A portafilter apparatus for an espresso machine, the apparatus comprising: a metal head that is attachable to a group head of the espresso machine, the head defines a coffee grounds compartment for containing a quantity of ground coffee; and a perforated movable floor within the head; the floor forms a filter and defines the base of the coffee grounds compartment, the floor is vertically movable with respect to the head to adjust a volume of the coffee grounds compartment.

A container assembly includes a container, a plunger assembly including a plunger, a lid including a lid lever connected to actuate the plunger of the plunger assembly, and a housing disposed in the container and configured to receive mixing media. The lid and the plunger may define a fluid chamber. The plunger assembly may include a rod connected to the lid and the housing. The rod may include an internal fluid passage providing fluid communication between the housing and an opposite end of the rod. The rod may include at least one aperture disposed proximate the end of the rod. Rotation of the lid lever may cause rotation of the rod and translation of the plunger. Translation of the plunger may cause fluid disposed between the plunger and the housing to flow into the housing via at least one inlet port of the housing.

A container assembly includes a container, a plunger assembly including a plunger, a lid including a lid lever connected to actuate the plunger of the plunger assembly, and a housing disposed in the container and configured to receive mixing media. The lid and the plunger may define a fluid chamber. The plunger assembly may include a rod connected to the lid and the housing. The rod may include an internal fluid passage providing fluid communication between the housing and an opposite end of the rod. The rod may include at least one aperture disposed proximate the end of the rod. Rotation of the lid lever may cause rotation of the rod and translation of the plunger. Translation of the plunger may cause fluid disposed between the plunger and the housing to flow into the housing via at least one inlet port of the housing.

An infusion chamber (2) for housing a dose of product and means for supplying a liquid under pressure to said infusion chamber, said supply means comprising a hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) susceptible of storing under pressure a liquid from liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) of said machine (1, 1), characterised in that said liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) and said hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) are configured and disposed interconnected to the infusion chamber (2), so that a first fraction of injected liquid is susceptible of being stored under pressure in a cavity (5) of said accumulator device (4a, 4b), while a second fraction of the injected liquid is simultaneously distributed or supplied to the exterior through the infusion chamber (2) of the machine (1, 1), allowing said accumulator device (4a, 4b) to store a fraction of liquid configured to ensure the continuous supply of a certain flow (Qc) during a predetermined beverage preparation time or distribution time (te). The process comprises the steps of retracting the distribution cylinder (4a) piston (4b) or an element of said accumulator device to its active position through the injection of a liquid from an independent storage reservoir (9), and simultaneously supplying the liquid injected under pressure.

An infusion chamber (2) for housing a dose of product and means for supplying a liquid under pressure to said infusion chamber, said supply means comprising a hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) susceptible of storing under pressure a liquid from liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) of said machine (1, 1), characterised in that said liquid injection means (8, 8a, 8b, 9, 25) and said hydraulic accumulator device (4a, 4b) are configured and disposed interconnected to the infusion chamber (2), so that a first fraction of injected liquid is susceptible of being stored under pressure in a cavity (5) of said accumulator device (4a, 4b), while a second fraction of the injected liquid is simultaneously distributed or supplied to the exterior through the infusion chamber (2) of the machine (1, 1), allowing said accumulator device (4a, 4b) to store a fraction of liquid configured to ensure the continuous supply of a certain flow (Qc) during a predetermined beverage preparation time or distribution time (te). The process comprises the steps of retracting the distribution cylinder (4a) piston (4b) or an element of said accumulator device to its active position through the injection of a liquid from an independent storage reservoir (9), and simultaneously supplying the liquid injected under pressure.

Embodiments generally relate to systems, apparatus and methods concerned with autonomous preparation of brewed beverages, such as coffee beverages. Some embodiments make use of at least one robotic arm in the brewed beverage preparation. Various embodiments use two robotic arms. Various embodiments have multiple separately controlled components with which the at least one robotic arm can interact as part of the coffee preparation process.

A dispenser unit operated by a lever, for use in an espresso machine, comprising a housing, mainly extending along a vertical axis, between a lower base and an upper cross member, a shaft located within said housing and freely translating along said vertical axis. The dispensing unit comprises a rod-like lever with one free end and with the opposite end operably connected to the upper end of said shaft located within the housing, with a cam and a cam follower mechanism interposed therebetween. The base of the housing has conventional coupling means which are adapted to receive and retain a portafilter for a given dose of coffee grounds and the lever is susceptible of angularly moving between a rest position and a stall position and vice versa. The dispensing unit includes a braking device mounted to a shaft, which extends along an axis perpendicular to said vertical axis along which said shaft, located within the housing, moves, which is able to exert a braking action only during the axial movement of said shaft located within the housing in the direction toward said upper cross member of said housing against the axial thrust provided by an elastic member, thereby reducing the angular back movement of said lever from said stall position, toward said rest position when no dose of coffee grounds is placed in the portafilter or of the portafilter is not or wrongly positioned on the dispenser. Kinematic transmission means are provided to connect said shaft extending along the axis with said shaft located within the housing.

An improved French coffee press apparatus, system, and method that utilizes a locking ring to engage with a locking base that can be removed from the carafe, along with any coffee grounds. The locking ring is connected to the pressing rod, which also includes a filter system above the locking ring. The pressing rod fits through an opening in the carafe lid, and the carafe lid secures the liquid inside the carafe. The combination of the filtering system assists in the filtering and capture of any coffee grounds into the locking base for cleaning, and the locking ring assists in the removal of the locking base.

A piston-type extraction apparatus and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical container with lid and pour spout, a container insert, and plunger element including piston, rod, handle, and filtration chamber. The container insert is designed to catch coffee grounds or other infusible material which may be easily removed from the container when the container is empty or when the extract fluid remains in the container. The filtration chamber is adapted for use with a paper filter. The plunger element may temporarily couple with the insert to allow the insert to be pulled up through the container with the grounds of other infusible material captured between the insert and the plunger element allowing for quick and easy cleanup. The extraction apparatus is adapted for a use in a variety of sizes and may be adapted for manufactured at low cost.

A piston-type extraction apparatus and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical container with lid and pour spout, a container insert, and plunger element including piston, rod, handle, and filtration chamber. The container insert is designed to catch coffee grounds or other infusible material which may be easily removed from the container when the container is empty or when the extract fluid remains in the container. The filtration chamber is adapted for use with a paper filter. The plunger element may temporarily couple with the insert to allow the insert to be pulled up through the container with the grounds of other infusible material captured between the insert and the plunger element allowing for quick and easy cleanup. The extraction apparatus is adapted for a use in a variety of sizes and may be adapted for manufactured at low cost.