Abstract: A dispensing and drainage assembly 1 and a drainage connector unit 13 for drainage of liquid waste of beverage dispensing devices. The assembly 1 comprises a beverage dispensing device 3 with a leak receptacle 5, a drain container 17, and the drain connector unit 13. The drain connector unit 13 comprises a housing 23 for cooperating with an opening to the drain container 17 for collecting liquid waste from a dispensing device. Additionally the drain connector unit 13 comprises a drain channel 15. The drain channel 15 extends through the housing 23 for guiding liquid waste there through from a leak receptacle 5 of the dispensing device 3, to the drain container 17. The drain connector unit 13 further also comprises at least a first aroma barrier 29 interposed between a first opening 25 and a second opening 27 in the housing 23.

Abstract: A foaming device comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet spaced apart from said fluid inlet and a fluid conduit extending from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet, the fluid conduit defining a cavity characterised in that said fluid conduit comprises first and second plates at least one of which comprises a plurality of baffles projecting into the cavity of the fluid conduit, and wherein at least one plate is movable with respect to the other to vary the distance between said plates.

Abstract: Drainage connector unit and assembly for the drainage of liquid waste of beverage dispensing devices A dispensing and drainage assembly (1) and a drainage connector unit (13) for drainage of liquid waste of beverage dispensing devices. The assembly (1) comprises a beverage dispensing device (3) with a leak receptacle (5), a drain container (17), and the drain connector unit (13). The drain connector unit (13) comprises a housing (23) for cooperating with an opening to the drain container (17) for collecting liquid waste from a dispensing device. Additionally the drain connector unit (13) comprises a drain channel (15). The drain channel (15) extends through the housing (23) for guiding liquid waste there through from a leak receptacle (5) of the dispensing device (3), to the drain container (17). The drain connector unit (13) further also comprises at least a first aroma barrier (29) interposed between a first opening (25) and a second opening (27) in the housing (23).

Abstract: An apparatus (900) is provided for the preparation of a beverage, including at least one beverage outlet nozzle (910) for discharging the beverage into a beverage container (940), characterized in that the apparatus includes a cleaning structure (100) for cleaning an exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle. With such cleaning structure, residues and ingredients of beverages may be removed from the exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a drink dispensing apparatus, comprising: a nozzle arrangement comprising a plurality of nozzles, wherein at least one of the plurality of nozzles is an outlet nozzle for dispensing a drinkable fluid and wherein at least one of the plurality of nozzles is a cleaning return nozzle; and, a cleaning chamber housing repeatably movable between a stowed position and a deployed position for cleaning the nozzle arrangement, the cleaning chamber housing comprising an internal cavity in which the plurality of nozzles are sealably received when in the deployed position.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a connector for manually connecting a dispensable fluid to a fluid dispensing apparatus, the connector comprising: a cleaning fluid inlet; a dispensable fluid inlet; and, an outlet, wherein the cleaning fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet via a cleaning fluid flow path, and wherein the dispensable fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet via a dispensable fluid flow path. Also disclosed is a fluid dispensing apparatus, such as a coffee dispensing apparatus, comprising the connector.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a mixing apparatus for mixing a powder and a fluid for use in a drink dispensing machine, the mixing apparatus comprising: a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber comprises: a powder inlet; a cleaning fluid drain; a fluid inlet and a mixing chamber outlet for an outflow of mixed powder.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.

Abstract: The apparatus (300) comprising a cooling unit (310) containing a coolant, a product conduit (330), a cooling conduit (331), a coolant supply conduit (317), a coolant return conduit (318), a coolant bypass conduit (320), a coolant pump (319), one or more valves (321, 322), and a controller. The controller being arranged and configured to operate the apparatus in at least a primary mode and in a secondary mode. In the primary mode coolant is circulated around a primary cooling circuit comprising the cooling unit (310), the coolant supply conduit (317), the cooling conduit (331) and the coolant return conduit (318). In the secondary mode coolant is circulated around a secondary cooling circuit comprising the coolant supply conduit (317), the cooling conduit (331), the coolant return conduit (318) and the coolant unit bypass conduit (320), wherein the secondary cooling circuit does not comprise the cooling unit (310).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage. The apparatus (300) comprising a beverage concentrate reservoir (360), a water pre-chiller (312) and a mixer for mixing beverage concentrate from the beverage concentrate reservoir with water from the water pre-chiller to form a beverage liquor. Further, an ice-generating cooling circuit and a pre-chiller cooling circuit are provided. A single cooling unit (310) provides coolant for both the ice-generating cooling circuit and the pre-chiller cooling circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage. The apparatus (300) comprising a beverage concentrate reservoir (360), a sweetener concentrate reservoir (361) and a water pre-chiller (312). A first pre-mixer (362) for mixing beverage concentrate supplied from the beverage concentrate reservoir with water supplied from the water pre-chiller, a second pre-mixer (363) for mixing sweetener concentrate supplied from the sweetener concentrate reservoir with water supplied from the water pre-chiller. A mixing chamber (364) for mixing an output from the first pre-mixer with an output from the second pre-mixer to form a beverage liquor, a cooling unit (310).

Abstract: An ice-generating system (311), method and apparatus for preparing an ice-containing tea or coffee beverage, comprising a product conduit (330) formed as a loop for circulating there through a beverage liquor, a product pump (390) for pumping the beverage liquor around the loop of the product conduit and a cooling conduit (331) for flowing there through a coolant. The cooling conduit is arranged in proximity with the product conduit to permit heat exchange between the coolant in the cooling conduit and the beverage liquor in the product conduit to cool the beverage liquor to thereby form a plurality of ice crystals within the beverage liquor. The product conduit comprises an outlet (393) for discharging the beverage liquor containing the plurality of ice crystals from the product conduit towards a beverage dispensing outlet (303) and two or more beverage liquor inlets (394, 395) for inputting beverage liquor into the product conduit.

Abstract: An exchangeable supply pack for a beverage dispensing machine. The pack comprises a doser including a pump assembly comprising a pump channel between an inlet and an outlet, for receiving a fluid from an ingredient container and for pumping it to the outlet. The pump assembly comprises a pump chamber and at least two engaging gears forming a gear pump. At least one of said gears forms a driving gear and comprises a shaft opening for receiving a driving axle of the beverage dispensing machine. The shaft opening coincides with an axle reception opening of a support wall of the pump chamber, and a flexible seal is arranged at least between the driving gear and the support wall. The seal comprises a through opening coinciding with the shaft opening and the axle reception opening for receiving the driving axle.

Abstract: A foaming device comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet spaced apart from said fluid inlet and a fluid conduit extending from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet, the fluid conduit defining a cavity characterised in that said fluid conduit comprises first and second plates at least one of which comprises a plurality of baffles projecting into the cavity of the fluid conduit, and wherein at least one plate is movable with respect to the other to vary the distance between said plates.

Abstract: A selection valve for a beverage preparation machine comprises a valve body with a hot water inlet, an air inlet, and at least a first outlet. A selector member is movably mounted relative to the valve body for movement between a first position in which the hot water inlet is in fluid communication with the at least first outlet, and a second position in which both the hot water inlet and the air inlet are in fluid communication with the at least first outlet. A satellite element has a predefined limited amount of free relative movement relative to the selector member for allowing the satellite element to be independently positioned between the first and second positions of the selector member.

Abstract: The beverage preparation unit comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber, and an air flow path for supplying air to the liquid flow path. The mixing chamber is arranged for receiving a beverage related ingredient, such as concentrate, preferably from an exchangeable supply pack. The liquid flow path is arranged for generating a hollow jet of liquid having an outer liquid portion extending in a flow direction of the jet and an inner air portion extending in a flow direction of the jet wherein the outer liquid portion surrounds the inner air portion.

Abstract: System for preparing beverage consumptions comprising a beverage preparation device, and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The beverage preparation device comprises a mixing chamber having a beverage outlet, liquid supply means including a liquid flow path for supplying a liquid to the mixing chamber; air supply means for supplying air to the liquid flow path, and a drive shaft. The at least one exchangeable supply pack includes a container for holding a beverage related ingredient, and a doser arranged for supplying the beverage related ingredient in a dosed manner. The exchangeable pack and the device are mechanically connectable. When connected the doser is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and the drive shaft is arranged for transmitting torque to the doser, such that when activated, beverage related ingredient is supplied from the outlet of the doser into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus (900) is provided for the preparation of a beverage, including at least one beverage outlet nozzle (910) for discharging the beverage into a beverage container (940), characterized in that the apparatus includes a cleaning structure (100) for cleaning an exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle. With such cleaning structure, residues and ingredients of beverages may be removed from the exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.

Abstract: A ceramic valve unit for a beverage machine including a housing, a water inlet pipe for receiving hot water, an outflow opening, and first and second ceramic elements within the housing. The first and second ceramic elements each have mutually abutting surfaces and are relatively movable in a plane common to the abutting surfaces. The plane common to the abutting surfaces is downstream of the water inlet pipe and the first ceramic element, but upstream of the second ceramic element and the outflow opening. The first ceramic element has at least differently sized first and second openings for allowing a liquid flow there through. The second ceramic element has only a single liquid flow opening permanently aligned with the outflow opening. The first ceramic element is selectively slidable between at least first and second different positions preferably in a path of movement about a centre of rotation beyond the boundaries of the first ceramic element.