GB2569623A - Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode - Google Patents

Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2569623A
GB2569623A GB1721625.0A GB201721625A GB2569623A GB 2569623 A GB2569623 A GB 2569623A GB 201721625 A GB201721625 A GB 201721625A GB 2569623 A GB2569623 A GB 2569623A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cartridge
beverage
selection marker
barcode
kit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1721625.0A
Other versions
GB201721625D0 (en
Inventor
Halliday Andrew
York Geoffrey
Phillip Jelley Simon
Thomas Ahearn Daniel
James Copley Simon
Elizabeth Knight Sarah
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV filed Critical Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV
Priority to GB1721625.0A priority Critical patent/GB2569623A/en
Publication of GB201721625D0 publication Critical patent/GB201721625D0/en
Publication of GB2569623A publication Critical patent/GB2569623A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • B65D85/8058—Coding means for the contents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4492—Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/804—Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ, i.e. without having been previously removed from the package
    • B65D85/8043—Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents
    • B65D85/8046—Pods, i.e. closed containers made only of filter paper or similar material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/06—Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
    • Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

The application discloses a kit for making a beverage comprising a cartridge 1 (coffee pod), a selectable barcode 7 which is preferably located on a separate selection marker 8 (insert) wherein the barcode controls the parameters on which the beverage is dispensed by a beverage making machine. Preferably, the selection marker is separate from the cartridge and comprises a plurality of barcodes that can be folded or orientated by the user to select the barcode that is to be read by the beverage machine. Also preferably, the selection marker may be attached to the cartridge by adhesive bonding, clipping, hooking, friction fitting or pegs. The selection marker may be reusable with another cartridge. The selection marker may be rotated relative to the cartridge to correctly orientate the barcode. Preferably, the selection marker is to be made from plastic. The kit may be used in a beverage preparation machine comprising a brew head with a upwardly directed inlet 5 for supplying water to the cartridge and a downwardly directed outlet 6 for outflow of the beverage product.

Description

Beverage Cartridge for Use with a Selectable Barcode
Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a beverage cartridge containing beverage ingredients for use in a beverage machine having a visual identification reader for reading an identification means associated with the cartridge. More specifically the invention relates to a kit for the assembly of a beverage cartridge having a barcode.
Background of the Invention
It is known to provide machines and systems for the preparation of beverages such as coffee, tea and chocolate. Typically, in such systems the beverage ingredients are contained in a cartridge, which is pierced during preparation of the beverage. The machine for use with such cartridges is specially adapted to receive a particular design of cartridge in a brew head and to pass water and/or steam through the cartridge to prepare a beverage which is then dispensed. Different beverages can be made using different extraction or dispensing parameters, for example, some beverages will require different volumes of water, different extraction rates, or different water temperatures and pressures. Such beverage preparation machines may be used in commercial or domestic markets. Especially in the domestic market, consumers may not wish to use separate machines, or dial in settings for the various dispensing parameters required when preparing beverages from different beverage ingredient containing cartridges. To select dispensing parameters automatically, some beverage preparation machines are fitted with sensors and the cartridges fitted with identification means for communication with the beverage preparation machine, which allows consumers to use a variety of cartridges. These identification means are generally barcodes although various patents can be found describing similar functions performed using coloured segments for colour identification, RFID, QR codes, etc. On scanning the identification means, the beverage preparation machine will automatically select a suitable brewing program or the correct parameters for the cartridge inserted.
While this is clearly advantageous to users as it ensures each cartridge is brewed under the correct conditions, it has two short comings:
Firstly, it requires consumers to hold stock of lots of different cartridges where perhaps the ingredients contained in the cartridge are the same. For example, a cartridge containing roast and ground coffee could contain ingredients suitable for producing a short espresso, a longer americano, a shot of espresso for a latte, or as the basis for a cappuccino; however, the user of current systems would need to keep stock of 4 different cartridges in order for the brewer to be able to dispense coffee in each of these ways. This would mean the consumer has to dedicate more space to store cartridges and has to spend more initially to have a variety of drinks available, and would result in longer time on shelf for some of the cartridges, possibly reducing freshness.
Secondly, current systems have limited ability for consumers to customise their beverage. Adjustment of volume is often provided, but brew pressure and a pre soak time (which affect the strength and flavour) are not customisable for the consumer in current systems, even though between different beverages these parameters are changed automatically. It would be advantageous to allow consumers to customise beverages to their own taste in a simple, easy way.
It is an aim of the invention to overcome the problems of known beverage cartridges by providing a kit of parts for the assembly of a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine having a barcode reader. The user selects a barcode for use with the beverage cartridge which controls at least one brewing/dispensing parameter of the desired beverage.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention there is provided a kit for the assembly of a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine and a barcode reader, wherein the kit comprises, a beverage cartridge containing a beverage ingredient, and a barcode selectable by a user, said barcode comprising information relating to at least one program or control parameter associated with a brewing or dispensing process of a beverage, and said cartridge is adapted to, in use, display or locate or hold in position the selected barcode, so that the barcode is read by the barcode reader.
This reduces the number of different cartridges a consumer has to store. The consumer selects a barcode with the desired brewing or dispensing parameters for a given beverage
-3cartridge and adapts the cartridge to display or locate or hold in position the selected barcode in the machine whilst it brews.
The barcode may be marked on a selection marker which is a separate component to the cartridge. Advantageously, the selection marker may comprise words, or images or other means to indicate to the user which brewing or dispensing parameters are controlled by the barcode.
The selection marker may be one of many that a user can choose from.
The selection marker may have multiple barcodes and may be folded, orientated or otherwise arranged by the user such that the selected barcode is readable in use in the beverage preparation machine. In this way, only one selection marker is required and all barcodes are kept connected together.
The selection marker may be attached to the cartridge such that when the cartridge is positioned in the beverage preparation machine, the barcode can be read by the barcode reader.
Methods of attaching the selection marker with the cartridge may comprise, for example, adhesive bonding, clipping, hooking or friction fitting.
Attachment of the selection marker to the cartridge may be permanent or reversible, for example to allow reuse of the selection marker. Reusing the selection marker reduces cost to the user and reduces waste.
Alternatively, the selection marker may be located by the cartridge without attachment, for example, by pegs on the selection marker co-operating with corresponding recesses in the cartridge or vice versa, or by aligning the selection marker against an edge or surface of the cartridge.
Yet another alternative is that the cartridge is provided with the selection marker moveably attached to the cartridge such that the user need only slide or rotate the selected barcode into a desired position on the cartridge.
-4The selection marker is made of a plastics material which can be washed and re used.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage preparation system comprising a kit as described and a beverage preparation machine having a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine and a barcode reader.
It will be understood that the by the term “cartridge” as used herein is meant any package, container, sachet, or receptacle which contains one more beverage ingredients in the manner described. The cartridge may be rigid, semi rigid, or flexible.
Detailed description of the Invention
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a beverage cartridge in accordance with the invention as viewed from the extraction side of the cartridge,
Figure 2 are examples of barcodes for use with the cartridge of figure 1 in accordance with the invention, and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge adapted with a barcode in accordance with the invention.
Figures 1 and 3 show a generally disc shaped beverage cartridge 1 comprising beverage ingredients for use in a beverage machine. The beverage preparation machine is of a type comprising a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of a beverage produced by the machine, and a barcode reader positioned to read a barcode associated with the cartridge. A barcode contains information relating to the brewing or dispensing parameters of a beverage from the desired cartridge. For example, the information may relate to the volume of fluid, flow rate or temperature of water which the machine should inject into the cartridge, or it may include details of a pre soak time, or steam purge.
Figure 1 is a plan view from the extraction side 1a of the cartridge and figure 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge adapted with a barcode 7 in accordance with the
-5invention. The cartridge comprises a base wall 2 from which a side wall 3 projects. The cartridge opening through which a beverage ingredient is inserted during manufacture is sealed by a lid 4. The beverage ingredient is located in an ingredients compartment in the cartridge which is defined by the base wall 2, side wall 3 and lid 4.
The cartridge is provided with an inlet 5 and an outlet 6 on the same side, the extraction side 1a of the cartridge. Inlet 5 and outlet 6 are covered by the lid 4. The cartridge 1 has a tab handle 7a for the user to hold during insertion and removal of the cartridge to and from the beverage machine. When the cartridge is used, that is placed into a beverage preparation machine, the lid 4 over the inlet 5 and outlet 6 is pierced to enable the inlet and outlet of the machine to interface with the inlet 5 and outlet 6 of the cartridge. Water and/or steam can be injected into the cartridge and after brewing, a beverage can be extracted through the outlets of the cartridge and machine.
According to the invention the cartridge 1 is adapted to, in use, display or locate or hold in position a selected barcode which is chosen by a user. A selection of barcodes 7 comprising different brewing/dispensing parameters are provided on one or more selection markers 8 (see figure 2). The selection marker 8 is a separate component to the cartridge
1.
In Figure 2 two sides 8a and 8b of a selection marker 8 are shown. The selection marker is made of a flat plastics material and is printed on both sides with a barcode 7 and images 10. The images 10 shown here are drawings, but could alternatively be words, or figures which communicate to the user which brew parameters are controlled by the barcode 7.
In Figure 2, both barcodes 7 contain information relating to a dispensing volume. On one side of the selection marker, side 8a, the brew parameters are suitable to dispense a standard strength coffee, whilst on the other side, side 8b the barcode 7 communicates parameters associated with an extra strong coffee, such as a higher temperature extraction, a longer pre-soak of the coffee bed, and an increased fluid flow rate during extraction to achieve higher extraction pressure.
The user selects the selection marker based on the type of drink they require and can therefore select a coffee strength at the time of dispense without the need for stocking multiple cartridge types.
-6In figure 1 the tab handle 7a of the cartridge 1 is provided with a prismatic cut-out 12 for location and attachment of a selection marker 8 to the cartridge 1. Selection marker 8 is provided with a peg 11 which aligns with the cut-out 12 and when assembled to the cartridge as shown in figure 3, the cartridge is ready to be used in the brew machine and the barcode 7 on the selection marker 8 will be read by the barcode reader in the machine to brew the desired beverage.
Figures 1 to 3 show just one way of the attachment of a selection marker to the cartridge, however there are many different ways of arranging or attaching the selection marker with the cartridge so that the barcode 7 is read by the barcode reader when the cartridge is placed in the beverage machine. For example, the cartridge could be provided with pegs whilst the selection marker be provided with corresponding recesses or cutouts. Alternatively, the selection marker 8 may be aligned against an edge or surface of the cartridge 1 so that the barcode is located with the barcode reader when used in the machine.
In another embodiment of the invention, the selection marker 8 may comprises a number of barcodes 7 with information relating to different brew parameter, or different combination of brew parameters. The selection marker 8 may be foldable so that the desired barcode 7 is arranged with the cartridge.
The selection marker may be attached to the cartridge 1, or arranged with the cartridge by, for example, adhesive or bonding means, clipping, hooking, or friction fitting. The selection marker 8 may be disposed of after a single use, or depending on how it was arranged with the cartridge may be reusable on a further occasion with a fresh, or refilled cartridge 1. Being made of a plastics material, the selection marker 8 can be washed and dried if it becomes dirty.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the cartridge 1 is provided with a selection marker 8 which is moveably attached to the cartridge 1 such that the user need only slide or rotate the selected barcode 7 into position on the cartridge 1.

Claims (11)

1. A kit for the assembly of a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine and a barcode reader, wherein the kit comprises a beverage cartridge containing a beverage ingredient and a barcode selectable by a user, said barcode comprising information relating to at least one program or control parameter associated with a brewing or dispensing process of a beverage, and said cartridge is adapted to, in use, display or locate or hold in position the selected barcode, so that the barcode is read by the barcode reader.
2. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the barcode is marked on a selection marker which is a separate component to the cartridge.
3. The kit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the selection marker has multiple barcodes and the selection marker is folded, orientated or arranged by the user so that the selected barcode is read by the beverage machine.
4. The kit as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the selection marker is attached to the cartridge such that it is positioned with the barcode in a readable position within the beverage machine.
5. The kit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the selection marker is attached to the cartridge by adhesive bonding, clipping, hooking, or friction fitting.
6. The kit as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the selection marker is reusable with another cartridge.
7. The kit as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the selection marker is provided with pegs or recesses which align with corresponding recesses or pegs of the cartridge to locate the selection marker within the beverage machine.
8. The kit as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the selection marker is located in the machine by aligning the selection marker against an edge or surface of the cartridge.
9. The kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cartridge is provided with the selection marker moveably attached to the cartridge such that the user need only slide or rotate the selected barcode into position on the cartridge.
10. The kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the selection marker is made of a plastics material which can be washed and re used.
11. A beverage preparation system comprising the kit as claimed in any preceding
10 claim and beverage preparation machine having a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the cartridge, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine and a barcode reader.
GB1721625.0A 2017-12-21 2017-12-21 Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode Withdrawn GB2569623A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1721625.0A GB2569623A (en) 2017-12-21 2017-12-21 Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1721625.0A GB2569623A (en) 2017-12-21 2017-12-21 Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201721625D0 GB201721625D0 (en) 2018-02-07
GB2569623A true GB2569623A (en) 2019-06-26

Family

ID=61131649

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1721625.0A Withdrawn GB2569623A (en) 2017-12-21 2017-12-21 Beverage cartridge for use with a selectable barcode

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2569623A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2485575A (en) * 2010-11-18 2012-05-23 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Configurable beverage cartridge
GB2499201A (en) * 2012-02-07 2013-08-14 Kraft Foods R & D Inc A beverage preparation system, a coded insert and methods of use thereof
US20160174757A1 (en) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-23 Adrian Rivera Brewing Cartridge Lockout Bypass

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2485575A (en) * 2010-11-18 2012-05-23 Kraft Foods R & D Inc Configurable beverage cartridge
GB2499201A (en) * 2012-02-07 2013-08-14 Kraft Foods R & D Inc A beverage preparation system, a coded insert and methods of use thereof
US20160174757A1 (en) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-23 Adrian Rivera Brewing Cartridge Lockout Bypass

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Jimmy Neeburs disc Inserts; 2013; Facebook.com [Online]; Available from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jimmyneebursdiscinserts/ [18/06/18] *

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)