A process is presented and described for the production of moldings, comprising the steps of (a) providing a polymer composition comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate and from 1 to 99% by weight of starch-containing polymer; (b) homogenizing the polymer composition with use of thermal and/or mechanical energy; (c) introducing the polymer composition into a mold; (d) molding the molding in the mold; and (e) removing the molding from the mold. The process described is in particular suitable for the production of hard capsules.

A method for producing an element of a capsule, the capsule being intended to contain a product having at least one component that can be extracted by means of an extraction fluid, comprises the step of obtaining at least one preparatory zone intended to define, during use of the capsule, a passage for the extraction fluid, so that the extraction fluid can pass through the capsule in order to extract said component. The preparatory zone is obtained by means of a cutting operation carried out before the capsule is filled with the product and after the capsule element has been formed. The cutting operation is carried out by means of a blade element.

A method of manufacturing a cartridge body for use in a cartridge associated with a beverage preparation system includes extruding a tubular structure, forming the tubular structure into a desired shape, and cutting the tubular structure at intervals to separate the tubular structure into individual cartridge bodies.

A thermoforming machine and a thermoforming method are provided, in particular for producing capsules for obtaining beverages. The capsules (C) are produced from a film (F) of thermoformable material by thermoforming one or more predefined portions (X) of the film. The one or more predefined portions (X) of the film of thermoformable material are pre-heated, i.e. they are heated before being subjected to thermoforming so as to minimize the probability that the film of thermoformable material tears or breaks during thermoforming or after thermoforming.

What are described are a polymer mixture or polymer blend comprising polybutylene succinate and polybutylene succinate-co-adipate, a composite material or compound comprising polybutylene succinate and polybutylene succinate-co-adipate and/or said polymer mixture or polymer blend and one or more filler constituents, an article and/or single-use article comprising or consisting of said composite material or compound, and processes for producing the aforementioned composite material or compound or the aforementioned article or single-use article. Also described are the use of the polymer mixture or polymer blend for production of said composite material or compound, and the use of the composite material or compound for production of an article or single-use article that is compostable in particular.

The invention relates to a method for applying a sealing member onto the cup-shaped container of a capsule intended for producing a beverage in a beverage production device, wherein the container has a bottom wall, a side wall with an outer surface, an open end and an annular flange which extends from the side wall of the container at the open end; the flange comprising a flange outer surface merging with the outer surface of the side wall at a transition area an flange inner surface opposite to the outer surface for being sealed with a beverage delivery wall, the method comprising the steps of: depositing molten thermoplastic polymer material by a depositing apparatus onto the outer surface of the annular flange and/or onto the transition area, subsequently pressing the thermoplastic polymer material by a punch-die while the material still being plastically deformable so as to conform it in its final shape onto the outer surface of the annular flange and/or onto the transition area thereby forming it into an annular sealing member attached to the container.

Described is a method for making single-use capsules for beverages including the steps of: providing an upper flange having at least one hole; providing a support having at least one seat for housing a rigid cup-shaped body; inserting a rigid cup-shaped body in said housing seat, said rigid cup-shaped body having an inner space and an open upper opening; providing a piece of filter material above the upper flange; actuating a first step of feeding, by means of a pushing element, a central portion of said piece of filter material towards said hole, up to an intermediate position; upon reaching said intermediate position of the pushing element, performing a main locking of said piece of filter material relative to said upper flange and making a main cut of the piece of filter material along a predetermined main closed cutting line, extending substantially circularly about said central portion, to define a filter for infusion of beverages.

A method of additive manufacture involves building a container 8 and a structure by fusing powder 12, 13, 14, such that the container contains the structure and unfused powder. The container 8 may be used in a method for predicting powder degradation in an additive manufacturing process. Containers containing different types of structure may be built to measure the effect of building different types of structures on powder degradation. A structure to be built may be characterised by classes of structural features it contains and information obtained used from building containers used to predict how building the structure will degrade powder.

An apparatus (100) for manufacturing pods (M) for beverage extraction machines is described, comprising: movement means to advance a belt (110) of waterproof material in a predetermined rectilinear direction (A), a plurality of forming plates (125) arranged below the belt and provided with at least one cavity (135), movement means to advance said forming plates in a synchronized manner with the belt, and a plurality of operational devices (165, 200, 300, 400, 500) arranged in succession along the belt; wherein said operational devices comprise for example one device for pressing down a portion of the belt into the cavity of the forming plate, a device for releasing a dose of a powder substance inside a cap (C1), a device for compacting the dose, a device for applying a second cap (C2), a device for sealing the second cap to the belt.

The present invention related to an apparatus and method for the manufacturing of beverage capsules. The apparatus can preheat the material used to form the beverage material during the manufacturing process. The material and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in producing single serve beverage capsules from biodegradable materials.