Container and beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation systems face challenges in protecting the code on the capsule flange from damage and soiling, which affects readability and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a code carrying member that extends over a viewing window on the flange, allowing the code to be readable from the side and avoiding direct exposure to potential damage or soiling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the code is printed directly onto the flange, then the code can be formed on the container structure, but the code is subject to damage and soiling that affects readability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode readabilityVSAvoiddamage and soiling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The code carrying member is separated from the flange structure, allowing the code to be formed on a distinct component that can be positioned independently. This segmentation enables the code to be protected from direct exposure to harmful factors while maintaining its association with the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The code carrying member acts as an intermediary element between the flange and the code information. By positioning the code on this intermediate component rather than directly on the flange, the system protects the code from damage and soiling while still enabling machine reading through the viewing window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the code is printed on a 3-dimensional storage portion and integrated flange, then the code can be formed on the container, but the printing process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode formationVSAvoidprinting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the code carrying member from the storage portion and flange, the code formation process can be simplified. The code can be printed on a flat or easily prepared surface of the code carrying member rather than attempting to print directly on the complex 3-dimensional integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The code information is copied onto the code carrying member, which serves as a dedicated substrate for code formation. This approach simplifies the printing process by providing a suitable surface for code application, separate from the complex container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4370001B1Container and beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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Figure 3~4B
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AI summary

A container (6) arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine (4) for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container comprising: a storage portion (58), a closing member (56), a flange (60) connecting the storage portion and closing member, a machine-readable code (44) storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, and a code carrying member (62), wherein the flange comprises a viewing window (84), the code carrying member (62) extending over the viewing window (84) at a side of the flange that comprises an upper surface (68) of the flange (60), and the code (44) arranged on a flange facing surface (64) of the code carrying member (62), wherein the code (44) is readable from a side of the flange (60) that comprises a lower surface (70) of the flange through the viewing window (84).