Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (7) has a mixing unit (10) that includes: a stationary support (11); a seat (12); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the seat (12); a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are relatively movable between an ingredient transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration. The mixing unit (10) has a maintenance guide (111a,112c) and a gate (111b) configured to open and close the maintenance guide (111a,112c). At least one of the frame (11), the seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) is/are configured to enter the maintenance guide (111a,112c) when the gate (111b) is open and to be relatively moved into a maintenance configuration for carrying out a maintenance operation.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (7) has: a waste collector (85) with a horizontally extending collecting area (85??); and a removal arrangement (20, 22, 86, C) configured to direct, after beverage preparation, a waste consumable (2?), such as a used flavouring ingredient, into the waste collector (85). Successive waste consumables (2?) are directed to different horizontal locations (21a?, 21b?, 21c?) of the collecting area (85??).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?). The seat (12) is configured to move relatively to the support (11) according to simultaneous and/or successive geometric translation and geometric rotation.

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?). The mixing unit (10) further comprises a waste ingredient remover (20) configured to remove a waste ingredient (2?) from the ingredient opening (120) upon beverage preparation.

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?). The machine (1) has a control unit (C) that is configured to control a preconditioning of the flavouring ingredient after an introduction into the seat's ingredient opening (120).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12) by a wall part actuator (17). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?).

Abstract: A machine (1) for handling a flavouring ingredient (2), preparing and serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) comprises: a support (11) that is stationary during the handling of the flavouring ingredient; a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are directly or indirectly mounted to the support (11) and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration. The support (11) and the seat (12) are connected by a guide-rail arrangement (111,112) that is stationary relative to the support (11) and a guide-rail counter-member arrangement (121,122) that is stationary relative to the seat (12), or vice versa. The guide-rail arrangement has a first guide-rail section (111) and a second guide-rail section (112).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3). The mixing unit (10) is provided with a chamber thermal conditioner (23,24), such as a chamber heater and/or a cooler, for conditioning at least one of the seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3?) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?). The machine (1) has a control unit (C) that is configured to control a preconditioning of the flavouring ingredient after an introduction into the seat’s ingredient opening (120).

Abstract: A machine (1) for serving a beverage (7) via a dispensing outlet (8) to a consumer receptacle (9) by mixing water (3) from a water source (3) with a flavouring ingredient (2), has a mixing unit (10) that comprises: a stationary support (11); a seat (12) having an ingredient opening (120); a closure part (13) configured to close and open the ingredient opening (120); and a wall part (14) that is movable inside the seat (12). The seat (12), the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) are: mounted to the support (11); and relatively movable between a transfer configuration and a mixing chamber configuration in which the seat (12) and the closure part (13) and the wall part (14) form a mixing chamber (12?) fluidically connected with the water source (3?).

Abstract: A capsule processing machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) from an ingredient-containing capsule (2) by passing water into such capsule, has a beverage processing unit (10,20). Such unit (10,20) has a holder (10) delimiting a receiving space (11) for receiving such capsule (2). The unit (10,20) includes a cover (20) for covering the holder (10), the cover (20) and the holder (10) It being relatively movable: from an open position for transferring the capsule (2) into or out of the receiving space (11); into a closed position for preparing the beverage from the capsule (2). The unit (10,20) has a beverage outlet arrangement (21) extending between the holder (10) and the cover (20) and/or through the cover (20), configured to deliver the beverage (3) from the unit (10,20). The unit (10,20) has a water inlet (22) extending through the cover (20) configured to guide water (4) into the receiving space (11) where it is mixed with the flavouring ingredient in the capsule (2).

Abstract: The present invention presents a pumping system (1) with a preheated reservoir (2), a main pump (4) for pumping a preheated liquid (3) from the reservoir (2), and pressurizing means (5) for pressurizing the reservoir (2). Preferably, the pressurizing means set an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 1 bar in the reservoir (2). The liquid (3) in the reservoir (2) can be heated up to 90° C. or more. The present invention achieves a nearly complete suppression of the phenomenon of cavitation at the main pump entrance, and thus achieves an increased pumping performance at elevated liquid temperatures.

Abstract: A combination of a flow meter and printed circuit board or flex-print for a liquid food or a beverage preparation machine, which board or flex-print is rigidly connected to the flow meter. This combination is used in a liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes an in-line heating device in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber that includes a capsule or pod housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid food of beverage preparation machine that includes an electric supply circuit connectable to an electric power source; a heater powered by the electric supply circuit; and a thermal fuse device in thermal communication with the heater and associated with the electric supply circuit, the fuse device being arranged to interrupt the electric supply circuit from the power source when the heater exceeds a temperature limit. The thermal fuse device is reversible and includes a switch for automatically interrupting the electric supply circuit when the heater exceeds the temperature limit, the switch being operable by a user to close the electric supply circuit when the heater has a temperature that has returned below the temperature limit.

Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention presents a pumping system (1) with a preheated reservoir (2), a main pump (4) for pumping a preheated liquid (3) from the reservoir (2), and pressurizing means (5) for pressurizing the reservoir (2). Preferably, the pressurizing means set an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 1 bar in the reservoir (2). The liquid (3) in the reservoir (2) can be heated up to 90° C. or more. The present invention achieves a nearly complete suppression of the phenomenon of cavitation at the main pump entrance, and thus achieves an increased pumping performance at elevated liquid temperatures.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine is disclosed that includes a base and at least one module. The base conditions and delivers a fluid to the at least one module that houses an ingredient to be mixed with the fluid. The base is controlled by a control unit that is configured to control the flow and the pressure of the liquid delivered to the module, during the preparation of a beverage, according to a command selected from a plurality of commands suitable for different types of ingredients and/or for different preparation processes of a given ingredient.