System and machine for the preparation of beverages using capsules

Abstract

A system and machine for the preparation of beverages using capsules which includes a perforation device having an annular perforation member which, in the closed condition of the infusion chamber, extends into the interspace and is designed to cause a tear in the protruding portion of the wall of the capsule contained inside the chamber, such that a flow of pressurized water can be introduced into the capsule through the interspace or gap and the tear.

Claims

1. A system for the preparation of beverages comprising in combination: a capsule (1) comprising a casing (2, 3) having first and second end walls (3, 2f) interconnected by an annular side wall (2e), and containing an amount or dose of a substance for preparation of the beverage; the side wall of the capsule (1) having at least one portion (2b; 2h) which protrudes transversely radially outwardly; and a machine (M) comprising an infusion assembly (G) designed to receive the capsule (1) and having, associated therewith, inflow passage (30, 31) for supplying a flow of pressurized water to be introduced into the capsule (1), and an outflow passage for outflow of the beverage formed in the infusion assembly (G) towards a collecting container; the infusion assembly (G) including a plurality of parts (10-12) which can be moved away from and towards each other and can be sealingly coupled together so as to define as a whole an infusion chamber into which the capsule (1) can be introduced; in at least one (11) of said parts (10-12) of the infusion assembly (G) there being provided a perforator (21; 121) designed to perforate the capsule (1) arranged in said chamber (20, 22); wherein the infusion assembly (G) is configured such that the infusion chamber (20, 22) is able to define, with respect to the capsule (1) positioned therein, an annular interspace or gap (20, 22) in which said at least one transversely protruding portion (2b; 2h) of the side wall of the capsule (1) extends; said annular interspace or gap (20, 22) being able to be connected to the inflow passage (30, 31) and being separated in a liquid-tight manner from the outflow passage (14); and said perforator comprise an annular perforation member (21; 121) which in the closed condition of the infusion chamber (20, 22) extends into said interspace or gap (20, 22) and is designed to cause a tear in said at least one transversely protruding portion (2b; 2h) of the wall of the capsule (1) contained inside said chamber (20, 22), such that a flow of pressurized water can be introduced into the capsule (1) through said interspace or gap (20, 22) and said at least one tear.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the capsule (1) has a formation (2b) which protrudes transversely radially outwardly and extends circumferentially over the entire periphery thereof, and the perforator of the machine (M) comprise an annular perforation member (21) having a plurality of protruding lugs or cutting teeth (21a) which are angularly spaced and designed to cause a corresponding plurality of tears in said circumferential formation (2b) of the side wall of the capsule (1).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the capsule (1) has a plurality of formations (2h) transversely protruding, in the manner of cells angularly spaced along the periphery thereof, and the perforator (21) comprise an annular knife (21) having a circumferential cutting edge (21a) designed to tear said protruding formations (2h).

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the side wall of the capsule (1) has a circumferential formation (2b) transversely protruding radially outwardly and, in an axially spaced relationship therewith, a circumferential arrangement of further formations (2h) protruding transversely, in the manner of angularly spaced cells, and the perforator (121, 21) comprise first and second annular perforation members (121, 21), axially staggered with respect to each other; the first perforation member (121) having a plurality of protruding lugs or cutting teeth (121a) which are angularly spaced and designed to cause a corresponding plurality of tears in the circumferential formation (2b) of the side wall of the capsule (1); the second annular perforation member comprising an annular knife (21) having a circumferential cutting edge (21a) designed to tear the aforementioned plurality of protruding formations (2h).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the part (10) of the infusion assembly (G) associated with the outflow passage (14) has a sealing ring (17) which is made of deformable material and on the inside of which a portion (2g) of the capsule (1) is introduced when the infusion chamber (20, 22) is closed, and wherein another cooperating part (11) of the infusion assembly (G) comprises a formation (19a, 19b) which, when said chamber (20, 22) is closed, is able to interfere with said sealing ring (17) so as to deform it radially towards the axis thereof, against the outer surface of said portion (2g) of the capsule (1), so as to separate the infusion chamber (20, 22) from the outflow passage.

6. A machine (M) for preparing a beverage using a capsule (1) comprising a casing (2, 3) having first and second end walls (3, 2f) interconnected by an annular side wall (2e), and containing an amount or dose of a substance for preparing the beverage; the side wall of the capsule (1) having at least one portion (2b; 2h) which transversely protrudes radially outwardly; the machine (M) comprising an infusion assembly (G) designed to receive the capsule (1) and having, associated therewith, an inflow passage for supplying a flow of pressurized water intended to be introduced into the capsule (1), and outflow passage (14) for outflow of the beverage formed in the brewing assembly (G) towards a collecting container; the infusion assembly (G) including a plurality of parts (10-12) which can be moved away from and towards each other and can be sealingly coupled together so as to define as a whole an infusion chamber in which the capsule (1) can be introduced; in at least one (11) of said parts (10-12) of the infusion assembly (G) there being provided a perforator (21; 121) designed to perforate the capsule (1) arranged in said chamber (20, 22); wherein the infusion assembly (G) is configured such that the infusion chamber (20, 22) is able to define, with respect to the capsule (1) positioned therein, an annular interspace or gap (20, 22) in which said at least one transversely protruding portion (2b; 2h) of the side wall of the capsule (1) extends; said annular interspace or gap (20, 22) being able to be connected to the inflow passage (30, 31) and being separated in a liquid-tight manner from the outflow passage (14); and said perforator comprise an annular perforation member (21; 121) which in the closed condition of the infusion chamber (20, 22) extends into said interspace or gap (20, 22) and is designed to cause a tear in said at least one transversely protruding portion (2b; 2h) of the wall of capsule (1) contained inside said chamber (20, 22), such that a flow of pressurized water can be introduced into the capsule (1) through said interspace or gap (20, 22) and said at least one tear.

7. The machine according to claim 6, for use with the capsule (1), the side wall of which has a formation (2b) which protrudes transversely towards the outside and extends circumferentially over the entire periphery thereof, the perforator of the machine (M) comprising an annular perforation member (21) having a plurality of protruding lugs or cutting teeth (21a) which are angularly spaced and designed to cause a corresponding plurality of tears in said circumferential formation (2b) of the side wall of the capsule (1).

8. The machine according to claim 6, for use with the capsule (1), the side wall of which has a ring-like arrangement of formations (2h) transversely protruding towards the outside, in the manner of cells angularly spaced along the periphery thereof, the aforementioned perforator (21) comprising an annular knife (21) having a circumferential cutting edge (21a) designed to tear said protruding formations (2h).

9. The machine according to claim 7, for use with the capsule (1), the side wall of which has a circumferential formation (2b) transversely protruding towards the outside and, in an axially spaced relationship, a circumferential ring-like arrangement of further formations (2h) protruding transversely towards the outside, in the manner of angularly spaced cells, the perforator (121, 21) comprising first and second annular perforation members (121, 21) axially staggered with respect to one another; the first perforation member (121) having a plurality of protruding lugs or cutting teeth (121a) which are angularly spaced and designed to cause a corresponding plurality of tears in the aforementioned circumferential formation (2b) of the side wall of the capsule (1); the second annular perforation member comprising an annular knife (21) having a circumferential cutting edge (21a) designed to tear the aforementioned plurality of protruding formations (2h).

10. The machine according to claim 6, wherein the part (10) of the infusion assembly (G) associated with the outflow passage (14) has a sealing ring (17) which is made of deformable material and on the inside of which a portion (2g) of the capsule (1) is introduced when the infusion chamber (20, 22) is closed, and wherein another cooperating part (11) of the infusion assembly (G) comprises a formation (19a, 19b) which, when said chamber (20, 22) is closed, is able to interfere with said sealing ring (17) so as to deform it radially towards the axis thereof, against the outer surface of said portion (2g) of the capsule (1), so as to separate the infusion chamber (20, 22) from the outflow passage.

Description

(1) Further characteristic features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description provided purely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capsule which can be used in a system for the preparation of beverages according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partially exploded and partially sectioned perspective view which shows part of an infusion assembly of a machine which can be used in a system according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an annular perforation member which can be used in the infusion assembly according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIGS. 4 to 6 are partial cross-sectional views which show the infusion assembly according to FIG. 2 in three different conditions of a beverage preparation cycle using a capsule according to FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further capsule which can be used in a system for the preparation of beverages according to the present invention;

(7) FIG. 8 is a partially exploded and partially sectioned perspective view of an infusion assembly which can be used in a machine for a system according to the invention, with a view to using capsules of the type according to FIG. 7;

(8) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an annular cutting member which can be used in the infusion assembly according to FIG. 8;

(9) FIGS. 10 to 12 are axially sectioned views which show the infusion assembly according to FIG. 8 in three positions of a beverage preparation cycle using a capsule according to FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further type of capsule which can be used in a system for the preparation of beverages according to the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an infusion assembly for using a capsule of the type shown in FIG. 13.

(12) In FIG. 1, 1 denotes overall a capsule of the type known per se, for the preparation of a beverage, in particular espresso coffee, by means of pressurized extraction.

(13) The capsule 1 may be of the sealed or non-sealed type and, in the example shown, comprises a cup-shaped body 2 which has at the top a flanged formation 2a which is essentially flat and protrudes radially towards the outside.

(14) The body 2 is conveniently formed for example by a multilayer laminated structure, with an internal layer of polypropylene, an intermediate layer of EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) and an external layer of polypropylene.

(15) In the embodiment shown the body 2 of the capsule 1 has a side wall which, adjacent to the flange 2a, has a formation 2b which protrudes transversely towards the outside and which extends circumferentially over the entire periphery thereof.

(16) In particular, starting from the flange 2a, the protruding formation 2b comprises an essentially cylindrical top portion 2c, followed by a stepped portion 2d where the diameter of the cross-section is reduced.

(17) The side wall of the cup-shaped body 2 also has a frustoconical main wall portion 2e which is connected to the raised bottom wall 2f, forming an annular edge 2g protruding downwards.

(18) The aforementioned configuration of the cup-shaped body 2 of the capsule 1 is however non-limiting. In particular, the cup-shaped body could have a bottom wall 2f which is not raised, the portion 2e could be cylindrical and the edge 2g could be dispensed with.

(19) The capsule 1 also comprises a lid 3 (FIG. 1) connected to the flange 2a of the cup-shaped body 2, for example by means of heat-welding or ultrasound welding.

(20) The lid 3 may be formed for example with a multilayer structure, including an internal layer made of polypropylene and an external layer made of aluminium.

(21) Overall, the flexible lid 3 and the cup-shaped body 2 define a chamber indicated by 4 in FIG. 2.

(22) The chamber 4 of the capsule 1 contains a quantity of material for preparation of a beverage, for example ground toasted coffee for the preparation of espresso coffee.

(23) The preparation of a beverage using capsules of the type described above may be performed by means of pressurized extraction, using a machine, an embodiment of which will be described below, with particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

(24) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, a machine M according to the present invention comprises an infusion assembly denoted overall by G.

(25) In the embodiment shown by way of example the infusion assembly G comprises essentially a bottom part 10, a middle part 11 and a top part 12.

(26) The bottom part 10 of the infusion assembly G is preferably stationary, while the middle part 11 and top part 12 are movable with respect thereto, as will be described in greater detail below.

(27) The bottom part 10 of the infusion assembly comprises a body 13, which is essentially cup-shaped and the bottom wall 13a of which has an outflow passage 14 formed therein.

(28) An essentially annular shaped support element 15, provided with a central opening 16, is mounted inside the cup-shaped element 13, at a certain distance above its bottom wall 13a. This element 15 has at the top a raised annular formation 15a which extends upwards at a certain radial distance from the side wall of the cup-shaped body 13.

(29) A toroidal sealing ring (O-ring) 17 is seated in the annular gap defined between the raised formation 15a and the side wall of the cup-shaped body 13.

(30) The bottom part 10 of the infusion assembly G in the embodiment shown also comprises a plate 18, which is fixed around the side wall of the cup-shaped body 13.

(31) The middle part 11 of the infusion assembly G is displaceable (vertically when viewing FIGS. 2 to 6) relative to the bottom part 10.

(32) This middle part 11 essentially comprises an annular retaining body 19 which has a bottom portion 19a mounted slidably inside the top part of the cup-shaped body 13 of the bottom part 10.

(33) The bottom edge of the portion 19a of the retaining body 19 has a conical chamfer 19b. This chamfered edge, during operation, may be wedged between the side wall of the cup-shaped body 13 and the sealing ring 17, causing radial compression of the latter towards the raised formation 15a of the support element 15, for purposes which will be clarified below.

(34) The retaining body 19 has an intermediate portion 19c with, defined internally, an annular seat 20 inside which an annular perforation member 21 is arranged on a shoulder 20a. Said perforation member, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, has at the top a ring-like formation of cutting lugs or perforating teeth 21a which are directed upwards and angularly spaced from each other.

(35) The seat 20 of the element 19 communicates with an adjacent seat 22 (see in particular FIG. 2) which is defined in the top part of said element 19 and which emerges along the top annular edge 19d of this element 19.

(36) The top part 12 of the infusion assembly G consists fundamentally of an essentially disc-shaped closing element 23 provided at the bottom with a groove which has, engaged inside it, a sealing ring 24 intended to press against the peripheral part of the lid 3 of a capsule 1 along the flange 2a thereof.

(37) The closing element 23 is conveniently movable relative to the middle part 11, so as to allow the introduction of a capsule 1 into the retaining element 19 and the subsequent removal of the used capsule, following dispensing of the beverage produced with it.

(38) 25 denotes a fixed plate around the retaining element 19, lying essentially parallel to the plate 18 fixed to the cup-shaped body 13.

(39) Springs 26 are arranged between the plates 18 and 25, these springs tending to push the plate 25 away from the plate 18 and therefore push the middle part 11 away from the bottom part 10 of the infusion assembly G.

(40) The wall of the retaining element 19 is provided with a transverse passage 30, the radially innermost end of which communicates with a region inside this retaining element 19 via at least one longitudinal passage 31 (see in particular FIG. 2).

(41) During operation, a capsule 1 is introduced inside the retaining element 19 when the top part 12 of the infusion assembly G is positioned at a distance from the middle part 11 thereof.

(42) FIG. 4 shows a condition in which a capsule 1 has been introduced into the retaining element 19: in this condition, the side wall 2e of the body 2 of the capsule rests on the inner surface of the portion 19a of the retaining element 19, which portion conveniently has a substantially frustoconical form.

(43) By means of mechanisms which are known per se, or in any case lie within the expertise of a person skilled in the art, the top part 12 of the infusion assembly G is brought into contact against the top edge 19d of the retaining element 19, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

(44) Joining of the closing element 23 together with the retaining element 19 results in a further penetrating fit of the capsule 1 inside the retaining element 19: the flange 2a of the capsule 1 is arranged in contact against the top edge 19d of the retaining element 19, while the bottom edge 2g thereof is inserted between the O-ring 17 and the raised formation 15a of the support element 15, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

(45) In this condition, the tips or ends of the teeth 21a of the perforation member 21 are arranged in the vicinity of the outer surface of the annular portion 2d of the side wall of the capsule 1, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

(46) The assembly formed by the top part 12 and the middle part 11 of the infusion assembly G is then pushed further in the direction of the bottom part 10 of this assembly, compressing the opposition springs 26 until the middle portion 19c of the retaining element 19 comes into contact with the top edge of the cup-shaped body 13, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

(47) In the condition shown in FIG. 6, the bottom edge 2g of the capsule is gripped between the raised formation 15a of the support element 15 and the O-ring 17. The latter is compressed against the outer surface of this edge 2g of the capsule owing to engagement thereof by the chamfered bottom edge 19b of the retaining element 19.

(48) Owing to the action of the sealing elements 17 and 24, the annular chamber 20, 22, which inside the retaining element 19 is defined around the top part of the capsule, is sealed in a liquid-tight manner at the top and bottom.

(49) The sealing ring 24 separates this annular chamber from the region outside the infusion assembly G, while the bottom sealing ring 17 separates this annular chamber from the region 27 situated underneath the capsule and from the outflow passage 14 (FIG. 6).

(50) In the closed condition of the infusion assembly G shown in FIG. 6, a flow of pressurized hot water may be supplied into the aforementioned annular chamber 20, 22 via the passages 30 and 31. The pressurised hot water may therefore penetrate inside the capsule 1 through the plurality of tears formed in the wall 2d thereof by the tips 21a of the annular perforation member 21.

(51) A plurality of streams of pressurized hot water are thus introduced into the capsule 1, these streams converging radially towards the axis of the capsule and gradually flowing downwards towards its bottom wall 2f.

(52) This wall 2f may be of the type provided beforehand with micro-holes and in this case it allows the outflow of the beverage without having to be torn or perforated.

(53) Alternatively, the bottom wall 2f of the body of the capsule 1 may be impermeable, but able to be torn as a result of the increase in the pressure inside the capsule.

(54) According to a further alternative, in a manner not shown in the drawings, the region 27 situated underneath the bottom wall 2f of the capsule may be provided with a further perforation member, with raised zones or tips, intended to allow the tearing or perforation of this bottom wall 2f and the consequent outflow of the beverage.

(55) In any case, the beverage flowing out of the capsule reaches, via the passage 16 in the support element 15, the outflow passage or channel 14 and may be dispensed towards a collecting container such as a cup or a glass.

(56) Once dispensing of the beverage has been completed, the dispensing assembly G is opened again and its middle part 11 and top part 12 assume again the respective initial positions.

(57) The used capsule 1 may be removed, for example by means of a spring expulsion device provided in the region 27 situated between this capsule and the support element 15.

(58) FIGS. 7 to 12 show a variation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention.

(59) In these figures, parts and elements already described have again been assigned the same reference numbers and letters used previously.

(60) The capsule 1 shown in FIG. 7 has a cup-shaped body 2 which, in the vicinity of its annular flange 2a, has a ring-like arrangement of formations 2h transversely protruding towards the outside, in the manner of cells, and angularly spaced along its periphery.

(61) The capsule according to FIG. 7 is intended to be used with an infusion assembly G of the type which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

(62) This infusion assembly G corresponds mainly to that described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and differs from it essentially owing to the different form of the annular perforation member, which, as can be seen in FIG. 9, is now in the form of an annular knife 21, with a single cutting edge 21a directed upwards.

(63) The arrangement is such that, in the operating sequence partially illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the cutting edge 21a of the annular knife 21 is arranged initially underneath the projections 2h of the body 2 of the capsule 1 (FIG. 10) and then moves into the vicinity of their bottom edge (FIG. 11) and then, following the further and final displacement of the retaining element 19 towards the cup-shaped body 13, its cutting edge 21a tears simultaneously all the aforementioned projections 2h, thus forming a plurality of openings through which the pressurized hot water may penetrate inside the capsule via the ducts 30 and 31.

(64) Otherwise, the structure and operating modes of the infusion assembly G according to FIGS. 8 to 12 correspond to that described above in connection with the assembly shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

(65) FIGS. 13 and 14 show a further variation of an embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

(66) In these figures, parts and elements already described have again been assigned the same reference numbers and letters used previously.

(67) In the variant described in FIG. 13, the capsule 1 has a cup-shaped body 2, the side wall of which has in the middle zone a circumferential formation 2b which transversely protrudes towards the outside and which is similar to the formation 2b of the capsule according to FIG. 1.

(68) The side wall of the body 2 of the capsule 1 shown in FIG. 13 also has a circumferential ring-like arrangement of further formations 2h transversely protruding towards the outside, in the manner of cells, and angularly spaced, like the capsule shown in FIG. 7.

(69) In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the protruding formations 2h are arranged between the formation 2b and the flange 2a of the body 2 of the capsule.

(70) Moreover, it is possible to form the capsule 1 in such a way that the positions of the formations 2h and 2b are inverted with respect to the arrangement shown in FIG. 13.

(71) FIG. 14 shows an infusion assembly G for use in combination with capsules of the type shown in FIG. 13.

(72) The infusion assembly G according to FIG. 14 differs from those described above simply in that it comprises two annular perforation members, denoted by 21 and 121 respectively, the former corresponding to the annular knife shown in FIG. 9 and the latter corresponding to the annular perforation member according to FIG. 3.

(73) The perforation members 21 and 121 of the assembly according to FIG. 14 are brought by the retaining element 19 into respective positions which are axially staggered so that the circular cutting edge 21a of the perforation member 21 is able to tear the protruding portions 2h, while the tips or teeth 121a of the perforation member 121 are able to produce a plurality of tears in the circumferential protruding formation 2b of the capsule 1.

(74) Two pluralities of openings are thus formed in the side wall of the capsule, so as to allow the effective introduction of pressurized hot water inside it.

(75) Obviously, without affecting the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details may be significantly modified with respect to that described and illustrated purely by way of a non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.