Abstract: A coffee machine makes use of a valve arrangement for controlling the coupling of a water heater outlet selectively to one of two or more outlets, such as a steam delivery nozzle and a brew chamber. The valve arrangement comprises an active valve between the inlet channel and a first one of the outlets and a passive valve downstream of the active valve from the water heater outlet, coupled to a second one of the outlets. A cam surface controls the active valve, wherein the angular position of the cam surface controls the coupling of the inlet channel to the first one of the outlets. The rotation may be driven by rotational coupling to a brew chamber motor. This coffee machine design makes use of a single valve arrangement to provide the flow control from the water heater. This provides a compact arrangement with a low component count and simple control mechanism. It also enables all valve mechanisms to be outside the water or steam flow.

Abstract: In the field of beverage making, a milk frothing arrangement is provided. The milk frothing arrangement includes a main channel having a milk inlet, a steam supply arrangement, a steam channel arranged to receive steam from the steam supply arrangement at an upstream side and to merge into a main channel at a downstream side, a mixing chamber into which the main channel debouches at a position downstream of the position where the steam channel merges into the main channel, and a controller to control operation of the milk frothing arrangement. Further, the controller controls a froth-to-milk ratio to be realized by controlling pressure of the steam to be supplied by the steam supply arrangement, wherein the froth-to-milk ratio is derived from input provided by a user about a beverage type to be made.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes an inner container and an outer container which define mixing fluid passageways between them. The inner container is received in the outer container with at least two different orientations. Each orientation forms a different set of passageways each including a mixing chamber and a riser passage, where the passageways lead from the inner container to the mixing chamber. The different orientations create different designs of the passageways, to give different mixing functionality.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage maker comprising a pressure-controlled switching valve (1) that comprises the following components: a valve body (20) comprising an internal switching space (21); a switching device (40) being movably arranged in the internal switching space (21) and comprising two functional valve members (41, 42) that are arranged and configured to seal respective fluid outlet openings (23, 24) of the valve body (20) in respective positions of the switching device (40); a position setting device (30) for displacing the switching device (40) under the influence of fluid pressure acting on the position setting device (30) at one side thereof; and a biasing mechanism (70) acting on the entirety of the switching device (40) and the position setting device (30) coupled thereto. One side of at least a functional portion (31) of the position setting device (30) is open to a conduit system of the beverage maker.

Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes an inner container and an outer container which define mixing fluid passageways between them. The inner container is received in the outer container with at least two different orientations. Each orientation forms a different set of passageways each including a mixing chamber and a riser passage, where the passageways lead from the inner container to the mixing chamber. The different orientations create different designs of the passageways, to give different mixing functionality.

Abstract: A beverage fluid dispensing head comprising a housing; and a fluid track, at least in part, arranged inside the housing. The fluid track comprises: an inlet channel arranged for receiving a beverage fluid, such as coffee, from a beverage apparatus; a collection chamber, fluidly connected to the inlet channel, for receiving the beverage fluid therefrom; and at least one outlet channel. The at least one outlet channel is fluidly connected to the collection chamber for receiving the beverage fluid from the collection chamber. A downstream part of the at least one outlet channel is formed as a tongue-shaped flow guide which is downwardly directed for, in use, guiding the received beverage fluid and submitting the received beverage fluid therefrom in the form of an integral fluid beam for dispensing.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is described. The mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, and a mixing chamber for mixing the milk, the steam, and air. A channel arrangement connects the first port and the second port, and defines an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. The mixing apparatus is designed such that, in use, the frothing section fills sufficiently with steamed milk that has a direct path from the second port to the mixing chamber is interrupted by the steamed milk. This provides a noise reduction during use of the mixing apparatus. A flow reducing means, such as a barrier, may be used for this purpose.

Abstract: A passive valve arrangement is described. The passive valve arrangement is used in a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine. The passive valve arrangement includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel with a valve member between the inlet and outlet channels. The valve member is biased to isolate the inlet and outlet channels. Further, the valve member couples the inlet and outlet channels in response to a pressure present at the inlet channel. An integrated valve status detector is used to provide valve status feedback.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is described. The mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, and a mixing chamber for mixing the milk, the steam, and air. A channel arrangement connects the first port and the second port, and defines an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. The mixing apparatus is designed such that, in use, the frothing section fills sufficiently with steamed milk that has a direct path from the second port to the mixing chamber is interrupted by the steamed milk. This provides a noise reduction during use of the mixing apparatus. A flow reducing means, such as a barrier, may be used for this purpose.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam and a mixing chamber for mixing milk, steam and air. A channel arrangement connects the ports as well as defining an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. An adjustment element is provided for adjusting a seal in the vicinity of the air intake channel, thereby to adjust a frothing level.

Abstract: A beverage maker comprises a heating unit for heating a liquid, a functional unit for accommodating a quantity of a beverage basic material, the functional unit being positioned at an outlet side of the heating unit, and a valve unit including a membrane being positioned at an interface of an inlet of the functional unit and an outlet of the heating unit, and a biasing member for biasing the membrane towards a position for realizing the closed position of the valve unit. The inlet of the functional unit is configured and arranged to be open towards a central portion of the membrane, and the outlet of the heating unit is configured and arranged to be open towards a ring-shaped portion of the membrane encompassing the central portion.

Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.

Abstract: A coffee machine makes use of a valve arrangement for controlling the coupling of a water heater outlet selectively to one of two or more outlets, such as a steam delivery nozzle and a brew chamber. The valve arrangement comprises an active valve between the inlet channel and a first one of the outlets and a passive valve downstream of the active valve from the water heater outlet, coupled to a second one of the outlets. A cam surface controls the active valve, wherein the angular position of the cam surface controls the coupling of the inlet channel to the first one of the outlets. The rotation may be driven by rotational coupling to a brew chamber motor. This coffee machine design makes use of a single valve arrangement to provide the flow control from the water heater. This provides a compact arrangement with a low component count and simple control mechanism. It also enables all valve mechanisms to be outside the water or steam flow.

Abstract: Dispensing module for a beverage preparation machine For providing a beverage with a proper consistency using a capsule-based brewing system wherein hot liquid is injected into the capsule under pressure, which capsule is placed against a brewing plate (210) with protrusion (212) arranged to cut the capsule cover under pressure, it has been found that a free flow of the prepared beverage can flow gradually from the brewing plate (210) towards an outlet nozzle (126). An open passage (206) from the brewing plate (210) via a collector chamber (204) downstream of the brewing plate, to the outlet nozzle (126) may be provided with an open and slanted gutter (222) to lead the beverage out of the collector chamber (204) to provide the best results. Due to the open nature of the conduit, jets of beverage form the brewing plate may the open gutter and soil the machine. This may be prevented by providing appropriate shielding (250) between the brewing plate and the gutter or an opening thereof.

Abstract: A beverage fluid dispensing head comprising a housing; and a fluid track, at least in part, arranged inside the housing. The fluid track comprises: an inlet channel arranged for receiving a beverage fluid, such as coffee, from a beverage apparatus; a collection chamber, fluidly connected to the inlet channel, for receiving the beverage fluid therefrom; and at least one outlet channel. The at least one outlet channel is fluidly connected to the collection chamber for receiving the beverage fluid from the collection chamber. A downstream part of the at least one outlet channel is formed as a tongue-shaped flow guide which is downwardly directed for, in use, guiding the received beverage fluid and submitting the received beverage fluid therefrom in the form of an integral fluid beam for dispensing.

Abstract: A device (1) for preparing a beverage on the basis of interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, particularly a beverage having a crema layer, comprises a brewing chamber (10) for accommodating a quantity of the beverage extract, having an inlet (11) for receiving the extracting fluid and an outlet (12) for discharging the beverage. Furthermore, the device (1) comprises restricting means (60) which are movable between an activated position for realizing a restriction (61) in the outlet (12) of the brewing chamber (10) and an inactivated position for minimizing the restriction (61) in the outlet (12) of the brewing chamber (10), and also actuator means (70) for controlling the position of the restricting means (60) in relation to an actual state of pumping means (30) as present in the device (1) for realizing a flow of the extracting fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capsule-type, food substance containing consumable (30) for use in a dispenser (10) for preparation of foodstuff products, the consumable (30) comprising a housing (76) comprising at least one rigid wall portion (82) that is impermeable to liquid, an inlet portion (140) arranged to enable pressurized water flow into the housing (76), when the consumable (30) is inserted in a processing unit (14) of the dispenser, at least one primary outlet portion 142) arranged to enable a primary fluid flow out of the housing (76), at least two distinct chambers (34, 36) arranged in the housing (76), and an internal flow control arrangement (84) operatively coupled with at least one of the at least two distinct chambers (34, 36), wherein the internal flow control arrangement (84) is operable between a first state and a second state to selectively permit or prevent a fluid flow from said at least one chamber (34, 36) so as to activate a secondary fluid throughput in the second state.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage maker comprising a pressure-controlled switching valve (1) that comprises the following components: a valve body (20) comprising an internal switching space (21); a switching device (40) being movably arranged in the internal switching space (21) and comprising two functional valve members (41, 42) that are arranged and configured to seal respective fluid outlet openings (23, 24) of the valve body (20) in respective positions of the switching device (40); a position setting device (30) for displacing the switching device (40) under the influence of fluid pressure acting on the position setting device (30) at one side thereof; and a biasing mechanism (70) acting on the entirety of the switching device (40) and the position setting device (30) coupled thereto. One side of at least a functional portion (31) of the position setting device (30) is open to a conduit system of the beverage maker.

Abstract: A beverage maker comprises a heating unit for heating a liquid, a functional unit for accommodating a quantity of a beverage basic material, the functional unit being positioned at an outlet side of the heating unit, and a valve unit including a membrane being positioned at an interface of an inlet of the functional unit and an outlet of the heating unit, and a biasing member for biasing the membrane towards a position for realizing the closed position of the valve unit. The inlet of the functional unit is configured and arranged to be open towards a central portion of the membrane, and the outlet of the heating unit is configured and arranged to be open towards a ring-shaped portion of the membrane encompassing the central portion.