Abstract: The present invention concerns a food and beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a machine body (2), a fluid system for preparing and dispensing a beverage, a beverage dispensing opening, and a cup tray (6) attached to the machine body in at least two possible height positions. According to the invention, the machine comprises a pit (7) with a cylindrical opening located below a dispensing opening, said cylindrical opening comprising at least one guiding pin (8), and the cup tray comprises a horizontal plate (10) and a vertical cylinder (11), the cylinder having a vertical cam groove (12) adapted to receive said guiding pin in a slidable manner for displacing the cup tray in height, and superimposed horizontal groove branches (13) extending from the vertical groove, advantageously through lower and upper curved camways defining a cusp-shaped cam path, for fixing the cup tray at predetermined height positions.

Abstract: An beverage-preparation apparatus includes a capsule receptacle (204, 300, 400, 416, 500) receiving a beverage capsule (306, 418) containing a quantity of a beverage ingredient, and an injection head (202) for injecting fluid into said beverage capsule (306, 418) to produce a beverage, said injection head (202) being mobile between a first, inactive position and a second, active position, and further having a biasing device (226, 304) selectively preventing the injection head (202) from remaining in the first, inactive position, and a capsule-detecting means (308, 402, 404, 422, 508) activating the biasing device (226, 304) when the presence of a beverage capsule (306, 418) within said capsule receptacle (204, 300, 400, 416, 500) is detected.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a food and beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a machine body (2), a fluid system for preparing and dispensing a beverage, a beverage dispensing opening, and a cup tray (6) attached to the machine body in at least two possible height positions. According to the invention, the machine comprises a pit (7) with a cylindrical opening located below a dispensing opening, said cylindrical opening comprising at least one guiding pin (8), and the cup tray comprises a horizontal plate (10) and a vertical cylinder (11), the cylinder having a vertical cam groove (12) adapted to receive said guiding pin in a slidable manner for displacing the cup tray in height, and superimposed horizontal groove branches (13) extending from the vertical groove, advantageously through lower and upper curved camways defining a cusp-shaped cam path, for fixing the cup tray at predetermined height positions.

Abstract: An beverage-preparation apparatus comprises a capsule receptacle (204, 300, 400, 416, 500) receiving a beverage capsule (306, 418) containing a quantity of a beverage ingredient, and an injection head (202) for injecting fluid into said beverage capsule (306, 418) to produce a beverage, said injection head (202) being mobile between a first, inactive position and a second, active position, and further comprising a biasing device (226, 304) selectively preventing the injection head (202) from remaining in the first, inactive position, and a capsule-detecting means (308, 402, 404, 422, 508) activating the biasing device (226, 304) when the presence of a beverage capsule (306, 418) within said capsule receptacle (204, 300, 400, 416, 500) is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use feeding bottle for dispensing an aqueous nutritional composition to a human from a powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base contained therein and being provided with a connecting member for connecting the bottle to external liquid dispenser adapted to supply liquid to the bottle, the bottle comprising at least one compartment forming a cavity for containing a predefined amount of powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base for the preparation of the nutritional composition upon hydration with the supplied liquid, a neck portion in fluid communication with the compartment, and liquid inlet designed to be supplied with liquid from the liquid dispenser, the bottle furthermore comprising a filter assembly in the flow path of the liquid from the inlet to the compartment, the filter assembly configured to remove contaminants from liquid fed into the compartment through the inlet.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage from beverage ingredients contained therein, comprising a body (2) comprising at least one compartment for receiving said beverage ingredients and a flange-like rim (4) extending outwardly and transversally to a central axis (I) of said body; a membrane (6) for closing the opening which is sealed onto the flange-like rim, an optical code (7) containing binary information configured to be read by a camera (11) of a beverage producing device (20), wherein the optical code (7) is a two-dimensional barcode having rectilinear borders (7a-7d) and which is inscribed in a circular area (8) concentric relative to the center (O) of the membrane having a radius (R) smaller than the radius (R0) of the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage by delivering sanitized liquid within a package containing nutritional ingredients. The apparatus includes a package comprising a product compartment containing nutritional ingredients and a spout arranged for the supply of liquid inside the compartment. The apparatus also includes a machine comprising a control unit and a liquid supply and treatment unit. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capsule has an inlet face C formed by a circular section and a bulge section extending from the circular section so that the inlet face C is not symmetric in rotation. The capsule further has an optically readable code on a side wall of a cup-shaped body of the capsule opposite the bulge section. A beverage production machine has a capsule holder for holding the capsule in the beverage production machine so that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The optically readable code and the code reader can be prevented from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like. The beverage production machine can perform an automatic detection of the capsule type and a corresponding automatic setting of preparation parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for determining replenishment information for capsules as replenishment for a beverage production machine are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage by delivering sanitized liquid within a package (2) containing nutritional ingredients comprising: a package (2) comprising a product compartment (26) containing nutritional ingredients and a spout (27) arranged for the supply of liquid inside the compartment (26) and a machine (3) comprising: a control unit (11), a liquid supply and treatment unit (8) comprising an optical irradiation chamber (14) arranged for sanitizing liquid circulating therein and a connection assembly (15) for fluidly connecting the liquid supply and treatment unit (8) with the package (2); wherein the spout (27) comprises a fluid connector (28), with a liquid inlet (30), insertable through the connection assembly (15) of the liquid supply and treatment unit (8); wherein the fluid connector (28) is positioned after insertion through the connection assembly (15) in a position of insertion in which the liquid inlet (30) is exposed to the optical irradiation field produced by the optical irradia

Abstract: Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device (20) comprising a capsule with a two-dimensional barcode (7) thereon, capturing at least one image of the barcode via a digital camera (42) and displaying decode information from said image on a display (41).

Abstract: A system and method for determining the consumption by an infant of beverages produced from capsules in a beverage production machine. Capsule information regarding a plurality of different types of capsules is stored in a server. Further at least one user account including personal information about the infant consuming beverage produced from capsules is stored in said server. A beverage is produced from a capsule and the capsule used therefore by the beverage production machine is identified. The information on the identified capsule is transmitted to the server; such information including at least the date and time the beverage is prepared.

Abstract: A portioned system for preparing a nutritional liquid product comprising a liquid supply device (2, 41) and a container (4, 38) containing nutritional ingredients; said container having an opening (8), the system further 5 comprising a liquid injection interface (9, 37) for supplying an amount of liquid in the container (4, 38) thereby providing the nutritional liquid product, wherein the liquid injection interface (9, 37) comprises a liquid inlet (11, 43) and a product outlet (16, 48) for removing the nutritional liquid product from the container wherein the liquid injection interface comprises a wall (10) extending 10 transversally relative to the opening of the container during the operation of the system; said transversal wall (10) comprising the liquid inlet (11, 43) and the product outlet (16, 48) which are transversally distant one another along the said wall.

Abstract: A capsule has an inlet face C formed by a circular section and a bulge section extending from the circular section so that the inlet face C is not symmetric in rotation. The capsule further has an optically readable code on a side wall of a cup-shaped body of the capsule opposite the bulge section. A beverage production machine has a capsule holder for holding the capsule in the beverage production machine so that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The optically readable code and the code reader can be prevented from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like. The beverage production machine can perform an automatic detection of the capsule type and a corresponding automatic setting of preparation parameters.

Abstract: The present invention presents a capsule 1 having an inlet face C, which is formed by a circular section 2a and a bulge section 2b extending from the circular section 2a giving the inlet face C a not symmetric in rotation. The capsule 1 further has an optically readable code 3 on a side wall 4 of a cup-shaped body of the capsule 1 opposite the bulge section 2b. The present invention further presents a beverage production machine with a capsule holder 13 for holding a capsule 1 in such a way in the beverage production machine 10, that the optically readable code can be read by a code reader 24. Liquid can be supplied to the capsule to produce a nutritional product. The present invention provides means to prevent the optically readable code 3 and the code reader 24, respectively, from being contaminated with liquid, vapor, dirt or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cap (1) for filtering liquid and dispensing an aqueous nutritional composition to a human, the filter cap (1) comprising a liquid inlet means (6) designed to be supplied with liquid from external liquid dispensing means (20), an adaptor (2) for connecting the filter cap (1) to the liquid dispensing means (20), connection means (2) designed for selectively connecting an opening (10) of the filter cap (1) to a container (3) designed to hold a powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base (5) for the preparation of the nutritional composition (5a) upon hydration with the supplied liquid, and a filter assembly (7) in the flow path of the liquid from the inlet means (6) to the opening (10), the filter assembly (7) being configured to remove contaminants from liquid fed into the container through the inlet means (6).

Abstract: Production machine (1) for beverages and liquid comestibles, the machine comprising: a housing (20); a capsule holder designed for insertion into the housing (20), wherein the capsule holder comprises a capsule receiving means (11); a liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) provided in the housing (20). The capsule holder and the machine are designed such that the capsule holder can be transferred manually, via a relative movement of the capsule holder and the housing of the machine, at least between: —a first capsule loaded position, in which any capsule (30) received in the capsule holder is positioned ready for being engaged by the liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) and, —a second capsule loading position adapted for loading a capsule outside of the housing (20). Complementary stopping means of the capsule holder and the housing are provided which are configured to automatically engage each other to stop the capsule holder in the second capsule loading position.

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: The invention relates to a system and method for determining replenishment information for capsules as replenishment for a beverage production machine. Capsule information regarding a plurality of different types of capsules is stored in a server. Further at least one user account including personal information about a person consuming beverage produced from capsules is stored in said server A beverage from a capsule is produced and the capsule used therefore by the beverage production machine is identified. The information on the identified capsule is transmitted to the server. Then at least one type of capsules as replenishment is determined on the basis of the capsule information and the user profile.

Abstract: The invention proposes a capsule (9) for use in a beverage production device. The capsule (9) contains one or several ingredients (12) for producing a beverage or liquid comestible when a liquid (3) is fed into the capsule (9). The capsule is provided with an integrated antimicrobial filter (1).