In one example, a process for manufacture of a pulp-based dispensing capsule is disclosed. The process includes providing one or more mesh tool sets that are each contoured to one or more preform shapes of the dispensing capsule. Note that each preform shape is a partially shaped version of a final form shape of the pulp-based dispensing capsule. The process also includes providing a holding tank containing a suspension that includes water and pulp fibres; and arranging the mesh tool sets to allow immersion into and withdrawal of the mesh tool sets from the suspension. The process also includes applying a vacuum to the mesh tool sets so as to draw pulp fibres from the suspension onto the mesh tool sets while immersed in the suspension to form a preform pulp fibre mat; and in a second toolset, deforming each preform shape in the preform pulp fibre mat towards the final form shape by the application of pressure.

The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (13). The brewing chamber (35) comprises two chamber portions (34a, 34b, 12) relatively movable each other, means (7) being provided to apply a clamping force to said chamber portions in order to close the brewing chamber, the clamping means and at least part of the chamber portions (34a, 34b, 12) being connected to a frame structure (33) of the machine. A machine control unit (17) is also provided. The machine (1) comprises at least one sensor means (50) for sensing the deformations of at least a resilient deformable portion. The sensor means is connected to the control unit and, based on the sensed deformation of said deformable portion, carries out at least one of the following operation: controlling of a machine switching-on, a clamping means closure, a capsule presence in the brewing chamber, a fluid injection in the brewing chamber, a fluid temperature, detecting of the type of ingredient capsule amongst a set of different capsule types. Also a method to control a beverage preparation machine on the basis of the deformation of said resilient deformable portion is claimed.

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.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports. A gasket arrangement may be used with the inlet arrangement.

A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element.

A beverage brewing apparatus for preparing a beverage from a single-serve capsule, the beverage brewing apparatus comprises a capsule holder to receive a capsule in a brewing position, and an injection unit to perforate a capsule in the brewing position and to feed a brewing fluid into the capsule; the injection unit comprises a pair of hollow needles designed to supply respective flow rates different from each other, and an actuator to bring, during a beverage production cycle, only one of the two needles to an operating position, in which the needle perforates the capsule and injects a certain amount of brewing fluid into the capsule.

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.

A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.