Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (2) for the preparation of a beverage by extracting the substance in a beverage preparation device, comprising: —an aluminium capsule body (3) with a bottom, a side wall (6) and an outwardly extending flange (7), —a cover (8) attached to the outwardly extending flange (7) and, —a sealing member (9) at the outwardly extending flange (7) for providing a water sealing contact with an enclosing member of the beverage preparation device; wherein the sealing member (9) comprises at least one annular layer of polymeric material positioned on the outwardly extending flange wherein in use in the device, the sealing member is compressed and wherein the outwardly extending flange (7) comprises an annular recess (16) with an annular bottom wall (17), and an inner projecting wall (18) and an outer projecting wall (19), both projecting walls (18, 19) extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body and wherein the annular layer of polymeric material (20) is entirely contain

Abstract: An extraction unit of a beverage preparation machine, the extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule, the extraction unit comprising: a capsule holder operable to move between a capsule receiving position and a capsule extraction position; a capsule holder loading system operable to actuate the capsule holder between the said positions, the capsule holder loading system comprising an actuator unit and a loading mechanism, the actuator unit to actuate the loading mechanism, wherein the loading mechanism comprises a planetary gear train and a linear actuator, the actuator unit to supply a rotary motion to the planetary gear train, the planetary gear train to gear down the said rotary motion, the linear actuator to: receive the said geared down rotary motion; convert the geared down rotary motion into linear motion; couple the said linear motion to the capsule holder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1), which is, in particular, more compact and easier to be refilled with liquid such as water. The beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a machine housing (2) for enclosing machine functional elements, which machine functional elements (6) include at least a beverage brewing chamber, and a liquid tank (7) detachably arranged to move along a movement axis in order to be, in an inserted position, functionally inserted entirely within the machine housing (2) such that liquid can be delivered from the liquid tank (7) to the beverage brewing chamber for mixing with a beverage ingredient contained therein, and therefore for preparing a beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates, amongst others, to a container (1) for use in a beverage preparation machine. The container (1) comprises: a sealed body (2) for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage, the sealed body (2) comprising a back part and a front part (3), which are sealed along one or more first side edges (4). The front part (3) comprises one or more tabs (11, 21) integrally formed with the front part (3), wherein each of the one or more tabs (11, 21) has one or more second side edges (12-14, 14A, 22-14), wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges (4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a manufacturing process for producing hermetic single-use food containers, including: forming a container body (30) having an peripheral rim (31), placing the container body in a sealing head having a first die (2) and a second die (8) having cooperating annular sealing surfaces (4, 10) facing the rim (31), sealing a closing lid (34) placed over the container body with the rim (31) by applying the first die (2) and the second die (8) one against the other. According to the invention, the first die (2) is provided with a continuous annular rib (6) in its sealing surface (4), the rib having a height (h) which is at least equal to a maximum depth of wrinkles that might appear on the rim upon forming the container body, whereby a sealing groove (12) is formed by the rib (6) in a side of the rim during the sealing.

Abstract: A cap assembly is used in a container. A food product to be dispensed from the container is in an inner volume of the container, and the inner volume of the container is closed by a lid. An identifier is arranged on the cap assembly and/or on a surface of the container. The cap assembly includes two parts relatively moveable with respect to each other in a relative movement. The relative movement and/or a solidary movement of these two parts allows displacement of the identifier according to a certain path and allows opening and/or closing a communication between the cap assembly and the inner volume of the container.

Abstract: Pumping system (100) for a beverage preparation device comprising a reservoir (10) for storing a liquid; pumping means (30) for pumping the liquid from the reservoir (10) to a beverage preparation means (50) of the beverage preparation device; and pressurizing means (20) for injecting air in the system (100); wherein the pumping system (100) further comprises one motor (40) driving both the pumping means (30) and the pressurizing means (20); the system further comprising engaging means (60) configured to engage or disengage the pumping means (30) as a function of the direction of rotation of the motor (40). The invention further refers to a pumping method for use in a beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine comprising: a beverage preparation module comprising an extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from capsule supplied thereto or an ingredient container which is part thereof; a fluid supply comprising the components a fluid heater, a fluid pump, optionally a fluid reservoir; a first module movably connected to the beverage preparation module; wherein the beverage preparation machine further comprises a second module movably connected to the first module, the first module comprising the fluid pump and/or the fluid heater, the second module comprising the said components of the fluid supply different to those of the first module, the components comprising at least one of the fluid pump or fluid heater or fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (2) for the preparation of a beverage by extracting the substance in a beverage preparation device, comprising: —an aluminium capsule body (3) with a bottom, a side wall (6) and an outwardly extending flange (7), —a cover (8) attached to the outwardly extending flange (7) and, —a sealing member (9) at the outwardly extending flange (7) for providing a water sealing contact with an enclosing member of the beverage preparation device; wherein the sealing member (9) comprises at least one annular layer of polymeric material positioned on the outwardly extending flange wherein in use in the device, the sealing member is compressed and wherein the outwardly extending flange (7) comprises an annular recess (16) with an annular bottom wall (17), and an inner projecting wall (18) and an outer projecting wall (19), both projecting walls (18, 19) extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body and wherein the annular layer of polymeric material (20) is entirely contain

Abstract: A container contains a food product to be dispensed, the container volume being closed by a closure and including an identification member; the container being further provided with an engagement member designed to engage with a corresponding driving member to displace the identification member according to a certain pre-defined path in order to allow its reading. A device is operable with such a container, the device has a driving element and a reader, the driving element engaging with the container to displace the identification member according to a certain pre-defined path with respect to the reader. A system prepares cold or frozen dessert products from a fluid contained in a container, the system has a container and a device operating it.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: A beverage preparation device for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule includes a beverage brewing unit for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule, and beverage dispensing means for dispensing the resulting beverage into a receptacle, wherein beverage brewing unit is designed for passing liquid through the capsule in a direction essentially opposite to gravity. Systems that include the beverage preparation device and methods of producing and using said device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: A combination of a flow meter and printed circuit board or flex-print for a liquid food or a beverage preparation machine, which board or flex-print is rigidly connected to the flow meter. This combination is used in a liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes an in-line heating device in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber that includes a capsule or pod housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.

Abstract: The invention refers to a cap assembly (10) used in a container (20) comprising in its inner volume a food product to be dispensed, the container volume being closed by a lid (21), such that the cap assembly (10) comprises two parts (11, 12) relatively moveable with respect to each other, the relative movement and/or the solidary movement of these two parts (11, 12) allowing the following functions: displacement of identification means (22) arranged on the cap assembly (10) and/or on the container surface according to a certain path; opening and/or closing a communication between the cap assembly (10) and the inner volume of the container (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (20) comprising in its inner volume a food product to be dispensed, the container volume being closed by a closure (21) and comprising identification means (22); the container (20) being further provided with means designed to engage with corresponding driving means to displace the identification means (22) according to a certain pre-defined path in order to allow its reading. The invention further relates to a device operable with such a container (20), the device comprising a driving element (31) and a reader (33), the driving element engaging with means in the container (20) to displace the identification means (22) according to a certain pre-defined path with respect of the reader (33). Moreover, the invention relates to a system for preparing cold or frozen dessert products from a fluid comprised in a container, the system comprising a container (20) and a device operating it.

Abstract: Pumping system (100) for a beverage preparation device comprising a reservoir (10) for storing a liquid; pumping means (30) for pumping the liquid from the reservoir (10) to a beverage preparation means (50) of the beverage preparation device; and pressurizing means (20) for injecting air in the system (100); wherein the pumping system (100) further comprises one motor (40) driving both the pumping means (30) and the pressurizing means (20); the system further comprising engaging means (60) configured to engage or disengage the pumping means (30) as a function of the direction of rotation of the motor (40). The invention further refers to a pumping method for use in a beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A beverage or foodstuff preparation machine (4) comprising: a component processing unit (14) to process a beverage or foodstuff component to prepare a beverage or foodstuff therefrom; and a control system (16) operable to execute a preparation process comprising controlling said component processing unit to prepare the beverage or foodstuff, the control system comprising a user interface (36), wherein the user interface comprises: a contactless sensor (40) operable to sense without physical contact a body part of a user; and a feedback unit operable to provide feedback to a sensor, said body part of a user; and in response to change a value of a parameter associated with the preparation process and to indicate via the feedback unit the change in value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable beverage preparation device for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule, the device comprising: a beverage brewing unit for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage from the ingredients within the capsule by means of injection of liquid into the capsule, a liquid reservoir designed for holding a predefined liquid volume suitable for preparing the beverage, a pump unit adapted for providing pressurized liquid to the beverage brewing unit, and heating means arranged within the liquid reservoir and adapted for heating the liquid volume, wherein the device further comprises a multifunctional connector adapted for selectively connecting the device electrically and mechanically to a remote power source.