巴西专利BR112015019063B1 wrappers, range of wrappers, method and machine for preparing drinks

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专利摘要:
"CASES FOR PREPARING DRINKS". The present invention relates to a wrapper (1) with an internal volume (2), in which a food or drink ingredient is stored, and in which a drink is produced when introducing a quantity of water in it, the The aforementioned enclosure comprises: an inlet (3) configured to supply a diluent to the internal volume of the enclosure, an outlet (4) to dispense a drink from the internal volume of the enclosure, the inlet and outlet being positioned close to the base of the enclosure .
公开号:BR112015019063B1
申请号:R112015019063-4
申请日:2014-02-18
公开日:2021-02-23
发明作者:Jean-Luc Denisart；Thomas Kaeser；Silvio BUTSCHER；Pierre Struzka；Damien Neurohr；Yves Marmier；Sébastien Dassi；Cynthia SCHERZ；Fabien CHIAPPINI；Martin Müller；Christoph CZARNETZKI；Frank Römer
申请人:Société Des Produits Nestlé S.A；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates to wrappers (capsules) and methods for preparing food or drinks from wrappers comprising a food or drink ingredient. Background of the Invention
[002] It is known as preparing drinks by introducing a wrapper containing an ingredient for beverage production, such as roasted coffee or instant coffee. The beverage ingredient is extracted or dissolved in the water to form the beverage. The drink flows from the casing through an outlet duct.
[003] A number of different wrappers have been developed, which differ at least with respect to the nature of the wrapper body used to store the food or drink ingredient. Although most casings have a rigid or semi-rigid body (through thermoforming injection molding, deep drawing, etc.), flexible types of casings or sachets can be made from laminated materials. Flexible wrappers are generally advantageous over rigid and semi-rigid wrappers and because they require less of the material used to wrap the product, which results in a globally lower production cost and a lower life cycle impact, as shown in several checks of life cycle.
[004] WO 99/05044, GB 2 374 856 and WO 2012/175985 describe such a flexible wrapper made from two sheets of flexible material impermeable to air and liquid that are glued to the edges to define an internal volume to contain the ingredient of the drink. The housing comprises an inlet nozzle at the top to introduce water to be mixed with the beverage ingredient, inside the internal volume. The drink is evacuated through a drink outlet at the base of the sachet. The outlet is then created by breaking the wrapper with the water pressure introduced into the sachet. Generally, the outlet is created by separating the edges at the base of the flexible sheets by an effect of heat or pressure on the sachet. According to a particular embodiment, a cannula can be inserted into the base of the wrapper, in this embodiment, in this case, the base edges of the flexible sheets do not separate, and the drink is evacuated through the cannula.
[005] Such flexible sachets, however, present problems. Generally, the opening of the drink outlet is obtained by increasing the pressure inside the sachet. But this pressure increase is not recommended in the preparation of some drinks, because it creates bubbles on the surface of the drink, for example, this is not desired in the preparation of tea. In addition, there may be a risk that the shells will not break at the desired pressure, and will only open with an uncontrolled burst. For this reason, the apparatus must comprise a means for completely enclosing the casing on the machine, during the preparation of the drink, which avoids inflicting damage or injury to the operator.
[006] Another problem with these sachets lies in the fact that the inlet cannula always introduces water into the wrapper according to the same vertical orientation from top to bottom in the sachet. Then, all drinks are produced according to the same process in the sachet. Still depending on the nature of the beverage ingredient and the desired beverage, the beverage ingredient must be processed differently, depending, for example, on whether foaming is desired. In WO 2012175985, a solution was proposed which consists of a drink machine with different mixing heads, to prepare a drink in either high or low pressure.
[007] Other problems of these sachets lie in the fact that it is not allowed to dispense foam drinks directly from the sachets, in particular milk drinks. Foam drinks can be obtained from the cup or cup itself, using a jet of water, as described in GB2374586. This implementation requires a longer preparation time to prepare the drink (that is, first preparing the drink from the sachet, and then foaming the drink with a jet of water), and does not give the consumer a sense of drink. high quality.
[008] WO 2011/024103 describes a wrapper for preparing a beverage defining an internal volume for storing the beverage ingredient. The internal volume is closed from the top with a rigid piece, which integrates the water jet and the drink outlet. During the preparation of the drink, the outlet of the drink is positioned on top of the casing. Water is introduced until it fills the casing and leaks through the outlet of the drink positioned on top of the casing as well. This casing is designed to prepare a drink by extracting roasted and ground coffee, but not by dissolving instant coffee at the outlet. For this reason, the wrap comprises a filter at the outlet to prevent insoluble particles from being dispensed with the drink. A problem with these wrappers is that, at the end of the preparation of the drink and the introduction of water, the drink remains in the wrapper, which is a problem when it is desired to remove the wrapper properly from the drink making machine. In addition, in this enclosure, neither the water inlet nor the drink outlet are closed with a membrane, therefore, this implementation is not recommended with respect to hygiene and storage period (shelflife).
[009] The purpose of the invention is to provide a wrapper for preparing food or drink that solves or at least minimizes the problems described above with respect to manufacture, simplicity of drink preparation, and cleanliness, and obtaining an optimum overall drink quality. Summary of the Invention
[0010] First, the present invention relates to an enclosure with an internal volume, in which a food or drink ingredient can be stored, and in which a drink is produced, with the introduction of water in the enclosure, the aforementioned enclosure comprising: - at least one inlet, configured to supply a diluent to the internal volume of the enclosure; - at least one entrance configured to supply a drink from the internal volume of the wrapper; - an inlet and outlet, positioned at the base of the enclosure.
[0011] In the present patent application, the terms "base", "top", "lateral", "horizontal", and "vertical" are used to describe the relative position of the components of the invention. These terms should be taken with reference to the wrapper arranged in its normal orientation, when inserted into a machine for preparing drinks, for producing a drink, as shown, for example, in Figures 9 to 12.
[0012] According to the invention, the term "next to the base" means that both the inlet and the outlet are arranged on the base edge of the enclosure and / or on the base part of a side of the enclosure. The invention still covers different variations, where both the inlet and the outlet are on the same edge of the enclosure, which can be the base edge, or both are on the base part of a side, or the outlet or inlet is on the base edge , and the inlet or outlet is at the base of one side of the enclosure. According to the invention, the base part of a side of the enclosure generally corresponds to the part of said side arranged under the middle part of the enclosure, and preferably closer to the part of the base of the enclosure, rather than the middle part of the enclosure. .
[0013] In the present invention, the term "water" refers to any aqueous diluent, which can be mixed with a soluble beverage ingredient such as water, sparkling water, milk, and even preferably water.
[0014] Preferably, the wrapper comprises two flexible waterproof sheets, connected to each other, defining an internal volume. As a result, the wrapper itself looks like a purse or sachet. The term "flexible" here means that the sheets can be curved easily. The resulting enclosure, which can also be curved, is flexible and can be deformed as opposed to rigid enclosures. The sheet material can be a plastic laminate, metallized blade or aluminum (alufoil) blade, or fiber material. According to the invention, the two flexible sheets impermeable to water can be formed from a single flexible sheet, impermeable to water, folded in half and joined by the free edges.
[0015] It is preferable that the wrapper is generally flat in shape. Preferably, the flat shape is essentially vertically oriented during the production of the beverage.
[0016] In the present invention, both - entry and exit - can be made in a single insert or in two separate inserts, positioned in the housing. In the present invention, the insert is preferably rigid. Preferably, the inserts are made from a rigid plastic. Which plastic can be selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polymatic acid. According to a less preferred embodiment, the insert (s) can be made from a metal, such as a tin or aluminum plate. The insert (s) can be molded by injection.
[0017] The outlet should preferably be configured to dispense the drink in free flow. The drink can flow from the outlet by gravity. According to a preferred embodiment, the outlet consists of an opening at the base of the enclosure, said opening having a cross section with an area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface with a diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, and even more preferably between 1.5 and 3 mm. The outlet can be a straight tube, oriented essentially at the base of the enclosure. This tube can be drilled into an insert, or it can be a tube within the base edge of the enclosure. The length of the tube can be preferably 5 mm, or it can be a tube at the base of the housing. Such a length generally allows for the completion of the drink froth before the drink is supplied to a glass or cup. An advantage of the outlet of the wrapper of the present invention is that there is no need to implement a particular connection between the beverage outlet and the beverage machine when producing the beverage, for example, to direct the beverage flow to the outlet. The beverage can flow from the beverage outlet of the wrapper directly into a glass or cup.
[0018] The casing can have at least two water inlets.Depending on the type of cooperation of the casing with the machine for preparing drink, in particular, if the drink outlet is positioned in the center of the casing base, the casing can have two symmetrically arranged entrances around the drink outlet. This modality makes the single insert and the envelope symmetrical; then, the consumer can introduce it indifferently in one direction or another, inside the corresponding machine to prepare drink.
[0019] The enclosure may comprise a projection, which allows handling of the enclosure.
[0020] The wrapper has a readable means of recognition by the means for preparing drink. The means of recognition can be mechanical code, digital code, RFID stripe, bar codes, magnetic codes.
[0021] According to the invention, the food ingredient or wrapper may consist of soups, fruit or vegetable juices, broths, coffee, chocolate, tea, milk, or cream, or a combination thereof. The food or drink ingredient is preferably a soluble food or drink ingredient. Preferably, the food or drink ingredient is a food or drink ingredient among: - instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, coconut powder, soup powder or a mixture thereof; - a concentrated milk concentrate, syrup.
[0022] The powders can be agglomerated or sintered. The powders or liquid concentrates can be mixed with solid parts, for example, to prepare soups with solid parts.
[0023] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the water inlet is preferably configured to introduce water in the form of a jet into the internal volume of the enclosure. The term "jet", here should be understood as a flow of liquid coming from the inlet water and the internal volume of the enclosure quickly and with force. Then, the water inlet is configured to introduce water into the inner volume of the enclosure at high speed. Preferably, the water inlet is configured to introduce a jet of water into the internal volume of the enclosure, said jet of water having a speed of at least about 20 m / s, preferably at least 30 m / s. According to the aforementioned first modality, the water inlet is configured to transform the pressurized water introduced into the machine to prepare drink in the casing in a high-speed water jet in the internal volume of the casing. Such modality can be obtained by placing a restriction on the water path at the water inlet to reduce the size of the water inlet section. Due to the small surface of the pressurized inlet section, a jet of water is created in the internal volume.
[0024] In general, the water inlet has a hole having the cross section with an area equivalent to the area of a circular surface of a maximum of 1 mm, preferably at least 0.24 mm.
[0025] The speed of the water that leaves the injection hole, usually depends on the water pressure introduced into the water inlet. The invention generally applies to pressurized water between 500 to 1000 kPa (5 and 10 bar), preferably about 700 kPa (7 bar). For such pressurized water values, the water inlet generally has an injection hole with a cross section having an area equivalent to the area of a circular surface with a diameter between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 mm, and even more preferably about 0.4 mm.
[0026] But, when the water is pressurized to more than 1100 Kpa (11 bar), the water inlet preferably has an injection hole with a cross section with an area equivalent to the area of a circular surface with a diameter between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, preferably about 1 mm.
[0027] The small surface of the injection hole has the advantage of preventing the counterflow of the liquid contained in the internal volume of the casing through the water jet.
[0028] For the same diluent supply pressure, the surface of the diluent injection hole may vary according to the nature of the food or beverage ingredient inside the wrapper. In particular, when the ingredient has a more difficult dissolution, a small injection hole creates a jet with a higher speed, which increases agitation and improves the condition of dissolution in the wrapper.
[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the casing has a flat shape oriented along a plane essentially vertically oriented during the production of the drink, and the water inlet guides the water jet in the direction comprised in said plane. The water jet introduced from the base of the enclosure develops in a circular and spiral motion, creating turbulence, friction, and large contact surfaces between the water molecules and particles of the product. On average, the water molecules describe several turns inside the sachet until they come out of the sachet together with the drink. The best reconstitution was observed with rectangular envelopes. Single-insert casings, placed in the corner of the rectangular casing, also improve reconstitution.
[0030] The wrapper can have several external shapes, such as rectangular, square, or rounded. The internal volume of the enclosure may correspond to the external shape of the enclosure. According to a particular mode, the internal volume can have a shape configured to intensify the movement of water and drink in the casing during the preparation of the drink. In particular, for rectangular or square housings, at least one of the inner corners, preferably both, may have an inclined shape. This prevents the food or drink ingredient from being blocked in the right angled corner. This aspect is achieved with the lateral sealing of the corner of the enclosure.
[0031] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the housing has a single insert, including water inlet and beverage outlet, said single insert being positioned at the base of the housing. The single insert can be positioned anywhere on the base of the housing, between both sides of the base, the single insert can be positioned on the side of the base, in particular, in a corner, in a globally rectangular housing, or anywhere between the songs. In the housing, the water inlet and beverage outlet in the housing are simultaneously included in the same single insert. In addition, the single insert can be produced associated with several parts before the entire part is used to manufacture the casing. In particular, different parts can be joined to form the single insert, before said single insert is used to manufacture the housing.
[0032] Preferably, the single insert of the casing has a shape that cooperates with the casing receiving area of a machine for preparing beverage. In particular, the wrapper may have a shape configured to slide in the groove of the receiving area of a machine for preparing drinks, such as the shape of an iron.
[0033] According to a method of this second embodiment, the casing may have a generally flat shape, the aforementioned flat shape having a face essentially vertically oriented during beverage production, and the insert being positioned on or near the middle part of the base of the aforementioned face.
[0034] According to another mode of this second embodiment, the casing may have a flat shape, said shape having a face essentially vertically oriented during beverage production, and the single insert being positioned at or near the corner of the base of said face .
[0035] According to the preferred mode of the present invention, an internal volume in which a food or drink ingredient is stored and in which the drink is produced, when an amount of water is introduced, said wrapper has at least one entry for introduce water into the internal volume and at least one outlet to dispense the drink from the said internal volume, the housing comprising a single insert, including water inlet and drink outlet, where: - the single insert is positioned at the base of the wrapper; - the water inlet is configured to introduce water, in the form of a jet, into the internal volume of the enclosure.
[0036] According to a third embodiment of the invention, before the beverage preparation step, the beverage outlet is closed at its end. Generally, the beverage outlet is closed at manufacture, and configured to open at the beverage production stage. The term "closed in manufacture" means that the casing is manufactured with the beverage outlet closed. This closure ensures hygiene and protection during the storage period. The outlet can be opened by machine or manually.
[0037] Preferably, the drink outlet is closed with a plug, said plug having a means to keep it attached to the wrapper after opening the drink outlet. Consequently, the plug does not fall into the drink during its production. The means for keeping the plug attached to the housing can be a plastic connection attached to the insert.
[0038] The drink outlet may have a weakened area next to the plug. This weakening zone can be a narrowing of the outlet tube, in order to facilitate its rupture of the plug in the machine to prepare drink.
[0039] Preferably, the plug is part of a single insert comprising the drink outlet and observation window. In particular, when the insert is injection molded, the design of the injection molded insert comprises the plug. Likewise, the plastic connection is part of the unique insert design that is injection molded. In injection molding of the insert, the plug and connection in the same piece again allows to achieve several objectives using only one material - the plastic to produce the insert, comprising water inlet and drink outlet, is used to close the outer end of the outlet of the drink.
[0040] Whatever the modality, the water inlet can be oriented in the enclosure, according to different variants.
[0041] According to a first variant, the water inlet can be positioned in the casing so as to orient itself essentially essentially vertically, during the production of the drink. Then, the water inlet can be placed anywhere along the base of the enclosure. Usually, according to this first variant, the water inlet is a straight tube, preferably in an insert at the base of the housing. The insert can be positioned between the two flexible sheets impermeable to water, which are joined together and form the internal volume. In the first variant, the water inlet and the drink outlet are usually vertically oriented tubes that are globally parallel.
[0042] According to a second variant, the water inlet can be oriented at least partially essentially horizontally during the production of the drink. In this second variant, the water inlet and the drink outlet are globally perpendicular. According to this second variant, the water inlet is generally positioned on one side of the enclosure and close to the base of the said side.
[0043] In the first mode of this second variant, the water inlet can be an almost straight tube in an insert; therefore, the water inlet is configured so that there is no change in the direction of water flow from the outer end of the water inlet to the inner end of the water inlet. The said insert is preferably positioned between the two flexible sheets, impermeable to water, joined together.
[0044] In a second mode of this second variant, the water inlet can be configured so that the direction of the water flow at the inner end of the water inlet is almost perpendicular to the direction of the water flow at the inner end of the water inlet. In this embodiment, the internal design of the water inlet provides a globally perpendicular change in the orientation of the water flow from the outer end of the water inlet (facing the outer part of the enclosure) to the inner end of the water inlet (facing the inside the enclosure).
[0045] In said second mode, the outer end of the water inlet preferably comprises an inlet chamber comprising an evacuation end, said evacuation end is an injection tube configured to direct a jet of water into the inner volume of the enclosure to a direction almost perpendicular to the longitudinal geometric axis of the entrance chamber. Preferably, the inlet chamber is globally horizontally oriented. The entrance chamber usually has a circular section. This chamber is usually configured to receive a hollow needle for injecting water. It usually has a circular section. This chamber has the advantage of creating a distance between the hollow needle end and the internal volume that stores the beverage ingredient, and, consequently, prevents contamination of the needle. The evacuation end can be configured to supply water in the form of a jet in the internal volume of the enclosure, as described in the first embodiment above. More preferably, the evacuation end of the chamber consists of a hole in the side wall of the chamber.
[0046] It is preferred that the casing has a generally flat shape essentially vertically oriented during the production of the beverage. According to the second mode of the second variant for the water inlet, the inlet chamber is preferably perpendicular to said plane. Therefore, the water inlet and the drink outlet are generally oriented perpendicularly to each other. Consequently, the water inlet and the drink outlet emerge on different sides of the enclosure. This modality limits the risk of contamination of the means of introducing water into the water inlet by the drink dispensed by the outlet.
[0047] Whatever the variant and mode of water inlet, the aforementioned water inlet can be configured to orient the water jet in the direction of the drink outlet. Such modality allows the drink to be stirred by the water jet before the drink is evacuated by the drink outlet. According to a particular mode, the casings designed to produce a globally horizontally oriented water jet are particularly suitable for preventing clogging of the food or beverage ingredient. The jet of water prevents the drink from flowing through the outlet too quickly, and increases the stirring time of the ingredient in the wrapper.
[0048] According to a fourth modality, the wrapper comprises: - two flexible sheets, impermeable to water, which are joined to define the internal volume; and - an insert including at least one water inlet, and
[0049] and the water entry is closed in the enclosure by the leaves that define an internal volume.
[0050] According to a preferred mode, the two flexible sheets impermeable to water can be formed from a single flexible sheet, impermeable to water, which are joined by their free ends. According to the aforementioned mode, the wrapper is a flat wrapper made from a sheet of flexible material, the foil being folded at the top of the wrapper, and glued at the ends, to define the internal volume, the bottom edge being glued includes the insert. This modality is a particularly easy way to manufacture the wrapper, as it requires cutting just one piece of foil - preferably in a rectangular shape - and folding it to create the internal volume for the food or drink ingredient. The single sheet piece can be inserted into the base edge when sealing the edges.
[0051] The water is enclosed in the enclosure by the leaves that define the internal volume of the enclosure. In particular, the outer end of the water inlet is covered and closed by the aforementioned leaf. Consequently, the same piece of material can be used to simultaneously create the inner volume of the enclosure, close the water inlet, and protect the outer end of the water end. Due to the fact that the enclosure inlet is closed, it is not necessary to use a membrane to close the water inlet. The present invention provides an easy-to-manufacture casing and ensures hygiene and protection for the storage period of the produced food or drink and beverage ingredient.
[0052] In the present invention, the outer end of the water inlet constitutes the end of the water inlet channel, which cooperates with the water source outside the enclosure, while the inner end of the water inlet constitutes the end of the channel. inlet water that supplies water to the enclosure. Similarly, in this text, the outer end of the drink outlet constitutes the end of the drink outlet channel, which dispenses drink from the wrapper, while the inner end of the drink outlet constitutes the end of the drink outlet channel in the wrapper.
[0053] Preferably, the outer end of the water inlet insert is closed by bounded edge at the base of the leaf. Due to the introduction of the single insert during the sealing of the edges, the sheet can cover the part of the sheet including the water inlet. Consequently, during the separate step of gluing the edges of the sheet, it is simultaneously possible to create an internal volume to store the beverage ingredient, add the insert, and close the outer end of the water inlet. Preferably, the beverage outlet is not covered by the sheet. In addition, it can be visually hidden by a part of the leaf, for example, a skirt of the leaf. Preferably, the single insert should have ribs on the outer surface, to increase adhesion with the sheet of flexible material during sealing. In particular, a raised edge may involve the entry of water, in order to improve the sealing to air and water around it.
[0054] According to a particular mode, the internal volume of the casing has a generally flat shape, which defines the plane P, essentially vertically oriented during the production of drink, and the insert is configured and positioned in the casing, so that the axis longitudinal of the water inlet channel, at its external end, is almost perpendicular to the aforementioned plane, and at least one sheet of material, which defines the internal volume, covers the outer end of the water inlet channel. Preferably, the insert is configured so that the longitudinal geometric axis of the water inlet channel at its inner end is almost comprised in the vertically oriented plane P.
[0055] As illustrated in the drawings, the different wrapping modalities described above can be combined.
[0056] Secondly, the present invention relates to a number of shells, described above, the shells differing with respect to the size of the internal volume and / or the internal dimensions of the outlet and / or the internal dimensions of the inlet and / or orientation of the entrance and / or orientation of the exit. A wide range of sachets can be used to produce different types of food or drinks. The external design of the insert remains the same, while the internal volume of the wrapper can be adapted to different amounts of ingredient. Therefore, it is possible to produce a cup of espresso or a plate of soup. The internal design of the insert can be adapted according to the nature of the food or beverage ingredient in the wrapper.
[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wrapper range, as described above, can comprise at least two types of wrappers that differ essentially with respect to the condition of producing a foam or foam-free drink. The first type of wrapper that is capable of producing a foam drink, usually has a water inlet configured to introduce a jet of water into the inner volume of the wrapper at a higher speed than the second type of wrapper. The first type of casing preferably has a beverage outlet configured to hold the drink as much as possible in the internal volume of the casing. Then, the injection hole of the first type of casing has a beverage outlet with a surface area equal to that of the surface. of a correct surface with a diameter smaller than that of the second type of enclosure. The first type of casing preferably also has a beverage outlet configured to improve the movement of water and drink in the casing during preparation of the beverage. It has been observed that rectangular shells have a length: width ratio of about 4: 3, and the single insert placed on the side of the width intensifies the agitation of the liquid and the generation of foam. This effect is even more pronounced when the insert is positioned on the side corner of the width with the length. The foaming of the beverage also depends on the nature of the food or beverage ingredient.
[0058] This preferred modality also allows the production of a range of different wrappings adapted for stirring and dissolving different types of food or drink ingredients.
[0059] According to a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a range of casings, the casing having a single insert including the water inlet and the drink outlet, said insert being positioned at the base of the casing, being that the single insert is made of two parts, a first part having the drink outlet and the second part having the water inlet, each one comprising a fastener, to fix and position the first part in the second part, being that the the water inlet has an inlet chamber having an evacuation end, the aforementioned evacuation end being a hole in the side of the chamber, the casings differing with respect to the relative orientation of the second part with respect to the first part.
[0060] The second parts may differ with respect to the distance between the hole in the side wall of the chamber and the fastener to fix and position the second part in the first with the first part. Consequently, when the first and second parts are attached to each other to form the unique inserts, the said insert shells differ with respect to the orientation of the hole in the side wall of the chamber, which is the orientation of the jet in the inner volume of the sheath.
[0061] According to the preferred embodiment, the second part comprising the water jet is affixed to the first part comprising the drink outlet through a joint, and the first and second part fasteners to affix and position the first and second parts they consist of hooks configured and positioned on each part to hook when the joint is closed. The length of the hook of either the first part and the second part may vary, so that the relative orientation of the second part with respect to the first part varies.
[0062] This particular modality allows the production of a range of different wrappings adapted for stirring / dissolving different types of food or drink ingredients.
[0063] Third, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a food or beverage ingredient, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a wrapper, as described above, or a wrapper from a range of wrappers , as described above, and positioning said envelope, with the underlying insert; - inject water into the wrapper, to mix with the food or drink ingredient; - allowing the prepared drink to escape through the outlet to a receptacle.
[0064] Preferably, the method is implemented with a machine for preparing drinks, where different steps are implemented. Water is usually injected, piercing the housing with a hollow needle into the water inlet of the housing.
[0065] Preferably, the water inlet is opened at the same time or after the opening of the drink outlet. According to this preferred embodiment, the drink is prepared when both the inlet and the outlet are opened. Then, the drink is not prepared in the wrapper by pressure or pressure increase.
[0066] Fourth, the present invention relates to a machine for preparing drink from a casing, as described above, said casing being closed with a plug, said machine comprising at least: - a water source , - a pump to pump water from the water source; - a water needle to inject water into the water inlet of the housing. - a device for cutting or shearing the beverage outlet plug from the casing.
[0067] The device for cutting or shearing the plug can be positioned so that the drink outlet plug is automatically cut when the casing is inserted into the machine, or when preparing the drink.
[0068] Preferably, the machine comprises an area for placing a cup or bowl under the outlet of the beverage when preparing a drink.
[0069] Generally, the beverage preparation machine comprises an area for receiving the casing configured to position the casing, so that the single insert is positioned at the base of the casing.
[0070] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a casing, as described above, such a casing comprising a single insert including a water inlet and beverage outlet, the method comprising the steps of: - fold a sheet of material and glue both side edges to form a wrapper; - fill the wrapper through the open edges with food or drink ingredient; - position the single insert between the open edges and paste the aforementioned edges. Brief Description of Drawings
[0071] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following figures:
[0072] Figures 1 to 7b illustrate wrappers according to the present invention;
[0073] Figures 8a to 8e illustrate the movement of the liquid in internal volumes of envelopes of the present invention;
[0074] Figure 9 illustrates the preparation of a drink in a wrapper according to the present invention;
[0075] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate particular ways of introducing a casing into a machine for preparing drinks;
[0076] Figure 13 illustrates a range of shells according to the present invention;
[0077] Figures 14a, 14b, 14c, and Figures 15a and 15b illustrate wrappers according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0078] Figure 16 illustrates a method of manufacturing a wrapper according to the present invention;
[0079] Figure 17 illustrates wrappers according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0080] Figures 18, 19, 20b, 20c illustrate a wrapper and its insert according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0081] Figures 21a and 21b illustrate a variant of the insert of Figures 18 and 19;
[0082] Figures 22, 22b, and 22c illustrate another variant of Figures 18 and 19;
[0083] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate a range of shells, in accordance with the present invention;
[0084] Figure 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second part 53 of the entrance chamber 32 of Figures 23 and 24;
[0085] Figures 26 and 27 describe the insert 5 of Figure 23, before its insertion in the envelope;
[0086] Figures 28 and 29 describe the insert 5 of Figure 24 before its insertion in the envelope;
[0087] Figures 30a and 30b illustrate an insert having two asymmetric water inlets; and
[0088] Figure 31 illustrates the preparation of a drink in a wrapper, in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description of Drawings
[0089] Figure 1 illustrates a wrapper 1 for producing a beverage according to the invention. The enclosure comprises two flexible water-impermeable sheets joined by its edges 111, 112, 113, 114 to define the internal volume 2. These two sheets are obtained by folding a sheet in its middle part to form the top 114 of the enclosure; then only edges 112, 112, 113 should be glued, as shown in Figure 6. Gluing can be done by heat sealing. A beverage material is disposed within said internal volume. The casing has an inlet 3 configured to supply water 11 to the internal volume of the casing and outlet 4 to dispense a drink 7 from the internal volume of the casing 2. Both the inlet and the outlet are positioned at the base of the casing on the side of the casing. base 111 of the enclosure. The water inlet 3 and the drink outlet 4 can be designed as straight holes in the respective rigid inserts 51, 52 enclosed within the glued edge of the housing base 111.
[0090] Figure 2 illustrates an enclosure variant of Figure 1 where the water inlet 3 is positioned close to the base of the enclosure on the side 113 of the enclosure.
[0091] Figure 3 illustrates another variant of the Figure 1 casing where the water inlet is still on the glued edge of the casing base 11, but with the beverage outlet 4 positioned close to the casing base on the side 113 of the casing.
[0092] Figure 4 illustrates another variant of the housing of Figure 1 where the water inlet 3 and the drink outlet 4 are positioned close to the base of the housing on the side 113 of the housing. In the latter variant, the inlet 3 is preferably positioned above the outlet 4 on the edge glued to the side 113 of the enclosure.
[0093] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the respective variants of Figures 1 and 2, in which the inlet 3 and outlet 4 are in the same single insert 5, instead of in two separate inserts 51, 52, according to the second modality of the present invention.
[0094] In the mode illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the water inlet 3 is configured to introduce the water jet vertically upwards. Still as illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 6, the water inlet 3 can also be a straight hole essentially horizontally oriented, and introduce the water jet essentially horizontally into the internal volume 2. According to the modalities of Figures 2 and 6, a jet of water can cross the inner end of the drink outlet.
[0095] As illustrated in dashed lines in Figures 1 to 6, small and large shells 1a and 1b can be produced with the same inserts 51, 52 and 5. As a result, it is possible to produce a range of shells 1a and 1b, differing with respect to the size of the internal volume 2 and configured to prepare a drink with the same machine for preparing drinks. The possibility of creating a range of shells with the same insert can also be seen in Figure 13.
[0096] For all variants, the inlets and outlets can be straight holes inside the inserts due to their ease of manufacture. Still other modalities, where the inserts define holes with at least one change of direction, can also be implemented. Such a change of direction can be useful at least to increase the interface of the inserts with the machine for preparing beverage, in particular, the interface between the water source with the machine and the water inlet insert. Such a change of direction can be useful to control the speed of the water in the internal volume of the enclosure and / or also the orientation of the water jet in the internal volume of the enclosure. The single insert has the advantage that it can be more easily positioned on the edges of the enclosure, in its manufacture in relation to the case of two inserts.
[0097] Figures 7a and 7b illustrate variants of the second embodiment of the present invention, where the inlets and outlets are holes within the same single insert 5. These figures also illustrate a water inlet 3 that is not straight - the direction of the flow of water. water at the outer end 3a of the water inlet is almost perpendicular to the direction of the water flow at the inner end 3b of the water inlet. Such an insert allows cooperation with the machine to prepare drink having a modality as described in Figure 10. The casing having a generally flat shape, is oriented along a plane P essentially vertically oriented, during the production of drink, when the nozzle of water 81 from a beverage preparation machine is introduced at the outer end of the water inlet 3a, as shown in Figures 7b and 10. The housing can be almost flat in the direction perpendicular to the plane P.
[0098] In all the preceding figures, the drink and water holes generally differ with respect to size. Preferably, the beverage outlet 4 has a section sufficient to allow a free flow of beverage from the housing. Drink 7 can flow freely in a cup or bowl or cup placed under outlet 4. Outlet 4 preferably can be a hole having a cross section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface with a diameter of approximately at least 1 mm, preferably at most 4 mm and even more preferably between 1.5 and 3 mm.
[0099] Due to the orientation of the wrapper, the food or drink ingredient usually sits at the base of the inner volume 2 when the wrapper is in the beverage preparation position. Consequently, when water is introduced into insert 51 near the base of the housing, the water immediately enters the food or drink ingredient and agitates the ingredient. Dissolution starts very quickly. Furthermore, when the drink or food from the dissolution of the ingredient with water flows down into the wrapper, then the aforementioned drink or food is stirred again as water is introduced into the wrapper.
[00100] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the water inlet section 3 is configured to create a water jet in the internal volume 2. The water inlet 3 is configured to introduce the water jet in the internal volume of the enclosure at high speed. The objective speed: - stir the food or drink ingredient in the internal volume 2; - maintaining the circulation of the food or drink ingredient, the water and the resulting drink in the internal volume 2, and preventing the food or drink ingredient from being dispensed by the drink outlet 4 before it is sufficiently stirred and dissolved.
[00101] Depending on the nature of the food or drink ingredient, the water jet at a higher speed can create an emulsion with the water and fats / oils from the ingredient. As a result, a drink with a particular mouth feel can be obtained. In the case of espresso coffee, a coffee with cream can be obtained directly from the wrapper without adding foam-forming additives to the beverage ingredient, and without any post-treatment to acquire the desired creaminess.
[00102] According to the present invention, a water jet with a speed of at least 20 m / s provides an optimal dissolution of the food or beverage ingredient in the internal volume. A high-speed jet of water can be created in the internal volume by injecting water through a small orifice. The water jet may have a small section along its entire length, or it may have a reduced section restriction. Usually the latter solution is preferred. The size of the section to produce a water jet in the internal volume usually depends on the water pressure introduced by the water inlet through a machine to prepare drinks. A cross section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface with a diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and even more preferably about 0.4 mm, is particularly suitable for water supply from the outer end of the inlet. water at a pressure of 200 to 1000 kPa (2 to 10 bar).
[00103] The water inlet is configured to transform the high pressure water introduced by the machine to prepare drink in the casing in a jet of water in the internal volume of the casing. The shape of the small section can be of any type. The circular section is preferred because of the ease of manufacture.
[00104] Figure 8a illustrates the movement of the liquid in the internal volume 2 of the housing 1 in the main plane. The housing 1 has sealed longitudinal and base-border edges 111, 112, 113. The base-sealed edge 111 was made partially transparent to show inserts 51, 52 having inlet 3 and outlet 4 respectively. water 6 emerges at high speed from the inlet 3 placed on the base, then rises and develops a circular and spiral movement in the main plane P of the enclosure. Due to this movement, the liquid in the internal volume is not directed to outlet 4 and remains in motion, according to this movement, while water is introduced through the inlet. The movement allows for optimal agitation and dissolution of the food or drink ingredient. Once the water is no longer introduced into the base or the water completely fills the internal volume, the drink escapes from the casing through the beverage outlet 4. The outlet section is large enough to supply a smooth flow to the cup placed under the outlet. The enclosure empties completely due to the position of the outlet next to the enclosure.
[00105] Figure 8b illustrates an enclosure having the shape of its internal volume optimized internally. The wrapper looks the same as the wrapper of Figure 8a, except that the sealing on one of the side edge is larger at the corner of the wrapper base in order to configure the inner volume 2 with an inclined inner corner 113a. The jet of water 6 exiting the entrance 3 develops a circular movement and the inclined edge 113 reinforces this movement and redirects the upward movement when it descends. Such modality can be particularly interesting for food or drink ingredients that are more difficult to dissolve, which must be strongly agitated. This modality also allows to guide and press the entire dose of food or drink ingredient over the water inlet in the internal volume 2. Then, the contact between the food or drink ingredient and the water is intensified at that point where the water flows which has the highest speed and agitation.
[00106] Although the corner of the base 113a is given completely internally sealed, it is also possible to create a simple sealing line within the internal volume 2 to prevent liquid from circulating in the corner.
[00107] Figures 8c, 8d, 8e are seen in longitudinal section of a wrapper at different stages of the preparation of a drink. Figure 8c is a section of housing 1 resting before water is introduced into the housing with the base edge 111 positioned at the base and the edge 114 at the top inside the machine. Beverage ingredient 71 rests at the base of internal volume 2. The housing extends along the length L between the two edges 111, 114.
[00108] Figure 8d shows the same enclosure during the introduction of water through the entry of water at the base of the enclosure. A jet of water 6 flows essentially vertically from the base to the top of the housing. In the main plane P of the enclosure, the jet develops in a circular motion as shown in Figure 8a. During the preparation of the drink, only the base of the wrapper cooperates with the machine to prepare the drink, while the top of the wrapper remains free. Consequently, when water is introduced into the wrapper, due to the flexible nature of the sheet material and freedom of movement of the top edge of the wrapper 114, the inner volume 2 of the wrapper can inflate. This inflation occurs mainly in the direction perpendicular to the main plane P. Then, with the water jet 6 reaching the top of the enclosure, a part of the water can also flow through the inflated volume perpendicular to the main plane P. Here, it was observed that the flow of water is induced to follow the inner surface 21 of the inner volume. It follows that no beverage ingredient 71 remains undissolved within the internal volume 2 - ingredient 71 is kept in the middle part of the inflated volume, and maintained or directed to perform a circular fluid motion, as described in Figure 8a. Another advantage of the fact that the water flow is induced to follow the inner surface 21 of the inner volume is that, at the end of the preparation of the drink, the inner chamber 2 is washed very effectively and, therefore, no product remains in the wrapper.
[00109] Figure 8e illustrates the wrapper at the end of the beverage preparation. The drink is dispensed from the casing as soon as the inner volume 2 of the casing fills with water or as soon as the introduction of water into the casing is interrupted, once the drink outlet is opened at the base. The drink flows by gravity and its dispensing is forced, then the wrapper returns to its original shape and length L, under atmospheric pressure Pa. Emptying is efficient.
[00110] Figure 9 illustrates the interaction of a wrapper according to the present invention, with a machine for preparing beverage 8. The machine comprises at least: - a water tank 84, - a heater 83 for heating water. Heating can supply water at a temperature between - a bypass line 87 to supply water at room temperature, - a valve (not shown) to select between hot water or room temperature, - a pump for pumping water - the pump can supply water between 200 to 1000 kPa (2 and 10 bar), - a water nozzle or needle 81 to inject water into the water inlet of housing 1.
[00111] Preferably, the machine comprises an area 86 for positioning a cup or glass 9 under the beverage outlet of the housing when preparing the beverage.
[00112] The machine has an area for receiving a casing that is configured so that casing 1 is positioned so that the single insert is positioned at the base of the casing.
[00113] According to the invention, the casing is not pressurized during the preparation of the drink. This effect can be achieved by opening the beverage outlet before water is introduced into the casing or simultaneously with the introduction of water into the casing. Consequently, the drink is prepared with an open inlet and outlet. The opening of the inlet is usually done with a needle to introduce water. The opening of the inlet is usually made by the needle to introduce water. As for the beverage outlet, the opening of the inlet can be opened by the machine when the casing is placed in the machine during the preparation of the drink, it has been observed that no drinks flow from the outlet at least as water is being introduced through the inlet. . The jet of water maintains sufficient agitation of the liquid in the internal volume to prevent the drink from escaping without having been sufficiently stirred.
[00114] The machine may include a means of opening the drink outlet.
[00115] The machine may comprise a means for reading the halfway recognition of the wrapper, in particular to assist in the use of the wrapper in a fully automatic beverage making machine. The machine can read projections, perforations, bar code, code, magnetic stripe, or RFID stripe on the enclosure.
[00116] Figures 10 to 12 show examples of the machine casing receiving area for inserting casing 1 into the machine: Figure 10 illustrates the introduction according to a globally horizontal sliding movement while Figure 11 illustrates the introduction according to a vertical sliding movement and Figure 12 illustrates the simple positioning of the casing on a slightly inclined plane and the closing of a sliding cover 88 - for example, a transparent cover - above the casing to activate the preparation of the drink. Other areas of reception and movement are possible, depending on the positions of the water inlet in the enclosure (horizontally or vertically oriented perpendicularly or in the main plane of the enclosure) and the position of the insert in the enclosure (in the corner in the middle part of the base).
[00117] Figure 13 illustrates the possibility of creating a range of shells with the same insert, consequently it is possible to produce a range of shells 1a, 1b differing with respect to the size of the internal volume 2 (L1, L2, L3, L4) and configured to prepare drinks with the same machine for preparing drinks.
[00118] Figure 14a is a simplified illustration of a wrapper, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, comprising an internal volume 2, in which a food or beverage ingredient is stored. The housing comprises at its base the single insert 5. The dashed lines correspond to parts of the insert enclosed in the housing. The insert 5 simultaneously includes a water inlet 3 for introducing water into the internal volume and a drink outlet 4 for dispensing the prepared drink or food with mixing the food ingredient or drink with water. The casing is generally flat in shape. The casing is oriented along a plane P essentially vertically oriented during beverage production, as illustrated in Figure 14a. This flat shape is essentially provided by the material that creates and forms the inner volume 2 of the wrapper - the wrapper having the shape of a sheet. The aforementioned sheet gives the casing a flat shape. In Figure 14a, insert 5 is positioned in the center of the housing base, and can also be positioned in any other position, between the two lateral ends of the base.
[00119] The internal drawings of the water inlet and drink outlet are respectively illustrated in Figure 14b which is a view according to section B-B, and Figure 14c which is a view according to section A-A. Figure 14c shows that the beverage outlet 4 is a straight vertical hole drilled in the insert 5. Preferably, the beverage outlet 4 has a sufficient cross-sectional area to allow for a drink-free luxury from the housing. The drink can then flow freely into a cup or cup placed under the drink spout 4. Figure 14b shows that the outer end 3a of the water inlet is oriented so as to be closed with a sheet of material that creates and forms the internal volume 2 of the enclosure. Said external end 3a and inlet chamber 32. Said chamber has an evacuation hole in its side wall upwards, in order to orient the flow of water preferably in the form of a jet, in the internal volume 2 in the P plane.
[00120] The material sheet that defined the internal volume 2 covers the part of the insert 5, so that the water inlet 3 is closed by the enclosure. Consequently, the outer end 3a of the water inlet is closed by the material that defines the inner volume of the enclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 14a, a part of the beverage outlet - which is its outer end 4a - is not enclosed in the wrapper.
[00121] Figure 15a is a variant of Figure 14a where insert 5 is L-shaped and has been placed in the corner of the inner volume of the enclosure. The beverage outlet 4 has the same appearance as the internal volume of Figure 14a. The water inlet is positioned at the top of the L-shaped insert. The internal shape of the water inlet is illustrated in Figure 15b which is a view of the insert 5 according to section C-C. The outer end 3a of the water inlet has an inlet chamber 32 closed with the material that defines the internal volume of the enclosure. The chamber has an essentially horizontal evacuation hole 31 in the side wall, in order to guide the flow of water, preferably in the form of a jet in the internal volume 2 within the plane P.
[00122] Although Figures 14a, 14b, 14c and 15a and 15b illustrate single insert wrappers 5, which wrappers can be made with different inserts for water inlet 3 and drink outlet 4.
[00123] Figure 16 illustrates a method for making a wrapper according to the present invention from a flexible sheet of material. First, the sheet of material 10 which preferably has a rectangular shape is folded in its middle part and superimposed side edges are glued together creating a pouch with glued side edges 112, 113 and a folded edge 114. Folded edge 114 can also eventually be sealed to give an appearance comparable to that of the lateral edges for aesthetic purposes. Food or drink ingredient 7 is introduced into the pouch. Then, the single insert 5 is placed between the last two open edges, and these edges are glued around the insert to simultaneously close the housing, position the insert, and close the water inlet. According to a less preferred embodiment, the inserts of the drink outlet and water inlet can be separated.
[00124] Figure 17 illustrates the third embodiment of the invention. The drink outlet 4 is closed at its outer end with a plug 42. This plug is made in one piece with the rest of the insert 52 in which the outlet is defined. During the production of the drink, this plug is cut or broken to open the drink outlet. The insert also comprises a plastic connection 43 for keeping the plug attached to the housing after the beverage outlet has been opened. Consequently, preventing the plug from falling into the drink during its production. The beverage outlet also has a narrow weakening zone 44 close to plug 42, so that said plug can be cut or sheared more easily from the plug with the beverage brewing machine.
[00125] Figure 18 illustrates a wrapper according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this illustration, the middle part of the base of the internal volume 2 has been provided transparent, to make the insert 5 transparent. Figure 19 is a top perspective view of the insert alone. The wrapper is preferably a flat sachet oriented along a plane P, essentially vertically oriented during beverage production. The casing is almost flat in the third perpendicular direction. The internal volume 2 is made from a sheet of flexible material, said sheet is folded in the middle to form the top 114 of the wrapper. The sheet is glued to the edges 112, 113, 111 to define the internal volume 2. The glued base edge 13 includes the single insert 5 - the fins 51 and the raised edge 52 around the water inlet 3 on the sides of the insert intensify adhesion with the flexible material sheet during sealing. The sheet may have a protrusion 15, to improve handling of the wrapper.
[00126] Insert 5 is a single piece of material - preferably plastic. Insert 5 simultaneously includes a water inlet 3 for introducing water into the internal volume, and a drink outlet for dispensing the drink or food produced by mixing a food ingredient or drink with water.
[00127] Figure 20a is an enlarged view of the insert while Figures 20b and 20c are the respective cross-sectional views of the insert through water inlet and beverage outlet, detailing the internal shapes of these fluid channels in the insert. The beverage outlet is a vertical hole drilled into the insert. The beverage outlet preferably has a diameter for dispensing the beverage in free flow. The diameter is preferably greater than 2 mm for a circular section. The beverage outlet is closed at its outer end with a 42 plug. This plug is made in one piece with the rest of the insert. During the production of the drink, this plug is cut or sheared to open the drink outlet. The insert also comprises a plastic connection 43, to keep the plug attached to the housing after the beverage outlet is opened. Thus, preventing the plug from falling into the drink during its production. The beverage outlet also has a weakening zone 44 next to plug 42, in order to facilitate the cutting or shearing of the plug with the machine for preparing drink.
[00128] The water inlet 3 has at its external end 3 an inlet diameter 32. This chamber is a hollow cavity, globally horizontally oriented. Its dimensions are configured in order to receive a hollow needle from a machine to prepare drink to inject water. The inlet chamber 32 has an evacuation end in the upper side wall 321 - this evacuation end corresponds to an injection hole, from which water can be injected into the internal volume 2 in the form of a jet. The hole is circular and has a maximum diameter of 0.6 mm. Due to the mode of the water inlet, the water can be injected substantially essentially horizontally into the inlet chamber 3, and essentially vertically into the inner volume 2 of the housing.
[00129] This embodiment of the invention has the advantage of providing enclosures with inlet and outlet, which are not close to each other. In fact, in this embodiment, the inlet and outlet are on different sides of the casing - the outer end of the drink outlet under the base of the casing while the outer end of the water inlet is on the side of the casing. Such a modality particularly avoids contamination of the water injection medium by the beverage flowing through the beverage outlet. Alongside the machine for preparing drinks, simultaneously provide a water injector and a dispensing area at the base of the casing, the reception area is more difficult to design and does not allow the optimization of the different elements of the machine.
[00130] Figures 21a and 21b illustrate a specification variant of Figure 18. The beverage outlet has the same appearance as the inlet of Figure 18. The water inlet has an inlet chamber 32 that is globally horizontally oriented. The inlet chamber 32 has an outlet end on the side wall - the outlet end corresponds to an injection hole 31 from which water is injected into the internal volume 2 in the form of a jet. In this variant, the injection hole 31 is positioned on the side wall of the injection chamber, in order to create a water jet 6 with an angle of about 45 ° to the vertical and oriented in the direction of the drink outlet 4 (another angle orientation ranging from -90 ° to + 90 ° in relation to the vertical can be implemented). As shown in Figure 21b, during the preparation of the drink, the plug 42 at the end of the drink outlet is removed, in order to open the drink outlet 4. During the water injection through the water inlet, the orientation of the water jet 6 allows the liquid to be stirred above the drink outlet opening, which consequently causes the part of the drink above the outlet to be removed and recirculated within the internal volume, which improves dissolution and eventually forms foam. It also allows the stirring of the portion of the beverage that flows through the beverage outlet - so the properties of the beverage, in terms of foaming, are maintained until the beverage is supplied by the outlet. The quality of the drink in the cup is optimized, since the drink does not have time to settle quietly in the internal volume.
[00131] Figures 22a, 22b, 22c illustrate another variant of the single insert of Figure 18. The beverage outlet has the same characteristic as that of Figure 18. The water inlet has a globally horizontally oriented inlet chamber 32. The inlet chamber 32, having the simple shape of a cylinder, is attached to the upper part 5a of the insert with the introduction of a water needle either on one side or the other. The inlet chamber 32 has an outlet end on the side wall - this outlet end corresponds to an injection hole 31 from which water can be injected into the internal volume 2 in the form of a jet. In this variant, the injection hole 31 is positioned on the side wall of the inlet chamber, in order to create a water jet 6 that is globally horizontal and oriented in the direction of the drink outlet 4. As illustrated in Figure 22b, during the preparation of the drink , the plug 42 at the end of the beverage outlet is removed, creating an opening for the beverage outlet 4. During the injection of the liquid above the beverage outlet opening, the orientation of the water jet 6 allows for the agitation of the liquid above the opening beverage outlet, and results in the same consequence described above with respect to the single insert of Figures 21a and 21b.
[00132] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate one of wrappers according to the present invention. In these illustrations, the middle parts of the base of the inner volume 2 were transparent to make the inserts 5 transparent. The shells are preferably flat shells and have the same characteristics as the sheath of Figure 18, except with respect to the insert. In both Figures 23 and 24, insert 5 is a single piece of material preferably made from plastic. The casings simultaneously include water inlet to introduce water into the internal volume and beverage outlet to dispense drink or food produced by mixing the food or drink ingredient with water. In both cases, the single insert 5 is made in two parts 53, 54, attached to each other by a joint 55 and hooks 531, 541, which engage. The first part 54 comprises the drink outlet 4. This drink outlet has the same characteristics as the drink outlet of Figure 18. The second part 53 is the water inlet. The water inlet has a globally horizontally oriented inlet chamber 32. The inlet chamber 32 has an evacuation end on its side wall 321: this evacuation inlet corresponds to the injection hole 31, from which water can be injected into the internal volume 2 in the form of a jet 6. The hole 31 is circular and preferably has a diameter of 0.2 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and more preferably about 0.4 mm.
[00133] Figure 25 is a partially cross-sectional view, of the second part 53 around injection hole 31 and illustrates that said hole is provided in the side wall of the entrance chamber 32. Figure 25 is applicable to the insert of the Figure 23 or 24. In the embodiment of Figure 23, the second part 53 is positioned so that the injection hole 31 arranged essentially horizontally injects the water jet 6 into the internal volume 2 of the housing. In the embodiment of Figure 24, the second part 53 is positioned so that the injection hole 31 injects the water jet 6 into the internal volume 2, according to an angle of 45 ° in relation to the horizontal.
[00134] Figures 26 and 27 describe the insert 5 of Figure 23 before its insertion in the enclosure. Figure 26 illustrates the insert, as obtained directly from manufacture, preferably by plastic injection molding. Directly after manufacture, the first and second parts 53, 54 are only attached with a hinge 55. This hinge must be thin enough to be able to be bent. The first part 54 has a fastener 541 on the top and the second part 53 has a fastener 531. The fasteners are hook-shaped and are designed so that when the second part is moved close to the first part 54 , closing joint 55 (as illustrated by arrow A in Figure 26) then they engage and the hooks hold the first part 54 and the second part 53 in a fixed position, as shown in Figure 27. With the hooks engaged, the insert 5 can be used to manufacture the housing of Figure 23. The hooks are also designed to define the orientation of the injection hole 31 and therefore the orientation of the jet 6 in the inner volume 2 of the housing. This orientation can particularly vary according to the length of one of the hooks, for example, the hook 541 of the first part 54 in the illustration of Figures 23 and 26. The shapes of the hooks 531 and 541 can also be adapted to the particular relative orientation of the hooks. two parts to each other.
[00135] As in Figures 26, 27, Figures 28 and 29 describe the insert 5 of Figure 24 before its insertion in the housing. In insert 5 of Figures 28 and 29, the hook 541 of the first part is longer than the corresponding hook of the insert of Figures 26, 27. Consequently, the second part 531 does not need to be rotated around the hinge 55, as well as around of the insert of Figures 26, 27 to engage the hook 541 of the first part. Thus, the injection hole 31, shown in Figures 28 and 29, may have a different orientation in relation to the injection 31 in Figures 26 and 27.
[00136] This particular modality allows the production of a range of different casings, adapted to stir and dissolve different types of food or drink ingredients.
[00137] Figures 30a and 30b are respectively a perspective and side view of an insert 5, which can be enclosed in a housing according to the invention. The insert comprises a beverage outlet 4 and two water inlet chambers 43 placed symmetrically around a beverage outlet. Both water inlet chambers 32 are connected to the same injection 31. Depending on the direction of insertion of the casing in the beverage preparation machine, one of the water inlet chambers 32 can be connected to the water source. As the outer ends 3b of both water inlet chambers 32 are usually both closed before using the wrapper - for example, covered by the wrapper sheet - the water needle of the beverage preparation machine can pierce the aforementioned sheet in one of the water inlet chambers 32 and keep the other water inlet chamber 32 closed.
[00138] Figure 31 illustrates the interaction of a wrapper according to the present invention with a machine for preparing beverage 8. The machine comprises the same components as the machine of Figure 9 and the cutter 85 for cutting the plug of the beverage outlet of the wrapper 1 when the wrapper has a plug on the beverage outlet, as illustrated for example in Figures 17 and 18.
[00139] Cutter 85 can be positioned so that the beverage outlet plug is automatically cut when the casing is inserted into the machine or when the beverage preparation is activated.
[00140] The present invention has the advantage of providing wrappers for preparing food or drinks, where a wide range of different foods and drinks can be produced in the same machine. Food and beverages may differ with respect to their nature (coffee, chocolate, soup, etc.), in their various aspects (coffee with cream, milk with foam, chocolate, and tea without bubbles, etc.), to their volume ( from espresso to soups), which can be obtained in the same machine. The machine elements can be very simple and are limited to a single water needle.
[00141] The present invention has the advantage of providing an easy preparation of food and drinks. The drink or food supplied from the wrapper is ready to be served, and does not require any additional steps to add foam to the drink.
[00142] The present invention has the advantage of providing wrappings, in which the ingredients, before use, are fully protected from the atmosphere.
[00143] The present invention has the advantage of providing wrappers for preparing food drinks, with which the contact of ingredients and prepared drink with the machine is avoided and the risk of contamination is limited. The prepared drinks have excellent organoleptic properties.
[00144] The present invention has the advantage of providing low environmental impact wrappers, since such wrappers can be made from a laminated pouch with a small plastic insert.
[00145] The present invention has the advantage of providing similarly global wrappings, but with a particular internal difference to deal with the preparation of various drinks from various food or drink ingredients having different properties, such as: dissolution difference , obstruction condition, volume difference.
[00146] This is a key element that highlights any violation or previous use, and allows the consumer to detect whether the sachet has been violated or used previously.
[00147] The present invention has the advantage of providing casings that can be easily produced from flexible sheets and a single insert in the simplest form. In particular, the enclosure usually does not have any filter or internal membrane that must be positioned in the internal volume during manufacture.

权利要求:
Claims (17)
[0001]
1. Casing (1) having an internal volume (2) in which a food or drink ingredient is stored, and in which a drink is produced when water is introduced into it, said casing comprising: - at least one inlet (3 ) configured to supply water to the internal volume of the enclosure; - at least one outlet (4) for firing a drink from the internal volume of the wrapper; - the inlet and outlet being positioned next to the base of the casing, the water inlet (3) being configured to introduce water in the form of a jet (6) into the internal volume of the casing, the drink outlet being a straight tube, said casing characterized by the fact that the casing has a plane shape oriented along a plane (P) that can be oriented vertically during beverage production, while the water inlet (3) guides the water jet in one direction comprised in said plane and the beverage outlet (4) is oriented vertically at the bottom of the housing.
[0002]
2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the water jet can have a speed of at least about 20 m / s.
[0003]
3. Casing according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the water inlet (3) is configured to transform the pressurized water introduced by a beverage machine into the casing into a high-speed water jet at the internal volume ( 2) the housing.
[0004]
4. Enclosure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises two flexible sheets impermeable to water joined to each other to define the internal volume (2).
[0005]
5. Casing according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the beverage outlet (4) can deliver the beverage as a free flow.
[0006]
6. Casing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beverage outlet (4) is an opening having a cross section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface with a diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, and even more preferably between 1.5 and 3 mm.
[0007]
7. Wrapper according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food or drink ingredient is a soluble food or drink ingredient.
[0008]
8. Enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water inlet (3) comprises an orifice that has a cross section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface with a diameter between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, preferably at most 1 mm, more preferably at least 0.24 mm, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5 mm, even more preferably about 0.4 mm.
[0009]
9. Housing according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the water inlet is configured to orient the water jet in the direction of the drink outlet (4).
[0010]
10. Housing, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing comprises a single insert (5) including water inlet (3) and beverage outlet (4), said single insert being positioned at the base (11) of the casing, optionally the single insert (5) of the casing having a shape that cooperates with the casing receiving area of a beverage preparation machine, and preferably the single casing insert has a shape configured to slide on the groove in the reception area of a machine for preparing drinks.
[0011]
11. Housing according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the single insert (5) is positioned at or near the middle of the bottom of said face.
[0012]
12. Housing according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the single insert (5) is positioned at or near a lower corner of said face.
[0013]
13. Casing according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the beverage outlet is closed in the manufacture, and configured to be opened in the beverage production step, optionally the beverage outlet is closed with a plug (42) , said plug comprising a means for keeping it attached to a housing, after opening the beverage outlet, preferably: - the means for keeping the plug (42) attached to a housing consists of a plastic connection (43) attached to the single insert (5); and / or - the beverage outlet has a weakening zone (44) close to the plug; and / or - the plug is part of a single insert (5) including the water inlet (3) and the drink outlet (4).
[0014]
14. Casing according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises two flexible sheets, impermeable to water, which are joined to define the internal volume (2), wherein the casing comprises an insert (5) including at least a water inlet (3) in which the water inlet (3) is included in the enclosure by the leaves (10) that define the internal volume, and optionally: - the enclosure is a flat enclosure made from a sheet of material (10), said sheet being folded at the top (114) of the wrapper forming two joined sheets, said sheets glued to the ends (111, 112, 113), to define the internal volume (2), and edges glued to the base (111) including insert (5), and / or - the outer end of the water inlet (3) is closed by the edges glued to the base of the sheet (111).
[0015]
15. Range of casings (1a, 1b) as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the casings differ with respect to the size of the internal volume (2) and / or internal dimensions of the beverage outlet (4) and / or internal dimensions of the water inlet (3) and / or position of the water inlet (3) and / or position of the drink outlet (4).
[0016]
16. Method for preparing a food or drink, characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: - providing a wrapper (1) as defined in any of claims 1 to 14, and positioning said wrapper with the inlet and outlet facing downwards; - inject water into the wrapper to mix with a food or drink ingredient; - allowing the prepared drink to escape through the outlet to a receptacle, - and preferably the water inlet (3) must be opened at the same time or after the opening of the drink outlet (4).
[0017]
17. Machine (8) for preparing drinks from a housing (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said housing (1) comprises a beverage outlet closed with a plug (42), said machine comprising at least: - a water source (84); - a pump (82) for pumping water from the water source; - a water needle (81) for injecting water into the water inlet (3) of the housing; - a device (85) for cutting or tearing the plug (42) of the beverage outlet of the casing, said machine being configured so that the plane (P) of the casing (1) is vertically oriented during the production of drinks while the water inlet (3) guides the water jet in a direction comprised in said plane (P) and the drink outlet is oriented vertically at the bottom of the casing.

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同族专利:

公开号 | 公开日

SG10201705888RA|2017-08-30|

DK2956386T3|2017-10-02|

SG11201506011TA|2015-08-28|

CN104995108B|2017-08-01|

MX2015010634A|2015-12-16|

MX364076B|2019-04-11|

PH12015501791A1|2015-11-09|

US20160001970A1|2016-01-07|

RU2656958C2|2018-06-07|

WO2014125123A1|2014-08-21|

BR112015019063A2|2017-07-18|

EP2956386A1|2015-12-23|

ES2640104T3|2017-10-31|

AU2014217787B2|2017-07-27|

CA2900991C|2021-03-30|

HUE034738T2|2018-02-28|

EP2956386B1|2017-07-19|

CN104995108A|2015-10-21|

JP2019089602A|2019-06-13|

PT2956386T|2017-10-30|

RU2015139686A|2017-03-23|

JP2016512976A|2016-05-12|

IL240333D0|2015-09-24|

CA2900991A1|2014-08-21|

JP6678456B2|2020-04-08|

CL2015002306A1|2015-12-28|

IL240333A|2019-01-31|

AU2014217787A1|2015-08-20|

PH12015501791B1|2015-11-09|

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法律状态:
2018-11-13| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2019-11-05| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A. (CH) |

2019-11-26| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2020-12-15| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-02-23| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 18/02/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

EP13155631.8|2013-02-18|

EP13155634|2013-02-18|

EP13155631|2013-02-18|

EP13155634.2|2013-02-18|

EP13177535|2013-07-23|

EP13177535.5|2013-07-23|

PCT/EP2014/053134|WO2014125123A1|2013-02-18|2014-02-18|Packs for preparing beverages|

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