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 to be associated with or be part of a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation of the capsule, the support including 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. The binary symbols are essentially formed of light reflective surfaces and light absorbing surfaces. The code support preferably includes 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 said 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 invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device by centrifugation, the capsule 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.   
     
     
         2 . A method of delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device, the method comprising:
 centrifuging a capsule comprising a body, a flange-like rim and an optically readable code support associated with or part of the capsule, 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.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  comprising generating an output signal comprising information related to a level of reflectivity of a surface of a lower surface of the rim of the capsule leaning on a receiving part of a capsule holder, and the beverage producing device comprises an optical reading arrangement that generates the output signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  comprising performing optical measurements of the surface of the lower surface of the rim through the capsule holder, the optical reading arrangement performs the optical measurements. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the optical reading arrangement performs the optical measurements through a lateral wall of the capsule holder, and the capsule holder is cylindrical or conical-shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  comprising emitting a source light beam from the optical reading arrangement and receiving a reflected light beam on the optical reading arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the light beam comprises an infrared light. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  comprising converting the received light beam into the output signal, the optical reading arrangement performs the converting. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  comprising maintaining the optical reading arrangement in a fixed position relative to a frame of the beverage producing device during an extraction process in which the capsule is rotated.