FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION VESSELS

Abstract

 A food supplementation vessel (200), comprising,
- a vessel body (204, 206) adapted to store a liquid;
- an opening (214) through which liquid can flow out of the vessel body (204, 206);
- a first septum (216) closing the opening (214);
- a second septum (220) arranged spaced apart from the first septum (216) and opposite to the opening (214); and
- a use indicator (232) coding element representing a use indicator of the food supplementation vessel;
- wherein the cap (210) comprises at the circumferential surface at least two mechanical coding elements (230) indicating a type of the food supplementation vessel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel a vessel extraction apparatus for use in a beverage dispenser for extracting a fluid from the vessel. The vessel may comprise a flavoring fluid and/or minerals solved in water to be metered into beverages such as water.

[0002] Particularly, the present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for use in households, restaurants, hotels, offices, hospital, nursing points or the like. The beverage dispenser is adapted for dispensing a beverage into a user vessel such as a glass, a carafe or a portable bottle. Particularly, the present invention relates to a beverage dispenser adapted to dispense beverage by a nozzle for a single person or for small groups of persons into a portable vessel such as a glass, a carafe or bottle. Small groups are considered to be formed by 2 to 10 persons. The beverage is output by a nozzle into the user vessel.

Prior art

[0003] Beverage dispensers are known to persons skilled in the art. In one type of beverage dispensers a small barrel or a bag, both made of plastics, are inserted into an inlet of a beverage dispenser and beverage from the barrel or bag is output by a nozzle. Some beverage dispensers can provide carbonized water upon request or cool the water upon request. Another type of beverage dispensers is connected to a water source such as tap water. The water is filtered by a sediment filter, an active carbon filter or the like. The water can also be prepared for drinking by ion exchangers and carbonizers.

[0004] WO 2016/090235 A1 discloses an apparatus for a portable hydration system including a mechanical or an electromechanical mechanism for dispensing additives into a liquid. Such mechanism is not well suited for water dispensers.

[0005] DE 20 2010 006 679 U1 discloses an apparatus for producing mineral water comprising at least one mineral container located between a filter and a water outlet. A pump supplies the minerals from the tank into the filtered water.

[0006] US 2011/0159150 A1 discloses a method for producing mineral water by use of a mineral substance container including a pump.

[0007] EP 2 565 165 B1 discloses an apparatus and method for producing remineralized water.

[0008] WO 2007/001488 A1 discloses a cartridge for an additive dispensing system for dispensing a consumable additive to water.

[0009] WO 2007/088523 A2 discloses a fluid container having an additive dispensing system for dispensing a consumable additive to water.

[0010] WO 2008/129260 A1 discloses a water treatment cartridge, wherein the water to be treated passes the cartridge and wherein the cartridge comprises means for automatically releasing an additive into the water in the cartridge.

[0011] High efforts are required for producing the cartridges of the prior art. Further, prior art cartridges comprise undesired materials, such as plastic. Since the prior art cartridges comprise plastic and are formed by many different parts, they cannot fulfill high hygienic standards
Consequently there is a need for a vessel for mineralization fluids and/or flavoring fluids and an extraction apparatus for such vessels that can fulfill high hygienic standards for beverage dispensers.

Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by a food supplementation vessel according to claim 1, a food supplementation vessel set according to claim 11 and a vessel extraction device according to claim 13. The depending claims are directed to preferred embodiments.

[0013] A food supplementation vessel according to the present invention comprises a vessel body adapted to store a liquid, an opening through which liquid can flow out of the vessel body, a first septum closing the opening and a second septum arranged spaced apart from the first septum and arranged further spaced apart from the opening as compared to the first septum. The second septum may be arranged opposite to the opening with respect to the first septum. The liquid may be a mineralization liquid for mineralizing water. The liquid may be drawn from the vessel body by a hollow needle piercing the first and second septum.

[0014] A hollow needle is used to draw liquid, in which minerals are solved from the food supplementation vessel. As soon as all the liquid has been drawn from the vessel body, the food supplementation vessel has to be removed from the needle. If the first septum passes the hollow needle, a small droplet of the liquid also passes the first septum. This droplet is fixed between the first septum and second septum and cannot drop out of the food supplementation vessel into the beverage dispenser or any other device. Thereby, malfunction of the beverage dispenser due to minerals accumulating in the interior of the beverage dispenser are prevented.

[0015] The vessel body may comprise a first section comprising a first diameter and a second section comprising a second diameter. The second diameter may be smaller than the first diameter. The second section may be a neck section of the food supplementation vessel (bottle). The opening is arranged at the second section. A cap or lid is arranged at the second section. The cap may comprise a proximal portion directed to the first section of the vessel body and a distal portion opposite to the proximal portion.

[0016] The first septum is contacting the opening and the second septum is arranged at the distal portion of the cap. Thereby, the distance between the first portion and the second portion may be adjusted.

[0017] Between the first septum and the second septum a distance element may be arranged, such as a cylindrical ring. Thereby, the distance between the first septum and the second septum may be adjusted more accurately.

[0018] A flange may be arranged around the opening. The cap may comprise an arm extending in the proximal direction of the cap. The arm may extend from the distal portion of the cap into the proximal direction. A protrusion extending in the radial inward direction of the food supplementation vessel is arranged at a portion of the arm directed to the proximal portion of the cap. The protrusion may contact at least partially the flange at a side directed to the first section of the vessel body. The protrusion may at least partially extend circumferential around the flange. The arm may be curved as the flange. The arm may be part of a cylinder. The arm may act as an elastic spring and the protrusion may fix the cap on the flange, such that the cap cannot be removed from the flange and the vessel body, respectively. The protrusion may comprise a taper on the proximal side in order to ensure that the cap can be pushed on the flange.

[0019] In one embodiment of the cap may comprise a plurality of arms arranged equidistant around the longitudinal axis of the food supplementation vessel. The plurality of arms comprises the protrusion extending in the radial inward direction of the food supplementation vessel.

[0020] Under a further aspect of the present invention the cap comprises at the circumferential surface at least two mechanical coding elements indicating a type of food supplementation vessel. Depending on the fluid to be stored in the food supplementation vessel the mechanical coding elements and/or the distance between the coding elements may differ.

[0021] In one embodiment two protrusions may be arranged on the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap and extend in radial direction of the food supplementation vessel. In another embodiment two recess may be formed in the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap in the radial direction of the supplementation vessel. In still another embodiment a protrusion may be arranged on the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap and extend in the radial direction of the food supplementation vessel and a recess may be formed in the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap in the radial direction of the food supplementation vessel.

[0022] The mechanical coding element may extend in the axial direction of the cap at least 15% of the axial length of the cap, preferably at least 30% of the axial length of the cap, more preferred at least 50% of the axial length of the cap, still more preferred at least 75% of the axial length of the cap and most preferred the entire axial length of the cap. The mechanical coding element may engage in a complementary mechanical coding of a vessel extraction device in order to ensure that the appropriate water supplementation vessel for storing the appropriate liquid is positioned at the appropriate position.

[0023] The food supplementation vessel may comprise a use indicator coding element representing a use indicator of the food supplementation vessel. The use indicator coding element may be positioned in the cap. The use indicator coding element may be an RFID, a barcode, a matrix code, a chip or the like. The use indicator may be a serial number.

[0024] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a food supplementation vessel set comprising a plurality of food supplementation vessels as described above. The two mechanical coding elements of the first food supplementation vessel may comprise a first angular distance. The two mechanical coding elements of a second food supplementation vessels comprise a second angular distance. The first angular difference is larger than the second angular distance. Thereby, different types of food supplementation vessels can be distinguished. In one embodiment the food supplementation vessel set may comprise more than two food supplementation vessels and each food supplementation vessel may comprise a different angular distance between the two mechanical coding elements.

[0025] It is to be understood that the food supplementation vessel may comprise more than two coding elements. However, independent of the number of coding elements the angular difference between the mechanical coding elements may differ based on the type of food supplementation vessel according to the present invention.

[0026] The angular distance of the mechanical coding elements defines a food supplementation vessel type, wherein in each type of food supplementation vessel a different food supplementation fluid is filled.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a vessel extraction device adapted to extract a fluid from a food supplementation set as described above. Each type of food supplementation vessel comprises a different angular distance between two mechanical coding elements. According to the present invention the vessel extraction device comprises a plurality of guides and at least one hollow needle extending from a base into one of the guides. Each guide is adapted to guide a food supplementation vessel from an insertion position, at which the food supplementation vessel is inserted into the guide, to an extraction position, in which the fluid in the food supplementation vessel is extracted. At least one hollow needle extends from a base into one of the guides. The at least one hollow needle extends through the first septum and the second septum of the food supplementation vessel, when the food supplementation vessel is in the extraction position. The first and second septum can ensure that a droplet passing the first septum, when the food supplementation vessel is removed from the hollow needle is encased between the first septum, the second septum and the cap. Thereby, the operation of the vessel extraction device and a beverage preparation device is not affected by droplets of a mineralization fluid entering the vessel extraction device.

[0028] The complementary mechanical coding means may extend in the axial direction of the guide. The complementary mechanical coding means may comprise two recess in one embodiment. In another embodiment the complementary coding means may comprise two protrusions. In still another embodiment the mechanical coding means may comprise one recess and one protrusion. Each guide may comprise complimentary mechanical coding means having a different predetermined angular distance. Thereby, it may be ensured that only one type of beverage supplementation vessel may be inserted in a particular guide.

[0029] The vessel extraction device further comprises a reader adapted to read the use indicator from the use indicator coding element of the food supplementation vessel. The reader may be a RFID reader, a barcode reader, a matrix code reader, a chip reader or the like.

[0030] An exaction element may be connected to the hollow needle and adapted to extract a fluid from the food supplementation vessel. The extraction device may be a pump, a valve or the like. A controller may be connected with the reader and the extraction device.

[0031] The controller may be adapted to instruct the reader to read the use indicator from the use indicator coding element of the food supplementation vessel and to receive the use indicator from the reader. In one embodiment the controller may instruct the reader to read the use indicator from the use indicator coding element, if the controller detects by a sensor that a food supplementation vessel is inserted into the guide and has reached the extraction position. The controller is adapted to determine in a data storage, whether the use indicator is listed as a used food supplementation vessel. In other words, the controller determines, whether the food supplementation vessel has already been inserted into a guide up to the extraction position. If a food supplementation vessel was inserted into the extraction position, the first septum and the second septum have been pierced by the hollow needle and thus, this particular food supplementation vessel must not be reused. The data storage may be a local database of a beverage preparation device comprising the vessel extraction device. The database may also be a remote taste database accessible by network means, such as the internet.

[0032] The data storage may also be implemented in the use indicator coding element and the reader may comprise a writing device that can amend the data in the use indicator coding element in order to indicate that the food supplementation vessel has already been inserted into the extraction position and that the first septum and the second septum have been pierced by the hollow needle. If the use indicator is not listed as used food supplementation vessel, the controller is adapted to enable the extraction device to extract the food supplementation vessel and to list the use indicator as used food supplementation vessel in the data storage. If the use indicator is listed as used food supplementation vessel, the controller is adapted to disable the extraction device.

[0033] The first septum and the second septum ensure that no droplet drawn by a hollow needle from the vessel body may exit the food supplementation vessel, since the droplet is encased between the first septum, the second septum and the cap. The mechanical coding means provide that a particular food supplementation vessel may only be inserted in a particular guide, opening, slot of the vessel extraction device. The use indicator coding element may ensure that each food supplementation vessel is barred from further usage, if the food supplementation vessel has been removed from a hollow needle

Short description of the drawings

[0034] 

Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a water dispenser according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a food supplementation vessel according to the present invention;

Figures 3 shows a top view of a first type of a food supplementation vessel according to the present invention;

Figures 4 shows a top view of a second type of a food supplementation vessel according to the present invention;

Figures 5 shows a top view of a third type of a food supplementation vessel according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the vessel extraction apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional partial view of the vessel extraction apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 shows the hollow needles and a fill level detection element.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0035] The vessel and the vessel extraction apparatus according to the present invention are described such that the vessel is introduced in the vessel extraction apparatus in a downward movement. It is be understood that the vessel can be moved in any direction such as horizontal, at any angle between horizontal and vertical, in the upward direction or the like into the vessel extraction apparatus. Consequently, the scope of protection of the appending claims covers all embodiments, independent of the absolute angle with respect to the world coordinate system in which the vessel is introduced into the vessel extraction apparatus. Drawings are not to scale and merely exemplary for understanding the principals of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic of a water dispenser 100 using a vessel extraction device 300 according to the present invention. Tap water is filtered by a filtering device 102, such as a reverse osmosis filter, demineralizing the tap water. A plurality of metering pumps 104a to 104g meter mineralization fluid and/or flavoring fluid stored a fluid vessel 200 via conduits 325a to 325g into the water demineralized by the filter 102. The water is dispensed by a nozzle 108 into a user vessel, such as a glass. A controller 106 controls the metering pumps 104a to 104g for delivering an appropriate amount of mineralization fluid and/or flavoring fluid into the demineralized water. Conduits 327a to 327g vent the fluid vessel 200 during extraction of fluid from the fluid vessel 200.

[0037] European patent application EP 17202640.3 entitled "vessel extraction apparatus and vessel therefore" discloses food supplementation vessels and an apparatus for extracting a liquid from the food supplementation vessels, wherein the disclosure of EP 17202640.3 is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

[0038] With reference to figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 the fluid vessel and food supplementation vessel 200, respectively is described. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the fluid vessel 200 and figures 3, 4 and 5 shows a top view of the food supplementation vessel 200. The fluid vessel 200 comprises a vessel body having a first section 204 having a first diameter and a second section 206 having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. A mineralization liquid 205 comprising the water and minerals to solved therein is stored in the vessel body 204, 206. Around the second portion 206 a cap 210 is arranged. A wall 202 of the fluid vessel 200 may be made of glass, ceramics, metal or the like. The cap 210 may be made of plastics, metal or the like.

[0039] The cap 210 comprises a proximal portion directed to the first section 204 of the vessel body. The cap 210 further comprises a distal section opposite to the proximal section of the cap 210. At the second section 206 of the vessel body an opening 214 is arranged. Around the opening 214 a flange 212 is arranged. The cap 210 contacts at its proximal portion the wall 202 of the fluid vessel 200.

[0040] A first septum 216 is arranged at the opening 214 of the vessel body 204, 206. The first and second septum may comprise PTFE and silicon.

[0041] Opposite to the opening 214 an essentially cylindrical distance element 218 contacts the first septum. Opposite to the first septum a second septum 220 contacts the distance element 218.

[0042] The first septum and second septum 216, 220 may be glued to the flange 212 and cap 210, respectively.

[0043] The cap 210 comprises at its distal portion 222 a lid element having an opening 226, wherein the lid element 222 contacts the second septum 220 opposite to the distance element 218. The lid portion 222 presses the second septum 220 against the distance element 218 and the presses the distance element 218 against the first septum 216. The distance element 218 may be glued to the second septum 216.

[0044] The cap is fixed to the flange 212 by at least one arm 224 extending from the distal portion of the cap 210, particularly from the lid portion 222 into the proximal direction. The at least one arm 224 may be an elastic arm that is elastic in the radial direction of the fluid vessel 200. At the proximal portion of the at least one arm 224 a protrusion 226 extending into the radial inward direction is arranged. The protrusion 226 contacts the flange 212 at a side of the flange directed to the proximal portion of the cap 210 and directed to the first section 204 of the vessel body. Each of the protrusions 226 may comprise a taper in the radial direction, wherein the thickness of the protrusion 226 increases in the radial outward direction. The cap is fixed by the at least one arm 224 and the at least one protrusion 226 on the flange 212 and the last on the vessel body 204, 206. The lid portion 222 comprises an opening 228 through which a hollow needle may pass.

[0045] At the cap a plurality of mechanic coding elements 230, 230a, 230b and 230c, respectively are arranged. As shown in figure 3 two mechanical coding elements 230 and 230a are arranged on a lid 210 of a fluid vessel 200 defining a first type of fluid vessel 200, in which a first type of mineralization fluid 205 is stored.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a second type of fluid vessel 200' at the having the mechanical coding elements 230 and 230b. A second type of mineralization fluid 205 is stored in the second type of fluid vessel 212.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a third type of fluid vessel 200" comprising the mechanical coding elements 230 and 230c. A third type of mineralization fluid 205 is stored in the third type of mineralization vessel.

[0048] The first type of fluid vessel 200 comprises the mechanical coding elements 230, 230a with a first angular distance. With respect to the second type of fluid vessel 200 the mechanical coding elements 230 and 230b comprise a second angular distance. With respect to the third type of mineralization vessel 200" the mechanical coding elements 230 and 230c comprise a third angular distance. Generally, the mechanical coding elements 230, 230a, 230b and 230c are arranged at the peripheral portion of the cap 210, particularly on a cylinder portion (cylindric wall) of the cap 210. The mechanical coding elements are formed as protrusions extending in the axial direction of the fluid vessel 200.

[0049] Figure 6 shows a top view of a vessel extraction device 300 comprising three openings 304a, 304b, 304c. Each opening 304a, 304b, 304c is connected to a slot having a guide 306a, 306b, 306c as will be explained in further detail with reference to figure 7. In the first slot 306a connected to the first opening 304a first hollow needle 324a for extracting a fluid from a fluid vessel and a second hollow needle 326a for venting the fluid vessel is arranged. In the second slot 306b connected to the second opening 304b a first hollow needle 324b for extracting a fluid from the fluid vessel and a second hollow needle 326b for venting the fluid vessel is arranged. In the third slot 306c connected to the third opening 304c a first hollow needle 324c for extracting a fluid from the fluid vessel and a second hollow needles 326c for venting the fluid vessel is arranged.

[0050] The first opening 304 comprises a complementary mechanical coding means 330a, 330a formed as recess in the guide and slot, respectively, wherein the complementary mechanical coding means 330a, 331 a comprise a first angular distance. At the second opening 304b, at the second slot and at the second guide, respectively complementary mechanical coding means 330b, 331b are formed as a recess in the guide and slot, respectively. The complementary mechanical coding elements 330b, 331b comprise a second angular distance. The complementary mechanical coding element 330c and 331c formed in the slot and guide 306c, respectively at the third opening 304c comprise a third angular distance.

[0051] The angular distance between the complementary coding element 330a, 330b, 330c, 331a, 331b, 331c allows that only a particular type of fluid mineralization vessel may be introduced in a particular opening 304a, 304b, 304c. Thereby, it may be ensured that only one type of fluid vessel 200, 200', 200" may be inserted into a particular opening 304a, 304b, 304c.

[0052] With reference to figure 7 the vessel extraction device 300 is explained in detail. A fluid mineralization vessel 200 is inserted into a slot, guide 306, respectively. The guide 306 guides the cap 210, the outer wall 202 of the first section 204 of the vessel body. The guide 306 also guides in a recess 330a embodying a complementary mechanical coding element the mechanical coding element 230 formed on the cap 210 of the fluid vessel.

[0053] Figure 7 shows the fluid vessel 200 and its extraction position in the extraction device 300. A first hollow needle 324a passes through the opening 228 formed in the lid portion 222, the second septum 220 and the first septum 216 into the second section 206 of the vessel body. The first hollow needles 324a can extract a fluid 205 from the fluid vessel 200. A second hollow needle 326a passes through the opening 228, the second septum 220 and the first septum 216. The second hollow needle 326a can vent the fluid vessel 200 during extraction of fluid by a conduit 327a.

[0054] In the cap 210 an RFID tag 232 is arranged. A controller 106 is adapted to instruct a reader 332 to read the RFID tag 232. The RFID tag 232 acts as a data storage element. The reader 332 can read data from the RFID tag 232, for example a unique serial number or data indicating, whether the fluid vessel 200 has already been inserted into an extraction mechanism 300. The data read by the reader 332 is passed to the controller 106.

[0055] If the controller 106 determines by the data read from the RFID tag 232 that the fluid vessel 200 has not been inserted into a vessel extraction mechanism 300, the controller 106 enables the metering pump 104a to extract a fluid 205 from the vessel 200, when required for mineralizing the beverage. The controller 106 also instructs the reader 332 to write data 232 on the RFID tag 232 indicating that the fluid vessel 200 has been inserted into a vessel extraction device 300 and that the first septum 216 and the second septum 220 have been pierced by the first hollow needle 324a and the second hollow needle 326a. The vessel extraction device 300 may comprise a position sensor 334 determining that the fluid vessel 200 has reached the extraction position. If the position sensor 334 detects that the fluid vessel 200 has reached the extraction position, the above described procedure commences.

[0056] If the controller determines by the reader 332 that the data are stored on the RFID tag 232 indicates that the vessel has already been inserted into a vessel extraction device 300, the controller 106 disables the metering pump 104a such that no fluid can be extracted from the fluid vessel 200.

[0057] For hygienic reasons and safety reasons as well as for reasons of potential abuse the mineralization vessels 200 must not be reused, if a mineralization vessel 200 has already been inserted into the extraction position of a fluid extraction device 300.

[0058] As shown in figure 7, the first hollow needle 324a and the second hollow needle 326a pierce the first septum 216 and the second septum 220. As soon as the fluid 205 in the vessel body 204, 206 is depleted, the fluid vessel 200 must be removed from the guide 306 of the vessel extraction device 300.

[0059] In use, mineralization fluid collects at the first hollow needles 324a and the second hollow needles 326a. As soon as the first hollow needle 324a and the second hollow needle 326 passed the first septum a droplet of mineralization fluid also passes the first septum 216. Such droplets are undesired in the vessel extraction device 300, since the droplets and particularly the minerals in the droplets may jeopardize the operation of the vessel extraction device. Therefore, a second septum 228 is arranged spaced apart from the first septum 216. The small droplets are encased between the first septum 216 and the second septum 220 and do not enter the vessel extraction device 300. Thereby, operation of the vessel extraction device 300 is improved.

[0060] Reference is made to figure 8 showing details of the hollow needles 324a, 326a and a fill level detection element 328a. The fill level detection element 328a protrudes over a longer distance from the base as compared to the hollow needles 324a, 326a.The upper portion of the fill level detection element 326a may comprise a fill level electrode 330a, wherein current can flow between the fill level electrode 330a and one of the hollow needles 324a, 326a. As soon as the current cannot flow between the fill level electrode 330a and one of the hollow needles 324a, 326a the vessel 200 is depleted and a controller of the vessel extraction device 100 informs a user to change the vessel 200. The controller of the vessel extraction device 100 can also store on a memory device, such as an RFID tag 232, attached to the vessel that the vessel is empty.

[0061] The present invention has the advantage that no droplet of mineralization fluid can enter the vessel extraction apparatus 300. Further, appropriate insertion of an fluid vessels into the vessel extraction device can be assured. Further, each fluid vessel can only be used once, and abuse is prevented.

Claims

1. A food supplementation vessel, comprising,

- a vessel body adapted to store a liquid;

- an opening through which liquid can flow out of the vessel body;

- a first septum closing the opening; and

- a second septum arranged spaced apart from the first septum and arranged further spaced apart from the opening as compared to the first septum.

2. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 1, wherein

- the vessel body comprises a first section comprising a first diameter and a second section comprising a second diameter;

- the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter;

- the opening is arranged at the second section;

- a cap is arranged at the second section;

- the cap comprises a proximal portion directed to the first section of the vessel body; and

- the cap comprises a distal portion opposite to the proximal portion.

3. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 2, wherein the first septum is contacting the opening and the second septum is arranged at the distal portion of the cap.

4. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a distance element is arranged between the first septum and second septum.

5. The food supplementation vessel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein

- a flange is arranged around the opening;

- the cap comprises an arm extending in the proximal direction of the cap;

- a protrusion extending in the radial inward direction of the food supplementation vessel is arranged at a portion of the arm directed to the proximal portion of the cap, wherein the protrusion contacts at least partially the flange at a side directed to the first section of the vessel.

6. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 5, wherein

- the cap comprises a plurality of arms arranged equidistant around the longitudinal axis of the food supplementation vessel; and

- a plurality of arms comprises the protrusion extending in the radial inward direction of the food supplementation vessel.

7. The food supplementation vessel according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein

- the cap comprises at the circumferential surface at least two mechanical coding elements indicating a type of the food supplementation vessel.

8. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 7, wherein the two mechanical coding elements comprise one of the following:

- two protrusions arranged on the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap and extending in radial direction of the food supplementation vessel;

- two recess formed in the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap in the radial direction of the food supplementation vessel;

- a protrusion arranged on the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap and extending in radial direction of the food supplementation vessel and a recess formed in the outer and generally cylindrically surface of the cap in the radial direction of the food supplementation vessel.

9. The food supplementation vessel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein die mechanical coding element extends in the axial direction of the cap

- at least 15 % of the axial length of the cap;

- preferably at least 30 % of the axial length of the cap;

- more preferred at least 50 % of the axial length of the cap;

- still more preferred at least 75 % of the axial length of the cap;

- most preferred along the entire axial length of the cap.

10. The food supplementation vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a use indicator coding element representing a use indicator of the food supplementation vessel.

11. A food supplementation vessel set, comprising a plurality of food supplementation vessels according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein

- the two mechanical coding elements of a first food supplementation vessels comprise a first angular distance;

- the two mechanical coding elements of a second food supplementation vessels comprise a second angular distance; and

- the first angular difference is larger than the second angular distance.

12. The food supplementation vessel set according to claim 11, wherein the angular distance of the mechanical coding elements defines a food supplementation vessel type, wherein in each type of food supplementation vessel a different food supplementation fluid is filled.

13. An vessel extraction device adapted to extract a fluid from a food supplementation set according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each type of food supplementation vessel comprises a different angular distance between two mechanical coding elements, wherein the vessel extraction device comprises:

- a plurality of guides, wherein each guide is adapted to guide a food supplementation vessel from an insertion position, at which the food supplementation vessel is inserted into the guide, to an extraction position in which the fluid in the food supplementation vessel is extracted; and

- at least one hollow needle extending from a base into one of the guides, wherein the at least one hollow needle extends through the first septum and second septum into the food supplementation vessel, when the food supplementation vessel is in the extraction position.

14. The vessel extraction device according to claim 13, wherein

- at least a first and second guide comprise two complimentary mechanical coding means adapted to engage with the two mechanical coding means of the food supplementation vessel;

- wherein the two complimentary mechanical coding means of the first guide comprise a first angular distance;

- wherein the two complimentary mechanical coding means of the second guide comprise a second angular distance; and

- wherein the first angular difference is lager the second angular distance.

15. The vessel extraction device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising

- a reader adapted to read a use indicator from a use indicator coding element of the food supplementation vessel;

- an extraction device connected the hollow needle and adapted to extract a fluid from the food supplementation vessel; and

- a controller connected with the reader and the extraction device;

- wherein the controller is adapted to instruct the reader to read the use indicator coding element of the food supplementation vessel and to receive the use indicator from the reader;

- wherein the controller is adapted to determine whether the use indicator is listed as a used food supplementation vessel;

- wherein, if the use indicator is not listed as used food supplementation vessel, the controller is adapted to enable the extraction device to extract the food supplementation vessel and to list the use indicator as used food supplementation vessel; and

- wherein, if the use indicator is listed as used food supplementation vessel, the controller is adapted to disable the extraction device.

Drawing