Abstract: A drinks machine has an output nozzle for delivering hot water or steam, Steam is used by a milk frothing unit whereas hot water is delivered by the output nozzle directly to the exterior of the drinks machine for collection in a drinks vessel. A single nozzle is thus provided for steam or hot water delivery and there is no need for any accessory when delivering hot water. This means that there is reduced cost, fewer components to lose, and simplified cleaning, in that only per-use cleaning of the milk frothing unit is required, not the fixed parts of the appliance associated with the milk frothing unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixing apparatus having a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, an air intake channel for receiving air, and a mixing chamber for mixing milk, steam and air. A barrier element is provided at an output of the mixing chamber, wherein the barrier element is adjustable to define different degrees of frothing.

Abstract: The mixing apparatus includes a first container, wherein the first container comprises: a first port; and a mixing chamber. The mixing apparatus further includes a second container where the second container is adapted to receive the first container, and a seal disposed between the first container and the second container. In addition, the mixing apparatus includes a channel between the first port and the mixing chamber, where the channel is defined by the seal and the first container. In some examples, the seal includes: a first seal portion; and a transition seal portion, the transition portion includes a seal split; and an air intake channel.

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 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: 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 coffee machine is for brewing coffee in a brewing chamber and has a waste bin for collecting coffee grinds after brewing and a drip tray for collecting waste water. A sensor system is provided for detecting manual removal of the waste bin and/or the drip tray and a count is made of the number of brews since the last removal of the waste bin and/or drip tray. Information is then displayed showing the number of brews, or the fraction of brews compared to a nominal maximum number of brews, since the last removal.

Abstract: A coffee machine is for preparing an espresso coffee drink, but it also enables filtered coffee to be produced. An external water delivery nozzle is provided, and it provides water to a coffee jug comprising a filter holder for holding a coffee filter and contained coffee grinds. The coffee jug and the external water delivery nozzle can be coupled and decoupled.

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: A drinks machine has an output nozzle for delivering hot water or steam, Steam is used by a milk frothing unit whereas hot water is delivered by the output nozzle directly to the exterior of the drinks machine for collection in a drinks vessel. A single nozzle is thus provided for steam or hot water delivery and there is no need for any accessory when delivering hot water. This means that there is reduced cost, fewer components to lose, and simplified cleaning, in that only per-use cleaning of the milk frothing unit is required, not the fixed parts of the appliance associated with the milk frothing unit.

Abstract: The mixing apparatus includes a first container, wherein the first container comprises: a first port; and a mixing chamber. The mixing apparatus further includes a second container where the second container is adapted to receive the first container, and a seal disposed between the first container and the second container. In addition, the mixing apparatus includes a channel between the first port and the mixing chamber, where the channel is defined by the seal and the first container. In some examples, the seal includes: a first seal portion; and a transition seal portion, the transition portion includes a seal split; and an air intake channel.

Abstract: A heater assembly for use in a domestic appliance comprises a main part (12) and a cover part (13) fixedly connected to the main part (12), the parts (12, 13) enclosing a heater space (11) of the heater assembly. The parts (12, 13) are sealingly coupled to each other in a sealing area (16) which is at a position for surrounding the heater space (11), wherein, at a position which is more to the outside of the heater assembly than a sealing area 5 (16), as seen from the heater space (11), the heater assembly is provided with at least one safety opening (22, 23) for allowing fluidum from the heater space (11) to flow therethrough in a forced safety condition of the heater assembly in which condition at least one fluidum passage is present between the parts (12, 13) in the sealing area (16).