Capsule, system and method for preparing a drink

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a method for making beverages.

[0002] Capsules of this kind, which are especially used only once and are disposed of after making drinks, are today widespread as portioned packaging for the preparation of, for example, coffee or tea. For example, the user no longer has to worry about dispensing the right amount of coffee, and after the extraction process, the capsule can be removed along with its contents.

[0003] From DE 27 52733 a cartridge is known which contains a substance for producing a beverage by means of a machine. This cartridge has a substantially airtight, angular truncated cone body, which cartridge is usually made of aluminum sheet.

[0004] This known prior art, however, has the disadvantage that using aluminum as the material for the capsule or the body of the capsule is expensive. In addition, the use of aluminum, especially for single-use capsules, is detrimental to the environment, since the energy consumption in the production of aluminum is high, and when the capsules are used, large amounts of aluminum waste are generated.

[0005] From WO 2010/041179 A1, a capsule is known for producing beverages, for example coffee. The capsule may for example contain ground coffee, and has a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. This capsule has a weakening area on the top wall. Stiffeners are provided on the outer surface of the top wall.

[0006] From EP 1944 248 A1 a plastic capsule is known which contains a substance for producing a beverage by means of a machine. In the central region of the bottom of the capsule, a stiffening zone is arranged to prevent it from bending in an unacceptable manner, immediately before penetration, under tearing stresses.

[0007] This known state of the art, however, has the disadvantage that this capsule is not suitable for frequently occurring beverage production machines, since its stiffening is not sufficient for reliable bottom penetration.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the known solution, in particular, therefore, to make available a capsule, which in the manufacturing process as well as in the removal process is less burdensome for the natural environment and is produced at low costs and allows reliable penetration of the bottom with common beverage production machines.

[0009] This task is solved by the features included in claim 1.

[0010] The capsule according to the invention is made in the form of a capsule body with a sidewall and bottom formed in one piece with the sidewall. Preferably, the capsule body includes a cover covering the body of the capsule to form a closed chamber that contains the substance for preparing the beverage. In order to carry the liquid through the chamber, at least the bottom can be penetrated by means of a device located outside the capsule in the bottom penetration area. The bottom has a stiffening area. The central bottom area is shaped as a penetration area, the stiffening area being located around the penetration area. Preferably, the bottom

EP2476633 is domed. In particular, the stiffening area is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the penetration area. The stiffening area is shaped in the bottom as at least a segmental recess, generally in the circumferential direction. In other words, the stiffening area has one or more segmental recesses, generally extending in the circumferential direction.

[0011] By the term "segmental cavity" here and below is meant a cavity on the outer surface of the capsule, i.e. the surface of the capsule inverted from the closed chamber. [0012] By the term relating to the segmental depression in the bottom, generally in the radial direction, here and below is meant that the stiffening has a recess that is smaller than the circumference of the capsule.

[0013] By the expression that the bottom has recesses, here and below it is understood that the recesses, which are also referred to as indents, form an integral component of the bottom. The depressions, in the sense of the present application, are therefore not depressions between the outer elements at the bottom, which, for example, are applied to it outside.

[0014] When capsules are used with a softer material than aluminum, the problem often arises that they cannot be reliably pierced with conventional beverage production devices on the market, because this softer material, unlike for aluminum it is often more flexible and more easily deformable, and the capsule is not penetrated without proper penetration equipment. However, this is necessary in the beverage production process. For example, also plastic capsules, known in the art, which have a stiffened bottom are often not penetrated effectively.

[0015] The capsule according to the invention henceforth has the advantage that the capsule is capable of being effectively penetrated through the stiffening area with segmental depressions in the bottom by means of commercially available beverage production devices, so that it is possible to produce drinks. In addition, the capsule can also be produced at low costs, since the stiffening area is formed as an integral component of the capsule and thus, for example, is suitable for production by means of a deep drawing process.

[0016] Segmental depressions have the advantage over peripheral depressions or also peripheral ribs that they have a better stiffening effect. Peripheral depressions or also peripheral ribs often lead to insufficient stiffening.

[0017] In the sense of the present application, the term "penetration area" means in particular a continuous bottom area which is penetrated by means of a penetration device.

[0018] In the sense of the present application, the area of ​​stiffening is understood to mean the bottom area in which the recesses for stiffening are located.

[0019] By the term central area, it is henceforth and then to be understood that this area presents in particular a continuous surface and at least includes the geometric center of the capsule bottom.

[0020] By "rotationally symmetrically" here and thereafter is meant symmetry regarding rotation about the longitudinal axis of the capsule by a discrete angle or, however, also by any angle.

This placement of the penetration area in the central area of ​​the bottom with the stiffening area around it has the advantage that very good stiffening of the area

EP 2476633 penetration, such that the capsule is penetrated reliably with the penetration equipment of the beverage production device.

[0022] Preferably, the stiffener has at least two wall sections inclined towards each other.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the stiffening is at least segmentally shaped gradually and / or in the section plane running along the longitudinal axis of the body of the capsule, i.e. through the recess, it is shaped in the form of the letter L. in the case of the formation of the recess in the form of the letter L, in particular one arm forming the L form, it is generally located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the capsule body. Alternatively, this L-shaped arm forms with the longitudinal axis an angle in the range of about +/- 20 °, preferably around +/- 10 ° and particularly preferably around +/- 5 °.

[0024] This configuration of the at least one cavity of the capsule has the advantage that good stiffening of the capsule bottom is achieved by means of a graded or L-shaped segmental cavity. As a result, reliable bottom penetration is achieved by means of penetration equipment for the beverage production device.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the segmental cavity has at least one surface section, running parallel to the cross-sectional plane of the cavity, running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body of the capsule, or forming an angle with this cross-section plane in the range of about +/- 45 °, preferably about +/- 30 ° and particularly preferably around +/- 15 °. preferably this angle is in the range of about +/- 10 °, particularly preferably about +/- 5 °.

[0026] This configuration of the at least one cavity of the capsule has the advantage that by shaping the segmental cavity, by means of the orientation of the surface section, further improved stiffening is enabled . [0027] In particular, the section plane runs along the longitudinal axis of the body of the capsule, through the midpoint of the section peripheral cavity facing the central area of ​​the bottom.

[0028] First of all, preferably the bottom has at least two depressions and preferably three to ten depressions.

[0029] This configuration has the advantage that due to the selectable number of recesses in the bottom to obtain a stiffener, it is possible to adapt to any requirements regarding the bottom rigidity. The number of cavities may for example be dependent on the material of the capsule body chosen or also on the beverage production device in which the capsule should be used.

[0030] Alternatively, preferably, the bottom between the depressions is shaped as a triangular rib.

[0031] This has the advantage that it improves bottom stiffening to achieve even more reliable bottom penetration by means of beverage production equipment.

[0032] Alternatively, particularly preferably, the capsule wall has at least one projection on the inside, as a shoulder to assist in separating the capsules from the stack. Preferably, the wall of the capsule has two, especially at least three protrusions from the inside. In addition, the capsule wall has recesses on the outside, especially complementary to the projections on the inside.

[0033] Under the phrase that the wall of the capsule has recesses from the outside, complementary to the protrusions from the inside, here and below it is understood that the recesses

From the outside, EP2476633 are in the same places as the projections of the capsule wall from the inside.

[0034] By the "inner projection, in the sense of the present application, it is meant that the substance receiving chamber has protrusions in the wall of the capsule.

[0035] The shape of the capsule wall with protrusions on the inside has the advantage that the unfilled capsule bodies are stackable yet and, due to the protrusions on the inside, can be easily separated, because they prevent clogging of the stacked capsules. This has the advantage that, for example, in a coffee filling production line, the capsule bodies can be reliably separated individually. For example, the capsule bodies can be taken from the stack automatically by means of a gripping arm, so that only one capsule is reliably inserted into the filling device at a time.

[0036] Additionally, preferably, the projections on the inside are circumferentially spaced apart.

[0037] By the fact that the projections on the inside are circumferentially spaced apart, here and below it is understood that the projections from the inside, viewed along the wall of the capsule, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the capsule, do not overlap completely.

[0038] This arrangement of the projections on the inside has the advantage that the capsule bodies are reliably separated when stacked on top of each other.

[0039] The recesses on the outside also have the advantage that the capsule body from the outside is well gripped for the corresponding equipment of the filling device. [0040] Preferably, the body of the capsule is made of plastic, and particularly preferably of at least one biopolymer.

[0041] This has the advantage that the capsule body is more energetically advantageous compared to the state of the art, especially when compared to aluminum capsules. In addition, waste generated after use is easier to dispose of than aluminum capsules found on the market.

[0042] The term "plastic" in the sense of the present application is understood to mean an organic polyether which is essentially made of organic molecules or also a biopolymer and any combination of these materials.

[0043] By the term biopolymer, in the sense of the present application is meant a naturally occurring polymer and in particular a biologically biodegradable biopolymer.

[0044] Additionally, it is particularly preferred that the body of the capsule is made of at least two polymer layers. In particular, the capsule body is produced by a deep drawing process, particularly preferably the outer layer of the capsule body is made of polyethylene. [0045] The production of the capsule body from at least two polymer layers has the advantage that, depending on the purpose of use, they can be selected for the preparation of beverages, for example depending on the device to be used. Due to the layer structure of the capsule body, properties, for example in terms of softness, which the outer or inner layer should have, can also be selected.

[0046] In particular, one of the layers is made of polyethylene and the other of polypropylene. Alternatively, one of the layers may also be made of ethyl vinyl alcohol.

[0047] In particular preferably, the capsule body is made of at least three layers, particularly preferably of at least four layers, and very particularly preferably of at least five layers.

[0048] These layers are made in particular in each case from one of the following materials or any combination thereof: polypropylene, polyethylene, ethyl vinyl alcohol.

[0049] The production of the capsule body in the deep drawing process has the advantage that the production of the capsule body in this process takes place at a low cost and allows a high throughput through the deep drawing device.

[0050] In addition, above all, preferably, the capsule body has a flange projecting laterally above the wall of the capsule for fixing the lid.

This has the advantage that the lid can be reliably attached to the capsule wall, since the capsule body in the flange area has a sufficiently large surface for fixing the lid.

[0052] Furthermore, the collar has the advantage that the positioning of the capsule in the beverage production device is improved.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferred that the cover is formed of aluminum foil, perforated foil or filter paper. Alternatively, the cover can also be made of any combination of aluminum foil, perforated foil or filter paper.

[0054] The use of aluminum foil as a glazing mat has the advantage that it can be closed with a capsule essentially hermetically and thus has a fragrance tightness to the capsule. Thus, it is not necessary to package the capsule for sale with an airtight cover, which reduces costs and simplifies the handling of the capsule for making beverages.

[0055] The use of perforated film and / or filter paper as a cover has the advantage that in a beverage production device no equipment is needed to perforate or tear the cover to drain the beverage through the cover. In addition, the film perforation or also the filter holes of the filter paper are selected in such a way that an optimal liquid flow through the capsule is achieved in order to obtain a high quality of the beverage to be produced.

[0056] In this way, it is especially achieved that the largest possible proportion of extractable substance is also extracted.

[0057] A further aspect of the present invention relates to the capsule body for the capsule which is described above.

[0058] Since the capsule body is used for the capsule described above, it has all the above described features.

[0059] A further aspect of the present invention is directed at a portion pack comprising the substance-filled capsule described above. Especially, this capsule contains coffee. The capsule is wrapped with a substantially gas-tight shell.

[0060] The capsule in the portion pack corresponds to the capsule described above and therefore has its advantages.

[0061] This portion pack has the advantage that the capsule can be closed when the aroma seal is reached, which is advantageous, especially in the case of coffee. This cover is particularly

EP2476633 is preferably used when using perforated film or filter paper as a cover, which has been described above to close the capsule for storage and transport, while achieving odor tightness, i.e. essentially gas tight. Also, when using aluminum foil, for substantially gas-tight closure it may be advantageous to use a sheath if the aluminum foil is damaged or is not substantially hermetically connected to the capsule body.

[0062] An additional aspect of the present invention is directed at a system comprising a substance-filled capsule as described above or a portion pack as described above. Furthermore, the system includes a beverage production device, the beverage production device having a capsule holder for taking the capsule as well as equipment for penetrating the bottom of the capsule. In addition, the beverage production device has the equipment for supplying a liquid to a capsule for extracting a beverage production substance. The beverage can be drained through the capsule cover.

[0063] This system includes the capsule described above and therefore has all the advantages described above.

[0064] Furthermore, the beverage production device has in particular equipment for draining a drink, for example into a drinking container.

[0065] When using aluminum foil as a lid that is not perforated, the beverage production device additionally has a device to tear it, so that the beverage can be drained through the cover.

[0066] When using a capsule with perforated foil or filter paper as a lid, no equipment for tearing the lid is needed in the beverage production device. It is conceivable, however, that the beverage production device is used with a lid tearing equipment in combination with a capsule with perforated foil or filter paper as a lid.

[0067] An additional aspect of the present invention is directed to the use of a coffee-filled capsule as described above or a portion pack as described above for making a coffee beverage.

[0068] This use has all the advantages described above for the capsule or portion packaging described above.

[0069] A further aspect of the present invention is measured in a beverage production method. In a first step of the method, the capsule filled with the substance as described above is deposited in the capsule holder of the beverage production device. Then, the bottom penetrates with the penetration equipment of the beverage production device. Then, a liquid is supplied to the capsule at a pressure in the range from 1 bar to 20 bar. The liquid is especially heated, in particular water. The beverage is extracted from the substance in the capsule by means of the liquid supplied. Then, the drink is drained through the capsule cover. The lid has holes for draining the drink. Alternatively, to drain the beverage through the liquid supply, the lid is torn apart in cooperation with equipment for tearing the lid of the beverage production device.

EP2476633 [0070] In the method for making beverages, a capsule as described above is used. This method therefore has all the advantages of the capsule described above.

[0071] Further features and advantages of the invention, in order to better understand the solution are then further explained on the basis of the embodiments, without limiting the invention to the embodiments. Shown at:

Figure 1: Side view of the capsule according to the invention;

Figure 2: A top view of the capsule of Figure 1;

figure 3: section of the capsule according to figure 1 from a different angle of view filled with the substance;

Figure 4: A perspective view from above of the capsule body of Figure 1;

Figure 5: schematic visualization of a system according to the invention consisting of a capsule and a beverage production device in a first position;

Figure 6: the system of Figure 5, consisting of a capsule and a beverage production device in a second position;

Figure 7: schematic visualization of a portion pack according to the invention comprising a capsule filled with a substance with a shell;

Figure 8: Side view of an capsule according to the invention in an alternative embodiment;

Figure 9: Side view of a capsule according to the invention in another alternative embodiment.

[0072] In Figure 1, the capsule 1 according to the invention is shown in side view, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 22 of the capsule 1.

[0073] The capsule 1 has a capsule body 2 with a side wall 3 and a bottom 4 made in one piece with it. Bottom 4 is domed. In addition, the capsule 1 has a cover 5, which is made of aluminum foil, which is not perforated. The lid 5 is applied to the collar 13. [0074] The body 2 of the capsule and lid 5 form a closed chamber 6, which is filled with a substance that is not shown here, in the case of which coffee is concerned.

[0075] The body 2 of the capsule, in the bottom 4 of the body 2 of the capsule has a penetration area 9 as well as a stiffening area 10. The stiffening area 10 is located around the penetration area 9. In the stiffening area 10, the bottom 4 has segmental depressions 8. Between these sectional depressions 8, in the area of ​​stiffening 10, the bottom 4 is shaped in the form of triangular ribs 21, in order to better stiffen the bottom 4 of the capsule 1. The segmental recesses 8 in the stiffening area 10 are shaped gradually.

[0076] In the sidewall 3 of the capsule 1, there are visible from three outer recesses 12, spaced apart evenly along the periphery, which are complementary to the protrusions (invisible here) in the closed chamber 6.

[0077] The segment of the cavity surface 8 with the cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 22 forms an angle a equal to 10 °.

[0078] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the capsule according to the invention according to fig. 1, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the capsule 1. The same references refer to the same features in all figures of the drawing and are therefore explained again only when needed.

EP2476633 [0079] The stiffening area 10 is arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the depressions 8 by a discrete angle around the penetration area 9, i.e. with respect to rotation about substantially 1/8 of the entire rotation by 360 ° in each case.

[0080] In Fig. 3, a capsule 1 according to the invention according to Fig. 1 is shown in cross-section, containing substance 7.

[0081] The capsule 1 comprises a body 2 of the capsule with a side wall 3. A perforated lid 5 is applied on the flange 13 to form a closed chamber 6 in which the substance 7 is located. [0082] The segmental recesses 8 are shaped gradually and in the cross-sectional plane, parallel to the longitudinal axis 22 of the capsule body, they have the shape of the letter L. The arm 23 of the L letter of the segmental recess 8 forms with the longitudinal axis 22 an angle b equal to 5 °.

[0083] Fig. 4 is a perspective view from above of the body 2 of the capsule of Fig. 1. The segmental recesses 8 are clearly visible, rolled up inwards.

[0084] The body 2 of the capsule has a flange 13 protruding laterally above the wall 3 of the capsule on which the lid can be mounted. Inner projections 11, i.e. offsets that help stacking, support the capability of separating the capsules individually when stacked on top of each other and should be transported to the filling device for filling, for example with coffee.

[0085] The body 2 of the capsule has a chamber 6 which can be closed by means of a cover not shown.

[0086] The bottom of the capsule body 2 has a penetration area 9 as well as segmental recesses 8 arranged around it. The segmental depressions 8 in the bottom are shaped as projections in the chamber 6. Between the segmental depressions 8, triangular ribs 21 are formed.

[0087] In Fig. 5 the system 15 is schematically shown comprising a device 16 for making beverages with a sieve plate 23 and the capsule according to the invention 1 according to fig. 1.

[0088] The capsule 1 is filled with a non-shown substance for coffee, and is partly inserted into the capsule holder 17 to attach the capsule 1. The capsule holder 17 has three devices 18 for penetrating the penetration area 9 of capsule 1. Thanks to these penetration devices, the heated water can flow into the capsule 1 to extract the beverage, which is then drained through the lid 5 of the capsule 1, which is here shaped as a filter, through the sieve plate 23 of the beverage production device 16. In the opening position shown, the screen plate 23 and the lid 5 are spaced apart.

[0089] In Fig. 6, the system 15 including the capsule 1 is shown in a second position, i.e. in the closed position. In the visualization shown here, the penetration area 9 of the capsule 1 has already been penetrated by means of the penetration device 18. Thanks to the penetration device 18, as has already been explained for Fig. 5, the heated water under pressure in this case flows from 15 bar into the capsule. Hereby, the coffee-containing substance 7 is extracted and through the lid 5, which in this case is shaped as a perforated film, flows out of the capsule through the sieve plate 23 of the beverage production device 16 into a drinking vessel not shown.

[0090] In Fig. 7, a portion pack 14 is shown comprising a capsule 1 according to the invention according to Fig. 1 filled with a coffee containing substance. Capsule 1 has a lid 5,

EP2476633 which is shaped as a perforated film and does not have an airtight seal. For transportation and / or storage, the capsule 1 is wrapped in a sheath 20 and is essentially gas-tight in order to achieve a package having a seal.

[0091] Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative capsule 1 according to the invention. The present capsule 1 has only two cavities 8. In contrast to the capsule 1 according to Fig. 1, the segmental cavities 8 in the bottom 4, in this case, are shaped as two wall sections with an acute angle inclined relative to each other. Furthermore, the penetration area 9 is shaped as a flat area.

[0092] Fig. 9 is a side view of a distal alternative capsule 1 according to the invention. The bottom 4 has a penetration area 9 and a stiffening area 8 with an arcuate cross-section.