U.S. patent application number 14/159778 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for coffee capsule.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALICE ALLISON SA. Invention is credited to MICHELE ORSI.
Application Number | 20140205721 14/159778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49918534 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140205721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ORSI; MICHELE |
July 24, 2014 |
COFFEE CAPSULE
Abstract
A coffee capsule is configured to receive roasted and ground
coffee and is suitable for preparing an espresso beverage using
pressurised hot water in an espresso machine. It includes a capsule
part and a membrane attached thereto. The capsule part is a
frustoconical plastics part with a conical side wall and has a top
part with a retaining plate integrally formed on the small
frustoconical diameter. The retaining plate has at least one
perforation zone with perforations that permit the entry of hot
water into the coffee capsule. The retaining plate has a contact
surface to which an aroma-protection foil completely covering the
at least one perforation zone may be attached.
Inventors: |
ORSI; MICHELE; (CUGNASCO,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALICE ALLISON SA |
Grono |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
49918534 |
Appl. No.: |
14/159778 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2013 |
CH |
CH-00246/13 |
Claims
1. A coffee capsule, comprising: a. a capsule part including a
frustoconical plastics part with a conical side wall and a top part
with a retaining plate integrally formed on the small frustoconical
diameter; b. a membrane attached to the capsule part, the capsule
part and membrane being configured to receive roasted and ground
coffee and being suitable for preparing an espresso beverage using
pressurised hot water in an espresso machine; c. wherein the
retaining plate having at least one perforation zone defining
perforations therethrough, said perforations being configured to
permit the entry of hot water into the coffee capsule, wherein the
retaining plate having a contact surface; and d. an
aroma-protection foil attached to the contact surface of the
retaining plate and configured and disposed to completely cover the
at least one perforation zone.
2. The coffee capsule according to claim 1, wherein the contact
surface is an annular surface formed on an annular projection
integrally formed on the retaining plate.
3. The coffee capsule according to claim 1, wherein the
aroma-protection foil is an aluminium foil which is able to be
punctured.
4. The coffee capsule according to claim 2, wherein the
aroma-protection foil is an aluminium foil which is able to be
punctured.
5. The coffee capsule according to claim 1, wherein the
aroma-protection foil is removably attached to the contact surface
and has an integrally formed pull tab.
6. The coffee capsule according to claim 2, wherein the
aroma-protection foil is removably attached to the contact surface
and has an integrally formed pull tab.
7. The coffee capsule according to claim 1, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
8. The coffee capsule according to claim 2, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
9. The coffee capsule according to claim 3, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
10. The coffee capsule according to claim 4, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
11. The coffee capsule according to claim 5, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
12. The coffee capsule according to claim 6, wherein the
frustoconical capsule part and the membrane have aroma-preserving
properties.
13. The coffee capsule according to claim 7, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
14. The coffee capsule according to claim 8, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
15. The coffee capsule according to claim 9, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
16. The coffee capsule according to claim 10, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
17. The coffee capsule according to claim 11, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
18. The coffee capsule according to claim 12, further comprising a
coating having aroma-preserving properties and applied to the
frustoconical capsule part and/or the membrane.
19. The coffee capsule according to claim 13, wherein the coating
is sprayed onto the inside of at least one of the frustoconical
capsule part and the membrane.
20. The coffee capsule according to claim 13, wherein the coating
is sprayed onto the outside of at least one of the frustoconical
capsule part and the membrane.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to currently pending
Swiss Patent Application Serial No. CH-00246/13, filed Jan. 21,
2013.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a coffee capsule that includes a
capsule part and a membrane attached thereto, the coffee capsule
being configured to receive roasted and ground coffee and being
suitable for preparing an espresso beverage using pressurised hot
water in an espresso machine.
BACKGROUND
[0004] The invention relates, in particular, to a coffee capsule in
which the capsule part is a plastic frustoconical part with a
conical side wall and in which a top part with a retaining plate
integrally formed on the small frustoconical diameter is present.
In this case, the retaining plate has at least one perforation zone
with perforations which permit the entry of hot water into the
coffee capsule. The aforementioned membrane is tearable and is
attached to a flange integrally formed on the large frustoconical
diameter and covers the capsule part on the outlet side.
[0005] For over 20 years, Nestle SA has successfully sold portion
packs by which coffee is able to be extracted under pressure in
espresso machines. Said portion packs are known in several shapes
but conical capsules have particularly dominated the market. The
machines available therefor have a so-called brewing chamber, which
substantially corresponds to the shape of the capsule. The capsules
are retained in the machine in a clamped and sealed manner,
whereupon a plurality of injection needles or tearing spikes on the
top part penetrate the capsule and whereby pressurised hot water
enters the capsule. The membrane attached to the other end is torn
in a grid-like pattern under pressure on puncture teeth on a
counterpressure plate in the espresso machine, and thus the
espresso beverage is effectively able to flow out through a
sieve.
[0006] After various patents relating to said capsules have expired
in the meantime, rival capsules have now come onto the market. Such
rival capsules are designed such that they are able to be used in a
compatible manner for espresso machines that already are
available.
[0007] For ecological reasons and also for economic reasons, the
compatible capsules that are currently on the market consist of
plastics. This means that the capsules have to be designed so that
the injection needles on the machine side do not come into contact
with the portion pack made of plastics as the hot injection needles
would cause the plastics capsules to be fused thereon, which would
lead to the injection needles sticking together and thus would
result in the outlet openings of said injection needles becoming
blocked. The spikes heated by the hot water would soften the
plastics material, and said plastics material would surround the
spikes in a sealed manner and prevent the correct inflow of water.
The plastics residue remaining on the spikes additionally leads to
the spikes becoming blunt which over time would no longer be
capable of functioning. Accordingly, said capsules are either
generally lower in height than the original capsules from Nestle SA
or they have a suitable annular groove.
[0008] A further problem is the aroma preservation in alternative
coffee capsules. In the original capsules from Nestle SA, the
ground coffee contained in the coffee capsule is enclosed on all
sides by an aluminium wall. This is advantageous for long-term
storage and for the preservation of the coffee aroma, but is
complex and costly due to the aluminium used. In order to avoid the
risk of infringement of protection rights in capsule systems which
are closed on all sides, therefore, measures have been taken to
market compatible capsules made of plastics material that are no
longer closed on all sides but reliably enclose the ground coffee
contained in the capsules, albeit not in an airtight manner.
Naturally, further measures are required for the long-term storage
and for ensuring the aroma preservation in such capsules.
[0009] One of the options used for ensuring the quality and the
aroma preservation is, therefore, to pack capsules made of
plastics, which are compatible but which are no longer closed on
all sides, either individually or in small portions additionally in
individual airtight and aroma-preserving sachets. Such a solution
is, for example, disclosed in EP-0 524 464.
[0010] Solutions with removable protective covers also are known in
principle, for example from DE-202005021160-U1. This disclosure
relates to a multipart portion capsule in which individual capsule
components, such as for example a cover to be punctured, consist of
a gastight multi-layered composite material with thermoplastic
polymer components. On the outlet side, a removable foil also
consisting of the gastight multi-layer composite material is
provided. Due to the composite material provided, therefore, in
principle the above-mentioned problem is also present here with the
injection needles, which tend gradually to become blocked. This
solution is, therefore, unsuitable for Nespresso-compatible
capsules made of plastics material as it is desirable to avoid any
puncturing of the plastics parts.
[0011] SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below
in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of embodiments of
the invention.
[0013] It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to
specify a Nespresso-compatible coffee capsule that includes the
largest possible proportion of plastics, in which materials that
would impair the water injection function need not be punctured and
in which the capacity for long-term storage and the preservation of
the coffee aroma are nevertheless ensured. In satisfying this
object, the invention is in no way restricted from solving
additional problems encountered in the art.
[0014] In adapting the solution of the present invention to a
generic coffee capsule with a capsule part made of plastics, the
solution provides a retaining plate having a contact surface to
which an aroma-protection foil, which completely covers the at
least one perforation zone that is present in the coffee capsule,
is able to be attached on the inlet side of the capsule.
[0015] Preferably, in this case the contact surface is an annular
surface, which is attached to an annular projection integrally
formed on the retaining plate. This facilitates the production due
to the simplicity of shape. Although there is no requirement for an
annular surface, it must be a contact surface based on an enclosed
line.
[0016] The object, namely a Nespresso-compatible coffee capsule
with the largest possible proportion of plastics material, may be
achieved by such a design, i.e. with a capsule part made of
plastics with, for example, an aroma-preserving coating sprayed on
the inside or outside, a thin tearable (outlet) membrane made of
aluminium or similar-acting material and an aroma-protection foil
also consisting of coated plastics. Before use, only the
aroma-protection foil has to be removed. There is no risk of
soiling or blockage of the injection needles. Alternatively, an
aroma-protection foil made of aluminium may also be connected
fixedly to the contact surface. Thus, there is no longer a
requirement for prior removal of the aroma-protection foil, as
there is also no risk of soiling or blockage of the injection
needles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set
forth more particularly in this specification, including reference
to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a coffee capsule according to
the invention, and
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a partial section through the top part of a
coffee capsule according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments
of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical
and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like
or similar designations in the drawings and description have been
used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.
[0021] Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a coffee capsule 1 according to
the invention. The coffee capsule 1 consists substantially of a
capsule part 2 with an annular flange protruding laterally and a
membrane 3, which is attached to the flange and seals the coffee
capsule 1 but which is tearable. The capsule part 2 is a
frustoconical plastics part with a conical side wall 4 and a top
part 5 with a retaining plate 6 integrally formed on the small
frustoconical diameter, The retaining plate 6 has at least one
perforation zone with perforations 7 (see FIG. 2) which permit the
entry of hot water into the coffee capsule. An aroma-protection
foil 8 completely covering the at least one perforation zone is
attached to the retaining plate 6.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a partial section through the top part 5 of the
coffee capsule 1 according to FIG. 1. The retaining plate 6 has an
internal concentric annular groove 9 into which the aforementioned
injection needles of the espresso machine are able to protrude,
without coming into contact with the plastics material of the
retaining plate 6. The retaining plate 6 also has an integrally
formed, annular, external and also concentric projection 10 with a
contact surface which is configured as an annular surface 11. The
retaining plate 6 also has the aforementioned perforations 7, in
this case in a first internal perforation zone in the vicinity of
the center and in a second external perforation zone in the
vicinity of the projection. The through-holes of the perforations 7
are distributed in a circular manner in both perforation zones. The
aroma-protection foil 8 is attached to the annular surface 11 of
the projection 10, The aroma-protection foil 8 may, depending on
the choice of material, be fixedly or removably attached to the
annular surface 11. The aroma-protection foil 8 is attached such
that all perforation zones present are covered and thus forms
reliable aroma protection in the region of the retaining plate
6.
[0024] The retaining plate 6 and the contact surface may, however,
also be configured differently. It has already been mentioned in
the introduction that the coffee capsule 1 may also have a lower
overall height than the original capsules from Nestle SA. In this
case, the annular groove 6 present in the example shown may be
either smaller or even be entirely dispensed with. On the other
hand, the contact surface 11 itself also may have a different
shape. In order to achieve a complete covering of the perforation
zone(s) present, only a correspondingly shaped piece is required
for the aroma-protection foil 8. This could, for example, also be
rectangular with perforations 7 arranged in a rectangular
manner.
[0025] The aroma-protection foil 8 may be securely attached to the
contact surface 11, for example by welding or adhesive. If the
aroma-protection foil 8 consists of aluminium or a different
material having no negative effect on the injection needles over a
long period, this solution may readily be taken into consideration.
If the aroma-protection foil 8, however, consists of a plastics
material, it may be attached releasably and/or removably to the
contact surface 11, for example by adhesive bonding. In this case,
a pull tab 12 may be present on the aroma-protection foil 8. If the
aroma-protection foil 8 is thus made of plastics material, for
improving the aroma preservation it may, for example, be provided
with a vapour-deposited aluminium coating.
[0026] In order to ensure or to improve the capacity for long-term
storage and aroma preservation of the coffee, the remaining
components of the coffee capsule 1, namely the frustoconical
capsule part 4 and the membrane 3, may also be naturally provided
with aroma-preserving properties. In this case, the
aroma-preserving properties also may be achieved in a similar
manner to the aroma-protection foil 8 by a suitable coating of the
frustoconical capsule part 4 and/or the membrane 3. Coatings in
this case may applied to the inside or outside of the frustoconical
capsule part 4 and/or the membrane 3, for example also by being
sprayed on.
* * * * *