TWI868381B - Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, and method and mould for making the capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

A capsule, intended for the preparation of a beverage in a device for making beverages, includes: a bottom wall; a side wall; an annular flange, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular supporting portion, connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular supporting portion, wherein the annular supporting portion projects from the central portion, and wherein the central portion includes a first zone, having a first thickness, and a second zone, having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness, and wherein the second zone is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

Description

Capsules for preparing beverages in an apparatus for preparing beverages, and methods and molds for preparing capsules

Invention Field

The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing beverages in a device for preparing beverages. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing capsules and a mold for preparing capsules.

Invention background

The present disclosure is directed to the industry that produces beverages by brewing; it is known that this industry, for example, uses capsules containing brewing materials such as coffee. These capsules include a cup or body and a mouth cover, and are designed to be placed in a specific beverage making machine, wherein hot water or steam is fed into the capsule in order to brew the beverage.

More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to the industry of producing beverages such as American coffee by brewing; the capsules used in this industry are larger than those used in Nespresso-like coffee machines; typically, these capsules are provided with a filter element that divides the interior space into a first portion containing a substance (coffee, for example) for producing the beverage, and a second portion. The beverage maker feeds hot water into the first portion; brews the substance contained in the first portion and produces the beverage, which is transferred through the filter element into the second portion; finally, the machine squeezes the beverage from the second portion.

Such capsules are described, for example, in the following patent documents: US Patent Nos. US2002/0020659, US9232871B2, US2018160845A1, US2018118450A1, and US2017042362A1. In particular, patent document No. US2017042362A1 describes a capsule in which the bottom wall includes an annular support portion connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular support portion, wherein the annular support portion protrudes from the central portion.

In this industry, there is a general need to make capsules lighter to save material while maintaining good mechanical properties and effectively insulating the product inside the capsule from external reagents. In addition, if the capsule is made by compression moulding, it is necessary to facilitate the process of filling the mould with the material used to form the capsule to ensure that the manufactured capsule is of good quality.

In addition, the following patent documents describe capsules of the above type: European Patent No. EP2962957A1, World Patent No. WO2004/087529A1, No. WO2017/055350A1 and US Patent No. US2017/042362A1. However, these documents also have an inefficient relationship between weight and mechanical strength.

Summary of invention

The object of the present disclosure is to provide a capsule for preparing beverages in a device for preparing beverages, a method for preparing capsules, and a mold for preparing capsules, so as to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

This object is fully achieved with the capsule, method and mold as described in the attached patent claims.

More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage in a device for preparing a beverage.

The capsule comprises a body (or cup). The body is preferably made of thermoplastic material (e.g., polymer, synthetic or biocompatible material).

The body includes a bottom wall. The body includes a side wall. The side wall extends around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge and a second annular edge. The first annular edge is connected to the bottom wall; therefore, the side wall extends between the bottom wall and the second annular edge. The side wall has an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The side wall and the bottom wall define an internal space within the capsule body.

The body also includes an annular flange. The annular flange is connected to the second annular edge of the side wall. The annular flange extends away from the longitudinal axis from the second annular edge of the side wall. The outer surface of the side wall includes a first portion adjacent to the flange and a second portion away from the flange. It should be noted that the shape of the second portion of the side wall is preferably a truncated cone. The shape of the first portion of the side wall can be a cylinder or a truncated cone. In a specific embodiment, the first portion of the side wall is in the shape of a truncated cone and has a different inclination angle with the longitudinal axis than the second portion; more specifically, the cone direction of the first portion is opposite to that of the second portion. Preferably, the first portion of the side wall extends radially away from the longitudinal axis from the second portion of the side wall.

The bottom wall includes an annular support portion and a central portion surrounded by the annular support portion. The annular support portion is connected to the side wall. The annular support portion extends from the central portion away from the second annular edge. The central portion is thus recessed relative to the annular support portion.

The annular support portion has a variable section to allow for greater thickness at the point of greatest stress and to make the capsule stiffer.

The central portion includes a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness. The second thickness is less than the first thickness. Therefore, the second region is thinner than the first region, which allows the use of less material and makes the body of the capsule lighter. The second region is preferably oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first region is also preferably oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the central portion is preferably oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. On an inner side surface (or inner side wall) of the central portion (facing the inner space), the second region is preferably recessed relative to the first region.

In one embodiment, the first region surrounds the second region and is radially disposed outside the second region. This allows the less stressed regions to remain the thinnest regions, which can reduce weight without sacrificing the mechanical strength of the capsule.

The second region is complete; that is, the second region has no holes. The second region is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the capsule.

The second zone is obtained by a groove on the rear wall. The groove faces the internal volume of the capsule. The groove comprises chamfered walls to avoid edges that may become stress concentrations. In one embodiment, the radial extension of the first zone has a ratio of the radial extension of the second zone between 0.8 and 1.5.

It should be noted that in one embodiment, the second zone has an annular shape and surrounds the first zone. In at least one embodiment, the first zone has a circular shape; therefore, the longitudinal axis passes through the first zone (center of the circle).

In a specific embodiment, the central portion of the bottom wall includes a third area; the third area is annular; the third area surrounds the second area. Therefore, the second area is between the first area and the third area. The third area has a third thickness; the third thickness is preferably greater than the second thickness. On the inner side surface of the central portion, the second area is also recessed relative to the third area.

In one embodiment, the third thickness is equal to the first thickness.

In a specific embodiment, the bottom wall includes a connecting portion interconnecting the central portion and the annular support portion. More specifically, the bottom wall interconnects the third region of the central portion and the annular support portion. The connecting portion is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. In a specific embodiment, the connecting portion has a fourth thickness greater than the second thickness; more specifically, the fourth thickness is equal to the first and/or the third thickness.

It should be noted that the annular support portion has a support thickness greater than the first thickness. The support thickness is also greater than the third and/or fourth thickness.

The diameter of the first annular edge is greater than or equal to 40 mm: that is, the radius is greater than or equal to 20 mm. More specifically, the diameter of the first annular edge is greater than or equal to 45 mm (e.g., 46 mm).

The diameter of the second annular edge is greater than or equal to 35 mm.

Preferably, the second region has a width between 4 mm and 8 mm, more preferably between 5 mm and 7 mm (e.g., 6 mm), measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Therefore, the ratio of the width of the second region to the radius of the first annular edge measured along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is preferably between 0.2 and 0.5; more preferably between 0.3 and 0.4. This size range allows the second region to be large enough to effectively reduce the weight of the capsule but not so large that it will negatively affect its moisture barrier and mechanical resistance properties.

In a specific embodiment, the first thickness (and/or the third thickness) is between 0.35 mm and 0.40 mm; the second thickness is between 0.15 mm and 0.20 mm. Therefore, the ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is between 0.35 and 0.55, in particular between 0.40 and 0.50.

The annular support portion has a width measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is smaller than the width of the second region. The ratio of the width of the annular support portion to the radius of the first annular edge measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is between 0.1 and 0.2.

The height of the capsule (i.e., the capsule body, or the side wall of the capsule body) along the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to 30 mm; more specifically, the height of the capsule (i.e., the capsule body, or the side wall of the capsule body) along the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to 35 mm; preferably, the height of the capsule (i.e., the capsule body, or the side wall of the capsule body) along the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to 40 mm (e.g., 45 mm). The height of the capsule or its side wall refers to the maximum distance between the bottom wall and the second annular edge.

It should be noted that the capsule, at least when in its final configuration ready to be placed in a beverage making machine, also includes a lid. The lid is connected to the annular flange; more specifically, the lid is connected to the front side of the annular flange. The lid, together with the main body, defines or encloses an internal space within the capsule. The capsule preferably also includes a filter element located in the internal space. For example, the filter element can be made of a cellulose material, such as paper. The capsule also contains a substance for making beverages. The substance for making beverages is enclosed in a space at least partially defined by the filter element. More specifically, the filter element divides the inner space into a receiving space and a collecting space, and the substance used to make the beverage is received in the receiving space. Preferably, the receiving space is partially defined by the mouth cover (and the filter element), and the collecting space is partially defined by the bottom wall (and the filter element). Therefore, when the capsule is inserted into the beverage making machine, the machine feeds hot water into the receiving space in which the substance is located; the beverage is made by brewing and passes from the receiving space through the filter element into the collecting space; then, the machine squeezes the beverage from the collecting space. More specifically, the machine is provided with a first hole in the mouth cover through which hot water is fed into the receiving space, and a second hole in the bottom wall through which the produced beverage is squeezed out. Preferably, the second (thinned) area having the second thickness is located near the punch forming part of the coffee machine and is configured to make the second hole. This means that the punch penetrates the thinner area more easily.

In one embodiment, the substance used to make the beverage includes coffee granules. In one embodiment, the substance used to make the beverage includes coffee powder. In another embodiment, the substance used to make the beverage includes chamomile or tea leaves.

The present disclosure also provides a method for making a capsule, which is used to prepare beverages in a device for making beverages. The method comprises a step of forming a main body of the capsule. The capsule, more specifically, is made according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In the forming step, the bottom wall, the side wall and the annular flange of the capsule main body are formed. The side wall extends around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge and a second annular edge connected to the bottom wall; the side wall has an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The annular flange extends from the second annular edge of the side wall away from the longitudinal axis.

The bottom wall includes an annular support portion connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular support portion and recessed relative to the annular support portion. According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the central portion includes a first region having a first thickness, and a second region having a second thickness; more specifically, the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and the second region is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the forming step is performed by compression molding. Thus, the capsule body is formed from a dose of thermoplastic material.

In this specific embodiment, the forming step is performed with a mold made according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure; more specifically, it is performed with a mold including a lower unit and an upper unit that are movable relative to each other. Thus, the forming step comprises: preparing the dose of thermoplastic material, placing the dose on the lower unit of the mold, closing the mold by moving the upper unit and the lower unit toward each other until they define a mold cavity in which the capsule body is formed by the dose. The forming step may also comprise: cooling the capsule body. The method also comprises: the step of opening the mold by moving the upper unit and the lower unit away from each other, and the step of removing the formed capsule from the mold.

In one embodiment, the forming step is performed by injection moulding.

The method may also include the steps of preparing a filter element and inserting the filter element into an internal space inside the capsule body. The method may also include the steps of feeding a substance for making a beverage into the internal space; more specifically, feeding the substance into a portion of the internal space and partially defined by the filter element (also referred to as a receiving space). The method may also include the steps of connecting the mouth cap to the front face of the annular flange to close the internal space. After the step of connecting the mouth cap, the receiving space with the substance therein is enclosed between the mouth cap and the filter element.

The present disclosure also provides a mold for making a capsule, which is used to prepare beverages in a device for making beverages. The mold can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration defining a mold cavity. The shape of the mold cavity is made to form a capsule according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. More specifically, the mold cavity includes a bottom hollow, a side hollow, and a flange hollow. The side hollow extends around a longitudinal axis between a first annular end connected to the bottom hollow and a second annular end. The side hollow has an inner side wall facing the longitudinal axis, and an outer surface opposite to the inner side wall. The flange hollow portion is connected to the second annular end and extends from the second annular end away from the longitudinal axis. The outer side wall of the side hollow portion includes a first portion adjacent to the flange hollow portion and a second portion away from the flange hollow portion. Preferably, the second portion is in the shape of a truncated cone. The first portion is in the shape of a cylinder or a truncated cone.

Before the capsule is removed from the mold, the longitudinal axis of the mold coincides with the longitudinal axis of the capsule formed in the mold.

Preferably, the second annular end (especially, the outer edge thereof) has a diameter greater than or equal to 35 mm (or 40 mm, or 45 mm, or 50 mm). The mold cavity (i.e., the side hollow portion) has a length greater than or equal to 35 mm (or 30 mm, or 40 mm, or 45 mm) along the longitudinal axis.

The bottom wall includes an annular portion connected to the side hollow portion and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; the annular portion protrudes from the central portion away from the second annular end. The central portion includes a first region with a first thickness and a second region with a second thickness, the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and the second region is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the first region is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and/or the central portion is also oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The second region has a radial extension and an axial extension relative to the longitudinal axis, and the radial extension is greater than the axial extension.

Preferably, the first region surrounds the second region. Thus, the second region serves as a material bucket during the forming step by molding.

Thus, this less thick second zone has several advantages: it makes the capsule body lighter and allows material savings; it also allows more efficient filling of the mould in the case where the capsule is made by moulding (particularly compression moulding); it also provides an easily pierceable zone that can be more easily pierced by the punch of the beverage making machine.

The central portion may also include a third region that surrounds the second region and has a third thickness greater than the second thickness of the second region. On the inner side surface of the bottom wall facing the second annular end, the second region is recessed relative to the first and/or second region.

The bottom hollow portion also includes a connecting portion that connects the central portion to the annular portion connected to the side hollow portion. The connecting portion is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the mold comprises an upper unit and a lower unit, which can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the mold is parallel to the weight force. When the mold is in an open configuration, the upper unit is separated from the lower unit, and when the mold is in a closed configuration, the upper unit and the lower unit are closed together and define the mold cavity. In the closed configuration, the lower unit is located below the upper unit and at least partially inserted into a hollow portion of the upper unit; this configuration is particularly advantageous when the body of the capsule is made of multiple layers of material.

1: Capsules

2: Mould

3: Dosage

11: Filter element

12: Containment space

13: Collecting Space

14: Mouth cover

21: Upper unit

22: Place a unit

100: Subject

101: Bottom wall

1011: Ring-shaped support part

1012: Central part

1012A: District 1

1012B: District 2

1012C: District 3

1013: Connection part

102: Side wall

102A: First ring edge

102B: Second annular edge

1021: Part 2

1022: Part 1

103: Annular flange

200: Mold cavity

201: Bottom hollow part

202: Side hollow part

202A: First ring end

202B: Second ring end

203: Flange hollow part

A: Longitudinal axis

H: Height

L2: Width

L3: Width

R1: Radius

R2: Radius

S1: First thickness

S2: Second thickness

S3: The third thickness

S1: Thickness of the first zone

S2: Second zone thickness

S3:Third zone thickness

S4: Fourth thickness

S5: Fifth thickness

V:Inner space

The above and other features will be more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments illustrated by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a capsule body made according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the capsule body of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the capsule body of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a top view of the capsule body of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a capsule of the present disclosure, comprising the body, filter, substance, and mouth cap shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5A is a filter of the capsule of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a mold for making the capsule body of FIG. 1 in an open configuration; and FIG. 7 is a mold of FIG. 6 in a closed configuration.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, element symbol 1 represents a capsule. Capsule 1 includes a main body 100. The main body 100 includes a bottom wall 101, a side wall 102 and an annular flange 103. The side wall 102 extends around the longitudinal axis A between the first annular edge 102A and the second annular edge 102B. The first and second annular edges 102A and 102B surround the longitudinal axis A. The first annular edge 102A is connected to the bottom wall 101. The second annular edge 102B is connected to the annular flange 103.

The side wall 102 has an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis A, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The side wall 102 or its outer surface includes a first portion 1022 and a second portion 1021. The first portion 1022 is adjacent to the annular flange 103 and the second portion 1021 is away from the annular flange 103; more specifically, the first portion 1022 is connected to the annular flange 103 and the second portion 1021 is connected to the bottom wall 101. The second portion 1021 thus extends around the longitudinal axis A between the first annular edge 102A of the side wall and the connecting edge connecting the first portion 1022 and the second portion 1021.

The first portion 1022 extends around the longitudinal axis A between the connecting edge connecting the first portion 1022 and the second portion and the second annular edge 102B. The inner surface of the first portion 1022 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The second portion 1021 has a truncated cone shape; therefore, the connecting edge connecting the first portion 1022 and the second portion 1021 has a radius greater than the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A.

The second annular edge 102B has a radius R2 greater than the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A. More specifically, the radius R2 of the second annular edge 102B is preferably greater than 20 mm (e.g., 22 or 23 mm); the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A is preferably greater than 15 mm (e.g., 17 or 18 mm). The radius R2 of the second annular edge 102B is substantially the same as the radius of the connecting edge connecting the first part 1022 and the second part 1021 (at least on the inner side). The annular flange 103 has an outer edge with a radius preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm.

The height H of the side wall 102 along the longitudinal axis A, that is, the height H of the capsule body 100 is greater than or equal to 35 mm. The height H defines the maximum distance between the bottom wall 101 and the second annular edge 102B.

The capsule 1 includes a mouth cover 14. The mouth cover 14 is connected to the front side of the annular flange 103. The mouth cover 14 and the main body 100 define an internal space V inside the capsule 1; when the mouth cover 14 is connected to the annular flange 103, the internal space V is a closed space.

The bottom wall 101 comprises an annular support portion 1011 connected to the side wall 102. The bottom wall 101 comprises a central portion 1012 surrounded by the annular support portion 1011. The central portion 1012 is recessed relative to the annular support portion 1011: that is, it is at a smaller distance from the mouth cover 14 along the longitudinal axis A than from the mouth cover of the annular support portion 1011. The annular support portion 1011 is located at the periphery of the bottom wall. The annular support portion 1011 protrudes longitudinally away from the second annular edge 102B relative to the central portion 1012, so that the capsule can be placed on a support surface (e.g., a table or desk) with the outer surface of the annular support portion 1011 being the sole surface in contact with the support surface.

The bottom wall 101 includes a connecting portion 1013 that connects the annular support portion 1011 to the central portion 1012. Therefore, the connecting portion 1013 is inclined at an angle of 10° to 80° relative to the longitudinal axis A.

The central portion 1012 includes a first area 1012A passed through by the longitudinal axis A, a second area 1012B surrounding the first area 1012A, and a third area 1012C surrounding the second area 1012B. The third area 1012C is connected to the connecting portion 1013. The central portion 1012 is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A; therefore, the first area 1012A, the second area 1012B and/or the third area 1012C are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A. The second area 1012B is recessed relative to the first area 1012A and relative to the third area 1012C on the inner side surface of the bottom wall 101 facing the inner space V. On the contrary, on the outer side surface of the bottom wall 101 opposite to the inner side surface, the central portion 1012 is uniform. More specifically, the first region 1012A has a first thickness S1, the second region 1012B has a second thickness S2, and the third region 1012C has a third thickness S3. The second thickness S2 is less than the first thickness S1 and the third thickness S3. The first thickness S1 may be the same as the third thickness S3. The ratio of the second thickness S2 to the first thickness S1 (or the third thickness S3) is between 0.35 and 0.55.

The shape of the first area 1012A is a circle with a radius greater than 5 mm (especially greater than 7 mm). The shape of the second area 1012B is a ring with a width L2 greater than 4 mm (especially greater than 6 mm). The width L2 of the second area 1012B means the difference between the (maximum) radius of the second area 1012B and the (maximum) radius of the first area 1012A; therefore, the width L2 is defined in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, therefore, the ratio of the width L2 of the second area 1012B to the radius R1 of the first annular edge 102A is between 0.2 and 0.5.

It should be noted that it is preferable to have a connecting portion connecting the second region 1012B to the first region 1012A and/or a second connecting portion connecting the second region 1012B to the third region 1012C, which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A (angle of 10° to 80°).

The connecting portion 1013 has a fourth thickness S4. The fourth thickness S4 is also greater than the second thickness S2; for example, the fourth thickness S4 may be the same as the first thickness S1 and/or the third thickness S3.

The annular support portion 1011 has a fifth thickness S5. The fifth thickness S5 is preferably greater than the first thickness S1, the second thickness S2, the third thickness S3, and the fourth thickness S4. The fifth thickness S5 is also greater than the thickness of the side wall 102 (more specifically, the first portion 1022 of the side wall 102). The annular support portion 1011 has a width L3 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The width L3 is preferably less than the width L2.

The capsule 1 also includes a filter element 11. The filter element 11 is located in an internal space V inside the capsule 1. Preferably, the filter element 11 is cup-shaped and includes side walls and a bottom wall accordingly. The side walls of the filter element 11 also extend around the longitudinal axis A; the side walls of the filter element 11 are parallel or substantially parallel to the side walls 102 (or the second portion 1021 of the side walls 102). The bottom wall of the filter element 11 is connected to the side walls of the filter element 11. Preferably, the bottom wall of the filter element 11 is parallel to the bottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Preferably, the upper annular end of the filter element 11 is connected (e.g., glued) to the capsule body 100 in the area of the second annular edge 102B adjacent to the side wall 102. The bottom wall of the filter element 11 is separated from the bottom wall 101 of the capsule body 100. Therefore, the filter element 11 defines a receiving space 12 included between the mouth cover 14 and the bottom wall of the filter element 11, and a collecting space 13 included between the bottom wall of the filter element 11 and the bottom wall 101 of the capsule in the internal space of the capsule 1. The substance (coffee particles, for example) used to make the beverage is located in the receiving space 12. The collecting space 13 is filled with air.

When the capsule 1 is inserted into the beverage making machine, the syringe 4 pierces the cap 14 and feeds hot water into the receiving space 12. The beverage is produced by foaming and penetrates into the collecting space 13 through the filter element 11. Then, the machine pierces the bottom wall 101 with a punch to dispense the prepared beverage. It is preferred that the punch pierces the second area 1012B of the central part 1012 of the bottom wall 101.

The present disclosure also relates to a mold 2. The mold 2 is shaped to form a body 100 of a capsule 1. The mold 2 includes an upper unit 21 and a lower unit 22 that are movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis A (coinciding with the longitudinal axis A of the formed body 100). The upper unit 21 and the lower unit 22 are movable relative to each other between a separated position defining an open configuration of the mold 2 and a closed position defining a closed configuration of the mold 2. When in the open configuration, the mold 2 is configured to accommodate a dose 3 of thermoplastic material. It is preferred that the dose 3 is placed on the lower unit 22. In the closed configuration, the upper unit 21 and the lower unit 22 define a mold cavity 200 in which the body 100 of the capsule 1 is formed by compression molding starting from the dose 3.

The mold cavity 200 includes a bottom hollow portion 201, which is configured to form the bottom wall 101 of the capsule 1 body 100.

The mold cavity 200 also includes a side hollow portion 202 connected to (i.e., connected to) the bottom hollow portion 201. The side hollow portion 202 is configured to form the side wall 102 of the capsule 1 body 100. More specifically, the side hollow portion 202 extends around the longitudinal axis A between the first annular end 202A and the second annular end 202B. The first annular end 202A is connected to the bottom hollow portion. The mold cavity 200 also includes a flange hollow portion 203 extending from the second annular end 202B away from the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the flange hollow portion 203 is connected to (i.e., connected to) the side hollow portion 202 at the second annular end 202B. The side hollow portion 203 is assembled to form an annular flange 103 of the capsule 1 body 100.

The bottom hollow part 201 includes an annular portion connected to the side hollow part, and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion; the annular portion protrudes from the central portion away from the second annular end. Therefore, the annular portion of the bottom hollow part 201 is configured to form an annular support portion 1011 that can form the capsule 1 main body 100. The central portion of the bottom hollow part 201 is configured to form a central portion 1012 that can form the capsule 1 main body 100. The central portion includes a first area with a first thickness and a second area with a second thickness. The second thickness is less than the first thickness. The second area (preferably the first area) is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and surrounds the first area. The first area of the bottom hollow portion 201 is configured as a first area 1012A that can form the central portion 1012 of the bottom wall 101 of the capsule 1 body 100; therefore, the first area of the bottom hollow portion 201 has a thickness S1. The second area of the bottom hollow portion 201 is configured as a second area 1012B that can form the central portion 1012 of the bottom wall 101 of the capsule 1 body 100; therefore, the second area of the bottom hollow portion 201 has a thickness S2. The central portion includes a third area surrounding the second area and connected to the annular portion by a connecting portion. The third area of the bottom hollow portion 201 is configured as a third area 1012C that can form the central portion 1012 of the bottom wall 101 of the capsule 1 body 100; therefore, the third area of the bottom hollow portion 201 has a thickness S3.

1: Capsules

14: Mouth cover

100: Subject

101: Bottom wall

102: Side wall

102A: First ring edge

102B: Second annular edge

103: Annular flange

1011: Ring-shaped support part

1012: Central part

1012A: District 1

1012B: District 2

1021: Part 2

1022: Part 1

A: Longitudinal axis

R1: Radius

R2: Radius

H: Height

Claims (18)

A capsule for preparing beverages in a device for preparing beverages, the capsule comprising a body, which includes: a bottom wall; a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge and a second annular edge connected to the bottom wall, wherein the side wall and the bottom wall define an internal space within the body of the capsule; an annular flange extending from the second annular edge of the side wall away from the longitudinal axis, wherein, The bottom wall includes an annular support portion connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular support portion, wherein the annular support portion protrudes from the central portion away from the second annular edge, and is characterized in that: the central portion includes a first region with a first thickness, and a second region with a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness and the second region is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second region has a ring shape and surrounds the first region. A capsule as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central portion of the bottom wall includes a third region that surrounds the second region and has a third thickness greater than the second thickness, wherein, on the inner side surface of the central portion, the second region is recessed relative to the first region and relative to the third region. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom wall includes a connecting portion interconnecting the central portion and the annular support portion, the connecting portion being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the central portion has an inner surface facing the inner space, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, wherein on the inner surface of the central portion, the second area is recessed relative to the first area. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular support portion has a support thickness greater than the first thickness. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the width of the second region in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to the radius of the first annular edge is between 0.2 and 0.5. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is between 0.35 and 0.55. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second annular edge has a semi-diameter greater than or equal to 20 mm, and wherein the capsule has a height along the longitudinal axis greater than or equal to 35 mm. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side wall has a first portion adjacent to the annular flange, and a second portion away from the annular flange and connected to the first portion and the bottom wall, wherein the second portion is in the shape of a truncated cone. As in claim 10, the first part has an inner wall facing the inner space and having a cylindrical shape, and an outer wall opposite to the inner wall, having a truncated cone shape and the cone direction is opposite to that of the second part. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a cap connected to the annular flange to define an internal space inside the capsule together with the main body; a filter element located in the internal space, wherein the filter element divides the internal space into a receiving space and a collecting space, wherein the receiving space is partially defined by the cap, and the collecting space is partially defined by the bottom wall; a substance contained in the receiving space and used to make a beverage. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular support portion is located at the periphery of the bottom wall relative to the central portion and protrudes longitudinally away from the second annular edge, so that the capsule can be placed on a supporting surface with the outer surface of the annular support portion being the contact surface with the supporting surface. A capsule as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second region has a radial extension and an axial extension relative to the longitudinal axis, and the radial extension is greater than the axial extension. A method for making a capsule for preparing a beverage in a device for preparing beverages, wherein the method comprises a step of forming a body of the capsule, which is made of the following: a bottom wall; a side wall extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular edge connected to the bottom wall and a second annular edge, wherein the side wall and the bottom wall define an internal space within the body of the capsule; an annular flange extending from the second annular edge of the side wall; The invention relates to a second annular edge extending away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the bottom wall includes an annular support portion connected to the side wall, and a central portion surrounded by the annular support portion, wherein the annular support portion protrudes away from the central portion from the second annular edge, and is characterized in that: the central portion includes a first region with a first thickness, and a second region with a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and wherein the second region is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The method of claim 15, wherein the forming step is performed by compression molding starting with a dose of thermoplastic material. A mold for making a capsule for preparing a beverage in a device for making beverages, the mold being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the mold defines a mold cavity comprising: a bottom hollow portion; a side hollow portion extending around a longitudinal axis between a first annular end connected to the bottom hollow portion and a second annular end; and a flange hollow portion connected to the second annular end and extending from the second annular end. The bottom hollow portion includes an annular portion connected to the side hollow portion and a central portion surrounded by the annular portion, wherein the annular portion protrudes away from the second annular end from the central portion, and is characterized in that: the central portion includes a first region with a first thickness, and a second region with a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness, and wherein the second region is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mold of claim 17 comprises an upper unit and a lower unit that are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, wherein when the mold is in the open configuration, the upper unit is separated from the lower unit, and when the mold is in the closed configuration, the upper unit and the lower unit are closed together and define the mold cavity, wherein, when in the closed configuration, the lower unit is located below the upper unit and partially inserted into a hollow portion of the upper unit.