A tamping augur may be controlled in various ways to obtain a consistent fill height and uniformity in the distribution of coffee grinds in a portafilter. Improvements to a conical burr grinder are also disclosed.

The coffee machine has at least one infusion unit and at least one filter holder that is manually connected to and disconnected from the infusion unit for preparation of coffee, and it comprises at least one added support element of the filter holder for keeping it attached to the coffee machine when the filter holder is not connected to the infusion unit, said added support element comprising heating means for heating said filter holder to a predetermined temperature. The additional support element can be implemented also as a standalone element and, therefore, not connected to the coffee machine.

A capsule-holder device for a beverage preparation machine comprises an axially hollow annular supporting body having a central axis, with a peripheral wall provided with a lateral attachment, for fixing a handle, and coupling means, for coupling with a hot-water dispensing unit of the beverage preparation machine. Within the supporting body a receiving assembly is mounted. having a respective central axis substantially coinciding with the central axis of the supporting body. The receiving assembly includes a container body having a respective peripheral wall and a bottom which define a chamber able lo receive a capsule. At the bottom of the container body a lower perforation arrangement is provided, able to cause perforation of an outlet wall of a capsule contained in the chamber. The lower perforation arrangement comprises a plurality of lips which are borne by a disk-shaped support that is mounted in an angularly rotatable way inside the chamber, for rotating about the central axis of the receiving assembly.

A filter holder including a housing with a bottom and an aperture through the bottom; a valve with a stopper for opening and closing the aperture, the stopper supported by a pivoting arm and biased towards a closed position; a cam arranged between the bottom and the pivoting arm, and having a cam profile co-acting with the pivoting arm, and being biased towards a first position wherein the cam profile prevents closing of the stopper and having a second position wherein the cam profile allows closing of the stopper; a slider which co-acts with the cam to move the cam from the first position towards the second position. The slider is biased in an inactive position and is moved towards an active position by co-action with a locking ring whereto the filter holder is attached. The slider when moved towards the active position pushes the cam towards the second position.

The coffee machine has at least one infusion unit and at least one filter holder that is manually connected to and disconnected from the infusion unit for preparation of coffee, and it comprises at least one added support element of the filter holder for keeping it attached to the coffee machine when the filter holder is not connected to the infusion unit, said added support element comprising heating means for heating said filter holder to a predetermined temperature. The additional support element can be implemented also as a standalone element and, therefore, not connected to the coffee machine.

A tamping augur may be controlled in various ways to obtain a consistent fill height and uniformity in the distribution of coffee grinds in a portafilter. Improvements to a conical burr grinder are also disclosed.

A coffee machine has a supporting body that delivers hot water for producing a beverage. A filter-holder can be filled with a brewing material and is releasably coupleable to the supporting body to receive hot water therefrom for brewing the brewing material to produce the beverage. A coupling device includes a first coupling part mounted on the supporting body and a second coupling part carried by the filter-holder. The coupling device is configured to allow the filter-holder to assume a tightening configuration by a relative rotation of the first coupling part and the second coupling part. An automation device is configured to cause relative rotation of the first coupling part and the second coupling part. A user interface is configured to to tight-couple and uncouple and/or a beverage delivery to start and stop in response to sensed actions or forces.

A filtration system is adapted for use and integration with cartridge-based beverage dispensing systems that mix an additive (flavor) with a base liquid (water) as the base liquid is dispensed from a container and through the cartridge. A support frame may support an annular charcoal fabric filter element secured with an end cap and defining an inner cavity to house and surround a portion of the cartridge. A filter cage may enclose the filter element. The support frame may include a bayonet-type connector to secure the filter assembly to a container lid. Base liquid flowing from the container and through the cartridge necessarily flows first through the filter element as a user drinks from the container. Related methods for assembling the filter assembly and installing the filter assembly on a cartridge/lid assembly are also disclosed.

This invention provides a coffee machine having an externally fitted coffee vessel for receiving freshly ground coffee. A closing and/or tamping system is provided for closing the coffee vessel and/or compacting the ground coffee in the coffee vessel by providing a relative movement between the closing and/or tamping system, and the coffee vessel. The coffee vessel has a water entry port extending through a side wall for delivering heated water to the internal volume of the coffee vessel.

A coffee grinding apparatus includes a removable holder assembly having first and second arms that are spaced-apart from one another to define an open receiving area therebetween. The arms each include upper and lower tabs that extend inwardly into the open receiving area first and second distances, respectively. The first and second distances of the upper and lower tabs are configured to retain and support portafilter assemblies of various sizes for filling with coffee grounds using the coffee grinder apparatus. Another holder assembly for use with the coffee grinding apparatus may include opposed abutment surfaces for engaging inner and outer surfaces of a cup portion of various sized portafilter assemblies. Each disclosed holder assembly is configured to attach to a pedestal portion of the coffee grinding apparatus in use, and can be stored in a support base of the coffee grinding apparatus when not in use.