Capsule or cartridge and infusion assembly for the preparation of a beverage, in particular coffee
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules or cartridges lack advanced identification features, limiting their functionality in machines to mere acceptance or rejection, and do not effectively convey detailed information about the contents or preparation conditions.
Innovation Solution
The capsules or cartridges feature a cup-shaped body with multiple planar lateral wall portions containing projections and recesses that form a binary code, allowing for advanced identification and conveying information about the contents and preparation parameters, which can be read by detectors in beverage preparation machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID tags are used to identify capsules, then detailed information about capsule contents and preparation conditions can be conveyed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copies (projections and recesses) on the capsule flange to encode information, replacing complex RFID tags with simple geometric features that can be read by optical detectors. This copying approach conveys detailed capsule information while maintaining simple capsule structure and low manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic RFID systems with an optical-mechanical reading system. The projections and recesses on the flange create optical patterns that can be detected by simple optical sensors, eliminating the need for complex electronic identification systems while achieving the same information conveyance goal.
2Measurement precision
If multiple planar lateral wall portions with projections and recesses are added to the capsule, then identification precision and information conveyance improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the capsule, creates optical patterns for identification through projections and recesses, and enables precise positioning in the beverage preparation machine. By making the flange multi-functional, the patent achieves high identification precision without adding separate identification components that would complicate manufacturing.
3Strength
If lateral projections and recesses are added only for strengthening walls, then structural strength improves, but identification capability remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different qualities to different parts of the flange: some areas have projections and recesses optimized for structural strengthening, while other areas have patterns specifically designed for optical identification. This local differentiation allows the flange to simultaneously provide both mechanical strength and detailed identification information without compromising either function.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The capsule or cartridge (1) comprises a cup- shaped body (2) with a bottom wall (3), a lateral wall (4) and a flange-like top formation (5) which is essentially planar and extends transversely towards the outside, and a cover (6) fixed to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2), such as to define a chamber (7) containing the material for the preparation of the beverage, in particular ground roasted coffee. The lateral wall (4) of the body (2) has a plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) which as a whole define at least an identification of the capsule (1). Said projections (8) and recesses (9) are aligned in an essentially rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).