CAPSULE FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

• US 20140010926A1
• Filed: 07/16/2012
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caffitaly System S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Coffee Star SA
• Inventors: Digiuni, Paolo
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/112
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8061 Filters

Abstract

A capsule (1) for making beverages comprises a powdered food substance, and comprises a body (2) having a lower wall (3) and a side wall (4), and a lid (6) fixed to an edge (5) of the side wall (4). Between the lid (6) and the inner surface of the body (2) there is a chamber in which a rigid or semi-rigid filter (10) is positioned, coupled at a coupling portion (14) located on the side wall (4) close to the edge (5). The filter (10) extends between a rim (12) positioned close to the lid (6) and coupled to the coupling portion (14), and a bottom portion (13) positioned close to the lower wall (3), and separates the chamber into a first compartment (15), containing the substance, delimited at least between the filter (10) and the lid (6), and into a second compartment (16) partly positioned between the side wall (4) and the filter (10), delimited between the filter (10), the lower wall (3) and the portion of side wall (4) located between the lower wall (3) and the coupling portion (14). The second compartment (16) comprises openings (11) at the part of it positioned between the filter (10) and the side wall (4).

Claims

1. ) A capsule (1) for making beverages comprising at least one powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing water through it to make a beverage, comprising:

a substantially cup-shaped body (2) which in turn comprises a lower wall (3) and a side wall (4);

a lid (6) fixed to the body (2) at an edge (5) of the side wall (4) located on the opposite side to the lower wall (2), between the lid (6) and the inner surface of the body (2) there also being a chamber and between a central point of the lid (6) and a central point of the lower wall (3) being identified a capsule (1) axis of extension (7);

a rigid or semi-rigid filter (10) positioned in the chamber and coupled to the capsule (1) body (2) at a coupling portion (14) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension (7) and located on the side wall (4), said filter (10) comprising openings (11) to allow fluid communication through it;

characterised in that

the filter (10) extends between a substantially annular rim (12) located at the top of the filter (10) and positioned close to the capsule (1) lid (6), and a bottom portion (13) located at the bottom of the filter (10) and positioned close to the lower wall (3),

the coupling portion (14) being located close to the edge (5) of the side wall (4) and the filter (10) being coupled to the coupling portion (14) substantially at the rim (12);

and in that

the filter (10) substantially separates the chamber into a first compartment (15) in which the powered food substance is contained and a second compartment (16),

said first compartment (15) being delimited at least between the filter (10) and the lid (6), and said second compartment (16) being delimited between the filter (10), the lower wall (3) and the portion of the side wall (4) located between the lower wall (3) and the coupling portion (14), at least part of the second compartment (16) being positioned between the side wall (4) and the filter (10) and the second compartment (16) extending along the side wall (4) at least over most of the distance between the coupling portion (14) and the lower wall (3) measured parallel with the axis of extension (7), said openings (11) being made at least at the part of the second compartment (16) positioned between the filter (10) and the side wall (4).

2. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the second compartment (16) extends along the side wall (4) to the coupling portion (14).

3. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by mechanical interference.

4. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by creating a sealed contact with it.

5. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that, close to the rim (12), the filter (10) comprises a shoulder (17) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension (7) and which projects radially relative to the rest of the filter (10) with reference to the axis of extension (7), and in that the coupling portion (14) comprises a counter-shoulder (18) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension (7) and also projects radially, with reference to the axis of extension (7), relative to the portion of side wall (4) adjacent to it on the lower wall (3) side, said shoulder (17) resting on the counter-shoulder (18) and said rim (12) being coupled to an annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14) located between the counter-shoulder (18) and the edge (5).

6. ) The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by mechanical interference and in that the coupling by mechanical interference is created between the rim (12) of the filter (10) and the annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14).

7. ) The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by creating a sealed contact with it and in that the sealed contact is created between the rim (12) of the filter (10) and the annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14).

8. ) The capsule according to claim 2, characterised in that, close to the rim (12), the filter (10) comprises a shoulder (17) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension (7) and which projects radially relative to the rest of the filter (10) with reference to the axis of extension (7), and in that the coupling portion (14) comprises a counter-shoulder (18) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension (7) and also projects radially, with reference to the axis of extension (7), relative to the portion of side wall (4) adjacent to it on the lower wall (3) side, said shoulder (17) resting on the counter-shoulder (18) and said rim (12) being coupled to an annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14) located between the counter-shoulder (18) and the edge (5).

9. ) The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by mechanical interference and in that the coupling by mechanical interference is created between the rim (12) of the filter (10) and the annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14).

10. ) The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the filter (10) is coupled to the coupling portion (14) by creating a sealed contact with it and in that the sealed contact is created between the rim (12) of the filter (10) and the annular region (19) of the coupling portion (14).

11. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13).

12. ) The capsule according to claim 2, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13).

13. ) The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13).

14. ) The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13).

15. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10) is spaced from the lower wall (3) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element (9) in the capsule (1), through the lower wall (3), without the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10) being damaged.

16. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the filter (10) is substantially cup-shaped and comprises a side portion (20) extending between the bottom portion (13) and the rim (12) about the axis of extension (7), said openings (11) being located at least on the side portion (20).

17. ) The capsule according to claim 2, characterised in that the filter (10) is substantially cup-shaped and comprises a side portion (20) extending between the bottom portion (13) and the rim (12) about the axis of extension (7), said openings (11) being located at least on the side portion (20).

18. ) The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the filter (10) is substantially cup-shaped and comprises a side portion (20) extending between the bottom portion (13) and the rim (12) about the axis of extension (7), said openings (11) being located at least on the side portion (20).

19. ) The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the filter (10) is substantially cup-shaped and comprises a side portion (20) extending between the bottom portion (13) and the rim (12) about the axis of extension (7), said openings (11) being located at least on the side portion (20).

20. ) The capsule according to claim 16, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13) and in that the side portion (20) of the filter (10) has the structure of superposed rings (21), which are annular about the axis of extension (7) and are connected to each other, each of the rings (21), proceeding from the rim (12) towards the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10), delimiting a respective section of the first compartment (15), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension (7), having an area greater than that delimited by the next ring (21), the side portion (20), seen in radial section relative to the axis of extension (7), comprising, on the side facing towards the first compartment (15), a profile substantially formed by steps corresponding to said rings (21).

21. ) The capsule according to claim 20, characterised in that there are several of said openings (11) located on each of the rings (21).

22. ) The capsule according to claim 17, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13) and in that the side portion (20) of the filter (10) has the structure of superposed rings (21), which are annular about the axis of extension (7) and are connected to each other, each of the rings (21), proceeding from the rim (12) towards the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10), delimiting a respective section of the first compartment (15), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension (7), having an area greater than that delimited by the next ring (21), the side portion (20), seen in radial section relative to the axis of extension (7), comprising, on the side facing towards the first compartment (15), a profile substantially formed by steps corresponding to said rings (21).

23. ) The capsule according to claim 22, characterised in that there are several of said openings (11) located on each of the rings (21).

24. ) The capsule according to claim 18, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13) and in that the side portion (20) of the filter (10) has the structure of superposed rings (21), which are annular about the axis of extension (7) and are connected to each other, each of the rings (21), proceeding from the rim (12) towards the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10), delimiting a respective section of the first compartment (15), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension (7), having an area greater than that delimited by the next ring (21), the side portion (20), seen in radial section relative to the axis of extension (7), comprising, on the side facing towards the first compartment (15), a profile substantially formed by steps corresponding to said rings (21).

25. ) The capsule according to claim 24, characterised in that there are several of said openings (11) located on each of the rings (21).

26. ) The capsule according to claim 19, characterised in that the distance between the filter (10) and the side wall (4) at the second compartment (16) increases proceeding towards the bottom portion (13) and in that the side portion (20) of the filter (10) has the structure of superposed rings (21), which are annular about the axis of extension (7) and are connected to each other, each of the rings (21), proceeding from the rim (12) towards the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10), delimiting a respective section of the first compartment (15), in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of extension (7), having an area greater than that delimited by the next ring (21), the side portion (20), seen in radial section relative to the axis of extension (7), comprising, on the side facing towards the first compartment (15), a profile substantially formed by steps corresponding to said rings (21).

27. ) The capsule according to claim 26, characterised in that there are several of said openings (11) located on each of the rings (21).

28. ) The capsule according to claim 16, characterised in that the bottom portion (13) of the filter (10) mainly comprises a flat disk extending in a substantially circular fashion about the axis of extension (7).

29. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the filter (10) comprises stiffening ribs (22).

30. ) The capsule according to claim 29, characterised in that the ribs (22) are at least located on the side portion (20) of the filter (10), said ribs (22) extending longitudinally from the rim (12) at least to the bottom portion (13) and substantially lying in planes passing through the axis of extension (7).

31. ) The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

32. ) The capsule according to claim 2, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

33. ) The capsule according to claim 5, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

34. ) The capsule according to claim 8, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

35. ) The capsule according to claim 20, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

36. ) The capsule according to claim 22, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

37. ) The capsule according to claim 24, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).

38. ) The capsule according to claim 26, characterised in that the lower wall (3) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule (1), and also being characterised in that, during use, a piercing element (9) can be inserted in the second compartment (16), without damaging the filter (10), following penetration through the lower wall (3).