Capsule or cartridge and infusion assembly for the preparation of a beverage, in particular coffee

An infusion assembly (10) for a machine for the preparation of a beverage using a capsule (1) containing a substance for the preparation of the beverage, comprising

• a first part and a second part (11, 12) configured to be displaced one with respect to the other between a relative opening position in which the capsule (1) is interposed therebetween, and a relative closing position in which the first and second parts jointly define an infusion chamber in which the capsule (1) is enclosed;
• retaining and guiding means (13) configured to allow a guided displacement of the capsule (1) from an introduction position to an intermediate position in which the capsule extends between said first and second parts (11, 12) when the first and second parts are in the relative opening position;
• and
• a detector (14) configured to detect the identification of the capsule (1) defined by a plurality of projections (8) protruding transversely and recesses (9), during the passage thereof from said introduction position to said intermediate position,
• wherein the capsule comprises a cup-shaped body, having a bottom wall, a lateral wall, and a flange-like top formation which is essentially planar and extends transversely, wherein at least one essentially planar lateral portion of the lateral wall has the plurality of projections and recesses, said projections and recesses defining an identification of the capsule and being mutually aligned in an essentially rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to the flange-like top formation.