Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"CAPSULE FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE"
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a
beverage of the infusion type.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, when one wants to prepare a beverage by infusion
formed by mixing at least two products (for example, to
prepare a cappuccino which, as well known consists of coffee
and milk foam) is used a capsule or a chamber in which
products are already mixed or a capsule in which are defined
two chambers, one for each product and one overlapping the
other. For the two chambered capsules in use hot water under
pressure is channeled in the upper chamber so as to = create a
first infusion with the first product and then through the
openings the first infusion is channeled towards the second
chamber so as to mix with the second product to create the
beverage. It seems obvious that if coffee and milk are used as
products, the outcoming beverage from the capsule is not a
real cappuccino but rather a normal milk and coffee. In fact,
a real cappuccino involves separate preparation of coffee and
of a milk foam, which are then always poured separately in a
cup.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a capsule
for preparing a beverage that is free from the above
drawbacks.
According to the present invention a capsule is provided for
preparing a beverage of the type comprising a cup-shaped body
closed at the top by a lid, characterized in that it has a
plurality of infusion chambers in its inside each provided
with a respective area for the inlet of a water flow and each
provided with a respective area for the outlet of the
infusion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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For a better understanding of the invention an embodiment is
herein described purely by way of illustration and not of
limitation with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein:
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views according to different
angles of a capsule; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view, partial and in section of a
capsule inserted in a percolation chamber.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, indicated as a whole with 1 is a
capsule comprising a cup-shaped body 2 closed on the upper
side by a lid 3 in the form of a disc. The cup-shaped body 2
presents a lateral wall 4 with cylindrical shape and a base
wall 5. One intermediate wall 6, which divides the inside of
said cup-shaped body 2 into two infusion chambers 7 and 8, is
present inside the cup-shaped body 2 and is integral with the
base wall 5, from which it extends parallel to the lateral
wall 4. The chamber 7 is delimited at the bottom by a central
portion 11 of the base wall 5 and laterally by the inner face
of the intermediate wall 6. The chamber 8 is concentric to the
chamber 7 and is delimited at the bottom by an annular portion
12 of the base wall 5 and laterally by the outer face of the
intermediate wall 6 and by the inner face of the lateral wall
4. In the central portion 11 of the base wall 5 a first outlet
area is obtained which in this embodiment is defined by a
plurality of through holes 13 distributed according to a
plurality of circumferences. In the annular portion 12 of the
base wall 5 a second outlet area is obtained which in this
embodiment is defined by a plurality of through holes 14
distributed according to a circumference. Two annular
projections 15 and 16 originate from the outer face of the
base wall 5 and extend downwards. The projection 15 is next to
the intermediate wall 6 and delimits the aforementioned first
outlet area. While the projection 16 is substantially a
continuation of the lower end of the lateral wall 4 and
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together with the projection 15 delimits the aforementioned
second outlet area. The lateral wall 4 at its upper end has an
annular edge 17 of thickness greater than the remaining part
of the same wall 4; the edge 17 extending from the outer face
of the wall 4.
The lid 3 has two annular thickenings 18 and 21 that define in
the lid 3, two portions 22 and 23. The thickening 18 is formed
along the peripheral edge of the lid 3 and with the lid 3
mounted it abuts against an annular projection 24 obtained on
the inner face of the lateral wall 4 near the upper end
thereof. The thickening 21 is concentric to the thickening 18
and with lid 3 mounted it ends up near the upper end of the
intermediate wall 6. In the portion 22, which is central and
which is delimited by thickening 18, is defined a first inlet
area. In the portion 23, which is annular and which is
delimited between the two thickenings 22 and 23, is defined a
second inlet area. The first inlet area has a plurality of
through holes 25 uniformly distributed and the second inlet
area has a plurality of through holes 26 uniformly distributed
along the portion 23.
As can be seen, with the lid mounted inside the capsule 1,
were defined the two chambers 7 and 8 which are separated from
one another and substantially sealed in a fluid-tight manner
with respect to each other; each chamber 7 and 8 housing a
predetermined quantity of a respective infusion. The chamber 7
is delimited at the bottom by the portion 11 of the base wall
5, laterally by the inner face of the intermediate wall 6 and
at the top by the portion 22 of the lid 3. Is to be
highlighted that after assembly of the lid 3, the peripheral
edge of the portion 22 near the thickening 21 abuts against
the upper end of the intermediate wall 6 therefore obtaining a
substantial seal in a fluid-tight manner between the chamber 7
and the chamber 8.
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The chamber 8 is delimited at the bottom by the portion 15 of
the base wall 5, laterally by the outer face of the
intermediate wall 6 and by the inner face of the lateral wall
4 and on the upper side by the portion 23 of the lid 3. To be
highlighted is that the inner face of the lateral wall 4 is
slightly flared upwards and= the diameter of the lid 3 is such
that after assembly the peripheral edge of the lid 3 is
pressed with force upon the inner face of the lateral wall 4
so as to obtain a seal in a fluid-tight manner of the chamber
8.
In essence, the capsule 1 has two separate chambers 7 and 8
sealed in a fluid-tight manner with .respect to each other and
each chamber 7 and 8 has a respective area for the inlet of a
fluid and a respective area for the outlet of a fluid.
With reference to Figure 3 in use the capsule 1 is inserted
into a percolation element 30 which comprises a lower cup-
shaped body 31 having a base wall 32 and a cylindrical lateral
wall 33. The element 30 also comprises a plate 34 =covering the
upper edge of the lateral wall 33. The element 30 thus defines
a percolation chamber 35 delimited at the bottom by the inner
face of the base wall 32, laterally by the inner face of the
lateral wall 33 and on the upper side by the inner face of the
covering plate 34. As can be seen from Figure 3, as capsule 1
is inserted in the percolation chamber 35, the plate 34 is
pressed upon the thickenings 18 and 21 creating a seal between
the two inlet areas defined in the lid 3 of the capsule 1. The
plate 34 is also pressed against the upper edge of the lateral
wall 33, the edge 17 of the capsule 1. In this way a seal from
the percolation chamber 35 towards the exterior is obtained.
Finally.always in figure 3 it can be seen that the projections
15 and 16 abut against the inner face of the base wall 32 of
the body 31 obtaining both a seal in a fluid-tight manner
between the two mentioned outlet areas of the capsule 1 and
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from the same towards the space defined between the outer
surface of the capsule 1 and the percolation chamber 35.
In the plate 34 two through holes 36 and 37 are obtained of
which the hole 36 has a lower end which is to be in
correspondence with the portion 22 of the lid 3 and therefore
of the above-mentioned first inlet area of the capsule 1. In
particular, the hole 36 is obtained aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the chamber 35 and therefore of the
capsule 1. The hole 37 has a lower end which is in
correspondence with the portion 23 of the lid 3 and therefore
of the aforementioned second inlet area of the capsule 1. The
base wall 32 of the body 31 also presents two through holes 38
and 41 of which the hole 38 has an upper end that is brought
into correspondence with the aforementioned first outlet area
of the capsule 1 and a lower end that leads outside the
percolation chamber 35. In particular, the hole 38 is obtained
aligned with the hole 36. The hole 41 has an upper end that is
brought into correspondence with the aforementioned second
outlet area of the capsule 1 and a lower end which leads
outside the percolation chamber 35. In particular, the hole 41
is obtained aligned with the hole 37.
If the holes 36 and 37 are fed with a respective and separate
water flow it is possible to define two distinct channels one
for each infusion injected into the capsule 1. The first
channel provides the hole 36, the chamber 7 and the hole 38.
The second channel provides the hole 37, the chamber 8 and the
hole 41. This division of the channels involves the
possibility of feeding at the same time the two channels so
that the two flows of water, once meeting the corresponding
infusion, are then mixed into a container placed underneath
the percolation element 30. Or the division of the channels
may lead a first water flow along a first channel and
subsequently a second water flow along the second channel so
that the second flow passing through the second infusion falls
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in the container which already contains the first water flow
passing through the first infusion. Ultimately the two
infusions can mix in the aforementioned container or while
they are being channeled in the container itself or in
subsequent times.
It is evident that it is possible to define inside the capsule
1 a greater number of chambers and this allows the possibility
not only to use multiple infusions (one per chamber) but also
with the same capsule 1 decide which mixture of infusions may
constitute the beverage. In fact it can be expected to select
which channels are to be fed with the corresponding water
flow, with which flow rate and at what temperature.
A further variant may provide the absence of the thickening 21
in the lid 3, and therefore the water flow towards the inlet
areas of the capsule 1 may provide a single hole between the
holes 36 and 37 as the main feature is to provide two distinct
outlet areas from the capsule 1 one for each infusion.
Finally it should be outlined that in some or all of the
infusion chambers at the respective outlet areas can be
installed a respective filter to prevent leakage of the
infusion.
From that above described are evident numerous advantages
achieved with the embodiment of the present invention.
In particular a capsule with several chambers (an infusion per
chamber) is provided which allows a channeling of a water flow
for each chamber of the capsule. It appears obvious that if
for example an infusion is defined by coffee powder and the
second infusion is defined by milk powder or liquid milk the
beverage obtained is a real cappuccino and not a normal milk
and coffee. It is to be emphasized that it is possible to
select the flow rate of water flow for each channel; flow rate
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that depends on the number and extent of holes 25 and 26
obtained in the lid 3. It also appears clear that with
infusion chambers with annular development the capsule can be
installed in the percolation element without the need to have
a predefine installation direction. Finally, for capsules with
a number of chambers of more than two units, it is possible to
select which chambers are to be engaged by the water flow.
