A beverage maker includes a water source; a filter holder; and a beverage cartridge holder. The beverage cartridge holder may be positioned between the water source and the filter holder and configured for fluid communication between the water source and the filter holder.

A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage has an outside housing (30) having one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The machine includes a user-interface device (31) movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to a face (30a) of such one or more outside faces (30a, 30b, 30c) so that the device (31) is accessible by a user; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing (30). The user-interface device (31) is movable from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction (31′) and a second direction (31″) that is non-parallel to the first direction (31′).

A fan-based steaming and foaming device is provided with a fan assembly and an activation device between a steam tube and an ejection tube. The invention employs an air pressure difference of a fan to directly inject, into a liquid, air required for foaming.

An infuser container is disclosed comprising a container body for holding liquids and from which liquid is poured; and a removable infuser filter positioned across an interior of the container body so that liquid in a lower section beneath the infuser filter passes through the filter to dispense from the container body, wherein the filter is positioned across the container interior and retained in position against displacement thereof during pouring of liquids. Also disclosed is a container lid assembly.

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 water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); and a water guide (30) extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit (10, 20) arranged such that substantially all the water (4) delivered into the chamber (21) for preparing the beverage (3) is guided by the water guide (30). The water source and the water guide (30) are thermally passive so as to deliver the water (4) into the chamber (21) unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine (1).

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) includes: a beverage processing unit (10, 20) that delimits a chamber (21) in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is mixed with water (4) during beverage preparation; a water source for delivering the water towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); and a water guide (30) extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit (10, 20) arranged such that substantially all the water (4) delivered into the chamber (21) for preparing the beverage (3) is guided by the water guide (30). The water guide (30), and optionally the water source, is/are configured such that the water (4) is driven from the water source into the chamber (21) along the water guide (30) substantially only by effect of gravity and/or capillary and/or gas pressure and/or depression forces.

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 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); a support structure (70), such as a frame, having a base (72) that is stationary during beverage preparation, the processing unit (10, 20) being rotatably mounted to the support structure (70) about a processing unit axis (71‘); and an actuator supported by the support structure (70) that has a driving output member (61) rotating about an output axis (61’). The output member (61) is coupled to the processing unit (10, 20) for driving the processing unit (10,20) in rotation. The output member (61) is coupled to the processing unit (10, 20) by a transmission (611, 612, 62) such that the output axis (61‘) is off-set relative to the processing unit axis (71’).

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 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); a support structure (70), such as a frame, having a base (72) that is stationary during beverage preparation, the processing unit (10, 20) being rotatably mounted to the support structure (70) about a processing unit axis (71‘); and an actuator supported by the support structure (70) that has a driving output member (61) rotating about an output axis (61’). The output member (61) is coupled to the processing unit (10, 20) for driving the processing unit (10,20) in rotation. The output member (61) is coupled to the processing unit (10, 20) by a transmission (611, 612, 62) such that the output axis (61‘) is off-set relative to the processing unit axis (71’).

A mixing apparatus has a first port for receiving milk, a second port for receiving steam and a mixing chamber for mixing milk, steam and air. A channel arrangement connects the ports as well as defining an air intake channel which leads to a frothing section. An adjustment element is provided for adjusting a seal in the vicinity of the air intake channel, thereby to adjust a frothing level.

A compacted coffee tablet, in particular a tablet of compacted roast and ground coffee beans, presenting an advantageous configuration in terms of compaction process, maintenance of shape and efficiency of coffee extraction, in particular of espresso type coffee. A beverage preparation systems including the compacted coffee tablet, and production processes thereof.