Described herein includes a puncture mechanism for a beverage appliance or machine that can be configured to puncture a pod containing a beverage medium (e.g., a flavoring agent). The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce lateral movement of one or more engagement members to securely hold a beverage pod. The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce relative axial movement between an anvil and the secured beverage pod to puncture a seal of the beverage pod.

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.

Dispensing module for a beverage preparation machine For providing a beverage with a proper consistency using a capsule-based brewing system wherein hot liquid is injected into the capsule under pressure, which capsule is placed against a brewing plate (210) with protrusion (212) arranged to cut the capsule cover under pressure, it has been found that a free flow of the prepared beverage can flow gradually from the brewing plate (210) towards an outlet nozzle (126). An open passage (206) from the brewing plate (210) via a collector chamber (204) downstream of the brewing plate, to the outlet nozzle (126) may be provided with an open and slanted gutter (222) to lead the beverage out of the collector chamber (204) to provide the best results. Due to the open nature of the conduit, jets of beverage form the brewing plate may the open gutter and soil the machine. This may be prevented by providing appropriate shielding (250) between the brewing plate and the gutter or an opening thereof.

The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).

A portion capsule for producing a beverage. The portion capsule includes a capsule body that has a collar edge and a capsule bottom; a filter element located inside of the capsule body, the filter element is elastic, the filter element has a flange that is attached to the collar edge of the capsule body, the filter element has a bottom; and a cover attached to the capsule body. The bottom of the filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom such that a free space remains between the filter element and the capsule bottom. The filter element is spaced apart from the capsule bottom in such a manner that only before a liquid is applied to a beverage substrate, does the filter element not touch the capsule bottom.

Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).

A capsule for juices or beverages, formed of a single moulded propylene element, which contains a completely airtight and watertight heat-sealable film in the form of a filtering membrane, followed by a labyrinth, located at the bottom of the capsule, between an outlet cock and the heat-sealable film. The labyrinth allows the concentrated fruit juice to circulate therethrough, forming vortices in the outlet for the mixture of concentrated juice and water that mix the mixture to obtain a homogeneous product that exits through the cock, located in the narrowest part of the capsule in which holes converge, the holes connecting to the labyrinth to circulate the concentrated fruit juice with uniformity and continuity. The concentrated fruit juice packaged in capsules are compatible with those used by machines for coffee or similar soluble products, to obtain from a full capsule of concentrated juice a glass of juice equivalent to natural juice.

The invention relates to a cartridge receiver (10) for producing a drink (70) using a cartridge (2) that comprises a reservoir (6) filled with a drink substance (7), it being possible to insert the cartridge receiver (10) into a drink preparation machine (3) and connect it to the cartridge (2), wherein the cartridge receiver (10) comprises a mixing chamber (8) that can be brought into fluidic connection with the reservoir (6), and a fluid supply (12) that opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention is characterised in that the cartridge receiver (10) comprises a mandrel guide (80) and a puncturing mandrel (73) that is displaceably mounted within said mandrel guide (80), wherein the puncturing mandrel (73) can be displaced between a retracted position in which said puncturing mandrel (73) is positioned at a distance from a sealing element (18) of the cartridge (2), and an extended position in which said puncturing mandrel (73) pierces the sealing element (18) and projects into the reservoir (6). The outer wall of the puncturing mandrel (73) comprises at least one lateral channel (71) for conducting the drink substance (7) in the direction of the mixing chamber (8) when the sealing element (18) has been pierced.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.