巴西专利BR112016001361B1 BEVERAGE CAPSULE AND TRAINING DEVICE

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专利摘要:
beverage capsule; training device; and forming method for making a capsule shell a beverage capsule comprises a shell (2), which in turn comprises a base wall (3) and a side wall (4) defining a cavity (5) suitable for contain an initial product (p) to be combined with a fluid (f) to obtain a final product, plus an edge (7) extending from the sidewall (4). the capsule further comprises a covering element (8) fixed to the edge (7) to close the cavity (5) hermetically, which is pierceable by extraction means of a dispensing machine (60) where said capsule is usable. the casing (2) is made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastics and the edge (7) comprises a sealing element (9) comprising at least one protrusion (10) facing the base wall (3) which is also obtainable by said sheet formation defining at least one additional cavity (11) suitable for containing a flow, for example, air or inert gas. the covering element (8) is fixed to hermetically seal also the additional cavity (11) so as to create a pad which is deformable between the edge (7) and the covering element (8) which defines the sealing element (9 ) arranged to sealingly engage, when pressed, with adjacent means (64) of a dispensing machine (60).
公开号:BR112016001361B1
申请号:R112016001361-1
申请日:2014-07-25
公开日:2021-07-13
发明作者:Andrea Bartoli；Davide Capitini；Alessandro Grillenzoni
申请人:Sarong Societa' Per Azioni；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] The invention relates to capsules or containers for preparing products, for example, beverages, in automatic dispensing machines. In particular, the invention relates to a sealed, disposable, single-portion capsule that contains an initial product capable of making a final product through interaction with pressurized fluid.
[002] The invention further relates to a device and a method for making such a capsule.
[003] Known capsules for use in dispensing machines are single-portion, disposable containers comprising an outer shell, made of liquid and gas impermeable plastics and having a mug or cup shape. The casing has a bottom wall and a side wall defining an upper opening, through which the product can be inserted, and through which the beverage is obtained. The upper opening is hermetically closed by a covering element, typically an aluminum foil of a plastics film, in order to seal the product inside the container. The covering element is generally fixed to a flange-shaped, peripheral edge and annular edge of the casing, which is opposite the lower wall and arranged around the upper opening.
[004] The capsule is pierceable to allow the pressurized liquid, usually water, to be distributed, and the obtained drink to come out. In particular, the cover and the lower wall of the casing are pierceable by suitable means of a dispensing machine to enable, respectively, the pressurized liquid to be delivered from the top and the beverage to be extracted from the bottom.
[005] As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, a dispensing machine 500 of a known type comprises a housing 501 arranged to receive and close a capsule 550. The lower part of the housing 501 is provided with perforation means 502 for perforating a wall bottom 551 of the capsule 550 and injecting the pressurized fluid or extracting the beverage therefrom. During use, to prevent fluid or beverage from escaping from the housing 501 due to the high operating pressure, the sealing means 503 has to be interposed between the capsule 550 and the housing 501.
[006] The sealing means 503 generally comprises an annular washer, made of elastomeric material, interposed between the flange edge 552 of the capsule 550 and an adjacent portion 505 of the housing 501. When the capsule 550 is closed in the housing 501, the means seals 503 are compressed by a perforation element 504, thus ensuring hydraulic sealing.
[007] A disadvantage of this solution lies in the fact that the washer, after being subjected to wear and tear with use, comes into contact with the product and/or fluid every time a drink is dispensed without being able to be washed properly posteriorly. From a hygienic point of view, this solution is not ideal.
[008] In order to overcome this disadvantage, capsules are known to include a sealing element made of cost-effective and typically elastomeric material, which, when crushed when the capsule is inserted into the dispensing machine, ensures sealing. Such seals can also be used on dispensing machines devoid of sealing means.
[009] Patent EP 1654966 illustrates a beverage capsule comprising an elastic sealing element fixed to a circumferential edge of the capsule made of elastomeric material, in particular silicone rubber, different from the material used to form the capsule. The elastic element can be fixed to the capsule shell at a peripheral edge or a bottom wall of said shell.
[010] However, the capsule or this type is very expensive, because it requires the connection with the capsule shell of the silicone rubber sealing element to be made and connected, which, however, is difficult to secure by means of heat sealing.
[011] Capsules are also known from patent EP2303077 or from application EP2389326, which comprises a sealing element made of the same material as the shell of the capsule. The sealing element in this case is made as a plurality of concentric circumferential grooves made on the edge of the capsule, which, however, requires great manufacturing precision by injection molding means to ensure an ideal seal when the capsule is inserted inside the dispensing machine.
[012] If this accuracy is not achieved, unwanted leaks can occur when pressurized fluid is injected into the capsule and/or fills the housing in which the capsule is inserted.
[013] An object of the present invention is to improve known capsules for beverages, in particular, capsules usable in known dispensing machines provided with a suitable housing for containing and sealingly closing a capsule.
[014] Another objective is to make a capsule that is usable in known dispensing machines that ensures sealing during dispensing without the need for specific housing sealing means.
[015] An additional goal is to obtain a capsule that is cheap and easy to use.
[016] Yet another objective is to provide a device for making the capsule having a simple and reliable operation and a highly productive manufacturing method.
[017] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage capsule according to claim 1 and one or more claims appended thereto.
[018] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for producing capsules according to claim 14 and one or more claims appended thereto.
[019] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for producing capsules according to claim 23 and one or more claims appended thereto.
[020] The invention can be better understood and implemented by reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:
[021] Figure 1 is a schematic cross section of a known beverage capsule associated with a dispensing machine, which is also of known type;
[022] Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of a capsule according to the invention associated with a dispensing machine, illustrated schematically;
[023] Figure 3 is a partial front view, with some parts shown divided for clarity, of a capsule according to the invention;
[024] Figure 4 is an enlarged partial schematic cross-section of an edge of the capsule of Figure 3;
[025] Figure 5 is a schematic partial enlarged cross section of an edge of an alternative embodiment of the capsule of Figure 3;
[026] Figure 6 is a schematic front view of the forming means of the forming device of the invention during a preliminary forming step, in which the first operating means and the second operating means are in a forming position for molding a sheet material and a perforator, i.e. part of the second operating means is in an inactive raised position which is not in contact with the sheet material;
[027] Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the forming device of Figure 5 in an initial operational training stage, in which the perforator is in a reduced working position and cooperates with the foundation of the first operating means.
[028] Referring to Figure 2, the capsule 1 is illustrated for beverages according to the invention, which is usable in a dispensing machine 60, which is disclosed below, for producing a final product, in particular a hot beverage, eg coffee, barley, herbal tea, tea, chocolate, etc., by injecting a hot pressurized fluid F into it.
[029] The capsule 1 of the invention comprises an outer shell or a container 2, which in turn comprises a base wall 3 and a side wall that defines an open cavity 5 suitable for containing an initial product P, for example, a soluble or filterable food product to be combined with a fluid, typically water, to obtain a final product. The base wall 3 and the side wall 4 define a capsule body 1 substantially in the shape of a mug or cup.
[030] The casing further comprises a flange-shaped edge 7 connected to and extending from the side wall 4, arranged around the opening of the cavity 5. The edge 7 is further opposite the base wall 3 and is facing towards out in relation to cavity 5.
[031] Housing 2 is made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastics 100 (Figure 6 and Figure 7) that is suitable for the process of preparing the final product that starts with the initial product P, that is, by for example, capable of withstanding, without deformation, temperatures up to 100 °C and pressure up to 5 bar.
[032] This plastics sheet 100 can have a thickness of between 15 microns and 1200 microns, in particular between 15 microns and 700 microns and is made of a polyolefin, for example, polypropylene PP and/or polyethylene PE and/or polyamide PA .
[033] In detail, the sheet material may comprise a first layer of material, in particular suitable for contacting and/or preserving the initial product P, for example, made of polypropylene PP which is impermeable to moisture, a second layer of material that is not in contact with the initial product P made of material that is impermeable to gas, in particular to oxygen, and optionally also to moisture, also known as a barrier layer, and a third layer of external material.
[034] The barrier layer, interposed between the first and the second layer, ensures complete isolation from the external environment of the cavity 5, in particular if the first layer is permeable to oxygen over time. The barrier layer has a thickness of between 2 microns and 100 microns, in particular between 15 microns and 70 microns, and is made, for example, of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which is a gas impermeable only to oxygen, or chloride of polyvinylidene (PVDC), which is a gas impermeable to both oxygen and moisture.
[035] According to the first embodiment (not shown) of the sheet material, the first and third layers are made of the same material, eg polypropylene PP, and are coupled to the interposed barrier layer. Such layers can be the same thickness (eg 350 microns) or different thickness (eg the first layer can be 500 microns thick, while the third layer can be 300 microns thick).
[036] According to a second alternative embodiment (not shown), the first layer is a support layer and is made of PP polypropylene, the second layer is the barrier layer (EVOH or PVDC) and the third layer is a layer displaced from polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE, of thickness equal to 15 microns, which is coupled to the first and second layers during the manufacturing process of the sheet material.
[037] The sheet material, both in accordance with the first and the second embodiment, is thus selected so as to protect the initial product P contained in the capsule from moisture and oxygen over time.
[038] The capsule further comprises a covering element 8 fixed to the edge 7 of the housing 2 to hermetically seal the capsule 1, i.e. the opening cavity 5 and thus preserve the product P. The covering element 8 comprises a aluminum foil or a plastic film provided with a barrier layer which is pierceable by the extracting means to extract the final product from the dispensing machine 60.
[039] The covering element 8 is fixed to the edge 7 of the housing 2 by means of thermal or ultrasonic welding, or glue. Preferably, the covering element 8 is secured to the housing by means of heat sealing, as will be better seen below.
[040] The base wall 3 of the capsule also has a preferably circular orifice limited by an additional annular edge 3a that extends to the side wall 4 of the capsule. An additional covering element 25, similar to the covering element 8 and pierceable by cutting means and/or fluid injection means F of the dispensing machine 60, is fixed to the additional edge 3a outside the base wall 3, to close the orifice. of this, in a similar way to that which has already been said for the covering element 8.
[041] The thickness of the covering element 8 and/or the additional covering element 25 is expressed in grams and is comprised between 80 and 90 g/m2.
[042] The edge 7 of the capsule comprises a sealing element 9, comprising at least one protrusion 10, which is also obtainable by means of thermoforming, which faces the base wall and defines at least one additional opening cavity 11, suitable for containing a fluid, eg air or inert gas.
[043] The covering element 8 is fixed to the edge 7 of the housing 2 to hermetically seal the additional cavity 11 as well, so as to create a pad that is deformable between the edge 7 and the covering element 8 defining the sealing element 9.
[044] In addition to the protrusion 10, the edge 7 also has an annular flat end 6.
[045] As illustrated in Figure 2, the dispensing machine 60, which is of known type and is not disclosed in detail, comprises a foundation or space 61, which is suitable for receiving and containing the capsule 1 and locking means 62 arranged to securely lock within the above-mentioned space 61 the capsule 1, in an operating configuration.
[046] The dispensing machine 60 further comprises cutting means 65 inserted in the lower part 66 of the space 61 and arranged to perforate the base wall 3 of the capsule, in particular the additional covering element 25. The fluid injection means F ( not shown) are suitable for supplying pressurized fluid F to the foundation 61 of the dispensing machine. This fluid F, in turn, is injected into the cavity 5 of the capsule through the openings made in the base 3 of the capsule by the cutting means 65 .
[047] Extraction means (not shown) are provided to perforate the covering element 8 so as to enable the final product to exit the capsule 1.
[048] In a condition of use, the flange-shaped edge 7 of the capsule 1 is secured and compressed between the locking means 62 and the part 63 of a support structure 67 of the dispensing machine 60, in which the space 61 is obtained.
[049] The locking means 62 comprise, for example, an annular plate that acts on the edge 7 of the housing 2.
[050] Adjacent means 64 are provided in the support part 63 of the structure 67 and comprise one or more annular grooves that come into contact with the sealing element 9 of the capsule 1. As the sealing element 9 is a deformable pad filled with fluid, for example air or inert gas, due to the contact pressure generated by the locking means 62 in the configuration, it locally deforms and substantially takes the form of annular grooves of the adjacent means 64.
[051] In this way, the sealing element 9 is capable of sealingly engaging, when compressed, with the adjacent means 64 of the dispensing machine 60.
[052] This deformation ensures an optional seal of edge 7 with support portion 63 of frame 67, which prevents leakage from this of pressurized fluid F or end product during a dispensing operation step.
[053] The protrusion 10, which is obtainable through thermoforming, is arranged in a first annular circumferential zone 12 (Figure 4) of the edge 7. The protrusion 10 also has a mug or cup shape and comprises a respective base wall 13, parallel to the base wall 3 of the capsule 1, and a side wall 14 defining the additional opening cavity 11.
[054] The first annular zone 12 is created by the overall dimensions of the protrusion 10 at the edge 7 in a radial direction with respect to an axis of symmetry A of the capsule A of the capsule 1 and i.e. a maximum radial extension of the cavity opening additional 11.
[055] The sealing element 9 may comprise a single continuous annular protrusion 10 disposed in the first annular zone 12 and, in this case, the additional cavity 11 is annular, circumferential and continuous disposed outside the cavity 5 in a radial direction with respect to the axis of symmetry A.
[056] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the sealing element 9 comprises a plurality of protrusions 10 disposed in separate parts of the first annular zone 12, which define a plurality of additional cavities 11, separated and circumferentially disposed in the first ring zone 12.
[057] According to a different alternative embodiment (not shown), the plurality of protrusions 10 are alternatively arranged in separate parts of the first annular zone 12 and a second annular circumferential zone (not shown) of the edge 7, externally disposed. to the first annular zone 12 in a radial direction with respect to the axis of symmetry A.
[058] The radial extension, i.e. the extension measured in a radial direction, of the first annular zone 12 is selected so as to enable the capsule 1 to adapt to different models of dispensing machine, adjacent to adjacent means 64 of the machine distributing machine 60, however, are disposed radially in the dispensing machine 60. It is noted that if, optionally, the first annular zone 12 and the second annular zone are present because the protrusions 10 are disposed in distinct concentric annular zones, the measurements of radial extension that will be provided below shall be considered to be without loss of scope for a radial extension that includes the first annular zone 12 and the second annular zone.
[059] As shown in Figure 4, the first annular zone 12 has a radial extension comprised in a range from 1.50 mm to 2.8 mm, in particular, preferably in a range comprised between 1.60 mm and 2.50 mm, in particular preferably equal to 1.67 mm.
[060] The first annular zone 12 also has a distance 15 from the side wall 3, measured from the side wall 4 of the capsule 1 to the first annular zone 12, which is less than 1.20 mm, in particular preferably 0.75 mm .
[061] It should be noted that in the capsule 1 shown in Figure 4, the distance 15 is not zero because there is a substantially annular space 16 interposed between the side wall 4 of the capsule and the side wall 14 of the protrusion 10, which spaces the protrusion 10 to away from the sidewall 4 of the capsule 1.
[062] According to an alternative embodiment of the capsule shown in Figure 5, the annular space 16 is absent and the distance between the protrusion 10 and the side wall 4 of the capsule 1 is substantially zero, since the side wall 4 of the capsule and the sidewall 14 of the protrusion 10 have a common origin and together define an acute apex angle 17.
[063] All dimensions of the annular flat end 6 contribute to making the sealing element, as will be noted below. The annular flat end 6 has a radial extension 23 preferably comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably 1.42 mm.
[064] Considering, on the other hand, a measurement along an axis parallel to the axis of symmetry A, the protrusion 10 has a longitudinal extension 18 and thus a height, from the surface 6a of the flat annular end 6 facing towards the base wall 3 of the capsule 1 to the base wall 13 of the protrusion 10, comprised between 0.6 mm and 0.80 mm. If the base wall 13 of the protrusion 10 is parallel to the base wall 3 of the capsule 1, the longitudinal extension 18 is constant and preferably equal to 0.75 mm.
[065] However, the protrusion 10 may have a longitudinal extension that is greater than the longitudinal extension 18, added to the thickness of the housing 2, if the thermoforming is deeper in certain parts of the edge 7 than the annular flat end 6 of this, as, for example, in Figure 5, in which the apex 17 of the capsule is not aligned on the surface 6b of the flat annular end 6 of the edge 7, opposite the surface 6a.
[066] If the thickness of the housing 2 at the edge 7 is now considered, it has been experimentally established that the deformation of the sealing element is effective if at the edge 7 the housing has a thickness comprised in a range from 0.10 mm to 0. 60 mm and, in particular, if in the protrusion 10 the housing 2 has a first thickness 19 comprised in a range from 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm, in particular preferably comprised in a range from 0.15 to 0.55 mm in particular more preferably in a range from 0.15 mm to 0.40 mm, in particular preferably in a range from 0.15 to 0.20 mm; if, on the other hand, the annular flat end 6 has a second thickness 20 comprised in a range from 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm, in particular preferably in a range from 0.15 mm to 0.55 mm, in particular even more preferably in a range of 0.15 mm to 0.40 mm, in particular preferably in a range of 0.20 mm to 0.25 mm.
[067] The first thickness 19 and the second thickness 20 are suitably selected, as long as they can allow the sealing element 9 to flex and deform when compressed by adjacent means 64 of the dispensing machine 60.
[068] The covering element 8 is joined to the edge 7 of the capsule 1, in particular by means of heat sealing, at least along a first annular joint part 21 and a second 22, respectively, inside and outside the first annular zone 12 in a radial direction.
[069] The first joining part 21 has a radial extension comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably equal to 0.4 mm.
[070] The second joining part 22 has a radial extension comprised between 1 mm and 1.8 mm, preferably 1.42 mm, and extends substantially along the entire flat end 6.
[071] If the capsule 1 comprises protrusions 10 alternatively arranged in separate parts of the first annular zone 12 and the second annular circumferential zone of the edge 7, in addition to the first joining part 21 and the second joining part 22 there is a third joining part respectively outside the second annular zone in a radial direction, and the covering element 8 is joined to the edge 7 of the capsule 1, in particular by means of heat sealing, also along the third joining part.
[072] In this case, the first joint part 21 and the second joint part 22 have a radial extension comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, preferably equal to 0.4 mm, while the third part of junction has a radial extension between 1 mm and 1.8 mm, preferably 1.4 mm, as long as it extends over the entire flat annular end 6.
[073] The first joining part 21 and the second joining part 22, and optionally the third joining part, above all when obtained by means of heat sealing, have locking characteristics in the sense that they ensure that the capsule retains over time the initial product P under ideal conditions during storage, but at the same time ensure that the sealing element 9 is kept unchanged even when the latter flexes and is deformed by the adjacent means 64 of the dispensing machine 60. In others words, the joint parts do not produce and maintain the sealing element 8 whole and joined to the housing 2 even when the joint parts are subjected to pressure.
[074] The capsule 1 of the invention thus guarantees an ideal seal inside the dispensing machine, during the dispensing step, without requiring the use of specific washers associated with the dispensing machine and/or with the capsule.
[075] In this way, the ideal hygiene conditions are guaranteed in the distribution procedure and the moderate costs for capsule production, as the capsule can be quickly and easily obtained by thermoforming a plastic sheet. Due to the presence of the deformable pad between the edge 7 and the covering element 8 defining the sealing element 9, the capsule can adapt to different realizations of adjacent means 64 of the dispensing machines 60, without the need to make different molded edges 7 for each type of dispensing machine model.
[076] The capsule 1 of the invention is thus able to adapt to different models of dispensing machines 60.
[077] It is added that the deformability of the sealing element 9 is guaranteed by the type of sheet material selected, which is itself deformable, but above all by the thickness of the housing 2 on the edge 7 of the capsule 1, which is obtainable by thermoforming.
[078] In particular, the thickness 19 of the thermoformed housing 2 in the protrusion 10 ensures the deformability of the air cushion and its flexibility, and guarantees the effectiveness of the protrusion 10 as a sealing element 9. Furthermore, it has been observed in experiments that also the selection of a suitable thickness 20 in the annular flat end 6 and the radial extension 23 is important as also the annular flat end 6 contributes to making an effective seal.
[079] The flat annular end 6 of the edge 7 is, in fact, able to become deformable and follow the contour of the adjacent means of the dispensing machine over the entire radial extension 23, contributing to avoid undesirable losses of liquid.
[080] The simplicity of manufacturing the capsule by thermoforming and inserting the joined covering element 8 in the first and second junction parts 21 and 22 on opposite sides of the protrusion 10 thus ensure that the deformable pad is made in a simple way, significantly reducing production costs.
[081] The forming device for making the capsule 1 by forming a thermoformable sheet material 100 comprises means for forming a capsule housing 2, shown in Figures 6 and 7, which is associated with a forming station (not shown) . Housing 2 comprises a base wall 3, a side wall 4 defining with the base wall 3 a cavity 5 and an edge 7 extending from the side wall 4.
[082] The device may further comprise a plurality of work stations (not shown) arranged upstream or downstream of the training station, such as, for example, a heating station to heat the sheet material 100 arranged upstream of the station of forming to bring the sheet material to high temperatures so as to enable the sheet material 100 to be softened and plastically deformed in the subsequent forming station. Downstream of the forming station there is also a cutting station where suitable cutting means drill in each housing 2 a hole in a base wall 3 of the capsule, limited by an additional annular edge 3a. a first joining station is provided for joining, in particular by means of heat sealing, a covering element 25 to the edge 3a of the base wall 3 with an external closure of the hole obtained therein. The cutting means further separate the thermoformed housings 2 from the sheet of material 100, from which they were obtained, and the first joining station can be provided upstream or downstream of the cutting station, to close the base wall 3 of the capsule. with the 2 thermoformed housings that have already been separated or are still joined to the sheet of material 100.
[083] A filling station to fill the cavity 5 of the housing 2 with the product P can be provided upstream or downstream of the cutting station, in the sense that the thermoformed housings 2 can be filled (in which clearly the element of additional cover 25 has already been attached to the base wall 3 to close the hole obtained therein), but still attached to the sheet of material 100 or the fillable housings 2 are cut individually and separated from each other, for example, due to non-filling. be carried out online in relation to training. A second joining station is further provided for joining, in particular by means of heat sealing, a covering element 8 to an edge 7 of the housing 2 to a first joining part 21, to a second joining part 22 and optionally the a third joining part.
[084] The housing forming means comprise the first operating means 202 and second operating means 203, respectively, positioned on opposite sides, for example, below and above the sheet material 100 provided thereto, which are movable to the along a forming axis between a separate position (not shown) in which sheet material 100 can be supplied thereto and a forming position shown in Figures 6 and 7 in which sheet material 100 is molded to set the 2 capsule housing.
[085] In a known form, the first operating means 202 are provided with a support surface 204 that is substantially flat and configured to support, during forming, the sheet material and is provided with a foundation 205 with the side walls 206 and with a bottom wall 207, which are respectively suitable for molding the base wall 3 and the side wall 4 of the housing 2. The foundation 205 is substantially cup-shaped to mold a body of the capsule.
[086] The first operating means 202 further comprise a space 208 which communicates with a mouthpiece 209 of the foundation 205 and which has, in a plan view, larger overall dimensions than the foundation 205. The space 208 comprises a point wall. support 210 surrounding foundation 205, which is substantially parallel and spaced from support surface 204. The reason why support wall 210 is spaced from support surface 204 is illustrated in more detail below.
[087] The first operating means 202 are further provided with conduits (not shown), within which a cooling fluid flows, i.e. suitable for rapidly cooling the sheet material when it is deformed in a final forming step inside of the foundation 205 obtained in the first operating means 202, so as to impart suitable rigidity characteristics to the body of the capsule 1 after thermoforming.
[088] The second operating means 203 comprise, in a known manner, a bell 211 that limits a closed space 212 within which the capsule housing 1 is formed, when the first operating means 202 and the second operating means 203 are in the training position.
[089] The second operating means 203 further comprises a perforator 218 that is movable within the bell 211 between an elevated position in which it is inactive and not in contact with the sheet material (Figure 6) and a preliminary forming step and a reduced working position in which the perforator cooperates with the foundation 205, intercepting the sheet material 100 to perforate the sheet material 100 towards the foundation 205 (Figure 7) during at least a first step of forming operation.
[090] In the second operating means 203, the plate means 213 is also provided to lock the sheet material against the support surface 204 during the formation of the capsule 1, and an additional space 214 is also provided suitably to define with the space 208 is a chamber 215 limiting a portion 216 to be formed of the sheet material, intercepted by perforator 218 in the first forming step.
[091] The second operating means 203 further comprises means for supplying compressed air 217 to the chamber 215 to press the sheet material 100 in a final forming step (not shown) against the bottom wall 207 and the side wall 206 of the foundation 205 and against fulcrum wall 210, thus molding base wall 3, side wall 4 and board 7 of housing 2 of the capsule.
[092] To enable this, the plate means 213 is provided with a hole 223 to allow the passage of the perforator 218 and the compressed air in the chamber 215 and towards the first operating means 202.
[093] The first operating means 202 comprise, according to the invention, at least one additional foundation 219 that also communicates with the space 208 by means of a respective mouth 220.
[094] The additional foundation 219 is disposed externally to the foundation 205 in a radial direction relative to the forming axis B and is suitable for molding the additional cavity 11 at the edge 7 of the housing 2 by means of the compressed air supplied to the chamber 215 in step of final formation, forming the corresponding protrusion 10.
[095] The additional foundation 219 is obtained in a first annular circumferential section 221 of the fulcrum wall 210, in a radial direction with respect to the forming axis B, which corresponds in the capsule 1 formed to the first annular circumferential zone 12 of the edge 7, in which the protrusion 10 is disposed. The first annular circumferential section 221 is suitable for molding in the housing 2 the first annular circumferential zone 12 of the edge 7.
[096] The additional foundation 219 comprises a respective bottom wall 222 substantially parallel to the bottom wall 207 of the foundation 205.
[097] If the additional foundation 219 is a continuous annular groove in the first annular section 221, the protrusion 10 of the housing 2, and thus of the finished capsule obtainable by the forming means 201, is also a continuous annular protrusion.
[098] If, on the other hand, the first operating means 202 comprise a plurality of grooves (not shown) arranged in separate parts of the first annular section 221, the capsule 1 obtainable by the forming means 202 and 203 will comprise a plurality of protrusions separated 10.
[099] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the first operating means 202 may comprise a plurality of grooves alternatively arranged in separate parts of the first annular section 221 and a second annular section, externally disposed in a radial direction with respect to the first annular section 221 to obtain a housing 2, and thus a capsule, provided with protrusions disposed alternatively along the first annular region 12 and the second annular region.
[0100] As mentioned above, the forming device further comprises cutting means for cutting the sheet material after forming, thus obtaining formed housings 2 provided with the edge 7 and with the cup body, made by the base wall 3 and the side wall 4. The cutting means is arranged to cut the sheet material out of the first annular section 221, at a distance from the first annular section which is such as to make in the finished capsule the annular flat end 6 of the desired dimension. .
[0101] The forming device further comprises joining means for joining, by means of heat sealing, the covering element 8 to the thermoformed housing 2, in the first and second joining part of the joining means (not shown) to obtain a finished capsule provided with a housing 2 joined to the covering element 8 in a first annular joining part 21 and a second 22.
[0102] In this way, the covering element 8 can hermetically close both the cavity 5 and the additional cavity 11 and, as the air is trapped, a deformable pad is made, which defines the sealing element 9, which is arranged to being deformed and sealingly engaged, when pressed, with adjacent means 64 of a dispensing machine. Alternatively, and without limiting the scope, a fluid other than air, such as an inert gas such as nitrogen instead of air, can be supplied in a known manner to ensure the completeness of the product P contained in the capsules.
[0103] For making the capsule 1 of the invention by means of the device disclosed above, a method is provided for forming a housing 2 of the capsule comprising, in a preliminary forming step, arranging in contact with a forming position the first means operating means 202 and second operating means 203, which are movable towards and away from each other along the forming axis B and the arrangement of a punch 218 of the second operating means in an elevated position, in which it is inactive .
[0104] The method further provides support of a sheet material and shaping a base wall 3 and a side wall 4 of the capsule housing 2 by a foundation 205 obtained in the first operating means 202, providing a space 208 that communicates with a mouthpiece 209 of foundation 205 which has, in plan view, greater overall dimensions than foundation 205.
[0105] The method further comprises defining a chamber 215 between the space 208 and an additional space 214 of the second operating means 203 to limit a part to be formed 216 of the sheet material 100 and blocking the material in at least a first forming step, in which a punch 218 of the second operating means 203 intercepts the part to be formed 216, piercing the part towards the foundation 205.
[0106] In the first forming step, the perforator 218 is, in fact, reduced that intercepts a central part 216a of the part to be formed 216, punching the central part 216a against the foundation 205, as shown in Figure 7.
[0107] It should be noted that the part to be formed 216 has side parts 216b suspended within the chamber 215, from the central part 216a to the locking point by the plate means 213, provided that the fulcrum wall 210 is spaced from the support surface 204 on which the sheet material is supported and advanced. Foundation 205 and additional foundation 219 are, in other words, smaller than support surface 204, considering a vertical forming axis B. Such suspended side parts 216b enable the material to maintain an ideal thermoforming temperature to prevent unwanted cooling in contact with the cooled walls of foundation 205, prior to the time at which the sheet material is to be molded into the final shape of housing 2.
[0108] In addition, the sheet material 100 is thus stretched more vertically and this prevents unwanted plastic build-up, especially at the blocking points.
[0109] After the perforator 218 in the reduced position has intercepted the sheet material, compressed air is supplied to the chamber 215 in a final forming step, to press the sheet material against the foundation 205 and against the fulcrum wall 210 of the space 208 surrounding the foundation 205, thus forming an edge 7 of the housing 2, which extends from the sidewall 4. As the additional foundation 219 is also in communication with the space 209 and is disposed outside the foundation in one direction. radially, also the additional cavity 11 is formed at the edge 7 of the housing 2 at the same time as the cavity 5, provided that the sheet material in the final forming step is pressed by compressed air against the bottom wall 222 and the side walls of the additional foundation. 219.
[0110] Therefore, it should be noted that the formation of housing 2 is terminated due to the compressed air provided in the final forming step.
[0111] Due to the suspended sides 216b, the presence of zones of the sheet material at a temperature lower than the ideal forming temperature is avoided, and thus housing 2, when pressed and stabilized by compressed air against the surfaces cooled of the first operating means 202, assumes a definite and precise final shape without the zones of incorrectly molded material.
[0112] After forming, in particular thermoforming, the base wall 3 of the housing is cut and then joined to the additional covering element 25 to enable subsequent filling of the cavity 5.
[0113] As soon as the cavity 5 is filled with a dose of initial product P, the housing 2 is hermetically closed by means of heat sealing, affixing a covering element 8 to an edge 7 of the housing 2, and making the cavity 5 which contains the initial product P and the additional cavity 11 which contains a fluid, air or inert gas.
[0114] Due to the device and method of this invention, a sealing element 9 is made simply and inexpensively by thermoforming, simultaneously forming a cavity 5 and an additional cavity 11 of the edge 7 of the housing 2 by means of the foundation 205 and the additional foundation 219.
[0115] By further joining the hermetically sealed covering element 8 of the cavity 5 and the additional cavity 11 and simply letting the air enter the additional cavity 11 or supplying a different pressurized fluid thereto, such as an inert gas, a deformable pad is made defining the sealing member 9 of the capsule arranged to be deformed and sealingly engage, when pressed, with adjacent means 64 of a dispensing machine.

权利要求:
Claims (18)
[0001]
1. BEVERAGE CAPSULE, characterized in that it comprises a casing (2), which in turn comprises a base wall (3) and a side wall (4) defining a cavity (5) suitable for containing an initial product (P) to be combined with a fluid (F) to obtain a final product, and further comprising an edge (7) extending from said sidewall (4); wherein said capsule further comprises a covering element (8) fixed to said edge (7) to hermetically seal said cavity (5), said covering element (8) being pierceable by extracting means of a dispensing machine (60), where said capsule is usable, wherein said shell (2) is made by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastics and said edge (7) comprises a sealing element (9) comprising at least one protrusion (10) facing said base wall (3), which is disposed in a first annular circumferential zone (12) of said edge (7) and is also obtainable by said formation, said protrusion (10) defining at least one additional cavity (11) suitable for containing a fluid, for example air or inert gas, said covering element (8) being fixed to hermetically seal also said additional cavity (11), so as to create a pad which is deformable between the said edge (7) and said covering element (8) defining said sealing element (9) arranged to sealingly engage, when compressed, with adjacent means (64) of a dispensing machine (60), and wherein said covering element (8) is joined to said edge (7 ) of said capsule (1) by heat sealing along a first annular junction portion (21) and a second annular junction portion (22) respectively within and beside said first annular region (12) in a radial direction.
[0002]
2. CAPSULE according to claim 1, characterized in that said sealing element (9) comprises a single continuous annular protrusion disposed to said first annular region (12).
[0003]
CAPSULE according to claim 1, characterized in that said sealing element (9) comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged in separate parts of said first annular region (12).
[0004]
4. CAPSULE according to claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of protrusions are alternatively disposed in separate parts of said first annular circumferential zone (12) and a second annular circumferential zone of said edge, externally disposed in a direction that is radial to said first annular region (12).
[0005]
5. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first annular zone (12) has a radial extension comprised in a range from 1.50 mm to 2.8 mm, in particular, preferably in a range comprised between 1.60 mm and 2.50 mm, in particular, preferably equal to 1.67 mm.
[0006]
6. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first annular region (12) has a distance (15) from said side wall (4) which is less than 1.20 mm, in particular, preferably 0.75 mm.
[0007]
7. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said protrusion (10) has a longitudinal extension (18) comprised between 0.6 mm and 0.80 mm, said longitudinal extension (18) measured by the along an axis parallel to a symmetric axis A of the capsule from a surface (6a) of an annular flat end (6) of said edge (7) facing said base wall (3) of said capsule towards a base wall ( 13) of said protrusion (10); and wherein, in particular, said longitudinal extension (18) is constant and equal to 0.75 mm, if said base wall (13) of said protrusion (10) is parallel to said base wall (3) of said capsule (1) .
[0008]
8. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said edge (7) of the casing (2) has a thickness comprised in a range from 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm and, in particular, in the protrusion (10) the casing (2) has a first thickness (19) comprised in a range from 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm, in particular, preferably comprised in a range from 0.15 to 0.55 mm, in particularly, even more preferably comprised in a range of from 0.15 mm to 0.40 mm, in particular, preferably comprised in a range of 0.15 to 0.20 mm; and wherein at the annular flat end (6) the casing (2) has a second thickness (20) comprised in a range of 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm, in particular, preferably in a range of 0.15 mm to 0.55 mm, in particular, even more preferably in a range of 0.15 mm to 0.40 mm, in particular preferably comprised in a range of 0.20 mm to 0.25 mm, said first thickness (19 ) and said second thickness (20) being such as to enable the sealing element (9) to flex and be deformed, when compressed, by said adjacent means (64) of said dispensing machine (60).
[0009]
9. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said edge (7) has an annular flat end (6), whose radial extension (23) is comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably 1.42 mm.
[0010]
10. CAPSULE according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a third joining part, respectively, outside said second annular region in said radial direction, said covering element (8) being joined to said edge (7) of the said capsule, in particular, by means of heat sealing, also along the third junction part.
[0011]
11. CAPSULE according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said sheet of thermoformable plastics comprises at least a first layer of material, in particular in contact and/or keeping said initial product (P) and a second layer of material, made of material that is impermeable, in particular to oxygen.
[0012]
12. FORMATION DEVICE for obtaining a capsule by forming a sheet of thermoformable plastics (100), wherein said capsule (1) comprises a casing (2) which in turn comprises a base wall ( 3) and a sidewall (4) defining a cavity (5) and an edge (7) extending from said sidewall (4), comprising forming means (202, 203) of said casing (2), comprising: first operating means (202) provided with a support surface (204) of said sheet material (100), with a foundation (205) which is suitable for shaping said base wall (3) and said side wall (4 ) of said casing (2) and with a space (208) that communicates with the mouth (209) of said foundation (205) and which has, in a plan view, greater overall dimensions than said foundation (205); second operating means (203) comprising plate means (213) comprising an additional space (214) suitable for defining with said space (208) a chamber (215) limiting a part (216) to be formed of said material of sheet (100), a perforator (218) cooperating with said foundation (205) and suitable for intercepting said part (216) during at least a first step of forming operation, wherein said plate means (213 ) are suitable for locking said sheet material (100) against said supporting surface (204), wherein said second operating means (203) comprises means for supplying compressed air (217) to said chamber (215) for pressing said sheet material (100) in a final step of said formation against said foundation (205) and against a fulcrum (210) of said space (208) surrounding said foundation (205) so as to shape said base wall (3), said side wall (4) and said edge (7) of said casing (2); and wherein said first operating means (202) and said second operating means (203) are movable between the spaced apart position and a forming position along a forming axis (B), characterized by said first means of operation (202) further comprise at least one additional foundation (219) that communicates with said space (208) by means of a respective mouthpiece (220), said additional foundation (219) being disposed externally to said foundation (205) in a radial direction with respect to said forming axis (B) and being suitable for shaping an additional cavity (11) in said edge (7) of said casing (2) by means of said compressed air (217) in said final step of said formation, wherein said additional foundation (219) is obtained in a first annular circumferential section (221) of said fulcrum wall (210) suitable for forming in said casing (2) a corresponding first circumferential zone (12 ) of said edge (7), wherein said device it further comprises joining means for joining, in particular by means of heat sealing, after filling said cavity (5) of said capsule with an initial product (P), a covering element (8) to said edge (7) of said casing (2) at least along the first annular joint part (21) and a second annular joint part (22), respectively, inside and outside said first annular region (12) in a radial direction, so to complete said capsule and, in order to hermetically close said cavity (5) containing said initial product and said additional cavity (11), in particular, containing a fluid similar to air or inert gas, to make a air cushion between said edge (7) and said covering element (8) which is suitable for defining a sealing element (9) in said capsule arranged to be deformed and sealingly engage, when compressed, with adjacent means (64) of a dispensing machine (60).
[0013]
A device according to claim 12, characterized in that said additional foundation (219) is a continuous annular groove disposed to said first annular section (221).
[0014]
The device of claim 12, characterized in that said first operating means (202) comprise a plurality of grooves disposed in separate parts of said first annular section (221).
[0015]
A device according to claim 14, characterized in that said first operating means (202) comprise a plurality of grooves arranged alternatively in separate parts of said first annular circumferential section (221) and a second annular circumferential section of the wall. fulcrum (210), disposed externally in said radial direction with respect to said first annular circumferential section (221).
[0016]
A device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that said foundation (205) and said additional foundation (219) comprise respective lower walls, said bottom wall (207) of said foundation (205) being parallel to said bottom wall (222) of said additional foundation (219).
[0017]
A device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that said plate means (213) are provided with a hole (223) to enable said compressed air (217) and said perforator (218) to pass through said chamber (215) towards said first operating means (202).
[0018]
A device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises cutting means for cutting said sheet material (100) out of said first annular section (221), wherein said cutting means are arranged downstream of said forming means (202, 203) in an advancing direction of the sheet material (100).

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同族专利:

公开号 | 公开日

AU2014294641A1|2016-02-18|

AU2018204041B2|2019-11-07|

KR20160037906A|2016-04-06|

CA2918162C|2021-08-03|

WO2015011683A1|2015-01-29|

EP3024756B1|2017-09-06|

JP2016532484A|2016-10-20|

ES2651166T3|2018-01-24|

ITMO20130214A1|2015-01-27|

AU2018204041A1|2018-07-05|

KR102206315B1|2021-01-25|

AU2018204041A2|2018-08-02|

BR112016001361A2|2017-07-25|

AU2018204041A8|2018-10-11|

EP3024756A1|2016-06-01|

CA2918162A1|2015-01-29|

JP6517200B2|2019-05-22|

US20160159563A1|2016-06-09|

CN105408227B|2017-09-12|

CN105408227A|2016-03-16|

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法律状态:
2018-11-06| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2019-12-31| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2021-02-17| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|

2021-05-25| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

2021-07-13| 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 25/07/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

ITMO2013A000214|2013-07-26|

IT000214A|ITMO20130214A1|2013-07-26|2013-07-26|CAPSULE FOR BEVERAGES AND ITS APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION|

PCT/IB2014/063422|WO2015011683A1|2013-07-26|2014-07-25|Capsule for beverages and respective production apparatus and method|

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