Patent Description:
Such package relates to a package for storing individual portion of beverage precursor protected from the ambient air and mechanical or physical constraints and which can be adapted to a dispensing device for dispensing the portion individually into a beverage preparation apparatus such as a coffee machine for in-home or professional use (using for example vending machine).

The disclosure also relates to a package strip capable of individually storing multiple portions of beverage precursor.

The disclosure additionally relates to a beverage preparation apparatus comprising a device for dispensing individual portions of beverage precursor, said individual portion being in particular stored in such a package, and adapted for the preparation of a beverage in the beverage preparation apparatus.

It is known that coffee is sold in airtight packages to protect it from contact with air that would cause quick oxidation and loss of aromas. The field of portioned beverage and more particularly of closed single-used capsules has developed tremendously. This is especially the case for coffee capsule, essentially because each coffee portion can be well protected by a suitable gastight, functional package until coffee is extracted in a suitable coffee machine.

For example, document <CIT> discloses a package containing portions of beverage precursor in the form of a portioning band comprising a pair of packaging sheets sealed to one another for enclosing and sealing portions individually and separately in a substantially oxygen impervious manner by the sheets being sealed together about each portion, wherein the portions take the form of substantially spherical shapes which are covered on each side of the band by a sheet being formed with cavities to receive a part of each portion and wherein at least one of the sheet can be cut or torn at least partially about each portion for removal of each portion individually.

Document <CIT> discloses a beverage portion dispenser for receiving a portioning band containing a plurality of individually sealed beverage precursor portions for the preparation of a beverage wherein the dispenser comprises means for individually collecting and dispensing the beverage precursor portions to a dispensing area, wherein the collecting and dispensing means comprises a portion drive assembly arranged for receiving a part of the flexible portioning band and a separating assembly for individually separating the beverage precursor portions from the portioning band.

Therefore, it is preferable to enable a reliable and effective opening of a package of one portion to properly dispense the individual portion into a beverage preparation device in an apparatus such as a coffee machine.

The present invention alleviates those problems by providing a portioned packaged solution and a portion dispensing solution that at least facilitates a separation of the individual portion of beverage precursor from its package.

The invention relates to a system according to claim <NUM>. The system comprises a beverage preparation apparatus and at least one package containing one portion of beverage precursor for preparing a beverage in the beverage preparation apparatus, the package comprising a pair of packaging sheets sealed to one another for enclosing and sealing the portion of beverage precursor individually in a substantially oxygen impervious manner by the sheets being sealed together about the portion, the sheets forming a cavity covering the beverage precursor portion on each side, wherein the cavity is provided with a ridge on at least one of the sheets.

Such a ridge is configured to cooperate with a protrusion part of the beverage preparation apparatus, more specifically of a dispensing device of the beverage preparation apparatus.

A contact between this ridge of the package and the protrusion part will help to open the package and/or separate, for example by pushing, the beverage precursor portion outside of the package.

More particularly, the contact between this ridge of the package and the protrusion part will facilitate the separation of the individual portion of beverage precursor from its package by pushing the beverage precursor portion outside of the package.

In addition, such configuration of the package provides an individual protective packaging of precursor's portions which can be conveniently handled by a dispensing apparatus as well as be easily opened for the dispensing of individual portions for easy positioning in the machine.

For example, the ridge has a crescent shape.

Such a shape allows an easy manufacturing of the package and provides good robustness to the package. Besides, it enables a reliable and satisfying cooperation with the protrusion part of the dispensing device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ridge extends along a median plane of the package.

For example, the ridge extends on top of the cavity.

According to one example embodiment, the ridge is configured to extend along a dispensing direction of the package into the dispensing device.

Therefore, such ridge is also said longitudinal ridge.

According to one other example embodiment, the ridge is configured to extend across a dispensing direction of the package into the dispensing device.

Therefore, such ridge is also said transverse ridge.

According to one example embodiment, the beverage precursor portion takes the form of substantially spherical shape. However, any flatter shape may suit. As a consequence, the cavity has a ball shape, or any flatter shape.

Preferably, the package is symmetrical with the sheets being sealed on an equatorial plane of the portions.

As a result, the package can be associated to or positioned in a dispensing device from any side and any one of the sheets can be opened, e.g. cut for removal of the individual beverage precursor portion.

The opening of the package for the individual removal of a beverage precursor portion can be obtained by cutting a line or lines such as an arc-shaped line in at least one sheet about the diameter of the portion.

Each sheet should be formed of formable flexible material comprising barrier properties, especially to oxygen and external humidity, and sealing properties.

The sheets may be formed of a usual material, for example of a thermoformed polymer film and/or paper-based material having a thickness between <NUM> and <NUM>. The sheet or sheets can so be easily cut by a cutting device integrated in the dispensing device to remove the portion individually. Furthermore, each sheet has, for example, permeability to oxygen which is lower than or equal to <NUM>/m2/day/bar for a shelf life of approximately twelve months. Preferably, each portion is enclosed between the sheets with protective gas (e.g. N<NUM> and/or CO<NUM>). Therefore, the portions sealed by the sheets in the package are individually preserved from oxidation for an extensive period of time. Furthermore, the sheets are preferably barrier to UV light.

Preferably, the sheets are formed of compostable material, preferably bio-sourced compostable and/or recyclable and/or recycled material. Examples of materials are PBS, PLA, cellulose and combinations thereof.

The sheets should also be barrier to external humidity and especially water vapor.

Thus, a package according to the present disclosure provides at least one of the following advantages, or a combination of some of them:.

In particular, as such a package helps a more reliable opening, the precursor portion is better ejected from the package and dispensed to the brewing unit. Additionally, it participates sorting the package material on one side for easy recycling, the organic residue (beverage precursor portion after use) being collected on another side.

The present disclosure also relates to a package strip comprising a plurality of packages, each housing an individual beverage precursor, as defined above.

In such a strip, two neighboring packages are for example linked together by extensions of the sheets.

According to one example embodiment, the ridges of all the packages of the strip are set in line along an axis of the strip; i.e. the ridges are configured to extend along a dispensing direction of the package strip into the dispensing device.

According to one example embodiment, the ridges of all the packages of the strip are set parallel to each other across an axis of the strip; i.e. the ridges are configured to extend across a dispensing direction of the package strip into the dispensing device.

The strip comprises a free part of the sheets between two neighboring packages.

Thus, the strip can be arranged in a continuous manner in superimposed or wound layers with the portions being arranged in quincunx between two adjacent layers of the strip.

The storage of the packages in quincunx reduces the risk of free movement of individual beverage precursor portions since plays between the portions are limited or avoided when the layers are stacked.

This result in a lower risk of damage (breaking, cracks, erosion. ) of the packages.

The compactness of the package is also improved.

More preferably, neighboring packages are separated from each other by a free part of the sheets in such a manner that the ratio r of the distance between the center of the neighboring packages and the diameter of the packages is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably equal to <NUM>.

The value of the ratio r may be obtained empirically by "trials and error" with the aim to ensure the band to be bent in several layers like a serpentine while the portions of two neighboring layers come precisely arranged in quincunx.

The present disclosure also relates to a beverage preparation apparatus which comprises a dispensing device.

The dispensing device here comprises a protrusion part which is configured to cooperate with one ridge of a package as described above.

According to one example embodiment, the protrusion part comprises a cam.

Accordingly, the cam comprises a circular portion and a nose.

Such a cam acts as a pushing member to assist to expulse the beverage precursor portion from the cavity of one package, after the package is cut open.

The cam is preferably stationary arranged on an internal bearing which is arranged co-centrically and coaxially relative to a driving wheel.

Such driving wheel is configured to receive and lead packages in the dispensing device to be cut opened and to ease extraction the beverage precursor portion out of the corresponding package.

The driving wheel advantageously comprises an annular wall comprising receiving cavities.

The receiving cavities are individually dimensioned and arranged at distance from one another so as to match with the distance d between two neighboring packages of the strip.

The annular wall of the driving wheel further comprises an inner surface which may form a gap with the circular portion of the cam to allow sufficient room for each cavity of one package to sit in.

For example, the gap is interrupted by the nose close to the inner surface of the annular wall.

The nose is preferably positioned past a cutting tool, e.g. at an angle of <NUM>-<NUM>° after the cutting tool, to push the portion outside the receiving cavity as the driving wheel rotates.

For example, the nose may be placed in radial alignment direction with a portion collecting means.

As a variant or in addition, the protrusion part may comprise a finger.

Such finger is advantageously fixed in the dispensing device of one beverage preparation apparatus, with a tip of the finger pointing toward a cavity which has been cut opened.

As mentioned above, the invention relates to a system comprising a beverage preparation apparatus as described above, and at least one package as described above, in particular a strip of packages as described above.

Thus, a dispensing device of the apparatus here comprises a protrusion part which cooperates with the ridge of one package.

According to one example embodiment, the protrusion part comprises a cam, and the package comprises at least one longitudinal ridge as describe above.

Thus, when the nose is in contact with one longitudinal ridge of one cavity, whereas the package has already been opened (for example about an opening angle of <NUM>°), the nose squeezes the cavity and pushes the beverage precursor portion outside of the package.

According to another example embodiment, the protrusion part comprises a finger, and the package comprises at least one transverse ridge as describe above.

Thus, once the package has been cut open (for example about an opening angle comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, for example and opening angle of <NUM>°), one transverse ridge of one cavity bumps into the finger which enhances the opening of the package.

As a consequence, this facilitates an extraction of the beverage precursor portion out of the package.

Accordingly, the package of the invention in combination with a specific and dedicated protrusion part of one dispensing device helps opening the package to separate the product from its package.

This also solves a major issue which is the recycling of the current packages because it doesn't require any cleaning or separating steps after brewing, which is very complex.

The waste of products and waste of packages can thus be collected into separate compartments.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:.

According to <FIG>, a package strip <NUM> according to a first example embodiment of invention is shown in closed or sealed configuration, i.e. before beverage precursor portions <NUM> (visible in <FIG>) are extracted for preparation of a beverage.

The package strip <NUM> comprises a plurality of packages <NUM> formed by a pair of welded or sealed sheets <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the sheets enclose a plurality of beverage portions <NUM>.

Each beverage portion may contain a few grams of beverage precursors, for example <NUM> to <NUM> grams, corresponding to at least one serve of beverage. The beverage precursor is preferable essentially roast-and-ground coffee. The beverage precursor may also comprise a mix of roast-and-ground coffee and soluble coffee or roast-and ground coffee and milk powder. The beverage precursor may also be a soluble based product such as coffee, chocolate, milk or a combination thereof. For example, one portion may be suitable for preparing one cup of coffee.

The beverage precursor portions <NUM> are preferably spherical. In the present application, the term "spherical" encompasses also designs such as multiple facets (e.g. like a "football" shape) or a sphere having truncated faces of diameter less than the diameter of the sphere or slightly ovoid or oval or egg shapes. A preferred shape is however a ball with circular cross-sections.

The strip is preferably mainly symmetrical with the sheets being sealed on an equatorial plane (P) of the beverage portions.

The sheets are formed of formable flexible material comprising barrier properties and sealing properties.

The sheets are formed of oxygen impervious material such as a laminate including at least one gas barrier layer. The sheets are also formed of external humidity impervious material so as to preserve the beverage precursor from humidity coming in, especially from water vapor. The material forming the sheets (all films and layers) is preferably compostable.

The term "compostable" means that the material is substantially broken down within a few months or weeks when it is industrially composted. The material is at least about <NUM>% composted under specific conditions within six months as determined by the method of ISO14855 or EN13432.

The laminate may comprise a seal layer such as PLA, PBA, PBS, copolyester of adipidic acid, <NUM>, <NUM>-butanediol and dimethyl terephthalate (PBAT), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) (VAE), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and combinations thereof. It may comprise an oxygen barrier layer such as EVOH, PVOH, SiOx, cellophane, metal and combinations thereof. An example of laminate can be PLA/EVOH/PLA. In these examples, PLA may be replaced by PBA, PBS, PPS, copolyester of adipidic acid, <NUM>, <NUM>-butanediol and dimethyl terephthalate (PBAT), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), poly(vinyl acetate-ethylene) (VAE), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA) and combinations thereof. EVOH may also be replaced by PVOH and/or SiOx.

The sheets are here formed with hemi-spherical cavities <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving the portions <NUM> therein.

These cavities of the sheets can be obtained by thermoforming. The forming of the cavities to the closest shape of the portions ensures that there is as less free space as possible between the portions <NUM> and the sheets so that the chance of room for residual air is reduced.

The packages <NUM> are here arranged along the strip and spaced apart by a constant distance "d".

The sheets can be sealed together around each beverage precursor portion <NUM> in a discrete manner, e.g., by an annular seal around each portion, or in a continuous manner, e.g., by a continuous seal surrounding the portions and occupying an interspace between packages. In particular, the minimal seal width around each portion is at least <NUM>, preferably at least <NUM>, preferably of about <NUM> or <NUM>.

The thickness of the sealing sheets may be determined as function of the material to ensure both a proper forming of the cavities as close as possible to the beverage precursor portions <NUM> and a possible opening such as by a cutting line <NUM>. The cutting line <NUM> is a virtual line where a cutting tool of a dispensing device can apply cutting onto the package to enable the beverage portion to be removed and separated from the strip. The cutting line is preferably located at the intersection between one formed cavity and a free part <NUM> of the strip. The cutting line could also be a weakening line where the sheet or strip is weakened (e.g. reduction of thickness) such as by laser compared to the rest of the sheet or strip.

According to a first example embodiment of the invention, one package <NUM> here comprises a ridge <NUM>, which is for example a crest.

The ridge <NUM> here has a crescent shape.

The ridge is set on the top of one cavity and on a median plane of the corresponding package <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the ridge <NUM> of the packages <NUM> of the strip <NUM> are set in line along an axis of the strip; i.e. the ridges are configured to extend along a dispensing direction of the package strip into the dispensing device, as described here below. Therefore, such ridge <NUM> is also said longitudinal ridge <NUM> as extending along the longitudinal direction of the strip <NUM>.

Furthermore, the ridges are here orthogonal to an equatorial plane (P) of the beverage portions <NUM>.

Besides, in the illustrated embodiment, the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> of each sheet <NUM>, <NUM> are here provided with a ridge <NUM>.

Therefore, the packages <NUM>, and even the strip <NUM>, are symmetrical according to the equatorial plane (P) of the beverage portions <NUM>.

This enable to supply the packages <NUM> on either side in a beverage preparation apparatus and more specifically in a dispensing device of the beverage preparation apparatus.

A strip <NUM> of packages <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is configured to cooperate with a protrusion part as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the example embodiment of <FIG>, the protrusion part comprises a cam <NUM>.

Accordingly, the cam <NUM> of the protrusion part comprises a circular portion <NUM> and a nose <NUM>.

The cam <NUM> acts as a pushing member to assist to remove the beverage precursor portion <NUM> from the cavity <NUM> after the strip <NUM> is cut open.

To this end, the cam <NUM> is positioned coaxially with a driving wheel <NUM> (not illustrated on this figure but visible <FIG>).

The cam <NUM> is preferably stationary arranged on an internal bearing which is arranged co-centrically relative to the driving wheel <NUM>.

Such driving wheel <NUM> comprises an annular wall <NUM> comprising holes with an inner surface <NUM> of the annular wall forming a gap with the circular portion <NUM> of the cam <NUM> to allow sufficient room for each cavity to sit in.

The gap is interrupted by the nose <NUM> close to the inner surface of the annular wall.

The nose is preferably positioned past a cutting tool, e.g. at an angle of <NUM>-<NUM>° after the cutting tool, to push the portion <NUM> outside the receiving cavity as the driving wheel rotates (here in clockwise direction).

The nose is also preferably placed in radial alignment direction with a portion collecting means.

Thus, when the nose <NUM> is in contact with one ridge <NUM> of one cavity <NUM>, whereas the package <NUM> has already been opened (for example about an opening angle of <NUM>°), then the nose <NUM> squeezes the cavity <NUM> and pushes the beverage precursor portion <NUM> outside of the package <NUM>.

The second example embodiment of <FIG> differs from <FIG> in that the ridge <NUM> of one cavity is now set across an extension axis of the strip.

Thus, the ridges <NUM> of all the packages of the strip are set parallel to each other across an axis of the strip; i.e. the ridges <NUM> are configured to extend across a dispensing direction of the package strip <NUM> into the dispensing device.

Therefore, such ridge <NUM> is also said transverse ridge <NUM>.

Same, in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> of each sheet <NUM>, <NUM> are here provided with a ridge <NUM>.

So, the packages <NUM>, and even the strip <NUM>, are symmetrical according to the equatorial plane (P) of the beverage portions <NUM>.

In the example embodiment of <FIG>, the protrusion part comprises a finger <NUM>.

Accordingly, the finger <NUM> is fixed in a dispensing device of a beverage preparation apparatus (not represented in the figures), with a tip of the finger pointing toward a cavity <NUM> which has been opened.

Such protrusion part acts as a stop member.

Once the package <NUM>, carried on the driving wheel, has been cut open (for example about an opening angle of <NUM>°), one ridge <NUM> of one cavity <NUM> bumps into the finger <NUM> which enhances the opening of the package <NUM> and as a consequence facilitates an extraction of the beverage precursor portion <NUM> out of the package <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, and as a consequence of <FIG> and <FIG>, may be combined.

For example, a package <NUM> may comprise a longitudinal ridge <NUM> on one cavity <NUM> and a transverse ridge <NUM> the other cavity <NUM>.

As another example, both cavities <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise both a longitudinal ridge <NUM> and a transverse ridge <NUM>, therefore forming a cross on each cavity. Such embodiment still provides a symmetrical package which can be easily supplied in a dispensing device on either side.

As a consequence of the above, a dispensing device may comprise both a cam <NUM> as presented and disclosed in connection with <FIG> and a finger <NUM> as presented and disclosed in connection with <FIG>.

Thus, a ridge <NUM>, <NUM> according to any embodiment of the invention, in cooperation with a protrusion part <NUM>, <NUM> of a dispensing device of a beverage preparation apparatus, facilitates the extraction of the beverage precursor <NUM> portion contained in the package <NUM>.

Once extracted, the beverage precursor portion is transported by a specific device or by gravity and moves toward an extraction system of the beverage preparation device of the beverage preparation apparatus.

<FIG> shows an example embodiment of a beverage preparation apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the invention.

Such apparatus may be mainly as one described in <CIT> or <CIT>.

The beverage preparation apparatus <NUM> comprises a dispensing device <NUM>.

The dispensing device <NUM> here comprises a cam <NUM> as a protrusion part, as described in reference with <FIG>.

The cam <NUM> acts as a pushing member to assist to expulse the beverage precursor portion <NUM> from the cavity of one package after the strip <NUM> is cut open.

However, the protrusion part may take various forms.

In the illustrated example, the cam <NUM> is stationary arranged on an internal bearing which is arranged co-centrically and coaxially relative to the driving wheel <NUM>.

As already described, such driving wheel <NUM> comprises annular wall <NUM> comprising holes <NUM>, which are receiving cavities.

The receiving cavities <NUM> are individually dimensioned and arranged at distance from one another so as to match with the distance d between neighboring packages <NUM> of the strip <NUM>.

The annular wall <NUM> of the driving wheel <NUM> further comprises an inner surface <NUM> which forms a gap <NUM> with the circular portion <NUM> of the cam <NUM> to allow sufficient room for each cavity of one package <NUM> to sit in.

Gap <NUM> is interrupted by the nose <NUM> close to the inner surface <NUM> of the annular wall <NUM>.

The nose is positioned past a cutting tool, e.g. at an angle of <NUM>-<NUM>° after the cutting tool, to push the portion <NUM> outside the receiving cavity as the driving wheel <NUM> rotates (here in clockwise direction).

The nose <NUM> is also placed in radial alignment direction with a portion collecting means (not shown).

Thus, when the nose <NUM> is in contact with one ridge <NUM> of one cavity <NUM>, whereas the package <NUM> has already been opened (for example about an opening angle of <NUM>°), then the nose <NUM> squeezes the cavity <NUM> and pushes the beverage precursor portion <NUM> outside of the package <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As a variant or in addition, the dispensing device <NUM> may comprise a finger <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, not visible in <FIG>.

The dispensing device may further comprise a package driving assembly arranged for catching one end of the package strip <NUM>.

The driving wheel <NUM> is for example driven in rotation in a stepwise fashion by the package driving assembly. The driving wheel <NUM> and other elements of the apparatus <NUM> may be controlled by control means comprising a control unit which coordinates the motion of the package strip in the dispenser device <NUM>, preferably in a stepwise manner by the package driving assembly, as well as an operation of a separating assembly for removal of the beverage precursor portions <NUM> from one corresponding package <NUM>.

The dispensing device <NUM> further comprises package opening means (not shown) such as a cutting tool arranged for opening the cavities of one package by cutting along one cutting line in at least one of the sheets to remove each beverage precursor portion individually. The cutting tool may be driven by a linear motorized actuator configured for moving the cutting tool reciprocally between a retracted position and a cutting position. The cutting tool may be formed as a cylinder of diameter slightly larger than the diameter of one beverage portion and may comprise at least one blade arranged circumferentially on the free edge of the cylinder. Preferably, the cutting tool is arranged to cut the strip on at least <NUM>° or preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>° about the beverage portion to provide sufficient opening of the cavity and facilitate ejection of the beverage precursor portion while keeping the package material in one piece.

The apparatus <NUM> may further comprise a chute or the like, arranged for gently receiving and transporting by gravity or otherwise (e.g. air pressure), the beverage precursor portion to a beverage preparation device (not illustrated) to prepare the beverage.

Claim 1:
System comprising a beverage preparation apparatus (<NUM>) and at least one package (<NUM>) containing one portion of beverage precursor (<NUM>) for preparing a beverage in the beverage preparation apparatus (<NUM>), the package comprising a pair of packaging sheets (<NUM>, <NUM>) sealed to one another for enclosing and sealing the portion of beverage precursor (<NUM>) individually in a substantially oxygen and external humidity impervious manner by the sheets being sealed together about the portion (<NUM>), the sheets (<NUM>, <NUM>) forming a cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) covering the beverage precursor portion (<NUM>) on each side, wherein the cavity (<NUM>, <NUM>) is provided with a ridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) on at least one of the sheets (<NUM>, <NUM>), the ridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to cooperate with a protrusion part (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the beverage preparation apparatus (<NUM>), wherein the apparatus (<NUM>) comprises a dispensing device (<NUM>) which comprises said protrusion part (<NUM>,<NUM>) configured to cooperate with the ridge (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the package (<NUM>).