Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23F—COFFEE; TEA; THEIR SUBSTITUTES; MANUFACTURE, PREPARATION, OR INFUSION THEREOF
  • A23F3/00—Tea; Tea substitutes; Preparations thereof
  • A23F3/16—Tea extraction; Tea extracts; Treating tea extract; Making instant tea
  • A23F3/18—Extraction of water soluble tea constituents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23F—COFFEE; TEA; THEIR SUBSTITUTES; MANUFACTURE, PREPARATION, OR INFUSION THEREOF
  • A23F5/00—Coffee; Coffee substitutes; Preparations thereof
  • A23F5/24—Extraction of coffee; Coffee extracts; Making instant coffee
  • A23F5/26—Extraction of water soluble constituents
  • A23F5/262—Extraction of water soluble constituents the extraction liquid flowing through a stationary bed of solid substances, e.g. in percolation columns
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L2/52—Adding ingredients
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
  • A47J31/0605—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor with a valve at the filter-outlet; Anti-drip devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
  • A47J31/0615—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor with special arrangements for making tea or the like, e.g. where the infusion liquid is kept a certain time in the filter before flowing out
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
  • A47J31/0642—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor specially adapted to cooperate with a cartridge, e.g. having grooves or protrusions to separate cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
  • A47J31/407—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
  • A47J31/4492—Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
  • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
  • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
  • B65D85/8058—Coding means for the contents
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
  • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
  • G01N27/023—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance where the material is placed in the field of a coil
  • G01N27/025—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance where the material is placed in the field of a coil a current being generated within the material by induction
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2002/00—Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
  • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
  • Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a recognition system for a capsule.
• the invention relates to a coding system which allows the recognition of a capsule, for example in a beverage production machine.
• Automated beverage production machines which are designed to use portioned ingredients are already known. Often such machines use capsules containing a predetermined dose of beverage ingredient (e.g. ground coffee, cocoa powder, tea leaves). Such capsules are convenient to use and can facilitate the preparation of beverages that are consistent in terms of taste and quality.
• the working parameters of beverage production machines may need to be varied according to the type of beverage being prepared.
• Several systems for identifying such capsules in order to control parameters in the beverage production machine have been proposed. For example, international patent applications WO 2011/000723 and WO 2011/000724 (Nestec S.A.) describe beverage capsules comprising an identifier and a method for identifying such capsules in a beverage producing device.
• the identifier which is preferably embedded within a beverage capsule, comprises a magnetically-responsive material enclosed in a plastic sheath.
• the magnetically-responsive material is capable of altering the voltage magnetic signal by producing at least one Barkhausen jump when excited by a magnetic field provided by an electromagnetic emitter.
• the composition of the magnetically-responsive material differs for each type of capsule but is identical for capsules of the same type. Hence the type of capsule can identified according to the alteration provided to the magnetic signal (e.g. by comparison with a number of reference magnetic patterns).
• European patent application EP 0 451 980 (Kraft General Foods Limited) relates to packages containing comestibles for the preparation of beverages, which are preferably provided with a recognition means.
• the recognition means may comprise one or more surface features formed in the body of the package which can be identified by a mechanical sensor or an optical sensor; one or more strips of a magnetic material applied to the body of the package which can be read by an appropriate magnetic sensor; one or more shaped or divided areas of metal foil applied to the package body which cause an inductive effect on movement of the package in the machine, which inductive effect can be sensed; or one or more electrically conductive areas formed on the body of the package which can be sensed electronically.
• the term "beverage” refers to a substantially aqueous drinkable composition suitable for human consumption.
• the beverage comprises at least 85% water by weight of the beverage, more preferably at least 90% and most preferably from 95 to 99.9%.
• beverage ingredient refers to a food-grade substance than can be used to produce a beverage.
• a liquid preferably an aqueous liquid, in order to produce a beverage (e.g. by steeping, soaking, dissolution and/or suspension).
• infusible beverage ingredient refers to a beverage ingredient that when steeped or soaked in an aqueous liquid releases certain soluble substances into the liquid, e.g. flavour and/or aroma molecules.
• Preferred examples of infusible beverage ingredients are tea plant material, herb plant material and/or fruit pieces.
• the infusible beverage ingredient will be dried and have a moisture content of less than 30 wt %, preferably less than 20 wt % and most preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt %.
• the present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising:
• the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.
• the key to the present invention is the simplicity and reliability of the coding system. This permits recognition of the capsule over a wide range of tolerances without the need to build redundancy into the coding system and/or reduces the proportion of capsules rejected as void during the manufacturing process.
• the simplicity and reliability of the coding system is possible because the orientation member ensures that the capsule can only be aligned within the beverage production machine in one of a limited number of fixed orientations.
• the present invention relates to a method of recognising a capsule in a beverage production machine, the method comprising:
• identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material;
• ⁇ an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine
• This method provides a simple system for recognising a capsule within a beverage production machine.
• Such a system can have reduced complexity (e.g. by comprising fewer components) and/or be more economic to manufacture.
• the present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine.
• the capsule encloses an ingredient.
• this will be a beverage ingredient, although embodiments in which the capsule encloses a cleaning substance are also envisaged.
• the beverage ingredient comprises an infusible beverage ingredient (e.g. leaf tea).
• the capsule can be of any suitable design.
• the capsule is formed by injection moulding or by thermoforming.
• the capsule comprises a body part and a lid part, the lid part being attached to the body part so as to enclose the ingredient within the capsule.
• the body part is preferably formed by injection moulding or by thermoforming, and the ingredient is subsequently enclosed within the capsule by attaching the lid part to the body part.
• the body part comprises a rim, and the lid part is attached to the body part around the rim, e.g. by heat- sealing.
• the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.
• the orientation member ensures that the capsule will be aligned within the beverage production machine in any one of n fixed orientations, wherein n is an integer.
• n is 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, more preferably n is 1 , 2, 3 or 4, still more preferably n is 1 or 2 and most preferably n is 2.
• the capsule comprises a plurality of orientation members.
• the orientation member(s) are integrally formed as part of the body part, more preferably as part of the rim.
• the capsule base and/or rim may have fulcrum detents and/or protrusions of the rim perimeter to ensure that the capsule will be held any one of n fixed orientations within the beverage production machine.
• the beverage production machine comprises a capsule holder which can interact with the orientation member(s).
• the capsule holder preferably comprises a corresponding recess adapted to receive the protrusion.
• the capsule holder preferably comprises a corresponding protrusion adapted to engage with the recess.
• the orientation member is not necessarily a protrusion or an indent.
• the orientation member can consist of the shape of the capsule itself, wherein the shape of the capsule is adapted so as to limit the number of orientations of the capsule within the beverage production machine. This is most preferably achieved by providing a capsule wherein the base part is shaped such that it has a limited degree of rotational symmetry.
• the capsule can be shaped such that the base part has 60° rotational symmetry (e.g. a substantially hexagonal base part), 72° rotational symmetry (e.g. a substantially pentagonal base part), 90° rotational symmetry (e.g. a substantially square base part), 120° rotational symmetry (e.g. a substantially triangular base portion), or 180° rotational symmetry (e.g. a substantially oval or substantially rectangular base portion).
• the capsule holder is adapted accordingly to ensure that it interacts with the shaped capsule and holds it in a stationary position within the beverage production machine (e.g. by preventing rotation of the capsule once it has been inserted therein).
• the capsule holder will be adapted to receive such a capsule (preferably by providing the capsule holder with a substantially hexagonal recess, the recess being adapted to receive the substantially hexagonal capsule base).
• the capsule comprises an identifier.
• the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern.
• the code pattern consists of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material.
• the identifier may comprise any conductive material.
• conductive materials include metallic foils, conductive inks and wire loops.
• the conductive material is metallic foil.
• the foil may be of any thickness, although metallic foil having a thickness of 10 to 100 ⁇ is particularly preferred.
• the capsule comprises a plurality of identifiers.
• the identifier(s) are arranged so as to enable detection of the capsule in any one of the fixed orientations dictated by the orientation members).
• the capsule comprises a plurality of identifiers which are coded independently of one another.
• the identifier(s) can be incorporated into the lid part or the base of the capsule or applied to the capsule as a label.
• the lid part comprises the identifier(s).
• the code pattern can be located anywhere on the lid part. In a preferred embodiment each identifier is located towards the periphery of the lid part.
• the body part comprises a rim and the lid part is preferably attached to the body part around the rim.
• the lid part consists of a peripheral rim portion and a central lidding portion.
• each identifier incorporated in the lid part.
• each identifier is located at least partially on the peripheral rim portion in order to minimise the likelihood of damaging the identifier during packaging and transport of the capsule.
• each identifier is located wholly on the peripheral rim portion.
• the lid part preferably comprises metallic foil, more preferably the lid part is a polymer/metallic foil laminate, most preferably a polymer/aluminium foil laminate. It is not necessary for the foil to be smooth prior to the incorporation of the code pattern. In fact, in order to allow sealing of the lid part to the body part to be controlled (e.g. in terms of seal strength), it is preferred that the foil is embossed.
• the identifiers are arranged symmetrically.
• the identifiers have rotational symmetry.
• the identifiers preferably have 60°, 72° 90°, 120° or 180° rotational symmetry, more preferably 90°, 120° or 180° rotational symmetry, most preferably 180° rotational symmetry.
• Recognition of the capsule is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction and metal detection.
• a coil carrying an alternating current and located close to the identifier induces eddy currents in the conductive material.
• the eddy currents produce an opposing electromagnetic flux that changes the impedance of the coil.
• the change in impedance is a function of the strength and freedom of the eddy currents to circulate in the conductive material.
• Code patterns incorporated in the conductive material comprise discontinuities that constrain and weaken the strength of the eddy currents, and thereby affect the impedance of the coil.
• An electronic detection system also referred to as an eddy current sensor
• the processed signal can be associated with valid code patterns or invalid code patterns. For example, a valid code pattern may verify the integrity of the capsule or identify the capsule type (e.g. beverage variety, cleaning capsule), whereas an invalid code pattern can signify a void pattern, capsule reuse or simply that no capsule is present.
• Each coil is excited with an alternating current (e.g. 10mA, ⁇ 200kHz, and possibly phased/pulsed to avoid cross coupled interference).
• an alternating current e.g. 10mA, ⁇ 200kHz, and possibly phased/pulsed to avoid cross coupled interference.
• the diameter of the coil is not critical, it is preferably no more than 10 mm, more preferably no more than 8 mm.
• the coil is configured in an electronic bridge circuit and the detection circuit includes an alternating waveform generator (oscillator, processor output etc), amplifier, filter, and further signal conditioning.
• An advantage of this method of detection is that the coil and the eddy current sensor do not need to be in contact with the code pattern. This means that the recognition system works even if there is water and/or residual beverage ingredient between the coil and the code pattern.
• it is preferred that the coil and the code pattern are separated by a distance of 0 to 3 mm, more preferably 0 to 2 mm.
• each sensing 4 patterns per coil (A, B, C, D) provide 10 identification codes. This is sufficient to encode 9 different sets of machine parameters (e.g. 9 different brewing cycles and 1 cleaning cycle).
• the code pattern is preferably symmetrical, and more preferably the code pattern has 180° rotational symmetry.
• the orientation member(s) in such an embodiment preferably ensure that the capsule will be aligned within the beverage production machine in either one of two possible orientations, wherein these orientations also have 180° rotational symmetry.
• the code pattern does need to be exposed on the surface of the capsule.
• the code pattern could be covered by a laminate.
• the laminate can be any material that does not support eddy currents.
• it is preferred that the code pattern is wholly or partially covered by a layer of non-conductive material.
• the present invention relates to a method of recognising the capsule in a beverage production machine.
• the method comprises:
• the capsule is identified by comparing the signal with a number of reference signals, each one corresponding to a certain type of capsule.
• identification of the capsule controls at least one parameter of the beverage production machine.
• the at least one parameter can include modulating one or more of: temperature, pressure, volume and/or flow rate of a brewing liquid (which is preferably water).
• the at least one parameter can be air pressure or brewing time. It is also envisaged that identification of the capsule can determine which path(s) the brewing liquid follows within the beverage production machine.
• the identifier and the coil are preferably stationary with respect to one another whilst the alternating current is being applied to the coil. This arrangement allows the capsule to be identified without requiring the capsule to be in motion. This reduces the time required to identify the capsule and/or increases the accuracy of the identification.
• the capsules are disposable.
• the code pattern is destroyed once the capsule has been identified. For example, destruction of the code pattern may be achieved by piercing the identifiers).
• Figures 1 a to 1 c show a series of views of a capsule according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the capsule of Figure 1 in a preferred reading mode.
• FIG 3 is a schematic diagram showing basic components of a beverage production machine.
• Figures 4a to 4j illustrate a series of capsules according to an embodiment of the invention viewed from above, wherein each capsule is encoded with one of 10 possible identification codes.
• Figures 5a to 5j illustrate a series of capsules according to an alternative embodiment of the invention viewed from above.
• Figure 6 illustrates a number of identifiers, wherein each identifier incorporates a possible code pattern.
• Figures 1a to 1c show three different views of a capsule 1 for a beverage production machine according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 1a is a cross-sectional side view of a capsule 1 comprising a body part 2 and a lid part 3.
• the lid part 3 is attached to the body part 2 around a flange-like rim 4.
• the body part 2 defines a compartment 5 which encloses an ingredient 6.
• the ingredient 6 is preferably a beverage ingredient, although it may also be a cleaning ingredient.
• the lid part 3 is attached to the body part 2 around the rim 4, thus sealing the ingredient 6 within the capsule 1.
• the capsule 1 comprises two orientation members 7a, 7b for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.
• the orientation members 7a, 7b are fulcrum detents integrally formed in the underside of the rim 4.
• Figure 1 b is a representation of the capsule of Figure 1 a viewed from above.
• the lid part 3 comprises perforations 8 along the inner edge of the rim 4 to facilitate release of the ingredient 6 from the capsule 1.
• the lid part 3 comprises two identifiers 9a, 9b which are arranged such that they have 180° rotational symmetry about a vertical axis through the centre of the capsule.
• Each identifier 9a, 9b is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern.
• the lid part 3 comprises a conductive material (e.g. metallic foil, preferably in the form of a polymer / aluminium foil laminate) and the code patterns are formed in the lid part 3.
• Figure 1 c is a representation of the capsule of Figure 1 a viewed from below.
• the body part 2 has a circular base 10 and a flange-like rim 4.
• the orientation members 7a, 7b are integrally formed within the underside of the rim 4.
• the orientation members 7a, 7b are arranged in a symmetrical manner, however this is not necessarily the case and other embodiments are envisaged wherein the capsule comprises only a single orientation member or a plurality of orientation members arranged in a symmetrical or non-symmetrical manner.
• FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the capsule of Figure 1 in a preferred reading mode in the beverage production machine.
• the capsule 1 comprises two orientation members 7a, 7b configured such that the capsule can only be inserted into the beverage production machine in one of two orientations.
• the beverage production machine comprises two coils 11a, 11b. On application of an alternating current to the coils eddy currents are generated in the conductive material. Each coil 11a, 11b is positioned such these eddy currents are generated within one of the identifiers. This leads to a change in coil impedance. Each coil provides a signal indicative of this change in impedance, allowing the capsule to be identified according to the signal.
• Figure 3 is a representation of the basic set up of a beverage production machine.
• the capsule 1, 21 of the present invention can be used in such a machine.
• the beverage production machine comprises a capsule holder 20, which can receive a capsule 21.
• the capsule comprises one or more orientation members (not shown), and the capsule holder interacts with the orientation members so as to fix the position of the capsule within the beverage production machine (e.g. by preventing rotational movement of the capsule).
• the capsule additionally comprises one or more identifiers (not shown). Two coils 31a, 31b are positioned in close proximity (preferably 0 to 2 mm) to the identifiers. This arrangement facilitates recognition of the capsule as described above.
• the beverage production machine preferably comprises a brewing chamber 22.
• Water from a reservoir 23 is fed to the brewing chamber 22 via a water filter 24, a water pump 25, a heater 26 and a valve 27.
• the valve 27 controls the route the water takes between the heater 25 and the brewing chamber 22.
• water from the reservoir 23 preferably enters the brewing chamber 22 via the capsule 21.
• An air pump 28 pumps air along with the water and thus facilitates the mixing of the capsule contents with the water.
• the beverage can subsequently be dispensed into a receptacle 29 (e.g. cup, mug) via a spout 30.
• the valve 27 can re-direct the water such that it enters the brewing chamber 22 via a rinse head 32.
• FIGS 4a to 4j illustrate a series capsules according to an embodiment of the invention viewed from above.
• Each capsule 1 has a lid part 3 comprising two identifiers 9a, 9b arranged so as to have 180° rotational symmetry, wherein each identifier 9a, 9b is an area of conductive material incorporating one of four possible code patterns A, B, C or D.
• the capsule comprises orientation members 7a, 7b configured such that the capsule can only be inserted into the beverage production machine in two orientations, and is designed to be read by a beverage production machine comprising two coils.
• code pattern #1 sensed by coil #1
• code pattern # 2 can independently be A, B, C or D.
• this embodiment is sufficient to encode 10 different identification codes, as summarised in Figures 4a to 4j and Table 1.
• Each identification code can be associated with a different set of machine parameters.
• FIGs 5a to 5j illustrate a series of capsules according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the identification codes again have 180° rotational symmetry.
• the capsules differ from those shown in Figures 4a to 4j in that each capsule 1 comprises four identifiers 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d.
• Each identifier 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d is an area of conductive material incorporating one of four possible code patterns A, B, C or D.
• the identifiers have 180° rotational symmetry, with identifier 9a having the same code pattern as identifier 9c.
• identifier 9b has the same code pattern as identifier 9d.
• each pair of identifiers (9a, 9c; 9b, 9d) is coded independently of the other pair.
• this embodiment is sufficient to encode 10 different identification codes in a similar manner to Table 1 , each of which can be associated with a different set of machine parameters.
• Figure 6 illustrates a number of identifiers 39, wherein each identifier incorporates a possible code pattern.
• Each of the code patterns consist of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material 40.
• the discontinuities are preferably perforations 41, slits 42, holes 43, indentations (not shown), or a combination thereof.
• the code patterns are illustrated as 5 sets (set 1 , set 2, set 3, set 4, set 5), with each set consisting of 4 code patterns (pattern A, pattern B, pattern C, pattern D). However, this is not meant to imply that these sets are in any way limiting.
• a set of code patterns could be compiled by selecting all of patterns A, B, C and D from set 1 , or by selecting patterns A from set 2, pattern B from set 3, pattern C from set 4 and pattern D from set 5. In fact any combination is possible, so long as each of pattern A, pattern B, pattern C and pattern D is associated with a unique and identifiable change in coil impedance.

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• 2015
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• 2016
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