A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (7) has: a waste collector (85) with a horizontally extending collecting area (85′″); and a removal arrangement (20, 22, 86, C) configured to direct, after beverage preparation, a waste consumable (2″), such as a used flavouring ingredient, into the waste collector (85). Successive waste consumables (2″) are directed to different horizontal locations (21a′, 21b′, 21c′) of the collecting area (85′″).

A beverage system for producing a coffee or tea beverage that includes a beverage machine that includes: a holder configured to receive and support a portion capsule, and a pump controlled to push water into the capsule to produce the beverage. The portion capsule includes a metal cover attached to a metal base element. The cavity has a plurality of ribs that are radially spaced, vertically oriented, and configured to extend toward a central portion thereof. The ribs are free from extending all the way to a bottom of the cavity. The base element has a side wall with an electrically conductive section and radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, the grooves being free from extending all the way to a bottom of the base element and are also free from extending all the way to a region of the side wall that is immediately adjacent to the flange.

A beverage system for making a beverage that includes a single-serve capsule and a beverage machine. The capsule has a cavity containing a beverage material; a flange; a cover fastened to a top side of the flange; and an individualization identifier on a bottom side of the flange. The beverage machine includes: a capsule receptacle having a wall structure to receive the capsule; an optical sensor/detector positioned outside of the wall structure to direct a beam through a portion of the wall structure to read the identifier; a pump that supplies water into the portion capsule only after the identifier is read by the sensor/detector; a mandrel to pierce the cover in a region that is offset from the central axis; and a seal that seals against the cover in a region between a peripheral edge of the flange and the region of the cover pierced by the mandrel.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A beverage system for making a beverage based on ingredients in a capsule has a conveying carriage with a capsule carrier, a threaded spindle extending inside a housing of the beverage system and having a drive nut connected to the capsule carrier. A stop element is arranged on the threaded spindle at an ejection position for blocking movement of the drive nut along the threaded spindle. A motor rotates the threaded spindle in a first direction of rotation, in order to move the capsule carrier to a processing position, where a beverage is made based on the ingredients in a capsule; in order to move the capsule carrier further along the threaded spindle to an ejection position; and in order to rotate the capsule carrier at the ejection position about the threaded spindle to eject the capsule from the capsule carrier.

An infuser unit (1) includes a closing piston (3) and an infusion cylinder (2) which are axially movable selectively or in combination for reciprocal engagement and disengagement to close and open an infusion chamber inside the infusion cylinder (2). An ejection piston (5), engaged in the infusion cylinder (2) and axially movable to expel spent coffee grounds, can also be included. A first radial hydraulic sealing means may be located between the closing piston (3) and the infusion cylinder (2), and a second radial hydraulic sealing means may be located between the infusion cylinder (2) and the ejection piston (5), where at least one of the first and the second hydraulic sealing means has at least one seal (100, 101) having an anti-friction surface coating made of a material free of grease and lubricating oils and compatible with use in contact with foodstuffs and drinking water.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.