TABLET OF SOLUBLE COFFEE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE

Abstract

A tablet (12) of soluble coffee comprises a predetermined amount of soluble coffee powder, suitable for producing a coffee-based beverage when immersed in water or other liquid substance. The tablet is characterized in that it comprises at least one hole (14) for increasing the wettable surface area of the tablet (12). Also described is a method for preparing a beverage, associated with the tablet.

Claims

1. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee comprising a predetermined quantity of soluble coffee powder, suitable for producing a coffee-based beverage when immersed in water or other liquid substance, characterized in that it comprises at least one hole (14) for increasing the wettable surface area of the tablet (12).

2. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one hole is a through-hole.

3. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a disc-shaped form.

4. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to either one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it has a parallelepiped form.

5. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one hole (14) has a circular cross-section.

6. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with two holes (14).

7. Tablet (12) according to any one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of holes (14).

8. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is packaged individually inside a protective wrapping which prevents the passage of gases from the outside to the inside of the wrapping and from the inside to the outside of the wrapping.

9. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one hole (14) has dimensions greater than 9 mm.

10. Tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one hole (14) has dimensions of between 9 and 12 mm.

11. Method for preparing a coffee-based beverage, comprising a first step during which a dosed amount of water is provided inside a receptacle and a second step during which a tablet (12) of soluble coffee according to any one of the preceding claims is immersed in the water present inside said receptacle.

Description

[0022] The characteristic features and advantages of a soluble coffee tablet made by applying the principles of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description hereinbelow, of preferred examples of embodiment provided by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a soluble coffee tablet according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the soluble coffee tablet shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top plan view of a soluble coffee tablet according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the soluble coffee tablet shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] The tablet 12 of soluble coffee according to the present invention comprises a predetermined quantity of soluble coffee. According to a possible embodiment of the present invention the quantity of soluble coffee by weight may be between 3 and 10 grammes.

[0028] As mentioned above, the soluble coffee powder is currently compacted using methods which are known per se and will therefore not be further described here.

[0029] The tablet 12 of compacted soluble coffee powder may have a cube-like, parallelepiped or disc-like form. It must however be considered that the soluble coffee tablet according to the present invention may have any solid form.

[0030] Advantageously, in the case of a disc-shaped soluble coffee tablet, the diameter may be between 33 and 36 mm and the thickness may be between 9 and 13 mm.

[0031] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention the at least one hole 14 is a through-hole, as can be clearly seen in the accompanying figures.

[0032] In accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the at least one hole 14 could also not be a through-hole. In this case the at least one hole is essentially a depression on the outer surface of the tablet.

[0033] Advantageously the hole may be circular or elliptical. In the case of a circular hole, the size of its diameter may be greater than 9 mm, and preferably between 9 and 12 mm.

[0034] In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the holes 14 may consist of a plurality of holes.

[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a tablet of soluble coffee powder with two holes 14.

[0036] Advantageously, the tablet 12 of soluble coffee may be packaged individually inside a wrapping which prevents the passage of fluid from the outside to the inside of the wrapping and from the inside to the outside of the packaging. It has in fact been noted that increasing the wettability of the tablet increases also the area thereof which is exposed to air. For this reason it has proved to be particularly advantageous to package the soluble coffee tablets individually inside a protective wrapping.

[0037] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the protective wrapping may consist of packaging aluminium, plastic or a composite material such as triplex, aluminium polypropylene or in any case other materials suitable for this purpose.

[0038] The advantages compared to the tablets of the prior art are therefore now clear.

[0039] Firstly, the holes present in the coffee tablet increase the surface area which can be wetted by the liquid inside which the tablet is immersed, increasing the mixing speed and therefore reducing the time needed for preparation of the beverage.

[0040] Furthermore, a packaging for soluble coffee tablets is provided such that the organoleptic characteristics of the coffee tablet remain unchanged for the longest possible amount of time.

[0041] Moreover, the method for producing a beverage is very fast compared to the prior art. It is sufficient to prepare a receptacle with hot or cold water, depending on the type of beverage to be prepared, and immerse the tablet of soluble coffee described above.

[0042] The description makes reference to tablets of soluble coffee, but the innovative principles of the present invention may be applied also to other types of soluble beverages such as infusions, soups, etc.

[0043] Moreover, reference has been made to water as the liquid in which the tablet may be dissolved, but the principles of the present invention may also be applied to other liquids such as milk, for the preparation of a milk coffee.

[0044] Depending on the quantity of water which is provided in the receptacle, it is possible to obtain a coffee of the desired intensity.

[0045] The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific requirements, may make modifications to the embodiments described above and/or replace the parts described with equivalent parts, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.