• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
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    • 专利摘要:
    DRINK CARTRIDGE AND FILTER ELEMENT. The present invention relates to a filter element for the extraction or infusion of drinks. In particular, the filter element facilitates infusion through increased fluid permeability of a beverage infused with particles that can be infused, wherein such fluid includes liquid and gas and facilitates the accumulation of gas in an infusion device in this document by removal of gases emitted from a beverage medium housed within a beverage cartridge during infusion. The filter element can be used inside a rigid, semi-rigid or soft casing that can be inserted into a beverage infusion machine. The invention particularly relates to the infusion of coffee and coffee products into a coffee infusion machine configured to receive casings containing coffee particles that are injected with water and cause coffee to be infused therefrom.
    公开号:BR112013024980B1
    申请号:R112013024980-3
    申请日:2012-03-27
    公开日:2020-11-17
    发明作者:Bary L. Zeller；Rick P. Apiscopa；Greg A. Wiseman；Sarita V. Porbandarwala；Tom A. Gibson
    申请人:Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ORDERS
    [0001] This application is an application for continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 073,647, filed on March 28, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for reference. FIELD
    [0002] The present invention relates to the filter element used to infuse drinks. In particular, the filter element facilitates infusion through increased permeability through the filter element to infuse drinks of particles that can be infused. The filter element can also be useful to facilitate the accumulation of gas in a confined infusion device of the present document during infusion. The filter element can be used in an open system or inside a rigid, semi-rigid or soft casing that can be inserted into a closed infusion system. BACKGROUND
    [0003] The ability to infuse drinks for later consumption is a centuries-old custom. At that time, all types of infusion devices were created to facilitate such an infusion. Today, many types and species of commercial quality and electromechanical consumer producers have been created to facilitate the rapid and effective infusion of all types of consumable beverages including, but not limited to, all types of teas, coffee and coffee products .
    [0004] The filter paper for use in infusion has changed somewhat from its first creation in ancestral societies. A thin substrate remained, which, while retaining particles for infusion, allows fluid to flow from such particles when water passes through it. The liquid from such a fluid becomes a consumable beverage when captured next. The technology for such filter paper widely available today is slightly different from that first created by ancestral cultures. For modern producers, whether in an open system or a closed system, an appropriate filter paper that matches and accentuates advances in infusion technology is required.
    [0005] The idea behind such a new filter paper or innovative filter element is that it increases the degree of permeability for fluids (ie liquids and gases) while maintaining the strength that such a filter element should have, especially when moistened during infusion. Such increased permeability could provide many benefits in the brewing process and, ultimately, to the brewed beverage itself.
    [0006] For example, it is well known that toasting green coffee beans produces gases that diffuse from coffee beans and / or ground coffee beans soon after roasting and with time before use and consumption. Although such diffusion usually occurs at a much faster rate after the coffee beans are ground, it can take many hours or days for most of the gas to diffuse from the coffee. Coffee products are typically kept for an adequate period of time to allow them to lose enough gas. It is important to allow such retention periods before packaging roasted coffee for distribution and sale. However, some roasted coffee products, particularly those made from decaffeinated beans and / or with low hydration, very dark roasted, are known to be very slow in degassing to an extent that allows them to be used in certain packages or applications without need for special handling.
    [0007] Improperly packaging coffee beans in soft wrappers or hard capsules or cartridges designed for use on pressure producers on demand, such as T disc cartridges used in the TASSIMO® system, can result in problematic infusion performance related to release large volumes of gas during infusion. Excessive gas release can increase the pressure inside a cartridge to undesirable levels, restrict the flow of water through the filter elements, delay or stop the infusion, produce noise, create unwanted drink froth or cause other problems or handling a cartridge, such as a T disk cartridge of the type described below in this document, in the infusion of a cartridge beverage.
    [0008] During infusion, it is important to enhance the infusion capacity with the use of a filter that facilitates greater permeability through a filter element when particles that can be infused are brought into contact with a liquid. The current filters primarily effect the permeability of liquid and gas by choosing to use the materials used in the filter paper itself, for example, cellulosic materials and / or fibrous materials. The structure of such filters has been a secondary consideration although it is a factor of consideration for permeability.
    [0009] Also during infusion, the release or emission of high-content gas is undesirable and can lead to perceptions of poor ability in a coffee brewing machine or its coffee cartridge or concerns about the proper function or operation of the machine brewing coffee in the brewing machine and / or cartridge. Typically, when such high gas emissions occur, it is audible and perceptible by a consumed. Such an audible and perceptible manifestation of gas emissions can be highly undesirable and lead to negative perceptions of performance in an infusion machine. Also undesirable, in an infusion system, whether open or closed, is the presence of excess hydration or puddles of water collected on or near a filter paper due to the lack of permeability of the filter element when moistened.
    [0010] It is therefore desired that a filter element for infusing drinks that can be infused in a closed or open infusion system is revealed. Notably, the present disclosure discussed in more detail below in this document provides such filter paper for use in an infusion system, either closed or open. BRIEF SUMMARY
    [0011] Accordingly, this disclosure provides a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage producer comprising: a. A chamber, in which the chamber has at least a substantially confined portion, wherein the at least a substantially confined portion has a base with a perimeter and a wall connected to the perimeter of the base; B. A beverage medium positioned inside the chamber; ç. A beverage filtering device that has
    [0012] i. A filter transport device operably connected to said chamber, wherein said filter carrier is positioned within said chamber;
    [0013] ii. A filter element having a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, where the second surface is at least partially attached to the filter carrier, where the filter element has a plurality of microperforations positioned through the filter element, wherein the plurality of microperforations extends from the first surface to the second surface of said filter element; and d. A sealing element positioned on the wall of the chamber, by means of which the beverage cartridge is sealed and confined.
    [0014] The beverage filtration device increases the permeability of fluid, whether liquid or gas, which flows through the beverage cartridge during infusion. The number of microperforations within the filter element is in the range of about 2 to about 1,000 microperforations. Preferably, the number of microperforations within the filter element is in the range of about 10 to about 500 microperforations.
    [0015] The beverage cartridge in this document preferably contains beverage media that are freshly ground particles from coffee beans. In such a practice, the freshly ground coffee particles are packaged and sealed inside a beverage cartridge shortly after the roasted coffee is freshly ground. The ground coffee particles have a gas content close to the maximum in the packaging of the ground coffee particles. In one embodiment of the present document, freshly ground coffee is roasted dark and has a maximum gas content during infusion.
    [0016] The filter element may be formed of a cellulosic material, a non-woven material, one or more types of synthetic fibers or a combination of at least two types of materials. The filter element of this document comprises open areas positioned on its first surface and on its second surface. In short, the open areas comprise more than about 2% of the total surface area of the filter element. Preferably, the open areas on the first and second surfaces of the filter element are greater than about 10% of the total surface area of the filter element. Most preferably, the open areas on the first and second surfaces are greater than about 15% of the total surface area of the filter element.
    [0017] The microperforations used in the present document each have an average diameter in the range between about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm. Preferably, each microperforation comprises an average diameter in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm. Most preferably, the microperforations comprise an average diameter in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.6 mm.
    [0018] The preferred beverage media in this document are particles of freshly ground coffee. In the present document, the freshly ground coffee particles can be packaged and sealed inside a beverage cartridge shortly after the freshly ground coffee particles are roasted. The ground coffee particles can have a gas content close to the maximum in the package of ground coffee particles.
    [0019] Importantly, a beverage delivery mechanism of choice in this document can be a rigid cartridge, a non-rigid or semi-rigid casing containing a beverage medium or a filter element itself for use within an infusion machine . The filter element provides increased and enhanced fluid permeability through it.
    [0020] The present disclosure also discloses a filter element for use in beverage infusion, for example, in open system beverage infusion machines. The filter element comprises a first surface, a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface and a plurality of microperforations positioned through the filter element. The plurality of microperforations extends from the first surface to the second surface of the filter element. In addition, an open surface is located on the first and second surfaces of the filter element which contain at least 5% of the total surface area of the first and second surfaces of the first element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0021] Although the specification is concluded with the claims particularly pointing and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the modalities presented in this document will be better understood from the following description together with the attached figures, in which numerals of Similar references identify similar elements and where:
    [0022] Figure 1 is a sectional sectional drawing of the cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
    [0023] Figure 2a shows an assembled top view of the preferred embodiment of the beverage cartridge of this document;
    [0024] Figure 2b shows an assembled bottom view of the preferred embodiment of Figure 2a;
    [0025] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the beverage cartridge of the present document; and
    [0026] Figure 4 provides a partial front view of the filter element of this document that shows the microperforations inserted through it, TERMS
    [0027] The description of the terms below in this document is intended to be a guide and aid in understanding, but is not intended to be limiting to the meaning of those terms.
    [0028] The term "closed infusion system" is intended in this document to mean an infusion device that uses a confined infusion capsule that contains at least one infusion substrate and a filter element positioned within the confined infusion capsule,
    [0029] The term "open infusion system" is intended in this document to mean an infusion set that uses an infusion chamber that is open to atmospheric pressure conditions.
    [0030] The term "dark roasted" refers in this document to the result produced from roasted coffee beans that have been roasted for longer and at higher temperatures resulting in coffee beans that have a highly opaque color.
    [0031] The term "freshly ground" in this document refers to coffee beans that have been ground into discernible particles, but not pulverized, that is, not transformed into a powder form.
    [0032] The term "gas content close to maximum" or "maximum gas content" means the highest measurable gas content of coffee beans, typically right after roasting and grinding coffee beans.
    [0033] The term "non-woven" or "non-woven" in this document means fibers to produce a fibrous material or cloth that does not use weaving for such production.
    [0034] The term "synthetics" or "synthetic fibers" refer to fibers for use herein that are substantially man-made tapes and that do not occur naturally or from natural substances.
    [0035] By the term "beverage cartridge" or "cartridge" is meant in this document a device that contains resident beverage means for infusion. The cartridge in this document is inserted in a beverage infusion machine configured appropriately for infusion or creation of a beverage from the qualities and characteristics present within the beverage.
    [0036] By the term "means of drink", "means of drink" or "particles of drink" we mean in this document particles of a particular type and character which contain the taste and qualities of a drink to be infused or otherwise created from them, it is noted in the present document that the term "means" is used as the plural form of the term "means".
    [0037] By the term "open area" we mean in this document those portions of the filter element that contain microperforations that in the aggregate form a cumulative open area in the filter element of this document.
    [0038] By the term "closed area" we mean in this document those portions of the filter element that do not contain microperforations that in the aggregate form a cumulative closed area in the filter element of this document.
    [0039] By the term "filter element" or "filter paper" in this document is meant a substrate through which a drink from beverage particles is infused.
    [0040] By the term "beverage filter" in this document is meant the specific structure that houses the beverage means of this document and is itself housed within the beverage cartridge.
    [0041] By the term "particles that can be infused" or "infusion substrate" we mean in this document particles of drink or media from which the passage of a liquid through it or over mixtures with constituents of the particles produces a drink that contains particle constituents as part of the infused drink. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERENTIAL MODALITIES
    [0042] One embodiment in this document provides a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage producer. The beverage cartridge comprises: a. A chamber having at least a substantially confined portion, wherein the at least a substantially confined portion has a base with a perimeter and a wall connected to the perimeter of the base; B. A beverage medium positioned inside the chamber; ç. A beverage filtering device that has
    [0043] A filter transport device operably connected to said chamber, wherein said filter carrier is positioned inside said chamber;
    [0044] ii. A filter element having a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, where the second surface is at least partially attached to the filter carrier, where the filter element has a plurality of microperforations positioned through the filter element, wherein the plurality of microperforations extends from the first surface to the second surface of said filter element; and d. A sealing element positioned on the wall of the chamber, by means of which the beverage cartridge is sealed and confined.
    [0045] In practice, the beverage filtration device increases the permeability of fluid, whether liquid or gas, which flows through the beverage cartridge during infusion. The number of microperforations within the filter element is in the range of about 2 to about 1,000 microperforations. Preferably, the number of microperforations within the filter element is in the range of about 10 to about 500 microperforations.
    [0046] The beverage cartridge in this document preferably contains beverage media which are freshly ground particles of coffee beans. In such a practice, the freshly ground coffee particles are packaged and sealed inside the beverage cartridge shortly after the freshly ground coffee particles are roasted. At this point, the ground coffee particles have a gas content close to the maximum in the ground coffee packaging. In one embodiment in this document, freshly ground coffee is roasted dark and has a maximum gas content during brewing.
    [0047] The filter element may be formed of a cellulosic material, a non-woven material, one or more types of synthetic fibers or a combination of at least two types of materials. The filter element in this document comprises open areas positioned on the first and second surfaces of the filter element that are greater than about 2% of the total surface area of the filter element. Preferably, the open areas on the first and second surfaces of the filter element are greater than about 10% of the total surface area of the filter element. Most preferably, the open areas on the first and second surfaces are greater than about 15% of the total surface area of the filter element.
    [0048] The microperforations used in this document are created having an average diameter in the range between about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm. Preferably, each microperforation comprises an average diameter in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm. Most preferably, the microperforations comprise an average diameter in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.6 mm.
    [0049] Importantly, a beverage delivery mechanism of choice in this document can be a rigid cartridge, a non-rigid or semi-rigid enclosure containing media or a filter element itself for use within an infusion machine, so that such a filter element provides increased or enhanced permeability of fluid through it.
    [0050] The disclosure in this document also provides a filter element for use in infusing drinks. The filter element comprises a first surface, a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface and a plurality of microperforations positioned through the filter element. The plurality of microperforations extends from the first surface to the second surface of the filter element. In addition, an open surface is found on the first and second surfaces of the filter element which contain at least 5% of a total surface area of each of the first and second surfaces of the filter element. The cartridge in this document can contain a beverage medium such as freshly ground coffee. In such a practice, the freshly ground coffee particles are packaged and sealed inside the beverage cartridge shortly after the freshly ground coffee beans are roasted and ground. The ground coffee particles have a gas content close to the maximum in the packaging of the ground coffee particles. In one embodiment in this document, freshly ground coffee is roasted dark and has a maximum gas content during brewing. The filter element can be formed of a cellulosic material, a non-woven material, one or more types of synthetic fibers or a combination of at least two types of materials.
    [0051] The general format of cartridge 1, as provided in Figure 1, is generally circular or disk-shaped. The diameter of cartridge 1 is greater than its height. Typically, the total diameter of the outer member 2 is 74.5 mm ± 6 mm and the total height is 16 mm + 3 mm. Also typically, the volume of cartridge 1 when assembled is 30.2 ml ± 20%.
    [0052] The outer member 2 generally comprises a bowl-shaped housing 10 which has a curved annular wall 13, a closed top 11 and an open bottom 12. The diameter of the outer member 2 is smaller at its top 11 compared to diameter of its bottom 12. This results from an enlargement of the annular wall 13 as one passes through the closed top 11 to the open bottom 12. The annular wall 13 and the closed bottom 11 together define a receptacle that has an interior 34.
    [0053] In preferred embodiments in this document, the outer member 2 is formed as a single integral piece of any one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester or a high density laminate of two or more materials or similar mixtures of such similar materials . The polypropylene suitable for use in this document comprises the range of polymers available from DSM UK Limited (Redditch, United Kingdom). The outer member 2 can be opaque, transparent or translucent. The manufacturing process can be by injection molding. Suitable cartridges of the type contemplated in this document are described in more detail in Patent No. U.S.7.287.461, such patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in this document,
    [0054] Figures 2a and 2b show an assembled and preferred embodiment of the beverage cartridge 1 in the present document. Most preferably, the beverage cartridge 1 houses ground coffee. It is noted, however, that beverage cartridge 1 is of a suitable type and construction, as noted above in this document, for beverage particles of the type known to emit gases during infusion and most notably coffee particles.
    [0055] Figure 2b shows the underside of cartridge 1 of Figure 2a. The beverage cartridge 1 shown in Figures 2a and 2b provides a preferred embodiment of the beverage cartridge 1, but it is important to note that other suitable designs remain within the reach of possible beverage cartridges 1 for use herein.
    [0056] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the beverage cartridge 1 in the present document. As shown, the beverage cartridge 1 comprises four main elements: particle chamber 20, filter carrier 25, filter element 30 and sealing laminate 35. Although Figure 3 does not explicitly show its means of drinking, persons skilled in the art will understand that such drinking means are housed in the particle chamber 25 and held in place by the filter carrier 25 and the filter element 30.
    [0057] The filter element 30 is fixed to the filter carrier 25, preferably by an adhesive. The use of a suitable adhesive or glue to attach the filter element 30 to the filter carrier 25 is well known in the art and is not itself part of the invention herein. When the filter element 30 is attached to the filter carrier 25, the beverage particles housed within the particle chamber 20 are substantially immobile and will not substantially penetrate through the filter element 30 although there may be some migration of beverage means from the particle chamber 20 through filter element 30. The occurrences of such migration are less.
    [0058] Regarding the filter element 30, it has been revealed that the careful introduction of very small microperforations of suitable size and number in the filter element 30 can effectively decrease or eliminate the problems of gas emission during infusion caused by the use of less completely degassed coffees before packaging.
    [0059] Preferably, the holes or microperforations 40 can be formed in the filter element 30 with the use of one or more beveled-tip syringe needles that have a sub-millimeter diameter range. This is just one method by which such microperforations 40 can be positioned on the filter element 30. Other suitable methods known in the art can be used as long as certain characteristics of the microperforations 40 themselves are provided.
    [0060] For example, it is important that microperforations 40 are less than one micron in diameter. In addition, it is important that the microperforations 40 extend over the entire depth of the filter element 30. In most cases in this document, the microperforations 40 will have substantially the same diameter over their entire length. In practice, it is important that the diameter of each microperforation is large enough to allow the passage of gas molecules, but small enough to withstand the passage of large and / or visually discernible amounts of drinking media through it.
    [0061] It may be possible to provide one or more microperforations 40 that have non-cylindrical shapes, for example, a conical shape. In such cases, the diameter of one or more microperforations 40 varies depending on the depth of the filter element 30. Such an execution can be useful in this case, so a greater capture of the beverage medium is achieved while still allowing an adequate fluid flow (liquid and / or gas) through the filter element 30 during infusion.
    [0062] The design mentioned above for filter element 30 in a beverage infusion cartridge is unique. Typically, the infusion of drink through a filter medium occurs with the use of a filter paper which, due to its structure, operates some degree of fluid permeability. Such commonly known filter media (for example, MR. COFFEE® coffee filters) are not structurally designed to accentuate the permeability of liquid through them except by using specific materials used to produce such filter media - that is, paper that the liquid becomes dirty when moistened.
    [0063] In contrast, the filter element 30 in this document, which can be constructed of materials known for the use of liquid and / or gas filtration, is physically constructed with microperforations 40 to particularly accentuate the permeability of liquid from a drink through them. The inclusion of microperforations 40 occurs without sacrificing the structural integrity of the filter element 30. That is, the moisture resistance of the microperforated filter element 30 in the present document is sufficient to maintain its structural integrity when moistened and during and after use.
    [0064] In addition to the use of microperforations 40 in the filter element 30, it has been surprisingly revealed that the combination of microperforation size of the filter and the number of microperforations 40 placed in the filter element 30 can be optimized to allow low coffee sizes hydration, dark and freshly ground toast that have very high levels of coffee beans to be immediately packaged in cartridges 1 and infused without the need to first keep the coffee beans for a period of time before packaging to allow them lose gas.
    [0065] Such immediate packaging is a significant benefit of the preferential modality described in this document. By such immediate or substantially immediate packaging, the cartridge production time can be dramatically reduced, thus allowing for a faster marketing approach for beverage cartridges 1. Without fearing performance problems in a beverage producer using the beverage cartridge 1, the manufacture of such beverage cartridges 1 can be speeded up by removing significant degassing time from the produced beverage media; for example, particles of freshly ground coffee.
    [0066] Furthermore, it has been found that the use of filter microperforations 40 substantially larger than the smallest beverage particles does not result in the passage of a problematic amount of beverage medium escaping through the filter element 30 during infusion in the optimized configurations . It is believed that the upward flow design of a representative and preferred beverage cartridge 1 in this document (ie TASSIMO® disc) and the relatively small total area of microperforations created in the preferred modalities all contributed to limit the number of particles passing through the filter element 30.
    [0067] The filter element 30 in this document is preferably formed of cellulosic materials (i.e., paper-based). Such cellulosic materials can be mixed with non-woven materials and / or synthetic fiber. Regardless of the materials or combinations thereof used, the resulting filter element 30 created will be of sufficient moisture resistance to withstand treatment or any breakdown of the filter element 30.
    [0068] In one embodiment in this document, the filter element 30 comprises a fiber mat in a non-woven configuration. By the term "non-woven configuration" we mean in this document the placement of fibers on a substrate that are not woven together in a network configuration or similar to the network. In such a design, the beverage filter has no discrete porosity. By the use of the term "discrete porosity", it is meant in the present document that a filter element 30 that is not discretely porous does not provide a direct route for the escape of fluids through an ingress or egress. The liquids, therefore, permeate such a filter element 30 taking a convoluted path through small spans between overlapping fibers.
    [0069] It has been revealed, however, that the introduction of an even smaller number of microperforations less than a millimeter in diameter or microperforations that pass through the filter element 30 can substantially increase its fluid permeability while still effectively limiting the passage of particulate solids that they produce in the medium of drink. It has also been revealed that such micro-perforations 40, beneficially, do not significantly weaken the structural integrity or the moisture resistance of the filter element 30. This is an important feature since the lack of weakening of the structural integrity of the filter element 30 prevents break or burst during the infusion, especially the infusion under pressurized conditions. Thus, potential development lapses in the filter element 30 have been prevented.
    [0070] In practice, filter element 30 is typically much more permeable to fluids than unperforated filter paper. In a non-perforated filter paper, the liquid that passes through it fills and then blocks the gaps contained in its fibers. As the non-perforated filter paper is humidified, its fibers expand, thus causing any large voids contained in the filter paper to collapse prior to humidification. Such occurrence decreases the permeability of the non-perforated filter paper when it is humidified.
    [0071] It is believed that through the use of microperforations in the filter element 30, the gas emitted from the drink particles in it can suffer a higher rate of CO2 release from the drink cartridge 1 during the infusion. Without the use of microperforations 40 in this document, the filter element 30 becomes wet and its ability to allow CO2 to pass through it is considerably reduced.
    [0072] Although it is known that improperly degassed coffee particles do not provide an ideal beverage cartridge infusion, it has also surprisingly been revealed that certain coffee beans that have very high initial gas contents still produce undesirable pressure build-up during infusion, even after prolonged retention to reduce the gas content.
    [0073] Suitable beverage particles of the type and species contemplated in this document include, but are not limited to, ground coffee, tea leaves, compressed particles used to create tea drinks, cocoa and other beverage particles that may emit one or more types of gases or steam during infusion and / or can reduce the permeability of water through a bed of such drinking means during infusion and / or can reduce the permeability of the filter element 30 in contact with such particles during infusion.
    [0074] Inclusions can also be used which include, but are not limited to, sweeteners, gums, flavors, oils and creams and other types of inclusions known to people skilled in the beverage infusion technique. It should be noted in the present document that the use of inclusions in the present document is an accentuation of the increased permeability of liquid through the filter element 30 to create a beverage.
    [0075] The preparation of coffee for consumption is well known. What follows is a typical quote from that process. First, the coffee beans are roasted in a roaster. The roaster is set at a temperature related to the type of roasted coffee you want to produce (for example, lightly roasted to dark roasted). For example, such a temperature profile of the roaster can be in the range of about 188 ° C to about 282 ° C (i.e., from about 370 ° F to about 540 ° F) and the beans are roasted for a period time in the range of about 3 to about 30 minutes.
    [0076] Many different mechanisms have been developed to roast coffee in order to create a coffee with a better flavor. Almost all of these coffee roasting methods use the same basic processes. Initially green coffee beans are heated by roasting. Such heating results in the drying of the coffee beans through evaporation of water previously captured in them. Once the coffee bean reaches about 180 ° C (320 ° F), exogenous chemical reactions occur. These reactions reach their final potential at about 220 ° C (428 ° F).
    [0077] Additional increases in pressure within the roasted coffee beans release carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor from them and produce a decrease in the density of the coffee bean. The release of CO2 leads to an expansion in the size of coffee beans and a family split and cracking of the beans. Once the grain has been roasted long enough (typically, from about eight (8) to about twelve (12) minutes depending on the required roasting), it is cooled quickly with the use of water and cold air in a cooler.
    [0078] The coffee roasting process results in many changes in the appearance of coffee beans. For example, coffee beans change from green to brown and almost black depending on the amount of heat, pressure and time applied during roasting. Typically, the hotter and / or longer the green coffee beans are roasted, the more color they will take (for example, the very dark color associated with dark roasted coffee beans). As a result of roasting, the density of coffee beans decreases by about 20% to 40%. In addition, roasted coffee beans suffer, on average, an increase in volume (usually by 50% or more) while also suffering a massive loss in water content (by up to 85%).
    [0079] During roasting, coffee beans can be placed either in a horizontal rotating drum or a vertical rotating drum. The coffee beans are then exposed to hot gases that can reach temperatures up to 450 ° C upon entry into the drums. Such gases cool when they are mixed with coffee beans. Coffee beans are typically much cooler than gases, thus creating a thermal gradient inside the drum. The coffee beans remain contained within the drum, in most of the usual cooling processes, for between eight (8) to about twelve (12) minutes until they have reached pre-specified roasting characteristics (for example, volume, color , resistance, etc.).
    [0080] One of the most common methods of roasting commercial coffee is roasting in a fluidized bed. In fluidized bed roasting, coffee beans are given high-speed, low-velocity gas bursts. This allows the grains to move through the fluidized bed in a controlled manner and results in a high quality end product. As the coffee beans increase in size during the roasting process, it is therefore essential to modify the rate at which the gas flows through the fluidized bed to ensure uniform roasting. A suitable method of roasting coffee is discussed in Patents No. U.6.6207.211 and 4.737.376, which are both incorporated herein by reference in this document.
    [0081] After roasting in a fluidized bed, the beans are cooled. This cooling process is called sudden cooling. The roasted beans can also be kept for degassing after they have been particularized in a milling process. Degassing is a process that aims to release excess gas from freshly ground coffee beans before packaging and consumption. In a typical process after degassing, roasted beans or ground coffee particles are packaged. In the disclosure in this document, this degassing step is preferably either eliminated or substantially shortened since the drink cartridges 1 of the type contemplated and shown in this document allow the subsequent emission of efficient gas during infusion due to the presence of microperforations 40. EXAMPLE
    [0082] A 1 kg load of Arabica coffee beans (50/50 mix from Central and Brazil) was roasted for 13 minutes in a Probat Probatino roaster and cooled down with air to provide dark roasted coffee that has a roasting color 4 , 9 (Dr. Lange) and 1.0% hydration. The roasted beans were stored for three days at room temperature in a ventilated plastic bag and then ground in a burr grinder to obtain ground coffee that has an average particle size of 830 microns (X50) and a gas content of 3.5 cm3 / g. For comparison, it is desirable to pack coffee beans in cartridges of the T disk design in this document after degassing at gas levels of less than about 1.5 cm3 / g, preferably less than about 1 cm3 / g, to minimize the potential for problematic infusion.
    [0083] Immediately after grinding, 14.5 g of individual coffee samples were sealed inside the commercial T discs constructed using a filter element that has an area of 635 mm square. The filter element is paper that comprises synthetic natural fibers and has a base weight of about 40 grams per square meter. Although ground coffee is typically retained for several hours to several days to allow substantial degassing before sealing inside the T discs, no retention time was used to maximize the coffee gas content and its potential to cause brewing problems. .
    [0084] The filter paper on the control T disk had no perforations, while the paper on the perforated T disk of that EXAMPLE had an open area of 3% introduced by producing 261 microperforations with a 30 gauge syringe that has a diameter of 0.305 mm . These microperforations or holes were unevenly spaced on the paper, but correctly and evenly divided among the ten segments formed by underlying support elements. The T discs were infused in a BOSCH® T-45 TASSIMO © pressure infusion machine using a standard coded program to provide a 20-second post-infusion pause. The infusion chamber was opened immediately after completing the program to remove the spent T disc.
    [0085] Opening the chamber after infusion, the control disc T resulted in a noisy release of pressure. In addition, removing the control T disc revealed large amounts of brewing liquid and coffee grounds on the brewing platform - this is sub-ideal. In sharp contrast, no noise or pressure release was perceived when the chamber was opened after the infusion of the T disk of that EXAMPLE (i.e., beverage cartridge) and the infusion platform remained free of infusion liquid and beverage particles after removing the disk T.
    [0086] The infusions were then filtered through WHATMAN® filter paper in a vacuum flask to collect small coffee particles released from the T disc during the infusion. Both infusions contained small amounts of visible coffee particles and upon careful observation, it appears that slightly more sediment was collected from the filtered control infusion than from coffee infused using the T disc of this EXAMPLE. Fresh coffee drinks were tasted and revealed to have similar flavor, aroma and overall quality.
    [0087] In short, both the infusions created from the control drink cartridges and the EXAMPLE met the established quality targets, but the infusion performance of the control T disc alone was judged to be out of specification. It was also revealed that other combinations of open area of perforated filter paper and microperforation size were effective in significantly improving the infusion performance of this T of this EXAMPLE compared to the control T disk.
    [0088] Going beyond the EXAMPLE above, the evaluation of other non-degassed ground coffees that have various roasting colors, grind size and hydration has shown whether it is possible to significantly improve the performance of the disc infusion T. The filter paper on discs T that has microperforations in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.8 mm to 1% to 25% open of the filter element has been shown to be effective, to varying extent, in reducing excessive pressure build-up during infusion of non-degassed ground coffee compared to unperforated control T discs of the type described above in this document.
    [0089] It has been revealed in the present document that the filter paper used for the filter element 30 in the drink cartridges 1 described above in this document preferably has open areas greater than about 2% and especially greater than about 10% or 15 %. Similarly, it has been shown that the use of microperforations 40 which have average diameters greater than about 0.4 mm, especially greater than about 0.6 mm to about 0.8 mm, can visibly increase the turbidity and sediment of the infusion at potentially undesirable levels, especially when used to make relatively large open areas. However, substantial amounts of turbidity and sediment from the infusion may not be undesirable in some product applications, such as express style products.
    [0090] The microperforations 40 in the filter element 30 can be formed in a variety of suitable shapes. In one method, a laser configured to classify the filter element 30 is preferably used to classify the microperforations 40 in the filter element 30. An ideal laser preferably provides micro-perforation. Suitable laser drills of the type contemplated for use in this document are produced by OXFORD LASERS®.
    [0091] In another method for forming microperforations 40, needles and drill threads that have diameters less than about 0.3 mm, especially less than 0.2 mm or 0.1 mm can be used to place microperforations 40 in the filter element 30. The use of such methods may cause the introduction of potentially very large numbers of microperforations to effect the desired open areas. In addition, as the diameter of a needle or thread decreases, it may become more fragile and susceptible to breakage or bending during use. Alternatively, it may be possible to create suitable microperforations using technologies that form laser microperforations or hot needles.
    [0092] To substantially increase the permeability of the filter element 30 while still substantially limiting the number of coffee particles that can pass through the filter element 30 during infusion, the total sub-millimeter microperforations area introduced has been revealed to be in generally between about 0.1% to about 15%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 10% and more preferably from about 1.0% to about 5%, based on the surface area of the filter element that is not blocked by the underlying support elements.
    [0093] It has been revealed in the present document that the diameter of microperforations 40 placed in the filter element 30 in the present document is in the range between about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm. Preferably, the diameter of the comprise 40 is in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm. More preferably, the diameter of the comprise 40 is in the range between about 0.3 mm to about 0.6 mm.
    [0094] The microperforations 40 may either have uniform diameters (that is, diameters that do not vary substantially over their respective lengths) or may have varying diameters (that is, diameters that vary from an opening of microperforation 40 to the opening opposite of microperforation 40). For filters that have microperforation sizes of varying diameter, the figures provided refer to the largest microperforation diameter or the average microperforation diameter 40.
    [0095] Importantly, the average microperforation diameter should be less than the average or median particle size of coffee particles (or any infused beverage particles) confined in the beverage capsule 1. Preferably the average microperforation size 40 is less than about 0.8 times the average particle size of the drink, more preferably less than about 0.6 times the average particle size of the drink and most preferably less than about 0.4 times the particle size medium of the drink. The average particle size data of the beverage can be obtained using methods commonly known in the art, such as using a standard sieve set or, more preferably, using a SYMPATEC © particle size analyzer or comparable device.
    [0096] The appropriate combinations of microperforation size and open area of filter element 30 can be easily determined by experimentation for any suitable beverage cartridge 1 containing coffee particles that have a given composition, roast color, gas content and weight infused with water having a given volume, flow rate, pressure and temperature through the microperforated filter element 30 which has a given composition, structure, permeability, dimensions and base weight. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the microperforations produced in the filter element 30 in this document can be randomly oriented, created according to a predefined pattern or a mixture of both.
    [0097] This written description uses at least one example to reveal the invention, including the best way and also to enable anyone skilled in the art to produce and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples should be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (25)
    [0001]
    1. Drink cartridge (1) for use in a beverage producer characterized by the fact that it comprises: a. a chamber (20), said chamber (20) having at least one confined portion, wherein said at least one confined portion has a base with a perimeter and a wall connected to said perimeter of said base, said chamber (20 ) receiving and hosting a non-degassed coffee in it; B. a beverage filtering device, having i. a filter transport device (25) operably connected to said chamber (20), wherein said filter carrier (25) is positioned within said chamber (20); ii. a filter element (30) having a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to said first surface, wherein said second surface is at least partially attached to said filter carrier (25), wherein said element filter (30) has a plurality of microperforations (40) positioned through said filter element (30), wherein said plurality of microperforations (40) extends from said first surface to said second surface of said filter (30); and c. a sealing element (35) positioned on said wall of said chamber (20), by means of which said beverage cartridge (1) is sealed and thus confined; whereby said drink filtration device increases the permeability of fluid flowing through said drink cartridge (1) during infusion.
    [0002]
    A beverage cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that said permeability of said fluid flowing through said beverage cartridge (1) during infusion comprises the liquid flowing through said beverage cartridge.
    [0003]
    Beverage cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said permeability of said fluid flowing through said beverage cartridge (1) during infusion comprises the gas flowing through said cartridge beverage.
    [0004]
    A beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said beverage filtering device operates to release an accumulation of gas in said beverage cartridge during the infusion of said beverage particles, wherein said gas is produced from said plurality of beverage particles.
    [0005]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said number of microperforations (40) within said filter element (30) is in the range between about 2 to about 1,000 microperforations, or between about 10 to about 500 microperforations.
    [0006]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said filter element (30) comprises open areas positioned on said first surface and on said second surface of said filter element (30 ) which are greater than about 2% of the total surface of said filter element or about 10% of said total surface of said filter element (30), or still about 15% of said total surface of said filter element (30).
    [0007]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each said microperforation (40) comprises an average diameter in the range between about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm, or between about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm, or between about 0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm.
    [0008]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said beverage medium is freshly ground coffee particles that have a maximum gas content.
    [0009]
    9. Beverage cartridge, according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said particles of freshly ground coffee are packaged and sealed inside said beverage cartridge (1) right after said particles of freshly ground coffee are ground by grinding roasted coffee beans, in which said ground coffee particles have a gas content close to the maximum in the packaging of said ground coffee particles.
    [0010]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said freshly ground coffee is roasted dark.
    [0011]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said filter element (30) is formed from a cellulosic material.
    [0012]
    Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said filter element (30) is formed from a non-woven material.
    [0013]
    13. Beverage cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said filter element (30) is formed from one or more types of synthetic fibers.
    [0014]
    14. Coffee cartridge for use with freshly roasted and ground coffee in a suitable beverage brewing machine characterized by the fact that it comprises: a. freshly roasted and ground coffee, not degassed; B. a membrane (30), wherein said membrane (30) is adjacent to freshly roasted and ground ungassed coffee; ç. a number of microperforations (40) positioned within said membrane (30) for the release of gas from said freshly roasted and degassed coffee during infusion; and d. a semi-rigid structure that encapsulates said membrane (30).
    [0015]
    15. Coffee cartridge, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the said number of microperforations (40) within said membrane (30) is in the range between about 2 to about 1,000, or between about 10 to about 500.
    [0016]
    16. Coffee cartridge according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said freshly ground coffee is immediately placed inside said membrane (30) since said freshly ground coffee is ground by grinding coffee beans.
    [0017]
    17. Coffee cartridge according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said freshly ground coffee is roasted dark.
    [0018]
    18. Coffee cartridge according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that said membrane (30) is formed from non-woven fabrics.
    [0019]
    19. Coffee cartridge according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that said membrane (30) is formed from one or more types of synthetic fibers.
    [0020]
    20. Capsule (1) for use in beverage infusion encapsulating a filter element, characterized by the fact that the filter element (30) comprises: a. a first surface; B. a second surface positioned opposite to said first surface; ç. a plurality of microperforations (40) positioned through said filter element (30), wherein said plurality of microperforations (40) extends from said first surface to said second surface of said filter element (30); and d. an open surface on said first surface and on said second surface of at least 5% of a total surface area of each of said first surface and said second surface; wherein said filter element (30) allows fluids to pass through it to infuse a drink; and in which the capsule (1) contains non-degassed coffee.
    [0021]
    21. Capsule according to claim 20, characterized in that said open areas on said first surface and on said second surface of said filter element (30) are greater than about 10% of said total surface area of said filter element, or about 15% of said total surface area of said filter element (30).
    [0022]
    22. Capsule according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that each said microperforation (40) comprises a diameter in the range between about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm; or between about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm, or between about 0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm.
    [0023]
    23. Capsule according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that said number of microperforations (40) within said filter element (30) is in the range between about 2 to about 1,000 microperforations, or between about 10 to about 500 microperforations.
    [0024]
    24. Capsule according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that said fluid permeability flowing through said filter element during infusion comprises the liquid flowing through said filter element.
    [0025]
    25. Capsule according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that said permeability of the fluid flowing through said filter element during infusion comprises the gas flowing through said filter element.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    JP2014516284A|2014-07-10|
    RU2013147884A|2015-05-10|
    EP2691316B1|2015-05-06|
    MX2013011161A|2014-04-16|
    CA2831304C|2019-06-18|
    JP6019100B2|2016-11-02|
    KR20140018312A|2014-02-12|
    RU2607759C2|2017-01-10|
    CN103562098A|2014-02-05|
    EP2691316A1|2014-02-05|
    WO2012135204A1|2012-10-04|
    CN103562098B|2017-02-15|
    US20140348984A1|2014-11-27|
    CA2831304A1|2012-10-04|
    KR102047559B1|2019-11-21|
    ES2543157T3|2015-08-17|
    HK1188589A1|2014-05-09|
    BR112013024980A2|2017-08-01|
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    法律状态:
    2018-05-08| B25C| Requirement related to requested transfer of rights|Owner name: INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC (US) |
    2018-08-07| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: KONINKLIJKE DOUWE EGBERTS B.V. (NL) |
    2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-08-13| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-04-28| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-08-25| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-11-17| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 27/03/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201113073647A| true| 2011-03-28|2011-03-28|
    US13/073,647|2011-03-28|
    PCT/US2012/030722|WO2012135204A1|2011-03-28|2012-03-27|Beverage cartridge and filter element|
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