Capsule to be used to prepare an infused beverage

• US 20050266122A1
• Filed: 02/05/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IMA - Industria Macchine Automatiche SPA (Vacchi Family)
• Original Assignee: IMA - Industria Macchine Automatiche SPA (Vacchi Family)
• Inventors: Franceschi, Fabio
• Application Number:
  US10/512,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20050266122A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/77
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3216 Rigid containers disposed one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8046 Pods, i.e. closed containers made only of filter paper or similar material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8067 Packages for several ingredients

Abstract

A capsule (1) used to prepare an infused beverage, especially cappuccino or macchiato coffee, comprises a first container (6) made of a substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion substance (MI), the coffee, and a second container (2), attached to the first container (6), made of a substantially rigid material and containing a powdered soluble substance (MS), the milk.

Claims

1. A capsule (1) used to prepare an infused beverage, characterised in that it comprises a first container (6) made of a substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion substance (MI), and a second container (2), attached to the first container (6), made of a substantially rigid material and containing a powdered soluble substance (MS).

2. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second container (2) by heat sealing.

3. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second container (2) by gluing.

4. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second container (2) by ultrasound sealing.

5. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that at least the top of it is covered by a sheet (10) of protective material.

6. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) comprises a pod (6) made of filter paper or other similar filter material.

7. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material.

8. The capsule according to claim 7, characterised in that the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) has a hole (4) in it, covered by a seal (5) of suitable material designed to be pierced or removed.

9. The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2).

10. The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material;

the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2); and

the pod (6) of filter paper has an annular outer edge (8) fixed to a matching annular protuberance (9) on the plastic cartridge (2), at the top (7) of the cartridge (2) itself.

11. The capsule according to claim 10, characterised in that the sheet (10) of protective cover material is removably placed over the top of the filter paper pod (6);

the sheet (10) being fixed to the edge of the outer protuberance (9) of the cartridge (2).

12. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the infusion substance (MI) comprises powdered coffee.

13. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the soluble substance (MS) comprises powdered milk and/or creamer and similar soluble substances.

14. The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) comprises a pod (6) made of filter paper or other similar filter material.

15. The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material.

16. The capsule according to claim 6, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material.

17. The capsule according to claim 15, characterised in that the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) has a hole (4) in it, covered by a seal (5) of suitable material designed to be pierced or removed.

18. The capsule according to claim 16, characterised in that the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) has a hole (4) in it, covered by a seal (5) of suitable material designed to be pierced or removed.

19. The capsule according to claim 17, characterised in that the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2).

20. The capsule according to claim 18, characterised in that the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2).

21. The capsule according to claim 9, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material;

the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2); and

the pod (6) of filter paper has an annular outer edge (8) fixed to a matching annular protuberance (9) on the plastic cartridge (2), at the top (7) of the cartridge (2) itself.