CAPSULE FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE PRODUCT

Abstract

A capsule for preparing a beverage product. The capsule has a closed inner chamber with an extraction area, and an inner duct extending longitudinally from the extraction area towards an opposite area and defining a main axis. The inner duct has an inner opening and an outer opening. The inner opening is arranged at a first distance which, is equal to or greater than half the maximum height of the inner chamber. A closure closes the inner duct and is separated from said outer opening towards the inner chamber of the capsule and an opening structure is arranged for opening up a passage of fluid communication with the outside of said capsule in said closure when an external compressive force with respect to the capsule is applied on said opening structure.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A capsule for preparing a beverage product from the interaction between a primary product and a fluid, comprising a closed inner chamber having an extraction area, and an inner duct extending longitudinally from said extraction area towards an opposite area to said extraction area and defining a main axis, said inner duct including an inner opening and an outer opening, said inner opening being arranged at a first distance which, measured on said main axis, from the lowest point delimiting said inner chamber in said extraction area, is equal to or greater than half the maximum distance from said inner chamber, said maximum distance being measured on said main axis from said lowest point delimiting said inner chamber, to said opposite area, a closure for closing said inner duct, and an opening structure for opening up a passage of fluid communication with the outside of said capsule in said closure when an external compressive force with respect to the capsule is applied on said opening structure, wherein said closure is separated from said outer opening in the direction of said inner chamber at a second distance that is at least greater than the largest dimension of a cross section of said inner duct.

18. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said second distance is equal to said first distance.

19. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said inner chamber contains the primary product defining a primary product level, and said primary product level is located below said inner opening.

20. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said inner opening is arranged at the end of said inner duct adjacent to said opposite area, and said first distance is equal to or greater than 90% of said maximum distance from said inner chamber.

21. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein through the extraction area, said inner duct extends out of the inner chamber projecting from an outer contour of the capsule, beyond said extraction area.

22. The capsule according to claim 17, further comprising a helical surface, an inner diameter of which is arranged around an outer perimeter of said inner duct and an outer diameter of which is delimited by side walls forming a helical chamber.

23. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said opening structure comprises at least one controlled breaking line provided in said closure along which said closure is opened when said compressive force is applied.

24. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said inner duct and said closure form a single monolithic part.

25. The capsule according to claim 23, wherein said at least one controlled breaking line is a curve interrupted by a thickening.

26. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said opening structure comprises a plurality of controlled breaking lines extending between said inner opening and an upper end of said inner duct.

27. The capsule according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of controlled breaking lines is parallel to said main axis.

28. The capsule according to claim 17, wherein said closure includes a sheet that can be punctured and said opening structure has at least one puncturing member.

29. The capsule according to claim 23, wherein said closure is separable from said inner duct along said at least one controlled breaking line and movable within said inner duct to free said inner opening, said capsule further having a retainer for reducing a cross section of said outer opening and for avoiding said closure from coming out of said inner duct when said closure is separated from said inner duct.

30. The capsule according to claim 29, wherein said retainer is a cover arranged over said outer opening, said cover having at least one outlet opening with a cross section smaller than 2 mm.sup.2.

31. The capsule according to claim 30, wherein said closure includes a first protrusion protruding outside said inner duct to a vicinity of said cover and a second protrusion protruding into said inner duct, said second protrusion being longer than a smallest cross section of said inner duct at said inner opening.

32. The capsule according to claim 31, wherein a tip of said second protrusion tapers in a direction of said outer opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Other advantages and features of the invention are apparent from the following description in which preferred embodiments of the invention are described in a non-limiting manner, making reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state and placed inside a machine for preparing infusions.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 1, in the open state, with the machine closed.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a detail view of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 1, in the closed state.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the closing means of the capsule when they have been opened.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section view of a second embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a detail perspective view of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 5.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a detail top plan view of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 5.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a detail of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 5 in the closed state, longitudinally sectioned.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a detail of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 5 in the open state, longitudinally sectioned.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section view of a third embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 10, in the open state.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal section view of a fourth embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0050] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 12, in the open state.

[0051] FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal section view of a fifth embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0052] FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 14, in the open state.

[0053] FIG. 16 shows a longitudinal section view of a sixth embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0054] FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 16, in the open state.

[0055] FIG. 18 shows a longitudinal section view of a capsule according to another aspect of the invention, with the capsule in a closed position and placed inside a machine for preparing infusions with the machine open.

[0056] FIG. 19 shows a detail view of the closing means of the capsule of FIG. 18.

[0057] FIG. 20 shows a longitudinal section view of the capsule of FIG. 18, with the capsule in an open position, with the machine closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0058] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the capsule 1 according to the invention. The capsule 1 is conceived for preparing a beverage product from the interaction between a primary product 100 and a fluid. The fluid is usually water under pressure, and preferably hot water. Nevertheless, it is not ruled out that cold water or other fluids can also be used. The pressurized fluid can be injected under a pressure between 2 and 20 bar and preferably between 4 and 12 bar. The primary product 100 can be ground coffee, tea, mate infusion, or alternatively other soluble products such as soluble coffee, cocoa, soup, milk, juices or the like.

[0059] The capsule 1 has a main body 2 which preferably has an inverted frustoconical shape. In this embodiment, the main body 2 forms an extraction area 8 at its closed smaller base, whereas it is open at its larger base. To close the capsule 1, there is provided a cover 4, which is preferably a sheet that can be punctured made of materials such as aluminum or plastic. Alternatively, the cover 4 could be a disc made of a material that can be punctured, such as plastic. The main body 2 is manufactured in a substantially rigid material, such as aluminum, or injected or thermoformed plastic. It can also have other geometries, such as a cylindrical geometry, a parallelepipedic geometry or others. The primary product 100 can completely or partially fill the inner chamber 6.

[0060] Preferably, the material of the main body 2 and the material of the cover 4 are barrier property materials to prevent primary product degradation. It is also especially preferred that the closing means 14 have barrier properties, in order to provide a hermetic sealing of the inner duct 10. In the invention, a barrier property material refers to a material that does not let oxygen through or that lets it through at very low levels. In a particularly preferred manner, barrier materials according to the invention are those having an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) less than or equal to 0.1 cm.sup.3/container/day. In the measurement, the oxygen transmission rate of the container refers to a closed capsule with the cover. As a result, the beverage product is preserved better and for a longer time inside the inner chamber 4. Suitable materials for providing a barrier property are, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE), aluminum, materials made up of different layers of polymer and metals, cellulose or others. These materials, such as aluminum or polyethylene (PE), prevent oxygen from coming into contact with the primary product 100 before the capsule 1 is opened to start beverage preparation, and therefore prevent oxidation thereof. Removing oxygen from inside the inner chamber 6 is also preferred before closing the capsule 1 to complete packaging. The inner chamber 6 containing the primary product 100 can be filled with a protective atmosphere, such as nitrogen, for example. Then the capsule 1 is close in an air-tight manner, preventing the primary product 100 from being exposed to an atmosphere that could degrade it. Alternatively, if the material is not a barrier material, the capsule 1 could be packed in a wrapper that has a barrier property, duly packaged in the absence of oxygen. For example, a sheet made by laminating a sheet of plastic and a sheet of aluminum could be used.

[0061] In the closed inner chamber 6, an inner duct 10 extends at the center of the inner chamber 6, from the extraction area 8, i.e., the side of the capsule from which the product exits, towards an area 12 opposite to the extraction area 8. The inner duct 10 has two ends, one with an inner opening 26 and the other with an outer opening 28. The concept of outer opening 28 refers to the opening of the inner duct 10 through which the beverage product is discharged. Therefore, the outer opening 28 does not necessarily have to project from the main body 2 of the capsule 1. Furthermore, the inner duct 10 defines a main axis 36 in the longitudinal direction of the inner duct 10 itself. The inner duct 10 extends through the inner chamber 6 until virtually reaching the height of the cover 4. The cross-section of the inner duct 10 is preferably circular. Nevertheless, it could have other cross-sections, such as elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal or others. The inner duct 10 is also preferably a substantially straight cylinder.

[0062] As it is apparent from the drawings, in the capsule 1 according to the invention the inner opening 26 is arranged at a first distance h1 which, measured on the main axis 36, is equal to or greater than half the maximum distance h0 from the inner chamber 6 between the extraction area 8 and the opposite area 12 measured on said main axis 36. As already discussed, it is important not to confuse the maximum distance h0 in the invention. In particular, the maximum distance h0 must be measured on the main axis 36 of the inner duct 10 and not at just any point of the inner chamber 6. The maximum distance h0 refers to the distance already described when the capsule 1 is in the closed state. Therefore, the maximum distance h0 is understood to be the longitudinal distance measured on the main axis of the inner duct, from the point farthest away from the inner chamber in the extraction area, to the farthermost point in the area opposite the extraction area. If the capsule 1 has a sheet-like cover 4 that can be punctured, this distance can obviously vary considerably between different capsules, in the order of between 1 and 3 mm. It can be seen in the drawings that the inner chamber 6 contains the primary product 100 approximately defining a primary product level. Nevertheless, as indicated above, this level must be measured after compacting the primary product contained forming a plane perpendicular to the main axis 36. When measured in that way, the primary product level is located below said inner opening 26, which hinders the exit of primary product 100 through the inner opening 26. In a particularly preferred manner, the inner opening 26 is arranged at the end of the inner duct 10 adjacent to the opposite area 12 at a first distance h1 equal to or greater than 90% of said maximum distance h0 from said inner chamber 6.

[0063] In this case, the area opposite the extraction area 8 corresponds to the fluid injection area. Nevertheless, it is not essential for the capsule 1 for the injection area and the extraction area 8 to be opposite one another. In a particularly preferred manner, if the beverage product is a soluble product, the entry of liquid in the injection area is off-centered in order to favor mixing up the primary product and it correct dissolution before exiting as a beverage product through the inner duct 10.

[0064] At the end of the inner duct 10 in which the inner opening 26 is located, the capsule 1 has closing means 14 for closing the inner duct 10. These closing means 14 are arranged at a second distance h2 greater than the largest dimension of the cross-section of said inner duct 10, which considerably hinders the exit of pieces of capsule through the inner duct 10. The capsule 1 also has opening means 16 at the end of the inner duct 10 corresponding to the inner opening 26. These opening means 16 are arranged for opening up a passage 24 in fluid communication with the outside of the capsule 1 in the closing means 14 when an external compressive force is applied on the opening means 16, for example, before introducing the fluid in said inner chamber 6, but always without using the hydrostatic pressure formed inside the capsule 1.

[0065] This external compressive force is usually exerted by the capsule holder of the machine when it is closed before starting the introduction of fluid. Nevertheless, the compressive force being able to be generated by the user manually before introducing the capsule 1 in the machine is not ruled out.

[0066] As a result of the arrangement of the closing means 14 in the inner duct 10, separated a second distance h2 away from the outer opening 28 in the direction of the inner chamber 6, it is assured that once the former are punctured by the opening means 16, they do not project through the lower opening 28.

[0067] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the second distance h2 can be equal to h1, but this does not always have to be the case. As will be seen in other embodiments, the inner opening 26 can be located above the closing means 14, such that the second distance h2 would be less than the first distance h1.

[0068] The capsule 1 according to the invention has a closed state in which the inner duct 10 is plugged by means of the closing means 14, and an open state in which the inner chamber 6 can be placed in fluidic communication with the outside of said capsule 1, as a result of the application of the compressive force on the opening means 16, opening up the fluid passage 24 in the closing means 14.

[0069] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the capsule 1 forms a single monolithic part of injected plastic, together with the inner duct 10 and the closing means 14. In the drawings, it can also be seen that the opening means 16, in this case, are a controlled breaking line 18 provided in the transverse wall of plastic configuring the closing means 14. Furthermore, these closing means 14 comprise a cylindrical lug 22 projecting above the controlled breaking line 18. The lug could have other shapes other than cylindrical, such as parallelepipedic, conical or others. The controlled breaking line 18 weakens the transverse wall, such that when an external compressive force is applied on the cylindrical lug 22, the transverse wall tears. Alternatively, the user can compress the cylindrical lug 22 with a finger in order to open up the fluid passage 24 before introducing the capsule 1 inside the machine.

[0070] It is rather unlikely that the cylindrical lug 22 will become detached from the inner duct 10 and reach the mug in which the beverage product is prepared when the capsule 1 is opened. Nevertheless, to avoid this risk, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the controlled breaking line 18 of the capsule 1 is a curve, preferably a closed curve, that is interrupted by a thickening 20, preferably a local thickening. This thickening 20 further improves use safety, since the cylindrical lug 22 cannot become detached in any case. Alternatively, instead of the thickening being one spot, it can be along the entire breaking line, with a changing wall thickness along its perimeter.

[0071] In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 a 4, through the extraction area 8, the inner duct 10 extends out of the inner chamber 6 projecting from the main body 2, beyond the extraction area 8. This further prevents the risk of the machine becoming dirty during the working of the capsule and the subsequent cross-contamination between different types of beverages.

[0072] The working of the capsule according to the invention is explained in detail below based on the capsule 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0073] The drawings schematically show a part of the machine for preparing the beverage product. Though not shown in detail, the machine has the elements necessary for preparing hot or cold beverage products. To that end, the machine has a fluid reservoir for containing water or the like, heating means for heating the fluid if necessary, a pump for being able to inject the fluid under pressure into the capsule, and finally a capsule holder made up of a fixed part 102 and a moving part 104.

[0074] Initially, the capsule 1, which is in the closed state, is introduced in the fixed part 102 of the capsule holder until the outer opening 28 projects through the lower part of the fixed part 102 and the capsule 1 is supported, for example, on the rim 38.

[0075] At this point, the moving part 104 of the capsule holder moves the cover 4 to compress the capsule inside the capsule holder, making a downward linear movement. Alternatively, the moving part 104 could make a pivoting movement. It would also be possible for the fixed and moving parts 102, 104 to be interchanged, i.e., for the moving part 104 to be stationary and for the fixed part 102 to be the part that moves up to abut with the moving part 104. First of all, the punch-like injector 106 punctures the cover 4. As downward movement continues, a dishing 110 provided in the moving part 104 is supported on the cover 4 and pushes it downwards, towards the cylindrical lug 22 of the capsule 1. The dishing 110 could be also a rib. When the dishing 110 abuts with the cylindrical lug 22, movement continues and causes the opening means 16 in the form of a controlled breaking line 18 to be torn and the passage 24 to be opened up, which can be seen in FIG. 4. Simultaneously, the fluid injector 106 punctures the cover 4. At this time, the injection of fluid still has not started.

[0076] When the moving part 104 has reached the end of its travel, the capsule 1 is trapped in a leak-tight manner inside the capsule holder. It is worth commenting that the capsule 1 is depicted in the drawings with certain play inside the capsule holder to make the invention easier to understand, but in practice the capsule 1 would be tightly compressed between the fixed and moving parts 102, 104 of the capsule holder.

[0077] Once this final position has been adopted, the injection of fluid into the inner chamber 6 can start, as indicated with the arrows drawn in the injector 106 of FIG. 2. In this case, injection takes place in an off-centered manner from above, but it could be carried out from other points of the capsule 1. For example, injection could be from a central upper area or also side area or even lower area.

[0078] When entering the inner chamber 6, the fluid mixes with the primary product 100. The primary product 100 could take up the inner chamber 6. Nevertheless, in this case the primary product level 100 is located below the inner opening 26. This hinders non-dissolved primary product 100 from leaking out through the inner duct 10.

[0079] For example, if the primary product 100 is a soluble coffee, as hot water under pressure is injected, the inner chamber 6 fills and the water mixes with the soluble coffee. The beverage product, i.e., coffee, will not exit through the passage 24 until the water level reaches the height of the opening 26. This lengthens the product exit time, such that good dissolution of the soluble coffee grains with the water can be achieved.

[0080] Once the fluid level surpasses the inner opening 26, the beverage product exits through the passage 24 and the inner duct 10 towards the outer opening 28 towards the mug intended for receiving the prepared beverage product.

[0081] When water is no longer injected into the capsule 1 and beverage product preparation has ended, the capsule 1 does not lose liquid because the remainder fluid is flush with the inner opening 26. Therefore, the capsule 1 can be removed from the machine without the risk of air entering the capsule and the remaining fluid exiting through the lower opening 28, watering down the coffee and splashing the user, when the injector 106 is separated from the cover 4.

[0082] Other embodiments of the capsule 1 according to the invention are shown below which share most of the features described in the preceding paragraphs. Accordingly, only the elements differentiating the embodiments from one another will be described hereinafter, whereas reference to the description of the first embodiment is made with respect to the elements they have in common.

[0083] In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 9, the opening means 16 comprise a plurality of controlled breaking lines 18 running between the inner opening 26 and the upper end of the inner duct 10. In this embodiment, the controlled breaking lines 18 are parallel to the main axis 36.

[0084] The controlled breaking lines 18 make the closing means 14 behave like a straw.

[0085] Therefore, when the external compressive force is applied with respect to the capsule 1, the closing means arch, forming a plurality of longitudinal passages 24 making it easier for the prepared beverage product to exit.

[0086] In this case, it can be seen that the first distance h1, corresponding to the inner opening 26, is equal to the second height h2 at which the closing means 14 begin.

[0087] Another important advantage of this embodiment consists of the fact that due to its configuration, when the external compressive force is no longer applied to the capsule 1, the closing means 14 return to their initial position. Therefore, despite the fact that the controlled breaking lines 18 are open, the passages 24 are virtually closed. Nevertheless, this initial shape recovery is a result of the elasticity itself of the material. Preferably, this type of capsule 1 would be manufactured in an injected plastic material.

[0088] FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment in which the closing means 14 are obtained by snap fitting. In this case, the opening means 16 are a stopper 40 with a tight segment 42 snapped into a guide 46 provided in the inner duct 10. To make it easier to understand tight segment, it is depicted as being separated from the guide 46, but in reality it is strongly tightened onto it or adhered to it with a food grade material. In this embodiment, when the compressive force is applied, the tight segment 42 disengages from the guide 46 and opens up the passage 24, which allows the exit of the beverage product through the inner duct 10, following the arrows indicated in FIG. 11.

[0089] This embodiment is particularly conceived for the ground coffee or tea or infusion-type beverages, since once hot water under pressure has been injected, the water is forced to go through all the coffee before being able to exit through the lower passages 44 provided in a concentric duct 48 with respect to the inner duct 10. This path of travel is indicated with the corresponding arrows in the drawings. As a result, the water remains in contact with the ground coffee for a considerable amount of time so that it can better absorb the aroma of the coffee or tea.

[0090] The next embodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13 differs in that it is provided with reduction means 50 for reducing the capacity of the inner chamber 6. These reduction means 50 are, for example, a cylinder which allows the entry of fluid through the lower part through lower passages 44. Again, this forces the fluid to be impregnated with the primary product before it can exit through the inner opening 26. Another important difference in this case consists of the first distance h1 of the inner opening 26 being in this case greater than the second distance h2 of the closing means 14. Another difference consists of the cover 4 being attached to the stopper 40 in order to indicate to the user the position in which the capsule 1 can be opened manually.

[0091] The embodiments of FIGS. 14 to 17 differ in that the closing means 14 consist of a sheet that can be punctured and the opening means 16 comprise at least one puncturing member.

[0092] In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, a helical surface 30, the inner diameter of which is arranged around the outer perimeter of the inner duct 10 and the outer diameter of which is delimited by side walls 32 forming a helical chamber 34, is furthermore provided. As a result of this configuration, an effect of mixing up the primary product 100 of the inner chamber is achieved. Therefore, this embodiment is very suitable for preparing soluble products.

[0093] Finally, FIGS. 18 to 20 show a further improvement of the invention.

[0094] Again, as in previous embodiments, the closing means 14 are arranged separated from the outer opening 28 in the direction of the inner chamber 6. The separation is the second distance h2 which is greater than the largest dimension of the cross section of the inner duct 10

[0095] Differently to the previous embodiments, the closing means 14 is separable from the inner duct 10 along the controlled breaking line. Once separated from the inner duct 10, the closing means 14 can move within the inner duct 10. This leaves the inner opening 26 completely free thus allowing that the infusion beverage comes out easy. Furthermore, in order to avoid that the closing means 14 fall within the infusion beverage which is being prepared, the capsule 1 has retaining means 52 for reducing the cross section of the outer opening 28 and for avoiding the closing means 14 to come out of the inner duct 10.

[0096] In this embodiment, the retaining means 52 is a cover 60 arranged over the outer opening 28. Alternatively, the same effect could be obtained by reducing the cross section of the inner duct at the out opening end, such that the closing means 14 are bigger than the cross section of the inner duct 10.

[0097] Back to the embodiment, as it is apparent from the figures, the cover 60 comprises six outlet openings 58. In the figures, only the two openings coincident with the cutting plane are shown. These outlet openings 58 have a circular cross section smaller than 2 mm.sup.2. Other embodiments can have two or three outlet openings 58.

[0098] Also, in order to have a reliable and controlled opening of the closing means 14 it is provided that the closing means 14 are formed by a first protrusion 54 protruding outside the first inner duct 10 and extending up to the vicinity of the cover 6. On the other side, the closing means 14 has a second protrusion 56 protruding into the first inner duct 10. Thanks to the fact that the second protrusion 56 is longer than the smallest cross section of the first inner duct 10 at the inner opening 26 it is guaranteed that when the closing means 14 are separated from the inner duct 10, they fall into the inner duct 10.

[0099] Also from FIG. 19 it is apparent that the tip of the second protrusion 56 tapers in the direction of said outer opening 28 for avoiding accidental obstructions of the outlet openings 58. In particular in this case, the second protrusion 56 is frustroconically shaped, but other tapering forms such a tethraedron, pyramid or others are also possible.

[0100] The embodiments described up until now represent non-limiting examples, such that the person skilled in the art will understand that beyond the examples shown, multiple combinations of the claimed features are possible within the scope of the invention.