WO2017093987A1

WO2017093987A1 - Capsule for producing beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2017093987A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/057603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulisse Rapparini
Original assignee: Aroma System S.R.L.
Priority date: 2015-12-01
Filing date: 2016-12-14
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Also published as: EP3383767A1; ITUB20156060A1; EP3383767B1

Abstract

Capsule (1) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water- soluble products equipped with a film (2) of flexible material is welded in the bottom (8) of the capsule in two areas (5) and (6) that are distinct and enclosed inside one another, the inner welding (5) being weaker than the outer welding (6), so that under the action of the internal pressure of the capsule when it is dispensed, the liquid comes out from the lower openings (7) of the capsule, forces the weak welding (5) and comes out from the openings (4) in the film or from the openings (14) of the bottom.

Description

CAPSULE FOR PRODUCING BEVERAGES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of capsules for producing beverages. More specifically, the present invention concerns the field of ways of opening the bottom of a capsule.

STATE OF THE ART

In the state of the art different types of capsule are known. In particular, the capsule described in EP2427393B1 has an upper film welded on the outer edge of the capsule and welded on an outflow duct inside the capsule. The welding on such an outflow duct is weaker than the welding on the outer edge. When the capsule is dispensed in the machine the internal pressure increases and detaches the weld on the outflow duct allowing the liquid to enter into the outflow duct and come out from the lower part of the outflow duct.

Such a capsule has the drawback that the manufacture of an internal outflow duct is not very easy especially in terms of the manufacture of thermoformed capsules.

Another drawback in the case of manufacturing by injection is that to extract the capsule from the moulds the outflow duct has a draft angle inside. Such an angle, however, produces a descent of the liquid during the dispensing in a channel that widens and the liquid does not fall correctly.

Other capsules like those described in EP2139791 are equipped with an internal system that under the action of the internal pressure of the capsule break a film. Such capsules are very complex to produce.

Capsules are also known that have holes in the bottom for the passage of the liquid; such capsules are in contact with the outside environment and are packed in bags to insulate the content from the outside environment.

The present invention allows a capsule to be made that is very simple but hermetically sealed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to the attached figures, in which the same numbers and/or reference marks indicate the same parts and/or similar and/or corresponding parts of the system. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a view of the capsule for producing beverages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a 3D view of the lower part of the capsule, notice the lower film 2 equipped with an opening 4.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a view of the capsule from below in which it is highlighted that the openings 7 on the bottom of the capsule are comprised between the inner welding 5 and outer welding 6 area and the opening 4 is inside the inner welding area 5

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the capsule 1 without the film of the welded bottom; the openings 7 present on the bottom 8 are clearly visible.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the capsule 1 with the lower film alongside that will be welded on the bottom of the capsule 1. The opening 4 on the lower film is also visible.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the capsule without the film of the welded bottom; on the bottom 8 there is a projection 9 for guiding the liquid during the descent.

Fig, 7 schematically illustrates the capsule with the conical bottom.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the capsule with a gap between the bottom of the capsule and the lower film 2.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a capsule in which it is highlighted that the openings 7 on the bottom of the capsule are inside the inner welding area 5 and the openings 4 are comprised between the inner welding 5 and outer welding 6 area.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a capsule inside which there is a filter 11 welded or rested on the bottom of the capsule.

Fig. 1 1 illustrates the lower part of a capsule with openings 12 that place the space comprised between the bottom of the capsule and the lower film in communication with the outside, when the pressure of the liquid inside the capsule has opened the inner welding 5

Fig.12 illustrates the capsule of figure 1 in which the pressurised liquid inside the capsule has forced the inner welding 5

Fig.13 illustrates a different type of the bottom of the capsule in order to direct the liquid in the vertical direction. Fig.14 illustrates the passage of the liquid in the same capsule shown in figure 13

Fig.15 schematically illustrates a view of the capsule from below in which it is highlighted that the openings 12 on the bottom of the capsule are comprised between the inner welding area 5 and the additional welding area 16 and the opening 14.

Fig, 16 illustrates the lower part of a capsule like in figure 1 1 with openings 12 that place the space comprised between the bottom of the capsule and the lower film in communication with the outside, when the pressure of the liquid inside the capsule has opened the inner welding 5. The bottom of this capsule is inclined.

Fig.17 schematically illustrates a view of the capsule from below of a capsule completely and continuously welded in the bottom in which the part that opens and unwelds is highlighted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, 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 described embodiments 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 become clear to those skilled in the art.

Figures 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 show a capsule for producing beverages, according to embodiments of the present invention.

The capsules can contain soluble and/or infusion products, like for example coffee.

The capsule is formed from a body 1 , to which an upper closing film 3 and a lower film 2 are welded.

Said lower film is welded in two different areas. Both of the areas are closed and the inner one 5 is contained in the outer one 6.

The inner welding 5 is produced so as to be weaker with respect to the outer welding 6, so that under the action of an internal pressure of the liquid it tends to open.

This can be obtained through a different welding temperature, through a different welding size or through the interposition of a component that weakens it. Said lower film 2 in the central area is equipped with an opening 4. Such an opening is inside the inner welding area 5.

The capsule on its bottom 8 has openings 7 at the area comprised between the inner welding 5 and the outer welding 6.

When a needle perforates the upper film 3 of the capsule 1 and the liquid is inserted in said capsule, the internal pressure of the capsule increases.

The liquid passing through the openings 7 present on the bottom of the capsule 8 exerts a pressure on the inner part of the lower film 2 comprised between the inner welding 5 and the outer welding 6.

This pressure is such that the inner welding 5 yields, allowing the liquid to pass, to reach and come out through the opening 4 present on the lower film 2.

Of course, the inner 5 and outer 6 welds can be of different shapes, like the openings on the bottom of the capsule 7 and the opening 4 of the lower film 2 can be different in shape and amount.

Of course, it is possible to follow the path from inside towards outside as illustrated in figure 9. In this case the openings 7 present on the bottom of the capsule are inside the inner welded area 5 that, by opening, places the inside of the capsule in communication with the openings 4 of the welded film that, on the other hand, are this time comprised between the two welding areas.

It is also possible to produce a single lower welding that, when subjected to the pressure of the liquid inside the capsule, yields allowing the passage towards the low pressure area of the openings 4. In this case, a part of the weld - that which divides the holes on the capsule from the holes on the film - will yeild.

In order to better guide the liquid that comes out from the openings 4 it is possible to create a projection 9 suitably shaped to direct the liquid according to a vertical direction, as highlighted in figure 6.

For the same purpose, as is illustrated in figure 11 that shows the lower part of the capsule, it is also possible to provide the bottom of the capsule with further openings 12 that allow the liquid to enter into a central area 13, closed by a film 15 welded inside the capsule, after it has come out from the openings 7 and has forced the inner welding 5, so as to come out in a properly guided manner through an opening 14. This solution allows the liquid the descend perfectly vertically.

It should be noted that in this case there are three welded areas. These are the outer weld 6, the inner welding 5 that yields, and the weld 16, inside the area 5.

In the same way a single lower weld that yields at the area of the inner welding 5 obtains the same result.

Figure 13 shows the same part of capsule of figure 1 1 but in the condition in which the liquid has forced the inner welding 5.

Figure 14 illustrates an enlargement of figure 13, highlighting the path of the liquid.

Figure 15 shows the same capsule of figure 1 1 seen from below. It is possible to see the three different welded areas and the respective holes contained between them.

In figure 16 the bottom of the capsule is inclined to promote the creation of a vertical descent of liquid.

Figure 17 shows the same capsule of figure 1 1. In this case the weld of the lower film 2 is complete. A part of the weld yields under the pressure of the liquid that thus manages to pass from the openings 7 to the openings 12.

The openings 7 can also be very small in size in order to hold the particles of water-soluble product waiting for them to be dissolved by the liquid and pass through said openings 7.

Figure 10, for the same purpose, shows a filter 11 welded or rested on the inner bottom of the capsule or welded between the bottom of the capsule and the lower film 2. Such a filter can be filter paper, card or similar materials.

This filter is capable of holding the particles of water-soluble product and of allowing the liquid to pass during dispensing.

Such filters also obtain the advantage of holding the liquid a little inside the capsule to allow a better quality of the product dispensed.

Finally, anything that is considered known by those skilled in the art has not been described in order to avoid needlessly clouding the invention described. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is only limited by the scope of protection of the attached claims.

REFERENCES

1 capsule;

2: lower film;

3: upper film;

4: opening in the lower film;

5: inner welding between capsule and lower film;

5': inner welding between capsule and lower film that has detached;

6: outer welding between capsule and lower film;

7: openings in the bottom of the capsule;

8: bottom of the capsule;

9: projection on the bottom of the capsule;

10: gap between the capsule and the lower film 3;

1 1 : filter on the inner bottom of the capsule;

12: openings on the bottom of the capsule that allow the liquid to come out from the space comprised between the bottom of the capsule 8 and the lower film 2;

13: area in which the liquid in communication with the inside of the capsule passes

14; opening for guiding the liquid falling vertically

15; internally welded film

16; additional weld

17: unwelded area between the openings 7 and the openings 12

Claims

1. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products characterised in that the yielding of a welded area of a film (2) of flexible material on the bottom (8) of the capsule allows the passage of pressurised liquid from inside the capsule from one or more openings (7) to one or more openings (4) or (14) towards the outside.

2. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products characterised in that a film (2) of flexible material is welded in the bottom (8) of the capsule in two areas (5) and (6) that are distinct and enclosed inside one another, the inner welding (5) being weaker than the outer welding (6), the film (2) being equipped with one or more openings (4), and the bottom (8) of the capsule being equipped with one or more openings (7) so that under the action of the internal pressure of the capsule when it is dispensed, the liquid comes out from the lower openings (7) of the capsule, forces the weak welding (5) and comes out from the openings (4) in the film.

3. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products according to the previous claim, characterised in that one or more openings (7) in the bottom (8) of the capsule are comprised between the two welding areas (5) and (6) of the flexible material and one or more openings (4) of the film are comprised inside the weak welding (5).

4. Capsule (1) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products according to claim 1 , characterised in that one or more openings (7) in the bottom (8) of the capsule are comprised inside the weak welding (5) and in that one or more openings (4) of the film are comprised between the two welding areas (5) and (6) of the flexible material.

5. Capsule (1) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at the opening (4) on the film (2) the capsule has a protuberance (9) to help the vertical descent of the liquid.

6. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that on the bottom of the capsule there are one or more openings (12) to allow the liquid to enter into a central area (13) after it has come out from the openings (7) and has forced the weak welding (5) so as to come out from an opening (14) in a properly guided manner.

7. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that there is a further welded area (16), inside the other two, which isolates the area between the bottom of the capsule and the lower film (2).

8. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to claim 6, characterised in that the central area (13) is created through the welding of a film (15) inside the capsule.

9. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to claim 6, characterised in that a filter is provided in the central area (13).

10. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to claim 6, characterised in that a filter is provided at the opening (14).

1 1. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the lower surface of the capsule is conical.

12. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 1 1 , characterised in that the capsule is produced by thermo-forming.

13. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 12, according to claim 1 characterised in that the capsule consists of oxygen-barrier materials

14. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the opening in the film is a cut.

15. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that a filter is welded inside the capsule.

16. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that a filter is rested inside the capsule.

17. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that a piece of filter paper is welded inside the film.

18. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the openings 7 on the bottom of the capsule have a diameter less than 2 millimetres, in particular from 0.5 to 1 millimetre.

19. Capsule (1 ) for obtaining infusions such as espresso, herbal teas or beverages from water-soluble products, according to one of claims 1 to18, characterised in that the inner welds (5) and the outer welds (6) are a single weld.