SEAL"

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The object of the present invention is a single-dose capsule for the preparation of infusion or soluble beverages in an extraction device, comprising in particular an edge with an improved sealing profile.

[0002] As is well known, in the art is proposed a wide variety of automatic or semi-automatic machines equipped with a preparation and dispensing group capable of producing an infusion by passing hot water through a capsule containing the food preparation to be infused, arranged within a suitable infusion chamber.

[0003] In particular, the known type of capsules comprise a cup, usually made of plastic material, equipped with a circular perimeter edge adapted to obtain a sealed engagement with a relevant abutment edge of the infusion chamber, so as to make the infusion operation more efficient by limiting the dispersion of hot water outside of the same infusion chamber.

[0004] Obtaining a reliable seal is one of the most important problems encountered in the specific sector.

[0005] There is also the problem of making a capsule that may be used in different types of extraction machines. In effect, it often happens that a capsule cannot work, or at least works with difficulty, on some models of extraction machines, even if they are based on the same extraction methodology. This is because the abutment edge of the infusion chamber does not close precisely on the perimeter edge of the capsule.

[0006] Furthermore, it is extremely important to be able to make a capsule with a perimeter edge capable of guaranteeing an effective seal while maintaining a simple geometry from the construction perspective, particularly in the case of capsules wherein the cup is made by means of a thermoforming process, which, as is well known, does not allow for the complex geometries which may be obtained, for example, with injection molding technology.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to make a capsule that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0008] Such object is obtained by a capsule made according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe variant embodiments .

[0009] The features and advantages of the capsule according to the present invention will be apparent from the description given below, provided by way of non-limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures, wherein :

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a capsule according to the present invention, inserted into an extraction device;

Figure 2 shows an axonometric view of the capsule according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a detail of the capsule according to the present invention, in particular an enlargement of the perimeter edge of the cup,

Figures 4a-4c show the same magnification of the perimeter edge of the cup shown in Figure 3, wherein the capsule has been inserted into the extraction device, thus showing the forward movement in closing of the abutment edge of the infusion chamber onto the perimeter edge of the capsule to obtain the seal.

[0010] With reference to the accompanying figures, Figure 1 shows a capsule 10 in accordance with the invention inserted in an infusion chamber 3 of an extraction device for the preparation of beverages.

[0011] Figure 2 shows only the capsule 10, of the single ^¬ dose type, for the preparation of a beverage, for example coffee, infusion, decoction or similar.

[0012] The capsule 10 comprises a hollow body called a cup 1, which contains therein a compartment for the containment of at least one substance to be infused or extracted by means of a liquid under pressure, such as coffee or tea, typically in granular or powder form.

[0013] The cup 1 comprises an annular side wall 2, which extends in height along a central axis X, between a bottom wall 4 and an opposite front end 6 defining an opening 5.

[0014] This opening 5 is covered by a cover 8, which is pierceable or yielding, which closes the capsule 1.

[0015] Preferably, the side wall 2 has on the outside a substantially frustoconical shape, for example formed by the succession of frustoconical surfaces with different angular openings.

[0016] The bottom wall 4 is intended to be penetrated by the liquid injected by the extraction device for the preparation of the beverage, typically hot water or other liquid food, such as milk.

[0017] For this purpose, according to a variant embodiment, the bottom provides weakened portions suitable for tearing when the capsule is in use, so as to make passages for the liquid into the cup.

[0018] According to a further variant embodiment, the bottom is equipped with through holes that form passages for the liquid to the inside of the cup. In this variant, therefore, the capsule is of the open type.

[0019] According to a still further variant embodiment, the bottom is equipped with through holes that make passages for the liquid to the inside of the cup, covered with a film that may be pierced or torn by piercing means of the extraction device.

[0020] At the front end 6, the cup 1 comprises a collar 7, typically arranged at the free end of side wall 2, protruding radially externally.

[0021] The collar 7 has a front face 7b facing the opening

5 of the cup 1, and an opposite rear face 7a.

[0022] The front face 7b of the collar 7 is intended to join with the peripheral annular region of the cover 8 which closes the cup 1 at the front end 6.

[0023] The rear face 7a of the collar 7 is instead intended to engage with an abutment edge of the infusion chamber of the extraction device.

[0024] In this regard, with reference to Figure 1, the extraction device comprises an infusion chamber 3 adapted to house therein at least part of the cup 1 of the capsule 1.

[0025] The infusion chamber 3 is movable relative to a receiving plate 38 between an open position, which allows the insertion and removal of the capsule 1, and a closed position. When the infusion chamber 3 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1, it obtains a closed chamber around the capsule 1 when the heated and pressurized water is fed into said capsule 1 (through the bottom 4) to carry out the infusion and extraction phase of the beverage. [0026] The receiving plate 38 has at least one opening (not shown) to allow the beverage to flow into the final container, for example a coffee cup.

[0027] The infusion chamber 3 is equipped with a compression edge 31 having an outer portion 31a facing the rear face 7a of the collar 7 of the capsule 1.

[0028] In the example embodiment described and shown in Figure 1, the compression edge 31 is of the double crown type and comprises two circular crowns (defining an inner edge 32 and an outer edge 33) connected by an annular recess 34. Note that only the inner edge 32 is used to seal the infusion chamber by abutting against the rear face 7a of the collar 7 of the capsule. The outer edge 33 is shorter than the inner edge 32 and does not compress the collar 7 of the capsule or part thereof.

[0029] In a further example embodiment, not shown, the compression edge 31 is a single circular crown type that defines an inner edge 32 used to seal the infusion chamber by abutting against the rear face 7a of the collar 7 of the capsule.

[0030] The rear face 7a of the collar 7 is thus intended to engage with the inner edge 32 of the infusion chamber 3 of the extraction device to seal the infusion chamber. In this regard, the rear face 7a comprises a sealing ring 90 in the form of a circular crown. [0031] The sealing ring 90 is in effect intended to engage sealingly with the inner edge 32 of the infusion chamber 3 of the extraction device. The sealing ring 90 forms a head seal with the inner edge 32.

[0032] The sealing ring 90, due to the characteristics of the material and the structural and dimensional characteristics, is deformable under the action of compression of the inner edge 32 of the machine in order to obtain the seal; typically, given the compression action of the inner edge 32 and the heating of the material of the ring 90 during the use of the capsule 1, the deformation is of a plastic type.

[0033] The sealing ring 90 comprises an annular sealing protrusion 9, which extends substantially vertically relative to the collar 7.

[0034] The protrusion 9 defines, together with the side wall 2 of the cup 1, an annular cavity 11. This cavity 11 is a sealing groove intended to engage sealingly with the inner edge 32 of the infusion chamber 3 of the extraction device .

[0035] The sealing ring 90 further comprises an annular raised sealing part 95, which extends substantially horizontally relative to the collar 7. The raised part 95 is interposed between the protrusion 9 and the side wall

2 of the cup 1. The raised part 95 forms the bottom of the cavity 11.

[0036] The sealing ring 90 essentially divides the rear face 7a of the collar 7 into two parts.

[0037] It is thus possible to define "collar plane" as the plane P tangent to the upper surface of the collar 7 outside of the cavity 11, and to define "sealing plane" as the plane PT tangent to the upper surface of the raised part 95 within the cavity 11.

[0038] One may also define A as the thickness of the collar 7 (i.e., the wall of the cup forming the collar) outside of the cavity 11, and B as the thickness of the collar 7 inside the cavity 11.

[0039] The sealing ring 90 thus divides the rear face 7a of the collar 7 into two non-coplanar parts. As shown in Figure 3, in effect, the thickness B of the collar 7 within the annular cavity 11 is greater than the thickness A of the collar 7 outside of the annular cavity 11.

[0040] Advantageously, the presence of the raised part 95 allows the depth of the sealing cavity 11 to be reduced and thus the sealing of the infusion chamber to be completed sooner (Figure 4C) . In effect, due to the presence of the raised part 95, the stroke required at the inner edge 32 to abut against the bottom 94 of the sealing cavity 11 is shortened. [0041] Preferably, the thickness A of the collar 7 outside of the annular cavity 11 is in the range between 0.3 and 0.9 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 0.7 mm, even more preferably is 0.6 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the thickness B of the collar 7 within the annular cavity 11 is in the range between 0.7 and 1.3 mm, preferably between 0.9 and 1.1 mm, and even more preferably is 1.0 mm.

[0043] Preferably, the protrusion 9 is a circumferentially continuous circular crown.

[0044] The protrusion 9 has an inclined side 91 facing the side wall 2 of the cup 1, i.e., toward the inside of the annular cavity 11.

[0045] The inclined side 91 is inclined relative to the vertical plane Y, defined as the plane parallel to the axis X of the capsule and orthogonal relative to the plane P of the collar 7.

[0046] The angle of inclination is measured, as shown in Figure 3, between the inclined side 91 and the vertical plane Y. This angle is measured from the vertical plane

Y.

[0047] The angle is in the range between 5 and 9 degrees, preferably between 7 and 9 degrees, more preferably is 9 degrees .

[0048] Preferably, the inclined side 91 is regular, i.e., it has a planar shape as shown in Figure 3. However, the inclined side 91 may be concave or convex.

[0049] Preferably, the protrusion 9 is at least partially plastically deformable. In particular, the protrusion 9 is plastically deformable at least on the inclined side 91.

[0050] Advantageously, the protrusion 9 has an inclined side 91, facing the inside of the nearly vertical annular cavity 11, (i.e., inclined at an angle in the range between 5 and 9 degrees) . This makes it possible to obtain an initial seal of the infusion chamber (Figure 4B) sooner. In effect, the inclined side 91 being almost vertical, the protrusion 9 comes immediately into contact with the inner edge 32 and, starting from the top 92, obtains a sealing effect.

[0051] Preferably, the protrusion 9 has a trapezoidal cross-section. It is therefore possible to define, in addition to the inclined side 91, a planar top 92.

[0052] Preferably, the protrusion 9 is also plastically deformable at the top 92.

[0053] Advantageously, the protrusion 9 has a top 92 large enough to compensate for any misalignment of the capsule 1 within the infusion chamber, i.e., to compensate for different positions of the compression edge 31 of the extraction device when closing the infusion chamber. [0054] With reference to Figure 3, HS is defined as the height of the protrusion 9 measured from the plane P of the collar 7. Preferably, the height HS of the protrusion 9 is comprised in the range between 0.6 and 1.2 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1 mm, even more preferably is 0.9 mm.

[0055] HR is defined as the height of the raised part 95 measured from the plane P of the collar 7. Preferably, the height HR of the raised part 95 is comprised in the range between 0.1 and 0.7 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.6 mm, even more preferably is 0.4 mm.

[0056] HT is also defined as the seal height of the protrusion 9 measured from the plane PT of the collar 7; this height corresponds to the depth of the cavity 11. Preferably, the height HT of the protrusion 9 is comprised in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.7 mm, even more preferably is 0.5 mm.

[0057] L is defined as the width of the protrusion 9 measured at the top 92 thereof. Preferably, the width L is in the range between 0.1 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 mm.

[0058] LM is defined as the maximum width of the sealing cavity 11, measured as the distance between the protrusion 9 (at the top 92 thereof) and the side wall 2 of the cup 1. [0059] The maximum width LM of the sealing cavity 11 is less than the thickness W of the inner edge 32 of the infusion chamber 3 of the extraction device.

[0060] Preferably, the maximum width LM of the sealing cavity 11 is in the range between 1.2 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 0.9.

[0061] LI is moreover defined as the smaller width of the sealing cavity 11, measured as the distance between the protrusion 9 (at the bottom 94 of the cavity 11) and the side wall 2 of the cup 1.

[0062] Preferably, the smaller width LI of the sealing cavity 11 is in the range between 0.3 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.6 and 0.7.

[0063] Preferably, the protrusion 9 is made of the same material as the collar 7 and preferably is integral with the collar 7.

[0064] According to further variant embodiments (not shown) , the protrusion 9 is made of a material different from that of the collar 7.

[0065] Preferably, the cup 1 of the capsule 10 is obtained by thermoforming. In particular, the cup is made from a multilayer sheet comprising an inner barrier-type layer, and at the side edge of the collar 7 this inner layer emerges .

[0066] Preferably, the inner layer is an oxygen barrier layer and is made of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) material .

[0067] For example, the multilayer sheet is of the type PP/EVOH/PP wherein the polypropylene (PP) forms the outer layers of the sheet.

[0068] In a further example embodiment, at least one outer layer of the multilayer sheet is made of polyethylene (PE) , and this layer forms the rear face 7a of the collar 7, which is intended to engage with an abutment edge of the infusion chamber of the extraction device. Advantageously, this technical solution improves the seal of the collar 7 as it increases the deformability of the protrusion 9.

[0069] For example, the multilayer sheet is of the PP/EVOH/PP/PE type.

[0070] In normal use, the capsule 1 according to the present invention is inserted into the infusion chamber 3 of the extraction machine (figure 4A) and, once the movement of the components of the same machine has been activated, the rear face 7a of the collar 7 of the capsule 1 engages with the compression edge 31 of the infusion chamber 3 to obtain a closed chamber around the capsule 1 and carry out the infusion and extraction phase of the beverage.

[0071] In the movement phase of the machine components, a misalignment of the capsule 1 inside the infusion chamber may occur, and therefore the sealing ring 90 of the collar 7 of the capsule 1 is not perfectly coaxial with the compression edge 31 of the machine.

[0072] However, the compression edge 31 of the machine, in its forward path, will assuredly touch the top 92 of the protrusion 9 (Figure 4B) , designed to be wide enough to compensate for different positions of the compression edge 31. This engagement involves obtaining an initial seal, at least partial, of the infusion chamber.

[0073] Continuing in its forward path, the compression edge 31 of the machine will touch the inclined side 91 of the protrusion 9 and will be pushed thereby towards the inside of the cavity 11. One should note that since the inclined side 91 is almost vertical, the compression edge 31 immediately comes into contact with the protrusion 9, thus obtaining the seal of the infusion chamber sooner.

[0074] The compression edge 31 of the machine then finishes in abutment at the bottom 94 of the cavity 11, consisting of the raised part 95 of the sealing ring 90. One should note that the presence of the raised part 95 makes it possible to complete the sealing of the infusion chamber sooner .

[0075] In the capsule 1 according to the present invention, the seal is obtained by the top 92 and by the inclined side 91 of the protrusion 9, by the raised part 95 and by the side wall 2. As shown in Figure 4C, when the infusion chamber is closed, the inner compression edge 32 is completely enclosed within the cavity 11 of the sealing ring 9, which is deformed plastically to obtain the necessary seal to prevent any leakage of liquid from the infusion chamber.

[0076] As is thus apparent, the geometry of the sealing ring 90 reduces the stroke required at the compression edge 31 (and in particular at the inner edge 32) to obtain the seal of the infusion chamber.

[0077] Thus, a sealing ring 90 comprising a protrusion 9 provided with an inclined "almost vertical" side facing the sealing cavity 11 and a wide planar top 92 allows the different paths of movement of the receptacles in different infusion devices to be compensated.

[0078] Moreover, also the presence of the raised part 95, which reduces the depth of the cavity 11, helps to improve the sealed coupling even in the event of misalignment of capsule 1 inside the infusion chamber.

[0079] Advantageously, in effect, the capsule 1 is equipped with a collar 7 equipped with a sealing ring 90 shaped so as to be compressed by the compression edge 31 of the machine from the beginning of the feed path thereof towards the closure of the infusion chamber. [0080] Innovatively, the capsule according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art, as it allows a reliable seal to be made while maintaining a geometry that is constructively easy to obtain.

[0081] Advantageously, in effect, the capsule according to the present invention may be used in different types of extraction machines as it is equipped with a sealing ring 90 that compensates for any inaccuracies in the closure of the abutment edge of the infusion chamber on the collar of the capsule.

[0082] Advantageously, the capsule according to the present invention guarantees an effective seal while maintaining a simple geometry from the constructive point of view.

[0083] Advantageously, the capsule according to the present invention is easily obtainable through a thermoforming process .

[0084] A person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, may make changes to the capsule described above, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.