Cellulosic material capsule for preparing soluble edible products and method for producing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule (1) of cellulosic material for soluble edible products, comprising a container (2) defined by a side wall (21), a water inlet cover member (22) and an edible product outlet cover member (23) wherein said water inlet cover member (22) comprises at least one double-blind groove (4) provided on an inner surface of the water inlet cover member (22), the double blind grooves (4) comprise a first blind groove (41) and a second blind groove (42); the second blind groove (42) is accommodated in the first blind groove (41); the depth portion of the first blind groove (41) is smaller than the depth portion of the second blind groove (42). The invention also relates to a method for producing the capsule, and the invention relates to the industry in which soluble edible products are produced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to single-use capsules made of cellulose material for preparing soluble edible products such as espresso, tea, or other soluble beverages, and a method for manufacturing the same. This invention falls within the food industry, and more specifically, within the industry of producing soluble edible products. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technologies include a variety of solutions related to single-use capsules for preparing edible products such as espresso, tea and other soluble products.

[0003] A capsule is a small container for holding edible products and is used in compatible machines, allowing for the rapid preparation of edible products. Typically, a capsule comprises two components: a base cup-shaped part and a lid. The base cup-shaped part has a bottom, which may be completely closed or pre-perforated; in either case, the bottom is perforated by a punching machine of the edible product machine in which the capsule is mounted. The opening of the cup-shaped part of the capsule may have peripheral wings, which serve as a surface for attaching the lid, which typically comprises a plastic cap, aluminum foil, filter paper, or micro-perforated plastic.

[0004] After being placed in an edible product vending machine, the capsules used in the vending machine are perforated on both sides by a mechanized punching system. Some of these perforations are made when the cover of the machine compartment containing the capsules is closed, while others are made through a punching mechanism integrated into the machine and powered by an electrical system that ensures the pumping and heating of water.

[0005] The machine also includes a capsule coffee machine, operated by a lever. The lever opens an extraction unit comprising a container and a sealing cap. The container holds a capsule that is inserted into the machine. The sealing cap breaks or opens the capsule and injects hot water. When the capsule is full and under high pressure, it opens and releases a water mixture that passes through edible material to the outside of the machine. Finally, the capsule is ejected by repeating the opening motion of the lever.

[0006] Currently available technologies employ various types of capsules made from diverse shapes and materials (paper, plastic, metal, aluminum), resulting in different compositions that affect the capsule's preservation performance for edible products. Using multiple materials in capsule production not only increases production costs but also creates problems with the collection, separation, and sorting of waste products, especially when capsules are collected for recycling. This is why capsules are sometimes most commonly disposed of in general waste. Many currently available capsules are non-recyclable or difficult to recycle. Aluminum is currently considered the best material for capsule production because it ensures more effective preservation of edible products and also has the advantage of being "infinitely recyclable," allowing for rapid transition to new production cycles. Furthermore, aluminum is a very lightweight material. However, compared to plastics, aluminum has different rigidity and damage resistance properties, which may lead to some disadvantages in terms of plastic deformation when the material is applied to parts where the lid is opened by machine.

[0007] The availability of coffee capsules has accustomed consumers to enjoying coffee quickly, hygienically, and with high quality. However, the materials used to manufacture these capsules—plastics or metals—combine with the organic matter from the coffee inside, making capsule recycling a complex and difficult process. Today, one of the main concerns for coffee brands is developing and presenting solutions that reduce the ecological footprint of capsule consumption.

[0008] Coffee capsules on the market are difficult to recycle not only because they use a combination of two materials—plastic and aluminum—but also because the way the cap and container are welded together makes it nearly impossible to access the organic matter inside. Currently, some existing technological solutions offer more eco-responsible and sustainable approaches that use recyclable materials and limit the amount of materials used in capsule manufacturing.

[0009] Another challenge with edible product capsules is that they place high demands on the mechanical performance of coffee machines. This is because opening the capsules depends on breaking a plastic “door” at one end of the cylindrical component by applying force, which can damage the sealing performance required by the machine’s extraction components over long-term use.

[0010] Document PT 109815B discloses a capsule-like member having the following configuration: this configuration optimizes the positioning and perforation of the capsule-like member through a circular cap-like member adapted to provide a channel for access to the interior of a container-like structural member. This channel has a weakened material region adapted to allow the capsule-like member to rupture under a certain flow pressure. Document PT 109815B also mentions a protruding member that applies a rod-like mechanical force to the weakened material region. In this case, the perforated circular cap-like structure is made of plastic material.

[0011] Furthermore, document PT 107043B discloses a bladder-like member including a portion of a lid, the lid having at least one rupture-facilitating portion for water entry. The lid has at least one rupture-facilitating portion for allowing water to be injected into a container. The container, lid, base, and perforation member are made of plastic, while the protective member is an aluminum plate. The perforation of the lid of the bladder-like member is not mechanical, but only hydraulic.

[0012] Finally, document PT 2139791 discloses a single-use preservation capsule for producing aromatic essences from infusions. The capsule includes a container with a lid and a perforated base, the lid and perforated base being externally covered by a protective member. A perforated member is provided on the inner surface of the protective member, actuated by pressure generated by fluid within the container of the capsule, thereby allowing the infusion to flow out. The flat lid has at least one groove to facilitate the injection of water into the container. It is also described that the container, lid, base, and perforated member are made of plastic, with only the protective member being an aluminum plate. In this case, the perforation of the lid is hydraulically operated.

[0013] The solutions disclosed in the prior art are mainly aimed at optimizing the capsule to achieve more efficient and precise opening by machine, because incorrect opening can negatively affect the realization of the ideal immersion liquid, cause the release of materials that contaminate the immersion liquid, and cause unnecessary release of edible products from the capsule.

[0014] However, none of the existing technological solutions address the extremely high mechanical performance requirements that the capsule-shaped components place on coffee machines, a problem that can damage the sealing performance required for the machine's extraction components over time.

[0015] On the other hand, newer and increasingly used capsules made of cellulose-based materials—often referred to as paper capsules made from pulp—have brought new problems related to the perforation of the paper capsules by machine to introduce water under pressure for subsequent infusion and dispensing of beverages.

[0016] Given the physical and mechanical properties of the material used in the pouch-made capsule, its performance under machine perforation differs from that observed in plastic or aluminum pouches.

[0017] In fact, the cellulose material of paper capsules tends to be driven by the punching components of the machine's mechanical perforation unit, but in many cases, the cellulose material of the paper capsules is not actually perforated, which hinders the proper functioning of beverage preparation and dispensing systems.

[0018] Therefore, although paper capsules can reduce the load on the punching unit applied to the machine, paper capsules also bring the functional problem of not having perforations, a problem that does not occur in more traditional plastic or aluminum capsules.

[0019] Therefore, there is a technical need to improve the bladder-like components of machines used for dispensing edible products, made of cellulose material, to give them the following characteristics: allowing water to break and pass through correctly and efficiently, thereby extracting the edible product under optimal and sensory-suitable conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0020] This invention relates to a capsule 1 for a cellulose material used in a soluble edible product. The capsule 1 includes a closed container 2 with a hollow interior 24 containing a single dose of the soluble edible product. The container 2 is defined by a sidewall 21, a water inlet cover 22, and an edible product outlet cover 23. The water inlet cover 22 includes: an inner surface 31 facing the interior 24 of the container 2; an outer surface 32 opposite to the inner surface 31; and a thickness 3 defined by the distance between the inner surface 31 and the outer surface 32. The water inlet cover 22 further includes at least one double-blind recess 4 disposed on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover 22. The double-blind recess 4 includes a first blind recess 41 and a second blind recess 42. The second blind recess 42 is accommodated in the first blind recess 41, and the depth 411 of the first blind recess 41 is less than the depth 421 of the second blind recess 42.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the double-blind groove 4 is provided on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 in a circumferentially closed configuration.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the double-blind recess 4 is provided on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 in a circumferentially open configuration.

[0023] In another embodiment, the capsule of the present invention includes two double-blind grooves 4 configured as two semicircles and disposed on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 along the same circumferential line.

[0024] In another embodiment, the bladder includes three double-blind grooves (4) disposed on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 along the same circumferential line.

[0025] In certain aspects, in embodiments including interrupted double-blind recesses 4 or two or more double-blind recesses 4 disposed on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 along the same circumferential line, the bladder also includes one or more individual recesses 42' disposed along the same circumferential line and connected to the second recess 42 of the double recesses 4.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the bladder 1 includes a double-blind groove 4 disposed in the central portion of the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22.

[0027] In another alternative embodiment, the bladder 1 includes two double-blind recesses 4 disposed in an intersecting configuration in the central portion of the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22.

[0028] In a preferred aspect, the sidewall 21, the water inlet cover member 22, and the edible product outlet cover member 23 define the inner surface 7 of the container 2, which is partially or completely coated with a microfilm 5, wherein the microfilm 5 is selected from polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHx).

[0029] Most preferably, the cellulose material of the capsule 1 is pulp.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the capsule of the present invention further includes at least one double-blind groove 4 disposed on the inner surface of the edible product outlet cover member 23.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a capsule 1 for producing cellulose material, the method comprising the step of forming at least one double groove 4 on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22 of the capsule 1.

[0032] The capsule 1 of the present invention is intended for use in the preparation of concentrated coffee, tea or other soluble edible products. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the capsule 1 of the present invention is schematically shown, and a corresponding enlarged view A shows the details of the water inlet cover member 22, which has a double blind groove 4 on its inner surface 31.

[0034] Figure 2 schematically shown Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the capsule 1, wherein the inner surface of the water inlet covering member 22 of the capsule is coated with a microfilm 5.

[0035] Figure 3 It shows the time before the piercing action is triggered. Figure 1 A separate enlarged detail of the capsule-shaped member is shown, in which the water inlet cover member equipped with double blind grooves on its inner surface is visible, as are the depth portion 411 of the first groove and the depth portion 421 of the second groove of the water inlet cover member, and the perforated member 6 from the edible product machine.

[0036] Figure 4 Showing from Figure 3 An enlarged view of the sac-like structure after the perforation has occurred.

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the interior of the capsule (without soluble edible product) of the present invention is shown, as well as an enlarged detail view of the area of ​​the water inlet covering member 22 of the capsule of the present invention, wherein the double blind groove 4 and the corresponding first groove and second groove 41, 42 on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet covering member 22 are clearly visible.

[0038] Figure 6 This schematically shows the product after it has been perforated by the punching component 6 of the edible product machine. Figure 5 sac-like structures.

[0039] Figure 7 A schematic plan view of the most preferred embodiment of the bladder 1 of the present invention is shown, wherein the double-blind groove 4 is closed in the circumferential direction and is provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member.

[0040] Figure 8 A schematic plan view of an alternative embodiment of the bladder 1 of the present invention is shown, wherein the double-blind groove 4 is interrupted / opened in the circumferential direction and is provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member.

[0041] Figure 9 A schematic plan view of another embodiment of the bladder-like member 1 of the present invention is shown, wherein two double-blind grooves 4 configured as two semicircles are provided on the inner surface of the water inlet covering member.

[0042] Figure 10 A schematic plan view of another embodiment of the bladder-like member 1 of the present invention is shown, wherein three double-blind grooves 4 are provided on the inner surface of the water inlet covering member.

[0043] Figure 11 A schematic plan view of another embodiment of the capsule 1 of the present invention is shown, which is compatible with a machine having a perforation system having a perforation member acting on the central portion of the outer surface of the water inlet cover member of the capsule, in which case the double blind groove 4 is located in the central portion of the inner surface of the water inlet cover member.

[0044] Figure 12 It schematically shows the relationship with Figure 11 The same sac-like member plan view, wherein two double-blind grooves 4 are arranged in an intersecting configuration in the central portion of the inner surface of the water inlet cover member. Detailed Implementation

[0045] This invention relates to single-use capsules made of cellulose material for the preparation of soluble edible products such as espresso, tea, or similar products. The invention also relates to a method for producing said capsules.

[0046] Encapsulated forms of edible products, such as coffee capsules, offer the advantage of allowing consumers to enjoy edible beverages quickly, hygienically, and with high sensory quality. However, the materials forming the most common encapsulated forms—plastic or aluminum—combine with the organic matter of the edible product inside, making the recycling process for these encapsulated forms extremely complex and difficult to implement. Therefore, the industry is committed to developing alternative solutions to reduce the ecological footprint of encapsulated form consumption. In this sense, this invention also addresses the treatment of encapsulated forms made from sustainable materials.

[0047] Therefore, the capsule 1 of the present invention is made of a biodegradable cellulose material, that is, the capsule 1 of the present invention is made of cellulose pulp, such as paper pulp, which can be selectively laminated with a microfilm of a biopolymer. After use, these materials are suitable for disposal as unsorted waste or organic waste. The most common cellulose materials that can be used in the capsule 1 of the present invention are selected from paper, paperboard, cardboard, and mixtures thereof.

[0048] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which only show schematic and exemplary embodiments of the capsule-shaped member of the present invention.

[0049] The capsule 1 of the present invention is designed for use in a machine for dispensing soluble edible products, such as espresso, tea or other soluble products, wherein the opening of the capsule is formed by the perforating member of the machine acting directly on the water inlet cover member 22 of the capsule 1, which is typically located at one end of the container 2 of the capsule 1.

[0050] In other words, regardless of the descriptive orientation of the capsule 1, the user can actually only insert the capsule into the compatible beverage machine in a single and suitable orientation, such that the water inlet cover member 22 of the capsule 1 is positioned in the appropriate position to be pierced by the machine, an orientation provided in the design of the machine and the compatible capsule.

[0051] The object of this invention is to provide a single-use capsule made of cellulose material, designed for use in espresso machines, tea makers, or other soluble coffee machines. This capsule is compatible with any commercially available machine and is configured such that the opening for water entry is formed by a first perforation action applied by the machine to the water inlet cover member 22 of the capsule, thereby ensuring effective perforation of the machine's perforating member 6 into the interior 24 of the capsule's container 2.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 In one embodiment of the invention, a micromembrane 5 is disposed on the water inlet cover member 22, which also needs to be broken to allow the perforating member 6 of the machine to enter the interior 24 of the container 2 of the capsule, thus enabling the extraction of edible products.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The present invention provides a capsule 1 for a cellulose material used in a soluble edible product. The capsule 1 includes a closed container 2 with a hollow interior 24 containing a single dose of the soluble edible product (not shown). The container 2 is defined by a sidewall 21, a water inlet cover 22, and an edible product outlet cover 23, wherein the water inlet cover 22 includes: • Internal surface 31, which faces the interior 24 of container 2. • An outer surface 32, which is opposite to the inner surface 31, and • Thick portion 3, defined by the distance between the inner surface 31 and the outer surface 32; and wherein The water inlet cover member 22 further includes at least one double blind groove 4 disposed on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22, the double blind groove 4 including a first blind groove 41 and a second blind groove 42; the second blind groove 42 is accommodated in the first blind groove 41, and the depth portion 411 of the first blind groove 41 is smaller than the depth portion 421 of the second blind groove 42.

[0054] In the context of this specification, the term "comprising" should be understood as "including". Therefore, the term should not be interpreted as "consisting of only".

[0055] Within the scope of this invention, the terms "water inlet cover" and "edible product outlet cover" should be understood as components that close off the sidewalls at the top (lower and upper) of the sidewalls. Thus, these two cover components and the sidewalls define a hollow internal cavity of the container, which is essential for the container to hold a single serving of food.

[0056] Within the scope of this invention, "groove" refers to a notch formed in the thickness portion of the water inlet covering member of the bladder-like member.

[0057] Within the scope of this invention, "double groove" refers to a combination of two grooves, wherein a second groove is accommodated or disposed within a first groove; and the depth or penetration of the second groove (relative to the thickness of the material in which the second groove is located) is greater than the depth or penetration of the first groove.

[0058] In the context of describing a "blind groove" or "double-blind groove," the term "blind" means that the groove or double groove only partially penetrates the thickness of the water inlet cover member of the bladder-like member; that is, the groove or double groove does not correspond to a channel opening or gap that penetrates the entire thickness of the material. Those skilled in the art will know how to implement grooves or blind grooves with the features described herein on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member of the bladder-like member without additional information.

[0059] It should be noted that any numerical value X mentioned in this specification should be interpreted as an approximation of the actual numerical value X; this is because experimental and / or measurement conditions can cause deviations from the actual value, and those skilled in the art can reasonably expect such an approximation for the actual value. Thus, for example, mentioning "0.7" means "approximately 0.7".

[0060] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the capsule-shaped member of the present invention, the sidewall 21, the water inlet cover member 22, and the edible product outlet cover member 23 define the inner surface 7 of the container 2. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the inner surface 7 of the container 2 is coated with a microfilm 5.

[0061] The inner surface 7 of container 2 may be partially or completely coated with microfilm 5.

[0062] The micromembrane 5 forms a barrier between the soluble edible product contained in the capsule 1 and the air in the external environment, thereby allowing the soluble edible product to be preserved and maintaining its quality and shelf life for more than 12 months.

[0063] Micromembrane 5 comprises a membrane of a biopolymer with a thickness ranging from 1 µm to 200 µm. The biopolymer may be selected from polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHx).

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, the sidewall 21 and the water inlet cover member 22 are joined by fitting, and then the sidewall 21 and the water inlet cover member 22 are thermally welded or ultrasonically welded.

[0065] In any case, those skilled in the art may use any other method to join the sidewall 21 to the water inlet cover member 22.

[0066] Because the capsule 1 of the present invention is formed of cellulose material constituting the structural body of the capsule 1, and because this structure is laminated internally with a micromembrane 5 of a biopolymer, it ensures that the edible product does not come into any contact with the air / atmosphere outside the capsule. Compared to capsules without this insulation, this achieves an improvement in the sensory quality of the edible product, given that cellulose material is inherently porous.

[0067] However, it should be noted that the presence or absence of the aforementioned micromembrane 5 does not affect other functional aspects of the capsule, namely, the aspect of the capsule being perforated by the perforating member 6 of the edible product machine is unaffected.

[0068] On the other hand, the cellulose material of the capsule 1 provides little resistance to mechanical deformation due to its physical and chemical properties and structure, which is not ideal for use in an edible product system (machine) that operates based on perforations (ruptures) made by the machine's perforating member 6 inserted into the capsule wall. In fact, in many cases, it has been observed that the capsule material 1 deforms under the action of the perforating member 6 but does not rupture, which hinders subsequent water from entering the interior 24 of the capsule container, thus affecting the function of dispensing edible products to the user.

[0069] In an attempt to address this problem, the thickness 3 of the wall of the water inlet cover member 22 was locally reduced, with the aim of weakening this portion of the bladder-like member relative to the rest of the structure of the container 2. However, since the problem of material deformation without rupture persists in many cases, the bladder-like member was not punctured by the machine's punching member 6, thus failing to achieve the desired effect.

[0070] Surprisingly, the perforation problem of the water inlet cover member 22 of the aforementioned capsule-shaped member 1 can be solved simply by opening it; or in other words, the perforation problem of the water inlet cover member 22 of the aforementioned capsule-shaped member 1 can be solved by providing a double blind groove 4 on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet cover member 22. The double blind groove 4 includes a first blind groove 41 and a second blind groove 42, the second blind groove 42 being accommodated within the first blind groove 41, and the depth 411 of the first blind groove 41 being smaller than the depth 421 of the second blind groove 42, as shown in... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0071] Multiple capsule-shaped members with different width and depth ratios between the first blind recess 41 and the second blind recess 42 were successfully tested. The results indicate that the decisive factor is the arrangement of the double blind recesses 4, wherein the second blind recess 42 is accommodated within the first blind recess 41, i.e., the second blind recess 42 is located within the radial space of the first blind recess 41. Therefore, the second blind recess 42 must be narrower than the first blind recess 41, and the second blind recess 42 is deeper than the first blind recess 41. Specifically, the second blind recess 42 terminates closer to the outer surface 32 of the water inlet cover member 22 than the first blind recess 41, for example, as in... Figure 1 and Figure 3 It is clearly shown in the text.

[0072] Without intending to conduct theoretical derivation, it can be assumed that the double-blind groove configuration described above provides a stress distribution that was not anticipated in the prior art, which allows and facilitates the efficient penetration of the machine's punching components into the cellulose material of the capsule.

[0073] Reference Figure 7 In the most preferred embodiment of the bladder-like member of the present invention, the double-blind groove 4 is provided as a single member in a circumferentially closed configuration on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member.

[0074] Other implementation methods are Figures 8 to 10As shown, the double-blind groove 4 is provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member in the form of a circumferentially open double-blind groove 4; the double-blind groove 4 is provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member in the form of two double-blind grooves 4 constructed as two semicircles; and the double-blind groove 4 is provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member in the form of three double-blind grooves 4 provided along the axial line.

[0075] It should be noted that, in Figures 8 to 10 In the three embodiments, one or more individual grooves 42' are provided on the inner surface of the water inlet cover member, such that the grooves 42' or these grooves 42' extend beyond the configuration of the double grooves 4 along the same circumferential line (which is hypothetical and mentioned for the purpose of better understanding), which constitutes an alternative to the configuration based solely on the double blind grooves 4.

[0076] exist Figure 11 and Figure 12 In this context, other embodiments of the bladder-like member compatible with machines having a perforation system having a perforated member acting on the central portion of the outer surface of the water inlet cover member of the bladder-like member can be observed. Figure 11 In the case of a double-blind groove 4, a double-blind groove 4 is provided in the central portion of the inner surface of the water inlet cover member; Figure 12 In one embodiment, two double-blind grooves 4 with an intersecting configuration are provided in the central part of the inner surface of the water inlet cover member.

[0077] According to the tests conducted, the different numerical ratios between the width of the first blind groove 41 and the width of the second blind groove 42, and the ratio between the perforation depth of the first blind groove 41 into the material of the water inlet cover member 22 and the perforation depth of the second blind groove 42 into the material of the water inlet cover member 22, did not have a decisive influence on the perforation action, which was successfully achieved over a wide range of size ratios.

[0078] Typically, the thickness of the container 2 used in the art for manufacturing bladder-like parts of cellulose materials is between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm, with 0.7 mm being the most common thickness. Although different ratios between the depths 411 and 421 of the grooves 41 and 42 were implemented, it was found that from a manufacturing perspective, for a bladder-like part with a thickness of 0.7 mm, the first groove depth 411 of 0.4 mm and the second groove depth 421 of 0.6 mm provided good perforation performance by the machine. These values ​​are only indicative and do not preclude good performance; however, it was found that if the depth 421 is greater than the aforementioned 0.6 mm, there is an unavoidable risk that the thickness 3 of the water inlet cover member 22 will be completely penetrated, which is undesirable. Furthermore, for practical reasons and to achieve the functional threshold, a difference of less than 0.1 mm between the depths 411 and 421 of the grooves constituting the double-blind groove 4 is considered undesirable.

[0079] Regarding the widths of the grooves 41 and 42 in the double groove 4, for practical implementation reasons, it is preferable that the width of the first groove 41 be between 1 mm and 2 mm, and the width of the second groove 42 be between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. However, other values ​​may be used for the widths of the grooves 41 and 42 without compromising their intended functional objectives, provided that the implementation is consistent with the available space in the covering member and with the process / system for implementing the grooves in the production of the capsule-like member.

[0080] Therefore, it has been found that by using a new configuration with a water inlet cover member 22 equipped with at least one double-blind groove 4, the correct functional performance of extracting edible products from cellulose capsules can be ensured, and the mechanical action of piercing the capsules can be ensured, without requiring very high mechanical opening performance for coffee machines.

[0081] It should be noted that, due to the presence of an edible product dispensing system and machine, which employs a perforated component suitable for the (edible product) outlet of the capsule-like part, the design of the double-blind groove 4 can also be implemented on the inner surface of the edible product outlet covering component 23 of the capsule-like part 1. In this way, and for these specific cases, the problem of difficulty in perforating the cellulose material of the capsule-like part is also solved.

[0082] Tests have shown that the present invention is also fully applicable to capsules made of plastic or aluminum, and in these cases, the fundamental problem of difficulty in perforation does not arise with the same urgency, at least for the thicknesses commonly used in the current manufacturing processes of plastic and aluminum capsules. However, the application of the double grooves of the present invention is expected to allow for an overall reduction in the thickness used in the production of both plastic and aluminum capsules, which can lead to improvements in economics, resource management, and ecological footprint.

[0083] Furthermore, using these more sustainable and fully explainable (cellulose) eco-materials can reduce the negative impacts that plastics and aluminum currently have on consumers and the environment.

[0084] The geometry and weight of the capsule 1 of the present invention are compatible with the operation of filling lines for edible products.

[0085] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a capsule 1 of the cellulose material of the present invention, wherein the method includes the step of forming at least one double groove 4 on the inner surface 31 of the water inlet covering member 22 of the capsule 2 to be produced.

[0086] test The tests were conducted using multiple ratios between the depth portion 411 of the first groove 41 and the depth portion 422 of the second groove 42. The conclusion was that, in cases where the grooves were confirmed to be the configuration of the double-blind groove 4 as described above, these ratios did not significantly affect the primary objective of successfully perforating the capsule 1 using the edible product machine.

[0087] For tests based on simply weakening (a single groove or notch) the capsule material to be machine-perforated for edible products, poor perforation or even no machine perforation was observed, resulting in malfunctions of the machine-capsule system.

[0088] Figure Labels 1 - A capsule-like structure made of cellulose material; 2 - Container; 3 - Thick portion of the water inlet cover component; 4 - Double-blind groove; 5 - Micromembranes; 6 – Perforated components for edible product machinery; 7 - The inner surface of the container; 21 - Sidewall; 22 - Water inlet cover components; 23 – Edible product export covering components; 24 – The inside of the container; 31 - The internal surface of the water inlet covering component; 32 - The outer surface of the water inlet covering component; 41 - First groove; 42 - Second groove; 42' - Single groove; 411 - Depth of the first groove; 421 - Depth of the second groove.

[0089] It should be noted that although the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, those skilled in the art can make modifications and adopt other alternatives without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) of cellulose material for a soluble edible product, the capsule (1) comprising a closed container (2) having a hollow interior (24) containing a single dose of the soluble edible product, the container (2) being defined by a sidewall (21), a water inlet cover (22), and an edible product outlet cover (23), wherein, The water inlet cover component (22) includes: - Inner surface (31), which faces the interior (24) of the container (2). - An outer surface (32), which is opposite to the inner surface (31), and - Thick portion (3), the thickness portion (3) is defined by the distance between the inner surface (31) and the outer surface (32); Its features are, The water inlet cover member (22) further includes at least one double-blind groove (4) disposed on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22), wherein the double-blind groove (4) includes a first blind groove (41) and a second blind groove (42); and in, - The second blind recess (42) is accommodated in the first blind recess (41), and - The depth (411) of the first blind groove (41) is smaller than the depth (421) of the second blind groove (42).

2. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes a double-blind groove (4) disposed on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) in a circumferentially closed configuration.

3. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes a double-blind groove (4) disposed on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) in a circumferentially open configuration.

4. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes two double-blind grooves (4) configured as two semicircles and disposed on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) along the same circumferential line.

5. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes three double-blind grooves (4) disposed on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) along the same circumferential line.

6. The capsule-shaped member (1) of the cellulose material according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The capsule (1) further includes one or more grooves (42') arranged along the same circumferential line and connected to the second groove (42) in the double groove (4).

7. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes a double-blind groove (4) disposed in the central portion of the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22).

8. The capsule-shaped component (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bladder (1) includes two double-blind grooves (4) disposed in the central portion of the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) in an intersecting configuration.

9. The capsule-shaped member (1) of the cellulose material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The sidewall (21), the water inlet cover (22), and the edible product outlet cover (23) define the inner surface (7) of the container (2), which is partially or completely coated with a microfilm (5).

10. The capsule-shaped member (1) of the cellulose material according to claim 9, characterized in that, The micromembrane (5) is selected from polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHx).

11. The capsule-shaped member (1) of the cellulose material according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The cellulose material is pulp.

12. The capsule-shaped member (1) of the cellulose material according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The capsule (1) also includes at least one double-blind groove (4) disposed on the inner surface of the edible product outlet cover member (23).

13. A method for producing a capsule-shaped piece (1) of cellulose material according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method includes the step of forming at least one double groove (4) on the inner surface (31) of the water inlet cover member (22) of the bladder (1).

14. Use of the capsule-shaped member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The capsule is used to prepare espresso, tea or other soluble edible products.

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