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: 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 (1) has a piercing device (10) for piercing a capsule (20). The piercing device includes: a base (14) with peripheral sections, such as generally straight peripheral sections (14a, 14b, 14c1, 14c2); a plurality of blades (11a, 11b, 11c) that protrude from the base along a longitudinal direction (12a?, 12b?, 12c?), each blade extending laterally generally along one of the peripheral sections (14a, 14b, 14c1); and a plurality of assembly members (15a, 15b, 15c), each assembly member (15a, 15b, 15c) extending and protruding from one of the peripheral sections (14b,14c2). At least one assembly member (15a, 15c) of said assembly members (15a, 15b, 15c) is located at least in part generally in the longitudinal direction (12b?, 12c?) under a corresponding blade (11b, 11c).

Abstract: An extraction unit (1) has a piercing device (10) for piercing a capsule (20). The piercing device comprises a plurality of piercing elements (11a, 11b). Each element has a piercing extremity (12a, 12b) arranged to pierce the capsule in a piercing direction (10?), such as a direction (10?) generally parallel to an axis (12a?, 12b?) of the piercing elements (11a, 11b). The piercing extremities are arranged to form at corresponding locations (22?) in the capsule either a series of corresponding inlet openings (22?) or a series of corresponding outlet openings. The extremities (12a, 12b) are generally located on different virtual piercing planes (13a, 13b) generally perpendicular to the piercing direction (10?).

Abstract: A combination of a capsule extraction unit (1) and a capsule (20) includes a piercing device (10) for piercing the capsule. The piercing device has a plurality of piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). Each element has am extremity (12a, 12b, 12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c, 12d) arranged to pierce the capsule in a piercing direction (10?), such as a direction (10?) generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (12a?, 12b?, 12c?, 12d?) of the piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). The extremities format corresponding locations (22?, 22c1?, 22c2?, 22c3?, 22c?, 22d?) of the capsule either a series of corresponding inlet openings or a series of corresponding outlet openings. The piercing extremities are spatially arranged relatively to the piercing locations to contact and penetrate the capsule at the piercing locations at different respective moments in time when the capsule and the piercing device are urged together in the piercing direction.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid extract from food ingredients in a beverage producing device that has a brewing unit driven in centrifugation. The method includes providing food ingredients in the brewing unit, supplying heated liquid in the brewing unit, centrifuging the brewing unit thereby generating centrifugal forces forcing liquid to flow through the food ingredients, and dispensing the liquid, along with an operation for compensating the thermal losses of the liquid extract in the brewing unit or the collecting unit.

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: 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 apparatus for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. The apparatus includes a liquid injection member comprising a needle for injecting liquid into the cell, a motor and shaft for centrifugally and rotationally driving the cell at at least one centrifugal speed, a peripheral discharge valve for enabling liquid extract to leave the cell after the centrifugal speed is achieved, and a gas purging conduit configured and positioned to remove gas from the cell as liquid fills the cell.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. In one embodiment, the method includes prewetting the substance in the cell by filling liquid in the cell and rotating the cell at a first rotational speed; and then extracting the liquid comestible from the cell in an extraction phase which comprises continuing to fill liquid into the cell and rotating the cell at a second rotational speed that is higher than the first rotational speed. The invention also discloses a cell for use in these methods which cell includes a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during the gas purge.

Abstract: A capsule comprising beverage ingredients therein, and including a closed enclosure hermetically sealed to gas; and a perforated flow-regulating disc member which is arranged in the closed enclosure, perpendicularly to the liquid flow path inside the capsule, and which is configured for separating the ingredients at least partially into at least two ingredient spaces and which enables liquid to spread more evenly and transversely across one ingredient space and to the periphery of the enclosure to facilitate extraction of the beverage ingredients in the ingredient spaces. The capsule also may include an insert located within the enclosure and having tubular portions which are respectively open away from the center of the enclosure, wherein the insert is centrally arranged inside the capsule, and the ingredients are entirely provided radially outside the tubular portions of the insert.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid extract from food ingredients in a beverage producing device that has a brewing unit driven in centrifugation. The method includes providing food ingredients in the brewing unit, supplying heated liquid in the brewing unit, centrifuging the brewing unit thereby generating centrifugal forces forcing liquid to flow through the food ingredients, and dispensing the liquid, along with an operation for compensating the thermal losses of the liquid extract in the brewing unit or the collecting unit.

Abstract: Cartridge sealing adapter (30, 300, 304, 305, 306,330,50, 74) intended to be used in an extraction system for preparing a beverage from a cartridge using fluid injected under pressure and comprising a dished body (14) containing beverage ingredients to be extracted, a beverage delivery foil (15) closing the dished body which can be perforated under the effect of the pressure of fluid within the cartridge, wherein the cartridge sealing adapter is designed for providing a sealing engagement between the extraction system and a cartridge with at least one sealing portion intended to be interposed between a surface of the extraction system and the cartridge. The cartridge adapter can be a rubber-elastic material positioned in solid state or, alternatively as a liquid or viscous material.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. In one embodiment, the method includes prewetting the substance in the cell by filling liquid in the cell and rotating the cell at a first rotational speed; and then extracting the liquid comestible from the cell in an extraction phase which comprises continuing to fill liquid into the cell and rotating the cell at a second rotational speed that is higher than the first rotational speed. The invention also discloses a cell for use in these methods which cell includes a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during the gas purge.

Abstract: A capsule comprising beverage ingredients therein, and including a closed enclosure hermetically sealed to gas; and a perforated flow-regulating disc member which is arranged in the closed enclosure, perpendicularly to the liquid flow path inside the capsule, and which is configured for separating the ingredients at least partially into at least two ingredient spaces and which enables liquid to spread more evenly and transversely across one ingredient space and to the periphery of the enclosure to facilitate extraction of the beverage ingredients in the ingredient spaces. The capsule also may include an insert located within the enclosure and having tubular portions which are respectively open away from the center of the enclosure, wherein the insert is centrally arranged inside the capsule, and the ingredients are entirely provided radially outside the tubular portions of the insert.

Abstract: A sealed capsule for containing an ingredient is provided with at least one essentially rigid inner jet direction-diverting member being arranged close to the inner side of a face of the capsule. The inner jet direction-diverting member is designed to divert the direction of at least a portion of a water jet injected through an opening produced in the face. The invention further proposes the dynamical profiling of inner channels in at least one face of the capsule by pressing the face of the capsule against a profiling member of the beverage production device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding capsules containing a substance to be extracted in an extraction system under pressure for the preparation of a drink. The device includes a supply of capsules arranged in several series, and a mechanism for individually unloading one capsule into a reception part of the extraction system. The extraction system injects water into the capsule to form the drink as a liquid extract of the substance. The reception part is arranged beneath the unloading mechanism in such a way as to allow the direct descent of the released capsule into the reception part and includes structure for opening the capsule for releasing the liquid extract therefrom.