Tablet for extracting beverages and method for producing same

Abstract

A tablet (8; p) formed by cohesion of a dose of at least one precursor substance in particulate or powder form, and a method for the production thereof. The tablet has at least one reference surface (S) with one or more graphic identification marks (70, 72), and is characterized in that the at least one reference surface (S) of the precursor substance is substantially free of the at least one graphic identification mark (70, 72) compared to the region of the reference surface (S) of the precursor substance without said graphic identification mark. The one or more graphical identification marks (70, 72) are designed to provide anti-wear protection for the precursor substance at its formation area, such as with a higher degree of cohesiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the preparation and delivery of hot beverages by controlled infusion of a precursor material containing one or more ingredients, such as coffee, in a dosage unit, particularly a tablet.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a tablet for extracting beverages and to a method for producing the tablet, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 15, respectively. Background Art

[0003] Machines for preparing and dispensing hot beverages by controlled infusion of dosage units are known, which machines comprise means for automatically identifying a dosage unit introduced into the machine, with the aim of classifying said dosage unit into one of a plurality of predetermined types or categories of dosage units and, therefore, controlling at least one parameter of the infusion or one mode of operation of the machine according to the type of dosage unit identified, or recording and / or transmitting to a remote management system items of data relating to the use of the machine.

[0004] Automatic identification may be implemented by machine learning techniques, such as by pattern recognition methods or artificial neural networks based on predefined classification schemes.

[0005] Utility model IT274555 of the same applicant describes a machine for preparing beverages (particularly coffee), the machine using pods or capsules selected from a plurality of types of pods or capsules with different characteristics, in particular pods or capsules with the same size characteristics but containing different substances or ingredients, the machine comprising a detection device capable of detecting at least one predetermined detectable characteristic or code, which identifies the type of pod or capsule introduced into the machine, and a processing and control unit connected to the detection device, the processing and control unit being arranged to implement a variable operating cycle of the machine according to a predetermined pattern depending on the type of pod introduced into the machine and identified by the detection device, and / or to collect data indicating the way in which the user uses the machine, such as the total amount and / or individual amounts of various types of pods used in a given period of time, the possible use of compatible non-"original" pods, etc.

[0006] Detectable features or codes are, for example, colors, bar codes or so-called RFID tags.

[0007] Automatic recognition of dosage units can also be implemented by machine learning techniques, such as by pattern recognition methods or artificial neural networks based on predefined classification schemes, as taught in international patent application WO 2019 / 154527.

[0008] WO 2019 / 154527 describes a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food, the machine comprising a module for identifying a capsule inserted into the machine at an identification position, and comprising a camera for capturing an image of at least a portion of the capsule and a neural network computing device configured to determine the type of capsule from a plurality of predefined capsule types based on the image of at least a portion of the capsule captured by the camera.

[0009] Various types of dosage units include capsules, pods and tablets (or lozenges). In the case of tablets, a granular or powdered precursor material is compacted and cohesively formed into a self-supporting homogeneous body of predetermined shape, which eliminates the need for an external package or wrapper to contain the material.

[0010] Italian patent applications 102020000021496 and 102020000021499 filed by the same applicant illustrate respective methods and systems for preparing high quality tablets (or lozenges) with improved production efficiency.

[0011] Therefore, any identifying information about the type of tablet, ie for example the ingredients or ingredient mixture of which it is composed or the manufacturer, must be reproduced on at least one surface of the tablet, for example by one or more colours or graphic identification marks or similar representations.

[0012] Disadvantageously, a tablet may change its characteristics over time as it deteriorates due to, for example, storage or shipping conditions, or exposure to environmental conditions of suboptimal temperature or humidity, or even handling by the user.

[0013] This situation affects the accuracy of automatic classification from the information conveyed by the tablet. Summary of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory solution to this problem, namely to manufacture tablets and to provide a method for their production capable of avoiding possible variations in the information conveyed by the tablets, in order to ensure the accuracy of the automatic recognition and classification of the tablet type by a machine for preparing beverages, in particular coffee.

[0015] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a tablet having the features specified in claim 1 .

[0016] Particular embodiments form the subject matter of the dependent claims, whose content is to be understood as an integral part of the present description.

[0017] The invention further relates to a process for producing a tablet having the features specified in claim 15 .

[0018] In summary, the invention is based on the following principle: a tablet is manufactured by aggregating a dose of at least one precursor substance in granular or powder form, wherein the precursor substance exhibits a stronger protection against wear, such as a higher degree of cohesion, at one or more graphic identification marks compared to the surface area of ​​the precursor substance without said graphic mark. Advantageously, making said graphic mark confers a higher protection against wear to the precursor substance in the area where the graphic mark is formed, and preferably causes the precursor substance in this area to have a higher degree of cohesion, i.e. the operation of "writing" the graphic mark coincides with a treatment that provides a higher degree of adhesion or wear resistance.

[0019] In this way, the graphic identification marks are less susceptible to degradation, ensuring that they are correctly identified when captured by a camera device and automatically classified based on their optical and / or morphological properties.

[0020] In this way, in particular, tablets are designed to be identified by using a reading device or image capture device for scanning the identification mark and machine learning classification techniques (preferably by means of a neural network or a similar established classification model), which are integrated in a machine for preparing and dispensing beverages from tablets of precursor substances, wherein the classification is based on a set of tablet training images representing a plurality of predetermined types or categories of tablets, for example comprising a plurality of sample images of tablets pre-classified in a supervised manner, possibly acquired under conditions of acquisition of a plurality of images of said tablets.

[0021] The graphic identification mark is placed on at least one surface of the tablet, for example, for a tablet that is generally cylindrical or prismatic, it is placed on the bottom surface, two opposite bottom surfaces, a side surface, or one or more of one or more side surfaces. There may be redundancy, that is, the graphic mark is repeated on more than one surface (for example, on the two bottom surfaces or the front / back surface of the tablet) or on the same surface. The surface with the graphic mark is hereinafter referred to as the reference surface.

[0022] Advantageously, the graphic identification mark representing the dosage unit type includes an identification mark of the product line and additional annotation marks, thereby enabling a primary classification based on the tablet product line and a secondary classification based on the mixture of precursor materials or based on tablet size, amount of precursor material, type and / or volume of beverage.

[0023] The term "graphic mark" refers to a surface (two-dimensional) graphic mark, which can be obtained, for example, by printing or other deposition techniques or by applying a layer of negligible thickness (e.g. a film) of an edible or additional substance suitable for food use (such as edible ink), thermal marking, or by applying a localized laser beam, which shows a color different from the color of the dosage unit precursor substance, or a color that contrasts with the color of the precursor substance, or a light intensity or brightness different from the light intensity or brightness of the precursor substance when the tablet is illuminated by a reading or imaging device, or a raised or recessed shape obtained by changing the morphological properties of the surface of the tablet precursor substance. The invention relates to a method for forming a (three-dimensional) graphic marking, for example by locally depositing or applying a layer of edible (such as edible ink) or additional substance suitable for food use with a non-negligible thickness, or by mechanical and / or thermal embossing in predetermined areas of the surface of a precursor substance designed to form reliefs or engravings, which have a color different from the color of the precursor substance of the dosage unit, or a color that contrasts with the color of the precursor substance, or when the tablet is illuminated by a reading device or imaging device, it shows a light intensity or brightness different from the light intensity or brightness of the precursor substance, or when illuminated, it shows a changed reflection property and / or shadow. In a combination of technologies, a layer of edible (such as edible ink) or additional substance suitable for food use with a negligible thickness (such as a film) can be laid or applied at the bottom of the engraving.

[0024] In all of these cases, the additional edible or food-grade material may, in general, exhibit strong adhesion to the tablet precursor material and thus not separate under any infusion and tablet handling conditions, or may separate from the tablet under infusion conditions, making it part of the beverage composition. In the latter case, the additional edible material may be sugar, chocolate or the like, and may be present, for example, in the form of a sugar coating designed to dissolve during the infusion process and mix with the infusion, thereby adding sweetness or flavor to the beverage.

[0025] In one embodiment, automatic tablet (or lozenge) recognition can be achieved by identifying a graphic identification mark in the acquired image and determining a comparison index representing the similarity between the graphic identification mark (or part thereof) of the acquired image and the graphic identification mark (or part thereof) of a training image of a tablet (or lozenge) or a set of reference tablet (or lozenge) class images. The similarity is defined by a comparison threshold or multiple comparison thresholds, which are preferably dynamically modifiable during the life cycle of the machine for preparing and brewing coffee.

[0026] More generally, several techniques may be employed to recognize graphic identification marks.

[0027] It is also possible to provide automatic recognition of tablets (or lozenges) after a correction process has been carried out on the acquired image, due to a decrease in classification accuracy or a decrease in similarity between the graphic recognition signature of the acquired image and the graphic recognition signature of training tablet (or lozenge) images or a set of reference tablet (or lozenge) class images, or even based on the time the machine has been running or the number of beverages dispensed. The image correction process can be carried out by applying a predetermined correction model, or by updating the characteristic parameters of the classification model according to instructions received from an external management system temporarily connected to the machine control system via a local wired connection or a remote wireless connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention and its applications will appear in more detail in the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a machine for preparing and dispensing hot beverages by infusion according to the prior art;

[0030] Figure 2a-2c is a schematic diagram of a coffee tablet (or lozenge) with a graphic identification mark;

[0031] Figure 3a-3d It is along Figure 2a An exemplary cross-sectional view of a coffee tablet (or lozenge) along line III-III in FIG. 1 , wherein the graphic identification mark is made according to different techniques;

[0032] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A series of operations for making a two-dimensional graphic identification mark according to the first technology are exemplarily shown;

[0033] Figure 5a and Figure 5b A series of operations for making a two-dimensional graphic identification mark according to the second technology are exemplarily shown;

[0034] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A series of operations for making a two-dimensional graphic identification mark according to the third technology are exemplarily shown;

[0035] Figure 7a and Figure 7b A series of operations for making a three-dimensional graphic recognition mark according to the fourth technology are exemplarily shown;

[0036] Figure 8a and Figure 8b A series of operations for making a three-dimensional graphic recognition mark according to the fifth technology are exemplarily shown;

[0037] Figure 9a and Figure 9b A series of operations for making a three-dimensional graphic recognition mark according to the sixth technology are exemplarily shown; and

[0038] Fig.10 is a schematic block diagram of a control system for a machine for preparing and dispensing hot beverages by infusion, the machine being operated using tablets (or lozenges) covered by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Reference Figure 1 , a machine for preparing a beverage, especially coffee, from compacted tablets or pastilles comprising one or more ingredients, especially coffee powder, denoted as a whole by 1.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the machine 1 comprises a body 2 with an operating area 4. The machine 1 has a lever 6 for pushing a tablet 8 into the area 4 through an introduction opening 10, a closing device 20 acting on the tablet 8 to close it in an infusion chamber defined by two opposing cooperating elements 22, 24, and a circulation system 26 for passing a flow of hot water and / or pressurized steam through the tablet into the infusion chamber.

[0041] The tablet 8 is cohesive of a dose of at least one precursor substance in granular or powdered form, such as coffee or other substance for infusion to produce a hot beverage, so that it presents a self-supporting structure without the need for a casing.

[0042] The lever 6 is rotatable about a fulcrum 28 and is designed to push the tablet 8 through the opening 10 towards the operating area 4 .

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the closing device 20 comprises an abutment element 22, a push element 24 movable relative to the abutment element 22, and a clamping assembly 30 acting on the element 24 to move it in a sliding direction.

[0044] In a manner known per se, the element 24 comprises a cup-shaped body defining an infusion chamber designed to accommodate a tablet 8 .

[0045] The circulation system 26 is also of a basically known type and comprises a water tank 40, a boiler 42 and a hydraulic circuit 44 including a circulation pump 46 between the boiler 42 and the inlet duct of the abutment element 22. A duct 48 connects the outlet manifold of the movable push element 24 with a beverage dispensing nozzle 50.

[0046] The machine 1 further comprises a pre-chamber 60 for the transition of the tablets 8 between the introduction opening 10 and the operating zone 4 .

[0047] The machine 1 is intended for use with tablets preferably bearing one or more predetermined graphic identification marks identifying the category to which each tablet belongs, in particular the type of ingredients or substances contained and the type of beverage they can prepare, or the product line. These identification marks are of optically detectable type, visible on the reference surface of the tablet, and may for example comprise one or more images bearing the product name and a labelling mark.

[0048] Figure 2a-2c By way of example, some possible solutions are shown according to which such a tablet 8 can be provided with a graphic identification mark, providing a graphic identification mark comprising (at least) a logo on its outer surface and a reference mark associated therewith.

[0049] In particular, Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c Tablets 8 are shown with a logo 70 (e.g., a box identifying a product line) and zero, one or two associated indicia marks 72, in this example formed by a simple symbol (e.g., a circle, a square) fixed to a corner of the box, identifying a mixture of precursor materials. In the case of coffee powder, the mixture of precursor materials is brown, the color intensity of which varies depending on the composition of the mixture or its storage conditions, while the logo and indicia marks produced by printing or applying other additional edible substances, heat marking or applying a localized laser beam or embossing / engraving are of a contrasting color, such as dark brown or black. Of course, similar identification effects can be achieved by making the graphic mark a contrasting color lighter than the background color of the mixture of precursor materials, or by making the graphic mark have a light intensity or brightness different from the light intensity or brightness of the precursor substances when the tablet is illuminated. In certain embodiments, the visibility of the graphic mark relative to the background of the precursor materials can occur at an illumination wavelength or observation wavelength (read by scanning the identification mark or image acquisition) different from the wavelength of the spectrum visible to the human eye.

[0050] Such a tablet 8 can be advantageously used for Figure 1 In a machine of the type shown, a detector device (reader) 62 is placed in the tablet path between the introduction opening 10 and the operating area 4 , for example on one side of the pre-chamber 60 .

[0051] The machine 1 comprises an electronic processing and control unit 64 to which the code detector device 62 is connected and which is arranged for classifying the tablets and for implementing an operating cycle of the machine for tablet management which varies in a predetermined manner according to the category of tablets 8 introduced into the machine, the image of which is acquired by the code detector device 62, and / or for acquiring data indicating the way in which the user uses the machine 1, such as the preferred type of beverage, etc.

[0052] The processing and control unit 64 may, for example, vary the duration of the infusion, and / or the amount and / or temperature and / or pressure of water and / or steam passed through the tablet, depending on the tablet type and the resulting beverage.

[0053] Figure 3a-3d Based on the Figure 2a The tablet cross section along line III-III in FIG. 1 shows by way of example different embodiments of the graphic identification mark, which correspond to different techniques for making the graphic mark.

[0054] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Tablets comprising a two-dimensional graphical identification mark are shown respectively.

[0055] Figure 3a A tablet P is shown in which an additional edible substance film F is selectively applied on a reference surface S, the thickness of which is negligible relative to the thickness of the tablet.

[0056] Figure 3b A tablet P is shown in which a track T of additional edible substance, whose thickness is negligible relative to the thickness of the tablet, is selectively made on the reference surface S. The track T can be made using a thermal marking technique or by applying a localized laser beam.

[0057] Figure 3c and Figure 3d Tablets comprising a three-dimensional graphical identification mark are shown respectively.

[0058] Figure 3c A tablet P is shown in which raised structures R are selectively formed on a reference surface S. The raised structures R may be formed by depositing a layer of an additional edible substance, such as a sugar coating.

[0059] Figure 3d A tablet P is shown in which an engraving or depression N is selectively made on the reference surface S. The engraving or depression N may be made by mechanical and / or hot embossing or by simple removal of material.

[0060] As a result of each of the above techniques, the graphic identification mark exhibits at least one of the following characteristics: a color that is different from the color of the reference surface, a color that contrasts with the color of the reference surface, or a light intensity or brightness that is different from the light intensity or brightness of the reference surface when the reference surface is illuminated.

[0061] In particular, the graphic identification mark produced by the raised structure R or the engraving N exhibits changing reflection properties and / or shading when the reference surface is illuminated.

[0062] Figure 4a and Figure 4bBy way of example, a series of operations for making a two-dimensional graphic identification mark by applying a film F of an additional edible substance to a reference surface S of a tablet is shown. The applicator member is indicated by A and in the figure, on one of its lower surfaces, such as on a mold with a raised shape of the graphic symbol to be reproduced, has a film F which will be adhered to the reference surface S of the tablet P in the area where the graphic mark is formed ( Figure 4a The transfer of the film F occurs via contact between the applicator member A and the tablet P ( Figure 4b ).

[0063] Figure 5a and Figure 5b By way of example, a series of operations for producing a two-dimensional graphic identification mark by thermal marking on a reference surface S of a tablet is shown. The applicator member is indicated by A and has a mold embossed on one of its lower surfaces in the shape of the graphic symbol to be reproduced and is suitably heated ( Figure 5a ). Through the contact between the applicator member A and the tablet P, the granular precursor material of the tablet is sintered in the area forming the graphic mark on the reference surface S of the tablet P ( Figure 5b ).

[0064] Figure 6a and Figure 6b By way of example, a series of operations for producing a two-dimensional graphic identification mark by applying a localized laser beam B on a reference surface S of a tablet is shown. The laser processing head is indicated by H and moves relative to the reference surface S of the tablet P according to a trajectory pattern designed to present the shape of the graphic mark to be reproduced ( Figure 6a The laser beam focused on the reference surface S of the tablet P at a first predetermined power causes the granular precursor material of the tablet to sinter in the area where the graphic mark is formed on the reference surface S of the tablet P ( Figure 6b ).

[0065] Figure 7a and Figure 7b By way of example, a series of operations for making a three-dimensional graphic identification mark by applying a layer L of an additional edible substance to the reference surface S of a tablet is shown. The applicator member is indicated by Z and has a nozzle for ejecting the edible substance E which will be adhered to the reference surface S of the tablet P in the area ( Figure 7a The applicator member Z moves relative to the reference surface S of the tablet P according to a trajectory pattern designed to present the shape of the graphic mark to be reproduced ( Figure 7b ).

[0066] Figure 8a and Figure 8bA series of operations for producing a three-dimensional graphic identification mark by embossing on a reference surface S of a tablet are shown by way of example. The embossing member is indicated by C and has a mold ( Figure 8a The granular precursor material of the tablet is mechanically compacted in the area where the graphic mark (corresponding to the depression N) is formed on the reference surface S of the tablet P by the pressure between the stamping member C and the tablet P on the reference surface S ( Figure 8b ).

[0067] Figure 9a and Figure 9b By way of example, a series of operations for producing a three-dimensional graphic identification mark by applying a localized laser beam B on a reference surface S of a tablet is shown. The laser processing head is indicated by H and moves relative to the reference surface of the tablet P according to a trajectory pattern designed to present the shape of the graphic mark to be reproduced ( Figure 9a The laser beam focused on the reference surface of the tablet P with a variable power at least initially higher than the first predetermined power causes engraving of the area on the reference surface of the tablet P that forms the graphic mark corresponding to the recess N, and causes sintering of the granular precursor material of the tablet around the area that forms the graphic mark ( Figure 9b ).

[0068] Advantageously, due to the cohesion of the edible substance forming the applied film or layer being greater than the cohesion of the tablet precursor material, as well as the adhesion of the edible substance to the particles of the underlying precursor material, which are no longer exposed to the surface and the environment and to the contact caused by the handling of the tablet, the graphic mark is formed so that the degree of cohesion of the precursor material in the area where it is formed is higher than in the area on the reference surface of the precursor material without any graphic mark.

[0069] Also advantageously, due to the mechanical compaction or sintering of the precursor material of the tablet in the area where the graphic mark is formed, the adhesion between the precursor material particles is increased, so that the degree of cohesion of the precursor material in the area where the graphic mark is formed is higher than that in the area without any graphic mark on the reference surface of the precursor material.

[0070] In the case where the engraving is obtained by simple removal of material from the reference surface, the exposure of the tablet precursor material to surface friction is still reduced at the engraving site, producing an effect completely equivalent to an increase in cohesion.

[0071] Used for Figure 1 The example control system of the machine is Fig.10 The block diagram in Figure 2 is described in more detail.

[0072] The tablet 8 is shown (in the pre-chamber 60) between a pair of devices 80 and 82 designed to detect its presence, such as by the interruption of an infrared signal transmitted from the transmitting device 80 to the receiving device 82. An image recognition and classification microcontroller unit 84, in communication with the devices 80 and 82, is responsible for detecting the introduction of the tablet into the pre-chamber and is coupled to one or more lighting modules 86 designed to at least temporarily illuminate the pre-chamber in order to acquire at least one image of at least one reference surface. Advantageously, it is envisaged that the lighting module 86 includes means for adjusting the intensity and / or color (or more generally, wavelength) of a particular lighting beam.

[0073] Typically, the illumination beam may be in the visible spectrum, or in other spectrums, such as infrared or ultraviolet, in one or more selected bands, with a predetermined illumination angle, which may also be variable.

[0074] Reference numeral 88 denotes an image acquisition module, for example comprising an RGB camera or a CCD sensor with LED ring lighting, for acquiring images of the aforementioned tablets under the control of a microcontroller unit 84, which is arranged to trigger, by controlling the lighting module, the taking of one or more images of the tablets introduced into the machine and in the process of being conveyed to the infusion chamber, and to recognize and classify the images. The microcontroller unit 84 is coupled to the image acquisition module 88 via an adapter module 90, which is designed to transmit image data to the microcontroller unit 84. The microcontroller unit 84 is programmed to classify the detected images according to a predetermined classification and recognition method, for example controlled by a computer program stored in an associated permanent storage module, which is optionally rewritable, in that the microcontroller unit establishes a connection with an update module, for example a wired connection with a local update module or a wireless connection with a remote update module, for example through a local or wide area communication network, with the purpose of updating the classification and recognition model for new categories of tablets or at different moments in the operating life of the machine.

[0075] The image acquisition module 88 may operate in the visible spectrum, or in other spectra, such as infrared or ultraviolet, in one or more selected bands, at least at a predetermined acquisition angle, which is not necessarily frontal, for example even variable.

[0076] The microcontroller unit 84 is arranged to communicate with independent control devices of the machine (not shown), which are arranged to control at least one parameter or operating mode of tablet management, such as a parameter or infusion operating mode of the machine, or a parameter or operating mode related to other phases, for example controlling tablet compaction during the pre-infusion phase and / or the infusion phase according to a constant curve or according to a predetermined control curve definition, pressing of tablets after infusion to remove residual moisture, automatic movement of infused tablets from the infusion chamber to a used tablet collection compartment (depending on the identified tablet category, according to the relevant data transmitted by the adapter module 90), or for communicating with a remote management system, which is arranged to record machine usage data, for example counting the number of dispensed beverages for statistical purposes and predicting possible wear of the image acquisition device.

[0077] Advantageously, the results of the classification method of tablets introduced into the machine during its operating life can be transmitted over time to an external management system temporarily associated via a local wired link or a remote wireless link (such as by means of a local or wide area communications network), from which the microcontroller unit can receive programming instructions, such as updating the characteristic parameters of the classification model.

[0078] In a pre-chamber connected to the immersion chamber, there may be steam from the immersion chamber, represented by the graphic indicated by V in the image, and the pre-chamber is then preferably associated with a fan device 92 for cleaning the detector device 62 integrated in the image acquisition and recognition module 88, for example for sucking out steam or suspended precursor material particles generated by a previous immersion operation and subsequently cleaning the optical devices of the imaging device, these fan devices 92 being controlled by an associated electronic control module 94.

[0079] Finally, reference numeral 96 denotes a module for managing the supply of electrical power to the system components.

[0080] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments as well as the implementation details may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tablet (8; P) for extracting a beverage, said tablet (8; P) being cohesive from a dose of at least one precursor substance in granular or powder form, said tablet (8; P) having at least one reference surface (S) bearing one or more graphic identification marks (70, 72), characterized in that The one or more graphic identification marks (70, 72) are designed to provide anti-wear protection to the precursor material in the area where the graphic identification marks (70, 72) are formed, compared to areas of the reference surface (S) of the precursor material without the graphic identification marks.

2. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 1, wherein The one or more graphic identification marks (70, 72) designed to provide anti-wear protection to the precursor material are designed to ensure that the precursor material has a higher degree of cohesion in the area formed by the graphic identification marks (70, 72) compared to areas of the reference surface (S) of the precursor material without the graphic identification marks.

3. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The graphic identification mark (70, 72) comprises a two-dimensional graphic identification mark.

4. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 3, wherein The two-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises a deposited track of an additional substance (F) on the reference surface (S), the additional substance (F) being edible or intended for food use.

5. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 3, wherein The two-dimensional graphical identification mark comprises a thermal marking track (T) of the reference surface (S).

6. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 3, wherein The two-dimensional graphic recognition mark comprises a track (T) of a localized laser beam (B) applied on the reference surface (S).

7. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The graphic identification mark (70, 72) includes a three-dimensional graphic identification mark.

8. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 7, wherein The three-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises a raised graphic identification mark (R; L) on the reference surface (S) of the tablet (8; P).

9. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 8, wherein The raised graphic identification mark comprises a deposited track (L) of an additional substance (E) on the reference surface (S), the additional substance (E) being edible or intended for food use.

10. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 7, wherein The three-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises a graphic identification mark engraved on the reference surface (S) of the tablet (8; P).

11. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 10, wherein The graphic identification mark engraved on the reference surface (S) of the tablet (8; P) comprises a track (N) obtained by mechanical and / or thermal embossing in a predetermined area of ​​the reference surface (S).

12. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The graphic identification mark (70, 72) exhibits at least one of the following characteristics: a color different from the color of the reference surface (S), a color that contrasts with the color of the reference surface (S), and a light intensity or brightness different from the light intensity or brightness of the reference surface (S) when the reference surface (S) is illuminated.

13. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 8 or 10, wherein The graphic identification marks (70, 72) exhibit altered reflective properties and / or shading when the reference surface (S) is illuminated.

14. The tablet (8; P) according to claim 4 or 9, wherein The additional substance (F, E) that is edible or intended for food use is designed to be separated from the precursor substance of the tablet (8; P) under infusion conditions in order to enter a beverage composition.

15. A method for producing a tablet (8; P) for extracting a beverage, wherein: The tablet (8; P) is formed from a dose of at least one precursor substance in granular or powder form, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - forming the body of said tablet (8; P) having a self-supporting structure; and - a graphic identification mark (70, 72) is made on the reference surface (S) of the tablet body (8; P), and the graphic identification mark (70, 72) is designed to provide anti-wear protection for the precursor substance in the area of ​​the reference surface (S) where the graphic identification mark (70, 72) is formed, compared to the area of ​​the reference surface (S) of the precursor substance without the graphic identification mark.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The step of forming a graphic identification mark (70, 72) designed to provide anti-wear protection for the precursor substance includes forming a graphic identification mark (70, 72) designed to ensure that the precursor substance in the area where the graphic identification mark (70, 72) is formed has a higher degree of cohesion than the area of ​​the reference surface (S) of the precursor substance without the graphic identification mark.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The step of creating a graphic identification mark (70, 72) includes creating a two-dimensional graphic identification mark.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Making the two-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises depositing on said reference surface (S) tracks of an additional substance (F), said additional substance (F) being edible or intended for food use.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Producing the two-dimensional graphic identification mark includes thermally marking the two-dimensional graphic identification mark on the reference surface (S).

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Producing the two-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises applying a localized laser beam (B) on said reference surface (S).

21. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The step of creating a graphic identification mark (70, 72) includes creating a three-dimensional graphic identification mark.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: Producing the three-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises producing a raised graphic identification mark (R; L) on the reference surface (S) of the tablet (8; P).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: Making the raised graphic identification mark comprises depositing tracks (L) of an additional substance (E) on said reference surface (S), said additional substance (E) being edible or intended for food use.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein: Producing a three-dimensional graphic identification mark comprises engraving the graphic identification mark on the reference surface (S) of the tablet (8; P).

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: Engraving said graphic identification mark on said reference surface (S) of said tablet (8; P) comprises mechanically and / or thermally embossing tracks (N) in predetermined areas of said reference surface (S).

26. The method according to claim 15 or 16 includes making a graphic identification mark (70, 72) that exhibits at least one of the following characteristics: a color different from the color of the reference surface (S), a color that contrasts with the color of the reference surface (S), and a light intensity or brightness that is different from the light intensity or brightness of the reference surface (S) when the reference surface (S) is illuminated.

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