Various smart package configurations may include a package intelligence and communication module (PICM) intelligently interacting with smart heating appliances and users. A thermodynamic load profile may correlate thermodynamic response characteristics of the package and be stored in or associated with a unique identifier in the PICM. The TLP enables efficient and safe heating of packages on a smart appliance as well as package validation and authentication. Package configurations also include structural elements for efficient heating of food, beverage, cosmetic and personal care products.

The present invention concerns a machine (1) for preparing an infusion beverage, comprising: a machine body (10); a filter holder (2) removably constrained to the machine body (10), comprising a seat (2a) for at least one ingredient (100), preferably powdered, for a beverage preparation; a piston (3) constrained to the machine body (10); wherein said machine (1) comprises a motor (M, M′) adapted to relatively move said filter holder (2) and said piston (3) between one another, so that to couple said piston (3) with said seat (2a) for, during use, defining an infusion chamber (6) and compressing said at least one ingredient (100) in said seat (2a).

A beverage dispensing apparatus and methods for active pressure control thereof. In one aspect, a method for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus may include: a) determining whether a first beverage to be prepared at a first temperature or a second beverage to be prepared a second temperature has been selected for preparation, the first temperature being greater than the second temperature; and b) selecting a maximum pressure threshold for a beverage preparation fluid circuit of the beverage dispensing apparatus based on whether the first beverage or the second beverage has been selected in step a), wherein the maximum pressure threshold is set by selecting from at least a first pressure threshold when the first beverage has been determined to have been selected and a second pressure threshold when the second beverage has been determined to have been selected, the first pressure being less than the second pressure.

A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises a source of liquid (2,3) and a dispensing outlet (4) connected via a pump (10) that includes a chamber (11) and a displaceable wall (12) delimiting the chamber (11). The pump (10) further has: an electric actuator (13) driving the displaceable wall (12) for causing an inflow of liquid from the source into the chamber (11) and for causing an outflow of liquid from the chamber (11) to the dispensing outlet (4); and a powering unit (14) that comprises an electric power source (142) and that is configured for supplying power to the actuator (13). The powering unit (14) further comprises: a sensor (143) for measuring an electrical parameter representative of a consumption of power by the actuator (13); and a control unit (144) that is connected to the sensor (143) and to the electrical power source (142) and that is configured to control the power supplied to the actuator (13) by the electric power source (142) as a function of: the measured parameter; and a desired liquid input into the chamber (11) and/or liquid output from the chamber (11), such as a desired flow and/or pressure of the liquid input and/or of the liquid output.

An espresso coffee machine comprising at least one dispensing group (1003) which dispenses shots of espresso coffee, a pressure sensor (24, 25) positioned at the dispensing group (1003), a measuring device and a control unit (30) is described. The pressure sensor (24, 25) provides values of the dispensing pressure (P1) in the dispensing group (1003). The measuring device provides values indicating the amounts of liquid at the inlet or the outlet of the dispensing group (1003). Using the values of the dispensing pressure (P1) received from the pressure sensor (24, 25) and the values indicative of the amount of liquid which are received from the measuring device, the control unit (30) controls the dispensing pressure (P1) of each shot according to a profile of the dispensing pressure (P1) as a function of the amount of liquid.

A beverage extraction device includes: a cylinder, having a bottomed cylindrical shape, having a lower-surface opening which is closed with a bottom portion; a mesh member, having a disk shape, having a plurality of through holes, moving close to and away from the bottom portion to extract beverage from beverage raw material and hot water, fed through an upper-surface opening of the cylinder, so that the extracted beverage is discharged through an extraction passage connected to the bottom portion; an ultrasonic vibrator provided on the bottom portion; and a control unit, when a cleaning instruction is given, driving the ultrasonic vibrator in a state where the hot water is stored in the cylinder to apply ultrasonic waves to the hot water, and causing the mesh member to move close to and away from the bottom portion.

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.

The present invention relates to a portafilter capable of sensing data in a coffee extraction process and a method for controlling a coffee extraction process using the same, the portafilter comprising: a portafilter head capable of accommodating a basket; at least one sensor formed on the portafilter head; a communication unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit may be configured to transmit sensing data sensed through the one or more sensors to an external electronic device through the communication unit.

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.