SINGLE-USE CAPSULE FOR MACHINES FOR THE DISPENSING OF INFUSED BEVERAGES

Abstract

A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages is provided. The capsule has a hollow, cup-shaped body with an insert having a frustoconical disk-like portion having a plurality of through openings formed in a mantle thereof, perforation members formed in a cavity thereof, and a stem that extends axially from a top portion of the frustoconical disk-like portion. The insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein the frustoconical disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and the stem presses against the cover of the capsule deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with a flange within the cup-shaped body, and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and an perforation members interfere with the inner film thereby tearing it.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the preparation of infused beverages such as coffee, tea, herbal teas and the like, as well as drinks based on syrups, and on liquid and powder concentrates starting from single-use capsules. More particularly, the invention relates to a disposable, single-dose or multi-dose capsule for machines for the preparation of such beverages.

BACKGROUND

Disposable capsules used in dispensing machines for infused beverages contain a product in granular or particulate form, for example coffee. It is known that a final beverage is obtained through an “extraction” process, whereby an infusion liquid, supplied under pressure and at a high temperature, typically water, crosses the capsule containing the granular product. The infusion liquid coming out from the capsule enriched by the aroma of the granular product is the desired beverage, which is suitably channeled within a dispensing machine and dispensed from a dispensing head thereof e.g. into a cup.

Known disposable capsules comprise a cup-shaped, hollow body whose open top is provided with a flange on which a cover is tightly fixed. The cover is generally formed of a gas-impermeable film which serves to seal the cavity of the cup-shaped body so as to preserve over time the granular or particulate product contained therein.

During the extraction process, the capsule is inserted into an infusion chamber and subsequently perforated with special perforator elements at the bottom of the cup-shaped body and on the top sealed by the gas-impermeable film. The apertures thus obtained allow passage of a liquid flow through the capsule from one of its ends to the opposite end. Depending on the type of dispensing machine, the liquid can proceed from the bottom of the cup-shaped body to the top or in the opposite direction.

Since a beverage extracted from the capsule is channeled within a dispensing machine and its served by a dispensing head thereof for example into a cup, it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid flavor contamination between different beverages produced one after the other, for example coffee, tea and chocolate, because of beverage residuals that remain after infusion typically on the perforator elements, but also inside the channels formed in the dispensing head.

In order to overcome this drawback capsules for the preparation of infused beverages have been developed, which are opened by exploiting the pressure of the infusion liquid by using suitable opening means housed inside the capsules. The extracted beverage is served from a dispensing machine directly from the capsule without interacting with dispensing channels, thus avoiding any possible flavor contamination among different beverages.

An example of such a capsule is described in the European patent EP 1472156 B1. The capsule comprises a closed chamber containing a product in granular or particulate form and opening means adapted to allow opening of the capsule, wherein opening is obtained by exploiting a relative movement between the opening means and a sealing film of the cavity. The relative movement is due to a pressure increase within the cavity caused by the infusion liquid injected into the capsule. According to an embodiment, the opening means comprise a plurality of sharpened elements arranged on a supporting disc housed on the bottom of the capsule below the sealing film tightly closing the cavity. Once perforated the film, the infused beverage which comes out from the cavity passes through channels that are formed between the film and the sharpened elements and is collected on the bottom of the capsule, wherein a dispensing aperture is formed. More particularly, the relative movement between the opening means and the sealing film occurs once a pressure threshold is exceeded, the pressure threshold being such to overcome the mechanical resistance opposed by the opening means and the sealing film.

A problem of this type of capsules is that it is difficult to accurately predict the pressure threshold above which opening of the capsule occurs. The internal pressure can in fact vary depending on the structure of the sealing film, its thickness and the material of which it is made, as well as according to the shape and size of the sharpened elements, which are affected by manufacturing tolerances.

The variability of the pressure threshold above which the opening means are activated determines a variable flow of infusion liquid through the product contained in the capsule. This does not allow to ensure constancy of the organoleptic properties of an infused beverage so obtained, which can be negatively perceived by users.

This problem is solved by a disposable capsule for dispensing machines of infused beverages which is subject matter of the co-pending Italian patent application 102015000051841 in the Applicant's name.

This capsule is provided with opening means housed in a cavity tightly closed by a cover and an inner sealing film, wherein the opening means comprise an insert that is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein a frusto-conical portion thereof rests on the bottom of the capsule and a stem thereof presses against the capsule cover thus deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein by acting on the stem the insert is made to advance in the axial direction towards the bottom of the capsule and a plurality of perforation members formed in its frusto-conical portion interfere with the inner sealing film thereby tearing it.

According to an embodiment of the disposable capsule disclosed by the co-pending Italian patent application 102015000051841, the insert advantageously comprises a cup-shaped element housed in the capsule in a seat formed close to a flanged edge thereof. The cup-shaped element is provided with a central hole wherein the stem of the insert is slidably fitted. The central hole allows to position the insert correctly inside the capsule body during its assembly or packaging, as well as to guide it thus facilitating its axial movement to the opening position.

The stem of the insert and the central hole of the cup-shaped element are configured so as to provide a tight coupling in the assembly or packaging position, so that the cup-shaped element divides the cavity of the capsule body in two sectors, a lower sector formed between the cup-shaped element and the bottom, wherein the granular or particulate product is contained, and an upper sector formed between the cup-shaped element and the cover, wherein a second product such as milk powder or another ingredient or, more generally, a reactant, may be advantageously arranged during packing.

This particular type of capsule may be improved as far as the tight coupling allowing to divide cavity of the capsule body cavity into two sectors intended to contain miscible products for the preparation of a beverage is concerned.

Since both the insert and the cup-shaped element coupled therewith are made of plastic and manufactured by way of injection molding processes, due to manufacturing tolerances a play may be formed at the coupling between the insert stem and the hole of cup-shaped element, which does not allow to achieve a tight coupling. Conversely interference may occur between the insert stem and the hole of cup-shaped element, which makes it difficult to assemble the two components and hence penalizes packaging of the disposable capsule.

A tight coupling, i.e. a separation between the two sectors of the cavity of a disposable capsule body is a key element for the preservation of the organoleptic properties of the base products, which determine the quality of the final beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem underlying and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a disposable capsule for dispensing machines of infused beverages, as well as drinks based on syrups, liquid and powder concentrates, which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a disposable capsule according to claim 1. Preferred features of the present invention are object of the dependent claims.

An idea of solution underlying the invention is to make a disposable capsule such as that disclosed by the Italian co-pending patent application 102015000051841, but wherein the coupling between the hole formed in the cup-shaped element and the insert stem is achieved by way of a breakable collar. This collar is configured so as to yield under the compression force applied to the insert stem when this is made to advance in the axial direction towards the bottom of the capsule body in order to allow the perforation members formed in the frusto-conical portion of the insert to interfere with the inner sealing film thus tearing it.

The main advantage offered by the invention is to ensure a complete separation between the two sectors of the cavity of the capsule body, which allows to preserve the organoleptic properties of the base products and therefore the quality of the beverage that can be obtained by using them.

The portion of the stem which protrudes from the cup-shaped element in the assembled configuration has a reduced cross section. In the opening configuration of the capsule, this allows to facilitate the passage of the product separated by the cup-shaped element from the adjacent sector, as well as the flow of an infusion liquid for preparing the beverage.

Another advantage offered by the invention is that the capsule with its insert is not only usable for the preparation of infused beverages, but also beverages based on syrups, liquid concentrates and powder concentrates, thanks to the possibility to fill the two sectors with a base beverage product and an ingredient for completing the beverage, for example a reagent for adding carbon dioxide gas.

Further advantages, features and operation modes of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof that are given by way of non-limiting examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and bottom perspective views respectively showing a capsule according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the capsule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, perspective view of a portion of the insert of the capsule according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view showing a packaged capsule according to the invention ready for use;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view showing a capsule according to the invention after use;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By initially referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a capsule according to the invention is generally indicated by reference number 100.

The capsule 100 comprises a hollow, cup-shaped body 110 adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, for example coffee powder, but also liquid concentrates like syrups. The hollow body 110 comprises a bottom 111 and a peripheral wall 112 on whose peripheral edge a flange 113 is formed. The hollow, cup-shaped body 110 is closed by a cover 120 tightly fixed to the flange 113. The cover is for example a film made of a polylaminate material, which has the function to seal the body cavity so as to allow to preserve over time of the granular or particulate product contained therein.

A through opening 114 is formed in the bottom 111 so as to allow dispensing of an infused beverage obtainable by the granular or particulate product. The through opening 114 has e.g. a circular cross-section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the through opening 114 has a funnel shape that facilitates the outflow of an infused beverage and is reinforced by a plurality of radial ribs 115.

The through opening 114 is sealed by an inner film 130 applied on the bottom 111 of the hollow body 110 and made e.g. of a polylaminate material. The inner film 130 defines with the peripheral wall 112 and the cover 120 a closed chamber suitable to store the granular or particulate product.

The capsule 100 further comprises an insert 200 housed in its body 110. The insert 200 extends axially from the bottom 111 of the hollow body 110 to the cover 120.

The insert 200 comprises a frustoconical, disk-like portion 210 having a peripheral edge 211 intended to rest on the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 and a mantle 212 wherein a plurality of through openings 213 allowing flow of an infused beverage are formed. The through openings 213 are preferably circular or polygonal shaped, for example square shaped as shown in FIG. 3.

The frustoconical disk-like portion 210 further includes one or more perforation members 214 which protrude axially from its cavity.

The insert 200 also includes a stem 220 which extends axially from the top of the frustoconical disk-shaped portion 210.

The insert 200 also comprises a cup-shaped element 230 housed in the body 110 of the capsule 100 in a seat 116 formed closed to its flanged edge. The seat 116 preferably includes circumferential ribs 117 configured to snap lock the cup-shaped element 230 at its cylindrical mantle; to this aim the cup-shaped element 230 comprises a circumferential rib 231.

According to the invention, the stem 220 and the cup-shaped element 230 are restrained to one another by way of breakable connecting means, the whole configuration being such that the insert 200, fitted inside the cavity of the cup-shaped body 110 of a capsule, separates said cavity into two adjacent sectors that do not communicate with each other. The breakable connecting means are made in the form of connecting portions having a cross-section smaller than the cross-sections of the parts they connect. In other words, the breakable means are weakened portions configured to yield beyond a predetermined load threshold without causing deformations of the parts they connect.

The stem 220 includes an end portion 221 which, in an assembled configuration of the disposable capsule 100, protrudes axially beyond the flanged edge of the body 110.

The end portion 221 includes a base 221a from which a plurality of elements 221b stretch out axially.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end portion 221 is advantageously formed integrally with the cup-shaped element 230 and restrained thereto by way of a breakable collar 222, which allows to simplify the manufacturing process and the assembly of the insert 200. In FIGS. 5 and 7, the cover 120 of the disposable capsule 100 is shown partially transparent in order to better clarify operation of the insert 200.

As shown in the longitudinal section of FIG. 6, in an assembled configuration of the disposable capsule 100 the peripheral edge 211 of the disk-shaped frustoconical portion 210 of the insert 200 rests on the bottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, so that the perforation members 214 face the film 130 that seals the bottom 111. The insert 200 is configured such that the perforation members 214 are arranged close to the film 130 without touching it. The cup-shaped element 230 is arranged in its seat 116 and the end portion 221 contacts the stem 220.

Centering between the stem 220 and its end portion 221 may be advantageously facilitated by way of a shape coupling in the axial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 220 includes e.g. a seat 220a and the end portion 221 includes a pin 221c having a matching shape.

As mentioned above, the end portion 221 protrudes axially beyond the flanged edge of the body 110 of the capsule 100 and presses against the cover 120 thus giving it a convex or dome shape.

After insertion of the capsule into an infusion chamber of a machine for dispensing infused beverages, the infusion chamber is tightly closed and thus blocks the capsule typically at its flanged edge. It is known that the cover is compressed and perforated directly during the closing step or immediately afterwards by one or more perforators that allow injection of an infusion liquid.

Now particularly referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be appreciated that, due to the configuration of the capsule 100 and of the insert 200 disclosed above, the compression of the cover 120 makes the stem 220 move in the axial direction pushed by its end portion 221; this causes a deformation of the disk-shaped frustoconical portion 210, which is flattened and brings the perforation members 214 formed therein towards the film 130. The film 130 is consequently torn. The capsule 100 is thus open both at the cover 120 and at the inner film 130 and thus allows flow of an infusion liquid.

In other words, the insert 200 is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein the end portion 221 of the stem 220 presses the cover 120 of the capsule 100 thus deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein the end of the stem 220 is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with the flange 113, and the disk-like portion 210 is flattened on the bottom 111 and the perforation members 214 interfere and tear the inner film 130.

As described above, it will be also appreciated that compression of the cover 120 also determines detachment of the end portion 221 of the stem 220 from the cup-shaped element 230, which occurs in a programmed manner at the breakable collar 222 that is a suitably weakened connecting portion between the end portion 221 and the cup-shaped element 230.

Consequently, the product contained in the sector formed between the cup-shaped element 230 and the cover 120 is moved by gravity and/or due to a flow of infusion liquid into the adjacent sector through the axial passage that is formed by breaking the breakable collar 222, thus being mixed with the product contained in this sector and forming the beverage.

The beverage so obtained progressively flows out from the disposable capsule through the film 130 and the opening 114 formed on the bottom 110 of the capsule 100.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the stem 220 can be fitted into a through opening formed axially in the cup-shaped element 230 so that its end portion 221 protrudes therefrom axially of a length sufficient to cause deformation of the cover 120 of the capsule 100. The stem 220 is restrained to the cup-shaped element 230 by way of a breakable collar formed along the peripheral edge of this through opening.

The present invention has hereto been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that there may be other embodiments based on the same inventive idea, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set out below.

Claims

1. A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages, said capsule comprising:

i) a hollow, cup-shaped body adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, said hollow body comprising a bottom wherein a through opening is formed, a peripheral wall and a flange formed on a peripheral edge of said peripheral wall;

ii) a cover tightly fixed on said flange;

iii) an inner film applied on said bottom so as to seal said through opening; and

iv) an insert housed in said hollow body, said insert comprising a frustoconical disk-like portion, said frustoconical disk-like portion having a plurality of through openings formed in a mantle thereof and perforation members formed in a cavity thereof, and a stem that extends axially from a top portion of said frustoconical disk-like portion,

wherein the insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein said frustoconical disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and said stem presses against said cover deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with said flange, and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and said perforation members interfere with the inner film thereby tearing it, and

wherein the insert further comprises a cup-shaped element restrained to the body of the capsule in a seat formed close to its flange,

wherein the stem and the cup-shaped element are coupled to one another by means of breakable connecting means, the overall configuration being such that the insert, fitted into the cavity of the body of the capsule, separates the cavity into two sectors adjacent to each other and not communicating with each other.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the stem comprises an end portion which, in an assembled configuration of the disposable capsule, axially protrudes beyond the flanged edge of its body.

3. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said end portion is formed integrally with the cup-shaped element and restrained thereto by way of a breakable collar, said collar forming the breakable connecting means.

4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the stem and its end portion are connected axially through a shape coupling.

5. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the stem is fitted in a through opening formed axially in the cup-shaped element so that said end portion protrudes axially therefrom, and wherein the stem is restrained to the cup-shaped element by way of a breakable collar formed along the peripheral edge of said through-opening, said collar forming the breakable means.