Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container comprises a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means. The code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

Abstract: A container arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising a plurality of elements, the elements of the code are arranged to be read sequentially as the container is rotated about an axis of rotation (0), wherein the elements are arranged to be asymmetric about an axis (R) that extends in a radial direction from the axis of rotation, the asymmetric arrangement to indicate a particular direction of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1), comprising a delivery unit (2) for delivering a liquid through the beverage preparation machine (1), a dispensing unit (3) for dispensing the liquid delivered by the delivery unit (2), and a collection unit (8) being fluidly connectable to the dispensing unit (3) to selectively form a liquid path (P) to collect the liquid dispensed by the dispensing unit (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (1, 1?) designed for insertion in a beverage production device (100) for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule (1, 1?) by introducing liquid into the capsule (1,1?) and, optionally, by passing the so introduced liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces. The capsule (1,1?) comprises: a body (2) defining an enclosure for containing an amount of beverage substance, the body (2) comprising a bottom end and an open end; a flange-like rim (22) extending outwardly from the body (2); an upper wall (3, 3?) attached to the flange-like rim (22) to cover an opening (21) of the body (2) at its open end; and an annular ring (4, 4?) that is separately provided and clampable between the flange-like rim (22) and the beverage production device (100) when the capsule (1, 1?) is inserted in the beverage production device (1, 1?) for preparing the beverage. The annular ring (4, 4?) is made at least partly of a biodegradable and/or compostable material.

Abstract: A capsule is designed for insertion in a centrifugal beverage production device for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing the liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces. The capsule includes a body having a bottom end and an open end spaced apart in the axial direction, an upper wall for covering the body at the open end along a direction transverse to the axial direction, and an enclosure between the body and the upper wall containing a predetermined amount of beverage substance. The capsule further includes an annular pressure-setting ring configured for adjusting the backpressure in the beverage production device. The pressure-setting ring provides an improved coffee in-cup quality. A set of capsules can have pressure-setting rings of different dimensions for setting different backpressure when engaged in a centrifuging beverage production device.

Abstract: A device for producing fluid foam includes a container where the fluid can be accommodated, and includes a foaming tool rotatable in the inner volume of the container. The texture and the porosity of the fluid foam obtained are provided by shear energy coming from Couette Flow effect and depend on the dimension of the foaming tool with respect to the inner volume of the container, on the location of the foaming tool from the bottom of the container and on the rotation speed of the foaming tool.

Abstract: A capsule for preparation of a beverage can include a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container can include at least one support having a section on which a plurality of sequences of symbols is represented; each symbol is sequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is rotated along an axis of rotation. Each sequence can code a set of information related to the capsule, and at least one of the sequences can include symbols defining a preamble sequence that allows determination of a position of the symbols in the associated sequence coding the set of information related to the capsule. The container can include a cup-shaped body having a flange-like rim and a lid connected to the body, the support can be on a bottom of the rim, and the bottom of the rim can be opposed to the lid.

Abstract: A capsule for preparation of a beverage can include a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container can include at least one support having a section on which a plurality of sequences of symbols is represented; each symbol is sequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is rotated along an axis of rotation. Each sequence can code a set of information related to the capsule, and at least one of the sequences can include symbols defining a preamble sequence that allows determination of a position of the symbols in the associated sequence coding the set of information related to the capsule. The container can include a cup-shaped body having a flange-like rim and a lid connected to the body, the support can be on a bottom of the rim, and the bottom of the rim can be opposed to the lid.

Abstract: The beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation device (2) with a holding section (10) for detachably holding a beverage component holder (12) that comprises: ?a cavity (14) for receiving a beverage component suitable for interacting with a liquid to prepare a beverage, and?a transponder (16) configured to store data related to the beverage component, a liquid delivery device (4) for delivering a liquid via a liquid inlet (18) into the cavity (14), a liquid discharge device (6) for discharging N the prepared beverage via a discharge outlet (22) out of the cavity (14) to a dispensing outlet (24), and a control unit (8) for controlling a liquid flow from the liquid delivery device (4) via the cavity (14) to the liquid discharge device (6) based on the stored data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (100), which comprises a beverage production device (200) having a cavity (222) for receiving a beverage component to prepare a beverage upon interaction with a liquid, a liquid delivery device (300) for delivering a liquid into the cavity (222) via a liquid inlet (320), and a liquid discharge device (400) for discharging the delivered liquid out of the cavity (222) via a discharge outlet (420) and to a dispensing outlet (470). The liquid discharge device (400) comprises a flexible tube (450) provided between the discharge outlet (420) and the dispensing outlet (470). The beverage preparation machine (100) further comprises a deforming device (500) configured to selectively deform the flexible tube (450) so as to restrict or prevent a liquid flow from the cavity (222) to the dispensing outlet (470). Further, the invention relates to a method for delivering a liquid through a beverage preparation machine (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage and to a beverage preparation device (1), such as a beverage dispenser, for simpler and more efficient cleaning of the device (1). The beverage preparation device (1) comprises: a discharge line (23) for discharging water via a discharge outlet (24), a pump (26) for selectively circulating water along the discharge line (23) towards the discharge outlet (24), and one or more flushing lines (90, 95) with a flushing outlet (91, 96). The beverage preparation device (1) is configured to operate in a discharging mode and in a flushing mode, such that in the discharging mode the pump (26) is arranged to circulate water along the discharge line (23) towards and out of the discharge outlet (24), and in the flushing mode at least part of the water in the discharge line (23) flows by gravity from the discharge line (23) into the one or more flushing lines (90, 95) and subsequently out of the flushing outlet (91, 96).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a capsule holder (2) for holding a capsule (C) carrying a beverage component and for being attachable in an attachment direction (I) to a beverage preparation device (3) of a beverage preparation machine (1) for beverage production, the capsule holder (2) comprising a holder body (4) having a cavity (40) configured to receive a capsule (C) via an insertion opening (41), and a lock element (5) for fixing the capsule holder (2) to the beverage preparation device, wherein the lock element (5) and the holder body (4) are connected to each other so that i) the lock element (5) is rotatably moveable relative to the holder body (4) about a fixing axis (F), and ii) the holder body (4) is translationally moveable relative to the lock element (5) along the attachment direction (I). The present invention is further directed to a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a capsule holder (2) according to the present invention and a beverage preparation device (3).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a beverage dispenser connector (1) comprising a dispenser body (2) defining a cavity (3) with an opening (4) to be open at a side of the dispenser body (2), a connection section (6) to attached the dispenser body (2) with the open cavity (3) over a delivery section (102) of a container (100) to close the cavity (3) with the delivery section (102), an inlet (7) to deliver a fluid into the cavity (3), an outlet (8) to discharge the fluid out of the cavity (3), and a needle (9) with a piercing tip (90), the needle (9) being associated with the dispenser body (2) so as to be moveable between a retracted position in which the piercing tip (90) is positioned within the cavity (3) and an extended position in which the piercing tip (90) protrudes out of the cavity (3) via the opening (4). The invention is further directed to a beverage production device comprising the beverage dispenser connector (1), a liquid supply (201), a gas supply (202), and a discharge section (203).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peristaltic pump (1), comprising a rotary body (2) with a plurality of squeeze sections (3) arrange circularly distributed and moveable about a rotation axis (A), a tube carrier (4) for carrying a flexible tube (5) along an arcuate engagement section (6) arcuately surrounding the rotary body (2), and an actuator (7) for selectively moving the tube carrier (4) relative to the rotary body (2) between a pump position in which a flexible tube (5) carried by the tube carrier (4) be positioned in engagement between the engagement section (6) and at least one of the squeeze sections (3) to allow for a pumping action when moving the rotary body (2) about the rotation axis (A), and a release position in which the flexible tube (5) carried by the tube carrier (4) be disengage from the plurality of squeeze sections (3) to allow for free flow through the flexible tube (5).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a beverage mixing device (2) comprising a mixing body (3) defining a mixing chamber (30), at least one or a plurality of fluid inlets (4, 5, 6) for supplying a fluid (L, W, A, S) into the mixing chamber (30), a discharge opening (7) to discharge a liquid (P) from the mixing chamber (30), a sealing element (8) being moveably provided between a closed position for closing the discharge opening (7) and an open position for releasing the discharge opening (7) to allow a liquid (P) in the mixing chamber (30) be discharged via the discharge opening (7), and an evacuation outlet (9) for evacuating the mixing chamber (30) by a fluid (G) be introduced into the mixing chamber (30) via the at least one or the plurality of fluid inlets (4, 5, 6) when the discharge opening (7) is closed by the sealing element (8).

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) comprises: a beverage processing unit (10, 20) delimiting a chamber (21) in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with water (4); one or more electric devices (60, 65, 721); and a connection (76) for powering the electric devices (60, 65, 721). The connection (76) is disconnectably connected to the electric devices (60, 65, 721) and removable therefrom. The connection (76) has a power connector (761) for connection to an external power source. The connection (76) includes an electric converter (762) that is configured to convert the electric power supplied by the external power source into a converted electric power appropriate to power one or more or all of the electric devices (60, 65, 721).

Abstract: There is described a beverage preparation machine comprising a centrifugal brewing unit (2) for preparing a beverage by centrifugation of an ingredient contained in a capsule and mixed with a carrier liquid, the centrifugal brewing unit (2) comprising a centrifugal cell (3) for receiving such a capsule (2A, 2B, 2C); driving means (5) for rotating the centrifugal cell (3); a regulator for regulating a rotation speed of the centrifugal cell (3) by controlling the driving means (5) based on a feedback signal representative of a difference between a desired rotation speed and a measured rotation speed of a capsule (2A, 2B, 2C) rotated in the centrifugal cell (3); the machine further comprising: liquid supply means (6, 4) for supplying carrier liquid to the centrifugal brewing unit (2); an optical reading arrangement (100) for reading a code on a periphery of a capsule (2A, 2B, 2C) while the capsule (2A, 2B, 2C) is rotated relative to the optical reading arrangement (100) in the centrifugal cell (3) and generating

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage and to a beverage preparation device (1), such as a beverage dispenser, for simpler and more efficient sanitization of water. The beverage preparation device (1) comprises: a buffer tank (2) having a tank body for storing an amount of water, a recirculation line (20) configured to allow water circulating out of and back into the buffer tank (2) to form a recirculation path together with the buffer tank (2), a UV lamp (40) arranged for irradiating UV light at a position along the recirculation path to sanitize the water, a cooling unit (3) for cooling the water within the buffer tank (2), a discharge line (23) for discharging the water from the buffer tank (2) via a discharge outlet (24), and a pump (26) for selectively circulating water along the recirculation path or the discharge line (23) towards the discharge outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow separation device (100), which may be provided in a beverage preparation device (1). The flow separation device (100) in particular effects an easier separation (redirection) of a flow. The flow separation device (100) comprises a first delivery line (30) to drain water from a buffer tank (2), a branching section (29) provided downstream the first delivery line (30), wherein the branching section (29) branches the first delivery line (30) into a second delivery line (28) and a third delivery line (23), each of the second and third delivery line (28, 23) leading to a respective discharge outlet (22; 24), and a flow rate control device (26) for delivering water through the flow separation device (100) and for adjusting the flow rate of the water.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage has a beverage processing unit (10,20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which the ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the ingredient (2) is held and mixed with the water (4) in the chamber (21). The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); and a fluid module (15) having a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21), the fluid module (15) comprising the first processing unit member (10) of the processing unit (10,20). The fluid module (15) is assemblable by a user as a unit to the water source and to the second processing unit member (20) and is disassemblable by a user as a unit from the water source and from the second processing unit member (20).