AN IN-MOULD LABELLED CONTAINER FOR PREPARING DRINKS

Abstract

 An in-mould labelled container (100) and its method of manufacture for the preparation of drinks of the capsule type for inserting into machines such as coffeemakers or similar and that comprises a main body (101) of plastic material with an essentially tapering and tubular structure and open at a first upper end (102) and a second lower end (103), these upper and lower ends (102, 103) being opposite each other and closed by a first upper membrane (104) and a second sheet of aluminium (105), respectively, sealed on the second lower end (103); this container (100) comprises some perimeter hermetic sealing means (10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 22) on both ends (102, 103) of the container body (100).

Description

[0001] The purpose of this invention is a container for preparing drinks that comprises a laminar material for in-mould labelling and means for the perfect sealing of the product contained in it before its consumption.

Technical field of the invention

[0002] This invention lies within the technical field of containers for preparing drinks such as capsules that are inserted into machines such as coffeemakers or similar and that are formed of a main body with a containment cavity for the preparation for the drink, this cavity being open to the exterior at the opposite ends of the main body with a membrane closing the cavity at one end and an aluminium sheet at the other, the body of this capsule being covered with a laminar material for in-mould labelled containers and with the particularity that all the elements that form the container contribute synergistically in the perfect sealing of the capsule or container such that the product contained does not lose its organoleptic properties before its consumption.

State of the art

[0003] Currently, capsule type containers for preparing drinks are well known, these being especially popular in recent years due to the ease and speed they provide and because a product is obtained the dosage of which is completely defined and, therefore, there is a lower probability of error in its preparation. These capsules that are used to contain the preparation for the drink may be of various types and made of various materials, notable among which are plastics and aluminium.

[0004] In the case of plastic materials, above all those capsules that are obtained from biodegradable plastics, these are highly acceptable for their respect for the environment but are made from natural resources that have their origin in agriculture so that this resource does not appear to have much scope since its base is maize, barley and other cereals. However, capsules made with plastics have the problem that plastics do not protect the internal contents from external agents so that the product deteriorates and does not retain its initial properties of quality.

[0005] To prevent this problem, solutions are known in the state of the art that start from the fact of using individual sealed packages that do not preserve the freshness, aroma and natural properties of the product since they only retain the aroma inside the package. Because of this, once the package is opened, the aroma is lost. However, this solution has three basic technical problems:

a) The end product is more expensive.

b) The manufacturing process is complicated.

c) The end product cannot be stacked, i.e., in the final distribution of the end product, fewer products can be placed in the same distribution space.

[0006] In the case of aluminium capsules, the problem of protecting the product housed in the capsules is solved since aluminium is a material that isolates it from the exterior, maintaining its organoleptic properties intact. However, it also has a disadvantage: because aluminium is very aggressive with the environment and generates a very harmful impact that must be corrected. In addition, its cost is very high and aluminium deforms very easily which finally makes its transport difficult.

[0007] To solve these disadvantages, document ES 2 531 729 B1 describes a laminar material for the in-mould labelling of containers that comprises a first layer of pre-printed label for fusion with the container formed of a white or transparent plastic material, a second layer of aluminium, a third protection layer printed in its inner face, this layer being formed of a material for thermo-lamination and some means of joining the layers. However, compared to the container described in this document, this invention improves its sealing, meaning an entry of oxygen into the container equal to or less than 0.002 cm³ per container per day.

Description of the invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is an in-mould labelled container for preparing drinks, that is, a capsule type container that is inserted in machines such as coffeemakers or similar and that is crowned by a main body of plastic material with an essentially tapering and tubular structure and open at an upper end and a second lower end, these ends being opposite to each other and closed, respectively, by a first upper membrane and a second aluminium sheet sealed in the second lower end and this container comprising a laminar in-mould labelled material that comprises several layers where at least one of them is made of aluminium; and where this laminar material is located on the main body between the first and the second end with its upper and lower sides in contact, respectively, with the first upper membrane and the second lower aluminium sheet and where this laminar material is fixed on the outer surface of the main body by means of fixing formed in the process of in-mould labelling. The container thus described also has the feature of comprising some perimeter means of sealing on both ends of the body of the container such that the external supply of oxygen into the container is equal to or less than 0.002 cm³ per container per day.

[0009] For this, these means of sealing comprise three radii on the second lower end that meet in the centre of the container in a central point and that also comprise a recess configured to stabilise the container overall. In addition, in its first end it comprises: (a) a first skirt configured as a stop inside a machine in the position for use; (b) a first centring device and a second centring device where the second centring device is longer and narrower than the first centring device; and (c) a point ending in a sharp edge because it is this that is configured for closing the capsule hermetically against the head of the machine for preparing drinks and that also comprises a thickness that is important so that the sealing is such that the skirt does not cede its position.

[0010] In a particular embodiment, the container comprises several internal tabs distributed around the perimeter and uniformly in the internal area of the main body in its lower region.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the container comprises two internal protuberances in the inner face of the main body.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the laminar material for the in-mould labelling comprises a first layer of pre-printed label for fusion with the container formed by a white or transparent plastic material, a second layer of aluminium, a third protection layer formed of a material for thermo-lamination that is printed on its inner face and some means of joining between layers.

[0013] The aluminium layer acts as a barrier to external light and damp as well as to oxygen. However, it does not carry out this action solely and completely but must do so jointly, i.e., synergistically, with the sealing means.

[0014] Resistance to scratches and impacts is also assured by the third protection layer which is formed of polypropylene for thermo-lamination which provides greater labelling colour stability and greater durability.

[0015] The process for manufacturing the container that forms the subject of this invention comprises the following stages:

provide a main body of plastic material with an essentially tapering and tubular structure and open at a first upper end and a second lower end, these upper and lower ends being opposite each other;

fix a first upper sheet of aluminium and a second sheet of aluminium sealed on the second lower end;

fix a laminar in-mould labelled material comprising several layers, at least one of these layers being made of aluminium; provide this laminar material on the main body between the first end and the second end, with its upper and lower sides in contact with the first upper membrane and the second lower aluminium sheet, respectively; and

fix this laminar material on the outer surface of the main body with some means of fixing formed in a process of in-mould labelling; and where this manufacturing process comprises a stage of hermetically sealing both ends of the body of the container through some perimeter hermetic sealing means on both ends of the body of the container.

[0016] Thus, this invention provides an in-mould labelled container that has the advantages of the capsules made of plastics and of the capsules made of aluminium, solving the specific disadvantages of each type of material and also adding sealing conditions much greater than those of the capsules described in the state of the art. For example, because the capsule is made of plastics that are much more economical than aluminium, and this makes the capsules much less aggressive with the environment and therefore a lower economic cost than it, since during its lamination process aluminium already generates a much greater impact on the environment. In addition, this material makes the surface of the capsule much more resistant to deformation than aluminium and this gives the capsules a better appearance and presence than those of aluminium.

[0017] Likewise, being capsules made with plastics, thanks to the covering formed of a laminar material such as that defined, formed of layers, each with a determined function, one of them being aluminium, the contents of the capsule are protected and isolated from the exterior, thus keeping intact the properties of the preparation for drinks. In addition, since the capsule has a membrane at the first end that contains aluminium and a fine sheet of aluminium in the second end, all the surface of the capsule is protecting its interior contents together with the sealing means at both ends. This second sheet of aluminium on the second end in turn favours the process of piercing it for the passing of water which, in turn, allows the complete preparation of the drink.

[0018] Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprise" and its variants is not intended to exclude other technical properties, components or stages in the manufacturing process. For the experts in the matter, other objects, advantages and properties of the invention will appear in part from the description and in part from the practice of the invention. The following drawings and examples are provided as an illustration and are not intended to restrict it. In addition, this invention covers all the possible combinations of the various particular and preferred embodiments described here.

Brief description of the figures

[0019] The following very briefly describes a series of drawings that help in the better understanding of the invention and that are listed specifically with an embodiment of this invention, presented as an example but not a limitation to it.

FIG. 1 shows an upper (fig. 1a) and lower (fig. 1b) perspective view of the in-mould labelled container for the preparation of drinks, that forms the subject of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view in section A-A of a container according to this invention, including detail C which shows the means of hermetically sealing in a first upper end of the container for the preparation of drinks, for an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an upper view of two containers such as those of the invention stacked together, including a view of section A-A and of section B-B of both containers stacked according to this invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0020] As can be seen in the attached figures, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the in-mould labelled container 100 for the preparation of drinks is a capsule of the type for insertion into machines such as coffeemakers or similar and that are formed of a main body 101 with a tapering and tubular structure, suitable for housing and containing inside it the preparation for the drink, the main body 101 being open to the exterior at a first end 102 and a second end 103 of the main body 101, both ends being opposite each other, a closing membrane 104 at the first end 102 and a sealing aluminium sheet 105 on the second end 103.

[0021] The hermetic seal is arranged on the perimeter with respect to both upper 102 and lower 103 ends as can best be seen in FIG. 2. Thus, in the section view A-A a perimeter recess 20 can be seen in that lower end 103, such that the aluminium sheet 105 is sealed on that recess 20.

[0022] The lower part of the capsule or container 100 comprises three radii 22 that meet in a central point (21). The function of the central point (21) is to be able to inject the piece and to lower the plastic efficiently during the manufacturing process. In addition, it guarantees regularity in the efficient distribution of the water during the use of the capsule or container 100.

[0023] The recess 20 helps prevent the needle from the machine from touching anything and stabilises the container 100 overall, since, if not used, the container might not remain perfectly circular. If it were not perfectly circular, there would be maladjustments in the machine during its use. For this reason, the function of the recess 20 is to gain a distance that facilitates the entry of the capsule or container 100 in the machine, passing just by the edge of the machine, adjusted in length and angle.

[0024] The lower part of the container 100 comprises several internal tabs 23 distributed on the perimeter and uniformly in the internal area of the main body 101 in its lower region.

[0025] These internal tabs 23 perform various functions within the assembly: on the one hand, they allow the containers 100 to be stacked during transport without deformation (see FIG. 3); secondly, they facilitate the better distribution of the water in the container 100 during use; and thirdly, they are a structural reinforcement of the container 100 assembly.

[0026] On the other hand, as can be seen in detail C, also in FIG. 2, the perimeter hermetic seal consists of:

(a) A first stop or skirt (10) the form and dimensions of which allow it to form a stop inside the machine so that it does not remain stuck in the machine.

(b) A first centring device (11) and a second centring device (13) to ensure that the point (12) which also forms a hermetic seal is perfectly adjusted in any machine, for which the second centring device 13 must be longer and narrower than the first centring device 11, which is shorter and wider than the former.

(c) A point (12) terminated in a sharp edge, because this is configured to seal the capsule hermetically. Its structure is a point because this element must be much stronger than the rest.

(d) The thickness (16) is important for the sealing so that the skirt or stop (10) does not cede its position, which would cause problems not so much in its use as in its filling.

[0027] Finally, the capsule or container 100 comprises two protuberances (14, 15) internally that are necessary so that, during the release of the container 100 from the mould, it can be extracted from the mould itself. They are marks that guarantee that the container 100 stays with the moving part of the mould and does not remain in the fixed part, which could cause its deformation. During the use of the capsule or container 100 they give it greater strength and stability.

[0028] The laminar material for in-mould labelling is located in the area of the main body 101 between its first end 102 and second end 103. The mode of fixing it to the outer surface of the main body 101 is with some means of fixing formed by a process of in-mould labelling. This process consists of placing the laminar material, that comprises a pre-printed labelling layer formed by a pre-printed polypropylene label, in a mould with the form of the capsule; the molten polypropylene is then added to the mould to form the container or capsule 100 and during the curing process this fuses with the covering and protecting laminar material that adopts the shape of the capsule 100 and both fuse together to form the same unit. This provides multiple advantages since both the label and the container are much stronger since with the in-mould labelling the final result is a fusion of both. Thus the strength of the container and its appearance are improved, making it simple, effective and economical compared to other systems. The laminar material comprises: a layer of aluminium, a pre-printed labelling layer and a third layer formed by a material for thermo-lamination.

[0029] Because it is a plastic capsule, it is more economical and less aggressive to the environment than those of aluminium and resists deformations. Likewise, being a plastic capsule, it provides the perfect conservation of the drink preparation contained inside it thanks to:

i) The covering and protecting laminar material which, due to its mode of fixing to the capsule, provides an impeccable finish, being much more durable thanks to the protection this material provides to the capsule; and

ii) The means of hermetic sealing at the upper 102 and lower 103 ends of the main body 101 of the container or capsule 100. In addition, both ends of the capsule 100 are sealed with a membrane 104 with aluminium and an aluminium sheet 105 which, as well as allowing the easy access of the water into the capsule 100, protect the interior of the capsule from external aggressions and with the covering and protection material the part between both ends formed by the plastic material, which is what allows the entry of oxygen and damp, is protected.

[0030] Thanks to the structure thus described, the entire capsule 100 is isolated from the exterior, providing the perfect conservation of the product inside it.

Claims

1. An in-mould labelled container (100) for the preparation of drinks of the capsule type for inserting into machines such as coffeemakers or similar and that comprises a main body (101) of plastic material with an essentially tapering and tubular structure, open at a first upper end (102) and a second lower end (103), these upper and lower ends (102, 103) being opposite each other and closed, respectively, by a first upper membrane (104) and a second sheet of aluminium (105) sealed on the second lower end (103); and where the container (100) comprises a laminar in-mould labelled material which comprises several layers, at least one of these layers being made of aluminium; and where this laminar material is located on the main body (101) between the first end (102) and the second end (103), with its upper and lower sides in contact with the first upper membrane (104) and the second lower aluminium sheet (105), respectively; and where this laminar material is fixed on the outer surface of the main body (101) with some means of fixing formed in a process of in-mould labelling; this container (100) being characterised by comprising some perimeter hermetic sealing means (10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 22) on both ends (102, 103) of the body of the container (100).

2. The container (100) in claim 1 that comprises in the second lower end (103) three radii (22) that meet in the centre of the container (100) in a central point (21); and that in addition comprises a recess (20) configured to stabilise the container (100) overall.

3. The container (100) according to any of claims 1-2 that comprises several internal tabs (23) distributed on the perimeter and uniformly in the internal area of the main body (101) in its lower region.

4. The container (100) according to any of claims 1-3 that in its first upper end (102) comprises: (a) a first skirt (10) configured as a stop inside a machine in the position of use; (b) a first centring device (11) and a second centring device (13) where the second centring device (13) is longer and narrower than the first centring device (11), that is shorter and wider than the former; a point (12) terminated in a sharp edge, because this is configured to close the capsule hermetically; and that in addition comprises a thickness (16) that is important for the sealing such that the skirt (10) does not cede its position.

5. The container (100) according to any of claims 1-4 that comprises two internal protuberances (14, 15) on the internal face of the main body (101).

6. A manufacturing process for an in-mould labelled container (100) according to any of claims 1-5 that comprises the stages of:

providing a main body (101) of plastic material with an essentially tapering and tubular structure and open at a first upper end (102) and a second lower end (103), these upper and lower ends (102, 103) being opposite each other;

fixing a first upper membrane (104) and a second sheet of aluminium (105) sealed on the second lower end (103);

fixing a laminar in-mould labelled material (106) that comprises several layers, at least one of these layers (106a) being made of aluminium; providing this laminar material (106) on the main body (101) between the first end (102) and the second end (103), with its upper and lower sides in contact with the first upper membrane (104) and the second lower aluminium sheet (105), respectively;

fixing this laminar material (106) on the outer surface of the main body (101) with some means of fixing formed in a process of in-mould labelling;

this manufacturing process characterised by comprising a stage of hermetically closing both ends (102, 103) of the container body (100) using some perimeter hermetic sealing means (10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 22) on both ends (102, 103) of the container body (100).

Drawing