Portion capsule having an identifier
US11542094B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W90/10
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A beverage system for making a beverage that includes a single-serve capsule and a beverage machine. The capsule has a cavity containing a beverage material; a flange; a cover fastened to a top side of the flange; and an individualization identifier on a bottom side of the flange. The beverage machine includes: a capsule receptacle having a wall structure to receive the capsule; an optical sensor/detector positioned outside of the wall structure to direct a beam through a portion of the wall structure to read the identifier; a pump that supplies water into the portion capsule only after the identifier is read by the sensor/detector; a mandrel to pierce the cover in a region that is offset from the central axis; and a seal that seals against the cover in a region between a peripheral edge of the flange and the region of the cover pierced by the mandrel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.