A machine (1) for preparing a beverage has a beverage processing unit (10,20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which the ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the ingredient (2) is held and mixed with the water (4) in the chamber (21). The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); and a fluid module (15) having a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21), the fluid module (15) comprising the first processing unit member (10) of the processing unit (10,20). The fluid module (15) is assemblable by a user as a unit to the water source and to the second processing unit member (20) and is disassemblable by a user as a unit from the water source and from the second processing unit member (20).

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) has a beverage processing unit (10,20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with water (4) in the chamber (21). The machine includes: a beverage collector (80) for collecting the beverage (3) from the processing unit (10,20). The collector (80) has a collecting wall (81) directing the beverage (3) out of the collector (80) to a beverage dispensing area (90); a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the processing unit (10,20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); and a supporting structure (70) which has a base (72) that is stationary and that supports the beverage collector (80). The processing unit (10,20) and/or the beverage collector has/have a peripheral upright drainage wall (13) external to the chamber (21) and extending at least partly about the chamber (21) for collecting the beverage (3) outside the chamber (21) after the beverage (3) has exited the chamber (21) via at least one outlet (12). At least part of the collector (80) is made of transparent and/or translucide material such that beverage (3) inside the collector (80) is user-visible from outside such machine (1).

A coffee machine is described. The coffee machine has an exterior mounting port to which a coffee vessel is removably fitted. A water delivery head is positionally fixed with respect to a main housing of the coffee machine, and a tamping system is used to displace the coffee vessel (or part thereof) relative to the water delivery head, thereby to provide tamping of coffee grounds contained in 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.

A machine and method for preparing a hot beverage includes a device for producing and conveying hot water; a holding device into which a filter holder can be releasably inserted; a feed for the hot water, the feed having an outlet arranged above the filter holder in order to dispense hot water onto the filter holder from above into a receiving area which is open towards the top and comprises an extraction material; and a drive device in order to move the feed for the hot water relative to the filter holder. The filter holder has a chamber for water, the chamber being fillable via an opening, and the feed can be moved relative to the filter holder between a position substantially vertically above the opening and another position substantially vertically above the receiving area comprising the extraction material.

An espresso machine has a built-in coffee grinder. A coffee grinding apparatus cooperates with a removable portafilter having a handle, the apparatus including: a cradle for supporting the portafilter; an actuator adjacent to the cradle for co-operating with the portafilter; a downward facing ledge engages a front tab of the portafilter for resisting imbalance of the portafilter when supported by the cradle. Wherein, when the portafilter is supported by the cradle and advanced forward, the front tab of the portafilter further contacts the actuator to operate an electrical switch, thereby causing a signal to be sent to a microprocessor for delivering coffee grinds to the portafilter.

A coffee dispenser comprises an inlet for receiving ground coffee, a ground coffee holder that receives ground coffee from the inlet, and a porta filter carriage for receiving a porta filter. The porta filter carriage is movable relative to the ground coffee holder between a closed position and a dispensing position. When a porta filter is received in the porta filter carriage, movement of the porta filter carriage from the closed position to the dispensing position causes coffee to be dispensed into the filter basket. Movement of the porta filter carriage from the dispensing position to the closed position causes a scraping action to occur across the coffee disposed in the filter basket, thereby removing excess coffee from the filter basket.

Provided is a device, comprising: a barrier configured to impeded or prevent particles shed by a robot in a first volume of space from entering a second volume of space in which the robot manipulates a workpiece; and a robot having three or more degrees of freedom, the robot comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the barrier in the first volume, the first portion comprising an actuator of the robot, the actuator being configured to drive movement of the robot to manipulate the workpiece; and a second portion disposed on a second side of the barrier in the second volume, the second portion comprising an end-effector of the robot by which the robot makes contact with the workpiece.

A beverage brewing apparatus including a brewing module, an ingredient providing module, a drink providing module and a control unit is provided. The brewing module is adapted to brew at least one drink and at least one ingredient in a beverage cup. The ingredient providing module is adapted to provide the at least one ingredient into the beverage cup. The drink providing module is adapted to provide the at least one drink into the beverage cup. The control unit is adapted to control the brewing module, the ingredient providing module and the drink providing module according to a brewing procedure corresponding to the at least one drink and the at least one ingredient.

A beverage extraction apparatus of the present invention, comprises: a bottle portion capable of holding a liquid therein, which is supplied from an opening portion located at a top side thereof; a lid for covering the opening portion of the bottle portion; a base portion for allowing the bottle portion to be installed thereon and rotatably holding a base magnet therein; a motor for rotating the base magnet; an infuser for allowing an infuser magnet to be disposed therein and reversing itself upside down within the bottle portion along with rotation of the base magnet; and a controller for controlling a magnetic pole of the base magnet in order to allow or block inflow and outflow of the liquid with regard to an internal portion of the infuser and the bottle portion therein.