Abstract: A method for preparing a beverage or liquid from a food substance contained in a filtering receptacle by passing water through the substance using brewing centrifugal forces. The method includes feeding water into the receptacle, and driving the receptacle in centrifugal rotation to force water to flow through the substance in a centrifugal flow path to the outlet of the receptacle. The receptacle is a sealed capsule which is opened for water to be introduced into the capsule, contains a predetermined dose of food substance and is discarded after use.

Abstract: A method for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in a single-use capsule by passing water through the substance. The method includes centrifugally rotating the capsule while introducing water therein to pass the water through the substance to form the food liquid, opening at least one liquid delivery outlet in the capsule which is peripherally offset relative to the center of the capsule, and delivering the food liquid from the at least one liquid delivery outlet to dispense the beverage.

Abstract: Capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation in a beverage preparation device; the capsule comprising: a generally concave outer wall (2) and a generally concave inner wall (3); each wall having a peripheral portion (4, 5) extending substantially revolutionary around a central axis (I) and a bottom portion (6, 7); a lid (18) extending transversally to said central axis (I) and covering said outer and inner walls (2, 3); and forming with said inner wall an inner cavity (8) containing beverage ingredients (9), an outer cavity (10) positioned between the inner and outer walls (2, 3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture between two concentrically arranged cylinders 2, 3. The cylinders are rotated relatively to another. The high shear stress leads to an emulsion of the milk and the air, which is the basis for a foaming effect, once the emulsion flows out of a gap 6 between the two cylinders 2, 3 and expands. The parameters of the device 1 that mainly influence the foaming effect are the width of the gap 6 and the relative rotation speed of the cylinders.

Abstract: Method for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in a receptacle by passing water through the substance using centrifugal forces comprising: driving the receptacle in centrifugal rotation while introducing water in the capsule, passing water through the substance to form a food liquid, collecting the centrifuged food liquid, wherein the receptacle is a single-use capsule and, a flow restriction means is arranged within the flow path of the centrifuged liquid.

Abstract: A method for preventing shortage at a customer location of consumable ingredient capsules for use in a machine for preparing a beverage, the beverage preparation machine at the customer location being distant from a capsule supplier and in data-exchange connection with a server of the capsule supplier to form a network. The method can comprise: supplying from the capsule supplier a stock of consumable ingredient capsules to the customer location; automatically monitoring via the network consumption of the consumable ingredient capsules in the beverage preparation machine; and whenever the automatic monitoring detects a reaching of a shortage of consumable ingredient capsules at the customer location, the supplier server generating automatically an instruction: a) to invite the customer to make an order for a shipment of a new stock of capsules, or b) to prepare a shipment of a new stock of capsules for supply to said customer.

Abstract: Beverage production device for preparing a liquid extract by interaction between a liquid and food ingredients to form the liquid extract by effect of centrifugation of the liquid passing through the ingredients comprising: a brewing unit (2) for receiving the food ingredients, a collecting unit (18) for collecting the liquid extract centrifuged outside the centrifugal unit, driving means connected to the centrifugal unit for driving the centrifugal unit in rotation, liquid supply means being connected to the centrifugal unit to supply liquid in the centrifugal unit, wherein the collecting unit (18) comprises a heater (10) for heating the liquid supplied in the centrifugal unit, said heater (10) being further arranged to heat the liquid extract after it leaves the brewing unit (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture in a gap between a housing, in particular an outer cylinder, and a rotating element rotating arranged therein. The device further comprises a milk supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with milk and an air supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with air, both supply circuits being independent from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to machine for preparing frozen confectionery comprising receiving means (1) forming a seat for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container (8), said receiving means comprising an heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with an heat exchange portion (12) of the container (8) when the container is placed in the machine; wherein said heat exchange element(1a) has an inverted conical or curved shape or a plurality of inverted conical sections, or a combination of curved and inverted conical sections. The confectionery produced can be a frozen product such as soft ice or a chilled dessert such as mousse or whipped yogurt.

Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained therein and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device. The capsule has a frusto-conical body with a rim, sidewall, and an inlet wall and a lower delivery wall sealed to the rim and contains a predosed amount of coffee. The inlet wall may have a flat or convex portion and a structure in relief or in recess arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device and extending on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades of the injection device extend.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage machine with at least three distinct zones 1, 3, 4. A first zone 1 for storing a liquid or semi-liquid product at ambient temperature, a second zone 3 for processing the stored product, in particular for cooling the product to a predetermined serving temperature, and a third zone 4 for storing the cooled product and maintaining it at the predetermined serving temperature. From the third zone 4 an iced beverage can be dispensed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a beverage from a container (1) containing beverage ingredients by centrifugation of the container in a beverage preparation device; said container (1) having: an outer wall (2) and an inner wall (3); each wall having a peripheral portion (4, 5) extending around a central axis (I) and a bottom portion (6, 7); a lid (18) covering said outer and inner walls (2, 3); and forming with said inner wall (3) an inner cavity (8) containing beverage ingredients (9), an outer collecting cavity (10) positioned between the outer and inner walls (2, 3), beverage outlets or outlet precursors (11) positioned on the peripheral portion (5) of the inner wall, wherein the method includes: supplying liquid in the inner cavity, rotating the container (1) around its central axis (I) to force liquid through beverage outlets from the inner cavity (8) to the outer cavity (10) under the effect of centrifugal pressure, maintaining an overpressure of supplied liquid in the container to enable the beverage to be

Abstract: Device for facilitating the loading of capsules into a machine for dispensing capsules or for preparing drinks based on these capsules comprising: a detachable tube, containing stacked capsules furnished with an opening for the capsules to pass through the tube, means of aligning the tube allowing the tube to be aligned through a capsule receiving zone for the capsules to descend by gravity into this zone. The alignment means comprise means for retaining the capsules in their stack when the tube is moved with its opening oriented downwards, in the direction of the position in which the tube is aligned with the reception zone.

Abstract: A method for preventing shortage at a customer location (5,5?) of consumable ingredient capsules for use in a machine (10,10?) for preparing a beverage by receiving a capsule in a capsule extraction unit, circulating a carrier liquid, such as water in particular heated water, through said capsule in the extraction unit and by dispensing a resulting beverage, the beverage preparation machine at the customer location being distant from a capsule supplier (40) and in data-exchange connection (20) with a server (50) of the capsule supplier to form a network (1), such method comprising: —supplying from the capsule supplier a stock of consumable ingredient capsules to the customer location; —automatically monitoring via the network consumption of the consumable ingredient capsules in the beverage preparation machine; and —whenever the automatic monitoring detects a reaching of a shortage of consumable ingredient capsules at the customer location, generating automatically by the supplier server an instruction: a) to

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a food preparation machine (1) for preparing a food product by mixing a fluid with an ingredient, said machine comprising: i. a base (2) having a fluid reservoir (3) and a pump able to withdraw said fluid through fluid-conducting pipes, said base optionally comprising an element suitable for heating and/or chilling said fluid, ii.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brewing unit (3) for enclosing a food preparation ingredient, said brewing unit being releasably and leak-tightly connectable to a pressurized fluid source (2) through connecting means (6, 7, 8), said unit (3) further comprising fluid injection means (19), and at least two cavity parts (10, 11) able to assemble to create a closed cavity for enclosing said ingredient functionally such that said brewing unit (3) can inject fluid through said ingredient under pressure for mixing with said ingredient, said brewing unit (3) is fully detachable from said pressurized fluid source (2), and comprises locking means (22, 23, 24) for preventing disassembly of the cavity parts (10, 11) when said brewing unit (3) is detached from the fluid source (2).

Abstract: A system for preparing a liquid food from a food substance comprising a device and a capsule removably insertable in the device, by passing water through the substance in the capsule. The device includes a water injection head for injecting water in the capsule and a capsule holder for holding the capsule in the device, a mechanism for centrifugally driving the capsule, and a perforating member configured relative to the capsule in the device to open outlets at the periphery of the capsule. The capsule includes a pierceable membrane, and the perforating member is suited to be engaged through the membrane for forming with the perforated membrane a filter for retaining solid particles in the capsule and orifices in the membrane for enabling the centrifuged liquid to leave the capsule.

Abstract: A machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage that includes a liquid food or beverage module having a liquid or beverage outlet; a support device that is located under the beverage outlet and that has an arrangement for evacuating liquid; and a collector, such as drip tray, for collecting liquid evacuated by the support device. The support device has a dispensing area on or above which a recipient may be placed for collecting a liquid food or beverage dispensed from the outlet. The support device also includes a non-dispensing area adjacent to the dispensing area, the non-dispensing area being arranged to support recipients upon use and for evacuating liquid to the collector.

Abstract: A milk frothing device (1) delimiting an area (2) for mixing milk (35) from a milk reservoir (3) and gas (49), comprises a supply arrangement (4) of pressurized gas. The pressurized gas supply arrangement (4) has a propelling gas conduit (41) configured to deliver pressurized propelling gas (48) into the milk reservoir (3) to pressurize the reservoir and propel thereby pressurized milk (36) from the reservoir to the mixing area (2).

Abstract: A machine for preparing a liquid food or beverage has an outermost housing that includes a top part and downwardly extending sidewalls which cover and shield at least part of a liquid food or beverage module. The downwardly extending sidewalls have a portion that forms, optionally together with a portion of the top part, a grip seizable by a human hand such that the machine can be carried and displaced single handed by seizure of the grip.