Beverage preparation machines
First Claim
1. A beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, the machine comprising:
- a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine;
a variable geometry valve, said valve being a ball valve having a rotating valve element rotatable within a chamber between preset positions, said valve being located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine, the valve being configured to prepare beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position; and
a controller for automatically selecting an initial position of the rotating valve element and automatically controlling the subsequent position of the rotating valve element during the beverage preparation cycle according to the pressure requirements of the beverage preparation cycle for the type of beverage determined by the cartridge recognition device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packaged containers of beverage ingredients comprises a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine and a variable geometry valve located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine. The valve enables preparation of beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position, and a controller for selecting an initial valve position and controlling the subsequent operation of the valve according to the determination of the type of beverage to be prepared by the cartridge recognition device.
40 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, the machine comprising:
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a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine; a variable geometry valve, said valve being a ball valve having a rotating valve element rotatable within a chamber between preset positions, said valve being located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine, the valve being configured to prepare beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position; and a controller for automatically selecting an initial position of the rotating valve element and automatically controlling the subsequent position of the rotating valve element during the beverage preparation cycle according to the pressure requirements of the beverage preparation cycle for the type of beverage determined by the cartridge recognition device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification