Beverage preparation machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine and a capsule containing beverage ingredients, in which a machine-readable code (34) storing preparation information is arranged on a surface of at least one of the envelope walls, in which the beverage preparation machine comprises:-extraction means for extracting a beverage from the capsule, and-a code reading system for reading the code of the bag, and wherein the code reading system comprises a code reader (9) and a positioning mechanism for moving the bag and the code reader relative to each other from a holding position in which the bag is held in the holding position, to a reading position in which the bag is read by the code reader. The capsule is separated from a read head (91) of the code reader, and wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises a read position in which the code of the capsule is in contact with the read head, and wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises a pre-piercing arrangement (28) configured to pierce the capsule before the code of the capsule is read in the read position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from a single-dose container. Background Art

[0002] A system for preparing a beverage includes a beverage preparation machine and a capsule. The capsule contains a single serving of a precursor material for a beverage, such as ground coffee or tea. The beverage preparation machine is arranged to perform a beverage preparation process on the capsule, typically by exposing pressurized, heated water to the precursor material. Treating the capsule in this way causes at least partial extraction of the precursor material from the capsule as a beverage.

[0003] This configuration of beverage preparation machines is becoming increasingly popular due to: 1) enhanced user convenience compared to conventional beverage preparation machines (e.g., compared to a manually operated stovetop espresso machine), and 2) enhanced beverage preparation processes, where preparation information encoded on the capsule is read by the machine to define a recipe, and the recipe is used by the machine to optimize the preparation process in a capsule-specific manner. In particular, the encoded preparation information can include operating parameters selected during the beverage preparation process, including: fluid temperature, fluid pressure, preparation duration, and fluid volume.

[0004] Different types of codes exist together with different corresponding types of reading processes. For some codes, particularly optically read codes, the machine can implement a process for reading the code that requires the code to be in contact with the machine's code reader.

[0005] Capsules can be made of different materials. Preferably, these materials are airtight in order to protect the beverage precursor from oxygen before the capsule is used. These materials can exhibit different mechanical properties: some capsules can be made of rigid materials, while other capsules can be made of soft and deformable materials (such as materials including paper). In the case where an airtight capsule is made of a soft and deformable material, it has been observed that the shape of the capsule wall changes under the effect of a certain altitude difference between the location where the capsule is manufactured and the location where the capsule is used for beverage preparation. In particular, when the altitude during use is higher than the altitude during manufacture, the capsule wall expands. If the capsule includes an optical code on the expanded wall, the reading process can be affected by this deformation of the wall, and the reading may be incorrect.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system that includes a beverage preparation machine and a pod that contains a beverage ingredient,

[0008] The sachet includes a first envelope wall and a second envelope wall, the first and second envelope walls defining a chamber for enclosing the beverage ingredient, and a machine-readable code storing preparation information is arranged on the surface of at least one of the envelope walls

[0009] The beverage preparation machine comprises:

[0010] - an extraction device for extracting the beverage from the sachet, and

[0011] - a code reading system for reading the code of the sachet, and

[0012] - an electrical circuit for controlling the extraction device based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0013] The code reading system includes a code reader and a positioning mechanism for moving the sachet and the code reader relative to each other from a holding position to a reading position:

[0014] - In the holding position, the sachet is separated from the reading head of the code reader,

[0015] - In the reading position, the code of the container is in contact with the reading head.

[0016] Furthermore, the beverage preparation machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement configured to pierce the sachet before reading the code of the sachet in the reading position.

[0017] Thus, if the sachet expands and the code on the expanded surface is more difficult to read during the reading operation, the pre-piercing arrangement enables the piercing to deflate the sachet and optimize the contact with the reading head. The pre-piercing operation does not need to create a large hole, as the requirement is only to allow gas to pass through and open the sachet to the atmosphere.

[0018] Preferably, the pre-piercing arrangement is configured to pierce the wall of the sachet opposite to the wall to be contacted by the reading head.

[0019] Thus, there is no risk of the pre-piercing operation damaging or soiling the code before the code is read by the code reading system.

[0020] Preferably, the beverage preparation machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement configured to pierce the sachet when the positioning mechanism moves the sachet and / or the code reader relative to each other from the holding position to the reading position.

[0021] Thus, the sachet is pierced just before the code is to be read: the code can be optimally read by the code reader, and the beverage ingredients inside the sachet are not damaged by the piercing as beverage preparation typically occurs immediately after the code is read.

[0022] Depending on the type of positioning mechanism, the pre-piercing arrangement can be moved onto the immobile sachet, or the sachet can be moved onto the fixed pre-piercing arrangement, or both the sachet and the pre-piercing arrangement can be moved relative to each other.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism includes a propulsion device configured to propel the sachet from the holding position to the reading position, and the propulsion device carries the pre-piercing arrangement.

[0024] Accordingly, during the operation of positioning the sachet at the reading position, the sachet is simultaneously pre-pierced.

[0025] The extraction device of the system is typically included in a beverage preparation machine configured to receive sachets. Preferably, the beverage preparation machine is a coffee machine, although the machine can be designed to prepare, for example, tea, chocolate, or soup, depending on the ingredients enclosed in the sachet. In particular, the machine is arranged to prepare a beverage in an extraction chamber by passing water or another liquid through a sachet containing the ingredients for the beverage to be prepared (preferably roasted and ground coffee, or ultimately tea leaves, or instant coffee, or instant tea, or chocolate, or cocoa, or milk powder, or dehydrated soup). In a preferred embodiment, the beverage ingredient is roasted and ground coffee.

[0026] The device is configured to extract the beverage ingredients contained in the sachet by supplying an extraction liquid such as water to the sachet.

[0027] Typically, the sachet can be inserted into the extraction device from above under the action of gravity. The ejection or removal of the sachet when the enclosing member reopens can also be driven by gravity.

[0028] Typically, the beverage preparation machine of the system includes:

[0029] - an extraction device for extracting a beverage from the sachet, and

[0030] - the extraction device includes an upstream sachet enclosing member and a downstream sachet enclosing member, wherein at least one of the sachet enclosing members is movable between an open position for inserting and removing the sachet and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber enclosing the sachet during extraction, and

[0031] - wherein the code reader is positioned above the upstream bladder encapsulation member and the downstream bladder encapsulation member.

[0032] Typically, the upstream bladder encapsulation member includes a piercing element for piercing the wall of the bladder and a liquid outlet opening for introducing liquid through the pierced wall, and the downstream bladder encapsulation member includes a downstream piercing arrangement for opening another wall of the bladder.

[0033] The upstream member or injection member includes an upstream piercing arrangement in the form of one or more piercers for piercing the wall of the bladder and at least one liquid injector for supplying liquid through the first pierced wall of the bladder.

[0034] The upstream piercing arrangement may include piercers in the form of blades. These blades may be designed and positioned to pierce the bottom wall of the bladder body when the upstream bladder encapsulation member and the downstream bladder encapsulation member are in the closed position. The liquid injector, such as a sprayer located at the upstream member of the cage, may introduce the extraction liquid through the pre-pierced opening.

[0035] In an alternative, the upstream piercing arrangement may include at least one hollow needle configured to pierce the wall of the bottom of the bladder body, and the hollow needle may include an internal axial channel for guiding the extraction liquid in the chamber of the bladder.

[0036] The downstream member or dispensing member defines a downstream piercing arrangement for opening the capping wall of the bladder when the extraction liquid is introduced inside the bladder. Typically, the downstream planar piercing arrangement is designed to open the wall of the bladder by engaging with the said wall and the capping expanding against the piercing arrangement under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the chamber of the bladder. In a preferred embodiment, the downstream planar piercing arrangement includes a plate, which is preferably rigid, and the plate includes opening elements (such as a plurality of protrusions) and recessed elements (such as studs), and these opening elements may present the shape of a cone or a pyramid on the surface facing the second wall.

[0037] In addition, the plate includes perforations for discharging the beverage dispensed from the opened capping into a tube or nozzle for collecting the beverage and dispensing the beverage into a drinking cup.

[0038] Typically, the shapes of the upstream member and the encapsulation member of the extraction device are defined according to the shape of the bladder configured to be extracted therefrom.

[0039] Generally speaking, the extraction device may include an insertion section for inserting the sachet into the device. Generally speaking, this section is positioned above the upstream sachet encapsulating member and the downstream sachet encapsulating member such that the sachet is inserted between the two members by gravity. Depending on the shape of the sachet, the insertion section may be designed to prompt the user to position the sachet such that its cap faces the downstream piercing arrangement.

[0040] Preferably, the code reader is positioned above the upstream sachet encapsulating member and the downstream sachet encapsulating member such that the reading operation is carried out before the sachet is inserted between the upstream encapsulating member and the downstream encapsulating member. If the reading operation cannot be carried out, the sachet is prevented from being inserted inside the extraction device.

[0041] Typically, the code reader is located at the insertion section.

[0042] The extraction device may include a sachet holder which is configured to hold the sachet between these members when the upstream sachet encapsulating member and the downstream sachet encapsulating member are in the open position. Such a sachet holder may be retractable and may free the sachet so that it can be encapsulated by the two encapsulating members when the two encapsulating members are in the closed position. For example, WO 2005 / 004683 or WO 2007 / 134960 illustrate this type of sachet holder.

[0043] Preferably, the beverage preparation machine includes a member for temporarily vertically blocking the sachet in the holding position above the upstream sachet encapsulating member and the downstream sachet encapsulating member, and

[0044] the blocking member is actuated by the movement of the upstream encapsulating member and / or the downstream sachet encapsulating member.

[0045] In particular, the sachet blocking member may be a sachet support attached to the upstream sachet encapsulating member or the downstream sachet encapsulating member and may be designed and positioned relative to the upstream encapsulating member and the downstream encapsulating member such that:

[0046] - when the two sachet encapsulating members are positioned in the sachet holding intermediate position, the sachet is received and held above these members, and

[0047] - when the sachet encapsulating members are positioned to the open position, the sachet is released.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, only one of the encapsulating members can move and the sachet blocking member may include at least two protrusions longitudinally extending from the front side of the said movable encapsulating member. Depending on the position of the encapsulating member, these protrusions:

[0049] - provide support for the sachet in the holding position in front of the code reader, or

[0050] - when the movable envelope member is moved to the fully open position, the sachet can be released from the holding position to a position between the two sachet envelope members. The sachet can, for example, fall inside a sachet support between the two sachet envelope members.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment,

[0052] - the positioning mechanism includes a propulsion device, and

[0053] - the propulsion device carries the pre-piercing arrangement, and

[0054] - the propulsion device is attached to one of the movable sachet envelope members.

[0055] By attaching the propulsion device and the pre-piercing arrangement to one of the movable sachet envelope members, the movement of the propulsion device and the pre-piercing arrangement can be controlled by the position of one of the sachet envelope members, which simplifies actuation. In particular, only one motor can be used to actuate the positioning mechanism, the pre-piercing arrangement and the sachet envelope members of the code reading system.

[0056] The movable sachet envelope member carrying the propulsion device can be successively positioned:

[0057] - in its sachet holding position, in which the sachet is inserted into the beverage preparation machine and positioned in the holding position of the code reading system,

[0058] - in the reading position of the code reading system, in which the sachet is pushed by the propulsion device into contact with the reading head and simultaneously pre-pierced by the pre-piercing arrangement, and

[0059] - in its open position away from the other sachet envelope member, in which the sachet is inserted into the extraction device and, in the presence of a sachet support, is stuck in the sachet support.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment:

[0061] - the downstream sachet envelope member is fixed, and

[0062] - the upstream sachet envelope member can be translated along a longitudinal axis (XX') between a fully open position and a closed position, and the upstream envelope member carries the blocking member, the propulsion device and the pre-piercing arrangement.

[0063] Typically, the upstream sachet envelope member is driven by a motor, preferably via a gear mechanism, and

[0064] - The machine includes a rotary encoder that mates with the shaft of the motor, and

[0065] - The control system of the machine controls the motor based on the signal provided by the rotary encoder.

[0066] Accordingly, different positions of the upstream encapsulation member can be identified in relation to the encoder count.

[0067] Preferably, the sachet of the system is airtight, and at least a portion of the encapsulation wall of the sachet is made of a deformable material that is capable of deforming under an external atmospheric pressure difference, and the machine-readable code storing the preparation information is disposed on the surface of the portion of the encapsulation wall of the sachet made of the deformable material.

[0068] In particular, the deformable material can be a multi-layer paper material that includes at least one paper layer and at least one plastic layer assembled together, preferably a compostable plastic layer.

[0069] Preferably, the paper layer of the multi-layer paper material can be a deformable paper sheet.

[0070] Alternatively, and at least for the sachet body, the paper layer can be formed by:

[0071] - Wet pulp molding. Wherein, the process of forming the body can include the steps of placing a pulp slurry in a mold, such as by filling the mold with the slurry or by dipping the mold into the slurry. The pulp slurry can be pressed in the mold, and the body thus formed can be dried. The pulp can be any form of material, such as cellulose pulp, bamboo pulp, wood pulp, bagasse, non-wood pulp, cellulose-based pulp, or other alternative pulp sources.

[0072] Or

[0073] - Dry pulp molding. Wherein, the process of forming the body can include the step of providing a blank of preferably dry cellulose fibers. Then, preferably under the application of heat and / or water, the blank can be formed into the shape of the body using tools.

[0074] Preferably, the paper layer of the multi-layer paper has a grammage of at least 20 g / m 2 and preferably at most 150 g / m 2 . The paper layer forming the body can have a higher grammage than the paper layer forming the cap because the paper layer needs to be deformed during manufacturing.

[0075] The paper layer of the multi-layer paper material can also be identified as the main layer in the present application.

[0076] Regardless of the type of the paper layer, the layer is assembled with at least one plastic layer. The plastic layer may also be identified as the second layer in the present application.

[0077] The plastic layer may be selected from the list of the following items:

[0078] - Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) layer,

[0079] - Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) layer,

[0080] - Poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) layer,

[0081] - Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) layer,

[0082] - Polycaprolactone (PCL) layer,

[0083] - A layer of a polymer blend formed from any combination of the above polymers.

[0084] The paper layer may be assembled with several of these different plastic layers.

[0085] The plastic layer strengthens the protection of the paper layer against liquids, gases, and moisture of the beverage ingredients.

[0086] In addition to these paper layers and plastic layers, preferably, the multi-layer paper material may include an additional layer of a material that provides a barrier against oxygen. This layer may also be identified as the third layer in the present application.

[0087] This layer may be selected from the list of the following items:

[0088] - Poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer (PVOH) layer, especially butanediol-vinyl alcohol copolymer (BVOH) layer,

[0089] - Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) layer,

[0090] - Metallized coating,

[0091] - SiO x -based coating,

[0092] - AlO x -based coating,

[0093] - Their combination.

[0094] In a specific embodiment where the additional layer or the third layer is a plastic polymer, the second layer and the third layer may be assembled together as a multi-layer plastic film. In this embodiment, the multi-layer plastic layer may include an internal third layer positioned between two outer second layers.

[0095] Preferably, the inner third layer is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) film, particularly a butanediol vinyl alcohol (BVOH) film.

[0096] Preferably, the outer second polymer layer is selected from a polylactic acid (PLA) film, a polybutylene succinate (PBS) film, a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) film, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film, and a starch film. The second film may also consist of a polymer blend formed from any combination of these listed polymers.

[0097] Preferably, the three layers are attached by two intermediate adhesive layers, preferably an acid anhydride-modified polymer resin. Generally speaking, the multi-layer plastic layer is produced by co-extrusion.

[0098] Typically, the multi-layer paper material may also include ink printing on one of its surfaces. The ink printing is preferably food-safe. Such ink printing may provide the code on the surface of the sachet.

[0099] The assembly of these layers can be achieved by any type of process depending on the nature of the different layers of the material, such as:

[0100] - Co-laminating or co-extruding of these layers,

[0101] - Coating or depositing a compound on another layer to form a layer on the other layer,

[0102] - Co-extrusion coating.

[0103] In addition, the different layers can be bonded to each other through an intermediate adhesive layer.

[0104] Preferably, the sachet contains a compacted beverage ingredient, preferably compacted roasted and ground coffee.

[0105] When the sachet is pressed against the reading head of the code reader, the compacted coffee provides a relative surface that improves the pre-piercing of the packaging wall during the reading operation.

[0106] For example, the coffee can be compacted as described in WO2020 / 089403 or by any other process

[0107] According to a second aspect, a beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a sachet, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises:

[0108] - An extraction device for extracting a beverage from the sachet, and

[0109] - A code reading system for reading the code of the sachet, and

[0110] - An electrical circuit for controlling the extraction device based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0111] Wherein the code reading system includes a code reader and a positioning mechanism for moving the sachet and the code reader relative to each other from a holding position to a reading position.

[0112] . In the holding position, the sachet is separated from the reading head of the code reader.

[0113] . In the reading position, the code of the container is in contact with the reading head, and the beverage preparation machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement configured to pierce the sachet before reading the code of the sachet in the reading position.

[0114] The beverage machine includes a liquid supply system connected to an upstream encapsulating member. The liquid supply system may include:

[0115] - A liquid supply source, such as a liquid tank that typically stores liquid at ambient temperature, which is also recognized as a low temperature as opposed to a high temperature.

[0116] - A pumping member for driving the liquid from the liquid supply source to the extraction device.

[0117] - A heating member for adjusting the temperature of the liquid as needed before the liquid is introduced into the interior of the sachet.

[0118] The liquid is typically water.

[0119] In a specific embodiment, the machine may include an additional cooling member for cooling the temperature of the liquid.

[0120] The machine includes a motor for actuating the movement of at least one of the upstream container encapsulating member and the downstream container encapsulating member. It is preferably an electric motor. The motor is typically connected to at least one of the sachet encapsulating members through an intermediate actuator (such as a toggle lever). The connection typically includes a gear mechanism between the shaft of the motor and the intermediate actuator.

[0121] The machine includes a control system configured to control the actuation of the motor during beverage preparation and accordingly control the relative positions of the upstream sachet encapsulating member and the downstream sachet encapsulating member.

[0122] Typically, the control system is configured to also control the pump and heater of the liquid supply system.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment:

[0124] - The downstream bladder encapsulation member is fixed, and

[0125] - The upstream bladder encapsulation member is translatable along a longitudinal axis (XX') between a fully open position and a closed position, and

[0126] - The control system of the motor is configured to position the upstream bladder encapsulation member at other positions between the fully open position and the closed position, in particular:

[0127] - The holding position,

[0128] - The reading position.

[0129] The translation of only one of the two encapsulation members provides a simple construction of the extraction device and also reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0130] With this construction, the upstream bladder encapsulation member can be translated and positioned at different positions, including:

[0131] - The closed position, where the two encapsulation members form an extraction chamber,

[0132] - The fully open position, where the upstream bladder encapsulation member is in the position farthest from the downstream encapsulation member,

[0133] - An intermediate position between these two prior positions, so that the bladder can be positioned in the holding position and the reading position.

[0134] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of reading a code of a bladder containing beverage ingredients for preparing a beverage and / or food, the method comprising:

[0135] - Moving the bladder relative to a code reader from a holding position, in which the bladder is separated from the code reader, to a reading position, in which the code of the bladder is in contact with the code reader, and

[0136] - Reading the code,

[0137] wherein the bladder is pre-pierced before the code is read.

[0138] Preferably, the bladder is pre-pierced on a wall of the bladder without a code.

[0139] In a fourth aspect, there is provided the use of a bladder comprising a first encapsulation wall and a second encapsulation wall, the first encapsulation wall and the second encapsulation wall defining a chamber for encapsulating the beverage ingredients, and wherein a machine-readable code storing preparation information is arranged on the surface of at least one of the encapsulation walls in a system as described above or in a beverage preparation machine as described above.

[0140] In the present application:

[0141] - The term "pod" is used broadly to denote any kind of single-dose container suitable for preparing beverages or other edible products, such as pods, cartridges, portion packs or single servings, without being limited to the shape of the container, the material from which the container is made, or the type of piercing member required to extract the beverage therefrom.

[0142] - The term "longitudinally" refers to the orientation of two enclosing members relative to each other and their movement along the longitudinal axis XX'. Thus, the term "transversely" refers to an orientation that is transverse or perpendicular to this longitudinal orientation. Generally, the longitudinal and transverse orientations extend in a horizontal plane.

[0143] The term "lateral" is defined with reference to a horizontal axis including the longitudinal axis XX'.

[0144] - The terms "vertically", "upwardly" and "downwardly" refer to the movement of the pod in the extraction device from its introduction between the two enclosing members to its removal therefrom. The terms

[0145] "upper" and "lower" also refer to this vertical axis.

[0146] - The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the path of the liquid from the upstream pod enclosing member through the extraction device to the downstream enclosing member.

[0147] Generally, these terms are used to describe the relative positioning of the features of the extraction device. These terms should be understood to refer to the device in its normal orientation when positioned in a beverage machine for the production of beverages, as Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B shown.

[0148] The above aspects of the present invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Additionally, the various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the claims, the detailed description, and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0149] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0150] - Figure 1A and Figure 1B are a perspective view and an exploded view of a pod in a system for the present invention according to a first embodiment,

[0151] - Figure 1C and Figure 1DIs a view of the pod in the system for the present invention according to the second embodiment,

[0152] - Figure 2A and Figure 2B Is a side view of the extraction device and the code reading system of the beverage preparation machine according to the present invention in the pod holding position and the pod reading position respectively,

[0153] - Figure 2C Is a side view of the extraction device of the beverage preparation machine according to the present invention in the pod extraction position,

[0154] - Figure 3 Is with Figure 2C Perspective view of the upstream pod encapsulation component isolated from the extraction device,

[0155] - Figure 4 Is with Figure 2A Perspective view of the downstream encapsulation component isolated from the extraction device,

[0156] - Figure 5A With Figure 2A Corresponding, in which an insertion section is presented,

[0157] - Figure 5B Is Figure 5A Vertical cross-section of the downstream component,

[0158] - Figure 5C Is Figure 5A Top cross-section of the device. Detailed description

[0159] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Illustrate the pod 3 that can be used in the illustrated system.

[0160] The pod 3 includes a pod body 31, which has a side wall 311 that extends axially from the bottom wall 313 towards the top. The side wall 311 extends towards the top opening 312. At the top opening 312, the body includes a circumferential annular flange 314, which extends radially outwards from the side wall 311 along the circumference of the opening 312.

[0161] The flange includes an upper surface 3142 facing the top, and a lower surface 3141.

[0162] Generally speaking, any transverse cross-section of the body is circular from the bottom to the top, and the flange is also circular.

[0163] The body defines a chamber for containing beverage ingredients.

[0164] The beverage ingredient is preferably an ingredient that can be extracted like roasted and ground coffee. Preferably, as described in WO 2020 / 089403, such roasted and ground coffee is compacted inside the sachet itself.

[0165] In a less preferred manner, the beverage ingredient can be tea leaves or a water-soluble powder component, such as: instant coffee powder, milk powder, milk fat powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder or a mixture of said powders, or even a soluble liquid component or beverage concentrate such as syrup or milk concentrate. The powder can be agglomerated or roasted.

[0166] The capsule includes a lid 32 that is fixed, sealed or attached to at least a portion of the upper surface 3142 of the circumferential flange and thus covers and closes the top opening 312.

[0167] A machine-readable code 34 can be arranged on the lid. The code can provide different types of information, such as:

[0168] - The nature of the beverage ingredient,

[0169] - The size of the sachet,

[0170] - Authorized sachets,

[0171] - The extraction recipe applied to the sachet: the temperature of the fluid, the volume of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid...

[0172] The bottom wall 313 is adapted to be pierced so that liquid can be injected into the sachet through the pierced opening.

[0173] The lid 32 is adapted to open by relative engagement with the piercing arrangement under the action of an increase in the liquid pressure inside the sachet during the injection of liquid.

[0174] The sachet shape is symmetric with respect to the central axial axis ZZ' extending from the bottom wall to the lid, and the sachet shape is asymmetric with respect to the plane of the lid and the flange.

[0175] The material of the sachet and the seal of the lid and the sachet body are configured to provide airtightness and protect the beverage ingredient from the atmosphere.

[0176] The material of the sachet is generally flexible and deformable. In particular, this material is flexible enough to deform under the action of a pressure difference between the atmosphere inside the sachet and the atmosphere outside the sachet. Such deformation may occur when the altitude of the sachet manufacturing location is significantly different from the altitude of the sachet usage location.

[0177] For Figure 1AIn the illustrated sachet, when the location of use of the sachet is higher than the manufacturing location, the lid appears inflated rather than flat. This deformation affects the operation of reading the code 34.

[0178] Preferably, the sachet 3 is made substantially of biodegradable or compostable material, preferably of household compostable material, since the extracted coffee cake can be easily composted at home.

[0179] Preferably, the material of the sachet includes a paper layer. This paper layer is formable, i.e., the paper sheet can be given a three-dimensional shape, which is in the form of the body of the sachet described above. Relative to a conventional sachet made of filter paper, the paper is thicker and retains the three-dimensional shape set during the forming step of manufacturing the sachet.

[0180] Preferably, the paper layer of the sachet may have a grammage of at least 20 g / m 2 and preferably at most 150 g / m 2 . The paper of the body may have a higher grammage than the paper of the lid; the grammage of the paper of the body may be included between 80 g / m 2 and 150 g / m 2 .

[0181] Both papers may have a grammage of about 100 g / m 2 .

[0182] The material of the sachet may include a paper layer and some other material for providing additional properties such as an air barrier, stretchable or deformable properties. These additional properties may be provided by at least one plastic layer, for example as described in WO 2020 / 114995. Some additional layers of the body and the lid may be different.

[0183] In fact, in order to form the paper into a container for a beverage and to form a barrier for protecting the beverage ingredients, the paper must be thick enough. In addition, in order to form a barrier against oxygen, which is particularly sensitive to the atmosphere, specifically roasted and ground coffee, the paper layer is preferably coated with a compostable plastic film. A sealant layer is usually required to attach the different layers and prevent delamination. For example, such a multi-layer paper material may be the material described in WO 2020 / 114995 or WO 2022 / 022899.

[0184] With such sachet material, the thickness of the multi-layer paper material of the body may be about 200 μm, and the thickness of the multi-layer paper material of the lid may be about 140 μm, which means that the layer thickness of the flange is usually greater than 200 μm, even greater than 300 μm.

[0185] The extraction device of the present invention may be configured to use alternative containers presenting different shapes.

[0186] Figure 1C (Perspective view) andFigure 1D (Exploded view) illustrates a second embodiment of the sachet 3 that can be used in the extraction device of the present invention.

[0187] The sachet includes the same first encapsulation wall and second encapsulation walls 31, 31': each of them includes a sachet body 311, 311' that defines half of the chamber and a circumferential annular body flange 314, 314', and

[0188] . The circumferential annular body flanges of the sachet body are attached together to define a chamber for containing the beverage ingredient 33.

[0189] With this second embodiment, the sachet shape is symmetric with respect to the central axial axis ZZ' extending from the bottom wall to the cap and with respect to the plane of the attached flanges 314, 314'. Thus, the sachet can be oriented indifferently inside the extraction device, where the first encapsulation wall 31 or the second encapsulation wall 31' faces the upstream sachet encapsulation component. For this purpose, preferably, a machine-readable code 34 is arranged on each encapsulation component 31, 31'.

[0190] The following description relates to an extraction device that can be used in an advantageous manner with the above-mentioned sachet 3 of the first embodiment according to Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B .

[0191] For the sachet according to the second embodiment, the following description applies, with the difference that the extraction device must be adapted to receive such sachets. For example, an extraction device described in WO2007 / 135135, WO2004 / 071259, WO2013026844 or EP1767129 can be used.

[0192] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are side views of the extraction device and the code reading system of a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention in the sachet holding position and the sachet reading position respectively

[0193] The extraction device includes an upstream sachet encapsulation component 2 and a downstream sachet encapsulation component 1 that can be relatively translated along a longitudinal axis XX'. Preferably, the axis XX' is substantially horizontal.

[0194] The sachet is introduced through an insertion section (Figs. 6A to 6C) positioned above the two encapsulation components 1, 2, and the sachet can fall by gravity from this insertion section into the sachet holder 11 between the two encapsulation components 1, 2. After extraction, when the two encapsulation components 1, 2 are moved apart from each other, the sachet can fall by gravity again below the two encapsulation components.

[0195] The machine includes a code reader 9 to read a code 34 provided on one of the wrapper walls of the sachet. The code reader

[0196] The code reader is positioned above the extraction device such that the operation of reading the code can be performed before inserting the sachet between the downstream and upstream wrapper members.

[0197] The code reader 9 is configured to read the code by placing its reading head 91 in contact with the code 43 of the sachet as illustrated in the figure.

[0198] The code reading system is arranged to read a code provided on the wall of the sachet.

[0199] The code reading system includes a code reader having an image capture unit and a reading head that houses the image capture unit for capturing a digital image of the code. The image capture unit includes an illumination system and a camera system. Examples of suitable image capture units include Sonix SN9S102; Snap Sensor S2 imager; oversampled binary image sensor; other similar systems.

[0200] The electrical circuit includes an image processing circuit (not illustrated) to identify the code in the digital image and extract preparation information. An example of an image processing circuit system is the Texas Instruments TMS320C5517 processor running a code processing program.

[0201] Two sachet wrapper members 1, 2 are held between two lateral and longitudinal sheets 4 and between two transverse axes 6a, 6b. The upstream sachet wrapper member 2 is capable of translational movement between the two sheets 5 and the two axes 6a, 6b in order to evaluate different relative and functional positions, including Figure 2A and Figure 2B the two positions illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral sides of the upstream sachet wrapper member include sliding members that are designed to engage in grooves 51 of the lateral sheets in order to together form a sliding device. The downstream wrapper member 1 is fixed and only the upstream sachet wrapper member 2 can move back and forth along the longitudinal axis XX'. The upstream sachet wrapper member is moved by an actuator that includes an elbow engagement mechanism 81 that cooperates at one end with the upstream sachet wrapper member 2 and at the other end with the transverse axis 6b. The elbow engagement mechanism is actuated by a motor 10 via a gear mechanism 101.

[0202] The motor and the elbow engagement mechanism enable the position of the upstream wrapper member 2 to be positioned at various positions between a fully open position and a closed position relative to the downstream wrapper member 1. In particular, the upstream wrapper member 2 can be positioned:

[0203] - In Figure 2A the capsule holding position, in which the capsule can be held in front of the reading head, but is separated from the reading head and does not fall into the capsule holder 11 between the two capsule encapsulation members 1, 2, and

[0204] - In Figure 2B the capsule reading position, in which the capsule is held in front of and in contact with the reading head.

[0205] In Figure 2A the capsule holding position, the capsule is prevented from falling between the two capsule encapsulation members 1, 2 by the capsule holders 26a, 26b extending from the front of the downstream encapsulation member.

[0206] The code reader is fixed and positioned above the downstream encapsulation member 1.

[0207] In other less preferred embodiments, the code reader can be made movable to the capsule.

[0208] The code reading system includes means 28 for advancing the capsule 3 to the reading head 91 for reading operation of the code 34 when the capsule contacts the reading head.

[0209] The movable upstream encapsulation member 2 includes

[0210] As Figure 3 illustrated, the upstream encapsulation member 2 includes two longitudinal protrusions 26a, 26b extending at the downstream face of the upstream capsule encapsulation member. These protrusions are capsule triggers, which are configured to:

[0211] - When the upstream capsule encapsulation member 2 is positioned in the capsule holding position, receive and hold the capsule above the capsule encapsulation member. In this position, the capsule is positioned inside the machine, but can still be removed by the user before it is introduced between the two capsule encapsulation members.

[0212] And

[0213] - When the upstream capsule encapsulation member 2 is moved to the fully open position, release the capsule from its holding position to the capsule holder 11.

[0214] The design of these protrusions (especially their longitudinal length l) and their position on the downstream side of the upstream encapsulation member can be set by considering the size of the capsule and the moving length of the upstream encapsulation member.

[0215] Preferably, the upstream encapsulation member 2 includes a pusher 27, which is designed and positioned to move the capsule from the capsule holding position to Figure 2BOptimize the contact between the pouch 3 and the reading head 91 at the illustrated reading position. As illustrated, the pusher 28 can be a vertically oriented element extending from the top of the upstream encapsulation member, and is sized to drive the movement of the pouch as the upstream encapsulation member 2 moves downstream.

[0216] The machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement 28 in the form of two spike-like members rising downstream from the surface of the pusher. Thus, when the pouch moves from the holding position to the reading position, the pusher drives the pouch to the reading head, and at the reading position, the spikes pierce the wall of the pouch. Thus, if the pouch expands, this piercing deflates the pouch and ensures optimal contact between the reading head and the pouch and optimal reading of the code 34.

[0217] In a less preferred embodiment, the pre-piercing arrangement 28 can be located on the side of the code reader 9, and when the pouch moves to the code reader, the downstream positioning wall of the pouch can be pierced.

[0218] Further for the reading operation, if the code is read efficiently, beverage extraction can occur by:

[0219] - Moving the upstream pouch encapsulation portion 2 to the fully open position, at which the pouch supports 26a, 26b no longer support the pouch and the pouch drops into the pouch holder 11 between the two encapsulation members, and then

[0220] - Moving the upstream pouch encapsulation member 2 to the fully closed position as Figure 2C illustrated, at which the two members form an extraction chamber configured to encapsulate the pouch, and in which beverage extraction can occur.

[0221] Figure 3 is Figure 2A and Figure 2B A perspective view of the separation of the downstream pouch encapsulation member 1. The downstream member 1 defines a plate perpendicular (i.e., transverse) to the longitudinal axis XX'. The plate includes a central downstream planar piercing arrangement 12 for opening the lid when extraction liquid is introduced inside the pouch and causes the lid 32 of the pouch to expand. The opening occurs by the relative engagement of the spikes with the lid under the action of the increased pressure of the injected liquid in the main chamber of the pouch body. The downstream planar piercing arrangement can include a plate that includes opening elements 121 (such as spikes) on its surface facing the lid, and these opening elements can have the shape of a truncated cone or pyramid, optionally at their ends. In addition, the plate includes perforations for discharging the beverage dispensed from the opened lid to a tube or nozzle that collects the beverage and distributes it to a drinking cup.

[0222] The downstream component 1 includes a bladder support attached to the peripheral area. When attached, the bladder support can move between two positions. In Figure 3 , the bladder support is in a first position for receiving the bladder and holding the lid of the bladder in front of the downstream planar piercing arrangement.

[0223] The bladder support 11 includes a pair of arms 11a, 11b which hold and position the bladder when the pair of arms are in the first receiving position, such as Figure 3 illustrated. In this position of the bladder support, these arms hold the bladder vertically, i.e., they prevent the bladder falling vertically from the insertion position.

[0224] When the upstream bladder encapsulating member translates longitudinally from the fully open position to the closed position, the pair of holding elements 11a, 11b can move from the receiving position to a second retracted position at the lateral sides of the downstream planar piercing.

[0225] Preferably, each of the arms 11a, 11b of the bladder support can be locked in the retracted position during extraction of the bladder and during ejection of the bladder, so as to prevent any malfunction during ejection.

[0226] Figure 4 is Figure 2B An exploded view of the upstream bladder encapsulating member 2 of the extraction device of. The upstream component defines an empty holder or cavity 21 for encapsulating the bladder body. The holder is defined by a side wall 11 which extends between an open front end 214 and a rear end 213 along the longitudinal axis of the holder. The side wall is configured to encapsulate the side wall of the bladder and generally presents a shape conforming to the side wall of the bladder body. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall has a circular section.

[0227] The side wall is fixedly attached in an external bracket or chassis 23. The bracket can be translated between the open position and the closed position by a sliding configuration between its lateral sliding members 231 and the corresponding sheet grooves 41 as described above. The bracket 23 and the side wall can be moved by an actuator as described below.

[0228] The holder 21 is also defined by end walls 22 which cross the longitudinal axis of the holder.

[0229] Figures 5A to 5C illustrates Figure 2A The insertion section 4 of the machine not presented in. The insertion section includes a wall 41 which defines an inclined chute for inserting the bladder 3 by the user by gravity. Preferably, the wall is designed to prompt the user to position the bladder such that the lid 32 with the code of the bladder faces the code reader 9 and the downstream piercing arrangement 1.

[0230] Depending on the shape of the bladder 3, the wall 41 may also be defined to hold the bladder correctly oriented in front of the code reader. In the specifically illustrated embodiment, the bladder is asymmetric and it is nearly impossible to keep its cap in a vertical orientation without being held by the wall 41 of the insertion section.

[0231] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown above, it should be understood that the present invention as claimed is not limited in any way to these shown embodiments.

[0232] Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. In addition, if there are known equivalents for specific features, such equivalents should be incorporated as if expressly mentioned in this specification.

[0233] As used in this specification, the words "comprising", "including" and similar words should not be construed as having an exclusive or exhaustive meaning. In other words, these words are intended to mean "including but not limited to".

[0234] List of reference numerals in the drawings :

[0235] Downstream encapsulation member 1

[0236] Bladder holder 11

[0237] Arms 11a, 11b

[0238] Downstream plate piercing arrangement 12

[0239] Nail-like member 121

[0240] Upstream encapsulation member 2

[0241] Cage 21

[0242] Upstream piercing arrangement 22

[0243] Liquid injector 25

[0244] Bladder supports 26a, 26b

[0245] Thruster 27

[0246] Pre-piercer 28 Bladder 3 Bodies 31, 31'

[0247] Side walls 311, 311'

[0248] Top opening 312

[0249] Bottom wall 313

[0250] Flanges 314, 314'

[0251] Lower surface 3141

[0252] Upper surface 3142

[0253] Cover 32

[0254] Ingredient 33

[0255] Codes 34, 34'

[0256] Insertion section 4

[0257] Wall 41

[0258] Lateral sheet 5

[0259] Groove 51

[0260] Shafts 6a, 6b

[0261] Code reader 9

[0262] Reading head 91

[0263] Motor 10

[0264] Gear mechanism 101

Claims

1. A system, the system comprising a beverage preparation machine and a pod, the pod containing beverage ingredients, wherein the pod (3) includes a first encapsulating wall and a second encapsulating wall (31, 31', 32), the first and second encapsulating walls defining a chamber for encapsulating the beverage ingredients (33), and wherein a machine-readable code (34) storing preparation information is arranged on the surface of at least one of the encapsulating walls, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises: - extraction means for extracting a beverage from the pod, and - a code reading system for reading the code of the pod, and - an electrical circuit for controlling the extraction means based on the preparation information read from the code, wherein the code reading system includes a code reader (9) and a positioning mechanism for moving the pod and the code reader relative to each other from a holding position to a reading position: . In the holding position, the pod is separated from the reading head (91) of the code reader, . In the reading position, the code of the pod is in contact with the reading head, wherein the beverage preparation machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement (28) configured to pierce the pod before reading the code of the pod in the reading position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pre-piercing arrangement (28) is configured to pierce a wall opposite the wall to be contacted by the reading head.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the beverage preparation machine includes a pre-piercing arrangement (28) configured to pierce the pod when the positioning mechanism moves the pod and / or the code reader relative to each other from the holding position to the reading position.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a propulsion device (27) configured to propel the pod from the holding position to the reading position, and wherein the propulsion device carries the pre-piercing arrangement (28).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises: - extraction means for extracting a beverage from the pod, and the extraction means includes an upstream pod encapsulating member and a downstream pod encapsulating member (1, 2), wherein at least one of the pod encapsulating members is movable between the following positions relative to the other pod encapsulating member: . An open position for inserting the pod into the extraction means and removing the pod from the extraction means, and . A closed position for forming an extraction chamber encapsulating the pod during extraction, and wherein the code reader is positioned above the upstream and downstream pod encapsulating members.

6. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises members (26a, 26b) for temporarily holding the capsule (3) vertically in the holding position above the upstream and downstream capsule enclosing members (1, 2), and wherein the blocking member is actuated by the movement of the upstream enclosing member or the downstream capsule enclosing member.

7. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the vertical blocking member is a capsule support (26a, 26b) attached to the upstream or downstream capsule enclosing member (1, 2), the capsule support being designed and positioned relative to the upstream or downstream enclosing member such that: - when the capsule enclosing member is positioned in the capsule holding position, it receives and holds the capsule above the capsule enclosing member, - when the upstream capsule enclosing member is positioned in the open position, it releases the capsule.

8. The system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: - the positioning mechanism comprises a propulsion device (27), and - the propulsion device carries the pre-piercing arrangement (28), and - the propulsion device is attached to one of the movable capsule enclosing members (1, 2).

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule (3) is airtight and at least a part of the encapsulating wall of the capsule is made of a deformable material which is deformable under an external atmospheric pressure difference, and the machine-readable code (34) storing the preparation information is arranged on the surface of the part of the encapsulating wall of the capsule made of the deformable material.

10. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the soft deformable material is a multi-layer paper material comprising at least one paper layer and at least one plastic layer, preferably a compostable plastic layer, assembled together.

11. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capsule contains compacted beverage ingredients, preferably compacted roasted and ground coffee.

12. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a capsule, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises: - an extraction device for extracting the beverage from the capsule, and - a code reading system for reading the code of the capsule, and - an electrical circuit for controlling the extraction device based on the preparation information read from the code, wherein the code reading system comprises a code reader and a positioning mechanism for moving the capsule and the code reader relative to each other from a holding position to a reading position: . in the holding position, the capsule is separated from the reading head of the code reader, . in the reading position, the code of the container is in contact with the reading head, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises a pre-piercing arrangement configured to pierce the capsule before reading the code of the capsule in the reading position.

13. A method for reading a code of a pod, the pod containing beverage ingredients for preparing a beverage and / or food, the method comprising: - moving the pod (3) relative to a code reader (9) from a holding position, in which the pod is separated from the code reader, to a reading position, in which the code of the pod is in contact with the reading head (91) of the code reader, and - reading the code, wherein the pod is pre-pierced before the code is read.

14. Use of a pod (3), the pod comprising a first encapsulation wall and a second encapsulation wall (31, 31', 32), the first and second encapsulation walls defining a chamber for encapsulating the beverage ingredients (33), and wherein a machine-readable code () storing preparation information is arranged on the surface of at least one of the encapsulation walls in the system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or in the beverage preparation machine according to claim 12.

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