Patent Description:
The invention is suitable for both industrial and household applications.

The term "capsule" is intended herein to refer to any type of container suitable for containing a portion, typically single-dose, of an infusion food product, preferably powdered (e.g., coffee, tea, herbal teas, and the like) for the preparation of typically hot beverages.

The capsule generally comprises a cup container closed by a lid (e.g., a protective film).

The lid is suitable for being perforated by a special device to allow the influx of pressurized water within the capsule for the preparation of the beverage which typically outflows from the bottom of the capsule through a pre-existing valve or through the creation of a special perforation. Nowadays the use of capsules containing powdered food products is widespread, thanks to the ease of use of the preparation system.

In fact, a capsule is simply inserted within a special machine to obtain a hot beverage in a few seconds.

However, one of the most suffered problems in the use of this type of product is related to the disposal of the "exhausted" capsules (i.e., containing exhausted powdered food products) which cannot be recycled or composted.

Capsule manufacturers often make the container and/or lid of the capsules in non-recyclable plastic or aluminium, making the exhausted capsule not directly recyclable by the consumer, who must provide for special separate waste collection to be delivered to special recycling points.

Exhausted capsule recovery systems are known, which include the use of bulky machinery which grinds the capsules and then separates the components in order to reuse them.

Known methods and devices of method for recovering capsules containing exhausted food products are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

However, the Applicant has noted that these recovery methods are not free of problems related to the contamination of exhausted food products with plastic or aluminium microparticles remaining from the shredding of the lids.

Recovered exhausted food products are typically reused as fertilisers for cultivation, and the risk of soil contamination with such microparticles is very high.

The Applicant has also observed that the practice of recovery by means of special waste collection by the consumer can discourage the consumer from purchasing non-recyclable capsules.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a method and unit for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products which overcome one or more drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products which is practical and efficient.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a unit for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products which is of reduced dimensions and which allows to effectively separate the exhausted food products from the capsule containment bodies.

The mentioned technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a method and unit for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products, comprising the technical specifications set out in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the present invention provides a method for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products, comprising the steps of:.

Advantageously, the generation of the air flow passing through the first axial opening of the housing and the front wall allows to remove the exhausted powdered food products without having to destroy the capsule containment body. In this way both the capsule containment body and the exhausted powdered food products can be separately recovered. Advantageously, the step of generating the air flow is carried out by generating an overpressure or a depressure at the front wall such as to break the front wall, which allows for the effective and efficient removal of the exhausted powders.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is further provided a unit for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products comprising at least one housing shaped to receive a capsule containing exhausted powdered food products.

The capsule has a containment body defining a containment chamber of the exhausted powdered food products axially delimited by a front wall and a rear wall.

The housing has a first axial opening suitable for facing the front wall of the capsule.

The unit advantageously comprises at least one air flow generator configured to generate an air flow passing through at least the first axial opening of the housing, such that, during an operating configuration in which the capsule is arranged within the housing, the air flow passes through the front wall of the capsule so as to withdraw the exhausted powdered food products contained within the capsule itself.

In other words, the air flow generator is capable of generating an air flow which passes through the front wall to allow the withdrawal of the exhausted powdered food products, without destroying the containment body but simply removing them from the containment chamber.

In particular, the air flow generator is configured to generate an overpressure or a depressure at the front wall such as to break the front wall, so as to allow an optimal emptying of the capsule.

Advantageously, the unit further comprises first collection means configured to collect the exhausted powdered food products withdrawn from the capsules so that they are not dispersed once they are removed with the air flow.

Advantageously, the absence of any crushing, cutting or removal device of the front wall of the capsule makes it possible to obtain a unit of limited size which can be made for both a domestic application and an industrial application, as will be clear from the embodiments which follow in the description.

The dependent claims, included here for reference, correspond to different embodiments of the creation and implementation of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore non-limiting, preferred embodiment of a unit for recovering capsules containing exhausted powdered food products, as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, an embodiment of an exhausted capsule <NUM> is illustrated, i.e., a capsule which has already been used for the preparation of a beverage.

The capsule <NUM> has a containment body <NUM> defining a containment chamber <NUM> of exhausted powdered food products <NUM> axially delimited by a front wall <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the containment body <NUM> is cup-shaped and has a substantially cylindrical shape.

Preferably, the containment body <NUM> has one or more front holes 5a obtained on the front wall <NUM>, from which the beverage has previously flowed out during preparation, and one or more rear holes <NUM>, from which water has been introduced into the containment chamber <NUM> to mix with the food products and obtain the beverage.

According to the present invention, the method for recovering capsules <NUM> containing exhausted powdered food products <NUM> comprises the steps of:.

Note that the present invention allows the air flow F to be both sucked and blown, since passing at least through the first axial opening <NUM> and through the front wall <NUM>, the exhausted powdered food products <NUM> are in any case removed from the containment chamber <NUM> with an air flow F flowing outwards from the containment chamber <NUM> through the front wall <NUM>. Furthermore, with reference to <FIG>, preferably the generating step is carried out by generating a blown air flow F, indicated with the arrow F, directed towards the front wall <NUM> of the capsule <NUM> crossing the capsule <NUM> first through the rear wall <NUM> and then through the front wall <NUM>.

In other words, the air flow F is directed from a second axial opening <NUM>, facing the rear wall <NUM> of the capsule <NUM> on the side opposite the first axial opening <NUM>, to the first axial opening <NUM> crossing the capsule <NUM> first through the rear wall <NUM> and then through the front wall <NUM>, removing the products <NUM> from the containment chamber <NUM>, and dragging them outwards from the capsule <NUM>.

Advantageously, therefore, by blowing air within the capsule <NUM> it is possible to empty it to collect and recover the exhausted powdered food products <NUM>.

Preferably, the generating step is carried out so that the air flow F passes through one or more rear holes 6a in the direction of the front wall <NUM>.

In particular, the generating step is carried out by generating an overpressure or a depressure at the front wall <NUM> such as to break the front wall <NUM> itself.

Preferably, the absolute value of the pressure generated at the front wall <NUM> is between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar, even more preferably between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar.

In particular, with reference to <FIG>, the air flow F, blown within the containment chamber <NUM> through the rear holes 6a, produces a thrust on the front wall <NUM> (or on the compacted products <NUM>) having an intensity such as to break the front wall <NUM>. From the break of the front wall, two break portions <NUM>' are thus generated, bent towards the outside of the capsule <NUM> by the air flow F, which allow a removal of the products <NUM> through the entire transverse section of the containment body <NUM>.

Preferably, the air flow F has a flow value between <NUM> I/min and <NUM>/min, even more preferably between <NUM> I/min and <NUM> I/min.

Preferably, as will be clearer in the description below, the generating step comprises at least two generating sub-steps in sequence such that the withdrawal of the exhausted powdered food products <NUM> can be carried out in two steps. Advantageously, in this manner the withdrawal of the products <NUM> can be carried out in two steps in order to ensure that the removal of the products <NUM> takes place in an optimal and complete manner. Preferably, the method according to the present invention further comprises at least one step of sequentially moving the housing <NUM> between consecutive operating stations S1, S2, S3 comprising:.

A unit <NUM> for recovering capsules <NUM> containing exhausted powdered food products <NUM>, henceforth simply unit <NUM>, is also part of the present invention.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> refer to a possible embodiment of a machine <NUM> for recovering capsules <NUM> comprising a unit <NUM> according to the present invention.

The machine <NUM> is designed for industrial applications where there is a need to recover a large number of capsules, for example from collection points where consumers have delivered the capsules <NUM>.

<FIG> instead refers to a possible embodiment of a unit <NUM> for typically domestic applications (e.g., for coffee machines) or of public use (e.g., beverage dispensers or waste baskets), in which the hourly productivity, understood as the number of capsules <NUM> to be emptied in an hour, is much lower, and the number of capsules <NUM> to be disposed of is variable and not constant over time.

In particular, the air flow generator <NUM> is configured to generate an overpressure or a depressure at the front wall <NUM> such as to break said front wall <NUM>.

Preferably each housing <NUM> has a second axial opening <NUM> and the air flow generator <NUM> is a compressed air blowing device suitable for generating an air flow F entering the second axial opening <NUM> and exiting from the first axial opening <NUM>.

Furthermore, preferably the blowing device comprises at least one sealing bell 14a which can be reversibly coupled with the second axial opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to define a fluid-tight connection between a compressed air generating source <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

Preferably, the unit <NUM> comprises movement means <NUM>, not illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>, configured to move the housing <NUM> between consecutive operating stations S1, S2, S3 comprising:.

In particular, the air flow generator <NUM> is configured to blow compressed air through the second axial opening <NUM> towards the first axial opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> so as to blow the products <NUM> away from the containment chamber <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, preferably the machine <NUM> comprises a loading hopper <NUM> configured to receive a plurality of capsules <NUM> to be recovered. Preferably, the machine <NUM> then comprises a conveyor belt <NUM> configured to transport the capsules <NUM> from the hopper <NUM> to a selection station <NUM> in which the capsules <NUM> are selected to be sent to the unit <NUM> only if correctly oriented, that is, if the capsules <NUM> are resting on the front walls <NUM>, otherwise they are returned to the hopper <NUM> by means of a return slide <NUM>.

Preferably the unit <NUM> comprises feeding means <NUM>, even more preferably one or more feeding pipes 17a, configured to receive the capsules <NUM> from the selection station <NUM> and transfer them to the loading stations S1 of the unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the movement means <NUM> of the unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> comprise a rotating carousel 18a, even more preferably a vertical-axis rotating carousel, comprising a plurality of housings <NUM> arranged circumferentially.

In particular, the carousel 18a is slidable within a supporting structure <NUM> defining the operating stations S1, S2, S3 so as to move the capsules <NUM> in sequence along a circular path.

Preferably in the illustrated embodiment, two cleaning stations S2 are provided in sequence and therefore two respective chambers 14a so that each housing <NUM> is fed first into one and then into the other. The two cleaning steps therefore guarantee an optimal removal of the products <NUM>. Furthermore, preferably the first collection means <NUM> comprise a first collection container <NUM>' and at least a first connecting duct 15a arranged between the cleaning stations S2 and the first collection container <NUM>'.

In particular, each first connecting duct 15a is connected to a respective cavity 19a of the supporting structure <NUM> such that, when the housing <NUM> is moved at the respective unloading station S3, the respective first axial opening <NUM> is facing and opening into the cavity 19a, putting the housing <NUM> in communication with the first container <NUM>'.

The presence of the first connecting ducts 15a makes it possible to prevent the recovered product <NUM> from dispersing into the environment and being correctly directed towards the first container <NUM>'.

Furthermore, preferably the unit <NUM> comprises second collection means <NUM> configured to collect the capsules <NUM> from the housing <NUM> arranged in the unloading station S3; in particular, the second collection means <NUM> comprise a second collection container <NUM>' and second connecting ducts 20a arranged between the unloading stations S3 and the second collection container <NUM>'.

In particular, each second connecting duct 20a is connected to a respective cavity 19b of the supporting structure <NUM> such that, when the housing <NUM> is moved at the respective cleaning station S2, the respective first axial opening <NUM> is facing and opening into the cavity 19b, putting the housing <NUM> in communication with the second container <NUM>'.

Operatively therefore, each capsule <NUM> received by the unit <NUM> of <FIG> is initially sent via a feed pipe 17a to a respective housing <NUM> within a loading station S1. The carousel 18a is then rotated so that the housing <NUM> passes from the loading station S1 to the first cleaning station S2 in which the products <NUM> are blown to be sent by means of a first connecting duct 15a to the first container <NUM>'. Subsequently, the carousel 18a is rotated so that the housing <NUM> passes from the first cleaning station S2 to the second cleaning station S2 in which the products <NUM> are sucked again in order to ensure perfect removal.

Subsequently, the carousel 18a is rotated so that the housing <NUM> is arranged at the unloading station S3 in which the emptied capsule <NUM> is sent via the second connecting duct 20a, preferably falling by gravity, to the second container <NUM>'.

With reference to <FIG>, a unit <NUM> is instead illustrated which can for example be implemented in a beverage preparation machine, not illustrated.

The illustrated unit <NUM> comprises four housings <NUM> obtained on a rotating carousel 18a enclosed within a supporting structure <NUM> comprising a first disk 19c, a second disk 19d and a cylindrical side wall 19e.

Operationally, a non-exhausted capsule (not shown) can be fed in the direction illustrated by the arrow X1 within a through opening 19e' of the cylindrical side wall 19e in order to be arranged in a housing <NUM> at a dispensing station S0 in which, through beverage dispensing means, not shown, the dispensing of the beverage is obtained.

In particular, the dispensing means operate in the direction indicated by the arrow X2 through a through opening 19c' of the first disk <NUM> whereby water is made to flow into the capsule to mix with the food products contained in the capsule to obtain a beverage which outflows from the opposite side through a respective through opening 19d' of the second disk <NUM>, in the direction indicated by the arrow X3.

The dispensing station S0 in this case also corresponds to the loading station of the unit <NUM> whereby the inserted capsule, after dispensing the beverage, defines a capsule <NUM> to be recovered already arranged in a housing <NUM>.

At this point the carousel 18a is rotated to move the housing <NUM> at the cleaning station S2, in which the exhausted products <NUM> are blown from the containment chamber with an air flow passing through a respective through opening 19c" of the first disk 19c, to be expelled from the containment chamber <NUM> through a respective through opening 19d" of the second disk 19d arranged in axis with the opening 19c".

At this point the carousel 18a can be rotated again to arrange the housing in the unloading station S3 in which the capsule <NUM> can be ejected, falling by gravity, from a respective opening 19e".

Thanks to the unit <NUM> thus described, it is therefore advantageously possible to recover, directly after dispensing the beverage, the capsule just used, recovering on the one hand (through the opening 19d") the products <NUM> and on the other (through the opening 19e") the containment body <NUM> of the capsule <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Method for recovering capsules (<NUM>) containing exhausted powdered food products, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one capsule (<NUM>) having a containment body (<NUM>) defining a containment chamber (<NUM>) of exhausted powdered food products (<NUM>) axially delimited by a front wall (<NUM>) and a rear wall (<NUM>);
- arranging said capsule (<NUM>) within a housing (<NUM>) having at least a first axial opening (<NUM>) facing said front wall (<NUM>);
- generating an air flow (F) passing through said at least one first axial opening (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) and through said front wall (<NUM>) of the capsule (<NUM>) so as to withdraw the exhausted powdered food products (<NUM>) contained within the capsule (<NUM>);
- collecting the withdrawn exhausted powdered food products (<NUM>), and
- removing the emptied capsule (<NUM>) from the housing (<NUM>);
characterized in that said air flow (F) generating step is carried out by generating an overpressure or a depressure at the front wall (<NUM>) such as to break said front wall (<NUM>).