Rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container and process for obtaining thereof

Abstract

It is disclosed a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container and process for obtaining said container comprising a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the container, wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser and / or mechanical weakening process without substantially applying heat-treatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the scoring line.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O NRIGID THIN-METAL FOOD OR FOODSTUFF CONTAINER AND PROCESS FOR OBTAINING THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rigid thin-metal container for food or foodstuffs. The present disclosure also relates to a single-use rigid thin-metal container for holding foods or foodstuffs, a process for obtaining said container and uses thereof. In particular, the present disclosure also relates to a single-serve rigid thin- metal capsule for hot beverage extraction with the aid of a beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee extraction or tea extraction. The present disclosure also relates to a single-use rigid capsule for holding ground coffee for producing expresso or other beverages, a process for obtaining said capsule and uses thereof.BACKGROUND

[0002] Rigid thin-metal containers are challenging to provide with easy-open lids as metal sheets get thinner, in particular when reaching 120 micron or below, or 100 micron or below, or below 100 micron, or 80 micron or below, or 60 micron or below. Easy-open lids require a scoring line that is difficult to obtain with thinner and thinner metal sheets. Obviously, thinner metal sheets provide economic and environmental advantages.

[0003] Single-serve capsules for beverage extraction are challenging to recycle. The materials normally used in single-serve capsules are not easily sortable in the waste management systems, particularly in domestic waste, where it is an almost impossible task.

[0004] However, thin-metal rigid containers, i.e. not made of flexible films, normally require opening mechanisms having a scoring line which is obtained by mechanical processes, like stamping. When metal sheets get thinner, in particular when reaching 120 micron or below, or 100 micron or below, or below 100 micron, or 80 micron orbelow, or 60 micron or below, mechanical scoring, like stamping, may create substantial grain changes caused by heat-treatment strengthening caused by the mechanical process.

[0005] This makes the scoring line material particularly hard and difficult to break out along the scoring line. Scoring lines created by mechanical processes also warp thinner materials.

[0006] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0007] The invention relates to a rigid thin-metal container for food or foodstuffs. The present disclosure also relates to a single-use rigid thin-metal container for holding foods or foodstuffs, a process for obtaining said container and uses thereof. The invention relates to a single-serve rigid thin-metal capsule for hot beverage extraction with the aid of a beverage preparation machine, in particular coffee extraction or tea extraction. The present disclosure also relates to a single-use rigid capsule for holding ground coffee for producing expresso or other beverages, a process for obtaining said capsule and uses thereof.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a container as defined in claim 1. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a process for obtaining said container as defined in claim 13.

[0009] The subject matter of the invention also provides advantageous properties. The disclosed single-serve capsules for beverage extraction are easier to recycle. The materials used in the disclosed food or foodstuff container, or in particular in the single-serve capsules, are easily sortable from domestic waste by using its ferromagnetic properties. The disclosed food or foodstuff container is practical and straightforward to produce, while providing effortless opening of the container by a user.

[0010] It is disclosed a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a laser scoring line for tearing open the container, wherein the laser scoring line is obtained by laser weakening without substantially applying heattreatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the laser scoring line.

[0011] It is also disclosed a Rigid single-serve capsule for hot beverage extraction by a beverage preparation machine, wherein the capsule comprises a body with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule cover, the body having a capsule bottom, a peripheral flange, and a capsule wall extending from the capsule bottom to the peripheral flange, the body being in steel-based vessel, the capsule cover being fastened to the flange for closing the cavity, wherein the capsule bottom comprises a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the capsule.

[0012] It is also disclosed a process for obtaining a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a laser scoring line for tearing open the container; the process comprising a step of applying laser to obtain the laser scoring line to the frangible surface without substantially applying heat-treatment strengthening to the remaining material.

[0013] It is also disclosed a process for obtaining a rigid single-serve capsule for hot beverage extraction by a beverage preparation machine, wherein the capsule comprises a body with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule cover, the body having a capsule bottom, a peripheral flange, and a capsule wall extending from the capsule bottom to the peripheral flange, the body being a steelbased vessel, the capsule cover being fastened to the flange for closing the cavity, wherein the capsule bottom comprises a frangible surface; the process comprising a step of applying a scoring line on said frangible surface for tearing open the capsule, in particular applying laser or a mechanical scoring to obtain a scoring line on said frangible surface for tearing open the capsule.

[0014] In an embodiment, the scoring line is a meandering line arranged on the capsule bottom.

[0015] In an embodiment, the scoring line is curvilinear, in particular the scoring line is a closed loop line. In an embodiment, the scoring line comprises a plurality of curvilinear lines, in particular concentric circular lines. In an embodiment, the scoring line comprises a plurality of line segments oriented in a plurality of directions, in particular a plurality of helix lines arranged in a circle.

[0016] In particular, frangible surfaces with a scoring line are able to receive perforating tips to facilitate the opening of the capsule independently of the direction or orientation of the capsule in respect of the beverage extraction machine onto which it is inserted. Furthermore, the meandering line prevents uncontrolled opening of the scoring line, limiting the opening region to the individual meander that has been perforated by an extraction injector. The meandering line allows opening by shear force.

[0017] Embodiments of the meandering line include a line comprising multiple orientations along its development around the frangible surface, whether the scoring line is curvilinear or in segments, whether the scoring line is continuous or discontinuous.

[0018] In an embodiment, the frangible surface comprises foldable tabs delimited by the scoring line, said tabs being configured to fold when the frangible surface is perforated by a perforating tip of the beverage preparation machine.

[0019] In particular, foldable taps allow an easier opening of the frangible surface to receive extraction injectors. The foldable tabs allow opening by shear force.

[0020] In an embodiment, the perforating tip is an extraction injector of the beverage preparation machine.

[0021] In an embodiment, the scoring line has a depth of 36 - 108 micron and the thin- metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 90 - 120 micron, in particular the scoring line has a depth of 24 - 72 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 60 - 80 micron.

[0022] In an embodiment, the flange comprises a seal for sealing the capsule against the beverage preparation machine, in particular the seal being a gasket, a polymericseal, a cellulose or paper based seal, a recessed slot, a recessed thread or a protruding thread.

[0023] In an embodiment, the capsule body is conic, in particular the capsule body is conic with a conic or flat bottom, more in particular with a flat bottom, further in particular a step-wise flat bottom.

[0024] In an embodiment, the capsule is shaped after a laser being applied for scoring the scoring line to the frangible surface.

[0025] The scoring line is preferably obtained by weakening, in particular without substantially heat-treatment strengthening the remaining material of the frangible surface below the scoring line.

[0026] In an embodiment, the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening without substantially heat-treatment strengthening the remaining material of the frangible surface below the laser scoring line.

[0027] The scoring line is preferably obtained by weakening, in particular without substantial grain change of the frangible surface below the scoring line.

[0028] In an embodiment, the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

[0029] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line is obtained by laser weakening wherein laser parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, are arranged for laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

[0030] In an embodiment, a ratio of laser scoring line depth versus frangible surface thickness is 40 - 90 %, in particular 50 - 90 %, further in particular 60 - 90 %.

[0031] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line has a depth of 36 - 108 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 90 - 120 micron, in particular the laser scoring line has a depth of 24 - 72 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 60 - 80 micron.

[0032] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line is obtained by multi-pass laser weakening.

[0033] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a preparatory step of measuring the thickness of the thin-metal of the frangible surface and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured thickness.

[0034] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a simultaneous step of measuring the depth of the scoring and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured depth, in particular the laser weakening parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, or laser travel speed, or combinations thereof.

[0035] In an embodiment, the thin-metal is steel, tinplate, or aluminium, in particular steel or tinplate. In an embodiment, the container is recyclable by steel or tinplate scrap recycling.

[0036] Embodiments of the scoring line include a line comprising multiple orientations along its development along the frangible surface, whether the scoring line is curvilinear or in segments, whether the scoring line is continuous or discontinuous.

[0037] In an embodiment, the laser scoring line is curvilinear, in particular the laser scoring line is a closed loop line.

[0038] In an embodiment, the frangible surface is preformed and attached to the container.

[0039] In an embodiment, the container is shaped after a laser being applied for scoring the scoring line to the frangible surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0041] Figure 1A: Photographic cross-section representation of an embodiment of a laser scoring line with depth of 51 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron.

[0042] Figure IB: Photographic cross-section representation of an embodiment of a laser scoring line with depth of 41 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron.

[0043] Figure 2A: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a meandering laser scoring line.

[0044] Figure 2B: Photographic representation of an embodiment of a meandering laser scoring line.

[0045] Figure 3A: Photographic cross-section representation of a scoring line obtained by mechanical process with a remaining thickness of 57 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron. As shown, mechanical processes may create substantial grain changes caused by heat-treatment strengthening.

[0046] Figure 3B: Photographic cross-section representation of a scoring line obtained by mechanical process with a remaining thickness of 26 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron. As shown, mechanical processes may create substantial grain changes caused by heat-treatment strengthening.

[0047] Figure 4A-C: Photographic cross-section representation of an opened meandering laser scoring line by insertion of an injection tip from a beverage extraction machine.

[0048] Figure 5A: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a container with a disclosed closed-loop scoring line.

[0049] Figure 5B: Schematic representation of an embodiment of a capsule with a disclosed meandering scoring line.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The present disclosure relates to a rigid thin-metal container for food or foodstuffs. The present disclosure also relates to a single-use rigid thin-metal container for holding foods or foodstuffs, a process for obtaining said container and uses thereof.

[0051] It is disclosed a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the said container, wherein the scoring line is obtained by a weakening process without substantially applying heattreatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the said scoring line.

[0052] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is obtained by a laser weakening process without substantial grain change of the frangible surface, for better results.

[0053] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is obtained by laser weakening wherein laser parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, are arranged for laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface, for better results.

[0054] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is obtained by laser weakening comprising a simultaneous step of measuring the depth of the scoring and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured depth, in particular the laser weakening parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, or laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, for better results.

[0055] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is obtained by laser weakening comprising a preparatory step of measuring the thickness of the thin-metal of the frangible surface and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured thickness, for better results.

[0056] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is obtained by a mechanical weakening process without substantial grain change of the frangible surface, for better results.

[0057] In an embodiment, a ratio of scoring line depth versus frangible surface thickness of the container is 40 - 90 %, in particular 50 -90 %, further in particular 60 - 90 %, for better results.

[0058] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container has a depth of 36 - 108 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 90 - 120 micron,in particular the scoring line has a depth of 24 - 72 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 60 - 80 micron, for better results.

[0059] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the container is curvilinear, in particular the scoring line is a closed loop line, for better results.

[0060] In an embodiment, the thin-metal of the container is steel-based or aluminium, in particular steel or tinplate, for better results.

[0061] In an embodiment, the frangible surface of the container is preformed and attached to the container, for better results.

[0062] In an embodiment, the container is recyclable by steel-based scrap recycling, for better results.

[0063] It is also disclosed a process for obtaining a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the container; the process comprising a step of applying laser and / or a mechanical tool to obtain the scoring line to the frangible surface without substantially applying heattreatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the scoring line.

[0064] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is obtained by laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface, for better results.

[0065] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is obtained by multi-pass laser weakening, for better results.

[0066] In an embodiment, the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is obtained by laser weakening comprising a preparatory step of measuring the thickness of the thin-metal of the frangible surface and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured thickness, for better results.

[0067] In an embodiment, the process to obtain the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is laser weakening comprising a simultaneous step of measuring the depth of the scoring and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured depth, in particular the laser weakening parameterscomprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, or laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, for better results.

[0068] In an embodiment, the process to obtain the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is obtained by laser weakening wherein laser parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, are arranged for laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface, for better results.

[0069] In an embodiment, the ratio of scoring line depth versus frangible surface thickness obtained by the process of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container is 40 - 90 %, in particular 50 - 90 %, further in particular 60 - 90 %, for better results.

[0070] In an embodiment, the process to obtain the scoring line of the rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container has a depth of 36 - 108 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 90 - 120 micron, in particular the scoring line has a depth of 24- 72 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 60 - 80 micron, for better results.

[0071] In an embodiment, the scoring line obtained by the process is curvilinear, in particular the scoring line is a closed loop line, for better results.

[0072] In an embodiment, the frangible surface obtained by the process is preformed and attached to the container, for better results.

[0073] In an embodiment, the frangible surface obtained by the process is integrally formed with the container, for better results.

[0074] In an embodiment, the container obtained by the process is recyclable by steelbased scrap recycling, for better results.

[0075] The figure 1A shows a photographic cross-section representation of an embodiment of a laser scoring line with depth of 51 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron.

[0076] The figure IB shows a photographic cross-section representation of an embodiment of a laser scoring line with depth of 41 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron.

[0077] The figure 2A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a meandering laser scoring line.

[0078] The figure 2B shows a photographic representation of an embodiment of a meandering laser scoring line.

[0079] The figure 3A shows a photographic cross-section representation of a prior art scoring line obtained by mechanical process with a remaining thickness of 57 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron. The figure 3B shows a photographic cross-section representation of a prior art scoring line obtained by mechanical process with a remaining thickness of 26 micron and a frangible surface thickness of 100 micron. As shown, mechanical processes may create substantial grain changes caused by heat-treatment strengthening.

[0080] The figure 4A-C shows a photographic cross-section representation of an opened meandering laser scoring line by insertion of an injection tip from a beverage extraction machine.

[0081] The figure 5A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a container with a disclosed closed-loop scoring line.

[0082] The figure 5B shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a capsule with a disclosed meandering scoring line.

[0083] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0084] Flow diagrams of particular embodiments of the presently disclosed methods are depicted in figures. The flow diagrams illustrate the functional information one of ordinary skill in the art requires to perform said methods required in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0085] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that unless otherwise indicated herein, the particular sequence of steps described is illustrative only and can be varied without departing from the disclosure. Thus, unless otherwise stated thesteps described are so unordered meaning that, when possible, the steps can be performed in any convenient or desirable order.

[0086] Where singular forms of elements or features are used in the specification of the claims, the plural form is also included, and vice versa, if not specifically excluded. For example, the term "a capsule" or "the capsule" also includes the plural forms "capsules" or "the capsules," and vice versa. In the claims articles such as "a," "an," and "the" may mean one or more than one unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. Claims or descriptions that include "or" between one or more members of a group are considered satisfied if one, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicated to the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. The invention includes embodiments in which exactly one member of the group is present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process. The invention also includes embodiments in which more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process.

[0087] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of the claims or from relevant portions of the description is introduced into another claim. For example, any claim that is dependent on another claim can be modified to include one or more limitations found in any other claim that is dependent on the same base claim.

[0088] Where ranges are given, endpoints are included. Furthermore, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and / or the understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value within the stated ranges in different embodiments of the invention, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is also to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and / or the understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values expressed as ranges can assume any subrangewithin the given range, wherein the endpoints of the subrange are expressed to the same degree of accuracy as the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range.

[0089] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above described embodiments are combinable. The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the said container, wherein the scoring line is obtained by a weakening process without substantially applying heat-treatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the said scoring line.

2. Container according to the previous claim wherein the scoring line is obtained by a laser weakening process, in particular a laser weakening process without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

3. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening wherein laser parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, are arranged for laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

4. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a simultaneous step of measuring the depth of the scoring and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured depth, in particular the laser weakening parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, or laser travel speed, or combinations thereof.

5. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a preparatory step of measuring the thickness of the thin-metal of the frangible surface and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured thickness.

6. Container according to the previous claim 1, wherein the scoring line is obtained by a mechanical weakening process, in particular without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

7. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line is a meandering line.

8. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line is curvilinear, in particular the scoring line is a closed loop line.

9. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the thin-metal is steelbased or aluminium, in particular steel or tinplate.

10. Container according to the previous claim wherein the thin-metal is steel-based and the container is recyclable by steel-based scrap recycling.

11. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein a ratio of scoring line depth versus frangible surface thickness is 40 - 90 %, in particular 50 -90 %, further in particular 60 - 90 %.

12. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the scoring line has a depth of 36 - 108 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 90 - 120 micron, in particular the scoring line has a depth of 24 - 72 micron and the thin-metal of the frangible surface has a thickness of 60 - 80 micron.

13. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the frangible surface is preformed and attached to the container.

14. Container according to any of the previous claims wherein the container is a rigid single-serve capsule for hot beverage extraction by a beverage preparation machine, wherein the capsule comprises a body with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule cover,the body having a capsule bottom, a peripheral flange, and a capsule wall extending from the capsule bottom to the peripheral flange, the body being in steel-based vessel, the capsule cover being fastened to the flange for closing the cavity, wherein the capsule bottom comprises a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the capsule when the frangible surface is perforated by a perforating tip of the beverage preparation machine.

15. Container according to the previous claim wherein the scoring line is a meandering line arranged on the capsule bottom.

16. Container according to the previous claim wherein the frangible surface comprises foldable tabs delimited by the scoring line, said tabs being configured to fold when the frangible surface is perforated by a perforating tip of the beverage preparation machine.

17. Process for obtaining a rigid thin-metal food or foodstuff container comprising a frangible surface with a scoring line for tearing open the container; the process comprising a step of applying laser and / or a mechanical tool to obtain the scoring line to the frangible surface without substantially applying heattreatment strengthening to the remaining material of the frangible surface below the scoring line.

18. Process according to the previous claim wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

19. Process according to any of the claims 17-18 wherein the scoring line is obtained by multi-pass laser weakening.

20. Process according to any of the claims 17-19 wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a preparatory step of measuring the thickness ofthe thin-metal of the frangible surface and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured thickness.

21. Process according to any of the claims 17-20 wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening comprising a simultaneous step of measuring the depth of the scoring and adjusting laser weakening parameters as function of the measured depth, in particular the laser weakening parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, or laser travel speed, or combinations thereof.

22. Process according to any of the claims 17-21 wherein the scoring line is obtained by laser weakening wherein laser parameters comprising the number of laser passes, laser intensity, laser travel speed, or combinations thereof, are arranged for laser weakening without substantial grain change of the frangible surface.

23. Process according to any of the claims 17-22 wherein the frangible surface is preformed and attached to the container.

24. Process according to any of the claims 17-23 wherein the frangible surface is integrally formed with the container.

25. Process according to any of the claims 17-24 wherein the thin-metal is steel-based and the container is recyclable by steel-based scrap recycling.

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