Abstract:
The present invention relates to a portable beverage preparation device (20) for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule (10), the device comprising: a beverage brewing unit (5) for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage from the ingredients within the capsule (10) by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule, beverage dispensing means (6) connected to the beverage brewing unit (5) and designed for dispensing the resulting beverage from an outlet (6a) of the dispensing means, wherein beverage dispensing means (6) comprise a safety outlet valve (26) adapted to selectively open a fluid communication from the beverage brewing unit (5) to the outlet (6a) dependent on the presence and/or proximity of a receptacle (11) being equipped with activation means (27) for the outlet valve (26).
Abstract:
Capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage comprising: a first and second covering walls (3 A, 3B) connected at a peripheral seam (4) for forming a cavity (5) containing a beverage ingredient (6); a contactless element (8) for identifying the capsule by detecting means (2) of a beverage producing device (13); wherein the identifying element (8) is oriented along its longer dimension substantially orthogonally relative to the transversal plane (P) passing along the seam (4) of the capsule.
Abstract:
The present invention proposes a method for providing a rubber-elastic sealing member onto a capsule (1) intended for producing a beverage in a beverage production device, wherein the capsule has a body portion (3) having a side wall (3a) and a flange-like rim portion (2), wherein the rim portion (2) extends from the side wall (3a) of the body portion (3), the method comprising the steps of : - applying an uncured sealing composition (4) in a liquid or viscous state onto the rim portion (2) of the capsule (1), - heating said applied sealing composition (4) such that the sealing composition at least partially migrates towards the side wall (3a) until it reaches the side wall, and - curing the sealing composition (4) after the migration towards the side wall (3a).
Abstract:
A device for preparing hot beverages comprises: an arrangement (1) for circulating a liquid to a beverage supply exit (9); and a combustion heating means (6,7), such as a burner, for supplying combustion heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit. The combustion heating means can be associated: with an electric heating means (5) for supplying electric heat to the liquid that is circulated to the supply exit and/or with a means for regulating the heat supplied to the liquid from the combustion heating means. The invention further discloses a device for heating a liquid comprising combustion heating means and a cathalic device for inhibiting flame formation.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a capsule (2) for the preparation of a beverage by extracting the substance in a beverage preparation device, comprising: - an aluminium capsule body (3) with a bottom, a side wall (6) and an outwardly extending flange (7), - a cover (8) attached to the outwardly extending flange (7) and, - a sealing member (9) at the outwardly extending flange (7) for providing a water sealing contact with an enclosing member of the beverage preparation device; wherein the sealing member (9) comprises at least one annular layer of polymeric material positioned on the outwardly extending flange wherein in use in the device, the sealing member is compressed and wherein the outwardly extending flange (7) comprises an annular recess (16) with an annular bottom wall (17), and an inner projecting wall (18) and an outer projecting wall (19), both projecting walls (18, 19) extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body and wherein the annular layer of polymeric material (20) is entirely contained in the annular recess (16).
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a beverage production system, comprising: • - a capsule (1) designed for containing at least one beverage ingredient, • - a beverage production machine (2) designed for producing a beverage from the capsule's ingredients by having a liquid enter the capsule (1) in order to interact with the ingredients in capsule (1), wherein the beverage production machine comprises a bell-shaped enclosing member (3) for enclosing the capsule. According to the invention at least a portion of the outer surface (4) of a wall of the capsule comprises at least one metallic or/and electrically conductive area, and the beverage production machine comprises means (5) for generating and for contactlessly coupling electrical heating power to the metallic or/and electrically conductive area of the capsule.
Abstract:
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule (20), comprises: an ingredient capsule processing module (15) having a chamber (16,17) for processing the capsule therein; a passage (2) for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber; and a capsule positioner (40) having at least one member (45a, 45b) which delimits a seat (44) for receiving the capsule, the movable member (s) being movable from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage. The movable member (s) (45a, 45b) is/are arranged to: hold the capsule generally vertically above the passage in the receiving and holding position; and drop the capsule generally vertically from the capsule positioner into the passage in the releasing position.
Abstract:
Method for producing a beverage-ingredient capsule (1) for the preparation of a beverage; the method comprising the steps of: providing a mould cavity (12), at least partially filling a mould cavity with the beverage ingredient in powdered or particulate form, compacting the powdered or particulate beverage ingredient in the mould cavity to obtain a compacted mass of the beverage ingredient, forming at least one recess (21) in the compacted mass and, inserting a capsule identification insert (9) into the said recess.
Abstract:
The present invention proposes a kit, comprising: - at least a capsule(10) for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing beverage ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body (10b) comprising an outlet face (10c), and - one or more beverage production parameter programming connector(s) (1) comprising an identification member (2) placedon a first side (1a) of the connector designed for representing individual information as to beverage production parameters upon mechanical contact by sensing means (8, 18) of a beverage production machine (100), said side being opposite to the second connector side (1b) designed for connection to the outlet face (10c) of the capsule, wherein either the capsule(s) (10) or the connector(s) (1)or the both is provided with means for mechanically associating the connector(1) to the capsule (10) by the consumer, preferably without using tools.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine comprises the following steps: (I) providing a group of components a) to f) that include: a) a brewing unit (500) for receiving an ingredient of said beverage and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through said ingredient to a beverage outlet (510); b) an in-line heater (600) for heating said flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit; c) pump (800) for pumping said liquid through said in-line heater; d) one or more fluid connecting members (5,200) for guiding said liquid from a source of liquid, such as a tank of liquid, to the beverage outlet; e) an electric control unit (2) for receiving instructions from a user via an interface (2a,2b) and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; and f) one or more electric sensors (70,95) for sensing at least one operational characteristic and for communicating such characteristic(s) to the control unit; (II) connecting components a) to f) for assembling said beverage machine. The connecting of components a) to f) comprises pre-assembling at least two or three modules (500,600,2;5,800;2,800;200,600;200,800), each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components of said components a) to f), the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules being so configured to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps.