Abstract
A method for producing a beverage using a portion pack including a container made of filter material for containing an extraction material, and a supporting body which encloses the container. The method comprises the steps of: placing the closed portion pack into a filter vessel; opening the container of the portion pack on an upper side and increasing the internal volume of the container by at least 50% compared to the internal volume in the closed container; and applying water to the extraction material for beverage preparation. The portion pack comprises at least one folding edge on the supporting body about which a flap can be pivoted in order to increase the internal volume of the portion pack when opening.
Claims
1. A method for producing a beverage with a portion pack comprising a container made of filter material in which an extraction material is arranged and a supporting body surrounding the container, wherein the supporting body includes at least one flap hinged to a folding edge of the supporting body, an upper section of the filter material is fixed to the at least one flap, and the at least one flap has a folded position in which the upper section of filter material covers an upper side of the container rendering a closed portion pack, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the closed portion pack into a filter vessel; opening the container of the portion pack by pivoting the at least one flap to which the upper section of the filter material is fixed from the folded position to an open position which opens the upper side of the container thereby increasing the inner volume of the container by at least 50% compared to the inner volume in the folded position of the at least one flap; and applying water to the extraction material for beverage preparation.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opening the container includes moistening the portion pack in a region of the folding edge of the at least one folding flap to initiate a swelling process of the supporting body in the region of the folding edge of the at least one folding flap that causes the pivoting of the at least one folding flap which automatically results in the opening of the container of the portion pack.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the opening of the container of the portion pack includes applying hot water to moisten the region of the folding edge of the at least one folding flap on the supporting body.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the opening of the container includes pivoting the at least one flap of the supporting body on the upper side of the container between 90° and 180° from the closed position to the open position.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the container of the portion pack includes applying water in an amount between 5 mm to 100 mm to the portion pack, and then, after opening the container of the portion pack, applying hot water to the extraction material in the portion pack.
6. A portion pack for the production of a beverage, comprising: a container comprising filter material in which an extraction material is to be arranged, the container having an upper side and the filter material including at least one upper section covering the upper side in a closed position of the portion pack and being pivotable to uncover the upper side of the container resulting in an open position of the portion pack; and a supporting body surrounding the container at least in some areas, the supporting body including at least one flap pivotable around a folding edge, wherein the at least one upper section of the filter material is fixed to the at least one flap, wherein the inner volume of the container in the open position of the at least one upper section of the filter material is at least 50% greater than the inner volume of the container in the closed position of the upper section of filter material.
7. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein the folding edge of the at least one flap of the supporting body is adapted to cause the flap to pivot about the folding edge when the folding edge is moistened.
8. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein the supporting body at least partially comprises cardboard.
9. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein the folding edge is a circumferential folding edge around the container and is interrupted in regions by respective cutouts.
10. The portion pack according to claim 9, wherein, based on a length of the circumferential folding edge in a region, the respective cutout has a length that occupies between 20% to 50% of the length of the folding edge in that region.
11. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein at least one flap has a surface that includes a cutout at a distance from the folding edge.
12. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein the at least one flap comprises at least four flaps which are pivotably mounted on the folding edge.
13. The portion pack according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pivotable flap comprises a plurality of pivotable flaps and the at least one upper section of the filter paper comprises a plurality of upper sections fixed respectively to the plurality of pivotable flaps, and further including a closure means for holding the plurality of pivotable flaps in a closed position, and wherein the plurality of pivotable flaps are arranged in at least two planes, one on top of the other, at least in a region of the closure means in the closed position of the portion pack.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIGS. 1 to 3 show several views of a portion pack in different positions;
(2) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a portion pack in a closed initial position;
(3) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the portion pack of FIG. 4 during the opening process;
(4) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the portion pack of FIG. 4 during the preparation of beverages;
(5) FIG. 7 shows a view of a cut-out of the filter material for a portion pack;
(6) FIG. 8 shows a view of a cut-out of a support for a portion pack;
(7) FIG. 9 shows views of a modified supporting body for a portion pack with integrated closure element;
(8) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a portion pack in an open position according to another embodiment example;
(9) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a portion pack in a closed position;
(10) FIGS. 12 to 16 show several views of the portion pack of FIG. 10 during an opening procedure, and
(11) FIG. 17 shows a view of the cut-out of the supporting body for the portion pack of FIGS. 12 to 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(12) A portion pack 1 comprises a container 2 made of filter material, which has a lower tip 4 from which side walls extend widening upwards. In the closed position shown in FIG. 1, a supporting both 3 is located at an upper edge of container 2 and surrounds it in a ring shape. The supporting body 3 is only provided in the area of an upper edge of the portion pack 1, while the downwardly projecting tip is not covered by the supporting body 3.
(13) The container 2 is pyramid-shaped and, starting from the tip 4, comprises several spreading side surfaces which are connected to each other by side edges 5. The supporting body 3 is of annular design in the region of these side surfaces and comprises sections 6 which cover the side surface at least in the upper region which is preferably designed to be less than 50%, in particular 25-40%, of the total height of the closed portion pack 1, wherein the height direction in the position of use is preferably aligned vertically. These sections 6 are connected via folding edges 8, collectively defining a “circumferential folding edge,” to form a plurality of pivotable flaps 7 which, in an initial position, are arranged substantially horizontally on an upper side of the portion pack 1, wherein the flaps 7 can optionally also be oriented inclined to the horizontal. At least the portion pack 1 is closed in an initial position, wherein a closure means 10 is provided for this purpose, which is designed as a retaining means and holds the flaps 7 together in a central region. For this purpose, the closure means can be designed, for example, as a flat element which is glued to the tips of the flaps 7, preferably with an adhesive approved for the preparation of foodstuffs. In a further embodiment, the closure means can also be designed as a mechanical latching means which is integrated into the geometry of the supporting body, as shown in FIG. 9 and described below.
(14) FIG. 2 shows a central opening position of the portion pack 1. By releasing the closure means 10, the flaps 7 of the supporting body can be pivoted around the folding edges 8, wherein an upper section of the filter material of the container 2 is fixed to the flaps 7. The filter material is formed in a folded manner in the upper section in the closed position and can then be unfolded by pivoting the flaps 7.
(15) In FIG. 3, portion pack 1 is shown in an open position in which flaps 7 have been pivoted through approximately 130°, i.e. between 110° and 150°, and as a result an upper section 9 of the filter material, which is fixed to the flaps 7 at least in some areas, has also been pivoted. In this opening position, the extraction material arranged in the position pack 1 is accessible from above and can, for example, be doused with hot water.
(16) In FIG. 4, portion pack 1 is shown schematically to illustrate the process of beverage preparation. Portion pack 1 contains extraction material 11, especially ground coffee. The container 2 made of filter material is essentially triangular in sectional view and comprises a lower tip 4 and an upper section 9, which is essentially horizontal. A first quantity of water, in particular hot water, for example between 10 ml and 50 ml, as shown schematically by the drop 14, can dissolve a closure means 10 placed on the upper side of the portion pack 1. Moistening with water can loosen the adhesive, weaken the material of the closure means until it fails or reduce the stiffness of a plug connection so that no more holding forces can be generated by the closure means.
(17) The first quantity of water is preferably large enough to allow the liquid to spread on the upper side of the portion pack 1 so that the supporting body 3 can also at least partially absorb water. The supporting body 3 is preferably made of cardboard or thick paper.
(18) As shown in FIG. 5, a local swelling process can be created at an upper folding edge 8 of the supporting body by wetting it with water, which causes an inner side of the folding edge to swell, so that a flap 7 pivots relative to section 6. The swelling is achieved by compressing the material of the supporting body 3 on the inside of the folded edge and by increasing its volume by absorbing water.
(19) By pivoting the flaps 7, the portion pack 1 is opened upwards and hot water can now be applied to the extraction material 11, especially for making coffee or tea. The swelling of the extraction material increases its volume, in the drawing this is shown by the upper area as additional volume 12. The steps of pre-moistening, swelling and degassing are particularly important when preparing high-quality coffee.
(20) In FIG. 6, the brewing process for preparing beverages is shown schematically. A second quantity of water according to the drop 14 is applied from above to the portion pack 1 in order to brew the extraction material 11, especially ground coffee. The extraction material can increase in size towards the upper side and also disperse with the solvent, as occurs particularly with ground coffee during the brewing process. This is shown in the drawing as additional volume 13, which exceeds the volume of the dry ground coffee. The filtered beverage 15 emerges from the side walls, collects at the bottom, symbolized by the drop, and can be collected in a cup, for example. After preparing the drink, the user can easily grasp the portion pack by the flaps 7 and dispose of it.
(21) FIG. 7 shows a cut of the filter material before it is made into a container 2. In a flat position, the filter material is essentially circular in shape, with straight edges instead of a rounded circumference on the outer circumference, wherein arcs may alternatively be provided instead of the edges. In any case, the cut-out of filter material has two edge strips 50 and 51, which meet at a tip 4 and are joined together, for example by gluing or embossing, to obtain a shell-, cone- or pyramid-shaped basic shape. The filter material consists preferably of filter paper.
(22) FIG. 8 shows a cut-out of the supporting body 3 in flat condition. The supporting body 3 comprises an open ring-shaped section on which outwardly projecting flaps 7 are provided. The flaps 7 are V-shaped or cone-shaped and taper outwards. The flaps 7 are connected to contiguous sections 6 via folding edges 8, wherein an edge section 30 is formed on one end section 6, which is connected to a section 6 at the opposite end, in particular by gluing, sealing or embossing, in order to produce an annular supporting body 3. The flaps 7 can then be joined at least in some areas to the upper section 9 of the filter material to produce a portion pack 1, again preferably by the joining techniques of gluing, sealing or embossing.
(23) FIG. 9 shows a modified material cut-out of a supporting body 3′, which is shown in different positions and assembly conditions. The supporting body 3′ is formed in a flat manner in an initial position and comprises contiguous sections 6′ on an inner circumference forming an open ring. From the sections 6′, flaps 7′ protrude outwardly, which are V-shaped, with a recess 31, also referred to herein as a “cutout”, formed on each flap. To produce a supporting body 3′, the flat cut-out is first provided with folding edges 8, so that the flaps 7′ are pivotably mounted on the sections 6′. On individual flaps 7′, projections 10′ are formed as closure means, which protrude at the ends of the flaps 7′. When the supporting body 3′ has been formed into a ring over an edge section 30′, it is arranged on a container 2 made of filter material, which is filled with an extraction material, in particular ground coffee. The flaps 7′, which may be at least partially connected to the section 9 of the filter material, are then pivoted into a closed position, in which case the closure means is formed by the projections 10′ which provide mechanical locking of the portion pack. This can eliminate the need for an additional element and the use of adhesive. In this embodiment example, the opening of the portion pack is also performed by the use of hot water applied to an upper side of the portion pack so that swelling processes at the supporting body 3′, especially in the area of the folding edges 8, partly in combination with pretensions in the supporting body, ensure that the flaps 7′ overcome the holding forces by the projections 10′ and then pivot. The opening process can be influenced by modifying the recesses 31.
(24) In order to optimize the opening speed, between 20% and 50% can be recessed on the surrounding folding edge 8. If there are no recesses on the folding edge 8 as in FIG. 8, the flaps 7 will open, but at a slower speed than with recesses as shown in FIG. 10.
(25) In the embodiment example shown, the portion packs are intended for making coffee. Of course, it is also possible to make other beverages, especially tea or mixed coffee beverages. By opening the portion pack, the extraction material used can expand and swell without causing problems in the preparation of the beverage. Furthermore, completely soluble extraction material can also be used, in the production of cocoa drinks, for example, the filter element ensures that no undissolved lumps end up in the beverage.
(26) FIG. 10 shows a portion pack in an open position according to another embodiment example. As in the previous embodiment examples, the portion pack 1 comprises a container 2 made of a liquid-permeable filter material, in particular filter paper, around which a supporting body 3 is arranged in a ring shape. The container 2 is substantially pyramid-shaped with a tip 4 arranged at the bottom in the position of use, from which several side walls of filter material are arranged spreading upwards, which are connected to one another via side edges 5.
(27) The supporting body 3 may be made of cardboard or thicker paper and includes side sections 6 which may be joined to the filter material of container 2 at the side edges, for example by gluing. The side sections are thereby formed in strips and are only arranged in an upper area of the side walls so that adjacent to the tip 4 the filter material is not covered by the sections 6. In a further embodiment, container 2 is only connected to the supporting body at the flaps 7″.
(28) The supporting body 3 comprises at the side sections 6 pivotable arms or flaps 7″, which are each connected to a side section 6 via a folding edge 8. In the embodiment example shown, six flaps 7″ are provided, which are essentially triangular in shape and surround an interior of container 2 in the manner of a hexagon. A section of filter material is fixed to the flaps 7″, for example by gluing, so that when the flaps 7″ move, the filter material is also pivoted. A recess 18 is provided on each flap 7″ to facilitate opening. It is also possible to make do without a recess 18 in the area of the flaps 7″.
(29) Referring, for example, to FIG. 10, each flap 7″ is provided with a closure means 10″ at the end, which has a guide edge 16 and a latching projection 17. The closure means 10″ of two, three or four flaps 7″ can be locked together by folding the closure means 10″ on top of each other, for example as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
(30) Container 2 contains an extraction material, especially ground coffee or tea.
(31) In FIG. 11, portion pack 1 is shown in a closed position in which it is formed in a pyramid-shaped manner. In this way the portion pack 1 can be inserted into a machine for preparing a brewed beverage. Compared to FIG. 10, recesses 19 in FIG. 11 do not extend to the folding ethic 8, but are somewhat smaller, otherwise the embodiment example of FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 10. Depending on the desired functionality, the recesses 19 can have different geometries or they can be dispensed with.
(32) The opening procedure is explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. In order to open the portion pack 1, the flap 7″ can be opened either manually or by applying a liquid, especially hot water, which causes swelling processes on the supporting body 3 in the area of the folding edges 8 and causes automatic opening.
(33) In FIG. 12, three flaps 7″ have been slightly opened, and it can be seen that these three flaps 7″ overlap each other in the area of the closure means 10″ and can be pivoted together around the respective folding edges 8. In this process, the closure means 10″ are unlocked and slide along the guide edges 16. Three further flaps 7″ are still in the closed, locked position in FIG. 12, so that in this position the escape of ground coffee is prevented by the three closed flaps 7″. In order to explain the opening process, the upper sections 9 of the filter material in FIGS. 12 to 16 have been omitted in the area of the flaps 7″. As may be appreciated, in this embodiment the pivotable flaps are arranged in at least two planes one on lop of the other at least in the area of the closure means in the closed position of the portion pack in order to make the closure of the portion pack particularly stable. Also see FIG. 13 in this regard.
(34) In FIG. 13, the portion pack 1 of FIG. 12 is shown in a top view. If portion pack 1 is subjected to an impact or pressure load, as symbolized by the arrows, an opening of the three upper flaps 7″ may optionally be produced, whose closing means 10″ in the closed position are located above the closing means 10″ of the three lower flaps 7″. However, portion pack 1 remains closed because the closing means 10″ of the three lower flaps 7″ remain locked. In case of torsion due to shear load, either the lower or the upper spoke triplet formed by the flaps 7″ stabilizes the closure, depending on the direction, since the guide edges 16 and the latching projections 17 are oriented alternately in one or the other direction, as best shown in FIG. 10.
(35) In FIG. 14, the three flaps 7″ have been pivoted by more than 90°, while the three lower flaps 7″ are still locked by the closure means 10′. It can be seen that the three lower flaps 7″ still essentially close the container 2, wherein the filter material in the area of the lower flaps 7″ additionally seals the opening on the portion pack 1.
(36) In FIG. 15, the lower flaps 7″ are shown in a slightly open position in which the upper closure means 10″ is unlocked. In FIG. 16, portion pack 1 is shown in a fully open position, with no filter material in the area of the flaps 7″ to allow a better view of the opening mechanism. Furthermore, portion pack 1 is not filled with extraction material.
(37) When portion pack 1 is opened by a liquid is swelling processes, the six flaps 7″ are opened substantially simultaneously, wherein the flaps 7″ are opened only briefly one after the other with the upper closing means 10″, which are arranged above the closing means 10″ of the lower flaps 7″. The swelling processes cause the flaps 7″ to be pivoted essentially simultaneously.
(38) In FIG. 17 the supporting body 3 is shown in a cut-out. The supporting body 3 is manufactured as an integral component from cardboard and comprises six arms or flaps 7″, each of which is connected to a side section 6 via folding edges 8. The side sections 6 can be folded in a ring along folding edges 33, wherein a connecting web 34 is formed on one end section 6, which can be connected to an opposite side section 5, for example by gluing. A recess 31 is provided on the connecting web 34, which can be brought into alignment with a recess 32 on an end side section 5 for aligning the supporting body 3 during gluing. The blank of filter material may also be made in one piece and glued together along a connecting section or joined by stamping to produce a bag-shaped container 2. The supporting body 3 is preferably placed on the outside of the filter material, but can optionally be provided on an inside of the filter material. Furthermore, the number of flaps 7″ can also be varied.
