Indian Patents. 216852:" A CAPSULE CAPABLE OF BEING USED IN AN ESPRESSO MACHINE TO PREPARE AN INFUSED BEVERAGE"

Title of Invention	" A CAPSULE CAPABLE OF BEING USED IN AN ESPRESSO MACHINE TO PREPARE AN INFUSED BEVERAGE"
Abstract	A capsule (1) USED TO PREPARATION infused beverage, especiaily cappuccino of mucchiata coffee. comprises a first container (6) mada of a substantially flexible material and confining a powdered infution substance (MI), the coffee, and a second container (2), arrched to the first container (6), made of a subsiaiatially rigid marerial and containing a powdered solublesubstrace {MS), the milk:

Full Text	Description A capsule to be used to prepare an infused beverage Technical field The present invention relates to a capsule that can be used to prepare an infused beverage. In particular, the present invention relates to a single- dose coffee capsule to be used in an espresso coffee machine in which a flow of hot or boilling water forced through the capsule positioned in a percolating chamber produces a hot milk or coffee beverage, such as, for example, macchiato espresso coffee or cappuccino, which the present specification expressly refers to but without restricting the scope of the invention. Background Art Nowadays, a very popular way of preparing espresso coffee, especially in the home, is to use single-dose "coffee pods", which are extremely easy to use and readily available on the market. Typically, in this context, a pod is a single measure of coffee or other infusion product enclosed in a sealed filter paper container or bag of substantially cylindrical shape designed to be placed in a suitable holder forming part of the espresso coffee machine. European patent EP 776166 El describes the mathod for making a filter paper bag or pod where the infusion material, namely coffee, is compressed, mixed with soluble additive material, such as powdered milk or creamer or the like, and enclosed between two layers of filter paper. The pod thus obtained can be used in an espresso coffee machine to make a hot coffee and milk beverage, espacially cappuccino, The use of a pod of the type made of filter paper as described in the aforementioned, patent, has considerable disadvantages. The hot water flowing through the filter paper pod dissolves WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 2 all the soluble additive material, namely the powdered milk, present in the mixture, whilst the infusion material, namely the coffee, tends to remain compacted. As a result, the beverage made with pods of this kind often contains incorrect proportions of milk to toffee. In other terms, the beverage made using the pods described above, which are trade entirely of filter paper, contains an excessively high concentration of milk, making it unpleasant to the taste. Another disadvantage of these pods made entirely of filter paper is that the part of the mixture constituted by the soluble additive material dissolves coupletely, thus partly emptying the pod, causing it to become soft and spongy, and difficult to remove from the holder of the coffee machine when an unused pod has to be placed in the machine to make another cup of coffee. The present invention has for an aim to provide a capsule used to prepare an infused coffee and milk beverage that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. Disclosure of the invention The present invention accordingly provides a capsule that can be used to prepare an infixed beverage and that is characterised in that it comprises a first container made of a substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion substance, and a second container made of a substantially rigid material and containing a powdered soluble, substance. Brief description of the drawings Tha invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non- restricting embodiment of a capsule used to prepare an infused beverage, and in which: Figure 1 is a front cross section of a preferred embodiment of the capsule according, to the invention; Figtjre 2 is a detail, shown in cross section, of the capsule of Figure 1; Figure 3 is another front cross section of the capsule of Figure 1; WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 3 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the capsule according to the present, invention; Figure 5 is a front cross section of the capsule of Figure 4 during infusion; and. Figure 6 is a detail, shown in cross section, of the capsule of Figure 5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a single-dose capeule for use in an espresso coffee macnine to prepare a hot coffee and milk beverage, especially cappuccino. The espresso coffee machine, not illustrated because it is a very well known type of machine, basically comprises a device for producing a flow of hot or boiling water that is forced through the capsule 1 once the latter has been placed in a holder in a percolating chamber where the hot beverage is brewed. The capsule 1 comprises a closed container or cartridge 2, preferably in the shape of truncated cone made of a food safe plastic material. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the bottom surface 3 of the cartridge 2 has a central hole 4, preferably circular, covered by a seal 5 of suitable material designed to be opened or pierced by a hollow needle A forming part of the coffee machine, in an alternative embodiment, the seal 5 forms, an integral part of the bottom surface 3 of the cartridge 2, that is to say, it constitutes a portion of the surfaces 3 that can be easily pierced. The cartridge 2 holds a predetermined guantity at powdered soluble "material NS comprising powered milk or creamer or the like. The material MS may also comprise a predetermined quantity of powdered sugar. As illustrated in Figures 1 and from 3 to 5, the capsule 1 also comprises a container or pod 6 of filter paper or similar filter material, containing a tablet of infusion material Ml, namely coffee powder, and positioned at the top 7 of the cartridge 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 4 outer annular edge 8 of the pod 6 rests on, and is fixed to, a matching annular protuberance 9 of the cartridge 2, running round the outer edge at the top 7 of the cartridge 2. The edge 8 of the pod 6 ia fixed to the annular protuberance 9 of the cartridge 2 preferably by a gluing, heat-sealing or similar process. In a still more preferable solution, fixing is accomplished by the currently known process of ultrasound sealing. As illustrated, in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the capsule 1 is advantageously covered and sealed by a sheet 10 of cover material, such as, for example, aluminium foil or the like, which is applied to the end of the protuberance 9 of the capsule 1 cartridge 2, for example by gluing, heat sealing or ultrasound sealing, in such a way aa to cover the top 11 of the pod 6, thus keeping in the aroma of the coffee it contains. The cover 10 is designed to be removed just before the capsule l is placed by the user in the appropriate holder in the coffee machine. The user can then start preparing the cappuccino by pressing the coffee machine start button which causes a relative movement between the needle A and the capsule 1 such that the needle A pierces the seal 5 and penetrates the hole in the capsule 1. The flow of hot water produced by the machine passes first through the pod 6, creating a flow of infused coffee Ml which falls onto and wets the soluble creamer MS inside the cartridge 2 and from there flows through the hollow interior of the needle h to produce cappuceino that fills an undarlying glass or cup (not illustrated). Thus, a delectable cappuccino with an optimum proportion of milk to coffee, can be prepared every time. Once used, the capsule 1 can be removed very easily from the machine, thanks, especially to the closed, rigid structure of the cartridge 2, Further, when the capsule 1 is moved away from the needle A, the seal 5 tends to re-close the hole 4, preventing residual water or beverage from dripping out and dirtying the user or the area around the machine. Moreover, it should be stressed, that the capsule 1 disclosed WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 5 herein can be safely handled and sold without any overwapping thanks to the rigid structure of the cartridge 2 and to the cover 10 attached to the top of it and placed, only over the top face of the pod 6, This means legs packaging material is required which in turn means not only considerable savings in tetms of lower production and selling costs but also a reduced impact on the environment. It will be understood that the capsule as described herein can be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the a cope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements. WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 6 Claim 1. A capsule (1) used to prepare an infused beverage, characterised in that it comprises a first container (6) made of a substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion. substance (MI), and a second container (2), attached to the first container (6), made of a substantially rigid material and containing a powdered soluble substance (MS). 2. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second . container (2) toy heat sealing. 3. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second container (2) by gluing. 4. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second container (2) by ultrasound sealing. 5. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that at least the top of it is covered by a sheet (10) of protective material. 6. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 5, characterised in that the flexible first container (6) comprises a pod (6) made of filter paper or other similar filter material. 7. the capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 6, characterised in that the rigid second container (2) comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material. 6. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) has a hole (4) in it, covered by a seal (5) of suitable material designed to be pierced or removed. 9. The capsule according to claim a, characterised in that the seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) . 10. The capsule according to claims 6 and 7 or 8, or 9, characterised in that the pod (6) of filter paper has an annular WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396 7 outer edge (8) fined to a matching annular protuberance (9) on the plastic cartridge (2), at the top (7) of the cartridge (2)itself. 11. The capsule according to claims 5 and 10, characterised in that the sheet (10) of protective cover material is removably placed, over the top of the filter paper pod. (6) ; the sheet (10) being fixed to the edge of the outer protuberance (9) of the cartridge (2). 12. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 11, characterised in that the infusion substance (M) 1 comprises powdered coffee. 13. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 12, characterised in that the soluble substance (Ms) comprises powdered milk and/or creamer and similar soluble substances. A capsule (1) USED TO PREPARATION infused beverage, especiaily cappuccino of mucchiata coffee. comprises a first container (6) mada of a substantially flexible material and confining a powdered infution substance (MI), the coffee, and a second container (2), arrched to the first container (6), made of a subsiaiatially rigid marerial and containing a powdered solublesubstrace {MS), the milk:

Full Text

Description
A capsule to be used to prepare an infused beverage
Technical field
The present invention relates to a capsule that can be used
to prepare an infused beverage.
In particular, the present invention relates to a single-
dose coffee capsule to be used in an espresso coffee machine in
which a flow of hot or boilling water forced through the capsule
positioned in a percolating chamber produces a hot milk or coffee
beverage, such as, for example, macchiato espresso coffee or
cappuccino, which the present specification expressly refers to
but without restricting the scope of the invention.
Background Art
Nowadays, a very popular way of preparing espresso coffee,
especially in the home, is to use single-dose "coffee pods", which
are extremely easy to use and readily available on the market.
Typically, in this context, a pod is a single measure of coffee or
other infusion product enclosed in a sealed filter paper container
or bag of substantially cylindrical shape designed to be placed in
a suitable holder forming part of the espresso coffee machine.
European patent EP 776166 El describes the mathod for making
a filter paper bag or pod where the infusion material, namely
coffee, is compressed, mixed with soluble additive material, such
as powdered milk or creamer or the like, and enclosed between two
layers of filter paper. The pod thus obtained can be used in an
espresso coffee machine to make a hot coffee and milk beverage,
espacially cappuccino,
The use of a pod of the type made of filter paper as
described in the aforementioned, patent, has considerable
disadvantages.
The hot water flowing through the filter paper pod dissolves

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
2
all the soluble additive material, namely the powdered milk,
present in the mixture, whilst the infusion material, namely the
coffee, tends to remain compacted. As a result, the beverage made
with pods of this kind often contains incorrect proportions of
milk to toffee. In other terms, the beverage made using the pods
described above, which are trade entirely of filter paper, contains
an excessively high concentration of milk, making it unpleasant to
the taste.
Another disadvantage of these pods made entirely of filter
paper is that the part of the mixture constituted by the soluble
additive material dissolves coupletely, thus partly emptying the
pod, causing it to become soft and spongy, and difficult to remove
from the holder of the coffee machine when an unused pod has to be
placed in the machine to make another cup of coffee.
The present invention has for an aim to provide a capsule
used to prepare an infused coffee and milk beverage that overcomes
the above mentioned disadvantages.
Disclosure of the invention
The present invention accordingly provides a capsule that
can be used to prepare an infixed beverage and that is
characterised in that it comprises a first container made of a
substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion
substance, and a second container made of a substantially rigid
material and containing a powdered soluble, substance.
Brief description of the drawings
Tha invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-
restricting embodiment of a capsule used to prepare an infused
beverage, and in which:
Figure 1 is a front cross section of a preferred embodiment
of the capsule according, to the invention;
Figtjre 2 is a detail, shown in cross section, of the capsule
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is another front cross section of the capsule of
Figure 1;

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
3
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the capsule according to
the present, invention;
Figure 5 is a front cross section of the capsule of Figure 4
during infusion; and.
Figure 6 is a detail, shown in cross section, of the capsule
of Figure 5.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1
denotes a single-dose capeule for use in an espresso coffee
macnine to prepare a hot coffee and milk beverage, especially
cappuccino.
The espresso coffee machine, not illustrated because it is a
very well known type of machine, basically comprises a device for
producing a flow of hot or boiling water that is forced through
the capsule 1 once the latter has been placed in a holder in a
percolating chamber where the hot beverage is brewed.
The capsule 1 comprises a closed container or cartridge 2,
preferably in the shape of truncated cone made of a food safe
plastic material.
As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the bottom surface 3 of
the cartridge 2 has a central hole 4, preferably circular, covered
by a seal 5 of suitable material designed to be opened or pierced
by a hollow needle A forming part of the coffee machine, in an
alternative embodiment, the seal 5 forms, an integral part of the
bottom surface 3 of the cartridge 2, that is to say, it
constitutes a portion of the surfaces 3 that can be easily pierced.
The cartridge 2 holds a predetermined guantity at powdered
soluble "material NS comprising powered milk or creamer or the
like. The material MS may also comprise a predetermined quantity
of powdered sugar.
As illustrated in Figures 1 and from 3 to 5, the capsule 1
also comprises a container or pod 6 of filter paper or similar
filter material, containing a tablet of infusion material Ml,
namely coffee powder, and positioned at the top 7 of the cartridge
2.
More specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
4
outer annular edge 8 of the pod 6 rests on, and is fixed to, a
matching annular protuberance 9 of the cartridge 2, running round
the outer edge at the top 7 of the cartridge 2.
The edge 8 of the pod 6 ia fixed to the annular protuberance
9 of the cartridge 2 preferably by a gluing, heat-sealing or
similar process.
In a still more preferable solution, fixing is accomplished
by the currently known process of ultrasound sealing.
As illustrated, in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the capsule 1 is
advantageously covered and sealed by a sheet 10 of cover material,
such as, for example, aluminium foil or the like, which is applied
to the end of the protuberance 9 of the capsule 1 cartridge 2, for
example by gluing, heat sealing or ultrasound sealing, in such a
way aa to cover the top 11 of the pod 6, thus keeping in the aroma
of the coffee it contains.
The cover 10 is designed to be removed just before the
capsule l is placed by the user in the appropriate holder in the
coffee machine. The user can then start preparing the cappuccino
by pressing the coffee machine start button which causes a
relative movement between the needle A and the capsule 1 such that
the needle A pierces the seal 5 and penetrates the hole in the
capsule 1.
The flow of hot water produced by the machine passes first
through the pod 6, creating a flow of infused coffee Ml which
falls onto and wets the soluble creamer MS inside the cartridge 2
and from there flows through the hollow interior of the needle h
to produce cappuceino that fills an undarlying glass or cup (not
illustrated).
Thus, a delectable cappuccino with an optimum proportion of
milk to coffee, can be prepared every time.
Once used, the capsule 1 can be removed very easily from the
machine, thanks, especially to the closed, rigid structure of the
cartridge 2, Further, when the capsule 1 is moved away from the
needle A, the seal 5 tends to re-close the hole 4, preventing
residual water or beverage from dripping out and dirtying the user
or the area around the machine.
Moreover, it should be stressed, that the capsule 1 disclosed

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
5
herein can be safely handled and sold without any overwapping
thanks to the rigid structure of the cartridge 2 and to the cover
10 attached to the top of it and placed, only over the top face of
the pod 6, This means legs packaging material is required which in
turn means not only considerable savings in tetms of lower
production and selling costs but also a reduced impact on the
environment.
It will be understood that the capsule as described herein can
be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing
from the a cope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details
of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent
elements.

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
6
Claim
1. A capsule (1) used to prepare an infused beverage,
characterised in that it comprises a first container (6) made of a
substantially flexible material and containing a powdered infusion.
substance (MI), and a second container (2), attached to the first
container (6), made of a substantially rigid material and
containing a powdered soluble substance (MS).
2. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the
flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second .
container (2) toy heat sealing.

3. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the
flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second
container (2) by gluing.
4. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the
flexible first container (6) is attached to the rigid second
container (2) by ultrasound sealing.
5. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1
to 4, characterised in that at least the top of it is covered by a
sheet (10) of protective material.
6. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1
to 5, characterised in that the flexible first container (6)
comprises a pod (6) made of filter paper or other similar filter
material.
7. the capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1
to 6, characterised in that the rigid second container (2)
comprises a cartridge (2) made of a food safe plastic material.
6. The capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that the
bottom surface (3) of the cartridge (2) has a hole (4) in it,
covered by a seal (5) of suitable material designed to be pierced
or removed.
9. The capsule according to claim a, characterised in that the
seal (5) constitutes a portion of the bottom surface (3) of the
cartridge (2) .
10. The capsule according to claims 6 and 7 or 8, or 9,
characterised in that the pod (6) of filter paper has an annular

WO 2004/071899 PCT/IB2004/000396
7
outer edge (8) fined to a matching annular protuberance (9) on the
plastic cartridge (2), at the top (7) of the cartridge (2)itself.
11. The capsule according to claims 5 and 10, characterised in
that the sheet (10) of protective cover material is removably
placed, over the top of the filter paper pod. (6) ; the sheet (10)
being fixed to the edge of the outer protuberance (9) of the
cartridge (2).
12. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1
to 11, characterised in that the infusion substance (M) 1 comprises
powdered coffee.
13. The capsule according to any of the foregoing claims from 1
to 12, characterised in that the soluble substance (Ms) comprises
powdered milk and/or creamer and similar soluble substances.

A capsule (1) USED TO PREPARATION
infused beverage, especiaily cappuccino of mucchiata
coffee. comprises a first container (6) mada of a
substantially flexible material and confining a
powdered infution substance (MI), the coffee, and a
second container (2), arrched to the first container (6),
made of a subsiaiatially rigid marerial and containing
a powdered solublesubstrace {MS), the milk:

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Patent Number

216852

Indian Patent Application Number

01356/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

12/2008

Publication Date

21-Mar-2008

Grant Date

19-Mar-2008

Date of Filing

13-Jul-2005

Name of Patentee

I.M.A INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A

Applicant Address

VIA EMILIA LEVANTE, 428-442, 1-40064 OZZANO EMILIA ITALY

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	FRANCESCHI, FABIO	VIA PIRAZZOLI, 26, I-40027 MORDANO ITALY

PCT International Classification Number

B65D 81/32

PCT International Application Number

PCT/IB2004/000396

PCT International Filing date

2004-02-05

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	BO2003A000062	2003-02-13	Italy