Abstract: A connecting device is arranged for connecting a beverage machine (2) with an external liquid delivery system (3) to supply such liquid to the machine (2). The connecting device (1) has: a device body (16); an inlet (10) for a fluid connection to the external system (3); an outlet (13) for delivering liquid from the external system (3) via the inlet (10) to the machine (2); a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet (10) and the outlet (13) and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection; and a control unit (14) for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) between its open configuration and its closed configuration. The device body (16) has an assembly arrangement (16c; 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f) for reversibly or irreversibly assembling the device body (16) to the machine (2).

Abstract: A system comprises a cartridge (9) containing a beverage ingredient and a device (1) for brewing the ingredient in the cartridge by supplying a brewing liquid such as heated water into the cartridge. The device has upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing the cartridge and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (11) enclosing the cartridge during brewing. The brewing chamber (11) has a confining expansion space (12) which is: unoccupied by the cartridge (9) when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are in the closed position enclosing the cartridge; and occupied by the cartridge upon expansion thereof caused by exposure of the ingredient to the brewing liquid.

Abstract: A connecting device is arranged for connecting a beverage machine (2) with an external liquid delivery system (3) to supply such liquid to the machine (2). The connecting device (1) has: a device body (16); an inlet (10) for a fluid connection to the external system (3); an outlet (13) for delivering liquid from the external system (3) via the inlet (10) to the machine (2); a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet (10) and the outlet (13) and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection; and a control unit (14) for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) between its open configuration and its closed configuration. The device body (16) has an assembly arrangement (16c; 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f) for reversibly or irreversibly assembling the device body (16) to the machine (2).

Abstract: A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, comprises: a cartridge seat (10) that has an open configuration for receiving and/or removing a cartridge from such device and a closed configuration for extracting the ingredient; and a force generation means (46) for assisting a closure or opening movement of the cartridge seat. The force generation means can be associated with a dampening means (47, 48) for dampening the closure or opening movement of the cartridge seat when assisted by the force generating means. The device can have a user-movable handle (41) that is associated with an end-of-stroke feed-back means (50) for providing a corresponding feed-back to a user actuating the handle.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a housing (5); a duct (10) with an outlet (15); a conduit (20) upstream the duct and connected thereto; and a waste liquid collector (30) arranged to collect waste liquid from the outlet. The duct has: an operative position for circulating beverage through the conduit and dispensing said beverage from the outlet outside the housing above a user-receptacle filling area (35); and a cleaning position for circulating cleaning fluid through the conduit and evacuating said cleaning fluid from the outlet inside the housing to the waste liquid collector. The duct is pivotally assembled about a pivoting axis (11) to the conduit for pivoting the outlet between the operative position and the cleaning position.

Abstract: A flavored-beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: —a fluid circuit having a duct (10) that has an outlet (15) for dispensing a flavored-beverage over a filling area (35) for user-receptacles (40); and —a cleaning arrangement for removing remnant flavored-beverage from the duct by passing a clearing fluid through the duct and out of the duct via the outlet, The cleaning arrangement has: —means (300, 400, 450) for providing a gas under pressure; and —a configuration for passing such a gas as this clearing fluid under pressure through and out of the duct for evacuating remnant flavored-beverage from the duct.

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, includes upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge handling arrangement including a cartridge holder (10), in particular a holder fixed to or integral with the upstream part or the downstream part, for receiving and holding such cartridge against gravity when inserted and descending under gravity between the enclosing parts in the open position prior to forming the extraction chamber (11).

Abstract: A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, has a cartridge seat (10) and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) for injecting heated liquid into the cartridge seat. The cartridge seat comprises a first cartridge support (20) and a second cartridge support (30) facing the first support. The first and second cartridge supports are arranged to be movable relative to one another from an open position for insertion or removal of a cartridge into the seat to a closed position for passing heated liquid through such a cartridge. At least one support (20) of the cartridge supports (20, 30) is hydraulically actuatable and movable into the closed position by the liquid injection arrangement.

Abstract: A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80?) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80?) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).

Abstract: A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80?) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80?) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).

Abstract: A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80?) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80?) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and at least one piercer selected from an upstream piercer (34) borne by the upstream part (7) for opening an upstream portion of such cartridge and a downstream piercer (30) borne by the downstream part (8) for opening a downstream portion of such cartridge. The at least one piercer (30,34) has a generally tapered shape, in particular a tapered shape that has a truncation surface (35) delimiting a piercing edge (34?).

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge removal arrangement (36, 37) for assisting removal of such cartridge when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are brought from the closed to the open position. The upstream part (7) bears an upstream piercing arrangement (34) for opening an upstream portion of such cartridge. The downstream part (8) bears a downstream piercing arrangement (30), such as a piercing member, for opening a downstream portion of such cartridge.

Abstract: A device (1) for extracting an ingredient in a cartridge (9) by supplying an extraction liquid such as heated water into such cartridge, comprises: upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7,8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing such cartridge and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber (11) enclosing such cartridge during extraction; and a cartridge handling arrangement comprising a cartridge holder (10), in particular a holder fixed to or integral with the upstream part or the downstream part, for receiving and holding such cartridge against gravity when inserted and descending under gravity between the enclosing parts in the open position prior to forming the extraction chamber (11).

Abstract: A system comprises a cartridge (9) containing a beverage ingredient and a device (1) for brewing the ingredient in the cartridge by supplying a brewing liquid such as heated water into the cartridge. The device has upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing the cartridge and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (11) enclosing the cartridge during brewing. The brewing chamber (11) has a confining expansion space (12) which is: unoccupied by the cartridge (9) when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are in the closed position enclosing the cartridge; and occupied by the cartridge upon expansion thereof caused by exposure of the ingredient to the brewing liquid.

Abstract: A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, comprises: a cartridge seat (10) that has an open configuration for receiving and/or removing a cartridge from such device and a closed configuration for extracting the ingredient; and a force generation means (46) for assisting a closure or opening movement of the cartridge seat. The force generation means can be associated with a dampening means (47, 48) for dampening the closure or opening movement of the cartridge seat when assisted by the force generating means. The device can have a user-movable handle (41) that is associated with an end-of-stroke feed-back means (50) for providing a corresponding feed-back to a user actuating the handle.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a housing (5); a duct (10) with an outlet (15); a conduit (20) upstream the duct and connected thereto; and a waste liquid collector (30) arranged to collect waste liquid from the outlet. The duct has: an operative position for circulating beverage through the conduit and dispensing said beverage from the outlet outside the housing above a user-receptacle filling area (35); and a cleaning position for circulating cleaning fluid through the conduit and evacuating said cleaning fluid from the outlet inside the housing to the waste liquid collector. The duct is pivotally assembled about a pivoting axis (11) to the conduit for pivoting the outlet between the operative position and the cleaning position.

Abstract: A flavoured-beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: —a fluid circuit having a duct (10) that has an outlet (15) for dispensing a flavoured-beverage over a filling area (35) for user-receptacles (40); and —a cleaning arrangement for removing remnant flavoured-beverage from the duct by passing a clearing fluid through the duct and out of the duct via the outlet, The cleaning arrangement has: —means (300, 400, 450) for providing a gas under pressure; and —a configuration for passing such a gas as this clearing fluid under pressure through and out of the duct for evacuating remnant flavoured-beverage from the duct.

Abstract: A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurising and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80?) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80?) pressure from this pressurised liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).

Abstract: A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, has a cartridge seat (10) and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) for injecting heated liquid into the cartridge seat. The cartridge seat comprises a first cartridge support (20) and a second cartridge support (30) facing the first support. The first and second cartridge supports are arranged to be movable relative to one another from an open position for insertion or removal of a cartridge into the seat to a closed position for passing heated liquid through such a cartridge. At least one support (20) of the cartridge supports (20, 30) is hydraulically actuatable and movable into the closed position by the liquid injection arrangement.