WO2018065592A1

WO2018065592A1 - Capsule seal with double centring function

Info

Publication number: WO2018065592A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/075519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Huber
Original assignee: Xpressivo Ag
Priority date: 2016-10-07
Filing date: 2017-10-06
Publication date: 2018-04-12
Also published as: DE102016012044A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (12) for a single-serve coffee machine (2) comprising a rotationally symmetrical (41) main body (42), which can be received in a capsule cage (20) of the single-serve coffee machine (2), having a capsule interior (46) bounded by a circumferential capsule wall (44), which capsule interior (46) is open on an axial end face by means of a capsule opening (48), wherein a flange (54), having a support side (58) axially directed away from the main body (42) and having a pressing side (60) opposite the support side (58), adjoins the capsule wall (44) at the capsule opening (48) directed radially outwards. A pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20) formed of two pressing lips (28, 29) can be axially placed onto said pressing side, wherein an axially running intermediate space (62) extends radially on the capsule cage (20) between the two pressing lips (28, 29), and wherein on the pressing side (60) of the capsule flange (54) an axially projecting sealing lip (64) is formed that can be inserted into the intermediate space (62) between the two pressing lips (28, 29) of the pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20).

Description

Capsule seal with double centering function Description

The present invention relates to a capsule for a portion coffee machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

DE202009017911 U1 discloses a capsule for a portion coffee machine according to the preamble of claim 1. A disadvantage of this capsule is that for optimum sealing function between the capsule flange and the pressing lips, the capsule in the region of the capsule flange must be made of different materials. The capsule flange itself must be made of a hard material, for example in the form of aluminum, in order to withstand the high compression pressure.

In contrast, the material used for the seal must be soft so that it can flow during the pressing operation in the space between the two press lips and can reliably seal the gap between a pressing edge of the capsule cage and the capsule flange. However, the multi-component structure of the capsule in the region of the capsule flange is very cost-intensive in the production.

The object of the invention is to provide a capsule for a portion coffee machine according to the preamble of claim 1, which is much cheaper to manufacture, but still the gap between the pressing edge of the capsule cage and the capsule equally well seals.

According to the characterizing part of claim 1, the object is achieved in that on the pressing side of the capsule cage axially projecting a sealing lip is formed, which engages in the intermediate space on the pressing edge of the capsule cage between the two press lips. Preferably, the sealing lip should be pressed when pressing the press lips on the pressing side of the capsule flange to a bottom side of the intermediate space.

Introduced in the space between the two press lips Sealing lip on the pressing side of the capsule flange forms together with the gap a labyrinth gap between the pressing side of the capsule flange and the pressing edge of the capsule cage. Due to the labyrinth gap, when a hot beverage is brewing under pressure, the flow path for leakage water emerging from the capsule interior is extended between the pressing side of the capsule flange and the pressing edge of the capsule cage. The extended flow path represents a higher flow resistance for the leakage water and thus increases the tightness of the aforementioned gap. If the sealing lip can also be pressed against a bottom side of the gap, the gap is now closed radially not only at the two pressure points of the press lips, but additionally at a third pressure point on the bottom side of the gap passing through the engagement of the sealing lip is formed in the intermediate space. In sum, the labyrinth gap and the additional radial pressure point between the squeeze side of the capsule flange and the squeeze edge of the capsule cage at least equal, if not better, than if, as is conventional, just a softer material such as silicone than the capsule flange would be used pushes the space between the two press lips. On the other hand, no multi-component structure of the main body of the capsule made of different materials is necessary, so that the main body of the capsule including seal can be made in one piece, for example, with a primary molding process such as injection molding.

In a further development of the specified capsule, the base body of the capsule can therefore be an original molded part, in particular an injection molded part. In this case, the molded article can be made of a plastic.

In a particular embodiment of the specified capsule engaging in the intermediate space between the press lips sealing lip may be at least partially conical or conically tapered formed. In this way, the sealing lip when placing the capsule cage on the capsule flange together with the gap on the pressing edge compensate for low incorrect positions and align the capsule centric to the capsule cage.

With the arrangement of the sealing lip in a groove according to claim 2, the Sealing function further improved. The pressing edge can now be pressed not only against the pressing side of the capsule flange, but also or alternatively against the walls of the groove. In this way, at least the labyrinth gap is further extended.

With the formation of a groove width which is greater than a distance of the two press lips, according to claim 3, the aforementioned centering function is further enhanced, because thus larger incorrect positions between the capsule and the capsule cage can be aligned centrally.

Due to the inclination of the groove walls according to claim 4, an improved power transmission in the centering of the body of the capsule against the capsule käf is achieved.

If the two groove walls inclined differently according to claim 5, the groove wall can be used with the lower inclination for coarse centering and the groove wall with the greater tendency to fine centering.

The inclination angle according to claim 6 have been found in experimental experiments to be particularly suitable for the centering function.

The recess according to claim 7 saves material cost.

By the pinch seal according to claim 8, the sealing function can be further improved because this also compensates for minor bumps on the press lips of the capsule cage and the pressing side of the capsule flange.

The pinch seal can be arranged arbitrarily, for example, according to claim 9 on one of the groove walls. It is also the use of multiple pinch seals possible.

Contaminants can be absorbed in the radially encircling depression with the gripping rib received therein on the support side of the capsule flange. Unevenness caused by these impurities is then compensated by the squeezing lip, so that also on the support side a reliable tightness is guaranteed.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which will be explained in connection with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion coffee machine, and

2a is a schematic representation of a brewing group for the portion coffee machine of Figure 1 in a first operating state.

2b is a schematic representation of the brew group of Fig. 2a in a second operating state,

3 shows a representation of a capsule for the portion coffee machine of FIG. 1 from one side, FIG.

4 is a sectional view of a rotationally symmetrical body for the capsule of Fig. 3,

5a is an enlarged view of a capsule flange of the body of Fig. 4 according to a first embodiment,

5b is a schematic representation of a capsule flange for the body of Fig. 4 according to a second embodiment,

5c is a schematic representation of a capsule flange for the body of Fig. 4 according to a third embodiment,

FIG. 5 d is a schematic representation of a capsule flange for the body of FIG. 4 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, FIG.

5e is a schematic representation of a capsule flange for the body of Fig. 4 according to a fifth embodiment, Fig. 6a is a schematic representation of a section of the brewing group with a capsule flange of Fig. 5e having capsule in a first operating state, and

Fig. 6b is a schematic representation of a section of the brewing group with a capsule flange of Fig. 5e having capsule in a second operating state.

In the figures, the same technical elements are provided with the same reference numerals and described only once. The figures are purely schematic and above all not reflect the actual geometric conditions.

Reference is made to Fig. 1, which shows the perspective view of a portion coffee machine (2) for brewing an infusion beverage.

The portion coffee machine (2) comprises a housing (4), in which in Fig. 1 not visible interior of a sketched in Fig. 2a and 2b brewing group (6) is added. In the brewing group (6) the infusion drink is brewed. For this purpose, the portion coffee machine (2) draws water from a water tank (8). The brewed to the infusion drink water is then discharged through an outlet (10) to the outside.

For brewing the water to the infusion beverage, a capsule (12) via a feed opening (14) in the housing (4) in the brewing group (6) is inserted. In this capsule (12) is located in Fig. 2a and 2b to be seen infusion means (13) or preparation powder such as coffee powder, milk powder, tea, cocoa or the like. Thereafter, the brewing group (6) is closed by a lever (16) in a manner to be described. Upon actuation of a trigger button (18), the water is then heated from the water tank in a manner to be described in more detail, and the heated water is forced through the preparation powder in the capsule (12). The brewed beverage thus brewed is then discharged via the outlet (10). The brewing process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, which show a schematic representation of the brewing group (6) for the portion coffee machine (2) of Fig. 1 in two different operating states, will be explained in more detail.

The brewing group (6) comprises a capsule cage (20) and a capsule clamp (22), between which the capsule (12) is received during the brewing process. To clamp the capsule (12) defined between the capsule cage (20) and the capsule clamp (22), this has a retaining ring (23).

The capsule cage (20) comprises a capsule receiving space (24) which is open on one side and which is surrounded by a capsule space wall (26). At its free end, the capsule space wall (26) has a pressing edge (27) with which the capsule cage (20) during operation of the portion coffee machine (2) against the capsule (12) can be pressed. The pressing edge (27) in this case comprises an inner pressing lip (28) which is directed towards the capsule interior (24) and an outer pressing lip (29) which is directed away from the capsule interior (24). The press lips (28, 29) are not provided with a separate reference sign in FIG. 2b for the sake of clarity. Details on the mode of operation of the two press lips (27, 28) can be found, for example, in DE202009017911 U1.

Through the capsule cage (20) leads on one of the opening of the capsule receiving space (24) opposite side, a water pipe (30) through which water from the water tank (8) in the capsule receiving space (24) can be passed. Around the water pipe (30), cutting elements in the form of blades (31) are arranged in the capsule receiving space (24).

The capsule clamp (22) comprises a pyramidal plate (32) on which a plurality of small and non-referenced pyramids and a plurality of non-referenced through openings are formed between the pyramids. The pyramid plate (32) is carried on a funnel (34), which in turn is directed into the receiving space (36) of a carrier (38). The receiving space (36) of the carrier (38) is opened on the opposite side of the hopper (34) via an outlet opening (40) to the outlet (10). Before the operation of the portion coffee machine (2) with the previously described brewing group (6) is to be discussed in more detail, the structure of the capsule (12) is first explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The capsule (12) has a cup-shaped base body (42) which is rotationally symmetrical about a rotation axis (41) and in which a capsule interior (46) surrounded by a capsule wall (44) and visible in FIG. 4 is provided with a likewise in FIG 4 to be seen capsule opening (48) for receiving the infusion means (13) is formed. The capsule wall (44) comprises a capsule bottom (50) which can be pierced by the blades (31) of the brewing group (6) for introducing the water from the water tank (8) into the capsule interior (46) and a capsule shell (52) extending between the capsule shell (50) Capsule bottom (50) and the capsule opening (48) extends.

The capsule (12) further comprises at the capsule opening (48) a capsule flange (54) radially projecting from the capsule shell (52), on which a membrane (56) is fastened. At this Kapselflansch (54) is also the locking ring (23), which is formed integrally with this in the present embodiment. The membrane (56) is mounted on the capsule flange (54) such that the capsule interior (46) is sealed watertight.

Before the construction of the capsule (12) is further explained, the operation of the brewing group (6) and thus of the portion coffee machine (2) should be explained in more detail beforehand.

For operation of the portion coffee machine (2), the capsule (12) is first, as shown in Fig. 2a, applied via the feed opening (14) in the portion coffee machine (2) to the pyramid plate (32). Thereafter, the capsule cage (20) by means of the lever (16) against the flange (54) of the capsule (12) and the pyramid plate (32) is pressed. In this way, the capsule receiving space (24) is sealed in such a way that water supplied via the water line (30) can leave the capsule receiving space (24) only via the through openings through the pyramid plate. At the same time, pressing the capsule cage (20) against the flange (54) and the pyramid plate (32) of the capsule bottom (50) of the blades (31) pierced, whereby the capsule interior (46) to the water pipe (30) is opened. This condition is shown in Fig. 2b.

In the state shown in Fig. 2b now heated water via the water line (30) from the water tank (8) in the capsule interior (46). The heated water is there brewed with the infusion means (13) and pressed through the through holes through the pyramid plate (32) in the hopper (34). The brewed water and thus finally the brewed hot beverage leaves the portion coffee machine (2) finally via the outlet opening (40) and thus the outlet (10).

The capsule (12) to be seen in FIG. 3 is designed in a special way on its capsule flange (54).

The capsule flange (54) in the present embodiment has a support face (58) axially directed away from the capsule wall (44). On this support side (58), the capsule (12) in the brewing group (6) is placed on the pyramid plate (32). Opposite to the support side (58), the capsule flange (54) directed toward the capsule wall (44) has a pressing side (60) on which the pressing edge (27) of the capsule space wall (26) can press in order to operate a potion coffee machine (2) Gap between the capsule flange (54) and the pressing edge (27) for the above-described operation of the portion coffee machine (2) watertight seal.

For a high watertightness, the capsule flange (54) on its pressing side (60) can basically be designed as described in DE202009017911 U1 with a sealing material such as silicone, which is softer than a base material of the capsule (12) in the region of the capsule flange (54). This compared to the capsule flange (54) softer sealing material penetrates when pressing the press edge (27) on the pressing side (60) of the capsule (54) in an intermediate space (62) between the two press lips (28,29) and thus increases the tightness. However, the basic tightness in such a capsule is guaranteed by that the two press lips (28, 29) can even be pressed onto the hard capsule flange (54). The capsule of DE202009017911 U1 must therefore be made basically of different hard materials, which is economically suboptimal.

Here, the capsule shown in Figs. 4 and 5a attacks with the idea to form on the capsule flange (54) a sealing lip (64) which can engage in the intermediate space (62) between the two pressing edges (27). By the engagement of the sealing lip (64) in the intermediate space (62) this is filled by the sealing lip (64). If the sealing lip (64) is sufficiently dimensioned and fills the intermediate space (62), the intermediate space (62) is closed and thus seals the gap between the capsule flange (54) and the pressing edge (27). In any case, the gap between the capsule flange (54) and the pressing edge (27) is formed as a labyrinth gap, which extends a flow path for water from the capsule interior (46) and thus acts just as well - if not better - in its sealing effect, like the silicone material from DE202009017911 U1.

The sealing lip (64) can be formed tapering at least in regions conically or tapered to press the press edge (27) of the capsule cage (20) on the press side (60) of the capsule flange (54) via the two sealing lips (64). To bring about a centering effect and thereby to support the alignment of the retaining ring (23), if not replace.

For optimum centering, the sealing lip (64) in a groove (66) may be arranged, in Fig. 5a by the securing ring (23) and between the sealing lip (64) and the capsule wall (44) lying further ring (68) is limited. The groove (66) is bounded by a first groove wall (70) and a second groove wall (72). The first groove wall (70) is formed on the retaining ring (23), while the second groove wall is formed on the further ring. Both groove walls (70, 72) are inclined away from one another with respect to a surface normal (74) of the pressing side (60). In this way it is achieved that the press lips (28,29) of the pressing edge (27) when pressing the capsule cage (20), the capsule (12) at right angles to the surface normal (74) move and position it. The angle of inclination of the two groove edges may be between 1 ° and 60 °, preferably between 3 ° and 45 °, and more preferably between 5 ° and 30 °.

In the groove (66), a pinch seal (76) is further formed, which are crushed when balancing the press lips (28,29) to compensate for unevenness.

In operation of the portion coffee machine (2) with a capsule (12) which comprises a base body (42) with a flange (54) according to Fig. 5a, grip the press lips (28,29) of the pressing edge (27) correspondingly radially outside and radially inside the sealing lip (64). Through the retaining ring (23) and the inner ring (68), the capsule (12) is thereby aligned with the capsule cage (20). The radially inner pressing lip (28) crushes the pinch seal (76) during this pressing process. In this way, a reliable seal of the gap between the pressing edge (27) and the capsule flange (54) is produced.

The inner ring (68), as shown in Fig. 5b and 5c, also omitted and replaced by the capsule wall (44). In this case, then the capsule shell (52) at the same time also forms the radially inner groove wall (72). To save material can be formed in the support side (58) has a circumferential recess (78). Alternatively or additionally, in the support side (58) and a circumferential recess (80) may be formed, in which then impurities on the pyramid plate (32) can accumulate.

Furthermore, in the intermediate space (62) between the two press lips (28,29) engaging sealing lip (64) in their width, shape and height can be designed differently. The wider the sealing lip (64), the better it fills the gap (62). The danger, however, is that the pressing lips (28,29) then no longer reach the pressing side (60) of the capsule flange (54), which impairs the sealing effect of the pressing lips (28,29). The height of the sealing lip (64) determines whether it can be pressed against a not further referenced bottom side of the intermediate space (62). If possible, this pinch point provides another leak point. Due to production-related Manufacturing tolerances and on the side of the capsule cage (20) and on the side of the capsule (12), it may happen that the height of the sealing lip (64) is too high and so a secure pressure of the press lips (28,29) on the pressing side ( 60) of the capsule flange (54) is no longer present.

The Quetschlippe (76) has in this context the further advantage that these tolerances can be compensated to a limited extent by them.

The exact geometric shape of the sealing lip (64) will therefore be adapted to the application depending on the corresponding capsule cage, in which the corresponding capsule (12) is to be used. Various possible geometric shapes of the sealing lip (64) are shown in FIGS. 5a to 5e. A particularly expedient embodiment of the sealing lip (64) and the groove (66), in which the sealing lip (64) is received, is shown in Fig. 5d and 5e.

Although in this embodiment, the radially inner groove wall (72) is designed as a perforation of the capsule shell (52), at the location of the inner groove wall (72), the capsule shell (52) is pulled radially outwardly, so that the capsule wall ( 44) is radially reinforced at this point. This has the advantage that the capsule wall (44) at this point can accommodate greater mechanical forces in the centering of the capsule (12) in the capsule cage (20).

The groove walls (70,72) are inclined differently in the embodiment of Fig. 5d and 5e. In this way it is achieved that one of the groove walls (70, 72) coarsely centers the capsule (12) in the capsule cage (20), while the other of the groove walls (70, 72) finely centers the capsule (12) in the capsule cage (20) , Furthermore, in addition to the radially inner side arranged pinch seal (76), as it is already known from Fig. 5a, also radially outside a pinch seal (76) are introduced into the groove. However, this pinch seal (76) need not be located on the bottom of the groove (66), but may alternatively be on the groove wall (70). The same naturally also applies to the radially inner pinch seal (76), which in principle likewise acts on the radially inner groove wall (72). can be arranged.

In the circumferential recess (80) on the support side (58), which can be provided for receiving impurities, optionally a Quetschlippe (82) can be arranged, which squeeze into the accumulated impurities and so also increase the tightness on can.

The mode of operation of the sealing lip (64) should be clarified once more with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b.

If the capsule cage (20) in a pressing direction (84) against the pressing side (60) of the capsule flange (54) pressed from a position shown in Fig. 6a in a position shown in Fig. 6b, so center first, the two groove walls (70,72) the position of the capsule (12) relative to the capsule cage (20). In the centered position of the capsule (12) it is ensured that the sealing lip (64) in the intermediate space (62) between the two pressing lips (28,29) of the pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20) is excluded.

The centering function can best be ensured by the fact that an opening-side wall distance (86) of the two groove walls (70, 72) is dimensioned larger at the groove (66) than a lip distance (88) between the two press lips (28, 29) of the pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20). However, the two groove walls (70,72) should be inclined in the manner already described and aligned with each other towards the bottom of the groove (66).

Depending on how the sealing lip is made geometrically, it fills the gap (62) between the pressing lips (28,29) more or less.

If the base body (42) of the capsule (12) is made of a plastically deformable material, such as a plastic, the longitudinal extent (90) and the height extent (92) of the sealing lip (64) during the pressing process by the two press lips (28,29) during the pressing process also be adjusted.

Claims

claims

1 . Capsule (12) for a portion coffee machine (2) comprising a rotationally symmetrical (41) basic body (42) which can be accommodated in a capsule cage (20) of the portion coffee machine (2) with a capsule interior (46) bounded by a circumferential capsule wall (44) and axially end is opened via a capsule opening (48), with a flange (54) directed radially outwards against the capsule wall (44) at the capsule opening (48) with a support side (58) directed away from the base body (42) and one of the support side (48). 58) adjoining the pressing side (60) adjoins the axially of a two pressing lips (28,29) formed pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20) can be placed, and wherein the capsule cage (20) radially between the two press lips (28, 29) an axially extending intermediate space (62), characterized in that on the pressing side (60) of the capsule flange (54) axially projecting a sealing lip (64) is formed, which in the intermediate space (62) between the two press lips (28,29) of the pressing edge (27) of the capsule cage (20) is insertable.

2. Capsule (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing lip (64) is received in a groove (66) extending from the pressing side (60) of the capsule flange (54) into the capsule flange (54).

3. capsule (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the groove (66) has a first groove wall (70) and one of the first groove wall (70) radially opposite second groove wall (72) whose radial wall distance (88) at least the opening side the groove (66) is greater than a radial lip distance (86) of the two press lips (28, 29) of the press edge (27).

4. capsule (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the two groove walls (70,72) are each inclined at an angle to a surface normal (74) of the pressing side (60) of the capsule (54) radially away from one another.

5. capsule (12) according to claim 4, characterized in that the Inclination angle of the first groove wall (70) is different from the inclination angle of the second groove wall (72).

6. capsule (12) according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that the inclination angle of the first groove wall (70) and the inclination angle of the second groove wall (72) are each selected from a range between 1 ° and 60 °, preferably 3 ° and 45 ° and more preferably 5 ° and 30 °.

7. capsule (12) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the capsule flange (54) radially on the outside of the capsule wall (44) seen on the support side (58) has a circumferential recess (78).

8. capsule (12) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a pinch seal (76) in the groove (66).

9. capsule (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the

Crimp seal (76) on one of the two groove walls (70,72) is formed.

10. capsule (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a radially encircling recess (80) with a quetschlippe received therein (82) on the support side (58) of the capsule flange (54).