Capsule for preparing a beverage such as coffee and the like

Abstract

A capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device having a flange partially made of paper and partially made of polymer so as to improve the inside tightness of the capsule, such as to prevent air enters inside the capsule via folds and creases, is disclosed. Methods of producing and using the capsule are also disclosed.

1 : A capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device, the capsule comprising:
 a cup-like body;   a cover for closing the cup-like body;   a flange for the cover to seal thereon;   the cup-like body being shaped from a paper-based sheet to form a cavity wall containing beverage ingredients and an inner flange portion extending outwardly from the cavity wall;   wherein the flange further comprises an outer flange portion formed of moulded polymer-based material comprising at least a loop shaped recess enabling the inner flange portion to be received in the polymer-based material of the outer flange portion to seal at least partially against a lower surface of the inner flange portion oriented in the direction (B) towards the cavity wall and against the outer edge of the inner flange portion.   
     
     
         2 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity wall is revolutionary symmetrical and the recess is annular. 
     
     
         3 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange portion prolongs the flange from the outer edge of the inner flange portion both in an outwardly radial direction (R E ) and in an axial direction (C). 
     
     
         4 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the region of the outer flange portion extending outwardly (radially) beyond the inner flange portion is thicker than the lower part of the outer flange portion sealing against the lower surface of the inner flange portion. 
     
     
         5 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange portion includes an outermost relief which has an axial dimension (L) longer than the axial dimension (L 0 ) of the outer flange portion outside the outermost relief. 
     
     
         6 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange portion further extends inwardly in direction R l  by an upper part which seals against the upper surface of the inner flange portion. 
     
     
         7 : The capsule according to  claim 6 , wherein the cover is sealed against an annular top surface of the upper part. 
     
     
         8 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange portion forms a step-like recess which is arranged in open fashion upwardly towards the cover. 
     
     
         9 : The capsule according to  claim 8 , wherein the cover is sealed onto the inner flange portion and/or an upper surface forming a step-like portion of the outer flange portion oriented in direction C towards the cover. 
     
     
         10 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the paper-based sheet of the body comprises at least one oxygen barrier layer. 
     
     
         11 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the paper-based sheet of the body comprises at least one sealing layer oriented towards the cavity. 
     
     
         12 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover is a paper-containing sheet and optionally the cover comprises a gas barrier layer. 
     
     
         13 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a sealing layer oriented in direction B towards the cavity or bottom of the body. 
     
     
         14 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based material for the outer flange is an injection-mouldable thermoplastic material or elastomeric-thermoplastic material (TPE) selected from a group consisting of polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the moulded polymer-based material is filled with reinforcing material. 
     
     
         16 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer portion of flange comprises an identification code. 
     
     
         17 : The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage ingredients are selected from the group consisting of ground coffee, soluble coffee, coffee beans, leaf tea, soluble tea, dairy products, cocoa, chicory, barley, culinary aid, soup ingredient, infant formula and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 : The capsule of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one oxygen barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of EVOH, AlOx, SiOX, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 : The capsule of  claim 16 , wherein the identification code is an optically readable barcode. 
     
     
         20 : A method comprising:
 inserting the capsule according to  claim 1  in a beverage preparation device to prepare a beverage.