U.S. patent application number 15/318338 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for a beverage preparation machine and a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines.
The applicant listed for this patent is ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI. Invention is credited to Emre AYAROGLU, Omer Burak COBAN, Nihat GUNDUZ.
Application Number | 20170129692 15/318338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55071125 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170129692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AYAROGLU; Emre ; et
al. |
May 11, 2017 |
A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE AND A CAPSULE SUITABLE TO BE USED IN
BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINES
Abstract
The present invention relates to a capsule that is suitable to
be used in beverage preparation machines having an opening
apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an orifice enabling
loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least
one side surface that surrounds the orifice.
Inventors: |
AYAROGLU; Emre; (Istanbul,
TR) ; GUNDUZ; Nihat; (Istanbul, TR) ; COBAN;
Omer Burak; (Istanbul, TR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI |
Istanbul |
|
TR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55071125 |
Appl. No.: |
15/318338 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
November 18, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/TR2015/050185 |
371 Date: |
December 12, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
B65D 77/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804; B65D 77/40 20060101 B65D077/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 3, 2014 |
TR |
2014/14602 |
Claims
1. A capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines
having an opening apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an
orifice enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material
therein and at least one side surface that surrounds the orifice,
characterized by a skirt that surrounds the side surface all around
so that at least some portion thereof is seated on the side surface
almost without any gaps, a cover attached on the skirt so as to
cover the orifice, and an opening that remains between the side
surface and the skirt and that enables the cover to separate from
the receptacle by being seated on at least some portion of the
opening apparatus.
2. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt, the upper
side of which is lower than the level of the orifice.
3. A capsule as in claim 1 characterized by the skirt that
surrounds at least some portion of the side surface.
4. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that
longitudinally surrounds the side surface.
5. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that is
attached to the side surface.
6. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that is
produced in an integrated manner with the side surface.
7. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a housing wherein the
receptacle is seated, and the upper side of which is connected to
the skirt.
8. A capsule as in claim 7, characterized by the receptacle which
is snap-fittingly seated into the housing.
9. A capsule as in claim 7, characterized by a recess that is
arranged on the receptacle or the housing and a protrusion that is
disposed on the receptacle or the housing correspondingly and that
is seated into the recess by aligning with the recess when the
receptacle is seated into the housing, the recess and the
protrusion preventing the housing and the receptacle from being
separated.
10. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a protector that
extends from the side surface outwards almost in a direction
perpendicular to the side surface so as to remain under the cover
and that prevents the beverage raw material from entering the
opening.
11. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a frame that is
disposed on the upper side of the skirt, that extends in a
direction almost perpendicular to the skirt and whereon the cover
is attached.
12. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a casing wherein the
receptacle is seated so as to surround the receptacle and the
skirt, and that enables the beverage raw material to stay fresh for
a longer period of time.
13. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that
extends parallel to the side surface.
14. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that
extends in an inclined manner with respect to the side surface.
15. A beverage preparation machine that is suitable for using a
capsule as in claim 1 characterized by an opening apparatus which
enters the opening by cutting the cover.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage preparation
machine and a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation
machines and wherein the beverage raw material is stored.
[0002] In beverage preparation machines, the use of the single use
capsule wherein the beverage raw material is stored is known.
During the preparation of the beverage, for example Turkish coffee,
by mixing the raw material by water, the raw material stored in the
capsule has to be delivered to the brewing chamber or the cup. In
the state of the art, beverage preparation machines are known,
providing that some portion of the folio covering the capsule is
torn/cut and as the folio opens like a lid, the beverage raw
material in the capsule is poured or emptied by turning the capsule
upside down. One of the problems encountered in the capsules
suitable to be used in this type of machines is that the beverage
raw material cannot be discharged completely from the capsule. The
powder beverage raw material such as Turkish coffee having thin
particles remains inside the capsule or on the folio due to reasons
like the folio not opening entirely or folding.
[0003] In the state of the art International Patent Application No.
WO2011007266, a beverage preparation machine and a capsule
comprising the blades that cut the folio are disclosed.
[0004] In the state of the art International Patent Application No.
WO2011154866, a capsule is disclosed which is turned upside down by
the arm on the beverage preparation machine pushing thereon, thus
pouring the contents therein.
[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a
capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines,
providing that the beverage raw material therein is enabled to be
poured properly and a beverage preparation machine wherein the said
capsule is used.
[0006] The capsule realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention and explicated in the claims, comprises a skirt,
at least some portion of which is seated on the side surface of the
receptacle wherein the beverage raw material is stored such that
almost no gap remains therebetween, the skirt surrounding the side
surface, whereto the cover covering the orifice of the receptacle
is attached, and further an opening that is arranged on the
beverage preparation machine between the side surface of the
receptacle and the skirt, wherein the opening apparatus that
provides the opening of the cover by cutting is inserted. The
capsule of the present invention is placed in the beverage
preparation machine such that the receptacle orifice faces
downward. The opening that remains between the skirt and the side
surface of the receptacle is aligned with the opening apparatus of
the beverage preparation machine and the opening apparatus enables
the cover to be partially cut along the orifice of the receptacle.
The opening apparatus cuts the cover and enters the opening between
the skirt and the side surface of the receptacle. The opening
apparatus enters the opening and gathers the uncut portion of the
cover into the opening. The beverage raw material inside the
receptacle enables the cover to open like a lid around the uncut
side of the cover with the effect of the weight. By means of the
skirt, cutting means are not required on the capsule for opening
the cover and thus user injuries are avoided when the capsule is
thrown away after being used.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, the level of
the upper side of the side surface that surrounds the orifice of
the receptacle is higher than the upper side of the skirt. By means
this embodiment, when the receptacle is closed by the cover, the
cover attached to the skirt is enabled to be always kept stretched
by the sides of the receptacle. Thus, when the capsule is shaken or
turned upside down, the beverage raw material is prevented from
going through the opening.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
partially surrounds the side surface of the receptacle. By means of
this embodiment, while an opening is formed that the opening
apparatus may enter for cutting the cover, the volume of the
capsule is kept as small as possible.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
longitudinally surrounds the side surface of the receptacle. As the
skirt longitudinally surrounds the side surface, the opening
apparatus providing the opening of the capsule confines the cover
in the opening. Thus, by means of the skirt longitudinally
surrounding the side surface, the cover is not required to open
like a lid and the cover is pulled away on the uncut portion
thereof along the side surface and enters the opening.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt is
produced as a single piece together with the receptacle. By means
of this embodiment, cost advantage is provided by decreasing the
mold cost used in the production of the capsule.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt is
produced separately from the receptacle and joined to the side
surface of the receptacle by plastic welding method. In this
embodiment, the molds used in the production of the receptacle are
used and the skirt is joined to the receptacle afterwards.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lower
sides of the skirt are connected to the upper sides of a housing
wherein the receptacle is seated. In this embodiment, the lower
sides of the skirt are connected to the housing surrounding the
receptacle and the skirt is enabled to be supported more
securely.
[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
furthermore comprises at least one recess and protrusion disposed
oppositely on the receptacle and the housing, such that the housing
is prevented from dislodging from the receptacle by being inserted
into one another when the receptacle is seated into the housing.
Thus, the receptacle is seated into the housing tightly.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
comprises a protector that is connected to the side surface of the
receptacle with a weak connection, that is folded on the connected
side and that partially covers the opening. By providing the
covering of the opening with the protector, the beverage raw
material is prevented from entering the opening. When the opening
apparatus is seated into the opening, the protector is folded into
the opening and enables the opening to be opened. The protector
furthermore surrounds the opening surface intermittently so that
the opening apparatus can enter the opening more easily.
[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, a frame is
disposed at the end of the skirt, whereon the cover is fixed by
methods like adhesion etc. and that extends to the side surface of
the receptacle almost in vertical direction. The cover, which is
preferably in folio form, is attached on the frame. The frame also
helps the receptacle not to be crushed and bent when force is
exerted on the capsule by the beverage preparation machine.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
receptacle is placed into a casing that surrounds the skirt and
enables the beverage raw material inside the receptacle to be kept
fresh for a longer period of time. The casing is produced from
plastic material that is preferably thermally formed in an airtight
manner.
[0017] In the beverage preparation machine of the present
invention, an opening apparatus is provided that can enter the gap
of the above mentioned capsule and enabling some portion of the
cover to be cut/torn away.
[0018] By means of the skirt of the present invention, the required
cutters are not required to be inside the capsule in order to open
the preferably folio form cover and the design of the capsule
becomes simpler. Thus, the capsule production costs are decreased
and capsules with smaller volumes can be produced since cutting
element inside the receptacle is not required. Moreover, the
beverage raw material is not spilled on the opening apparatus since
the opening apparatus providing the opening of the capsule opens
the cover without entering the receptacle but the opening.
Consequently, the beverage preparation machine stays clean in the
process of emptying the capsule and usage facility is provided for
the user.
[0019] The capsule realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention is illustrated in the attached figures,
where:
[0020] FIG. 1--is the perspective view of a capsule.
[0021] FIG. 2--is the perspective view of a capsule when the cover
is open.
[0022] FIG. 2--is the schematic view of the receptacle and the
skirt related to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3--is the schematic view of the receptacle and the
skirt related to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4--is the schematic view of the capsule related to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5--is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt
and the protector related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 6--is the schematic view of the receptacle, the skirt
and the protector related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 7--is the schematic view of the receptacle, the skirt
and the housing related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 8--is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt
and the housing related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 9--is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt
and the housing related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 10--is the perspective view of the receptacle, the
skirt and the housing related to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 11--is the exploded view of the capsule related to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 12--is the exploded view of the capsule related to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 13--is the schematic view of the opening apparatus and
the capsule when the capsule is seated on the opening apparatus
relating to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as
follows: [0035] 1. Capsule [0036] 2. Receptacle [0037] 3. Orifice
[0038] 4. Side surface [0039] 5. Skirt [0040] 6. Cover [0041] 7.
Opening [0042] 8. Recess [0043] 9. Protrusion [0044] 10. Protector
[0045] 11. Frame [0046] 12. Casing [0047] 13. Housing
A. Opening Apparatus
[0048] The capsule (1) is suitable to be used in beverage
preparation machines and comprises a receptacle (2) that has an
orifice (3) enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material
therein and at least one side surface (4) that surrounds the
orifice (3).
[0049] The capsule (1) of the present invention is suitable to be
used in the beverage preparation machine having an opening
apparatus (A), and comprises a skirt (5) that surrounds the side
surface (4) all around so that at least some portion thereof is
seated on the side surface (4) almost without any gaps, a cover (6)
attached on the skirt (5) so as to cover the orifice (3), and an
opening (7) that remains between the side surface (4) and the skirt
(5) and that enables the cover (6) to separate from the receptacle
(2) by being seated on at least some portion of the opening
apparatus (A). The skirt (5) is preferably seated on the side
surface (4) from its lower side almost without any gaps and widens
towards its upper side such that the opening (7) is formed between
the side surface (4) and the skirt (5), thereby surrounding the
side surface (4) that surrounds the orifice (3). Thus, when the
receptacle (2) is viewed from above, the side surface (4) and the
skirt (5) form a double walled structure. The cover (6) provides
the closing of the receptacle (2) by being attached on the skirt
(5) (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).
[0050] The capsule (1) is preferably placed into the beverage
preparation machine such that the opening (7) faces downward and
the opening apparatus (A) is aligned with the opening (7). By means
of an actuation mechanism (not shown) of the beverage preparation
machine, the opening apparatus (A) and the capsule (1) are moved
close to each other and the opening apparatus (A) enters the
opening (7) by cutting/tearing some portion of the cover (6). In
this case, the skirt (5) and the side surface (4) help the opening
apparatus (A) to cut the cover (6) effectively by supporting the
cover (6) from both sides. Due to the capsule (1) standing upside
down, the beverage raw material, with its weight being on the cover
(6), enables the cover (6) to open like a lid by folding over the
uncut portion of the cover (6) by the gravity effect. Thus, almost
all the beverage raw material in the receptacle (2) is enabled to
be poured into the brewing chamber or the cup. By means of the
skirt (5) and the opening (7) of the present invention, the opening
apparatus (A) is not required to enter the receptacle (2). As the
opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7), the cover (6) is cut
such that the side surface (4) surrounding the orifice (3) remains
inside and thus the beverage raw material is not spilled on the
opening apparatus (A). When the cover (6) is partially cut along
the opening (7), the side surface (4) supports the cover (6),
thereby prevents the cover (6) from folding over itself and almost
all the beverage raw material inside the receptacle (2) is enabled
to be poured. Furthermore, by means of the skirt (5), the opening
apparatus (A) providing the cutting/tearing of the cover (6) is not
required to be on the capsule (1) and improvement in capsule (1)
costs is provided.
[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the upper
side of the skirt (5) is lower than level of the orifice (3). In
other words, preferably the upper side of the skirt (5) is at a
lower level than the level of the side surface (4) sides that
surround the orifice (3) in the vertical plane. Thus, the cover (6)
attached to the skirt (5) are stretched by the sides of the side
surface (4) and the beverage raw material is prevented from
spilling into the opening (7) during the movement of the capsule
(1) such as carrying (FIG. 4).
[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) surrounds at least some portion of the side surface (4) in the
vertical direction. In this embodiment, the skirt (5) surrounds the
side surface (4) so as to form a gap that enables the cover (6) to
be cut and thus cost advantage is provided (FIG. 3).
[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) longitudinally surrounds the side surface (4). In this
embodiment, the skirt (5) is connected to the receptacle (2)
preferably from the base and is prevented from breaking and bending
when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation
machine and the actuation mechanism applies force on the capsule
(1) from above (FIG. 2).
[0054] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) is connected to the side surface (4). For example, the
receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) produced separately are connected
to each other by vibration welding or similar connection
methods.
[0055] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) and the side surface (4) are produced in an integrated manner.
By means of this embodiment, the number of parts used is decreased
by producing the receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) together and
quality perception of the consumer is improved.
[0056] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
(1) comprises a housing (13) wherein the receptacle (2) is seated
and the upper side of which is connected to the skirt (5). The
receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13) and the skirt (5) is
connected to the housing (13) from its lower side. When the opening
apparatus (A) enters the opening (7) by cutting the cover (6), the
housing (13) tightly supports the skirt (5) from the lower side.
The housing (13) and the skirt (5) are produced as a single piece
and grasp the base of the receptacle (2), enabling the opening
apparatus (A) to open the capsule (1) without problems by
increasing the strength of the skirt (5) (FIG. 7, FIG. 11).
[0057] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13) snap fittingly. In
this embodiment, the housing (13) tightly surrounding the
receptacle (2) increases the strength of the skirt (5) and the
receptacle (2) is prevented from bending/folding when the capsule
(1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine and opened by
the opening apparatus (A).
[0058] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
(1) comprises a recess (8) that is arranged on the receptacle (2)
or the housing (13) and a protrusion (9) that is disposed on the
receptacle (2) or the housing (13) correspondingly and that is
seated into the recess (8) by aligning with the recess (8) when the
receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13), the recess (8) and
the protrusion (9) preventing the housing (13) and the receptacle
(2) from being separated (FIG. 9, FIG. 10).
[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
(1) comprises a protector (10) that extends from the side surface
(4) outwards almost in a direction perpendicular to the side
surface (4) so as to remain under the cover (6) and that prevents
the beverage raw material from entering the opening (7). In other
words, the protector (10) prevents the beverage raw material in the
receptacle (2) from entering the opening (7) by partially closing
the opening (7). The protector (10) is preferably connected to the
side surface (4) in an easily foldable manner. While the capsule
(1) is carried, the beverage raw material is prevented from
entering the opening (7) from the sides of the receptacle (2) by
the protector (10). When the capsule (1) is to be placed into the
beverage preparation machine and opened, the protector (10) is
folded towards the interior of the opening (7) thanks to the
foldable connection when the opening apparatus (A) contacts the
protector (10) in order to enter the opening (7) (FIG. 5).
[0060] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
protector (10) is in the form of a plate having an intermittent
configuration with the separate portions being spaced apart and
surrounds the side surface (4). Thus, when the opening apparatus
(A) enters the opening (7), the protector (10) easily folds into
the opening (7).
[0061] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
(1) comprises a frame (11) that is disposed on the upper side of
the skirt (5), that extends in a direction almost perpendicular to
the skirt (5) and whereon the cover (6) is attached. The frame (11)
also carries the weight of the capsule (1) when the capsule (1) is
placed into the beverage preparation machine. The frame (11)
enables the cover (6) to be airtightly adhered on the receptacle
(2) and at the same time prevents the receptacle (2) from being
crushed/bent when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage
preparation machine (FIG. 8).
[0062] In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule
(1) comprises a casing (12) wherein the receptacle (2) is seated so
as to surround the receptacle (2) and the skirt (5), and that
enables the beverage raw material to stay fresh for a longer period
of time. The receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) are preferably
produced by plastic injection method due to their configuration.
Plastic that is produced by injection method is not entirely
airtight and in this case the beverage raw material in the
receptacle (2) cannot keep its freshness. By means of the casing
(12) that is produced by plastic thermoforming method and has
better airtightness in comparison to the receptacle (2), the
beverage raw material is enabled to stay fresh for a longer period
of time (FIG. 6, FIG. 12).
[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) extends parallel to the side surface (4). By means of this
embodiment, when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage
preparation machine, even if it is not aligned completely, the
opening apparatus (A) of the beverage preparation machine easily
enters the opening (7).
[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt
(5) extends in an inclined manner with respect to the side surface
(4). By means of this embodiment, the strength of the skirt (5) is
increased, thus the skirt (5) is enabled to resist the force
exerted by the beverage preparation machine when the capsule (1) is
placed into the beverage preparation machine.
[0065] The beverage preparation machine of the present invention is
suitable for using the above described capsule (1). The beverage
preparation machine preferably comprises an opening apparatus (A)
that provides the emptying of the beverage raw material in the
capsule (1). The opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7) by
cutting the cover (6). The beverage preparation machine is
preferably a Turkish coffee machine that can make Turkish coffee
wherein the capsules (1) containing Turkish coffee are used.
[0066] In the capsule (1) of the present invention, by means of the
skirt (5), the beverage raw material contained therein can easily
be poured into the brewing chamber in the beverage preparation
machine or into a cup without requiring cutting elements with
complex structures for opening the cover (6) thereon. When the
cover (6) is cut partially along the opening (7), the skirt (5) and
the sides of the receptacle (2) support the cover (6) from inside
the capsule (1) and help in opening of the cover (6)
unproblematically.
* * * * *