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WO2008117329A1 - Capsule for hot drink machines - Google Patents

Capsule for hot drink machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008117329A1
WO2008117329A1 PCT/IT2008/000197 IT2008000197W WO2008117329A1 WO 2008117329 A1 WO2008117329 A1 WO 2008117329A1 IT 2008000197 W IT2008000197 W IT 2008000197W WO 2008117329 A1 WO2008117329 A1 WO 2008117329A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
capsule
holder
hot drink
capsules
indentation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IT2008/000197
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Aldo Palombini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Espressaroma SpA
Original Assignee
Espressaroma SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Espressaroma SpA filed Critical Espressaroma SpA
Priority to AT08751521T priority Critical patent/ATE502879T1/en
Priority to DE602008005726T priority patent/DE602008005726D1/en
Priority to EP08751521A priority patent/EP2139792B1/en
Publication of WO2008117329A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008117329A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • B65D85/8061—Filters

Definitions

  • Hot drink machines using capsule systems have been on the market for many years now.
  • Present-day machines use either single-dose rigid cylindrical capsules, which are perforated by the machine when the water is forced through, or single/multiple-dose disc capsules, made of filter paper, which come in different shapes and sizes according to the type of machine they're used in.
  • the disc capsules feature a convex top/bottom and contain the drink product, such as coffee for example.
  • Such a shape can be inconvenient, because when the hot water under pressure is forced through the filter, from the water heating block, it spreads and penetrates irregularly through the capsule shell and tends to "slide" along the convex surface, thus impairing the quality of the drink.
  • a further inconvenience consists in that, like all disc-shaped objects, in order to provide a best quality drink they must preferably be placed with a specific side against the hot water supply, and according to a specific orientation with respect to the filter holder; as regards the disc capsules currently on the market these preferential positions are generally indicated on the capsule shell with a small coloured text, which, however, in most cases is hard to find and to read by the user.
  • the present invention relates to a hot-drink capsule system capable of remedying the above mentioned inconveniences.
  • the capsule features a flat top that fits perfectly against the filter, so that the hot water forced through from the heating block spreads in a uniform manner.
  • the flat top is made of filter paper and is sealed around the edges onto a polypropylene container, of suitable shape and size, the bottom of which features a series of microscopic holes in the middle, covered by filter paper, through which the brewed beverage can pass and be poured through a spout into the cup or other container.
  • the edge of the capsule features a notch or indentation that matches a protuberance on the capsule holder, of any shape or size, to help the user immediately and properly fit the capsule into its holder, also thanks to the above mentioned flat top side.
  • figure 1 shows a cross-section of the polypropylene container
  • figure 2 shows a cross-section of the polypropylene container complete with the filter paper at the top
  • figure 3 shows a view from above of the container without the filter paper top
  • figure 4 shows a view from above of the capsule
  • figure 5 shows a plan view of the lower part of the container.
  • the capsule consists of a rigid disc-shaped container (1), made of PP (polypropylene) suitable for food use applications, or other like material, containing the drink product, such as milk powder, in the centre (6); the edge (4) features a tab (5), of the preferred shape, for easily extracting the capsule from its holder after use.
  • PP polypropylene
  • the middle bottom part (6) of the container (1) features small or very small holes (7), through which the brewed drink leaves the container (1) when hot water is forced through, after having passed through a layer of filter paper beneath (3).
  • the top (8) of the capsule is made of filter paper and is perfectly flat.
  • the flat filter-paper surface (8) when the capsule is placed inside the holder and the holder introduced into the housing in the machine, comes into close contact with the filter, which is integral with the water heating block, through which the hot water is made to pass, under pressure, by means of a pump and is then forced through the top surface (8) of the capsule to make the drink.
  • the flat top surface (8) of the capsule fits perfectly against the flat surface of the filter integral with the water heating block, which determines the uniform distribution and penetration of the water through the top surface (8) of the capsule and into the capsule itself, where it mixes with the drink product contained therein; the resulting hot drink then filters through the holes on the bottom surface (7), and after having passed through the lower filter paper (3) is collected inside the filter holder and poured through the spout in the machine.
  • the position of the indentation and protuberance may be inverted, so that the capsule (1) features a protuberance in any point of its surface (1), while the filter holder has the indentation; in this case also the indentation and the protuberance may be of any shape and size.
  • the solutions may be adopted indipendently the one of the other. Based on tests carried out, it has been found that a capsule with a flat surface (6) and a diameter of 50 mm offers the best dose-quantity and drink-quality ratio.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Tea And Coffee (AREA)
  • Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements to capsules used in hot drink machines serving coffee, tea, soluble products, etc. The invention is primarily related to the composition of the capsule, which is made with a mixed technique, associating a polypropylene (or similar) rigid structure and a top and bottom section made of filter paper secondly, the invention also relates to the flat surface of the capsule placed against the filter, which is integral with the water heating block and is supplied with hot water under pressure by means of a pump. In a preferred embodiment the invention relates to the provision on the outer surface of the capsule of an indentation, which, by moving in accordance with a matching protuberance in the capsule holder, enables the user to immediately and properly fit the capsule inside the holder.

Description

CAPSULE FOR HOT DRINK MACHINES
State of the art
Hot drink machines using capsule systems have been on the market for many years now. Present-day machines use either single-dose rigid cylindrical capsules, which are perforated by the machine when the water is forced through, or single/multiple-dose disc capsules, made of filter paper, which come in different shapes and sizes according to the type of machine they're used in. The disc capsules feature a convex top/bottom and contain the drink product, such as coffee for example. Such a shape, however, can be inconvenient, because when the hot water under pressure is forced through the filter, from the water heating block, it spreads and penetrates irregularly through the capsule shell and tends to "slide" along the convex surface, thus impairing the quality of the drink. A further inconvenience consists in that, like all disc-shaped objects, in order to provide a best quality drink they must preferably be placed with a specific side against the hot water supply, and according to a specific orientation with respect to the filter holder; as regards the disc capsules currently on the market these preferential positions are generally indicated on the capsule shell with a small coloured text, which, however, in most cases is hard to find and to read by the user.
Description of the invention
The present invention relates to a hot-drink capsule system capable of remedying the above mentioned inconveniences. According to this invention the capsule features a flat top that fits perfectly against the filter, so that the hot water forced through from the heating block spreads in a uniform manner.
The flat top is made of filter paper and is sealed around the edges onto a polypropylene container, of suitable shape and size, the bottom of which features a series of microscopic holes in the middle, covered by filter paper, through which the brewed beverage can pass and be poured through a spout into the cup or other container. In a preferred embodiment of this invention the edge of the capsule features a notch or indentation that matches a protuberance on the capsule holder, of any shape or size, to help the user immediately and properly fit the capsule into its holder, also thanks to the above mentioned flat top side. Description of the drawings
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 shows a cross-section of the polypropylene container; figure 2 shows a cross-section of the polypropylene container complete with the filter paper at the top; figure 3 shows a view from above of the container without the filter paper top; figure 4 shows a view from above of the capsule; figure 5 shows a plan view of the lower part of the container. Description of the preferred mode of carrying out the invention
Referring to the drawings, the capsule consists of a rigid disc-shaped container (1), made of PP (polypropylene) suitable for food use applications, or other like material, containing the drink product, such as milk powder, in the centre (6); the edge (4) features a tab (5), of the preferred shape, for easily extracting the capsule from its holder after use.
The middle bottom part (6) of the container (1) features small or very small holes (7), through which the brewed drink leaves the container (1) when hot water is forced through, after having passed through a layer of filter paper beneath (3). The top (8) of the capsule is made of filter paper and is perfectly flat.
The flat filter-paper surface (8), when the capsule is placed inside the holder and the holder introduced into the housing in the machine, comes into close contact with the filter, which is integral with the water heating block, through which the hot water is made to pass, under pressure, by means of a pump and is then forced through the top surface (8) of the capsule to make the drink.
The flat top surface (8) of the capsule fits perfectly against the flat surface of the filter integral with the water heating block, which determines the uniform distribution and penetration of the water through the top surface (8) of the capsule and into the capsule itself, where it mixes with the drink product contained therein; the resulting hot drink then filters through the holes on the bottom surface (7), and after having passed through the lower filter paper (3) is collected inside the filter holder and poured through the spout in the machine. In another embodiment there is an indentation in the top surface (8) of the container (1), in any position, which matches a protuberance in the filter holder; both the indentation and the protuberance may be of any shape and size, and serve the function of immediately and properly fitting the capsule into its holder. Obviously, the position of the indentation and protuberance may be inverted, so that the capsule (1) features a protuberance in any point of its surface (1), while the filter holder has the indentation; in this case also the indentation and the protuberance may be of any shape and size. The solutions may be adopted indipendently the one of the other. Based on tests carried out, it has been found that a capsule with a flat surface (6) and a diameter of 50 mm offers the best dose-quantity and drink-quality ratio.

Claims

Claims
1. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines comprising: a rigid polypropylene container (1) without a top surface and containing the drink product; a middle bottom part (6) or bottom of the above mentioned rigid polypropylene container (1) featuring a series of holes (7); a lower layer of filter paper (3) on the middle bottom part; a top surface (8) sealed against the edge of the polypropylene container
(1) made of filter paper.
2. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the top surface (8) is flat.
3. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the series of holes (7) consists of a micro-perforations.
4. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the top surface (8) features a tab (5) for the easy extraction of the capsule from the capsule holder.
5. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the capsule (1) features an indentation in the top surface (8), in any position, which matches a protuberance in the filter holder; both the indentation and the protuberance may be of any shape and size, and serve the function of immediately and properly fitting the capsule into its holder.
6. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the capsule (1) features a protuberance in the top surface (8), in any position, which matches an indentation in the filter holder; both the indentation and the protuberance may be of any shape and size, and serve the function of immediately and properly fitting the capsule into its holder.
7. Improvements to capsules for hot drink machines according to claim 1, wherein the capsule (1) is made of a different material from polypropylene.
PCT/IT2008/000197 2007-03-27 2008-03-25 Capsule for hot drink machines Ceased WO2008117329A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT08751521T ATE502879T1 (en) 2007-03-27 2008-03-25 CAPSULE FOR HOT BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINES
DE602008005726T DE602008005726D1 (en) 2007-03-27 2008-03-25 CAPSULE FOR HOT BEVERAGE AUTOMATES
EP08751521A EP2139792B1 (en) 2007-03-27 2008-03-25 Capsule for hot drink machines

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000074U ITRM20070074U1 (en) 2007-03-27 2007-03-27 IMPROVEMENT TO PODS FOR FEEDING MACHINES FOR EXPRESS DRINKS
ITRM07U000074 2007-03-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008117329A1 true WO2008117329A1 (en) 2008-10-02

Family

ID=39591657

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2008/000197 Ceased WO2008117329A1 (en) 2007-03-27 2008-03-25 Capsule for hot drink machines

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2139792B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE502879T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602008005726D1 (en)
IT (1) ITRM20070074U1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008117329A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010137960A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
WO2010137953A1 (en) 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
WO2010137962A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Capsule comprising an extractable product
WO2010137945A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Capsule and system for preparing a beverage comprising soluble substance
WO2010137952A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Rhea non-woven membrane
US8846120B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2014-09-30 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, a method and a capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage
WO2015022191A1 (en) 2013-08-14 2015-02-19 Merck Patent Gmbh High pressure extraction capsule
WO2019121881A1 (en) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. An optimized coffee pod for beverage preparation

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9783361B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-10-10 Starbucks Corporation Stretchable beverage cartridges and methods
US10442610B2 (en) 2014-03-11 2019-10-15 Starbucks Corporation Pod-based restrictors and methods
US9877495B2 (en) 2015-01-09 2018-01-30 Starbucks Corporation Method of making a sweetened soluble beverage product

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2411106A (en) 2004-02-17 2005-08-24 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
WO2006021405A2 (en) * 2004-08-23 2006-03-02 Nestec S.A. Capsule for preparing and delivering a drink by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule
WO2006057022A1 (en) * 2004-11-25 2006-06-01 Espressaroma S.P.A. Pod for espresso machines
WO2008047193A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-04-24 Aroma System Srl Capsule containing hydro-soluble or infusion products to obtain hot beverages

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2411106A (en) 2004-02-17 2005-08-24 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Cartridge for the preparation of beverages
WO2006021405A2 (en) * 2004-08-23 2006-03-02 Nestec S.A. Capsule for preparing and delivering a drink by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule
WO2006057022A1 (en) * 2004-11-25 2006-06-01 Espressaroma S.P.A. Pod for espresso machines
WO2008047193A1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2008-04-24 Aroma System Srl Capsule containing hydro-soluble or infusion products to obtain hot beverages

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2566319C2 (en) * 2009-06-17 2015-10-20 Конинклейке Дауве Егбертс Б.В. Capsule and system for beverage preparation containing soluble substance
US9161652B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2015-10-20 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule and system for preparing a beverage comprising soluble substance
WO2010137962A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Capsule comprising an extractable product
WO2010137945A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Capsule and system for preparing a beverage comprising soluble substance
WO2010137952A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. Rhea non-woven membrane
CN102573578A (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-07-11 莎莉／De有限公司 System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
CN102573582A (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-07-11 莎莉／De有限公司 Capsule and system for preparing beverages containing soluble substances
EP2510843A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-10-17 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
JP2012530526A (en) * 2009-06-17 2012-12-06 コーニンクラケ ダウ エグバート ビー．ブイ． System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
EP2633787A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2013-09-04 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
US8846120B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2014-09-30 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, a method and a capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage
CN102482032B (en) * 2009-06-17 2014-12-10 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US12070148B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2024-08-27 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage
EP2443048B1 (en) 2009-06-17 2015-04-29 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
CN102481063B (en) * 2009-06-17 2015-06-10 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 Systems, methods and capsules for preparing beverages
CN102573578B (en) * 2009-06-17 2015-07-08 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
WO2010137953A1 (en) 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
WO2010137960A1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2010-12-02 Sara Lee/De N.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
CN105193269A (en) * 2009-06-17 2015-12-30 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 System, Capsule And Method For Preparing A Beverage
AU2009347084B2 (en) * 2009-06-17 2016-01-28 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US9271601B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2016-03-01 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US9359126B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2016-06-07 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US9371174B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2016-06-21 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. Capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage
US9409705B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2016-08-09 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, a method and a capsule for preparing a pre-determined quantity of beverage
AU2009347077B2 (en) * 2009-06-17 2016-09-22 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
AU2009347077C1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2017-03-23 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
CN102573582B (en) * 2009-06-17 2017-04-26 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 System and method for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption
AU2009347084B9 (en) * 2009-06-17 2018-11-22 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US10231571B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2019-03-19 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage
CN105193269B (en) * 2009-06-17 2019-04-19 皇家戴维艾格伯茨有限公司 It is used to prepare system, packing and the method for beverage
US11939143B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2024-03-26 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
AU2009347084C1 (en) * 2009-06-17 2021-01-28 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
US11058249B2 (en) 2009-06-17 2021-07-13 Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
WO2015022191A1 (en) 2013-08-14 2015-02-19 Merck Patent Gmbh High pressure extraction capsule
WO2019121881A1 (en) * 2017-12-20 2019-06-27 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. An optimized coffee pod for beverage preparation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2139792B1 (en) 2011-03-23
ITRM20070074U1 (en) 2008-09-28
EP2139792A1 (en) 2010-01-06
ATE502879T1 (en) 2011-04-15
DE602008005726D1 (en) 2011-05-05

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