RU2546472C2 - Portion capsule for beverage preparation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a portion capsule for beverage preparation which has a hollow space wherein beverage raw materials are envisaged; a hole is made in the portion capsule for beverage preparation.

EFFECT: design improvement.

12 cl, 7 dwg

Description

This invention relates to a portioned capsule for preparing a beverage, which has a hollow space in which raw materials for the beverage are provided, and an opening may be made in the portioned capsule to prepare the beverage.

Such portioned capsules are well known in the art and are commercially available, for example, as portioned capsules for coffee. In these portioned coffee capsules, the hollow space is at least partially filled with finely ground coffee, and hot water passes through it to prepare coffee, espresso and the like. In order to prevent the loss of aroma of the coffee in the hollow space of the coffee, the serving capsule is preferably hermetically sealed. Therefore, to prepare coffee in the portion capsule, holes must be made, or holes must be present in advance.

First of all, in the case of portioned capsules for coffee, the specialist constantly has a desire to improve the quality of the resulting coffee drink. Moreover, among other things, the displacement of air, which is, for example, in the hollow space of a portion capsule, but also in finely ground coffee, as well as the length of time that hot water is in a portion capsule, plays a large role.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a portioned capsule with which a good coffee beverage can be prepared.

This problem is solved by using a portioned capsule for preparing a beverage, which has a hollow space in which raw materials for the beverage are provided, and for preparing a beverage in the portioned capsule, an opening is provided that is provided at a distance from the plane of symmetry of the portioned capsule.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

This invention relates to a portioned capsule for preparing a beverage, which has a hollow space in which raw materials for the beverage are provided. Such a portion capsule is made, for example, of a synthetic material, natural substance and / or biodegradable substance and, as a rule, has a main element, in particular a deep-drawn main element, which is preferably in the form of a truncated cone or cylinder. The hollow space of a portion capsule is filled with raw materials for preparing a beverage, which is extracted and / or dissolved, for example, with a liquid, especially water. Preferably, the main element after filling with raw materials for the preparation of the beverage is closed, first of all, with a membrane, for example a polymer film. Preferably, the membrane is provided with an opposite bottom of the main element. The membrane can be made of the same material as the main element, or an excellent material and is attached to the main element, preferably by heat sealing and / or gluing. In addition, one or more built-in elements may be provided in the hollow space, such as, for example, a filter, a liquid distributor, a non-woven material, an insulating film or the like.

To prepare a drink, it is now necessary to open a portion capsule, that is, provide it with an inlet and outlet. According to the invention, at least one opening is provided, preferably an opening through which liquid flows into a portion capsule located at a distance from the plane of symmetry. Due to this, it is achieved that the portioned capsule is washed asymmetrically, whereby advantages are obtained as a final product, for example, when extracting coffee and / or during the formation of foam.

According to a further or preferred subject of the present invention, first of all, several inlets are provided in the inlet, which are at least partially asymmetrically distributed and are opposite the first plane extending along the axial direction of the portioned capsule, which is preferably the plane of symmetry of the unopened capsule. Also, thanks to this embodiment according to the invention or a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least sections and / or periodically asymmetric flow around the hollow space of the portioned capsule are obtained, whereby an improved coffee quality is obtained. Preferably, in the case of a plane, it is a plane of symmetry of an unopened portioned capsule.

The embodiments made according to this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein can be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the openings are made primarily in the lid film so that they are provided symmetrically with respect to the next axis of symmetry of the unopened portioned capsule.

Preferably, the hole (s) are made in a portioned capsule immediately before the preparation of the corresponding beverage. This can occur by a method known to every person skilled in the art, for example by pricking, for example, using a punch, by stripping the material, by softening the material and / or under pressure, in particular with water pressure. Preferably, the membrane has at least one, preferably several, especially two, holes and a bottom, which is preferably located opposite the membrane, preferably has at least one hole. The hole in the bottom of the portioned capsule is preferably provided in the center, but can also be located at a distance from the plane of symmetry. The holes may be in any form known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the holes in the membrane are triangular, round, square or rectangular. This type of opening can be inserted into portioned capsules with very little effort.

Preferably, the membrane has at least one, preferably two or more, holes, preferably along the first plane of symmetry of the portioned capsule, and these holes are located asymmetrically relative to the second plane of symmetry of the portioned capsule, which is located preferably perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry. Preferably, this opening (s) serve to allow fluid to enter the hollow space of the portioned capsule. Preferably, the membrane has, particularly preferably additionally, at least one hole, preferably two holes, preferably along a second plane of symmetry, which is provided, preferably symmetrically, to the first plane of symmetry. This additional opening serves, at least from time to time, to remove air from the hollow space of the portioned capsule.

A further or preferred subject of the present invention is a portioned capsule for preparing a beverage, which has a hollow space in which a raw material for the beverage is provided and through which liquid flows, the capsule being washed at a distance from the plane of symmetry.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

In this portioned capsule according to the invention, it is now provided that the portioned capsule is washed at a distance from the plane of symmetry, that is, the liquid is supplied to the portioned capsule not in the center, but outside the center. Also, through this, at least partially improved passage of the liquid through the hollow space of the portioned capsule and / or at least partially longer residence time of the liquid in the portioned capsule and thereby a better drink are obtained.

A further or preferred subject of the present invention is a portioned capsule in which the membrane has an inlet for liquid and an opening for removing air.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

Preferably, the fluid inlet and the air vent are preferably cut out in the portioning capsule membrane by an automatic coffee maker. Preferably, with respect to the gravitational field, the air exhaust opening is located above the fluid inlet. As soon as the gas no longer exits the air vent, the air vent is used, preferably also for supplying liquid. Particularly preferably, the membrane of the portioned capsule has several fluid inlets and several air vents.

Preferably, an outlet is provided at the bottom of the portioned capsule, which may be located centrally or at a distance from the plane of symmetry. Through this opening, the prepared beverage flows out of a portion capsule.

According to a further or preferred subject of the present invention, an opening for venting air is provided at the bottom. This opening serves to remove air from the hollow space of the portioned capsule when fluid flows through it. Only a very small amount of the brewed beverage flows through this air vent, if at all. Preferably, this hole is made, preferably cuts in, in a portioned capsule only in an automatic coffee maker. Relative to the gravitational field of the Earth, the hole for removing air is located in the bottom of the capsule above the outlet.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

A further object of the present invention is a method for preparing a beverage in which liquid flows through a portion capsule, wherein the portion capsule must be opened in two places before flowing the liquid, and in which at least one opening is provided at a distance from the plane of symmetry of the portion capsule.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

Preferably, in particular in the membrane, several openings are provided which are provided asymmetrically with respect to a plane extending along the axial direction of the portioned capsule, in particular the plane of symmetry of the unopened portioned capsule.

The next subject of the invention is a method for preparing a beverage in which liquid flows through a portion capsule and in which a portion capsule is washed at a distance from the axially extending plane of symmetry of the unopened portion capsule.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

According to a preferred or further object of the present invention, the portioned capsule is washed asymmetrically at least in portions and at least occasionally with respect to at least one plane of symmetry of the unopened portioned capsule.

The embodiments made for this subject of the invention are equally valid for other objects of the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed herein may be combined with other objects of the present invention and vice versa.

Preferably, when the fluid flows through the capsule, the capsule is horizontal, that is, its central axis extends horizontally. The plane of symmetry mentioned above or below is preferably a plane of symmetry that extends at least substantially along the horizontal.

The next or preferred subject of this implementation is a method in which from the hollow space of the portioned capsule upon receipt of the liquid, at least partially air is removed through at least one opening. This hole may be in the membrane or at the bottom of a portioned capsule. Preferably, the air is removed at least periodically through both openings. Preferably, the air is removed through one or more openings that are not used for supplying liquid or draining the liquid.

The invention is further explained using figures 1-7. These explanations are indicative only and do not limit the general idea of the invention. These explanations are equally valid for all objects of this invention.

Figure 1-7 in each case shows the implementation of a portion capsule according to the invention or the method according to the invention in each case in two forms.

1 shows a first embodiment of a portion capsule 1 according to the invention. It has a main element 2, which in this case has the shape of a truncated cone. This main element has a hollow space 13, which is at least partially filled with raw materials for preparing a drink, which, for example, is extracted and / or dissolved. In the case of raw materials for the preparation of the drink, we are talking about finely ground coffee, which is extracted with hot water, and coffee or espresso is prepared from this. After the hollow space is filled with raw materials for preparing the beverage, it is preferably closed by a membrane, the membrane being welded or glued to the main element. The dose capsule according to the invention has a first plane 5, which extends in the axial direction of the dose capsule. In this case, we are talking about a horizontal plane 5, which in this case is also simultaneously a plane of symmetry, especially the plane of mirror symmetry of an unopened capsule. According to the invention, it is provided that the portioned capsule for preparing the beverage has an opening 4, which, first of all, is only performed when the portioned capsule 1 is in the corresponding coffee machine. The hole 4 is located at a distance from the plane of symmetry 5. As, first of all, you can see in the right image of figure 1, in the case of the hole 1 we are talking about two holes in the membrane, which in each case are located at a distance relative to the vertical plane of symmetry 6 of the unopened capsule, but mirror symmetric about the plane of symmetry 6. As can be further seen in the right image of FIG. 1, both openings 4 in the membrane are distributed asymmetrically in the membrane 3 with respect to the axially extending first symmetry plane 5 of the unopened capsule, that is, both openings relative to the symmetry plane 5 are in the lower part of the portioned capsule, the top remains unopened. As, first of all, you can see on the left side of figure 1, the capsule for the preparation of the drink should have another opening 9 in its bottom, which in this case is located in the center and which can be located at a distance from one of the planes 5 or 6. This the hole is primarily necessary for draining the prepared beverage. Preferably, the portioned capsule, as shown, is processed in a coffee machine, that is, its central axis is horizontal when the liquid flows through the portioned capsule.

Fig. 2 shows essentially the embodiment of the capsule according to Fig. 1, and in this case, a built-in element 7 is provided near the bottom. In the case of this built-in element, it is preferably a sieve or non-woven material, with which, first of all, it is prevented the ingress of parts of the raw material for the preparation of the beverage, for example finely ground coffee, into the consumed beverage. Preferably, element 7 is a nonwoven material that is preferably welded to the bottom of a portioned capsule. When opening a portioned capsule at the bottom, this non-woven material may be punctured.

Figure 3 shows essentially the implementation form according to figure 2, and here the capsule has another built-in element, which is provided next to the membrane 3 of the portioned capsule. In the case of this element, it is, for example, a liquid distributor or a retention element for the preparation of a beverage.

Figure 4 shows the following form of implementation of the present invention. First of all, you can refer to the implementation according to figures 1-3. However, in this case, a fluid supply means 10 is further illustrated, by which the fluid is supplied in the direction of the portioned capsule. In this case, we are talking about hot water, which is depicted by an arrow and is supplied at a distance from the plane of symmetry 5 of the portioned capsule. In this case, the fluid is supplied centered between the two holes 4 in the membrane 3 and then flows through the holes 4 into the capsule. There, finely ground coffee is extracted and the finished beverage leaves the portioned capsule through opening 9. The arrows shown indicate a possible flow pattern in the portioned capsule. You can clearly see that it is asymmetric with respect to the plane of symmetry 5. This embodiment has the advantage that the air that is in front of and / or inside the capsule is displaced from the capsule uniformly and in a predictable way. Alternatively or additionally, the minimum residence time of the liquid in the capsule is longer than that of a capsule whose membrane opens in the center and / or symmetrically.

Figure 5 shows essentially the form of implementation according to figure 4, and the capsule in this case, on the contrary, has a built-in element 7, here a sieve or non-woven material.

Figure 6 shows the following implementation form, which is made on the basis of the implementation form according to Fig.4 and Fig.5. In this case, the portioned capsule has another built-in element 7, for example a membrane or the like, which can serve as a distribution element, but which can also be destroyed by the supply of liquid, for example due to the created pressure, and thereby the liquid can flow into the behind membrane 8 hollow space of a portion capsule 1.

7 shows the following form of implementation of the present invention, and you can refer, but essentially, to the implementation according to figures 1-6. As, first of all, it can be seen from the right image of Fig. 7, four openings 4, 14 are provided in the membrane 3. Two of these openings 4 are provided for liquid inlet and two openings 14 are air discharge openings, from which, for example, air or other gases that are in the portioned capsule can escape, at least occasionally, from the portioned capsule when the portioned capsule is pricked and / or when liquid enters. Here, the holes 14 are located above the holes 4 relative to the gravitational field of the Earth. The removal of air is indicated by arrow 15. In this case, the holes 14 are located on the plane of symmetry 5 and symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry 6. The holes 4 for supplying liquid are located in this case in a vertical plane one above the other and asymmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry 5 of the unopened portioned capsule, and the means 10 for supplying liquid in this case are located in the same plane 6 as both holes 4, but between both openings 4. After the gas has escaped from the portioned capsule, the openings 14 can function as liquid inlet openings. From the left image of FIG. 7, it can be seen that, alternatively or additionally, the portioned capsule 1 may have a hole 16 in its bottom for removing air, which is preferably introduced into the portioned capsule by an automatic coffee maker. This hole 16 for removing air is provided in addition to the outlet 9 and is used to drain located prior to piercing in a portioned capsule of gas. With respect to the Earth’s gravitational field, the hole 16 is located above the hole 9. Preferably, the hole 9 relative to the Earth’s gravitational field is located above the holes 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 capsule

2 Main element

3 Membrane

4 Hole, tapping hole in the cover, fluid inlet

5 First plane, plane of symmetry, horizontal plane of symmetry

6 Second plane, plane of symmetry, vertical plane of symmetry

7 Built-in element, sieve

8 Built-in element, sieve

9 Hole, tapping hole in the cover, outlet

10 Means for supplying fluid

11 Direction of fluid flow

12 Axial direction

13 Hollow space

14 Hole, puncture hole in the cover, fluid inlet, air vent

15 Air discharge direction

16 Air vent.

Claims (12)

1. A portioned capsule (1) for preparing a beverage, which has a membrane (3) and a hollow space in which a raw material for the beverage is provided, moreover, several holes (4, 14) are made in the portioned capsule (1), including a supply opening (4) and an outlet (9), wherein the outlet (9) is formed in the bottom of the portioned capsule (1), and the membrane (3) has an inlet (4) and an opening (14) for removing air. 2. A portioned capsule according to claim 1, in the bottom of which an outlet (9) is provided in the center or at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 3. A portioned capsule (1) for preparing a beverage, which has a bottom and a hollow space in which raw materials for the beverage are provided, moreover, several holes (4, 14) are made in the portioned capsule (1), including a supply opening (4) and an outlet (9), wherein the inlet (4) is formed in the membrane (3) of the portioned capsule (1), and in the bottom of the portioned capsule (1), an outlet (9) and an opening (16) for removing air are provided. 4. A portioned capsule according to claim 3, in the bottom of which an outlet (9) is provided in the center or at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 5. A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the portioned capsule (1) is provided with an inlet (4), an outlet (9) and an opening (14) for removing air, and a membrane ((4) and an opening (14) for removing air are provided 3) a portioned capsule (1), wherein a fluid flows through the hollow space (13) of the portioned capsule (1), characterized in that from the hollow space (13) of the portioned capsule (1) when liquid (10) enters through the opening (14) for air removal, at least partially remove air. 6. The method according to claim 5, moreover, after the gas leaves the portioned capsule (1), the hole (14) for removing air acts as a hole for the inlet of the liquid. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the supply hole (4) or hole (14) for removing air is provided at a distance from the plane of symmetry (5, 6) of the portioned capsule (1). 8. The method according to claim 5, moreover, the hole (14) for removing air is provided above the inlet hole (4) relative to the gravitational field of the Earth. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the portioned capsule (1) is provided with two inlet openings (4) and two openings (14) for removing air, moreover, the openings (14) for removing air are located in a vertical plane one above the other. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the liquid (10) is supplied by means (10) for supplying a liquid that is located along a vertical plane between two holes (14) for removing air. 11. A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the membrane (3) of the portioned capsule (1) is provided with an inlet (4), and the bottom of the portioned chamber (1) has an outlet (9) and an additional hole (16) to remove air. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the additional hole (16) for removing air is performed relative to the gravitational field of the Earth above the outlet located in the bottom (9).

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