ES2646277T3 - Dosage container for a capsule for the preparation of beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

Dosing container (10) for a beverage bulk product for preparing a beverage, which comprises: a side wall (11) laterally delimiting the dosage container (10); a base plate (13) distally delimiting the dosage container (10); wherein through the wall (11) and the base plate (13) a bulk product chamber (20) is formed to accommodate a metered quantity of the beverage bulk product; and where at least one preferably central area of the base plate (13) is positioned so that it can move axially between a first and a second position of the base relative to the wall (11), so that a volume of the chamber for bulk product (20) is variable, where the base plate (13) has a mandrel element (143) that projects distally, characterized in that the base plate (13), by means of a moving section circumferential (136), is connected to the wall (11), so that the base plate (13) has a rigid transmission element (14) that projects proximally to provide the aforementioned axial movement of the base plate ( 13) in the case of proper use, and because the base plate (13) is designed as a filter element and has a plurality of through holes (131) from a proximal side of the plate (137) towards a distal side of plate (138).

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

DESCRIPTION

Dosing container for a capsule for the preparation of beverages Technical area

The present invention refers to a dosage container for the preparation of beverages according to the preamble of claim 1, as! as of claim 2, and to a capsule with such a dosage container.

State of the art

From WO 03/059778 a capsule is known for the preparation of hot beverages, which inside - in a distal area - has a flexible disc, convex upwards, formed against the center of the capsule, with a mandrel . The mandrel is oriented against a distal end of the capsule, which is distanced. Applying pressure in the capsule chamber said flexible disk is deformed; The mandrel above it is pressed against the distal end of the capsule and finally perforates the distal wall of the capsule, thus creating! an opening for the exit of the beverage prepared in the capsule.

The aforementioned capsule has the disadvantage that it requires an expensive fabrication, since it is made up of individual parts that must be joined together. In addition, the powder to prepare the beverage is compressed to a high degree during preparation, which can lead to an obstacle to the flow of water.

WO 2007/114685 describes a dosage container for a liquid food, which can be mixed and diluted with another liquid. A mixing element is provided for this, with the aid of which a Venturi effect can be achieved. The mixing element is arranged in a flexible base section of the dosing container and can be moved by applying pressure on a beverage preparation machine.

Application WO 2011/035942 A1 refers to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage with a base, a side wall and a lid to form a closed chamber. A punch is arranged inside the capsule, where pressure is applied on a machine for preparing drinks, an opening is formed in the base of the capsule.

In WO 2011/138405 A1 a container for housing a liquid base product is described. The container has a mixing chamber for mixing a liquid with the base product, where a movable adjustment element can move between a neutral position and a penetration position, to enable the mixture to exit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a dosage container that can be manufactured in a simple manner. It is also the object of the invention to provide a dosing container that allows a better flow passage during extraction.

This object will be achieved through a dosing container according to claim 1. Accordingly, the objects will be reached through a dosing container for bulk beverage product to prepare a beverage, in particular a hot beverage, which it comprises: a wall that laterally delimits the dosing container; a base plate that delimits the dosing container distally; where through the wall and the base plate a chamber for bulk product is formed to accommodate a dosed amount of the bulk beverage product; and where at least one preferably central area of the base plate is positioned so that it can move axially between a first and a second position of the base relative to the wall, so that a volume of the product chamber in bulk it is variable, so that the base plate, by means of a circumferential movement section, is connected to the wall, so that the base plate has a rigid transmission element that projects proximally to provide the mentioned axial movement of the motherboard in the case of proper use.

It is possible that the base plate is made in a flexible way and that it is fixed directly on the wall, so that it, through the transmission element, can move between a first position of the base and a second position of the base, by deformation of the base plate. In this way, the base plate, in the first position of the base, for example with its center, can be curved in a convex design against the interior of the chamber for bulk product and through the deformation it can pass to a design convex in the second position, so that the center is curved, distancing itself from the interior. Preferably, however, the base plate is designed so that, in the case of axial movement of the

motherboard between the first and second position of the base, it essentially maintains its shape. In the latter case, a section of movement is provided that connects the base plate and the wall, allowing the axial movement of the base plate relative to the wall. The movement section is performed circumferentially around the base plate, as well! As of the wall.

5 The proximal side is the side of the fluid line from the preparation device; The distal side is the side of the beverage outlet. The proximal side of the base plate is thus oriented against the inside of the chamber for bulk product; the distal side is oriented against the outside of the bulk product chamber, against the proximal direction. The axial direction, the L direction, extends along the symmetry axis of the wall, from the proximal side to the distal side. The lateral direction extends perpendicularly, distancing itself from the axial direction.

The bulk beverage product is preferably coffee powder, chocolate powder, tea and / or milk powder. The dosing container in all cases can also be used for gel-like liquids essentially at room temperature or in particular dense.

Preferably, the dosing container is formed with the wall, the base plate and a movement section 15 between the base plate and the wall, as a single-piece, cup-shaped piece. The dosage container can be for example an injection molding element. This allows a particularly convenient fabrication in terms of costs. In particular, the dosage container may be composed of a polymer such as propylene, polyethylene, polyamide (PAL) or other sintered and / or moldable materials, with similar properties. A preferred density of the wall material, at least in the area of flat structures, is approximately between 0.4 and 1 millimeter.

The motion section connects the motherboard with the wall, like this! as in it, and preferably it is made circumferentially, so that a complete area between the wall and the base plate is fluid tight (in particular for water). The motherboard can be made as much as a disk.

That section of movement, preferably completely circumferential, can be a folded section, in particular a section by way of a bellows, which, due to the reduced material density and / or the type of material, is flexible in comparison with the motherboard. Preferably, the movement section connects the wall and the base plate tightly to the water.

In a refinement, the movement section is placed in a section of the distal end in the wall and of the edge side in the base plate. In this way, the movement section can be kept to its minimum extent.

Cross sections of the wall or chamber for bulk product are possible in at least some round sections, in particular completely circular or also other cross sections, for example polygonal, depending on how the cross section of a cage cage is formed. a preparation device. Preferably, the base plate has the same conformation of the cross section.

35 The wall, therefore, between a proximal upper edge and a distal lower edge, may surround a space, where the chamber for bulk products is formed. The wall can be in the form of a cylinder, a truncated cone, an orthohedron, or similar figures, and can form a correspondingly made cavity, as a bulk product chamber. It is considered especially preferred that the wall conforms to a hollow cylinder.

Preferably, the base plate is in the first position of the base in the wall cavity (therefore, 40 with respect to the axial direction between the upper edge and the lower edge of the wall). The base plate in the first position of the base, for example with its edge area, may be aligned with the bottom edge of the wall or may be located displaced from 2 to 15 millimeters from the bottom edge of the wall (tongue) with a height of 20 to 30 millimeters, in particular about 24 millimeters into the chamber. In the second position of the base, the base plate, connected to the wall by means of the movement section, can be distanced distally from 3 to 10 millimeters, in particular approximately 5 millimeters, from the wall (i.e. not between the wall, namely distally from the bottom edge of the wall). In the second position of the base the base plate is preferably separated by the wall. Alternatively, the base plate, also in the first position of the base, may be outside the wall. In the latter case, the diameter of the base plate may have a smaller, equal or larger diameter of the cavity. Alternatively, the base plate may be in the cavity in both positions of the base. Preferably, a puncture element (the mandrel element, see below), projects distally over the lower edge of the wall.

It is considered preferred that the cavity be cylindrical, with a diameter of up to 4 centimeters, in particular 3.2 centimeters and that a base plate diameter be comparatively smaller (for example from 2 to 3 centimeters, in particular 2 , 4 centimeters) than the diameter of the mentioned cavity.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

The area of the edge of the base plate having a distal surface and a proximal surface extends in the area along the circumference of the base plate. The edge area is approximately 2 to 3 millimeters wide. The base plate with a center may be curved in the distal direction, so that the center forms a distal tip of the plate. The edge area may be made inclined with respect to the surface of the plate in the proximal direction, at 30 to 90 degrees, in particular at approximately 80 degrees.

The base plate has a rigid transmission element that projects proximally to provide the mentioned axial movement of the base plate in the case of proper use. Said transmission element can be made in particular in the form of a finger, a tube or a bar and, preferably, is located in the center on the plate, extending in the axial direction. The transmission element reinforced in any case by means of longitudinal ribs allows a thrust or traction movement of the base plate by way of a pusher, relative to the wall. Preferably, the transmission element is made and fixed so that it is preferably formed of a piece with the base plate, so that it also becomes mobile in the case of a traction towards the proximal direction and in the case of a pressure at transmission element length. Preferably, the transmission element is made monolithically and, preferably, is arranged in the center, on the base plate. Preferably, the transmission element projects proximally on an upper edge of the wall when the base plate is in the first position of the base.

This movement of the motherboard, controlled in particular by the transmission element, causes the bulk beverage material in the chamber to be previously compressed markedly less. In this way an improved flow of a liquid through bulk preparation material is possible.

Preferably, the transmission element is shaped so that after the insertion of the capsule with the dosing container in the cage of the preparation machine capsule, the transmission element, when the machine is closed through the movement of closing, be moved so that the base plate that is in the first position of the base conducts the volume of the chamber of bulk product so that it increases towards the second position of the base. During the insertion in the machine there will be more space for the bulk preparation product. The aforementioned is considered to be especially advantageous in the case of a product that swells, allowing the dosing container, during filling of the chamber, to have a smaller dead chamber volume (ie volume not filled through the product) . On the part of the manufacturer, in this way, an optimal filling of the chamber is possible.

When the base plate is in the first position of the base, the bulk product chamber has a first volume and when the base plate is in the second position it has a second volume. A modification of the bulk of the bulk product chamber from the first volume to the second volume, in the case of the mentioned axial movement of the base plate from the first position of the base towards the second position of the base, preferably amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 15% or 20%, in particular at least 25% or 30% of the first volume of the bulk product chamber. This volume variability therefore allows a minimum volume of the chamber during filling of the dosing container with the bulk product, which enables improved handling during filling with bulk product and an increase in the volume for the extraction process.

A thickness of the wall material can amount from 0.1 to 1 millimeters. The base plate can be for example twice as thick or thicker.

Through suitable perforation means on the distal surface of the base plate (for example a mandrel element or an arrangement of mandrel elements, see below) and a corresponding realization of a capsule shell surrounding the packaging of dosage and provides a protection for the aroma, when the preparation machine is closed and the transfer of the base plate caused by it, the capsule can be automatically punctured by default from the first to the second position of the base, before a fluid is injected into the chamber. In this way a constitution of pressure inside the capsule is not necessary for the local rupture of the wrap in order to extract the prepared beverage. Through the closing movement of the machine, the capsule shell is perforated automatically. This avoids excessive compression of the preparation product and the discomfort, linked to it to a large extent, of the circulation of the preparation product with the fluid conducted through the machine.

It is considered preferred that the dosing container is made so that the wall, at least in the case of the mentioned axial movement of the base plate when the machine is closed, essentially maintains its shape. Due to this, a selective puncture movement can be executed to punctuate the distal section of the end of the capsule with the base plate and / or the pressure of the transmission element can be optimally captured. The shape stability of the wall allows the base plate, which preferably also essentially maintains its shape, to be guided in the wall, thus enabling! precise movement of the motherboard.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

It is considered especially preferred therefore a wall that maintains its shape at least during the mentioned axial movement of the base plate and a base plate that maintains its shape, where the wall and the base plates are connected by a movement section. It is considered preferred that the movement section, when the base plate is in the first position of the base, relatively displaceably connects with said plates placing them in a first folding position and when the base plate is in the second position of the base placing them in a second folding position. The movement section, therefore, can preferably be folded from a folded position to a second folded position, and inversely. Preferably, the axial movement from the first position of the base to the second position of the base is a parallel movement of the base plate in the direction L, so that the base plate, in the first position of the base, is positioned parallel form with respect to the base plate in the second position of the base. Particularly preferably, the movement section is symmetrically structured around the base plate, on the circumferential side, where in particular it is folded.

In principle, the movement section, through pressure or traction on a section of the edge of the plate, can also allow the plate to be taken only with that section towards a position of the base, while the section located opposite of the edge section, on the circumferential side, remains in the other position of the base. I will not be dealing with a parallel movement. Preferably, the pressure or traction on the plate to modify the position of the base is exerted however in the middle, therefore close to the center, on the plate, so that the entire base plate executes a parallel movement.

In an improvement, the wall, on an external side, has spacer ribs that extend axially, oriented outwardly and arranged distributed around the wall of the circumferential side. Said ribs allow the dosing container with a predefined volume of the bulk product chamber to be optimally introduced into a capsule shell by default. By adapting the geometry of these ribs, the bulk product volume can be adapted to the type of bulk product (for example, milk powder, coffee powder and / or chocolate powder). The spacer ribs may extend from a distal end of the wall to the first or last level of projection of the first annular space, located proximally. They can protrude distally over a distal end of the wall, for example in 1 to 3 millimeters. The spacing ribs give the wall an improved stability to guide the mentioned axial movement of the base plate. Instead of the spacer ribs, other spacer elements can also be used, such as spacer fingers.

In the case of a suitable use of the dosing container in a capsule in a machine, through the application of pressure in the chamber for bulk product, through the fluid inlet, the above-described structure of the dosing container can loaded so that the spacer ribs collapse at least partially in the radial direction. When a hot liquid is injected, in the case of a collapse of the ribs and the extension of the wall, heating can help additionally. Preferably only the wall extends and there are no breaks. This allows the bulk product volume that swells through fluid absorption cannot expand even further without impediments. In this way, a liquid reflux can also be avoided due to excessive compression of the bulk product in the dosing container.

Accordingly, the dosing container can be made so that during the preparation of the beverage a two-stage enlargement of the chamber for bulk product takes place. In a first stage, the camera can be extended through the transfer of the base plate when the machine is closed, after placing the capsule. When the fluid is then pressed into the chamber under an elevated pressure of up to 15 bar, the chamber can be expanded in a second stage. For this, the dosing container is structured in a flexible way, so that the spacer ribs, at least partially under that pressure and of an effect of the heat that is eventually present, collapse through a heated fluid (for example hot water at 80-95 degrees Celsius) and that the wall extends radially and the section of movement between the wall and the base plates extends correspondingly, until they, by means of the capsule shell, are placed adjacent to the cage of the machine's capsule. In the second stage the volume can increase again by up to 30% to 100%, in particular for example by 50%.

The expansion of the volume (first stage and / or second stage) allows a smoother extraction of the beverage, creating space for an expansion of the bulk product that swells.

In an improvement, the base plate and the transmission element are made of one piece, where in particular they are manufactured through injection molding. This allows efficient manufacturing and a sufficiently strong and optimized connection in terms of the end of the two elements.

In a refinement, the base plate is made as a filter element and has a plurality of through holes from the side of the proximal plate to one side of the distal plate. The through holes preferably extend in the direction L, but can also extend inclined towards the center or perpendicularly with respect to the surface of the plate. Preferably, the diameter of the through holes is

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

extends in the longitudinal direction (for example of 0.8 millimeters in 0.5 millimeters); the through holes are therefore preferably formed conically in the L direction or extending in the distal direction. The prefabricated filter element thus makes it unnecessary to provide other perforation elements in the capsule to realize the base plate through perforation, in the case of proper use, with respect to the filter element. Because of this, the use of the capsule becomes more reliable and its structure becomes simpler.

In a refinement, the base plate on the distal side of the plate has a plurality of labyrinth bridges extending between the through holes, to form a pressure reducing flow path with an opposite surface of the capsule shell . As a result, a flow path of the beverage can take place that leaves from the proximal surface of the plate, through a through hole, towards the distal surface of the plate, by means of a predetermined reflux that allows the beverage to be prepared at a Default pressure on the camera for bulk product. The labyrinth bridges preferably have a thickness of approximately 0.5 millimeters and approximately have the same height. The bridges, preferably, are arranged in concentric calculations and preferably preferably extend over, for example, a respective quarter of a circle. A radially oriented opening between the bridges can, for example, be 1 to 2 millimeters. The bridges arranged on a circle can be distanced from the circumferential side by approximately 1 to 2 millimeters, forming a passage opening. From 2 to 8, in particular 4 concentric and radially crossed bridge rings can be provided. The segments of the radially adjacent segment segments directly, preferably, are arranged offset with respect to each other. A 45 degree offset is considered preferred, so that the passage openings are at the height of the center of the associated segment of radially directly adjacent segment. These bridges reinforce the base plate additionally.

Preferably, the base plate is made so that it essentially maintains its shape in the case of proper use (thickness of the material and / or structure).

In a refinement, the base plate has an arranged mandrel element located opposite to the transmission element. The mentioned mandrel element is preferably made in the form of flow lines. The mandrel element may have a longitudinal cross section in the form of an ogival arch. In this way, the distal mandrel element that is used to puncture the distal section of the capsule in order to exit the prepared beverage is placed in the capsule itself and not in the corresponding machine.

In a refinement, the mandrel element is surrounded by a plurality of distal tongue elements that project distally from the base plate and that are aligned distantly from each other. These distal tongue elements are preferably arranged as a crown along a calculation on the base plate and have a width for example of 2 to 4 millimeters, in particular 3 millimeters and approximately have a height of 5 or 6 millimeters (in the direction L). Preferably, the distal tongue elements are arranged in a circle and in pairs, spaced apart in a groove approximately 1 to 2 millimeters wide. Said groove can be widened in a distal direction by 10% to 100%. Through that arrangement as a crown, between the mandrel element and the distal tongue elements that surround it, a distal annular space is formed which can be accessed through the groove, so that prepared beverage, through of that annular space, it circulates along the mandrel preferably made in the form of flow lines, towards the outside, forming an individual liquid jet. The mandrel is projected onto the distal tongue elements, preferably for example in 0.5 to 1 millimeter. These distal tongue elements prevent the beverage jet from opening, which separates from the mandrel element in the distal direction, thus leaving! from the capsule. In this way it is possible to supply the prepared beverage to the glass. Through the special conformation of the capsule with the distal tongue elements and the mandrel, preferably in interaction with the capsule shell, the prepared beverage can be removed from the capsule, without the machine becoming dirty with the beverage requiring So much a cleaning.

In an improvement, the dosing container is made so that the movement of the base plate with the mandrel element can be used as a puncture movement to pierce a second protective foil arranged opposite and / or where the base plate is made arched (that is, arched concave in the distal direction or in the proximal direction). The height of the arch is preferably located for example between 1 and 10 millimeters, in particular for example 5 millimeters. If the plate is made rigid for a parallel movement of the plate, then preferably it is arched outward in both positions of the plate (with respect to the capsule); on the other hand, if the plate is made elastically and the movement of the plate is achieved through the deformation of the plate, then preferably the plate is arched inwards in the first position of the plate (with respect to the capsule), and in the second position of the plate it is less arched inwards, where it is preferably arched outwards.

In a refinement, the distal tongue elements are arranged around the mandrel element so that exits from the side of the mandrel element of flow paths that are formed by the labyrinth bridges and that extend from the respective passage hole towards the distal tongue elements are

6

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

oriented respectively in the center in a distal tongue element. Thus, the fluid that exits between the labyrinth bridges towards the distal tongue elements must circulate around a part of a distal tongue element to be guided in the distal annular space, towards the mandrel element, towards the outlet. This prevents too rapid entry of liquid between the distal tongue elements, which could be detrimental to the formation of the beverage stream.

It is also considered preferred that the wall has a proximal flange, oriented laterally outwards, to engage with the preparation machine. Preferably, the flange is provided through a projection of the wall by way of steps. A wall height from the distal end towards the first step of the projection can be located between 1 and 2 centimeters, where in particular it can amount to 1.6 centimeters. Between the flange and the chamber for bulk product a wider proximal annular space is formed in the radial direction, for example in 5 millimeters and in the same way deeper, possibly staggered. The flange would provide a superfine of the proximal flange extending outwardly from a proximal, radial end of the proximal annular space, for example 4 to 5 millimeters, in the radial direction. For this, a sheet can be welded. The proximal annular space extends around a proximal end of the chamber for bulk product. Between the proximal annular space and the bulk product chamber a plurality of proximal tongue elements are projected proximally and aligned spaced from each other, which are in the prolongation of the wall that It is located distally with respect to the projection, preferably straight cylindrical. The mentioned proximal tongue elements have a length of approximately 4 to 7 centimeters, for example 6 millimeters (in the direction L), a width of for example 2 to 5, in particular 3 millimeters and respectively in pairs they are spaced apart by a slot about 0.5 to 1 millimeters wide. Through that slot, a liquid inlet is possible from the proximal annular space, distributed circumferentially between the proximal tongue elements, towards the bulk product chamber. Preferably, the proximal tongue elements have the curvature of the wall of the dosing container.

Preferably, the dosing container described here is made in one piece, where in particular it is manufactured through an injection molding process.

At least one object of the present invention is to provide a capsule with a dosage container according to the invention.

Said object will be reached through a capsule containing a dosing container as described above and an envelope of the capsule preferably sealed to oxygen, to accommodate the dosing container.

The capsule shell, in this case, can completely surround the dosing container and in the areas that must be punctured, it can enable said puncture through a correspondingly reduced material thickness. It is possible to foresee that the material becomes weaker in those areas intended for puncture.

Alternatively, the capsule shell may have a proximal inlet opening and a distal outlet opening, where the proximal inlet opening is closed through a first protective foil preferably sealed to oxygen that can be penetrated by elements of the machine and the distal outlet opening is closed through a second protective foil preferably sealed to oxygen, which can be perforated by the mandrel element or by the distal tongue elements, where the capsule is made so that the plate is passed base from the first position of the base to the second position of the base the second protective sheet can be perforated by the mandrel element.

A travel of the base plate between the first and the second position of the base can, for example, be 2 to 6 millimeters. A length of the transmission element is preferably selected such that the transmission element, from the base plate in the first position of the base, reaches the first protective sheet, preferably stretching said sheet slightly outward, so that the sheet covers convexly the proximal inlet opening of the capsule shell. A height of the projection on a flange surface formed by the flange can be between 1 and 3 millimeters. If the base plate is in the second position of the base, then the proximal end of the transmission element is preferably for example 1 to 3 millimeters below the surface formed by the flange.

Through the oxygen-tight realization of the capsule shell and of the first and the second protective foil, optimal conservation is possible, in particular as regards the protection of the aroma, of the powder for preparing beverages found in the chamber for bulk product, for example coffee. The capsule shell can be, for example, made of a multilayer sheet material, oxygen tight and can be embedded. A layer of that sheet material may be made in particular of a polymer material with good barrier properties for oxygen, preferably of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH); Other layers may be made in particular of polypropylene and / or polyethylene. A preferred density of the material

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

of the wall, at least in the area of flat structures, is located approximately between 0.3 and 1.1 millimeters. The dosage container may be made of a non-oxygen tight material. In this way, the capsule should not be additionally heat sealed in a gas-tight bag.

The protective sheets may be made in particular of aluminum or other material, in particular of a multi-layered and oxygen-tight sheet.

To produce the capsule, the one-piece injected dosing container is industrially filled with the bulk product in a filling machine. The bulk product is compressed in the chamber for bulk product. The capsule shell with the filled dosage container is sealed tightly to the oxygen (the protective sheet (s) are welded). If that capsule is then placed in the preparation machine and the machine is closed, then the puncture elements of the machine pierce the first protective sheet and the mandrel element of the dosing container punctures the second protective sheet due to the above-described movement of motherboard. The volume of the capsule increases through the transfer of the base plate. In this way, the fluid, in particular water, can penetrate the capsule through the perforations of the first protective sheet, interact there! With the bulk beverage product swelling, seep through the perforated base plate and exit as a ready beverage through the perforation of the second protective sheet. Through the pressure constituted by the machine in the chamber for bulk product and eventually the heat of the fluid (for example, hot water at a temperature between 80 and 95 degrees Celsius), the space ribs collapse, and the wall and section of movement of the wall with the base plate extend, resting on the capsule shell that is located adjacent to the capsule cage. Thanks to this, the bulk product that swells has an additional space. This ensures smooth extraction, with optimal fluid flow.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by means of the drawings, which are only used for explanatory purposes and should not be considered as limiting. The drawings show:

Figure 1: a perspective view from below of a preferred embodiment of a dosing container with a base plate in a first position of the base;

Figure 2: a perspective view from above of the dosing container according to figure 1;

Figure 3: a longitudinal section through a capsule with a dosing container according to Figure 1 with the base plate in the first position of the base;

Figure 4: a longitudinal section through a capsule with a dosing container according to Figure 1 with the base plate in the second position of the base;

Figure 5: the capsule according to figure 3 introduced in a preparation machine represented schematically, where the preparation machine is not yet closed; Y

Figure 6: the capsule according to figure 4 introduced in a preparation machine represented schematically, where the preparation machine is closed.

Description of preferred forms of execution

Figure 1 shows a dosing container 10 according to a preferred embodiment with a wall 11 in the form of a section like a hollow cylinder, which extends along a longitudinal direction L, where said wall is closed towards the distal side (i.e. in Figure 1 above in the direction L), with a base plate 13. The base plate 13 is fastened in a section of the distal free end 111 of the wall 11, in a cylinder space formed by the wall eleven.

Figure 2 shows the dosing container 10 according to Figure 1 from the proximal direction (ie from below). The wall 11 that radially limits a chamber for bulk product 20 formed in the mentioned cylinder space can also be observed. The base plate 13 limits the chamber for bulk product 20 in the distal direction. The dosage container 10 is made in the form of a cup, where the chamber for bulk product 20 is used to house the powder to prepare drinks, for example, coffee powder, chocolate powder or milk powder. The bulk product chamber 20 has the shape of a straight cylinder section and extends from the proximal end of the wall 11 to the base plate 13.

On an outer surface 110 of the wall 11 are placed spacer ribs 112 flat or made with a similar effect, which extend in the direction L. Said spacer ribs 12

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

they decrease radially in the distal direction, so that the spacer ribs 112 are essentially made in a triangular shape, being reduced in the height that is projected radially, against the distal end of the dosing container 10. The spacer ribs 1l2 are arranged circumferential side, around the wall, at regular distances. They extend from the proximal end of the wall 11 to its distal end 111, that is essentially over the entire height in the direction L of the container 10. The spacer ribs 112 are used to optimally position the positioning vessel 10 in the capsule wrap 5 described below, and are made so that they can collapse through the extraction process.

At the proximal end of the container 10 a flange 12 is placed which is formed by a projection as a step of the wall 11 in the proximal area of the container 10. The flange 12 is used for connection with the casing of the mentioned capsule 5 and with a cage of the capsule of an extraction or preparation 2 machine, where the capsule 1 is introduced to prepare a beverage. In addition, a first protective sheet 61 may be welded on that flange.

The wall 11 gradually widens towards the flange 12. In the proximal extension of the section of the wall 11 which forms the chamber for bulk product 20 (ie the straight section mentioned above of the cylindrical wall) elements extend of proximal tongues 114 projecting proximally in the direction L. These proximal tongue elements 114 are arranged in the form of a crown on a calculation describing the cross section of the straight cylinder section. The proximal tongue elements 114 essentially in the form of plates are disposed there relative to each other, so that respectively a groove 116 is formed between two adjacent tongue elements 114. In other words, a free end section proximal of the wall 11 is provided with axial grooves 116, whereby the proximal tongue elements 114. are provided. The projection of the wall 11 is at the bottom of the tongue element 114, whereby the wall 11 is divided there! in tongue element 114 and flange 12.

These slots 116 have a width slightly less than 1 millimeter, where the flange elements 114 have a width of a few millimeters, in particular 3 to 4 millimeters, having a length of 6 millimeters. In addition, the proximal tongue elements 114 like plates are arched around the direction L, so that they follow the circular cross-section of the wall 11. The proximal ends 115 of the tongue elements 114 are respectively cut from flat shape, providing perpendicularly with respect to the direction L free front surfaces, so that they are aligned with a flange surface 12 oriented proximally. Thus, the first protective sheet 61 can be welded on the front sides of the free ends 115 of the tongue elements 114 and on the flange 12.

The projection of the wall 11 extends radially from the bottom of the tongue elements 114 outwards, gradually in the proximal and radial direction, finally leading to the flange 12. Thus, between the flange 12 and the proximal tongue elements 114 a continuous proximal annular space 15 is formed. That proximal annular space 15 (staggered up to 5 millimeters deep and staggered up to 5 millimeters wide) is defined as! by the staggered projection and by the proximal tongue elements 14, where it is closed through the first protective sheet 61. The annular space 15 is connected to the bulk product chamber 20, in a fluid-tight manner, through of the slots 116. If the first protective sheet 61 is welded on the flange 12 and on the free ends 115 of the flange elements 114, then the liquid inlet for preparing the beverage can take place directly in that annular space 15 of so that the annular space 15 distributes the liquid that has entered from the circumferential side around the entire chamber for bulk product 20, guiding it like this! in a distributed and even way through the slots 116, towards the chamber for bulk product 20. This ensures a regular influx of the preparation liquid.

Between the spacing ribs 112 are formed free spaces 117 which in each case are limited by a section of the outer surface 110, a section of the distally oriented side of the flange 12 and respectively two adjacent spacing ribs 112. In the embodiment according to the figures shown, two spacer ribs 112 are distributed in an equidistant manner. More or less spacer ribs 112 may be provided, depending on their thickness, shape and stability.

The base plate 13 has a proximal surface 137 and a distal surface 138 (see Figure 3). On the distal surface 138 labyrinth bridges 130 are disposed projecting distally, which form a labyrinth structure on the base plate 13. The mentioned labyrinth bridges 130 are made here so that they form arc segments of calculation that are aligned respectively in the form of groups, extending by group one of four concentric calculations. Said calculations are arranged in an equidistant and concentric manner around a center of the plate 13. Due to the separation of the arc segment segments in the form of a quarter of a circle, perforations or openings 1300 are present in the radial direction. Thus, the labyrinth bridges 130 are arranged so that the arc segments of different groups extend respectively offset relative to each other in

9

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

radial direction, so that the openings 1300 are not located in a line with respect to the center of the plate 13. If the base plate 13 is in the second position of the base (see Figure 4), then the same, with the casing of the capsule 5 forms a pressure reducing flow path for the fluid.

Between the labyrinth bridges 130 of the different concentrically arranged circles, respectively, perforations 131 are provided which extend from the distal surface 138 of the base plate 13, continuously to the proximal surface 137 (see, for example, Figure 3). The passage openings 131 are arranged respectively in the concentric circular areas of the base plate 13, exposed through the labyrinth bridges 130. Advantageously, a width of the passage openings narrows in the direction L. The opening holes step 131 are therefore arranged between adjacent labyrinth bridges 130 of different groups and are sized so that, in the case of the usual prevailing pressure conditions, a liquid passage is optimally guaranteed through the base plate 13, while the bulk product or the beverage preparation powder cannot penetrate through said through holes 131. The base plate 13 thus acts as a filter, where a structure is placed on the distal surface 138 of labyrinth to achieve a tightness with respect to an opposite side. Preferably, these passage holes 131 are already made previously in the dosage container and should not be produced through perforation during the preparation of the beverage.

Preferably, the base plate 13 is concavely arcuate outwards, that is, in the distal direction. This arc in the direction L allows a larger screening surface and an improved discharge of the liquid that crosses the holes 131. In addition, the plate 13 is shaped in a complementary manner with respect to the opposite section of the shell of the capsule 5, where it is The latter is carried out in a complementary manner with respect to the cage of the capsule 3. In addition, the area of the edge 139 has a collar 1390 that tilts approximately 80 degrees with respect to the surface of the plate 138, 139 (see Figure 3). The collar 1390 therefore has a truncated cone cover surface more inclined against the monoliths 14 than a central area of the base plate 13.

In the center of the base plate 13, on the distal side 138, a mandrel element 143 is arranged in the form of flow lines, which is sized so that a perforation in an associated protective sheet 62 has a size that guarantees an optimal output of the preparation liquid.

In the direct proximity of the mandrel 143, distal tongue elements 144 are arranged, where they also form a circle around the mandrel element 143, such that between the distal tongue elements 144 and the mandrel element 143 another space is formed distal annular 16. The distal annular space 16 has a width of approximately 2 millimeters and a height of 5 millimeters. The mandrel element 143 exceeds with its tip in the distal direction the tongue elements 144, approximately in half a millimeter. The tongue elements 144 are also made in an arcuate manner, so that they follow the circle around the mandrel element 143 and are arranged respectively so that between two distal tongue elements 144 that are positioned contiguously a groove is respectively exposed. 146 of 1 to 2 millimeters wide, which widens in that direction. Thus, the grooves 146 are arranged so that they are aligned in the center, in the directly adjacent maze bridges 130. It is thus ensured that the preparation liquid leaving the labyrinth does not circulate directly in the mandrel 143, but must circulate around the tongue elements 144, to reach the groove 146 and, along the mandrel element 143 , exit through a hole made by that mandrel element 143.

Also shown in Figure 2 is a transmission element 14 which extends in the direction L, which is arranged as a pusher and centrally in the chamber for bulk product 20, connected with the base plate 13. The monolith 14 is arranged opposite to the mandrel element 143. The monolith 14 is also made so that it can be pressed from the proximal direction towards the monolith 14, to exert pressure acting distally on the base plate 13. According to a preferred embodiment, the monolith is made as a bar with reinforcement ribs, as shown in Figure 2. Said reinforcement ribs extend in the axial direction, increasing stability against loops of the monolith 14.

The base plate 13 is fixed axially movable in the wall 11. Figure 1 shows the base plate 13 axially movable in a first position of the base, where a length of the monolith 14 is sized so that a proximal end of the monolith 14 protrudes above the proximal surfaces of the flange 12 when the base plate 13 is in the first position of the base (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 shows the dosage container 10 according to Figures 1 and 2 in the cross-section, where it is used in a capsule shell 5 which is made in a complementary manner with respect to the dosage container 10, as! as complementary to the cage of capsule 3 (see figures 5 and 6). In Figure 3 it can be seen that the spacer ribs 112 are respectively aligned

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

with the inner side, adjacent to a side wall 50 of the capsule shell 5. Thus, the capsule shell 5 closes the free spaces 117 between the spacer ribs 112 in the radial direction.

Figure 3 also shows how the base plate 13 is attached to the wall 11. A foldable, flexible movement section 136 is provided thereto, which is fixed on the edge side on the plate 13 and which by means of a folding is fixed on the side internal directly on a connection section 132 in the wall 11. The flexible movement section 136 is made such that it is more flexible than the base plate 13. In the present embodiment, a thickness of the base plate 13 is selected so that it, when used, essentially maintains its shape, while the movement section 136, due to a thickness of the material reduced relative to the base plate 13 (for example one third of the base plate 13) can move from the first folding position according to figure 3 to a second folding position according to figure 4, where the base plate 13 is pushed from the first position of the base to the second position d and the base according to figure 4. The thrust movement can be carried out by means of the monoliths 14. At the same time, the fixing area 136 is a layer that preferably closes tightly to the fluids, which fixes the base plate 13 on the circumferential side, continuously, in the wall 11, so that a fluid-tight vessel is produced.

The activation of the movement of the base plate 13 from the first position of the base towards the second position of the base can therefore be carried out by means of an actuator, that is, by means of monolith 14. For this, in the distal direction it is pressed towards the proximal free end of the monolith 14, so that the force is transmitted to the base plate which is made of a piece with the monolith 14, which implies that the base plate 13 moves relatively relative to the wall 11 in the distal direction , thereby moving the movement section 136 from the first configuration according to Figure 3 to the configuration according to Figure 4.

In the second position of the base according to Figure 4, the base plate 13 made as a sieve is placed on the opposite side, located opposite, through a truncated cone on the distal wall 50 in the capsule shell 5, so that the labyrinth bridges 130 rest on the inner side of the capsule shell 5. Due to this, a pressure reducing flow path and the preparation liquid leaving through the through holes are formed 131 from the chamber for bulk product 20, through the base plate 13, can circulate along the flow path in radial direction between the labyrinth bridges 130, against the distal tongue elements 144, where there! it is then deflected against the grooves 146, finally reaching the distal annular space 16 around the mandrel member 143, and leaving there! outward.

The capsule shell 5 also has a proximal flange 51, where the proximal flange 12 of the dosing container 10 can be inserted into a recess according to Figures 3 and 4. In the distal direction the capsule shell 5 decreases with the wall. 50, where at the distal end the truncated cone is connected to a distal notch 54. The aforementioned notch 54 provides a space 53 where the tongue elements 144 and the mandrel element 143 penetrate when the base plate n13 is moved from the first position from the base to the second position of the base. A distal end of the notch 54 is covered by a second protective sheet 62. That second protective sheet 62, such as preferably the entire shell of the capsule 5 and the first protective sheet 61, is made in an oxygen-tight manner, so that provides optimum protection with respect to the aroma for the bulk product in the bulk product chamber 20. If the base plate 13 is now led to the second position of the base, then the mandrel element 13, with its distal tip, the second sheet element 6 penetrates providing an outward flow, so that the fluid exiting through the through holes 131 and that through the pressure reducing flow path penetrates into the distal annular space 16, can be discharged from the capsule 1. To improve this output, the free distal ends of the distal tongue elements 144 are also bevelled, that is to say they are made in a sharp manner, of m It also states that the tips, retracted in terms of height, of the distal tongue elements 144, contribute to the penetration of the sheet.

If the base plate 13 is in the first position of the base, then therefore a space 52 is provided between the distal surface 138 and the inner side of the truncated cone 54. Through the transfer of the base plate 13 from the first position from the base to the second position of the base a chamber volume for bulk product is enlarged, for example about 20% to 30%.

The aforementioned is achieved because the base plate is guided essentially in the axial direction, in a displaceable way, through the space 52, expanding according to the volume the chamber for bulk products 20. Through the realization as a bellows of the movement area 136 with a section 132 on the side of the wall, a second section 133 proximally oriented, a third section 134 that intersects horizontally radially and a fourth section 135 that returns distally with respect to the side from the edge 139 of the base plate, not only the mobility necessary to penetrate the base plate into space 52 is guaranteed, but also the fact that the preparation liquid can only exit outward through the passage through the holes 131 , towards the motherboard 13.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

Figures 5 and 6 show the capsule 1 described above introduced in the preparation machine 2 represented in a basic way. The machine 2 comprises a cage of the capsule 3 which is carried out in a complementary manner with respect to the capsule 1. The cage of the capsule 3 has a proximal insertion opening 31 through which the capsule 1 can be introduced into the cage of the capsule 3. The cage of the capsule 3 also has a distal outlet flow opening 32, through which the prepared beverage circulating from the capsule 3 can exit outward. The machine 2 also comprises a closing element 4, whereby the cage of the capsule 3 can be closed proximally. That closure element 4 closes the cage of the capsule 3 completely on the circumferential side and has a channel 40 with a puncture element 41 oriented against the cage of the capsule 3. The puncture element 41 is hollow and pointed, and is provides to guide the preparation liquid, in particular water, from the preparation machine 2, through the channel 40, to the capsule 1. To do this, the channel

40 and the puncture element 41 are arranged laterally and are designed so that the puncture element 41, when the machine 2 is closed (see Figure 6), punctures the protective sheet 61 and the preparation liquid can be introduced directly towards the proximal annular space 15. In addition, the closure element 4 has a punch element 42 that is designed to press in the distal direction the transmission element 14 when the closure element 4 is closed, so that the base plate 13 can move from the first position of the base (see figures 3 and 5) to the second position of the base (see figures 4 and 6). The punch element 41 essentially provides a stop surface for the transmission element 14, so that the closing movement to close the cage of the capsule 3 can be partially transmitted to the base plate 13 for transfer.

In figure 5 machine 2 is not yet closed. The closure element 4 is in an open position and the first punch element 42 is spaced apart from the transmission element 14, which is located under the protective sheet 61 arched upward, distally with respect to the element of punch 4. Also the puncture element 41 positioned laterally is spaced apart from the protective sheet 61, namely, in the direction L, proximally, from the proximal annular space 15.

Now machine 2 can be closed. Correspondingly, the closure element 4 is driven from the open position according to figure 5 to the closed position according to figure 6. Thus, the puncture element

41 punctures the protective sheet 61 and protrudes with a distal outlet opening in the proximal annular space 15 for the liquid inlet. During the closing movement, the punch element 42 comes into contact with the transmission element 14 by the protective sheet 61 curved upwards, by pressing the transmission element 14 and tearing the protective sheet 61 distally in the direction L of so that the base plate 13 is carried from the first to the second position of the base. If the closing element 4 is in the closing position according to figure 6, then the system is ready for the liquid inlet and for the extraction of the beverage through the outlet opening 32.

Reference List

 one

 capsule 137 proximal side of the plate

 2

 Extraction machine 138 distal side of the plate

 3

 capsule cage 139 edge area of 13

 31

 insertion opening 1390 necklace 139

 32

 outflow opening

 4

 closure element 14 stiff transmission element

 40

 channel 141 proximal section of 14

 41

 puncture element 142 distal section of 14

 42

 punch element 143 flow-shaped mandrel

 144 distal tongue element

 10

 dosage container 145 free end of 144

 eleven

 wall 146 slot

111

110

113

114

115

116

117

12

13

130

1300

131

132

133

134

135

136

distal section of 11

external wall of 11 15

11 16 internal wall

proximal tongue element

free end of 114 20

groove

free space 5

50 flange

51

motherboard 52

maze bridge 53

mandrel element side opening 54

55

hole 56

first section of 136 second section of 136 61

third section of 136 62

fourth section of 136

movement section

L

proximal annular space distal annular space

bulk product camera

capsule shell fenced wall flange

distal notch notched munon outlet proximal inlet opening distal outlet opening

first protective sheet second protective sheet

axial direction

Claims (18)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five 1. Dosage container (10) for a bulk beverage product to prepare a beverage, which comprises: a side wall (11) that laterally delimits the dosage container (10); a base plate (13) that delimits the dosing container (10) distally; where through the wall (11) and the base plate (13) a chamber for bulk product (20) is formed to accommodate a dosed quantity of the bulk beverage product; and where at least a preferably central area of the base plate (13) is positioned so that it can move axially between a first and a second position of the base relative to the wall (11), so that a volume of the bulk product chamber (20) is variable, where the base plate (13) has a mandrel element (143) that projects distally, characterized in that the base plate (13), by means of a circumferential movement section (136), is connected to the wall (11), so that the base plate (13) has a rigid transmission element (14) that projects proximally to provide the aforementioned axial movement of the base plate (13) in the case of proper use, and because the base plate (13) is designed as a filter element and has a plurality of through holes (131) from a proximal side of the plate (137) towards a distal side of the plate (138). 2. Dosing container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the base plate (13) and the transmission element (14) are made of one piece. 3. Dosing container (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base plate (13), on the distal side of the plate (138), has a plurality of labyrinth bridges (130) extending between the holes step (131) to form a pressure reducing flow path with an opposite surface. 4. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission element (14) is rigidly made and is preferably arranged in the center on the base plate (13) and / or where the element Transmission (14) is projected proximally on the wall (11) when the base plate (13) is in the first position of the base. 5. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movement section (136) is placed in a section of the distal end (111) in the wall (11) and the edge side in the plate base (13). 6. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base plate (13) is made such that it, in the aforementioned axial movement, essentially maintains its shape. 7. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the chamber for bulk product (20), when the base plate (13) is in the first position of the base, has a first volume, and when the base plate is in the second position of the base (13), it presents a second volume, where a modification of the volume of the chamber for bulk product (20), in the case of the mentioned axial movement of the base plate ( 13) from the first volume to the second volume amounts to at least 10%, preferably at least 15% or 20%, in particular at least 25% or 30% of the first volume of the chamber for bulk product ( twenty). 8. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which is made so that the wall (11), in the mentioned axial movement of the base plate (13), essentially maintains its shape. 9. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wall (11) has spacer ribs (112) extending axially, facing outward and arranged around the wall (11) of the circumferential side. 10. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base plate (13) has a mandrel element (143) disposed opposite to the transmission element (14). 11. Dosing container (10) according to claim 10, wherein the mandrel element (143) is surrounded by a plurality of distal tongue elements (144) that project distally from the base plate (13) and which are line up distantly from each other, where the distal tongue elements (144) 14 preferably they are arranged as a crown along a clrcuio on the base plate (13) around the mandrel element (143). 12. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which is made such that the axial movement of the base plate (13) with the mandrel element (143) can be used as a movement of 5 puncture to pierce a second protective sheet (62) arranged opposite. 13. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the base plate (13) is made in an arcuate manner. 14. Dosing container (10) according to claim 11 and claim 12, wherein the distal tongue elements (144) are arranged around the mandrel element (143) so that outlets (1300) on the side of the 10 flow path mandrel element that are formed by the labyrinth bridges (130) and that extend from the respective passage hole (131) to the distal tongue elements (144), are oriented respectively in the center in a tongue element (144) distal. 15. Dosing container (10) according to claim 14, wherein the wall (11) has a proximal flange (12), oriented laterally outwards, where between the flange (12) and the chamber for bulk product (20) be 15 finds a proximal annular space (15) surrounding the bulk product chamber (20), where a plurality of tongue elements are arranged between the proximal annular chamber (15) and the bulk product chamber (20) (114) proximal that are projected proximally and are aligned distanced from each other, so that a liquid inlet can be introduced into the proximal annular space (15), on the circumferential side, distributed between the tongue elements (114) proximal, towards the camera for 20 bulk product (20). 16. Dosing container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15, which is made of one piece, preferably manufactured with an injection molding process. 17. Capsule (1), which comprises a dosage container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16, and a capsule shell (5) preferably oxygen tight, to accommodate the dosage container (10). 18. Capsule (1) according to claim 17, wherein the capsule shell (5) has an inlet opening proximal (55) and a distal outlet opening (56), where the proximal inlet opening (55) is closed through a first protective foil (61) preferably sealed to oxygen and the distal outlet opening (56) is closed through a second protective foil (62) preferably oxygen tight, where the capsule (1) is made so that the base plate (13) passes from the first base position to the second base position the second protective sheet (62) can be perforated. 19. Capsule system with a preparation machine (2) and a capsule (3) according to one of claims 17 or 18 for preparing a beverage.