U.S. patent application number 14/988823 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-28 for capsule, device, and method for preparing infused beverages.
This patent application is currently assigned to TCONCEPT COMPANY S.P.R.L.. The applicant listed for this patent is TCONCEPT COMPANY S.P.R.L.. Invention is credited to Quintijn INNIKEL, Luc VAN BELLEGHEM, Jacco VAN STENIS.
Application Number | 20160114967 14/988823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40791156 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160114967 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VAN BELLEGHEM; Luc ; et
al. |
April 28, 2016 |
CAPSULE, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING INFUSED BEVERAGES
Abstract
A device 120 for preparing infused beverages including: a
capsule 102, with the front face 103 in a substantially vertical
position; an injector 124 for introducing an infusing liquid into
the capsule 102 through the frangible region 116 when the capsule
102 is in the receptacle 118; and an infusion vessel 123 with a
substantially vertical side opening 125 to the receptacle 118, so
as to be in fluid connection with the filter wall 114 of the
capsule 102 when the capsule 102 is in the receptacle 118, and an
openable and closable bottom opening 127 to allow an infused
beverage to flow out of the infusion vessel 123.
Inventors: |
VAN BELLEGHEM; Luc;
(Corroy-Le-Grand, BE) ; VAN STENIS; Jacco;
(Corroy-le-Grand, BE) ; INNIKEL; Quintijn;
(Corroy-le-Grand, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TCONCEPT COMPANY S.P.R.L. |
Corroy-le-Grand |
|
BE |
|
|
Assignee: |
TCONCEPT COMPANY S.P.R.L.
Corroy-le-Grand
BE
|
Family ID: |
40791156 |
Appl. No.: |
14/988823 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12989287 |
Apr 20, 2011 |
|
|
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PCT/EP2009/054975 |
Apr 24, 2009 |
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14988823 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/407 20130101;
B65D 85/8043 20130101; A47J 31/3628 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 24, 2008 |
EP |
08103706.1 |
Aug 27, 2008 |
EP |
08163120.2 |
Claims
1. A device (120) for preparing infused beverages comprising: a
capsule (102,202) containing dry infusible matter (101) for
preparing infused beverages, and including: a front face (103,203)
comprising a filter wall (114); a rim (105,205) surrounding said
front face (103,203); a back face (104,204), substantially opposed
to said front face (103,203) along a main longitudinal axis (107)
of the capsule (102,202), and comprising a frangible region
(116,216) for the injection of infusing liquid; and a solid
envelope (106,206) between said rim (105,205) and said back face
(104), said rim (105,205) presenting an outer edge with a
backwards-oriented annular lip behind a substantially straight
backwards taper (108), said annular lip presenting an outer
perimeter surface (109) connected to said taper (108) and
substantially parallel to said main longitudinal axis (107); and
injecting means (124) for introducing an infusing liquid into said
capsule (102,202) through said frangible region (216); and an
infusion vessel (123) having a side opening (125) with a rim in
substantially leak-tight engagement with said substantially
straight backwards taper (108) of the rim (105) of the capsule
(102,202).
2. A device (120) according to claim 1, wherein said infusion
vessel (123) is at least partially made of a fluoropolymer
material.
3. A device (120) according to claim 2, wherein said infusion
vessel (123) comprises an inner shell (150) at least partially made
of said fluoropolymer material, and encased in an outer shell (151)
of a different material.
4. A device (120) according to claim 3, wherein said inner shell is
molded.
5. A device (120) according to claim 4, wherein said fluoropolymer
material comprises perfluoroalkoxy plastic.
6. A device (120) according to claim 2, wherein said inner shell
(150) comprises two inner half-shells (150a,150b) divided by a
first joint line, and said outer shell (151) comprises two outer
half-shells (151a,151b) divided by a second joint line.
7. A device (120) according to claim 6, wherein said first and
second joint lines intersect at an angle .gamma. higher than
30.degree..
8. A device (120) according claim 1, wherein said capsule (102) is
received in a receptacle (118) of a capsule carrier (119) with a
significantly open structure.
9. A device (120) according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle
for introducing a rinsing fluid into said infusion vessel (123).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/989,287, filed Oct. 22, 2010 which is a National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/EP2009/054975 filed Apr. 24,
2009, claiming priority based on European Patent Application
08103706.1 filed on Apr. 24, 2008 and European Patent Application
08163120.0 filed on Aug. 27, 2008. The entire disclosures of the
prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of the
accompanying divisional application, and are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a capsule, device, and
method for preparing infused beverages.
[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a capsule
containing dry infusible matter for preparing infused beverages,
and comprising a front face, comprising a filter wall and a rim; a
back face substantially opposed to said front face along a main
longitudinal axis of the capsule, and comprising a frangible region
for the injection of infusion liquid; and a solid envelope between
said front face and said back face.
[0004] In the present specification, the term "capsule" is
preferentially used, although it should be considered synonymous
with the terms "cartridge", "package" or "container" used elsewhere
in this particular technical domain.
[0005] The present invention also relates to a device for preparing
infused beverages comprising the abovementioned capsule; an
infusion vessel; and injecting means for introducing an infusing
liquid into said capsule.
[0006] In the present specification, the term "infusing liquid"
generally refers to the liquid used to infuse ingredients contained
in the dry infusible matter, so as to produce an infused beverage
wherein said infusing liquid carries said ingredients in dissolved
or suspended form. Usually, but not necessarily, the infusing
liquid will be hot water, and the infused beverage a tea, such as
black tea, green tea, white tea, flavoured tea, or also a so-called
herbal or fruit tea using infusible matter other than the leaves of
the tea plant (for instance, rooibos, camomile, peppermint,
etc.).
[0007] Similar capsules and devices are known from the state of the
art.
[0008] Canadian patent application CA 2 448 474 A1 discloses one
such capsule. However, this capsule presents several drawbacks. The
capsule disclosed in this document is particularly adapted to use
for preparing beverages by percolation, in which a hot liquid
percolates down continuously through the matter contained in the
capsule. For this, the capsule is placed in a horizontal position,
with the back face comprising the liquid injection point at the
top, and the front face at the bottom. This method, though
appropriate for preparing such beverages as coffee, is entirely
inappropriate for, for instance, tea, which requires a longer and
gentler infusion. With the infusing liquid flowing too rapidly
downwards under the influence of gravity, it provokes a chaotic and
exceedingly fast breakdown of various tea molecules, ruining the
quality and flavour of the infusion.
[0009] In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to
place such capsules against a side opening of an infusion vessel.
However, such a position has the drawback of being considerably
more leak-prone than one in which the front face remains in a
substantially horizontal position.
[0010] This problem has been addressed in a number of similar
capsules for preparing coffee by incorporating a sealing ring in
the rim around the front face, as disclosed, for instance, in WO
2007/137974, WO 2007/122208, or EP 0 468 079. However, these prior
art capsules are adapted to the preparation of espresso coffee by
injecting water at high pressure into the capsule and extracting it
at the front face, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Since the water
injection point 1 and the back face 2 of the capsule 3 are not
sealed, the high-pressure water 4 both percolates through the
ground coffee in the capsule 3 and flows around the envelope 5 of
the capsule 3. In use, the water pressure thus pushes the capsule 3
forward, pressing the front of the rim 6 against an opposite
surface 7 of the receptacle receiving the capsule 3. The principal
purpose of the sealing rings in these prior art capsules is to
prevent leaks of high-pressure water 4 from behind the rim 6.
[0011] In prior art document EP 1 929 904 A, one of the embodiments
of the capsule presents a backwards taper of the rim. This rim,
however, is resiliently deflectable, for preventing leaks of
high-pressure water from behind the rim.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The capsule of the present invention, however, is adapted to
be used in a device for preparing infused beverages comprising an
infusion vessel with a side opening to said receptacle, so as to be
in fluid connection with said filter wall of the capsule when said
capsule is in said receptacle, and an openable and closable bottom
opening to allow an infused beverage to flow out of the chamber.
When the infusion vessel is full, it is necessary to prevent leaks
of infusion liquid from the front of the capsule.
[0013] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
capsule adapted to prevent such leaks through the front of the rim
of the capsule.
[0014] The capsule of the present invention is adapted to solve
this problem with a rim presenting an outer edge with a
backwards-oriented annular lip behind a substantially straight
backwards taper, said annular lip presenting an outer perimeter
surface connected to said taper and substantially parallel to said
main longitudinal axis. The backwards-oriented annular lip stiffens
the rim and its outer perimeter surface guides the capsule axially,
ensuring a self-adjusting sealing fit when said backwards taper is
pressed against the edge of the abovementioned side opening of the
infusion vessel. Liquid leaks through the interface between the
capsule and the infusion vessel are thus successfully prevented
without unduly complicating the production of the capsule.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to prevent
liquid leaking out from around the liquid injection point.
[0016] Advantageously, the capsule of the present invention may
thus also present, a tapered outer edge around its back face.
Besides ensuring a self-adjusting sealing fit around the liquid
injection point when a corresponding edge of a receptacle receiving
the capsule presses against it, it transmits to the capsule the
force pressing the first sealing surface against the abovementioned
side opening of the infusion vessel. The capsule can thus be
clamped between the tapered outer edge of the rim and the tapered
outer edge of the back face.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to ensure the
freshness of the dry infusible matter within the capsule.
[0018] Advantageously, the rim of the capsule of the present
invention may thus also present a substantially flat front surface,
and a freshness seal in the form of a foil fixed to said
substantially flat front surface so as to close the capsule in a
substantially gas-tight manner.
[0019] Even more advantageously, to preserve the freshness of the
dry infusible matter, said capsule may contain the dry infusible
matter in a substantially inert atmosphere.
[0020] Also more advantageously, to provide support for the filter
wall, the envelope of the capsule may comprise, behind said rim, an
inwards step presenting a substantially flat surface on which said
filter wall is fixed.
[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an effective filter wall for said capsule. Advantageously, said
filter wall may thus be formed by a plastic mesh.
[0022] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
hygienic, taste-neutral, stable and inexpensive capsule.
Advantageously, the capsule may thus be substantially made of a
plastic material, which reduces the production costs, while
providing a hygienic and taste-neutral container. By "plastic
material" should be understood a polymer-based material, such as a
thermoplastic polymeric material. Alternatively, any other material
suitable for contact with hot drinks for human consumption could
also be used.
[0023] Particularly advantageously, the capsule may be produced by
injection moulding.
[0024] Although in a first embodiment of the invention the capsule
is rotationally symmetrical, in an alternative embodiment a lower
side of the envelope may present an angle .alpha. with respect to
said front face that is lower than 90.degree., and preferably lower
than 70.degree., whereas an upper side of said envelope,
substantially opposed to said lower side, may present an angle
.beta. with respect to said front face that is substantially higher
than said angle .alpha., although preferably lower than 90.degree..
The slope of the lower side facilitates the evacuation of high
density infusion liquor out of the capsule. With the flatter upper
side, the bulk of the capsule remains however within reasonable
limits. Moreover, the asymmetric shape of this alternative
embodiment of the capsule has additional advantages. For instance,
because of this asymmetric shape, the capsule may only be used in a
single well-defined position, preventing user confusion without
duplication of elements within the capsule.
[0025] Advantageously, said front face may also comprise,
substantially opposed to said frangible area, a solid deflector
wall. In use, such a solid deflector wall will deflect a jet of
infusing liquid injected into the capsule through said liquid
injection point. The major part of the liquid will thus not
directly escape the capsule, but indirectly flow onto the infusible
matter at the bottom of the capsule, gently infusing it while still
at a predetermined infusion temperature.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved device for preparing infused beverages. This device
comprises a capsule according to the invention; injecting means for
introducing an infusing liquid into said capsule through said
frangible region; and an infusion vessel having a side opening with
a rim in substantially leak-tight engagement with said
substantially straight backwards taper of the rim of the capsule.
The infusion vessel provides an enlarged volume with respect to the
capsule for carrying out the infusion process, so that a whole
serving can be prepared in one go without requiring serving-sized
capsules. The side opening between the infusion vessel and the
capsule allows significant fluid exchange through natural
convection during the infusion process, homogenising the infused
beverage.
[0027] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
device that substantially prevents contamination of subsequent
servings of infused beverage. For this purpose, said infusion
vessel may preferably be made at least partially of a fluoropolymer
material.
[0028] Advantageously, said infusion vessel may comprise an inner
shell at least partially made of said fluoropolymer material, and
encased in an outer shell of a different material. Since
fluoropolymer materials are comparatively expensive to produce
and/or handle, this allows the use of a reduced amount of such
fluoropolymer materials for the production of an infusion vessel
that combines the advantages of fluoropolymer materials for
preventing contamination of subsequent servings, with the
mechanical and thermal properties of whichever material is used for
the outer shell.
[0029] It is a further object of the present invention to reduce
the production cost of said infusion vessel. For this purpose, at
least said inner shell may be moulded, preferably injection
moulded.
[0030] Among the group of fluoropolymer materials, perfluoroalkoxy
(PFA) plastic has the particular advantage of allowing the
injection moulding of particularly thin shells. This reduces the
amount and cost of the material needed to produce said inner shell
by injection moulding.
[0031] The production of hollow bodies presents particular
complications. To prevent this problem, said inner shell may
comprise two inner half-shells divided by a first joint line, and
said outer shell may comprise two outer half-shells divided by a
second joint line.
[0032] Advantageously, said first and second joint lines may
intersect at an angle .gamma. higher than 30.degree., thus
improving the leak-tightness of the infusion vessel.
[0033] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
device wherein the initial temperature of the capsule remains
significantly close to ambient temperature, regardless of prior use
of the infusion vessel. Advantageously, said capsule may be
received in a receptacle of a capsule carrier having a
significantly open structure, so that the capsule carrier absorbs
only a small fraction of the heat of the capsule during the
infusion process.
[0034] Advantageously, the device may also comprise cleaning means,
such as a nozzle, for introducing a rinsing fluid into said
infusion vessel. The infusion vessel can thus be cleaned, for
instance after preparing each serving, thus preventing
contamination of the following servings and ensuring their
taste.
[0035] The present invention also relates to a method for preparing
infused beverages, comprising the steps of placing a capsule
according to the invention with the substantially straight
backwards taper of its rim in a substantially leak-tight engagement
with a side opening of an infusion vessel; injecting an infusing
liquid into said capsule and the infusion vessel; infusing the
infusing liquid with said infusible matter so as to produce an
infused beverage; and discharging said infused beverage after said
infusion step.
[0036] Advantageously, the method according to the invention may
further comprise a second injection of infusing liquid into said
capsule during said infusion step in order to agitate the infusible
matter so as to obtain a more homogeneous infusion. This will
facilitate the diffusion of a higher density of infusion molecules
from around the infusible matter into the rest of the infusing
liquid, and also reactivate the diffusion of infusion molecules
from the infusible matter into the infusing liquid.
[0037] Advantageously, the method according to the invention may
further comprise a cleaning step wherein a rinsing fluid is
introduced and discharged from said infusion vessel.
[0038] Advantageously, the method according to the invention may
further comprise a step of removing said capsule after said infused
beverage is discharged from said infusion vessel.
[0039] In particular, said cleaning step may follow said capsule
removing step, and the device according to the invention may
comprise control means, such as, for example, an electronic
circuit, for activating the capsule removing and cleaning steps in
that order, and/or closing means, such as a lid, to close the
abovementioned side opening during said cleaning step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] Several preferred embodiments of the invention will be
described illustratively, but not restrictively, with reference to
the accompanying figures, in which:
[0041] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a prior art capsule
in a device for preparing coffee;
[0042] FIG. 2a is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment
of a capsule according to the invention, as it is being received in
a receptacle in a corresponding device;
[0043] FIG. 2b is a detail view of the rim of the capsule of FIG.
2a;
[0044] FIGS. 2c and 2d are side and upper views of the capsule of
FIG. 2a in use in said corresponding device;
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the infusion vessel of
FIG. 2a;
[0046] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the infusion vessel of FIG.
3;
[0047] FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing a preferred embodiment of
a method of preparing infused beverages according to the
invention;
[0048] FIG. 6a is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of
a capsule according to the invention;
[0049] FIG. 6b is a view of the capsule of FIG. 6a in use in a
corresponding device;
[0050] FIGS. 7a to 7h show a number of alternative cross-sections
for the capsule of FIG. 7a;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
2a. An infusible dry matter 101, such as tea leaves, is contained
within a capsule 102 with a front face 103, and a back face 104. A
rim 105 surrounds said front face 103, and a solid envelope 106
extends from the rim 105 to the back face 104, enclosing the
contents of the capsule 102. Preferably, the capsule 102 may be
rotationally symmetrical around a central axis 107. In the
preferred embodiment, the capsule 102 is made of plastic material
by injection moulding, conferring it favourable properties of
hygiene, taste neutrality, and form stability at a low production
price. However, production processes and materials suitable for
contact with hot drinks for human consumption could also be used
would be considered by the skilled person according to the
circumstances. The capsule 102 may also comprise an external
indication of its precise content, for instance a machine-readable
code, such as a colour code, a bar code or an RFID code, for
indicating the nature of the infusible matter or a set of
appropriate parameters for its infusion, such as temperature,
duration, etc.
[0052] The rim 105 of the capsule 102, which is illustrated in
greater detail in FIG. 2b, presents a substantially straight
backwards taper 108. This substantially straight backwards taper
108 thus forms a surface extending in an outwards and backwards
direction front the front face 103 of the capsule. Behind this
taper 108, a backwards-oriented annular lip forms an outer
perimeter surface 109 connected to said taper 108 and substantially
parallel to said main longitudinal axis 107, whereas inwardly from
the taper 108 the rim 105 presents a substantially flat front
surface 110.
[0053] Before use, a freshness seal 111 formed by a foil fixed to
said substantially flat front surface 110, closes the front face
103 of the capsule 102, so that its contents are isolated from the
environment. The foil may be, for example, a metallized plastic
foil heat-bonded to the substantially flat surface 110. As the
interior of the capsule 102 is thus isolated from the environment
in a substantially gas-tight manner, the infusible dry matter 101
within the capsule 102 may be preserved in a substantially inert
atmosphere before use.
[0054] In this first embodiment, behind the rim 105, the solid
envelope 105 forms an inwards step 112 presenting another
substantially flat surface 113 to which is fixed a filter wall 114.
This filter wall 114 may preferably be formed by a plastic mesh
heat-bonded to said substantially flat surface 113. The filter wall
114 allows the flow of an infused liquid, while substantially
blocking the passage of solid particles beyond a certain particle
size.
[0055] In this first embodiment, the capsule 102 being
injection-moulded, its back face 104 presents a plastic injection
point 115 aligned with the central axis 107 of the capsule. Around
this plastic injection point 115, an annular frangible region 116
is arranged for the injection of infusion liquid into the capsule.
In this embodiment, this frangible region 116 is characterised by a
thinner wall than the rest of the capsule 102. However, it could
alternatively take other forms such as, for instance, a region made
of a weaker material, a pre-cut orifice, eventually covered by a
detachable or frangible lid, a non-reinforced area in a capsule
presenting strengthening ribs or similar, and other alternatives
readily available to the skilled person.
[0056] The back face 104 also presents an outer edge 117 oppositely
tapered to the outer edge 108 of the front rim 105.
[0057] FIG. 2a represents the capsule 102 as it is being introduced
in a receptacle 118 in a capsule carrier 119 in a device 120 for
preparing infused beverages. The capsule carrier 119 has a
substantially open structure with large lateral openings 121 for
evacuating heat. The rim 122 of the receptacle 118, together with
the surface 109 of the capsule 102 ensures that the capsule 102 is
properly positioned. For this purpose, this rim 122 may also
present an inwardly tapered surface (not illustrated).
[0058] The device 120 for preparing infused beverages is
illustrated in use in FIGS. 2c and 2d, and comprises, besides said
capsule carrier 119, an infusion vessel 123, and infusion liquid
injecting means 124 in the form of a hot water nozzle. The capsule
carrier 119 is movably mounted in the device 120, so that, once the
capsule 102 is in the receptacle 118, it can be displaced so as to
place the front face 103 of the capsule 102 against a substantially
vertical side opening 125 of said infusion vessel 123, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2c and 2d. The device 120 may also comprise a
device for opening the freshness seal 111, for instance by slicing
it open during the movement of the capsule carrier 119 towards the
position illustrated in FIGS. 2c and 2d.
[0059] Through the substantially vertical side opening 125, the
infusion vessel 123 can thus be put in fluid connection with said
front face 103 of the capsule 102. The infusion vessel 123 further
comprises an openable and closable bottom opening 127 to allow an
infused beverage to flow out of the chamber 123. It may also be
provided with an upper vent to ensure a smooth discharge of said
infused beverage.
[0060] In the illustrated position, a rear support 129 of the
capsule carrier 119 pushes against the tapered outer edge 117 of
the back face 104, so that the tapered outer edge 108 of the rim
105 is pressed against the rim 130 of the substantially vertical
side opening 125 of said infusion vessel 123. The opposite tapers
on the outer edges 108, 117 of, respectively, the rim 105 and the
back face 104 ensure a self adjusting sealing fit on both sides.
Since both the freshness seal 111 and the filter wall 114 are fixed
to surfaces different from the taper 108, they will not interfere
with this seal. This taper 108 is also less susceptible than a flat
surface to surface damage such as bumps or scratches that could
affect the leak-tightness of the seal.
[0061] The device 120 also comprises cleaning means 133, in this
particular embodiment in the form of a rinsing nozzle near the top
of the infusion vessel 123, for introducing a rinsing fluid into
said infusion vessel 123. This rinsing fluid may be, for instance,
water or steam.
[0062] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating the infusion
vessel 123, in order to ensure that the flavour and taste of the
infusion beverage is substantially removed from the infusion vessel
123, so as to prevent contaminating subsequently prepared infusion
beverages, the inner surface of the infusion vessel 123 comprises a
fluoropolymer. Fluoropolymers are fluorinated polymers presenting
low wettability and adhesion. A preferred fluoropolymer is
perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) plastic, which is a thermoplastic allowing
the injection moulding of particularly thin wall surfaces, thus
saving both material and production costs. However alternative
fluoropolymers such as, for instance, PTFE, FEP or ETFE may be used
instead.
[0063] The infusion vessel 123 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4
comprises an inner shell 150 and an outer shell 151. Preferably,
the inner shell 150, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed
by injection moulded PFA, is substantially thinner than the outer
shell 151, which provides the mechanical support and thermal
insulation, and may be made from a cheaper material, such as, for
instance, HDPE, as the anti-adhesive properties of fluoropolymers
are not requested for it. As can be seen in FIGS. 2c and 2d, when
the capsule 102 is placed against the side opening 125 of the
infusion vessel 123, its taper 108 only contacts the outer shell
151 which provides the structural strength of the infusion vessel
123, ensuring better leak-tightness of this contact. A lip 152 of
the inner shell 151 engages an undercutting 153 in the outer shell
151 inwards from the tapered rim 130 of said side opening 125, thus
locking the inner shell 151 in place.
[0064] The inner shell 150 is divided by a vertical joint line into
two inner half shells 150a and 150b, whereas the outer shell 151 is
divided by a horizontal joint line into two outer half shells 151a
and 151b. As the joint lines are not aligned, but instead intersect
each other at a substantially perpendicular angle .gamma., it is
prevented that infusing liquid from inside the infusion vessel 123
easily leaks through both joint lines. While in the illustrated
example the angle .gamma. equals approximately 90.degree., the same
effect can also be achieved at less than perpendicular angles, for
example at .gamma..gtoreq.30.degree..
[0065] A method for preparing infused beverages according to the
invention is illustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 5. In a first
step 301, the capsule 102 is introduced in the receptacle 118 of
the capsule carrier 119 of the device 120 for preparing infused
beverages, as illustrated in FIG. 2a. Then, in the following
positioning step 302, the capsule carrier 119 is first moved so as
to align the front face 103 of the capsule 102 with the
substantially vertical side opening 125 of said infusion vessel
123. During this movement, an opening device slices open the
freshness seal 111 of the capsule 102. Once the capsule 102 is
aligned with the side opening 125 of the infusion vessel 123, it is
pushed forward by the rear support 129 until the tapered edges 108,
117 are in liquid-tight engagement with, respectively, said edge
130 of the substantially vertical side opening 125, and said rear
support 129. The frangible region 116 is pierced by the infusion
liquid injecting means 124.
[0066] In the next step 303, a code reader reads an identification
code, such as a colour code, on the capsule 102, and selects a
corresponding infusion program. This is followed by a first
injection step 304 in which infusion liquid is injected into the
capsule 102 through the infusion liquid injecting means 124,
wherein both the quantity and temperature of the infusion liquid
injected in this first injection step are determined by the
injection program.
[0067] The injection program also determines the duration of the
following infusion step 305, as well as, in a parallel step 306,
whether a second injection step 307 is to be performed during the
infusion 305, the moment in time at which this second injection
step 307 will be performed, and the quantity and temperature of the
infusion liquid to be injected in this second injection step
307.
[0068] At the moment determined by the infusion program, the device
120 will then execute the step 308 of discharging the infused
beverage through the bottom opening 127 of the infusion vessel
123.
[0069] Once the infused beverage is discharged, the capsule carrier
119 may be moved again to remove the used capsule 102 from the
receptacle 118 in a removal step 309. This may be followed by a
cleaning step 310 wherein a rinsing fluid is introduced into said
infusion vessel 123 through said cleaning means 133 and
subsequently discharged.
[0070] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
6a, 6b and 7a to 7h. Instead of being rotationally symmetrical
around a main axis, the capsule 202 is closed by an asymmetric
envelope 206, which on its lower side 206a presents a substantially
smaller angle .alpha. with respect to the front face 203, than on
its substantially opposed upper side 206b. Because the capsule 202
of the illustrated embodiment is partially produced by injection
moulding, both the angle .alpha. of the lower side 206a, and the
angle .beta. of the upper side 206b with respect to the front face
203 are smaller than 90.degree., so as to facilitate the extraction
from the mould of the single injection moulded part formed by the
envelope 206, the back face 204 and the rim 205. However, while the
angle .beta. of the upper side 206b is of about 85.degree., that of
the lower side 206a is of just about 60.degree.. As in the first
embodiment, the capsule 202 presents a rim 205 around its front
face 203.
[0071] When the capsule 202 is in the illustrated position, the
infusible dry matter 201 within collects in the troughlike space
210 delimited by the lower side 206a, the front face 203 and a
horizontal plane 211 below the liquid injection point 212.
Preferably, when the capsule 202 is placed against the infusion
vessel 223, as illustrated in FIG. 6b, the inner wall of the latter
presents a slope 223a in prolongation to said lower side 206a of
the envelope 206 of the capsule which presents substantially the
same angle .alpha., thus facilitating the flow of infusion liquor
out of the capsule 202.
[0072] The front face 203 is closed by a separate filter wall 203a
and solid deflector wall 203b bonded onto the capsule 202. In use,
when a jet of infusing liquid is injected into the capsule 202,
this jet hits the solid deflector wall 203b and only indirectly
flows onto the dry infusible matter 2.
[0073] FIG. 7a illustrates the cross-section of the envelope 206.
This ovoid cross-section has two main axes, a vertical axis 213 and
a horizontal axis 214. While the vertical axis 213 is an axis of
symmetry, the cross-section is elongated below the horizontal axis
214. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, this shape has the
technical advantage of maximising the volume of the space 210 below
the horizontal plane 211, while reinforcing its troughlike shape,
and being relatively easy to produce by, for instance, injection
moulding. However, alternative cross-sections could be considered,
as illustrated, for instance, in FIGS. 7b to 7h. FIG. 7b
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the capsule 202 with a
circular cross-section of the envelope 206, FIG. 7c illustrates
another alternative embodiment with an elliptical cross-section.
FIGS. 7d and 7e illustrate, respectively, part-circular and
part-elliptical alternative cross sections, wherein the upper part
has been flattened. FIG. 7f illustrates an alternative square
cross-section, FIG. 7g an alternative trapezoidal cross-section,
wider on its upper side than on its lower side, and FIG. 7h another
alternative cross-section in the shape of a downwardly pointing
triangle.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident
that various modifications and changes may be made to these
embodiments without departing from the broader scope of the
invention as set forth in the claims. For instance, the front
surface 110 may receive both the freshness seal 111 and the filter
wall 114 in a capsule 102 without an inwards step 112. Also,
although the surfaces 110 and 113 are described as "substantially
flat", they may present ridges or protrusions to facilitate the
adhesion of freshness seal 111 and filter wall 114. Accordingly,
the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative
sense rather than a restrictive sense.
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