Method for producing a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device and capsule obtained by the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device, the method comprising the following steps: a. providing a water injection wall (3) of the capsule; b. providing a beverage delivery wall (4) of the capsule, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the injection wall and the delivery wall (3, 4) has a cup shape; c. placing a body of beverage ingredient in at least one cup-shaped wall (4); d. sealing together edge portions (3A, 4A) of the injection wall and the delivery wall (4, 3) in a sealing station so as to form a chamber (1), wherein the sealing station comprises a housing element having a housing temperature (Th), wherein the shape and size of the body (2) are designed so that the chamber (1) is not completely filled, the method being characterized in that, after the sealing step, the capsule is cooled to a cooling temperature (Tc) which: - is at least 15°C lower than the temperature of the housing; - or is between -10°C and +25°C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a container for preparing beverages in a beverage preparation apparatus, and a container obtained by said method. Background Technology

[0002] Beverages are known to be prepared in beverage preparation equipment using powder capsules containing ingredients (particularly ground coffee). These powder capsules typically have a chamber, which is usually formed by stacking two cup-shaped bodies, which are arranged upside down relative to each other and welded together along their respective edges (e.g., ...). Figure 1 and Figure 3 (As shown). The cup-shaped bodies are typically—but not necessarily—identical. Known powder capsules typically include: an injection wall through which water is introduced into the powder capsule chamber, and the injection wall is configured to be punctured by an injection component of a beverage preparation device to allow fluid to circulate under pressure within the chamber; and a beverage delivery wall through which the beverage is dispensed, and the beverage delivery wall is configured to open upon interaction with an opening component of the beverage preparation device.

[0003] Before sealing the two cup-shaped bodies together, the beverage ingredients are placed within the cup-shaped conveying wall. The beverage ingredients are typically a body formed from compacted ingredients, having a three-dimensional shape and dimensions designed to not completely fill the cavity defined by the injection and conveying walls, and in such a way that a considerable amount of empty space is provided within the cavity and between the body and the inner surfaces of the injection and conveying walls (e.g., Figure 3 (As shown). In known powder capsules, the beverage ingredient body does not contact the entire inner surface of the outer shell, but typically only a limited central portion of the conveying wall.

[0004] In accordance with environmentally friendly practices, some existing powder capsules are made of paper. In these paper capsules, cracks form during extraction, in addition to the openings created by the interaction between the conveyor walls and the beverage preparation equipment, besides the desired openings for beverage outflow. These cracks are undesirable because they negatively impact proper beverage preparation and also because beverage ingredients (e.g., ground coffee) can leak from these cracks into the capsule and into the user's cup.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a method for producing a container for preparing beverages and a container obtained by said method, which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages of existing containers. In particular, an object of this invention is to provide a method for producing a container for preparing beverages and a container obtained by said method, which improves the opening of the container's conveying wall to avoid the formation of unwanted cracks in said wall. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention according to claim 1 is a method for producing a container for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus, the method comprising the following steps:

[0007] a. Providing an inlet wall for the container, the inlet wall comprising a paper layer through which water is introduced into the container, wherein the inlet wall is puncturable by an inlet component of the beverage preparation apparatus to allow water to circulate under pressure within the container.

[0008] b. Providing a beverage delivery wall for the container, the beverage delivery wall comprising a paper layer through which beverage is dispensed from the container, wherein the delivery wall can be opened by an opening member of the beverage preparation equipment when pressure within the container presses the delivery wall against the opening member, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the injection wall and the delivery wall has a cup-shaped form.

[0009] c. Placing the beverage ingredients within the at least one cup-shaped wall, wherein the beverage ingredients are a bulk material formed from compacted beverage ingredients.

[0010] d. The edge portions of the injection wall and the delivery wall are sealed together in a sealing station to form a chamber in which the body formed of the compacted beverage ingredients is stored, wherein the sealing station includes a housing element for at least partially accommodating the injection wall and / or the delivery wall, wherein the housing element has a housing temperature at the start of sealing, and wherein the shape and size of the body are designed such that the chamber is not completely filled.

[0011] According to the present invention, after the sealing step, the container is cooled to a cooling temperature Tc.

[0012] According to the present invention, the cooling temperature Tc is characterized in that the cooling temperature:

[0013] - At least 15°C lower than the temperature of the casing, or

[0014] The cooling temperature is between -10°C and +25°C.

[0015] The inventors have surprisingly discovered that cooling of the container reduces the space in the chamber not filled by the compacted ingredient body (i.e., the top space) and at least increases the area of ​​the inner surface of the conveying wall, which adheres to the compacted beverage ingredient body.

[0016] Preferably, the cooling step lasts for at least 0.5 seconds, more preferably at least 1 second, and more preferably between 1 and 5 seconds.

[0017] Preferably, the shell temperature is between 40°C and 100°C, more preferably between 60°C and 70°C.

[0018] Preferably, the container is cooled by a cooling gas, more preferably by air, and the cooling gas preferably has a pressure of at least 0.5 bar, more preferably between 1 bar and 6 bar.

[0019] Preferably, the cooling step begins within 0.1 to 60 seconds after the sealing step ends, and more preferably within 0.1 to 10 seconds.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a container obtained by the aforementioned method for preparing beverages in a beverage preparation apparatus, the container comprising a chamber in which beverage ingredients are stored.

[0021] The chamber is defined by the following:

[0022] - An injection wall through which fluid, preferably water, is introduced into the container, wherein the injection wall is configured to be puncturable by an injection component of the beverage preparation apparatus to allow the fluid to circulate under pressure within the chamber.

[0023] - A beverage delivery wall through which a beverage is dispensed from a container, wherein the beverage delivery wall is configured to open upon interaction with an opening component of the beverage preparation device under the pressure increase of the fluid injected into the chamber.

[0024] The injection wall and the delivery wall include sealing portions for sealingly connecting the injection wall and the delivery wall together.

[0025] The injection wall and delivery wall form an oxygen barrier for the beverage ingredients stored in the chamber.

[0026] The beverage ingredient is a body formed by compacted ingredients, which has a three-dimensional shape and is sized to not completely fill the chamber, and in such a way that at least one empty space is provided in the chamber and located between the body and the inner surfaces of the injection wall and the delivery wall.

[0027] The injection wall and the transport wall include paper layers.

[0028] According to the invention, the empty space within the chamber is less than 5% of the total volume of the chamber, preferably less than 3%; and except for the end portions of the injection wall and the delivery wall located at the sealing portion, at least the inner surface of the delivery wall and preferably the inner surface of the injection wall are in continuous contact with the outer surface of the beverage ingredient body.

[0029] Preferably, the paper layers of the injection wall and the conveying wall have at least one of the following characteristics:

[0030] i) The paper layer is made of sulfurized paper with inherent oxygen barrier properties;

[0031] ii) The paper layer is a formable paper layer that can be stretched and deformed to obtain the shape required for the injection wall and the conveying wall, preferably a cup shape;

[0032] iii) The weight of the paper layer is 50g / m² 2 With 200g / m 2 Between, more preferably between 70g / m 2 With 150g / m 2 between.

[0033] Preferably, the injection wall and the delivery wall have a cup-shaped shape, which is preferably rotationally symmetrical, the injection wall and the delivery wall have the same shape and size, and the beverage ingredient body has a three-dimensional shape that is substantially the same as the shape of the chamber defined by the injection wall and the delivery wall.

[0034] Preferably, but not exclusively, the container of the present invention is a single-use coffee powder capsule.

[0035] According to the present invention, the use of the container as described above in a beverage preparation apparatus is also disclosed. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention are described below in the description of the presently preferred embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings, and these features and advantages will be apparent from the description, wherein:

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a container commonly used by those skilled in the art;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of one of the two identical walls of the container shown;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the container;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The accompanying drawing illustrates a container for use in a beverage preparation apparatus (not shown, but commonly used by those skilled in the art), comprising a chamber 1 in which beverage ingredients 2 are stored. The chamber 1 is defined by an injection wall 3 and a beverage delivery wall 4 of the container. Fluid, preferably water, is introduced into the container through the injection wall, which is configured to be puncturable by an injection component of the beverage preparation apparatus to allow the fluid to circulate under pressure within the chamber 1. The beverage is dispensed through the beverage delivery wall, which is configured to open upon interaction with an opening component of the beverage preparation apparatus (e.g., a puncture or tearing interaction) under the increased pressure of the fluid injected into the chamber 1.

[0042] The injection wall and the delivery wall 3, 4 include sealing portions 3A, 4A for sealingly connecting the walls 3, 4 together.

[0043] The injection wall and delivery wall 3 and 4 form an oxygen barrier to the beverage ingredients 2 stored in chamber 1.

[0044] The beverage ingredient 2 is a body formed from compacted ingredients, which has a three-dimensional shape and its shape and size are designed such that it does not completely fill the chamber 1. Therefore, in the chamber 1, there is at least one empty space 6 between the body 2 of the compacted ingredients and the internal surfaces of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3, 4. Figure 4 ).

[0045] According to the present invention, the injection wall and the conveying wall 3, 4 comprise a paper layer.

[0046] According to the present invention, the empty space 6 in the chamber 1 is less than 5% of the total volume of the chamber 1, preferably less than 3%.

[0047] According to the present invention, except for the short end portions 4F and 3F of the walls 3 and 4 located at the sealing portions 3A and 4A, at least the inner surface of the conveying wall 4 and preferably the inner surface of the injection wall 3 are in continuous contact with the outer surface of the beverage ingredient body 2.

[0048] The short end portions 4F and 3F of the conveying wall and the injection wall 4, 3 preferably have a size between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0049] Due to the fact that the empty space 6 in chamber 1 is very limited, which is preferably only located in portions 3A and 4A, and the conveying wall 4 is in almost complete contact with the beverage ingredients 2 (which forms a kind of "pad"), it has been proven that no cracks are formed in the conveying wall 4 during beverage outflow, and the beverage flows out only through the opening formed by the interaction between the conveying wall 4 and the opening component of the beverage preparation device.

[0050] It should be noted that, such as Figure 3As shown, in a known container of the aforementioned type (and having...) Figure 4 The injection walls and delivery walls 3 and 4, and the body 2 shown, having the same dimensions as the walls and body of the container according to the invention, have a significantly larger unfilled space 6' in the chamber 1 defined by the injection walls and delivery walls 3 and 4 than the unfilled space present in the container according to the invention. Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram). Furthermore, in known containers, the conveying wall 4 has a majority portion 4E that does not contact the body 2 of the compacted feed. (As shown in the diagram). Figure 3 As shown, the empty portion 6' is located not only at the sealed portions 4A, 3A (as in the container according to the invention and as in...) Figure 4 (as shown), and it is also located at the side wall portion 4B of the conveying wall 4, that is, exactly in the area of ​​the conveying wall 4 where unwanted cracks are formed during beverage outflow.

[0051] Preferably, the injection wall and the delivery wall 3, 4 have a cup-shaped shape, which is preferably rotationally symmetrical.

[0052] Preferably, the injection wall and the delivery wall 3, 4 have a circular cross-section that increases toward the sealing portion 3A, 4A.

[0053] The injection wall and the delivery wall 3, 4 include bottom wall portions 3C, 4C, side wall portions 3B, 4B and sealing portions 3A, 4A, which are preferably flat.

[0054] Preferably, the injection wall and the delivery walls 3 and 4 have the same shape and size.

[0055] Preferably, the compacted material 2 has a three-dimensional shape that is substantially the same as the shape of the chamber 1. For example, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the compacted feed 2 has a disc shape, the disc having a thickness that decreases from the center toward its outer edge. As described above, the compacted feed 2 does not completely fill the chamber 1.

[0056] The fact that the body 2 of the compacted batch 2 does not have the exact same shape and size as the chamber 1 defined by the injection wall and the conveying wall 3, 4 can accelerate the automated operation for the production container, because it greatly simplifies the operation necessary to insert the compacted batch 2 into the container and to form the chamber 1 of the container by sealing the injection wall and the conveying wall 3, 4 together.

[0057] Preferably, the paper layers of the injection walls and conveying walls 3, 4 are formable paper layers. As is commonly known to those skilled in the art, the injection walls and conveying walls 3, 4 are preferably formed from a blank, which is stretched and given the desired shape, preferably a cup shape, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0058] Preferably, the paper layers of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3 and 4 are vulcanized paper, i.e., paper with inherent oxygen barrier characteristics. This type of paper is preferred because it eliminates the need to attach additional oxygen barrier pads to the paper.

[0059] Preferably, the weight of the formable paper layer of the injection wall and conveying walls 3 and 4 is 50 g / m². 2 With 200g / m 2 Between, more preferably between 70g / m 2 With 150g / m 2 between.

[0060] If the paper layers of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3 and 4 do not have inherent oxygen barrier characteristics, then the usual oxygen barrier liner is attached to the paper layer.

[0061] The oxygen barrier liner is made of known single-layer or multi-layer polymer liners, including polymers of fossil or non-fossil origin or bio-derived polymers, and is preferably attached to the inner surfaces of the injection wall and delivery wall 3, 4.

[0062] The preferred multilayer barrier liner includes a core layer with oxygen and / or moisture barrier properties, which is used to seal the barrier liner to the sealing layer surrounding the injection wall and delivery walls 3, 4.

[0063] By way of non-limiting example, the oxygen barrier liner includes one or more of the following layers:

[0064] - The outermost polymer layer contains a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA / bioPBS / PBS), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0065] - First bonding layer, which contains a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin;

[0066] - A barrier layer comprising a polymer selected from the following list: butene glycol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or a combination thereof;

[0067] - A second bonding layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin.

[0068] - The innermost polymer layer contains a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA / bioPBS / PBS), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0069] Preferably, the oxygen barriers of the injection wall and conveying walls 3, 4 are selected to provide sufficient shelf life based on the nature of the beverage ingredients. For example, for coffee, the expected shelf life may be 12 months.

[0070] Preferably, the inlet and delivery walls 3 and 4 of the container are made of household compostable material. Containers according to the invention are generally intended for recycling in processes organized at official recycling facilities according to national regulations (e.g., in paper recycling streams, or in general waste recycling or processing streams). However, in cases where the container is placed in nature, in household compostable waste, or in a landfill, the container is designed with materials naturally prepared for bacterial degradation and with temperature and humidity conditions naturally present in nature. In this way, it is ensured that such containers do not remain in nature and will naturally disappear within a short period (in principle, a few weeks) under the conditions defined by household compostability standards. More precisely, household compostability is well defined at the national level and is primarily based on the international standard EN 13432; therefore, it does not need to be further defined in this specification. Materials or products conforming to these standards can be identified by conformity markings indicating their household compostability. Some examples of national-level household compostability certifications include, but are not limited to, the following: Certification bodies. AUSTRIA BELGIUM offers such home compostability certification schemes, and DINCERTCO offers home compostability certification according to Australian Standard AS 5810. Italy has a national standard for composting at ambient temperature, UNI 11183:2006. In November 2015, the French standard "NF T 51-800 Plastics - Specifications for plastics suitable for home composting" was introduced. This standard is covered in the DINCERTCO scheme.

[0071] Beverages are prepared by mixing a fluid substance with ingredients contained in a container. Preferably, the ingredients are selected from the following list: roasted and ground coffee, compressed or uncompressed coffee, soluble powdered coffee, or leaf tea. Dairy ingredients (e.g., milk or creamer) may also be provided, as well as chocolate, fruit juice, soup, vegetable juice, broth, smoothies, fruit puree, vegetable sauce, cream, chicory, barley, cooking aids, soup stock, infant formula, or combinations thereof, in powdered soluble form, liquid concentrate of various viscosities, or gel form.

[0072] The most preferred ingredient is roasted and ground coffee.

[0073] The container of the present invention can generally interact with beverage and / or food preparation equipment, such as by introducing a diluent (e.g., hot water, cold water, or ambient water) into the container; mixing such a diluent; or otherwise interacting with beverage ingredients. By stating "mixing the diluent with beverage ingredients," all ingredients contained in the container are intended to be in a form compatible with the general mixing operations (dissolving, extracting, or dispensing) of the diluent to obtain a beverage product. This type of equipment is, for example, used for extraction... Equipment for professional powder capsule packaging.

[0074] Preferably, the chamber 1 defined by the injection wall and the delivery walls 3, 4 is substantially oxygen-free, and the empty space within the container is saturated with inert gases such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the container has an internal gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure due to gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide contained in the coffee and released into the cavity after sealing.

[0075] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a container for preparing a beverage in the aforementioned beverage preparation equipment.

[0076] The method includes the following steps:

[0077] - An injection wall 3 is provided, comprising a paper layer through which water is introduced into the container, and wherein the injection wall 3 is puncturable by an injection component of the beverage preparation device to allow water to circulate under pressure within the container, and

[0078] - Provides a beverage delivery wall 4, which includes a paper layer through which a beverage is dispensed from a container, and wherein the delivery wall 4 can be opened by an opening member of the beverage preparation device when pressure within the container presses the delivery wall 4 against the opening member, wherein at least one of the injection wall and the delivery wall 3, 4 has a cup-shaped form.

[0079] The method further includes the step of placing a beverage ingredient 2 in at least one cup-shaped wall 4, wherein the beverage ingredient 2 is a body formed by compacted ingredients.

[0080] The method further includes a sealing step, wherein the sealing portions 3A and 4A of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3 and 4 are sealed in a sealing station to form a chamber 1 in which the body 2 formed by the compacted feed is stored.

[0081] The sealing station includes a housing element for at least partially accommodating the sealing portions 3A and 4A.

[0082] The housing element has a housing temperature Th at the start of sealing.

[0083] The sealing body 2 is configured to not completely fill the chamber 1.

[0084] According to the present invention, after the sealing step, the container is cooled at a cooling temperature.

[0085] According to the present invention, the difference between the shell temperature (Th) and the cooling temperature (Tc) is 15°C or greater (the cooling temperature is of course lower than the shell temperature), or alternatively, the cooling temperature (Tc) is selected between -10°C and +25°C.

[0086] Experiments have confirmed that this cooling step following the sealing step reduces the unfilled space in chamber 1 and increases the area of ​​at least the internal surface of the conveying wall 4, which adheres to the compacted beverage ingredient body 2. In particular, the cooling step causes the injection wall and conveying walls 3, 4 to adhere to the compacted ingredient body 2, which reduces the unfilled space in chamber 1.

[0087] Preferably, the cooling step lasts for at least 0.5 seconds, more preferably at least 1 second, and more preferably between 1 and 5 seconds.

[0088] As discussed in more detail below, preferably, the shell temperature (Th) is between 40°C and 100°C.

[0089] Figure 3 The container is shown after the sealing step and before the cooling step, and Figure 4 The same container is shown after the cooling step. Comparing the two figures reveals that the empty space 6' (in the container before the cooling step) is significantly larger. Figure 3 (As shown in the image) the empty space 6 present in the container after the cooling step (in) Figure 4 (As shown in the image) much larger. In the container before the cooling step ( Figure 3 The conveying wall 4 has a large portion 4E of its sidewall 4B that does not contact the body 2 of the compacted feed. The empty portion 6' of the container prior to the cooling step... Figure 3 It is located not only at the sealing portions 4A and 3A of the conveying wall and the injection wall, but also at the side wall portion 4B of the conveying wall 4.

[0090] like Figure 4 As shown, after the cooling step, except for the empty space 6 located only at the sealed portions 3A and 4A of the injection wall and the conveying wall 3 and 4, the injection wall and the conveying wall 3 and 4 are in almost continuous contact with the outer surface of the compacted batch body 2 (there is no top space).

[0091] As described above, due to the fact that the empty space in chamber 1 is very limited, which is preferably only provided at the sealing portions 3A, 4A, and the conveying wall 4 is almost completely in contact with the beverage ingredients (which forms a kind of "pad"), it has been proven that no cracks are formed in the conveying wall 4 during beverage outflow, and the beverage flows out only through the opening formed by the interaction between the conveying wall 4 and the opening component of the beverage preparation device.

[0092] Preferably, after the cooling step, the empty space defined by the injection wall and the delivery wall in the chamber 1 is less than 5% of the total volume of the chamber 1, preferably less than 3%, and except for the end portions 4F, 3F of the walls 3, 4 located at the sealing portions 3A, 4A of the walls 3, 4, at least the inner surface of the delivery wall 4 and preferably the inner surface of the injection wall 3 are in continuous contact with the outer surface of the beverage ingredient body 2.

[0093] Preferably, the container is cooled with a cooling gas (e.g., air) having a pressure of at least 0.5 bar, more preferably between 1 bar and 6 bar. Other alternatives for cooling are conceivable, such as using fluids other than gases (e.g., a cooling liquid circulating to the surface of the sealed powder capsule). In another alternative, the powder capsule is rapidly moved from the sealed housing toward another location on the production line, which may be, for example, a cooling chamber through which the powder capsule is circulated, the chamber being cooled such that the atmosphere therein is maintained at a temperature corresponding to the cooling temperature (Tc) provided in this specification.

[0094] As previously stated, the injection walls and conveying walls 3 and 4 preferably have the same cup-shaped shape and size, and are formed by forming paper layers. As commonly practiced by those skilled in the art, the injection walls and conveying walls 3 and 4 are formed from a blank, which is stretched and given the desired shape, preferably a cup-shaped shape, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0095] As previously mentioned, preferably, the paper layers of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3, 4 are vulcanized paper, i.e., paper with inherent oxygen barrier characteristics. This type of paper is preferred because it eliminates the need to attach additional oxygen barrier pads to the paper.

[0096] As mentioned above, preferably, the weight of the formable paper layer of the injection wall and conveying walls 3 and 4 is 50 g / m². 2 With 200g / m 2 Between, more preferably between 70g / m 2 With 150g / m 2 between.

[0097] As mentioned earlier, if the paper layers of the injection wall and the conveying walls 3 and 4 do not have inherent oxygen barrier characteristics, then a typical oxygen barrier liner is attached to the paper layer.

[0098] Apart from the final cooling step, all the steps and equipment necessary for producing the containers are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0099] After the injection wall and delivery walls 3 and 4 are formed, the delivery wall 4 is placed in the bottom cavity of the housing element of the sealing station. The housing element is configured to at least partially accommodate the sealing portion 4a of the injection wall, and more preferably accommodate the entire delivery wall 4.

[0100] Preferably, the conveying wall 4 is held in place within the housing element by applying a light attractive force (e.g., using a light vacuum) toward the bottom cavity on the outer surface of the conveying wall.

[0101] According to the first sealing mode, before the sealing begins, the housing element is preferably preheated at a temperature (Th), which is preferably between 40°C and 100°C, more preferably between 60°C and 70°C.

[0102] Then, the compacted batching body 2 is placed inside the conveying wall 4, and the injection wall 3 is positioned above the conveying wall 4 to form the container chamber 1 (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 (As shown). Then, the two overlapping sealing portions 4A, 3A of the two walls 3, 4 are sealed together. Preferably, the sealing station also includes a movable sealing head that very locally achieves a sealing temperature between 130°C and 200°C, more preferably between 160°C and 180°C.

[0103] According to the second sealing mode, the housing element is not heated, and sealing is achieved by using a movable ultrasonic sealing head of a type commonly used by those skilled in the art.

[0104] Once the container is sealed, it is preferably moved quickly to the cooling station.

[0105] The temperature to which the powder capsules are cooled after the sealing process can be set as follows:

[0106] - Between -10℃ and +25℃, or

[0107] - Alternatively, the temperature is made to be at least 15°C lower than the shell temperature (Th), preferably, the cooling temperature (Tc) is at least 20°C lower than the shell temperature (Th).

[0108] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the currently preferred embodiments of the containers and methods for producing the containers described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as covered by the appended claims. For example, the injection walls and / or conveying walls 3, 4 and / or the body 2 formed from the compacted feedstock may have different shapes.

Claims

1. A method for producing a container for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: a. Providing an injection wall (3) for the container, the injection wall comprising a paper layer through which water is introduced into the container, wherein the injection wall (3) is puncturable by an injection component of the beverage preparation apparatus to allow water to circulate under pressure within the container. b. Providing a beverage delivery wall (4) for the container, the beverage delivery wall comprising a paper layer through which the beverage is dispensed from the container, wherein the beverage delivery wall (4) is openable by an opening component of the beverage preparation equipment, wherein at least one of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) has a cup-shaped form. c. Placing the beverage ingredients in the beverage conveying wall (4), wherein the beverage ingredients are a body (2) formed from compacted beverage ingredients. d. The edge portions (3A, 4A) of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) are sealed together in a sealing station to form a chamber (1) in which the body (2) formed of the compacted beverage ingredients is stored. The sealing station includes a housing element for at least partially accommodating the injection wall (3) and / or the beverage delivery wall (4), wherein the housing element has a housing temperature (Th) at the start of the sealing, and wherein the shape and size of the body (2) are designed such that the chamber (1) is not completely filled. The feature is that: after the sealing step, the container is cooled at a cooling temperature (Tc), wherein the cooling temperature is: - At least 15°C lower than the temperature of the casing, or Between -10℃ and +25℃ In order to reduce the space in the chamber (1) that is not filled by the body (2) and increase the area of ​​at least the internal surface of the conveying wall (4) which adheres to the body (2) of the compacted beverage ingredients.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling duration is at least 0.5 seconds.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The shell temperature (Th) is between 40°C and 100°C.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The container is cooled with a cooling gas having a pressure of at least 0.5 bar.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cooling step begins within 0.1 to 60 seconds after the sealing step ends.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Both the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) have a cup shape.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The cooling duration is at least 1 second.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The shell temperature (Th) is between 60°C and 70°C.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The cooling gas is air, and the cooling gas has a pressure between 1 bar and 6 bar.

10. A container for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus, obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the container comprising a chamber (1) in which beverage ingredients (2) are stored, the chamber (1) being defined by: - Injection wall (3), through which fluid is introduced into the container, wherein the injection wall (3) is configured to be puncturable by the injection component of the beverage preparation device to allow the fluid to circulate under pressure within the chamber (1), and - Beverage delivery wall (4), through which the beverage will be dispensed from the container, wherein the beverage delivery wall (4) is configured to open upon interaction with an opening component of the beverage preparation device under the pressure increase of the fluid injected into the chamber (1); -The injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) include sealing portions (3A, 4A) for sealingly connecting the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) together; - wherein the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) form an oxygen barrier for the beverage ingredients (2) stored in the chamber (1); -The beverage ingredient (2) therein is a body formed by compacted ingredients, the body having a three-dimensional shape and its dimensions being designed to not completely fill the cavity (1), and in such a way that at least one empty space (6) is provided in the cavity (1) and located between the body (2) and the inner surfaces of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4); - wherein the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) comprise paper layers, Its features are, The empty space (6) within the chamber (1) is less than 5% of the total volume of the chamber (1); Furthermore, except for the end portions (4F, 3F) of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) located at the sealing portions (3A, 4A), at least the inner surface of the beverage delivery wall (4) is in continuous contact with the outer surface of the beverage ingredient body (2).

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein, The paper layers of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) have at least one of the following characteristics: i) The paper layer is made of sulfurized paper with inherent oxygen barrier characteristics; ii) The paper layer is a formable paper layer that can be stretched and deformed to obtain the required shape of the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4); iii) The weight of the paper layer is 50 g / m². 2 With 200g / m 2 between.

12. The container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The injection wall and the beverage delivery wall (3, 4) have a cup shape, the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) have the same shape and size, and the beverage ingredient body (2) has the same three-dimensional shape as the chamber (1) defined by the injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4).

13. The container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The injection wall (3) and the beverage delivery wall (4) are made of compostable materials.

14. The container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the container is a single-use coffee powder capsule.

15. The container according to claim 10, wherein, The empty space (6) in the chamber (1) is less than 3% of the total volume of the chamber (1); and the inner surface of the injection wall (3) is in continuous contact with the outer surface of the beverage ingredient body (2).

16. The container according to claim 11, wherein, The shape is cup-shaped, and the weight of the paper layer is 70g / m². 2 With 150g / m 2 between.

17. The container according to claim 12, wherein, The cup shape is rotationally symmetrical.

18. Use of the container according to any one of claims 10 to 17 in a beverage preparation apparatus.

Images