Abstract: A brewing unit, machine and system for the preparation of a beverage using prepackaged capsules. The brewing unit (1) includes a piercing and liquid-supplying device (23, 34, 35) having points (35) for piercing the top wall (12) of a capsule (C) and a conduit (36) for supplying a flow of pressurized liquid to a brewing chamber above the top wall (12) of the capsule (C) and thereafter inside the capsule (C) through the pierces holes in the top wall. A drawer (3) holds a capsule (C) such that its top wall (12) lies in an inclined plane. A discharge channel (40) is provided in the drawer and in fluid communication with the region above the top wall (12) of the capsule (C) when, after the beverage has been prepared and dispensed, the piercing and liquid-supplying device moves from the extracted work position to the retracted rest position to allow the remaining liquid to be poured into the discharge channel (40).

Abstract: The gripper device (100) comprises a pair of opposite movable jaws (41) having respective coordinated gripping profiles (50) intended to cooperate with corresponding predetermined portions of the lateral surface of a capsule (C) of a first predetermined type so as to define a retaining position for such a capsule (C) in which the capsule (C) is essentially coaxial with a predetermined reference direction (R-R). The jaws (41) are able to assume a relative rest or standby position in which they are close together and inlet portions thereof (41a, 45) are capable of being splayed and passed beyond by a capsule (C) introduced into the machine (1), so as to allow said capsule (C) to be positioned and gripped between the gripping profiles (50) in the retaining position.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of beverages with the use of capsules including an infusion assembly (1) and a capsule (C). The infusion assembly includes a capsule-holder (2) and a cooperating body (3), adapted to assume an open configuration for positioning a capsule (C) therebetween, and a closed configuration for preparing a beverage through the capsule (C) clamped in a liquid-tight manner therebetween. In the capsule-holder (2) there is defined a recess (4) adapted to receive the capsule (C) with the bottom wall (20a, 20f) facing the interior of the capsule-holder (2) and wherein is provided a first piercing member (8) provided with at least a piercing point (9) adapted to penetrate through the bottom wall (20a) of said capsule (C). The capsule-holder (2) is adapted to supply a flow of fluid introduced into the capsule (C) through the tear created in its bottom wall (20a) from the at least one point (9).

Abstract: The cartridge (1) according to the invention comprises an envelope (2) having a first and a second end wall (4, 5) connected together by an annular lateral wall (6) and defining an inner chamber (7) containing a quantity or dose of a substance (S) for preparation of the beverage. The envelope (2) has at least one first and at least one second permeable wall (6a, 5) acting as an inlet for the introduction of a flow of water into the chamber (7) and as an outlet from it respectively for outflow of the beverage from chamber (7). Between the first and the second permeable walls (6a, 5) the envelope (2) has an outwardly projecting annular formation (3g). A portion of the permeable inlet wall (6a) for the introduction of water into the chamber (7) is made in the annular lateral wall (6) of the envelope (2). The annular formation (3g) extends from the second end wall (5) in a direction substantially opposite to the first end wall (4).

Abstract: The device (1) comprises a steam generator (2, 4), a compressed-air generator (9, 11) and a dispensing wand (10) connected or adapted to be connected to the steam generator (2, 4) and the compressed-air generator (9, 11) and adapted to be introduced into a receptacle (R) containing the milk (M) to be heated and frothed. The dispensing wand (10) defines first and second conduits (21, 22) separate from each other and having respective separate inlets (10a, 10b) for connection to the steam generator (2, 4) and the compressed-air generator (9, 11), respectively, as well as respective separate outlets (10c, 23; 10d, 24) for dispensing during use a flow of steam and a low of compressed air, respectively, within the milk (M) contained in the receptacle (R), said outlets (23, 24) being arranged such that the flows of steam and compressed air exiting therefrom intersect each other.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for the preparation of a liquid product by means of liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge (10) comprises a casing (14) with a central axis (X14), which has inside it a receiving 5 chamber with a filling of a substance (12) for preparation of the liquid product. The casing has a bottom wall (142), through which the liquid product is able to flow out of the cartridge (10). The aforesaid bottom wall (142) has a peripheral rim (1432) lying in 10 a plane (B-B?) and has, when viewed from outside the cartridge (10), a protruding central portion (1420) that provides on its inside an extension of said receiving chamber with a filling of a substance for preparation of the liquid product. The central portion 15 (1420) protrudes from the casing of the cartridge beyond (d) the plane (B-B?) in which the peripheral rim (1432) lies and is surrounded by an annular portion (1422) of the bottom wall, which extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis (X14) of the cartridge.

Abstract: A machine for preparing liquid food products using capsules includes a dispensing assembly, a loading arrangement, an actuation system and a control system, including a processor, a non-volatile memory and an optical sensor device for acquiring characteristic information associated to an end wall of the body of a capsule. The actuation system is prearranged so that movements of the first part and the second part of the infusion chamber take place in a direction generally transverse to a direction of movement of the capsule determined by the insertion guide. The optical sensor device is mounted laterally with respect to the insertion guide. The loading arrangement has first retaining elements, which define an intermediate retention position of the capsule, in such a way that the control system is able to acquire the characteristic information by the optical sensor device when the capsule is in the intermediate position of retention.

Abstract: A process for treating gaseous effluents developed in a coffee roasting installation making it possible to treat gaseous effluents developed in a coffee roasting installation, in which the effluents are passed through an oxidative catalytic converter. Within the catalytic converter use is made of a catalyst selected from the group including: a) a catalyst including a porous faujasite support containing copper oxide nanoparticles in a quantity of between 2% and 7% of the total weight of the catalyst; b) a catalyst including a porous ?-alumina support containing copper oxide nanoparticles in a quantity of between 2% and 7% of the total weight of the catalyst; and c) a catalyst including a mesoporous zeolite or silica support containing iron nanoparticles in a quantity of between 2% and 7% of the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: A machine for preparing liquid food products using capsules includes a dispensing assembly having a first part and a second part designed to define an infusion chamber between them, a loading arrangement for the insertion of the capsule, an actuation system, a control system, and an arrangement for heating the fluid. A processor of the control system is prearranged for controlling at least the heating arrangement and the feeding arrangement. Encoded instructions contained in a memory of the control system has sets of brewing information that are differentiated from each other according to a type of capsule. The processor is prearranged for comparing an image acquired by an optical sensor device with reference images of the capsules that are encoded in the memory and for associating a set of brewing information to a corresponding type of capsule to select an operation mode.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) containing a dose (12) of at least one substance, for example, ground coffee, for preparing a liquid product using liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge (10) comprises a body (14) with a bottom wall (142) and a cover (16) for closing the body (14) of the cartridge (10) in a position opposite to the bottom wall (142). The cover (16) is coupled to the body (14) via a coupling element, such as, for example, the mouth part (144) of the body or a lock ring (148) that undergoes shape variation under the action of said liquid and/or steam, thus causing release of the coupling between the cover (16) and the body (14) of the cartridge (10). The coupling element (144, 148) comprises, for example, compostable material that can undergo post-crystallization under the action of heat, which has not been subjected to post-crystallization in the cartridge (10) prior to use.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of beverages including capsules (C) with a cup-shaped body (1) having an annular lateral wall (6) which tapers from a mouth opening (2) towards a bottom wall (5). These capsules (C) are of at least a first type and a second type, and have identical bottom walls (5) and different axial lengths (h1, h2, h3). An infusion assembly (10) has a variable-volume infusion chamber (20), having an introduction opening (20a), an end delimitation part (16a) having a shape corresponding to that of the bottom wall (5) of the capsules (C), and with a lateral delimitation structure (13a, 13b; 14) which includes a static portion (13a, 13b) and which extends between said introduction opening (20a) and the end delimitation part (16a). The latter is movable away from the introduction opening (20a).

Abstract: The brewing assembly (1) comprises a support structure (2) which is operationally stationary and in which the following are mounted: a movable part (4) including a cup-shaped body (5) in which there is defined a receptacle (6) suitable for receiving a capsule (C) or the like containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage; a cooperating locating part (9) provided with a member (10) for performing perforation and/or injecting water and/or steam; and a displacement mechanism (11) for causing displacement of the movable part (4) between an open position, remote from the locating part (9), in which the cup-shaped body (5) is in a position suitable for receiving a capsule (C) or the like, and a closed position, in which the cup-shaped body (5) is able to be coupled with the locating part (9) so as to define therewith a brewing chamber in which the capsule (C) is sealingly clamped, for preparation of the beverage.

Abstract: A cartridge containing a dose of at least one substance such as ground coffee that can be used in the preparation of a liquid product, for example, using liquid and/or steam introduced into the cartridge, comprises a side wall, a bottom wall, through which said liquid product is able to flow from the cartridge, and a wall for closing the cartridge at the end opposite to said bottom wall. The side wall, the bottom wall, and the closing wall comprise a material compostable after use of the cartridge. Either the bottom wall or the closing wall or both disintegrates/disintegrate during composting more rapidly than said side wall. In addition or as an alternative, either the bottom wall or the closing wall or both of them is/are connected to the side wall by a bond resolvable during composting. In this way, during composting, the spent dose is no longer withheld within the cartridge, thus accelerating disintegration and hence composting of the side wall.

Abstract: A capsule or cartridge (1) including a cup-shaped body (2) with a bottom wall (3), a lateral wall (4) and a flange-like top formation (5) which is essentially planar and extends transversely towards the outside, and a cover (6) fixed to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2), such as to define a chamber (7) containing the material for the preparation of the beverage, in particular ground roasted coffee. The lateral wall (4) of the body (2) has a plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) which as a whole define at least an identification of the capsule (1). The projections (8) and recesses (9) are aligned in an essentially rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).

Abstract: A system and machine for the preparation of beverages using capsules which includes a perforation device having an annular perforation member which, in the closed condition of the infusion chamber, extends into the interspace and is designed to cause a tear in the protruding portion of the wall of the capsule contained inside the chamber, such that a flow of pressurized water can be introduced into the capsule through the interspace or gap and the tear.

Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee, including a brewing chamber; a water supply for supplying a flow of water to the brewing chamber; and an adaptive flow control device for the flow of water, positioned in series with the water supply and the brewing chamber.