PACKAGE OF SINGLE-DOSE CAPSULES FOR THE PREPARATION OF INFUSED BEVERAGES, COFFEE IN PARTICULAR

Abstract

 A food package (1), comprising:
- a gas-tight transparent external casing (2), having tubular configuration;
- a plurality of disposable and single-dose capsules of coffee (31-35);
- an elongated tray (5), whereupon the capsules are rested, arranged in row.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging the single-dose pods or capsules containing a preparation for dispensing a beverage. In particular, the invention relates to a package of capsules containing coffee in granular form suitable to an infusion process in a dispensing machine.

[0002] More in general, the invention relates to the packaging of containers, in particular disposable containers, containing a measured dose of a granular or liquid ingredient suitable to an infusion process, solution, mixing or other.

Background of the invention

[0003] The increasing spread of disposable and single-use capsules or pods to be used in machines for the preparation of hot or cold beverages - in particular coffee - typically through an infusion process is known.

[0004] The packaging of such pods or capsules for their transportation and storage preceding the use is particularly critical, especially for the purpose of the preservation of the organoleptic properties of the packaged ingredient.

[0005] Moreover, the overall dimensions of such packages are particularly critical. In fact, the most widespread format provides for the packaging of a relatively high number of capsules, which is not adequate to the needs of some consumers. Moreover, such overall dimensions make more burdensome the product's display in the stores.

[0006] Therefore, notwithstanding the wide use of the disposable capsules and pods worldwide, the relative packages can be improved, above all in relation to their suitability to their display in the stores and to their overall dimensions.

Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims at meeting the needs mentioned above with reference to the known art.

[0008] Such need is solved by a package according to claim 1.

[0009] Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the depending claims.

[0010] The package of the invention has elongated shape, in particular similar to a cylinder or a parallelepiped. It mainly includes a predetermined number of capsules - or, more in general, containers filled up with a food preparation - arranged in one or more rows and supported on a tray having elongated shape too. The package also includes a casing wrapping the capsules and the tray placed below them. Preferably, the casing is at least partially transparent. Advantageously, the casing is impermeable to liquids and gases and in particular to oxygen.

[0011] In the present context, under "capsule" a product is meant formed by a measured dose of a granular ingredient (or prepared product), typically coffee, enclosed in a rigid or half-rigid and generally at least partially waterproof container.

[0012] As mentioned, in a general meaning thereof, the package can include a product alternative to the capsules, for example a container of a prepared product for beverages of other type.

[0013] The package according to the present invention results to be extremely compact and it is suitable for a simplified storage and for an effective display. At the same time, the package can be of the sealed type and then it can keep unaltered the organoleptic properties of the food prepared product.

[0014] Other advantages, features and use modes of the present invention will result evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, shown by way of example and not for limitative purposes.

Brief description of figures

[0015] The figures of the enclosed drawings will be referred to, wherein:

▪ Figures 1A and 1B relate to a preferred embodiment of the package according to the present invention, by showing a front perspective and exploded view thereof, respectively;

▪ Figures 2A and 2B relate to another preferred embodiment of the package according to the present invention, by showing a front perspective and exploded view thereof, respectively.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0016] Several embodiments and variants of the invention and of portions thereof, based upon different aspects thereof which can be used separately or in combination, will be described hereinafter.

[0017] By firstly referring to Figures 1A and 1B, a package according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated as a whole with 1.

[0018] The package 1 has a substantially elongated shape according to its own prevalent longitudinal direction L.

[0019] The package 1 comprises a gas-tight, in particular oxygen-tight, casing 2, having a substantially tubular configuration, closed at its own longitudinal ends, designated with 21 and 22, respectively. Such closing can be performed with methods known on themselves in the art. For example, in case of casing made of thermoplastic material the closing can be obtained by heat sealing the edges, in particular with a gripper or press.

[0020] An analogous closing can be provided longitudinally on the casing, when this is implemented starting from one single element made of sheet.

[0021] Preferably, the casing 2 is at least partially transparent, so as to allow the total or partial viewing of at least one of a plurality of containers housed inside thereof. In the present example, five containers are provided, designated with the numeral references from 31 to 35 respectively, each one thereof encloses a predetermined, or measured dose, of a food prepared product. The latter is shown as an example in a cutaway view of the container 31 in Figure 1B and herein designated with 4.

[0022] In the present embodiment, each container is a capsule of the disposable and single-dose type, wherein the food prepared product 4 is suitable for the preparation of a beverage in an infusion process. In particular, the food prepared product 4 is - or is based upon - coffee in powder or granules.

[0023] Each container of the present embodiment comprises a main body 40 substantially shaped like a cup or receptacle, and in particular substantially truncated cone. The main body 40 has a mouth, or opening, closed by means of a film or membrane, in particular of gas tight, and preferably (at least) oxygen-tight, type. Both the mouth and the film are designated with 41 in Figure 1B.

[0024] The main body further has a lateral skirt 43 joining the mouth 41 to a base or bottom 42. The latter, in the present example, is a shaped bottom configured for the discharge of the beverage during an infusion process.

[0025] In particular, in the present example the capsules 31-35 can be of the type compatible with the machines commercially known as "Dolce Gusto^®".

[0026] In the present example, the five containers 31-35 are identical at least in the substantial aspects, however being able to differ, for example, in colour or labelling of the capsule body and/or the related content.

[0027] Each capsule 31-35 is rested upon a tray 5 at its own mouth with film 41. In the shown example, the capsules are arranged in one single longitudinal row.

[0028] The tray 5 has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction L and it is enclosed in the casing 2 too.

[0029] The tray comprises a central portion 50 defining a resting plane 501 for the containers 31-35 and two side flanks, 51 and 52 respectively, folded towards the inside of the package itself and substantially orthogonal, or angled, with respect to the resting plane 501.

[0030] The tray 5 can be made of paper or fibrous material in general.

[0031] Advantageously, the tray 5, the main bodies 40 of the capsules and/or the casing 2 are made of compostable material.

[0032] In the just described embodiment, then, the package appears substantially like a transparent tube housing inside thereof a plurality of capsules rested upon a tray.

[0033] Figures 2A and 2B relate to another embodiment of the invention, designated with 100, which will be described only with respect to the differences with what illustrated above in relation to Figures 1A and 1B.

[0034] The same numeral references already introduced to designate analogous or corresponding components, in this case on base 100, are used.

[0035] The package 100 comprises capsules 131-135, having a main body 140 with tapered shape with lower height with respect to the capsules 31-35. Moreover, the relative base or bottom 142 is substantially flat. In an embodiment, the capsules 131-135 are of the type compatible with the dispensing machines commercially known as "A Modo Mio^®".

[0036] The present invention has been sofar described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be meant that other embodiments belonging to the same inventive core may exist, as defined by the protective scope of the herebelow reported claims.

Claims

1. A food package (1), comprising:

- a plurality of disposable containers (31-35), each one thereof encloses a measured dose of a food prepared product (4);

- an elongated tray (5), whereupon the containers (31-35) of said plurality are rested, arranged in longitudinal row;

- a gas-tight casing (2), having a substantially tubular configuration wrapping said containers (31-35) and said tray (5).

2. The food package (1) according to claim 1, wherein said casing (2) is at least partially transparent, so as to allow the total or partial view of at least one of said containers (31-35).

3. The food package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said casing (2) has a substantially tubular development with closure at its own longitudinal ends (21, 22).

4. The food package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said containers are single-dose pods or capsules (31-35), each one thereof receives a food prepared product in granular form suitable for the preparation of a beverage.

5. The food package (1) according to claim 4, wherein said food prepared product (4) is suitable for the preparation of a beverage in an infusion process.

6. The food package (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said food prepared product (4) is, or is based upon, coffee in powder or granules.

7. The food package (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein each one of said containers (31-35) is a capsule comprising a substantially truncated-cone main body (40) with a mouth closed by means of a film (41) and wherein each capsule (31-35) is rested upon said tray (5) at said mouth (41).

8. The food package (1) according to claim 7, wherein said main body (40) has a base or shaped bottom (42) configured for the discharge of the beverage during an infusion process.

9. The food package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tray comprises a central portion (50) defining a resting plane (501) for said containers (31-35) and two side flanks (51, 52) folded towards the inside of the package itself and substantially orthogonal, or angled, with respect to said resting plane (501).

Drawing