Preparatory element suitable for becoming a reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a preparatory element suitable for becoming a reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, such as coffee, the preparatory element comprising a side wall extending around an axis y and having a first extremity and a second extremity; a flat surface, protruding from the side wall at the first extremity; and a reinforcement surface at the second extremity, where the reinforcement surface is configured to open symmetrically with respect to the axis y, so as to obtain a plurality of elements extending from the second extremity.

1 . A preparatory element suitable for becoming a reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, comprising:
 a side wall extending around an axis and having a first extremity and a second extremity; and   a flat surface, protruding from said side wall in correspondence with said first extremity,   wherein:   said preparatory element further comprises a reinforcement surface in correspondence with said second extremity, wherein said reinforcement surface is configured to open symmetrically with respect to said axis, so as to obtain a plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity.   
     
     
         2 . The preparatory element according to  claim 1 , wherein said side wall, said protruding flat surface and said reinforcement surface are made as a single body. 
     
     
         3 . The preparatory element according to  claim 1 , wherein said side wall and said reinforcement surface form a compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The preparatory element according to  claim 1 , wherein said reinforcement surface comprises one or more perforation lines. 
     
     
         5 . The preparatory element according to  claim 4 , wherein said one or more perforation lines extend from the central point of said reinforcement surface to the extremity of said reinforcement surface in correspondence with said second extremity of said side wall, wherein said central point is the point where said axis crosses said reinforcement surface. 
     
     
         6 . The preparatory element according to  claim 4 , wherein said one or more perforation lines form two or more parts suitable to become said plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity. 
     
     
         7 . The preparatory element according to  claim 6 , wherein said parts are circular sectors. 
     
     
         8 . The preparatory element according to  claim 1 , wherein said preparatory element is made of a biodegradable and/or compostable and/or bio-based material. 
     
     
         9 . The preparatory element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of thermoformable material fixed to said flat surface. 
     
     
         10 . A reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, obtained from the preparatory element according to  claim 1 , so as to comprise said plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity. 
     
     
         11 . A reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, comprising:
 a side wall extending around an axis and having a first extremity and a second extremity;   a flat surface protruding from said side wall in correspondence with said first extremity,   wherein:   said reinforcement ring further comprises a plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity.   
     
     
         12 . The reinforcement ring according to  claim 11 , wherein said elements that extend from said second extremity include two or more elements. 
     
     
         13 . The reinforcement ring according to  claim 11 , wherein said elements that extend from said second extremity are circular sectors. 
     
     
         14 . A capsule for obtaining beverages, comprising:
 the reinforcement ring according to  claim 11 ; and   a capsule body fixed to said reinforcement ring, wherein said capsule body is suitable to form a containment volume for a product used for obtaining a desired beverage.   
     
     
         15 . The capsule according to  claim 14 , wherein said capsule body is made of a filtering material. 
     
     
         16 . A method for forming a reinforcement ring for capsules for obtaining beverages, said method comprising the following steps:
 a) providing a preparatory element comprising a side wall extending around an axis and having a first extremity and a second extremity, and a flat surface, protruding from said side wall in correspondence with said first extremity, wherein said preparatory element further comprises a reinforcement surface in correspondence with said second extremity, wherein said reinforcement surface is configured to open symmetrically with respect to said axis, so as to obtain a plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity; and   b) opening said reinforcement surface so as to form said plurality of elements that extend from said second extremity.   
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a capsule for obtaining beverages, said method comprising the following steps:
 i) forming a reinforcement ring according to the method of claim  16 ;   ii) providing a capsule body suitable for forming a containment volume for a product used for obtaining a desired beverage;   iii) fixing said capsule body to said reinforcement ring;   wherein:   said step (b) of opening said reinforcement surface is carried out by inserting said capsule body in said preparatory element.   
     
     
         18 . The method for producing a capsule according to  claim 17 , wherein said step (b) of opening said reinforcement surface comprises using a welder, wherein said welder is inserted in the capsule body so as to open said reinforcement surface and to fix said capsule body to said reinforcement ring. 
     
     
         19 . A method for producing a capsule for obtaining beverages, said method comprising the following steps:
 i) forming a reinforcement ring according to the method of  claim 16 ;   ii) forming a capsule body suitable for forming a containment volume for a product used for obtaining a desired beverage, wherein said forming of said capsule body is carried out by thermoforming, starting from a layer of thermoformable material via a forming die;   wherein:   said step (b) of opening said reinforcement surface is carried out by inserting said forming die in said preparatory element when said layer of thermoformable material is shaped to form said capsule body.   
     
     
         20 . A system for beverages comprising:
 a capsule according to  claim 14 ;   a container suitable for accommodating said capsule during a step of supplying pressurized water for producing a beverage, said container comprising a lateral surface and a bottom forming a compartment suitable for accommodating said capsule during the water supply;   wherein:   a predefined portion of an inner surface of said lateral surface of said container and one or more of said elements that extend from said second extremity are watertight with each other.   
     
     
         21 . A method for producing a beverage by using the system according to  claim 20 , comprising a step of making a predefined portion of said inner surface of said lateral surface of said container and one or more of said elements that extend from said second extremity watertight with each other.