A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages is disclosed, including a hydraulic pump and at least one dispensing device comprising a filter unit apt to contain ground coffee. A hydraulic circuit brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with a supply unit of the dispensing device. The hydraulic circuit includes a supply duct which supplies hot water under pressure to the supply unit. A system for controlling the dispensing pressure includes a control unit, a pressure sensor, and a hydraulic variable-flow valve. The variable-flow valve is actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to regulate the flow rate of water output as a function of a detected dispensing pressure value.

A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages is disclosed, including a hydraulic pump and at least one dispensing device comprising a filter unit apt to contain ground coffee. A hydraulic circuit brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with a supply unit of the dispensing device. The hydraulic circuit includes a supply duct which supplies hot water under pressure to the supply unit. A system for controlling the dispensing pressure includes a control unit, a pressure sensor, and a hydraulic variable-flow valve. The variable-flow valve is actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to regulate the flow rate of water output as a function of a detected dispensing pressure value.

A beverage preparation apparatus includes a liquid storage tank storing a liquid, a heating device for heating the liquid, a tank to which the liquid heated by the heating device is supplied, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and the other end serving as a supply port supplying the liquid to the tank, an air passage path including an air inlet and an air outlet and sending air into the tank, and a fan arranged in the air passage path. The air outlet is provided to send air at least to the liquid supplied from the supply port into the tank in supply of the liquid heated by the heating device to the agitation tank.

A beverage preparation apparatus includes a liquid storage tank storing a liquid, a heating device for heating the liquid, a tank to which the liquid heated by the heating device is supplied, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and the other end serving as a supply port supplying the liquid to the tank, an air passage path including an air inlet and an air outlet and sending air into the tank, and a fan arranged in the air passage path. The air outlet is provided to send air at least to the liquid supplied from the supply port into the tank in supply of the liquid heated by the heating device to the agitation tank.

A beverage preparation apparatus and method are provided, the apparatus including a brewing chamber, at least one pump configured to supply a diluent to the brewing chamber, two heaters configured to heat the diluent, at least one heater of the two heaters being a pipe heater, a controller configured to independently supply power to one or both of the heaters as a function of a flow rate and of a temperature of the diluent.

An apparatus and method for brewing coffee of higher quality and better taste than any apparatus and method currently available, while also enabling users to utilize less coffee grounds per brewing cycle, thereby achieving significant cost savings for users. A basket that houses a packet of coffee grounds is housed within a carafe that stores water. The basket is fabricated so that water may enter therein and exit therefrom, and the packet of coffee grounds enables water and natural coffee oils to penetrate the packet, but does not allow coffee grounds to escape the packet. The carafe is filled with water that is gradually heated from at or around tap temperature to approximately boiling. While the water in the chamber is heated, the basket is agitated. This causes the gradually heating water to enter the basket and agitate the packet, thereby extracting natural coffee oil from the grounds stored within the packet, which creates brewed coffee. The entire brewing process may be controlled by electronic controlling means.

An apparatus and method for brewing coffee of higher quality and better taste than any apparatus and method currently available, while also enabling users to utilize less coffee grounds per brewing cycle, thereby achieving significant cost savings for users. A basket that houses a packet of coffee grounds is housed within a carafe that stores water. The basket is fabricated so that water may enter therein and exit therefrom, and the packet of coffee grounds enables water and natural coffee oils to penetrate the packet, but does not allow coffee grounds to escape the packet. The carafe is filled with water that is gradually heated from at or around tap temperature to approximately boiling. While the water in the chamber is heated, the basket is agitated. This causes the gradually heating water to enter the basket and agitate the packet, thereby extracting natural coffee oil from the grounds stored within the packet, which creates brewed coffee. The entire brewing process may be controlled by electronic controlling means.

The invention provides a device (200, 300, 400) for heating a continuous flow fluid. Said device (200, 300, 400) consists of a steel conduit (3, 3′, 3″) through which the fluid to be heated flows and of at least one sheathed resistor (2, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) that is parallel to the steel conduit (3, 3′, 3″) and that is in thermal contact therewith. The steel conduit (3, 3′, 3″) and the at least one heating element (2, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) are incorporated in a die-casting element made of an aluminium alloy.

A method of operating a beverage preparation machine, the beverage preparation machine being of the type comprising a brewer comprising: a reservoir containing water; a delivery head for receiving in use a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients; a pump for pumping water from said reservoir to said delivery head; a primary heater for heating the water contained in said reservoir; a secondary heater in between the reservoir and the delivery head; a controller for controlling energisation of the primary heater and the secondary heater; and wherein the controller operates to prevent energisation of the primary heater simultaneous with energisation of the secondary heater. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed and methods and apparatus utilising first and second brewers.

An on-demand hot water dispenser includes a housing, a water heating system received in the housing, and a faucet connected to the water heating system through the housing for dispensing hot water into a container. A drip tray is positioned below the faucet and a screen covers the drip tray to support the container during dispensing of the hot water.