WO2016059522A1

WO2016059522A1 - Thermoformable capsule with holes which are covered by a peelable film and method for the production of a thermoformable capsule with holes which are covered by a peelable film

Info

Publication number: WO2016059522A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gino Rapparini
Original assignee: Aroma System Srl
Priority date: 2014-10-16
Filing date: 2015-10-09
Publication date: 2016-04-21

Abstract

A capsule (1) is provided made from thermoformable material for the production of beverages of the type expressed comprising a capsule body (2) comprising a bottom (4) and a side wall (5) that define the containing volume (V) of the soluble and/or infusion product (P) for the production of the beverage; the capsule body (2) comprising a thermoformable material; the capsule (1) being such that the bottom (4) of the capsule body (2) comprises two or more holes (6), preferably a number greater than ten, hermetically sealed by a peelable film (3) on the outer side of the containing volume (V) of the capsule (1); the peelable film (3) being adapted for being removed before the use of the capsule (1) for the production of the beverage. A method for the production of a capsule (1) is also provided.

Description

THERMOFORMABLE CAPSULE WITH HOLES WHICH ARE COVERED BY A PEELABLE FILM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A THERMOFORMABLE CAPSULE WITH HOLES WHICH ARE COVERED BY A PEELABLE FILM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of capsules for the production of beverages, for example espresso or similar. More specifically, the present invention concerns the field of capsules made of thermoformable material.

STATE OF THE ART

In the state of the art various types of capsules for the production of beverages, like for example espresso coffee, made of thermoformable material are known. Normally, however, known capsules made of thermoformable material have some drawbacks.

More specifically, capsuies made of thermoformable material are normally less rigid than injection moulded capsules and require the use of reinforcement elements that make them more rigid. Such reinforcement elements can comprise ribs, reinforcement rings or similar. Making these structures complicates the production techniques, makes them take longer and increases their costs without however giving certainty of achieving the purpose.

Alternatively, in some cases, for the thermoformed capsules, instead of the ribs, a large central hole is made on the bottom of the capsule, which is then closed with a film of aluminium applied inside the body of the capsule, so as to facilitate the resistance of the capsule to the thrusting of the needles that must perforate it for the subsequent injection of water. Often, however, the needles are unable even to perforate the film of aluminium and only manage to bend the capsule. In this way, with the increased pressure due to the pressurised water injected by the machine, the capsule runs the risk of collapsing, since it has not been possible to adequately perforate it.

A further drawback, in known capsules, consists of the fact that it is necessary to use a filtering film, for example filter paper, to optimise the distribution of water towards the infusion and/or soluble product contained in the capsule so as to be able to place the entire soluble and/or infusion product in contact with the water dispensed, A common drawback of the described known thermoformable capsules consists of the fact that they can only be used in dispensing machines that comprise needles or other means for perforating the capsule itself.

Alternatively, known capsules are equipped with breaking areas, for example having a low thickness with respect to the rest of the capsule body in order to improve their opening capability, so as to obtain correct dispensing of water inside them. However, it is difficult to ensure that these breaking areas are made and positioned correctly.

It should also be noted that often known capsules need secondary packaging, to safeguard the freshness and the organoleptic properties of the soluble and/or infusion product contained in them. Clearly, this means an increase in production costs.

The capsule according to the present invention has the purpose of at least partially overcoming one or more of the listed drawbacks.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based on the idea of making a thermoformable capsule perforated on the bottom with two or more holes and comprising a peelable film, applied to the outside of the capsule, for closing the holes on the bottom, adapted for being removed before use of the capsule for the production of the desired beverage.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a thermoformable capsule for the production of beverages is provided comprising a capsule body comprising a bottom and a side wall that define the containing volume of the soluble and/or infusion product for the production of the beverage, wherein the capsule body comprises a thermoformable material and wherein the bottom of the capsule body comprises two or more holes, preferably more than ten, hermetically sealed by a peelable film on the outer side of the containing volume of the capsule, the peelable film being adapted for being removed before use of the capsule for the production of the beverage. A capsule with these characteristics is relatively cost-effective to produce and can be used with any type of dispensing machine, irrespective of whether it comprises means adapted for perforating the capsule or not. Moreover, the capsule according to the present invention is resistant to pressurised water, even if it is made from thermoformable material and without reinforcement elements.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the capsule body is free from reinforcement elements comprising for example reinforcement rings and/or ribs. Although the film of thermoformable material is used to produce the capsule, the presence of the holes on the bottom thereof allows the water entering into the capsule to penetrate without risking breaking or deforming the capsule itself. Therefore, it is not necessary to have means for reinforcing the body of the capsule, or ribs to make it more resistant to the pressure of the entering water. In this way, both the production time and costs of the capsule are reduced. In particular, given the absence of reinforcement elements, there is a saving of all the time taken to make them as well as all the material necessary to form them.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the thermoformable material comprises a first layer made of plastic material, a second intermediate layer made of barrier film and a third layer made of plastic material. According to this embodiment, for example, the first layer can be made of waterproof material. The third layer can also be made from waterproof material. The second layer can, on the other hand, be made, for example, from gas-proof material, in particular oxygen-proof. In this way, the capsule according to the present invention is made of thermoformable and water- and oxygen-proof material. It should be noted that, for now, on the market there are no mono-layer thermoformable materials that are both water- and gas-proof.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the holes are uniformly distributed on the whole surface of the bottom of the capsule body. In this way, it is ensured that the soluble and/or infusion product be uniformly soaked in pressurised water that penetrates into the capsule. This makes it possible to effectively exploit all of the product contained in the capsule avoiding the use of an inner layer of filter paper.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the peelable film is adapted for acting as a gas and/or water barrier. For example, the peelable film can comprise aluminium. Even more preferably, the peelable film is made entirely from aluminium. In this way, the organoleptic properties of the product contained in the capsule are effectively maintained.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the peelable film is thermo-welded on the outer side at the bottom of the capsule body. In this way, it is ensured that the holes on the bottom of the capsule are hermetically closed and it is ensured that the peelable film can be easily removed, when it is wished to use the capsule for the production of the beverage. According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the peelable film comprises a flap adapted for facilitating the removal thereof. In this way, it is possible to grip the peelable film properly to remove it.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the capsule body is frusto-conical in shape. In this way, the capsule can easily be used in most machines for dispensing beverages.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the capsule body further comprises a projecting edge that extends from the end of the side wall opposite the bottom parallel to the bottom and towards the outside with respect to the containing volume of the soluble and/or infusion product. This makes the capsule easier to manoeuvre.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided that further comprises a sealing element adapted for hermetically closing the capsule body on the opposite side at the bottom. Once the containing volume has been filled with the soluble and/or infusion product the capsule can be sealed with a sealing element. In this way, the combined action of the sealing element and of the peelable film ensure that the organoleptic properties of the product are maintained and at the same time avoid having to package the capsule in further containers or packs.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the sealing element is thermo-welded to the capsule body. This technique ensures the hermetic closure of the capsule.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a capsule is provided in which the sealing element is thermo-welded to the projecting edge of the capsule body.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method for the production of capsules for the production of beverages such as espresso is provided that comprises the following steps: a) providing a film of thermoformable material; b) making two or more holes, preferably more than ten, on the film of thermoformable material; the holes being positioned in a limited region, preferably having a circular shape, of the film of thermoformable material; c) sealing the two or more holes with a peelable film adapted for being removed before use of the capsule for the production of the beverage; d) thermoforming the capsule from the film of thermoformable material at the limited region comprising the holes so as to form the capsule body; the thermoformation being carried out so that the capsule body comprises a bottom and a side wall that define the containing volume of the soluble and/or infusion product of the beverage; the thermoformation being carried out so that the holes on the film of thermoformable material are arranged on the bottom of the capsule body and so that the peelable film remains on the outer side of the containing volume of the soluble and/or infusion product, in which step d) is carried out after step b). Carrying out step d) after step b) makes the method according to the present invention particularly advantageous since it is quicker and simpler to perforate the flat film of thermoformable material rather than perforate the bottom of a capsule made by thermoformation without holes on the bottom. In particular, problems of centring and positioning the capsule in order to make the holes are avoided. Moreover, the probability of damaging the capsule during perforation is substantially reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided in which steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out in the order in which they are listed. In particular, step d) is carried out after both step b) and step c). In this way, the thermoformation is carried out after having made the holes and after having sealed them with the peelable film. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the application of the film of peelable materia! on the flat film of perforated thermoformable material is quicker and simpler than the application of the film of peelable material on the bottom of a capsule. In particular, problems of centring and positioning the capsule in order to apply the peelable film are avoided. Moreover, the probability of damaging the capsule during the application of the film of peelable material is substantially reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided further comprising cutting the capsule from the film of thermoformable material. The cutting can be carried out so that the capsule comprises a projecting edge close to the opening of the containing volume.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided that does not need reinforcement elements made from reinforcement rings and/or ribs to be made. In this way, both the production time and costs of the capsule are reduced. In particular, given the absence of reinforcement elements, the time taken to make them as well as all of the material necessary to form them are saved.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided in which the film of thermoformable material comprises a first outer layer of plastic material, a second intermediate layer of barrier film and a third inner layer of plastic material. According to this embodiment, for example, the first layer can be made from waterproof material. The third layer can also be made from waterproof material. The second layer can, on the other hand, be made, for example, from gas-proof material, in particular oxygen-proof. In this way, the capsule according to the present invention is made from thermoformable and water- and oxygen-proof material. It should be noted that, for now, on the market there are no thermoformable mono-layer materials that are both water- and gas-proof.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided in which the holes are uniformly distributed on the limited region. In this way, it is ensured that the soluble and/or infusion product is uniformly soaked by the pressurised water that penetrates into the capsule. This makes it possible to effectively exploit the product contained in the capsule avoiding the use of an inner layer of filter paper.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided in which the application of the peelable film takes place by thermo-welding.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided that further comprises the following step: thermoforming a projecting edge that extends from the end of the side wall opposite the bottom parallel to the bottom and outwards with respect to the containing volume of the soluble and/or infusion product.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided that further comprises the following step: applying a sealing element adapted for hermetically closing the capsule body on the opposite side of the bottom.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided in which the application of the sealing element takes place by thermo-welding.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method is provided in which the sealing element is applied to the projecting edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to the attached figures in which the same reference numerals and/or markings indicate the same parts and/or similar parts and/or corresponding parts of the system.

Fig. 1A schematically illustrates a 3D view of a capsule for the production of beverages according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 B schematically illustrates an exploded view of the capsule shown in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 2A schematically illustrates an inverted 3D view of the capsule for the production of beverages according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2B schematically illustrates an exploded view of the capsule shown in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3A schematically illustrates a 3D view of some steps of the method according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3B schematically illustrates a detail of Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an inverted view of the steps of the method shown in Fig. 3A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, the present invention is described with reference to particular embodiments, as illustrated in the attached tables of drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the following detailed description and represented in the figures, but rather the embodiments described simply exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the purpose of which is defined by the claims. Further modifications and variations of the present invention will be clear to those skilled in the art.

The capsule 1 according to the present invention is a capsule made of thermoformable material for the production of beverages, like for example espresso, tea, hot chocolate or similar.

As shown in Fig. 1A, 1 B, 2A and 2B, the capsule 1 comprises a capsule body 2, preferably made in a single body. The capsule body 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 2B, comprises a bottom 4 and a side wall 5 forming the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P, for example ground coffee, tealeaves, powdered cocoa, for the production of the desired beverage.

The capsule body 2 comprises a thermoformable material. The thermoformable material, as shown in Fig. 3B, preferably comprises a first layer A made of plastic material, a second intermediate layer B of barrier film and a third layer C of plastic material.

The plastic material of which the first layer A is made can be thermo-weldable. The material can comprise material suitable for contact with food, for example, polypropylene (PP). This layer A therefore ensures that the capsule is suitable for containing foods and is waterproof. The barrier film B, on the other hand, can comprise a material that is gas-proof, in particular oxygen-proof. The barrier film can, for example, comprise ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH).

The plastic material of which the third layer C consists can be thermo-weldable. The material can comprise material suitable for contact with food, for example, polypropylene (PP). This layer C therefore ensures that the capsule is suitable for containing foods and is waterproof.

According to a possible embodiment, the first layer A and the third layer C are the same.

As a result that multi-layer material from which the capsule is mounted is thermoformable and at the same time resistant to air and gases, in particular oxygen. This ensures the correct conservation of the organoleptic properties of the soluble and/or infusion product contained in it, also without the use of secondary packaging. Currently there are no known mono-layer thermoformable materials that are simultaneously water- and oxygen-proof.

Each of the three layers can have a thickness of up to 1200 μηη. The most suitable thickness depends on the size of the capsule that it is wished to produce. For example, for a capsule with a diameter of 30 mm, the total thickness of the film can be 700 μηη.

As shown in figures 1 A to 2B, preferably, the capsule body 2 is frusto-conical in shape, but it can have any other suitable shape, for example cylindrical.

As can be seen clearly in Fig. 1 B, the bottom 4 of the capsule body 2 comprises two or more holes 6, preferably more than 10. The two or more holes 6 are preferably uniformly distributed on the surface of the bottom 4 of the capsule body 2.

The peelable film 3, as can be seen clearly in Fig. 1A and 1 B, hermetically closes the holes 6 on the outer side of the containing volume V of the capsule 1 , thus on the outer side of the capsule body 2. The peelable film 3 is adapted for being removed before use of the capsule 1 for the production of the beverage. In this way, the water that is injected inside the capsule 1 , by the dispensing machine, in order to be able to produce the desired beverage, enters into the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P, through the holes 6.

The uniform distribution of the two or more holes 6 on the bottom 4 of the capsule body 2 ensures that the water entering from the holes 6 comes into contact in a uniform manner with all of the soluble and/or infusion product P contained in the capsule 1. The peelable film 3 is adapted for acting as a gas and/or water barrier. The peelable film 3 can preferably comprise aluminium, but any other material that is suitable for acting as an air, oxygen and/or water barrier, can be used.

The peelable film 3 can also comprise a flap 7 adapted for facilitating the removal of the peelable film 3 from the capsule 1 , before its use.

The peelable film 3 can be applied to the bottom 4 of the capsule body 2, for example by thermo-welding.

Despite the soft consistency of the thermoformable materials, the capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention is free from reinforcement elements such as reinforcement rings, ribs or similar. The presence of the holes 6 on the bottom 4 of the capsule 1 ensures, indeed, easy and uniform entry of the pressurised water emitted by the dispensing machine inside the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P, once the peelable film 3 has been removed.

According a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capsule 1 can further comprise a sealing element 8, clearly visible in Fig. 2A and 2B, adapted for hermetically closing the capsule body 2 on the opposite side of the bottom 4. The sealing element 8 can be applied to the capsule body 2, for example, by thermo-welding.

The sealing element 8 is applied to the capsule after its containing volume has been filled with the soluble and/or infusion product P necessary to produce the desired beverage. In this way, the combined action of the sealing element 8, of the peelable film 3 and of the barrier film F ensure that the organoleptic properties of the soluble and/or infusion product are maintained and at the same time avoid packaging the capsule in further packs.

Furthermore, the capsule body 2 can further comprise a projecting edge 9, clearly visible in all Figs. 1A to 2B, which extends from the end of the side wall 5 opposite the bottom 4 parallel to it and towards the outside with respect to the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P.

The sealing element 8 can advantageously be applied on said projecting edge 9, for example by thermo-welding.

Hereafter, a method for producing a capsule according to the present invention is described. The steps of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention are schematically illustrated in Figures 3A and 4.

Based on the method according to the present invention shown in Figures 3A and 4, a film of thermoformable material F is provided. The film of thermoformable material F preferably comprises a first layer A of plastic material, a second intermediate layer B of barrier film and a third layer C of plastic material, as shown for example schematically in Fig. 3B.

The plastic material of which the first layer A consists can be thermo-weldable. The material can comprise material suitable for contact with food, for example, polypropylene (PP). This layer A thus ensures that the capsule is suitable for containing foods and is water-proof.

The barrier film B, on the other hand, can comprise a material that is gas-proof, in particular oxygen-proof. The barrier film can, for example, comprise ethylene vinyl-alcohol (EVOH).

The plastic material of which the third layer C consists can be thermo-weldable. The material can comprise material suitable for contact with food, for example, polypropylene (PP). This layer C ensures, therefore, that the capsule is suitable for containing food and is waterproof.

As a result, the multi-layer material from which the capsule is moulded is thermoformable and at the same time resistant to air and gases, in particular oxygen. This ensures the correct conservation of the organoleptic properties of the soluble and/or infusion product contained in it, even without the use of secondary packaging.

Each of the three layers can have a thickness of up to 1200 pm. The most suitable thickness depends on the size of the capsule that it is wished to produce. For example, for a capsule with a diameter of 30 mm, the total thickness of the film can be 700 pm.

As shown in the region b) of Figs. 3A and 4, two or more holes 6 are made on the film of thermoformable material F. The holes 6 are made in a predetermined limited region R of the film of thermoformable material F. The limited region R preferably is circular in shape. Alternatively, the limited region R can be polygonal in shape. In particular, in the example shown in the region b) of Figure 3A, 35 holes are made in the predetermined circular region R.

The number of holes 6 made in the limited region R can preferably be more than 10. The number of holes 6 made in a limited region R can for example be comprised between 50 and 60. As can be seen from Figs. 3A and 4, the holes 6 are uniformly distributed in the limited region R.

The holes 6 can be made through the use, for example, of a male-female cutter.

As shown in the region c) of Figs. 3A and 4, the two or more holes 6 are sealed with a peelable film 3 adapted for being removed before the use of the capsule 1 for the production of the beverage. The peelable film 3 covers the entire limited region R so as to close, on one side, all of the holes 6 made in the region R.

The application of the peelable film 3 preferably takes place by thermo-welding.

The peelable film 3 is adapted to acts as a gas and/or water barrier. The peelable film 3 can preferably comprise aluminium, but any other material suitable for acting as air, oxygen and/or water barrier, can be used.

Preferably, as shown in the region c) of Fig. 3A, the peelable film 3 comprises a flap 7 adapted for facilitating the manual removal of the peelable film 3.

The region d) of Figs. 3A and 4 shows that, after the steps shown in the regions b) and c), the capsule 1 is thermo-welded from the film of thermoformable material F at the limited region R.

In this way, the capsule body 2 is formed that comprises a bottom 4 and a side wall 5 that define the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P of the beverage.

As can be seen from the regions d) of Figures 3A and 4, the thermoformation is carried out so that the holes 6 of the region R are arranged on the bottom 4 of the capsule body 2 and so that the peelable film 3 is outside of the containing volume V of the capsule.

Even if figures 3A and 4 show that the thermoformation is carried out after the application of the peelable film, this is not essential. According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, indeed, the peelable film can be applied to the bottom of the capsule after having carried out the thermoformation at the limited region R.

After the thermoformation, it is possible to cut the capsule from the film of thermoformable material F. The cutting can be carried out so that the capsule has a projecting edge 9 that extends from the end of the side wall 5 opposite the bottom 4 parallel to the bottom 4 and towards the outside with respect to the containing volume V. The method according to embodiments of the present invention does not require that reinforcement elements be made like for example reinforcement rings, ribs or similar. The presence of the holes 6 on the bottom 4 of the capsule 1 ensures, indeed, easy and uniform entry of the pressurised water emitted by the dispensing machine inside the containing volume V of the soluble and/or infusion product P, once the peelable film 3 has been removed, avoiding the need to perforate the bottom of the capsule. Given that the bottom of the capsule does not need to be perforated but is already provided with the holes 6, the risk of the capsule being damaged due precisely to the perforation is not present and it is therefore possible to avoid having to equip the capsule with reinforcement elements.

The method according to embodiments of the present invention can comprise further successive steps not shown in the figures.

In particular, it is possible to apply a sealing element 8 adapted for hermetically closing the capsule body 2 on the opposite side of the bottom 4. The application of the sealing element 8 preferably takes place by thermo-welding.

In the case in which the capsule comprises a projecting edge 9, the sealing element 8 can advantageously be thermo-welded to the projecting edge 9.

The sealing element 8 is applied to the capsule after its containing volume has been filled with the soluble and/or infusion product necessary to produce the desired beverage. In this way, the combined action of the sealing element 8, of the peelable film 3 and of the barrier film F ensure that the organoleptic properties of the soluble and/or infusion product are maintained and at the same time avoid secondary packaging.

Even though the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described above, it is clear for those skilled in the art that it is possible to make different modifications, variations and improvements of the present invention in light of the teaching described above and in the attached claims, without departing from the object and from the scope of protection of the invention.

For example, the shape of the bottom 4 of the capsule 1 can be polygonal and similarly so can the side wall 5. Moreover, the side wall 5 can be enlarged in section, towards the part of the capsule 1 opposite the bottom 4 or it can have a constant section along its entire length.

Moreover, although it has been described that based on the present invention it is advantageously possible to make the capsules with the capsule body free from reinforcement elements such as reinforcement rings, ribs or similar, the present invention is not limited to capsules with the capsule body free from reinforcement elements.

Finally, the elements that are considered known to those skilled in the art have not been described in order to avoid needlessly overshadowing the invention described.

Consequently, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it is only limited by the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Claims

Capsule (1) for the production of beverages comprising a capsule body (2) comprising a bottom (4) and a side wall (5) defining a containing volume (V) for the soluble and/or infusion product (P) for the production of the beverage, said capsule body (2) comprising a thermoformable material, said capsule (1) being characterized in that said bottom (4) of said capsule body (2) comprises two or more holes (6), preferably more than ten, hermetically sealed by a peelable film (3) on the outer side of said containing volume (V) of said capsule (1), said peelable film (3) being suitable to be removed before the use of said capsule (1) for the production of said beverage.

Capsule (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said capsule body (2) is free of reinforcement elements comprising for example reinforcement rings and/or ribs and or similar.

Capsule (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said thermoformable material comprises a first layer (A) made of plastic material, a second intermediate layer (B) made of barrier film and a third layer (C) made of plastic material.

Capsule (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said holes (6) are uniformly distributed on the whole surface of said bottom (4) of said capsule body (2).

Capsule (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said peelable film (3) is adapted to block gases and/or water, for example it comprises aluminum.

Capsule (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said peelable film (3) is thermo-welded on the outer side of said bottom (4) of said capsule body (2).

Capsule (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said peelable film (3) comprises a flap (7) suitable to facilitate the removal of said peelable film (3).

Capsule (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it further comprises a sealing element (8) suitable to hermetically close said capsule body (2) on the opposite side with respect to said bottom (4).

Method for the production of a capsule (1) for the production of beverages, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) providing a film (F) of thermoformable material; b) realizing two or more holes (6), preferably more than ten, on said film (F) of thermoformable material, said holes (6) being placed in a limited region (R) of said film (F) of thermoformable material, having preferably a circular shape; c) sealing said two or more holes (6) with a peelable film (3) suitable to be removed before the use of said capsule (1) for the production of the beverage; d) thermoforming said capsule (1) from said film (F) of thermoformable material in correspondence to said limited region (R) comprising said holes (6) so as to form said capsule body (2), the thermoformation being realized so that said capsule body (2) comprise a bottom (4) and a side wall (5) defining the containing volume (V) of the soluble and/or infusion product (P), said thermoforming being realized so that said holes (6) are placed on said bottom (4) of said capsule body (2) and so that said peelable film (3) is placed on the outer side with respect to the containing volume (V), wherein said step d) is performed after said step b).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that said steps a), b), c) and d) are performed in the listed sequence.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises the following step subsequent to step d): e) cutting the capsule (1) away from the film (F) of thermoformable material.

12. Method according to one of the claims from 9 to 11 , characterized in that said film (F) of thermoformable material comprises a first outer layer (A) made of plastic material, a second intermediate layer (B) made of barrier film and a third inner layer (C) made of plastic material.

13. Method according to one of the claims from 9 to 12, characterized in that said holes (6) are uniformly distributed on said limited region (R).

14. Method according to one of the claims from 9 to 13, characterized in that the application of said peelable film (3) is performed by means of thermo-welding.