Machine for the preparation of beverages

1. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit;

further comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part for receiving a cartridge, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, wherein the removable unit is mounted, in use, in the fixed lower part.

2. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are oriented vertically and parallel to one another.

3. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are made of plastics materials.

4. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second piercing element is larger in diameter than the first piercing element.

5. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the removable unit only has a single first piercing element and a single second piercing element.

6. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second piercing element is larger in diameter than the first piercing element.

7. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the removable unit only has a single first piercing element and a single second piercing element.

8. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cartridge mount is rotatably mounted between a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part.

9. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein the upper part and the cartridge mount are rotatable about a common hinge axis.

10. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit stationary in use during forming the inlet and the outlet;

further comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part for receiving a cartridge, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, wherein the removable unit is mounted, in use, in the fixed lower part.

11. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are orientated vertically and parallel to one another.

12. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are made of plastics materials.

13. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit;

wherein the removable united is mounted, in use, in a recess formed in a fixed lower part.

14. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein the second piercing element is surrounded by a ledge which is raised relative to its surroundings.

15. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit;

further comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part for receiving a cartridge, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, wherein the removable unit is mounted, in use, in the fixed lower part;

wherein the removable unit is mounted, in use, in a recess formed in the fixed lower part.

16. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein the second piercing element is surrounded by a ledge which is raised relative to its surroundings.