WO2015121490A1

WO2015121490A1 - Coffee capsule with a microstructure

Info

Publication number: WO2015121490A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/053290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Finis
Original assignee: Ritter Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-02-17
Filing date: 2015-02-17
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Also published as: DE112015000820A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for holding a foodstuff, said container having a beaker-type structure with an approximately cylindrical outer wall (10), a base (11) and a flange (12) extending outwards and perpendicularly to the base (1). The base (11) is structured and has a base wall (110), in which a plurality of openings (3) arranged on (virtual) grid lines is formed. The beaker-type main body is made of biodegradable plastic.

Description

TITLE

Coffee capsule with microstructure

TECHNICAL AREA

The application relates to containers for storing a foodstuff comprising: a

cup-shaped base body having at least one jacket wall and a bottom, wherein the jacket wall and the bottom define a receiving space.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known to prepare foods such as Beverage powder, especially coffee powder, in portions in containers, especially in the form of capsules, store and extract in use. The content of the capsule is dosed for one or more portions. The extraction is carried out by introducing high-temperature water or steam through a nozzle into the receiving space for the food. The aroma substances are extracted by the water in the interior of the capsule under pressure or the water vapor from the beverage powder. The beverage flows out through openings provided elsewhere or on another side of the capsule wall (or a cover) and is collected. The drink can be filtered. During extraction, considerable pressures, for example of about 10 bar, must be achieved in the interior of the capsule.

Such coffee capsules are made of various materials such as cardboard, aluminum, etc. The use of aluminum should guarantee that the coffee powder is protected from oxygen and light and that its taste and quality are not impaired. Aluminum has the advantage of sealing the contents airtight and thus preventing escape of the aroma from the capsule. In addition, aluminum protects the capsule contents from external influences such as moisture. In addition, the wall thickness of the capsule at least in those places where the wall is not to be destroyed by the internal pressure, ie in the region of the openings and on the

Sidewall areas, be sufficiently strong and stable to withstand the internal pressure during extraction. Thus, it is hardly avoidable to use a minimum amount of aluminum, although aluminum causes high costs because of the energy-consuming production. In addition, the capsules are not compostable by the end user; It therefore falls accordingly waste. Thus, when disposing of the coffee capsules which are a disposable article, it becomes relative a lot of high-quality, because under high energy consumption produced raw material, destroyed. In order to counteract this, manufacturers partly take back the overpacks incurred in order to counteract the enormous waste production.

Also capsules made of plastic are now known. On the one hand, however, it is problematic to meet the requirements of food packaging, such as aroma density, and on the other hand to ensure the environmental compatibility, i. to largely avoid the accumulation of waste which is difficult to dispose of. One solution would be to use recyclable materials. However, especially when using composite materials, recycling poses problems.

Alternatively, plastic capsules are made by known methods such as injection molding or deep drawing. Here, however, there is the problem that due to the materials and structures of the capsule used, the heat resistance is low. Just fine structures, such as those required in filter elements of capsules are unstable to acting heat and / or mechanical stress and are possibly destroyed before the use of the capsule. The capsule can become unusable as a result. In addition, the production of these structures is already difficult. For example, the releasability of the capsules can be problematic.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide an environmentally friendly plastic container for receiving a food, in which the resistance of fine structures is ensured.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The object is achieved by providing a container according to claims 1, 3 or 19. Advantageous embodiments result from the features of the dependent claims.

A food storage container according to the invention comprises: a cup-shaped base body having at least one casing wall and a bottom, wherein the casing wall and the bottom define a receiving space, wherein the base body is made of biodegradable plastic, and the bottom has a plurality of openings , With the help of Openings are penetrating steam or water penetrating evenly and well distributed. This improves the result of the extraction. The openings form a sort of sieve or filter structure through which liquid or vapor is homogeneously introduced into the container.

The openings have, in particular, edge areas which are reinforced in each case by elevations formed in the floor. By reinforcing the openings, the heat resistance of the structure of the soil is improved. In the center of the elevations, the openings extend approximately tubular through the bottom wall and the elevation.

Since the openings have diameters or dimensions in the order of 1/10 mm, can be spoken of a microstructure, which is reinforced by various measures so that the heat resistance of the structure meets the requirements of the application. Preferably, the capsules are produced by injection molding. Due to the "microstructure", the manufacture is complicated, but a suitable design and suitable measures ensure that the demoulding of the structure and the stability of the structure are reliably ensured.

In a further embodiment, the container according to the invention for storing a food on a cup-shaped base body, which has at least one jacket wall and a bottom, wherein the jacket wall and the bottom limit a receiving space and the edge regions of the openings are each reinforced by an elevation formed in the bottom.

With regard to the openings and the surveys, the above applies accordingly.

The elevations preferably extend inwardly from a bottom wall of the floor towards the receiving space of the container. However, they may additionally or alternatively also extend outwards.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the elevations are pyramid-shaped and / or truncated pyramidal. The elevations are arranged on the bottom surface regularly adjacent to each other. The openings extend in the region of the central axis of the elevations.

The openings may be formed in particular in the central region of the elevations and extend between the outside of the bottom of the cup-like base body and the interior of the capsule. The bottom may have a stepped structure with preferably concentrically limited axial

Have bulges and / or depressions. This can serve to reinforce the microstructure.

The floor preferably has a bottom wall and webs which are arranged radially and / or annularly and / or lattice-like on the bottom wall. The webs can have different heights. In particular, they can be designed to be at least partially flush with an edge of the jacket wall formed in the bottom region of the main body. The mantle wall protrudes beyond the bottom wall and forms the end edge, which is offset in height below the

Bottom wall is located.

Preferably, the webs are arranged on the outside and / or on the inside of the bottom wall. They reinforce the bottom wall and the structure arranged therein.

Webs arranged in parallel or lattice-like manner can be arranged such that they each run between the side edges of two adjacent elevations. Each of the elevations is then arranged in a grid field which is bounded by transverse and longitudinal webs.

The openings have, in particular, a diameter (with a round or elliptical cross section) or a side extension (with a rectangular or square cross section of the openings) of 1/100 mm to 9/10 mm, preferably of 1/10 mm to 3/10 mm ,

The receiving space may have an opening which lies opposite the bottom of the cup-like base body. The opening can be closed before use of the container, ie in the storage state, for example by a film. This can be removed or apertured before using the container.

The cup-like base body may also have a flange which extends outwardly from the opening of the capsule bounding edge of the shell wall.

The cup-like base body is produced in particular by injection molding.

The cup-like body may consist of recyclable or biodegradable plastic. In particular, the cup-like base body is compostable. Biodegradable are plastics which are compostable, ie can be completely degraded by microorganisms. The biodegradability depends on the chemical structure of the plastic. It has been found within the scope of the invention that biodegradable plastics are quite suitable for food packaging, in particular in the application for coffee capsules. This is not self-evident, since the coffee capsule in use is exposed to high internal pressure and at the same time by the introduction of water vapor at least locally moisture and high temperature. With this new type of coffee capsule, the consumer can easily reduce waste production.

The cup-like base body can be produced essentially on the basis of renewable raw materials or with a proportion of renewable raw materials. Biodegradable plastics can but do not have to be made from renewable raw materials. It depends only on the biodegradability.

Biodegradable plastics are known in principle. For example, food packaging may be made of known biodegradable plastic such as fully compostable polyester and polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), starch, and / or cellulose. This packaging material has good mechanical properties, is sufficiently temperature-resistant (up to> 200 ° C), and has good barrier properties. The stiffness and toughness of the materials is suitable for a container, in particular for the purpose of a coffee capsule, in particular in conjunction with constructive measures for reinforcing the structures.

The cup-like base body can be made of starch-based, sugar-based, cellulose-based

Plastic or plastic based on PLA (polylactic acid, polyactide plastic) to be made.

The cup-like base body has in particular an opening which is opposite to the bottom, wherein the opening is closed by a lid, in particular a cover foil, in particular of a biodegradable plastic film. The lid may have PLA (polylactic acid, polyactic plastic), and in particular be made of a non-woven fabric of PLA.

Another container for storing a foodstuff according to the invention comprises: a cup-shaped main body having at least one casing wall and a bottom, the casing wall and the bottom defining a receiving space. The bottom has a bottom wall and a plurality of openings extending between the receiving space and the side facing away from the receiving space of the bottom, wherein the bottom has webs which are arranged on the outside of the bottom wall and / or on the inside of the bottom wall. The bridges are like that arranged and formed that the heat resistance of the structure of the bottom wall, in particular in the region of the openings, meets the requirements.

The webs may be formed and arranged as described above. In particular, the webs may extend radially and / or annularly and / or lattice-like from the bottom wall to the outside and / or inwards.

The container according to the invention, in particular in the form of a capsule for receiving

Beverage powder, such as Coffee, can be used in a specially designed extraction machine. In conventional espresso machines, the capsule - instead of loose coffee powder - are placed in a receiving part for coffee powder, which is then connected in a known manner to the steam supply of the coffee machine.

Variants specified by the embodiments and definitions already described above are also claimed in connection with the last-mentioned capsule according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures, wherein the figures show:

Figure 1 is a first perspective view of the container according to the invention in the form of a capsule; Figure 2 is a side view of the container according to the invention in the form of a capsule;

Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the container according to the invention in the form of a capsule; Figure 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the container according to the invention in the form of a capsule;

FIG. 5 shows a detailed representation of a region of the floor structure.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another container according to the invention in the form of a capsule;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the outside of the lid of the further container according to the invention in the form of a capsule; and

Figure 8 is a view into the interior of the capsule with a plan view of the inside of the lid of the further container according to the invention in the form of a capsule; DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like reference numerals in different figures refer to like elements.

1 shows a container according to the invention in the form of a capsule 1 for receiving a food, in particular a powder, such as coffee powder, for beverage preparation.

The capsule 1 has a cup-like construction with an approximately cylindrical shell wall 10, a bottom 11 and a flange 12 extending outwardly from the bottom 11 (i.e., away from the central axis A). The jacket wall 10 and the bottom 11 define an interior space 2, in which the food is received.

The shell wall 10 and the bottom 11 are made of biodegradable plastic, e.g. based on PLA (polylactic acid, polyactic plastic) in combination with polyester.

The lower edge of the jacket wall 10 and the inner edge of the flange 12 define an opening 20 to the interior 2, which is the bottom 11 opposite. Through the opening 20, the food is filled by the manufacturer or by the consumer. The opening 20 is then closed by a closure element 6, wherein the closure element 6 may be, for example, a lid made of PLA (polylactic acid, polyactide plastic), in particular a nonwoven fabric made of PLA.

The bottom 11 has, as is particularly clear from the figure 2, an axial (relative to the axis A) dome-like central elevation 117 and arranged laterally therefrom, concentric to the central elevation 117, annular bottom portion 111 which relative to the central elevation 117th axially reset.

In the figures 3 and 4, the bottom 11 in a (perspective) plan view can be seen.

The bottom 11 has the central elevation 117 and the bottom portion 111, which in turn is composed in a recessed annular bottom portion 1110 and an axially adjacent slightly raised annular bottom portion 1111.

In the entire floor 11 are arranged on (virtual) grid lines openings 3, which improve the homogeneity of the distribution of penetrating into the capsule interior water vapor and thus the extraction result. The plurality of openings 3 forms a kind of filter. The floor 11 or the floor areas 111, 1110, 1111 are structured. To the

To increase dimensional stability of the openings 3, the edges of which are reinforced. This is sketched schematically with reference to two openings 3a and 3b shown by way of example in FIG. The edge of the openings 3a, 3b is in each case reinforced by a projection 30a or 30b, which extends from the bottom in the direction of the interior of the capsule 1 and / or to the outside.

The elevations 30a, 30b are in this embodiment pyramid-like or

formed truncated pyramid. They each extend from the longitudinal lines 4 adjacent to an opening 3a, 3b and transverse lines 5 to the boundaries of the openings 3a, 3b. Each of the elevations has four (4) side surfaces 300a, 301a, 302a, 303a and 300b, 301b, 302b, 303b, which extend linearly from one of the adjacent transverse / longitudinal lines 4, 5 obliquely into the interior of the capsule 1 or from Floor 11 extend outwards. The side surfaces 300a, 301a, 302a, 303a and 300b, 301b, 302b, 303b terminate at the edge of the associated opening 3a, 3b. In this way, each of the elevations 30a, 30b forms a kind of pyramidal shape or truncated pyramid, in the center of which the opening 3a / 3b is located, extending from the base of the pyramid to the

(virtual) tip of the pyramid extends.

The side walls 300a, 301a, 302a, 303a and 300b, 301b, 302b, 303b of the openings 3a, 3b are reinforced by the projections 30a, 30b extending into the receiving space. In other words, the thickness of the bottom 11 in the region of the openings 3a, 3b is increased compared to the thickness of the bottom wall 110.

For further reinforcement, the floor 11 may also have a structure of webs (not shown). Webs may be disposed on the outside or inside of the bottom wall 111. They reinforce the bottom wall 111 and ensure that, in particular, the structure of the openings 3 in the bottom wall 111 does not change or deform. In particular, webs can be cut along the longitudinal and / or transverse lines 4, 5 e.g. be arranged in a grid.

Possibly. the floor is covered with a fleece, but in many applications due to the microstructure can be dispensed with a fleece.

FIG. 6 shows a further container in the form of a capsule 1 for holding a food, in particular a powder, such as coffee powder, for beverage preparation. The capsule 1 has a cup-like construction with an approximately cylindrical casing wall 10, a bottom 11 and a flange 12 extending perpendicularly from the bottom 11 to the outside (ie away from the central axis A). The jacket wall 10 and the bottom 11 define an interior space 2, in which the food is received.

The lower edge 102 of the jacket wall 10 defines an opening 20 to the interior 2, which is opposite the bottom 11. Through the opening 20, the food is filled by the manufacturer or by the consumer.

The bottom 11 is structured. It has a bottom wall 110, in which a plurality of (virtual) grid lines arranged openings 3a, 3b, ... are formed. The openings 3a, 3b,... Ensure that steam or hot water supplied from the outside to the bottom region 111 penetrates uniformly and homogeneously into the interior 2 of the capsule 1 and thus improves the extraction.

To reinforce the bottom wall 110, the floor 11 has a structure of webs 112, 113, 114, 115a, 115b,..., 116a, 116b,. These include main webs 112 which extend radially and in a star shape from a central elevation 117 to the periphery 118 of the bottom 11. In addition, the bottom 11 has an annular or cylindrical tube-like intermediate web 113, which is arranged at approximately the height of half the radius of the disk-like bottom wall 110. Between the gutter 113 and over the bottom wall 110 projecting edge 101 of the shell wall 10 are arranged approximately radially extending / arranged auxiliary webs 114.

The edge 101 of the shell wall 10 extends beyond the height of the bottom wall 110, i. the bottom wall 110 is set back from the upper end 1010 of the rim 101 in the direction of the interior 2. On the other hand, the upper surfaces of the main webs 112, the intermediate web 113 and the auxiliary webs 114 are largely flush with the upper end 1010 of the rim 101.

In addition, a structure of lattice-like arranged longitudinal webs 115a, 115b, ... and transverse webs 116a, 116b, ... provided, the square fields of the bottom wall 110 limit, in the center of each of the openings 3a, 3b, ... is arranged , Within the scope of the invention, several, e.g. four openings, be arranged in one or more of the square boxes.

All the webs are arranged on the outside of the bottom wall 110, so that they extend outwards (away from the interior 2). They reinforce the bottom wall 110 and make sure that In particular, the structure of the openings 3a, 3b, ... in the bottom wall 110 is not changed or

deformed.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the floor 11 from the outside. The webs are only partially and by way of example provided with reference numerals.

8 shows a flange-side plan view of the capsule 1, with the flange 12, the edge 101 of the shell wall 10, and a view through the opening 20 in the interior 2 and on the inside of the bottom wall 110th

In the region of the openings 3a, 3b,... Of the bottom wall 110, elevations 30 are formed. These are pyramid-like or truncated pyramidal. They each extend from the longitudinal openings 115a, 115b adjacent to an opening 3a, 3b, ... and transverse webs 116a, 116b up to the

Limits of the opening. The elevations 30 extend into the interior 2 of the capsule 1. Each of the elevations has four (4) side surfaces which extend linearly from one of the adjacent webs obliquely into the inner space 2 of the capsule 1 inside. The side surfaces terminate at the edge of the associated opening 3a, 3b, ... In this way, each of the elevations 30 forms a kind of pyramidal shape or truncated pyramid, in the center of which the opening 3a, 3b, ..., extending from the base the pyramid extends to the (virtual) top of the pyramid.

The side walls of the openings 3a, 3b are reinforced by the projections 30 extending into the receiving space. In other words, the thickness of the bottom 11 in the region of the openings is increased in relation to the thickness of the bottom wall 110.

In addition, the bottom 11 also to the interior 2 projecting radially outwardly arranged main webs 112 and transverse and longitudinal webs corresponding to the main or transverse and longitudinal webs on the outside of the bottom eleventh

Due to the low heat resistance of the structure and the material are additional

Measures such as attaching the webs 112, 113, 114, 115a, 115b, 116a, 116b, ... and / or the provision of elevations 30 on the inside of the bottom wall 110 necessary that the structure and in particular the openings 3a, 3b, ... do not deform under the influence of heat and external loads.

The lid-side opening 20 may be sealed with a foil, for example with an aluminum foil (not shown). The bottom may at the outer end 1010 of the edge portion 101 also be sealed with a peelable film. The seal can be removed and removed before use. Possibly. the floor is covered with a fleece, but in many applications due to the microstructure can be dispensed with a fleece.

Claims

A container (1) for storing a food, comprising:

a cup-like base body having at least one jacket wall (10) and a bottom (11), wherein the jacket wall (10) and the bottom (11) delimiting a receiving space (2), characterized in that

the base body is made of biodegradable plastic and the bottom (11) has a plurality of openings (3, 3a, 3b ...).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

the edge regions of the openings (3, 3a, 3b ...) in each case by a in the bottom (11) formed elevation (30) are reinforced.

A container (1) for storing a food, comprising:

the bottom (11) has a plurality of openings (3) and the edge regions of the openings (3, 3a, 3b ...) are each reinforced by a protrusion (30) formed in the bottom (11).

4. Container (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

the elevations (30) extend inwards from a bottom wall (110) of the base (11) in the direction of the receiving space (2) of the container (1).

5. Container (1) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that

the elevations (30) are pyramid-shaped and / or truncated pyramidal.

6. Container (1) according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that

the openings (3, 3a, 3b ...) are formed in the central area of the elevations (30) and extend between the outside of the floor (11) and the interior (2) of the container (1).

7. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the bottom (11) has a stepped structure with preferably concentrically limited axial bulges and / or depressions.

8. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (11) has a bottom wall (110) and webs (112, 113, 114, 115, 116) which are arranged radially and / or annularly and / or lattice-like on the bottom wall (110).

9. Container (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that

the webs (112, 113, 114, 115, 116) on the outside and / or on the inside of the

Bottom wall (110) are arranged.

10. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the openings (3, 3a, 3b, ...) have a diameter or a side extension of 1/100 mm to 9/10 mm, preferably 1/10 mm to 3/10 mm.

11. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the receiving space (2) or the container (1) has an opening (20) which lies opposite the base (11).

12. Container (1) according to claim 11, wherein the opening (20) by a lid (6), in particular a lid film, in particular from a biodegradable plastic film, is closed.

13. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the cup-like base body has a flange (12) which extends outwardly from the edge (102) of the casing wall (10) delimiting the opening (20).

14. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the cup-like body is made by injection molding.

15. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the cup-shaped body is compostable.

16. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the cup-like base body is produced essentially on the basis of renewable raw materials or with a proportion of renewable raw materials.

17. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup-like body of starch-based, sugar-based, cellulose-based

Plastic or plastic based on PLA (polylactic acid, polyactide plastic) is made.

18. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the cover PLA (polylactic acid, polyactide plastic) has, in particular made of a nonwoven fabric made of PLA.

19. A container (1) for storing a food, comprising:

the bottom (11) has a bottom wall (110) and a plurality of openings (3, 3a, 3b, ...) which extend between the receiving space (2) and the side facing away from the receiving space of the bottom (11) the bottom (11) has webs (112, 113, 114, 115, 116) which are arranged on the outside of the bottom wall (110) and / or on the inside of the bottom wall (110).

20. A container according to claim 19, characterized in that

the webs (112, 113, 114, 115, 116) extend radially and / or annularly and / or lattice-like from the bottom wall (110) outwardly and / or inwardly.