A device for preparation of a liquid such as milk with integrated rinsing system includes at least one reservoir for storing of the liquid, disposed in a cooling unit, a pump and a line system, which system includes a liquid suction line, via which the at least one reservoir is connectible to the pump, an outlet line, via which the pump is connectible to at least one outlet, and a rinsing line, via which the liquid suction line is loadable with a rinsing fluid, and an air volume controller, by which air, via an air supply line, is able to be led in a metered way to an inlet point into the liquid suction line, and a heating element designed as continuous-flow heater, which is disposed in the outlet line and is designed as thick film heater. The device has in the air supply line a second check valve and a first check valve, disposed between the air volume controller and inlet point into the liquid suction line, and the air supply line is connectible between first check valve and second check valve to the rinsing line via a valve.

An automated beverage generating system is provided. The system comprises a dispensing mechanism from an ingredient for producing a specified beverage is dispensed, one or more electromechanical actuators operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanism and configured to effect movement of the dispensing mechanism in one or more directions, and a controller electrically connected to the one or more electromechanical actuators and configured to control the operation thereof. In response to receiving a request to produce a specified beverage, the controller is configured to control the operation of at least one of the one or more electromechanical actuators to cause the dispensing mechanism to move in at least one of the one or more directions.

An automatic machine for preparing coffee beverages includes a brewing unit provided with a brewing chamber connected to a feed circuit for the water by means of an entry aperture and to an exit circuit for the beverage by means of an exit aperture. The machine also includes a valve unit, connected to the exit circuit and configured to supply a first high-pressure exit path and a second low-pressure exit path for the beverage. The invention also concerns a method to prepare a coffee beverage.

A valve device includes an entry aperture and an exit aperture for a fluid, a chamber which puts the entry and exit apertures in selective communication, a housing compartment, a piston disposed in the compartment, which is mobile between a closing position in which it prevents the transit of the fluid and an opening position in which it allows the passage of the fluid, and elastic return means associated with the piston A machine for preparing beverages includes at least one said valve device.

Aspects of the present disclosure comprise methods and apparatuses for multiple fluid flow delivery within beverage systems. Such control may be with external inputs and may be remotely controlled from a different geographic location. Such methods and apparatuses, in certain aspects of the present disclosure, may also provide a second and/or third liquid.

The present invention discloses 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) adapted so as to provide an ergonomic use of a beverage preparation machine, in particular the possibility of dismounting and mounting said milk circulation disposition (2) for periodic cleaning thereof.

The present invention further discloses a beverage preparation machine (20) and a process for operating said machine (20), in particular of a respective ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, according to the present invention.

A method and device of providing a customized drink and/or printing on a drink.

A foaming device comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet spaced apart from said fluid inlet and a fluid conduit extending from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet, the fluid conduit defining a cavity characterised in that said fluid conduit comprises first and second plates at least one of which comprises a plurality of baffles projecting into the cavity of the fluid conduit, and wherein at least one plate is movable with respect to the other to vary the distance between said plates.

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.

A container contains a beverage base material in a beverage base material chamber defined by a chamber bottom and a chamber wall. The container furthermore comprises an elongated handle extending in a direction having a radial component outward from the chamber. The handle is provided with an outlet channel extending from the chamber to a channel outlet provided at the free end of the handle. A beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage includes an automatic beverage preparation apparatus and such a container and is arranged for removably connecting the container to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards. A method of preparing a beverage using such a beverage preparation system in which the container is connected to the apparatus such that the handle is positioned vertically with the channel outlet pointing downwards for dispensing a beverage from the beverage base material chamber substantially vertically.