CAPSULE FOR OBTAINING BEVERAGES SUCH AS ESPRESSO AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING BEVERAGES SUCH AS ESPRESSO

• US 20150050391A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aroma System Srl
• Original Assignee: Aroma System Srl
• Inventors: Rapparini, Gino
• Granted Patent: US 9,387,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/115
• CPC Class Codes: A23F 5/262 the extraction liquid flows through a stationary bed of solid substances, e.g. in percolation columns
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8043 Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06

Abstract

A capsule (1) for obtaining beverages is shown, comprising a side wall (5) and an entry surface (6) for the entrance of water under pressure into the capsule (1), wherein the side wall (5) and the entry surface (6) form the containment volume (V) for containing the infusion product (P). The entry surface (6) comprises one or more reduced thickness areas (3) so that, letting water under pressure flow against the entry surface (6), the one or more reduced thickness areas (3) open, so as to allow water under pressure to enter the capsule (1). The capsule (1) may further comprise one or more strengthening ribs (4) provided on the entry surface (6) so as to strengthen the entry surface (6) and simplify the opening of the reduced thickness areas (3) when water under pressure flows against the entry surface (6). A method for the production of beverages is also shown, comprising the following step: flow of water under pressure against the entry surface (6) of the capsule (1) so as to open the reduced thickness areas (3) of the entry surface (6) so as to allow the water under pressure to enter the capsule (1).

Claims

1. Capsule (1) for obtaining beverages comprising a side wall (5) and an entry surface (6) for the entrance of water under pressure into the capsule (1), said side wall (5) and said entry surface (6) forming the containment volume (V) for containing the infusion product (P), characterized in that:

said entry surface (6) comprises one or more reduced thickness areas (3) so that, letting water under pressure flow against said entry surface (6), said one or more reduced thickness areas (3) open so as to allow water under pressure to enter the capsule (1).

2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein said side wall (5) and said entry surface (6) are formed as a single body.

3. Capsule according to one of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plane (2) for supporting a sealing element (A) so as to hermetically seal said capsule (1), said plane (2) being provided at the extremity of said side wall (5) opposite said entry surface (6) so that said sealing element (A) forms an exit surface opposite said entry surface (6) for the exit of the beverage from the capsule (1).

4. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein said plane (2) for supporting said sealing element (A) has a uniform thickness or comprises a groove on the surface of said plane (2) which faces said entry surface (6), said groove being adapted to house the peripheral edge (C) of the production volume (B) of a beverages making machine when said capsule (1) is housed in said production volume (B) so as to seal said production volume (B).

5. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said one or more reduced thickness areas (3) are located along one or more diameters of said entry surface (6).

6. Capsule according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of reduced thickness areas (3) placed radially with respect to the centre (O) of said entry surface (6).

7. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 4 comprising one or more reduced thickness areas (3) having circular shape.

8. Capsule according to claim 7, wherein said one or more reduced thickness areas (3) having circular shape are centered in the centre (O) of said entry surface (6).

9. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said one or more reduced thickness areas (3) are made of elastic material so that, after having been opened by the flow of water under pressure, they return to the closing position when the flow of water under pressure is stopped.

10. Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising one or more strengthening ribs (4) provided on said entry surface (6) so as to strengthen said entry surface (6) and ease the opening of the reduced thickness areas (3) when the water under pressure flows against said entry surface (6).

11. Capsule according to claim 10, wherein said one or more strengthening ribs (4) do not intersect said one or more reduced thickness areas (3) of said entry surface (6).

12. Capsule according to one of claim 10 or 11, wherein at least one of said one or more strengthening ribs (4) intersects the centre (O) of said entry surface (6).

13. Capsule according to one of claims from 10 to 12, wherein said one or more strengthening ribs (4) are placed along one or more of the diameters of said entry surface (6).

14. Capsule according to claim 13, comprising a plurality of strengthening ribs (4) placed radially with respect to the centre (O) of said entry surface (6).

15. Capsule according to claim 14, wherein said strengthening ribs (4) intersect in the centre (O) of said entry surface (6).

16. Capsule according to one of claims 10 to 15, wherein said one or more strengthening ribs (4) are made of elastic material so as to allow said entry surface (6) to bend under the action of the water under pressure and to return to the original configuration when the flow of water under pressure is stopped.

17. Capsule according to claim 16, wherein the elasticity of the one or more reduced thickness areas (3) is higher than the elasticity of the strengthening ribs (4).

18. Capsule according to one of claims 10 to 17, wherein said one or more strengthening ribs (4) are located inside the capsule (1).

19. Capsule according to one of claims 10 to 18, wherein at least one of said strengthening ribs (4) comprises a base portion (4a) substantially parallel and adjacent to said entry surface (6) and an arm (4b, 4c) at each of the extremities of said base portion (4a) so that the strengthening rib (4) is substantially U-shaped.

20. Capsule according to one of claims 10 to 18, wherein at least one of said strengthening ribs (4) comprises a first portion (4d) substantially parallel and adjacent to said side wall (5) and a second portion (4e) substantially parallel and adjacent to said entry surface (6) so that the strengthening rib (4) is substantially L-shaped.

21. Method for producing beverages by means of a capsule according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that said method comprises the following step:

flow of water under pressure against the entry surface (6) of the capsule (1) so as to open the reduced thickness areas (3) of the entry surface (6) so as to allow the water under pressure to enter the capsule (1).

22. Method according to claim 21, further comprising the following step:

puncturing an exit surface (A) of the capsule (1) opposed with respect to said entry surface (6) so as to allow the beverage (I) to exit from the capsule (1).