Capsule for the preparation of a beverage and method for manufacturing said capsule

Abstract

A capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device (10), the capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body (1) having a bottom wall (4), a side wall (5) and a flange (3); and a lid (2) sealed on the flange (3) for closing the cup-shaped body (1), wherein said bottom wall (4) comprises: at least one fluid injection portion (7) adapted to be pierced by a piercing member (12) of the beverage preparation device (10); and at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B) surrounding said first fluid injection portion (7); wherein the cup-shaped body (1) comprises a cellulose pulp layer (14) and an oxygen barrier inner liner (15) attached to said cellulose pulp layer (14); wherein the thickness (T1) of said fluid injection portion (7) is less than the thickness (T2) of said at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B), and wherein the density of the at least cellulose pulp layer (14) of said fluid injection portion (7) of reduced thickness is increased relative to the density of the cellulose pulp of said surrounding portion (13A, 13B); so as to improve the piercing of said fluid injection portion by the piercing member and to increase the stiffness of this fluid injection portion relative to the stiffness of said surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to capsules for preparing beverages in a beverage preparation apparatus and a method for manufacturing said capsules. The capsule includes a cup-shaped body, wherein at least said body is formed from a cellulose pulp-based material. Background Technology

[0002] Containers or capsules made from cellulose pulp-based materials are known in the field of beverage preparation equipment. Cellulose pulp-based materials are also known to preserve the quality of the beverage substance within the capsule for at least a certain period. Single-use capsules for preparing beverages in beverage production equipment are also known.

[0003] Compared to capsules made from other materials, single-use capsules based on cellulose pulp have a smaller potential environmental impact.

[0004] Known cellulose pulp-based capsules used in beverage preparation equipment typically include components that encapsulate the capsule during the beverage preparation process and inject water into the capsule for beverage preparation.

[0005] In known paper capsules, it is possible that when the water injection component must pierce a dedicated portion of the capsule's cup-shaped body, that dedicated portion of the cup-shaped body, and usually the entire cup-shaped body, cannot maintain its shape and, for example, collapses inward.

[0006] This can cause the injection component to fail to pierce the wall of the cup-shaped body or only partially pierce it. In some cases, this can block the capsule within the beverage preparation device and / or lead to incorrect water injection, and thus incorrect beverage dispensing.

[0007] The present invention aims to improve the ability of a cup-shaped body of a capsule made of a cellulose pulp-based material to be punctured by known puncture elements of common beverage preparation equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention according to claim 1 is a capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus, the capsule comprising: a cup-shaped body having a bottom wall, side walls, and a flange; and a cap that seals onto the flange to close the cup-shaped body; the bottom wall comprising: at least one fluid injection portion adapted to be punctured by a puncturing member of the beverage preparation apparatus; and at least one surrounding portion surrounding the first fluid injection portion; and the cup-shaped body comprising a cellulose pulp layer and an oxygen barrier liner attached to the cellulose pulp layer.

[0009] According to the invention, the thickness of the fluid injection portion is less than the thickness of at least one surrounding portion, and the density of at least one cellulose pulp layer in the fluid injection portion with reduced thickness is increased relative to the density of the cellulose pulp in the surrounding portion.

[0010] This invention improves the puncture effect of the puncturing member on the fluid injection portion.

[0011] The present invention also increases the stiffness of the fluid injection portion relative to the stiffness of the multiple or one surrounding portions, which also helps to improve the puncture of the fluid injection portion by the piercing member.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the fluid injection portion is reduced by 10% to 80% relative to the thickness of the plurality of or one surrounding portion, preferably by 50%.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment, the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer in only the fluid-injected portion is less than the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer in the plurality of or one surrounding portion, and the thickness of the oxygen barrier liner remains the same in both the fluid-injected portion and the plurality of or one surrounding portion.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment, the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer and the thickness of the oxygen barrier liner in the fluid injection portion are less than the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer and the thickness of the oxygen barrier liner in the plurality of or one surrounding portion.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, the density of the fluid injection portion is greater than the density of the plurality of or one surrounding portion. Preferably, the density of the fluid injection portion is increased by at least 0.1% to 20% relative to the density of the plurality of or one surrounding portion, more preferably by 5% to 10%.

[0016] Preferably, the cup-shaped body is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibers ranging from 80% to 100% by weight.

[0017] Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner comprises a thermoformable polymer.

[0018] Preferably, but not exclusively, the capsule of the present invention is a disposable coffee capsule.

[0019] According to the present invention, the use of the aforementioned capsules in beverage preparation equipment is also disclosed.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a capsule as disclosed above, wherein the capsule comprises: a cup-shaped body having a bottom wall, side walls, and a flange; and a cap that seals onto the flange to close the cup-shaped body.

[0021] -The bottom wall includes: at least one fluid injection portion adapted to be punctured by a puncturing member of the beverage preparation device; and at least one surrounding portion surrounding the first fluid injection portion;

[0022] -The cup-shaped body includes a cellulose pulp layer made of cellulose pulp and an oxygen barrier liner attached to the cellulose pulp layer;

[0023] -The cup-shaped body of the capsule is obtained by molding dry or wet, preferably wet, cellulose pulp in a mold and by attaching an oxygen-barrier liner to the molded cellulose pulp layer.

[0024] According to the invention, the method includes the steps of reducing the thickness of the fluid injection portion of the capsule relative to the thickness of a plurality of or a surrounding portion in order to improve the puncture of the fluid injection portion by a piercing member, and increasing the stiffness of the fluid injection portion relative to the stiffness of the plurality of or a surrounding portion; wherein the thickness reduction is performed during the molding process of the cup-shaped body or in a subsequent step by applying local mechanical compression only to the cellulose pulp layer of the injection portion, or by applying local mechanical compression to both the cellulose pulp layer of the injection portion and the oxygen barrier liner.

[0025] Preferably, in addition to local mechanical compression, the cellulose pulp layer in the injected portion is subjected to ultrasonic hardening treatment.

[0026] Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner and cellulose pulp layer of the injection portion are subjected to heat treatment.

[0027] In the context of this invention, the term "cellulose pulp" refers to pulp comprising 80% to 100% cellulose fibers by weight.

[0028] The term "cellulose fiber" refers to a fiber having a wood and / or no wood source. As a non-limiting example, the fiber includes: hardwood cellulose fiber, softwood cellulose fiber, wheat fiber, corn fiber, bagasse fiber, bamboo fiber, hemp fiber, cotton fiber, other similar vegetable or plant fibers, or combinations thereof.

[0029] The cup-shaped body, made of cellulose pulp, includes at least one oxygen-barrier liner made of one, preferably multiple, layers.

[0030] The oxygen barrier liner is made of a known single or multiple polymer liner, including polymers of fossil or non-fossil origin or bio-based polymers, and is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup-shaped body of the capsule.

[0031] Preferred multilayer barrier liners include a core layer with oxygen and / or moisture barrier properties, which is used to seal the barrier liners to a sealing layer surrounding the cellulose pulp material.

[0032] As a non-limiting example, the oxygen barrier liner comprises one or more of the following layers:

[0033] - The outermost polymer layer comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA / bioPBS), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0034] - A first adhesive layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin;

[0035] - A barrier layer comprising a polymer selected from the following list: butene glycol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or combinations thereof;

[0036] - A second adhesive layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin;

[0037] - The innermost polymer layer comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0038] The cover is made of a known material, preferably a polymer film.

[0039] The lid can be flat, meaning it does not form a three-dimensional shape.

[0040] The cap is sealed onto the sealing layer of the cup-shaped body opening so as to close the cup-shaped body opening after the ingredients are filled.

[0041] The cup-shaped body of the capsule is preferably obtained by molding dry or wet (preferably wet) cellulose pulp in a mold.

[0042] Preferably, the aforementioned "barrier liner" is laminated onto the inner and / or outer surfaces of the body after the cup-shaped body of the molded capsule is formed.

[0043] Preferably, the oxygen barrier properties of both the lid and the cup-shaped body are selected to provide a sufficient shelf life depending on the nature of the beverage ingredients. For example, for coffee, the expected shelf life could be 12 months.

[0044] Preferably, the cup-shaped body, the oxygen-barrier liner of the cup-shaped body, and / or the lid are made of household compostable material, so that the capsule or at least a portion thereof can be placed into household compostable waste.

[0045] Preferably, the cellulose layer of the cup-shaped body, the oxygen-barrier liner of the cup-shaped body, and / or the capsule lid are made of household compostable material. The capsule according to the invention generally means recycling in a recycling process organized at an official recycling facility according to national regulations (e.g., in a paper recycling stream, or in a general waste recycling or processing stream). However, in cases where the capsule is placed in nature, in household compostable waste, or in a landfill, the capsule is designed to have a material that is naturally readily degraded by bacteria under the temperature and humidity conditions naturally present in nature. In this way, it is ensured that such a capsule will 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 now well defined at the national level and is primarily based on the international standard EN 13432; therefore, they do not need to be further defined in this specification. Materials or products conforming to these standards can be identified by a qualified mark indicating their household compostability. Some examples of national-level household compostability certification include, but are not limited to, the following: Certification bodies. AUSTRIA BELGIUM offers this home compostability certification scheme, and DIN CERTCO offers home compostability certification according to Australian Standard AS 5810. Italy has the national standard UNI 11183:2006 for composting at ambient temperature. In November 2015, the French standard "NF T51-800 Plastics – Specifications for Plastics Suitable for Home Composting" was introduced. This standard is covered in the DIN CERTCO scheme.

[0046] The beverage is prepared by mixing a fluid substance with the ingredients contained in the capsule. 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.

[0047] The most preferred ingredient is roasted and ground coffee.

[0048] The capsule of this 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 a container; mixing such a diluent; or otherwise interacting with the beverage ingredients. By stating "mixing the diluent with the beverage ingredients," all ingredients contained in the capsule are intended to be in a form compatible with the general mixing operation (dissolving, extracting, or filling) of the diluent to obtain the beverage product. This type of equipment is, for example, used for extraction of traditional... Those devices for the capsule.

[0049] Preferably, the chamber defined by the capsule body and the capsule lid is substantially free of oxygen, and the empty space is saturated with inert gases such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the capsule has an internal gas pressure higher than atmospheric pressure due to gases contained in the coffee and released into the chamber after sealing, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Attached Figure Description

[0050] 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:

[0051] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the capsule according to the present invention;

[0052] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic longitudinal sectional view of the capsule;

[0053] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of the part indicated by the middle arrow W1;

[0054] Figure 4 It is similar to Figure 3 A schematic enlarged cross-sectional view, but showing Figure 3 A second manufacturing method for the same component shown;

[0055] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial longitudinal sectional view of a capsule being encapsulated in a capsule encapsulation component of a beverage preparation device;

[0056] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial longitudinal sectional view of the capsule in an intermediate step of the first manufacturing method;

[0057] Figure 6A yes Figure 6 A schematic enlarged view of the part indicated by the middle arrow W2;

[0058] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial longitudinal sectional view of the capsule in an intermediate step of the second manufacturing method; and

[0059] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial longitudinal sectional view of the capsule in an intermediate step of the third manufacturing method. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus 10 is shown. The capsule includes: a cup-shaped body 1; a cap 2 for closing the cup-shaped body 1; and an annular flange 3 for sealing the cap 2 thereon. The cup-shaped body 1 includes: a bottom wall 4, side walls 5, and flange 3. The bottom wall 4 includes: at least one fluid injection portion 7, which is adapted to be pierced by a piercing member 12 of the beverage preparation apparatus 10. Figure 5 (as shown in the diagram) puncture; and at least one surrounding portion 13A, 13B, which surrounds the first fluid injection portion 7 (in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two surrounding portions 13A and 13B are shown in the figure. The cup-shaped body 1 includes a cellulose pulp layer 14 made of cellulose pulp and an oxygen barrier liner 15 attached to the cellulose pulp layer 14.

[0061] According to the present invention, the thickness T1 of the fluid injection portion 7 is less than the thickness T2 of the surrounding portions 13A and 13B, and the density of at least the cellulose pulp layer 14 of the fluid injection portion 7 with reduced thickness is increased relative to the density of the cellulose pulp of the surrounding portions.

[0062] In the capsule according to the invention, the puncture member 12 improves the puncture of the fluid injection portion 7.

[0063] In the capsule according to the invention, the stiffness of the fluid injection portion 7 is increased relative to the stiffness of the surrounding portions 13A, 13B, and this also helps to improve the puncture resistance of the puncture member 12 to the fluid injection portion 7.

[0064] Preferably, the thickness T1 of the fluid injection portion 7 is reduced by 10% to 80% relative to the thickness T2 of the surrounding portions 13A and 13B, more preferably by about 50%.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stiffness of the fluid injection portion is increased by 1% to 50% relative to the thickness of the plurality of or one surrounding portion, preferably by 20%.

[0066] like Figure 3As shown, preferably, only the thickness T3 of the cellulose pulp layer 14 in the fluid injection portion 7 is reduced and is less than the thickness T5 of the cellulose pulp layer 14 in the surrounding portions 13A and 13B, while the thickness T4 of the oxygen barrier liner 15 remains the same in both the fluid injection portion 7 and the surrounding portions 13A and 13B.

[0067] Preferably, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, since the thickness reduction is set on the inner surface of the injection portion 7, the outer surface of the bottom wall 4 is a uniform, smooth and non-discontinuous surface at the injection portion 7 and the surrounding portions 13A and 13B.

[0068] according to Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the reduced-thickness injection portion 7 is formed from the outer side of the chamber 1A defined by the cup-shaped body 1. The features of this injection portion 7 formed from the outer side are similar to those previously referenced. Figure 3 The features discussed are the same and will not be repeated. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the outer surface of the bottom wall 4 includes a recessed portion and a discontinuity at the injection portion 7.

[0069] Preferably, the density D1 of the fluid injection portion 7 is also greater than the density D2 of the surrounding portions 13A and 13B. Preferably, the density D1 of the fluid injection portion 7 is increased by 0.1% to 20% relative to the density D2 of the surrounding portions 13A and 13B, more preferably by 5% to 10%.

[0070] The cup-shaped body 1 is preferably rotationally symmetrical. Preferably, the sidewall 5 has a truncated conical shape, a circular cross-section, and a diameter that increases toward the annular flange 3.

[0071] Preferably, when viewed in a longitudinal section, the sidewall 5 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0072] The bottom wall 4 preferably includes a first inclined wall 4A and a second wall 4B to define a shallow concave volume. The first inclined wall 4A preferably has a truncated conical shape, a circular cross-section, and a diameter that increases toward the wall 5. Figure 2 As shown, the second wall 4B is preferably flat or convex (from the perspective of chamber 1A, i.e., protruding inward toward chamber 1A). As described above, the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1 and preferably its inclined wall 4A include a fluid injection portion 7 (the area of ​​which is in...) Figure 1 (Highlighted by dashed lines), this fluid injection section is adapted to be punctured (e.g., by the puncturing member 12 of the beverage device 10 used for beverage preparation) Figure 5 (As shown). The fluid injection section 7 preferably has an annular shape and a width F1 (as shown). Figure 2The width is between 10% and 100% of the width F2 of the inclined wall 4A. The fluid injection portion 7 is surrounded by portions 13A and 13B of the bottom wall 4 of the cup, which are preferably annular portions of the inclined wall 4A. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the fluid injection portion may be located in the end wall 4B of the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1, for example, at the center of the end wall 4B. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1 includes a plurality of injection portions separated from each other.

[0073] It should be noted that the fluid injection portion may have any suitable shape other than the annular shape disclosed in the accompanying drawings.

[0074] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the reduced-thickness fluid injection portion may extend over the entire inclined wall 4A, or even over the entire bottom wall 4.

[0075] The annular flange 3 includes a preferably flat wall 3A.

[0076] exist Figure 3 The beverage preparation apparatus 10 disclosed in the middle section includes (common to those skilled in the art) a movable encapsulation member 9 and a support plate 11 for supporting the cap 2 of the capsule. When liquid injected into the capsule through the puncture member 12 generates a predetermined pressure in the capsule, the support plate 11 tears off the cap 2 and allows the beverage to flow out of the capsule.

[0077] As is commonly known to those skilled in the art, the encapsulation member 9 can be positioned from an initial position (not shown) and a brewing position (in... Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) the movement, this initial position allows the capsule to be introduced into the beverage preparation device, wherein the encapsulation member 9 and the support plate 11 tightly encapsulate the capsule. In this position, pressurized liquid is injected into the capsule through an opening formed by one or more pointed piercing members 12 of the beverage preparation device 10.

[0078] These sharp piercing components 12 are designed to pierce the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1 at the injection portion 7 of the wall.

[0079] The operation of the beverage preparation equipment 10 and the technical features of its various components are well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0080] As previously mentioned, the cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp, which comprises cellulose fibers ranging from 80% to 100% by weight.

[0081] The term "cellulose fiber" refers to a fiber having a wood and / or no wood source. As a non-limiting example, the fiber includes: hardwood cellulose fiber, softwood cellulose fiber, wheat fiber, corn fiber, bagasse fiber, bamboo fiber, hemp fiber, cotton fiber, other similar vegetable or plant fibers, or combinations thereof.

[0082] The preferred oxygen barrier liner 15 comprises a thermoformable polymer.

[0083] Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner 15 is made of at least one layer, and more preferably multiple layers.

[0084] Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner 15 includes a core layer having oxygen and / or moisture barrier properties, which is used to surround the barrier liner with a sealing layer on the cellulose pulp material.

[0085] Preferably, the multilayer barrier liner includes a core layer with oxygen and / or moisture barrier properties, which is used to seal the barrier liner to a sealing layer surrounding the cellulose pulp.

[0086] Preferably, the barrier liner 15 is disposed on all inner surfaces of the cup-shaped body 1 so as to define at least the entire chamber 1A for containing beverage substances.

[0087] The oxygen barrier liner 15 is made of a known single or multiple polymer liner, including, for example, polymers of fossil or non-fossil origin or bio-based polymers, and is attached to the inner surface of the cellulose pulp cup-shaped body of the capsule.

[0088] As a non-limiting example, the oxygen barrier liner comprises one or more of the following layers:

[0089] - The outermost polymer layer comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA / bioPBS), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0090] - A first adhesive layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin;

[0091] - A barrier layer comprising a polymer selected from the following list: butene glycol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or combinations thereof;

[0092] - A second adhesive layer comprising a biodegradable modified or functionalized polyolefin;

[0093] - The innermost polymer layer comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the following list: polybutylene succinate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), starch, cellulose derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), or combinations thereof.

[0094] Preferably, the first and outermost polymer layers have a thickness between 10 μm and 50 μm, and the layers have an elongation at break between 10% and 800%, a melt flow rate (MFR) between 2 and 4 when measured at 150°C for 10 minutes under a pressure of 2.16 kg, and the layers have a melting point temperature below 80°C.

[0095] Preferably, the first adhesive layer has a melting point temperature between 180°C and 230°C and a thickness between 1 μm and 12 μm.

[0096] Preferably, the barrier layer has a melting point temperature between 180°C and 230°C and a thickness between 1 μm and 15 μm.

[0097] Preferably, the second adhesive layer has a melting point temperature of 180°C to 230°C and a thickness of 1 μm to 10 μm.

[0098] Preferably, the innermost polymer layer has a thickness between 10 μm and 50 μm, and the innermost layer has an elongation at break between 10% and 1000%, a melt flow rate (MFR) between 4 and 10 when measured at 190°C for 10 minutes under a pressure of 2.16 kg, and the layer has a melting point temperature between 110°C and 180°C.

[0099] The cover 2 is made of a known material. Preferably, the cover 2 is a polymer film.

[0100] The cover 2 can be flat, that is, it does not form a three-dimensional shape.

[0101] Cover 2 preferably includes an oxygen barrier layer.

[0102] Preferably, the cellulose layer 14 of the cup-shaped body 1, the oxygen-barrier liner 15 of the cup-shaped body, and / or the lid 2 are made of household compostable material. The capsule according to the invention generally means recycling in a recycling process organized at an official recycling facility according to national regulations (e.g., in a paper recycling stream, or in a general waste recycling or processing stream). However, in cases where the capsule is placed in nature, in household compostable waste, or in a landfill, the capsule is designed to have a material that is naturally readily degraded by bacteria under the temperature and humidity conditions naturally present in nature. In this way, it is ensured that such a capsule will 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 now well defined at the national level and is primarily based on the international standard EN 13432; therefore, they do not need to be further defined in this specification. Materials or products conforming to these standards can be identified by qualified markings indicating their household compostability. Some examples of national-level household compostability certification include, but are not limited to, the following. The certification body Tüvaustria Belgium offers this home compostability certification scheme, and DIN CERTCO offers home compostability certification according to Australian standard AS 5810. Italy has a national standard UNI 11183:2006 for composting at ambient temperature. In November 2015, the French standard "NF T51-800 Plastics – Specifications for Plastics Suitable for Home Composting" was introduced. This standard is covered in the DIN CERTCO scheme.

[0103] According to the present invention, the cup-shaped body 1 of the capsule is preferably formed by molding 16 ( Figure 6 It is obtained by molding dry or wet (preferably wet) cellulose pulp in a mold.

[0104] Molding processes are commonly used by those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail.

[0105] Preferably, the molding process produces only the cellulose pulp layer 14 of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0106] After the cellulose pulp layer 14 of the cup-shaped body 1 is formed, preferably, during the drying of the cellulose pulp, an oxygen barrier liner 15 is attached to the inner surface of the cup-shaped body portion of the cellulose pulp layer 14. Preferably, the oxygen barrier liner 14 is attached to the inner surface of the cup-shaped body 1 by thermoforming.

[0107] Cellulose pulp mold 16 includes a concave part 16A and a convex part of complementary shape ( Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). The cup-shaped body 1, made using a mold, has a substantially uniform thickness.

[0108] The reduced thickness of the injected portion 7 can be obtained using different methods.

[0109] According to the first method ( Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the injection portion 7 is made by local mechanical compression. According to this method, after the cellulose pulp layer 14 of the cup-shaped body 1 is formed, and preferably while the cellulose pulp is still wet, the pressing tool 17 is inserted into the concave part 16A of the mold and pressed against the inner surface of the bottom wall 4 of the cup-shaped body 1 so as to form the injection portion 7 with reduced thickness in the bottom wall.

[0110] The pressing tool 17 includes a head 17A having the same shape as the bottom wall 4, such that the outer surface of the head 17A contacts the corresponding inner surface of the bottom wall 4. To form the injection portion 7, the head 17A includes a protruding portion 17B. Figure 6A The protruding portion has the same shape and width F3 as the injection portion 7 and has a thickness T7. Figure 6A The thickness is equal to the expected reduction in the thickness of the inclined wall 4A of the bottom wall 4.

[0111] By way of non-limiting example, the compressive load applied by the compression tool 17 includes between 1000N and 5000N, and preferably, the application time period includes between 0.1 seconds and 1 second, preferably about 0.3 seconds.

[0112] According to the first manufacturing method, after the injection portion 7 with reduced thickness is formed, the oxygen barrier liner 15 is attached to the inner surface of the cup-shaped body 1.

[0113] According to the second manufacturing method ( Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the injection portion 7 is still made by applying local mechanical compression, but before forming the injection portion 7 with reduced thickness, the oxygen barrier liner 15 is attached to the inner surface of the cup-shaped body 1, and then the injection portion is formed using the same pressing tool 17 as the pressing tool described above.

[0114] like Figure 8 As shown, the reduced-thickness injection portion 7 can still be formed by applying localized mechanical compression, but it is formed from the outside of the chamber 1A defined by the cup-shaped body 1. The shape of this injection portion 7 formed from the outside is... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram and discussed earlier.

[0115] A third manufacturing method is implemented to reduce the thickness of the injection portion 7 from the outside. This manufacturing method includes:

[0116] a) Provides a recess 16A for the mold 16, the recess including a protrusion 16B in the portion forming the bottom wall 4, the protrusion having the same size and shape as the injection portion 7, and the thickness of the protrusion being equal to the desired reduction in thickness of the inclined wall 4A of the bottom wall 4; and

[0117] b) A pressing tool 17 is provided, the pressing tool including a head 17C having a shape identical to that of the bottom wall 4, such that the outer surface of the head 17C contacts the corresponding inner surface of the bottom wall 4, and the head is pressed against the corresponding wall of the recess 16A of the mold and against the protrusion 16B for forming a reduced-thickness injection portion 7 (in Figure 4 (as shown in the image).

[0118] Preferably, the third method for forming the injection portion 7 is performed after the oxygen barrier liner 15 has been attached to the inner surface of the cup-shaped body 1, thereby increasing the attachment of the liner 15.

[0119] Other manufacturing methods are possible. For example, the reduced-thickness injection portion 7 can be directly molded during the cellulose pulp molding process used to form the cup-shaped body 1, without the need for applying localized mechanical compression.

[0120] To further increase the stiffness and density of the injection portion 7, in addition to the protrusions suitable for applying local mechanical compression, the pressing tool may also include a device for applying ultrasonic treatment to the cellulose pulp in the injection portion.

[0121] To further enhance the attachment of the oxygen barrier liner 15 to the injection portion 7, in addition to the protrusions suitable for applying localized mechanical compression, the pressing tool may also include means for heating the cellulose pulp of the oxygen barrier liner 15 and the injection portion 7.

[0122] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the currently preferred embodiments of the capsule described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as covered by the appended claims. For example, the cup-shaped body and / or the fluid injection portion may have different shapes.

Claims

1. A capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus (10), said capsule comprising: - A cup-shaped body (1), the cup-shaped body (1) having a bottom wall (4), side walls (5) and a flange (3), the cup-shaped body (1) including a cellulose pulp layer (14) and an oxygen barrier liner (15) attached to the cellulose pulp layer (14); and - A cover (2), which seals onto the flange (3) to close the cup-shaped body (1), wherein: - The bottom wall (4) includes: at least one fluid injection portion (7) adapted to be pierced by a piercing member (12) of the beverage preparation device (10); and at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B) surrounding the fluid injection portion (7), wherein: - The thickness (T1) of the fluid injection portion (7) is less than the thickness (T2) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B), and - The density of at least the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7) with reduced thickness is increased relative to the density of the cellulose pulp of the surrounding portion (13A, 13B). In order to improve the puncture of the fluid injection portion by the piercing member, and to increase the stiffness of the fluid injection portion relative to the stiffness of the surrounding portions (13A, 13B), The fluid injection portion (7) is annular and extends circumferentially on the first inclined wall (4A) of the bottom wall (4), and its stiffness is increased relative to that of the surrounding portions (13A, 13B); and, at the fluid injection portion (7), only the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7) is less than the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B), and the thickness of the oxygen barrier liner (15) remains the same in both the fluid injection portion (7) and the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the fluid injection portion (7) is reduced by 10% to 80% relative to the thickness of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

3. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the density (D1) of the fluid injection portion (7) is greater than the density (D2) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the density (D1) of the fluid injection portion (7) is increased by 0.1% to 20% relative to the density (D2) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

5. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cup-shaped body (1) is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibers in the range of 80% to 100% by weight.

6. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oxygen barrier liner (15) comprises a thermoformable polymer.

7. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the cup-shaped body (1), the oxygen barrier liner (15) of the cup-shaped body, and / or the cap (2) are made of home compostable material.

8. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capsule is a disposable coffee capsule.

9. Use of the capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in a beverage preparation apparatus (10).

10. A method for manufacturing a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the capsule comprises: - A cup-shaped body (1) having a bottom wall (4), side walls (5), and a flange (3), the cup-shaped body (1) comprising a cellulose pulp layer (14) made of cellulose pulp and an oxygen barrier liner (15) attached to the cellulose pulp layer; and - A cover (2), which is sealed on the flange (3) to close the cup-shaped body (1). -The bottom wall (4) comprises: at least one fluid injection portion (7) adapted to be pierced by a piercing member (12) of the beverage preparation device (10); and at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B) surrounding the fluid injection portion (7); and -The cup-shaped body (1) of the capsule is obtained by molding dry or wet cellulose pulp in a mold (16) and by attaching the oxygen barrier liner (15) to the molded cellulose pulp layer (14). The method is characterized by including the following steps: - In the step of reducing the thickness (T1) of the fluid injection portion (7) relative to the thickness (T2) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B) to improve the piercing of the fluid injection portion by the piercing member, and increasing the stiffness of the fluid injection portion relative to the stiffness of the surrounding portion (13A, 13B), the fluid injection portion (7) is annular and extends circumferentially on the first inclined wall (4A) of the bottom wall (4), The thickness reduction is performed during the molding process of the cup-shaped body or in a subsequent step by applying localized mechanical compression only to the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7); - The step of attaching the oxygen barrier liner (15) to the molded cellulose pulp layer (14) of the cup-shaped body (1) by thermoforming the oxygen barrier liner (15); In the fluid injection portion (7), the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7) is less than the thickness of the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B), and the thickness of the oxygen barrier liner (15) remains the same in both the fluid injection portion (7) and the at least one surrounding portion (13A, 13B).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, In addition to the local mechanical compression, the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7) is subjected to ultrasonic hardening treatment, and / or the oxygen barrier liner (15) and the cellulose pulp layer (14) of the fluid injection portion (7) are subjected to heat treatment.

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