Abstract: A kit includes at least a capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body including an outlet face. The kit includes one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) having an identification member placed on a first side of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by sensing means of a beverage production machine, the side being opposite to the second connector side designed for connection to the outlet face of the capsule. Either the capsule(s) or the connector(s) or the both is provided with means for mechanically associating the connector to the capsule by the consumer, preferably without using tools.

Abstract: A device for preparing a liquid comestible is disclosed. The device may include a beverage preparation means for supply of a beverage and/or a brewing unit designed for receiving an ingredient-containing capsule and preparing the beverage from the ingredients by means of injection of hot pressurized liquid into the capsule. The device may further include a receptacle support means designed to support and to selectively connect to a receptacle for receiving the resulting beverage, beverage delivery means adapted to collect and/or guide the resulting beverage from the beverage preparation means/brewing unit to the receptacle support means, and/or injection means adapted to selectively open a portion of an outer wall of the receptacle connected to the receptacle support means and to establish a fluid communication between the beverage delivery means and the receptacle.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4?) comprises a frame (2) and a beverage preparation module (9) supported by the frame, the module (9) having a part (10) that is movable relative to the frame between: a transfer position for introducing a beverage ingredient into the module (9) and/or removing the ingredient therefrom; and a processing position for forming the beverage from the ingredient in the module. The beverage preparation module further has a beverage outlet (11) for dispensing the formed beverage (4?) to a beverage dispensing area (4) for receiving a user-recipient for collecting the beverage (4?). The frame (2) further supports a guide (20) configured to drain and deliver liquid residues (3?) from the beverage outlet (11) to a service area (3) separate from the dispensing area (4) so that the residues (3?) are inhibited from being drained from the beverage outlet (11) to the beverage dispensing area (4).

Abstract: Portable beverage preparation devices for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule are disclosed and include a beverage brewing unit and beverage dispensing means that includes a safety outlet valve. Also disclosed are systems that include the beverage preparation devices and receptacles for use with the beverage preparation devices.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine comprising: a beverage preparation module comprising an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from capsule supplied thereto or an ingredient container which is part thereof; a fluid supply comprising the components a fluid heater, a fluid pump, optionally a fluid reservoir; a first module movably connected to the beverage preparation module; wherein the beverage preparation machine further comprises a second module movably connected to the first module, the first module comprising the fluid pump and/or the fluid heater, the second module comprising the said components of the fluid supply different to those of the first module, the components comprising at least one of the fluid pump or fluid heater or fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An extraction unit of a beverage preparation machine, the extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule, the extraction unit comprising: a capsule holder operable to move between a capsule receiving position and a capsule extraction position; a capsule holder loading system operable to actuate the capsule holder between the said positions, the capsule holder loading system comprising an actuator unit and a loading mechanism, the actuator unit to actuate the loading mechanism, wherein the loading mechanism comprises a planetary gear train and a linear actuator, the actuator unit to supply a rotary motion to the planetary gear train, the planetary gear train to gear down the said rotary motion, the linear actuator to: receive the said geared down rotary motion; convert the geared down rotary motion into linear motion; couple the said linear motion to the capsule holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage through a capsule inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that: a discharge wall is placed in association with the enclosure, wherein the discharge wall comprises a discharge member that restrains the brewed liquid from being discharged from the capsule or limits the liquid flow in case the pressure inside the enclosure is below a predetermined value, and the discharge member enables the delivery of the brewed liquid in case the pressure exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method provides a rubber-elastic sealing member onto a capsule intended for producing a beverage in a beverage production device. The capsule has a body portion having a side wall and a flange-like rim portion. The rim portion extends from the side wall of the body portion. The method includes the steps of applying an uncured sealing composition in a liquid or viscous state onto the rim portion of the capsule, heating said applied sealing composition such that the sealing composition at least partially migrates towards the side wall until the sealing composition reaches the side wall, and curing the sealing composition after the migration towards the side wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage through a capsule inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that: a discharge wall is placed in association with the enclosure, wherein the discharge wall comprises a discharge member that restrains the brewed liquid from being discharged from the capsule or limits the liquid flow in case the pressure inside the enclosure is below a predetermined value, and the discharge member enables the delivery of the brewed liquid in case the pressure exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule containing a beverage ingredient, comprising: a brewing unit that receives the capsule in a cavity defined by first and second engaging members that enclose the capsule and press it at a flange-like rim in a liquid seal-tight manner. At least one of the first and second engaging members comprises a substantially annular pressing portion for applying a sealing pressure on the flange-like rim of the capsule, the first and second engaging members being configured in relative closure at the nip to leak to a liquid injected in the cavity when a capsule is not present. One of at least the first or second engaging members comprises, at its annular pressing portion, at least one passage arranged for controlling liquid leakage only within a limited angular radial direction when the first and second engaging members are closed at the nip.

Abstract: Portable beverage preparation devices for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule are disclosed and include a beverage brewing unit and beverage dispensing means that includes a safety outlet valve. Also disclosed are systems that include the beverage preparation devices and receptacles for use with the beverage preparation devices.

Abstract: A beverage preparation device for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule includes a beverage brewing unit for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule, and beverage dispensing means for dispensing the resulting beverage into a receptacle, wherein beverage brewing unit is designed for passing liquid through the capsule in a direction essentially opposite to gravity. Systems that include the beverage preparation device and methods of producing and using said device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage through a capsule (2) inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule (2) comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure (20) to brew said one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that: a discharge wall (3, 3B, 300, 310, 320, 330) is placed in association with the enclosure (20), wherein the discharge wall (3, 300, 310, 320, 330) comprises discharge means (100, 301, 311, 321, 331) which restrain the brewed liquid from being discharged from the capsule (2) or limit the liquid flow in case the pressure inside the enclosure (20) is below a predetermined value, and the discharge means (100, 301, 311, 321, 331) enable the delivery of the brewed liquid in case the pressure exceeds said predetermined value.

Abstract: A kit includes at least a capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body including an outlet face. The kit includes one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) having an identification member placed on a first side of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by sensing means of a beverage production machine, the side being opposite to the second connector side designed for connection to the outlet face of the capsule. Either the capsule(s) or the connector(s) or the both is provided with means for mechanically associating the connector to the capsule by the consumer, preferably without using tools.

Abstract: A liquid food of beverage preparation machine that includes an electric supply circuit connectable to an electric power source; a heater powered by the electric supply circuit; and a thermal fuse device in thermal communication with the heater and associated with the electric supply circuit, the fuse device being arranged to interrupt the electric supply circuit from the power source when the heater exceeds a temperature limit. The thermal fuse device is reversible and includes a switch for automatically interrupting the electric supply circuit when the heater exceeds the temperature limit, the switch being operable by a user to close the electric supply circuit when the heater has a temperature that has returned below the temperature limit.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a kit, comprising:—at least a capsule (10) for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body (10b) comprising an outlet face (10c), and—one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) (1) comprising an identification member (2) placed on a first side (1a) of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by sensing means (8, 18) of a beverage production machine (100), said side being opposite to the second connector side (1b) designed for connection to the outlet face (10c) of the capsule, wherein either the capsule(s) (10) or the connector(s) (1) or the both is provided with means for mechanically associating the connector(1) to the capsule (10) by the consumer, preferably without using tools.

Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A device for preparing a liquid food or beverage having an outermost housing with faces that are arranged to shield at least part of a liquid food or beverage module. A face of the housing has a connection to an appliance. This face is arranged to support mechanically such an appliance. The connection is disconnectably connectable by a user to the appliance. The housing is so arranged that the appliance is removably mountable onto the housing face by a user.

Abstract: A device for preparing hot beverages which includes an arrangement for circulating a liquid to a beverage supply exit and a combustion heater, such as a burner, for supplying combustion heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit. The combustion heater can be associated with an electric heater for additionally or alternatively supplying electric heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit or with a heat regulator for controlling the amount of heat supplied to the liquid from the combustion heater, the electric heater or both heaters.

Abstract: A beverage production system is disclosed that includes a capsule and a beverage production machine designed for producing a beverage from ingredient(s) in the capsule. At least a portion of the outer surface of the capsule includes at least one metallic and/or electrically conductive area, and the beverage production machine includes means for generating and for contactlessly coupling electrical heating power to the metallic and/or electrically conductive area of the capsule.