Abstract: A machine with a grinder, a grind chute for delivering coffee grounds along a flow path and into a portafilter fitted to the machine, and a tamping unit with a tamping mechanism for pressing the coffee grounds held by the portafilter into a puck, wherein the tamping mechanism includes a linkage connected to a tamp, the linkage being arranged to press a face of the tamp in an axial direction with respect of the portafilter during a tamping operation, and wherein the linkage returns the tamp to a rest position where the tamp face is moved laterally, out of the flow path. The invention also relates to a machine for delivering coffee grounds to a portafilter, a tamping mechanism and a coffee grinding machine.

Abstract: A tamp including a body and a tamping face carried by a base of the tamp, the base and body being arranged for relative movement in an axial direction during a tamping operation to compress and expand under action of a bias element, wherein the tamp includes a rotation mechanism to translate the relative axial movement of the base and body into rotational movement of the base. The invention also relates to a portafilter holder for positioning a portafilter under a tamping unit of a coffee grinding machine, for receipt of the coffee grounds, the portafilter holder including a dock to receive the portafilter and a retention member to hold the portafilter in the dock.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for video encoding/decoding. An apparatus includes processing circuitry that decodes prediction information of a current block in a current picture that is a part of a coded video bitstream. The prediction information indicates a non-directional intra prediction mode for the current block. The processing circuitry partitions the current block into a plurality of partitions. The plurality of partitions includes at least one L-shaped partition. The processing circuitry reconstructs one of the plurality of partitions based on at least one of (i) neighboring reconstructed samples of the one of the plurality of partitions or (ii) neighboring reconstructed samples of the current block.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a milk frothing device that includes at least one processor operatively associated with one or more actuators. The method is performed by the at least one processor and includes calculating a number of the actuators activated by way of contact with an underside of a vessel, determining a presence or an orientation of the vessel based on the calculated number of the activated actuators, and controlling an operation mode of the milk frothing device based on the determined presence or orientation of the vessel.

Abstract: A steam wand assembly that comprises a steam wand pivotable about a pivot axis and a dampening assembly configured to resist pivotable motion of the steam wand about the pivot axis. The steam wand assembly further includes a bias assembly configured to bias the steam wand in a first direction along the pivot axis such that the dampening assembly is configured to moderate a steam wand velocity in the first direction.

Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.

Abstract: A temperature sensing assembly for a milk frothing apparatus. The assembly including: a temperature sensor element and a resilient support element that receives and biases the temperature sensor element towards thermal communication with the underside of a vessel; wherein the assembly is located towards the end of a protruding portion that extends from the body of the a milk frothing apparatus; and wherein an upper surface of the temperature sensor assembly is adapted to promote liquid movement into a drip tray reservoir. The apparatus may include: a steam source; an air source coupled to an air injector module for mixing the air and steam; a user interface for receiving input from a user; and wherein the apparatus is configurable by receiving input parameters through the user interface, whereby the parameters includes final milk temperature, and an indication of froth amount.

Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.

Abstract: A domestic beverage carbonator for carbonating a liquid in a bottle comprising temperature and pressure sensors that communicate with processor to improve the carbonation process. The device further comprises a CO2 cylinder coupling and a cylinder discharge valve, an exhaust valve, a fill head and a user interface. The user interface further comprises user controls and a graphic display and the fill head has a pressure sensor to sense a pressure in the attached bottle and communicate a pressure signal to the processor and the processor uses the pressure signal to regulate the cylinder valve and the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A domestic beverage carbonator for carbonating a liquid in a bottle comprising temperature and pressure sensors that communicate with a processor to improve the carbonation process. The device further comprises a CO2 cylinder coupling and a cylinder discharge valve, an exhaust valve, a fill head and a user interface. The user interface further comprises user controls and a graphic display and the fill head has a pressure sensor to sense a pressure in the attached bottle and communicate a pressure signal to the processor and the processor uses the pressure signal to regulate the cylinder valve and the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.

Abstract: A temperature sensing assembly for a milk frothing apparatus. The assembly including: a temperature sensor element and a resilient support element that receives and biases the temperature sensor element towards thermal communication with the underside of a vessel; wherein the assembly is located towards the end of a protruding portion that extends from the body of the a milk frothing apparatus; and wherein an upper surface of the temperature sensor assembly is adapted to promote liquid movement into a drip tray reservoir. The apparatus may include: a steam source; an air source coupled to an air injector module for mixing the air and steam; a user interface for receiving input from a user; and wherein the apparatus is configurable by receiving input parameters through the user interface, whereby the parameters includes final milk temperature, and an indication of froth amount.

Abstract: A domestic beverage carbonator for carbonating a liquid in a bottle comprising temperature and pressure sensors that communicate with a processor to improve the carbonation process. The device further comprises a CO2 cylinder coupling and a cylinder discharge valve, an exhaust valve, a fill head and a user interface. The user interface further comprises user controls and a graphic display and the fill head has a pressure sensor to sense a pressure in the attached bottle and communicate a pressure signal to the processor and the processor uses the pressure signal to regulate the cylinder valve and the exhaust valve.