WO2015002563A1

WO2015002563A1 - Capsule for edible product and method for using said capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2015002563A1
Application number: PCT/PT2014/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rui Miguel Nabeiro
Original assignee: Novadelta - Comércio E Indústria De Cafés S.A.
Priority date: 2013-07-04
Filing date: 2014-07-04
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: PT107039A; EP3078608B1; CN105992743A; PT107039B; ES2687284T3; EP3078608A1; CN105992743B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule (1) for an edible product, having at least one first structural element (2) designed as a container, and a second structural element (3) designed as a lid, sized to contain a dose (4) of at least one edible substance, the second structural element (3) having a plurality of structural reinforcement elements (31) that improve mechanical engagement with the first structural element (2), reduce the amount of material required and energy consumption during processing, namely when used to prepare aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee, tea and the like. The present invention further relates to a method for using said capsule (1), including for the preparation of aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee, tea and the like.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CABLE FOR EDIBLE PRODUCT AND PROCESS FOR USE OF

REFERRED CAPSULE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of edible product capsules.

The present invention further relates to a process of using a capsule, including preparing beverages by extracting aromatic edible substances such as espresso, tea and the like, and separating their residues after said beverage preparation.

Background of the Invention

The prior art includes many solutions concerning individual dose containers containing a certain amount of at least one aromatic edible product in an interior volume, and configured to be processed in the extraction device of a respective beverage preparation machine, such as example in an espresso machine. In particular, embodiments of such capsules with a basic cylindrical or frusto-conical container configuration and made of substantially rigid materials, in particular synthetic materials, are known.

In the case of capsules with a lid-type element being a container-type element, the mounting locking peripheral gear of these elements has a particular importance in the tightness of the capsule. In addition, the constructional configuration and materials are usually sized to ensure that the capsule envelope is leak tight and withstands the pressures to which the capsule is subjected within an extraction device, including external pressure and internal pressure generated by the release of gases when pressurized water imparts the substance. aromatic, for example roasted and ground coffee. In particular, in the case of capsules using a substantially rigid synthetic material, the commonly used wall thickness in the market is greater than 1.0 mm.

In addition, the capsule-like element is usually subjected to greater pressure forces, particularly when engaged in a respective beverage preparation machine extraction device and when subjected to injection of a capsule side pressure water flow. oriented upstream.

The prior art includes a number of solutions relating to structural optimization of substantially rigid containers of synthetic material (e.g., US 7,169,418 B2, US 7,712,624 B2).

In addition, solutions relating to capsules adapted for extraction into beverage preparation machines are known which allow a mechanical closure of a lid-type constructional part with a container-type constructional part (eg, EP 0584314 BI, WO 2012/080814 Al) .

In particular, FR 2970242 A1 discloses a similarly constructed capsule which includes a lid-like element having a gear recess in its edge adapted to engage with a respective gear element provided in the upper edge of the sidewall of the housing. container type element. In addition, US 2013/0139699 Al discloses. a capsule having a mechanical pressure-mounting gear of the cap-type and container-type elements extending along the perimeter of the cap-type element and with two protruding gear elements provided in two regions of reduced extent relative to the perimeter. This document further discloses structural reinforcement elements extending along part of the side wall and base wall of the container type part.

The above solutions do not provide a simple and effective solution for a mechanical mounting gear between the main constructive parts of a capsule, in particular which is substantially oxygen tight for longer periods of time, so their use is restricted to short-term filling and extraction.

Furthermore, solutions disclosed in the prior art do not minimize the amount of building material used in the capsule, particularly in view of the type of pressure forces to which the capsule is subjected in case of extraction into a beverage preparation machine.

There is therefore a need for a simple and reliable solution for capsules comprising individual doses of at least one edible substance, including aromatic substances, such as coffee, suitable for the preparation of different types of beverages and providing substantial oxygen tightness as well as minimizing oxygen. building material and processing energy needs, and maximizing their simplicity of use, including the view of recycling of edible substance and capsule waste after use. General Description of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule provided in a substantially rigid general construction and construction material for collecting a dose of at least one edible substance, including coffee, tea, chocolate and the like, and adapted to prepare an edible product, in accordance with the present invention. particularly for extraction beverage preparation, which provides effective mounting locking of the main constructive elements by mechanical gear means, and at the same time greater structural resistance of the capsule to the pressure forces to which it is subjected in an extraction beverage preparation process, in particular. in particular associated with the injection of a fluid flow under pressure, so as to minimize the amount of constructive material required, without constraining the long-term tightness of oxygen transfer.

This objective is realized according to claim 1.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using capsules, in particular based on a capsule according to the invention, which reduces energy consumption in the assembly of capsules and which encourages the recycling of edible substance residues and of capsule building material.

This objective is realized according to claim 14.

Description of the Figures

The present invention will now be explained in greater detail based on preferred embodiments and the accompanying Figures. The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

Figure 1: Side sectional views (left) and

plan (right) of an embodiment of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

Figure 2: Detail view P01 according to Figure 1;

Figure 3: Plan views of two embodiments

of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

Figure 4: Side (top) and top plan views

(below) two embodiments of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

Figure 5: Side sectional views of two shapes of

carrying out a capsule (1) according to the invention;

Figure 6: Main steps of a product assembly phase

capsule (1) in a process of use according to the invention;

Figure 7: Main steps of a product preparation phase

drink using a capsule (1) in a use process according to the invention;

Figure 8: Main steps of a separation phase of

residues of a capsule (1) in a process of use according to the invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 is a first embodiment of a capsule (1) according to the invention having a first constructive element (2) provided in container type and including a base wall element (21) and a side wall element. (22), and a second constructional element (3) provided in lid-like form including a circular disc-shaped top member (31), and adapted for mechanical gear mounting along a respective perimeter region and so jointly defining an axis of axial symmetry (XX). In particular, said constructive elements (2, 3) are adapted for mounting by means of mechanical snap-fit gear of the respective freeboard zones. As best seen in detail P01 shown in Figure 2, said top member (31) has a gear recess member (32) at the outer perimeter providing an inwardly oriented recess of the capsule (1).

Furthermore, according to a first inventive aspect and as best seen in the plan view of the face of an inwardly oriented top element (3) of said capsule (1), said top element (31) further presents a plurality of structural reinforcement elements (33) disposed on the side of the top member (31) oriented inwardly of the capsule (1) and in proximity to the gear recess member (32). These structural reinforcement elements (33) provide a high structural strength to the second constructive element (3) allowing a reduction of the wall thickness (e3i) of at least said top element (31) of the second constructive element (3) and, depending on material, also at least part of said first constructive element (2). Furthermore, said structural reinforcement elements (33) operate in conjunction with the gear elements (23,32) in order to reinforce the structural resistance of the mechanical locking gear between the building elements (2, 3).

According to a preferred embodiment, and in view of the reduced wall thickness (and ₃ i) of the top member (31), at least three structurally reinforcing members (33) are preferably evenly distributed. according to the angular direction (drawing on the right) in the vicinity of the freeboard zone of said top element (31) and inwardly oriented side of the capsule (1). Alternatively, further structural reinforcement elements 33 may be provided, such as four, five or six.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a greater number, extent and thickness of said structural reinforcement elements (33) directly contributes to greater structural strength of said second constructive element (3) and the capsule (1) in general. In any case, it has been experimentally shown to be particularly advantageous when said structural reinforcement members (33) are triangular in shape, and sufficient when they are less than one third of the radius of said top member (31).

As shown in detail P01 (Figure 2), said first constructive element (2) is provided on its free edge with a male gear element (23), preferably configured in hook-like or similar shape, and dimensioned according to the design. so as to snap fitly engage within said gear recess member (32) provided on the edge of said second constructive element (3). As can be seen, said structural reinforcement elements (33) have a straight wedge-like or similar triangular shape with one of the two orthogonal triangle sides extending over at least one third of the value. the radius of said top element (31) and the other of the two orthogonal triangle sides extends in the axial direction in the area near the perimeter edge of said top element (31). Further, the end of said outwardly oriented structural reinforcement members (33) of the capsule (1) is disposed at a distance from the recessed gear member (32) which is greater than the wall thickness of said engagement member. side wall (22) of said second constructional element (2). Further, it is preferred when the end of said inwardly oriented structural reinforcement members (33) of the capsule (1) does not extend beyond said recessed gear member (32) in the direction of the interior of the capsule (1). .

The remaining closure assembly is then carried out by applying a compressive force on said second constructive element (3), so that the two constructive elements (2, 3) result in a substantially locked gear.

According to another inventive aspect, better represented in Figure 3, said gear recess member (32) is provided with a variable gear dimension (e) along its perimeter, in particular with a larger zone that facilitates the initial introduction of said male gear member (23) into a respective perimeter region. The locking assembly of the constructive elements (2, 3) can thus be accomplished by an initial axial compression movement followed by a rotary compression movement, so that a substantial part of the perimeter is in locking gear under additional pressure. This embodiment is advantageous in terms of ease of manual assembly and increased tightness of the capsule (1) with respect to oxygen transfer. Optionally also the gear male element (23) may be provided with a dimension of gear (e) variable along its respective perimeter, including a variation substantially corresponding to that of the gear recess member (32).

Furthermore, as shown in the drawing at the top right, it is advantageous when at least one of said structural reinforcement elements (33) has a cross-sectional reduction to facilitate initial gearing of the gear element (23) in the element. recessed gear (32).

Figure 4 shows two embodiments of a capsule (1) according to the invention, provided in a substantially rigid synthetic material, and having a first constructive element (2) having a general cylindrical or frusto-conical shape having a side wall member (22) having a thickness (e ₂ 2) optimized wall, in particular less than 0.8 mm. The first constructive element (2) can be configured as a container wall only (top left drawing), adapted to be assembled with a respective base wall element (21) (top right). This base wall element (21) has a wall thickness (and ₂ i) of less than 1.2 mm, preferably less than 0.8 mm.

The capsule (1) further has a second constructive element (3) shaped like a lid, which includes a top element (31) adapted to mechanically engage with said first constructive element (2). The top element (31) is likewise optimized to have a wall thickness (e3i) of less than 1.0 mm. Figure 5 represents other embodiments of a capsule (1) according to the present invention, in which case the first constructive element (2) is provided as a single piece in container form.

In particular, the wall thickness of the different building elements may vary to optimize the structural strength as a function of the expected stresses in different areas of the capsule (1). In a preferred embodiment (top left drawing), the sidewall member (22) has a wall thickness (e _22a ) in a first zone and a different wall thickness (e22b) in a second zone. In another preferred embodiment (top right drawing), the base wall element (21) has sections (21a, 21b) of varying inclination with respect to symmetry axis XX, and having different respective wall thicknesses (and _2). i _a , and ₂ it _> ) ·

According to a preferred embodiment, said constructive elements (2, 3) are provided in at least one synthetic material including thermoplastics including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene (PE ), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyamine (PA), polymethyl methacrylate (PM A), polystierene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and biopolymers in particular with biodegradable characteristics, preferably with greater rigidity in the case of the top member (31), in which case they are preferably produced in one piece.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least part of said constructive elements (2, 3) is provided in a biodegradable material. Figures 6, 7 and 8 represent relevant steps of a process of using a capsule (1) according to the present invention, in particular with the associated advantages of less use of constructive material by optimizing structural strength, and of mechanical closing assembly.

Figure 6 basically depicts a process of assembling a capsule (1) according to the present invention, including the steps of providing a first constructive element (2), preferably with a side wall element (22) having a wall thickness (e ₂ 2) of a maximum of 0,8 mm, filling it with a dose (4) of at least one edible product, including an aromatic substance such as ground and roasted coffee, and closing assembly of a said second constructive element (3), preferably with a top element having a wall thickness (and ₃ i) of at most 1.0 mm over said first constructive element (2). According to an inventive aspect, this closure assembly is carried out by applying a compressive force according to an axial movement and preferably also of rotation, without the application of thermal energy, including using welding processes or the like in use. thermal energy, or adhesion means, including glue type and the like.

In the case of the use of a capsule (1) according to the invention by a beverage preparation machine, in particular espresso coffee, the capsule (1) is used by an extraction device (5) (shown only as an indication). ) comprised in a beverage preparation machine (not shown). As is known, said extraction device (5) usually has two actuating parts (6, 7) which engage the capsule (1) to inject a flow of hot pressurized water therein and to collect the resulting beverage. usually the one-sided part opposite to the injection, and its delivery in a beverage discharge.

Figure 7 represents two main moments of said capsule gear (1) between said actuation parts (6, 7), in particular in an initial opening position (above drawing) and a closing position. The preparation of espresso coffee represents a particularly demanding case in terms of structural strength of a capsule (1). It should be noted that it is during the closing position, in particular when injecting the pressurized water flow and when the internal pressure increases through the release of gases by the coffee, capsule structure (1) is subjected to the most relevant efforts. Still, it was possible to experimentally confirm the structural strength of the capsule (1) according to the present invention and having a wall thickness of less than 0.8 mm, as well as structural edge reinforcement of said first and second constructional elements ( 2, 3) by means of said structural reinforcement elements (33).

Figure 8 represents the disassembly of a capsule (1) according to the invention after preparation of a beverage, for example as described above. Thus, the process basically includes providing an already assembled capsule (1), applying a mechanical force to the locking gear zone between the first and second constructive elements (2, 3) to remove the respective gear by joining positive, and the separation of the first and second constructive elements (2, 3), now understood as waste of plastic material, and said dose (4), now understood as waste of organic material, subject to final destination recovery. The ease of disassembly of the capsule (1) advantageously provides that this operation can be done by end users. According to a particularly preferred and advantageous embodiment of the present invention, said gear elements (23, 32) and / or structural reinforcement elements (33) are provided such that a disassembly of the capsule (1) requires a rotational movement which results in a substantial deformation and / or destruction of at least one of said structural reinforcement elements (33) so that subsequent assembly thereof is not possible.

Lisbon, July 1st, 2014.

Claims

Capsule (1) adapted for preparation of an edible product comprising:

- a first constructional element (2) configured in a container type and including a base wall element (21) and a side wall element (22),

- a second constructional element (3) configured in a circular cap type and including a top element (31) and a gear recess element (32) which is disposed in the perimeter zone of said top element (31) and provides an inwardly oriented recess of the capsule (1) and adapted to gear with the side wall element (22) of said first constructive element (2),

said first and second constructional elements (2, 3) being adapted for joint mounting to provide an interior volume extending along an axial symmetry axis (XX) for collecting a dose (4) of at least at least one edible substance, characterized in that said second constructive element (3) has at least three structural reinforcing elements (33) provided on the face of said inwardly oriented top element (31), distributed in an evenly distributed manner. substantially uniform in the angular direction of said top member (31) and extending in a radial direction to a region near said gear recess member (32) to provide back pressure on the sidewall member ( 22) of said second constructive element (2). Capsule (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said structural reinforcement elements (33) have a wedge-like triangular shape, one of the two orthogonal straight triangle sides extending in the radial direction of the capsule (1). ) along at least one third of the radius of said top element (31) and the other of the two orthogonal straight triangle sides extends in the axial direction of the capsule (1) in the area near the perimeter edge of said end element. top (31).

Capsule (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end of said structurally reinforcing elements (33) facing outwardly of the capsule (1) is arranged at a distance from said gear recessed element (32). greater than the thickness of said sidewall member (22) of said second constructional member (2), and that the end of said structural reinforcement members (33) oriented inwardly of the capsule (1) does not extend beyond said member gear recess (32) according to the axial direction of the capsule (1).

Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end of said side wall element (22) comprises a male gear element (23) having a hook-like or similar shape and adapted to engage with one another. snapping means into said gear recess member (32) of said second constructional element (3).

Capsule (1) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said gear recess member (32) has a variable gear dimension (e) along at least part of its perimeter of whereby the respective joint assembly provides a substantially watertight closure of the respective perimeter surface to the oxygen passage.

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of said structural reinforcement elements (33) has a cross-sectional reduction in the region of its distal end with respect to said axial axis of symmetry ( XX) so as to facilitate initial gearing of the male gear member (23) into said gear recess member (32).

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said gear elements (23, 32) and said structural reinforcement elements (33) are provided with a smaller wall thickness than said element. (31) and a respective gear will be provided with reduced clearance so that removal of a respective locking gear results in substantial deformation and / or destruction of at least one of said gear elements (23, 32) and / or structural reinforcement elements (33).

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said top element (31) of said second constructive element (3) has a wall thickness (e3i) of a maximum of 1.2 mm. preferably at most 0.8 mm over at least most of its length.

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said side wall element (22) of said first constructive element (2) has a wall thickness (and ₂₂ ) of at least maximum 0.8 mm, and said base wall element (21) having a wall thickness (and ₂ i) of a maximum of 1.2 mm.

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said sidewall element (22) has a continuously varying wall thickness (and ₂₂ ) or sections along its length. extension

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said side wall element (22) has a wall thickness (e ₂₂ ) between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said base wall element (21) has a wall thickness (and ₂ i) which varies in respective wall sections (21a, 21b ), said wall thickness (e ₂ i) being preferably larger in the inclined wall sections (21b) relative to said axial symmetry axis (XX).

Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said first constructive element (2) is preferably provided as a cylindrical, frusto-conical or similar container defining an inner volume. of at least 20 cm ³ and a width to height ratio of between 0.5: 1 and 4: 1.

A process for using a capsule (1) referred to in the preceding claims 1 to 13, including the steps:

- provision of a first building element (2),

- providing a dose (4) of an edible substance within said first constructive element (2), - applying a second constructive element (3) having a plurality of structural reinforcement elements (33) on said first constructive element (2) in order to close it by means of mechanical locking gear, characterized in that the application of said second constructive element (3) on said first constructive element (2) be realized by applying a mechanical compressive force in an axial motion, or applying a mechanical compressive force in an axial and rotational motion without application of thermal energy or adhesion means.

A process according to claim 14, further comprising the steps:

removing the locking locking gear from said second constructional element (3) with said first constructional element (2),

- separation of edible substance dose residues (4), whereby removal of the locking gear is effected by removing the locking gear between respective gear elements (22, 32) either manually or with an application device. mechanical force, preferably including a rotational movement that results in substantial deformation and / or destruction of at least one of said structural reinforcement elements (33).

Lisbon, July 1st, 2014