WO2018030893A1 - Capsule for holding an additive to be added to a food product and corresponding container closing device - Google Patents
Capsule for holding an additive to be added to a food product and corresponding container closing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2018030893A1 WO2018030893A1 PCT/NL2017/050314 NL2017050314W WO2018030893A1 WO 2018030893 A1 WO2018030893 A1 WO 2018030893A1 NL 2017050314 W NL2017050314 W NL 2017050314W WO 2018030893 A1 WO2018030893 A1 WO 2018030893A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- capsule
- foregoing
- passage channel
- housing
- closing element
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/28—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials
- B65D51/2807—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container
- B65D51/2814—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it
- B65D51/2821—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes with auxiliary containers for additional articles or materials the closure presenting means for placing the additional articles or materials in contact with the main contents by acting on a part of the closure without removing the closure, e.g. by pushing down, pulling up, rotating or turning a part of the closure, or upon initial opening of the container the additional article or materials being released by piercing, cutting or tearing an element enclosing it said element being a blister, a capsule or like sealed container
Abstract
The invention relates to a capsule for holding an additive for adding to a food product, in particular a beverage. A peripheral wall of the capsule is shaped such that this capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation in a capsule holder. The invention further relates to a device for closing food product containers, such as beverage containers, in particular a bottle, arranged for holding said capsule. The invention also relates to an assembly of a food product container, such as a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and said closing device, optionally provided with said capsule.
Description
Capsule for holding an additive for adding to a beverage, and associated device
The invention relates to a capsule for holding an additive for adding to a food product, in particular a beverage. The invention relates to a device for closing food product containers, such as beverage containers, in particular a bottle. The invention also relates to an assembly of a food product container, such as a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device according to the invention optionally provided with a capsule according to the invention. Consumers nowadays have a wide choice of beverages to which one or more additives are added in order to provide the beverage with a supplemental value. These include for instance sports drinks, health drinks, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals or functional foods. These are practically always beverages produced and presented in a standard composition. These beverages are practically all based on water to which the additives have already been added during the production process. In order to facilitate
consumption these beverages are generally prepacked in bottles, wherein the consumer can consume the beverage directly from the bottle, and the content of which is intended to be drunk within a time period of several minutes or several hours. It is also known to initially separate the water and the additive to be added to the water in the bottle by initially storing the additive, generally in powder form, in the cap of the bottle, wherein the additive can be released and added to the water by uncoupling at least a part of the cap from the bottle. The beverage is thus prepared here by the consumer him/herself just prior to consumption of the beverage. The advantage of this separate initial storage of water and additive in the bottle is that it can for instance considerably increase the shelf-life of the beverage to be formed, and ingredients can be consumed which only exist briefly in liquid. Such a separation of water and additive is moreover advantageous from a logistic and economic viewpoint because the cap can be filled separately with additive and then separately transported. Filling of the bottle with water and assembly of the bottle and the cap can subsequently take place at a geographically favourable location, whereby transport costs can be considerably reduced. An example of such a bottle is described in the American patent application US 2010/0200536, in which the bottle is filled with water and closed with a special device functioning as cap, the device comprising a basic structure for coupling to the
bottle and a closing element coupled releasably by means of a screw thread connection to the basic structure. The basic structure encloses a passage channel for beverage, which passage channel is initially closed and filled with an additive in powder form, such as a water-soluble sugary additive. The passage channel is initially closed on an underside (facing toward the bottle) by a perforable foil and optionally with a more rigid closing member. Positioned in the passage channel is an arm which is connected pivotally to the basic structure and which is provided on the side facing toward the foil with a cutting member. A side of the arm facing toward the closing element is configured for co-action with a top forming part of the closing element. During unscrewing of the closing element from the basic structure an upper side of the arm will be co-displaced by the closing element, as a result of which the arm will pivot and the cutting member will perforate the foil, whereby the additive in powder form can drop into the water, the beverage can be prepared and consumed via the passage channel. The drawback of the known bottle is that it has been found that an additive in powder form can offer relatively great resistance, particularly in the case the additive is compressed to a certain extent, and this can make considerably more difficult, and even prevent, the pivoting of the arm and the cutting member so as to enable perforation of the foil.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved capsule and a device for enriching with one or more additives a food product, in particular beverage, received in a food product container, in particular beverage container.
The invention provides for this purpose a capsule of the type stated in the preamble, comprising: a substantially closed housing at least partially filled with an additive to be added to a food product, in particular a beverage, wherein the housing is at least defined by: a bottom wall, a standing wall connected to the bottom wall and a laterally protruding engaging edge connected at a distance from the bottom wall to the standing wall to enable locking, preferably by means of clamping, of the capsule in a capsule holder of a device for adding an additive to a food product, in particular a beverage, and at least one substantially closed closing element connected to the laterally protruding engaging edge for containing the additive in conserved manner in the capsule, wherein the closing element is configured to be perforated by a perforation structure of the device, and wherein the bottom wall is provided with at least one tear line of limited length configured to be torn by, or under the influence of, the perforation structure
following perforation of the closing element for release of the additive, and wherein opposite ends of the tear line enclose a deformation zone of the bottom wall and/or of the standing wall. An important advantage of the capsule according to the invention is that the capsule is opened on two sides - the upper side formed by the closing element followed by the underside formed by the bottom wall - by the perforation structure of the device, wherein the bottom wall will be opened in predefined and therefore controlled manner by having at least a part of the bottom wall, at least at the location of the deformation zone, pivot in a downward direction - away from the closing element - wherein the pivoting or pivoted part of the bottom wall remains connected to another part of the housing of the capsule. In this way (only) the additive can be released, wherein the additive will drop under the influence of gravitational force into a food product present thereunder, while another part of the capsule, in particular the housing, will be prevented from also falling into the food product. The additive will generally be formed by an edible additive. The additive is preferably an additive in powder form, although the additive can for instance also be in tablet form and/or comprise a liquid and/or gel. The additive can for instance comprise one or more of the following ingredients: a colouring agent, an aromatic substance, a flavouring, vitamins, minerals and/or an (effervescent) substance which generates gas bubbles in the food product. The quantity of additive in the capsule is generally pre-dosed, whereby a dosed addition of the additive to the food product can be realized. Since the capsule takes an initially closed form, the additive can be shielded from the surrounding area, whereby contamination, mixing with impurities or undesired contact with liquids is precluded, this being advantageous from the viewpoint of hygiene. The capsule is generally suitable for once-only use, and therefore of disposable nature. The food product enriched with the additive can be of diverse nature, and is generally formed by a liquid, in particular a beverage such as water, optionally tap water, or an (edible) oil such as olive oil. The at least one tear line of the bottom wall is configured to allow tearing of the bottom wall when a mechanical pressure is exerted (by means of a perforation structure) on an inner side (or upper side) of the bottom wall facing toward the additive.
The housing is generally manufactured from one integral whole, wherein the bottom wall, the standing wall and the optionally applied closing element are manufactured as one (integral) whole. It is however also possible to envisage the bottom wall being connected (as separate component) to the standing wall, for instance by means of
glueing and/or welding. In a preferred embodiment a peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular a peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, is shaped such that this capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in a capsule holder. An embodiment variant is possible wherein a peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular a peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, has a cross-section differing from rotation-symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical. Shaping the peripheral edge such that the capsule can be positioned in only one preferred orientation in the capsule holder has the advantage that the tear line and the deformation zone of the bottom wall can be aligned relative to the perforation structure of the device. It is hereby possible to prevent, or at least counter, perforation of the deformation zone by the perforation structure, and it will be possible in improved manner to impose perforation of (only) the tear line by the perforation structure (during downward movement of the perforation structure relative to the capsule). The shape of the capsule which differs from rotation-symmetrical and which imposes such a preferred orientation can for instance be formed by giving the standing wall of the housing only partially a substantially cylindrical form and embodying another part of the standing wall in other manner, for instance in truncated (flat) form. This results in a truncated, substantially cylindrical housing which fits in only one way in a complementarily shaped capsule holder. At least a part of the deformation zone is preferably positioned in, on or close to a differently shaped part of the bottom wall and/or standing wall of the housing.
The tear line in the bottom wall of the capsule preferably has a non-linear shape. The tear line is preferably curved, in particular horseshoe-shaped or (circular) arc-shaped. The opposite ends of the tear line here enclose a deformation zone of the bottom wall and/or standing wall. The curved shape facilitates tearing of the bottom wall and moreover prevents forming of sharp angles which can injure a user during removal of the emptied capsule after use. The tear line is preferably positioned close to the standing wall, wherein the shortest distance between the tear line and the standing wall is more preferably smaller than or equal to 3 millimetres. Such a positioning of the tear line makes the pivotable part of the bottom wall as large as possible, which facilitates emptying of the capsule after opening of the capsule and which also facilitates passage of the additive-enriched food product via the opened capsule. The tear line preferably has a small wall thickness relative to another part of the bottom wall, whereby
perforation, tearing or cutting of the tear line is simplified. The tear line of limited length is generally given a continuous form, but can for instance also be given a discontinuous form. During downward pivoting of a torn part of the bottom wall during perforation of the capsule at least one fold line (or fold zone) generally results in the deformation zone. It is also possible to envisage at least one fold line, such as a score line, already being prearranged in the deformation zone of the capsule in order to have pivoting take place in more controlled manner. The deformation zone preferably extends up to, or between, the two outer ends of the tear line. In the case a fold line is prearranged in the deformation zone, the fold line preferably extends to both outer ends of the tear line. The optionally prearranged fold line present during pivoting can form the deformation zone in its entirety, although it is also possible to envisage the deformation zone being larger than the fold line. It is also possible to envisage a plurality of fold lines being prearranged in the deformation zone as well as a plurality of fold lines occurring (spontaneously) in the deformation zone during opening of the bottom wall. It is possible to envisage a plurality of tear lines being applied. These tear lines can for instance have a substantially parallel orientation, but can for instance also lie mutually in line.
The housing of the capsule is preferably given a substantially form-retaining form. The housing can for instance be manufactured via thermoforming or injection moulding. A form-retaining capsule housing can for instance be arranged firmly in the capsule holder. The (tub-shaped) housing is preferably manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic. The capsule is intended substantially for once-only use, whereby it is generally desirable that the capsule be biodegradable in order to limit the environmental impact. This is possible for instance with the use of a material on potato starch basis.
In a possible embodiment variant the housing is manufactured from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer. Another material layer can for instance function as moisture barrier layer. The housing can for instance be manufactured from two fusion weldable polylactic acid (PLA) layers with a PLA core therebetween. This material has good mechanical properties, this being important for optionally enabling
clamping or at least holding of the capsule in position in the device. This laminate of material layers also has a good moisture transmission and acts as good oxygen barrier. The capsule can for instance also be manufactured from other (bio)polymers. In a preferred embodiment the closing element is flexible and is preferably formed by a foil. In order to enhance convenience of use when manually gripping as well as manually positioning the capsule, the closing element can for instance be provided with a tab which can function as handgrip and which for instance protrudes radially relative to the rest of the closing element. In alternative embodiments the closing element can be manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic, and/or from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer, and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer, wherein the possible above stated materials can likewise be applied. The closing element can for instance be connected by means of glueing or welding to the housing.
An embodiment is possible wherein at least a part of the housing facing toward the closing element and at least part of the closing element facing toward the housing are manufactured from substantially the same material. Materials which are substantially the same are easier to connect to each other, for instance by welding, since both material layers generally react in the same way to welding or glueing.
The initially closed capsule is preferably substantially moisture-impermeable so that the additive cannot come into undesirable contact with liquids, such as for instance the beverage, to which the content of the capsule can be added.
The optionally applied engaging edge of the capsule embodied as flange or shoulder is preferably connected to an end of the standing wall remote from the bottom wall. A capsule of asymmetrical cross-section is hereby obtained, wherein substantially the whole standing wall and the bottom wall are positioned below the engaging edge. The engaging edge has the function of enabling easier attachment of the closing element to the housing, but also has a supporting function in that the capsule supports on the engaging edge (in the capsule holder). It is also possible to envisage the engaging edge being positioned at a distance from opposite end surfaces of the standing wall. The
standing wall protrudes here on two sides relative to the engaging edge. When for instance the engaging edge is not applied, the closing element can also be (directly) connected to the standing wall. It is also possible to envisage connecting the closing element to both the engaging edge (when applied) and the standing wall. The standing wall of the capsule can for instance have a substantially frustoconical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape, but can also take a profiled form.
The present invention also relates to a housing for use in a capsule according to the invention and to a closing element for use in a capsule according to the present invention. Advantages and embodiment variants of the housing and closing element have already been described at length in the foregoing.
The invention further relates to a device for closing food product containers, such as beverage containers, in particular a bottle, comprising: a basic structure configured for coupling to an upper side of the food product container, in particular beverage container, which basic structure comprises at least one capsule holder for holding a capsule according to the invention, an axially movable tubular passage channel for food product, in particular beverage, co-acting with the basic structure, wherein a lower part of the passage channel is provided with a perforation structure configured to perforate a capsule arranged in the capsule holder, which passage channel and the capsule holder are movable relative to each other between an upper state, in which the perforation structure is positioned above the capsule, and a lower state in which the perforation structure is positioned at least partially below a bottom wall of the capsule, and a cap coupled releasably to the passage channel for closing the at least one passage channel. An advantage of the device is that the movable passage channel (and/or the movable capsule holder) is configured to perforate the capsule on two sides (the closing element followed by the bottom wall) by means of the perforation structure, whereby the additive can on the one hand be released relatively easily and efficiently to a food product, such as a beverage, and whereby the additive-enriched food product can on the other hand then be removed relatively easily and efficiently from the food product container via the passage channel and can optionally be consumed (immediately) thereafter. The passage channel is deemed to be a (hollow) tube via which food product can be removed from a food product container. The passage channel preferably takes a substantially linear form, this generally facilitating movement of the passage channel
relative to another part of the device.
The device is connectable by means of the basic structure to the food product container. The capsule is positioned at least partially in the capsule holder. The passage channel is preferably lockable in the upper state and/or in the lower state. Locking of the passage channel ensures that the perforation structure does not move undesirably, and does not therefore for instance perforate the capsule undesirably. The passage channel can be configured for unlocking from a locked upper state by means of axial rotation of the passage channel relative to the basic structure. Unlocking by means of axial rotation has the advantage that a possible external, axially directed force on the passage channel does not result in unlocking, but that only an intentional rotation of the passage channel can result in unlocking, this preventing unintended perforation of the capsule. The passage channel is preferably provided with at least one protrusion configured for co- action with the basic structure. The protrusion, together with the basic structure, can for instance bound the movement of the passage channel relative to the basic structure. The basic structure preferably comprises at least one lower stop surface configured for co- action with at least one protrusion of the passage channel for defining (and bounding) the lower state of the passage channel. The basic structure preferably comprises at least one upper stop surface configured for co-action with at least one protrusion of the passage channel for defining (and bounding) the upper state of the passage channel.
The capsule holder is preferably configured to hold the capsule such that the bottom wall of the capsule is positioned below the closing element of the capsule. In other words, the closing element of the initially closed capsule faces toward the perforation structure - positioned in upper state - while the bottom wall faces away from said perforation structure. This prevents the capsule being placed upside down in the capsule holder, this preventing undesired functioning of the device.
An inner wall of the capsule holder is for instance shaped such that the capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in the capsule holder. The capsule being held in a preferred orientation in the capsule holder has the advantage that the other elements, such as the perforation structure of the passage channel, can be positioned relative to the capsule, and particularly relative to the deformation zone of the capsule. Perforation of a capsule by the perforation
structure can hereby take place for each capsule at the same location.
The inner wall of the capsule holder has for instance a cross-section differing from rotation-symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical. The capsule holder and the housing of the capsule have for instance substantially complementary shapes, whereby the asymmetrical shapes fit together in only one way, and are thus mutually aligned in coupled position.
The basic structure is for instance configured for locking, preferably clamping, the engaging edge of the capsule. The capsule is hereby fixed in the basic structure after insertion, whereby the capsule is located at a fixed position relative to the rest of the device. The basic structure comprises for instance a locking structure connected releasably to the capsule holder, wherein the capsule holder and the locking structure together define a receiving space for the engaging edge of the capsule. The locking structure is for instance configured for co-action with, and preferably for closing round, the passage channel.
The perforation structure is formed for instance by at least a part of a lower edge of the passage channel. The capsule can hereby be perforated easily by the passage channel through a downward movement of the passage channel. The lower edge is for instance embodied at least partially as cutting element preferably provided with a downward protruding, substantially tip-like perforation element for tearing open the closing element of the capsule. It is possible to envisage another part of the lower edge not being embodied as cutting element. In a lower state of the passage channel, and therefore also of the perforation structure, the cutting element is positioned at least partially, and preferably substantially wholly below the initial level of the bottom wall of the capsule, while the other part of the lower edge of the passage channel not configured as cutting element is positioned on or (just) above the initial level of the bottom wall of the capsule. In a lower state of the passage channel, and therefore also of the perforation structure, the cutting element is positioned at least partially below an underside of the capsule holder, while the other part of the lower edge of the passage channel not configured as cutting element is positioned on or (just) above said underside of the capsule holder.
The present invention also relates to an assembly of a food product container, such as a beverage container, in particular a bottle or cup, and a device according to the invention. The assembly preferably comprises a capsule according to the present invention received in the capsule holder of the device according to the present invention.
Non-limitative embodiment variants of the invention are described in the clauses below:
1. Capsule for holding an additive for adding to a food product, in particular a beverage, comprising:
- a substantially closed housing at least partially filled with an additive to be added to a food product, in particular a beverage, wherein the housing is at least defined by:
• a bottom wall,
• a standing wall connected to the bottom wall, and
· preferably a laterally protruding engaging edge connected at a distance from the bottom wall to the standing wall to enable locking, preferably by means of clamping, of the capsule in a capsule holder of a device for adding an additive to a food product, in particular a beverage, and
at least one substantially closed closing element connected to the laterally protruding engaging edge and/or the standing wall for containing the additive in conserved manner in the capsule, wherein the closing element is configured to be perforated by a perforation structure of the device, and wherein the bottom wall is provided with at least one tear line of limited length configured to be torn by, or under the influence of, the perforation structure following perforation of the closing element for releasing the additive, and wherein opposite ends of the tear line enclose a deformation zone of the bottom wall.
2. Capsule according to clause 1, wherein a peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular a peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, is shaped such that this capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in a capsule holder.
3. Capsule according to clause 1 or 2, wherein a peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular a peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, has a cross-section differing
from rotation- symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical.
4. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the tear line has a non-linear shape.
5. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the tear line has a circular arc shape.
6. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the outer ends of the tear line are oriented toward each other.
7. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the tear line has a smaller wall thickness than another part of the bottom wall. 8. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the tear line takes a discontinuous form.
9. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein at least one fold line is arranged in the deformation zone.
10. Capsule according to clause 9, wherein at least one tear line and at least one fold line connect to each other.
11. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the deformation zone extends up to the two outer ends of the tear line.
12. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the housing is given a substantially form-retaining form. 13. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the housing is manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic.
14. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the housing is manufactured from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is
formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer.
15. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the closing element is flexible and is preferably formed by a foil.
16. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the closing element is manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic. 17. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the closing element is manufactured from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer, and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer. 18. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the closing element is connected by means of glueing or welding to the housing.
19. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein at least a part of the housing facing toward the closing element and at least part of the closing element facing toward the housing are manufactured from substantially the same material.
20. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the initially closed capsule is substantially moisture-impermeable. 21. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the engaging edge is provided with a protruding handgrip.
22. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the additive is substantially in powder form.
23. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the engaging edge is connected to an end of the standing wall remote from the bottom wall.
24. Capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses, wherein the standing wall has
a substantially frustoconical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape. 25. Housing for use in a capsule according to any of the foregoing clauses. 26. Closing element for use in a capsule according to any of the clauses 1-24.
27. Device for closing food product containers, such as beverage containers, in particular a bottle, comprising:
a basic structure configured for coupling to an upper side of the food product container, in particular beverage container, which basic structure comprises at least one capsule holder for holding a capsule according to any of the clauses 1-25,
an axially movable tubular passage channel for food product, in particular beverage, co-acting with the basic structure, wherein a lower part of the passage channel is provided with a perforation structure configured to perforate a capsule arranged in the capsule holder, wherein the passage channel and the capsule holder are movable relative to each other between an upper state, in which the perforation structure is positioned above the capsule, and a lower state in which the perforation structure is positioned at least partially below a bottom wall of the capsule, and
a cap coupled releasably to the passage channel for closing the at least one passage channel.
28. Device according to clause 27, wherein the passage channel is lockable in the upper state. 29. Device according to clause 28, wherein the passage channel is configured to be unlocked from a locked upper state by means of axial rotation of the passage channel relative to the basic structure.
30. Device according to any of the clauses 27-29, wherein the passage channel is provided with at least one protrusion configured for co-action with the basic structure.
31. Device according to clause 30, wherein the basic structure comprises at least one stop surface configured for co-action with at least one protrusion of the passage channel in the lower state of the passage channel.
32. Device according to any of the clauses 27-31, wherein the capsule holder is configured to hold the capsule such that the bottom wall of the capsule is positioned below the closing element of the capsule.
33. Device according to any of the clauses 27-32, wherein an inner wall of the capsule holder is shaped such that the capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in the capsule holder. 34. Device according to any of the clauses 27-33, wherein the inner wall of the capsule holder has a cross-section differing from rotation-symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical.
35. Device according to any of the clauses 27-34, wherein the capsule holder and the housing of the capsule have substantially complementary shapes.
36. Device according to any of the clauses 27-35, wherein the basic structure is configured for locking, preferably clamping, the engaging edge of the capsule. 37. Device according to any of the clauses 27-36, wherein the basic structure comprises a locking structure connected releasably to the capsule holder, wherein the capsule holder and the locking structure together define a receiving space for the engaging edge of the capsule. 38. Device according to clause 37, wherein the locking structure is configured for co-action with, and preferably for closing round, the passage channel.
39. Device according to any of the clauses 27-38, wherein the perforation structure is formed by at least a part of a lower edge of the passage channel.
40. Device according to clause 39, wherein the lower edge is embodied at least partially as cutting element preferably provided with a downward protruding, substantially tip-like perforation element for tearing open the closing element of the capsule.
41. Assembly of a food product container, such as a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device according to any of the clauses 27-40. 42. Assembly according to clause 41, wherein a capsule according to any of the clauses 1-25 is received in the capsule holder.
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:
- figure 1 shows a schematic view of a capsule according to the invention;
figure 2 shows a schematic view of a capsule provided with a closing element according to the invention;
figure 3 shows a schematic view of a bottom wall of a capsule according to the invention;
- figures 4, 5 and 6 shows a cross-section of a schematic view of a housing
according to the invention;
figure 7 shows a schematic view of a device for closing food product containers according to the invention;
figure 8 shows a cross-section of a schematic view of the device, wherein the passage channel is positioned in an upper state;
figure 9 shows a cross-section of a schematic view of the device, wherein the passage channel is positioned in a lower state.
Figure 1 shows capsule (1) for holding an additive (not shown), comprising a housing (2) for holding an additive to be added to a food product. Housing (2) is defined by a bottom wall (3), a standing wall (4) connected to bottom wall (3), a laterally protruding engaging edge (5) connected at a distance from bottom wall (3) to standing wall (4) to enable locking, optionally by means of clamping, of capsule (1) in a capsule holder of a device (not shown) for adding an additive to the food product.
Figure 2 shows schematically a capsule (1) as shown in figure 1 provided with a closing element (6) for containing the additive in conserved manner in capsule (1). Closing element (6) is connected to the laterally protruding engaging edge (5).
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a bottom wall (3) of capsule (1) which forms part of housing (2) as shown in figures 1 and 2. Bottom wall (3) is provided with at least one tear line (7) of limited length configured to be torn by, or under the influence of, a perforation structure (not shown) following perforation of the closing element for releasing the additive, wherein opposite ends of tear line (7) enclose a deformation zone (8) of bottom wall (3), wherein at least one fold line (9) can be arranged in deformation zone (8) and/or wherein at least one fold line can be formed in deformation zone (8) during downward pivoting of (a part of) bottom wall (3). During perforation or tearing of tear line (7) the part of bottom wall (3) located inside tear line (7) thus folds round fold line (9), whereby this part can fold away around fold line (9).
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a housing (2) as shown in figure 1, which housing is partially filled with an additive (19), in this embodiment in the form of a powder. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the circled part of housing (2) as shown in figure 4, comprising a bottom wall (3), a standing wall (4) and a laterally protruding engaging edge (5), wherein bottom wall (3) is provided with a tear line (7). Tear line (7) is shown as local weakening of bottom wall (3). Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the circled part of bottom wall (3) of figure 5 provided with tear line (7).
Figure 7 shows schematically a device (8) for closing a food product container (9). Device (8) comprises a basic structure (11) configured for coupling to an upper side (10) of a food product container (9), wherein basic structure (11) comprises a capsule holder (12) for holding a capsule (1). Basic structure (11) also comprises a locking structure (13) connected to capsule holder (12) and an axially movable tubular passage channel (14) for a food product co-acting with basic structure (11). The lower part of passage channel (14) is provided with a perforation structure (15) for perforating a capsule (1) arranged in capsule holder (12), and a cap (16) coupled releasably to passage channel (14) for closing the at least one passage channel (14). Passage channel (14) is provided with at least one protrusion (17) configured for co-action with at least one stop surface (18) in basic structure (11).
Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-section of a device (8) as shown in figure 7, wherein passage channel (14) is located in an upper state. Perforation structure (15) of passage channel (14) is not in contact with capsule (1) in figure 8 such that in this situation the capsule is therefore not perforated by perforation structure (15).
Figure 9 shows a schematic cross-section of a device (8) as shown in figures 7 and 8, wherein passage channel (14) is positioned in a lower state wherein perforation structure (15) is positioned at least partially below bottom wall (3) of capsule (1). During the movement from the upper state of figure 8 to the lower state of figure 9 capsule (1) is perforated by perforation structure (15), whereby the content of capsule (1) is thus released. In figure 9 the tear line (7) (not shown) is situated substantially on the left-hand side of capsule (1) and the fold line (9) (not shown) on the right-hand side of capsule (1). The fold line (9) on the right-hand side is thus not perforated by perforation structure (15) in the lower state. This prevents the possibility of (at least) a part of bottom wall (3) dropping into food product container (9) after perforation.
It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims numerous variants are possible which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field. It is possible here to envisage that different inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the above described embodiment variants can be wholly or partially combined without departing from the inventive concept described in the appended claims.
The verb "comprise" and conjugations thereof used in this patent specification are understood to mean not only "comprise", but also the terms "consist of, "substantially consist of, "formed by" and conjugations thereof.
Claims
1. Capsule for holding an additive for adding to a food product, in particular a beverage, comprising:
- a substantially closed housing at least partially filled with an additive to be added to a food product, in particular a beverage, wherein the housing is at least defined by:
• a bottom wall,
• a standing wall connected to the bottom wall, and
· preferably a laterally protruding engaging edge connected at a distance from the bottom wall to the standing wall to enable locking, preferably by means of clamping, of the capsule in a capsule holder of a device for adding an additive to a food product, in particular a beverage, and
at least one substantially closed closing element connected to the laterally protruding engaging edge and/or the standing wall for containing the additive in conserved manner in the capsule, wherein the closing element is configured to be perforated by a perforation structure of the device, and wherein the bottom wall is provided with at least one tear line of limited length configured to be torn by, or under the influence of, the perforation structure following perforation of the closing element for releasing the additive, and wherein opposite ends of the tear line enclose a deformation zone of the bottom wall, wherein a peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular a peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, is shaped such that this capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in a capsule holder.
2. Capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall of the capsule, in particular the peripheral wall of the housing of the capsule, has a cross-section differing from rotation- symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical.
3. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tear line has a non-linear shape.
4. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tear line has a circular arc shape.
5. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer ends of the tear line are oriented toward each other.
6. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tear line has a smaller wall thickness than another part of the bottom wall.
7. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tear line takes a discontinuous form.
8. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one fold line is arranged in the deformation zone.
9. Capsule as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one tear line and at least one fold line connect to each other.
10. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the deformation zone extends up to the two outer ends of the tear line.
11. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the housing is given a substantially form-retaining form.
12. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the housing is manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic.
13. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the housing is manufactured from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer.
14. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element is flexible and is preferably formed by a foil.
15. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element
is manufactured at least partially from plastic, in particular a compostable plastic.
16. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element is manufactured from a laminate of material layers, at least one material layer of which is formed by an oxygen barrier layer, in particular a polymer oxygen barrier layer, and/or by a moisture barrier layer, in particular a polymer moisture barrier layer.
17. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing element is connected by means of glueing or welding to the housing.
18. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a part of the housing facing toward the closing element and at least part of the closing element facing toward the housing are manufactured from substantially the same material.
19. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the initially closed capsule is substantially moisture-impermeable.
20. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the engaging edge is provided with a protruding handgrip.
21. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the additive is substantially in powder form.
22. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the engaging edge is connected to an end of the standing wall remote from the bottom wall.
23. Capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the standing wall has a substantially frustoconical shape or a substantially cylindrical shape.
24. Housing for use in a capsule as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.
25. Closing element for use in a capsule as claimed in any of the claims 1-23.
26. Device for closing food product containers, such as beverage containers, in
particular a bottle, comprising:
-a basic structure configured for coupling to an upper side of the food product container, in particular beverage container, which basic structure comprises at least one capsule holder for holding a capsule as claimed in any of the claims 1- 23,
-an axially movable tubular passage channel for food product, in particular beverage, co-acting with the basic structure, wherein a lower part of the passage channel is provided with a perforation structure configured to perforate a capsule arranged in the capsule holder, wherein the passage channel and the capsule holder are movable relative to each other between an upper state, in which the perforation structure is positioned above the capsule, and a lower state in which the perforation structure is positioned at least partially below a bottom wall of the capsule, and
-a cap coupled releasably to the passage channel for closing the at least one passage channel,
wherein an inner wall of the capsule holder is shaped such that the capsule can be received in at least one preferred orientation, preferably only one preferred orientation, in the capsule holder.
27. Device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the passage channel is lockable in the upper state.
28. Device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the passage channel is configured to be unlocked from a locked upper state by means of axial rotation of the passage channel relative to the basic structure.
29. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-28, wherein the passage channel is provided with at least one protrusion configured for co-action with the basic structure.
30. Device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the basic structure comprises at least one stop surface configured for co-action with at least one protrusion of the passage channel in the lower state of the passage channel.
31. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-30, wherein the capsule holder is
configured to hold the capsule such that the bottom wall of the capsule is positioned below the closing element of the capsule.
32. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-31, wherein the inner wall of the capsule holder has a cross-section differing from rotation-symmetrical, in particular differing from circular-symmetrical.
33. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-32, wherein the capsule holder and the housing of the capsule have substantially complementary shapes.
34. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-33, wherein the basic structure is configured for locking, preferably clamping, the engaging edge of the capsule.
35. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-34, wherein the basic structure comprises a locking structure connected releasably to the capsule holder, wherein the capsule holder and the locking structure together define a receiving space for the engaging edge of the capsule.
36. Device as claimed in claim 35, wherein the locking structure is configured for co-action with, and preferably for closing round, the passage channel.
37. Device as claimed in any of the claims 26-36, wherein the perforation structure is formed by at least a part of a lower edge of the passage channel.
38. Device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the lower edge is embodied at least partially as cutting element preferably provided with a downward protruding, substantially tip-like perforation element for tearing open the closing element of the capsule.
39. Assembly of a food product container, such as a beverage container, in particular a bottle, and a device as claimed in any of the claims 26-38.
40. Assembly as claimed in claim 39, wherein a capsule as claimed in any of the claims 1-23 is received in the capsule holder.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2016799 | 2016-05-19 | ||
| NL2016799A NL2016799B1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2016-05-19 | CAPSULE FOR KEEPING AN ADDITIVE FOR ADDITION TO A DRINK, AND ACCOMPANYING DEVICE. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2018030893A1 true WO2018030893A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 |
Family
ID=56363903
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2017/050314 WO2018030893A1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-05-18 | Capsule for holding an additive to be added to a food product and corresponding container closing device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2016799B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2018030893A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3854721A1 (en) * | 2020-01-21 | 2021-07-28 | Asamedic AS | Two-component composition device |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3802604A (en) * | 1972-02-28 | 1974-04-09 | Oreal | Device for storing two products separately and dispensing them simultaneously |
| WO2002092440A2 (en) * | 2001-05-15 | 2002-11-21 | Biogaia Ab | Two-compartment container |
| WO2005009862A1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-02-03 | Rm Beteiligungs Ag | Plastic drinks bottle with cap |
| EP1795457A1 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2007-06-13 | Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. | Mixing vessel for two-part fluid or the like |
| US20100200536A1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2010-08-12 | Van Den Broek Lucas Karel Johannes | Cap for bottles with box for powder material for preparation of beverages |
-
2016
- 2016-05-19 NL NL2016799A patent/NL2016799B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2017
- 2017-05-18 WO PCT/NL2017/050314 patent/WO2018030893A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3802604A (en) * | 1972-02-28 | 1974-04-09 | Oreal | Device for storing two products separately and dispensing them simultaneously |
| WO2002092440A2 (en) * | 2001-05-15 | 2002-11-21 | Biogaia Ab | Two-compartment container |
| WO2005009862A1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-02-03 | Rm Beteiligungs Ag | Plastic drinks bottle with cap |
| EP1795457A1 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2007-06-13 | Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd. | Mixing vessel for two-part fluid or the like |
| US20100200536A1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2010-08-12 | Van Den Broek Lucas Karel Johannes | Cap for bottles with box for powder material for preparation of beverages |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3854721A1 (en) * | 2020-01-21 | 2021-07-28 | Asamedic AS | Two-component composition device |
| WO2021148402A1 (en) * | 2020-01-21 | 2021-07-29 | Asamedic As | Two-component composition device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL2016799A (en) | 2017-11-23 |
| NL2016799B1 (en) | 2017-12-05 |
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