U.S. patent application number 15/501693 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for packs for preparing beverages.
The applicant listed for this patent is NESTEC S.A.. Invention is credited to Silvio Butscher, Claire Dubesset, Valerie Vivier.
Application Number | 20170225880 15/501693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51260750 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170225880 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vivier; Valerie ; et
al. |
August 10, 2017 |
PACKS FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES
Abstract
Pack (1) with an inner volume (2) in which at least two
different food or beverage ingredients (71, 72) are stored and in
which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, said
inner volume (2) being defined by sheets of material (10) joined to
one another at their edges and said inner volume (2) presenting a
generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented
during beverage production, said pack comprising at least one inlet
(3) for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one
outlet (4) for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, said
water inlet and said beverage outlet being positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material (10), and wherein the inner
volume (2) includes a plurality of compartments (21, 22), the
compartments being separated by at least one releasable or
separable bond (6).
Inventors: |
Vivier; Valerie; (Divonne
les Bains, FR) ; Dubesset; Claire; (Denens, CH)
; Butscher; Silvio; (Chezard-St-Martin, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NESTEC S.A. |
Vevey |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
51260750 |
Appl. No.: |
15/501693 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/066823 |
371 Date: |
February 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/8043 20130101;
B65B 29/02 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101; B65B 43/02 20130101;
A47J 31/369 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2014 |
EP |
14179635.9 |
Claims
1. A pack with an inner volume in which at least two different food
or beverage ingredients are stored and in which a beverage is
produced when water is introduced inside, the inner volume being
defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges
and the inner volume presenting a generally plane shape defining a
plane vertically oriented during beverage production, the pack
comprising at least one inlet for introducing water in the inner
volume and at least one outlet for delivering the beverage from the
inner volume, the water inlet and the beverage outlet being
positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially
positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material, the
inner volume includes a plurality of compartments, the compartments
being separated by at least one releasable or separable bond, and
wherein the at least one water inlet and the at least one water
outlet are positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of
material so that they both establish fluid communication within the
same compartment.
2. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the inner volume includes a
plurality of compartments, the compartments being separated by at
least one releasable or separable bond extending across the inner
volume between two parts of the joined edges of the sheets of
material.
3. A pack according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the
compartments is an insert, the insert being freely movable inside
the inner volume.
4. A pack according to claim 1 wherein at least one releasable or
separable bond is made of a water dissolvable material.
5. A pack according to claim 1 wherein at least one releasable or
separable bond is configured for breaking under pressure.
6. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the external end of the
water inlet is oriented essentially perpendicularly to the plane
defined by the inner volume, and the beverage outlet being a tube
extending essentially vertically from the inner volume.
7. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the pack comprises one
single insert including the water inlet and the beverage outlet,
the single insert being positioned at the bottom of the pack and
being partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets
of material.
8. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the water inlet is
configured for producing a jet of water in the inner volume, the
jet exerting a pressure on the at least one releasable or separable
bond.
9. A method for the preparation of a food or beverage comprising
the steps of: providing a pack with an inner volume in which at
least two different food or beverage ingredients are stored and in
which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, the
inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one
another at their edges and the inner volume presenting a generally
plane shape defining a plane vertically oriented during beverage
production, the pack comprising at least one inlet for introducing
water in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering
the beverage from the inner volume, the water inlet and the
beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom of the pack and
being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material, the inner volume includes a plurality of
compartments, the compartments being separated by at least one
releasable or separable bond, and wherein the at least one water
inlet and the at least one water outlet are positioned between two
joined edges of the sheets of material so that they both establish
fluid communication within the same compartment and positioning the
pack with the inlet and the outlet positioned downwardly; injecting
water into the pack to mix with the food or beverage ingredient;
and allowing the prepared beverage to escape through the outlet
into a receptacle.
10. A method according to claim 9 comprising one short step of
externally exerting a pressure on the pack in order to break the at
least one releasable or separable bond.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packs and machines for the
preparation of foods or beverages from packs comprising a food or
beverage ingredient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to prepare beverages by introducing a capsule
containing a beverage making ingredient, such as ground coffee or
instant coffee, in a beverage dispensing machine and injecting
water into the capsule. The beverage making ingredient is extracted
or dissolved into water to form the beverage. The beverage flows
out of the capsule through a suitable outlet.
[0003] Different capsules have been developed in the past that can
differentiate at least by the nature of the capsule body used for
storing the food or beverage ingredient. Whereas most of the
capsules are made of a rigid body or semi-rigid body (e.g. made
though injection moulding, thermoforming, deep drawing, . . . )
flexible types of packs or sachets can be made out of foil
materials. Flexible packs have generally the advantage to
semi-rigid and rigid capsules that less amount of material is used
to pack the product which leads to overall less production cost and
lower life cycle impact shown in several life-cycle
assessments.
[0004] WO 99/05044, GB 2 374 856 and WO 2012/175985 describe such a
flexible pack made of two sheets of flexible air- and
liquid-impermeable material bonded on theirs edges to define an
inner volume for storing the beverage ingredient. The pack
comprises an inlet nozzle at its top for introducing water that is
mixed with the beverage ingredient inside the inner volume. The
beverage is evacuated through a beverage outlet at the bottom of
the sachet. The outlet is created further to bursting of the pack
under the pressure of water introduced in the sachet. Generally the
outlet is created due to the separation of the bottom edges of the
flexible sheets further to the effect of heat or pressure in the
sachet. According to a particular embodiment a spout can be
introduced at the bottom of the pack: in that embodiment, the
bottom edges of the flexible sheets do not separate and the
beverage is evacuated by the spout.
[0005] These flexible sachets present drawbacks. Generally the
opening of the beverage outlet is obtained by increase of pressure
inside the sachet. Yet this pressure increase is not recommended
for the preparation of some beverages because it creates bubbles at
the surface of the beverage; for example it is not desired for the
preparation of tea. Besides there can be a risk that the packages
may not rupture at the desired pressure and that it can finally
opens up in an uncontrollable explosion. For this reason the
apparatus comprises means for totally enclosing the pack in the
machine during beverage preparation and avoid damages or injuries
for the operator.
[0006] WO 2011/024103 describes a pack for preparing a beverage
defining an inner volume for storing the beverage ingredient. The
inner volume is closed at its top by a rigid piece that integrates
the water inlet and the beverage outlet. Such a pack only enables
the preparation of flat beverages obtained by the circulation of
water through a food ingredient like roast and ground coffee
without pressure. No multi-components beverage can be produced from
such a pack.
[0007] WO 2011/054402 describes a capsule with an interior space
comprising a first beverage ingredient and a floating insert, said
floating insert comprising a second beverage ingredient.
Dual-layered beverages can be obtained by introducing water in the
interior space to produce a first component of the beverage and
then destroying the floating insert to produce a second component
of the beverage. Such a capsule is complex in terms of
manufacturing. During the beverage preparation the capsule is
horizontally oriented and consequently beverage is not freely
evacuated from the interior space: for this reason the machine
comprises a piston to empty the capsule.
[0008] It is now proposed a new pack for the preparation of a food
or beverage that improves the above problems in terms of
manufacturing, beverage preparation simplicity and cleanliness
leading to an optimal overall beverage quality.
[0009] Moreover the present invention aims to propose a range of
flexible packs that can be used for preparing different types
beverages from at least two different beverage components, said
components being separately stored in the packs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention concerns a pack
with an inner volume in which at least two different food or
beverage ingredients are stored and in which a beverage is produced
when water is introduced inside,
said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one
another at their edges and said inner volume presenting a generally
plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented during
beverage production, said pack comprising at least one inlet for
introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet for
delivering the beverage from said inner volume, said water inlet
and said beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom of the pack
and being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of
the sheets of material, and wherein the inner volume includes a
plurality of compartments, the compartments being separated by at
least one releasable or separable bond, and wherein the water inlet
and the water outlet are positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material so that they both establish fluid communication
within the same compartment.
[0011] Preferably the pack comprises two sheets joined to one
another to define the inner volume. As a consequence the pack looks
like a pouch or sachet. The sheets are preferably flexible water
impermeable sheets. Consequently the pack itself is substantially
flexible. By flexible, it is meant that the sheets can be bent
easily. The resulting pack can be bent also; it is soft and can be
deformed contrary to rigid containers. The flexible sheet material
can be plastic laminates, metallised foil or alufoil or fibre base
material. According to the invention the two sheets can be formed
of one single sheet folded in half and joined at its free
edges.
[0012] The pack presents a generally plane shape that is
essentially vertically oriented during beverage production.
[0013] According to a specific embodiment the pack can comprise
more than two sheets, in particular to increase the size of the
inner volume. Other sheets can be joined to the two first sheets
that defining the inner volume and the generally plane shape
according to plane (P); said other sheets creates a doypack shape
for the inner volume. In such a specific embodiment the water inlet
and the beverage outlet are at least partially positioned between
two joined edges of the two first sheets of material that define
the generally plane shape (P) of the pack.
[0014] Internally the beverage outlet is preferably configured so
that it delivers the beverage as a free flow once it is opened. The
beverage can flow from the outlet by simple gravity fall. The tube
creates a communication between the inner volume and outside. An
advantage of the outlet of the pack of the present invention is
that there is no need to implement a particular connection between
the beverage outlet and the beverage machine when a beverage is
produced e.g. for directing the flow of beverage delivered at the
outlet. The beverage can flow from the pack beverage outlet
directly in a drinking cup.
[0015] The pack comprises at least one inlet for introducing water
in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering the
beverage from said inner volume, said water inlet and said beverage
outlet being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at
least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets
of material, the external end of the water inlet being oriented
essentially perpendicularly to the plane (P) defined by the inner
volume, whereas the beverage outlet is a tube extending essentially
vertically from the inner volume.
[0016] According to this configuration the water inlet and the
beverage outlet are essentially perpendicularly oriented one to the
other. Consequently the inlet and the outlet emerge on different
sides of the pack. This configuration limits the contamination risk
of the means for introducing water in the water inlet by the
beverage dispensed by the beverage outlet.
[0017] In the present invention the inlet and the outlet can be
made in one single insert or can be two separate inserts separately
positioned in the pack.
[0018] In the present invention the insert(s) is(are) preferably
rigid. Preferably the inserts are made of a rigid plastic material.
This plastic material can be selected in the list of:
polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and
polylactic acid. According to a less preferred embodiment the
insert can be made out of a metal like aluminium or tin-plate. The
insert(s) can be injection molded.
[0019] According to the preferred embodiment the insert comprising
the water inlet is positioned in joined bottom edges of the sheets
of material so that the water inlet is closed by one sheet of
material defining the inner volume.
[0020] According to another less preferred embodiment the water
inlet insert can be positioned in joined bottom edges so that the
water inlet is not closed by one sheet of material defining the
inner volume. In that case the water inlet insert is only partially
positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material.
[0021] Generally, the insert comprising the beverage outlet is
positioned in joined bottom edges of the sheets of material so that
the external end of the beverage outlet is positioned under the
joined bottom edges of the sheets of material. Preferably the
beverage outlet is not covered by the sheet. Yet it can be visually
hidden by a part of the sheet e.g. by a skirt of the sheet.
[0022] According to the preferred embodiment, the pack comprises
one single insert including the water inlet and the beverage
outlet, said single insert being positioned at the bottom of the
pack and being partially positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material.
[0023] Preferably, the single insert is positioned in joined bottom
edges so that the water inlet is closed by one sheet of material
defining the inner volume. The external end of the beverage outlet
is positioned under the joined bottom edges of the sheets of
material.
[0024] Less preferably the single insert can be positioned in
joined bottom edges so that the water inlet is not closed by one
sheet of material defining the inner volume. In that case the
insert is only partially positioned between two joined edges of the
sheets of material.
[0025] In general the single insert is positioned at or next to the
middle of the bottom of the pack. It can also be positioned in the
corner of the pack when the latter presents a corner.
[0026] In the pack the water inlet and the beverage outlet of the
pack are both simultaneously included in said same single insert.
This feature covers the fact that the water inlet and the beverage
outlet are part of the same insert piece in the pack. Yet this
insert can be produced by the association of several parts before
the complete piece is used for manufacturing the pack. In
particular different parts can be attached, e.g. clipped, together
to form the final single insert before said single insert is used
for manufacturing the pack.
[0027] Preferably the single insert of the pack presents a shape
for cooperating with the pack receiving area of a beverage
production machine. In particular it can present a shape configured
for sliding in the slot of the receiving area of a beverage
production machine like an iron shape.
[0028] According to one preferred mode the pack can be made of only
one flexible material sheet, said sheet being folded at the top of
the pack and bonded on its edges to define the inner volume, the
bottom joined edge including the insert. This embodiment
constitutes a particularly easy way to manufacture the pack since
it requires the cutting of only one piece of sheet--most preferably
according to a rectangular shape--and its folding to create the
inner volume for the food or beverage ingredient. The insert(s) can
be introduced in the bottom edge during the sealing of the
edges.
[0029] According to a less preferred mode the pack can be made of
two flexible material sheets, said sheets being bonded on their
edges to define the inner volume, the bottom joined edges including
the insert. The insert(s) can be introduced in the bottom edges
during the sealing of these edges, two other side edges of the pack
can be bonded so that the inner volume is defined and beverage
ingredient can be introduced in said inner volume. Finally the last
edges can be bonded to close the inner volume.
[0030] The insert(s) can be positioned at any place at the bottom
of the pack between the both lateral sides of the bottom; it (they)
can be positioned at a bottom lateral side in particular a corner
if the pack is globally rectangular or at any place between the
corners.
[0031] According to the present invention the food or beverage
ingredient of the pack can be comprised within the list of: soups,
fruit juices, vegetable juices, bouillons, coffee, chocolate, tea,
milk or creamer, smoothies, purees, coulis, creams or a combination
thereof.
[0032] The food or beverage ingredient can be a soluble food or
beverage ingredient. Preferably the food or beverage ingredient is
a soluble food or beverage ingredient selected in the list of:
[0033] instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant
tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixture of
said powders, [0034] a coffee concentrate, a milk concentrate, a
syrup, a fruit or vegetable concentrate, a tea concentrate, a fruit
or vegetable puree.
[0035] The powders can be agglomerated or sintered. The powders or
liquid concentrates can be mixed with solid pieces for example for
preparing soups with solid pieces.
[0036] The food or beverage ingredient can also be an infusable
food or beverage ingredient like a roast and ground coffee or tea
leaves. In that embodiment water extracts the infusable
ingredient.
[0037] As mentioned above the insert including the water inlet is
enclosed in the pack by the sheet(s) of material that defines the
inner volume of the pack.
[0038] According to a less preferred embodiment the water inlet can
be positioned in the pack so that it is almost totally essentially
vertically oriented during beverage production.
[0039] In the present invention the external end of the water inlet
represents the end of the water inlet channel that cooperates with
a water supply at the outside of the pack whereas the internal end
of the water inlet represents the end of the water inlet channel
that delivers water inside the pack.
[0040] According to the preferred embodiment the external end of
the water inlet is oriented essentially perpendicularly to the
plane (P) defined by the inner volume. Accordingly the water inlet
is at least partially essentially horizontally oriented during
beverage production.
[0041] In said last embodiment the external end of the water inlet
is preferably covered by said sheet of material. Consequently the
same piece of material can be used to simultaneously create the
inner volume of the pack, close the water inlet and protect the
external end of the water end. Due to the enclosure of the beverage
inlet in the pack there is no need for a particular membrane for
closing the water inlet. The invention provides a pack that is easy
to manufacture and guarantees hygienic and shelf life protection of
the food and beverage ingredient and the produced beverage.
[0042] Preferably the single insert presents ribs on its external
surface for improving the adhesion with the flexible material sheet
during sealing. In particular a raising edge can surround the water
inlet so as to improve air and water tightness around it.
[0043] Preferably the insert is configured so that the longitudinal
axis of the water inlet channel at its internal end is almost
comprised in the vertically oriented plane P.
[0044] Preferably the water inlet can be configured so that the
direction of the water flow in the external end of the water inlet
is almost perpendicular to the direction of the water flow in the
internal end of the water inlet. In this embodiment the internal
design of the water inlet enables a globally perpendicular change
of orientation of the water flow from the external end of the water
inlet (that faces the external part of the pack) to the internal
end of the water inlet (that faces the internal part of the
pack).
[0045] In a particular mode the external end of the water inlet can
comprise an inlet chamber which comprises an evacuation end, said
evacuation end being an injection hole configured for directing
water in the inner volume of the pack in a direction almost
perpendicular to the inlet chamber longitudinal axis. Preferably
the inlet chamber is globally horizontally oriented. This chamber
is usually configured for receiving a hollow needle for injecting
water. It generally presents a circular section. This chamber
presents the advantage of creating a distance between the end of
the hollow needle and the inner volume which stores the beverage
ingredient and consequently avoids the contamination of the needle.
Most preferably the chamber evacuation end is a hole pierced in the
lateral wall of the chamber.
[0046] According to one particular embodiment the water inlet is
configured for introducing water under the form of a jet in the
inner volume of the pack. By jet it is understood a stream of
liquid that comes out of the water inlet and in the inner volume of
the pack quickly and with force. Then the water inlet is configured
for introducing water in the inner volume of the pack with a high
velocity. Preferably the water inlet is configured for introducing
a water jet in the inner volume of the pack, said water jet
presenting a velocity of at least about 20 m/s, preferably at least
30 m/s. According to said first embodiment the water inlet is
configured for transforming the pressurized water introduced by a
beverage machine in the pack in a high velocity water jet in the
inner volume of the pack. Such a configuration can be obtained by
placing a constriction in the water path in the water inlet to
reduce the size of the section of the water inlet. Due to the small
surface of the inlet section pressurized creates a jet of water in
the inner volume.
[0047] In general the water inlet comprises a hole presenting a
transverse section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of
a circular surface of diameter of at most 1 mm, preferably at least
0.24 mm.
[0048] The velocity for water emerging from the injection hole
usually depends from the pressure of the water introduce at the
water inlet. The invention generally applies for water pressurised
between 2 and 10 bar, preferably of about 7 bar. For such values of
pressurized water the water inlet generally comprises an injection
hole presenting a transverse section with a surface area equivalent
to the surface of a circular surface of diameter comprised between
0.2 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 mm and even more
preferably of about 0.4 mm.
[0049] But when water is pressurized at more than 11 bar the water
inlet preferably comprises an injection hole presenting a
transverse section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of
a circular surface of diameter comprised between 0.5 and 1.5 mm,
preferably of about 1 mm.
[0050] The small surface of the injection hole presents the
advantage of avoiding any back flow of liquid contained in the
inner volume of the pack through the water inlet.
[0051] For the same diluent supply pressure the surface of the
diluent injection hole can vary according to the nature of the food
and beverage ingredient inside the pack. In particular when the
ingredient is difficult to dissolve a smaller injection hole
creates a jet with a higher velocity which improves agitation and
dissolution in the pack.
[0052] Preferably the pack presents a plane shape oriented along a
plane essentially vertically oriented during beverage production
and the water inlet orientates the jet of water in a direction
comprised in said plane. The water jet introduced from the bottom
into the pack is developing into circular and/or spiral movements
creating turbulences, frictions and high contact surfaces between
the water molecules and the product particles. In average the water
molecules have several turns within the sachet until they leave the
sachet with the beverage. Packs with single insert placed in the
corner of an essentially rectangular pack also improve
reconstitution.
[0053] This particular embodiment with creation of a jet is
particularly interesting for packs comprising soluble beverage
ingredients.
[0054] According to another particular embodiment the creation of a
water jet in the pack is not desirable, for example for packs
comprising infusable ingredients. Consequently the size of the
water injection hole can be configured to avoid a jet in the inner
volume of the pack.
[0055] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention,
before beverage preparation step, the beverage outlet is closed at
its end. Generally the beverage outlet is closed by manufacturing
and is configured for being opened at beverage production step. By
"closed by manufacturing" it is meant that the pack is manufactured
with a closed beverage outlet. This closure guarantees hygienic and
shelf life protection.
[0056] According to said embodiment the beverage outlet can be
closed by a plug configured for being removed from the beverage
outlet to open it at beverage production and said plug comprising a
bond attached to the pack, preferably to the single insert, for
maintaining the plug attached to the pack after the opening of the
beverage outlet, said plug being positioned under the joined bottom
edges of the sheets of material.
[0057] Since the beverage outlet is closed by a plug, said plug
comprising means for maintaining it attached to the pack after the
opening of the beverage outlet, the plug does not fall in the
beverage during its production. The means for maintaining the plug
attached to the pack is usually a bond, said bond is preferably
attached to the single insert.
[0058] Preferably the plug is part the single insert comprising the
beverage outlet and the water inlet. Preferably the beverage outlet
is a pipe and the connection between said pipe and the plug
presents a mechanical weakness. This mechanical weakness can be a
narrowing so that it can be made easy to cut or tear off the plug
with a beverage outlet opening device of a beverage preparation
machine. This reduced transversal section of the connection between
the plug and the beverage outlet pipe creates a weakness. As a
consequence the fact of pulling on the plug, facilitates the
tearing of the material, of which the single insert is made of, at
the level of this connection. The plug can be pulled according to a
downwardly oriented direction or a laterally oriented direction or
a combination of these both directions.
[0059] Preferably the connection between the pipe and the plug
presents a smaller section than the plug upper surface and
preferably smaller than the pipe section. Since the plug upper
surface is larger than the connection section, it provides a
surface to have a hold to tear the plug or to anchor a pulling
device, for example to anchor a tearing device like the teeth of a
fork.
[0060] Preferably the bond is attached to the single insert for
maintaining the plug attached to the pack after the opening of the
beverage outlet is configured for being bent. Consequently after
being bent the plug remains away from the beverage outlet.
According to that preference the bond is usually made of plastic.
The bond can be made so thin that it is flexible. Once detached
from the plug it can be moved away from the beverage outlet easily
by a bond retaining device of a beverage preparation machine.
According to a particular embodiment the plastic bond can present a
notch in order to facilitate bending. So the bending of the bond by
the retaining device of the machine is facilitated and the bond
remains bent even if it is not retained by the bond retaining
device of the machine. Preferably the notch is positioned close to
the point of attachment of the bond to the single insert.
[0061] Preferably the bond is part of the single insert. According
to the preferred embodiment the single insert comprises the water
inlet, the beverage outlet, the plug and the bond of the plug. The
single insert is preferably injection molded. In particular when
the insert is injection molded, the design of the injection molded
insert comprises the plug and the bond. This injection moulding of
the insert including the water inlet, the beverage outlet, the plug
and the bond in one single piece enables again to reach several
aims with the use of only one material: the plastic for producing
the insert comprising the water inlet and the beverage outlet is
used to close the external end of the beverage outlet.
[0062] According to the present invention, the inner volume
includes a plurality of compartments, said compartments being
separated by at least one releasable or separable bond, and the
water inlet and the water outlet are positioned between two joined
edges of the sheets of material so that they both establish fluid
communication within the same compartment.
[0063] Generally the pack of the invention comprises two
compartments. Yet packs according to the invention can present
inner volumes designed with more than two compartments. Usually at
least two of the compartments comprise different beverage
ingredients. Preferably two next sided compartments comprise
different beverage ingredients.
[0064] The water inlet and the water outlet are both positioned in
the edges bounding the same compartment. Consequently, implicitly,
before the pack is used there is no inlet and outlet in the other
compartments of the pack.
[0065] The water inlet and the water outlet create fluid
communication with the compartment comprising the ingredient that
must be mixed with water and dispensed first from the pack to
produce the beverage.
[0066] According to one first mode the inner volume includes a
plurality of compartments, said compartments being separated by at
least one releasable or separable bond extending across the inner
volume between two parts of the joined edges of the sheets of
material.
[0067] In said first mode the at least one releasable or separable
bond can present different designs either straight or round or
partly straight and round. The design of the at least one
releasable or separable bond can be straight lines separating the
inner volume and relatively square compartments either vertically
or horizontally oriented when the pack is used. The design of the
at least one releasable or separable bond can be a half circle or a
zigzag. The design of the bond can depend on the volume of beverage
ingredient to be stored inside or from the difficulty for creating
the bond in the pack. The design of the bond can also be configured
for improving the preparation of the beverage inside the
compartment or to facilitate the separation of the bond.
[0068] According to one second mode at least one of the
compartments is an insert, said insert being freely movable inside
the inner volume.
[0069] In this mode the inner volume defined by the bonded edges of
the sheets of material surrounds the insert that forms the second
compartment. This second compartment can surround a second insert
that forms a third compartment.
[0070] Depending on the nature of the ingredient stored in the
compartments and on the type of beverage produced from the pack,
the releasable or separable bond can be of different natures.
[0071] According to one embodiment the at least one releasable or
separable bond can be made of a water dissolvable material. Usually
such a bond is made of a soluble and edible film placed on the
internal surface of at least one of the sheets so that the two
facing surfaces of the sheets attached together. Such a film can be
made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, propylene glycol, citric
acid and modified food starch.
[0072] Such a bond is convenient for storing powder ingredient in
the compartments separated by the bond. Preferably such a bond is
not used for storing a liquid ingredient comprising water in such
content that water could dissolve the bond. Yet a liquid like oil,
perfumed oil can be stored in a pack comprising such a bond. A
liquid or a paste comprising for example less than 1% weight water
can be stored too.
[0073] According to another embodiment the at least one releasable
or separable bond can be configured for breaking under pressure
exerted on the said bond.
[0074] The pressure exerted on the bond can be due to the pressure
of water introduced inside the first compartment and building up:
the bond is forced apart separating or rupturing the inner surfaces
of the compartment and allowing the separated ingredient to mix
with one another or allowing water to enter in the second
compartment.
[0075] The pressure on the bond can be exerted by a consumer before
the pack is introduced in the beverage preparation machine for
example by pulling the sheets around the bond. The pressure on the
bond can be exerted by a device in the machine once the pack is
introduced in the machine.
[0076] Such a bond is convenient for any type of ingredient either
in powder or liquid form.
[0077] According to the invention the compartments can comprise and
store ingredients of different natures that is powders and liquid
concentrates.
[0078] The inner volume of the pack stores at least two different
food or beverage ingredients. The different ingredients are stored
in different compartments. The nature of the ingredient in the
different compartments depends on: [0079] the necessity to store
the different ingredients separately, [0080] the production of a
beverage with a visual effect in the cup, for example a layered
effect. In this last case, the compartment that does not comprise
the water inlet and the water outlet in its edges comprises an
ingredient that is released at a delayed time relative to other
compartment when water is introduced in the pack to produce
beverage.
[0081] According to the invention the two joined edges of the
sheets of material defining the inner volume of the pack are not
releasable or separable.
[0082] According to one embodiment, the water inlet can be
configured for producing a jet of water in the inner volume, said
jet exerting a pressure on the at least one releasable or separable
bond.
[0083] According to a second aspect the invention concerns a method
for the preparation of a food or beverage comprising the steps of:
[0084] providing a pack such as described above and positioning
said pack with the inlet and the outlet positioned downwardly,
[0085] injecting water into the pack to mix with the food or
beverage ingredient, [0086] allowing the prepared beverage to
escape through the outlet into a receptacle.
[0087] According to a specific implementation of the method, if the
pack comprises at least one releasable or separable bond configured
for breaking under pressure, the method can comprise one short step
of externally exerting a pressure on the pack in order to break the
at least one releasable or separable bond.
[0088] According to one specific mode the customer can be incited
to exert manually the pressure on the pack before inserting it in
the machine.
[0089] Preferably the pressure is exerted by the machine after the
pack has been positioned inside the machine.
[0090] compartments are separated by a bond, said bond being
designed to open a fluid communication between the compartments
when interacting with water introduced inside the inner volume,
[0091] In the present application the terms "bottom", "top",
"lateral", "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to describe the
relational positioning of features of the invention. These terms
should be understood to refer to the pack in its normal orientation
when introduced in a beverage preparation machine for the
production of a beverage as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 8.
[0092] According to the invention "next to the bottom" means that
both the inlet and the outlet are positioned on the bottom edge of
the pack and/or on the bottom part of one of the lateral sides of
the package. The invention covers the different variants where both
the inlet and the outlet are on the same edge of the pack that is
both on the bottom edge or both at the bottom part of a lateral
side and where either the outlet or the inlet is on the bottom edge
and respectively the inlet or the outlet is at the bottom part of a
lateral side of the pack. According to the invention the bottom
part of a lateral side of the pack generally corresponds to the
part of said lateral side positioned below the middle part of the
pack and preferably closer to the bottom part of the pack rather
than the middle part of the pack.
[0093] In the present invention the term "water" covers any aqueous
diluent that can be mixed with a soluble beverage ingredient to
prepare a beverage, like water, carbonated water, milk. It is
preferably still water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0094] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be
better understood in relation to the following figures, in
which:
[0095] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and FIGS. 2a, 2b illustrate packs according
to the present invention, each pack comprising one single
insert,
[0096] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and FIGS. 4a, 4b illustrate packs according
to the present invention, each pack comprising two inserts,
[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the pack of FIG. 1a,
[0098] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing a pack
according to the present invention,
[0099] FIG. 7 illustrate a pack and its insert according to one
preferred embodiment of the present invention,
[0100] FIG. 8 is a variant of the single insert of FIG. 7,
[0101] FIGS. 9 to 13 illustrate different embodiments of the inner
volume of packs according to the present invention,
[0102] FIG. 14 illustrates the preparation of a beverage with a
pack according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0103] FIG. 1a is a simplified illustration of pack according to
the present invention comprising an inner volume 2 in which a food
or beverage ingredient is stored. The pack comprises at its bottom
a single insert 5. The dotted lines correspond to the parts of the
insert enclosed inside the pack. The insert 5 includes
simultaneously a water inlet 3 for introducing water in the inner
volume and a beverage outlet 4 for dispensing the beverage or food
issued from the mixing of the food or beverage ingredient with
water. The pack presents a generally plane shape. It is oriented
along a plane P essentially vertically oriented during beverage
production as illustrated in the FIG. 1a. This plane shape is
essentially provided by the material that creates and designs the
inner volume 2 of the pack; this material presents the shape of a
sheet. Said sheet provides the plane shape to the pack. In FIG. 1a
the insert 5 is positioned at the centre of the bottom of the pack,
yet it could be positioned at any other position between the two
lateral ends of the bottom.
[0104] The internal designs of the water inlet and the beverage
outlet are respectively illustrated in FIG. 1b, which is a view
according to section B-B, and FIG. 1c, which is a view according to
section A-A. FIG. 1c shows that the beverage outlet 4 is a straight
vertical hole pierced in the insert 5. Preferably the beverage
outlet 4 presents a sufficient section so as to enable a free flow
of the beverage from the pack. The beverage can then freely flow in
a drinking cup placed under the beverage outlet 4. FIG. 1b shows
that the external end 3a of the water inlet is oriented so as to be
closed by the sheet of material that creates and designs the inner
volume 2 of the pack. Said external end 3a comprises and inlet
chamber 32. Said chamber present an evacuation hole 31 in its
lateral upward wall so as to orient the water flow, preferably in
the form of a jet, in the inner volume 2 inside the plane P.
[0105] The sheet of material that defined the inner volume 2 covers
at least the part of the insert 5 so that the water inlet 3 is
enclosed in the pack. Consequently the external end 3a of the water
inlet is closed by the material that defines the inner volume of
the pack. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a a part of the
beverage outlet--that is its external end 4a--is not enclosed in
the pack.
[0106] This embodiment of the invention presents the advantage of
providing packs with inlet and outlet that are not in the vicinity
of each other. Actually according to this embodiment the inlet and
the outlet are on different sides of the pack: the beverage outlet
external end is below the bottom of the pack whereas the water
inlet external end is at the lateral side of the pack. Such a
configuration particularly avoids contamination of the means for
injecting water by the beverage flowing out of the beverage outlet.
Besides a beverage preparation machine providing simultaneously a
water injector and a dispensing area at the bottom of the pack
receiving area is more difficult to conceive and does not enable an
optimisation of the different elements of the machine.
[0107] FIG. 2a is a variant of the pack of FIG. 1a wherein the
insert 5 presents an L-shape and is placed in the corner of the
inner volume of the pack. The beverage outlet 4 presents the same
feature as in the pack of FIG. 1a. The water inlet is positioned in
the upper part of the L-shape insert. The internal shape of the
water inlet is illustrated in FIG. 2b that is view of the insert 5
according to section C-C. The external end 3a of the water inlet
comprises an inlet chamber 32 that is closed by the material that
defines the inner volume of the pack. The chamber presents a
essentially horizontal evacuation hole 31 in its lateral wall so as
to orient the water flow, preferably in the form of a jet, in the
inner volume 2 inside the plane P.
[0108] Although FIGS. 1a, b, c and 2a, b illustrates packs with
single insert 5, packs can be made with different inserts for the
water inlet 3 and for the beverage outlet 4 as illustrated in FIGS.
3a, 3b, 3c and FIGS. 4a, 4b.
[0109] FIG. 3a presents the same features as the pack of FIG. 1a
except that the single insert 5 is replaced by two inserts 5a, 5b,
one comprising the beverage outlet 4 and one comprising the water
inlet 3. The internal designs of the beverage outlet 4 and the
water inlet 3 are identical to those of the beverage outlet 4 and
the water inlet 3 of FIG. 1a, as illustrated in cross sections of
the inserts 5b and 5a according to BB and AA respectively in FIGS.
3b and 3c respectively.
[0110] Similarly FIG. 4a presents the same features as the pack of
FIG. 2a except that the single insert 5 is replaced by two inserts
5a, 5b, one comprising the beverage outlet 4 and one comprising the
water inlet 3. The insert 5a for the beverage outlet is identical
to the insert of FIG. 3a and presents the same internal design as
illustrated in FIG. 3c. FIG. 4b is the cross section of the insert
5b of the water inlet 3 according to CC and illustrates the
internal design of the water inlet inside the insert.
[0111] Whatever the type of insert in the packs, the packs can be
configured so that the external end 3a of the water inlet is not
closed by the sheet of material that creates and designs the inner
volume 2 of the pack. This embodiment can be due to the fact that
the external end 3a of the water inlet is closer to the bottom of
the insert and/or because the sheet of material does not cover the
full surface of the insert 5, for example the bottom edge 111 of
the sheet does not cover the lower part of the insert or presents a
notch that does not cover the water inlet external end. FIG. 5
schematically illustrates such an embodiment wherein only the top
part of the single insert 5 is positioned between and covered by
two joined bottom edges 111 of the sheets of material. The external
end 3a of the water inlet is not covered.
[0112] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for manufacturing a pack
according to the invention from a flexible sheet of material. First
the sheet of material 10 that preferably presents a rectangular
shape is folded in its middle and the superposed lateral edges are
bonded together which creates pouch with bonded lateral edges 112,
113 and a folded edge 114. The folded edge 114 can also eventually
be sealed to give a comparable aspect as the lateral edges for
aesthetic aspect. Then food or beverage ingredient 7 is introduced
in the pouch. Then the single insert 5 is placed between the two
last opened edges and these edges are bonded together and around
the insert to simultaneously close the pack, position the insert
and close the water inlet. According to a less preferred embodiment
the inserts of the beverage outlet and the water inlet can be
separated.
[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates a pack according one preferred embodiment
of the invention. In this illustration the bottom middle part of
the inner volume 2 has been made transparent to make the insert 5
apparent. The pack is preferably a planar sachet: it is oriented
along a plane P essentially vertically oriented during beverage
production. inner volume 2 is made of flexible material sheet
material. The sheet material is bonded on its edges 112, 113, 111
to define the inner volume 2. The bottom bonded edge 13 includes
the single insert 5: the fins 51 and the raising edge 52 around the
water inlet 3 on the lateral sides of the insert improves the
adhesion with the flexible material sheet during sealing.
[0114] The insert 5 is a single piece of material preferably of
plastic. It includes simultaneously a water inlet 3 for introducing
water in the inner volume and a beverage outlet 4 for dispensing
the beverage or food issued from the mixing of the food or beverage
ingredient with water.
[0115] The water inlet 3 presents at its external end 3a an inlet
chamber 32. This chamber is a hollow cavity; it is globally
horizontally oriented, that is perpendicularly to the plane P. Its
dimensions are configured for receiving the hollow needle of a
beverage preparation machine in order to inject water. The inlet
chamber presents an evacuation end in its upper lateral wall: this
evacuation end corresponds to an injection hole 31 (illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6) from which water can be injected in the inner volume
2. Due to the configuration of the water inlet the water can be
injected essentially horizontally at its external end 3a and, for
example, essentially vertically in the inner volume 2 of the
pack.
[0116] The invention is not limited to this particular design of
the water inlet. For example FIG. 8 illustrates a single insert 5
wherein the inlet chamber 32 comprises two evacuation ends 31 in
its side wall. As a consequence with such an insert water can be
introduced in the inner volume of the pack essentially
horizontally. In such an insert a part of the walls of the inlet
chamber is defined by the sheet material covering the insert.
[0117] Whatever the type of embodiment for the insert, the beverage
outlet is an essentially vertical pipe in the insert. It preferably
presents a diameter for dispensing the beverage under free flow.
The beverage outlet is preferably closed at its external end by a
plug 42. This plug is preferably made of one piece with the rest of
the insert.
[0118] In the preferred illustrated embodiment the beverage outlet
4 is a pipe and the plug 42 is attached to the end of the pipe. The
connection 44 between the pipe and the plug 42 presents a smaller
section than the plug upper surface 42a and smaller than the pipe
section. This connection creates a weakening narrow zone near the
plug 42 so that said plug can be made easy to cut or to tear.
[0119] The pack comprises a plastic bond 43 for maintaining the
plug 42 attached to the pack after removing of the plug from the
beverage outlet. Consequently it avoids that the plug falls in the
beverage during its production. This bond is made of one piece with
the rest of the insert. The plastic bond 43 presents a notch 43a
positioned close to the point 43b of attachment of the bond to the
single insert. This notch enables an easy bending of the bond it
guarantees that the plug 42 detached from the beverage outlet
remains away from the beverage outlet and not under the beverage
outlet.
[0120] The inserts 5 of FIGS. 7 and 8 comprise a centring hole 53
extending essentially perpendicularly to the generally plane (P)
shape of the inner volume and through the insert. It is configured
for cooperating with the centring and immobilization device of the
beverage preparation machine.
[0121] FIG. 9 illustrates the inner volume 2 of a pack according to
FIG. 1a. The inner volume includes two compartments 21, 22. These
compartments store different beverage ingredients 71, 72. The first
compartment 21 is separated from the second compartment 22 by one
releasable or separable bond 6 extending from the bottom joined
edges 111 of the sheets of material up to the top of the inner
volume.
[0122] The water inlet and the water outlet 4 are positioned
between two joined edges 111 so that they both establish fluid
communication within the compartment 21 only.
[0123] FIG. 10 illustrates a pack comparable to the pack of FIG. 9
except that the inner volume comprises a third compartment 23
separated from the second compartment 22 by one releasable or
separable bond 61 extending from the bottom joined edges 111 of the
sheets of material up to the top of the inner volume. The third
compartment 23 stores a third ingredient 73 different from the
second ingredient 72. Eventually the first ingredient 71 can be the
same as the third ingredient 73.
[0124] FIG. 11 illustrates the inner volume 2 of a pack according
to FIG. 1a. The inner volume includes two compartments 21, 22.
These compartments store different beverage ingredients 71, 72. The
first compartment 21 is separated from the second compartment 22 by
one releasable or separable bond 6 extending between the lateral
joined edges 112, 113 of the sheets of material.
[0125] The water inlet and the water outlet 4 are positioned
between two joined edges 111 so that they both establish fluid
communication within the compartment 21 only.
[0126] FIG. 12 illustrates a pack comparable to the pack of FIG. 11
except that the inner volume comprises a third compartment 23
separated from the second compartment 22 by one releasable or
separable bond 61 extending between the lateral joined edges 112,
113 of the sheets of material. The third compartment 23 stores a
third ingredient 73 different from the second ingredient 72.
Eventually the first ingredient 71 can be the same as the third
ingredient 73.
[0127] FIG. 11 illustrates the inner volume 2 of a pack according
to FIG. 1a. The inner volume 2 stores a first ingredient 71 and
includes an insert 72 freely movable inside the inner volume 2. The
insert stores a second ingredient 72. The bound of the insert is
made of one releasable or separable bond 6.
[0128] Although all FIGS. 9 to 13 are illustrated with the insert
of the water inlet and the beverage outlet such as described in
FIG. 1a, other inserts of FIGS. 1b to 8 can be used according to
the embodiments of the inner volume of FIGS. 9 to 13.
[0129] FIG. 13 illustrates the interaction of a pack 1 according to
the present invention with a beverage preparation machine 8
according to the present invention. The machine comprises at least
: [0130] a water tank 84, [0131] a heater 83 for heating water,
[0132] a bypass line 87 for delivering ambient water, [0133] a
valve (not illustrated) for the selection of either hot or ambient
water, [0134] a pump 82 for pumping water. The pump can deliver
water at a pressure comprised between 2 and 10 bar. [0135] a water
nozzle or needle 81 for injecting water in the water inlet of the
pack 1.
[0136] Preferably the machine comprises a drip tray 86 on which a
drinking cup 9 can be positioned under the beverage outlet of the
pack when a beverage is prepared.
[0137] The machine comprises an area (not illustrated) for
receiving the pack that is configured so that the pack 1 is
positioned with the single insert positioned at the bottom of the
pack. The pack can be well centred and immobilised in the receiving
area by a rod (not illustrated) configured for sliding in the
centring hole 53 of the single insert (illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5,
6).
[0138] Preferably the pack is not pressurized during the beverage
preparation. This effect can be obtained by opening the beverage
outlet before water is introduced in the pack or simultaneously to
the introduction of the water in the pack or a little bit after the
introduction of the water in the pack. Consequently globally the
beverage is prepared with the both water inlet and beverage outlet
being opened. The opening of the water inlet is usually made by a
needle 81 for introducing water. As for the beverage outlet it can
be opened by the machine when the pack is placed inside or by the
user manually. The illustrated machine comprises a beverage outlet
opening means 85, for example a cutter for removing the plug 42 of
the beverage outlet of the pack 1 when the pack presents a plug at
the beverage outlet. The cutter 85 can be positioned so that the
plug of the beverage outlet is automatically cut when the pack is
introduced in the machine or when the beverage preparation is
activated.
[0139] The present invention presents the advantage of proposing a
range of packs for producing different beverages presenting various
textures and aspects.
[0140] The present invention presents the advantage of proposing a
range of packs for producing the same beverage (for example coffee)
with different textures and aspects (for example flat or
foamed).
* * * * *