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WO2015136460A1 - Procédé pour la reconnaissance de capsules pour préparations alimentaires - Google Patents

Procédé pour la reconnaissance de capsules pour préparations alimentaires Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015136460A1
WO2015136460A1 PCT/IB2015/051770 IB2015051770W WO2015136460A1 WO 2015136460 A1 WO2015136460 A1 WO 2015136460A1 IB 2015051770 W IB2015051770 W IB 2015051770W WO 2015136460 A1 WO2015136460 A1 WO 2015136460A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
capsule
electric circuit
machine
recognition
preparation
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2015/051770
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Roberto Stefanoni
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.)
IDES DEVELOPMENT Co Ltd
Original Assignee
IDES DEVELOPMENT Co Ltd
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 IDES DEVELOPMENT Co Ltd filed Critical IDES DEVELOPMENT Co Ltd
Publication of WO2015136460A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015136460A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems
    • H01Q1/2225—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
    • A21B—BAKERS' OVENS; MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING
    • A21B7/00—Baking plants
    • A21B7/005—Baking plants in combination with mixing or kneading devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
    • A21D—TREATMENT OF FLOUR OR DOUGH FOR BAKING, e.g. BY ADDITION OF MATERIALS; BAKING; BAKERY PRODUCTS
    • A21D8/00—Methods for preparing or baking dough
    • A21D8/06—Baking processes
    • 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
    • B65D85/8058—Coding means for the contents
    • 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
    • B65D2201/00—Means or constructions for testing or controlling the contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for the recognition of capsules for food preparations, such as e.g. bread or infused beverages like coffee or tea.
  • the invention also relates to a capsule and a machine for food preparations that are configured to allow implementation of the recognition method.
  • a capsule typically contains a mixture of basic ingredients such as flour and yeast.
  • the capsule In the case of beverages the capsule generally receives an granular infusion.
  • a known approach to the solution of said recognition problem involves the use of protected memory means to be programmed and mounted on the object to be validated, i.e. the capsule in the present case.
  • Various microprocessors (chips) suitable for this purpose have been proposed over time.
  • the so-called RFID technology also has this drawback and suffers from the further problem of a complex management of the related RF transmission.
  • the technical problem tackled and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a method for the recognition of single-use capsules allowing to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art, as well as a capsule and a machine which allow implementation of this method.
  • the invention provides a method of identifying consumable capsules that allows to prevent the use of counterfeited capsules in machines for the preparation of foods, in particular machines for bread or infused beverages such as coffee and tea.
  • the method may also be used to recognize and characterize different operation modes of a machine according to the content of the consumable capsule that is identified or to the geographical distribution. For example, the type of capsule identified may start a specific program for processing the preparation contained therein in machines that have different operating modes and/or that may prepare different types of food.
  • the invention makes it difficult to counterfeit capsules.
  • the identification of a capsule in fact is related to the detection of one or a combination of electrical parameters read by a machine in response to one or more electrical inputs supplied to an electric circuit associated to the capsule.
  • the circuit of the capsule is selectively accessible by the machine through a pair of electrical terminals.
  • the combination of parameters comprises a capacitive, inductive or frequency parameter and/or a resistive and/or thermal parameter.
  • these parameters are detected in response to an electrical input or to a combination of electrical inputs provided by a machine.
  • a comparison between the measured parameters and corresponding reference values organized in lookup tables stored in a control system of the machine that receives the capsule allows to recognize the capsule and, consequently, to start an appropriate food preparation program.
  • the method of the invention thus represents a reliable solution to the aforementioned problem of counterfeiting capsules, and offers a good degree of robustness at a minimal cost.
  • the proposed method is extremely simple to implement both considering the aspects related to machines and concerning the production of individual capsules.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a machine and a capsule according to the present invention
  • Figures 2A and 2B each show a perspective view of a detail of the machine and the capsule of Figure 1, respectively;
  • Figures 3A and 3B each show a perspective view of the capsule of Figure 1, respectively closed and open;
  • Figure 4 is another perspective view of the capsule of Figure 1 , showing an circuit accommodated in its closure element;
  • Figure 5 shows a circuit diagram applicable in the capsule of Figure 1.
  • a capsule containing a food preparation is generally indicated by 1.
  • the capsule 1 contains a preparation for bread, in particular a mixture of flour and yeast. It will be understood, however, that this is not a limiting feature of the invention and that the capsule and the machine according to the invention may also be used for other food preparations, such as for example in the form of infused beverages like coffee and tea.
  • the capsule 1 is adapted to be introduced into a machine 100 for the preparation of a food product, in the example considered here precisely a machine for making bread.
  • the machine 100 may be configured for a kneading step only, but also for a cooking step.
  • the capsule 1 comprises a main body 2, which in this example has a substantially parallelepiped shape, preferably with rounded edges.
  • the main body 2 is defined by a bottom 21 and a peripheral wall 22 formed by four side walls.
  • the main body 2 features a slight taper toward the bottom 21, which defines a pyramidal shape.
  • a compartment 20 suitable to contain a food preparation is formed within the main body 2.
  • the main body 2 (and its compartment 20) is closed at the top, i.e. the side opposite the bottom 21, by a closure element 3.
  • the closure element 3 is preferably in the form of a removable and/or pierceable tab or film.
  • the closure element 3 is a flat element, preferably flexible, e.g. hot applied on an upper peripheral zone of the peripheral wall 22 of the main body 2.
  • the closure element 3 therefore has a lower face 30 that, when the capsule 1 is closed, faces the internal compartment 20, and an opposite upper face 31 exposed to the outside of the capsule 1.
  • the upper outer face 31 is suitable for receiving prints indicating the content or the manufacturer of the capsule, as shown by way of example in the figures.
  • the capsule 1 is provided with identification means.
  • identification means include an electric circuit 10.
  • the electrical circuit 10 is generally configured to interact with corresponding recognition means 1 10 associated with the machine 100.
  • the recognition means 110 of the machine 100 are configured to provide predefined electrical inputs to the electric circuit 10 and read a response of the electric circuit 10 that allows to recognize the capsule 1.
  • the electric circuit 10 includes a capacitive element 11 and an inductive element 12 that are electrically connected in series between a pair of electrical terminals 41, 42 of the capsule 1.
  • the electrical terminals 41 and 42 are also accessible from the outside of the capsule 1.
  • the electrical terminals may be engaged at the outer face 31 of the closure element 3, as shown in Figure 3 A.
  • the electrical terminals 41 and 42 are arranged in a predetermined position, that is configured to be accessed at a standardized position.
  • Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the electric circuit 10 wherein the capacitive element 11 and the inductive element 12 electrically connected in series between a pair of electrical terminals 41 , 42 may clearly be seen.
  • the recognition method requires to apply an AC voltage between the electrical terminals 41, 42 and to detect a first impedance value of the electric circuit 10.
  • the frequency of the alternating voltage applied to the electrical terminals 41, 42 is then varied and at least a second impedance value of the circuit 10 is detected.
  • the so detected impedance values of the electrical circuit 10 are then compared with corresponding reference values contained in lookup tables wherein the frequency of said alternating voltage is the input variable, each lookup table being associated with a respective food preparation program stored in a control unit of the machine 100.
  • the circuit 10 also comprises a resistive element 13 which, in the specific case, is arranged in series with the inductive element 12 and in parallel with the capacitive element 11.
  • resistive element 13 provides the circuit 10 with a damping factor that contributes to further characterize its response to electrical inputs, thus making even more difficult the counterfeit a capsule.
  • the method provides to repeat at least one second time the operations of applying an AC voltage between the electrical terminals 41, 42 and of detecting at least two impedance values of said electrical circuit 10.
  • the resistive element 13 is preferably a thermistor, for example of the type called “ntc” (“Negative Temperature Coefficient”), which is well known in the field for its reliability and low cost. It is also possible to use “ptc” (“Positive Temperature Coefficient”) thermistors.
  • thermistor is advantageous because it allows to provide the electrical circuit 10 not only with an electrical characteristic related to the impedance, but also with a thermal characteristic, which constitutes a further control, i.e. recognition, parameter of the capsules.
  • the method according to the invention comprises a step of applying a DC voltage to the electrical terminals 41, 42 and of detecting impedance values at zero-frequency, i.e. resistance values of the electric circuit 10.
  • the variation of resistance values is indicative of the temperature of the thermistor. This step is performed subsequently to the step of identifying the circuit 10 by using AC voltage inputs.
  • Figure 5 also shows a schematic representation of recognition means 110 mounted on the machine.
  • recognition means 110 mounted on the machine.
  • some electronic circuit components and a pair of terminals 410 and 420 of the machine are shown, that are suitable to engage the respective electrical terminals 41 and 42 of the capsule circuit.
  • the machine 100 may advantageously comprise a control unit, in particular a microcontroller, typically provided with an analog-to-digital converter and capable of processing and sending said electrical inputs, as well as to analyze the related response of the circuit 10 based on lookup tables stored therein, the lookup table having the frequency of the alternating voltage as input variable.
  • a control unit in particular a microcontroller, typically provided with an analog-to-digital converter and capable of processing and sending said electrical inputs, as well as to analyze the related response of the circuit 10 based on lookup tables stored therein, the lookup table having the frequency of the alternating voltage as input variable.
  • each lookup table is associated with a respective preparation program, so that, once the recognition process is finished, the machine may automatically start a preparation program corresponding to the food product contained in the capsule.
  • the recognition preferably takes place in a predetermined time span, for example in the order of a few milliseconds.
  • the components 1 1, 12 and 13 of electric circuit 10 mentioned above may be discrete and connected by way of conventional techniques to a flexible substrate, or may be more cheaply obtained as conductive traces formed within the closure element 3 or on one of its faces.
  • these components may be manufactured in a very thin fashion that can be easily integrated into the capsule.
  • the circuit 10 when integrated and printed with conductive traces, reveals little information to a visual analysis.
  • Figures 1 and 2A show an embodiment of some components of the recognition means of the capsule 110 mounted on the machine.
  • the means 110 comprise a pair of retractable elements, each bearing a respective terminal 410, 420 of the machine, one of which is shown in figure 2 A and denoted by reference number 1 11.
  • the element 1 11 is a needle or retractable pin, associated to an elastic urging member 112, in this example a helical compression spring.
  • the needle or pin 111 is configured to automatically engage a respective electric terminal 41, 42 of the capsule 1 when the capsule is fitted in a suitable seat 200 of the machine 100 or as a result of a specific command.
  • system of the invention allows to conceal the input or inputs provided by the machine and the correct answer (that is predetermined, and then awaited) of the consumable capsule to be recognized.
  • the system is electrically simple and does not require huge amounts of data to be stored on a machine. Furthermore, a pair of contact elements is sufficient to allow implementation of the recognition method.
  • the recognition means of the capsule described above may be integrated in a thin plastic cover (i.e. the closure element 3 described above), for the sake of simplicity and minimum cost of the proposed solution.
  • the invention also relates to a capsule before it is filled with a food preparation.
  • the capsule contains or is suitable to contain a food preparation other than that considered here, such as an infusion preparation for a beverage, in particular coffee, tea, chocolate or the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour la reconnaissance d'une capsule (1) pour préparations alimentaires à l'intérieur d'une machine (100) pour la préparation de produits alimentaires, ladite capsule (1) comprenant un circuit électrique (10) qui comprend au moins un élément capacitif (11) et un élément inductif (12) connectés électriquement en série entre une paire de bornes électriques (41, 42) de la capsule (1), ledit procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à : i) appliquer une tension de courant alternatif sur lesdites bornes électriques (41, 42) et détecter une première valeur d'impédance dudit circuit électrique (10) ; ii) faire varier la fréquence de ladite tension de courant alternatif appliquée sur lesdites bornes électriques (41, 42) et détecter au moins une seconde valeur d'impédance dudit circuit électrique (10) ; iii) comparer toutes les valeurs d'impédance ainsi détectées dudit circuit électrique (10) avec des valeurs de référence correspondantes stockées dans des tables de conversion dans lesquelles la fréquence de ladite tension de courant alternatif est la variable d'entrée, chaque table de conversion étant associée à un programme de préparation d'aliments qui peut être exécuté par la machine (100) ; iv) générer un signal de reconnaissance de la capsule (1) indiquant qu'il est authentique si les valeurs d'impédance ainsi détectées correspondent aux valeurs de référence respectives contenues dans l'une des tables de conversion. La présente invention concerne également une capsule et une machine conçues pour permettre la mise en œuvre dudit procédé.
PCT/IB2015/051770 2014-03-11 2015-03-11 Procédé pour la reconnaissance de capsules pour préparations alimentaires Ceased WO2015136460A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITRM20140120 2014-03-11
ITRM2014A000120 2014-03-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015136460A1 true WO2015136460A1 (fr) 2015-09-17

Family

ID=50693882

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2015/051770 Ceased WO2015136460A1 (fr) 2014-03-11 2015-03-11 Procédé pour la reconnaissance de capsules pour préparations alimentaires

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2015136460A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012000878A2 (fr) * 2010-06-28 2012-01-05 Nestec S.A. Système de détection de capsule
WO2013046149A1 (fr) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système de production de boissons
WO2014006048A2 (fr) * 2012-07-06 2014-01-09 Unilever Plc Système de reconnaissance d'emballage

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012000878A2 (fr) * 2010-06-28 2012-01-05 Nestec S.A. Système de détection de capsule
WO2013046149A1 (fr) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système de production de boissons
WO2014006048A2 (fr) * 2012-07-06 2014-01-09 Unilever Plc Système de reconnaissance d'emballage

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