Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.v.

Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.

Simon Carr

Andrew Michael Halliday

Nick Andrew Hansen

Egidijus Bartkus

Geoff York

Sandra Heraud

Tony Saunders

Gary Burton-Wilcock

Tulay Massey

Willem Paul Beeker

Stuart James Curtis

Ian Alexander Radcliffe

John Melrose

Ian Alexander James Radcliffe

A method of dispensing a beverage comprising: a) inserting a beverage ingredient tablet () into a beverage preparation machine (); b) measuring a characteristic associated with the thickness of at least a portion of the beverage ingredient tablet () to identify the beverage ingredient tablet (); c) configuring one or more dispense parameters of the beverage preparation machine () based on the identification of the beverage ingredient tablet (); and d) operating the beverage preparation machine () to dispense a beverage by contacting the beverage ingredient tablet () with an aqueous fluid.

Method of dispensing a beverage, a beverage preparation machine, and a system

The present invention provides a method of dispensing a beverage comprising: a) inserting a beverage ingredient tablet () into a beverage preparation machine (); b) measuring a surface finish of at least a portion of the beverage ingredient tablet () to identify the beverage ingredient tablet; c) configuring one or more dispense parameters of the beverage preparation machine () based on the identification of the beverage ingredient tablet (); and d) operating the beverage preparation machine () to dispense a beverage by contacting the beverage ingredient tablet () with an aqueous fluid.

A beverage preparation system is provided comprising a beverage preparation machine, a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, and a coded insert. The beverage preparation machine comprises a brew head for receiving the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a primary code configured to provide operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a beverage from the cartridge. The coded insert is separate from the cartridge and insertable along with the cartridge into the brew head. The coded insert comprises a secondary code configured to provide alternative operating instructions to the beverage preparation machine for delivering a modified beverage from the cartridge.

Beverage preparation system, a coded insert and methods of use thereof

A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packed cartridges of beverage ingredients. The cartridges may be designed so that air becomes entrained so as to produce a desired foam or crema. Air inlets are provided in an outlet nozzle to allow air to enter the beverage preparation machine and so be available for entrainment. Advantageously, the air inlets extend through the sides of the nozzle in an elevated position at a widened portion of the nozzle. This reduces the flow of beverage into and through the air inlets, aiding cleanliness.

Beverage preparation machines

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Banbury, United Kingdom

Simon Carr