Abstract: The invention concerns a brewing unit (3) having a cavity for enclosing a food ingredient contained in a package (C), comprising first (14) and second (15) cavity parts, and fluid injection means (13), characterized in that said first and second cavity parts (14, 15) are hinged in a pivotal arrangement between open and closed positions and in that, when said cavity parts are pivoted in a closed position, the fluid injection means (13) and/or the first cavity part (14) are movable in translation relative to the second cavity part (15), between:—a closed unlocked position that allows relative pivotal movement between cavity parts, and—a closed locked position wherein said cavity parts are translated in contact with each other to close said brewing cavity, and wherein said injection means (13) protrude inside the brewing cavity to pierce a wall of the portion package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device for preparing hot and cold beverages, the device (30) comprising a hot extraction module (10) comprising a brewing unit (1) for injection of hot liquid into a beverage ingredients containing capsule, a hot beverage outlet (2) connected to the brewing unit (1) for dispensing of a hot extracted beverage, and a cooling module (20) comprising a cooling reservoir (5) for receiving the hot extracted beverage, wherein the hot beverage outlet (2) and the cooling module (20) are arranged moveably relative to each other such that the hot extracted beverage may be selectively dispensed from the hot beverage outlet (2) into the cooling reservoir (5) of the cooling module (20) in at least one relative position of the hot beverage outlet (2) and the cooling module (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to beverage preparation machine (1) with a virtual shopping functionality. The machine comprises a touch screen (10) and a control unit (21). The touch screen (10) is adapted to display an image (80) of the interior of a shop offering goods (81) related to the machine (1) on the touch screen (10), to display an image of a container (82) on said touch screen (10), and to submit information on a touch operation to the control unit (21). The displayed interior corresponds to the interior of a physical shop offering said goods (81), in particular to the interior of a shop of a chain of physical shops having a standardized presentation of said goods (81). The control unit (21) is adapted to accept selection of a good (81) for purchase upon detecting a touch operation on a good (81) on the touch screen (10) and on the container (82) on the touch screen (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality. A providing arrangement (11, 21, 17) provides data with visible 5 content for generating a predefined ambience when reproduced, wherein the provided data are linked to context information, said context information being indicative of a situation. An acquisition arrangement (11, 37, 60, 62, 63) acquires at least one actual context 10 information indicating an actual situation, and a display (10) reproduces data being associated to the acquired actual context information for generating an ambience related to the actual situation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) having an extended user-advisory functionality, comprising a control unit (21) for recognizing an actual or upcoming event triggering said user-advisory functionality, such as a disturbance of such machine (1) based on monitored machine parameters or a machine contextual event, a communication module (11) for communicating with a remote external device (50) via a communication network (501, 511), and a display (10) for displaying messages, wherein the control unit (21) in said user-advisory functionality is further adapted to establish a connection via the communication module (11) to said external device (50) offering a resource for managing the actual or upcoming event, and to control the display of a message on the display (10) indicating the actual or upcoming event and advising a user on managing said event.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules comprising: a first interface for communicating with feedback means; a sensing arrangement for detecting and obtaining information on a capsule in a detection area; a controller configured to send, through the first interface, information related to the detected capsule, to the feedback means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, comprising a memory for storing icons, said icons being divided into at least two menu level groups, whereby each icon indicates a selectable menu function of the machine. The machine further comprises a display for displaying: in a first operation mode a first group of icons adjacent a main portion of the display; and in a second operation mode one group of icons as currently selectable icons on said main portion of the display. A touch pad is adapted to accept a touch operation for switching between the first and second operation mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a food or beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a flowable food product or a beverage by mixing a fluid with a precursor ingredient, said machine comprising:—a base (2) having a fluid source, a pump means suitable for conducting said fluid from the source through fluid-conducting pipes to a fluid delivery port (9), and—a functional element (3) detachable from the base (2), comprising connecting means (6, 7, 8) for connecting fluidly to the delivery port of the base (9), characterized in that said base (2) and said detachable functional element (3) both have cooperating magnetic attachment means such that the detachable element and the base can be removably connected with an attracting magnetic effect, and then disconnected by rotating said detachable element relative to said base with a repelling magnetic effect.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage using a beverage preparation machine, characterised in that the device further comprises: a first interface for communicating with a module; a user-interface having a first element switchable into at least a first state; a controller configured to send information to the module, through the first interface, when the first element is switched into the first state.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, and their accessories. In particular, the invention relates to a device comprising a container for storing capsules comprising: a first interface for communicating with feedback means; a sensing arrangement for detecting and obtaining information on a capsule in a detection area; a controller configured to send, through the first interface, information related to the detected capsule, to the feedback means.

Abstract: An electrically powered device for preparing beverages, in particular hot beverages, that includes means for conditioning a liquid to prepare one or more batches of beverage after such a beverage preparation device has been switched on; and a power management arrangement for shutting down the beverage preparation device automatically.

Abstract: A milk frothing device (1) delimiting an area (2) for mixing milk (35) from a milk reservoir (3) and gas (49), comprises a supply arrangement (4) of pressurized gas. The pressurized gas supply arrangement (4) has a propelling gas conduit (41) configured to deliver pressurized propelling gas (48) into the milk reservoir (3) to pressurize the reservoir and propel thereby pressurized milk (36) from the reservoir to the mixing area (2).

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines, and more particularly to a capsule adapted for delivering a beverage in a beverage producing device comprising: a storage having a memory space for storing information related to preferences of a user of the beverage producing device; a first communication interface configured to: write in the memory space the information related to the preferences of the user, received on the first communication interface; and, allow the reading of the information stored in the memory space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, comprising a memory for storing icons, said icons being divided into at least two menu level groups, whereby each icon indicates a selectable menu function of the machine. The machine further comprises a display for displaying: in a first operation mode a first group of icons adjacent a main portion of the display; and in a second operation mode one group of icons as currently selectable icons on said main portion of the display. A touch pad is adapted to accept a touch operation for switching between the first and second operation mode.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The data base interface (12,13) and the module data interface (22,23) are mechanically connectable and disconnectable along a direction (2) of the connection and disconnection of the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11), in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler; and a user-removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet, and comprising a mixing unit (25) downstream the module inlet (21) for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream said inlet with fluid fed into the unit via the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet (26). The fluid circuit of the base (10), the module inlet (21), the mixing unit (25) and the machine outlet (26) are configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet (11) via the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) includes: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The base (10) may have a base connector block (14) for mechanical connection to the module (20), the base outlet (11) and the base data interface (12,13) being borne by the base connector block (14). The module (20) can have a module connector block (24) for mechanical connection to the base (10), the module inlet (21) and the module data interface (22,23) being borne by the module connector block (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1), comprising a memory for storing icons (72), said icons (72) being divided into at least two menu level groups (73, 76, 78), whereby each icon (72) indicates a selectable menu function of the machine (1). The machine (1) further comprises a display (10) for displaying: in a first operation mode a first group (73) of icons adjacent a main portion (75) of the display (10); and in a second operation mode one group (73, 76, 78) of icons (72) as currently selectable icons (72) on said main portion (75) of the display (10). A touch pad (10, 22) is adapted to accept a touch operation for switching between the first and second operation mode.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (3); an ingredient passage (4) having an ingredient mouth (41) for inserting along an insertion direction (42) an ingredient from outside such machine (1) into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (5) pivotable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage, The cover (5) is pivotable about a pivoting axis (51) that is generally parallel to the insertion direction (42) and/or that is generally perpendicular to the mouth (41) of the passage (4).

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.