A coffee compacting assembly (22) that receives ground coffee to compact the coffee in a filter cup (25) having a floor (39), the coffee compacting assembly (22) including: an auger (33) having an axis (30) about which the auger (33) is rotated to compact the ground coffee in the filter cup (25), with the auger (33) extending angularly and longitudinally relative to said axis (30); a motor (51) coupled to the auger (33) to rotate the auger (33) about said axis (30); and an auger positioning device (40) engaged with the auger (33) to provide for movement of the auger (33) between a start position and a raised position above the start position, with the start position being predetermined so that the auger (33) is located at a predetermined location within the filter cup (25).

Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means, wherein the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

A multipurpose beverage preparation machine includes a beverage preparation chamber for receiving a liquid, a processor for processing the beverage in the beverage preparation chamber, a motor configured for driving the processor in the beverage preparation chamber, a heater configured for heating the liquid in the beverage preparation chamber, a control unit operable to execute a beverage preparation process comprising control of the motor and the heater, the control unit being coupled to a network interface of the machine to receive beverage process parameters from an external electronic device, wherein the processor comprises at least one foaming insert and/or at least one support insert for supporting solid ingredients, which are selectively and removably positioned within the beverage preparation chamber and wherein the control unit is configured for actuating the motor and the heater based on at least a part of the received process parameters.

A multipurpose beverage preparation machine includes a beverage preparation chamber for receiving a liquid, a processor for processing the beverage in the beverage preparation chamber, a motor configured for driving the processor in the beverage preparation chamber, a heater configured for heating the liquid in the beverage preparation chamber, a control unit operable to execute a beverage preparation process comprising control of the motor and the heater, the control unit being coupled to a network interface of the machine to receive beverage process parameters from an external electronic device, wherein the processor comprises at least one foaming insert and/or at least one support insert for supporting solid ingredients, which are selectively and removably positioned within the beverage preparation chamber and wherein the control unit is configured for actuating the motor and the heater based on at least a part of the received process parameters.

Milk module for generating milk foam or milk beverages, preferably for installing into a coffee machine, is designed as an independent unit. The milk module includes a cooling chamber connected to a cooling assembly for receiving a milk container, a conveyor pump, a steam generating device, a device for heating milk or generating the milk foam, and a connection system. The heated milk or generated milk foam is conveyed through a discharge line to the coffee outlet in the coffee machine by the connection system. A cleaning container with a cleaning agent can be positioned into the cooling chamber instead of the milk container. A suction tube is mounted in the refrigerated box in a pivotal manner, which hangs freely at the bottom, and which in the forwards-pivoted position can be contactlessly inserted into the milk container or the cleaning container from the top when being installed.

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) during beverage preparation. The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage 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 during beverage preparation and that supports the beverage processing unit (10, 20) during beverage preparation. The beverage processing unit (10, 20) is disassemblable by a user from the supporting structure (70) and assemblable by a user to the structure (70).

A machine 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 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). The machine has 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). The machine has: 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 supports the beverage collector (80) during beverage preparation. The beverage processing unit (10,20) and/or the beverage collector 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). The beverage collecting wall (81) extends below a bottom part of the drainage wall (13) and right underneath the processing unit (10,20) to collect the beverage (3) when draining off from the drainage wall (13) and to direct the beverage (3) from the collecting wall (81) out of the collector (80).

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 include: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); one or more electronic devices (60, 65, 721); and a support structure (70) having a base (72) that comprises a main outside housing (72′), a fluid line support (72′″) and a supporting foot (72.sup.IV) at a bottom of the main outside housing (72′). The processing unit (10,20) and the water guide (30), and optionally the water source, are supported by the base (72). The foot (72.sup.IV) is configured to rest on an external substantial horizontal surface dining beverage preparation. All electric device(s) (60, 65, 721) are confined in and/or comprised in the main outside housing and/or the foot (72.sup.IV). The beverage processing unit (10,20), the water source and the water guide (30) are located entirely outside the main outside housing (72′) and outside the foot (72.sup.IV).

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 include: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10,20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); one or more electronic devices (60, 65, 721); and a support structure (70) having a base (72) that comprises a main outside housing (72′), a fluid line support (72′″) and a supporting foot (72.sup.IV) at a bottom of the main outside housing (72′). The processing unit (10,20) and the water guide (30), and optionally the water source, are supported by the base (72). The foot (72.sup.IV) is configured to rest on an external substantial horizontal surface dining beverage preparation. All electric device(s) (60, 65, 721) are confined in and/or comprised in the main outside housing and/or the foot (72.sup.IV). The beverage processing unit (10,20), the water source and the water guide (30) are located entirely outside the main outside housing (72′) and outside the foot (72.sup.IV).

A mixing apparatus is described. The mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam, and a mixing chamber for mixing the milk, the steam, and air. A channel arrangement connects the first port and the second port, and defines an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. The mixing apparatus is designed such that, in use, the frothing section fills sufficiently with steamed milk that has a direct path from the second port to the mixing chamber is interrupted by the steamed milk. This provides a noise reduction during use of the mixing apparatus. A flow reducing means, such as a barrier, may be used for this purpose.