A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage (2) has: a capsule extraction unit (10) having a first part (11) and a second part (12) that are relatively movable between a distant position for inserting a capsule (3) and a close position for extracting such capsule (3); a control unit (40) for controlling the extraction unit (10) to extract such capsule (3); an outlet (20) for dispensing said beverage (2) formed by extracting such capsule (3) to a user-receptacle (4) located in a receptacle placing area; and a detection arrangement (30) connected to the control unit (40) for detecting the presence of such receptacle (4) in the placing area. The unit (10) has an actuator (13) configured to relatively move the first and second parts (11, 12) between their distant and close positions. The actuator (13) is controlled by the control unit (40) to relatively move the first and the second parts (11, 12) when the detecting arrangement (30) detects the presence of said receptacle (4) in the receptacle placing area.

An apparatus for making a beverage using a capsule (3), (4), wherein, respectively for a first and a second type of beverage selectable, first data and second data are saved which comprise a first and a second supplying start temperature value, a first and a second steady-state supplying temperature value, a first and a second total supplying time and a first and a second activation mode for the pump (16), and wherein an electronic control unit (19) is programmed to cause the supplying respectively of the first and second type of beverage using the first data and the second data for controlling a pump (16) and a boiler (17); wherein the first total supplying time comprises a pre-infusion time, a wait time and an infusion time; and wherein the first activation mode comprises an electricity supply to the pump (16) with an average power that is greater than that in the second activation mode. A capsule is also claimed, which is usable with the apparatus and the system which comprises the apparatus and two different capsules for making two different beverages.

The document describes an assembly of a capsule (5) and brew chamber (3) for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber (3) has a first brew chamber part (7) including a cavity (10) for the capsule (5), and knives (11) for piercing the capsule (5). The aluminum capsule body (15) is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom (20), a side wall (21), a flange (22) and a lid (17) for closing the capsule (5). The flange (22) is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber parts (7, 8), to provide a seal (30) cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts (7, 8). The bottom (20) includes a slanted wall portion (35) under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule (5), and configured for cooperating with the knives (11) which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber (3). This enables centering of the capsule (5) relative to the central axis of the brew chamber (3) prior to piercing of the capsule.

A system, apparatus and method are provided for preparing water for human consumption. Water from a public or other source is input to the system or apparatus and is filtered internal or external to the system/apparatus. A temperature adjustment may be applied, such as cooling or heating the water to a specific or approximate temperature. One or more water enhancements may be added to the water, in specified amounts or proportions. Enhancements potentially include flavoring agents, sweeteners, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, carbonation, and so on. A given combination of enhancements and corresponding amounts, and possibly other characteristics (e.g., the temperature, a quantity of water to prepare), may be saved as a recipe. The system, apparatus and method operate in association with an application or online service for creating, sharing, and preparing recipes.

A system, apparatus and method are provided for preparing water for human consumption. Water from a public or other source is input to the system or apparatus and is filtered internal or external to the system/apparatus. A temperature adjustment may be applied, such as cooling or heating the water to a specific or approximate temperature. One or more water enhancements may be added to the water, in specified amounts or proportions. Enhancements potentially include flavoring agents, sweeteners, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, carbonation, and so on. A given combination of enhancements and corresponding amounts, and possibly other characteristics (e.g., the temperature, a quantity of water to prepare), may be saved as a recipe. The system, apparatus and method operate in association with an application or online service for creating, sharing, and preparing recipes.

A fluid processing device (10) for a beverage preparation machine is described. The fluid processing device (10) is configured for processing a fluid substance to be introduced into a container (C) for the preparation of a beverage product by mixing of the fluid substance with an ingredient contained in the container (C). The fluid processing device (10) comprises a fluid processing body (12) provided with an inlet portion (14). The fluid processing body (12) comprises in turn at least one inlet means (18) for introducing the fluid substance into the container (C). The inlet means (18) is provided at the inlet portion (14) of the fluid processing body (12). The fluid processing body (12) also comprises an outlet portion (16) and at least one outlet means (20) for dispensing the beverage product from the container (C). The outlet means (20) is provided at the outlet portion (16) of the fluid processing body (12). Preferably, the fluid processing body (12) is a needle-shaped fluid processing body (12) comprising at least one end portion (26; 28) configured for perforating, piercing and/or tearing a specific portion or wall of the container (C) before the introduction of the fluid substance into the container (C).

A beverage brewer includes a brewing chamber, a hollow injection nozzle, a rotation member, and a motor. The brewing chamber is configured to receive and hold a brewing cartridge. The injection nozzle is arranged in fluid communication with a liquid supply and configured to enter a brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from the liquid supply to an interior of the brewing cartridge. The rotation member is arranged at a periphery of the brewing chamber. The motor is configured to rotate the rotation member. The beverage brewer can also include a hollow extraction nozzle arranged opposite an opening of the brewing chamber and configured to enter the brewing cartridge when the brewing cartridge is disposed in the brewing chamber and to provide fluid communication from an interior of the brewing cartridge to an exterior of the brewing chamber.

Beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage comprising: —a water tank (2) for storing water, —a brewing unit (3) for receiving a dose of beverage ingredients, —a water line (5) for supplying water from the water tank to the brewing unit (3) including a pressure pump (4) for supplying pressurized liquid to the brewing unit and a fluid heater (29) for heating liquid, —a control unit (6) for selectively controlling the activation of the pressure pump, wherein it further comprises a fluidic interrupter (7) positionable in fluidic interruption position for interrupting the fluidic communication between the water tank (2) and the water line (5) and, reversely, positionable in fluidic communication position for restoring the fluid communication between the water tank and the water line and wherein the control unit (6) is arranged for automatically activating an anti-freeze mode by activating the fluidic interrupter (7) in fluidic interruption position and by running the pressure pump (4) to at least partially empty the water line (5) from water contained therein.

A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steep chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage that passes through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth.

Ingredient cartridges and associated fluid mixture dispensing devices are disclosed herein. An ingredient cartridge can include a recyclable fluid storage portion, a recyclable shell at least partially surrounding the recyclable fluid storage portion, and a sturdy portion attached to the recyclable shell and having a device mating interface for a cartridge mating interface on the fluid mixture dispensing device. The cartridge mating interface can be a sliding cartridge mating interface meant to interface with a cartridge that slides into the device. The sliding cartridge mating interface can include a first anchor for receiving a mating interface of a cartridge, a second anchor for receiving a mating interface of the cartridge, and a rail surface. The first anchor and the second anchor can extend from the rail surface. The first anchor and the second anchor can be the tallest protrusions on the rail surface.