WO2023286007A1

WO2023286007A1 - Capsule for preparing beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2023286007A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/056500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Bartoli; Davide CAPITINI
Original assignee: Sarong Societa' Per Azioni
Priority date: 2021-07-16
Filing date: 2022-07-14
Publication date: 2023-01-19

Abstract

Described is a capsule (1; 1 1 ") for preparing beverages by injecting a fluid, for example water, under pressure which comprises a casing (2; 2'; 2"), which extends about an axis (Z), which comprises a base wall (201; 201 '; 201 "), a side wall (202; 202'; 202") defining a cavity (203; 203'; 203") containing an initial product to be joined to the fluid to obtain the beverage. A flanged edge (204) extends from the side wall (202; 202'; 202") and a covering element is fixed to the flanged edge (204) for closing the cavity (203; 203'; 203"). The casing (2; 2'; 2") comprises a supporting layer (5) made of cellulose pulp. The flanged edge (204) comprises a sealing element, suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal with a housing element of a dispensing machine and has a first portion (204a), which is planar, and a second portion (204b), positioned at the end of the flanged edge (204) and outside the first portion (204a), which is of a thickness greater than the thickness of the first portion (204a). The first portion (204a) has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2.8 mm for making the sealing element and the second portion (204b) has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3.0 mm to promote an expulsion of the capsule (1; 1 '; 1 ") from the housing element at the end of dispensing.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CAPSULE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

This invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages by injecting water under pressure.

More specifically, the invention relates to a single-dose, single-use capsule, which contains an initial product, for example coffee powder, which is able to make, interacting with the pressurised water injected into the capsule, a final product, for example a coffee beverage.

The prior art capsules for use on dispensing machines are single-use and single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shape of a glass or cup. The casing usually has a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity containing the initial product, for example ground coffee or tea, from which to obtain the final product, for example the beverage. A flanged edge extends from the side wall and is positioned around the cavity, on the opposite side relative to the base wall.

The cavity, at a relative opening, is hermetically sealed by a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge, in such a way as to seal the initial product inside the container.

A consumer can insert the capsule in a housing element of the dispensing machine when the machine is in an open configuration and then place the dispensing machine in the closed configuration, manually or by means of an automatic mode, in which a dispensing device closes the housing element and the capsule contained therein. When the machine is in the closed configuration, the flanged edge of the capsule is clamped between the housing element and the dispensing device.

After dispensing, the consumer can again return the machine to the open configuration to allow the capsule to detach from the housing element and automatically fall into the inner container dedicated to receiving the capsules already used. During dispensing, the base wall of the capsule is pierced by an injection device for injecting water under pressure into the cavity and obtain the final product, whilst the covering element is pierced by the dispensing device to allow the final product to be dispensed.

The dispensing device in fact comprises a dispensing plate equipped with a plurality of sharp elements which, when the pressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element and pierce it in a plurality of different zones. The final product can flow into a use container through the holes formed by the dispensing device of the dispensing machine.

In order to achieve a successful dispensing, the capsule also comprises a sealing element positioned at the flanged edge which is configured to make a fluid-tight seal with the dispensing machine, in particular with the housing element of the dispensing machine.

The sealing element prevents an escape of the pressurised liquid at the high operating pressures of the dispensing machine and, in use, is compressed between the housing element of the dispensing machine and the dispensing plate of the dispensing device. An elastic element present in the dispensing machine between the housing element and the dispensing device makes it possible to keep the flanged edge clamped between them even during dispensing despite the pressure dispensed by the injection device.

An example of a capsule with a sealing element is provided in patent document EP1654966, in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is an elastic ring made of silicone rubber fixed to the flanged edge.

The presence both of the aluminium and the silicone rubber sealing element constitutes a problem for the purposes of the increasingly felt need to make a product which is entirely recyclable for the purposes of waste disposal. In effect, even though the aluminium by itself is recyclable, it is no longer a body formed by aluminium and silicone rubber. There are many other prior art capsules for beverages, shown in prior art patent documents, made of a biodegradable or compostable material.

In fact, in the sector of food containers, and especially of capsules for beverages, capsules are increasingly widespread on the market for which the closing element and the covering element are made entirely of a material which can be composted according to European standard UNI EN13432:2002. This standard requires that all the components of a package can be disposed of by industrial composting.

Other examples of capsules for beverages are as follows.

WO 2017/063680 relates to a capsule to be used in a device for preparing beverages, wherein the capsule comprises a housing defining a cavity which is closed by a film, wherein the film is a laminate comprising at least one weakened layer.

US 2020/385204 A1 shows an aluminium capsule for use in a coffee machine comprising an annular flange, which is provided with an annular sealing element, made of paper, which is held in position on the flange by one or more protrusions from the wall of the capsule.

Even though these capsules satisfy environmental sustainability, it is necessary that they guarantee a high dispensing quality, reducing the defects linked to fluid leaks and failure to release the capsules from the housing of the dispensing machine.

The defect linked to the fluid leaks may, in effect, occur in the presence of water leaks, from the front and/or rear part of the dispensing machine which, as they are conveyed in the same use container designed to subsequently receive the drink, dilute the drink to be obtained in an undesired manner. The defect linked to failure to release a capsule, after dispensing, occurs if the capsule remains coupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine without automatically falling into the inner container dedicated to receiving the capsules already used. This is particularly inconvenient, since the user is forced to access mechanisms inside the dispensing machine, which are often difficult to access and dangerous if not performed with due care and attention, in order to be able to manually free the capsule trapped in the dispensing housing.

The technical purpose which forms the basis of the invention is therefore to provide a capsule that can be inserted in a machine for beverages which overcomes the drawbacks of prior art capsules.

A further purpose of the invention is to obtain an alternative capsule with respect to the prior art capsules, wherein the flanged edge comprises a sealing element, which guarantees an excellent quality of extraction of the beverage and which is made of compostable materials with limited costs.

A further different purpose of the invention is to obtain a capsule which allows an excellent quality of extraction of the beverage, avoiding the fluid leaks during the dispensing and also reducing the defects due to failure to release from the dispensing machine at the end of dispensing.

These aims are achieved by a capsule according to the invention, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a capsule as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule according to the invention comprising a casing which comprises a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity, an element for covering the cavity removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the capsule of Figure 1 , from the side of the base wall;

Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the capsule of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first variant of the capsule of Figure 1 , from the side of the cavity;

Figure 5 is another perspective view of the capsule of Figure 4, from the side of the base wall;

Figure 6 is a cross-section view of the capsule of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second variant of the capsule of Figure 1 , from the side of the cavity;

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the capsule of Figure 7, from the side of the base wall;

Figure 9 is a cross-section view of the capsule of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of a first version of the casing of the capsule of Figure 1 , which can also be applied to the capsules of Figures 4 and 7, wherein the casing comprises a supporting layer made of paper pulp and a coating layer, wherein the coating layer is positioned outside the supporting layer.

Figure 11 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of a second version of the casing of the capsule of Figure 1 , which can also be applied to the capsules of Figures 4 and 7, wherein the coating layer is positioned inside the supporting layer.

The same elements in the various drawings will be indicated below with the same reference numerals, if these elements can be present in all the other versions provided they are compatible or not explicitly excluded.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a capsule for preparing beverages according to the invention, which can be used in a dispensing machine for the production of beverages by injecting water under pressure.

More in detail, the capsule 1 can be inserted in a dispensing housing of the dispensing machine.

The capsule 1 , as illustrated in detail in Figures 1 to 3, comprises an casing 2 which has an axis A of longitudinal extension, for example an axis of symmetry.

The casing 2 is substantially frustoconical in shape, that is to say, in the form of a glass or cup. The casing 2 includes a base wall 201 and a side wall 202, defining an open cavity 203, and a flanged edge 204, which extends, for example radially, from the side wall 202. In detail, the side wall 202 is divergent starting from the base wall 201 to the flanged edge 204.

The base wall 201 and the side wall 202 define a body of the casing 2 which has an inner surface, facing towards the cavity 203 and an outer surface, facing the opposite side relative to the cavity 203. The body is in the form of a glass, or cup.

The cavity 203 is designed to contain an initial product (not illustrated) to be joined to a fluid (not illustrated) to obtain a final product (not illustrated). The fluid is, preferably, a hot or cold liquid under pressure, introduced in the cavity 203 in a step of injecting the fluid, to obtain the final product.

In effect, the base wall 201 can be pierced by a fluid injection device (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine in a piercing zone, the dispensing device comprising piercing blades and a fluid dispensing device, which is independent of the piercing blades. The piercing blades may be positioned, for example, around the dispensing device.

In this way, in use, upon closing the dispensing housing in which the capsule is inserted, the base wall 201 is brought to interfere with the piercing blades of the injection device and through the tears thus obtained, the pressurised fluid dispensed by the injection device can flow inside the cavity 203. As mentioned above, the initial product is, for example, a food product which is soluble, freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, percolatable, in powder form- for example coffee; alternatively, the initial preparation can be, for example, a food product in leaf form - for example tea. The initial product is preferably water, hot and under pressure, which makes it possible to obtain a beverage, for example coffee, barley coffee, tea, or herbal tea.

The capsule 1 comprises a covering element (not illustrated), fixed to the flanged edge 204, so as to close the cavity 203.

The covering element may be fixed to the flanged edge 204 by heat or ultrasonic welding, or gluing. Thanks to the covering element, the cavity 203 is hermetically closed and the initial preparation is isolated from the outside environment. The covering element is typically a film which may be compostable.

In fact, the covering element can be pierced by an extraction device of a dispensing machine in which the capsule 1 can be used and the final product may be dispensed through it.

For example, the covering element may be made of a compostable layered material comprising a first layer, which is a oxygen and moisture barrier and is, in use, facing towards the outside; a second layer, also a barrier to oxygen and humidity; and lastly a third layer, interposed between the first layer and the second layer and mutually coupled to them, for example made of PLA or a cellulose-based material. A filtering element, made as a component separate from the covering element, may be advantageously positioned between the initial product and the covering element, to allow the final product filtered by the filtering element, in use, to separate the covering element from the filtering element, thus guaranteeing the escape of the final product.

The casing 2 is made of a material which comprises a pulp of natural vegetable fibres, for example virgin paper pulp, bamboo pulp or other pulp of natural vegetable fibres. Reference will be made below to cellulose pulp, without in any way limiting the scope of the invention.

The casing 2 may comprise a supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp. The supporting layer 5 may be obtained, for example, by compression moulding from a liquid cellulose pulp material and, thanks to this, the supporting layer 5 can be made in a preferred shape, in a very simple manner, with the desired thicknesses.

The casing 2 may also be made using a layered structure which comprises the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp and at least one coating layer 6.

The coating layer 6 may be located inside, or outside, the supporting layer 5. It should be noted that the coating layer 6 may therefore be applied after making the supporting layer 5, when the supporting layer 5 has already been made.

It should be noted in Figure 10 that the coating layer 6 is positioned outside the supporting layer 5.

In Figure 11 , on the other hand, it should be noted that the coating layer 6 is positioned inside the supporting layer 5.

For example, the coating layer 6 may also be sprayed for coating the outer or inner surface of the supporting layer 5 (for example, as in a metallizing process using silicon oxides).

The coating layer 6 may be made, for example, from a compostable material, for example polyactic acid (PLA).

In detail, the coating layer 6 can be chosen from among one of the following materials of a first list:

- Polyolefin (preferably PP or PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PET comprising aluminium oxides and silicon oxides), polyactic acid PLA;

- PVDC;

- PLA;

- EVOH;

- PVOH;

- biodegradable and compostable bioplastics (for example Mater-Bi);

- and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment, the coating layer 6 may comprise at least two components, or three layered components, wherein each component can comprise at least one of the materials of the first list (for example PLA/PVOH/PLA, or Mater Bi/PVOH/Mater-Bi, or PE/EVOH/PE).

The coating layer 6 provides the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp of the casing 2 with a moisture and oxygen barrier and provides the capsule 1 with a shelf life, after production, which is longer than would be possible if the casing were made only with the supporting layer 5. According to a version not illustrated, the layered structure may, optionally, comprise a pair of coating layers 6 positioned both outside and inside the supporting layer 5. The coating layers 6 can be made of the same material or of different materials, selected from among those on the first list.

It should be noted that the coating layer 6, or both the coating layers 6 may be made of compostable material.

It should be noted that the coating layer 6 is not however necessary if the capsule 1 is individually packaged inside a bag which performs the purpose of a moisture and oxygen barrier (single flow-pack).

The flanged edge 204 has a first portion 204a, which is planar, and a second portion 204b, positioned at the end of the flanged edge 204 and outside the first portion 204a, which is thicker than the thickness of the first portion.

The flanged edge 204 also comprises a sealing element for making a fluid- tight seal with the housing element of the dispensing machine.

In order to make the sealing element, the first portion 204a has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2.8 mm (that is to say, greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 2.8 mm; the end values of the ranges indicated in this text being always included in the ranges themselves), even more preferably between 0.4 mm and 2.4 mm, even more preferably between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, even more preferably between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm.

For example, the first portion 204a may have a thickness of 1.2 mm. Moreover, the second portion 204b has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3.0 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, for example equal to 2.0 mm, to guarantee an effective uncoupling of the portion at the end of dispensing.

The thickness of the second portion 204b may also facilitate an optimum centring of the capsule 1 during its insertion in the housing element before dispensing.

Thanks to the thickness of the first portion 204a and thanks to the thickness of the second portion 204b it is in effect possible to provide a capsule 1 with a casing 2 made of cellulose pulp whose performance is optimum, both during dispensing and during the subsequent uncoupling from the housing at the end of dispensing.

Whilst, in effect, the range of thickness selected for the flanged edge 204 in the first portion 204a guarantees the sealing efficiency during dispensing, the thickness of the second portion 204b, which is greater than that of the first portion 204a, creates a protrusion at the end of the flanged edge 204, towards the base wall 201 , which makes it possible to avoid any friction between the first portion 204a and expulsion guides (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, which can prevent the capsule 1 from being correctly released.

It should be noted that if, during dispensing, the soaked cellulose pulp may soften, the second portion 204b gives greater mechanical strength to the flanged edge 204 which therefore maintains its rigidity even at the end of the dispensing.

This guarantees both the best fluid-tight seal and the uncoupling at the end of the dispensing.

It should also be noted that the second portion 204b makes it possible to guide and centre the capsule 1 during its insertion in the housing element. Moreover, thanks to the fact that the capsule 1 has a casing 2 made with the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp, which is a material that can be easily moulded by compression, the flanged edge 204 may be provided with the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b with different thicknesses in a very simple and inexpensive manner.

It should be noted that if, in addition to the supporting layer 5, there is also the coating layer 6, or the pair of coating layers 6, the thickness of the first portion 204a and of the second portion 204b must be exclusively referred to the thickness of the supporting layer 5, since the coating layer is negligible in thickness.

It should be noted that, radially, the first portion 204a extends from the side wall 202 to the second portion 204b and that the second portion 204b has a radial extension at least equal to 0.2 mm. The selection of the radial extension of the second portion 204b, in the predetermined interval, allows the flanged edge 204 to be stiffened.

The supporting layer 5, made of cellulose pulp, has a grammage of between 50 and 600 gr/m2.

It may be noted, as shown in Figure 10, that the coating layer 6 can cover the entire outer surface of the casing and may extend up to the entire second portion 204b of the flanged edge 204 without, however, also coating the side surface 204c of the flanged edge 204.

In effect, since the casing 2 may be joined to a plurality of other casings before being individually filled and closed by the closing element, any separation of one casing 2 from the other casings is performed after the coating layer 6 has already been applied to the supporting layer 5. Thanks to the fact that the separation of the casing 2 for the purposes of forming the capsule 1 is performed with a layered structure already formed, the side surface 204c is not coated.

Alternatively, according to a variant not illustrated, if the casing 2 has already been separated and is coated externally when it is not joined to other casings, the side surface 204c may also be coated.

The same considerations also apply to the coating layer 5 coating the inside surface of the cavity 203 and a front surface of the flanged edge 204, facing the same side as the opening of the cavity 203, but not the side surface 204c. In effect, in this case, too, the casing 2 may be separated from the remaining casings 2 with a layered structure which has already been formed.

Similarly, according to another variant embodiment not illustrated, the side surface 204c may also be coated if the casing 2 has already been separated and is coated internally when it is not joined to other casings 2.

It should be noted that all of the above with regard to the capsule 1 described here, with reference to the supporting layer 5 and to the coating layer 6, also apply for a capsule 1', which is the first variant of the capsule 1 and for a capsule 1", which is the second variant of the capsule 1', which are described below.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the capsule 1 the base wall 201 comprises a stiffening zone, configured to stiffen the base wall 201 , allowing a correct piercing of the piercing zone. The stiffening zone has ribs 208, which are absent in the piercing zone. The base wall 201 of the capsule 1 comprises an edge region 205, which is annular and extends up to the side wall 202, a central region 206, which is, for example, circular, and an intermediate region 207, which is interposed between the central region 206 and the edge region 205. The intermediate region 207 is configured for receiving the piercing blades of a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine and is, for example, annular. The piercing zone may, therefore, be defined by the intermediate region 207.

The shape of the intermediate region 207 may be planar, to facilitate the piercing by the piercing blades of the base wall 201, and is different from the shape of the edge region 205 and the central region 206, which, on the other hand, have a shape with ribs 208 for stiffening the base wall 201 and defining the stiffening zone.

The capsule 1 comprises, in fact, ribs 208 thanks to which the base wall 201 can be stiffened, in the central region 206 and in the edge region 205, which, on the other hand, are absent in the piercing zone defined by the intermediate region 207.

It should be noted that the ribs 208 are arranged in radial fashion in the central region 206 around an inner zone 209, which is circular and recessed towards the inside of the cavity 203. The ribs 208 can be equally spaced in the central region 206.

The ribs 208 can extend from the edge region 205 to the side wall 202 through an outer edge 205a of the edge region 205.

In this way, the side wall 202 may also advantageously be stiffened by the presence of the ribs 208.

Also in the edge region 205, the ribs 208 may be, for example, arranged in radial fashion and equally spaced.

The term “have a shape with ribs" means the fact that the base wall 201 and the side wall 202 are undulated.

In effect, from a surface of the body, selected between the inner surface and the outer surface, at least one protruding element can be projected, which defines a rib 208, whilst from another surface of the body, selected between the outer surface and the inner surface, and at the protruding element, there is a recess.

Preferably, there are a plurality of ribs 208 which extend circumferentially for the entire base wall 201 and the side wall 202, at least in the proximity of the base wall 201.

In other words, the body of the casing 2, having the base wall 201 and the side wall 202, has an outer surface with a plurality of protruding elements which correspond in the inner surface to corresponding recesses. Vice versa, between the protruding elements defining the ribs 208, there are recesses on the outer surface which correspond on the inner surface to corresponding protruding elements.

These ribs 208 are able to render the base wall 201 more rigid, and optionally the side wall 202, on which they are positioned, so a thickening of the base wall 201 (optionally of the side wall 202) is not necessary in order to stiffen the base wall 201.

However, this does not mean that the thickness of the base wall 201 , or of the side wall 202, must remain constant since thickened sections may be present at parts of the ribs 208. Thanks to the ribs 208, it is therefore possible to make a capsule 1 made of cellulose pulp with limited thicknesses, and therefore low costs, whilst guaranteeing high dispensing efficiency since the ribs 208 stiffen the base wall 201 , and optionally the side wall 202, of the capsule 1. Advantageously, the thickness of the body of the capsule 1 , that is to say, the thickness of the supporting layer 5 at the base wall 201 and of the side wall 202 may be between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm (that is to say, greater than, or equal to, 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 0.8 mm; the end values of the ranges indicated in this text being always included in the ranges themselves).

Preferably, the thickness may be between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, even more preferably it may be between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm.

With the above-mentioned thicknesses of the body of the capsule 1 , and thanks to the ribs 208 of the base wall 201, the piercing of the base wall 201 , at the piercing zone, by the piercing blades, of the dispensing machine, is guaranteed. It should be noted that the thicknesses indicated above allow a base wall 201 to be made in an inexpensive manner (being made with a reduced thickness of the cellulose pulp material used) whilst at the same time being robust thanks to the stiffening zone in which the ribs 208 are present. Figures 4 to 6 show the capsule 1' according to the first variant of the capsule 1.

The capsule 1' comprises a casing 2' provided with a base wall 201' and a side wall 202' defining an open cavity 203' and differs from the capsule 1 in that the base wall 201 ' comprises an edge region 205', which is annular and extends up to the side wall 202', a central region 206', and an intermediate region 207', which is interposed between the central region 206' and the edge region 205'. The intermediate region 207' is shaped like a groove.

In this way, the intermediate region 207' can receive, and house inside it, the piercing blades of the fluid injection device, during the dispensing The groove 207’ has a bottom wall 207’ provided with openings 207’b configured to allow the fluid injected by the injection device to be dispensed to the initial product contained in the cavity 203’.

The capsule 1 ' may comprise a closing element 7 fixed to the base wall 201 ' comprising an edge portion 701 configured for being fixed to the edge region 205', a central portion 702 configured for being fixed to the central region 206', and an intermediate portion 703, interposed between the edge portion 701 and the central portion 702, which is positioned for closing the intermediate region 207’ and is configured for being pierced by the piercing blades.

Advantageously, according this variant embodiment, the coating layer 6 is positioned outside the supporting layer 5. Optionally, if the central region 206' and the edge region 205' are offset along the axis Z, as shown in Figure 6, the intermediate portion 703 may be inclined.

If the coating layer 6 is positioned outside the supporting layer 5, at the base wall 201' (not illustrated) it may be interposed between the supporting layer 5 and the closing element 7.

In detail, the coating layer 6 may be interposed between the supporting layer 5 and the closing element 7 at the edge region 205' and the central region 206'. The intermediate portion 703 of the closing element 7 may be, on the other hand, superposed on the coating layer 6 closing the intermediate region 207' shaped like a groove.

Thanks to the fact that the intermediate portion 703 is inclined, the closing element 7 can be easily pierced and, therefore, since the pressurised fluid is uniformly distributed in the cavity 203’ through the openings 207’b, the quality of the beverage dispensed may be increased since it is possible to extract from the initial product, for example from the coffee powder, aromatic components.

The bottom wall 207’a is positioned at a distance such that it is not pierced by the piercing blades of the injection device. Preferably, the intermediate region 207' is positioned concentric relative to the axis Z and is annular to contain in the groove the piercing blades, if the piercing blades are concentric relative to the axis Z.

Figures 7 to 9 show the capsule 1" according to the second variant of the capsule 1.

The capsule 1 ” comprises a casing 2” provided with a base wall 201 ” and a side wall 202” defining an open cavity 203” and differs from the capsule 1 in that the base wall 201” is provided with an edge region 205”, which is annular and extends up to the side wall 202”, a central region 206”, and an intermediate region 207”, which is interposed between the central region 206” and the edge region 205”.

The intermediate region 207", shaped to receive the piercing blades of the fluid injection device, has a thickness less than that of the edge region 205" and the central region 206". In this way, the intermediate region 207" may facilitate the piercing of the base wall 201" by the piercing blades.

The edge region 205" and the central region 206" may have equal thicknesses. However, if it is necessary to further stiffen the edge region 205", for example, with respect to the central region 206", the thickness of the edge region 205" may be greater than the thickness of the central region 206".

The base wall 201" may comprise reinforcement strips 210, which extend in radial fashion, circumferentially equispaced, from a circular zone, inside the central region 206", to a side wall 202" of the capsule 1" through an outer edge 205a" of the edge region 205" and are positioned in such a way as not to interfere with the piercing by the piercing blades. In other words, the reinforcement strips 210 may be absent where the blades pierce the base wall 201".

In use, a user inserts the capsule 1 , T or 1 ” in the housing of a dispensing machine which has an injection device comprising piercing blades positioned, for example, about a conduit for supplying pressurised fluid. The flanged edge 204 of the capsule 1 , 1', or 1" is clamped between the housing element and the dispensing device of the dispensing machine. When the housing is closed, the base wall 201 , 201' or 201" is brought to interfere with the piercing blades and, in detail, the intermediate region 207, 207', or 207" receives the piercing blades of the injection device.

In the case of the capsule 1 , since the base wall 201 is stiffened by the ribs 208, the intermediate region 207 is easily pierced when the piercing blades engage with it and prevent the base wall 201 from deforming and yielding, without piercing. In the case of the capsule 1', on the other hand, the piercing blades are received in the intermediate region 207' shaped like a groove and pierce the intermediate portion 703 of the closing element 7, located for closing the groove 207'. If, preferably, the intermediate portion 703 is inclined and is tensioned between the edge region 205' and the central region 206' of the base wall 201', then the intermediate portion 703 is even more easily pierced by the piercing blades.

In the case of the capsule 1”, the piercing blades can easily pierce the intermediate region 207”, with a smaller thickness than the edge region 205” and the central region 206”, since the base wall 201” and the side wall 202” are stiffened by the reinforcement strips 210 which prevent the base wall 201” from deforming and yielding, without piercing.

When pressurised water is injected, the thickness of the first portion 204a, suitably selected in the range of thicknesses indicated from 0.2 mm to 2.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 2.4 mm, even more preferably between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, even more preferably between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, guarantees the sealing efficiency during dispensing whilst the thickness of the second portion 204b, which is greater than that of the first portion 204a, makes it possible to avoid any friction between the first portion 204a and expulsion guides (not illustrated) of the dispensing machine, which can prevent the capsule 1 from being correctly released. Moreover, the second portion 204b guarantees that the flanged edge 204 of the capsule 1 , 1', 1'" maintains its rigidity even if the cellulose pulp softens in contact with the water injected by the injection device.

The radial extension of the second portion 204b (which extends from the side wall 202 and is at least equal to 0.2 mm) also determines the rigidity of the flanged edge 204, and guarantees an efficient dispensing.

After dispensing, the consumer can again return the machine to the open configuration to allow the capsule to detach from the housing element and automatically fall into the inner container dedicated to receiving the capsules already used. It should be noted, therefore, that, thanks to the fact that the capsule is made with the layered structure comprising the supporting layer 5 made of cellulose pulp and optionally the coating layer 6 made of a compostable material, it can be made at a limited cost, at the same time allowing high flexibility in selecting the thickness of the first portion 204a and the second portion 204b of the flanged edge 204 which guarantee a high dispensing efficiency with a significant reduction in the defects linked to fluid leaks and failure to release at the end of dispensing.

Claims

1. A capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") for preparing beverages by injection of a fluid, for example water, under pressure comprising: a casing (2; 2'; 2"), which extends about an axis (Z), which comprises a base wall (201 ; 20V; 201"), a side wall (202; 202'; 202") defining a cavity (203; 203’, 203") containing an initial product to be joined to the fluid to obtain the beverage, and a flanged edge (204) extending from said side wall (202; 202’; 202"); a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge (204) for closing the cavity (203; 203'; 203"); and wherein

- the casing (2; 2'; 2") comprises a supporting layer (5), made of cellulose pulp; and wherein also

- the flanged edge (204) comprises a sealing element, suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal with a housing element of a dispensing machine and has a first portion (204a), which is planar, and a second portion (204b), positioned at the end of the flanged edge (204) and outside the first portion (204a), which is of a thickness greater than the thickness of the first portion; and wherein

- the first portion (204a) has a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 2.8 mm for making the sealing element and the second portion (204b) has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 3.0 mm to promote an expulsion of the capsule (1 ; 1 '; 1 ") from the housing element at the end of dispensing.

2. The capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion (204a) has a thickness of between 0.4 mm and 2.4 mm, still more preferably between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm, still more preferably between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably equal to 1.2 mm and wherein the second portion (204b) has a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, for example equal to 2.0 mm.

3. The capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (204a) extends radially from the side wall (202; 202'; 202") to the second portion (204b), the second portion (204b) having a radial extension at least equal to 0.2 mm.

4. The capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting layer (5) has a grammage of between 50 and 600 g/m2.

5. The capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (2; 2'; 2") is made of a layered structure comprising the supporting layer (5), and at least one coating layer (6) positioned inside, and/or outside, the supporting layer (5).

6. The capsule (1 ; 1'; 1") according to claim 5, wherein the coating layer (6) is made of compostable material.

7. The capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall (201) comprises an edge region (205), which is annular and extends as far as the side wall (202), a central region (206), and an intermediate region (207), which is interposed between the central region (206) and the edge region (205), which is shaped for receiving piercing blades of a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine; wherein the capsule comprises ribs (208) positioned in the central region (206) and in the edge region (205) to stiffen the base wall (201) allowing a correct piercing of the intermediate region (207).

8. The capsule (1) according to claim 7, wherein the ribs (208) extend from the edge region (205) to the side wall (202) through an outer edge (205a) of the edge region (205).

9. The capsule (V) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base wall (201') comprises an edge region (205'), which is annular and extends as far as the side wall (202'), a central region (206'), and an intermediate region (207'), interposed between the central region (206') and the edge region (205'), which is shaped to receive piercing blades of a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine; wherein the intermediate region (207') is shaped like a groove and wherein the capsule (V) comprises a closing element (7) fixed to the base wall (201') comprising an edge portion (701) configured for being fixed to the edge region (205'), a central portion (702) configured for being fixed to the central region (206'), and an intermediate portion (703), interposed between the edge portion (701) and the central portion (702), which is positioned for closing the intermediate region (207’) and is configured for being pierced by the piercing blades.

10. The capsule (V) according to claim 9, wherein the coating layer (6) is positioned outside the supporting layer (5) and the intermediate portion (703) is superposed on the coating layer (6).

11. The capsule (1 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base wall (201") comprises an edge region (205"), which is annular and extends up to the side wall (202"'), a central region (206"), and an intermediate region (207"), which is interposed between the central region (206") and the edge region (205") and is shaped for receiving piercing blades of a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine; wherein the intermediate region (207") is smaller in thickness than the edge region (205") and the central region (206"), to facilitate the piercing of the base wall (201 ") by the piercing blades.

12. The capsule (1") according to claim 11, and comprising reinforcement strips (210) which extend from the central region (206") to the side wall (202") through an outer edge (205a") of the edge region (205") for stiffening the base wall (201").