Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine includes a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. The machine further includes a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. The machine provides a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dispensing ground coffee for preparing a coffee beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (110) for dispensing ground coffee, in particular for preparing a coffee beverage. The system (110) comprises: one or more receptacles (13, 14) for storing one or different types of roasted coffee beans, one or more dosing devices (60, 70) for dispensing coffee beans, which are stored in the one or more receptacles (13, 14), and a grinder (30) for receiving coffee beans, which are dispensed by the one or more dosing devices (60, 70), in order to grind said coffee beans and subsequently dispense the so ground coffee beans, the grinder (30) being configured to move into different grinding positions for different grinding degrees, respectively. The one or more dosing devices (60, 70) are arranged between the one or more receptacles (13, 14) and the grinder (30) such that the one or more dosing devices (60, 70) can act as one or more retaining elements for retaining coffee beans inside of the one or more receptacles (13, 14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a roasting and processing apparatus for coffee beans comprising a roasting device (50) and an associated coffee processing device (60, 70); the roasting device (50) being configured for receiving coffee beans of a certain type that will be roasted, the roasting device comprising reading means (53) to identify the characteristics of the coffee beans dispensed to it, the roasting device (50) further comprising a control unit configuring the roasting profile of the beans according to the characteristics retrieved from the reading means (53) and/or from the characteristics of the beans in a database (51) in this control unit and/or according to the user input; the roasted coffee beans being transferred into a coffee processing device (60, 70) for beverage preparation, the roasting device (50) comprising a data transfer function to communicate product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of a certain type to the coffee processing device (60, 70); the coffee processing device (60, 70) rec

Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding and extraction apparatus for roasted coffee beans comprising a grinding device (60) and an associated extraction device (70); the grinding device (60) comprising one or more housings for receiving one or more beans containers (10, 20) with roasted coffee beans of the same or different types; the grinding device (60) comprising a reader (62) to obtain the information of the product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of the one or more beans containers (10, 20); the grinding device (60) further comprising a control unit configured to adapt the grinding size and the quantity of roasted coffee beans for obtaining a certain coffee blend from each beans container to be grinded according to these product parameters and/or according to a recipes database (64) comprising the beverage information associated to the beverage to be prepared; the grinding device (60) further comprising an encoder (62) to encode the beverage information on programmable identification means (65) on a p

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing and preparation apparatus for powdered food or beverage products, the apparatus comprising a dispensing device (60) and an associated preparation or extraction device (70); the dispensing device (60) comprising one or more housings for receiving one or more containers (10, 20) with a powdered food or beverage product; the dispensing device (60) comprising a reader (62) to obtain the information of the product parameters of the powdered food or beverage products from the one or plurality of containers (10, 20); the dispensing device (60) further comprising a control unit configured to dispense a certain amount of powdered food or beverage product from each container (10, 20) according to these product parameters and/or according to a recipes database (64) as a function of the beverage to be prepared; the dispensing device (60) further comprising an encoder (63) to encode the beverage information on programmable identification means (65) on a product holder (61) in

Abstract: The invention relates to a roasting and grinding apparatus for coffee beans comprising a roasting device (50) and an associated grinding device (60); the roasting device (50) being configured for receiving coffee beans of a certain type that will be roasted, the roasting device (50) comprising reading means (53) to identify the characteristics of the coffee beans dispensed to it, the roasting device (50) further comprising a control unit configuring the roasting profile of the beans according to the characteristics retrieved from the reading means (53) and/or from the characteristics of the beans in a database (51) in this control unit and/or according to the user’s input; the roasted coffee beans being dispensed into a beans container (10, 20), the beans container (10, 20) comprising programmable identification means where product parameters of the roasted coffee beans of a certain type are encoded on it by an encoder (52) in the roasting device; the grinding device (60) comprising one or more housings for r

Abstract: The invention relates to a food processing system (100) allowing reconstitution and/or structuration and/or texturization of dehydrated food materials such as powders, the system comprising: —a dosing system (50) comprising one or a plurality of containers (20) each container comprising a dehydrated or partially dehydrated food material; —at least one reconstitution food processing unit (10) to which the containers (20) from the dosing system can be connected, the processing unit (10) comprising: at least one product inlet (17) for the food material coming from a container (20), at least one liquid inlet (18) for liquid to be mixed with the food material, and at least one product outlet (16) at one end of the unit (10) for in-line depositing the formed food; —a depositing area (60) where the formed food from the processing unit (10) is dispensed; the depositing area (60) and the at least one food processing unit (10) being moveable with respect to each other in such a way that different food shapes and/or pat

Abstract: The invention relates to method for preparing a foodstuff in a food processing system (100), the system comprising solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) that transmits an electromagnetic wave to a food substrate and a cavity where the food is cooked, the method monitoring the return power losses, which are the difference between the power emitted by the solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) and the reflected power in the cavity, for optimising the delivery of the radio frequency power to the food substrate by controlling and adjusting at least two parameters: the emitted frequency of the solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) and the distance of the cooking means (51) to the food substrate. In the method of the invention, the dielectric properties, the water content and/or the compaction of the food substrate are monitored throughout the preparation method.

Abstract: Disposable foaming device (100) for foaming a fluid (1) comprising a container compartment (20) and a foaming compartment (10), the container compartment (20) being pressurized by primary incoming air (14?) so that the fluid (1) is driven into the foaming compartment (20), wherein the foaming compartment (20) is provided with secondary incoming air (15?) to be mixed with the fluid (1) coming from the container compartment (20), the foaming compartment (10) being designed in such a way that the mixture of air and fluid (1) is moved under certain level of shear stress calculated so that it allows the mixture of air and fluid (1) to be emulsified in the foaming compartment (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for dispensing a certain quantity of coffee beans into a beverage preparation machine to prepare a coffee beverage, the system comprising a tight variable volume container (20) with a volume receptacle (22) where the coffee beans are stored, the volume receptacle (22) being configured to modify its internal volume in order to adapt it to the quantity of coffee beans stored in it; the system (100) further comprising an active dosing device (30) configured to convey coffee beans with respect to the volume receptacle (22), the dosing device (30) being tight to the outside environment also while conveying coffee beans. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a system (100) for dispensing a certain quantity of coffee beans into a beverage preparation machine to prepare a coffee beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food system (100) for preparing a texturized non-meat food product from a dehydrated powder product with the appearance and the texture of meat, the system comprising: —a processing chamber (10) receiving the dehydrated food product, hydrating and structuring at least part of it, and extruding it into a mass of a certain shape; —driving means (20) driving in rotation primary and secondary processing tools (110, 111) within the processing chamber (10) for hydrating, structuring and extruding the mass of food product; —a fluid reservoir (30) supplying a fluid into the processing chamber for hydrating the food product and creating a food mass; such that the processing chamber (10) comprises three sequential sub-chambers: —a mixing sub-chamber (12) comprising a primary processing tool (110) for hydrating, optionally heating, homogenizing and/or structuring the dehydrated food product or at least part of it into a food mass in batch mode; wherein the volume of the mixing sub-chamber (12)

Abstract: A rotary compressor arrangement includes a stationary member centered at a shaft axis and a rotary member rotating around the stationary member; the stationary member and the rotary member being inside a hermetically sealed inner volume within the rotary compressor arrangement; the rotary compressor arrangement comprising a stator with a winding arrangement generating an electromagnetic force inside the stator, the stator being arranged outside the hermetically sealed inner volume; the rotary compressor arrangement further comprising a plurality of magnets directly attached to the rotary member and facing the winding arrangement in the stator such that the rotary member is entrained in rotation by a rotating electromagnetic field from the stator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for preparing a cooled or frozen and/or foamed product, comprising: a product inlet (20) through which a certain quantity of fluid at ambient temperature, optionally also with air, enters the device, at a certain flow rate, this flow rate depending on the type of product to be prepared by the device; a processing chamber (108) through which the fluid flows and where it is processed, the processing chamber (108) defining a volume for the flow of fluid; at least a processing element (100, 200; 300) rotatable within the processing chamber (108) and configured to mix and/or scrap and/or foam by Couette Flow effect the fluid flowing through it; a cooling element (60) providing a certain cooling power configured to cool at least partially the processing chamber (108) which is at least partially in contact with the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for preparing a foodstuff in a food processing system (100), the system comprising solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) that transmits an electromagnetic wave to a food substrate and a cavity where the food is cooked, the method monitoring the return power losses, which are the difference between the power emitted by the solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) and the reflected power in the cavity, for optimising the delivery of the radio frequency power to the food substrate by controlling and adjusting at least two parameters: the emitted frequency of the solid state radio frequency cooking means (51) and the distance of the cooking means (51) to the food substrate. In the method of the invention, the dielectric properties, the water content and/or the compaction of the food substrate are monitored throughout the preparation method.

Abstract: A machine for preparing frozen confectionery has the ability or characteristic of forming a seat used for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container. The machine has a heat exchange element having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with a heat exchange portion of the container when the container is placed in the machine. The heat exchange element has an inverted conical or curved shape or a number of inverted conical sections, or a combination of curved and inverted conical sections. The confectionery produced can be a frozen product, such as soft ice, or a chilled dessert, such as mousse or whipped yogurt.

Abstract: The invention refers to a pumping and foaming device (10) comprising a mixing unit (201) where air and a foamable fluid are conveyed and pre-mixed, and a foaming unit (203) where the mixture of air and fluid is foamed; the device (10) further comprising a processing element (202) rotatable with respect to the foaming unit (203), such that the rotation of the processing element (202) sucks air and fluid by centrifugal forces into the mixing unit (201), where they are conveyed and pre-mixed, that same rotation of the processing element (202) with respect to the foaming unit (203) driving the mixture of air and fluid under a certain level of shear stress which allows the mixture to be foamed. The invention further refers to a pack (100) comprising a device (10) and a fluid container (20), and further to a machine (200) to which such a pack (100) is connectable. The invention also refers to a system (300) comprising a machine (200) and a pack (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for preparing an edible food or beverage product starting from dehydrated raw material and comprising at least two complementary zones (10, 20) where a certain raw material, or series of it, is processed in at least two steps, the two zones (10, 20) being defined as:—a primary zone (10) receiving one or a series of raw dehydrated material and a fluid, typically water, comprising primary processing means (13) and shaping means (15) configured to process and to dispense the processed product into a secondary zone;—a secondary zone (20) receiving the one or multitude of processed products from the primary zone (10) comprising distinct secondary processing means (22) and distinct heating means (23), the secondary zone (20) being configured to process further the products from the primary zone (10) into their final configuration; both zones (10, 20) working in a complementary way according to a certain recipe, such that each of the distinct processing means (13, 22), the

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.