Patent Application
20250083892
The present invention is based on a single-serve capsule for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage preparation machine, wherein the single-serve capsule has a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material, and a capsule lid closing the cavity, wherein the base element comprises a base region, an encircling flange and a capsule wall extending from the base region to the encircling flange, wherein the capsule lid is fastened to the flange, wherein the single-serve capsule has a feature which is optically detectable in particular by a detector of the beverage preparation machine.
Such single-serve capsules are known from the prior art. For example, the document WO 2016/186 488 A1 discloses a single-serve capsule of the type in question. This single-serve capsule is provided for being inserted into a brewing chamber, in which the single-serve capsule is perforated in order to introduce brewing liquid in the form of hot water under pressure into the cavity. By interaction between the introduced water and the beverage raw material, in particular roasted and ground coffee, a beverage is produced which leaves the single-serve capsule through further perforation locations and enters a vessel.
For each single-serve capsule, there is generally an appropriate beverage preparation machine which is optimized for the preparation of beverages based on the appropriate single-serve capsules. In order to avoid malfunctions, it has proven successful to provide such single-serve capsules with detectable features which are mechanically and optically readable, and therefore, before the beginning of the brewing process, it can be checked whether the inserted single-serve capsule is compatible with the machine. In addition, a suitable brewing program for the beverage raw material located in the single-serve capsule may be started, if appropriate.
Documents EP 3 023 362 B1, WO 2020/201 487 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,800,600 B2 disclose printing such optical detectable features in the form of barcodes or binary codes on the flange of the capsule.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single-serve capsule with an identification code, which represents an improvement compared to the solutions known from the cited prior art. In particular, the identification code is intended to be easier and more cost-effective to apply to the single-serve capsule during the production of the single-serve capsule. In addition, it is desirable to develop the known single-serve capsules in such a way that the reading of the identification code in the beverage preparation machine is more reliable.
The object of the present invention is achieved with single-serve capsules according to these teachings.
Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention can be found throughout this disclosure with reference to the drawings.
A single-serve capsule for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage preparation machine is proposed, wherein the single-serve capsule has a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material, and a capsule lid closing the cavity, wherein the base element comprises an encircling flange and a capsule wall extending from the base region to the encircling flange, wherein the flange extends over a flange width in the radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the single-serve capsule, wherein the capsule lid is fastened to the flange, and wherein the single-serve capsule has an identification code which is optically detectable in particular by a detector of the beverage preparation machine and is arranged or visible on a side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid along the longitudinal axis, wherein the identification code extends only over a partial region of the flange width in the radial direction.
The single-serve capsule according to the invention has the advantage over the single-serve capsules known from the prior art that the identification code extends only over a partial region of the flange width. The identification code is thus spaced apart from an outer edge region of the flange and/or from a capsule wall of the single-serve capsule. This advantageously leads to the fact that the flange outer edge or the capsule wall cannot impair the reading of the identification code. The reading reliability is thus improved. In addition, the single-serve capsule according to the invention has the advantage that application of the identification code, for example by printing or gluing on the identification code, in particular on the underside of the flange (the side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid) is facilitated since the identification code does not extend as far as the flange outer edge or as far as the capsule wall.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the partial region comprises less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the flange width in the radial direction. Preferably, the application of the identification code during the production of the single-serve capsule or the reading of the identification code during the beverage preparation is simpler and easier and more reliable to implement the smaller the partial region is with respect to the flange width.
It is conceivable that the partial region, on its inner side facing the capsule wall in the radial direction, is at a distance from the capsule wall along the radial direction that comprises at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width.
Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the partial region, on its outer side facing away from the capsule wall in the radial direction, is at a further distance from a flange outer edge of the flange along the radial direction that comprises at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the flange outer edge has a crimping and in particular a rolled edge.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code has a barcode, in particular a bit code and/or barcode, the coding strokes of which run in particular in the radial direction. Preferably, the coding strokes comprise white and/or black bars of equal or unequal thickness along a circumferential direction (concentrically about the longitudinal axis L).
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the length of the coding strokes in the radial direction comprises less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the flange width. It is conceivable that the coding strokes in the radial direction are at a distance from the capsule wall that comprises at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the coding strokes in the radial direction are at a further distance from the flange outer edge that comprises at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width.
It is conceivable that the identification code is constructed from a plurality of circular, elliptical, angular or rectangular code elements, wherein at least two circles have a different diameter or extent in the radial direction and/or in the circumferential direction. It is also conceivable that the elliptical, angular or rectangular code elements each have different dimensions in the radial direction and/or in the circumferential direction to represent different code symbols.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is constructed from one or more helical, meandering or step-shaped code elements. It is conceivable, for example, that a line which is helical, meandering or step-shaped extends over the flange in the circumferential direction, the shaping being provided for coding information. The code elements extend here over the partial region of the flange and not over the entire flange width in the radial direction.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is constructed from number series, in particular from Arabic zeros and Arabic ones, and/or letter series. It is conceivable, for example, that the identification code is a bit code consisting of “0” and “1”, which is printed on the flange in the circumferential direction. The use of numbers and letters, such as an ASCII or hexadecimal code, is also conceivable.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is printed or applied on a side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid along the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the identification code is protected here from external damage, therefore is arranged in particular between a rolled edge on the flange and a capsule wall of the single-serve capsule. If, for example, the single-serve capsule lies on one level, the identification code is protected from being scratched. As a result, the reading reliability is improved.
According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is printed or applied on a side of the capsule lid facing the flange along the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least the flange or the entire base element is designed to be optically transparent.
Advantageously, the identification code is thus arranged on a side of the lid film facing away from the base element, which side, for example, can be printed on particularly easily. At the same time, however, it is possible to read the optically detectable feature from the opposite side of the capsule, i.e. through the flange and the lid film, since the flange and the capsule lid are designed to be optically transparent at least in the region of the optically detectable feature. For example, if it is backlit, for example, from the lid film, the identification code is therefore read by a detector arranged on the side of the base element. Within the context of the present invention, the wording optically transparent means, in particular, that the material is designed to be at least sufficiently light-permeable (also referred to as translucent or partially transparent) such that optical reading of the feature is made possible by a detector. In particular, there is therefore no need for 100% transparency for all wavelengths of the optical spectrum.
Preferably, only one edge region of the capsule lid or the entire capsule lid is designed to be optically transparent. It is conceivable that a central region of the capsule lid, which does not cover the flange, can be printed in a known manner in a visually appealing way with a logo or an inscription or the like, while only the edge region of the capsule lid, in which the feature is arranged and which is covered by the flange, is designed to be optically transparent. Alternatively, the entire capsule lid is designed to be transparent.
Preferably, an adhesive layer is arranged between the edge region of the capsule lid and the flange, by which the edge region and the flange are connected to each other in an integrally bonded manner, the adhesive layer being designed to be optically transparent. Advantageously, the feature can thus be optically read by the detector through the flange, the adhesive layer and the lid film.
The optically detectable feature is preferably arranged with respect to a main plane of extent of the capsule lid in an edge region of the capsule lid. This means that the feature, as seen in particular in the radial direction, is arranged in an outer edge region of the preferably round capsule lid.
It is preferably provided that the single-serve capsule has a ring, wherein the optical detectable feature is arranged, in particular printed, on the ring, the ring being arranged on the capsule lid and in particular being glued to the capsule lid.
It is preferable that the base element is designed to be completely optically transparent.
Preferably, the base element is constructed in two parts from a base part and a flange part, wherein only the flange part is designed to be optically transparent, with the base part and the flange part being connected to each other.
The present invention furthermore relates to a single-serve capsule, wherein the identification code has a plurality of code sequences, wherein at least one code sequence has an input part and a data part, wherein the input part is provided in particular for finding the beginning of the code sequence by a detector of the beverage preparation machine, and wherein the data part is provided in particular for making available coded identification and/or brewing parameters for controlling the beverage preparation, wherein at least one further code sequence has only one input part and no data part.
In order to achieve high reading reliability when the identification code is being read by the detector of the beverage preparation machine, input parts are advantageously used in the code sequences, by means of which the detector can recognize the beginning of a code sequence in each case. This is especially important because the orientation of the single-serve capsule when placed into the beverage preparation machine is not fixed, but may always be different. Without the detection of a preceding input part, the reading algorithm cannot begin with a data part and in particular cannot carry out an assignment to certain brewing parameters. The reading reliability can therefore be increased compared to the single-serve capsules with code sequences known from the prior art, if more input parts are used as the data part.
It is conceivable that the input part of the code sequence, which has both an input part and a data part, differs from the input part of the further code sequence, which has only an input part and no data part.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that those code sequences which all have an input part and a data part have an identical input part and in particular identical or different data parts.
The present invention furthermore relates to a single-serve capsule, wherein the capsule wall is designed to be at least partially optically reflective.
In an advantageous manner, the identification code is thus not detected directly, but indirectly via its reflection on the capsule wall. This has the advantage that the detector does not have to be arranged directly below the flange of a single-serve capsule located in the receptacle. This opens up more possibilities in the construction and design of the single-serve capsule machine. In addition, the detector does not need to be arranged in the region of any sealing arrangement, which is typically provided in the region of the flange. Preferably, it is provided that the capsule wall has an, in particular encircling, shiny and/or flat surface region. It is conceivable that the surface region is designed as a mirror surface. In order to achieve a high reflectivity, in particular no grooves, depressions, bulges, structures or the like are introduced in the surface region.
Preferably, it is provided that the surface region along the longitudinal direction extends over a maximum of 90%, a maximum of 70%, a maximum of 50% or a maximum of 30% of the entire extent of the capsule wall in the longitudinal direction and in particular over at least 10% of the entire extent of the capsule wall in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the surface region along the longitudinal direction is at a distance from the flange and/or from the base region that is less than 80%, 60%, 40% or 20% of the entire extent of the capsule wall in the longitudinal direction. In an advantageous manner, comparatively cost-effective production of the single-serve capsule is thus possible, since it is not necessary for the entire capsule wall to therefore have high reflectivity.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the surface region in the visible spectrum has a degree of reflection of more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70% and preferably more than 90%. In an advantageous manner, comparatively high reading reliability is thus achieved, although the identification code is not read directly, but only indirectly by the detector. Furthermore, given a high degree of reflection, advantageously only slight illumination, if any at all, of the identification code and/or of the surface region by an additional light source of the detector is needed. Preferably, it is provided that a coating element has the surface region which is applied and in particular is glued to the side wall. It is conceivable, for example, for a sticker with a metal and/or reflective surface to be glued onto the side wall. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for a reflective metal layer to be applied, for example, vapor deposited or laminated, to the side wall.
The present invention furthermore relates to a system for preparing a beverage, having the single-serve capsule according to the invention and a beverage preparation machine, wherein the beverage preparation machine has a receptacle for the single-serve capsule, wherein the beverage preparation machine has a detector for reading the identification code, wherein a field of view of the detector is directed onto the capsule wall of a single-serve capsule located in the receptacle.
In an advantageous manner, the field of view or detection field of the detector therefore has to be aligned directly onto the flange, but may be directed onto the capsule wall. Advantageously, there are thus more possibilities in the arrangement of the detector in a compact beverage preparation machine. In addition, the available area in the region of the capsule wall is typically larger than on the flange, and therefore the reading accuracy can be improved. It is conceivable for the reflection at the capsule wall also to be used to enlarge the image of the identification code that is visible to the detector.
It is preferably provided that the detector is arranged relative to the receptacle in such a way that a detection line between the detector and the surface region encloses an angle with respect to the capsule wall that substantially corresponds to an angle between an imaginary connecting line between the identification code and the surface region with respect to the capsule wall. In this connection, in particular, a line is in each case assumed which starts centrally on the identification code in the radial direction and also arrives centrally on, or originates from, the surface region in the axial direction.
It is conceivable for the detector to comprise an optical CCD camera or a laser scanner.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the detector comprises a light source for illuminating the identification code, wherein a light cone of the light source is directed onto the capsule wall of the single-serve capsule located in the receptacle.
The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the single-serve capsule according to the invention for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage preparation machine.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the base element is manufactured from plastic. Preferably, the base element is produced by cold or hot deformation, in particular deep drawing. The configuration of the base element with a cavity is preferably produced by thermoforming, for example deep drawing by means of negative pressure, positive pressure and/or a movable die. Alternatively, the single-serve capsule is produced by means of an injection molding process, in particular in a one-component, multi-component or in-mold process.
The base element is preferably formed from aluminum (Al), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The lid film is preferably formed from aluminum (Al), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Alternatively, the base element and/or the lid film is completely or partially manufactured from a compostable or biodegradable material, which preferably comprises cellulose, PLA (polylactic acid), maize or the like. Preferably, the base element is produced from paper. It is conceivable that the material comprises cellulose fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
It is conceivable that the lid film and the base element are composed of the same material.
The base element is preferably designed to be frustoconical, conical, cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, elliptical or semi-elliptical. The base element is preferably designed to be rigid or semi-rigid. The cavity formed by the base element serves for receiving beverage raw material, for example roasted coffee granules, instant coffee, chocolate powder, tea cuttings, milk powder and/or the like. The lid film is formed in particular flat or almost flat, at least immediately after closing of the filled single-serve capsule by the lid film. Any bowing of the lid film over time due to outgassing of coffee powder does not lead to the lid film not being flat within the meaning of the present invention, since said bowing typically occurs only after some time after filling of the single-serve capsule.
The lid film preferably comprises a plastics-aluminum composite film or a plastics film or a multilayer plastics film. It is conceivable that the single-serve capsule is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis thus forms a central rotational axis of symmetry which runs centrally through the single-serve capsule and here in particular substantially perpendicularly to a main plane of extent of the lid film. The flange of the base element preferably runs at an angle of between 70 to 110 degrees, particularly preferably of 80 to 100 degrees and most particularly preferably of substantially 90 degrees to the rotational axis of symmetry. The flange is formed circumferentially, in particular in a closed manner. The free, outer end of the flange preferably has a bead, a crimping or a so-called rolled edge to avoid injury to the user at the sharp-edged end.
The single-serve capsule may contain one or more beverage substances. The one or more beverage substances may be a liquid, a syrup, a solid, a powder, a coffee or cocoa substitute, tea leaves or a combination thereof. The one or more beverage substances may be diluted or extracted in a beverage preparation machine and/or in a beverage system to produce a beverage.
Further details, features and advantages of the single-serve capsule will emerge from the drawings and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Here, the drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the single-serve capsule, which do not restrict the essential inventive concept.
In
The single-serve capsule 10 has a base element 12. The base element 12 comprises a capsule wall 14 (also referred to as a lateral wall, side wall or capsule wall) and the capsule wall 14 extends from a base region 22 (also referred to as a capsule base or the like) as far as an encircling flange 26, which protrudes laterally and in particular is designed to be encircling. The base region 22
The base element 12 spans a cavity which is provided for receiving beverage raw material. On the side facing away from the base region 22, the base element has a filling opening through which the cavity can be filled with the beverage raw material.
The single-serve capsule 10 has, by way of example, a spherical (or hemispherical) base element 12, which has the base region 22 (which may be designed to be curved and does not in any way have to be designed to be flat) on its closed side and an encircling flange 26 on its open side. Between the base region 22 and the flange 26, the capsule wall 14 extends around the cavity. The single-serve capsule 10 is of rotationally symmetrical construction about its central center longitudinal axis about a longitudinal axis L. In a radial direction R, which extends at a right angle from the longitudinal axis L, the flange 26, which is circular and is thus of encircling form in a circumferential direction U, protrudes outward beyond the capsule wall 14.
The flange 26 is fixedly connected to a capsule lid 33 (also referred to as lid or membrane) in the form of an in particular circular lid foil which closes the cavity on the open side of the base element 12. For this purpose, the flange 26 preferably has a sealing plane which faces toward the capsule lid 33 and which extends approximately at right angles to the axis of rotational symmetry. The capsule lid 33 is sealed, welded or glued in its edge region to the flange 26 and in particular to the sealing plane.
Formed within the base element 12 is the cavity, which is filled with the beverage raw material, for example roasted coffee granules, instant coffee, chocolate powder, tea cuttings, milk powder and/or the like (not illustrated for the sake of clarity), and which is closed by the capsule lid 33.
The single-serve capsule 10 is provided to be introduced into a brewing unit of a beverage preparation machine in order to produce a beverage. The brewing unit comprises a first brewing chamber part and a second brewing chamber part, wherein the first or the second brewing chamber part is movable, in particular pivotable or displaceable, relative to the other brewing chamber part between an approximated position, in which the first and the second brewing chamber part form a closed brewing chamber, and an open position, in which the first and the second brewing chamber part are spaced apart from each other for the insertion or ejection of the single-serve capsule 10.
In the closed position, the capsule lid 33 and/or the base region 22 are perforated to create a perforation opening for introducing brewing liquid or for discharging the prepared beverage. The brewing liquid is introduced under pressure into the cavity. The interaction between the brewing fluid and the beverage raw material creates the desired beverage, which exits the single-serve capsule 10 again through the other perforation openings and is supplied to a beverage vessel.
By means of an optional filter medium, any particles of the beverage raw material can be filtered out of the beverage and retained in the single-serve capsule 10. Preferably, however, the multiply perforated capsule lid 33 functions as a filter element. It is conceivable that the single-serve capsule 10 in the beverage preparation machine is set into rotation in order to assist an outflow of the beverage through perforation openings formed in the edge region of the lid film with the aid of centrifugal forces.
The single-serve capsule 10 now has an identification code 34 which is optically detectable in particular by a detector of the beverage preparation machine. This identification code 34 is preferably used to identify the single-serve capsule 10 in the beverage preparation machine or to control brewing parameters. Thus, the beverage preparation machine can verify, for example, whether the single-serve capsule 10 located in the brewing chamber is a system-compatible single-serve capsule 10, and/or a suitable brewing program for the beverage raw material located in the single-serve capsule 10 can be automatically selected and started. It is also conceivable that brewing parameters to be specifically used, such as the water temperature or the amount of water or the water pressure or the rotation speed of the single-serve capsule 10 during brewing, are embedded in the optically detectable identification code 34 and are read by means of the detector.
The optically detectable identification code 34 is in particular a machine-readable code in the form of a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional bit code or barcode. The bit code or barcode is formed in this case completely or partially circumferentially as a circle or partial circle about the axis of rotational symmetry L of the single-serve capsule 10. The individual adjacent strokes, from which the in particular two- or multi-colored bit code or barcode is constructed, then preferably extend in the radial direction R with respect to the axis of rotational symmetry L and are arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction U. The identification code is arranged here in particular on a side (also referred to as the underside) of the flange 26, which side faces away from the capsule lid 33.
The code is either printed directly on the flange 26 or applied to a ring (not illustrated) that is glued to the flange 26.
Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the identification code 34 is arranged on the lid film 33, specifically on a side of the lid film 33 facing the flange 26. In this case, the flange 26 is designed to be optically transparent, and therefore the identification code 34 is still visible on a side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule lid 33. The code is located here in particular in a circumferential edge region of the lid film 33, wherein in particular that part of the lid film 33 which is fastened to the flange 26 and/or is directly in contact with the flange 26 is referred as the edge region. The wording optically transparent means that the materials are designed to be at least light-permeable (also referred to as translucent or partially transparent) to an extent such that the detector can optically read the code. For this purpose, the code can be backlit in the beverage preparation machine. It is conceivable that the entire lid film 33 is likewise designed to be transparent or only in the edge region, and therefore, in a central region which lies in the radial direction within the edge region, printing of the lid film with a logo, product names, inscriptions and the like are possible. Similarly, either the entire base element 12 can be designed to be transparent or only the flange 26 of the base element 12.
The base element 12 and the lid film 33 are preferably made of aluminum (Al), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The pot-shaped or spherical configuration of the base element 12 is preferably produced by thermoforming, for example deep drawing by means of negative pressure, positive pressure and/or a movable die. Alternatively, the single-serve capsule 10 is produced by means of an injection molding process, in particular in a one-component, multi-component or in-mold process. As a further alternative, it would be conceivable for the base element 12 and/or the lid film 33 to be produced entirely or partially from a biodegradable material, in particular from cellulose fibers, which may be embedded in a resin matrix.
The flange 26 extends over a flange width FB in the radial direction R. The coding strokes of the identification code 34 are shorter than the flange width FB and therefore extend only over a partial region TB of the flange width FB. In the present example, the partial region TB comprises less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% and in particular less than 30% of the flange width FB in the radial direction R. Advantageously, the identification code 34 is thus clearly spaced apart both from the capsule wall 14 of the single-serve capsule 10 and from an external flange outer edge 15 of the flange 26. This improves the reading reliability and makes the production of the single-serve capsule 10 easier and cheaper.
This is all the more true since the single-serve capsule 10 according to the invention preferably has a crimping, in particular a rolled edge, on the flange 26. The crimping is formed at the outermost edge of the flange 26, that is, at the flange outer edge 15 and serves to prevent a sharp-edged flange 26, which could otherwise lead to cutting injuries to the user.
The identification code 34 extends over a partial region TB, which only partially overlaps the flange width FB of the flange 26 in the radial direction R. However, in the present example, the identification code 34 is directly adjacent to the flange outer edge 15 of the flange 26.
In the present example, an inner side IS of the partial region TB facing the capsule wall 14 in the radial direction R (strictly speaking: in the opposite direction) is at a distance X from the shoulder of the capsule wall 14 on the flange 26, which comprises at least 10% and in particular at least 20% of the flange width (FB).
Advantageously, the identification code 34 is thus spaced apart in the radial direction from the capsule wall 14. This alone already leads to an improvement in the reading reliability and to cheaper and easier production of the single-serve capsule 10.
In the present example, the inner side IS of the partial region TB facing the capsule wall 14 directly adjoins the capsule wall 14. A spacing of the identification code 34 from the shoulder of the capsule wall 14 on the flange 26 is therefore not provided.
In this example, the partial region TB is spaced apart for this purpose by a further distance Y on its outer side AS facing away from the capsule wall 14 in the radial direction R from the flange outer edge 15. The outer side AS is at a distance Y from the flange outer edge 15, which comprises at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40 and in particular at least 50% of the flange width FB.
This also results in an improvement in the reading reliability and to cheaper and easier production of the single-serve capsule 10.
In the single-serve capsules 10 described above according to the first, second and third embodiments, the identification code 34 in particular comprises a plurality of coding strokes arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction U and concentrically about the longitudinal axis L. By contrast, the identification code 34 according to the fourth embodiment has a plurality of circles 17 which represent the code in place of the coding strokes. Here, the circles 17 have different diameters to represent different coding values.
It is conceivable that the circles 17 are located within a partial region TB in the radial direction R, which extend only partially over the entire flange width FB of the flange 26. In this case, the circles 17 may extend, for example, over the partial regions TB described with reference to the first, second and third embodiments.
For the sake of simplicity, the identification codes 34 depicted are illustrated as a rectilinear horizontal strip, since
It can be seen in
The input part 41 is provided so that the detector of the beverage preparation machine can find the beginning of the code sequence 40 and for this purpose comprises a certain data pattern or data pattern known to the reading algorithm. It is thus identified that the following code component comprises a data part 42.
The data part 42 is provided for making available coded identification and/or brewing parameters for controlling the beverage preparation or the beverage preparation machine. They can be used, for example, to verify the system affiliation of the respective single-serve capsule 10 to the beverage preparation machine. Furthermore, it is conceivable for specific popular parameters for the beverage preparation machine to be embedded in the data part 42, said parameters directly controlling, for example, the water temperature, the water pressure, the extraction time or the amount of water.
The identification code 34 according to the invention in the present case has at least one further code sequence 40′, which has only one input part 41′ and no data part 42′. In an advantageous manner, the identification code 34 thus comprises more input parts 41 than data parts 42, as a result of which the reading reliability is increased.
In the present case, all of the input parts 41 are designed to be identical, while the further input part 41′, which is not followed by any data part 42, is formed differently from the input parts 41.
The fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment illustrated by
The identification code 34 is formed in turn circumferentially in a partial region TB of the flange width FB.
The identification code 34 may be formed, for example, as a step-shaped code (
The system 100 comprises a beverage preparation machine with a receptacle 101, in which the single-serve capsule 10 can be received. The receptacle 101 is designed for this purpose in the form of a cup and supports the capsule wall 14 and optionally the flange 26.
In a closure element 104 of the beverage preparation machine that lies opposite the receptacle 101 in the longitudinal direction L and is provided for enclosing the single-serve capsule 10 in the cup-shaped receptacle 101, puncture elements 103 are formed, which are provided for perforating the capsule lid 33.
It is conceivable that a centrally arranged first puncture element 103′ forms an inlet opening in the capsule lid 33, through which water can enter the cavity of the single-serve capsule 10 to interact with the beverage raw material located there. The first puncture element 103′ may be formed for this purpose with a channel or in tubular form.
It is conceivable that a plurality of second puncture elements 103″ are provided distributed in the circumferential direction U, which pierce the capsule lid 33 in a region offset radially in the direction of the flange 26 in the vicinity of the capsule wall 14 in order in this way to provide outlet openings in the capsule lid 33 for the beverage formed in the cavity by interaction between the water and the beverage raw material.
The outflow of the beverage is preferably promoted by the receptacle 101 and thus also the single-serve capsule 10 being set into rotation about the longitudinal axis L. It is conceivable that, before or during the introduction of the water into the single-serve capsule 10, the second puncture elements 103″ are pulled out again from the capsule lid 33 in order to release the outlet openings.
In the present example, the receptacle 101 has a recess 102 in the region of the capsule wall 14 and in the region of a side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule lid 33 in an angular region along the circumferential direction U.
The single-serve capsule 10 has a surface region 18, which is designed to be optically reflective, in the region of the capsule wall 14. It is conceivable that the surface region 18 in the visible spectrum has a degree of reflection of more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70% and preferably more than 90%. This is preferably achieved in that the surface region 18 is designed to be shiny, reflective and smooth, that is, is formed without structures, such as grooves or the like.
The surface region 18 comprises in particular either the entire capsule wall 14, which for this purpose is, for example, made of metal or is provided in a planar manner with a metallic coating, or an application, which is a metallic coating or a metallic sticker, in a partial region of the capsule wall 14.
The example shown in
The single-serve capsule 10 has the identification code 34 on the side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule lid 33.
The beverage preparation machine now has a detector 51 for reading the identification code 34. According to the invention, the field of view or field of detection of the detector 51 is not directed directly onto the identification code 34 on the flange 26, however, but is directed through the recess 102 onto the surface region 18. By means of the reflectively formed surface region 18, the identification code 34 is reflected at least partially in the surface region 18 such that the detector 51 can detect and read the identification code 34 reflecting on the surface region 18.
For this purpose, the detector 51 is arranged relative to the receptacle as follows:
an imaginary connecting line VL, which starts in the radial direction R centrally at the identification code 34 and extends from there to a point which is located centrally in the surface region 18, runs at an angle α to the capsule wall 14 in the region of said point.
Furthermore, an imaginary detection line DL, which starts centrally at the detection field of the detector R and extends from there to the point which is centrally located in the surface region 18, is at an angle β to the capsule wall 14 in the region of said point.
Preferably, the detector 51 is now arranged relative to the receptacle 51 or to the single-serve capsule 10 in such a way that the angle α substantially corresponds to the angle β. The deviation between the two angles α and β is preferably less than 5 degrees, less than 3 degrees, less than 2 degrees, and particularly preferably less than 1 degree.
Here, the detector 51 is in particular an optical CCD camera or a laser scanner. It is conceivable that the detector 51 has a light source, in particular one or more LEDs, which is provided for illuminating the identification code 34. The light cone of the light source is also directed here onto the surface region 18 and is reflected from there onto the identification code 34.
In the seventh embodiment, the capsule wall 14 has a dedicated surface region 18, which extends only over part of the outer surface of the base element 12. Preferably, the single-serve capsule 10 has the required reflectivity only in this region.
The surface region 18 extends in the circumferential direction U here either also only over a partial region of the capsule wall 14 or—as shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2022 201 245.3 | Feb 2022 | DE | national |
| 10 2022 201 464.2 | Feb 2022 | DE | national |
This application is a US National Stage of PCT/EP2023/050896 filed on Jan. 16, 2023, which claims priority to DE 10 2022 201 245.3 filed Feb. 7, 2022 and to DE 10 2022 201 464.2 filed Feb. 11, 2022, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2023/050896 | 1/16/2023 | WO |
