201238867 六、發明說明: 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係有關於一種用於包含咖啡及一些其他食用原 料之單劑量膠囊,其通常被用來製備飲料。 在本說明中,特定之參考對象是咖啡,但可清楚理解 的是本發明亦與通常用來製造飮料之其他原料相關聯,而 此兩者均係利用浸透與泡製而成。 【先前技術】 一膠囊通常係由一塑膠結構所構成,而此塑膠結構係 以一種本質上習知之方式藉由一注射模製程序所獲得。 習知之膠囊被例如敘述於由同一申請人所擁有之歐洲 第EP 1,608,569號專利中。亦被顯示於其所附之第1及2 圖中的習知膠囊包括一具有略成截頭圓錐狀之殼體,其可 例如藉由可供食物使用之聚丙烯板片的熱成形或藉由注射 模製而被製成。此殼體具有一連續之圓周頂緣,其朝徑向 方向伸出至此膠囊之外側。 此頂緣係適於由一頂箔片所密封,而此頂箔片係由鋁 或其他可供食物使用之材料以一種本質上習知之方式所製 成。 此膠囊之殼體亦包括一種底部,其上設置有至少一個 孔,而被製備中之飲料則可通過此孔。一適於包含例如咖 啡之原料的上腔室,其因此被形成於頂箔片與膠囊之底部 間。 此膠囊之底部相對於此膠囊之底緣係處於一嵌入的位 201238867 置中’以致使得此底緣可自此膠囊之底部起朝縱向方向伸 出。 如第1圖中可清楚看見的,一圓周強化緣係沿著將底 緣與膠囊底部連接在一起的表面而呈現。一可供覆蓋此膠 囊之底部的底表面用之底箔片被鋪設至此強化緣,以便使 一下腔室可被形成於膠囊底部與底箔片之間。 此類型之膠囊係習知的,且想像使用一種設有可供刺 穿第一頂箔片之手段的機器,其可形成複數個孔,而熱水 可透過此孔在上腔室內部以一 ·非常高壓力(例如介於7與9 bar)被注射。衝擊於是在此膠囊之第二箔片上之與該中央 尖端相對立處形成一噴口(未示於圖),而此就發生在經由 諸小孔而開始泡製飲料之前。由於被供應至上腔室處之加 壓熱水、底壁之形狀及尤其諸徑向肋的組合功效,飮料將 以擾流運動塡充該下腔室,此有利於油脂物質之乳化。 雖然此將膠囊在終端使用者之間已非常受歡迎,然 而,其並非沒有缺點。 事實上已注意到,儘管非常罕見,但上腔室內部之壓 力可能因所用機器或膠囊以外之因素而增加至超過最大設 言十値之値。例如,在泵其係用於供應膠囊內之加壓水者), 被一具有不同技術規格之泵所更換之情形中,膠囊內之壓 水可能增加至遠高於膠囊設計期間所設想的那些値,此將 導致殼體的損壞。 亦已注意到,儘管已被限制,但此膠囊之上腔室在承 受7-9 bar範圍內之壓力時仍具有某種朝徑向方向變形之 201238867 傾向,此將使得很難以將膠囊從該機器之容納座處拔出。 【發明内容】 本發明之目的因此在於克服許多在習知類型膠囊之殼 體上所產生之缺失。 本發明之第一任務在於提供一種膠囊,其適於用在一 寬廣範圍之壓力中,而不致有毀損之風險。 本發明之第二任務在於提供一種膠囊,其中上腔室在 徑向方向上之變形會受到限制。 上述目的與諸任務可藉一種可供從粉末或顆粒狀原料 製備飲料用之單劑量膠囊而被達成,此單劑量膠囊包括一 殻體。此殼體包括一側壁及一配備有若干小孔之底壁。此 側壁包括一頂緣’其上鋪設一適於被施配機器所刺穿或撕 開之頂箔片。一適用於容納粉末或顆粒狀原料之上腔室, 其被界定在頂箔片與底壁之間。此側壁另包括一從該底壁 處縱向地伸出之底緣。一圓周強化肋被設置在底緣與底壁 之間,而一底箔片27被鋪設在此肋上,以便覆蓋底壁並形 成一下腔室’其適於在飲料經由一在刺穿或撕開該底箔片 時所形成之噴口直接流入一位於下方的容器內之前先被此 經由諸小孔所供應之飲料所塡滿。至少一圓周溝槽被有利 地沿縱向方向設置在強化肋上並緊鄰底緣。 【實施方式】 第3至6圖中顯示一根據本發明所實施之可供從粉末 或顆粒狀原料製備飲料用的單劑量膠囊10。此膠囊10包 括一殼體12,其依序具有一側壁14及一設有若干小孔18 201238867 之底壁16。 參照第1圖所示,以下所列者被界定: 一縱向方向,其平行於膠囊之主軸方向;及 一徑向方向,其垂直並穿過此膠囊之主軸方向。 側壁14包括一朝徑向方向伸出之頂緣20,而一適於 被施配機器所刺穿或撕開之頂箔片2 1則被鋪設至此頂緣 上。 一適用於容納粉末或顆粒狀原料之上腔室22因此被 界定在頂箔片2 1與底壁1 6之間,浸透與泡製則發生在此 腔室內。 膠囊10之底壁16相對於膠囊10之底緣24係處在一 嵌入位置上,如此使得一底緣24可從膠囊10之底壁16起 朝縱向方向伸出。 —圓周強化肋2 6被設置在底緣24與底壁1 6之間。一 底箔片27係用一種本質上習知之方式被設置在強化肋26 上’以便可覆蓋住底壁16。 一下腔室28因此被形成於底箔片27與底壁16之間, 飲料在經由一刺穿或撕開該底箔片時所形成之噴口而直接 流進一個下方容器內之前,會先經由諸小孔供應而塡滿下 腔室28。 至少一圓周溝槽3 0被有利地沿縱向方向設置在膠囊 10之強化肋26上並緊鄰底緣24。 特別參照第5及6圖可見,溝槽30之外廓將強化肋 26與底緣24分隔開》—受控變形區域42被有利地形成於 201238867 底壁16上並與溝槽30之底部相對立。 藉由減小因爲肋2 6所造成之強化效萍 42允許底壁16在上腔室22之內側壓力的 之外側變形。 特別參照第6圖,其顯示處於已變形 發明所實施的膠囊10,且可由此圖式注意 由於溝槽30之存在而可能朝向上腔室22 有利地是,受控變形區域42可藉由改 變。根據本發明之一可行實施例,底壁16 域42中之厚度係介於〇.5與2mm間。 根據本發明之一可替代實施例,至少 44可被配置在溝槽30內側,亦即溝槽3〇 這些徑向強化元件4 4在數量上是有利地词 諸沿直徑成相對立之位置中。較佳地是, 在諸沿直徑成相對立之位置中。甚至更佳 化元件44在數量上是十二個。 有利地是,溝槽3 0具有一介於1與 度及一介於3與4mm間之深度。 根據本發明之一未示於附圖中之可替 向方向上緊鄰底緣24之圓周溝槽3〇在數 成同心。 根據本發明之一可行實施例,膠囊i ( 壁16具有—伸出至上腔室22內部之中央 尖端3 2相對立且在下腔室2 8所在之側上 t,受控變形區域 作用下朝向膠囊 狀態下之根據本 到的是,底壁16 之外側變形。 變其厚度而被改 在該受控變形區 一徑向強化元件 之諸相向壁間。 Ϊ個,且被配置在 複數對可被配置 地,這些徑向強 3 m m間之徑向厚 代實施例,在縱 量上是兩個且係 )之殼體12的底 圓錐尖端32。與 設有一位於底部 201238867 34中之凹部,而一圍繞此凹部周圍配備有多個徑向孔 38 之不連續邊緣3 6則朝縱向方向伸出至膠囊之外側。複數個 小孔1 8朝離開此不連續邊緣之方向擴大,且被多條徑向肋 4〇分割成多個分開之部分。 藉本發明之膠囊1 0而可獲得之優點因此係顯而易知 的。 有利地是,由於被設於強化肋26上之溝槽3 0,使得 一根據本發明所實施之膠囊可被使用於一較爲寬廣之壓力 範圍中,而不致有毀損發生之風險。此係因爲如果發生壓 力增加超過正常値,受控變形區域42會藉由變形而吸收部 分能量。 除此之外,藉由在此膠囊之底部上提供一受控變形區 域,將可避免腔室之徑向變形,而此腔室變形可能導致膠 囊很難從其在機器內之座部處拔取出。 爲了滿足特定之需求,熟習本項技藝之人士均可針對 上述之諸實施例進行修改及/或以均等元件取代前述之元 件’而此諸修改及取代均無法因此脫離本案後附之申請專 利範圍所界的範圍。 【圖式簡單說明】 本發明之優點與特徵已由上列配合許多非限定性實施 範例以及圖式所作之詳細說明而變得更清晰;而在此諸圖 式中: 第1圖顯示沿著習知膠囊之縱向截面所取的剖面圖; 第2圖顯示習知膠囊之俯視立體圖; 201238867 第3圖顯示本發明膠囊之前視示意圖; 第4圖顯示本發明膠囊之仰視圖; 第5圖顯示處於第一操作狀況下之本發明膠囊的部分 剖面圖,其係沿著第4圖中之V-V橫截面所取;及 第6圖顯示處於第二操作狀況下之本發明膠囊的部分 剖面圖,其係沿著一與第4圖中之V-V橫截面相近似之橫 截面所取。 【主要元件符號說明】 10 膠囊 12 殼體 14 側壁 16 底壁 18 小孔 20 頂緣 2 1 頂箔片 22 上腔室 24 底緣 26 強化肋 27 底箔片 28 下腔室 30 溝槽 32 中央圓錐尖端 34 底部 36 不連續邊緣 -10- 201238867 3 8 徑向孑L 40 徑向肋 42 受控變形區域 44 徑向強化元件201238867 VI. INSTRUCTIONS OF THE INVENTION: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a single dose capsule for containing coffee and some other edible material which is typically used to prepare a beverage. In the present description, the specific reference object is coffee, but it is clearly understood that the present invention is also associated with other materials commonly used to make tanning materials, both of which are formed by soaking and brewing. [Prior Art] A capsule is usually composed of a plastic structure obtained by an injection molding process in a manner conventionally known. Capsules of the prior art are described, for example, in European Patent No. 1,608,569, owned by the same applicant. The conventional capsules also shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached thereto include a housing having a slightly frustoconical shape which can be thermoformed or borrowed, for example, by a polypropylene sheet for food use. It is made by injection molding. The housing has a continuous circumferential top edge that projects in a radial direction to the outside of the capsule. The top edge is adapted to be sealed by a top foil which is formed from aluminum or other material for food use in a manner conventionally known. The capsule housing also includes a bottom portion having at least one aperture therethrough through which the beverage being prepared can pass. An upper chamber adapted to contain a material such as coffee is thus formed between the top foil and the bottom of the capsule. The bottom of the capsule is centered on the bottom edge of the capsule in an embedded position 201238867 such that the bottom edge can project longitudinally from the bottom of the capsule. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, a circumferential reinforcing edge is presented along the surface that joins the bottom edge to the bottom of the capsule. A bottom foil for covering the bottom surface of the bottom of the capsule is laid to the reinforcing edge so that the lower chamber can be formed between the bottom of the capsule and the bottom foil. Capsules of this type are conventional and it is envisaged to use a machine provided with means for piercing the first top foil, which can form a plurality of holes through which hot water can pass through the upper chamber. • Very high pressure (eg between 7 and 9 bar) is injected. The impact then forms a spout (not shown) on the second foil of the capsule opposite the central tip, which occurs before the brewing of the beverage through the apertures. Due to the combined effect of the pressurized hot water supplied to the upper chamber, the shape of the bottom wall and especially the radial ribs, the dip will swell the lower chamber with a turbulent motion, which facilitates the emulsification of the grease material. Although this has been very popular among end users, it is not without its drawbacks. In fact, it has been noted that, although very rare, the pressure inside the upper chamber may increase beyond the maximum number of factors due to factors other than the machine or capsule used. For example, in the case of a pump that is used to supply pressurized water in a capsule, when replaced by a pump of a different technical specification, the pressurized water in the capsule may increase much higher than those envisaged during the design of the capsule. Oh, this will cause damage to the housing. It has also been noted that, although limited, the upper chamber of the capsule has a tendency to deform in the radial direction of 201238867 when subjected to a pressure in the range of 7-9 bar, which makes it difficult to take the capsule from the Pull out the cradle of the machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the many defects that are produced on the shell of a conventional type of capsule. A first object of the present invention is to provide a capsule that is suitable for use in a wide range of pressures without risk of damage. A second object of the present invention is to provide a capsule in which deformation of the upper chamber in the radial direction is restricted. The above objects and tasks can be attained by a single dose capsule for the preparation of a beverage from a powder or granulated material comprising a shell. The housing includes a side wall and a bottom wall provided with a plurality of small holes. The side wall includes a top edge ' upon which a top foil adapted to be pierced or torn by the dispensing machine is placed. A chamber adapted to contain a powder or granular material, defined between the top foil and the bottom wall. The side wall further includes a bottom edge extending longitudinally from the bottom wall. A circumferential reinforcing rib is disposed between the bottom edge and the bottom wall, and a bottom foil 27 is laid over the rib so as to cover the bottom wall and form a lower chamber 'which is adapted to be pierced or torn in the beverage The spout formed when the bottom foil is opened flows directly into a container located below and is filled by the beverage supplied through the small holes. At least one circumferential groove is advantageously disposed on the reinforcing rib in the longitudinal direction and in close proximity to the bottom edge. [Embodiment] Figs. 3 to 6 show a single-dose capsule 10 for preparing a beverage from a powder or granulated raw material according to the present invention. The capsule 10 includes a housing 12 having a side wall 14 and a bottom wall 16 having a plurality of apertures 18 201238867. Referring to Figure 1, the following list is defined: a longitudinal direction parallel to the major axis of the capsule; and a radial direction perpendicular to and through the major axis of the capsule. The side wall 14 includes a top edge 20 extending in a radial direction, and a top foil 21 adapted to be pierced or torn by the dispensing machine is laid over the top edge. A chamber 22 adapted to contain the powder or particulate material is thus defined between the top foil 21 and the bottom wall 16 and soaking and brewing occurs within the chamber. The bottom wall 16 of the capsule 10 is in an embedded position relative to the bottom edge 24 of the capsule 10 such that a bottom edge 24 can project from the bottom wall 16 of the capsule 10 in the longitudinal direction. The circumferential reinforcing ribs 26 are disposed between the bottom edge 24 and the bottom wall 16. A bottom foil 27 is disposed on the reinforcing ribs 26 in a manner conventionally known to cover the bottom wall 16. The lower chamber 28 is thus formed between the bottom foil 27 and the bottom wall 16, and the beverage is first passed through a spout formed by piercing or tearing the bottom foil directly into a lower container. The small holes are supplied to fill the lower chamber 28. At least one circumferential groove 30 is advantageously disposed on the reinforcing rib 26 of the capsule 10 in the longitudinal direction and in close proximity to the bottom edge 24. With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the outer contour of the groove 30 separates the reinforcing rib 26 from the bottom edge 24" - the controlled deformation region 42 is advantageously formed on the bottom wall 16 of 201238867 and the bottom of the groove 30 Opposite. The bottom wall 16 is allowed to deform outside the pressure of the inner side of the upper chamber 22 by reducing the reinforcing effect 42 caused by the ribs 26. With particular reference to Fig. 6, which shows the capsule 10 embodied in the modified invention, it is possible to note from this view that it is possible to face the upper chamber 22 due to the presence of the groove 30. Advantageously, the controlled deformation region 42 can be changed by . In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the bottom wall 16 region 42 is between 〇.5 and 2 mm. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least 44 may be disposed inside the groove 30, i.e., the grooves 3 〇 these radial reinforcing elements 44 are advantageously in number in the opposite positions of the diameter . Preferably, they are in opposite positions along the diameter. Even the number of better components 44 is twelve. Advantageously, the trench 30 has a depth between 1 and 1 and a distance between 3 and 4 mm. The circumferential groove 3, which is not adjacent to the bottom edge 24 in the alternative direction, which is not shown in the drawings, is concentric. According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the capsule i (the wall 16 has a central tip 3 2 projecting to the inside of the upper chamber 22 opposite and on the side where the lower chamber 28 is located t, under the action of the controlled deformation zone towards the capsule According to the present state, the outer side of the bottom wall 16 is deformed. The thickness is changed to be between the opposite walls of the radial deformation element of the controlled deformation zone, and the plurality of pairs can be arranged. Arranged, these radially thick 3 mm radial thickened embodiments are the bottom conical tips 32 of the two housings 12 in length. A recess is provided in the bottom portion of 201238867 34, and a discontinuous edge 36 that is provided with a plurality of radial holes 38 around the recess projects in the longitudinal direction to the outside of the capsule. A plurality of small holes 18 are enlarged in a direction away from the discontinuous edge, and are divided into a plurality of divided portions by a plurality of radial ribs 4?. The advantages obtainable by the capsule 10 of the present invention are thus readily apparent. Advantageously, due to the grooves 30 provided on the reinforcing ribs 26, a capsule constructed in accordance with the present invention can be used in a relatively wide range of pressures without the risk of damage occurring. This is because if the pressure increase exceeds the normal enthalpy, the controlled deformation region 42 absorbs part of the energy by deformation. In addition, by providing a controlled deformation zone on the bottom of the capsule, radial deformation of the chamber can be avoided, which may cause the capsule to be difficult to pull from its seat in the machine. take out. In order to meet specific needs, those skilled in the art can make modifications to the above-described embodiments and/or replace the aforementioned components with equal components. However, the modifications and substitutions cannot be removed from the scope of the patent application attached to the present application. The scope of the boundary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Advantages and features of the present invention have become more apparent from the detailed description of the various non-limiting embodiments and the drawings set forth in the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a longitudinal section of a conventional capsule; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a conventional capsule; 201238867 Figure 3 shows a front view of the capsule of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the capsule of the present invention; a partial cross-sectional view of the capsule of the present invention in a first operating condition taken along the VV cross-section in Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the capsule of the present invention in a second operating condition, It is taken along a cross section similar to the VV cross section in Fig. 4. [Main component symbol description] 10 Capsule 12 Housing 14 Side wall 16 Bottom wall 18 Small hole 20 Top edge 2 1 Top foil 22 Upper chamber 24 Bottom edge 26 Reinforced rib 27 Bottom foil 28 Lower chamber 30 Groove 32 Central Conical tip 34 bottom 36 discontinuous edge-10-201238867 3 8 Radial 孑L 40 Radial rib 42 Controlled deformation zone 44 Radial reinforcement element