Cartridges containing an infusion substance and process to fabricate them

Abstract

This invention relates to a process consisting in the automated preparation of cartridges containing a substance to infuse, like coffee, tea or types of herbal tea and the cartridge itself. The plastic cartridges are formed in a ring shape, in which the interior area can contain radial members, thus giving rigidity and uniformity to the cartridge. The infusion substance is put inside the cartridge and an infusion paper or filter is glued to the cartridge surfaces and seals the cartridge. The infusion paper is made from a fiber composition which is resistant to high infusion temperatures and is unrolled as a continuous band on top and underneath the cartridges. After sealing the infusion paper to the cartridges, that same paper is cut along the cartridges perimeter in a clean and direct way, without leaving any exceeding part or leftovers. These cartridges are destined for new vending or infusion machines.

1 . A container destined to receive an infusion substance comprising a rigid perimeter, 
 a bottom area which comprises a first permeable membrane attached at the bottom of said perimeter,    a top area which comprises of a second permeable membrane attached to the top of said perimeter.    
     
     
         2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  comprising supports to hold said first and said second membrane.  
     
     
         3 . A container as claimed in claims  1  or  2  in the shape of a cartridge.  
     
     
         4 . A container as claimed in claims  1  or  2 , with a toothed perimeter.  
     
     
         5 . A process of fabrication for a container destined to received an infusion substance comprising a rigid perimeter, a bottom area which comprises a first permeable membrane attached at the bottom of the perimeter, a top area which comprises a second permeable membrane attached to the top of the perimeter, wherein said process comprises the following steps: 
 a) attaching said first membrane to said perimeter,    b) introducing said infusion substance in the said so formed container,    c) attaching said second membrane to said perimeter.    
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 5  in which said first membrane and said second membrane are attached to said perimeter by fusion.  
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 6  in which said first membrane and said second membrane are continuous and of which the portion covering said cartridge are cut by a cutting matrix comprising an abrasive.  
     
     
         8 . Process according to claims  5 ,  6  or  7  in which said cartridges are individually led by guides which comprise the means to prevent the cartridges to turn around their vertical axis.