A CAPSULE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a capsule (1) for preparing beverages, comprising a capsule body (2) which comprises a side wall (3) and a bottom wall (4) connected to said side wall (3), said bottom wall (4) being configured to be permeable to a liquid, said capsule body (2) having an opening (6) opposite to said bottom wall (4), which is adapted to be sealed by a closure element (16); a cover element (7) which is located at said bottom wall (4), said cover element (7) being adapted to be ruptured by a predetermined pressure of a fluid introduced into said capsule body (2). The capsule is characterized by comprising a spacer element (8) between said bottom wall (4) and said cover element (7); said spacer element (8) comprising a plurality of adhesion zones (17) and attachment means (18) for stably attaching said cover element (7) to said spacer element (8) in said plurality of adhesion areas (17).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In particular, according to the present invention, the capsule is suitable for use in machines that are conveniently designed to prepare coffee, namely espresso, as well as tea, infusions and else.

Background art

[0003] The use of beverage preparation capsules is known in the art. These capsules are filled with an ingredient for beverage preparation, e.g. coffee grounds or tea. In operation, the capsule is introduced into a special machine, which breaks its seal. A fluid, typically water, is forced to flow under pressure into the capsule. The ingredient or a part thereof are soluble in the fluid, and will be dispensed from the capsule as a beverage, for example coffee or tea.

[0004] One example of a beverage preparation capsule is disclosed in EP 2 892 824 B1, which corresponds to the International Patent Application WO 2013/167434 A1

[0005] This patent discloses a capsule equipped with a pressure-sensitive membrane, which comprises at least one weakened or precut line defining a non-reclosable opening. This opening has a width of not more than 1 mm once pressure returns to atmospheric pressure. According to the teachings of the patent, this feature provides an anti-dripping effect due to the capillarity of the opening.

[0006] A further example of a beverage preparation capsule is disclosed in EP 1472156.

[0007] This patent discloses a capsule having with a pressure-sensitive membrane located proximate to the bottom of the capsule. In addition, opening means are provided between the bottom of the capsule and the membrane, which are embodied as tips that face the membrane. According to the teachings of patent '156, the membrane is pushed by the pressure of the fluid that flows into the capsule against the opening means, and is torn thereby, to allow the mixture to flow out of it. More in detail, the membrane is configured to move relative to the opening means to ensure that the membrane will be torn on said opening means.

Problem of the prior art

[0008] One drawback of these types of capsules is that they do not always ensure optimal dispensing of the beverage. Pressure variations in the extraction fluid caused by irregular calibration or loss of the original calibration of the pump of the apparatus may cause a less than optimal dispensing of the beverage. This may affect the quality of the beverage, particularly coffee.

Object of the invention

[0009] Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a beverage preparation capsule that can obviate the above-mentioned prior art drawbacks.

[0010] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for beverage preparation that can optimize dispensing as well as the quality of the beverage so prepared.

[0011] The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a beverage preparation capsule that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Advantages of the invention

[0012] In particular, one embodiment of a capsule for beverage preparation of the present invention comprises a capsule body. This capsule body comprises a side wall and a bottom wall connected to the side wall. The bottom wall is configured to be permeable to a liquid. The capsule body has an opening opposite to the bottom wall. This opening is designed to be sealed by a closure element.

[0013] A cover element is provided at the bottom wall. The cover element is rupturable, so that it may be torn open by a predetermined pressure of a fluid introduced into the capsule body.

[0014] The capsule comprises a spacer element between the bottom wall and the cover element. Such spacer element comprises a plurality of projections that jut out of the bottom wall and an edge that defines a perimeter. The cover element is stably attached to the spacer element at adhesion zones, via attachment means. This cover element is torn by the pressure exerted by the fluid introduced into the capsule body to thereby define one or more slits for the passage of the fluid. The slit has a width of more than 1 mm.

[0015] The device solves the technical problem, because the wider slit facilitates the flow of the fluid through the capsule and, as a result, allows the beverage to be dispensed more uniformly without undesired dripping. The beverage so obtained will always have an optimal quality, even when minor pressure variations occur.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a beverage preparation capsule as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a top view of a beverage preparation capsule according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view as taken along the plane X-X of the capsule of Figure 1;
• Figure 2a is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 2;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the capsule of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a top view of the detail of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of the detail of Figure 3, as taken along the plane Y-Y of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a top view of a prototype of a beverage preparation capsule according to the present invention, prior to a beverage dispensing test;
• Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the top view the capsule of Figure 6 after a beverage dispensing test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

[0018] Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 designates a beverage preparation capsule according to the present invention.

[0019] The capsule 1 comprises a capsule body 2. This capsule body 2 has a substantially frustoconical shape.

[0020] The capsule body 2 comprises a side wall 3.

[0021] The capsule body 2 further comprises a bottom wall 4, which is connected to the side wall 3.

[0022] As shown for example in figure 2, the bottom wall 4 has a concavity that faces the interior of the capsule body 2.

[0023] In alternative embodiments, not shown, the bottom wall 4 may have a concavity that faces the exterior of the capsule body 2 or may be substantially flat.

[0024] More in detail, as shown in Figure 2, the bottom wall 4 has a substantially flat peripheral zone 4a and a concave central zone 4b.

[0025] It shall be noted that the bottom wall 4 is designed to permeable to a liquid, which means that it has at least one hole 5.

[0026] Furthermore, the capsule body 2 has an opening 6 opposite to the bottom wall 4. This opening 6 is designed to be able to be sealed by a closure element 16. This closure element 16 may be, for example, a film (or a membrane or a lid), which is designed to be punctured by a beverage-making machine.

[0027] A flange 14 is provided at the opening 6.

[0028] This flange 14 projects out of the side wall 3 toward the exterior of the capsule body 2.

[0029] The aforementioned closure element 16 of the capsule 1 is generally fixed to the flange 14, particularly by heat sealing.

[0030] The capsule 1 further comprises a cover element 7, located at the bottom wall 4.

[0031] This cover element 7 is advantageously impermeable to both liquids and gases, to thereby protect the organoleptic qualities of the ingredient that will fill the capsule 2.

[0032] The cover element 7 is rupturable, so that it may be torn open by a predetermined pressure of a fluid introduced into the capsule body 2.

[0033] This predetermined pressure has a value indicatively ranging from 3 bar to 15 bar, preferably of 9 bar.

[0034] In particular, the cover element 7 has one or more weakened lines 7a that are defined, for example, by a pre-cut in a pre-cut formed by laser perforation.

[0035] Also referring to Figure 3, the capsule 1 comprises a spacer element 8.

[0036] Such spacer element 8 is placed between the bottom wall 4 of the capsule body 3 and the cover element 7.

[0037] The spacer element 8 particularly contacts the bottom wall 4 of the capsule 3, namely the peripheral zone 4a.

[0038] The spacer element 8 also contacts the cover element 7. For this purpose, the spacer element 8 has a plurality of contact zones 9 that face the cover element 7, whereat the cover element 7 contacts the spacer element 8.

[0039] In particular, proximate to the contact zones 9, the capsule 1 comprises attachment means 18 that stably attach the cover element 7 to the spacer element 8. By this arrangement, the attachment means 18 rigidly join the cover element 7 and the spacer element 8 together to prevent any relative movement between the cover element 7 and the spacer element 8.

[0040] In other words, the cover element 7 is stationary relative to the spacer element 8 and therefore cannot move relative to the spacer element 8 even when the pressurized fluid flows into the capsule body.

[0041] More in detail, also referring to Figure 2a, these attachment means 18 comprise a layer of adhesive material configured to rigidly join the cover element 7 and the spacer element 8 together.

[0042] The attachment means 18 may be biodegradable adhesives, heat sealing or other types known to the skilled person.

[0043] The cover element 7 also contacts the capsule body 4 at the zones 12. The use of attachment means is not provided in these zones.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the spacer element 8 has the shape of a disk and, in particular, has a diameter that is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the capsule body 2 in the vicinity of the bottom wall 4.

[0045] More in detail, the spacer element 8 comprises a base wall 11. This base wall 11 particularly has a disc shape and has a center axis "A".

[0046] The spacer element 8 comprises an edge 12a and a plurality of projections 9a.

[0047] In particular, the edge 12a defines an outside perimeter of the base wall 11. The edge 12a extends away from the base wall 11 of the spacer element 8 and from the bottom wall 4 of the capsule body 2.

[0048] More in detail, the base wall 11 has a central zone 11b at the center axis "A". An outer zone 11c is defined at the edge 12a. An intermediate zone 11d is located between the central zone 11b and the outer zone 11c

[0049] It shall be noted that the outer zone 11c and the intermediate zone 11d have a substantially annular shape. The central zone 11b has a substantially circular shape. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the central zone 11b has a concavity that faces toward the cover element 7.

[0050] The outer zone 11c has a plurality of holes 13 for the passage of the fluid, as the intermediate zone 11d acts as a sort of fluid-supplying channel.

[0051] These holes 11 are at equal distances from the center axis "A". Furthermore, the holes 13 are equally angularly spaced relative to the center axis X'-X'.

[0052] In particular, the plurality of projections 9a juts out of the base wall 11 of the spacer element 8 toward the interior of the capsule 1. In one aspect, the projections substantially extend parallel to the edge 12a.

[0053] In particular, the aforementioned projections 9a are formed at the intermediate zone 11d. The number of projections 9a ranges from four to eight, and is particularly six.

[0054] More in detail, it shall be noted that the projections 9a have a height that ranges from 1.6 to 2 mm, and is preferably 1.8 mm. The term "height" is intended to designate the extent of the adhesion zones 9 with respect to the base wall 11 of the spacer element 8.

[0055] The edge 12a also has a height that ranges from 1.6 to 2 mm, particularly of 1.8 mm.

[0056] Thus the projections 9a define portions of a plane at which the cover element 7 is rigidly joined to the intermediate element 8 via the attachment means 18.

[0057] Each of the projections 9a has the shape of a circular sector.

[0058] In particular, each projection has an angular width relative to the center axis "A" that ranges from 40° to 60°, and is preferably 50°.

[0059] Each protrusion 9a is separated from another protrusion 9a adjacent thereto by an angular distance ranging from 5° to 15°, and particularly of 10°.

[0060] While the beverage is being dispensed, the cover element 7 is torn at the zone of the weakened line 7a by the pressure of the fluid introduced into the capsule 1, and such tearing defines at least one slit 10.

[0061] In particular, when pressurized fluid is introduced into the capsule 1 the cover element 7 remains stationary in its position, as it is attached to the spacer element 8 via the attachment means 18, proximate to the projections 9a, thus facilitating tearing at the weakened line 7a and defining two or more flaps 15.

[0062] In other words, since the cover element 7 is retained proximate to the projections 9a make, the pressure of the working fluid introduced into the capsule 1 is concentrated at the weakened line 7a and facilitates tearing of the cover element 7.

[0063] Since the cover element 7 mainly rests on the projections 9a and the edge 12a of the spacer element 8, the flaps 15 of the cover element 7 are pushed against such projections 9a, and are bent at the central zone 11b of the base wall 11 thereby further opening out the slit 10.

[0064] Advantageously the adhesion zones 9 between the cover element 7 and the spacer element 8 facilitate tearing of the cover element 7.

[0065] Advantageously the adhesion zones 9 ensure constant tension of the cover element 7.

[0066] It shall be noted that the slit 10 created with the introduction of the extraction fluid, during and at the end of the dispensing operation, has a width of more than 1 mm to facilitate the outflow of the fluid in the capsule 1, without causing undesired dripping.

[0067] Figure 7 shows a typical slit 10 created with the use of the capsule 1. Thus, the width of the slit 10 is found to range from 1.4 to 1.6 mm after dispensing of the beverage. More in detail, the width of the slit 10 was measured by assessing the distance from the two flaps 15. In particular, each flap 15 has a main edge 15a, 15b. As shown in Figure 7, the width of the slit 10 is measured at multiple points by (ideally) connecting the two edges 15a, 15b of the flaps 15 with lines parallel to each other and perpendicular to the line that follows the straighter edge 15a of the flap 15. In other words, the distances are measured between the two edges 15a and 15b of the flaps 15 at multiple points, to assess an average of the actual width of the slit 10.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants as described above may be made to fulfill particular requirements, without departure from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for preparing beverages comprising a capsule body (2) comprising a side wall (3) and a bottom wall (4) connected to said side wall (3), said bottom wall (4) being configured to be permeable to a liquid, said capsule body (2) having an opening (6) opposite to said bottom wall (4) and designed to be sealed by a closure element (16); a cover element (7) placed at said bottom wall (4), said cover element (7) being rupturable to be torn open by a predetermined pressure of a fluid introduced into said capsule body (2); a spacer element (8) between said bottom wall (4) and said cover element (7); characterized in that said spacer element (8) comprises a plurality of adhesion zones(9); attachment means (19) situated proximate to said plurality of adhesion zones (9) for stably attaching said cover element (7) to said spacer element (8); said cover element (7) comprising one or more weakened lines (7a) and being configured to tear at weakened lines (7a) in response to the action of said predetermined pressure to thereby define at least one slit (10) having a width of more than 1 mm for the passage of said liquid.

2. A capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spacer element (8) comprises a base wall (11) and a plurality of protrusions (9a) that project from said base wall (11); a rim (12) defining an outside perimeter (11a) of said base wall (11); said adhesion areas (17) coinciding with said rim (12) and said plurality of protrusions (9a).

3. A capsule as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said connection means (18) comprise a layer of adhesive material which is configured to rigidly join said cover element (7) to said spacer element (8) in said adhesion areas (17).

4. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 2, wherein said base wall (11) defines a disc shape and has a center axis (A); said base wall (11) having a central area (11b) at said center axis (A), an outer area (11c) at said rim (12) and an intermediate area (11d) between said central area (11b) and said outer area (11c), said projections (9a) being formed at said intermediate area (11d) to define fluid channels once said cover element (7) has been torn.

5. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 2, wherein said protrusions (9a) and said rim (12) have a height that ranges from 1.6 to 2 mm, and is preferably 1.8 mm.

6. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 2, characterized in that each of said protrusions (9a) is sector-shaped and particularly has an angular width, relative to said center axis (A), that ranges from 40° to 60° and is preferably 50°.

7. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 2, wherein each protrusion (9a) is separated from another protrusion (9a) adjacent thereto by an angular distance ranging from 5° to 15°, and particularly of 10°.

8. A capsule as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the number of said protrusions (9a) ranges from four to eight, and is particularly six.

9. A capsule as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein said outer area (11c) has a plurality of holes (13) for the passage of said fluid.

10. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 9, wherein said holes (13) are equidistant and are angularly equally spaced relative to said center axis (A).

11. A capsule as claimed in the preceding claim 4, wherein said central area (11b) has a concavity facing said cover element (7).

Drawing