STACKABLE CUP FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE CAPSULE

Abstract

A beverage capsule includes a side wall, extending between a bottom end and a top end, and a flange, which is arranged at the top end of the side wall. The side wall defines an interior of the cup and the flange defines an opening towards the interior of the cup. The cup includes a plurality of deformable stacking notches, which outwardly protrude from an outer surface of the side wall. The notches are inwardly deformable to a deformed state, upon introduction of a radially inward force, and the notches are, in the deformed state, substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall. A capsule for brewing a beverage includes a stackable cup, a beverage ingredient, and a foil configured to cover the opening of the cup and to seal the interior of the cup.

Claims

1. A stackable cup for producing a beverage capsule, comprising: a side wall, extending between a bottom end and a top end, and a flange, which is arranged at the top end of the side wall, wherein the side wall defines an interior of the cup, wherein the flange defines an opening towards the interior of the cup, wherein a plurality of deformable stacking notches, which outwardly protrude from an outer surface of the side wall, wherein the notches are inwardly deformable to a deformed state, upon introduction of a radially inward force, and wherein the notches are, in the deformed state, substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall.

2. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the notches are adapted to be inwardly deformed by an inner wall of a brewing chamber of a brewing apparatus.

3. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the notches have an outer surface that projects away with respect to the outer surface of the side wall in a radially outward direction (R).

4. The cup according to claim 3, wherein the notches have a wedge-like shape, and wherein the outer surface of the notches is, with increasing distance from the flange, set further away from the outer surface of the side wall.

5. The cup according to claim 3, wherein each of the notches comprises a step surface, which faces away from the flange and which is set at an angle () with respect to a plane of the flange, wherein the angle () may be in the range between 10 and 10.

6. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the side wall has an at least partial frustoconical shape.

7. The cup according to claim 6, wherein the notches are provided at the frustoconical portion of the side wall.

8. The cup according to claim 4, wherein an outer diameter (D) of the cup, around the notches, is substantially constant over the length of the notches.

9. The cup according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter (D) of the cup, around the notches and adjacent the step surfaces, is substantially larger than a diameter (D) of the opening.

10. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the flange comprises an annular recess, which faces towards the opening and which is configured to rest on notches of another cup when the cup is stacked on this other cup.

11. The cup according to claim 9, wherein an outer diameter ((D) of the cup, around the notches and adjacent the step surfaces, is substantially smaller than a diameter (D) of the annular recess.

12. The cup according to claim 1, wherein the notches are evenly distributed around the circumference of the side wall.

13. The cup according to claim 3, wherein the each of the notches comprises two sides, which are located opposite to each other, and wherein the sides have a curved shape and taper towards nominal portions of the side wall.

14. The cup according to claim 1, comprising three notches, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the side wall, being spaced at 120 from each other.

15. The cup according to claim 14, wherein each of the stacking notches has a width in a tangential direction (T), wherein nominal portions of the side wall, in between the notches, have a width in the tangential direction (T), and wherein the width of the nominal portions is larger than the width of the notches.

16. The cup according to claim 15, wherein all notches have a same width and wherein all nominal portions have a same width as well.

17. A method for stacking cups, comprising the steps of: providing a first stackable cup according to any of the preceding claims, providing a second stackable cup according to any of the preceding claims, and stacking the first cup on the second cup in order to form a stacked configuration, wherein, in the stacked configuration of the cups: the side wall of the second cup is arranged at least partially within the interior of the first cup, and the flange of the first cup rests on the notches of the second cup.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the flange of the first cup comprises an annular recess, which faces towards the opening of the first cup, and wherein the annular recess of the first cup rests, in the stacked configuration of the cups, on the notches of the second cup.

19. A capsule for brewing a beverage, comprising: a stackable cup according to claim 1, a beverage ingredient, which is arranged in the interior of the cup, and a foil, which is arranged on the flange and which is configured to cover the opening of the cup and to seal the interior of the cup.

20. A method for the manufacturing of a capsule, comprising the steps of: providing at least two stackable cups according to claim 1, which are in a stacked configuration, unstacking at least one cup of the stacked cups, filling the interior of the at least one cup with a beverage ingredient, and arranging a foil on the flange of the at least cup to cover the opening of the at least one cup and to seal the interior of the at least one cup.

21. A brewing assembly, comprising: a brewing apparatus, comprising a brewing chamber, and a capsule according to claim 19, wherein the brewing chamber has an inner wall that substantially corresponds to the side wall of the cup, wherein the brewing chamber is configured to receive the capsule for brewing a beverage, and wherein the inner wall of the brewing chamber is, upon introduction of the capsule in the brewing chamber, configured to inwardly deform the notches of the cup to the deformed state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which:

[0081] FIG. 1a depicts an embodiment of the cup according to the present invention,

[0082] FIG. 1b depicts a cross-sectional view on the cup of FIG. 1a,

[0083] FIG. 2a depicts multiple cups, which are arranged in a stacked configuration,

[0084] FIG. 2b depicts a cross-sectional view on the stacked configuration of FIG. 2a,

[0085] FIG. 2c depicts a close-up view on another embodiment of a stacked configuration with multiple cups,

[0086] FIG. 3a depicts a cross-sectional view on a capsule and a brewing chamber of a brewing apparatus, in which the cup is in a non-deformed state,

[0087] FIG. 3b depicts the cross-sectional view on the capsule and the brewing chamber, in which the cup is in a deformed state,

[0088] FIG. 3c depicts a view on the cup of the capsule, which is in the deformed state,

[0089] FIG. 4a depicts another embodiment of the cup according to the present invention,

[0090] FIG. 4b depicts a front view on the cup of FIG. 4a,

[0091] FIG. 4c depicts a side view on the cup of FIG. 4a,

[0092] FIG. 5a depicts multiple of the cups of FIG. 4a, which are arranged in a stacked configuration, and

[0093] FIG. 5b depicts a cross-sectional view on the stacked configuration of FIG. 5a.

[0094] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0095] FIG. 1a schematically depicts an embodiment of the cup according to the present invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 1. The cup 1 comprises a side wall 2, which extends between a bottom end 3 of the cup 1 and a top end 4 of the cup 1. The side wall 2 encircles a central axis (A) of the cup 1, which extends in an axial direction between the bottom end 3 and the top end 4. The side wall 2 defines an interior 5 of the cup 1, which is configured to hold a beverage ingredient.

[0096] The cup 1 comprises a flange 6, which is arranged at the top end 4 of the cup 1 and which is integrally connected to the side wall 2. The flange 6 also encircles the central axis (A) of the cup 1 and is arranged concentrically with the side wall 2. In the present embodiment, the cup 1 is manufactured by means of an injection moulding process, whereby the side wall 2 is integrally formed with the flange 6. Alternatively, the cup may as well be manufactured by means of a thermoforming process.

[0097] The flange 6 of the cup 1 is provided in a plane, which is at least in the orientation in the figures a horizontal plane. The plane extends perpendicular to the central axis (A) of the cup 1. At the top end 4 of the cup 1, the flange 6 defines an opening 7, which is defined in the plane as well. The opening 7 is concentric with the flange 6 and has a diameter (D).

[0098] The side wall 2 tapers from the top end 4 to the bottom end 3 and has a frustoconical shape. This allows the top end 4 of an upper cup 1 to be moved over the bottom end 3 of a lower cup 1, in order to bring the cups in a stacked configuration. The bottom end 3 of the lower cup 1 is thereby inserted into the interior 5 of the upper cup 1, through the opening 6 in the upper cup 1.

[0099] At its bottom end 3, the cup 1 comprises a second opening 8, which also provides access to the interior 5 of the cup 1. The second opening 8 is also provided in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (A) of the cup 1.

[0100] The side wall 2 of the cup 1 comprises a plurality of deformable stacking notches 9, which are evenly disposed around the circumference of the side wall 2 and which are arranged adjacent the top end 4 of the cup 1.

[0101] The stacking notches 9 protrude from an outer surface of the side wall 2 in a radially outward direction (R), which is aligned radially with respect to the central axis (A). The stacking notches 9 in particular protrude from nominal portions 10 of the side wall 2, wherein the nominal portions 10 are defined in between the stacking notches 9. The nominal portions 10 thereby form a continuation of the side wall 2 and have a shape that corresponds to the side wall of a conventional cup that has no stacking notches.

[0102] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the stacking notches 9 are displayed in a non-deformed state, in which they outwardly protrude from the nominal portions 10. The stacking notches 9 are deformable by a radially inward force, towards a deformed state, as is displayed in FIG. 3c. In the deformed state, the stacking notches 9 no longer outwardly protrude from the outer surface of the side wall 2. In the deformed state, the stacking notches 9 are substantially flush with the side wall 2, i.e. do not project radially outwards from the annular wall 2, and substantially flush with the surrounding nominal portions 10 of the side wall 2.

[0103] The stacking notches 9 have a wedge-like shape and taper with respect to the nominal portions 10 of the side wall 2. With increasing distance from the flange 6, the outer surface 11 of the stacking notches 9 is set further away from the outer surface of the side wall 2 and from the nominal portions 10.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the stacking notches 9 have outer surfaces 11, which are set at an angle with respect to the central axis (A) and with respect to the radially outward direction (R). A diameter (D) of the cup 1, measured between outer surfaces 11 of the stacking notches 9, increases along the length of the stacking notches 9, wherein the length of the stacking notches 9 is measured substantially parallel to the central axis (A). The diameter (D) increases from adjacent the flange 6 in the direction towards the bottom 3 of the cup 1, and the cup 1 outwardly widens. In the present embodiment, the notches 9 widen at an angle of 4 with respect to the central axis (A) of the cup 1, but in alternative embodiments according to the present invention, the notches may widen at other angles, for example in the range between 0 and 5.

[0105] The stacking notches 9 further comprise a step surface 12, which faces away from the flange 6 and which faces towards the bottom end 3 of the cup 1. The step surfaces 12 are set at an angle () with respect to the plane in which the flange 6 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the angle () is relatively small, for example in the range between 0 and 10, and may result in more convenient deformation of the notches and for a lower required radially inward force.

[0106] The diameter (D) of the opening 7 at the top end 4 of the cup 1 is smaller than the diameter (D) between the stacking notches 9 of the cup 1, but the diameter (D) is larger than the diameter of the cup 1 between the nominal portions 10. When the cups 1 are stacked, as is schematically displayed in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the flange 6 of an upper cup comes to rest on the step surfaces 12 of the stacking notches 9 of a lower cup. The bottom end 3 of a lower cup is thereby arranged in an interior 5 of an upper cup, extending through the opening 7 in the flange 6 of the upper cup.

[0107] In this stacked configuration, the stacked cups 1 contact each other between adjacent flanges and stacking notches, but there will be no contact between the side walls of the stacked cups 1. As such, large frictional forces between the side walls 2 of the cups 1 are prevented, so that the unstacking of the cups 1 may be more convenient.

[0108] In FIG. 2c, an alternative embodiment is displayed of an upper cup 1 that is stacked on a lower cup 1. The cups in FIG. 2c have a flange 6 that comprises an annular recess 13, which faces towards the opening 7 that is defined by the flange 6. The annular recess 13 is aligned concentrically with the flange 6 and with the opening 7 that is defined therein. The annular recess 13 has a diameter (D) that is larger than the diameter (D) of the opening 7.

[0109] It has already been mentioned above that the diameter (D) between the outer surfaces 11 of the stacking notches 9 is larger than the diameter (D) of the opening 7 in the cup 1, such that the upper cup 1 rests with its flange 6 on the step surfaces 12 of the stacking notches 9 of the lower cup 1. Furthermore, the diameter (D) between the outer surfaces 11 of the stacking notches 9 is smaller than the diameter (D) of the annular recess 13, such that, upon stacking of the cups, the step surface 12 of the lower cup 1 falls within the annular recess 13 of the upper cup 1.

[0110] A more rigid stacking of the cups may be achieved by the notches 9 of the lower cup 1 that are arranged in the annular recess 13 of the upper cup 1. An interlocking effect may occur between the notches 9 and the recess 13, which will prevent the stacked cups from shifting with respect to each other in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (A) of the cups.

[0111] The stacking notches 9 are adapted to be deformed by an inner wall of a brewing chamber of a brewing apparatus. In FIG. 3a, an embodiment of a brewing assembly is displayed. The brewing assembly comprises a capsule according to the present invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 100. The capsule 100 comprises a cup 1 with stacking notches 9 and a foil 101, which is arranged on the flange 6 of the cup 1. The foil 101 covers the opening 7 in the cup 1 and seals the interior 5 of the cup 1 with respect to the surroundings. At the bottom end 3 of the cup 1, a second foil 102 is provided to cover the second opening 8 in the cup and to seal the interior 5 at the bottom end 3.

[0112] The capsule 100 comprises a beverage ingredient 103 in the interior 5 of the cup 1. In the present embodiment, the capsule is a coffee capsule 100 and the beverage ingredient is ground coffee 103. In an alternative embodiment, the beverage ingredient of the capsule may be any other ingredient that can be used for the brewing of a beverage.

[0113] FIG. 3a further displays a brewing chamber 201 of a brewing apparatus 200 of the brewing assembly. The brewing apparatus 200 is configured to brew a beverage from the beverage ingredient in the capsule. In the present embodiment, the brewing apparatus is a coffee brewer 200, which is configured to brew coffee from the ground coffee 103 in the coffee capsule 100 by means of an extraction process. The coffee brewer 200 according to the present embodiment is configured to brew coffee from Nespresso capsules or Nespresso-compatible capsules.

[0114] The brewing chamber 201 comprises an inner wall 202 by which an interior 203 of the brewing chamber 201 is defined. The brewing chamber 201 is configured to receive the capsule 100 in its interior 203, whereby the bottom end 3 of the cup 1 is received therein first. The inner wall 202 of the brewing chamber 201 has a shape that substantially corresponds to the outer surface of the side wall 2 of the cup 1.

[0115] In FIG. 3a, the capsule 100 is partially inserted in the brewing chamber 201 along an insertion direction (I). In this configuration, the stacking notches 9 of the cup 1 are on the onset of coming into contact with end portions 204 of the inner wall 202 of the brewing chamber 201.

[0116] In FIG. 3b, the capsule 100 has been inserted further in the brewing chamber 201. The stacking notches 9 of the cup 1 have been deformed in a radially inward direction (R), due to their interaction with the end portions 204 of the inner wall 202 of the brewing chamber 201.

[0117] The stacking notches 9 have thus been deformed towards their deformed state and no longer outwardly protrude from the side wall 2 of the cup 1. In the deformed state, the stacking notches 9 are substantially flush with the side wall 2 and with the inner wall 202 of the brewing chamber 201.

[0118] In the present embodiment, the deformation of the stacking notches 9 has caused portions of the side wall 2, amongst which are the nominal portions 10 in between adjacent stacking notches 9, to inwardly deform.

[0119] In FIG. 3c, the cup 1 is displayed in its deformed state. In particular, portions 14 of the side wall 2 that are situated adjacent the step surfaces 12 of the stacking notches 9, seen towards the bottom end 3 of the cup 1, have been deformed to a large extent.

[0120] In the present embodiment, the stacking notches 9 themselves are relatively rigid compared to portions of the side wall 2 that surround the stacking notches 9. The stacking notches 9 therefore have not been significantly deformed by themselves.

[0121] In alternative embodiments of the cup, the stacking notches may be less rigid and may deform themselves as well, for example by means of a buckling deformation. The stacking notches may even be so flexible, that only they would deform and that the surrounding portions of the side wall would remain intact.

[0122] In FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, another embodiment of the cup according to the present invention is displayed, to which is referred with reference numeral 51. The cup 51 comprises a frustoconical side wall 52 that encircles a central axis (A) of the frustoconical shape and a flange 56 that is disposed at a top end 54 of the cup 51. The cup 51 comprises an opening 57, which is defined by the flange 56 and which is configured to provide access to an interior 55 of the cup 51. At an opposing bottom end 53 of the 51, a second opening 58 is provided in the cup 51, also configured to provide access to the interior 55 of the cup 51.

[0123] The side wall 52 of the cup 51 comprises three stacking notches 59, which protrude radially outwards with respect to a nominal portion 60 of the side wall 52. The stacking notches 59 comprise a first side 71 and a second side 72, which are located opposite to each other.

[0124] The stacking notches 59 each have an outer surface 61 that faces away in a radially outward direction (R). The outer surfaces 61 are set at an angle with respect to the central axis (A) and at an angle with respect to the radially outward direction (R), such that a circumference of the cup 51, around the notches 59, widens with increasing distance from the flange 56. In the present embodiment, the notches 59 widen at an angle of 4 with respect to the central axis (A) of the cup 51.

[0125] Each of the stacking notches 59 further comprises a step surface 62, which faces away from the flange 56 and which faces towards the bottom end 53 of the cup 51. The step surfaces 62 are set at an angle () with respect to a plane parallel to the flange 56, as is best displayed in FIG. 4c. In this embodiment, the angle () is relatively small, in the range between 0 and 20, for example between 1 and 10, and may result in more convenient deformation of the notches 59 and for a lower required radially inward force.

[0126] In FIG. 4b, the cup 51 is shown in a front view, in a direction that is anti-parallel to the radially outward direction (R). Both sides 71, 72 of the notch 59 have a tapered shape, comprising a respective curvature at a top end 73 of the notch 59, opposite to the step surface 62. The sides 71, 72 taper from being relatively wide towards being relatively narrow next to the nominal portions 60 of the side wall 52. The top end 73 of the notch 59 has a tapered shape at the sides 71, 72.

[0127] It is displayed in FIG. 4b that the step surface 62 of the notch 59 is formed by a lower surface of the first side 71, of the second side 72 and of a central portion 70 of the notch 59, located in between the sides 71, 72. The parts of the step surface 62 that are formed by the sides 71, 72 thereby extend parallel to each other.

[0128] The opening 57 at the top end 54 of the cup 51 has a diameter (D) that is smaller than a diameter (D) between the stacking notches 59 of the cup 51, as is displayed in FIG. 4c.

[0129] When the cups 51 are stacked, as is schematically displayed in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the flange 56 of an upper cup comes to rest on the step surfaces 62 of the stacking notches 59 of a lower cup. The bottom end 53 of a lower cup is thereby arranged in an interior 55 of an upper cup, extending through the opening 57 in the flange 56 of the upper cup.

[0130] In FIG. 5, four cups 51 are displayed, being in a stacked configuration on top of each other. In this stacked configuration, the stacked cups 51 contact each other between adjacent flanges and stacking notches, but there will be no contact between the side walls 52 of the stacked cups 51. As such, large frictional forces between the side walls 52 of the cups 51 are prevented, so that the unstacking of the cups 51 may be more convenient.

[0131] The cups 51 in FIG. 5 each have a flange 56 that comprises an annular recess 63, which faces towards the opening 57 that is defined by the flange 56. The annular recess 63 is aligned concentrically with the flange 56 and with the opening 57 that is defined in the flange 56. The annular recess 63 has a diameter (D) that is larger than the diameter (D) of the opening 57. The diameter (D) between the outer surfaces 61 of the stacking notches 59 is larger than the diameter (D) of the opening 57 in the cup 51, such that an upper cup 51 rests with its flange 56 on the step surfaces 62 of the stacking notches 59 of the lower cup 51. Furthermore, the diameter (D) between the outer surfaces 61 of the stacking notches 59 is smaller than the diameter (D) of the annular recess 63, such that, upon stacking of the cups, the step surface 62 of the lower cup 51 falls within the annular recess 63 of the upper cup 51