WO2019172757A1

WO2019172757A1 - Capsules for containing a substance from which a beverage can be produced

Info

Publication number: WO2019172757A1
Application number: PCT/NL2019/050142
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Kay; Micha Alexander HELD
Original assignee: Euro-Caps Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2018-03-07
Filing date: 2019-03-07
Publication date: 2019-09-12

Abstract

A capsule for containing a substance from which a beverage can be produced, comprises a capsule body (10) that has a base wall (14), and a side wall (12). The base wall (14) has a passageway (32) in it through which the beverage can flow out of the capsule. A closure structure is provided in the passageway (32) that comprises one or more frangible passage closure elements (34) that each have one edge integral with a bounding wall of the passageway (32). The frangible passage closure elements (34) are constructed to fail, for example when subjected to an extraction pressure created in the capsule, permitting the beverage to flow through the passageway (32) and out of the capsule.

Description

Title: CAPSULES FOR CONTAINING A SUBSTANCE FROM WHICH A BEVERAGE CAN BE PRODUCED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to capsules for containing a substance from which a beverage can be produced, in particular extracted.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A widely used system for producing a beverage from a substance contained in a capsule is referred to as the Dolce Gusto (Registered Trade Mark) system. The capsule body used with this system comprises a frustoconical side wall and, at the smaller end of the capsule, a transverse base wall. The base wall has a central opening through which, during extraction, the beverage flows. There is a flange encircling the capsule body at its wider end. This end is closed by means of a foil after the capsule body has been filled.

The base wall has an internal well and a loose element with spikes or raised ridges on its top face is located in this well. A second foil and a filter disc are provided in the capsule body immediately above the loose element. This second foil and the filter disc form the lower end of the internal space in which the substance is contained. The filled body with foils and filter in place constitute a capsule which is ready for use.

Water injection takes place through a needle that penetrates the foil secured to the flange and pressurises the part of the capsule in which the substance to be extracted is contained. The lower foil and the filter are pressed down against the spikes or raised ridges of the loose element. Parts of the foil are consequently unsupported and the pressure causes the foil to burst so that a multitude of holes are formed in it. The filter disc, being of flexible material, conforms to the shape of the element and does not burst.

The spikes and/or ridges form a labyrinth which causes the extracted beverage flowing out of the capsule to become foamy and produce the crema which forms the top layer of the extracted beverage.

European Patent Specification EP 1 784 344 B1 discloses a capsule of this type. The spiked element is a loose disc-like part and must, during assembly, be located in a well provided therefor at the center of the base wall of the cup which contains the substance to be extracted. The peripheries of the foil and filter are welded to an internal shoulder of the capsule.

Handling and positioning the disc-like part, the foil and filter disc in an environment where capsules are being assembled, filled and closed at, say, 1400 per minute, poses significant problems.

A disadvantage of this cartridge of EP 1 784 344 is that the capsule construction leaves to be desired cq improved. Its manufacturing comprises some stages that are relative difficult to handle, and that require additional handlings and/or actions.

Furthermore it is disadvantageous that its technique of keeping the capsule closed at its base wall side by means of the burstable lower foil placed inside the capsule, is only usable for a limited number of capsule types, that is to say ones comprising spikes or raised edges for having beverage pressure being able to cause the lower foil to burst.

Another disadvantage is that an additional distinctive lower foil is required that needs to be attached to a step on an inside of the capsule, and that must be dimensioned such that it covers substantially the entire base wall. Otherwise it cannot be guaranteed that the capsule is closed at its base wall side.

Yet another disadvantage is that with this foreseen technique the filter disc gets to lie entirely on top of the burstable lower foil and thus shall cover the entire burstable lower foil. In practice it however occurs that the lower foil only shall burst at a limited number of locations in between the spikes or sharp raised edges, because as soon as that has happened the pressure inside the capsule shall quickly drop to such a low level that it is no longer able to also have the other portions of the lower foil burst. This then results in large areas of the filter disc and of the substance lying on top of those unbursted filter disc areas remaining unused.

The present invention aims to at least partly overcome these disadvantages or to provide a usable alternative. In particular the invention aims to provide a capsule that can be manufactured cost effective and of which the closing technique at its base wall side can be used for application to various capsule platforms. More in particular, the present invention aims to provide a capsule which does not include a loose disc-like spiked part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention this aim is achieved by means of the capsule according to claim 1. This capsule for containing a substance from which a beverage can be produced, comprises a capsule body that comprises a base wall and a side wall, wherein the base wall has a passageway in it through which the beverage can flow out of the capsule. According to the inventive thought a closure structure is provided in said passageway that comprises one or more frangible passage closure elements each having one edge integral with a bounding wall of the passageway, wherein the frangible passage closure elements are constructed to fail, for example when subjected to an extraction pressure created in the capsule, permitting the beverage to flow through the passageway and out of the capsule.

Thus advantageously a capsule is provided of which the capsule body can be made, in particular by means of moulding, more in particular by means of injection moulding, as one integral piece including a forming of the integral closure structure with its frangible passage closure elements. Owing to the provision of the frangible passage closure elements integrally joined with the capsule body, a number of important advantages can be achieved. For example the manufacturing of the inventive capsule can take place with a minimum of handlings and/or actions. The capsule body including its integral closure structure can now for example be formed in one go inside a mould.

Furthermore it is advantageous that the inventive integrally formed closure structure can be used for a various capsule types, including ones that no longer need to comprise spikes or sharp raised edges above its base wall for having beverage pressure being able to cause some kind of distinctive lower closure foil to burst, and including ones with or without a spigot or other type of protrusion extending outwardly from the base wall.

There no longer is a need for having to manufacture a complex and expensive distinctive member that comprises said spikes or sharp raised edges and which distinctive member needs to be carefully positioned inside the capsule body during manufacturing. It is now possible to have the frangible passage closure elements reliably seal a dispensing opening in or underneath the base wall of the capsule body. Having to provide a distinctive additional fluid impermeable burstable lower foil on an inside of the capsule body also is no longer required. This makes the production process more cost efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly.

Another advantage is that the integral closure structure can be dimensioned way smaller than the entire base wall. This is no longer necessary for being able to guarantee that the capsule is closed at its base wall side.

Yet another important advantage is that with the invention a lower filter disc no longer has to lie on top and cover an entire burstable foil. This makes it possible to have an entire filter disc and all of the substance lying on top of this filter disc operative and usable during extraction. This is deemed to result in improved quality and taste of the extracted beverage.

The passageway can form an outlet opening that is fully functional for permitting extracted beverage to immediately start flowing out of the capsule body as soon as the one or more frangible passage closure elements have (been) opened. This opening can take place outwardly when effected by means of fluid pressure that quickly builds up inside the capsule during starting of extraction. It is however also possible to have the frangible passage closure elements get actively opened inwardly by means of having a pushing or piercing element exerting an inwardly directed force upon the frangible passage closure elements.

In an embodiment, zones of the frangible passage closure elements, for example zones that join the frangible passage closure elements to the bounding wall, can be made thinner or weaker than a remainder of the frangible passage closure elements such that those zones shall be the first ones to break/fail, for example when subjected to the extraction pressure created in the capsule. Thus a reliable and controllable opening can be obtained for the frangible passage closure elements. By suitable choosing positions for the thinner or weaker zones, a desired failing behaviour can be obtained. For example the thinner or weaker zones can be provided along merely part of its joining edges with the capsule body. The remaining joining edges, that is to say the ones that are made thicker or stronger, then after breaking of the thinner or weaker zones, can guarantee that the frangible passage closure elements remain partly joined to the capsule body such that after having (been) opened, they do not become entirely loose and cannot end up in for example a cup that gets filled with the extracted beverage.

It is possible that merely one integrally formed frangible passage closure element spans the entire cross-section of the passageway. In a preferred embodiment, the closure structure however may comprise a core that has a central section which is co-axial with said passageway, wherein the frangible passage closure elements, that then in particular extend in between the core and the bounding wall of the passageway, each have one edge integral with the core. The core brings the advantage that it may help to increase the pressure created in the passageway during starting of the extraction such that sufficient opening force for the frangible passage closure elements can be and remains being created.

In addition thereto, the central section of the core may be of circular cross-section, said frangible passage closure elements then being arcuate and co-axial with said central section. Thus a rotation- or mirror- symmetric closure structure can be created.

In addition thereto, the core may comprise an upper part in the form a cone. The cone shape then can be used to induce a venturi effect to the beverage flow in the passageway.

In an embodiment, the closure structure may comprise a transverse bar which spans across said passageway and which subdivides said passageway into sub-passageways, the frangible passage closure elements being on each side of the bar and each having one edge integral with said bar. The provision of the bar may help to locally strengthen the construction with the frangible passage closure elements. Furthermore it helps to create at least two of such frangible passage closure elements such that one can be used as back up should the other one not break/fail.

When the bar is used in combination with the core, the frangible passage closure elements on each side of the bar may have one edge integral with said bar, one edge integral with the bounding wall of the passageway and one edge integral with the core.

In an embodiment, capsule body material, of which the capsule body has been made, may have some resiliency or memory such that when the extraction pressure drops at the end of an extraction period, the frangible passage closure elements then tend to return to their initial positions for at least partially resealing the passageway and inhibiting dripping from the capsule of residual liquid in the capsule.

In an embodiment, an internal surface of the base wall may be integrally made, in particular moulded, with a plurality of ribs that define flow paths that terminate at a periphery of the passageway that is provided at a centre of the base wall.

In addition thereto a lower filter disc may rest directly on top of the ribs. As indicated above the important advantage hereof is that the entire filter disc and all of the substance lying on top of this filter disc are operative and usable during extraction which results in improved speed of the extraction process, as well as in improved quality and taste of the extracted beverage.

In an embodiment, the passageway may continue downwardly below the frangible passage closure elements. This may help to form an aimed outflow pattern for the extracted beverage to flow out of the capsule.

In another embodiment according to the present invention there can be provided a capsule body comprising a frustoconical side wall, a transverse base wall at the smaller end of the side wall, a spigot protruding outwardly from the base wall and having a passageway in it through which the beverage can flow whilst being extracted, a core structure in said passageway subdividing said passageway into two passages, said core structure including a transverse bar which spans across said passageway, there being on each side of said bar frangible passage closure elements each having one edge integral with said bar and one edge integral with the bounding wall of the passageway, the zones of the closure elements that join the closure elements to the bar and wall being thinner than the remainder of the closure element whereby they fail when subjected to the extraction pressure created in the capsule.

Said core structure can include a central section which is of circular cross-section and co-axial with said passageways, said closure elements each being arcuate and co-axial with said central section.

Further preferred embodiments of the capsule are stated in the subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a capsule body in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the capsule body of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is underneath view of the capsule body of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are diametrical sections through the capsule body, the sections being at right angles to one another and on the lines IV-IV and V-V respectively of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic, cut away pictorial view of the capsule of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing a quarter of the capsule;

Figure 8 shows a first variant of a capsule body in a similar view as Figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a second variant of a capsule body in a similar view as Figure 5; and

Figure 10a, b, c show a third variant of a capsule body in a similar view as Figure 6, in a partial side view, and in a top view respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The injection moulded capsule body illustrated is designated 10 and comprises a frusto conical sidewall 12, a base wall 14 closing the smaller diameter end of the capsule body and a flange 16 encircling the larger diameter end of the capsule body. External ribs 18 are provided to strengthen the body 10. Internally the body 10 is stepped to provide a circular surface 20 to which the periphery of the filter disc (not shown) is secured after the requisite quantity of the substance to be extracted has been charged into the body. A foil disc (not shown) attached to the flange 16 hermetically seals the body.

The internal surface of the base wall 14 is moulded with a plurality of ribs 22 (Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6) and with a circumferentially extending peripheral surface 21 (see particularly Figures 6 and 7) which faces the wider end of the body. The ribs 22 extend radially inwardly from the radially inner edge of the surface 21 and terminate at the periphery of a well 24 provided at the centre of the base wall 14. The well 24 is within an external spigot 26 which protrudes from the wall 14. A lower filter disc (not shown) is attached to the surface 21 before the capsule is filled.

A core structure in the form of a bar extends across the well 24 between diametrically opposed locations of the bounding surface of the well 24. The upper part of the bar 28 is in the form of a cone 30 (see Figure 5).

The cone 30 defines, between itself and the bounding surface of the well, two semi circular passageways 32. These encircle the cone 30. At their lower ends the passageways are closed by two semi-circular strips 34. The strips 34 are joined along their radially outer arcuate edges to the inner surface of the spigot 26 and along their radially inner arcuate edges to the cone 30. Where the inner and outer edges of the strips 34 join the cone 30 and the bounding wall of the well, there are narrow semi-circular zones, best seen in Figures 2 and 3, where the moulded material is thinner than is the material of the strips 34 themselves. These zones are illustrated by the pairs of double lines 34.1 in Figures 2 and 3, the strips 34 being between these lines.

Below the strips 34 the bar 28 spans between opposed zones of the bounding surface of the well 24. The passageway 32 continue downwardly below the strips 34 and open through the end of the spigot remote from the base wall 14.

To extract a beverage, a hollow probe is used to pierce the sealing foil attached to the flange 16. The tip of the probe is between the foil and the filter disc that is supported by the surface 20. Hot water is injected and flows through the filter disc into the charge of coffee or other beverage producing material which is in the body. The extracted beverage flows through the lower filter disc and pressure steadily builds up in the closed well 24. Upon a sufficient pressure being achieved, the thin zones which join the strips 34 to the spigot and the bar 28 fail permitting the beverage to flow through the passageways 32 and out of the spigot. As the passageways are initially hermetically sealed by a strips 34, the use of a second foil which closes-off the open external end of the spigot 26 is not required.

The material used for the capsule can have some resilience or memory. When the internal pressure drops at the end of the extraction period, the strips 34 then tend to return to their initial positions. This has the effect of resealing, if only partially, the passageways 32 and inhibiting dripping from the capsule of the residual liquid in the capsule.

In Figure 8 a variant is shown of which the capsule body 10 comprises a side wall 12 that now directly connects stepless to an upper flange 16 and that now no longer is provided with an external profile, like ribs, such that it has become fully smooth. The base wall 14 is substantially the same as in the embodiment of Figure 1-7 and comprises a spigot 26 that protrudes outwardly from the base wall 14 that forms a bounding wall for a passageway 32 extending in an axial direction y through it.

A closure structure is integrally formed together with the rest of the capsule body 10, for example co-injection moulded out of a plastic material together with the side and base walls 12, 14 thereof as well as together with ribs 22 on top of the base wall 14. This integral closure structure comprises an upwardly as well as downwardly projecting core 30 and semi circular strips as arcuate ring-segment-shaped frangible passage closure elements 34 extending around a middle portion of the core 30. Both the core 30 and the elements 34 lie co-axial with a central axis y of the capsule body 10.

The arcuate ring-segment-shaped frangible passage closure elements 34 have their radial outer edge integrally joined with the bounding wall of the passageway 32, and have their radial inner edge integrally joined with the core 30. The frangible passage closure elements 34 are made such that they fail or break easily under pressure and for that in their entirety are made with thinner/weaker walls than the side and base walls 12, 14. If desired the elements 34 can be made with some additional thinner/weaker zones, for example along their radial outer and/or inner edges. It is however also possible to make a number of such thinner/weaker zones in the radial direction, for example in between adjacent ones of the elements 34.

The core 30 comprises an upper part in the form a cone as well as a lower part in the form of a cone. The upper cone part then together with the bounding wall causes the passageway 32 to narrow in the downward flow direction towards the elements 30. This results in a venturi effect that may help to more easily have the elements 30 break or fail. The lower cone part then together with the bounding wall causes the passageway 32, that continues downwardly below the frangible passage closure elements 34, to widen in the downward flow direction away from the elements 30. This results in a more steady flow with which the extracted or produced beverage shall flow out of the capsule. The ribs 22 on top of the base wall 14 now comprise main ribs 22’ and subsidiary ribs 22” in between them. The main ribs 22’ extend up till a periphery of where the central passageway 32 starts. The subsidiary ribs 22” stop at a distance thereof. In between the ribs 22 flow paths are defined that connect to the passageway 32. A lower filter disc (not shown) can easily be placed directly on top of flat upper walls of the ribs 22.

In Figure 9 another variant is shown. This one differs from the one in Figure 8 in that the base wall 14 now is no longer provided with co-moulded ribs or the like. Furthermore, the closure structure now comprises a core 30 with a lower part in the form of a cylinder that together with the downwardly sloping bounding wall of the spigot 26 here causes the venturi effect to continue to arise downstream of the frangible passage closure elements 34.

Finally it is noted that the frangible passage closure elements 34 here are made in their entirety such thin walled that they have the freedom to break or fail at each desired location. No weakened zones or the like have to be provided for that.

In Figure 10 yet another variant is shown. This one differs in that it does not have a spigot or other type of protrusion extending outwardly from the base wall 14. The base wall 14 in its centre comprises a passageway 32 delimited by an inwardly projecting bounding wall 40. A number of radially extending ribs 22’ are provided on top of and co-moulded with the base wall 14 that end up against the bounding wall 40 at positions where outlet openings 41 are provided in that bounding wall 40. Between the ribs 22’ intermediate ribs 22” are provided.

An integrally formed co-moulded closure structure is provided at an external end of the passageway 32 and here is formed as a thin walled integral co-moulded disc-shaped frangible passage closure element 34. The closure element 34 here comprises radially extending weakened zones 34.1 that end up in a center of the capsule body. Together those weakened zones 34.1 make it easy for a puncturing element, like for example a needle, to get pressed right in the middle into and through the closure element 34 in order to have it break/fail.

Besides the embodiments shown numerous variants are possible. For example the dimensions and shapes of the various parts can be altered. Also it is possible to make combinations between advantageous aspects of the shown embodiments. Instead of injection moulding, the capsule body can also be made by means of thermoforming or deep drawing or other suitable manufacturing method as long as it remains possible to have the frangible passage closure elements formed integral with the capsule body. All kinds of materials can be used for making the capsule body. Preferably those materials are biodegradable and/or recyclable. When manufactured by means of injection moulding, the capsule body preferably is made out of synthetic plastics material like polypropylene (PP). Other plastic materials are however also possible.

A label, for example a label of a laminated construction and/or one that at least comprises an oxygen barrier, like an aluminium foil, can be laminated to the capsule body material by means of for example an in-mould labelling technique.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and therefore will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A capsule for containing a substance from which a beverage can be produced, comprising:

- a capsule body (10) that comprises:

o a base wall (14);

o a side wall (12),

the base wall (14) having a passageway (32) in it through which the beverage can flow out of the capsule,

characterized through.

a closure structure in said passageway (32) that comprises one or more frangible passage closure elements (34) each having one edge integral with a bounding wall of the passageway (32), wherein the frangible passage closure elements (34) are constructed to fail, for example when subjected to an extraction pressure created in the capsule, permitting the beverage to flow through the passageway (32) and out of the capsule.

2. Capsule according to claim 1 , wherein zones (34.1) of the frangible passage closure elements (34), in particular zones that join the frangible passage closure elements (34) to the bounding wall, are thinner or weaker than a remainder of the frangible passage closure elements (34).

3. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure structure comprises a core (30) that has a central section which is co-axial with said passageway (32), wherein the frangible passage closure elements (34) each have one edge integral with the core (30).

4. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the central section of the core (30) is of circular cross-section, said frangible passage closure elements (34) being arcuate and co-axial with said central section.

5. Capsule according to claim 4, wherein the core (30) comprises an upper part in the form of a cone.

6. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure structure comprises a transverse bar (28) which spans across said passageway (32) and which subdivides said passageway (32) into sub-passageways, the frangible passage closure elements being on each side of the bar (28) and each having one edge integral with said bar (28).

7. Capsule according to claim 6, wherein the frangible passage closure elements (34) are formed by semi-circular strips (34).

8. Capsule according to claim 6 or 7 and any of the claims 3-5, wherein the frangible passage closure elements on each side of the bar (28) have one edge integral with said bar (28), one edge integral with the bounding wall of the passageway (32) and one edge integral with the core (30).

9. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein capsule body material, of which the capsule body (10) has been made, has some resiliency or memory such that when the extraction pressure drops at the end of an extraction period, the frangible passage closure elements (34) then tend to return to their initial positions for at least partially resealing the passageway (32) and inhibiting dripping from the capsule of residual liquid in the capsule.

10. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a spigot (26) protrudes outwardly from the base wall (14) that has the passageway (32) in it, as well as the closure structure in said passageway (32) with the one or more frangible passage closure elements (34) each having one edge integral with the bounding wall of the passageway (32).

1 1. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an internal surface of the base wall (14) is integrally made with a plurality of ribs (22) that define flow paths that terminate at a periphery of the passageway (32) that is provided at a centre of the base wall (14).

12. Capsule according to claim 1 1 , wherein a lower filter disc rests directly on top of the ribs (22).

13. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the passageway (32) continues downwardly below the frangible passage closure elements (34).