Abstract: Machine for preparing a drink, which comprises a body (20) and a head (21) fitted with a liquid-injection assembly (6), which comprises a support (7) to accommodate a portion of food ingredients and comprising a passage (10) through which the said drink can flow, the said head (21) being mounted on the said body (20) such that it can move in order to move from a retracted stowage position, in which the space occupied by the machine is minimal and the passage (10) is covered, into a deployed service position in which the space occupied by the machine is greater than the space occupied in the retracted position. In the retracted position, a housing (33) is provided in the head to accommodate the support (7) and, in the deployed position, the passage (10) is uncovered in order to allow the drink to flow over an empty space intended for the insertion of a container.

Abstract: Machine for preparing a drink, which comprises a casing (1) defining an internal volume in which internal means for circulating a liquid intended for preparing said drink are housed, said means comprising: -means (2) for piping the liquid inside said casing; and -a pump (3) for delivering the liquid into said liquid-piping means (2). According to the invention, the machine further includes intake means (11, 90, 93) for bringing the liquid from outside said casing (1) into the latter, which means are deployable at least partly on the casing (1) from a position in which they occupy a small space to a position in which they occupy a larger space, and are connected to said liquid circulation means.

Abstract: Injection assembly (6) for the preparation of a drink from consumable ingredients and a liquid, comprising a frame (50) in which the following are mounted: —an injection chamber (100), intended to accommodate a portion of ingredients, having a lower part (7) and an upper part (52, 101), at least one of said lower (7) and upper (52, 101) parts being mounted so as to move; and—a cam (51) and a cam follower (52) which are mounted so as to move rotationally and translationally respectively, these cooperating via inclined surfaces (61, 62) in order to close said injection chamber (100). According to the invention, the upper part (52, 101) is mounted so as to move translationally inside said frame (50) and in that said cam (51) and said cam follower (52) are movably joined to said upper part (101) so as to be able to open and close said injection chamber (100).

Abstract: Device for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge, comprising a supply unit (2) for supplying injection fluid to the cartridge (10), a cartridge holder (6) configured to accept and support a cartridge; the said cartridge holder being detachable from the device and complementary insertion means (7) are configured to allow the cartridge holder to be inserted from its detached position into the supply unit (2). The injection means (5) are provided and form part of the supply unit. The injection means are able to move into engagement. Sealing means (16) are also provided in association with the injection means in ‘order to provide sealing locally between the said injection means and the cartridge.

Abstract: A system and device for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge. The device includes a supply unit for supplying an injection fluid into the cartridge, a cartridge holder configured to accept and support the cartridge with the cartridge holder being detachable from the device. A complementary insertion mechanism of the device is configured to receive the cartridge holder in the device. The cartridge is positioned in the supply unit in an injection position with its injection surface substantially in an inclined plane relative to the horizontal plane and the injection mechanism is offset from the highest edge of the cartridge. The cartridge holder preferably comprises a linear wedge-shaped insertion member having a bearing surface inclined along an angle. The method of operation of the system and device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated and robotized platform (1) comprising a battery of miniature reactors (3) containing each a cell culture. The platform comprises an external sensor (7) for measuring at least one optical property of each cell culture contained in each miniature reactor. The platform also comprises a mobile sensor-holder (9) for receiving the external sensor. The sensor-holder includes sensor driving means for moving the external sensor from one miniature reactor to another and for measuring in real time said at least one optical property. The platform further comprises controlling and processing means for receiving real time measurements of the optical property form the external sensor and for real time control of a movement of the mobile sensor-holder.