U.S. patent application number 14/439138 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for capsule or cartridge and infusion assembly for the preparation of a beverage, in particular coffee.
This patent application is currently assigned to LUIGI LAVAZZA S.p.A. The applicant listed for this patent is LUIGI LAVAZZA S.p. A.. Invention is credited to Danilo BOLOGNESE, Luca BUGNANO, Alberto CABILLI, Denis ROTTA.
Application Number | 20150297021 14/439138 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47683946 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150297021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BUGNANO; Luca ; et
al. |
October 22, 2015 |
CAPSULE OR CARTRIDGE AND INFUSION ASSEMBLY FOR THE PREPARATION OF A
BEVERAGE, IN PARTICULAR COFFEE
Abstract
A capsule or cartridge (1) including a cup-shaped body (2) with
a bottom wall (3), a lateral wall (4) and a flange-like top
formation (5) which is essentially planar and extends transversely
towards the outside, and a cover (6) fixed to the flange-like
formation (5) of the body (2), such as to define a chamber (7)
containing the material for the preparation of the beverage, in
particular ground roasted coffee. The lateral wall (4) of the body
(2) has a plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) which as a
whole define at least an identification of the capsule (1). The
projections (8) and recesses (9) are aligned in an essentially
rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to
the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2) of the capsule
(1).
Inventors: |
BUGNANO; Luca; (Moncalieri
(Torino), IT) ; CABILLI; Alberto; (Moncalieri
(Torino), IT) ; ROTTA; Denis; (Dronero (Cuneo),
IT) ; BOLOGNESE; Danilo; (Torino, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LUIGI LAVAZZA S.p. A. |
Torino |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
LUIGI LAVAZZA S.p.A
TORINO
IT
|
Family ID: |
47683946 |
Appl. No.: |
14/439138 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
December 12, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2013/060848 |
371 Date: |
April 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/285 ; 426/115;
426/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/4492 20130101;
B65D 85/8043 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 31/44 20060101
A47J031/44; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40; B65D 85/804 20060101
B65D085/804 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2012 |
IT |
TO2012A001076 |
Claims
1. Capsule or cartridge (1) for the preparation of a beverage, in
particular espresso coffee, comprising a cup-shaped body (2) with a
bottom wall (3), a lateral wall (4) and a flange-like top formation
(5) which is essentially planar and extends transversely towards
the outside, and a cover (6) fixed to the flange-like formation (5)
of said body (2), such as to define a chamber (7) containing a
material for the preparation of the beverage, in particular ground
roasted coffee; wherein the lateral wall (4) of the body (2) has a
plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) which as a whole
define at least an identification of the capsule (1); the capsule
(1) being characterized in that said projections (8) and recesses
(9) are aligned in an essentially rectilinear direction, belonging
to a plane essentially parallel to said flange-like formation (5)
of the body (2) of the capsule (1).
2. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in proximity
to the flange-like formation (5) the cup-shaped body (2) has at
least one lateral wall portion or face (4c-4f) in which there is
provided said plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9).
3. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 2, wherein in proximity
to the flange-like formation (5) the cup-shaped body (2) has at
least two external lateral wall portions or faces (4c-4f) which are
essentially planar and parallel with each other and in which there
are provided respective pluralities of projections (8) and recesses
(9).
4. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein in
proximity to the flange-like formation (5) the cup-shaped body (2)
has four external lateral wall portions or faces (4c-4f) which are
essentially planar and parallel each to another one, and in which
there are provided respective pluralities of projections (8) and
recesses (9).
5. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the
cup-shaped body (2) has a bottom wall (3) which is essentially
circular.
6. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the
cup-shaped body (2) has a first lateral wall portion (4a) whose
transverse cross-section, from the bottom wall (3) to the
flange-like formation (5), passes gradually from an essentially
circular shape to an at least approximately quadrangular shape.
7. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 6, wherein between said
first lateral wall portion (4a) and the flange-like formation (5)
the cup-shaped body (2) has a second wall portion (4b) which is
essentially prismatic, with a transverse cross-section having an
essentially quadrangular shape, with preferably rounded and
externally convex vertexes, and in which there are provided said
lateral planar faces.
8. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the
flange-like formation (5) of the cup-shaped body (2) has an
external perimeter which is substantially quadrangular.
9. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the
flange-like formation (5) of the cup-shaped body (2) has an
external perimeter which is essentially circular.
10. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said
projections (8) are internally hollow and communicate with a region
(7) inside the cup-shaped body (2), and are adapted for being torn
to allow an introduction of liquid and/or steam through the lateral
wall (4) of the cup-shaped body (2).
11. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said
projections (8) are adjacent the flange-like formation (5), with
which they join such that the inner perimeter of the flange-like
formation (5) has a corresponding plurality of indentations.
12. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said
projections (8) and recesses (9) form an identification/information
code which is specularly symmetrical with respect to an
intermediate centre-line.
13. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said
projections (8) and recesses (9) form an identification/information
code containing an information indicative of its reading
direction.
14. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the
projections (8) and the recesses (9) provided in one external
lateral face (4c, 4d) define an auxiliary reference code adapted
for facilitating the reading and the decoding of the projections
(8) and the recesses (9) provided in the opposite, parallel wall
portion (4e, 4f), which define the identification of the capsule
(1).
15. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 4, wherein each of two
planar walls (4c, 4d) which are perimetrally adjacent one another
have projections (8) and recesses (9) which define said auxiliary
reference code, and each of the other two planar walls or faces
(4e, 4f) which are perimetrally adjacent one another has
projections (8) and recesses (9) which define the identification
code of the capsule (1).
16. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 14, wherein said
auxiliary reference code comprises a plurality of projections (8)
and recesses (9) which are regularly spaced along their rectilinear
direction of alignment.
17. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 14, wherein projections
(8) which define an identification code have a same predetermined
staggering, possibly null, with respect to corresponding
projections (8) of the auxiliary reference code.
18. Capsule or cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said lateral
wall portions or faces (4c-4f) have projections (8) and recesses
(9) which define, on each of them, a same
identification/information code.
19. Infusion assembly (10) for a machine for the preparation of a
beverage, in particular espresso coffee, using a capsule or
cartridge (1) containing a substance for the preparation of the
beverage, in particular ground roasted coffee, comprising a first
part and a second part (11, 12) adapted to be displaced one with
respect to the other between a relative opening position in which
they allow a capsule or cartridge (1) to be interposed
therebetween, and a relative closing position in which they jointly
define an infusion chamber in which said capsule or cartridge (1)
is enclosed, and retaining and guiding means (13) adapted to allow
a guided displacement of a capsule or cartridge (1) from an
introduction position to an intermediate position in which said
capsule or cartridge extends between said first and second parts
(11, 12) when the latter are in their relative position of opening;
the assembly (10) being characterized by comprising detection or
reading means (14) adapted to detect or read the identification of
the capsule (1) defined by said at least one plurality of
projections (8) and recesses (9) of a capsule or cartridge (1)
according to claim 1, during the passage thereof from said
introduction position to said intermediate position.
20. Infusion assembly according to claim 19, wherein the detection
or reading means are of optical or mechanical kind.
21. Infusion assembly according to claim 20, for use with capsules
or cartridges, wherein the detection or reading means (14) comprise
at least one electric microswitch (14) provided with a movable
member (14a) controlling the switching thereof, adapted to cause
the opening and the closing thereof, said microswitch (14) being
disposed adjacent the retaining and guiding means (13) such that
the movable member (14a) thereof is adapted to explore, like a
feeler member, said at least one plurality of projections (8) and
recesses (9), and to cause a switching of the microswitch at each
transition from a projection (8) to a recess (9), and from a recess
(9) to a projection (8).
22. Infusion assembly according to claim 20, for use with capsules
or cartridges (1), wherein the detection or reading means comprise
a pair of microswitches (14) disposed essentially one opposite the
other in a direction transverse to the displacement direction (F1)
of a capsule or cartridge (1), along said retaining and guiding
means (13), and each adapted to feel a respective plurality of
projections (8) and recesses (9) of the body (2) of the capsule or
cartridge (1).
23. Infusion assembly according to claim 20, for use with capsules
or cartridges, wherein the detection or reading means (14) comprise
at least one optical reading device adapted to scan said at least
one plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) and to provide an
electric signal which has a commutation in correspondence of each
transition from a projection (8) to a recess (9), and from a recess
(9) to a projection (8).
24. Infusion assembly according to claim 20, for use with capsules
or cartridges (1), wherein the detection or reading means comprise
a pair of optical readers disposed essentially opposite one another
in a direction transverse to the direction of displacement (F1) of
a capsule or cartridge (1) along said retaining and guiding means
(13), and adapted each to explore or scan a respective plurality of
projections (8) and recesses (9) of the body (2) of the capsule or
cartridge (1).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to the
preparation of beverages by extraction under pressure with the use
of capsules or cartridges.
[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a capsule or
cartridge of the type comprising [0004] a cup-shaped body with a
bottom wall, a lateral wall and a flange-like top formation which
is essentially planar and extends transversely towards the outside,
and [0005] a cover fixed to the flange-like formation of said body,
such as to define a chamber containing a substance for the
preparation of the beverage, in particular ground roasted coffee;
[0006] wherein the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body has a
plurality of recesses and projections which protrude outwards,
which as a whole define at least an identification of the
capsule.
[0007] 2. Background
[0008] International application WO 2012/010317 A1 describes and
illustrates several embodiments of capsules of this type. For
example, FIG. 1 of this document illustrates a solution in which
the lateral wall of the cup-shaped body of a capsule has a
plurality of parallel circular annular projections, the
longitudinal profile of which defines an identification of the
capsule, "readable" by means of an optical detector. FIGS. 18-22 of
said document illustrate another capsule in which the lateral wall
of the cup-shaped body has identification projections and recesses,
evenly spaced around the circumference thereof, forming a toothed
crown. The number, size and spacing of the projections define an
identification of the capsule.
[0009] For example, as shown in FIG. 18 of said document, only a
capsule that has a toothed crown defined by projections/recesses
with predetermined characteristics can engage with, and pass, a
pinion gear which is arranged, in a machine for the preparation of
beverages, at the entry to a conduit for the introduction of
capsules. This solution is also not very flexible as it conveys,
through the toothed crown made up of projections and recesses, only
a limited amount of information: in practice it does no more than
accept or reject a capsule for use in a given machine.
[0010] European application EP 1 890 271 A1 describes and
illustrates solutions based on the use of RFID tags to define an
identification of capsules or cartridges for use in a machine for
the preparation of beverages provided with an RFID reader. For this
purpose, an RFID tag, containing information that identifies the
capsule and how it is to be used in the machine, is applied to a
perimeter configuration in the form of flanges on each capsule or
cartridge.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide capsules
or cartridges of the type defined above, having improved
features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] This and other objects are achieved according to the
invention with a capsule or cartridge for the preparation of a
beverage of the type defined above, characterized primarily in that
said projections and recesses are aligned in an essentially
rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to
the flange-like formation of the body of the capsule.
[0013] Preferably, in one embodiment of a capsule according to the
invention, in proximity to the flange-like formation, the
cup-shaped body has at least one essentially planar lateral wall
portion or face in which there is provided said plurality of
projections and recesses.
[0014] Advantageously, in proximity to the flange-like formation,
the cup-shaped body of a capsule according to the invention may
have at least two external lateral wall portions or faces which are
essentially planar and parallel with each other and in which there
are provided respective pluralities of identification projections
and recesses.
[0015] Also advantageously, in proximity to the flange-like
formation, the cup-shaped body may have four external lateral wall
portions or faces which are essentially planar and parallel each to
another one, and in which there are provided respective pluralities
of projections and recesses.
[0016] In one embodiment, the cup-shaped body of a capsule
according to the invention has a first lateral wall portion whose
transverse cross-section, from the bottom wall to the flange-like
formation, passes gradually from an essentially circular shape to
an at least approximately quadrangular shape.
[0017] Between said first lateral wall portion and the flange-like
formation, the cup-shaped body conveniently has a second wall
portion which is essentially prismatic, with a transverse
cross-section having an essentially quadrangular shape, with
preferably rounded and externally convex vertexes, and in which
there are provided said lateral planar faces with the
identification projections/recesses.
[0018] Further advantageous features of the capsules or cartridges
according to the present invention are defined in the dependent
claims.
[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
infusion assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages
with the use of capsules or cartridges having the features defined
in claim 1 and optionally the features defined in the claims which
are dependent on claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention will appear
from the detailed description which follows, provided purely by way
of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a capsule
according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the capsule
according to FIG. 1;
[0023] FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in perspective view, two embodiments of
a cup-shaped body included in a capsule or cartridge according to
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view which shows, in simplified
form, part of a machine for the preparation of beverages, for use
with capsules according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is substantially a plan view from above in the
direction of the arrow VI of FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that presented in
FIG. 5, and shows a different stage of use of a capsule according
to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a plan view from above in the direction of the
arrow VIII of FIG. 7;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a view similar to that presented in FIG. 7, and
shows a subsequent stage of use of a capsule according to the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a plan view from above in the direction of the
arrow X of FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to that presented in
FIG. 9, and shows a further stage of use of a capsule according to
the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a plan view from above in the direction of the
arrow XII of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a view similar to that presented in FIG. 11, and
shows the infusion assembly when closed, ready for extraction of
the beverage;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a plan view from above in the direction of the
arrow XIV of FIG. 13; and
[0034] FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views from below of two different
capsules according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 show (general reference sign 1) a capsule for
the preparation of a beverage, in particular espresso coffee,
according to the present invention.
[0036] The capsule 1 illustrated therein comprises a cup-shaped
body 2, having a bottom wall 3, a lateral wall with the general
reference sign 4, and a flange-like top formation 5, which is
essentially planar and extends transversely towards the
outside.
[0037] The capsule 1 further comprises a cover 6, fixed, for
example by heat sealing, to the flange-like formation 5 of the body
2, in such a way as to define and enclose a chamber 7 (FIGS. 3 and
4) containing a quantity or dose of a material for the preparation
of the beverage, for example ground roasted coffee.
[0038] With the exception of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the
cup-shaped body 2 of a capsule 1 according to the accompanying
drawings presents a flange-like formation 5 having an essentially
quadrangular outer perimeter.
[0039] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the flange-like
formation 5 instead has an essentially circular outer
perimeter.
[0040] In any case, it is appropriate for the cover 6 to have a
shape corresponding to the outer perimeter of the flange 5 of the
capsule body 2 to which it must be fixed.
[0041] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the cup-shaped
body 2 has an essentially circular bottom wall 3, with a peripheral
edge 3a projecting axially from the side opposite the flange-like
formation 5.
[0042] Accordingly, the cup-shaped body 2 has a first lateral wall
portion 4a, the transverse cross-section of which, from the bottom
wall 3 in the direction of the flange-like formation 5, passes
gradually from an essentially circular shape to an at least
approximately quadrangular shape, with preferably rounded
vertexes.
[0043] The lateral wall portion 4a of the body 2 is connected to
the flange-like formation 5 by means of a second wall portion 4b,
of essentially prismatic shape, with preferably rounded and
externally convex corners.
[0044] In proximity to the flange-like formation 5, the cup-shaped
body 2 of the capsules illustrated in the drawings thus has four
essentially planar lateral wall portions or faces, formed by the
lateral surface portion 4b.
[0045] In other embodiments, the cup-shaped body 2 may have just
one essentially planar lateral wall portion or face.
[0046] In each planar lateral wall portion or face, the cup-shaped
body 2 has a plurality of projections 8 and recesses 9.
[0047] The projections 8 protrude transversely towards the outside
and the number of projections, together with the arrangement
thereof, define an identification of the capsule 1.
[0048] The projections 8 and the recesses 9 of each planar face or
surface of the body 2 are mutually aligned in an essentially
rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to
the flange-like formation 5.
[0049] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the projections 8 are
internally hollow and the cavities thereof are in communication
with the region 7 inside the cup-shaped body 2.
[0050] The thickness of the walls of the projections 8, and the
material of which the cup-shaped body 2 is made, are such that the
projections 8 may be torn, to allow water and/or steam to enter
(also) through the lateral wall 4 in the cup-shaped body 2,
substantially in accordance with the solution forming the subject
matter of Italian patent application TO2011A000478 in the name of
the same Applicant. The tearing or cutting of the projections 8 may
advantageously be achieved using an infusion assembly according to
International application WO2013/111088 A1, also in the name of the
same Applicant.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the projections 8 are
advantageously adjacent the flange-like formation 5, with which
they join such that the inner perimeter of the flange-like
formation 5 has a corresponding plurality of indentations.
[0052] The projections 8 and the recesses 9 may be detected, for
example in the manner described below, and interpreted as elements
of a code, such as binary code, that identifies the capsule. Thus,
for example, each projection 8 may be interpreted as a logical "1",
and each recess having a width equal to a predetermined pitch may
be interpreted as a logical "0".
[0053] The projections 8 and the recesses 9 may also be attributed
other meanings, with a view to creating, and subsequently decoding,
the identification of the capsule.
[0054] Capsules provided with an identification in the form of
projections and recesses according to the invention may be used in
machines for the preparation of beverages equipped with appropriate
detectors/readers. An example of such devices will be described in
detail below.
[0055] In order for it not to matter which way such a capsule is
placed in a corresponding machine for the preparation of beverages,
the projections 8 and the recesses 9 associated with two opposite
planar surfaces or faces of the body 2 of the capsule may be
specularly symmetrical with respect to an intermediate centre-line,
so as to form a corresponding identification/information code which
is specularly symmetrical.
[0056] Alternatively, the projections and the recesses of at least
two parallel planar faces of the body 2 of the capsule may form an
identification/information code containing information that
indicates the direction in which the capsule has been placed in the
machine, and therefore the direction of "reading" thereof. Thus,
for example, the sequence of projections and recesses may contain
two projections 8 close together at one end, and a (relatively)
isolated relief at the other end, in such a way as to allow the
"readers" to detect the direction in which the user has placed the
capsule in the machine.
[0057] Further embodiments of the projections or protrusions, and
the associated recesses, will be described below, in particular
with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0058] In a capsule according to the invention in which the
cup-shaped body 2 has four essentially planar lateral wall portions
or faces, which are parallel each to another one, the projections 8
and the recesses 9 of each of these lateral wall portions or faces
may advantageously form the same identification/information code on
each of them.
[0059] With reference to FIGS. 5 to 14, an embodiment of a machine
for the preparation of beverages and, in particular, the means
thereof for detecting or "reading" the identification codes of a
capsule 1 according to the present invention will now be
described.
[0060] FIGS. 5 to 14 show, by way of example and in simplified
form, only (and partially) the infusion assembly of said machine,
said assembly being associated with a device for introduction of a
capsule and for reading the identification/information code of the
capsule.
[0061] In FIG. 5, reference sign 10 generally indicates an infusion
assembly, of a type known per se, for the preparation of a beverage
by extraction under pressure, with the use of a capsule 1 as
described above.
[0062] The infusion assembly 10 comprises a first and a second
part, 11 and 12, which may be moved with respect to one another,
between a relative position of opening, shown in FIG. 5, and a
closed position shown in FIG. 13.
[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the part 11 is movable,
and has a cavity inside, shown in broken lines in FIG. 5 where it
is indicated with 11a, which can receive a capsule 1 as described
above.
[0064] The part 12 is fixed. The latter, as known per se and not
shown, may be provided with means for tearing the cover 6 of the
capsule placed in the infusion assembly 10, and for injecting hot
water and/or steam under pressure into the capsule 1, to make the
beverage.
[0065] The movable part 11, as likewise known per se and not shown,
may be provided with a device for perforating the bottom wall 3 of
the capsule 1, and a conduit for dispensing the beverage made into
a receiving vessel such as a glass or a cup.
[0066] The present invention is not however limited to an
embodiment in which the part 11 is movable and the part 12 is
fixed, but can encompass embodiments in which both parts are
movable relative to one another, or in which the part 11 is fixed
and the part 12 is movable.
[0067] The infusion assembly 10 is associated with a retaining and
guiding device, for positioning a capsule or cartridge 1 between
the two parts 11 and 12 of said assembly, when these parts are in
the open position (FIG. 5).
[0068] In the exemplary embodiment shown, said retaining and
guiding device comprises two straight guides 13, parallel to one
another, provided with respective facing grooves 13a which can
engage with two opposite sides of the perimeter of the flange-like
formation 5 and cover 6 of the capsule 1.
[0069] The guides 13 define a direction of introduction of a
capsule 1 in the area between the parts 11 and 12 of the infusion
assembly 10, said direction being indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG.
5. This direction is essentially perpendicular to the direction in
which the two parts 11 and 12 of the infusion assembly 10 move
towards and away from one another, the direction that is indicated
by the double arrow F2 in FIG. 5.
[0070] However, it is not imperative that the capsule 1 be
introduced with a movement that follows a straight line, orthogonal
to the direction of relative movement of the parts 11 and 12, just
as it is not imperative that the two parts of the infusion assembly
10 move together/apart in a straight line.
[0071] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the capsule 1 is shown prior to the
insertion of the two sides of the flange-like formation 5 into the
grooves or channels 13a of the guides 13.
[0072] In the exemplary embodiment shown, two microswitches 14 are
mounted on the guides 13, said microswitches facing each other in a
direction transverse to the direction F1.
[0073] The microswitches 14 are each provided with a movable member
14a for controlling switching, which causes said microswitch to
open and close. These members 14a protrude transversely, in such a
way that they may interact with the projections 8 of two opposite
planar faces of the portion 4b of the lateral surface of the body 2
of the capsule.
[0074] Each time a member 14a passes from a recess 9 to a
projection 8, it causes a switching of the associated microswitch
14, for example in the sense that it causes the microswitch to open
and, when it passes from a projection 8 to a recess 9, it causes
reverse switching, for example causing the microswitch to
close.
[0075] The push-button control members 14a of the microswitches 14
thus act as actual feelers, which explore and "read" the sequence
of projections 8 and recesses 9, or the identification/information
code associated with a corresponding planar surface of the body 2
of the capsule 1 inserted into the grooves 13a of the guides
13.
[0076] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the microswitches 14 are arranged
along the path followed by the capsule 1 as it goes from a position
of initial insertion into the guides 13 to the position (shown in
FIG. 11) in which the capsule 1 is positioned between the parts 11
and 12 of the infusion assembly 10, which are still open. The
"reading" of the codes associated with two opposite planar faces of
the body 2 of the capsule 1 thus takes place before the capsule
reaches the intermediate position of FIG. 11, and therefore before
the start of infusion proper.
[0077] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a capsule 1 that has already been
inserted a good way into the guides 13, the microswitches 14
progressively reading the projections 8 and recesses 9 of two
opposite planar faces thereof.
[0078] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the capsule 1 at a subsequent stage, in
which it is beginning to be positioned between the two parts 11 and
12 of the infusion assembly 10, and the microswitches 14 are
exploring the projections 8 and the recesses 9 constituting the
code.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, the microswitches 14 are connected to an
electronic processing unit EPU for detecting the switching of these
micro switches, and accordingly acquiring the codes associated with
the two explored sides of the capsule 1.
[0080] These codes may include information relating to the
characteristics of the contents of the capsule, and the optimal
conditions for making the beverage by infusion.
[0081] Once the capsule 1 has reached the position shown in FIG.
11, the two parts 11 and 12 of the infusion assembly 10 are
prompted to move towards one another, until said assembly is in the
closed position, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0082] In this position, the capsule 1 is locked inside the
infusion chamber defined by the two parts 11 and 12 of the assembly
10, which firmly clamp the flange-like formation 5 and cover 6 of
said capsule.
[0083] In a manner known per se, the injection of hot water and/or
steam into the capsule, and the extraction of the beverage, which
is dispensed into a receiving vessel (not shown), may then be
commanded.
[0084] The parameters (for example the flow rate, pressure and
temperature of the water injected) may advantageously be determined
on the basis of the identification/information code detected by
means of the microswitches 14 and analysed and recognized by the
electronic processing unit EPU.
[0085] After the beverage has been extracted and dispensed, the
infusion assembly 10 may be reopened, and the used capsule 1 can be
removed, in one of several ways known per se.
[0086] As soon as the assembly 10 is open once more as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the machine is ready for the start of a new cycle of
beverage preparation, by insertion of a fresh capsule therein.
[0087] FIGS. 15 and 16 show two capsules 1 according to the present
invention, with particular embodiments of projections 8 and
recesses 9 on two pairs of facing planar faces or surfaces.
[0088] In the capsule according to FIG. 15, each one of a pair of
peripherally contiguous planar faces or surfaces 4c, 4d bears
projections 8 and recesses 9 that define the same auxiliary
reference code ("clock" code), whereas each one of a pair of
peripherally contiguous planar faces or surfaces 4e, 4f bears
projections 8 and recesses 9 that define the actual
identification/information code of the capsule 1.
[0089] The auxiliary reference code arranged on faces 4c and 4d
comprises a plurality of projections 8, evenly distributed and
evenly spaced (by corresponding recesses 9) in the rectilinear
direction of alignment thereof.
[0090] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, each projection 8 on the
planar faces or surfaces 4e, 4f is aligned with a corresponding
projection 8 of the auxiliary reference code borne by the faces 4c,
4d.
[0091] In a variant embodiment, the projections 8 on the faces 4e,
4f can be staggered relative to corresponding projections 8 of the
auxiliary reference code borne by the planar face or surface
opposite. If such an offset or phase shift is not equal to one
half-width of a recess 9 on the faces 4c, 4d, the electronic
processing unit EPU can recognize the direction of insertion of the
capsule 1 into the machine. Alternatively, the two "readers" 14 of
codes carried by two opposite faces of the capsule may be staggered
with respect to one another, in the direction F1 of insertion of
the capsule 1.
[0092] In the embodiment according to FIG. 16, all the planar faces
or surfaces 4c-4f all bear the same distribution of projections 8
and recesses 9 which defines the identification/information code
associated with the capsule 1. Moreover, this distribution is
designed in such a way that the logical addition of the codes of
two opposite faces (e.g. faces 4c and 4e, or faces 4d and 4f)
corresponds to the auxiliary reference code of the faces 4c and 4d
of the embodiment according to FIG. 15.
[0093] With the capsule according to FIG. 16, the electronic
processing unit EPU detects the same code irrespective of the
direction of insertion of the capsule in the machine for the
preparation of the beverage. Moreover, the code of each face may be
used as auxiliary reference code for the code borne by the planar
face or surface opposite.
[0094] Naturally, many other modes of coding may be used by
specialists in the field.
[0095] With the solution according to the present invention, it is
possible to create, by means of projections and recesses on the
lateral wall of a capsule, relatively well-structured codes capable
of conveying more information than could be conveyed by prior art
solutions.
[0096] Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the
invention, the forms of embodiment and details thereof may be
varied widely with respect to what has been described and
illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby
exceeding the scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
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