Compacted coffee tablet, system including said tablet and production process thereof

Abstract

A compacted coffee tablet, in particular a tablet of compacted roast and ground coffee beans, presenting an advantageous configuration in terms of compaction process, maintenance of shape and efficiency of coffee extraction, in particular of espresso type coffee. A beverage preparation systems including the compacted coffee tablet, and production processes thereof.

Claims

1. A tablet for preparing edible products, said tablet comprising a volume and a quantity of a compacted ground coffee, said tablet comprising a side cross-section presenting a maximum width (D.sub.T) and symmetric shape relative to a central longitudinal axis (XX), said tablet comprising an upstream-oriented portion and a downstream-oriented portion relative to a prevailing flow direction, and further comprising an intermediate portion that extends in height axially between said upstream and downstream-oriented portions and along said maximum width (D.sub.T) in at least a majority of the height of the intermediate portion along the prevailing flow direction, wherein the tablet is configured such that at least one of: a first part comprising at least 60% of compacted coffee volume is the intermediate portion; a second part comprising 30% of the compacted coffee volume is outside the intermediate portion and in at least a region that extends transversally up to a smaller dimension than the maximum width (D.sub.T), including on said upstream-oriented portion; a relation between the maximum width (D.sub.T) and a total height (H) of the tablet is at most 5:1.

2. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion extends along at least most part of the total height (H) of the tablet, and the intermediate portion configures perimeter transitions at an angle towards said upstream and downstream oriented portions.

3. The tablet according to claim 1, comprising at least one of: an asymmetric configuration, in terms of geometric shape relative to a central transversal plane (YY) such that said intermediate portion extends in an uneven manner with relation thereto; or an asymmetric configuration, in terms of total mass relative to the central transversal plane (YY), such that a mass fraction of said intermediate portion upstream thereof is different from a mass fraction of the intermediate portion downstream thereof.

4. The tablet according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following configurations: exterior side edges of the upstream-oriented portion define a transversal dimension smaller than the maximum width (D.sub.T), whereby a transition of the upstream-oriented portion to the intermediate portion includes an upstream-oriented perimeter surface, and the upstream-oriented portion comprises a surface that extends at least transversally relative to the prevailing flow direction, along at least most part and exterior edges of the upstream-oriented portion are in plane surface inclined at an angle of at least 65 and at most 85 relative to the prevailing flow direction.

5. The tablet according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following dimensional relations: the total height (H) comprised between 5 and 10 mm; a height (H.sub.11) of the upstream-oriented portion of at most 2 mm; a height (H.sub.12) of the downstream-oriented portion of at least 2 mm and at most 4 mm; the height of the intermediate portion of at most 7 mm and wherein the tablet comprises a granulometry distribution with at least 90% of the particles with an average dimension comprised between at least 100 m and up to 3000 m.

6. The tablet according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following dimensional relations: the maximum width (D.sub.T) comprised between 30 and 44 mm; a maximum transversal extension of a upstream cavity (A) comprised between 5 and 40 mm; a maximum transversal extension of a downstream cavity (B) comprised between 20 and 30 mm.

7. The tablet according to claim 1, comprising a downstream cavity (B) that extends in centred manner and curved surface when seen in side cut, along part of the transversal dimension of the downstream-oriented portion-, so that the perimeter region of said downstream cavity (B) comprises a part extending along an at least approximately transversal plane up to the exterior perimeter region of the downstream-oriented portion.

8. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the downstream-oriented portion is configured such that at least one of: an exterior perimeter region of said downstream-oriented portion comprises a surface that is curved when seen in transversal side cut, and that extends from the proximity of the perimeter region of a downstream cavity (B) to the intermediate portion, a perimeter region of the downstream cavity (B) extends between the curved surface of the downstream cavity (B) and the curved surface of the exterior perimeter region of the downstream-oriented portion, and the downstream-oriented portion comprises a perimeter region of the downstream cavity (B) that extends between the downstream cavity (B) and the exterior perimeter region of the downstream-oriented portion, in an extension at least approximately similar to the extension of the exterior perimeter region.

9. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the downstream-oriented portion is configured such hat at least one of: an exterior perimeter region of the downstream-oriented portion comprises a transversal dimension smaller than the maximum width (D.sub.T), whereby the transition of the downstream-oriented portion to the intermediate portion comprises a surface that extends along an at least transversal direction, and external perimeter edges of the downstream-oriented portion are rounded when seen in transversal side cut with a curvature radius comprised between 1 and 6 mm.

10. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein a -downstream cavity (B) is configured such that at least one of: a semi-spherical shape extends between at least 50% and at most 75% of the maximum width (D.sub.T), a characteristic dimension of the downstream cavity (B) measured on the downstream-oriented surface of the downstream-oriented portion, does not exceed 95% of a corresponding characteristic dimension measured on a same plane of a perimeter edge of the downstream-oriented surface of the downstream-oriented portion next to the intermediate portion.

11. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein the upstream-oriented portion comprises at least one upstream cavity (A) disposed in centred manner and configured to extend at least until the intermediate portion, and the at least one upstream cavity (A) occupies at least one of: a shape of linear type confining an area, and a shape of area type.

12. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upstream and downstream-oriented portions comprises at least one respective cavity (A, B) extending downstream and upstream, respectively, whereby said cavities (A, B) presents at least one of the following dimensional relations: said cavities (A, B) comprises a different cavity volume, when downstream cavity (B) comprises a volume bigger than the volume of upstream cavity (A); said cavities (A, B) comprises a different transversal extension, when downstream cavity (B) comprises a transversal extension bigger than the transversal extension of upstream cavity (A); said cavities (A, B) comprise a different configuration, when at least upstream cavity (A) does not present a rotation symmetric configuration with relation to central longitudinal axis (XX); at least one of said cavities (A, B) extends at least until proximity of the intermediate portion.

13. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein a region of transition from the upstream and downstream-oriented portions to the intermediate portion, comprises in each case a surface that extends along a transversal direction and that forms an at least approximately right angle with exterior wall of the intermediate portion.

14. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein a quantity of coffee grounds is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, and said quantity of coffee grounds presents moisture content comprised between 1 and 5% in mass.

15. The tablet according to claim 1, wherein a quantity of coffee ground corresponds to granulated coffee comprising a granulometry distribution with at least 90% of the particles with an average dimension comprised between 100 m and 3000 m.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention shall be hereinafter explained in greater detail based upon preferred embodiments and the attached Figures.

(2) The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

(3) FIG. 1: top view of a first embodiment of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2: bottom view of a first embodiment of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 3: side view of a first embodiment of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 4: side-cut view of the embodiment of tablet (1) according to FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 5: side view of a second embodiment of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(8) FIG. 6: side-cut view of the embodiment of tablet (1) according to FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 7: top view of a first embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(10) FIG. 8: top view of a second embodiment of the upstream cavity (A) in a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(11) FIG. 9: side view of a first embodiment of an individual portion (10) including a first type of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(12) FIG. 10: side view of an embodiment of a second type of individual portion (10) including a second type of tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(13) FIG. 11: flow diagram of a production process of a tablet (1) according to the present invention;

(14) FIG. 12: flow diagram of a production process of an individual portion (10) including a tablet (1) according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(15) FIGS. 1 to 4 reproduce representative views of a first embodiment of a tablet (1) according to the present invention.

(16) Said tablet (1) corresponds to a volume of coffee grounds that has been compacted so as to keep a corresponding three-dimensional form. Said volume corresponds to a regular geometry, including geometry that is rotation symmetric with relation to a central longitudinal axis (XX).

(17) In particular, the tablet (1) can present a quantity, or mass, of coffee ground, previously roasted and compacted, and presenting a general shape and dimension adapted so that said tablet (1) can be used as an individual portion (10) in the preparation of an aromatic beverage. In particular, said individual portion (10) is adapted so that can be supplied to an extraction device and operated therein in the preparation of coffee based beverage, such as for example espresso-type coffee.

(18) Said tablet (1) presents a transversal section with a total width (D.sub.T) and generally symmetric with relation to a central longitudinal axis (XX), and is configured so that presents an upstream-oriented portion (11) and a downstream-oriented portion (12), with relation to a prevailing flow direction, and further presents an intercalary portion (13) that extends between said upstream and downstream-oriented portions (11, 12) and in at least the most part of its extension, in the prevailing flow direction, and along said total width (D.sub.T).

(19) As represented, said individual portion (1) can present a generally circular transversal section, so that the individual portion (1) presents a general disk-like shape, or similar.

(20) According to an aspect of the invention, and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4, said upstream-oriented portion (12) presents an upstream cavity (B) that extends in centred manner from the upstream-oriented surface of the upstream-oriented portion (12).

(21) In particular, as represented in the drawing of FIG. 4, the downstream cavity (B) extends along only part of the transversal dimension of said downstream-oriented portion (12), so that the perimeter region of said downstream cavity (B) presents a part extending a long an at least approximately transversal direction up to the exterior perimeter region of said downstream-oriented portion (12).

(22) In terms of the structural resistance of the tablet, it has been determined as advantageous when the characteristic dimension, for example diameter, of the downstream cavity (B) in the downstream-oriented surface does not exceed 95%, preferentially does not exceed 90% of the corresponding characteristic dimension measured on the same plane, for example diameter, of the perimeter edge of said downstream-oriented surface of said downstream-oriented portion (12).

(23) On the other hand, in terms of extraction of beverage, is has been demonstrated as advantageous when the characteristic dimension of the downstream cavity (B) is of at least 40%, preferentially of at least 40% of the characteristic dimension of the downstream-oriented surface of said downstream-oriented portion (12).

(24) A cavity and a closed chamber are herewith advantageously provided, together with at least one of: a package wall of said tablet (1), and a wall of the extraction device, whereby the beverage resulting downstream can temporarily accumulate.

(25) Moreover, said downstream cavity (B) is configured so that extends along only part of the downstream-oriented surface of said tablet (1), not occupying the entire transversal extension thereof.

(26) In particular, said downstream-oriented portion (12) can present a perimeter region of downstream cavity (B) that extends between the downstream cavity (B) and the exterior perimeter region of said downstream-oriented portion (12), along an at least approximately similar extension, preferentially bigger extension than the extension of the exterior perimeter region.

(27) It is preferred when the exterior perimeter region of said downstream-oriented portion (12) presents a transversal dimension smaller than said total width (D.sub.T), whereby the transition from the downstream-oriented portion (12) to said intercalary portion (13) preferentially includes a surface that extends along an at least approximately transversal direction.

(28) Moreover, it is preferred when the exterior edges of said downstream-oriented portion (12) are rounded with a curvature radius comprised between 1 and 6 mm, preferentially between 2 and 5 mm.

(29) It is herewith advantageously provided a reinforcement of the structural resistance of the tablet (1) when submitted to the force of hydraulic pressure of said pressurized flow of extraction, along a prevailing flow direction that is at least approximately orthogonal with relation to the biggest extension of volume of the tablet (1), i.e., with relation to the total width (D.sub.T).

(30) In the case of a preferred embodiment (not represented), said downstream-oriented portion (12) can present a perimeter region of the downstream cavity (B) only of rounded shape, devoid of plane surfaces, said downstream perimeter region being preferentially configured with a rounded shape at least approximately in continuous curved connection with said downstream cavity (B).

(31) As represented in FIG. 4, said upstream-oriented portion (11) can present at least one upstream cavity (A) that can extend in centred manner. Said upstream cavity (A) can extend until said intercalary portion (13), and further additionally inwards of said intercalary portion (13), so as to promote an initial infiltration of the pressurized fluid in the volume of compacted coffee.

(32) According to another aspect of the present invention, and as can be observed in FIG. 3, the tablet (1) is configured so that the most part of the volume of compacted coffee is in a region that extends transversally to the total width (D.sub.T), including in said intercalary portion (13), and a second smaller part of the volume of compacted coffee is in a region that extends transversally to a dimension smaller than the total width (D.sub.T), including in said upstream-oriented portion (11).

(33) Moreover, it is very advantageous when the tablet (1) presents a relation between total width (D.sub.T) and total height (H) of at most 5, preferentially of at most 4.

(34) Moreover, it is advantageous when said intercalary portion (13) extends along at least the most part of the total height (H.sub.T) of tablet (1), and said intercalary portion (13) configures angled perimeter transitions, in particular reductions of width, at an towards said upstream (11) and downstream portions (12), preferentially including at an angle of at least approximately 90.

(35) A greater structural resistance of the compacted coffee tablet is herewith provided. Moreover, it is herewith provided a greater relative fraction of the total coffee mass with exposition along a maximum transversal dimension (D.sub.T) to the prevailing infusion flow direction, thereby contributing to a greater extraction efficacy of the coffee beverage.

(36) FIGS. 3 and 4 represent a first embodiment of the tablet (1) according to the present invention, whereby the upstream-oriented portion (11) presents an upstream cavity (A) that only extends on said upstream-oriented portion (11) and does not extend downstream to the region of the intercalary portion (13), whereas the FIGS. 5 and 6 represent a second embodiment of tablet (1) according to the present invention whereby the upstream cavity (A) extends downstream to the region of the intercalary portion (13). In the first case, the upstream cavity (A) can present a cylindrical shape whereas in the second case can present a conic shape.

(37) It has been demonstrated as advantageous when the downstream cavity (B) presents a semi-spherical, spherical-cap, or ovoid-like shape.

(38) Moreover, the second embodiment presents a tablet (1) with a total height (H) that is bigger than the total height (H) associated with the tablet (1) of said first embodiment.

(39) In particular, a beverage preparation system according to the present invention can include at least two types of tablets (1, 1) presenting different heights (H), and similar heights of upstream and downstream portions (H.sub.11, H.sub.12), so that only varies the height of respective intercalary portions (H.sub.13). It is further preferred when said types of tablets (1, 1) presents similar total diameters (D.sub.T).

(40) The tablet (1) according to the present invention presents a quantity of roasted and ground coffee beans that is compacted in a compaction process that includes providing said quantity of previously roasted and ground coffee beans to a compaction mold presenting an interior shape and dimensions corresponding to the tablet (1) according to the present invention.

(41) Said quantity of coffee grounds is advantageously comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferentially between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferentially between 5.3 and 6.7 grams, whereas said quantity of coffee grounds presents a humidity content comprised between 1 and 5% in mass, preferentially between 2 and 4% in mass.

(42) Moreover, it has been demonstrated as particularly advantageous in tests that have been carried out when said quantity of coffee corresponds to granulated coffee presenting a granulometry distribution with at least 90% of particles with an average dimension comprised between 100 m and 3000 m, preferentially with at least 85% of the particles with an average dimension between 250 m and 2000 m.

(43) FIGS. 7 and 8 represent two preferred embodiments of the upstream cavity (A) provided on the upstream-oriented surface of the upstream-oriented portion (11).

(44) Said at least one upstream cavity (A) can advantageously present an exterior perimeter corresponding to a geometric shape different from a circle, when seen in top view. In particular, said shape can correspond to at least one of: a polygon and an unclosed line (not represented in the drawings).

(45) It has been demonstrated as advantageous when the upstream cavity (A) that extends along at least one closed alignment confined by an exterior perimeter and an interior perimeter, both extending at the face of the upstream surface of said upstream-oriented portion (11). The upstream cavity (A) can herewith provide a preferential entry region of the upstream pressurized flow, favouring the orientation of its crossing of the compacted coffee tablet (1).

(46) In the case of the represented embodiments, said upstream cavity (A) can confine the cavity between an exterior perimeter and an interior perimeter, whereby said exterior and interior perimeters can advantageously present a geometric shape at least approximately similar, when seen in top view.

(47) In beverage preparation systems known in the prior art, it is known the use of beverage preparation apparatuses adapted so that can collect an individual portion, for example of roast and ground coffee, so as to prepare a beverage, for example of espresso type coffee.

(48) FIGS. 9 and 10 represent two types of individual portions (10, 10) including a compacted coffee tablet (1, 1).

(49) In the case of a first type represented in FIG. 9, the individual portion (10) presents a compacted coffee tablet (1), in particular a tablet (1) presenting a general configuration according to the presenting invention, and an envelope (2) in the form of an edible coating that provides gas barrier and can dissolve when exposed to a temperature of at least 50 C., preferentially of at least 60 C. Said edible coating is advantageously provided in a layer of at least approximately uniform configuration around the whole exterior surface of the tablet (1), preferentially so that the edible coating layer at least approximately follows the contour surface of at least one of respective upstream (A) and downstream (B) cavities is also coated by said edible coating.

(50) In the case of a second type represented in FIG. 10, said individual portion (10) presents a tablet (1) and an envelope of a non-edible material, in particular of a synthetic material, provided so that confines said cavities (A, B), but not following the shape contour thereof.

(51) The downstream cavity (B) in this case advantageously provides an extraction chamber, and the envelope (2) is preferentially configured, at least on the upstream-oriented side, so that temporarily retains the beverage flow that accumulated on said downstream cavity (B) against the retention of said envelope (2) until reaching a previously defined pressure value. There are known several embodiments of this type of envelope in the prior art so that one abdicates in this circumstance of a more detailed description thereof.

(52) In the case of a process of production of a compacted coffee tablet (1) according to the present inventionsee FIG. 11 , a previously determined quantity of previously roasted and ground coffee beans is supplied evenly split to a plurality of molds of a compaction machine.

(53) Said quantity of roast and ground coffee beans, is comprised between 4 and 8 grams, preferentially between 5 and 7 grams, particularly preferentially between 5.3 and 6.7 grams.

(54) In tests that have been carried out, it has been shown that it is particularly advantageous when said quantity of coffee grounds presents a humidity content comprised between 1 and 5% in mass, preferentially between 2 and 4% in mass.

(55) After supplying said quantity of roast and ground coffee beans, there is applied a plurality of successive compaction cycles with a compaction force comprised between 4 and 6 kN, preferentially between 4.5 and 5.5 kN.

(56) Said compaction force can be applied in two different directions by means of two punching tools.

(57) Said compaction molds and punching tools can be configured so as to provide a tablet (1) with an upstream-oriented portion (11) and a downstream-oriented portion (12) presenting at least one of: different volumetric dimension and different respective cavity (A, B).

(58) The process according to the present invention enables obtaining a tablet (1) with a friability corresponding to a hardness comprised between 10 and 20 N, preferentially between 13 and 17 N.

(59) FIG. 12 represents the steps of a complementary production process of an individual portion (10) including a tablet (1) according to the present invention.

(60) In particular, the process includes the supply of at least one, preferentially of a plurality of tablets (1) according to the present invention, to a first envelope part (2) adapted to interact with a downstream-oriented portion (12) of the tablet (1).