REINFORCEMENT RING FOR CAPSULES FOR OBTAINING BEVERAGES

Abstract

A reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, for example coffee, comprising a side wall and a flat surface, preferably having a uniform thickness, protruding from the side wall. The reinforcement ring is characterized in that the side wall comprises a groove at the extremity opposite the flat surface, so as to reduce the thickness of the side wall at the extremity and to reduce the total amount of material used to produce the reinforcement ring. The reinforcement ring can be used to reinforce the body of a capsule for obtaining beverages for example made of a filtering material. A machine for welding the reinforcement ring to the capsule body and to a system for producing beverages comprising a container into which the capsule with the reinforcement ring is inserted during the step of supplying pressurized water.

Claims

1. A reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, for instance coffee, comprising: a side wall having a first extremity, a second extremity and a thickness; and a flat surface, preferably having a uniform thickness, protruding from said side wall in correspondence of said first extremity, wherein said side wall and said protruding flat surface are preferably made as a single body, wherein, said side wall comprises a groove in correspondence of said second extremity, so as to reduce said thickness of said side wall in correspondence of said second extremity, and wherein said side wall, in correspondence of said second extremity, is configured so as to include a first portion, facing an outer side of said ring, and a second portion, facing an inner side of said ring, said first portion and said second portion being divided by said groove.

2. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein said groove forms a continuous line along a perimeter of said reinforcement ring.

3. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein said groove forms a discontinuous line along a perimeter of said reinforcement ring.

4. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of said groove has the shape of an upside-down V with respect to said second extremity.

5. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein said side wall comprises reduced thickness areas, so as to further reduce the total amount of material used for the production of said reinforcement ring.

6. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein said flat surface comprises a groove along a perimeter if said flat surface.

7. The reinforcement ring according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement ring comprises of a biodegradable and/or compostable and/or bio based material, for instance PLA, PHA, PBS, Starch Blends, bio based PE, PET, PA, PT.

8. A capsule for obtaining beverages, for instance coffee, comprising: a reinforcement ring according to claim 1; and a capsule body configured to form a containment volume for a product used for obtaining the desired beverage, for instance ground coffee.

9. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein: said capsule body is made of a thermoformable filter material and is fixed to said side wall of said reinforcement ring through welding.

10. A method for the production of a capsule according to claim 8, said method comprising a welding step realized through a fixed geometry welder, wherein said capsule body is welded to said reinforcement ring from an inner side of said capsule body, after that said capsule body has been inserted into said reinforcement ring, and wherein at least one portion of said side wall of said reinforcement ring is configured to elastically deform, due to the presence of said groove, and to adapt said reinforcement ring to the structure of said fixed geometry welder during said step of welding said capsule body to said reinforcement ring.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said second portion is configured to elastically deform when said second portion is placed in contact with said fixed geometry welder, so as to assist the welding of said capsule body to said reinforcement ring.

12. A method for the production of beverages by a system comprising: a capsule according to claim 8; and a container configured to accommodate said capsule during a step of supplying pressurized water for the production of the beverage, said container comprising a lateral surface and a bottom forming a compartment configured to accommodate said capsule during the step of supplying pressurized water; said method comprising a step of making a seal between a predefined portion of an internal surface of said lateral surface of said container and at least one portion of said side wall of said reinforcement ring, wherein said at least one portion of said side wall is configured to elastically deform, due to the presence of said groove, when it is in contact with said predefined portion of said internal surface, and is configured to adapt to a geometry of said predefined portion of said internal surface, so as to avoid a leakage of said beverage from the interface between said reinforcement ring and said container.

13. The method for the production of a beverage according to claim 12, wherein said side wall has a first diameter and said compartment has a second diameter in correspondence of said accommodating portion of said reinforcement ring and said first diameter is equal or greater than said second diameter, and said step of making a seal implies that at least one portion of said side wall elastically deforms when in contact to said internal surface, so that said elastic deformation allows the insertion of said reinforcement ring in said compartment and allows said seal.

14. The method for the production of a beverage according to claim 12, wherein said step of making a seal implies that, during the step of supplying pressurized water, at least one part of said pressurized water enters said groove and elastically deforms said at least one portion of said side wall, thus making a seal between said side wall and said internal surface.

15. The method for the production of a beverage according to claim 12, wherein: said first portion faces towards said compartment and has a first thickness, and said second portion faces towards said capsule body and has a second thickness, and said first thickness is thinner than said second thickness, so as to assist said elastic deformation of said first portion and to make said seal.

16. A beverage capsule reinforcement ring comprising: a side wall having a first extremity and a second extremity; a flat surface extending radially from the first extremity of said side wall; and a groove formed in a distal end of the second extremity of said side wall, said groove forming an outer first portion of said sidewall and an inner second portion of side wall separated by said groove.

17. A beverage capsule reinforcement ring as recited in claim 16 wherein: the outer first portion of said sidewall has a radial thickness less than a radial thickness of the inner second portion of said side wall.

18. A beverage capsule reinforcement ring as recited in claim 16 further comprising: a flat surface groove formed in the first extremity of said side wall adjacent said flat surface.

19. A beverage capsule reinforcement ring as recited in claim 16 further comprising: a capsule body welded to said beverage capsule reinforcement ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0060] The present invention will be described with reference to the enclosed figures, wherein the same and/or similar numbers and/or signs indicate the same and/or corresponding parts of the system.

[0061] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an external three-dimensional view of a reinforcement ring provided with a groove in the side wall, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an external three-dimensional view of a reinforcement ring additionally provided with areas of reduced thickness on the internal surface of the side wall, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a reinforcement ring further provided with a groove on the flat surface, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an external three-dimensional view of a capsule for producing beverages provided with a reinforcement ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a welding station for welding the reinforcement ring to the body of a beverage capsule, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a welding station during the step of welding the reinforcement ring to the body of a beverage capsule, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an exploded view of a system for the production of beverages comprising a capsule and a container suitable for accommodating the capsule during supplying, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages shown in FIG. 7, during a stage of use.

[0069] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages shown in FIG. 7, during a further stage of use.

[0070] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages shown in FIG. 7, during a further stage of use.

[0071] FIG. 10A schematically illustrates an enlarged portion of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] In the following, the present invention is described with reference to particular embodiments, as illustrated in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the figures, but rather the described embodiments merely exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims. Further modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0073] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a reinforcement ring 10 for capsules for obtaining beverages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The reinforcement ring 10 may be used to reinforce the structure of capsules for obtaining beverages, such as American coffee. The reinforcement ring 10 according to the present invention comprises an annular side wall 1 having a first extremity 2 (the upper extremity in FIG. 1), on top of which a flat surface 5 is formed, and a second extremity 3 (the lower extremity in FIG. 1), opposite to the first extremity. The flat surface 5 thus comprises an annular flat surface protruding from the side wall 1 at the first extremity 2. The side wall 1 further comprises a groove 6 at the second extremity 3, so as to form a first portion 1a and a second portion 1b of the side wall 1 at the second extremity 3, divided by the groove 6. In this way, the total thickness of the side wall 1 at the second extremity 3 is reduced and the total amount of material used to produce the ring 10 is decreased.

[0075] The side wall 1 and the protruding flat surface 5 are preferably realized as a single body. The side wall 1 may have a uniform thickness, according to a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0076] According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 1 may have areas of reduced thickness 7, i.e. recesses formed on the side wall 1 of the ring. The areas of reduced thickness 7 may be formed, for example, on the surface facing the inner side of the ring 10 (as shown in FIG. 2) or on the surface facing the outer side of the ring 10. An example of a reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages having a side wall with areas of reduced thickness is described in the patent application EP 3 152 134 A1 by the same applicant, the content of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] The protruding flat surface 5 is preferably of uniform thickness.

[0078] According to a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the reinforcement ring 10 may have both a groove 6 in the side wall 1 and a groove 8 on the flat surface 5. Preferably, the groove 8 may form, for example, a continuous circular groove along the perimeter of the flat surface 5. According to an alternative configuration, the groove 8 may form for example a discontinuous circular groove along the perimeter of the flat surface 5. In this way, due to the presence of the groove 8 on the flat surface 5, the welding of a sealing element 11, for example a sealing film, to the reinforcement ring 10 is assisted.

[0079] According to a further embodiment not shown in the figures, the reinforcement ring 10 may have a groove 6 in the side wall 1, a groove 8 on the flat surface 5 and areas of reduced thickness 7 on the internal and/or external surface of the side wall 1 of the ring. In this way, the amount of material used to produce the ring is significantly reduced.

[0080] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a capsule 20 for obtaining beverages, such as American coffee, comprising a reinforcement ring 10 and a capsule body 30. The capsule body 30 defines a containment volume for the product used to obtain the desired beverage, such as ground coffee, and it is advantageously made of filter material, for example filter paper or thermoformable filter material. Such filters have indeed the advantage of being environmentally friendly. The presence of the reinforcement ring 10 in the capsule 20 is necessary to give stability and robustness to the capsule body 30 made of filter material.

[0081] The capsule 20 may further comprise a sealing element 11 welded to the flat surface 5 protruding from the reinforcement ring 10, for instance a sealing element 11 heat sealed to the flat surface 5.

[0082] The capsule 20 shown in FIG. 4 has a capsule body 30 having a substantially flat bottom wall 31 and a pleated side wall 32, i.e. made in regular or irregular folds. Furthermore, the diameter of the bottom 31 of the capsule body 30 is smaller than the diameter of the upper rim of the capsule body 30, so that the capsule body 30 has a truncated cone shape. Capsules of this type are described for example in patent EP 3 357 819 B1 by the same applicant, the content of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the patent EP 3 357 819 B1 relates to a method and a machine for forming beverage capsules comprising a pleated capsule body and a reinforcement element and describes, in paragraphs [0074-0084], the process of welding the pleated capsule body to the reinforcement element and the corresponding welding station. It is to be understood that a welding process similar to the one presented in EP 3 357 819 B1 may be performed, for example, to attach the reinforcement ring 10 to the capsule body 30, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the advantages of the configuration of the reinforcement ring 10 provided with a groove 6, according to the present invention, during the steps of welding the reinforcement ring 10 itself to the capsule body 30, for example according to the method described in EP 3 357 819 B1, will be highlighted.

[0084] FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate the steps of welding the reinforcement ring 10 to the capsule body 30 to form the beverage capsule 20, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] The welder 210, as shown in the figures, has a fixed geometry. This configuration makes the welding operation easier and safer. As described above, there is a difference in diameters between the bottom 31 of the capsule body 30 and the upper rim of the capsule body 30. This results in a capsule body 30 having a pronounced frusto-conical shape, into which it is easier to insert a fixed-geometry welder 210 without having to resort to a variable-geometry welder. This is preferable as the variable-geometry welder is intrinsically more complex, since, for example, making a circular welding implies dividing the welding process of the circular surface into at least two steps separated by a time interval during which the welder makes a rotation around its own axis.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 5, the capsule body 30 is initially placed inside the reinforcement ring 10. The fixed-geometry welder 210 is positioned above the capsule 20, coaxially to it, and it is brought closer to the capsule 20. When the welder 210 reaches the inner side of the capsule 20, welding between the capsule body 30 and the reinforcement ring 10 is performed. The welding may be done, for example, by means of a hot bar or by other technologies such as ultrasound or induction.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, when the welder 210 is inserted inside the capsule 20, the reinforcement ring 10 elastically deforms and adapts to the geometry of the welder 210, thus compensating for any differences in structure and/or positioning. In particular, the second internal portion 1b of the reinforcement ring 10 elastically deforms, by slightly flexing inside the groove 6 of the side wall 1, and adapting to the geometry of the welder 210.

[0088] The capsule 20 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention can be used in a system for making beverages, for example an extraction system, known to the state of the art. An example of a system for obtaining beverages wherein a capsule made of a filtering material including a reinforcement ring is used and is inserted into a container suitable for accommodating the capsule during the supplying of the beverage is described in the patent EP 3 403 547 B1 by the same applicant, the content of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0089] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the advantages of using a capsule 20 provided with a reinforcement ring 10 with a groove 6 in the side wall 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a system for the production of beverages such as that presented in EP 3 403 547 B1 will be highlighted.

[0090] FIG. 7 shows a system 100 for producing beverages comprising a capsule 20, a container 50 suitable for accommodating the capsule 20 during supplying and a closing element 60 for closing the container 50, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The closing element 60 is further provided with a channel 61 for pressurized water injection. The container 50 includes a lateral surface 51 and a bottom surface 55, forming a compartment V suitable for accommodating the capsule 20 during supplying. The container 50 further comprises a supplying channel 57, for supplying the final beverage.

[0091] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the container 50 may be configured, for example, as the container A described in EP 3 403 547 B1.

[0092] The capsule 20 provided with a reinforcement ring 10 with a groove 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, can be advantageously used in a system 100 for producing beverages such as the one illustrated in FIG. 7, because it conforms to containers 50 with internal diameters slightly different from the nominal ones, as explained below.

[0093] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages according to an embodiment of the present invention, during a stage of use.

[0094] This figure shows the initial step, wherein the capsule 20 is accommodated in the compartment V of the container 50 and the closing element 60 is placed on top of the capsule 20 to close the container 50.

[0095] The capsule 20 is accommodated in the compartment V of the container 50 so that the reinforcement ring 10 is in contact, partially or totally, with a portion of the internal lateral surface 52. The side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 has a diameter D1. The upper internal surface 52 of the container 50 has a diameter D2 in correspondence of the sealing area. Preferably, the diameter D1 of the side wall 1 is equal to the diameter D2 of the internal surface 52. However, as explained below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the particular structure of the ring 10 provided with a groove 6 allows for an optimal sealing between the side wall 1 and the upper internal surface 52 even if the diameter D1 is slightly larger or slightly smaller than the diameter D2.

[0096] The closing element 60 comprises a channel 61 for high-pressure water injection and a first perforating element 62, for example a perforating needle. The closing element 60 is rested on the sealing element 11 of the capsule 20, so that the first perforating element 62 pierces the sealing element 11 and the water supplied under pressure can subsequently enter the capsule 20 through the conduit 61. The second perforating element 56, formed on the bottom 55 of the container 50, is not in contact with the capsule body 30 made of filtering material.

[0097] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages of FIG. 8, during a further stage of use.

[0098] In FIG. 9, a stage is shown, wherein the system 100 for producing beverages is assembled and pressurized water is supplied to the capsule body 30 and to the compartment V, through the channel 61. The pressurized water enters the capsule body 30 where the product for producing the beverage is contained and the beverage is thus obtained. The beverage, when exiting the filter capsule body 30, collects itself in the compartment V and is finally dispensed through the supplying channel 57.

[0099] In FIG. 9, it can be seen that the protruding flat surface 5 of the reinforcement ring 10 rests on the upper rim of the container 50 and that the lower external portion 1a of the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 is in contact with the upper internal surface 52 of the container 50. In this way, a seal is formed between the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 and the upper internal surface 52 of the container 50, and high-pressure water is prevented from also escaping from the container 50, when exiting the capsule body 30 made of filtering material and passing through the interface between the reinforcement ring 10 and the container 50.

[0100] Even if FIG. 9 shows that the seal is made with the external lower portion 1a of the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10, an alternative configuration is also possible, wherein the seal is made between the entire side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 and the internal surface 52 of the side wall 51 of the container 50.

[0101] The sealing can be obtained by making the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10, or only its lower portion 1a, so as to have an external diameter that makes a seal with the internal surface 52 of the side wall 51 of the container 50, in at least a predefined portion thereof. This can be achieved both by adapting the dimensions of the entire capsule 20, i.e. the dimensions of the capsule body 30 and the reinforcement ring 10, to those of the container 50, and by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10, or only of its lower portion 1a.

[0102] Alternatively, the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 or only its lower portion 1a may be made so that their external wall has a predefined grade with respect to the internal surface 52 of the side wall 51, in at least a predefined portion thereof, so as to make a seal with it.

[0103] Alternatively, the profile of the external wall of the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 or only of its external lower portion 1a may be realized so as to match the profile of the internal surface 52 of the side wall 51, in at least a predefined portion thereof, so as to make a seal therewith. For example, the internal surface 52 could comprise a step and the side wall 1 could be made with a corresponding step.

[0104] The sealing systems described above, based on the contact between the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 and the internal surface 52 of the container, are effective, but the seals could be compromised by varying the geometries that make up the system. For example, if the diameter D2 of the container 50 were to be increased or decreased from its nominal value due to manufacturing defects or if it were to be modified for commercial requirements, this could result in poor sealing (in the case of an increase in diameter D2), or it could be difficult or impossible to insert the capsule 20 with the reinforcement ring 10 into the container 50 (in the case of a decrease in diameter D2).

[0105] The diameter D2 is to be understood here as the diameter of the circular section of the container 50 in correspondence of the internal surface 52.

[0106] The use of a capsule 20 provided with a reinforcement ring 10 with a groove 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the system 100 for producing beverages solves the above-mentioned problems. In fact, the structure of the ring 10 wherein the side wall 1 is provided with a groove 6 gives greater flexibility and adaptability to the ring 10. Any differences in diameter between the diameter D1 of the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 and the diameter D2 of the internal surface 52 of the container 50 can thus be compensated for by a local elastic deformation of the reinforcement ring 10 at the first portion 1a in contact with the internal surface 52 of the container 50.

[0107] In this way, an optimal seal is ensured even if, for example, the reinforcement ring 10 has a slightly larger diameter D1 than the diameter D2, because, when inserting the capsule 20 with the reinforcement ring 10 into the container 50, the portion 1a of the side wall 1 may deform elastically.

[0108] In the event that, for example, the diameter D1 of the side wall 1 is slightly smaller than the diameter D2 of the container 50, sealing is ensured by the elastic deformation of the side wall 1, in particular of the first external portion 1a, due to the push of the pressurized water, as described below in connection with FIG. 10.

[0109] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the system for producing beverages of FIG. 9 during a further stage of use. In particular, FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the system 100, following a prolonged exposure to pressurized water supplied within the capsule body 30.

[0110] The supplying of pressurized water inside the capsule body 30 made of filtering material causes it to be deformed, due to the resistance opposed to the passage of water by the filtering material of the capsule body 30 and/or by product for beverage production contained therein. The beverage obtained from the product contained in the capsule body 30 and from the pressurized water eventually exits from the capsule body 30 and accumulates in the compartment V, and then exits through the supply channel 57 of the beverage. As explained with reference to FIG. 9, the seal between the side wall 1 of the reinforcement ring 10 and the internal surface 52 of the container 50 prevents the beverage from exiting from the interface between the reinforcement ring 10 and the container 50.

[0111] As can be seen in FIG. 10, during the step of supplying the pressurized water, part of the beverage contained in the container 50 leaks into the groove 6 of the side wall 1 and creates a pressure on the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b. The elastic walls of the first portion 1a and of the second portion 1b will then tend to deform elastically and adhere firmly (in the case where the diameter D1 is slightly smaller than the diameter D2), or even more firmly (in the case where the two diameters D1 and D2 are essentially equal) to the internal surface 52 of the container 50, thereby ensuring an optimal seal. In particular, as shown in detail in FIG. 10A, the first external portion 1a can advantageously be made thinner than the second internal portion 1b: in this way, the elastic deformation of the first external portion 1a on the internal surface 52 of the container 50 is further assisted and an even better seal is ensured.

[0112] Even if the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments disclosed above, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention can be realized in the light of the teachings described above and within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the object and scope of protection of the invention.

[0113] Furthermore, those areas that are considered to be known to the person skilled in the art have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily overshadowing the described invention.

[0114] Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it is only limited by the scope of protection of the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0115] 1: side wall of the reinforcement ring [0116] 1a: first portion of the side wall [0117] 1b: second portion of the side wall [0118] 2: first extremity of side wall [0119] 3: second extremity of side wall [0120] 5: flat surface of the reinforcement ring [0121] 6: groove of the side wall [0122] 7: areas of reduced thickness [0123] 8: groove of the flat surface [0124] 10: reinforcement ring [0125] 11: sealing element [0126] 20: capsule for obtaining beverages [0127] 30: capsule body [0128] 31: bottom of the capsule [0129] 32: side wall of the capsule [0130] 50: container [0131] 51: side wall of the container [0132] 52: internal surface of the container [0133] 55: bottom of the container [0134] 56: second perforating element [0135] 57: supply channel [0136] 60: closing element of the container [0137] 61: channel for pressurized water [0138] 62: first perforating element [0139] 100: system for producing a beverage [0140] 210: welder [0141] D1: first diameter [0142] D2: second diameter [0143] V: compartment