Machines for using capsules for obtaining infusions such as espresso or beverages from water soluble products

Abstract

A machine for using capsules for obtaining infusions, such as espresso, or beverages from water-soluble products, wherein the capsules are of the type comprising an internal out flow duct comprising an internal through hole for the outflow of the infusions or beverages from the capsule and an upper surface supporting a sealing element, the machine comprising housing means for housing at least one capsule during the dispensing phase and injection means for injecting water under pressure into the capsule so as to obtain an infusion or beverage flowing out from the capsule through the internal through hole of the capsule, wherein the injection means are adapted to inject water into the capsule through the sidewall of the capsule.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Machine for using capsules for obtaining infusions, such as espresso, or beverages from water-soluble products, wherein the capsules are of the type comprising:
 an internal out flow duct comprising an internal through hole for the outflow of the infusions or beverages from the capsule and an upper surface supporting a sealing element, said machine comprising housing means for housing at least one capsule during the dispensing phase and injection means for injecting water under pressure into the capsule so as to obtain an infusion or beverage flowing out from the capsule through the internal through hole of the capsule,   wherein said injection means are adapted to inject water into the capsule through the sidewall of the capsule.   
     
     
         2 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said injection means are adapted to create a vortex of water under pressure inside the capsule, so that the vortex involves the entire product contained, lifts the sealing element and, after a pre-infusion time, detaches the sealing element from the top of the internal out flow duct opening the hole through which the infusion or beverage flows out.   
     
     
         3 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said injection means are adapted to form a deformation toward the inside of the capsule on the sidewall of the capsule so as to improve the sealing between the injection means and the sidewall of the capsule.   
     
     
         4 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said injection means are adapted to penetrate into the capsule in proximity to the bottom of the capsule.   
     
     
         5 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said injection means comprise a needle movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the capsule and adapted to penetrate through any point of the sidewall of the capsule in proximity to the bottom of the capsule, preferably through a flat surface whose thickness is lower than that of the sidewall of the capsule.   
     
     
         6 . Machine according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the inner bore of said needle is bent so that the water under pressure flowing out therefrom creates a circular vortex from bottom to top inside the capsule involving the entire product contained in the capsule.   
     
     
         7 . Machine according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the curvature of said inner bore is such that the bending angle is 90° or greater.   
     
     
         8 . Machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said injection means further comprise sealing means for hermetically sealing the surrounding of the hole formed in the sidewall of the capsule for injecting water under pressure inside the capsule.   
     
     
         9 . Machine according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said sealing means comprise a vertical plane for hermetically sealing the area surrounding the hole formed in the sidewall of the capsule for injecting water under pressure inside the capsule.   
     
     
         10 . Machine according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 enclosing means for mechanically enclosing the capsule inside the machine during the dispensing process. 
 
     
     
         11 . Machine according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said enclosing means comprise a cover that, when closed, applies a mechanical pressure on the peripheral edge of the sealing element against the upper surface of the capsule, to prevent the sealing element from detaching from the edge of the capsule in the dispensing phase, said cover further comprising a recess so that, by injecting water under pressure into the capsule, said sealing element is lifted becoming detached from the top of the internal out flow duct, opening said internal through hole of said internal out flow duct so that the infusion or beverage flows outwards through said internal through hole.   
     
     
         12 . Machine according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said enclosing means further comprise adjusting means for adjusting the inner pressure of the capsule when the capsule is housed inside said machine during the dispensing phase.   
     
     
         13 . Machine according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said adjusting means are placed so as to be in correspondence with the top of the internal out flow duct of the capsule when the capsule is housed inside said machine during said dispensing phase.   
     
     
         14 . Machine according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said adjusting means for adjusting the inner pressure of the capsule comprise a sliding pin coupled to a spring whose pressure is adjustable by means of a threaded knob.   
     
     
         15 . System for the production of infusions, such as espresso, or beverages from water-soluble products comprising a machine according to  claim 1  and at least a capsule injection moulded or thermoformed, wherein:
 said capsule comprises an internal out flow duct comprising an internal through hole for the outflow of the infusions or beverages from the capsule and an upper surface supporting a sealing element, so that by injecting water under pressure into the capsule through the sidewall of the capsule, said sealing element is lifted becoming detached from the top of the internal out flow duct, opening said internal through hole of said internal out flow duct so that the infusion or beverage flows outwards through said internal through hole. 
 
     
     
         16 . System according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said capsule is hermetically sealed by said sealing element which is welded to the upper surface of the capsule and to the top of the internal outflow duct by means of a differential detachment welding.   
     
     
         17 . Method of obtaining infusions, such as espresso, or beverages from water-soluble products, by means of capsules of the type comprising an internal out flow duct comprising an internal through hole for the outflow of the infusions or beverages from the capsule and an upper surface supporting a sealing element, said method comprising the step of:
 injecting water under pressure into the capsule through the sidewall of the capsule so as to obtain an infusion or beverage flowing out from the capsule through the internal through hole of the capsule.   
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 creating a vortex of water under pressure inside the capsule, so that the vortex involves the entire product contained, lifts the sealing element and, after a pre-infusion time, detaches the sealing element from the top of the internal out flow duct opening the hole through which the infusion or beverage flows out.   
     
     
         19 . A beverage dispensing system for infused beverage products comprising:
 a capsule having an open top with an upper surface, a bottom, and a side wall between the upper surface and the bottom, said upper surface forming a perimeter, an internal outflow duct placed within the perimeter extending from the bottom to the open top of said capsule, the internal outflow duct having a flat top and a through hole, a sealing element covering the open top and internal outflow duct and fixed to the perimeter of the upper surface;   a housing having a chamber receiving said capsule;   injection means, formed in a side of said housing, for piercing the side wall of said capsule and injecting water under pressure into said capsule, whereby a vortex of water flow is capable of being formed around the internal outflow duct when water is injected into said capsule;   a cover placed over said chamber and contacting the perimeter of said capsule;   means, formed within said cover and positioned to contact the sealing element of said capsule over the internal outflow duct, for selectively adjusting a pressure applied to the sealing element, whereby a pressure at which the sealing element of said capsule over the internal outflow duct separates from the outflow duct is capable of being adjusted; and   an opening in the chamber of said housing dispensing an infused beverage product from said capsule.