Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Single Serve Capsule Having a Liquid Distributor
This application is a divisional of Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,913,597 and claims priority from therein.
The present invention relates to a single serve capsule
having a capsule body, the wall and base of which
delimit an interior space provided with a beverage/food
substance which is dissolved and/or extracted by means
of a liquid which is introduced into the single serve
capsule, wherein the interior space, in particular
downstream of a liquid supply, is provided with a
liquid distributor which at least partially distributes
the liquid supply over the cross section of the single
serve capsule.
Single serve capsules are increasingly used nowadays in
order to prepare beverages or food. For this purpose, a
liquid, in particular hot *water, flows through the
single serve capsule and, in the process, a
beverage/food substance present in the single serve
capsule is extracted and/or dissolved. However, the
beverage resulting therefrom is often inadequate in
terms of taste.
It was therefore the object of the present invention to
provide a single serve capsule which does not have the
disadvantages of the prior art.
The object is achieved by a single serve capsule having
a capsule body, the wall and base of which delimit an
interior space provided with a beverage/food substance
which is dissolved and/or extracted by means of a
liquid which is introduced into the single serve
capsule, wherein the interior space, in particular
downstream of a liquid supply, is provided with a
liquid distributor which at least partially distributes
the liquid supply over the cross section of the single
serve capsule.
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The present invention relates to a. single serve capsule
having a capsule body which has a wall, for example a
cylindrical or. conical wall, and a base,, which wall and
base jointly delimit an interior space. Said interior
space contains a beverage/food substance with which,
for example, tea, coffee, espresso, but also a food,
for example soup, can he produced by a liquid, in
particular hot water, being conducted through the
single serve capsule, the liquid dissolving and/or
extracting the beverage/food substance. The
beverage/food substance is, for example, a coffee
powder or tea leaves, but also dried milk or cocoa
powder.
=
According to the invention, the interior space, in
particular downstream of the liquid supply and upstream
of the beverage/food substance, is now provided with a
liquid distributor which distributes the liquid supply,
which is generally introduced into the single serve
capsule in the form of a water jet, at least partially
over the cross section of the single serve capsule.
Alternatively, liquid is supplied to the brewing
chamber upstream of the cover and is introduced into
the capsule interior space in predistributed form, by
preferably a plurality of openings, in particular
puncture openings, which are made in the cover, in
particular the cover film, preferably by a puncturing
member, and then, in a second stage, is at least
partially distributed over the cross section of the
single serve capsule by the liquid distributor.
The liquid distributor reduces the speed at which the
liquid strikes against the beverage/food substance.
=
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for producing a beverage or food, in which a
liquid flows through a single serve capsule and, in the process,
dissolves and/or extracts a beverage/food substance, wherein the
liquid is distributed over the cross section of the single serve
capsule by a liquid distributor which is provided upstream of the
beverage/food substance, wherein the liquid distributor is
deformed and/or moved before the liquid flows there through
and/or while the liquid flows there through.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for producing a beverage or food, in which a
liquid flows through a single serve capsule and, in the process,
dissolves and/or extracts a beverage/food substance, wherein a
connection between particles of the beverage/food substance,
which connection was produced by an adhesive, is dissolved again
as the flow passes through the beverage/food substance.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for producing a beverage or food, in which a
liquid flows through a single serve capsule and, in the process,
dissolves and/or extracts a beverage/food substance, wherein the
position of the beverage/food substance within the single serve
capsule is changed before and/or during production of the
beverage.
According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid distributor is a
plastics component which, for example, may be injection molded
and/or thermoformed. The liquid distributor may also be
manufactured as a porous
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compone nt preferably by a single- or multi-bond
technique.
The liquid distributor preferably has a base area with
recesses through which the liquid flows and is
distributed in the process. The bass area of the liquid
distributor is arranged here at least substantially
parallel to the surface of the beverage/food substance.
The base area is provided with a multiplicity of
recesses which, with respect to the base area, are
preferably arranged at right angles to the base area or
obliquely to the base area and/or preferably have
different diameters and/or are preferably distributed
= 15 nonuniformly on the base area and/or preferably have a
constant diameter and/or recesses, the center point of
which are arranged on a circular ring. In the event
that the recesses are provided obliquely, said slopes
can be provided at least partially at different angles
in the recesses and/or the direction of the slopes may
differ. The recesses can have, for example, a round,
triangular, rectangular or square cross section.
Furthermore preferably, the base area of the liquid
distributor is arranged at a distance from that surface
of the beverage/food substance which faces said base
area and/or from the cover. This embodiment of the
present invention has the advantage that the
beverage/food substance can expand without clogging the
openings in the liquid distributor and/or without
damaging the single serve capsule.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a side wall or one or more side wall
portions which preferably runs/run substantially
parallel to the wall of the capsule body and/or at a
right angle to the base area of the liquid distributor
is/are provided on the periphery of the base area of
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the liquid distributor. Said side wall/side wall
portions can protrude from the surface of the base area
in the direction of the beverage/food substance and/or
in the direction of the cover. The side wall of the
liquid distributor- is preferably shaped conically or
cylindrically. Each side wall portion protrudes at a
right angle or obliquely from the surface of the base
area.
A form-fitting means and/or a friction-fitting means
which interacts in a form-fitting and/or friction-
fitting manner with the wall of the capsule body is
preferably provided on the side wall or, at least on a
side wall portion and, particularly preferably here,
also acts as a seal for the beverage substance and/or
the liquid. Said means is preferably provided in such a
manner that it fixes the liquid distributor in a
certain position, in particular remote from the
beverage/food substance, during the transport of the
single serve capsule. However, the pressure of the
liquid which is required for producing the beverage and
which flows through the liquid distributor, and/or the
pressure of a puncturing means is preferably sufficient
in order to move, in particular =to displace and/or to
rotate, the liquid distributor along the wall of the
capsule body in the direction of the beverage/food
substance.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the liquid distributor and/or the wall of
the capsule =body and/or the cover has a predetermined
breaking means which breaks,, preferably when the liquid
flows in, and therefore the liquid distributor which is
initially positionally fixed in the single serve
capsule becomes movable. According to this preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the liquid
distributor is initially fixedly connected to the cover
and/or to the capsule body of the single serve capsule
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a f t er production of the single serve capsule and
preferably until the flow passes through the latter.
However, according to the invention, a predetermined
breaking means, for example, a predetermined breaking
point, is provided which is damaged or destroyed in
particular by the pressure of the liquid flowing into
the single serve capsule and/or by the movement of a
puncturing means, as a result of which the liquid
distributor can be at least partially moved and can be
displaced and/or rotated, for example, in the direction
of the beverage/food substance.
The liquid distributor is preferably provided in the
form of a membrane which is deformed when the liquid
flows in and/or by a puncturing means penetrating the
single serve capsule. Said membrane is particularly
preferably arched, in particular curved, in one
direction, in particular in the direction of the cover,
such that the beverage/food substance has room to move
in the capsule body. Said membrane is preferably moved
in the direction of the beverage/food substance by the
pressure of the liquid and/or a puncturing means. By
means of the curvature, the membrane preferably snaps
here in the direction of the beverage/food substance.
The liquid distributor, in particular in the radial
direction, preferably has portions composed of
different materials and/or different material
properties and/or material thicknesses. In the event
that the liquid distributor is designed in the form of
a membrane, the liquid distributor preferably has a
relatively elastic inner region and a relatively stiff
outer region, which adjoins the outer periphery of the
inner region.
Furthermore preferably, the side wall of the liquid
distributor is deformed when the liquid flows in and/or
by a puncturing means penetrating the single serve
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cap sul e . This embodiment is preferred in particular if
the side wall of the liquid distributor is provided in
the direction of the beverage/food substance. The side
wall can then be bent, folded or compressed, for
example under the pressure of the liquid or by the.
pressure of a puncturing means, and, as a result, can
reduce the distance between the base area of the liquid
distributor and the surface of the beverage/food
substance.
The liquid and/or a puncturing means which opens the
single serve capsule, in particular the cover thereof,
before or during the production of the beverage/food,
preferably moves the liquid distributor at least in
sections in the direction of the beverage/food
substance. The movement can take place substantially
linearly and/or in the form of rotation.
The liquid distributor is preferably provided so as to
be compressible at least in one direction of extent
such that the liquid is prevented from flowing past the
liquid distributor and/or in order at least
substantially completely to fill the space between an
optionally present cover film and the beverage/food
substance. '
According to a further novel or preferred embodiment,
the liquid distributor is provided from a sintered
material or in the form of 3-D printing.
Within the context of the invention, sintered means
that individual particles from which the liquid
distributor is produced are connected to one another
under the influence of pressure or temperature.
Within the context of the invention, 3-D printing means
that the liquid distributor is built up layer by layer,
for example from a pulverulent or liquid material,
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where in the respectively applied layer is connected to
the layer located there below.
The height of the liquid distributor is preferably
provided in such a manner that said liquid distributor
completely fills the space between the beverage/food
substance and an optionally present cover film and/or
the base.
The liquid distributor is preferably compressed in the
single serve capsule. In particular, the liquid
distributor is compressed between the cover and the
beverage/food substance. As a result, the position of
the beverage/food substance is fixed and the latter
=
cannot slip, for example during transport of the single
serve capsule.
The liquid distributor preferably has a plurality of
bores through which the liquid flows.
A seal is preferably provided on the periphery of the
liquid distributor, the seal at least reducing,
preferably preventing, passage of the beverage/food
substance between the liquid distributor and the cover
film and/or at least reducing a bypass flow, i.e. a
short circuit, of the liquid around the liquid
distributor.
The seal is preferably configured as a flexible sealing
lip which is elastically deformed upon insertion into
the capsule body and, as a result, is prestressed in
the direction of the capsule body.
The seal can be manufactured from the same material as
or a different material from the liquid distributor
and/or can have a different material thickness than the
liquid distributor, in particular than the base area or
side wall thereof.
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A film hinge can be provided between the side wall
and/or base area of the liquid distributor and the
seal.
The seal preferably interacts with a projection or
offset on the capsule wall.
The seal can preferably be deformed, in particular
elastically deformed. By means of this deformation, a
form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection with the
side wall of the single serve capsule before the
production of the beverage is preferably cancelled or
reduced when the liquid flows in and/or by movement of
an opening means, and the liquid distributor is
displaced in the direction of the beverage substance.
The liquid distributor preferably has a multiplicity of
recesses which are arranged on one or more reference
circles.
The recess are preferably located only in the outer
region of the liquid distributor, and, .particularly
preferably, the diameter of the reference circle on
which the recesses are preferably located equidistantly
amounts to 80-95%, particularly preferably 85-90%, of
the actual diameter of the liquid distributor, i.e. of
the diameter of the surface which is approached by the
flow of liquid.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the liquid
distributor is connected in an integrally bonded manner
to the beverage/food substance and/or to the capsule
body, in particular by adhesive bonding.
The adhesive is preferably water-soluble. Upon
introduction, the adhesive is then dissolved and the
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1 iquid distributor can move freely within the single
serve capsule.
The liquid distributor is preferably placed onto the
beverage/food substance and held in position with the
adhesive, for example a hydrocolloid, by an integrally
bonded connection.
Alternatively or additionally, the upper layer of the
beverage/food substance, which layer is opposite the
filter and/or faces the cover film, is mixed, in
particular impregnated, with a substance which is in
particular neutral in terms of taste and which produces
an integrally bonded connection, in particular by means
of adhesive bonding, of the particles of the
beverage/food substance to one another and/or to the
capsule body. After the adhesive has cured, said
adhesively bonded layer holds the beverage/food
substance in position within the single serve capsule.
The substance, the adhesive, then dissolves during the
brewing operation under the influence of the hot water
and the pressure produced.
Beverage/food substance, in particular the coffee, is
preferably pressed within the single serve capsule, for
example by a perforated disk, with a force of between
0-15 kg, preferably 12-15 kg.
A further subject matter of the present invention is a
system consisting of a brewing chamber into which a
single serve capsule according to the invention is
inserted, and with a brewing piston which closes the
brewing chamber and on which is provided a puncturing
means with which the capsule is opened, wherein the
puncturing means displaces the liquid distributor
within the single serve capsule and, in the process,
changes the position of the beverage/food substance.
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The statements made with regard to this subject matter
of the present invention apply equally to the other
subjects of the present invention and vice versa. The
features of the individual subjects of the present
invention can be combined with one another.
To change the position of the beverage/food substance
means that the beverage/food substance is compressed
and/or that nonuniform distributions of the
beverage/food substance, for example due to transport
and/or storage, are at least partially compensated for
again. For example, the beverage/food substance can
slip and/or become loose within the single serve
capsule during transport. Said slipping or loosening is
at least partially remedied again by the liquid
distributor in that the liquid distributor presses onto
the beverage/food substance before and/or during the
production of =the beverage or food.
The puncturing means, for example a puncturing spike,
preferably first of all penetrates the cover film and
then also presses the liquid distributor in the
direction of the beverage substance.
The liquid distributor is designed at least in sections
as a rigid or semi-rigid plate.
According to a further novel or preferred embodiment, a
punch is provided on the brewing piston, said punch
displacing the liquid distributor within the single
serve capsule and, in the process, changing the
position of the beverage/food substance.
The statements made with regard to this subject matter
of the present invention apply equally to the other
subjects of the present invention and vice versa. The
features of the individual subjects of the present
invention can be combined with one another.
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The punch is preferably fixedly connected to the
brewing piston or is provided so as to be movable
relative thereto.
For example, the punch can be displaced relative to the
brewing piston by the pressure of the liquid with which
the beverage or the food is produced.
A further subject matter of the present invention is a
method for producing a beverage or food, in which a
liquid flows through a single serve capsule and, in the
process, dissolves and/or extracts a beverage/food
substance, wherein the liquid is distributed over the
cross section of the single serve capsule by a liquid
distributor which is provided upstream of the
beverage/food substance, wherein the liquid distributor
is deformed and/or moved while the liquid flows there
through and/or by the movement of a puncturing means
which opens the single serve capsule, in particular
punctures the cover thereof.
The statements made with regard to the single serve
capsule according to the invention apply equally to the
method according to the invention and vice versa.
Features of the method can be combined with features of
the other subjects of the present invention and vice
versa.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a predetermined breaking means provided
between the capsule body and/or the cover and the
liquid distributor is damaged or destroyed by the
pressure of a puncturing means or by the pressure of
the inflowing liquid, and therefore the liquid
distributor, which is initially provided in a
positionally fixed manner in the single serve capsule,
can move in the single serve capsule. For example, the
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liquid distributor can be displaced and/or rotated in
the direction of the beverage/food substance.
A further subject matter of the present invention is a
method for producing a beverage or food, in which an
integrally bonded connection between the beverage/food
substance and/or the capsule body and the liquid
distributor is dissolved when a liquid flows through
the single serve capsule.
The statements made with regard to the single serve
capsule according to the invention apply equally to the
method according to the invention and vice versa.
Features of the method can be combined with features of
the other subjects of the present invention and vice
versa.
For example, the liquid distributor is adhesively
bonded to the beverage/food substance and/or to the
capsule body, wherein said integrally bonded connection
is preferably dissolved again during the production of
the beverage or food such that the liquid distributor
can move in the single serve capsule.
Preferably, the water pressure moves the liquid
distributor.
Yet another subject matter of the present invention is
a method for producing a beverage or food, in which a
liquid flows through a single serve capsule and, in the
process, dissolves and/or extracts a beverage/food
substance, and in which the position of the
beverage/food substance within the single serve capsule
is changed before and/or during production of the
beverage.
The statements made with regard to the single serve
capsule according to the invention apply equally to the
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method according to the invention and vice versa.
Features of the method can be combined with features of
the other subjects of the present invention and vice
versa.
The inventions are explained below with reference to
the figures. These explanations are merely by way of
example and do not restrict the general inventive
concept.
Figures 1-4 each show an embodiment of a liquid
distributor of a single serve capsule
according to the invention.
Figure 5 schematically shows a single serve
capsule according to the invention with
a membrane as liquid distributor.
Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a liquid
distributor of a single serve capsule
according to the invention.
Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the single
serve capsule according to the
invention.
Figure 8 shows yet another embodiment of the
single serve capsule according to the
invention.
Figure 9 shows details of the liquid distributor.
Figures 10 and 10a show further embodiments of the
liquid distributor.
Figure 11 shows the liquid distributor in a
capsule body.
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Figures 12a and 12b show the arrangement of holes in
the liquid distributor.
Figures 13-16 each show an embodiment of the system
according to the invention or of the
methods according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a liquid
distributor which is used, for example, in a single
serve capsule, as is described with reference to figure
7. In the present case, the liquid distributor 6 is a
plastics part which, for example, is injection molded
or thermoformed. In the present case, the liquid
distributor 6 has a base area 16 which is provided with
a multiplicity of recesses 14 through which the liquid
which is used for producing the beverage and which is
illustrated by an arrow flows before said liquid
impacts against a beverage/food substance to be
dissolved and/or extracted. The periphery of the base
area is provided with a side wall or with side wall
portions which, in the present case, extends/extend
from that surface 23 of the base area 16 which faces
away from the beverage/food substance. A person skilled
in the art recognizes that the side wall 15 can
alternatively or additionally also extend from the
opposite surface 22 of the liquid distributor. In the
case illustrated, the side wall is arranged between the
cover (not illustrated) and the base area 16 of the
liquid distributor 6. In the present case, the side
wall is preferably provided with a plurality of
form-fitting means 17 which interact in a form-fitting
manner with the wall of the single serve capsule and
thereby fix the liquid distributor in a certain
position, in particular before said liquid distributor -
15 is used for producing a beverage or food. The
form-fitting means can be shaped, for example, in the
form of a spherical segment or conically. The wall of
the single serve capsule preferably has a corresponding
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undercut. The liquid distributor 6 is preferably
provided at a distance from the surface of the
beverage/food substance such that the latter can, for
example, expand without clogging the recesses 14 with
beverage/food substance and/or damaging the single
serve capsule, in particular the cover 2 thereof. For
the production of a beverage, the single serve capsule,
in particular the cover thereof, is preferably opened,
for example the cover is punctured by a puncturing
means. In the process or thereafter, a liquid which is
required for producing the beverage or the food flows
into the single serve capsule and first of all strikes
against the liquid distributor 6, which distributes the
liquid over the cross section of the single serve
capsule. However, it is also possible for the liquid to
be introduced upstream of the cover film into a brewing
chamber, in which the single serve capsule is located
during the production of the beverage or food, and then
to be predistributed through a plurality of openings
which are located in the cover 2, in particular in a
cover film 2. The liquid predistributed in this manner
is then once again distributed in a further step by the
liquid distributor 6, in particular more extensively,
preferably over the entire cross section of the single
serve capsule. The form-fitting means is preferably
provided in such a manner that the force of the
puncturing means which makes contact with the liquid
distributor during the puncturing of the single serve
capsule and/or the pressure of the liquid suffices in
order to overcome the form-fitting connection between
the liquid distributor 6 and the wall, of the single
serve capsule. The liquid distributor can thereby be
displaced, for example, in the direction of the
beverage/food substance and, in the process, can change
the position of the latter and/or can compress the
latter. It can be seen with reference to figure 1 that
the form-fitting means 17 is preferably only provided
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locally. However, it may also be arranged over the
entire area of the side wall.
Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a liquid
distributor. Reference can substantially be made to the
statements according to figure 1, with the difference
that, in the present case, instead of a form-fitting
means 17, a friction-fitting means 18, which interacts
frictionally with the inner side of the wall of the
capsule body, is provided. Alternatively or
additionally, however, a predetermined breaking means
18 which connects the liquid distributor 6 to the wall
of the single serve capsule can also be provided. Said
predetermined breaking means is dimensioned in such a
manner that it is damaged or destroyed by the movement
of a puncturing means and/or by the pressure of the
inf lowing liquid in such a manner that the liquid
distributor, which was initially provided in a
positionally fixed manner in the interior of the single
serve capsule, can move after the destruction of the
predetermined breaking means and is pushed or rotated
in the direction of the beverage/food substance by the
puncturing means and/or the pressure of the liquid.
Within the context of the invention, in a positionally
fixed manner means that the liquid distributor does not
move under normal stress, for example during transport
or during insertion of the single serve capsule into a
brewing device. This connection is at least partially
cancelled only by the liquid pressure and/or the
puncturing means.
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the single serve
capsule according to the invention, in which the liquid
distributor 6 has a predetermined breaking means 18
which preferably rests on a symport which is provided
on the wall of the capsule body. In the present case,
the support is configured as an undercut in the wall of
the capsule body such that the position of the liquid
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distributor is fixed. Otherwise, reference is made to
the statements made with regard to figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the single serve
capsule according to the invention. In the present
case, the liquid distributor has a side wall or side
wall portions which extend from the base area 16 of the
liquid distributor in the direction of the
beverage/food substance. In the present case, the side
wall or the side wall portions 15 are provided so as to
be deformable such that they can be deformed or
compressed during the penetration of the puncturing
means and/or by the water pressure, as a result of
which the shape of said side wall or side wall portions
changes in such a manner that the liquid distributor
can be displaced in the direction of the beverage/food
substance. In the process, the side wall or the side
wall portions preferably at least temporarily penetrate
the beverage/food substance.
In the embodiments according to figures 1-4, a
conically configured wall of the capsule body has the
advantage that the force which is required in order to
move the liquid distributor in the direction of the
beverage/food substance is increased continuously.
Otherwise, reference is made to the statements
regarding figures 1-3.
Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the single serve
capsule according to the invention. In the present
case, the liquid distributor is a membrane which has a
first portion which is provided with recesses 14 and
which is preferably arched in the direction of the
cover 2 of the single serve capsule. Said portion is
preferably manufactured from a comparatively flexible
material 21. The periphery of said first region 21 is
adjoined by a preferably comparatively rigid region,
for example a ring, which =can likewise be arched and is
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connected to the capsule body, in particular the wall
thereof. A person skilled in the art understands that
the two regions can be manufactured from the same
material or different materials. Furthermore, the two
regions can differ in terms of the material thicknesses
thereof. In position 1, illustrated by the solid line,
the membrane is spaced apart from the beverage/food
substance. The membrane is brought by the penetrating
puncturing means and/or the water pressure from
position 1 into position 2, in which the membrane bears
against the beverage/food substance and even exerts
pressure thereon.
Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the base area
of the liquid distributor. It can clearly be seen that
the recesses 14 through which the liquid flows are
provided obliquely to the surface of the base area.
Furthermore, it can be seen that the degree of the
slope for the respective recesses and/or the direction
of the slope may be different. In addition, the
recesses can be provided with a different cross
sectional area. The distribution of the recesses also
does not have to be equidistant. The distance from one
recess to the next may be different. However, the cross
sectional area of the respective recess is preferably
constant over the length of said recess.
Figure 7 shows the single serve capsule 1 according to
the invention which has a capsule body 3 with a capsule
wall 9 and a capsule base 5. The capsule body is
manufactured, for example, from a plastics material, in
particular thermoformed from a film web or injection
molded. The capsule wall 9 and the capsule base 5
define an interior space 10 which, in the present case,
is closed by a cover, in particular a cover film 2,
which is connected to the edge of the capsule body, for
example, by sealing or adhesive bonding. The interior
space contains a beverage/food substance which is used
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for producing the beverage or the food. For this
purpose, a liquid, in particular hot water, flows
through the single serve capsule, and, as illustrated
by the arrow 7, in the present case the liquid flows
through the cover of the single serve capsule into the
interior space of the single serve capsule and
dissolves and/or extracts the beverage/food substance
there. The liquid supply into the brewing chamber
preferably takes place upstream of the cover and is
introduced in a predistributed manner into the capsule
interior space by preferably a plurality of openings,
in particular puncture openings, which are preferably
provided in the cover, in particular the cover film, by
a puncturing member, and then, in a second stage, is at
least partially distributed over the cross section of
the single serve capsule by the liquid distributor.
The beverage or food produced in this manner leaves the
. single serve capsule, here at the base, as illustrated
by the arrow 8. As a rule, the interior space of the
single serve capsules is hermetically sealed prior to
use thereof. During the production of a beverage and/or
food, the cover and/or the capsule base are/is in each
case opened, in particular punctured, by a puncturing
means which, as a rule, penetrates the interior space
of the single serve capsule. Alternatively, a closure
element, for example a film, can be removed from the
single serve capsule so as to open the single serve
capsule.
A person skilled in the art understands that the flow
directions may also be the other way around.
The interior space of the single serve capsule is
preferably provided with a filter element 4 which
prevents particles of the beverage/food substance from
entering the beverage/food to be produced. According to
the invention, the interior space of the single serve
capsule is provided with a liquid distributor 6 which
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at least partially distributes the inflowing liquid
over the cross section of the single serve capsule and
thereby leads to a more uniform extraction or
dissolution of the beverage/food substance.
Furthermore, the effect achieved by the liquid
distributor is that the inflow speed of the liquid is
reduced and the latter is distributed uniformly over
the cross section of the single serve capsule, as a.
result of which the quality of the resulting beverage
or food increases. In the example according to figure
1, the thickness of the liquid distributor is provided
in such a manner that there is still a certain distance
between the liquid distributor and the cover 2.
Figure 8 shows yet another embodiment of the single
serve capsule according to the invention. Reference can
essentially be made to the statements according to
figure 7, but in the present, case the thickness D of
the liquid distributor is provided in such a manner
that the latter completely fills the distance between
the upper side of the beverage/food substance and the
cover. The liquid distributor is optionally even
compressed between the beverage/food substance and the
cover. The effect achieved by this is that the liquid
distributor at the same time stabilizes the position of
- the beverage/food substance such that the latter does
not slip, for example during transport of the single
serve capsule. When the capsule is punctured, such a
liquid distributor is preferably likewise punctured.
Figure 9 shows details of the liquid distributor. In
the present case, the liquid distributor is produced
from a multiplicity of fibers which are preferably
connected to one another, for example by adhesive
bonding or by means of a heat treatment. The fibers are
preferably arranged in such a manner that the
longitudinal orientation thereof corresponds to the
through flow direction through the liquid distributor.
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In the present case, a cladding is furthermore also
provided around the fiber material in order to
stabilize the shape of the liquid distributor and/or in
order to produce and/or to improve the bond between the
fibers. Alternatively or additionally, individual
fibers are connected to one another, in particular by
an integrally bonded connection.
Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the liquid
distributor 6 which, in the present case, is
illustrated in three different sizes, wherein the sizes
at least partially differ in the diameter thereof, i.e.
in the surface 31 thereof which the flow approaches,
but in particular in the height D thereof, and
therefore, with the capsule body remaining identical,
different quantities of beverage/food substance can be
filled into the capsule and the liquid distributor at
least partially restricts the space within the capsule
body, within which the beverage/food substance can
move, and/or in that, in the case of a conical capsule
body, the liquid distributor can be used at different
heights and/or in different capsules.
A common feature of all of the liquid distributors
illustrated is that they have, in an encircling manner
on the outer periphery thereof, a seal/support 24 which
at least partially prevents the beverage/food substance
from passing between the liquid distributor and the
cover film. In the present case, said seal 24 is
provided at an angle to a likewise encircling side wall
30 of the liquid distributor. The seal itself and/or
the connection thereof to the liquid distributor 6,
here to the side wall 30, is preferably provided in
such a manner that said seal can be elastically
deformed. For example, the connection is configured in
the form of a "film hinge". In particular when the
liquid distributor is inserted, the seal, here the
sealing lip, is elastically deformed in the direction
of the side wall such that the angle between seal 24
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and side wall 30 is reduced and the seal is prestressed
against the capsule wall 9. The surface 31 which is
approached by the flow and in the present case is
circular has a plurality of recesses 14, here bores,
through which the liquid flows and is thereby
introduced in a targeted manner into the beverage/food
substance. Furthermore, the liquid distributor surface
31 approached by the flow prevents the liquid which is
introduced into the single serve capsule from flowing
directly into the beverage/food substance and thereby
swirling and/or redistributing the latter.
Figure 10a shows a further embodiment of the liquid
distributor according to the invention. It can in turn
be seen that the circular surface 31 which is
approached by the flow of liquid and is planar here is
surrounded by a side wall 30, provided here
perpendicularly to the surface, and that the liquid
distributor has recesses 14 through which the liquid
flows into the beverage/food substance. In contrast to
the liquid distributor illustrated in figure 10, the
seal 24 in the present case is provided pointing away
from the side wall, and therefore, when the liquid
distributor is introduced into the single serve
capsule, the angle between the side wall 30 and the
seal 24 is increased.
Otherwise, however, reference can be made to the
statements according to figure 10, wherein it is true
of the liquid distributor according to figure 10 and
according to figure 10a that the connection between the
seal and the side wall is preferably provided in such a
manner that, when the liquid distributor is acted upon
with a certain force, which can be applied by the
inflowing liquid or, for example, by a punch or by a
puncturing means which opens the single serve capsule,
the latter is deformed and/or the position thereof
changes, for example is placed more against the side
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wall, in such a manner that the liquid distributor can
move within the single serve capsule, in particular can
be displaced linearly in the direction of the
beverage/food substance.
A person skilled in the art furthermore recognizes that
the side wall does not necessarily have to be present.
Figure 11 schematically shows the single serve capsule
according to the invention, wherein, in the present
case, only the capsule body 3 which is closed by a
cover film 4, which is connected to an encircling
flange 32, is illustrated. The single serve capsule is
of rotationally symmetrical design. The interior space
of the single serve capsule contains the liquid
distributor 6, the seal 24 of which .rests in the
present case on a support 19 and is supported thereon
and interacts in a sealing manner with said surface
and/or with the rest of the capsule body. It can
clearly be, seen that, upon insertion into the single
serve capsule, the seal 24 is elastically deformed by
the surface which at this time is still not closed by
the cover film 2 and, as soon as the seal has reached
the region of the support 19, the seal at least
partially deforms into the latter and is therefore
prestressed against the capsule wall and/or against the
support 19.
The flow of the liquid through the single serve capsule
is likewise illustrated schematically in figure 11. The
liquid flows at one or more points through the cover
film and then strikes against the liquid distributor
surface 31 approached by the flow. The flow is
optionally retarded here and conducted in the direction
of the recesses 14 through which the liquid flows into
the beverage/food substance (not illustrated). During
flow through the beverage/food substance, the latter is
dissolved or substances located therein are extracted
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and the beverage or food produced in this manner then
leaves the single serve capsule in the region of the
capsule base. In order to avoid particles of the
beverage/food substance passing into the finished
beverage or food, a filter element 4 composed, for
example, of a nonwoven fiber material is provided in
the present case in the region of the base. The
recesses 14 are arranged only in the edge region of the
liquid distributor surface which the flow approaches,
and the finished beverage or food is drawn off,
preferably as illustrated, centrally in the center of
the capsule base 5. Nevertheless, such a good
distribution of the liquid is achieved that in
particular coffee powder is very readily extracted or
instant coffee is readily dissolved. These statements
apply to all of the illustrated embodiments of the
liquid distributor or of the system.
Figures 12a and 12b show details of the liquid
distributor according to figure 10. It can clearly be
seen that recesses 14 are provided in the region of the
surface 31 which the flow approaches, the recesses in
the present case being arranged equidistantly on a
reference circle which is located in the region of the
outer diameter of the surface 31 which the flow
approaches. The liquid is preferably introduced within
said reference circle and then flows, in particular
radially, outward in the direction of the recesses 14.
In the present case, the reference circle diameter is
28 mm at a diameter of the surface which the flow
approaches of 30-33 mm, but these values are merely
preferred dimensions. Furthermore, the side wall 30 and
the seal 24 can be seen, but they do not necessarily
have to be present and they play only a comparatively
sub.ordinate role in the actual liquid distribution.
Figure 13 shows the system according to the invention
which has a brewing chamber 25 which, in the present
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case, is provided, preferably in a positionally fixed
manner, within a coffee machine. The single serve
capsule is introduced into said brewing chamber and is
at least partially accommodated by the latter and
bears, in particular in the region of its base and/or
in the region of its capsule wall 9, against the
brewing chamber. Furthermore, a flange 32 which is
preferably provided on that side of the single serve
capsule which is opposite the base is preferably
likewise supported on the brewing chamber. The finished
beverage and/or food runs off through an opening (not
illustrated) provided in the brewing chamber.
Furthermore, the system according to the invention has
a brewing piston 26 which is preferably provided so as
to be movable and which closes the brewing chamber
before introduction or during introduction of the
liquid into the single serve capsule. In the present
case, said brewing piston 26 preferably has a seal 27
which, in the present case, is provided in the form of
a circular ring and which presses the single serve
capsule, in particular the flange thereof, against the
brewing chamber and thereby seals off the brewing
chamber and the single serve capsule, but also the
single serve capsule and the brewing piston in relation
to each other, such that inflowing liquid is forced to
flow through the interior space of the single serve
capsule and not around said interior space.
Furthermore, the brewing piston is provided with a
puncturing means 28, here a puncturing spike, which
punctures the cover film 2 before the liquid flows in,
and thus produces an inlet opening for the liquid into
the single serve capsule. Furthermore, in the present
case, said puncturing means 28 is, however, provided in
such a manner that, during the movement thereof,
illustrated by the arrow, in the direction of the
brewing chamber, said puncturing means also comes into
contact with the liquid distributor 6 and thereby
presses the latter at least in sections in the
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direct ion of the base of the capsule. By means of these
movements, it is possible, for example, again to
compensate for, in particular to equalize, nonuniform
distributions, for example agglomerations, of the
beverage/food substance within the single serve capsule
that have arisen, for example, during transport or
during storage of the single serve capsule.
Alternatively or additionally, the beverage/food
substance can be compressed by the movement of the
liquid distributor 6 before or during the flow of the
liquid into the single serve capsule.
Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the system
according to the invention. Reference can essentially
be made to the statements according to figure 13, but,
in the present case, the brewing piston 26 has a punch
29 which, in the present case, interacts with the side
wall 30 of the liquid distributor when the brewing
piston is moved in the direction of the brewing
chamber. In the present case, the puncturing means 28
merely has the task of perforating the cover film 2.
The movement of the liquid distributor in the direction
of the beverage/food substance is produced by the
punch.
It is true both of the embodiment according to figure
13 and of the other illustrated embodiments of the
system according to the invention that, preferably
during the movement of the liquid distributor, the seal
24 is deformed in such a manner that it releases the
movement of the liquid distributor in the direction of
the beverage/food substance.
The punch illustrated in figure 14 is preferably
provided in the shape of a circular ring such that a
uniform force can be exerted by the brewing piston on
the liquid distributor, here the side wall 30. However,
a person skilled in the art recognizes that the punch
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can also consist of a plurality of local segments, for
example pins.
Figure 15 essentially shows the embodiment according to
figure 14, but, in the present case, the punch is not
supported on the side wall of the liquid distributor,
but rather on the surface 31 which is approached by the
flow. Consequently, the punch 29 is designed to be
somewhat longer in comparison to the embodiment
according to figure 14. Otherwise, reference is made to
the statements according to figures 13 and 14. A
comparison between the left hand and the right hand
illustration clarifies how the liquid distributor 6 is
displaced in the direction of the beverage/food
substance 11.
Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of the system
according to the invention, wherein reference can be
made essentially to the statements according to figures
13 to 15. In the present case, the punch 29 is provided
so as to be movable with respect to the brewing piston
26. As a result, it is possible to at least partially
decouple the movement of the punch 29 from the movement
of the brewing piston 26. The displacement of the
liquid distributor 6 can thereby take place at least
partially independently of the puncturing of the cover
film 2. For example, the punch 29 can be driven by the
pressure of the inflowing liquid which is used to
produce the beverage or food. It is thereby possible to
30. configure the force of the punch to be dependent on the
flow resistance of the beverage/food substance and/or
of the single serve capsule and/or of the system
according to the invention. For example: a higher flow
resistance of the beverage/food substance results in a
greater amount of force with which the punch presses
against the liquid distributor and with which
ultimately the position of the beverage/food substance
is changed, for example the latter is compressed.
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List of Reference Signs
1 Single serve capsule
2 Cover, cover film
3 Capsule body
4 Filter element
5 Capsule base
6 Liquid distributor
7 Liquid supply, arrow
8 Beverage outlet, arrow
9 Capsule wall
10 Interior space
11 Beverage/food substance
12 Fiber and/or thread material, fibers, threads
13 Cladding
14 Recess
15 Side wall, side wall portion of the liquid
distributor
16 Base area of the liquid distributor
17 Form-fitting means
18 Predetermined breaking means, friction-fitting
means
19 Support
20 First portion, first material
21 Second portion, second material
22 Side facing the beverage/food substance, surface
23 Side facing away from the beverage/food substance,
surface
24 Seal, sealing lip
25 Brewing chamber
26 Brewing piston
27 Sealing ring on the brewing piston
28 Puncturing spike
29 Punch, compression ring
30 Side wall, force transmission means
31 Liquid distributor surface approached by the
inflowing liquid
32 Flange of the .capsule body
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D Height of the liquid
distributor
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