Single-serve capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, and system for preparing a beverage from said single-serve capsule

Abstract

The invention relates to a portion capsule (1) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, wherein: the portion capsule (1) comprises a base element (2), which has a cavity (3) for receiving a beverage raw material, and a capsule cover (4) sealing the cavity (3); the base element (2) comprises a capsule base (5), a peripheral flange (6), and a capsule wall (7) extending between the capsule base (5) and the peripheral flange (6); the capsule cover (4) is attached to the flange (6) along a sealing plane (8); the flange (6) has a peripheral bulge (9) at its outer free end; a sealing element in the form of a sealing bead (10) pointing away from the capsule cover (4) is provided on the flange (6); the sealing plane (8) extends along the flange (6) on the side of the capsule cover (4), between the bulge (9) and the sealing bead (10); and the sealing bead (10) comprises an inner flank (11) on the capsule wall (7) side and an outer flank (12) on the bulge (9) side; characterised in that both the outer flank (12) and the inner flank (11) are oriented at an angle (α, β) of greater than 80 to less than 90 degrees to the sealing plane (8).

Claims

1. A portion capsule for preparing a beverage in a brewing chamber of a beverage preparation machine, wherein the portion capsule has a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and has a capsule lid which closes the cavity, wherein the base element comprises a capsule base, an encircling flange and a capsule wall which extends between the capsule base and the encircling flange, wherein the capsule lid is attached to a sealing plane on the flange, wherein the flange has an encircling bead at its outer free end, wherein a sealing element in a form of a sealing embossment which points away from the capsule lid is provided on the flange, wherein the sealing plane extends on the flange on a side of the capsule lid between the bead and the sealing embossment, wherein the sealing embossment comprises an inner flank at a side of the capsule wall and an outer flank at a side of the bead, wherein both the outer flank and the inner flank are oriented at an angle of 81 to 89 degrees with respect to the sealing plane, wherein a transition region extends between the inner flank and the outer flank, and wherein the transition region has a transition plane which extends parallel to the sealing plane.

2. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the inner flank and the outer flank have the angle of 83 to 87 degrees, preferably of 84 to 86 degrees and particularly preferably of substantially 85 degrees with respect to the sealing plane.

3. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing embossment is designed such that, as the brewing chamber is closed, said sealing embossment is deformed only by a maximum of 30%, preferably by a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 10% and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 5% of its height perpendicular to the sealing plane.

4. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing embossment is designed such that, in an event of an exertion of force of up to 100 N on the sealing embossment perpendicular to the sealing plane, said sealing embossment is deformed only by a maximum of 30%, preferably by a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 10%, and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 5% of its height perpendicular to the sealing plane.

5. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing embossment is designed such that, as the brewing chamber is closed, said sealing embossment is deformed parallel to the sealing plane only to such an extent that its radius in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the portion capsule is displaced only by a maximum of 10%, preferably by a maximum of 8%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 5%, and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 4%, parallel to the sealing plane.

6. (canceled)

7. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a radial cross section of the sealing embossment, the inner flank, and the outer flank each have a rectilinear contact region which extends between the flange and the transition region.

8. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rectilinear contact region has a length of 0.1 to 1.5 millimeters, preferably of 0.3 to 1.3 millimeters, particularly preferably of 0.6 to 1.0 millimeters and very particularly preferably of 0.7 to 0.9 millimeters.

9. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 7, wherein the portion capsule has a radius of 0.05 to 0.2 millimeters, preferably of 0.09 to 0.13 millimeters, and particularly preferably of 0.11 in a transition from the rectilinear contact region to the transition region on a side facing toward the capsule lid.

10. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion capsule has a radius of 0.05 to 0.2 millimeters, preferably of 0.09 to 0.13 millimeters and particularly preferably of 0.11 in a transition from the outer flank to the transition region on a side facing toward the capsule lid.

11. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the sealing embossment perpendicular to the sealing plane ranges between 0.6 and 1.3 millimeters, preferably between 0.3 and 0.6 millimeters, and particularly preferably between 0.9 and 1.0 millimeters.

12. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing embossment has an average material thickness between 0.05 and 0.3 millimeters, preferably between 0.08 and 1.8 millimeters, particularly preferably between 0.09 and 1.5 millimeters, and very particularly preferably of substantially 0.11 millimeters.

13. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a radial cross section of the sealing embossment, the transition region has a rectilinear connecting region which has a width of between 0.1 to 0.4 millimeters, preferably between 0.15 to 0.35 millimeters, and particularly preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 millimeters.

14. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion capsule has a radius of 0.1 to 0.3 millimeters, preferably of 0.18 to 0.24 millimeters, and particularly preferably of 0.20 to 0.22 in a transition from the outer flank to the flange region running parallel to the sealing plane on a side facing toward the capsule lid.

15. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion capsule has a flange region, which extends parallel to the sealing plane, between the bead and the outer flank, and wherein the portion capsule has a flange intermediate region which extends between the inner flank and the capsule wall, wherein the flange region and the flange intermediate region are situated at the same height along a vertical direction perpendicular to the sealing plane.

16. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion capsule has a radius of 0.2 to 0.35 millimeters, preferably of 0.26 to 0.30 millimeters, and particularly preferably of substantially 0.28 in a transition from the inner flank to a flange intermediate region which extends between the sealing embossment and the capsule wall on a side facing toward the capsule lid.

17. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 16, wherein, in a radial cross section, the flange intermediate region has a rectilinear section which comprises a length between 0.01 and 0.15 millimeters, preferably between 0.06 and 0.10 millimeters, and particularly preferably 0.08 millimeters.

18. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a radial cross section, an extent of the sealing plane between the outer flank and the bead comprises a length between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 millimeters, and particularly preferably between 0.4 and 0.6 millimeters.

19. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead protrudes over the flange over a top side which forms the sealing plane.

20. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead protrudes from the flange over a bottom side which faces away from the sealing plane, wherein the flange, on the bottom side, projects from the flange to a lesser extent than the sealing embossment, and/or wherein the bead protrudes over the flange to a lesser extent on the top side than on the bottom side.

21. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bead is formed by rolling-up of the flange edge, wherein the flange edge is preferably rolled up in a direction of the capsule base.

22. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base element is manufactured in one piece from aluminum.

23. A system for preparing a beverage, having a beverage preparation machine and a portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beverage preparation machine has a brewing unit with a first brewing chamber part and a second brewing chamber part, wherein the first brewing chamber part and/or the second brewing chamber part is movable relative to the other brewing chamber part between an approximated position, in which the first brewing chamber part and the second brewing chamber part form a closed brewing chamber, and an open position, in which the first brewing chamber part and the second brewing chamber part are spaced apart for insertion or ejection of a portion capsule, wherein the first brewing chamber part comprises a receiving element for partially receiving the portion capsule and the second brewing chamber part comprises a closure element for the receiving element, wherein, in a closed position, the flange of the portion capsule is received in positively locking and sealing fashion between an edge region of the receiving element and the closure element.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein, in the edge region, there is formed a sealing contour for sealing engagement with the sealing embossment, wherein the sealing contour comprises an encircling depression and an encircling sealing lug formed adjacent to the depression, wherein the depression is arranged outside the sealing lug in a radial direction, and wherein an outer sealing lug flank forms an inner wall of the depression.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein, in the closed position, the sealing lug engages into a flange intermediate region and the sealing embossment engages into the depression such that the sealing lug flank together with the inner flank form linear contact in radial cross section.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein, in the closed position, the sealing embossment is deformed by the sealing contour only by a maximum of 30%, preferably by a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 10%, and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 5% of its height perpendicular to the sealing plane.

27. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sealing contour has a further encircling sealing lug, wherein the depression is arranged between the sealing lug and the further sealing lug in the radial direction, wherein the sealing lug is formed so as to be longer than the further sealing lug, and wherein, in the closed position, the further sealing lug forms punctiform contact with the outer flank in radial cross section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematic sectional views of a portion capsule and of a system for preparing a beverage according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematic detail views of the portion capsule according to the exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows schematic detail views of the portion capsule according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a schematic side view of a portion capsule 1 and a sectional view of a system composed of the portion capsule 1 and of a part of a beverage preparation machine 14 for preparing a beverage according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The portion capsule 1 has a for example cup-shaped and frustoconical base element 2, which has a capsule base 5 at its closed side and an encircling flange 6 at its open side. Between the capsule base 5 and the flange 6, a capsule wall 7 extends around a cavity 3. The portion capsule 1 is of rotationally symmetrical construction about its central longitudinal axis M, which defines a vertical direction Y. In a radial direction R, the flange 6, which is circular and is thus of encircling form in a circumferential direction, protrudes outward beyond the capsule wall 7.

[0043] The flange 6 is fixedly connected to a capsule lid 4 in the form of a lid foil which closes the cavity 3 on the open side of the base element 2. For this purpose, the flange 6 has a sealing plane 8 which faces toward the capsule lid 4 and which extends approximately at right angles to the vertical direction Y. The capsule lid 4, in its edge region, is sealed, welded or adhesively bonded to the sealing plane 8.

[0044] The capsule lid 4 is preferably formed from aluminum or plastic. Formed within the base element 2 is the cavity 3, which is filled with beverage raw material, for example roasted coffee granules, instant coffee, chocolate powder, tea cuttings, milk powder and/or the like (not illustrated for the sake of clarity), and which is closed by the capsule lid 4.

[0045] The cup-shaped configuration of the base element 2 is generated preferably by thermoforming, for example deep drawing by means of negative pressure, positive pressure and/or a movable die. The base element 2 is preferably in the form of a deep-drawn aluminum part. It would alternatively also be conceivable for the plastics part to be formed from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, the portion capsule 1 is produced by means of an injection molding process, in particular in a one-component, multi-component or in-mold process.

[0046] During use, the portion capsule 1 is introduced into a brewing unit in a beverage preparation machine 14. The brewing unit comprises a first brewing chamber part and a second brewing chamber part, wherein the first and/or the second brewing chamber part is movable relative to the other brewing chamber part between an approximated position, in which the first and the second brewing chamber part form a closed brewing chamber 13, and an open position, in which the first and the second brewing chamber part are spaced apart for the insertion or ejection of a portion capsule 1.

[0047] The first brewing chamber part is in the form of a cup-shaped receiving element 22 which receives the major part of the portion capsule 1, in particular when the brewing chamber 13 is in the closed position. The second brewing chamber part is in the form of a closure element 23 for the receiving element 22. In the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the flange 6 of the portion capsule 1 is clamped sealingly between an edge region 24 of the receiving element 22 and the closure element 23.

[0048] In this closed position, the capsule lid 4 and the capsule base 5 are perforated one after the other or at the same time. Here, the one or more perforation openings in the capsule base 5 are formed in particular by one or more perforation tips on the closure element 23 during the closing of the brewing chamber 13, while the perforation openings in the capsule lid 4 are generated preferably by perforation structures in the base of the receiving element already during the closing of the brewing chamber 13 or only as a result of the pressure build-up in the interior of the portion capsule 1 during the beverage preparation process.

[0049] Extraction liquid is introduced under pressure into the cavity 3 through the one or more perforation openings in the capsule base 5. The interaction between the extraction liquid and the beverage raw material creates the desired beverage, which exits the portion capsule 1 through the perforation openings in the capsule lid 4 and is fed to a beverage container. By means of an optional filter medium, particles of the beverage raw material can be filtered out of the beverage and retained in the portion capsule 1. Preferably, however, the multiply perforated capsule lid 4 functions as a filter element.

[0050] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a detail view of the portion capsule 1 and brewing chamber 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 according to the exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Here, figures 3 and 4 show the sectional illustration of the flange 6 on the left-hand side of FIG. 2 in an enlarged illustration. FIG. 3 is not true to scale, nor are the angles accurately depicted. It is merely a diagrammatic sketch, from which no angular or length proportions can be gathered. FIG. 3 is intended merely to illustrate the basic arrangement of the individual regions and the reference designations. FIG. 4 illustrates the region shown in FIG. 3 in a manner more true to scale and with a more accurate depiction of the angular and length proportions. The dimensions and angles of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can thus be gathered from FIG. 4.

[0051] The flange 6 shown extends substantially horizontally, that is to say parallel to the radial direction R, from the upper end of the capsule wall 7 to its free outer end, at which the flange 6 terminates with a bead 9. The bead 9 comprises, in particular, a flange end rolled up in the direction of the capsule base 5.

[0052] Furthermore, the bead 9 protrudes in the vertical direction Y in particular in each case both from the flange 6 over a top side which forms the sealing plane 8 and from the flange 6 over a bottom side which faces away from the sealing plane 8, wherein the flange 6, on the bottom side, projects from the flange 6 to a lesser extent than a sealing embossment 10, and furthermore protrudes over the flange 6 to a lesser or identical extent on the top side in relation to that on the bottom side.

[0053] Between the bead 9 and the end of the capsule wall 7, the flange 6 has the sealing embossment 10, which is in the form of a stamped indentation directed in the vertical direction Y away from the capsule lid 4 and which is of concentrically encircling form in the circumferential direction around the central longitudinal axis M. Here, the sealing embossment 10 has an inner flank 11, which faces toward the capsule wall 7, and an outer flank 12, which faces toward the bead 9.

[0054] Between the inner flank 11 and the outer flank 12, there extends a planar transition region 15 in the form of the transition plane 16, which runs in particular in a flat (that is to say rectilinear) manner and parallel to the sealing plane 8. Between the outer flank 12 and the bead 9, the flange 6 has a flange region 19, the top side of which forms the sealing plane 8. The outer flank 12 runs at an angle α of approximately 85 degrees with respect to the sealing plane 8 and thus with respect to the plane of the flange region 19.

[0055] The outer flank 12 has in particular a rectilinear flank section 21, which preferably comprises a length between 0.5 and 0.9 millimeters. The flange region 19 preferably has a length of 0.2 to 0.8 millimeters. The transition between flange region 19 and outer flank 12 preferably has a radius of 0.20 to 0.21 millimeters on the top side of the flange 6, whereas the transition from the outer flank 12 to the transition plane 16 and to the transition plane 16 to the inner flank 11 on the top side of the flange 6 each have a radius of 0.1 to 0.12.

[0056] The flange 6 has a flange intermediate region 20 between the inner flank 11 and the upper end of the capsule wall 7. In the present example, the flange intermediate region is of rectilinear form at least in certain sections in radial cross section. Here, the rectilinear region has in particular a length of 0.07 to 0.09 millimeters.

[0057] The inner flank 11 has a rectilinear contact region 17 in radial cross section, that is to say the rectilinear contact region is the length of the straight line between the two turning points in the profile of the inner flank 11. In the present example, the length of the contact region 17 is preferably 0.5 to 0.9 millimeters.

[0058] According to the invention, the angle β between the inner flank 11 or the rectilinear contact region 17 and the sealing plane 8 is substantially 85 degrees with respect to the sealing plane 8.

[0059] The angle between the inner and outer flank 11,12 is thus preferably 5 to 15 degrees, particularly preferably 8 to 12 degrees and very particularly preferably substantially 10 degrees.

[0060] The flange region 19 and the rectilinear section of the flange intermediate region 20 lie at the same height in the vertical direction Y. The height 18 of the sealing embossment 10 corresponds to the total extent of the sealing embossment 10 from the bottom side of the flange and flange intermediate region 19, 20 to the bottom side of the flange 6 in the region of the transition plane 16. This height 18 is, perpendicular to the sealing plane 8, between 0.9 and 1.0 millimeters.

[0061] The material thickness of the aluminum in the region of the flange 6 is preferably between 0.1 and 0.13 millimeters.

[0062] FIG. 3 likewise illustrates the edge region 24 of the receiving element 22, which is in sealing engagement with the flange 6 of the portion capsule 1. The edge region 24 comprises a sealing contour for sealing engagement with the sealing embossment 10.

[0063] For this purpose, the sealing contour has a depression 25, which runs in encircling fashion in the circumferential direction, and a sealing lug 26, which is formed adjacent to the depression 25 and which likewise runs in encircling fashion in the circumferential direction. As viewed in the radial direction R, the depression 25 is arranged outside the sealing lug 26, such that an outer sealing lug flank 27 of the sealing lug 26 forms an inner wall of the depression 25.

[0064] In the illustrated closed position, the sealing lug 26 engages into the flange intermediate region 20, whereas the sealing embossment 10 engages into the depression 25. In this way, contact 28 is formed between the sealing lug flank 27 and the inner flank 11 in radial cross section. This contact 28 is preferably present in encircling fashion in the circumferential direction and thus forms the actual seal between flange 6 and receiving element 22, such that no or scarcely any extraction liquid can flow past the beverage substance to the outlet of the brewing chamber 13.

[0065] The apex of the sealing lug 26 optionally makes contact with the bottom side of the curvature of the flange intermediate region 20, whereas the bottom side of the transition plane 16 optionally makes contact with the base of the depression 25.

[0066] The above-described design and dimensioning of the sealing embossment 10 has the effect that the sealing embossment 10 does not significantly deform as the brewing chamber 14 is closed and/or as the beverage is brewed. The sealing takes place primarily by way of the in particular encircling contact 28, which is subjected to a relatively intense force owing to the rigidity of the sealing embossment 10.

[0067] In other words: The sealing embossment 10 is designed such that, as the brewing chamber 13 is closed and/or as the portion capsule 1 is brewed, said sealing embossment is deformed only by a maximum of 30%, preferably by a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 10% and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 5% of its height 18 perpendicular to the sealing plane 8. In particular, the sealing embossment 10 is thus designed such that, in the event of an exertion of force of up to 100 N on the sealing embossment 10 perpendicular to the sealing plane 8, said sealing embossment is deformed only by a maximum of 30%, preferably by a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably by a maximum of 10% and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 5% of its height 18 perpendicular to the sealing plane 8. It is only in this way that sufficient force is available for the contact 28.

[0068] It is conceivable that, as the brewing chamber 13 is closed and/or as the portion capsule 1 is brewed, the height 18 of the sealing embossment 10 is changed in the vertical direction Y in particular by a maximum of 0.2 millimeters, preferably by a maximum of 0.15 millimeters, particularly preferably by a maximum of 0.1 millimeters and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 0.05 millimeters.

[0069] Preferably, the sealing embossment 10 is thus likewise of such rigid form that that no excessive lateral displacement or deformation in the radial direction R occurs either. It is provided that the sealing embossment 10 is designed such that, as the brewing chamber 13 is closed, said sealing embossment is deformed or displaced parallel to the sealing plane 8 only to such an extent that its radius in relation to a central longitudinal axis of the portion capsule 1 is displaced only by a maximum of 5% parallel to the sealing plane 8, in order that, after the brewing process, the portion capsule 1 can be easily removed from the brewing chamber again and the sealing lug 26 does not become clamped with the laterally tilting sealing embossment 10.

[0070] It is conceivable that, in the case of the sealing embossment 10, as the brewing chamber 13 is closed and/or as the portion capsule 1 is brewed, it is preferably provided that the tip of the sealing embossment 10, that is to say the transition region 15 of the sealing embossment 10, is displaced or deformed in a radial direction R by a maximum of 0.2 millimeters, preferably by a maximum of 0.15 millimeters, particularly preferably by a maximum of 0.1 millimeters and very particularly preferably by a maximum of 0.05 millimeters.

[0071] The other dimensions numerically depicted in FIG. 4 can preferably likewise be regarded as being essential to the invention.

[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates a detail view of the portion capsule 1 and brewing chamber 13 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 5 shows the sectional illustration of the sealing embossment 10 (in the same orientation as in FIG. 4, that is to say the capsule wall 7 on the left-hand side and the bead 9 on the righthand side 7) in an enlarged illustration.

[0073] The second embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, such that all of the above explanations apply analogously.

[0074] By contrast, the transition region 15 is however designed as a curved transition region and not as a rectilinear, flattened transition region 15. The rectilinear contact region 17 has, on the outer flank 12, a length of 0.5 to 0.6 mm, in particular of 0.53 mm. The rectilinear contact region 17 has, on the inner outer flank 11, a length of 0.4 to 0.55 mm, in particular 0.473 mm.

[0075] The angle between the inner and outer flank 11, 12 is preferably 5 to 15 degrees, particularly preferably 8 to 12 degrees and very particularly preferably substantially 10 degrees.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0076] 1 Portion capsule

[0077] 2 Base element

[0078] 3 Cavity

[0079] 4 Capsule lid

[0080] 5 Capsule base

[0081] 6 Flange

[0082] 7 Capsule wall

[0083] 8 Sealing plane

[0084] 9 Bead

[0085] 10 Sealing embossment

[0086] 11 Inner flank

[0087] 12 Outer flank

[0088] 13 Brewing chamber

[0089] 14 Beverage preparation machine

[0090] 15 Transition region

[0091] 16 Transition plane

[0092] 17 Contact region

[0093] 18 Height of the sealing embossment

[0094] 19 Flange region

[0095] 20 Flange intermediate region

[0096] 21 Flank section

[0097] 22 Receiving element

[0098] 23 Closure element

[0099] 24 Edge region

[0100] 25 Depression

[0101] 26 Sealing lug

[0102] 27 Sealing lug flank

[0103] 28 Further sealing lug

[0104] α Angle

[0105] β Angle

[0106] R Radial direction

[0107] Y Vertical direction

[0108] M Central longitudinal axis