CAPSULE FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

• US 20160280453A1
• Filed: 10/31/2014
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caffitaly System S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Caffitaly System S.p.A.
• Inventors: ACCURSI, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US14/909,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20160280453A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 29/022 packaging infusion material into capsules
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/16 Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8046 Pods, i.e. closed containers made only of filter paper or similar material

Abstract

A capsule for making beverages comprising a cup-shaped containment body (2) in turn comprising a tubular lateral wall (5) and a bottom portion (6) and forming inside it a containment chamber (4) which contains a powdered food substance; a closing element (3) is fixed to the containment body (2) to close it. The bottom portion (6) comprises a bowl-shaped first sheet made of a first material having a resistance to piercing and tearing which is less than that of a second material constituting the tubular lateral wall (5), and comprises a central zone (9) extending transversally to the central axis and a connecting wall (10) which is connected to the central zone (9) and which comprises at least one component of extension parallel with the central axis, the connecting wall (10) being connected to the tubular lateral wall (5) at the first edge (7).

Claims

1. A capsule for making beverages, containing a powdered food substance which allows a beverage to be made by passing hot water through it, the capsule (1) comprising:

a cup-shaped containment body (2) in turn comprising a tubular lateral wall (5) extending between a first edge (7) and a second edge (8) and a bottom portion (6) fixed to the first edge (7) and extending transversally to a central axis of the tubular lateral wall (5), the containment body (2) forming inside it a containment chamber (4) which contains the powdered food substance; and

a closing element (3) fixed to the second edge (8) for closing the containment body (2);

characterised in that the bottom portion (6) comprises a bowl-shaped first sheet made of a first material having a resistance to piercing and tearing which is less than that of a second material constituting the tubular lateral wall (5).

2. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom portion (6) comprises a central zone (9) extending transversally to the central axis and a connecting wall (10) which is connected to the central zone (9) and which comprises at least one component of extension parallel with the central axis, the connecting wall (10) being connected to the tubular lateral wall (5) at the first edge (7).

3. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the first sheet comprises at least one layer made at least mainly of aluminium.

4. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular lateral wall (5), at the first edge (7), comprises a first radial flange (13) extending transversally to a direction defined by the central axis and in that the connecting wall (10) comprises a second radial flange (14) coupled to the first radial flange (13).

5. The capsule according to claim 4, characterised in that the first flange (13) extends towards the central axis.

6. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular lateral wall (5), at the second edge (8) comprises a third radial flange (15) extending transversally to a direction defined by the central axis and in that the closing element (3) is fixed to the third flange (15).

7. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the first shaped sheet is drawn.

8. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom portion (6) and the tubular lateral wall (5) are sized and/or shaped in such a way that, in use, one or more piercing elements (11) of a beverage-making device (12) in which the capsule (1) is intended to be used pierce the bottom portion (6) without damaging the tubular lateral wall (5).

9. A system for making beverages comprising a capsule (1) made according to claim 1, and at least one extraction device (12) which in turn comprises:

a first part (17) comprising a housing (19) for the capsule (1), and a second part (18), the first part (17) and the second part (18) being mobile one relative to the other between an operating position in which they clamp between them a capsule (1) inserted in the housing (19), and a home position in which they allow the insertion and removal of the capsule (1) respectively in and from the housing (19);

one or more piercing elements (11) associated with the housing (19) for piercing the bottom portion (6) of a capsule (1) inserted in the housing (19) at least when the first part (17) and the second part (18) are in the operating position;

water feeding means operatively associated with the housing (19) for in use supplying water into the capsule (1) through the bottom portion (6) pierced by the one or more piercing elements (11);

piercing means designed to pierce the closing element (3) at least when the capsule (1) is inserted in the housing (19), the first part (17) and the second part (18) are in the operating position and the pressure in the chamber (4) exceeds a predetermined value;

wherein, moreover, when the capsule (1) is inserted in the housing (19) and the first part (17) and the second part (18) are in the operating position, the one or more piercing elements (11) pass through the bottom portion (6) without damaging the tubular lateral wall (5).

10. A method for making a capsule for making beverages, containing a powdered food substance which allows a beverage to be made by passing hot water through it, comprising the operating steps of:

shaping a first material into a bowl shape to form a bottom portion (6) comprising a central zone (9) and a connecting wall (10) perimetrically connected to the central zone (9) and extending away from the central zone (9);

using a second material, which has a greater resistance to piercing and tearing than that of the first material, to make a tubular lateral wall (5) extending between a first edge (7) and a second edge (8) and having a central axis;

making a containment body (2) which is open at the top and which inside it forms a containment chamber (4), fixing a free edge of the connecting wall (10) to the first edge (7);

inserting in the containment chamber (4) a predetermined quantity of the powdered food substance; and

closing the chamber (4) by fixing a closing element (3) to the second edge (8).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first material comprises at least one layer of aluminium and/or wherein the second material comprises at least one layer of plastic material.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the bottom portion (6) is made by drawing the first sheet.