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

Abstract

An optically readable code support (30) 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, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of a succession of light reflective surface portions (610-615) and light absorbing surface portions (600-604); said light absorbing surface portions providing a lower light-reflective intensity than the light-reflective surface portions, wherein the code support comprises at least one base layer (500) extending continuously at least along said sequence of symbols, wherein the light-absorbing surface portions are roughened surface portions having a higher rugosity (Rz) than the light-reflective surface portions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation, in particular using capsules containing an ingredient for preparing 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.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable 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 enclosing packaging of any suitable material such as plastic, aluminium, a recyclable and / or bio-degradable material and combinations thereof, inc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution improves the readability of the optical signal and simplifies integration into the capsule packaging, ensuring reliable data retrieval and maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Problems solved by technology

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, unbalanced 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.

However, such code structure poses a problem of proper detection of the reflected signals of the first and second bars due to the angular distance between the two reflected signals.

Such solution is therefore detrimental for a compact reading system to be installed in a beverage preparation device.

In particular, a problem met with an optical code on a capsule is that light-reflecting and light-absorbing signals can be difficult to discriminate.

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

Images