Systems and process for preparing beverages, in particular espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, based upon a beverage preparation apparatus that has a beverage preparation device adapted to be actuated between open and closed positions by an actuation disposition that includes an electric motor and thereby collect an individual portion of beverage ingredients. A control mechanism is adapted for regulating the operation of several components of the apparatus, to limit the electric power supplied to the electric motor according to at least one previously defined rule along at least most part of the movement path carried out between the open and closed positions.

A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a water circuit (12,13) for guiding water (2,2′,2″) from a source (11); and a mixing unit (20) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to a beverage outlet (23) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug (5) a beverage (3) formed in the mixing unit (20). The mixing unit (20) has a first module (21) and a second module (22) that are relatively movable from: a distant configuration for inserting an ingredient between the first and second modules (21,22); to a proximate position for combining such ingredient with water (2′) supplied by the water circuit (12,13) so as to form the beverage (3). The machine has: a further unit (30) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13) and to an outlet (33) for dispensing to a consumer cup or mug water (2″) supplied by the water circuit (12,13); and a water directing device (14) fluidically connected to the water circuit (12,13), to the mixing unit (20) and to the further unit (30). The directing device (14) has one or more valves (141,142;143,144) that is/are actuated by the relatively moving first and/or second modules (21,22) and that can be opened and closed for controlling a flow of water (2,2′,2″) from the water circuit (12,13) selectively to the mixing unit (20) or to the further unit (30).

A beverage system for making a beverage based on ingredients in a capsule has a conveying carriage with a capsule carrier, a threaded spindle extending inside a housing of the beverage system and having a drive nut connected to the capsule carrier. A stop element is arranged on the threaded spindle at an ejection position for blocking movement of the drive nut along the threaded spindle. A motor rotates the threaded spindle in a first direction of rotation, in order to move the capsule carrier to a processing position, where a beverage is made based on the ingredients in a capsule; in order to move the capsule carrier further along the threaded spindle to an ejection position; and in order to rotate the capsule carrier at the ejection position about the threaded spindle to eject the capsule from the capsule carrier.

A brewing module for preparing a brewed drink from a portion capsule includes a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part which is movable relative to this between a first brewing module part position and a second brewing module part position, wherein a movement of the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part can be driven by a manual or motorised drive via a transmission mechanism. A capsule recognition device with an optical sensor for detecting optical characteristics of the capsule is further present. The brewing module has a mechanically driveable blowing device that is arranged to produce an airflow at the side of the window element towards the portion capsule. The blowing device is assembled such that it is driven by a relative movement of elements of the brewing module which is produced by the drive or the transmission mechanism.

A brewing system for brewing a single flavored beverage of different varieties is disclosed which comprises a holder for receiving a flavored beverage packet (pod) of different sizes, said holder being a technically cantilevered receptacle to hold the flavored beverage packet (pod) beverage in a brewing position, a hinged cover which is secured by a latch, and introduces water in the sealed and enclosed brewing area to produce a flavored beverage drink that flows through the beverage packet and into a receptacle for consumption.

A capsule coffee machine includes a base, a capsule channel formed at a top surface of the base, a gate, an optics lens, a guiding unit, a drip container, a collecting groove, a water injection unit connected with the guiding unit, a driving unit connected with the guiding unit, and an actuator. A bottom of the capsule channel is equipped with the gate. An inside of the capsule channel is equipped with the optics lens. The guiding unit is disposed under the gate and accommodated in the base. The drip container is connected with the guiding unit. The drip container has a mouth, a stopping wall opposite to the mouth, and a peripheral wall extended between the mouth and the stopping wall. The collecting groove is recessed towards a downward direction and in the peripheral wall of the drip container. The actuator is connected with the gate.

The invention relates to a capsule comprising an water capsule configured to contain water, a coffee capsule configured to contain coffee, and a water hole valve disposed on the water capsule, whereby the water capsule holds a quantity of water, the coffee capsule housed within the water capsule holds a quantity of coffee, and the water hole valve disposed on the water capsule is configured to release the water within the water capsule into a coffee machine. The invention further relates to a respective method for making coffee.

A beverage dispensing system that can dispense both cold and hot drinks from either cold drink capsules or hot drink capsules. The cold or hot drink capsule is inserted into the system, and the lid is manually closed. if a cold drink capsule has been inserted, a mechanism cracks the capsule along a predetermined seam, injects cold mixing fluid into the capsule, and then rotates the capsule to pour out or further flush out the cold drink into a cup. If a hot drink capsule has been inserted, the lid is closed, and a rotating needle pierces the top of the capsule. The capsule is then punctured from the bottom. Hot water can then be injected into the top of the capsule, and the hot drink can be removed from the bottom into a cup.

A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage (2) comprises: —a main body (10) containing a unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for preparing said beverage (2) to be dispensed via an outlet (21) to an external user-recipient (3) at a user-recipient placement location (30); —an auxiliary body (20) that is movable relative to the main body (10) inwards into the main body (10) into a retracted position and outwards from the main body (10) into a deployed position; —a control unit (16) for controlling the preparation unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) to supply said beverage (2) to the outlet (21); and—a user-interlace (17, 17′) connected to the control unit (16). The user-interface (17, 17′) is located on the auxiliary body (20) and is movable therewith.

A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, the second exchangeable capsule having a larger diameter than the first exchangeable capsule, wherein the second brew chamber part includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and the first brew chamber part when forming the brew chamber for holding the second exchangeable capsule.