HK1209394B

HK1209394B - Portion capsule and method for producing a beverage by means of a portion capsule

Info

Publication number: HK1209394B
Application number: HK15110111.6A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 甘特‧安普尔
Original assignee: K-Fee系统股份有限公司
Priority date: 2012-06-18
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2018-02-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a capsule body, which has a capsule bottom and a lid, wherein a cavity for accommodating a powdery or liquid beverage substrate is formed between the capsule bottom and the lid and wherein a filter element is arranged in the cavity. The invention further relates to a method for producing a portion capsule and the use of the portion capsule to produce a beverage.

Description

The present invention relates to a serving capsule for the manufacture of a beverage, having a capsule body with a capsule bottom and a lid, between the capsule bottom and the lid a cavity is formed to accommodate a granulated, powdered or liquid beverage substrate and a filter element is placed in the cavity.

Such serving capsules are generally known from the state of the art, for example, the sheets EP 1792850 B1, EP 1344722 A1, WO 2012/038063 A1 and US 2003/0172813 A1 show serving capsules for coffee and espresso preparation.

Such serving capsules for the manufacture of a beverage or foodstuff are preferably conical or cylindrical in shape and are made, for example, from a deep-drawn plastic film or in the plastic injection process. They usually have a closed capsule bottom and an open filling side with a collar edge, on which, after the hollow of the serving capsule has been filled with a filter element and a granulated, powdered or liquid beverage substrate has been injected, a cap film is sealed or glued. The filter element is preferably placed between the beverage layer and the capsule floor and rests on this filter. These filters are either injected from a thermoplasticizer or a plastic or non-injected into a deep-drawn or woven material and are made of a non-invasive material.

For the preparation of a beverage, for example a coffee drink, the serving capsule is inserted into a brewing chamber of a brewing machine. After or during the closing of the brewing chamber, the capsule is preferably opened on its closed bottom side by means of an opening horn located in the brewing chamber and, after sealing the brewing chamber, the filling side of the serving capsule, which is covered with a lid film, is preferably pre-infused with at least one technological agent. However, there are also portion capsules that are already opened on at least one side of the pressure capsule before being introduced into the brewing capsule. Afterwards, a hot liquid is discharged, which dissolves, for example, a liquid in the brewing capsule. This liquid is also dissolved in the extracting fluid between the capsule and the extracting capsule and the extracting gas.

However, the disadvantage of filter elements produced by the plastic injection process or by the deep drawing or stamping process is that, in order to retain the coffee particles, the opening of the sieve holes must be smaller than the smallest coffee particles. For example, since a certain amount of dust is inevitably also collected in the coffee grinding process, too large sieve holes will result in the passage of coffee particles or, if the sieve blocks are too small, especially at high pressures, in the sieve stopping.

The state of the art therefore recognises portion capsules with sieve arrangements which are intended to avoid these disadvantages. In US 2778739, EP 1710173 A1 and US 5352765, portion capsules with sieve arrangements are revealed consisting of a sieve carrier with relatively large passing openings, these openings being covered with a filter material. The disadvantage of these arrangements is that the presentation of such sieve arrangements involves additional material and manufacturing costs, since they consist of a stable sieve carrier and the filter material placed on the sieve carrier and/or the available filter area is too small, so that the extraction or solvent comparison process takes a long time.

The present invention was therefore intended to provide a serving capsule with a filter element which is more cost-effective to produce compared to the state of the art and/or which avoids the disadvantages identified in connection with the state of the art.

This task is solved with a serving capsule as claimed 1. In the sense of the invention, a deep drawn filter element is a formerly flat filter element that takes on a 3D shape with at least one inlet or outlet. The claims made on this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subject matter of the present invention and vice versa. The advantage of the portion capsule according to the invention compared to the state of the art is that a simple and inexpensive non-woven fibre material is used as a sieve element. This material is plastic shaped, preferably deep-drawn, and therefore not flat, and therefore has a comparatively large filter area compared to a flat filter element, which is in particular larger than the cross-sectional area of the capsule body,In addition, compared with the best known plastic filters, a filter element made of a non-woven fibre material has the advantage of having a significantly larger liquid entry surface, of allowing a fluid flow (parallel to the main stretch plane of the filter plane) which results in better mixing and flow characteristics, and of reducing or almost eliminating the risk of sieve blockage. Surprisingly, the non-woven filter material is resistant to pressure both in a beverage with a comparatively low pressure preparation and in a liquid with a high resistance to pressure preparation.Furthermore, a liquid cross-flow in the filter element is always reliably maintained and a drainage of the fluids entering the filter element to a drainage opening is ensured. The serving capsule for the purpose of the present invention comprises a preferably hermetically sealed serving capsule. This means that the beverage or food substrate contained in the serving capsule, such as coffee powder, soup powder or tea, is essentially closed to the environment before the extraction process. The serving capsule does not have to be hermetically sealed, but may also be provided in a hermetically sealed package before use, which is then opened, for example manually.i.e. flowing through the preparation fluid without being inflated.

Preferably, the nonwoven fibre material is a nonwoven. A nonwoven in the sense of the invention is a disordered, nonwoven structure of fibres, in particular plastic fibres. A nonwoven in the sense of the invention preferably does not contain paper or paper-like materials but is made entirely of plastic.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 1350 (char 1349)

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nonwoven fibrous material has a felt structure. In particular, it is a needle felt structure. Preferably, the fibrous material consists of at least one felt structure and one support structure, in particular, a fabric structure, with, in particular, the felt structure comprising at least a sub-section of the volume, which includes the support structure. Preferably, the felt structure extends over the entire cross-section of the support structures, in particular, but preferably only over a sub-area of the height. Preferably, the felt structure is closely connected to the support structure by form and/or material. Preferably, the fibrous material consists of two or more felt structures separated by the support structure.The thickness of the two felt structures can be equal or different. Preferably, a felt structure applied to the powder or tea is thinner than the felt structure applied to the capsule floor or vice versa. Preferably, the surface of the felt structure is treated, for example, heat treated to fix loose fibres. Preferably, the filter with a felt element is inserted only into the capsule, especially on its bottom. The filter element can also be connected to the capsule, especially its bottom, especially the material.where appropriate, interconnected.

A fibre material with a carrier structure, in particular a tissue structure, and a felt structure is produced, for example, by providing a fabric structure consisting of longitudinal and transverse threads. For the construction of a felt, in particular a needle felt, fibre units of 0.8 - 7 dtex are preferably selected. The connection of the individual fibres to a felt and/or its anchoring in the carrier structure is preferably by the production process of the linkage. In this process, needles are inserted into the fibre package presented with inverted hooks at high speed and pulled out again. The hooks are removed from the fibres via a number of rapidly moving loops and/or with the carrier.

The supporting element, having one or more felt structures, preferably comprises a mass (also called grammage or area weight) between 100 and 1200 grams per square metre, preferably between 200 and 1150 grams per square metre, and particularly preferably, from essentially 150 to 250 grams per square metre for the production of tea and 600 to 1200 grams per square metre for the production of coffee, espresso or the like.

The invention is based on the fact that the fiber material is moulded into a plastic, in particular, deep-drawn, for the production of the filter element. The flat, for example, as a rail material, or as a sheet, sheet or plate, is made available, the fiber material is brought into a three-dimensional shape. The plastic moulding, in particular, deep-drawing, of the non-woven fiber material is preferably done under pressure and/or any temperature.

The filter element, i.e. the nonwoven or felt material, is connected to the sidewall of the serving capsule or to the edge of the collar, in particular by welding, e.g. by ultrasound or by adhesive, according to a preferred or other subject matter of the present invention, before the beverage substrate is filled into the capsule body.

The claims made on this subject matter of the present invention apply equally to the other subject matter of the present invention and vice versa.

According to another or a preferred subject of the present invention, the filter element is connected to the collar edge of the serving capsule, i.e. to the flange of the serving capsule, particularly the one protruding horizontally from the side wall, particularly by welding, e.g. by ultrasound or by adhesive, preferably before the beverage substrate is filled into the capsule body. Preferably, the outer edge of the filter element is also shaped as a flange, which is located on the collar edge of the serving capsule. The diameter of the filter element is approximately equal to or smaller, in particular slightly smaller, than the outer form of the capsule capsule. In this case, the filter element is preferably connected to the filter capsule, for example, by means of a pre-extrusion capsule. This is done by means of a pre-extrusion capsule, for example, whose outer edge is either closed or closed, and the connection may be made between the filter capsule and the filter element at the same time.

Preferably the filter element is spaced away from the capsule bottom, i.e. it does not touch the capsule bottom before the substrate is charged with the liquid.

The sidewall of the filter element is preferably essentially cylindrical or conical, for example, with a basically flat, elliptical or semicircular bottom. In particular, the sidewall preferably has a pattern, which enlarges its surface. For example, the sidewall is wavy or zigzag. The sidewall of the filter element is preferably not completely on the sides of the portion capsule before the portion capsule is loaded with the liquid, with the pressure of the liquid being particularly high when the surface of the filter element is attached to the side of the portion capsule, which increases the surface area of the portion capsule.

The capsule body is preferably conical or cylindrical in shape and is made of, for example, plastic, a natural and/or biodegradable material and/or a metallic material, a deep-drawn plastic film or in the plastic injection process. The material from which the capsule body is made may be multilayered. The capsule body preferably or according to the invention has a collar edge on the filling side to which a cap film is directly or indirectly sealed or glued. Alternatively, the capsule body and a cap cap cap cap can be connected by a mechanical process. The bottom of the capsule is closed and is primarily perforated by a perforation chamber which is used to open the outside of the capsule.Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 877 (char 876)to allow the plastic film to be relatively easily removed from the capsule bottom.

The opening for the drainage is preferably large enough to allow any existing perforating agent to be drained without contact; in particular, it is preferable to have a large opening which does not cause a significant loss of pressure when the finished beverage is drained, in particular so that the finished beverage does not become very swirly, which could lead to gas entering the beverage and thus foam formation.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 330 (char 329)

Another preferred subject of the present invention is that the filter element is designed to be elastic. If the capsule bottom is pierced by an external perforating agent, the filter element can be so elastically stretched or flexed upon contact with the perforating agent that it prevents perforation of the filter element, thus eliminating the risk of perforation of the filter element by the perforating agent and of unfiltered rinsing of the beverage substance from the serving capsule.

A fixed distance between the filter element and the capsule floor is preferred.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the filter element is tensioned, punctured and/or pierced by the perforating agent.

Another embodiment of the invention or a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the filter element is attached to the capsule body or to the edge of the collar, in particular by seals or adhesives. This prevents the filter element from slipping in the portion capsule. It also prevents the liquid from unintentionally flowing around the filter element. This attachment is preferably done by ultrasonic welding.

According to the invention, the capsule floor is designed to have a bulge in the opposite direction to the filling side. The advantage of this is that the bulge is used to absorb the perforating agent, so that when the perforating agent is inserted into the capsule floor in the area of the bulge, the perforating agent is perforated, but the perforating agent then remains in the hollow of the bulge. A perforation of the filter element is thus prevented. In particular, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to raise the filter element by the perforating agent. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the filter element is designed so that at least part of the filter element is removed from the capsule bottom when the capsule bottom is perforated by an external perforator.This effectively prevents the filter element from being perforated by the perforating agent. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the capsule floor has a breakpoint designed to break up when mechanically contacted by an external perforator, preferably with a number of star-shaped weakening lines around a central point of the capsule. The capsule floor preferably has a reduced material strength along the weakening lines and/or is perforated along the weakening lines.In particular, a blunt perforator is now sufficient to perforate the capsule bottom. Another preferred embodiment is that the capsule bottom has a permanent outlet, preferably sealed with a film, the film having a hand-pulling release valve. This preferably eliminates the need for an external perforator to perforate the capsule bottom. Before the portion capsule is inserted into the brewing chamber, the film is simply removed from the capsule bottom by the release valve and the brewing process can be started.Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 236 (char 235)

A further preferred or inventive object of the present invention is a portion capsule in which the filter element has a filter area and a connection area, the connection area being provided at an angle from the filter area.

The filter element has a filter area and a connection area according to the invention. In the connection area, the filter element is connected, in particular by seals, to the capsule body or to the capsule bottom. The filter area is flowing through the finished drink. According to the invention, the connection area and the filter area are now at an angle to each other. For example, the connection area of the filter element is located on the conical inner surface of the capsule body and the filter area is provided parallel to the bottom of the portion capsule or curved.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for the production of tea.

The filter material is preferably a paper or paper-like material, preferably coated with a plastic material to ensure that it is sealable.

A further preferred or inventive object of the present invention is a serving capsule in which the filter element has a filter area that is designed to be curved.

The filter area shall preferably be spaced away from the capsule bottom, in particular so that the filter area is not touched or pierced by any possible thorn in the capsule and/or so that the filter area touches a drainage opening in the capsule bottom.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for the production of tea.

Another inventive or preferred subject matter of the present invention is a portion capsule in which the filter element has at least one fold in its connecting region.

According to the present invention, the filter element has at least one, preferably a large number of, folds in its connection region, i.e. the area where the filter element is connected to the capsule body or capsule floor, preferably by seals. The folds are preferably of different shapes and/or sizes and/or arranged at irregular intervals around the filter element. Preferably the overlapping areas of the fold are connected together when sealing. Preferably the fold is located at the connection region of the filter element.

The creases are formed by introducing a flat filter element into the capsule body without plastically deforming it, and despite the creases and the overlap, the filter element is firmly connected to the capsule body in the connection area without damaging the filter element.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for the production of tea.

Another inventive or preferred subject matter of the present invention is a portion capsule in which the filter element has at least one multilayer area in its connecting region.

According to the present invention, the filter element has at least one, preferably a number of multilayer areas in its connecting region, i.e. the region where the filter element is connected to the capsule body or capsule floor, preferably by seals. Preferably, the multilayer area has three layers of filter material. The multilayer areas are preferably of different shape and/or size and/or are provided at irregular intervals on the perimeter of the filter element. Preferably, the layers of the multilayer areas are connected together during sealing.

The multilayered areas are made by introducing a flat filter element into the capsule body without plastically deforming it. Despite the multilayered areas and the overlap associated with them, the filter element in the connecting area is firmly connected to the capsule body without damaging the filter element.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for the production of tea.

Preferably one component of the filter element is paper.

Another subject of the present invention is a portion capsule in which the filter element has a polygonal circumference, preferably designed to be hexagonal.

Preferably the filter element is sealed at the bottom of the capsule, the sealing joint being preferably circular, preferably with a diameter of 22-25 mm.

A further subject of the present invention is a process for the manufacture of a serving capsule with a filter element made of a non-woven fibre material, in which the filter element is moulded into a plastic form, particularly by deep drawing, from a flat material, preferably a barrel or sheet, plate or the like.

The disclosure made in respect of this subject matter of the present invention applies equally to the other subject matter of the present invention and vice versa.

Preferably, the filter element is cut or stamped before or after the moulding and, preferably, inserted into the capsule by the knife and there preferably connected to the capsule body or collar edge, away from the capsule bottom, and then the beverage or food substrate is filled into the serving capsule and the capsule is then closed with a cap film.

In particular, the cap film is attached to the filter element after the beverage or food substrate has been filled into the serving capsule.

Preferably, the cut filter element is transported at least some distance from the cutting knife, in particular the hollow knife, by a sonotrode required for ultrasonic welding and/or pressed on the capsule, in particular its sidewall or collar edge.

Another subject of the present invention is a process for producing a serving capsule with a filter element from a nonwoven fibre material, in which a flat filter element is introduced into a serving capsule with a stamp and is shaped and then connected to the capsule body, in particular by seals.

The method of the invention involves pushing a filter element, e.g. a circular disk, into the capsule body by means of a stamp. The filter element is deformed so that part of the filter element is attached to the capsule body. Preferably, the filter element is pushed into the portion capsule as a whole, but only so far as a free space remains between the filter element and the capsule floor. After the filter element has been pushed into the capsule, it is connected to the capsule body or collar edge, preferably by seals.

The present invention also relates to the use of a serving capsule for the preparation of a beverage, preferably a coffee, cocoa, tea and/or milk beverage or a foodstuff, in particular a soup.

The claims made as one object of the present invention apply equally to the other objects and vice versa.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and explained in more detail in the following description. The figures are merely illustrative and do not restrict the general idea of the invention. The description applies equally to all objects of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a serving capsule according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is designed for the preparation of espresso.Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of a serving capsule in a closed brewing chamber according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of a serving capsule in a closed brewing chamber according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Figures 4a, 4b show schematic cross-sectional views of a serving capsule according to a third embodiment of the present invention.Figures 5a, 5b show subsequent diagrams of a portion capsule in a closed brewing chamber according to a further eight-dimensional embodiment of the present invention.Figure 6a shows a further eight-dimensional image of a capsule in a closed brewing chamber according to a further eight-dimensional image.Figure 9a shows a filter element, in particular a filter element, which is a deep-water filter shaped portion of the present invention.Figure 10b shows a filter element according to a further eight-dimensional image.Figure 9a shows a filter element of the present invention.Figure 10b shows a filter element with a deep-water filter shape.

In the various figures, the same parts are always given the same reference marks and are therefore usually only named or mentioned once.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the portion capsule 1 of the invention. The portion capsule 1 comprises a cone-shaped capsule body 2 with a closed capsule bottom 3 and a collar edge 5 arranged on its filling side 4 on which a cap sheet 6 is welded or glued. Between the cap sheet 3 and the cap sheet 6 a preferably airtight and aromatically sealed cavity 100 is thus formed, which is filled with a powdered and granular beverage substance 101. The beverage substance 101 comprises, for example, coffee, cocoa or tea and a/or a powdered (a) -a) -a-millimeter element. The capsule 3 is enclosed within the capsule 7, a filter cell of the capsule 100.The filter element 7 is either loosely located on the inside 3a of the capsule bottom 3 or is fixed, i.e. preferably fabric-tight, connected to the inside 3a of the capsule body bottom 3. In the second variant, the filter element 7 is mounted only in a 3' peripheral area of the capsule bottom 3 on the fabric-tight bottom of the capsule. The filter element preferably comprises a nonwoven material made of fine polyester fibres. The fibres are particularly preferably connected by means of a calender mixture, for example a number of extruded polyester fibres are arranged side by side and then thermo-attached (thermally bound and cold-rolled).The nonwoven fabric comprises a spinning and/or fibre oriented nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric preferably comprises a mass (also called grammage or surface weight) between 40 and 100 grams per square metre, preferably between 60 and 80 grams per square metre and preferably essentially 70 grams per square metre. The filter element or the nonwoven fabric preferably has a thickness between 0.20 and 0.8 millimetres, preferably between 0.25 and 0.39 millimetres and preferably essentially 0.32 millimetres. The nonwoven fabric is designed so that the air permeability of the nonwoven fabric is between 100 and 1000 pascals/s2 (preferably 1500 and 2500 l/s2 (preferably 2000 l/s2) and preferably at 100 and 1000 pascals/s2 (preferably 2000 l/s2).The nonwoven fabric is also preferably so constructed that the maximum tensile strength is essentially 110 N/cm in the longitudinal direction and essentially 67 N/cm in the transverse direction, with the maximum tensile strength stretching to be essentially 30 per cent in the longitudinal direction and 38 per cent in the transverse direction.

In Figure 2 a serving capsule 1 is represented in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the serving capsule 1 in Figure 2 is arranged in a closed brewing chamber 8 The brewing chamber 8 consists of a first brewing chamber element 9 and a second brewing chamber element 10, wherein the first brewing chamber element 9 is designed to introduce the serving capsule 1 in a way that is movable to the second brewing chamber element 10 or vice versa Between the two brewing chamber elements 9, 10 a seal 11 is arranged The first brewing chamber element 9 consists essentially of a closing piston 12 with single-tech elements 13a, 13b to open the cover film 6 of the serving capsule 1,The second brewing chamber element 10 consists essentially of a brewing chamber bell 15 partially enclosing the serving capsule 1 with an opening spindle 16 at the bottom of the brewing chamber bell 15 fitted with drain spouts 17 and a drink drain 18 To accommodate the serving capsule 1, the brewing chamber 8 is in an unshow open state in which the first and second brewing chamber elements 9, 10 are spaced apart to ensure a supply of the serving capsule 1 and the displayed closed state in which a process of preparation of a drink is initiated by means of a 1 serving capsule. The brewing chamber 8 is closed by a 1 serving capsule.When the brewing chamber 8 is moved from the open to the closed state shown, the cap sheet 6 is pierced by the single-stage elements 13a, 13b, so that the brewing liquid, especially hot brewing water, passes through the brewing liquid supply 14 under pressure into the cavity 100 of the serving capsule 1 and, when the brewing chamber 8 is closed, the bottom of the capsule 3 is perforated by the perforating agent 16 formed as an opening torch, so that an opening 107 is created in the serving capsule 1 through which the beverage produced can be drained downwards from the serving capsule 1 in the direction of the beverage drainage 18 to help drain the beverage 17 to the drainage outlet.Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 427 (char 426)Alternatively or additionally, the filter element is shaped by the pull-down to be raised from the capsule bottom at the insertion point. In the 3' edge of the capsule bottom 3 and 7' edge of the filter element 7 respectively, the capsule bottom 3 and the filter element 7 remain in contact and in particular are connected in a material-tight manner so that no beverage substance 101 enters the beverage stream 18 around the filter element 7. The capsule bottom 3 has an optional rupture 104 at its central point 106, where the capsule bottom 3 is perforated by the opening 16 capsule bottom, so that a comparison of the blunt opening to the capsule bottom 16 is sufficient and the risk of chemical penetration is not high.The filter element 7 is also accidentally perforated by the aperture 16 and is removed.

In Figure 3 a portion capsule 1 is represented according to a second embodiment of the present invention, whereby the second embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 and the portion capsule 1 is also represented in a closed brewing chamber 8. However, unlike the first embodiment, the portion capsule floor 3 has a vent 21 (the vent 21 is thus facing in the opposite direction to the vent 20 in the brewing chamber floor 3a) in the one-point area of the aperture 16 against a vent 20 in the aperture 3a, in which the aperture 16 is penetrated without the filter element 7 being penetrated.During the closing process, the cap sheet 6 of the serving capsule 1 is perforated by means of the inserting agents 13a, 13b and, after the first and second inserting elements 9, 10 and 11 have been brought together and sealed (by means of the sealing 11,) the water is supplied through the liquid inlet 6. Similarly, during the closing process of the opening thorn 16 brewing chamber, an opening is made in the bottom 3 of the serving capsule 1.Alternatively, the filter element 7 is above the nozzle 21 of the capsule bottom 3 which is in the nozzle of the brew bell bottom 23 and the nozzle 16 only pierces into nozzle 21 of the capsule bottom 3 and does not reach the filter element 7. Then the liquid, for example hot water in the case of coffee making, flows into capsule 1. In the capsule this liquid flows through the beverage substrate 101 and extracts and/or dissolves the substances needed for the beverage production from the beverage substrate 101. The flow of liquid in the beverage substrate 101 is illustrated by the nozzle 22The resulting beverage then flows through the filter element 7 between the beverage substrate 101 and the capsule bottom 3, which prevents particulate discharge of components of the beverage substrate 101 into the resulting beverage and through the opening punched by the opening 16 into the capsule bottom 3 and through the drainage channels 17 of the opening 16 into a receptacle such as a cup or can.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 765 (char 764)

In Figures 5a and 5b, schematic cross-sectional views of a portion capsule 1 are shown in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, referring to the embodiments made in the third embodiment (see Figures 4a, b). In the present case, the edge area 7' of the filter element is connected to the side wall of the capsule body, for example by seals or adhesives. The cover film 6 is in this case directly connected to the collar edge of the capsule body. In the present case, reference is made to the statements in Figures 4a, b. The filter element is also preferably deep drawn in the present case.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 276 (char 275)

The eighth embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment in Figure 1, but can be combined with any other embodiment. The eighth embodiment's portion 1 capsules are equipped with a permanent outlet 107 in the capsule bottom 3 which is sealed in the output with foil 108. A breakage is therefore not present in portion 1; foil 108 also features the pull-off 109 for removing foil 108 by hand. Perforation of the capsule bottom 3 by an external forging 16 is not provided. Instead, the capsule bottom 1 is inserted into the capsule bottom 8 by means of a brush and the outlet can be started directly from the foil 108 without the need for a brush and the opening of the capsule bottom 3 can be started easily.

Figures 8a to c show different embodiments of a filter element 7 with a felt structure 7.1, in particular a needle felt structure. This filter element 7 preferably has a carrier structure 7.2, e.g. a tissue structure. On this and/or in this tissue structure 7.2, a felt structure 7.1 is arranged on the entire surface facing the coffee powder or tea and connected to it, for example, by needle felt, as shown in Figure 8a. The embodiment shown in Figure 8b has two felt structures 7.1 and 7.3 each located on and/or within the support structure.The fillet structure 7.1 and 7.3 may be made of different or the same material. These may concern not only the material from which they are made, but also the thread diameters and/or thread lengths from which the fillet structures are made. Between the two structures 7.1 and 7.3 a fillet structure 7.2 is provided, in which there is no or little fillet structure and which preferably allows for cross-flow.Other Figure 8c shows another embodiment of a filter element with felt structure. In this case, two filter elements 7 with a felt structure, as described for example in Figures 8a and b, are stacked on top of each other. The filter elements 7 can only be stacked or connected to each other.

All filter elements with a felt structure have the advantage of having a low pressure loss or of having the pressure decrease along the filter element with a low gradient. This allows, for example, to produce creamless coffee, i.e. foam, or foamless tea. Filter elements with a felt structure are preferably only inserted into the capsule. Preferably, the filter element with the felt structure has a larger diameter than the bottom of the capsule, so that it is pressed against the wall of the capsule in the marginal area.

Preferably, the filter element with felt structure, in particular, is made entirely of PET.

The professional shall be aware that the filter element 7 is not limited to the shape shown but can take any shape, in particular 3D shape.

In Figures 9a, b, a deep-drawn filter element is shown. In this case it has a conical sidewall and a flange-shaped collar at its edge area 7' which can be connected to the collar edge 5 of the serving capsule body. At the edge area 7' the capsule cap sheet 6 can also be attached. In this case, the sidewall of the filter element has 103' grooves in the form of grooves. In the preparation of the drink, the filter element is pressed towards the sides of the serving capsule and touches at least that section or the sides of the filter element are at least three quarters apart from the sidewall of the serving capsule body. The grooves of the serving capsule body are particularly noticeable in Figure 9 and 103' show that the filter element can be mounted on the entire sidewall or on a section of the filter, and that the grooves can be separated by a special means, namely by means of a cut-off or cut-off.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of a deep-drawn filter element. In essence, the embodiments given in Figure 9 can be used, in which case the floor is spherical and the sidewall is conical, with the degree of conicity of the sidewall increasing preferably towards the opening of the filter element.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the portion capsule of the invention in a side view and a side view. Again, portion capsule 1 comprises a cone-shaped capsule body 2 with a closed capsule bottom 3 and a collar edge 5 arranged on its fill side 4 to which a cover film 6 is welded or glued. The capsule bottom may be provided with a relatively large opening, in particular a circular opening, which is closed by means of a removable film, for example. Inside the portion capsule there is a filter element 7, which shows a connecting area 27 and a filter area 28. In connecting area 27 the capsule body 2 is inserted by means of the filter, in particular the filter, which is inserted into the capsule.The filter area is drained by the liquid finished drink. It is clear that a distance is provided between the capsule bottom and the filter element, preferably so that the filter element does not touch the capsule bottom under pressure and/or liquid pressure. Furthermore, preferably the distance is provided so that any opening thorn provided in the brewing chamber (see, for example, Figures 4b, 5b) does not touch the filter element. In this case, the filter area has a curvature, which is symbolized by the radius. The professional understands that the curvature does not have to be a circular segment.The filter element is preferably made of a material consisting essentially of paper or paper-like material, which is preferably coated, at least in part, with a sealable plastic material to allow the filter element to be connected to the capsule body by seals. The portion capsule is preferably made by providing the filter element as a flat, e.g. circular, disc, which is pushed into the portion capsule by means of a stamp until the connecting region 27 of the filter element 7 is adjacent to the capsule body. However, the filter element is pushed into the portion capsule only to the extent that a gap remains between the bottom of the capsule and the filter capsule, and is resistant to heat and pressure.For example, by heating the stamp, the filter element is sealed to the capsule body. Prior to sealing, the filter area 28 of the filter element is preferably released. This can be done, for example, by dividing the stamp and pulling the bottom of the stamp upwards in the direction of the stamp's insertion. This relieves the filter area 28 without reducing the pressure on the connecting area.

The lower part of Figure 11 shows the portion capsule according to the invention after the filter element has been connected to the capsule body. It is clearly visible that in the connection area 27 several folds 24 and/or multilayered areas 25 are provided, where the folds 24 and/or multilayered areas 25 are preferably different in shape and/or size and their spacing is preferably different from each other, where their shape is essentially triangular.

List of reference marks

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 228 (char 227)

Claims

Portion capsule (1) for producing a beverage, having a capsule body (2) with a capsule base (3) and a lid (6), wherein a cavity (100) for receiving a pulverulent or liquid beverage substrate (101) is configured between the capsule base (3) and the lid (6), and wherein a filter element (7) is disposed in the cavity and the filter element is made from a non-woven fibrous material, wherein the fibrous material is plastically formed, preferably thermoformed, wherein the capsule base has a salient in a direction that is counter to the filling side.
Portion capsule (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filter element is connected to the capsule body (2).
Portion capsule (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filter element is connected to a peripheral collar (5).
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element has a filter region (28) and a connection region (27), and in that the connection region is provided so as to be angled in relation to the filter region.
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element has a filter region (28) which is provided so as to be curved.
Portion capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element in the connection region thereof has at least one pleat (24).
Portion capsule according to Claim 6, characterized in that said connection region has a plurality of pleats (24) which are preferably provided so as to be irregular.
Portion capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that paper is a component part of the filter element.
Portion capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element is a non-woven fabric and/or has a felt structure.
Portion capsule (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the non-woven fabric comprises a non-woven material that is manufactured from fine polyester fibres, and/or in that the non-woven fabric has a population of mass between 40 and 100 grams per square metre, preferably between 60 and 80 grams per square metre, particularly preferably of substantially 70 grams per square metre, and/or in that the non-woven fabric has a thickness between 0.20 and 0.8 millimetres, preferably between 0.25 and 0.39 millimetres, particularly preferably of substantially 0.32 millimetres, and/or in that the non-woven fabric has an air permeability at a pressure of 100 Pascal between 1000 and 3000 l/(m²s), preferably between 1500 and 2500 l/(m²s), particularly preferably of substantially 2000 l/(m²s).
Portion capsule according to Claim 9, characterized in that the filter element (7) has two felt structures (7.1, 7.3), preferably needlefelt structures, which preferably are mutually separated by a carrier structure (7.2).
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (7) is configured so as to be elastic.
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (7) is sealed, particularly ultrasonically welded, to the capsule body (2) or to the peripheral collar (5) of the capsule.
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover film (6) is sealed to the filter element (7).
Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the filter element (7) is larger than the diameter of the capsule base (3).