A coffee machine including a main body including a circuit for dispensing coffee having an inlet that can be hydraulically connected to a water supply line; a central processing and control unit configured to control at least the circuit for dispensing coffee; a communication interface configured to connect with a telecommunications network; a sensor system for the detection of parameters related to possible operation anomalies or failures of the coffee machine provided inside the main body; a peripheral processing unit at least connected to the sensor system and configured to carry out a first local processing of the data detected by the sensors and to send the locally processed data to one or more remote server by the communication interface.

A handheld cylinder (103) capable of containing hot water. The cylinder has a pump 105 for pressurised the headspace above the hot water with air. The cylinder (103) also has a spout (107) which can be open and closed by a valve (500). When the pressurised air which has been warmed by the hot water is released from the spout (107), the air can be directed into a body of milk to swirl the milk in its container (109) to cause frothing and foaming of the milk.

A steam dispensing apparatus for preparing hot beverages comprises a boiler, a steam wand, a steam delivery conduit connected to the first outlet of the boiler and configured to deliver steam to the wand and a valve for delivering steam to the wand and draining condensation water. The valve comprises a hollow body, a steam inlet connection, a steam outlet connection and a drain connection for draining condensation water, a rod, which is axially accommodated in said hollow body and able to perform axial movements in either direction along said longitudinal axis, a control lever which is axially engaged with said rod to impart said axial movements thereto.

The present invention provides a device for treating a steam wand comprising: a gripping portion having at least one tube configured to transfer a treatment agent; a ring portion in communication with the gripping portion configured to encircle the steam wand and receive the treatment agent, the ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ring defining a cavity containing a corrugated sheet; and, a plurality of apertures positioned on the inner ring configured to present the treatment agent onto the steam wand.

A milk container associated with a coffee machine includes a containment body for containing milk; a mixing unit for mixing milk with air and steam; an external dispenser of the mixed milk; and a movement mechanism for moving the external dispenser configured and disposed to subject the external dispenser to a combined movement for lifting it with respect to a resting surface and distancing it from the containment body without changing its own angular orientation.

A method for retrieving aroma from a quantity of coffee particles as present in a coffee chamber (20) for containing a quantity of coffee particles comprises steps of providing outside of the coffee chamber (20) a low pressure area (34) where underpressure with respect to the coffee chamber (20) is prevailing, and opening the coffee chamber (20) to the low pressure area (34). A device (1) for brewing coffee, which is adapted to carry out such method, comprises a low pressure chamber (30) besides the coffee chamber (20) as mentioned, an arrangement (40, 41, 42) for creating a significant difference between pressure prevailing in the low pressure chamber (30) and pressure prevailing at a quantity of coffee particles, and an arrangement (23) for setting one of a closed condition and an opened condition of a communication path (22) connecting the low pressure chamber (30) to the coffee chamber (20).

A multi-position shuttle valve assembly includes a housing with at least one flow path and a shuttle. The at least one flow path is configured to receive steam from a froth heater of an aircraft brewing apparatus. The at least one flow path is configured to direct the steam to the defined cavity. The shuttle is configured to divert the steam to a froth wand when the shuttle is in a first position. The shuttle is configured to divert the steam to a froth module installed on the housing when the shuttle is in a second position. A translation of the shuttle between the first position and the second position is dependent on the froth module being installed on the housing.

An apparatus for use in cleaning a portafilter includes a portafilter receiver with a central opening. A landing area extends over at least a portion of the central opening. Spent grounds fall through a hole in the landing area when an inverted portafilter is positioned over the landing area during the cleaning process. Left and right retention members are spaced vertically above the landing area and portafilter receiving slots are defined between the retention members and the landing area. The receiving slots securely hold the portafilter above the landing area and center the cup portion of the portafilter over the hole. A receiving box is mounted below the portafilter receiver and receives the spent coffee grounds. A steam tube mounted to the receiving box connects to a pressurized steam supply and, when activated, directs pressurized steam through the hole of the landing area and into the cup portion of the inverted portafilter.

Various automated and semi-automated beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. The beverage preparation system can include a container assembly configured to receive beverage, such as a milk. The container assembly can be configured to receive a flow of steam, air, or additional gasses and vapors to heat and/or aerate the beverage residing therein. The container assembly can include a temperature sensor configured to monitor the rate of heating, and automatically adjust the heating and aeration parameters accordingly.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.