CAPSULE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE

Abstract

A capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device is disclosed. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a cover for closing the cup-shaped body. The cup-shaped body comprises an annular flange for the cover to seal thereon. At least the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp and comprises: a bottom wall, a tubular lateral wall and the annular flange. The lateral tubular wall is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped body in a first direction. The cup-shaped body further comprises a connecting wall connecting the lateral wall and the annular flange. The connecting wall comprises at least a part protruding outward with respect to the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body. This protruding part cooperates with an edge of a capsule enclosing member of the beverage preparation device for improving leak tightness during the preparation of the beverage.

Claims

1. A capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device, the capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body, and a cover for closing the cup-shaped body, said cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp and comprises a bottom wall, a tubular lateral wall and an annular flange for the cover to seal thereon, wherein said lateral wall and said annular flange are connected by a connecting wall of the cup-shaped body, wherein said connecting wall comprises at least a part protruding outward with respect to said lateral wall; and said at least a protruding part cooperating with an edge of a capsule enclosing member of the beverage preparation device for improving leak tightness during the preparation of the beverage.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the protruding part is integral with both the lateral wall and said annular flange of the capsule and is made of cellulose pulp.

3. The capsule according to claim 12, wherein the density of the at least a protruding part of the connecting wall is less than the maximum density of said lateral wall.

4. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said at least a protruding part has a greater thickness than the maximum thickness of said lateral wall.

5. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the at least a protruding part of the connecting wall has a rounded shape.

6. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the difference between the maximum density D1 of the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body and the density D2 of the protruding part of the connecting wall is a value comprised between 0.1% of D1 and 20% of D1, that is: $1\%D1\left(D1-D2\right)20\%D1$

7. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the connecting wall comprises at least one inner surface facing the cavity of the cup-shaped body, wherein said inner surface, seen in longitudinal section, is inclined in a direction forming an angle with the direction of inclination of the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body, wherein said angle is comprised between 100 and 150 and preferably is about 135.

8. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein at least the protruding part of the connecting wall has a shape chosen from one of following shapes, or has a shape which is a combination of one or more shapes selected from the group consisting of: externally said protruding part has a rounded shape and internally said protruding part has a flat shape inclined with respect of a longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped body; externally and internally said protruding part has a rounded shape; externally and internally said protruding part has a flat shape inclined with respect of a longitudinal axis of the of the cup-shaped body; and externally and internally said protruding part has a stepped shape.

9. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a percentage ranging from 80% to 100% by weight, and comprises at least an oxygen barrier liner attached at the inner and/or outer surface of said cup shaped body made of cellulose pulp, wherein said oxygen barrier liner is made of at least a home compostable polymer.

10. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein said capsule is a single use coffee capsule.

11. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] 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:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 2 indicated by arrow W;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 1 when it is enclosed in a capsule enclosing member of a beverage preparation device;

[0050] FIG. 4A is a schematic enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 4 indicated by arrow W1;

[0051] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are views similar to FIG. 3, showing three further embodiments of the capsule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device, is shown. This capsule comprises a cup-shaped body 1 and a cover 2 for closing the cup-shaped body 1.

[0053] The cup-shaped body 1 comprises an annular flange 3 for the cover 2 to seal thereon. The cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp and comprise at least a bottom wall 4, a tubular lateral wall 5 and the annular flange 3. The lateral wall 5 and the annular flange 3 are connected by a connecting wall 6 (see FIG. 3) of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0054] According to the invention, the connecting wall 6 comprises at least a part 7 (FIG. 3) protruding outward with respect to the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. This outwardly protruding part 7 can be defined as being convex. The protruding part 7, as part of the connecting wall 6, is integral with both the lateral wall 5 and said annular flange 3 of the capsule. Hence, the protruding part is made of cellulose pulp. This outwardly protruding part 7 can be defined as being convex. In use, this protruding part 7 cooperates with an edge 8 of a capsule enclosing member 9 of a beverage preparation device 10 (partially shown in FIG. 4) for improving leak tightness between said enclosing member 9 and the cup-shaped body 1 during the preparation of the beverage.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the density of the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 is less than the maximum density of the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. Additionally, said protruding part 7 has also a greater thickness T1 than the maximum thickness T2 of the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0056] Preferably, the difference between the maximum density D1 of the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 and the density D2 of the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 is a value comprised between 0.1% of D1 and 20% of D1, that is:

[00001]$0.1\%D1\left(D1-D2\right)20\%D1$

[0057] more preferably, the difference between the maximum density D1 of the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body 1 and the density D2 of the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 is a value comprised between 0.1% of D1 and 10% of D1, that is:

[00002]$0.1\%D1\left(D1-D2\right)10\%D1.$

[0058] In the context of the invention, the term density refers to the volumetric mass density of a material, which is the mass per volume unit of this material. The reduced density of the cellulose pulp of the protruding part 7 leads to a reduced stiffness and hardness of this part 7 with respect to the stiffness and hardness of the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1 having a greater density.

[0059] Preferably, the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 has a rounded shape in longitudinal section (see FIG. 3) and more preferably the external profile of said protruding part 7 is an arc of a circle. Even more preferably, the circular arc is an arc of a circle having a diameter of 0.53 mm+/30%.

[0060] The shape and the dimensions the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 allow a better and more gradual interaction between the edge 8 of the movable enclosing member 9 of the beverage preparation device 10, as well as a better sealing.

[0061] The shape, the dimensions and the density of the protruding part 7 of the connecting wall 6 guarantee tightness during the beverage preparation. Tightness is achieved through local compaction and/or deformation of the cellulose pulp of the protruding part 7 (as shown in FIG. 4A), due to the lower density and greater thickness of this protruding part 7 with respect to the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. This difference in density creates a sort of rubber effect and/or an increased mechanical flexibility of the protruding part 7, which is excellent for providing tightness: when the movable enclosing member 9 of the beverage preparation device 10 is closed around the capsule (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A) and the edge 8 of this movable enclosing member 9 presses onto the protruding part 7, said protruding part 7 is capable of flexing and deforming due to its lower density with respect to the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1. In addition, the lower density of the protruding part 7 could also have another favourable technical effect. When water is injected in the capsule, the lower density of the protruding part 7 allows this protruding part 7 to absorb some water and swell, hence increasing its non-compressed volume, and thereby also increasing the surface of contact between said protruding part 7 and the inner surface of the edge 8 of the enclosing member 9, thereby further improving leak tightness.

[0062] The cup-shaped body 1 is preferably revolutionary symmetrical. Preferably, the tubular wall 5 has a frustoconical shape, with a circular cross section and with an increasing diameter towards the annular flange 3.

[0063] Preferably, the lateral tubular wall 5, when seen in a longitudinal section, is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis A of the cup-shaped body 1, in a first inclination direction M1 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0064] The bottom wall 4 preferably comprises a first inclined wall 4A and a second wall 4B, so as to delimit a shallow concave volume. The first inclined wall 4A preferably has a frustoconical shape, with a circular cross section and with an increasing diameter towards the lateral wall 5. The second wall 4B is preferably flat (as shown in FIG. 2) or convex (from the point of view of the cavity 1A, i.e., protruding internally towards the cavity 1A).

[0065] The connecting wall 6 preferably comprises an inner surface 6B facing the cavity 1A of the cup-shaped body 1. This inner surface 6B, seen in longitudinal section, and when it is not compressed/deformed is inclined in a direction M2 (FIG. 3) forming an angle G with the inclination direction M1 of the lateral wall 5. The angle G is preferably comprised between 100 and 150 and more preferably is about 135. The inclination of the connecting wall 6 facilitates the deformation of said connecting wall 6 when it is engaged by the edge 8 of the enclosure member 9 and ultimately favours the seal.

[0066] The annular flange 3 comprises a preferably flat wall 3A.

[0067] The beverage preparation device 10, partially disclosed in FIG. 4, comprises the movable enclosing member 9 and a support plate 11 for supporting the cover 2 of the capsule. This support plate 11 tears off the cover 2 and allows the beverage to flow out of the capsule when the liquid injected into the capsule creates a predetermined pressure in the capsule.

[0068] As usual for the skilled person, the enclosing member 9 is movable from an initial position (not shown), which allows the introduction of the capsule in the beverage preparation device, and a brewing position (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A), wherein the enclosing member 9 and the support plate 11 tightly enclose the capsule. In this position pressurized liquid is injected into the capsule through openings formed by one or more pointed elements 12 of the beverage preparation device 10. These pointed elements 12 are designed for piercing the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1. The operation of the beverage preparation device 10, as well as the technical features of its various components, are well known to the skilled person and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0069] As discussed before, the cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a percentage ranging from 80% to 100% by weight.

[0070] The term cellulose fibres refers to fibres having a wood and/or a wood free origin. The fibres, by way of non-limiting examples, are: hard wood cellulose fibres, soft wood cellulose fibres, wheat fibres, corn fibres, bagasse fibres, bamboo fibres, hemp fibres, cotton fibres, other similar vegetable or plant fibres, or a combination thereof.

[0071] The cup shaped body of the capsule is preferably obtained by moulding in a mould a dry or wet, preferably wet, cellulose pulp.

[0072] Alternatively, the cup-shaped body 1 may be shaped from a sheet made of cellulose pulp, by deforming it into a mould to confer to the sheet the desired cup shape, as usual for the skilled person.

[0073] The cup shaped body made of cellulose pulp comprises at least one oxygen barrier liner 14 (FIG. 3) made of at least one, preferably several layers.

[0074] Preferably, after the cup shaped body of the capsule is moulded the oxygen barrier liner 14 (FIG. 3) is attached in a known manner to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup shaped body. For example, the oxygen barrier liner 14 is laminated on the inside and/or outside surface of said body.

[0075] Preferably the oxygen barrier liner 14 is made of at least a home compostable polymer, so that it is possible to throw the capsule or at least the cup-shaped body in the household compostable waste.

[0076] Preferably the multilayer oxygen barrier liner comprises a core layer having oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties, surrounded by a sealing layer for sealing said barrier liner to the cellulose pulp material.

[0077] A preferred multilayer barrier liner comprises a core layer having oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties, surrounded by sealing layers for sealing said barrier liner onto the cellulose pulp.

[0078] Preferably the barrier liner 14 is provided at all the inner surfaces of the cup-shaped body 1, such as to delimit at least the entire cavity 1A for housing the beverage substance.

[0079] The oxygen barrier liner 14 is made of a known mono or multilayer polymeric liner, comprising for example a polymer of fossil or non-fossil origin or a BioSource polymer, and is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup shaped body of the capsule.

[0080] The oxygen barrier liner, by way of non-limiting examples, comprises one or more of following layers: [0081] an outermost polymeric layer comprising a biodegradable polymer selected within the list of: polybutylene succinate (PBSA/bioPBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivates, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHA), or a combination thereof, [0082] a first tie layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin, [0083] a barrier layer comprising a polymer selected within the list of: butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or a combination thereof, [0084] a second tie layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin, [0085] an innermost polymeric layer comprising a biodegradable polymer selected within the list of: polybutylene succinate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivates, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHA) or a combination thereof.

[0086] Preferably, the first and outermost polymeric layer has a thickness comprised between 10 and 50 m, and said layer has an elongation at break comprised between 10% and 800%, a melt flow rate (MFR) comprised between 2 and 4 when measured at 150 C. during 10 minutes with a pressure of 2.16 kg, and said layer has a melting point temperature comprised below 80 C.

[0087] Preferably, the first tie layer has melting point temperature comprised between 180 C. and 230 C. and a thickness comprised between 1 and 12 m.

[0088] Preferably, the barrier layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 180 C. and 230 C. and a thickness comprised between 1 and 15 m.

[0089] Preferably the second tie layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 180 C. and 230 C. and a thickness comprised between 1 and 10 m.

[0090] Preferably, the innermost polymeric layer has a thickness comprised between 10 and 50 m, and said innermost layer has an elongation at break comprised between 10% and 1000%, a melt flow rate (MFR) comprised between 4 and 10 when measured at 190 C. during 10 minutes with a pressure of 2.16 kg, and said layer has a melting point temperature comprised between 110 C. and 180 C.

[0091] Preferably, the cup shaped body 1 and its oxygen barrier liner 14 are made of home compostable materials (for example in one or more of the materials listed above) so, that it is possible to throw this body it in the household compostable waste.

[0092] The cover 2 is made in a known material, preferably it is a polymeric film membrane.

[0093] The cover 2 may be flat, i.e., non-formed in a three-dimensional shape.

[0094] The cover 2 preferably comprises an oxygen barrier layer.

[0095] Preferably, also the cover 2 is made of at least a home compostable polymer so that it is possible to throw it and more preferably also the cup shaped body in the household compostable waste.

[0096] The cover 2 preferably comprises a sealing layer oriented towards the cavity 1A of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0097] As usual, the cover 2 may take a convex form, i.e., protruding externally with respect to the cavity 1A, (as shown in FIG. 2) if the capsule has an internal pressure of gas above atmospheric pressure.

[0098] The cover is sealed onto a sealing layer of the cup shaped body opening, in order to close it after filling with an ingredient.

[0099] Preferably, the barrier to oxygen for both the cover and the cup shaped body is selected to provide a sufficient shelf life depending on the nature of the beverage ingredients. For coffee, for example, the shelf life expected may be of 12 months.

[0100] FIGS. 5-7 respectively show a second, a third and a fourth embodiment of the invention, in which the capsules have the same technical features discussed with reference to the first embodiment but have a different connecting wall 106, 206 and 306.

[0101] In FIG. 5 the connecting wall 106 is rounded both externally and internally (if seen in longitudinal section) and the protruding part 107 is also rounded. Preferably, the external profile of the protruding part 107 is an arc of a circle. Preferably the circular arc is an arc of a circle having a diameter of 0.53 mm+/30%.

[0102] In FIG. 6 the connecting wall 206 and the protruding part 207 have the form of a slope and, when viewed in longitudinal section, are inclined in a direction M3 forming an angle G1 with the inclination direction M1 of the lateral wall 5. The angle G1 is preferably comprised between 100 and 150 and more preferably is about 135.

[0103] In FIG. 7 the connecting wall 306 has the form of a step and the protruding part 307 comprises a first wall portion 315, which is substantially parallel to the annular flange 3, and a second wall portion 320 which, seen in longitudinal section, is inclined in a direction M4, which forms an angle with the inclination direction M1 of the lateral wall 5: said angle is preferably comprised between 100 and 150 and, more preferably, is about 135.

[0104] The density of the protruding parts 107, 207 and 307 of the second, third, and fourth embodiments can be the same as that of the lateral wall 5 of the cup-shaped body 1, or can be less than the maximum density of this lateral wall 5.

[0105] The maximum thickness T3, T4, T5 of the protruding parts 107, 207 and 307 can be equal to the maximum thickness T2 of the lateral wall 5, or it can be greater.

[0106] The shape and the dimensions of the protruding parts 107, 207 and 307 of the connecting walls 106, 206 and 306 allow a better and more gradual interaction between the edge 8 of the movable enclosing member 9 and a better sealing.

[0107] The shape, the dimensions and the density of the protruding parts 107, 207 and 307 guarantee tightness during the beverage preparation. Tightness is achieved through local compaction and/or deformation of the cellulose pulp of the protruding parts 107, 207 and 307.

[0108] As previously mentioned, the complete capsule is biodegradable, most preferably compostable.

[0109] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments of the capsules described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention covered by the appended claims. For example, the connecting wall may have a shape that is the combination of the shapes of two or more of the connecting walls of the previously discussed embodiments.