Various techniques for generating substantially homogenous mixtures of nonpolar materials and aqueous solutions are disclosed herein. An example method includes generating a substantially homogenous mixture of an aqueous solution and a nonpolar material by flowing the aqueous solution through a porous substrate infused with the nonpolar material.

A capsule is proposed herein including: a casing that extends about an axis,whichincludes a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity containing an initial product to be joined to a fluid to obtain a final product, and a flanged edge extending from said side wall; a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge to close the cavity; a sealing element, associated with the flanged edge to make a fluidic seal with a dispensing machine; wherein the sealing element includes a cellulose-based ring; and wherein the ring includes a stratified structure including at least two cellulose-based layers, between which there is an outer layer arranged towards the outside and configured to contact the dispensing machine and an inner layer; a joining layer to enable the ring to be joined to the flanged edge; and a further joining layer, to join together the two cellulose-based layers.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

The invention relates to a single-serve capsule comprising at least two compartments, including a first compartment and a second compartment; wherein the first compartment comprises a liquid concentrate of an alcohol-free beer, said liquid beer concentrate having an ethanol content of 0-1% ABV, wherein the second compartment comprises an alcoholic liquid containing 12-100 wt. % ethanol and 0-88 wt. % water, and wherein ethanol and water together constitute 80-100 wt. % of the alcoholic liquid

The capsule of the present invention can suitably be used to prepare a good quality alcoholic beer by mixing the contents of the capsule with carbonated water.

The liquid beer concentrate in the first compartment can suitably be produced by reducing the water content of alcohol-free beer by means of membrane separation and/or by means of freeze concentration. The physicochemical stability of the liquid beer concentrate so obtained is very high due to the very low (or zero) ethanol content.

A pod assembly for use in a beverage machine is provided. The pod assembly includes a container and a filter disc that is detachably coupled to the container. The container includes a base, a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base, and a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim. The filter disc includes a central portion with multiple central openings, a dome-shaped portion with multiple secondary openings, an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion, a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction, and a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

A capsule includes an aluminum casing extending about an axis, which includes base and side walls defining a cavity containing a product, and a flanged edge extending from said side wall and including, at the outer end, an annular bead. A covering element is fixed to the flanged edge to close the cavity; a flanged edge includes a first portion which includes the annular bead and an annular second portion contiguous with the side defined in which the ring is accommodated, the free edge of the annular bead at a respective first distance from the first plane that is greater than or the same as the thickness of the ring, so that the recess.

A cartridge lid, configured to cover an opening of a cartridge container, includes a first surface and a rim. The first surface is configured to be attached to the cartridge container at an edge of the opening to cover the opening. The rim extends beyond the edge of the opening and forms a periphery of the cartridge lid outside the edge of the opening when the cartridge lid is arranged on the opening. The rim includes a lip, a sealing contour, and a centering contour. The lip extends away from the first surface at a perimeter of the cartridge lid. The sealing contour is arranged on and extending away from the first surface. The centering contour is arranged on and extending away from the first surface, and is configured to contact and align the sealing contour toward a raised edge of a brewing machine.