Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus with a three-way valve that includes an inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; a first member movable between first and second extreme positions under the influence of liquid flow from the inlet to the first and/or second outlets from the first extreme position towards the second extreme position which closes off the first outlet so that the liquid flow then extends from the inlet to the second outlet; a second member which is freely moveable under the influence of a liquid flow from the inlet to the second outlet between a third and fourth extreme position wherein under the influence of the liquid flow from the inlet to the second outlet, moves from the third extreme position to the fourth extreme position and in the third extreme position blocks a liquid flow from the second outlet in the direction of the inlet.

Abstract: A tea pad (1) for preparing tea, more particularly at least one consumption unit of tea, with the aid of a coffee maker (2), while the coffee maker is provided with a holder (4) for receiving at least one pad filled with a product to be extracted, and means (22) for pressing hot water under pressure through the pad for obtaining an extract while, preferably, the applied pressure of the water is 1-2 bar, the pad being provided with a covering (26) such as filtering paper which is at least partly transmissive to a liquid such as water and which is at least virtually non-transmissive to tea while the covering comprises at least one space which is at least partly filled with tea.

Abstract: A system for making a beverage, the system comprising a pad (7) and a holder (6) in which the pad (7) is placed in use, the pad being provided with a chamber in which a product (24) required for making the beverage is situated, the system defining, at least partly, a fluid path, while the fluid path extends, in use, at least through the product (24) in the pad (7), while in use a fluid is introduced into the fluid path under super-atmospheric pressure, wherein the system is designed for assuming two conditions, i.e. a froth condition in which a beverage with a froth layer is produced, and a froth-free condition in which a beverage substantially without froth layer is produced. Also is described a restriction element (15a, 16, 18, 19, 20) and a pad (7) and the use of such a system as a method for making beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a consumable beverage with a fine-bubbled foam layer. The invention comprises a beverage unit for dispensing the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle for generating a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises a collecting unit into which the jet spouts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer. The collecting unit comprises a chamber with at least one outflow opening for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer and a jet impact element included in the chamber with a top which is clear of an inner wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, in particular cappuccino. The invention provides a beverage unit, which dispenses under pressure a beverage to be processed to a beverage processing path, through which, in use, the beverage flows to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The beverage processing path successively includes a nozzle and a buffer reservoir, the nozzle being positioned relative to the buffer reservoir such that, in use, it generates a liquid jet squirting into the buffer reservoir to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The buffer reservoir is provided with an outlet path for discharging the beverage from the buffer reservoir, the liquid flow path, upstream of the nozzle, further including an additive holder which, in use, can be filled with a product to be dissolved in the beverage, such as concentrated milk or milk powder.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, such as coffee or milk with a fine-bubble froth layer, provided with a beverage unit for dispensing under pressure a beverage to be processed, at least one nozzle, which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for feeding the beverage to the nozzle to generate a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle, and a collecting unit, into which the jet squirts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The collecting unit is then provided with a tubular chamber with at least one open end for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, the nozzle and the collecting unit being in fluid communication with each other such that the jet squirts against an inner wall of the tubular chamber for beating, in the tubular chamber, air into the beverage to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, which, in use, leaves the tubular chamber via the at least one open end.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, such as coffee or cappuccino, provided with a beverage unit for dispensing a beverage under pressure, at least one nozzle to which the beverage is fed under pressure to generate a jet of the beverage, a buffer reservoir for collecting the jet of the beverage so that, in use, a liquid level of the beverage is created in the buffer reservoir into which the jet squirts to obtain the fine-bubble froth layer and an outlet path for discharging the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer from the buffer reservoir, wherein the outlet path is provided with at least one siphon which comes into action for discharging the beverage from the buffer reservoir via the siphon when the liquid level in the siphon exceeds a predetermined height.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption such as coffee on the basis of a hot liquid such as water provided with a storage tank, a heater and a three-way valve. The three-way valve is provided with in inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The pump is in fluid communication with the storage tank and an inlet of the heater. There is a fluid communication between the outlet of the heater and the inlet of the three-way valve, between the first outlet and the storage tank and/or an inlet of the pump and between the second outlet and a beverage preparing unit for preparing the beverage suitable for consumption on the basis of the hot liquid.