BIOLOGICALLY DEGRADABLE PORTION CAPSULE

Abstract

A portion capsule includes a peripheral side wall, a first cover element and a second cover element, wherein the peripheral side wall, the first cover element and the second cover element form a closed interior. The first cover element and/or the second cover element include an arching directed into the interior. At least the cover element including the arching is manufactured of a biologically degradable material.

Claims

1. A portion capsule comprising a peripheral side wall, a first cover element and a second cover element, wherein the peripheral side wall, the first cover element and the second cover element form a closed interior, wherein the first cover element and/or the second cover element comprises an arching directed into the interior and wherein the cover element which comprises the arching is manufactured of a biologically degradable material, wherein the portion capsule comprises a filter element which is arranged in the interior and which separates an extraction material region from the first cover element or from the second cover element, wherein the cover element which, by the filter element, is separated from the extraction material region comprises the arching directed into the interior, wherein the portion capsule comprises a positioning device for the filter element, wherein the positioning device is arranged relative to the filter element in such a way that a movement of the filter element in the direction of the cover element which, by the filter element, is separated from the extraction material region is not prevented.

2. The portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the positioning device is arranged relative to the filter element in a manner such that a movement of the filter element in the direction of the cover element which, by the filter element, is not separated from the extraction material region is prevented.

3. The portion capsule according to claim 1, comprising a base element which comprises the peripheral side wall and one of the two cover elements, wherein the other of the two cover elements is fastened to the base element and together with the base element forms the interior.

4. The portion capsule according to claim 3, wherein the base element forms a peripheral flange and said other of the two cover elements is fastened to the base element along the peripheral flange.

5. The portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the portion capsule has a rectangular base shape, in particular a square base shape.

6. A method for the operation of a drinks preparation machine comprising the step of: providing a portion capsule according to claim 1.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the steps of: inserting the portion capsule into a brewing chamber of the drinks preparation machine, wherein the brewing chamber is formed by a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part which is movable relative to the first brewing module part; closing the brewing chamber by way of the second brewing module part being moved relative to the first brewing module part; introducing a brewing fluid into the interior of the portion capsule; wherein the introducing of the brewing fluid flattens the arching directed into the interior.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the flattening of the arching is caused by at least one of the following effects: an increase of the pressure in the interior; a relative movement of a filter element which is arranged in the interior and which separates an extraction material region from the cover element which comprises the arching, wherein the relative movement is in the direction of the cover element comprising the arching.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the movement of the cover element or a part thereof which is entailed by the flattening leads to a relative movement between said cover element or said part thereof and an extraction-side piercing device, wherein the relative movement corresponds to a movement of the extraction-side piercing device in the direction of the interior.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the extraction-side piercing device moves relatively in the direction of the interior due to said cover element or said part thereof moving towards the piecing device.

11. A drinks preparation machine for preparing a drink from a portion capsule according to claim 1, comprising a brewing module having a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part which is movable relative to the first brewing module part, wherein a brewing chamber is formable by the first and the second brewing module part, said brewing chamber at least partly surrounding the portion capsule which, during the brewing procedure, is located in a brewing position and being formed by a wall of the first and/or second brewing module part, wherein the brewing module is configured to brew a brewed drink by way of introducing a brewing fluid into the portion capsule and to discharge the brewed drink out of the brewing module via an extraction-side piercing device; wherein an extraction-side piercing tip of the extraction-side piercing device is arranged in a deepening of the wall.

12. The drinks preparation machine according to claim 11, wherein the extraction-side piercing tip projects into the brewing chamber beyond an edge of the deepening.

13. The drinks preparation machine according to claim 11, wherein the deepening of the wall extending laterally to an axial axis of the extraction side piercing tip and beyond a width of the extraction-side piercing tip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0129] Embodiment examples are described hereinafter by way of figures. There are shown in:

[0130] FIG. 1 an exemplary portion capsule after its introduction into a brewing chamber and the closing of the brewing chamber, in cross section;

[0131] FIG. 2 the portion capsule according to FIG. 1 during the brewing process;

[0132] FIG. 3 an exemplary portion capsule and a brewing module part which is adapted to the portion capsule, after the introduction of the portion capsule into the mentioned brewing module part, in cross section; and

[0133] FIG. 4 the portion capsule and the brewing module part according to FIG. 3, during the brewing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0134] The same reference numerals denote equal or analogous elements in the figures.

[0135] The exemplary portion capsule 1 according to FIG. 1 includes a base element 2 in the form of a beaker. The base element is shaped by a peripheral side wall 3 and a first cover element which in the shown embodiment forms a capsule bottom 4.

[0136] In the shown embodiment, the base element is formed of one piece from the peripheral side wall 3 and the capsule bottom 4.

[0137] The base element 2 includes a peripheral flange 5 and a second cover element which is fastened thereto. In the shown embodiment, the second cover element is a lid element 8.

[0138] The base element together with the lid 9 which is formed by the lid element 8 forms an outer capsule wall which defines a capsule interior 7.

[0139] The fastening of the lid element 8 to the base element 2 can be carried out in a manner known per se, for example by way of ultrasound welding, a thermal method or possibly by way of bonding.

[0140] In the shown embodiment, a brewed drink which is prepared in the capsule interior 7 is led away via the capsule bottom. Accordingly, the capsule bottom 4 includes an arching 15 directed into the interior 7 and accordingly at least the capsule bottom is of a biologically degradable material, for example of a bio-plastic, such as for example Terrablend, Arboblend or PLA, or from another brittle plastic.

[0141] In the case that the brewing fluid is introduced via the capsule bottom 4 and the brewed drink which is prepared in the capsule interior 7 is discharged via the lid element 8, the cover element 8 includes the arching 15 at the location of the capsule bottom 4 and the biologically degradable material. The subsequently described features relating to the discharge of the brewed drink change accordingly, wherein in particular these can be the features of the portion capsule 1 and/or the brewing module.

[0142] In the shown embodiment, the complete portion capsule 1 is manufactured of a biologically degradable material.

[0143] The portion capsule which is shown in FIG. 1 is shown within a brewing chamber which is formed by a first brewing module part 25 and a second brewing module part 26 which is movable relative to this. The brewing chamber is shown in the closed state, which is to say that the portion capsule 1 assumes its brewing position. However, in the configuration which is shown in FIG. 1 the brewing process has not yet begun. This means that the brewing fluid has not yet been introduced into the interior 7.

[0144] In the shown embodiment, the brewing chamber is deformed in the region of the arching 15 in a manner such that a free space 27, which is to say a non-filled space (cavity) arises when the portion capsule is located in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet been started. Thanks to this free space 27, the arching can flatten when the brewing fluid is introduced into the interior 7.

[0145] In particular, the second brewing module part 26 is shaped in a manner such that the free space 27 arises.

[0146] The extraction-side piercing tip 24 is arranged in the free space 27. By way of this, the extraction side piercing tip 21 penetrates into the interior 7 as soon as the arching 15 flattens.

[0147] In the shown embodiment, the first brewing module part 25 includes an injection-side piercing device 21 with at least one injection-side piercing tip 22 and the second brewing module part 26 an extraction-side piercing device 23 with at least one extraction-side piercing tip 24.

[0148] In particular with embodiments with a filter element 11 which is arranged in the interior 7, as is shown in FIG. 1, the extraction-side piercing device 23 can include precisely one extraction-side piercing tip 23. As a rule, this is arranged along the longitudinal axis 20 of the portion capsule 1.

[0149] In the embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1, the injection-side piercing device 21 includes two injection-side piercing tips 22. However, more injection-side piercing tips 22 are also conceivable, for example three or four. The number of injection-side piercing tips 22 can be matched to the base shape. However, only one injection-side piercing tip 22 is also conceivable. In particular, this can be the case if the portion capsule includes a distribution element for an introduced brewing fluid, which is arranged in the interior.

[0150] In the embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1, the first brewing module part 25, in particular its injection-side piercing device 21, and the second brewing module part 26, in particular the extraction-side piercing device 23 are matched to the shape of the portion capsule 1 such that the injection-side piercing tips 22 penetrate the cover element 8, while the extraction-side piercing tip 24 comes to lie in the arching 15 of the capsule bottom 4, but at the most pricks the capsule bottom but does not pierce through it when the portion capsule 1 is located in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet been started.

[0151] A configuration, in which the extraction-side piercing tip 24 does not pierce through the capsule bottom 4 or the cover element, via which the brewed drink is discharged out of the portion capsule is particularly advantageous with extraction-side piercing devices 23, concerning which the brewed drink is led away past the piercing tip 24. This is to say given configurations, concerning which the piercing tip or piercing tips 22 primarily have a function of piercing but not a discharging via a conduit arranged in their inside. It is particularly with such configurations that one can optionally make do without a central element 12 as is described hereinafter.

[0152] A configuration, in which the extraction-side piercing tip 24 does not pierce through the capsule bottom 4 or the cover element, via which the brewed drink is discharged out of the portion capsule is also advantageous with extraction-side piercing devices 23, concerning which the piercing tip or piercing tips 22 primarily scribe, in order to open the portion capsule at the extraction side or to initiate the opening of this during the brewing process, wherein the piercing tip(s) have no function which is directly related to the discharge of the brewing fluid, for example by a discharge along their surface(s) or via a conduit which is arranged in their inside(s). Given such configurations, a central element as described hereinafter can generally be done away with.

[0153] As already mentioned, the portion capsule 1 which is shown in FIG. 1 includes a filter element 11. This includes a central element 12 in the shown embodiment. This is arranged along the longitudinal axis 20 of the portion capsule 1 and has a base shape which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 20.

[0154] The portion capsule 1 which is shown in FIG. 1 for example is a portion capsule concerning which a movement of the filter element 11 towards the arching 15 at least contributes to the flattening of the arching. For this reason, the portion capsule 1 in its interior 7 has no structure which prevents a moving of the filter element 11 in the direction of the capsule bottom 4.

[0155] However, means which ensure that a collection region 16 also forms after the moving of the filter element 11 can be provided in the brewing module, in particular its wall which faces the capsule bottom.

[0156] In the shown embodiment, an undesired moving of the filter element 11 against the lid element 8 is prevented by a positioning device 13 in the form of a peripheral projection which projects into the interior 7.

[0157] The situation during the brewing process which is to say after this has been started is shown in FIG. 2.

[0158] The introduction of the brewing fluid via the injection-side piercing tips 22 has led to the capsule bottom 4 having been deformed amid the action of a pressure which is increased in the interior 7 and the action of a force which is exerted by the filter element 11 upon the arching 15. In particular, the arching has flattened in the direction of the extraction-side piercing tip 24, by which means the extraction-side piercing tip 24 has penetrated into the interior, expressed more precisely into the central element 12 of the filter element 11. By way of this, the brewed drink can now be discharged out of the portion capsule 1 via the central element 12 and the extraction-side piercing tip 24, for example via a channel which lies at the inside in the piercing tip 24 or along the piercing tip 24.

[0159] What is not represented in FIG. 2 is the collection region 16, in which the brewed drink collects after passage through the filter element 11 and is fed to the central element 15.

[0160] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a portion capsule 1 which is brought into a brewing chamber, and a brewing module part 26 which is adapted to the portion capsule 1 and which differs from the configuration according to FIGS. 1 and 2 as described hereinafter.

[0161] The injection-side part of the brewing chamber (which is to say the first brewing module part 25 in the shown embodiment) has been omitted in the FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0162] The portion capsule 1 is again shown located in the brewing position, wherein in the configuration which is shown in FIG. 3 the brewing process has not yet been started and the brewing process is running in the configuration which is shown in FIG. 4.

[0163] The configuration which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the configurations which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular in the following points: [0164] The extraction-side piercing tip 24 is arranged in a deepening of the wall of the brewing chamber. By way of this, not only can the arching 15 flatten, but it can fold over from projecting into the interior 7 (FIG. 3) to projecting out of the interior 7 (FIG. 4). By way of this, a collection region 16 forms also after the deformation of the capsule bottom 4 and the moving of the filter element 11 in the direction of the capsule bottom 4, as is shown in FIG. 4. [0165] The extraction-side piercing device 23 includes an extraction-side piercing tip 24 with an inner-lying channel 28 and a channel opening 29 in the region of the tip of the piercing tip 24. [0166] It is self-evident that the extraction-side piercing tip 24 can include a multitude of channel openings which run out in the inner-lying channel 28. [0167] On account of this construction of the extraction-side piercing device 23 and the discharge of the brewed drink through the channel 28 of the piercing tip 24 which is entailed by this, the piercing tip 24 can already penetrate through the capsule bottom 4 when the portion capsule 1 is in the brewing position and the brewing process has not yet been started (FIG. 3). The piercing tip 24 should simply not penetrate so far into the interior 7 that the channel opening 29 comes to lie in the interior before the conditions which are necessary for the brewing process, in particular pressure and temperature prevail in the interior. [0168] The extraction-side piercing tip 24, in particular the position of the channel opening 29 is adapted to the portion capsule 1 and the shape of the brewing chamber, in particular to the shape of the capsule bottom 4 after its deformation, such that after the deformation of the capsule bottom, which is to say during the brewing process, the channel opening 29 is located in an end region of the central element 12 which is at the channel base side (FIG. 4).