A beverage-dispensing machine (10) comprises a cabinet housing (11), in which at least a coffee machine unit (16), a milk-frothing device, a water-heating device, an ice-feeding device (12) and an outlet unit (15) are located, the outlet unit being accessible at the front in the lower region of the coffee machine unit (16) and having a plurality of outlet openings (35) for the respective beverages. The ice-feeding device (12) is located above the coffee machine unit (16) in the cabinet housing (11). A tubular ice channel (20) leads to the outlet opening (35) of the outlet unit (15), and ice can be dropped through said tubular ice channel, said tubular ice channel (20) being composed of pieces which can be detached from each other. By means of this arrangement of the ice-feeding device and the ice channel, exact portions of ice can be dispensed in a simple way and without the risk of blockages. Because the ice channel is easy to assemble and disassemble, the ice channel can be completely cleaned and thus the required cleanliness of the ice channel is always ensured.

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.

A dispenser configured to dispense a product from a product package includes an inlet configured to receive the product from the product package, a dispensing nozzle downstream of the inlet, a pump in fluid communication with the inlet and operable to pump the product from the product package to the dispensing nozzle, and a temperature control assembly including a temperature control element in thermally conductive contact with the product package and the dispensing nozzle to heat or cool the product package and the dispensing nozzle.

A beverage discharge disposition comprising a discharge casing (1) configured so that can be provided in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20), including the option of supplying milk and frothed milk, whereby said discharge casing (1) presents a milk circulation disposition (2) that is characterized in that presents a simple and compact construction adapted so that can be attached in removable manner to an attached part of said discharge casing (1) and to provide an ergonomic use of said beverage preparation machine (20). Also, a beverage preparation machine (20) presenting an optimized beverage discharge disposition according to the present invention.

An apparatus for preparing beverages comprises a water induction heater, a pump for feeding the water to the heater, a logic unit for controlling said heater and said pump, a device for heating and/or frothing milk, wherein said logic unit is configured for controlling the pump and the heater so that it is produced steam for heating and/or frothing the milk fed into said device.

A coffee maker includes an extractor configured to receive ground coffee and water and to extract coffee from the ground coffee, and a dispenser configured to supply water to the ground coffee in the extractor. The dispenser includes an arm that is rotatably disposed vertically above an inlet of the extractor and includes a nozzle configured to supply water to the ground coffee in the extractor, a first actuator configured to rotatably support the arm and to rotate the arm about a center of the inlet along an edge of the inlet, and a second actuator connected to the arm and configured to rotate the arm relative to the first actuator.

A milk foaming device comprising a milk channel for conducting milk in a milk flow direction from a milk container to a milk outlet head, a foaming section for converting the milk in the milk channel into a milk foam that contains air, a temperature control element for controlling the temperature of the milk foam from the foaming section, and a return channel that branches off from the milk channel between the temperature control element and the milk outlet head and leads, when viewed in the milk flow direction, to a point in the milk channel upstream of the temperature control element.

A method for sweetening a milk-containing fluid, in which the milk-containing fluid is passed through a sweetener. To this end, a sweetening unit (1) for a dispensing device (2) can be used, in which a fluid inlet (4) and a fluid outlet (5) are designed such that a fluid flow through the sweetener can be generated. The sweetening unit (1) can preferably be placed removably on a milk outlet (20) of a milk delivery unit (19).

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container assembly configured to receive beverage, such as a milk. The container assembly can be removably engaged with a base. The container assembly can be temporarily removed from the base to facilitate transport of the beverage residing therein. The container assembly can be configured to receive a flow of steam, air, or additional gasses and vapors when the container assembly is mounted on the base.

A coffee machine for domestic use comprising at least two steam dispensers, of which at least one horizontal dispenser connected to a removable metal jug through a lid comprising a Venturi effect milk frother, and of which at least one vertical dispenser connected to a steam lance for performing so-called “latte art” whipping.