Abstract: A container arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising a plurality of elements, the elements of the code are arranged to be read sequentially as the container is rotated about an axis of rotation (0), wherein the elements are arranged to be asymmetric about an axis (R) that extends in a radial direction from the axis of rotation, the asymmetric arrangement to indicate a particular direction of rotation.

Abstract: A container arranged for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and/or foodstuff, the container comprising: a storage portion a closing member, a flange connecting the storage portion and closing member, a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by said machine, the code comprising a plurality of elements: wherein said elements of the code extend from a first position on the storage portion to a second position on the flange, so that the code is readable from the flange or the storage portion, the elements arranged to be read about an axis of rotation of the capsule.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve drive unit that has first and second SMA wires that can be alternatively activated. The valve drive unit further includes a pivoting member pivotably arranged around a pivoting member axis, the pivoting member including a valve driver arranged at a distance from the pivoting member axis. The first and second SMA wires are coupled to the pivoting member such that an activation of the first SMA wire causes the pivoting member to pivot into a first direction and an activation of the second SMA wire causes the pivoting member to pivot into a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The valve driver is configured to releasably engage a valve driver coupler of a valve unit, such that, in the engaged state, a pivoting of the pivoting member is transmitted to the valve driver coupler via the valve driver.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve drive unit that has first and second SMA wires that can be alternatively activated. The valve drive unit further includes a pivoting member pivotably arranged around a pivoting member axis, the pivoting member including a valve driver arranged at a distance from the pivoting member axis. The first and second SMA wires are coupled to the pivoting member such that an activation of the first SMA wire causes the pivoting member to pivot into a first direction and an activation of the second SMA wire causes the pivoting member to pivot into a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The valve driver is configured to releasably engage a valve driver coupler of a valve unit, such that, in the engaged state, a pivoting of the pivoting member is transmitted to the valve driver coupler via the valve driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule, by: Recognizing the type of the capsule inserted in the centrifuging brewing device, and/or its ingredients; Selecting accordingly a recipe comprising at least two sets of target values for parameters of the centrifuging brewing device, each set being associated to a specific condition; Controlling the parameters of the centrifuging brewing device so as to reach the target values of the set associated to the specific condition that is currently met.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule, by: Recognising the type of the capsule inserted in the centrifuging brewing device, and/or its ingredients; Selecting accordingly a recipe comprising at least two sets of target values for parameters of the centrifuging brewing device, each set being associated to a specific condition; Controlling the parameters of the centrifuging brewing device so as to reach the target values of the set associated to the specific condition that is currently met.