Abstract: The loose product dispenser has a container and a sensor with optical barrier for detecting the presence of loose product in the container, the sensor having a transmitter of a light beam, configured to generate the optical barrier between an entry point and an exit point of the light beam from the container, and a receiver of the light beam, the sensor further has an electronic board on which both the receiver and the transmitter are installed, and a light guide configured and arranged to transmit to the reciever the light beam collected from the exit point.

Abstract: The method for treating milk or a plant-based beverage comprises creating a database containing associations between combinations of values of content by weight of proteins and carbohydrates of the milk or plant-based beverage to be treated and corresponding values of at least one treatment parameter for the milk or plant-based beverage; acquiring the content by weight of proteins and carbohydrates of the milk or plant-based beverage to be treated; and treating the milk or plant-based beverage with the value of the at least one treatment parameter corresponding in the database to the acquired values of the content by weight of proteins and carbohydrates.

Abstract: A valve device suitable to selectively obstruct a flexible tube, includes a first body and a second body operatively associated with each other, which are mobile with respect to each other along a sliding axis, thus configuring an open operating position and a closed operating position and thus defining a passage gap configured to be passed through by the flexible tube. The invention also concerns a machine for preparing beverages which includes a valve device and a corresponding functioning method.

Abstract: A coffee machine comprises a water supply pump, a first water heating boiler, a brewing unit comprising a hot water dispensing head, a first hydraulic connection line for connecting said first boiler to said dispensing head, a second by-pass line of the first boiler, hydraulically connecting said pump to said dispensing head, distribution valve means switchable between a first connection configuration of said supply pump to said first line and a second connection configuration of said supply pump to said second line, the first line being provided with a first non-return valve calibrated at a first opening pressure and the second line being provided with a second non-return valve calibrated at a second opening pressure lower than the first opening pressure.

Abstract: A coffee extraction method with a coffee machine comprising an infusion circuit comprising a supply pump, an electric heater and an infusion unit having an infusion chamber where a dose of coffee powder can be positioned, connected in sequence, wherein the machine stores a plurality of selectable extraction cycles each including in sequence an infusion circuit heat regulation step, a step of introducing said dose into said infusion chamber, and a step of extracting coffee having an initial coffee extraction temperature value, and after acquiring a selection of a coffee extraction cycle, compares the value of a temperature along the infusion circuit with the initial extraction temperature value of the selected extraction cycle, and performs the heat regulation step by activating the supply pump to generate a heat regulation water flow until the detected temperature value achieves the initial extraction temperature value of the selected extraction cycle.

Abstract: The coffee machine comprises a hydraulic circuit comprising an infuser, a water tank, a steam generator, a steam dispenser, a hot water generator, a supply pump for supplying water to the steam generator and to the hot water generator, where the hydraulic circuit further comprises a by-pass line of the hot water generator, a first and a second flow switcher which can be switched between a first switching configuration where the supply pump, the hot water generator and the infuser are connected in cascade, a second switching configuration where the supply pump and the infuser are connected in cascade through the by-pass line of the hot water generator, and a third switching configuration where the supply pump and the steam generator are connected in cascade.

Abstract: Machine (10) for preparing a beverage starting from a dry food substance (S), preferably in grains or beans (C), comprising a hopper (15) to contain the dry food substance (S) and provided with a lower aperture (25) for the outlet of the dry food substance (S). A grinding device (16) is disposed below the lower aperture (25) to grind the dry food substance (S) and transform it into an aromatic blend (M) in powder form. A central control unit (20) is able to control the grinding device (16) and a user interface (43) is connected to the central control unit (20).

Abstract: Machine (10) for preparing beverages, comprising a brewing unit (15) configured to prepare at least one certain beverage at a time, a main hydraulic circuit (16) to feed water to the brewing unit (15), a delivery unit (17) configured to deliver the certain beverage, a processor (33) operatively connected to the brewing unit (15), to the main hydraulic circuit (16) and to the delivery unit (17) in order to control and command their drive, a memory unit (36) connected to the processor (33) and a user interface (31) communicating with the processor (33) to select the certain beverage.

Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee-based beverages starting from whole coffee beans includes a hopper configured to contain the coffee beans, a grinding member associated with said hopper to grind the coffee beans in order to obtain a coffee powder, brewing means configured to subject the coffee powder to brewing, hydraulic means configured to supply water to the brewing means, and identification means configured to automatically identify one or more actual characteristics of the coffee beans and to automatically associate with the one or more actual characteristics one or more functioning parameters for at least one of either the grinding member, the brewing means or the hydraulic means.

Abstract: A machine for preparing beverages includes at least one tank for the water, fluidly connected, by means of a circuit, to a filtering container suitable to contain an aromatic mixture to be brewed, a pump to feed the water from said tank to said circuit, a heating device to heat the water in transit, and a control and command unit functionally connected to a user interface comprising commands suitable to select the characteristics of said beverage to be prepared.

Abstract: The milk frothing device comprises a milk container having at least one bottom, a removable lid for the hermetic closure of the milk container, a support base for supporting the milk container, a conduit for dispensing the frothed milk comprising a portion internal to the milk container which extends towards the bottom of the milk container and a portion external to the milk container having a downward dispensing end for the direct dispensing into a cup, a conduit for the inlet of air into the milk container, a supplier of compressed air to the air inlet conduit for the ejection of the frothed milk contained in the milk container through the dispensing conduit, a rotatable mechanical stirrer positioned inside the milk container, a milk heater, and a means for the activation in rotation of the mechanical stirrer housed in the support base.

Abstract: An autonomous apparatus for cooking food includes a support body, an openable lid, an internal container which can be extracted/inserted with respect to said support body and open at the top, at least a heating device and at least an element for generating a flow of air toward the inside of the container.

Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee beverages comprises an infusion unit comprising an infusion chamber suitable to contain a quantity of coffee powder to be subjected to infusion, a grinding unit to grind coffee beans and obtain coffee powder, a water tank connected to the grinding unit, means for feeding and heating the water, and a dispensing unit fluidically connected to the infusion unit and configured to dispense the beverage prepared into a receptacle. The invention also concerns a method to regulate a machine for preparing coffee beverages.

Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee beverages comprises an infusion unit comprising an infusion chamber suitable to contain a quantity of coffee powder to be subjected to infusion, a grinding unit to grind coffee beans and obtain coffee powder, a water tank connected to the grinding unit, means for feeding and heating the water, and a dispensing unit fluidically connected to the infusion unit and configured to dispense the beverage prepared into a receptacle. The invention also concerns a method to regulate a machine for preparing coffee beverages.

Abstract: The grinding device for grinding coffee beans comprises an interface for the user for selecting the quantity of ground coffee in a range of values of selectable quantities of ground coffee, an electric motor supplied by mains electricity voltage for driving the grinders, means for measuring the mains electricity voltage and an electronic controller configured to: associate, for each value of a selectable quantity of ground coffee, a series of grinding time values with a series of corresponding values of the mains electricity voltage; acquire a value of a quantity of ground coffee selected by the user via the interface; detect by the measuring means a value of the mains electricity voltage; for the acquired value of a quantity of ground coffee selected by the user, set the grinding time value corresponding to the detected mainly electricity voltage value; and drive the grinders for the set grinding time value.

Abstract: A mixing device suitable to mix substances or liquid or semi-liquid compounds to increase the volume thereof, including a hub which develops along a central axis and three mixing spokes connected to the hub, wherein each of the spokes comprises an external lateral fin and two upper and lower connection segments, which connect respective upper and lower ends of the lateral fin to the hub.

Abstract: Coffee machine comprising a milk dispensing device having a jug containing the milk from which the milk is drawn by means of a steam flow fed to a Venturi-effect chamber connected to the jug, where the machine body has an optical means for detecting the level of the milk present in said jug comprising at least a first operative infrared optical means for detecting at least around a first level of milk in said jug, where a controller is configured to control a current milk dispensing cycle at least on the basis of the signal acquired by the optical detection means.

Abstract: The grinding device for grinding coffee beans comprises an interface for the user for selecting the quantity of ground coffee in a range of values of selectable quantities of ground coffee, an electric motor supplied by mains electricity voltage for driving the grinders, means for measuring the mains electricity voltage and an electronic controller configured to: associate, for each value of a selectable quantity of ground coffee, a series of grinding time values with a series of corresponding values of the mains electricity voltage; acquire a value of a quantity of ground coffee selected by the user via the interface; detect by the measuring means a value of the mains electricity voltage; for the acquired value of a quantity of ground coffee selected by the user, set the grinding time value corresponding to the detected mainly electricity voltage value; and drive the grinders for the set grinding time value.