Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing machine (1) provided with: a controller (2); a human-machine interface module—HMI (4), for acquiring the selection made by a user of recipes for the preparation of beverages; and an actuator module (6), to cause the dispensing of a beverage into a receptacle (25), prepared according to a recipe selected via the human-machine interface module (4). The human-machine interface module is provided with: a display unit (10); and a control unit (12), to cause the display of a graphical user interface—GUI (22), and to cause the display, in an area (22c) of the GUI, of a recipe time bar (34) having a number of portions (35), each associated with a respective ingredient and with a respective preparation step of the recipe.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine (1) comprising a cup storage (3), a cup support device (9) in a cup filling station (7), and a stirrer dispenser (6) to feed a stirrer (6a) to a cup (4) in the cup support device (9). The cup support device (9) is defined by a body in the form of an open ring (11) with a vertical axis (12), a cup supporting surface (15), and a lateral opening (13) to allow the cup to be transversally extracted from the open ring body (11). The supporting surface (15) has at least one projecting area (19) configured to cause the planarity of the cup supporting surface (15) imperfect so as to cause the cup (4) to tilt, with respect to the cup support device (9), in response to the supply of a stirrer (6a) to the cup (4).

Abstract: A brewing unit for making espresso (ES) and fresh-brew (FB) coffee, wherein the brewing chamber of a brewing assembly is supplied with water by a constant-frequency pump, and communicates with a first ES coffee outlet conduit, controlled by a calibrated valve, and a second FB coffee outlet conduit via a three-way COV (contact-operated) switch valve, which is formed in a compression piston for closing the brewing chamber, and is designed to be set to a normal open position, in which the first and second outlet conduit and a delivery manifold communicate with one another, and to switch, in use and in opposition to a spring, to a closed position, in which the second outlet conduit is closed, and the first outlet conduit communicates with the delivery manifold.

Abstract: A storage boiler, a tank of which has a first chamber for housing a given quantity of water; an inlet for feeding water into the first chamber; an outlet for discharging water from the tank; and a first resistor fitted inside the first chamber to heat the water inside the first chamber to, and keep it at, a standby first temperature; the first chamber housing a tubular body, which houses a second chamber communicating with the first chamber and with the outlet, and housing a second resistor selectively activatable to heat the water flowing through the second chamber to a dispensing second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A brewing assembly, which has a brewing chamber having a first axis and for receiving a sealed capsule of brewing material; a sealing piston mounted to move along a second axis to and from a sealing position sealing the brewing chamber; a first unloading device movable along the brewing chamber to at least partly expel the capsule from the brewing chamber; a second unloading device movable with respect to the brewing chamber to engage the at least partly expelled capsule and unload it to the outside; and a brewing body, which defines the brewing chamber, supports the first unloading device, and is mounted to oscillate, about a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes, between a first position, in which the first and second axis coincide, and a second position, in which the first and second axis extend on opposite sides of the second unloading device.

Abstract: A tea brewing assembly having a brewing chamber with a top opening for loading/unloading a measure of tea, and a bottom wall; an ejector piston having a head permeable to liquid and mounted inside the brewing chamber to move between a lowered brewing position, and a raised position ejecting the measure of tea from the brewing chamber; a doctor for removing the measure of tea from the head in the raised position; a brewed beverage outlet communicating with the brewing chamber through an outlet opening formed through the bottom wall; a plug for controlling the outlet; and one actuator assembly for controlling the ejector piston, the doctor, and the plug.

Abstract: An infusion assembly, wherein a piston is positioned facing an open end of a cup, and is movable along a first axis to insert a container of powdered material into the cup; the container having been arrested, in use, by a gripper-type stop device in a position coaxial with the first axis and inside a through channel interposed between the piston and the cup; the gripper-type stop device being movable with and by the piston to perform a work movement towards the cup; and the cup having a second axis, and being mounted to oscillate, about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, between a normal unloading position, in which the open end of the cup faces downwards, and a work position, in which the second axis is coaxial with the first axis.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing cups in a beverage vending machine, the assembly having a dispensing device for releasing one cup at a time from a stack of cups; and a belt conveyor, which defines a store for two parallel, staggered lines of stacks, communicates with the dispensing device via an outlet, and is connected to a wall, for pushing the stacks, by a friction coupling, so as to draw the wall, in use, towards the outlet.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus, the brewing apparatus having an infusion chamber for housing material to be percolated and for receiving pressurized water; a beverage outflow conduit connecting the infusion chamber to the outside; and a valve located between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the outflow conduit; the valve being a three-way valve having an inlet communicating with the infusion chamber via the inlet portion of the outflow conduit; a first outlet communicating with the outlet portion of the outflow conduit; and a second outlet communicating with the outside.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine having a pickup compartment accessible from the outside and having a beverage mixing station; a beverage dispensing device having at least one outlet located at the mixing station in a fixed position facing the pickup compartment; a first member for feeding a cup into position beneath the outlet; and a second member which is movable, past the outlet and with respect to the first member, to and from a position separating the outlet from the pickup compartment.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus of capsules to a brewing device of an automatic beverage vending machine; the feeding apparatus comprising two stores for respective types of capsules; an outlet device, common to the two stores, to feed the capsules to the brewing device; and, for each store, dispensing means of the respective capsules one by one; and orientating means configured to give the capsules a determined final orientation before they are dispensed to the brewing device; the feeding apparatus also comprising detecting means to detect whether or not a capsule is present inside the outlet device; and control means for stopping the dispensing means of both stores and preventing further capsules from being dispensed in response to a capsule-presence signal emitted by the detecting means.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine is disclosed. The beverage vending machine includes a beverage production unit; a store containing cups; a take-out compartment; at least two cup-holders; and a beverage dispensing device. The take-out compartment is accessible from the outside and has at least two dispensing stations. Each of the at least two cup-holders is configured to support a cup at a respective dispensing station. The beverage dispensing device defines an outlet of the beverage production unit and is operated to selectively engage the dispensing stations.

Abstract: A tray for product vending machines, the tray having at least one channel with an outlet; a conveying device extending along the channel to support a column of products and feed the products to the outlet; and a release device for selectively allowing the products through the outlet, and having an independent passive retaining member, which extends across the channel to intercept a top portion of the first product in the column, and is moved by the first product from a normal withdrawn position to a forward position, in which the passive retaining member is located at least partly past the outlet in the travelling direction of the conveying device.

Abstract: A milk emulsifying method and unit, whereby a first flow of milk, fed along a first feed line (7) to an emulsifying chamber (5), draws a second flow of air from the outside along a second feed line (8) converging with the first feed line (7) upstream from the emulsifying chamber (5); the second flow being subjected to a repeat chopping operation, in which chopping is regulated in both frequency and duty cycle.

Abstract: A brewing unit for making espresso (ES) and fresh-brew (FB) coffee, wherein the brewing chamber of a brewing assembly is supplied with water by a constant-frequency pump, and communicates with a first ES coffee outlet conduit, controlled by a calibrated valve, and a second FB coffee outlet conduit via a three-way COV (contact-operated) switch valve, which is formed in a compression piston for closing the brewing chamber, and is designed to be set to a normal open position, in which the first and second outlet conduit and a delivery manifold communicate with one another, and to switch, in use and in opposition to a spring, to a closed position, in which the second outlet conduit is closed, and the first outlet conduit communicates with the delivery manifold.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus, in particular for brewed beverage vending machines, the brewing apparatus having a fixed axis; a fixed frame; a reversible drive; and a number of movable driven members all connected directly or indirectly to the drive to only oscillate about the fixed axis and/or move radially with respect to the fixed axis.

Abstract: A boiler for heating a liquid, in particular water, and having at least one module in turn having a cylindrical conduit closed at the ends by two caps and fitted through with an electric resistor, which defines an annular channel between itself and the conduit, and is fitted in fluidtight manner to each cap and to the inner surface of the conduit by a respective single seal; the conduit having a tubular inlet fitting and tubular outlet fitting, which are located close to the opposite axial ends of the annular channel, are independent of the caps, and have respective channels extending radially with respect to and communicating with the annular channel; the tubular inlet and outlet fittings being complementary in shape.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus of capsules to a brewing device of an automatic beverage vending machine; the feeding apparatus comprising two stores for respective types of capsules; an outlet device, common to the two stores, to feed the capsules to the brewing device; and, for each store, dispensing means of the respective capsules one by one; and orientating means configured to give the capsules a determined final orientation before they are dispensed to the brewing device; the feeding apparatus also comprising detecting means to detect whether or not a capsule is present inside the outlet device; and control means for stopping the dispensing means of both stores and preventing further capsules from being dispensed in response to a capsule-presence signal emitted by the detecting means.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine having a beverage production unit; a store containing cups; a take-out compartment accessible from the outside and having at least two dispensing stations; at least two cup-holders, each for supporting a cup at a respective dispensing station; and a beverage dispensing device, which defines an outlet of the beverage production unit and is operated to selectively engage the dispensing stations.

Abstract: A cup beverage vending machine having a beverage dispensing assembly with fluid dispensing nozzles located over respective cup stands; a beverage selection device; a lighting device for lighting the cup stands; and an electronic control unit connected to the beverage dispensing assembly, the beverage selection device and the lighting device, and so configured that, in response to selection of a beverage, the lighting device only illuminates the cup stand on which a cup for the selected beverage is to be deposited.