US20230271773A1

US20230271773A1 - Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages

Info

Publication number: US20230271773A1
Application number: US18/006,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Cristian Spadoni; Alessandro Falzoni
Original assignee: Sacmi Imola SC
Current assignee: Sacmi Imola SC
Priority date: 2020-07-27
Filing date: 2021-07-27
Publication date: 2023-08-31
Also published as: JP7522913B2; IT202000018118A1; EP4188836A1; CN116157340A; BR112023001608A2; JP2023535603A; TW202210018A; WO2022023965A1

Abstract

A capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, includes: a bottom wall; a side wall; an annular flange, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness, and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages. This invention also relates to a method for making a capsule and a mould for making a capsule.
This disclosure addresses the sector of the production of beverages by infusion; known in this sector is the use of capsules containing infusion material such as coffee, for example. The capsules comprise a cup, or body, and a lid and are designed to be placed in specific beverage making machines where hot water or steam is fed into the capsule in order to brew the beverage.
More specifically, this disclosure addresses the sector of the production by infusion of beverages such as American coffee; the capsules used in this sector are larger than the capsules used in Nespresso-like coffee machines; typically, the capsules are provided with a filter element that divides the internal space into a first portion, containing a substance (coffee, for example) intended for the production of the beverage, and a second portion. The beverage making machine feeds hot water into the first portion; the substance contained in the first portion is infused and produces the beverage, which migrates into the second portion through the filter element; lastly, the machine extracts the beverage from the second portion.

BACKGROUND ART

Capsules of this kind are described, for example, in the following patent documents: US2002/0020659, U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,87162, US2018160845A1, US2018118450A1, US2017042362A1. In particular, patent document US2017042362A1 describes a capsule in which the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, where the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion.
In this sector, there is a general need to make capsules lighter in order to save on material, while maintaining good mechanical properties and effectively insulating the product inside the capsule from external agents. Moreover, if the capsules are made by compression moulding, it is necessary to facilitate the process of filling the mould with the material used to form the capsule, to ensure that the capsules made are of good quality. Furthermore, the following patent documents describe capsules of the aforementioned typology: EP2962957A1, WO2004/087529A1, WO2017/055350A1 and US2017/042362A1. However, also these documents suffer an inefficient relationship between weight and mechanical strength.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure has for an aim to provide a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, a method for making a capsule and a mould for making a capsule to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
This aim is fully achieved by the capsule, the method and the mould as characterized in the appended claims.
More specifically, this disclosure concerns a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages.
The capsule comprises a body (or cup). The body is made preferably of thermoplastic material (such as, for example, polymeric, composite or biocompatible materials).
The body comprises a bottom wall. The body comprises a side wall. The side wall extends around a longitudinal axis, between a first annular edge and a second annular edge. The first annular edge is connected to the bottom wall; thus, the side wall extends between the bottom wall and the second annular edge. The side wall has an inside surface, facing towards the longitudinal axis, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside surface. The side wall and the bottom wall delimit an internal space within the capsule body.
The body also comprises an annular flange. The annular flange is connected to the second annular edge of the side wall. The annular flange extends from the second annular edge of the side wall, away from the longitudinal axis. The outside surface of the side wall includes a first portion, which is proximal to the flange, and a second portion, which is distal from the flange. It should be noted that the second portion of the side wall is preferably frustoconical in shape. The first portion of the side wall may be cylindrical or frustoconical in shape. In an embodiment, the first portion of the side wall is frustoconical in shape and has a different inclination to the longitudinal axis in comparison with the second portion; more specifically, the taper direction of the first portion is opposite to that of the second portion. Preferably, the first portion of the side wall projects radially from the second portion of the side wall, away from the longitudinal axis.
The bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion. The annular supporting portion is connected to the side wall. The annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular edge. The central portion is thus recessed relative to annular supporting portion.
The annular supporting portion has a variable section to allow a greater thickness in the most stressed points and to make the capsule more rigid. The central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness. The second thickness is smaller than the first thickness. Thus, the second zone is thinner than the first zone, allowing less material to be used and making the body of the capsule lighter. Preferably, the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the first zone is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis; preferably, the central portion is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the second zone is recessed relative to the first zone, on an inside face (or inside wall) of the central portion (facing towards the internal space).
In one example, the first zone surrounds the second zone and is disposed, along a radial direction, outside the second zone. This allows the thinnest area to be kept in a less stressed area, reducing the weight without compromising the mechanical strength of the capsule.
The second zone is full; that is, the second zone has no holes. The second zone is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the capsule.
The second zone is obtained through a groove on the back wall. Said groove faces the internal volume of the capsule. Said groove comprises chamfered walls, so as not to have edges which can act as a concentration of stresses. In one example, the radial extension of the first zone with respect to the radial extension of the second zone is in a ratio between 0.8 and 1.5.
It should be noted that in an embodiment, the second zone has an annular shape and surrounds the first zone. In at least one embodiment, the first zone has the shape of a circle; thus, the longitudinal axis passes through the first zone (the centre of the circle).
In an embodiment, the central portion of the bottom wall includes a third zone; the third zone is annular in shape; the third zone surrounds the second zone. Thus, the second zone is interposed between the first zone and the second zone. The third zone has a third thickness; the third thickness is preferably greater than the second thickness. The second zone is also recessed relative to the third zone, on the inside face of the central portion. In an embodiment, the third thickness is equal to the first thickness.
In an embodiment, the bottom wall includes a connecting portion which interconnects the central portion with the annular supporting portion. More specifically, the bottom wall interconnects the third zone of the central portion with the annular supporting portion. The connecting portion is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the connecting portion has a fourth thickness that is greater than the second thickness; more specifically, the fourth thickness is equal to the first and/or the third thickness.
It should be noted that the annular supporting portion has a supporting thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The supporting thickness is also greater than the third and/or the fourth thickness.
The first annular edge is greater than or equal to 40 mm in diameter: that is, greater than or equal to 20 mm in radius. More specifically, the first annular edge is greater than or equal to 45 mm in diameter (for example, 46 mm). The second annular edge is greater than or equal to 35 mm in diameter. Preferably, the second zone has a width, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between 4 mm and 8 mm; still more preferably, between 5 mm and 7 mm (for example, 6 mm).
Preferably, therefore, the ratio between the width of the second zone, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the radius of the first annular edge is between 0.2 and 0.5; still more preferably, between 0.3 and 0.4. This dimensional interval allows the second zone to be large enough to make the capsule effectively lighter in weight but not too large to have a negative effect on its moisture barrier and mechanical resistance properties.
In an embodiment, the first thickness (and/or the third thickness) is between 0.35 mm and 0.40 mm; the second thickness is between 0.15 mm and 0.20 mm. Therefore, the ratio between the second thickness and the first thickness is between 0.35 and 0.55, specifically between 0.40 and 0.50.
The annular supporting portion has a width, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is smaller than the width of the second zone. The ratio between the width of the annular supporting portion, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the radius of the first annular edge is between 0.1 and 0.2.
The height of the capsule (that is, of the capsule body, or of the side wall of the capsule body) is greater than or equal to 30 mm, along the longitudinal axis; more specifically, the height of the capsule (that is, of the capsule body, or of the side wall of the capsule body) is greater than or equal to 35 mm, along the longitudinal axis; preferably, the height of the capsule (that is, of the capsule body, or of the side wall of the capsule body) is greater than or equal to 40 mm (for example, 45 mm), along the longitudinal axis. By height of the capsule or of its side wall is meant a maximum distance between the bottom wall and the second annular edge.
It should be noted that the capsule, at least in its final configuration in which it is ready to be placed in a beverage making machine, also includes a lid. The lid is joined to the annular flange; more specifically, the lid is joined to the front face of the annular flange. The lid, together with the body, delimits, or encloses, an internal space within the capsule. The capsule preferably also comprises a filter element, positioned in the internal space. The filter element may be made of cellulosic material, such as paper, for example. The capsule also comprises a substance for making the beverage. The substance for making the beverage is enclosed in a space which is at least partly delimited by the filter element. More specifically, the filter element divides the internal space into a containing space and a collecting space and the substance for making the beverage is contained in the containing space. Preferably, the containing space is partly delimited by the lid (and by the filter element) and the collecting space is partly delimited by the bottom wall (and by the filter element). Thus, when the capsule is inserted into the beverage making machine, the machine feeds hot water into the containing space where the substance is located; the beverage is made by infusion and passes through the filter element from the containing space into the collecting space; the machine then extracts the beverage from the collecting space. More specifically, the machine makes a first hole in the lid, through which it feeds the hot water into the containing space, and a second hole in the bottom wall, through which the beverage made is extracted. Preferably, the second (thinned) zone having the second thickness is located in proximity to a punch forming part of the coffee machine and configured to make the second hole. That means the punch penetrates a thinner zone which is easier to pierce.
In an embodiment, the substance for making the beverage includes coffee granules. In an embodiment, the substance for making the beverage includes coffee powder. In another embodiment, the substance for making the beverage includes chamomile or tea.
This disclosure also provides a method for making a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages. The method comprises a step of forming a body of the capsule. The capsule and, more specifically, the capsule body is made according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. In the step of forming, the bottom wall, the side wall and the annular flange of the capsule body are formed. The side wall extends around a longitudinal axis, between a first annular edge, connected to the bottom wall, and a second annular edge; the side wall has an inside surface, facing towards the longitudinal axis, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside surface. The annular flange extends from the second annular edge of the side wall, away from the longitudinal axis.
The bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion which is connected to the side wall, and a central portion which is surrounded by, and recessed relative to, the annular supporting portion. The central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure; more specifically, the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
In an embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by compression moulding. Thus, the capsule body is formed from a dose of thermoplastic material.
In this embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by a mould made according to one or more aspects of this disclosure; more specifically, it is carried out by a mould including a lower unit and an upper unit which are movable relative to each other. Thus the step of forming comprises preparing the dose of thermoplastic material, positioning the dose on the lower unit of the mould, closing the mould by moving the upper unit and the lower unit towards each other until they delimit a moulding cavity in which the capsule body is formed from the dose. The step of forming may also comprise cooling the capsule body. The method also comprises a step of opening the mould by moving the upper unit and the lower unit away from each other and a step of extracting the formed capsule from the mould.
In an embodiment, the step of forming is carried out by injection moulding. The method may also comprise a step of preparing a filter element and inserting the filter element into an internal space inside the capsule body. The method may also comprise a step of feeding a substance for making the beverage into the internal space; more specifically, the substance is fed into a portion (also called containing space), within the internal space and partly delimited by the filter element. The method may also comprise a step of joining the lid to the front face of the annular flange so as to close the internal space. After the step of joining the lid, the containing space in which the substance is located is enclosed between the lid and the filter element. This disclosure also provides a mould for making a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages. The mould is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which it defines a moulding cavity. The moulding cavity is shaped in such a way as to form the capsule according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. More specifically, the moulding cavity includes a bottom hollow, a side hollow and a flange hollow. The side hollow extends around a longitudinal axis between a first annular end, which is connected to the bottom hollow, and a second annular end. The side hollow has an inside wall, facing towards the longitudinal axis, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside wall. The flange hollow is connected to the second annular end and extends from the second annular end, away from the longitudinal axis. The outside wall of the side hollow includes a first portion, proximal to the flange hollow, and a second portion, distal from the flange hollow. Preferably, the second portion is frustoconical in shape. The first portion is cylindrical or frustoconical in shape.
Before the capsule is extracted from the mould, the longitudinal axis of the mould coincides with the longitudinal axis of the capsule which is formed in the mould.
Preferably, the second annular end (specifically, an outer edge thereof) has a diameter which is greater than or equal to 35 mm (or 40 mm, or 45 mm or 50 mm). The moulding cavity (that is, the side hollow) has a length along the longitudinal axis that is greater than or equal to 35 mm (or 30 mm, or 40 mm, or 45 mm).
The bottom wall includes an annular portion, connected to the side hollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; the annular portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular end. The central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, the second thickness being smaller than the first thickness and the second zone being oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the first zone is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and/or the central portion is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The second zone, with respect to the longitudinal axis, has a radial extension and an axial extension, the radial extension being greater than the axial extension. Preferably, the first zone surrounds the second zone. Thus, the second zone acts as a tank for the material during the step of forming by moulding. Thus, the second zone, which is less thick, has several advantages: it makes the capsule body lighter and allows saving on material; it also allows the mould to be filled more effectively in the case where the capsule is made by moulding (in particular, compression moulding); it also provides an easy perforation zone which can be pierced more easily by the punch of the beverage making machine.
The central portion may also include a third zone, which surrounds the second zone and has a third thickness, greater than the second thickness of the second zone. The second zone is recessed relative to the first and/or the second zone, on an inside face of the bottom wall, facing towards the second annular end.
The bottom hollow also includes a connecting portion, which joins the central portion to the annular portion connected to the side hollow. The connecting portion is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the mould comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the mould is parallel to the weight force. In the open configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are spaced apart and in the closed configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are close together and delimit the moulding cavity. In the closed configuration, the lower unit is positioned under the upper unit and is at least partly inserted in a hollow of the upper unit; this configuration is particularly advantageous in the case where the body of the capsule is made of multilayer material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section of a capsule body made according to one or more aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the capsule body of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows the capsule body of FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

FIG. 4 shows the capsule body of FIG. 1 in a top view;

FIG. 5 shows the capsule of this disclosure, including the body illustrated in FIG. 1 , the filter, the substance and the lid;

FIG. 5A shows the filter of the capsule of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 6 shows a mould for making the capsule body of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 7 shows the mould of FIG. 6 in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a capsule. The capsule 1 comprises a body 100. The body 100 includes a bottom wall 101, a side wall 102 and an annular flange 103. The side wall 102 extends around a longitudinal axis A, between a first annular edge 102A and a second annular edge 102B. The first and the second annular edge 102A and 102B surround the longitudinal axis A. The first annular edge 102A is connected to the bottom wall 101. The second annular edge 1028 is connected to the annular flange 103.
The side wall 102 has an inside surface, facing towards the longitudinal axis A, and an outside surface, opposite to the inside surface. The side wall 102, or its outside surface, comprises a first portion 1021 and a second portion 1022. The first portion 1021 is proximal to the annular flange 103 and the second portion 1022 is distal from the annular flange 103; more specifically, the first portion 1021 is connected to the annular flange 103 and the second portion 1021 is connected to the bottom wall 101. The first portion 1021 thus extends around the longitudinal axis A between the first annular edge 102A of the side wall and a connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022.
The second portion 1022 extends around the longitudinal axis A between the connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the second portion, and the second annular edge 102B. The inside surface of the first portion 1021 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The second portion 1022 is frustoconical in shape; thus, the connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022, has a radius that is larger than the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A.
The second annular edge 1028 has a radius R2 that is larger than the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A. More specifically, the radius R2 of the second annular edge 1028 is preferably greater than 20 mm (for example, 22 or 23 mm); the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A is preferably greater than 15 mm (for example, 17 or 18 mm). The radius R2 of the second annular edge 1028 is substantially the same as the radius of the connecting edge, joining the first portion 1021 and the second portion 1022 (at least on an inside face). The annular flange 103 has an outer edge whose radius is preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm.
The height H of the side wall 102—that is, of the capsule body 100—is greater than or equal to 35 mm, along the longitudinal axis A. The height H defines the maximum distance between the bottom wall 101 and the second annular edge 102B.
The capsule 1 comprises a lid 14. The lid 14 is joined to the front face of the annular flange 103. The lid 14 and the body 100 delimit an internal space V inside the capsule 1; when the lid 14 is joined to the annular flange 103, the internal space V is a closed space.
The bottom wall 101 includes an annular supporting portion 1011 which is connected to the side wall 102. The bottom wall 101 includes a central portion 1012 which is surrounded by the annular supporting portion 1011. The central portion 1012 is recessed relative to the annular supporting portion 1011: that is to say, its distance from the lid 14 along the longitudinal axis A is smaller than the distance from the lid of the annular supporting portion 1011. The annular supporting portion 1011 is located at a perimeter of the bottom wall. The annular supporting portion 1011 projects longitudinally away from the second annular edge 1028, with respect to the central portion 1012, so that the capsule can be laid on a supporting surface (such as a table or a desk) with an outer surface of the annular supporting portion 1011 defining the sole surface in contact with the supporting surface. The bottom wall 101 includes a connecting portion 1013 which joins the annular supporting portion 1011 to the central portion 1012. Thus, the connecting portion 1013 is obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A at an angle between 10° and 80°.
The central portion 1012 includes a first zone 1012A, traversed by the longitudinal axis A, a second zone 1012B, surrounding the first zone 1012A, and a third zone 1012C, surrounding the second zone 1012B. The third zone 1012C is connected to the connecting portion 1013. The central portion 1012 is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A; thus, the first zone 1012A, the second zone 1012B and/or the third zone 1012C are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A. The second zone 1012B is recessed relative to the first zone 1012A and relative to the third zone 1012C, on an inside face of the bottom wall 101, facing towards the internal space V. Instead, on an outside face of the bottom wall 101, opposite to the inside face, the central portion 1012 is uniform. More specifically, the first zone 1012A has a first thickness S1, the second zone 1012B has a second thickness S2 and the third zone 1012C has a third thickness S3. The second thickness S2 is smaller than the first thickness S1 and third thickness S3. The first thickness S1 may be the same as the third thickness S3. The ratio between the second thickness S2 and the first thickness S1 (or the third thickness S3) is between 0.35 and 0.55.
The first zone 1012A has the shape of a circle whose radius is greater than 5 mm (specifically, greater than 7 mm). The second zone 1012B has the shape of a ring whose width L2 is greater than 4 mm (specifically, greater than 6 mm). By width L2 of the second zone 1012B is meant the difference between the (maximum) radius of the second zone 1012B and the (maximum) radius of the first zone 1012A; thus, the width L2 is defined in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, therefore, the ratio between the width L2 of the second zone 1021B and the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A is between 0.2 and 0.5.
It should be noted that there are preferably a connecting portion, joining the second zone 1012B to the first zone 1012A, and/or a second connecting portion, joining the second zone 1012B to the third zone 1012C, which are inclined obliquely (at an angle between 10° and 80°) relative to the longitudinal axis A.
The connecting portion 1013 has a fourth thickness S4. The fourth thickness S4 is also greater than the second thickness S2; for example, the fourth thickness S4 may be the same as the first thickness S1 and/or the third thickness S3.
The annular supporting portion 1011 has a fifth thickness S5. The fifth thickness S5 is preferably greater than the first thickness S1, the second thickness S2, the third thickness S3 and the fourth thickness S4. The fifth thickness S5 is also greater than the thickness of the side wall 102 (more specifically, of the first portion 1021 of the side wall 102). The annular supporting portion 1011 has a width L3, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The width L3 is preferably smaller than the width L2.
The capsule 1 also comprises a filter element 11. The filter element 11 is positioned in the internal space V inside the capsule 1. Preferably, the filter element 11 is cup shaped and in turn includes a side wall and a bottom wall. The side wall of the filter element 11 also extends around the longitudinal axis A; the side wall of the filter element 11 is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the side wall 102 (or to the second portion 1022 of the side wall 102). The bottom wall of the filter element 11 is connected to the side wall of the filter element 11. Preferably, the bottom wall of the filter element 11 is parallel to the bottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Preferably, an upper annular end of the filter element 11 is joined (for example, glued) to the capsule body 100 in a zone proximal to the second annular edge 1028 of the side wall 102. The bottom wall of the filter element 11 is spaced from the bottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Thus, the filter element 11 defines, within the internal space of the capsule 1, a containing space 12 which is included between the lid 14 and the bottom wall of the filter element 11, and a collecting space 13 which is included between the bottom wall of the filter element 11 and the bottom wall 101 of the capsule. The substance for making the beverage (coffee granules, for example) is located in the containing space 12. The collecting space 13 is full of air.
When the capsule 1 is inserted into the beverage making machine, an injector pierces the lid 14 and feeds hot water into the containing space 12. The beverage is produced by infusion and percolates into the collecting space 13 through the filter element 11. The machine then pierces the bottom wall 101 with a punch to dispense the beverage made. Preferably, the punch pierces the second zone 1012B of the central portion 1012 of the bottom wall 101.
This disclosure also relates to a mould 2. The mould 2 is shaped in such a way as to form the body 100 of the capsule 1. The mould 2 comprises an upper unit 21 and a lower unit 22, movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis A (which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the body 100 formed). The upper unit 21 and the lower unit 22 are movable relative to each other between a spaced-apart position, which defines an open configuration of the mould 2, and a close-together position, which defines a closed configuration of the mould 2. In the open configuration, the mould 2 is configured to receive a dose 3 of thermoplastic material. Preferably, the dose 3 is placed on the lower unit 22. In the closed configuration, the upper unit 21 and the lower unit 22 delimit a moulding cavity 200 in which the body 100 of the capsule 1 is formed by compression moulding, starting from the dose 3.
The moulding cavity 200 includes a bottom hollow 201, configured to form the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1.
The moulding cavity 200 also includes a side hollow 202, connected to (that is, in communication with) the bottom hollow 201. The side hollow 202 is configured to form the side wall 102 of the body 100 of the capsule 1. More specifically, the side hollow 202 extends around the longitudinal axis A, between a first annular end 202A and a second annular end 202B. The first annular end 202A is connected to the bottom hollow. The moulding cavity 200 also includes a flange hollow 203, which extends from the second annular end 202B away from the longitudinal axis. Thus, the flange hollow 203 is connected to (that is, in communication with) the side hollow 202, at the second annular end 202B. The side hollow 203 is configured to form the annular flange 103 of the body 100 of the capsule 1.
The bottom hollow 201 includes an annular portion, connected to the side hollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; the annular portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular end. Thus, the annular portion of the bottom hollow 201 is configured to form the annular supporting portion 1011 of the body 100 of the capsule 1. The central portion of the bottom hollow 201 is configured to form the central portion 1012 of the body 100 of the capsule 1. The central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness. The second thickness is smaller than the first thickness. The second zone (and, preferably, the first zone) is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and surrounds the first zone. The first zone of the bottom hollow 201 is configured to form the first zone 1021A of the central portion 1021 of the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1; thus, the first zone of the bottom hollow 201 has the thickness S1. The second zone of the bottom hollow 201 is configured to form the second zone 1021B of the central portion 1021 of the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1; thus, the second zone of the bottom hollow 201 has the thickness S2. The central portion includes a third zone, surrounding the second zone and joined to the annular portion by a connecting portion. The third zone of the bottom hollow 201 is configured to form the third zone 1012C of the central portion 1021 of the bottom wall 101 of the body 100 of the capsule 1; thus, the third zone of the bottom hollow 201 has the thickness S3.

Claims

1. A capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, the capsule comprising a body which includes

a bottom wall;

a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge, connected to the bottom wall, and a second annular edge, wherein the side wall and the bottom wall delimit an internal space within the body of the capsule; and

an annular flange, extending from the second annular edge of the side wall away from the longitudinal axis,

wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion,

wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular edge, and

wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone has an annular shape and surrounds the first zone.

3. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the central portion of the bottom wall includes a third zone which surrounds the second zone and has a third thickness, larger than the second thickness, wherein the second zone is recessed relative to the first zone and relative to the third zone on the inside face of the central portion.

4. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the bottom wall includes a connecting portion which interconnects the central portion to the annular supporting portion, the connecting portion being obliquely inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.

5. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the central portion has an inside face, facing towards the internal space, and an outside face, opposite to the inside face, wherein the second zone is recessed relative to the first zone on the inside face of the central portion.

6. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the annular supporting portion has a supporting thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

7. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the width of the second zone, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the radius of the first annular edge is between 0.2 and 0.5.

8. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the second thickness and the first thickness is between 0.35 and 0.55.

9. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second annular edge has a radius that is greater than or equal to 20 mm and wherein the capsule has a height that is greater than or equal to 35 mm along the longitudinal axis.

10. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the side wall has a first portion, which is proximal to the flange, and a second portion, which is distal from the flange and connected to the first portion and to the bottom wall, wherein the second portion is frustoconical in shape.

11. The capsule according to claim 10, wherein the first portion has an inside wall, which faces towards the internal space and is cylindrical in shape, and an outside wall, which is opposite to the inside wall, is frustoconical in shape and whose direction of taper is opposite to that of the second portion.

12. The capsule according to claim 1, further comprising:

a lid, joined to the annular flange to delimit, with the body, an internal space inside the capsule;

a filter element, positioned in the internal space, wherein the filter element divides the internal space into a containing space and a collecting space, wherein the containing space is partly delimited by the lid and the collecting space is partly delimited by the bottom wall; and

a substance contained in the containing space and used for making the beverage.

13. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the annular supporting portion is located at a perimeter of the bottom wall and projects longitudinally away from the second annular edge, with respect to the central portion, so that the capsule can be laid on a supporting surface with an outer surface of the annular supporting portion being the sole surface in contact with the supporting surface.

14. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone, with respect to the longitudinal axis, has a radial extension and an axial extension, the radial extension being greater than the axial extension.

15. A method for making a capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, wherein the method comprises a step of forming a body of the capsule, in which the following are made:

a bottom wall;

an annular flange, extending from the second annular edge of the side wall, away from the longitudinal axis,

wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular edge, and

wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of forming is carried out by compression moulding starting from a dose of thermoplastic material.

17. A mould for making a capsule intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, the mould being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the mould defines a moulding cavity that includes:

a bottom hollow;

a side hollow, extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular end, connected to the bottom hollow, and a second annular end; and

a flange hollow connected to the second annular end and extending from the second annular end, away from the longitudinal axis;

wherein the bottom hollow includes an annular portion, connected to the side hollow, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion, wherein the annular portion projects from the central portion, away from the second annular end, and

18. The mould according to claim 17, comprising an upper unit and a lower unit, which are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, wherein, in the open configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are spaced apart and in the closed configuration of the mould, the upper unit and the lower unit are close together and delimit the moulding cavity, wherein the lower unit, in the closed configuration, is positioned under the upper unit and is at least partly inserted in a hollow of the upper unit.

19. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein first annular edge is greater than or equal to 40 mm in diameter.

20. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the second zone has a width, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between 4 mm and 8 mm.