An automatic beverage maker having a water supply, a housing having a base, a body and a pod section, a sealed water tank within the housing body, a heating system for controlling the heating of water contained within the water tank, a first water line connecting the water supply to the water tank inlet, a second water e connecting the water outlet to the cavity of the housing pod section, a water pump for moving water from the water supply to the tank via the first water line and from the tank to the cavity of the housing pod section via the second water line. A drain line fluidly coupled to the sealed tank and having an open end for discharging water from the sealed water tank may also be used.

The invention relates to a cartridge housing comprising a diluting means, especially a water supply, a mixing chamber in which the diluting means and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet. The cartridge housing is fitted with a hollow rod such that the sealing film of the cartridge is pierced as soon as the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge housing, thereby creating the flow connection between the cartridge and a mixing chamber.

A single-use coffee capsule is disclosed that has a cup-shaped body and an extraction foil member for the preparation of a liquid coffee extract in a coffee preparation apparatus. Also disclosed is a system that includes the capsule and the coffee preparation apparatus. Further disclosed are methods of making and using the capsule and system.

A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a water circuit (12,13) for guiding water (2,2,2) from a source (11); and a mixing unit (20) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to a beverage outlet (23) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug (5) a beverage (3) formed in the mixing unit (20). The mixing unit (20) has a first module (21) and a second module (22) that are relatively movable from: a distant configuration for inserting an ingredient between the first and second modules (21,22); to a proximate position for combining such ingredient with water (2) supplied by the water circuit (12,13) so as to form the beverage (3). The machine has: a further unit (30) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to an outlet (33) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug water (2) supplied by the water circuit (12,13); and a water directing device (14) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13), to the mixing unit (20) and to the further unit (30). The directing device (14) has one or more valves (141,142;143,144) that is/are actuated by the relatively moving first and/or second modules (21,22) and that can be opened and closed for controlling a flow of water (2,2,2) from the water circuit (12,13) selectively to the mixing unit (20) or to the further unit (30).

A system, method and capsule are usable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The system includes an exchangeable capsule, and an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, a bottom, and a lid. The wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. The capsule includes an exit area to allow draining from the prepared beverage from the capsule there through, wherein the exit area comprises a filter layer. The filter layer includes a layer of non-woven and/or woven fibrous material with at least one first region where the non-woven and/or woven material has been sealed to prevent egress of liquid there through and at least one second region where the non-woven and/or woven material has not been sealed to allow egress of liquid there through.

The present invention is directed to a device (19) for adapting different types of ingredient capsules (2A, 2B) in a food or beverage preparation machine (1). Said device (19) is constructed to be removably attached to an existing capsule holder (7) of said machine (1).

The present invention relates to a beverage machine. The beverage machine comprises a brewing unit (10) with (i) a main body (12) defining a hollow (14) for receiving a portable capsule holder (18) and (ii) a lid (20) connected to the main body (12) for opening and closing the hollow (14). The beverage machine comprises a portable capsule holder (18) that is configured to receive a capsule (50) which encapsulates an extractable food product. The brewing unit (10) and the portable capsule holder (18) cooperate together in a manner that is regarding the liquid flow similar as a fountain.

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.

A system (10) for producing a beverage comprising: a capsule (20) provided with a container body (21) defining a containment compartment adapted to contain therein a dose of a food substance for producing the beverage, which container body (21) comprises a side wall (23) delimiting an access opening (24) to the containment compartment (22) of the food substance, and a bottom, adapted to close the container body (21) at one end thereof opposite the access opening (24), said bottom comprising a bottom wall (26) and a groove (27), said groove (27) being provided with: a base wall (271) delimited by two opposite edges (B1, B2), and two opposite side walls (272a, b) connecting the base wall (271) and the bottom wall (26), each of which originates from a respective edge (B1, B2) of the base wall (271), a machine (30) for delivering said beverage, the machine (30) being provided with an extraction unit (33) comprising a housing seat (331) for the capsule (20), and a cutting element (336), configured to pierce the bottom so as to define a through-hole (F) cutting through one of the edges (B1, B2) of the base wall (271).

A coffee maker includes an injection needle producing a dispersed spray and a rotating brewing chamber. The brewing chamber may include rollers for rotating a brewing cartridge and a centered extraction needle, or may include a rotating cradle including one or more offset extraction needles. The injection needle includes radially oriented ports providing the dispersed spray into the cartridge interior. As the cartridge is rotated, the dispersed spray prevents or reduces the formation of channels or clumping of the brewing material thus providing better extraction of brewed beverage from the brewing material.