Abstract: A milk frothing device (1) delimiting an area (2) for mixing milk (35) from a milk reservoir (3) and gas (49), comprises a supply arrangement (4) of pressurized gas. The pressurized gas supply arrangement (4) has a propelling gas conduit (41) configured to deliver pressurized propelling gas (48) into the milk reservoir (3) to pressurize the reservoir and propel thereby pressurized milk (36) from the reservoir to the mixing area (2).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The data base interface (12,13) and the module data interface (22,23) are mechanically connectable and disconnectable along a direction (2) of the connection and disconnection of the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11), in particular a fluid circuit connected to a fluid source and controlled by a control unit and comprising a pump and/or a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or a cooler; and a user-removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet, and comprising a mixing unit (25) downstream the module inlet (21) for holding an ingredient that is mixed downstream said inlet with fluid fed into the unit via the base outlet (11) and the module inlet (21) to form a mixture that is dispensed via a machine outlet (26). The fluid circuit of the base (10), the module inlet (21), the mixing unit (25) and the machine outlet (26) are configured to prevent that the mixture formed in the mixing unit contacts the base outlet (11) via the module inlet (21).

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) includes: a base (10) having a fluid circuit for conditioning and delivering a fluid via a base outlet (11) and a base data interface (12,13); and a removable module (20) having a module inlet (21) and a module data interface (22,23) disconnectably connectable to the base outlet and the base data interface, respectively. The base (10) may have a base connector block (14) for mechanical connection to the module (20), the base outlet (11) and the base data interface (12,13) being borne by the base connector block (14). The module (20) can have a module connector block (24) for mechanical connection to the base (10), the module inlet (21) and the module data interface (22,23) being borne by the module connector block (14).

Abstract: A separation device for removing at least part of a liquid from a mixture which comprises a gas and the liquid in the form of droplets, comprises: a) a housing comprising first, second and third separation sections for separating liquid from the mixture, wherein the second section is arranged below the first section and above the third section, the respective sections are in communication with each other, and the second section comprises a rotating coalescer element; b) tangentially arranged means to introduce the mixture into the first section; c) means to remove liquid from the first section; d) means to remove liquid from the third section; and e) means to remove a gaseous stream, lean in liquid, from the third section. A separation process for removing at least part of a liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid in the form of droplets using the separation device.

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: A milk frothing device (1) delimiting an area (2) for mixing milk (35) from a milk reservoir (3) and gas (49), comprises a supply arrangement (4) of pressurized gas.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine comprises: a heater (1) for heating up a supply of liquid from a supply temperature to a beverage preparation temperature, in particular an in-line heater and/or a heat accumulation structure such as a thermoblock; and a control unit (2) for controlling said supply of liquid and the heater so that the heater is energised to reach and be maintained at an operative temperature (“RUN”) for heating up said supply of liquid to the beverage preparation temperature during beverage preparation. The control unit is further arranged so that the heater is energised to reach and be maintained at a reduced temperature (“ECO”) out of beverage preparation.

Abstract: A brewing unit (1) of a beverage preparation machine has: a seat (11) for receiving a capsule (2) comprising an electrically conductive material (21, 22, 23, 24); and a capsule sensing electric circuit with first and second electric connectors (A, B). The first electric connector (A) and the second electric connector (B) are electrically connected through the electrically conductive material of the capsule (2) when the capsule is present in the seat (11) and electrically disconnected when the capsule is not in the seat so as to close and interrupt, respectively, the capsule sensing electric circuit (A, Aa, a, B, Bb, b, abc).

Abstract: A separation device for removing at least part of a liquid from a mixture which comprises a gas and the liquid in the form of droplets, comprises: a) a housing comprising a-first, second and third separation sections separating liquid from the mixture, wherein the second section is arranged below the first section and above the third section, the respective sections are in communication with each other, and the second section comprises a rotating coalescer element; b) tangentially arranged means to introduce the mixture into the first section; c) means to remove liquid from the first section; d) means to remove liquid from the third section; and e) means to remove a gaseous stream, lean in liquid, from the third section. A separation process for removing at least part of a liquid from a mixture comprising the liquid in the form of droplets using the separation device.