Package recognition system

1. A beverage production machine comprising:

a reservoir;

a chamber;

a pump;

a valve;

a heater; and

an apparatus for recognising a package, the apparatus comprising:

two resonant tank circuits, each one comprising a coil and a capacitor;

two electronic detection circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance;

a means for generating a signal, wherein the signal is indicative of the changes in coil impedance; and

a control means communicable with the pump, the valve, and the heater, the control means for controlling at least one parameter of the beverage production machine according to the signal;

wherein the package comprises a base unit, the base unit having a first shape;

wherein the beverage production machine further comprises a package holder having a second shape, the package holder for selectively supporting the package within the machine and that interacts with the package to direct the location and alignment of the package within the beverage production machine such that the first shape aligns with the second shape in any one of n fixed orientations; and

wherein n is an integer.

2. A beverage production machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control means controls one or more of the temperature, pressure, volume or flow rate of the brewing liquid, the path(s) the brewing liquid follows within the beverage production machine and/or the brewing time.

3. A beverage production machine as claimed in claim 1 which contains a package, the package comprising:

a base unit having a compartment containing tea material, and a rim;

conductive material associated with the package, the conductive material having two edge sections which are situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and

a lid attached to the base unit around the rim so as to enclose the tea material within the package, the lid comprising:

a central lidding portion comprising at least one perforated line;

wherein the package can be aligned within the beverage production machine in any one of n fixed orientations, wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4.

4. A package for a beverage production machine, the package comprising:

a base unit having a compartment containing tea material and a rim;

conductive material associated with the package, the conductive material having two edge sections which are situated on opposite sides of the compartment;

a lid attached to the base unit around the rim so as to enclose the tea material within the package, the lid comprising:

a central lidding portion comprising at least one perforated line; and

a projecting lip extending partially or wholly around the rim;

wherein the package can be aligned within the beverage production machine in any one of n fixed orientations;

wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

wherein the conductive material is associated with the projecting lip; and

wherein the lid comprises a peripheral portion overlaying the projecting lip.

5. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the lid comprises the conductive material.

6. A package as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the lid comprises metallic foil, preferably a laminate of aluminum foil and polyethylene.

7. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the projecting lip has an underside and the conductive material is associated with the underside of the projecting lip.

8. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the projecting lip comprises the conductive material.

9. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the edge sections are substantially straight-edged sections which are parallel to one another.

10. A package as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the edge sections extend across the entire width of the projecting lip.

11. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the base unit is formed from a non-conductive material.

12. A package as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the projecting lip is shaped so as to direct the alignment of the package within the beverage production machine.

13. A method of recognising a package as claimed in claim 4 in a beverage production machine according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

placing the package in the package holder;

applying alternating current to the two coils while the package is stationary, the coils being positioned in the beverage production machine such that they generate eddy currents within the conductive material adjacent to the edge sections;

detecting a change in coil impedance for each of the coils;

generating a signal indicative of the change in impedance; and

identifying the package according to the signal.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the package is identified by comparing the signal to a number of reference signals, each one corresponding to a certain type of package; and

wherein identification of the package controls at least one parameter of the beverage production machine.

15. A multipack containing a plurality of packages according to claim 4 .

16. A package for a beverage production machine, the package comprising:

a base unit having a compartment containing tea material and a rim;

a projecting lip;

conductive material associated with the projecting lip, the conductive material having two edge sections which are situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and

a lid attached to the base unit around the rim so as to enclose the tea material within the package, the lid comprising:

a central lidding portion comprising at least one perforated line;

wherein the package can be aligned within the beverage production machine in any one of n fixed orientations;

wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

wherein the base unit is formed from a non-conductive material; and

wherein the projecting lip is shaped so as to direct the alignment of the package within the beverage production machine.

17. A package as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the projecting lip extends partially or wholly around the rim.