Dismantlable cup for a capsule for preparing beverages

Abstract

A cup (2) for a capsule for preparing beverages according to the present invention comprises: a body (201) with an inner volume (V) for containing a food substance (11); an insert (91), housed in the body (201) and provided with a duct (32) with an outlet opening (31) for a beverage; a sealing disc (5) arranged inside the body (201). Advantageously, the cup (2) has an impermeable coating (41) that completely covers the inner surface of the body (201) from the flange (4) to the lower opening (25). Said coating (41) is removable from the body (201) so that the capsule (1) made with the cup (2) is dismantlable into two portions, namely a bag (69) (formed by the coating (41) closed by a lid (6), containing the sealing disc (5) and the insert) and the body (201), so that they can be disposed of independently in their respective separate collection containers.

Description

DESCRIPTION" DISMANTLABLE CUP FOR A CAPSULE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES"

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a cup for a capsule for preparing beverages from a food powder, wherein said cup is dismantlable into its constituent parts. The subject of the present invention is also a capsule for preparing beverages that is easily dismantlable so that its constituent parts can be properly recycled and / or disposed of.

[0002] In particular, the subject of the present invention is a cup for a capsule for packaging concentrated products (for example in the form of powder or granules, insoluble or soluble), in pre-dosed and single-use quantities, for the on-demand preparation of beverages (such as tea, coffee, herbal teas, milk, chocolate, etc. ) by introducing a pressurised fluid (mostly hot water) into the capsule itself.

[0003] Such known capsules contain a pre-packaged singleuse dose of the substance to be extracted, enclosed within a container, called a cup, closed by a lid. For example, document WO 2024 / 023661 Al describes a capsule consisting of a one-piece cup closed by a lid. The operating principle of such a capsule involves both the perforation of the bottom of the cup for the injection of the pressurised fluid and the perforation of the lid forthe outflow of the beverage.

[0004] There are different types of automatic or semiautomatic machines for preparing beverages. The common operating principle of some of these machines involves the perforation of the lid of the capsule and the injection of the pressurised fluid into the cup through which the beverage is obtained (by infusion / extraction of the insoluble powder or by dissolution of the soluble powder). In such automatic machines, the dispensing of the beverage occurs without perforation of the bottom of the cup, which is in fact equipped with an outlet duct, called nozzle. This type of capsule is indeed provided with internal opening means (for example by perforation, tearing, or detachment of an internal sealing disc) which are activated upon reaching a certain pressure level inside the cup. For example, document US 2023 / 312229 Al describes a capsule in which the opening occurs by perforation of an internal sealing disc. As a further example, document US 2024 / 017912 describes a capsule in which the opening occurs by detachment of an internal sealing disc. In said document, the capsule has a one-piece cup internally provided with all the functional means for the correct dispensing of the beverage and in which the internal sealing disc is fixed directly to the cup; in such a solution, the capsule is therefore devoidof inserts housed in the cup.

[0005] Capsules for coffee obtained from insoluble food substances comprise a cup made of plastic material, closed at the top by a lid, inside which the ground coffee to be extracted is present. At the end of the beverage dispensing, therefore, the capsule contains coffee grounds inside and cannot be directly thrown into the plastic container. For the proper recycling of the plastic, it would be necessary to remove the coffee grounds present inside the cup. However, in order to extract such coffee grounds, it is necessary to open the capsule, for example using a knife or a cutter, with high safety risks for the consumer. Moreover, extracting the coffee grounds is not easy since the powder is wet and sticks to the walls of the cup. This is why the consumer prefers to throw the used capsule into the unsorted waste container. Even in the case of capsules for coffee obtained from soluble food substances, which at the end of dispensing are free of coffee grounds, it may still be useful to remove any internal components of the cup to be recycled separately from the cup itself.

[0006] In the field of coffee capsules, there is therefore a need to properly recycle the used capsule.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to implement a cup for a capsule, and a related capsule, for preparingbeverages which solves the problems of the prior art taking into account the needs of the sector.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to implement a cup for a capsule for preparing beverages, which is dismantlable into its constituent parts to allow their proper disposal.

[0009] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to implement a capsule for preparing beverages which is dismantlable at the end of dispensing to allow the extraction of coffee grounds.

[0010] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to implement a capsule for preparing beverages which is capable of withstanding high pressure without risks of delamination or tearing.

[0011] Such object is achieved by a cup for a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to claim 1, as well as by a capsule according to claim 8. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0012] The features and advantages of a cup and a capsule for preparing soluble beverages according to the present invention will be evident from the description set forth below, provided by way of example and not limitation in accordance with the accompanying figures, in which:- Figure 1 shows a bottom axonometric view of a capsule for preparing beverages according to the presentinvention, in an alternative embodiment;- Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the capsule of figure 1;- Figures 3a to 3c show the separation of the components of the capsule of figures 1 and 2, at the end of beverage dispensing;- Figure 4 shows the subdivision of the capsule of figures 1 and 2 into two distinct subcomponents, each to be disposed of in its respective separate collection container;- Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a capsule for preparing beverages according to the present invention, in a further embodiment;- Figure 6 shows the subdivision of the capsule of figure 3 into two distinct subcomponents, each to be disposed of in its respective separate collection container.

[0013] With reference to the accompanying figures, reference number 2 denotes a cup for a capsule 1 for preparing beverages.

[0014] The capsule 1, visible for example in figures 2 and 5, comprises the cup 2 and a closing lid 6, as well as a food substance 11 for preparing a beverage.

[0015] The cup 2 is in fact suitable for defining an inner volume V for containing at least one food substance 11, soluble or insoluble, typically in powder or granular

[0016] The cup 2 comprises a body 201 inside which an insert 91 covered by a disc 5 is housed.

[0017] The body 201 of the cup 2 is a single piece, of substantially truncated-conical shape. The body 201 may be made of different materials, for example plastic material or cellulose or aluminium, and using different manufacturing methods, for example moulding, such as injection or co-injection, or thermoforming or deep drawing.

[0018] The body 201 of the cup 2 comprises, on one side, a bottom 3 with a lower opening 25 and, on the opposite side, an upper inlet opening 20 defined by an outwardly projecting rim called flange 4.

[0019] As previously mentioned, the capsule 1 comprises a lid 6 fixed, by gluing or welding, at the flange 4, suitable for sealing the cup 2 at the top.

[0020] The cup 2 is provided, at the bottom 3, with an opening 31 for the outflow of the beverage. The opening 31 is defined by a duct 32, called nozzle, made in an insert 91.

[0021] The body 201 of the cup 2 comprises: below the flange 4, a lateral wall 21, preferably truncated-conical; at least one stepped portion 23, preferably a consecutive pair of stepped portions 23; preferably alower portion 24, substantially funnel-shaped.

[0022] In the example of figure 2, the body 201 of the cup 2 comprises the flange 4, a truncated-conical lateral wall 21, a consecutive pair of stepped portions 23, and a funnel-shaped lower portion 24 provided with the opening 31. In the example of figure 5, the body 201 of the cup 2 comprises the flange 4, a truncated-conical lateral wall 21, and a consecutive pair of stepped portions 23.

[0023] The cup 2 houses inside it, at the bottom 3, an insert 91 which defines an inner base 33 having at least one projection protruding vertically towards the inside of the cup 2. The insert 91 is fixed inside the cup 2.

[0024] The insert 91 is a single body made of compostable plastic material, such as PLA (polylactic acid) or its compounds, or PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) or its compounds. The term "compound" refers to the material obtained by mixing the base plastic material with additives, for example light and heat stabilisers, flame retardants, antioxidants, fillers, pigments and dyes, slip and anti-slip agents, plasticisers, etc.

[0025] The insert 91 comprises a discoidal portion, which, in a preferred embodiment, defines a peripheral edge 360. From the discoidal portion of the insert 91, at a central area, a cylindrical portion protrudes downward, which defines an outlet duct 32 for the beverage. Between thediscoidal portion and the cylindrical portion there are outflow openings 311 towards the duct 32. Advantageously, therefore, the outlet opening 31 for the beverage is formed in the insert 91 and not in the cup 2.

[0026] In the example of figure 2, when the insert 91 is housed inside the cup 2, only the cylindrical portion forming the duct 32 protrudes from the lower opening 25 of the body 201. In one possible variant, the insert 91 is provided with a peripheral edge 360, which abuts on the surface of a stepped portion 23 of the cup 2, and is fixed to the cup 2 at said stepped portion 23. In a further variant, the insert 91 is devoid of a peripheral edge: in this case, the peripheral edge 360 is defined by the surface of a stepped portion 23 of the cup 2. In this example, the insert 91 is merely resting inside the lower portion 24 of the body 201 and is held in position in the cup 2 by the disc 5 which is engaged on the peripheral edge 360 defined by the body 201 of the cup 2.

[0027] In the example of figure 5, when the insert 91 is housed inside the cup 2, only the peripheral edge 360 remains inside the body 201, while the rest of the discoidal portion and the entire cylindrical portion forming the duct 32 protrude from the lower opening 25. In this example, therefore, the insert 91 is provided with a peripheral edge 360 which abuts on the surface ofa stepped portion 23 of the cup 2. Preferably, the insert 91 is fixed to the cup 2 at said stepped portion 23.

[0028] Preferably, the insert 91 comprises, protruding below the discoidal portion, a plurality of fins 133 uniformly distributed along the circumference. In the example of figure 2, such fins 133 help to properly maintain the insert 91 in position inside the lower portion 24 of the body 201. In the examples of figure 2 and figure 5, such fins 133 allow evenly discharging the pressure during an extraction of the beverage directly onto the bottom of the extraction chamber of the machine, thus avoiding unwanted deformation of the insert 91 or of the body 201 of the cup 2.

[0029] On the peripheral edge 360, defined by the insert 91 or by the body 201 of the cup 2, a sealing disc 5 is engaged, by gluing or welding.

[0030] The cup 2, and therefore the capsule 1, is internally provided with a sealing disc 5, placed in at the base 33 and suitable for sealing the cup 2 at the bottom. The capsule 1 is therefore provided with a closed chamber, defined at the top by the lid 6 and at the bottom by the disc 5, inside which the substance 11 is contained.

[0031] The disc 5 is positioned below the substance 11.

[0032] The disc 5 has barrier properties, preferablyagainst gases and vapour.

[0033] The disc 5 is made of compostable material, for example of compostable plastic material or of cellulose.

[0034] The disc 5 may be multilayer or single layer.

[0035] In one embodiment, the disc 5 is engaged at the peripheral edge 360 of the base 33 in a manner that is at least partially yielding, so that it detaches at least partially from it due to pressure increase inside the cup 2.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the disc 5 is engaged at the peripheral edge 360 in a permanent manner, and is preferably provided with weakenings (for example precuts), so that it tears at least partially due to the increase in pressure inside the cup 2.

[0037] In yet a further embodiment, the disc 5 is engaged at the peripheral edge 360 in a permanent manner and the cup 2 is provided, internally at the bottom 3, with perforation or tearing means suitable for perforating or tear the disc 5 due to the increase in pressure inside the cup 2. The base 33 is provided with tips suitable for at least partially perforate the disc due to the increase in pressure inside the volume V.

[0038] In use, the capsule 1 is inserted into a special seat provided in the extraction machine, which perforates the lid 6 and injecting into the internal volume Vcontaining the food substance a pressurised fluid (mostly hot water). The pressure exerted by the fluid inside the capsule 1 increases until it reaches a certain threshold level, or opening pressure, which pushes on the disc 5 to tear it in the case of a disc with weakening, to detach it from the peripheral edge 360 on which it is engaged in the case of a yielding disc, or to perforate it against the tips of the base 33 if present.

[0039] Preferably, the base 33 comprises additional protrusions, also formed on the insert 91 arranged in the cup 2 below the disc 5.

[0040] The base 33 preferably comprises a central portion 310, defined by a central protrusion, covering the outlet opening 31. The central portion 310 is provided with at least one opening 311 for connecting the inside of the cup 2 to the outlet opening 31, to allow the outflow of the beverage towards the outside of the capsule 1. Preferably, the central portion 310 comprises a plurality of connecting openings 311.

[0041] The base 33, formed on the insert 91, preferably also comprises a labyrinth 30 suitable for defining a tortuous path which reduces the flow of the infused beverage towards the duct 32 when the internal pressure in the capsule 1 falls below a threshold value, or when the pressure ceases altogether when the capsule 1 isdisengaged from the brewing unit of the machine. The labyrinth 30 comprises a plurality of protrusions that define between one another channels having a reduced cross-section, the channels being closed at the top by the disc 5.

[0042] Preferably, the disc 5 is engaged on the edge 360, on the labyrinth 30 if present, and on the central portion 310 of the base 33.

[0043] Preferably, the insert 91 is also provided with circumferential protrusions, projecting vertically towards the inside of the cup 2. The circumferential protrusions act as supports for the sealing disc 5 as they define, at their top, a fixing surface for said disc.

[0044] Preferably, the insert 91 is also provided with a plurality of recesses, which define concavities facing the inside of the cup 2, necessary for collecting the beverage (for example circumferential recesses) and for its correct outflow towards the outlet opening 31 (for example radial recesses).

[0045] Preferably, the insert 91 is also provided with radial protrusions which act as protrusions to prevent the sealing disc 5, during the opening step of the capsule 1 for beverage outflow, from fully adhering to the recesses of the insert 91.

[0046] The cup 2 is used to make a capsule 1 for preparing beverages from a food substance 11 in the form of insoluble powder or soluble powder.

[0047] In the case of insoluble powder, the capsule 1 comprises:

[0048] - a filter 62 fixed, below the substance 11, just above the disc 5;

[0049] - a permeable or micro-perforated film 61, fixed at a certain distance above the substance 11.

[0050] For proper recycling of the capsule 1, it is important to separate the different materials it consists of and then dispose of them in the appropriate separate collection container to enable subsequent processing. In the case of beverages made from insoluble food powder, it is essential to remove the coffee grounds present inside the cup 2 at the end of extraction before it can be thrown into the appropriate separate collection container. But even in the case of beverages made from soluble powder, residues of undissolved powder may still remain inside the cup 2 at the end of extraction. Furthermore, it is still useful to separate the cup from any functional components (sealing disc 5, insert 91, filter 62, film 61) for their correct disposal.

[0051] The cup 2, and consequently the capsule 1, subject of the present invention is dismantlable, that is,provided with expedients that allow the separation of the various constituent elements to easily remove the coffee grounds or the functional components inside the cup and allow their proper disposal or recycling.

[0052] The cup 2 comprises an inner coating 41, visible in figures 2 and 5, which entirely covers the inner surface of the body 201.

[0053] The coating 41 provides a barrier against moisture and gases such as oxygen. The coating 41 is therefore impermeable to moisture and air to allow the food powder 11 to be optimally preserved even for long periods, without needing to provide a barrier to the material of the body 201 of the cup 2. This solution is particularly advantageous in the case of a body 201 made of paper or cellulose.

[0054] Since the coating 41 is not required to provide structural integrity to the cup 2, it can be made relatively thin while maintaining a thickness sufficient to prevent tearing. For example, the coating 41 has a thickness between 50 and 200 microns.

[0055] The coating 41 uniformly covers the inner surface of the body 201 of the cup 2, from the flange 4 (included), along the entire lateral wall 21, up to the lower opening 25.

[0056] The coating 41 is separable from the body 201 of thecup 2, as shown in figures 3a to 3c. In particular, the coating 41 is applied to the inner surface of the body 201 of the cup 2 in a peelable manner, meaning it is fixed in a yielding way.

[0057] It should be noted that the lid 6 is fixed to the flange 4 at the coating 41. The lid 6 is firmly attached to the coating 41, meaning it is not separable from it. Therefore, the lid 6 and the coating 41 form a sealed bag 69 (visible in figures 4, 5c, and 6) in which the powder 11 is contained, along with other functional elements such as the insert 91 and the disc 5. In this way, at the end of the capsule 1 dispensing according to the present invention, the user can grasp the lid 6 and, by applying a pulling force, separate the coating 41 from the body 201 of the cup 2, and with it the entire bag 69 containing at least the sealing disc 5 and the insert 91. Indeed, by applying a pulling force on the lid 6, the coating 41 separates from the body 201, together with everything contained in the bag 69, i.e., where present, the insoluble food powder 11, the filter 62, and the film 61.

[0058] Preferably, the lid 6 is provided with a tab 68 to provide a gripping surface and facilitate the user's grasp of the bag 69.

[0059] In one embodiment, the capsule 1 is compostable. Inthis example, the body 201 of the cup 2 is made of cellulose, also referred to as cellulose pulp, and the bag 69 is completely compostable. In particular, the inner coating 41 is made of compostable material completely impermeable to liquids, for example polylactic acid (PLA), or polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), or composite material PLA-PVOH-PLA. The sealing disc 5 and the lid 6 are also made of compostable material. The insert 91 is also made of compostable material, for example polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). Where present, the filter 62 is made of compostable cellulose and the film 61 is made of compostable material, for example PLA.

[0060] In one embodiment, the capsule 1 is fully recyclable. In this example, the body 201 of the cup 2 is made of plastic material (monomaterial) or aluminium, and the bag 69 is completely compostable. In particular, the inner coating 41 is made of compostable material impermeable to liquids, for example polylactic acid (PLA). The sealing disc 5 and the lid 6 are also made of compostable material. The insert 91 is also made of compostable material, for example polylactic acid (PLA). Where present, the filter 62 is made of compostable cellulose and the film 61 is made of compostable material, for example PLA.

[0061] The capsule 1, in its various alternativeembodiments, is usable for the on-demand preparation of beverages by means of automatic or semi-automatic machines equipped with a distribution unit suitable for producing a beverage by passing hot pressurised water through the capsule 1.

[0062] A capsule according to the present invention is usable for the packaging of concentrated products (in the form of powder, granules, or leaves) in pre-dosed and single-use portions, for the on-demand preparation of beverages such as leaf tea, coffee, herbal teas, or other products from a food substance.

[0063] Innovatively, a cup according to the present invention allows the manufacture of a capsule for preparing beverages that is dismantlable after use to allow efficient disposal of its various constituent parts.

[0064] Advantageously, a cup according to the present invention allows the manufacture of a capsule that can be easily opened at the end of dispensing to allow simple removal of coffee grounds.

[0065] Advantageously, thanks to the coating 41 being removable from the body of the cup, a capsule provided with the cup according to the present invention is dismantlable essentially into two portions, as shown in figures 4 and 6: a sealed bag 69, containing at least thesealing disc 5 and the insert 91, as well as other components where present (insert, insoluble powder, filter, film), and the body 201 of the cup 2, so that said two portions can be disposed of in their respective separate collection containers independently. For example, in the case of a body 201 made of cellulose, the body will be disposable in the paper container; in the case of a body 201 made of plastic, the body will be disposable in the plastic container; in the case of a body 201 made of aluminium, the body will be disposable in the metal container. In the case of a capsule for preparing a beverage from an insoluble food powder, the bag 69 is preferably made of components all compostable: inner coating 41, sealing disc 5, lid 6, insert 91, filter 62, and film 61, so that it can be disposed of in the organic waste container. Indeed, in this example, the bag 69 also contains the remaining grounds of the insoluble food powder after the beverage extraction step.

[0066] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the cup and to the capsule for preparing soluble beverages as described above, all of which fall within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims1. A cup (2) for a capsule for preparing beverages, comprising:- a body (201) formed at least by a flange (4) defining an upper opening (20), a side wall (21), at least a stepped portion (23) and a lower opening (25); said body (201) defining an inner volume (V) for containing at least a food substance (11) and being provided with an inner surface;- an impermeable coating (41), entirely covering the inner surface of the body (201) from the flange (4) to the lower opening (25), said coating (41) being removable from the body (201);- an insert (91 ) housed inside the body (201) and the coating (41), said insert (91) comprising a discoidal portion from which a cylindrical portion protrudes from the bottom, wherein said cylindrical portion forms a duct (32) having an outlet opening (31 ) for a beverage; wherein outflow openings (311) towards the duct (32) are present between the discoidal portion and the cylindrical portion;- an impermeable sealing disc (5) arranged inside the body (201) and engaged at least on a peripheral edge2. Cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coating (41) is engaged with the inner surface of the body (201) in a yielding manner.

3. Cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coating (41) has a thickness between 50 and 200 microns.

4. Cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the outlet opening (31) of the duct (32) protrudes from the lower opening (25) of the body (201).

5. Cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral edge (360) with which the disc (5) is engaged- is defined by the discoidal portion of the insert (91) and rests on a surface of a stepped portion (23) of the body (201 ), or- is defined by a surface of a stepped portion (23) of the body (201 ).

6. Cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (201) is made of cellulose, while the inner coating (41), the insert (91) and the sealing disc (5) are made of a compostable material.

7. Cup (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body (201) is made of plastic or metal, while the inner coating (41), the insert (91) and the sealing disc (5) are made of a compostable material.

8. A capsule (1) for preparing a beverage, comprising: - a cup (2) according to any one of the preceding claims; - a food substance (11) for preparing a beverage, contained in the inner volume (V) of the body (201) of the cup (2);- a lid (6) to close the upper opening (20) of the cup (2), said lid (6) being firmly secured to the coating (41) of the cup (2) at the flange (4);wherein, once the beverage has been prepared, the lid (6) and the coating (41) are separable from the body (201) of the cup (2) and form a bag (69) containing the powder (11), the sealing disc (5) and the insert (91).

9. Capsule (1) according to claim 8, further comprising: - a filter (62) secured, beneath the substance (11), just above the disc (5);- a permeable or micro-perforated film (61), secured at a certain distance above the substance (11);wherein said filter (62) and said film (61) are contained in the bag (69) defined by the lid (6) and the coating (41).

10. Capsule (1) according to claim 9, wherein said filter (62) and said film (61) are made of a compostable material.

11. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the lid (6) is provided with a protruding tab(68).

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