Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) comprises: —a first part (10) with a first engagement arrangement (11); —a second part (20) that has a second engagement arrangement (21) pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about a longitudinal axis (1?) between a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; and —a piercing device (20C) having at least one piercing element (29) for piercing the receptacle (2), this device being assembled to and held by the second part. At least one piercing element (29) is off this axis (1?) and is angularly fixed relative to the first part (10) about this axis (1?) when the second engagement arrangement (21) is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about this axis (1?) between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a frame (1?) and a capsule handling device (1?) mounted in and/or on the frame (1?). The device (1?) has a first part (10) and a second part (20) that is movable relatively to the frame (1?) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing said capsule (2a,2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule and vice versa. The second part (20) comprising: a capsule receptacle (21) delimiting a cavity (21?) for receiving such capsule (2a,2b) and for forming in the extraction position an extraction chamber (21?) with the first part (10); and a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b) that are relatively movable between a first relative position and a second relative position to change at least one dimension (21da,21db,21ha,21hb) of the cavity (21?) and of the extraction chamber (21?). The device (1?) further comprises an actuator (30,300) connected to the second part (20) for driving the movable second part (20) between the transfer position and the extraction position.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises a frame (1?) and a capsule handling device (1?) mounted in and/or on the frame (1?). The device (1?) comprises: —a first part (10) that is movable relatively to the frame (1?) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing said capsule (2a,2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule and vice versa; —a second part (20) that has a capsule receptacle (21) delimiting a cavity (21?) for receiving such capsule (2a,2b) and for forming an extraction chamber (21?) with the first part (10) in its extraction position, the second part (10) comprising a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b) that are relatively movable between a first relative position and a second relative position to change at least one dimension of the cavity (21?) and of the extraction chamber (21?); —an actuator (30,300) connected to the first part (10) for driving the movable first part (10) between the transfer position and the extraction position.

Abstract: A device (1) handles selectively a first capsule (2a) having a first flange (2a?) and a second capsule (2b) having a second flange (2b?) greater than the first flange (2a?). The device comprises: a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule (2a, 2b); and a third part (30) for guiding such capsule (2a, 2b) to inbetween the first and second parts (10, 20) when in the transfer position. The third part (30) has: a first portion (31a) for engaging with and guiding the first flange (2a?) of the first capsule (2a); and a second portion (31b) for engaging with and guiding the second flange (2b?) of the second capsule (2b).

Abstract: A device (1) handles a capsule (2a, 2b) having a flange (2a?, 2b?). The device comprises: a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable across a space (3a, 3b) from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule; a third part (30) for guiding such capsule (2a, 2b) to in between the first and second parts (10,20) when in the transfer position; and stop means (32a,32b). The stop means are configured for successively: stopping the capsule (2a, 2b) in between the first and second parts (10, 20) in the transfer position; maintaining the capsule while the first and second parts (10, 20) are relatively moved from the transfer position towards the extraction position to receive the capsule; and allowing a liberation of the capsule from the stop means after reception of the capsule by at least one of the first and second parts (10,20) while relatively moving towards the extraction position.

Abstract: A machine (1) comprises: —a device (20) for handling a capsule (2); —a frame or a housing (10) covering the device (20), delimiting an opening (12) for passing a capsule (2) through the frame or housing (10) to the handling device (20) and having a curved cross-section (10?) about the opening; and —a barrier means (30) comprising a member (31a; 31b) movable from a closed position for preventing such capsule (2) from passing through the opening (12) to an open position for allowing such capsule (2) to pass through the opening (12). The member (31a; 31b) is movable between its closed position and its open position along a curve (31?) that is generally parallel to the curved cross-section (10?) of the frame or housing (10).

Abstract: A device (1) handles selectively a first capsule (2a) having a first flange (2a?) and a second capsule (2b) having a second flange (2b?) greater than the first flange (2a?). The device comprises a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule (2a, 2b). The device further comprises separation means (33) for separating such capsule (2a, 2b) from at least one of the first and second parts (10,20) when the first and second parts (10,20) are relatively moved from the extraction position to the transfer position.

Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2). A first part (10) and a second part (20) are movable between a closed position for holding said receptacle and an open position for inserting said receptacle and/or for removal therefrom. A fastening arrangement comprises a locking member (30) movable between: —a locking position for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second engagement surfaces (11, 21) when the parts (10, 20) are in the closed position; and —an unlocking position for allowing relative rotational movement of the of the first and second engagements surfaces (11, 21) and engagement and disengagement thereof.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different heights (ha;hb) comprises a seat (11, 12, 13; 15) for receiving any of the cartridges (1a;1b). The seat is delimited by a first part (11,12,13) and a second part (15) that are relatively movable between an extraction position and a loading and/or ejection position. The first part has a first portion (11,12) and a second portion (13) that are relatively movable to delimit a cavity (12?) having selectively: a first depth (da) for receiving a cartridge (1a) of N the first height (ha); and a second depth (db) for receiving a cartridge (1b) of the second height (hb). The seat has a depth detecting arrangement (20), such as a detecting arrangement comprising a control unit (21) connected to sensor (22) via a connection (23). The depth detecting arrangement is configured to detect a relative position of the first portion and the second portion to determine whether the cavity has at least one of the first and second depths.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different heights (ha;hb) comprises a seat (11, 12, 13; 15) for receiving any of such cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (11,12,13) and second part (15) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first part (11,12,13) has a first portion (11,12) and a second portion (13) that are relatively movable to delimit a cavity (12?) having selectively: —a first depth (da) for receiving a cartridge (1a) of the first height (ha); and—a second depth (db) for receiving a cartridge (1b) of the second height (hb), the first part (11,12,13) has a lock (112?, 132, 132?, 142?) for locking the first and second portions (11,12,13) when the delimited cavity (12?) has the first depth (da) or the second depth (db).

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a;1b) of two different dimensions (da,ha;db,hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of these cartridges (1a;1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (20,30,33) and second part (12,13,14) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position over a closure distance (Ca,Cb). The first delimiting part (20,30,33) is extendable and retractable for defining a cartridge cavity having selectively: —a first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1a) having a first height (ha); and —a second depth (Hb) different to this first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1b) having a second height (hb) different to this first height (ha).

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule (20), comprises: an ingredient capsule processing module (15) having a chamber (16,17) for processing the capsule therein; a passage (2) for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber; and a capsule positioner (40) having at least one member (45a, 45b) which delimits a seat (44) for receiving the capsule, the movable member (s) being movable from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage. The movable member (s) (45a, 45b) is/are arranged to: hold the capsule generally vertically above the passage in the receiving and holding position; and drop the capsule generally vertically from the capsule positioner into the passage in the releasing position.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different dimensions (da, ha; db, hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of these cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (20, 30, 33) and second part (12,13,14) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first delimiting part has a first member (30) and a second member (33) that are relatively movable between:—a first member position delimiting a cartridge cavity of a first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1a) having a first height (ha); and—a second member position in which the ca cartridge cavity has a second depth (Hb) different to the first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1b) having a second height (hb) different to the first height (ha).

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a;2b) of two different dimensions (da,ha;db,hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of such cartridges (1a;2b) and for extraction thereof in the seat. The unit (10) further comprises a pair of slides (19a) for guiding any of such cartridges (1a;1b) towards the seat (14,20) in a sliding contact of each of these slides (19a) with a cartridge guide (5a;5b) of the cartridges (1a; 1b). The slides are relatively movable to be spaced selectively by a first and second distance (Da, Db) according to the size (da, db) of the cartridge.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule (20), comprises: an ingredient capsule processing module (15) having a chamber (16,17) for processing the capsule therein; a passage (2) for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber; and a capsule positioner (40) having at least one member (45a, 45b) that is pivotable about a pivoting axis (A) from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage (2). The pivoting axis extends through an area (44?) occupied by the capsule when held by the pivotable member(s).

Abstract: A system and device for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge. The device includes a supply unit for supplying an injection fluid into the cartridge, a cartridge holder configured to accept and support the cartridge with the cartridge holder being detachable from the device. A complementary insertion mechanism of the device is configured to receive the cartridge holder in the device. The cartridge is positioned in the supply unit in an injection position with its injection surface substantially in an inclined plane relative to the horizontal plane and the injection mechanism is offset from the highest edge of the cartridge. The cartridge holder preferably comprises a linear wedge-shaped insertion member having a bearing surface inclined along an angle. The method of operation of the system and device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (24) by injection of a liquid into the capsule (24), wherein said liquid is provided by a pump (70) of the device, said device comprising an extraction head (20) having an aperture (22) for inserting a capsule-holder (30) providing the capsule (24) to a capsule-holder receiving chamber (25) of the device, a closing mechanism (21) to selectively enclose said capsule (24) in the capsule-holder receiving chamber (25), at least one injection member (11) to supply a liquid received from the pump (70) to the inside of the capsule (24), a control unit (80) for controlling at least the pump (70) of the device, and decoding means (1) connected to the control unit (80) and designed to read information from the capsule-holder (30).

Abstract: The invention proposes a device for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (24) by injection of a liquid into the capsule (24), wherein said liquid is provided by a pump (70) of the device, said device comprising an extraction head (20) having an aperture (22) for inserting a capsule-holder (30) providing the capsule (24) to a capsule-holder receiving chamber (25) of the device, a closing mechanism (21) to selectively enclose said capsule (24) in the capsule-holder receiving chamber (25), at least one injection member (11) to supply a liquid received from the pump (70) to the inside of the capsule (24), a control unit (80) for controlling at least the pump (70) of the device, and decoding means (1) connected to the control unit (80) and designed to read information from the capsule-holder (30).

Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) having: —a first part (10); —a second part (20) that is movable towards the first part, in particular along a longitudinal axis (1?), into a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and relatively apart from the first part into an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; —a fastening device (11, 21) having a fastened configuration for fastening together the first and second parts (10, 20) in the closed position and an unfastened configuration such to enable movement of the first and second parts out of the closed configuration; and —an actuator (30) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to drive the first part and the second part between the open and the closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a capsule for containing beverage ingredients, the capsule being designed for insertion in a beverage production device, the capsule comprising a body portion having at least a circumferential sidewall for enclosing an ingredients compartment of the capsule, and a sealing member, wherein the sealing member comprises a first flange-like rim portion and a second portion which is at least partially overlapping with an inner surface of the sidewall of the body portion.