PROGRAMMING CONNECTOR FOR BEVERAGE CAPSULES, BEVERAGE CAPSULES AND KIT OF CAPSULES AND PROGRAMMING CONNECTORS

• US 20130095214A1
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Ozanne, Matthieu, Vuagniaux, Didier, Kollep, Alexandre, Gerber, Gilles
• Granted Patent: US 9,439,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/115
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/00 Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor soup concentrates A23L23/10; Their preparation preparation of non-alcoholic beverages by removal of alcohol C12H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4492 Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8052 Details of the outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8058 Coding means for the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8061 Filters

Abstract

The present invention proposes a kit, comprising:—at least a capsule (10) for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body (10b) comprising an outlet face (10c), and—one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) (1) comprising an identification member (2) placed on a first side (1a) of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by sensing means (8, 18) of a beverage production machine (100), said side being opposite to the second connector side (1b) designed for connection to the outlet face (10c) of the capsule, wherein either the capsule(s) (10) or the connector(s) (1) or the both is provided with means for mechanically associating the connector (1) to the capsule (10) by the consumer, preferably without using tools.

Claims

1. Beverage production parameter programming connector comprising:

a connection member for mechanically associating the connector to an outlet face of a capsule containing beverage ingredients,

an identification member placed on a first side of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by a sensor of a beverage production machine, the side being opposite to a second connector side designed for connection to the outlet face of the capsule.

2. Beverage production parameter programming connector according to claim 1 comprising a traversing hole or a hollowing out for enabling beverage prepared in the capsule to pass the connector and to be delivered.

3. Beverage production parameter programming connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector surface does not cover the whole capsule outlet face.

4. Beverage production parameter programming connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises an opener located at the second connector side for opening the outlet face of a capsule.

6. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the member is configured for associating the beverage production parameter programming connector to the outlet face of the capsule by the consumer.

8. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the outlet face of the capsule is a filter or a connector with at least one overflow aperture.

5. Capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body comprising an outlet face, the capsule comprising a member for mechanically associating a beverage production parameter programming connector to the outlet face of the capsule.

7. A capsule according to claim 5, wherein the outlet face of the capsule comprises at least one hole for evacuating the beverage from the capsule.

9. A capsule according to claim 5, wherein the member for mechanically associating a beverage production parameter programming connector to the capsule comprises at least a snatch member or a connection groove.

10. A capsule according to claim 5, wherein the member for mechanically associating a beverage production parameter programming connector to the capsule is an adhesive.

11. A capsule according to claim 5, wherein the outlet face of the capsule comprises a recess set back from the capsule outlet surface for positioning the connector.

12. A kit, comprising:

at least a capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body comprising an outlet face, and

one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) comprising an identification member placed on a first side of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by a sensor of a beverage production machine, the side being opposite to the second connector side designed for connection to the outlet face of the capsule, and

either the capsule or the connector or both are provided with a member for mechanically associating the connector to the capsule by the consumer.

13. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the outlet face of the capsule comprises at least one hole for evacuating the beverage from the capsule.

14. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the outlet face of the capsule is a filter or a connector with at least one overflow aperture.

15. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector is a separate element from the capsule designed to be selectively applicable to the capsule.

16. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector comprises a traversing hole or an hollowing out for enabling beverage prepared in the capsule to pass the connector and to be delivered.

17. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector surface does not cover the whole capsule outlet face.

18. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector comprises an opener provided at a second connector side suitable for opening the outlet face of a capsule.

19. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector is designed to provide an adjustable program independent of the capsule size, ingredients of the capsule and/or predefined beverage production parameters of a beverage production machine to be used for the beverage preparation in conjunction with the capsule.

20. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the connector comprises a connection member designed to selectively connect and/or disconnect the connector to/from a rim portion of the capsule.

21. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the means for mechanically associating the connector to the capsule comprises at least a snatch member or a connection groove.

22. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the member for mechanically associating the connector to the capsule is an adhesive.

23. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the outlet face of the capsule presents a recess set back from the capsule outlet surface for positioning the connector.