Abstract: A piercing device, suitable for piercing the upper film of a capsule containing a material suitable for being used for preparation of a beverage, including a first end, a central body, and a second end, the first end having an operating surface provided with a plurality of piercing spikes protruding from the operating surface, the device furthermore including disengagement members on the operating surface, for disengaging the capsule once the upper film of the capsule has been pierced, thereby preventing a capsule from remaining attached to the device for piercing.

Abstract: A device (12) for the preparation of a beverage comprises a beverage supply duct (14) and a closure element (16). The closure element (16) comprises a closing surface (18) suitable for closing at least partially an end of the supply duct (14). The device (12) is characterized in that the closure element (16) is made of elastomer material suitable for undergoing an elastic deformation under the thrust of the beverage being supplied. The deformation causes an at least partial movement of the closing surface (18) away from the end of the supply duct (14).

Abstract: A piercing device (12), suitable for piercing the upper film (31) of a capsule (30) containing a material suitable for being used for preparation of a beverage, comprising a first end (14), a central body (15), and a second end (16), the first end (14) has an operating surface (18) provided with a plurality of piercing spikes (20,26) protruding from said operating surface, the device comprises furthermore disengagement means (28) on the operating surface, for disengaging the capsule once the upper film of the capsule has been pierced, thereby preventing a capsule from remaining attached to the device for piercing.

Abstract: The present invention provides for at least a dispensing spout to be directly formed in the sealing membrane that closes the bottom of a capsule containing an edible raw material for preparing a beverage, e.g. coffee. In this manner, the beverage is able to directly fall from the capsule into a drinking vessel arranged therebelow. What is claimed are both a machine, characterized by the means that form the spout and the open bottom of the container in which the capsule is loaded, and a method for preparing and dispensing the beverage.

Abstract: In a machine for preparing beverages, in particular espresso coffee, using capsules containing powder material and delimited at the top and bottom by perforatable sealing foils, said machine comprising a zone for loading capsules one at a time and an infusion zone, a device for perforating the bottom foil of said capsule inside said loading zone, comprising a star-shaped element having, projecting therefrom, cutting tips able to project into the path of said capsule when it is introduced into said loading zone and following interaction of the front edge of the capsule with a first tip, the immediately following tip engages with the bottom foil of the said capsule so as to perforate it. The displacement of the capsule into said loading zone is caused by pushing means which preferably consist of a pushing element projecting from the capsule loading flap.

Abstract: Single-dose capsule comprising a sealed moulded-plastic casing (10) having an end wall (16) provided with orifices (24) and a bottom sealing foil (17). A chamber (30) is formed between the said foil (17) and the bottom surface (18) of the perforated end wall (16) and is filled with the beverage percolated through the said orifices (24) before it is discharged directly towards an underlying container through the spout created at the moment of opening or tearing of the said bottom foil (17), immediately before the start of percolation. USE: preparation of a percolated of the beverage. ADVANTAGES: high quality of the beverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides for at least a dispensing spout to be directly formed in the sealing membrane that closes the bottom of a capsule containing an edible raw material for preparing a beverage, e.g. coffee. In this manner, the beverage is able to directly fall from the capsule into a drinking vessel arranged therebelow. What is claimed are both a machine, characterized by the means that form the spout and the open bottom of the container in which the capsule is loaded, and a method for preparing and dispensing the beverage.