Abstract: A device for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble foam layer, includes a beverage unit for delivering the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet of beverage. The device further includes a receiving unit into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer. The receiving unit is provided with a chamber with at least one drain opening for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member accommodated in the chamber and having a top that lies free from an inner wall of the chamber. The nozzle and the jet impact member are mutually oriented such that the jet hits against a portion of the top of the jet impact member, so that the jet after hitting against the jet impact member forms a mist of the beverage.

Abstract: A device for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble foam layer, includes a beverage unit for delivering the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet of beverage. The device further includes a receiving unit into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer. The receiving unit is provided with a chamber with at least one drain opening for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member accommodated in the chamber and having a top that lies free from an inner wall of the chamber. The nozzle and the jet impact member are mutually oriented such that the jet hits against a portion of the top of the jet impact member, so that the jet after hitting against the jet impact member forms a mist of the beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble foam layer. The device is provided with a beverage unit (2) for delivering the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle (4) which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet (12) of beverage. The device further comprises a receiving unit (14) into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer. The receiving unit is provided with a chamber (16) with at least one drain opening (18) for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member (20) accommodated in the chamber and having a top (22) that lies free from an inner wall (24) of the chamber.

Abstract: A frothing device (1) is disclosed which is suited for a beverage machine. The frothing unit has an inlet (11) for a frothing medium (12) and a gas inlet (13) with an opening diameter. Furthermore, the frothing unit comprises a pumping means (14) and a tubing (15) for connecting the aforementioned components to one another. The aforementioned components form a continuous tubing system. In addition, due to the pumping action of the pumping means, a negative pressure difference with respect to the atmospheric pressure is accomplished throughout the whole tubing system.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge (10), which is suitable to be used in a process of preparing a beverage, comprises a beverage making unit (1). A duct system (30) of the beverage making unit (1) has a main duct (31), a first subsidiary duct (32) which merges into the main duct (31), and a second subsidiary duct (33) which merges into the main duct (31) as well, at a different position than the first subsidiary duct (32). In a process of preparing a beverage, a first fluid is supplied by the main duct (31), and flows of a second fluid are supplied by the subsidiary ducts (32, 33). In this way, it is achieved that the second fluid is mixed with the first fluid in two steps. In case the second fluid is used for heating the first fluid, local boiling of the first fluid is prevented.

Abstract: A pad holder (16) of a coffee maker for making coffee having a foam layer on top comprises a stud plate (17) having studs for supporting a coffee pad containing ground coffee beans and an outlet opening (20) for delivering coffee extract. A number of studs (18a) in the direct vicinity of the outlet opening (20) are arranged in a circle, surfaces (24) of the studs (18a) forming a circular directing surface. During operation of the coffee maker, a flow of coffee extract enters a space (27) encompassed by the studs (18a) via channels (23) between the studs (18a) and is put into rotation as a result of interaction with the directing surface. Consequently, the coffee flow enters the outlet opening (20) in a rotating condition, causing the outlet opening (20) to deliver the coffee as a spray of fine droplets, from which the foam is created.

Abstract: A beverage device for making a beverage with a foam layer on top, comprising foaming means for generating foam from said beverage, said foaming means comprising at least one inlet opening (18) for receiving beverage under pressure and at least one outlet opening (38,39) for the beverage with the foam. To obtain a fine and stable foam layer on the beverage, the beverage device is characterized in that the foaming means comprises means for generating a spray (48) of beverage, and said foaming means further comprises a collision surface (34) which, in use, is hit by said spray (48) of beverage, thereby generating foam.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge (10), which is suitable for use in a process of preparing a beverage, comprises a pump unit (1). A duct system (30) of the pump unit (1) has a first duct (31) and a second duct (32) which merges into the first duct (31), wherein an angle (?) between the ducts (31, 32) is considerably smaller than 90°. In a process of preparing a beverage, a first fluid is supplied by an inlet portion of the first duct (31), and a flow of a second fluid is supplied by the second duct (32). At the position where the ducts (31, 32) meet; a transfer of momentum from the flow of the second fluid to the first fluid takes place, so that an underpressure is obtained, as a result of which the first fluid is put in motion. Furthermore, a joint flow of the first fluid and the second fluid is obtained in an outlet portion of the first duct (31).

Abstract: A pad support for a beverage maker includes a bottom that forms a barrier for beverage liquid flowing from a supported pad, a discharge opening in the bottom for discharging beverage liquid through the bottom, and a nozzle restricting the discharge opening for generating a beverage liquid jet from the nozzle. Pad support projections are provided that have innermost support projections projecting from the bottom at positions circumferentially distributed around the discharge opening. Seen in top plan view towards the bottom, at least some of the innermost support projections have a cross-section that is elongate in a radial direction with respect to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A pump unit (4) comprises a reservoir (20) for containing a liquid, a duct system (30) for conveying the liquid and a pumping section (50) for subjecting the liquid to a pumping force. Initially, in a pump unit according to the state of the art, the duct system is filled with air. This causes problems at the start of the operation of the pump unit, or, in case the applied pumping force is high enough to prevent such problems, this leads to a flow rate of the liquid that is too high. This problem is solved by bringing about an initial filling of at least a portion of a duct (31) for conveying the liquid from the reservoir (20) to the pumping section (50), under the influence of another force than a pumping force, for example under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A beverage device for making a beverage with a foam layer on top, comprising foaming means for generating foam from said beverage, said foaming means comprising at least one inlet opening (18) for receiving beverage under pressure and at least one outlet opening (38,39) for the beverage with the foam. To obtain a fine and stable foam layer on the beverage, the beverage device is characterized in that the foaming means comprises means for generating a spray (48) of beverage, and said foaming means further comprises a collision surface (34) which, in use, is hit by said spray (48) of beverage, thereby generating foam.

Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a brew chamber for accommodating a coffee pad. During a coffee making procedure, hot water is forced under pressure through the coffee pad, whereby coffee is obtained. A nozzle (9) is connected to the brew chamber for obtaining a coffee jet. Inside the brew chamber, in the vicinity of an outlet hole (91) giving access to the nozzle (9), a turbulence generator (60) is arranged, which is adapted to generating turbulence in a fluid flow. Under the influence of the turbulence generator (60), turbulence is generated in a coffee flow right before it enters the nozzle (9), whereby a rough coffee jet is obtained. In this way, it is possible to obtain a large foam layer on the coffee when it is received in a cup. Instead of being part of the coffee maker, the turbulence generator (60) may also be part of the coffee pad.

Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a pump for pressurizing water, a pump tube connected to an outlet side of the pump, and a brewing chamber which is adapted to accommodate a coffee pad. During operation of the coffee maker, the water is heated and pressed through a coffee pad in order to obtain coffee. In order for the performance of the coffee maker to be stable, it is important that a predetermined pressure is obtained in the brewing chamber. The stability of the performance is found to be dependent on a ratio between a length of the pump tube and a wavelength of a wave which is caused by the pump in the pump tube during operation. If said ratio is within a range of 0.3 to 0.7±0.5N, wherein N is an integer, the performance is stable. However, if the ratio is outside of this range, the performance is unstable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble foam layer. The device is provided with a beverage unit (2) for delivering the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle (4) which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet (12) of beverage. The device further comprises a receiving unit (14) into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer. The receiving unit is provided with a chamber (16) with at least one drain opening (18) for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member (20) accommodated in the chamber and having a top (22) that lies free from an inner wall (24) of the chamber.

Abstract: A beverage making device comprising a frothing member (9) for producing froth in the beverage, which device comprises a settling chamber (11) for settling the frothed beverage coming from the frothing member (9). The coarse foam is separated from the fine foam thereby. The outlet (14) for the settled beverage is at the lower side of the settling chamber (11).

Abstract: A pad support (15) for a beverage maker comprising a bottom (14;64) that forms a barrier for beverage liquid flowing from a supported pad (18), a discharge opening (19) in the bottom (14;64) for discharging beverage liquid through the bottom (14;640, and a nozzle (22,72) restricting the discharge opening (19) for generating a beverage liquid jet from the nozzle (22;72), and a plurality of pad support projections (16, 17) comprising an innermost plurality (17) of the support projections projecting from the bottom (14;64) at positions circumferentially distributed around the discharge opening (19). Seen in top plan view towards the bottom (14;64), at least some of the innermost plurality of support projections (17) have a cross-section that is elongate in a radial direction with respect to the discharge opening (19). A foam unit, a beverage maker (1), and a method using such a pad support (15;65) are also described.

Abstract: A beverage device for making a beverage with a foam layer on top, comprising foaming means for generating foam from said beverage, said foaming means comprising at least one inlet opening (18) for receiving beverage under pressure and at least one outlet opening (38,39) for the beverage with the foam. To obtain a fine and stable foam layer on the beverage, the beverage device is characterized in that the foaming means comprises means for generating a spray (48) of beverage, and said foaming means further comprises a collision surface (34) which, in use, is hit by said spray (48) of beverage, thereby generating foam.