A coffee machine includes: a filter holder suitable for containing at least one coffee dose; a dispensing unit with dispensing nozzles suitable for sending a flow of hot water on the coffee dose; a water system provided with a pump to supply pressurized water towards the dispensing nozzles; a heater to heat the water to be supplied to the dispensing nozzles; a dispensing valve to enable/disable the supply of hot water towards the dispensing nozzles; a pre-infusion valve installed upstream the dispensing valve; and a control unit comprising actuation means to actuate the pre-infusion valve. The pre-infusion valve is a two-way electrovalve of programmable proportional type.

A beverage preparation machine comprising at least a brewing assembly configured to brew a beverage from a brewing substance with a brewing liquid; a brewing liquid supply circuit to supply a brewing liquid to the brewing assembly; and an electronic control unit to control operation of the beverage preparation machine.

A system for preparing a brewed beverage from at least one flavorant includes a housing, a receptacle connectable to the housing for holding the at least one flavorant and a reservoir connectable to the housing. The receptacle including a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet and a first fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the first fluid inlet and a second fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the second fluid inlet.

Coffee makers with features for rapid and/or multiple extraction processes, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method for brewing coffee includes placing ground coffee on a filter element of a brew chamber, directing heated water into the brew chamber and in contact with the ground coffee and, during a first phase, brewing coffee in the brew chamber without subjecting the coffee to a pressure differential of at least 150 torr between the brew chamber and a coffee chamber to which the brew chamber is coupled, the coffee chamber having a capacity of 200 mL or more. The representative method further includes, during a second phase, extracting the coffee from the brew chamber through the filter element and into the coffee chamber via a pressure differential of at least 150 torr between the brew chamber and the coffee chamber.

A decoction device for an extraction apparatus, in particular for preparing espresso, comprises a decoction chamber (7) enclosed by a chamber wall (5) for receiving a quantity of powder therein. The decoction chamber is situated between a first chamber bottom (20) and a second chamber bottom (30). The first chamber bottom (20) is coupled to a linear actuator and is axially movable in the decoction chamber so as to compress the powder to a bed. A drive is provided to impose a relative rotation between one of the chamber bottoms and the chamber wall as the chamber bottoms (20,30) approach each other. The respective chamber bottom (30) is for this purpose rotatable within the chamber wall (5) and the drive is able and configured to impose a rotation thereon during an approach movement of the first chamber bottom (20). A slip coupling (60) is provided in the transmission.

A grinding device comprises a grinding housing with mutually co-acting grinding bodies. A lower of the two grinding bodies is both driven and axially adjustable for the purpose of setting a grind size. An upper grinding body is removable. A grind size of the grinding device can be adjusted in absolute manner between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, corresponding to a fixed setting range between a minimal clearance between the two grinding surfaces and a maximum clearance between the two grinding surfaces. An extreme position of the adjustable grinding body is imposed by a stop which is encountered by the adjusting means in the relevant extreme position. A coffee machine uses the absolute grind size and/or a fine-tuning for an optimal contact time between coffee and through-flowing water.

A device for creating infused beverages that includes a solvent flow management system having a pump body with a pump bore defining a pump interior volume, a piston disposed within the pump interior volume and in a fluidically sealed configuration with the pump bore, and a pump drive system operably coupled to the piston to generate a piston translation path. The device also includes a solvent-flow conduit and in fluid communication with the pump interior volume and a brewing chamber, an outlet, and a flow control valve, wherein the pump drive system is operably configured to selectively drive the piston along the piston translation path, when the flow control valve is in a selectively closed position, to induce a negative pressure and the flow of fluid through a solute housed in the brewing chamber, downstream and through the solvent-flow conduit, and into the pump interior volume.

An upward flow extraction method, apparatus, and extract are disclosed. The upward flow extraction method can comprise loading extraction material into an extraction cell having a bottom portion and a top portion; introducing a first aliquot of extraction medium through the bottom portion of the extraction cell; expelling gas from the extraction cell through the top portion of the extraction cell; closing the top portion of the extraction cell and increasing the pressure in the extraction cell as extraction medium flows into the bottom portion of the extraction cell; stopping the flow of extraction medium into the extraction cell; steeping the extraction material in the extraction medium under pressure to produce an extract; and introducing a second aliquot of extraction medium through the bottom portion of the extraction cell to push extract through top portion of the extraction cell.

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 dispensing group for an espresso coffee machine is described. The group comprises: a coffee boiler configured to contain pressurized hot water; a supply duct for feeding hot water under pressure towards a puck of coffee powder; and a filter-holder support comprising guides (30) which form at least one sliding surface for slidably supporting a filter holder, wherein said filter-holder support is rotatable between a first position for inserting the filter holder and a second dispensing position and wherein said dispensing group comprises a mechanical locking device for locking the filter-holder support in the second dispensing position.