Abstract
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.
Claims
1. Single-serve capsule for making a beverage, having a basic element with a cavity, in which a raw beverage material is provided, the capsule having a peripheral region which is provided on the basic element, and the cavity being closed by a membrane, which is fastened on the peripheral region of the basic element, wherein the capsule has an identifier, which makes it possible to individualize the respective single-serve capsule, characterized in that the identifier is a barcode which is provided on that side of the peripheral region of the basic element which is directed away from the membrane.
2. Single-serve capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that a sealing surface is provided on the peripheral region and/or flange.
3. Single-serve capsule according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an insert element with an identifier.
4. Single-serve capsule for making a beverage, having an essentially frustoconical or cylindrical basic element with a cavity for accommodating a raw beverage material, and with a membrane which closes the cavity, characterized in that the basic element has a wall region, wherein the basic element also has, on that side of the single-serve capsule which is directed away from the membrane, a base region, wherein the wall region, or the outer circumference of a flange has a plurality of channels.
5. Single-serve capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the channels realize an identifier, which makes it possible to individualize the single-serve capsule.
6. Single-serve capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that at least some of the channels, and at least in a sub-region in a plane parallel to the main plane along which the membrane extends, have a gear-wheel-like contour.
7. Single-serve capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the channels are designed such that the wall region is stiffened by means of the channels and/or in that the channels provide for turbulence of an extraction liquid flowing in the cavity.
8. Single-serve capsule according to claim 4, characterized in that the cavity contains a filter element, which subdivides the cavity into a first region for accommodating the raw beverage material and into a second region for accommodating a beverage extract.
9. Use of a single-serve capsule according to claim 1 for making a hot beverage.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a portion capsule containing sections that differs optically.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a portion capsule containing a barcode.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a portion capsule with recesses and bulges.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a portion capsule containing sections that differs optically.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a portion capsule with a key function.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows a portion capsule's wall that is electrically conductive.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a portion capsule's wall containing sections that differs optically.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged pot construction of the portion capsule's wall.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows an edge region that is electrically conductive.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows a portion capsule containing a bottom that is electrically conductive.
[0052] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment containing a layer that can be detected by a metal detector.
[0053] FIG. 12 shows a metallic strainer.
[0054] FIG. 13 shows a portion capsule containing a ferromagnetic section.
[0055] FIG. 14 shows a portion capsule containing a barcode.
[0056] FIG. 15 shows a portion capsule containing a section, which is electrically conductive, in the wall.
[0057] FIG. 16 shows a portion capsule with a gearwheel placed in the brewing chamber.
[0058] FIGS. 17 a-c show different embodiments of the portion capsule according to FIG. 16.
[0059] FIG. 18 shows the portion capsule according to the FIGS. 16 and 17, when the portion capsule is fit locking with a gearwheel.
[0060] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a schematic view of a portion capsule according to an embodiment of the presented invention.
[0061] FIGS. 21 and 22 show two sectional views of the portion capsule according to an embodiment of the presented invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] The view illustrated on the right side of FIG. 1 shows a portion capsule 1 comprising a base element 2 that has a wall region 2.1 and a bottom area 2.2. The wall region 2.1 and the bottom area 2.2 define a cavity, which may include the raw material and perhaps a built-in element. After filling the cavity is sealed by a membrane, which is preferably attached to the edge region 2.4 of the base element using seal or glue. This portion capsule can be inserted into a brewing chamber shown in FIG. 12, with a liquid, in particular water, flowing through it. During this process the raw material is extracted or dissolved and therefore the beverage is produced. According to the invention the portion capsule has only one identifier that allows to determinate whether the respective portion capsule goes with the coffee machine's brewing chamber and the parameters for processing are chosen properly. If it is not the case, significant security issues arise. Inserting the wrong portion capsule, for example, endanger the brewing chamber's tightness. In this case hot water can be discharged under high pressure and therefore compromise the user's safety. Otherwise it is also possible that inserting the wrong portion capsule damages the coffee machine. In this example the identifier is represented by several raised areas 8, which differ in reflection properties from the sections between the raised areas. As shown by the arrows the bulges are passed by a mean for detection (here: an optical detector) that is able to differentiate between the unequal sections 5, 6 having different optical properties such as, for example, reflection. Switching between the different sections or the number of bulges represents the identifier. After the identifier has been read out the identifier is compared to a stored reference. If the identifier agrees with the reference, the coffee machine will start operating. Particularly the pump, which is for example responsible for pushing hot water through the brewing chamber, will not start operating, if the identifier does not agree with the reference.
[0063] All the remarks concerning the identifier apply to all the examples.
[0064] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention. Here the portion capsule has a barcode placed in the area of the membrane's top surface. This bar-code may be printed by material removal or may be generated by a medium that is integrated in the foil and can be detected optically such as a fluorescence agent. Alternatively metal rings may be part of the foil or attached to the foil. The bar-code's section may be made of a ferromagnetic material. As shown by the arrow 15 the bar-code alternatively can be attached to the base element's edge region being averted from the membrane. Such a bar-code is read out by a detector 13 placed, for example, in the media chute. The bar-code represents the identifier according to invention.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention. In the present case the identifier comprises recesses and bulges, which result from material removal or reshaping the portion capsule as shown here by the example of the portion capsule's wall 2.1. In the present case recesses and bulges interact with a mean for detection 13, which operates like a key, wherein the coffee machine only start operating, when all elements 13 are placed in the respective recess. Therefore an electric circuit may be changed or especially closed.
[0066] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantially identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. As an alternative version of the invention the figure additionally shows that the sections differing in terms of optical properties can be attached to the cover foil, for example in the form of a bar-code.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantially identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Again the recesses represent the key bit. The coffee machine only will start operating, if the recesses interact with the corresponding bulges and therefore an electric circuit is changed respectively. The placement of such a system is not restricted to the brewing chamber. For instance the system may be placed in the portion capsule's media chute.
[0068] FIG. 6 shows a version of the invention that includes an electric material forming a surrounding ring, which preferably has a raised form. The electrically conductive material is scanned by electric sliding contacts, which are placed in the media chute and form electric contacts of an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.
[0069] FIG. 7 an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantially identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, in which it is provided that the ring area has reflective or mat sections, for example in form of a covering, and allows a read-out by means for optical detection, which are placed in the media chute and are part of a control current, while the portion capsule is inserted.
[0070] FIG. 8 shows a relative broad and raised ring which represents the identifier. The media chute is equipped with a corresponding vacancy that tests whether the portion capsule has the proper identifier. The broad ring is scanned, for example, by mechanical sensors, which are placed in the media chute and close the contacts of an electric circuit, while the portions capsule is inserted.
[0071] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention. In the present case an electrically conductive coat is integrated in the edge region's back and is scanned by electric sliding contacts, which are placed in the media chute and form electric contacts of an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.
[0072] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to the invention. In the present case the portion capsule has an electrically conductive coat such as a conductive varnish layer or an aluminum foil. The coat is scanned by electric sliding contacts, which form electric contacts of an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.
[0073] FIG. 11 illustrates a version of the portion capsule having also an electrically conductive coat that is placed on its bottom and is identified by a metal sensor, which is placed in the chute and, for example, detects inductively, while the portion capsule is inserted.
[0074] The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 12 has a build-in element made of metal (here a strainer 19) that is recognized as identifier by a metal detector.
[0075] The version of the invention shown in FIG. 13 includes a ferromagnetic material placed at the portion capsule′ bottom. The identifier is scanned, for example, by a magnet, which is placed in the chute, while the portion capsule is inserted. The ferromagnetic material acts as identifier.
[0076] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment which includes a bar-code placed in the region of the cover foil.
[0077] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 a metallic ring is integrated in the wall and closes an electric circuit placed in region of the brewing chamber.
[0078] FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule 1 according to the invention. The illustrated portion capsule features a base element that is basically conical-shaped in the present case and has a bottom region 2.2 and a wall region 2.1. It is provided that the base element contains the raw material and, if necessary, build-in elements like a filter as illustrated here. The expert knows that the build-in element may also include other build-in elements. A flange/edge region 2.4, which is preferably circular and, for example, may be used for sealing a cover foil to it, is attached to the end of the base element, which is placed opposite to the bottom. The flange/edge region has means for fit locking, friction locking and/or detection 2.4.2 in the outer area (outer circumference). As especially shown in the FIGS. 17a-17c the mean 2.4.2 is, in the present case, a gearwheel that is formed by several recesses/bulges evenly arranged in the edge region. Preferably, it is provided that the edge region has a sealing surface, which sealingly interacts with the sealing 21 attached to the brewing chamber 27, on the interior side of the gearwheel. The sealing 21 makes sure that the water coming from a water inlet 28 flows rather through the portion capsule by passing a opening, which has been made by a mandrel 29, than around it.
[0079] FIGS. 17a-17c show different embodiments of the mean 2.4.2. According to the version shown in FIG. 17a the gearwheel has forty-five teeth. According to the version shown in FIG. 17b or 17c the gearwheel has twenty-two or twenty-nine teeth, respectively. The expert knows that the manufactured teeth can be shaped arbitrarily. All FIGS. 17a-17c demonstrate how the portion capsule 1 can be hold by a part of the brewing chamber 27 using two holding arms 30. The holding arms interacts with the mean 2.4.2. If they are not available, the holding arms will not hold the portion capsule and the portion capsule will not be inserted into the brewing chamber and will fall through it into a dropping box instead.
[0080] FIG. 18 shows the mean 2.4.2. along with an mean for fit locking 24, which is attached to the coffee machine and is represented by a pinion here. It is provided that the mean for fit locking 24 is placed in the media chute having a port for inserting the portion capsule in the coffee machine. The distance between the inner wall of the portion capsule 25 and the pinion 27 are designed in such a way that the portion capsule only will pass the port, if the mean for fit locking is formed complementary to the teeth of the pinion 27. Only in this case the portion capsule rotates the pinion 24 while it falls. Both rotating and falling are represented by arrows in the figure. The portion capsule needs the rotation for passing the media chute's port and falling in the intended position afterwards. If the portion capsule has no or wrong mean of fit locking, it will be impossible to place the portion capsule by passing the media chute in the intended position. Additionally or alternatively it is provided that the pinion 24 has a pick-up that detects the rotary movement and transmits it to a control unit. If the rotation at least correspond a defined rotating element, the control unit will activate, for example, the brewing unit. The expert knows that the portion capsule's border may include means for friction locking that interacts with a mean, for example an edge, and shift it in such a way that the shift is detected and therefore the brewing chamber is activated.
[0081] The expert moreover knows that a sensor, being for example a camera, which detects the form of the mean 2.4.2., may be installed in the media chute. In the present case the form and/or the distance between the teeth may be detected. If the proper portion capsule was inserted, a resulting signal could be transmitted to a control unit, which activates the brewing chamber.
[0082] FIG. 19 schematically shows a view of another portion capsule's version according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 illustrates the same portion capsule from a different point of view schematically. FIG. 19 shows the front view of the portion capsule. FIG. 20 shows the portion capsule viewed from an angle below. In all figures the portion capsule is labeled with the reference sign 1. The portion capsule substantially has a frustoconically shaped base element 2, which is formed similar to a pot and encloses a cavity 3. The cavity 3 is sealed by a membrane 4. Since the viewing direction of FIG. 1 is essentially parallel to the plane, in which the membrane is located, the figure just adumbrate the membrane at the upper edge of the portion capsule. In particular the base element 2 comprises a soft, semi-rigid or rigid plastic material which is deep-drown, preferably. The membrane comprises a foil made of plastic material or aluminum. Preferably the base element has a circumferential mounting flange 17 in the region of the membrane, with the membrane and the mounting flange 17 being firmly bonded, in particular by welding or gluing. Preferably a filter element, which is not specifically depicted in the figures, is placed within the base element 2. For instance, the filter element is made of thermoplastic resin such as, for example, polypropylene. The filter element could also be made of a non-woven material such as, for example, thermoplastic resin. Preferably the filter element divides the cavity 3 in two sections. It is provided that the first section can be filled with a raw material and the second section can be filled with and particularly collect a beverage's extract, which is not shown, during the extractions process. Both sections are not illustrated individually.
[0083] The portion capsule is intended for inserting into a brewing chamber or a device for producing a beverage, which is not shown here. In particular such a device for producing a beverage is a coffee machine. The device for producing a beverage could be also a machine that produces a tea drink, a chocolate drink or any other beverage. Preferably an extraction liquid, which is particularly water or hot water, is brought under high pressure into the brewing chamber of the device for producing a beverage. The extraction liquid interacts with the raw material of the beverage in such a way that an extract of a beverage or a beverage is generated. In particular the filter element is utilized as a strainer for the extract of a beverage.
[0084] According to the invention the base element 2 has a wall region 12 and a bottom area 11. The wall region 12 basically ranges from the flange 17 to the bottom region 11. Several grooves 15 are placed in the wall region. In particular these grooves are keyways that are integrated in the wall region 12 and are facing the cavity 3 and range from the flange 17 to the bottom region 11 (i.e. they run perpendicular according to FIG. 19). According to the invention provision is made for the grooves 15 to be extended vertically across the wall region, i.e. they run straight from the flange 17 to the bottom region 11, in which it is not necessary that they are extended over the whole length. The grooves are formed according to the invention in such a way that the wall region is reinforced or stiffened due to the grooves 15. Moreover the plurality of the grooves 15, which are distributed over the wall region 12, realize an adhesion between wall region 12 and the brewing chamber's wall of the device for producing a beverage after the extraction process. This makes it easier to eject the portion capsule from the brewing chamber automatically. The portion capsule's version represented in FIG. 19 comprises a circumferential border 16 that is placed at the wall region 12 ranging from the flange 17 to the bottom area 11, namely adjacent to the flange 17 facing towards the bottom area 11. The border 16 has an enlarged diameter (parallel to the membrane 4) compared to the wall region's ranging from the border 16 to the bottom area 11. It is provided that the border's contour 16 is designed in such a manner that the border's diameter tapers towards the flange 7.
[0085] It is provided according to the portion capsule's embodiment, which is represented in FIG. 19 and is in accordance with the invention, that the grooves 15 are placed in the border's region in the first part, partially range from the border 16 to the bottom area 11 across the wall region 12, in the second part and then finally end. All in all the grooves cover, for example, around 50% of the extension of the wall region 12, which ranges from the flange 7 to the bottom area 11, wherein one-third of the grooves' extension is placed in the border's region and two-thirds of the grooves' extension is placed in the remaining wall region 12 that range from the border 16 to the bottom area 11.
[0086] A portion capsule according to the invention is shown as sectional view along the portion capsule's extension regarding its height in FIG. 21, i.e. the section's plane is perpendicular to the membrane's main plane. FIG. 22 also shows a portion capsule according to the invention in a sectional view portraying the sectional plane, which is parallel to the membrane's main plane. It is noticeable that the interior of the portion capsule's cavity is shown in FIG. 21. The portion capsule's material or the base element's material is so thin that the implementation of grooves at the exterior shown in FIG. 19 leads to corresponding convexities and impressions at the interior. FIG. 22 particularly illustrates the gearwheel shaped contour resulting from insertion of grooves in the portion capsule's wall region.
