Abstract: A hot-beverage-making apparatus, in particular for milk beverages such as cappuccino, chocolate and the like, comprising a container extending along an axis, a lid closing the container, a rotary mechanical stirrer fitted with an impeller, and a steam wand connectable to a steam source and having an end steam outlet. The stirrer and the wand extend, sloping with respect to each other, inside the container, and the end steam outlet of the wand is located above and radially eccentric with respect to the impeller of the stirrer.

Abstract: A delivery assembly for a machine for preparing liquids product by means of cartridges includes: an injector device, to let water and/or steam under pressure in the cartridge, an infusion chamber, facing the injector device and capable of receiving one said cartridge, retention element, capable of maintaining the cartridge in a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber and the injector device. The retention elements having: a support element of the cartridge, sustained in a displaceable way by the injector device in a part thereof that generally faces towards the outlet passage; and guiding elements mounted in a fixed position at generally opposite side parts of the injector device, that frontally protrude from the injector device and are capable of laterally constraining the cartridge to guide it until a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber.

Abstract: The system comprises: capsules (C) of at least a first type and a second type, having outwardly protruding transverse flanges (32), and respective different axial lengths (h1, h2, h3), and a brewing unit (6, 20, 7), in which there is defined a variable-volume brewing chamber (100) with a lateral delimiting part (81, 81a) and a slidable end delimiting part (54, 55), for receiving capsules (C) of said types introduced into the chamber (100). The capsules (C) of the aforementioned different types have flanges (32) of correspondingly different shapes, and the end delimiting part (54, 55) of the brewing chamber (100) carries stop members (70, 71) adapted to be coupled to the flanges (32) of said different types of capsules (C) when the latter are introduced into the brewing chamber (100), so as to allow correspondingly different relative movements of the end delimiting part (54, 55) relative to the lateral delimiting part (81, 81a) of said chamber (100).

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support and guide structure with a movable assembly and a cooperating assembly. The movable assembly couples with the cooperating assembly to define an infusion chamber. Between the two assemblies is provided a gripper type holding device, with a pair of movable jaws for receiving and retaining a capsule. The jaws opened by means for releasing the capsule when the movable assembly approaches the closing position. The opening has associated reaction means to keep it in an advanced position, when the movable assembly approaches the closing position. In an end phase of the displacement of the movable assembly the gripper type holding device urges the opening member towards a rearward position, and in an initial phase of the return displacement of the movable assembly the opening member maintains the gripper type holding device with the jaws wide open to release the capsule.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a liquid product such as coffee by means of hot liquid and/or steam introduced into a cartridge (10) containing a dose of ground coffee envisages introducing the hot liquid and/or steam into the cartridge (10) thus bringing about deformation of at least one portion (1420) of a bottom (142) of the cartridge (10) and consequent perforation of the aforesaid bottom (142) by an array of perforating tips (10). The cartridge (10) is set with the bottom (142) facing the array of perforating tips (10) but at a distance therefrom so that the bottom (142), by undergoing deformation, comes into contact with the array of perforating tips (10) with a delay with respect to the start of the action of introduction of the aforesaid hot liquid and/or steam into the cartridge (10).

Abstract: The machine (1) comprises a support structure (3), in which the following are provided: a refillable water reservoir (4); a boiler (6) provided with an electric heater (7, 8); a pump (9) for supplying a flow of water from the reservoir (4) to the boiler (6); a first electric connector (5) for connecting the machine (1) to an AC supply voltage source; a dispensing unit (35) which is connected to the boiler (6), for dispensing a flow of hot water and/or steam, and to which the following can be coupled: a dose-holder unit (36) for receiving a dose, pre-packaged or loose, of a substance for the preparation of a beverage; a unit (24) for controlling operation of the machine (1); and at least one operating device (25) which can be operated so as to activate preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: The system comprises a data input device (T) for inputting data associated with a supply of cartridges or capsules comprised of a predetermined amount of cartridges or capsules (C), and capable of defining a predetermined reference number related to said amount; and an electronic monitoring and control module (EM), adapted to be associated with a machine (CM) for preparing beverages of the cartridge or capsule kind, and comprising: a detector (26) adapted to acquire said data; at least one controlled switch (22), connectable between the electric pump (10) and the associated control switch (5a) of the machine (CM), such that the electric pump (10) can be activated only when said controlled switch (22) is closed, and can be deactivated if said switch (22) is open; at least one detection terminal (21a) adapted to be connected to the control switch (5a) associated with the electric pump (10) of the machine (CM), to provide an activation signal each time said control switch (5a) is operated to activate the ele

Abstract: The cartridge (1) according to the invention comprises an envelope (2) having a first and a second end wall (4, 5) connected together by an annular lateral wall (6) and defining an inner chamber (7) containing a quantity or dose of a substance (S) for preparation of the beverage. The envelope (2) has at least one first and at least one second permeable wall (6a, 5) acting as an inlet for the introduction of a flow of water into the chamber (7) and as an outlet from it respectively for outflow of the beverage from chamber (7). Between the first and the second permeable walls (6a, 5) the envelope (2) has an outwardly projecting annular formation (3g). A portion of the permeable inlet wall (6a) for the introduction of water into the chamber (7) is made in the annular lateral wall (6) of the envelope (2). The annular formation (3g) extends from the second end wall (5) in a direction substantially opposite to the first end wall (4).

Abstract: A cartridge (10) containing a dose (12) of at least one substance for preparing a liquid product, e.g., coffee, by means of liquid and/or vapour introduced into the cartridge (10). The cartridge comprises a casing (14) containing the aforesaid dose (12) with a bottom wall (142) through which the liquid product may flow out of the cartridge (10). The bottom wall (142) has, as viewed from outside the cartridge (10): —a central portion (1420); —a first annular cavity (1422) that surrounds the central portion (1420); —an intermediate annular portion (1424) that surrounds the first annular cavity (1422) and is separated from the latter by a first annular rib (1423); and —a second annular cavity (1426) that surrounds the intermediate annular portion (1424) and is separated from the latter by a second annular rib (1425).

Abstract: A dispensing assembly (30) for a machine for the preparation of liquid products using capsules includes: an injector device (50), for introducing into a capsule (10) water and/or steam under pressure; a capsule holder (40), facing the injector device (50) and designed to receive the capsule (10); and an actuation linkage (80), for causing displacements of the capsule holder (40) between a spaced position and a close position with respect to the injector device (50). The dispensing assembly (30) further includes ejector means (70), which are designed to push the capsule (10) towards the outside of the capsule holder (40) according to the displacement of the capsule holder (40) towards its spaced position from the injector device (50). The ejector means (70) are mechanically constrained to the actuation linkage by means of a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A capsule or cartridge (1) including a cup-shaped body (2) with a bottom wall (3), a lateral wall (4) and a flange-like top formation (5) which is essentially planar and extends transversely towards the outside, and a cover (6) fixed to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2), such as to define a chamber (7) containing the material for the preparation of the beverage, in particular ground roasted coffee. The lateral wall (4) of the body (2) has a plurality of projections (8) and recesses (9) which as a whole define at least an identification of the capsule (1). The projections (8) and recesses (9) are aligned in an essentially rectilinear direction, belonging to a plane essentially parallel to the flange-like formation (5) of the body (2) of the capsule (1).

Abstract: The brewing apparatus (1) comprises a guide and support structure (2), that bears a movable receiving assembly (7) capable of receiving a capsule or similar (10), containing a quantity or measure of a substance for the preparation of a beverage, and a substantially stationary cooperating assembly (6). The movable assembly (7) is able to assume a closed position in which it is coupled with the cooperating assembly (6) to create a brewing chamber, and a separated open position. Between such assemblies (6, 7) there is a gripping device (20) including a pair of movable jaws, capable of assuming a relative retaining position in which they are capable of receiving and retaining a capsule or similar (10) inserted between said assemblies (6, 7) while the latter are in the separated open position.

Abstract: The brewing apparatus (1) comprises a guide and support structure (2), and bears a movable receiving assembly (7) provided with a receptacle (9) capable of receiving a capsule (10) or similar, containing a quantity or measure of a substance for the preparation of a beverage, and a substantially stationary cooperating assembly (6); the movable assembly (7) being able to assume a closed position in which it is coupled with the cooperating assembly (6) to define a brewing chamber able to contain a capsule (10), and a separated open position. The cooperating assembly (6) is able to inject water and/or steam into the brewing chamber. An ejection device (20) is provided to eject a used capsule (10) from the region between said assemblies (6, 7) when, after the beverage has been prepared, the movable assembly (7) returns from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A delivery assembly for a machine for the preparation of liquid products using cartridges includes: an injector device, capable of introducing into the cartridge water and/or steam under pressure, an infusion chamber facing the injector device and capable to receive the cartridge, an actuation system, designed to cause displacements of the infusion chamber between a spaced position and a close position with respect to the injector device, a loading arrangement that includes an inlet passage and retention means, switchable between a retention condition and a release condition of the cartridge by means of displacements of the infusion chamber with respect to the injector device. The delivery assembly further includes ejector means, functionally distinct from the retention means and capable of pushing the cartridge towards the outside of the infusion chamber in function of the displacement of the infusion chamber towards its spaced position from the injector device.

Abstract: The machine (M) comprises electric heaters (15, 42) suitable to heat an amount of water for preparing hot beverages to a preset temperature; a first unit (1) for preparing and delivering a first hot beverage, particularly coffee, including a bearing structure (3) wherein at least one extraction assembly (4) is mounted which is suitable to accommodate a capsule or pod containing a substance for preparing the first beverage, particularly roasted ground coffee, and an underlying movable dispenser (21, 22) which is capable of taking at least first and second delivery positions, and a second unit (2) for preparing a beverage by means of centrifugation, which is arranged adjacent the first unit (1) and including a vessel (26) to receive an amount of the first beverage from the dispenser (21, 22) of the first unit (1), when this dispenser (21, 22) is in a preset delivery position, and optional further substances, and a motor-driven centrifuge assembly (28) including a stirring member (36) suitable to be introduce

Abstract: The gripper device (100) comprises a pair of opposite movable jaws (41) having respective coordinated gripping profiles (50) intended to cooperate with corresponding predetermined portions of the lateral surface of a capsule (C) of a first predetermined type so as to define a retaining position for such a capsule (C) in which the capsule (C) is essentially coaxial with a predetermined reference direction (R-R). The jaws (41) are able to assume a relative rest or standby position in which they are close together and inlet portions thereof (41a, 45) are capable of being splayed and passed beyond by a capsule (C) introduced into the machine (1), so as to allow said capsule (C) to be positioned and gripped between the gripping profiles (50) in the retaining position.

Abstract: A capsule including a cup-shaped body with a protruding top flange, a lateral wall, a flexible bottom wall, and a flexible cover welded to the flange to define a sealed chamber containing ground roasted coffee. The coffee is compressed within the chamber to form a compact panel, and a vacuum is provided such that the cover moves towards the upper surface of the panel. Between the flange and the bottom wall, the lateral wall of the body has an annular step formation providing a local reduction in the cross-section of the chamber towards the bottom wall. This step formation is closer to the bottom wall than to the flange and provides a local reduction in the cross-section of the chamber of at least about 25%. The bottom wall of the body is deformable under the effect of the fluid introduced into the capsule, being displaced away from the cover.

Abstract: The brewing assembly (1) comprises a support structure (2) which is operationally stationary and in which the following are mounted: a movable part (4) including a cup-shaped body (5) in which there is defined a receptacle (6) suitable for receiving a capsule (C) or the like containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage; a cooperating locating part (9) provided with a member (10) for performing perforation and/or injecting water and/or steam; and a displacement mechanism (11) for causing displacement of the movable part (4) between an open position, remote from the locating part (9), in which the cup-shaped body (5) is in a position suitable for receiving a capsule (C) or the like, and a closed position, in which the cup-shaped body (5) is able to be coupled with the locating part (9) so as to define therewith a brewing chamber in which the capsule (C) is sealingly clamped, for preparation of the beverage.

Abstract: A heating device (1) which includes: an assembly (2-4) made of a heat-conducting material and has a heating resistor (5) and has a defined passage (7a, 7b) close to the resistor (5), for a flow of water to be heated. The assembly (2-4) includes a central body (2) having two main opposite surfaces (2a, 2b) to which respective closing shells (3, 4) are connected in a liquid-tight manner. Between each main surface (2a, 2b) and the associated shell (3, 4) there is defined a passage following a serpentine path (7a, 7b). The serpentine passages (7a, 7b) communicate with each other by a through-hole (10) provided between the main surfaces (2a, 2b) of the central body (2). The heating resistor (5) is provided in the central body (2), between the main surfaces or faces (2a, 2b) such that it is in a heat-exchanging relationship with both the serpentine passages (7a, 7b).