DE102013013596A1 - "Hot beverage system, capsule and preparation device" - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a capsule for storing hot beverage powder, such as coffee powder, cocoa powder or the like for the preparation of hot drinks, such as coffee, espresso, cocoa or the like, in a coffee machine, a coffee machine, a vending machine or the like, the capsule a Container for receiving the hot beverage powder comprises, proposed, wherein the container has at least one portion for encoding, which comprises a first conductor layer having at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for making electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor.

Description

The invention relates to a capsule for storing hot beverage powder according to the preamble of claim 1, a preparation device according to the preamble of claim 32 and a hot beverage system according to the preamble of claim 49.

In the hot beverage preparation more and more preparation machines or automatic preparation machines are used in the prior art, in which the beverage powder, eg. As coffee powder, for preparation in a sealed container, a capsule, is stored, and the brewing liquid is introduced directly into the capsule, so that "promptly" a rapid preparation can be done by pressing a button. Meanwhile, there are a variety of manufacturers for such machines as well as a variety of capsule manufacturers.

The object of the invention is to propose a capsule, a preparation device or a hot beverage system, which make it possible to improve the quality of the drink to be prepared.

The object is achieved on the basis of a capsule, a preparation device or a hot beverage system of the type mentioned by the characterizing features of claims 1, 32 and 49, respectively.

The measures mentioned in the dependent claims advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible.

Accordingly, the capsule according to the invention for storing hot beverage powder comprises a container for holding the hot beverage powder and is characterized in that the container has at least one coding portion comprising a first conductor layer comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for producing an electrical conductor Identifies contact with the at least one electrical conductor.

Under a hot beverage powder is in the present case, for example, a coffee powder, a cocoa powder or the like to understand, which can be used for the preparation of hot drinks. It is also conceivable, for example, a tea powder for the preparation of tea or a cocoa powder for a cocoa drink. In principle, in addition to simple coffee, various types of coffee or mixed coffee drinks can be prepared, such as espresso, milk coffee (eg mixed with dry milk powder), cappuccino, latte macchiato, etc. Also mixtures of hot beverage powders are conceivable. As a preparation device is usually a beverage or coffee, which is designed for preparation by means of capsules. Often it is special machines, especially coffee machines, which are used in private households, but also in businesses to the catering sector. Sometimes, such vending machines are able to prepare a variety of drinks. The capsules are either manually inserted by the user into the machine with each preparation or are stored, for example in a kind of magazine, so that the machine automatically exchanges the capsules between the preparation processes.

An encoding according to the invention describes a categorization or a plagiarism protection or a way to obtain information about the manufacturer of the capsule. A portion of the container, in particular z. As the lid or the bottom, may thus comprise a first conductor layer, for example, a conductor or z. B. is also completely formed of an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor, which can also represent a circuit or part of a circuit, is contacted according to the invention via a contact electrode, d. H. the contact electrode has an electrical connection to the electrical conductor. The information about which special type of circuit is present or what properties it has can be used as coding. The ability to provide coding that can be interrogated by electrical means can be used not only to categorize which type of beverage (coffee, cocoa, espresso, etc.) it is, but also the temperature at which it is prepared should determine how long the preparation time may be and what other parameters the preparation should have.

More and more third-party manufacturers are trying to sell cheap capsules, which are to be used in machines of other manufacturers (so-called "foreign capsule"). Occasionally, it can then lead to compatibility problems: This leads to a fact that the beverage quality decreases in individual cases, if the pre-programmed in the machine brewing process is not set to this foreign capsule. On the other hand, damage can occur if, for example, the dimensions of the foreign capsule deviate so much from those of the original manufacturer or larger tolerances occur, because it can then lead to sealing problems when introducing brewing liquid. Sometimes the foreign capsules store beverage powders which are qualitatively inferior or which would basically require a different preparation method for which the present machine is not designed. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous, reliable coding (the categorization or the manufacturer) on the to be able to interrogate proposed electrical interconnection and exploit the possibility of contacting by means of the contact electrode for coding.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conductor layer is covered by a cover layer to the outside, wherein the at least one cover layer is formed so that it can be pierced by a mandrel or by a cutting contact for contacting the at least one contact electrode. The first conductor layer is thus protected from the outside and can not be damaged easily by storage, transport and especially touching the capsule. Just when the conductor layer is not a complete conductor foil, but z. B. only has a printed conductor, there is a risk that scratched by dirt, moisture, friction, improper storage, etc., the conductor layer or damaged in any other way. The presence of a cover layer in turn acts as a kind of protective layer, so that damage to the conductor can be avoided.

The capsule must anyway be opened or pierced or cut through in some places, so that the powder can come into contact with the brewing liquid during the brewing process. The cover layer can thus be designed so that it withstands normally expected loads or damage, but piercing or cutting through is not prevented by the cover layer. In addition, such a cover layer allows insulation to the outside, so that in particular during the brewing process, the conductor layer can be at least partially protected from contact with the brewing liquid.

Nevertheless, it is conceivable that in an embodiment of the invention, an electrical conductor is arranged on the surface. However, if such an arrangement should be at least largely avoided due to the risk of damage to the track, it is usually possible to arrange only one or more contact electrodes on the surface of the container. The contact electrodes can then be connected to the first conductor layer, for example through a cover layer. By this measure, in particular the access to the electrical conductor can be simplified because a contact is then made possible via a simple contact tab and no additional, the capsule skin injury mandrel or cutting contact must be provided. The contacting can be done on the machine side with less effort and less expensive. Basically, however, a mandrel or cutting contact has the advantage that a particularly reliable electrical connection can be made, especially since the cutting contact or the mandrel penetrates into the conductor material.

The conductor layer itself may comprise various electronic components, which are either part of a circuit or formed overall as a circuit. For example, as components, an inductance or an antenna, a capacitor (a capacitor), an ohmic resistance, a NTC element (English: "negative temperature coefficient") or PTC resistor (PTC: Engl Abbreviation for "positive temperature coefficient"), piezo elements, various light sources, such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diode), LECs (also: LEEC, Engl .: "light-emitting electrochemical cell") are used. Meanwhile, it is also possible to use components such as printed batteries or printed solar cells, which are particularly thin-layered. Also conceivable are magnetoresistors (magnetoresistive elements) whose resistance depends on the external magnetic field. A magnetoresistive element can, for. B. react to a machine generated magnetic field.

A capacitor may be printed separately, it may be formed by stacked and mutually insulated conductor layers, which are separated, for example, for isolation by a spacer (electrically insulating spacer). The components can, in order to be as thin as possible, be printed, be expanded from polymer layers and also trimmed by the way. When trimming is usually a paste, for example, a resistor paste applied by light, for. As laser light is modified to a certain resistance value or to certain physical properties.

A printed battery can be made relatively weak, as long as a voltage generated by such a battery is still measurable in connection with the beverage machine. Temperature-dependent components can be used in particular if the temperature profile is to be followed. An inductance can also be printed. Since these present passive or active elements can now be formed and manufactured very thinly and with standard manufacturing methods, they can be integrated, for example, in a cover film, without thereby affecting the thickness or the weight significantly or the cost of producing the capsule in the Height to be driven.

In particular, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, optical markers or codings can also be made, for example in the form of fluorescent or phosphorescent areas. It is conceivable to illuminate the capsule accordingly and to query such luminous properties (eg certain colors or patterns). A fluorescent or phosphorescent region can even be integrated into the material without the layer having to be made thicker. It is also conceivable to provide thermochromic coatings or patterns or to produce parts of the capsule from a thermochromic material as a whole, so that certain discolorations occur when the capsule is heated. For example, these properties can be interrogated during the brewing process by which the capsule itself is heated, so that the material can additionally fulfill the function of a temperature sensor with which the brewing process can be controlled.

Advantageously, a thermochromic material makes it possible to monitor the functioning of the machine itself, since the temperature during the brewing process can be permanently controlled. The control / monitoring device of the beverage machine can use this information to check whether a set temperature or a predetermined temperature profile during brewing is actually complied with. Consequently, this can also increase the quality of the coffee.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, the first or second conductor layer can be completely formed as an electrical conductor. On the one hand, manufacturing advantages can be associated with this measure if, for example, a push-button contact is to be formed and the layer acting as a completely formed conductor should only be contacted at any desired location. If a capacitor is required as a component, at least one of the conductor layers may be formed as a complete continuous electrical conductor, so that a larger area is achieved and the capacity can be increased. In addition, such a layer allows cost savings because no printed circuit traces must be printed, but for example, a rolled aluminum foil can be used.

In the case of a capacitor, a dielectric may be provided as a spacer or spacer between the conductor layers in order to isolate them from each other. But even if, for example, a button is provided, the spacer fulfills the possibility of a separation of the two layers until the button is pressed. In addition, it can be better sealed the lid. The spacer can serve as a protective layer for the lowermost layer, which is particularly advantageous if this lowermost layer contains electronic components which are sensitive and must be protected. If the upper layer is formed, for example, as an aluminum layer, then this is generally exposed to greater mechanical stresses than the lowermost layer, which is unproblematic due to the robustness of the aluminum layer in the rule. This means that minor damage does not easily lead to an interruption of a trace or a contact.

Furthermore, the spacer makes it possible to integrate push buttons in the capsule, which can bring about an electrical connection between contacts of the layers separated from the spacer. In such an embodiment of the invention contact electrodes are arranged in the respective first and second conductor layer, which form switch contacts by being operated by pressure or train. This means that at least one pushbutton contact can be bent as a result of the compressive or tensile load such that it comes into contact with the pushbutton contact of the other layer underneath and thus forms an electrical contact or an electrical connection. Between the two conductor layers, a spacer is arranged in an advantageous manner, on the one hand prevents the button contacts without pressure or tensile load already come into contact with each other, but on the other hand also allows a connection of the contact electrodes under certain conditions. At the point where the button contacts are located, the spacer is either interrupted or filled with a material that can be displaced under the pressure or tensile load. For example, a non-conductive gel could be placed between the stylus contacts.

The distance between the tracks formed by the spacer can also be bridged by the fact that an incoming brewing liquid creates a bridge between the two conductors.

Such probes are particularly advantageous, inter alia, because they not only allow a special coding, but can also form a sensor by the dependence of pressure or train. At the same time, the pressure or tensile load acting on the lidding foil during brewing is a regularly occurring side effect, since the brewing liquid has to be pressed or pumped into the capsule with a comparatively high pressure. By this individual coding option, the capsule can be clearly different from other beverage capsules; the capsule can thus be clearly identified, while, for example, other coding options which provide for (arbitrary) picking up of a resistance on the outer skin of the capsule are usually more susceptible to errors, especially since contamination of the capsule on the outer skin are possible and can falsify the result. Consequently, one becomes essential allows more reliable type of coding and sensor detection by this measure.

In particular, it is possible in a development of the invention to provide at least two push-button contacts, which can be actuated by differently high pressure or tension. Is z. As the pressure during the brewing process rising (or falling), depending on the time course of the pressure, the buttons can be operated accordingly. This technical measure equally allows a particularly individual coding and a sensor detection of different times during the brewing process. As a result, safety and reliability can be significantly increased, as it is possible to specify specific times at which the buttons should be triggered.

When using probes of different pressure sensitivity, an encoding of the capsule may be implemented in such a way that it is exploited that the machine control is expected to trigger, for example, one particular probe at a particular time and another probe at another subsequent time becomes. From a manufacturing point of view, these times can be determined comparatively easily, since the value of the pressure or the tensile load at which the button is triggered depends on how much the corresponding button contact can bend.

This deflection of the conductor layer or the probe contact in turn can be adjusted on the one hand by the choice of the material of the sagging conductor layer, on the other hand also by how wide the spacer is cut out at this point. If the spacer is cut out over a large area in the area of the button contacts, the film material can sag comparatively far even at low compressive or tensile loads, whereas for smaller holes in the spacer a high pressure or high tensile load is necessary so that the probe contact bends so far that he can reach the button contact the opposite slide. Incidentally, the coding density can also be increased since all of these coding measures can individually carry information, for example, whether it is coffee, cocoa or latte or how the brewing process has to take place (duration, water temperature, etc.). It is also conceivable that the brewing process should be switched off after reaching a certain measured value (pressure, temperature, time duration, etc.). These measurement parameters can be easily determined by probes with the function of a sensor.

This property that the deflection of a film depends on how wide the spacer is cut out underneath and over which area this cutout spreads, but can also be exploited in connection with a single button. For example, the spacer may be trapezoidal cut, for example in the form of an isosceles trapezium. An isosceles trapezium has four sides, two of which are parallel to each other, the other two sides are of equal length and not parallel to each other. In such a trapezoid so one end is wide and the other narrower. At relatively low pressure, therefore, a deflection will initially set at the wider end and a contact at this point allows first. Only with increasing pressure is an ever-increasing deflection, distributed over the trapezoidal surface, achieved until a large part of the area around the probe contact can bend around and more and more contact area between the layers is provided.

In order to clearly follow the time course of this contacting, it is advantageous, however, to provide a resistance layer in the region of the spacer so that the resistance value depends on the contacted surface. The larger area the contact is made, the smaller the resistance becomes (analogous to a parallel connection of resistors). If the resistance layer were omitted and a pushbutton contact only achieved between (metallic) contacts, would basically occur the same effect, but this would be barely perceptible, since the ohmic resistance in metals tends to zero even with small-area contacts in the rule. Although the contact area between metals is increased in principle, also the resistance decreases, but it usually requires very sensitive measuring devices to detect such a resistance can, which is disproportionate for the present application. In addition, it is generally necessary to expect certain manufacturing tolerances in the production of such capsules, so that it is much less expensive and less tolerant to apply a resistance layer. It is recommended, for example, apply a resistor paste, the rest of z. B. by trimming with a laser beam to a specific resistance value can be trimmed.

A push button (with a trapezoidal shaped spacer), which shows such a pressure-dependent behavior, acts like a combination of pushbutton / switch and potentiometer: Without pressure or tensile load no contact is made and the resistance is practically infinite. If the pressure or tensile load increases, then suddenly a contact produced, but at a relatively high resistance, since only a small area is contacted. As the pressure increases, the resistance decreases as the contact area increases. A trapezoidal cut in the spacer is only one way to form such a pressure-sensitive button in the function of a potentiometer. Basically, this is already achieved if the section of the spacer in the layer plane is not circular. However, with minor deviations from the circular shape, the effect may be barely noticeable.

Even if a purely circular cutout is selected, it may have a pressure or tension dependent behavior. In the deflection of the button contact, a contact in the center of the circular area is first prepared. As the pressure increases further, the circular contact area around the center of the circle becomes larger and finally reaches a maximum value, which is smaller than the circular area itself, since the layer remains bent in the edge region.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container of the capsule comprises a pot with an opening in which also the beverage powder is stored, wherein the pot itself is surrounded by a collar around the opening. The collar then serves as a mounting surface for the lid, with which the opening is closed. This arrangement provides a relatively easy to manufacture packaging form, which also offers the advantage that the lid, which represents only a portion of the packaging area can be used to perceive other functionalities, such as related to the coding or sensor detection in question , In addition, such a cover may be designed so that it can be easily cut by knives, for example, during the brewing process, while the rest of the packaging or the container, so for example the pot, are made more robust.

The lid can thus be used in connection with the brewing process, while the collar is formed comparatively stable on the edge of the capsule container, since in the edge region a layering of collar and lid material is present (both materials are glued or welded together). In this edge region of the collar can be sealed in an advantageous manner, so that the brewing liquid does not reach the rest of the machine when it is pumped in with pressure. The collar can thus advantageously form a dry area in connection with the machine, in which practically no brewing liquid and thus also no contamination by deposits of beverage residues and so on can get. In one embodiment of the invention, this region is thus outstandingly suitable for electrical or optionally optical contacting, coupling or the like. As a result, the reliability and longevity of the coding or of the machine can be increased.

If the cover for the supply of the brewing liquid is cut or opened, then it is basically a convention established by the respective manufacturer, at which point this happens. However, it should be noted that the capsule is regularly (substantially) rotationally symmetrical about an axis of rotation and therefore can be used by the user in any angular position about this axis of rotation in the machine. If the blades are arranged so as to be decentralized for opening the cover, that is to say offset from the axis of rotation somewhat in the direction of the edge / collar, it is ensured that the cover is not cut through in the center. In this area, therefore, in principle, a component or a button may be arranged, which therefore can not be cut by the machine, no matter how the user always uses the capsule in the machine. This arrangement thus also makes it possible to improve the reliable operation of the capsule.

If at least two contact electrodes are provided, they have, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a certain distance from each other, so that not accidentally, in particular when cutting the lid by a knife, both contacts are injured by the same blade and thereby connected to each other. In this case, a short circuit would usually arise because the blades are metallic and thus represent electrical conductors in the rule. That is, over the knife would create an electrical connection between the contacts. Basically, the distance to be chosen depends on how broad the blades are formed. As a starting point, the distances should be so great that they are at least the average contact width of the two contact electrodes, preferably at least two millimeters. In addition, in this embodiment, in relation to the corresponding cutting blades, they should be made wider than the width of the cutting blades, so that no contact is possible even if a blade cuts the cover precisely between both the contact electrodes. In addition, the same requirement applies to electrical conductors: these too should be spaced apart so that a cutting blade of the machine does not cause a short circuit between them.

Since the capsule is rotationally symmetrical about the axis of rotation and from Users can be used arbitrarily in this regard, it is advantageous, the contact electrodes point-symmetrical to the puncture point at which the axis of rotation pierces the lid to arrange. In some cases, it is also possible to arrange the contact electrodes symmetrically to an axis of symmetry arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The contact electrodes can advantageously be arranged in a circular arc around the center of the lid in the edge area of the collar. If contact with a connection electrode (machine side) is established at one point of the circular arc, rotation can take place in the area of this circular arc without the connection to the connection electrode of the machine being interrupted.

If the circular arc does not encompass the entire capsule edge, but are separation regions in which no electrical contact is possible with respect to the machine, then it is particularly advantageous to provide at least one connecting electrode more on the machine side than contact electrodes are present on the capsule side. Even if one of the connection electrodes just touches the capsule in the separation region, ie no electrical contact is made, at least two connection electrodes are still present, which may be in contact with contact electrodes. Thus, it is possible that the capsule regardless of the angle in which it was used by the user, virtually always correct contactable and is functionally wide in this regard. In the case of such contact electrodes, it is advantageous if at least one of the electrical conductors or at least one of the contact electrodes is designed as a printed conductor or possibly also as an organic resistor conductor. An organic resistance ladder may be chosen to have specific environmental properties and function as a sensor for these environmental conditions.

If a layer is completely formed, for example, as aluminum foil, then it can be contacted practically at any point, while with discretely arranged contact electrodes or conduction paths a connection can be established only at these points. This is advantageous for reliable operation when particular areas of the lid are cut by a knife and there is a risk of short circuit. There are then so-line ban zones in which at least certain power lines should not be provided.

• I. Sofern es nicht ausgeschlossen ist, dass eine Leitung in einem Bereich liegt, der von einem Messer durchtrennt wird, sollte bei dieser Weiterbildung der Erfindung zumindest redundante Leitungsführung vorgesehen sein. Das Gleiche gilt bei entsprechenden Kontaktelektroden. Es ist also vorteilhaft, Doppelleitungen oder Doppelkontakte teilweise vorzusehen, insbesondere auch bei Leitungen, welche in radialer Richtung verlaufen, sodass bei einer Drehung diese unter Umständen in ein Messerbereich gelangen können.
• II. Es wurde bereits betont, dass zwischen Leitungen, zwischen denen ein Kurzschluss hervorgerufen werden kann oder die nicht gemeinsam durchtrennt werden sollen, gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ein bestimmter Abstand vorgesehen sein soll, damit maximal eine der beiden Leitungen durchtrennt wird. Das Schneidmesser ist maschinenseitig oft als Metallkontakt ausgebildet, und es kann auch darüber hinaus aufgrund des Kontakts mit Brühflüssigkeit im Bereich des von Messern durchtrennten Deckels zu Kurzschlüssen über die Flüssigkeit kommen. Daher ist es vorteilhaft, in einem solchen Bereich ausschließen zu können, dass ein Kurzschluss hergestellt werden kann, wenn der Deckel in diesem Bereich geöffnet wird.
• III. Sind mehrere Messer zum Öffnen des Dekcels vorhanden, sind diese in der Regel untereinander verbunden, sodass auch Leitungen, die von unterschiedlichen Messern durchtrennt werden, kurzgeschlossen werden können. Dies kann dadurch ausgeschlossen werden, dass auf dem Deckel Verbotszonen bestehen, in denen keine Leiter angeordnet sein dürfen, weil beim Einsetzen der Kapsel in verschiedener Winkelposition nicht ausgeschlossen werden kann, dass die Messer genau an einer solchen Stelle den Deckel durchtrennen und deswegen ein Kurzschluss zustande kommt. Einerseits erhöhen derartige Verbotszonen die Zuverlässigkeit beim Arbeiten der Kapsel, zum anderen bildet diese Maßnahme aber auch eine Codierungsmöglichkeit, da diese Anordnung ein spezifisches Merkmal der Kapsel eines speziellen Herstellers sein kann, welches detektierbar ist (etwa durch optisches Markieren mit Farbstoffen).

Due to the requirement to enable their functionality in a rotationally symmetrical capsule regardless of the angular position when inserting the capsules, it is particularly advantageous to consider the following three principles in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention:

• I. Unless it is excluded that a line is located in an area that is severed by a knife, should be provided in this development of the invention, at least redundant wiring. The same applies to corresponding contact electrodes. It is therefore advantageous to provide double lines or double contacts partly, in particular also in the case of lines which run in the radial direction, so that, in the event of rotation, these can possibly reach a knife area.
• II. It has already been emphasized that a certain distance should be provided between lines between which a short circuit can be caused or which should not be severed together, according to an embodiment of the invention, so that a maximum of one of the two lines is severed. The cutting blade is often formed on the machine side as a metal contact, and it may also come due to the contact with brewing liquid in the region of the severed by knives lid shorts on the liquid. Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to exclude in such a range that a short circuit can be made when the lid is opened in this area.
• III. If there are several blades for opening the lid, they are usually connected to each other, so that cables that are cut by different blades can also be short-circuited. This can be ruled out by the fact that on the cover prohibition zones exist in which no conductors may be arranged because when inserting the capsule in different angular position can not be ruled out that the knife cut exactly at such a point the lid and therefore a short circuit comes. On the one hand, such prohibitive zones increase the reliability in working the capsule, on the other hand, this measure also forms a coding possibility, since this arrangement may be a specific feature of the capsule of a special manufacturer, which is detectable (such as by optical marking with dyes).

It is also conceivable that it should be used in particular that such short circuits are generated in order to provide a special coding measure, if the short circuit does not block any essential circuit, but instead uses the short circuit between the lines like a switch. The cutting blades can therefore also be included in the coding. If a conductor is severed, it should always redundant second conductor be present so that a connection is always maintained.

It should be noted in the case of lids which have more than one conductor layer that conductors arranged not only in a conductor layer but also conductors arranged one above the other can be severed and contacted. There must also be no danger of short circuits between these conductors unless this is explicitly intended.

Basically, two different types of preparation devices in connection with the use of the capsule according to the invention are conceivable. On the one hand there can be a wireless contact between the preparation device and the capsule. For example, the preparation device may comprise a sensor device which can transmit an electromagnetic signal to the capsule, for example a magnetic field. Thus, for example, a resonant circuit can be excited on a capsule or at least a voltage in an inductance can be generated on the capsule. If a push-button contact is provided on the capsule, then this can be triggered by means of the compressive or tensile load in connection with the brewing process. Such a preparation device according to the invention thus allows without producing a direct electrical connection, d. H. wireless, contacting the capsule and reading information or measuring data. Such a preparation device offers the possibility of a wireless transmission of information from the capsule, so that corrosion, dirt deposits or the like can affect this communication much weaker than in a direct, wired contact. This measure thus represents a particularly reliable communication option between the preparation device according to the invention and the capsule.

Furthermore, however, the preparation device according to the invention can also have at least one connection electrode, which can be connected to at least one contact electrode. By this measure, a (wired) contact is made directly. If a button is provided, the brewing device may be capable of ensuring a sufficient compressive or tensile load exerted on the capsule or parts of the capsule by the brewing liquid during the brewing process. In a further embodiment of the invention, a plunger may be provided which actuates the button, so that the actuation of the button in this case runs independently of the pressure during the brewing process. If the compressive or tensile load is used for actuation during the brewing process, this measure offers the possibility of using the probe like a sensor which checks the parameter of the pressure during the brewing process. A separately operated plunger, however, has the advantage that at any time the switching operation can be triggered on the button.

The contacting can be done in an embodiment of the invention by a mandrel or a cutting contact for piercing a cover layer. The cover layer can effectively serve as insulation for the contact electrode, so that reliable contact can be made. In general, the mandrel or the cutting contact "cut" the contact electrode, d. H. penetrate into the material of the contact electrode, which contributes to a secure contact production and thus to a reliable contact.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the preparation device itself may also comprise a light source. Thus, optical properties of the capsule can be checked if, for example, a color detection, a recognition of a particular pattern on the capsule or if a detection of phosphorescent or fluorescent areas to take place on the capsule. Accordingly, the preparation device for detection in such an embodiment may also include a light receiver for detection.

Just when the contact of the capsule, for example, for making an electrical contact must be made directly, it is particularly advantageous if this area is exposed to as little contamination and also if possible, no conditions favoring corrosion are present, such as high humidity. In the area of the receiving device of a preparation device, this can advantageously be done in a development of the invention in the region of the collar, because there can be an effective seal. If the outer wheel of the collar lies in this dry area, it is isolated from the brewing liquid, so that a contact is made there. Also by this measure the reliability and longevity can be increased.

The capsule is usually first inserted into the receiving device and then brought into the brewing position in which it is kept well defined or clamped. This holder is made by a slider which is actuated, for example, that after inserting the capsule, a lever is actuated, which in turn moves the slider for clamping the capsule. The capsule is thus advantageously placed in a predefined position, so that the contacting and cutting with a knife, the attachment of mandrel or cutting contacts, etc., can also be done in a defined manner.

Incidentally, the slider may also include a plunger, which is mounted individually movably and can be moved, for example, by the locking lever or by the machine control for operating a pushbutton (preferably lagging).

It has already been described that in a further development of the invention, the number of connection electrodes provided on the machine side can be higher by at least one than the number of contact electrodes present on the capsule side in order to reliably establish contact. Optionally, it may be necessary or advantageous that a free occupancy of the connection electrodes is possible, depending on which contact electrodes are contacted with which connection electrodes, which in turn depends on which rotational position the capsule is used by the user. Therefore, a switching device can be provided in an advantageous manner, which is able to change the assignment of the connection electrodes and optionally also test in connection with the machine control, which occupancy is currently present. In order to be able to maintain symmetries as well as possible, the connecting electrodes of a connecting electrode pair can be arranged, for example, rotated through 180 ° with respect to the axis of rotation. A voltage can then be applied to such a pair of electrodes offset by 180 °. This is for example also advantageous if the current direction is indifferent, which is the case, for example, when a resistor is tested.

In order to be able to increase the reliability even further, at least one of the connecting electrodes can be bounded by a seal at least on one side, optionally enclosed, so that no brewing liquid can reach the connecting electrode in these areas and damage it.

The contacting of the capsule should be done at the latest in the brewing position. Since the capsule is firmly held in this position or even braced, this position is particularly suitable for reliable contact. In principle, it is therefore possible to mount such a contact on the slide, which causes the clamping of the capsule. A disadvantage of such an arrangement, however, is that a movable wiring must be provided, as well as the slider is moved with. However, it is also conceivable that the slide brings the capsule in a corresponding position in which only a contact is made. For example, a contact tab can be arranged fixed, which only then comes into contact with the slide and makes an electrical connection to the capsule when the cutting contact or mandrel of the slider has made a contact. For this purpose, an electrical connection to the outside can be made in the slide, for example, only in the edge region of the slide on which then rests the contact tab. Above all, a complex and expensive cable management is avoided in this way, which allows a particularly high cost savings.

In principle, when the machine controller receives information about the coding or sensor data from the control or sensor device, it can deal with it differently. One possibility, for example, is to record how often, for example, the capsule of a third-party manufacturer is being used. If a capsule of an unauthorized manufacturer is used repeatedly, the machine control system may react accordingly, for example, output error messages or stop the operation completely. Furthermore, it is also possible to control the brewing process depending on the coding, that is, for example, to directly control the brewing device.

The capsule should be placed interchangeably in the preparation device, since it can not be used as often as desired. The invention thus relates firstly to the capsule and secondly to the corresponding preparation device but also to the hot beverage system comprising the capsule and the preparation device.

EXAMPLES

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail below, giving further details and advantages. In detail show:

1 : a schematic representation of a coffee machine according to the invention,

2 : a schematic representation of a general capsule

3 FIG. 2: a schematic section through a receiving device, for a capsule according to the invention, FIG.

4 FIG. 2: a schematic section through a receiving device with a capsule in the test situation according to the invention, FIG.

5 : a schematic representation of a lid according to the invention,

6 : a schematic representation of a stylus contact in a lid according to the invention,

7 FIG. 2: a schematic representation of an actuated pushbutton contact according to the invention, FIG.

8a : a schematic representation of an electrical contacting of a cover contact according to the invention (with 2 connecting electrode pairs),

8b a schematic contacting of a cover contact according to the invention in a different angular position than 8a .

8c FIG. 2: a schematic representation of an electrical contacting of a cover contact according to the invention (with 3 connection electrodes), FIG.

8d a schematic contacting of a cover contact according to the invention in a different angular position than 8c .

9 FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for a current-compensated reactor according to the invention; FIG.

10 : a schematic circuit diagram of a button contact, analogous to the 6 and 7 according to the invention,

11 and 12 : schematic representations of a pressure-sensitive push-button potentiometer according to the invention,

13 to 16 : schematic representations of the operation of the pressure-sensitive potentiometer according to the 11 and 12 .

17 : A schematic representation of the pressure-dependent resistor in a pressure pot according to the 11 to 16 .

18 : a schematic representation of a cover operable with a button resonant circuit,

19 FIG. 2: a schematic section through a capsule with optical waveguide and transmitter and receiver in the receiving device according to the invention, FIG.

20 FIG. 2: a schematic section through a capsule with optical waveguide and light-emitting diode, and receiving device with receiver according to the invention, FIG.

21 : Schematic representation of an actuatable by a button circuit with light emitting diode in the lid according to the invention,

22 : schematic representation of a lid with light emitting diode and push button,

23 : schematic representation of a circuit analogous to 22 with resistance tap between the contact electrodes,

24 : a schematic representation of a sensor element in the lid of a coffee capsule according to the invention,

25 : schematic representation of a lid with sensor element,

26 : schematic representation of a lid with cut-in / opening areas,

27 : schematic representation of the stamp surface of a slider, as well

28 - 32 : schematic representations of the conductor arrangements and the prohibition zones on a cover for a first conductor layer in different angular positions acc. the invention,

33 - 34 : schematic representations of the conductor arrangements and the prohibition zones on a cover for a second, parallel to the first conductor layer according to 28 - 32 arranged conductor layer gem. the invention, and

35 - 36 schematic representations of the two conductor layers of the 28 - 34 one above the other,

37 a memory matrix,

38 a schematic representation of a lid with electroluminescent material (inside),

39 a schematic representation of a lid with electroluminescent material (at the edge of the lid / on the collar).

1 shows a coffee machine 1 in a schematic representation with a coffee capsule 2 in brewing position in a cradle 3 is held. The coffee machine 1 is used to prepare a hot drink, namely in the present case in particular of coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, etc. Similar machines can in principle be used for the preparation of cocoa, tea or other hot drinks.

The coffee machine 1 further includes a water tank 4 , which is also shown here only schematically. For example, water tanks for vending machines can be equipped with filter cartridges that can effect descaling or other purification of the water. From the water tank 4 The water is taken over a pipe 5 by means of a brewing device 6 heated and finally passes over the line 7 in the capsule 2 , The capsule 2 is pierced, for example, in the lid area.

In general, the capsule has 2 a container that is hermetically sealed and stores the hot beverage powder. Depending on the embodiment, the hot beverage powder, for example, the coffee powder is filled under a Schutzbegasung in the production of the capsule in the container. By this measure, the aroma of the already ground coffee or other beverage powder can be maintained for a long time, and the powder is usually still fresh even after prolonged storage. The brewing process can be carried out in such a device directly in the capsule itself. The brewed beverage then passes through a pipe 8th in a coffee cup 9 used by the user in the coffee machine 1 is placed in it. In other types of beverage vending machines of a higher automation level, the coffee cups made of plastic, composite material, cardboard or the like are sometimes automatically placed under the spout of the hot beverage and dispensed after filling to the user.

Overall, the machine is powered by a machine control 10 controlled. The capsule 2 in turn, by a control device or sensor device 11 controlled or read / measured. This access to the capsule is indicated by the dashed line 12 shown schematically. The control device 11 is designed according to an embodiment of the invention to detect a coding of the capsule.

On the one hand, the coding can serve the purpose of providing a categorization of the capsule as information, for example the information as to whether it is coffee, tea, cocoa, decaffeinated coffee, a cappuccino mixture or any other special type of beverage. On the other hand, the coding can also be used to protect against plagiarism or manufacturer identification.

The connection 13 for machine control 10 then allows the machine to be on the control device 11 obtained information can react. Advantageously, different types of beverages are prepared in different ways. The preparation differs, for example, in terms of the water temperature of the brewing water, in terms of the amount of water, in terms of the duration of the brewing process and possibly even by what type of brewing liquid is used. It is conceivable, for example, that in addition to water, milk or the addition of milk powder, the addition of sugar or the like is desired. Accordingly, the machine control 10 for example, the brewing device 6 interact and control them.

In the case of manufacturer identification or protection against plagiarism, various possibilities are conceivable, such as the machine control 10 If a wrong or unknown manufacturer is detected, the machine control can 10 For example, immediately interrupt the preparation or brewing process or not even begin with the preparation when the control device 11 is designed to check this manufacturer information immediately before the start of the preparation process. It is also conceivable that the machine control causes the brewing process to continue in a particular way, for example at a different temperature, using a special amount of brewing liquid, during a particular brewing period, etc. It is also conceivable that the machine control 10 includes a kind of counter that counts how many times a particular manufacturer, in particular a third-party manufacturer, has been used. If, for example, the recommended capsule manufacturer has not been used several times (previously defined number), the machine, for example, can stop its operation or issue an error message.

Instead of or in addition to a control device 11 This unit can also be designed as a sensor device. A corresponding sensor device 11 can capture various measurement data of the capsule before, during or after the brewing process. For example, the sensor device 11 about an access 12 on a sensor element detect the temperature during the brewing process. This option provides additional control as to whether the required brewing temperature within the capsule is actually achieved. Especially in the preparation of coffee, it is advisable to choose a temperature within a certain temperature interval, the temperature depends on the type of coffee beverage or powder. Depending on how high the temperature is chosen, the coffee can become stronger or more bitter. In addition, concentration measurements on such a sensor element are conceivable.

In addition, by an appropriate sensor device 11 also be measured, in which state the capsule or the coffee powder is before the brewing process. If a capsule is stored for too long, there is always the risk that, despite the capsule being closed, oxygen will penetrate and reduce the quality of the beverage powder due to oxidation. This degree of oxidation can be measured by conductance measurements made via the sensor system 11 . 12 be ascertained. After passing on the information about the line 13 to the machine control 10 For example, a warning signal can then be output to the user.

A control or sensor device 11 In addition, it can also read out information or make measurements on the optical path or via other electromagnetic signals.

2 shows a typical capsule 20 for a vending machine, such as the coffee machine 1 out 1 , The container 21 the capsule 20 includes a pot-like structure 22 with a collar 23 , In the upper part of the pot 22 there is an opening 24 that from the collar 23 is surrounded. The opening 24 is from a lid 25 locked. This lid 25 is for example on the collar 23 welded. For sealing there is a sealing edge 26 on the cover 25 opposite side, namely at the bottom of the collar 23 , This sealing edge 26 is optional and does not necessarily exist on all capsules. In particular, it serves to better compensate structural inaccuracies from the capsule / machine production and to ensure better sealing. In the pot 22 is coffee powder 27 (dashed line) hinted that from the capsule 20 or the container 21 is stored. The capsule 20 is symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation D (the stockpiling powder is any bulk which is mixed as the capsule moves and comes to rest differently).

3 shows a recording device 31 as part of a coffee machine with a receiving hopper 32 , which is shaped so that the container 21 or in particular the pot 22 out 2 can be stably absorbed therein. At the bottom is a center point 33 provided, which can pierce the male capsule in the lower area. On the lid side, the capsule is then replaced by a slide 34 held or brought into the final Brühposition and fixed there. The slider 34 includes the seals in the edge area 35 as well as centrically stored a pestle 36 , which in the present case serves to serve a centrally arranged on the capsule button. Outside the seal 35 is a cutting contact 37 arranged, which a lid facing the cutting edge 37 ' as well as an outward reaching contact 37 '' has. The cutting edge 37 ' serves to at least partially pierce the lid and to touch a contact electrode in the lid so that an electrical contact can be made. The contact bridge 37 '' finally leads to a contact lug 38 with which it only comes in contact when the slider 34 has reached its final position in which he holds the capsule in brewing position. Furthermore, the slider includes 34 several knives 39 with which the capsule lid is later cut open / opened. The cutting contact 37 is located according to an embodiment of the invention advantageously outside the seal 35 : Because this area facing away from the center behind the seal 35 then forms a drying area in the brewing position. In this dry area, an electrical contact, possibly also an optical device (eg for the coupling or decoupling of light), is largely protected from contact with water and associated contamination and can be operated without the corrosive action of the water.

4 shows the same recording device 31 , but with a capsule taken in brewing position 40 , Accordingly, the slider was also 34 against the capsule 40 moved so that it is centered by the center point 33 in the cradle 31 or the funnel 32 is held. The capsule 40 has a lid 41 , which is constructed in two layers in the present case, namely with a lower layer 42 and an upper layer 43 , The lower layer 42 is formed as a conductor layer, that is, it has an electrical conductor, which can be applied or formed basically flat or as a web. In the edge area of the capsule 40 Again, there is the collar 44 on which the lid 41 is welded. The cutting contact 37 is just designed so that the cutting tip 37 ' the layer 43 , ie the top layer, completely penetrates and thus through the layer 43 through the conductor layer 42 contacted. About the connection 37 '' There is an electrical connection in the outer region of the slide 34 where the connection 37 '' an electrode on the edge of the slider 34 provides. This electrode 37 '' is therefore in this position of the slide 34 with the contact tab 38 in conjunction and forms an electrical connection between contact tab 38 and conductor layer 42 , The area 45 is thus outside the actual brewing area, as a seal in the region of the collar 44 takes place and also the corresponding sealing elements 35 make sure that the cutting contact 37 (or 37 ' . 37 '' ) does not get in contact with the brewing liquid.

On the lid 41 opposite side of the collar 44 may also be a seal or a circumferential sealing ring, which also completely seals the collar to this side. This ring seal is particularly advantageous when material inaccuracies in the area of the machine or the capsule must be expected.

5 shows a lid 50 that made three layers 51 . 52 . 53 is trained. In the present case, the layers are 51 and 53 around conductor layers. A conductor layer may consist entirely of an electrical conductor, for example as a rolled or vapor-deposited aluminum layer. It is also conceivable that it is about is a layer on which, for example, printed conductors are printed. The layer 52 In the present case, it can serve as a spacer, ie as an insulating intermediate layer between the layers 51 and 53 ,

The 6 and 7 show a lid 60 , which in the middle area a key 61 having. In the present case, the lower layer exists 62 from a ladder, for example aluminum. Arranged above is an insulating spacer layer 63 , which centrally in the middle of a kind of recess 65 having. This recess or this area 65 So also put in first 6 represents an isolation. It is also conceivable that in the field 65 a soft mass, filled for example an insulating gel. Furthermore, there is a cover layer 64 , which is likewise designed as a conductor layer. In the area 61 , the button area, own the layers 62 and 64 electrically conductive pushbutton contacts. In the picture after 6 However, these are not related, that is the button 61 is not pressed, and there is no electrical connection between the layers 62 and 64 , In 7 again lies the same button cover 60 before, whereby by pressure or train the layer 64 in the button area is bent and a contact 64 ' manufactures. Also the intermediate area 65 has now been deformed to an intermediate area 65 ' so that an electrical contact between the layers 62 and 64 was produced. Unless in the area 65 respectively 65 ' Gel is stored, this is designed to be displaceable. The pressure can be generated by underpressure or overpressure, which is built up during the brewing process by introducing the brewing liquid. If necessary, the force on the area 65 For example, be exercised by a mechanical plunger. The button according to 6 and 7 So can make an electrical connection.

The 8a and 8b each show a schematic representation of a lid 80 , the two contact electrodes 81 and 82 includes. The contact electrodes 81 and 82 may be formed, for example, as a printed conductor. They can be covered by another cover layer as a whole. The contact electrodes 81 and 82 are circular arc-shaped at the edge (with respect to the capsule: in the collar area), wherein the "ring" (consisting of the contact electrodes 81 . 82 ) However, in the areas 83 is interrupted. The contact electrodes 81 and 82 are thus initially not electrically connected to each other (apart from circuits not shown here on the lid). On the machine side, the capsule 80 be contacted via connection electrodes, namely in the present case by the connection electrode pair 84 and the connection electrode pair 85 , Each pair of electrodes is capable of performing appropriate measurements.

The electrode pairs 84 respectively. 85 can be designed as a mandrel or cutting contact. If in one embodiment, the contact electrodes 81 and 82 are arranged at the top of the lid, it is sufficient in principle, the connecting electrode pairs 84 . 85 form as contact tabs to make contact at all an electrical connection can. The electrodes 82 . 83 . 84 and 85 are arranged so that constantly at least one electrode pair is contactable. This particular arrangement is particularly important because often the coffee capsule is rotationally symmetrical and therefore not fixed, in which angular position about the rotation axis D it is inserted. Rather, it depends on the chance in which position around the rotation axis D around the capsule is held in the receiving device. In 8b the situation is that the connection electrode pair 84 the lid exactly in the area 83 in which none of the contact electrodes 81 . 82 is intended, touched. The electrode pair 84 can therefore produce no electrical connection to the capsule. However, it is sufficient that the connection electrode pair 85 each above the contact electrodes 81 . 82 is located, so a connection to the contact electrodes 81 and 82 can produce.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the machine control can control the occupation of the connecting electrode pairs 84 and 85 control or change. Especially with more complicated geometries, for example, the function or the assignment of the contact electrodes 84 and 85 be replaced. It is also conceivable that within a pair (ie within the pair 84 or within the couple 85 ) the connections are reversed. It is also conceivable for an electrode to be one of the connecting electrode pairs, for example one electrode of the pair 84 opposite to an electrode of the pair 85 is reversed. In the present case, this ensures that an electrical connection from the machine to the capsule is always achieved because on the machine side there is more than one electrode pair on the capsule side (only one electrode pair on the capsule side, two electrode pairs on the machine side).

Basically, however, it suffices to provide a single electrode on the machine side. In such a case, however, would have to be reversed if necessary machine side between the individual poles.

8c shows that on the machine side a single electrode more than capsule side meets, show the 8c and 8d , Shown is initially the same capsule 80 with the electrodes 81 and 82 as well as the separation area 83 between electrodes 81 and 82 so the capsule 80 exactly the capsule according to the 8a . 8b equivalent. However, they are star-shaped electrodes 86 . 87 and 88 arranged. Now, if the capsule is rotated, it may, for example, to a situation according to 8c come in which all the connection electrodes 86 . 87 and 88 Machine side contact, namely the connection electrode 86 contacts the capsule-side electrode 81 and the machine-side connection electrodes 87 and 88 both contact the electrode 82 , Meanwhile shows 8b a situation in which the electrode 86 exactly in the separation area 83 is positioned so can not make electrical connection. However, the connection electrode contacts 87 the capsule-side electrode 81 and the machine side electrode 88 the capsule-side electrode 82 , The connection electrodes 86 . 87 and 88 are arranged in a star shape in the present case and each form an angle of 120 ° between adjacent electrodes.

In the case of 8a and 8b each pair of electrodes is arranged so that opposite to the axis D these are opposite, that is rotated by 180 ° to each other. Adjacent electrodes of the other pair 84 . 85 form correspondingly with respect to the axis D an angle of 90 °. In addition, in the present cases, the prerequisite is that the areas 83 no too large or too small angle segment with respect to the respective contacts 84 . 85 . 86 . 87 . 88 form. Would be the angle segment that the area 83 forms too small, a short circuit across the contacts could be generated across. Would the segment 83 For example, if formed too large, two electrodes could be placed therein so that two electrodes would not be available to make an electrical connection.

9 shows a circuit diagram of a current-compensated throttle 90 in the form of a isolating transformer, which allows galvanic isolation from the power grid. On the machine side, the electronics are typically not galvanically isolated for cost reasons, so the electronics 81 the coffee machine on the coils 92 ' and 92 '' a voltage of about 230 V can be applied. These coils 92 ' and 92 '' each form parts of a isolation transformer 93 ' and 93 '' , The respective magnetic fields of the coil 92 ' or the coil 92 '' individually connect to the inductors 94 ' and 94 '' , The separating transformers formed in this way 93 ' and 93 '' additionally have a voltage conversion by the corresponding coils, namely the coil 94 ' opposite the coil 92 ' and the coil 94 '' opposite the coil 92 '' are not the same (in terms of number of turns), so that the voltage can be reduced. Such a choke combined with a isolating transformer has two advantages: First, the mains voltage of 230 V can be reduced (throttled) so that even if a person came in contact with the electrodes, no significant or even life-threatening electric shock would have to suffer. Rather, the voltage can be reduced to a safe low voltage. In addition, such a separation transformer allows 93 ' or 93 '' in that even if contact were made inadvertently to the earth (eg via contact with water), no short circuit or bypass current would be caused across the earth. Furthermore, the people who could basically touch the contacts, protected from the mains voltage. The already from the 8a and 8b Known contact electrodes of the capsule are in the present case also with the reference numerals 81 and 82 characterized; connected to them are the connecting electrode pairs 84 and 85 ,

10 shows a button analogous to a button according to 6 , The lid of the capsule 100 is three layers analogous to 6 formed, wherein the contact electrode 101 for example, in the layer 62 is formed or printed, the contact electrode 102 in the layer 64 and between the layers 62 and 64 a spacer layer 63 lies. In the present case, however, is a separation area 103 provided so that in the lid itself once again ensures that the contact electrodes 101 and 102 although these are arranged in different layers and once again by a spacer 63 are separated, are also separated in projection on a layer plane. When contacting with cutting electrodes, in this case, it is not necessary to pay attention to how deep the individual cutting contact cuts into the cover material, and there is no unwanted short-circuit across the cutting contact. In 10 is a button symbol 104 watching. In this area, therefore, leads both from the contact electrode 101 as well as from the contact electrode 102 in the respective layers 64 respectively 62 a track towards the center of the lid 100 , Both contact electrodes, each connected to the electrodes 101 and 102 lie in this area on top of each other and are separated from an intermediate layer 65 ,

In a further embodiment, the contact electrodes 101 and 102 and the ladder 101 ' and 102 ' printed on the same layer. In this case, there is only a short conductive connector on the layer below the spacer, which is the conductor 101 ' and 102 ' combines.

This connector could also be inserted in production or glued in its own manufacturing step.

For example, pressing the button as shown in 7 is shown, actuated, so the layer bends 64 in the area 64 ' down, over the area 65 ' away and comes in connection with the layer 62 , In this way, meet the superposed conductor track sections 101 ' and 102 ' , in 10 only shown schematically, each other and are electrically contacted: Thus, the button 104 (see. 7 ), ie there was an electrical contact between the electrodes 101 and 102 produced. Were the electrodes 101 and 102 , For example, by cutting contacts, contacts and is applied to them a voltage, so can now via the button 104 a current is flowing.

A development of such a button is in 11 shown. The lid 110 first shows an analogous training similar to a pushbutton, as in 10 combined with 6 is shown. The lid 100 is constructed in three layers, wherein, for example, the upper cover layer, the electrical contact electrode 111 with a connection towards the center 111 ' and the lowest layer the contact electrode 112 with the conductor track directed to the center 112 ' includes. In the center are the tracks 111 ' and 112 ' on top of each other, but can not touch without pressure or traction. Between these two layers, a spacer is attached, which has an empty intermediate area (recess) in the center in the middle.

In contrast to the embodiment according to 10 combined with 6 is on the lower stratum (see layer 62 according to 6 ) applied a resistor paste. The structure according to 11 Therefore, it corresponds more to that of a potentiometer or an ohmic resistance than that of a pure probe. So if a pressure is exerted on the uppermost layer, the conductor does not become immediately 112 ' but contacted the resistor paste applied thereto.

The arranged in the center resistance (shown with the symbol of a potentiometer) is denoted by the reference numeral 114 marked, which in the 12 such as 13 to 16 the resistor paste cover 114 equivalent. The intermediate area, which is in 6 the intermediate area 65 corresponds, but has a special feature: namely, the intermediate area is trapezoidal cut out in relation to the layer plane (see area 115 ). First, apply even pressure to this area 115 exercised, so may in the subarea 115 ' , which is wider, allows a greater deflection than in the area 115 '' , In the present case, according to 12 the trapeze is formed as an isosceles trapeze. This means that with a continuous increase in pressure in the range 115 ' the resistance layer 114 first contacted. As the pressure increases, the contact area becomes more and more in the direction of the (narrower) area 115 '' expand. In 13 exists between the layers 116 and 118 by spacer 117 are disconnected, no connection. Only in 14 , touches the layer 116 in the area 116 ' the resistance layer 114 so between the layers 116 and 118 over the resistance layer 114 a contact is made. In 15 is the contact area 116 '' already much larger than in 16 ' , The larger the contact area, the smaller the resistance (analogous to a parallel connection of resistors). If the pressure continues to increase, it increases as in 16 the contact area shown even more (reference numeral 116 ''' ). In 16 the ohmic resistance is the smallest. The ohmic resistance between the layers 116 and 118 thus falls with increasing pressure.

This ratio between the resistance R and the prevailing pressure P is in 17 shown: The resistance R between the layers 116 and 118 falls with increasing pressure P (hyperbolic).

18 shows a schematic representation of a lid 180 in which no electrical contact (for example via a mandrel, a cutting contact or via a contact tab) must be made directly. In the center of the lid is in the present example, a resonant circuit 118 imprinted, which is interrupted and via the tactile contact 182 can be closed. On the machine side, for example, a sensor device is provided, which provides a transmitting element for emitting electromagnetic radiation. By this electromagnetic radiation, an alternating voltage can be inductively generated in the coil, and the resonant circuit begins to oscillate. The present example according to 18 is merely a schematic representation. It is for example possible to introduce an additional OLED (English: organic light-emitting diode) in the resonant circuit and decouple their signal. The contact via the button can also be designed in different ways. For example, it is possible to print the resonant circuit with the inductance in a layer, wherein the capacitor of the resonant circuit is formed by the top and bottom conductor layer separated from the spacer. The capacitor value can also be used as a categorization element. In principle, it is also conceivable to provide several individual buttons in a lid.

19 shows a capsule 190 with a lid that acts as a light guide 191 is formed or contains such at least. The light guide 191 is continuously formed from one edge of the capsule 190 on the other hand. The capsule 190 is located in a cradle 192 at the sides of a transmitter 193 and a receiver 194 are provided. In brewing position can thus be tested, whether by the transmitter 193 emitted light through the optical fiber 191 propagate and to the recipient 194 can get. Basically, the received light intensity can be checked to see if a capsule is inserted at all or not.

The optical waveguide can be formed, for example, as an adhesive layer, provided that the adhesive allows only a small amount of fiber optic cable. The light guide 191 must advantageously have only a small degree of optical conductivity, since it is usually sufficient for the purpose of coding to detect low amounts of light.

The 20 shows a capsule 200 which is similar to the capsule 190 out 19 also a light guide 201 having. In addition, the cover comprises a conductor layer in the lower area 202 on which a light source, namely an OLED 203 has been printed. The lower conductor layer 202 is about cutting contacts 204 ' and 204 '' contacted and connected. These provide the power supply to the OLED 203 , In the brewing position is so on the cutting contacts 204 ' and 204 '' a voltage to the OLED 203 created so that it emits a light signal. The OLED 203 is directly to the light guide 201 coupled, that is, the light signal can be in the light guide 201 be coupled and through the light guide 201 propagate. The capsule 200 is in the brewing position in the cradle 205 taken, which in turn at the lateral edge of a receiver 206 has. So it's the electrodes 204 ' and 204 '' When a voltage is applied in the brewing position, a signal is expected from the OLED 203 should come. This signal can be received by the receiver 206 be detected.

In the 19 and 20 is the input or output device for coupling / decoupling of light between the capsule and machine in the edge region of the collar, which may therefore be designed as a dry area arranged. This arrangement has the advantage that the optics of such a device does not unnecessarily come into contact with water and deposits, in particular calcium deposits, form precisely at the points at which light is to be coupled in or out. Otherwise, the functionality could be severely impaired by contamination or corrosion.

21 shows a lid 210 for a capsule with a circuit 211 with an inductance or antenna and a series-connected OLED and a push-button. The probe can be arranged in an advantageous manner in the center of the capsule, since in the center usually no piercing of the capsule lid takes place with a knife. However, from the 3 . 4 known pestles 36 be located in the center to operate the button.

22 shows a lid 220 , which is also formed in three layers, wherein the middle layer is a spacer. In the upper layer is a conductor track or a contact electrode 221 , in the lower one contact electrode or conductor track 222 , The two electrodes 221 and 222 can over the button 223 get connected. In one of the two layers, an OLED is also printed with the corresponding conductor 221 or 222 , depending on the layer in which it is attached, is connected. To make another contact, an embodiment is possible in which, for example, a cutting contact simultaneously cuts into the layers and establishes a connection between a part of the lower and the upper layer. This allows a connection to the OLED across the spacer, for example in the form of the line 224 getting produced.

23 shows a lid 230 , which is similar to the lid 220 out 22 but with a resistance 233 between the contact electrodes 231 and 232 is arranged. By way of example, this resistor can be designed such that a gap formed in the spacer is filled up with resistance paste.

24 shows a capsule 240 , with the central area in the lid 241 is shown enlarged. The interior of the capsule is denoted by the reference numeral 242 characterized. The lid itself has two layers and covers the layers 243 and 245 , wherein between both layers conductor tracks 244 are arranged. On the bottom of the layer 243 that means to the interior 242 the capsule, there is a sensor element 246 that with the tracks 244 comes into contact. For example, it may be in the sensor element 246 act to a water-soluble resistance, so that if no brewing liquid has entered the interior of the capsule, a voltage that is applied to the tracks 244 (right and left in 24 ) about the resistance 246 falls off and can be measured. The corresponding conductor tracks can be contacted, for example via cutting contacts from the outside. If, however, brewing liquid or hot water in the interior of the capsule, so the resistance 246 dissolved and the line is either interrupted, or it flows a current of other strength, which can thus be detected.

It is also conceivable, the sensor element 246 from a material which changes its resistance by oxidation. If the capsule is stored for a long time, oxygen can usually penetrate. The oxygen then oxidizes the sensor element 246 , which is noticeable by a change in resistance. Thus, therefore, the age of the capsule or the quality of it be located beverage powder. If the machine detects such a change, it can, for example, issue a warning signal via the controller.

25 shows a capsule 250 with a collar 251 and a light guide 252 as an embedded layer. On the machine side is a slide 253 provided a seal 254 has to seal in the region of the collar. The slider 253 movably guides a mounted wiper unit 255 with, which is designed to cover 256 a transmission LED 257 wipe and thus keep clean so that the light to be transmitted can be transmitted undisturbed. The wiping unit 255 is about a storage 258 stored. In the area between LED 257 and collar 251 then arises in conjunction with the slide 253 and the seal 257 a dry area as soon as the slider 253 put the capsule in the brewing position and hold in the brewing position. The optics are therefore not affected by moisture, and the light of the LED 257 can in the light guide 252 be easily coupled. For coupling are parts such as the slider 253 or optionally the wiper unit 255 equipped with a breakthrough at the appropriate point so that the light can pass through.

In all embodiments of the invention, a coding of the capsule is possible in a particularly advantageous manner, which on the one hand allows categorization (type of preparing drink, type of coffee, coffee or cocoa, etc.). It also makes it possible to find out the manufacturer of the capsule and to protect against plagiarism. In one embodiment, as in 24 is shown, in addition to the coding in the sense of categorization or protection against plagiarism also given the possibility of a sensor, the temperature profile, the aging state of the capsule, any damage to the capsule or other data that affect the brewing process or the quality of the coffee or the hot beverage could capture.

26 shows a lid 260 in plan view. If the associated capsule is inserted in the receiving device, it is opened to open the brewing process of individual knives. The knife positions are in relation to the lid 260 illustrated by drawings. The knives penetrate the lid at the positions 261 . 262 . 263 and 264 ,

27 shows the punch side of the slider 270 , seen from the position of a capsule, which is located in the receiving device of a coffee machine. The single knife 261 . 262 . 263 and 264 are on a knife body 271 appropriate; the individual knives 261 . 262 . 263 . 264 and the knife body 271 are metallic, so they are electrically connected to each other. The knife body 271 is about a screw 273 on the stamp 270 attached. The water inlet for the introduction of the brewing water in the capsule via a line 272 , The sealing of the capsule with respect to the outside area therefore takes place via the annular seal 274 , so when brewing in the area 275 (ie outside the seal 274 ) a dry area and in the area 276 a wet area is formed.

The 28 to 32 show various plan views of a lid with two conductor layers, wherein the arrangement of the tracks and the prohibition zones are marked.

28 shows a course of the tracks on the lid 260 , namely a circular arc-shaped contact electrode 280 and redundant tracks 281 and 282 , The tracks 281 . 283 extend radially outward, from the central area 283 to the contact electrode 280 , Both tracks 281 . 282 each connect the same areas 283 and 280 so that both essentially differ only in terms of their angularly staggered positions, but otherwise assume exactly the same function in the circuit (redundancy).

The capsule is just inserted into the machine so that the knife 263 The administration 281 intersect. The electrical connection between the contact electrode 280 and the central area 283 , in which, for example, a button can be arranged, therefore assumes the line 282 , Due to the geometric arrangement of the knife body 271 (see. 27 ) cut the knives 261 . 262 . 264 the lid 260 in the in 28 marked positions. The knife 261 . 262 . 263 . 264 are above the knife body 271 conductively connected with each other; ie they are therefore also on the track 281 electrically with the contact electrode 280 , the conductor track 282 and the central area 283 connected. So that no short circuit to the rest of the circuit is caused, are prohibited zones 265 . 266 . 267 located. According to 28 cuts the knife 261 into the prohibition zone 266 while the knives 262 and 264 both in the zone 265 to cut.

The prohibited zones 265 . 266 . 267 are circular arc in 28 shown. Namely, the capsule or the lid 260 turned, so the knives wander 261 . 262 and 264 in the prohibited zones 265 . 266 , Will the lid 260 in 28 Turned clockwise, the knife becomes 263 the wires 281 . 282 no longer cut through and lie exactly between the two, as the distance between the lines 281 . 282 to the length of the knife 263 is adjusted. Upon further rotation (see 29 ) of cover 260 clockwise becomes the line 282 cut through, with the knives 261 . 262 . 264 still in the same prohibited zones 265 . 266 lie like in 28 , angularly offset only with the rotation. In 29 gets from the knife 263 no line 281 or 282 severed; the other knives 261 . 262 . 264 are in prohibition zones, so that no short-circuiting and no severance of an important line is to be feared.

Upon further rotation, the line becomes 282 severed ( 30 ), so the situation is analogous to that in 28 is.

Will the lid 260 rotated again ( 31 ), so the knife gets 263 outside the range of the lines 281 . 282 and enters the prohibition zone 263 a, in which there is no trace on the lid more. At the same time the knives kick 261 . 262 from the prohibition zones 265 . 266 out. Upon further rotation through the blades cut 261 . 262 at the most at the same time at the same time one of the lines 281 . 282 ,

32 shows the lid 260 gem. 28 , but without prohibited zones.

The 28 to 32 show a conductor layer in the lid 260 , The 33 and 34 show the second conductor layer in the lid 260 , Both conductor layers according to 28 and 33 lie parallel, but are separated by an insulating spacer.

33 shows a contact electrode 330 and a conductor ring 331 who is around the prohibition zone 265 is arranged around. 34 shows a representation analogous to 33 without prohibited zones.

35 shows both conductor layers gem. 28 and 33 arranged one above the other (separated from the spacer), as well 36 , but without prohibited zones.

• I. das Vorsehen redundanter Leitungen, insbesondere zu Kontakten mit der Maschine und
• II. die Vermeidung von Kurzschlüssen durch entsprechende Anordnung der Leitungen, zwischen denen ein Kurzschluss auftreten könnte, damit diese nicht durch ein gemeinsames Messer durchtrennt werden können und
• III. die Vermeidung von Kurzschlüssen zwischen zwei Leitungen, die gleichzeitig von verschiedenen Messern durchtrennt werden, sodass kein Kurzschluss über den die Messer halternden Messerkörper erfolgen kann.

So that no contact electrode or important lines can be cut and insulated and no short-circuit occurs, the following three criteria must be observed regularly:

• I. the provision of redundant lines, in particular to contacts with the machine and
• II. The avoidance of short circuits by appropriate arrangement of the lines between which a short circuit could occur, so that they can not be severed by a common knife and
• III. Avoidance of short circuits between two lines, which are cut by different knives at the same time, so that no short circuit can occur over the knives holding the knives.

These three criteria enable the capsule to be inserted into the receiving device at any angle.

The same basically applies to light guides that are used in connection with such a capsule.

37 shows a schematic representation of a memory matrix 370 , which is housed in the capsule, in particular in the lid. The matrix 370 includes electrodes 371 and 372 holding a memory box 373 limit. The memory field 373 In turn, a ferroelectric organic ink, namely a ferroelectric polymer, comprises. This polymer is polarizable, ie in an electric field, the dipoles in the polymer are aligned accordingly. If the electric field is switched off, the polarization of the polymer, here: the corresponding memory field, is maintained. By applying an electric field in the reverse direction as before, however, the polarization can be canceled, so that consequently information can be stored, for. B. the binary information "0" or "1". The ink can basically be printed as a contiguous area, while the electrodes are above or below and thus form the individual memory fields for storing the information "0" or "1". The individual memory cells can form a matrix. It is particularly advantageous in this memory cell that they are very thin and thus part of one or more conductor layers, for. B. in the lid of the capsule may be. In addition, it enables a particularly high storage density and at the same time reliable storage of information. The production can be done industrially inexpensively.

In a particularly advantageous manner, in one embodiment, a luminescent layer is provided, which can also conduct light itself, for example of electroluminescent material. The 38 and 39 each show an example with an electroluminescent region, once as an interior region (cf. 38 ) and once as an outdoor area (cf. 39 ).

38 shows one in the middle of the lid 380 arranged electroluminescent layer 381 between two tracks 382 . 383 is embedded. The conductor track 382 is over an isolation layer 384 from the material 381 isolated. In the outer area of the lid is a light guide ring 385 , the (eg made of plastic) printed on both sides or present with a reflective layer 386 is provided for reflection of light. About that of the tracks 382 . 383 generated electric field can be the electroluminescent material 381 be lit up and light 387 send out, which through the ring 385 can propagate and optionally on the reflective layers 386 is reflected.

39 shows a variant in which the electroluminescent material as a ring 390 in the area of a collar 391 a capsule is arranged. The ring 90 is part of a lid of the capsule and is two-sided by plastic films 392 . 393 limited. In the middle of the lid, above the opening of the pot is located between the plastic sheets 392 . 393 a thick plastic film (instead of the electroluminescent material 394 ). The electric field to excite the electroluminescent material 394 can be generated not only by a leader of the capsule, but optionally also by the preparation device. The generated light 395 can then go directly to the outside. It is also conceivable that an electroluminescent material is selected as a sealing material, for example also below the collar (as a sealing ring).

Incidentally, it should be noted that individual measures of these embodiments can also be combined with each other in an advantageous manner. For example, it is conceivable to combine electrical sensor elements, electrical parts of a circuit and optical fibers with each other, especially as can be controlled via the electrical circuit, for example, a light emitting diode. Their light can be used for coupling in a light guide, for example, to perform several functions. For example, the detection of the light alone is sufficient to provide information about a particular manufacturer while, for example, the color of the light can be used to categorize and provide information as to whether the capsule contains coffee or cocoa. Furthermore, an embodiment has been described, which includes a sensor element, with the aging condition of the capsule can be determined by the resistance is measured or detected, which changes by oxidation with oxygen. This resistance can for example be integrated in a circuit whose behavior also changes with the resistance changed. For example, the resistor can be switched in conjunction with a light-emitting diode and thus influence its brightness. So there are a variety of combinations possible in detail, which can combine categorizations, information about manufacturers and sensory functions with each other in an advantageous manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Coffeemaker

2

capsule

3

cradle

4

water tank

5

water pipe

6

brewing

7

water pipe

8th

beverage line

9

coffee pot

10

machine control

11

Control / sensor device

12

connection

13

control line

20

capsule

21

container

22

pot

23

collar

24

opening

25

cover

26

ring seal

27

coffee powder

31

cradle

32

receiving hopper

33

centering

34

pusher

35

poetry

36

tappet

37

cutting Contact

37 '

cutting tip

37 ''

Implementing Contact

38

Contact tab

39

knife

40

capsule

41

cover

42

conductor layer

43

topcoat

44

collar

45

dry areas

50

cover

51

conductor layer

52

Spacer layer

53

conductor layer

60

cover

61

button

62

conductor layer

63

spacer

64

conductor layer

64 '

bent layer

65

Button-intermediate area

65 '

deformed intermediate area

70

pressed button area

80

capsule

81

contact electrode

82

contact electrode

83

separating region

84

Connection electrode pair

85

Connection electrode pair

86

connecting electrode

87

connecting electrode

88

connecting electrode

90

current-compensated choke

91

electronics

92 '

Coil (machine side)

92 ''

Coil (machine side)

93 '

Ballast isolation transformer

93 ''

Ballast isolation transformer

94 '

Coil (capsule side)

94 ''

Coil (capsule side)

100

cover

101

contact electrode

101 '

probe electrode

102

contact electrode

102 '

probe electrode

103

separating region

104

central button area

110

cover

111

contact electrode

111 '

probe electrode

112

contact electrode

112 '

probe electrode

113

separating region

114

resistance layer

115

trapezoidal intermediate area

115 '

wide range

115 ''

narrow area

116

conductor layer

116 '

narrow contact area

116 ''

common contact area

116 '' '

maximum contact area

117

spacer

118

conductor layer

180

cover

181

resonant circuit

182

button

190

capsule

191

optical fiber

192

cradle

193

transmitter

194

receiver

200

capsule

201

optical fiber

202

conductor layer

203

printed OLED

204 '

cutting Contact

204 ''

cutting Contact

205

cradle

206

receiver

210

cover

211

Circuit with OLED

220

cover

221

contact electrode

222

contact electrode

223

button

224

electrical connection

230

cover

231

contact electrode

232

contact electrode

233

resistance

240

capsule

241

central lid area

242

interior

243

topcoat

244

conductor tracks

245

Lower class

246

sensor element

250

capsule

251

collar

252

optical fiber

253

pusher

254

poetry

255

wiping unit

256

window

257

led

258

storage

260

cover

261

knife

262

knife

263

knife

264

knife

265

Line areas closed

266

Line areas closed

267

Line areas closed

270

Stamp side of the slider

271

knife body

272

water inlet

273

screw

274

sealing ring

275

dry areas

276

wet areas

280

contact electrode

281

redundant trace

282

redundant trace

283

central area

330

contact electrode

331

Head ring

370

memory array

371

electrode

372

electrode

373

Ferroelectric polymer

380

cover

381

electroluminescent material

382

conductor path

383

conductor path

384

insulator

385

optical fiber

386

reflective layer

387

emitted light

390

electroluminescent material

391

collar

392

Plastic film

393

Plastic film

394

Plastic film

395

emitted light

D

axis of rotation

P

print

R

resistance

Claims (49)

Capsule for storing hot beverage powder, such as coffee powder, cocoa powder or the like for the preparation of hot drinks, such as coffee, espresso, cocoa or the like, in a coffee machine, a coffee machine, a vending machine or the like, wherein the capsule a container for receiving of the hot beverage powder, characterized in that the container at least a coding portion comprising a first conductor layer having at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for making electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conductor layer is covered by at least one cover layer to the outside, wherein the at least one cover layer is formed such that it can be pierced by a mandrel and / or from a mandrel for contacting the at least one contact electrode Cutting contact is cut through. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one contact electrode is arranged on the surface of the container so that it can be contacted by contact with an electrode. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor layer comprises at least one electronic component, so that it is formed at least as part of a circuit or as a circuit. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the electronic components as an inductance, as an antenna, as a capacitance, ohmic resistance, NTC, PTC, piezoelectric element, LED, OLED, LEC, printed battery, printed solar cell or formed as a magnetoresistive element is. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fluorescent and / or phosphorescent region is present. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thermochromic coating and / or a pattern of thermochromic coating and / or a thermochromic material is / are provided. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second conductor layer is present, which has at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for establishing an electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second conductor layer is completely formed as an electrical conductor. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second conductor layer is separated from the first conductor layer by a non-conductive spacer, which is in particular formed as a layer. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case one of the contact electrodes of the first and the second conductor layer are formed as operable by pressure and / or train button contacts, wherein the button contacts with respect to the spacer are arranged opposite to each other and the spacer such is formed that an electrical connection between the first and second button contact can be produced by pressure and / or train, in particular by bending at least one of the two conductor layers under the compressive and / or tensile load. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the button contacts are provided, which are actuated by different levels of pressure and / or train. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer forms a contact region in the region of the button contacts, in which it is interrupted and / or made of a soft material, which in relation to a compressive and / or tensile load, in particular by bending the at least one conductor layer is displaceable. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer comprises a potentiometer in the region of the button contacts, which changes the ohmic resistance as a function of the compressive and / or tensile load. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potentiometer is designed so that its resistance decreases in dependence on the contacted surface. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact area with respect to an axis through the center of the contact area and parallel to the plane of the conductor layer and / or the conductor layers is formed asymmetrically, so that under pressure and / or tensile load, the resistance value of nonlinear the pressure and / or tensile load depends, wherein in particular the contact region in the plane of the conductor layer and / or conductor layers is trapezoidal. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has a pot with an opening and with a collar wherein the opening is covered by the lid and the collar is connected to the lid. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the contact electrodes is arranged in the region in which the collar is connected to the lid. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the subregions of the container is designed as a lid for closing the container. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the probe contacts and / or contact electrodes and / or at least one of the components is / are arranged in the center of the lid. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two of the arranged in a layer contact electrodes have a distance from each other, which is at least the average contact width of the two contact electrodes, in particular at least two millimeters. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has an axis of rotation and is formed around this axis of rotation around rotationally symmetrical. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact electrodes are arranged symmetrically to an axis of symmetry arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation or point-symmetrical to the piercing point at which the axis of rotation pierces the lid. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the electrical conductors is designed as a printed conductor track and / or as an organic resistance conductor. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact electrodes are arranged in the edge region of the collar in a circular arc around the center of the lid. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one double contact and / or at least one double line for redundant contacting, connection and / or line is provided. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsule is designed for a preparation device with a knife for opening and / or piercing the capsule, in particular for opening the capsule in the region of the lid, and at least two of the conductor layers are provided, wherein the Contact electrodes and / or electrical conductors are arranged one above the other in the conductor layers only when the knife of the preparation device either does not sever the contact electrodes and / or electrical conductors or if the knife does not cause a short circuit between the superimposed contact electrodes or conductor layers during cutting. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsule is designed for a preparation device with a knife for opening and / or piercing the capsule, in particular for opening the capsule in the region of the lid, and one of the electrical conductors and / or one of Contact electrodes are arranged so that they are severed only if a redundant electrical conductor and / or a redundant contact electrode is provided. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the conductor layers are provided, wherein the contact electrodes and / or electrical conductors have a distance in projection on one of the Leitschichtbenen from each other, which is at least the average contact width of the contact electrodes and the electrical conductors , in particular at least two millimeters. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one memory cell for storing information, in particular a coding, is provided, wherein the memory cell comprises at least two electrodes defining a memory array in which a polarizable ferroelectric ink, in particular of a ferroelectric organic ink, preferably of a ferroelectric polymer, is attached, so that when changing the electric field generated by the electrodes, the polarization of the ink is changeable. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the memory cells are present and arranged as a matrix. Preparation device for the preparation of hot drinks, such as coffee, espresso, cocoa or the like, in particular coffee machine, coffee machine, vending machine or the like with a receiving device for exchangeable receiving a capsule for storing hot beverage powder, wherein the male capsule comprises a container for holding the hot beverage powder and the container at least a subregion comprising a first conductor layer comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for making electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor, the preparation apparatus comprising a brewing device for preparing brewing liquid, in particular hot water, for brewing the brewing liquid Hot drink, which is adapted to exert by inflow of the brewing liquid a pressure and / or tensile load on at least a portion of the capsule, characterized in that the pressure and / or tensile load is high enough so that a button contact of the capsule can be actuated and further comprising a sensor device for reading information and / or measuring data, wherein the sensor device is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the capsule. Preparation device for the preparation of hot drinks, such as coffee, espresso, cocoa or the like, in particular coffee machine, coffee machine, vending machine or the like with a receiving device for exchangeable receiving a capsule for storing hot beverage powder, wherein the male capsule comprises a container for holding the hot beverage powder and the container has at least one partial region which comprises a first conductor layer which has at least one electrical conductor and at least one contact electrode for establishing an electrical contact with the at least one electrical conductor, wherein the preparation device comprises a brewing device for preparing brewing liquid, in particular hot water comprises the brewing of the hot beverage, characterized in that a sensor device for reading information and / or measuring data is present, wherein the sensor device at least one connecting electrode, which is arranged connectable to the at least one contact electrode of the capsule. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brewing device is adapted to exert by inflow of the brewing liquid a pressure and / or tensile load on at least a portion of the capsule, wherein the compressive and / or tensile load is high enough so that Push-button contact of the capsule can be actuated. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one mandrel for piercing a cover layer of the capsule and for contacting the contact electrodes and / or at least one cutting contact for cutting contacting the contact electrodes and / or at least one contact tab for contacting the contact electrodes is provided by contact /are. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of connection electrodes is at least one higher than the number of contact electrodes of the capsule. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light source for generating a light signal, in particular an LED, and / or a light receiver is provided for detecting a light signal / are. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device is designed for exchangeable receiving capsules having a container with a pot having an opening and with a collar, wherein the opening is covered by the lid and the collar connected to the lid is, and the receiving device comprises a seal for the separation of a drying area, wherein the seal is arranged so that it seals the lid of the capsule in the region of the collar, so that the outer edge of the collar lies in the dry area. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mandrel and / or arranged so that it is in relation to the capsule in the dry area. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a knife for opening and / or piercing the capsule, in particular for opening the capsule in the region of the lid, is provided. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movable slide for holding and / or connection of the capsule is provided with the preparation device. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mandrel and / or the at least one cutting contact and / or the at least one contact tab are trailing to the slider movable. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plunger for actuating one of the button contacts of the capsule is provided, in particular a trailing to the slide moving plunger. Preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switching device is provided for switching the driven connection electrodes, so that a free occupation of the connection electrodes can be achieved. Preparation device according to one of the proposed claims, characterized in that at least two of the connection electrodes, between which a voltage can be applied, are arranged at an angle of 180 ° with respect to the axis of rotation of the capsule. Preparation device according to one of the proposed claims, characterized in that at least one of the connection electrodes is arranged so that it is bounded at least on one side of the seal. Preparation device according to one of the proposed claims, characterized in that one of the contact straps is arranged stationary and at least one of the mandrels and / or at least one of the cutting contacts on the slide is / are arranged, so that they are movable with the slider, wherein the contact tabs so arranged are that in the brewing position of the capsule, an electrical connection to at least one of the mandrels and / or cutting blades can be produced. Preparation device according to one of the proposed claims, characterized in that a machine control is provided for controlling the brewing device, wherein the machine control is adapted to output control signals to the brewing device based on the detected via the sensor device coding. Hot beverage system for the preparation of hot drinks, comprising a preparation device according to one of the preceding claims and a capsule accommodated therein according to one of the preceding claims.

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