Granted Patent B2

US 11,254,491 · App. 17/383,951 · Granted Feb 22, 2022

Inventor: Marc Krüger (Bergisch Gladbach, DE)

Assignee: K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH

B65D85/8043A47J31/4492B65D65/466B65D85/8058B65D2203/06B65D2203/10

Abstract

Claims (59)

1. A beverage system for making a beverage, comprising:

A) a single-serve capsule comprising:

i) a base element with a cavity, in which a beverage material is provided, the base element being symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis thereof and having a rounded bottom portion;

ii) a flange extending outwardly from the base element, the flange comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side;

iii) a cover fastened to the top side of the flange, the cover is bowed outwardly in a central region of the cover relative to a peripheral region of the cover, the cover includes a region configured to be pierced at a location that is offset from the central longitudinal axis;

iv) a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping out of the single-serve capsule; and

v) an identifier, which includes a repeat pattern, provided on the bottom side of the flange;

B) a beverage machine comprising:

i) a sensor/detector;

ii) a receptacle configured to receive the single-serve capsule;

iii) a pump controlled to supply water into the single-serve capsule only upon detection of the identifier by the sensor/detector and a determination by the beverage machine that the single-serve capsule is suitable for use with the beverage machine;

iv) a chamfered mandrel that is configured to pierce the cover at the location that is offset from the central longitudinal axis;

v) a groove that is laterally offset from the chamfered mandrel; and

vi) a seal that is at least partially seated in the groove and configured to bear against a top side of the cover in a region between a peripheral edge of the cover and the region of the cover that is pierced by the chamfered mandrel.

2. The beverage system according to claim 1 , wherein the beverage machine comprises a waste container for the single-serve capsule to fall into.

3. The beverage system according to claim 2 , wherein the beverage machine comprises a pair of holding arms for guiding the single-serve capsule.

4. The beverage system according to claim 1 , wherein the base element comprises a side wall that includes a plurality of indentations arranged about the central longitudinal axis.

5. The beverage system according to claim 4 , wherein the cavity is defined by an inside wall, which includes a ledge at an upper region thereof, the ledge projects from the inside wall towards the central longitudinal axis.

6. The beverage system according to claim 4 , wherein the identifier is located on the side wall.

7. A beverage system for making a beverage, comprising:

A) a single-serve capsule comprising:

i) a base element with a cavity, in which a beverage material is provided, the base element being symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis and having a rounded bottom portion;

ii) a flange extending outwardly from the base element, the flange comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side;

iii) a cover that is fastened to the top side of the flange, the cover is bowed outwardly in a central region of the cover relative to a peripheral region of the cover, the cover includes a region configured to be pierced at a location offset from the central longitudinal axis;

iv) a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping out of the single-serve capsule; and

v) an identifier, which includes a repeat pattern, provided on the bottom side of the flange;

B) a beverage machine comprising:

i) a sensor/detector;

ii) a receptacle configured to receive the single-serve capsule;

iii) a pump controlled to supply water into the single-serve capsule only upon detection of the identifier with the sensor/detector and determination by the beverage machine that the detected identifier agrees with a stored reference;

iv) a chamfered mandrel that is configured to pierce the cover at the location offset from the central longitudinal axis;

v) a pair of holding arms for guiding the single-serve capsule;

vi) a waste container for the single-serve capsule to fall into;

vii) a groove that is laterally offset from the chamfered mandrel; and

viii) a seal that is at least partially seated in the groove and configured to bear against a top side of the cover in a region between a peripheral edge of the cover and the region of the cover that is pierced by the chamfered mandrel.

8. The beverage system according to claim 7 , wherein the base element comprises a side wall, which includes a plurality of indentations, and the identifier is located on the side wall.

9. The beverage system according to claim 8 , wherein the cavity is defined by an inside wall, which includes a ledge at an upper region thereof, the ledge projects from the inside wall towards the central longitudinal axis.

10. A beverage system for making a beverage, comprising:

A) a single-serve capsule comprising:

i) a base element with a cavity, in which a beverage material is provided, the base element being symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis;

ii) an inside wall defining the cavity, which includes a ledge at an upper region thereof, the ledge projects from the inside wall towards the central longitudinal axis

iii) a rounded bottom portion;

iv) a flange extending outwardly from the base element, the flange comprising a top side and an opposing bottom side;

v) a cover that is fastened to the top side of the flange, the cover is bowed outwardly in a central region of the cover relative to a peripheral region of the cover, the cover includes a region configured to be pierced at a location offset from the central longitudinal axis;

vi) a barrier layer to prevent moisture or aroma from escaping out of the single-serve capsule;

vii) a side wall comprising a plurality of indentations arranged about the central longitudinal axis;

viii) an identifier, which includes a repeat pattern, provided on the bottom side of the flange;

B) a beverage machine comprising:

i) a sensor/detector;

ii) a receptacle configured to receive the single-serve capsule;

iii) a pump controlled to supply water into the single-serve capsule only upon detection of the identifier with the sensor/detector and a determination by the beverage machine that the single-serve capsule is suitable for use with the beverage machine;

iv) a chamfered mandrel that is configured to pierce the cover in the location offset from the central longitudinal axis

v) a pair of holding arms for guiding the single-serve capsule;

vi) a waste container for the single-serve capsule to fall into;

vii) a groove that is laterally offset from the chamfered mandrel; and

viii) a seal at least partially seated in the groove and configured to seal against a top side of the cover in a region between a peripheral edge of the flange and the region of the cover that is pierced by the mandrel.

11. The beverage system according to claim 10 , wherein the base element is made of a biodegradable material.

12. The beverage system according to claim 10 , wherein the base element is deep drawn.

13. The beverage system according to claim 10 , wherein a ratio of a diameter of the side wall to a diameter of the flange is between 0.85 and 0.89.

Assignments (2)

Priority Claims (3)

Continuity (10)

Cited By (8)

US 1,091,308 US 1,092,208 US 12,213,617 US 12,369,742 US 12,410,048 US 12,539,500 US 12,557,934 US 12,691,425