WO2015177703A1

WO2015177703A1 - Prepackaged charge of edible product in powder, for infusion or dissolution, and dispensing assembly for machines for preparing beverages using such a charge

Info

Publication number: WO2015177703A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/053636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Doria
Original assignee: Espressocap S.P.A
Priority date: 2014-05-19
Filing date: 2015-05-18
Publication date: 2015-11-26

Abstract

Pre-packaged charge containing a powdered edible product intended to be brewed or dissolved, the charge being adapted for use in a beverage-making machine, said charge comprising a container body (100) made of a material which is substantially air-tight, the charge having enclosed therein a pre- established amount of the powdered edible product and being provided with an open end having a closure plane (111) intended to cooperate with means for feeding pressurized hot water to said machine, waterproof continuous side walls, and a suitably shaped bottom wall (110) which is intended to cooperate with dispensing means of said machine, said bottom wall (110) being provided with an axially protruding shank (120) which is provided with a pierceable operculum (121; 123) at a distal end thereof; and a dispensing assembly for a beverage making machine suitable for the use with the same prepackaged charge.

Description

PREPACKAGED CHARGE OF EDIBLE PRODUCT IN POWDER, FOR INFUSION OR DISSOLUTION, AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY FOR MACHINES FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES USING SUCH A CHARGE

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the prepackaged charges of edible product in powder, for infusion or dissolution, and to the machines for the preparation of beverages using such charges.

Currently the preparation of hot drinks, and particularly espresso coffee, sees more and more the spread of prepackaged charges in cartridges and of machines whose dispensing units are specially made in order to reach the best result from the cartridge used.

The use of such prepacked cartridges greatly simplifies the operation, making the use of the machine extremely adaptable to different user requirements; furthermore their use ensures considerable ease, high hygiene and a good quality level of the product, namely the coffee infusion which is prepared and then served.

There are many problems to be solved for this type of application, in order to ensure a system with satisfactory performance, and they relate both production and operating fields.

One of the most relevant problems for the infusion chamber of the machines using said charges is its cleanliness, particularly relating to the permanence of residues and infusion into said infusion chamber.

During the infusion, the extracted infuse flows through the infusion chamber toward the dispensing duct, and bringing along with it particles oils and fats which clog the same chamber and duct as time goes by.

Said clogging results in a worst delivery of the coffee infusion and will also affect the organoleptic qualities, because it changes the infusion time by slowing the passage of the infusion itself. Furthermore, these residues are a very rich bacterial culture medium, and this can create mildews that make unpleasant the infusion produced by the machine having the clogged dispensing group. At the state of the art, in order to solve this kind of problem, filters were inserted into the containers of prepackaged charges. These filters can at best captures the dust, but do not retain the suspended particles having considerably finer size, that mostly contribute to the aforementioned clogging of the dispensing duct. A further solution, facing the problem in a different way, is to change the function of the infusion chamber of the espresso machine used, realizing a capsule which includes itself the dispensing means, the infusion chamber thus becoming a mere physical support to sustain the prepackaged charge during extraction. These charges can be realized as described for example in EP1472156, where there is provided a prepackaged charge enclosing the material intended to produce the drink in a container between impermeable walls; the same walls are perforated by water supply means and by perforation means contained in the same container body. This type of prepackaged charge is however not suited to extract espresso coffee powder, and is rather used to prepare coffee from lyophilized product; by contrast, one of its advantages is related to the fact that it can also be used for products other than coffee, given that the filter holder is not substantially in contact with the dispensed drink, be it coffee, chocolate, milk drink or tea.

In systems for the production of espresso coffee, it is worth recalling the solution proposed in the document EP1579792, in which is described a prepackaged charge of coffee powder which delivers directly the infused without the latter being in contact with the filter-holder. However, the prepackaged charge in question, in addition to having a container body extremely complex, quite as the one described in the document previously cited, does not appear to be impermeable to air, and therefore requires conditions of preservation more accurate that, combined with the difficulty manufacturing of the container body, lead to higher costs of the market product.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a prepackaged charge of coffee, adapted to work at acceptable pressure, and able to provide an infusion qualitatively pleasing, and which avoids clogging of the paths of extraction of the infusion due to solid particles and oil content of 'infusion; moreover, the said charge can be manufactured easily, so as to be impermeable to gases, and in particular oxygen; also it can be provided with a simple structure that can be made with the more cost-effective systems. Furthermore, another object is to provide a prepackaged charge which allows to diversify the dispensed beverage minimizing the contact between the drink and the machine for its production, and thus reducing considerably the possibilities of pollution of the beverages. A further aim is to provide a group for dispensing the coffee infusion adapted to form a plurality of slots perforation in the bottom wall of said prepackaged cartridge of coffee powder and able to cooperate effectively with said prepackaged charge of coffee powder for obtaining a coffee infusion qualitatively satisfactory, a simple structure in order to require little maintenance and cleaning, which is then adapted to deliver different beverages with reduced possibilities of pollution.

Object of the present invention is therefore a Pre-packaged charge containing a powdered edible pro duct intended to be brewed or dissolved, the charge being adapted for use in a beverage- making machine, said charge comprising a container body made of a material which is substantially air-tight, the charge having enclosed therein a pre-established amount of the powdered edible pro duct and being provided with an open end having a closing plane intended to cooperate with means for feeding pressurized hot water to said machine, waterproof, continuous side walls, and a suitably shaped bottom wall which is intended to cooperate with dispensing means of said machine, said bottom wall being provided with an axially protruding shank which is provided with a pierceable operculum at a distal end thereof.

Particularly, said operculum can be made in one piece with said shank and said bottom wall, or may comprise a layer of pierceable material suitably coupled to the distal end of said shank.

Advantageously, the bottom wall is formed substantially funnel- shaped, with inclination converging towards said shank. Diffusing means of the flow of extracted beverage are optionally present within the portion of the container body delimited by said bottom wall, suitable to favor the formation of so-called coffee cream.

A further object of the present invention is a dispensing unit for machines for preparing beverages, adapted to cooperate with a charge prepackaged according to the present invention, comprising an infusion chamber, at least one dispensing duct, wherein said duct is made on the bottom wall of said infusion chamber, and means of perforation are provided, suitably formed axially disposed within the opening of said dispensing conduit.

These and other features of the invention, and the advantages deriving therefrom, will become apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken by way of example and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the prepackaged charge of coffee powder according to the present invention upon insertion in a suitable dispensing unit;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a variant embodiment of the charge of prepackaged coffee powder according to the present invention inserted in a suitable dispensing group; FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the perforating means;

FIG. 3B is a top sectional view of the perforating means shown in Fig.

3A; FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the perforating means;

IG. 4B is a top sectional view of the perforating means shown in Fig.

4A.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the prepackaged charge of coffee powder according to the present invention inserted in a suitable dispensing assembly. The figure shows the charge of coffee prepackaged 1 comprising a container body 100, substantially of frustoconical shape, made of a material substantially impermeable to air, adapted to receive the coffee powder; the container body 100 is provided with an open end having a closure plane 1 1 1 intended to cooperate with the means for feeding hot water under pressure, of continuous side walls, and a bottom wall 1 10, appropriately shaped, provided with a shank 120 projecting axially, and provided with a layer 122 of filter material, adapted to retain the coffee powder inside the container body 100. Said open end is provided with a flange projecting outwards that realizes the hermetic closure of the charge prepackaged 1 along with the plane of the closing 1 1 1 .

Said bottom wall 1 10 has a profile such as to cooperate with the profile of the infusion chamber 20, in particular said bottom wall 1 10 formed as a funnel and said central shank 120 is shaped so as to be housed in the dispensing conduit 200 of the infusion chamber 20, and is provided with an operculum 121.

In a preferred embodiment said bottom wall 1 10 is provided with a shank 120, advantageously located in the central area of said bottom wall 1 10, which is substantially funnel-shaped, converging in the direction of said shank 120.

The infusion chamber 20 advantageously has a form compatible and can be coupled with the shape of said bottom wall 120. In particular, the shank 120 and the dispensing conduit 200 shows sections which can be coupled in a releasable manner, so that said shank 120 can fit into said dispensing conduit 200.

The dispensing conduit 200 internally accommodates the perforation means 220 which act on the operculum 121 of the charge prepackaged of coffee 1 allowing the escape the coffee infusion.

The layer of filter material 122 separates the coffee powder from the bottom wall 1 10; this allows to limit the outflow of the coffee powder from the container body 100 and to realize turbulence inside said charge prepackaged coffee 1 . In fact, the coffee powder, during the brewing process, is enclosed inside the container body 100 and is extracted by the hot water under pressure, thus producing the infusion of coffee that escapes from the opening of the operculum 121 realized by the means of perforation 220.

Particularly, said bottom wall 1 10 is provided with appropriate vertical walls 130 that facilitate the creation of turbulence, in order to improve the organoleptic qualities the coffee infusion, obtaining the so-called "coffee cream".

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a variant embodiment of the prepackaged charge of coffee powder according to the present invention inserted in a suitable dispensing assembly. Assuming that to same parts correspond same numbers, in the figure, by way of example, are represented the coffee dispensing unit 2 and the prepackaged charge of coffee 1 . The figure shows how the shank 120 of the prepackaged charge of coffee 1 and the operculum 123 are advantageously made in one piece and as the layer of filter material 122 has been reduced to the advantage of the amount of coffee contained in the container body 100. Said shank 120 is coupled in a releasable way with the dispensing conduit 200 of the dispensing unit 2; advantageously the shank 120 is inserted into the dispensing conduit 200.

The means feeding hot water under pressure push the water through the prepackaged charge of coffee 1 , thus creating the infusion of coffee, while the cutting means 220 form at least an opening in the operculum 121 allowing the escape of the infusion of coffee through the dispensing conduit 200.

In this way, the infusion of the coffee comes out directly into the dispensing conduit 200 and is not in contact with the infusion chamber 20; this avoids any deposits in the brewing chamber 20, due to solid particles and oil content in the infusion, requiring less maintenance and cleaning.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the perforating means. In the figure are visible the infusion chamber 20, the dispensing conduit 200 and perforating means 220. Said perforating means 220 are advantageously housed inside said dispensing conduit 200 and interact with the operculum 121 of the prepackaged charge of coffee 1 in order to pierce said operculum 121 and allow release the coffee infusion.

The infusion of coffee, then, emerges directly in the dispensing conduit 200; advantageously the perforation of the operculum and the escape of coffee take place inside the dispensing conduit 200, thus avoiding any contact with the infusion chamber 20.

FIG. 3B is a top sectional view of the perforating means shown in Fig. 3A. It said perforating means 220 has a substantially cross-shaped section at 90 ° and is inserted inside the dispensing conduit 200. The means of perforation 220 allows to realize an appropriate opening in the operculum 121 of the charge of prepackaged coffee 1 , through which escapes the infusion of coffee.

Advantageously it is possible to vary the geometric features of said perforating means 220 in order to change the size of the opening created in the operculum 121 , and then modify the conditions of infusion.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the perforating means. In this constructive variant of it said means of perforation 230 comprises a plurality of cutting edges 231 arranged substantially to form a cross at 90°. Said means of perforation 230 is advantageously disposed within the dispensing conduit 220, so that perforation of the operculum 121 and the escape of coffee take place inside the dispensing conduit 200, thus avoiding any contact with the chamber of infusion 20.

FIG. 4B is a top sectional view of the perforating means shown in Fig. 4A. In the figure are visible the cutting edges 231 of the perforation means 230 seconds to the present invention. The means of perforation 230 allows to realize a plurality of openings in the operculum 121 of the charge of prepackaged coffee 1 , through which escapes the infusion of coffee.

Advantageously it is possible to vary the geometric features and profile of said cutting means 231 so as to vary the size of the opening made in the operculum 121 , and then change the conditions of infusion. In fact, it is apparent that the formation of more holes promotes the creation of more turbulence in the delivery flow, improving appearance and aroma of the infusion. The prepackaged charge of coffee according to the present invention, in combination with the dispensing unit according to the present invention allows to avoid any blockage of the infusion chamber due to solid particles and oil content of the infusion, by this way reducing the need of maintenance and cleaning. Furthermore, the prepackaged charge is fully closed, and can therefore be realized with air-tight materials, and particularly impermeable to oxygen, thereby improving the shelf life and the possibility of storage.

It should also be considered the fact that, in view of the limited contact that occurs between the beverage produced and the dispensing unit, the prepackaged charge according to the present invention and the dispensing unit with which the same is able to cooperate may be validly implemented also in machines that are not exclusively dedicated to the preparation of espresso coffee, but they can validly be used also for the preparation of other beverages, without lowering the level of services provided. In this case, to get the best result from the point of view of the minimization of the contact between the drink and the dispensing duct, it is appropriate that the same ends immediately downstream of the means of perforation, as shown in all the embodiments here illustrated and described.

Claims

1 . Pre-packaged charge containing a powdered edible product intended to be brewed or dissolved, the charge being adapted for use in a beverage- making machine, said charge comprising a container body (100) made of a material which is substantially air-tight, the charge having enclosed therein a pre-established amount of the powdered edible product and being provided with an open end having a closure plane (1 1 1 ) intended to cooperate with means for feeding pressurized hot water to said machine, waterproof continuous side walls, and a suitably shaped bottom wall (1 10) which is intended to cooperate with dispensing means of said machine, said bottom wall (1 10) being provided with an axially protruding shank (120) which is provided with a pierceable operculum (121 ; 123) at a distal end thereof.

2. Pre-packaged charge according to claim 1 , wherein said shank (120) protrudes from the center of said bottom wall (1 10).

3. Pre-packaged charge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said open end is provided with an outwardly protruding radial flange.

4. Pre-packaged charge according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein said bottom wall (1 10) is shaped substantially as a funnel.

5. Dispensing assembly for beverage-making machines, the assembly being adapted to cooperate with a pre-packaged charge according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, said dispensing assembly comprising a brewing chamber (20) and at least one dispensing conduit (200), wherein said dispensing conduit (200) is formed in the bottom wall of said brewing chamber and comprises a suitably shaped piercing means (220; 230) which is arranged axially within the clearance of said dispensing conduit (200).

6. Dispensing assembly according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing conduit (200) has a cross-section which is compatible with the cross- section of the shank (120) of the pre-packaged coffee charge (1 ).

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7. Dispensing assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said piercing means (220) has a cross-section which is substantially shaped as a 90° cross.

8. Dispensing assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said piercing means (230) comprises a plurality of cutting edges (231 ) which are arranged angularly equidistant within the dispensing conduit.

9. Dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, wherein said dispensing conduit ends immediately downstream of said piercing means (220; 230).

10. Pre-packaged coffee powder charge according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein said shank (120) can be releasably coupled to the dispensing conduit (200) of the dispensing assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 9.

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