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) that is characterized in that presents a simple and compact construction adapted so that can be attached in removable manner to an attached part of said discharge casing (1) and to provide an ergonomic use of said beverage preparation machine (20). Also, a beverage preparation machine (20) presenting an optimized beverage discharge disposition according to the present invention.

The present invention discloses a beverage dispenser, including: an inlet connected to a water source; an outlet for dispensing the water to a user vessel; at least one filter element having an input and an output for filtered water; a pump for pumping water to the input of the filter element; a flow sensor connected between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the flow sensor determines the actual flow rate of the water; at least one water preparation element connected between the output for outputting filtered water and the outlet and adapted to prepare the water for drinking by a human, wherein the water preparation element comprises a water preparation rate input by which the water preparation rate of the water preparation element can be controlled; and a controller connected to the water preparation rate input of the water preparation element and the flow sensor, wherein the controller controls the water preparation rate of the water preparation element by a signal to the water preparation rate input such that the water preparation rate is proportional to the actual flow rate.

An apparatus for preparing beverages comprises a water induction heater, a pump for feeding the water to the heater, a logic unit for controlling said heater and said pump, a device for heating and/or frothing milk, wherein said logic unit is configured for controlling the pump and the heater so that it is produced steam for heating and/or frothing the milk fed into said device.

A beverage extracting device including a vessel for receiving and mixing a powder material and hot liquid, a filter beneath the vessel, a gas pump that connects through a duct to the vessel for supplying pressurized gas into the vessel, and an outlet for extracted liquid at an outlet side of the filter which is opposite to the vessel, wherein the outlet connects to an outlet duct for the extracted liquid, wherein the duct for supplying pressurized gas into the vessel connects to a channel or channels within the vessel having outflow openings at a lower rim of the vessel to release gas into the vessel and stir the mixture inside the vessel from below in an upwards direction.

A beverage-making machine includes: a housing; an espresso station; a coffee station; a water reservoir; a fluid transport system fluidly connected with the water reservoir, the fluid transport system including a pump configured to provide selectively variable pressure, a heater positioned to heat fluid in the fluid transport system, and a three-way valve fluidly connected with the pump; and a controller configured such that, (a) upon a user's selection to brew espresso, the controller signals the pump to operate at a first, higher operating pressure and signals the three-way valve to direct fluid from the pump to the espresso brewing station, and (b) upon a user's selection to brew coffee, the controller signals the pump to operate at a second, lower operating pressure and signals the three-way valve to direct fluid from the pump to the coffee brewing station.

Provided is a refrigerator, comprising a cabinet, a door and a water dispensing device, the water dispensing device comprises a first water tank connected with an external water source, a first water passage, a beverage making chamber, a dispenser, a second water tank and a second water passage connected with the dispenser. The refrigerator according to the present invention at least has two water passages, in which the first water passage provides a room temperature beverage, and the second water passage provides ice water, so that user may obtain at least the room temperature beverage and the ice water through the dispenser.

A portable coffee machine includes a housing, a drainage module, an extraction module, and a controller, wherein the drainage module includes a water storing cup, a water pump, a conduit, and a drainage assembly, wherein the water storing cup is connected to the housing and is located at a top of the housing, the extraction module is detachably connected to the drainage module, the extraction module includes a transferring cup and an extraction container, the transferring cup is detachably connected to the extraction container, wherein the controller controls the water pump to pump the water in the water storing cup through the conduit and the drainage assembly into the extraction module for making coffee.

A method and apparatus for venting a liquid supply of a beverage machine, e.g., by permanently open orifice and/or pressure relief valve. The orifice may always vent a heater tank, even while liquid is delivered to the tank by a liquid pump and/or while the tank is pressurized by an air pump to deliver liquid from the tank. A filter may be positioned between a heater tank and orifice and/or air pump. The pressure relief valve may be positioned between the liquid pump and the inlet side of the heater tank, e.g., so relatively cool water is released by the pressure relief valve when open.

A first coffee brewing and dispensing system that includes a removable grounds chamber assembly that includes a basin for holding ground coffee, an extendable dispensing spout, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the dispensing spout; a brewing chamber assembly positioned on top of the removable grounds chamber assembly; and a lid/plunger assembly adapted to be inserted into the brewing chamber and removable grounds chamber, wherein the lid/plunger assembly includes a press rod, a handle mounted on the press rod, wherein the handle includes a trigger mounted therein, a lid mounted on the press rod below the handle, a wiper assembly mounted on the press rod below the lid; and a filter assembly mounted on the press rod below the wiper assembly, wherein the wiper assembly may be moved independently of the filter assembly by actuating the trigger in the handle.

A system and method is provided for real time automatic scoring of physical and operational properties of automatic espresso coffee machines applicable both for a single machine and a network of machines. The scoring scheme includes semantic context based on automatic monitoring of operation process variables and end-user annotations and scoring criteria. The method is decoupled from the coffee machine's controlling apparatus and utilizes a sensory reading device that is able to communicate over standard and proprietary network protocols with sensors and with other devices of the same type over direct, peer to peer or standard network, and Internet connections.