A system for detecting the presence of a filter holder in a dispensing assembly of a coffee machine includes: a ring with an internal groove, a filter holder with a tab coupled with the groove and a proximity sensor. The groove has a semi-annular shape and is configured in such a way to receive the tab of the filter holder in bayonet coupling mode, wherein the filter holder is translated and rotated. The ring has a rotation stopper suitable for stopping the rotation of the filter holder in the ring in a stop point. The proximity sensor passes through the ring and finishes in the stop point of the groove of the ring.

The present invention concerns a food and beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a machine body (2), a fluid system for preparing and dispensing a beverage, a beverage dispensing opening, and a cup tray (6) attached to the machine body in at least two possible height positions. According to the invention, the machine comprises a pit (7) with a cylindrical opening located below a dispensing opening, said cylindrical opening comprising at least one guiding pin (8), and the cup tray comprises a horizontal plate (10) and a vertical cylinder (11), the cylinder having a vertical cam groove (12) adapted to receive said guiding pin in a slidable manner for displacing the cup tray in height, and superimposed horizontal groove branches (13) extending from the vertical groove, advantageously through lower and upper curved camways defining a cusp-shaped cam path, for fixing the cup tray at predetermined height positions.

A system for distribution of beverages, such as espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, comprising at least one type of beverage recipient (1, 1′), such as a glass, cup or similar, and a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated with a beverage preparation device (3). The beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, with a given flow pressure, a flow regulation disposition (12) in the base region (11) of beverage recipient (1, 1′) along a direction opposite to the gravity force. The beverage discharge disposition (2) presents at least two engagement elements (23) arranged in common perimeter alignment and symmetric distribution around said beverage discharge element (21) and provided so that can be moved radially, outwards or inwards, between the open (I) and retention position (II), and vice-versa, by actuation means (25; 251, 252) arranged in centred and symmetric manner with relation to the beverage discharge element (21).

An espresso machine is provided that utilizes a mechanical valve in addition to a flow meter. This results in a low-cost espresso machine while delivering a measured volume of water for the espresso pour. The mechanical valve facilitates a machine with both selectable espresso pour and steam and/or hot water outlets. In this embodiment, the espresso machine utilizes a shared pump and water heater (e.g., a thermoblock, boiler or similar) for multiple functions and/or through different outlets. For example, water from the reservoir may be sent through the flow meter to the pump, then to the water heater, and eventually to either the grouphead or steam wand, or to a pressure release.

An espresso machine is provided that utilizes a mechanical valve in addition to a flow meter. This results in a low-cost espresso machine while delivering a measured volume of water for the espresso pour. The mechanical valve facilitates a machine with both selectable espresso pour and steam and/or hot water outlets. In this embodiment, the espresso machine utilizes a shared pump and water heater (e.g., a thermoblock, boiler or similar) for multiple functions and/or through different outlets. For example, water from the reservoir may be sent through the flow meter to the pump, then to the water heater, and eventually to either the grouphead or steam wand, or to a pressure release.

A locking brewing device includes a seat body configured to mount a material cup and including a piston chamber with an open end and a closed end, a piston slidably and sealedly arranged in the piston chamber and configured to lock a beverage capsule in the material cup, and a liquid guide piercing tube arranged at a surface of the piston that faces the open end of the piston chamber and being configured to pierce the beverage capsule in the material cup and deliver liquid. The piston and the closed end of the piston chamber form a pressure medium chamber having an opening, and the piston includes a liquid inlet passage in communication with the liquid guide piercing tube.

A beverage brewer includes a pump, an intake tube assembly connected to an inlet port of the pump at a pump end, an outflow tube assembly connected to an outlet port of the pump at a pump end, a brewing material holder assembly configured to hold ground brewing material and arranged at an issue end of the outflow tube assembly, and a container volume configured to accommodate a container assembly, arranged at an issue portion of the holder assembly. A suction end of the intake tube assembly is arranged within an interior of the container volume. The pump is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the intake tube assembly and to issue the fluid into the holder assembly through the outflow tube assembly, thereby brewing a beverage in the holder assembly. The holder assembly is configured to issue the brewed beverage into the container volume.

A brewer system includes a storage tank, a brew chamber movable relative to the storage tank and positioned over a mouth of the storage tank, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the storage tank. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage. The brewed beverage passes through the filter tape and into the storage tank through the mouth.

A brewer system includes a reservoir, a steep chamber movable relative to the reservoir and positioned over a mouth of the reservoir, and a filter tape positioned between the chamber and the reservoir. Brewing substance and water are added to the chamber to form a brewed beverage that passes through the filter tape and into the reservoir through the mouth.

A recirculation brewing process and apparatus for performing the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the coffee brewing process comprises: a brew chamber to hold a packed chamber of coffee grounds; and a pump to force a liquid under pressure through the packed chamber of coffee grounds to extract coffee flavor from the coffee grounds into the liquid using acoustic cavitation.