Capsule for the preparation of a drink

Description

1 / 13 Capsule for preparing a beverage.

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule, entirely made of plastic, for preparing a beverage, which contains an extractable powdered food product, which allows the preparation of a beverage by passing water under pressure through it. This extractable powdered food product may be soluble or of the type that can be extracted by infusion, such as, for example, roasted coffee powder.

[0002] In particular, this invention relates to a capsule of the type described in patents EP1574452, EP1604915 and EP1808382. A capsule which, when used in a suitable beverage preparation machine, is capable of producing a beverage for a cup placed under the capsule. This type of capsule prevents contact between the extractable powdered food product and ambient air until its use in preparing a beverage, thus preventing contamination of the extractable powdered food product. The beverage preparation machine perforates the sealing element to inject water into the capsule. In the capsules of the prior art, the flow of the beverage is achieved due to the inclusion inside of an oxygen barrier made of aluminum film which, after the injection of water into the capsule, is expanded and broken by contact with fixed contact elements arranged inside the capsule. In particular, fixed contact elements Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 6 / 19 2 / 13 feature pyramid-shaped tips that allow the aluminum foil to rupture when expanded.

[0003] In the prior art capsules of the type described in the patents above, the beverage is discharged from the capsule into the cup without contact with any part of the beverage preparation machine. To this end, the body of the thermoformed capsule has a cup shape, i.e., truncated cone, the top of which terminates in a circular crown-shaped flap, in which a sealing film is placed, and the bottom has a dome shape, injection molded, with a central tubular part that extends outwards and surrounds the discharge orifice to guide the beverage as it is discharged, ensuring that it is correctly oriented towards the cup.

[0004] The capsule of the present invention, when compared with other prior art capsules on the market, similar to the capsules of the type described in patents EP1574452, EP1604915 and EP1808382, but not described in any patent document, does not have the outer skirt present in such capsules. The capsule of the present invention also has the important advantage of not using aluminum for the capsule's operation, nor is there a need to use filter paper, as labyrinthine circuits are used at the bottom of the capsule according to the invention to perform the filtration of the beverage and thus ensure that Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 7 / 19 3 / 13 no residue of the extractable powdered food product passes into the cup.

[0005] The capsule according to the present invention for preparing a beverage is composed of a body comprising substantially a cylindrical side wall, which extends into an inverted truncated conical wall, which in turn extends into a cylindrical side wall of small height, which terminates in a flange in the form of a circular crown, the top of the capsule being sealed by a sealing film, welded to said flange, said cylindrical side wall terminating in a circular bottom wall, which externally presents a plurality of radial triangular ribs, which terminate in a central zone delimited by the exterior of said cylindrical wall of small diameter, the interior of which communicates with the interior of said capsule, there being disposed within it, at least a first film and a second film, which together with the side wall of the body delimit a chamber, which is intended to contain an extractable powdered food product.

[0006] The aforementioned cylindrical side wall extends inward beyond the intersection with the inverted truncated cone wall and has a plurality of slits at the top of this extension, the aforementioned inverted truncated cone wall having a plurality of triangular ribs in the vicinity of each of the aforementioned slits. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 8 / 19 4 / 13

[0007] The first film is welded to the top of the extension of the cylindrical side wall and to each of the aforementioned triangular ribs within the inverted truncated wall, and together with the sealing film, it delimits a first small empty chamber.

[0008] The aforementioned circular bottom wall of the body presents an internally complex conformation, which is defined, starting from the cylindrical side wall towards the center, by a smooth projection in the shape of a circular crown, followed by a recessed part of the circular bottom wall with a complex configuration, comprising a first circular zone, in which a plurality of pointed pyramidal formations are arranged, between which are arranged a plurality of rectangular ribs, whose side pointing inwards is rounded, the said first circular zone being followed by a first smooth circular interval, followed by a second circular zone, consisting of a plurality of small, substantially rectangular first crenellations, the said second circular zone being followed by a second smooth circular interval, followed by a third circular zone,consisting of a plurality of second, substantially trapezoidal battlements larger than the first battlements of the second circular zone, said third circular zone followed by a third smooth circular interval, followed by a fourth circular zone, Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 9 / 19 5 / 13 consisting of a plurality of third battlements and a plurality of fourth battlements substantially trapezoidal, larger than the second battlements of the third circular zone, said third battlements being grouped into a plurality of groups, each of said groups being separated by at least one fourth battlement, the fourth circular zone being followed by a fifth circular zone, coinciding with the top of said small-diameter cylindrical wall, in the central part of which is disposed a compact cylindrical body, which is connected to the top of this small-diameter cylindrical wall by at least three supporting ribs, said first, second, third and fourth battlements all projecting at the same height from said circular bottom wall and defining labyrinthine circuits among themselves.

[0009] The second layer is welded to the smooth projection of the circular bottom wall and to the tops of the first, second, third and fourth battlements and to the top of said supporting ribs.

[0010] The second layer between the aforementioned smooth projection of the circular back wall and the second circular zone has a plurality of weakening zones, defining the aforementioned second layer and the aforementioned second, third and fourth circular zones among themselves as labyrinthine circuits. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 10 / 19 6 / 13

[0011] The first, second films and the sealing films are made of one or more layers of plastic, which may be made of different plastics.

[0012] The capsule for preparing a beverage according to the present invention can be used in the same type of beverage preparation machines that use the capsules of the prior art mentioned above, but it has a different shape from said capsules, and aims to solve the following problems: reduce the amount of plastic used in the production of each capsule, due to the reduction of its dimensions; make the recycling of the capsule easier and more ecological, using only plastic throughout the capsule including the films; reduce the amount of water consumed in the preparation of each beverage; make the packaging of several capsules smaller due to the reduction in the dimensions of the capsules.

[0013] The resolution of the indicated problems is achieved by means of a capsule for preparing a beverage as described in this description and claimed in the appended claims.

[0014] Other features and advantages of this invention will be evident from the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of a capsule for preparing a beverage, represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 11 / 19 7 / 13 Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a capsule for preparing a beverage made according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view below the capsule in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the main axis of the capsule in Figure 1, where the sealing film, the first film, and the second film are visible; Figure 4 is a top view of the circular back wall of the capsule in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top view of the circular bottom wall of the capsule from Figure 1, with the second welded film, in which the weakened areas are shown in black;

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 show capsule 1, which is composed of a body 2 comprising substantially a cylindrical side wall 3, which extends into an inverted truncated conical wall 10, which in turn extends into a cylindrical side wall of small height 11, which terminates in a flange 12 in the form of a circular crown. The top of the capsule is filled with a filling film 4, welded to said flange 12 in the form of a circular crown. The cylindrical side wall 3 terminates in a circular bottom wall 7, which externally presents eight radial triangular ribs 8, which terminate in a central area delimited by the exterior of the Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 12 / 19 8 / 13 cylindrical wall 9 of small diameter, whose interior communicates with the interior of capsule 1.

[0016] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of capsule 1, made of polypropylene (PP). Inside its body 2, there are a first film 5 and a second film 6, which together with the cylindrical side wall 3 delimit a chamber 34, intended to contain an extractable food product in powder form. The said sealing film 4, the said first film 5 and the said second film 6 consist of at least two different layers, namely, one layer of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and the other layer of extruded polypropylene film (PPCast).

[0017] It is visible in Figure 3 that the cylindrical side wall 3 extends inward for a short distance beyond the intersection with the inverted truncated cone wall 10 and at the top of such extension 30 there are ten slots 31. The said inverted truncated cone wall 10 has ten triangular ribs 33 in the vicinity of each of said slots 31. The first film 5 is welded to the top of the extension 30 of the cylindrical side wall 3 and to each of said triangular ribs 33 within the inverted truncated cone wall 10, and together with the sealing film 4 delimits a first empty chamber of small dimensions. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 13 / 19 9 / 13

[0018] Figure 4 shows a front view of the interior of the circular bottom wall 7 of body 2, which has a complex conformation, which defines, from the interior of the cylindrical side wall 3 of body 2, towards the center, a smooth projection 13 in the form of a circular crown, followed by a recessed part of the circular bottom wall, which comprises a first circular zone 14, in which twenty-four pointed pyramidal formations 15 are arranged, between which are arranged twenty-four rectangular ribs 16, whose side pointing inwards is rounded. The aforementioned first circular zone 14 is followed by a first smooth circular interval 17, followed by a second circular zone 18, consisting of thirty-six substantially small rectangular crenellations 19.The aforementioned second circular zone 18 is followed by a second smooth circular interval 20, followed by a third circular zone 21, consisting of thirty-six second battlements 22 substantially trapezoidal, larger than the first battlements 19 of the aforementioned second circular zone 18. The aforementioned third circular zone 21 is followed by a third smooth circular interval 23, followed by a fourth circular zone 24, consisting of eighteen third and fourth battlements 25 and 26 substantially trapezoidal, larger than the second battlements 22 of the third circular zone 21, which are grouped into two groups of four third battlements. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 14 / 19 10 / 13 25, and two groups of three third battlements 25, separated from each other by four larger fourth battlements 26. The aforementioned fourth circular zone 24 is followed by a fifth circular zone 27 coinciding with the top of the aforementioned small-diameter cylindrical wall 9, in the central part of which is arranged a compact cylindrical body 28, which is connected to the top of the aforementioned small-diameter cylindrical wall 9 by four supporting ribs 29. The aforementioned first 19, second 22, third 25 and fourth 26 battlements all project at the same height from the aforementioned circular bottom wall 7 and determine labyrinthine circuits among themselves.

[0019] Figure 5 shows another top view of the circular back wall 7, in which the second layer 6 is visible, which is welded to the smooth projection 13 of the circular back wall 7 and to the tops of the first 19, second 22, third 25 and fourth 26 battlements, and to the top of said supporting ribs 29. Said second layer 6 between said smooth projection 13 of the back wall 7 and the second circular zone 18 presents twelve substantially rectangular weakening zones 32 with rounded shorter sides. The second layer and said second 18, third 21 and fourth 24 circular zones define labyrinthine circuits between them.

[0020] The extractable food product in powder form is roasted and ground coffee. The beverage prepared in this way is, for example, an espresso. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 15 / 19 11 / 13

[0021] It should be noted that, for clarity with regard to the drawings, the extractable powdered food product is not shown in the figures. The extractable powdered food product must be contained in chamber 34 formed between the first film 5 and the second film 6.

[0022] Capsule 1 according to this invention works as follows. Capsule 1 is inserted into the beverage preparation machine, the capsule being fixed to the machine by the said tab 12, to which the said sealing film 4 is welded, the same being perforated by the perforating organ of said machine, which perforates the sealing film 4 and injects water under pressure, which bypasses the first film 5, which forms a barrier, and passes only through the slots 31, reaching the chamber 34 where the water reaches the roasted and ground coffee and passes through it, extracting the aromatic substances from the roasted and ground coffee.

[0023] The water, laden with the aromatic substances of the roasted and ground coffee, then passes under pressure and through the aforementioned weakening zones 32 and through the labyrinthine circuits, defined in the aforementioned inner part of the circular bottom wall, which completely separate and retain the roasted and ground coffee from the rest of the beverage and promote the formation of foam. The beverage is then discharged through the aforementioned small-diameter cylindrical wall 9 into a cup. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 16 / 19 12 / 13

[0024] The invention makes it possible to provide an alternative capsule to the prior art capsules mentioned above, which can be used in the same beverage preparation machines that use the prior art capsules, and makes it possible to solve the problems mentioned above.

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described. This example is merely illustrative of the invention. Many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0026] List of numerical references Capsule. Body. Cylindrical side wall. Sealing film. First film. Second film. Circular back wall. Radial triangular rib. Cylindrical wall of small diameter. Inverted truncated cone wall. Cylindrical side wall of short height. Tab. Smooth raised edge. First circular zone. Pointed pyramidal formations. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, page 17 / 19 13 / 13 Rectangular ribs. First smooth circular interval. Second circular zone. First battlements. Second smooth circular interval. Third circular zone. Second battlements. Third smooth circular interval. Fourth circular zone. Third battlements. Fourth battlements. Fifth circular area. Compact cylindrical body. Supporting ribs. Prolongation. Tears. Zones of weakness. Triangular ribs. Chamber. Petition 870250100286, dated 03 / 11 / 2025, p. 18 / 19

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1 - Capsule (1) for preparing a beverage, which is composed of a body (2) comprising substantially a cylindrical side wall (3), which extends into an inverted truncated conical wall (10), which in turn extends into a small cylindrical side wall (11), which terminates in a flange (12) in the form of a circular crown, the top of the capsule being sealed by a sealing film (4), welded to said flange (12), said cylindrical side wall (3) terminating in a circular bottom wall (7), which externally has a plurality of radial triangular ribs (8), which terminate in a central zone delimited by the exterior of said cylindrical wall (9) of small diameter, the interior of which communicates with the interior of said capsule (1), there being disposed inside it, at least, a first film (5) and a second film (6), which,together with the body's side wall, they delimit a containment chamber (34), intended to contain an extractable powdered food product, characterized by: the said cylindrical side wall (3), made of plastic, extending inwards beyond the intersection with the inverted truncated cone wall (10) and having at the top of said extension (30) a plurality of slits (31), the said inverted truncated cone wall (10) having a Petition 870250046087, dated 03 / 06 / 2025, p. 6 / 25, 2 / 6 plurality of triangular ribs (33) in the vicinity of each of the aforementioned slots (31); the first film (5), made of plastic, being welded to the top of the extension (30) of the cylindrical side wall (3) and to each of the triangular ribs (33) mentioned above inside the inverted truncated cone wall (10), and delimiting, together with the sealing film (4) a first small empty chamber; the aforementioned circular bottom wall (7), of the body (2), presents internally a complex conformation, which is defined, from the cylindrical side wall (3) towards the center, by a smooth projection (13) shaped like a circular crown, followed by a recessed part of complex conformation of the circular bottom wall (7), which comprises a first circular zone (14), in which a plurality of pointed pyramidal formations (15) are arranged, between which a plurality of rectangular ribs (16) are arranged,whose inward-facing side is rounded, the said first zone (14) being followed by a first smooth circular interval (17), followed by a second circular zone (18), consisting of a plurality of first substantially rectangular crenellations (19) of small dimensions, the said second circular zone (18) being followed by a second smooth circular interval (20), followed by a third circular zone (21), consisting of a plurality of second Petition 870250046087, of 03 / 06 / 2025, p. 7 / 25, 3 / 6 crenellations (22) substantially trapezoidal larger than the first crenellations (19) of the second circular zone (18), said third zone (21) being followed by a third smooth circular interval (23) followed by a fourth circular zone (24) consisting of a plurality of third crenellations (25) and fourth crenellations (26) substantially trapezoidal larger than the second crenellations (22) of the third zone (21), said third crenellations (25) being grouped in a plurality of groups and each of said groups being separated by at least one fourth crenellation (26), said fourth zone (24) being followed by a fifth zone (27) coinciding with the top of said small-diameter cylindrical wall (9), in the central part of which is disposed a compact cylindrical body (28), which is connected to the top of this small-diameter cylindrical wall (9) by at least three supporting ribs (29), projecting the aforementioned first, second,third and fourth battlements (19, 22, 25, 26) all at the same height from the aforementioned circular back wall (7) and defining labyrinthine circuits between them; the second film (6), made of plastic, to be welded to the smooth projection (13) of the circular back wall (7) and to the tops of the first, second, third and fourth battlements (19, 22, 25, 26), and to the top of the aforementioned compact cylindrical body (28) of the aforementioned support ribs (29); Petition 870250046087, dated 03 / 06 / 2025, p. 8 / 25, 4 / 6 the second film (6) between said smooth protrusion (13) of the circular bottom wall (7) and the second circular zone (18) having a plurality of weakening zones, said second film and said second (18), third (21) and fourth (24) zones defining labyrinthine circuits between them; said first (5) and said second (6) films delimit between them a chamber (34) intended to contain the extractable food product in powder form; said sealing films being constituted by one or more layers of plastic, which may be constituted by different plastics. 2 - Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said extension (30) has ten slots (31) and said inverted truncated cone wall (10) has ten triangular ribs (33) in the vicinity of each of said slots (31).3 - Capsule (1) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said circular bottom wall (7) of the body (2) has internally a complex form, which is defined, from the cylindrical side wall (3) towards the center, by a smooth projection (13) shaped like a circular crown, followed by a recessed part of the circular bottom wall (7), which comprises a first circular zone (14), in which twenty-four pointed pyramidal formations (15) are arranged, among which are arranged Petition 870250046087, dated 03 / 06 / 2025, p. 9 / 25. 5 / 6 twenty-four rectangular ribs (16), the inner side of which is rounded, the said first zone (14) being followed by a first smooth circular interval (17), followed by a second circular zone (18) consisting of thirty-six first crenellations (19) substantially rectangular of small dimensions, the said second circular zone (18) being followed by a second smooth circular interval (20), followed by a third circular zone (21) consisting of thirty-six second crenellations (22) substantially trapezoidal larger than the first crenellations (19) of the said second circular zone (18), the said third zone (21) being followed by a third smooth circular interval (23) followed by a fourth zone (24) consisting of eighteen crenellations (25 and 26) substantially trapezoidal larger than the second crenellations (22) in the third zone (21),the third and fourth battlements (25 and 26) being grouped into two groups of four third battlements (25), and two groups of three third battlements (25) and separated from each other by four larger fourth battlements (26). 4 - Capsule (1) according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that said body (2) is made of polypropylene (PP), said sealing film (4), said first film (5) and the second film (6) being constituted of at least two layers, consisting of Petition 870250046087, dated 03 / 06 / 2025, page 10 / 25, 6 / 6 layer in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and the other layer consisting of extruded polypropylene film (PPCast). Petition 870250046087, dated 03 / 06 / 2025, p. 11 / 25

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