CN107592796B - Suitable for preparing the disposable capsule of infusion beverage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of disposable capsule of machine for being used to prepare infusion beverage, the capsule (100) includes: the cup-shaped hollow body (110) for receiving the product of measurement dosage；The lid (120) being fastened on the flange (114) of the main body；And distribution-collection the insertion piece (200) at top (113) is axially extended to from the base portion (111) of the main body, and including the cup-like portion (210) close to the top (113) arrangement, the disk-shaped portion (220) being arranged at the base portion (111), and the cup-like portion is connected to the stem portion (230) of the disk-shaped portion.Cup-like portion (210) includes the multiple through-holes (211) formed in radial directions, and the disk portions (220) include the multiple through-holes (221) formed in the axial direction.

Description

Disposable capsules suitable for machines for preparing infused beverages

field of invention

The present invention relates to the preparation of infused beverages, such as coffee, tea, herbal teas, etc., starting from a disposable capsule, and in particular to a disposable, single-dose or multi-dose capsule for use in a machine for preparing infused beverages.

Background technique

Disposable capsules used in machines for infused beverage dispensing contain granulated or particulate products such as coffee. Beverages are known to be obtained by the process of "infusion", which consists in making an infusion liquid which passes through the capsule with the granular product. The soaking liquid (usually water) is supplied under pressure and high temperature. The infusion liquid leaving the capsule after concentrating the aroma of the granulated product is the desired beverage, which is properly guided within the dispensing machine and out of the dispensing head, eg into a cup.

Known single-use capsules comprise a cup-shaped hollow body, the open top of which is provided with a flange, onto which a lid, usually formed by an air-impermeable membrane, is applied. This membrane seals the cavity of the cup in order to preserve the granular or particulate product contained therein over time.

During the infusion, the capsules are installed in the infusion chamber and subsequently perforated by a special perforator both at the bottom of the cup-shaped body and at the top sealed by an air-tight membrane. The holes thus obtained allow the flow of liquid through the capsule from one end of the capsule to the opposite end. Depending on the type of brewing machine, the liquid can travel from the bottom to the top of the cup or in the opposite direction.

A typical technical problem of known capsules is to maximize the beverage infusion, which depends inter alia on the homogeneity of the flow of the infusion liquid through the cup. The way a beverage is steeped also has an impact on its aroma and thus the reproducibility of its organoleptic qualities.

This problem is especially felt when dealing with capsules that open under the pressure of the infusion liquid, where it is not possible to ensure uniform hole formation at the desired location. In fact, large sized pores may cause the particulate product to flow with the beverage, while small sized pores may impede the flow of infusion liquid, thereby hampering the beverage infusion process.

A solution to these technical problems is provided by the European patent EP1344722B2, which describes a disposable capsule comprising a dispensing element for infusion liquid and/or a collection element for infusion beverage, these elements are provided with a plurality of shafts The hole and a plurality of protruding members are arranged at one or both ends of the capsule in the axial direction. The dispensing and collecting elements are arranged between the membrane sealing the top of the capsule and the measured dose of granular product contained therein and between the rear and the bottom of the cup, respectively.

The distributing and collecting elements for the infusion liquid prevent the loss of coffee powder, independent of the number and size of the holes formed on the top and bottom of the capsule by the machine receiving it. Due to the presence of protruding members defining a channel-like path, the distributing and collecting element also allows guiding both infusion liquid and infusion beverage.

The distribution element for the infusion liquid and the collection element for the infusion of the beverage allow to maximize the infusion of the beverage and solve the problems related to the size of the inlet and outlet holes formed in the capsule for the infusion liquid. However, they are additional components that affect the overall cost of the capsule from a manufacturing and assembly point of view.

Furthermore, the body of the disposable capsule must have suitable seats in order to accommodate the dispensing and collection elements. This complicates the design of the capsule body and has implications for the equipment for its manufacture as well as for the assembly and packaging of the finished capsules.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a disposable capsule for a machine for infusing beverages which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages with reference to the prior art.

A disposable capsule according to claim 1 solves this problem. The dependent claims are preferred features of the invention.

Said capsule according to the invention is provided with an insert extending axially from its open top to its base or bottom. At the top end of the capsule, the insert comprises a glass cup-shaped portion with a plurality of radial openings.

At the opposite end, ie at the base or bottom of the capsule, the insert comprises a disc-shaped portion, the peripheral edge of which lies at the bottom of the capsule. In the disk-shaped portion, a plurality of through holes in the axial direction are formed. The disc-shaped portion is configured to define with the bottom of the capsule a cavity serving as a collector for infused beverage.

The glass-shaped portion and disc-shaped portion are interconnected by a rod-shaped portion and form a single body therewith.

During the infusion of the beverage, the infusion liquid is contained in the glass-shaped part, through which it flows out through its radial opening, so as to equally and evenly reach the granular product contained in the capsule, which surrounds the rod-shaped part of the insert of.

The main advantage afforded by the present invention is that it allows the manufacture of a single part that acts both as a distribution element for infusion liquid and as a collection element for infusion beverage. Such a distribution-collection element can be easily and quickly fitted into the hollow body of a disposable capsule, since it only adjoins the bottom of the capsule.

The provision of a single multipurpose insert provided also has the advantage of simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the capsule assembly as a whole, compared to disposable capsules comprising a separate dispensing element for infusion liquid and a collection element for infusion beverage .

Thus, the manufacturing and assembly time of the capsule assembly is reduced, as well as the overall cost.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the glass-shaped portion of the insert comprises a flange which (in the assembly member of the capsule) is aligned with the top of the capsule body. The flange is tightly secured to the lid of the disposable capsule such that the glass-cup portion together with the lid defines a chamber adapted to receive infusion liquid through the perforator, the mechanical syringe member that dispenses the infusion beverage.

According to a variant of the invention, the flange of the glass-shaped portion of the insert extends radially to the peripheral wall of the capsule body, where it sealingly engages a peripheral groove formed therein. In this case, no direct connection between the flange part of the glass-shaped part and the lid is required, since the chamber for receiving the infusion liquid consists of the glass-shaped part, the flange of the insert, the flange and the The portion of the peripheral wall of the capsule body between the lid and the lid itself is defined.

Two variants of the invention allow collecting the infusion liquid supplied by the injector member of the machine for preparing infused beverages, in order to optimize the distribution of the infusion liquid towards the granular product contained in the capsule.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the edges of the radial opening formed in the glass-shaped portion of the insert may advantageously be tapered, allowing a directional effect for the corresponding flow of infusion liquid towards the granular product.

Other advantages, characteristics and modes of realization of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments disclosed as non-limiting examples.

Description of drawings

Refer to the figure in the accompanying drawing, where:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a capsule according to the invention;

Figure 1a shows a detail of Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the insert of the capsule of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a capsule according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded view showing the components of the capsule of Figure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 show, respectively, a whole and a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the insert of the capsule of Figure 3;

Figures 7 and 8 show, respectively, a whole and a partially cut-away perspective view of the collector portion of the capsule of Figure 3 .

specific embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a disposable capsule according to the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 100 .

Capsule 100 comprises a hollow cup-shaped body 110 adapted to receive a measured dose of a product in granular or particulate form (not shown), such as coffee.

The hollow body 110 includes a base or bottom 111 , a peripheral wall 112 and an open top 113 with a flange 114 formed along its peripheral edge. The top 113 of the capsule is closed by a lid 120 sealed on the flange 114 of the hollow body 110, for example by a film made of multilayer material for sealing the cavity of the body 110 so as to be able to store the contents contained therein for a long time. Granular or particulate products.

According to the invention, the capsule 100 also comprises an insert 200 housed in the cavity of the body 110 .

The insert 200 projects axially from the base 111 to the top 113 of the main body 110 .

2, the insert 200 includes a glass-shaped portion 210 positioned near or at the top 113, a disc-shaped portion 220 positioned near or at the base 111 of the body 110, and a connecting glass-shaped portion 220. Shaped portion 210 and rod-shaped portion 230 of disc-shaped portion 220.

As shown in Figures 1a and 2, the glass cup-shaped portion 210 includes a plurality of radial through holes 211 formed in its peripheral wall and a flange 212 connected to its top edge. The disc-shaped portion 220 includes a plurality of through holes 221 formed in the axial direction.

The diameter of the stem portion 230 may advantageously be differentiated according to the type of capsule into which the insert 200 is to be installed and the type and expected amount of granular product.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the insert 200 is configured such that the flange 212 of the glass cup-shaped portion 210 is aligned with the top 113 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 . Moreover, in the assembled configuration of the capsule 100, the flange 212 is sealed to the lid 120, so that the glass-shaped portion 210 and the latter define a cavity 213 adapted to pass through a perforation of a machine—a machine for dispensing beverages. A syringe member (not shown) receives the soaking liquid.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 , 1a and 2 , the disc-shaped portion 220 may be, for example, frusto-conical for defining with the substantially flat base 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 a cavity 222 suitable for collecting an infused beverage.

Alternatively, the disc-shaped portion may be a flat shape and the cavity 222 is defined by gaskets (eg ribs) formed on the base 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 .

During the infusion step of the beverage, the infusion liquid fills the chamber 213 and flows from it through the radial through holes 211 of the glass cup-shaped part 210 to reach the granular product contained in the capsule 100, which is arranged in the inserted around the stem portion 230 of the member 200. The infusion liquid wets the granular product in the same and uniform manner to allow for infusion of the beverage.

The through hole 211 may advantageously comprise one or more tapered portions of the respective peripheral edge, which allow the flow of the respective infusion liquid to have a directional effect towards the granular product contained in the body 110 of the capsule 100 .

As shown in the example in the detail view of FIG. sloped surface. This configuration allows directing the flow of infusion liquid from the chamber 213 towards the top 113 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, thereby obtaining a "rain-like" infusion effect of the granular product.

It should be appreciated that different tapered portions of the through holes 211 are envisioned depending on the type of granular product and the recipe for preparing the infused beverage. For example, to create a turbulent flow within the body of the capsule, to obtain a mixing effect between the granular product and the infusion liquid, or to speed up the flow of the infusion liquid and create a deeper penetration of the granular product.

The infused beverage extracted from the granular product is collected on the bottom of the body 110 of the capsule 100 in the cavity 222 defined between its base 111 and the disc-shaped portion 220 of the insert 200 and passing through one or A plurality of openings emerge from the base 111, for example, the openings are formed by an aperture element (not shown) when the capsule is introduced into an infusion assembly of a machine for preparing an infusion beverage or are integrally formed in the capsule body and passed through removable or The pierced barrier membrane is properly sealed.

On the surface of the disc-shaped portion 220 intended to face the base 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, a filter element (not shown) may advantageously be fixed, adapted to prevent particles of the granular product from passing through the through holes 221 loss. These particulates may actually come out of the capsule with the infused beverage, reducing its quality.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6 , according to a variant of the invention, the glass cup-shaped portion 210 of the dispenser collector insert 200 extends radially upwards up to the peripheral wall 112 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 , its flange 212 sealingly engaging a rim formed therein. Circumferential groove 115 .

In this case, the chamber 213 intended to receive the infusion fluid consists of the glass cup-shaped part 210 of the insert 200 and the flange 212 together with the peripheral wall 112 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 formed between the flange 212 and the lid 120 parts are limited together.

As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , also in this embodiment of the invention, the radial opening 211 of the cup-shaped portion may advantageously comprise one or more tapered portions of the corresponding peripheral edge, which allow to produce Directional effect of the corresponding flow of infusion liquid towards the granular product contained in the body 110 of the capsule 100 .

Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the disc-shaped portion 220 has a frustoconical shape resting on the periphery of the base 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100 , which also has a frustoconical shape, thereby defining a cavity. 222.

A barrier film 300, such as a multilayer film including a layer of aluminum, may be arranged at the periphery of the base 111 to seal the interior cavity of the body 110 of the capsule 100 to preserve the granular product contained therein for a period of time.

In order to allow delivery of the infused beverage from the base of the capsule, it is therefore necessary to pierce the barrier membrane 300, and for this purpose the disc-shaped portion 220 comprises one or more pointed members 223, for example, having a pyramidal shape, from which the main body of the capsule 100 faces. The surface of the base 111 of 110 protrudes. Preferably, the sharp member 223 extends upward to the barrier film 300 .

As shown in FIGS. 3 , 4 and 5 , the rod-shaped element 230 of the insert 200 is detachable in the axial direction and includes a first portion 231 associated with the glass-shaped portion 210 and a second portion associated with the disc-shaped portion 220 . The two parts 232, the first part and the second part are telescopically fit into each other and have corresponding cylindrical mating shapes. The first part 231 and the second part 232 of the rod-shaped element 230 may be connected to the glass-shaped part 210 and the disc-shaped part 220 respectively, or more advantageously, formed integrally therewith as in the illustrated embodiment.

This configuration of the insert 200 allows for simplified filling of the capsule cavity with granular product. Indeed, in the assembled configuration of the capsule 100 , the top opening 113 is closed by the glass-shaped portion 210 .

The structure of the insert 200 also allows the use of the infusion liquid as a pusher to press the sharpened member 223 against the membrane 300 during the infusion step and to form a plurality of channels therein for the delivery of the infused beverage, as described in detail hereinafter like that.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 , the first part 231 includes a through hole 231 a formed at the bottom, while the second part 232 is provided with a base 232 a formed by walls distributed at an intermediate height between its free end and the disc-shaped part 220 .

In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first portion 231 fits telescopically within the second portion 232 . As shown, in the assembled configuration, the first portion 231 abuts a shoulder 232b axially spaced from the base 232a of the second portion 232 , which acts as a stop member for the first portion 231 .

It should be understood that, alternatively, the second part 232 fits telescopically into the first part 231, and in this case, in the assembled configuration, the second part 232 may abut one of the parts formed in the first part 231. or a shoulder formed by a plurality of radial protrusions. However, the latter configuration is not superior to the first configuration disclosed above because of its higher structural complexity.

During the soaking step, the soaking liquid supplied under pressure into the capsule 100 is received into the glass-cup-shaped part 210 of the insert 200, then flows through the first part 231 and reaches the base 232a of the second part 232, thereby overlaying the put pressure on. By the action of the pressure of the soaking liquid, the second part 232 of the rod-shaped element 230 is thus telescopically displaced relative to the first part 231 and moved axially towards the capsule base, whereby the disc-shaped part 220 pressed by the second part 232 The base 111 is deformed towards the body 110 of the capsule 100 so as to pierce the barrier membrane 300 through its sharp member 223 . The disk-shaped portion 220 deforms in the elastic field due to its frusto-conical shape.

The infusion liquid simultaneously flows out of the glass-like portion 210 through the radial openings 211 formed therein, whereby the beverage is obtained from the granular product; the beverage is collected in the cavity 222 and flows out of the capsule 100 through the opening formed in the barrier membrane 300 .

It will be appreciated that provision for the stem portion 230 to be detachable in the axial direction and constructed as described above is not a characteristic of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6 . In fact, this feature can also be combined with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which the glass-cup-shaped portion 210 of the insert 200 is sealed to the lid 120 of the capsule 100 .

In the space between the barrier membrane 300 and the bottom of the capsule 100 a collecting element 400 is preferably arranged.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the collecting element 400 is flat in shape, such as a disc, and includes a plurality of protruding members 410 facing the barrier film 300 and serving as a contrasting element to the sharp member 223 of the disc-shaped portion 220 to confine it. movement in the axial direction. The protruding members 410 also together with the barrier film 300 define a plurality of collection channels for infused beverages.

The collecting element 400 also includes a plurality of through holes 411 formed in the axial direction for discharging the infused beverage flowing from the capsule, and also has an appendage 412 of tubular hollow shape protruding towards the base 111 of the cup-shaped body 110, And engages the discharge port 116, which may optionally be sealed by a pierceable membrane or a removable cover (not shown). The through hole 411 and the appendage 412 allow delivery and guidance of the infused beverage from the capsule 100 .

According to another embodiment of the invention, the collecting element 400 may be integrally formed in the base 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, for example by an injection molding process.

The invention has been disclosed herein with reference to its preferred embodiments. It should be understood that there may be other embodiments related to the same inventive concept as defined by the scope of protection of the claims listed below.

Claims (10)

1. A disposable capsule (100) for a machine for preparing infused beverages, said capsule (100) comprising: i) a cup-shaped hollow body (110) for receiving measured doses of granular or particulate product; ii) a lid (120) sealed on the flange (114) of said body (110); iii) distribution-collection insert (200), wherein said insert (200) extends axially from a base (111) of said body (110) to a top (113) of said body (110) and includes a portion (210) disposed adjacent to said top (113) ), a disk-shaped portion (220) arranged near the base (111) and connecting the portion (210) near the top (113) to the disk-shaped portion (220) near the base (111) ), and wherein the portion (210) near the top (113) includes a plurality of through holes (211) formed in the radial direction, and the portion near the base (111) The disc portion (220) includes a plurality of through holes (221) formed in the axial direction, It is characterized in that, said portion (210) near said top (113) is a glass cup-shaped portion, as well as The disc-like portion (220) is provided on the base (111). 2. Capsule (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said glass cup-shaped part (210) of said insert (200) further comprises a flange (212) arranged on its top edge, The flange (212) of the glass-like portion (210) is secured to the lid (120) and defines with the lid a chamber (213) for receiving an infusion liquid. 3. Capsule (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said glass cup-shaped part (210) of said insert (200) further comprises a flange (212) on its top edge, said The flange (212) of the glass cup portion (210) extends radially upwards to the peripheral wall (112) of the body (110) of the capsule (100) and sealingly engages a groove circumferentially formed therein (115), the glass cup-shaped part (210), the flange (212) of the glass cup-shaped part (210), and the flange (212) arranged on the glass cup-shaped part (210) and the A portion of said peripheral wall (112) between the lid (120) of the capsule (100) defines with said lid (120) a chamber (213) for receiving an infusion liquid. 4. Capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the disc-shaped portion (220) of the insert is frusto-conical. 5. Capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said disc-like portion (220) of said insert is of flat shape. 6. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insert (200) further comprises a filter element arranged on the disc-shaped portion (220) ) facing the surface of the base (111) of the body (110) of the capsule (100). 7. The capsule (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the rod-shaped portion (230) of the insert (200) is formed with the glass-shaped portion (210) ) associated with a first portion (231) and a second portion (232) associated with said disk portion (220), said first and said second portions (231, 232) being configured to The operative configurations of the capsules are assembled with each other and telescopically fitted with each other, and have corresponding cylindrical mating shapes. 8. The capsule (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said first portion (231) of said rod-shaped portion (230) comprises a through hole (231a) formed on its bottom, and wherein, Said second part (232) of said rod-shaped part is provided with a base (232a) formed by walls distributed between its free end and said disc-shaped part (220), the whole of said rod-shaped part It is configured such that, in use, said first part (231 ) abuts said base (232a) of said second part (232) so that it acts as a stop member for said first part (231 ). 9. Capsule (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that said base (111) of said body (110) has a frusto-conical shape, and wherein a barrier film (300) runs along said base ( 111), the disc-shaped portion (220) of said insert (200) comprises a plurality of sharp elements (223) protruding from the surface facing said base (111) of said body (110). 10. The capsule (100) according to claim 9, further comprising a collection element (400) accommodated in the frusto-conical base (111), the collection element (400) comprising a plurality of A protruding member (410) configured to contact the barrier film (300), a plurality of through holes (411) formed in the axial direction, and an attachment (412) having a hollow tube shape, the attachment (412) axially Protrudes toward said frustoconical base (111) and engages a discharge opening (116) formed therein.