WO2013174789A1

WO2013174789A1 - Device for identifying the content of a beverage capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2013174789A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/060363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandre Kollep; Jean HOFSTETTER
Original assignee: Nestec S.A.
Priority date: 2012-05-23
Filing date: 2013-05-21
Publication date: 2013-11-28
Also published as: AR091148A1

Abstract

An identification device, comprises: a) at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101) suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field; b) a plurality of reinforcing filaments (103), said reinforcing filaments (103) being fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material and disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101) so as to form a strand (100) therewith; and c) a protective cover member (215), said protective cover member being disposed about said strand (100). Use in a beverage capsule.

Description

DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING THE CONTENT OF A BEVERAGE CAPSULE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices for identifying the content of a beverage producing device. The invention more particularly relates to an identification device that is embedded in a capsule, generally containing a pre-portioned mix or compound used in the production of a beverage. This invention also relates to a method for producing said identification device from an identification member, as well as an apparatus in which said process is implemented, and the capsule comprising said identification device.

Background

For several years, beverage producing systems have been, in general, premised on the basis of portioned beverages; providing a pre-determined volume of a beverage on demand. This has generally been accomplished through the use of a capsule, within which is contained a pre-portioned amount of a beverage ingredient or ingredients such as ground or freeze-dried coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, or powdered milk. While this document refers to a "capsule," it is understood that a cartridge, packet, pod, or the like may equally be employed.

Said capsules are generally employed along with a beverage machine adapted for their use. Such machines are generally provided with means for storing and heating water, introducing the heated water into the capsule to create a beverage, and dispensing the beverage into a container for consumption. These systems have numerous advantages over more traditional forms of beverage preparation, notably their ease of use, clean operation, and the quality and consistency of the beverages produced.

Furthermore, it is known from international patent publication WO 2001/000724 to associate a magnetically-responsive identifier with the capsule for the purposes of identifying the capsule to the beverage machine into which it is inserted. This is accomplished generally by means of a reader which is specifically adapted to the type of magnetically-responsive identifier employed. This identifier may be attached to or integrated within the structure of the capsule itself. Such electro-magnetic identification means allow the brewing machine to adapt the brewing process to the contents of the particular capsule being used, for instance by altering such factors as water temperature, water volume, or others. This permits the brewing machine to utilize capsules containing a wide variety of beverages, while at the same time optimizing the brewing process for each kind of beverage.

This electro-magnetic identification system is based upon the magnetic properties of a wire between 10 and 200 μηη thick and of special composition, generally of a metallic core coated with a glass sheath, and referred to here as the "micro-wire." Said wire is embedded in or attached to an identification member, which is itself attached to or embedded within the beverage capsule. The beverage capsule, provided with a micro-wire embedded "identification device," is inserted in the beverage machine by the operator.

The beverage machine is provided with one or more excitation coils for generating an alternating magnetic field, surrounding said micro-wire. This micro- wire responds to the magnetic field by altering it variably according to the wire's structure and material composition. This altered magnetic field generates a voltage in a receiver coil, which is decoded by the beverage machine's internal electronics. The beverage machine may thus determine the type of beverage contained within the capsule, and adjust the brewing parameters accordingly. The capsule may optionally be provided with a plurality of such micro-wires, thereby permitting more complex signals to be generated in the receiver coil than with a single wire. This allows for more, different kinds of beverages to be encoded than with a single micro -wire.

The present system as described above is disadvantageous in several aspects. First, since the micro-wires are, on average, only about 30 micrometers in diameter, they are extremely fragile. Consequentially, it is difficult to produce the micro-wires and cut them to proper length for embedding them into the beverage capsule without damaging them and rendering them useless. Second, as the wires are so small, they are difficult to manipulate by hand or with standard materials handling equipment, especially in an industrial environment where the speed of the production line is of great economic importance. Third, the fragile nature of the micro-wires means that they are particularly prone to breakage or alteration by thermal and mechanical stresses induced by the fabrication process of the identification device and the insertion process of the device within the capsule. Finally, there is also a need to protect the micro-wires during use of the food items contained in the beverage capsules, such as during storage of the filled capsules or during brewing of the beverage contained within them.

Summary of the Invention

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide identification devices in a form that protects the micro-wires contained therein from damage, and which are adapted to be produced economically and in high volume.

Another object of the invention may be to facilitate the handling of the identification devices and their insertion into the beverage capsules during production of the latter.

A further object of the invention may be to provide means for reducing the breakage or alteration of the micro-wire due to thermal and mechanical stresses encountered during the formation of the identification devices.

A further object of the invention may be to provide means for the protection of the micro-wires from damage during the use of the beverage capsule, e.g. during storage or brewing.

Therefore, the invention relates to an identification device, which comprises at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire that is suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field; a plurality of reinforcing filaments which are fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material and which are disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire so as to form a strand with it; and a protective cover member which is disposed about the strand.

The identification device is advantageous in that the strand of reinforcing filaments serves as a load-bearing member within the identification device, bearing the physical loads that are placed upon it during manufacture, transportation, storage, and use and preventing those loads from placing stress upon the magnetically-responsive micro-wire(s). This means that the magnetically- responsive micro-wires within the identification devices are less likely to be broken or altered when the identification device is under external loads, resulting in fewer defective identification devices and less waste during the manufacturing process and improved reliability during their use.

Further, the increased strength of an identification device comprising a strand of reinforcing filaments about a magnetically-responsive micro-wire relative to a micro-wire alone enables the manufacture and use of such identification devices without the need to employ special handling machinery and procedures to compensate for the micro-wires' fragility, and in a wider range of applications than the identification devices known in the art.

This invention, therefore, increases the versatility, durability and reliability of identification devices while simultaneously reducing the cost of their use.

The identification device is also advantageous in that the reinforcing filaments substantially enclose the micro-wire contained therein, such that there is no contact between the micro-wire and the protective cover member in at least one part of the identification device. The micro-wire within the reinforcing filaments is thereby insulated from any rapid changes in temperature to which the identification device may be exposed.

This is notably advantageous in certain embodiments where the protective cover member is applied to the reinforcing filaments and the micro-wire when hot (e.g. a thermoplastic polymer), since a considerable amount of thermal energy is dissipated from the protective cover member as it cools. The identification device may also be subjected to extremes of temperature and wide temperature swings as a result of the application in which the identification device is used. For instance, the identification device may be embedded into an object which must subsequently be heat-sterilized or flash-frozen, or into an object which may undergo repeated heating-cooling cycles during transport, storage, or use.

In these and other embodiments, the reinforcing filaments serve to insulate the micro-wire. This reduces the amount of mechanical stress generated in the micro-wire from its thermal expansion and contraction, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage from such stresses. In this way, the micro-wires are made more durable and reliable, thereby improving their performance and reliability as identification devices when embedded into objects.

The composition of the reinforcing filaments may be chosen so that the coefficient of friction between the micro-wire and the reinforcing filaments is much lower than what the coefficient of friction between a bare micro-wire and the protective cover member would be.

This means that even if the micro-wire undergoes thermal expansion or contraction when the identification device is heated or cooled, it will be able to more freely expand and contract in the longitudinal direction. This further reduces the likelihood of damage due to thermally-induced stresses and increases the durability and reliability of the identification devices so produced.

Moreover, the effect of the particular composition of the protective cover member upon the functioning of the micro-wire may be reduced or eliminated. This is advantageous in that it permits the user to select the composition of the protective cover member without excluding compositions which would have a negative effect upon the functionality of the identification device if the micro-wire were in contact with the protective cover member.

Furthermore, the reinforcing filaments will, by virtue of their interposition between the micro-wire and the protective cover member, prevent damage to the micro-wire during the process of cutting discrete identification devices from a continuous identification member. In a continuous identification member where the micro-wire is positioned directly against the protective cover member, the micro- wire may be pressed into the protective cover member by a cutting blade, thereby stretching and damaging the micro-wire within each identification device. Positioning the reinforcing filaments between the micro-wire and the protective cover member will prevent the micro-wire from being pressed into the protective cover member during cutting of the continuous identification member, thereby reducing damage to the micro-wires in the identification devices so produced. The amount of identification devices that are damaged during manufacture is thereby reduced. By placing the micro-wire within the reinforcing filaments, the versatility of the identification devices is therefore increased while the cost of their production and use is simultaneously decreased.

According to one feature of the invention, the reinforcing filaments are twisted about said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire. This is advantageous in that twisting the reinforcing filaments together gives them additional resistance to tensile, torsional, and shear stresses. The strand which is produced by twisting is, compared to a bundle of non-twisted filaments, a much more cohesive unit that can better withstand breakages of the individual filaments while still maintaining its overall structural integrity. Furthermore, the process of twisting filaments together to form a strand or cord is well-known in the art of rope-making, which means that this aspect of the invention may be practiced without a great deal of adaptation or experimentation. In this way, the performance and reliability of the identification device may be economically augmented. In a possible alternative, the filaments are braided about said at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire.

According to another feature of the invention, the magnetically- responsive micro-wire is centered within the strand. This is advantageous in that it renders the strand radially symmetric, means that bending the strand will not impart a tensile or compressive force to the magnetically-responsive micro-wire. This facilitates the handling of the strand, especially in a continuous manufacturing operation where a strand may be threaded about spindles, wound about drums, or conducted over and around pulleys. Alternatively, the filaments are braided in a sheath about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire which is positioned in the center line of the sheath.

A further object of the invention may be to provide means for manufacturing identification devices that are provided with a plurality of magnetically-responsive micro-wires, said magnetically-responsive micro-wires having a consistent spacing and orientation within the identification device.

Therefore, according to another feature of the invention, the identification device also comprises at least one additional magnetically-responsive micro-wire disposed between at least one strand and the protective cover member. This is advantageous in that in this way an additional micro-wire is incorporated into the identification member without substantially altering the diameter of the identification device.

By employing a plurality of micro-wires in the same identification device, numerous advantages are realized. In particular, this permits more information to be encoded and reflected back to the beverage machine than by employing one micro-wire alone. In still another embodiment, each micro-wire encoded with the same information, but in different formats. For example, one micro-wire is encoded with information that can be read by a previous-generation beverage machine while another micro-wire is encoded with information that can be read by current- generation beverage machines. In this way, the capsules in which the identification devices are embedded have maximum compatibility and functionality with many different models of beverage machines.

This feature is also advantageous in that positioning the external micro- wire on the outside of the reinforcing filaments will physically separate it from the micro-wire within the reinforcing filaments. This separation reduces interference between the signals reflected by the two micro-wires, thereby improving the performance and reliability of the identification devices so constructed. In this way, the identification device's functionality may be maximized while maintaining a high level of resilience and reliability. According to another feature of the invention, the identification device comprises a plurality of strands. This is advantageous in that, as each strand is provided with a micro-wire, the identification device realizes all of the advantages of having a plurality of magnetically-responsive micro-wires as described above. Furthermore, the addition of additional reinforcing filaments with each strand improves the identification device's resistance to mechanical stresses. The durability of the identification devices is thereby improved.

According to still another feature of the invention, a plurality of strands is substantially disposed at the center of the identification device, about a longitudinal axis of said identification device in a radially-symmetric arrangement. This is advantageous in that when oblong bodies such as an identification device are bent, there is no compressive or tensile stress along the object's neutral axis. The neutral axis is, generally speaking, perpendicular to the object's cross-section at its centroid; when an object is radially symmetric the neutral axis thus runs through its center, where the cross-section's planes of symmetry intersect. It follows, then, that if a micro-wire is located at or near the center of the radially-symmetric identification device's cross-section, the tensile or compressive stresses incident upon that micro-wire when the identification member is bent can therefore be minimized or eliminated.

This is especially advantageous in that it permits the continuous identification member from which the identification devices are formed to be manipulated without any special equipment or procedures. The continuous identification member may instead be wrapped around drums, conducted through pulleys, etc. without damaging the magnetically-responsive micro-wire(s) contained therein. In this way, the identification devices produced from it are made more resilient, improving their durability and reliability and reducing the cost of their manufacture.

According to another feature of the invention, the reinforcing filaments are composed of glass fibers. This is advantageous in that techniques for the production, handling, and use of glass fibers are well-known and inexpensive to practice. Reinforcing filaments composed of glass fibers provide almost as much reinforcement as exotic materials such as carbon fiber, but with much greater ease of use and at a lower cost. Furthermore, glass reinforcing filaments are stronger and more resistant to breakage and degradation than filaments made from less expensive materials such as cotton or nylon thread. Fabricating the reinforcing filaments from glass, therefore, allows for the cost of manufacturing said devices to be minimized while maximizing desirable physical properties.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a method for making an identification member, comprising the steps of providing at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field; providing a plurality of reinforcing filaments, said reinforcing filaments being fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material, such that the reinforcing filaments are disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire so as to form a strand therewith; and then applying, preferably extruding, a protective cover member about the strand. This method is advantageous in that it permits the invention to be produced in a continuous operation, maximizing the output and cost-effectiveness of the machinery used to practice the invention. Furthermore, it is advantageous in that the processes for carrying out the method are known in the art of manufacturing, namely the act of positioning continuous materials such as wires or filaments and the act of extruding materials. By this method, then, the invention may be practiced in a manner that is uncomplicated, economical, and easily-adaptable to many different applications.

According to a feature of the invention, the plurality of reinforcing filaments is twisted or braided about said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire. This is advantageous in that the act of twisting gives the filaments, and by extension the identification member containing them and identification devices fabricated therefrom, greater resistance to tensile, torsional, and bending stresses. Furthermore, this step may be adapted without great difficulty from the techniques and equipment known to the art of rope- and cable-making. In this way, the invention's physical characteristics may be improved, widening the scope of applications in which it may be employed and improving its durability and reliability.

According to another feature of the invention, said one magnetically- responsive micro-wire is itself twisted before the plurality of reinforcing filaments are twisted about said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire. This is advantageous in that a pre-twist applied to the micro-wire is substantially canceled out by the twist applied to the reinforcing filaments, when the reinforcing filaments are twisted about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire to form a strand. In this way, the micro-wire is enclosed within the twisted reinforcing filaments without having any twist itself. This lack of inherent twist, and thus of pre-existing torsional stress in the micro-wire means that the likelihood of "creep" deformation in the micro-wire may be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, the lack of pre-existing torsional stresses in the micro-wire means that the resulting identification member is capable of supporting a greater torsional load than one in which the micro-wire is not pre-twisted. As mentioned above, this feature of the invention may be realized by adapting techniques known in the art of rope- and cable-making. This results in identification members and identification devices which are more durable and reliable, without requiring a great deal of additional expense or adaptation to achieve such results.

According to still another feature of the invention, the invention further comprises a step for extruding a protective cover member about several strands arranged in a radially-symmetric pattern about a longitudinal axis of the identification member, wherein the distance between said longitudinal axis and the center of each strand is minimized. This is advantageous in that the stresses placed on the micro-wire(s) during manufacture and use of the identification members, the identification devices obtained therefrom, and the objects which include them are minimized, as described above. This is also advantageous in that it results in the positioning of the strand or strands as closely-together and as near the center of the identification device as possible. In this way, the amount of material required to fabricate the protective cover member fabricated by this method is minimized. In this fashion, the invention may be practiced at a minimum of cost and with a maximum of flexibility.

According to still another feature of the invention, the invention further comprises a step for providing at least one additional magnetically-responsive micro-wire between a strand and the protective cover member during the extruding step. This is advantageous in that the identification member realizes the advantages of including additional magnetically-responsive micro-wire(s) without having to incorporate each additional micro-wire into its own strand. This produces an identification member which comprises several magnetically-responsive micro- wires, but only requires one step for twisting or braiding. This aspect of the invention thus reduces costs while providing greater flexibility in adapting the identification devices so produced to the applications in which they are to be used.

According to still another feature of the invention, the invention further comprises the step of cutting the identification member along several transverse cutting planes spaced apart from each other, so as to produce a plurality of identification devices. This is advantageous because the identification devices so created may easily be embedded into objects for delivering information relative to the nature, characteristics and/or use of the object. The identification member may be understood as a continuous structure that comprises a quantity of discrete identification devices, the quantity varying with the length of the identification member and the length of the identification devices that are derived therefrom. Cutting the identification member permits the advantages of the invention to be realized in a form that is conducive to being embedded in objects.

Furthermore, the spacing between said planes and their angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the identification member may be adjusted, so as to better conform the identification devices to their intended applications. In this way, a single identification member may yield identification devices for several different applications. In this way, the identification member may be adapted so as to be used in the most optimal way for each application. In still another aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a beverage capsule comprising an identification device. Such a beverage capsule is advantageous in that it realizes the functionality and ease-of-use advantages of the micro-wire-based identification system, while simultaneously protecting the micro- wire(s) from any damage or degradation that may otherwise occur during the manufacture of the capsules, their transport and storage, and their use in a beverage machine. In addition, a beverage capsule that comprises an identification device with a plurality of micro-wires has the advantage of being able to transmit a greater variety of possible codes than in existing beverage capsules, thereby offering improved functionality and adaptability relative to existing beverage capsules.

In still another aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to an apparatus for the manufacture of an identification member, comprising a first means for providing at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field; a second means for providing a plurality of reinforcing filaments, said reinforcing filaments being fabricated from a nonmagnetic, insulating material, such that the reinforcing filaments are disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire so as to form a strand therewith; and a third means for extruding a protective cover member about the strand. This is advantageous in that it embodies the method for fabricating the invention described above, thereby permitting the user to realize all of its advantages.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood in light of the following drawings which serve to illustrate the invention:

- Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a strand, comprising a plurality of reinforcing filaments disposed about a magnetically-responsive micro-wire;

- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an extrusion apparatus, having provisions for extruding a protective cover member about a strand; - Figure 3 is an axonometric partial cutaway view of an identification device according to one embodiment of the invention, in which there is a magnetically-responsive micro-wire disposed between a strand as obtained in Figure 1 and the protective cover member;

- Figure 4 is an axonometric cutaway view of an identification device according to another embodiment, in which there is a plurality of reinforcing filaments disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire to form a strand, a protective cover member, and a second magnetically-responsive micro-wire disposed between the reinforcing filaments and the protective cover member;

- Figure 5 is an axonometric depiction of three identification members, each identification member being shown complete and in section, said identification members having one, two, and three strands, respectively;

- Figure 6 is a depiction of an apparatus for twisting a plurality of reinforcing filaments about a magnetically-responsive micro-wire, thereby forming a strand; and

- Figure 7 is a partially-exploded cross-sectional view of a beverage capsule according to one embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

First, a method for the fabrication of an identification member will be depicted with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

In a first step, a strand is fabricated; one embodiment for doing so is depicted in detail in Figure 1.

The strand 100 is formed by first providing a magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 , which is fed in a first direction 102. A plurality of reinforcing filaments 103 are provided, each being fed in a second direction 104. As the reinforcing filaments 103 are fed into the assembly, a first twist 105 is imparted to each filament. A second twist 106 is also imparted to the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 as it fed in, ideally of a magnitude and direction which results in there being no relative twist between the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and the resulting strand 100. At the union point 107 the twist 108 acting on the strand causes the reinforcing filaments 103 to wrap about the magnetically- responsive micro-wire 101 , thereby forming the strand 100. The strand is then conducted away in a third direction 109, to be stored (e.g. by wrapping it around a drum) before use in an extrusion step.

An extrusion step is depicted in Figure 2. The core of this step is the extrusion tool 201. The extrusion tool 201 is provided with a header 202, into which molten plastic 203 is injected under pressure 204. The molten plastic 203 may be of any composition that is appropriate to the process and application envisioned. The header 202 communicates with an annular runner 205, for example of conical longitudinal shape, which is arranged radially about the longitudinal axis 206 of the strand 100. Alternatively, the annular runner 205 may be replaced by a plurality of runners, all being arranged radially about the axis 206. The extrusion tool 201 is also provided with a channel 207, communicating with the exterior of the tool by the aperture 208 and through which the strand 100 is conducted.

During the extrusion process, the strand 100 is drawn through the extrusion tool 201 in the axial direction 209 by a tensile force 210. The tensile force 210 may be generated by such means as, e.g., motorized pulleys, spindles, or drums. While the strand 100 is drawn through the extrusion tool 201 , the pressure 204 causes the molten plastic 203 to flow down through the header 202 into the runner 205 and out the nozzle 21 1. The viscous yet free-flowing plastic stream 212 meets the strand 100 at the contact point 214, whereby it is drawn from the extrusion tool 201 by the frictional force generated between the strand 100 and the plastic stream 212. As the strand 100 and plastic stream 212 are drawn further from the extrusion tool 201 by the motion of the strand 100, the plastic stream 212 envelopes the strand 100 and forms the protective cover member 215, the assembly thus taking the form an identification member 216 of a first type. The identification member 216 is allowed to cool and then stored, preferably by winding it about a drum. The composition of the reinforcing filaments 103 is chosen so that the coefficient of friction between the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and the reinforcing filaments 103 is much lower than what the coefficient of friction between a bare magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and the protective cover member 215 would be.

In one embodiment, for example, the reinforcing filaments 103 are composed of glass fibers. In this way, the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 can more freely expand and contract in the longitudinal direction. This further reduces the likelihood of damage due to thermal expansion and contraction, and increases the durability and reliability of the identification member 216 so produced. Other, less preferred materials for the fibers are cotton, carbon or Kevlar.

In other embodiments, it may be advantageous to provide a plurality of micro-wires within the same identification device; Figure 3 depicts one such embodiment. A strand 100 comprises a first magnetically-responsive micro-wire (not pictured) and a plurality of reinforcing filaments 103, which are twisted about said first magnetically-responsive micro-wire as described above. The twisting of the reinforcing filaments 103 into the strand 100 forms a plurality of helical sulci 300, into which a second magnetically-responsive micro-wire 301 is laid. This may be accomplished, e.g., by a step for applying the second magnetically-responsive micro-wire 301 adjacent to the strand 100. A cover member 215 is then formed about the strand 100 and the second magnetically-responsive micro-wire 301 in the manner described above, to form an identification member 302 of a second type.

Figure 4 depicts a section view of this aspect of the invention, comprising as before a strand 100 fabricated from a first magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and a plurality of reinforcing filaments 103. A second magnetically- responsive micro-wire 301 is positioned at the circumference of the strand 100 rather than in one of the helical sulci 300. The protective cover member 215 is then disposed about the strand 100 and the second magnetically-responsive micro-wire 301 as described above. In this way, the second magnetically-responsive micro- wire 301 may be incorporated into an identification member 400, without requiring a step for winding it about the strand 100.

Figure 5 depicts three embodiments of an identification member in cross-section that are here referred to as A, B, and C; and which comprise one, two, and three strands 100, respectively.

In embodiment A, there is one strand 100, comprising a magnetically- responsive micro-wire 101 and a plurality of reinforcing filaments 103 which are twisted about it. The strand 100 is positioned so that the central magnetically- responsive micro-wire 101 therein is aligned with the longitudinal axis 206. The protective cover member 215 is then disposed about the strand 100 to form the completed identification member 500.

In embodiment B, the identification member 501 is provided with two strands 100, which are disposed so as to be in radial symmetry about the longitudinal axis 206, as well as a close to centered within the identification member 501 as possible. The result is that the two strands 100 are in continuous contact with each other along the line defined by the longitudinal axis 206. The strands 100 are then enclosed in the protective cover member 215 as above.

Finally, embodiment C depicts an identification member 502 which is provided with three strands 100, one of which may be seen in the section view. As in embodiment B, the strands 100 are arranged in radial symmetry about the longitudinal axis 206, and are positioned so that each of them is as close as possible to the center of identification member 502 of a sixth type. This results in three strands 100 which are disposed in a triangular arrangement inside the protective cover member 215.

Figure 6 depicts an embodiment of an apparatus for the fabrication of a strand 100. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of filament spools 600 from which the reinforcing filaments 103 are fed, and a micro-wire spool 601 from which a magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 is fed. As the reinforcing filaments 103 are unwound from the spools, a first twist 105 is imparted to them; likewise, as the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 is fed from the micro-wire spool 601 , a second twist 106 is imparted to it. The second twist 106 is actively adjusted by rotating the spool 601 in order to match the twist of the strand. The magnetically- responsive micro-wire 101 and the reinforcing filaments 103 are fed through holes in the aperture plate 602. In this embodiment the aperture plate 602 is provided with one central hole 603 through which the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 is fed, and three peripheral holes 604 through which the reinforcing filaments 103 are fed; it is understood, however, that the exact number and positioning of central peripheral holes 603 and 604 may be modified according to the structure of the strand 100 which is sought to be produced. The aperture plate 602 serves to stabilize the position of the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and the reinforcing filaments 103 relative to each other as they are fed from the spools 600 and 601. As the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 and the reinforcing filaments 103 are drawn through the aperture plate 602, the tensile force 210 and the twist of the strand 100 cause the reinforcing filaments to twist about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 at the union point 107. The tightness with which the reinforcing filaments 303 are wound about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 , and by extension the lay of the strand 606, may be altered by changing the ratio between the speed with which the reinforcing filaments 103 are twisted about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire 101 to form the strand 100. Specifically, the greater the amount of the first twist 105 relative to the speed with which they are unwound from the filament drums 600, the tighter the strand 100 will be wrapped and the greater the lay angle 606 will be. The strand may now be used in an extrusion step, such as described above in the explanation of Figure 2, to fabricate a complete identification member.

Once an identification member as described above has sufficiently cooled after an extrusion step, e.g. as depicted in Figure 2, it may be cut into substantially identical, discrete pieces. This may, for instance, be accomplished by such means as a rotating or chopping blade. An identification member is thus formed into discrete components, one example of which is depicted in Figure 7 as the identification device 700. The identification devices 700 are ideally of a uniform size and shape, which facilitates their handling by automated means and their usage in other mass-produced manufactured goods. The structure of the identification devices 700 provides protection to the magnetically-responsive micro- wire or -wires (not pictured) contained therein from damage during handling and use, such as that from physical shock or exposure to steam or heated water.

Figure 7 also depicts in detail an example of one type of manufactured goods in which the identification device 700 may be employed, the beverage capsule 701. The beverage capsule 701 comprises a top half 702 and a bottom half 703, each approximately in the shape of a bowl and, when mated together along seam 704, form a capsule in approximately the shape of a convex disc. The capsule is further provided with a chamfer 705 serving to divide the interior volume of the capsule into the beverage compartment 706 and the annular gap 707. The capsule is further provided with a flange 708 at the seam 704, which aids in properly locating it within the beverage machine during use. To facilitate its fabrication, the capsule may optionally be symmetric about the axis of revolution 709. The capsule may also be provided with a receptacle 710 which is molded into the top half 702 of the capsule 701. The identification device 700 is inserted into the receptacle 710, which in addition to holding the identification device 700 in place and providing structural support, protects it from heated water and beverage during the brewing process by serving as an insulated physical barrier to contact with hot water, beverage, and/or steam. In one embodiment, the identification device 700 is held in the receptacle 710 by means of an interference fit, however, it may optionally be held in place by other means, such as adhesive or a plug. The identification device 700 may alternatively be inserted directly into the beverage ingredient 71 1 , which is then compacted around it to hold it in place. The capsule is filled with a beverage ingredient 71 1 , here only partially depicted for clarity. The beverage ingredient 71 1 is preferably tightly packed and completely fills the beverage compartment 706, thereby lending additional structural support to the receptacle 710 and the identification device 700 contained therein. The annular gap 707 is preferably left empty, to facilitate the sealing of the capsule 701 at the seam 704. During use, the consumer places the capsule 701 into the appropriate beverage machine and initiates a brewing cycle, whereby the identification device 700 is read by the beverage machine and the beverage is prepared according to the parameters encoded therein.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly as to the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

In particular, the composition or properties of the elements described above may be adapted by the addition of techniques or substances known to the art so as to be better adapted to a particular use. Specifically, the material properties of the components mentioned above may be adapted by means such as employing additional treatment steps or the usage of additive substances.

Furthermore, the reinforcing filaments may be disposed about the magnetically-responsive micro-wire by braiding rather than twisting, and the protective cover member may be disposed about the strand(s) by methods other than extrusion, e.g. by wrapping.

The exact configuration of the invention may thus vary from the description given above without departing from the inventive principle described therein. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by any claims that stem at least in part from this disclosure.

Claims

1. An identification device (700), comprising:

a) at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field;

b) a plurality of reinforcing filaments (103), said reinforcing filaments (103) being fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material and disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) so as to form a strand (100) therewith; and

c) a protective cover member (215), said protective cover member being disposed about said strand (100).

2. The identification device (700) according to Claim 1 , further characterized in that the reinforcing filaments (103) are twisted or braided about said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ).

3. The identification device (700) according to Claim 2, further characterized in that said magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) is centered within the strand (100).

4. The identification device (700) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (301 ) is disposed peripherally between at least one strand (100) and the protective cover member (215).

5. The identification device (700) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that it comprises a plurality of strands (100).

6. The identification device (700) of Claim 5, further characterized in that the plurality of strands (100) is disposed substantially at the center of the identification device (700), about a longitudinal axis (206) of said identification device (700) in a radially-symmetric arrangement.

7. The identification device (700) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the reinforcing filaments (103) are composed of glass fibers.

8. A method for making an identification member (216), comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field;

b) providing a plurality of reinforcing filaments (103), said reinforcing filaments (103) being fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material, such that the reinforcing filaments (103) are disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) so as to form a strand (100) therewith; and

c) applying, preferably by extruding, a protective cover (215) member about the strand (100).

9. The method according to Claim 8, wherein the plurality of reinforcing filaments (103) is twisted or braided about said one magnetically-responsive micro- wire (101 ).

10. The method according to Claim 9, further characterized in that said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) is itself twisted before the plurality of reinforcing filaments (103) are twisted about said one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ).

1 1. The method according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, further comprising a step for extruding a protective cover member (215) about several strands (100).

12. The method according to any one of Claims 8 to 1 1 , further including a step for providing at least one additional magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) between a strand (100) and the protective cover member (215) during the extruding step.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, further characterized in that it includes the step of cutting the identification member (216) along several transverse cutting planes spaced apart from each other, so as to produce a plurality of identification devices (700).

14. A beverage capsule (701 ) comprising an identification device (700) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

15. An apparatus for the manufacture of an identification member (216), comprising:

a) a first means for providing at least one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) suitable for responding to an outside magnetic field;

b) a second means for providing a plurality of reinforcing filaments (103), said reinforcing filaments (103) being fabricated from a non-magnetic, insulating material, such that the reinforcing filaments (103) are disposed about one magnetically-responsive micro-wire (101 ) so as to form a strand (100) therewith; and

c) a third means for extruding a protective cover member (215) about the strand (100).