Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a hot beverage. The apparatus includes a hot steam source for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel, a rotary stirring device including a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; and a cleaning container. A control unit controls movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend inside a vessel; and the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container.

Abstract: The system comprises a capsule (1) which has first and second end walls (3, 2f) and an annular side wall (2e) and which contains a dose of a substance for preparation of the beverage, and a machine (M) comprising an infusion assembly (G) designed to receive a capsule (1) and having an inlet (30, 31) for supplying a flow of pressurized water to be introduced into the capsule (1), and a delivery outlet (14) for outflow of the beverage formed in the infusion assembly (G) towards a collecting container. The infusion assembly (G) includes a plurality of parts (10-12) which can be moved away from and towards each other and can be sealingly coupled together so as to define as a whole an infusion chamber into which the capsule (1) can be introduced. In at least one (11) of these parts (10-12) of the infusion assembly (G) there is provided a perforation device (21; 121) designed to perforate the capsule (1) arranged in the infusion chamber (20, 22).

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 device (1) for loading and ejecting pods/cartridges (C) and the like containing a substantially granular preparation for use in machines for infusions such as coffee and the like. The device includes: a support (2); a housing (3) for a cartridge (C), rotatably connected to the support (2); an element (4) for extracting the infusion, connected to the housing (3); a device (5, 6) for locking and supporting the housing (3); an ejector (31) apt to eject the cartridge (C) from the housing (3); and an element (21) for actuating the ejector (31).

Abstract: The cartridge-holder assembly (1) comprises a cup-shaped body (2) in which there are formed an upper receptacle (3) adapted to receive a cartridge or pod (C) containing a substance (S) for the preparation of the beverage, and a lower duct (7) in communication with said receptacle (3) and intended to convey the beverage towards an underlying collecting container. In said duct (7) there is provided a control valve device (9-15) including a valve seat (11), an associated section-throttling member (12), and a control device (13-15) capable of causing a relative movement of the section-throttling member (12) with respect to the seat (11), between a first and a second working position, to correspondingly vary the cross section of said duct (7) and the rate of the flow of said beverage between a minimum and a maximum value, respectively.

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: A machine for preparing liquid products via cartridges (10) comprises a delivery assembly (30) that includes at least: —one injector device (34), to introduce into a cartridge (10) water and/or steam under pressure; —an infusion chamber (31), facing the injector device (34) and designed to receive the cartridge (10); —an actuation system (35), designed to cause relative displacements between the injector device (34) and the infusion chamber (31), between a spaced position and a close position; —a loading arrangement that includes an inlet duct (40) and retention means (42, 47), which can be switched between a retention condition, where the cartridge (10) is kept in a position substantially coaxial to the infusion chamber (31) and to the injector device (34), and a release condition, where the cartridge (10) is free to fall towards an outlet passage (41) of the delivery assembly (30).

Abstract: The capsule (1) comprises a casing (2) having first and second end walls (3, 4) spaced one from the other and interconnected by a lateral wall (5) having an essentially annular shape, and defining an internal chamber (6) containing an amount or dose of a substance (7) for the preparation of a beverage. The casing (2) has at least one first and at least one second permeable or pierceable wall portion (5a, 4a), acting as inlet and outlet, respectively, for the introduction of a flow of water into said chamber (6) and the outflow of the beverage from said chamber (6), respectively. An inlet wall portion (5a) for the introduction of water into the chamber (6) is provided in the annular lateral wall (5).

Abstract: The capsule (1) comprises a cup body (2), with a bottom wall (2f) on which is a separating structure (3) with a plurality of spokes (4), defined between which are corresponding interspaces (5). The bottom wall (2f) has in its central portion a plurality of drink exit openings (6) which are not aligned with the slopes (4). A first filter sheet (7) is arranged on the separating structure (3) in such a way that a plurality of brewing chambers is defined between the first filter sheet (7), the spoked structure (3) and the bottom wall (2f). A quantity of powdered or granular material (8), especially roast ground coffee, is placed in the body (2) on the filter sheet (7). The second sheet (9) of filter material is applied to a top outer edge of said body (2).

Abstract: The device comprises a body (2-4) having an inlet passage (7) and an outlet passage (18) for the liquid, and wherein there is defined an internal cavity (8) which by means of a movable intermediate member (9, 12) is divided into a first and second chamber (10, 11) which are sealingly separated from one another, preferably by means of a diaphragm member (9). The first chamber (10) is adapted to be put into communication with the inlet passage (7); a resilient member (15) is provided in the second chamber (11) and tends to urge the movable member (9, 12) towards the first chamber (10). The movable member (9, 12) has an associated valve member (16) interacting with an associated valve seat (17) in such a way as to form a valve device (16-18) defining a first orifice with a variable passage cross section between the inlet passage (7) and the outlet passage (18).

Abstract: A machine (1) operating with capsules for the preparation of coffee and other hot beverages is designed to be equipped selectively with a first motorized actuator module (44), which comprises a support (43) and a first electro-mechanical locking assembly (22) mounted on the support (43) so as to form a preassembled interchangeable module, and with a second manually operated actuator module (70), which comprises a second mechanical locking assembly (72) able to be releasably connected to a lever (5) which can be operated by a user so as to be manually actuated by means of the lever (5).

Abstract: A machine having a support structure with a hot-water dispensing head, a capsule-carrying assembly which is mounted so as to be movable in a first plane in the support structure. The machine further including a guide means suitable for allowing the capsule-carrying assembly to move between a working position in which the assembly is coupled with the dispensing head and an intermediate position in which the assembly can pivot about a first axis perpendicular to the first plane, towards an angular loading position in which it can receive a capsule. The machine also having an actuating device which includes an actuator member which is rotatable about a second fixed axis and can bring about the movement thereof between the working position and the loading position.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for preparing a liquid product, for example a beverage such as coffee by introducing liquid and/or steam into the cartridge (10) contains a dose (12) of at least one substance, such as for example powdered coffee, which is able to form the aforesaid product using said liquid and/or steam. The dose is enclosed between foils (14, 16) that can be traversed by the aforesaid liquid and/or steam, said foils (14, 16) being connected together around the dose (12). The aforesaid foils (14, 16) are made of compostable material, i.e., a material that can be recovered by composting and biodegradation, and are connected together around the dose (12) using a connecting material (30), which is also compostable. The cartridge as a whole can hence be recovered by composting and biodegradation, in compliance with the European Norm UNI EN 13432:2002 and/or subsequent modifications and integrations thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) containing a dose (12) of at least one substance, such as powdered coffee, for preparing a liquid product by means of liquid and/or steam introduced at a given temperature into the cartridge (10) comprises a casing (14) containing the aforesaid dose (12) with a side wall (140) and a bottom wall (142) through which the liquid product flows out from the cartridge (10). The aforesaid bottom wall (142) has a layered structure with: at least one layer (1420) made of a first compostable material designed to undergo softening and/or melting at a temperature ranging between 70° C. and 120° C.; and—at least one layer (1422) made of a second compostable material that does not undergo appreciable softening and/or melting at said temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus including a container (2); a removable cover (3); a rotating stirrer (6) which extends inside the container (2) and is provided with an end impeller (8); an electric motor (22), for driving the stirrer (6) via a coupling joint (9, 10, 23, 26); and a hot steam dispensing wand (13) extending inside the container (2) and connectable to the steam source (52) of a coffee machine (CM) via a connection union (12) associated with the cover (3). The electric motor (22) is contained in a housing (21) which is separate and distinct from the cover (3) and is connected or able to be connected to power supply terminals (49, 50) with which the coffee machine (CM) is provided. The cover (3) supports the stirrer (6) rotatably and the inlet fluid connector (12) thereof is directly connected to a steam dispensing fluid union (48) of the coffee machine (CM).

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: An apparatus for preparing a hot beverage. The apparatus includes a hot steam source for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel, a rotary stirring device including a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; and a cleaning container. A control unit controls movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend inside a vessel; and the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container.

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.