Beverage machine with capsule insertion gate

Abstract

A machine (1) is configured for preparing a beverage (4) from an ingredient (5a) supplied within a capsule (5b) into a processing cavity (5), by mixing the ingredient (5a) with water (4'). The machine (1) includes: - a capsule handling system (10,20) with first and second capsule handlers (10,20) movable one relative to the other along a handler movement direction (40'') between: a capsule insertion position; a release position; and a processing position; and - a housing (40) supporting the capsule handling system (10,20) and delimiting a capsule insertion passage (60) for a transfer of a capsule (5b) from outside the housing (40) to the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) in the insertion position. The insertion passage (60) has insertion guides (61,61a) shaped to cooperate with a complementary shape (5b') of the capsule (5b) for sliding along the guides (61,61a). The guides (61,61a) are associated with at least one guide gate (62,62a) movable: from a closed position preventing a passage the capsule (5b); to an open position allowing a passage of the capsule (5b) from outside the passage (60) to inbetween the first and second handlers (10,20).

Description

[0001]BEVERAGE MACHINE WITH CAPSULE INSERTION GATE Field of the Invention The field of the invention pertains to beverage preparation machines configured to extract beverage ingredient capsules, for instance by centrifuging the capsules containing the ingredient. For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc… A “capsule” is meant to include any container such as a packaging for containing a pre-portioned beverage ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient, the packaging forming an enclosure of any material, in particular an airtight or pervious material, porous or non-porous material, e.g. plastic, aluminium, recyclable and / or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges for containing the ingredient. Background Art Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved and / or ingredients that are stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added at the time of preparation of the drink. Some beverage machines possess filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, e.g. a thermoblock or the like. Especially in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted in a brewing device. The brewing device is tightly closed about the capsule, water is injected at the first face of the capsule, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of the capsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from a second face of the capsule and collected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass. Brewing devices have been developed to facilitate insertion of a "fresh" capsule and removal of the capsule upon use. Examples of such brewing devices are disclosed in EP 1 646 305, 1 767 129, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2005 / 004683 and WO 2007 / 135136, WO 2014 / 056821. It is known to secure brewing chambers using a hook system, as for example disclosed in WO 2006 / 005755 and WO 2006 / 005756. It is also known to use capsule loading devices for managing the access of a capsule into a machine’s passage leading the capsule to the brewing chamber, as for instance disclosed in WO 2012 / 072766, WO 2012 / 093107, WO 2012 / 126971, WO 2013 / 127906, WO 2014 / 056641, WO 2014 / 056642 and WO 2015 / 086371, The opening of capsules using a capsule opener is for example known from EP 0 512470, EP 2 068 684, WO 02 / 00073, WO 02 / 35977, US 3,260,190, US 5,649,472, CH 605 293, EP 512 468, EP 242 556, WO 2014 / 076041, WO 2015 / 022342, WO 2015 / 022344, WO 2015 / 022345 and WO 2015 / 144356. The preparation of a beverage by using centrifugation is also known. Examples of centrifugation processes and corresponding devices are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148650, US 5,566,605, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779 and WO 2013 / 007780. It has also been proposed to facilitate the handling of capsules by systems for extracting them, in particular by motorizing the opening and / or closure of the extraction system for inserting and / or removing a capsule. Embodiments of such systems are for example disclosed in EP 1 767 129, WO 2009 / 113035, WO 2012 / 025258, WO 2012 / 025259, WO 2012 / 041605, WO 2013 / 127476, WO 2014 / 096122, WO 2014 / 096123 and WO 2017 / 046294. Beverage preparation by centrifugation includes: providing a beverage (flavoring) ingredient, e.g. as powder and / or leaves, in a capsule; circulating liquid into the capsule and rotating the capsule at sufficient speed to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the capsule. As liquid traverses the ingredient, e.g. a coffee bed, the extraction of the ingredient, e.g. coffee compounds, takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2017 / 046294, WO 2017 / 068134 and WO 2017 / 202746. WO 2021 / 122502 discloses a centrifugal beverage machine with a rotatable valve arrangement for controlling a flow of water towards a centrifugal beverage mixing chamber. The capsule can be secured between facing capsule handlers that are secured by a fastening device, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2012 / 007293, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780 and WO 2014 / 102048. WO 2008 / 148646 and WO 2008 / 148650 describe a beverage preparation device wherein a flow restriction is created downstream of the receptacle, in particular a capsule, for example, by a valve which opens or enlarges under the pressure created by the centrifuged liquid leaving the receptacle. In WO 2017 / 068134 the centrifugal brewing chamber is fitted with an outlet valve that is controlled by an inertia body of the machine rotating with the centrifugal brewing chamber. The valve leads into a collector forming a crema chamber in which the beverage upon undergoing a pressure drop at the valve is refined for dispensing into a user-recipient, e.g. a cup or a mug. Such collection chamber is typically arranged around the centrifugal brewing chamber, as for example disclosed in WO 2020 / 201469. A machine with a beverage outlet passage associated with a purging line is disclosed in EP2024178208.5. Capsule centrifugation systems to prepare coffee have been widely commercialized under the brand VERTUO® by NESPRESSO®. It has been proposed to prepare beverages by centrifugation along a horizontal axis. WO 2015 / 173123 and WO 2015 / 173124 disclose a centrifugal brewing chamber formed between two enclosing parts that are relatively translatable between an open position and a closed position. The enclosing parts cooperate with a pair of jaws that are movable between a capsule holding position to hold a capsule between the enclosing parts in the open position and a capsule release position to release the capsule. The jaws are actuated by a first actuator and a second actuator that are activated by the enclosing parts during their the relative translation. The jaws guide a capsule into a position between the enclosing parts in the open position and immobilize the capsule thereinbetween. Then, when the enclosing parts are translated together to enclose the capsule, the jaws release the capsule so that the brewing chamber is formed about the capsule. The enclosing parts are rotated about a horizontal axis to centrifuge the capsule for preparing the beverage with the ingredient in the capsule. At the end of beverage preparation, centrifugation stops and the enclosing parts are relatively translated to the open position whereby the used capsule is allowed to drop from the enclosing parts. Then the jaws are brought back into their capsule holding position. Further centrifugal beverage machines are disclosed in WO 2023 / 057612, WO 2023 / 061991, WO 2023 / 118244, WO 2023 / 118245, WO 2023 / 118246, WO 2023 / 118247, WO 2023 / 118248 and WO 2023 / 118249 There is still a need to improve some of the aspects of the above disclosed systems. Summary of the Invention The invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient supplied within a capsule. Normally such beverage is then dispensed to a user, e.g. to a user-cup or user-mug. For instance, the machine is a coffee, tea, chocolate, cacao, milk or soup preparation machine. For example, the machine is arranged for preparing a beverage by passing hot or cold water or another liquid through the flavouring ingredient contained in the capsule, such as ground or instant coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk powder. Such beverage preparation typically includes the mixing of a plurality of beverage ingredients, e.g. water and milk powder, and / or the infusion of a beverage ingredient, such as an infusion of ground coffee or tea with water. A carrier or diluent liquid, e.g. water, may be mixed with such ingredient to form the beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a portion (e.g. a serving). The volume of such a serving may be in the range of 15 to 1000 ml such as 25 to 600 ml for instance 40 to 250 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup or mug, depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may be selected from ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, café latte, americano coffees, teas, etc... For example, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing espressos, e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per serving, and / or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 200 ml per serving, and / or for dispensing americanos, e.g. a volume in the range of 150 to 750 ml. An aspect of the invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient that is supplied within a capsule into a processing cavity. The ingredient is mixed with water in the capsule in the processing cavity. The water may have been thermally conditioned, e.g. by a thermal conditioner typically having electric powering connectors, and / or pressurized, e.g. by a pump, prior to mixing. Typically, the water is fed via a water line to the processing cavity. For instance, the water line is in fluid communication with or comprises the abovementioned thermal conditioner, such as a heater and / or cooler that is an inline continuous flow heater and / or cooler, e.g. a thick film resistive or inductive heater and / or a thermocouple cooler. Such thick film heater may include a resistive or inductive heat generator (e.g. a resistive or inductive film). The generator may be in thermal or inductive communication with a heating water guide and / or water circulating in a water guide, such as a heating conduit extending along a generally cylindrical and / or conical device e.g. extending helicoidally around the cylindrical and / or conical device. The flavouring ingredient and water may be centrifugally driven about a processing axis to form the beverage. Beverage preparation centrifugation processes are known for example from EP 2000 062, EP 2155 020, EP 2 152 128, WO 2008 / 148646, WO 2009 / 106175, WO 2009 / 106589, WO 2010 / 026045, WO 2010 / 026053, WO 2010 / 066736, WO 2008 / 148650, WO 2008 / 148834, WO 2010 / 066705, WO 2010 / 063644, WO 2011 / 023711, WO 2014 / 096122 or WO 2014 / 096123. Typically, the machine includes one or more of the following components: a) a fluid system in fluid communication with the flavouring ingredient during beverage preparation; b) a thermal conditioner, such as in-line heater and / or cooler, for thermally conditioning a flow of liquid circulated to the flavouring ingredient or a batch thermal conditioner for circulating thermally conditioned liquid from the batch conditioner to the flavouring ingredient; c) a liquid driver, such as a pump, for driving liquid to the flavouring ingredient, in particular a low pressure pump e.g. within the range of 1 to 5 bar, such as 1.5 to 3 bar; d) a motor for driving the flavouring ingredient in rotation during beverage preparation; e) an electric control unit, in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user via an input user-interface and for controlling the thermal conditioner, liquid driver and motor(s); and f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of fluid system, the thermal conditioner, the liquid driver, a liquid tank, a capsule collector, a flow of the liquid (e.g. by a flowmeter), a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic(s) to the control unit. The abovementioned capsule may have a body containing the ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange, e.g. a body in the shape of a cup and a lid covering the mouth of the cup and extending beyond the mouth to form the peripherally projecting flange. The capsule may have a body that is symmetric or asymmetric, conical or frusto-conical or cylindrical or spherical or hemispherical or frusto-spherical or ellipsoidal or part-ellipsoidal, containing the flavouring ingredient, e.g. ground coffee, tea or cacao or another beverage ingredient. The capsule may be of the type described above under the header “field of the invention”. The capsule may be a capsule that has a container-body, e.g. a generally cup- shaped or hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoidal body, having a flange to which a cover lid (or membrane) is attached, in particular sealed. Typically the capsule contains a beverage ingredient. Examples of suitable capsules are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148604, WO 2008 / 148646, WO 2008 / 148650, WO 2008 / 148656, WO 2008 / 148834, WO 2011 / 141532, WO 2011 / 141535, WO 2013 / 072239, WO 2013 / 072297, WO 2013 / 072326, WO 2015 / 044400. The capsule may be of the variety commercialised by Nespresso under the brand Vertuo. The machine includes a capsule handling system having a first capsule handler and a second capsule handler. Examples of capsule handlers are disclosed in WO 2023 / 118247, WO 2023 / 118248, WO 2023 / 118249, WO 2023 / 1198821 and WO 2023 / 1198823. The capsule handlers are movable one relative to the other along a handler movement direction, e.g. a straight and / or curved direction, between: - a capsule insertion position for receiving the capsule inbetween the first and second handlers; - a capsule release position for releasing the capsule from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers; and - a capsule processing position in which the first and second handlers delimit the processing cavity. Upon processing, the capsule may be collected in a capsule collector downstream the handling system, as for example disclosed in WO 2009 / 074559, WO 2009 / 135869 and EP2023215016.9. The machine has a handler actuator, such as a motor or a user-handle, configured to relatively move the first and second capsule handlers between the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. The machine includes a frame and / or housing which is stationary during beverage preparation and which supports the capsule handling system. For example, the frame and / or housing comprises or is fixed to a bottom configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine during beverage preparation. The handler movement direction can be at an angle relative to such bottom in the range of 0° to 60°, for instance of 0° to 45°, such as of 0° to 30°, e.g. of 0° to 15°, typically of substantially 0°. Hence, the handler movement direction may be substantially horizontal or parallel to the external support surface during beverage preparation. The frame and / or housing delimits a capsule insertion passage configured to allow a transfer, e.g. by gravity, of the capsule from outside the frame and / or housing to the first and second capsule handlers in the capsule insertion position. For example, the capsule insertion passage is covered by the handler actuator when the first and second handlers are in the capsule processing position and uncovered by the handler actuator when the first and second handlers are in the capsule insertion position. The handler actuator may be a user-handle, a pivotable and / or slidable user-handle, e.g. of type described in Fig. 1 of WO 2011 / 144723 or Figs 1 and 2 of WO 2012 / 093107. The insertion passage may include at least one insertion guide shaped, e.g. recessed, to cooperate with a complementary shape of the capsule, e.g. a capsule flange protruding from a capsule receptacle body and / or a capsule lid. The complementary capsule shape is configured to slide along the guide(s) upon insertion of the capsule into the insertion passage. The insertion guide(s) may be shaped as a protruding or recessed rail against which a complementarily shaped capsule part may slide. Examples of capsule insertion guides of the insertion passage are disclosed in Fig. 1 of WO 2023 / 118249 and Fig. 1 of WO 2023 / 198823. The guide(s) is / are associated with at least one guide gate movable: - from a closed position preventing a passage along the guide(s) of the capsule from outside the insertion passage to inbetween the first and second handlers; - to an open position allowing a passage along the guide(s) of the capsule from outside the insertion passage to inbetween the first and second handlers. For example, the insertion passage is provided with two such guides facing each other so that the capsule is guided between the guides. The guides may be associated with two such guide gates, e.g. each guide being provided with a distinct gate and / or the gates being configured to be moved simultaneously. By providing such guide gate(s), one or more of the following advantages may be achieved. Capsule jamming in the insertion passage may be avoided by preventing passage of a capsule therealong when not ready to transfer a capsule to the first and second capsule handlers. Capsule jamming at the first and second capsule handlers may be prevented when the handlers are not ready to receive a capsule or possibly a further capsule, e.g. when the handlers are in the capsule processing position or in the capsule release position. The capsule release position may be located inbetween the capsule processing position and the capsule insertion position, the capsule release position being different to the capsule processing position and to the capsule insertion position. In some embodiments, the machine is configured to move the guide gate(s): - into the open position after having passed the capsule release position when the first and second capsule handlers are relatively moved to or into or have reached the capsule insertion position; and / or - from the closed position to the open position after the first and second capsule handlers are moved from capsule processing position past the capsule released position; and / or - from the open position to the closed position when the first and second capsule handlers are moved: - from the capsule insertion position toward to the capsule processing position or are about to be moved out of the capsule insertion position; and / or - from the capsule processing position towards the capsule release position prior to reaching the capsule release position. The machine may be configured to move the guide gate(s) between the open position and the closed position by: - a resilient device, such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging the guide gate(s) into the open position and / or into the closed position; and / or - a gate actuator, such as a motor or a user-handle e.g. the handler actuator, for instance the gate actuator driving a cam that drives a cam-follower of the guide gate(s), such as a cam of a rotatable part of the actuator or of a rotatable part of a transmission driven by the gate actuator, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles, and levers. The guide gate(s) may be configured to be moved from the closed position into the open position and vice versa in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a capsule movement direction along the insertion passage and / or substantially parallel to the handler movement direction. The guide gate(s) can be configured to be moved on top of the insertion guide(s) between the closed position and the open position. The guide gate(s) may be configured to cover a portion of the insertion passage when the guide gate(s) is / are in the closed position typically so that an evacuation of moisture and / or steam is facilitated via a portion of the insertion passage uncovered by the guide gate(s) in the closed position. The insertion passage prior to partial covering by the guide gate and the uncovered portion of the insertion passage after partial covering by the guide gate may have a surface area ratio of at least 1.1, such as of at least 1.3, for instance at least 2, for example at least 5, e.g. of at least 10. A ratio of a surface area of the insertion passage prior to covering over a surface area of the covered portion of the insertion passage after covering may be of less than 1000% such as less than 500%, for instance less than 200%, for example less than 130%, e.g. less than 110%. The guide gate(s) may be shaped as a plate, such as a straight or bent plate. The guide gate(s) can be a slider sliding over and / or across the insertion guide(s) between the closed and the open positions. The handler actuator may relatively move the first and second capsule handlers via a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles, and levers. The handler actuator can be assisted by a resilient device, such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging the first and second capsule handlers into at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. The handler actuator may be configured to reach a stop in at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions, such as a stop member formed by or fixed to the frame and / or housing. The stop may be reached directly by a part of the handler actuator or indirectly thereby via a part of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles, and levers, via which the first and second capsule handlers are moved by the handler actuator. The handler actuator can operate a position sensor, such as a switch or an optical sensor, to derive a relative position of the first and second capsule handlers, such as at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. For example, the position sensor is operated directly by a part of the handler actuator or indirectly thereby via a part of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles, and levers, via which the first and second capsule handlers are moved by the handler actuator. The insertion passage, e.g. the guide(s), may be associated with a capsule positioning device, e.g. a stop, configured to position the capsule inbetween the first and a second capsule handlers in their capsule insertion position before relatively moving them into their capsule processing position and receiving the capsule in the processing cavity. For example, the positioning device comprises a capsule support part movable at the bottom of the insertion passage, e.g. at the bottom of the guide(s), between a capsule supporting position and a capsule releasing position. The capsule support part may be: - movable by a resilient part of the capsule positioning device and / or, directly or indirectly, by the handler actuator between the capsule supporting and releasing positions, e.g. via at least one of the first and second capsule handlers pushing and / or pulling the capsule positioning device; and / or - movable out from the capsule supporting position in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to: - the handler movement direction; and / or - a capsule movement direction along the insertion passage. The capsule positioning device can have an elastic arm with a first end secured to the machine frame and an opposite end intercepting the capsule after insertion into the guide(s). The elastic arm can be:- substantially wire-shaped and / or blade-shaped; and / or- made of metal, e.g. steel, and / or plastic material.The machine may include at least one fastener movable selectively into a fastening position to fasten together the first and second capsule handlers in the processing configuration and into an unfastening position in which the first and second capsule handlers are movable from the processing configuration to the transfer configuration and / or vice versa. The fastener may be actuated by the handler actuator into the fastening position and / or into the unfastening position. The fastener is for example biased into the fastening position or into the unfastening position, e.g. by an elastic member, such as elongated arm. The ingredient handling system can be configured to rotate the processing cavity about a processing axis, e.g. a processing axis parallel to the handler movement direction, so that the ingredient and the water are centrifugally driven about the processing axis during mixing to form the beverage. For example, the first and second capsule handlers are: - rotated by a motor to rotate the processing cavity; and / or - mounted in rotation on the frame and / or housing via one or more bearings, such as one or more ball bearings. The processing cavity may have at least one cavity inlet leading into the processing cavity for supplying the water into the cavity and one or more cavity outlets leading out of the cavity for guiding the beverage out of the cavity upon mixing the ingredient and the water. The processing cavity can have an inlet located on one of the capsule handlers centrally relative to a downstream face of the cavity and / or a plurality of outlets located on one of the capsule handlers peripherally relative to an upstream face of the cavity. For example, the upstream face and the downstream face are formed by a same cavity face. The processing cavity may have the inlet(s) and the outlet(s) located on the same capsule handler, or the inlet located on one of the first and second handlers and the outlet(s) located on the other of the first and second handlers. The processing cavity may also be associated with a capsule remover, e.g. as disclosed in EP2023215021.9. One or more of the beverage outlet(s) and the cavity inlet(s) may be associated with one or more capsule openers, such as capsule piercers, as for example disclosed in WO2023 / 198819 and in EP2023215020.1. In an embodiment, the machine includes a beverage passage, e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet(s), the passage being configured to guide the beverage from the cavity outlet(s) towards a beverage dispensing outlet. The beverage passage may be associated a valve, such as a centrifugal and / or electric valve, for controlling the flow and / or the pressure of the beverage along the beverage passage. Typically, a section of the beverage passage is formed by the valve. The beverage passage can be associated with a beverage conditioner delimiting a conditioning cavity, e.g. between two surfaces that are movable relatively to one another e.g. rotatably movable. For instance, the two relatively movable surfaces are cylindrical and / or conical surfaces. The conditioning cavity may delimit part of the beverage passage. Typically, the conditioning cavity is configured to refine or froth with gas, e.g. air or nitrogen, the beverage supplied from the cavity outlet via the beverage passage. For instance, the valve is fluidically located between the cavity outlet and the conditioning cavity. When present, the abovementioned thermal conditioner may extend, e.g. substantially cylindrically and / or conically, around the beverage conditioner. For example, the thermal conditioner remains stationary during beverage preparation. The invention also relates to a system that includes the above described machine as well as the capsule containing the flavouring ingredient. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing in the above described machine the beverage from the flavouring ingredient supplied within the capsule into the machine. The method includes the steps of: A) transferring the capsule via the insertion passage from outside the frame and / or housing to inbetween the first and second handlers, the capsule’s complementary shape sliding along the insertion guide(s); B) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers into the capsule processing position and moving the guide gate(s) from the open position to the closed position; C) processing the capsule in the processing cavity formed by the first and second capsule handlers in the closed position so that the flavouring ingredient is mixed with the water whereby the beverage is formed; D) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers into the capsule release position and releasing the capsule from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers; and E) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers into the capsule insertion position. The guide gate(s) is / are moved from the closed position to the open position in a time frame: starting during and / or after step D) and / or step E); and ending before step A). Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a capsule as the above described capsule for: being handled by a machine as described above; implementing the system as described above; or carrying out the method as described above. The capsule is: A) transferred via the insertion passage from outside the frame and / or housing to inbetween the first and second handlers, the capsule’s complementary shape sliding along the insertion guide(s); B) maintained between the first and second handlers when relatively moved into the capsule processing position and when the guide gate(s) is / are moved from the open position to the closed position; C) processed in the processing cavity formed by the first and second capsule handlers in the closed position so that the flavouring ingredient is mixed with the water whereby the beverage is formed; D) released or prepared for release from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers by relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers to the capsule release position; and E) removed from the capsule handling system and / or collected out of the capsule handling system while the first and second capsule handlers are relatively moved into the capsule insertion position, The guide gate(s) is / are moved from the closed position to the open position in a time frame: staring during and / or after step D) and / or step E); and ending before step A). Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a capsule handling system of a machine according to the invention with the first and second capsule handlers in their capsule insertion position and the guide gate(s) in the open position; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1 with a capsule ready for insertion into the passage and its guide(s) uncovered by the guide gate(s); - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1, the guide gate(s) in the closed position and the first and second capsule handler inbetween the capsule insertion and processing positions; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a capsule handling system of a machine according to the invention with the first and second capsule handlers in their capsule processing position and the guide gate(s) in the closed position; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1 during opening, the guide gate(s) remaining in the closed position and the first and second capsule handlers inbetween the capsule processing insertion positions; - Figure 6 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system of Fig. 5; - Figure 7 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1; - Figure 8 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system of Fig. 3; - Figure 9 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system Fig. 4; - Figure 10 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1, the first and second capsule handlers relatively moving from the capsule release position to the capsule insertion position, the guide gate(s) moving from the closed position to the open position typically towards the end of the capsule handlers’ movement; - Figure 11 is a side view of part of the capsule handling system of Fig. 1, the guide gate(s) having reached the open position and the first and second capsule handlers having reached the capsule insertion position; - Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the capsule handling system of Fig. 4, the first and second capsule handlers being in the capsule processing position with a capsule in the processing cavity; - Figure 13 is a perspective view of a thermal conditioner that can be associated with the capsule handling system of Fig. 1; and - Figure 14 is a perspective cross-section of the thermal conditioner shown in Fig. 13. Detailed description Figures 1 to 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of part of a machine 1 in accordance with the invention as well as components thereof. Machine 1 is configured for preparing a beverage 4 from a flavouring ingredient 5a supplied within a capsule 5b in a processing cavity 5. Ingredient 5a is mixed with water 4’ in capsule 5b. Typically, water 4’ is thermally conditioned, e.g. by a thermal conditioner 4’’’ with electric powering connectors 4a’’’’, and / or pressurized, e.g. by a pump, prior to mixing. Typically water 4’ is fed via a water line 4’’ to processing cavity 5. For instance, water line 4’’ is in fluid communication with or comprises thermal conditioner 4’’’, such as a heater and / or cooler that is an inline continuous flow heater and / or cooler, e.g. a thick film resistive or induction heater and / or a thermocouple cooler. The generator may be in thermal or inductive communication with a heating water guide 4a’’ and / or water 4’ circulating in a water guide 4a’’, such as a thermally conditioning conduit extending along a generally cylindrical and / or conical device 4a’’’ e.g. helicoidally around cylindrical and / or conical device 4a’’’. Cylindrical and / or conical device 4a’’’ may extend along cylinder and / or cone axis 40’’. Machine 1 includes a capsule handling system 10,20 having a first capsule handler 10 and a second capsule handler 20 that are movable one relative to the other along a handler movement direction 40’’, e.g. a straight and / or curved direction, between: - a capsule insertion position for receiving capsule 5b inbetween first and second handlers 10,20; - a capsule release position for releasing capsule 5b from inbetween first and second capsule handlers 10,20; and - a capsule processing position in which first and second handlers 10,20 delimit processing cavity 5. Machine 1 has a handler actuator 41, such as a motor or a user-handle, configured to relatively move first and second capsule handlers 10,20 between the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. Machine 1 comprises a frame and / or housing 40 which is stationary during beverage preparation and which supports capsule handling system 10,20. Frame and / or housing 40 may include or be fixed to a bottom configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine 1 during beverage preparation. Handler movement direction 40’’ can be at an angle relative to such bottom in the range of 0° to 60°, for instance of 0° to 45°, such as of 0° to 30°, e.g. of 0° to 15°, typically substantially 0°. Frame and / or housing 40 delimits a capsule insertion passage 60 configured to allow a transfer, e.g. by gravity, of capsule 5b from outside frame and / or housing 40 to first and second capsule handlers 10,20 in the capsule insertion position. Insertion passage 60 has at least one insertion guide(s) 61,61a shaped, e.g. recessed, to cooperate with a complementary shape 5b’ of capsule 5b, e.g. a capsule flange protruding from a capsule receptacle body 5b’’ and / or a capsule lid 5b’’’. The complementary capsule shape is typically configured to slide along guide(s) 61,61a upon insertion of capsule 5b into insertion passage 60. Guide(s) 61,61a is / are associated with at least one guide gate 62,62a movable: - from a closed position preventing a passage along guide(s) 61,61a of capsule 5b from outside insertion passage 60 to inbetween first and second handlers 10,20; - to an open position allowing a passage along guide(s) 61,61a of capsule 5b from outside insertion passage 60 to inbetween first and second handlers 10,20. Insertion passage 60 may be provided with two such guides 61,61a facing each other so that capsule 5b is guided between guides 61,61a. For example, guides 61,61a are associated with two such guide gates 62,62a, e.g. each guide 61,61a being provided with a distinct gate 62,62a and / or gates 62,62a being configured to be moved simultaneously. The capsule release position can be located inbetween the capsule processing position and the capsule insertion position, the capsule release position being different to the capsule processing position and to the capsule insertion position. Machine 1 may be configured to move guide gate(s) 62,62a into the open position after having passed the capsule release position when first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are relatively moved to or into or have reached the capsule insertion position. Machine 1 can be configured to move guide gate(s) 62,62a from the closed position to the open position after first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are moved from capsule processing position past the capsule released position. Machine 1 may be configured to move guide gate(s) 62,62a from the open position to the closed position when first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are moved: - from the capsule insertion position toward to the capsule processing position or are about to be moved out of the capsule insertion position; and / or - from the capsule processing position towards the capsule release position prior to reaching the capsule release position. Guide gate(s) 62,62a can be configured to be moved between the open position and the closed position by a resilient device 62a’’, such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging guide gate(s) 62,62a into the open position and / or into the closed position. Guide gate(s) 62,62a may be configured to be moved between the open position and the closed position by a gate actuator, such as a motor or a user-handle e.g. handler actuator 41. For example, the gate actuator drives a cam 42’,42a’ that drives a cam-follower 62a,62a’ of guide gate(s) 62,62a. Cam 42’,42a’ may be a rotatable part of actuator or a rotatable part of a transmission 42,43,43a driven by the gate actuator, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles 42,42a and levers 43,43a. Guide gate(s) 62,62a can be configured to be moved from the closed position into the open position and vice versa in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a capsule movement direction 60’ along insertion passage 60 and / or substantially parallel to handler movement direction 40’’. Guide gate(s) 62,62a may be configured to be moved on top of insertion guide(s) 61,61a between the closed position and the open position. Guide gate(s) 62,62a can be configured to cover a portion of insertion passage 60 when guide gate(s) 62,62a is / are in the closed position typically so that an evacuation of moisture and / or steam is facilitated via a portion of insertion passage 60 uncovered by guide gate(s) 62,62a in the closed position. Hence, a portion of a cross-section 60’’ of insertion passage 60, which cross-section 60’’ extends across insertion passage 60 at a level of guide gate(s) 62,62a in the closed position, may remain uncovered. Insertion passage 60 prior to partial covering by guide gate(s) 62,62a and the uncovered portion of insertion passage 60 after partial covering by guide gate 62,62a can have a surface area ratio of at least 1.1, such as of at least 1.3, for instance at least 2, for example at least 5, e.g. of at least 10. A ratio of a surface area of insertion passage 60 prior to covering over a surface area of the covered portion of insertion passage 60 after covering by guide gate(s) 62,62a may be of less than 1000% such as less than 500%, for instance less than 200%, for example less than 130%, e.g. less than 110%. Guide gate(s) 62,62a can be shaped as a plate, such as a straight or bent plate. Guide gate(s) 62,62a can be configured as a slider sliding over and / or across insertion guide(s) 61,61a between the closed and the open positions; or Handler actuator 41 may be configured to relatively move first and second capsule handlers 10,20 via a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles 42,42a and levers 43,43a. Handler actuator 41 may be assisted by a resilient device 44,44a, such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging first and second capsule handlers 10,20 into at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. Handler actuator 41 can be configured to reach a stop 40’,40a’ in at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions, such as a stop member formed by or fixed to frame and / or housing 40. For example, the stop is reached directly by a part of handler actuator 41 or indirectly thereby via a part 43’,43a’ of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles 42,42a and levers 43,43a, via which first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are moved by handler actuator 41. Handler actuator 41 may operate a position sensor 55, such as a switch or an optical sensor, to derive a relative position of first and second capsule handlers 10,20, such as at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions. For example, the position sensor is operated directly by a part of handler actuator 41 or indirectly thereby via a part 43’’,43a’’ of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles 42,42a and levers 43,43a, via which first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are moved by handler actuator 41. Insertion passage 60, e.g. guide(s) 61,61a, can be associated with a capsule positioning device 65,65a configured to position capsule 5b inbetween first and a second capsule handlers 10,20 in their capsule insertion position before relatively moving them into their capsule processing position and receiving capsule 5b in processing cavity 5. For example, positioning device 65,65a has a capsule support part 65’ movable at the bottom of insertion passage 60, e.g. at the bottom of guide(s) 61,61a, between a capsule supporting position and a capsule releasing position. Figs 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment and a second embodiment of positioning device 65,65a operating according to the same principle. Capsule support part 65’ may be movable by a resilient part 65’’ of capsule positioning device 65,65a and / or, directly or indirectly, by handler actuator 41 between the capsule supporting and releasing positions, e.g. via at least one of first and second capsule handlers 10,20 pushing and / or pulling capsule positioning device 65,65a. Capsule support part 65’ can be movable out from the capsule supporting position in a direction 65’’’ that is substantially: perpendicular to handler movement direction 40’’; and / or perpendicular to a capsule movement direction 60’ along insertion passage 60. Ingredient handling system 10,20 may be configured to rotate processing cavity 5 about a processing axis 40’’, e.g. a processing axis parallel to handler movement direction 40’’, so that ingredient 5a and water 4’ are centrifugally driven about processing axis 40’’ during mixing to form beverage 4. First and second capsule handlers 10,20 can be rotated by a motor 45 to rotate processing cavity 5. First and second capsule handlers 10,20 may be mounted in rotation on frame and / or housing 40 via one or more bearings 11,21, such as one or more ball bearings. Processing cavity 5 can have at least one cavity inlet 24 leading into processing cavity 5 for supplying water 4’ into cavity 5 and one or more cavity outlets 25 leading out of cavity 5 for guiding beverage 4 out of cavity 5 upon mixing ingredient 5a and water 4’. Processing cavity 5 may have an inlet 24 located on one 20 of capsule handlers 10,20, centrally relative to a downstream face of cavity 5. Processing cavity 5 can have a plurality of outlets 25 located on one 20 of capsule handlers 10,20, peripherally relative to an upstream face of cavity 5. Upstream face and downstream face may be formed by a same cavity face. Processing cavity 5 may have inlet(s) 24 and outlet(s) 25 located on the same capsule handler 20. The inlet can be located on one of the first and second handlers, the outlet(s) being located on the other of the first and second handlers. Processing cavity 5 may have one or more of beverage outlet(s) 25 and cavity inlet(s) 24 associated with one or more capsule openers 24’,25’, such as capsule piercers 24’,25’. Machine 1 typically includes a beverage passage 26, e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with beverage outlet(s) 25, passage 26 being configured to guide beverage 4 from cavity outlet(s) 25 towards a beverage dispensing outlet 27. Passage 26 may be associated with a valve 28, e.g. a centrifugal and / or electric valve, for controlling the flow and / or the pressure of beverage 4 along passage 26. Passage 26 can be associated with a beverage conditioner 50 delimiting a conditioning cavity 51, e.g. between two surfaces that are movable relatively to one another e.g. rotatably movable. The two relatively movable surfaces may be cylindrical and / or conical surfaces, e.g. relatively rotating around axis 40’’. Conditioning cavity 51 can delimit part of beverage passage 26. Conditioning cavity 51 may be configured to refine or froth with gas, e.g. air or nitrogen, beverage 4 supplied from cavity outlet 25 via beverage passage 26. Valve 28 may be fluidically located between cavity outlet 25 and conditioning cavity 51. When present, abovementioned thermal conditioner 4’’’ may extend, e.g. substantially cylindrically and / or conically, around beverage conditioner 50, typically along axis 40’’ that may be coaxial with cylinder and / or cone axis 40’’. For example, thermal conditioner 4’’’ remains stationary during beverage preparation. During operation of machine 1, beverage 4 is prepared from flavouring ingredient 5a supplied within capsule 5b into machine 1 as follows: A) capsule 5b is transferred via insertion passage 60 from outside frame and / or housing 40 to inbetween first and second handlers 10,20, capsule’s complementary shape 5b’ sliding along insertion guide(s) 61,61a; B) first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are relatively moved into the capsule processing position and guide gate(s) 62,62a is / are moved from the open position to the closed position; C) capsule 5b is processed in processing cavity 5 formed by first and second capsule handlers 10,20 in the closed position so that flavouring ingredient 5a is mixed with water 4’ whereby beverage 4 is formed; D) first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are relatively moved into the capsule release position and capsule 5b is released from inbetween first and second capsule handlers 10,20; and E) first and second capsule handlers 10,20 are relatively moved into the capsule insertion position. Guide gate(s) 62,62a are moved from the closed position to the open position in a time frame: starting during and / or after step D) and / or step E); and ending before step A).

Claims

Claims 1. A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4) from a flavouring ingredient (5a) supplied within a capsule (5b) into a processing cavity (5) by mixing said ingredient (5a) with water (4’) in said capsule (5b) in the processing cavity (5), optionally said water (4’) having been thermally conditioned, e.g. by a thermal conditioner (4’’’) such as a thick film resistive or inductive heater and / or a cooler, and / or pressurized, e.g. by a pump, prior to mixing, such machine (1) comprising: - a capsule handling system (10,20) having a first capsule handler (10) and a second capsule handler (20) that are movable one relative to the other along a handler movement direction (40’’), e.g. a straight and / or curved direction, between: - a capsule insertion position for receiving said capsule (5b) inbetween the first and second handlers (10,20); - a capsule release position for releasing the capsule (5b) from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers (10,20); and - a capsule processing position in which the first and second handlers (10,20) delimit the processing cavity (5); - a handler actuator (41), such as a motor or a user- handle, configured to relatively move the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) between the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions; and - a frame and / or housing (40) which is stationary during beverage preparation and which supports the capsule handling system (10,20), optionally the frame and / or housing (40) comprising or being fixed to a bottom configured to rest on a support surface external to such machine (1) during beverage preparation, the handler movement direction (40’’) being at an angle relative to such bottom in the range of 0° to 60°, forinstance of 0° to 45°, such as of 0° to 30°, e.g. of 0° to 15°, typically of substantially 0°, the frame and / or housing (40) delimiting a capsule insertion passage (60) configured to allow a transfer, e.g. by gravity, of said capsule (5b) from outside the frame and / or housing (40) to the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) in the capsule insertion position, the insertion passage (60) comprising at least one insertion guide(s) (61,61a) shaped, e.g. recessed, to cooperate with a complementary shape (5b’) of said capsule (5b), e.g. a capsule flange protruding from a capsule receptacle body (5b’’) and / or a capsule lid (5b’’’), which complementary capsule shape is configured to slide along the guide(s) (61,61a) upon insertion of said capsule (5b) into the insertion passage (60), characterised in that the guide(s) (61,61a) is / are associated with at least one guide gate (62,62a) movable: - from a closed position preventing a passage along the guide(s) (61,61a) of said capsule (5b) from outside the insertion passage (60) to inbetween the first and second handlers (10,20); - to an open position allowing a passage along the guide(s) (61,61a) of said capsule (5b) from outside the insertion passage (60) to inbetween the first and second handlers (10,20), optionally the insertion passage (60) being provided with two such guides (61,61a) facing each other so that said capsule (5b) is guided between the guides (61,61a), for instance the guides (61,61a) being associated with two such guide gates (62,62a), e.g. each guide (61,61a) being provided with a distinct gate (62,62a) and / or the gates (62,62a) being configured to be moved simultaneously.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capsule release position is located inbetween the capsule processing position and the capsule insertion position, the capsule release position being different to the capsule processing position and to the capsule insertion position.

3. The machine of any preceding claim, which is configured to move the guide gate(s) (62,62a) into the open position after having passed the capsule release position when the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are relatively moved to or into or have reached the capsule insertion position.

4. The machine of any preceding claim, which is configured to move the guide gate(s) (62,62a) from the closed position to the open position after the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are moved from capsule processing position past the capsule released position.

5. The machine of any preceding claim, which is configured to move the guide gate(s) (62,62a) from the open position to the closed position when the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are moved: - from the capsule insertion position toward to the capsule processing position or are about to be moved out of the capsule insertion position; and / or - from the capsule processing position towards the capsule release position prior to reaching the capsule release position.

6. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the guide gate(s) (62,62a) is / are configured to be moved between the open position and the closed position by: - a resilient device (62a’’), such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging the guide gate(s) (62,62a) into the open position and / or into the closed position; and / or - a gate actuator, such as a motor or a user-handle e.g. the handler actuator (41), for instance the gate actuator driving a cam (42’,42a’) that drives a cam- follower (62a,62a’) of the guide gate(s) (62,62a), such as a cam (42’,42a’) of a rotatable part of the actuator or of a rotatable part of a transmission (42,42a,43,43a) driven by the gate actuator, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles (42,42a), and levers (43,43a).

7. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the guide gate(s) (62,62a) is / are configured: A) to be moved from the closed position into the open position and vice versa in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a capsule movement direction (60’) along the insertion passage (60) and / or substantially parallel to the handler movement direction (40’’); B) to be moved on top of the insertion guide(s) (61,61a) between the closed position and the open position; C) to cover a portion of the insertion passage (60) when the guide gate(s) (62,62a) is / are in the closed position so that an evacuation of moisture and / or steam is facilitated via a portion of the insertion passage (60) uncovered by the guide gate(s) (62,62a) in the closed position, optionally the insertion passage (60) prior to partial covering by the guide gate(s) (62,62a) and the uncovered portion of the insertion passage (60) after partial covering by the guide gate (62,62a) having a surface area ratio of at least 1.1, such as of at least 1.3, for instance at least 2, for example at least 5, e.g. of at least 10; D) as a plate, such as a straight or bent plate; E) as a slider sliding over and / or across the insertion guide(s) (61,61a) between the closed and the open positions; or F) as a combination of two or more of features A) to E).

8. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the handler actuator (41) is configured to: - relatively move the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) via a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles (42,42a), and levers (43,43a); and / or - be assisted by a resilient device (44,44a), such as a return spring or a bistable device, urging the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) into at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions; and / or- reach a stop (40’,40a’) in at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions, such as a stop member formed by or fixed to the frame and / or housing (40), optionally the stop being reached directly by a part of the handler actuator (41) or indirectly thereby via a part (43’,43a’) of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles (42,42a), and levers (43,43a), via which the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are moved by the handler actuator (41); and / or - operate a position sensor (55), such as a switch or an optical sensor, to derive a relative position of the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) such as at least one of the capsule insertion, the capsule release and the capsule processing positions, optionally the position sensor being operated directly by a part of the handler actuator (41) or indirectly thereby via a part (43’’,43a’’) of a transmission, e.g. one or more of: transmission gears, wheels and / or axles (42,42a), and levers (43,43a), via which the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are moved by the handler actuator (41).

9. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the insertion passage (60), e.g. the guide(s) (61,61a), is associated with a capsule positioning device (65,65a) configured to position said capsule (5b) inbetween the first and a second capsule handlers (10,20) in their capsule insertion position before relatively moving them into their capsule processing position and receiving said capsule (5b) in the processing cavity (5), optionally the positioning device (65,65a) comprising a capsule support part (65’) movable at the bottom of the insertion passage (60), e.g. at the bottom of the guide(s) (61,61a), between a capsule supporting position and a capsule releasing position, for example the capsule support part (65’) being: - movable by a resilient part (65’’) of the capsule positioning device (65,65a) and / or, directly or indirectly, by the handler actuator (41) between thecapsule supporting and releasing positions, e.g. via at least one of the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) pushing and / or pulling the capsule positioning device (65,65a); and / or - movable out from the capsule supporting position in a direction (65’’’) that is substantially: perpendicular to the handler movement direction (40’’); and / or perpendicular to a capsule movement direction (60’) along the insertion passage (60).

10. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the ingredient handling system (10,20) is configured to rotate the processing cavity (5) about a processing axis (40’’), e.g. a processing axis parallel to the handler movement direction (40’’), so that said ingredient (5a) and said water (4’) are centrifugally driven about the processing axis (40’’) during mixing to form said beverage (4), optionally the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) being: - rotated by a motor (45) to rotate the processing cavity (5); and / or - mounted in rotation on the frame and / or housing (40) via one or more bearings (11,21), such as one or more ball bearings.

11. The machine of any preceding claim, wherein the processing cavity (5) has at least one cavity inlet (24) leading into the processing cavity (5) for supplying said water (4’) into the cavity (5) and one or more cavity outlets (25) leading out of the cavity (5) for guiding said beverage (4) out of the cavity (5) upon mixing said ingredient (5a) and said water (4’), optionally the processing cavity (5) having: A) an inlet (24) located on one (20) of the capsule handlers (10,20) centrally relative to a downstream face of the cavity (5) and / or a plurality of outlets (25) located on one (20) of the capsule handlers (10,20) peripherally relative to an upstream face of the cavity (5), for example the upstream face and the downstream face being formed by a same cavity face;B) the inlet(s) (24) and the outlet(s) (25) located on the same capsule handler (20), or the inlet located on one of the first and second handlers and the outlet(s) located on the other of the first and second handlers; C) one or more of the beverage outlet(s) (25) and the cavity inlet(s) (24) being associated with one or more capsule openers (24’,25’), such as capsule piercers (24’,25’); or D) a combination of 2 or more of features A) to C).

12. The machine of any preceding claim, which comprises a beverage passage (26), e.g. a beverage conduit, in fluid communication with the beverage outlet(s) (25), the passage (26) being configured to guide said beverage (4) from the cavity outlet(s) (25) towards a beverage dispensing outlet (27), optionally the passage (26) being associated with: - a valve (28), such as a centrifugal and / or electric valve, for controlling the flow and / or the pressure of said beverage (4) along the beverage passage (26); and / or - a beverage conditioner (50) delimiting a conditioning cavity (51), e.g. between two surfaces that are movable relatively to one another e.g. rotatably movable, e.g. two relatively movable cylindrical and / or conical surfaces, the conditioning cavity (51) delimiting part of the beverage passage (26), the conditioning cavity (51) being configured to refine or froth with gas, e.g. air or nitrogen, said beverage (4) supplied from the cavity outlet (25) via the beverage passage (26), the valve (28) being for instance fluidically located between the cavity outlet (25) and the conditioning cavity (51), optionally said thermal conditioner (4’’’) extending, e.g. substantially cylindrically and / or conically, around the beverage conditioner (50).

13. A system comprising the machine (1) as defined in any preceding claim and said capsule (5b) containing said flavouring ingredient (5a).

14. A method of preparing in the machine (1), as defined in any one of claim 1 to 12, said beverage (4) from said flavouring ingredient (5a) supplied within said capsule (5b) into the machine (1), the method comprising the steps of: A) transferring the capsule (5b) via the insertion passage (60) from outside the frame and / or housing (40) to inbetween the first and second handlers (10,20), the capsule’s complementary shape (5b’) sliding along the insertion guide(s) (61,61a); B) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) into the capsule processing position and moving the guide gate(s) (62,62a) from the open position to the closed position; C) processing the capsule (5b) in the processing cavity (5) formed by the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) in the closed position so that the flavouring ingredient (5a) is mixed with the water (4’) whereby the beverage (4) is formed; D) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) into the capsule release position and releasing the capsule (5b) from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers (10,20); and E) relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) into the capsule insertion position, the guide gate(s) (62,62a) being moved from the closed position to the open position in a time frame: starting during and / or after step D) and / or step E); and ending before step A).

15. A use of a capsule as said capsule (5b) for: - being handled by a machine as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12; - implementing the system as defined in claim 13; or - carrying out the method of claim 14, wherein said capsule (5b) is: A) transferred via the insertion passage (60) from outside the frame and / or housing (40) to inbetween thefirst and second handlers (10,20), the capsule’s complementary shape (5b’) sliding along the insertion guide(s) (61,61a); B) maintained between the first and second handlers (10,20) when relatively moved into the capsule processing position and when the guide gate(s) (62,62a) is / are moved from the open position to the closed position; C) processed in the processing cavity (5) formed by the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) in the closed position so that the flavouring ingredient (5a) is mixed with the water (4’) whereby the beverage (4) is formed; D) released or prepared for release from inbetween the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) by relatively moving the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) to the capsule release position; and E) removed from the capsule handling system (10,20) and / or collected out of the capsule handling system (10,20) while the first and second capsule handlers (10,20) are relatively moved into the capsule insertion position, the guide gate(s) (62,62a) being moved from the closed position to the open position in a time frame: starting during and / or after step D) and / or step E); and ending before step A).

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