Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge for dispensation of a beverage comprising the steps of: a. manufacturing a plurality of outer members comprising at least a first type of outer member and a second type of outer member having differing shape or configurations; b. manufacturing a plurality of inner members comprising at least a first type of inner member and a second type of inner member having differing shape or configurations; c. storing said plurality of outer members and said inner members; d. selecting one of the first type of outer member or the second type of outer member from the plurality of outer members; e. selecting one of the first type of inner member or the second type of inner member from the plurality of inner members; f. conjoining the selected inner member to the selected outer member; g. filling the outer member with one or more beverage ingredients; and h. sealing the outer member with a lid to form the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an outer member defining a storage chamber in which is stored the one or more beverage ingredients and an inner member having a discharge spout forming an outlet for outflow of beverage formed from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the inner member forms a load-bearing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pod for preparing a beverage comprising: a lower compartment (31) defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; the lower compartment comprising an upper surface (27) containing one or more apertures (25) forming an inlet of the lower compartment (31) and a lower surface formed at least partially from filtering material (12), the filtering material forming an outlet of the pod; the pod further comprising an open-topped upper compartment (21) above the lower compartment (31) which defines a chamber suitable for receiving one or more flexible pads containing one or more beverage ingredients; wherein an outlet of the chamber of the upper compartment communicates with the inlet of the lower compartment, wherein the apertures (25) of the inlet of the lower compartment are arranged for showering and or jetting in use water into the lower compartment (31).

Abstract: A flexible pad for preparing a beverage comprising: a filter bag defining a storage volume; the storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage; wherein the storage volume further contains a plurality of non-soluble absorbent particles having a particle size, before use, of 25 microns to 10 mm.

Abstract: A pad for preparing a beverage comprising: an upper part comprising a rigid or semi-rigid upper element containing one or more apertures forming an inlet of the pad; a flexible lower element depending from the upper part and formed at least partially from filtering material, the filtering material forming an outlet of the pad; the upper part and lower element together defining a storage volume containing a water-soluble composition or a combination or mixture of water-soluble compositions for forming a beverage, wherein the upper part comprises a flexible water-impermeable layer joined to the rigid or semi-rigid upper element.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more liquid beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, a compartment containing the one or more liquid beverage ingredients and an outlet for a beverage produced by dilution of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients by the aqueous medium, characterised in that the compartment includes means for controlling dilution of at least a proportion of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients on introduction of the aqueous medium into the compartment.

Abstract: An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations. The insert comprises a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, the insert comprises an upper part, a lower part and sealing means, the upper and lower parts being moveable between an open configuration in which a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the insert and a closed configuration in which the upper and lower parts are sealed together by the sealing means to define therebetween a brewing volume containing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising or being adapted to have formed therein at least one inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and at least one outlet, characterised in that flow of the aqueous medium through the cartridge is generally in an inward direction from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

Abstract: An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine. The insert comprises, or is adapted to contain in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients in a brewing volume. A lower surface of the insert comprises an inlet and an outlet arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head of the beverage preparation machine when the insert is inserted into the machine such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the cartridge comprises an outer member and an inner member conjoined on assembly with the outer member, the inner member defining the outlet of the cartridge, wherein a snap-fit arrangement is provided to conjoin the outer member and the inner member on assembly of the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an outer member defining a storage chamber in which is stored the one or more beverage ingredients and an inner member having a discharge spout forming an outlet for outflow of beverage formed from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the inner member forms a load-bearing member.

Abstract: A low pressure beverage preparation system for automatically preparing a range of beverage types from a range of beverage cartridges, the system comprising:

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising or being adapted to have formed therein at least one inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and at least one outlet, characterised in that flow of the aqueous medium through the cartridge is generally in an inward direction from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge for dispensation of a beverage comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, characterised in that the cartridge comprises an outer member and an inner member conjoined on assembly with the outer member, the inner member defining the outlet of the cartridge, wherein a snap-fit arrangement is provided to conjoin the outer member and the inner member on assembly of the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more liquid beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, a compartment containing the one or more liquid beverage ingredients and an outlet for a beverage produced by dilution of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients by the aqueous medium, characterised in that the compartment includes means for controlling dilution of at least a proportion of the one or more liquid beverage ingredients on introduction of the aqueous medium into the compartment.