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: 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: 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: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a code support surface on which a code is represented. The code comprises a first value for at least one capsule-related information. The code further comprises a first element and a second element arranged on the code support surface so as that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value.

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: The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module adapted to use for preparing beverages capsules of a first type having a first size and capsules of a second type having a second size. The machine comprises a positioner adapted to hold a capsule of the first or the second type. The beverage preparation machine further comprises a size sensing arrangement configured to: detect a presence of a capsule in the positioner; determine a size information by measuring a size of said detected capsule and comparing said measured size to the first and the second size; send the size information to the ingredient processing module.

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: The present invention relates to a Card for containing food or beverage ingredients comprising: a substantially planar and rigid base portion, at least two ingredient compartments for storing the ingredients and at least two discharge portions, each discharge portions being linked to one of the compartments and extending along the plane of the base portion, and at least one sealing member provided on the base portion covering the compartments and discharge portions on the base portion side of the card, wherein the card is designed for insertion in a food and beverage preparation device in order to dispense the ingredients from the compartments via the discharge portions. The invention further relates to a food and beverage preparation system, comprising a card according to the invention and a food and beverage preparation device, as well as to a method for preparing food or beverages using the card.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one electric heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The heater includes a heating element of a first cross section electrically connected to a plurality of elongate support elements. Each support element has a cross section greater than the first cross section. At least one of the support elements is integrally formed with the heating element.

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: There is provided an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, including a storage portion for storing the aerosol-forming substrate and a vaporizer for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The storage portion has an outer housing and an internal passageway, the storage portion forming a reservoir for the aerosol-forming substrate between the outer housing and the internal passageway, and the vaporizer extends at least partially inside the internal passageway in the storage portion. The device further includes a porous interface at least partially lining the internal passageway for conveying the aerosol-forming substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one electric heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The heater includes a heating element of a first cross section electrically connected to a plurality of elongate support elements. Each support element has a cross section greater than the first cross section. At least one of the support elements is integrally formed with the heating element.

Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick.

Abstract: A method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device is provided, the device including a powered aerosol generating element, a flow channel to allow a flow of gas past the element, and a flow sensor to detect air flow in the flow channel, the method including: determining a value of a first parameter related to a change in flow rate; and reducing a supply of power to the element depending on a comparison result between the first parameter value and a threshold value, the first parameter being derived from a combination of a second parameter that is a measure of a flow rate detected by the flow sensor and a third parameter related to the flow rate. Also provided is a method of reducing or suspending aerosol production, based not simply on a detected flow rate, but on another measure indicative of the evolution of the flow characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling aerosol production in an aerosol-generating device, the device including an aerosol-forming substrate, a heater including at least one heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, and a power source for providing power to the heating element, the method including determining the temperature of the heating element; and adjusting the power to the heating element to maintain the temperature of the heating element within a desired temperature range, wherein the desired temperature range is dynamically calculated based on a measured flow rate of gas through or past the device. By controlling the temperature of the heating element, an aerosol with consistent and desirable properties can be produced.