CAPSULE FOR JUICES OR BEVERAGES

Abstract

A capsule for juices or beverages, formed of a single moulded propylene element, which contains a completely airtight and watertight heat-sealable film in the form of a filtering membrane, followed by a labyrinth, located at the bottom of the capsule, between an outlet cock and the heat-sealable film. The labyrinth allows the concentrated fruit juice to circulate therethrough, forming vortices in the outlet for the mixture of concentrated juice and water that mix the mixture to obtain a homogeneous product that exits through the cock, located in the narrowest part of the capsule in which holes converge, the holes connecting to the labyrinth to circulate the concentrated fruit juice with uniformity and continuity. The concentrated fruit juice packaged in capsules are compatible with those used by machines for coffee or similar soluble products, to obtain from a full capsule of concentrated juice a glass of juice equivalent to natural juice.

Claims

1. A capsule for juices or beverages comprising: a single moulded body defining an interior between a first base, a second base axially spaced from the first base and an outlet cock connected to the second base, the outlet cock configured to allow liquid to exit the interior of the capsule, the outlet cock having at least six converging holes; the first base configured to receive and sealed by a first heat-sealable film (13), on which a hole is generated when the capsule is inserted into a coffee machine, through which pressurized water is injected into the interior of the capsule as the coffee machine is operated; a second heat-sealable film within the interior between the first base and the outlet cock, and proximate to the second base, the second heat-sealable film configured as a filtering member for contact with concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice for at least 12 months retained between the second base and the heat-sealable film; a labyrinth between the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock and the second heat-sealable film configured to allow the concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice and pressurized water to flow through; wherein when the capsule is used in the coffee machine, at which time the pressurized water injected into the interior of the capsule breaks the second heat-sealable film, such that the concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice flows out the capsule through the labyrinth, through the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock, such that vortices are formed in the outlet cock creating a uniform, homogenous mixture of concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice and pressurized water expelled from the capsule.

2. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the concentrated fruit juice contained within the interior of the capsule is comprised of fruit juice in which physical removal of a specific amount of water has occurred such that a concentration of water to juice comprises between 1:6 and 1:7, such that mixing the concentrated juice within the capsule with 5 or 6 parts of water prepares 6 or 7 parts of juice with a concentration equivalent to natural juice.

3. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the concentrated fruit juice contained inside the interior of the capsule has been subjected to a pasteurization and sterilization process.

4. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice contained in the interior of the capsule further comprises 1% of a natural preservative consisting of a powder made from plant extracts, fermented sugar and spices.

5. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the body of the capsule is comprised of moulded polypropylene.

6. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the body of the capsule is comprised of a compostable material of a thermoformed cellulose sheet, the interior of the capsule further comprising a surface coating of at least one sheet of a compostable film and simultaneously forming the second heat-sealable film the proximate to the second base sealing the concentrated fruit juice or vegetable juice when pressurized water is not applied to the capsule.

7. Use of a concentrated fruit juice packaged in a capsule compatible with machines for receiving capsules for coffee or similar soluble products, in order to produce a glass of juice equivalent to natural juice, not produced from concentrate, by the machine injecting pressurized water through the capsule.

8. Use of a liquid concentrate of coffee, decaffeinated coffee, coffee with milk or cappuccino; chocolate, or milk packaged in a capsule compatible with machines for receiving capsules for coffee or similar soluble products, in order to produce a glass of the beverage equivalent to a natural beverage not produced from concentrate, by the machine injecting pressurized water through the capsule.

9. Use of a liquid concentrate of teas, infusions, creams, broths, proteins, vitamins or plant extracts dissolved in 15 parts of water to one part of liquid concentrate, packaged in a capsule compatible with machines for receiving capsules for coffee or similar soluble products, in order to produce a glass of the beverage equivalent to a natural beverage not produced from concentrate, by the machine injecting pressurized water through the capsule.

10. The use of the concentrated fruit juice packaged in the capsule of claim 7, wherein the capsule comprises: a single moulded body defining an interior between a first base, a second base axially spaced from the first base and an outlet cock connected to the second base, the outlet cock configured to allow liquid concentrate to exit the interior of the capsule, the outlet cock having at least six converging holes; the first base configured to receive and sealed by a first heat-sealable film, on which a hole is generated when the capsule is inserted into the machine, through which the pressurized water is injected into the interior of the capsule as the machine is operated, a second heat-sealable film within the interior between the first base and the outlet cock, and proximate to the second base, the second heat-sealable film configured as a filtering member for contact with the concentrated fruit juice retained between the second base and the heat-sealable film; a labyrinth between the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock and the second heat-sealable film configured to allow the concentrated fruit juice and pressurized water to flow through; wherein when the capsule is used in the machine, at which time the pressurized water injected into the interior of the capsule breaks the second heat-sealable film, such that the concentrated fruit juice flows out the capsule through the labyrinth, through the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock, such that vortices are formed in the outlet cock creating a uniform, homogenous mixture of concentrated fruit juice and pressurized water expelled from the capsule.

11. The use of the liquid concentration packaged in the capsule of claim 8, wherein the capsule comprises: a single moulded body defining an interior between a first base, a second base axially spaced from the first base and an outlet cock connected to the second base, the outlet cock configured to allow liquid concentrate to exit the interior of the capsule, the outlet cock having at least six converging holes; the first base configured to receive and sealed by a first heat-sealable film, on which a hole is generated when the capsule is inserted into the machine, through which the pressurized water is injected into the interior of the capsule as the machine is operated, a second heat-sealable film within the interior between the first base and the outlet cock, and proximate to the second base, the second heat-sealable film configured as a filtering member for contact with the liquid concentrate retained between the second base and the heat-sealable film; a labyrinth between the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock and the second heat-sealable film configured to allow the liquid concentrate and pressurized water to flow through; wherein when the capsule is used in the machine, at which time the pressurized water injected into the interior of the capsule breaks the second heat-sealable film, such that the liquid concentrate flows out the capsule through the labyrinth, through the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock, such that vortices are formed in the outlet cock creating a uniform, homogenous mixture of liquid concentrate and pressurized water expelled from the capsule.

12. The use of the liquid concentration packaged in the capsule of claim 9, wherein the capsule comprises: a single moulded body defining an interior between a first base, a second base axially spaced from the first base and an outlet cock connected to the second base, the outlet cock configured to allow liquid concentrate to exit the interior of the capsule, the outlet cock having at least six converging holes; the first base configured to receive and sealed by a first heat-sealable film, on which a hole is generated when the capsule is inserted into the machine, through which the pressurized water is injected into the interior of the capsule as the machine is operated, a second heat-sealable film within the interior between the first base and the outlet cock, and proximate to the second base, the second heat-sealable film configured as a filtering member for contact with the liquid concentrate retained between the second base and the heat-sealable film; a labyrinth between the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock and the second heat-sealable film configured to allow the liquid concentrate and pressurized water to flow through; wherein when the capsule is used in the machine, at which time the pressurized water injected into the interior of the capsule breaks the second heat-sealable film, such that the liquid concentrate flows out the capsule through the labyrinth, through the at least six converging holes of the outlet cock, such that vortices are formed in the outlet cock creating a uniform, homogenous mixture of liquid concentrate and pressurized water expelled from the capsule.

Description

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a capsule (1) intended for containing fruit or vegetable juice that has been developed according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a diametrical sectional view of a capsule made of moulded polypropylene.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In essence, the invention basically consists of a capsule for juices, of the type in which its larger base (11) is closed by means of a heat-sealable film (13), on which a hole is generated when the capsule is inserted into a coffee machine, through which pressurized water is injected into its interior as the machine is operated, in a manner equivalent to obtaining a beverage from coffee or another soluble product, preferably mixed with cold water; said capsule having near the smaller base (12) and inside same a membrane (16) that retains the product contained inside same until it is used in the machine, at which time the pressurized water injected by it breaks said membrane (16) and allows the outlet of the product through a cock (15) located in the smaller base of the capsule; which is made up of or structured by a single moulded element.

[0028] Inside the capsule and as a means of retaining the juice there is a completely airtight and watertight thin sheet or heat-sealable film (16), suitable for being in contact with concentrated fruit or vegetable juice for at least 12 months at room temperature.

[0029] Between the outlet cock (15) and the aforementioned heat-sealable film (16) there is a labyrinth (14), located in the inner part and at the bottom of the capsule (1), which labyrinth has a suitable design to allow the concentrated fruit juice to circulate therethrough, forming vortices in the outlet for the mixture of concentrated juice and water that mix the mixture to obtain a homogenous product, while reducing the outlet pressure of the liquid since if the capsule is going to be used in a machine for coffee that has been designed to work at an adequate pressure to obtain an infusion or solution and the filtrate of the prepared infusion, as in this case it is only necessary to dissolve the concentrated juice, if the pressure is not reduced, the liquid would gush out and possibly splash the user/consumer.

[0030] The outlet of the liquid is carried out as in a conventional machine through an outlet cock (15), located in the narrowest part of the capsule (1); but unlike a machine for coffee, in this case at least six holes converge in same, the holes connecting to the labyrinth (14) to correctly circulate the concentrated fruit juice, mixing it with water, with uniformity and continuity therethrough.

[0031] The capsule of the invention can be made of moulded polypropylene, in which the closure film (16) is fixed on the inside and on the lower base, fixed by heat sealing on that base surface (see FIGS. 5-6).

[0032] In another alternative embodiment, this capsule is made of a compostable material, such as a thermoformed cellulose sheet, internally provided with a surface coating made up of at least one sheet of an also compostable film, which coats the capsule internally while forming the film (16) that closes the base of the capsule to retain the liquid inside same while pressurized water is not applied to said capsule (1) (see FIGS. 1-4). The biodegradation process of capsules of this type takes approximately one year and the particularity of a compostable capsule is that it can be used as fertilizer for household plants, in addition to generating reusable waste.

[0033] Regarding the fruit juice contained in the capsules of the invention, it should be noted that said fruit juice is obtained from one or more species, by physical removal of a certain part of the water up to a concentration comprised between 1:6 and 1:7; so that by mixing the contents of a capsule with 5 or 6 parts of water, 6 or 7 parts of juice are obtained with a concentration equivalent to natural juice.

[0034] Inside one of these capsules, 40 g of concentrated fruit juice are packaged, and when the machine is operated, the aforementioned 5 or 6 parts of water are passed over this concentrate, thus achieving its reconstruction, whereby about 180-210 ml of juice with a concentration equal to that of natural juice are obtained.

[0035] Said fruit juice has been subjected to a pasteurization and sterilization process and, preferably, incorporates in each capsule a 1% natural preservative cl, which consists of a powder with a grain size of less than 1.3 mm, not caked together, corresponding to the formula and in accordance with applicable regulations for food products, with the contents of this 1% natural preservative being plant extracts, fermented sugar and spice in proportions from highest to lowest as noted and in this way it is possible for the fruit juice concentrate to go from refrigerated (0-10° C.) to room temperature without altering the best before date, since spores, fungi or bacteria do not proliferate during its shelf life, which ranges from 12 to 18 months, depending on the variety and as indicated on each technical data sheet for each variety, as indicated by the multiple tests carried out in the laboratory with pH, av and microbiological analyses.

[0036] These capsules can also contain a coffee-based beverage, in any presentation: decaffeinated, with milk or cappuccino; chocolate, or milk also in any of its forms of presentation in the form of liquid concentrate, with a concentration comprised between 1:6 to 1:7; so that by mixing the contents of a capsule with 5 or 6 parts of water, 6 or 7 parts of a beverage equivalent to the same natural beverage contained in the capsule, e.g., coffee, chocolate, milk, etc., are obtained.

[0037] Finally, the capsules can contain teas, infusions, creams, broths, proteins, vitamins or plant extracts, also in liquid format and all of them dissolved in 15 parts of water to one part of liquid concentrate.

[0038] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, in addition to a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is hereby stated for the relevant purposes that the materials, shape, size and layout of the described elements may be modified, provided that it does not imply altering the essential features of the invention claimed below.