WO2023147987A1

WO2023147987A1 - Single-serve capsule for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage preparation machine, and use of a single-serve capsule

Info

Publication number: WO2023147987A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/050896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc KRÜGER; Günter EMPL
Original assignee: K-Fee System Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-02-07
Filing date: 2023-01-16
Publication date: 2023-08-10

Abstract

A single-serve capsule (10) for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage preparation machine is proposed, wherein the single-serve capsule (10) has a base element (12) with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and has a capsule lid (33) which closes the cavity, wherein the base element (12) comprises an encircling flange (26) and a capsule wall (14) which extends from a bottom region (22) of the single-serve capsule (10) to the encircling flange (26), wherein the flange (26) extends over a flange width (FB) in a radial direction (R) with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the single-serve capsule (10), wherein the capsule lid (33) is fastened on the flange (26), and wherein the single-serve capsule (10) has an identification code (34) which is optically detectable in particular by a detector of the beverage preparation machine and which is arranged or visible on a side of the flange (26) facing away from the capsule lid (33) along the longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the identification code (34) extends in the radial direction (R) only over a partial region (TB) of the flange width (FB).

Description

DESCRIPTION

title

Portion capsule for preparing a beverage using a beverage production machine and use of a portion capsule

State of the art

The present invention is based on a portion capsule for preparing a beverage using a beverage production machine, the portion capsule having a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule lid closing the cavity, the base element having a base area, a peripheral flange and a the base area to the circumferential flange extending capsule wall, wherein the capsule lid is attached to the flange, wherein the portion capsule has a feature that can be optically detected in particular by a detector of the beverage production machine.

Such portion capsules are known from the prior art. For example, publication WO 2016/186 488 A1 discloses such a generic portion capsule. This portion capsule is intended to be placed in a brewing chamber in which the portion capsule is perforated in order to introduce brewing liquid in the form of hot water under pressure into the cavity. The interaction between the water introduced and the beverage raw material, in particular roasted and ground coffee, produces a beverage which leaves the portion capsule through further perforation points and enters a container.

As a rule, there is a suitable beverage production machine for each portion capsule, which is optimized for the preparation of beverages on the basis of the appropriate portion capsules. To avoid malfunctions, it has proven useful to provide such portion capsules with mechanically and optically readable, detectable features so that before the start of the brewing process, a check can take place as to whether the inserted portion capsule is compatible with the machine. In addition, if necessary, a suitable brewing program can be started for the raw beverage material located in the portion capsule. It is known from publications EP 3 023 362 B1, WO 2020/201 487 A1 and US Pat. No. 10,800,600 B2 to print such optically detectable features in the form of barcodes or binary codes onto the flange of the capsule.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portion capsule with an identification code, which represents an improvement over the solutions known from the cited prior art. In particular, the identification code should be easier and cheaper to apply to the portion capsule during the manufacture of the portion capsule. In addition, it is desirable to further develop the known portion capsules in such a way that the identification code is read out more reliably in the beverage preparation machine.

The object of the present invention is achieved with portion capsules according to claims 1 and 13.

Advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the following description with reference to the drawings.

A portion capsule for preparing a beverage using a beverage production machine is proposed, the portion capsule having a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule lid closing the cavity, the base element having a peripheral flange and a flange extending from the base area to the peripheral flange capsule wall, wherein the flange extends in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the portion capsule over a flange width, wherein the capsule lid is attached to the flange and wherein the portion capsule has an identification code that can be optically detected in particular by a detector of the beverage production machine, which is on a line along the longitudinal axis is arranged or visible on the side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid, the identification code extending in the radial direction only over a portion of the flange width.

The portion capsule according to the invention has the advantage over the portion capsules known from the prior art that the identification code is only one Part of the flange width extends. The identification code is thus at a distance from an outer edge area of the flange and/or from a capsule wall of the portion capsule. This advantageously means that the flange outer edge or the capsule wall cannot impair the reading of the identification code. The readout reliability is thus improved. In addition, the portion capsule according to the invention has the advantage that it is easier to apply the identification code, for example by printing or sticking the identification code on the underside of the flange (the side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid), since the identification code does not extend to the outer edge of the flange or extends to the capsule wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the partial area comprises less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the flange width in the radial direction. Preferably, the application of the identification code during the production of the portion capsule or the reading of the identification code during the preparation of the beverage is simpler and easier or more reliable to implement the smaller the partial area is in relation to the flange width.

It is conceivable that the partial area on its inner side facing the capsule wall in the radial direction has a distance from the capsule wall along the radial direction which comprises at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the partial area on its outside facing away from the capsule wall in the radial direction has a further distance along the radial direction to an outer flange edge of the flange, which is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the flange outer edge has a flange and in particular a rolled edge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code has a bar code, in particular a bit and/or bar code, the coding bars of which run in particular in a radial direction. Preferably the code bars include white and/or black bars of equal or unequal thickness along a circumferential direction (concentric about the longitudinal axis L).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the length of the coding bars in the radial direction is less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the flange width. It is conceivable that the coding lines are at a distance from the capsule wall in the radial direction that is at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the coding lines have a further distance from the flange outer edge in the radial direction, which comprises at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width.

It is conceivable that the identification code is made up of a plurality of circular, elliptical, angular or rectangular code elements, with at least two circles having a different diameter or extension in the radial direction and/or in the circumferential direction. It is also conceivable that the elliptical, angular or rectangular code elements each have different dimensions in the radial direction and/or in the circumferential direction in order to represent different code symbols.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is made up of one or more helical, meandering or stepped code elements. It is conceivable, for example, for a line to extend in the circumferential direction over the flange, which line runs in a helical, meandering or stepped manner, with the shape being provided for coding information. The code elements extend over the partial area of the flange and not over the entire width of the flange in the radial direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is made up of rows of numbers, in particular Arabic zeros and Arabic ones, and/or rows of letters. It is conceivable, for example, that the identification code is a bit code made up of “0” and “1” that is printed on the flange in the circumferential direction. The use of numbers and letters, such as an ASCII or hexadecimal code, is also conceivable. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is printed or attached to a side of the flange facing away from the capsule lid along the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the identification code is protected from external damage here, and is therefore arranged in particular between a rolled edge on the flange and a capsule wall of the portion capsule. For example, if the portion capsule is on one level, then the identification code is protected from being scratched. As a result, the readout reliability is improved.

According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the identification code is printed or attached to a side of the capsule lid facing the flange along the longitudinal axis, and at least the flange or the entire base element is designed to be optically transparent.

The identification code is thus advantageously arranged on a side of the cover film which faces away from the base element and which can be printed particularly easily, for example. At the same time, however, the optically detectable feature can be read from the opposite side of the capsule, ie through the flange and the cover film, since the flange and the capsule cover are designed to be optically transparent at least in the area of the optically detectable feature. For example, the identification code can thus be read out by a detector arranged on the side of the base element if it is backlit, for example, from the side of the cover film. For the purposes of the present invention, the wording optically transparent means in particular that the material is designed to be at least sufficiently translucent (also referred to as translucent or partially transparent) to enable the feature to be read out optically by a detector. In particular, therefore, there does not have to be 100% transparency for all wavelengths of the optical spectrum.

Preferably, only an edge area of the capsule lid or the entire capsule lid is designed to be optically transparent. It is conceivable that a central area of the capsule lid, which does not cover the flange, can be printed with a logo or an inscription or the like in an optically appealing manner, while only the edge area of the capsule lid, in which the feature is arranged and which covers the flange optically is transparent. Alternatively, the entire capsule lid is transparent. An adhesive layer is preferably arranged between the edge area of the capsule lid and the flange, by means of which the edge area and the flange are cohesively connected to one another, the adhesive layer being designed to be optically transparent. Advantageously, the feature can thus be optically read by the detector through the flange, the adhesive layer and the cover film.

The optically detectable feature is preferably arranged in an edge region of the capsule lid in relation to a main extension plane of the capsule lid. This means that the feature is arranged in an outer edge area of the preferably round capsule lid, particularly viewed in the radial direction.

Provision is preferably made for the portion capsule to have a ring, with the optically detectable feature being arranged, in particular printed on, the ring being arranged on the capsule lid and in particular glued onto the capsule lid.

The procedure is preferably that the base element is designed to be completely optically transparent.

The procedure is preferably that the base element is constructed in two parts from a base part and a flange part, with only the flange part being designed to be optically transparent, with the base part and the flange part being connected to one another.

Another subject of the present invention is a portion capsule according to claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the identification code has a plurality of code sequences, wherein at least one code sequence has an input part and a data part, the input part being used in particular to find the beginning of the code sequence is provided by a detector of the beverage production machine and wherein the data part is provided in particular for providing coded identification and/or brewing parameters for controlling the beverage production, wherein at least one further code sequence has only an input part and no data part.

In order to achieve high readout reliability when the identification code is read out by the detector of the beverage production machine, input parts are advantageously used in the code sequences, based on which the detector can recognize the start of a code sequence. This is particularly important because the Orientation of the portion capsule when inserted into the beverage production machine is not fixed, but can always be different. Without the detection of a preceding input part, the readout algorithm cannot do anything with a data part and in particular cannot carry out an assignment to specific brewing parameters. The readout reliability can consequently be increased compared to the portion capsules with code sequences known from the prior art if more input parts than data parts are used.

It is conceivable that the input part of the code sequence, which has both an input part and a data part, differs from the input part of the further code sequence, which only has an input part and no data part.

It is also conceivable that those code sequences which all have an input part and a data part have an identical input part and in particular identical or different data parts.

Another object of the present invention is a portion capsule according to claim 1 or according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the capsule wall is at least partially optically reflective.

The identification code is thus advantageously not detected directly, but indirectly via its reflection on the capsule wall. This has the advantage that the detector does not have to be arranged directly below the flange of a portion capsule located in the receptacle. This results in more options for the structure and design of the portion capsule machine. In addition, the detector does not have to be arranged in the area of any sealing arrangement, which is typically provided in the area of the flange. Provision is preferably made for the capsule wall to have a, in particular circumferential, shiny and/or flat surface area. It is conceivable that the surface area is designed as a mirror surface. In order to achieve high reflectivity, no grooves, depressions, bulges, structures or the like are introduced in the surface area.

It is preferably provided that the surface area extends along the longitudinal direction over a maximum of 90%, a maximum of 70%, a maximum of 50% or a maximum of 30% of the total extent of the capsule wall in the longitudinal direction and in particular over at least 10% of the Total extension of the capsule wall extends in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the surface area is at a distance from the flange and/or the base area along the longitudinal direction which is less than 80%, 60%, 40% or 20% of the total extent of the capsule wall in the longitudinal direction. A comparatively inexpensive production of the portion capsule is thus advantageously possible, since the entire capsule wall does not have to have a high reflectivity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is provided that the surface area has a reflectance in the visible spectrum of more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70% and preferably more than 90%. A comparatively high reading reliability is thus advantageously achieved, although the identification code is not read directly but only indirectly by the detector. Furthermore, with a high degree of reflection, advantageously only little or no illumination of the identification code and/or the surface area is required by an additional light source of the detector. Provision is preferably made for a coating element to have the surface area which is applied and in particular glued to the side wall.

It is conceivable, for example, that a sticker with a metallic and/or reflective surface is stuck onto the side wall. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for a reflective metal layer to be applied to the side wall, for example vapor-deposited or laminated on.

Another subject matter of the present invention is a system for preparing a beverage comprising the portion capsule according to the invention and a beverage making machine, the beverage making machine having a receptacle for the portion capsule, the beverage making machine having a detector for reading out the identification code, with a field of view of the detector on the capsule wall a portion capsule located in the receptacle.

Advantageously, the field of view or detection field of the detector must therefore be aligned directly with the flange, but can be directed towards the capsule wall. Advantageously, this results in more options for arranging the detector in a compact beverage production machine. In addition, the available area in the area of the capsule wall is typically larger than on the flange, so that the readout accuracy can be improved. It is conceivable that the reflection on the capsule wall is also used to enlarge the image of the identification code that is visible to the detector. It is preferably provided that the detector is arranged relative to the receptacle in such a way that a detection line between the detector and the surface area encloses an angle with the capsule wall which essentially corresponds to an angle between an imaginary connecting line between the identification code and the surface area with the capsule wall. Here, in particular, a line is assumed in each case, which begins in the radial direction in the center of the identification code and also arrives or originates in the center of the surface area in the axial direction.

It is conceivable that the detector includes an optical CCD camera or a laser scanner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the detector comprises a light source for illuminating the identification code, with a light cone of the light source being directed onto the capsule wall of the portion capsule located in the receptacle.

A further object of the present invention is the use of the portion capsule according to the invention for the preparation of a beverage with the aid of a beverage production machine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the base element is made of plastic. The base element is preferably produced by cold or hot forming, in particular deep drawing. The configuration of the base element with a cavity is preferably produced by thermoforming, for example deep-drawing using negative pressure, positive pressure and/or a movable stamp. Alternatively, the portion capsule is produced by means of an injection molding process, in particular using the one-component, multi-component or in-mold process.

The base element is preferably made of aluminum (AI), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPG) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET ) educated.

The cover film is preferably made of aluminum (AI), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET ) educated. Alternatively, the base element and/or the lid film is made entirely or partially from a compostable or biodegradable material, which preferably comprises cellulose, PLA (polylactic acid), corn or the like. Preferably the base member is made of paper. It is conceivable that the material comprises cellulose fibers embedded in a resin matrix.

It is conceivable that the cover film and the base element consist of the same material.

The base element is preferably frustoconical, conical, cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, elliptical or partially elliptical. The base member is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. The hollow space formed by the base element serves to accommodate raw beverage material, for example roasted coffee granules, instant coffee, powdered chocolate, tea blends, powdered milk and/or the like. The lid film is in particular flat or almost flat, at least immediately after the filled portion capsule has been closed by the lid film. Any bulging of the lid film over time due to coffee powder escaping does not mean that the lid film is not flat in the sense of the present invention, since this bulging typically only occurs some time after the portion capsule has been filled.

The cover film preferably comprises a plastic-aluminum composite film or a plastic film or a multi-layer plastic film. It is conceivable that the portion capsule is rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis thus form a central axis of rotational symmetry, which runs centrally through the portion capsule and in particular essentially perpendicularly to a main plane of extension of the lid film. The flange of the base element preferably runs at an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees, particularly preferably between 80 and 100 degrees and very particularly preferably essentially 90 degrees to the axis of rotational symmetry. The flange is in particular closed, circumferential. The free, outer end of the flange preferably has a bulge, a flange or what is known as a rolled edge in order to prevent the user from being injured by the sharp-edged end.

The portion capsule may contain one or more beverage substances. The one or more beverage substances can be a liquid, syrup, solid, powder, coffee or cocoa grounds, tea leaves, or a combination thereof. The one or more beverage substances can be diluted or extracted in a beverage making machine and/or beverage system to make a beverage.

Further details, features and advantages of the portion capsule result from the drawings and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the portion capsule, which do not restrict the essential idea of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion capsule according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view “from below” of the portion capsule according to the exemplary first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6a, 6b show schematic views of two identification codes on portion capsules according to an exemplary fifth and sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8a to 8f show schematic partial views of an identification code of the portion capsule illustrated in FIG. 7 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion capsule and a system according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a portion capsule according to an exemplary seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a portion capsule 10 for preparing a beverage.

The portion capsule 10 has a base element 12 . The base element 12 comprises a capsule wall 14 (also referred to as a side wall, side wall or capsule wall) and the capsule wall 14 extends from a base area 22 (also referred to as a capsule base or the like) to a peripheral flange 26, which protrudes laterally and is in particular formed peripherally is. The floor area 22

The base element 12 spans a cavity which is provided for receiving raw beverage material. On the side facing away from the base area 22, the base element has a filling opening through which the cavity can be filled with the beverage raw material.

The portion capsule 10 has, for example, a spherical (or hemispherical) base element 12 which has the base area 22 on its closed side (which can be curved and does not have to be flat) and on its open side has a peripheral flange 26 . Between the base area 22 and the flange 26, the capsule wall 14 extends around the cavity. The portion capsule 10 is constructed rotationally symmetrically about a longitudinal axis L about its central central longitudinal axis. In the radial direction R, which extends at right angles from the longitudinal axis L, the flange 26 , which is circular and thus circumferential in the circumferential direction U, protrudes outwards beyond the capsule wall 14 .

The flange 26 is firmly connected to a capsule cover 33 (also referred to as a cover or membrane) in the form of a particularly circular cover film, which closes the cavity on the open side of the base element 12 . For this purpose, the flange 26 preferably has a sealing plane which faces the capsule lid 33 and which extends approximately at right angles to the axis of rotational symmetry. The edge area of the capsule lid 33 is sealed, welded or glued to the flange 26 and in particular to the sealing plane.

Inside the base element 12 the cavity is formed, which is filled with the beverage raw material, for example roasted coffee granules, instant coffee, chocolate powder, tea blend, milk powder and/or the like (not illustrated for reasons of clarity) and which is closed by the capsule lid 33.

The portion capsule 10 is intended to be introduced into a brewing unit of a beverage production machine in order to produce a beverage. The brewing unit comprises a first brewing chamber part and a second brewing chamber part, with one of the first and second brewing chamber parts relative to the other brewing chamber part between an approximated position in which the first and second brewing chamber parts form a closed brewing chamber and an open position in which the first and the second brewing chamber part is spaced apart from one another for inserting or ejecting the portion capsule 10, is movable, in particular pivotable or displaceable.

In the closed position, the capsule lid 33 and/or the base area 22 are perforated in order to create perforation openings for introducing brewing liquid or for discharging the beverage produced. The brewing liquid is introduced into the cavity under pressure. The interaction between the brewing liquid and the beverage raw material produces the desired beverage, which leaves the portion capsule 10 again through the other perforation openings and is fed into a beverage container. With an optional filter medium, any particles of the beverage raw material from the Beverage filtered and retained in the portion capsule 10. Preferably, however, the multiply perforated capsule cover 33 acts as a filter element. It is conceivable for the portion capsule 10 to be set in rotation in the beverage preparation machine in order to support the beverage flowing out through perforation openings formed in the edge region of the lid film with the aid of centrifugal forces.

The portion capsule 10 now has an identification code 34 that can be optically detected in particular by a detector of the beverage production machine. This identification code 34 preferably serves to identify the portion capsule 10 in the beverage production machine or to control brewing parameters. The beverage production machine can thus, for example, verify whether the portion capsule 10 in the brewing chamber is a system-compatible portion capsule 10 and/or whether a suitable brewing program for the beverage raw material in the portion capsule 10 can be automatically selected and started. It is also conceivable that brewing parameters to be used specifically, such as the water temperature or the amount of water or the water pressure or the rotational speed of the portion capsule 10 during brewing, are embedded in the optically detectable identification code 34 and read out by means of the detector.

The optically detectable identification code 34 is in particular a machine-readable code in the form of a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional bit or barcode. The bit or barcode is designed as a circle or partial circle around the rotational symmetry axis L of the portion capsule 10 , completely or partially. The individual adjacent bars from which the particularly two- or multicolored bit or barcode is constructed then preferably extend in the radial direction R in relation to the axis of rotational symmetry L and are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction U. In this case, the identification code is arranged in particular on a side (also referred to as the underside) of the flange 26 which faces away from the capsule cover 33 .

The code is either printed directly on the flange 26 or applied to a ring (not shown) which is glued to the flange 26.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the identification code 34 to be arranged on the cover film 33, specifically on a side of the cover film 33 facing the flange 26. In this case, the flange 26 is designed to be optically transparent, so that the identification code 34 is nevertheless visible on a side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule cover 33 . The code is located in particular in a peripheral edge area of the cover film 33, with that part of the cover film 33 being referred to as the edge area in particular, which is attached to the flange 26 and/or is in direct contact with the flange 26. The wording optically transparent means that the materials are designed to be at least translucent (also referred to as translucent or partially transparent) to the extent that the detector can read the code optically. For this purpose, the code can be backlit in the beverage preparation machine. It is conceivable that the entire cover film 33 is also transparent or only in the edge area, so that a logo, product designations, inscriptions and the like can be printed on the cover film in a central area that lies within the edge area in the radial direction. Likewise, either the entire base element 12 can be transparent or only the flange 26 of the base element 12.

The base element 12 and the cover film 33 are preferably made of aluminum (AI), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO) or made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The pot-shaped or spherical configuration of the base element 12 is preferably produced by thermoforming, for example deep-drawing using negative pressure, positive pressure and/or a movable stamp. Alternatively, the portion capsule 10 is produced by means of an injection molding process, in particular using the one-component, multi-component or in-mold process. As a further alternative, it would be conceivable for the base element 12 and/or the cover film 33 to be produced entirely or partially from a biodegradable material, in particular from cellulose fibers, which can be embedded in a resin matrix.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic plan view “from below” of the portion capsule 10 according to the exemplary 1st embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. It is thus in FIG.

FIG. 2 therefore also shows a plan view of the side of the peripheral flange 26 facing away from the cover film 33. The identification code 34 is arranged on this flange 26 or is at least visible. In the radial direction R, the flange 26 extends over a flange width FB. The coding bars of the identification code 34 are shorter than the flange width FB and therefore only extend over a partial area TB of the flange width FB. In the present example, the sub-area TB comprises less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% and in particular less than 30% of the flange width FB in the radial direction R. The identification code 34 is therefore advantageously both of the capsule wall 14 the portion capsule 10 and from an outer flange outer edge 15 of the flange 26 at a clear distance. This improves the readout reliability and makes the production of the portion capsule 10 simpler and cheaper.

This applies all the more since the portion capsule 10 according to the invention preferably has a flange, in particular a rolled edge, on the flange 26 . The flanging is formed on the outermost edge of the flange 26, ie on the flange outer edge 15, and serves to prevent a sharp-edged flange 26, which could otherwise cause cuts to the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic plan view “from below” of a portion capsule 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the identification code 34 being designed differently.

The identification code 34 extends over a partial area TB, which only partially covers the flange width FB of the flange 26 in the radial direction R. In the present example, however, the identification code 34 is directly adjacent to the flange outer edge 15 of the flange 26 .

In the present example, an inner side IS of the partial region TB facing the capsule wall 14 in the radial direction R (strictly speaking: in the opposite direction) has a distance X to the attachment of the capsule wall 14 to the flange 26 which is at least 10% and in particular at least 20%. the flange width (FB).

The identification code 34 is thus advantageously spaced apart from the capsule wall 14 in the radial direction. This alone already leads to an improvement in the readout reliability and to cheaper and easier production of the portion capsule 10. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic plan view “from below” of a portion capsule 10 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment in turn is essentially the same as the first embodiment presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the identification code 34 again being designed differently.

In the present example, the inner side IS of the partial area TB facing the capsule wall 14 is directly adjacent to the capsule wall 14 . A spacing of the identification code 34 to the attachment of the capsule wall 14 to the flange 26 is therefore not provided.

In this example, the partial area TB is spaced apart from the flange outer edge 15 by a further distance Y on its outer side AS facing away from the capsule wall 14 in the radial direction R. The outside AS is at a distance Y from the flange outer edge 15 which is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% and in particular at least 50% of the flange width FB.

In this way, too, an improvement in the readout reliability and a cheaper and easier production of the portion capsule 10 is achieved.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule 10 according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, only the identification code 34 being designed differently.

In the case of the portion capsule 10 described above according to the first, second and third embodiment, the identification code 34 comprises in particular a plurality of coding lines arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction U and concentrically around the longitudinal axis L. In contrast to this, the identification code 34 according to the fourth embodiment has a plurality of circles 17 which represent the code instead of the coding bars. The circles 17 have different diameters in order to represent different coding values.

It is conceivable that the circles 17 are located within a partial area TB in the radial direction R, which only partially covers the entire flange width FB of the flange 26 extend. The circles 17 can extend, for example, over the partial areas TB described with reference to the first, second and third embodiment.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show schematic views of two identification codes 34 on portion capsules 10 according to an exemplary fifth and sixth embodiment of the present invention.

For the sake of simplicity, the identification codes 34 shown are shown as a straight horizontal strip, since FIGS. 6a and 6b are only intended to explain the structure of the identification codes 34. FIG. In practice, the two identification codes 34 are of course arranged or visible as codes curved in the circumferential direction U concentrically about the longitudinal axis L on the flange 26, as illustrated in FIGS. The identification codes 34 are then essentially circular. Preferably, the identification codes 34 illustrated in FIGS. 6bar or 6B are those identification codes 34 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or in FIG. 3 or in FIG. 4 or in FIG.

It can be seen in FIG. 6a that the identification code 34 has a plurality of code sequences 40 . Almost every code sequence 40 comprises an input part 41 and a data part 42 following the input part 41 in the reading direction.

The input part 41 is provided so that the detector of the beverage production machine can find the beginning of the code sequence 40 and for this purpose comprises a specific data pattern or a data pattern known to the readout algorithm. It is thus recognized that the subsequent code component comprises a data part 42 .

The data part 42 is intended to provide encoded identification and/or brewing parameters for controlling the beverage production or the beverage production machine. This can be used, for example, to verify the system affiliation of the respective portion capsule 10 with the beverage production machine. It is also conceivable that concrete, known parameters for the beverage production machine are embedded in the data part 42, which directly controls the water temperature, the water pressure, the reference time or the water quantity, for example.

The identification code 34 according to the invention has at least one further code sequence 40' which has only an input part 4T and no data part 42'. In The identification code 34 thus advantageously includes more input parts 41 than data parts 42, as a result of which the readout reliability is increased.

In the present case, all input parts 41 are of identical design, while the further input part 41', which is not followed by a data part 42, is designed differently from the input parts 41.

A similar identification code 34 as in FIG. 6a is shown in FIG. 6b. In contrast to the identification code 34 illustrated in FIG. 6A, in the identification code 34 illustrated in FIG the data part 42'" is missing, is empty or contains no data (all of this is used synonymously with the term "having no data part" within the meaning of the present invention). The different data parts 42, 42', 42'' represent here in particular different brewing parameters, such as water pressure, water quantity, water temperature or reference time.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view “from below” of a portion capsule 10 according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The fifth embodiment is essentially the same as the first embodiment presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, only the identification code 34 being designed differently.

The identification code 34 is in turn formed circumferentially in a partial area TB of the flange width FB.

A detailed view DA is illustrated in FIG. 7, which depicts a detail of the circulating identification code 34 . The identification code 34 is designed as illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 8f.

The identification code 34 can be in the form of a stepped code (Figure 8a), a helical or DNA code (Figure 8b), a meandering or loop-shaped code (Figures 8c or 8e), a double meandering code (Figure 8d) or a rectangular or diamond-shaped code (Figure 8f) be formed. The code is in particular provided in each case circumferentially along the circumferential direction U on the flange 26 . FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a system 100 with a portion capsule 10 according to an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention. The portion capsule 10 according to the sixth embodiment is in particular identical to a portion capsule 10 according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth embodiment.

The system 100 includes a beverage production machine with a receptacle 101 in which the portion capsule 10 can be accommodated. The receptacle 101 is cup-shaped for this purpose and supports the capsule wall 14 and optionally the flange 26.

In a closure element 104 of the beverage production machine that is opposite the receptacle 101 in the longitudinal direction L and is provided for enclosing the portion capsule 10 in the cup-shaped receptacle 101 , piercing elements 103 are formed, which are provided for perforating the capsule lid 33 .

It is conceivable that a centrally arranged first piercing element 103' forms an inlet opening in the capsule lid 33, through which water can enter the cavity of the portion capsule 10 for interaction with the beverage raw material located there. For this purpose, the first piercing element 103' can be designed with a channel or in the form of a tube.

It is conceivable for a plurality of second puncturing elements 103" to be distributed in the circumferential direction U, which pierce the capsule lid 33 in an area offset radially in the direction of the flange 26 near the capsule wall 14, in order in this way to create outlet openings in the capsule lid 33 for the to provide a beverage formed by interaction between the water and the beverage raw material.

The outflow of the beverage is preferably promoted in that the receptacle 101 and thus also the portion capsule 10 are made to rotate about the longitudinal axis L. It is conceivable that the second piercing elements 103″ are pulled out of the capsule lid 33 again before or during the introduction of the water into the portion capsule 10 in order to release the outlet openings. In the present example, the receptacle 101 has a recess 102 in an angular area along the circumferential direction U in the area of the capsule wall 14 and in the area of a side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule lid 33 .

The portion capsule 10 has a surface area 18 in the area of the capsule wall 14 which is designed to be optically reflective. It is conceivable that the surface area 18 has a reflectance of more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70% and preferably more than 90% in the visible spectrum. This is preferably achieved in that the surface area 18 is shiny, reflective and smooth, that is to say without structures such as grooves or the like.

The surface area 18 includes in particular either the entire capsule wall 14, which is made of metal for this purpose, for example, or is provided with a metallic coating over the entire area, or an application in a partial area of the capsule wall 14, which is a metallic coating or a metallic sticker.

The example shown in FIG. 9 includes, in particular, a capsule wall 14 which is made of aluminum, the reflective, metallic surface of which has not been painted over and thus has the desired reflectivity.

The portion capsule 10 has the identification code 34 on the side of the flange 26 facing away from the capsule lid 33 .

The beverage production machine now has a detector 51 for reading out the identification code 34 . According to the invention, however, the field of view or detection field of the detector 51 is not directed directly at the identification code 34 on the flange 26, but is directed through the recess 102 onto the surface area 18. The identification code 34 is at least partially reflected in the surface area 18 by the reflective surface area 18 reflected, so that the detector 51 can detect and read the identification code 34 reflecting on the surface area 18 .

For this purpose, the detector 51 is arranged relative to the recording as follows: An imaginary connecting line VL, which starts in the radial direction R in the middle of the identification code 34 and extends from there to a point that is in the middle of the surface area 18, runs at an angle a to the capsule wall 14 in the area of this point.

Furthermore, an imaginary detection line DL, which starts in the middle of the detection field of the detector R and extends from there to the point that is in the middle of the surface area 18, has an angle β to the capsule wall 14 in the area of this point.

The detector 51 is now preferably arranged relative to the receptacle 51 or to the portion capsule 10 in such a way that the angle α essentially corresponds to the angle β. The deviation between the two angles α and β is preferably less than 5 degrees, less than 3 degrees, less than 2 degrees and particularly preferably less than 1 degree.

The detector 51 is in particular an optical CCD camera or a laser scanner. It is conceivable that the detector 51 has a light source, in particular one or more LEDs, which is provided for illuminating the identification code 34 . The light cone of the light source is also directed onto the surface area 18 and is reflected from there onto the identification code 34 .

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a portion capsule 10 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The portion capsule 10 according to the seventh embodiment is essentially the same as the portion capsule 10 according to the sixth embodiment illustrated in FIG.

In the seventh embodiment, the capsule wall 14 has a dedicated surface area 18 which extends over only part of the outer surface of the base element 12 . The portion capsule 10 preferably only has the required reflectivity in this area.

The surface area 18 extends in the circumferential direction U either only over a partial area of the capsule wall 14 or - as shown in Figure 10 - over the entire circumference of the capsule wall 14. Reference List

10 serving capsule

12 base element

14 capsule wall

15 flange outer edge

17 circles

18 surface area

22 floor area

26 flange

33 capsule lids

34 identification code

40 code sequence

41 input part

42 data part

51 detector

100 systems

101 recording

102 closure element

103 piercing elements

L longitudinal axis

R radial direction

U circumferential direction

FB flange width

TB section

IS inside

X distance

AS outside

Y Further distance

DL detection line

VL connecting line a angle ß angle

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . Portion capsule (10) for preparing a beverage using a beverage production machine, the portion capsule (10) having a base element (12) with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material and a capsule lid (33) closing the cavity, the base element (12) having a peripheral Flange (26) and a capsule wall (14) extending from a base region (22) of the portion capsule (10) to the circumferential flange (26), the flange (26) being in the radial direction (R) relative to a longitudinal axis (L) the portion capsule (10) extends over a flange width (FB), the capsule lid (33) being attached to the flange (26) and the portion capsule (10) having an identification code (34) that can be optically detected in particular by a detector of the beverage production machine, which is arranged or visible on a side of the flange (26) facing away from the capsule cover (33) along the longitudinal axis (L), characterized in that the identification code (34) extends in the radial direction (R) only over a partial area (TB) of the flange width (FB) extends.

2. Portion capsule (10) according to claim 1, wherein the partial area (TB) is less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% of the flange width (FB) in the radial direction (R ) includes.

3. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the partial area (TB) on its capsule wall (14) in the radial direction (R) facing inside (IS) a distance (X) to the capsule wall (14) along the radial direction (R) comprising at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width (FB).

4. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion (TB) on its capsule wall (14) facing away from the outside (AS) in the radial direction (R) a further distance (Y) along the radial direction (R). a flange outer edge (15) of the flange (26) which comprises at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width (FB).

5. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange outer edge (15) has a flange and in particular a rolled edge.

6. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) has a bar code, in particular a bit and/or bar code, the coding bars (16) of which run in particular in the radial direction (R).

7. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the coding lines (16) in the radial direction (R) is less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40% or less than 30% the flange width (FB).

8. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding lines (16) in the radial direction (R) have a distance (X) to the capsule wall (14) which comprises at least 10% or at least 20% of the flange width (FB). .

9. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coding lines (16) in the radial direction (R) have a further distance (Y) to the flange outer edge (15) which is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the flange width (FB).

10. Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) is made up of a plurality of circular, elliptical, angular or rectangular code elements, wherein at least two circles (17) have a different diameter or extension in the radial direction (R ) and/or in the circumferential direction (U).

11. Portion capsule (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) is made up of one or more helical, meandering or stepped code elements.

12. Portion capsule (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) is made up of rows of numbers, in particular Arabic zeros and Arabic ones, and/or rows of letters.

13. Portion capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) is printed or attached to a side of the flange (26) facing away from the capsule cover (33) along the longitudinal axis (L). Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification code (34) is printed or applied to a side of the capsule lid (33) facing the flange (26) along the longitudinal axis (L) and wherein at least the flange (26) or the entire base element (12) is optically transparent. Portion capsule (1) according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the identification code (34) has a plurality of code sequences (40), wherein at least one code sequence (40) has an input part (41) and a data part (42) wherein the input part (41) is provided in particular for finding the beginning of the code sequence (40) by a detector of the beverage production machine and wherein the data part (42) is provided in particular for the provision of coded identification and/or brewing parameters for controlling the production of the beverage, wherein at least one further code sequence (40') has only an input part (41') and no data part (42'). Portion capsule (1) according to claim 15, wherein the input part (41) of the code sequence (40), which has both an input part (41) and a data part (42), differs from the input part (41 ') of the further code sequence (40' ), which has only an input part (41') and no data part (42'). Portion capsule (1) according to one of Claims 15 or 16, wherein those code sequences (40) which all have an input part (41) and a data part (42) have an identical input part (41, 41", 41"') and in particular identical ones or have different data parts (42, 42", 42'"). Portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the capsule wall (14) is at least partially optically reflective. Portion capsule (10) according to Claim 18, in which the capsule wall (14) has a surface area (18), in particular a circumferential, shiny, smooth and/or level one. Portion capsule (10) according to claim 19, wherein the surface area (18) extends along the longitudinal direction (L) over a maximum of 90%, a maximum of 70%, a maximum of 50% or a maximum of 30% of the total extent of the capsule wall (14) in the longitudinal direction (L) and in particular over at least 10% of the total extent of the capsule wall (14) in the longitudinal direction (L).

21. Portion capsule (10) according to one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the surface area (18) along the longitudinal direction (L) has a distance (Z) from the flange (26) and/or from the base area (22) which is less than 80 %, 60%, 40% or 20% of the total extension of the capsule wall (14) in the longitudinal direction (L).

22. Portion capsule (10) according to one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the surface area (18) has a reflectance of more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70% and preferably more than 90% in the visible spectrum.

23. Portion capsule (10) according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein a coating element has the surface area (18) which is applied to the side wall (14) and in particular glued on.

24. System (100) for preparing a beverage, comprising a portion capsule (10) according to one of Claims 18 to 23 and a beverage production machine, wherein the beverage production machine has a receptacle (101) for the portion capsule (10), the beverage production machine having a detector (51 ) for reading the identification code (34), wherein a field of view (52) of the detector (51) is directed onto the capsule wall (14) of a portion capsule (10) located in the receptacle (101).

25. System (100) according to claim 24, wherein the detector (51) is arranged relative to the receptacle (101) in such a way that a detection line (DL) between the detector and the surface area encloses an angle (β) to the capsule wall (14), which essentially corresponds to an angle (a) between an imaginary connecting line (VL) between the identification code (34) and the surface area (18) to the capsule wall (14).

The system (100) of claim 25, wherein the detector (51) comprises an optical CCD camera or a laser scanner. System (100) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the detector (51) comprises a light source for illuminating the identification code (34), a light cone of the light source being directed onto the surface area (18) of the portion capsule (10) located in the receptacle . Use of a portion capsule (10) according to one of the preceding claims for preparing a beverage with the aid of a beverage production machine.