Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid heating device (10) for a hot beverage machine, comprising: —a flow through heater (18, 18?); —a first tank (12) for receiving liquid (24) to be heated; —a second tank (14) for temporarily storing pre-heated liquid (24?); —a liquid outlet (22) for releasing heated liquid; and —a switching unit (20, 20?, 20?, 20??) which is configured to switch a liquid-flow cycle of the liquid heating device (10) between a pre-heating cycle, in which liquid (24) flows from the first tank (12) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) and into the second tank (14) in order to temporarily store pre-heated liquid (24?) in the second tank (14), and a end-heating cycle, in which the pre-heated liquid (24?) flows from the second tank (14) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) to the liquid outlet (22).

Abstract: A beverage machine that includes a brewing chamber; and a dispensing spout for dispensing liquid into the brewing chamber, wherein the dispensing spout includes a liquid inlet; a main body having a central axis and at least a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet, wherein the second liquid outlet has a larger distance from the central axis than the first liquid outlet; a liquid distributor fluidly connecting the liquid inlet selectively to the first liquid outlet or to the second liquid outlet, and an actuator for changing a position of the liquid distributor relative to the main body between at least a first position, wherein the liquid inlet is fluidly connected to the first liquid outlet and a second position, wherein the liquid inlet is fluidly connected to the second liquid outlet.

Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage machine that comprises: a brewing chamber (20); and a dispensing spout (18) for dispensing liquid into the brewing chamber (20); wherein the dispensing spout (18) comprises: i) a liquid inlet (32); ii) a main body (34) having a central axis (52) and at least a first liquid outlet (42) and a second liquid outlet (44), wherein the second liquid outlet (44) has a larger distance from the central axis (52) than the first liquid outlet (42); iii) a liquid distributor (40) for fluidly connecting the liquid inlet (32) selectively to the first liquid outlet (42) or to the second liquid outlet (44), and iv) an actuator (90) for changing a position of the liquid distributor (40) relative to the main body (34) between at least a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the liquid inlet (32) is fluidly connected to the first liquid outlet (42), and wherein in the second position the liquid inlet (32) is fluidly connected to the second liquid outlet (44).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid heating device (10) for a hot beverage machine, comprising: —a flow through heater (18, 18?); —a first tank (12) for receiving liquid (24) to be heated; —a second tank (14) for temporarily storing pre-heated liquid (24?); —a liquid outlet (22) for releasing heated liquid; and —a switching unit (20, 20?, 20?, 20??) which is configured to switch a liquid —the flow cycle of the liquid heating device (10) between a pre-heating cycle, in which liquid (24) flows from the first tank (12) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) and into the second tank (14) in order to temporarily store pre-heated liquid (24?) in the second tank (14), and a end-heating cycle, in which the pre-heated liquid (24?) flows from the second tank (14) through the flow through heater (18, 18?) to the liquid outlet (22).

Abstract: A device for cooking food such as rice is configured to perform a cooking process which is performed by heating the food under the influence of boiling water during a period of time. The device includes a controller for controlling an operation of the device. The controller is configured o operate components of the device in such a way that a total quantity of water to be used in the cooking process is gradually supplied to the food. The supply of a major portion of the total quantity of the water is performed when the cooking process is already taking place. In one embodiment, the cooking process is initiated by evaporating a relatively small portion of the total quantity of the water to steam, supplying this steam to the food, and allowing this steam to condense on the food.

Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: A device for performing a process of treating a liquid including a detachably arranged liquid treating unit and a basic part which is suitable for receiving and accommodating the liquid treating unit. The liquid treating unit has an air restriction for taking in air to be used in the liquid treating processes, wherein the air restriction includes a pin and a hole for receiving the pin. The pin is rotatably arranged in the hole, and means are provided for causing a rotation of the pin in case of a movement of the liquid treating unit relative to the liquid treating device.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge (10), which is suitable to be used in a process of preparing a beverage, comprises a beverage making unit (1). A duct system (30) of the beverage making unit (1) has a main duct (31), a first subsidiary duct (32) which merges into the main duct (31), and a second subsidiary duct (33) which merges into the main duct (31) as well, at a different position than the first subsidiary duct (32). In a process of preparing a beverage, a first fluid is supplied by the main duct (31), and flows of a second fluid are supplied by the subsidiary ducts (32, 33). In this way, it is achieved that the second fluid is mixed with the first fluid in two steps. In case the second fluid is used for heating the first fluid, local boiling of the first fluid is prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage from water and an instant product includes a water supply system for supplying water, a heating device for sterilizing water by heating it; and a cooling device for cooling water heated in the heating device. The cooling device uses water from the water supply system as cooling-water. The water that is sterilized in the heating device has preferably previously been used in the cooling device as cooling-water. The cooling device includes a counter flow heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage from water and an instant product includes a water supply system for supplying water, a heating device for sterilizing water by heating it; and a cooling device for cooling water heated in the heating device. The cooling device uses water from the water supply system as cooling-water. The water that is sterilized in the heating device has preferably previously been used in the cooling device as cooling-water. The cooling device includes a counter flow heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for preparing a beverage includes a beverage maker and a cartridge that is removably arranged in the beverage maker. The cartridge includes a beverage making unit having a duct system for conveying flows of steam and flows of liquid. The duct system includes two combinations of ducts, where the arrangement of the ducts of each combination is configured to enable a flow of steam to perform a pumping action on a flow of liquid. The beverage maker includes a steam generator having two steam sockets each being in communication with another combination of ducts of the duct system.

Abstract: An electric cooking appliance includes heater for heating a bowl and a sensor for sensing the temperature of the bowl. The sensor includes a movable thermal contact member to contact the wall of the bowl. The cooking appliance is provided with a detector for detecting the presence of the bowl, whereby displacement of the movable thermal contact member operates the detection.

Abstract: A system for preparing a beverage comprises a beverage maker (15) and a cartridge (10) that is removably arranged in the beverage maker (15). The cartridge (10) comprises a beverage making unit (1) having a duct system (30) for conveying flows of steam and flows of liquid. The duct system (30) comprises two combinations of ducts (31, 32; 41, 42), wherein the arrangement of the ducts (31, 32; 41, 42) of each combination is adapted to enabling a flow of steam to perform a pumping action on a flow of liquid. The beverage maker (15) comprises a steam generator (16) having two steam sockets (17, 18), wherein each of the steam sockets (17, 18) is in communication with another combination of ducts (31, 32; 41, 42) of the duct system (30). As each of the combinations of ducts (31, 32; 41, 42) is associated with a different steam inlet (36, 46), and the steam inlets (36, 46) may be located at different positions on the cartridge (10), it is achieved that the duct system (30) may be of a relatively simple design.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a reservoir for containing a liquid, a duct system for conveying the liquid, and a pumping section for subjecting the liquid to a pumping force. The initial filling of at least a portion of a duct for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the pumping section is brought about under the influence of another force other than the pumping force, for example, under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a reservoir for containing a liquid, a duct system for conveying the liquid, and a pumping section for subjecting the liquid to a pumping force. The initial filling of at least a portion of a duct for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the pumping section is brought about under the influence of another force other than the pumping force, for example, under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A device for performing a process of treating a liquid such as milk during which air is supplied to the liquid comprises a detachably arranged liquid treating unit and a basic part (3) which is suitable for receiving and accommodating the liquid treating unit. The liquid treating unit has an air restriction for taking in air to be used in the liquid treating processes, wherein the air restriction comprises a pin (11) and a hole for receiving the pin (11). In particular, the pin (11) is rotatably arranged in the hole, wherein means (15, 16, 17) are provided for causing a rotation of the pin (11) in case of a movement of the liquid treating unit in and/or out of the liquid treating device. In this way, an automated pin rotation mechanism is realized, whereby any blockage of the air restriction may be destroyed, and a reliable functioning of the air restriction is ensured.

Abstract: A device (17) for cooking food such as rice (4) is adapted to perform a cooking process which is performed by heating the food (4) under the influence of boiling water during a period of time. The device (17) comprises means (23) for controlling an operation of the device (17), which controlling means (23) are adapted to operate components of the device (17) in such a way that a total quantity of water (5) to be used in the cooking process is gradually supplied to the food (4), the supply of a major portion of the total quantity of the water (5) being performed when the cooking process is already taking place. Preferably, the cooking process is initiated by evaporating a relatively small portion of the total quantity of the water (5) to steam, supplying this steam to the food (4), and allowing this steam to condense on the food (4).

Abstract: A frothing device (1) is disclosed which is suited for a beverage machine. The frothing unit has an inlet (11) for a frothing medium (12) and a gas inlet (13) with an opening diameter. Furthermore, the frothing unit comprises a pumping means (14) and a tubing (15) for connecting the aforementioned components to one another. The aforementioned components form a continuous tubing system. In addition, due to the pumping action of the pumping means, a negative pressure difference with respect to the atmospheric pressure is accomplished throughout the whole tubing system.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge (10), which is suitable to be used in a process of preparing a beverage, comprises a beverage making unit (1). A duct system (30) of the beverage making unit (1) has a main duct (31), a first subsidiary duct (32) which merges into the main duct (31), and a second subsidiary duct (33) which merges into the main duct (31) as well, at a different position than the first subsidiary duct (32). In a process of preparing a beverage, a first fluid is supplied by the main duct (31), and flows of a second fluid are supplied by the subsidiary ducts (32, 33). In this way, it is achieved that the second fluid is mixed with the first fluid in two steps. In case the second fluid is used for heating the first fluid, local boiling of the first fluid is prevented.