Portion capsule having an identifier

[0001] The invention relates to a portion capsule for making a beverage with a base element that has a void space in which the raw material of the drink is provided and which is closed by a membrane attached to the base element which is attached to the edge area of ​​the base element, which has a mark, which allows the individual portion capsule to be individualized. Portion capsules of this type are sufficiently known for example from WO 02/078498 A1, US 2010/078480 A1 and US 2008/187638 A1 and are offered in a large number of forms on the market. Because these capsules are often relatively similar, it may happen that the capsules of one manufacturer are used in the express makers of another manufacturer, for which they are not intended. This can cause significant safety problems and / or damage to the coffee machine. Bar code packaging for the preparation of a drink is also described in US 2002/0048621.

[0002] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portion capsule that is adapted only to particularly specific coffee machines. This object is achieved by means of a portion capsule according to claim 1.

[0003] The invention relates to a portion capsule for making a drink or food that has a void space in which the raw material of the drink is provided. Such a portion capsule is made, for example, from plastic, natural raw material and / or from biodegradable material and generally has a base element, in particular a deep-drawn base element, which is preferably in the form of a truncated or cylindrical cone. The beverage raw material is filled into the empty space of the portion capsule, for example it is extracted and / or dissolved by liquid, especially water. The base element is filled with a membrane after filling the beverage raw material. The membrane is located opposite the bottom of the base element. The membrane may be made of the same or different material than the base element and is preferably attached by sealing and / or sticking to the base element. In addition, one or more embedded elements, such as a filter, liquid distributor, nonwoven fabric, felt, blocking foil and / or the like can be provided in the empty space. In the event that felt and non-woven fabric are provided, they are preferably joined together. Felt and / or non-woven fabric can be used in multilayer layers, whereby the layers can differ in the starting material used and / or its treatment. The membrane and / or bottom may be equipped with multiple cavities (holes).

[0004] According to the invention, it is envisaged that this portion capsule has a mark that allows the individual portion capsule to be individualized. Individualization within the meaning of the invention preferably means that a given portion capsule can be assigned to a group which is adapted for a given coffee machine. It is not necessary for the coffee machine to recognize which portion capsule is particularly concerned, but only to recognize that the portion capsule belongs to the group of portion capsules that are

-2 adapted to suitable coffee machines. Individualization especially means that portion capsules that are not adapted to the corresponding coffee machines cannot be inserted into them and / or immediately after insertion fall out and / or the coffee machine can only be operated with the correct capsules. Preferably the sensor / detection means provided in the coffee machine registers this marker and compares it preferably with the recorded marker. Preferably, the coffee machine, especially its pressure pump, providing water can only be started if the detected mark corresponds to the reference mark. Otherwise, the coffee machine cannot be started. Preferably, the detection means is provided in the area of ​​the insertion shaft of the coffee machine for portion capsules. In another preferred embodiment, a detection means is provided in the brew chamber area. Alternatively, the tag prevents the capsule from being inserted into the coffee machine.

[0005] Further, according to the invention, the tag is a bar code. Using the portion capsule of the invention, it is possible to prevent the portion capsules from being inserted into the coffee machine for which they are not intended. Further, based on the marker, it is possible for the coffee machine to recognize what type of capsule is in its brewing chamber and to set the beverage or food production accordingly, i.e. for example the amount of water, its pressure and / or its temperature.

[0006] Preferably, weakening is provided in the bottom region by removing material, for example by means of a laser. Such weakening is provided especially in the area of ​​the capsule bottom, which is used to pierce the spike for making the drink. Because the film in the spike area is weakened, for example by removing material with a laser, the force required to pierce the film is less. The spike of a suitable coffee machine may have a force limit, for example in the form of a spring, which limits the force with which the spike can press against the bottom of the portion capsule. In this way, it can be avoided that the capsules, which do not have sufficient weakening, can be used in a suitable coffee machine. Therefore weakness is also a marker.

[0007] According to the invention, the portion capsule has an edge area which is provided on the base element. The edge is provided in the area of ​​the base element opposite to the bottom. In this base area a membrane is placed to close the base element after filling the raw material into a portion capsule. However, the edge can also be used to insert the capsule into the dispensing shaft so that it falls into the brewing chamber in a certain position. At the same time, the edge can serve as a surface for resistance and / or sealing.

[0008] The beverage raw material especially includes coffee powder (preferably ground roasted coffee), chocolate powder, milk powder, tea or the like. Alternatively, it is possible for the beverage raw material to include a beverage extract, such as instant coffee.

[0009] Preferably, it is further provided that the base element turned away from the bottom has an edge area for attaching the membrane to the base element, the wall area between the bottom area in the edge area preferably having a step.

[0010] Preferably, the base element in the fault region has a larger diameter than in the wall region between the fault and the bottom region.

[0011] This advantageously creates a particularly simple and robust option for stacking portion capsules or stacking the base element of portion capsules.

[0012] Further preferred embodiments of the invention relate to portion capsule variants in which the following feature is realized:

- the base element tapers towards the collar in the step area.

[0013] Further preferred embodiments of the invention relate to the implementation of the portion capsule with a ratio of the diameter of the wall area bordering the edge area on one side and the diameter of the edge area on the other, from 0.85 to 0.89, especially substantially 0.87.

[0014] It is further preferably provided that the diameter of the wall area bordering the peripheral area is substantially 39 mm and / or the collar diameter is substantially 45 mm. It is further preferably provided that the base element in the fault area has a greater wall thickness than in the wall area between the bottom area and the edge. Thus, due to the improved stability due to the shape of the portion capsule with the grooves in the wall area, a significant material saving, and thus cost and energy, is possible for the portion capsule.

[0015] Further, according to the invention, it is also preferably provided that a filter element is arranged in the empty space that divides the empty space into the first beverage insertion area and the second area into the beverage extract room, with the filter element being particularly preferably provided nonwoven material.

[0016] A further object of the invention is the use of a portion capsule according to the invention for making a hot drink.

[0017] Next, the invention will be explained based on Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a barcode portion capsule.

In this case, the portion capsule has a bar code in the upper side of the membrane. This bar code can be printed by removing the material or made using optically recognized means present in the film, e.g. fluorescent agents. Alternatively, suitable metal rings can be part of the foil or be placed on the foil. Bar code areas can also be made of ferromagnetic material. According to the invention, a bar code can be provided, as symbolically represented by an arrow 15, on the side facing away from the membrane of the peripheral region of the base element. This bar code is read by the detector 13, for example in a drop window. The bar code is a tag according to the invention.

Mark list

[0020] the base element

2.1 walls

2.2 bottom area 4 membrane detection center, scanner. sensor 15 bar code