Drip-reduced cup and capsule for the preparation of instant drinks

Abstract

Cup (2) for a capsule for preparing soluble drinks, equipped with: - successively, an upper rim (4) defining an inlet opening (21), a side wall (211), at least one stepped section (23), a lower funnel-shaped section (24) defining an outlet opening (31); - an inner floor (33) with a circumferential border (360) and a labyrinth (30); - a sealing disc (5) which is attached at least to the circumferential edge (360) and to the labyrinth (30); wherein the labyrinth (30) comprises a plurality of labyrinth sections (320) and channels (321), each channel (321) being defined between two adjacent labyrinth sections (30) and being closed at the top by the sealing disc (5); characterized in that the labyrinth (30) has a flow rate between 500 and 2,200 cc / min.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing soluble beverages.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a cup for a capsule for packaging concentrated products (e.g. in the form of powder or granules) in predetermined single doses for the immediate preparation of soluble beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by filling the capsule with a pressurized liquid (usually hot water).

[0003] These well-known capsules contain a pre-packaged single dose of the substance to be dissolved, enclosed in a plastic container called a cup and sealed with a lid.

[0004] There are various types of automatic or semi-automatic machines for preparing instant beverages. The common operating principle of these machines is to pierce the capsule lid and inject pressurized liquid into the capsule, dissolving the instant food powder inside and preparing the beverage. With these automatic machines, the beverage is dispensed without piercing the bottom of the cup, as it is equipped with an outlet opening, the so-called nozzle. This type of capsule has internal opening mechanisms (e.g., by piercing, tearing, or removing an inner sealing disc) that are activated when a certain pressure is reached inside the cup.

[0005] At the end of the dispensing process of the brewing machine, particularly when the capsule is removed from the dispensing chamber, some of the remaining liquid in the cup can leak from the nozzle, resulting in a drip that can be bothersome and unpleasant for the user. Similarly, during the removal of the used capsule from the machine—that is, when the dispensing chamber is opened, the used capsule is removed, and discarded—a drip occurs that is both bothersome and unpleasant for the user, and also contaminates the area around the brewing machine. With coffee capsules for infusion drinks, this undesirable effect is less pronounced because, after dispensing, coffee grounds (i.e., insoluble coffee powder) remain in the cup, which have a sponge-like effect and help to retain any remaining liquid.In contrast, with capsules for soluble drinks, this undesirable effect is very noticeable, since after pouring there is no longer any food powder in the cup (because it is completely dissolved and forms the drink), but only residual liquid.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to develop a capsule for the preparation of soluble beverages that solves the problems of the known technology while taking into account the requirements of the industry.

[0007] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for the preparation of soluble beverages which is equipped with means to reduce as much as possible the leakage of residual liquids from the nozzle once the capsule is detached from the dispensing unit of the preparation machine.

[0008] This problem is solved by a cup for a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to claim 1 and by a capsule according to claim 10. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The features and advantages of a cup and a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention will become clear from the following description, which is given by way of example and without limitation according to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a cup for a capsule for the preparation of soluble beverages according to the present invention in one embodiment; Fig. 2 a top view of an inner bottom of the cup made of Fig. 1 shows; Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a capsule, which is connected to the cup made of Fig. 1 was manufactured; Fig. 4 an enlargement of the base of the capsule made of Fig. 3 shows; Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a cup for a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention in a further embodiment; Fig. 6 a top view of an inner bottom of the cup made of Fig. 6 shows; Fig. Figures 7 to 9 show the phases of manufacturing a beaker according to the present invention for carrying out measurements of the flow rate (air) of the labyrinth, and in particular: Fig. 7 shows the cutting area of ​​the sealing disc; Fig. 8a the cutting area of ​​the filter wall and Fig. 8b shows the removal of the filter wall; Fig. 9 shows the flow path through the labyrinth; Fig. 10 shows the results of a drop test after dispensing, which was carried out on commercially available capsules in comparison to a capsule produced according to the present invention in some of its embodiments.

[0010] With reference to the accompanying figures, a capsule for the preparation of soluble beverages is shown, which is marked with reference numeral 1 and is shown in its entirety in Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0011] The capsule 1 comprises a body or cup 2 that defines an internal volume V for holding at least one solubilizing substance 11, typically in powder or granular form. The solubilizing substance enables, for example, the preparation of beverages such as coffee, tea, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, cappuccino, etc.

[0012] The cup 2 is made of plastic, preferably by injection molding or co-injection molding.

[0013] The cup 2 is provided on one side with a base 3 and on the opposite side with a filling opening 21, which is limited by an outwardly projecting rim 4.

[0014] The cup 2 can be used to produce a capsule 1, which can be used for the spontaneous preparation of instant beverages with automatic or semi-automatic machines equipped with a dispensing unit that produces a beverage by the flow of hot water under pressure through the capsule 1. The capsule 1 includes a fixed lid 6, which is attached to the rim 4 of the cup 2 by gluing or welding and seals the top of the cup 2.

[0015] The cup 2 is provided on the outside of the bottom 3 with an outlet opening 31, which is defined by a nozzle 32 and allows the drink to escape.

[0016] The cup 2 comprises below the rim 4 a lateral wall 211 in the form of a truncated cone, followed by at least one stepped section 23, preferably by two successive stepped sections 23, and terminates with a lower section 24 which is essentially funnel-shaped and forms the outlet opening 31.

[0017] The cup 2 is provided on the inside at the bottom 3 with an inner base 33 which has at least one projection vertically to the inside of the cup 2 in the direction of the lid 6.

[0018] The base 33 includes a circumferential edge 360° defined by a protrusion to which a sealing disc 5 is attached by gluing or welding. The circumferential edge 360° corresponds to the plane defined by a lower step section 23.

[0019] The capsule 1 is equipped internally with a sealing disc 5, which is arranged at the base 33 and seals the cup 2 at the bottom. The capsule 1 thus has a closed chamber 12, which is bounded at the top by the lid 6 and at the bottom by the sealing disc 5 and in which the substance 11 is contained, as shown in Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0020] The sealing disc 5 is positioned below the substance 11.

[0021] The sealing disc 5 has barrier properties, preferably against gases and vapors.

[0022] The sealing disc 5 can be made from various materials, for example plastic, cellulose or aluminium, and using different manufacturing processes.

[0023] The sealing disc 5 can be multi-layered or single-layered.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sealing disc 5 is at least partially flexibly attached to the circumferential edge 360 ​​of the base 33, so that it detaches at least partially from the cup 2 due to the pressure increase inside it.

[0025] In another embodiment, the sealing disc 5 is permanently attached to the circumferential edge 360 ​​and preferably provided with weakenings (e.g. pre-cut) so that it at least partially tears due to the pressure increase inside the cup 2.

[0026] In another embodiment, the sealing disc 5 is permanently attached to the circumferential edge 360, and the cup 2 is provided inside the base 3 with piercing or tearing devices that can pierce or tear open the sealing disc 5 due to the pressure increase inside the cup 2. For example, the base 33 is provided with points that can at least partially pierce the sealing disc due to the pressure increase of the volume V.

[0027] In use, the capsule 1 is inserted into a designated receptacle in the extraction machine, which pierces the lid 6 and introduces a pressurized liquid (usually hot water) into the interior V containing the food powder. The pressure exerted by the liquid inside the capsule 1 rises to a certain threshold or opening pressure, which presses on the sealing disc 5, either to tear it if it is weak, or to detach it from the circumferential edge 360 ​​to which it is attached if it is flexibly attached, or to pierce it against the points of the base 33, if present.

[0028] Preferably the base 33 comprises further projections which are made in one piece with the cup 2 or as a sealing disc-shaped insert below the sealing disc 5 within the lower funnel-shaped section 24.

[0029] The base 33 preferably comprises a central section 310, which is defined by a central projection and covers the outlet opening 31. The central section 310 is provided with at least one connecting opening 311 between the interior of the cup 2 and the outlet opening 31 to allow the beverage to flow from the capsule 1 to the outside. Preferably, the central section 310 comprises a plurality of connecting openings 311.

[0030] Preferably the base 33 comprises a labyrinth 30 forming a winding path that reduces the flow of the poured beverage to the nozzle 32 when the internal pressure in the capsule 1 falls below a threshold value or when the pressure drops completely when the capsule 1 is released from the pouring device of the machine.

[0031] Preferably, the sealing disc 5 is attached to the circumferential edge 360, to the labyrinth 30 and to the central section 310 of the base 33, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0032] Preferably, a collecting recess 330 is formed between the circumferential edge 360 ​​and the labyrinth 30 at the level of the base 33, which collects the beverage and allows its drainage into the labyrinth 30.

[0033] Preferably, a drainage recess 340 is provided between the labyrinth 30 and the middle section 310 at the base 33, which collects the beverage and allows its outflow through the openings 311 to the nozzle 32 and out of the capsule 1.

[0034] Preferably, the base 33 within the collecting recess 330 also comprises a plurality of supports 350, which are defined by further elevations and are arranged between the labyrinth 30 and the circumferential edge 360. The supports 350 are essentially shaped as circular arcs.

[0035] As already mentioned, the problem with the known capsules for soluble substances is that residual liquid remains in the cup at the end of the dispensing process and drips out, especially when the capsule is removed from the dispensing chamber.

[0036] Advantageously, according to the present invention, the cup 2, and thus the capsule 1 produced using this cup, is equipped with an improved labyrinth 30 that significantly reduces the escape of liquids remaining in the cup 2 through the nozzle and thus reduces so-called post-dispensing dripping. Post-dispensing dripping refers to the escape of liquid droplets from the nozzle 32 of the capsule 1 after the capsule, which has now been removed, has been detached from the dispensing machine, particularly from the moment the dispensing chamber is opened.

[0037] The labyrinth 30 comprises a plurality of labyrinth sections 320, which form a plurality of channels 321. The channel 321 is defined between two adjacent labyrinth sections 30 and is closed at the top by the sealing disc 5.

[0038] Each labyrinth section 320, and thus each channel 321, runs radially to the base 33 between the collecting recess 330 and the drainage recess 340. Each channel 321 therefore connects the collecting recess 330 with the drainage recess 340 and defines a drainage path for the beverage to the outlet opening 31.

[0039] Preferably, as in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the channel 321 is winding. Specifically, the channel 321 includes at least one change of direction. Preferably, the channel 321 comprises a plurality of angled curves, preferably with angles of 90°. Preferably, the channel 321 follows a zigzag or "rectangular wave" shape.

[0040] The labyrinth 30 comprises between 20 and 30 channels 321. This solution makes it possible to utilize the entire available space between the collection depression 330 and the drainage depression 340 in order to realize sufficiently narrow and long channels 321.

[0041] If LC denotes the length of channel 321, measured as the length of the path between an input and an output, and LL the radial length of labyrinth 30, measured as the radial distance between the input and the output, then the length LC of channel 321 is greater than the radial length LL of labyrinth 30 (LC>LL).

[0042] Advantageously, the channels 321 of the labyrinth 30 have a reduced cross-section. Preferably, the cross-section of the channel 321 is less than 0.1 mm². More preferably, the cross-section of the channel 321 is between 0.09 mm² and 0.05 mm². This cross-section allows, on the one hand, the retention of the beverage under pressure (between 4 bar and 8 bar) and, on the other hand, the effective retention of residual liquids in the cup 2 as soon as the pressure falls below a threshold value.

[0043] Preferably the cross-section of the channel 321 is polygonal, for example square or trapezoidal.

[0044] Preferably, the height of the channel 321, measured between the surface of the base 33 and the sealing disc 5, is less than 0.40 mm. Preferably, the height of the channel 321 is between 0.35 mm and 0.15 mm.

[0045] Advantageously, the channels 321 described above are provided with a particularly narrow cross-section in order to retain the residual liquid by capillary action and thus significantly reduce dripping when the pressure inside the capsule falls below a threshold or to zero. In particular, the cup 2, and thus the capsule 1, has a flow rate (air) of the labyrinth 30 between 500 and 2,200 cc / min, i.e., the volume of air flowing through the labyrinth 30 in one minute is between 500 and 2,200 cubic centimeters.

[0046] Preferably, to improve the ability of the cup 2 to retain residual liquid and to further reduce dripping when the pressure inside the capsule falls below a threshold or to zero, a filter wall 62 is provided inside the cup 2 below the soluble food substance S and above the sealing disc 5.

[0047] Preferably, the filter wall is a paper filter.

[0048] Preferably, the filter wall 62 has a porosity of more than 1000 l / m2s (Glatfelter method).

[0049] Preferably, the filter wall 62 has a basis weight between 35 and 40 g / m2 (ISO 536).

[0050] It should be noted that the capsule that is the subject of the present invention is a capsule for soluble beverages and therefore does not require a filter wall to allow the beverage to flow through while retaining the food substance. However, a series of tests, described below, have shown that adding a filter wall improves the reduction of dripping after dispensing.

[0051] Preferably the filter wall 62 is attached to the circumferential edge 360, for example by gluing or welding.

[0052] In another embodiment, the filter wall 62 is attached to a circumferential edge 361, which corresponds to the plane defined by an upper step section 23.

[0053] In a Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, all channels 321 open into the drainage recess 340 at a dam 9. That is, the outlet of each channel 321 is oriented towards a dam 9. The dam 9 is a circumferential elevation between the labyrinth 30 and the connecting openings 311. This solution prevents the beverage from flowing directly into a connecting opening 311 to the nozzle 32, thereby reducing the turbulence of the flow exiting the capsule 1 and preventing splashing.

[0054] The flow rate (air) of the Labyrinth 30 can be measured with a universal flow meter for gases with continuous measurement. In the following examples, the flow rate of the labyrinth was measured with the T8730 tester distributed by ForTest. To measure the flow rate of the Labyrinth 30 with the ForTest T8730, beaker 2 must be prepared for the test. Fig. Figures 7 to 9 show the preparation steps for cup 2.

[0055] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the sealing disc 5 is located in the cup 2, attached to the circumferential edge 360 ​​and to the labyrinth 30 of the base 33. To prepare the cup 2, a continuous, circumferential cut must be made in the sealing disc 5 at the collecting recess 330 to open an annular passage through the sealing disc 5 for the flow generated by the tester. No part of the sealing disc 5 is removed. The flow through the labyrinth 30 is in Fig. 9 shown: through the annular opening in the sealing disc 5, then through the labyrinth 30, then through the openings 311 and finally through the outlet opening 31, which is defined by the nozzle 32.

[0056] If, as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8a, the cup 2 also has a filter wall 62 inside it above the sealing disc 5. Therefore, the preparation of the cup 2 involves a circumferential cut in both the filter wall and the sealing disc 5 at the location of the collection recess 330. Subsequently, the sealing disc-shaped part 62' of the filter wall, created by the aforementioned cut, is removed. No part of the sealing disc 5 is removed.

[0057] At this point, the prepared cup 2 is positioned on a fluid-tight holder (both at the inlet opening 21 and at the outlet opening 31) with the tester. As mentioned above, a cup 2 according to the present invention has a flow rate (air) through the labyrinth 30 of between 500 and 2,200 cc / min. This solution makes it possible to reduce the leakage of residual liquid from the nozzle once the capsule 1, which is now exhausted, is released from the dispensing unit of the preparation machine.

[0058] As mentioned above, the objective of the present invention is to provide a capsule 1 with a labyrinth 30 that minimizes the leakage of residual liquids remaining in the cup 2 after dispensing the beverage, particularly when the capsule 1 is removed from the machine's dispensing device. It is irrelevant what happens before or after removal from the machine with regard to dripping: the crucial factor is the removal phase. Even if a drop occurs at the end of the dispensing process while the capsule 1 is still inserted in the extraction machine, this drop would fall directly into the cup; or, if the cup has already been removed, the drop would fall directly into the collection container at the bottom of the machine (a Mini Me extraction machine marketed by Nestlé serves as a reference example).It is obvious that in both cases there is no risk of soiling the area around the coffee machine. Therefore, it is not necessary to prevent dripping after dispensing and before removal from the machine, as this is neither bothersome nor unpleasant for the user. After removal from the machine, the now-empty capsule 1 is simply thrown into the waste container. Even if the capsule drips in the waste container, the dripping would occur directly in the waste bag, which is liquid-impermeable. It is obvious that in this case, too, there is no risk of soiling the area around the coffee machine. Therefore, it is not necessary to prevent dripping after removal from the machine, as this is neither bothersome nor unpleasant for the user. With conventional capsules, however, when removing the empty capsule from the machine, i.e.,Opening the brewing chamber, removing the empty capsule, and disposing of it in the trash results in a dripping noise that is disruptive and unpleasant for the user, soiling the area around the coffee machine. It was found that a period of 5 seconds after opening the machine's lever is entirely sufficient to remove the used capsule and dispose of it. Therefore, this timeframe is considered the most suitable to represent the capsule removal phase from the machine. Consequently, the drip tests after dispensing were conducted taking this timeframe into account.

[0059] The post-dispensing drip is measured in drops / 5 seconds according to this test protocol: - After the dispensing of capsule 1 has finished, a measuring burette is placed under nozzle 32. - The locking lever of the extraction machine is lifted and a stopwatch is started simultaneously. - The number of liquid drops that exit nozzle 32 within 5 seconds is counted.

[0060] Table 1 in Fig. Figure 10 shows the results of the drop tests after dispensing (according to the protocol mentioned above) performed on commercially available capsules in comparison to a capsule 1 manufactured according to some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for each capsule listed in Table 1, 200 capsules were tested to obtain a statistically relevant sample.

[0061] Several known capsule types were tested: with a labyrinth flow rate (air) of 2,500 cc / min and with a labyrinth flow rate (air) of 2,400 cc / min; all without a filter wall, as capsules for soluble drinks do not provide a filter wall.

[0062] Different types of capsules 1 were tested: with a flow rate (air) of labyrinth 30 of 1,700 cc / min and with a flow rate (air) of labyrinth 30 of 1,500 cc / min; without filter wall and with filter wall 62 (attached to the circumferential edge 360°).

[0063] It has been observed that the capsule 1, which is the subject of the present invention, consistently exhibits extremely low droplet loss (less than 3 drops / 5 sec.) after dispensing compared to commercially available capsules (all with a droplet loss of more than 5 drops / 5 sec.). Furthermore, it has been found that the presence of the filter wall can contribute to further reducing post-dispensing dripping to less than 2 drops / 5 sec.

[0064] The innovative aspect is that a cup and a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention are equipped with a labyrinth 30 which can significantly reduce dripping after dispensing compared to capsules currently available on the market, so that the user can remove the used capsule from the extraction machine and throw it away without excessively polluting the environment around the extraction machine.

[0065] It is clear that a person skilled in the art could make changes to the capsule described above for the preparation of soluble beverages, all of which are contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Cup (2) for a capsule for preparing soluble drinks, equipped with: - successively, an upper rim (4) defining an inlet opening (21), a side wall (211), at least one stepped section (23), a lower funnel-shaped section (24) defining an outlet opening (31); - an inner floor (33) with a circumferential border (360) and a labyrinth (30); - a sealing disc (5) which is attached at least to the circumferential edge (360) and to the labyrinth (30); wherein the labyrinth (30) comprises a plurality of labyrinth sections (320) and channels (321), each channel (321) being defined between two adjacent labyrinth sections (30) and being closed at the top by the sealing disc (5); characterized by , that the labyrinth (30) has a flow rate between 500 and 2,200 cc / min. [2] Cup (2) according to claim 1, wherein each channel (321) has a radial shape and each channel (321) has a helical shape or at least a change of direction or a plurality of angular bends or a zigzag or ‘rectangular wave’ shape. [3] Cup (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the labyrinth (30) comprises between 20 and 30 channels (321). [4] Cup (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the channels (321) of the labyrinth (30) have a cross-section of less than 0.1 mm 2 , preferably between 0.09 mm2 and 0.05 mm2. [5] Cup (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the channels (321) is polygonal, preferably square or trapezoidal. [6] Cup (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the channels (321) is between 0.35 mm and 0.15 mm. [7] Cup (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter wall (62) is attached above the sealing disc (5). [8] Cup (2) according to claim 7, wherein the filter wall (62) is attached: - at the perimeter edge (360), which corresponds to a plane defined by a lower step section (23); or - at a circumferential edge (361) that corresponds to a plane defined by an upper step section (23). [9] Cup (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the filter wall (62) is a paper filter. [10] Capsule (1) for preparing soluble beverages, comprising: - a cup (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; - a lid (6) which is attached to the rim (4) of the cup (2) and closes the inlet opening (21); - a soluble substance (11) arranged in the beaker (2) within a closed chamber (12) which is bounded at the top by the lid (6) and at the bottom by the sealing disc (5).

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