RE-USABLE CAPSULE FOR BEVERAGES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a re-usable capsules, for preparing a beverage in a machine, for example a machine with capsules for coffee or the like.

Typically, a beverage which is prepared in this way is coffee, the preparation thereof takes place by making water to pass forcedly through the capsule including coffee powder.

The passage takes place through inlet and outlet holes which can already be provided in the capsule or implemented upon use by the same machine.

Generally, the capsules known up to now are of the disposable type, prepared and filled up with coffee powder by the manufacturer and thrown away after use.

The present invention instead relates to a re-usable capsule, in the sense that the end user, after having used it for the first time, can open it, wash it, filled-up it again with the coffee powder he/she likes, re-close it and use it again and this for a high number of times, with an evident economic saving and, above all, with the possibility of using coffee of the preferred mixture.

To this one has to added that nowadays the current art does not distinguish specific capsules for the preparation of different beverages.

For example, the capsules could be used even for the preparation of tea or other (for example soluble) beverages.

Up to know, this is implemented with capsules identical to those typically used for coffee.

However, evidently this involves disadvantages, as the modes for preparing different beverages are wholly different therebetween. For example, whereas for coffee the powder is compacted in the capsule and therefore the water has to penetrate under pressure for succeeding in extracting the content of the powder granules, for tea, the preparation is much less compact and the water has simply to flow out, without the need of being under pressure.

On the contrary, an excessive pressure is dangerous, since it creates turbulences within the capsule, by generating foam which, for tea, is an unwished effect.

The object of the present invention is then to overcome the above-illustrated problems and this is obtained through a capsule as defined in claim 1.

Additional features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding depending claims.

The present invention, by overcoming the problems of known art, involves several and evident advantages.

In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule which can be re-used several times, able to vary its own technical specifications through the use of suitable components according to the needs of the raw material to be delivered.

For all types of beverages which can be delivered, the invention allows introducing several improvements to the known art in order to exploit the raw material contained in the capsule.

More in particular, the capsule according to the present invention can be adapted to the specific use which one has to make. For example, if it has to be used to deliver coffee, then preferably it will be configured so as to have inlet holes with reduced diameter, to increase the effect of the water pressure and then to improve the coffee extraction. Furthermore, it may be advisable to configure it so as to reduce in number and diameter even the outlet holes of the capsule, and to form an air gap, thus by contributing in improving the emulsion effect generated by the water turbulences and then to obtain a tastier, creamier, etc. beverage.

On the contrary when it has to be used for the preparation of a tea, then preferably it will be configured so as to have inlet and outlet holes with larger diameter, exactly to obtain the opposite effect, to facilitate the water flowing out, without creating particular turbulences.

The advantages, together with the features and the use modes of the present invention, will result evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, shown by way of example and not for limitative purposes. The figures of the enclosed drawings will be referred to, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

le figure 2A and 2B are perspective views of a container body of a capsule according to the present invention;

figure 3 is an exploded view of a capsule according to an additional embodiment;

figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of a false-bottom according to the present invention;

figure 5 is a side view of a false-bottom according to the present invention; figure 6 is a longitudinal section view of a false-bottom according to the present invention;

figure 7 is a longitudinal section view of the bottom portion of a capsule coupled to a false-bottom;

figure 8 is a perspective view of a capsule equipped with false-bottom;

figures 9, 10 and 11 are perspective views of still an additional embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention;

figures 12A to 12D are views of a cap of a capsule according to the present invention;

figures 13A to 13D are views of a false-cap of a capsule according to the present invention;

figure 14 is a longitudinal section view showing the top of a capsule with a relative cap coupled to a false-cap; figures 15A to 15E show a container body of a capsule according still an additional embodiment of the present invention; and

figures 16A to 16C show still an additional embodiment of a capsule according to the present invention.

The present invention will be described hereinafter by referring to the above- mentioned figures.

First of all figure 1 refers to a capsule 1 , re-usable for the preparation of a beverage in a machine, according to a first embodiment according to the present invention.

According to such embodiment, the capsule 1 comprises a hollow and substantially frustoconical container body 2 having a main longitudinal axis A.

The container body 2 constitutes the container for a beverage preparation, which can be in granules or in powder.

The container body 2 has a bottom section 10, an intermediate section 20 and an open top section 30, but which can be re-closed through a cap 40 adapted to act as a removable lid of the top section 30.

The container body 2 comprises at least one inlet hole 11 , 12, 13 for water and the cap 40 comprises at least one outlet hole 41 , 42 for water. Such inlet and outlet holes can be better seen in the following figures.

Advantageously, the inlet holes 11 , 12, 13 comprise one or more inlet holes

1 1 , 12 implemented on the bottom section 10 of the container body 2. In particular, such inlet holes 11 , 12 on the bottom comprise first inlet holes 1 1 having a diameter between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

In particular, figures 2A and 2B show a container body 2 according to the present invention.

The outlet holes 41 , 42 of the cap 40 can comprise a plurality of first outlet holes 41 having a diameter between 0.10 mm and 1 mm. Moreover, preferably, the outlet holes 41 , 42 of the cap 40 can even comprise at least a second outlet hole 42 having a diameter between 0.10 mm and 0.5 mm.

Advantageously, the cap 40 has a concave region 43 in a substantially central position, inside thereof the second outlet hole 42 is preferably implemented.

The subsequent figure 3 relates to a capsule 101 , according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, the capsule 101 comprises first means 50 for modifying in number and/or diameter at least one of the inlet hole 11 , 12, 13 for water of the container body 2.

According to such embodiment, the first means 50 for modifying the number and/or the diameter of the inlet holes comprises a false-bottom 51 adapted to be sealingly and removably coupled to the bottom section 10.

The false-bottom can be coupled to the container body through any removable tightening system, for example a snap-fit system, preferably of anti-rotation type, or through other equivalent systems. Advantageously it can be equipped with anti- rotation stops placed onto the base.

The false-bottom 51 comprises a plurality of second inlet holes 52 having a diameter between 0.10 mm and 0.5 mm, and coincident with the first inlet holes 11 when the false-bottom 51 and the bottom 10 are coupled.

Figures 4A and 4B are perspective top and bottom views of the false-bottom 51 , whereas figure 5 is a side view thereof and figure 6 a section view. Figure 7 shows in section a false-bottom 51 when coupled to a bottom 10 of a container body 2.

In particular from this figure it can be appreciated that, when the false-bottom 51 is coupled to the bottom 10, the holes 52 of the false-bottom correspond to the holes 11 of the bottom.

Considering the smaller diameter thereof, such coupling results in a reduction of the diameter of the holes inletting water into the container body 2. Advantageously, the second inlet holes 52 can have a lumen flared towards the outside of the false-bottom 51 , to favour the water inlet.

According to an embodiment variant, the bottom 10 can have an additional central inlet hole 12.

To such hole, upon coupling with the false-bottom 51 , a corresponding hollow column 53 can correspond, integral to the false-bottom itself.

The hollow column 53, preferably, has a plurality of third inlet holes 54, radially directed with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the container body 2.

Figure 8 shows a capsule implemented according to such second embodiment, with a false-bottom 51 coupled to the bottom section 10 of the container body 2.

The subsequent figure 9 relates to still an additional embodiment of a capsule 201 according to the present invention.

According to such embodiment, the capsule 201 does not comprise necessarily a false-bottom, but it provides second means 60 for modifying in number and/or diameter said at least one outlet hole 41 , 42 for water.

In particular, such second means 60 for modifying comprises a false-cap 61 apt to be sealingly and removably coupled to the cap 40. The coupling is so that an air gap 65 between the two bodies is defined.

Furthermore, the false-cap 61 has a plurality of third outlet holes 62, preferably having a diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, and a plurality of occlusion elements 63.

When the false-cap 61 is coupled to the cap 40, the occlusion elements 63 coincide with the first outlet holes 41 of the cap 40 and they obstruct them.

Figures 10 and 11 show a capsule 201 , comprising a false-cap as described up to now.

Figures 12A to 12 D show, according to different views and in section, a cap 40 of a capsule according to the present invention. The cap 40 obviously could be used in all embodiments described in this description.

In particular, the cap 40 has a generally cylindrical hollow body, with an outer surface thereon the outlet holes 41 , 42 for water are obtained.

Preferably, the cap comprises a plurality of hollow cylindrical elements 44, each one thereof has sizes and shape compatible to receive a corresponding occlusion element 63 of a possible false-cap 61.

Each one of the hollow cylindrical elements includes a corresponding outlet hole 41 for water and then, when a false-cap is coupled to the cap, each occlusion element will seal a corresponding outlet hole 41.

A better stability and sealing is guaranteed by coupling each single occlusion element to a corresponding cylindrical element.

The subsequent figures 13A to 13 D show a false-cap 61 , according to what described up to now.

In particular in figure 13A and in figure 13C (longitudinal section of the false-cap), the occlusion elements 63, with generally cylindrical shape, can be seen.

Advantageously, each one of the occlusion elements 63 has a free end shaped so as to be suitable, in shape and sizes, to occlude completely a corresponding outlet hole 41 on the cap 40.

Third outlet holes 62 are implemented on a surface of the false-cap 61 and, as already specified, such third holes have a smaller diameter with respect to the holes

41 which are obstructed by the elements 63. This implements the modification in number and/or diameter of the outlet holes of the capsule.

A central region 65 of the false-cap 61 has a convexity and additional third outlet holes 62 are advantageously implemented on tilted portions of such convex region

65, so as to further ease the turbulences within the air gap and consequently improve the preparation emulsion. The subsequent figure 14 shows, in longitudinal section, the upper portion of the capsule 201 , wherein a false-cap 61 is coupled to the cap 40.

The subsequent figures 15A to 15E relate to still an additional implementation variant, in this case of the container body 2.

According to such implementation variant, the inlet holes 1 1 , 12, 13 comprise a plurality of fourth inlet holes 13 implemented at the intermediate section 20, preferably along the side walls of the container body 2.

Such fourth inlet holes 13 advantageously are radially directed with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the container body 2.

Moreover, the intermediate section 20 can comprise a plurality of stiffening ribs 21 shaped so as to define indentations within the container body 2. Advantageously, the fourth inlet holes 13 are implemented within said indentations formed by such stiffening ribs 21.

According to some embodiments, the fourth inlet holes preferably can have a diameter comprised between 0.10 mm and 0.50 mm.

This is particularly visible in figure 15A and in figure 15D which is an enlarged detail of the cross section view 15C.

Figures 16A to 16C, at last, show an additional embodiment of a capsule 401 according to the present invention.

According to such additional embodiment, the capsule 401 comprises all technical solutions described sofar, in particular the first and the second means for modifying in number and/or diameter some of the inlet and outlet holes of the capsule. Such first means is implemented under the form of a false-bottom 51 , which can be removably coupled to the bottom section of the container body 2, and the second means is implemented under the form of a false-cap 61 which can be removably coupled to the cap 40 of the capsule 401. Advantageously, even such additional embodiment can comprise stiffening ribs on the side walls of the container body 2 and fourth inlet holes 13 implemented at such ribs.

By way of example, a description of the use of a capsule according to the present invention is provided hereinafter, with different types of preparations for beverages, by illustrating the evident advantages thereof.

Use with coffee

Although it is possible preparing coffee with a capsule according to anyone of the described embodiments, the preferred configuration surely is the one providing first of all the use of a false-bottom for modifying in number and/or diameter the inlet holes for water.

Currently the technique of the capsules provides solutions wherein the extraction of the substances in the coffee generating the beverage takes place by means of the injection of a unidirectional water flow, with one single area for inletting water, typically from the bottom of the capsule.

With the present invention, through the study of the coupling features between capsule and the various systems for tightening the same inside the domestic coffee machines, the invention is able to provide three different injection points for a more exhaustive extraction of the product:

1. through inlet holes with reduced diameter of the false-bottom, in longitudinal direction;

2. through inlet holes implemented in the intermediate section of the container body, preferably within stiffening ribs of the side walls of the container body, with a directing of the holes and then of the water in the cross direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container body itself;

3. through inlet holes obtained in a central column of the false-bottom extending within the container body, with a directing of the holes and then of the water in the cross direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container body itself.

All this allows extracting greater quantities of substances since the flow of extracting water would come from different angles by involving a larger surface of the single coffee granules.

Currently, parallelly to the tastes of the capsule coffee consumers, the perception of pleasantness of the beverage is more and more associated to the presence of the cream, in this direction different technical solutions on the domestic coffee machines have moved during the years to allow a stronger emulsion of the beverage in order to produce more cream in the cup.

The finding according to the present invention allows implementing an additional emulsion already before outletting the beverage from the capsule through a false-cap coupled to the outest cap of the capsule. The false-cap occludes completely the holes of the cap by leaving free one single central hole, with suitable diameter, thus by increasing considerably the outletting pressure of the beverage.

The false-cap is equipped with the following features which determine the fine emulsion of the beverage:

- holes for the passage of the extracted liquid.

- convex central top implemented with holes directed towards the outer walls to increase the emulsioning effectiveness.

- occlusion elements under the form of spacing columns with additional anti- flection functionality to avoid any flection during the use or with the re-use of the capsule. Such spacing columns have further deviating effect for the extracted liquid flow with the specific purpose of increasing the emulsion effectiveness.

The outer cap of the capsule is holed and it provides in the inner face suitable hollow cylindrical housing elements for receiving the spacing columns and for occluding its own holes. The single hole for the passage of the pre-emulsioned beverage will be allocated centrally in suitable depression implemented to allow the not-obstruction of the same in different models of domestic coffee machines bringing a central surface at direct contact with the capsule.

Use with soluble products

Like the use with coffee, the use of soluble products in the capsule requires a greater pressure, to this purpose a false-bottom could be implemented suitably configured with size and quantity of the holes suitable to adjust the inlet pressure and the consequent mixing of water and soluble product within the capsule.

The advantages of the invention in this case, as in case of coffee, lie in an injection directionality of the water coming from different angles which will ease the motion and the consequent solubility of the product inside.

Use with beverage in filter (tea and infuses)

Beverages in leaves and in filter such as tea and infuses do not need a gentler extraction and traditionally they are consumed without the emulsion therewith by now one tries to characterize beverages such as coffee.

The invention allows, through the removal of the false-bottom and/or of the false-cap, to be able to decrease, thanks to the larger diameter of the holes, the inlet and outlet pressure of water in capsule by making the extraction more suitable to the product.

On the contrary the positioning of the inlet holes divided into two along the side stiffening ribs will allow a higher stirring of the product and a more complete extraction, and then a better exploitation.

In particular in case of products in the typical filter bag, often upon considering the contained small amount of product, it is likely that a portion of the product accumulates along one single side or one single filter folding, above all in machines wherein the insertion of the capsule is performed by laying down the capsule on one side. The injection on the ribs in this case will allow still the product motion on a larger contact surface than the normal capsules and a better exploitation of the raw material. The removal of the false-cap will allow having a plurality of holes with larger outlet diameter by reducing to the minimum the emulsion with a delivery more suitable to the type of beverage.

The present invention has been sofar described by referring to preferred embodiments thereof, together with some embodiment variants. It is to be meant that each one of the variants and of the technical solutions implemented in the preferred embodiments, herein described by way of example, could advantageously be combined differently therebetween, to create other embodiments, belonging to the same inventive core and however all within the protective scope of the herebelow reported claims.