Disposable capsule for machines for the dispensing of infused beverages

Abstract

The invention relates to a disposable capsule for the preparation of infused beverages. The capsule has a body having a main cavity or chamber in turn having a first dispensing opening adapted to put the main cavity or chamber in fluid communication with the external environment, wherein the main cavity or chamber contains a measured dose of a first food product (FP 1 ) in a granular form. An inner cavity or chamber is formed in the main cavity having a second dispensing opening and containing a measured dose of a second food product (FP 2 ) in granular form. The main cavity or chamber and the inner cavity or chamber are arranged in fluid communication with one another. The disposable capsule also has closing means between the first and second dispensing openings, configured to be selectively activated upon emptying of the first or of the second food product (FP 1 , FP 2 ).

1 . A capsule for the preparation of infused beverages, said capsule comprising:
 i) a body comprising a main cavity or chamber in turn comprising a first dispensing opening adapted to put said main cavity or chamber in fluid communication with an external environment, wherein said main cavity or chamber ( 111 ) contains a measured dose of a first food product (FP 1 ) in a granular or particulate form;   ii) a cover tightly fixed to a flange of said body,   wherein an inner cavity or chamber is formed in the main cavity or chamber,   wherein said inner cavity or chamber comprises a second dispensing opening and contains a measured dose of at least one a second food product in granular or particulate form   and wherein the main cavity or chamber and the inner cavity or chamber are arranged in fluid communication with one another,   characterized by further comprising closing means of one between the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening, said closing means being configured to be selectively activated upon emptying of the first food product or of the second food product contained in the main cavity or chamber or in the inner cavity or chamber, respectively,   and in that the closing means are formed by a shaped element configured to tightly engage the first dispensing opening or the second dispensing opening, said shaped element being made of a material having a density higher than the water density and lower than the density of the first food product or the second food product in granular or particulate form contained in the main cavity or chamber or the inner cavity or chamber,   wherein said capsule is disposable.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaped element is a sphere. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity or chamber extends in an axial direction of the body from a bottom wall thereof to the flange and wherein a top edge of the inner cavity or chamber is tightly fixed to said cover. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the bottom wall of the body is inclined relative to an axis of the capsule, the first dispensing opening being formed in a portion of said bottom wall farthest from said flange in the direction of said axis. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the first dispensing opening comprises a mesh filter element configured to prevent escape of the particles or granules of the first food product. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the second dispensing opening comprises a plate shaped filter element arranged in the inner cavity or chamber and configured to prevent escape of the particles or granules of the second food product. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule according to  claim 3 , wherein the second dispensing opening comprises a plurality of ribs that stretch out in a direction parallel to the axis. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity or chamber is arranged coaxially to the main cavity or chamber and is separated therefrom in an axial direction by a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the main cavity or chamber, wherein said first dispensing opening is adapted to put said main cavity or chamber in fluid communication with the external environment and is formed in said bottom wall, and wherein a plurality of micro-through openings are also formed in said bottom wall. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule according to  claim 8 , wherein said closing means are arranged in the main cavity or chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule according to  claim 8 , further comprising an insert made up of a stem, which extends in a direction of an axis of the capsule, and a frusto-conical shaped base that rests on a bottom wall of the capsule, the bottom wall being sealed by a gas-impermeable film, wherein said stem extends axially from said base beyond said flange and comprises a base tightly fitted in the first dispensing opening and an axially extending projecting portion whose end contacts the cover, the stem also comprising a sharpened portion that protrudes axially into a frusto-conical cavity defined by the base and faces the bottom wall of the capsule in a packaged configuration thereof, said base and said sharpened portion being hollow and defining a through cavity adapted to allow dispensing of an infused beverage from the main cavity or chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule according to claim  12 , wherein the frusto-conical shaped base of the insert comprises a plurality of micro-through openings and circumferentially extending portions of smaller thickness in the form of grooves.