Apparatus for preparing brewed beverages, and a capsule, capsule system and method for producing a brewed beverage

US10405691B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MELITTA SINGLE PORTIONS GMBH & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Katrin Hesselbrock · Osnabrück, DE
• Sven Neuhaus · Bad Oeynhausen, DE
• Jan Pahnke · Minden, DE
• Gerold Schandl · Minden, DE
• Andreas Ebbecke · Blankenloch, DE
• Fabian Laasch · Bad Nauheim, DE
• Thomas Weber · McLean, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 10, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06K7/10732
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A brewing system includes a brewing apparatus and a capsule containing a substance for brewing. The capsule has an opening on one side and a base on an opposite side. The base includes a light input surface, a light-output surface and a light conductor to conduct light from the light input surface to the light output surface. The apparatus includes: a brewing chamber including an inlet for heated water, an outlet for the brewed beverage, and an opening in communication with the opening of the capsule. A light source on the brewing apparatus emits light into the base via the light inlet surface of the capsule. The light conductor conducts the light to the light-output surface. A light detector of the brewing apparatus detects light emitted by light-output surface on the base of the capsule. A method of operating the brewing system and a capsule system are also described.