An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different heights (ha;hb) comprises a seat (11, 12, 13; 15) for receiving any of the cartridges (1a;1b). The seat is delimited by a first part (11,12,13) and a second part (15) that are relatively movable between an extraction position and a loading and/or ejection position. The first part has a first portion (11,12) and a second portion (13) that are relatively movable to delimit a cavity (12) having selectively: a first depth (da) for receiving a cartridge (1a) of the first height (ha); and a second depth (db) for receiving a cartridge (1b) of the second height (hb). The seat has a depth detecting arrangement (20), such as a detecting arrangement comprising a control unit (21) connected to sensor (22) via a connection (23). The depth detecting arrangement is configured to detect a relative position of the first portion and the second portion to determine whether the cavity has at least one of the first and second depths.

The invention relates to a beverage unit for producing a beverage. The beverage unit comprises a first provisioning module for providing a first liquid and a second provisioning module for providing a second liquid that contains alcohol. The beverage unit further comprises a taste module for providing additives, wherein the taste module is configured to receive a first capsule, which contains the additives for a portion of a first beverage. Furthermore, the beverage unit comprises a control module configured to determine parameters for producing the first beverage, wherein the parameters indicate a first amount of the first liquid and a second amount of the second liquid. The control module is further configured to bring about that the first amount of the first liquid is provided by the first provisioning module, and to bring about that the second amount of the second liquid is provided by the second provisioning module. Furthermore, the control module is configured to bring about that the first amount of the first liquid and the second amount of the second liquid are mixed with the additives from the first capsule in order to produce the portion of the first beverage.

A beverage preparation system is provided comprising a beverage preparation machine, a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, and a coded insert. The beverage preparation machine comprises a brew head for receiving the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a primary code configured to provide operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a beverage from the cartridge. The coded insert is separate from the cartridge and insertable along with the cartridge into the brew head. The coded insert comprises a secondary code configured to provide alternative operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a modified beverage from the cartridge.

A capsule to form a closed interior filled with an extraction product or extract can be perforated in a known manner by perforation elements of an injection device or a discharge device in order to introduce an extraction liquid and to discharge an extraction product produced in the interior of the capsule following an extraction process. The capsule has the shape of a cuboid or a die.

Capsule processing units of a beverage preparation machine are disclosed, as well as beverage preparation machines containing same. Also disclosed are methods of processing a capsule with the capsule processing unit. The capsule processing unit includes a code reading system, a capsule transfer mechanism, and an actuator unit.

The present invention is a product and method for conveniently cleaning a single cup brewing machine's pod/cup canister. The present invention is also an improved pod/cup that reduces the chance for over pressurization and unwanted explosions during the brewing process. The pod/cup according to the invention is designed in the same general shape and configuration as a pod/cup intended to be used in the machine with a plurality of apertures in the side of the pod. This invention also includes an improved machine canister with a plurality of piercing pins. Still further, the invention includes a new cup puncture device with puncture pins or blades that can be used on the pod prior to insertion into the canister.

A method for monitoring beverage or foodstuff container consumption includes: deriving, at a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, container consumption information; and updating, using the consumption information, stock state information. The stock state information contains information detailing an amount of containers at a location of the machine. The method also includes obtaining, at an electronic device external to the machine, the updated stock state information; and/or receiving, on the electronic device from a remote resource over a network, stock order information which includes information detailing an amount of containers purchased by a user. The method further includes updating the stock state information using the stock order information; and displaying, at the electronic device, the amount of stock derived from the updated stock state information.

A portion capsule for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, the portion capsule including a base element with a cavity for receiving a beverage raw material, and a capsule cover sealing the cavity; the base element including a capsule base, a peripheral flange with a peripheral bulge, and a capsule wall extending between the capsule base and the peripheral flange; the capsule cover attached to the flange along a sealing plane; a sealing element in the form of a sealing bead pointing away from the capsule cover on the flange; the sealing plane extending along the flange on the side of the capsule cover, between the bulge and the sealing bead; and the sealing bead including an inner flank on the capsule wall side and an outer flank on the bulge side, both oriented at an angle of 80 to 90 degrees to the sealing plane.

A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packaged containers of beverage ingredients includes a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine and a variable geometry valve located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine. The valve enables preparation of beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position, and a controller for selecting an initial valve position and controlling the subsequent operation of the valve according to the determination of the type of beverage to be prepared by the cartridge recognition device.

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 irradiation chamber (14).