WO2020128961A1

WO2020128961A1 - Method and apparatus for making a capsule for beverages and respective capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2020128961A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/061115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Bartoli
Original assignee: Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-19
Publication date: 2020-06-25
Also published as: IT201800020263A1

Abstract

Method for making a capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprises: obtaining by drawing a drinking-glass- shaped or cup-shaped capsule body (2) inside which a cavity (5) is defined, folding on itself an outer end (9) of an annular flange (7) of the body (2), inserting the body (2) into a support element (18), introducing into the cavity (5) a preset quantity of a soluble or percolable food product, laying a sheet (24) of covering material on the cavity (5) and the annular flange (7), obtaining from said sheet (24) of covering material, by welding to said annular flange (7) and shearing a covering element (10), folding an annular peripheral zone (29) of the covering element (10) around the outer end (9) of the annular flange (7). An apparatus for making a capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising a drinking- glass -shaped or cup -shaped capsule body (2) comprises one support element (18) configured for housing and supporting the body (2) of the capsule (1), at least one welding element (25) configured for welding to said annular flange (7) a sheet (24) of covering material, or a covering element (10), at least one shearing element (27) configured for shearing said covering element from said sheet (24) of covering material. The apparatus further comprises at least one first folding element (30; 45) configured for folding an annular peripheral zone (29) of said covering element (10), at least one second folding element (34) configured for folding further said annular peripheral zone (29). A capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising a drinking- glass- shaped or cup- shaped capsule body (2), comprising a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4), that define a cavity (5) closed at a first end by said bottom wall (3) and provided, at a second end opposite said bottom wall (3), with an opening (6), wherein said side wall (4) ends, at the opening (6), with an annular flange (7), that surrounds the opening (6) and ends in an outer end (9) folded on itself in the direction of said bottom wall (3) so as to form an end thickening of said annular flange (7), wherein said opening (6) is closed by a covering element (10) which is welded to said annular flange (7) and has a diameter (D1) that is greater than the outer diameter (D2) of the annular flange (7) so as to be able to be folded around said outer end, at least one ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a; 52) being applied to a peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10).

Description

Method and apparatus for making a capsule for beverages and respective capsule

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for making capsules or containers containing a food preparation that are usable in machines for dispensing a food product in the form of a beverage, in particular capsules made starting from a sheet of aluminium or other easily deformable material.

[0002] More in detail, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for obtaining a sealed, single-dose and disposable capsule, containing a food preparation, which can be in liquid form or in powder, syrup or pasty form, said capsule being able to dispense by a pressurized fluid the food preparation, which may be dissolved, or diluted, for subsequent uses, the capsule being usable in a beverage dispensing machine. Also the capsule obtained with this method and with this apparatus is an object of the present invention.

[0003] Dispensable and single-use capsules are known that comprise an outer casing, made of aluminium or another deformable material, which is impermeable to liquids and gases, said casing being drinking-glass-shaped or cup-shaped. In particular, the casing has a bottom wall and a side wall that define a cavity that has an opening on a side opposite the bottom wall, through which a food preparation can be inserted into the capsule from which to obtain a beverage. The opening is closed hermetically by a cover, typically a film containing aluminium or a multilayered film of plastics, so as to seal the food preparation inside the cavity of the capsule. The cover of the capsule is perforable by injection means of the dispensing machine to enable pressurized liquid to be delivered, typically water, with which to prepare the beverage.

[0004] The obtained beverage can be dispensed, for example, by perforating the bottom wall of the casing by extracting means of the dispensing machine, to permit dispensing of the beverage.

[0005] Alternatively, the liquid can be injected into the capsule by perforating with the injection means the bottom wall of the casing and the beverage can be dispensed by perforating the cover of the capsule by the extracting means of the dispensing machine.

[0006] The film that closes the capsule is welded to a peripheral flange, that surrounds the opening of the capsule and is intended to engage an abutting element obtained in a housing of the dispensing machine intended to receive the capsule, to ensure a seal between the capsule and said housing, so as to avoid, during use, leaking into the housing of the liquid delivered to the capsule, or of the beverage obtained from the interaction of this liquid with the food preparation contained in the capsule, owing to the high pressure generated inside the capsule during the injection of said liquid.

[0007] In capsules made starting from a sheet of aluminium or other easily deformable material of reduced thickness, of the order of a few tenths of a millimetre, it is difficult to succeed in ensuring the seal between the peripheral flange of the capsule and the housing of the dispensing machine.

[0008] For this purpose, it is known to provide the outer edge of the peripheral flange of the capsule with a bead, which is generally curl-shaped, that, when the capsule is inserted into the dispensing machine, is crushed against an abutting element of the housing of the capsule and, deforming, ensures a certain seal.

[0009] The deformation of said bead is not however homogeneous along the entire extent of the flange of the capsule, which does not ensure a secure and even seal along the flange.

[0010] Providing the capsule with a sealing element made of an elastic material is often known which can consist of a ring inserted elastically on the side wall of the capsule, or fixed to the side wall, in contact with the surface of the flange facing said opening of the cavity of the capsule.

[0011] The ring can be made by applying to the outer surface of the capsule a composition of elastomers, silicone, liquid or viscous plastic materials, and making said composition subsequently harden.

[0012] Making said annular sealing element is however complex and costly, thus increasing capsule production costs.

[0013] One object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for making a capsule for beverages provided with a sealing element that, when the capsule is inserted into a machine for preparing beverages, ensures a uniform and secure seal between the flange of the capsule and an abutting surface of the machine for preparing beverages, the method and the apparatus having to enable the capsule to be made relatively simply and with limited production costs.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for beverages provided with a sealing element that, when the capsule is inserted into a machine for preparing beverages, ensures a uniform and secure seal between the flange of the capsule and an abutting surface of the machine for preparing beverages. [0015] The objects of the invention are achieved with a method for making a capsule for beverages according to claim 1, with an apparatus for making a capsule for beverages according to claim 23 and with a capsule for beverages according to claim 35.

[0016] Owing to the invention, it is possible to obtain simply and cheaply a capsule for beverages provided with a sealing element that is able to ensure, when the capsule is inserted into a machine for preparing beverages, a secure and even seal between the capsule and a seat of the machine into which the capsule is inserted, so that leaks of liquid from the capsule cannot occur, that, in addition to causing soiling of the seat into which the capsule is inserted, may compromise obtaining of the beverage, because said leaks cause a drop in the pressure inside the capsule, which prevents the optimum pressure for preparing the beverage being reached, said decrease being able to compromise the quality of the obtained beverage.

[0017] Further, when the pressure is used that is generated inside the capsule during preparation of the beverage to cause tearing of the bottom wall of the capsule, in order to permit dispensing of the beverage, it is possible to avoid, owing to the invention, a pressure drop occurring that is due to leaks of liquid from the capsule, which could make tearing of the bottom wall of the capsule impossible, or cause tearing that is insufficient to ensure effective dispensing of the beverage.

[0018] Further features and advantages of the present invention are clear from the following description of embodiments of a capsule according to the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a section of a capsule according to the invention according to a plane passing through an axis of symmetry of the capsule;

[0020] Figure 2 is an enlarged detail PI of the capsule of Figure 1;

[0021] Figure 2A is the same enlarged detail as Figure 2, in which the covering element of the capsule and the sealing element have been omitted;

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a sheet of covering material used for sealing capsules according to the invention, above a first face of which a plurality of sealing elements for capsules according to the invention has been made;

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a sheet of covering material, like the one illustrated in Figure 3, above a second face of which a plurality of sealing elements for capsules according to the invention has been made; [0024] Figure 5 illustrates making sealing elements on the sheet of covering material according to Figure 3;

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates making sealing elements on the sheet of covering material according to Figure 4;

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates making sealing elements on both faces of a sheet of covering material;

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates two embodiments of sealing elements for a capsule according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 9 illustrates a sheet of covering material with a first face coated with a sealing material;

[0029] Figure 10 illustrates a sheet of covering material with a second face coated with a sealing material;

[0030] Figure 11 illustrates schematically a first step of the method according to the invention in which a sheet of covering material, from which a covering element of the capsule is obtained, is positioned on the capsule;

[0031] Figure 12 illustrates a second step of the method according to the invention, in which the sheet of covering material is welded to the flange of the capsule;

[0032] Figure 13 illustrates a third step of the method according to the invention, in which the covering sheet is so sheared as to obtain a covering element of the capsule, already fixed to the flange of the capsule;

[0033] Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a version of the method according to the invention in which the covering element is sheared before it is welded to the flange of the capsule;

[0034] Figure 16 illustrates a support element into which the body of the capsule is inserted during the operations of welding, shearing, folding and riveting of the covering element;

[0035] Figure 17 illustrates a fourth step of the method according to the invention, in which a peripheral zone of the covering element is folded downwards;

[0036] Figure 18 illustrates a version of the fourth step of the method according to the invention illustrated in Figure 17;

[0037] Figure 19 illustrates a fifth step of the method according to the invention in which the peripheral zone of the covering element is folded below the flange of the capsule;

[0038] Figure 20 illustrates a version of the fifth step of the method according to the invention illustrated in Figure 19; [0039] Figure 21 illustrates a sixth step of the method according to the invention in which a portion of the peripheral zone of the covering element is riveted against the lower surface of the flange of the capsule;

[0040] Figure 22 illustrates a seventh step of the method according to the invention in which on the peripheral zone of the covering element folded and riveted against the lower surface of the flange a sealing material is applied;

[0041] Figures 23, 24 and 25 illustrate versions of the method according to the invention, in which the sealing material is applied to the peripheral zone of the covering element before said peripheral zone is folded;

[0042] Figures 26 to 29 illustrate some versions of a capsule according to the invention;

[0043] Figures 30 and 31 illustrate a further version of a capsule according to the invention;

[0044] Figure 32 illustrates a detail of the capsule of Figures 30 and 31 ;

[0045] Figure 33 is an enlarged detail P2 of Figure 30;

[0046] Figure 34 illustrates a still further version of a capsule according to the invention.

[0047] In Figures 1, 2 and 2a, a capsule 1 according to the invention is illustrated that comprises a substantially drinking-glass-shaped or cup-shaped body 2, in turn comprising a bottom wall 3 and a side wall 4 that define a closed cavity 5, at a first end, by said bottom wall 3 and provided, at a second end opposite said bottom wall 3, with an opening 6 through which it is possible to introduce a soluble or percolable or liquid or pasty food preparation into the cavity 5, to be combined with a fluid, typically water, to obtain a final product in the form of a beverage. The food product can consist, for example, of coffee powder, tea leaves, from which a coffee-based or tea-based beverage can be obtained by percolation or infusion, or of a concentrated liquid or of a paste from which a beverage can be obtained by dilution.

[0048] The body 2 can be obtained by drawing from an aluminium sheet or from a multilayered sheet comprising at least one layer of aluminium and at least one layer of polymer.

[0049] The side wall 4 ends, at the opening 6, with an annular flange 7 that surrounds the opening 6 and extends in a plane tangent to the opening 6 and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0050] The annular flange 7 comprises a rectilinear portion 8 that extends starting from the side wall 4 and ends in an outer end 9, spaced away from the side wall 4 and folded on itself in the shape of a curl in the direction of the bottom wall 3, so as to form an annular bead and prevent the annular flange 7 having a cutting edge that could injure a user whilst the users handles the capsule 1.

[0051] The opening 6 is closed hermetically by a covering element 10, obtained from a sheet of covering material, for example aluminium or a multilayered material comprising a layer of aluminium and at least one layer of polymer material. The covering element 10 has a diameter D1 that is greater than the outer diameter D2 of the annular flange 7.

[0052] The covering element 10 comprises a central portion 10a that covers the opening 6, a first peripheral portion 11 that surrounds said central portion 10a and is welded, for example by heat- welding or ultrasound welding, to a first face 14 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, a second peripheral portion 12 that surrounds said first peripheral portion 11 and is wound around the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7, and a third peripheral portion 13 that surrounds said second peripheral portion 12 and constitutes an end portion of the covering element 10. The third peripheral portion 13 is riveted against a second face 15 of said rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 opposite said first face 14.

[0053] Said first face 14 faces away from said bottom wall 3 of the capsule 1, whereas said second face 15 faces said bottom wall 3.

[0054] The term“peripheral portion” refers to a portion of the covering element 10 that extends outside the portion 10a of the covering element 10.

[0055] An end portion 16 of the third peripheral portion 13 can extend on the side wall 4.

[0056] A sealing element 17; 17a is applied to said third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10. The sealing element 17; 17a has a radial extent that is less than the radial extent of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, so that there is a space SI between the sealing element 17; 17a and the side wall 4 of the capsule 1. The sealing element 17; 17a is applied to a face of said third portion 13 of the covering element 10 facing away from said annular flange 7.

[0057] When the capsule 1 is inserted into a suitable seat of a machine for preparing beverages, the sealing element 17; 17a engages with pressure an abutting surface of the machine so as to ensure that there is a seal between the capsule 1 and the seat into which the capsule is inserted so as to ensure that there are no leaks of liquid into said seat when a pressurized liquid is inserted into the capsule 1. [0058] The sealing element 17; 17a is made of a sealing material M that, by absorbing energy, reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformations, so as to ensure adaptation to the sealing systems with which it is placed in contact in a machine for preparing beverages. The sealing material M can be, for example, plastics, an expanded material, or a silicone-based material.

[0059] The sealing element can be shaped as a continuous ring 17, or shaped as a discontinuous ring 17a consisting of a plurality of portions 17b of sealing material M, having the shape of portions of circular crown, separated from one another by spaces 17c devoid of sealing material M, as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0060] The sealing element 17, 17a, can be made by applying the sealing material M to said third portion 13 of the covering element 10, after the covering element 10 has been fixed to the peripheral flange 7, as will be explained below.

[0061] Instead of resorting to applying the sealing material M, after the covering element 10 has been fixed to the peripheral flange 7, it is possible to use a sheet 24 of covering material on which, in set positions, a plurality of sealing elements 17, 17a has been made so that covering elements 10 are obtained on said sheet 24 by shearing, each of said covering elements 10 being provided with a sealing element 17 or 17a, which is arranged so that, at the end of application of the covering element 10 on the capsule 1, the sealing element 17, 17a is in a desired position .

[0062] In Figure 3, a sheet 24 is illustrated of covering material, wound in a reel 51 with a first face 24a provided, in set positions, with a plurality of sealing elements 17, 17a. Said first face 24a, is intended to face the outside of the capsule 1, when the covering material is applied to the peripheral flange 7 of the capsule 1.

[0063] In figure 4, a sheet 24 is illustrated of covering material, wound in a reel 51 with a second face 24b provided, in set positions, with a plurality of sealing elements 17, 17a. Said second face 24b, is intended to face towards the capsule 1, when the covering material is applied to the peripheral flange 7 of the capsule 1.

[0064] In Figure 5, applying to a sheet of covering material 24 of sealing elements 17, 17a, in set positions on the first face 24a of the sheet 24 of covering material is illustrated. Applying occurs by spraying onto said first face 24a the sealing material M in liquid form, by a spraying device comprising at least one spraying nozzle 44. The sealing material M can be applied continuously, to obtain sealing elements 17 shaped as a continuous ring, or can be applied intermittently to obtain sealing elements 17a shaped as a discontinuous ring. [0065] In Figure 6, the application is illustrated on a sheet 24 of covering material of sealing elements 17, 17a, in set positions on the second face 24b of the sheet 24 of covering material. The application occurs with the same methods as those disclosed with reference to Figure 5.

[0066] In Figure 7, the application is illustrated on a sheet 24 of covering material of sealing elements 17, 17a, in set positions on both faces 24a, 24b of the sheet of covering material 24. Applying occurs with the same methods disclosed with reference to Figure 5.

[0067] In figures 9 and 10, a sheet 24 is illustrated of covering material wound in a reel 51, with a first face 24a, or a second face 24b completely covered with the sealing material M. In this case, the entire surface of a covering element 10 obtained from said sheet of covering material constitutes the sealing element of the capsule.

[0068] In Figure 11, a first step is illustrated of the method according to the invention in which the body 2 of the capsule 1 is inserted into a support element 18 and a sheet 24 of covering material, from which the covering element 10 will be obtained, is rested on the annular flange 7 of the capsule 1. The sheet 24 has dimensions that are such as to protrude beyond the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7.

[0069] The covering material is, for example, aluminium or a multilayered material comprising at least one layer of aluminium and at least one layer of polymer material.

[0070] The support element 18 comprises a first part 19, and a second part 20 in which a housing 21 for the body 2 of the capsule 1 is obtained. The first part 19 can move with respect to the second part 20 in a direction parallel to an axis of symmetry B of the support element. When the body 2 of the capsule 1 is inserted into the housing 21, the annular flange 7 rests on a surface 22 (Figure 16) of said first part 19. The surface 22 is provided with an annular groove 23 that is suitable for housing the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7. When the capsule 1 is inserted into the housing 21, the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 does not come into contact with the bottom 46 of the housing 21, the coupling between the capsule 1 and the housing 21 occurring through interference between the side wall 4 of the body 2 and the side wall 47 of the housing 21.

[0071] The body 2 was previously obtained by drawing from an aluminium sheet or a multilayered material comprising a layer of aluminium and at least one layer of polymer material. During drawing of the body 2, or after drawing, the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7 was folded on itself in the form of a curl. [0072] Before the body 2 is inserted into the support element 18, or before the sheet 24 is rested on the flange 7, a preset quantity of a soluble or percolable or liquid or pasty food product is introduced into the cavity 5 of the body 2.

[0073] In figure 12, a second step is illustrated of the method according to the invention in which the sheet 24 is welded by a welding element 25 on the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. The welding element 25 is provided with an annular protrusion 26 having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. During welding of the sheet 24, the welding element 25 presses the sheet 24 against the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 with pressure comprised between 50 and 500 N/cm that, in addition to ensuring correct welding of the sheet 24 on said rectilinear portion 8, enables the sheet 24 to adhere to the upper part of the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7.

[0074] In Figure 13, a third step is illustrated of the method according to the invention in which, after welding of the sheet 24 on the annular flange 7, a shearing element 27 comprising an annular blade 28 shears the covering element 10 from the sheet 24. The diameter D1 of the annular blade 28 is greater than the outer diameter D2 of the annular flange 7 so that an annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 protrudes with respect to the annular flange 7 by an amount that is sufficient to ensure that the covering element 10 can be wound on the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7 and riveted against the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. The annular peripheral zone 29 comprises part of the second peripheral zone 12 and the third peripheral zone 13 of the covering element 10.

[0075] In Figures 14 and 15, a version is illustrated of the method according to the invention, in which, in the second step, the covering element 10 is sheared by the annular blade 28 of the shearing element 27, whilst in the third step the covering element 10 is welded on the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 by the welding element 25. In this version, during shearing, the sheet 24 is maintained pressed against the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 by a pressing element, which can be the welding element 25 itself, at a pressure equal to that used during the welding step. Said pressure is used to prevent the sheet 24, which is not yet welded to the annular flange 7, from being able to move during shearing, then making centring on the annular flange 7 of the covering element 10 obtained with shearing necessary. [0076] In Figure 17, a fourth step of the method according to the invention is illustrated, in which the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 is folded towards the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 1.

[0077] The annular peripheral zone 29 is folded by at least one first folding element 30, which consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around an axis C parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1 and movable in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1, indicated by a double arrow FI in Figure 9. The first folding element 30 has a first cylindrical part 31 and a second cylindrical part 32 that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface 33. The first part 31 has a diameter that is greater than the second part 32. The first folding element 30 is so oriented that the second part 32 faces the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1.

[0078] In order to fold the annular peripheral zone 29, the first part 19 of the support element 18 is first lowered, so that the second part 20 protrudes from the first part 19. Then the capsule 1 is rotated around the axis of symmetry A, rotating the second part 20 of the support element 18 around the axis of symmetry B of the support element 18, which coincides with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule inserted into the housing 21 obtained in said second part 20. Subsequently, the at least one first folding element 30 is moved in the direction of the double arrow FI, bringing progressively the folding element 30 near the side of the annular flange 7 facing away from the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1, until the second part 32 of the folding element 30 comes into contact with the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 and pushes the annular peripheral zone 29 towards the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1, folding the annular peripheral zone 29 by about 90°.

[0079] In order to facilitate folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, it is advantageous to use a plurality of first folding elements 30 arranged at a constant angular pitch around the capsule 1.

[0080] It is also possible to fold the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 by maintaining the capsule 1 stationary and rotating the at least one first folding element 30 around the capsule 1, around a rotation axis coinciding with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0081] During folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, the latter is maintained pressed against the annular flange 7 by a pressing element 42, which has an annular protrusion 43 having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. When the pressing element 42 is pushed against the covering element 10, the annular protrusion 43 exerts a pressure on the first portion 11 of the covering element 10 welded to the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. This pressure prevents, during folding of the annular peripheral zone 29, ripples from being able to form in the first peripheral portion 11 of the covering element 10 with the risk that said first peripheral portion 11 can detach from the flange 7 in certain zones, compromising the hermetic seal of the capsule 1. The pressure that the pressing element exerts on the first peripheral portion 11 of the covering element 10 is comprised between 2 N/cm² and 50 N/cm².

[0082] In the right part of figure 17, an alternative embodiment 45 is illustrated of the at least one first folding element. In this alternative embodiment, the at least one first folding element 45 comprises a first part 45a and a second part 45b that are both parallelepipedon- shaped and movable with respect to one another and with respect to the capsule 1, in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule, indicated by the double arrow FI in Figure 17.

[0083] In order to fold the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, the first part 45a and the second part 45b of the at least one first folding element 45 are brought into contact with the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 and, after coming in contact with said annular peripheral zone 29, are moved towards the bottom wall of the capsule 3 folding the annular peripheral zone 29 by about 90° so as to orient the annular peripheral zone 29 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1. Alternatively, it is possible to obtain the folding by maintaining the at least one first folding element 45 stationary and moving the capsule in the direction of the double arrow FI.

[0084] In Figure 18, a further alternative embodiment is illustrated of the at least one first folding element, which consists of a nozzle 49 by means of which a jet J of pressurized air can be sent against the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, to so fold the annular peripheral zone 29 as to be oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1. The nozzle 49 is so oriented as to direct said jet J of pressurized air in a direction parallel to said axis of symmetry A.

[0085] The nozzle 49 can be advantageously used in combination with the at least one first folding element 30, or 45, to start folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 before the at least one first folding element 30, or 45 intervenes to complete folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 in said direction substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0086] In figure 19, a fifth step 19 is illustrated of the method according to the invention, in which the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 is folded further until oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7.

[0087] The further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 is made by at least one second folding element 34, which consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around an axis D parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1 and movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1, indicated by a double arrow F2 in Figure 19.

[0088] The at least one second folding element 34 has a first cylindrical part 35 and a second cylindrical part 36 that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface 37 that forms a groove having a shape and dimensions that are such as to be able to receive the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7. The first part 35 has a diameter that is greater than the second part 36. The at least one second folding element 34 is so oriented that the first part 35 faces the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1.

[0089] In order to make the forther folding of the annular peripheral zone 29, the capsule 1 is rotated around the axis of symmetry A, rotating the second part 20 of the support element 18 around the axis of symmetry B of the support element 18, which coincides with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule inserted into the housing 21 obtained in said second part 20. Subsequently, the at least one second folding element 34 is brought near the annular flange 7 by moving the second folding element 34 in the direction of the double arrow F2, so that the first part 35 of the second folding element 34 comes into contact with the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 and interacts with the annular peripheral zone 29 by folding the annular peripheral zone 29 further until it is substantially parallel to the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. At the end of the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29, the second peripheral portion 12 of the covering element 10 is wound around the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7, whereas the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 is arranged substantially parallel to the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. [0090] In order to facilitate the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, it is advantageous to use a plurality of second folding elements 34 arranged at a constant angular pitch around the capsule 1.

[0091] It is also possible to make the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 by maintaining the capsule 1 stationary and rotating the at least one second folding element 34 around the capsule 1, around a rotation axis coinciding with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0092] During the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, the latter is maintained pressed against the annular flange 7 by the pressing element 42, as explained with reference to the preceding folding step illustrated in Figure 17.

[0093] In Figure 20, an alternative embodiment is illustrated of the at least one second folding element, which consists of a nozzle 50 by means of which a jet J of pressurized air can be sent against the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, to so fold the annular peripheral zone 29 as to be oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1. The nozzle 50 is so oriented as to direct said jet J of pressurized air in a direction perpendicular to said axis of symmetry A.

[0094] The nozzle 50 can be advantageously used in combination with the at least one second folding element 34, to start the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 before the at least one second folding element 34 intervenes to complete the further folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 in said direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0095] In figure 21, a sixth step is illustrated of the method according to the invention in which the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 is riveted against the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7.

[0096] Riveting of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 is made by at least one riveting element 38, which consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around an axis E that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1 and is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1, indicated by a double arrow F3 in Figure 21. The riveting element 38 has a first cylindrical part 39 and a second cylindrical part 40 that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface 41 that forms a groove having a shape and dimensions that are such as to be able to receive the outer end 9 of the annular flange 7. The first part 39 has a diameter that is greater than the second part 40. The riveting element 38 is so oriented that the second part 40 faces the side wall 4 of the body 2 of the capsule 1.

[0097] In order to rivet the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, the capsule 1 is rotated around the axis of symmetry A, rotating the second part 20 of the support element 18 around the axis of symmetry B of the support element 18, which coincides with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule inserted into the housing 21 obtained in said second part 20. Subsequently, the riveting element 38 is brought near the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, moving the riveting element 38 in the direction of the double arrow F3 until the second part 40 of the riveting element 38 comes into contact with the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, pushing the third peripheral portion 13 towards the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 and pressing the third peripheral portion 13 against said second face 15.

[0098] In order to facilitate riveting of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, it is advantageous to use a plurality of riveting elements 38 arranged at a constant angular pitch around the capsule 1.

[0099] It is also possible to rivet the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 by maintaining the capsule 1 stationary and rotating the at least one riveting element 38 around the capsule 1, around a rotation axis coinciding with the axis of symmetry A of the capsule 1.

[0100] In Figure 22, a seventh step is illustrated of the method according to the invention in which, after the riveting step, the sealing material M in liquid form is sprayed by a spraying device comprising at least one spraying nozzle 44 onto the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10.

[0101] The sealing material M is subsequently hardened so as to form the sealing element 17, 17a of the capsule 1.

[0102] The sealing material M can be applied continuously so as to make a sealing element 17 in the shape of a continuous ring.

[0103] Alternatively, the sealing material M can be applied intermittently so as to make a sealing element 17a shaped as a discontinuous ring consisting of a plurality of portions 17b of sealing material, having the shape of portions of circular crown, separated from one another by spaces 17c devoid of sealing material.

[0104] Instead of resorting to applying the sealing material M, it is possible to use a sheet 24 of covering material like the one illustrated in Figure 3, on which in set positions a plurality of sealing elements 17 shaped as continuous rings or a plurality of sealing elements 17a shaped as discontinuous rings has been made, so that, with shearing, a covering element 10 is obtained that is already provided with a sealing element 17 or 17a, arranged on the side of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, facing away from the bottom wall 3 of the capsule 1, as shown in Figure 8.

[0105] In Figures 23 to 25, some further versions are illustrated of the method according to the invention in which making the sealing element 17; 17a on the covering element 10 occurs before the peripheral zone 29 is folded around the annular flange 7.

[0106] In Figure 23, a first further version is illustrated of the method according to the invention, in which the sealing element 17, 17a is made by spraying, by means of a spraying nozzle 44, the sealing material M on the side of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, facing away from the bottom wall 3 of the capsule 1.

[0107] In Figure 24, a second further version is illustrated of the method according to the invention, in which the sealing element 17, 17a is made by spraying, by means of a spraying nozzle 44, the sealing material M on the side of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, facing the bottom wall 3 of the capsule 1.

[0108] In Figure 25, a third further version is illustrated of the method according to the invention, in which a sealing element 17, 17a is made by spraying, by means of a respective spraying nozzle 44, the sealing material M on both sides of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10, so as to obtain a capsule 1 with a double sealing element.

[0109] In Figures 26 to 33, some versions of a capsule 1 according to the invention are illustrated.

[0110] In Figure 26, a first version is illustrated of a capsule 1 according to the invention obtained without performing the operation of riveting the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10. In this manner, between the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, a space S2 remains that is closed when the capsule 1 is inserted into the seat of a machine for preparing beverages and the annular flange 7 is pressed against an abutting surface of said seat. The sealing element 17; 17a is applied to the side of the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 facing the bottom 3 of the capsule 1. The sealing element 17; 17a can be made by spraying the sealing material M onto the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 in the manner illustrated in Figure 22, or in Figure 23. Alternatively, it is possible to use a sheet 24 of covering material like the one illustrated in Figure 3.

[0111] In Figure 27, a second embodiment of a capsule 1 is illustrated according to the invention in which the sealing element 17, 17a is interposed between the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, in contact with said second face 15.

[0112] This version can be obtained by applying the sealing material M on the side of the third peripheral portion 13 facing the bottom wall 3 of the body 2 of the capsule 1, before starting folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10, as illustrated in Figure 24, or using a sheet 24 of covering material like the one illustrated in Figure 4.

[0113] In Figure 28, a third version of a capsule 1 according to the invention is illustrated in which, as in the second version illustrated in Figure 27, the sealing element 17, 17a is interposed between the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, but with a space S3 between the sealing element 17, 17a and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7.

[0114] This third version can be obtained in an identical manner to the second version illustrated in Figure 27, omitting the operation of riveting the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10.

[0115] In Figure 29, a fourth version of a capsule 1 according to the invention is illustrated in which the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 is folded on itself so as to obtain a configuration that has a first portion 13a in contact with the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, a second portion 13b, parallel to the first portion 13a and arranged at a distance D3 from the first portion 13a, and a third connecting portion 13c between the first portion 13a and the second portion 13b.

[0116] A sealing element 17, 17a is interposed between said first portion 13a and said second portion 13b.

[0117] In Figures 30 to 33, a fifth version is illustrated of a capsule 1 according to the invention in which a ring-shaped sealing element 52 is applied to the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 (Fig. 30), before the annular peripheral zone 29 of the covering element 10 is folded around the annular flange 7. After folding the annular peripheral zone 29, the sealing element 52 is interposed between the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7 (Figs 31 and 32). The ring-shaped element 52 can be used also in the fourth version of a capsule 1 according to the invention illustrated in Figure 29.

[0118] In Figure 34, a sixth version is illustrated of a capsule 1 according to the invention in which the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 is folded on itself so as to obtain a configuration that has a first portion 13a in contact with the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7, a second portion 13b, parallel to the first portion 13a and arranged at a distance D4 from the first portion 13a, a third connecting portion 13c between the first portion 13a and the second portion 13b, a fourth portion 13d parallel to the first portion 13a and to the second portion 13b and arranged at a distance D5 < D4 from the second portion 13b and a fifth connecting portion 13e between the second portion 13b and the fourth portion 13d.

[0119] In a seventh version, which is not shown, of a capsule 1 according to the invention, a first sealing element 17; 17a is made on the third peripheral portion 13 of the covering element 10 and facing the bottom 3 of the capsule 1 and a second sealing element 17; 17a is also made on said third peripheral portion 13 and interposed between said peripheral portion 13 and the second face 15 of the rectilinear portion 8 of the annular flange 7. This sixth version can be obtained by making the first and the second sealing element 17; 17a by the method illustrated in Figure 25, or using a sheet of covering material 24 on both faces of which a plurality of sealing elements 17; 17a has been made beforehand, in set positions.

[0120] Lastly, in a still further version of the method according to the invention, it is possible to omit folding of the annular peripheral zone 29 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 1, using a covering element 10 in which the annular peripheral zone 29 has been previously folded by about 90° with respect to the rest of the covering element 10.

Claims

1. Method for making a capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising:

obtaining by drawing a drinking-glass-shaped or cup-shaped capsule body (2), comprising a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4), that define a cavity (5) closed at a first end by said bottom wall (3) and provided, at a second end opposite said bottom wall (3), with an opening (6), wherein said side wall (4) ends, at the opening (6), with an annular flange (7), that surrounds the opening (6) and extends in a plane tangent to the opening (6) and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1);

folding on itself an outer end (9) of said annular flange (7) towards said bottom wall (3) so as to obtain an end thickening of said annular flange (7); inserting said capsule body (2) into a support element (18);

introducing into said cavity (5) a preset quantity of a soluble or percolatable or liquid or pasty food product, wherein said introducing occurs before or after said inserting;

laying a sheet (24) of covering material on said opening (6) and said annular flange (7), wherein said sheet (24) of covering material has dimensions that are such as to protrude beyond the outer end (9) of the annular flange (7); obtaining from said sheet (24) of covering material, by welding to said annular flange (7) and shearing, a covering element (10), wherein said covering element (10) comprises a central portion (10a), a first peripheral portion (11) that surrounds said central portion (10a) and an annular peripheral zone (29) that surrounds said first peripheral portion (11) and comprises a second peripheral portion (12) that surrounds said first peripheral portion (11) and a third peripheral portion (13) that surrounds said second peripheral portion (12), wherein said welding comprises welding said first peripheral portion (11) of the covering element (10) to a first face (14) of a rectilinear portion (8) of said annular flange (7) facing said bottom wall (3), wherein said rectilinear portion (8) extends from said side wall (4) and ends in said outer end (9),

characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

folding said annular peripheral zone (29) towards said bottom wall (3) so that it is substantially parallel to said axis of symmetry (A); folding further said annular peripheral zone (29) towards the side wall (4) of the capsule body (2) so that said third peripheral portion (13) is substantially parallel to the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7), and so that a space (S2; S3) remains between said third peripheral portion (13) and said rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7).

2. Method according to claim 1 further comprising riveting said third peripheral portion (13) against a second face (15) of said rectilinear portion (8) opposite said first face (14).

3. Method according to claim 1, or 2, wherein, during said folding, said further folding and said riveting, the capsule (1) is rotated around said axis of symmetry (A.)

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising applying to said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (8) a sealing material (M) in liquid form, so as to obtain on said third peripheral portion (13), after setting of said sealing material, a ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a), wherein said sealing material (M) is a material that reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformations, such as a material made of plastics, an expanded material, a silicone- based material, said applying occurring after said riveting.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising applying on said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (8) a sealing material (M) in liquid form, so as to obtain on said third peripheral portion (13), after setting of said sealing material, at least one ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a), wherein said sealing material (M) is a material that reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformations , such as a material made of plastics, an expanded material, a silicone-based material, said applying occurring before said folding.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein said sealing material (M) is applied on a side of the third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10), facing away from the bottom wall (3) of the capsule (1).

7. Method according to claim 5, wherein said sealing material (M) is applied on a side of the third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10), facing the bottom wall (3) of the capsule (1).

8. Method according to claim 5, wherein said sealing material (M) is applied on a side of the third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10), facing away from the bottom wall (3) of the capsule (1) and on a side of the third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10), facing the bottom wall (3) of the capsule (1).

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising applying a sealing material (M) in liquid form to preset positions on said sheet (24) of covering material, so as to obtain, in each of said preset positions, after setting of said seal material, a ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a), wherein said sealing material (M) is a material such as plastics, an expanded material, a silicone-based material that reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformation.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein said applying is made on a first face (24a) of said sheet (24) of covering material, or on a second face (24b) of said sheet (24) of covering material, opposite said first face (24a).

11. Method according to claim 9, wherein said applying is made on a first face (24a) of said sheet (24) of material and on a second face (24b) of said sheet (24) of covering material, opposite said first face (24a).

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said sheet (24) of covering material is positioned on said flange (7) so that, after said shearing, a covering element (10) is obtained that has, on said third peripheral portion (13), at least one sealing element (17; 17a).

13. Method according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein said applying is continuous, so as to obtain a sealing element (17) in the form of a continuous ring

14. Method according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein said applying is intermittent, so as to obtain a sealing element (17a) shaped as a discontinuous ring.

15. Method according to one of claims 4 to 14 in which said applying is made by spraying said sealing material (M).

16. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein said covering material is aluminium or a multilayered material comprising at least one layer of aluminium and at least one polymer layer.

17. Method according to claim 1, further comprising folding on itself said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) so as to obtain a configuration of said peripheral portion (13) comprising a first portion (13a) and a second portion (13b) that are parallel to one another and joined together by a third connecting portion 13c, wherein between said first portion (13a) and said second portion (13b) a distance (D3) exists.

18. Method according to claim 17, further comprising making a continuous or discontinuous ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a) between said first portion (13a) and said second portion (13b).

19. Method according to claim 17, further comprising inserting a ring-shaped sealing element (52) between said first portion (13a) and said second portion (13b).

20. Method according to claim 1, further comprising folding on itself said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) so as to obtain a configuration of said peripheral portion (13) comprising a first portion (13a) and a second portion (13b) that are parallel to one another and joined together by a third connecting portion (13c), and a fourth portion (13d) parallel to said first portion and said second portion and connected to said second portion by a fifth connecting portion (13e), wherein between said first portion (13a) and said second portion (13b) a distance exists (D4) and between said second portion (13b) and said fourth portion (13d) a distance exists (D5), wherein said distance (D5) is less than said distance (D4).

21. Method according to claim 20, further comprising making a continuous or discontinuous ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a) between said second portion (13b) and said fourth portion (13d).

22. Method according to claim 20, further comprising inserting a ring-shaped sealing element (52) between said second portion (13b) and said fourth portion (13d).

23. Method according to any preceding claim, wherein said welding precedes said shearing.

24. Method according to one of claims 1 to 22 claim, wherein said shearing precedes said welding.

25. Method according to claim 1, wherein said folding is performed before said welding and said shearing.

26. Apparatus for making a capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising a drinking- glass-shaped or cup-shaped capsule body (2), that comprises a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4) that define a cavity (5) closed at a first end by said bottom wall (3) and provided, at a second end opposite said bottom wall (3), with an opening (6), wherein said side wall (4) ends with an annular flange (7) that extends towards the outside of the capsule (1) in a direction perpendicular to un axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one support element (18) configured for housing and supporting the body (2) of the capsule (1), at least one welding element (25) configured for welding to said annular flange (7) a sheet (24) of covering material, or a covering element (10), at least one shearing element (27) configured for shearing said covering element from said sheet (24) of covering material, characterized in that it that it comprises at least one first folding element (30; 45; 49) configured for folding an annular peripheral zone (29) of said covering element (10), so that it is arranged substantially parallel to said axis of symmetry (A) and at least one second folding element (34; 50) configured for folding further said annular peripheral zone (29) so that an end portion (13) of the covering element (10) is substantially parallel to said annular flange (7).

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising at least one riveting element (38) configured for riveting said end portion (13) against said flange (7).

28. Apparatus according to claim 26, or 27, wherein said at least one support element (18) comprises a first part (19) and a second part (20) in which a housing (21) is obtained that is configured for housing the body (2) of the capsule (1), wherein said first part (19) is movable with respect to the second part (20) in a direction parallel to an axis of symmetry (B) of the support element (18), wherein said first part (19) is provided with a resting surface (22) for said annular flange (7), wherein said resting surface (22) has an annular groove (23) configured for housing an outer end (9) of the annular flange (7).

29. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 28, wherein said at least one welding element comprises an annular protrusion (26) having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of a rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7) to which said sheet (24) of covering material or said covering element (10) is intended to be welded.

30. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 29 in which said at least one shearing element (27) comprises an annular blade (28) having a diameter (Dl) that is greater than the outer diameter (D2) of the annular flange (7).

31. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said at least one first folding element (30) consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around a rotation axis (C) parallel to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one first folding element (30) is further movable in a direction (FI) parallel to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one first folding element (30) has a first cylindrical part (31) and a second cylindrical part (32) that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface (33), wherein said first part (31) has a diameter that is greater than said second part (32), wherein said at least one first folding element (30) is so oriented that the second part (32) faces the bottom wall (3) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).

32. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said at least one first folding element (45) comprises a first part (45a) and a second part (45b) that are both parallelepipedon- shaped and movable with respect to one another and with respect to the capsule 1, in a direction (FI) parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule (1).

33. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 30, wherein said at least one first folding element comprises at least one nozzle (49) configured for directing a jet (J) of pressurized air in a direction (FI) parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule (1).

34. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 33, wherein said at least one second folding element (34) consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around an axis (D) parallel to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one second folding element (34) is movable in a direction (F2) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one second folding element (34) has a first cylindrical part (35) and a second cylindrical part

(36) that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface

(37) that forms a groove having a shape and dimensions that are such as to be able to receive the outer end (9) of the annular flange (7), wherein said first part (35) has a diameter that is greater than said second part (36), wherein said at least one second folding element (34) is so oriented that the first part (35) faces the bottom wall (3) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).

35. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 33, wherein said at least one second folding element comprises at least one nozzle (50) configured for directing a jet (J) of pressurized air in a direction (F2) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry A of the capsule (1).

36. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 35 in which said at least one riveting element (38) consists of a revolving element that is free to rotate around an axis (E) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one riveting element (38) is movable in a direction (F3) parallel to the axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said at least one riveting element (38) has a first cylindrical part (39) and a second cylindrical part (40) that have different diameters and are connected together by a curved surface (41) that forms a groove having a shape and dimensions that are such as to be able to receive the outer end (9) of the annular flange (7), wherein the first part (39) has a diameter that is greater than said second part (40), wherein said at least one riveting element (38) is so oriented that the second part (40) faces the side wall (4) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).

37. Apparatus according to one of claims 26 to 36, further comprising a spraying device comprising at least one spraying nozzle (44) configured for spraying a sealing material (M) on said covering element (10), wherein said covering material (M) is a material that reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformations, such as a material made of plastics, an expanded material, a silicone- based material.

38. Capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising a drinking- glass-shaped or cup shaped capsule body (2), comprising a bottom wall (3) and a side wall (4), that define a cavity (5) closed at a first end by said bottom wall (3) and provided, at a second end opposite said bottom wall (3), with an opening (6), wherein said side wall (4) ends, at the opening (6), with an annular flange (7), that surrounds the opening (6) and extends in a plane tangent to the opening (6) and perpendicular to an axis of symmetry (A) of the capsule (1), wherein said annular flange (7) comprises a rectilinear portion (8) that extends towards the outside of the capsule (1) starting from said side wall (4) and ends in an outer end (9) of said annular flange (7) folded on itself in the direction of said bottom wall (3) so as to form an end thickening of said annular flange (7), wherein said opening (6) is closed by a covering element (10) welded to said annular flange (7), wherein said covering element (10) comprises a central portion (10a) that closes said opening (6) and a first peripheral portion (11) that surrounds said central portion (10a) and is welded to a first face (14) of the rectilinear portion (8) of said annular flange (7) facing away from said bottom wall (3), characterized in that said covering element (8) has a diameter (Dl) that is greater than the outer diameter (D2) of the annular flange (7), wherein said covering element (10) comprises a second peripheral portion (12), that surrounds said first peripheral portion (11) and winds around the outer end (9) of the annular flange (7) and a third peripheral portion (13) that surrounds said second peripheral portion (12) and extends parallel to a second face (15) of said rectilinear portion (8) facing said bottom wall (3), wherein at said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) at least one ring-shaped sealing element (17; 17a; 52) is applied.

39. Capsule (1) according to claim 38, wherein said sealing element has the shape of a continuous ring (17; 52), or of a discontinuous ring (17a).

40. Capsule (1) according to claim 38, or 39, wherein between said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) and said annular flange (7) a space (S2; S3) exists.

41. Capsule (1) according to claim 38, or 39, wherein said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) is in contact with said second face (15) of the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7).

42. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein said at least one sealing element (17; 17a) is applied to a face of said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) facing away from said annular flange (7).

43. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein said sealing element (17; 17a; 52) is interposed between said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) and the second face (15) of the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7).

44. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 38 to 41, comprising a first sealing element (17; 17a) applied to a face of said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) facing away from said annular flange (7) and a second sealing element (17; 17a) interposed between said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) and the second face (15) of the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7).

45. Capsule (1) according to claim 38, or 39, wherein said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) is folded on itself so as to obtain a configuration that has a first portion (13a), facing the second face (15) of the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7), a second portion (13b), parallel to the first portion (13a) and arranged at a distance (D) from the first portion (13a), and a third connecting portion (13c) between the first portion (13a) and the second portion (13b), wherein said sealing element (17; 17a; 52) is interposed between said first portion (13a) and said second portion (13b).

46. Capsule (1) according to claim 38, or 39, wherein said third peripheral portion (13) of the covering element (10) is folded on itself so as to obtain a configuration that has a first portion (13a), facing the second face (15) of the rectilinear portion (8) of the annular flange (7), a second portion (13b), parallel to the first portion (13a) and arranged at a distance (D4) from the first portion (13a), a third connecting portion (13c) between the first portion (13a) and the second portion (13b), a fourth portion (13d) arranged at a distance (D5) from the second portion (13b) and a fifth connecting portion (13e) between the second portion (13b) and the fourth portion (13d), wherein said distance (D5) is less than said distance (D4), wherein said sealing element (17; 17a; 52) is interposed between said second portion (13b) and said fourth portion (13d).

47. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 38 to 46, wherein said sealing element (17; 17a; 52) is made of a sealing material (M) that reacts to mechanical stress with elastic and/or plastic deformations, such as a material made of plastics, an expanded material, a silicone-based material, said applying occurring before said folding.