 a is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 b is a cross sectional side view of the capsule according to the invention in direction A-A of FIG. 1 b.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a protrusion of the sealing member according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 a is a sectional side view in direction D-D of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention.
- FIG. 4 b is a sectional side view in direction E-E of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention.
- FIG. 5 a is a sectional side view in direction D-D of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other.
- FIG. 5 b is a sectional side view in direction E-E of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other.
- FIG. 6 a is a sectional side view in direction D-D of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine after engaging with each other.
- FIG. 6 b is a sectional side view in direction E-E of FIG. 1 b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine after engaging with each other.
- FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of second embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of third embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention.
- FIGS. 1 a and 1 b relate to a preferred embodiment of a capsule 10 according to the invention and respectively represents perspective side view and top view of said preferred embodiment.
- the capsule 10 comprises a cup-shaped base body 1 .
- the base body 1 comprises a closed end 10 a , a sidewall 10 b forming the external surface of the base body 1 and an open end 10 c .
- the closed end 10 a may serve as an injection face during a beverage preparation process, which may be opened by a dedicated injection member of a beverage preparation machine 20 (not represented in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b ).
- the capsule 10 further comprises a flange-like rim 2 which is preferably arranged at the open end 10 c of the capsule 10 .
- the flange-like rim 2 may extend radially outwardly from lateral sidewalls 10 b of the cup-shaped base body 1 .
- the flange-like rim 2 is preferably arranged transversally to a rotational axis Y of the capsule 10 (rotational axis Y also corresponds to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 10 ).
- the flange-like rim 2 presents at least one upper annular surface 2 a , said surface being directed towards the capsule base body 1 thus facing away from the open end 10 c of the capsule, at least one lower annular surface 2 b , which surface 2 b is directed away from the capsule base body 1 and a curled outer edge 2 c at its outer periphery (extremity of the flange-like rim 2 opposite the base body 1 ).
- the capsule is preferably made of aluminum.
- a closing membrane 9 may be arranged at the open end 10 c of the capsule base body 1 .
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably connected to the flange-like rim 2 .
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably connected to the lower annular surface 2 b of the flange-like rim 2 .
- the closing membrane 9 may be connected to the base body 1 or to both the base body 1 and the flange-like rim 2 .
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably an aluminum foil sealed to the flange-like rim 2 .
- the cup-shaped base body 1 preferably encloses beverage ingredients suitably for preparing a liquid comestible upon interaction with liquid injected into the capsule 10 .
- the ingredients are preferably enclosed by the cup-shaped base body 1 and the closing membrane 9 .
- the beverage ingredients may be roasted ground coffee or other kinds of ingredients as previously described.
- the capsule 10 For the preparation of a beverage, the capsule 10 is inserted into the dedicated beverage preparation 20 (presented in FIGS. 5 a to 6 b ). During the extraction process, an engagement member 21 (presented in FIGS. 5 a to 6 b ) of the beverage preparation machine 20 is engaged with the capsule 10 : When the capsule 10 is placed into the beverage preparation machine 20 , the engagement member 21 is lowered onto the capsule 10 by means of a dedicated closing force F.
- the engagement member 21 comprises a sealing profile presenting at least one sealing surface 21 a (presented in FIGS. 5 a to 6 b ) coming into contact with the capsule 10 .
- a radial length L of the sealing surface 21 a is defined.
- the radial length L of the sealing is preferably between 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
- the flange-like rim 2 comprises an integrally formed sealing member 3 that is arranged at the upper annular surface 2 a of the flange-like rim.
- the cup-shaped base body 1 , the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing member 3 are integrally formed, i.e. as one single piece made from the same material. Accordingly, the cup-shaped base body 1 , the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing member 3 can be manufactured from the same material by a forming process. In particular, the base body 1 , the flange-like rim 2 and the integrally formed sealing member 3 can be formed in a deep-drawing process. The deep drawing process may require more than one deep drawing step to properly form from a flat piece of material the body of the capsule and the sealing member.
- the base body 1 , the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing means 3 are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum, or aluminum alloy as a one piece element.
- the sealing member 3 comprises a dedicated surface 4 , located at the junction between the lateral sidewalls 10 b of the body base 1 and the flange-like rim 2 , and a circular projection 5 comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a protruding on the flange-like rim 2 .
- the circular projection 5 comprises one series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a , comprising individual arc-shaped protrusions 5 a arranged at a predefined radius about a rotational axis Y of the capsule 10 .
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a are concentrically arranged on the flange-like rim 2 .
- the series of arc-shaped protrusion 5 a are integrally formed with the flange-like rim 2 . This means that they are formed of same material as the flange-like rim and from the flange-like rim such as (and are not add-on parts) to protrude from the surface 2 a.
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a is preferably arranged on the surface 2 a distant from the curled outer circumferential edge 2 c of the flange-like rim 2 .
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a is further arranged distant from the dedicated surface 4 and from the cup-shaped base body 1 of the capsule 10 .
- the relative position of the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a on the flange-like rim 2 naturally depends on the matching position of the sealing surfaces of the sealing profile determined by the dimensions of the engaging member 21 .
- the series arc-shaped protrusion 5 a may comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five or six arc-shaped protrusions 5 a.
- the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shaped protrusion are preferably continuous protrusions with gaps 5 b formed there-between.
- the dedicated surface 4 comprises a step 4 a extending from the lateral sidewalls 1 b over the flange-like rim 2 , the step 4 a being substantially parallel to the flange-like rim direction.
- the step 4 a is integrally formed with the flange-like rim 2 and the base body 1 meaning it is formed from the flange-like rim such as (and are not add-on parts) to extend from the surface 2 a.
- the step 4 a extends continuously and annularly around the lateral sidewalls 1 b and is arranged to cooperate with the sealing surface 21 a of the capsule engagement member 21 .
- FIGS. 5 a to 6 b further described showing the capsule 10 interacting with the engagement member 21 of the beverage machine 20 .
- the dedicated surface 4 in the forms of a step 4 a extends over a radial distance D.
- the radial distance D is comprised in the range from 0.25 to 0.8 mm.
- radial distance D is about 0.5 mm.
- step 4 a has a height H comprised between 0.5 and 3 mm.
- the dedicated surface 4 (step 4 a ) and the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a are arranged to form an annular space 6 there-between for receiving the sealing surface 21 a of the capsule engagement member 21 .
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of one series of protrusions are arranged equidistant to the dedicated surface 4 such as to form constant circumferentially annular space 6 between the dedicated surface 4 and the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a.
- a radial distance asD is defined between the step 4 a and the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a and correspond to the extension of the annular space 6 .
- the radial distance asD is preferably chosen such that the step 4 a of the dedicated surface 4 and the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a suitably interact in sealing engagement with the dedicated sealing surface 21 a of the engagement member 21 .
- the sealing surface 21 a actually splits into a sealing surface portion S 1 which engages the step 4 a of the dedicated surface 4 , a sealing surface portion S 2 which engages the flange like rim 2 in the annual space 6 , and a sealing surface portion S 3 which engages the protrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shaped protrusions.
- the radial distance asD is preferably between 0.25 to 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.35 and 0.65 mm.
- the annular space 6 between the step 4 a and arc-shaped protrusions 5 a is preferably void of any protrusion.
- the annular space 6 thus preferably comprises an essentially flat annular bottom surface 2 d (presented in FIG. 4 b ) which interconnects the dedicated surface 4 and the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a.
- the closing membrane 9 is connected to an annular outer portion of the surface 2 b of the flange-like rim.
- the closing membrane 9 may additionally be connected to intermediate annular surfaces 2 d arranged between the outer annular surface 2 b and the capsule base body 1 .
- the closing membrane 9 is preferably sealed on the annular bottom surfaces 2 d and onto the outer annular surface 2 b.
- the annular bottom surface 2 d between the step 4 a and the arc shaped protrusions 5 a is preferably not elevated or lowered relative to the outer annular surface 2 b of the flange like rim 2 .
- the annular bottom surfaces 2 d and the outer annular surface 2 b are preferably substantially aligned.
- the dedicated surface 4 and the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a are arranged such as to overlap in side view of the capsule with the sealing surface 21 a of the engagement member 21 .
- FIG. 2 a relates to a schematic top view onto a capsule 10 according to the invention in which the respective radii of the capsule 10 are indicated.
- the capsule base body 1 and the flange-like rim 2 merge at a circumferential edge indicated as r 1 .
- Said radius r 1 preferably lies between 12 and 18 mm, and most preferably is 15 mm.
- the outer radius r 5 of the flange-like rim 2 at the curled outer edge 2 c preferably lies between 18 and 20 mm, and most preferably is 18.5 mm.
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of the series of arc shaped protrusions 5 a comprises circumferentially extending gaps 5 b formed between the respective arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of said series.
- the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a extends over a total angle that is between 200 and 340° when seen in top view.
- the overlap with the dedicated surface 4 lies over an angle between 200 and 340°.
- the respective arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shaped protrusions 5 a are presently arranged circumferentially at equidistance to the dedicated surface 4 such as to form constant circumferentially extending arc-shaped protrusions 5 a separated by extending gaps 5 b between the arc shaped protrusions 5 a.
- r 1 and r 2 corresponds to the radial extension of the dedicated surface 4 and specifically of the step 4 a.
- r 2 and r 3 corresponds to the radial extension of the annular space, thus to the distance of the annular space 6 , asD.
- the radial distance of the annular space 6 , asD preferably lies between 0.25 and 0.8 mm.
- r 3 and r 4 corresponds to a radial extension of the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a and the respective intermediate gaps 5 b of the series of arc shaped protrusions 5 a , thus to the distance of radial extension of the arc shaped protrusions 5 a , pD (represented in FIG. 4 b ).
- the radial extension of the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a , pD preferably lies between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm.
- FIG. 3 relates to a cross section side view of an exemplary embodiment of an arc-shaped protrusion 5 a.
- the arc shaped protrusions 5 a preferably comprise a lower base portion B with two opposing linear wall sections b 1 and b 2 and an upper portion A with two opposing rounded wall sections a 1 and a 2 .
- the two opposing rounded wall sections a 1 and a 2 of the upper portion A are preferably joined by a rounded tip portion C.
- the two opposing linear wall sections b 1 ,b 2 are preferably arranged to approach towards the upper portion A of the arc shaped protrusions 5 a .
- the two opposing linear wall sections b 1 ,b 2 are preferably arranged at an angle a of inclination of between 3 to 12°, more preferably of between 5 to 10° with respect to the normal N of the flange-like rim 2 and/or with respect to a rotational axis Y of the capsule 10 .
- the two opposing rounded wall sections a 1 ,a 2 of the upper portion A preferably comprise a radius R 1 of between 0.5 to 5.5 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm.
- the rounded tip portion C preferably comprise a radius R 2 of between 0.2 and 2.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm.
- a base width BW corresponding to the maximum radial extension of the arc shaped protrusions 5 a , pD, preferably lies between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm.
- the height h preferably lies between 0.8 and 1.7 mm, more preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.
- the base portion B preferably extends to a height hl of between 1 ⁇ 3 to 1 ⁇ 2 of overall height h.
- upper portion A may extend to a height h 2 of between 2 ⁇ 3 to 1 ⁇ 2 of overall height h.
- the arc shaped protrusions 5 a may comprise free ends 7 a , 7 b of progressively reducing dimensions to ensure a smoother transition with the surface 2 a of the flange-like rim.
- the width r 4 -r 3 and height h at these free ends 7 a , 7 b preferably diminish progressively towards circumferentially extending gaps 5 b .
- the shape of these ends 7 a , 7 b may be slightly triangular or rounded when viewed from the top in direction of the flange-like rim as illustrated in FIG. 3 . As a result, the forming of the projections is facilitated with lower risk of cracks or wrinkles.
- FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b are sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented in FIG. 1 b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealing member 3 of the capsule 10 .
- the arc shaped protrusions 5 a of the sealing member 3 are preferably hollow. Accordingly, the arc shaped protrusions 5 a are not filled with material of the flange-like rim 2 , but are formed by a contour of wall thickness t 2 . The arc shaped protrusions 5 a thus preferably form a hollow body that is open to the lower surface 2 b of the flange-like rim 2 .
- the wall thickness t 1 of the flange-like rim 2 may generally be slightly larger than the wall thickness t 2 of the arc shaped protrusions 5 a for the same reason, the wall thickness t 1 , t 2 may generally be larger than the wall thickness tb of the base body 1 of the capsule.
- FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b are sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented in FIG. 1 b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealing member 3 of the capsule 10 and an engagement member 21 of a beverage preparation machine 20 before engaging with each other.
- the system to which the capsule and the beverage preparation machine are integrated in is operated as follows for the preparation of a cup of a beverage, for example, a coffee.
- the capsule 10 is placed in the beverage preparation machine and the capsule engaging member 21 is brought into contact with the capsule 10 when the beverage preparation machine is closed.
- the engagement member 21 is preferably an essentially hollow bell-shaped engagement member for receiving the capsule base body 1 therein.
- the engagement member comprises a sealing surface 21 a that may be an annular lower surface with rounded inner and outer circumferential edges.
- the front surface 21 a comprises a radial portion P presenting a thickness L that preferably lies between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, more preferably between 0.9 and 1.1 mm.
- the engagement member 21 When the capsule 10 is placed into the beverage preparation machine 20 , the engagement member 21 will be lowered onto the capsule 10 by means of a dedicated closing force F.
- annular sealing surface 21 a will first cooperate with the step 4 a ( FIG. 5 a / 5 b ) and then engage with the annular space 6 ( FIG. 6 a / 6 b ) thereby providing a fluid tight engagement between the sealing surface 21 a and the neighboring dedicated surface 4 (step 4 a ) and the arc-shaped protrusions 5 a of the sealing member 3 .
- the capsule is pierced on its closed end 10 a by piercing means (not represented) for creating the entrance of a fluid (hot or cold) under pressure into the capsule 10 .
- the water wets the coffee stored inside the capsule and extracts the desired substance to form the coffee beverage.
- the rise in pressure causes the closing membrane 9 to rupture (through pressing of the closing membrane 9 on some cover piercing means, for example) and the coffee beverage is delivered by drainage of the coffee beverage from the capsule to a cup.
- FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b presenting sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented in FIG. 1 b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealing member 3 of the capsule 10 and an engagement member 21 of a beverage preparation machine 20 after engaging with each other.
- the annular space 6 between the dedicated surface 4 (in the form of a step 4 a ) and the arc shaped portions 5 a of the sealing member 3 is designed for receiving the sealing surface 21 a of the capsule engagement member 21 of the beverage preparation machine 20 .
- portion P of the sealing surface 21 a is received in the annular space 6 between the step 4 a and the arc shaped protrusions 4 a (section side view E-E) in which,
- sealing surface portion S 2 in addition to sealing engagement of sealing surface portions S 1 and S 3 , sealing surface portion S 2 also engages the flange like rim 2 on bottom surface 2 d of the annual space 6 , however the fact that this last engagement occurs may depend on the geometry of dedicated portion 4 , art shaped protrusion 5 a and annular space 6 .
- the engagement of the sealing surface 21 is completed both by the engagement of the sealing surface portion S 3 with the wall of the protrusions 5 a of the series of arc shaped protrusions and by the engagement of the sealing surface portion S 1 with the vertical wall of step 4 a of the inner series.
- radial distance asD of annular space 6 is similar or less than the radial length L of the sealing portion P of sealing surface 21 a thereby allowing engagement of the sealing surface 21 in the annular space 6 for completion of sealing engagement. Indeed, as the sealing portion P is fully inserted in annular space 6 , an efficient fluid tightness is operated.
- the rounded tip portion C of arc shaped protrusion 5 a may be engaged by a correspondingly formed annular receiving groove E of the engagement member 21 . Accordingly, an effective sealing engagement between the sealing member 3 and the enclosing member 21 of the beverage preparation machine is obtained.
- portion P of the sealing surface 21 a of the engagement member cooperates with the capsule and is received in the annular space, allows having a centering effect of the capsule relatively to the engagement member 21 .
- portion P of the sealing surface 21 a only interacts with the vertical portion of step 4 a .
- the tightness is ensured by the contact surfaces S 1 and S 2 only.
- the flat annular bottom surface 2 d of annular space 6 which interconnects the neighboring step 4 a of the dedicated surface 4 and arc shaped protrusions 5 a extends to a radial distance respectively thickness asD as described above.
- the distance asD is preferably chosen such as to be equal to or slightly smaller than an annular radial thickness L of the sealing surface 21 a of the engagement member 21 .
- thickness L is chosen to be between 0.5 to 2.0 mm, more preferably between 0.8 to 1.2 mm.
- the annular space 6 preferably widens from the bottom surface 2 d towards the tip portions C of the neighboring arc shaped protrusions 5 a .
- the respective upper ends of the base portions B of neighboring arc shaped protrusions 5 a are preferably distanced by a radial distance asD 1 that is larger than the distance asD at the bottom surface 6 a .
- the distance asD 1 is preferably chosen to be 0.2 to 0.3 mm larger than the radial thickness L of the sealing surface 21 a of the engagement member 21 .
- the sealing engagement of the sealing surface of the engagement member 21 may be limited to one of the sealing surface portions S 1 or S 3 respectively with step 4 a or the arc shaped protrusions 5 a .
- the sealing surface portions S 1 , S 3 may deform in an elastic way and or plastic way the steps 4 a and/or the arc shaped protrusions 5 a and increase the contact surface area between these elements.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 presenting second and third embodiment of the sealing member according to the present invention.
- the dedicated surface 4 is an inclined surface 4 b in which the inclined surface 4 b is inclined vis-à-vis the external surface 10 b of the base body 1 .
- the fluid tightness between the engagement member and the capsule 10 during extraction of the capsule will be provided by engagement of the sealing surface 21 a (not represented) between the inclined surface 4 b and the arc shaped protrusions 5 a.
- the proposed embodiments show a capsule engagement member 21 with a given geometry however other geometries of the capsule engagement member may be envisaged.
- the dedicated surface is here described to be a step or an inclined surface but other configurations are available as for example a double step or any other suitable specific surface.
Abstract
The invention relates to a capsule (10) designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by means of a beverage preparation machine, the capsule (10) having a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising a cup-shaped base body (1) for holding beverage preparation ingredients, a flange-like rim (2) and sealing means (3) wherein the base body (1), the flange-like rim (2) and the sealing means (3) are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum, as a one piece element, wherein the sealing means (3) comprises a dedicated surface (4) located on the base body (1) at the junction with the flange-like rim (2) and a projection (5) comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions (5a) protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim (2), characterized in that the dedicated surface (4) and the arc-shaped protrusions (5a) of the sealing means (3) are concentrically arranged such as to form an annular space (6) there-between for receiving at least one sealing surface (21a) of a capsule engagement member (21) of the beverage preparation machine (20).
Description
- The present invention relates to a capsule designed for preparation of a food product such as a beverage with enhanced sealing means. In particular, the invention relates to a capsule having a body with an integrally formed sealing member made from metallic material such as aluminum.
- Capsules for preparation of a food product such as a beverage are widely known in the market. An example of such capsule that is intended for being used with a beverage preparation machine is described in EP 0 512 468 A1. For beverage preparation in a dedicated beverage preparation machine, the capsule (provided with a membrane) is inserted to the machine and ingredients contained in the capsule are made to interact with liquid provided to the capsule in order to form a desired beverage that is then made to leave the capsule. Thereby, the capsule is opened under the effect of rising pressure within the capsule, which urges an outlet face of the membrane against opening means such as raised elements provided on a supporting part of the beverage preparation machine. Sealing of the capsule during the beverage preparation process is obtained by an outer portion of a flange-like rim of the capsule that is contacted along a circumferential contact line by a suitably shaped engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- In order to enhance sealing between the capsule and an engagement member of the beverage preparation machine, capsules have been developed in which a dedicated sealing member is applied and wherein the sealing member is of different material than the capsule body. EP 1 654 966 A1, EP 1 849 715 A1 and EP 2 151 313 A1, for example, relate to such a capsule in which a sealing member of rubber elastic material is applied to the capsule. The sealing member may be applied onto the capsule body by means of liquid depositing and hardening, gluing or by crimping a portion of the capsule body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule onto the sealing member.
- A disadvantage of these capsules is a more complex manufacturing process in which the capsule and the sealing member are manufactured in individual manufacturing steps and then assembled. The solution is also costly to produce both in terms of material cost and production cost and it has also an environmental impact due to the use of two different materials. Therefore, a solution is sought-after which enables a facilitated manufacturing process while at the same time providing enhanced sealing properties of the flange-like rim of the capsule.
- Capsules are also known, which comprise an integrally formed sealing member, i.e. a sealing member made from the same material as the capsule body respectively the flange-like rim of the capsule. EP 1 654 966 A1, EP 2 303 077 B1, EP 2 387 922 B1 and EP 2 814 328 B1, for example, relate to a capsule comprising a sealing member formed of a plurality of concentric annular projection in the form of protrusions or steps integrally formed with the flange-like rim.
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EP 1 654 966 A1 discloses, in its third embodiment, to have the resilient nature of the sealing member made by the geometrical shape of the capsule itself. It proposes to have the sealing member in the shape of a step that increase the diameter of the side wall of the capsule . When the capsule is engaged with the inclined sealing surface of the beverage preparation machine, a deflection of the sealing member occurs on the capsule. - WO2014/012783 A1, WO2014/184652 A1, WO2016/186489 A1, WO2016/186495 A1 and WO2016/186496 A1 also disclose capsules for beverage preparation and which comprise a flange-like rim portion with an integrally formed annular sealing member.
- WO2016/186495 A1 relates to a plastic capsule comprising a flange-like rim with two spaced projections projecting axially from the flange-like rim and a plateau between the two projections. During extraction of the capsules, a specific part of the beverage preparation machine is configured to interact with the projections and the plateau to provide sealing engagement.
- WO2016/207845 A1 relates to a plastic capsule comprising a flange-like rim with a single annular sealing ring that is enclosed by inner and outer centering projections. The centering projections comprise a multitude of arc-shaped elements separated circumferentially by gaps which are designed to provide a better centering of the sealing ring with respect to a circumferential sealing edge of a beverage preparation machine.
- These known capsules however suffer the disadvantage that due the manufacturing tolerances in the dimensions of the capsules and in those of the enclosing member of the beverage preparation machine, the two parts are not properly matching and engaging, thus reducing the tightness between capsule and engagement member with risk of leaks and beverage dilution with water.
- Furthermore, due to the circumferentially arranged projections of the flange-like rim, tensions may occur during forming of the projections in the manufacturing process, which in turn lead to defects in the sealing member and/or the flange-like rim and which negatively affect the sealing properties of the sealing member.
- This particularly applies for metal capsules, e.g. made from aluminum or aluminum alloy. Thereby, defects such as stress cracking, wrinkling and other surface defects may occur during the deep drawing process of aluminum when forming the capsule.
- In addition, the circumferentially arranged sealing protrusions may lead to a less tolerant sealing adjustment with concentricity problems.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved capsule which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art solutions. This object is solved by the independent claims. The dependent claims define further preferred embodiments of the invention.
- The invention relates to a capsule designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by means of a beverage preparation machine, the capsule having a longitudinal axis and comprising a cup-shaped base body for holding beverage preparation ingredients, a flange-like rim and sealing means. Specifically, the base body, the flange-like rim and the sealing means are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum, as a one piece element and the sealing means comprise a dedicated surface located on the base body at the junction with the flange-like rim and a projection comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim.
- According to the invention, the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing means are concentrically arranged such as to form an annular space there-between for receiving at least one sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- The capsule according to the invention enables a reliable and tolerant sealing structure made from a single integral piece and thus by omitting any additional material such as rubber. The capsule may thus be formed in a facilitated manufacturing process at reduced costs, while at the same time providing an enhanced sealing member without any material defects such as cracks, wrinkling and surface defects that could affect the capsule quality and tightness and as well the extraction process.
- The arc-shaped protrusions of one series of protrusion and dedicated surface being arranged such that the protrusions are at least partially covering the dedicated surface in side view.
- The flange-like rim is preferably an essentially planar collar that extends from an open end of the cup-shaped base body essentially perpendicular to outer lateral sidewalls of the base body and/or to a rotational axis of the capsule. The series of arc-shaped protrusions are arranged distant from the cup-shaped base body and from the outer periphery of the flange-like rim.
- The arc-shaped protrusions and dedicated surface of the sealing member are preferably integrally formed in the otherwise essentially planar flange-like rim. The protrusions formed in the flange-like rim may comprise a material thickness essentially corresponding to the rest of the flange-like rim.
- The arc-shaped protrusions and dedicated surface in the flange-like rim are preferably made by a deep-drawing process. In a preferred embodiment, the capsule body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member may be manufactured using deep-drawing process. The capsule may e.g. be produced by deep-drawing an initially flat metal sheet. The capsule is preferably made from a single sheet of metal such as aluminum.
- In the proposed embodiments, the arc-shaped protrusions of one series of protrusions are arranged equidistant to the dedicated surface such as to form a circumferentially constant annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions.
- Preferably, the annular space extends over a radial distance asD (corresponding to the distance between the dedicated surface and the arc shaped protrusions) comprised between 0.25 and 0.80 mm.
- The dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing member are arranged on the same surface of the flange-like rim. The surface is directed towards the cup-shaped base body of the capsule. On a surface of the flange-like rim opposite thereto, a closing membrane may be connected to the capsule base body.
- In the proposed solution, the dedicated surface extends over a radial distance D comprised between 0.1 and 0.6 mm to cooperate with the sealing surface of the capsule engagement member.
- Hence, when the capsule is used in the beverage machine, the capsule engagement member interact, on one side with the dedicated surface and on the other side with the arc shaped protrusions.
- Preferably, the dedicated surface is selected in the group of a step, an inclined surface, a double step or a combination thereof.
- When the dedicated surface is in the form of a step, it has a height H comprised between 0.5 and 3 mm.
- When the dedicated surface is an inclined surface, it is inclined vis à vis the external surface of the base body. The inclination may be of an angle that is a sharp angle or a reflex angle.
- The arc-shaped protrusions of the series arc shaped protrusions of the sealing member are preferably continuous protrusions with gaps formed between the respective protrusions of a given series. The gaps are thus annular gaps that extend between respective adjacent arc-shaped protrusions of a given series.
- The series of arc-shaped protrusions may each comprise a multitude of arc-shaped protrusions, preferably, at least two, at least three, four, five or six arc-shaped protrusions.
- In one series of arc shaped protrusions, the protrusions extend over a total angle comprised between 200 and 340°, which allows a good angular overlap with the dedicated surface, and therefore participate in an efficient sealing with the engagement member.
- Indeed, the angular overlap between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions equals at least 60 to 95%, preferably 75 to 85%.
- Preferably, the arc-shaped protrusions are arranged distant from the cup-shaped base body and from an outer periphery of the flange-like rim and the annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions is void of any protrusion for receiving the annular sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- A bottom portion of the annular space is preferably a flat annular portion. The bottom portion of the annular space preferably corresponds to an upper surface of the flange-like rim portion.
- The engagement member is preferably an essentially bell-shaped engagement member respectively a so-called capsule cage designed to house the cup-shaped base body of the capsule. The sealing surface of the engagement member may be a flat or rounded end surface of the engagement member.
- In a preferred mode, the sealing surface of the engagement member is arranged for engaging the annular space between the dedicated surface and the series of arc shaped protrusions. The engagement of the sealing surface of the engagement member may be such that it may deform at least partially the protrusions and dedicated surface. The engagement of the sealing surface of the engagement member may be such that it provides at least substantially radially oriented sealing forces with the protrusions and dedicated surface.
- The radial distance asD of the annular space is preferably chosen such as to be equal to or less than the radial length L of the sealing surface of the capsule engagement member in order to provide efficient fluid tightness.
- In a preferred embodiment, the radial distance asD is chosen to be at least 1-2%, preferably at least 2-5% less than the radial length L of the annular sealing surface of the engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- The arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing means are arranged at a radial distance d of between 0.5 to 1.2 mm, more preferably between 0.8 and 1.0 mm from the base body.
- The arc-shaped protrusions of the series of arc shaped protrusions preferably comprise a base width BW of between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm and/or a height h of between 0.8 and 1.7 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.
- The respective protrusions preferably comprise in sectional side view a lower base portion B with two opposing preferably linear wall sections and an upper portion A with two opposing preferably rounded wall sections.
- The two opposing rounded wall sections of the upper portion A are preferably joined by a rounded tip portion C.
- The two opposing linear wall sections are preferably arranged to converge towards the upper portion A of the respective protrusions. The two opposing linear wall sections are preferably arranged at an angle of inclination of between 3 to 12°, more preferably of between 5 to 10° with respect to the normal of the flange-like rim and/or with respect to a rotational axis of the capsule.
- The two opposing rounded wall sections of the upper portion A preferably comprise a radius R1 of between 0.5 to 5.5, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm.
- The rounded tip portion C preferably comprise a radius R2 of between 0.2 and 2.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm.
- The two opposing wall sections of the lower portion B may be not strictly linear but slightly convex. For example, the two opposing wall sections A and B may form together continuously convex wall sections of increasing curvature in direction to the tip portion C.
- The capsule preferably further comprises a closing membrane connected to the base body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule. The closing membrane is preferably connected to a surface of the flange-like rim opposite to the surface at which the inner and outer series of arc-shaped protrusions are arranged. The closing membrane may be connected to the flange-like rim by means of an adhesive and/or welding technique. The closing membrane is preferably a closed membrane, i.e. void of any perforations. The closing membrane may however as well comprise pre-formed perforations therein. The closing membrane is preferably an aluminum foil. The foil is preferably sealed to the flange-like rim such as to form a seal hermetical to gas with the capsule base body for preserving freshness of the ingredients contained in the cartridge.
- The thickness of the closing membrane preferably lies between 50 and 100 microns (including the embossed structure and lacquer(s) on surface).
- In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a capsule as described above and a beverage preparation machine designed to provide heated and/or pressurized liquid into the capsule for preparing a beverage upon interaction of the liquid with ingredients held within the capsule.
- The beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a pump, heating and/or cooling means, a liquid supply such as a water tank and/or a beverage brewing chamber for selectively receiving a capsule in order to prepare a beverage therefrom.
- The beverage preparation machine preferably comprises a capsule engagement member, e.g. as part of the brewing chamber, which is designed to house a capsule and in particular the capsule base body when the capsule is provided into the machine. The engagement member comprises an annular sealing surface designed to interact with the sealing member of the capsule in order to enable an effective sealing of the capsule during the beverage preparation process. As mentioned earlier, the sealing surface of the engagement member may be arranged for engaging the dedicated surface and the arc shaped protrusions of the series of arc-shaped protrusions.
- The beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises perforation means such as injection blades or the like, which are designed to perforate an inlet face of the capsule, in particular situated at a closed end of the capsule base body, and to inject liquid into the capsule interior.
- The beverage preparation machine preferably further comprises a capsule support designed to hold the flange-like rim of the capsule at a side opposite to a side at which the engagement member of the machine engages the sealing member of the capsule. The capsule support preferably comprises opening means such as e.g. truncated pyramid-like elements against which a closing membrane of the capsule may be urged during pressure rise within the capsule such as to open the closing member e.g. by of tearing or rupturing.
- The capsule according to the present invention is preferably rotational symmetric, i.e. symmetric along its vertical axis.
- The beverage preparation ingredients provided in the capsule are preferably chosen from the group consisting of roasted ground coffee, tea, instant coffee, a mixture of roasted ground coffee and instant coffee, a syrup concentrate, a fruit extract concentrate, a chocolate product, a milk-based product or any other dehydrated edible substance, such as dehydrated stock. The liquid to be used for beverage preparation is preferably water of any temperature.
- The invention further relates to a cup-shaped base body of a capsule for preparation of a food product with an enhanced integrally formed sealing member comprising a dedicated surface and a circumferentially arranged projection for receiving there-between a sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
- Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.
- These drawings depict only some embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. Hence, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples.
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FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a capsule according to the invention. -
FIG. 1b is a top view of the capsule according toFIG. 1 a. -
FIG. 2a is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention. -
FIG. 2b is a cross sectional side view of the capsule according to the invention in direction A-A ofFIG. 1 b. -
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a protrusion of the sealing member according to a first embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4a is a sectional side view in direction D-D ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention. -
FIG. 4b is a sectional side view in direction E-E ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention. -
FIG. 5a is a sectional side view in direction D-D ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other. -
FIG. 5b is a sectional side view in direction E-E ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine before engaging with each other. -
FIG. 6a is a sectional side view in direction D-D ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine after engaging with each other. -
FIG. 6b is a sectional side view in direction E-E ofFIG. 1b of a first embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention and an engagement member of a beverage preparation machine after engaging with each other. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of second embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of third embodiment of the sealing member according to the invention. - In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.
- In the drawings, similar symbols and references typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.
- The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter presented here.
- It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
- As used in this specification, the words “comprises”, “comprising”, and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean including, but not limited to.
- Any reference to prior art documents in this specification is not to be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
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FIGS. 1a and 1b relate to a preferred embodiment of acapsule 10 according to the invention and respectively represents perspective side view and top view of said preferred embodiment. Thecapsule 10 comprises a cup-shapedbase body 1. Thebase body 1 comprises aclosed end 10 a, asidewall 10 b forming the external surface of thebase body 1 and anopen end 10 c. Theclosed end 10 a may serve as an injection face during a beverage preparation process, which may be opened by a dedicated injection member of a beverage preparation machine 20 (not represented inFIGS. 1a and 1b ). - The
capsule 10 further comprises a flange-like rim 2 which is preferably arranged at theopen end 10 c of thecapsule 10. The flange-like rim 2 may extend radially outwardly fromlateral sidewalls 10 b of the cup-shapedbase body 1. The flange-like rim 2 is preferably arranged transversally to a rotational axis Y of the capsule 10 (rotational axis Y also corresponds to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 10). - The flange-
like rim 2 presents at least one upperannular surface 2 a, said surface being directed towards thecapsule base body 1 thus facing away from theopen end 10 c of the capsule, at least one lowerannular surface 2 b, which surface 2 b is directed away from thecapsule base body 1 and a curledouter edge 2 c at its outer periphery (extremity of the flange-like rim 2 opposite the base body 1). - In the shown embodiment, the capsule is preferably made of aluminum.
- At the
open end 10 c of the capsule base body 1 aclosing membrane 9 may be arranged. Theclosing membrane 9 is preferably connected to the flange-like rim 2. Theclosing membrane 9 is preferably connected to the lowerannular surface 2 b of the flange-like rim 2. - Alternatively, the closing
membrane 9 may be connected to thebase body 1 or to both thebase body 1 and the flange-like rim 2. - The
closing membrane 9 is preferably an aluminum foil sealed to the flange-like rim 2. - The cup-shaped
base body 1 preferably encloses beverage ingredients suitably for preparing a liquid comestible upon interaction with liquid injected into thecapsule 10. The ingredients are preferably enclosed by the cup-shapedbase body 1 and theclosing membrane 9. The beverage ingredients may be roasted ground coffee or other kinds of ingredients as previously described. - For the preparation of a beverage, the
capsule 10 is inserted into the dedicated beverage preparation 20 (presented inFIGS. 5a to 6b ). During the extraction process, an engagement member 21 (presented inFIGS. 5a to 6b ) of thebeverage preparation machine 20 is engaged with the capsule 10: When thecapsule 10 is placed into thebeverage preparation machine 20, theengagement member 21 is lowered onto thecapsule 10 by means of a dedicated closing force F. - The
engagement member 21 comprises a sealing profile presenting at least one sealingsurface 21 a (presented inFIGS. 5a to 6b ) coming into contact with thecapsule 10. - A radial length L of the sealing
surface 21 a is defined. The radial length L of the sealing is preferably between 0.5 to 2.0 mm. - Going in more detail, the flange-
like rim 2 comprises an integrally formed sealingmember 3 that is arranged at the upperannular surface 2 a of the flange-like rim. - The cup-shaped
base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealingmember 3 are integrally formed, i.e. as one single piece made from the same material. Accordingly, the cup-shapedbase body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealingmember 3 can be manufactured from the same material by a forming process. In particular, thebase body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the integrally formed sealingmember 3 can be formed in a deep-drawing process. The deep drawing process may require more than one deep drawing step to properly form from a flat piece of material the body of the capsule and the sealing member. - In the proposed embodiment, the
base body 1, the flange-like rim 2 and the sealing means 3 are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum, or aluminum alloy as a one piece element. - As shown in
FIG. 1b , the sealingmember 3 comprises adedicated surface 4, located at the junction between thelateral sidewalls 10 b of thebody base 1 and the flange-like rim 2, and acircular projection 5 comprising at least one series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a protruding on the flange-like rim 2. - In the embodiment presented in the figures, the
circular projection 5 comprises one series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a, comprising individual arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a arranged at a predefined radius about a rotational axis Y of thecapsule 10. - The series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a are concentrically arranged on the flange-like rim 2. The series of arc-shapedprotrusion 5 a are integrally formed with the flange-like rim 2. This means that they are formed of same material as the flange-like rim and from the flange-like rim such as (and are not add-on parts) to protrude from thesurface 2 a. - The series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a is preferably arranged on thesurface 2 a distant from the curled outercircumferential edge 2 c of the flange-like rim 2. The series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a is further arranged distant from thededicated surface 4 and from the cup-shapedbase body 1 of thecapsule 10. - The relative position of the series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a on the flange-like rim 2 naturally depends on the matching position of the sealing surfaces of the sealing profile determined by the dimensions of the engagingmember 21. - Other configuration of the series of arc-shaped protrusion and of the arc-shaped protrusions themselves may apply. p Indeed, the series arc-shaped
protrusion 5 a may comprises at least two, preferably at least three, four, five or six arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a. - The arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shaped protrusion are preferably continuous protrusions withgaps 5 b formed there-between. - The
dedicated surface 4 comprises astep 4 a extending from the lateral sidewalls 1 b over the flange-like rim 2, thestep 4 a being substantially parallel to the flange-like rim direction. Thestep 4 a is integrally formed with the flange-like rim 2 and thebase body 1 meaning it is formed from the flange-like rim such as (and are not add-on parts) to extend from thesurface 2 a. - As can be seen in
FIG. 1b , thestep 4 a extends continuously and annularly around the lateral sidewalls 1 b and is arranged to cooperate with the sealingsurface 21 a of thecapsule engagement member 21. This is visible inFIGS. 5a to 6b (further described) showing thecapsule 10 interacting with theengagement member 21 of thebeverage machine 20. - The
dedicated surface 4 in the forms of astep 4 a extends over a radial distance D. - The radial distance D is comprised in the range from 0.25 to 0.8 mm.
- In the present embodiment, radial distance D is about 0.5 mm.
- Additionally,
step 4 a has a height H comprised between 0.5 and 3 mm. - The dedicated surface 4 (step 4 a) and the series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a are arranged to form anannular space 6 there-between for receiving the sealingsurface 21 a of thecapsule engagement member 21. - In more detail, the series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a of one series of protrusions are arranged equidistant to thededicated surface 4 such as to form constant circumferentiallyannular space 6 between thededicated surface 4 and the series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a. - A radial distance asD is defined between the
step 4 a and the arc-shapedprotrusions 5 aand correspond to the extension of theannular space 6. The radial distance asD is preferably chosen such that thestep 4 a of thededicated surface 4 and the arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a suitably interact in sealing engagement with thededicated sealing surface 21 a of theengagement member 21. - More particularly and as will be further described, in the overlap region between the
engagement member 21 and the capsule 10 (seeFIGS. 5a to 6b ), the sealingsurface 21 a actually splits into a sealing surface portion S1 which engages thestep 4 a of thededicated surface 4, a sealing surface portion S2 which engages the flange likerim 2 in theannual space 6, and a sealing surface portion S3 which engages theprotrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shaped protrusions. - The radial distance asD is preferably between 0.25 to 0.8 mm, more preferably between 0.35 and 0.65 mm.
- The
annular space 6 between thestep 4 a and arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a is preferably void of any protrusion. Theannular space 6 thus preferably comprises an essentially flat annularbottom surface 2 d (presented inFIG. 4b ) which interconnects thededicated surface 4 and the arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a. - As mentioned, the closing
membrane 9 is connected to an annular outer portion of thesurface 2 b of the flange-like rim. Theclosing membrane 9 may additionally be connected to intermediateannular surfaces 2 d arranged between the outerannular surface 2 b and thecapsule base body 1. - Alternatively, the closing
membrane 9 is preferably sealed on the annular bottom surfaces 2 d and onto the outerannular surface 2 b. - In the proposed embodiment, the
annular bottom surface 2 d between thestep 4 a and the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a is preferably not elevated or lowered relative to the outerannular surface 2 b of the flange likerim 2. Preferably, the annular bottom surfaces 2 d and the outerannular surface 2 b are preferably substantially aligned. - The
dedicated surface 4 and the series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a are arranged such as to overlap in side view of the capsule with the sealingsurface 21 a of theengagement member 21. -
FIG. 2a relates to a schematic top view onto acapsule 10 according to the invention in which the respective radii of thecapsule 10 are indicated. As shown inFIG. 2a , thecapsule base body 1 and the flange-like rim 2 merge at a circumferential edge indicated as r1. Said radius r1 preferably lies between 12 and 18 mm, and most preferably is 15 mm. The outer radius r5 of the flange-like rim 2 at the curledouter edge 2 c preferably lies between 18 and 20 mm, and most preferably is 18.5 mm. - As shown in
FIG. 2a , the series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a of the series of arc shapedprotrusions 5 a comprises circumferentially extendinggaps 5 b formed between the respective arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a of said series. - The series of arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a extends over a total angle that is between 200 and 340° when seen in top view. - Hence, as the dedicated surface is circumferentially continuous over 360°, the overlap with the dedicated surface 4 (step 4 a) lies over an angle between 200 and 340°.
- The respective arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a of the series of arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a are presently arranged circumferentially at equidistance to thededicated surface 4 such as to form constant circumferentially extending arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a separated by extendinggaps 5 b between the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a. - The difference between r1 and r2, presented in
FIG. 2a , corresponds to the radial extension of thededicated surface 4 and specifically of thestep 4 a. - The difference between r2 and r3 corresponds to the radial extension of the annular space, thus to the distance of the
annular space 6, asD. - The radial distance of the
annular space 6, asD preferably lies between 0.25 and 0.8 mm. - The difference between r3 and r4 corresponds to a radial extension of the arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a and the respectiveintermediate gaps 5 b of the series of arc shapedprotrusions 5 a, thus to the distance of radial extension of the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a, pD (represented inFIG. 4b ). - The radial extension of the arc-shaped
protrusions 5 a, pD, preferably lies between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm. -
FIG. 3 relates to a cross section side view of an exemplary embodiment of an arc-shapedprotrusion 5 a. - The arc shaped
protrusions 5 a preferably comprise a lower base portion B with two opposing linear wall sections b1 and b2 and an upper portion A with two opposing rounded wall sections a1 and a2. The two opposing rounded wall sections a1 and a2 of the upper portion A are preferably joined by a rounded tip portion C. - The two opposing linear wall sections b1,b2 are preferably arranged to approach towards the upper portion A of the arc shaped
protrusions 5 a. The two opposing linear wall sections b1,b2 are preferably arranged at an angle a of inclination of between 3 to 12°, more preferably of between 5 to 10° with respect to the normal N of the flange-like rim 2 and/or with respect to a rotational axis Y of thecapsule 10. - The two opposing rounded wall sections a1,a2 of the upper portion A preferably comprise a radius R1 of between 0.5 to 5.5 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm. The rounded tip portion C preferably comprise a radius R2 of between 0.2 and 2.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm.
- A base width BW, corresponding to the maximum radial extension of the arc shaped
protrusions 5 a, pD, preferably lies between 0.3 and 1.3 mm, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.0 mm. The height h preferably lies between 0.8 and 1.7 mm, more preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm. - The base portion B preferably extends to a height hl of between ⅓ to ½ of overall height h. Correspondingly, upper portion A may extend to a height h2 of between ⅔ to ½ of overall height h.
- The arc shaped
protrusions 5 a may comprisefree ends surface 2 a of the flange-like rim. The width r4-r3 and height h at thesefree ends gaps 5 b. In particular, the shape of theseends FIG. 3 . As a result, the forming of the projections is facilitated with lower risk of cracks or wrinkles. -
FIG. 4a andFIG. 4b are sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented inFIG. 1b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealingmember 3 of thecapsule 10. - As shown in
FIG. 4b , the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a of the sealingmember 3 are preferably hollow. Accordingly, the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a are not filled with material of the flange-like rim 2, but are formed by a contour of wall thickness t2. The arc shapedprotrusions 5 a thus preferably form a hollow body that is open to thelower surface 2 b of the flange-like rim 2. - Due to the drawing process, the wall thickness t1 of the flange-
like rim 2 may generally be slightly larger than the wall thickness t2 of the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a for the same reason, the wall thickness t1, t2 may generally be larger than the wall thickness tb of thebase body 1 of the capsule. -
FIG. 5a andFIG. 5b are sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented inFIG. 1b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealingmember 3 of thecapsule 10 and anengagement member 21 of abeverage preparation machine 20 before engaging with each other. - The system to which the capsule and the beverage preparation machine are integrated in, is operated as follows for the preparation of a cup of a beverage, for example, a coffee. The
capsule 10 is placed in the beverage preparation machine and thecapsule engaging member 21 is brought into contact with thecapsule 10 when the beverage preparation machine is closed. - The
engagement member 21 is preferably an essentially hollow bell-shaped engagement member for receiving thecapsule base body 1 therein. - As mentioned, the engagement member comprises a sealing
surface 21 a that may be an annular lower surface with rounded inner and outer circumferential edges. Thefront surface 21 a comprises a radial portion P presenting a thickness L that preferably lies between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, more preferably between 0.9 and 1.1 mm. - When the
capsule 10 is placed into thebeverage preparation machine 20, theengagement member 21 will be lowered onto thecapsule 10 by means of a dedicated closing force F. - Starting from the position shown in
FIG. 4a, 4b , when theengagement member 21 is lowered onto the sealingmember 3 theannular sealing surface 21 a will first cooperate with thestep 4 a (FIG. 5a /5 b) and then engage with the annular space 6 (FIG. 6a /6 b) thereby providing a fluid tight engagement between the sealingsurface 21 a and the neighboring dedicated surface 4 (step 4 a) and the arc-shapedprotrusions 5 a of the sealingmember 3. - The capsule is pierced on its
closed end 10 a by piercing means (not represented) for creating the entrance of a fluid (hot or cold) under pressure into thecapsule 10. The water wets the coffee stored inside the capsule and extracts the desired substance to form the coffee beverage. - During the supply of the water under pressure to the capsule, the rise in pressure causes the
closing membrane 9 to rupture (through pressing of theclosing membrane 9 on some cover piercing means, for example) and the coffee beverage is delivered by drainage of the coffee beverage from the capsule to a cup. - In more details, as shown in
FIGS. 5a and 5b , when theengagement member 21 is lowered down on the capsule, an edge of the radial portion P of theannular sealing surface 21 a first cooperates with the edge ofstep 4 a. - Reference is now made to
FIG. 6a andFIG. 6b presenting sectional side view according to different directions, respectively D-D and E-E as presented inFIG. 1b , of a preferred embodiment of the sealingmember 3 of thecapsule 10 and anengagement member 21 of abeverage preparation machine 20 after engaging with each other. - As can be particularly seen in
FIGS. 6a and 6b , theannular space 6 between the dedicated surface 4 (in the form of astep 4 a) and the arc shapedportions 5 a of the sealingmember 3 is designed for receiving the sealingsurface 21 a of thecapsule engagement member 21 of thebeverage preparation machine 20. - Thus, portion P of the sealing
surface 21 a is received in theannular space 6 between thestep 4 a and the arc shapedprotrusions 4 a (section side view E-E) in which, -
- sealing surface portion S1 engages
step 4 a on its vertical portion, and - sealing surface portion S3 engages
protrusions 5 a on one of its faces.
- sealing surface portion S1 engages
- In the proposed embodiment, in addition to sealing engagement of sealing surface portions S1 and S3, sealing surface portion S2 also engages the flange like
rim 2 onbottom surface 2 d of theannual space 6, however the fact that this last engagement occurs may depend on the geometry ofdedicated portion 4, art shapedprotrusion 5 a andannular space 6. - Hence, the engagement of the sealing
surface 21 is completed both by the engagement of the sealing surface portion S3 with the wall of theprotrusions 5 a of the series of arc shaped protrusions and by the engagement of the sealing surface portion S1 with the vertical wall ofstep 4 a of the inner series. - In the present case, radial distance asD of
annular space 6 is similar or less than the radial length L of the sealing portion P of sealingsurface 21 a thereby allowing engagement of the sealingsurface 21 in theannular space 6 for completion of sealing engagement. Indeed, as the sealing portion P is fully inserted inannular space 6, an efficient fluid tightness is operated. - Additionally, the rounded tip portion C of arc shaped
protrusion 5 a may be engaged by a correspondingly formed annular receiving groove E of theengagement member 21. Accordingly, an effective sealing engagement between the sealingmember 3 and the enclosingmember 21 of the beverage preparation machine is obtained. - The fact that portion P of the sealing
surface 21 a of the engagement member cooperates with the capsule and is received in the annular space, allows having a centering effect of the capsule relatively to theengagement member 21. - In
FIG. 6a (section side view D-D) corresponding to a view presenting thegaps 5 b of the arc shaped protrusions, portion P of the sealingsurface 21 a only interacts with the vertical portion ofstep 4 a. In this portion of thegap 5 b, the tightness is ensured by the contact surfaces S1 and S2 only. - The flat annular
bottom surface 2 d ofannular space 6 which interconnects the neighboringstep 4 a of thededicated surface 4 and arc shapedprotrusions 5 a extends to a radial distance respectively thickness asD as described above. The distance asD is preferably chosen such as to be equal to or slightly smaller than an annular radial thickness L of the sealingsurface 21 a of theengagement member 21. In a preferred embodiment, thickness L is chosen to be between 0.5 to 2.0 mm, more preferably between 0.8 to 1.2 mm. - The
annular space 6 preferably widens from thebottom surface 2 d towards the tip portions C of the neighboring arc shapedprotrusions 5 a. Thereby, the respective upper ends of the base portions B of neighboring arc shapedprotrusions 5 a are preferably distanced by a radial distance asD1 that is larger than the distance asD at the bottom surface 6 a. The distance asD1 is preferably chosen to be 0.2 to 0.3 mm larger than the radial thickness L of the sealingsurface 21 a of theengagement member 21. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 6a and 6b respectively, the sealing engagement of the sealing surface of theengagement member 21 may be limited to one of the sealing surface portions S1 or S3 respectively withstep 4 a or the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a. As theengagement member 21 is moved towards the flange-like rim 2 by pressure effect during closing and/or extraction, the sealing surface portions S1, S3 may deform in an elastic way and or plastic way thesteps 4 a and/or the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a and increase the contact surface area between these elements. - As a result, a sealing pressure is exerted about the whole circumference of the sealing
surface 21 a onto the sealingmember 3 thereby ensuring a sealing continuity. - Reference is now made to
FIGS. 7 and 8 presenting second and third embodiment of the sealing member according to the present invention. - In these figures, the
dedicated surface 4 is aninclined surface 4 b in which theinclined surface 4 b is inclined vis-à-vis theexternal surface 10 b of thebase body 1. - In these proposed embodiments, the fluid tightness between the engagement member and the
capsule 10 during extraction of the capsule will be provided by engagement of the sealingsurface 21 a (not represented) between theinclined surface 4 b and the arc shapedprotrusions 5 a. - The proposed embodiments show a
capsule engagement member 21 with a given geometry however other geometries of the capsule engagement member may be envisaged. - In the same way, the dedicated surface is here described to be a step or an inclined surface but other configurations are available as for example a double step or any other suitable specific surface.
Claims (20)
1. A capsule designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by a beverage preparation machine,
the capsule having a longitudinal axis and comprising a cup-shaped base body for holding beverage preparation ingredients, a flange-like rim and sealing member,
wherein the base body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member is made integrally from metallic material, as a one piece element,
wherein the sealing member comprises a dedicated surface located on the base body at the junction with the flange-like rim and a projection comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim,
the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing member are concentrically arranged such as to form an annular space there-between for receiving at least one sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine.
2. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the arc-shaped protrusions of one series of protrusions are arranged equidistant to the dedicated surface such as to form a circumferentially constant annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions.
3. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the annular space extends over a radial distance between 0.25 and 0.80 mm.
4. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the annular space radial distance is equal or less than the radial length of the sealing surface of a capsule engagement member.
5. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the dedicated surface extends over a radial distance comprised between 0.1 and 0.6 mm.
6. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the dedicated surface is selected in the group of a step, an inclined surface, a double step or a combination thereof.
7. The capsule of claim 6 ,
wherein the step has a height comprised between 0.5 and 3 mm.
8. The capsule of claim 6 ,
wherein the inclined surface is inclined vis à vis the external surface of the base body.
9. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein a series of arc-shaped protrusions comprises at least two arc-shaped protrusions.
10. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein one series of arc shaped protrusions extends over a total angle comprised between 200 and 340°.
11. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the angular overlap between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions equals at least 60 to 95%.
12. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the arc-shaped protrusions are arranged distant from the cup-shaped base body and from an outer periphery of the flange-like rim.
13. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the annular space between the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions is void of any protrusion.
14. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the arc-shaped protrusions are arranged at a radial distance of between 0.5 to 1.2 mm from the base body.
15. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the capsule body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member is produced by deep drawing an initially flat metal sheet.
16. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the capsule is made from aluminum.
17. The capsule of claim 1 ,
wherein the capsule further comprises a closing membrane connected to the base body and/or the flange-like rim of the capsule.
18. The capsule according to claim 17 ,
wherein the closing membrane is an aluminum foil sealed to the flange-like rim.
19. A system comprising a capsule designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by a beverage preparation machine, the capsule having a longitudinal axis and comprising a cup-shaped base body for holding beverage preparation ingredients, a flange-like rim and sealing member, wherein the base body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member is made integrally from metallic material, as a one piece element, wherein the sealing member comprises a dedicated surface located on the base body at the junction with the flange-like rim and a projection comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim, the dedicated surface and the arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing member are concentrically arranged such as to form an annular space there-between for receiving at least one sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine and a beverage preparation machine designed to provide heated and/or pressurized liquid into the capsule for preparing a beverage upon interaction of the liquid with ingredients held within the capsule.
20. A cup-shaped base body of a capsule for holding beverage preparation ingredients and a flange-like rim with a sealing member comprising a dedicated surface and a projection comprising at least one series of arc-shaped protrusions protruding circumferentially on the flange-like rim,
wherein the base-body, the flange-like rim and the sealing member are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum,
wherein the dedicated surface and the series of arc-shaped protrusions of the sealing member are concentrically arranged on a surface of the flange-like rim such as to form an annular space there-between for receiving a sealing surface of a capsule engagement member of the beverage preparation machine,
wherein the arc-shaped protrusions of the series arc-shaped protrusions are continuous protrusions with circumferentially extending gaps formed there-between.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18199540.8 | 2018-10-10 | ||
EP18199540 | 2018-10-10 | ||
PCT/EP2019/077283 WO2020074550A1 (en) | 2018-10-10 | 2019-10-09 | Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20210347556A1 true US20210347556A1 (en) | 2021-11-11 |
Family
ID=63832294
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/283,875 Pending US20210347556A1 (en) | 2018-10-10 | 2019-10-09 | Capsule for beverage preparation with integrally formed sealing member |
Country Status (4)
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US (1) | US20210347556A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3863944A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN112714745B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020074550A1 (en) |
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USD959974S1 (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2022-08-09 | Euro-Caps Holding B.V. | Beverage capsule |
USD964158S1 (en) * | 2020-10-27 | 2022-09-20 | David Rubinstein | Beverage pod |
USD971013S1 (en) * | 2020-10-27 | 2022-11-29 | David Rubinstein | Beverage pod |
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FR3118761B1 (en) * | 2021-01-14 | 2023-06-30 | My Tea Cup Ag | S-shaped sealing lip cap |
IT202100022040A1 (en) * | 2021-08-18 | 2023-02-18 | Laminazione Sottile S P A | ALUMINUM CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF DRINKS WITH IMPROVED SEALING SYSTEM |
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Also Published As
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CN112714745B (en) | 2023-12-29 |
WO2020074550A1 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
EP3863944A1 (en) | 2021-08-18 |
CN112714745A (en) | 2021-04-27 |
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