Abstract: An apparatus for grinding coffee is described. The apparatus includes a mechanical user input device, a grinding unit for grinding coffee, an electrical switch which connects the grinding unit to a source of electrical power and a mechanical coupling for the mechanical coupling of the user input device to the grinding unit. The user input device provides electrical power to the grinding unit when it is displaced from an initial position and ceases the provision of electrical power to the grinding unit when it is in the initial position. The mechanical coupling returns the user input device to the initial position when the grinding unit is operational.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing a hot liquid drink makes use of expansion of a phase change material (as is for example used in a wax motor) to drive displacement of the liquid into or out of a heating vessel.

Abstract: A coffee machine has a test function, by which a user can instruct suitable operating settings to be determined, e.g. for a new coffee bean type to be used. A series of one or more test brewing cycles is then carried out to measure operating characteristics of the coffee machine, and thereby derive a set of suitable operating settings, for example for those new coffee beans.

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 coffee machine is described. The coffee machine includes a water reservoir, a water heater, a water pump, a coffee vessel for receiving ground coffee, and a water delivery system having a water delivery head for delivering heated water to the coffee vessel. A closing and/or tamping system is provided for compacting the ground coffee in the coffee vessel by providing relative movement between the water delivery head and the coffee vessel. The closing and/or tamping system includes a hydraulic actuator, where a water outlet from the water pump is coupled to the hydraulic actuator by a first fluid coupling and the water outlet is coupled to the water delivery head by a second fluid coupling which includes a passive in-line valve. The passive in-line valve opens when a pressure reaches a desired pressure.

Abstract: A coffee machine is described. The coffee machine has an exterior mounting port to which a coffee vessel is removably fitted. A water delivery head is positionally fixed with respect to a main housing of the coffee machine, and a tamping system is used to displace the coffee vessel (or part thereof) relative to the water delivery head, thereby to provide tamping of coffee grounds contained in the coffee vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding coffee is described. The apparatus includes a mechanical user input device, a grinding unit for grinding coffee, an electrical switch which connects the grinding unit to a source of electrical power and a mechanical coupling for the mechanical coupling of the user input device to the grinding unit. The user input device provides electrical power to the grinding unit when it is displaced from an initial position and ceases the provision of electrical power to the grinding unit when it is in the initial position. The mechanical coupling returns the user input device to the initial position when the grinding unit is operational.