Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device is provided, the cartridge including: an aerosol-forming substrate; an electric heater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate; and a resonant circuit connected in parallel with the electric heater, the resonant circuit being configured to resonate at a predetermined resonant frequency, and the predetermined resonant frequency being associated with an identity of the cartridge. An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol generating system are also provided.

Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a capsule-based brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10); a capsule holder (20) sized and shaped so as to receive a capsule (30); a filter (25); an openable and closable passage (29) which terminates in an orifice (40); a vessel (60) located beneath the orifice (40) and having a spout (63); the method comprising the steps of: introducing liquid and infusible beverage material from the capsule (30) into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place for a sufficient time, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25), along the passage (29), through the orifice (40), into the vessel (60) and out from the spout (63).

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage production machine having an apparatus for recognizing a package. The apparatus comprises two resonant tank circuits, each comprising a coil and a capacitor; two electronic circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance; a means for generating a signal which is indicative of the changes; and means for controlling the beverage production machine according to the signal. The machine also comprises a holder for supporting the package. The package for use in the machine comprises a base unit having a compartment which contains tea material, and a rim with a projecting lip; conductive material associated with the package having two edge sections situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and a lid attached to the base unit around the rim, the central portion of the lid comprising at least one perforated line. The invention also provides a method of recognizing the package.

Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, the capsule having a body part, which defines a cavity, a lid which is attached to the body part and which closes the cavity, the lid having lines of weakness which define an opening region having an area of from 75 mm2 to 300 mm2; and tea material enclosed within the cavity, wherein at least 75% by weight of the tea material particles have a size of from 2 to 10 mm. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in a brewing device using the capsule is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a beverage in a machine (1), preferably an automated capsule-based brewing machine, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) introducing liquid and infusible beverage material into an infusion chamber (10) of the machine so as to brew the beverage; and then b) opening a passage (29) in the machine for a dispensing time to allow the brewed beverage to flow under force of gravity from the infusion chamber (10) to a dispensing orifice (40); wherein in step (b) the flow resistance of the passage (29) is decreased during the dispensing time.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber with a bottom rim which defines an opening; a capsule holder for receiving a capsule, the capsule holder comprising a filter and an openable and closable passage; the method comprising: inserting a capsule into the capsule holder; connecting the capsule holder to the infusion chamber; introducing liquid into the capsule so that the liquid and tea material mix and flow into the infusion chamber and brew the beverage; and then opening the passage to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber through the filter and out through the passage. A capsule containing tea material for use in the method is also provided, the capsule comprising a body part, which is a single, impermeable piece which defines a cavity with a volume of from 10 to 24 cm3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising: an ingredient enclosed within the capsule; and an identifier; wherein the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.

Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, the capsule comprising: a body part, which defines a cavity, a lid which is attached to the body part and which closes the cavity, the lid having lines of weakness which define an opening region having an area of from 75 mm2 to 300 mm2; and tea material enclosed within the cavity, wherein at least 75% by weight of the tea material particles have a size of from 2 to 10 mm. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in a brewing device using the capsule is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a capsule-based brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10); a capsule holder (20) sized and shaped so as to receive a capsule (30); a filter (25); an openable and closable passage (29) which terminates in an orifice (40); a vessel (60) located beneath the orifice (40) and having a spout (63); the method comprising the steps of: introducing liquid and infusible beverage material from the capsule (30) into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place for a sufficient time, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25), along the passage (29), through the orifice (40), into the vessel (60) and out from the spout (63).

Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber with a bottom rim which defmes an opening; a capsule holder for receiving a capsule, the capsule holder comprising a filter and an openable and closable passage; the method comprising: inserting a capsule into the capsule holder; connecting the capsule holder to the infusion chamber; introducing liquid into the capsule so that the liquid and tea material mix and flow into the infusion chamber and brew the beverage; and then opening the passage to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber through the filter and out through the passage. A capsule containing tea material for use in the method is also provided, the capsule comprising a body part, which is a single, impermeable piece which defines a cavity with a volume of from 10 to 24 cm3.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10) with a bottom rim (12) which defines an opening; a capsule holder (20) for receiving a capsule (30), the capsule holder comprising a sidewall (24) having an upper rim (23), a filter (25) and an openable and closable passage (29) on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim; the method comprising the steps of: inserting a capsule (30) containing infusible beverage material into the capsule holder (20); connecting the upper rim (23) of the capsule holder (20) to the bottom rim (12) of the infusion chamber (10); introducing liquid into the capsule (30) and releasing the beverage material from the capsule so that the liquid and beverage material mix and flow into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25) and out through the passage.

Abstract: A capsule holder for receiving a capsule containing tea material is provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall having an upper rim, means for supporting the capsule within the capsule holder, so that the capsule partially covers the area inside the upper rim, a filter situated beneath the intended location of the capsule and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A brewing device comprising the capsule holder and a method of brewing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device are also provided.

Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising: —an ingredient enclosed within the capsule; and —an identifier; wherein the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage production machine having an apparatus for recognising a package. The apparatus comprises two resonant tank circuits, each comprising a coil and a capacitor; two electronic circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance; a means for generating a signal which is indicative of the changes; and means for controlling the beverage production machine according to the signal. The machine also comprises a holder for supporting the package. The package for use in the machine comprises a base unit having a compartment which contains tea material, and a rim with a projecting lip; conductive material associated with the package having two edge sections situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and a lid attached to the base unit around the rim, the central portion of the lid comprising at least one perforated line. The invention also provides a method of recognising the package.

Abstract: A combination of an electrically powered toothbrush incorporating an electric power supply which comprises a capacitor, and a charging unit which incorporates one or more replaceable or rechargeable battery cells, enabling recharging of the capacitor without connection to the main electricity supply.

Abstract: An electrically powered portable device, the device including means for providing a function to be performed by the device, an electrical power supply which incorporates in combination a voltage source and at least one capacitor for storing electrical charge to power the device, the voltage source and the at least one capacitor being arranged so that the voltage source progressively charges the at least one capacitor for any period that the at least one capacitor is not fully charged, and electronic control circuitry to control electrical power drawn from the electrical power supply for driving the function providing means.