Support and capsule for preparing a beverage by centrifugation, system and method for preparing a beverage by centrifugation

Abstract

A capsule for the preparation of a beverage can include a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container can include at least one support having a section on which a plurality of sequences of symbols is represented; each symbol is sequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is rotated along an axis of rotation. Each sequence can code a set of information related to the capsule, and at least one of the sequences can include symbols defining a preamble sequence that allows determination of a position of the symbols in the associated sequence coding the set of information related to the capsule. The container can include a cup-shaped body having a flange-like rim and a lid connected to the body, the support can be on a bottom of the rim, and the bottom of the rim can be opposed to the lid.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A capsule for the preparation of a beverage, the capsule comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises at least one support comprising a section on which a plurality of sequences of symbols is represented so that each symbol is sequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is rotated along an axis of rotation, each sequence coding a set of information related to the capsule, wherein at least one of the sequences comprises symbols defining a preamble sequence that allows determination of a position of the symbols in the associated sequence coding the set of information related to the capsule, the container comprising a cup-shaped body having a flange-like rim and a lid connected to the body, wherein the support is present on a bottom of the rim, and the bottom of the rim is opposed to the lid. 
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the set of information of at least one of the sequences comprises information identifying a type associated to the capsule. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the set of information of at least one of the sequences comprises information for detecting errors and/or for correcting errors in the set of information. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 3 , wherein the preamble symbols and/or the preamble sequences comprise information for authenticating the set of information. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein each symbol is represented in the section by an entity having a measurable characteristic readable by the measuring arrangement, the measurable characteristic varying according to the value conveyed by the symbol. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein each symbol is printed and/or embossed in the section of the support and/or is formed of one or a plurality of discrete polygonal or elliptical surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 6 , wherein the section of the support has a circumference, each symbol is represented in the section by a segment which is sensibly rectilinear and extends substantially along at least a part of the circumference. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein the symbols are readable by an optical sensor included in the reading arrangement, and the color and/or the shape of each symbol are chosen according the value of the symbol. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein the symbols are printed by an ink which is not visible by human eyes under natural light. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 5 , wherein the symbols are printed or embossed by a pattern which possesses surfaces having different reflective and/or absorbing properties to light. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 10 , wherein the pattern possesses first surfaces having inclined mirroring or absorbing properties to light and second surfaces having flat mirroring or flat reflective properties to light. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the support is permanently attached or placed on the capsule or is removably connected to the capsule. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 1 , having a circumference, wherein the section is arranged on the container along an arc-shaped or circular path of the circumference. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 13 , wherein each sequence is arranged along at least an eighth of the circumference. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising a beverage preparation device and the capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage preparation device is configured to prepare a beverage from the capsule and comprises (i) a capsule holding member configured to hold the capsule, (ii) a rotational drive member configured to drive the holding member and the capsule in rotation along the axis of rotation and (iii) a reading member arranged for reading the sequences of symbols in the section when the capsule is rotated along the axis. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the reading member comprises a light emitter and a light sensor or an inductive sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the reading member is arranged to read the sequences on the rim of the capsule. 
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a beverage from the system of  claim 15 , comprising extracting the beverage from the capsule by rotating the capsule along the axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising reading the symbols at a first rotational speed and extracting the beverage from the capsule at a second rotational speed.