Beverage Capsule Base Code Placement for Contamination-Free Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules with codes for brewing machines face challenges in reading information due to contamination, limited information capacity, and unsuitable placement on lids, leading to high error rates and potential discard of edible capsules.
Innovation Solution
A beverage capsule design with a first optically readable code on the center of the base and a second code radially outside, allowing for robust and efficient decoding regardless of orientation, reducing contamination exposure and enabling high-capacity information storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a code is applied to the lid of the capsule, then the code can be easily applied and printed, but the code reading is difficult due to contamination from beverage residues and splashes in horizontal brewing machines
Solution Approach 1:
The code is moved from the lid (top) to the base (bottom) of the capsule, inverting the conventional placement. This allows the detection unit to read the code from below the capsule rather than from the side, avoiding contamination zones while maintaining ease of code application during manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The base of the capsule serves as an intermediary surface that is not exposed to beverage splashes and residues. By placing the code on this protected surface, the system achieves reliable code reading without requiring the detection unit to be positioned in contaminated areas
2Ease of manufacture
If a barcode is used on the capsule, then the code can be simply applied, but the information capacity is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The code transitions from a one-dimensional barcode to a two-dimensional structure with code elements arranged in rows and columns. This dimensional change dramatically increases information capacity while maintaining simple application methods during capsule manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The code is divided into multiple code elements (squares or rectangles) arranged in a grid pattern. Each element can represent different information, allowing complex data storage including capsule type, brewing parameters, and batch information within a compact space
3Ease of operation
If a detection unit is placed on the side of the capsule lid for code reading, then code detection is possible, but the detection unit is exposed to contamination and installation space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The detection approach is inverted by reading the code from the base rather than the lid. The detection unit is positioned below the capsule to read the code on the base surface, completely avoiding exposure to beverage splashes and residues that contaminate side-mounted detectors
Solution Approach 2:
The code reading geometry changes from horizontal/side viewing to vertical/bottom-up viewing. This spatial reconfiguration allows the detection unit to operate in a clean zone beneath the capsule while still achieving accurate code recognition
4Loss of information
If QR codes are used on capsules, then more information can be encoded, but the codes are only suitable to a limited extent for use on beverage capsules in brewing machines due to structure and contamination issues
Solution Approach 1:
The code elements are designed with uniform local characteristics (identical squares or rectangles) arranged in a regular grid, making the code robust to partial contamination. Any subset of visible elements can be used for decoding, ensuring high reliability even when parts of the code are soiled
Solution Approach 2:
The code uses a two-dimensional grid arrangement of elements rather than the finder pattern structure of traditional QR codes. This simplified 2D pattern is more tolerant of contamination and better suited to the cylindrical capsule surface, maintaining high information capacity while improving reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly improves the success rate of code reading, reduces errors, and allows for more information storage, ensuring capsules can be accurately identified and brewed without discarding edible products.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first optically readable or visually recognizable code in the visible and/or invisible spectrum is provided on the base of the capsule cup
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (10) for beverage preparations in a brewing machine (20), said capsule comprising a capsule container (11) which is filled with an extraction product and has an essentially quadratic base (12), and a capsule cover (16) which closes the capsule container (11). Said capsule is characterized by at least one first optically readable code (50) on the base (12) of the capsule container (11), said code having a two-dimensional arrangement of several code elements (52, 53), also characterised by at least one second optically readable code (150) on the base (12) of the capsule container (11), said second code having a two-dimensional arrangement of several second code elements (52'), which are arranged radially outside of the first code (50) with respect to a centre point (55) of the first code (50) The invention also relates to a capsule (10) and to an associated system comprising a brewing machine (20) and to a method for identifying said type of capsule (10).