Wik Far East Ltd.

Societe Des Produits Nestle S.a.

Nestec S.a.

Markus Steckhan

Dietmar Becker

Nicolas Louis Robert Martz

A machine () for preparing food or beverage products is provided. Said machine () is adapted for injecting a fluid under pressure in an ingredient capsule inserted therein. Said machine () comprises a fluid reservoir (), a fluid system, a fluid heating element, and a controller for managing at least one preparation parameter, and further comprises a selector for allowing a user to manually select at least one food or beverage preparation parameter. Said selector comprises a sliding element () comprising at least two independent switch actuators (), and a contact panel () comprising at least two selector switches () linked to the machine controller, such that each of said selector switches () is actuated or unactuated by the presence or the absence of the corresponding switch actuator () for each given position of said sliding element (), and such that the simultaneous state of actuation of said switches () is interpreted by said controller as a bitmap code for setting at least one corresponding preparation parameter.

Simplified control panel for a food preparation machine

A brewing unitfor a coffee machine comprises a brewing cylinderand a pistonwherein the brewing cylinderand the pistonare movable relative to one another in the axial direction. An activatable sealor seal assembly is provided to seal the pistonagainst the inner wallof the brewing cylinderThe sealis activated by an axial movement of pistonwith respect to the brewing cylinderUnder compression when activated, to form a seal between pistonand brewing cylinder inner walland which sealor seal assembly. When not activated, the sealis either not at all, only under low compression contact with the element.

Brewing unit for a coffee machine

A coffee grinder with a coffee bean containerdivided into at least two compartmentswith a bottom-side output shaftcommon to both compartmentsThe coffee bean container has a grinding milldisposed beneath the output shaftand a closure elementfor the optional closing of the outputof the compartment(s)The closure elementforms with the grinding milla concrete unit and the coffee bean containeris disposed rotatably relative to the unit formed of the closure elementand the grinding millSuch a coffee bean containercould also be used on an automatic coffee maker with a coffee grinder.

Coffee grinder with coffee bean container

A coffee bean container for an automatic coffee maker comprising a receptacle ( ) for storing coffee beans, with an output shaft ( ) via which coffee beans in the receptacle ( ) can be supplied to a grinding mill. The coffee bean container has a coupling ring ( ) disposed coaxially to the output shaft ( ) for connecting the coffee bean container ( ) to an automatic coffee maker. The coffee bean container ( ) has a closure unit ( ) for closing the output shaft ( ) which has at least one closure element ( ). The at least one closure element ( ) is supported about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the output shaft ( ) and pivotable between an open and a closed position. The closure unit ( ) includes a mechanical drive which mechanically couples the closure element(s) ( ) to a rotational movement of the receptacle ( ) which moves the closure element(s) to the open position or closed position.

Growing community of inventors

Mulheim, Germany

Markus Steckhan