Abstract: A frothing head for heating and whipping milk is provided. The frothing head has a mixing chamber, a restriction duct extending from the mixing chamber, a frothing chamber arranged at one end of the restriction duct, a distribution duct, an air suction duct leading into the mixing chamber, and a milk suction duct leading into the mixing chamber. The frothing chamber is disc-shaped, and the restriction duct leads tangentially into the frothing chamber. The distribution duct extends axially from a center of a bottom surface of the frothing chamber and has an upper portion and a lower portion having a greater diameter than the upper portion.

Abstract: A device for heating and frothing milk which has a steam generator and a jet pump is provided. The jet pump has a steam inlet through which pressurized steam is injectable into the jet pump, a first suction inlet and a second suction inlet. The first suction inlet is configured to connect to a milk reservoir. An air inlet is connectable or connected to the second suction inlet of the jet pump for drawing air into the jet pump. A bypass valve is connected to the second suction inlet of the jet pump and has a bypass inlet. The bypass valve is switchable between a first position in which the second suction inlet of the jet pump is shut off from the steam generator, and a second position in which the second suction inlet is in fluid communication with the bypass inlet of the bypass valve for suction of steam.

Abstract: A motorized brewing unit for preparing beverages from a powdered product has a dispensing assembly having a first assembly part provided with a receptacle adapted to receive the powdered product, and a second assembly part, relative to which the first assembly part is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are coupled to each other to define a brewing chamber therebetween. The motorized brewing unit has an electric motor that controls movement of the first assembly part between the open position and the closed position and a readout device that provides a digital image of the powdered product. The readout device has an optical sensor. The receptacle faces the optical sensor when the first assembly part is in a detection position, intermediate between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A brewing unit for preparing beverages from a powdered product containing at least one ingredient is provided. The brewing unit has a support structure having an inner cavity, and a dispensing assembly having a first assembly part configured as a drawer and having a receptacle adapted to receive the powdered product, and a second assembly part mounted to slide vertically within an upper part of the inner cavity, between a raised position and a lowered position. A filtering element defining a bottom surface of the receptacle and of the brewing chamber is mounted within the first assembly part. A dispensing duct is formed through the filtering element. A brewing head defining a top surface of the brewing chamber is carried by a lower end of the second assembly part.

Abstract: A brewing unit includes a first part having a receptacle for receiving a capsule, a cartridge or a compacted pod, a second part movable relative to the first part between an open position in which the first and second parts are at a distance from each other, and a closed position in which the second and first parts are coupled to one another to define a brewing chamber. An electric motor controls movement of the second part relative to the first part. A transmission mechanism arranged between the electric motor and the first or second part comprises a movable member whose position is univocally associated with the relative position of the second part with respect to the first part. An electronic control unit controls the electric motor. A micro-switch switches between an ON operational state and an OFF operational state depending on the position of the movable member.