Device for the production of a beverage, provided with a means of detection

A device for the production of beverages by infusing a substance that is to be infused and which is contained in disposable packaging, includes: an infusion chamber having a configuration which can vary between an open position and a closed position for the infusion; elements for guiding the packaging from an introduction area (7) towards the infusion chamber, the guiding elements including a slide (6) which can cooperate with the periphery of the packaging, characterized by the fact that the inventive device includes elements (9) for detecting an identification marking on the packaging, the detection elements (9) being formed in the slide (6). The device is applicable to coffee machines using packaging provided with marking for identification purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to a device for the production of beverages by infusion of a substance which is contained in a disposable packaging.

It will be used in particular in the field of manufactured coffee machines which use packaging containing ground coffee.

The invention is in particular intended for use in machines which use packaging, filter paper-based of the type described in document WO-A-94/01039.

That said, this application is not restrictive and the invention could be used with other types of disposable packaging such as rigid permeable or impermeable capsules.

Document WO-A-98/02871 describes a coffee machine which uses individual packaging of ground coffee that can be inserted vertically by guiding means oriented roughly vertically and able to guide the packaging so that it slides into the infusion chamber.

This chamber generally consists of two parts that are able to be placed in a closed position for the infusion phase that involves passing water through the packaging and in an open position to allow the packaging to be introduced and rejected from the chamber.

Packaging of ground coffee with an identification code so that it can be identified during use is known.

Document WO-A-02/28241 describes such a packaging with several alternative markings. This may take the form of a given specific contour on the packaging, a predetermined colour, or the presence of a bar code.

The purpose of the marking is to generally ensure that the operation of the machine is selective by only allowing the use of certain categories of packaging.

The identification can also be used to adapt the operating parameters of the infusion device to suit the type of substance to be infused, in particular depending on the quantities of ground coffee.

Even though the detection principle of a marking on disposable packaging opens up many new opportunities for the use of infusion devices, there is a need to improve reading of the marking on the packaging.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is the background to the present invention which proposes a new design for the infusion device with means for detecting an identification marking on the packaging which is executed and positioned in a specific manner relative to the remainder of the device.

In particular, according to the invention, the detection means are executed in a slide which is used to guide the packaging.

In this way, the correct positioning of the packaging relative to the detection means is guaranteed (reliability of the positioning of the packaging relative to the detection means, reduced and easily determined distance between the detection means and the packaging zone to be identified, etc.).

The present invention also has the advantage of ensuring perfect integration of the detection means in the remainder of the machine without creating additional protuberances which could make the design of the machine more complicated and hamper the introduction and the guiding of the disposable packagings.

In a preferred and advantageous manner, the invention ensures practical assembly and accurate positioning of the protection means on the machine.

Moreover, the detection means can be dismounted, particularly on failures.

Other aims and advantages will appear during the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is not restrictive.

The present invention relates to a device for the production of beverages by infusion of a substance contained in a disposable packaging comprising:

an infusion chamber with a configuration that can be varied between an open position and a closed position for the infusion to take place.

means for guiding packaging from introduction zone towards infusion chamber, means which comprise a slide that co acts with the periphery of packaging, characterized in that it includes means for detecting identification markings on the packaging, the said detection means being formed in slide.

According to the preferred variants of the invention, this device is such that:

the detection means are means for recognizing at least one colour,

the detection means include:a diode that is able to emit a light with a preset frequential spectrum towards the target zone on packaging,a detection component that is able to detect the light emitted or reflected by packaging and to interpret it in order to identify the marking on the packaging.

detection means comprising a support with a U shaped section forming part of the slide.

the support can be plugged into the body of slide,

it includes a presence sensor formed on slide immediately upstream of the infusion chamber in order to detect any blocking of packaging.

the slide is tilted relative to the horizontal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows the essential elements of the device for producing beverages by infusion showing mobile parts3,4that may be modified in their configuration so as to create an infusion chamber15that opens or closes according to their position.

Such operation is describes in document WO-A-98/02871.

Of course, this is not restrictive and applies to any type of device with an infusion chamber that may be opened or closed depending on the phase in the operating sequence, for instance by translational and/or rotational movement.

In the case shown, disposable packaging5, containing for instance ground coffee, can be introduced into the device at introduction zone7.

This device has mobile parts3,4which are fitted to oscillate and move closer or apart relative to a frame1so that on the one hand the infusion chamber is closed during the liquid flow phase and on the other the infusion chamber opens and orients upwards (as inFIG. 1) for introducing the packaging5or towards the bottom (FIGS. 2 and 3) in order to set in stop the new packaging over infusion chamber15and/or eject used packaging via the lower part of this device.

In a known manner, the device also includes a boiler13that is able to supply infusion chamber15when this is in a closed position in order to execute infusion.

A pump system is also generally provided in order to carry out force leaching.

FIGS. 1 and 2give, as an indication, an example of drive means2provided (here in the form of a toothed gears and a motor) allowing the transmission of power from the motor to moving parts3,4.

As indicated previously, this design is not restrictive.

As can be seen onFIGS. 1 to 3, the device also includes guiding means in the form of slide6and secondary slide14to allow packaging5to slide from introduction zone7to infusion chamber15and, eventually, after infusion chamber15, towards an ejection zone.

In the present case, slide6and secondary slide14have a virtually identical external form and are positioned symmetrically relative to the infusion chamber, roughly on the contract plane of moving parts3,4when in a closed position.

The long elements constitutive of slides6,14have a longitudinal groove that is able to co act with part of the periphery of the disposable packaging of appropriate width in order to make a sliding adjustment so as to form the guiding means.

Packaging5is an example that can be used with the invention device, but is not restrictive.

Indeed, it may consist of a capsule which is roughly in the form of a small rigid receptacle with an edge which is able to co act with slide6.

Packaging5includes marking on the periphery that is able to co act with slide6so that the invention device detects the type of marking.

Below is described a preferred embodiment in which the marking is of a predetermined colour.

By colour is meant a shade of colour that can be individualized by detection means.

The invention device may recognize one or more colours according to the device operating method.

In a characteristic manner, slide6includes detection means9, an example of which is shown in a front view inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3give another example in perspective.

In the case shown, detection means9include a general support in rigid plastic and showing a U shaped section.

At the rear of the U shaped section is a connector arranged to execute the means for electrical connection of detection means9.

This advantageous configuration ensures that detection means9form a part of slide6.

The detection means9are positioned very reliably relative to the periphery of packaging5on which the detection is to take place and is thus highly reliable

Moreover, as shown onFIGS. 2 and 3, detection means9are easy to plug in or dismount relative to the remainder of slide6.

FIG. 4shows another embodiment of detection means9in the form of a roughly flat support.

This support receives an LED type diode10able to emit a light on a predetermined frequency spectrum (for instance white light) in the direction of a target zone on the periphery of packaging5co acting with slide6.

Diode10emits such a light in the direction of packaging5which, if it is opaque, reflects part of this light, the reflected light being variable depending on the colour of the reflection surface of packaging5.

The light thus reflected is dispatched to a detection component12with several cells photosensitive to part of the light spectrum.

Selective excitation of the cells ensures the formation of an electrical signal in the form of voltage which is representative of the light in question.

Detection component12also includes, integrally or separately, means for interpreting this electrical voltage in order to determine the nuance of colour read on packaging5.

For instance, detection component12includes a voltage/frequency converter which allows the transformation of the electrical detection signal into a frequency representative of a light with a predetermined frequential spectrum.

This frequential signal resulting from the conversion can be compared to preset standard signals stored in the component.

A comparison is then made in order to determine whether the frequential signal resulting from the detection is identical to one of the stored reference signal(s).

If the comparison is positive, detection component12then indicates that the colour of packaging5has been recognized.

Connections11allow the input and output of electrical signals from and towards detection means9.

FIG. 4shows the case of detection means9operating in a reflective manner, that is to say using the target surface on packaging5as a reflection surface in order to measure the reflected light.

However, detection means9can also be used to operate in a transmitive manner, that is to say to detect the light transmitted through the target zone of packaging5.

In this context, the target zone of packaging5will be of a predetermined colour and non opaque so as to allow partial transmission of the light through its thickness.

In this case, diode10and detection component12are positioned opposite relative to slide6.

In a further advantageous manner, the invention device incorporates a presence sensor8in the case shown between detection means9and infusion chamber15, as in the embodiment onFIGS. 2 and 3.

More precisely, presence sensor8is positioned immediately upstream of the infusion chamber15relative to the direction of introducing packaging5.

This presence sensor8is used to ensure that packaging5is not blocked at this level.

In particular, an infusion phase cannot be started if presence sensor8has detected that a packaging5is present at this level.

Below is described more precisely a method for operating the invention device.

The user introduces packaging5at introduction zone7which is generally slightly flared to facilitate introduction.

Packaging5then slides into the guiding means formed in slide6of secondary slide14.

By creating slides6and14in a manner sufficiently tilted relative to the horizontal, gravity causes packaging5to descend naturally.

By doing this, packaging5reaches the stop on the upper face of mobile parts3and4and this by preserving a zone on its edge with respect to detection means9.

These means then ensure that the marking present on packaging5can be read.

If this marking is recognized by detection means9, infusion chamber15opens to allow packaging5to enter, then closes for infusion to take place and finally, ejection of packaging5by opening the bottom of aforesaid chamber15.

If the marking on packaging5is not recognized by detection means9, a vocal or visual message may appear for use by the user in order to indicate to him that the type of packaging introduced cannot be used with the device.

When this detection takes place, it is also possible to actuate mobile parts3and4in order to eject packaging5directly without the infusion taking place.

As indicated previously, detection means9can also allow several colours to be recognized so that the infusion parameters can be adapted to the type of packaging5.

This can be used to increase the temperature of the infusion water, increase or decrease the pressure or the duration of infusion, and the volume of water injected.

REFERENCES