Abstract: A machine for preparing a food product comprises at least a stationary structure, a hydraulic circuit and a control system. The hydraulic circuit comprises at least one water-supply source, means for heating water and pumping means, as well as a first dispensing element (51), which can be supplied with pressurized hot water and/or steam. The first dispensing element (51) is configured for coupling, in particular sealed coupling, with an inlet (18, 26) of a disposable container (11) for preparing and retaining the food product, and the hydraulic circuit (40) is controllable, in particular via the control system, for conveying pressurized hot water and/or steam to the first dispensing element (51).

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, and methods for the preparation of beverages. In one aspect, these include beverage preparation capsules for use in beverage preparation apparatus comprising a clamp assembly suitable for preparing espresso-type beverages.

Abstract: A beverage-ingredient container to be used in the preparation of a beverage by a beverage dispensing apparatus. The container has a first optical code on the first surface of the container, wherein the first optical code is positioned on a first surface to be read by an optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus when the container is received by the apparatus in a first orientation, and a second optical code on a second surface of the container, wherein the second optical code is positioned on the second surface to be read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus when the container is in a second orientation. The first optical code and the second optical code each stores container-related information including a container identifier which, when read by the optical scanner of the beverage dispensing apparatus, can be used by the beverage dispensing apparatus to control beverage preparation.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus and methods for active pressure control thereof. In one aspect, a method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus may include: a) determining whether a first beverage to be prepared at a first temperature or a second beverage to be prepared a second temperature has been selected for preparation, the first temperature being greater than the second temperature; and b) selecting a maximum pressure threshold for a beverage preparation fluid circuit of the beverage dispensing apparatus based on whether the first beverage or the second beverage has been selected in step a), wherein the maximum pressure threshold is set by selecting from at least a first pressure threshold when the first beverage has been determined to have been selected and a second pressure threshold when the second beverage has been determined to have been selected, the first pressure being less than the second pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage preparation machine comprising a housing; a reservoir for containing a liquid, wherein the reservoir is situated within the housing; a dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid; a pump situated between the reservoir and the dispensing outlet; a user input means situated on an outer surface of the housing; and a pump controller configured to operate the pump for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid, wherein the input means is capable of communicating with the pump controller in order to initiate an operation of the pump; and the pump controller is configured to operate the pump based on a characteristic of the previous operation of the pump.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a machine for preparing hot beverages is provided. The cleaning system has a washing water supply piping connected to a water supply system of the machine, a detergent supply connected to the washing water supply piping, a washing chamber suppliable with washing water provided by the washing water supply piping, and washing valves arranged at one end of the washing water supply piping and between a flexible hose of a milk supply piping of the machine and a frothing head of the machine. In a first position of the washing valves, the washing water supply piping may be fluidically connected to the washing chamber for washing a movable part of the flexible hose placed in the washing chamber. Through the flexible hose, the washing water contained in the washing chamber may be conveyed to a milk inlet and to a distribution duct of the frothing head.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a machine for preparing beverages has a washing water supply piping and a washing chamber suppliable with washing water provided by the washing water supply piping. A movable part of a flexible hose extracted from a milk reservoir may be placed into the washing chamber. Through the flexible hose, the washing water contained in the washing chamber may be conveyed to a frothing head of the machine. The washing chamber is formed in a tray couplable in a releasable manner to the machine under the frothing head. A collection chamber, also formed in the tray, is separate from the washing chamber and configured to be arranged under the distribution duct of the frothing head.

Abstract: A capsule for extraction of a beverage of the filter-coffee type has a capsule body (2), made of water-impermeable material, which defines a chamber (3), present inside which is a precursor of the beverage, comprising soluble coffee and roast and ground coffee. At least 51 wt % of the precursor is roast and ground coffee having a grain size expressed in x50 comprised between 350 and 800 ?m, and the complement to 100 wt % of the precursor is soluble coffee having a grain size expressed in x50 comprised between 1000 and 5000 ?m. The roast and ground coffee is laid out to form a first layer (GC) in the lower part of the capsule body (3), and the soluble coffee (SC) is laid out to form a second layer (SC) in the upper part of the capsule body, i.e., in a position corresponding to the inlet wall (5) and/or above the first layer (GC).

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a height-adjustable support member for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions. The beverage dispensing apparatus may include a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing a beverage and a movable support member having a top surface for supporting a beverage vessel below the beverage dispensing outlet. The movable support member may include an inner telescoping element and an outer telescoping element. An actuation assembly may be operably coupled to the movable support member to move the movable support member to modify a distance between the top surface of the movable support member and the beverage dispensing outlet. Activation of the actuation assembly may cause both the inner and outer telescoping elements to move simultaneously either towards or away from the beverage dispensing outlet.

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: An apparatus for preparing foam from a milk-based liquid. The apparatus (1) includes: a support base; a container containing an amount liquid, the container being arrangeable in a working position on the support base; a stirrer adapted to be removably positioned in the container to rotate about an axis of rotation; and a driving device, positioned outside the container (3) and arranged to be magnetically coupled with the stirrer to drive it in rotation about the axis of rotation to stir the liquid contained in the container and form the foam. The driving device includes a stator (12) disposed around a member of the stirrer (8) generating a rotating magnetic field about the axis of rotation for inducing a rotation of the member (9) to drive the stirring device.

Abstract: A beverage-dispensing machine (10), for example, a machine for preparing coffee at home, is configured for being positioned in at least one first position and at least one second position that are rotated (a) with respect to one another about an axis of orientation (X10). The machine (10) comprises a user-interface element (20) carried by the machine in a rotatable way about the aforesaid axis of orientation (X10), with the interface element (20) that is configured to maintain a certain spatial orientation independently of the position of the machine (10).

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: An apparatus for preparing a foam from a liquid, particularly a food liquid, such as milk or a milk-based liquid. The apparatus (10) includes a base body (16) provided with electrical connection means (52, 54) and an upper unit (12, 14) arranged to be releasably placed on the base body (16) to be electrically connected to the base body (16) through the electrical connection means (52, 54). The upper unit (12, 14) has an upper body (12) acting as a vessel and an intermediate body (14) separate from each other. The upper body (12) houses a stirring member (24). The intermediate body (14) houses electrically operated driver (42, 44, 46) for driving the stirring member (24) to rotate and a heating element (40) for heating the liquid contained in the upper body (12).