Systems and methods for preparing edible products using non-contact interaction

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for preparing an edible product, such as an espresso, based on a portion (7) of an edible substance, such as coffee in a capsule. The system includes a device (1) comprising a container placement arrangement (2) adapted to place a container (10, 10') for collecting the edible product, a housing (3) of the device, and an access arrangement (4) providing selective access to at least one of the portions of the container placement arrangement (2) and an access channel (8), wherein the cycle of beverage preparation can be performed by means of detecting at least one type of touchless input gesture in the proximal periphery of the device (1), preferably in the proximal periphery of the access arrangement (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing edible products, and in particular to apparatus for preparing aromatic beverages by extracting the corresponding edible substances, the apparatus including a beverage dispensing device into a drinking container, particularly dispensing in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technologies have proposed several solutions for beverage discharge in beverage preparation machines. Particularly in the case of aromatic beverages such as espresso, beverage discharge is a relevant process that has a potential impact on the quality of the beverage obtained from the drinking container. Indeed, particularly in the case of espresso, the main characteristics of the discharge stream determine several aspects, such as the production of creamer and its retention within the cup, as well as the temperature changes caused by air exposure during discharge to the cup.

[0003] Document DE2009048233A1 discloses a system of the present invention type in which a portion of edible material is provided to a collection space by raising a lid-like arrangement including a beverage dispensing device. This solution presents structural complexity and ergonomic constraints. Furthermore, the lid-like arrangement does not provide selective access to the beverage dispensing device.

[0004] Document WO2014 / 086915A1 discloses a similar system in which there appears to be an opening for introducing a portion of the edible substance and a beverage outlet provided at a similar height. However, this document does not disclose a compact and ergonomic arrangement of the components.

[0005] Document WO2017 / 200409A1, also registered by the authors of this application, discloses a system for preparing aromatic beverages with an enhanced beverage emission arrangement, and also has an advantageous arrangement of the device.

[0006] Furthermore, systems are generally known in which actuation of access arrangements, such as those for inserting capsules containing edible substances, requires a completely free hand for this purpose. Therefore, if the user's hands are essentially occupied, it is difficult for the user to operate a device of the type of invention. For example, in a situation where she is holding a drinking container in one hand and a mobile communication device in the other.

[0007] Therefore, a solution is needed that provides better ergonomic actuation of access arrangements in this type of equipment, particularly selective access to the passageways used for introducing edible substances, and, if so, support for the placement of drinking containers. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing edible products (e.g., espresso-type) based on a portion of an edible substance (e.g., coffee in a capsule or pod) using a device and container, wherein the container can be placed on a container placement arrangement of the device such that the container is operatively associated with a discharge port of the edible product, the device being adapted to provide actuation of at least the access arrangement via a reliable actuation interface requiring a specific type of input gesture, and thus requiring no contact between the user and the device during the cycle of preparing the edible product.

[0009] In particular, the above objective is achieved by a method in which, after a touchless input gesture made by a user in the vicinity of the device, particularly in the input space created by the input device, is detected by an input device associated with the device, at least one step of the preparation cycle of the edible product can be triggered, including actuating the movement of at least one component of the device, so that the preparation cycle of the edible product can be performed without the user touching the device.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the input gesture includes at least one of the following: a non-contact free hand gesture, a non-contact gesture of holding a container, a gesture of placing a container on a corresponding container placement arrangement, a gesture of manipulating a container on the container placement arrangement, a gesture of placing a portion of an edible substance, and a gesture of manipulating a portion of an edible substance near a portion of the access channel.

[0011] The method according to the invention can be executed by a manipulation system comprising:

[0012] - An apparatus comprising: a product preparation device adapted to receive multiple portions of the edible substance and fluidly connected upstream of a product discharge port; optionally, the housing and access arrangement of the apparatus are adapted to be movable, for example by electromechanical actuation, and thereby providing access to at least one of: a container placement arrangement, optionally multiple portions of an access channel; and control and input devices operatively associated with the access arrangement.

[0013] - At least one type of drinking container adapted to be operably placed on a container placement arrangement.

[0014] The method also includes the step of providing the device in an operational state.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a system adapted to perform methods of the type of the present invention, particularly a system for performing a preparation cycle of an edible product without requiring more than two, preferably more than one, initial input gestures and without requiring the user to touch the device.

[0016] Specifically, according to the first aspect, this objective is achieved by a system comprising a device having an access arrangement that provides selective access to at least the container placement arrangement, particularly enabling selective coverage of at least one of the following: based on the capture of touchless input gestures made near the device, particularly based on the capture of the access arrangement, the container placement configuration and the product discharge port and entry channel associated with the container placement configuration, enabling the execution of an edible product preparation cycle without requiring user touch of the device.

[0017] According to another aspect, the device has an input device adapted to capture and distinguish at least one of preferred different types of input gestures, including at least one of the following: a gesture of a free hand without touch, a gesture of holding a container without touch, a gesture of placing a container on a corresponding container placement arrangement, and a gesture of manipulating a container on the container placement arrangement.

[0018] According to another aspect, the device has an input device adapted to capture and distinguish different types of objects in the vicinity of the device and / or placed in the corresponding operating device of the device, particularly different types of edible substances and containers, preferably including the relative positions of the markings of these objects with respect to a reference.

[0019] The input device can be adapted to capture at least one of the following: optical interaction, electromagnetic interaction, including interaction via infrared light, magnetic interaction, and mechanical force interaction preferably less than or equal to the weight of the interacting object, occurring in at least one of the following: a three-dimensional input space in the vicinity of the device, and an input surface in the housing of the device.

[0020] Within the scope of this invention, the term "input space" is understood to be a space extending from the outside to the device and at most 0.5 m, preferably at most 0.3 m, from the device's housing, including at least a portion of the orthogonal projection of the area defined or restricted by the input device, or at least a portion of the surrounding space as seen from the input device.

[0021] The device may have a control unit adapted to control the beverage preparation cycle based on and according to input data captured by the input unit in the corresponding proximal surroundings and associated with objects not part of the device. The input data includes data related to the position of the drinking container and data related to the position of a portion of edible material associated with a component of the device.

[0022] The device may have a container placement arrangement adapted to provide support for placing at least one type of drinking container for collecting the edible product, particularly in a manner operable such that the arrangement can be held on the container placement arrangement and the edible product can be discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0023] The device can provide an outlet for edible products associated with the container arrangement outlet, and is adapted to inject the edible product, such as a beverage, in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0024] The device may have a container placement arrangement and a portion of an access channel, at least substantially on the same outer surface of the device, extending along a single plane, preferably on the top outer surface of the device. Preferably, when the top of the device has only the container placement arrangement and the access channel for a portion of the edible material, this provides an access arrangement that allows both to be selectively covered relative to the exterior of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will now be explained in more detail based on preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0026] These figures are shown in simplified schematic diagrams:

[0027] Figure 1 Side view (on the left-hand side) and front view of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages in a system of the type of the present invention, according to the prior art;

[0028] Figure 2 According to the diagram of the prior art drinking container (1), the drinking container (1) is operably placed on a container placement arrangement (2), which is operably associated with the device (3) in a fluid connection manner.

[0029] Figure 3 : A diagram illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 : A front view and a top view (on the right side) of a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention, wherein the access arrangement (4) is in a closed state (I) and there is no touch input gesture;

[0031] Figure 5 :according to Figure 4 A top view illustrating other preferred embodiments of touchless input gestures;

[0032] Figure 6 Corresponding to Figure 4 A diagram of the view, in which access arrangement (4) is in the open position (II);

[0033] Figure 7 : A diagram illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 Corresponding to Figure 4 A diagram of the view, in which the access arrangement (4) is in the closed position (I);

[0035] Figure 9 Corresponding to Figure 8 The view shows the access arrangement (4) in the inserted part open position, moving toward the open position (II);

[0036] Figure 10 Corresponding to Figure 8 A diagram of the view, in which access arrangement (4) is in the open position (II);

[0037] Figure 11 : A side view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, showing two different moments of actuation of the access arrangement (4) of the device (1);

[0038] Figure 12 The access arrangement (4) of device (1) at two other actuation times, according to Figure 11 Side view;

[0039] Figure 13 : A diagram illustrating another embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 14 :according to Figure 13 Further illustrations of the implementation methods;

[0041] Figure 15 : Front view and top view (on the right side) of another embodiment of the system according to the present invention, and the access arrangement (41, 42) is in the closed state;

[0042] Figure 16 :according to Figure 15 A top view of two successive actuation moments of the implementation method;

[0043] Figure 17 : A diagram illustrating another embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0044] Figure 18 :according to Figure 15 The view is shown, and a portion of the channel configuration (41, 42) is in the open state;

[0045] Figure 19 :according to Figure 15 A top view of two successive actuation moments of the implementation method;

[0046] Figure 20 : A diagram illustrating another embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0047] Figure 21 Side view and front view (on the right-hand side) of another preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the access arrangement (4) is in the closed position (I);

[0048] Figure 22 Side view and front view (on the right side) of another preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the access arrangement (4) is in the open position (II). Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This refers to a system of the first type according to the present invention.

[0050] Figure 1 The figures show a side view (on the left-hand side) and a front view of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages in a system of the type according to the invention, the system comprising drinking containers (10, 10') operably placed on a container placement arrangement (2) of the apparatus (1), while Figure 2 A functional diagram showing the emission of edible products (BD) in a system of the type of invention.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the device (1) has a product preparation device (5), which is located inside the device housing (3) of the device (1) and includes two parts, at least one of which is movable between a closed position and an open position, such that the product preparation device (5) can collect a portion (7) of an edible substance as a beverage precursor, which is contained, for example, inside a capsule and introduced through a portion of an inlet channel (8).

[0052] Furthermore, the device (1) may include a fluid container (not shown), a fluid pressurization device, and a fluid heating device (not shown), thereby enabling the supply of a fluid (FS) at a temperature between 60°C and 100°C and a pressure between 1 bar and 20 bar for interaction with the edible substance. The device (1) also includes a control device (6) adapted to control each beverage preparation cycle. Those skilled in the art are familiar with these devices, and therefore they are not presented or described in greater detail herein.

[0053] The beverage outlet (BD) is directed from the outlet of the product preparation device (5) to a container placement arrangement (2) including a product discharge port (21), such that the beverage outlet into the drinking container (10, 10') unfolds through its base (11).

[0054] In this type of system, the drinking container (10, 10') has a flow regulating device (13) arranged on the base (11) of the drinking container (10, 10') and adapted to allow flow into the drinking container (10, 10') only when the flow pressure is greater than the previously defined flow pressure.

[0055] Figure 3 This describes an embodiment of the method according to the invention, which further includes... Figures 4 to 6 The diagram shows this.

[0056] As shown in the figure, the device (1) has a housing (3) and an access arrangement (4) that provides selective access to the container placement configuration (2) and the product discharge port (21) to prevent the possibility of dust and other residues accumulating due to exposure to ambient air at a given use location of the device (1).

[0057] Access arrangement (4) can be in the closed position, for example, by means of a mechanical actuation device. Figure 4 ) and opening position (II) ( Figure 6 Actuated during rotational movement between the two, in the open position, providing access to portions of the container placement arrangement (2), the product discharge port (21), and the inlet channel (8), the portion of which introduces a portion (7) of edible substance, not shown here.

[0058] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted to provide selective access to at least the product discharge port (21) and the container placement arrangement (2), wherein, when the access arrangement (4) is in the closed position (I), the access arrangement (4) can completely restrict the space defined by the container placement arrangement (2) and the product discharge port (21) relative to the outside of the equipment (1).

[0059] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted to provide and restrict selective access to a portion of the access channel (8) relative to the outside, the portion of the access channel (8) being adapted to introduce a portion (7) of edible material and arranged on a plane and level similar to or different from the plane of the arrangement of the container placement arrangement (2).

[0060] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted, in particular, to be operatively associated with the housing (3) of the device, so that it can be moved between:

[0061] - Closed position (I), in the closed position (I), at least one of the following is defined relative to the outside of the device (1): the container placement arrangement (2) including the product discharge port (21) at least when the container (10, 10') is not placed on the container placement arrangement (2), and multiple portions of the inlet channel (8), and

[0062] - At least one open position (II) in which access to at least one of the following is provided: a container placement arrangement (2) for placing a container (10, 10') on the container placement arrangement, particularly operably placed relative to multiple portions of the product discharge port (21) and the inlet channel (8) for supplying a portion (7) of edible substance to the product preparation device (5).

[0063] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted to provide selective access to the container placement arrangement (2) (including the product discharge port (21)) and to multiple portions of the access channel (8), wherein the actuation mechanisms of the first access component and the second access component (41, 42) are preferably at least one of the following: similar and common.

[0064] The access arrangement (4) may have a first access component and a second access component (41, 42), wherein the first access component (41) restricts and provides access to at least the container placement arrangement (2) including the product discharge port (21), and the second access component (42) provides selective access to the access channel (8).

[0065] The first access component and the second access component (41, 42) can be adapted such that an opening of at least one of them is provided only when indicated by the operation opening of the other, for example, an opening of the portion of the second access component (42) to the access channel (8) is provided only when the container (10, 10') is operably placed on the container placement arrangement (2).

[0066] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) may be configured to be actuated manually and / or non-manually in at least one movement between a closed position (I) and an open position (II), wherein the access arrangement (4; 41, 42) may preferably be held in the closed position (I) in a removable manner.

[0067] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted to be actuated in a non-manual manner between its closed position (I) and open position (II), and vice versa, wherein the actuation corresponds to at least one of the following: rotational and translational movement of at least one component of the access arrangement (4; 41, 42), wherein the movement of the at least one component is performed in at least one of the following: different planes and at least a plane substantially parallel to said plane, the portion of the container placement arrangement (2) and the access channel (8) extending along said plane, and wherein the movement further corresponds to at least one of the following: movement of a single access component (4); movement of a first access component (41) and at least a second access component (42), preferably in a coordinated manner with each other; hinged movement of a plurality of access components, for example, in a diaphragm arrangement.

[0068] The container placement arrangement (2) can be adapted to be actuated in a non-manual manner between a closed position (I) and an open position (II), thereby enabling the container (10) to be placed on the placement surface of the container placement arrangement (2) and vice versa, thereby holding the container (10) on the placement surface.

[0069] Access arrangements (4; 41, 42) are provided with a cover, hood or similar object, door, window or similar object in a general shape, such as a planar type, and as a single component or multiple components.

[0070] Access layout (4) is adapted to at least one of the following:

[0071] - The upper part does not extend completely; when in the closed position (I), it preferably extends completely and is laterally surrounded by the housing (3) of the device.

[0072] - When in the closed position (I), it extends fully above the housing (3) of the device;

[0073] - Extends over at least most of the device (1), preferably the entire top region of the device (1).

[0074] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) may not have any chambers, protrusions or openings.

[0075] Access arrangement (4) can be set in at least one of the following: the top area and the front area of ​​the housing (3) of the device.

[0076] The access arrangement (4; 41, 42) can be adapted such that, when at least one part of the access arrangement (4; 41, 42) is in the closed position (I), at least one of the portions of the externally defined container placement arrangement (2) and the access channel (8) is provided, and when at least one part of the access arrangement (4; 41, 42) is in the open position (II), at least one of the placement of the drinking container (10, 10') on the container placement arrangement (2) and the introduction of a portion (7) of edible substance through the access channel (8) is provided.

[0077] The device (1) can be configured such that a beverage, such as an aromatic beverage, can be prepared based on a portion (7) of an edible substance, for example, in a capsule.

[0078] The device (1) may have: a product preparation device (5) disposed downstream of the flow connection of the flow pressurization device; and a portion of a corresponding inlet channel (8) adapted to introduce an edible substance portion (7) to supply the edible substance portion (7) to the product preparation device (5).

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the device (1) further comprises an input device (9) operably associated with the access arrangement (4) and adapted to capture non-contact input generated in the proximal surroundings of the access arrangement (4), particularly in the three-dimensional input space (E) associated with the input device (9). The non-contact input may be a gesture of a free hand, or a gesture of a hand holding a container (10), particularly a gesture toward the access arrangement (4) towards the container (10), and optionally further, an presence during a previously defined time period in the vicinity of the access arrangement (4).

[0080] The input device (9) may be configured as a plurality of elements oriented outward and extending to maximize the surrounding geometric space, particularly in the front and top regions of the device (1), and arranged in a visible manner, wherein preferably they are configured such that they are invisible to or imperceptible to the user.

[0081] In the method according to the invention, the user makes a gesture, such as a free hand, or holds the container (10) near the access arrangement (4), thereby generating an input that can be captured by the input device (9), such as an infrared type input. This input triggers an actuation of the opening movement of the access arrangement (4), thereby providing access to the container placement configuration (2) and the portion of the access channel (8). The user places the container (10) and introduces a portion (7) of the edible substance, thereby generating a corresponding input. Based on these inputs, the control device (6) automatically triggers the initiation of fluid circulation, thereby discharging the product into the container (10). The user then removes the container (10), after which the access arrangement (4) can automatically move back to the closed position (I).

[0082] Different types of free-hand gestures can be defined without touching the access arrangement (4), for example Figure 4 and Figure 5 The input device (9) can be adapted to capture and distinguish at least two different gestures.

[0083] Figure 7 This represents another embodiment of the method according to the invention, which further includes... Figures 8 to 10 The diagram shows this.

[0084] A user makes a gesture in the input space (E) associated with the input device (91) to approach the container (10) from the access arrangement (41), such that the presence of the container is detected, for example, by detecting specific characteristics (including shape, size, code, or magnetic or reflective material) associated with the container (10), and triggers its opening movement. The input space (E) extends at least in the top and front regions, preferably in an extension up to 50 cm, preferably up to 30 cm, above at least one front portion of the access arrangement (4).

[0085] As shown in the figure, the access arrangement (4) occupies a first intermediate position between the closed position (I) and the open position (II) (see figure). Figure 9 For example, corresponding to the half-open position, only access to the product discharge port (21) is provided, but not to the portion of the entry channel (8). When the product discharge port (21) is open, the user places the container (10) in the operating state, thereby generating an input that triggers a continued opening movement in order to provide access to the portion of the entry channel (8).

[0086] The user introduces a portion (7) of the edible substance, thereby generating an input. This portion (7) can advantageously be detected in the access path to the product preparation apparatus (5). Furthermore, specific characteristics, such as codes, of the portion (7) of the edible substance can be detected to define product preparation parameters, such as at least one of fluid circulation temperature and pressure.

[0087] Figure 11 and Figure 12 The term indicates a continuous moment in the cycle of preparing a product in the device (1), wherein the access arrangement (4) has access components (41, 42) which can be individually actuated by rotational movement about an axis, thereby providing access to the receiving placement arrangement (2) and the product discharge port (21) in the case of the first access component (41), and providing access to a portion of the entry channel (8) in the case of the second access component (42).

[0088] Each of the access components (41, 42) can provide a corresponding input device (91, 92), and a corresponding input space (E, E') is associated with the corresponding input device (91, 92), whereby the first input device can be adapted to detect the proximity of the container (10), including by detecting the proximity of the container (10) and / or specific characteristics associated with the container (10), and the second input device is used to detect the proximity of the edible portion (7), including by detecting the proximity of the edible portion (7) and / or specific characteristics associated with the container (10). The input spaces (E, E') can be actuated at different times and in different time periods; for example, the second input space (E') can only be actuated after the container (10) is detected to be in an operational state and only if the container (10) is detected to be in an operational state.

[0089] exist Figure 13 and Figure 14 The document presents implementation methods for the corresponding cycles of product preparation, in which... Figure 15 and Figure 16 A view representing consecutive moments.

[0090] Preferably, when actuation of only one of the access components (41, 42) requires input gesture, actuation of the second access component requires verification of a previously defined condition associated with the first access component (41).

[0091] A user can approach the container (10) of the first access component (41) to generate an input, which is captured by the input device (9) and triggers the actuation of the first access component to an open position to provide access to the container placement arrangement (2).

[0092] Preferably, when the container (10) is provided with, for example, a magnetic device, it is adapted to generate non-contact interaction around the proximal side of the input device (9).

[0093] The user then places the container (10) on the container placement arrangement (2), wherein the presence of the container (10) on the container placement arrangement (2) automatically triggers the actuation of the second access member (42) to release a portion of the inlet channel (8). The presence of the portion (7) of edible substance captured in the inlet channel (8) and / or its presence in the product preparation device (5) automatically triggers the reverse closing movement of the second access member (42). Furthermore, the control device (6) may be adapted such that the preparation and discharge process of the edible product stream can automatically begin once the closing movement of the second access member (42) ends.

[0094] This provides a favorable interaction with the device (1), which requires minimal input gestures and operations from the user.

[0095] In particular, users do not need to press any buttons or actuate any levers.

[0096] Figure 17 and Figure 18 Alternative embodiments of the system and method according to the present invention are indicated.

[0097] The input device (91, 92) may be adapted to, for example, an optical, magnetic or infrared detection device to capture gestures and objects, such as a portion of an edible substance (7) and / or a container (10, 10'), when in the vicinity of the device (1), thereby capturing at least one of the following: characteristics of the trajectory described by the gesture and the object, the relative distance to the input device (9); and the duration of the object's presence in the input space (E, E').

[0098] Furthermore, a third input device (93) and a fourth input device (94) are provided, the third input device being adapted to allow the capture of a portion of the edible substance (7) to interact with at least one of the following: multiple portions of the entry channel (8) and the product preparation device (5), and the fourth input device being adapted to capture the placement of the container (10).

[0099] The user can begin by interacting with the second access component (42), which allows a portion of the edible substance (7) to be introduced.

[0100] The end of the closing movement of the first access component (41) can automatically trigger the opening movement of the second access component (42) so that the container (10) can be placed in the container placement arrangement (2).

[0101] The detection of the container (10) can trigger movement of the engagement portion of the container placement arrangement (2), specifically from the first position to the holding position of the container (10). The control device (6) can then trigger the start of the preparation process and discharge the edible product into the container (10). After this is completed, the engagement portion of the container placement arrangement (2) can be automatically triggered to move from the holding position of the container (10) to the release position.

[0102] After a previously defined period of time in which no input gesture associated with at least one of the access components (41, 42) is detected, the closing movement of the second access component (42) may be automatically triggered.

[0103] The counting of that time period can be interrupted when a gesture is input, such as when a part of the edible substance is approached from the first access component (41) or when the container (10) is placed on the container placement arrangement (2).

[0104] Figure 19 and Figure 20 This represents another embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which the user does not have to touch any actuation device of the device (1), wherein the usual use of gestures provides input for preparing and discharging edible products.

[0105] A gesture from the second access component (42) approaching the container (10) can be captured by a corresponding input device (92), thereby generating an input for actuating the automatic opening of the second access component (42). A gesture of placing the container in the container placement arrangement (2), preferably including a specific posture, such as rotation of the container (10), can also generate an input for initiating a preparation cycle of the edible product flow.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the container (10) can rotate between a first placement position and a second placement position, wherein at least one of the rotation direction and rotation extension can generate a corresponding input.

[0107] like Figure 20 As shown, the device (1) may include an input device (9) adapted to detect the placement of the container (10) when the container (10) is placed in a first placement position in the container placement arrangement (2), preferably also detecting the type of the container (10, 10') and thereby automatically initiating movement so that the container (10) evolves to the holding position.

[0108] The input device (9) associated with the container placement arrangement (2) can further capture at least one of the following: data associated with the container (10, 10'), for example in the form of code, and discharge edible products based on the input thus captured.

[0109] These steps can be repeated in reverse order, so that the entire process can proceed automatically after the initial placement of the container (10) until the removal of the container (10) from the container placement arrangement (2) is detected.

[0110] Figure 21 and Figure 22 This refers to a system of the second type according to the present invention.

[0111] In this configuration, the device (1) has access arrangements (4; 41, 42) movable between a closed position (I) and an open position (II), as well as container placement arrangements (2) and access channels (8) disposed on various portions of the front of the device (1). Optionally, the access arrangements (4; 41, 42) may have only the first access component and the second access component (41, 42).

[0112] Furthermore, in this case, the product discharge port (21) is positioned above the container (10, 10') in a location where it can be operably placed, thereby enabling the collection of edible products.

[0113] Preferably, in such Figure 21 When shown in the closed position (II), the access arrangement (4) together with the housing (3) of the device is at least approximately constructed into a regular geometry, such as a cube, thereby providing a housing without protrusions or chambers.

Claims

1. A method for partially preparing a consumable product comprising a beverage, based on a consumable substance, said method comprising a preparation cycle of a consumable product, said preparation cycle comprising the following steps: - manually or automatically supplying a portion of consumable substance to a product preparation device through a plurality of portions of an access channel, and - manually or automatically placing a container on a container placement arrangement, so that a consumable product can be collected from a product discharge outlet; wherein said preparation cycle of a consumable product further comprises at least two of the following steps: - initiating a movement of at least one component of an access arrangement to an open position; - initiating a movement of at least one component of an access arrangement to a closed position; - initiating the supply of a portion of consumable substance to a product preparation device; - initiating said cycle of a fluid for preparing a consumable product until said portion of consumable substance is reached; wherein at least one of said initiating steps can be triggered by a touchless input gesture performed in an input space extending around a proximal side of the device, so that said preparation cycle of a consumable product does not mandatorily require a touch gesture by a user on any component of said device, characterized in that said touchless input gesture triggers the following steps: - an opening movement of at least one portion of said access arrangement, thereby providing access to at least one of the following: said container placement arrangement and a portion of an access channel; - an opening movement of said product preparation device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said initiating steps and the remaining steps of the preparation cycle of a consumable product can be triggered automatically: - after and depending on at least one of the following: - capturing at least one of the following: a dimensional property, a material property, a delivery property, a spatial manipulation property and an event associated with at least one of the following: said portion of consumable substance and said container, including with respect to said input space, - counting a previously defined time period, with or without capturing any property, dimension or event, until the end of the counting of said time period, so that said preparation cycle of a consumable product does not mandatorily require more than two input gestures by a user without touching said device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said initiating steps of the preparation cycle of a consumable product can be triggered by the following steps: - performing an input gesture around a proximal side of said device; - capturing said input gesture by at least one portion of an input device; - generating an input based on the captured input gesture and providing said input, in operable connection with a control device, so that after said input device has generated an input and depending on the input generated by said input device, a corresponding step of said preparation cycle of a consumable product by said device is triggered.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said input gesture comprises at least one of the following types of touchless gestures: - a gesture of a free hand in a proximal side of at least one portion of a housing of said device; - a gesture of approaching at least one of the following from the proximal surroundings of the device: a portion of edible substance and a container, at least during a previously defined time period; - a gesture of handling a portion in the vicinity of a portion of the access channel, the gesture having a previously defined orientation with respect to the portion; - a gesture of placing a portion of edible substance in the vicinity, enabling passage through a portion of the access channel; - a gesture of placing a container on the container placement arrangement; - a gesture of handling the container in the vicinity of the container placement arrangement of the device, with a portion thereof having a previously defined orientation with respect to the container placement arrangement of the device.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input gesture comprises at least one of the following types of touchless gesture: - a gesture of a free hand in the proximal surroundings of at least a portion of the access arrangement; - a gesture of approaching at least one of the following from the proximal surroundings of at least a portion of the access arrangement: a portion of edible substance and a container, at least during a previously defined time period; - a gesture of handling a portion in the vicinity of a portion of the access channel, the gesture having a previously defined orientation with respect to the portion; - a gesture of placing a portion of edible substance in the vicinity, enabling passage through a portion of the access channel; - a gesture of placing a container on the container placement arrangement; - a gesture of handling the container in the vicinity of the container placement arrangement of the device, with a portion thereof having a previously defined orientation with respect to the container placement arrangement of the device.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touchless input gesture comprises at least one of the following: - a gesture along at least one of a single direction and a single plane; - a gesture along at least one of: at least one of a first direction and a second direction, and at least one of a first plane and a second plane, a previously defined and performed in a previous region of at least one of a proximal top region and a proximal front region of the device, and at least within a field of view of the input device.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touchless input gesture triggers at least one of the following steps: - the device transitions from a standby state to an operational readiness state; - automatic verification of a preparation of a fluid for preparing an edible product and an operational state of an operational device of the device; wherein at least two of the above steps are automatic.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preparation cycle of an edible product further comprises at least one of the following steps: - the input device captures an input gesture of a hand holding a portion of edible substance generated by the input device in a first input space, wherein the first input space is adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portion of edible substance; - the input device captures an input gesture of a hand holding the container generated by the input device in a second input space, wherein the second input space is adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the container.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, said preparation cycle of the consumable product further comprises at least one of the following steps: - placing a container in said container placing arrangement; - detecting the presence of a container in said container placing arrangement; - capturing characteristics associated with said container including at least one of the following: characteristic dimensions and code markings; - maintaining movement in order to maintain said container in said container placing arrangement; - manipulating said container in order to progress from a first placement position to a second placement position in said container placing arrangement by a rotational movement; - confirming that said container is maintained in said container placing arrangement; - detecting the supply of a portion of consumable substance to said product preparation device in at least one of the following: passage through a portion of said access channel, upstream and downstream of said product preparation device; - detecting the presence of a portion of consumable substance in at least one of the following: in the vicinity of a portion of said access channel, inside said product preparation device; - capturing data associated with said portion of consumable substance and supplying corresponding data to a control device; wherein at least one of the preceding steps is followed automatically by at least one of the following: - automatically selecting preparation parameters of the consumable product based on the captured data; - shutting down movement of at least one portion of said access arrangement; - starting a fluid cycle to prepare a consumable product and discharging the consumable product to said container.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, said opening movement of said access arrangement associated with a portion of said access channel is initiated after at least one of the following events: - detecting the presence of a container in a container placing arrangement; - confirming that said container is in a maintained position on said container placing arrangement.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the input trigger associated with each of the components of said access arrangement comprises a step of opening movement, said opening movement being driven non-manually by electromechanical means associated with the respective access component, autonomously from another access component.

12. A system for preparing a consumable product including a beverage based on a fluid cycle of a portion of consumable substance, said system comprising: - an apparatus having a container placing arrangement, a housing of said apparatus, a portion of access channel, a control device, an input device, said container placing arrangement being adapted to provide operable placement of at least one type of container enabling reception of a consumable product from a product discharge outlet, said product discharge outlet being arranged so that said consumable product can be discharged in a direction opposite to gravity, said portion of access channel being adapted so that said portion of consumable substance can be supplied to a product preparation device, said product preparation device being arranged in flow connection upstream of said product discharge outlet, said control device being adapted to enable control of at least said fluid cycle, wherein said device has at least one access arrangement adapted to enable movement so as to provide access to at least one of: a portion of the access channel and the product discharge outlet, and said device is adapted to enable at least the following operations to be performed: - driving the access arrangement and the container placement arrangement, - initiating the supply of a portion of the edible substance to the product preparation device through a portion of the access channel, - initiating the circulation of the fluid and the discharge of the edible product into the container, wherein all operations in the preparation cycle of the edible product can be performed on the basis of the capture of touchless input gestures made in an input space extending around the proximal side of the access arrangement of the device, characterized in that said touchless input gestures trigger the following operations: - an opening movement of at least a portion of the access arrangement, thereby providing access to at least one of: the container placement arrangement and a portion of the access channel; - an opening movement of the product preparation device.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that said device is adapted so that at least a component of the access arrangement, and at least one of the container placement arrangement and the control device, can be actuated at most by at least one of the following, at least in one of the top and front regions of the device, in an orthogonal projection of the access arrangement: - up to two different types of free-hand input gestures without touching the device, and - up to four different types of input gestures associated with at least one of a portion of the edible substance and a container, without contact with the device.

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said input device is adapted to enable at least one of the two types of touchless input gestures comprising gestures by a free hand and gestures by a hand holding an object, and said input device is provided as at least one of: - a sensor, including a video camera, a transmitting-receiving optoelectronic device, for movement detection at least in the respective input space, - a sensor for image capture at least in the respective input space, including in the visible or infrared range, wherein said input device is further provided in operable connection with said control device.

15. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said input device is adapted to enable at least two different types of touchless input gestures to be distinguished, said at least two different types of touchless input gestures being performed by a hand around the proximal side of the respective input space, said at least two different types of touchless input gestures comprising at least one type of gesture from a list, said at least one type of gesture comprising gestures having a spatial path in a single plane and at least in a first and second plane, in a first configuration and a second configuration along a single direction, along at least a first and second direction.

16. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The input means are adapted so as to enable distinguishing at least two positions of at least one of: - the container in at least one of two different positions on the container placement arrangement, and - a portion of the consumable substance in at least one of two different positions relative to the portion of the access channel.

17. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, wherein, The input means are adapted so as to enable generating an input triggering actuation of a non-manual movement of the container placement arrangement in case of capturing at least one gesture of: - proximity of a container at least in a proximal perimeter of the access arrangement, and - placement of a container on the container placement arrangement in a previously defined position of at least a portion of the container.

18. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least one portion of the input means is associated with at least one external input position of the housing of the device, is oriented in a direction in line of sight along at least one portion of the proximal perimeter, and is adapted so as to enable capturing remotely interacting, either individually or jointly.

19. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least one portion of the input means is associated with a plurality of external input positions of the housing of the device, is oriented in a direction in line of sight along at least one portion of the proximal perimeter, and is adapted so as to enable capturing remotely interacting, either individually or jointly, comprising at least one of: presence, presence duration, trajectory, relative distance in at least one portion of the proximal perimeter.

20. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least one portion of the input means is associated with a plurality of external input positions of the housing of the device, is oriented in a direction in line of sight along at least one portion of the proximal perimeter, and is adapted so as to enable capturing remotely interacting, either individually or jointly, comprising at least one of: presence, presence duration, trajectory, relative distance in a corresponding input space.

21. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least one portion of the input means is associated with a plurality of external input positions of the housing of the device, is oriented in a direction in line of sight along at least one portion of the proximal perimeter, and is adapted so as to enable capturing remotely interacting, either individually or jointly, comprising at least one of: presence, presence duration, trajectory, relative distance in a corresponding input space associated with at least one of a top region and a front region of the device.

22. The system of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least one portion of the input means is associated with a plurality of external input positions of the housing of the device, is oriented in a direction in line of sight along at least one portion of the proximal perimeter, and is adapted so as to enable capturing remotely interacting, either individually or jointly, comprising at least one of: presence, presence duration, trajectory, relative distance in a corresponding input space associated with the access arrangement.

23. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, the input means are adapted to enable the differentiation of at least one of: a part of an edible substance and the approach and placement of a container relative to the access arrangement, and further adapted to enable the generation of an input relative to at least one of: a respective first initial position and a second position, and the input means are adapted to enable the automatic detection of at least one of: - the approach of a container relative to the access arrangement and / or the container placement arrangement; - the placement of a container on the container placement arrangement.

24. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, the input means are operatively associable with at least one of: - a container placement arrangement adapted to enable movement from an initial position, - an access arrangement adapted to enable movement from a closed position; - a part of the housing of the device, the part being in the same plane as a part of at least one of: a container placement arrangement and an access arrangement; - control means adapted to control the operation of the device, including based on the capture of a code associated with the part of an edible substance.

25. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, the input means are adapted to enable the capture of an input gesture associated with at least one of: an optical interaction, an electromagnetic interaction, a magnetic interaction, a capacitive type interaction, occurring in at least one of: a proximal perimeter and a housing associated with the device.

26. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, the input means are adapted to enable the capture of an input gesture associated with at least one of: an image capture, an electromagnetic interaction through infrared, a magnetic interaction, a capacitive type interaction by means of a touch with a force not greater than the weight of a finger, occurring in at least one of: an input space associated with the access arrangement and an input surface of the housing.

27. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least a part of the container placement arrangement is adapted to enable movement in a non-manual manner by electromechanical means, including at least one of: - at least from a respective closed position to an open position, and vice versa, - from an initial placement position of a container to a holding position of a container, and vice versa, wherein at least one of the movements is triggered by and as a function of an input captured by the input means.

28. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, at least a part of the access arrangement is adapted to enable movement in a non-manual manner by electromechanical means, including at least one of: - from a closed position to an open position, - from an open position to a closed position, wherein at least one of the movements is triggered by and as a function of an input captured by the input means.

29. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The device is adapted such that at least a part of the access arrangement can be further automatically actuated based on at least one of: - detecting the presence of an object on the device; - counting a previously defined time period in the absence of capturing an input.

30. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The device is adapted such that at least a part of the access arrangement and the container placement arrangement can be further automatically actuated based on at least one of: - detecting the presence of the container on the container placement arrangement; - counting a previously defined time period in the absence of capturing an input.

31. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, At least one of the container placement arrangement and the access arrangement is present with an actuation means adapted such that an input captured by the input means only triggers actuation of an opening movement from a closed position and such that actuation of a closing movement from an open position can be triggered by at least one of: - a previously defined operational event of the device comprising detecting the presence of at least one of: a part of an edible substance and a container in the device in an operational state, or other indication of a respective operational state, - an automatic counting of a previously defined time period following a previously defined operational event of the device.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein, The actuation means are adapted such that actuation of a closing movement from an open position can be triggered by an automatic counting of a time period in the absence of the input means capturing other input. The device is adapted such that at least a part of the access arrangement can be further automatically actuated based on at least one of: - detecting the presence of an object on the device; - counting a previously defined time period in the absence of capturing an input.

30. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The device is adapted such that at least a part of the access arrangement and the container placement arrangement can be further automatically actuated based on at least one of: - detecting the presence of the container on the container placement arrangement; - counting a previously defined time period in the absence of capturing an input.

31. The system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, At least one of the container placement arrangement and the access arrangement is present with an actuation means adapted such that an input captured by the input means only triggers actuation of an opening movement from a closed position and such that actuation of a closing movement from an open position can be triggered by at least one of: - a previously defined operational event of the device comprising detecting the presence of at least one of: a part of an edible substance and a container in the device in an operational state, or other indication of a respective operational state, - an automatic counting of a previously defined time period following a previously defined operational event of the device. The actuation means are adapted such that actuation of a closing movement from an open position can be triggered by an automatic counting of a time period in the absence of the input means capturing other input.

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