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 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 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 product vending machine having a locking device, wherein a column of rollers, fitted along a guide with sufficient play to roll along the guide, is selectively engaged by one of a number of wedge members to eliminate the play and move the rollers into a compact configuration preventing insertion of the other wedge members; each wedge member being movable with a relative movable part, e.g. a tray or a door, of the machine.

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: The present invention relates to an automatic product dispenser, i.e. vending machine featuring improved product delivery ability. The vending machine according to the present invention comprises at least one tray (5) for supporting the products (2) to be dispensed, which is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner and is subdivided into a plurality of compartments (6), at least a conveyor belt (9) for handling the products (2) within said compartments (6) and conveying said products (2) towards a release section (35); the inventive vending machine further comprises delivery means (17) provided close to said release section (35). The inventive vending machine is characterized in that at least one of said compartments (6) is so configured as to be able to receive products (2) arranged along two rows, and in that it comprises selection means (19) adapted to arrange said products (2) into a single row in proximity of said release section (35).

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for dispensing capsules, preferably single-use, disposable capsules for the production of beverages, brews and the like, intended for use in connection with automatic food-product vending machines. The inventive capsule dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to accommodate capsules in a stacked arrangement, at least a rotary pick-up device provided with two or more compartments distributed about the axis of rotation thereof for removing the capsules from the receptacles, and a conveyor. The capsule dispensing apparatus is characterized in that between the at least a pick-up device and the conveyor there is arranged a distribution tray including a plurality of guide partitions adapted to enable the capsules to undergo a rotary motion.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is provided for feeding capsules (4), preferably single-use capsules for the preparation of beverages, infusions and the like, for beverage vending machines. The apparatus includes a storage chamber (2, 22) for storing capsules (4) in a random arrangement, pick-up means (10, 210) for picking up the capsules (4), a capsule transfer device (13, 213) provided with one or more compartments (14, 214) for the capsules (4), at least an unloading conveyor (19, 219) for unloading the capsules (4). The apparatus is characterized in that, between the storage chamber (2, 22) and the at least an unloading conveyor (19, 219), the apparatus (1) comprises a first orientating device (8, 28), which is adapted to orientate the capsules (4) according to at least a substantially horizontal-axis position, and a second orientating device (20, 220) which is adapted to arrange the capsules (4) according to a same vertical-axis position.

Abstract: A mechanically and hydrodynamically operated brewing unit (1) for automatic beverage vending machines includes a rotatable base (3) provided with a compartment (15) that acts as a brewing chamber, means to let water under pressure into said compartment, means to connect said compartment with the point at which the brewed beverage is dispensed, and a brewing head (4). This brewing head is comprised of a hollow containment structure (279), a first hollow piston (28) that is housed in said containment structure movably relative thereto, a second piston (29) that is accommodated in said first piston movably relative thereto, and elastic means (30) contrasting the movement of said second piston. The brewing unit is characterized in that said first piston and said second piston are operated by the direct action of a fluid under pressure.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine includes an integrated capsule dispensing apparatus. The automatic vending machine comprises a first dispensing unit for delivering products that it withdraws from one or more first storage compartments, and is characterized in that it further comprises at least a second dispensing unit for delivering products packaged in the form of capsules that are stored loosely within second storage compartments.