A single-serve capsule for making a beverage, having a base element with a cavity that is free of a filter, and in which a raw beverage material is provided, the cavity including radially spaced and vertically oriented convexities, where a width defined between each of the plurality of convexities is wider than a width of each of plurality of convexities, the base element has a wall region extending between the flange and a bottom region of the base element with radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, a width of the side wall defined between each of the plurality of grooves is wider than a width of each of plurality of grooves, the capsule has an identifier, which makes it possible to individualize the single-serve capsule, the identifier is a barcode on the wall region and on a bottom side of the flange.

A method for recognising a capsule in an apparatus that uses capsules for making beverages, comprising the steps of: acquiring an electronic image which shows a part of the outer surface of the capsule lid and in which an asymmetrical graphical element and a graphical code are present; identifying in the image the asymmetrical graphical element or parts of it, identifying its position in the image and saving it as a reference position; and starting from the reference position and using a predetermined position of the graphical code relative to the asymmetrical element, identifying in the image a position in which the graphical code is located and a graphical code reading orientation; reading the graphical code taking into account the position and orientation previously identified in the image, obtaining a code in electronic format; and
considering the capsule recognised when the code in electronic format has been obtained.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the above devices and apparatus.

A capsule for preparation of a beverage includes a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container includes a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means, and the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and including a code encoding preparation information. The code includes a reference portion and a data portion. The reference portion has reference units defining a reference liner, and the data portion has a data unit. The data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, and the data unit is arranged a distance d from the intersection as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information. The encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference liner at the intersection point. The reference units are arranged with a configuration defining a reference point from which the reference line r extends.

A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising: a data sequence having a plurality of marker locations, whereby said marker locations either comprise or do not comprise a marker as a variable to at least partially encode the preparation information therein, with adjacent marker locations separated by a distance of x; at least one locator marker to enable location of the data sequence of the code, the locator marker having a read distance X2, which is distinct from a read distance X1 of the data markers to enable a locator marker to be identified.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

The invention refers to a pack (10) for preparing food or beverage products comprising: at least one container (10) having an inner volume where at least one base ingredient for the preparation of the food or beverage product is stored, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges; a fitment assembly (20) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, and identification means (30) comprising the information on the food or beverage product to be prepared; wherein the identification means (30) are arranged at least on one side of the edges of the container with respect to the fitment assembly (20), the identification means (30) being further arranged in the vicinity of said fitment assembly (20).