Packaging capsule for at least one portion of food

Abstract

A packaging capsule is described including an internal space configured to accommodate one portion of food. The internal space is delimited by a bottom surface with one planar portion, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface and including, at a free end portion, a flange extending outwardly with respect to the internal space on a plane substantially parallel to the one planar portion, and a film removably associated with the flange. The flange has an easy-opening area configured for allowing grasping and initial detachment of the film from the flange. Two opposite first portions of the flange include respective reinforced portions defining both grasping elements for handling the capsule and supporting the rigidity of the capsule when it is out of a compartment of a household machine and guiding elements for guiding the capsule during insertion/extraction of the capsule into/from the compartment. A second portion of the flange, joining the two opposite first portions, includes a grasping portion for allowing inserting/removing the capsule into/from the compartment.

1 . A packaging capsule for at least one portion of food, the capsule comprising an internal space configured to accommodate said at least one portion of food, said internal space being delimited by:
 a bottom surface having at least one planar portion;   a side wall extending upwardly from said bottom surface and comprising, at a free end portion thereof, a flange extending outwardly with respect to said internal space on a plane substantially parallel to said at least one planar portion; and   a film removably associated with said flange;   said flange having an easy-opening area configured for allowing grasping and initial detachment of said film from said flange;   wherein:   two opposite first portions of said flange comprise respective reinforced portions defining, in at least a part thereof, both grasping elements for handling the capsule and supporting the rigidity of the capsule when it is out of a compartment of a household machine and guiding elements for guiding the capsule during insertion/extraction of the capsule into/from said compartment;   a second portion of said flange, joining said two opposite first portions, comprises a grasping portion for allowing inserting/removing the capsule into/from said compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said flange comprises a third portion joining said two opposite first portions and opposite to said second portion, said third portion comprising an abutment surface configured to abut with a bottom surface of said compartment when the capsule is inserted into said compartment, wherein said easy-opening area is arranged on said third portion. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein said abutment surface extends, at least partially, on a first plane. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the grasping elements and guiding elements are defined in respective parts of said reinforced portions which extend along respective directions which are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 4 , wherein said abutment surface extends, at least partially, on a first plane, and wherein said directions are substantially perpendicular to said first plane. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said flange comprises an upper rib defining a closed configuration around said internal space and providing a surface for the hermetical sealing of said film to said flange. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 6 , wherein said film is vacuum sealed with said upper rib. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging capsule according  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface and said side wall are made from a soft plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said side wall has curved surfaces connected to said at least one planar portion and said flange. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface comprises at least one reinforcement rib. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal space is defined by at least two distinct areas configured to accommodate portions of food of different type, each of said two distinct areas having a bottom surface with a planar portion, said two distinct areas being connected to each other by at least one connecting wall. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one connecting wall extends on a second plane which is substantially parallel to said planar portions. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 11 , wherein said film is removably associated with said at least one connecting wall. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises a seat for housing a recognition element configured to recognize type and/or quantity of the at least one portion of food accommodated in said internal space, the capsule further comprising a label indicating the type of said at least one portion of food, said label being attached to said second portion. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging capsule according to  claim 14 , wherein said label has a color which identifies a specific class of quality and/or cost to which said at least one portion of food belongs.