Capsule with a rigid lid that is easily pierced

Abstract

The capsule (1) for preparing beverages that is the subject matter of the present invention comprises a cup (2) sealed by a lid (6) adapted to be pierced for the introduction of a hot liquid under pressure, typically water. The capsule is characterized in that the lid (6) is rigid and has, in the perforation zone (62), a wall thickness that is smaller than the wall thickness in the rest of the lid. This makes it possible to obtain a capsule with a rigid casing, which resists high operating pressures well, without the risk of detachment or delamination of the lid even in the case of difficult materials such as compostables, but which is still easily pierced since in the weakened zone the resistance to perforation decreases, thus facilitating perforation by the extraction machine.

Description

CAPSULE WITH A RIGID LID THAT IS EASILY PIERCEDDESCRIPTION

[0001] The subject matter of the present invention is a capsule for preparing infusion or soluble beverages, in particular a capsule provided with a rigid body, in the form of a cup, closed at the top by a rigid lid and provided with weakenings to facilitate its perforation by the extraction machine.

[0002] In the sector, capsules are known for the packaging of concentrated products (for example in the form of powder, granules or leaves) in predetermined, single-use doses, for the impromptu preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc.) by means of the introduction, into said capsule, of a pressurized fluid (mostly hot water). Said flow of hot water, delivered by an extraction machine, passes through the essence to be infused or dissolved contained inside the capsule, which results in the impromptu preparation of the beverage.

[0003] Different types of automatic or semi- automatic beverage preparation machines are known in the industry. The capsule that is the subject matter of the present invention is suitable for use in a machine that envisages piercing the capsule on one side only toallow for the injection of pressurized hot water into the cup. The capsule that is the subject matter of the present invention is in fact of the complex type, comprising a cup equipped with an opening for the beverage on one side and a closing lid on the opposite side, as well as the inner opening means thereof. Such opening means are, for example, activated by increasing the pressure within the cup so as to allow the inner sealing disc to detach and thereby allow the beverage to be dispensed from the outlet opening at the bottom of the cup.

[0004] Typically, to make and dispense the beverage, the flow of hot water is injected inside the capsule with a pressure of about 20 atmospheres for a time ranging from 15 to 90 seconds. It is therefore important for the capsule manufacturer to select a material that provides the features necessary to resist mechanical stresses, in particular pressure, and thermal stresses to which the capsule is subjected during use. Especially with capsules comprising plastic walls or biodegradable polymers, the material may be relatively difficult to pierce, and the perforation elements of the extraction device may be dulled or damaged relatively quickly. Therefore, the capsule risks not being pierced correctly, for examplepartially or insufficiently, giving rise to a poor distribution of the flow of liquid inside the cup, which negatively affects the quality of the extraction.

[0005] In addition to the purely functional aspects of the capsule, with a view to increasing attention to environmental protection, the disposal of capsules after use assumes particular importance. In particular, more and more attention is paid to compostable materials, and the need is particularly felt to have capsules that may be thrown directly into the compostables bin, even at home.

[0006] The capsules that are currently commercially available are closed at the top by a thin lid, generally a laminate that may be pierced by the injection machine, and usually comprising a metal barrier layer, as well as lacquers and adhesives. The choice of a thin and easily broken lid ensures optimal perforation by the injection needle of the machine. However, the known lids may be misleading as to the correct type of bin in which to throw the capsule and this ambiguity leads consumers to forego meticulous differentiation and throw everything in a single container.

[0007] Examples of capsules comprising a metal barrier layer are known from documents WO 2022 / 073974Al, US 2013 / 323370 Al and WO 2013 / 076381 Al.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to construct a capsule for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages that solves the problems of the prior art while taking into account the needs of the industry.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to manufacture an easily pierced capsule, preferably of compostable material, in order to ensure good extraction quality without damaging the injection device of the extraction machine.

[0010] This object is achieved by a capsule for preparing infusion or soluble beverages according to claim 1 . The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The features and advantages of a capsule for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non- limiting example and according to the accompanying figures, wherein:- Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the casing that constitutes the capsule that is the subject matter of the present invention, i.e., a cup and a lid, both rigid;- Fig. 2 shows a capsule that is the subject matter of the present invention, with a rigid cup and lid, sealed together;- Fig. 3 shows the capsule of Fig. 2 being used, i.e., being pierced by the injection needle of the extraction machine;- Fig. 4A to 4F show some embodiments of the weakenings present on the lid, adapted to facilitate the step of piercing by the injection needle of the extraction machine;- Fig. 5 is a bottom view, i.e., from the side facing the food powder, of the lid of the capsule in Fig. 1.

[0012] With reference to the figures, a capsule 1 for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages is shown, indicated with the reference numeral 1.

[0013] The capsule 1 comprises a body or cup 2 suitable to define an inner volume V wherein at least one substance S to be infused or dissolved, typically in powder or granular form, is contained.

[0014] The cup 2 is provided, on one side, with a bottom 3, and, on the opposite side, with an inlet opening 40 defined by an externally protruding edge 4.

[0015] The capsule 1 comprises a lid 6 fastened to the edge 4 to seal the cup 2 on top.

[0016] The capsule 1 that is the subject matter of the present invention is of the type with introduction of liquid under pressure by piercing the lid 6, and with an outlet for the beverage through the bottom 3 of the cup 2.

[0017] The lid 6 is a rigid lid, and not a film or a membrane or a flexible laminate.

[0018] The outer casing of the capsule 1 is therefore obtained by joining together the rigid cup 2 and the rigid lid 6, as in Fig. 2.

[0019] Preferably, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made of the same material, preferably injection or co- injection molded.

[0020] Preferably, both the cup 2 and the lid 6 have barrier properties, obtained for example by adding additives to the base material used for their manufacture, or by co-injection of an inner barrier layer arranged between two outer layers.

[0021] Preferably, the cup 2 is a cup-like structure, made in a single body of plastics material, preferably compostable, with a slightly frustoconical shape and defined by a side wall 21 and a bottom wall 3.

[0022] Preferably, the lid 6 is a disc-shaped structure, made as a single body of plastics material,preferably compostable.

[0023] The lid 6 is made of a plastics material and is sealingly welded on the edge 4 of the cup 2, for example by means of a device adapted to generate ultrasounds to define vibrations that make the material fluid when subjected to such ultrasounds.

[0024] The lid 6 has a lower surface 622 facing the interior of the capsule 1 once the lid 6 has been assembled on the cup 2, and an opposite upper surface 623 at which the perforation by the injection needle I of the extraction machine occurs.

[0025] The lid 6 comprises, in one piece, three main concentric zones, listed from the outside to the inside: a fastening perimeter 61, a perforation zone 62, and a central zone 63 with a circular development.

[0026] The lid 6 therefore comprises a fastening perimeter 61 for fastening the lid to the cup 2, at the edge 4.

[0027] Preferably, the lid 6 has a wall thickness, at least at the central zone 63, substantially corresponding to the thickness of the side wall 21 of the cup 2.

[0028] The lid 6 comprises, internally with respect to the fastening perimeter 61, an annular and continuous perforation zone 62. Advantageously, anannular and continuous perforation zone 62 does not require orienting the capsule with respect to the injection needle of the extraction machine.

[0029] The wall of the lid 6 in the perforation zone62 has a smaller thickness than the thickness of the wall of the lid 6 at the fastening perimeter 61 and / or the central zone 63.

[0030] Preferably, the reduction in thickness of the wall of the lid 6 at the perforation zone 62 is at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, with respect to the thickness of the lid 6 at the fastening perimeter 61 and / or the central zone 63.

[0031] Preferably, the wall thickness at the perforation zone 62 is less than 1 mm, more preferably it is between 0.1 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0032] For example, the wall thickness of the lid 6 at the fastening perimeter 61 and / or the central zone63 is between 0.5 mm and 1.1 mm, for example 0.8 mm.

[0033] For example, the wall thickness of the lid 6 at the perforation zone 62 is between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm (i.e. between 100 microns and 200 microns).

[0034] The perforation zone 62, having a smaller thickness than the rest of the lid 6, is in fact a weakened zone adapted to facilitate the perforation step by the injection needle of the extraction machine.Consequently, the perforation needle of the injection device is able to pierce the lid 6 in a facilitated manner. At the same time, the lid 6 is sufficiently stiffened within the fastening perimeter 61 and in the central zone 63. The perforation needle may then pierce the lid 6, at the zone weakened by the groove 621 arranged precisely on the trajectory of the perforation needle, without said lid collapsing towards the inside of the cup 2.

[0035] The perforation zone 62 is itself, or has, a weakened portion in the form of a groove 621 made at least in the lower surface 622 of the lid 6.

[0036] Preferably, the perforation zone 62 is itself, or has, a weakened portion in the form of a groove 621 made only in the lower surface 622 of the lid 6, as in Fig. 4A, 4C and 4E. The groove 621 therefore faces the inside of the cup 2, and the upper surface 623 of the lid 6 is flat and free of grooves which, if present, could represent a receptacle for powder or other particles during transport and storage of the capsule. Therefore, positioning the groove 621 on the lower surface 622 of the lid, and not on the upper surface 623, results in hygienic advantages for the capsule.

[0037] In the embodiment examples of Fig. 4B, 4D and4F, the perforation zone 62 has a pair of opposing and axially aligned grooves 621, one made in the lower surface 622 and one made in the upper surface 623 of the lid 6.

[0038] In one embodiment example, the groove 621 has a polygonal section, for example rectangular as in Fig. 4A and 4B, or triangular as in Fig. 4E and 4F.

[0039] In one embodiment example, the groove 621 has a semicircular or semi-elliptical section, as in Fig. 4C and 4D.

[0040] The groove 621 is defined between an outer edge 624 and an inner edge 625, both annular and concentric with respect to the axis of the capsule.

[0041] The outer edge 624 is arranged in proximity to the fastening perimeter 61. Advantageously, this solution improves the rigidity of the lid 6 during perforation by the injection machine. Therefore, there is no need for reinforcement elements (internal and / or external) in the vicinity of the perforation zone 62.

[0042] The perforation zone 62, defined between the inner edge 624 and the outer edge 625, has a radial engagement dimension suitable for engaging with at least one respective perforation element of the extraction machine. In fact, the perforation zone 62 extends over a substantially annular trajectory,corresponding to the trajectory along which the perforation element, or elements, of the extraction machine is arranged. As may be seen in Fig. 3, in use, the injection needle I of the extraction machine pierces the lid 6 at the perforation zone 62, is partially inserted into the inner volume V, and injects the hot pressurized water into the cup 2. Consequently, regardless of the rotational positioning of the capsule 1 with respect to the extraction device, the injection element always pierces the perforation zone 62, which has a reduced thickness and is therefore weakened by virtue of the presence of at least one groove 621.

[0043] As may be seen in Fig. 5, the width L of the perforation zone 62, defined between the inner edge 624 and the outer edge 625, is between 5 mm and 10 mm.

[0044] For example, in a lid having a diameter of 54 mm, the distance D between the center C of the lid and the center c' of the perforation zone 62 is about 18 mm.

[0045] In one preferred embodiment example, the capsule 1 comprises a sealing disc 5, arranged inside the cup 2, making the lower closure of the capsule 1.

[0046] In effect, between the lid 6 and the disc 5 the inner volume V is defined wherein the substance S to be infused or dissolved is contained.

[0047] At the bottom 3, the cup 2 is provided with an outlet opening 31 that is suitable for allowing the infused beverage to be dispensed. The opening 31 is the end opening of a duct referred to as a nozzle 33.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the cup 2 comprises therein a base provided with a plurality of vertically protruding ridges on which surface the sealing disc 5, which closes the capsule 1, is in fact fastened by gluing or welding.

[0049] The base also comprises for example a perimeter edge 360 to which the sealing disc 5 is attached by gluing or welding.

[0050] The disc 5 is fastened to the base in an at least partially releasable manner so as to detach therefrom at least partially as a result of the increased pressure within the volume V wherein the food substance S is contained.

[0051] In use, the capsule 1 is inserted into a slot provided in the extraction machine, which pierces the lid 6 and introduces a pressurized fluid (mostly hot water) into the inner volume V in which the substance S is contained. The pressure exerted by the fluid inside the capsule 1 rises until it reaches a certain threshold level, or opening pressure (for example, between 4 bars and 8 bars), which pushes against thedisc 5 until it at least partially deforms it and detaches it from the perimeter edge 360 on which it is fastened.

[0052] Both the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made of rigid plastics material, for example by injection molding, or by thermoforming.

[0053] Preferably, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made of the same plastics material in order to be able to dispose of the capsule in the same container for separate collection.

[0054] For example, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), even recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). Preferably, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made completely of polyethylene terephthalate, or of polyethylene terephthalate combined with material similar to polyethylene terephthalate and recyclable with polyethylene terephthalate, such as modified polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). Advantageously, in the embodiment variant for soluble beverages, wherein the substance S is food powder that entirely dissolves during the preparation of the beverage without leaving any residues or layers inside the cup 2, the capsule 1, insofar as it is entirely recyclable, may be thrown directly into a container for plastics. The followingis an embodiment example of a capsule for soluble beverages .

[0055] Preferably, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made of compostable material, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-p-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), PHBH or a combination thereof. For example, the material is a compound based on one or more of the compostable materials listed above, with the addition of mineral fillers. Preferably, the cup 2 and the lid 6 are made completely of compostable material. Advantageously, therefore, even in the case of an embodiment variant for infusion beverages, in which the substance S is coffee powder that remains as coffee grounds at the end of dispensing, the capsule 1 may be thrown directly into the compostables container, even at home.

[0056] An embodiment example of a capsule forinfusion beverages is given below, further comprising:- below the lid 6 and above the substance S, fastened internally to the cup 2, a containment wall, provided with holes adapted to allow the passage of the liquid under pressure and to retain the substance S;- below the substance S and above the sealing disc 5, fastened internally to the cup 2, a filtering wall, provided with holes adapted to allow the passage of the beverage and to retain the substance S.

[0057] Innovatively, a capsule according to the present invention is provided with a rigid lid and with a locally reduced thickness at the perforation zone. This makes it possible to obtain a capsule with a rigid casing, which resists high operating pressures well,without the risk of detachment or delamination of the lid even in the case of difficult materials such as compostables, but which is still easily pierced since in the weakened zone the resistance to perforation decreases, thus facilitating perforation by the extraction machine.

[0058] Advantageously, in one embodiment example, the capsule for preparing infusion or soluble beverages according to the present invention is made entirely of a mono-material. With respect to known capsules composed of different plastics materials or paper or aluminum bonded materials that are very difficult to separate from each other at the time of collecting waste, the capsule that is the subject matter of the present invention is easily recyclable both for the final consumer and for those industries that decide to invest in green solutions. A capsule made of a plastics mono-material that is not coupled to other elements is easier to recycle and may be converted into good quality material that may even be reused to create new packaging.

[0059] Advantageously, in one embodiment example, the capsule for preparing infusion or soluble beverages according to the present invention is entirely compostable. With respect to known capsules, thiscapsule may be disposed of in the compostables container, even at home. Even in the presence of compostable polymers, which are typically difficult to pierce due to the weakened perforation zone, the lid is easily pierced by the extraction device, always ensuring a correct and optimal distribution of the flow of liquid inside the cup.

[0060] It is understood that a person skilled in the art could make modifications to the capsule for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Capsule (1) for preparing infusion or soluble beverages, comprising:- a cup (2) defining an inner volume (V) suitable for containing at least one substance (S) to be infused or dissolved; said cup (2) being a single body defined by a side wall (21) and a bottom wall (3) having a nozzle (33) ending in an outlet opening (31) for a beverage to flow out; wherein, opposite to the bottom (3), there is an inlet opening (40) defined by an externally protruding edge (4);- a lid (6), in the shape of a single discoidal body, comprising a fastening perimeter (61), a perforation zone (62) for the introduction of a liquid, and a central zone (63); said lid (6) being fastened, at the fastening perimeter (61), to the edge (4) for sealing the cup (2) at the top; characterized in that the lid (6) is rigid and has, in the perforation zone (62), a wall thickness which is smaller than a wall thickness of the fastening perimeter (61) and / or the central zone (63).

2. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein said perforation zone (62) is annular and continuous.

3. Capsule (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said lid (6) has a lower surface (622) facing the interiorof the cup (2), and wherein said perforation zone (62) is a groove (621) in the lower surface (622) of the lid (6).

4. Capsule (1) according to claim 3, wherein said lid (6) has an upper surface (623) facing the exterior of the cup (2), and wherein said perforation zone (62) also comprises a groove (621) in the upper surface (623), axially aligned with the groove (621) in the lower surface (622).

5. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness in the perforation zone (62) is between 20% and 50% smaller than the wall thickness of the fastening perimeter (61) and / or the central zone (63).

6. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall thickness in the perforation zone (62) is smaller than 1.0 mm, preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

7. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said perforation zone (62) is defined between an outer edge (624) and an inner edge (625), and wherein said outer edge (624) is close to the fastening perimeter (61).

8. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said perforation zone (62) has a width(L) between 5 and 10 mm.

9. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing disc (5) sealingly fastened inside the cup (2), making the lower closure of the capsule (1).

10. Capsule (1) according to claim 8, wherein said disc (5) is fastened in an at least partially releasable manner so as to detach from the cup (2) at least partially as a result of the increased pressure, and allow the beverage to flow out.

11. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cup (2) and said lid (6) are made of the same plastic material.

12. Capsule (1) according to claim 11, wherein said cup (2) and said lid (6) are completely made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), even recycled (rPET), or of polyethylene terephthalate, even recycled (rPET), combined with glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).

13. Capsule (1) according to claim 11, wherein said cup (2) and said lid (6) are made of a compostable material.

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