PORTION CAPSULE HAVING AN IDENTIFICATION ON THE INNER PERIPHERY THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portion capsule (1) for preparing a beverage comprising a base member (2) having a cavity (3) in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane (4) which is fixed to a base element (2), wherein it has an identifier (7), which makes it possible to individualise the respective portion capsule. In addition, the present invention relates to a process for the production of a portion capsule, and the use of the portion capsule for making a beverage.

Claims

1) Portion capsule for preparing a beverage comprising: a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided, a membrane that is fixed to the base element to close the cavity, and an identifier on an outer surface of the membrane, wherein a foil is placed on top of the identifier, and wherein the identifier is provided as surface areas having an optical reflection property, which is recognizable by a sensor for individualizing the respective portion capsule.

2) (canceled)

3) (canceled)

4) (canceled)

5) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier comprises one or both of an edge portion and flange which is placed on the base element.

6) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein a filter element is placed in the cavity, which divides the cavity into a first area for receiving the beverage raw material, and a second area for receiving a beverage extract.

7) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is an electrically conductive area.

8) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a metallic area.

9) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a ferromagnetic area.

10) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is an RFID.

11) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the portion capsule comprises a filter element, which comprises a non-woven material, in particular a felt or fleece material.

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

13-26) (canceled)

27) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is printed onto a layer of the film.

28) Portion capsule according to claim 11, wherein the filter element is sealed or glued to a bottom area of the base element.

29) Portion capsule according to claim 11, wherein the filter element is sealed or glued to a wall of the base element.

30) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is provided as two strips, the two strips are separated by an area.

31) Portion capsule according to claim 30, wherein the two strips differ in their electrical connectivity from a material of the film and/or the area between the two strips.

32) Portion capsule according to claim 30, wherein two strips differ in their magnetic properties from a material of the film and/or the area between the two strips.

33) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a phosphorescent material.

34) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is a circular ring on the membrane.

35) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is located between two layers, one of which is the membrane, and the other is the foil layer placed on top of the identifier.

36) Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is placed on a film, and the film is placed on the membrane such that the identifier is located between two layers, one of which is the film placed on the membrane and the other is the foil layer placed on top of the identifier.

37) Method of individuating the portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the method includes: comparing the identifier with the sensor or a detection device to a stored identifier, and running a specific program based on the comparison.

Description

[0093] In what follows, the invention will be explained with reference to the FIGS. 1-5. These explanations do not limit the general inventive concept. The comments apply to all subjects of the present invention equally.

[0094] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a portion capsule with an identifier on a film.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows the film as a hose.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a foil ring whose ends have been connected.

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a method for applying the identifier.

[0098] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a portion capsule 1, which has a base element 2 with a wall 2.1 and a bottom area 2.2. The wall 2.1 and the bottom 2.2 define a cavity 3 in which a beverage raw material and, if necessary, a built-in element can be placed. This cavity is preferably sealed after its filling by a membrane which is preferably connected to the edge area 2.4 of the base element, for example by sealing or gluing. This coffee portion capsule is inserted into a brewing chamber, in which it is traversed by a liquid, such as water. Here, the beverage raw material is extracted or dissolved, thereby producing the desired beverage. According to the invention this portion capsule now has an identifier 7, with which it can be determined whether the respective portion capsule is suitable for the preparation of a beverage or foodstuff. If this is not the case, significant health problems can arise. For example, and aqueous solution inedible for the user could be produced by using a cleaning capsule. This should be avoided, According to the invention this identifier 7 is provided on a film 6, in particular a plastic film, which, after the portion capsule has been moulded, as shown by the arrow 5, is inserted into the base element and connected to the inside of 2.4 of the base element 2 of the portion capsule. In the present case, the identifier 7 is divided into at least one, preferably two strips, which differ in their electrical conductivity and/or in their magnetic properties from the material of the film and/or of the material of the base element of the portion capsule. For example, the identifier has different conductivity or magnetic properties to at least one of the two materials and/or the area 8 between two identifiers 7. Preferably, the film 6 extends around the entire periphery of the base element. Particularly preferably each identifier 7 extends around the entire outer circumference of the film/film ring 6. After the film has been placed in the cavity 3 of the base element, it will be connected to it. The identifier may be applied or introduced to the film or as a part of the film, i.e. be inextricably linked with it. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the identifier shown in FIG. 2 can also be effected by an ink applicator, which is described by way of example with reference to FIG. 5. The person skilled in the art will also recognise that the identifier can alternatively or additionally also be placed on the inside 4.1. of the membrane 4.

[0099] FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the film can be provided as a hose, which is cut to the desired length (FIG. 3). The identifier is for example applied to the film or the film is made of two materials, one having the identifier, for example a different electrical conductivity than the remainder. Alternatively, the ends 6.1, 6.2 of the film are connected to each other after its production. This can be done before the film is attached to the base element, when mounting or after mounting. The ends 6.1, 6.2. can, however, be provided with an impact or with a distance from each other.

[0100] In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the portion capsule of the invention is shown in a side view. In the present case, the identifier 7 is applied to the inside of the base element. The identifier is annular and is applied in the present case through a nozzle 9, which rotates during application. Alternatively or additionally, the portion capsule can rotate on the application of the identifier.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0101] Portion capsule

[0102] Base element

[0103] 2.1 Wall

[0104] 2.2 Bottom area

[0105] 2.3 Edge area, flange

[0106] 2.4 inside of the base element

[0107] 3 Cavity

[0108] 4 Membrane

[0109] 4.1 Inside of the membrane

[0110] 5 Relative movement

[0111] 6 Ring, film ring

[0112] 6.1 End of the ring

[0113] 6.2 End of the ring

[0114] 7 identifier, colour ring, barcode

[0115] 8 Area next to an identifier

[0116] 9 Nozzle