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CN-122003375-A - Capsule for preparing a beverage

CN122003375ACN 122003375 ACN122003375 ACN 122003375ACN-122003375-A

Abstract

A biodegradable and/or compostable capsule for use with a beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages and/or food products thereof is disclosed. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a closing film for closing the cup-shaped body, the two elements defining a closed cavity for beverage and/or food ingredients, preferably roast and ground coffee, and an inner liner or coating having a barrier function, which provides the barrier function to the cup-shaped body. The cup-shaped body is made of a cellulose-based material, preferably a molded pulp-based material, and comprises a bottom wall, a tubular side wall, an annular flange connected to the side wall for sealing the closure membrane thereto, and an outwardly extending rim portion connected to the annular flange. The annular flange is made of cellulose-based material and comprises a first portion in which the cellulose-based material has a porosity comprised between 30% and 70%, preferably between 50% and 70%, and which cooperates with the edge of the encapsulating member of the beverage preparation machine for improving the tightness during the preparation of the beverage.

Inventors

  • GERBER GILLES
  • C.S.P. Heidel
  • N. O'Brig

Assignees

  • 雀巢产品有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20240729
Priority Date
20230803

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A capsule for use with a beverage preparation machine (10) for preparing a beverage and/or food thereof, the capsule being biodegradable and/or compostable and comprising: A cup-shaped body (1) and a closing film (2) for closing the cup-shaped body (1), the cup-shaped body (1) and the closing film (2) defining a closed cavity for containing a beverage and/or food ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, and a body liner (20) or coating having a barrier function, the body liner or coating providing the cup-shaped body (1) with a barrier function; The cup-shaped body (1) is made of a cellulose-based material, preferably a pulp-based material, and comprises a bottom wall (4), a tubular side wall (5), an annular flange (3) connected to the side wall (5) for sealing the closing film (2) thereon, and an outwardly extending rim portion (6) connected to the annular flange (3), It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of, The annular flange (3) is made of cellulose-based material and comprises a first portion (3A) in which the cellulose-based material has a porosity comprised between 30% and 70%, preferably between 50% and 70%, The first portion (3A) of the annular flange (3) cooperates with an edge (8) of an encapsulating member (9) of the beverage preparation machine (10) for improving tightness during preparation of the beverage.
  2. 2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (3A) of the annular flange (3) extends from the side wall (5) and is integral with both the side wall (5) and the annular flange (3) of the capsule.
  3. 3. Capsule according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (3A) extends over the annular flange (3) comprises a radial distance (d 1) between 0.4mm and 0.9mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 0.75 mm.
  4. 4. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (3A) has a thickness comprised between 0.9mm and 1.5mm, said thickness being greater than the thickness of the side wall (5).
  5. 5. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the density of the cellulose-based material of the first portion (3A) is comprised between 0.2g/cm3 and 1g/cm3, preferably between 0.4g/cm3 and 1g/cm3, more preferably between 0.6g/cm3 and 1g/cm3, most preferably between 0.8g/cm3 and 1g/cm3.
  6. 6. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the annular flange (3) further comprises a second portion (3B) adjacent to and extending outwards from the first portion (3A), the second portion (3B) having a thickness comprised between 0.4mm and 0.8mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 0.7mm, and extending from the first portion (3A) a radial distance (d 2) comprised between 0.5mm and 0.9 mm.
  7. 7. Capsule according to claim 6, wherein the porosity of the cellulose-based material of the second portion (3B) is less than 40%.
  8. 8. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rim portion (6) is made of cellulose-based material integral with the annular flange (3) and comprises a curled or bent end portion (6A) comprising a treated area (6B) in which the cellulose-based material has a porosity of less than 40%, preferably between 0% and 25%.
  9. 9. Capsule according to claim 8, wherein the treatment zone (6B) is a compression zone, preferably in a glassy state.
  10. 10. Capsule according to any of claims 6 or 7 in combination with any of claims 8 or 9, wherein the treatment zone (6B) extends partially or fully onto the second portion (3B) of the annular flange (3).
  11. 11. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cup-shaped body 1 is made of cellulose pulp comprising cellulose fibres in a percentage by weight of at least 50%, preferably in the range 80% to 100%.
  12. 12. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing film (2) is biodegradable and/or home compostable and integrates at least one of a filter layer, a carrier layer and a gas and/or water vapour barrier layer, and wherein the closing film (2) is connected to the annular flange (3) of the capsule on its side opposite to the first portion (3A) and the second portion (3B).
  13. 13. A system comprising a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a beverage preparation machine (10) for preparing a beverage and/or food thereof, the machine comprising: a capsule-holder portion (11) for holding the capsule on one side of the closing membrane (2); -an encapsulating member (9) for holding the capsule inside the beverage preparation machine, the encapsulating member (9) comprising an edge (8) interacting with the portion (3A) of the annular flange (3) when the capsule is encapsulated for improving tightness during preparation of the beverage; -liquid injection means (13) for feeding liquid into the capsule; a treatment unit for treating the dosing material of the capsule, the treatment unit comprising one or more penetrator elements (12) for piercing the bottom wall (4) of the capsule, and And the circuit is used for controlling the processing unit.
  14. 14. Use of a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
  15. 15. A method for preparing a beverage and/or food product thereof from a beverage and/or food ingredient of a capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in a beverage preparation machine, the method comprising: Inserting a capsule into a beverage preparation machine comprising a capsule holder portion (11) forming a capsule seat (10) and an encapsulating member (9), said encapsulating member (9) comprising an edge portion (8) interacting in a fluid-tight manner with a portion (3A) of the annular flange (3) of the capsule, Penetrating the cellulose pulp bottom wall (4) of the capsule with one or more penetrator elements (12) of the machine to provide a fluid inlet, Supplying conditioned fluid to the beverage and/or food ingredients of the capsule via the fluid inlet, Processing the beverage and/or food ingredients, Releasing the capsule from both the capsule-holder portion (11) and the encapsulating member (9) by opening the capsule seat (10), and Directing the capsule towards an ejection channel (16) of the beverage preparation machine (10).

Description

Capsule for preparing a beverage Technical Field The present invention relates to capsules for preparing a beverage and/or food in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body made of a cellulose-based material, preferably pulp, and is biodegradable, preferably compostable. Background Disposable capsules for preparing beverages in brewing units of beverage production devices have been known in the art for decades. Containers or capsules made of cellulose-based materials, such as paper or pulp, are known in the art of beverage preparation devices and machines. Materials made of cellulose paper or pulp are also known, which are capable of maintaining the quality of the beverage substance in the capsule for at least a period of time. Disposable capsules made from cellulose-based materials have less potential environmental impact than capsules made from other materials. Known cellulose-based capsules are used in brewing units of beverage preparation devices comprising an enclosing member which is part of a capsule seat (formed by the enclosing member and a capsule holder) containing the capsule during a beverage preparation process, and a fluid injection device for injecting water into the capsule for preparing a beverage. It is important that the capsule placed on the capsule holder is tightly engaged with the enclosing member of the capsule seat to provide an efficient extraction of the beverage ingredients contained in the capsule and to prevent the capsule from being opened incorrectly and/or to prevent water injected into the capsule from flowing directly outside the capsule seat without entering the interior of the capsule body. In case of a poor sealing engagement between the capsule and the enclosing member of the capsule seat, water flows to the outside of the capsule, as not being subjected to a sufficient resistance to flow, resulting in that the inside of the capsule will not accumulate the pressure necessary for tearing of the closure membrane of the capsule, or alternatively, a low pressure will result in an incomplete tearing of this closure membrane and thus in poor extraction of the beverage substance contained in the capsule. In such a scenario, the water will drain directly from the beverage production device into the cup without interacting or fully interacting with the beverage substance under sufficient pressure conditions. The present invention aims at improving the sealing characteristics of known cellulose-based capsules for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation device. Disclosure of Invention As used herein, the term "machine" or "apparatus" may refer to an electrically operated apparatus or machine that may prepare a beverage and/or food product from a precursor material or ingredient, or may prepare a precursor material from a pre-precursor material that may be subsequently prepared into a beverage and/or food product. The machine may effect the preparation by one or more of diluting, heating, pressurizing, cooling, mixing, whipping, dissolving, soaking, dipping, extracting, conditioning, brewing, grinding, and the like. The machine may be sized for use on a table, for example, the machine may be less than 70cm in length, width and height. As used herein, the term "preparing" with respect to a beverage and/or food product may refer to preparing at least a portion of the beverage and/or food product (e.g., the beverage is prepared entirely by the machine, or is prepared in part, and an end user may manually add additional fluid, including milk and/or water, to the beverage prior to consumption). As used herein, the term "container" or "capsule" may refer to any configuration that contains a precursor material (e.g., as a single-portion, pre-portion quantified amount). The container may have a maximum capacity such that the container can only hold a single portion of precursor material. The container may be single-use, e.g., physically modified after a preparation process that may include one or more of perforation to supply a fluid, e.g., a liquid such as water, to the precursor material, perforation to supply a beverage/food from the container, and opening by a user to extract the precursor material. The container may be configured for operation with a container handling unit of the machine, e.g. the container may comprise a flange for aligning and guiding the container through or arranged on said unit. The container may comprise a rupturing portion arranged to rupture when subjected to a particular pressure to deliver the beverage/foodstuff. The container may have a membrane for closing the container. The container may have various forms including one or more of frustoconical, cylindrical, disk-shaped, hemispherical, and other similar forms. The container may be formed from a variety of materials, such as metal or plastic or wood pulp based combinations thereof. The material may be selected such that it is food safe and it is resistant to the pres