Portion Capsule Having an Identifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a basic element having a cavity in which a raw beverage material is provided and being closed by a membrane fastened to the basic element.

Claims

1. A portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a basic element having a wall region and a bottom area spanning a cavity in which a raw beverage material is provided, and having a periphery region provided on the basic element and the cavity being preferably closed by a membrane which is fastened to the periphery region of the basic element, the portion capsule having an identifier which makes it possible to individualize the respective portion capsule, wherein the identifier is a code, in particular a barcode, which is provided on a side of the periphery region of the basic element facing away from the membrane, and wherein indentations and/or protrusions are provided, which extend at least in sections between the periphery region and the bottom area in the wall region, wherein the indentations and/or protrusions are grooves/notches, wherein their longitudinal extent is provided at an angle >0 and <180° relative to a central axis/rotation axis.

2. The portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the grooves/notches changes with their longitudinal extension.

3. The portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the grooves/notches are provided at least partially crossing each other.

4. A portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a basic element having a wall region and a bottom area spanning a cavity in which a raw beverage material is provided, and having a periphery region provided on the basic element and the cavity being preferably closed by a membrane which is fastened to the periphery region of the basic element, the portion capsule having an identifier which makes it possible to individualize the respective portion capsule, wherein the identifier is a code, in particular a barcode, which is provided on a side of the periphery region of the basic element facing away from the membrane, and wherein indentations and/or protrusions are provided, which extend at least in sections between the periphery region and the bottom area in the wall region, wherein the indentations and/or protrusions are provided as a golf ball structure.

5. The portion capsule according to claim 4, wherein the indentations have a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section.

6. A portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a basic element having a wall region and a bottom area spanning a cavity in which a raw beverage material is provided, and having a periphery region provided on the basic element and the cavity being preferably closed by a membrane which is fastened to the periphery region of the basic element, the portion capsule having an identifier which makes it possible to individualize the respective portion capsule, wherein the identifier is a code, in particular a barcode, which is provided on a side of the periphery region of the basic element facing away from the membrane, and wherein indentations and/or protrusions are provided, which extend at least in sections between the periphery region and the bottom area in the wall region, wherein the indentations and/or protrusions are grooves/notches and/or the indentations and/or protrusions are provided as golf ball structure, wherein the indentations and/or protrusions are applied.

7. Use of the portion capsule according to claim 1 for preparing a hot beverage.

Description

[0035] In the following, the inventions are explained with reference to the Figures. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general concept of the invention. The explanations apply equally to all subject matter of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows details of the cross-section of a groove.

[0038] FIGS. 3 und 4 each show embodiments of the portion capsule according to the invention.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the portion capsule 1 according to the invention. This comprises a basic element 14, which in the present case is cup-shaped and has a wall region 4 and a bottom area 7. At the end of the bottom area opposite the basic element, a circumferential periphery 3 is provided, the circumference/outer diameter of which is larger than the circumference/outer diameter of the wall region of the basic element so that a flange-like element 3 is obtained. A cover film 2 is provided on this periphery, for example by means of sealing or bonding, which hermetically seals the portion capsule after a raw beverage material, for example ground coffee, has been filled into the portion capsule. Preferably, the portion capsule is provided rotationally symmetrical about a central axis 8. According to a preferred embodiment, the portion capsule is rotated during the beverage manufacturing process, for example during extraction, as shown by the arrow 16. Preferably, the portion capsule is pierced in the region of its cover film/membrane, in particular in the central region, and the beverage to be produced is also discharged via the cover film, preferably via perforations in the membrane, which are provided in particular in a circular manner in the vicinity of the upper end of the wall region. Furthermore, according to the invention, the portion capsule has an identifier 15 which allows the portion capsule to be individualized so that, for example, the amount of liquid and/or the temperature of the liquid can be controlled individually for each portion capsule. This identifier is provided on the rear side of the flange as symbolized by the arrow 15, i.e. on the side of the flange opposite the membrane.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the invention, the portion capsule according to FIG. 1 has indentations and/or protrusions 5, which in the present case are configured as grooves. In the present case, several grooves 5 are preferably provided equidistantly. These grooves can extend over the entire circumference of the wall region or only over a partial region of the circumference. The grooves each have a longitudinal extent, the length of which is symbolized by the reference sign 11. Preferably, the indentations and/or protrusions are provided spaced apart from the flange, which is symbolized by the reference sign 6. The indentations and/or protrusions can extend into the bottom area 7 or be spaced apart from it, the spacing being symbolized by the reference sign 9. The spacing between the indentations and/or protrusions may be the same or different, which is symbolized by the reference sign 10. As mentioned above, in the present case the indentations and/or protrusions are represented as grooves provided relative to the alignment of the central axis 8 at an angle α thereto, this angle α being greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees so that the indentations and/or protrusions do not extend parallel to the central axis. This embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of achieving an increased stiffness of the wall region of the basic element and of enhancing the extraction process for coffee. In the present case, the angle α is such that the indentations and/or protrusions are aligned in the direction of rotation 16 of the portion capsule, as seen from the bottom in the direction of the flange, which in particular enhances the drainage of the extraction liquid from the portion capsule, but also results in a particularly intimate extraction liquid/coffee powder contact. The grooves can function here as a liquid collection channel which drains the liquid in the direction of the holes in the cover film.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows four different cross-sections 17 of the indentations and/or protrusions 5, in particular of the grooves. It can be clearly seen that this cross-section is triangular in embodiment a), rectangular or square in embodiment b), round or oval in embodiment c) and polygonal in embodiment d). By the reference signs 12, 13 and 13, 12, respectively, it is symbolized that the indentations and/or protrusions can be provided both in the direction of the interior and away therefrom, wherein indentations embossed in the direction of the interior of the basic element are preferred

[0042] The indentations and/or protrusions can be produced by deep drawing or embossing, for example.

[0043] The basic element of the portion capsule is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The same applies to the cover film/membrane, wherein this preferably has an additional sealing layer. The material thickness of the basic element is preferably greater as the material thickness of the cover film. The indentations and/or protrusions can be produced by embossing and/or deep drawing.

[0044] FIGS. 3 and 4 each show a further embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention.

[0045] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, crossing indentations and/or protrusions, in particular grooves, are provided as indentations and/or protrusions. These grooves may be provided in a single row or, as shown in the present case, in multiple rows and may extend over the entire or only a partial region of the circumference or height of the basic element.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a portion capsule in which a golf ball structure is provided in the wall region of the basic element, in this case in the form of indentations, i.e. indentations extending in the direction of the cavity. In the present case, the indentations are provided equidistantly and/or according to a repeating pattern. In the present one, the golf ball structure has been produced with elements having a circular cross-section. The skilled person will recognize, however, that the cross-section may also be triangular or polygonal, for example. Diamond-shaped structures and/or a diamond grid are also feasible. The golf ball structure does not have to extend over the entire wall region, but can be provided spaced apart from both the flange and/or the bottom. The golf ball-like structure imparts increased stiffness to the basic element of the portion capsule while maintaining the same material thickness. The golf ball structure can also improve extraction by improving liquid/solid contact.

[0047] In all embodiments, it is preferred that the indentations and/or protrusions are provided such that the formed basic element can be removed from the thermoforming or embossing mold. Preferably, the indentation and/or protrusion does not have an undercut.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0048] 1 portion capsule [0049] 2 cover film, membrane [0050] 3 periphery, circumferential periphery, flange [0051] 4 wall region [0052] 5 indentation, protrusion, groove [0053] 6 spacing between indentation surface and periphery [0054] 7 bottom area [0055] 8 central axis rotation axis [0056] 9 spacing between indentation surface and periphery [0057] 10 spacing between two indentations and/or protrusions [0058] 11 length of an indentation and/or protrusion [0059] 12 interior of the portion capsule [0060] 13 outer region of the portion capsule [0061] 14 basic element [0062] 15 identifier, barcode [0063] 16 rotation direction of the portion capsule [0064] 17 cross-section [0065] 18 golf ball structure