Capsule for producing beverage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine, said capsule containing soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredients, said capsule comprising:-a capsule body (2) defining a chamber (21),-a top membrane (3) closing a top opening and adapted to be punctured for injecting a liquid into the capsule, and-a bottom membrane (4), -a bottom membrane (2) arranged inside the chamber (21) so as to define a dosing chamber between the top membrane (3) and said bottom membrane, and-an opening device (5), the opening device is arranged inside the chamber and is adapted to open the chamber by opposite engagement of the opening device with the bottom membrane (4) during injection of the liquid under the action of an increase in liquid pressure in the dispensing chamber, the bottom membrane being a laminated multilayer material, the invention relates to an opening device (5) comprising a laminated multilayer material comprising, in order:-a layer of vegetable parchment (41), and-an adhesive layer (42), and-a layer of non-woven material (43) comprising fibres wherein said fibres are biodegradable fibres, and wherein the layer of vegetable parchment faces the opening device (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine. Background Art

[0002] Single-serve beverage capsules are known in the art. These capsules are typically used with beverage preparation machines for dispensing beverages such as coffee or tea on demand.

[0003] To this end, a beverage capsule having a capsule body encapsulating the beverage ingredients is usually inserted into a capsule receiving part of a beverage preparation machine. The capsule receiving part is closed and the preparation of the beverage begins. In the capsule receiving part, the top membrane of the capsule is pierced with a needle and a fluid, usually water, is injected into the capsule to interact with the beverage ingredients inside the capsule to produce the desired beverage. The fluid fills the capsule, increasing the pressure inside the capsule. When a sufficient amount of fluid fills the capsule, a self-opening mechanism in the capsule is actuated to open the bottom membrane of the capsule to release the prepared beverage when the extraction of the beverage ingredients is completed. Patent EP1472156 describes an example of the working principle of this type of container.

[0004] In the prior art, such beverage containers are usually made of plastic. Since these containers are designed for single use only, their disposal must be managed, as reusing and recycling the used materials can be challenging. Therefore, attempts have been made to replace these materials with alternatives such as cellulose or bioplastics to overcome the problems of disposal and / or recycling of containers after use. However, it should be taken into account that these alternative materials do not have the same material properties and advantages as ordinary plastic materials.

[0005] In particular, consider the method described in patent EP 1472156 and in Figure 1 A capsule of this type, schematically shown in FIG. 1 , comprises:

[0006] a capsule body 2 defining a chamber 21 having a top opening 23 closed by a top membrane 3 adapted to be pierced to inject liquid into the capsule, and

[0007] a bottom membrane 4 arranged inside the chamber so as to define a dosing chamber between the top membrane 3 and the bottom membrane 4, and

[0008] - opening means 5, which are arranged inside the capsule body and below the bottom membrane and are adapted to open the ingredient chamber by relative engagement of the opening means with the bottom membrane under the effect of the increase in liquid pressure in the chamber during the injection of liquid. Typically, the opening means 5 comprises a plate 51, and the plate comprises a spike 52 with a sharp tip rising from an upper surface 511 of the plate.

[0009] The bottom membrane is typically a membrane made of aluminum that can provide different properties, such as:

[0010] - an air barrier for protecting the beverage ingredients in the enclosed capsule prior to beverage preparation, and

[0011] - tearing under pressure to dispense the prepared beverage. This tearing must occur when a certain pressure is reached inside the capsule. This tearing must not create a hole in the membrane that is too large,

[0012] This prevents beverage ingredient solids (coffee grounds or undissolved powder) from flowing downstream.

[0013] However, aluminum is not biodegradable and needs to be replaced with another biodegradable material when all other parts of the capsule are also biodegradable.

[0014] Furthermore, the aluminum diaphragm cannot optimally prepare different coffee beverages, such as espresso and extended coffee, with the same capsule configuration. Both types of beverages require a layer of coffee crema on top of the coffee beverage. During espresso preparation, the volume of hot water introduced into the capsule is small, and if the tip of the opening device is sharp enough, the aluminum diaphragm opens. But during extended coffee preparation, since the volume of hot water introduced into the capsule is greater, the aluminum diaphragm opens earlier in the beverage preparation, resulting in an insufficient amount of coffee crema. To solve this problem, another type of opening device is needed for preparing extended coffee beverages; in this opening device, the tip of the opening device is not so sharp, and as a result, the bottom aluminum diaphragm opens at a higher pressure, producing more coffee crema.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a capsule construction which can be used indiscriminately for preparing different types of beverages.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a capsule construction that can be used indifferently for preparing either extended coffee or espresso beverages.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a capsule structure made of decomposable material. Summary of the invention

[0018] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine, the capsule containing a soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredient and comprising:

[0019] - a capsule body defining a chamber, and

[0020] - a top membrane closing the top opening and adapted to be pierced to inject liquid into the capsule, and

[0021] - a bottom membrane arranged inside the chamber so as to define a dosing chamber between the top membrane and said bottom membrane, and

[0022] - an opening device arranged inside the chamber and adapted to open the chamber by relative engagement of the opening device with the bottom membrane under the effect of the increase in liquid pressure in the dosing chamber during the injection of the liquid, and wherein the bottom membrane is a laminated multilayer material comprising in turn:

[0023] - vegetable parchment layer, and

[0024] - an adhesive layer, and

[0025] - a nonwoven material layer comprising fibers, wherein the fibers are biodegradable fibers, and

[0026] Wherein the plant parchment layer faces the opening device.

[0027] The capsule comprises a capsule body defining a chamber for beverage ingredients, a top membrane closing the chamber, a bottom membrane arranged inside the chamber, and an opening device adapted to open the bottom membrane.

[0028] The capsule body generally comprises:

[0029] - a side wall defining the chamber and extending axially between the top opening, and

[0030] - a circumferential flange protruding radially outwards from the top opening, said flange comprising an upper surface opposite the cavity relative to the opening, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface.

[0031] Typically, the bottom of the capsule body comprises an outlet through which the beverage can be dispensed.

[0032] Typically, the top membrane is attached to the upper surface of the flange of the body.

[0033] The capsule includes a beverage ingredient, which may be a soluble or extractable beverage ingredient. The ingredient is held between a top membrane and a bottom membrane.

[0034] The bottom membrane is a laminated multi-layer material that can be pierced by the opening device when the pressure of water introduced through the top membrane increases in the beverage chamber.

[0035] It was observed that with the same capsule construction comprising the same opening means and such a bottom membrane, it is possible to prepare espresso and extended coffee beverages of optimal quality, in particular extended coffees with a desired crema layer.

[0036] Furthermore, the membrane is advantageously disintegratable.

[0037] Preferably, the biodegradable fibers of the nonwoven material layer are selected from the group consisting of PLA, PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), PHB (poly(hydroxybutyrate)), PHB(V) (poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)), PBS (poly(butylene succinate)), biopolyesters and cellulosic fibers such as cotton, flax, wood fibers and combinations thereof.

[0038] Preferably, the biodegradable fibers of the nonwoven material include heat sealable fibers having a melting point of at least about 100°C.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the fibers of the nonwoven material consist only of polylactic acid (PLA).

[0040] Preferably, the nonwoven material has a grammage of 5 g / m 2 and 100g / m 2 Between, advantageously between 20g / m 2 and 40g / m 2 and preferably about 30 g / m 2 .

[0041] Preferably, the adhesive layer may be an acrylic adhesive.

[0042] Preferably, the weight of the vegetable parchment paper can be 30g / m 2 and 120g / m 2 Between, advantageously between 60g / m 2 and 80g / m 2 and preferably about 70 g / m 2 .

[0043] Therefore, during beverage preparation, this grammage enables to increase the pressure inside the capsule before the bottom membrane is pierced by the opening device.However, when the pressure is high enough, this grammage enables the membrane to be pierced.

[0044] Preferably, the vegetable parchment may have a thickness between 60 μm and 150 μm.

[0045] The opening device is positioned in the body but outside the dosing chamber. Therefore, the opening device is located below the bottom membrane.

[0046] Typically, the opening device comprises a plate, and the plate comprises opening elements rising from the upper surface of the plate and thus in the direction of the bottom membrane. These opening elements are designed to pierce, tear, puncture the bottom membrane under the effect of the increased liquid pressure in the dosing chamber during the injection of the liquid. Preferably, these opening elements have a sharp tip.

[0047] Preferably, the plate of the opening device comprises beverage discharge holes extending from an upper surface of the plate to a lower surface of the plate, and these holes are positioned between the raised opening elements.

[0048] Preferably, the opening device is made of a biodegradable material. The biodegradable material may be a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

[0049] Preferably, the capsule body is made of a biodegradable or decomposable material, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT).

[0050] Preferably, the top film is made of a biodegradable or decomposable material, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT).

[0051] The capsule may include a distributor wall extending through the inner cross-section of the chamber to define a lower sub-chamber for the ingredients and an upper distribution chamber for the liquid. Such a distributor wall includes small holes to evenly distribute the liquid on the ingredients.

[0052] Such a dispenser may be a disintegrable film made of cellophane and polybutylene succinate (PBS).

[0053] Preferably, the capsule comprises roasted and ground coffee.The capsule may comprise between 4g and 15g of roasted and ground coffee in order to prepare an espresso or an extended coffee.

[0054] In a second aspect, there is provided the use of a capsule as described above for preparing espresso or extended coffee.

[0055] In this application, the technical requirements and procedures for determining the biodegradability and decomposability of materials are determined according to international standards such as EU 13432 or US ASTM D6400. For example, in order for a material to be considered "(industrially) decomposable", one of the tests requires that at least 90% of the material must be biodegraded within 6 months under controlled conditions. There are similar testing schemes for home decomposability certification.

[0056] Thus, the entire capsule system can be disposed of in a compost after use in order to provide nutrients to the soil once the material has fully decomposed.

[0057] The above aspects of the present invention may be combined in any suitable combination. In addition, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Additional objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the claims, specific embodiments, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0059] - Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of a capsule according to the invention,

[0060] - Figure 2 A schematic cross section of the laminated multilayer material of the bottom membrane is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 A capsule 1 according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0062] The capsule 1 comprises a capsule body 2 having one or more side walls 21 extending axially from the bottom towards the top. The side walls extend towards a top opening 23. At the top opening 23, the body comprises a circumferential flange 24 extending radially outwards from the side walls.

[0063] Generally, if Figure 2 As shown in the perspective view of , any transverse cross-section of the main body capsule is circular from bottom to top, and the flange is also circular.

[0064] The side wall defines a chamber 22 for containing soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredients.

[0065] Such a soluble beverage ingredient is a water soluble powdered ingredient and may be selected from the following list: instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of said powders. The powder may be agglomerated or fired.

[0066] This beverage ingredient packaged in the bag can also be an ingredient that can be extracted or infused, such as roasted and ground coffee, or tea leaves. In the embodiment described, the beverage ingredient is subjected to water extraction.

[0067] The capsule comprises a top membrane 3 which is fixed, sealed or attached to at least a portion of the upper surface of the peripheral flange and thus covers and closes the top opening 23 .

[0068] Such top membrane is adapted to be punctured to inject liquid into the capsule. Preferably, the top membrane is puncturable by an injection needle of a beverage preparation machine, the injection needle being adapted to inject the extraction liquid under pressure into or inside the chamber. Preferably, the puncturing operation is performed at a single location by a water injection needle such as described in WO2006 / 082064 or WO2008 / 107281.

[0069] The term "top membrane" is to be understood as the membrane pierced by the injection needle of the machine, as opposed to the "bottom membrane" (such as described below) which is to be understood as the membrane located on the opposite side of the capsule 1 .

[0070] The capsule comprises a bottom membrane 4 closing the bottom of a chamber 22. The bottom membrane is fixed, sealed or attached to a circumferential recess 25 extending within the internal volume of the body.

[0071] Thus, the soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredients are encapsulated between the top and bottom membrane sheets.The top and bottom membrane sheets define an interior space of a chamber (ingredient chamber 22) configured to hold beverage ingredients for preparing a beverage.

[0072] In one embodiment, a distributor wall 6 may extend through the inner cross section of the chamber, defining a lower sub-chamber for the ingredients and an upper distribution chamber for the liquid. Such a distributor wall comprises small holes to distribute the liquid evenly on the ingredients.

[0073] The capsule comprises opening means 5 adapted to open the chamber by relative engagement with the bottom membrane 4 under the effect of the increase in liquid pressure in the chamber during injection of said liquid. The opening means 5 generally comprises a rigid plate 51 comprising on its surface opening elements 52, such as spikes, directed upwards towards the bottom membrane 4, which may form protrusions and recesses against the bottom membrane 4 facing the opening means.

[0074] Holes 53 may be provided in the plate 51 to distribute the beverage produced in the ingredient chamber 22 to the beverage outlet 25 .

[0075] After the liquid is injected inside the chamber 4, the pressure builds up, which deforms the bottom membrane 4 against the opening means 5 until it is pierced, thereby creating a passage for the beverage prepared inside the capsule 1, in turn under the chamber 21 and the opening means 5. The expression "engagement" may mean, for example, that the opening means or the second membrane, or alternatively both, are movable relative to each other to achieve the opening.

[0076] Typically, the capsule body comprises a bottom beverage outlet 25 located below the opening means 5. The bottom of the capsule body preferably extends below the opening means to accommodate said opening means and collect the beverage to this beverage outlet 25 which dispenses the beverage outside the capsule 1, e.g. into a cup.

[0077] The top membrane 3 is fixed to the flange 24 in such a way that the extraction liquid injected into the chamber 21 increases the internal pressure to the pressure necessary to obtain the piercing of the deformed bottom membrane 4 by the opening means 5. The top membrane 3 is thus fixed to the flange in such a way that it does not detach at least before a defined pressure is reached inside the chamber. The defined pressure may be at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar or at least 6 bar. The fixing effect thus makes it impossible for the capsule 1 to leak via the interface between the flange and the top membrane during beverage preparation.

[0078] In the prior art, the bottom diaphragm 4 is made of aluminum.

[0079] In the present invention, the bottom membrane 4 is as follows Figure 2 Multilayer material shown.

[0080] The multilayer material 4 comprises in sequence:

[0081] - Vegetable parchment layer 41, and

[0082] - an intermediate adhesive layer 42, and

[0083] - A layer of nonwoven material 43 comprising fibres, wherein said fibres are biodegradable fibres.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the multilayer material comprises:

[0085] - 70gsm parchment paper, and

[0086] - A nonwoven material having a grammage of 28 gsm, the nonwoven material comprising a PLA nonwoven.

[0087] In the capsule, the vegetable parchment layer 41 faces the opening device 5 .

[0088] In the present invention, preferably, the opening device 5 comprises an opening element 52 having a sharp tip. In addition, preferably, the beverage discharge hole 53 extends from the upper surface 511 of the plate to the lower surface 512 of the plate and is positioned between the raised opening elements 52.

[0089] When preparing coffee with a capsule of the prior art comprising a bottom membrane made of aluminium and roasted and ground coffee, different opening means 5 are required depending on the preparation of an espresso or an extended coffee.

[0090] For preparing espresso, the opening element 52 of the opening device has a sharp tip. When water is introduced through the top membrane and the pressure inside the capsule increases, the aluminum bottom membrane is pierced and coffee is dispensed under pressure. Due to the small volume of the coffee, the amount of crema produced is adapted to the small cup of coffee. Long coffees prepared with such capsules result in a deceptive amount of crema compared to the amount of coffee; this is due to the decrease in pressure inside the capsule once the aluminum bottom membrane is pierced by the sharp opening element.

[0091] Then, for preparing extended coffee, the capsule comprises more roasted and ground coffee than the capsule for preparing espresso, and the opening elements 52 of the opening device are configured to be less sharp (they present, for example, the shape of a truncated cone or a pyramid). When water is introduced through the top membrane and the pressure inside the capsule increases, this less sharp opening device delays the opening of the aluminum membrane compared to the espresso opening device, and enables the pressure inside the capsule to continue to increase even after piercing the bottom membrane. As a result, a long cup of coffee is produced, and coffee crema is produced over a longer period of time, thereby providing a long cup of coffee with an amount of coffee crema suitable for the long cup of coffee.

[0092] Therefore, the prior art requires providing two different opening devices, depending on the amount and type of coffee prepared.

[0093] With the capsule according to the invention, it is possible to prepare espresso or extended coffee using the same opening device 5. The only difference between extended coffee capsules and espresso capsules relates to the amount of roasted and ground coffee contained inside the capsule.

[0094] Whatever the type of coffee prepared, it is observed that the pressure continues to rise inside the capsule for a certain period of time after the bottom membrane has been pierced by the opening means 5. This can be explained by the expansion of the bottom membrane, which absorbs water (particularly parchment paper), and limits the dispensing of coffee downstream of the opening means. In particular, when the plate 51 of the opening means comprises beverage discharge holes 53 extending from the upper surface 511 of the plate to the lower surface 512 of the plate, these holes can be covered by the expanded bottom membrane, thus limiting the dispensing and maintaining the pressure inside the capsule.

[0095] When preparing a long cup of coffee (such as an extended coffee), the pressure is maintained for a sufficient time during the preparation of the beverage to obtain sufficient crema in the final coffee.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed is not in any way limited to these illustrated embodiments.

[0097] Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents shall be incorporated as if explicitly mentioned in this specification.

[0098] As used in this specification, the words "include", "comprises" and similar words should not be understood as having exclusive or exhaustive meanings. In other words, these words are intended to mean "including but not limited to".

[0099] List of references in the accompanying drawings :

[0100] Capsule 1

[0101] Capsule body 2

[0102] Chamber 20

[0103] Side wall 21

[0104] Batching chamber 22

[0105] Top opening 23

[0106] Flange 24

[0107] Bottom outlet 25

[0108] Top diaphragm 3

[0109] Bottom diaphragm 4

[0110] Vegetable parchment layer 41

[0111] Adhesive layer 42

[0112] Nonwoven material layer 43

[0113] Open device 5

[0114] Rigid board 51

[0115] Open element 52

[0116] Hole 53

[0117] Distributor wall 6

Claims

1. A capsule (1) for use in a beverage preparation machine, said capsule comprising a soluble and / or extractable beverage ingredient, The capsule comprises: - a capsule body (2), said capsule body defining a chamber (21), - a top membrane (3) closing the top opening and adapted to be pierced to inject liquid into the capsule, and - a bottom membrane (4) arranged inside the chamber (21) so as to define a dosing chamber between the top membrane (3) and the bottom membrane, and - an opening device (5) arranged inside the chamber and adapted to open the chamber by relative engagement of the opening device with the bottom membrane (4) under the effect of the increase in liquid pressure in the dosing chamber during the injection of the liquid, The bottom membrane is a laminated multilayer material, and the laminated multilayer material comprises: - vegetable parchment layer (41), and - an adhesive layer (42), and - a layer of nonwoven material (43) comprising fibers, wherein the fibers are biodegradable fibers, and The vegetable parchment layer faces the opening device (5).

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the biodegradable fibers of the nonwoven material layer are selected from the group consisting of PLA, PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), PHB (poly(hydroxybutyrate)), PHB(V) (poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)), PBS (poly(butylene succinate)), biopolyesters and cellulosic fibers such as cotton, flax, wood fibers and combinations thereof.

3. The capsule of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biodegradable fibers of the nonwoven material comprise heat-sealable fibers having a melting point of at least about 100°C.

4. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibers of the nonwoven material consist only of polylactic acid (PLA).

5. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nonwoven material has a grammage of 5 g / m 2 and 100g / m 2 Between, advantageously between 20g / m 2 and 40g / m 2 and preferably about 30 g / m 2 .

6. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive layer (42) is an acrylic adhesive.

7. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of the vegetable parchment (41) is 30 g / m 2 and 120g / m 2 Between, advantageously between 60g / m 2 and 80g / m 2 and preferably about 70 g / m 2 .

8. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vegetable parchment (41) has a thickness between 60 μm and 150 μm.

9. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule further comprises a capsule body made of a biodegradable or decomposable material, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT).

10. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule further comprises a top film sheet made of a biodegradable or decomposable material such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) and / or polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT).

11. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ingredient chamber comprises roast and ground coffee.

12. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening means (5) comprises a plate (51), the plate comprising an opening element (52) rising from an upper surface (511) of the plate, the opening element (52) being designed to pierce, tear, puncture the bottom membrane (4) under the effect of the increase in the liquid pressure in the dosing chamber during the injection of the liquid, and wherein the opening element (52) has a sharp tip.

13. Capsule according to the preceding claim, wherein the plate (51) of the opening device (5) comprises beverage discharge holes (53) extending from the upper surface (511) of the plate to the lower surface (512) of the plate, and wherein the holes are positioned between the raised opening elements (52).

14. Capsule according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening means (5) is made of a biodegradable material and the biodegradable material is a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

15. Use of a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for preparing espresso or extended coffee.

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