Abstract: A beverage ingredient capsule (1) is provided with an identification member (6) designed for being physically contacted from outside in order to control operation parameters of an associated beverage production machine.

Abstract: A beverage production device comprises a beverage production chamber designed to have a liquid interact with a beverage ingredient contained in a capsule, a liquid supply member for supplying liquid to the beverage production chamber, a heating member provided in the liquid supply member for heating the liquid, and an air separating compartment provided in the liquid supply member after the heating member for separating any air or other gas contained in the liquid. The air separating compartment comprises an inlet for introducing liquid into the air separating compartment, a member for breaking the kinetic energy of the liquid introduced through the inlet, a liquid outlet for evacuating liquid from the air separating compartment, and an air outlet for evacuating air from the air separating compartment.

Abstract: 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 said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewed liquid is filtered by a filtering wall and delivered from the capsule, wherein the filtering wall extends from substantially the bottom of the enclosure and said filtering wall is associated to an overflow wall that forces the brewed liquid to traverse at least one overflow aperture. The method is particularly suitable for brewing a tea containing capsule.

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: The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising a capsule (1) and a module (2) for producing a beverage from the capsule, the capsule (1) comprising an enclosure (1a) and a rim (1b), and the module (2) comprising: a first capsule engagement member (3), which can be displaced relative to a second, co-operating capsule engagement member (4) between a capsule discharge position and a beverage production position, the displaceable first capsule engagement member (3) comprising member (13) having the shape of a hollow bell, and the capsule (1) presenting an enclosure outer shape that is conformal to at least a portion of the hollow bell shaped member (13) and the capsule presenting a rim (1b) size such that at least a part of the rim of the capsule extends beyond at least a part of the first capsule engagement member (3) once it is engaged in the first capsule engagement member, wherein the displaceable first capsule engagement member (3) comprises retaining means able to create friction with discre

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for detecting scale deposit in the liquid supply means of a water pump driven machine comprising at least a water tank, a pump and a heating means, where water is pumped from the water tank and fed to the heating means, and where the pump is energized by a controller by providing the pump with an energizing signal to provide an intended water flow rate F, wherein the actual water flow rate f is measured and the discrepancy ? between the actual water flow rate f and the intended water flow rate F is directly and/or indirectly compared to an operating instruction related to scale deposit.

Abstract: A capsule-based beverage production machine comprises a module (2) designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients (5) which are contained in a capsule (1). The module (2) comprises: —means (3, 4) for retaining the capsule (1) in a fixed position, and—means (6) for perforation the capsule (1), wherein the perforation means (6) are controlled to perforate the capsule (1) after the capsule (1) is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means (3, 4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising beverage ingredient containing capsules (1) comprising an identification member (6) and a beverage production machine for receiving said capsules, said machine comprising contact means (8) for physically contacting the capsule identification member (6) in order to read information thereof and control means connected to the contact means and designed to control the operation of the beverage production machine (11) in response to the read information, the contact means (8) comprising:—at least one displaceable probe (81) which mechanically contacts the capsule identification member (6),—a resilient support member (82) in contact with the probe on one side and associated to a circuitry (9) on its other side, wherein the part of the resilient support member in contact with the probe presents such a shape that it is able to deform itself when the probe applies a force on it, the deformation being partially transversal to the direction applied by the fo

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising beverage ingredient containing capsules (1) comprising an identification member (6) and a beverage production machine for receiving said capsules, said machine comprising:—contact means (8) for physically contacting the capsule identification member (6) in order to read information thereof and—control means connected to the contact means and designed to control the operation of the beverage production machine (11) in response to the read information, the contact means (8) comprising:—at least one displaceable probe (81) which mechanically contacts the capsule identification member (6),—a resilient support member (82) in contact with the probe on one side and associated to a circuitry (9) on its other side, the parts of said resilient support member in contact with the probe presenting a shape able to be deformed,—discrete conductive parts (121) between the resilient support member (82) and the circuitry (9), wherein the contact means (8) comprises

Abstract: A beverage machine comprises a device designed for brewing a beverage on the basis of ingredients contained in a capsule, the beverage device comprising a way of retaining the capsule in a defined position, a first apparatus for opening a hot water inlet into the capsule while the capsule is retained in the defined position, and a second apparatus for opening a beverage outlet from the capsule while the capsule is retained in the defined position. The beverage machine is characterized in that the first apparatus comprises at least one opening which is directed downwards to the lowermost part of the capsule while the capsule is retained in the defined position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage production machine comprising:a machine base (21) laying on a work surface (4),a drip tray assembly (1) comprising: a drip tray (11) and a grid (12), said assembly being retained in a nesting area (22) of the machine, wherein the drip tray assembly comprises support means (13) so that said assembly rests at last partially on the work surface.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet of the capsule, a shell and a protective cover that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means and comprises at least one overflow aperture. The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet. The beverage flow guiding means and the opening element are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means (22) delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means (40) for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet (41b) of the capsule, a shell (21) and a protective cover (4) that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall (3) that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means (22) and comprises at least one overflow aperture (25). The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element (43) configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet (41). The beverage flow guiding means (40) and the opening element (43) are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.

Abstract: A hierarchical modular beverage production system that includes a docking station and a beverage production module adapted to be selectively in a connected state and a disconnected state, respectively, with the docking station. In this system, the module is provided with a fluid delivery mechanism for producing a beverage from ingredients contained in a capsule, the docking station and module are respectively provided with control circuitry with the control circuitry of the module being designed for an autonomous control of the module in the disconnected state, and the control circuitry of the docking station being designed to take over at least partially the control of the module in the connected state.

Abstract: The invention proposes a system comprising a beverage preparation device (10) and a capsule (1) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a compartment (2) of the capsule by injection of a liquid into the capsule, the beverage preparation device (10) having opening means (3) which are designed to interact with a wall member (4) provided at an outlet face (6b) of the capsule (1), wherein the opening means (3) comprise an opening member (7) having a hook-like shape designed to shear and move away at least a portion of a cover (11) sealed to the outlet face (6b) of the capsule.

Abstract: 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 said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewed liquid is filtered by a filtering wall and delivered from the capsule, wherein the filtering wall extends from substantially the bottom of the enclosure and said filtering wall is associated to an overflow wall that forces the brewed liquid to traverse at least one overflow aperture. The method is particularly suitable for brewing a tea containing capsule.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aluminium container (1) issued from the process of deep drawing an aluminium foil (6) to form a container body (7), cutting the edges of the container body, curling said edges on the exterior side of the container body in order to form a curled edge (2) and closing the container body by a foil/lid/membrane (3) wherein the colour of the curled edge is different from the natural colour of the aluminium foil.

Abstract: Mobile or portable apparatus for preparing beverages comprising a module for delivering a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feed tank of sufficient capacity for supplying the module with several volumes of liquid for supplying more than one beverage, gas pressurizing means suitable for supplying the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feed chamber, of which the capacity is several times smaller than the capacity of the tank, said chamber being arranged, in a module feeding configuration, to communicate with the gas pressurizing means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to inject pressurized liquid into the module and thereby permit the delivery of the liquid through the module.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine with a capsule comprising an enclosure containing tea leaves comprising the steps of: a) introducing water in the capsule to submerge the tea leaves in the capsule enclosure, then b) introducing water at a soaking flow of at most 80 ml/min, then c) introducing water in the capsule until the required volume of beverage is delivered, wherein during at least one period of step b), water is introduced in the capsule at least once at a stirring flow superior the soaking flow to stir tea leaves.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water treatment unit comprising: —a compartment (1) presenting an upper water inlet (6) and a bottom water outlet (7), —a water distribution plate (3) dividing the compartment in an upper part (2) and a lower part (4), said lower part containing a water treatment substance (5) and said water distribution plate presenting a plurality of holes (8) in the whole plate, said plurality of holes having such a distribution that water introduced through the upper water inlet is induced to flow through the holes that are the more distant from the compartment upper water inlet (6).