Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising or being adapted to have formed therein at least one inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and at least one outlet, characterised in that flow of the aqueous medium through the cartridge is generally in an inward direction from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a lower part and an upper part, the upper part and lower part being movable relative to one another from an open position in which a beverage cartridge can be received in the closure mechanism and a closed position in which the beverage cartridge is fixedly retained between the upper part and lower part, wherein in the closed position the closure mechanism contacts a top surface and a bottom surface of the beverage cartridge at or near a centre of the beverage cartridge to exert a compressive force of greater than 50N.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising a compartment containing the one or more beverage ingredients, the compartment comprising a plurality of inlet apertures for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the compartment and a plurality of outlet apertures for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein at least a proportion of the inlet apertures are out of alignment with the outlet apertures such that at least a proportion of the aqueous medium entering the compartment through the inlet apertures is forced to circulate within the compartment before exiting the compartment through the outlet apertures, characterised in that the inlet apertures are arranged around the periphery of the compartment.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the cartridge comprises an outer member and an inner member conjoined on assembly with the outer member, the inner member defining the outlet of the cartridge, wherein a snap-fit arrangement is provided to conjoin the outer member and the inner member on assembly of the cartridge.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part, an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part and a cartridge holder interposed between the lower part and the upper part and being rotatable relative to the lower part and the upper part, wherein the lower part comprises inlet piercing means and outlet piercing means for forming, respectively, an inlet and an outlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the cartridge holder, wherein rotation of the upper part towards the lower part causes the upper part to engage the cartridge holder and to move the cartridge holder into contact with the lower part and at the same time to cause, in use, the inlet piercing means and the outlet piercing means to pierce a cartridge received in the cartridge holder.

Abstract: A floor box for providing access to multiple utilities in a floor structure. The floor box includes a housing having a bottom wall and one or more side walls extending from the bottom wall and defining an interior space therebetween. A partition wall attached to the bottom wall and the side walls partially divides the interior space. A flange is attached at the upper edges of the side walls and includes a surface extending outwardly therefrom. A cover assembly includes a frame mounted to the flange. The frame has a cross member overlying the partition wall and cooperating therewith to divide the interior space into first and second compartments. The cover assembly further includes first and second access doors movable relative to the frame between open and closed positions for providing access to the first and second compartments respectively. A gasket seals the first and second compartments.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an outer member defining a storage chamber in which is stored the one or more beverage ingredients and an inner member having a discharge spout forming an outlet for outflow of beverage formed from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the inner member forms a load-bearing member.

Abstract: A cartridge (containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge defining a storage chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients and a manifold chamber, the cartridge comprising an opening through which the one or more beverage ingredients can be filled into the storage chamber, the opening being closed by a lid having a first portion overlying the manifold chamber and a second portion overlying the storage chamber, wherein the first portion of the lid is pierceable in use to accommodate an inflow of an aqueous medium into the manifold chamber and the lid is pierceable in use to accommodate an outflow of beverage formed from interaction of the aqueous medium and the one or more beverage ingredients in the storage chamber.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a lower part and an upper part, the upper part and lower part being movable relative to one another from an open position in which a beverage cartridge can be received in the closure mechanism and a closed position in which the beverage cartridge is fixedly retained between the upper part and lower part, wherein in the closed position the closure mechanism contacts a top surface and a bottom surface of the beverage cartridge at or near a centre of the beverage cartridge to exert a compressive force of greater than 50N.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, the closure mechanism further comprising a clamping lever operable to retain the upper part in the closed position, wherein the clamping lever comprises a first member being pivotably connected at a first pivot to the upper part and a second member having a first end pivotable about a second pivot, an end of the first member and a second end of the second member being pivotably connected together at a third pivot such that the clamping lever has first and second positions of stability, wherein on operation of the clamping lever to move the upper part from the open position to the closed position the clamping lever moves from the first to the second position of stability.

Abstract: A low pressure beverage preparation system for automatically preparing a range of beverage types from a range of beverage cartridges, the system comprising:

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising or being adapted to have formed therein at least one inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and at least one outlet, characterised in that flow of the aqueous medium through the cartridge is generally in an inward direction from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge for dispensation of a beverage comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a beverage preparation machine comprising a fixed lower part, an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part and a cartridge holder interposed between the lower part and the upper part and being rotatable relative to the lower part and the upper part, wherein the lower part comprises inlet piercing means and outlet piercing means for forming, respectively, an inlet and an outlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the cartridge holder, wherein rotation of the upper part towards the lower part causes the upper part to engage the cartridge holder and to move the cartridge holder into contact with the lower part and at the same time to cause, in use, the inlet piercing means and the outlet piercing means to pierce a cartridge received in the cartridge holder.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, said cartridge comprising a storage chamber containing the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the aspect ratio of the vertical height of the storage chamber to the breadth of the storage chamber is between 0.10 and 0.43.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, said cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage produced from said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein said cartridge comprises an outer member, an inner member inserted in the outer member and means for producing a jet of the beverage, wherein said means for producing the jet of the beverage comprises an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet, characterised in that the aperture is delimited by an interface between the inner member and the outer member.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.