Nestec S.a.

Societe Des Produits Nestle S.a.

Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc.

Stefan Etter

Peter Möri

Alexandre Kollep

Renzo Moser

Thomas Hodel

Gilles Gavillet

Peter Preisig

Robin Schwab

Christian Jarisch

Urs Gaudenz

Alexandre Perentes

Martin Ziegler

Guido Piai

Michael Meier

Rudolf Schenk

Leo Bühler

Peter Moeri

Christophe Boussemart

Blaise Rithener

Hans Jaeger

Markus Lang

Zbynek Struzka

Steve Aemisegger

Thomas Gasser

Sandro Zingg

Christophe S Boussemart

M Christophe S Boussemart

A beverage production module includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump, and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump. The controller is adapted to operate the pump at a normal operation voltage (U) and to operate the pump over a predefined time (T,T) at a reduced voltage level (U, U). A method operates the pump of a beverage production module.

Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module

The invention concerns a unit for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller with a start-up profile for starting-up the device from a temperature of inactivity to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature a fluid circulating through said device at start-up end, the controller being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through the device at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature and derive a temperature difference therefrom. The start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that the controller has a self-learning mode for adjusting the parameter as a function of the temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of the device. The invention concerns in particular a method for optimized heating up of a coffee machine.

Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device

A combination of a flow meter and printed circuit board or flex-print for a liquid food or a beverage preparation machine, which board or flex-print is rigidly connected to the flow meter. This combination is used in a liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes an in-line heating device in which machine liquid is circulated through the heating device and then guided into a brewing chamber that includes a capsule or pod housing for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into the brewing chamber.

Heating device with an integrated thermoblock for a beverage preparation machine

A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.

A beverage production module includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump, and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump. The controller is adapted to operate the pump at a normal operation voltage (U) and to operate the pump over a predefined time (T,T) at a reduced voltage level (U, U).

Beverage production module and method for operating a beverage production module with reduced voltage

Centrifugal brewing machine () for preparing a beverage comprising: a rotating brewing unit () configured for receiving a liquid and beverage ingredients, a collector () disposed around the brewing unit () for collecting the brewed liquid projected outwardly as result of the centrifugation forces obtained from the rotation of the brewing unit, wherein a thin annular liquid projection gap () is provided between at least one outlet wall () of the rotating brewing unit comprising at least one outlet () and the collector ().

Centrifugal brewing machine with flow collecting assembly

The invention concerns a unit () for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device () e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller () with a start-up profile for starting-up said device () from a temperature of inactivity (TI) to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature (TT) a fluid circulating through said device () at start-up end, said controller () being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through said device () at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature (SOT) of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature (TT) and derive a temperature difference therefrom. It is characterized in that the start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that said controller () has a self-learning mode for adjusting said parameter as a function of said temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of said device (). The invention concerns in particular a method for optimized heating up of a coffee machine ().

Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device E.G. for coffee machine

Device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle () by driving the receptacle in centrifugation comprising: &#x2014;a holding part () arranged for holding the receptacle in a position enabling it to be driven in rotation along a longitudinal axis of rotation (I), &#x2014;a liquid interfacing part () arranged for supplying water in the receptacle and/or extracting the beverage from the receptacle, &#x2014;a collecting part () for collecting the beverage obtained by the interaction between the ingredient and water in the receptacle, wherein the holding part and liquid interfacing part () are connected together by connection means in such a manner that these parts () rotate together with the receptacle during centrifugation, wherein the connection means comprise at least a first engaging surface () of the holding part () and a second engaging surface () of the liquid interfacing part () engaged in contact together during connection in a manner preventing the holding part () and the liquid interfacing part () from moving away from each other, at least in the axial direction of rotation (I), and the connection means further comprising at least one mass of inertia () arranged to be moveably connected to at least one of the parts () with at least one degree of freedom in a least one radial direction for enabling the engagement forces to increase between the two engaging surfaces as a result of the increase of the centrifugal forces.

Device for preparing a beverage by centrifugation

A device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle by driving the receptacle in centrifugation is disclosed, along with methods for using same.

Beverage collector () for collecting a centrifuged brewed liquid coming from a rotating brewing unit (); said collector comprising: &#x2014;a collecting track () forming an annular cavity and, &#x2014;at least one outlet () extending radially in the collecting track () for allowing the brewed liquid received in the collecting track to evacuate out of the collecting track, wherein said collecting track comprises at least one ramp surface () lowering in the annular direction (O) towards the outlet ().

Beverage collector for collecting centrifuged liquid and centrifugal beverage machine using such collector

Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule containing a beverage ingredient, comprising: a brewing unit that receives the capsule in a cavity defined by first and second engaging members that enclose the capsule and press it at a flange-like rim in a liquid seal-tight manner. At least one of the first and second engaging members comprises a substantially annular pressing portion for applying a sealing pressure on the flange-like rim of the capsule, the first and second engaging members being configured in relative closure at the nip to leak to a liquid injected in the cavity when a capsule is not present. One of at least the first or second engaging members comprises, at its annular pressing portion, at least one passage arranged for controlling liquid leakage only within a limited angular radial direction when the first and second engaging members are closed at the nip.

Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule

The invention aims to provide a device and a method for retrieving efficiently a capsule from a receptacle of a beverage production apparatus. In particular, the device allows retrieving a used capsule in safe conditions and without waiting time. The beverage production apparatus comprises a receptacle () with a cover () for receiving a capsule () containing beverage ingredient. The device comprises capsule extracting and guiding means consisting of a clamp () having members (&#x2033;) arranged on each lateral side of the cover () of the receptacle. The capsule () is provided with a rim () around its upper edge which is directed upwards when the capsule is inserted in the receptacle (). At opening of the cover of the receptacle, the clamp () is activated in such a way to position its members under the rim () of the capsule which is lifted thanks to a spring () at the bottom of the capsule.

Device and method for retrieving a capsule from a beverage production apparatus

A liquid food of beverage preparation machine that includes an electric supply circuit connectable to an electric power source; a heater powered by the electric supply circuit; and a thermal fuse device in thermal communication with the heater and associated with the electric supply circuit, the fuse device being arranged to interrupt the electric supply circuit from the power source when the heater exceeds a temperature limit. The thermal fuse device is reversible and includes a switch for automatically interrupting the electric supply circuit when the heater exceeds the temperature limit, the switch being operable by a user to close the electric supply circuit when the heater has a temperature that has returned below the temperature limit.

An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.

Integrated heater for a beverage preparation device

A flowmeter () comprises: an outermost casing () containing a measuring chamber (); an outermost face () on the casing; a generator () for generating at the outermost face a signal representative of a flow through the measuring chamber; and a connection arrangement () for fastening the outermost casing against a PCB () which extends over and beyond the outermost casing and contains a sensor () that is located at the outermost face and that is configured to sense the signal from the generator upon connection. The connection arrangement is configured for connection against the PCB, which connection between the PCB and the casing is distinct from the sensor.

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Kehrsatz, Switzerland

Stefan Etter