Portion capsule having an identifier

Abstract

A method of making a coffee beverage that includes steps of: inserting a portion capsule into a coffee machine that includes: a pump and an optical detector; the portion capsule having: a base element that has a cavity in which a beverage material is provided, the cavity is free of a filter in the cavity; a flange extending outwardly from the base element; a cover attached to a top side of the flange; an optically detectable identifier provided on a bottom side of the flange, the bottom side of the flange opposes the top side of the flange; detecting the optically detectable identifier with the optical detector and comparing the detected optically detectable identifier to a stored reference; operating the pump and/or the coffee machine to supply the water to the portion capsule only after the optically detectable identifier coincides with the stored reference.

1 - 9 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         10 ) A method of making a coffee beverage comprising:
 inserting a portion capsule into a coffee machine that comprises: a pump configured to supply water and an optical detector; the portion capsule comprises: a base element that is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis of the portion capsule and has a cavity in which a beverage material is provided, the cavity is free of a filter provided in the cavity; a flange extending outwardly from the base element; a cover attached to a top side of the flange; an optically detectable identifier provided on a bottom side of the flange, the bottom side of the flange opposes the top side of the flange, the optically detectable identifier includes at least two regions which differ in their optical reflection properties; and a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping from the cavity;   detecting the optically detectable identifier with the optical detector of the coffee machine and comparing the detected optically detectable identifier to a stored reference;   operating the pump and/or the coffee machine to supply the water to the portion capsule in a specified quantity to prepare the coffee beverage only after the optically detectable identifier coincides with the stored reference; and   setting an amount, pressure, and/or temperature of the water based on at least the optically detectable identifier to make the coffee beverage.   
     
     
         11 ) The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the method comprises preventing the pump and/or the coffee machine from supplying the water to the portion capsule when the optically detectable identifier does not coincide with the stored reference. 
     
     
         12 ) The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the portion capsule has a side wall located below the flange, and the optically detectable identifier is provided on the side wall. 
     
     
         13 ) The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the detector is provided in a region of the insertion shaft. 
     
     
         14 ) The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the optically detectable identifier is a barcode. 
     
     
         15 ) The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the portion capsule is made of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         16 ) The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the cover is made of a same material as the base element. 
     
     
         17 ) The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the cover is made of a different material than the base element. 
     
     
         18 ) The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the portion capsule is made of a metal material. 
     
     
         19 ) The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the cover is made of a same material as the base element. 
     
     
         20 ) The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the cover is made of a different material than the base element. 
     
     
         21 ) A method of making a coffee beverage comprising:
 inserting a portion capsule into a coffee machine that comprises: a pump configured to supply water and an optical detector; the portion capsule comprises: a base element that is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis of the portion capsule, and has a cavity in which a beverage material is provided, the cavity is free of a filter provided in the cavity; a flange extending outwardly from the base element; a cover attached to a top side of the flange; an optically detectable identifier provided on a bottom side of the flange, the bottom side of the flange opposes the top side of the flange, the optically detectable identifier comprises a barcode having at least two regions which differ in their optical reflection properties; and a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping from the cavity;   detecting the optically detectable identifier with the optical detector of the coffee machine and comparing the optically detectable identifier to a stored reference;   operating the pump and/or the coffee machine to supply the water to the portion capsule in a specified quantity to prepare the coffee beverage only after the optically detectable identifier coincides with the stored reference; and   setting an amount, pressure, and/or temperature of the water based on the optically detectable identifier to make the coffee beverage.   
     
     
         22 ) The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises preventing the pump and/or the coffee machine from supplying the water to the portion capsule when the optically detectable identifier does not coincide with the stored reference, and the detector is provided in a region of the insertion shaft. 
     
     
         23 ) The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the portion capsule has a side wall located below the flange, and the optically detectable identifier is provided on the side wall, the optically detectable identifier is an ink print. 
     
     
         24 ) The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the cover is made of a same material as the base element. 
     
     
         25 ) The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the cover is made of a different material than the base element. 
     
     
         26 ) A method of making a coffee beverage comprising:
 inserting a portion capsule into a coffee machine that comprises: a pump configured to supply water and an optical detector; the portion capsule comprises: a base element made of a biodegradable material, is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis of the portion capsule and has a cavity in which a beverage material is provided, the cavity is free of a filter provided in the cavity; a flange extending outwardly from the base element; a cover attached to a top side of the flange; an optically detectable identifier provided on a bottom side of the flange, the bottom side of the flange opposes the top side of the flange, the optically detectable identifier includes at least two regions which differ in their optical reflection properties; and a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping from the cavity;   detecting the optically detectable identifier with the optical detector of the coffee machine and comparing the optically detectable identifier to a stored reference;   operating the pump and/or the coffee machine to supply the water to the portion capsule in a specified quantity to prepare the coffee beverage only after the optically detectable identifier coincides with the stored reference; and   setting an amount, pressure, and/or temperature of the water based on the optically detectable identifier to make the coffee beverage.   
     
     
         27 ) The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the method comprises preventing the pump and/or the coffee machine from supplying the water to the portion capsule when the optically detectable identifier does not coincide with the stored reference. 
     
     
         28 ) The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the optically detectable identifier is a barcode. 
     
     
         29 ) The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the portion capsule has a side wall located below the flange, and the optically detectable identifier is provided on the side wall.