U.S. patent application number 13/687074 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-04 for portion capsule for producing a beverage.
This patent application is currently assigned to K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH. Invention is credited to Daniel FISCHER, Marc KRUGER, Remo SONDEREGGER.
Application Number | 20130084363 13/687074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45003354 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130084363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KRUGER; Marc ; et
al. |
April 4, 2013 |
PORTION CAPSULE FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE
Abstract
A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a cavity for
a beverage raw material, wherein an opening can be made in the
portion capsule for producing the beverage.
Inventors: |
KRUGER; Marc;
(Bergisch-Gladbach, DE) ; SONDEREGGER; Remo;
(Tagerwilen, CH) ; FISCHER; Daniel; (Romanshorn,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH; |
Bergisch-Gladbach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
Bergisch-Gladbach
DE
|
Family ID: |
45003354 |
Appl. No.: |
13/687074 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/002661 |
May 30, 2011 |
|
|
|
13687074 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/77 ;
426/433 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
B65D 65/466 20130101; B65D 85/8046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/77 ;
426/433 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 28, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 021 849.9 |
Jul 16, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 027 482.8 |
Claims
1. A portion capsule for producing a beverage, said portion capsule
having a membrane and a cavity in which a raw beverage material is
provided, wherein, in order to produce the beverage, a plurality of
openings, an inlet opening and an outlet opening are introduced,
wherein the outlet opening is formed in a base of the portion
capsule (1), characterized in that the membrane has the inlet
opening and a venting opening.
2. A portion capsule for producing a beverage, said portion capsule
having a base and a cavity in which a raw beverage material is
provided, wherein, in order to produce the beverage, a plurality of
openings, an inlet opening and an outlet opening are introduced,
wherein the inlet opening is formed in a membrane of the portion
capsule, characterized in that the outlet opening and a venting
opening are provided in the base of the portion capsule.
3. The portion capsule as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
the outlet opening is provided in the base of the portion capsule,
centrally or at a distance from a plane of symmetry.
4. A method for producing a beverage, wherein a portion capsule is
provided with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a venting
opening, wherein a membrane of the portion capsule is provided with
the inlet opening and the venting opening, wherein a liquid flows
through a cavity in the portion capsule, characterized in that,
while the liquid flows in, the cavity in the portion capsule is
vented at least temporarily via the venting opening.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, once gas has escaped
from the portion capsule, the venting opening acts as a liquid
inlet opening.
6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the
inlet opening or venting opening is provided at a distance from a
plane of symmetry of the portion capsule.
7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the venting opening is
provided above the inlet opening with respect to the gravitational
field of the Earth.
8. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the portion capsule is
provided with two inlet openings and two venting openings, wherein
the venting openings are arranged in a vertical plane one above the
other.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the liquid is supplied
by means of a liquid inlet means which is arranged along the
vertical plane between the two venting openings.
10. A method for producing a beverage, wherein a membrane of a
portion capsule is provided with an inlet opening and a base of the
portion capsule is provided with an outlet opening, characterized
in that an additional venting opening is introduced into the
base.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the additional
venting opening is introduced above the outlet opening arranged in
the base, with respect to the gravitational field of the Earth.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of International
Application No. PCT/EP2011/002661, filed on May 30, 2011, entitled
PORTION CAPSULE FOR PRODUCING A BEVERAGE which application is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a portion capsule for
producing a beverage, said portion capsule having a cavity in which
a raw beverage material is provided, wherein, in order to produce
the beverage, an opening is introducible into the portion
capsule.
[0003] Such portion capsules are well known from the prior art and
are available on the market for example as coffee portion capsules.
In these coffee portion capsules, the cavity is filled at least
partially with coffee powder and hot water flows through said
cavity to produce a coffee, espresso and the like. In order to
prevent the coffee located in the cavity from losing its aroma, the
portion capsule is preferably hermetically sealed. Therefore, in
order to produce the coffee, openings have to be able to be
introduced into the portion capsule or already be present therein
in advance.
[0004] In particular in the case of coffee portion capsules, there
is a permanent desire on the part of a person skilled in the art to
improve the quality of the resulting coffee beverage. A large role
is played here, inter alia, by the displacement of the air which is
located for example in the cavity in the portion capsule but also
in the coffee powder, and also the residence time of the hot water
in the portion capsule.
[0005] Therefore, it was the object of the present invention to
provide a portion capsule with which a good coffee beverage is
producible.
SUMMARY
[0006] The object is achieved by a portion capsule for producing a
beverage, said portion capsule having a cavity in which a raw
beverage material is provided, wherein, in order to produce the
beverage, an opening is introducible into the portion capsule, said
opening being provided at a distance from a plane of symmetry of
the portion capsule.
[0007] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0008] The present invention relates to a portion capsule for
producing a beverage, said portion capsule having a cavity in which
a raw beverage material is provided. Such a portion capsule is
produced for example from plastics material, a natural substance
and/or a biodegradable material, and usually has a basic element,
in particular a thermoformed basic element, which is preferably
frustoconical or cylindrical. The raw beverage material is
introduced into the cavity in the portion capsule and is subjected
to extraction and/or dissolved, for example, using a liquid, in
particular water. Following the introduction of raw beverage
material, the basic element is preferably closed, in particular
with a membrane, for example a plastics film. The membrane is
preferably provided opposite the base of the basic element. The
membrane may be produced from the same material as the basic
element, or a different material, and is fastened on the basic
element, preferably by sealing and/or adhesive bonding.
Furthermore, one or more insert elements, for example a filter, a
liquid distributor, a nonwoven, a barrier sheet or the like may be
provided in the cavity.
[0009] In order to produce the beverage, this portion capsule now
has to be opened, i.e. be provided with an inlet and an outlet.
According to the invention, at least one opening, preferably the
opening through which the liquid flows into the portion capsule, is
provided at a distance from a plane of symmetry. As a result, flow
takes place in an asymmetrical manner through the portion capsule,
resulting in advantages for the quality of the end product, for
example in the extraction of the coffee and/or in the formation of
crema.
[0010] According to a further or a preferred subject of the present
invention, there are provided a plurality of openings, in
particular in the inlet, which are distributed at least partially
in an asymmetrical manner and are located with respect to a first
plane that extends in an axial direction of the portion capsule and
is preferably a plane of symmetry of the unopened capsule. On
account of this embodiment according to the invention or preferred
embodiment of the present invention, too, flow takes place through
the cavity in the portion capsule in an asymmetrical manner at
least in sections and/or temporarily, thereby resulting in an
improved coffee quality. Preferably, the plane is a plane of
symmetry of the unopened portion capsule.
[0011] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the openings are introduced in such a way, in particular
into the cover sheet, that said openings are provided in a
symmetrical manner with respect to a further axis of symmetry of
the unopened portion capsule.
[0013] The opening(s) is/are introduced into the portion capsule
preferably immediately prior to the production of the particular
beverage. This can be carried out in any manner familiar to a
person skilled in the art, for example by piercing, for example
with a spike, by removal of material, by material softening and/or
by pressure, in particular water pressure. Preferably, the membrane
has at least one, preferably a plurality of, in particular two,
openings, and the base, which is preferably located opposite the
membrane, preferably has at least one opening. The opening in the
base of the portion capsule is provided preferably centrally, but
can also be arranged at a distance from a plane of symmetry. The
openings can have any desired shape familiar to a person skilled in
the art. Preferably, however, the holes in the membrane are
triangular, circular, square or rectangular. This type of openings
can be introduced into the portion capsules with a particularly
small force.
[0014] Preferably, the membrane has at least one, preferably two or
more openings, preferably along a first plane of symmetry of the
portion capsule, wherein these openings in an asymmetrical manner
with respect to a second plane of symmetry of the portion capsule,
which are arranged preferably perpendicularly to the first plane of
symmetry. This opening serves/these openings serve preferably for a
liquid to pass into the cavity in the portion capsule. Preferably,
the membrane, particularly preferably additionally, has at least
one, preferably two, opening(s), preferably along a second plane of
symmetry, which are preferably provided in a symmetrical manner
with respect to the first plane of symmetry. This additional
opening serves at least temporarily for venting the cavity in the
portion capsule.
[0015] A further or a preferred subject of the present invention is
a portion capsule for producing a beverage, said portion capsule
having a cavity in which a raw beverage material is provided and
through which a liquid can flow, wherein flow takes place onto the
capsule at a distance from a plane of symmetry.
[0016] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0017] In the case of this portion capsule, it is provided
according to the invention that flow takes place onto the portion
capsule at a distance from a plane of symmetry, i.e. the liquid is
supplied to the portion capsule not centrally but outside the
center. This also results, at least temporarily, in improved flow
through the cavity in the portion capsule and/or, at least
temporarily, a longer residence time of the liquid in the portion
capsule and thus a higher quality beverage.
[0018] A further or a preferred subject of the present invention is
a portion capsule in which the membrane has a liquid inlet and a
venting opening.
[0019] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0020] The liquid inlet and the venting opening are preferably
introduced, preferably cut, into the membrane of the portion
capsule by a coffee machine. With respect to the gravitational
field of the Earth, the venting opening is preferably arranged
above the liquid inlet. As soon as no more gas emerges from the
venting opening, the venting opening is preferably used likewise
for the liquid supply. Particularly preferably, the membrane of the
portion capsule has a plurality of liquid inlets and a plurality of
venting openings.
[0021] Preferably, in the base of the portion capsule there is
provided an outlet opening, which can be arranged centrally or at a
distance from a plane of symmetry. The produced beverage flows out
of the portion capsule through this opening.
[0022] According to a further or a preferred subject of the present
invention, a venting opening is provided in the base. This opening
serves for venting the cavity in the portion capsule while liquid
is flowing through the latter. Only a very small amount of prepared
beverage, if any at all, flows through this venting opening.
Preferably, this opening is introduced, preferably cut, into the
portion capsule only in the coffee machine. With respect to the
gravitational field of the Earth, the venting opening in the base
of the capsule is arranged above the outlet opening.
[0023] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0024] A further subject of the present invention is a method for
producing a beverage, in which a liquid flows through a portion
capsule, wherein the portion capsule has to be opened at two points
before flow takes place therethrough, wherein at least one opening
is provided at a distance from a plane of symmetry of the portion
capsule.
[0025] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0026] Preferably, in particular in the membrane, there are
provided a plurality of openings which are provided in an
asymmetrical manner with respect to a plane that extends in an
axial direction of the portion capsule, in particular a plane of
symmetry of the unopened portion capsule.
[0027] A further subject of the present invention is a method for
producing a beverage, in which a liquid flows through a portion
capsule, wherein flow takes place onto the portion capsule at a
distance from one of its planes of symmetry, that extends in an
axial direction, of the unopened portion capsule.
[0028] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention, and the features disclosed here can be
combined with other subjects of the present invention and vice
versa.
[0029] According to a preferred or a further subject of the present
invention, flow takes place through the portion capsule in an
asymmetrical manner at least in sections and at least temporarily
with respect to at least one plane of symmetry of the unopened
portion capsule.
[0030] The statements made with respect to this subject of the
present invention apply in equal measure to the other subjects of
the present invention and vice versa, and the features disclosed
here can be combined with other subjects of the present invention
and vice versa.
[0031] Preferably, the capsule is provided in a horizontal manner
while flow takes place therethrough, i.e. its central axis extends
horizontally. The plane of symmetry mentioned above or hereinbelow
is preferably a plane of symmetry which extends at least
substantially along the horizontal.
[0032] A further or a preferred subject of the present invention is
a method in which, while the liquid flows in, the cavity in the
portion capsule is vented at least temporarily via at least one
opening. This opening can be located in the membrane or in the base
of the portion capsule. Preferably, the venting takes place at
least temporarily through both openings. Preferably, the venting
takes place via one or more opening(s) which are not used for the
liquid inlet or liquid outlet.
[0033] The invention is explained in the following text with
reference to FIGS. 1-7. These explanations are only by way of
example and do not limit the general concept of the invention.
These explanations apply in equal measure to all subjects of the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIGS. 1-7 each show an embodiment of the portion capsule
according to the invention or of the method according to the
invention in two views in each case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the portion capsule 1
according to the invention. Said portion capsule has a basic
element 2 which in the present case is frustoconical. This basic
element has a cavity 13 which is filled at least partially with a
raw beverage material which, for example, is extracted and/or
dissolved. In the present case, the raw beverage material is coffee
powder which is extracted with hot water and is used to produce for
example a coffee or an espresso. Once the raw beverage material has
been introduced into the cavity, the latter is closed preferably
with a membrane, in that the membrane is sealed or adhesively
bonded to the basic element. According to the invention, the
portion capsule has a first plane 5 which extends in the axial
direction of the portion capsule. In the present case, this is a
horizontal plane 5 which in the present case is also at the same
time a plane of symmetry, in particular a plane of mirror symmetry,
of the unopened capsule. According to the invention, it is provided
that, for producing for example a beverage, the portion capsule has
an opening 4, which is in particular only introduced when the
portion capsule 1 is located in the respective coffee machine. The
opening 4 is provided at a distance from the plane of symmetry 5.
As can be seen in particular from the right-hand illustration in
FIG. 1, the opening 4 is two openings in the membrane, which are
each also provided at a distance from a vertical plane of mirror
symmetry 6 of the unopened capsule but in a mirror-symmetrical
manner with respect to the plane of symmetry 6. As can furthermore
be seen from the right-hand illustration in FIG. 1, both openings 4
in the membrane are distributed in an asymmetrical manner in the
membrane 3 with respect to a first plane of symmetry 5, that
extends in the axial direction, of the unopened capsule, i.e. both
openings are located in the lower part of the portion capsule with
respect to the horizontal plane of symmetry 5, while the upper part
remains unopened. As can be seen in particular in the left-hand
part of FIG. 1, in order to produce a beverage, the capsule also
has to have in its base a further opening 9, which in the present
case is arranged centrally but can also be provided at a distance
from one of the planes 5 or 6. This opening is required in
particular for the outlet of the produced beverage. The portion
capsule is preferably processed as illustrated in a coffee machine,
i.e. its central axis is provided horizontally while flow takes
place through the portion capsule.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows substantially the embodiment of the capsule
according to FIG. 1, wherein in the present case an insert member 7
is provided in the vicinity of the base. This insert member is
preferably a screen or a nonwoven, which is intended in particular
to prevent parts of the raw beverage material, for example coffee
powder, from passing into the beverage to be consumed. Preferably,
the member 7 is a nonwoven which is particularly preferably sealed
to the base of the portion capsule. This nonwoven can be pierced
when the portion capsule is opened at the base.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows substantially the embodiment according to FIG.
2, wherein in this case the capsule has a further insert member,
which is provided in the vicinity of the membrane 3 of the portion
capsule. This member can be for example a liquid distributor or a
raw beverage material retention member.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.
Reference can be made essentially to the embodiment according to
FIGS. 1-3. However, in the present case, there is additionally
illustrated a liquid supply means 10, by way of which liquid is
supplied in the direction of the portion capsule. In the present
case, this liquid is hot water which, as illustrated by the arrow,
is supplied at a distance from the plane of symmetry 5 of the
portion capsule. In the present case, the liquid is supplied
centrally between the two openings 4 in the membrane 3 and then
flows through the openings 4 into the capsule. There, the coffee
powder is extracted and the prepared beverage leaves the portion
capsule through the opening 9. The illustrated arrows are intended
to symbolize the possible flow pattern in the portion capsule. It
can clearly be seen that this is for example asymmetrical with
respect to the plane of symmetry 5. The present embodiment has the
advantage that air which is located in front of and/or within the
capsule is pushed out of the capsule uniformly and along a
predictable path. Alternatively or additionally, the minimum
residence time of the liquid in the capsule is longer than in the
case of a capsule of which the membrane is opened centrally and/or
symmetrically.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows substantially the embodiment according to FIG.
4, wherein the capsule in the present case again has an insert
member 7, in this case a screen or a nonwoven.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment which is based on the
embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the present case, the
portion capsule has a further insert member 8, for example a
membrane or the like, which can serve as a distribution member, but
which can also be destroyed by the supply of the liquid or by the
pressure built up and as a result liquid can flow in the cavity,
located behind the membrane 8, in the portion capsule 1.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention,
wherein reference can be made essentially to the embodiments in
FIGS. 1-6. As can be seen in particular from the right-hand
illustration in FIG. 7, four openings 4, 14 are provided in the
membrane 3. Two of these openings 4 are provided for the liquid
inlet and two openings 14 are provided as venting openings, out of
which for example air or other gases which are located in the
portion capsule can escape at least temporarily from the portion
capsule when the portion capsule is pierced and/or when the liquid
runs in. The openings 14 are in this case arranged above the
openings 4 with respect to the gravitational field of the Earth.
Venting is symbolized by the arrow 15. In the present case, the
openings 14 are arranged on the plane of symmetry 5 and are
provided in a symmetrical manner with respect to the plane of
symmetry 6. The openings 4 for the liquid inlet are in the present
case arranged in a vertical plane one above another and in an
asymmetrical manner with respect to the plane of symmetry 5 of the
unopened portion capsule, wherein in the present case the liquid
supply means 10 is arranged in the same vertical plane 6 as the two
openings 4 but between the two openings 4. Once the gas has escaped
from the portion capsule, the openings 14 can also act as liquid
inlet openings. It can be seen from the left-hand illustration in
FIG. 7 that the portion capsule 1 can alternatively or additionally
have in its base a venting opening 16, which is preferably
introduced into the portion capsule by the coffee machine. This
venting opening 16 is provided in addition to the outlet opening 9
and serves to dissipate gas which is located in the portion capsule
prior to piercing. With respect to the gravitational field of the
Earth, the opening 16 is located above the opening 9. The opening 9
is preferably arranged above the openings 14 with respect to the
gravitational field of the Earth.
* * * * *