Abstract: A disposable cartridge comprises a substantially rigid envelope of plastics material which contains a dose of water-soluble granular, powdery or similar particulate matter adapted to produce a beverage by brewing with hot water. The envelope has an inlet endwall with one or more water inlet through holes close to, and radially inside a peripheral region thereof, the inlet end-wall being otherwise imperforate. The envelope has an opposite outlet endwall which has, within the envelope, a substantially axial tubular appendage which extends from the inner face of the outlet wall towards the inlet wall and which defines a beverage outlet conduit with an intake orifice near the inlet wall and an out-flow orifice in the outer face of the outlet wall.

Abstract: A beverage extracting and dispensing machine for use with flattened round cartridges, which contain a brewable product, such as ground coffee, freeze-dried coffee, tea, broth and the like. The cartridges have permeable upper and lower walls and a substantially cylindrical sidewall.A cartridge may be slid to a brewing station in which it is laterally embraced by opposite clamping jaws. During its movement to the brewing station a new cartridge spreads the jaws apart and pushes an old cartridge away from the brewing station. The spreading apart of the jaws starts an automatic brewing cycle at the beginning of which a presser plate is lowered onto the cartridge and presses it with a tight seal on an underlying fixed support while the cartridge is laterally clamped by the jaws.