WO2014041419A1 - Reusable capsule for preparing and dispensing beverages, by means of the injection of a pressurised fluid into the capsule - Google Patents

Description

 "REUSABLE CAPSULE TO PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE DRINKS BY INJECTION OF A PRESSURIZED FLUID WITHIN THE

CAPSULE "DESCRIPTION

 The present invention is generally related to the field of beverage production such as tea or coffee and edible liquids such as soups, using for this purpose a capsule that has been perfected so that it can be filled multiple times with one or more ingredients chosen and reused in association with a beverage making machine based on capsules of the type that are used in the preparation of espresso coffee and the like, thus providing the possibility of choosing the type of ingredient to make a desired beverage. take without relying on a limited selection of ingredients offered by a single manufacturer.

 Within the scope of the practical application of the invention, the disposable capsules for making beverages with the corresponding dose of ingredients in the interior of the capsules themselves are known, the disposable capsule is hermetically sealed during its manufacturing, so that its content is not accessible and only when it is introduced into an associated beverage maker and the preparation of the beverage begins, the capsule is perforated so that a pressurized fluid that is usually water passes through of the capsule interacting with the ingredients and producing a beverage that is obtained from the capsule.

 Document EP04019930 proposes a capsule for distributing a beverage by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule, which needs to be sealed in order to contain the pressurized fluid that is injected into it, during the process of making the beverage.

 Documents 296637 and 296639 describe that during the manufacture of the capsule the ingredients are hermetically sealed in a capsule compartment, in other words, an exposure of the ingredients to the environment only occurs after the capsule has been inserted into a machine. Beverage producer.

The tightly sealed capsule is advantageous, since it prevents premature loss of volatile substances from the ingredients during transport or storage. The aforementioned documents describe a capsule for making beverages and the elements that compose it, as well as the internal functioning of the capsule in association with a beverage maker, also describe that it is a capsule that contains various ingredients for its preparation of beverages, which are hermetically sealed in their manufacture, and only when the capsule is introduced to the beverage making machine and the beverage manufacturing process begins, the capsule is open and the ingredients are accessible, obtaining at the end of the process a drink.

 The disadvantage in the prior art occurs in that, once the preparation of the beverage is finished and the ingredients were extracted from the capsule, the capsule is rendered useless, since if it is intended to be reused by filling it with a new load of ingredients chosen for this purpose. to obtain a second drink, the only way to do it would be by breaking the flexible lid that keeps it sealed and since there is no way to seal the capsule again, it cannot be filled with new ingredients or reused, so that it is discarded, being a capsule single use or disposable.

 It also happens that when acquiring a specific espresso machine, which uses disposable capsules for its operation, it can only be used with the disposable capsules designed for this specific machine, therefore only the type of ingredients contained in these capsules.

 The above results in notorious disadvantages for the user since it prevents him from using in the capsules, the ingredients that satisfy him or suit him different from those contained in them and he is forced to consume only the ingredients that the manufacturer offers and the manufacturer can fix a High selling price for capsules.

 For these reasons there is a need for a versatile capsule that offers the possibility of choosing the type of ingredient to make a drink that you want to drink without relying on a limited selection of ingredients offered by a single manufacturer.

Therefore, the present invention has the task of presenting a capsule that solves the above-described drawbacks and provides significant advantages in its usefulness, since it is a capsule of analogous characteristics to that described in the aforementioned documents, with modifications in its structure that allow the capsule to be opened for filling with chosen ingredients, then closed tightly and reused in beverage machines that use these disposable capsules.

 Accordingly, and concretely, the reusable capsule that is recommended is made up of at least two bodies, an upper body and a lower body, the upper body essentially has the function of an ingredient container, and the lower body houses inside them opening means that open an outlet for the ingredients contained in the upper body.

 Both bodies of preferably truncated conical configuration, with a hollow structure, open on its upper face, the lower body has an orifice for the exit of the beverage, the lower face of the open upper body.

 The upper face of the upper body is sealed with a waterproof cap, which at the beginning of the beverage production is perforated by external means of injection of an associated beverage maker, which injects a pressurized fluid into the reusable capsule.

 Inside the upper body, optionally a transverse wall parallel to the impermeable cap can be provided, arranged as a barrier to break the velocity of the fluid injected into the capsule, the transverse wall has on its surface through holes that connect its opposite sides which they distribute the pressurized fluid evenly inside a chamber that contains at least one ingredient, where the interaction of the pressurized fluid with the ingredient produces a beverage.

 The ingredient chamber is closed with a membrane placed on the lower face of the upper body, which retains and releases the beverage out of the ingredient chamber.

 The lower membrane is perforated by drilling means located inside the lower body, the perforations are obtained when the increase in pressure caused by the pressurized fluid inside the ingredient chamber pushes the lower membrane against the drilling means releasing the drink.

Optionally the reusable capsule can be provided with valve means that open and close a path for the flow of the beverage into the inside the lower body, where means are arranged that break the flow force of the beverage and guide it towards an outlet opening arranged in the lower body, so that the beverage leaves the reusable capsule through this opening in a soft and stable flow that is deposited in a container for direct consumption.

 The reusable capsule comprises joining means arranged in the upper body and in the lower body, which allow the integral connection and disconnection of the two bodies without the need for the use of tools by the user. The integral union of the two bodies make up the reusable capsule as a functional unit.

 The reusable capsule also comprises a sealing element, designed to compensate for possible irregularities in the coupling surfaces of the upper body and the lower body, making it possible to seal tightly when the two bodies are connected.

 In this way, the reusable capsule is formed that offers notable advantages in its use since it allows its opening for filling with chosen ingredients, using the upper container body of the ingredients and its lower entrance face of the same and simply placed in a way manual the membrane that closes the lower face without the need for the membrane to be placed tightly, since its function in the reuse of the capsule is to serve as a filter for the ingredient to be made as a beverage, then it place the profiled plate inside the lower body for the opening of the lower membrane at the time of making the beverage; The closing of the capsule is done manually using the connection means arranged in the two bodies and with its corresponding packaging that guarantees the reusable capsule's tightness, then for reuse it is placed in the associated beverage making machine, using the Inlet opening made by the injection means in the waterproof cap the first time of use, so that the injection means penetrate each time the reusable capsule is used when making a beverage.

The reusable capsule described above can be manufactured in any configuration and with rigid or semi-rigid materials, being able to have various combinations of materials such as plastic, rubber, rubber, aluminum, paper or any other material that meets the requirements of tightness, resistance to pressures higher than environmental pressure, as well as suitable for food use.

 The practical and simple application of the reusable capsule in the production of beverages also provides substantial economic savings and benefits to the environment.

 To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present description is attached, as an integral part thereof, to the drawings in which for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, The following has been represented:

 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the upper body of the reusable capsule according to the present invention.

 Figure 2 shows a view of the inside of the lower body of the reusable capsule according to the present invention.

 Figure 3 shows a view from the lower face of the upper body according to the present invention.

 Figure 4 shows a view from the lower face of the lower body according to the present invention.

 Figure 5 shows a view of a profiled perforation plate according to the present invention.

 Figure 6 shows a view of a profiled perforation plate according to the present invention.

 Figure 7 shows a view of a lower membrane and below a profiled plate at the time of engagement, in accordance with the present invention.

 Figure 8 shows an inside view of the lower body with a profiled plate in its respective position.

 Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the coupling between the profiled plate and the adjacent surface of the interior of the lower body, and illustrates the flow path of the beverage to the outlet of the reusable capsule according to the present invention.

 Figure 10 shows the bottom side of a profiled plate according to the present invention.

Figure 11 shows the upper body and lower body connected forming the reusable capsule in a closed situation according to the present invention. In view of these figures, it can be seen how the reusable capsule (35) that is recommended is structured on the basis of two bodies, an upper body (1) and a lower body (2), both bodies of hollow structure, open on their face upper (3) (4) and on the lower face (5) the upper body, while the lower body has on its lower face (6) a hole (7) designed for the exit of the beverage.

 The upper body (1), preferably with a truncated conical shape, has on the periphery of its upper face (3) an outer flange (8) with a larger perimeter diameter, on which a lid (9) of flexible material is hermetically fixed and liquid and air impermeable that seals the upper face (3) of the upper body (1).

 The impermeable cover (9) at the beginning of the production of a beverage is perforated by external injection means (not shown) of an associated machine (not shown) for making drinks, where the injection means consist of a hollow tube or needle of sharp point through which a pressurized fluid is injected through it, which is usually water into the upper body (1).

 The impermeable cover (9) resists and retains the pressurized fluid that is injected into the upper body (1) where said fluid exerts pressures greater than the environmental pressure, that is to say the pressure on the outer side of the reusable capsule.

 In a first embodiment, inside the upper body (1), a transverse wall (10) is provided parallel to the impermeable cover (9), arranged as a barrier to break the velocity of the fluid injected into the upper body (1) .

 The transverse wall (10) has on its surface a plurality of through holes (11) that connect its opposite sides which distribute the pressurized fluid evenly and at a reduced speed inside a chamber (12) containing at least one ingredient, where the interaction of the pressurized fluid with the ingredient produces a drink.

The transverse wall (10) is used to obtain infusions such as coffee or tea, since it distributes the pressurized fluid in the ingredient in a homogeneous way and at a reduced speed to guarantee the total extraction of the ingredient. In a second embodiment, the upper body (1) is not provided with the transverse wall (10), since this embodiment is focused so that the pressurized fluid injected into the upper body (1) passes directly to the ingredient contained in the upper body (1), creating a whirlwind that is capable of dissolving water soluble ingredients, such as powdered milk.

 Between the impermeable cover (9) and the transverse wall (10), an injection space (13) is formed, which allows the external injection means to inject at least one jet of pressurized fluid, which is introduced through the waterproof cover (9).

 The chamber (12) where the ingredient is housed is defined by the side walls of the upper body, the waterproof cover (9) and a lower membrane (14) that closes the lower face (5) of the upper body (1). Optionally, the chamber is defined by the side walls of the upper body, the transverse wall (10), and the lower membrane (14).

 The lower membrane (14) retains and releases the beverage out of the ingredient chamber (12), when the pressurized fluid injected into the reusable capsule (35), raises the pressure inside the ingredient chamber (12) by above the pressure of the environment.

 The upper body (1) has on the periphery of its lower face (5) an inner flange (15) with a smaller perimeter diameter where the lower membrane (14) that closes the ingredient chamber (12) is placed.

 The lower body (2) of the reusable capsule (35) preferably has a frustoconical shape similar to a cup, opened by its upper face (4) and by its lower face (6) has a hole (7) designed for the exit of the drink.

 Inside the lower body (2) are housed drilling means consisting of a profiled plate (16, 17) that has at least one high perforation profile (18) on its upper face, the profiles (18) for example bolts or pyramids, elongated projections, punches or blades, pierce the lower membrane (14) that closes the lower face (5) of the upper body (1) allowing the drink to pass through the interstices of the perforations (19) of the lower membrane (14) and the side walls of the elevated drilling profiles (18).

The perforations (19) are obtained when the pressure rise caused by the pressurized fluid inside the ingredient chamber (12) pushes the lower membrane (14) against the elevated perforation profiles (18), causing the elevated perforation profiles (18) placed inside the lower body (2) but outside the ingredient chamber (12) to pierce and engage to the lower membrane (14).

 The profiled plate (16, 17) comprises on its surface ducts or channels (20) disposed between the side walls of the elevated perforation profiles (18) these channels (20) lead the beverage towards openings, ducts or grooves (21 ) arranged on the periphery of the profiled plate (16, 17), through which the beverage can flow into a space (22) formed between the periphery of the profiled plate (16, 17) and the adjacent internal surface (23 ) of the lower body (2); wherein the flowing beverage is directed by the inner surface (23) of the lower body (2) towards the lower face (24) of the profiled plate (16, 17) which is provided with means (25) that break the force of the flow of the beverage and guide it towards an outlet opening (7) of the lower body (2) where the means (25) comprise ring-shaped walls (25) arranged coaxially with the center of the profiled plate, center in which a guide bolt (26) is provided, in turn the ring-shaped walls (25) are respectively provided with a plurality of hollow spaces (27) that are offset from each other with respect to their angular position when they are measured towards the center of the profiled plate (16, 17).

 The areas of the coaxial rings (25) outside the hollow spaces (27) are in total contact with the inner surface (23) of the lower body (2), so that they present an obstacle to the flow of the beverage, the hollow spaces (27) and the inner surface (23) of the lower body (2) will force the drink into a route (28) with meanders or tortuous, where the ring-shaped walls (25) that define the route ( 28), break the energy of the beverage flow and promote a smooth flow towards the outlet opening (7) of the reusable capsule.

 The guide bolt (26) is an integral element of the profiled plate (16, 17) and protrudes downward from the center of the bottom face (24) of the profiled plate (16, 17), hence the flow of the beverage will be guided gently, by cooperation of the outlet opening (7) and the guide pin (26), the beverage leaving the capsule in a stable flow.

Additionally in the area around the outlet opening (7) of the beverage on the outer surface of the lower body (2) can be provided a cord (29) extending into the lower body (2) which also promotes a uniform flow and a breaker effect of the energy of the beverage flow.

 Optionally the profiled plate (16, 17) can be provided with valve means (30) at its periphery where the valve means is a sealing surface in the form of a flexible lip that has the function of precisely valve (30), the valve ( 30) opens a flow path (28) for the beverage, between the periphery of the profiled plate (16, 17) and the adjacent inner surface (23) of the lower body (2), to the extent that the pressure within the capsule is greater than the environmental pressure and tightly closes the flow path (28) of the beverage when the pressure inside the capsule no longer exceeds that of the environmental pressure, that is, the valve ( 30) is coupled to the adjacent inner surface (23) of the lower body (2) when closing, and moves biasedly when opening, so that when opened it is disengaged from the adjacent inner surface (23) of the lower body (2).

 The reusable capsule (35) is characterized in that it comprises joining means (31, 32) arranged in the upper body (1) and in the lower body (2), which allow the integral connection and disconnection of the two bodies ( 1, 2) without the need for the use of tools by the user. The integral union of the two bodies make up the reusable capsule (35).

 As joining means (31, 32) different mechanisms can be provided such as, pressure joints, screw joints or friction joints. For this embodiment, the joining means selected are of the male-female threadable type (31, 32).

 The male thread joint (31), is arranged at the lower end of the outer surface of the upper body (1), intended to operatively connect the upper body (1) with the lower body (2) in association with the female thread joint ( 32) of the lower body (2).

 The female thread joint (32), is arranged at the upper end of the inner surface of the lower body (2), intended to operatively connect the lower body (2) with the upper body (1) in association with the threaded joint means male (31) of the upper body (1).

The reusable capsule (35) also comprises a gasket or gasket (33), designed to compensate for possible irregularities in the coupling surfaces of the upper body (1) and the lower body (2), making it possible a tight junction when connecting the two bodies.

 The gasket (33) preferably has an annular shape that interposes in the joint of the upper body (1) and the lower body (2) of the reusable capsule (35).

 The gasket (33) seals the joint of the upper body (1) and the lower body (2) of the reusable capsule tightly, avoiding possible leaks of any of the ingredients that fill the inside of the reusable capsule (35) .

 The gasket (33) is radially arranged in an inner flange (34) of the lower body (2), where the inner flange (34) of the lower body (2) is coupled to the inner perimeter flange (15) of the face lower (5) of the upper body (1) at the time of the union of the two bodies (1, 2).

 The gasket (33) is selected from a material such as plastic, rubber, silicone, paper, metal, cork, felt or any combination of these.

 In this way, the reusable capsule (35) is formed, which offers notable advantages in its use since it allows its opening for filling with chosen ingredients, using the upper body (1) of the ingredients container and its lower face (5) of they are entered and the membrane (14) that closes the lower face (5) is simply placed manually without the need for the membrane (14) to be placed tightly, since its function in the reuse of the capsule ( 35) is to serve as a filter for the ingredient to be made as a beverage, then the profiled plate (16, 17) is placed inside the lower body (2) for the opening of the lower membrane (14) at the time of the preparation of the drink; The closing of the capsule (35) is done manually using the connection means arranged in the two bodies (1, 2) and with its corresponding packing (33) that guarantees the tightness of the reusable capsule (35), later to its reuse is placed in the associated beverage making machine, using the same inlet hole (36) that the injection media made in the waterproof cap (9) the first time it was used, so that through the same hole (36) the injection media penetrate each time the reusable capsule (35) is used when making a beverage.

The reusable capsule described above and its parts can be manufactured in any configuration and with rigid or semi-rigid materials, being able to have various combinations of materials such as plastic, rubber, rubber, aluminum, paper or any other material that meets the requirements of tightness, resistance to pressures higher than pressure environmental and that are suitable for food use.

 The terms in which this report has been written must always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

 The materials, shape and arrangement of the elements that constitute the present invention will be susceptible of variation as long as this does not imply an alteration of the essential features of the invention, which are claimed below.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION REIVINDICATIONS 1. A capsule for making and distributing beverages by injecting a pressurized fluid into the capsule, of the type comprising at least two hollow structure bodies, an upper body opened by its upper face and its lower face, and a lower body opened by its upper face and which has a hole in its lower face designed for the exit of the beverage; a waterproof cap that seals the upper face of the upper body; a lower membrane that closes the lower face of the upper body; a chamber that contains at least one ingredient, and that is defined by the side walls of the upper body, the impermeable cover, and the lower membrane; an outer flange located on the periphery of the upper face of the upper body, which has a larger perimeter diameter, and on which the impermeable cover is fixed; an inner flange placed on the periphery of the lower face of the upper body, which has a smaller perimeter diameter, and on which the lower membrane is fixed; drilling means located inside the lower body, which comprise a profiled plate comprising at least one elevated perforation profile that is located on its upper face and perforates the lower membrane that closes the lower face of the upper body; means that break the force of the flow of the drink and guide it towards the exit orifice of the lower body, which are located on the underside of the profiled plate; and, a guide bolt protruding downward from the center of the underside of the profiled plate; characterized in that it comprises:  a) joining means located in the upper body and in the lower body, which allow its connection and disconnection; Y  b) a gasket or gasket that interposes between the upper body and the lower body, at the joint or joint thereof, sealing said joint tightly; and where the capsule is reusable.  2. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the high perforation profile is selected from bolts, pyramids, elongated projections, punches and blades.  3. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the profiled plate comprises on its surface ducts or channels arranged between the side walls of the elevated perforation profiles; and openings, ducts or grooves arranged on the periphery of said profiled plate. 4. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized because the means that break the force of the flow of the drink and guide it towards the outlet orifice of the lower body comprise ring-shaped walls arranged coaxially with the center of the profiled plate.  5. The capsule according to claim 4, further characterized in that the ring-shaped walls comprise a plurality of hollow spaces that are offset from each other with respect to their angular position when measured towards the center of the profiled plate.  6. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a transverse wall having on its surface a plurality of through holes, and which is parallel separated from the impermeable cover.  7. The capsule according to claims 1 and 6, further characterized in that the chamber is defined by the side walls of the upper body, the transverse wall, and the lower membrane.  8. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a cord that extends into the lower body.  9. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the profiled plate comprises valve means at its periphery, which open a flow path for the beverage, between the periphery of the profiled plate and the adjacent inner surface of the body lower, to the extent that the pressure inside the capsule is greater than the pressure of the environment, and close the flow path of the beverage tightly when the pressure inside the capsule no longer exceeds that of the pressure of the environment.  10. The capsule according to claim 9, further characterized in that the valve means is a sealing surface in the form of a flexible lip.  11. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the joining means are selected from press fittings, screw joints or friction joints.  12. The capsule according to claim 11, further characterized in that the joining means are male-female screw connections.  13. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the seal is radially arranged in an inner flange of the lower body, wherein said inner flange is coupled to an inner perimeter flange of the lower face of the upper body at the time of the union of the two bodies. 14. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that the gasket is annular in shape and is made of a selected material between plastic, rubber, silicone, paper, metal, cork, felt, and combinations thereof.  15. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that it has a frustoconical shape.  16. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that its parts are made of any material, rigid or semi-rigid, that meets the requirements of airtightness, resistance to pressures higher than ambient pressure and that are suitable for food use  17. The capsule according to claim 16, further characterized in that the material is selected from plastic, rubber, rubber, aluminum, paper, and combinations thereof.  18. The capsule according to claim 1, further characterized in that, for reuse of the capsule, the same inlet opening is used in the waterproof cap so that injection means of an associated beverage making machine are penetrated, wherein the entrance hole was made by the injection means of the associated machine the first time the capsule was placed and used in said machine.