Capsule for containing coffee powder

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule for containing coffee powder and for preparing a coffee beverage by means of water in an apparatus containing the capsule. The capsule comprises a container having an interior space accessible through an opening, a lid for reversibly opening and closing the opening by a user, and a jump disc provided on the container and / or the lid. The jump disc is designed to be in a non-jumped state when the pressure inside the capsule is below a predetermined value and to enter a jumped state when the pressure inside the capsule reaches the predetermined value. The jump disc is designed and mounted so that it seals off the interior space of the capsule from the outside in the non-jumped state and opens a gap to the outside in the jumped state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule for containing coffee powder, the capsule being used to make a coffee beverage with water in a device containing the capsule, wherein the capsule includes a container and a lid, the container having an internal space accessible through an opening, and the lid being reversibly openable and closeable by a user. Background Technology

[0002] Making coffee using capsules or capsule coffee machines has become very common. Besides the first capsule coffee machine and disposable capsule supplier, many other suppliers have also entered the market, selling their own single-use systems or disposable capsules compatible with other suppliers' capsule coffee machines. Disposable capsules can be made of metal or plastic, or a combination of both. Because each capsule typically holds only about 5.5 grams of coffee grounds, the amount of metal and plastic waste generated per kilogram of coffee grounds is relatively high, as disposable capsules must be discarded after a single use.

[0003] Single-use capsules typically consist of a container filled with coffee grounds and a lid for sealing the container after the coffee grounds have been filled. They usually have a circumferential flange that clamps between two receiving seats of the associated capsule coffee machine to form at least one enclosed space on one side of the flange. This flange is typically located on the side of the container that is sealed by the lid. During brewing, water is introduced into this enclosed space at a pressure typically higher than ambient pressure, flowing through the inlet into the single-use capsule and through the coffee grounds to mix with and extract the substances from the coffee grounds. The maximum water pressure achievable by a typical capsule coffee machine is typically between 3 and 25 bar.

[0004] Prepared coffee beverages typically flow from one side of a disposable capsule (i.e., the other side of the clamping flange). For this purpose, disposable capsules usually have a cap, which is configured as a thin film made of aluminum or plastic that ruptures when pressure is reached inside the capsule during brewing; these ruptures act as outlets for the coffee beverage. This film is typically attached to a pressure relief disc, whose shape allows it to relatively precisely assist in rupturing the film under specific pressure.

[0005] Refillable capsules have been marketed by several manufacturers for years as an alternative to single-use capsules. These refillable capsules are compatible with single-use capsules or capsule coffee machines designed specifically for single-use capsules. The advantages of these refillable capsules include reduced waste and the ability to choose the coffee grounds, which means a significant reduction in the cost per serving or the ability to consciously select specific types of coffee.

[0006] The basic principle behind many refillable capsules is that they consist of at least two parts: a container for holding coffee grounds, and a lid in the form of a cover for sealing the container after the coffee grounds have been filled. This lid can be attached to the container to encapsulate the coffee grounds. In this case, the container or lid is usually not completely sealed, but rather has an inlet to allow water to enter the capsule during brewing, and an outlet to allow the prepared coffee beverage to flow out of the capsule.

[0007] The basic shape of a refillable capsule typically corresponds to the shape of the disposable capsule it is intended to replace, or to the geometry of the receiving structure in the corresponding capsule coffee machine, to achieve a coffee powder capacity as close as possible to that of a disposable capsule. In this case, the refillable capsule typically has slits, the locations of which correspond to the puncture points where a disposable capsule is inserted into the capsule coffee machine and closed by a component of the machine. For example, the puncture structure forms an inlet after puncturing a disposable capsule. If the refillable capsule is rotationally symmetrical and thus can be inserted into the capsule coffee machine in any orientation, then these slits must also be rotationally symmetrical (e.g., in the form of annular grooves) to prevent the capsule from contacting the puncture structure in any possible placement position within the coffee machine. EP2604151B1 describes an example of a refillable capsule.

[0008] The inlet of a refillable capsule is typically located on one side of the flange, while the outlet for the coffee beverage is usually located on the other side. In any case, the inlet side of the capsule must form a seal with the refillable capsule housing within the capsule coffee machine to ensure that water flows through the capsule rather than around it. To achieve this, the refillable capsule flange is usually clamped between two parts of the capsule coffee machine to create a closed space on one side of the flange, through which water is introduced and can flow into the refillable capsule via the inlet.

[0009] EP2483177B1 discloses a coffee capsule suitable for preparing coffee beverages in a beverage machine. The capsule is equipped with a thin-walled truncated conical shell portion, a base portion having an extract inlet, and a cap portion including at least one outlet. The outlet of the cap portion is covered with a membrane that is non-detachably connected to the cap portion, the membrane including multiple perforations.

[0010] EP3088330A1 describes a beverage capsule consisting of a shell, the top and bottom of which are sealed by puncture-resistant barrier layers, suitable for preparing hot liquid foods, particularly beverages such as cappuccino and coffee. The capsule is characterized in that, inside the shell, at a horizontal position at the upper part of the shell, between the surface of an upper partition and a separator, the separator being tightly connected circumferentially to the inner surface of the shell, a bushing is provided at its base having openings for liquid outflow to mix substances in the direction from the separator toward the upper partition, and the liquid flowing from each orifice in the separator is controlled by a pressure control valve.

[0011] CH708662A1 discloses a capsule comprising a preferably rotationally symmetrical capsule body having (particularly integrally formed) sidewalls and a base, and including a cap covering the capsule body to form a closed chamber for containing a substance for preparing a liquid food. The capsule has a discharge port in the base region for dispensing the liquid food. This discharge port is closed by a valve comprising a valve port and configured to open under capsule operating pressure and close in an idle state without pressure.

[0012] WO2015 / 173375 A1 discloses a beverage capsule comprising: a container defining a chamber for storing beverage material, the container being designed to allow fluid entering the chamber to form pressure; and a valve device capable of switching from a first setting that prevents pressurized fluid from exiting the chamber to a second setting that allows pressurized fluid to exit the chamber, and capable of switching back from the second setting to the first setting. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a capsule that can be used simply and efficiently to hold coffee powder and to prepare high-quality coffee beverages with water in a device containing the capsule.

[0014] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0015] High-quality capsule coffee beverages are characterized by good flavor, good consistency, and sufficient amount of crema, also known as brown foam, in espresso. These characteristics depend on the type of coffee, the amount of coffee grounds in the capsule, the grind size, the resulting different particle sizes and their proportions in the coffee grounds, and the degree of compression of the coffee grounds in the capsule before brewing.

[0016] The way water flows through the capsule during the brewing process is also crucial, especially when making espresso. When the brewing process is initiated in a capsule coffee machine, heated water is forced into the capsule under pressure. The capsule is designed to open only when a specific internal pressure is reached, forming the outlet for the coffee beverage. Before opening, the water and / or the resulting coffee beverage has not yet flowed out of the capsule; instead, it accumulates inside, soaking into or mixing with the coffee grounds it contains, causing them to expand.

[0017] Ideally, all coffee grounds are thoroughly soaked and evenly compacted, completely filling the capsule's interior space before the actual extraction begins. This allows for a more even flow of water through the now-saturated and expanded coffee grounds during extraction. Furthermore, it makes it less likely for channels to form within the coffee grounds, preventing the water from flowing too quickly towards the outlet and making sufficient contact with all the grounds. This effect of mixing water and coffee grounds before extraction is also known as pre-infusion. The term "pre-infusion" will refer to this effect in the following text. Pre-infusion improves the flavor and consistency of the prepared coffee beverage and produces more so-called brown foam, especially in espresso drinks.

[0018] Therefore, to obtain the best coffee from a capsule, the following factors must be considered: the capsule spout should remain closed during brewing until a specific pressure is reached inside the capsule. Once opened, the spout should remain open at a pressure far below the pressure required to open, or even remain open in a pressureless state, allowing the coffee beverage to flow through the spout at the lowest possible rate. Furthermore, the volume of coffee grounds inside the capsule should be as large as possible, or the space required for the spout closure mechanism should be as small as possible.

[0019] This invention solves all the above problems in a simple and efficient manner.

[0020] Terminology Definition In this document, the following terms should be understood as follows.

[0021] "Brewing process" refers to the process of preparing coffee beverages using a capsule coffee machine; the term encompasses the pre-infusion and extraction stages.

[0022] "Extraction" refers to the process of dissolving aromatic and flavor compounds in coffee grounds by passing pressurized hot water through them, and then flowing out of the coffee grounds with the dissolved aromatic and flavor compounds to form a coffee beverage.

[0023] "Coffee powder" refers to roasted and ground coffee beans and products containing roasted and ground coffee beans.

[0024] "Coffee beverage" refers to any beverage produced by passing hot or cold water at atmospheric pressure or above ambient pressure through and interacting with coffee grounds.

[0025] The term "capsule" refers to any type of container used to hold coffee grounds and which, after being interacted with by hot or cold water in a dedicated capsule coffee machine, flows out again as a coffee beverage. Here, the term "capsule" encompasses both single-use capsules (discarded after a single use) and refillable capsules (capsules that can be filled with fresh coffee grounds multiple times). If one of these two configurations is specifically referred to, the terms "single-use capsule" or "refillable capsule" will be used instead of "capsule." The term also covers all components required for preparing a coffee beverage, including components rigidly connected to the capsule or separate components, particularly seals used to seal the capsule between the capsule and the capsule coffee machine or between the cap and the capsule. The terms "capsule," "single-use capsule," and "refillable capsule" refer both to an unsealed capsule still having an opening for filling with coffee grounds and to a capsule that has been filled with coffee grounds and sealed.

[0026] A "capsule coffee machine" refers to any device used to prepare coffee beverages, containing capsules and brewing them by flowing water through the coffee grounds inside the capsules. This includes hot and cold water, as well as the operation of flowing water through the capsules under no-pressure or pressurized conditions.

[0027] "Opening pressure" refers to the pressure inside the capsule that causes the valve to open during the brewing process. In snap disks or bimetallic snap disks, the snapping force of the snap disk or bimetallic snap disk corresponds to the opening pressure.

[0028] In this case, the term "profile-like" refers to "a linearly extended structure with a uniform cross-section".

[0029] The "pressure relief plate" refers to the flat surface in a capsule coffee machine that contacts the surface of a disposable capsule, whose spout is formed or created during the coffee brewing process. This is typically achieved by pressurizing the water injected into the capsule, pushing the capsule surface against the pressure relief plate. When a specific pressure is reached, the capsule surface ruptures on the pressure relief plate. This occurs because the pressure relief plate has raised and recessed areas (e.g., a pyramid shape with a flat top), and the capsule surface ruptures when pressed into the recessed areas.

[0030] "Outlet" refers to one or more openings on the capsule that allow coffee beverage to flow out.

[0031] "Container" refers to the part of a capsule that, by its shape, can hold coffee powder.

[0032] The "capsule" refers to the component that seals the capsule by connecting it to the container.

[0033] "Inlet" refers to one or more openings on the container or lid that allow water to enter the capsule for the preparation of coffee beverages.

[0034] "Ability to deform elastically" refers to the ability of a component to deform under stress. The deformed component will resist the applied force like a spring, and when the external force is removed, the component will return to its initial shape like a spring.

[0035] "A disc-shaped structure with a forming part" refers to an independent component or part of a container / cap that has a forming part, which achieves a seal by tightly abutting the valve opening due to its shape; in this case, it means that the pressure inside the capsule can continue to rise during the brewing process until the opening pressure is reached, at which point the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve opening will significantly expand. The disc-shaped structure may also include multiple forming parts to close multiple valve openings.

[0036] "Filter disc" refers to a separate component or part of the container / lid that separates coffee grounds from the filter disc when the capsule is closed.

[0037] "Valve opening" refers to an opening on an independent component or container / lid that can be closed by a closing element (specifically, a forming part or valve needle on a disc-shaped structure with a forming part), and the degree of sealing must be sufficient to allow the pressure inside the capsule to continue to rise during the brewing process until the opening pressure is reached, at which point the valve opening opens and forms a significantly larger cross-sectional area.

[0038] "Valve needle" refers to a separate component or a separate component fixed to the filter disc, or it can be an integral part of the filter disc. It has a cross-sectional profile corresponding to the shape of the valve port at least at some point. This part extends into the valve port to close the valve port and can enter and exit the valve port with its complete cross-sectional profile in a low-gap but free state.

[0039] "Jump disc" refers to a circular or other disc-shaped structure whose curvature extends to cover the entire disc structure or only a part of it. When a force is applied that reaches the jump force, the curvature jumps. Then, under the action of a force lower than the jump force, the curvature maintains the jump state until the force applied is lower than the recovery jump force, at which point the curvature springs back to its initial shape.

[0040] A "bimetallic jump disc" refers to a jump disc that can jump without applying force when it reaches its jump temperature and maintains the jumped state as long as the temperature does not fall below the recovery jump temperature. If a force is applied to the curvature when the temperature is below the jump temperature but above the recovery jump temperature to trigger the jump action, the jump disc will automatically maintain the jumped state without any continuous force being applied to the curvature. This state will continue until the temperature does not fall below the recovery jump temperature.

[0041] "Resilience force" refers to the threshold force applied to the curvature of the changed disc. When the actual force is lower than this value, the curvature will rebound in the opposite direction of the resilience force. The resilience force is significantly lower than the change force.

[0042] "Rebound temperature" refers to the critical temperature at which the bimetallic slewing disc will automatically (i.e., without any applied force) bounce back when the temperature drops below this value.

[0043] "Jump force" refers to the force applied to the curvature of a jump disc in order to cause a jump in curvature. The jump force of a bimetallic jump disc decreases as the temperature increases.

[0044] The "jump point" refers to the point where the curvature of a variator disc is pressed inward by applying a jump force. From this point onward, only a significantly smaller force is needed to trigger the jump, and the variator remains in its altered state even when this smaller force is continuously applied. For bimetallic variator discs, the term "jump point" also refers to the point where the disc slowly deforms during heating and then rapidly jumps in when the temperature reaches the jump temperature.

[0045] "Jump temperature" refers to the critical temperature point at which a bimetallic jump disc spontaneously jumps (i.e., without any applied force).

[0046] Technical solution A key feature of this invention is that the capsule is equipped with a switching disc. The switching disc itself is a known structure in the prior art. The switching disc can be applied, for example, in an electro-tactile switch to generate tactile feedback. A bimetallic switching disc can be applied, for example, in a thermostatic switch (or switching thermostat), to switch the circuit on and off when a specific temperature is reached.

[0047] In such applications, the valve port can be located on the switching disc and closed by other components, or it can be located on a component other than the switching disc and closed by the switching disc. In both cases, the valve is opened by a switching of the switching disc, which is triggered when the water pressure injected into the capsule reaches a specific threshold.

[0048] The solutions according to the invention can be implemented with a single valve port or with multiple valve ports, even if only a configuration with a single valve port or only a configuration with multiple valve ports is discussed in the description of specific solutions and exemplary embodiments.

[0049] In addition to using a single jump disk, multiple jump disks may also be used, even though only a configuration with a single jump disk is discussed in the description of the specific scheme and exemplary embodiments.

[0050] By designing the switching disc accordingly, the opening pressure when the valve is expected to open or when the switching disc switches can be set.

[0051] In the switching disc, when the opening pressure corresponding to the switching force of the switching disc is reached, the valve will suddenly open, and as long as the pressure acting on the switching disc inside the capsule is high enough so that the force is not lower than the recovery switching force, the valve will remain open.

[0052] For bimetallic switching discs, the valve will also suddenly open when the opening pressure corresponding to the switching force of the disc is reached. After the switching occurs, even if there is no pressure acting on the switching disc within the capsule, as long as the temperature at the time of the switching exceeds the recovery switching temperature, the bimetallic switching disc will remain in its switched state until the temperature drops below the recovery switching temperature. If this temperature condition is not reached when the switching occurs, the bimetallic switching disc will behave similarly to a non-bimetallic switching disc, returning to its original state once the applied force falls below the recovery switching force.

[0053] The preferred configuration is as follows: a jump is triggered when a specific pressure is reached inside the capsule, and the bimetallic jump disc maintains its jump state after completion, allowing the coffee beverage to flow out through the valve without pressure acting on the jump disc. To achieve this effect, the temperature must be maintained above the reset jump temperature during brewing. However, the jump temperature should not be reached to ensure that the bimetallic jump disc jumps only due to the pressure inside the capsule, rather than being triggered by reaching a specific temperature. As the temperature increases, the jump force of the bimetallic jump disc gradually decreases until it automatically jumps when the jump temperature is reached. Therefore, the bimetallic jump disc is preferably designed to trigger the jump when the typical temperature during brewing is reached due to water flow into the capsule, and the pressure inside the capsule reaches the required opening pressure. By adjusting the size, material, thickness, and curvature depth of the disc structure, the jump force or jump temperature at a specific temperature can be configured to the desired value. By incorporating radial or concentric embossed stiffeners, structural rigidity can be improved. This allows for the use of flatter curvatures or thinner material thicknesses while maintaining the same jump force, thereby reducing the required installation space.

[0054] The solution of the present invention is preferably implemented in a refillable capsule having a rotationally symmetric container and lid. The configuration described in this variant can also be implemented with the same shape, but is equally applicable to containers and lids of different shapes, such as rectangular or polygonal containers and lids.

[0055] The solution of this invention is preferably applicable to refillable capsules with a diameter of 25 mm to 75 mm (preferably 32 mm to 60 mm) at the connection between the container and the cap, and a total capsule height (measured perpendicularly to the plane of the container-cap connection) of 12 mm to 60 mm (preferably 20 mm to 42 mm). The container and cap are preferably made of metal, but plastic materials can also be used, or different materials can be selected for the cap and container respectively. The solution of this invention is independent of the type of connection between the container and the cap.

[0056] All exemplary embodiments of the present invention solution described below disclose a cover configured as a circular rotating component, which receives other components at its central concentric opening. Other configurations exist, such as placing the present invention solution inside a container rather than within a cover, or the cover may not be configured as a rotating component but may be a sheet metal forming part, in which case the switching disc or filter disk may optionally be an integral part of the cover. The following description follows the order in which the refillable capsules are installed in each component.

[0057] "Valve needle" configuration In one possible configuration, the filter disc—which can be a separate component or an integrated part of the lid / container—is positioned within the lid or container of a refillable capsule. The filter disc is preferably positioned on the side that contacts the pressure relief plate of the capsule coffee machine during the brewing process of the refillable capsule. The filter disc can be rigidly connected to the lid or container as a separate component, or it can be disassembled and reinstalled by the user. If the filter disc is removable, it must fit snugly against the assembled component (i.e., the lid or container) during installation to ensure that coffee grounds cannot pass through any gaps between them.

[0058] The filter disc must withstand the pressure generated by the expansion of the coffee grounds after absorbing water, and it should not deform significantly during this process. Otherwise, the position of the valve needle connected to it relative to the switching disc will change, resulting in a change in the opening pressure. This includes the pressure exerted on the filter disc by the coffee grounds that are wetted during brewing, because the filter disc resists the water flow injected under pressure through flow resistance. The force generated by this resistance is equivalent to the maximum pressure of the coffee machine multiplied by the projected contact area of ​​the coffee grounds on the filter disc.

[0059] The greater the rigidity of the filter disc, the shorter the stroke required for the transition disc to reach the transition point, because less compensation is needed for the theoretically possible deformation of the filter disc. Therefore, by employing a suitable shape, such as a dome-shaped structure that curves inward toward the coffee grounds and whose edges are supported by a component holding the dome, i.e., a lid or container, the filter disc can possess inherent rigidity. Material selection also affects inherent rigidity. Metals or plastics can be used, with high-strength stainless steel being preferred to achieve the thinnest possible construction.

[0060] In addition to enhancing the rigidity of the filter disc, the valve needle can extend beyond the length required to open the valve port at the desired opening pressure, extending to a structure (such as a pressure relief plate) on the other side of the transition disc, thereby gaining support against that structure. In this case, the extended portion of the valve needle needs to have a significantly smaller cross-section to achieve a sufficiently large opening port cross-section. The transition between the profile-like cross-section of the valve needle and the significantly smaller cross-section of the extended portion can be configured as a sharp-edged transition or a smooth transition towards the significantly smaller cross-section. The size of this significantly smaller cross-section relative to the valve port cross-section depends on the required opening cross-section of the valve port, which should be similar to the cross-section of the opening in the capsule coffee machine from which the prepared coffee beverage flows out.

[0061] The filter disc, as a separate component, is preferably circular, but other shapes are also possible. The size of each opening in the filter disc is determined by the particle size of the coffee powder to be retained. This size ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.7 mm, and is preferably from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0062] When the capsule container is connected to the cap, a switching disc is positioned on the side of the filter disc facing away from the capsule interior to seal the coffee powder and filter disc within the capsule. This switching disc is preferably a separate component, but can also be an integral part of the cap or container. The switching disc has a valve port, preferably circular, but other shapes are also possible. The valve port is closed by a valve needle, which can be a separate component fixed to the filter disc or an integral part of the filter disc. The valve needle's profile cross-section must extend sufficiently deep into the valve port to ensure that, taking all tolerances into account, it always reaches at least the switching point of the switching disc. This ensures that the valve port only opens after the switching disc has passed the switching point, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the capsule, at which point only a significantly lower pressure is required to maintain this state; or, in the case of a bimetallic switching disc, if the switching occurs after the recovery switching temperature has been exceeded, no pressure is required to reach and maintain the fully switched position.

[0063] The valve needle is preferably circular, but other shapes are also acceptable. In the region where the valve orifice moves, the valve needle must have a contour-like cross-section; therefore, a cylindrical shape is preferred for a circular valve orifice.

[0064] To achieve the sealing effect required for the closed valve port, the gap width between the valve needle's profile cross-section and the transition disc valve port is preferably between 0.005 mm and 0.15 mm, more preferably between 0.02 mm and 0.05 mm, depending on the profile cross-section size and the corresponding total gap length.

[0065] During brewing, pressurized water is introduced into the capsule, flows through the coffee grounds, and then passes through the filter disc. As the pressure inside the capsule increases, the switching disc is pushed outward and heated. When the opening pressure is reached, the switching disc switches, causing the valve needle portion with a contoured cross-section to no longer be located inside the valve orifice, thus creating a larger gap.

[0066] "Forming Part" Configuration In another possible configuration, as described in the "valve needle" design, the filter disc is positioned within the cap or container of a refillable capsule. The difference lies in that the valve needle is not connected to the filter disc. As described in the valve needle design, a switching disc is arranged on the side of the filter disc facing away from the capsule interior.

[0067] A deformable disc-shaped structure is provided between the filter disc and the switching disc. This disc-shaped structure has a forming part. When installed in the capsule cap or container due to elastic deformation, the forming part can be pressed against the valve port to close the valve port on the switching disc. The forming part is preferably dome-shaped or conical, but other shapes are also possible.

[0068] Therefore, the forming part must match the shape of the valve opening to ensure a sufficiently small gap between them. To achieve the sealing effect required for closing the valve opening, the gap width should be between 0 mm and 0.15 mm, preferably between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm, depending on the cross-sectional dimensions of the valve opening. To enhance the seal between the forming part and the valve opening, an elastomer material can be partially or completely attached to the side of the rotating disc that contacts the forming part. This allows for a wider tolerance range between the valve opening and the forming part. The elastomer thickness can be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. The disc-shaped structure including the forming part is preferably a separate component, but can also be an integral part of the lid or container. The disc-shaped structure including the forming part should be configured such that, during brewing, the coffee beverage can flow from the side with the filter disc to the side with the rotating disc. For this purpose, the disc-shaped structure including the forming part may have openings or cutouts at its edges.

[0069] During the brewing process, pressurized water is introduced into the capsule, flows through the coffee grounds, passes through the filter disc and the disc-shaped structure including the forming part, and is pressed against the switching disc to heat it up. When the opening pressure is reached, the switching disc switches, at which point the forming part on the disc-shaped structure including the forming part is pressed against the valve and closes it until the switching disc passes the switching point. At this point, the forming part on the disc-shaped structure including the forming part will touch the stop. When the switching disc is pressed further beyond the switching point, the valve opens on the switching disc. If a bimetallic switching disc is used, it will deform further to the final switching position. The surface of the capsule coffee machine can serve as a stop for the forming section. Alternatively, a stop can be installed inside the capsule itself. Therefore, when the opening pressure is reached, the connection structure with the filter disc prevents the forming section from continuing to press against the valve opening and remaining closed after the transition disc has passed the transition point.

[0070] "No-hole skip disc" configuration In another possible configuration, as described in the "valve needle" scheme, the filter disc is positioned within the cap or container of a refillable capsule. The difference lies in that the valve needle is not connected to the filter disc. A disc-shaped structure, including an outlet, is arranged on the side of the filter disc facing away from the capsule interior. When the capsule container is connected to the cap, this disc-shaped structure encloses the coffee powder and filter disc within the capsule. This disc is preferably a separate component, but it can also be an integral part of the cap or container. The outlet is preferably circular, but other shapes are also possible. Configurations including multiple outlets are also feasible.

[0071] A bimetallic variable-disc disc is located between a filter disc and a disc-shaped structure including an outlet. The bimetallic variable-disc disc is pressed against a circumferential flange of the disc-shaped structure including the outlet, the inner side of which has one or more outlets. Therefore, the curvature of the bimetallic variable-disc disc must match the curvature of the circumferential flange to ensure a sufficiently small gap is formed when the bimetallic variable-disc disc abuts or presses against the circumferential flange. Preferably, the curvature of the bimetallic variable-disc disc is rotationally symmetrical, and correspondingly, the shape of the circumferential flange is circular.

[0072] To achieve the desired sealing effect in the closed state, the gap width should be controlled between 0 mm and 0.15 mm, preferably between 0.005 mm and 0.05 mm, with the specific value depending on the diameter of the circumferential flange. To enhance the sealing between the circumferential flange and the switching disc, an elastomer can be partially or completely attached to the contact surface of the switching disc facing the interior space of the closure element or capsule. This allows for greater manufacturing tolerances for the circumferential flange and the switching disc. The thickness of the elastomer can be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0073] The spout configuration should ensure that coffee beverages can still flow out through the gap between the bimetallic breaker disc and the spout edge when the disc abuts against it after the breaker has switched. For this purpose, the spout edge may have an undulating, wavy edge, or the shape of the spout may differ from the contact area of ​​the bimetallic breaker disc.

[0074] The bimetallic variable-disc disc needs to be pressed against the circumferential flange of the disc-shaped structure with the outlet with sufficient pressure to maintain a closed state until the opening pressure is reached. This can be achieved by making the distance between the filter disc and the disc-shaped structure with the outlet slightly smaller than the height of the bimetallic variable-disc disc, so that the bimetallic variable-disc disc abuts against the circumferential flange and the filter disc under the action of a preloaded force. The bimetallic variable-disc disc is preferably a separate component or an integrated component of the cover or container.

[0075] If the edge of the bimetallic variator disc is not cut, and the filter disc presses the bimetallic variator disc against the disc-shaped structure with the outlet, the filter disc needs to have a forming part facing the bimetallic variator disc so that the bimetallic variator disc can be supported on it, so that the coffee beverage can flow through the gap between the forming parts.

[0076] During the brewing process, pressurized water is introduced into the capsule, flows through the coffee powder and passes through the filter disc. As the pressure inside the capsule increases, it is pressed against the bimetallic switching disc and heated.

[0077] When the opening pressure is reached, the bimetallic transition disc transitions, disengaging from the contact state of the circumferential flange, thereby opening the flow channel to the outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0078] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments only. In the drawings... Figure 1a [ Figure 1a An exemplary embodiment of a preferred "valve needle" solution is shown, wherein the dashed line indicates the position of the valve disc and the disc-shaped structure with the shaped portion when the valve port is open. Figure 1b [ Figure 1b ]yes[ Figure 1a A partial sectional perspective view of a three-dimensional object. Figure 2 [ Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a preferred "forming part" solution is shown, which is a side view cross-section, wherein the dashed lines indicate the position of the valve disc and the disc-shaped structure with the forming part when the valve port is open. Figure 3a [ Figure 3a An exemplary embodiment of another preferred "forming part" solution is shown, which is a side view cross-section, wherein the dashed lines indicate the position of the valve disc and the disc-shaped structure with the forming part when the valve port is open. Figure 3b [ Figure 3b[This is a view directed toward the axis of rotation of the pin in the disc-shaped structure with the formed part, and] Figure 4 [ Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a preferred "holeless bipolar disc" solution is shown, which is a side view cross-section of a capsule, wherein the dashed line indicates the position of the bimetallic bipolar disc when the valve is open. Detailed Implementation

[0079] For ease of understanding, [ Figure 1a ]、[ Figure 2 ]、[ Figure 3a ]and[ Figure 4 Only cross-sections of the filter disk are shown, without showing the edges of the wall portion or the openings in the filter disk.

[0080] [ Figure 1a This image shows an exemplary embodiment of a preferred "valve needle" solution, presented as a side cross-section. For ease of understanding, only a cross-section of the filter disc is shown. Dashed lines indicate the position of the switching disc when the valve is open. Figure 1b ]yes[ Figure 1a Partial sectional three-dimensional view.

[0081] The capsule cap 2 contains a filter disc 3 and a variable-speed disc 4. The capsule cap 2 is made of metal and is in the form of a ring-shaped rotating component. A flange 14 is provided on the outer edge of the cap 2, which houses a seal 10. A circumferential step 13 is provided on the inner edge of the cap 2, and the variable-speed disc 4 is placed on the circumferential step 13. A conical circumferential wall is provided at the outer edge of the step 13, and the upper end of this circumferential wall has an inwardly protruding circumferential flange 12, the wall portion of the filter disc 3 abuts against the circumferential flange 12. A circumferential groove 11 is provided on the outer side, which can be engaged when a container 1 with an inlet 16 needs to be connected to the cap 2. For this purpose, the container has gill-shaped stamping portions extending towards the internal space of the container on opposite sides. When these portions are pressed through the conical circumferential wall, they can be engaged in the groove, during which the opening of the container deforms into an elliptical shape. When snapped into place, the edge of the container presses against the seal 10, thereby sealing the connection between the container and the lid. Alternatively, the conical circumferential wall can have recesses on opposite sides of its upper end, specifically, the depth of the recesses is flush with the circumferential groove 11, and the width is slightly larger than the gill-shaped stamping portion, so that the container can be placed on the lid without deformation, and by rotating relative to the lid, the gill-shaped stamping portion is positioned in the groove next to the recess, achieving a structure similar to a bayonet-type locking mechanism.

[0082] The switching disc 4 is configured with a valve port 6 at its center. The switching disc 4 can be manufactured by a stamping process, and the valve port 6 at the center can be precision-cut to achieve the required tolerances. The filter disc 3 has a rotationally symmetrical dome-shaped structure and is made of stainless steel spring steel. At the outer edge of the dome region, the disc includes an upward-opening conical circumferential wall with sixteen radial indentations circumferentially arranged. Two of these indentations are alternately located only within the circumferential wall, and two of these indentations extend several millimeters into the dome region. The wall portion between the indentations extending into the dome curves slightly upward at the dome compared to the other wall portions, acting like a spring, with its upper edge deflecting either parallel to or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the dome. In contrast, the wall portion between the indentations located only within the circumferential wall acts like a spring, with its upper edge deflecting only perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the dome. The valve needle 5 is configured as an integrated component of the filter disc 3, which can be implemented during the manufacture of the filter disc 3 using a deep-drawing process. The outer contour and opening of the filter disc 3 can be formed by stamping, while the final shape of the dome and the circumferential wall can be formed by pressing.

[0083] When installing the cover 2, the switching disc 4 is placed on the circumferential step 13 of the cover 2. The filter disc 3 is pressed against the switching disc 4 by the inwardly protruding circumferential flange 12 on the cover 2. At this time, the valve needle 5 on the filter disc 3 must enter the valve port 6 of the switching disc 4. First, the non-upwardly curved wall portion of the filter disc 3 will be engaged and positioned below the circumferential flange 12. By applying pressure to the four upwardly curved wall portions of the filter disc 3, it is pressed downward and then engaged and positioned below the circumferential flange 12, and the outer edge of the dome area of ​​the filter disc 3 is pressed against the switching disc 4, thereby pressing the switching disc against the circumferential step 13 of the cover 2.

[0084] The surface behind the circumferential flange 12 is configured as an inclined plane, where the wall portion of the filter disc 3 is engaged and positioned. The angle of this inclined plane allows the upper edge of the wall portion of the filter disc 3 to expand outward as much as possible due to its elasticity, until it abuts against the circumferential flange 12 at the end of the inclined plane. By pressing the transition disc 4 towards the inside of the capsule, the filter disc 3 and the transition disc 4 can be removed. During this process, the upper edge of the wall portion of the filter disc 3 slides along the inclined plane of the circumferential flange 12 and is pressed inward until it passes the narrowest point of the circumferential flange 12. At this point, only a small force is needed to press the filter disc 3 out of the cover 2. Thus, the filter disc 3 and the transition disc 4 can be disassembled and reassembled for cleaning without the aid of any tools.

[0085] [ Figure 2A preferred exemplary embodiment of the "forming part" solution is shown in a partial cross-section of a side view. For ease of understanding, only a cross-section of the filter disc is shown. Dashed lines indicate the position of the switching disc and the disc-shaped structure including the forming part when the valve port is open.

[0086] Its basic structure is similar to [ Figure 1a The structure is the same as that in the exemplary embodiment shown. However, the difference lies in the arrangement of a disc-shaped structure including a forming part 7 between the transition disc 4 and the filter disc 3. The disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7 is configured as an elastically deformable disc made of stainless steel spring steel, specifically having multiple holes for coffee beverage to flow from the filter disc 3 to the valve port 6, and having a truncated cone forming part in the contact area with the transition disc 4 and the valve port 6, as well as a dome-shaped structure as an end element—when the disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7 undergoes outward elastic deformation, the dome-shaped structure can strike the inner surface of the capsule coffee machine. The required elastic deformation capability is achieved by using a relatively thin wall thickness of 0.2-0.3 mm. Therefore, the filter disc 3 is generally configured to be similar to... Figure 1a The description is consistent with that in the exemplary embodiment shown. However, the difference is that it does not include a valve needle.

[0087] [ Figure 3a The image shows a side cross-sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the "forming part" solution, wherein... Figure 3b This is a view along the axis of rotation of the valve needle in the disc-shaped structure including the forming part. For ease of understanding, only a cross-section of the filter disc is shown. The dashed lines indicate the position of the switching disc and the disc-shaped structure including the forming part when the valve is open.

[0088] This structure is related to [ Figure 2The structure is generally consistent with the exemplary embodiment shown. However, one difference is that the filter disc 3 has a hole at its center, which is composed of two semicircles, each with its end connected to a straight line. Another difference is that the forming part of the disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7 does not have a dome shape as its end element, but rather a planar structure. The pin 17 is fixed to this plane by spot welding. Its central portion has a cylindrical cross-section, and its head cross-section matches the shape of the hole on the filter disc 3, but its size is slightly smaller than the sum of the manufacturing tolerances of the two parts to ensure that it can always freely pass through the hole. The pin 17 can be inserted into the hole of the filter disc 3 with its head facing one direction. After rotating by a certain angle (preferably 30°-90°), the head can no longer pass through the hole. However, when the disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7 and the filter disc 3 are inserted into the cover 2 in this relative position, the cylindrical part of the pin 17 can still move freely up and down in the hole. Thus, the filter disc 3 acts as a stop for the disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7, and when the jumping disc 4 is pushed outward by the pressure inside the capsule during the brewing process, the filter disc 3 restricts the outward deformation or movement of the disc-shaped structure including the forming part 7.

[0089] [ Figure 4 This image illustrates a preferred exemplary embodiment of the "holeless bimetallic hopping disc" solution, presented as a partial side cross-sectional view of the capsule. For ease of understanding, only a cross-section of the filter disc is shown. Dashed lines indicate the position of the bimetallic hopping disc when the valve is open.

[0090] This structure is related to [ Figure 1a The exemplary embodiment shown is largely the same, with the only difference being that a circular disc-shaped structure with an outlet 9 is used instead of the bimetallic disc 4, which abuts against the circumferential step 13 of the cover 2. This disc-shaped structure has concentric circumferential flanges that protrude into the capsule, and the filter disc 3 abuts against these flanges. These flanges also serve as lateral guide structures for the bimetallic disc 4, and even under maximum manufacturing tolerances, the distance between them and the bimetallic disc 4 must ensure that the edge of the bimetallic disc 4 can move freely up and down during switching.

[0091] The disc-shaped structure with outlet 9 also has another slightly smaller concentric circumferential flange that protrudes into the capsule, upon which the bimetallic switching disc 4 rests. An outlet 6 is located on the inner side of this slightly smaller circumferential flange. The outlet 6 has an undulating, wavy edge. When the bimetallic switching disc 4 switches and no longer rests against the slightly smaller circumferential flange, but instead is supported on the edge of the outlet 6, the coffee beverage can flow between the bimetallic switching disc 4 and the disc-shaped structure with outlet 9 to the outlet 6, and then no longer remain on the slightly smaller circumferential flange, but rather on the edge of the outlet 6.

[0092] The filter disk 3 is roughly configured to be similar to [ Figure 1a The description in the exemplary embodiment shown is consistent with that in the example shown. The difference is that the filter disc 3 does not have a valve needle, but has at least three forming portions in the direction toward the bimetallic switching disc 4. When the bimetallic switching disc 4 switches, it can be supported on these forming portions, allowing the coffee beverage to flow through the gaps between the forming portions. Another difference is that the filter disc has a forming portion at its center facing the bimetallic switching disc 4. When the bimetallic switching disc 4 does not switch, this forming portion presses the bimetallic switching disc 4 against the slightly smaller circumferential flange in the disc-shaped structure with the outlet 9.

[0093] In this configuration, the opening behavior is as follows: when the capsule reaches the opening pressure during brewing, i.e., when the bimetallic switching disc 4 reaches its switching force, the bimetallic switching disc 4 switches; once the switching exceeds the switching point, the bimetallic switching disc 4 no longer abuts against the slightly smaller circumferential flange, thereby opening the valve port 6. During the cooling process, when the temperature for resuming switching is reached again, the bimetallic switching disc 4 will resume switching.

[0094] List of reference numerals 1 container 2. Cover 3 filter discs 4-Skip Disc Change 5 valve needles 6 valve ports 7. Disc-shaped structure with forming part 8 forming parts 9. Disc-shaped structure with water outlet 10. Sealing elements on the cover 11. Grooves on the cover 12. Flange on the cover 13 Steps on the cover 14 Flanges on the cover 15. Openings on the filter disc 16 water inlets 17 pins

Claims

1. A capsule for containing coffee powder and preparing a coffee beverage with water in a device containing the capsule, the capsule comprising a container (1) and a lid (2), the container (1) having an internal space accessible through an opening, the lid (2) being reversibly openable and closeable by a user, wherein... A switching disc (4) is provided on the container (1) and / or the cover (2). The switching disc (4) is configured to be in a non-switched state when the pressure inside the capsule is lower than a predetermined value, to switch to a switched state when the pressure inside the capsule reaches the predetermined value, and to return to the non-switched state when the pressure drops below the predetermined value again. The configuration and arrangement of the switching disc (4) are such that, in the non-switching state, the switching disc (4) seals and isolates the internal space of the capsule from the outside, and in the switching state, it opens a gap to the outside so that the coffee beverage can escape from the internal space of the capsule to the outside.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein, The switching disc (4) includes at least one valve port (6), which is closed by a closing element when the switching disc (4) is in the non-switched state, and opened when the switching disc (4) is in the switched state.

3. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein, The closing element has a region whose cross-section corresponds to the shape of the valve port (6) in the transition disc and is sealed in the valve port (6) in the non-transition state, wherein the closing element is configured and arranged such that when the transition disc (4) transitions from the non-transition state to the transition state, the closing element does not move with the transition disc (4) but remains in the position of the closing element, thereby opening the valve port (6).

4. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein, The closing element presses against the valve port (6) through the elastic element, and when the switching disc (4) switches from the non-switched state to the switched state, the closing element moves with the switching disc (4), but is stopped after the switching disc (4) passes the switching point, and thereafter the closing element no longer closes the valve port (6).

5. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein, The closing element has a first region and a second region. The first region corresponds to the valve port (6) in shape and size. The second region is adjacent to the first region and gradually narrows along the jumping direction of the jumping disc (4).

6. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein, The configuration and arrangement of the switching disc (4) cause the switching disc (4) to press against the contact surface in the internal space of the capsule in the non-switched state, thereby sealing the internal space of the capsule along the circumferential edge of the switching disc (4), and separating from the contact surface in the switched state, wherein the contact surface forms a closed circumferential contour line, and at least one opening of the capsule is provided in the contact surface. When the switching disc (4) is in the switched state, the coffee beverage can escape from the internal space of the capsule to the outside through the opening.

7. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The switching disc (4) is configured as a bimetallic switching disc.

8. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, A filter disc (3) is provided on the upstream side facing the interior space. The filter disc has an opening (15) configured to trap coffee powder while allowing coffee beverage to pass through.

9. The capsule according to claim 4, 6 or 7, wherein, The elastomer is partially or completely attached to one side of the jumping disc (4) and abuts against the closing element or the contact surface in the internal space of the capsule.

10. The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The transition disc (4) includes radially or concentrically imprinted reinforcing ribs.

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