Patent ID: 12213615

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows, in a perspective sectional view, a capsule2for preparing a beverage, which capsule is provided, for example, for use with an adapter according to the invention. The capsule2substantially consists of a capsule body24with a side wall31, a base32and a flange-like edge48. A cover is fastened to said flange-like edge48, said cover, in interaction with the adapter, constituting a contact surface13. The cover closes off the capsule body24and therefore forms a substance chamber49for receiving a substance required for the production of a beverage. The side wall31and part of the base32are provided with a lateral recess34. The base32of the capsule body24has a centrally arranged, circular elevation33which extends in the direction of the capsule opening. The flange-like edge48is provided, at its outer end, with an encircling extension36which forms an additional sealing function together with an adapter according to the invention.

FIG.2shows a perspective sectional view of an adapter1according to the invention. This adapter1is provided for assembly with a capsule2(seeFIG.1). The adapter1is substantially configured as a disk-shaped formation and has a capsule side4pointing upward in the sectional view, and a downwardly directed device side7.

Furthermore, the adapter1is configured to be substantially circular and has a gripping tab29protruding laterally. The gripping tab29serves firstly as a gripping element for a user and secondly for aligning the adapter1in a beverage preparation device. The capsule side4of the adapter1has a discharging region11. The discharging region11is surrounded by a sealing element12′. Furthermore, a puncture cannula14as a means5for introducing a liquid into a capsule2(seeFIG.1) is arranged on the capsule side4. The puncture cannula14is surrounded by a sealing element12. The discharging region11has a multiplicity of penetration elements in the form of triangular pyramids15. In addition to said pyramids15, supporting elements in the form of truncated cones16are also arranged in the discharging region11. The triangular pyramids15together with the truncated cones16form a means6for discharging a liquid from a capsule. In order to position a capsule on the adapter1, the latter has an encircling collar20. Furthermore, there are two transparent regions27,27′ through which a code on the cover or the contact surface13(seeFIG.1) of a capsule placed onto the adapter1can be machine-read from the device side7of the adapter1. On its encircling collar20, the adapter1has a latching means in the form of an encircling groove45, in which a capsule can be accommodated in preassembled form in a standby position. A further sealing element12″ is arranged concentrically with respect to the sealing element12′ and interacts with the encircling extension36(seeFIG.1) of a capsule2. Furthermore, sealing elements12″ are arranged around the transparent regions27,27′. On its device side7, the adapter has an inlet8which is fluidically connected to the means5for introducing a liquid into the capsule. The discharging region11has, in the central region of the adapter, an outlet9which, in correct use, corresponds with a beverage preparation device in order to dispense the prepared beverage. An encircling collar30is arranged concentrically around this outlet9.

FIGS.3and4illustrate the capsule side4and device side7, respectively, of the adapter1according toFIG.2, in each case in a perspective illustration. It can be seen that the adapter1has a substantially disk-shaped form. In addition, an indentation35can be seen in the encircling collar20of the adapter1. The two transparent regions27and27′ can be seen. Furthermore, the outlet9which is surrounded by the encircling collar30can be seen. The inlet8of the adapter1is arranged in the periphery thereof and opens into a closed intermediate volume19which is in the form of a duct and of which only the outer contour is visible inFIG.4. For further details, reference is made to the description with respect toFIG.2.

FIGS.5aand5band6aand6beach illustrate, in a perspective view, a further embodiment of an adapter1according to the invention looking at the device side7thereof. The intermediate volume19which is in the form of a duct and connects the inlet8to the means5(seeFIG.2) for introducing a liquid into the capsule can clearly be seen. The centrally arranged outlet9can furthermore be seen. The adapter has in each case a basic body17on which a covering67is arranged by means of a film hinge74. By configuration of basic body17and covering67as an integral part, cost-effective production can be realized. By means of the film hinge74, the covering67can be folded over and sealed on the intermediate volume19, which is in the form of a duct. In this case, the covering element67inFIGS.5aand5bonly covers the intermediate volume19which is in the form of a duct, while, inFIGS.6aand6b, the covering element67is configured with a large surface and covers the entire device side7of the adapter. Depending on the configuration of the covering element67, an opening can be provided in the covering67in the region of the inlet8and the outlet9(seeFIG.6b).

FIG.7shows a perspective sectional view of a further embodiment of a capsule2for preparing a beverage. The capsule2comprises a capsule body24which has a base32, a side wall31and a flange-like edge48. The capsule body24is closed by a cover which, in interaction with the adapter, forms the contact surface13. A substance chamber49is therefore formed in the interior of the capsule body24. The side wall31of the capsule body24has a lateral recess34. In said recess34, a cup-like structure65, which is likewise closed by the cover or by the contact surface13, is formed in the flange-like edge48. There is no fluidic connection between said closed cup-like structure65and the substance chamber49.

In a central region of the capsule cup24, an elevation33which is directed toward the cover and extends as far as the plane of the flange-like edge48is arranged in the base32. The cover or the contact surface13is likewise fixedly connected to said elevation33. Within said elevation33, the capsule body has an offset52which extends in turn in the direction of the capsule base32. Said offset52is provided with two encircling flutes66on its inner wall. A beverage substance from which a beverage can be produced by supplying a liquid is accommodated (not illustrated) in the substance chamber49. A machine-readable code (not shown) is arranged on the cover or on the contact surface13in such a manner that it can be read by a reading device.

FIG.8shows, in a perspective sectional view, a further embodiment according to the invention of an adapter1which is provided for preassembly as a set together with the capsule2fromFIG.7. On its capsule side4assigned to the capsule, the adapter1has an encircling collar20, means5for introducing a liquid into a capsule and means6for discharging a liquid from the capsule. In addition, a central projection53with an outlet9, as a continuous connection from the capsule side4to the device side7, can be seen. Said outlet9can correspond with an outlet stub of a beverage preparation device. In the upper region of its side wall, the projection53has an encircling rib68which can interact with a corresponding flute66(seeFIG.7) of a capsule. In addition, the encircling collar20of the adapter1has supporting structures69which support a capsule in a standby position.

Furthermore, the adapter1has two windows23,23′ through which a machine-readable code arranged on a capsule can be read from the device side7. Furthermore, an inlet8is formed which can correspond with an inlet stub of a beverage preparation device. The device side7of the adapter is provided over its entire area with a covering67which in particular closes the inlet8and the outlet9. Between said covering67and the device side7of the adapter1, an intermediate volume19is formed which fluidically connects the inlet8of the adapter1to the puncture cannula14, i.e. to the means5for introducing a liquid into a capsule. The cover67is configured at least in the region of the windows23,23′ in such a manner that a machine-readable code on a capsule arranged on the adapter can be read.

The means for introducing a liquid into a capsule comprise the puncture cannula14which has a sharp-edged edge in order to be able to pierce a contact surface13(seeFIG.7) of a capsule. The means6for discharging a liquid from the capsule comprise a plurality of pyramids15and collecting channels57which connect individual pyramids15to one another and/or to a collecting duct64encircling the projection53. The collecting channels57and the collecting duct64are configured in such a manner that they form a closed duct system together with the contact surface13(seeFIG.7) of a capsule, if the latter is in the operating position on the adapter1.

FIG.9shows a perspective illustration of the adapter1according toFIG.8. In this view of the adapter1, a rising channel59can be seen laterally on the central projection53, said rising channel being arranged starting from the collecting duct64of the side wall of the projection53, said collecting duct encircling the central projection53, to the upper end of said side wall. In the operating position, said rising channel59together with the capsule forms a rising duct60(seeFIG.14) through which the prepared beverage flows to the outlet9. It is furthermore possible to see, on the capsule side, the means for introducing a liquid into a capsule, which means are in the form of a puncture cannula14, and the means for discharging a liquid from the capsule, which means are in the form of pyramids15. The pyramids15are connected to one another via the collecting channels57and are connected to the encircling collecting duct64. In the upper region of its side wall, the central projection53has the encircling rib68which, in interaction with the corresponding flutes66(seeFIG.7), defines the standby position and operating position. For the further details of the adapter1, reference is made toFIG.8.

FIG.10illustrates, in a perspective view, a basic body17of the adapter1according toFIG.8. The device side7is illustrated here. The outlet9which transfers a prepared beverage to a beverage preparation device is located centrally. Also visible are the two windows23,23′ through which a machine-readable code on a capsule can be read by a beverage preparation device. These two windows23,23′ are closed in an encircling manner by an edge structure75which is located on the same level as the edge of the basic body17. Also depicted and visible is the inlet8which is located in the edge region of the basic body17. A bore76which connects the device side7to the capsule side4(seeFIG.9) of the adapter1is likewise arranged in the edge region. On the capsule side of the adapter, the bore76opens into the puncture cannula14(seeFIG.9). The entire device side7of the basic body17, apart from an encircling edge region and the edge structures75of the windows23,23′ and a central support77arranged coaxially around the outlet9, is arranged set back such that a film or covering67(seeFIG.8) spread out over the edge region can form the intermediate volume19(seeFIG.8).

FIGS.11aand11beach show a perspective view of the adapter1according toFIG.8prior to the attaching of the covering67and, respectively, with the covering67fitted. The covering67is configured in a circular manner and, in the present case, is composed of a thin transparent film. However, it is also conceivable for said covering67to be configured transparently only in the regions in which it comes to lie on the two windows23,23′. The film67is sealed in the edge region of the basic body and on the edge structures75and the central supporting structure77on the basic body17of the adapter1such that an intermediate volume19(seeFIG.8) is formed, said intermediate volume fluidically connecting the inlet8to the bore76to the puncture cannula14(seeFIG.9). As illustrated inFIG.11b, the covering67can also be configured in such a manner that it opens up the inlet8and the outlet9. Corresponding openings are present in the covering67. Alternatively, the covering67is, however, configured in such a manner that said openings for the inlet8and the outlet9can simply be produced when the adapter is inserted into a beverage preparation device.

FIGS.12ato12cshow a perspective view of a further embodiment of an adapter1according to the invention with an integrally formed covering67.FIG.12ashows the adapter1after being produced by injection molding,FIG.12bshows same during the closing andFIG.12cshows same after the closing of the intermediate volume. Apart from the fact that the covering67is integrally formed on the basic body17of the adapter1, the function and the features of the adapter are identical to the adapter according toFIGS.11aand11b. The covering67is connected to the basic body17of the adapter via a film hinge74. Such a film hinge can simply be produced by injection molding, and therefore cost-effective production of the adapter is possible.

FIG.13depicts an enlarged perspective view of the central projection53of the adapter according toFIG.9. The view is restricted to the projection53, the encircling collecting duct64with its collecting channels57and a number of pyramids15. Supporting surfaces70which protrude from the collecting duct and prevent closing of the collecting duct64by the capsule placed thereon in the operating position are formed in the encircling collecting duct64. The rising channel59which, together with the capsule placed thereon in the operating position, forms a rising duct60(seeFIG.14) can likewise be seen.

The collecting channel59opens at the upper end, i.e. at its end opposite the collecting duct64, into the outlet9of the adapter. As can be seen, the collecting duct59before opening into the outlet9passes through an outlet nozzle71, and therefore a beverage jet is formed during operation. Said beverage jet is guided via a step and an air inlet opening62arranged in said step, so that the beverage jet can entrain air for improved frothing. An impact wall63which brings about homogenous mixing with air and promotes the frothing is additionally arranged in the outlet9. Also arranged in the outlet9are five supporting posts73which influence the frothing and reduce the pore size of the froth.

FIG.14shows an enlarged perspective sectional view of the outlet9of the adapter according toFIG.9, wherein a capsule according toFIG.7is placed onto the adapter in an operating position. The sectional plane runs through the rising channel59(seeFIG.13) and therefore through the rising duct60formed from rising channel and offset52of the capsule. The offset52of the capsule is latched with one of its two flutes66to the rib68of the projection53of the adapter. The rising duct60which is formed by the rising channel and the projection of the capsule opens into the outlet9, wherein a beverage jet formed by the outlet nozzle71(seeFIG.13) is guided via the air inlet opening62and subsequently strikes against the impact wall63. Air can be entrained through the air inlet opening62into the beverage jet, said air being homogeneously mixed with the beverage at the impact wall63, thus forming a froth. In addition to the impact wall63, the outlet9is provided with steering wings72which shape and/or additionally homogenize the beverage jet emerging from the outlet9.

FIGS.15to19each depict a set47consisting of a capsule2according toFIG.7and an adapter1according toFIG.8, wherein the set is in the operating position.FIGS.16,18and19are enlarged detail views ofFIGS.15and17. A beverage preparation device3is indicated only inFIG.15, with only an upper part39and a lower part40of a capsule holder being shown. The upper part39of the capsule holder has two punches41,41′. The punch41engages from the upper side in the illustration in the elevation of the base32and on the offset52thereof of the capsule2. The punch41′ engages in the recess34of the side wall31(seeFIG.7) and in the cup-like structure65of the capsule2. The lower part40of the capsule holder has an inlet stub42which engages in the inlet8of the adapter1and via which a pressurized liquid can be provided. Furthermore, the lower part40of the capsule holder has an outlet stub43in which the outlet9(seeFIG.8) of the adapter1can engage.

The capsule2rests flat on the capsule side4(seeFIG.8) of the adapter1. The inlet8of the adapter1has been pushed completely into the cup-like structure65of the capsule2. The rib68of the central projection53of the adapter1lies in the second upper flute66of the offset52of the capsule2. The flange-like edge48of the capsule2is no longer supported on the outer edge of the encircling collar20of the adapter1, but rather likewise rests flat on the adapter1. The puncture cannula14has pierced the cover13of the capsule2and, accordingly, a fluidic connection from the inlet8through the duct19(seeFIG.8) and the puncture cannula14into the substance chamber49has been produced. The pyramids15have also pierced the cover13of the capsule2, and therefore a beverage formed in the substance chamber49can flow through the openings, which are created by the pyramids15, into the collecting channels57(seeFIG.8) and the collecting duct64(seeFIG.8).