CAPSULE WITH SEALING SUPPORT AND SYSTEM FOR PREPARING EDIBLE PRODUCTS BASED UPON SAID CAPSULES

Abstract

A capsule (1) having at least one first construction element (2) with a container-like shape, and a second construction element (3) with a lid-like shape, adapted to contain an individual portion of an edible substance. The second construction element (3) has a passageway wall (4) surrounded in at least most part of respective perimeter by a weakened material region (41), and further has an intercalary (6) adapted to provide seat for a sealing element (14) of a brewing device (10), and thereby a better sealing of the upstream pressurized flow inside of the brewing device (10). The capsule is in a system for preparing edible products including an apparatus for preparing edible products comprising at least one brewing device (10) comprising one sealing element (14) adapted to seal the pressurized flow upstream of said capsule (1) within a region in the vicinity of the injection means (13) of said brewing device (10).

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for preparing an edible product on a brewing device (10), and comprising: a first construction element (2) configured in a container-like form and adapted so as to provide a collection volume for a single portion of an edible substance, and a second construction element (3) configured in a circular lid-like form, and adapted to confine said collection volume of first construction element (2) and provide an entry flow passageway to the interior of said first construction element (2), wherein said second construction element (3) comprises a flow entry wall part (31) that presents a disk-like general with a prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31) between two plane transversal relative to an axial axis (X) of said flow entry wall part (31), wherein said flow entry wall part (31) is provided in a rigid material, wherein said flow entry wall part (31) comprises a passageway wall (4) provided with a circular shape delimited by a first circumferential alignment and disposed centred relative to an axial axis (X) of said flow entry wall part (31), wherein said flow passageway wall (4) presents a weakened material region (41) that develops along at least most part of said first circumferential alignment and that is adapted so that breaks under a given upstream flow pressure, wherein said flow entry wall part (31) presents a recess region (5) that develops in the upstream direction from the upstream oriented surface of said flow entry wall part (31), wherein said capsule (1) being characterized in that said intercalary region (6) between said passageway wall (4) and said recess region (5), presents an intercalary wall thickness (e.sub.6) that is bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4) and bigger than the recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5), preferentially is at least approximately similar to said prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31), thereby structurally reinforcing the region surrounding said weakened material region (41) and providing a support surface to a sealing element (14) provided on said brewing device (10).

2. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intercalary region (6) presents an intercalary wall thickness (e.sub.6) that develops between planes transversal to the axial direction upstream and downstream of the transversal planes that delimit said passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) and recess wall thickness (e.sub.5).

3. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intercalary region (6) comprises a seat region (61) that develops in the upstream oriented surface of said flow entry wall part (31) along at least most part of the radial extension between said passageway wall (4) and said recess region (5), whereby said seat region (61) is adapted so that provides a seat surface to a sealing element (14) provided on said brewing device (10).

4. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said seat region (61) presents a seat wall thickness (e.sub.61) that is bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), thereby improving the opening of said weakened material region (41) as impinged by an upstream pressurized flow.

5. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said seat region (61) presents a seat wall thickness (e.sub.61) that is bigger than the recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5), preferentially presents a wall thickness that is at least approximately similar to said prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31).

6. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intercalary region (6) presents a guiding projection (62) along said first circumferential alignment so that delimits said seat region (61) relative to said passageway wall (4), whereby said guiding projection (62) projects beyond the upstream oriented exterior surface of said flow entry wall part (31), so that provides a conduction surface that is adjacent and substantially orthogonal or oblique relative to the surface provided by said seat region (61).

7. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said recess region (5) develops from a second circumferential alignment in the proximity of said passageway wall (4) and so that defines an intercalary region (6) between said recess region (5) and said passageway wall (4), whereby said recess region (5) presents a recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) that is smaller than the prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31), and bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), so that structurally reinforces the region surrounding said passageway wall (4) and provides retention surfaces for an engagement element (15) provided on said brewing device (10).

8. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least most part, preferentially the totality, of recess thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5) develops between transversal planes in the proximity downstream of the transversal planes that delimit the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), so that at least most part of said recess thickness (e.sub.5) is provided downstream of said passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4).

9. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said passageway wall (4) is delimited by a first circumferential alignment that presents a first diameter (d.sub.1) smaller than 0.35 times the diameter (d) of said flow entry wall part (31), and in that said recess region (5) is delimited on a respective distal side by a circumferential alignment presenting a second diameter (d.sub.2), whereby said second diameter (d.sub.2) is at least 1.2 times bigger, preferentially at least 1.4 times bigger, and at most 2.5 times bigger, preferentially at most 2 times bigger than said first diameter (d.sub.1).

10. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial extension of said recess region (5) is at least approximately similar, preferentially bigger than 0.8 times and smaller than 1.2 times the radial extension of said intercalary region (6).

11. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said recess region (5) presents a substantially polygonal transversal section defining at least three interior surfaces, preferentially five interior surfaces, and presenting a depth between 1 and 3 mm, preferentially between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, relative to the exterior surface of said second construction element (3), and a radial dimension between 1 and 3 mm, preferentially between 1.5 and 2.5 mm.

12. A system for preparing edible products comprising: a capsule (1) adapted for containing a single portion of an edible substance, in particular a capsule (1) according to claim 1, and an apparatus for preparing edible products based upon said capsule (1) and including at least one brewing device (10) that presents two actuation parts (11, 12), wherein said capsule (1) presents an upstream oriented flow entry wall part (31) that presents a passageway wall (4) of circular shape and disposed centred relative to an axial axis (X) of said capsule (1), and successively surrounded by an intercalary region (6) and a recess region (5), wherein said actuation parts (11, 12) are adapted so as to collect said capsule (1), and at least one of said actuation parts (11, 12) can be moved relative to the other so as to engage with the exterior envelope of said capsule (1), wherein an upstream actuation part (11) comprises injection means (13) adapted for impinging a pressurized fluid flow upon said passageway wall (4) provided on an upstream oriented side of said capsule (1), wherein a downstream actuation part (12) comprises discharge means adapted for collecting a beverage from the downstream oriented side of said capsule (1), wherein said upstream actuation part (11) presents a sealing element (14) and one engagement element (15) adapted so as to cooperate with respective regions of said flow entry wall part (31) of capsule (1), and wherein said system being characterized in that said upstream actuation part (11) presents a sealing element (14), provided in the vicinity of said injection means (13), so that when said brewing device (10) is closed, said sealing element (14) sits on an intercalary region (6) between the passageway wall (4) and the recess region (5) of capsule (1), thereby containing the pressurized flow on an upstream region in the vicinity of said passageway wall (4).

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that said sealing element (14) is provided in O-ring shape, or similar, in the proximity of said injection means (13) and adapted so as to confine the pressurized fluid flow to the region adjacent to the injection means (13), preferentially so as to additionally conduct said pressurized flow until imping said passageway wall (4) provided in recess relative to said flow entry wall part (31).

14. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that said sealing element (14) is provided with a ring shape and adapted so that sits on the seat region (61) of said intercalary region (6) between said passageway wall (4) and recess region (5).

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that said sealing element (14) is provided as a projection that develops along the axial direction with a smaller extension than the extension of said engagement element (15).

16. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that said upstream actuation part (11) presents an engagement element (15) provided as a protuberance that develops at a distance from said injection means (13) and adapted so that engages on said recess region (5) provided on said flow entry wall part (31), so as to retain said capsule (1) with relation to a sealing element (14) provided so that surrounds said injection means (13).

17. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that said engagement element (13) is provided so that develops along an extension of arch of circumference smaller than 20, preferentially smaller than 15, and bigger than 3, preferentially bigger than 5.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] The present invention shall be hereinafter explained in greater detail based upon the description of preferred embodiments thereof and the Figures attached.

[0047] The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

[0048] FIG. 1: plan view (top) and side cut (bottom) of a capsule (1) according to prior art;

[0049] FIG. 2: plan view (top) and side cut (bottom) of a capsule (1) according to present invention;

[0050] FIG. 3: side-cut view of a first embodiment of second construction element (3) (top), and detail of a respective central region (bottom), of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

[0051] FIG. 4: plan view of the exterior face of second construction element (3) of the embodiment according to FIG. 3;

[0052] FIG. 5: side-cut view of a second embodiment of second construction element (3) (top), and detail of a respective central region (bottom), of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 6: plan view of the exterior face of second construction element (3) of the embodiment according to FIG. 5;

[0054] FIG. 7: side-cut view of a third embodiment of second construction element (3) (top), and detail of a respective central region (bottom), of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 8: plan view of the exterior face of second construction element (3) of the embodiment according to FIG. 7;

[0056] FIG. 9: side-cut view of a fourth embodiment of second construction element (3) (top), and detail of a respective central region (bottom), of a capsule (1) according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 10: plan view of the exterior face of second construction element (3) of the embodiment according to FIG. 9;

[0058] FIG. 11: side cut views of a capsule (1) inside of a brewing device (10) in open position (left-hand side) and in closed position (right-hand side), of a system according to the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 12: front view of the upstream actuation part (11) of a brewing device (10) of a system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] FIG. 1 represents a capsule (1) according to prior art, including a first construction element (2) configured in a container-like shape and a second construction element (3) configured in a lid-like shape. Said first and second construction elements (2, 3) are provided as substantially rigid, for example in a plastic material, and adapted for joint assembly along a common central axis (X) of said capsule (1), thereby providing an interior volume adapted for collection of a single portion of at least one edible substance, such as for example roasted ground coffee beans.

[0061] Said second construction element (3) presents a wall thickness (e.sub.3) and a recess region (5) of ring shape in the upstream oriented surface thereof, whereby said recess region (5) presents a recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) that is smaller than said wall thickness (e.sub.3).

[0062] Moreover, said second construction element (3) comprises a flow entry wall part (31) that presents a generally disk-like shape with a prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31) defined between two planes transversal relative to an axial axis (X) of said flow entry wall part (31), whereby said flow entry wall part (31) is provided in a rigid material.

[0063] In the case of a capsule (1) according to the present invention (see FIG. 2), said recess region (5) is provided in the proximity of a passageway wall (4) provided with a circular shape that is delimited by a first circumferential alignment and disposed in centred manner relative to the axial (X) axis of said flow entry wall part (31), whereby said passageway wall (4) presents a weakened material region (41) that develops along at least most part of said first circumferential alignment and is adapted so that breaks when impinged by a pressurized upstream flow at a predetermined flow pressure.

[0064] In particular, according to an inventive aspect, said recess region (5) develops from a second circumferential alignment in the proximity of said passageway wall (4) and so that defines an intercalary region (6) between said recess region (5) and said passageway wall (4), whereby said recess region (5) presents a recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) that is smaller than the prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31), and bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), so that structurally reinforces the region surrounding said passageway wall (4) and provides retention surfaces for an engagement element (15) provided on said brewing device (10)as shall be described in greater detail further below.

[0065] Moreover, according to another inventive aspect, said intercalary region (6) between said passageway wall (4) and said recess region (5), presents an intercalary wall thickness (e.sub.6) that is bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4) and bigger than the recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5), preferentially is at least approximately similar to said prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31), thereby structurally reinforcing the region surrounding said weakened material region (41) and providing a support surface to a sealing element (14) provided on said brewing device (10).

[0066] As can be better observed in FIGS. 3 and 4, at least most part, preferentially the totality, of recess thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5) develops between transversal planes in the proximity downstream of the transversal planes that delimit the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), so that at least most part of said recess thickness (e.sub.5) is provided downstream of said passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4).

[0067] It is herewith provided a structural reinforcement of the region that surrounds said weakened material region (41), thereby advantageously improving the opening behaviour thereof as impinged by an upstream force.

[0068] In this respect, it is further preferred when said passageway wall (4) is delimited by a first circumferential alignment that presents a first diameter (d.sub.1) smaller than 0.35 times the diameter (d) of said flow entry wall part (31), and when said recess region (5) is delimited on a respective distal side by a circumferential alignment presenting a second diameter (d.sub.2), whereby said second diameter (d.sub.2) is at least 1.2 times bigger, preferentially at least 1.4 times bigger, and at most 2.5 times bigger, preferentially at most 2 times bigger than said first diameter (dd.

[0069] It has revealed itself as particularly advantageous when the radial extension of said recess region (5) is at least approximately similar, preferentially bigger than 0.8 times and smaller than 1.2 times the radial extension of said intercalary region (6).

[0070] Moreover, it is preferred when said recess region (5) presents a substantially polygonal transversal section defining at least three interior surfaces, preferentially five interior surfaces, and presenting a depth between 1 and 3 mm, preferentially between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, relative to the exterior surface of said second construction element (3), and a radial dimension between 1 and 3 mm, preferentially between 1.5 and 2.5 mm.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, represented in FIGS. 6 and 7, said recess region (5) presents a cross-section of trapezoidal shape with two inclined side surfaces.

[0072] Moreover, said intercalary region (6) presents an intercalary wall thickness (e.sub.6) that develops between planes transversal to the axial direction upstream and downstream of the transversal planes that delimit said passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) and recess wall thickness (e.sub.5).

[0073] In particular, as can be better observed in FIG. 7, said intercalary region (6) comprises a seat region (61) that develops in the upstream oriented surface of said flow entry wall part (31) along at least most part of the radial extension between said passageway wall (4) and said recess region (5), whereby said seat region (61) is adapted so that provides a seat surface to a sealing element (14) provided on said brewing device (10), as shall be described in greater detail further below.

[0074] It is further preferred when said seat region (61) presents a seat wall thickness (e.sub.61) that is bigger than the passageway wall thickness (e.sub.4) of said passageway wall (4), thereby improving the opening of said weakened material region (41) as impinged by an upstream pressurized flow.

[0075] In the case of a fourth preferred embodiment (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of capsule (1), said recess region (5) presents a cross-section of regular polygonal shape with four side surfaces whereby at least two thereof are inclined.

[0076] As can be better observed in FIG. 9, said seat region (61) presents a seat wall thickness (e.sub.61) that is bigger than the recess wall thickness (e.sub.5) of said recess region (5), preferentially presents a wall thickness that is at least approximately similar to said prevailing wall thickness (e.sub.31).

[0077] Moreover, it is further preferred when said intercalary region (6) presents a guiding projection (62) along said first circumferential alignment so that delimits said seat region (61) relative to said passageway wall (4), whereby said guiding projection (62) projects beyond the upstream oriented exterior surface of said flow entry wall part (31), so that provides a conduction surface that is adjacent and substantially orthogonal or oblique relative to the surface provided by said seat region (61).

[0078] As represented in FIG. 11, a system for preparing edible products, in particular beverages, comprises a capsule (1) adapted for containing a single portion of an edible substance, an apparatus for preparing edible products based upon said capsule (1) and including at least one brewing device (10) that presents two actuation parts (11, 12).

[0079] It is known from prior art that said actuation parts (11, 12) are adapted so as to collect said capsule (1) and that at least one of said actuation parts (11, 12) can be moved relative to the other so as to engage with the exterior envelope of said capsule (1), an upstream actuation part (11) comprises injection means (13) adapted for impinging a pressurized fluid flow upon said passageway wall (4) provided on an upstream oriented side of said capsule (1), whereby a downstream actuation part (12) comprises discharge means adapted for collecting a beverage from the downstream oriented side of said capsule (1).

[0080] Moreover, said upstream actuation part (11) presents a sealing element (14) and one engagement element (15) adapted so as to cooperate with respective regions of flow entry wall part (31) of said capsule (1).

[0081] According to an inventive aspect, said upstream actuation part (11) further presents an engagement element (15) provided as a protuberance that develops at a distance from said injection means (13) and is adapted so that engages with said recess region (5) provided on said flow entry wall part (31), so as to retain said capsule (1) with relation to a sealing element (14) provided so that surrounds said injection means (13).

[0082] As can be better observed in the drawing on the right-hand side of FIG. 11, when the brewing device (10) is in a closed position, said injection means (13) are in the interior of recess of said flow entry wall part (31) associated with said passageway wall (4), in particular so that exert a mechanic pressure upon at least part thereof. Said engagement element (15) is in engagement by means of fitting in the recess region (5) of capsule (1), thereby improving the retention and structural reinforcement of said passageway wall (4).

[0083] As can be observed in FIG. 12, it is preferred when said engagement element (13) is provided so that develops along an extension of arch of circumference smaller than 20, preferentially smaller than 15, and bigger than 3, preferentially bigger than 5.

[0084] According to another inventive aspect, said sealing element (14) is provided in O-ring shape, or similar, in the proximity of said injection means (13) and adapted so as to confine the pressurized fluid flow to the region adjacent to the injection means (13), preferentially so as to additionally conduct said pressurized flow until imping said passageway wall (4) provided in recess relative to said flow entry wall part (31).

[0085] Moreover, it is preferred when said sealing element (14) is provided with a ring shape and adapted so that sits on the seat region (61) of said intercalary region (6) between said passageway wall (4) and recess region (5).

[0086] It is further preferred when said sealing element (14) is provided as a projection that develops along the axial direction with a smaller extension than the extension of said engagement element (15).

[0087] As one can again better observe in the drawing on the right-hand side of FIG. 11, said sealing element (14) ensures conditions of substantial sealing to liquid in the adjacent region, so that the pressurized flow is concentrated in said passageway wall (4), thereby in particular improving the reliability of rupture of respective weakened material region (41).