A container contains a beverage base material in a beverage base material chamber defined by a chamber bottom and a chamber wall. The container furthermore comprises an elongated handle extending in a direction having a radial component outward from the chamber. The handle is provided with an outlet channel extending from the chamber to a channel outlet provided at the free end of the handle. A beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage includes an automatic beverage preparation apparatus and such a container and is arranged for removably connecting the container to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards. A method of preparing a beverage using such a beverage preparation system in which the container is connected to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards for dispensing a beverage from the beverage base material chamber substantially vertically.

A filter holder for an espresso coffee machine comprising a handle (1) and an outer holder (2), which outer holder is adapted to receive a filter plate (8). The filter plate (8) comprises a plurality of upstanding elements such as truncated pyramids adapted to tear, in use, a surface of a coffee capsule. Between the pyramids a plurality of perforations allow passage of coffee from a capsule to a cup. The holder further comprising a retaining member, which retaining member is adapted to retain the capsule in position and to permit water or steam to be applied under pressure to a surface of the capsule remote from the surface adjacent to the filter plate, the water or steam penetrating the capsule surface to reach the coffee in the capsule.

A coffee maker comprises a one-piece body having a top and a bottom, and a brew pod removably disposed within the one-piece body. The brew pod includes a grounds basket, one or more straws disposed under the grounds basket, and a snorkel removably disposed above the grounds basket. The body has locking channels that mate with locking tabs on the brew pod. The snorkel includes a spout, an engagement member disposed under the spout, and a top hat disposed above the spout. A gasket with means for retaining a filtering means may be disposed between the engagement member and the grounds basket. The coffee maker may include means for lifting the one-piece body away from a heat source used during the brewing process. Such a lifting arrangement may also have a lid with an extension means to extend the lid away from the one-piece body during the brewing process.

Accordingly, there is provided a portafilter having an internal compartment that is adapted to receive a capsule. In one embodiment, an upper compartment has a puncturing component that is free to rotate.

A filter paper cup for making a beverage pod. The filter paper cup includes a base (or receptacle) and may include a cover. The filter paper cup is formed by forming pleats in walls and a rim around the tops of the wall. Preferably, a heat seal filter paper is used and the pleats in the walls and rim are adhered by the heat to retain the shape. The base in inserted into a pod holder and brewing material is placed into the base. A cover may be positioned over the rim, and a lid is attached to the pod holder to sandwich the cover and rim to seal the pod. The cover, if present, is held taut by the lid of the pod holder to facilitate penetration of the cover by a needle to inject water into the pod.

Device (1) for installing/removing a seal (12) for an injection group of a coffee machine, comprising a body (2) which is elongate along a longitudinal axis (XX), a handle (3) for gripping the body (2) and two rows of lugs (4), one of which is arranged at one end and the other of which is arranged at the other end of the elongate body (2). Each lug (4) of a row, which is radial relative to the body (2), is arranged around the body (2) on a centre circle which passes through the longitudinal axis (XX) of the body (2), and each lug (4) of a row has a face (41) which is called the internal face and which is directed towards the lugs (4) of the other row and which forms a helical ramp (5) which is inclined to allow, in the positioned state of the ramps (5) of a row of lugs (4) in bearing contact with inclined surfaces forming ramps with complementary shapes, and, in the state in which the body (2) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (XX), axial displacement of the body (2). One of the ends (6), which is called the seal installing end, of the body (2) is provided with a rotating plate (7) for receiving a seal (12) to be installed. The opposite end of the body (2) is provided with anchoring members (9) which project from the aforementioned end (8).

A system for making beverages includes a capsule and a capsule holder including an annular edge at the top of which there is a projecting annular element and/or respectively an annular seat. The capsule includes a body including a lower wall, a lateral wall and a perimetric edge on which there is an annular groove having a bottom zone and two inner lateral faces, and/or respectively there is an annular tooth having a tip portion and two outer lateral faces. The capsule holder and the capsule can adopt a sealed configuration where the projecting annular element, inserted in the annular groove, is in sealed contact with at least one of the inner lateral faces, and/or respectively the annular seat receives inside it the annular tooth and is in sealed contact with at least one of the outer lateral faces.

A system for preparing a brewed beverage from at least one flavorant includes a housing, a receptacle connectable to the housing for holding the at least one flavorant and a reservoir connectable to the housing. The receptacle including a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet and a first fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the first fluid inlet and a second fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the second fluid inlet.

The invention relates to an injection unit (1) for an espresso coffee machine including a stationary mechanical upper block (2) having a central projection (4) which forms a hot-water dispenser (7) and to which a removable portion, referred to as the group head (8), is attached, the inner surface of the group head having a cavity (22) in which the portafilter (9) is mounted, said portafilter comprising an operating handle (10) and a recess for holding a basket (11) containing the coffee grounds for preparing espresso coffee, characterized in that the group head (8) is attached to the mechanical block (2) of the injection unit (1) via a linking device having a resilient effect, and in that the seal (23) surrounding the dispenser (7) engages with the inner periphery of the basket (11). The invention is useful for manufacturers of espresso coffee machines.

The invention relates to a system for preparing a beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule comprising a beverage preparation device having an enclosing member with an annular element having a free contact end and a capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage. The capsule comprises a sealing member having the shape of a step. The sealing member comprises a floor portion extending over an engagement distance and a side wall portion extending in a direction away from the floor portion. The engagement distance of the floor portion is such that the floor portion engages the free contact end of the annular element over if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and is moved relative towards a capsule holder of the beverage preparation device.