GB2569622A

GB2569622A - Beverage cartridge with a barcode

Info

Publication number: GB2569622A
Application number: GB1721624.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Halliday Andrew; York Geoffrey; Phillip Jelley Simon; Thomas Ahearn Daniel; James Copley Simon; Elizabeth Knight Sarah
Original assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2017-12-21
Publication date: 2019-06-26
Also published as: GB201721624D0

Abstract

A cartridge, for use in a beverage machine capable of reading a machine readable code such as a barcode associated with the cartridge, comprises an ingredient compartment 11 defined by a base wall 3 and side wall 2. Side wall 2 defines an opening through which beverage ingredients are inserted during manufacture. A lid 4 has a surface extending across at least a major part of the opening in a first plane. The barcode 6 lies in a plane substantially parallel to and offset from the first plane in a direction normal to the first plane. The barcode 6 may be recessed into the first plane towards the compartment (see figures 3, 4 & 6), or may extend proud of the first plane away from the compartment. The barcode 6 may be printed on the lid and visible externally of the cartridge, and may be covered by a transparent material, such as a polymer film or sheet. Alternatively the lid may comprise transparent material with the barcode provided in the compartment and visible externally of the cartridge (see figures 6 & 7). A beverage preparation system comprising a cartridge and a beverage preparation machine (not shown) is also claimed.

Description

Beverage Cartridge with a Barcode

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cartridge comprising a beverage material for use in a beverage machine in which fluid is injected into the cartridge and a beverage is extracted under pressure.

Background of the Invention

It is known to provide machines and systems for the preparation of beverages such as coffee, tea and chocolate in which a consumer inserts a sealed cartridge comprising a beverage material into a machine. Typically, the cartridge is pierced in the machine during preparation of the beverage to enable water under pressure to be delivered into an inlet of the cartridge. The machine for use with such cartridges is specifically adapted to receive a particular design of cartridge in a brew head of a machine and to pass water and/or steam through the cartridge to prepare a beverage which is then dispensed through an outlet of the cartridge. Such beverage preparation machine may be used in commercial or domestic markets. In the domestic market, consumers may not wish to use separate machines when preparing beverages from different beverage ingredient containing cartridges or, indeed, loose beverage ingredients. To provide this functionality cartridges can be provided with identification means for communication with the beverage preparation machine, which allow consumers to use a variety of cartridges or loose ingredients in a single beverage preparation machine. These identification means include, amongst others, coloured segments for colour identification, RFID, barcodes and QR codes. The beverage machine comprises an identification means reader, such as a barcode reader to identify the cartridge placed in the machine so that pre programmed brewing/dispensing parameters, such as water temperature, water volumes, flow rates, etc. appropriate to the cartridge and its ingredients can be applied by the machine.

Of particular relevance to the present invention are barcodes as identification means. Barcodes are typically printed directly onto a lid of the cartridge so that the barcode lies in the same plane, or substantially the same plane as the surface of the lid. The lid closes the opening of the cartridge through which beverage material is placed in the cartridge during the manufacturing process and prevents the beverage ingredients from leaking. The application of these barcodes in manufacture can be challenging as each cartridge must be correctly marked. This requires the identification of the cartridge type to remain known throughout the manufacture process, as the application of the barcode is typically one of the last steps in manufacture. Application of the barcode directly to the lid in the same plane as the lid provides the benefits of identification as described above. However, such an application of these identification means has disadvantages.

In particular, barcodes (and other identification means) are susceptible to fouling, visual obstruction, and distortion caused by the presence of debris, particulates, fluids or solids disposed substantially between the barcode and the barcode reader. These impediments, in particular beverage residue or water marks and limescale are often generated through use of the beverage preparation machine. For example, if there is a leak between the outlet of the cartridge and the outlet of the beverage preparation machine beverage, residue and water can be transferred to the barcode on the cartridge or to the barcode reader on the beverage preparation machine. Further, if moisture is left on the piercer from a previous cartridge, this can be transferred to the barcode reader upon insertion of the next cartridge into the machine. This issue is exacerbated due to the typically close conformal shapes of the cartridge and beverage preparation machine, which can unintentionally ‘wick’ or transfer by capillary action liquid across the two surfaces.

Moreover, since the lid of the cartridge is a compromise between air and liquid permeability, robustness and rigidity of the surface, the lid is often flexible. As a result, the lid is not necessarily tolerant to all internal temperature changes and gas expansion during brewing without excessively stressing the container during the manufacturing process. Such stresses placed on the cartridge can affect the barcode being read by the machine.

The present invention relates to improvements to a beverage cartridge which overcome, or at least partly mitigate some of the aforementioned problems encountered when reading/detecting the indentification means on the cartridge.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a cartridge for use in a beverage machine of a type comprising a barcode reader for reading a barcode associated with the cartridge, the cartridge having a beverage ingredient compartment defined by a base wall, side wall and a lid, wherein the side wall projects from the base wall, and defines an opening through which beverage ingredient or ingredients are inserted during manufacture and said opening is provided with a lid having a surface extending across all or at least a major part of the

-3opening in a first plane, characterised in that the bar code lies in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane and is offset from the first plane in a direction normal to the first plane.

It will be understood that the by the term “cartridge” as used herein is meant any package, container, sachet, or receptacle which contains one more beverage ingredients in the manner described. The cartridge may be rigid, semi rigid, or flexible.

By offsetting the barcode surface from surface of the lid, a continuous surface is not provided to “wick” or transfer by capillary action fluid that is present on the cartridge surface between the adjacent surface and the barcode surface. This significantly reduces the transfer of impediments to the barcode and the barcode reader, improving reader reliability.

Preferably, the lid comprises a recessed portion and the barcode is arranged on the recessed portion.

Preferably, the recessed portion is directed into the compartment. In this way the offset is that the barcode is recessed inwards relative to the remainder of the lid. This has the added advantage that the volume of air trapped inside the cartridge is reduced, and provides a means for gas to expand without placing undue stresses on the sealing area of the lid. The recess reduces the internal volume and can be made in such a way as to be able to “flip” or move so that it lies in the same plane as the remainder of the lid, or protrudes externally of the plane of the remainder of the lid. Such a recessed portion can easily be pushed out by internal pressure to cater for gaseous expansion due to temperature of a sealed volume, returning to its original state when temperatures have once again normalised.

Alternatively, the recessed portion is directed proud of the lid away from the compartment. In this way the offset is that the barcode is recessed outwards relative to the remainder of the lid.

Dependent upon the beverage preparation machine arrangement each of these can be advantageous. In the case where at least a partial seal can be formed around or against the barcode reader to seal between the barcode reader and the barcode, having the barcode surface proud of the adjacent surface is advantageous as it ensures that force

-4transferred through the cartridge is transferred through the barcode surface to the barcode reader, aiding with sealing. In addition, ‘wicking’ or transfer by capillary action is reduced as the adjacent surface is raised away from the surface of the beverage preparation device, thus not providing the close proximity of surfaces required for effective liquid transfer. In the case where the cartridge is disposed in use with the barcode facing downwards, having the barcode surface recessed relative to the adjacent surface is advantageous as the effect of gravity will act to resist liquid transferring to the barcode. In addition, ‘wicking’ or transfer by capillary action is reduced as the barcode surface is raised away from the surface of the barcode reader, thus not providing the close proximity of surfaces required for effective fluid transfer.

The barcode may be further covered by a transparent material.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the barcode is positioned in the beverage ingredients compartment and the lid comprises a transparent material so that the barcode is visible externally of the cartridge.

By overlaying the barcode with a transparent membrane, the barcode can be included within the cartridge and can be applied at the same time as, immediately prior to, or immediately following filling of the cartridge with the beverage ingredients in manufacture. This reduces the period over which the identification of the cartridge must be maintained throughout the manufacturing process. Additionally, as the barcode is overlain, the surface on which the barcode is printed no longer constitutes part of the external surface of the cartridge. Therefore, there is greater freedom to identify and select an appropriate material for the printing of the barcode.

The transparent membrane is preferably a separate film or sheet, more preferably constructed of a polymer material. This has the advantages of reducing material costs in comparison with other transparent materials, and allows for the tailoring of the material to suit both the manufacturing, transport and in-use requirements. Transparent polymers are available in many forms and their properties can be tuned relatively precisely.

The transparent membrane may also be a die cut window within a transparent polymeropaque material laminate, whereby a window appropriately sized for the barcode is cut in the opaque material during the manufacture of the laminate material.

-5More preferably the opaque material is an aluminium foil. This has the advantage that the lid of the cartridge can be achieved with a single film, simplifying manufacture, while still preserving the aesthetic qualities of the laminate and barrier properties of the laminate over the majority of the surface of the cartridge.

The transparent membrane may be spaced away from the barcode leaving a gap between the surface of the barcode and the surface of the transparent membrane. More preferably the transparent membrane is adhered at least partially to the barcode ensuring that the transparent membrane is not able to move relative to the barcode, and ensuring that no wrinkles are made in the film overlaying the barcode.

More preferably still, the transparent membrane at least partially closes an opening of the cartridge. In this way the membrane can be used as the cartridge lid.

Preferably, the barcode is printed onto a barcode surface and the barcode surface is attached to the lid in the beverage ingredients compartment. This has the advantage that the barcode surface does not have to be the same material as the lid and allows a material to be chosen which is suitable for printing a barcode on.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage preparation system comprising a cartridge as described and a beverage preparation machine, said machine having a delivery head, an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge received in the delivery head, and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage from the cartridge and a barcode reader for reading the barcode of the cartridge.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of beverage cartridge in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of figure 1 along line X-X,

Figures 3 to 5 are simplified cross sectional views of figure 2 showing alternative arrangements of a beverage cartridge in accordance with the invention,

-6Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of figure 1 along line X-X showing a second embodiment of a beverage cartridge in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 7 is a simplified cross sectional view of figure 6 showing yet a further arrangement of the embodiment of figure 6 in accordance with the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show a beverage cartridge 1 of the type comprising a beverage ingredient or ingredients for use in a beverage machine. The cartridge 1 has a generally circular shape having a side wall 2 projecting from a circular base 3 and a lid 4 attached to a rim 5. Lid 4 extends in a plane across a cartridge opening through which beverage ingredients are placed during the manufacturing process. The 4 lid also extends over inlet and outlet 9,10 of the cartridge which can be seen more easily in figure 2 which is a cross section of figure 1 along line X-X.

The lid 4 holds the beverage ingredient(s) (not shown) within ingredient compartment 11 of the cartridge which is defined by side wall 2, base 3 and lid 4. The cartridge is provided with a holder 15 (shown in figure 2) to enable the user to easily arrange the cartridge 1 within a beverage machine.

The lid 4 has a machine readable identification means which is shown here to be a barcode 6, but could also be other identification means which can be read by an identification reader in the beverage machine. Different cartridges are marked with different identification means depending on the type of beverage ingredients held within them and the type of beverage they are to brew.

Lid 4 of figure 1 is marked with two broken line circles 7, 8 which denote areas above the cartridge inlet and outlet openings 9,10 respectively. A user will place the cartridge in a brew head of a beverage machine so that the machine pierces the lid in the regions of 7,8 of the lid 4 and allow the inlet and outlet to interface in use with the inlet and outlet of a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a delivery head, an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge received in the delivery head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage and a barcode reader having a barcode reader window through which signals may be transmitted. Such a type of machine is, for example described in EP 2148598. The barcode reader reads the barcode 6 for the brewing parameters/process to be applied by the machined to the beverage cartridge. Such parameters may be for example, the temperature of water to be used, the volume of water,

-7 the period of pre soak, and whether a steam purge is needed or not. Water and/or steam from the machine enters inlet 9 and mixes with beverage ingredients in the ingredients compartment 11 to form a beverage which is dispensed from the cartridge through outlet 9. In figure 2, the plane of the lid 4 is shown as being horizontal. Broken line B-B is a line normal to the plane of lid 4.

In accordance with the invention, the barcode 6 in figures 1 and 2 is located on a barcode surface 12 which is proud relative to the lid surface 4 and which extends away from compartment 11. The bar code 6 thus lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the lid 4 but is offset from the plane of the lid 4 in a direction normal to the plane of the lid.

Barcode surface 12 is formed of the same plastics material as side wall 2 and base 3 and connects side wall 2 to holder 15. This has the advantage that the material is a rigid plastic that can be easily moulded into a smooth, flat plane and as such allows for repeatable and easy printing and reading of the barcode.

An adhesion surface 20 substantially in plane with the lid is provided for attachment of the lid around the base of the barcode upstand. This allows the cartridge 1 to be sealed to be substantially liquid and air impermeable prior to piercing in use.

In use, the cartridge 1 is clamped within the beverage preparation machine. With the barcode surface 12 proud relative to the lid 4, at least a portion of the clamping force is transferred through the barcode surface. This force, which is transferred through the barcode reader to the barcode surface 12, helps to ensure liquid ingress between the barcode reader and the barcode surface 12 is limited as in effect substantially no space is provided between the barcode surface and the barcode reader. ‘Wicking’ or transfer by capillary action is also reduced as the adjacent surface is raised away from the surface of the beverage preparation device, thus not providing the close proximity of surfaces required for effective liquid transfer.

Figures 3 to 5 show alternative arrangements of the invention in which a simplified cross section of figure 2 is used. The same reference numerals refer to the same features in figures 1 and 2.

-8In figure 3, barcode 6 is located on a barcode surface 13 which has a surface parallel to the plane of the lid 4 and which is offset normal to the plane of the lid in a direction towards the cartridge. Surface 13 may be the same material as that used for other parts of the cartridge and connects side wall 2 to the holder 15.

When the cartridge 1 is disposed in use in the machine the barcode 6 faces downwards. The barcode surface 13 recessed relative to the plane of the lid 4 is advantageous as the effect of gravity will act to resist liquid transferring to the barcode 6. In addition, ‘wicking’ or transfer by capillary action is reduced as the barcode surface 13 is raised away from the surface of the barcode reader, thus not providing the close proximity of surfaces required for effective fluid transfer.

In a further alternative arrangement of the invention barcode surface 13 may be formed from a minor portion of lid 4 covering the beverage compartment as shown in figure 4. In this case the lid is provided with a recess or dent on which the barcode 6 is arranged. This arrangement has a further advantage since the recess reduces the internal volume of the ingredients compartment 11 and provides a means for gaseous expansion within the compartment to expand as it gets warm without placing undue stresses on the seal between the lid 4 and rim 5. The recess in this embodiment caters for gaseous expansion of the cartridge due to an increase in temperatures of a sealed volume during use. It is made so that under pressure within the cartridge it can move outwards to form a flat profile with the major part of the lid 4.

Inward recesses in other parts of the lid can also be provided to cater for gaseous expansion in the cartridge.

As an alternative to using a portion of lid 4 to form the recess, an appropriate shaped cutout having the same width and length as the barcode 6 could be formed in lid 4. A spacer element or elements can be used to extend perpendicularly from the cut-out into the cartridge to support a barcode 6 and/or barcode surface 13. The barcode 6 is then read through the cut-out.

Figure 5 shows yet a further arrangement of the invention in which barcode 6 is attached to lid 4 by means of a raised portion 16. Raised portion 16 may be attached to the lid 4 by adhesive means and offsets the barcode 6 from the plane of the lid 4 in a direction away

-9from the cartridge. Such an arrangement will have the same advantages as of those described for the invention shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the invention in which lid 4 comprises a transparent material. The same reference numerals have been used to identify the same features shown in the previous figures.

In figure 6, cartridge 1 is further provided with a barcode support 17 on which is printed a barcode 6. Barcode support 17 is formed as part of main body of cartridge 1 and connects a part 2a of side wall to holder 15. The cartridge is similar to that shown in figure 1 except that the part 2a of side wall 2 which is connected to the holder 15 is shorter than the rest of the side wall 2 which means the barcode support 17 is shorter than the inlet 9 and outlet 10. An outer part 15a of the holder 15 is aligned with the height of side wall 2.

A transparent polymer film is provided as a lid 4 and extends in a plane over the beverage ingredient compartment opening, over inlet 9 and outlet 10 of the cartridge 1, over the barcode 6 to the outer part 15a of holder 15. The polymer film lid 4 is heat sealed to rim 5 which extends around a major part of side wall 2 and the outer part 15a of holder 15. In this way, the film lid 4 seals the cartridge to be substantially air and liquid impermeable in transit. In use, the film lid 4 is pierced at the inlet 9 and outlet 10 by the beverage machine to allow inflow and outflow of fluid. The barcode 6 being parallel to the film lid 4 but offset from the plane of the lid in a direction normal to the plane of the film lid is read by the machine barcode reader through the film lid 4.

In a further arrangement of the embodiment of figure 6, the portion of the lid 4 covering the barcode 6 may comprise a transparent material and the remainder of the lid 4 comprises an opaque material. This will prevent the user seeing the inside of a used cartridge which is not aesthetically pleasing.

The advantage of the cartridge 1 described in figure 6 is that the barcode 6 can be included within the cartridge and can be applied at the same time as, immediately prior to, or immediately following filling of the cartridge with the beverage ingredients during manufacture. This reduces the period over which the identification of the cartridge 1 must be maintained throughout the manufacturing process. Additionally, as the barcode 6 is overlain, the surface on which the barcode is printed no longer constitutes part of the

- 10external surface of the cartridge. Therefore, there is greater freedom to identify and select an appropriate material for the printing of the barcode 6.

Figure 7 shows a simplified drawing of figure 6 in which the detail of inlet 9 and outlet 10 have and holder 15 have been removed.

Figure 7 shows a further arrangement of the embodiment of figure 6 in which the barcode 6 is attached directly to the transparent film lid 4 on the inside of the beverage compartment 11 without the need for a barcode support 17. A barcode attached in this way may be provided with a clear adhesive and attached directly to the lid, or it can be attached to the lid 4 so that there is space between the barcode 6 and the lid 4. This can be achieved by using a frame to border the barcode 6 and attaching the frame to the lid so the barcode is in a spaced arrangement with respect to the lid.

For the arrangements shown in figures 6 and 7, it is possible that only the portion of the lid 4 covering the barcode 6 is made of a transparent material thus forming a window over the barcode 6 to enable it to be read by the beverage machine reader. The remainder of the lid may be made from an opaque material.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use in a beverage machine of a type comprising a barcode reader for reading a barcode associated with the cartridge, the cartridge having a beverage ingredient compartment defined by a base wall, side wall and a lid, wherein the side wall projects from the base wall, and defines an opening through which beverage ingredient or ingredients are inserted during manufacture and said opening is provided with a lid having a surface extending across all or at least a major part of the opening in a first plane, characterised in that the bar code lies in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane and being offset from the first plane in a direction normal to the first plane.

2. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a recessed portion and the barcode is arranged on the recessed portion.

3. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the recessed portion is directed towards the cartridge.

4. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the recessed portion is directed proud of the lid away from the cartridge.

5. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the barcode is arranged externally of the beverage ingredient compartment and projects outwardly from the lid.

6. The cartridge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the barcode is printed onto a barcode surface and the barcode surface is attached to the lid within the beverage ingredients compartment.

7. The cartridge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barcode is covered by a transparent material.

8. The cartridge as claimed in claim 7 wherein the barcode is positioned in the beverage ingredients compartment and the lid comprises a transparent material so that the barcode is visible externally of the cartridge.

9. The cartridge as claimed in claim 8 wherein the transparent material is spaced away from the barcode leaving a gap between the barcode and the surface of the transparent material.

5

10. The cartridge as claimed in claim 9 wherein the transparent material is a polymer film or sheet.

11. A beverage preparation system comprising of a cartridge according to any preceding claim and a beverage preparation machine, said machine having a delivery

10 head, an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge received in the delivery head, and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage from the cartridge and a barcode reader for reading the barcode of the cartridge.