Beverage preparation machine with flexible drop stop

Abstract

A machine for dispensing a beverage () includes a beverage processing module () that has an outlet (). The module () further has a first part () and a second part () that can be relatively moved between: a transfer configuration for introducing a beverage ingredient () between the first and second parts () and/or removing the ingredient from therebetween; and a processing configuration for forming said beverage () from said ingredient () between the first and second parts (). The machine also includes:—a liquid driver () for driving a liquid along a liquid line () from a liquid source () via the processing module () to the outlet ();—a drop collector () having a beverage guide () and a motor () for moving the guide () relatively to the outlet () into either a dispensing position for dispensing beverage () from the outlet () into a dispensing area () or a collecting position for dispensing residual beverage (') from the outlet () into a service area ();—a control unit () for controlling the liquid driver () and the motor (); and a user-interface (′) for providing user-instructions to the control unit (). The module () comprises a module actuator () for driving the first and second parts () from the transfer configuration to the processing configuration and vice-versa, the actuator () being independent of the motor (). The control unit () is arranged to activate the liquid driver () and the motor () upon receiving a user-instruction from the user-interface () independently of a presence or an absence of a receptacle () in the dispensing area ().