Capsule for containing an aromatic essence, process and apparatus that use such capsule

Abstract

The capsule ( 1 ) for containing an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage comprises a body having at least one inlet hole ( 2 ) and respectively at least one outlet hole ( 3 ), respectively closed by a first and a second water-soluble caps ( 4, 5 ).

1 . A capsule for containing an aromatic essence that can be used in an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage, where the capsule comprises a body having at least one inlet hole and at least one outlet hole, and where the capsule is closed by a first water-soluble cap and a second water-soluble cap. 
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the first and second caps are water-soluble at a different temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the first cap is water-solubleat a lower temperature than said second cap. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the body is made of thermoformed plastics adapted to be recycled. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the body is made of completely biodegradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the inlet hole and the outlet hole are countersunk. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the body further comprises bases having a surface and a thickness, and where the inlet hole and outlet hole are recessed with respect to the surface of the bases, and where the inlet hole and outlet hole extend through the thickness of the bases. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 7 , where the bases have an internal side and grooves along the internal side for a homogeneous distribution of water inside the capsule. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where a position of the outlet hole is positioned next to a corresponding collector of a plurality of collectors that can be found in a positioning seat of the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the outlet hole has different positions that correspond to different types of aromatic essence contained inside the capsule. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 9 , where the capsule comprises a recess whose shape mates with a projection of the positioning seat. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the capsule is shaped like a cube. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the outlet hole has, as replacement of the second cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the outlet hole has, in combination with the second cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongues or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the inlet hole has, as replacement of the first cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the inlet hole has, in combination with the first cap, a paper filter or has a removable protecting tongue, or has both a paper filter and a removable protecting tongue. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule of  claim 14 , where the paper filter has a layered structure comprising a first layer of filtering material and a second layer of water-soluble material. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule of  claim 1 , where the capsule further comprises a transverse dividing partition separating the capsule into two chambers, and having calibrated passage holes inside the capsule, the partition being guided by internal side walls of the body in order to translate between the inlet hole and the outlet hole due to a pressure difference existing between the chambers. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage with the capsule of  claim 9 , where the positioning seat has a plurality of collectors, and where each collector is associated with a corresponding outlet hole of the capsule. 
     
     
         21 . A process for preparing a beverage with a capsule and an apparatus for producing an aromatic beverage with a capsule;
 where the capsule comprises a body having at least one inlet hole and at least one outlet hole;   where the capsule is closed by a first water-soluble cap and a second water-soluble cap;   where a position of the outlet hole is positioned next to a corresponding collector of a plurality of collectors that can be found in a positioning seat of the apparatus;   where the positioning seat has a plurality of collectors; and   where each collector is associated with a corresponding outlet hole of the capsule where the process comprises:   a) sending to the capsule a first flow of water at a first temperature at which the first cap melts, but the second cap does not melt, to allow keeping the first flow of water inside the capsule for a necessary time for infusion or melting of the aromatic essence contained in the capsule; and   b) sending to the capsule a second flow of water at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, at which the second cap melts so that the beverage is delivered outside the capsule.