A recyclable capsule made of a single material of aluminum for preparing a beverage

Abstract

A capsule (1) made of a single material of aluminum or alloys thereof for preparing a beverage from a soluble or infusible preparation comprises a cup (2) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, a cover (30), an outlet zone (20), a closing device (50) arranged in the cup (2) at the outlet zone (20), and a porous septum (60), which is permeable to the beverage, arranged in the cup (2), consisting of a single body of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Description

"A RECYCLABLE CAPSULE MADE OF A SINGLE MATERIAL OFALUMINUM FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE"DESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention applies to the field of capsules for preparing a beverage. In particular, the present invention relates to a recyclable capsule made of a single material of aluminum containing a soluble preparation or an infusible preparation usable in a machine for preparing the beverage, e.g., for preparing an herbal tea, tea, coffee, chocolate and the like.Background art

[0002] Today, capsules for preparing beverages are highly wide-spread. Such capsules contain an infusion preparation, e.g., powdered coffee or tea, or a soluble preparation, e.g., a soluble powder for preparing an herbal tea, chocolate, coffee or tea.

[0003] There are capsules made of a plastic material and capsules made of aluminum.

[0004] Consumers generally appreciate capsules made of aluminum rather than capsules made of plastic and are generally prone to pay a higher price for such capsules. The appreciation is mainly due to the properties of gas impermeability of aluminum, which allow preserving the fragrance and aroma of the powder contained in the capsulesfor longer, and especially the possibility of recycling the used capsule .

[0005] Ef forts in research and development in such a field especially focus on defining structural details of the capsule , which can improve the process of making the beverage ; in this respect , one of the most appreciated features of a beverage is to have a layer of dense froth on the surface , capable of satis fying the consumer in terms of both the appearance and the fragrance and taste .

[0006] Despite the ef forts in the industry, the need is still felt nowadays to provide a capsule made of a single material of aluminum, and thus recyclable , which is capable of preparing a beverage having a dense froth on the surface with appreciable features for the consumer .Obj ect of the inventi on

[0007] It is the obj ect of the present invention to manufacture a completely recyclable capsule made of a single material o f aluminum for preparing a beverage from a soluble preparation or infus ible preparation, which meets the needs felt in the industry and the consumers ' expectations .

[0008] Such an obj ect is achieved by a capsule according to claim 1 . The dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention .Bri ef descripti on of the drawings

[0009] The features and advantages of the capsule according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of a non-limiting example, according to figure 1, showing a diagrammatic section of a capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.Description of preferred embodiments

[0010] With reference to figure 1, a capsule made of a single material of aluminum or aluminum alloy for containing a soluble powder or infusible preparation for preparing a beverage, e.g., an herbal tea, coffee, tea, chocolate, etc., is indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole.

[0011] The capsule 1 comprises a cup 2 extending from a lower end 4, intended for the outflow of the beverage, at an upper end 6 along a central axis of symmetry X.

[0012] The cup 2 consists of a single body of aluminum or aluminum alloy and comprises an annular side wall 8 extending from the lower end 4 to the upper end 6. The side wall 8 has an inner surface at least partially or completely covered, e.g., by lacquering, with a heat- sealable lacquer.

[0013] The side wall 8 comprises, at the upper end 6, a cover region 10 for closing the cup, and at the lower end 4, an outlet region 20 for guiding the outflow of the beverage.

[0014] For example, the cover region 10 comprises a radiallyprotruding annular flange wall 12 , which is continuous or continuous in segments , having a substantially flat flange surface 14 lying on an imaginary plane orthogonal to the central axis X and facing upwards .

[0015] The outlet region 20 comprises instead an axially protruding outlet wall 22 preferably coaxial to the central axis X, for example ; the outlet wall 22 peripherally delimits at least one outlet conduit 24 in connection with the interior of the capsule for the outflow of the beverage .

[0016] The capsule 1 further comprises a cover 30 sealingly applied to the cover region 10 of the cup 2 ; for example , the cover 30 is discoidal in shape and is heat sealed to the flange surface 14 of the flange wall 12 .

[0017] For example , the cover 30 consists of a film made o f aluminum or aluminum alloy, pre-varnished and possibly decorated . For example, a typical structure includes an aluminum film having a thickness between 20 micrometers and 70 micrometers , provided on the lower face , intended for the application of a heat-sealable varnish to the flange wall 12 and of a varnish that can be transparent or colored and / or decorated with an ink print and / or embossed to the upper face .

[0018] In an initial configuration in which the capsule is intact , the cup 2 internally defines a closed volume 40between the cover 30 and a closing device 50 applied or sealingly arranged inside the capsule 1 , at the lower end 4 , upstream of the outlet conduit 24 . The closing device 50 is activatable by the pressure of the liquid ins ide the volume 40 to obtain one or more passageways for the beverage to transit between the volume 40 and the outlet conduit 24 .

[0019] According to the invention, the capsule 1 further comprises a porous septum 60 , permeable to the beverage, placed inside the cup 2 , in the volume 40 .

[0020] The septum 60 compri ses at least one metal portion 62 having a predefined axial thickness T , e . g . , between 2 millimeters and 10 millimeters .

[0021] The metal portion 62 is a single body of aluminum or alloys thereof and consists of porous aluminum or aluminum foam or sintered aluminum or aluminum obtained by 3D printing (Additive Manufacturing) .

[0022] The porous aluminum is obtained by melting the aluminum along with a crystalline salt , which is then dissolved and removed by washing . As a function of the si ze of the salt grains , a porous aluminum with dif ferent pore si zes is obtained .

[0023] The aluminum foam ( open-cell metal foam) is obtained instead by melting the aluminum along with an agent, which volatili zes at a high temperature , such as open-cellpolyurethane, for example, or by insufflating gas.

[0024] The sintered aluminum results instead from the sintering of aluminum powder, carried out so as to obtain a porous and permeable material.

[0025] Finally, the 3D printing or Additive Manufacturing allows obtaining a particular aluminum by layer-by-layer deposition .

[0026] The metal portion 62 preferably has one or more of the following features: an open-pore structure; a pore size between 0.2 millimeters and 1 millimeter; a porosity between 40% and 80% by volume; a compression resistance between 20 N / mm2and 40 N / mm2; a traction resistance between 15 and 30 N / mm2; a density between 0.5 g / cm3and 1.6 g / cm3; an HB hardness between 65 and 75.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the porous septum 60 is separated from the closing device 50 and is placed upstream of the latter, configured to divide the volume 40 into an upper region 42, placed between the cover 30 and the septum 60, and a lower region 44, placed between the septum 60 and the closing device 50. In an intact capsule, the upper region 42 accommodates the preparation .

[0028] The porous septum 60 is preferably annularly supported by a septum seat 16 of the cup 2, defined by a first segment 8a of the side wall 8, which is preferablyf rustoconical , and a second segment 8b of the side wall 8 , which is preferably radial . The porous septum 60 rests annularly on the second segment 8b .

[0029] For example , in such a first embodiment , the closing device comprises an aluminum film 51 , possibly provided with weakening lines or weakening zones , arranged immediately upstream of the outlet conduit 24 , which breaks or tears or wrinkles after exceeding a predefined pressure of the beverage in the volume 40 , forming said transit passageways for the beverage between the volume 40 and the outlet conduit 24 .

[0030] According to a further embodiment (not shown) , the porous septum 60 is separated from the closing device 50 and placed downstream of the latter .

[0031] According to an even further embodiment (not shown) , the porous septum and the closing device are integrated . In this case , the whole volume between the cover and the closing device is available for the preparation .

[0032] For example , in such a further embodiment , the porous septum has a plurality of tips on an upper face and the closing device comprises an aluminum film which surmounts said tips , in contact or not , and once a predefined pressure of the beverage in the volume has been exceeded, the aluminum film engages the tips and breaks or tears , forming said transit passageways for the beverage betweenthe volume and the outlet conduit .

[0033] According to further embodiments , the capsule further comprises a filtering film, preferably placed upstream of the closing device , or a micro-perforated film, placed between the preparation and the cover .

[0034] During normal use of the capsule 1 , a liquid, usually water, is generally inj ected into the volume 40 through the cover 30 , e . g . , by means of an inj ection unit of a machine for preparing the beverage . The liquid dissolves the soluble preparation or infuses the infusible preparation .

[0035] Upon exceeding an opening pressure , the closing device 50 is activated, switching to an opening configuration, and creates the transit passageways for the beverage between the volume 40 and the outlet conduit 24 .

[0036] The porous septum 60 is permeable and thus allows the beverage to pass . When passing through the porous septum 60 , the beverage separates into many trickles and vertically mixes with the air, thus creating a dense and abundant froth, which is found in the beverage collected in the consumer' s cup .

[0037] In other words , by virtue of its own porous structure , the porous septum acts as an aerator, and possibly as a filter, and faci litates the formation of froth on the surface of the beverage .

[0038] Innovatively, the above-described capsule meets the needs felt in the industry and the consumers ' expectations , since it is completely recyclable , optimally preserves the aroma of the preparation, and allows preparing a beverage having a dense froth on the surface with appreciable features for the consumer .

[0039] It is apparent that , in order to meet contingent needs , those ski lled in the art may make changes to the above-described capsule and porous septum, all o f which are contained in the scope of protection defined by the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A capsule (1) made of a single material of aluminum or alloys thereof for preparing a beverage from a soluble or infusible preparation, comprising a cup (2) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, a cover (30) sealingly applied at one end of the cup, an outlet zone (20) at an opposite end of the cup, a closing device (50) arranged in the cup (2) at the outlet zone (20) and openable by the action of a predetermined opening pressure, and a porous septum (60) , which is permeable to the beverage, arranged in the cup (2) , comprising a metal portion (62) consisting of a single body of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

2. A capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal portion (62) is made of porous aluminum or aluminum foam or sintered aluminum or obtained by means of Additive Manufacturing .

3. A capsule (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal portion (62) has one or more of the following features: an open-pore structure; a pore size between 0.2 millimeters and 1 millimeter; a porosity between 40 and 80% by volume; a compression resistance between 20 and 40 N / mm2; a traction resistance between 15 and 30 N / mm2; a density between 1.6 and 0.5 g / cm3; an HB hardness between 65 and 75.

4. A capsule (1) according to any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the metal portion (62) has a thickness (T) between 2 and 10 millimeters.

5. A capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal portion (62) is substantially discoidal .

6. A capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a volume (40) is defined between the cover (30) and the closing device (50) , and the porous septum (60) separates the volume (40) into an upper region (42) for containing the preparation and a lower region (44) upstream of the closing device (50) .

7. A capsule (1) according to claim 6, wherein the closing device (50) comprises an aluminum film arranged immediately upstream of an outlet conduit (24) of the outlet zone (20) , which breaks or tears or wrinkles after exceeding a predefined pressure of the beverage in the volume (40) , forming transit passageways for the beverage between the volume (40) and the outlet conduit (24) .

8. A capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the porous septum is arranged downstream of the closing device.

9. A capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the porous septum and the closing device are integrated and a volume is defined between the cover and the closing device.

10. A capsule (1) according to claim 9, wherein the porous septum has a plurality of tips on an upper face and the closing device comprises an aluminum film which surmounts said tips, in contact or not, and once a predefined pressure of the beverage in the volume has been exceeded, the aluminum film engages the tips and breaks or tears, forming transit passageways for the beverage between the volume and the outlet zone.

11. A capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet region (20) comprises an annular outlet wall (22) peripherally delimiting at least one outlet conduit (24) .

12. A porous septum (60) for a capsule for preparing a beverage, comprising at least one metal portion (62) consisting of a single body of aluminum or aluminum alloy consisting of porous aluminum or aluminum foam or sintered aluminum or obtained by Additive Manufacturing.

Images