WO2018147740A1

WO2018147740A1 - Capsule containing a product to be extracted, as well as assembly of two such capsules

Info

Publication number: WO2018147740A1
Application number: PCT/NL2018/050097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marinus Barbara Arnoldus Maria Stas
Original assignee: Stas I.P. B.V.
Priority date: 2017-02-13
Filing date: 2018-02-12
Publication date: 2018-08-16
Also published as: NL2020415A; NL2020415B1; EP3580145A1

Abstract

Of an assembly of two capsules, each capsule (71) has a cup (73) of an oxygen-impermeable material, is open on one side and is provided with an outwardly projecting flange (77). This open side is closed by a foil (79) which is attached to the flange over the entire circumference. An airtight sealing ring (70) is provided over the entire circumference of the flanges against the circumferential edges (77a) of the flanges by means of injection molding. This sealing ring seals the space between the two flanges in an airtight manner, so that the space in the capsule does not come into contact with the outside environment, even if the foil would have been damaged during attachment on the flange. In that case the space is closed by the foil and/or the cup of the other capsule and the extract present in the capsule remains its flavor and taste.

Description

Capsule containing a product to be extracted, as well as the assembly of two such capsules

DESCRIPTION:

Technical filed of the invention

The invention relates to a capsule containing a product to be extracted, in particular ground coffee beans, said capsule having a cup of an oxygen-impermeable material being open on one side, which open side is bounded by an edge and is closed by a sealing sheet of an oxygen-impermeable material which is connected to the edge.

During use of such a capsule in a device suitable for preparing coffee, the capsule is pressed with the sealing sheet against a wall provided with outflow holes, and having for instance a wafer structure. During the preparation of coffee, a liquid is then injected into the cup under high pressure and the sealing sheet is pressed against the wafer structure by the liquid pressure built up in the cup, whereby the sealing sheet tears open at a number of locations. A number of the partially teared parts of the sealing sheet will substantially close a number of outlet holes in the wall, so that in the end a limited flow opening remains. As a result, during the preparation process, the pressure built up in the capsule is maintained and a foam layer is formed on the coffee.

Background of the invention A capsule formed by a cup open on one side which is closed by a sealing sheet and in which a product to be extracted is present, is generally known in the embodiment of an aluminum cup which is closed by an aluminum foil. The known capsule is at the bounding edge of the open side provided with an outwardly projecting flange on which the foil is attached. Both the aluminum cup and the aluminum foil are airtight so that the extract in it remains fresh and the extract retains its aroma and taste. The disadvantage of this well-known capsule is that it is environmentally harmful unless it is recycled. The capsules must be collected or returned for recycling, which is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, capsules of biodegradable material are known. This material is not airtight. To make the cup airtight, it can be provided with an airtight barrier layer, for example silicon oxide. In these capsules the sealing sheet is formed with a plastic foil. This known capsule is also at bounding edge of the open side provided with an outwardly projecting flange to which the foil is attached. This foil can also be provided with an airtight barrier layer. When this thin, flexible foil is applied to the flange of the cup with the aim of obtaining an airtight connection, the film deforms (when gluing) and/or shrinks (when sealing or ultrasonic welding) and the airtight barrier layer is damaged and no longer shields the content from the environment in an airtight manner. The airtight barrier layer of the foil can also be damaged during the handling and packaging of the capsule during the manufacturing process. Damaging the barrier layer is harmful for the freshness of the extract in the cup. For this reason biodegradable capsules are packaged separately or with a number of cups in an airtight foil having an aluminum coating which is not biodegradable. Although this is more environmentally friendly than aluminum capsules, it is still harmful for the environment.

Summary of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a capsule of the type described in the preamble which is less harmful for the environment and in which the contents are better airtight sealed from the environment than with the known biodegradable capsules. To this end, the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that over the entire circumference of the edge a sealing ring of an oxygen-impermeable material is attached airtight to the sealing sheet and/or to the edge, which sealing ring connects the edge and the sealing sheet with each other in such a way that the space in the capsule is sealed airtight from the environment. This sealing ring can be applied to the edge and the sealing sheet without first having to secure the sealing sheet to the edge. When applying the sealing ring, the sealing sheet is affected considerably less than when sealing or gluing. This means there is less chance of damage to the sealing sheet.

An embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the cup at the boundary edge of the open side is provided with an outwardly projecting flange, the sealing sheet being connected to the flange, the sealing ring being airtight attached to the sealing sheet and/or on the flange. The sealing ring preferably closes the seam between the flange and the sealing sheet in an airtight manner over its entire circumference.

A favorable embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the flange in the side of the flange facing the sealing sheet is provided with an annular recess which extends over the entire circumference of the flange, wherein the sealing ring is present in the recess and the part of the sealing sheet present outside the sealing ring is attached to the part of the flange which is outside the recess. The advantage of this construction is that the zone where the sealing sheet is attached to the flange, for example sealed, and where the risk of damaging the airtight barrier layer is greatest, is outside the sealing ring and therefore cannot affect the seal. Furthermore, an important advantage of this construction is that the capsule and thus also the sealing sheet is completely flat on the side remote from the flange. If the sealing ring is to be provided by injection molding, the capsule with this flat side can be pressed firmly against one side of a mold, which is favorable for injection molding.

Another favorable embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the sealing ring closes the outer circumference of the contact surface between the flange and the sealing sheet in an airtight manner. If it is not attempted to attach the sealing sheet to the flange in an airtight manner, for instance by sealing or using a hotmelt, but for example with an adhesive layer, the change on damaging the barrier layer will considerably decrease. In order to still obtain an airtight seal, however, the circumferential edge of the contact surface (connecting layer) between the flange and the sealing sheet, which is exposed to the environment, must be sealed in an airtight manner, without thereby subjecting the sealing sheet to heavy mechanical loads in order to prevent the barrier layer from being damaged. This is realized in this embodiment by arranging the airtight sealing ring at the peripheral edge of the contact surface.

A further embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the sealing sheet with its circumferential edge being present between the inner edge and the outer edge of the flange and the sealing ring being present on the circumferential edge and the upper side of the flange.

Another embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the flange at the inside of the cup over the entire inner circumference is provided with a recess bounding the upper side of the flange, and the sealing sheet with its circumferential edge is present in the recess, the sealing ring being present between the circumferential edge of the sealing sheet and the outer circumference of the recess.

Yet another embodiment of the capsule according to the invention is characterized in that the circumferential edges of the sealing sheet and the flange coincide and the sealing ring is present around these circumferential edges. Preferably, the sealing ring is present not only at the circumferential edges of the flange and the foil, but also at the sides of the flange and foil facing away from each other.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the capsule according to the invention. As far as the method is concerned, the invention is characterized in that the capsule is introduced into an injection molding machine and over or near the entire circumference of the sealing sheet an airtight sealing ring is injection- molded on the sealing sheet and the flange. During injection molding, during the application of the sealing ring, the foil is pressed against the flange under a high pressure so that it is properly positioned and the sealing ring is tightly applied against and/or on the foil and the flange so that a good airtight seal is obtained.

The invention further relates to an assembly of two capsules in which the circumferential edges of the foil and flange coincide and the sealing ring is present around the circumferential edges. With respect to this assembly, the invention is characterized in that the capsules are present with the foils against each other and of each capsule the foil over the entire circumference is attached to the flange, wherein over the entire outer circumference of the flanges of both capsules a detachable, airtight sealing ring is present, which ring is connected airtight to both flanges along the entire outer circumference of the flanges. Even if the foil of one or both capsules is damaged as a result of the fastening (sealing, hotmelt), so that the space in the cup is no longer completely closed, the space in the capsule will not be in contact with the outside environment, because it is closed by the foil and/or cup of the other capsule, so that the extract present in the capsule retains its aroma and taste.

An embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the sealing ring not only being present at the outer edge of the flanges but also at the sides of the flanges facing away from each other.

A further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the sealing ring is weakened at a location along the circumference and at one side of the weakening is provided with a protruding tear-off lip. As a result, the sealing ring can easily be pulled off from both capsules, after which the capsules can be used in a suitable apparatus.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the assembly according to the invention. The sealing ring can be formed separately from strip material or an interrupted plastic ring having a C-shaped cross-section and subsequently arranged around the flanges which are pressed against each other, possibly with glue between them, and be connected to each other by the ends. The disadvantage of this is that many operations are necessary and that it is difficult to obtain an airtight seal. The assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the two capsules are brought together with the foils against each other in an injection molding machine and are pressed against each other, wherein the sealing ring being injection- molded around the flanges. During injection molding, the flanges are pressed against each other under high pressure and the sealing ring is placed against and/or partly around the flanges under high pressure, so that a good airtight seal is obtained.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of the capsule and the assembly according to the invention shown in the drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a first embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section;

Figure 2 is a detail at the location of the sealing ring of the capsule shown in Figure 1 with the sealing ring around the foil and flange;

Figure 3 is a detail of a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section with the sealing ring between the outer circumference of the foil and an outer edge of a recess in the flange;

Figure 4 is a detail of a third embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section with the sealing ring against the circumferential edge of the foil and on the flange;

Figure 5 is a detail of a fourth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section with a sealing sheet on the foil; Figure 6 is a detail of a fifth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section with the sealing ring at a distance from the outer circumference of the flange;

Figure 7 is a detail of an eighth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross section with a cup without flange and the sealing ring between the side wall of the cup and a ring attached to the foil;

Figure 8 is a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in cross-section with the sealing ring against the circumferential edges of the flanges;

Figure 9 is a detail of a second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in cross-section with the sealing ring around the circumferential edges of the flanges;

Figure 10 is a detail of a third embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in cross-section, wherein the flanges are provided with a protruding circumferential edge;

Figure 11 is a fourth embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in cross-section with a sealing sheet between the foils of the two capsules;

Fig. 12 shows the perspective assembly shown in Fig. 8 with a first embodiment of the sealing ring;

Figure 13 is a fifth embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in top view with a second embodiment of the sealing ring; and

Figure 14 is a sixth embodiment of the assembly according to the invention in top view with a third embodiment of the sealing ring.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section. The capsule 1 has a cup 3 being open at one side and being of biodegradable material provided with an oxygen impermeable barrier layer. This barrier layer may be present on the outer sides and/or inside of the cup or may be located between two layers of biodegradable material. At the boundary edge 4 of the open side 5 an outwardly projecting flange 7 is present. The open side of the cup is closed by a sealing sheet which is formed by a foil 9 which is fastened to the flange over the entire circumference of the flange by means of an airtight sealing ring 10. The circumferential edges of the foil and flange coincide here. Figure 2 shows a detail of the capsule at the location of the sealing ring. The sealing ring seals the outer circumference 13 of the contact surface 15 between the flange and the foil in an airtight manner. The sealing ring is injection- molded both against the circumferential edge of the flange and of the foil and on the opposite sides 17 and 19 of the foil 9 and the flange 7.

Figure 3 shows a detail of a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section. In this capsule 21 a disc-shaped recess 25 is present in the upper side of the flange 27 of the cup 23, which is adjacent to the inside 23a of the cup. The foil 29 is provided with the edge in the recess, the circumferential edge 29a of the foil being spaced apart from the outer edge 25a of the recess 25. The sealing ring 20 is arranged between the circumferential edge of the foil and the outer edge of the recess.

Figure 4 shows a detail of a third embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section. In this capsule 31, the circumferential edge 39a of the foil 39 is present between the inner edge 37a and outer edge 37b of the flange 37 of the cup 33. The sealing ring 30 is arranged on and against the circumferential edge 39a of the foil and on the upper side of the flange 37.

Figure 5 shows a detail of a fourth embodiment of the capsule 41 according to the invention in cross-section. Here, the open side of the cup 43 is sealed by a foil 49 which is glued to the flange 47. An oxygen impermeable sealing sheet 48 is provided on the foil, which sheet shields the foil which is not completely airtight. The sealing ring 40 is present around the circumference of the flange, foil and sealing sheet in order to seal the seams between the flange, foil and sealing sheet in airtight manner.

Figure 6 shows a detail of a fifth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section. In this capsule 51, the side of the flange 57 of the cup 53 facing the foil 59, is provided with an annular recess 52 which extends over the entire circumference of the flange. The sealing ring 50 is present in the recess and the part 59b of the sealing sheet which is outside the sealing ring is sealed on the part 57b which is present outside the recess of the flange. In the bottom of the recess there are a number of holes through which the ring material has been injection- molded into the recess. During injection molding the foil 59 can be applied properly because it is completely flat. On the other side of the recess, during the injection molding, a sealing ring can be formed against the flange which extends over the entire circumference and during the presence of the capsule in a device for preparing coffee, the sealing ring seals the space between the flange and a pressure cylinder in a liquid-tight manner. Figure 7 shows a detail of a sixth embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in cross-section. The cup 63 of this capsule 61 is not provided with a flange. The open side of the cup is hereby closed by an oxygen-impermeable foil 69 which is fixed to a ring 65. This ring is present in a recess in the edge 64 of the cup. The space between the edge and the ring is closed by a sealing ring 60.

Figure 8 shows a first embodiment of the assembly of two capsules 71 according to the invention in cross-section, wherein the foils 79 of the capsules that are secured to the flanges 77 of the cups 73 are present against each other. The films are sealed on the flanges 77 throughout the circumference. A band-shaped sealing ring 70 is present against the circumferential edges 77a of the flanges 77 and closes the gap between the flanges where the foils 79 are located airtight. The sealing ring 70 may be formed by an airtight tape which is adhered to the flanges. Preferably, however, the sealing ring 70 is provided by means of injection molding, whereby it is formed peelably on the flanges 77.

Figure 9 shows a detail of a second embodiment of the assembly of two capsules 81 according to the invention in cross-section. Here, the sealing ring 80 is present not only against the circumferential edges 87a of the flanges 87 of the cups 83 but also on the sides 87b of the flanges remote from each other. Optionally, between the sealing ring 80 and the peripheral edges 87a of the flanges 87, a layer of a sealing material, such as pur, is present.

In the detail of a third embodiment of the assembly of two capsules 91 according to the invention, shown in Fig. 10, the flanges 97 are provided with protruding ribs 98 over the circumference, so that the flanges are pressed against each other more firmly during the injection molding of the sealing ring 90, because the sealing ring not only presses against the sides 97b of the flanges facing away from each other but also presses the ribs towards each other. After the injection molding, the flanges remain firmly in contact with each other.

Figure 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the assembly of two capsules according to the invention in cross-section. This assembly differs from the assembly shown in Fig. 8 in that a sealing sheet 72 is present between the foils. This sealing sheet is attached to one of the capsules 71 with a first sealing ring 70a and is fixed to the other capsule with a second sealing ring 70b. If one of the sealing rings is pulled loose, the sealing sheet will remain attached to the other capsule and this capsule will therefore remain sealed airtight. In Fig. 12 the second embodiment of the assembly shown in Fig. 8 is shown in perspective with a first embodiment of the sealing ring. The sealing ring 70 is provided with a release lug 70a and has a diluted part 70b adjacent to the release lug. When pulling the release lug, the diluted part is ruptured, as a result of which the sealing ring is pulled loose of the flanges 77.

Figure 13 shows a detail of a fifth embodiment of the assembly of two capsules 101 according to the invention in top view with a second embodiment of the sealing ring. This sealing ring 100 is formed by a band which is arranged against the circumferential edge 107a of the flanges 107, wherein the end 100b adjoining the release lug 100a is attached to the other end 100c and can be pulled loose from this other end.

Figure 14 shows a sixth embodiment of the assembly of two capsules 111 according to the invention in top view with a third embodiment of the sealing ring. This sealing ring 110 is provided with two release tabs 110a. By pulling these lips apart, the diluted part 110b of the sealing ring breaks between the two release lips, after which the sealing ring can be pulled off the flanges.

Although the present invention is elucidated above on the basis of the given drawings, it should be noted that this invention is not limited whatsoever to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the context defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A capsule (1; 21; 31; 41; 51; 61) containing a product to be extracted, in particular ground coffee beans, said capsule having a cup (3; 23; 33; 43; 53; 63) of an oxygen-impermeable material being open on one side, which open side (5) is bounded by an edge (4; 64) and is closed by a sealing sheet of an oxygen-impermeable material which is connected to the edge, characterized in that over the entire circumference of the edge (4; 64) a sealing ring (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) of an oxygen-impermeable material is attached airtight to the sealing sheet and/or to the edge (4; 64), which sealing ring connects the edge and the sealing sheet with each other in such a way that the space in the capsule is sealed airtight from the environment.

2. The capsule (1 ; 21; 31; 41; 51) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup (3; 23; 33; 43; 53) at the boundary edge (4) of the open side (5) is provided with an outwardly projecting flange (7; 27; 37; 47; 57), the sealing sheet being connected to the flange, the sealing ring (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) being airtight attached to the sealing sheet and/or on the flange.

3. The capsule (1; 21; 31 ; 41; 51) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the sealing ring (10; 20; 30; 40; 50) over its entire circumference seals the seam between the flange (7; 27; 37; 47; 57) and the sealing sheet in an airtight manner.

4. The capsule (51) according to claim 3, characterized in that the flange (57) in the side of the flange facing the sealing sheet (59) is provided with an annular recess (52) which extends over the entire circumference of the flange, wherein the sealing ring (60) is present in the recess and the part (59b) of the sealing sheet present outside the sealing ring is attached to the part (57b) of the flange which is outside the recess.

5. The capsule (1; 41) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing ring (10; 40) closes the outer circumference (13) of the contact surface (15) between the flange and the sealing sheet (9; 48) in an airtight manner.

6. The capsule (31) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing sheet (39) with its circumferential edge being present between the inner edge (37a) and the outer edge (37b) of the flange (37) and the sealing ring (30) being present on the circumferential edge (39a) and the upper side of the flange (37).

7. The capsule (21) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the flange (27) at the inside (23 a) of the cup (23) over the entire inner circumference is provided with a recess (25) bounding the upper side of the flange (25), and the sealing sheet (29) with its circumferential edge (29a) is present in the recess, the sealing ring (20) being present between the circumferential edge (29a) of the sealing sheet and the outer circumference (25a) of the recess.

8. The capsule (1; 41) according to claim 5, characterized in that the circumferential edges of the sealing sheet (9; 39) and the flange (7; 37) coincide and the sealing ring (10; 40) is present around these circumferential edges.

9. The capsule (1; 41) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing ring (10; 40) not only being present at the peripheral edges of the flange (7; 47) and the sealing sheet (9; 49) but also at the sides (17, 19) of the flange and the sealing sheet facing away from each other.

10. The capsule (41) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open side of the cup is closed by a foil (49) attached to the flange (47) and, during use in a device for preparing coffee, is provided with outflow openings, wherein the sealing sheet (48) is present on the foil and has to be removed for use of the cup in the device.

11. The capsule (1; 21; 31; 51; 61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing sheet is formed by a foil (9; 29; 39; 59; 69) which, during use in a device for the preparation of coffee, is provided with outflow openings.

12. A method for manufacturing the capsule (1; 21 ; 31; 41; 51; 61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsule is introduced into an injection molding machine and over or near the entire circumference of the sealing sheet (9; 29; 39; 49; 59; 69) an airtight sealing ring (10; 20; 30; 40; 50; 60) is injection- molded on the sealing sheet and the flange (7; 27; 37; 47; 57; 67).

13. An assembly of two capsules according to claim 11, characterized in that the capsules (71 ; 81; 91; 101; 111) are present with the foils (79) against each other and of each capsule the foil over the entire circumference is attached to the flange (77; 87; 97; 107), wherein over the entire outer circumference (77a; 87a; 107a) of the flanges of both capsules a detachable, airtight sealing ring (70; 70a; 70b; 80; 90; 100; 110) is present, which ring is connected airtight to both flanges along the entire outer circumference of the flanges.

14. An assembly of the capsule according to claim 10 and the capsule according to claim 11, characterized in that the sealing sheet of each of the capsules (71; 81; 91; 101; 111) is present against the foil of the other capsule, wherein a detachable, airtight seal ring (70; 80; 90; 100; 1 10) is present around the entire outer circumference of the flanges of the two capsules and is connected airtight with both flanges along the entire outer circumference of the flanges.

15. The assembly according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the sealing ring (80; 90; 100; 110) not only being present at the outer edge (87a; 107a) of the flanges (87; 107; 117) but also at the sides (87b; 97b) of the flanges facing away from each other.

16. The assembly according to claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the sealing ring (70; 100) is weakened at a location (70b; 110b) along the circumference and at one side of the weakening is provided with a protruding tear-off lip ( 70a; 1110a).

17. A method for manufacturing the assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 13-16, characterized in that the two capsules (71; 81; 91; 101; 111) are brought together with the foils (79) against each other in an injection molding machine and are pressed against each other, wherein the sealing ring (70; 80; 90; 100; 110) being injection- molded around the flanges (77; 87; 97; 107).