Automatic Control Patents (Class 99/280)
  • Patent number: 12245720
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for producing milk beverages or milk foam beverages, comprising a pump, a milk intake line connected to the pump and connectable to a milk reservoir, an outlet line connected to the pump, and a heating element. The heating element comprises at least two series-connected flow heaters. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for heating milk or milk foam, in which cold milk or cold milk foam is sucked by means of a pump out of a milk intake line connected to a milk reservoir and conveyed into an outlet line connected to the pump, and heated by means of a heating element, wherein the milk or the milk foam is conducted successively through at least two series-connected flow heaters of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: EVERSYS S.A.
    Inventors: Jonathan Besse, Paul Rouiller, Sébastien Robyr
  • Patent number: 12137834
    Abstract: For a milk delivery device (1) which delivers milk (7) on the basis of the Venturi effect with the aid of a steam flow (9) output from a steam nozzle (2), it is provided, by corresponding orientation of an admixing opening (4) and optionally with the aid of deflecting surfaces (46), to allow a milk flow (8) sucked up by the steam flow (9) to flow tangentially onto the steam flow (9) in order thereby to be able to still ensure that the milk flow (8) is delivered in a manner as free as possible from disturbances, even in the event of very low flow rates of the milk flow (8). For this purpose, even before the milk flow (8) enters into contact with the steam flow (9), the milk flow (8) is oriented in the direction (51) of the steam flow (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Jura Elektroapparate AG
    Inventor: Sandro Klepzig
  • Patent number: 12110156
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a cap configured to connect to a container body having a chamber for containing the liquid. The cap can comprise a pour aperture through which the liquid exits the apparatus. The cap can comprise a pour lid configured to open and close the pour aperture. The cap can comprise a cap vent configured to allow air to flow from the outside environs into the chamber of the container body when the cap is connected to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: HYDROS BOTTLE, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Pehar, Trevor L. Jackson, Robert Craig Allen, Marc Louis Vitantonio, Jess Paul Carlson, Winston Ibrahim, Jon Holland
  • Patent number: 12059095
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes an inner container and an outer container which define mixing fluid passageways between them. The inner container is received in the outer container with at least two different orientations. Each orientation forms a different set of passageways each including a mixing chamber and a riser passage, where the passageways lead from the inner container to the mixing chamber. The different orientations create different designs of the passageways, to give different mixing functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Joeke Noordhuis
  • Patent number: 12029342
    Abstract: The coffee machine comprises at least one hydraulic infusion circuit comprising at least one feed pump (2) for supplying water, at least one boiler (3) hydraulically connected to the feed pump (2) by cascade connection, at least one infusion unit (4) that is hydraulically connected to the boiler (3) by cascade connection and through which a flow rate of hot water can pass for execution of an infusion cycle, means for regulating the flow rate of the water, means for measuring said flow rate of the water, and a feedback controller (6) connected to the regulating means and to the measuring means and configured to compare in real time the current value of the flow rate of the water, as measured by the measuring means, with a corresponding reference value, and to control the regulating means so as to eliminate any deviation of the current value with respect to the corresponding reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventors: Beppino Ceotto, Giovanni Rossetto
  • Patent number: 12011109
    Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and including a code encoding preparation information. The code has a reference portion and a data portion, the reference portion including an arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion including a plurality of adjacent sectors arranged on an encoding line D. Each sector is bounded by a first circumferential position and a second circumferential position on the encoding line D, and each sector contains a data unit arranged on the encoding line D between the first and second circumferential positions. The data unit is arranged a distance d extending from the first circumferential position as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby the encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at an intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Andre Noth
  • Patent number: 12006133
    Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion: the reference portion comprising reference units defining a reference line r; the data portion comprising a data unit, wherein said data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, the data unit is arranged a distance d from said intersection as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby said encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at said intersection point, wherein the reference units are arranged with a configuration defining a reference point from which the reference line r extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Christian Jarisch
  • Patent number: 11957271
    Abstract: A method of generating a desired temperature of an infused beverage within a brewing assembly that includes inducing a flow of a first solvent at a first temperature within a first solvent conduit upstream of a brewing chamber in a brewing assembly, inducing a flow of a second solvent within a second solvent conduit, separate from the first solvent conduit, upstream of the brewing chamber, and thermally modulating the second solvent to a second temperature higher and different than the first temperature. The method also includes selectively combining the first and second solvents at a resulting solvent conduit upstream of the brewing chamber to form a resulting solvent at a selectively desired temperature lower than the second temperature, receiving the resulting solvent at the brewing chamber housing a solute at the selectively desired temperature to produce an infused beverage, and discharging the infused through an outlet on the beverage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Gideon Duvall
  • Patent number: 11849880
    Abstract: An appliance for making a beverage, the appliance comprising: a plurality of heating components for heating a liquid, and a power management system, wherein the power management system comprises: an energy storage device, wherein at least a first function of the appliance requires simultaneous operation of a first heating component and a second heating component of the plurality of heating components, and wherein at least the first heating component comprises a first heater element and a second heater element, where the first heater element is powered using mains power, and the second heater element is powered using the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiang Ren, Con Psarologos
  • Patent number: 11844453
    Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule and brew chamber for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber has a first brew chamber part including a cavity for the capsule, and knives for piercing the capsule. The aluminum capsule body is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom, a side wall, a flange and a lid for closing the capsule. The flange is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber part, to provide a seal cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts. The bottom includes a slanted wall portion under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule, and configured for cooperating with the knives which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber. This enables centering of the capsule relative to the central axis of the brew chamber prior to piercing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Patent number: 11839325
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a single unitary shape with a plurality of openings for receiving the plurality of inlet ports. The gasket arrangement may include one or more inner ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
  • Patent number: 11760560
    Abstract: A container for a beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion: the reference portion comprising reference units defining a reference line r; the data portion comprising a data unit, wherein said data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, the data unit is arranged a distance d from said intersection as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby said encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at said intersection point, wherein the reference units are arranged with a configuration defining a reference point from which the reference line r extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Christian Jarisch
  • Patent number: 11744398
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for real time automatic scoring of physical and operational properties of automatic espresso coffee machines applicable both for a single machine and a network of machines. The scoring scheme includes semantic context based on automatic monitoring of operation process variables and end-user annotations and scoring criteria. The method is decoupled from the coffee machine's controlling apparatus and utilizes a sensory reading device that is able to communicate over standard and proprietary network protocols with sensors and with other devices of the same type over direct, peer to peer or standard network, and Internet connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Vasileios Apostolopoulos
  • Patent number: 11740135
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Grassia, Chiu Keung Kenneth Lee
  • Patent number: 11678762
    Abstract: A recording system of brewing pour over coffee which comprises a touch screen, a robotic manipulator and a storage unit. The touch screen displays information, such as coffee drippers, water amounts, etc, thereon and for a user to input a process of brewing pour over coffee thereon. The touch screen allows the user to manage the status of the pour over coffee in real-time. The robotic manipulator equipped with a water injection unit, which moves the water injection unit according to the process of brewing pour over coffee to pour water to a coffee dripper simultaneously to make coffee. The storage unit stores data, such as a position where the water to be poured, a route of the process of brewing pour over coffee, a speed of the pouring motion and the required amount of water to be poured during the process of brewing pour over coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: QOFII INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Chen, Te-Cheng Lee, Chien-Lung Huang, Ta-Wei Yeh, Tong-Yueh Yang
  • Patent number: 11672375
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a coffee beverage having a reduced terpene content, in which terpene content is reduced by increasing the particle size of the coffee grounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jasper Zuidervaart, Mart Kornelis-Jan Te Velde, Johannes Marra, Anna Louise Wijnoltz, Nicole Petronella Martien Haex, Nicolaas Petrus Willard, Pieter Musters
  • Patent number: 11672374
    Abstract: A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff material and comprising a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion, the reference portion comprising an arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion comprising: a plurality of adjacent sectors arranged on an encoding line D, whereby each sector is bounded by a first circumferential position and a second circumferential position on the encoding line D and each sector comprises a data unit arranged on the encoding line D between said first and second circumferential position, the data unit arranged a distance d extending from the first circumferential position as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby the encoding line D is circular and is arranged with a tangent thereto orthogonal the reference line r at an intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Andre Noth
  • Patent number: 11576524
    Abstract: An infused beverage brewing assembly having a solvent flow management system (SFMS) operably configured to receive a solvent and induce a flow of the solvent through a first solvent conduit and a second solvent conduit, a solvent temperature modulation system (STMS) operably configured to thermally modulate a solvent within the first solvent conduit to join with a solvent in the second solvent conduit to form a resulting solvent conduit with a resulting solvent. The assembly has a brewing chamber in fluid communication with the resulting solvent conduit and for housing a solute disposed to receive the resulting solvent to produce an infused beverage, an outlet for discharging the infused beverage based on the desired resulting solvent flow and temperature desired within the brewing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Duvall Espresso IP Enforcement, LLC
    Inventor: Gideon Duvall
  • Patent number: 11540659
    Abstract: The document describes an assembly of a capsule (5) and brew chamber (3) for a beverage preparation machine. The brew chamber (3) has a first brew chamber part (7) including a cavity (10) for the capsule (5), and knives (11) for piercing the capsule (5). The aluminum capsule body (15) is frusto conical shaped and has a bottom (20), a side wall (21), a flange (22) and a lid (17) for closing the capsule (5). The flange (22) is configured to be held between the first and a second brew chamber parts (7, 8), to provide a seal (30) cooperating with a rim of the brew chamber parts (7, 8). The bottom (20) includes a slanted wall portion (35) under an angle with a longitudinal axis through the capsule (5), and configured for cooperating with the knives (11) which engage therewith upon closing of the brew chamber (3). This enables centering of the capsule (5) relative to the central axis of the brew chamber (3) prior to piercing of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, Arend Hendrik Groothornte, Hielke Dijkstra, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek
  • Patent number: 11426031
    Abstract: Grinding device (1) for an automatic coffee machine, comprising: a support body (2); a lower grinder (3) and an upper grinder (4) arranged coaxially with respect to an axis (X) and delimiting a gap where the grinding is performed; a motor (21) for driving at least one of said grinders (3,4) in rotation about said axis (X); an adjustment ring nut (6) for adjusting the width of said gap having means for transforming a rotation thereof about said axis (X) into a translation of at least one of said grinders in the direction of said axis (X); and a gear for driving said ring nut (6) in rotation; where said gear comprises a toothed wheel arc (7) engaging a pinion (8), and a mechanism for fixing said toothed wheel arc (7) in an adjustable position on said ring nut (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Bonotto, Emanuele Marcato
  • Patent number: 11419446
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage preparation machine comprising a housing; a reservoir for containing a liquid, wherein the reservoir is situated within the housing; a dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid; a pump situated between the reservoir and the dispensing outlet; a user input means situated on an outer surface of the housing; and a pump controller configured to operate the pump for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing outlet for dispensing the liquid, wherein the input means is capable of communicating with the pump controller in order to initiate an operation of the pump; and the pump controller is configured to operate the pump based on a characteristic of the previous operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LAVAZZA PROFESSIONAL NORTH AMERICA, LLC
    Inventor: Xianghua Xu
  • Patent number: 11419449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for producing milk and/or milk foam able to be used as a standalone device or used wirelessly connected to a beverage preparation machine (20); the device (10) controls the characteristics of the milk and/or milk foam desired, when this device (10) is used as a standalone device; the device drives the beverage preparation machine (20) when connected to it wirelessly, for the preparation and dispensing of beverage recipes prepared in conjunction with this beverage preparation machine (20), managing sequences for arriving to a desired beverage recipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Gregory Savioz
  • Patent number: 11395558
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
  • Patent number: 11344149
    Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage includes a beverage preparation and dispensing unit that has: an ingredient container (46, 50, 50a); a dispensing head (35) with a beverage outlet (36) for dispensing the beverage to a beverage dispensing surface (5, 37); and a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet (36). The liquid circuit has at least one activatable unit (40, 51, 52) that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The machine further includes: a power unit (54?) connected to a main switch (54) and to the activatable unit(s) (40, 51, 52); and a functional part that is configured to perform a function other than actuating the main switch (54) and that has a beverage preparing and dispensing position and that is movable into a different position in which no beverage is intended to be prepared or dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Da Mi Byun, Bertrand Guyon, Marco Magatti, Eric Meyer, Nicolas Obliger
  • Patent number: 11237038
    Abstract: A weighing assembly for weighing an amount of ground coffee with high precision is provided. The weighing assembly includes a container dedicated to ground coffee weighing and weighing means operatively connected to the container. A coffee grinder and a coffee machine, namely a fully automatic coffee machine, are also provided and include the weighing assembly. A method for the operation thereof is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: RANCILIO GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventors: Christian Muheim, Pascal Beck
  • Patent number: 11185186
    Abstract: A beverage extraction device includes a mesh member, a cover member that is movable between a first position and a second position; a scraper portion, an upper end portion of which is pivotally supported by the cover member with a lower end portion of the scraper portion being swingable along a vertical direction, that takes a basic attitude in which the lower end portion is positioned lower than the upper end portion under a normal condition, the lower end portion being configured to slide on the mesh member when the cover member is moved from the first position toward the second position; and a contact member configured to come into contact with the scraper portion sliding on the mesh member to cause the scraper portion to take an attitude in which the lower end portion swings upward when the cover member approaches the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yohei Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11172782
    Abstract: Method for the instantaneous self-calibration of the dose of coffee, for a grinder-doser apparatus with electronic control provided with a weighing means and with a granulometry adjusting means with a warning microswitch. The method provides: a first setting of the nominal dose with temporary grinding times; a second setting of the tolerance and reliability ranges of the dispensed doses, for the purpose of recalculation; the automatic control of the weight of each actually dispensed dose; the automatic recalculation of the grinding times according to an ordinary calculation logic, when one detects three consecutive out-of-tolerance doses all within the positive or negative reliability range, or according to a forced calculation logic when the microswitch detects a granulometry variation; automatic calibration of the apparatus according to the recalculated times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Manuel Oddera
  • Patent number: 11129493
    Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, the second exchangeable capsule having a larger diameter than the first exchangeable capsule, wherein the second brew chamber part includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and the first brew chamber part when forming the brew chamber for holding the second exchangeable capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Klaas Kooijker, Jarno Beekman
  • Patent number: 11122927
    Abstract: A machine for preparing and dispensing espresso coffee or the like is described, said machine comprising: a first device for measuring the mass of an amount of ground coffee to be used for preparing an espresso coffee, a second device for measuring the mass of the brewed espresso coffee, a processing device for calculating a degree of concentration corresponding to a ratio between said mass of the amount of ground coffee and said mass of the brewed espresso coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LA MARZOCCO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Bianchi, Scott Guglielmino, Riccardo Gatti
  • Patent number: 11071308
    Abstract: A method for generating a coffee beverage in an automatic coffee machine brewing device supplies pressurized brewing water at a brewing device brewing water inlet according to a first brewing water supply mode during a first time period. During a second time period, a brewing water parameter is determined correlating with the volume flow and/or pressure of the supplied brewing water. A mode adjustment variable is set for a second brewing water supply mode using the brewing water parameter. Brewing water is supplied at the brewing water inlet during the second time period according to the second brewing water supply mode. The mode adjustment variable defines at least one continuous mode for the second brewing water supply mode, in which the brewing water is continuously supplied, and a pulse mode for the second brewing water supply mode, in which the brewing water is supplied in pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: JURA Elektroapparate AG
    Inventors: Georg Sahli, Stephan Probst, Philipp Buettiker, Reinhard Studer
  • Patent number: 11045042
    Abstract: A fully automatic beverage machine for preparing freshly brewed hot beverages, having at least one hot-water generator (10, 20), a brewing device (50) to which hot water can be supplied from the hot water generator (10, 20), and a water pump (11, 21) which pumps drinking water from a drinking water supply line (30) to the hot water generator (10, 20). The hot water generator (10, 20) is a continuous flow heater and a flowmeter (12, 22) for determining the volume of drinking water pumped by the water pump (11, 21). Additionally, the fully automatic beverage machine is equipped with an automatic decalcification system (40) for automatically decalcifying the continuous flow heater (10, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Franke Kaffeemaschinen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Vetterli
  • Patent number: 11049354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remotely providing service functionalities for a beverage preparation machine. The beverage preparation machine is adapted for preparing a beverage by receiving a capsule in a capsule extraction unit, circulating a carrier liquid, such as water in particular heated water, through said capsule in the extraction unit and by dispensing a resulting beverage. The machine is in data communication with a remote server via a communication network. The machine monitors parameters related to the machine and submits the monitored parameters to the server. The server initiates a service functionality depending on the submitted parameters. The present invention further relates to a beverage preparation machine adapted to support such a method and to a system for remotely providing service functionalities for a beverage preparation machine at a customer location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 11026539
    Abstract: Systems and methods for differentiating the spectral response of various optical coatings between a transmitter and receiver are described. The system is effective in determining if an optical coating produces an authorized spectral response for determining if a product having that optical coating is authorized to be used with another product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Smart Wave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Zosimadis, Steven Hackney
  • Patent number: 11000149
    Abstract: A capsule for cleaning a beverage preparation machine includes a container which is sealed at one end by a removable cover and contains at least one cleaning agent. A screen or grating located beneath the cover holds the cleaning agent within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MELITTA SINGLE PORTIONS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Udo Vorfeld, Jan Pahnke
  • Patent number: 10986957
    Abstract: An automatic cooking machine includes a base (11), a cooking pot (12) mounted on the base (11), a pot lid (21), a stirring chamber enclosed by the cooking pot (12) and the pot lid (21), a stirring mechanism (26) rotatably mounted in a rotating cavity and configured to stir a food material, a food material box (42), and a film tearing assembly (51); the stirring mechanism (26) includes a control arm (27), a connecting arm (28), and a stirring blade (29) disposed between the control arm (27) and the connecting arm (28); in the stirring chamber, the stirring mechanism (26) rotates around a rotating axis; the food material box (42) includes a box body (42) and a sealing film (44) for sealing; and the film tearing assembly (51) is configured to tear the sealing film (44) of the food material box (42) during automatic feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FANLAI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Long Ma, Ze Lin, Zirong Huang
  • Patent number: 10952561
    Abstract: A coffee brewer contains a brewing unit in which coffee grounds having been poured in are compressed by a plunger driven by an actuator. Heated water flows through the compressed coffee grounds. A control device controls the actuator in accordance with signals of an angle of rotation sensor. The control device first moves the plunger against a stop in an ejection position to calibrate the sensor, then moves the plunger by a predetermined distance in a downwards direction into a pouring-in position. Afterwards the control device moves the plunger by a second distance into the brewing position, a length of the predetermined distance and the second distance corresponds to a number of pulses of the sensor which are stored in the memory. The control device subsequently moves the plunger by a third distance back into the ejection position in which the coffee grounds are removed from the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SPENGLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heuberger
  • Patent number: 10918240
    Abstract: A beverage-making machine having a housing that has a capsule insertion opening through which a portion capsule is inserted and having a brewing module having a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part that is movable relative to the first brewing module part. A brewing chamber can be formed by the first and second brewing module parts, the brewing chamber at least partly surrounding the portion capsule which is in a brewing position during the brewing process in order to brew a brewed beverage and discharge same out of the portion capsule. The beverage-making machine also has an electric drive for moving the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part and a controller for controlling the electric drive. The controller determines the current position of the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: QBO COFFEE GMBH
    Inventor: Rafael Stasch
  • Patent number: 10912409
    Abstract: A brew module for use with a refrigerator appliance is provided. The brew module includes a brewing body removably mounted to a dispensing assembly of the refrigerator appliance. The brewing body defines a brew chamber configured to receive a brew pod and a flow of heated water from the dispensing assembly to mix with contents of the brew pod to create a beverage. Electrical contacts positioned on the brew module electrically couple the brew module and the dispensing assembly, e.g., to power a user interface panel and/or communicate data such as pod type, a desired temperature and volume of water, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Bagawathkumar Chellappan
  • Patent number: 10863860
    Abstract: Provided are a beverage brewing apparatus and a beverage machine having the beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage brewing apparatus comprises a barrel body for containing a beverage capsule and a cover body fitted with the barrel body. An inner bottom end of the barrel body and the cover body are respectively provided with a piercing needle for piercing the beverage capsule. When the cover body is closed, the piercing needle at the inner bottom end of the barrel body and the piercing needle on the cover body are disposed along different lines and the beverage capsule is pierced. The central part of the piercing needle on the cover body is hollow and forms a water inlet. The piercing needle on the cover body is sealed to the beverage capsule by virtue of a sealing unit. A beverage outlet is provided at a bottom end of the barrel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignees: GUANGDONG MIDEA CONSUMER ELECTRICS MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Kuang
  • Patent number: 10842311
    Abstract: A full immersion brewing system includes an immersion chamber; an extraction material mechanism for introducing extraction material into the immersion chamber; an infusion mechanism for introducing heated liquid and pressurized air into the immersion chamber; and a drain/dispensing mechanism for dispensing, through a filter, infused liquid from the immersion chamber and for enabling removal of extraction material from the immersion chamber. The filter prevents extraction material from being dispensed from the immersion chamber. When the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a first position, infused liquid is dispensed through the filter, and when the drain/dispensing mechanism is in a second position, the filter is positioned so that extraction material and liquid is dispensed without going through the filter. The full immersion brewing system includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the immersion chamber and the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Almblad
  • Patent number: 10813487
    Abstract: A process for preparing coffee in a dispensing apparatus is described, the apparatus (1) having a feed chute (6) mounted on the supporting frame (2) and being able to rotate with respect to said frame in order to feed the ground coffee to the infusion chamber (3), wherein the feed chute (6) and the infusion chamber (3) are positioned so as to obtain a desired distribution of ground coffee in the chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A
    Inventors: Ezio Ceriani, Carlo Doglioni Majer, Luca Doglioni Majer, Aldo Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 10799059
    Abstract: A method of controlling dispensing of doses of coffee grounds, the machine comprising a grinding device which is configured to grind coffee beans, a conduit, having an inlet in communication with the grinding device for receiving coffee grounds, and an outlet, a closure member which is adapted to be removed between an open position for the coffee grounds to be discharged from the conduit through the outlet, and a closed position for closing the outlet, and a coffee grounds weight sensor, which is configured to generate signals representative of the weight of coffee grounds built-up in the dispensing conduit when the closure member is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Gruppo Cimbali S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giacomo Abbiati
  • Patent number: 10758077
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method, including creating at least one device for brewing hot beverages with at least one ingredient including fulvic acid concentrated syrup, humic acid concentrated syrup and combined fulvic and humic concentrated syrup, wherein the at least one device includes at least one computer processer, at least one database memory device, and at least one digital controller, making at least one fulvic acid concentrated syrup, humic acid concentrated syrup and combined fulvic and humic concentrated syrup condiment packet, coffee packet, infused water source, and marinated beverage ingredient, and using an automated coffee fulvic-humic mixing application for remotely controlling the at least one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventors: Louise Wilkie, Jacqueline Wilkie
  • Patent number: 10709288
    Abstract: A coffee machine has a body, a dispensing unit, a conduit, a supply and heating device, a filter holder, fast coupling/uncoupling means to couple the filter holder under the conduit, a control unit, a presence sensor to detect the presence of the filter holder under the conduit, and a switch to enable the passage of electrical current towards the supply and heating device and towards the dispensing unit when the presence sensor detects that the filter holder is uncoupled from the fast coupling/uncoupling means. The control unit has a timer to manage the opening/closing of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SIMONELLI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Simone Foglia
  • Patent number: 10687658
    Abstract: A beverage preparation device (1) having a disk valve (6), comprising a valve housing (12) and a disk stack (7) arranged therein, having a cover disk (8) that has at least one fluid opening, configured as a fluid inlet opening, for fluid (5), in particular water and/or steam, and having at least one control disk (10) that is arranged on a side of the cover disk (8) facing away from an outer end side of the cover disk (8), wherein the control disk (10) is rotatable, manually and/or by means of a drive, about an axis of rotation (R) relative to the cover disk (8) between different selection positions, wherein a pressure chamber (15) is formed outside the fluid opening (11), within which pressure chamber (15) a contact pressure (P) is exertable, by means of the fluid (5) flowing therethrough, on the outer end side (14) of the cover disk (9) along the axis of rotation (R) in the direction of the control disk (10), and wherein the pressure chamber (15) is bounded in the radial direction with respect to the axis of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eugster/Frismag AG
    Inventors: Daniel Fischer, Remo Sonderergger
  • Patent number: 10682004
    Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (3); an ingredient passage (4) having an ingredient mouth (41) for inserting along an insertion direction (42) an ingredient from outside such machine (1) into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (5) pivotable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage, The cover (5) is pivotable about a pivoting axis (51) that is generally parallel to the insertion direction (42) and/or that is generally perpendicular to the mouth (41) of the passage (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Mori, Fabien Ludovic Agon
  • Patent number: 10675596
    Abstract: The invention refers to a fluid foaming machine (100) for producing foam comprising a fluid container (30) where the fluid is arranged, and a foaming device (40) through which fluid flows and is heated and/or foamed, the machine (100) further comprising at least a cooling unit configured to maintain permanently refrigerated both the fluid container (30) and the foaming device (40) during fluid preparation and during stand-by of the machine (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Nicolas Camier
  • Patent number: 10624488
    Abstract: A beverage preparing system includes a beverage preparing machine, including a water inlet seat movable in a front-rear direction and formed with a rear water channel, a rear needled disc formed with rear perforating needles and mounted in the water inlet seat, an infusion housing movable in front of the water inlet seat and formed with a front water channel, a front needled disc formed with front perforating needles and mounted in the infusion housing, and an infusion capsule pre-packaged with raw plant material and held between the front and rear perforating needles by a clamp. The beverage preparing system further includes a mobile app communicatively connected to a controller of the beverage preparing machine, a cloud server and a cloud engine. A beverage preparing method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lify Company Limited
    Inventors: Kong Wai Lee, Tak Chi Lee
  • Patent number: 10611623
    Abstract: Provided is a water purifier. The water purifier includes a water purifier body including a housing defining an outer appearance and a filter provided in the housing to filter raw water introduced from the outside, a water discharge module including a water discharge nozzle that protrudes forward from the water purifier body to supply the water passing through the filter to the outside of the water purifier body, and a tray disposed below the water discharge nozzle. The water discharge module is provided to be elevatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jewook Jeon, Jungmin Moon
  • Patent number: 10610049
    Abstract: Automatic beverage preparation machine with a brewing assembly; brewing material supply device to supply a brewing material dose to the brewing assembly at the beginning of each beverage production cycle; water supply means to supply the brewing assembly with a metered amount of water required to produce a beverage; a beverage-dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the brewing assembly; and brewing process repeating means of the designed to reverse the beverage flow one or more times through the brewing material dose in the brewing assembly before being dispensed into a collection receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CARIMALI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Doglioni Majer