Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed using a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: In a capsule containing a substance constituted by a mass of loose, solid particles, for the preparation of a potable beverage by extracting and/or dissolving the substance by means of supplying a fluid under pressure into the capsule, a screen, permeable to water and impermeable to a predominant portion of particles of the substance is positioned between the substance and the bottom. The screen is provided with a plurality of passages dimensioned so that at least a fraction of the substance can pass through the passages in solid form. A beverage brewing system comprising such a capsule and a method of use of such a capsule are described as well.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold said cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold said cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine including a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold the cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.

Abstract: An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations. The insert comprises a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, the insert comprises an upper part, a lower part and sealing means, the upper and lower parts being moveable between an open configuration in which a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the insert and a closed configuration in which the upper and lower parts are sealed together by the sealing means to define therebetween a brewing volume containing, in use, the quantity of beverage ingredients, the lower part passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials. The cartridge comprises an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises means for producing a jet of the beverage having an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet, and one or more microscopic projections at or in the vicinity of the aperture for contacting the beverage flow path.

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold said cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.