Optical readable code support and capsule for preparing a beverage having such code support providing an enhanced readable optical signal

Abstract

An optically readable code support ( 30 ) to be associated with or be part of a capsule indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation of the capsule, the support comprising at least one sequence of binary symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the binary symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces ( 400 - 403 ) and light absorbing surfaces ( 410 - 414 ). The code support preferably comprises a base structure ( 500 ) extending continuously at least along said sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions ( 528 ) locally applied onto or formed at the surface of said base structure; wherein the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure ( 500 ) forms the light-reflective surfaces ( 400 - 403 ) outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions; said discrete light-absorbing portions ( 410 - 414 ) are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions.

1 . An optically readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces comprising a base structure extending continuously at least along the sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of the base structure, the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light-reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions, the discrete light-absorbing portions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. 
     
     
         2 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 1 , wherein the base structure and the light-absorbing portions form, respectively, a light-reflective surface and light-absorbing surface which both reflect, at a maximum of intensity, within reflection angles which differ from one another of less than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 1 , wherein the light-reflective base structure comprises metal arranged in the structure to provide the light reflective surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 3 , wherein the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer and/or a layer of light-reflective particles. 
     
     
         5 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 3 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, silver, iron, tin, gold, copper and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 4 , wherein the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer coated by a transparent polymeric primer so as to form the reflective surfaces or an inner polymeric layer coated by an outer metallic layer. 
     
     
         7 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 6 , wherein the non-metallic transparent polymeric primer has thickness of less than 5 microns. 
     
     
         8 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 4 , wherein the light-reflective base structure comprises a monolithic metal support layer or polymeric support layer, the layer being coated by a lacquer comprising light-reflective particles, preferably metal pigments. 
     
     
         9 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 8 , wherein the lacquer has a thickness greater than 3 microns and less than 10 microns. 
     
     
         10 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 8 , wherein the lacquer comprises between 2 and 10% by weight of metal pigments. 
     
     
         11 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 1 , wherein the discontinous light-absorbing portions are formed by an additional color contrasting layer such as an ink applied onto the base structure. 
     
     
         12 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 11 , wherein the ink has a thickness between 0.25 and 3 microns. 
     
     
         13 . Optically readable code support according to  claim 11 , wherein the ink comprises at least 50% by weight of pigments. 
     
     
         14 . Capsule comprising an optically readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces comprising a base structure extending continuously at least along the sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of the base structure, the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light-reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions, the discrete light-absorbing portions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions. 
     
     
         15 . Capsule indented for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation comprising a body, a flange-like rim and an optically readable code support to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the support comprising at least one sequence of symbols represented on the support so that each symbol is sequentially readable by a reading arrangement of an external reading device while the capsule is driven in rotation along an axis of rotation, wherein the symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces comprising a base structure extending continuously at least along the sequence of symbols and discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions locally applied onto or formed at the surface of the base structure, the discontinuous discrete light-absorbing portions form the light-absorbing surfaces and the base structure forms the light-reflective surfaces outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions, the discrete light-absorbing portions are arranged to provide a lower light-reflectivity than the one of the base structure outside the surface areas occupied by the discrete light-absorbing portions, wherein the code support is an integral part of at least the rim of the capsule, wherein the body and rim of the capsule are obtained by forming a flat or preformed structure comprising the support.