An apparatus for preparing a brewed beverage includes a device for heating and delivering water, a brewing chamber, into which the heated water is introduced, a positioning device for positioning a capsule, with contents for brewing the beverage, at a lateral opening of the brewing chamber, and an outlet with a switchable valve on an underside of the brewing chamber, wherein an inlet for introducing the hot water is provided on an upper side of the brewing chamber. A method is also described for preparing a brewed beverage.

A beverage-making machine for making a beverage from a portion capsule has a motorized brewing module that has a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part, which can be moved relative to the first brewing module part. A brewing chamber can be formed by the first and second brewing module parts, the brewing chamber at least partly surrounding the portion capsule. The beverage-making machine includes a closing unit and a sensor. The closing unit includes a manually actuatable operating lever that can be pivoted about a pivot axis between a closed position, in which the operating lever closes the capsule insertion opening, and an open position, in which the capsule insertion opening is accessible. The sensor can be used to ascertain whether the operating lever has assumed the closed position.

The present invention relates to a system for distribution of beverages, in particular a system for preparing espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, comprising at least one type of beverage recipient (1, 1′), for example of the type glass, cup or similar, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated with a beverage preparation device (3), whereby said beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, with a given flow pressure, a flow regulation disposition (12) in the base region (11) of beverage recipient (1, 1′) along a direction opposite to the gravity force, whereby said system is characterized in that said beverage discharge disposition (2) presents at least two engagement elements (23) arranged in common perimeter alignment and symmetric distribution around said beverage discharge element (21) and provided so that can be moved radially, outwards or inwards, between said open (I) and retention position (II), and vice-versa, by actuation means (25; 251, 252) arranged in centred and symmetric manner with relation to said beverage discharge element (21).

A beverage extracting device is provided that includes an extracting part including an installing space in which a beverage capsule is installed; an opening and closing part connected to the extracting part, for opening or sealing the installing space; a link part connected to at least one from among the extracting part and the opening and closing part; and a perforating part for moving reciprocally according to the movement of the link part so as to perforate the beverage capsule.

This invention relates to an apparatus (1) for making a beverage, comprising an infusion chamber (21) for a capsule containing a food substance, a transfer channel (32) which connects a capsule insertion opening (31) to the infusion chamber (21), an It image acquisition device (4) for acquiring at least one image of a portion of the capsule. The image acquisition device (4) includes an optical sensor (42) facing towards an image capture zone (40) which is a stretch of the transfer channel (32). A viewing window (45), made of transparent material, is interposed between the optical sensor (42) and the image capture zone (40), the viewing window (45) having a first face (451) and a second face (452). The apparatus also comprises a heating device (6, 22), which is positioned in a first region (11) which is at a height lower than a second region (12) in which the viewing window (45) is positioned. The first region (11) and the second region (12) are in communication with each other. In use, the heating device (6, 22) heats air in the first region (11) and the heated air flows into the second region (12), where the heated air can make contact with the first face (451) and/or the second face (452) of the viewing window (45) and heat the viewing window (45).

A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity bounded by a chamber inner wall and a chamber bottom of the first brew chamber part wherein the cavity is arranged for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the first brew chamber part is further provided with an alignment cap which is movable in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part.

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 beverage-making machine having a housing that has a capsule insertion opening through which a portion capsule is inserted and having a brewing module having a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part that is movable relative to the first brewing module part. A brewing chamber can be formed by the first and second brewing module parts, the brewing chamber at least partly surrounding the portion capsule which is in a brewing position during the brewing process in order to brew a brewed beverage and discharge same out of the portion capsule. The beverage-making machine also has an electric drive for moving the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part and a controller for controlling the electric drive. The controller determines the current position of the second brewing module part relative to the first brewing module part at all times.

A beverage preparation machine for brewed beverages includes a housing having a housing wall that surrounds an inner space and has an opening; a brewing device arranged in the inner space for brewing a quantity of a solid material accommodated by the brewing device, wherein the quantity of the solid material can be output from the brewing device; a movable container for receiving a quantity of the solid material output from the brewing device, which container can be brought into the inner space through the opening; a movable cover plate for covering the opening, which cover plate in a first position covers at least one region of the opening, and which in a second position uncovers the opening. The cover plate is connected to the housing via a pivoting device so that the cover plate is movable between the first and second positions by pivoting about a pivot axis.

A device for producing a brewed beverage comprises a brewing chamber which has an inlet for hot water and an outlet, the outlet being coupled to a closing element by which the outlet can be opened or closed. The brewing chamber has a lateral opening on which a capsule containing an extraction material can be placed in a sealed manner in order to produce a fluid connection between an interior of the capsule and an interior of the brewing chamber. An edge of the lateral opening forms a plane that is oriented at an angle to a vertical plane.