Operating unit for steam discharged from a steam lance in a controlled manner using a manually displaceable operating element. The operating element is displaced in one direction from an engaged starting position, in which there is no steam discharge, into engaged positions for discharge of determined amounts of steam, or displaced in the opposite direction, in which the amount of steam varies with the displacement. The operating element has a fixed casing, an outlet head displaceably mounted on the casing, a steam lance fastened to the head, and a displaceable casing including the operating element. The casing is engaged in the starting position or in the positions or can be displaced in the opposite direction, in which the steam is almost continuously variable. Milk froth is produced optimally according to the desired discharge type, in accordance with the amount of milk located in a cup.

The invention relates to a system for preparing beverage, including a second and first exchangeable capsule and an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity for holding one of the first and second capsules, and a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part and having an extraction plate for abutting against an exit face of the hold capsule, and including a central and a peripheral portion, the central portion being axially movable relative to the peripheral portion from a first position to a second position, the apparatus including a locking mechanism for locking the central portion in the first position when the cavity holds the first capsule. The invention also relates to an apparatus, a method and a capsule.

A system for making beverages comprising a brewing unit (2) and a capsule (4) containing a powdered food substance (5), the capsule (4) comprising an outer casing (6) and a recognition element (11) placed inside the outer casing (6), wherein the brewing unit (2) comprises a first piercing unit (17), a lighting device (26) associated with the first piercing unit (17) for lighting the recognition element (11), a detecting device (13) configured to detect a return light radiation from the recognition element (11) and an electronic control unit, wherein, moreover, the recognition element (11) has a reading surface (12) which forms a convexity directed towards the detecting device (13).

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

A beverage preparation machine comprises a fluid circulation system for a fluid substance, at least one container holder adapted for receiving a corresponding ingredient storage container and at least one fluid processing device which is part of the fluid circulation system. The fluid circulation system further comprises at least one fluid source, at least one fluid pump, at least one fluid heating element and at least one fluid circulation conduit. The fluid processing device comprises a fluid processing body comprising in turn at least one inlet means for introducing the fluid substance into the container for the preparation of a beverage product by mixing of the fluid substance with an ingredient contained in the container. The fluid processing body further comprises at least one outlet means for dispensing the beverage product from the container. At least one movement means is provided for separately moving the fluid processing device and the container relatively one to another between a fluid introduction position and a beverage dispensing position. In the fluid introduction position the fluid processing body protrudes inside the internal volume of the container for introducing therein the fluid substance. In the beverage dispensing position the fluid processing body is at least partially withdrawn from the internal volume of the container to allow dispensing of the beverage product from the container through the outlet means. Preferably, the fluid processing body is a needle-shaped fluid processing body comprising at least one end portion configured for perforating, piercing and/or tearing a specific portion or wall of the container before the introduction of the fluid substance into the container.

A group (6) for supplying hot water in a machine for preparing and dispensing a beverage, for example espresso coffee, comprising: a water accumulation chamber (14) with an inlet (11) for receiving water and an outlet (12); and a heating path (9, 13). The heating path comprises an inlet for receiving water from the outlet (12) of the accumulation chamber (14) and an outlet (15) for dispensing heated water into a brewing chamber (16) for preparing a beverage. The heating path comprises a path bounded by a heatable outer surface (13) and an inner core (9). The inner core (9) comprises a temperature probe (8) located in proximity of the outlet (15) for dispensing heated water.

The invention relates to a disposable cartridge filled with a single serve portion of a liquid ingredient to be combined with a base liquid for the preparation of a liquid product, e.g. a beverage concentrate to be combined with water, e.g. carbonated water, for the preparation of a beverage suitable for human consumption. The cartridge comprises a vertically extending channel that extends to a dispensing aperture in the bottom of the cartridge and one or more dispensing passages extending between a reservoir and the outside of the cartridge. The dispensing passages are provided with outlet openings located adjacent the aperture such that the base liquid and the liquid ingredient are dispensed in parallel flows, the liquid ingredient subsequently coating the exterior of the stream of base liquid, such that actual mixing of the liquid ingredient and base liquid only takes place after both have been dispensed.

Apparatus for producing a beverage, in particular coffee, includes brewing cylinders adjusted in the manner of a carousel about an axis of rotation, each with an extraction cell and an extraction piston, and beneath the brewing cylinder at least two pistons. The pistons are positioned to be pushed into a brewing cylinder or extracted from it. Provided above the brewing cylinders are at least two feed channels and, arranged at a distance therefrom, at least two extraction pistons. These feed channels can each be connected, in a specific position of the brewing cylinders, at least above a brewing cylinder for loading of beverage powder, into which a piston can in each case be inserted from below. The extraction pistons are each insertable into a brewing cylinder adjacent to the loaded brewing cylinder or removable from it.

A unit for the preparation of beverages by brewing a dose of a product to be brewed, including at least one brewing chamber provided with a receptacle for the dose and with an injection circuit for injecting water into the receptacle, the brewing chamber being topped by a movable tray provided with an orifice adapted to be selectively placed opposite a mouth of the receptacle of the brewing chamber, so as to open or close the brewing chamber depending on the position of the orifice, the brewing chamber comprising a sealing element configured to ensure a sealed contact between a peripheral area of the mouth of the brewing chamber and a lower face of the tray.

A system for making beverages comprising a brewing unit (2) and a capsule (4) containing a powdered food substance (5), the capsule (4) comprising an outer casing (6) and a recognition element (11) placed inside the outer casing (6), wherein the brewing unit (2) comprises a first piercing unit (17), a lighting device (26) associated with the first piercing unit (17) for lighting the recognition element (11), a detecting device (13) configured to detect a return light radiation from the recognition element (11), and supplying means for supplying hot water inside the capsule (4) inserted in the infusion chamber (3), wherein, moreover, the hot water supplying means are configured to supply the hot water inside the capsule (4) at a reading surface (12) of the recognition element (11) towards which the lighting device (26) and the detecting device (13) are directed in order to execute a cleaning step for cleaning the recognition element (11) if the capsule is not recognised.