Beverage capsule

Abstract

A beverage capsule (10) for use in a beverage preparation machine to prepare a beverage by passing a fluid therethrough. The beverage capsule comprises: a cup-shaped body (12) having a base (14) and a sidewall (16); a lid (22) sealed to the cup-shaped body; and a punctured support plate (20) positioned inside the cup-shaped body and dividing the interior volume into a first compartment for holding beverage ingredients (24) and a second compartment. The punctured support plate is located at a distance from the base which is larger than a piercing height of a draining member of the beverage preparation machine. The cup-shaped body, the lid and the punctured support plate are made of a material comprising metal.

Claims

1. A beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine to prepare a beverage by passing a fluid through the beverage capsule, the beverage capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body comprising a base and a sidewall contiguous with the base, wherein the base is configured to be pierced by a draining member of the beverage preparation machine to allow draining a beverage from the beverage capsule; a lid sealed to the cup-shaped body, the lid and cup-shaped body enclosing an interior volume, wherein the lid is configured to be pierced by an injection member of the beverage preparation machine to inject a fluid into the beverage capsule; and a punctured support plate positioned inside the cup-shaped body and dividing the interior volume into a first compartment delimited in part by the lid and configured for holding one or more beverage ingredients and a second compartment delimited in part by the base, wherein the punctured support plate is located at a distance from said base which is larger than or equal to a piercing height of the draining member of the beverage preparation machine and wherein said beverage is able to pass through the punctured support plate, wherein the cup-shaped body, the lid and the punctured support plate are made of a material comprising metal.

2. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the beverage capsule further comprises the one or more beverage ingredients.

3. The beverage capsule according to claim 2, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients are extraction ingredients.

4. The beverage capsule according to claim 3, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients have a particle size distribution determined using optical microscopy according to ISO 13320:2020, wherein at least 95 volume % of the one or more beverage ingredients have a particle size of at least 40 m.

5. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the punctured support plate comprises openings having a size so as to prevent at least 95 volume % of the one or more beverage ingredients from passing therethrough.

6. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the punctured support plate comprises openings having a smallest dimension which is at most 200 m.

7. The beverage capsule according to claim 6, wherein all of the openings have a same shape.

8. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the punctured support plate comprises openings which are uniformly distributed across the plate.

9. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped body, the lid and the punctured support plate are all made of a same metal.

10. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped body, the lid and the punctured support plate are all made of a food-grade metal.

11. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a stepped region, the punctured support plate engaging the stepped region.

12. The beverage capsule according to claim 11, wherein the punctured support plate is welded on the stepped region.

13. The beverage capsule according to claim 11, wherein the sidewall is provided with one or more inwardly extending protrusions located adjacent the stepped region, the punctured support plate being fixed between the one or more inwardly extending protrusions and the stepped region.

14. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein said distance between the punctured support plate and the base is at least 5 mm.

15. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the beverage capsule does not contain a filter paper.

16. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the beverage capsule comprises an annular rim contiguous with the sidewall, the lid being sealed to the annular rim.

17. The beverage capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a second stepped region near the lid, the second stepped region being configured to attach a filter bag to the sidewall, which filter bag is configured to hold the one or more beverage ingredients.

18. The beverage capsule according to claim 17, wherein the capsule further comprises a filter bag configured to hold the one or more beverage ingredients, the filter bag being attached to the second stepped region.

19. The beverage capsule according to claim 18, wherein the filter bag is welded to the second stepped region.

20. A beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine to prepare a beverage by passing a fluid through the beverage capsule, the beverage capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body comprising a base and a sidewall contiguous with the base, wherein the base is configured to be pierced by a draining member of the beverage preparation machine to allow draining a beverage from the beverage capsule; and a lid sealed to the cup-shaped body, the lid and cup-shaped body enclosing an interior volume, wherein the lid is configured to be pierced by an injection member of the beverage preparation machine to inject a fluid into the beverage capsule, wherein the sidewall comprises a first stepped region near the base and a second stepped region near the lid, the first stepped region being located at a distance from said base which is larger than or equal to a piercing height of the draining member of the beverage preparation machine and being configured to support a punctured support plate which divides the interior volume into a first compartment delimited in part by the lid which is configured to hold one or more beverage ingredients and a second compartment delimited in part by the base, the second stepped region being configured to attach a filter bag to the sidewall, which filter bag is configured to hold the one or more beverage ingredients.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention will be further explained by means of the following description and the appended figures.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a beverage capsule according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a beverage capsule according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIGS. 4 and 5 show details of FIG. 3.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an alternative punctured support plate for use in a beverage capsule according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a same view as FIG. 3 through an alternative beverage capsule according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a detail of FIG. 7.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a same view as FIG. 3 through an alternative beverage capsule according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0049] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0050] Furthermore, the various embodiments, although referred to as preferred are to be construed as exemplary manners in which the invention may be implemented rather than as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a beverage capsule 10 according to the present invention. The capsule 10 comprises a cup-shaped body 12 having a base 14, a sidewall 16 which is contiguous with the base 14 and an annular rim 18 which is contiguous with the sidewall 16. The capsule 10 further comprises a punctured support plate 20 and a lid 22 sealed to the sidewall 16, in particular to the annular rim 18. Beverage ingredients 24 are also schematically shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] As indicated in FIG. 3, the cup-shaped body 12 generally has a height H comprised between 25 and 65 mm. The height H is preferably at least 35 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, and most preferably at least 43 mm. The height H is preferably at most 55 mm, more preferably at most 50 mm, and most preferably at most 47 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H is about 45 mm.

[0053] The cup-shaped body 12 generally has an outer diameter D comprised between 30 and 70 mm. The outer diameter D is preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 45 mm, and most preferably at least 49 mm. The outer diameter D is preferably at most 60 mm, more preferably at most 55 mm, and most preferably at most 53 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D is about 51 mm.

[0054] The sidewall 16 has an inner diameter D.sub.i measured at the end 16a contiguous with the base 14 comprised between 15 and 55 mm. The inner diameter D.sub.i is preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, and most preferably at least 33 mm. The inner diameter D.sub.i is preferably at most 45 mm, more preferably at most 40 mm, and most preferably at most 37 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D.sub.i is about 35 mm.

[0055] The sidewall 16 has an outer diameter D.sub.o measured at the end 16b contiguous with the annular rim 18 comprised between 25 and 65 mm. The outer diameter Do is preferably at least 35 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, and most preferably at least 43 mm. The outer diameter D.sub.o is preferably at most 55 mm, more preferably at most 50 mm, and most preferably at most 47 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter D.sub.o is about 45 mm.

[0056] The dimensions H, D, D.sub.i and D.sub.o are mainly determined in function of the beverage preparation machine, in particular of the closed chamber inside the beverage preparation machine.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 16 is provided with a stepped region 16c, i.e. a region in which the diameter of the sidewall rapidly increases. The punctured support plate 20 engages this stepped region 16c as best shown in FIG. 4 and may be sealed thereto. The stepped region 14c divides the sidewall 14 into a first section 161 extending between the base 14 and the stepped region 16c and a second section 162 extending between the stepped region 16c and the annular rim 18.

[0058] As described above, the stepped region can be replaced by a change in inclination angles of the sidewall sections, e.g. the first sidewall section having an inclination angle of 30 or more (e.g.) 45 with the second sidewall section having an inclination angle of 20 or less (e.g.) 8. Furthermore, both a stepped region and/or inclination change may be absent in which case the punctured support plate 20 is welded to the sidewall 16 at the desired location.

[0059] The first sidewall section 16.sub.1 has a height H.sub.1 comprised between 3 and 20 mm. The height H.sub.1 is preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 8 mm, and most preferably at least 9 mm. The height H.sub.1 is preferably at most 15 mm, more preferably at most 12 mm, and most preferably at most 11 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H.sub.1 is about 10 mm.

[0060] The second sidewall section 16.sub.2 has a height H.sub.2 comprised between 20 and 50 mm. The height H.sub.2 is preferably at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, and most preferably at least 33 mm. The height H.sub.2 is preferably at most 45 mm, more preferably at most 40 mm, and most preferably at most 37 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H.sub.2 is about 35 mm.

[0061] The first sidewall section 16.sub.1 has an inclination angle .sub.1 with respect to the central axis 30 of the capsule 10 comprised between 0 and 10. The inclination angle .sub.1 is preferably at least 1 and more preferably at least 2. The inclination angle .sub.1 is preferably at most 8, more preferably at most 6, and most preferably at most 4 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle .sub.1 is about 3.

[0062] The second sidewall section 16.sub.2 has an inclination angle a.sub.2 with respect to the central axis 30 of the capsule 10 comprised between 0 and 20. The inclination angle a.sub.2 is preferably at least 2, more preferably at least 4, and most preferably at least 5. The inclination angle a.sub.2 is preferably at most 15, more preferably at most 10, and most preferably at most 8 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle a.sub.2 is about 6.

[0063] The inclination angles .sub.1 and .sub.2 are determined in order to maximize the volume inside the cup-shaped body whilst allowing the cup-shaped bodies to be stackable before assembly.

[0064] The punctured support plate 20 divides the internal capsule volume into a first compartment C1 and a second compartment C2. The first compartment C1 is normally empty and the second compartment C2 is filled with beverage ingredients 24. The first compartment C1 is delimited by the base 14, the first sidewall section 16.sub.1 and the punctured support plate 20. The second compartment C2 is delimited by the lid 22, the second sidewall section 16.sub.2 and the punctured support plate 20.

[0065] As described above, the beverage ingredients 24 are either extraction/infusion based ingredients (e.g. roasted ground coffee, tea leaves, etc.) or dissolution based (e.g. powder materials such as milk powder, chocolate powder, powdered tea, powdered soup, instant drink, etc.). Preferably, when the ingredients are extraction/infusion based ingredients, the beverage ingredients have a particle size distribution determined using optical microscopy according to ISO 13320:2020, wherein at least 90 volume %, and in particular at least 95 volume %, of the one or more beverage ingredients have a particle size of at least 30 m, in particular at least 40 m and more particularly at least 50 m.

[0066] The second compartment C2 has a volume comprised between 30 and 70 mml. The second compartment volume is preferably at least 35 ml, more preferably at least 40 ml, and most preferably at least 45 ml. The second compartment volume is preferably at most 60 ml, more preferably at most 55 ml, and most preferably at most 52 ml. In the illustrated embodiment, the second compartment volume is about 48 or 49 ml.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, the annular rim 18 has a flat section 182 and a rolled-over rim potion 18.sub.1. The lid 22 is normally sealed to the flat section 18.sub.2. The use of a rolled-over rim portion 18.sub.1 is a well-known technique for forming the free end of the annular rim when using a metal or metal-based laminate material to form the cup-shaped body 12. The rolled-over rim 18.sub.1 has a height h comprised between 0,8 and 2,0 mm. The height h is preferably at least 1,0 mm, more preferably at least 1,2 mm, and most preferably at least 1,25 mm. The height h is preferably at most 1,6 mm, more preferably at most 1,4 mm, and most preferably at most 1,35 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height h is about 1,25 mm.

[0068] Naturally, other shapes are possible for the rolled-over rim portion, e.g. an elliptic shape which increases the surface area of the flat section 18.sub.2 useable for sealing the lid 22. Furthermore, the orientation of the roll-over rim portion may also be clockwise instead of counter-clockwise in the illustrated embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 2 further illustrates that the base 14 is provided with a ridged contour 14.sub.c which divides the base 14 into an inner region 14.sub.i and an outer region 14.sub.o. Typically, the outer region 14.sub.o is punctured by a piercing member of the beverage preparation machine to drain a beverage from the capsule 10. The lid 22 is normally pierced by a piercing member of the beverage preparation machine to inject a fluid (typically water) into the capsule to create a beverage through interaction with the beverage ingredients. The operation of the beverage capsule 10 in a beverage preparation machine will not be described further and is considered known to the skilled person.

[0070] The punctured support plate 20 is provided with openings (schematically illustrated in FIG. 1) to allow the prepared beverage to pass therethrough. As described above, when the ingredients are extraction/infusion based ingredients, the openings in the punctured support plate 20 have a size so as to prevent at least 90 volume %, in particular at least 95 volume %, and specifically at least 99 volume %, of the beverage ingredients 24 from passing therethrough.

[0071] Depending on the type of beverage ingredients 24 (e.g. roasted ground coffee), the openings in the punctured support plate 20 have a smallest dimension which is at most 500 m, in particular at most 300 m, more in particular at most 200 m, and most in particular at most 100 m. The smallest dimension may be the diameter in case the openings are substantially circular (as in the illustrated embodiment) or the width in case the openings are formed as oblong slits as in the embodiment of the punctured support plated 20 illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the openings are substantially uniformly distributed across the punctured support plate 20 and are substantially the same. However, this is not necessary. The distribution of the openings may vary as described above. Moreover, the openings may have varying shapes and/or size.

[0073] The cup-shaped body 12 is usually obtained by deforming a flat sheet of material into the cup-shape. This may be done by deep drawing in a one-stage or multiple-stage process. Due to the presence of the stepped region 16c, the cup-shaped body 12 is usually manufactured in a multiple-stage process using differently sized punches sequentially. However, a multiple-element punch may also be used to manufacture the cup 12 in a single step.

[0074] According to the present invention, the cup 12, the punctured support plate 20 and the lid 22 all comprise metal and ideally a same metal for improving recyclability. In the illustrated embodiment, the cup 12 and the lid 22 are both made either solely from a metal or a metal-based laminate having a metal layer with a lacquer layer on one or both sides. Possible and preferred metals have been described above and will not be repeated. The punctured support plate 20 in the illustrated embodiment is made solely from a metal and ideally the same metal as used for the cup 12 and the lid 22.

[0075] In another embodiment, the cup 12 and the lid 22 are both made from a same metal-based polymer laminate. In this embodiment, the punctured support plate 20 is preferably made solely from a metal and ideally the same metal as used for the metal layer in the cup 12 and the lid 22. Possible and preferred metals and polymers have been described above and will not be repeated.

[0076] In yet another embodiment, the cup 12 is made from a metal or a metal-based laminate having a metal layer with a lacquer layer on one or both sides; the lid 22 is made from a metal-based polymer laminate and the punctured support plate 20 is preferably made solely from a metal. Ideally the metal is the same for each component. Possible and preferred metals and polymers have been described above and will not be repeated.

[0077] Another embodiment of a capsule 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be used to denote the identical elements/features, whereas a single quotation mark will be used to denote a different shape of said element/feature.

[0078] There are two main differences between capsule 10 and capsule 10. Firstly, the shape of the sidewall 16 has two stepped regions. Secondly, the punctured support plate has been replaced with a filter bag 26.

[0079] The shape of the sidewall 16 in capsule 10 comprises two stepped regions 16.sub.c, 16.sub.d thus dividing the sidewall 16 in three sections 16.sub.1, 16.sub.2, 16.sub.3. The sidewall parts 16.sub.a, 16.sub.1 and 16.sub.b are identical to those of FIG. 3 and will not be described further.

[0080] Sidewall section 16.sub.2 extends between the ridges sections 16.sub.c, 16.sub.d. The section 16.sub.2 has a steeper inclination than section 16.sub.2 for a same diameter D capsule. The second sidewall section 16.sub.2 has an inclination angle with respect to the central axis 30 of the capsule 10 comprised between 0 and 20. The inclination angle is preferably at least 1, more preferably at least 2, and most preferably at least 3. The inclination angle .sub.2 is preferably at most 15, more preferably at most 10, and most preferably at most 6 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle is about 4 or 5.

[0081] At the inner part of ridged section 16.sub.d, the sidewall 16 has a diameter D.sub.m comprised between 20 and 60 mm. The diameter D.sub.m is preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 35 mm, and most preferably at least 38 mm. The diameter D.sub.m is preferably at most 50 mm, more preferably at most 45 mm, and most preferably at most 42 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter D.sub.m is about 40 mm.

[0082] The ridged zoned 16d is separated from the free edge of the rolled over rim 18.sub.1 by a height H.sub.3 generally comprised between 1 and 20 mm. The height H.sub.3 is preferably at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm, and most preferably at least 94 mm. The height H.sub.3 is preferably at most 15 mm, more preferably at most 10 mm, and most preferably at most 7 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H.sub.3 is about 5 mm.

[0083] The second sidewall section 16.sub.2 has a height H.sub.2 comprised between 15 and 45 mm. The height H.sub.2! is preferably at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 25 mm, and most preferably at least 28 mm. The height H.sub.2 is preferably at most 40 mm, more preferably at most 35 mm, and most preferably at most 32 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the height H.sub.2 is about 30 mm.

[0084] It will be clear that the sum of heights H.sub.2 and H.sub.3 of capsule 10 may be the same as the height H.sub.2 of capsule 10.

[0085] The main reason for the presence of the second ridge 16d is to allow fastening a filter bag 26 thereto. This may be done in replacement to the punctured support plate 20 or in addition thereto.

[0086] Filter bags 26 are known in the art and may be made in various shapes, sizes, materials, etc. Commonly these are biodegradable, e.g. from paper-or cellulose based materials or from biodegradable polymer materials (e.g. polyactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBH), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), etc.) or from non-biodegradable materials (e.g. polypropylene (PP)). Furthermore, also other materials (e.g. metal, nylon, etc.) may be used.

[0087] In order to more easily seal the filter bag 26 to the cup-shaped body, it is beneficial to provide a lacquer layer on the inside of the cup-shaped body. More specifically, the lacquer is preferably provided on the inside of ridged step 16d. The lacquer is usually dependent on the material of the filter bag 26 and should be compatible therewith in the sense that it allows bonding of the filter bag 26 to the ridged step 16d. To that end, the lacquer may be polyvinchloride (PVC) based, although non-PVC-based lacquers are also known, for example based on polypropylene (PP). The bonding may be done using ultrasonic welding at a certain temperature, pressure, contact time as understood by the skilled person. The lacquer may be applied in various thicknesses and/or weights with applications between 3-15 g/m.sup.2 being preferred and between 6-12 g/m.sup.2 being more preferred.

[0088] The main advantage of the cup-shaped body shown in FIG. 7 is that a same body may be used to manufacture two different capsules 10, 10. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the second step 16d may be used to fix a filter bag 26 to the cup-shaped body to form capsule 10, while the first step 16c may be used for positioning the punctured support plate 20 as in the capsule 10. This is very advantageous from a manufacturing process point of view as there is no need for a double stock of cup-shaped bodies depending on the intended application (i.e. with or without paper filter bag).

[0089] Another embodiment of a capsule 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. This capsule 10 is nearly identical to the capsule 10 described above with the addition that the punctured support plate 20 described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6 is also included.

[0090] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be readily appreciated that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.