NZ623416B2 - Optical readable code support and capsule for preparing a beverage having such code support providing an enhanced readable optical signal - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an optically readable code support (30) to be associated with or be part of a capsule indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation of the capsule. The support comprising at least one sequence of binary symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation. The binary symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces (400-403) and light absorbing surfaces (410-414). The code support preferably comprises a base structure (500) extending continuously at least along the sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions (528) locally applied onto or formed at the surface of the base structure. The discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light- absorbing surfaces and the base structure (500) forms the light-reflective surfaces (400-403) outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. The discrete light-absorbing portions (410-414) are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. The light-reflective base structure (500) comprises a monolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer. The layer is coated by a lacquer comprising light-reflective particles. h symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation. The binary symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces (400-403) and light absorbing surfaces (410-414). The code support preferably comprises a base structure (500) extending continuously at least along the sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions (528) locally applied onto or formed at the surface of the base structure. The discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light- absorbing surfaces and the base structure (500) forms the light-reflective surfaces (400-403) outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. The discrete light-absorbing portions (410-414) are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. The light-reflective base structure (500) comprises a monolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer. The layer is coated by a lacquer comprising light-reflective particles.

Description

l readable code support and e for preparing a ge having such code support providing an enhanced readable optical signal Field of the invention: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation, in particular using es containing an ingredient for ing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. The present invention relates in particular to optical code supports adapted to store information related to a capsule, capsules associated with/or embedding a code support, reading and processing arrangements for reading and using such information for preparing a beverage. ,1“? . Background of the invention: «in», For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage" is meant to include any human- consumabie liquid substance, such as coffee, tea, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food or the like. A “capsule" is meant to include any pre-portioned beverage ingredient or combination of ingredients (hereafter called “ingredient") within an ing packaging of any suitable material such as plastic, ium, a recyclable and/or bio—degradable material and ations thereof, ing a soft pod or a rigid cartridge containing the ingredient.

Certain beverage ation machines use capsules containing an ingredient to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or an ingredient that is stored and dosed tically in the machine or else is added at the time of preparation of the drink. Certain beverage machines comprise liquid filling means that include a pump for , usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, eg. a thermoblock or the like. Certain beverage preparation machines are ed to prepare beverages by using a centrifugal extraction process. The principle mainly consists in providing beverage ingredient in a container of the capsule, feeding liquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule at elevated speed to ensure interaction of liquid with powder while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the e; such pressure increasing gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the receptacle. As liquid traverses the coffee bed, extraction of the coffee compounds takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the capsule.

Typically, it is suitable to offer to the user a range of capsules of different types centaining different ingredients (e.g., different coffee blends) with specific taste characteristics, to prepare a variety of different beverages (e.g., different coffee types) with a same machine.

The characteristics of the ges can be varied by varying the content of the capsule (e.g., coffee weight, different blends, etc.) and by adjusting key e ters such as the supplied liquid volume or temperature, the rotational speed, the pressure pump. Therefore, there is a need for fying the type of capsule ed in the beverage machine to enable the adjustment of the brewing parameters to the inserted type. Moreover, it may also be desirable for capsules to embed additional information, for example safety ation like use- by date or production data like batch numbers. /026053 s to a controlled beverage production device using centrifugal forces.

The capsule may comprise a barcode provided on an outside face of the capsule and which enables a detection of the type of capsule and/or the nature of ingredients provided within the capsule in order to apply a predefined tion profile for the beverage to be prepared. it is known from the art, for example in document EP1764015A1, to print a iocal fying barcode on the circular crown of a coffee wafer for use in a conventional coffee brewing relates to a support adapted to be associated with or be a part of a capsule for the preparation of a beverage. The support comprises a section on which at least one sequence of symbols is represented so that each symbol is sequentially le, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, each sequence codes a set of information related to the capsule. Such invention enables to make a large volume of coded information ble, such as about 100 bits of redundant or non—redundant information, without using barcode readers having moving parts like a scanning element which may raise severe concerns in terms of ility. Another advantage is also to be able to read the code support by ng the capsule while the capsule is in place, in a ready to brew position in the rotary capsule holder. However, one disadvantage lies in that those reading conditions remain specifically difficult for different reasons, such as because the incoming and outgoing rays of light must traverse the capsule holder when the capsule is held by the capsule holder, causing the loss of a great part of energy and/or because the light rays may incur significant angular deviations due to particular mechanical constraints born by the rotating assembly of the machine and possibly coming from different origins (e.g., vibrations, wearing, nced mass distribution, etc). Furthermore, it is not suitable to compensate the loss of reflectivity by improving the performance of the light emitting and sensing devices of the machine as it would make the beverage preparation machine too expensive.

Dutch patent NL1015029 relates to a code structure comprising a carrier with a barcode disposed thereon in the form of parallel bars, comprising first bars with a first reflection coefficient and second bars with a second reflection coefficient lower than the first reflection coefficient, n the first bars are made of a substantiaily retro—reflective material and the second bars are made of mirror-reflective al. This bar code structure is lly ed to be recognized from a greater distance by already existing laser scanners, more particularly, by the use of retro-reflective materials, i.e., material wherein the peak of the reflection characteristic is measured at 180 degrees. However, such code structure poses a problem of properly detecting the reflected signals of the first and second bars due to the angular distance between the two reflected signals. Such solution is therefore not adapted to a compact reading system to be installed in a beverage preparation device.

Therefore, there is a need for providing an improved code support which enables to e a le reading in the particular conditions met in a beverage machine using capsules for the preparation of the beverage.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowiedge in the field.

The present invention relates to an improved code support and capsule sing said support in particularfor providing an enhancement of the optical signai generated from the code t. in particular. a probiem met with an optical code on a capsule is that light- reflecting and light~absorbing signais can be difficuit to discriminate.

Another problem lies in that the support is reiativeiy complex to integrate to the packaging structure forming the capsule itself and, in particular, manufacturing packaging constraints exist, such as the t of proper material thickness for a properforming of the capsule.

In particular, there is a need for reiiably reading information on a proper code support associated to or part of a e, in particular, a support able to generate an enhanced signal in particularly difficult reading ions found in a beverage machine such as one ing extraction of the beverage by centrifugation obtained by rotating the capsule about its centre.

There is also a need for providing a support that is d for an easy ation to a capsule packaging material.

It is an object of the present invention to me or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Brief description of the invention: ing to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an optically le code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, n the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces wherein it comprises a base structure extending continuously at least along said sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light—absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; wherein the discontinuous discrete Eight-absorbing portions form the light—absorbing es and the base structure forms the lightreflective surfaces outside the surface areas ed by the discrete light~absorbing portions; said discrete light~ ing ns are arranged to provide a lower light~reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions, n the lightureflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer; said layer being coated by a lacquer comprising reflective particles.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a e comprising an optically readable code support according to the first aspect.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or tive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not d to”.

The present invention relates to an lly readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, such as by centrifugation of the capsule in the device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading ement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces n the code support comprises a base 2012/072088 . structure ing continuously at least along said sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; wherein the discontinuous discrete light~absorbing portions form the light— absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light—reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions; said te light-absorbing portions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the te light—absorbing portions.

The discontinuous discrete light-absorbing ns of lower light—reflective refers to portions of light -able surfaces , providing a lower mean intensity than the mean intensity reflected by the reflective surfaces formed by the base ure outside these local areas occupied by said light-absorbing portions. The mean intensity is determined when these portions or surfaces are illuminated by an incoming beam of light forming an angle between 0 and 20°, at a wavelength between 380 and 780 nm, more preferably at 830-880 nm, and these portions or surfaces reflect an outgoing beam of light, in a ion forming an angle comprised between 0 and 20°. The identification of these surfaces can be correlated to the upwards and downwards jumps reflecting the transitions between the reflective and absorbing surfaces after filtering of the typicai signal fluctuations and noises. These angles are determined relative to the normal to the light impact-able surfaces. Therefore, it should be noticed that such light-absorbing portions may still provide a certain level of reflected intensity, e.g., by specular and/or diffusion effect, within said d angie ranges. However, the levels of reflected intensity between the reflective absorbing surfaces should be iently distinct so that a discriminable signal is made possible.

Surprisingly, the proposed solution enables to improve the readability of the generated signal. rmore, it can form a structure which can be easily integrated to a capsule, e.g., be formed into a three-dimensional containment member (e.g., body and rim).

Preferably, the optically readable code support has an annular configuration so that it can be associated to a capsule, be part of or form the rim of a capsule indented for delivering a beverage producing device by centrifugation of the capsule in such device. The optical properties of the support, as defined by the particular arrangement of the ion, are such that a reading of the code is made le while the t is driven in rotation in the beverage device.

Preferably, the base structure and the light-absorbing portions form, respectively, a light- tive surface and light-absorbing surface which both reflect, at a m of intensity, within reflection angles which differ one another of less than 90 degrees, preferably, differ one another of less than 45 degrees. In other words, the reflective and absorbing surfaces of the code t are not chosen amongst two es having different reflective properties, i.e., surfaces having -reflective properties and retro-reflective properties. in the context of the present invention, mirror—reflective properties refer to the reflection characteristics having a local maximum with a reflection angle equal to the angle normal to the direction from which the beam was transmitted. “Retro-reflective surfaces” are usually surfaces which reflect the incident light beam in a direction opposite to the direction from which the beam was transmitted, irrespective of the angle of the incident beam ve to the surface.

The optical properties of the support, as defined by the particular arrangement of the invention, are also such that a more robust reading of the code is made possible by transmitting the source light beam and reflected light beam within a d angle range enabling to build a reader system within a confined environment such it is the case in a beverage preparation device.

More preferably, the light-reflective surfaces are obtained by a base structure of continuous ement, such as, for ce, forming an annular part of the flange-like rim of the capsule. it enables the use a larger choice of reflective packaging materials forming a sufficient thickness for a sufficiently good reflectivity. Materials for the base structure of the code support can form a part of the capsule and are prone to forming or moulding into a cup- shaped body of the capsule, for example. The overlying arrangement of the absorbing surfaces on the base structure, by way of discrete portions, enables to more ctively produce a signal of lower reflectivity compared to the tight-reflective signal, in particular, in an environment where potentially a major part of the light energy is lost during transfer from the machine to the capsule. in particular, loss of the light energy may be due to the requirement for traversing one or more walls of the device.

More particularly, the light-reflective base structure comprises metai arranged in the structure to provide the light tive surfaces. In particular, the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer and/or a layer of light-reflective les preferably metal pigments in a polymeric . When metal is used as part of the base ure, it can advantageously serve for providing both an effective tive signal and a layer constituting part of the capsule which may be formed into a complex three dimensional shape and confer a strengthening and/or protective function, for example, a gas barrier function. The metal is preferably chosen amongst the group consisting of: aluminium, silver, iron, tin, gold, copper and ations thereof. In a more ic mode, the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer coated by a transparent polymeric primer so as to form the reflective surfaces. The polymeric primer enables to level the reflecting surface of metal for an improved reflectivity and provides an improved bonding surface for the light absorbing portions applied thereon. The primer provides formability to the metai layer by reducing the wearing forces during g. The primer also protects the metal layer from scratching or other deformation that could impact on the reflectivity of the surfaces. The transparency of the primer should be such that the loss of light intensity in the determined conditions through the layer is negligible. The primer also avoids a direct food contact with the metal layer. in an alternative, the base structure comprises an inner polymeric layer coated by an outer metallic layer (e.g., by vapor ization of the ran“. polymeric layer). ably, the non-metallic transparent polymeric primer has thickness of less than 5 microns, most ably a thickness between 0.1 and 3 microns. The thickness as defined es a sufficient protection against direct food t with metal and maintains, for enhanced reflectivity purpose, levels the surface irregularities of the metal and provides a glossy effect of the metal surface positioned underneath. in a different mode, the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer or poiymeric t layer; said layer being coated by a lacquer comprising light- reflective particles, preferably metal pigments. The lacquer has a larger thickness than a primer so that it can advantageously contain reflective pigments. The lacquer has preferably a ess higher than 3 microns and less than 10 microns, preferably comprised between 5 and 8 microns. The lacquer forms a reflective layer that improves the reflectivity of the metal layer oned eath. The reflectivity is dependent on the ratio of metal pigments to the polymer (in % by wt). The ratio of metal pigment can also be sed above wt. 10% for a non—metallic support layer to ensure the sufficient reflective properties of the base structure.

Both the primer and lacquer improve the formability of the metal layer by reducing the wearing forces during forming (e.g., deep drawing) thereby enabling to consider the code support as a formabie structure to produce the body of the capsule. The chemical base of the primer or lacquer is preferably chosen amongst the list of: polyester, nate, epoxy and combinations f. The application process of the primer or lacquer 0n the support layer depends on the thickness of the polymeric layer and the ratio of pigments in the film since such ratio influences the viscosity of the polymer. For example, the application of the primer or lacquer on the metal layer can be made by solvation, for example, by applying the metal layer with a polymeric containing solvent and submitting the layer to a ature above the boiling point of the soivent to ate the solvent and enabling curing of the primer or lacquer and to fix it onto the metal layer.

Preferably, the discontinuous light-absorbing portions are formed by an additional colour contrasting layer d onto the said base structure. The discontinuous absorbing portions are preferabiy formed by an ink applied onto the said base structure. The ink has preferably a thickness between 0.25 and 3 microns. Several ink layers can be applied to form the light-absorbing portions, of, for instance, 1 micron-thick, to provide l printed ink layers in a register. The ink portions reflect a lower light intensity compared to the reflective surfaces formed by the base structure. For the light-absorbing portions, the ink preferably comprises at least 50% by weight of pigments, more preferably about 60% by weight. The pigments are chosen amongst those essentially absorbing iight at sensibly 830-850 nm of wavelength. Preferred pigments are black pigments or colour (non-metallic) pigments. As a matter of example, colour pigments used in colour pantone codes: 2010, 4680, 4820, 57430, 73020 or 80060. have provided satisfactory results. The application of ink to form the light-absorbing portions on the base structure can be obtained by any suitable process such as stamping, roto-engraving, photo-engraving, chemical treatment or offset printing.

Preferably, the ce of symbols comprises between 100 and 200 symbols sequentially le on the support. More preferabiy, it comprises between 140 and 180 symbols, most preferably 160 s. Each symbol forms covers an area having an arcuate sector, along the circumferential extension direction of the sequence, lower than 5°, more preferably between 1.8° and 36°, most preferably comprised between 2 and 25". Each individual symbol may take a rectangular, oidal, circular shape.

The invention relates to a capsule comprising an lly readabie code support as entioned.

The invention further relates to a capsule indented for delivering a ge in a beverage producing device by centrifugation sing a body, a flange-like rim and an optically readable code support as aforementioned, wherein the code support is an integral part of at least the rim of the e, wherein the body and rim of the capsule are obtained by forming, such as by deep drawing, a flat or preformed structure comprising said support.

Brief description of the s: The present invention will be better understood thanks to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying drawings, which are given as non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention, namely: - figure 1 illustrates the basic principle of the centrifugal extraction, - figure 2a, 2b illustrate an embodiment of the centrifugal cell with a capsule holder; - figure 3a, 3b, 3c illustrate an embodiment of a set of es according to the invention; — figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a code support according to the invention; — figure 5 illustrates an ate position of the ce on the capsule, in particular, when ,nwm,' placed on the underside of the rim of the capsule, and the capsule fitted into a capsule holder (.1 of the extraction device, — figure 6 illustrates by a schema an optical bench used to measure symbols on an embodiment of a capsule according to the ion; - figure 7 show a diagram of the relative diffuse reflectivity of the symbols of an embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, as a on of the source and or angles; - figure 8 show a diagram of the contrast between symbols of an embodiment of a capsule according to the invention, as a function of the source and detector angles; - figure 9 is a first example of an optically readable coded t along circumferential section view in radial direction R at the rim of the e of figure 4, - figure 10 is a second example of an optically readabie coded support along circumferential cross-section view in radial direction R at the rim of the capsule of figure 4, — figures 11 to 13 illustrate graphical representations of the measure of reflectivity in % respectively for optically readable code supports according to the invention and for another comparative code support.

Detailed description of the invention: Figure 1 illustrates an example of a beverage preparation system i as described in /026053 for which the capsule of the invention can be used.

The centrifugal unit 2 ses a centrifugal cell 3 for exerting centrifugal forces on the beverage ingredient and liquid inside the capsule. The cell 3 may comprise a capsule holder and a capsule received therein. The fugal unit is connected to driving means 5 such as a rotary motor. The centrifugal unit comprises a collecting part and an outlet 35. A receptacle 48 can be disposed below the outlet to collect the extracted beverage. The system further comprises liquid supply means such as a water oir 6 and a fluid circuit 4. Heating means 31 may also be provided in the reservoir or along the fluid circuit. The liquid supply means may further se a pump 7 connected to the reservoir. A flow restriction means 19 is provided to create a ction to the flow of the centrifuged liquid which leaves the capsule. The system may further comprise a flow meter such as a flow-metering turbine 8 for providing a control of the flow rate of water supplied in the cell 3. The counter 11 can be connected to the flow-metering turbine 8 to enable an analysis of the generated impulse data 10. The analysed data is then transferred to the processor 12. Accordingly, the exact actual flow rate of the liquid within the fluid circuit 4 can be ated in real—time. A user interface 13 may be ed to allow the user to input information that is transmitted to the l unit 9. Further characteristics of the system can be found in W02010/026053.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c relate to an embodiment of a set of capsules 2A, 28, 20. The capsules preferably comprise a body 22, a rim 23 and an upper wall member respectively a lid 24. The lid 24 may be a perforable membrane or an re wall. Thereby the lid 24 and the body 22 enclose an enclosure respectively ients tment 26. As shown in the figures, the lid 24 is preferably connected onto an inner annular portion R of the rim 23 that is preferably between 1 to 5 mm.

The rim is not arily horizontal as illustrated. it can be slightly bended. The rim 23 of the capsules preferably extends outwardly in a direction essentially perpendicular (as illustrated) or slightly inclined (if bended as aforementioned) relative to the axis of rotation Z of the capsule. Thereby, the axis of rotation Z represents the axis of rotation during centrifugation of the capsule in the brewing device, and in particular is sensibly cal to the axis of rotation Z of the capsule holder 32 during centrifugation of the capsule in the brewing device.

It should be understood that the shown embodiment is just an exemplary embodiment and that the es in particular the capsule body 22 can take various different embodiments.

The body 22 of the respective capsule has a single convex n 258, 25b, 250 of variable depth, respectively, d1, d2, d3. Thereby, the portion 25a, 25b, 250 may as well be a truncated or a partially cylindrical portion.

Hence, the capsules 2A, 28, ZC preferably comprise different volumes but, preferably, a same insertion diameter ’D‘. The capsule of figure 3a shows a small volume capsule 2A whereas the capsule of figure 3b and 30 show a larger volume capsule 28 respectively 20.

The insertion er ’D‘ is hereby determined at the line of intersection between the lower W0 20131072239 e of the rim 23 and the upper portion of the body 22. However, it could be another referencing er of the capsule in the device.

The small volume capsule 2A preferably ns an amount of extraction ingredient, e.g., ground coffee, smaller than the amount for the large volume capsules 2B, 20. Hence, the small capsule 2A is intended for delivery of a short coffee of between 10 ml and 60 ml with an amount of ground coffee comprised between 4 and 8 grams. The larger capsules 28 is intended for delivery of a -size coffee, e.g., between 60 and 120 ml and the largest capsule is intended for ry of a long-size coffee, e.g., between 120 and 500 ml.

Furthermore, the mediumasize coffee capsule 28 can contain an amount of ground coffee comprised between 6 and 15 grams and the iong~size coffee capsule 20 can contain an amount of ground coffee between 8 and 30 grams. in addition, the capsules in the set according to the ion may contain different blends of roast and ground coffee or coffees of different origins and/or having different roasting and/or grinding teristics.

The capsule is designed for rotating around the axis Z. This axis 2 crosses perpendicularly the center of the lid which has the form of a disk. This axis Z exits at the center of the bottom of the body. This axis Z will help to define the notion of “circumference” which is a circular path d on the capsule and having the axis Z as reference axis. This circumference can be on the lid, e.g. lid or on the body part such as on the flange-like rim. The lid may be impervious to liquid before insertion in the device or it may be pervious to liquid by means of small openings or pores provided in the center and/or periphery of the lid.

Hereafter, the lower surface of the rim 23 refers to the section of the rim 23 that is located outside the enclosure formed by the body and the lid, and is visible when the capsule is oriented on the side where its body is visible.

Further characteristics of the capsules or the set capsules can be found in documents WO 2011/0069830, , or W02011/0092301.

An embodiment of the centrifugal cell 3 with a capsule holder 32 is illustrated by Figures 2a and 2b. The capsule holder 32 forms in l a cylindrical or conical wide shaped cavity ed with an upper opening for inserting the capsule and a lower bottom closing the receptacle. The opening has a diameter ly larger than the one of the body 22 of the capsule. The outline of the opening fits to the outline of the rim 23 of the capsule cenfigured to lean on the edge of the opening when the capsule is inserted. As a consequence, the rim 23 of the capsule rests at least partially on a receiving part 34 of the capsule holder 32. The lower bottom is provided with a cylindrical shaft 33 attached perpendicularly to the center of 2012/072088 the external face of the bottom. The capsule holder 32 rotates around the central axis Z of the shaft 33.

An optical reading arrangement 100 is also represented in figure 2a and 2b. The optical reading arrangement 100 is configured to deliver an output signal comprising information d to a level of reflectivity of a surface of the lower surface of the rim 23 of a e leaning on the ing part 34 of the capsule holder 32. The optical reading arrangement is configured to perform optical measurements of the surface of the lower surface of the rim 23 through the e holder 32, more particularly through a lateral wall of the cylindrical or conicai wide shaped capsule holder 32. Alternatively, the output signal may contain ential information, for instance differences of reflectivity over time, or contrast information. The output signal may be analog, for example a voltage signal varying with the ation measured over the time. The output signal may be digital, for example a binary signal comprising numerical data of the information ed over the time. in the embodiment of figure 2a and 2b, the g arrangement 100 comprises alight emitter 103 for emitting a source light beam 105a and a light receiver 102 for receiving a reflected light beam iO5b.

Typically the light emitter 103 is a light—emitting diode or a laser diode, emitting an infrared light, and more particularly a light with a wavelength of 850nm. Typically, the light receiver 103 is a photodiode, adapted to convert a received light beam into a current or voltage signal.

The reading arrangement 100 comprises also processing means 106 including a printed circuit board embedding a processor, sensor signal amplifier, signal filters and circuitry for coupling said processing means 106 to the light emitter 103, the light receiver 102 and to the control unit 9 of the machine.

The light emitter 103, the light receiver 102, and the processing means 106 are maintained in a fixed position by a support 101, rigidly fixed relatively to the machine frame. The reading arrangement 100 stays into its on during an extraction process and is not driven into rotation, centrary to the capsule holder 32.

In ular, the light emitter 103 is disposed so as the source light beam 1058 is generally oriented along a line L crossing at a fixed point F the plane P comprising the ing part 34 of the capsule holder 32, said plane P having a normal line N passing h the point F.

The fixed point P determines an absolute position in space where the source light beams 105a is intended to hit a reflective surface: the on of the fixed point F remains ged when the capsule holder is rotated. The reading arrangement may comprise focusing means 104, using for example holes, lenses and/or prisms, to make the source light beam 105 ging more efficiently to the fixed point F of the lower surface of the lid of a capsule positioned into the capsule holder 32. in particular, the source light beam 105 may be focused so as to illuminate a disc centered sensibly on the fixed point F and having a er d.

The reading ement 100 is configured so as the angle GE n the line L and the normal line N is comprised between 2° and 10°, and in particular between 4° and 5° as shown in figure 23. As a consequence, when a reflecting surface is disposed at the point F, the reflected light beam 105b is generally oriented along a line L', crossing the fixed point F, the angle 6R between the line L' and the normal line N being comprised n 2° and 10°, and in particular between 4° and 5° as shown in figure 2a. The light receiver 102 is disposed on the support 101 so as to gather at least partially the ted light beam 105b, generally oriented along the line L’. The focusing means 104 may also be arranged to make the ted light beam 105b concentrating more efficiently to the receiver 102. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 2a, 2b, the point F, the line L and the line L’ are co-planar. in another embodiment, the point F, the line L and the line L’ are not co—planar: for instance, the plane passing through the point F and the line F and the plane passing through the point F and the line L’ are positioned at an angle of sensibly 90°, eliminating direct reflection and ng a more robust reading system with less noise.

The capsule holder 32 is adapted to allow the l ission of the source light beam 105a along the line L up to the point F. For instance, the lateral wall forming the cylindrical or conical wide shaped cavity of the capsule holder is configured to be non-opaque to infra-red . Said lateral wall can be made of a plastic based material which is translucent to infra- red having entry surfaces allowing infra-red light to enter.

As a consequence, when a capsule is positioned in the capsule holder 32, the light beam 105a hits the bottom part of the rim of said capsule at point F, before forming the reflected light beam 105b. in this embodiment, the reflected light beam 105b passes through the wall of the capsule holder up to the er 102.

The section of the lower surface of the rim 23 of a capsule positioned into the capsule holder 32, illuminated at the point F by the source light beam 105, changes over the time, only when the capsule holder 34 is driven into rotation. 80, a complete revolution of the capsule holder 32 is required for the source light beam 105 to illuminate the entire annular section of the lower surface of the rim.

The output signal may be computed or generated by measuring over the time the intensity of the reflected light beam, and possibly, by comparing its intensity to those of the source light beam. The output signal may be ed or generated by determining the variation over the time of the intensity of the reflected light beam.

The capsuie according to the invention comprises at least one optically readable code support. The code support can be, in the present part of the flange-like rim. Symbols are represented on the optically code support. The symbols are arranged in at least one sequence, said ce code a set of information related to the capsule. Typically, each symbol ponds to a Specific binary value: a first symbol may represent a binary value of ‘0‘, whereas a second symbol may represent a binary value of ‘1’. in particular, the set of information of at least one of the sequences may comprise information for recognizing a type associated to the capsule, and/or one or a combination of items of the following list: - information related to parameters for preparing a beverage with the capsule, such as the optimal onal speeds, temperatures of the water entering the capsule, temperatures of the collector of the beverage outside the capsule, flow rates of the water ng the capsule, sequence of operations during the preparation process, etc; . information for retrieving locally and/or remotely ters for preparing a beverage with the capsule, for example an fier ng the recognition of a type for the capsule; - information related to the manufacturing of the capsule, such a production batch identifier, a date of production, a recommended date of consumption, an expiration date, etc; - information for retrieving locally and/or remotely information d to the cturing of the capsule.

Each set of information of at least one of the ces may comprise redundant information. Hence, error~checking may be performed by comparison. it also improves by the way the probability of a successfui reading of the sequence, should some parts of the sequence be unreadable. The set of information of at least one of the sequences may also comprise information for detecting errors, and/or for correcting errors in said set of information. Information for detecting errors may comprise repetition codes, parity bits, checksu ms, cyclic redundancy checks, cryptographic hash function data, etc. information for correcting errors may comprise error-correcting codes, d error tion codes, and in particuiar, convolutional codes or block codes.

W0 72239 The symbols ed in sequences are used to represent data conveying the set of information related to the capsule. For instance, each sequence may represent an integer number of bits. Each symbol may encode one or several binary bits. The data may also be represented by transitions between symbols. The symbols may be arranged in the sequence using a modulation scheme, for example a line coding scheme like a Manchester code.

Each symbol may be printed and/or embossed. The shape of the symbols may be chosen amongst the following non-exhaustive list: arch-shaped segments, segments which are individually rectilinear but extend along at least a part of the section, dots, polygons, geometric shapes.

In an embodiment, each sequence of symbols has a same fixed length, and more particularly has a fixed number of symbols. The structure and/or pattern of the sequence being known, it ,,,,,,,, may ease the recognition of each sequence by the reading arrangement. in an embodiment, at least one le symbol is represented in the section, so as to allow the ination of a start and/or a stop position in the section of each sequence. The preamble symbol is chosen to be identified separately from the other symbols. It may have a different shape and/or different physical characteristics ed with the other s.

Two adjacent sequences may have a common preamble symbol, representing the stop of one sequence and the start of the other one. in an embodiment, at least one of the sequences comprises symbols defining a preamble sequence, so as to allow the determination of a position of the symbols in said ce code the set of information related to the capsule. The symbols ng a preamble may code a known reserved sequence of bits, for example '10101010’. in an embodiment, the preamble symbols and/or the preamble sequences comprise ation for authentifying the set of information, for example a hash code or a cryptographic signature.

The symbols are distributed sensibly on at least 1/8lh of the circumference of the r support, preferably, on the entire circumference of the annular support. The code may comprise successive arch—shaped segments. The s may also comprise sive segments which are individually rectilinear but extend along at least a part of the circumference.

The ce is preferably repeated along the circumference in order to ensure a reliable reading. The sequence is ed at least twice on the circumference. Preferably, the sequence is ed three to six times on the cirCUmference. Repetition of the sequence means that the same sequence is duplicated and the successive sequences are positioned 2012/072088 in series along the ference so that upon a 360~degree on of the capsule, the same sequence can be detected or read more than one time.

Referring to figure 4, an embodiment 30a of a code support is illustrated. The code support 603 occupies a defined width of the rim 23 of the capsule. The rim 23 of the capsule can comprise essentially an inner annular portion forming the support 603 and an outer (non— coded) curled portion. However, it can be that the full width of the rim is occupied by the support 60a, in particular, if the lower surface of the rim can be made substantially flat. This location is particularly advantageous since they offer both a large area for the symbols to be disposed and is less prone to damages caused by the processing module and in particular by the pyramidal plate, and to ingredients projections. As a consequence, the amount of coded information and the reliability of the readings are both improved. in this ment, the code support 60a comprises 160 symbols, each symbol code 1 bit of information. The symbols beingcontiguous, each symbol has a near length of 2.25“.

Referring to figure 5, an embodiment 60b of a code support is illustrated in planar view. The code support 60b is adapted to be ated with or be part of a capsule, so as to be driven in rotation when the capsule is d around its axis 2 by the fugal unit 2. The receiving section of the capsule is the lower surface of the rim 23 of the capsule. As illustrated on figure 5, the code support may be a ring having a circumferential part on which the at least one sequence of symbols is represented, so as the user can position it on the circumference of the capsule before introducing it into the brewing unit of the beverage machine. uently, a capsule without embedded means for storing information can be modified by mounting such a support so as to add such information. When the support is a separate part, it may be simply added on the capsule without additional fixing means, the user ensuring that the support is correctly positioned when entering the brewing unit, or the forms and the dimensions of the support preventing it from moving relatively to the capsule once mounted. The code support 60b may also comprise additional fixing means for rigidly fixing said element to the ing section of the capsule, like glue or mechanical means, to help the support staying fixed relatively to the capsule once mounted. As also mentioned, the code support 60b may also be a part of the rim itself such as integrated to the structure of the capsule.

Each symbol is adapted to be measured by the reading arrangement 100 when the capsule is positioned into the capsule holder and when said symbol is d with the source light beam 105a at point F. More particularly, each different symbol presents a level of reflectivity of the source light beam 105a g with the value of said symbol. Each symbol has different reflective and/or ing properties of the source light beam 105a.

Since the reading arrangement 100 is d to measure only the characteristics of the illuminated section of the code support, the capsule has to be d by the g means until the source light beam has illuminated all the symbols comprised in the code. Typically, the speed for reading the code can be comprised between 0.1 and 2000 rpm.

The reflective characteristics of the code support of the invention are determined in defined tory conditions. in particular, a first symbol and a second symbol of an embodiment of a capsule that are suitable to be read reliably by the reading arrangement 100 have been measured independently using an optical bench represented on figure 6. The goniometric ements of diffuse reflection of said symbols on the capsule are shown on figures 7 (reflected intensity of each symbol) and 8 (contrast between symbols).

Hereafter, the first symbol is more reflective than the second symbol. The set—up for the measurement of the diffuse ted relative intensity of each symbol is built so as to able to modify independently the angle 0 of a light source and the angle 0' of a light detector. The detector is a bare optical fiber connected to a power meter glued to a very fine mechanical tip which is fixed to the motorized detector arm. For all measurements, the angle CD between the source and detector planes is equal to CD = 90°. The light source is a laser diode emitting a light having a wavelength A = 830 nm.

The m on figure 7 shows a relative diffuse reflectivity (axis 210) of the symbols of the capsule as a function of the detector angle 0 ' (axis 200). A reference ity EREF of reflectivity is measured for the first symbol, with the detector angle set to 0" and the source angle set to 5°. The relative diffuse reflectivity of each symbol is ated relatively to the nce intensity EREF, The curves 220a, 230a, 240a shows respectively the ve diffuse reflectivity of the first symbol, at three different source angles 8 = 0°, 5°, 10°. The curves 2201), 230b, 2401) shows respectively the relative diffuse reflectivity of the second symbol, at three different source angles 0 = 0°, 5°, 10°.

The relative diffuse reflectivity represents at least 60% of the reference intensity East: for any value of the detector angle 8 ' comprises between 3° and 6° and for any value of the source angle 0 comprises n 0° to 10°. in particular, the relative diffuse reflectivity represents at least 72% of the nce intensity EREF for any value of the detector angle 9 ' comprises between 25° and 4.4° and for any value of the source angle 9 comprises between 0° to 10°.

The m on figure 8 shows the optical contrast (axis 310) between the first and the second symbols as a function of detector angle 8 ' (axis 300). The optical contrast is defined by the following mathematical expression 33553 where , i1, i2 represent tively the 11+12 intensity reflected by the first, second symbol respectively to the detector, in a same given configuration of the angles 9 and 6’. The curves 320, 330, 340, 350 show respectively, at four different source angles 6 = 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, said optical contrast. The lowest contrast value is in any case is greater than 65%, which allows reliable signal processing. In particular, the optical contrast is r than 80% for any value of the detector angle a ' comprises between 25° and 4.4° and for any value of the source angle 9 comprises between ° to 15°. in particular, the optical contrast is greater than 75% for any value of the detector angle 0 ' greater than 6° and for any value of the source angle 8 comprises between 0° to °.

Figure 9 illustrates a preferred mode of an l readable code t 30 of the invention in cross—sectional circumferential view of figure 4. The code support 30 comprises a readable (external) side A and a non-readable (internal) side B. At its readable side A, the support comprises successive light-reflective surfaces 400-403 and light-absorbing surfaces 410— 414. The light absorbing surfaces 410—414 are formed by a base structure 500 which comprises several mposed layers s the light ing surfaces 400-403 are formed by overlying on the base ure in local circumferential areas, discontinuous discrete portions of light absorbing material, preferably discrete portions of ink layers 528, applied onto the base structure. The base structure comprises a ably monolithic layer of metal 510, preferably aluminium (or an alloy of aluminium) onto which is coated a transparent ric primer 515, preferably made of isocyanate or polyester. The thickness of metal, e.g., aluminium layer, can be a determining factor for the formability of the support into a containment structure of the capsule (e.g., body and rim).. For formability reasons, the ium layer is preferably comprised between 40 and 250 microns, most preferably between 50 and 150 s. Within these ranges, the ium thickness may also provide gas r properties for preserving the freshness of the ingredient in the capsule, in particular, when the capsule further ses a gas barrier membrane sealed onto the rim.

The code support may be formed from a laminate which is deformed to form the rim 22 and body 23 of the capsule es 3a—3b). in such case, the laminate has the composition of the base structure 500 and is printed with the light-absorbing ink portions 400—403 in the flat configuration before the forming operation of the capsule (e.g., body, rim). The printing of the ink portions must thus take into effect the subsequent deformation of the laminate so that it enables a precise positioning of the coded surfaces. The type of ink can be a mono~ component, bi~component, PVC based or PVC-free based inks. The black ink is preferred as it provides a lower reflectivity and higher contrast than coloured inks. However, the black ink ns could be replaced by equivalent coloured ink portions, preferably dark or opaque inks. The ink may comprise, for instance, 50-80% wt. of colour pigments. ably, the metal layer is aluminium and has a thickness comprised between 6 and 250 microns. The primer enables to level the rugosity of the metal (i.e., aluminium) layer. it also improves the bonding of the inks on the metal layer, in particular, aluminium. The primer must remain relativeiy thin to diminish the diffusion of the iight beam. Preferably, the thickness of the primer is comprised between 0.1 and 5 microns, most preferably between 0.1 and 3 microns. The density of the primer is preferably comprised n 2 and 3 gsm, for example, is of about 2.5 gsm.

Optionally, the base structure may ses additional layers, on the non readable side, preferably a polymer layer such as polypropylene or polyethylene and an ve layer 525 for bonding the polymer layer 520 onto the metal layer 510 or heat seal r enabling sealing of lid or membrane on the rim of the capsule or an internal protective lacquer or varnish. The support as defined can form an integrated part of the e, e.g., of the capsule flange—like rim and body.

WT“. A preferred base structure according to the mode of figure 9, comprise tively from the B side to the A side of the support: a opylene layer of 30 microns, an adhesive, an aluminium layer of 90 microns, a polyester layer of 2 microns and density of 2.5 gsm and black ink ns of 1 micron. in an alternative mode, the primer layer is replaced by a lacquer of thickness 5 microns, preferably a density of 5.5 gsm, and containing 5% (wt.) metal pigments.

Figure 10 relates to a another mode of the code support 30 of the invention. In this case, the base structure comprises a lacquer 530 replacing the primer 510 offigure 9. The lacquer is a polymeric layer embedding metallic pigments 535 such as ium, silver or copper pigments or mixtures thereof. The thickness of the lacquer is somewhat greater than the thickness of the primer 510 of figure 9, preferably, comprised between 3 and 8 microns, most preferably n 5 and 8 microns. The metallic pigments enable to compensate for the reduction of the reflectivity of the metal layer by the increased thickness of the polymer. The r also levels the rugosity of the metal layer. Preferably, the ratio of metallic ts to lacquer is of at least 1% in weight, more preferably is comprised between 2 and 10 % in weight. in the present invention, the reference to specific metals encompasses the possible alloys of such metals in which the metal represents the major component in , for ce, aluminium encompasses alloys of aluminium.

Examples: Capsules comprising an integrated code support have been tested to evaluate the level of reflectivity of the signal (bit 1 / bit 0). The tests were performed in a simplified configuration of the device of figures 2a and 2b with the capsuie holder 32 removed and replaced by a transparent clamping plate holding the rim of the capsule and provided with an open air W0 2013/072239 passage for the light beams. The angle between the sender path and receiver path was of 8°, distributed with 4° on each side of the normal axis N.

Example 1 — Detectable code with light—reflective surfaces by the base structure with ed iacguer and light-absorbing surfaces by the overlying ink ns.

The support comprised a tive base ure formed of aluminium of 30 microns coated with aluminium pigmented lacquer of 5 microns and 5.5 gsm. The absorbing surfaces were formed of a layer of one-micron black PVC ink sold by Siegwerk. The tive surfaces were produced by the base structure (bit 1) and the absorbing es (bit 0) were produced by the black ink portions. The l reflectivity ed for the reflective surfaces (bit 1) was 2.68%. The spread on bit 1 was of 1.32%. The minimum reflectivity measured for the absorbing surface (bit 0) was 0.73%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.48%. The results are graphically illustrated in figure 11.

Example 2 - Detectable code with light—reflective surfaces by the base structure with colourless primer and light-absorbing surfaces by the overlying ink portions.

The reflectivity measurement was performed on an empty capsule comprising an optical reading support comprising a base structure forming the reflective surfaces and ink portions forming the absorbing surfaces. For this, the base structure comprised from the B side to the A (readable) side respectively: a polypropylene layer of 30 microns, ve, an aluminium iayer of 90 s, a polyester primer of 2 microns and 2.5 gsm (density). Discontin uous bit portions of back ink of 1 micron sold by Siegwerk were printed onto the surface of the primer.

The support was formed by deep drawing into a body of capsule after ink printing. The reflective surfaces were therefore produced by the base structure (bit 1) and the absorbing surfaces (bit 0) were ed by the black ink portions. The reflectivity of the support was .r‘w. measured. The results are graphically illustrated in figure 12. The maximal tivity measured for the reflective surfaces (bit 1) was 5.71%. The spread on bit 1 was of 1.49%.

The minimum reflectivity measured for the absorbing surface (bit 0) was 0.87%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.47%. e 3 — Non—detectable code with light-absorbing surfaces by the base structure and the light-reflective surfaces by the overlying ink portions.

The reflectivity measurement was performed on an empty capsule comprising an l reading support comprising a base structure forming the absorbing es and ink portions forming the reflective surfaces. For this, an aluminium support layer was covered with a continuous matt black lacquer of 5-micron thickness. The reflective surfaces were produced by discrete portions of ink having a ess of 1 micron containing more 25% by weight of light-reflective silver pigments. Surprisingly, the signal was not differentiable enough between bit 1 and bit 0. The results are graphically illustrated in figure 13. The maximal reflectivity measured for the reflective es (bit 1) was 0.93 %. The minimum reflectivity measured for the reflective surfaces (bit 1) was 0.53%. The minimum tivity measured for the absorbing surface (bit 0) was 0.21%. The spread on bit 0 was 0.23%. (,.«*1»

Claims (26)

Claims

1. An lly readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule ed for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols ented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light ing surfaces n it comprises a base structure extending continuously at least along said sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light- absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; wherein the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light~reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light~absorbing portions; said discrete light-absorbing ns are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure e the surface areas occupied by the discrete absorbing portions, wherein the light~reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer; said layer being coated by a lacquer comprising light-reflective particles.

2. Optically readable code support according to claim 1, wherein the light-reflective particles are metal pigments.

3. Optically readable code support according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base structure and the absorbing portions form, respectively, a reflective surface and light» absorbing surface which both reflect, at a maximum of ity, within reflection angles which differ one another of less than 90 degrees.

4. Optically readable code support according to claim 3, wherein the light—reflective surface and the absorbing surface both reflect, at a maximum of intensity, within reflection angles which differ one another of less than 45 degrees.

5. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light-reflective base ure comprises metal arranged in the structure to provide the light reflective surfaces.

6. Optically readable code support ing to claim 5, wherein the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer and/or a layer of light-reflective particles.

7. Optically readable code support according to claim 6, wherein the monolithic metal support layer and/or the layer of light—reflective particles are metal pigments in a polymeric matrix.

8. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the metal is chosen amongst the group consisting of: aluminium, silver, iron, tin, gold, copper and combinations thereof.

9. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer coated by a transparent polymeric primer so as to form the reflective surfaces or an inner polymeric layer coated by an outer metallic layer.

10. Optically readable code support according to claim 9, n the inner polymeric layer coated by an outer metallic layer by vapor metallization of the polymeric layer.

11. Optically readable code support according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the non-metallic arent polymeric primer has thickness of less than 5 microns.

12. Optically readable code support according to claim 11, wherein the tallic transparent polymeric primer has ess of n 0.1 and 3 microns.

13. Optically readable code t according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lacquer has a thickness higher than 3 s and less than 10 microns.

14. Optically readable code support according to claim 13, wherein the lacquer has a ess between 5 and 8 microns.

15. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the lacquer comprises between 2 and 10% by weight of metal pigments.

16. lly readable code support according to claim 15, wherein the lacquer comprises about 5% by weight metal pigments.

17. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the discontinuous light-absorbing portions are formed by an additional colour contrasting layer applied onto the said base structure.

18. Optically readable code support according to claim 17, wherein the additional colour contrasting layer is an ink.

19. Optically readable code support according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the ink has a thickness between 0.25 and 3 microns.

20. Optically readable code support according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the ink comprises at least 50% by weight of pigments.

21. Optically readable code t ing to claim 20, wherein the ink ses about 60% by weight of pigments.

22. Capsule comprising an Optically readable code t according to any of claims 1 to

23. Capsule according to claim 22, wherein the capsule is indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation, the capsule further comprising a body and a flange~iike rim, n the code support is an integral part of at least the rim of the capsule, wherein the body and rim of the capsule are obtained by forming a flat or med structure comprising said support.

24. Capsule indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device according to claim 23, wherein the body and rim of the capsule are obtained by deep drawing.

25. An optically readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage ing device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the ion illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or es.

26. A capsule comprising an optically readable code support substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the ion illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. WO 72239