JP2011104358A - Capsule for preparation of coffee extract having structure facilitating perforation for injection of water - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capsule which is more easy perforable and which does not damage injection devices of the existing art. <P>SOLUTION: The capsule 1 for preparing a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device. The capsule has a frusto-conical body 2 with a rim 3, a side wall 4, an inlet wall 5, the inlet wall having a flat or convex portion 6, and a lower delivery wall 7 sealed to the rim 3 of the body, and a predosed amount of coffee in the capsule. The flat convex portion 6 has a structure 8 in relief or in recess arranged for facilitating penetration of blade structures belonging to the injection device and extending on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capsule for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in a capsule by hot water injected under pressure into the capsule using a water injection device having a perforated blade. The present invention also relates to a capsule system comprising the capsule of the present invention associated with a water injection device in a beverage production apparatus.

  The background of the present invention is in the field of capsules containing beverage ingredients or other food ingredients. The interaction between these ingredients and liquids can produce beverages such as coffee, tea, or other food products such as soup. The interaction can be based on the principle of extraction, mixing or dissolution of the beverage substance in the presence of a liquid diluent such as water.

  The capsule of the present invention is particularly adapted to contain ground coffee for producing a coffee beverage by injecting hot water into the capsule under pressure to obtain a coffee beverage from the capsule.

  A system and method for obtaining a fluid food product from a substance-containing capsule is known, for example from European Patent Application No. 512 470. Thus, the capsule is closed only in use, for example by a wall, preferably a liquid impervious wall, including an inlet wall that is perforated for water injection when the capsule is introduced into the device.

  The improvement consists in providing an injection device comprising a series of blades separated from a central injection conduit as described in EP 199022. A better flow distribution is obtained when compared to the central drilling obtained with a single injection needle. Such a device works well with a capsule body formed from thin aluminum. This is because aluminum tends to perforate easily due to its mechanical properties. The perforations can also be well defined dimensionally and geometrically, thus giving a good flow distribution across the raw material layer in the capsule. However, the known embodiments are difficult to repeatedly puncture certain capsules formed from more resilient materials such as polymers, and the resulting punctures are not well defined dimensionally and geometrically. Suffer from the inconvenience of possible. In particular, the use of capsules with plastic walls or biodegradable polymers can make it relatively difficult to perforate the material, and the sharpness of the perforated member of the device can deteriorate relatively quickly. Thus, new capsules can no longer be accurately drilled. For example, new capsules are partially or poorly perforated, which results in a poor flow distribution of liquid in the capsules and affects the quality of the extract. Also, the beverage production device may have to be returned to a service or maintenance station for repair or replacement of a damaged piercing member.

  The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a capsule that can be more easily perforated to ensure a good quality of extraction and that does not damage existing art injection devices.

  WO 2010/041179 relates to a capsule for producing a beverage having an upper wall with a weakened area on its inner surface that is adapted to be moved when exerted by an external element.

The present invention relates to a capsule for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in a capsule and hot water injected under pressure into the capsule by a water injection device, the capsule comprising:
A frustoconical body comprising a peripheral edge, a side wall and an inlet wall, the inlet wall comprising a flat portion or a convex portion;
A lower supply wall sealed against the periphery of the body;
A certain amount of coffee in the capsule,
With
The flat part or the convex part has a undulating or concave structure part,
The undulating or concave structure is arranged to facilitate penetration through the structure of the blade belonging to the injection device and has a predetermined radius equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blade of the injection device extends. It relates to a capsule extending on a substantially circular path of R1.

  In the first embodiment, the structure portion forms a continuous concave circular portion or annular portion having a radius R1.

  In the second embodiment, the structure portion forms a plurality of arcuate recesses having a radius R1.

  In the third embodiment, the structure forms a continuous circular or annular embossment with a radius R1. The advantage of the embossed structure is essentially increased local stiffness around the structure to facilitate drilling.

  In the fourth embodiment, the structure portion forms a plurality of discontinuous embossed portions extending along a circular path having a radius R1.

  In general, it is preferred that the structure forms an inlet wall thickness that is locally reduced compared to the thickness of the inlet wall outside the structure. As a result, the puncture resistance of the structure is reduced compared to other parts of the capsule body, which facilitates drilling with the blade, but also better geometrically and dimensionally defined drilling. The

  In the fifth embodiment, the structure includes an annular recess having a radius R1 including a plurality of injection holes, and an airtight film sealed against the inner wall to cover the injection holes in a sealed state.

  In all the previous forms, the body is preferably formed of a self-supporting, integrally molded cup-shaped object that also forms at least the inlet wall and the side walls, preferably the periphery.

  In a sixth embodiment, the structure is formed by a porous membrane or one or more filters that are supported against the rigid skeleton. The skeleton can form several legs that separate the porous portions that form the structure that facilitates penetration of the blade.

  In the seventh embodiment, the structure portion forms one or more fragile lines. The lines can be distributed as a circle as in the first embodiment, or can be distributed as a series of lines that are oriented laterally and distributed along a circular path of radius R1. preferable. More preferably, the line is obtained by reducing the thickness of the inlet wall, for example by laser or mechanical engraving.

  In an eighth configuration, the structure is obtained by an inlet wall having a reduced thickness compared to the side wall of the capsule.

Moreover, the present invention is a capsule for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in a capsule and hot water injected under pressure into the capsule by a water injection device,
A frustoconical body comprising a peripheral edge, a side wall, and an inlet wall;
A lower supply wall sealed against the periphery of the body;
A certain amount of coffee in the capsule,
With
The inlet wall has a structure arranged to facilitate the penetration of the blade belonging to the injection device, the structure being in the form of a reduced thickness compared to the thickness of the side wall, the blade of the injection device It relates to a capsule having at least a radius equal to the radius of a circular path extending along it.

  In one form, it is preferable that a main body is a self-supporting integral molding extended by the said flange-shaped periphery.

  The thickness reduction can extend from the central axis of the capsule to or toward the junction of the side walls.

  The reduced thickness inlet wall may comprise reinforcing members that extend locally (inner and / or outer) on the inlet wall to increase the rigidity of the wall during drilling with the blade. The reinforcement member can extend radially as a plurality of narrow ridges and / or can extend coaxially around the central axis of the inlet wall. The reinforcing member preferably extends both on the inlet wall and on the side wall of the body, for example as a narrow radially extending ridge. It is preferred that the predetermined circular line of radius R1 corresponding to the circular line of radius R2 for the extension of the blade is substantially free of reinforcing members. “Substantially free” means here that at least 80%, more preferably at least 95%, of the circumference of the radial line is not covered by the reinforcing member. The coaxially extending ridge forming the reinforcing member preferably extends outside the circular line of radius (R1).

  In all embodiments, the frustoconical body can be formed from a polymeric material.

  The frustoconical body preferably comprises polypropylene or polyethylene.

  Alternatively, the frustoconical body can comprise a biodegradable material. For example, the frustoconical body includes cellulose, starch-based material, or polylactic acid (PLA).

  In another means, the reduced thickness structure is formed from a different material than the material of the body outside the structure. More specifically, the structure can be formed from a plastic or aluminum foil that is embedded or sealed, or otherwise connected to the sidewalls of the body.

  The supply wall may be a membrane that perforates under the action of increasing pressure in the capsule against a capsule holder with a perforating element, for example as described in detail in EP 0512470. The supply wall is preferably thin aluminum, thin polymer, or a combination thereof. In a preferred example, the supply wall is about 20-100 micron aluminum foil.

  The supply wall may also be a permeable wall such as a filter formed from a plastic filter membrane, filter paper, or other biodegradable material.

  The supply wall is connected in a sealed state to the bottom surface of the periphery of the main body, such as heat or ultrasonic welding.

  The periphery can be provided with sealing means. The sealing means forms at least one integral protrusion or lip extending from the periphery, or an additional sealing element such as rubber, soft plastic, foam or fiber.

  The sealing means may be formed by a material thickness that softens when compressed under the compressive force of the device and / or softens with the temperature of the liquid injected into the capsule.

  The sealing means can be integral with the body of the capsule, i.e. formed from the same material. For example, the sealing means may be a biodegradable material comprising starch, and optionally a component selected from at least one biodegradable resin, fiber, protein, lipid, and combinations thereof. May be.

  With respect to the important size and shape of the capsule, the radius R1 of the structure is preferably in the range of 4-12 mm, most preferably 6-9 mm. The inlet wall preferably has a diameter in the range of 22-25 mm. The supply wall of the capsule preferably has a diameter in the range of 30-40 mm. The capsule body preferably has a height in the range of 27-30 mm. The peripheral edge of the capsule preferably has a width in the range of 3-5 mm.

  In order to improve the perforation of the capsule, the inlet wall has a convex portion that forms an angle of 5 to 40 degrees with respect to the plane through which the flange-like periphery of the body passes.

  The present invention also relates to a capsule system comprising a capsule of the present invention associated with a water infusion device of a beverage production device comprising a series of blades for injecting water into the capsule through said inlet wall, A concave structure is disposed along a circular path of radius R2 approximately equal to radius R1 extending along it. The water injection device comprises three blades that are evenly distributed along the circular path of radius R2 to ensure a uniform distribution of water into the capsule through the raw material layer, eg ground coffee. preferable.

1 shows a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the capsule of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the capsule of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the capsule of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the capsule which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the capsule of FIG. 5. It is a perspective view of the capsule which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the capsule of FIG. It is a bottom view of the capsule of FIGS. It is a bottom perspective view of a water injection device. It is a top view of the capsule which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the capsule which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a top view of the capsule of FIG.

  A first embodiment of the capsule is shown in FIGS.

  The capsule 1 is for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule and hot water injected under pressure into the capsule by the water injection device 50 shown in FIGS. 10 and 4. .

  The device of FIG. 10 is formed from a capsule cage comprising a series of blades 20, 21, 22 arranged along a circular pattern of radius R2. The center or cage is provided with a liquid injection conduit 51 for supplying water into the cage under pressure.

  The capsule of the present invention includes a truncated cone-shaped main body 2 including a peripheral edge 3, a side wall 4, and an inlet wall 5.

  The entrance wall includes a flat portion or a convex portion 6.

  The capsule further comprises a lower supply wall 7 which is sealed against the peripheral edge 3 of the body.

  The capsule comprises a predetermined dose of, for example, roast and ground coffee in the capsule.

  The flat convex portion 6 has a concave annular structure portion 8 provided to facilitate the penetration of the blades 20, 21, 22 of the injection device 50.

  The structure 8 extends on a substantially circular path of a predetermined radius R1 approximately equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades 20, 21, 22 of the injection device extend.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure forms a continuous concave circular or annular portion 8 of radius R1. As a result, the blade always enters the concave circular or annular portion 8 regardless of the rotational position of the capsule relative to the injection device 50.

The structure unit 8 forms the thickness t of the inlet wall 5 which is locally reduced as compared with the outer thickness t ₀ of the inlet wall or side wall of the main body of the structure. The structure 8 facilitates drilling, but the capsule remains closed and the coffee powder cannot escape from the capsule during storage.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the capsule of FIG. 1, in which the structure forms a plurality of recesses 80, 81, 82, 83 arranged along a circular path of radius R1. . The recess can be arcuate or linear. Thus, the structure is not a continuous annular structure but is discontinuous and forms several separate parts extending along the radius R1 and separated by the non-concave part of the inlet wall. The recess has a thickness t that is reduced compared to the thickness t ₀ on the outside of the structure. The thickness reduction can make up 30-90% of the thickness of the outer wall of the structure. The number and length of the recesses 80-83 are provided so that the blades 20, 21, 22 are opposed to the structure regardless of the position of the capsule in the injection device. The thickness can be reduced by various means, for example directly by thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding of the body, or by laser or mechanical engraving of the structure itself after molding the body, or stamping. It can be obtained by processing. The capsule remains closed by the reduced thickness structure so that the coffee is protected from moisture.

  Of course, instead of a recess, the structure can be replaced by a continuous circular embossment of radius R1 or a plurality of discrete embossments extending along a circular path of radius R1.

  5 and 6 show a capsule having a structure with an annular recess 84 extending along a radius R1. The recess 84 must be narrow enough to guide the blade during introduction of the capsule into the cage of the infusion device 50. A plurality of injection holes 89 are provided in the recess 8 in order to ensure the distribution of the water flow within the capsule. Finally, an airtight membrane 30 that is sealed against the inner wall can be provided to cover the recess 84 including the injection hole 89 in a sealed state. Note that at least the bottom of the recess 84 is formed from a thickness that is less than the thickness of the inlet wall outside the recess to facilitate entry of the blade into the capsule. If this is not the case, the recess 84 is designed to ensure that the blade is fully contained in the recess formed by the recess, or the recess is inward under an introduction force applied to the blade. It must be deep enough to be able to stretch.

  7 to 9 show a fourth embodiment in which the structure portion is formed by a porous or nonporous thin film supported on the hard skeleton portion 61, or the filter 60. The skeletal part ensures the support of the membrane or filter, especially after extraction, to prevent the capsule from collapsing or deforming when wet. The membrane or filter may be, for example, a filter paper or a polymer porous membrane, a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric. The membrane may be a membrane that does not allow the injected water to permeate, such as a thin polyethylene foil. The membrane can be supported by a skeleton formed from a harder and thicker paper or cardboard or polymer. The skeletal portion has a number of legs 62, 63, 64 separating porous or non-porous membrane or filter portions 85, 86, 87, 88 that form a structure that facilitates penetration of the blades through the membrane. , 65 is formed. Note that blade penetration is not important when the membrane is porous or when the membrane is a filter. In such a case, the material can eventually be sufficiently elastic to stretch without being traversed by the blade. The filter can extend along the side wall of the body. Alternatively, the filter is confined on the inner wall of the capsule and the skeleton forms the entire side wall.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a membrane or filter can extend to form the lower supply wall 7 of the capsule. The skeleton can further form the peripheral edge 3 of the capsule.

  In all embodiments, the frustoconical body can be formed from polymeric or cellulosic materials (paper, cardboard) or natural fibers.

  In a preferred form, the frustoconical body comprises polypropylene or polyethylene.

  In another form, the frustoconical body comprises a biodegradable material.

  The frustoconical body includes cellulose, starch-based material, or polylactic acid (PLA).

  The peripheral edge of the capsule is preferably provided with sealing means 40 for filling the radial groove 52 formed in the end pressing surface 53 of the injection device (FIG. 10). The sealing means 40 forms at least one integral protrusion or lip extending from the periphery, or rubber, soft plastic, foam, or fiber (eg, paper, cardboard, or synthetic or natural fiber) More preferably, additional sealing elements such as

  FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which the structure of the inlet wall is formed from a series of weak lines extending perpendicular to a circular path of radius R1. The line may be a discrete region of reduced thickness obtained for example by laser or mechanical engraving.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the capsule according to the invention, in which the inlet wall 5 and the side wall 4 have a reduced thickness extending from the capsule axis to the outer peripheral edge of the inlet wall 5. It is formed from a self-supporting monolithic cup-shaped body with a “t” structure 801. The decrease in thickness “t” is compared against the larger thickness “t ₀ ” of the sidewall. The reduction in thickness is preferably at least 20%, preferably at least 50% of the thickness “t ₀ ”. The thickness “t” of the inlet wall is preferably less than 1.0 mm, most preferably 0.2 to 0.8 mm. As a result, the blade of the injection device can be drilled inlet wall in a simple manner in the region of the inlet wall corresponding to the radius R _2. At the same time, the capsule is sufficiently hardened by the increased thickness (t ₀ ) sidewalls. Thus, the blade can pierce the inlet with a circular line of radius (R1) corresponding to the extended line of radius (R2) of the blade in the device without collapsing the capsule in the axial direction of the capsule. Depending on the specific stiffness of the polymer and / or biodegradable material, reinforcement members 70, 71, 72, 73 in or on the walls 4, 5 are required if a higher stiffness is required. Is provided. The reinforcement members may be shorter in lengths 70, 72 to reduce the compensation range along different lengths, eg, radius R1. The reinforcing member is preferably integrated with the main body by molding (for example, injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, stamping, etc.) on the outer surface or inner surface of the main body. However, the reinforcing member can also be provided as an element embedded in the constituent material of the body itself, such as metal or hard plastic fibers and / or wires. The reinforcing member can only extend at the inlet wall 5 but preferably also extends at the side wall 4 in order to ensure a higher axial resistance against axial deformation during drilling. In order to prevent a very high resistance acting on the capsule against unexpected bending of the blade and / or closure of the device, the reinforcing member is almost free within a circular line of radius R1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Capsule, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Perimeter, 4 ... Side wall, 5 ... Entrance wall, 6 ... Flat part or convex part, 7 ... Lower supply wall, 8 ... Annular structure part, 20, 21, 22 ... Blade, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Airtight film | membrane, 40 ... Sealing means, 50 ... Water injection apparatus, 51 ... Liquid injection conduit | pipe, 52 ... Radial direction groove, 53 ... End part press surface, 60 ... Filter, 61 ... Skeletal part, 62, 63, 64, 65 ... Leg, 70, 71, 72, 73 ... Reinforcing member, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 ... Recess, 85, 86, 87, 88 ... Filter part, 89 ... Injection hole, 801 ... Structure part, R1, R2 ... radius, t, t 0 _... thickness.

Claims (17)

A capsule (1) for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in a capsule and hot water injected under pressure into the capsule by a water injection device,
A frustoconical body (2) comprising a peripheral edge (3), a side wall (4) and an inlet wall (5), the inlet wall comprising a flat or convex part (6);
A lower supply wall (7) sealed against the periphery (3) of the body;
A predetermined dose of coffee in the capsule;
With
The flat protrusion (6) has a undulating or concave structure (8; 80, 81, 82, 83; 84; 85, 86, 87, 88, 89);
The undulating or concave structure is arranged to facilitate penetration of the structure by a blade belonging to the injection device and extends on a substantially circular path of a predetermined radius R1 A capsule in which the radius R1 of this circular path is equal to the radius R2 of the circular path through which the blades (20, 21, 22) of the injection device extend.   Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the structural part forms a continuous concave circular or annular part (8) of radius R1.   The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the structure forms a plurality of recesses (80, 81, 82, 83) or lines (89) extending along a circular path of radius R1.   The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the structural part forms a continuous circular embossment having a radius R <b> 1 or an annular embossing.   The capsule of claim 1, wherein the structure forms a plurality of discontinuous embossed portions extending along a circular path of radius R1.   The structure (8; 80, 81, 82, 83; 89) forms an inlet wall (5) having a locally reduced thickness compared to the thickness of the inlet wall outside the structure; The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   7. Capsule according to claim 6, wherein the local reduction in thickness is obtained by laser or mechanical engraving.   The structure includes an annular recess (84) having a radius R1 including a plurality of injection holes (89), and an airtight membrane (30) sealed against the inner wall so as to cover the injection holes in a sealed state. The capsule according to claim 1.   Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the structural part is formed by a porous membrane or filter (60) supported against a rigid skeleton part (61).   The skeleton portion forms a plurality of legs (62, 63, 64, 65), and the legs form a porous portion (85, 86, 87, 88) The capsule of claim 9, which separates 88). A capsule for producing a coffee extract from coffee contained in a capsule and hot water injected under pressure into the capsule by a water injection device,
A frustoconical body (2) comprising a peripheral edge (3), a side wall (4) and an inlet wall (5);
A lower supply wall (7) sealed against the periphery (3) of the body;
A predetermined dose of coffee in the capsule;
With
Structures (8; 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, wherein the inlet wall (5) is arranged to facilitate the penetration of the blades (20, 21, 22) belonging to the injection device 87, 88, 89, 801), the structure is in the form of a reduced thickness (t) compared to the thickness of the side wall (4), and the blade (20, 21. Capsule having at least a radius (R1) equal to the radius (R2) of the circular path from which 21, 22) extends.   12. Capsule according to claim 11, wherein the body is a self-supporting monolith extending with a flange-like periphery (3).   The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the frustoconical body is formed of a polymer material.   14. A capsule according to claim 13, wherein the frustoconical body is formed from polypropylene or polyethylene.   15. A capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frustoconical body comprises a biodegradable material.   16. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the periphery comprises a sealing means (40).   A series of blades comprising the capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and a water injection device of the beverage production device, wherein the water injection device injects water into the capsule through the inlet wall. (20, 21, 22), and the blade is substantially at a radius R1 from which the undulating or concave structure (8; 80, 81, 82, 83; 84; 85, 86, 87, 88, 89) extends. Capsule system arranged along a circular path of substantially equal radius R2.

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