Provided is a process, including: engaging, with a first subset of end effectors of a robot, a first open-top vessel; engaging, while the first subset of end effectors are engaged with the first open-top vessel, with a second subset of end effectors of the robot, a second open-top vessel; concurrently transporting the first open-top vessel and the second open-top vessel with two or more actuators; disengaging the first open-top vessel at a first workstation of the robot, the first workstation being configured to dispense a first alimentary product into the first open-top vessel; and disengaging the second open-top vessel at a second workstation of the robot, the second workstation being configured to dispense a second alimentary product into the second open-top vessel.

Provided is a robot, including: a controller; a plurality of actuators mechanically coupled to an end-effector mount; a first set of end-effectors magnetically coupled to the end-effector mount; and a sensor adjacent an interface between at least some of the first set of end effectors and the end-effector mount, wherein: the end effectors are magnetically coupled to the end-effector mount with magnetic couplings that decouple in response to less than 200 Newtons of force being applied to distal portions of respective end effectors in a direction opposing movement of respective end effectors driven by at least some of the actuators, and the sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a given end effector decoupling and indicate which end effector in the first decoupled.

A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord.

An appliance for preparing frothed milk is dockable onto a drinks preparation machine and, for this purpose, includes at least one connection for steam produced by the drinks preparation machine, as well as an interface for electrical current supplied by the drinks preparation machine. The appliance also includes a milk frothing unit with a gear pump. The gear pump at an inlet side is connected to a milk feed conduit and to an air feed. The milk frothing unit is configured such that an operating parameter is adjustable in a manner depending on a measured value and/or on a user input.

The present invention relates to a consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable containing a food substance for the preparation of a beverage by use of a beverage dispenser. To enable the recognition of placement and/or type of consumable in a simple, foolproof and easily implementable way an embodiment of the system comprises a light source (31, 301, 311, 321, 331, 341) for emitting light (35) to the consumable (4a, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90), a light sensor (32 302, 312, 322, 332, 342) for sensing light (36) reflected from a reflection element (42, 52, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the consumable to obtain a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal depends on the position, orientation, fluorescence, phosphorescence and/or polarization characteristic of said reflection element, and a signal processor (33) for recognizing placement and/or type of consumable based on said sensor signal.

Various automated and semi-automated 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 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.

The invention relates to a system and a method for making a hot beverage such as coffee. The system according to the invention includes a raw material container in which raw material for the hot beverage is arrangeable. The raw material container is provided with a liquid inlet, and an outlet with a substantially horizontal flow through the raw material. A nozzle assembly is connected operatively to the outlet and provided with an inlet, an air inlet and a nozzle. An outflow is connected operatively to the nozzle for delivery of the hot beverage.

An appliance for preparing frothed milk includes a container for receiving milk and a docking element for connection to a drinks preparation machine. The docking element includes a connection for steam delivered by the drinks preparation machine, and a milk froth outlet for the frothed milk. The docking element includes a main body with a plurality of fluid channels and a supplementary part, which is reversibly removable from the main body. The supplementary part has a material that is softer in comparison to the main body, is continuous and includes several elements through which milk, steam, water and/or air can flow and which engage into the fluid channels.

The coffee dispenser disclosed herein may serve a single serving of coffee. The coffee dispenser may including a coffee concentrate fluid line which intersects with a water fluid line at a junction to allow mixing of coffee concentrate with water as the respective fluids flow through the coffee dispenser.

A method for producing different types of milk-air emulsions with a milk-air emulsion generating device, comprising: producing the milk-air emulsions in dependence on at least one determined physical material characteristic of the milk-air emulsion.