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    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention describes a capsule which can be filled by a consumer with beverage ingredients, wherein the capsule has a cup-shaped base body (1) and a cover element (11), - wherein the base body (1) and the lid member (11) are so pronounced in that they can be mechanically connected by the consumer, preferably without the use of auxiliary means, so as to substantially prevent leakage of any ingredients filled in the capsule, the base body (1) having an opening (14) which passes through one wherein the base body (1) of the capsule has a sealing element (13), wherein the sealing element (13) is so pronounced that any irregularities (30) in a mating sealing surface (23a) with the sealing element (13) the capsule cooperating beverage preparation device can be compensated.
    公开号:AT13032U1
    申请号:TGM376/2010U
    申请日:2010-06-16
    公开日:2013-04-15
    发明作者:
    申请人:Nestec Sa；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Austrian Patent Office AT 13 032 U1 2013-04-15
    description
    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    The present invention is generally associated with the field of capsules for containing portioned beverage ingredients. In particular, the present invention describes a capsule with improved sealing properties.
    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.
    However, the known capsules are filled with a predefined amount of beverage ingredients. In addition, only predetermined types of beverage ingredients can be purchased by a consumer, which limits the choice of which beverage to prepare with the appliance.
    For this reason, a consumer-to-be-filled capsule is sought, which allows the consumer to provide the capsule without any difficulty with any selection of beverage ingredients. In this case, the consumer can at least select or independently adjust the degree of filling, the ingredients and the grain characteristics of the ingredients in the capsule. Accordingly, the consumer can prepare a drink that best suits his taste.
    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.
    The present invention therefore seeks to provide improved sealing properties for such a capsule to compensate for different types of pressure drops within the capsule and thus to enable effective sealing of the capsule during beverage preparation.
    In addition, it has been known that during the life cycle of a beverage making machine used in conjunction with such a capsule, irregularities such as a slightly different closing force resulting from a bearing clearance or even small grooves or grooves are present in an associated enclosing element of such a device or can occur. Furthermore, irregularities may also be intentionally present to facilitate ejection of the capsule from the beverage preparation machine and / or to improve the distribution of force on the capsule and to reduce the required closing force of the capsule enclosure. This can not be easily foreseen by the user and causes the sealing properties of an associated enclosing element of the beverage preparation machine to be adversely affected in some way.
    It is therefore searched for a device to solve these problems.
    In particular, the solution of the present invention provides a suitable seal compensation to account for the differences in flow resistance in the capsule, but also to compensate for the irregularities and / or to adapt to different forms of machinery.
    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 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, preferably without the use of tools by which consumers can be mechanically connected to substantially prevent the leakage of any ingredient filled into the capsule, the body having an opening delimited by a flange-like rim, the body of the capsule having a sealing element wherein the sealing member is shaped to compensate for any irregularities in a mating sealing surface of a beverage maker cooperating with the sealing member of the capsule.
    According to the invention, a consumer may fill a portion of a beverage ingredient such as ground coffee into the body of the capsule through the opening and close the capsule by attaching the lid member to the body. The cover element is preferably fastened to the capsule main body by a hinge. However, the lid member may also be an additional element which can be attached to the main body of the capsule. To facilitate filtering of the beverage ingredients that interact with liquid provided in the capsule, the lid member of the capsule body may have an integrally molded or additionally provided filter element. This filter element also allows for the increase in pressure within the capsule during liquid delivery thereto, thereby allowing for improved interaction between liquid and beverage ingredients.
    Preferably, the lid member of the capsule is connected to the capsule main body by means of an interference fit to facilitate the connection of the capsule main body and the lid member after filling with beverage ingredients.
    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.
    The sealing element according to the present invention allows for 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 (regardless of whether it is due to design or wear) can be effectively sealed by the sealing element. It is therefore possible to adapt the capsule for use with a wide variety of different beverage preparation devices. In addition, the capsule according to the present invention allows an effective seal even in the case of signs of wear such as increased bearing clearance. As a result, the capsule can be used without leaking 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 ,
    Preferably, the sealing element is an integral element of the capsule body. However, the sealing element may also be a separate element which is to be mounted on the body of the capsule by a consumer.
    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 to maximize the closing of the capsule, when the sealing member on the capsule is arranged and enclosed by a Umschließungsselement 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 construction of the sealing member, the flange-like edge of the main 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 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 part of the cup-shaped body may be diluted to facilitate piercing by means of associated piercing means for supplying liquid to the capsule or for the extraction of 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 element may also be a component which is applied to the capsule in a non-solid state, such as viscous or liquid, to cure or cure after it has was 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.
    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.
    In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element preferably has an o- 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.
    Preferably, the capsule comprises a filter element which is inserted between the ingredients and the lid member. In this case, the filter element can be a firmly connected to the lid member element or an additional element which can be attached by the consumer individually to the lid member. 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 the 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 regulated by the consumer.
    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 capsule with a cup-shaped capsule body and a lid member, and a beverage preparation machine adapted to receive the capsule in a brewing chamber, the brewing chamber being at least partially encapsulated by a capsule enclosing member having irregularities such as grooves, is defined, wherein the end face of the enclosing member cooperates with a sealing element of the capsule.
    The described capsule allows effective interaction with an associated beverage preparation device which is pronounced to provide a heated and pressurized liquid inside the capsule. According to the invention, a 4/17 Austrian Patent Office AT13 032U1 2013-04-15
    Be prepared with a beverage preparation device without leakage of 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.
    Figs. 2a-2d Fig. 3a and 3b Fig. 4a and 4b Fig. 5 Fig. 6a and 1b show a refillable capsule according to Figs present invention in lateral cross-sectional view. show preferred embodiments of a sealing element according to the present invention in side cross-sectional view. show preferred embodiments of the capsule with attached sealing element in lateral cross-sectional view. show further preferred embodiments of the capsule having a closing mechanism in lateral cross-sectional view. shows a preferred embodiment of the beverage preparation device comprising a containment element suitable for enclosing the capsule according to the present invention to enable a beverage preparation. shows the cooperation of the sealing element of the capsule and an associated enclosing element of a beverage preparation device.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
    The capsule 10 according to the present invention as shown in Figure 1 preferably has 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 preferably formed in one piece, which can be achieved by a plastic injection molding, for example, in such a way that the flange-like edge 2a, the connecting joint 8 and the edge portion 2b of the lid are arranged in a common plane.
    A central portion of the outer surface 6 may be thinned to permit opening of this surface 6 by means of associated opening means of a beverage preparation device used in conjunction with the capsule 10 enable. 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.
    The capsule 10 further comprises a sealing element 13, which is preferably arranged at the transition of the edge region 2a of the capsule and the outer surface 14. The sealing member 13 may be formed integrally with the main body 1. Alternatively, the sealing element 13 may be formed as a separate element, which may be attached to the base body 1 by a consumer.
    In the open state of the capsule 10, as shown in Figure 1a, a consumer may fill beverage ingredients such as ground coffee into the ingredient chamber 5 through the opening 4. Thereafter, the consumer 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 1 b. 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 to the cover element 11 by a consumer.
    During the closing of the opening 4, for example, by a pivoting movement of the lid member 11 about a hinge 8, a press fitting between the outer peripheral surface 7a of the lid member 11 and the inner peripheral surface 7b of the capsule body is generated. 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.
    In addition, the outer surface 7 b of the annular portion 9 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 7 a of the main body 1. In this case, the dimensions of the annular region 9 are preferably such that a press-fit of the cover element 11 will enable the connection to the main body 1.
    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 fluid inlets in the plastic wall of the capsule by perforating means such as cutting edges associated with the device.
    Figures 2a to 2d show preferred embodiments of a sealing element according to the present invention in lateral cross-sectional view in the case in which the sealing element is provided as a separate element to the capsule 10.
    The sealing element may have various shapes in order to influence the sealing characteristic of the capsule 10 when it is provided 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 circumference 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 which 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 and 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 on the sidewall regions 7a , 7b of the capsule body 1 and the lid member 11 during the beverage preparation in an associated device.
    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 can be adapted as shown in the figure in order 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 different polygonal shapes. 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. 2 d, the recess may, for example, be a bevelled area 17 a, which is preferably positioned adjacent to the capsule body 1 or the edge area 2 a thereof. The chamfered area 17a can cause a predefined deformation of the sealing element 13 during enclosure of the capsule 10 within the beverage preparation device. 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 may 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 only has to press the separate sealing element 13 against the edge region 2 a of the capsule body 1. The inner diameter d2 (see FIGS. 2a-2d) of the sealing element 13 is preferably designed to allow a close fitting of the sealing element 13 and the outer peripheral surface 14 of the capsule 10.
    Alternatively, as shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 4a, 4b, the sealing element is fixedly connected to the capsule 10. The sealing element can be applied to the capsule body 1 with the aid of an adhesive. In addition, the sealing element 13 may be dispensed in liquid form onto the edge region 2 a of the capsule and cured in a further step in order to allow the sealing element 13 to adhere to the edge region 2 a of the capsule 10.
    As can be seen from Figures 3a, 3b, 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.
    FIGS. 4a, 4b show a capsule according to the present invention, which further comprises a closing mechanism 32a, 32b. This closing mechanism 32 a, 32 b is configured to further enhance the closing force of the capsule when the lid member 11 is connected to close the opening 4 of the capsule body 1 of the capsule 10.
    As shown in Figure 4a, which shows the open state of the capsule 10, the locking mechanism may have a snap closure 32a, which is preferably formed integrally with the annular projection 9 of the lid member 11. The snap closure 32a is preferably a semicircular projection which is attached to the circumference of the annular region 9. The snap lock 32a may be continuously formed over the peripheral surface of the annular portion 9. However, the snap closure 32a may also be formed by at least two projecting nubs, which are arranged on the outer circumferential surface 7a of the annular region 9.
    On the capsule body 1, a correspondingly shaped recess or a tab 32b is provided, which is adapted to cooperate with the projection 32a, when the lid member 11 is connected to the capsule body 1, as shown in Figure 4b. In particular, in the connected state, the projection 32a engages in the recess 32b to allow a stable closing of the capsule 10 by the lid member 11. In addition to the closing mechanism 32a, 32b, there may be an interference fit between the annular portion 9 and the inner circumferential surface 7b of the capsule body 1.
    As shown in Figures 4a, 4b, the sealing member 13, which is attached to the periphery of the outer surface 14 of the capsule body 1, a correspondingly shaped recess 13a have, which cooperates with the peripheral cutout 32b, which on the lateral surface 14 of the capsule body 1 is present. As a result, correct positioning and stable mounting of the seal member 13 can be achieved. Thus, the cutout 32b of the capsule body may allow both, effective closure of the lid member 11 in connection with the capsule body 1 and stable mounting of the sealing member 13 on the periphery of the side wall 14 of the capsule.
    Figure 5 shows a state in which the capsule 10 according to the present invention has been used an associated beverage making 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 region 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 inlet 3 side 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 5, 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 27 for supplying liquid such as hot pressurized water to a water injector 28 removably attached (screwed) to the enclosing member 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 member 23 to a beverage preparation device.
    The other components of the beverage preparation apparatus, such as the mechanism for moving the enclosing 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.
    Furthermore, the water injector 28 preferably has opening means 29 for opening a 9/17 Austrian Patent Office AT13 032U1 2013-04-15
    Surface of the capsule 1 on. Such an opening means 29 may be, for example, a perforating member such as a blade, a needle, etc., which is adapted 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 to be moved 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. 5, the encircling element 23, and in particular the end face or fitting surface 23a, which is designed to press against the capsule holder 20 to allow encapsulation of the capsule 10 within the brewing chamber 31, may become irregular such as having radially pronounced grooves. These irregularities 30 may be present on the entire circumference as shown in FIG. 5 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 agents 30 prevent a "vacuum effect". when the capsule 10 is to be released after it has been enclosed by the enclosing 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 that the capsule 10 remains sucked in the enclosing member 23 instead of falling down due to the vacuum effect can be prevented. Preferably, the release means 30 are openings or recesses provided on the circumference 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. 6 shows the interaction of the sealing element 13 applied to the transition between the edge region 2 a and the side wall region 14 of the capsule 10 with an enclosing element 23 of a beverage preparation device.
    As shown in Figure 6, the sealing member 13, which is 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. 5) 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.
    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 which are superimposed 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 the capsule to be sealed. 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 pressing force exerted by the enclosing element 23, the 10/17 Austrian Patent Office AT13 032U1 2013-04-15
    Sealing element 13 is compressed, wherein preferably a force in the direction of the transition between the edge region 2a and the side wall portion 14 of the capsule 10 acts (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. The sealing element 13 may be specially shaped such that provision and / or redirection of closing or pressing forces of the enclosing element 13 to predefined regions of the edge regions 2 a, 2 b and / or the side wall regions 7 a, 7 b, 14 of the capsule 10 is made possible.
    As shown in FIG. 6, when the enclosing member 23 is in the closed state, the sealing member 13 makes it possible to seal the irregularities 30 located at the lower edge 23a of the enclosing member 23. In particular, by the compression of the seal member 13, irregularities such as grooves or recesses in the enclosing member 23 can be effectively covered, whereby an effective seal is achieved. 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 Fig. 5), 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 enclosure element 23, the capsule holder 20 and the capsule 10, a pressure build-up 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 by 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 has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, 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 according to 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 comprises 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. 11/17
    权利要求:
    Claims (16)
    [1]
    Austrian Patent Office AT 13 032 Ul 2013-04-15 Claims 1. A capsule which can be filled by a consumer with beverage ingredients, wherein the capsule has a cup-shaped basic body (1) and a lid element (11), wherein the basic body (1) and the lid member (11) are shaped so that they can be mechanically connected by the consumer, preferably without the use of auxiliary means, so as to substantially prevent leakage of any ingredients filled in the capsule, the body (1) having an opening (14) which is bounded by a flange-like edge (2a), wherein the base body (1) of the capsule comprises a sealing element (13), wherein the sealing element (13) is so pronounced that any irregularities (30) in a matching Sealing surface (23 a) of a cooperating with the sealing element (13) of the capsule beverage preparation device can be compensated.
    [2]
    2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the base body (1) and the lid member (11) are formed to be connected to each other by press fitting.
    [3]
    3. The capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body (1) and the lid member (11) are formed from a single piece and connected by a flexible or drawable joint joint.
    [4]
    4. The capsule according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing element (13) is designed to press the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1) against the cover element (11), while the sealing element (13) of a Enclosed element (23) of a beverage preparation device is enclosed.
    [5]
    The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member (13) is adapted to press a flat surface of the body against a flat surface of the lid member (11) to shut off the capsule when the sealing member (13) is disposed on the capsule and is enclosed by an enclosing element (23) of a beverage preparation device.
    [6]
    6. The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is arranged in plan view above a portion of the capsule, which formed by the superimposition of the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1) and a flange portion of the lid (11) becomes.
    [7]
    The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) of the capsule is a hollow component and / or is formed from a deformable material.
    [8]
    The capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule is molded from plastic.
    [9]
    9. The capsule 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.
    [10]
    The capsule according to any preceding claim, further comprising a filter (12) inserted between the ingredients (21) and the lid member (11).
    [11]
    11. The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) offset from and offset radially inwardly with respect to the outer boundary surface (15) of the flange-like edge (2a) of the base body (1) is arranged. 12/17 Austrian Patent Office AT 13 032 Ul 2013-04-15
    [12]
    12. The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is arranged on the flange-like edge (2a) in a region adjacent to the side wall (14) of the cup-shaped basic body (1).
    [13]
    The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is made of plastic, rubber, paper, cardboard or silicone.
    [14]
    14. The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is an integral component of the base body (1).
    [15]
    15. The capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (13) is an additionally provided component.
    [16]
    A beverage preparation system comprising a capsule (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a beverage preparation machine adapted to receive the capsule in a brewing chamber (31), the brewing chamber (31) at least partially surrounded by a capsule enclosing element (23) having an end face (23a) is defined with irregularities (30) such as grooves, wherein the end face of the enclosing element cooperates with a sealing element (13) of the capsule (10). 4 sheets of drawings 13/17
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    FR2946854A3|2010-12-24|
    DE202009009127U1|2010-09-02|
    FR2946854B3|2011-05-13|
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    DE202017007102U1|2017-01-23|2019-07-18|Georg Menshen Gmbh & Co. Kg|portion capsule|
    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
    EP09163341|2009-06-22|
    DE202009009127U|DE202009009127U1|2009-06-22|2009-07-02|Fillable capsule with improved sealing properties|
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