Beverage or foodstuff preparation system

2:

• The container of claim 1, wherein:
• the reflector layer is continuous;
• the reflector layer is connected to the support layer to adjoin the support layer;
• and
• the support layer extends in a plane defined by lateral and longitudinal directions and has a through thickness in a depth direction, and wherein the reflector layer overlaps the entirety of the support layer when viewed in the plane.

3:

• The container of claim 1, wherein the support layer extends in a plane defined by lateral and longitudinal directions and has a through thickness in a depth direction, the depth direction extending from an outer surface;
• and
• the absorber layer is arranged in the depth direction between the reflector layer and the outer surface, such that the absorber layer is proximal most the outer surface relative to the reflector layer;
• and
• the reflector layer is arranged in the depth direction between the support layer and the outer surface.

11:

• A system comprising:
• (i) a container comprising:
• a storage portion for containing a precursor material;
• a code for storing preparation information used by a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine to process the precursor material, the code configured to be readable by a code reading system of the machine, the code reading system comprises a lighting system to project an emission to the code, the code arranged to overlap the precursor material such that an emission from the lighting system projects into the precursor material:
• the code comprising:
• an absorber layer, which is configured to absorb the emission, and a reflector layer, which is configured to reflect the emission,
• the container further comprising a support layer to support the code, the support layer made with a material at least partially transparent to the emission from the lighting system,
• wherein the reflector layer is arranged to reflect the emission before the emission is transmitted to the support layer;
• and
• (ii) the beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, which is configured for preparing a beverage or a foodstuff by processing the precursor material, the machine comprising:
• a code reading system to read the code;
• a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container to the beverage or foodstuff, the processing unit comprising a perforator to perforate the support layer of the container;
• and
• electrical circuitry to control the processing unit to process the container based on the preparation information.

12:

• A closing member for closing a storage portion of a container for use with a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, wherein the closing member comprises:
• a code for storing preparation information used by the machine to process the precursor material, the code configured to be readable by a code reading system of the machine, wherein the code reading system comprises a lighting system to project an emission on to the code, the code arranged to overlap precursor material contained by the storage portion such that an emission from the lighting system projects into the precursor material;
• the code comprising:
• an absorber layer, which is configured to absorb the emission, and a reflector layer, which is configured to reflect the emission,
• the closing member further comprising a support layer to support the code, the support layer made with a material at least partially transparent to the emission from the lighting system,
• wherein the reflector layer arranged to reflect the emission before the transmission is transmitted to the support layer.

14:

• A method of forming a container for use with a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the method comprising:
• printing a code on a protective layer through which the code is readable by a code reading system, the code comprising an absorber layer, which is configured to absorb an emission from the code reading system, and a reflector layer, which is configured to reflect the emission, the reflector layer arranged to reflect the emission before the transmission is transmitted to a support layer;
• and
• connecting the layers to the support layer, wherein the support layer is made with a material which is at least partially transparent to the emission.

15:

• A method of reading preparation information from a code of a container containing precursor material, the method comprising:
• absorbing with an absorber layer of the code an emission of a lighting system of a code reading system;
• reflecting the emission with a reflector layer of the code, such that the emission is at least partially attenuated through a support layer, wherein the support layer is made with a material which is at least partially transparent to the emission;
• obtaining a digital image of the code layer with a camera system of the code reading system;
• and
• processing the digital image to extract the preparation information.