Abstract: A product preparation system and method for processing a container including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a hinged spout cover and a user-removable multi-function restricting portion integrally formed as part of the cup closure assembly and detachable therefrom, the user-removable multi-function restricting portion being operative, when integrally attached to the cup closure assembly to prevent normal user opening of the hinged spout cover.

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: The present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device, including: a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly including: a chamber element including a bottom wall, a cylinder element including a filter, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form a brewing chamber, a main drive for rotating the spinning assembly about the main axis for centrifuging the coffee, wherein the cylinder element including the filter is movable between a first, lower position in which the filter forms the circumference of the brewing chamber and in which the spinning assembly has a brewing configuration, and a second, upper position in which the circumference of the brewing chamber is open, and in which second position coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a needle to a syringe barrel including a Luer Lock connector having a thread and a cone. The adapter includes: a first part configured to support the needle; a second part including a counter thread configured to form a screwing connection with the thread of the Luer Lock connector; and at least one deformable locking element arranged within a region of the counter thread and protruding radially beyond a minor outer diameter of the counter thread, such that the at least one deformable locking element is configured to be deformed by the thread of the Luer Lock connector when the adapter is screwed to the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method for processing a container including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a hinged spout cover and a user-removable multi-function restricting portion integrally formed as part of the cup closure assembly and detachable therefrom, the user-removable multi-function restricting portion being operative, when integrally attached to the cup closure assembly to prevent normal user opening of the hinged spout cover.

Abstract: A used capsule moving assembly includes a capsule blocking device leaving a capsule opening accessible, a used capsule moving device supporting the capsule blocking device and moving the capsule blocking device by taking it in front of a cutting device to partially open a capsule lid, in front of an emptying device to empty a used or extracted or exhausted substance, including used ground coffee, from a capsule body without breaking or destroying the capsule body, and in front of a capsule collection device to collect the capsule body emptied of the used or extracted or exhausted substance. The used capsule moving device displaces the capsule blocking device along a linear path at least when the capsule blocking device is placed so as to take the capsule body with the longitudinal capsule axis thereof in front of each of the cutting, emptying, and collection devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device, comprising: a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly comprising: a chamber element comprising a bottom wall, a cylinder element comprising a filter, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form a brewing chamber, a main drive for rotating the spinning assembly about the main axis for centrifuging the coffee, wherein the cylinder element including the filter is movable between a first, lower position in which the filter forms the circumference of the brewing chamber and in which the spinning assembly has a brewing configuration, and a second, upper position in which the circumference of the brewing chamber is open, and in which second position coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device, having: a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly having: a chamber element comprising a bottom wall, a cylinder element having a filter, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form a brewing chamber, a main drive for rotating the spinning assembly about the main axis for centrifuging the coffee, wherein the cylinder element including the filter is movable between a first, lower position in which the filter forms the circumference of the brewing chamber and in which the spinning assembly has a brewing configuration, and a second, upper position in which the circumference of the brewing chamber is open, and in which second position coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: Device for producing a liquid froth from a liquid, particularly a milk-containing or at least milky liquid, comprising a frothing unit (300) with a frothing chamber (350) which is provided with a liquid inlet (310) and a froth outlet (320) which are spatially separated from each other. A rotor body (330) arranged for rotation about a rotation axis X is provided in the frothing chamber. The rotor body (330) leaves a gap (360) to a chamber wall (351, 352) of the frothing chamber clear all around. The liquid inlet (310) and the froth outlet (320) are connected via the gap. In the axial direction from the liquid inlet (310) to the froth outlet (320) the rotor body has externally a decreasing active section which particularly gradually narrows. The chamber wall (351, 352) and the rotor body (330) comprise at least substantially parallel active surfaces directed toward each other, at least one surface of which is accidented at least at the position of the gap (360).

Abstract: A single-use product preparation container assembly including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly for engaging an at least partially liquefiable product located within the cup body and a liquid retaining chamber configured to receive liquid leaked from the cup body via the mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly and including a vent allowing egress of air from the liquid retaining chamber.

Abstract: A capsule opening assembly for opening a used capsule is provided. The capsule body has an opening and extends about a longitudinal capsule axis, defining a chamber closed by a lid. The assembly includes a used capsule cutting device having a knife or cutting blade; a used capsule blocking device grasping the used capsule in a predetermined position defining a locking seat and leaving exposed the capsule opening closed by the lid; a used capsule moving device having a carriage supporting the used capsule blocking device. The carriage moves the used capsule blocking device with respect to the used capsule cutting device. Relative movement occurs along a predetermined path including at least one linear stretch directed along a direction parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal capsule axis. The knife, during movement along the linear path stretch, cuts a lid portion along a predetermined line to open the capsule chamber.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method for processing a container including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a hinged spout cover and a user-removable multi-function restricting portion integrally formed as part of the cup closure assembly and detachable therefrom, the user-removable multi-function restricting portion being operative, when integrally attached to the cup closure assembly to prevent normal user opening of the hinged spout cover.

Abstract: A used capsule moving assembly includes a capsule blocking device leaving a capsule opening accessible, a used capsule moving device supporting the capsule blocking device and moving the capsule blocking device by taking it in front of a cutting device to partially open a capsule lid, in front of an emptying device to empty a used or extracted or exhausted substance, including used ground coffee, from a capsule body without breaking or destroying the capsule body, and in front of a capsule collection device to collect the capsule body emptied of the used or extracted or exhausted substance. The used capsule moving device displaces the capsule blocking device along a linear path at least when the capsule blocking device is placed so as to take the capsule body with the longitudinal capsule axis thereof in front of each of the cutting, emptying, and collection devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal coffee brewing device, comprising: a spinning assembly which is rotatable about a main axis, the spinning assembly comprising: a chamber element comprising a bottom wall, a cylinder element comprising a filter, wherein the chamber element and the cylinder element form a brewing chamber, a main drive for rotating the spinning assembly about the main axis for centrifuging the coffee, wherein the cylinder element including the filter is movable between a first, lower position in which the filter forms the circumference of the brewing chamber and in which the spinning assembly has a brewing configuration, and a second, upper position in which the circumference of the brewing chamber is open, and in which second position coffee residue can be ejected by spinning the chamber element.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly, including a cup body and a cup closure, the cup closure including a rotatable blade, and a container processor including a container support and an electric motor including a drive shaft are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage comprises a decoction device (5) which comprises a decoction body (50) with a chamber Avail (53) inside which a decoction chamber (54) extends axially between a pair of bottoms (51,52) lying opposite each other. The chamber wall is provided locally with a filling opening (55) for admitting into the decoction chamber at least one ingredient for the beverage to be prepared. The decoction device is coupled to drive means which during operation impart a preparation cycle to the decoction device. A first bottom (51) moves closer to a second bottom (51) here in a first direction from a first starting position. Between a second and a third state the decoction body (50) performs a displacement in the first direction in order to carry the inlet opening (55) outside the decoction chamber. In a third ejecting state the first bottom lies outside the decoction body.

Abstract: A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

Abstract: A evaporative cooling device is described having a pair of heat conducting plates arranged in spaced, generally parallel relationship with spacing elements separating the plates from one another and defining primary and secondary flow channels between the plates. Inlet ducts are connected to the primary channels and outlet ducts connect from the primary and secondary channels. A water distribution system is also provided to supply water to the secondary channels such that a primary air flow through the primary channels may be cooled by heat conduction along the plates to cause evaporation of the water into a secondary air flow through the secondary channels.