Abstract: An electronic system to remotely enable and locally control use of liquid milk in the preparation of beverages based on, or containing, liquid milk in beverage vending machines is disclosed.

Abstract: A two-stage water boiler for a hot beverage vending machine, comprising a storage water heater and a continuous-flow water heater fluidically connectable in series; wherein the storage water heater is configured to contain water at atmospheric pressure, and the continuous-flow water heater is configured to be supplied, through a water pump, with water drawn from the storage water heater.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring a deformed portion of a beverage preparation capsule to a shape that approximates its original shape. The apparatus comprises a seat configured to accommodate the capsule, a bending device configured to engage the deformed portion of the capsule, and a drive device to relatively move the bending device and at least part of the seat to cause the bending device to restore the deformed portion of the capsule to a shape that at least approximates its original shape.

Abstract: Control of temperature of water delivered by a dual-stage water heater having an external boiler with a first heater as first stage and an internal duct (water booster) with a second heater as second stage. A control loop based on a measured water temperature in the boiler and controls the first heater. A second loop calculate a reference booster water temperature based on the temperature error at the outlet (difference between a measured outlet water temperature and a reference outlet water temperature) and controls second heater based on error between reference booster water temperature and measured booster water temperature. The reference outlet water temperature depends on type of beverage (e.g. espresso, cappuccino) and includes a temperature profile with different temperature for different sub-beverages (e.g. coffee, milk). Takes into account physical response times, inertia of heater and anticipate sudden changes of reference water temperature at hot water outlet.

Abstract: An automatic hot beverage preparation machine comprising a hydraulic water supply circuit having a first branch to connect a water source and a water boiler, a second branch to connect the water boiler and a hot beverage dispensing assembly, a third branch to connect the first branch and the second branch, and a valve device to selectively control supply of water in the third branch as a function of a signal from a water temperature sensor arranged to measure water temperature at an outlet of the water boiler.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring a deformed portion of a beverage preparation capsule to a shape that approximates its original shape. The apparatus comprises a seat configured to accomodate the capsule, a bending device configured to engage the deformed portion of the capsule, and a drive device to relatively move the bending device and at least part of the seat to cause the bending device to restore the deformed portion of the capsule to a shape that at least approximates its original shape.

Abstract: A two-stage water boiler for a hot beverage vending machine, comprising a storage water heater and a continuous-flow water heater fluidically connectable in series; wherein the storage water heater is configured to contain water at atmospheric pressure, and the continuous-flow water heater is configured to be supplied, through a water pump, with water drawn from the storage water heater.

Abstract: An electronic system to remotely enable and locally control use of liquid milk in the preparation of beverages based on, or containing, liquid milk in beverage vending machines is disclosed.

Abstract: Control of temperature of water delivered by a dual-stage water heater having an external boiler with a first heater as first stage and an internal duct (water booster) with a second heater as second stage. A control loop based on a measured water temperature in the boiler and controls the first heater. A second loop calculate a reference booster water temperature based on the temperature error at the outlet (difference between a measured outlet water temperature and a reference outlet water temperature) and controls second heater based on error between reference booster water temperature and measured booster water temperature. The reference outlet water temperature depends on type of beverage (eg espresso, cappuccino) and includes a temperature profile with different temperature for different sub-beverages (eg coffee, milk). Takes into account physical response times, inertia of heater and anticipate sudden changes of reference water temperature at hot water outlet.

Abstract: An automatic hot beverage preparation machine comprising a hydraulic water supply circuit having a first branch to connect a water source and a water boiler, a second branch to connect the water boiler and a hot beverage dispensing assembly, a third branch to connect the first branch and the second branch, and a valve device to selectively control supply of water in the third branch as a function of a signal from a water temperature sensor arranged to measure water temperature at an outlet of the water boiler.

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 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 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: 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 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 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 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 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.