Capsule with degassing valve
阅读说明:本技术 带脱气阀的胶囊 (Capsule with degassing valve ) 是由 O·波塞蒂 R·加尔巴西尼 G·古洛 A·麦克加南 F·戈利奥 于 2019-01-14 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及胶囊,其用于借助于加压提取流体从可溶的或可提取的产品制备液体产品的机器中。胶囊(1)包括:容器主体(2),容器主体(2)限定用于容纳借助于加压提取流体可溶的或可提取的产品的封闭腔室,所述流体通过机器的注入元件供应,所述容器主体具有第一基部(3)、第二基部(5)和在第一基部(3)和第二基部(5)之间沿着纵向(X-X)延伸的侧壁(4);密封关联到所述容器主体(2)并且被设计成被打开以允许将所述加压流体引入所述腔室的注入盖(30);密封地关联到所述容器主体(2)并且被设计成被打开以释放由所述产品和所述流体制备的饮料的饮料分配盖(50)。胶囊的特征在于包括脱气阀(6),脱气阀被配置为靠近所述容器主体(2),并且通过所述可溶的或可提取的产品释放的气体被致动成打开构造,并且通过所述加压流体被致动成闭合构造,所述脱气阀(6)通过形成在所述注入盖(30)中的至少一个切口(7)与所述封闭腔室(21)流体连通,所述加压流体仅在所述注入盖(30)打开之后才能进入所述封闭腔室(21)。(The present invention relates to capsules for use in machines for preparing liquid products from soluble or extractable products by means of a pressurized extraction fluid. The capsule (1) comprises: a container body (2), the container body (2) defining a closed chamber for containing a product soluble or extractable by means of a pressurized extraction fluid supplied by an injection element of a machine, the container body having a first base (3), a second base (5) and a lateral wall (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X) between the first base (3) and the second base (5); an injection cap (30) sealingly associated to said container body (2) and designed to be opened to allow the introduction of said pressurized fluid into said chamber; a beverage dispensing cap (50) sealingly associated to said container body (2) and designed to be opened to release a beverage prepared from said product and said fluid. The capsule is characterized in that it comprises a degassing valve (6) arranged close to said container body (2) and actuated in an open configuration by gas released by said soluble or extractable product and in a closed configuration by said pressurized fluid, said degassing valve (6) being in fluid communication with said closed chamber (21) through at least one cut (7) formed in said injection cap (30), said pressurized fluid being able to enter said closed chamber (21) only after said injection cap (30) is opened.)
1. Capsule for use in a machine for preparing a fluid product from a soluble or extractable product by means of a pressurized extraction fluid, comprising:
-a container body (2) defining a closed chamber containing a product soluble or extractable by means of a pressurized extraction fluid supplied by an injection element of the machine, said container body having a first base (3) and a second base (5) and a lateral wall (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X) between said first base (3) and said second base (5),
-an injection cap (30) sealingly associated to said container body (2) and designed to be opened to allow said pressurized fluid to enter said chamber;
-a beverage dispensing cap (50) sealingly associated to said container body (2) and designed to be opened to release a beverage prepared from said product and said fluid,
characterized in that it comprises a degassing valve (6), said degassing valve (6) being configured to be close to said container body (2) and to be actuated in an open configuration by gas released by said soluble or extractable product, and to be actuated in a closed configuration by said pressurized fluid, said degassing valve (6) being in fluid communication with said closed chamber (21) through at least one cut (7) formed in said infusion cap (30), said pressurized fluid being able to enter said closed chamber (21) only after said infusion cap (30) has been opened.
2. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the degassing valve (6) is embedded in the thickness (S) of the first base and/or in the thickness (S) of the side wall of the container body (2).
3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first base (3) comprises:
-an inner surface (300) facing the closed chamber (21), an outer surface (301) facing the outside of the capsule (1),
-a first opening (302) for the passage of the extraction fluid and a second opening (303) for the passage of the gas generated by the soluble or extractable product,
a first sealing area (304) and a second sealing area (305) for sealingly associating the injection cap (30) to an inner surface (300) of the first base (3),
-the first opening (302) of the base (3) is closed by the injection cap (30) through the first sealing area (304) and the second opening (303) is closed by the injection cap (30) through the second sealing area (305).
4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the first opening (302) comprises a plurality of holes arranged in a circular crown shape and the second opening (303) comprises a plurality of holes arranged along a straight line.
5. Capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the first sealing area (304) and the second sealing area (305) are shaped like a circular crown, wherein the diameter of the first sealing area (304) is larger than the diameter of the circular crown representing the first opening (302) and the diameter of the second sealing area (305) is larger than the diameter of the circular crown representing the second opening (303) but smaller than the diameter of the circular crown representing the first opening (302).
6. Capsule according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said first base (3), when observed from the outside, comprises:
-a central portion (3010);
a ring-shaped portion (3011) surrounding the central portion, the ring-shaped portion (3011) being configured to be recessed with respect to the central portion (3010),
-the first opening (302) is provided at the ring-shaped portion (3011) and the second opening (303) is provided at the central portion (3010),
-said at least one cut (7) is provided in said central portion (3010).
7. A capsule (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first sealing area (304) and/or said second sealing area (305) is obtained by heat sealing or by ultrasound or by a bonding material.
8. A capsule (1) according to claim 7, wherein, in use, at least a portion of said first sealing area (304) and/or at least a portion of said second sealing area (305) yield to the pressure of the extraction fluid through said opening (302) such that said injection cap (30) is raised with respect to said lower base.
9. Capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that the degassing valve (6) comprises:
-a valve body (60) having the same thickness (S) as the first base (3);
-a membrane (62) movable between a first operative open position allowing passage of gas from the closed chamber (21) to the outside, and a second operative position preventing passage of gas and entry of extraction fluid into the closed chamber (21), the first operative position being allowed when a predetermined gas threshold is reached;
-a retaining member (63) for preventing loss of the movable membrane (62).
10. Capsule according to claims 3 and 9, characterized in that the retaining member (63) comprises:
-a cover (632) configured to mechanically engage with the outer surface (301) of the first base (3) to prevent the movable membrane (62) from being lost in the first open position and to protect the degassing valve (6) from substances external to the capsule (1).
11. Capsule according to claims 3 and 9, characterized in that the retaining member (63) comprises:
-a protective element (70) associated to the outer surface (301) facing the outside of the capsule (1) at the degassing valve (6), the protective element (70) being configured to prevent the movable membrane (62) from being lost and to protect the degassing valve (6) from the substances outside the capsule.
12. Capsule (1) according to claim 9, wherein said degassing valve (6) comprises a filter (40), said filter (40) being interposed between said injection cap (30) and said movable membrane (62) and being configured to avoid any leakage of product from said closed chamber (21) to the outside.
13. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein said injection cap (30) is a material that is heat shrunk, torn, pierced or dissolved when said pressurized extraction fluid is supplied by said injection element of said machine.
14. The capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second base (5) defines an annular edge (501), the dispensing cover (50) being associated to the annular edge (501) by means of a third sealing area (503).
15. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein said injection cap (30) and said dispensing cap (50) are caps of the dissolvable barrier type, each of said injection cap (30) and said dispensing cap (50) comprising at least one first barrier layer (31, 51) and one oxygen barrier layer (32, 52).
16. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container body (2) and/or the degassing valve (6) are made of a decomposable material.
17. A capsule (1) according to claim 1, wherein the degassing valve (6) is arranged in the vicinity of the first base (3), the second base (5) and/or the side wall (4), i.e. in the vicinity of the elements constituting the container body (2).
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a capsule with a degassing valve according to the preamble of
In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule (also called cartridge or pod) for preparing a liquid product starting from a soluble product that can be extracted by means of a machine supplying a high-temperature extraction fluid (for example/or steam). The capsule is provided with a degassing valve adapted to degas the gases released by these soluble products during storage (i.e. before the capsule is used in the machine).
More particularly, the invention relates to a capsule provided with a degassing valve, the soluble product in which is fresh coffee.
Background
Dispensable capsules are known for use with suitable machines for preparing beverages.
Such capsules generally comprise a container body defining a closed chamber for containing a soluble or extractable product. The container body has a first base and a second base and a sidewall extending along a longitudinal direction X-X between the first base and the second base.
In particular, the second base and the first base are both closed by covers (also called films or sealing sheets), and one or both covers can be made of plastic material, aluminium, paper or a combination thereof, depending on the type of machine used.
For the extraction of the beverage, the lid or lids may be pierced by a machine piercing head, which in turn may also be configured to feed the extraction fluid into the closed chamber of the capsule.
Soluble or extractable products generally comprise an dehydrated substance for preparing the beverage, examples of which are ground coffee, instant coffee, a mixture of ground coffee and instant coffee or any other dehydrated edible substance.
It is also provided that the substance contained in the capsule can be a soluble, degassed product, such as fresh coffee or other food or non-food substance subjected to degassing.
However, it is well known that fresh coffee produces gases (such as CO)2) The gas in the closed chamber of the capsule causes a pressure increase to break one or more lids of the capsule.
In this case, the capsule is no longer airtight and coffee degradation occurs.
This makes it impossible to use the capsule for preparing liquid products.
To overcome this problem, it is known to use a degassing valve to degas the gases formed inside the chamber and at the same time prevent any air from entering the closed chamber.
EP3085642 discloses a capsule provided with a degassing valve glued to the lid of the upper base.
In particular, EP3085642 teaches that a valve is adhered to the lid of the upper base so that gas can escape from the chamber through the valve and out of the capsule.
In the production of the beverage, the upper lid and the degassing valve are pierced by a piercing head which supplies the pressurized extraction fluid into the chamber.
Disclosure of Invention
Drawings
Figures 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a capsule according to the invention in a perspective view from above and in a perspective view from below, respectively.
Figure 1C shows the capsule of figures 1A and 1B in a perspective view from below, but without the covering lid;
figure 1D shows a plan view of the capsule of figure 1A or 1B;
figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section along line II-II of the capsule of figure 1D;
figure 3 shows a side sectional view along line II-II of the capsule of figure 1D;
figure 4A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the capsule of figure 3 in a first operating state;
figure 4B shows an enlarged view of a portion of the capsule of figure 3 in a second operating state;
figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the same part of figure 3 of a second embodiment of the capsule according to the invention.
Detailed Description
Individual features described with reference to particular embodiments must be referred to as being auxiliary and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated.
In the following, the structure and advantages of the capsule 1 (or box or pod, the terms being used here equally) are explained, the
In various embodiments, the liquid product in question may comprise a beverage obtained by introducing pressurized and heated (i.e. hot) liquid and/or steam into the cartridge, such as coffee.
In various embodiments, the
In a preferred form of use, the soluble product contained in the capsule is a product that outgases during storage, i.e. a product that releases gas.
Even more preferably, the soluble product contained in the capsule is fresh coffee, in particular freshly ground coffee powder.
The figures show various views of a
a container body 2 shaped like a small bowl or cup, defining a closed
-a
a
a side wall 4 extending along the longitudinal direction X-X between the
It should be noted that the container body 2 of the
Preferably, the container body 2 of the
In particular, the container body 2 of the
In various embodiments, as shown in the figures, the body 2 may have a basin configuration that diverges from the
In various embodiments, the diverging configuration may be a frustoconical configuration. In the latter example, preferably used for manufacturing the
However, this preferred embodiment is not essential, since the
As shown in the figures, the
In the present description, the term lid refers to the closing element of the container body of the capsule, which is used to contain the soluble or extractable product inside the container body of the capsule and to prevent the liquid and solid foreign substances from entering inside the container body of the capsule.
According to a preferred aspect, both the
The term barrier cap refers to a closure element having physical and chemical resistance properties to, for example, oxygen or water or gas or fragrance or a combination of the foregoing.
The term decomposable barrier cover refers to a closure element that, in addition to the aforementioned features, also meets the decomposable capability requirements of the present specification.
Preferably, the
The association of the
According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided:
an
A dispensing
Embodiments of the
With particular reference to figures 2 to 5, the
In particular, the
To this end, in order to make a
This configuration of the
In other words, degassing
Accordingly, degassing
According to one aspect, the cut-out 7 comprises one or more cut-outs of suitable shape and/or size and formed in the thickness of the
According to one aspect of the
In other words, the
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the
In one embodiment of the invention, degassing
Making the
According to a preferred embodiment, which will be explained below, the first base 3 (i.e. the base with the smaller diameter in the case of the frustoconical configuration of the capsule 1) is shaped so as to house the
To this end, also with reference to the figures, the various embodiments can be made with reference to the fact that the
an
An
With reference also to fig. 2 and 3, the
Thus:
gas released by the soluble product when the pressure inside the chamber 21 (for example CO in the case of fresh coffee)2) While increasing, the
extracting the fluid (e.g. H) when the
when the optimal mixture is obtained, the beverage is extracted through the
As shown, advantageously, the presence of the
This ensures that the
According to one aspect, the
In particular, the total opening area of the plurality of holes of the
According to one aspect, the number of holes in the first opening is eight, and the number of holes in the second opening is two.
In a preferred embodiment, referring also to fig. 1C and 1D, the apertures of the
The advantage of this configuration of the holes of the
In particular, the diameter of the circular crown of the
According to a preferred aspect, the incision 7 is provided in the centre of the circular crown of the first opening.
According to one aspect, with reference also to fig. 2 and 4A-4B, the
In particular, due to the two sealing
The sealing
According to one aspect, the
Preferably, the
According to one aspect, the
In a preferred embodiment, the
To this end, in use, the sealing
Alternatively, when the
As shown in fig. 2, the
The
According to a preferred embodiment, the
The sealing area is preferably obtained by heat sealing or by other known techniques, such as those using ultrasound or adhesive materials.
The
According to one aspect, the
According to one aspect, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the
In particular, the
-a
a ring-shaped
a
and, a cut 7 is provided in said
According to one aspect, the
It should also be noted that in the recessed
As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the ring-shaped
According to a characteristic aspect of the present description, the
a
A
a holding
In other words, degassing
According to one aspect, the
In order to allow passage between the two operating positions of the
It should be noted that during the supply phase of the extracted fluid, this fluid passing through the
The
In the embodiment of the
The
The
According to one aspect, the
In use, the
An alternative embodiment of the movable membrane 62 (not shown in the figures) provides for the use of a rubber element, preferably made of a disc-shaped elastomer (even NBR) with a thickness of at most 1.5 mm. The rubber element is also held in place by the
In the embodiment of degassing
It should be noted that the embodiment of the valve of fig. 5 need not provide the
According to one aspect, the
The
To this end, the
The
Obviously, a man skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, may make numerous modifications to the variants described above, all of which are however contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.