Patent ID: 8210097

Claim:
A machine for the automatic preparation and dispensing of beverages, the machine comprising: an infusion chamber configured to receive a capsule formed by a compacted aggregate of a substance to be infused held in an air and water impermeable packaging envelope, the infusion chamber including a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, a cross-section of the second side defining an arc configured to be flush with a capsule having spherical shape; a projection for piercing the packaging envelope, to penetrate into the aggregate of a substance to be infused, and inject pressurized water into the capsule under a pressure of 5 to 20 bar; and a puncturing zone configured to act as a punch and weaken the packaging envelope at the time of placement of the capsule against the puncturing zone and, subsequently, to locally burst or pierce the packaging envelope as a result of injection of pressurized water into the capsule, the puncturing zone communicating with a device to recover the liquid flowing through the punctured or pierced part of the packaging envelope, characterized by the fact that the puncturing zone is arranged on the first side of the the infusion chamber and the piercing projection is arranged on the first side of the infusion chamber, the puncturing zone being arranged at the base of the piercing projection, joined to the latter, the water being injected into the part of the capsule opposed to the puncturing zone so that it can be uniformly distributed throughout the capsule, the puncturing zone including a first part having a first distance from the second side of the infusion chamber, and a second part having a second distance from the second side of the infusion chamber, the first distance being greater than the second distance, the puncturing zone defining a plurality of through-passages in the first part of the puncturing zone, the through-passages being in fluid communication with the device to recover the liquid.