WO2016125088A1

WO2016125088A1 - Tool for opening capsules

Info

Publication number: WO2016125088A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/050545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damiano ALBERTON
Original assignee: Formetal S.R.L.
Priority date: 2015-02-04
Filing date: 2016-02-03
Publication date: 2016-08-11

Abstract

A tool (10) for opening capsules (13) used to prepare beverages, which comprises: a pair of levers (11) which are hinged on a support (12) for the capsule (13), a pair of disk-like blades (17), each one mounted so that it can rotate on a respective lever (11), means (18) for the rotation of the capsule (13) between the disk-like blades (17).

Description

TOOL FOR OPENING CAPSULES

The present invention relates to a tool for opening capsules used to prepare beverages.

Nowadays it is possible to purchase pods and capsules for the preparation of hot beverages of different types, such as coffee, tea and chocolate.

In recent years capsules made of plastics have met with positive reaction on the market, thanks to their practicality and thanks to the fact that their small format and sealing enable them to preserve the ingredients and keep their organoleptic properties unaltered.

However, while on the one hand their practicality makes them preferable to conventional loose coffee grounds with which to fill coffee- makers or espresso machines, on the other hand they contribute to polluting the environment with non-degradable plastic material.

Nowadays the recycling of coffee capsules is a not inconsiderable problem in managing separate refuse collection, which requires the disposal of the contents, i.e. the used coffee, with organic waste and the packaging with plastic material waste.

The body of the capsule cannot be easily opened, making the waste non-separable, and therefore consigned to the dump or the incinerator.

Separation of waste usually begins in the home, but at present the only known way of opening the used capsule, without using special industrial machines, is to cut it open with ordinary household scissors.

This operation is not often carried out owing to the difficulty that the user can encounter in cutting the plastic material of the enclosure, which sometimes is rather thick and rigid, and owing to the time that this operation would require, thus canceling out the practicality of the capsule in the preparation of the beverage.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a tool, for manual use, for opening capsules used to prepare beverages. Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a tool that makes it possible to cut the capsules easily and also rapidly and safely.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool, for manual use, which favors the correct disposal of the used capsules, by separating the components thereof.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a tool for opening capsules used to prepare beverages, characterized in that it comprises:

- a pair of levers which are hinged on a support for the capsule, - a pair of disk-like blades, each one mounted so that it can rotate on a respective said lever,

- means for the rotation of said capsule between said disk-like blades. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of two preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the tool according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tool according to the invention in a first embodiment thereof;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool according to the invention, seen from the other side to that in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows the tool according to the invention with a capsule mounted thereon;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a capsule to be opened with the tool according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool according to the invention during the opening of a capsule;

- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tool according to the invention in a second embodiment thereof;

- Figure 7 is another perspective view of the tool according to the invention in Figure 6;

- Figure 8 shows the tool in Figures 6 and 7 according to the invention with a capsule mounted thereon;

- Figure 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the tool according to the invention in the second embodiment thereof;

- Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tool according to the invention in the second embodiment thereof.

With reference to the figures, the tool according to the invention is generally designated, in the first embodiment thereof, with the reference numeral 10. It is clearly visible in its entirety in the first two figures, which show it from two opposite sides.

The tool 10 comprises a pair of levers 11 which are hinged on a support 12 for a capsule 13.

The support 12 consists of a plate-like body, preferably made of metallic material.

The two levers 11 , preferably made of sheet metal, are pivoted at their front ends 14 in the pivot points 15 indicated in Figure 2.

The levers 11 are conveniently provided with a pair of elongated handles 16 for holding by a user.

The tool 10 also comprises a pair of disk-like blades 17, each one mounted so that it can rotate on a respective lever 11 , and means 18 of rotating the capsule 13 between the disk-like blades 17.

In particular, the rotation means 18 comprise a disk-like element 19, clearly visible in Figure 2, on which the capsule 13 is to be fitted with interference, in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 5. The disk-like element 19 is installed on the support 12 and connected to a knob 20, for actuating rotation, by way of an axial pivot 21 which passes through a hole in the support 12 and is visible in the cross-sectional view in Figure 5.

The disk-like element 19 and the knob 20 are therefore installed on opposite sides of the support 12. In the example shown, the axial pivot 21 is substantially a one piece body with the disk-like element 19, and the knob 20 is mounted on the head of the axial pivot 21 at a central portion thereof.

The disk-like element 19 is knurled on its outer surface intended for contact with the capsule 13, thus increasing the friction between the two elements.

In particular, as is clearly visible in Figures 4 and 5, the capsule 13 is preferably made of plastic material and has a beaker-like body with a portion 22, closed, for containing the ground coffee or other ingredient, according to the beverage prepared, with such capsule, and a portion 23 for connection to the machine for preparing the beverages, which substantially has a compartment that is open at the connecting side and which at the center has an appendage 24 for connection to the machine.

The disk-like element 19 conveniently has a central recess, in order to allow the appendage 24 to be inserted therein during positioning of the capsule 13 on the tool 10.

With regard to the disk-like blades 17, each one of them is mounted so that it can rotate on a respective lever 11 by way of a pivot 25 fixed on the lever 11.

In particular, they are substantially mounted diametrically opposite from each other, taking the disk-like element 19 which is interposed between them as a reference.

The minimum distance between the blades 17, i.e. the points of the outer perimeters of each blade which are closest to each other, with the levers 11 in the closed configuration of the tool 10, i.e. rotated toward each other, is smaller than the outside diameter of the lateral wall of the beakerlike body of the capsule 13 in the area in which the capsule 13 is mounted on the disk-like element 19.

In this manner with the tool 10 in the closed configuration the blades cut through the lateral wall of the beaker-like body of the capsule 13. For each disk-like blade 17, the tool 10 is provided with a protective element 26 for the user, which is joined to the corresponding lever 11.

In particular, the protective element 26 has an opening with which it is mounted, from outside, astride the lever 11 , and it has a plate-like portion 27 on the same side as the knob 20 and a C-shaped portion 28, on the side of the disk-like blades 17, which is open toward the disk-like element 19, i.e. on the side on which the capsule 13 is mounted.

The support 12, which as mentioned is substantially plate-like, has a stud 29 in relief between the ends 14 of the levers 11 , at which they are pivoted. The stud 29 is indicated both in Figure 2 and in Figure 3, but is better visible in the first of the two figures.

Each one of the ends 14 has a tooth 30 for locking the rotation of the corresponding lever 11 about its pivoting point 15, such tooth being adapted to abut against the stud 29.

The support 12 is also provided with two guides 31 for keeping the rotation of the levers 11 on a plane to which their pivoting axis is perpendicular.

In particular, the guides 31 comprise two opposite slits defined between a main portion 32 of the support 12, which is substantially plate- like, and on which the levers 11 and the rotation means 18 are mounted, and a substantially T-shaped flap 33 thereof which is folded at a right angle with respect to the main portion 32, and is obtained by blanking and bending of the support 12.

Use of the tool according to the invention is as follows.

After using the capsule 13, with a machine for the preparation of beverages, it is positioned on the tool 10 in the manner shown in Figure 3 and in the cross-sectional view in Figure 5, i.e. by fitting the connection portion 23 onto the disk-like element 19.

The levers 1 1 are then brought toward each other, making the disk- like blades 17 penetrate the wall of the capsule 13 in mutually opposite areas, as illustrated in Figure 5.

The rotation of the levers 11 occurs on a plane, thanks to the presence of the guides 31.

The position of the levers 11 is maintained with one hand, while the knob 20 is rotated with the other hand, causing the rotation of the disk-like element 19 and therefore also of the capsule 13 mounted thereon.

The rotation is executed until the capsule 13 has been cut along an entire circumference.

It should be noted that the use of two disk-like blades 17, in opposite positions, contributes to preventing the extraction of the capsule 13 from the disk-like element 19 until, at the end of the cutting operation, the two levers 1 1 are pulled apart and open, thus extracting the disk-like blades 17 from the capsule 13.

In the operation to open the tool 10, the outward rotation of the levers 11 , i.e. rotation away from each other, is limited by the stud 29. The locking occurs when the teeth 30 of the respective levers 11 abut against the stud 29.

At the end of cutting, the portion 22 for containing the ingredient in powder form and the connection portion 23 will be separated and it is then possible to empty the former and dispose of the used powder and the plastics in the respective separate refuse collection containers.

A second embodiment of the tool according to the invention is shown in Figures 6 to 10 and is generally designated therein with the reference numeral 110.

In such second embodiment, similarly to what is described for the first embodiment, the tool 110 comprises a pair of levers 111 which are hinged on a support 112 for a capsule 1 13.

The support 112 consists of a plate-like body, preferably made of metallic material.

The two levers 111 , preferably made of sheet metal, are pivoted at their front ends 1 14 in the pivot points 115 indicated in Figures 6 and 7. The levers 111 are conveniently provided with a pair of elongated handles 116 for holding by a user.

The tool 110 also comprises a pair of disk-like blades 117, each one mounted so that it can rotate on a respective lever 111 , and means 118 of rotating the capsule 113 between the disk-like blades 117.

In particular, in such second embodiment of the tool 110 according to the invention, the rotation means 118 comprise, in addition to a disk-like element 119 on which the capsule 113 is to be fitted with interference, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, such element being connected to a knob 120 for actuating rotation, by way of an axial pivot 121 which passes through a hole in the support 112, also comprise means of transmission of rotation in order to coordinate the rotary motion of the disk-like element 119 and of the blades 117 when the levers 11 1 are in a closed configuration, i.e. with the blades 117 cutting into the lateral wall of the beaker-like body of a capsule 113 mounted on the disk-like element 119.

Such means of transmission of rotation in order to coordinate the rotary motion of the disk-like element 119 and of the blades 117 are constituted, for example, by a driving gear 135, which is coaxial and integral with the disk-like element 119 and with the axial pivot 121 of the knob 120, and a driven gear, 136 and 137 respectively, for each one of the blades 1 17, each driven gear 136 and 137 being coaxial and integral with the respective blade 117.

The shape and the dimensions of the driving gear 135 and driven gears 136 and 137 are such that when the levers 1 11 are spread apart, the teeth of the driving gear 135 and driven gears 136 and 137 are not meshed, as in Figures 6 and 7, while in a configuration of use, with the levers 111 in a closed configuration as shown for example in Figures 9 and 10, the teeth of the driving gear 135 and driven gears 136 and 137 are meshed; in such configuration, the rotation of the knob 120 causes not only the rotation of the disk-like element 119 and therefore of the capsule 113 mounted thereon, but also of the blades 1 17, thanks to the meshing between the driven gears 136 and 137, which are integral with the respective blades 117, and the driving gear 135, which is integral with the disk-like element 119 and with the knob 120.

Thanks to the means of transmission of rotation in order to coordinate the rotary motion of the disk-like element 1 19 and of the blades 117, the simultaneous rotation is ensured both of the capsule 113 and of the blades 117, and as a consequence the correct execution is ensured of the cutting operation of the blades on the capsule.

In the example shown the axial pivot 121 is substantially a one piece body with the disk-like element 119 and with the driving gear 135, with the latter interposed between the disk-like element 119 and the flat support 1 12.

Each blade 1 17 is substantially a one piece body with the respective coaxial driven gear 136 and 137, with an interposed spacer sleeve 140 and 141 which is also a one piece body with the respective driven gear and with the respective blade.

Such one piece bodies with blade, sleeve and driven gear are axially perforated for the passage of a corresponding pivot 143 and 144.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, by providing a manual tool that can be used in a household environment, thanks to which it is possible easily and rapidly and safely to open the capsules used to prepare beverages, thus favoring the correct disposal of the parts that comprise it.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible■ of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art. The content of Italian patent applications no. PD2015A000029 ( 102015902327764) and no. 102016000007895, the priority of which are claimed in the present application, is incorporated as a reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A tool (10, 110) for opening capsules (13, 113) used to prepare beverages, characterized in that it comprises:

- a pair of levers (1 1 , 1 11 ) which are hinged on a support (12, 112) for the capsule ( 13, 113),

- a pair of disk-like blades (17, 117), each one mounted so that it can rotate on a respective said lever ( 11 , 11 1 ),

- means (18, 1 18) for the rotation of said capsule (13, 113) between said disk-like blades (17, 117).

2. The tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that said rotation means (18) comprise a disk-like element (19) on which said capsule (13) is to be fitted with interference, said element being installed on said support ( 12) and being connected to a knob (20) for actuating rotation.

3. The tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that said support (12) is substantially plate-like and has a stud (29) in relief between the ends ( 14) of said levers ( 1 1), at which they are pivoted, each one of said ends (14) being provided with a tooth (30) for locking the rotation of the respective said lever (1 1 ) about its pivoting point (15), said tooth being adapted to abut against said stud (29).

4. The tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that said support

( 12) has two guides (31 ) for keeping the rotation of said levers (11) on the plane to which their pivoting axis is substantially perpendicular.

5. The tool according to claim 4, characterized in that said guides (31) comprise two opposite slits defined between a main portion (32) of said support ( 12), which is substantially plate-like, and a folded flap (33) thereof, which is obtained by blanking and bending said support (12).

6. The tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a protective element (26) for each said disk-like blade (17), which has a C- shaped portion (28) which is open on the side for fitting said capsule (13).

7. The tool according to claim 2, characterized in that said disk-like element (19) and said knob (20) are connected by way of an axial pivot (21 ).

8. The tool according to claim 2, characterized in that said disk-like element ( 19) is knurled on the outer surface intended for contact with said capsule (13).

9. The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotation means (118), in addition to comprising a disk-like element ( 119) on which the capsule (1 13) is to be fitted with interference, said element being connected to a knob (120) for actuating rotation, by way of an axial pivot (121), also comprise means of transmission of rotation in order to coordinate the rotary motion of the disklike element (1 19) and of the blades (117) when said levers (11 1) are in a closed configuration.

10. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that said means of transmission of rotation in order to coordinate the rotary motion of the disk- like element (119) and of the blades (117) are constituted by a driving gear ( 135), which is coaxial and integral with the disk-like element (119) and with the axial pivot (121) of the knob (120), and a driven gear (136, 137) for each one of the blades (117), each driven gear (136, 137) being coaxial and integral with the respective blade (1 17).

11. The tool according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the shape and the dimensions of the driving (135) and driven (136, 137) gears are such that when the levers (11 1) are spread apart, the teeth of the driving ( 135) and driven (136, 137) gears are not meshed, while in a configuration of use, with the levers (111) in a closed configuration, the teeth of the driving (135) and driven ( 136, 137) gears are meshed.

12. The tool according to one or more of claims from 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that the axial pivot (121) is substantially a one piece body with the disk-like element ( 1 19) and with the driving gear (135).

13. The tool according to one or more of claims from 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that each blade (1 17) is a one piece body with the respective coaxial driven gear (136, 137).

14. The tool according to claim 13, characterized in that said one piece bodies are axially perforated for the passage of a corresponding pivot ( 143, 144).