Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprising: a body (2) having one or more outer faces (21,22) and a beverage outlet for delivering a beverage on a beverage dispensing area (27); and a module (3) operatively connected to the body adjacent to one of said one or more outer faces. The module is movable into a plurality of different operative connection positions along said one or more outer faces of the body.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a body (40) with an opening (41); and a hot water and/or steam generator that comprises a movable outlet (31). The generator and the outlet have an operative configuration for delivering via the outlet hot water and/or steam and a storage configuration in which the outlet (31) of the generator is moved and received in the opening (41) of the body.

Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: an outlet (4) for dispensing said beverage; a user-recipient support (5) movable within such machine from a position for supporting a smaller user-recipient (51) under the outlet to a position for placing a larger user-recipient (52) under the outlet; and means for stopping movement of the user-recipient support in at least one of said positions. The stopping means comprise a means (57, 58) for fastening the user-recipient support in said at least one of said positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap (16) having a first part (2), a second part (3) which is movable with respect to the second part (2) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part having the cap guiding elements (6, 7) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system (19) in which the second movable part (3) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.

Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: a service arrangement (6, 60); and a movable support (5) for supporting a user-recipient (51) in a position for collecting the beverage. The support has: an unlocking position for giving user-access to the service arrangement for servicing; and a locking position for preventing user-access to the service arrangement for servicing.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage has: a beverage preparation module for processing one or more beverage ingredients and for dispensing a beverage resulting therefrom; a unit for controlling such processing in accordance with a parameter set to a value stored in the unit; and a user-interface (20) connected to the control unit for acquiring the value from a user and storing the value in the control unit. The user-interface has a first user-selector (21) associated with a first value for the parameter and a second user-selector (22) associated with a second value for the parameter. The first and second user-selectors (21, 22) each comprises a user-actuation adjustment direction (211, 221) for shifting on user-actuation in the adjustment direction the value associated with the user-selector to a user-selected adjusted value selected from a range of values associated with the user-selector.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) for conditioning a food substance, such as milk or a milk-containing substance, comprises: —a food conditioning module (31) that has a structure (32) for holding such food substance and that has an electric device (35) comprising a conditioner (36) for imparting as a conditioning effect to such food substance and a conditioner control unit (37) for controlling the conditioner; and —a user-interface device (40) in data-communication with the conditioner control unit to transmit user-data from the user-interface device to the control unit for controlling the conditioner accordingly. The user-interface device (40) is external to the food conditioning module (31) and disconnectably connected thereto.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has a fluid circuit (3-10c) that comprises a liquid flavouring arrangement (9a, 3, 4, 5) for circulating a liquid, such as water, through a flavouring ingredient (2, 2?) to flavour this liquid and for dispensing this flavoured liquid to a user-receptacle (100). The fluid circuit further comprises a dilution arrangement (9b, 9?, 9?) for mixing the liquid unflavoured with the flavoured liquid upon flavouring.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine comprises: a) a seat (5); b) a service unit (20, 30) in the seat for storing waste material, the service unit being —insertable manually into the seat into a collection position for collecting waste material such as waste liquid and/or waste beverage ingredient, optionally contained in a pre-portioned ingredient capsule; and —removable, in particular manually, from the seat for emptying the waste material upon collection thereof in the service unit, c) a control means for controlling proper insertion of the service unit in the seat. The control means comprises a touch-sensory feed-back mechanism (40, 50) arranged to indicate to a user an improper insertion of the service unit in the seat.

Abstract: A top of or for a cup or mug for containing a flowable substance therein. The top includes a covering body arranged to cover the cup or mug, with the body having a peripheral part with a trough-opening for an outflow of flowable substance and with an air through-opening for an inflow of air. The top also includes a lid movable relative to the covering body between an open position for allowing this outflow and this inflow, and a closed position for preventing them, the lid having a first part and a second part for obturating in the closed position the outflow through-opening and the inflow through-opening, respectively. These inflow and outflow through-openings are located opposite to one another on the peripheral part of the covering body. The lid extends in the closed position from adjacent the inflow through-opening across the covering body to adjacent the outflow through-opening.

Abstract: A beverage machine comprising a drip tray device that can accommodate recipients of different heights. The drip tray device is formed of a collect tank and has a first drip support grid removably mounted on the tank for holding short recipients and has a second drip support for longer recipients such as a glass. The whole device is removable for ease of emptying and rinsing. In a possible mode, the first removable grid is provided with a gutter to evacuate liquid in a main collect reservoir.

Abstract: A beverage machine comprising a drip tray device that can accommodate recipients of different heights. The drip tray device is formed of a collect tank and has a first drip support grid removably mounted on the tank for holding short recipients and has a second drip support for longer recipients such as a glass. The whole device is removable for ease of emptying and rinsing. In a possible mode, the first removable grid is provided with a gutter to evacuate liquid in a main collect reservoir.

Abstract: A drink preparing device that includes a box and a holding and drip-collecting system that comprises a holding part positionable beneath a drink outlet in order to accept a first, relatively small receptacle, and being configured and dimensioned to be moveable between a deployed holding position suitable for accepting the small receptacle and a second position in which the part is moved at least partly out of the way of the drink outlet to create an unoccupied space in which a second, larger receptacle can be positioned, in place of the first receptacle, beneath the drink outlet.

Abstract: A drink preparing device that includes a box and a holding and drip-collecting system that comprises a holding part positionable beneath a drink outlet in order to accept a first, relatively small receptacle, and being configured and dimensioned to be moveable between a deployed holding position suitable for accepting the small receptacle and a second position in which the part is moved at least partly out of the way of the drink outlet to create an unoccupied space in which a second, larger receptacle can be positioned, in place of the first receptacle, beneath the drink outlet.