Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage-preparation device (1, 40) provided with a storage container (2) for liquid, a dispensing (4, 43) line connected to the storage container (2), at least two beverage-dispensing stations (6, 7, 9) each provided with a collecting reservoir (11, 12, 18, 41, 42), which collecting reservoirs are movable with respect to the dispensing line, a driving device (5, 21, 22) which engages with the dispensing line and/or the collecting reservoirs for displacing the dispensing line with respect to the collecting reservoirs in order to selectively bring the collecting reservoirs into liquid communication with the dispensing line and a control unit for controlling the driving device, characterized in that, within a dispensing period Td, the control unit brings the dispensing line into liquid communication with a first collecting reservoir in order to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid to each collecting reservoir, then with a second collecting reservoir and after that again w

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder assembly (1) for a powdered ingredient (4) for preparing an instant drink. The assembly comprises a holder, a conveyor screw (6), an outflow channel (7) provided on the holder for dispensing ingredient (1), a threshold plate (9) extending into the outflow channel (7), and also a shut-off valve (10) for shutting off the outflow channel (7). The shut-off valve (10) comprises a shut-off body (11) which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor screw (6) between a release position and a shut-off position. In the release position the shut-off body (11) is located downstream of the threshold plate (9), set apart therefrom. In the shut-off position the shut-off body (11) is located next to the threshold plate (9) in such a way that the shut-off body (11) and the threshold plate (9) together shut off the shut-off channel (7). The invention further relates to a drink preparation means comprising a holder assembly (1) according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparing device (1) for preparing an aqueous beverage by means of a beverage ingredient. The preparing device (1) comprises: an outflow nozzle (33) for dispensing prepared beverage; a preparation chamber (13, 16, 14) for at least partially preparing the beverage; a supply (12) line ending in the preparation chamber for the supply of water to the preparation chamber; an ingredient-dispensing system (7) for delivering the beverage ingredient to the preparation chamber; and an outflow path (36, 33) which extends from the preparation chamber to the outflow nozzle. The outflow nozzle (33) and/or the preparation chamber (13, 16, 14) and/or the outflow path (33, 36) are entirely or partly made from a polymer mixture which comprises (a) a self-lubricating, hydrophobic polymer or copolymer having a moisture absorption, determined in accordance with ASTM D 570 at a relative humidity of 50% and a temperature of 23° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage-preparation device (1, 40) provided with a storage container (2) for liquid, a dispensing (4, 43) line connected to the storage container (2), at least two beverage-dispensing stations (6, 7, 9) each provided with a collecting reservoir (11, 12, 18, 41, 42), which collecting reservoirs are movable with respect to the dispensing line, a driving device (5, 21, 22) which engages with the dispensing line and/or the collecting reservoirs for displacing the dispensing line with respect to the collecting reservoirs in order to selectively bring the collecting reservoirs into liquid communication with the dispensing line and a control unit for controlling the driving device, characterized in that, within a dispensing period Td, the control unit brings the dispensing line into liquid communication with a first collecting reservoir in order to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid to each collecting reservoir, then with a second collecting reservoir and after that again w

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing device for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device comprises a mixing chamber and a rotor which, during rotation about the axis of rotation, defines a surface of revolution extending along the circumference of the rotor. The rotor is arranged in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises a peripheral wall zone having a substantially circular cross section. The peripheral wall zone surrounds the surface of revolution. An outlet duct for discharging the mixture formed is connected to the mixing chamber. The inlet of the outlet duct is provided at the rotor. At least one rotor rib is provided at the peripheral wall zone. This rotor rib extends from the peripheral wall zone in the direction of the surface of revolution of the rotor.

Abstract: Preparing device for preparing a beverage from a powdery substance and a hot liquid, the device comprising: at least one mixing chamber for mixing a quantity of the powdery substance and a quantity of the hot liquid; an inlet into the mixing chamber for the quantity of hot liquid; an inlet into the mixing chamber for the quantity of powdery substance; an extractor hood placed on the mixing chamber; an extraction duct connected to the extractor hood and provided with a suction device, such as a ventilating fan, for extracting vapor and dust particles from the mixing chamber via the extraction duct and the extractor hood; a first housing accommodating further components of the preparing device, such as electrical components and pipework, in which the extraction duct extends entirely along the exterior of the first housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device comprises a mixing chamber and a rotor. The mixing chamber comprises an inlet chamber, a rotor chamber and a pipe bend. The inlet opening of the pipe bend extends in the horizontal plane. The rotor is provided in the rotor chamber. The internal wall of the pipe bend has, on the side of the outer curve, a planar surface which is defined by a first direction and a second direction. The first direction extends in the horizontal direction and the second direction extends at right angles to the first direction, at an angle to the horizontal plane. The planar surface is situated perpendicularly below the inlet opening of the bend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder assembly (1) for a powdered ingredient (4) for preparing an instant drink. The assembly comprises a holder, a conveyor screw (6), an outflow channel (7) provided on the holder for dispensing ingredient (1), a threshold plate (9) extending into the outflow channel (7), and also a shut-off valve (10) for shutting off the outflow channel (7). The shut-off valve (10) comprises a shut-off body (11) which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor screw (6) between a release position and a shut-off position. In the release position the shut-off body (11) is located downstream of the threshold plate (9), set apart therefrom. In the shut-off position the shut-off body (11) is located next to the threshold plate (9) in such a way that the shut-off body (11) and the threshold plate (9) together shut off the shut-off channel (7). The invention further relates to a drink preparation means comprising a holder assembly (1) according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparing device (1) for preparing an aqueous beverage by means of a beverage ingredient. The preparing device (1) comprises: an outflow nozzle (33) for dispensing prepared beverage; a preparation chamber (13, 16, 14) for at least partially preparing the beverage; a supply (12) line ending in the preparation chamber for the supply of water to the preparation chamber; an ingredient-dispensing system (7) for delivering the beverage ingredient to the preparation chamber; and an outflow path (36, 33) which extends from the preparation chamber to the outflow nozzle. The outflow nozzle (33) and/or the preparation chamber (13, 16, 14) and/or the outflow path (33, 36) are entirely or partly made from a polymer mixture which comprises (a) a self-lubricating, hydrophobic polymer or copolymer having a moisture absorption, determined in accordance with ASTM D 570 at a relative humidity of 50% and a temperature of 23° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing device for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device comprises a mixing chamber and a rotor which, during rotation about the axis of rotation, defines a surface of revolution extending along the circumference of the rotor. The rotor is arranged in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises a peripheral wall zone having a substantially circular cross section. The peripheral wall zone surrounds the surface of revolution. An outlet duct for discharging the mixture formed is connected to the mixing chamber. The inlet of the outlet duct is provided at the rotor. At least one rotor rib is provided at the peripheral wall zone. This rotor rib extends from the peripheral wall zone in the direction of the surface of revolution of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device comprises a mixing chamber and a rotor. The mixing chamber comprises an inlet chamber, a rotor chamber and a pipe bend. The inlet opening of the pipe bend extends in the horizontal plane. The rotor is provided in the rotor chamber. The internal wall of the pipe bend has, on the side of the outer curve, a planar surface which is defined by a first direction and a second direction. The first direction extends in the horizontal direction and the second direction extends at right angles to the first direction, at an angle to the horizontal plane. The planar surface is situated perpendicularly below the inlet opening of the bend.

Abstract: Preparing device for preparing a beverage from a powdery substance and a hot liquid, the device comprising: at least one mixing chamber for mixing a quantity of the powdery substance and a quantity of the hot liquid; an inlet into the mixing chamber for the quantity of hot liquid; an inlet into the mixing chamber for the quantity of powdery substance; an extractor hood placed on the mixing chamber; an extraction duct connected to the extractor hood and provided with suction means, such as a ventilating fan, for extracting vapour and dust particles from the mixing chamber via the extraction duct and the extractor hood; a first housing accommodating further components of the preparing device, such as electrical components and pipework, in which the extraction duct extends entirely along the exterior of the first housing, as well as an extraction duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling level detection device for powdered material. The filling level detection device has a storage unit and a sensor. The storage unit has a container provided with a discharge aperture for discharging metered quantities of powdered material. The sensor has a light source for transmitting a light beam, and a detection unit for detecting a light intensity. A wall of the container at least in one zone is at least partially transparent to light transmitted by the light source. In addition, the sensor is placed outside the container in such a way that the light source directs the light beam onto the zone in the wall of the container, and the detection unit intercepts light reflected by the powdered material and emerging through the zone in the wall of the container. The light source and the detection unit are placed in one horizontal plane.