Abstract: A cartridge, particularly for espresso coffee machines, for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained therein by means of water under pressure is provided. The cartridge comprises a main body with a cup portion and a lid portion. The cup portion comprises a base, a sidewall and a rim opposed to the base, while the lid portion is fixedly attached to the rim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of the cartridge. The internal volume of the cartridge houses the particulate substance comprised within filtering means for retaining the particulate substance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough. The lid portion comprises a normally closed lid port defining a first passage for percolation fluid substances when it is opened. The cartridge further comprises a tappet arranged inside the internal volume so as to pierce the base when a pressure is applied to the base towards the internal volume, thus opening a normally closed cup port.

Abstract: A rigid filter for capsules suitable for extracting beverages, comprising a flat body having a plurality of through filtering holes, which are sized so as to block the passage of solid particles and allow passage of brewed water or beverage, wherein the holes have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the middle plane of the flat body, so that the filter can be inserted into a capsule without taking care of the orientation of such holes with respect to the powdered substance within the capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage inducing the passage of an extraction fluid through a dose of coffee by heating the fluid, includes a separating device arranged to separate a fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of the fluid from a further fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of the fluid. A method for obtaining a coffee includes heating an extraction fluid so as to induce the passage of the extraction fluid through a dose of coffee to obtain the beverage, and separating a fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of the extraction fluid from a further fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of said extraction fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a containing element for heating an extracting fluid, a transferring arrangement for causing the passage of the fluid through a dose of coffee and a collecting arrangement for collecting a beverage produced with the extracting fluid during the passage: there being provided a separating arrangement arranged for separating a fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of the fluid from a further fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of the fluid, the separating arrangement leading into distinct zones of the collecting arrangement.

Abstract: A mixing, heating and/or frothing and/or whipping device for preparing hot milk-based beverages, comprising a central body which is detachably associable with a steam delivery tube and an outer casing which fits over the central body; the central body protrudes partially from the outer casing in order to immerse it partially in a beverage together with part of the outer casing and forms channels for the passage of air and of liquid to be frothed, in order to mix them with the steam and consequently mix the three flows, the device further comprising at least one first mixing region for forming a mixture composed of the air and the liquid to be whipped, which arrive respectively from at least one intake channel and at least one rising channel, which are formed by the central body and by the outer casing, the formed mixture then converges in at least one second mixing region with the steam that is injected in the second mixing region and arrives from the delivery tube and then enters the beverage by means of at

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage inducing the passage of an extraction fluid through a dose of coffee by heating said fluid, contains a separating device arranged to separate a fraction of said beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of said fluid from a further fraction of said beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of said fluid; an apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage by imbibing a dose of coffee with an extraction fluid driven by heating through said dose, comprises an inhibition device arranged to inhibit said imbibing when said fluid contains a substantial steam phase; a method for obtaining a coffee beverage involves heating an extraction fluid so as to induce the passage of said extraction fluid through a dose of coffee to obtain said beverage and separating a fraction of said beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of said extraction fluid from a further fraction of said beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of said extraction fluid is provide

Abstract: An adapter for machines for preparing beverages, particularly espresso coffee, comprising a supporting element which can be associated with water dispensing means and a cartridge holder associated with the supporting element, the cartridge holder comprising a plurality of receptacles for respective cartridges for infusions or the like and being movable, with respect to the supporting element, from a position for dispensing the infusion to a position for loading and/or unloading the cartridges, the supporting element being further provided with a front opening for moving the cartridge holder from the position for dispensing the infusion to the position for loading and/or unloading the cartridges and vice versa, at least one guide being provided for the translational motion of the cartridge holder with respect to the supporting element between two intermediate positions which are comprised between the loading and/or unloading position and the infusion dispensing position.

Abstract: A container arranged for containing a dosed quantity of a solid product from which a beverage is extractable includes a wall defining a cavity suitable for containing the product, the wall being made of a material that is impermeable to water and oxygen. The container walls contain a cavity suitable for containing the solid product and include a portion having a plurality of holes, the portion being coated by a removable closing element made of a material that is impermeable to water and oxygen.

Abstract: A cartridge for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained therein by means of water under pressure, the cartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portion and a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposed to the base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to the rim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of the cartridge, the internal volume of the cartridge housing the particulate substance comprised within filtering means for retaining the particulate substance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough, the lid portion comprising a lid port defining a first passage for percolation fluid substances, the base of the cup portion comprising a cup port defining a second passage for percolation fluid substances, wherein the base comprises a plurality of ridges directly formed thereon and protruding towards the internal volume of the cartridge, so as to support the filtering means and the particulate substance and to define a fine

Abstract: A capsule for extracting a beverage from a substance in powder form, preferably ground coffee, by means of pressurized water, comprising a box-like body which contains the substance in powder form and has a base provided with an output port for the outflow of the extracted beverage, the output port being closed by an elastic crema forming septum which can open under the pressure of the water, the capsule further comprising a safety lid which is mounted on the box-like body at the base so as to increase the axial size of the box-like body, the lid comprising a shoulder which is engaged on the septum and is adapted to retain the septum within the capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining beverages by infusion comprises an indicating device arranged for indicating that a preset infusion time interval has passed; a method for obtaining beverages by infusion comprises imbibing with water at a desired temperature a dose of a substance or of a mixture of substances from which beverages have to be obtained, and indicating the duration of the infusion through a suitable indicating device indicating that a preset infusion time interval has passed; a timing device is provided with a hooking element arranged for hooking said timing device to an apparatus for preparing beverages by infusion.

Abstract: A beverage extraction assembly for application to beverage extraction machines for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained in a cartridge, comprising: a support connectable to a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine; a cartridge holder removably mounted on the support for holding a cartridge containing a particulate substance, the cartridge comprising at least a first cartridge port protruding outwardly from its upper surface for receiving water under pressure; the support comprising a water inlet port connectable to the water outlet, for delivering the water to the first cartridge port, the cartridge holder comprising a bottom aperture for providing an escape for the extracted beverage; the water inlet port of the support comprising means for providing a radial fluid-tight seal between the water inlet port and the first cartridge port.

Abstract: A cartridge for extracting a beverage from an edible substance contained therein by means of a liquid under pressure, the cartridge comprising a main body having a cup portion and a lid portion. The base of said cup portion comprises a cup port defining a passage for the extracted beverage and protruding from the base outwardly with respect to the internal volume of the cartridge. Valve means are fixedly mounted on the internal surface of the cup port and are resiliently openable under pressure of the extracted beverage during a beverage extraction phase. The diameter of the open end of said cup port that is opposite to said cup base is sized so as to allow insertion of the valve means within the cup port. A safety cap is mounted on the external surface of the cup port and partially closes the external open end thereof.

Abstract: A filter holder particularly for espresso coffee machines, comprising a cup-shaped body (2) which has a substantially cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (3), the body (2) being open in an upward region for watertight fitting on an espresso coffee machine and having an opening (5) on its bottom which is arranged on the axis (3) of the cup (2) for the passage of an extracted beverage, the filter holder comprising an adapter (8), which is fitted in the cup (2) and is substantially cylindrical in order to accommodate a substance in powder form from which a beverage is to be extracted, the adapter (8) being able to rotate coaxially with respect to the cup (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage comprises a containing element for heating an extracting fluid, a transferring arrangement for causing the fluid to pass through a dose of coffee and an inhibiting arrangement arranged for inhibiting the passing through when the fluid contains a substantial steam phase, the inhibiting arrangement comprising a pressure-adjusting arrangement arranged for adjusting a pressure of the fluid inside the containing element and distinct from an overpressure adjusting arrangement comprised in the apparatus; a method for obtaining a coffee beverage comprises heating an extracting fluid of the beverage to induce the fluid to pass through a dose of coffee, inhibiting the passing through when the fluid contains a substantial steam phase and suitably adjusting a pressure of the extracting fluid before the passing through, the adjusting being obtained through a pressure-adjusting arrangement distinct from an overpressure adjusting arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a containing element for heating an extracting fluid, a transferring arrangement for causing the passage of the fluid through a dose of coffee and a collecting arrangement for collecting a beverage produced with the extracting fluid during the passage: there being provided a separating arrangement arranged for separating a fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of the fluid from a further fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of the fluid, the separating arrangement leading into distinct zones of the collecting arrangement.

Abstract: A rigid filter for capsules suitable for extracting beverages, comprising a flat body having a plurality of through filtering holes, which are sized so as to block the passage of solid particles and allow passage of brewed water or beverage, wherein the holes have a substantially symmetrical shape with respect to the middle plane of the flat body, so that the filter can be inserted into a capsule without taking care of the orientation of such holes with respect to the powdered substance within the capsule.

Abstract: An insert for filter holders of coffee machines, particularly espresso coffee machines, comprising an adapter provided with means for fixing to a filter holder and a disposable tray for containing a dose of ground coffee; the tray comprising a base which has a discharge port and a side wall which, together with the base, defines the tray; the tray further comprising a protrusion on the side wall which protrudes substantially radially toward the outside of the tray.

Abstract: A method for extracting an espresso coffee beverage by means of an espresso coffee machine, comprising: a) providing an extraction chamber, which comprises a dose of roasted and ground espresso coffee and a normally-closed septum which is arranged downstream of the coffee dose; b) injecting hot water into the chamber, outward dispensing of the beverage being prevented through the normally-closed septum; c) when the water pressure reaches a preset value, the partition is opened in order to force the beverage to pass through a small orifice before it is dispensed into the cup, the size of the orifice being such as to keep the dose of coffee contained in the extraction chamber at a substantially uniform pressure along the direction of the flow of water, so that the espresso coffee beverage extracted through the orifice comprises crema.