Capsule for food or beverage preparation

Abstract

A food or beverage capsule (200), comprises: a capsule body (201) comprising a cavity (202) and an open end (204) in communication with the cavity (202); an injection wall (205) disposed upon the open end (204) so as to enclose the cavity (202), the injection wall (205) thereby comprising an interior side (206) facing the cavity (202); and a quantity of a food or beverage ingredient disposed within the cavity (202). The capsule (200) further comprises a sealing membrane (207) fabricated from a flexible material and disposed upon the interior side (206) of the injection wall (205), the sealing membrane (207) being attached to the interior side (206) of the injection wall (205) over at least one fixed region (208) of the sealing membrane (207), at least one free region (209) of the sealing membrane (207) extending freely from an edge of said at least one fixed region (208).

Claims

1. A food or beverage capsule, comprising: a capsule body comprising a cavity and an open end in communication with the cavity; an injection wall located upon the open end so as to close the cavity, the injection wall thereby comprising an interior side facing the cavity; a quantity of a food or beverage ingredient located within the cavity; the capsule further comprises a sealing membrane fabricated from a flexible material and located upon the interior side of the injection wall, the sealing membrane being attached to the interior side of the injection wall over at least one fixed region of the sealing membrane, at least one free region of the sealing membrane extending freely from an edge of the at least one fixed region; wherein the at least one free region constitutes a flap located upon a region of the injection wall adapted to be pierced by an injection needle; and wherein the flap comprises a first end integral with the at least one fixed region, the flap further comprises a second end at which the sealing membrane terminates, the remainder of the flap is the only component of the capsule to which the second end of the flap is fixedly attached.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the flap of the sealing membrane is biased against the injection wall.

3. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the injection wall and the sealing membrane are symmetric about an axis normal to the injection wall at a centroid thereof.

4. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed region is a single fixed region disposed concentrically with the injection wall.

5. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the single fixed region of the sealing membrane is located proximally to the centroid of the injection wall, the at least one free region of the sealing membrane extending outwardly from the single fixed region along a radial direction.

6. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the single fixed region of the sealing membrane is located along a peripheral edge of the sealing membrane, the at least one free region of the sealing membrane extending towards the centroid of the sealing membrane from the single fixed region.

7. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed region is a plurality of fixed regions comprising at least a central fixed region located proximally to the centroid of the sealing membrane and a peripheral fixed region located along a peripheral edge of the sealing membrane.

8. The capsule according to claim 7, wherein the sealing membrane is cut along a path substantially coincident with an edge of the peripheral fixed region, such that the at least one free region extends from the central fixed region outwardly in a radial direction.

9. The capsule according to claim 7, wherein the sealing membrane is cut along a path substantially coincident with an edge of the central fixed region, such that the at least one free region extends from the peripheral fixed region inwardly in a radial direction.

10. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing membrane and the injection wall are provided with opposing electrostatic charges such that an attracting force is generated between them.

11. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing membrane is fabricated from polypropylene.

12. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing membrane is attached to the injection wall by thermal or ultrasonic welding.

13. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing membrane is attached to the injection wall by adhesive lamination.

14. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the flap is configured for the second end to (i) abut the injection wall in an initial position of the second end, (ii) then extend into the cavity when the flap is pushed by an injection needle piercing the injection wall, and (iii) then return to the initial position when the injection needle is withdrawn.

15. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the at least one free region comprises a thermoplastic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a section view of a beverage capsule as known in the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial section view of a beverage capsule according to a first embodiment of the invention, prior to the insertion of a fluid injection needle;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 2, after the insertion of a fluid injection needle;

(5) FIG. 4A is a side section view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 2 as disposed within a beverage machine, prior to the insertion of an injection needle;

(6) FIG. 4B is a side section view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 2 as disposed within a beverage machine, during a step for the injection of a liquid;

(7) FIG. 4C is a side section view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 2 after a step for the injection of a liquid; and

(8) FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic representations of the injection wall and sealing membrane according to a second, third, and fourth embodiment, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) For a complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention.

(10) It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with other embodiments of the invention and are merely illustrative of the specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention when taken into consideration with the claims and the following detailed description.

(11) FIG. 2 is a partial section view of a beverage capsule 200 according to a first embodiment of the invention, prior to the insertion of a fluid injection needle. The beverage capsule 200 is primarily composed of the capsule body 201, here only partially depicted for clarity. The capsule body 201 is substantially cup-shaped, enclosing the cavity 202 into which is disposed a quantity of a beverage ingredient.

(12) The capsule body 201 further comprises a flange 203 disposed at the open end 204 of the beverage capsule 200. To the flange 203 is attached the injection wall 205, which covers the open end 204 and encloses the cavity 202 so as to seal the beverage capsule 200.

(13) The injection wall 205 thereby presents an interior side 206 to the cavity 202 of the beverage capsule 200. The sealing membrane 207 is disposed on this interior side 206, centered upon the injection wall 205 as depicted here. The sealing membrane 207 is affixed to the injection wall 205 over the fixed region 208, which is disposed centrally relative to both the injection wall 205 and the sealing membrane 207. The portion of the sealing membrane 207 which is not within the fixed region 208 is therefore not attached to the injection wall 205, and thus comprises a free region 209. The free region 209 is thus, in this embodiment, configured as an annular region disposed concentrically about the fixed region 208.

(14) The fixed region 208 is a portion of the surface of the sealing membrane 207 which is attached to the injection wall 205. The fixed region 208 may be attached by whichever means are most appropriate for the particular beverage to be produced, for instance by thermal or ultrasonic welding, or pressure-, heat-, or light-sensitive adhesives in a lamination process.

(15) It should be noted that, while in this embodiment the sealing membrane 207 and the fixed region 208 are configured in the form of concentric circles, the sealing membrane and fixed region may be configured in whatever form is most appropriate for the particular application in which it is to be used. In particular, it may be possible to configure the fixed region as a polygonal region and/or offset it from the centroid of the injection wall.

(16) Furthermore, the sealing membrane 207 is fabricated, in this embodiment, from polypropylene. Polypropylene is advantageous in that it can be provided in a form which is lightweight, inexpensive, and resistant to puncture. However, it should be understood that other materials may be employed to fabricate the sealing membrane 207, so long as they are sufficiently flexible and puncture-resistant.

(17) FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the beverage capsule 200, after the insertion of the fluid injection needle 300. The fluid injection needle 300 is fixed to the injection apparatus 301 of a beverage machine, represented here only partially for clarity, and comprises the needle channel 302 through which an injection liquid is introduced to the cavity 202 of the beverage capsule 200.

(18) The positioning of the injection apparatus 301 upon the injection wall 207 forces the injection needle 300 through the injection wall 205, piercing it at the hole 303. As the injection needle 300 is advanced, the tip 304 will push the sealing membrane 208 at the free region 209, causing it to bend backwards along the break line 305 and form the flap 306.

(19) It should be noted that the size and location of the flap 306 are a function of the location of the hole 303 on the injection wall 205 and the depth to which the injection needle 300 is advanced. Similarly, the break line 305 is not a fixed location on the sealing membrane 208, but merely the line along which the sealing membrane 208 happens to separate from the injection wall 205 and form the flap 306. The injection needle 300 may thus be inserted into the injection wall 205 at any point corresponding to the free region 209, simplifying the positioning of the beverage capsule 200 in relation to the injection apparatus 301.

(20) FIGS. 4A, 4B, & 4C depict the operation of the flap 306 before, during, and after the injection of a liquid into the beverage capsule 200. Each of these three figures will be discussed in turn.

(21) FIG. 4A depicts the beverage capsule 200 as disposed in a beverage machine 400, prior to the injection of a liquid. The beverage machine 400, here simplified for illustrative purposes, comprises the injection apparatus 301 and the capsule receptacle 401.

(22) The injection apparatus 301 comprises the injection needle 300, the needle channel 302 of which is connected via the supply line 402 to a supply of injection liquid (not shown). The injection apparatus is attached to the capsule receptacle by way of the hinge 403, which permits the injection apparatus 301 to pass from an open position, depicted here, to a closed position as depicted in FIG. 4B.

(23) The capsule receptacle 401 is substantially cup-shaped, configured to accommodate the beverage capsule 200 therein and maintain it in a fixed position. The beverage capsule 200 is provided with a drain 404 which permits the finished beverage to drain from the beverage capsule 200 through a corresponding gap 405 in the capsule receptacle 401. The cavity 202 of the beverage capsule 200 is filled with a beverage ingredient 406, which is used to produce a beverage in an injection step.

(24) The sealing membrane 207 is attached over the fixed region 208 to the interior side 206 of the injection wall 205. In this embodiment, the elasticity of the sealing membrane 205 causes the free region 209 thereof to remain flush against the interior side 206 of the injection wall 205 until the injection needle 300 is inserted into the beverage capsule 200.

(25) FIG. 4B depicts the beverage capsule 200 during the preparation of a beverage 407. The injection apparatus 301 has been disposed into the closed position as shown here, the injection needle 300 piercing the injection wall 205 at the hole 301 and protruding into the cavity 202 of the beverage capsule 200.

(26) The injection needle 300 pushes on the sealing membrane 207, displacing the flap 306. During the preparation of the beverage 407, the injection liquid 408 is introduced into the cavity 202 of the beverage capsule 200 through the injection needle 300. The injection liquid 408 flows past the flap 306, mixing with the beverage ingredient 306 and issuing from the capsule as the beverage 407.

(27) FIG. 4C depicts the beverage capsule 200 after the preparation of the beverage, having been removed from the beverage machine. The residual pressure P within the cavity 200 of the beverage exerts a force 409 upon the sealing membrane 207, causing the flap 306 to lie flush against the injection wall 205. This blocks the hole 301 and prevents leakage of any residual beverage through it.

(28) In this embodiment, the main factor maintaining the flap 306 against the injection wall 205 is the force 409 generated by the residual pressure P. However, it may be advantageous to provide additional means for holding the sealing membrane against the injection wall 205. For instance, the elasticity of the sealing membrane itself may contribute an amount of force, or the sealing membrane and injection wall may be provided opposing electrostatic charges so as to generate an attractive force between the two.

(29) FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic depictions of alternate configurations for the sealing membrane and the fixed regions. In all three figures, the thickness of the injection wall and sealing membrane are exaggerated for purposes of clarity.

(30) FIG. 5A depicts a section view of an injection wall 500 and sealing membrane 501 according to a second embodiment. As in the previous embodiment, the injection wall 500 and sealing membrane 501 are provided in a circular form; the view presented in this Figure is thus a section through a plane passing through the centerline 502 about which the assembly herein depicted is symmetrical.

(31) The embodiment depicted here in FIG. 5A is similar to the one presented in the previous Figures, in that there is provided a single, continuous fixed region 503. The fixed region 503 is provided at a peripheral edge of the sealing membrane 501, being thereby configured in an annular shape. The sealing membrane is cut so as to remove the portion proximal to the centerline 502, the remaining free region 504 of the sealing membrane 201 thereby forming an annular flap 505. The annular flap 505 opens inwardly, such that the liquid issuing from an injection needle will be directed towards the center of the beverage capsule.

(32) FIG. 5B depicts a section view of an injection wall 506 and a sealing membrane 507 according to a third embodiment. As in the previous embodiments, the injection wall 506 and sealing membrane 507 are circular in form, the resulting assembly being symmetric about the centerline 508.

(33) In this embodiment, the fixed region is discontinuous, comprising a central fixed region 509 and a peripheral fixed region 510. The sealing membrane is cut along a circular cutting line 511, dividing it into an annular, peripheral segment 512 and a circular, central segment 513.

(34) The peripheral segment 512 is entirely within the peripheral fixed region 510, and thus is immobile. However, the central segment 513 is larger in diameter than the central fixed region 509, such that the portion of the central segment 513 not corresponding to the central fixed region 509 forms the free region 514.

(35) The free region 514 thus serves as an annular flap 515 during the preparation of a beverage. Since the free region 514 extends outwardly from the central fixed region 509 to the cutting line 511, the resulting annular flap 515 will open outwardly upon the insertion of an injection needle into the beverage capsule.

(36) Furthermore, the provision of the fixed, annular peripheral segment 512 will maintain a uniform thickness over the surface of the assembly. This is particularly advantageous in that it facilitates the storage, transport, and use of the injection wall 506/sealing membrane 507 assembly in a mass-production setting.

(37) FIG. 5C depicts a section view of an injection wall 516 and a sealing membrane 517 according to a third embodiment. As in the previous embodiments, the injection wall 516 and the sealing membrane 517 are symmetric about the centerline 518.

(38) As in the previous embodiment, the sealing membrane 517 is cut along a cutting line 519. The cutting line 519 separates the sealing membrane 517 into an annular, peripheral segment 520 and a circular, central segment 521. Furthermore, the sealing membrane 517 is affixed to the injection wall 516 over two fixed regions: the central fixed region 522 and the peripheral fixed region 523.

(39) The central fixed region 522 is substantially the same diameter as the central segment 521 of the sealing membrane 517. Because of this, the central segment 521 is held in place. The peripheral fixed region 523 is disposed along the peripheral edge of the injection wall 516, such that the peripheral segment 520 of the sealing membrane 517 extends from the inner edge of the peripheral fixed region 523 in the form of an annular, free region 524.

(40) The free region 524 thus serves as the flap 525 of the sealing membrane 517. The orientation of the flap 525 will ensure that the liquid injected through the injection wall 516 will be directed towards the center of the beverage capsule, while the presence of the central segment 521 at the central fixed region 522 ensures that the thickness of the injection wall 516/sealing membrane 517 assembly is uniform across its surface.

(41) Of course, it should be well understood that the configuration of the sealing membrane, the fixed and free regions, and the orientations of the resulting flaps need not necessarily be circular or symmetric as in the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, the fixed regions need not necessarily be positioned at the center or edge of the injection wall or sealing membrane, but may in fact be positioned anywhere upon the surface of the sealing membrane. In fact, the sealing membrane and the free and fixed regions may be configured in whatever format is optimal for the particular application in which they are to be employed, including asymmetrical and irregular arrangements. The foregoing embodiments should be therefore taken as purely exemplary, and not in any way as describing a more effective configuration or preferred embodiment of the invention. For instance, the flap sealing membrane is not necessarily circular (axisymmetric) as described above and shown in the drawing. It could also be asymmetrical, as long as it comprises one attachment portion to the capsule injection wall, and one free portion that flexes to bring the sealing effect described above.

(42) The flap layer can be manufactured out of any suitable polymer that can be transformed into a film, such asbut not limited to: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid; polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene chloride, aluminum, paper, non-woven polymeric films, or a combination thereof. The material can be completed with suitable additives such as minerals (e.g. calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, charcoal salts or black carbon). Moreover, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.