2.7.
In de beschrijving van EP 521 is – voor zover hier van belang – het volgende opgenomen:
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage
preparation system, a capsule and a method for forming
a beverage. The beverage preparation system is of the
type comprising a beverage preparation machine wherein
the capsule is designed for insertion into the beverage
preparation machine to permit a pressurised liquid to be
flowed through the capsule in order to produce a beverage
from interaction with beverage ingredients contained
within the capsule.
[0002] Beverage preparation systems which comprise
a beverage preparation machine and a capsule containing
beverage ingredients are known in the art. One such
system is taught in EP 1700548, which discloses a capsule
comprising a cup-like base body and a closing foil
member. The capsule is designed for insertion in a beverage
production device in which a liquid under pressure
enters the capsule in order to interact with ingredients in
the capsule to form a beverage which is output for consumption.
The capsule of EP 1700548 is provided with
a dedicated sealing member to prevent a bypass flow of
water around the exterior of the capsule in use. The sealing
member is in the form of a hollow sealing member on
the outer surface of the capsule, for example in the form
of a step which is contacted on closure of an enclosing
member of the beverage preparation machine.
[0003] The present disclosure provides an alternative
capsule which may be used as part of such a beverage
preparation system. The capsule may be economical to
produce and provide effective sealing in use.
[0004] WO2013136209 describes a system for making
beverages comprises a capsule containing a powdered
food substance which can be extracted to make a beverage,
and a capsule holder comprising an infeed opening
through which the capsule can be inserted, delimited
by an annular edge at the top of which there is a projecting
annular element and/or respectively an annular seat. The
capsule comprises a body comprising a lower wall, a lateral
wall and a perimetric edge on which there is an annular
groove on whose surface there is a bottom zone
and, laterally positioned on opposite sides of the bottom
zone, two inner lateral faces, and/or respectively there
is an annular tooth on whose surface there is a tip portion
and, laterally positioned on opposite sides of the tip portion,
two outer lateral faces. The capsule holder and the
capsule can adopt a sealed configuration where the projecting
annular element, inserted in the annular groove,
is in sealed contact with at least one of the inner lateral
faces, and/or respectively the annular seat receives inside
it the annular tooth and is in sealed contact with at
least one of the outer lateral faces.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0008] In a third aspect the present disclosure provides
a method for preparing a beverage comprising the steps
of:
- providing a capsule as described above;
- providing a beverage preparation machine having
an enclosing member;
- moving the enclosing member into an open position;
- inserting the capsule into the beverage preparation
machine;
- closing the enclosing member so as to sealingly engage
the enclosing member with the capsule;
- flowing a pressurised liquid through the capsule to
produce a beverage from interaction with the beverage
ingredients; and
- outputting the beverage for consumption;
wherein on closure, the enclosing member engages the
annular trough of the side wall of the capsule to thereby
deform the side wall;
wherein said deformation of the side wall causes the formation
of at least one sealing interface between the enclosing
member and the side wall.
[0009] The above aspects may further comprise one
or more of the following features:
The annular trough may be dimensioned to partially or
wholly receive a leading edge of the enclosing member
therein on movement of the enclosing member into the
closed position.
[0010] The second side wall section may define a ridge
zone located radially outwards of the annular trough.
[0011] The side wall may be adapted to undergo plastic
deformation during closure of the enclosing member.
[0012] The side wall may be adapted such that, in use,
closure of the enclosing member deforms the side wall
to cause the second side wall section to be forced inwardly
against an outer face of the enclosing member to
form a sealing interface with the outer face of the enclosing
member.
[0013] The annular trough may be adapted to form a
sealing interface with a leading edge of the enclosing
member.
[0014] Advantageously, a sealing interface may be
provided with both the leading edge and the outer face
of the enclosing member. In addition, the deformation of
the annular trough may also cause an outward pressure
to be exerted by the side wall on the inner face of the
enclosing member to form a further sealing interface.
[0015] The side wall may be adapted such that during
closure of the enclosing member the side wall is plastically
drawn over the leading edge of the enclosing member.
Advantageously this may allow the side wall to be
conformed to the shape of any grooves (or similar) provided
in the leading edge.
[0016] Prior to insertion, the annular trough may comprise
an inner wall, an outer wall and a floor. On closure
of the enclosing member a leading edge of the enclosing
member may contact the outer wall of the annular trough
and form a seal therewith.
[0017] The inner wall and outer wall may be substantially
perpendicular to the floor. In an alternative arrangement
the outer wall may be angled relative to the floor,
such that an internal angle at a junction between the floor
and the outer wall is from 90° to 120°, preferably 105°.
Thus the seal with the enclosing member may be a tapered
seal.
[0018] The ridge zone may comprise an apex, and a
leading edge of the enclosing member may comprise an
inner rim and an outer rim and a recess located between
the inner rim and the outer rim, wherein on closure of the
enclosing member the apex of the ridge zone may be
received in the recess between the inner rim and the
outer rim.
[0030] A leading edge of the enclosing member may
comprise a plurality of grooves or indentations, and the
side wall may be adapted such that the plastic deformation
of the side wall conforms the annular trough of the
side wall to the grooves or indentations to provide an
effective seal. In one arrangement the plastic deformation
of the side wall conforms the outer wall of the annular
trough to the grooves or indentations to provide an effective
seal.
[0031] At least a portion of the cup-shaped body, preferably
a whole of the cup-shaped body, may be formed
from aluminium, an aluminium alloy or a laminate comprising
at least one layer formed from aluminium or an
aluminium alloy. A lacquer layer may be applied to one
or both faces of the cup-shaped body. Alternatively, another,
suitably ductile material could be utilised in place
of the aluminium or aluminium alloy.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0048] Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of capsule
1. (…)
[0072] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, during the step of
closing the enclosing member 2 relative to the capsule
holder 20 the side wall 43 of the capsule 1 is contacted
by the enclosing member 2 to deform the side wall 43.
In particular, the leading edge 23 enters the annular
trough 60 and bears on the floor 64 and/or the inner wall
65 and/or the outer wall 66. The floor 64 is driven downwards
by the action of the enclosing member 2 to nip the
floor 64 (and the lid 41 sealed to the floor 64) against the
capsule holder 20. The leading edge 23 may also act to
pinch the material of the side wall 43 during this movement
which consequently causes the ridge zone 63 to
be pivoted inwards to bring the apex 67 of the ridge zone
63 and/or the outer wall 66 of the annular trough 60 into
sealing engagement with the outer face 24 of the annular
element 22 as shown in Figure 6. Importantly, the initial
point of contact between the leading edge 23 and the
floor 64 is axially spaced from the capsule holder 20 such
that there is room for the side wall 43 to deform downwards
towards the capsule holder 20 enough to allow for
inward pivoting of the ridge zone 63 before the side wall
43 is nipped against the capsule holder 20.
[0073] The induced movement of the side wall 43 causes
the side wall 43 to undergo plastic deformation. In
particular, as the side wall 43 is deformed downwards,
the side wall 43 (in particular portions of the annular
trough 60) may be plastically drawn over the leading edge
23 of the enclosing member 2 which encourages the material
of the side wall 43 to be closely conformed to the
grooves of the leading edge 23. Thus, the annular trough
60 may form a sealing interface with the leading edge 23
of the enclosing member 2.
[0074] Further, deformation of the annular trough 60
may also cause an outward pressure to be exerted by
the side wall 43 on the inner face 25 of the enclosing
member 2 to form a further sealing interface.
[0075] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate a second embodiment
of capsule 1. Features corresponding to those of the first
embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference
signs. Features of the first embodiment and this embodiment
may be interchanged and combined as desired. In
addition, in the following description only differences between
the embodiments will be described in detail. In
other respects the reader is directed to the description
of the prior embodiment.
[0076] The cup-shaped body 40 differs from that of the
first embodiment in the configuration and geometry of
the annular trough 60. As in the first embodiment, the
annular trough 60 is dimensioned to receive, partially or
wholly, the leading edge 23 of the enclosing member 2
on movement of the enclosing member 2 into the closed
position. The inner wall 65 of the annular trough 60, as
before, is substantially perpendicular to the floor 64. However,
in contrast, the outer wall 66 is angled relative to
the floor 64, such that an internal angle α at a junction
between the floor 64 and the outer wall 66 is from 90° to
120°, preferably 105°.
[0082] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, on closing the
enclosing member 2 relative to the capsule holder 20 the
side wall 43 of the capsule 1 is contacted by the enclosing
member 2 to deform the side wall 43. In particular, the
inner rim 23a of the leading edge 23 is received in the
annular trough 60 and bears on the outer wall 66 while
at the same time (or shortly thereafter) the apex 67 of
the ridge zone 63 is received in the recess 23c. The ridge
zone 63 (and floor 64) is driven downwards by the action
of the enclosing member 2 on the outer wall 66 and/or
apex 67 causing the outer wall 66 of the annular trough
60 and the outer wall 68 of the ridge zone 63 to buckle
and deform/crumple. During this movement the material
of the outer wall 66 of the annular trough 60 may be plastically
drawn over the leading edge 23 to conform the
outer wall 66 of the annular trough 60 to the grooves or
indentations to provide an effective seal.
[0083] The downward movement of the ridge zone 63
also nips the floor 64 (and the lid 41 sealed to the floor
64) against the capsule holder 20 as shown in Figure 12.
[0084] The geometry of the outer wall 68 of the ridge
zone 63, with the additional annular ridge 70 helps to
stiffen the distal end of the side wall 43 and prevent the
rim 47 being deflected down into contact with the capsule
holder 20.
[0085] Downward movement of the enclosing member
2 may continue beyond the point illustrated in Figure 12
until the inner rim 23a contacts and bears against the
floor 64 of the annular trough 60.
(…)
[0087] Figures 13 to 18 illustrate a third embodiment
of capsule 1. Features corresponding to those of the first
and/or second embodiment are denoted by corresponding
reference signs. Features of the first and/or second
embodiment and this embodiment may be interchanged
and combined as desired. In addition, in the following
description only differences between the embodiments
will be described in detail. In other respects the reader
is directed to the description of the prior embodiments.
[0088] The cup-shaped body 40 differs from that of the
first and second embodiments in the configuration and
geometry of the annular trough 60. As in the second embodiment,
the annular trough 60 is dimensioned to receive,
partially or wholly, the leading edge 23 of the enclosing
member 2 on movement of the enclosing member
2 into the closed position. The inner wall 65 of the annular
trough 60 is substantially perpendicular to the floor 64
and the outer wall 66 is angled relative to the floor 64,
such that an internal angle α at a junction between the
floor 64 and the outer wall 66 is from 90° to 120°, preferably
105°.
[0094] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, on closing the
enclosing member 2 relative to the capsule holder 20 the
side wall 43 of the capsule 1 is contacted by the enclosing
member 2 to deform the side wall 43. In particular, the
inner rim 23a of the leading edge 23 is received in the
annular trough 60 and bears on the outer wall 66 while
at the same time (or shortly thereafter) the apex 67 of
the ridge zone 63 is received in the recess 23c. The ridge
zone 63 (and floor 64) is driven downwards by the action
of the enclosing member 2 on the outer wall 66 and/or
apex 67 causing the outer wall 66 of the annular trough
60 and the outer wall 68 of the ridge zone 63 to buckle
and deform/crumple. During this movement the material
of the outer wall 66 of the annular trough 60 may be plastically
drawn over the leading edge 23 to conform the
outer wall 66 of the annular trough 60 to the grooves or
indentations to provide an effective seal.
[0095] The downward movement of the ridge zone 63
also nips the floor 64 (and the lid 41 sealed to the floor
64) against the capsule holder 20 as shown in Figure 12.
[0096] The geometry of the outer wall 68 of the ridge
zone 63, with the upper section 73, mid-section 71 and
lower section 72 helps to stiffen the distal end of the side
wall 43 and prevent the rim 47 being deflected down into
contact with the capsule holder 20.
[0097] Downward movement of the enclosing member
2 may continue beyond the point illustrated in Figure 12
until the inner rim 23a contacts and bears against the
floor 64 of the annular trough 60.