A ceramic valve unit for a beverage machine including a housing, a water inlet pipe for receiving hot water, an outflow opening, and first and second ceramic elements within the housing. The first and second ceramic elements each have mutually abutting surfaces and are relatively movable in a plane common to the abutting surfaces. The plane common to the abutting surfaces is downstream of the water inlet pipe and the first ceramic element, but upstream of the second ceramic element and the outflow opening. The first ceramic element has at least differently sized first and second openings for allowing a liquid flow there through. The second ceramic element has only a single liquid flow opening permanently aligned with the outflow opening. The first ceramic element is selectively slidable between at least first and second different positions preferably in a path of movement about a centre of rotation beyond the boundaries of the first ceramic element.

System for preparing beverage consumptions comprising a beverage preparation device, and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The beverage preparation device comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, liquid supply means including a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber; air supply means for supplying air to the liquid flow path, and a drive shaft. The at least one exchangeable supply pack includes a container for holding a beverage related ingredient, and a doser arranged for supplying the beverage related ingredient in a dosed manner. The exchangeable pack and the device are mechanically connectable. When connected the doser is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and the drive shaft is arranged for transmitting torque to the doser, such that when activated, beverage related ingredient is supplied from the outlet of the doser into the mixing chamber.

System for preparing beverage consumptions comprising a beverage preparation device, and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The beverage preparation device comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, liquid supply means including a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber; air supply means for supplying air to the liquid flow path, and a drive shaft. The at least one exchangeable supply pack includes a container for holding a beverage related ingredient, and a doser arranged for supplying the beverage related ingredient in a dosed manner. The exchangeable pack and the device are mechanically connectable. When connected the doser is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and the drive shaft is arranged for transmitting torque to the doser, such that when activated, beverage related ingredient is supplied from the outlet of the doser into the mixing chamber.

A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blending chamber. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blending chamber are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.

A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blending chamber. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blending chamber are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.

A full immersion brewing system includes an immersion chamber; an extraction material mechanism for introducing extraction material into the immersion chamber; an infusion mechanism for introducing heated liquid and pressurized air into the immersion chamber; and a drain/dispensing mechanism for dispensing, through a filter, infused liquid from the immersion chamber and for enabling removal of extraction material from the immersion chamber. The filter prevents extraction material from being dispensed from the immersion chamber. When the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a first position, infused liquid is dispensed through the filter, and when the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a second position, the filter is positioned so that extraction material and liquid is dispensed without going through the filter. The full immersion brewing system includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the immersion chamber and the filter.

The present invention relates to a capsule for preparing a drink, for example coffee, including a hollow element (1) for containing a metered amount (2) of e.g. ground coffee, said hollow element including a side wall, an upper surface, and a lower surface with at least one membrane (4), said membrane being rupturable under the pressure of a liquid placed into the capsule to enable the flow of liquid through the metered amount, said capsule also including a cover (5) with at least one hole, said hole enabling the membrane (4) to rupture.

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) forming a user-handle that is manually movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is manually slidable, in particular translationally slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa.

A brewing device includes a frame that has an insertion area for inserting a capsule towards a brewing position. Further, the brewing device includes a brewing chamber that has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions of the brewing chamber are slidingly arranged in a sliding area of the frame. The first portion and the second portion both slide with respect to each other and with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position. Ducts supply a brewing fluid to the chamber and outlet a brewed product from the brewing chamber. A pair of opposed guiding channels are provided for inserting, from a top of the insertion area, the capsule in the brewing position which is fixed with respect to the frame, and at least one member is provided for supporting the capsule in the brewing position.

A capsule for preparing a beverage, for example coffee, includes a hollow element for containing a product from which the beverage is made, for example ground coffee. The hollow element is provided with a side wall, a top surface, a bottom surface and a flange. The flange includes a deformable element which is deformed by a deforming member arranged on the capsule holder. A device for using the capsule and a method for extracting a beverage are also provided.