Abstract: A beverage ingredient pod for releasing beverage ingredients into a bottle to create a mixed beverage includes a liquid-ingredient chamber, a solid-ingredient chamber, a frangible membrane between and separating the liquid-ingredient chamber and the solid-ingredient chamber, and a rigid piercer that extends to a point toward the frangible membrane. Upon a force applied to the beverage ingredient pod, a portion of the pod collapses and drives the rigid piercer through the frangible membrane. This mixes contents of the liquid-ingredient chamber with contents of the solid-ingredient chamber and releases the mixed contents from the beverage ingredient pod into a bottle below that is filled with a liquid, creating a mixed beverage.

Abstract: An over-cap device for use with containers having caps. The over-cap device includes an outer wall, a cap engagement wall, and a spacing wall. The cap engagement wall may non-releasably engage an outer surface of the cap and the spacing wall may engage a top surface of the cap. The cap may releasably engage a container.

Abstract: A beverage ingredient pod for releasing beverage ingredients into a bottle to create a mixed beverage includes a liquid-ingredient chamber, a solid-ingredient chamber, a frangible membrane between and separating the liquid-ingredient chamber and the solid-ingredient chamber, and a rigid piercer that extends to a point toward the frangible membrane. Upon a force applied to the beverage ingredient pod, a portion of the pod collapses and drives the rigid piercer through the frangible membrane. This mixes contents of the liquid-ingredient chamber with contents of the solid-ingredient chamber and releases the mixed contents from the beverage ingredient pod into a bottle below that is filled with a liquid, creating a mixed beverage.

Abstract: A container is provided with a cylindrical sidewall. A top flange projects from the cylindrical sidewall in a first direction by a first distance. A bottom flange projects from the sidewall in the first direction by a second distance that is less than the first distance. The top flange and the bottom flange extend circumferentially around the sidewall. A gap is formed between the top flange and the bottom flange.

Abstract: The invention concerns a container (1) for storing and dispensing a flowable product comprising a tank (2) and a dispensing closure for dispensing the product from the tank comprising disc member (3, 4) with apertures (31, 41) therein, one of the disc (4) being rotatable and susceptible to cooperate with a rotatable shaft. The invention also concerns a machine susceptible to be fed with a flowable product stored in such a container, said machine comprising disc members (8, 9) with apertures (81, 91) therein, one of the disc (9) being rotatable and cooperating with a rotatable shaft (11).

Abstract: An over-cap device for use with containers having caps. The over-cap device includes an outer wall, a cap engagement wall, and a spacing wall. The cap engagement wall may non-releasably engage an outer surface of the cap and the spacing wall may engage a top surface of the cap. The cap may releasably engage a container.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation capsule (11) defining a closed chamber for enclosing a mass of soluble and/or extractable food material, for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising: (i) a capsule body with side walls (12), a bottom wall (13) open with a dispensing opening (14), said capsule body walls comprising an injection-moulded oil-based or biomass-based thermoplastic material, which is not a gas-barrier material, (ii) a gas and moisture impermeable top membrane (15), pierceable by injection means (N) of the machine which are adapted to inject an extraction liquid under pressure inside said chamber, and (iii) a gas and moisture impermeable bottom membrane (16) sealed inside the capsule body near the bottom wall (13), (iv) means (18) adapted to open said chamber by relative engagement with the bottom membrane under the effect of the liquid pressure increase in the chamber during injection of said liquid, characterized in that the inside or outside surface of the capsule bod

Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid into the capsule. The capsule includes at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The capsule also has a selectively openable gas inlet which is placed on or in the capsule to allow gas introduction from outside the capsule into the compartment without passing through the filter.

Abstract: A filter unit for a capsule for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product is disclosed, along with a capsule containing same. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Capsule and filter unit for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule. The capsule is constructed to have at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The filter is formed as a relatively rigid filter unit that includes a filter membrane and an outlet wall for supporting the filter membrane. The outlet wall has at least one liquid outlet communicating with the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an injection-molded capsule for use in a food preparation machine, said capsule for use in a food preparation machine comprising: (i) a structure (1) with a lower side (2), at least three pillars (3) extending from the lower side and linked to a circular upper frame (4) which defines the surroundings of the capsule top side, the pillars (3) having cross-sections S1, S2 and S3, the lower side (2) being a solid wall that comprises a dispensing opening (5) and is centered across the vertical symmetry axis VSA of said capsule, and (ii) a label (6) attached to the outer surface of the lower side (2), pillars (3) and upper circular frame (4), thus forming an envelope that defines capsule side walls, characterized in that the injection point IP of the capsule is off-centered in the vicinity of said dispensing opening (5), opposed the pillar (3) having a cross-section S3 relatively to the axis VSA, and in that S1=S2 and S3>S1.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation capsule (11) defining a closed chamber for enclosing a mass of soluble and/or extractable food material, for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising: (i) a capsule body with side walls (12), a bottom wall (13) open with a dispensing opening (14), said capsule body walls comprising an injection-moulded oil-based or biomass-based thermoplastic material, which is not a gas-barrier material, (ii) a gas and moisture impermeable top membrane (15), pierceable by injection means (N) of the machine which are adapted to inject an extraction liquid under pressure inside said chamber, and (iii) a gas and moisture impermeable bottom membrane (16) sealed inside the capsule body near the bottom wall (13), (iv) means (18) adapted to open said chamber by relative engagement with the bottom membrane under the effect of the liquid pressure increase in the chamber during injection of said liquid, characterized in that the inside or outside surface of the capsule bod

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule, said capsule comprising: at least one compartment (13) containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, a filter (18) adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid, wherein the filter (18, 20) has a filtering surface (F) smaller than the cross section (C) of the compartment and at least a part of its filtering surface (F) is preferably offset relative to the cross section (C) of the compartment when viewed in the axial projection of the capsule.

Abstract: Insert (20A) for use in a food preparation machine, the insert being adapted for being engaged by a fluid supplying interface (5) of the machine; such interface comprising a liquid injector (7) and a gas injector (8); both being transversally distant one another along the interface; the insert comprising a fluid interface side (21) and a fluid supply side (22); the fluid interface side (21) comprising a liquid inlet (23) designed for fitting with the liquid injector (7); the fluid supply side (22) comprising a liquid outlet (24) transversally distant from the liquid inlet (23) and, a liquid passage (26) providing liquid communication from the liquid inlet (23) to the liquid outlet (24); wherein the insert comprises a gas injector area (25) between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and wherein the insert (20A) comprises a liquid separation structure (29) arranged for closing the liquid communication from the liquid passage (26) to the gas injector area (25).

Abstract: The invention concerns a container (1) for storing and dispensing a flowable product comprising a tank (2) and a dispensing closure for dispensing the product from the tank comprising disc member (3, 4) with apertures (31, 41) therein, one of the disc (4) being rotatable and susceptible to cooperate with a rotatable shaft. The invention also concerns a machine susceptible to be fed with a flowable product stored in such a container, said machine comprising disc members (8, 9) with apertures (81, 91) therein, one of the disc (9) being rotatable and cooperating with a rotatable shaft (11).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an injection-molded capsule for use in a food preparation machine, said capsule for use in a food preparation machine comprising: (i) a structure (1) with a lower side (2), at least three pillars (3) extending from the lower side and linked to a circular upper frame (4) which defines the surroundings of the capsule top side, the pillars (3) having cross-sections S1, S2 and S3, the lower side (2) being a solid wall that comprises a dispensing opening (5) and is centered across the vertical symmetry axis VSA of said capsule, and (ii) a label (6) attached to the outer surface of the lower side (2), pillars (3) and upper circular frame (4), thus forming an envelope that defines capsule side walls, characterized in that the injection point IP of the capsule is off-centered in the vicinity of said dispensing opening (5), opposed the pillar (3) having a cross-section S3 relatively to the axis VSA, and in that S1=S2 and S3>S1.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a container, preferably a capsule for use in a food preparation machine, comprising: (i) a structure with a lower side, at least one substantially vertical pillar extending from the lower side, said pillar being linked to a circular upper frame, said circular upper frame having a substantially L-shaped cross-section with a first circular portion disposed vertically to which the pillar is linked, said vertical portion being linked at its upper side to a second horizontal circular portion forming a peripheral edge, said first vertical portion having a height a and a thickness x, said second horizontal portion having a width b and a thickness y, (ii) a label attached to the lower side, pillar and outer surface of the upper circular frame's vertical portion, thus forming an envelope that defines capsule side walls. According to the invention, x is superior to y, and xa is superior to yb.

Abstract: A capsule for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid into the capsule. The capsule includes at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The capsule also has a selectively openable gas inlet which is placed on or in the capsule to allow gas introduction from outside the capsule into the compartment without passing through the filter.

Abstract: Capsule and filter unit for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule. The capsule is constructed to have at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The filter is formed as a relatively rigid filter unit that includes a filter membrane and an outlet wall for supporting the filter membrane. The outlet wall has at least one liquid outlet communicating with the compartment.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule, said capsule comprising: at least one compartment (13) containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, a filter (18) adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid, wherein the filter (18, 20) has a filtering surface (F) smaller than the cross section (C) of the compartment and at least a part of its filtering surface (F) is preferably offset relative to the cross section (C) of the compartment when viewed in the axial projection of the capsule.