Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a;1b) of two different dimensions (da,ha;db,hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of such cartridges (1a;1b) and for extraction thereof in the seat. The unit (10) further comprises a pair of slides (19a) for guiding any of such cartridges (1a;1b) towards the seat (14,20) in a sliding contact of each of these slides (19a) with a cartridge guide (5a;5b) of the cartridges (1a; 1b). The slides are relatively movable to be spaced selectively by a first and second distance (Da, Db) according to the size (da, db) of the cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and a leakage preventer for preventing or reducing leakage of the liquid aerosol forming substrate from the liquid storage portion. The leakage preventer may include one or more of a porous plug at least partially located within the liquid storage portion, a first sealer between the liquid storage portion and a capillary wick, and a second sealer between the liquid storage portion and an electrical connector of an electric heater.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically operated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and electric circuitry for determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element. There is also provided a method in an electrically operated aerosol generating system including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the method including determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically operated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and electric circuitry configured to monitor activation of the electric heater and estimate an amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the liquid storage portion based on the monitored activation. There is also provided a method in an electrically operated aerosol generating system including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the method including monitoring activation of the electric heater and estimating an amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate remaining in the liquid storage portion based on the monitored activation.

Abstract: A capsule processing unit of a beverage preparation machine, which comprises an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule during preparation of the beverage.

Abstract: A card for containing food or beverage ingredients includes a substantially planar and rigid base portion, at least two ingredient compartments for storing the ingredients, and at least two discharge portions. Each of the discharge portions are linked to one of the compartments and extend along the plane of the base portion. At least one sealing member is provided on the base portion covering the compartments and discharge portions on the base portion side of the card. The card is designed for insertion in a food and beverage preparation device in order to dispense the ingredients from the compartments via the discharge portions. Further, a food and beverage preparation system includes such a card and also a food and beverage preparation device. A method for preparing food or beverages uses the card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Card for containing food or beverage ingredients comprising: a substantially planar and rigid base portion, at least two ingredient compartments for storing the ingredients and at least two discharge portions, each discharge portions being linked to one of the compartments and extending along the plane of the base portion, and at least one sealing member provided on the base portion covering the compartments and discharge portions on the base portion side of the card, wherein the card is designed for insertion in a food and beverage preparation device in order to dispense the ingredients from the compartments via the discharge portions. The invention further relates to a food and beverage preparation system, comprising a card according to the invention and a food and beverage preparation device, as well as to a method for preparing food or beverages using the card.

Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising: a data sequence having a plurality of marker locations, whereby said marker locations either comprise or do not comprise a marker as a variable to at least partially encode the preparation information therein, with adjacent marker locations separated by a distance of ?x; a locator sequence to enable location of the data sequence, the locator sequence comprising at least two markers, whereby a distance X4 therebetween is distinct from the distance ?x.

Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising: a data sequence having a plurality of marker locations, whereby said marker locations either comprise or do not comprise a marker as a variable to at least partially encode the preparation information therein, with adjacent marker locations separated by a distance of ?x; a calibration sequence having at least two markers with a distance of X1 therebetween, whereby the distance ?x between adjacent marker locations of the data sequence is related to the distance X1 of the calibration sequence.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a frame (1?) and a capsule handling device (1?) mounted in and/or on the frame (1?). The device (1?) has a first part (10) and a second part (20) that is movable relatively to the frame (1?) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing said capsule (2a,2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule and vice versa. The second part (20) comprising: a capsule receptacle (21) delimiting a cavity (21?) for receiving such capsule (2a,2b) and for forming in the extraction position an extraction chamber (21?) with the first part (10); and a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b) that are relatively movable between a first relative position and a second relative position to change at least one dimension (21da,21db,21ha,21hb) of the cavity (21?) and of the extraction chamber (21?). The device (1?) further comprises an actuator (30,300) connected to the second part (20) for driving the movable second part (20) between the transfer position and the extraction position.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a frame (1?) and a capsule handling device (1?) mounted in and/or on the frame (1?). The device (1?) comprises: —a first part (10) that is movable relatively to the frame (1?) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing said capsule (2a,2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule and vice versa; —a second part (20) that has a capsule receptacle (21) delimiting a cavity (21?) for receiving such capsule (2a,2b) and for forming an extraction chamber (21?) with the first part (10) in its extraction position, the second part (10) comprising a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b) that are relatively movable between a first relative position and a second relative position to change at least one dimension of the cavity (21?) and of the extraction chamber (21?); —an actuator (30,300) connected to the first part (10) for driving the movable first part (10) between the transfer position and the extraction position.

Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one electric heating element of an electrically heated aerosol generating system for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, the electrically heated aerosol generating system includes a sensor for detecting airflow indicative of a user taking a puff having an airflow duration, and the method includes increasing heating power for at least one heating element from zero to power p1 when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has increased to a first threshold, maintaining the heating power at a power p1 for at least some of the airflow duration, and decreasing the heating power for the at least one heating element from power p1 to zero when the sensor detects that the airflow rate has decreased to a second threshold.

Abstract: A single-use coffee capsule is disclosed that has a cup-shaped body and an extraction foil member for the preparation of a liquid coffee extract in a coffee preparation apparatus. Also disclosed is a system that includes the capsule and the coffee preparation apparatus. Further disclosed are methods of making and using the capsule and system.

Abstract: A smoking system includes a capillary wick for holding liquid, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and a chamber between the air inlet and air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet and the chamber are arranged so as to define an air flow route from the air inlet to the air outlet via the capillary wick so as to convey aerosol formed from the liquid to the air outlet. The smoking system further includes at least one guide for channeling the air flow in the air flow route, so as to control particle size in the aerosol. The smoking system optionally includes at least one heater for heating the liquid in at least a portion of the capillary wick to form the aerosol.

Abstract: A device (1) handles a capsule (2a, 2b) having a flange (2a?, 2b?). The device comprises: a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable across a space (3a, 3b) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule; a third part (30) for guiding such capsule (2a, 2b) to in between the first and second parts (10,20) when in the transfer position; and stop means (32a,32b). The stop means are configured for successively: stopping the capsule (2a, 2b) in between the first and second parts (10, 20) in the transfer position; maintaining the capsule while the first and second parts (10, 20) are relatively moved from the transfer position towards the extraction position to receive the capsule; and allowing a liberation of the capsule from the stop means after reception of the capsule by at least one of the first and second parts (10,20) while relatively moving towards the extraction position.

Abstract: A device (1) handles selectively a first capsule (2a) having a first flange (2a?) and a second capsule (2b) having a second flange (2b?) greater than the first flange (2a?). The device comprises: a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule (2a, 2b); and a third part (30) for guiding such capsule (2a, 2b) to inbetween the first and second parts (10, 20) when in the transfer position. The third part (30) has: a first portion (31a) for engaging with and guiding the first flange (2a?) of the first capsule (2a); and a second portion (31b) for engaging with and guiding the second flange (2b?) of the second capsule (2b).

Abstract: A device (1) handles selectively a first capsule (2a) having a first flange (2a?) and a second capsule (2b) having a second flange (2b?) greater than the first flange (2a?). The device comprises a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule (2a, 2b). The device further comprises separation means (33) for separating such capsule (2a, 2b) from at least one of the first and second parts (10,20) when the first and second parts (10,20) are relatively moved from the extraction position to the transfer position.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises: —a device (20) for handling a capsule (2); —a frame or a housing (10) covering the device (20), delimiting an opening (12) for passing a capsule (2) through the frame or housing (10) to the handling device (20) and having a curved cross-section (10?) about the opening; and —a barrier means (30) comprising a member (31a; 31b) movable from a closed position for preventing such capsule (2) from passing through the opening (12) to an open position for allowing such capsule (2) to pass through the opening (12). The member (31a; 31b) is movable between its closed position and its open position along a curve (31?) that is generally parallel to the curved cross-section (10?) of the frame or housing (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a code support surface on which a code is represented. The code comprises a first value for at least one capsule-related information. The code further comprises a first element and a second element arranged on the code support surface so as that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value.

Abstract: A smoking system includes a capillary wick for holding liquid, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet and a chamber between the air inlet and air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet and the chamber are arranged so as to define an air flow route from the air inlet to the air outlet via the capillary wick so as to convey aerosol formed from the liquid to the air outlet. The smoking system further includes at least one guide for channeling the air flow in the air flow route, so as to control particle size in the aerosol. The smoking system optionally includes at least one heater for heating the liquid in at least a portion of the capillary wick to form the aerosol.