RIGID CARTRIDGE FOR COFFEE AND SOLUBLE PRODUCTS FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

• US 20120118166A1
• Filed: 05/26/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitaca S.R.L. (Illycaffe SPA)
• Original Assignee: Mitaca S.R.L. (Illycaffe SPA)
• Inventors: Macchi, Edoardo
• Granted Patent: US 9,174,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8055 Means for influencing the liquid flow inside the package
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8061 Filters

Abstract

A cartridge (1) for coffee or soluble products for producing a beverage, includes a container (2) able to contain the coffee or soluble product, a lid (6) disposed over the container so as to define a top wall for entry into the container of the hot water under pressure for formation of the beverage, a filter (4) able to be positioned inside the container above a bottom wall (20) of the container through which the beverage flows out, wherein the bottom wall of the container has a weakened, less thick central area (22), suitable to be broken by mechanical elements or by the pressure of the liquid inside the cartridge to allow delivery of the beverage, there being provided a plurality of concentric, spiral-shaped channels, ending in the less thick central area, able to cause a swirling movement of the beverage, with the consequent formation of a dense froth.

Claims

1. A cartridge for coffee or soluble products in general for the production of a beverage, comprising:

a container (2) designed to contain the coffee or soluble product,

a lid (6) arranged on the container (2) so as to define an upper wall through which hot water under pressure can enter the container to produce the beverage,

a filter (4) designed to be positioned inside the container (2) above a bottom wall (20) of the container through which the beverage is extracted;

said bottom wall (20) of the container having a weakened less thick central portion (22) designed to be broken by external mechanical means or by the pressure of the liquid inside the cartridge, thereby forming at least one opening to allow the beverage to outflow from the cartridge,

characterized in that

at least one spiral-shaped channel (24) is provided on said bottom wall (20) of the container, which starts from a peripheral edge (23) of the bottom wall and ends in said weakened central portion (22), at least one raised spiral (27) being intercalated to said at least one grooved spiral (24).

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of grooved spirals (24) intercalated by respective raised spirals (27) are provided on bottom wall (20).

3. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that each grooved spiral (24) has a tapering initial portion (25) at said peripheral edge (23) of the bottom (20) of the container and an enlarged terminal length (26) ending in said weakened central portion (22).

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said less thick central portion (22) is substantially circular or annular in shape.

5. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2) is frustoconical, cylindrical in shape or the like.

6. A cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that thickenings (29) are provided inside the side wall (21) of the container (2), designed to avoid that stacked containers restrain each other, acting as a stop for the bottom (20) of a overhanging container (2).

7. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that said lid (6) is made of one or more layers of micro-perforated material to allow the passage of hot water under pressure into the cartridge (1).

8. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that said lid (6) seals the container (2) and is perforated during the beverage delivery.

9. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said filter (4) rests on said at least one raised spiral (27), thereby allowing the swirling outflow of the liquid in said at least one grooved spiral (24).

10. A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2) is made by injection moulding of plastic material, such as polypropylene and the like.

11. A cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that each grooved spiral (24) has a tapering initial portion (25) at said peripheral edge (23) of the bottom (20) of the container and an enlarged terminal length (26) ending in said weakened central portion (22).

12. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said less thick central portion (22) is substantially circular or annular in shape.

13. A cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said container (2) is frustoconical, cylindrical in shape or the like.

14. A cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said lid (6) is made of one or more layers of micro-perforated material to allow the passage of hot water under pressure into the cartridge (1).

15. A cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that said lid (6) seals the container (2) and is perforated during the beverage delivery.