Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, the second exchangeable capsule having a larger diameter than the first exchangeable capsule, wherein the second brew chamber part includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and the first brew chamber part when forming the brew chamber for holding the second exchangeable capsule.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage, including first and second capsules, and an apparatus including a first and a second brew chamber part, wherein at least a portion of the second brew chamber part is movable into a first and a second brewing position, wherein the first brew chamber part is movable between a loading position and a brewing position, wherein the first brew chamber part in the brewing position together with the at least one portion of the second brew chamber part in the first brewing position and in the second position define respective closed positions in which the first exchangeable capsule and the second capsule fit in the brew chamber, respectively. The invention also relates to an apparatus, a method and a capsule.

Abstract: A selection valve for a beverage preparation machine comprises a valve body with a hot water inlet, an air inlet, and at least a first outlet. A selector member is movably mounted relative to the valve body for movement between a first position in which the hot water inlet is in fluid communication with the at least first outlet, and a second position in which both the hot water inlet and the air inlet are in fluid communication with the at least first outlet. A satellite element has a predefined limited amount of free relative movement relative to the selector member for allowing the satellite element to be independently positioned between the first and second positions of the selector member.

Abstract: An assembly for frothing milk, including an air supply assembly including an air channel having an air inlet and a downstream end. The assembly also includes a fluid channel extending from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The fluid channel subsequently includes an air inlet emanation point to which the downstream end of the air channel is connected, a frothing unit including a pump and a flow-through heating unit. The flow-through heating unit bounds a heating unit fluid channel that is a part of the fluid channel and has a small thermal mass and a steep temperature profile.

Abstract: A container contains a beverage base material in a beverage base material chamber defined by a chamber bottom and a chamber wall. The container furthermore comprises an elongated handle extending in a direction having a radial component outward from the chamber. The handle is provided with an outlet channel extending from the chamber to a channel outlet provided at the free end of the handle. A beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage includes an automatic beverage preparation apparatus and such a container and is arranged for removably connecting the container to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards. A method of preparing a beverage using such a beverage preparation system in which the container is connected to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards for dispensing a beverage from the beverage base material chamber substantially vertically.

Abstract: A system including a capsule is usable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system includes a substantially rigid circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and lid of a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material closing the circumferential wall at a second, open, end opposite the bottom. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space include the extractable product, and the lid includes an impermeable outer circumferential area and an exit area being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that, in use, the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said beverage using the above system.

Abstract: A pad, for use in a coffee-maker for preparing 1 or 2 cups of beverage, includes an envelope with an inner space which is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage. The beverage preparation product comprises a product to be extracted with a fluid (and/or a product soluble in a fluid). The envelope is formed by a first disc-shaped sheet and a second disc-shaped sheet which are interconnected adjacent their longitudinal edges. The interconnected parts of the first sheet and the second sheet form a sealing seam wherein the first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter which can pass a fluid and which forms a barrier to the product to be extracted. The second sheet is of form-retaining design. In use with the coffee-maker, a fluid such as water is supplied under pressure to the pad so that the fluid is pressed through the pad for obtaining a beverage which thereupon leaves the pad.

Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with an extractable beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing the beverage substantially unrestricted.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity bounded by a chamber inner wall and a chamber bottom of the first brew chamber part wherein the cavity is arranged for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the first brew chamber part is further provided with an alignment cap which is movable in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part.

Abstract: A method of forming a cup-shaped body for a beverage capsule comprising the steps of: a) in a first stage drawing a sheet of material into a cup-shaped body preform; and b) in a second stage transforming the cup-shaped body preform into the cup-shaped body; wherein after the first stage the cup-shaped body preform comprises a base and a preformed side wall which extends from the base to a rim; wherein the preformed side wall comprises: an outwardly-extending step proximate the rim; a primary side wall section extending between the base and the outwardly-extending step; and a secondary side wall section extending between the outwardly-extending step and the rim; wherein in the second stage the preformed side wall is deformed such that the cup-shaped body comprises the base and a side wall which extends from the base to the rim; wherein the side wall comprises: an annular trough; a first side wall section extending between the base and the annular trough; and a second side wall section extending between the ann

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine including: an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to a cartridge received in the delivery head; a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage; a barcode reader having a barcode reader window through which signals may be transmitted; wherein the inlet, the outlet and the barcode reader window are arranged in a line with the outlet being intermediate the inlet and the barcode reader window.

Abstract: Pad for use in coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving. In use, in the coffee machine an aqueous fluid such as water is supplied under pressure to the pad so that the fluid is forced through the pad for obtaining a beverage that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering with an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage, which beverage preparation product is a product such as ground coffee extractable with a fluid, such as water. The covering is formed by an optionally disc-shaped first sheet and a rigid shell, wherein the first sheet and the shell around their adjacent perimeter edges are connected to each other. The shell is equipped with at least one outlet, wherein on the interior space of the pad in a bottom of shell a fluid collecting structure is provided, advantageously embodied as channels in fluid connected with the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage by supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule. The capsule has an aluminum capsule body with an outwardly extending flange and a cover sheet attached to the flange and hermetically closing off the capsule. A deformable sealing ring portion of the flange projects axially from base portions of the flange, to which said cover is attached. The deformable sealing ring portion has an inner wall portion extending from and contiguous with an inner base portion of the flange, an outer wall portion extending from and contiguous with an outer base portion of said flange and a bridge portion interconnecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The bridge portion is located axially spaced from the base portions of the flange. A support member is arranged between the inner and outer wall portions.

Abstract: Pad including a covering filled with a soluble beverage preparation product. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell which are connected to each other. The shell has at least one outlet opening. The pad is further equipped with a flexible second sheet that is positioned on a bottom of the shell located between the product and the shell. The first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter that allows an aqueous fluid, including water, and the beverage to pass and that forms a barrier for the product. The at least one outlet opening preferably has a diameter of a sufficient size for passing beverage substantially unrestricted.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.

Abstract: An assembly for frothing a fluid is disclosed. The assembly includes an air channel that includes an air inlet, a downstream end and a controllable air supply assembly. The assembly also comprises a fluid channel extending from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The fluid channel subsequently includes a first temperature sensor that is positioned near the fluid inlet, an air inlet emanation point that is connected to the downstream end of the air channel, a frothing unit, a heater and an electronic controller assembly. The electronic controller assembly is configured for receiving the temperature input from the first temperature sensor and regulating the amount of air that is channeled to the fluid channel based on a temperature input received from the first temperature sensor. Also disclosed are a refrigerator including the assembly and a method for frothing the fluid.

Abstract: The beverage preparation unit comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber, and an air flow path for supplying air to the liquid flow path. The mixing chamber is arranged for receiving a beverage related ingredient, such as concentrate, preferably from an exchangeable supply pack. The liquid flow path is arranged for generating a hollow jet of liquid having an outer liquid portion extending in a flow direction of the jet and an inner air portion extending in a flow direction of the jet wherein the outer liquid portion surrounds the inner air portion.

Abstract: Pad for use in a coffee machine for preparing at least one part of a single beverage serving which pad, for use in the coffee machine, is adapted to receive an aqueous fluid that is supplied under pressure so that the aqueous fluid is forced through the pad for obtaining the at least on part of the beverage serving that then exits the pad. The pad includes a covering defining an interior space that is filled with a beverage preparation product for preparing the beverage wherein the beverage preparation product includes a product soluble in an aqueous fluid. The covering comprises a flexible first sheet and a rigid shell, wherein the first sheet and the shell are connected to each other around their perimeter edges, and wherein the shell is equipped with at least one outlet opening.

Abstract: A pad with a covering filled with product to be extracted and/or to be dissolved, wherein, in use, a fluid such as water is supplied under pressure to the pad, so that the fluid is pressed through the pad for obtaining a beverage which, thereupon, leaves the pad. The pad is provided with a spout opening for generating, with the spout opening, a jet of the beverage which leaves the pad for obtaining the fine bubble froth layer on the beverage with the aid of the beverage.

Abstract: Disclosed are dairy products fortified with dairy minerals and methods of making the dairy products. The fortified dairy products exhibit enhanced fresh dairy flavor notes. In one aspect, the fortified dairy product is a concentrated dairy liquid.