Improved flexible package for food or beverage preparation with rigid components

Abstract

The invention relates to a closed flexible package comprising: (i) a flexible or semi-flexible side wall (2) forming a flat package body, and (ii) a cup-shaped bottom portion adapted to be inserted into a fluid injection element of a machine, the package body and cup-shaped bottom portion being formed from a single piece of elongated primary flat blank sheet made of a flexible material, preferably a fiber-based material, folded into a U-shape around its transversal symmetry axis and sealed along its side edges and upper edge, wherein said cup-shaped bottom portion is a hollow volume with a concave lower side and a convex lateral side, and the profile curvature of said lower side is the same as the profile curvature of each of said lateral sides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a closed flexible pouch containing beverage ingredients and adapted for use in a beverage preparation machine by piercing the pouch wall and injecting a liquid therein for mixing with the ingredients. Background Art

[0002] It is known in the prior art that a capsule containing food or beverage ingredients (such as soluble coffee, milk or chocolate) is introduced into a beverage dispenser and then water is injected into the capsule to mix with the ingredients to prepare a beverage. Soluble beverages or food ingredients are usually dissolved in water to form a beverage or desired final product, which flows out of the capsule through a suitable outlet. Sometimes, the ingredient can be tea leaves, and the beverage is prepared by brewing the tea leaves with the water introduced into the capsule. As with the case of the above-mentioned soluble ingredients, the brewed tea is then dispensed out of the capsule through a distribution outlet. Such known capsules are typically rigid or semi-rigid capsules made of plastic material or metal (e.g., aluminum).

[0003] Recently, beverage preparation systems have been developed that include flexible packages instead of capsules. Compared to capsules, such packages offer some interesting features such as compactness, speed of manufacture (forming, filling and sealing operations can be performed continuously), and enhanced recyclability.

[0004] Such flexible packages are described, for example, in EP 3 414 187 A1 and include flexible walls and a functional insert at the bottom of the package, sometimes referred to as a "spout," which is attached or otherwise encased in the flexible walls. The insert is a conventional element made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic and includes holes and channels for connecting the bottom side of the flexible package to the beverage machine in a fluid-tight manner. In use, once the flexible package is functionally connected to the beverage machine, the beverage machine introduces water into the package through the fluid-conducting channels of the insert, which is then mixed with the ingredients to form a beverage product, which is dispensed outside the flexible package through the product dispensing channels of the insert.

[0005] It is important that the fluid connection between the package and the beverage machine is established by connecting the fluid-conducting elements of the machine to a flat wall surface of the package; the flatness of the surface between the ingredient package and the beverage machine ensures a substantially leak-tight connection between the two. In addition, the rigidity of the flat surface of the package is necessary to ensure that the package does not deform during connection to the beverage machine. Typically, the connection is achieved by piercing the flat surface of the package or otherwise inserting a connecting element of the machine (such as a needle or similar element). The connection can also be made by opening the package wall and pressing the nozzle of the machine against the package wall to form a sealed fluid connection. If the flat wall of the package is too weak mechanically, when the connecting element of the beverage machine is pressed against or inserted through the wall, the flat wall bends or otherwise deforms, which leads to leakage or even no fluid connection at all. On the other hand, opening the package by the machine must be easy and reliable; to this end, the force required to open the package wall must be sufficiently small.

[0006] In some cases, such as those described in EP 3 500 503 A1 or EP 3 500 504 A1, the functional insert comprises several parts that can be moved relative to one another, so that the insert can be actuated to open or close itself, thereby allowing complex sequences for water injection, mixing and product dispensing, such sequences being adapted to the specific preparation requirements imposed by the type of beverage ingredients to be dissolved. The reclosability of the insert also provides excellent cleanability of the beverage preparation system.

[0007] However, these existing flexible packaging systems also have drawbacks. First, the functional insert is made from materials that are not easily recyclable. Furthermore, it is a common component and therefore heavy. Furthermore, it is expensive to manufacture.

[0008] There are also other flexible packaging items, such as gusseted bags or sleeve bags. Such packaging items are made by folding and sealing thermoplastic materials to form gussets on their bottom sidewalls. Although such gusseted pouches can form flat bottom sidewalls that can be used to connect to a beverage machine, manufacturing such pouches requires a complex multiple-folding process to form the gusseted bottom. Due to the multiple folding, overlapping material layers are produced, which are then sealed. This known manufacturing process requires materials with good sealing properties, which can only be achieved with thermoplastic films. If non-thermoplastic films are used, the weaker seals will result in delamination or even unsealed spaces between the folded layers of film, which is very detrimental to the mechanical and barrier properties of the packaging item. In addition, such gusseted flexible packaging items are not desirable because they require thermoplastic materials to form, which is not environmentally friendly.

[0009] Other types of flexible packaging are known, manufactured using various processes, such as folding or stamping a flexible, flat blank material to form a three-dimensional volume. However, these known processes often result in wrinkles forming on the surface of the package during the conversion of the flexible, flat sheet into a three-dimensional volume. Wrinkles are highly undesirable because they lead to an inconsistent seal of the package and, consequently, leaks. Due to the irregular surface of the package, wrinkles also increase the risk of erroneous interaction between the package and a processing unit, such as a beverage preparation machine.

[0010] To ensure that the package is environmentally friendly, the package wall can be made of, for example, a fiber-based material, which can also be coated with, for example, a biodegradable material that provides barrier properties against moisture or gas transfer and / or sealing properties. During the opening of the flexible package by an opening element (such as, for example, a piercing needle) of a beverage machine, some particles (e.g., fibers) of the package wall material may detach and be entrained into the package compartment. Although such a phenomenon is limited, it is desirable to prevent it.

[0011] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved flexible package for use with a beverage preparation machine, which package eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of existing packages and is made of an environmentally friendly material and can be easily connected to the beverage machine in a neat and sealed manner. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a flexible or semi-flexible closed package for containing ingredients for preparing an edible product in a food or beverage preparation machine by mixing said ingredients with a mixing fluid injected into said package by said machine, said package comprising:

[0013] (i) flexible or semi-flexible side walls forming the body of the flat package, and

[0014] (ii) a cup-shaped bottom portion adapted to be inserted into a fluid injection element of the machine,

[0015] The package body and cup-shaped bottom portion are formed by a one-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet of flexible material, preferably fiber-based material, which sheet is folded into a U-shape about its transverse axis of symmetry and sealed along its side edges and upper edges, wherein said cup-shaped bottom portion is a hollow volume having a concave lower side and convex side sides, and the cross-sectional curvature of said lower side is the same as the cross-sectional curvature of each of said side sides, the primary sheet comprising a primary hole punched through its entire thickness, said primary hole being located on the lower side of said cup-shaped bottom portion, and wherein said package further comprises:

[0016] - a secondary thickness reinforcing sheet located at least on the inner surface of the cup-shaped bottom portion of the package, the secondary sheet comprising secondary apertures, and

[0017] - a tertiary thin sheet sandwiched between the wall of the package and the secondary thickness reinforcing sheet.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cup-shaped bottom portion has a hexagonal prism shape having two opposing vertical edges aligned with the transverse axis of the package, the vertical edges extending downward to form a downwardly extending tip, the extended edges having a height such that for each transverse cross-section of the package measured along its transverse axis, the sum of the two heights of the cup-shaped bottom portion plus the width of its underside is constant.

[0019] Preferably, the single piece of elongated primary flat blank sheet is made of a fiber based material coated on the inner side thereof with a sealant layer, the fiber base layer being selected from the following list: paper, paperboard, bagasse based, bamboo based or starch based material, cellophane or combinations thereof.

[0020] In addition, the primary flat blank sheet also preferably includes a barrier coating sandwiched between the fiber-based material and the sealant layer, wherein the barrier coating is a coating that resists oxygen transfer and / or moisture transfer and is selected from the following list: metallized coating, silicon oxide (SiOx) coating, aluminum oxide (AlOx) coating, atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating or a combination thereof.

[0021] Advantageously, the diameter of the primary and secondary holes is comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm. More preferably, the diameter of the primary hole is equal to or greater than the diameter of the secondary hole.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondary thickness reinforcement sheet comprises a plurality of radial cuts extending radially outwardly from the edge of the secondary hole. The length of each of the cuts is within the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0023] Advantageously, the secondary thickness reinforcing sheet is made of a fiber-based material coated with a sealant layer, said fiber-based layer being selected from the following list: paper, cardboard, bagasse-based, bamboo-based or starch-based material, cellophane or combinations thereof.

[0024] Said third thin sheet is advantageously a thin layer selected from the following list: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymer, polymer comprising a food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavenger, or a combination thereof. More preferably, said third thin sheet is made of a blown or cast polymer film having stretch properties.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the package comprises an identification means selected from the following list: a mechanical code, an optical code (including a color code and a code printed with invisible ink), an RFID tag, a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a magnetic code, a conductive code / conductive code, a detection hole, or any combination thereof.

[0026] Preferably, the package further comprises a centering hole in the sealing edge of said package, said hole being adapted to be inserted into a centering pin of the beverage preparation machine, in order to prevent said package from moving relative to the machine during beverage preparation.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the concave lower side of the cup-shaped bottom portion comprises a flat portion centered across the transversal and longitudinal axes of the cup-shaped bottom portion.

[0028] In a possible embodiment of the application, the package is a pouch or a sachet.

[0029] The ingredient contained in the package of the application can for example be a water-soluble powder, or a soluble concentrate in liquid or semi-liquid form, said ingredient being selected from the following list: a soup, a juice, a vegetable juice, a bouillon, a coffee, a chocolate, a tea, a dairy ingredient such as milk or creamer, a smoothie, a puree, a compote, a cream, or a combination thereof, or said ingredient comprising a plant leaf adapted to be infused in water.

[0030] The package of the present invention includes a generally flexible or semi-flexible side wall that allows for the excellent quality of the beverage product by enhancing the dissolution of the contained ingredients with the mixed fluid (typically water) injected therein. At the same time, the interface portion (i.e., the bottom portion) of the package with the food or beverage preparation machine (the interface portion is designed to be connected to the food or beverage preparation machine) is sufficiently rigid to prevent the package from deforming when the machine is fluidically connected to the package. Because its outer wall is made of a single blank sheet folded in half, it is particularly eco-friendly (more importantly, its constituent materials are preferably selected from eco-friendly materials such as recyclable, biodegradable, industrially compostable materials or home compostable materials). The three-dimensional folding of its bottom interface provides sufficient rigidity to allow proper opening during use with an external tool (such as, for example, a water injection needle for a food or beverage preparation machine), and more importantly, this three-dimensional folded bottom portion is free of folding wrinkles that may be detrimental to the proper function of the package.

[0031] In addition, the package according to the present invention has the following advantages: when the fluid injection element of the food or beverage preparation machine is inserted through the wall of the package, the fluid injection element penetrates the stretchable material of the third-level insert, so that the edge of the pierced sheet conforms closely to the surface of the fluid injection element, thereby providing sealing at the interface between the package and the outer surface of the fluid injection element of the machine (such as a water injection needle), thereby ensuring clean fluid communication between the two.

[0032] Such a construction also has the advantage that low strength is required to pierce the package wall by the fluid injection element, since the total package thickness is reduced in the area to be pierced or otherwise opened by the fluid injection element of the machine, while at the same time the entire part of the package surrounding said area has a higher thickness and therefore a higher mechanical resistance to deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following description of the presently preferred embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a package according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is a top view of a primary flat blank sheet according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 Bottom view of the package;

[0037] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A a side view of the package;

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged partial perspective top view of one embodiment of a blank;

[0039] Figure 5 It is used Figure 4 A partial bottom perspective view of a package formed from a blank;

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a manufacturing machine for making packages according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a roll of material for making a blank sheet according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 as well as Figures 10 to 14 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a forming and sealing section in a machine for manufacturing packages according to the invention;

[0043] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a forming plunger for manufacturing a package according to the present invention;

[0044] Figures 15 to 19 as well as Figure 21 yes Figure 8 as well as Figures 10 to 14 A schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of a forming and sealing portion is shown in FIG;

[0045] Figure 20 is a partial perspective view of a sealing jaw in a forming and sealing machine for making packages according to the present invention;

[0046] Figure 22 is a schematic side view of a sealing jaw for sealing the side of a package according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The package according to the invention is suitable for use in a food or beverage preparation machine (not shown in the figures). The beverage preparation machine may be of any suitable type, but for example is the machine described in patent application EP AN 19213419.5. Such machines are well known in the art and comprise a brewing chamber adapted to receive an ingredient package, an injection element adapted to inject a fluid (typically water) into the interior of the ingredient package, a fluid (e.g. water) supply typically comprising a fluid reservoir (or a water connection to tap water), a fluid pump, a fluid heater, and a fluid pipe for circulating the fluid from the fluid supply source towards the brewing chamber (optionally via the heater).

[0048] In the case of the present invention, the package is suitable for being opened by the fluid supply device of the machine, preferably pierced, in particular by introducing a sharp element through the bottom part wall of the package, preferably through the underside of the bottom part wall. Typically, the fluid injection element of the machine is a hollow needle-shaped element. The distribution of the food or beverage product prepared in the package by mixing the fluid with the ingredients can be performed by gravity; however, the removal of the finished food or beverage product can also be carried out by the same element that injects the mixed fluid. In the latter case, the injection and distribution element of the machine includes at least two channels: one channel connects the inner compartment fluid of the package to the machine so that the machine can inject a fluid (e.g., water) into the compartment, and a second channel connects the inner package compartment to the outside of the package. The injection device of the machine may also include a supplementary channel for injecting air into the package during the preparation of the food or beverage. The injection of air allows enhanced foaming during the preparation of certain aerated products such as dairy-based products (e.g., foamed milk) or chocolate-based products (foamed chocolate drinks, chocolate mousse) or smoothies.

[0049] Typically, the package has any possible shape compatible with being formed by folding a flexible sheet in half ("U-shaped" forming), such as a sleeve or pouch, a pad or any other container having a generally flat configuration.

[0050] Packages of different sizes can be used in the same machine to store different amounts of ingredients. The size of the package (i.e., its height and / or width) does not limit the type of machine that can be used to extract the ingredients contained therein. The size of the package is adapted to the volume of the beverage to be produced; for example, American coffee or soup requires a large package, while smaller pouches are used to produce small cups, such as espresso. Medium-sized pouches are used to produce foamed milk for cappuccino.

[0051] Regardless of the size or shape of the product to be produced and the package, the external design of the pouch bottom, which is part of the package dedicated to the functional fluid connection with the beverage machine, remains unchanged. The main idea is that the interface between the package and the machine is always the same. In addition, other parameters such as the flow rate of the injected fluid and / or the temperature of the injected fluid and / or the total volume of the injected fluid can be adjusted according to the ingredients to be processed and therefore the food or beverage to be produced.

[0052] The package preferably includes an identification device for the beverage machine to automatically identify the type of ingredients contained therein and adapt its settings to the optimal beverage preparation. Such settings include, but are not limited to: water injection pressure, water injection volume, water temperature, dissolution sequence (a complex sequence of water injection, air injection, and beverage dispensing, either sequentially or simultaneously), air injection along with water (for foam enhancement), and total extraction time. Such identification device is selected from the following list: mechanical code, optical code (including color codes and codes printed with invisible ink), RFID tag, one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, magnetic code, conductive code / conductive code, detection hole, or any combination thereof.

[0053] As shown in the accompanying drawings, in a preferred embodiment, the package presents a planar shape oriented along a plane that is substantially vertical during beverage production, and the fluid injection element of the beverage machine is inserted into the package so that the fluid injection element orients the jet of aqueous and / or gaseous fluid in a direction encompassed by the plane of the package. The fluid jet introduced into the package from the bottom develops a circular and spiral motion that creates turbulence, friction, and high contact surfaces between the fluid molecules and the ingredient particles. On average, the fluid molecules undergo several swirls within the container before exiting with the finished beverage or food product.

[0054] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a package according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this preferred embodiment, the package is a pouch.

[0055] Figure 1 A flexible or semi-flexible closed package 1 for containing ingredients according to the present invention is shown.

[0056] The package 1 comprises:

[0057] (i) flexible or semi-flexible side walls 2 forming the body of the flat package, and

[0058] (ii) A cup-shaped bottom portion 3 which is a hollow volume and is suitable for insertion into a fluid injection element of a food or beverage preparation machine (not shown) to which the package 1 is designed to be connected.

[0059] The hollow cup-shaped bottom portion 3 does not necessarily form the entire bottom of the package. Figure 1 In the embodiment of , the cup-shaped bottom portion forms only the central part of the entire bottom of the package and is surrounded by the side edges 4 of the package, which are sealed flat areas.

[0060] The package 1 is formed from a single piece of elongated primary flat blank sheet 5 made of a flexible material, such as Figure 2 The following will describe the manufacturing process steps and manufacturing machines in more detail.

[0061] The primary flat blank sheet 5 of paper-based material is U-shaped, folded about its transverse axis of symmetry Lx and then sealed along its side edges 4 and upper edge 6 .

[0062] According to the general principles of the present invention, Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 is a hollow volume having a concave underside 7 and a convex side 8 and when Figure 3B The bold line in the cross-sectional view shows the cross-sectional curvature P of the concave lower side visible when the package is viewed from the side. ew With Dangru Figure 3A The bold line in the bottom view of the package shows the cross-sectional curvature P of each of the side surfaces visible when the package is viewed from below. et same.

[0063] More precisely, in Figure 1 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the cup-shaped bottom portion is a hollow volume having the shape of a hexagonal prism having two opposite vertical edges 9 aligned with the transverse axis Lx of the package, said vertical edges 9 extending to form a downwardly extending tip 10. The extended edges 9 have a height such that the sum of the two heights of the cup-shaped bottom portion plus the width of its underside is constant for every transverse cross-section of the package measured along its transverse axis Lx. Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of this rule is shown. Figure 3A A first width “ W1 ” of the underside measured in a first cross-section of the bottom portion is shown. Figure 3B A first height "H1" of the cup-shaped bottom portion is shown, measured for the same first cross-section. Figure 3A Also shown is a second width “ W2 ” of the underside measured in a second cross-section of the bottom portion. Figure 3B Also shown is a second height "H2" of the cup-shaped bottom portion, measured for the same second cross-section. If the sum S1 = (2 x H1) + W1 and then S2 = (2 x H2) + W2 is calculated, then, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, S1 = S2, and more generally, S1 = S2 = Sn (Sn being measured at any cross-sectional point of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3).

[0064] The one-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet 5 used to manufacture the package 1 is made of a paper material which is coated with a sealant layer on its inner side (ie the side which will become the inner side of the package 1 after forming said sheet 5).

[0065] Moreover, in this embodiment of the application, said primary flat blank sheet 5 further comprises a barrier coating layer sandwiched between the fibrous base material and the sealant layer, said barrier coating layer being a coating layer that is resistant to oxygen transfer and to moisture transfer. Said barrier coating layer is selected from the following list: a metallized coating, a silicon oxide (SiOx) coating, an aluminum oxide (AlOx) coating, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating or a combination thereof.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the application, as shown in Figure 2 The packaging 1 further comprises a secondary thickness- reinforcing sheet 11 located on the inner surface of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 of said packaging. Said thickness- reinforcing sheet 11 is made of a paper material coated with a sealant layer. This thickness- reinforcing sheet 11 offers the possibility of reducing the thickness of the side walls 2 of the packaging 1. Reducing this thickness makes these side walls more flexible, which has been found to be advantageous for improving the quality of the product prepared within the packaging 1. More precisely, the Applicant has surprisingly found that it is the side walls 2 of the packaging that are able to bend and deform outwards during beverage preparation, so that the vortex motion of the fluid injected inside the packaging is improved. Such deformation temporarily increases the internal space of the packaging compartment between the side walls 2 of said packaging. However, it is necessary to maintain a good rigidity of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3, as mentioned above (to maintain a proper seal at the interface between the packaging and the beverage preparation machine, and also to ensure that the packaging does not deform or does not collapse when pierced by the fluid injection element of the machine, deformation or collapse would impair or even prevent the piercing operation). The presence of the secondary thickness- reinforcing sheet 11 allows to achieve a balance between the flexibility of the single-piece wall of the packaging and the rigidity of its bottom.

[0067] Advantageously, the packaging 1 further comprises a centering perforation 12, shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3B and Figure 5 , located in the sealing rim 4 of said packaging 1. The shape and diameter of said hole are adapted to accommodate a centering pin (not shown in the figures) of a beverage preparation machine, in order to prevent the movement of said packaging 1 relative to the machine during beverage preparation, in particular during the insertion of the fluid injection element of the machine through the packaging wall.

[0068] In a very desirable embodiment, the concave lower side 7 of the packaging 1 comprises a flat portion 13 centered across the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 .

[0069] As shown in Figure 4As shown in FIG, and in accordance with the principles of the claimed invention, the package 1 further comprises a tertiary thin layer between the material constituting the package walls (i.e. made of the primary flat blank sheet) and the secondary thickness reinforcement layer 11. This tertiary thin layer is produced by sealing or otherwise attaching a tertiary flexible flat blank sheet 14 between the primary flexible flat blank sheet 5 and the secondary flexible flat blank sheet 11.

[0070] The third-level flexible flat blank sheet 14 is a thin layer selected from the following list: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, polymers containing food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavengers, or combinations thereof. It is preferably made of a blown or cast polymer film with stretchability.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, the primary sheet 5 includes a primary hole 15 punched through its entire thickness. Prior to forming the primary flat blank sheet, the primary hole is punched through the flat blank sheet and positioned so that, when the flat blank is formed into a package according to the present invention, the primary hole 15 is located on the underside of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3. Preferably, the primary hole 15 is centered across the lower surface. The diameter of this primary hole 15 is selected to be at least equal to, but preferably slightly larger in cross-section (or diameter) than, the outer diameter (or cross-section) of the beverage machine's injection device (which is typically a needle of generally cylindrical shape with a diameter between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm). This larger diameter prevents the material forming the package wall (such as, for example, paper fibers) from separating due to friction when the machine's injection device is inserted therethrough. Typically, the diameter of the primary hole (which is preferably cylindrical) is between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm.

[0072] Furthermore, the secondary sheet 11 comprises a secondary hole 16 punched through at least the paper layer of said sheet 11. The secondary hole 16 may also be punched through the entire thickness of the secondary sheet 11. The diameter of this secondary hole 16 is chosen with respect to the diameter of the fluid injection element of the machine to which the package is to be connected and is generally cylindrical with a diameter between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm.

[0073] The diameter of the primary aperture 15 is equal to or greater than the diameter of the secondary aperture 16 in the secondary flexible flat blank sheet 11 .

[0074] use Figure 4 and Figure 5This type of multilayer structure, shown with three superimposed layers in the region of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 of the package 1, ensures a seal between the package 1 and the fluid injection element of the machine. When the fluid injection element of the machine is inserted through the wall of the package, it passes through the primary hole 15 and then pierces the tertiary sheet 14, which is preferably a stretchable material as described above, so that the edge of the pierced sheet 14 conforms closely to the surface of the fluid injection element. Then, finally, the fluid injection element is moved through the secondary hole 16, so that the tip of the fluid injection element is located in the inner compartment of the package and a sealed fluid connection is established between the interior of the package 1 and the fluid supply circuit of the machine.

[0075] Such a construction also has the advantage that it requires less strength to pierce the package wall by means of the fluid injection element, since the total package thickness in the area of ​​the holes 15, 16 and the tertiary sheet 14 is only the thickness of the latter, while at the same time, due to the presence of three superimposed layers in the cup-shaped bottom part 3 of the package, the entire part of the package surrounding said area has a higher thickness and therefore has a mechanical resistance to deformation.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, after the secondary thickness reinforcement sheet 11 is pierced with the hole 16, it is further processed using a cutting tool that implements a plurality of radial cuts 22 extending radially outward from the edge of the hole 16. These radial cuts 22 form a series of flaps between them, which can be found in the application of the flaps to reinforce the packaging wall, in particular the outer surface of the third flexible layer 14 on the fluid injection element of the machine once the machine and the package are connected to each other. Thus, the plurality of radial cuts 22 enhance the anti-leakage effect.

[0077] use Figure 6 The forming machine shown makes the above-mentioned packages. Typically, such machines are partly based on forming and sealing technology machines known in the art.

[0078] The machine comprises firstly a primary flexible flat blank sheet feed section 17 adapted to receive primary and optionally secondary and tertiary flat blank sheets 5, 11, 14, preferably in a manner such as Figure 6 At this stage, the secondary flat blank sheet and the tertiary flat blank sheet (if present) may already be assembled with the primary sheet 5 as previously described, or alternatively as Figure 6As shown, the material may be provided as separate rolls, one roll 18 for the primary sheet, one roll 19 for the secondary sheet, and a third roll 20 for the tertiary sheet. In this case, the primary, secondary, and tertiary sheets are unwound, cut into small flat blanks, primary holes 15 and secondary holes 16 are punched through the primary and secondary blanks, respectively, as described above, and then, finally, all the blanks are rolled to the same size as those already described. Figure 4 The described arrangement is sealed together. Figure 7 An arrangement of individual primary flat blank sheets 5 to be cut from respective rolls 18 of material is shown in FIG.

[0079] The manufacturing machine further comprises a package forming and finalising section 21. Downstream of the package forming section 21 is a filling and sealing section 22 (wherein the packages are filled with the ingredients and subsequently closed by sealing the upper edge of said packages).

[0080] Figures 8 to 22 The shaped portion 21 is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0081] like Figure 8 As shown, the forming part of the machine comprises a forming plunger 23 and a forming cavity 24 that are movable relative to each other and have complementary shapes. The so-called "cavity 24" means that its tip is a hollow cylinder, the shape of which is complementary to the outer shape of the lower end 25 of the plunger. Such principles of forming stations with a movable plunger and cavity for deforming the material placed therebetween are generally known and their details will not be described in more detail. Figure 9 As shown, the end portion 25 of the plunger 23 (i.e., its lower end) has a volumetric shape with a concave lower end 26 and convex side faces 27, so that the cross section of its end side 26 is the same as the cross section of each of its side faces 27. The principle of geometric equivalence between the cross sections 26 and 27 is the same as that described above with respect to Figure 3A and Figure 3B Section P of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 et and P ew The same principles as already described.

[0082] In a specific embodiment, the end portion 25 of the plunger 23 has the shape of a hexagonal prism having two opposite vertical edges 28 aligned with the plunger transverse axis Lx, which extend downward to form a downwardly extending tip 29, the extended edges 28 having a height such that the sum of the two heights of the end portion 25 plus the width of its underside is constant for each transverse cross section of the plunger measured along its transverse axis Lx. This principle is similar to that described above with respect to Figure 3A and Figure 3B The same principle applies as already described for the heights H1 , H2 and widths W1 and W2 of the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 .

[0083] Preferably, the tip 29 of the plunger is rounded or otherwise smooth-edged.

[0084] like Figure 9 As shown, the lower end 26 of the plunger preferably includes a retractable protrusion 30 aligned with the center of the plunger 23. The protrusion 30 is spring-mounted so that it retracts within the plunger 23 when it is pressed against a surface, particularly in this case against the primary flat blank sheet 5 and the forming station cavity 24 below. The diameter of the protrusion is larger than the diameter of the primary and secondary holes 15, 16 described above. Its function is to gently press against the blanks 5, 11, and 14 before the plunger begins to deform them. When the forming process begins and the blank sheets begin to deform, it holds the three blank sheets together in their sealing area (around the holes 15 and 16 as described above) to prevent unsealing and slippage due to mechanical forces applied to the materials during the forming step.

[0085] The machine also includes an actuator (not shown) for moving the plunger 23 and the chamber 24 toward each other and also relative to the Figure 8 The blank sheet 5 shown positioned therebetween moves.

[0086] like Figures 15 to 19 as well as Figure 21 As shown, the machine further comprises a pair of plates adapted to support said flexible blank sheet 5. The two plates are coplanar at the start of the forming process, as shown in FIG. Figure 15 Each plate supports a tab of a primary flexible blank sheet. The plate 31 may be as shown in FIG. Figure 8 as well as Figures 10 to 14 Alternatively, in another possible embodiment, the plates 31 are symmetrically pivotable about respective axes, each of which is located on either side of the plunger 23, as shown. Figures 16 to 19 as well as Figure 21 These figures show different positions of the pivotable plate 31 during the forming process.

[0087] In the following, it is considered that the primary flat blank sheet 5 being processed also includes the secondary blank sheet 11 and the tertiary blank sheet 14 attached thereto, as described above. Once the blank 5 is conveyed along the machine to the forming section 21 of said machine and as Figure 8 Shown in place between the plunger 23 and the cavity 24, the forming process steps are as follows in sequence.

[0088] The plunger 23 moves downward until it contacts the upper surface of the blanks 5, 11 and 14, as shown in FIG. Figure 10 and Figure 11The movement of the plunger begins to deform the blank folded around the transverse axis Lx of the primary blank 5; after contacting the upper surface of the blanks 5, 11 and 14, due to the counterpressure of the cavity 24 below, the retractable protrusion 30 of the plunger 23 is retracted into the latter, as shown Figure 11 shown.

[0089] The plunger 23 continues to move downward, and the chamber 24 also moves downward, as shown in FIG. Figure 12 When the blanks 5, 11 and 14 are clamped between the plunger 23 and cavity 24, they both pull the blanks downwards with them.

[0090] During the preceding steps, a pair (or "set") of sealing jaws 32 are positioned on either side of the cavity 24, which are adapted to seal the side edges of the blank sheet 5 once it has been U-folded. During the aforementioned forming steps, the jaws are in an open position, i.e., away from the plunger, cavity and blank set.

[0091] After the cavity and plunger have been moved downwardly as described above, the jaws 32 are moved toward each other to close around the blank in the lower portion of the blank, as shown. Figure 13 and Figure 20 They seal (by ultrasonic sealing or heat sealing process) the side edges of the U-folded blank so as to complete the formation of the fully formed and sealed cup-shaped bottom part 3 of the package 1 .

[0092] The jaws 32 are then reopened and the plunger 23 is moved upwards together with the partially folded and sealed package 1 as shown. Figure 14 shown.

[0093] exist Figures 15 to 19 as well as Figure 21 A variation of the same forming sequence described above is shown in , except that the support plate 31 is pivoted during the movement of the plunger and the cavity in order to guide the free end of the blank to fold in a U-shape.

[0094] Finally, if Figure 15 As shown, the package is completely U-folded, wherein the still unsealed side wall 2 forms the flat package body and the sealed cup-shaped bottom part 3 is a hollow volume having the shape of the plunger.

[0095] The packages are then transferred to a sealing station having elongated sealing jaws 33 which seal the side edges 4 of the packages 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 22 The package 1 is now ready to be filled with the ingredients and then closed by sealing its upper edge 34 .

[0096] In the embodiment wherein the cup-shaped bottom portion 3 of the package has an improved wall thickness, by attaching the secondary 11 and tertiary 14 layers as described above, the primary flat blank sheet 5, the secondary flat blank sheet 11 and the tertiary flat blank sheet 14 can be attached to each other while the primary sheet 5 is manufactured as a roll of film (at the film manufacturer facility), or alternatively, the secondary flat blank sheet 11 and the tertiary flat blank sheet 14 can be joined to the primary flat blank sheet at a later stage, just before forming the primary flat blank sheet (i.e. on the package manufacturing line).

[0097] According to the present application, the food or beverage ingredient packaged in the package is a water-soluble powder or a soluble concentrate in liquid or semi-liquid form, the ingredient being selected from the following list: soup, juice, vegetable juice, bouillon, coffee, chocolate, tea, milk or creamer, smoothie, puree, compote, cream or a combination thereof. The food or beverage ingredient is preferably a soluble food or beverage ingredient selected from the following list:

[0098] - instant coffee powder, milk powder, creamer powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of said powders,

[0099] - coffee concentrate, milk concentrate, syrup, fruit or vegetable concentrate, tea concentrate, fruit or vegetable puree.

[0100] The package can also contain plant leaves for infusion, such as for example tea leaves.

[0101] The powder can be agglomerated or torrefied. The powder or liquid concentrate can be mixed with solid pieces, for example pieces encapsulated with a solid or a capsule to prepare a soup. The food or beverage ingredient can also be a brewable food or beverage ingredient, like roast and ground coffee or tea leaves. In this embodiment, the brewable ingredient is subjected to water extraction.

[0102] In the present application, fluid encompasses any aqueous diluent (like water, carbonated water, milk, etc., preferably water is the preferred aqueous diluent) or any gaseous fluid (such as air) that can be mixed with a soluble beverage ingredient to prepare a beverage. When referring to aqueous fluid, water is the preferred fluid; when referring to gaseous fluid, air is the preferred fluid.

[0103] According to the present application, the package is arranged substantially vertically during the production and the distribution of the food or beverage product.

[0104] According to the present application, an aqueous fluid (typically water) is supplied into the package at any temperature (cold, ambient or hot), depending on the type of food or beverage product to be prepared.

[0105] In contrast to known prior art systems in which the fluid is introduced from top to bottom, in this case, the beverage preparation machine injects water, and optionally also air, at high speed from the bottom to the top of the package. This creates optimal turbulence inside the package compartment, thereby achieving optimal dissolution of the ingredients contained therein. If air is also injected along with the water through the machine's injection device, it is not introduced at high pressure; the pressure is preferably between 0.1 and 1.5 bar, more preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 bar. According to the present invention, optimal turbulence and dissolution of the ingredients are achieved through high speed rather than high pressure.

[0106] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing the attendant advantages. Therefore, such changes and modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible or semi-flexible closed package (1) for containing ingredients for preparing an edible product in a food or beverage preparation machine by mixing the ingredients with a mixing fluid injected into the package by the food or beverage preparation machine, wherein The package can be connected in a sealed manner to a food or beverage preparation machine, the package (1) comprising a flexible or semi-flexible side wall (2) forming the body of the flat package, characterised in that the package further comprises a cup-shaped bottom portion (3) adapted to be inserted into a fluid injection element of the food or beverage preparation machine, The package body and cup-shaped bottom portion are formed by a single-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet (5) made of flexible material, said sheet being folded into a U-shape about its transverse axis of symmetry (Lx), wherein the cup-shaped bottom portion (3) is a hollow volume, and wherein said primary flat blank sheet (5) comprises a primary hole (15) punched through its entire thickness, The primary flat blank sheet (5) is sealed along its side edges and upper edges (4, 34), and the cup-shaped bottom portion (3) has a concave lower side (7) and a convex side (8), the cross-sectional curvature of the concave lower side (7) being the same as the cross-sectional curvature of each of the convex side (8), the primary aperture (15) being located on the concave lower side (7) of the cup-shaped bottom portion (3), and wherein the package (1) further comprises: - a secondary thickness reinforcing sheet (11) at least on the inner surface of the cup-shaped bottom portion (3) of the package, the secondary thickness reinforcing sheet comprising secondary holes (16), and - a tertiary thin sheet (14) sandwiched between the wall of the package and the secondary thickness-reinforced sheet (11).

2. A package (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped bottom part (3) has a hexagonal prism shape, the prism having two opposite vertical edges (9) aligned with the transverse axis (Lx) of the package, the vertical edges extending downward to form a downwardly extending tip (10), and the vertical edges (9) have a height such that for each transverse cross-section of the package measured along its transverse axis (Lx), the sum of the two heights of the cup-shaped bottom part plus the width of its underside is constant.

3. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the single-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet (5) is made of a fiber-based material coated with a sealant layer on its inner side, the fiber-based material being selected from the following list: bagasse-based material, bamboo-based material, starch-based material or a combination thereof.

4. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the single-piece elongated primary flat blank sheet (5) is made of a fiber-based material coated with a sealant layer on its inner side, the fiber-based material being selected from the following list: paper, cellophane or a combination thereof.

5. The package (1) according to claim 3, wherein the primary flat blank sheet (5) further comprises a barrier coating sandwiched between the fiber-based material and the sealant layer, the barrier coating being a coating that resists oxygen transfer and / or moisture transfer and is selected from the following list: a metallized coating, a silicon oxide (SiOx) coating, an aluminum oxide (AlOx) coating or a combination thereof.

6. A package (1) according to claim 3, wherein the primary flat blank sheet (5) further comprises a barrier coating sandwiched between the fiber-based material and the sealant layer, the barrier coating being a coating that resists oxygen transfer and / or moisture transfer, and the barrier coating being an atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating.

7. A package (1) according to claim 4, wherein the primary flat blank sheet (5) further comprises a barrier coating sandwiched between the fiber-based material and the sealant layer, the barrier coating being a coating that resists oxygen transfer and / or moisture transfer and is selected from the following list: a metallized coating, a silicon oxide (SiOx) coating, an aluminum oxide (AlOx) coating or a combination thereof.

8. A package (1) according to claim 4, wherein the primary flat blank sheet (5) further comprises a barrier coating sandwiched between the fiber-based material and the sealant layer, the barrier coating being a coating that resists oxygen transfer and / or moisture transfer, and the barrier coating being an atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating.

9. Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of the primary and secondary holes (15, 16) is comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm.

10. Package (1) according to claim 9, wherein the diameter of the primary and secondary holes (15, 16) is comprised between 5 mm and 12 mm.

11. The package (1) according to claim 9, wherein the diameter of the primary hole (15) is equal to or greater than the diameter of the secondary hole (16).

12. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary thickness reinforcing sheet (11) comprises a plurality of radial cutouts (22) extending radially outwards from the edge of the secondary aperture (16).

13. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary thickness reinforcement sheet (11) is made of a fiber-based material coated with a sealant layer, the fiber-based material being selected from the following list: bagasse-based material, bamboo-based material, starch-based material or a combination thereof.

14. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary thickness reinforcing sheet (11) is made of a fiber-based material coated with a sealant layer, the fiber-based material being selected from the following list: paper, cellophane or a combination thereof.

15. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tertiary thin sheet (14) is a thin layer selected from the following list: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, polymers containing food-grade oxygen and / or moisture scavengers, or combinations thereof.

16. The package (1) according to claim 15, wherein the tertiary thin sheet is made of a blown or cast polymer film having stretch properties.

17. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an identification device selected from the following list: a mechanical code, an optical code, an RFID tag, a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a magnetic code, a conductive code, a detection hole, or any combination thereof.

18. The package (1) according to claim 17, wherein the optical code comprises a color code and a code printed with an invisible ink.

19. A package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a centering perforation (12) in the sealing edge (4) of the package, the centering perforation (12) being suitable for inserting a centering pin of the food or beverage preparation machine so as to prevent the package from moving relative to the food or beverage preparation machine during beverage preparation.

20. A package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concave underside (7) comprises a flat portion (13) centered across the transverse and longitudinal axes of the cup-shaped bottom portion (3).

21. The package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, which is a pouch or a sleeve.

22. A package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ingredient is a water-soluble powder, or a soluble concentrate in liquid or semi-liquid form, the ingredient being selected from the following list: soup, fruit juice, vegetable juice, coffee, chocolate, dairy components, smoothies, purees, jams or combinations thereof, or the ingredient comprises plant leaves suitable for soaking in water.

23. A package (1) according to claim 1, wherein said primary flat blank sheet (5) is made of a fiber-based material.

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