# US 2016/0353918 A1 · A capsule kit for use in a food preparation machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0353918 A1 - Document ID: US20160353918A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/117,064 - Filed: 2015-02-18 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-19 - Assignees: Nestec S.A. - Applicants: Nestec S.A. - Inventors: Christian Talon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160353918A1 ## CPC - A47J 31/4492: {Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge} - A47J 31/34: with hot water under liquid pressure - A47J 31/3695: {Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet (cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673)} - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract The present invention is directed to a kit of at least two capsules (11) each for containing at least one specific food ingredient, the capsules being adapted to be alternatively functionally inserted in the brewing cavity of a food preparation machine (1) for the preparation of a multi-ingredient food product, characterized in that each capsule in the kit (11) comprises at least one deformable portion (17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38) that is deformed when said capsule is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when said cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of the reaction force on the machine cavity by the deformed deformable portion, said kit being further characterized in that different capsules in the kit comprise deformable portions with different predetermined mechanical properties so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each capsule inserted therein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A kit of at least two capsules each for containing at least one specific food ingredient, the capsules being adapted to be alternatively functionally inserted in the brewing cavity of a food preparation machine for the preparation of a multi-ingredient food product, each capsule in the kit comprises at least one deformable portion that is deformed when the capsule is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when the cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of the reaction force on the machine cavity by the deformed deformable portion, that different capsules in the kit comprise deformable portions with different predetermined mechanical properties so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each capsule inserted therein. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion of each capsule is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a series of tongue-shaped protrusions, (ii) a coiled spring portion, (iii) a bellows portion of the capsule side walls, (iv) a ring with a series of curved flexible arches that extend inwardly and upwardly from the lowermost inner surface of the ring, towards the center of the ring, (v) a series of curved protrusions oriented downwardly, which extend from a bottom edge of the capsule, (vi) a deformable area of the top membrane of the capsule, in combination with a recessed portion of the capsule top edge, (vii) a series of wave-shaped protrusions located at the periphery of the capsule top edge, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is located at the periphery of the capsule external surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the external dimensions of the capsule is greater than the corresponding internal dimensions of the cavity, and wherein the deformable portion is located such as to allow the capsule to compress elastically and fit within said cavity when the latter is closed in a functional configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the external dimensions of the capsule is smaller than the corresponding internal dimensions of the cavity, and wherein the deformable portion is located such as to allow the capsule to expand elastically and fit within the cavity when the latter is closed in a functional configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is deformable with an amplitude of between 0.1 mm and 20 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is oriented such that it deforms along an axis D which is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the capsule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A kit of capsules according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is deformable by action of a force comprised between 0.2 N and 500 N. ### Claim 9 A food preparation system comprising a kit of at least two ingredient capsules each for containing at least one specific food ingredient, the capsules being adapted to be alternatively functionally inserted in the brewing cavity of a food preparation machine for the preparation of a multi-ingredient food product, each capsule in the kit comprises at least one deformable portion that is deformed when the capsule is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when the cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of the reaction force on the machine cavity by the deformed deformable portion, that different capsules in the kit comprise deformable portions with different predetermined mechanical properties so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each capsule inserted therein, the machine cavity comprises a force sensitive portion adapted to cooperate with the deformable portion of each capsule to transmit operational data from the capsule to the machine, the data being function of the deformation properties of the deformable portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A food preparation system according to claim 9, wherein the pressure sensitive portion is linked to a control board of the machine, such that cooperation between the machine sensitive portion and the capsule deformable portion is able to trigger an operation within the machine when the capsule deformable portion transmits a mechanical deformation to the pressure sensitive portion, the operation being recognition switching the machine on or off, and/or setting a food preparation parameter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A food preparation system according to claim 9, wherein the pressure sensitive portion is a pressure sensor connected to an electrical switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A food preparation system according to claim 9, wherein the food product is a liquid or semi-liquid product prepared within the capsule by injecting a fluid to be mixed with the encapsulated ingredient, at a pressure of between 0.5 and 30 bar.