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.

A beverage making apparatus including at least a beverage producing portion, a controllable by-pass water system, and at least one of a sweetener system or flavoring system in which the sweetener system and/or flavoring system controllably mixes a sweetener ingredient and/or flavoring ingredient with water external to the housing without mixing in a confined structure. A method for producing a beverage is provided including at least the steps of: providing a beverage making apparatus; providing a water dispensing system; providing at least one of a sweetener dispensing system and flavoring system; and controllably dispensing water and at least one of sweetener and flavoring externally of the apparatus for combination with beverage produced by the beverage making apparatus.

A method of brewing coffee includes the following steps:—requesting a user to select a coffee-based beverage on an input device coupled to a coffee brewing apparatus; selecting a suitable water recipe from a database comprising a plurality of water recipes suited for brewing coffee, wherein the selected water recipe is suited to the selected coffee-based beverage, wherein the water recipe defines a set mineral concentration of brewing water to be prepared; requesting a water preparation unit to prepare a brewing water based on the water recipe, wherein the water preparation unit is adapted to mineralize the brewing water according to the set mineral concentration of the water recipe; preparing brewing water based on the water recipe; and brewing the coffee-based beverage with the brewing water prepared according to the water recipe.

Temperature control for extracted beverages, including coffee, via controlled vacuum, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system includes a brew chamber, a beverage chamber in fluid communication with the brew chamber, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the beverage chamber, and a flow control device positioned to vary the force applied by the vacuum chamber on the brew chamber via the beverage chamber.

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).

Methods and systems for employing a sensor to detect disconnection of a liquid supply tank and/or a low fill level of the liquid supply tank are disclosed herein. The sensor may have an optical sensor to detect liquid, e.g., to detect a liquid level in a removable liquid supply tank and/or liquid at a pump. The optical sensor can include a body made of a resilient material and including first and second portions and an opening located between the first and second portions. The opening can be configured to receive and frictionally engage with a conduit for carrying liquid, with the first portion configured to support a light emitter and the second portion configured to support a light detector.

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 multi-mode beverage brewer includes a body, a brewing chamber in the body configured to receive beverage brewing material, a flow controller in the body, a selector, and a tray. The flow controller is configured to control a flow of water to the brewing chamber such that in a first mode a first quantity of water or in a second mode a second quantity of water is provided to the brew chamber. The selector is configured to actuate the first mode or the second mode of the flow controller. The tray is configured to support a brewed beverage container to receive a brewed beverage from the brewing chamber. The selector is configured as a magnet and a magnetic sensing element. One each of the magnet and the magnetic sensing element is arranged in the body and in the tray.

A machine for preparing coffee beverages comprises an infusion unit comprising an infusion chamber suitable to contain a quantity of coffee powder to be subjected to infusion, a grinding unit to grind coffee beans and obtain coffee powder, a water tank connected to the grinding unit, means for feeding and heating the water, and a dispensing unit fluidically connected to the infusion unit and configured to dispense the beverage prepared into a receptacle. The invention also concerns a method to regulate a machine for preparing coffee beverages.

A coffee machine for wirelessly driving a coffee cup holder to rotate comprises a machine body and a cup holder; the cup holder comprises a base, a cup holder and a driving motor, wherein the base is internally provided with a driving motor, and the output shaft of the driving motor is sleeved with the cup holder; the upper part of the machine body is provided with a support, the support is provided with a sprinkler head, the sprinkler head is provided above the cup holder, and the height difference between the sprinkler head and the cup holder is capable of accommodating a coffee cup in which a coffee filter cup is placed; the machine body is provided with a charging coil, the cup holder is provided with a power receiving coil, and the installation position of the power receiving coil corresponds to that of the charging coil.