• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention describes a kit comprising: -a capsule (10) which can be filled by a consumer with beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-shaped basic body (1) and a lid element (11), the basic body and the lid element being such are pronounced that they can be mechanically connected by the consumer, preferably without the use of auxiliary means, in order to substantially avoid leakage of any filled into the capsule ingredients, wherein the base body has an opening (4) which by a flange-like edge (2a), and at least one sealing element (13), which is designed to be mechanically connected to the outer surface (14) of the capsule, wherein the sealing element is so pronounced that irregularities (30) in a suitable sealing surface ( 23a) of a cooperating with the sealing element of the capsule beverage preparation device can be compensated.
    公开号:AT12556U1
    申请号:TGM377/2010U
    申请日:2010-06-16
    公开日:2012-07-15
    发明作者:
    申请人:Nestec Sa；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Austrian Patent Office AT 12 556 Ul 2012-07-15
    description
    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    The present invention generally relates to the field of capsules containing portioned beverage ingredients. In particular, the invention describes a system for providing improved sealing properties of a fillable capsule for containing portioned beverage ingredients.
    The filling and the subsequent closing of such a capsule are preferably carried out not in a factory, but manually by a user.
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    Devices for beverage preparation by means of the injection of pressurized liquid into a capsule are well known, especially in the field of production of coffee or coffee-containing beverages. Furthermore, other food ingredients such as chocolate or dairy products may be included in the capsule. Interaction of these ingredients with liquid allows the production of a beverage, such as coffee, tea, or other foods, such as soup. The interaction may be, for example, an extraction process, a brewing process, a dissolution process, etc. Such a capsule is particularly suitable for containing ground coffee to produce a coffee beverage by the entry of pressurized water into the capsule and the escape of a coffee beverage from the capsule.
    The principle of the extraction process described in the prior art can be summarized as follows.
    A filled with beverage ingredients capsule is inserted into a designated chamber of the system in which water injection means are provided which allow injection of water into the capsule. Provided in the chamber are suitable opening means which create at least one opening in a first wall of the capsule. Accordingly, water entering the capsule through the opening in the first wall is caused to interact with the ingredients contained in the capsule during passage of the interior of the capsule, and is then caused to pass the capsule through at least one in a second one Wall of the capsule leaving the existing opening / perforation. As a result of the interaction between water and the ingredients in the capsule, a drink or other food can be produced.
    Filling or refillable capsules are known for these generally known devices, which generally consist of a base body with an opening and a fastenable lid for closing the opening. Accordingly, a user may fill a serving of a beverage ingredient, such as ground coffee, into the body of the capsule through said opening and close the capsule by attaching the lid to the body. In this case, the lid and / or the body may have preformed fluid channels or perforations, which allow the provision and / or the extraction of liquid or beverage from the capsule. In order to filter the beverage ingredients which interact with the provided liquid within the capsule, the lid or capsule body may comprise an integrally molded or additionally provided filter element. Said filter element also allows for an increase in pressure within the capsule during delivery of the fluid thereto and thus allows for improved interaction of liquid and beverage ingredients.
    In general, the lid of the capsule is connected to the capsule body by, for example, a press fit for facilitating connection of the capsule body and the lid after filling with beverage ingredients. Said interference fit, however, can lead to a defect in the seal of the capsule during the provision of liquid, especially when grains of the beverage ingredient between the joint surface of the capsule
    Press fit be included.
    Accordingly, the present invention generally aims to improve the quality of a beverage provided from a fillable capsule.
    In such a fillable capsule, the volume of beverage ingredients within the capsule is not pre-defined and can be selected by a consumer. In addition, the consumer can select different types of beverage ingredients, which for example have different grain characteristics, for provision in the capsule.
    However, since the degree of filling, the ingredients and the grain characteristics of the ingredients within the capsule for each beverage preparation with the capsule may vary, different pressure conditions, in particular a different pressure drop across the ingredient mass, occur during the provision of liquid in the capsule. For example, a compressed and large amount of finely ground coffee filled into the capsule can result in the generation of high flow resistance in the capsule, which can be prevented by making the capsule as dense as possible in the leaktight regions.
    Therefore, a flexible adaptation of the sealing properties of a capsule is sought, which allows a user to adjust the sealing properties in relation to the different degrees of filling and / or grain characteristics of the filled into the capsule beverage ingredients.
    In addition, it has been known that during the life cycle of a beverage making machine used in connection with the present invention, irregularities such as a slightly different closing force resulting from a bearing clearance or even small grooves or grooves in an associated enclosing element of such a device are present or can occur. However, this leads to a negative influence on the sealing properties of an associated enclosing element of the beverage preparation machine. In certain devices, irregularities, such as grooves, are present to reduce surface contact with the capsule upon release and to provide air inlets that facilitate removal of the capsule. Therefore, a solution is sought, if necessary, to compensate for these irregularities in order to improve an improved sealing of the capsule throughout the life cycle of such a device. The solution should also be flexible enough to prevent balance, if not necessary, to prevent excessive closing forces in the beverage preparation device which can damage the device and significantly reduce the lifetime.
    These objects are achieved by means of the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims further develop the central idea of the present invention.
    OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    In a first aspect, the present invention describes a kit, comprising: - a capsule, which can be filled by a consumer with beverage ingredients, wherein the capsule has a cup-shaped base body and a lid member, wherein the base body and the lid member are so pronounced that they can be mechanically connected by the consumer, preferably without the use of auxiliary means, so as to substantially avoid leakage of any ingredients filled in the capsule, the body having an opening bounded by a flange-like rim and at least one sealing element adapted to be mechanically connected to the outer surface of the capsule, the sealing element being shaped to compensate for irregularities in a mating sealing surface of a beverage preparation device cooperating with the sealing element of the capsule the. The sealing element according to the present invention may be provided separately from the capsule, and thus the sealing element and the capsule may be mounted by a user. If necessary, the sealing member may be mounted on the capsule to improve the sealing properties thereof.
    In the kit, the sealing element is an additional element which the user can only use in circumstances where the provision of improved sealing properties of the capsule is required, especially if the capsule is very filled with ingredients which produce a high pressure drop. (For example, compacted fine ground coffee) and / or if the device has irregularities or play due to its design or wear. In certain circumstances, where the balance would entail disadvantages, particularly if too great a closing force were to be generated, the sealing element of the kit is not placed on the capsule prior to beverage preparation.
    Various types of sealing elements can be provided to adjust the sealing properties of the capsule. Accordingly, a flexible adaptation of the sealing characteristic of a suitable capsule, which is used with a beverage preparation device, take place.
    Accordingly, if the sealing properties of the beverage preparation device or the sealing properties of an associated enclosing element of the beverage preparation beverage change over the lifetime of the appliance, for example due to wear, the sealing element can be selected to compensate for these altered sealing properties of the appliance, for example by adding a harder or softer sealing element or a sealing element with different shape. Accordingly, sealing elements of different shape and hardness or strength for the capsule may be provided to allow adaptation of the sealing properties thereof.
    Preferably, the kit comprises a sealing element, which has averages with respect to the hardness, thickness and a universal shape in order to limit the number of sealing elements.
    The advantage of such fillable capsules lies in the fact that a consumer can provide the capsule with its preferred beverage ingredient. Furthermore, the degree of filling or the volume of the beverage ingredient to be filled into the capsule can be selected individually by the consumer in order to meet his special taste preferences. In addition, the strength of the beverage can be adjusted by filling ground coffee of different milling characteristics into the capsule.
    By independently applicable sealing elements, it is a user allows the sealing properties depending on at least the different degrees of filling and / or grain characteristics of a provided in the capsule beverage ingredient to adjust.
    In addition, the sealing element allows a compensation of irregularities which are present on a mating surface of an enclosing element of an associated beverage preparation device. Accordingly, irregularities such as grooves, gaps or cracks (whether of design or wear type) can be effectively sealed by the sealing member. It is therefore possible to adapt the capsule for use with a wide variety of different beverage preparation devices.
    In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element produces a suitable compensation of the thickness, which serves to increase the closing force of the flange-like edge of the base body against the cover element when the sealing element is mounted on the capsule and is enclosed by a suitable enclosing element of a beverage preparation device ,
    The sealing element according to the present invention is preferably designed to provide a compensation to generate a Anpresskrafterhöhung between a flat surface of the base body and a flat surface of the lid member, in order to maximize the closure of the capsule when the sealing element is placed on the capsule and enclosed by an enclosing element of a beverage preparation device.
    In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element, in plan view, above the flange-like edge of the base body and at least a portion of the lid is arranged. As a result, the contours of the sealing element overlap in plan view with the contours of the flange-like edge of the base body and a region of the cover element.
    Thus, in a side cross-sectional view, a sandwiched structure of the seal member, the flange-like edge of the body and a portion of the lid member is achieved. Accordingly, a compression force is exerted on the edge of the body and the area of the lid by the encircling member pressing on the sealing member to allow an impermeable sealing connection of the capsule to the beverage preparation apparatus.
    In a preferred embodiment, the capsule is made of plastic, such as PP polypropylene. However, the capsule main body and the lid member may also be formed of metal such as aluminum by means of a deep drawing process.
    The lid member and / or the bottom portion of the cup-shaped body may be thinned to facilitate piercing by means of associated piercing means for supplying liquid to the capsule or for extracting a beverage. Preferably, the lid member and / or the bottom portion of the cup-shaped body comprises perforations (i.e., small openings). Accordingly, the delivery and / or extraction to / from the capsule is enabled.
    The lid may also be a flexible planar membrane, for example aluminum, which is pierced only by the extraction liquid against piercing means of a beverage preparation device.
    The sealing element is preferably made of solid material and / or deformable material. The sealing element may also be a hollow element or an element made of solid material with gas inclusions.
    The sealing element is preferably made of plastic, rubber, paper, cardboard or silicone.
    Alternatively, the sealing member may also be applied to the capsule in a non-solid state, such as viscous or liquid, to cure or cure after it has been applied to the capsule.
    Accordingly, a sealing compound can be applied to the transition between the side wall and the flange-like edge region of the capsule body, so that a watertight seal is achieved at this transition.
    In general, the application of the sealant mixture can take place before or after filling the capsule with beverage ingredients. If the application of the sealant mixture occurs prior to filling the capsule, the user preferably has to wait until the sealant mixture has cured so that contact of the sealant mixture and beverage ingredients is prevented for sanitary reasons.
    The sealant mixture is preferably a compliant rubber elastic material selected from elastomers, silicones, plastic, latex, balata or others. The sealant mixture is preferably transparent.
    The hardness of the applied sealing material in its cured state is preferably between 20 and 60 Shore A hardness, more preferably between 20 and 40 Shore A hardness. The sealing element has in lateral cross-sectional view preferably a 0 or L-shaped cross-sectional area. According to this embodiment, an effective seal of the capsule with a minimum amount of sealing material is achievable. However, the sealing member may have a variety of different cross-sectional areas to accommodate specific needs for sealing characteristics of the capsule with different beverage preparation devices.
    The kit preferably has a filter element which is inserted between the ingredients and the lid member. In this case, the filter element may be a firmly connected to the cover element element or an additional element which can be attached by a user individually to the cover element. The filter can be inserted into a seat of the cover element, which is bounded by an annular region of the cover element.
    Accordingly, the capsule to be used with a beverage preparation device can be equipped with different types of filter elements, whereby at least the pore size and / or thickness of the filter element can be adapted to a specific type of beverage ingredient to be filled into the capsule. As a result, the extraction characteristic during beverage preparation can be additionally regulated by a user.
    In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element is pronounced to be spaced from the outer periphery of the flange-like edge of the body and arranged radially inwardly.
    Furthermore, the sealing element is preferably designed to be positioned on the flange-like edge in a region adjacent to the side wall of the cup-shaped base body.
    Preferably, the sealing element is circumferentially arranged in a continuous manner around the cup-shaped base body. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the sealing element is preferably the same size over the entire circumference of the cup-shaped base body. However, the cross-sectional area of the sealing element may also vary over the circumference of the sealing element to adapt the sealing element to specific embodiments of an associated enclosing element of a beverage preparation device.
    In a further aspect, the present invention describes a beverage preparation system comprising a kit as described above and a beverage preparation machine adapted to receive the capsule in a brewing chamber, the brewing chamber being at least partially surrounded by a capsule enclosing member having an irregularity end face , such as grooves, is defined, wherein the end face of the enclosing member cooperates with a sealing member of the capsule once it has been applied to the outer side of the capsule.
    In a further aspect, the present invention describes a sealing member adapted to be connected to a capsule enclosure member of a beverage preparation apparatus to seal existing radially oriented grooves in the end face of the enclosure member.
    In another aspect, the present invention describes a beverage preparation kit comprising: a sealing element, preferably of plastic, rubber, paper, cardboard or silicone, a capsule to be filled with beverage ingredients, and [0050] the brewing chamber is at least partially defined by a capsule enclosing element which has an end face with irregularities, such as, for example, a capsule encircling element which is designed to receive the capsule in a brewing chamber For example, radially oriented grooves, which are to be sealed by the sealing element.
    The kit described allows effective cooperation between a capsule according to the present invention and an associated beverage preparation device, which is pronounced to provide a heated and pressurized liquid inside the capsule. According to the invention, a drink can be prepared with a beverage preparation device without leaking the capsule. In addition, the sealing characteristics of the capsule can be specifically adjusted with regard to the beverage preparation device to be used, the flow rate through the capsule and / or the pressure drop across the ingredient mass which is in the capsule.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings.
    1a and 1b show a fillable capsule according to the present invention in a lateral cross-sectional view.
    2a-2d show preferred embodiments of a sealing element according to the present invention in a lateral cross-sectional view.
    FIGS. 3a and 3b show preferred embodiments of the capsule with attached sealing element in a lateral cross-sectional view.
    Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the beverage preparation device, comprising an enclosing element, suitable for enclosing the capsule according to the present invention to enable a beverage preparation.
    FIG. 5 shows the interaction of the sealing element applied to the capsule and an associated enclosing element of a beverage preparation device.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
    The capsule 10 has, as shown in Figure 1, preferably a frusto-conical base body 1, which has an opening 4 on an outlet side of the capsule, opposite the inlet side 3. The base body 1 thus forms an ingredient chamber 5, which can be filled, for example, with ground coffee or tea. The basic body 1 preferably also has an edge region 2 a, which is arranged around the opening 4 of the main body 1.
    To enclose the ingredients located in the ingredients 5 ingredients, a lid member 11 is provided, which can be connected to the base body 1. For this, the cover element 11 may have a joint 8, which connects the base body 1 and the cover element 11, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. However, the lid member 11 may also be formed as a separate element, which is individually connectable to the base body 1 to close the opening 4 and thus to include the beverage ingredients in the ingredient chamber 5.
    The cover element 11 is preferably shaped to be complementary to the opening 4 and the edge region 2 a of the main body 1. Accordingly, the lid member 11 preferably has an annular flat outer surface 6 and a projecting annular portion 9 formed to cooperate with the inner side 7b of the main body 1 in the connected state. An outer edge region 2b is arranged peripherally to the annular region 9.
    The capsule is integrally formed, which can be achieved by a plastic injection molding process, for example, in such a way that the flange-like edge 2a, the connecting joint 8 and the edge region 2b of Lids are arranged in a common plane.
    E in a central portion of the outer surface 6 may be thinned to allow opening of this surface 6 by means of associated opening means of a beverage preparation device used in connection with the capsule 10. The outer surface 6 may also have perforations or small openings to allow for the provision of the beverage through the capsule after the injection of liquid through the inlet surface 3 of the capsule 10.
    In the open state of the capsule 10, as shown in Figure 1a, a user may fill beverage ingredients, such as ground coffee, into the ingredient chamber 5 through the opening 4. Thereafter, the user can close the opening 4 by means of the lid member 11, as shown in Figure 1b.
    In a preferred embodiment, an additional filter element 12 is provided, for example, a piece of filter paper, which is arranged in a central region 16 of the lid member 11, surrounded by the protruding annular portion 9, as shown in Figure 1b. The filter element can be provided as an element which is fixedly connected to the cover element 11 or as an additional element which can be individually connected by a consumer to the cover element 11.
    During the closing of the opening 4, for example, by a pivotal movement of the lid member 11 about a hinge 8, a press fitting is created between the outer peripheral surface 7a of the lid member 11 and the inner peripheral surface 7b of the capsule body. Accordingly, the edge region 2a of the main body 1 and the preferably correspondingly shaped edge portion 2b of the lid member 11 are aligned adjacent and adjacent to each other in lateral cross-sectional view, as shown in Figure 1b.
    The inlet side 3 of the capsule 10 may be thinned such that an inlet sample, such as an injection needle, may penetrate the inlet side 3 to inject pressurized fluid into the capsule 10. The inlet side 3 may also be provided with small openings (not shown) to facilitate the piercing or cutting of the liquid inlets in the plastic wall of the capsule by perforating means, such as cutters associated with the appliance.
    Figures 2a to 2d show preferred embodiments of a sealing element according to the present invention in a lateral cross-sectional view. The sealing element is preferably provided in addition to the capsule base body 1 and the cover element 11. The sealing element may have various shapes in order to influence the sealing characteristic of the capsule 10 when it is made available to an associated beverage preparation device.
    As shown in Figure 2a, the sealing member 13 according to the present invention may have a circular cross-section. The outer diameter d1 and the inner diameter d2 of the seal member 13 may be adapted to be placed on the circumference of the main body 1. In this case, the inner diameter d2 is preferably designed such that a tight fit between the sealing element 13 and the outer side 14 of the capsule main body 1 (see also FIGS. 3a and 3b) is made possible.
    In particular, the diameter d2 of the sealing element in the initial state may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the base body at the transition between the peripheral surface 14 and the flange-like edge 2a. Accordingly, the sealing element has to be extended slightly and, due to its elasticity, allows a tight fit around the capsule.
    Preferably, the outer diameter d2 is between 2 and 10% larger, more preferably between 3 and 6% larger, than the inner diameter d1. The inner diameter is preferably between 25 and 32 mm, more preferably between 28 and 30 mm. Reference number d3 describes the diameter of the cross-sectional area of the sealing element 13. The diameter d3 is preferably between 0.8 and 2 mm.
    The specific values of the inner and outer diameters d2, d1 and the diameter of the cross section d3 may vary for a particular type of sealing element to allow provision of sealing elements that provide different sealing characteristics when connected to the capsule 10. Accordingly, a seal kit may be provided to a customer having at least one seal member. The kit may comprise different sealing elements which vary in their shape and dimensions to provide a refillable capsule 10 with different sealing characteristics. Accordingly, the seal characteristic of the capsule during beverage preparation may be adjusted with an associated machine with respect to the particular machine, the amount of beverage ingredients within the capsule, and / or the grain characteristics of the beverage ingredients within the capsule.
    The sealing member 13 is preferably made of one of the following materials: rubber, paper or soft plastic. Furthermore, the sealing element may also be a multilayer component which has more than one of the materials listed above.
    In order to provide a selection of different sealing elements, which allow the adaptation of the sealing characteristic, the sealing elements 13 may also vary in their hardness and / or density.
    FIG. 2b shows a sealing element according to the present invention, which has an L-shaped cross-sectional area.
    The dimensions of the heights h, h1 and h2 shown in the figure as well as the dimension of the width t of the sealing element 13, as shown in the figures, can be specially adapted to a predefined force on the edge regions 2a, 2b and the side wall portions 7a, 7b of the capsule main body 1 and the lid member 11 during the beverage preparation in an associated device apply.
    FIG. 2 c describes a sealing element which has a quadrangular or rectangular cross-sectional area. As already described, the dimensions for the height h and width t of the sealing element, as shown in the figure, can be adapted to exert a predefined sealing force on the base body 1 and the cover element 11 by the enclosing element 23 of the beverage preparation device.
    In principle (for all the preceding embodiments), the height h of the non-compressed sealing element 13 is preferably between 0.8 and 2 mm. In the compressed state of the sealing element, the height h or diameter d3 is preferably between 0.2 and 1 mm and the width t between 0.5 and 2.5 mm.
    As shown in Figure 2d, the sealing element may also have a different polygonal shape. For example, the sealing member 13 may have a generally rectangular shape having a recess to allow predefined deformation of the sealing member during pressurization by an associated enclosing member of the beverage preparation apparatus.
    As shown in FIG. 2d, the recess may, for example, be a beveled region 17a, which is preferably positioned adjacent to the capsule body 1 or the edge region 2a thereof. The beveled portion 17a may cause a predefined deformation of the sealing member 13 during encapsulation of the capsule 10 within the beverage preparation apparatus. Accordingly, the sealing member 13 may deform and thus force exerted by the enclosing member may be directed specifically to predefined portions of the edge portions 2a, 2b and / or to the sidewall portions 7a, 7b of the capsule body 1 and the lid member 11.
    The sealing element 13 is preferably made of solid material. In addition, the sealing element 13 can be at least partially hollow. In this case, air or gas inclusions 17b may be present within the sealing element 13. As a result, the flexibility of the seal member 13 can be adjusted. In addition, the expansion behavior of the sealing element in the application of pressure, for example by the enclosing element 23 of an associated beverage preparation device, further adapted. In addition, different sizes of the gas inclusions in the material of the sealing element different degrees of material sealing can be achieved without the outer shape of the sealing region is changed.
    Thus, different sealing elements can be provided within the kit according to the present invention, which have the same external shape and design, but which are provided with air pockets of different numbers and sizes to influence the sealing properties of the sealing areas.
    As already described with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c, the height h of the sealing element 13 in the compressed state is preferably between 0.2 and 1 mm and the width t is preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 mm.
    Figures 3a and 3b show preferred embodiments of the capsule 10 according to the present invention with attached sealing element 13 in a side sectional view. As shown by the arrows A, the consumer presses only the sealing element 13 against the edge region 2a of the capsule body 1. The inner diameter d2 (see Figures 2a -2d) of the sealing element 13 is preferably formed to a close assembly of the sealing element 13 and the outer peripheral surface 14 of the capsule 10 to allow.
    As can be seen from these figures, the sealing element 13 is preferably pronounced to be positioned at the junction of the edge portion 2a of the capsule and the side wall portion 14 of the capsule body. Thus, the sealing member 13 does not necessarily have to be shaped so as to cover the whole surface of the peripheral portion 2a of the capsule. This is particularly advantageous as sealing material can be saved because the sealing element is applied only to the portion of the capsule 10 which is most critical in sealing the capsule.
    Figure 4 shows a state in which the capsule 10 according to the present invention has been used an associated beverage preparation machine suitable for use with the capsule according to the present invention. In this case, the capsule 10 is provided with a sealing element 13 according to the present invention. In addition, the interior of the capsule 10 was filled with a portion of beverage ingredients 21 before the ingredients 21 were enclosed by means of the lid member 11. Furthermore, a flat filter element 12 was attached to a central portion 16 of the lid member 11.
    The beverage ingredients 21 within the capsule 10 are selected so that a beverage can be prepared when liquid enters the region of the inlet side 3 of the capsule 10 and interacts with the ingredients. Preferred ingredients include, for example, ground coffee, tea, or any other ingredients from which a beverage or other liquid or viscous food (eg, soup) may be produced.
    As shown in Figure 4, the lid member 11 of the capsule 10 is placed on a capsule holder 20 of the beverage preparation machine. The base body 1 of the capsule 10 is already partially surrounded by the surrounding wall 24 of the enclosing element 23 of the beverage preparation device. The enclosing element 23 shown has the shape of a bell. However, other shapes are feasible in which the shape of the inner contours (recess) of the enclosing element 23 are generally adapted to correspond substantially to the contours of the capsule 10.
    The enclosing member 23 may include an external thread 26 for attaching the enclosing member in a beverage maker and a water inlet port 27 for supplying liquid, such as hot pressurized water to a water injector. US Pat 28, which is removably attached (screwed) to the enclosing element 23.
    It should be noted that the thread 26 is only one example of connecting means and therefore any other releasable or permanent connection means can be used to connect the enclosing element 23 to a beverage preparation device.
    The other components of the beverage preparation device, such as the mechanism to move the enclosure member 23 and possibly also the capsule holder 20, are known in the art of capsule based espresso machines in the art.
    The water injector 28 may be equipped with a needle or nozzle member (not shown) for drilling water inlets into the body of the capsule 10.
    Further, the water injector 28 preferably has opening means 29 for opening a surface of the capsule 1. Such an opening means 29 may be, for example, a perforating member such as a blade, a needle, etc., which is formed to produce an opening in an inlet surface 3 of the capsule 10, when the capsule holder 20 and the enclosing member 23, for example, by a manually controlled or automatic mechanism towards each other. Accordingly, liquid, such as water, may be directed into the interior of the capsule 10 when the perforating member 29 projects into the interior of the capsule.
    As shown in Fig. 4, the encircling member 23 and particularly the end face or fitting surface 23a, which is adapted to press against the capsule holder 20 to allow encapsulation of the capsule 10 within the brewing chamber 31, may be irregular , such as radially pronounced grooves. These irregularities 30 may be present on the entire circumference, as shown in FIG. 4, or only in subregions thereof. For example, a plurality of radial grooves (which form potential air and / or liquid passages if they are not compensated by the sealing member) are distributed on the mating face 23a at regular intervals on the circumference. The irregularities may arise due to wear during the life cycle of the beverage preparation machine.
    Furthermore, the irregularities may constitute release means for releasing the capsule after injection of liquid. These release means 30 prevent a "vacuum effect" when the capsule 10 is to be released after it has been enclosed by the enclosure member 23 and the capsule holder. The material of the enclosure member 23 is preferably selected to reduce the friction and / or sticking of the capsule. Accordingly, in the opening of the capsule holder 20, the risk of the capsule 10, instead of falling down, remaining sucked in the enclosing member 23 due to the vacuum effect, can be prevented. Preferably, the release means 30 are openings or recesses provided on the periphery of the lower edge 23a of the encircling member 23, so that air can pass in the space between the inlet surface 3 and the sidewall portions 14 of the capsule 10 and the inner wall 23b of the encircling member 23.
    FIG. 5 shows the interaction of the sealing element 13 applied to the transition between edge region 2 a and side wall region 14 of the capsule 10 with an enclosing element 23 of a beverage preparation device.
    As shown in Fig. 5, the sealing member 13 mounted on the capsule 10 is compressible. Accordingly, a lower edge 23a of the enclosing member 23 is pressed against the sealing member 13 and thus against the edge portions 2a, 2b of the capsule when the enclosing member 23 and the capsule holder 20 (see Fig. 4) are brought into a position for enclosing the capsule 10. At this time, the transition portion 23c of the lower edge 23a and the inner wall 23b of the seal member 23 are preferably formed into a round shape, as shown in FIG. However, the transition section 23c may also be bevelled 10/17 Austrian Patent Office AT12 556U1 2012-07-15.
    As shown in the figure, the seal member 13, the edge portion 2a of the capsule body 1, and the edge portion 2b of the lid member 11 are positioned in a sandwiched relationship in a side cross-sectional view. As a result, portions 2a, 2b are pressed against the capsule holder 20 due to a compressive force exerted on the sealing member 13 by the lower edge 23a of the enclosing member 23 to allow sealing of the capsule. At this time, the closing force of the enclosing member 23 is improved by the seal member 13 which provides the annular thickness of the peripheral portion of the capsule to be enclosed by the enclosing member 23, even if granules of a beverage ingredient 21 are present on the rim portion 2a, 2b, so that effective sealing of the capsule Capsule 1 and the lid member 11 is achieved.
    In addition, by the compression force exerted by the enclosing member 23, the sealing member 13 is compressed, preferably, a force acts in the direction of the transition between the edge portion 2a and the side wall portion 14 of the capsule 10 (arrow B). Accordingly, not only the edge portions 2a, 2b are pressed to each other, but also the side wall portions 14 and 7a of the capsule 10 and the lid member 11. Accordingly, the sealing of the capsule 10 and the lid member 11 is further improved. In this case, the sealing element 13 may in particular be shaped such that a provision and / or redirection of closing or compressive forces of the enclosing element 13 to predefined regions of the edge regions 2a, 2b and / or the side wall regions 7a, 7b, 14 of the capsule 10 will be possible.
    As shown in Figure 5, the sealing member 13 allows in the closed state of the enclosing member 23, the sealing of the irregularities 30, which are located at the lower edge 23 a of the enclosing member 23. In particular, by the compression of the seal member 13, irregularities such as grooves or recesses can be effectively covered in the enclosing member 23, thereby achieving an effective seal. Accordingly, no liquid can bypass the capsule 10 through the grooves or recesses 30.
    When water is injected into the capsule 1 through the injector 28 (see Figure 4), pressurized fluid may be present between the inner wall 23b of the containment member 23 and the sidewall portion 14 of the capsule 10, as indicated by arrow P. , However, the cooperation between the lower edge 23a and the sealing element 13 of the capsule 10 prevents the pressurized liquid from bypassing the capsule 10.
    Bypassing is avoided at the interface of the capsule in the direction of the arrow P and the encircling element 23, but also between the flanges 2a, 2b of the capsule itself, for pressurized liquid contained in the capsule. Accordingly, effective sealing of the capsule 10 is achieved during the beverage preparation process.
    During the shown closed pressure interaction of the enclosing element 23, the capsule holder 20 and the capsule 10, a build-up of pressure within the capsule occurs due to water entering the capsule 10 through an inlet surface 3. Accordingly, it is possible for water entering the capsule to interact with the provided beverage ingredients 21 to form a liquid food. In this case, before the beverage leaves the capsule 10 through the perforations 25 of the capsule 10, the beverage is filtered through the filter element 12 present within the capsule 10. Thereby, any solid substances of the beverage ingredients, such as granules or leaves, can be retained within the capsule. In this case, through the sealing element 13 in the capsule existing liquid flow only through the capsule, but not on the outside thereof. As a result, effective sealing of the capsule 10 is possible.
    Although the present invention with reference to preferred embodiments 11/17
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1]
    Austrian Patent Office AT 12 556 Ul 2012-07-15 many possibilities and modifications by a person skilled in the art are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the invention will be described with reference to a particular type of capsule, i. a type in which the capsule has a cylindrical or frusto-conical capsule body and a lid member connected thereto by a hinge to close the capsule body. However, it is understood that other types of capsule can be realized. Generally, a capsule according to the present invention has at least two opposing wall elements which are joined together to form a sealed flange-like edge region and thus to enclose a predefined chamber inside the capsule. Claims 1. A kit, comprising: - a capsule (10) which can be filled by a consumer with beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-shaped base body (1) and a lid element (11), wherein the base body (1) and the Cover element (11) are so pronounced that they can be mechanically connected, preferably without the use of tools, by the consumer in order to substantially avoid leakage of any filled into the capsule ingredients, wherein the base body (1) has an opening (4 ) defined by a flange-like rim (2a), and - at least one sealing element (13) adapted to be mechanically connected to the outer surface (14) of the capsule, the sealing element (11) being so pronounced in that irregularities (30) are compensated in a suitable sealing surface (23a) of a beverage preparation device cooperating with the sealing element of the capsule s.
    [2]
    2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element (11) is an additional element and is selectively placed on the capsule.
    [3]
    3. The kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member (11) is adapted to press the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1) against the lid member (11) while the sealing member (13) arranged on the capsule is and is enclosed by a Umschließungselement (23) of a beverage preparation device.
    [4]
    The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing member (13) is adapted to press a flat surface (7b) of the base body (1) against a flat surface (7a) of the lid member (11) Capsule (10) shut off when the sealing element is arranged on the capsule and is enclosed by the enclosing element (23) of a beverage preparation device.
    [5]
    5. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) in plan view above the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1) and a portion of the lid (11) is arranged.
    [6]
    6. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is a hollow member and / or is formed of a deformable material.
    [7]
    The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule is molded from plastic.
    [8]
    8. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (13) and / or the bottom region of the cup-shaped base body (1) are perforated. 12/17 Austrian Patent Office AT12 556U1 2012-07-15
    [9]
    The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the kit further comprises a filter (12) to be inserted between the ingredients (21) and the lid member (11).
    [10]
    The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member (13) is adapted to be spaced away from and radially inwardly offset with respect to the outer boundary surface (15) of the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1).
    [11]
    11. The kit according to claim 10, wherein the sealing element (13) is designed to be arranged on the flange-like edge (2a) in a region adjacent to the side wall (14) of the cup-shaped basic body (1).
    [12]
    12. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) made of plastic, rubber, paper, cardboard or silicone.
    [13]
    13. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is present in a non-solid, for example in a viscous or liquid state, to be cured or cured after application to the capsule.
    [14]
    A beverage preparation system comprising a kit according to any one of the preceding claims, and a beverage preparation machine adapted to receive the capsule (10) in a brewing chamber (31), the brewing chamber being at least partially enclosed by a capsule enclosing element (23) having an end face (23). 23a) is defined with irregularities (30); wherein the end face of the enclosing element cooperates with the sealing element (13) as soon as it has been applied to the outer side (14) of the capsule (10).
    [15]
    A beverage preparation system according to claim 14, wherein the irregularities (30) in a suitable sealing surface of a beverage preparation device are radially oriented grooves.
    [16]
    16. A sealing member, the size and material of which is adapted to be connected to a capsule enclosing member (23) of a beverage maker to effectively seal existing radially oriented grooves (30) in the end face (23a) of the enclosing member.
    [17]
    17. A beverage preparation kit, comprising: - a sealing element (13) according to claim 12, - a capsule (10) to be filled with beverage ingredients, and - a beverage preparation machine designed to receive the capsule (10) in a brewing chamber (31) wherein the brewing chamber (31) is at least partially defined by a capsule enclosing member (23) having an end face with irregularities (30), such as radially oriented grooves, to be sealed by the sealing member. 4 sheets of drawings 13/17
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    FR2947442B3|2011-05-27|
    FR2947442A3|2011-01-07|
    DE202009009125U1|2010-09-09|
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    US20070186779A1|2006-02-15|2007-08-16|Fung Kam F|Re-usable beverage maker filter container and method of use|
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    WO2021246887A1|2020-06-04|2021-12-09|Weadd, Lda.|Beverage preparation systems and processes, including portion holder with enhanced retention and operatio|
    WO2021246889A1|2020-06-04|2021-12-09|Weadd, Lda|Beverage preparation systems and processes, including portion holder with enhanced single portion|
    WO2021246888A1|2020-06-04|2021-12-09|Weadd, Lda.|Beverage preparation systems and processes, including portion holder with enhanced sealing and closure|
    法律状态:
    2019-11-15| PC| Change of the owner|Owner name: SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A., CH Effective date: 20190918 |
    2020-08-15| MK07| Expiry|Effective date: 20200630 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DE202009009125U|DE202009009125U1|2009-07-02|2009-07-02|Kit for improving the sealing properties of a fillable capsule|
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