WO2025140835A1 - Agencement d'extraction d'un dispositif d'extraction de boisson - Google Patents

Agencement d'extraction d'un dispositif d'extraction de boisson Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025140835A1
WO2025140835A1 PCT/EP2024/084878 EP2024084878W WO2025140835A1 WO 2025140835 A1 WO2025140835 A1 WO 2025140835A1 EP 2024084878 W EP2024084878 W EP 2024084878W WO 2025140835 A1 WO2025140835 A1 WO 2025140835A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
extracting
pod
arrangement
beverage
enclosing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/084878
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English (en)
Inventor
Christian Talon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Nestle SA
Original Assignee
Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Nestle SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe des Produits Nestle SA, Nestle SA filed Critical Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Publication of WO2025140835A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025140835A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • A47J31/34—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure
    • A47J31/36—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
    • A47J31/3604—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means with a mechanism arranged to move the brewing chamber between loading, infusing and ejecting stations
    • A47J31/3623—Cartridges being employed
    • A47J31/3628—Perforating means therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
    • A47J31/0657—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines
    • A47J31/0668—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines specially adapted for cartridges
    • A47J31/0673—Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of preparation of beverages with a system including a single-serve container comprising a beverage ingredient and a machine with an extraction chamber designed to receive and extract the container.
  • the present invention relates to the field of extracting arrangement of a beverage extraction device from container bodies for food products, preferably cellulose-based pod containing a beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee.
  • Single serve containers for the automatic preparation of beverages encompass various formats of containers that can be relatively soft or flexible, such as pods, and made of any material, recyclable or non-recyclable, biodegradable or non-biodegradable, such as aluminum, plastic, filter paper.
  • This plate often abusively called pyramid plate, comprises rising elements designed to pierce, open or tear the inflated lid and holes to evacuate the beverage flowing out of the holes in the lid created by the rising elements.
  • a cellulose-based material In the case of a cellulose-based material, the cellulose-based layer can present a high thickness in order to provide a certain rigidity for the capsule and to maintain the shape of the capsule.
  • a cellulose-based material generally comprises a layer that creates a protective barrier to atmosphere. This layer is usually made of a compostable polymer and the cellulose-based material is a laminate of at least a cellulose-based layer, such as paper, and a layer of said compostable barrier polymer. For example, such a barrier layer of compostable polymer is described in WO 2023/052144A1.
  • the extraction of the beverage can be done with the enclosing wall of the body of the pod against the tip ends and/or the outlet openings which lay on such virtual surface.
  • the shape of the non-planar virtual surface can substantially follow the shape of the enclosing wall to open, such as a top wall having a non-planar shape, to extract (or brew) the beverage in a reverse way (i.e. , from a surface which defines a container body and not from the lid).
  • wrinkles formed on the body do not affect the extraction due to the lower effort required to pierce the body of the pod.
  • the virtual surface is a curved virtual surface or a stepped virtual surface. In an embodiment, the virtual surface is concave.
  • the curved or stepped virtual surface allows to better extract the beverage ingredient, especially from pods defined by a cellulose-based material. This appears to be more relevant when the virtual surface has a concave surface.
  • a convex virtual surface may also be used to match with a corresponding concave enclosing wall of the pod.
  • the tip ends and/or the outlet openings are arranged so that they are at lower position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement and at higher position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement adjacent to the centre portion.
  • the opening elements have different heights, so that the tip ends and/or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface.
  • the extracting surface has a non-planar shape, preferably a curved shape or a stepped shape, so that the tip ends and/or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface, preferably on the curved virtual surface or on the stepped virtual surface.
  • the extracting surface has the same shape of the virtual surface.
  • the virtual surface i.e. the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface
  • the virtual surface can be defined by having a planar extracting surface having opening elements with different height or by an extracting surface which presents a non-planar shape or even by a combination of the two solutions.
  • the curved virtual surface is defined by a spherical cap surface or a hemisphere surface.
  • the stepped virtual surface is defined by at least two planar portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar portion and at least one higher planar portion.
  • the stepped virtual surface comprises more than one higher planar portion, they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the stepped virtual surface.
  • the lower piercing portion can be arranged at a centre portion of the piercing arrangement and the higher piercing portion, or higher piercing portions, can be arranged at a side portion of the piercing arrangement.
  • the higher piercing portions can be arranged substantially concentrically to the lower piercing portion.
  • the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a curved shape, preferably a concave curved shape. That is the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a spherical cap shape or a hemisphere shape. Alternatively, the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape, provided with at least two planar extracting portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar extracting portion and at least one higher planar extraction portion, preferably defining the corresponding lower planar portion and at least one higher planar portion.
  • the extracting surface can be defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape or by at least two extracting plates arranged at different positions, such as to define a lower extracting plate and at least one higher extracting plate.
  • the extracting plates comprises more than one higher piercing plate, they can be arranged such that they define multiple steps in the concave stepped shape, as already described for the stepped virtual surface.
  • a beverage extraction device for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.
  • the beverage extraction device comprises a first and a second pod enclosing parts relatively movable between an opened position, for inserting and/or ejecting the pod, and a closed position, for forming an extraction chamber able to enclose the pod during extraction, and vice versa
  • the first pod enclosing part comprises a piercing arrangement, for opening a first enclosing wall of the pod, and a liquid injector fluidly connected to the piercing arrangement, for channelling a liquid to the piercing arrangement
  • the second pod enclosing part comprises an extracting arrangement for opening a second enclosing wall of the pod, and wherein the extracting arrangement is according to the attached claims.
  • the first and second pod enclosing parts can refer respectively to an upstream enclosing part and to a downstream enclosing part with reference to the flow of liquid to be injected for the extraction of the pod.
  • the piercing arrangement is also an extracting arrangement according to the attached claims.
  • pod having symmetric shape can be properly used.
  • a beverage preparation machine for extracting a beverage from a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.
  • the beverage preparation machine comprises a beverage extraction device according to the attached claims.
  • the extraction device is positioned in the beverage machine in a nonremovable manner.
  • At least the second pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage machine in a removable manner.
  • the beverage preparation machine comprises: a removable pod holder configured for receiving and holding the pod, and a pod holder receiving area for receiving the removable pod holder, and wherein the removable pod holder comprises at least the second pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device, and preferably the first pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device.
  • a system comprising a beverage preparation machine and a pod containing a beverage ingredient, preferably roast and ground coffee, according to the attached claims.
  • the system comprises a beverage preparation machine according to the attached claims, wherein the pod comprises a first and a second enclosing walls, the first and second pod enclosing walls defining a chamber for enclosing the beverage ingredient, and wherein the first and second pod enclosing walls of the pod are made of a multilayer cellulose- based material, the cellulose-based multilayer material comprising at least one layer of paper assembled with at least one layer of plastic, preferably a compostable plastic layer, the layer of plastic being stretchable.
  • FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a pod used with the extracting arrangement of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the pod of Figure 1 A;
  • FIG. 1C is a top perspective cross-section view of the pod of Figure 1 A;
  • FIG. 2A is a top perspective cross-section view of an extracting arrangement of the invention according to a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2B is a top perspective cross-section view of the extracting arrangement of Figure 2A with a pod of Figure 1A;
  • FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of an extracting arrangement of the invention according to a second embodiment
  • FIG. 3B is a top perspective cross-section view of the extracting arrangement of Figure 3A with a pod of Figure 1A;
  • FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a beverage extraction device, according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the beverage extraction device of Figure 4.
  • FIG. 6A is an isolated view of a (bottom part) downstream pod enclosing part of the beverage extraction device of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6B is an isolated view of the downstream pod enclosing part of Figure 6A holding a pod
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a system comprising a removable beverage extraction device according to the present invention.
  • the flange 12’ comprises a top surface facing the top and a bottom surface.
  • This beverage ingredient packed is preferably an ingredient able to be extracted under pressure like roast and ground coffee.
  • this roast and ground coffee is compacted.
  • the beverage ingredient can be infused like tea leaves or dissolved like a water-soluble powder ingredient such as: instant coffee powder, milk powder, cream powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or mixture of said powders or even a soluble liquid ingredient or a beverage concentrate such as a syrup or milk concentrate.
  • the powders can be compacted, agglomerated or sintered.
  • the pod 10 comprises a lid 13 that is fixed, sealed or attached, to at least a part of the top surface of the circumferential flange 12’ and accordingly covers and closes the top opening.
  • the bottom wall 11 and the lateral wall 12 define the body of the pod 10, while together with the lid 13 also define enclosing walls of the same pod 10.
  • this layer of paper is assembled with at least one layer of plastic.
  • This layer of plastic can also be identified as the secondary layer in the present application.
  • the layer of plastic can be selected in the list of :
  • PLA polylactic acid
  • PCL polycaprolactone
  • the paper layer can be assembled with several of these different layers of plastic.
  • This plastic layer reinforces the protection of the paper layer against liquid, gas and moisture for the beverage ingredient.
  • the part of the multilayer paper material that is stretchable is this layer of plastic.
  • the multilayer paper material can comprise an additional layer of material providing a barrier to oxygen.
  • This layer can also be identified as the tertiary layer in the present application.
  • This layer can be selected in the list of:
  • PVH polyvinyl-alcohol copolymer
  • BVOH butenediol- vinyl-alcohol-copolymer
  • this additional or tertiary layer is a plastic polymer
  • the secondary and tertiary layer can be assembled together as a multilayer plastic film.
  • this multilayer layer of plastic can comprise the internal tertiary layer positioned between two external secondary layers.
  • the internal tertiary layer is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) film, in particular a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.
  • PVH polyvinyl alcohol copolymer
  • BVOH butenediol vinyl alcohol
  • the external secondary polymer layers can be chosen among films of polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and starch.
  • the secondary film can also be composed of a polymer blend formed of any combination of these listed polymers.
  • these three layers are attached by means of two intermediate adhesive layers, preferably an anhydride modified polymer resin.
  • this multilayer layer of plastic is produced by co-extrusion.
  • the term “bulk layer” refers to the thickest layer or the layer containing the most material in the multilayer cellulose-based material, i.e. the layer which is contributing most to the mechanical properties and the dimensional stability of the multilayer cellulose- based material and of the corresponding cellulose-based container body formed from the multilayer cellulose-based material.
  • the paper layer is formable, i.e. a sheet of paper can be given a three-dimensional shape that is the form of the body of the above described pod 10. Contrary to common pods made of filter paper, this paper is thick and keep the three- dimensional shape provided during a shaping step of manufacturing of the pod in order to enable handling and extraction with an extracting arrangement, i.e. the extracting arrangement according to the invention.
  • the paper layer of the pod can have a grammage of at least 20 g/m2, preferably at most 150 g/m2.
  • the paper of the body can present a higher grammage than the paper of the lid because it needs to be stretched and deformed during manufacturing.
  • the grammage of the paper of the body can be comprised between 80 and 150 g/m2.
  • the lid can present a grammage comprised between 20 and 120 g/m2.
  • the layer of plastic provides additional properties such as air barrier, stretchable or deformable properties, for example as described in WO 2020/114995 or WO 2022/022899.
  • the paper layer in order to shape the multilayer cellulose-based material as a container for the beverage and to create a barrier to protect the beverage ingredient, the paper layer must be sufficiently thick.
  • the multiplayer cellulose-based material comprises compostable layers of plastic. Sealants layers are often necessary to attach the different layers and prevent delamination.
  • the layer of plastic of the multilayer cellulose-based material is a multilayer layer of plastic comprising an internal barrier film positioned between two external polymer films, wherein:
  • the internal barrier film is a butenediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film (tertiary layer),
  • BVOH butenediol vinyl alcohol
  • the external polymer films can be chosen among films of polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and starch (secondary layer).
  • PLA polylactic acid
  • PBS polybutylene succinate
  • PHA polyhydroxyalkanoates
  • PBAT polybutylene adipate terephthalate
  • starch secondary layer
  • the multilayer cellulose-based material of the lid can comprise at least one additional layer that the multilayer cellulose-based material of the body does not necessary comprise. Yet, it is possible that the multilayer cellulose-based materials of the lid and the body are the same too.
  • this protective layer is a film comprising regenerated cellulose.
  • this protective layer is usually torn by a downstream extracting arrangement in the brewing process.
  • the pods can comprise a first and second enclosing walls that are identical. This means that each of them comprises a pod body, said pod body defining half of the chamber and a circumferential annular body flange, and the circumferential annular body flanges of said pod bodies are attached together so as to delimit a chamber for containing the beverage ingredient.
  • the pod shape is symmetric relatively to a central axial axis extending from the bottom wall to the lid and relatively to the plane of the attached flanges.
  • the pod can be defined by a single enclosing wall enclosing a chamber and defining a symmetrical shape according to one or more axis, such as a conical, frustoconical, spherical or oval shape.
  • both enclosing parts present the same the multilayer cellulose-based material with the external surface covered by a protective layer.
  • the lid 13 is adapted to be opened by relative engagement with an extracting arrangement under the effect of the liquid pressure increase inside the pod during injection of liquid.
  • a cellulose-based material generally comprises also a layer made of a compostable polymer, the use of this type of cellulose-based material impacts the correct extraction of the beverage ingredient, such as roast and ground coffee, within the extraction chamber.
  • the compostable barrier polymer can present such stretchable properties that it is difficult to get it pierced by current existing downstream plane extracting arrangement.
  • the material is stretched by the rising elements of the pyramid plate, but due to its stretching property, it is not systematically pierced, opened or torn on each of the rising elements.
  • the material tends to tightly surrounds the rising elements with the effect of covering and closing the holes configured for evacuating the beverage.
  • each pod is extracted differently depending on the number of openings created in the pod and the number of holes remaining free for evacuation of the beverage, which makes the system of the machine and the pod not consistent in quality of the extracted beverage.
  • cellulose-based pods form wrinkles that need to be sealed with a high force thus requiring big mechanisms with high torque motors in a beverage extraction device or in a corresponding beverage preparation machine.
  • downstream plane extracting arrangement comprising rising elements designed to pierce the inflated wall and holes to evacuate the beverage flowing out of the openings created by the rising elements.
  • pods made of biodegradable and/or compostable materials in particular pods made of cellulose-based material, are used.
  • this is particularly true when pods have a symmetric shape according to one or more axis, i.e. conical, frustoconical, spherical and oval shape.
  • the reverse extraction cannot be defined by a known extracting arrangement, in particular the plane ones.
  • the extracting arrangement according to the present invention allows to solve the aforementioned problems and to properly perform the desired reverse extraction.
  • FIGS 2A and 3A are an isolate view of the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 according to the present invention.
  • Each of the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 comprises at least one extracting surface 123, 133 and a plurality of opening elements 122, 132 rising from the extracting surface 123, 133, facing in use an enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open and the opening elements 122; 132 defining outlet openings (not shown) of the bottom wall 11 (or enclosing wall), being the bottom wall 11 in the embodiments herewith illustrated.
  • the opening elements 122, 132 present a shape enabling the opening, piercing, cutting or tearing of the enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open. Usually, this shape is such that the transversal section decreases from the bottom to the end.
  • These opening elements 122, 132 can present the shape of pyramids, stepped pyramid or preferably a conical shape or truncated cone shape. The shape can be a combination of a bottom cylindrical or paralepidid part and a top pyramidal or conical end.
  • the opening elements 122, 132 preferably present a tip end 122’, 132’.
  • This tip end 122’, 132’ is sufficiently pointed to pierce or cut the paper layer of the paper material when this paper layer is pressed on the tip end, in particular when the upstream and downstream enclosing parts are moved from the opened position to the closed position forming the extraction chamber around the pod, as described in greater details below.
  • this tip end 122’, 132’ presents a conical shape.
  • This tip end 122’, 132’ extends by a height from the extracting surface 123, 133. Generally, this height can be defined according to the nature of the material of the pod designed to be used in the extraction device.
  • these opening elements 122, 132 comprise beverage outlet openings 122”, 132” configured to enable the dispensing of beverage from the pierced pod 10 to a drinking a cup.
  • This tip end 122’, 132’ facilitates the piercing of the paper layer during the extraction.
  • this tip end 122’, 132’ can enter the bed of coffee hold inside the pod 10 so that the outlet openings 122”, 132” can be positioned inside said bed of coffee during the coffee preparation.
  • each of these outlet openings 122”, 132” cooperates with a traversing hole configured to drive the beverage from the beverage outlet opening 122”, 132” through and downstream the extracting surface 123, 133, or plates.
  • each of these outlet openings 122”, 132” cooperates with a traversing hole, as well as with a tip end 122’, 132’. Accordingly, beverage produced in the pod 10 is able to flow though these outlet openings 122”, 132” of the opening elements 122, 132 and to be dispensed out of the extraction chamber.
  • the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 according to the present invention are also provided with a plurality of traversing holes to evacuate the beverage dispensed from the outlet opening of the opened enclosing wall.
  • the opening elements may be only provided with outlet openings thus without any tip ends, or vice versa may be only provided with tip ends without any outlet openings.
  • the tip ends 122’, 132’ and/or the outlet openings 122”, 132” are arranged so that they are at different position in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 compared to the position in the side portions of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 adjacent to the centre portion.
  • the tip end 122’, 132’ extends by a predefined height from the extracting surface 123, 133, as described in more details in the specific descriptions of the embodiments.
  • the outlet opening 122”, 132” is preferably positioned above a predefined intermediate position between the extracting surface 123, 133 and the tip end 122’, 132’, and preferably closer to the tip end 122’, 132’ of the opening element 122, 132 rather than from the extracting surface 123, 133. Accordingly, when a stretchable material is used, the risk that the outlet opening 122”, 132” is obstructed by the stretched material is avoided.
  • This intermediate position can be defined according to the nature of the material of the pod designed to be used in the extraction device. In particular, the height must be sufficient to guarantee that the stretched paper does not cover the beverage outlet opening when the paper material is pressed against the tip end during inflation of the lid due to the rise of pressure inside the pod while water is being injected.
  • the intermediate position can be set at least 1 mm from the surface of the extraction surface. When the beverage ingredient is roasted and ground coffee, the intermediate position can be defined too so that the beverage outlet is positioned inside the bed of roasted and ground coffee enclosed in the pod.
  • all the opening elements comprise a beverage outlet.
  • all the beverage outlets present the same shape.
  • the outlet opening 122”, 132” is preferably defined by a slit extending at least partly in the extracting surface 123, 133 along a plane parallel to the same plane defining the extracting surface 123, 133.
  • the slit can be dimensioned to filter grains presenting a diameter of about 0.3 mm. Consequently, the risk that a part of the outlet opening 122”, 132” is partially closed by the paper layer, precisely the part closer to the base of the opening element 122, 132, is avoided. As a result, the full surface of the outlet opening 122”, 132” remains free for evacuation of the beverage and enables a consistent preparation of the beverage.
  • the extracting arrangements 121 , 131 are preferably, as illustrated, an assembly of an upper sub-part element 121a, 131a and a lower sub-part element 121 b, 131 b.
  • each of the sub-part elements 121a, 121 b and 131a, 131 b comprises a part of each opening element 122, 132 of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131.
  • the lower sub-part element 121a, 131a and the upper sub-part element 121 b, 131 b are designed so that the lower sub-part element 121a, 131a is able to slide in the receiving hole of the upper sub-part element 121 b, 131b and, when positioned in said receiving hole, to cooperate to form the complete extracting arrangement 121 , 131.
  • the two parts can be simply assembled together without any sealing member in between so that they can be easily detached one from the other for cleaning or maintenance. For example, they can be assembled by snap-fitting.
  • This construction of the extracting arrangement 121 , 131 with two sub-part elements enable the design of an outlet opening 122”, 132” inside each opening element 122, 132 with a very small size which would not be possible to reach by injection moulding of a plate made of one single piece of material.
  • the opening elements can present a different shape.
  • the extracting arrangement can present different arrangements or being made in a single part.
  • the tip ends 122’, 132’ and the outlet openings 122”, 132” are arranged to lay on a non-planar virtual surface, preferably on a curved virtual surface or on a stepped virtual surface, facing in use the enclosing wall, which is the bottom wall 11 in the present embodiment, so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing wall of the pod 10 to open (thus with the non-planar bottom wall 11).
  • the opening elements can be provided with only tip ends or alternatively with only outlet openings, thus only the tip ends or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on such a non-planar virtual surface.
  • the non-planar virtual surface may face, in use, more than one wall, such as the bottom wall and the lateral wall of the pod, so as to substantially match with the non-planar enclosing walls of the pod to open (thus with the non-planar bottom and lateral walls).
  • the term “virtual surface” refers to a surface virtually, and ideally, defined by the non-planar plane, curved or stepped, on which all the tip ends and/or all the outlet openings lay. Therefore, the virtual surface can be defined by different heights for the opening elements rising from a planar extracting surface, so that the tip ends and/or the outlet openings are arranged to lay on the virtual surface, or by different heights for the outlet openings at the opening elements or by an extracting surface having a curved shape or a stepped shape and provided with opening elements having the same height or by a combination of the aforementioned solutions.
  • the non-planar virtual surface such as the curved virtual surface or the stepped virtual surface, can be defined by having a planar extracting surface with opening elements having different heights or by an extracting surface which presents a non-planar shape or even by a combination of the two solutions.
  • the non-planar virtual surface is concave.
  • the term “concave” refers to a surface, or a plurality of surfaces, able to defines a concave shape with respect to the enclosing wall of the pod to which it, or they, faces to, i.e. the bottom wall or the bottom and lateral walls.
  • a surface, or surfaces may comprise one or more portions wherein at least one portion is concave.
  • the enclosing wall of the pod is preferably also concave shaped to match with the concave shape of the non-planar virtual surface.
  • the non-planar virtual surface can be convex, wherein in the present invention the term “convex” refers to a surface, or a plurality of surfaces, able to defines a convex shape with respect to the enclosing wall of the pod to which it, or they, faces to, i.e. the bottom wall or the bottom and lateral walls.
  • a surface, or surfaces may comprise one or more portions wherein at least one portion is convex.
  • the enclosing wall of the pod is preferably convex shaped to match with the same convex shape of the non-planar virtual surface.
  • the extraction of the beverage can be done with the enclosing wall(s) of the body of the pod 10 against the tip ends 122’, 132’ and/or the outlet openings 122”, 132” which lay on such a non-planar virtual surface, preferably a curved virtual surface or on a stepped virtual surface, thus improving the contact with the shape of the enclosing wall(s), i.e. the bottom wall 11.
  • wrinkles formed on the body don’t affect the extraction due to the lower effort required to pierce the body of the pod 10.
  • an extracting arrangement 121 defined by a non-planar virtual surface, in particular by a curved virtual surface defined by the arrangement of the tip ends 122’ and of the outlet openings 122”.
  • the curved virtual surface is preferably defined by a spherical cap surface, which is by the arrangement of the tip ends 122’ and of the outlet openings 122” in an area defined by a spherical cap surface as showed in the first embodiments of Figures 2A-2B.
  • the radius of the sphere defines such geometries to be greater than R50, preferably in a range of R50-R70, more preferably in a range of R55-R65, even more preferably equal to R60.
  • different curved shapes can be used, such as the hemisphere shape.
  • the virtual surface can be defined by the specific arrangement of the tip ends only or, on the contrary, of the outlet opening only.
  • the term “spherical cap surface” refers to a portion of a sphere or of a ball cut off by a plane. It is also a spherical segment of one base, i.e., bounded by a single plane. If the plane passes through the center of the sphere (forming a great circle), so that the height of the cap is equal to the radius of the sphere, the spherical cap surface is called a hemisphere surface.
  • the extracting surface 123 has the same shape of the non-planar virtual surface, thus a curved virtual surface.
  • the opening elements 122 rising from at least one extracting surface 123 can have the same height so as to define a corresponding curved virtual surface for the the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122”.
  • the extracting surface 123 is defined by an extracting plate having a curved shape, preferably a concave curved shape. Moreover, the opening elements 122 rising from the extracting surface 123 of said extracting plate have preferably the same heights. As illustrated, the extracting surface 123 is defined by an extracting plate having a spherical cap shape, wherein the radius of the sphere is greater than R50, preferably in a range of R50-R70, more preferably in a range of R55-R65, even more preferably equal to R60.
  • different concave curved shapes can be used, such as the hemisphere shape.
  • the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122” are arranged so that they are at lower position (or level) in the centre portion of the extracting arrangement 121 and at higher position (or level) in the side portions of the extracting arrangement 121 adjacent to the centre portion.
  • This allows to follow the shape of the body of the pod 10, such has the curved, conical or frustoconical shape of the bottom wall 11.
  • the tip ends 122’ and the outlet openings 122” having the same heights, also the corresponding non-planar virtual surface has the same values for the radius of the aforementioned extracting surface 123.
  • a lowest piercing portion is arranged at a centre portion of the piercing arrangement 121 and higher piercing portions are arranged at a side portion of the piercing arrangement 121 , in turn at side of the lowest piercing portion.
  • the higher piercing portions are arranged concentrically to the lower piercing portion(s).
  • tip ends and/or of the outlet openings can be provided falling in the same inventive concept, such as by defining the curved virtual surface, or the non-planar virtual surface in general, by the different heights of the opening elements.
  • an extracting arrangement 131 defined by a non-planar virtual surface, in particular by a stepped virtual surface, defined by the arrangement of the tip ends 132’ and of the outlet openings 132”.
  • the stepped virtual surface is preferably defined by a plurality of planar layers (or portions), in particular at least two planar portions, arranged at different positions (or levels) which are at least a lower planar portion and a higher planar portion , which is by the arrangement of the tip ends 132’ and of the outlet openings 132” in an area defined by a a plurality of planar layers arranged at different positions (or levels).
  • the distance between these layers is in a range between 0.1-0.5 mm, preferably 0.2-0.4 mm.
  • the virtual surface can be defined by the specific arrangement of the tip ends only or, on the contrary, of the outlet opening only.
  • the extracting surface 133 has the same shape of the stepped virtual surface.
  • the opening elements 132 rising from at least one extracting surface 133 can have the same height so as to define a corresponding stepped virtual surface for the the tip ends 132’ and/or the outlet openings 132”.
  • the extracting surface 133 is defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape, preferably a concave stepped shape.
  • the extracting plate is preferably provided with at least two planar extracting portions arranged at different positions, a lower planar extracting portion and at least one higher planar extracting portion.
  • the opening elements 132 rising from the extracting surface 133 of said extracting plate have preferably the same heights.
  • the extracting surface 133 is defined by an extracting plate having a stepped shape.
  • Each of the layers (or portions) defined by the stepped shape is arranged at different positions (or levels) . The distance between these layers is in a range between 0.1-0.5 mm, preferably 0.2-0.4 mm.
  • the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A-3B shows five layers or portions arranged at different positions.
  • the first layer (or portion) is the lowest in the centre, used as reference zero plane.
  • the second layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.2 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer.
  • the third layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.4 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.2 mm from the second layer.
  • the fourth layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 0.8 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.4 from the third layer and of 0.2 mm from the second layer.
  • the fifth layer (or portion) is arranged at a distance of preferably 10 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer, which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.4 mm from the fourth layer, of 0.4 mm from the third layer and of 0.2 mm from the second layer.
  • a distance of preferably 10 mm from the reference zero plane defined by the first layer which is thus in turn at a distance of 0.4 mm from the fourth layer, of 0.4 mm from the third layer and of 0.2 mm from the second layer.
  • different values can be used.
  • the machine for extracting a beverage comprises a beverage extraction device according to one of the embodiments above described, or combination of them.
  • the beverage extraction device is positioned in the beverage preparation machine in a non-removable manner, thus defining a nonremovable brewing chamber inside the machine.
  • the upstream and/or downstream pod enclosing parts 110, 120 are moved relatively one to the other to their closed position in order to form the extraction chamber that encloses the pod 10 for the coming extraction.
  • the external surfaces of the first and second walls 13, 11 of the pod 10 are in contact respectively with the surfaces of the upstream piercing arrangement (or extracting arrangement) and the downstream extracting arrangement.
  • the upstream piercing arrangement such as blades or hollow needle, pierces the first enclosing wall of the pod 10, which is the lid 13, except if this upstream piercing arrangement is retractable and can be moved in a further step.
  • the piercing of the pod 10 can be performed through the top membrane (lid 13) and extraction can be done with the body (bottom and/or lateral walls 11 , 13) of the pod 10 against the pyramid plate (or extracting arrangement).
  • the forces required to seal against the top membrane that is flat are little, and this not only reduces size and force required to seal the pod 10 but also significantly simplifies the overall beverage extraction device.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un agencement d'extraction (121 ; 131) pour extraire une boisson d'une dosette comprenant un ingrédient de boisson, comprenant une pluralité d'éléments d'ouverture (122 ; 132) s'élevant à partir d'au moins une surface de perçage (123 ; 133), faisant face, en utilisation, à une paroi d'enceinte (11) de la dosette (10) à ouvrir, et une pluralité de trous traversants, pour évacuer la boisson distribuée à partir de la paroi d'enceinte ouverte (11), chacun des éléments d'ouverture (122 ; 132) présentant une ouverture de sortie (122'' ; 132'') coopérant avec les trous traversants et/ou une extrémité de pointe (122' ; 132'), les extrémités de pointe (122' ; 132') et/ou les ouvertures de sortie (122 ; 132) étant agencées pour reposer sur une surface virtuelle non plane faisant face, en utilisation, à la paroi d'enceinte (11), de manière à correspondre sensiblement à la paroi d'enceinte (11) de la dosette (10).
PCT/EP2024/084878 2023-12-31 2024-12-05 Agencement d'extraction d'un dispositif d'extraction de boisson Pending WO2025140835A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23220890.0 2023-12-31
EP23220890 2023-12-31

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WO2025140835A1 true WO2025140835A1 (fr) 2025-07-03

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Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1247480A1 (fr) 2001-04-05 2002-10-09 Mövenpick - Holding Système pour extraire du café
EP1295554A1 (fr) 2001-09-21 2003-03-26 SGL Italia S.r.l. Machine à café pour préparer du café à partir de café en poudre contenu dans une capsule
US20160198888A1 (en) * 2013-08-13 2016-07-14 Nestec S.A. Capsule multi-piercer
WO2020089404A1 (fr) 2018-11-01 2020-05-07 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Système de capsule avec moyen de reconnaissance et mécanisme d'ouverture et d'injection adaptable
US20200163484A1 (en) * 2015-11-12 2020-05-28 Giancarlo Fantappié System for mixing and dispensing a beverage
WO2020114995A2 (fr) 2018-12-04 2020-06-11 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Dosette de boisson
EP3730007A1 (fr) * 2019-03-22 2020-10-28 SAGA COFFEE S.p.A. Dispositif d'infusion pour produire une boisson à partir d'une capsule à portion individuelle
WO2022022899A1 (fr) 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Récipient de préparation de boisson
WO2023052144A1 (fr) 2021-09-28 2023-04-06 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Film de stratification biodégradable et contenant fabriqué à partir de ce dernier
WO2023198819A1 (fr) * 2022-04-14 2023-10-19 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Chambre centrifuge avec éléments d'ouverture de capsule

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1247480A1 (fr) 2001-04-05 2002-10-09 Mövenpick - Holding Système pour extraire du café
EP1295554A1 (fr) 2001-09-21 2003-03-26 SGL Italia S.r.l. Machine à café pour préparer du café à partir de café en poudre contenu dans une capsule
US20030070554A1 (en) * 2001-09-21 2003-04-17 Virginio Cortese Coffee machine
US20160198888A1 (en) * 2013-08-13 2016-07-14 Nestec S.A. Capsule multi-piercer
US20200163484A1 (en) * 2015-11-12 2020-05-28 Giancarlo Fantappié System for mixing and dispensing a beverage
WO2020089404A1 (fr) 2018-11-01 2020-05-07 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Système de capsule avec moyen de reconnaissance et mécanisme d'ouverture et d'injection adaptable
WO2020114995A2 (fr) 2018-12-04 2020-06-11 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Dosette de boisson
EP3730007A1 (fr) * 2019-03-22 2020-10-28 SAGA COFFEE S.p.A. Dispositif d'infusion pour produire une boisson à partir d'une capsule à portion individuelle
WO2022022899A1 (fr) 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Récipient de préparation de boisson
WO2023052144A1 (fr) 2021-09-28 2023-04-06 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Film de stratification biodégradable et contenant fabriqué à partir de ce dernier
WO2023198819A1 (fr) * 2022-04-14 2023-10-19 Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Chambre centrifuge avec éléments d'ouverture de capsule

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