Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in beverage preparation device comprising: a cup-shaped body (12) comprising a cavity containing a beverage ingredient and a flange-like rim extending outwardly from the base of said body, a delivery wall (13) connected to the flange-like rim, characterized in that the flange-like rim is formed of is a polymer material chosen in grade having a Vicat softening point (ISO 10350) between about 30 and 100° C., preferably between 40 and 90° C. or apolymer chosen in grade comprising a glass transition temperature (Tg) between 30 and 80° C., preferably between 40 and 60° C.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for providing a rubber-elastic sealing member onto a capsule (1) intended for producing a beverage in a beverage production device, wherein the capsule has a body portion (3) having a side wall (3a) and a flange-like rim portion (2), wherein the rim portion (2) extends from the side wall (3a) of the body portion (3), the method comprising the steps of:—applying an uncured sealing composition (4) in a liquid or viscous state onto the rim portion (2) of the capsule (1),—heating said applied sealing composition (4) such that the sealing composition at least partially migrates towards the side wall (3a) until it reaches the side wall, and—curing the sealing composition (4) after the migration towards the side wall (3a).

Abstract: Cartridge sealing adapter (30, 300, 304, 305, 306,330,50, 74) intended to be used in an extraction system for preparing a beverage from a cartridge using fluid injected under pressure and comprising a dished body (14) containing beverage ingredients to be extracted, a beverage delivery foil (15) closing the dished body which can be perforated under the effect of the pressure of fluid within the cartridge, wherein the cartridge sealing adapter is designed for providing a sealing engagement between the extraction system and a cartridge with at least one sealing portion intended to be interposed between a surface of the extraction system and the cartridge. The cartridge adapter can be a rubber-elastic material positioned in solid state or, alternatively as a liquid or viscous material.

Abstract: A machine for preparing a beverage having a main body containing a brewing unit and a handle movable relative to the main body, so as to act on the brewing unit to open the brewing unit for introduction or removal of an ingredient into and from the unit, and act to close the brewing unit for extraction of such ingredient within the unit. The movable handle has a gripping part and is arranged to be drivable by a human hand. The main body and the movable handle are so connected and configured that the gripping part has a carrying position in which the gripping part is seizable by the human hand for safe lifting and single-handed displacing of the machine.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of components a) to f), with the components including a brewing unit for receiving an ingredient of the beverage and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid, through the ingredient to a beverage outlet; b) an in-line heater for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit; c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the heater; d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet; e) an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and f) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit.

Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained therein and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device. The capsule has a frusto-conical body with a rim, sidewall, and an inlet wall and a lower delivery wall sealed to the rim and contains a predosed amount of coffee. The inlet wall may have a flat or convex portion and a structure in relief or in recess arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device and extending on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend.

Abstract: Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule containing a beverage ingredient, comprising: a brewing unit (1) for receiving the capsule (8) therein upon relative closing of a first and second engaging members (6, 7) forming a cavity for encasing the capsule and pressing it at a flange-like rim (9) in a liquid seal-tight manner, wherein at least one of the first and second engaging members comprises a substantially annular pressing portion (14) 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, wherein one of at least the first or second engaging members comprises, at its annular pressing portion, flow directing means comprising at least one passage (37) arranged for controlling liquid leakage only within a limited angular radial direction when the first and second engaging members are closed at the n

Abstract: A beverage machine having a beverage brewing unit for receiving a single-serve capsule and including a capsule holding assembly for holding a capsule in a position during insertion by gravity of the capsule in the brewing unit; and a water injection assembly for at least partially enclosing the capsule and providing water in the capsule. The capsule holding part forms a front part of the unit and is mounted to the capsule injection assembly in a manner to be displaceable along a substantially horizontal path whereas the water injection assembly is located in a rear fixed part of the unit. The beverage machine has an outermost casing. One of these brewing unit assemblies can be moved or telescoped out or through this casing for inserting/removing the ingredient capsule and retracted into the outermost casing for bringing the brewing unit into its capsule extraction configuration.

Abstract: An integrated in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient, for instance within a pod or capsule, supplied into the brewing chamber. An upstream part of the brewing chamber may be formed by the heater. One or more electric components may be incorporated into the heater and rigidly connected to a printed circuit board. The heater may have a tubular inner core that is eccentric with respect to a tubular or prismatic outer member which form together a helicoidal heating chamber of variable cross-section.

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 machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage has an outermost housing that includes a top part and downwardly extending sidewalls which cover and shield at least part of a liquid food or beverage module. The downwardly extending sidewalls have a portion that forms, optionally together with a portion of the top part, a grip seizable by a human hand such that the machine can be carried and displaced single handed by seizure of the grip.

Abstract: A machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage that includes a liquid food or beverage module having a liquid or beverage outlet; a support device that is located under the beverage outlet and that has an arrangement for evacuating liquid; and a collector, such as drip tray, for collecting liquid evacuated by the support device. The support device has a dispensing area on or above which a recipient may be placed for collecting a liquid food or beverage dispensed from the outlet. The support device also includes a non-dispensing area adjacent to the dispensing area, the non-dispensing area being arranged to support recipients upon use and for evacuating liquid to the collector.

Abstract: A machine for preparing liquid food or beverage from a beverage or food ingredient contained in a capsule or pod. The machine includes a liquid food or beverage preparation unit arranged to receive capsules or pods for use and evacuate capsules or pods after use; a housing having an opening leading into a seat to which capsules or pods are evacuated from the preparation unit; and a receptacle having a cavity forming a storage space for collecting capsules or pods evacuated to the seat into the receptacle to a level of fill. The receptacle is insertable into the seat for collecting capsules or pods and is removable from the seat for emptying the collected capsules or pods. The preparation machine further comprises a mechanism to inhibit jamming of the receptacle at removal from the seat when the level of fill in the receptacle extends above the opening of the housing.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.

Abstract: An in-line heating device for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine in which liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber. This heating device includes a thermoblock with a metal mass that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the mass, with the mass arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid; and one or more electric components that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to a printed circuit board or a flex-print arranged to control the thermoblock. The electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board or flex-print, in particular via rigid connector pins or blades or rigid plug and socket members.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a capsule for containing beverage ingredients comprising a sealed ingredient compartment, an inlet face, an outlet face, an aperture in the inlet face of the capsule, a membrane attached to the inner side of the portion of the inlet face surrounding the aperture, wherein the membrane is attached to the inlet face by a first circumferential section in a detachable sealing engagement.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a capsule for containing beverage ingredients. The capsule includes a sealed ingredients compartment, an inlet face, an outlet face, and an opening member which is positioned at the inlet face outside the compartment and which is provided with piercing members directed towards the ingredients compartment.

Abstract: A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers.

Abstract: A beverage production module that includes a pump for delivering a beverage via a beverage delivery outlet from the beverage production module, a graphical interface for accepting touch input, and a controller in data communication with the pump and the graphical interface for receiving filling level instructions and controlling the pump accordingly. The graphical interface may also include a pointer for providing filling level instructions by touch input on the graphical interface. Also, a method for operating a beverage production module having the foregoing features.