The invention refers to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more ingredients, the pack comprising an insert (10) and a container (20); the container (20) being configured by at least one flexible sheet folded in such a way to configure a container where one or more ingredients can be stored; the pack (100) further comprising an obturable entry (111) which is communicated with a dispensing outlet (11) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, the obturable entry (111) being able to be obturated so that partial or complete closure of the dispensing outlet (11) is achieved. The invention further refers to a preparation machine (50) cooperating with a pack (100) to prepare a food or beverage product, to a system for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a pack (100) and a preparation machine (50), to the use of a pack (100) and to a method for preparing a food or beverage product.

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

The invention relates to a capsule for preparing a beverage product. The capsule comprises a capsule body, a lid, and an inlet for introducing a fluid into the capsule. The capsule body is covered by the lid to form a closed receiving chamber, and the inlet is arranged eccentrically on the capsule in relation to a center of the cover. A first machine readable code is eccentrically applied to, in particular printed on, the lid. In relation to the center of the lid, the first machine-readable code. in particular the center thereof, is arranged at an angular spacing relative to the inlet. The angular spacing has a magnitude of at most 70°, preferably at most 60°, preferably at most 50°.

A set (47), for use in the preparation of a beverage by a beverage preparation device, comprising a capsule (2) and an adapter (1). The adapter (1) and the capsule (2) are interconnected in a stand-by position such that the adapter (1) and the capsule (2) can be transferred, from the stand-by position, into an operating position in which the inlet (8) of the adapter (1) is in fluid connection with the substance chamber (49) of the capsule (2).

A capsule for cleaning a beverage preparation machine includes a container which is sealed at one end by a removable cover and contains at least one cleaning agent. A screen or grating located beneath the cover holds the cleaning agent within the container.

A beverage system for producing a coffee or tea beverage that includes a beverage machine that includes: a holder configured to receive and support a portion capsule, and a pump controlled to push water into the capsule to produce the beverage. The portion capsule includes a metal cover attached to a metal base element. The cavity has a plurality of ribs that are radially spaced, vertically oriented, and configured to extend toward a central portion thereof. The ribs are free from extending all the way to a bottom of the cavity. The base element has a side wall with an electrically conductive section and radially spaced and vertically oriented grooves, the grooves being free from extending all the way to a bottom of the base element and are also free from extending all the way to a region of the side wall that is immediately adjacent to the flange.

A method for the optical recognition of capsules for hot beverages machines comprises the steps of introducing a capsule in a machine, stimulating the capsule by an exciting optical signal emitted by a light source, reading a feedback optical signal by an optical reader, acquisition of the values of the frequency and/or the time frame of the feedback optical signal, determining the fulfillment of predetermined conditions on the values of the frequency and/or the time frame. On the basis of the step of evaluating there is then a step of blocking the normal operation of the machine or a step of pursuing the normal operation of the machine.

A capsule for preparation of a beverage can include a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container can include at least one support having a section on which a plurality of sequences of symbols is represented; each symbol is sequentially readable, by a reading arrangement of an external device, while the capsule is rotated along an axis of rotation. Each sequence can code a set of information related to the capsule, and at least one of the sequences can include symbols defining a preamble sequence that allows determination of a position of the symbols in the associated sequence coding the set of information related to the capsule. The container can include a cup-shaped body having a flange-like rim and a lid connected to the body, the support can be on a bottom of the rim, and the bottom of the rim can be opposed to the lid.

Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means, wherein the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

A method of using a portion capsule for producing a beverage. The method includes providing an apparatus including a barcode reader, the apparatus including a pump adapted to supply heated water; loading the portion capsule into the apparatus; piercing the foil lid; reading a barcode on the portion capsule with the barcode reader; determining whether the read barcode agrees with a stored reference; and activating the pump to push heated water into the portion capsule only upon a determination that the read barcode agrees with the stored reference.