WO2022195435A1

WO2022195435A1 - Capsule for making a beverage and system which comprises the capsule and an apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2022195435A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/052255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio DIAMANTI; Roberto FINI
Original assignee: Caffitaly System S.P.A.
Priority date: 2021-03-16
Filing date: 2022-03-14
Publication date: 2022-09-22
Also published as: IL306037A; EP4308478A1; AU2022204253A1; BR112023018747A2; IT202100006251A1

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a capsule for making a beverage, containing a powdered food substance, wherein a water flow distributing unit (12) is placed inside the main body (2) between an infeed wall (10) and the food substance, the capsule also comprising a recognition element (14) separate from the water flow distributing unit (12), which is positioned between the infeed wall (10) and the food substance, and which comprises a reading area (17) which is directed towards the infeed wall (10), the reading area (17) comprising an optical recognition substance configured to emit a second optical signal with known and recognisable characteristics in response to an energising with a predetermined first optical signal.

Description

CAPSULE FOR MAKING A BEVERAGE AND SYSTEM WHICH

COMPRISES THE CAPSULE AND AN APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a capsule for making a beverage and a system which comprises the capsule and an apparatus, where the capsule is of the type which comprises a powdered food substance which allows the beverage to be made by passing water through the food substance.

This invention may be applied either in the case in which the capsule contains a food substance intended to allow the beverage to be made by extraction or infusion (such as roasted, ground coffee), or in the case in which the capsule contains a food substance intended to allow the beverage to be made following complete or partial dissolving of the food substance in the water which passes through it (for example milk, chocolate, powdered tea, etc.)

In general, in accordance with the prior art, the type of capsule for which this invention is intended comprises a main body which contains the food substance, and an upper film which closes the top of the main body. The main body is usually substantially cup-shaped and comprises a lateral wall and a bottom wall. The lateral wall is typically roughly frustoconical or cylindrical. This invention is intended, in particular, for a type of capsule into which water is injected through the upper film and in which the beverage comes out of the capsule through the bottom wall. In most applications the upper film is initially closed and is pierced at the moment of use by a piercer which is part of the apparatus for making the beverage. The outflow of the beverage through the bottom wall occurs through an opening which may already be present in the bottom wall, or which may be made in the bottom wall by the apparatus for making the beverage.

In any case, this invention may also be applied in capsules with an inverted inner structure, that is to say, in capsules in which the bottom wall constitutes an infeed wall for the water whilst the upper film constitutes an outfeed wall for the beverage.

Irrespective of how they are structured, prior art capsules also usually have a barrier against the passage of oxygen, in order to ensure optimum preservation of the food substance contained in them.

Amongst the many types of capsule present on the market, this invention is aimed at a type of capsule which is intended to be used in an apparatus for making a beverage equipped with an optical recognition device whose function is to verify the identity of the capsule inserted in the apparatus in order to allow management of operation of the apparatus based on the recognition. In the sector there are already various prior art apparatuses capable of optical recognition of the capsule which is present inside them. Optical recognition of the capsule may for example allow the apparatus to adopt the optimum supplying parameters for the food substance contained in the capsule, therefore supplying a high quality beverage. Indeed on the market there are apparatuses which allow different types of beverages to be obtained (such as, for example, espresso coffee, regular coffee, milk, chocolate and soluble tea); these apparatuses, as a result of optical recognition of the capsule, automatically set the parameters of the water to be injected into the capsule for making the desired beverage, for example the quantity, the pressure and the temperature of the water. In this way, as well as noticeably improving the quality of the beverage, the risk of an error due to user interaction with the apparatus is reduced. Operation of the apparatus after having performed the optical recognition, both in the case in which the capsule is recognised, and in the case in which the capsule is not recognised, depends on the type of apparatus, and may vary according to the design specifications.

Capsules suitable for optical recognition present in the prior art, comprise a recognition element which is configured to be, in use, recognised by the optical recognition device; this recognition element may be inside the capsule, for example positioned near the upper film, or on the outside of the capsule, for example printed on the upper film.

This invention is intended for capsules which comprise a recognition element which is positioned inside the capsule itself: this type of capsule usually allows the recognition element to be protected from external agents (such as for example from a possible deterioration of the material of which the capsule is constituted) and/or from the actions of the user (such as for example any tampering).

In accordance with one prior art solution, recognition elements of this type are constituted of an element which is permeable for the water flow, in which material a recognition substance with known optical properties is inserted (for example in this way it is possible to obtain a coloured permeable element); the coloured permeable element is also rigid or semi-rigid, in order to make the capsule stiffen

However, this coloured permeable element is usually relatively expensive above all as regards per the materials used, consequently increasing the cost of the entire capsule.

The recognition element is usually constituted of plastic material, and is obtained from a mixture comprising the recognition substance in a predetermined concentration. The recognition substance gives the recognition element the optical characteristics necessary for the optical recognition device of the apparatus to be able to perform optical recognition of the capsule.

However, when the recognition element makes contact with the supplying water, which is usually very hot water, a predetermined quantity of recognition substance may be released into the water as it flows through the recognition element; despite the use for this type of applications, obviously, of food-safe recognition substances, for many of them only a limited quantity is allowed to be released into the water. That sets strict limits on the maximum concentration of the recognition substance in the mixture. However, the lower the concentration of the recognition substance is, the more difficult it is for the optical recognition device to recognise the capsule (the optical signal may be more attenuated), which leaves room for possible errors (such as for example failure to recognise original capsules). However, if in order to overcome that problem the recognition threshold used by the apparatus is lowered, the opposite risk is run, of having false positives (that is to say, recognitions of capsules which in contrast should not be recognised).

Therefore it is complicated determining the optimum concentration of the recognition substance to be inserted in the mixture, in such a way as to simultaneously meet the requirements linked both to its release into the water flow, and optical recognition of the capsule by the optical recognition device for the capsule which is part of the apparatus for making the beverage.

In this context the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to make a capsule for making a beverage and a system for making a beverage which comprises the capsule, which at least partly overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In particular the technical purpose of this invention is to make a capsule for making a beverage comprising a recognition element which allows the obtainment of a release of the recognition substance into the water which is less than what is currently possible and/or which allows the obtainment of more reliable recognition with the release of the same quantity of recognition substance.

A further technical purpose of this invention is to make a capsule for making a beverage comprising a recognition element, which has a total cost that is lower or in any case not greater than that of the prior art capsules equipped with rigid or semi-rigid recognition elements.

The technical purpose specified and the aims indicted are substantially achieved by a capsule and by a system for making a beverage which comprises the capsule, as described in the appended independent claims. In contrast, particular embodiments of this invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims. Further features and the advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the detailed description of several preferred, non-limiting embodiments of a capsule and of a system for making a beverage, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a capsule made in accordance with a first embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 2 shows the capsule of Figure 1 without the upper film;

- Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a capsule without the upper film, made in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 4 is a plan view of the capsule of Figure 2;

- Figure 5 is a plan view of the capsule of Figure 3;

- Figure 6 is a plan view of a capsule made in accordance with a third embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 7 is a plan view of a capsule made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 8 is a side view vertical section of the capsule of Figure 4 sectioned according to the section line VIII - VIII and without the food substance;

- Figure 9 is a side view vertical section of the capsule of Figure 5 sectioned according to the section line IX - IX and without the food substance;

- Figure 10 is an axonometric view of the capsule of Figure 8;

- Figure 11 is an axonometric view of the capsule of Figure 7 sectioned according to the section line XI - XI;

- Figure 12 is an axonometric view of a recognition element which is part of the capsule of Figure 2;

- Figure 13 is an axonometric view of a further embodiment of a recognition element which is part of a capsule in accordance with this invention;

- Figure 14 is a first axonometric view of a recognition element which is part of the capsule of Figure 6;

- Figure 15 is an axonometric view from the other side, of the recognition element of Figure 14; - Figure 16 is an axonometric view of a recognition element which is part of the capsule of Figure 11 ;

- Figure 17 is a first axonometric view of a further embodiment of a recognition element which is part of a capsule in accordance with this invention;

- Figure 18 is an axonometric view from the other side, of the recognition element of Figure 17;

- Figure 19 is a side view vertical section of an apparatus for making a beverage, which is part of the system for making a beverage in accordance with this invention; and

- Figure 20 is an enlarged detail of the apparatus of Figure 19.

With reference to those figures, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a capsule for making a beverage in accordance with this invention.

Below there is first a description of the capsule and then the apparatus which, with the capsule, constitutes the system for making a beverage according to this invention.

Like similar prior art capsules, the capsule 1 contains a food substance (not illustrated in the accompanying figures) and allows the beverage to be made by passing a water flow through the food substance placed inside the capsule 1.

The capsule 1 comprises a main body 2, which is substantially cup-shaped, which in turn has a lateral wall 3 and a bottom wall 4. The lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 extends between a first edge 5, which defines an infeed opening 6, and a second edge 7, to which the bottom wall 4 is connected; the bottom wall 4 also closes the main body 2 at the second edge 7. It should be noticed that in the preferred embodiments the passage from the lateral wall 3 to the bottom wall 4 is without an interruption, so that the second edge 7 coincides with a perimetric edge of the bottom wall 4.

In the preferred embodiments, the lateral wall 3 of the capsule 1 comprises a flange 8 which defines the first edge 5 and which extends radially outwards from the capsule 1. Therefore, the flange 8 constitutes a substantially flat circular ring and has an internal diameter equal to the diameter of the infeed opening 6.

The expression “substantially cup-shaped” means that the main body 2 of the capsule 1 has a shape which resembles that of a cup, as is the case for most prior art capsules for making a beverage.

Moreover, in the context of this description the terms “upper” and “lower” shall be understood to refer to a positioning of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 similar to that of a cup, that is to say, with the bottom wall 4 resting on a horizontal resting plane; therefore, these terms do not refer to a way of using the capsule 1 , which is suitable for use both in apparatuses 16 with so-called horizontal infusion units 30, and in apparatuses 16 with so-called vertical infusion units 30.

Similarly to the prior art capsules, the capsule 1 according to this invention comprises an upper film 9, which is fixed to the main body 2 at the first edge 5. If the capsule 1 has the flange 8, the upper film 9 is fixed to the main body 2 at the flange 8. Preferably, the upper film 9 is fixed to the main body 2, and in particular to the flange 8, by sealing or by gluing.

Advantageously the upper film 9 seals the main body 2 of the capsule 1 , and the capsule 1 is as a whole made in such a way as to constitute a barrier to oxygen for the food substance contained inside it.

In particular, both the main body 2, and the upper film 9 are advantageously made with a material capable of creating a barrier to oxygen so as to guarantee improved preservation of what is contained in the capsule 1.

One of either the bottom wall 4 or the upper film 9, is configured to constitute an infeed wall 10 for the water into the capsule 1 (the upper film 9 in the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures) and the other is configured to constitute an outfeed wall 11 for the beverage from the capsule 1.

Preferably, whilst the main body 2 is a shaped rigid or semi-rigid element, the upper film 9 is a flexible film. Both the main body 2 and the upper film 9 may be made mainly with a plastic or metal material (in particular aluminium), or with a compostable or biodegradable material (in these cases even the other components of the capsule 1 will advantageously be respectively compostable or biodegradable).

According to this invention, the capsule 1 also comprises a water flow distributing unit 12, which is placed inside the main body 2 of the capsule 1 and is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the food substance; moreover, the water flow distributing unit 12 is permeable for the water flow which, in use, is injected into the capsule 1 through the infeed wall 10 (advantageously by piercing the latter before injecting the water as described below).

In one of the preferred embodiments, the water flow distributing unit 12 comprises a micro-perforated membrane, which is flexible and permeable for the water.

The expression “micro-perforated membrane” means a membrane which has one or more holes 13, which have a size such that they allow the water to pass but not the food substance present inside the main body 2 of the capsule 1 , at least not the grains of food substance whose particle size measurement is close to or greater than the nominal one.

The use of a micro-perforated membrane in which the holes 13 are distributed substantially evenly is advantageous above all for capsules 1 which contain food substances which allow the beverage to be obtained by extraction or infusion, since it allows the water flow to be homogeneously distributed throughout the food substance.

In the case of capsules 1 containing a food substance intended to dissolve in the water flow, it may in contrast be the case that the micro-perforated membrane has fewer holes 13 and/or holes 13 which are unevenly distributed.

The definition “flexible” with reference to the micro-perforated membrane means that it must be capable of bending and rolling up on itself, such as a membrane constituted of a plastic film. The same also applies for the upper film 9. In contrast, any semi-rigid bodies shall not be considered flexible membranes according to this description.

According to the innovative aspect of this invention, the capsule 1 also comprises a recognition element 14 which is separate from the water flow distributing unit 12. Depending on the embodiments the recognition element 14 and the water flow distributing unit 12 may be at a distance from each other, or the recognition element 14 and the water flow distributing unit 12 may be in contact with each other (with the recognition element 14 rested on the water flow distributing unit 12 or with the water flow distributing unit 12 rested on the recognition element 14).

The recognition element 14 is placed inside the capsule 1, is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the food substance, and is configured to be recognised, in use, by an optical recognition device 15 which is part of an apparatus 16 for making a beverage which uses the capsule 1. Advantageously the recognition element 14 is rigid or semi-rigid and may be constituted of an injection moulded plastic material.

In some embodiments the recognition element 14 is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12.

In some embodiments the recognition element 14 is positioned between water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance.

Moreover, the recognition element 14 comprises a reading area 17 which is directed towards the infeed wall 10; at least the reading area 17 of the recognition element 14, in turn, comprises an optical recognition substance which is configured to emit, in response to an energising due to a predetermined first optical signal, a second optical signal which has known and recognisable characteristics. However, in many embodiments, the entire recognition element 14 comprises the recognition substance.

In the preferred embodiments the predetermined first optical signal has a frequency which is included in the band of frequencies of visible light and/or of ultraviolet and/or of infra-red, and has a first emission spectrum in that range of frequencies which is known and predetermined (in use the first optical signal will coincide with the energising optical signal emitted by the optical recognition device 15 of the apparatus 16). The optical recognition substance is a substance selected in such a way that, once irradiated with that predetermined first optical signal, it emits a second optical signal with frequencies in the range of frequencies of visible light and/or of ultraviolet and/or of infra-red and with corresponding known and recognisable characteristics of the emission spectrum.

In some embodiments, the optical recognition substance may have fluorescent properties, so that by using a first optical signal with a frequency band included in the ultraviolet range of frequencies, the optical recognition substance emits a second optical signal with a frequency band which is included in the visible light range of frequencies.

Further details about the aspects linked to recognition will be provided below in the context of the description of the apparatus 16.

If the recognition element 14 is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12, the propagation of the first optical signal and of the second optical signal between the infeed wall 10 and the reading area 17 is not hindered by elements inside the capsule 1 : the first optical signal, sent by the optical recognition device 15, usually after the infeed wall 10 has been pierced due to the action of a piercer 18 of the apparatus 16, can therefore reach the reading area 17, whilst the second optical signal, emitted by the optical recognition substance, can reach the optical recognition device 15.

In contrast, if the recognition element 14 is positioned between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance, both the first optical signal (in order to reach the reading area 17), and the second optical signal (in order to reach the optical recognition device 15), must pass through water flow distributing unit 12. In this case, advantageously, the water flow distributing unit 12 may comprise a transparent material which is at least partly transparent both for the first optical signal and for the second optical signal; therefore, this transparent material is configured to allow, in use, optical observation of the reading area 17 by the optical recognition device 15 in the required range of frequencies, so that capsule 1 recognition can take place. In this embodiment, the water flow distributing unit 12 is preferably entirely constituted of material which is at least partly transparent both for the first optical signal and for the second optical signal; however, sometimes it is also possible that the water flow distributing unit 12 only has some portions which are at least partly transparent both for the first optical signal and for the second optical signal, that is to say, which are such they allow the passage of the first optical signal, towards the reading area 17, and of the second optical signal, towards the optical recognition device 15. In some of the accompanying figures (see for example Figures 3, 6 and 7), the water flow distributing unit 12 is illustrated as constituted of material transparent even for visible light, in order to allow even the underlying elements of the capsule 1 to be seen, for example the recognition element 14; however, that is not necessary if the material is transparent for the range of frequencies of interest.

In other embodiments, when the recognition element 14 is positioned between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance, the water flow distributing unit 12 may be opaque for the first optical signal and/or for the second optical signal; in this type of capsule 1 , the water flow distributing unit 12 will therefore be configured to be pierced by the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16 for making the beverage, in such a way that the first optical signal can reach the reading area 17 and that the second optical signal can reach the optical recognition device 15 (further details about the aspects linked to piercing of the water flow distributing unit 12 will be supplied below in the context of the description).

In yet other embodiments, the recognition element 14 may even be positioned between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance, and the water flow distributing unit 12 may in itself be pierced in such a way as to allow the first optical signal to reach the reading area 17 and the second optical signal to reach the optical recognition device 15.

In the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, the recognition element 14 comprises a central portion 19 and one or more radial portions 20. Each radial portion 20 extends between a first end 21 and a second end 22; the first end 21 of each radial portion 20 is connected to the central portion 19, whilst the relative second end 22 is placed at the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 . The radial portions 20 keep the central portion 19 centred relative to the lateral wall 3.

In a first possible embodiment, shown for example in Figure 12 or 14, the recognition element 14 comprises four radial portions 20 which extend along straight lines which form right angles to each other, and which are therefore arranged substantially in a cross shape; in a second possible embodiment, shown for example in Figure 13, the recognition element 14 comprises only two radial portions 20 which extend in opposite directions along the same line (or, in other words, along two lines which form straight angles between them); in this second case the two radial portions 20 are positioned in such a way that they are aligned with each other, and extend along a diameter of an inner section of the main body 2.

Advantageously, the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14 comprises the reading area 17 which, moreover, is positioned centrally relative to the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2.

In the preferred embodiments, as in the case of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, the recognition element 14 may also comprise one or more tangential portions 23; each tangential portion 23 extends along the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 and is in contact with the lateral wall 3. Moreover, these tangential portions 23 of the recognition element 14 are connected to the second end 22 of at least one of the radial portions 20.

In some embodiments the recognition element 14 comprises a single tangential portion 23; advantageously this may extend circumferentially along the entire lateral wall 3, therefore being substantially ring-shaped, as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 12 and from 14 to 16.

In some embodiments the recognition element 14 comprises a single radial portion 20 and a single tangential portion 23; advantageously this extends circumferentially for an angle greater than 180° around the central axis of the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 .

In other embodiments, each tangential portion 23 present is connected to the second end 22 of a single radial portion 20, as in the case of the embodiments in Figures 13, 17 and 18; in this case preferably the number of tangential portions 23 is equal to the number of radial portions 20.

In yet other embodiments (not illustrated) in which at least two radial portions 20 are present, at least one tangential portion 23 of the recognition element 14 may be connected to at least two radial portions 20, so that the number of the tangential portions 23 may be less than the number of the radial portions 20.

In the preferred embodiments the recognition element 14 occupies less than 50%, preferably less than 25%, of the cross-section of the capsule 1 at the position in which the recognition element 14 is located; the term “cross- section” means a section of the capsule 1 which is perpendicular to the central axis relative to the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 . Advantageously the cross-section considered is that in which the recognition element 14 is positioned.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the recognition element 14 is flat, as is the reading area 17 of the recognition element 14 of the capsule 1 (as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 12 and 13).

In some embodiments, the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14 in contrast defines a seat 24, as in the case of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying Figures from 14 to 18, which comprises a bottom 25 and, in this case, the reading area 17 is positioned at the bottom 25 of the seat 24 defined by the central portion 19. Advantageously the seat 24 defined by the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14 is configured to at least partly house the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16, with which the optical recognition device 15 may be associated.

Advantageously, the bottom 25 of the seat 24 may have various shapes, therefore defining a different shape for the reading area 17. In the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, such as for example in Figure 11 , the bottom 25 of the seat 24 is flat. Flowever, the bottom 25 of the seat 24 may even be concave or convex. In particular, the convex shape of the bottom 25, and, consequently, of the reading area 17, allows a reduction of the risk that some grains of the food substance which pass through the water flow distributing unit 12, may stop on the reading area 17 itself, preventing or hindering optical recognition of the capsule 1.

In the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, the seat 24 is delimited by an initial edge 26 which is also part of the central portion 19, and is defined by a concave part 27 of the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14, which projects towards the food substance, relative to the rest of the recognition element 14.

In other embodiments not illustrated, the seat 24 is again defined by a concave part 27 of the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14, but in that case the concave part 27 may in contrast be positioned, relative to the rest of the recognition element 14, projecting towards the infeed wall 10.

In other embodiments, also not illustrated, the concave part 27 may in contrast be made within the thickness of the recognition element 14 (which, in that case, will be greater than that illustrated in Figures 12 to 18).

When the recognition element 14 is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12 and the seat 24 is present, various configurations are possible. In a first configuration the water flow distributing unit 12 is shaped in such a way as to be centrally shaped similarly to the outside of the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14: in this case, the water flow distributing unit 12 therefore defines, if necessary, a housing for the concave part 27 of the recognition element 14.

In a second configuration, the water flow distributing unit 12 is in contrast flat, similarly to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, and may be positioned at a distance from or in contact with the outer surface of the concave part 27 of the central portion 19.

In the embodiments in which, in contrast, the recognition element 14 comprises the seat 24 and is positioned between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance, the water flow distributing unit 12 may be configured to deform and/or to be pierced, as a result of the action of the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16.

Advantageously, the seat 24 does not occupy the entire central portion 19: indeed, the central portion 19 also defines a perimetric zone 28 which is directed towards the infeed wall 10 and which extends starting from the initial edge 26 towards the lateral wall 3 of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 .

As shown for example in Figures 11 and from 14 to 18, the perimetric zone 28 extends in an annular way around the initial edge 26 of the concave part 27; however, the circular extent of the perimetric zone 28 illustrated in the accompanying figures shall not be understood as limiting this invention, since the perimetric zone 28, may also extend with different shapes, such as for example a square or polygonal shape.

In some embodiments, shown for example in Figures 15 and 18, the recognition element 14 has, at the perimetric zone 28 of the central portion 19, one or more projecting elements 29 which extend the opposite way to the seat 24 (therefore towards the infeed wall 10); in contrast, in other embodiments, the perimetric zone 28 is free of projecting elements 29, and in particular is smooth, as illustrated for example in the recognition element 14 of Figure 16 and in the capsule 1 of Figure 11 which comprises that recognition element 14.

In the embodiments in which the perimetric zone 28 is present, the water flow distributing unit 12 may be fixed to the perimetric zone 28: if the projecting elements 29 are present, the water flow distributing unit 12 may advantageously be fixed to at least one of the projecting elements 29. Flowever it should be noticed that the perimetric zone 28 may have the projecting elements 29 even if the recognition element 14 is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12 (case not illustrated): in this case the water flow distributing unit 12 will not be fixed to the projecting elements 29, whilst the projecting elements 29 in contrast may be placed resting against the infeed wall 10.

If the water flow distributing unit 12 is placed between the infeed wall 10 and the recognition element 14, and is configured to deform as a result of the action of the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16, but without being pierced by the piercer 18, the water flow distributing unit 12 may be fixed (advantageously sealed) to the perimetric zone 28.

In a configuration in which the water flow distributing unit 12 is fixed to at least one of the projecting elements 29, the piercer 18, after having pierced the infeed wall 10, is at least partly housed inside the seat 24, and the water which is injected into the seat 24 can come out of the seat 24 either by flowing on the water flow distributing unit 12 to reach the zones of it which are not associated with the seat 24, or by going through it and then passing through the spaces present between the projecting elements 29 and the water flow distributing unit 12.

In another configuration in which, in contrast, the perimetric zone 28 is without the projecting elements 29 and advantageously is smooth, irrespective of whether or not the water flow distributing unit 12 is fixed (advantageously sealed) at the smooth perimetric zone 28, the water which is injected into the seat 24 can come out of the seat 24 by flowing on the water flow distributing unit 12 to reach the zones of it which are not associated with the seat 24. Therefore, in both of the configurations described above, at least a part of the water flow distributing unit 12 deforms under the thrust of the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16 and is inserted together with that same piercer 18 at least partly inside the seat 24 defined by the central portion 19 of the recognition element 14. However it is possible that only a portion of the water flow distributing unit 12 is configured to be deformed, in use, by the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16.

Otherwise, if the water flow distributing unit 12 is again placed between the recognition element 14 and the infeed wall 10 but is configured to be pierced as a result of the action of the piercer 18 of the apparatus 16 allowing the piercer 18 to be partly inserted in the seat 24, the water flow distributing unit 12, similarly to what was previously described, may be fixed (advantageously sealed) at the perimetric zone 28 of the central portion 19; in this case too various configurations are possible.

In a configuration in which the water flow distributing unit 12 is fixed to at least one of the projecting elements 29, the piercer 18, after having pierced the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12, is at least partly housed inside the seat 24. Consequently, the water which is injected into the seat 24 can come out of it either by passing through the spaces present between the projecting elements 29 and the water flow distributing unit 12, or by coming out of the hole created by the piercer 18 and flowing on the water flow distributing unit 12 to reach the zones of it which are not associated with the seat 24.

In another configuration, the water flow distributing unit 12 is fixed (advantageously sealed) at a smooth perimetric zone 28; the water which is injected into the seat 24 can therefore come out of the hole created by the piercer 18 and flow on the water flow distributing unit 12 to reach the zones of it which are not associated with the seat 24.

Although not shown in the accompanying figures, in some embodiments the capsule 1 also comprises a lower filtering unit positioned inside the main body 2 between the food substance and the outfeed wall 11 ; this lower filtering unit is configured to filter, in use, the beverage made as a result of the water flow passing through the food substance. The term “to filter” means that the lower filtering unit is configured to allow the beverage to pass, whilst it retains at least most of the powdered food substance contained between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the lower filtering unit itself; only a minimal part of the food substance will be able to come out as powder with the beverage supplied (usually these are grains with a particle size measurement significantly smaller than the nominal particle size measurement of the food substance). Usually, the lower filtering unit is inserted in capsules 1 which contain a food substance which allows a beverage to be made by means of extraction or infusion. In the case of capsules 1 which contain a substance that allows a beverage to be made by dissolving of the food substance in the water, in contrast, the food substance must come out of the main body 2 of the capsule 1 , and therefore the lower filtering unit is not usually inserted in capsules 1 of this type.

Moving on to a description of the system for making a beverage according to this invention, it comprises the capsule 1 described above and an apparatus 16 for making beverages which uses that capsule 1 .

The apparatus 16 comprises, in turn, an infusion unit 30, which defines an infusion chamber 31 , which is configured to house the capsule 1 . As already indicated, the infusion unit 30 may be, advantageously, either of the type which extends vertically, or of the type extending horizontally; in some embodiments, less common in the prior art, the infusion unit 30 may extend in a way other than vertically or horizontally.

The infusion unit 30 usually comprises a first part 32 and a second part 33; the first part 32 and the second part 33 are movable relative to each other between an operating position, in which they are coupled to each other, forming the infusion chamber 31 , and a non-operating position, in which they are at a distance from each other and allow insertion or removal of the capsule 1 in the infusion chamber 31 . In order to open and close the infusion chamber 31 , that is to say, to move the first part 32 and the second part 33 between the operating position and the non-operating position, the apparatus 16 may also comprise a movement mechanism 34, which allows the first part 32 and the second part 33 to be shifted relative to each other; the movement mechanism 34 may be operated directly by the user of the apparatus 16, for example using a lever in the case of manual operation, or by pressing a button in the case of motor-driven operation, as well as fully automatically in ways already known and therefore not described in detail.

The apparatus 16 also comprises a piercer 18, suitable for piercing the infeed wall 10 of the capsule 1 , when the later is housed inside the infusion chamber 31. In some embodiments the piercer 18 is configured to be able to pierce only the infeed wall 10, in contrast avoiding piercing the recognition element 14 and the water flow distributing unit 12 which are positioned inside the capsule 1. In contrast in other embodiments it is possible, as described above, for the piercer 18 to also pierce the water flow distributing unit 12, if the latter is positioned between the infeed wall 10 and the recognition element 14.

If a seat 24 is present, defined by the recognition element 14 of the capsule 1 , at least when the capsule 1 is inserted in the infusion chamber 31 , the piercer 18 can advantageously be at least partly housed in this seat 24; that is possible both when the recognition element 14 is placed between the infeed wall 10 and the water flow distributing unit 12, and when the recognition element 14 is placed between the water flow distributing unit 12 and the food substance, according to the ways described above.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 16 may comprise a lower piercing system 35, configured to create at least one hole in the outfeed wall 11 of the capsule 1 , in such a way as to allow the beverage to come out of the capsule 1 . The lower piercing system 35 may be either motionless, or movable. In the latter case, in some embodiments it may be activated by means of the movement mechanism 34 previously described, in such a way that the capsule 1 can be pierced at the outfeed wall 11 after the operating position has been reached starting from the non-operating position or during shifting between the operating position and the non-operating position.

The apparatus 16 may also comprise feeding means, suitable for generating the water flow and for feeding it into the capsule 1, in particular above the water flow distributing unit 12. Advantageously, the feeding means comprise a tank configured to contain the water to be introduced into the capsule 1 , a pump which allows the desired water injection pressure to be obtained, and a boiler which allows the water to be brought to the temperature necessary for making the beverage

In some of these embodiments, the feeding means may also comprise a nozzle configured to inject the water into the main body 2 of the capsule 1 ; advantageously, the nozzle may be defined by the piercer 18.

In the known way, the apparatus 16 may also comprise an ejector, which is configured to eject the capsule 1 from the infusion chamber 31 after the beverage has been supplied; advantageously the ejector can also be activated by means of the movement mechanism 34 previously described, in such a way that the capsule 1 can, for example, be ejected after the non operating position has been reached starting from the operating position. In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures the ejector is not present, whilst an elastically operated disengaging element 36 is present, configured to disengage the capsule 1 from the piercer 18 when the first part 32 and the second part 33 return to the non-operating position.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the apparatus 16 also comprises an optical recognition device 15 which is configured to generate the first optical signal and to send it towards the zone in which the reading area 17 is located when the capsule 1 is inserted in the infusion chamber 31, and to detect a response optical signal which is generated in this way. The optical recognition device 15 is also configured to inspect the response optical signal and to control operation of the apparatus 16 depending on the result of that inspection. In particular, the inspection aims to ascertain if the response optical signal has the known and recognisable emission spectrum characteristics of the second optical signal described above (which and how many characteristics are to be inspected may be decided on each occasion at the design stage). If the result of the inspection is positive (that is to say, if there is a match) the optical recognition device 15 considers the capsule 1 recognised and controls operation of the apparatus 16 accordingly, in the known ways. If the result of the inspection is negative (that is to say, if there is no match), the optical recognition device 15 considers the capsule 1 unrecognised; at that point operation of the apparatus 16 may be permitted or not depending on apparatus 16 design choices. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the optical recognition device 15 is operatively associated with the piercer 18 and comprises an emitter 37 for generating the first optical signal, for example an LED, an optical fibre 38 configured to direct the first optical signal towards the reading area 17 of a capsule 1 inserted in the infusion chamber 31, and a mirror 39 positioned in such a way as to reflect in the optical fibre 38 at least part of the light radiation it receives from the LED. The optical fibre 38 is mounted inside the piercer 18 and is directly facing the reading area 17 to irradiate it with the first optical signal. The same optical fibre 38 receives the response optical signal and sends it towards a detecting sensor 40 which in the embodiment illustrated is placed behind the mirror 39. The latter is indeed constituted of a dichroic mirror which reflects the band of frequencies in which the part of interest of the first optical signal is included, and which is in contrast transparent for the band of frequencies of interest for the response optical signal.

This invention brings important advantages.

Indeed, thanks to this invention, a capsule for making a beverage has been provided which comprises a recognition element which, depending on the embodiments, allows the obtainment of a release of the recognition substance into the water which is less than what is currently possible with prior art capsules and/or which allows the obtainment of more reliable recognition with the release of the same quantity of recognition substance into the water. Indeed, thanks to this invention, the recognition element may have a volume and a surface extent clearly less than that of the rigid or semi rigid recognition elements of the prior art. Since the release of the recognition substance into the water increases with an increase in the concentration of the recognition substance and of the surface extent of the recognition element, it is evident that any of the recognition elements illustrated in the accompanying figures allows for example a reduced release of the recognition substance into the water, compared with the prior art ones, the concentration of the recognition substance being the same. Those benefits also extend to the system which comprises the capsule and an apparatus intended to use it.

Finally, it should be noticed that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementing the invention is not very high. The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

All details may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements and the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the various components, may vary according to requirements.

Claims

1. A capsule for making a beverage, containing a food substance which is powdered and allows the beverage to be made by passing a water flow through the food substance, wherein said capsule (1) comprises: a main body (2) which is substantially cup-shaped and which has a lateral wall (3) and a bottom wall (4), the lateral wall (3) extending between a first edge (5), which defines an infeed opening (6), and a second edge (7), and the bottom wall (4) being connected to the second edge (7) and closing the main body (2) at said second edge (7); and an upper film (9), fixed to the main body (2) at the first edge (5); wherein: one of either the bottom wall (4) or the upper film (9) is configured to constitute an infeed wall (10) for the water into the capsule (1) and the other, of either the bottom wall (4) or the upper film (9) is configured to constitute an outfeed wall (11 ) for the beverage from the capsule (1 ); and a water flow distributing unit (12) is placed inside the main body (2), said water flow distributing unit (12) being positioned between the infeed wall (10) and the food substance and being permeable for the water flow; characterised in that it also comprises a recognition element (14) separate from the water flow distributing unit (12), and in that: the recognition element (14) is positioned between the infeed wall (10) and the food substance, the recognition element (14) being configured to be recognised, in use, by an optical recognition device (15) of an apparatus (16) for making a beverage which uses the capsule (1); and the recognition element (14) comprises a reading area (17) which is directed towards the infeed wall (10), the reading area (17) comprising an optical recognition substance configured to emit a second optical signal with known and recognisable characteristics in response to an energising with a predetermined first optical signal.

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the recognition element (14) is positioned between the infeed wall (10) and the water flow distributing unit (12).

3. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the recognition element (14) is positioned between water flow distributing unit (12) and the food substance.

4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the water flow distributing unit (12) comprises a material which is transparent for the first optical signal and for the second optical signal, for allowing, in use, optical observation of the reading area (17) by the optical recognition device (15).

5. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recognition element (14) comprises a central portion (19) and one or more radial portions (20) and wherein each radial portion (20) extends between a first end (21 ), connected to the central portion (19), and a second end (22) placed at the lateral wall (3) of the main body (2).

6. The capsule according to claim 5, wherein the central portion (19) comprises the reading area (17).

7. The capsule according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the recognition element (14) also comprises at least one or more tangential portions (23) which extend along the lateral wall (3), which are in contact with said lateral wall (3), and which are connected to the second end (22) of at least one of said one or more radial portions (20).

8. The capsule according to claim 7, wherein the recognition element (14) comprises a single tangential portion (23) which extends circumferentially along the entire lateral wall (3), or wherein each tangential portion (23) is connected to the second end (22) of a single radial portion (20) or wherein there are at least two radial portions (20) present and at least one tangential portion (23) is connected to at least two radial portions (20).

9. The capsule according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the central portion (19) defines a seat (24) directed towards the infeed wall (10), the reading area (17) being positioned at a bottom (25) of said seat (24).

10. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water flow distributing unit (12) comprises a micro-perforated membrane, said micro- perforated membrane being flexible and permeable for the water.

11. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the recognition element (14) occupies less than 50%, preferably less than 25%, of a cross-section of the capsule (1 ) measured at the recognition element (14).

12. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the recognition element (14) is rigid or semi-rigid.

13. The capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 12, also comprising a lower filtering unit inside the main body (2), which is positioned between the food substance and the outfeed wall (11 ), said lower filtering unit being configured to filter the beverage made as a result of said water flow passing through the food substance.

14. A system for making a beverage, comprising a capsule (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and an apparatus (16), the apparatus (16) comprising: an infusion unit (30) which defines an infusion chamber (31 ), the infusion chamber (31 ) being configured to house the capsule (1 ); a piercer (18) suitable for piercing the infeed wall (10) of the capsule (1), when said capsule (1 ) is housed inside the infusion chamber (31); and feeding means for feeding the water flow into said capsule (1 ) through the infeed wall (10).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus (16) comprises an optical recognition device (15) configured to send the first optical signal onto the reading area (17) of the recognition element (14) and to receive the second optical signal emitted by the optical recognition substance in response to the energising due to the second optical signal.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the optical recognition device (15) is associated with the piercer (18).