Abstract: A container for use with a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container comprising: a storage portion for containing a precursor material; a code storing preparation information used by said machine to process the precursor material, the code readable by a code reading system of the machine, which comprises: a lighting system to project an emission to the code, and; a camera system for obtaining a digital image of the code, the code arranged to overlap the precursor material, and; a support layer to support the code, the support layer at least partially light transparent to the emission from the lighting system, wherein the code comprises reflector layer, which is configured to reflect the emission before it is transmitted to a support layer, and the precursor material is arranged to absorb the emission.

Abstract: A container for use with a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container comprising: a storage portion for containing a precursor material; a code storing preparation information used by said machine to process the precursor material, the code readable by a code reading system of the machine, which comprises: a lighting system to project an emission to the code, and; a camera system for obtaining a digital image of the code, the code arranged to overlap the precursor material, and; a support layer to support the code, the support layer at least partially transparent to the emission from the lighting system, the code comprising: an absorber layer, which is configured to absorb the emission and a reflector layer, which is configured to reflect the emission, the reflector layer is arranged to reflect the emission before it is transmitted to the support layer.

Abstract: A container for use with a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container comprising: a storage portion for containing a precursor material; a code storing preparation information used by said machine to process the precursor material, the code readable by a code reading system of the machine, which comprises: a lighting system to project an emission to the code, and; a camera system for obtaining a digital image of the code, and; a support layer to support the code, the support layer arranged for specular reflection of the emission from the lighting system, the code comprising: an absorber layer, which is configured to absorb the emission and a reflector layer, which is configured to diffusively reflect the emission, the reflector layer arranged to reflect the emission before it is transmitted to the support layer.

Abstract: A system comprising: a container for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff or a precursor thereof, the container including a plurality of machine-readable codes, each code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, each code comprising a plurality of units defining a data portion arranged at a predetermined position with respect to a reference portion, the reference portions of adjoining codes arranged to define vertices of a quadrilateral with at least two equal sides; a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff or a precursor thereof, the machine including: a processing unit for processing precursor material of the container, and; electrical circuitry to control the processing unit based on preparation information read from the code, and; a code reading system to read the code of the container by obtaining, with an image capturing device, a digital image of the code which is equal angular qu

Abstract: A container for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff or a precursor thereof, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising: a reference portion (R) to locate the code; a data portion (D) to store the preparation information, and; a code identifying portion (I), wherein the code identifying portion (I) is separate from the reference portion (R) and wherein code identifying portion encodes information related to a geometric arrangement of the data portion relative the reference portion.

Abstract: A system (2) comprising a container (6) and a machine (4) for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff thereof, the container (6) including: a body portion (62) comprising a storage portion (58) for containing a precursor material; a closing member (56) to close the storage portion (58), and; a machine-readable code (44) storing preparation information, the machine (4) including: a code reading system (18) to read the code (44) of the container (6); a processing unit (14) for processing the precursor material of the container (6), and: electrical circuitry (16) to control the processing unit (14) based on the preparation information read from the code (44), wherein the code reading system (18) includes a positioning mechanism (110) to apply a variable loading condition to the container (6), and the code reading system (18) includes a detection system (150) to detect a reading position if a predetermined condition for reading the code (44) is met, and if said condition is met, then the electrical circuitry (16) c

Abstract: A system (2) comprising a container (6) and a machine (4) for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff thereof, the container (6) including: a body portion (62) comprising a storage portion (58) for containing a precursor material; a closing member (56) to close the storage portion (62), and; a machine-readable code (44) storing preparation information, the machine (4) including: a code reading system (18) to read the code (44) of the container (6); a processing unit (14) for processing the precursor material of the container (6), and; electrical circuitry (16) to control the processing unit (14) based on the preparation information read from the code (44), the code reading system (18) including a code reader (46) to obtain a digital image of the code (44), and the code reading system (18) includes electrical circuitry (16) to determine from the digital image of the code (44) if the container (6) is in a reading position based on a predetermined condition, and if said condition is met, then the electrical circui

Abstract: Disclosed are containers for beverage or foodstuff preparation machines, the containers for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, wherein the code includes a reference portion and a data portion. Beverage or foodstuff preparation systems including these containers are also disclosed, along with attachments configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the above devices and apparatus.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and including on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system including the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using these devices and apparatuses.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and including on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system including the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using these devices and apparatuses.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the above devices and apparatus.

Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion: the reference portion comprising a linear arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion comprising at least one data unit, wherein said data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, the data unit occupies any continuous distance d along the encoding line D as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby said encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at said intersection, point.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof an arrangement of separate codes encoding preparation information, whereby each code encodes a distinct phase of a preparation process. Also disclosed is a beverage or foodstuff preparation system comprising the container and an attachment configured for attachment to an element of the system. Further disclosed is a computer program and non-transitory computer readable medium for use therewith. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the above devices and apparatus.

Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion: the reference portion comprising a linear arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion comprising at least one data unit, said data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, the data unit occupies a distance d along the encoding line D within the bounds of the encoding area as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby said encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at said intersection point; wherein the reference portion further comprises: a reference unit as a reference line orientation identifier, which is arranged at a centre of the circle defined by the enc

Abstract: A single-use dispensing container (10) designed for being inserted into a device (20) where chilled and/or frozen products are prepared in a processing container (30), the dispensing container (10) comprising a plurality of ingredient compartments (10a) each comprising at least one ingredient for the preparation of the chilled or frozen product, wherein the dispensing container (10) comprises identification means providing the device (20) with information of the parameters for dispensing, cooling, texturizing and mixing the ingredients of the plurality of ingredient compartments (10a), such that the ingredients from the plurality of ingredient compartments (10a) are dispensed directly into the processing container (30), the dispensing of the ingredients being done either sequentially or simultaneously for the plurality of ingredient compartments (10a), as a function of the chilled or frozen product targeted.

Abstract: A method actuates a pumping device that has an optimal driving voltage. The pumping device includes a pumping chamber that has a pumping membrane, an inlet and an outlet chamber, a voltage controlled actuator connected to the pumping membrane, a stop position defined by a mechanical stop, and a sensor for determining whether the pumping membrane has reached the mechanical stop. The method performs a learning and working phase. The learning phase is adapted to determine the optimal driving voltage.

Abstract: A method for actuating a pumping device with an optimal driving voltage, wherein the pumping device comprises a pumping chamber (4) having a pumping membrane (1), an inlet (3) and an outlet chamber (5), a voltage controlled actuator (6) connected to said pumping membrane (1), said pumping membrane reaching a stop position defined by a mechanical stop (2) a sensor for determining whether the pumping membrane has reached said mechanical stop (2); said method comprising a learning and working phase, wherein the learning phase comprises the following steps actuation of the pumping membrane (1) by applying a predetermined actuation voltage Vact to the actuator (6) said pumping membrane (1) reaching said position in an over-actuation step or not reaching said mechanical stop (2) position in an under-actuation process; after the over-actuation step, decreasing the voltage so that the pumping membrane (1) has left said mechanical stop (2) position and storing as the optimal voltage Vact optimal or in the under-actuat