Portion capsule having an identifier

0001The present invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a base element with a cavity containing a beverage raw material and sealed by a membrane attached to the base element at its edge, the membrane having an identifier that allows for individualization of each portion capsule. Such portion capsules are readily available, for example, from the<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO02078498A1"><text>WO 02/078498 A1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US2010078480A1"><text>US 2010/078480 A1</text></patcit> as well as the<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US2008187638A1"><text>US 2008/187638 A1</text></patcit> These capsules are well-known and available in a wide variety of designs. Since these capsules are often quite similar, it can happen that capsules from one manufacturer are used in coffee machines from another manufacturer, for which they are not suitable. This can lead to significant safety problems and/or damage the coffee machine. Packaging with a barcode for preparing a beverage is also available in...<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US20020048621A"><text>US 2002/0048621</text></patcit> described.

0002The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a portion capsule that is suitable only for a very specific coffee machine. This object is achieved with a portion capsule according to claim 1.

0003The present invention relates to a portion capsule for the production of a beverage or foodstuff, which has a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided. Such a portion capsule is made, for example, of plastic, a natural material and/or a biodegradable material and generally has a base element, in particular a deep-drawn base element, which is preferably frustoconical or cylindrical in shape. The beverage base material, which is extracted and/or dissolved in a liquid, particularly water, is filled into the cavity of the portion capsule. After the beverage base material has been filled, the base element is sealed with a membrane. The membrane is positioned opposite the bottom of the base element. The membrane can be made of the same or a different material as the base element and is preferably attached to the base element by sealing and/or gluing. Furthermore, one or more components, such as a filter, a liquid distributor, a nonwoven fabric, a felt, a barrier film, and/or the like, can be provided in the cavity. If a felt and a nonwoven fabric are provided, they are preferably bonded together. The fleece and/or nonwoven fabric can be provided in multiple layers, with the layers differing in the type of raw material used and/or its processing. The membrane and/or the base can be provided with multiple cutouts (holes).

0004According to the invention, this portion capsule has an identifier that makes it possible to individualize each individual portion capsule. Individualization within the meaning of the invention preferably means that each individual portion capsule can be assigned to a group that is suitable for the respective coffee machine. It is not necessary for the coffee machine to recognize which specific portion capsule it is, but only that the respective portion capsule belongs to a group of portion capsules that are suitable for the respective coffee machine. Individualization means, in particular, that portion capsules not suitable for the respective coffee machine cannot be inserted and/or fall out immediately, and/or that the coffee machine can only be operated with the correct capsules. Preferably, a sensor/detection device provided on the coffee machine detects this identifier and preferably compares it with a stored identifier. Preferably, the coffee machine, and in particular its water-supplying pressure pump, should only be put into operation if the determined identifier matches the reference identifier. Otherwise, the coffee machine should not be put into operation. Preferably, the detection means is located in the area of the coffee machine's capsule insertion chute. In another preferred embodiment, the detection means is located in the area of the brewing chamber. Alternatively, the identifier prevents the capsule from being inserted into the coffee machine.

0005Furthermore, according to the invention, the identifier is a barcode. With the portion capsule according to the invention, it is possible to prevent portion capsules not intended for a specific coffee machine from being inserted into it. Furthermore, the identifier allows the coffee machine to recognize which type of capsule is in its brewing chamber and to adjust the beverage or food production process accordingly. for example, the amount of water, its pressure and/or its temperature is adjusted accordingly.

0006Preferably, a weakening is provided in the base area by material removal, for example using a laser. This weakening is particularly provided in the area of the capsule's base that is pierced by a spike during beverage production. Because the film is weakened in the area of the spike, for example by material removal using a laser, the force required to pierce the film is reduced. The spindle of a compatible coffee machine may have a force limiter, for example in the form of a spring, which restricts the force with which the spindle can press against the base of the portioned capsule. This prevents capsules that do not have this specific weakening from being used in the compatible coffee machine. The weakening therefore also serves as an identifier.

0007According to the invention, the portion capsule has a rim area provided on the base element. The rim is located on the area of the base element opposite the bottom. A membrane for sealing the base element is arranged on this rim area after the raw material has been filled into the portion capsule. The rim can also serve to guide the capsule in a chute so that it falls into a brewing chamber in a specific orientation. At the same time, the edge can serve as a stop and/or sealing surface.

0008The beverage raw material includes, in particular, coffee powder (preferably ground roasted coffee), chocolate powder, milk powder, tea, or similar products. Alternatively, the beverage raw material could include a beverage extract, such as instant coffee.

0009It is also preferably provided that the base element has an edge area facing away from the bottom area for attaching the membrane to the base element, wherein the wall area between the bottom area and the edge area preferably has a step.

0010Preferably, the base element has a larger diameter in the area of the heel than in the wall area between the heel and the bottom area.

0011This advantageously provides a particularly simple and robust way to achieve stackability of the portion capsules or stackability of the base element of the portion capsules.

0012Further preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to variants of the portion capsule in which the following feature is realized:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>The base element tapers in the area of the shoulder towards the flange.</li></ul>

0013Further preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to a realization of the portion capsule with a ratio of the diameter of the wall area adjacent to the edge area on the one hand to the diameter of the edge area on the other hand between 0.85 and 0.89, in particular substantially 0.87.

0014Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the diameter of the wall area adjacent to the edge region is essentially 39 mm and/or the diameter of the flange is essentially 45 mm. It is also preferably provided that the base element has a greater wall thickness in the area of the shoulder than in the wall area between the bottom region and the edge. This results in a significant reduction in material savings and thus in costs and energy expenditure for the production of the portion capsule, due to the improved stability achieved by the shape of the portion capsule with the grooves in the wall area.

0015Furthermore, according to the invention, it is also preferably provided that a filter element is arranged within the cavity, which divides the cavity into a first area for arranging the beverage raw material and into a second area for receiving a beverage extract, wherein it is particularly preferably provided that the filter element comprises a nonwoven material.

0016Another object of the present invention is the use of a portion capsule according to the invention for the production of a hot beverage.

0017The invention will now be described in more detail below.<figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> explained.

0018<figref idref="f0001"><b>Figure</b> 1</figref> shows a portion capsule with a barcode.

0019In this case, the portion capsule has a barcode on the upper surface of the membrane. This barcode can be printed by material removal or produced using optically detectable agents present in the film, such as fluorescent agents. Alternatively, corresponding metal rings can be part of the film or attached to it. The barcode areas can also be made of a ferromagnetic material. According to the invention, the barcode can be provided on the side of the edge region of the base element facing away from the membrane, as symbolized by arrow 15. This barcode is read by a detector 13, for example in a chute. The barcode represents the identifier according to the invention.

Reference symbol list:

0020<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>2 Basic element</li><li>2.1 Wall</li><li>2.2 Floor area</li><li>4 Membrane</li><li>13 Detection devices, scanners, sensors</li><li>15</li><li>17 Barcode</li></ul>