Capsule for the Preparation of Beverages

Abstract

A capsule for making beverages comprising at least one powdered food substance which can be extracted using water to make a beverage, comprises a cup-shaped outer body ( 2 ) with a lower wall ( 3 ) and a first side wall ( 4 ), a lid ( 6 ), a filtering body ( 9 ) comprising a first basket-shaped rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 10 ) with a second side wall ( 11 ) and a bottom portion ( 12 ); the first rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 10 ) comprises openings ( 13 ) made at least through a part of the second side wall ( 11 ) which is distanced from the first side wall; the capsule also comprises an additional filtering element ( 26 ) positioned in the chamber ( 7 ) between the filtering body ( 9 ) and the lower wall ( 3 ) for in use intercepting the beverage which comes out of the filtering body ( 9 ) and flows towards the bottom wall ( 3 ), the additional filtering element ( 26 ) comprising at least one layer ( 27 ) of flexible filtering material and being coupled to the inner part of the outer body ( 2 ).

1 ) A capsule for making beverages comprising at least one powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing ( 29 ) water through it to make a beverage, comprising:
 a substantially cup-shaped outer body ( 2 ) which in turn comprises a lower wall ( 3 ) and a first side wall ( 4 );   a lid ( 6 ) fixed to the outer body ( 2 ) at an upper edge ( 5 ) of the first side wall ( 4 ) located on the opposite side to the lower wall ( 3 ), between the lid ( 6 ) and the inner surface of the outer body ( 2 ) there also being a chamber ( 7 ) and between a central point of the lid ( 6 ) and a central point of the lower wall ( 3 ) being identified a capsule axis of extension ( 8 );   a filtering body ( 9 ) comprising a basket-shaped first rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 10 ) containing the powdered food substance, positioned in the chamber ( 7 ) and comprising a second side wall ( 11 ) and a bottom portion ( 12 ), the second side wall ( 11 ) comprising a substantially annular upper rim ( 14 ) and the bottom of the second side wall being connected to the bottom portion ( 12 ); the first rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 10 ) comprising openings ( 13 ) for allowing fluid communication through it which are made at least through the second side wall ( 11 );   the upper rim ( 14 ) being positioned close to the lid ( 6 ) of the capsule and coupled to the outer body ( 2 ) at a coupling portion ( 15 ) of the first side wall ( 4 ), which is substantially annular and is located close to the upper edge ( 5 ) of the first side wall ( 4 ) itself; the bottom portion ( 12 ) being positioned close to the lower wall ( 3 ) of the outer body ( 2 );   the second side wall ( 11 ) being at least partly distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) to allow the beverage to flow towards the lower wall ( 3 ), the openings ( 13 ) through the second side wall ( 11 ) being made at least at the part of the second side wall ( 11 ) which is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 );   the capsule also comprising an additional filtering element ( 26 ) positioned in the chamber ( 7 ) between the filtering body ( 9 ) and the lower wall ( 3 ) for in use intercepting the beverage which comes out of the filtering body ( 9 ) and flows towards the lower wall ( 3 ), the additional filtering element ( 26 ) comprising at least one layer ( 27 ) of flexible filtering material and being coupled to the inner part of the outer body ( 2 ).   
     
     
         2 ) The capsule according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) consists of one or more layers ( 27 ) of flexible filtering material whose periphery is sealed or glued to the first side wall ( 4 ). 
     
     
         3 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) comprises a second rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 28 ) forming one or more passages ( 29 ) through it for the beverage, the at least one layer ( 27 ) of flexible filtering material being fixed to the passages, said second rigid or semi-rigid skeleton ( 28 ) being constrained to the first side wall ( 4 ). 
     
     
         4 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side wall ( 4 ) comprises, close to the lower wall ( 3 ) but spaced from it, a fold ( 31 ) which in the chamber ( 7 ) forms an annular surface ( 32 ) recessed towards the axis of extension ( 8 ), on which the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is positioned. 
     
     
         5 ) The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein the first side wall ( 4 ) comprises, close to the lower wall ( 3 ) but spaced from it, a fold ( 31 ) which in the chamber ( 7 ) forms an annular surface ( 32 ) recessed towards the axis of extension ( 8 ), on which the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is positioned. 
     
     
         6 ) The capsule according to the preceding  claim 3 , wherein the first side wall ( 4 ) comprises, close to the lower wall ( 3 ) but spaced from it, a fold ( 31 ) which in the chamber ( 7 ) forms an annular surface ( 32 ) recessed towards the axis of extension ( 8 ), on which the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is positioned. 
     
     
         7 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         8 ) The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         9 ) The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         10 ) The capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         11 ) The capsule according to  claim 5 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         12 ) The capsule according to  claim 6 , wherein the openings ( 13 ) are of a size such that they act as a filter for the powdered food substance and substantially retain it while allowing the beverage to pass. 
     
     
         13 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         14 ) The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         15 ) The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         16 ) The capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         17 ) The capsule according to  claim 5 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         18 ) The capsule according to  claim 6 , wherein the second side wall ( 11 ) is distanced from the first side wall ( 4 ) at least for most of its extension and/or wherein the distance between the second side wall ( 11 ) and the first side wall ( 4 ) increases proceeding from the upper rim ( 14 ) towards the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         19 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the filtering body ( 9 ) is coupled to the coupling portion ( 15 ) by mechanical interference and/or the filtering body ( 9 ) is in sealed contact with it. 
     
     
         20 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein, close to the upper rim ( 14 ), the filtering body ( 9 ) comprises a shoulder ( 18 ) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension ( 8 ) and which projects radially relative to the rest of the filtering body ( 9 ) with reference to the axis of extension ( 8 ), and wherein the coupling portion ( 15 ) comprises a counter-shoulder ( 19 ) which is substantially annular about the axis of extension ( 8 ) and also projects radially, with reference to the axis of extension ( 8 ), relative to the portion of the first side wall ( 4 ) adjacent to it on the lower wall ( 3 ) side, said shoulder ( 18 ) resting on the counter-shoulder ( 19 ) and said upper rim ( 14 ) being coupled to an annular region ( 20 ) of the coupling portion ( 15 ) located between the counter-shoulder ( 19 ) and the upper edge ( 5 ). 
     
     
         21 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         22 ) The capsule according to  claim 21 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         23 ) The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         24 ) The capsule according to  claim 23 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         25 ) The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         26 ) The capsule according to  claim 25 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         27 ) The capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         28 ) The capsule according to  claim 27 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         29 ) The capsule according to  claim 5 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         30 ) The capsule according to  claim 29 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         31 ) The capsule according to  claim 6 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) are at least partly spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule ( 1 ), through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) and the additional filtering element ( 26 ) being damaged. 
     
     
         32 ) The capsule according to  claim 31 , wherein the bottom portion ( 12 ) comprises an outer annular zone ( 22 ) and an inner zone ( 23 ), the outer annular zone ( 22 ) being spaced from the lower wall ( 3 ) to allow, during use, insertion of a piercing element in the capsule, through the lower wall ( 3 ), without the bottom portion ( 12 ) of the filtering body ( 9 ) being damaged, the inner zone ( 23 ) in contrast being close to the lower wall ( 3 ), and wherein the additional filtering element ( 26 ) is shaped in a similar way to the bottom portion ( 12 ). 
     
     
         33 ) The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower wall ( 3 ) can be pierced during use to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule, and wherein, during use, a piercing element can be inserted between the additional filtering element ( 26 ) and the outer body ( 2 ), without damaging the additional filtering element ( 26 ), following penetration through the lower wall ( 3 ).