A beverage preparation system comprises a first exchangeable capsule with a first exit face and a second exchangeable capsule with a second exit face, the second exit face having a larger diameter than the first exit face. The system further comprises an apparatus including an extraction plate having a plurality of relief elements for selectively engaging one of the first and second exit faces, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid under pressure to a selected one of the exchangeable capsules, so as to press its exit face onto the relief elements, for opening the exit face. The extraction plate and the second exit face are adapted to each other such that a flow resistance of the second exit face when opened is less than a flow resistance of the first exit face when opened.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for brewing coffee, tea, or the like. The apparatus uses a pod having filters on two opposed sides that is filled with ground coffee or tea and then pressed through a container of liquid. The pressing forces the liquid into one filter, through the ground coffee or tea, and out of the other filter to produce the brewed beverage.

A device for the preparation of a beverage includes a beverage supply duct and a closure element. The closure element includes a closing surface suitable for closing at least partially an end of the supply duct. The device is characterized in that the closure element is made of elastomer material suitable for undergoing an elastic deformation under the thrust of the beverage being supplied. The deformation causes an at least partial movement of the closing surface away from the end of the supply duct.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage. The portion capsule has a capsule body including a cavity. A filter is located inside of the cavity. The filter is configured to stretch and/or yield upon contact with an external perforation means. A lid is attached to the capsule body.

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

There is provided a system for filtering liquid. The system comprises a liquid storage reservoir and a liquid inlet reservoir. The system further comprises a filter receiving portion configured to receive a filter, such that, in use, a filter is provided between said liquid inlet reservoir and said liquid storage reservoir and is, in use, configured to filter liquid passing from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir along a first liquid flow path. The system further comprises second liquid flow path from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir which by-passes said filter.

A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Various beverage preparation systems, components, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a brewer machine and a beverage pod. The brewer machine can include a brew chamber unit, which can receive the beverage pod. The brew chamber unit can be adapted to receive multiple beverage pod types. Some embodiments include a drawer that includes the brew chamber and that moves to present the brew chamber unit to a user. Certain embodiments include locking mechanisms.

The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, including a capsule body, which has a capsule bottom and a lid, wherein a cavity for accommodating a powdery or liquid beverage Substrate is formed between the capsule bottom and the lid and wherein a filter element is arranged in the cavity. The invention further relates to a method for producing a portion capsule and the use of the portion capsule to produce a beverage.

A machine (1) is provided for preparing a beverage from an ingredient supplied into such machine (1) within a capsule (100) that is provided with an outlet membrane (101). The machine has an extraction unit (2) that has an ingredient extraction seat (20) for receiving such capsule (100), an inlet arrangement (21) for guiding water into the seat (20) and a dispensing arrangement (22) for guiding beverage out of the seat (20). The dispensing arrangement (22) has a face (220) delimiting a downstream part of the seat (20) and having a membrane opening portion (221) associated with or bearing a plurality of raised elements (225) configured to form beverage outlet orifices in the outlet membrane (101). The downstream part of the seat (20) is provided with one or more flow-through holes (224) extending from the face (220), the flow-through hole(s) (224) being configured such that beverage flowing from the seat (20) through the flow-through holes (224) is guided towards a beverage dispensing area (1). The face (220) further has a non-opening portion (222, 222a, 222b, 222c) that is free of any upstream-projecting raised element and that is at least substantially flush with the membrane opening portion (221) so as to delimit the seat (20). The non-opening portion (222, 222a, 222b, 222c) is provided with one or more flow-through holes (226) extending from the face (220). Such flow-through hole(s) (226) is/are configured such that beverage flowing from the seat (20) through such flow-through holes (226) is guided towards the beverage dispensing area (1).