Beverage machine with actuated water supply valve

Abstract

To provide beverage preparation machines which use liquid in the preparation of a beverage.SOLUTION: The machine for preparing a beverage has a beverage processing unit. The beverage processing unit is movable toward proximate configuration in which a flavouring ingredient is held and mixed with water in the chamber during beverage preparation. The machine includes: a water guide for guiding the water between a water source and the chamber; a valve arrangement 50 for controlling a flow of the water along the water guide; an actuator for actuating the valve arrangement to control the water flow along the water guide; and a support structure having a base that is stationary during beverage preparation and that supports at least the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is rotatably mounted to the support structure and driven in rotation by the actuator to control the water flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The field of the invention relates to beverage preparation machines that use a liquid to prepare a beverage. The liquid is typically water or aqueous. The machine may be configured to prepare a beverage by passing the liquid through ingredients of the beverage to be prepared, such as at least one of coffee, tea, cocoa, milk, sugar, and / or soup ingredients. The ingredients may be provided in capsules within the machine. For example, the liquid is mixed with ingredients contained within a capsule by centrifuging the capsule while the liquid passes through it.

[0002] For the purposes of this specification, "beverage" is intended to include any liquid substance that can be consumed by humans, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc. "Capsule" is intended to include any container, such as a package for containing pre-portioned beverage ingredients, such as flavor ingredients, said package forming an enclosure of any material, in particular airtight or permeable material, porous or non-porous material (e.g., plastic, aluminum, recyclable and / or biodegradable packaging), and of any shape and configuration, including a soft pod or a rigid cartridge containing the ingredient. [Background technology]

[0003] Some beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or dissolved and / or ingredients that are stored in the machine and automatically dispensed or added when the beverage is prepared. Some beverage machines have filling means which include a pump for a liquid, usually water, which pumps cold water or indeed a liquid heated by heating means, for example a thermoblock, from a water source.

[0004] For example, International Publication Nos. 2009 / 074553, 2010 / 003932, 2010 / 015427, 2010 / 037806, 2011 / 144720, 2012 / 055765, 2012 / 093107, 2012 / 126971, 2013 / 037781, 2013 / 037782, and 2014 / 037783. Various external machine configurations have been proposed for handling the machine, such as those disclosed in Patent Applications 013 / 037783, 2013 / 127906, 2015 / 140091, 2016 / 083484, 2016 / 156364, 2016 / 156372, 2017 / 037215, and 2018 / 219985.

[0005] In particular, in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted into a brewing device that closes around the capsule, injects water, produces a beverage in the closed volume of the capsule, and ejects the brewed beverage from a second face of the capsule for collection in a container such as a cup or glass.

[0006] Thermal management in such systems is known from EP 2393404(A1), WO 2010 / 089329, and WO 2014 / 090850. It is also known to cut off or reduce the power supply to a thermal regulator of a beverage machine when it is not in the process of delivering a beverage to reduce the machine's power consumption, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2011 / 020779 and WO 2012 / 007260, or to stop or reduce the thermal conditioning of beverage ingredients in the preparation of a beverage, as disclosed, for example, in EP 19181432.6. It is possible to bypass the thermal regulator and process non-thermally conditioned water for the desired beverage preparation, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2018 / 158179. It is also known to drive water through such systems using, for example, pumps, as disclosed in, for example, WO 2004 / 014205, WO 2006 / 005425, WO 2009 / 024500, WO 2009 / 150030, WO 2010 / 108700, WO 2011 / 107574, and WO 2018 / 001750.

[0007] The preparation of beverages using centrifugal processes is known. This method involves providing a capsule containing beverage (flavor) ingredients, such as powder and / or tea leaves, and rotating the capsule at a speed sufficient to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredients while passing a liquid through the capsule and creating a pressure gradient within the capsule. This pressure gradually increases from the center to the periphery of the capsule. As the liquid passes through the ingredients, such as a coffee layer, extraction of the ingredients, such as a coffee mixture, occurs, resulting in a liquid extract that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2013 / 007781, WO 2015 / 173123, WO 2017 / 202746, and WO 2017 / 046294. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient, such beverage then typically being dispensed for a user, for example into a user's cup or a user's mug.

[0009] The machine is configured to prepare a beverage from a flavoring ingredient, such as, for example, coffee or tea or chocolate or cocoa or milk or soup, by mixing the flavoring ingredient with water, for example by centrifugally driving the flavoring ingredient together with water.

[0010] For example, the machine incorporates features disclosed in WO 2008 / 148604, WO 2009 / 106598, WO 2014 / 096122, WO 2010 / 026053, or WO 2014 / 096123.

[0011] Beverage preparation typically involves mixing multiple beverage ingredients, such as water and dairy powder, and / or infusing beverage ingredients, such as infusing ground coffee or tea with water. A predetermined amount of beverage is generated and dispensed based on a user request, for example, corresponding to a serving. Such a serving size may be in the range of 15-1000 mL, such as 25-600 mL (e.g., 40-250 mL), depending on the type of beverage, for example, the amount required to fill a cup or mug. The generated and dispensed beverage may be selected from cold and hot beverages, such as ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, caffè latte, Americano coffee, tea, cold-brewed tea or coffee, or hot / hot-brewed tea or coffee. For example, the coffee machine may be configured to dispense an adjustable amount of coffee, e.g., 20-60 mL per serving, and / or a lungo, e.g., in the range of 70-200 mL per serving, and / or an americano, e.g., in the range of 150-750 mL.

[0012] The machine includes a beverage processing unit formed from first and second processing unit members defining a chamber and movable between a remote configuration in which flavor ingredients are received in the chamber and a proximate configuration in which the flavor ingredients are held in the chamber and mixed with water during beverage preparation. For example, the flavor ingredients may be provided in a capsule, e.g., having a capsule flange, within the chamber.

[0013] Typically, the chamber is provided with or associated with an inlet and / or outlet mechanism. Examples of inlet mechanisms are disclosed in WO 2010 / 063644. Examples of outlet mechanisms are disclosed in WO 2009 / 106175, WO 2012 / 100836, WO 2013 / 020939, and WO 2017 / 068134.

[0014] Beverage processing units, typically centrifugal ones, may incorporate features disclosed in EP 2 000 062, EP 2 155 020, EP 2 152 128, WO 2008 / 148646, WO 2009 / 106175, WO 2010 / 026045, WO 2010 / 063644, WO 2010 / 066705 and WO 2010 / 066736.

[0015] The beverage processing unit (when ingredient capsules are used) may be fitted with a device for opening the capsules, for example as disclosed in WO 2008 / 148656, WO 2010 / 026045 and WO 2010 / 066736.

[0016] The beverage processing unit parts may be secured together in their adjacent positions by corresponding arrangements, for example as disclosed in WO 2012 / 007293 and WO 2014 / 102048.

[0017] The capsule may have a body containing the ingredients and a circumferentially protruding flange. The capsule may be of the type described above under the heading "Technical Field." The capsule may be a capsule having a container body (e.g., a generally cup-shaped, hemispherical, or semi-ellipsoidal body) with a flange, to which a cover lid is attached, in particular a sealed cover. Typically, the capsule contains a beverage ingredient.

[0018] The capsule may have a symmetrical or asymmetrical, conical or frustoconical, pyramidal or frustopyramidal, cylindrical or prismatic, spherical, hemispherical or truncated spherical, dome or truncated dome shaped, or any of the above or other bodies containing the ingredients.

[0019] The capsules (when the machine is intended to be operated with capsules, including capsules of different sizes) may incorporate features disclosed in WO 2008 / 148650, WO 2008 / 148834 and WO 2011 / 023711.

[0020] For example, an automatic capsule recognition system, which is a mechanism configured to read an identification device, such as a code, e.g., a barcode, e.g., a rotary readable barcode, on the capsule, may be used to automatically parameterize and adjust the processing of the flavor ingredients contained in said capsules, such as the extraction flow profile (e.g., speed and / or pressure) and / or extraction temperature, according to the type of ingredient. Examples of such techniques and related features are disclosed in WO 2011 / 141532, WO 2011 / 141535, WO 2012 / 010470, WO 2013 / 072239, WO 2013 / 072297, WO 2013 / 072326, WO 2013 / 072351, and WO 2015 / 044400.

[0021] The machine has a water supply source, such as a connector for connection to a water supply line external to the machine for delivering water to the beverage processing unit, and / or a water supply tank having an external opening for filling with water from such a water source external to the machine.

[0022] The machine may have a control device, e.g. a control unit comprising a controller and / or processor, configured to control the delivery of water to the processing unit. Other functions may be controlled by the control device, e.g. an automatic ingredient detection and / or sensing and / or capsule recognition system, water availability at the water source, etc.

[0023] The control device may be associated with a selection mechanism, such as a user interface and / or a selection mechanism including a flavor ingredient sensor and / or a capsule recognition system, for selecting one of several available beverage preparation modes. Examples of user interfaces are disclosed in WO 2015 / 096998.

[0024] The selection mechanism may be configured to start and / or stop beverage preparation, and / or to select a particular volume of a plurality of selectable available volumes of water to be supplied to the chamber of the beverage processing unit to prepare a correspondingly obtained particular volume of beverage, and / or, if the machine is configured accordingly, to select the centrifugal speed profile of the chamber during beverage preparation.

[0025] The machine includes a water guide for conducting water between the water source and the chamber, which may not have a water pump or may comprise a water pump, such as a piston or diaphragm type pump, such as a gear type or peristaltic or solenoid type pump.

[0026] The machine has a valve mechanism for controlling, for example by blocking or allowing, the flow of water along the water guide, an actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as a motor, for example an electric motor, for operating the valve mechanism to control the flow of water along the water guide, and a support structure, such as a frame, which is stationary during beverage preparation and has a base that supports at least the valve mechanism.

[0027] The water guide and valve mechanism fluidly connects the water source with the beverage processing unit and is configured to control the flow of water from the water source to the chamber.

[0028] If present, the water supply tank may have an elastic valve having a biased gate that is opened by actuation by a part of the base, for example forming the tank seat, and / or by actuation by the fluid connector of the water guide, and / or a mechanism for mechanical and / or magnetic reversible assembly by the user with the base, for example forming the tank seat.

[0029] The first processing unit member may define a water inlet to the chamber, or may define a beverage outlet to the chamber, or may define both such an inlet and an outlet. The inlet may form an end of the water guide. The inlet and / or outlet may be formed by and / or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements for piercing the capsule as described above.

[0030] The valve mechanism is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the support structure and is rotationally driven at a rotational speed by an actuator to control the flow of water along the water guide, for example, a hollow shaft motor or a solid shaft motor that surrounds a portion of the valve mechanism.

[0031] For example, the valve mechanism may be configured to block the flow of water along the water guide when not rotated and to allow the flow of water along the water guide when rotated. The valve mechanism may be configured to block the flow of water along the water guide when the rotational speed is below a threshold speed and to allow the flow of water along the water guide when the rotational speed is above the threshold speed.

[0032] The processing unit may be configured to be rotationally driven by an actuator, such as a separate or aforementioned motor, to mix the water with the flavor ingredients in the chamber, for example by centrifugation, e.g., the motor may be a hollow shaft motor or a solid shaft motor that surrounds a portion of the processing unit.

[0033] The valve mechanism may be rotationally fixed to the processing unit, or the processing unit may be driven by an actuator such that the processing unit and the valve mechanism have a fixed speed ratio (e.g., via a gear reducer). For example, the valve mechanism is fixed to the first processing unit member.

[0034] The valve mechanism and processing unit may be rotationally driven about parallel or collinear axes, or about intersecting or skewed axes.

[0035] The valve mechanism includes a rotational speed sensor connected to a valve gate configured to act on the water flow and / or the water guide to control the flow of water along the water guide.

[0036] The rotational speed sensor may be configured to move away from or towards the axis of rotation of the valve mechanism by rotating the valve mechanism.

[0037] The valve mechanism may incorporate an automatic return device, such as a return spring or return magnet, to automatically return or assist in returning the rotational speed sensor towards or away from the axis of rotation.

[0038] The gate may be fixed to or integrated with the rotational speed sensor or may be actuated by the rotational speed sensor.

[0039] The rotational speed sensor may form an inertial mass.

[0040] The rotational speed sensor may sense the direction of rotation.

[0041] The valve mechanism may include a valve support that is rotationally driven by an actuator such as another or the same motor, and at least one of the rotational speed sensor and the valve gate is movably mounted to the valve support, e.g., pivotally and / or linearly mounted to the valve support, e.g., pivotally mounted to a pivot shaft.

[0042] The water guide may have a flexible portion and, optionally, one or more rigid portions extending downstream and upstream from the flexible portion. The valve mechanism may include another or the above-mentioned gate forming a compression portion configured to compress the flexible portion to control the flow of water from the water source to the chamber. For example, the gate may form multiple compression portions, e.g., a pair of compression portions, with the flexible portion extending between the compression portions configured to compress the flexible portion therebetween.

[0043] The machine may include a fluid module including a water guide, a valve mechanism, and a first treatment unit member. The fluid module may further include a fluid connector to a water source. The fluid module may be assembled to the water source and the second treatment unit member as a unit and may be removable by a user from the water source and the second treatment unit member as a unit. The fluid module is attachable to and detachable from the water source and the second treatment unit member along a vertical assembly and removal direction, for example, along a downward assembly direction and an upward removal direction of the fluid module relative to the second treatment unit member, and / or along an upward assembly direction and a downward removal direction of the fluid module relative to the water source.

[0044] Assembled and removable "as a unit" means that all the different parts of the fluid module can be pre-assembled before assembly to the water source and second treatment unit, and that these different parts can remain assembled when separated as a whole from the water source and second treatment unit, thus avoiding serial handling of the different parts of the fluid module during assembly to and removal from the water source and second treatment unit.

[0045] One of the processing unit members may be provided with a cavity defining a chamber, and the first and second processing unit members in the remote configuration are configured for direct manual insertion and, optionally, removal of flavor ingredients, optionally in capsules, into the cavity. For example, the unit member provided with the cavity is configured so that it can be turned upward to insert the flavor ingredients into the cavity and can be turned downward (e.g., rotated upside down) to remove the flavor ingredients from the cavity, for example, with the aid of gravity. By implementing such a simple optional configuration, the machine does not need to incorporate an ingredient transfer mechanism for inserting and / or removing flavor ingredients into and / or from the cavity before and / or after beverage preparation.

[0046] However, the machine (when using raw material capsules) may have a capsule transfer device, for example as disclosed in WO 2012 / 041605, WO 2017 / 046294 and WO 2017 / 202746.

[0047] For example, a water source, such as a separate or aforementioned water supply tank, can be configured to contain a limited amount of water corresponding to the maximum amount needed for one serving. The machine can be configured to dispense all of the water contained in the water source to prepare one serving of beverage. The limited amount of water can be in the range of 200-1000 mL, such as 350-750 mL. The water source can include an indicator mechanism, such as a marking system on the water supply tank, to indicate different levels of water volume below the maximum amount corresponding to different types of beverages in one serving. By implementing such a single optional configuration, the machine does not need to incorporate an active control mechanism to manage the volume of water needed for one serving; it is sufficient for the user to provide only the amount of water needed for the desired serving, and water will be driven to the processing unit until the entire amount of water from the water source is used up.

[0048] The machine may be configured to prepare beverages without thermally conditioning the water delivered from the water source into the chamber, e.g., the machine does not include an operable thermal regulator or has a beverage preparation mode in which the thermal regulator is bypassed or not activated, or the machine thermally conditions the water delivered from the water source into the chamber, e.g., the machine has an operable thermal regulator such as a water heater and / or cooler.

[0049] It is also possible to provide the water source with thermally pre-conditioned water, for example to heat and / or cool the water before supplying it to the machine.

[0050] The machine may be configured to deliver the beverage at a temperature below 30°C, such as below 25°C, for example in the range 3-20°C, in the range 5-15°C, for example 7-10°C. The machine may deliver the beverage at room temperature.

[0051] The machine can be configured to deliver water from the water source into the chamber at an average rate per serving of beverage in the range of 10-300 mL / min, in the range of 20-100 mL / min, e.g., 40-80 mL / min. For example, the instantaneous rate of water delivery can be low, near or at zero at the beginning of beverage preparation, e.g., to pre-wet flavor ingredients, and higher towards the end of beverage preparation.

[0052] The beverage processing unit may be configured to rotate the chamber at a speed in the range of 500 to 10,000 RPM, such as 1,250 to 7,500 RPM, to centrifuge water and flavor ingredients, e.g., in capsules as described above, to prepare a beverage.

[0053] The invention also relates to the combination of a machine as described above with a flavour ingredient, for example a flavour ingredient contained in a capsule, for preparing a beverage from the flavour ingredient in the machine.

[0054] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage in the above machine by mixing water with a flavour ingredient, for example a flavour ingredient contained in a capsule.

[0055] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a flavour ingredient, for example a flavour ingredient contained in a capsule, for mixing with water in the above machine, for example by centrifugally driving the flavour ingredient together with the water.

[0056] Within the context of this disclosure, the fact that an operation can be performed by a user means that no special tools or special knowledge not available to an ordinary user are required to perform such an operation, and typically such an operation should not involve any destruction of any part of the machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] The invention will now be described with reference to schematic drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a machine according to the invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of some of the fluid lines of the machine of FIG. 1 having a beverage processing unit; [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1, in which the beverage processing unit comprises first and second members in a remote configuration; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 with the water supply disconnected. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 showing the water supply connections; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1 showing the assembly of the beverage processing unit; [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1 showing the assembly of the beverage processing unit, and is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1 showing the assembly of the beverage processing unit; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage processing unit of the machine of FIG. 1, with the first and second members in a remote configuration; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 shows the support structure of the machine of FIG. 1 with the assembly arrangement of the fluid lines. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view from above of the machine of FIG. 1; [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism in a fluid line of the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing unit of the machine of FIG. 1 during beverage preparation. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view from above of the valve mechanism blocking the flow of water, for example, for the machine of FIG. 1. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view from above of the valve mechanism allowing water flow, for example, for the machine of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] 1 to 16, in which like reference numbers generally indicate like parts, show an exemplary embodiment of a machine 1 and parts thereof according to the invention.

[0059] The machine 1 is configured to prepare a beverage 3 from flavouring ingredients 2, such as coffee or tea or chocolate or cocoa or milk or soup, by mixing the flavouring ingredients with water 4, for example by centrifugally driving the flavouring ingredients together with water 4.

[0060] The machine 1 comprises a beverage processing unit 10, 20 formed from a first processing unit member 10 and a second processing unit member 20, such as a substantially lid- or plug-shaped first member 10 and a cooperating substantially cup- or goblet-shaped second member 20, which define a chamber 21 and are movable between a remote configuration in which a flavor ingredient 2 is received in the chamber 21 and a proximate configuration in which the flavor ingredient 2 is held in the chamber 21 and mixed with water 4 during beverage preparation. The flavor ingredient 2 may be provided in the chamber 21 in a capsule 2′, for example having a capsule flange 2″.

[0061] The machine 1 has a water supply source, such as a connector for connection to a water supply line outside the machine 1 for delivering water 4 towards the beverage processing unit 10, 20, and / or a water supply tank 40 having an external opening 45 for filling with water from a water supply source outside the machine 1.

[0062] The machine 1 is provided with a water guide 30 for guiding water 4 between the water source and the chamber 21. The water guide 30 may not have a water pump or may comprise a water pump such as a piston or diaphragm pump, such as a gear, peristaltic or solenoid type pump.

[0063] The machine 1 may include a valve mechanism 50 for controlling, such as blocking or allowing, the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 .

[0064] The machine 1 may have an actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as an electric motor 60, for actuating the valve mechanism 50 to control the flow of water along the water guide 30. For example, the motor 60 may be a hollow shaft motor or a solid shaft motor that surrounds a portion of the valve mechanism.

[0065] The machine 1 may have a support structure 70, such as a frame, that is stationary during beverage preparation and has a base 72 that supports at least the valve mechanism 50.

[0066] The water supply tank 40, if present, may have an elastic valve having a biasing gate 42 that is opened by actuation by a portion of the base 72 (if present) and / or by actuation by the tank seat 72 and / or by actuation by the fluid connector 16 of the water guide portion 30, and / or a mechanism 44, 74 for mechanical and / or magnetic reversible assembly by the user with the base 72 and / or the tank seat 72.

[0067] The water guide 30 and valve mechanism 50 fluidly connect the water source with the beverage processing unit 10, 20 and may be configured to control the flow of water 4 from the water source to the chamber 21.

[0068] The first processing unit member 10 may define a water inlet 11 to the chamber 21, or may define a beverage outlet 12 out of the chamber 21, or may define both such an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, the inlet 11 forming an end of the water guiding portion 30, for example the inlet 11 and / or the outlet 12 being formed by and / or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements 11', 12' for piercing the capsule 2' described above.

[0069] The valve mechanism 50, if present, is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the support structure 70 and is rotationally driven by an actuator at a rotational speed to control the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30. The valve mechanism 50 may be configured to block the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 when not rotationally driven, and is configured to allow the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 when rotationally driven. The valve mechanism 50 may be configured to block the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 when its rotational speed is below a threshold speed, and is configured to allow the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed.

[0070] The processing units 10, 20 may be configured to be rotationally driven by an actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as another or a motor, such as the electric motor 60 described above, to mix the water 4 with the flavor ingredients 2 in the chamber 21, for example by centrifugation. For example, the motor 60 may be a hollow shaft motor or a solid shaft motor that surrounds a portion of the processing unit.

[0071] The valve mechanism 50 can be rotationally fixed to the processing unit 10, 20, or the processing unit 10, 20 can be driven by an actuator such that there is a fixed speed ratio between the processing unit 10, 20 and the valve mechanism 50. For example, the valve mechanism 50 is fixed to the first processing unit member 10.

[0072] The valve mechanism 50 and processing units 10, 20 may be rotationally driven about parallel or collinear axes 50' or about intersecting or skewed axes.

[0073] The valve mechanism 50 includes a rotational speed sensor 52 connected to a valve gate 51 configured to act on the water flow and / or the water guide 30 to control the flow of water along the water guide 30. The rotational speed sensor 52 can be configured to move away from or towards the rotational axis 50′ of the valve mechanism 50 by rotating the valve mechanism 50.

[0074] The valve mechanism 50 may include an automatic return device, such as a return spring 55 or a return magnet, to automatically return or assist the rotational speed sensor 52 toward or away from the rotational axis 50'.

[0075] The gate 51 may be fixed to or integrated with the rotation speed sensor 52 or may be actuated by the rotation speed sensor 52 .

[0076] The rotational speed sensor 52 may form an inertial mass.

[0077] The rotational speed sensor 52 may sense the direction of rotation.

[0078] The valve mechanism 50 may include a valve support 53 that is rotationally driven by an actuator, such as another or the above-mentioned motor 60, and at least one of the rotational speed sensor 52 and the valve gate 51 is movably mounted to the valve support 53, for example, pivotally and / or linearly mounted to the valve support 53, for example, pivotally mounted to a pivot shaft 54.

[0079] The water guide 30 may have a flexible portion 31 and, optionally, one or more rigid portions 32, such as rigid portions 32, extending downstream and upstream from the flexible portion 31. The valve mechanism 50, if present, may include another or the aforementioned gate 51, which forms compression portions, such as a plurality of compression portions 51, for example a pair of compression portions 51, configured to compress the flexible portion 31 to control the flow of water 4 from the water source into the chamber 21, with the flexible portion 31 extending between the compression portions 51 configured to squeeze the flexible portion 31 therebetween.

[0080] The water conducting portion 30 may extend from the water source to the beverage processing unit 10, 20 and may be configured such that substantially all of the water 4 delivered to the chamber 21 for preparing the beverage 3 is conducted by the water conducting portion 30.

[0081] The water source and water guide 30 may be thermally passive, for example, so as to deliver water 4 to the chamber 21 without being regulated by any active thermal regulator, such as any electric or combustion thermal regulator, of such a machine 1. For example, such a machine 1 does not include any active thermal regulator.

[0082] The water guiding portion 30, and optionally the water source, may be configured such that the water 4 is driven along the water guiding portion 30 into the chamber 21 solely by gravity and / or capillary forces and / or gas pressure and / or reduced pressure, for example gravity and / or capillary forces and / or gas pressure and / or reduced pressure. The water guiding portion 30, and optionally the water source, may not include any active liquid driver such as a pump, for example an electric or pneumatic pump.

[0083] The water guide 30 may extend upright, for example substantially vertically, from the treatment unit 10, 20 to a water source, such as to the lower part 41 of a water source, such as another or above-mentioned tank 40.

[0084] The beverage processing unit 10, 20 may be configured such that, during beverage preparation, the flavor ingredient-containing capsule 2′ (if present) and / or the chamber 21 containing the flavor ingredient 2 is depressurized at least adjacent the inlet 11 at the end of the water conducting portion 30 to draw water 4 from the water source through the water conducting portion 30 into the capsule 2′ (if present) and / or the chamber 21. For example, the processing unit 10, 20 is configured to cause such depressurization by altering, e.g. expanding, the volume of the capsule (if present) and / or the chamber and / or by centrifugally driving the capsule 2′ (if present) and / or the chamber 21, e.g. blocking the inlet 11 or collinear with or adjacent the inlet 11.

[0085] The water source may be configured to deliver water 4 under pressure to the water guide 30. For example, the water 4 may be delivered, for example, from the tank 40 mentioned above under the pressure of compressed gas, for example by connection to an air compressor and / or compressed gas reservoir, and / or under the pressure of the external water supply line mentioned above.

[0086] The machine 1 may include a fluid module 15 including a water guide 30 for guiding water 4 between a water source and the chamber 21, the fluid module 15 comprising a first treatment unit member 10 of the treatment units 10,20.

[0087] Such a fluid module 15 may be assemblable by a user as a unit to the water supply source and the second treatment unit member 20, and may be assemblable by a user as a unit from the water supply source and the second treatment unit member 20. The fluid module 15 may be assemblable to and detachable from the water supply source and the second treatment unit member 20 along a vertical assembling and detaching direction 71′, for example along a downward assembling direction and upward detaching direction of the fluid module 15 relative to the second treatment unit member 20, and / or along an upward assembling direction and downward detaching direction of the fluid module 15 relative to the water supply source.

[0088] Such fluid module 15 and second processing unit member 20 may be removably assembled by at least one of bayonet, screw-type, hook-type, magnetic-type, friction-type, and latch-type connections 25, 17.

[0089] Fluid modules 15, if present, may be mountable as a unit by a user to support structure 70 (if present) and may be removable as a unit by a user from such support structure. For example, a water supply may be mountable as a unit by a user to support structure 70, removable as a unit by a user from support structure 70, and / or plumbed by a user to another or aforementioned fluid connector 16 at the end of water directing portion 30, fluidly connecting the water supply to water directing portion 30 and separable from fluid connector 16 by a user.

[0090] The fluid module 15, together with the second processing unit member 20, can be configured to be rotationally driven by another or the aforementioned actuator, typically an electric actuator such as a (e.g., electric) motor 60, to mix the water 4 with the flavor ingredients 2 in the chamber 21 during beverage preparation, for example by centrifugation, and the water guide 30 has at its end another or the aforementioned fluid connector 16 that is fluidly coupled to a water source via a seal 43. For example, the water source is stationary during beverage preparation, and the seal is fixed at an angle to the water source and slidably attached to the rotating fluid connector 16, or fixed at an angle to the rotating fluid connector 16 and slidably attached to the water source, or slidably attached to the rotating fluid connector 16 and slidably attached to the water source.

[0091] The fluid module 15 may include another or the above-mentioned valve mechanism 50 for controlling, for example by blocking or allowing, the flow of water 4 along the water guide portion 30, the valve mechanism 50 being rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the water supply source and being rotationally driven at a rotational speed by an actuator to control the flow of water 4 along the water guide portion 30.

[0092] The beverage processing units 10, 20 may be user removable from the support structure 70 (if present) and user assemblable to the support structure 70. The processing units 10, 20 may be assemblable to and removable from the support structure 70 as a unit and / or may be assemblable to and removable from the support structure 70 along a vertical assembly and removal direction 71′, e.g. a downwards assembly direction and an upwards removal direction.

[0093] If present, the fluid module 15 may be user-assembleable to the water source and second treatment unit member 20 as a unit, and may be user-detachable from the water source and second treatment unit member 20 as a unit.

[0094] The fluid module 15 and the second processing unit member 20 may be mountable to and removable from the support structure 70 as a unit.

[0095] The water guide part 30 and the first processing unit member 10 may be integrally formed and / or inseparable by the user.

[0096] The support structure 70, if present, may include a connector 71, such as a loop-shaped, e.g. annular, connector, by which the beverage processing unit 10, 20 is removable by a user from the support structure 70 and can be assembled by a user to the support structure 70. Once assembled together, the connector 71 and the processing unit 10, 20 may be secured by at least one of pushing, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and / or elastic restraints or clamps, for example by a screw or bayonet assembly or by clamping ribs 26.

[0097] Such connector 71 may be rotatably mounted to base 72 via bearings, for example, sliding, magnetic, roller, and / or ball bearings 73, and connector 71 is driven by an actuator, typically an electric actuator, for example a motor, such as electric motor 60, via reducers 611, 612, 62, for example gears 611, 612 and / or belt mechanism 62, to rotate beverage processing unit 10, 20 and prepare beverage 4 by centrifugal processing. Connector 71 and beverage processing unit 10, 20 may be rotatable about another or the above-mentioned assembly and removal direction 71' of connector 71 and processing unit 10, 20.

[0098] The machine 1 may include a beverage collector 80 for collecting the beverage 3 from the beverage processing unit 10, 20 during beverage preparation. The beverage collector 80 may have at least one collection wall 81 that directs the beverage 3 from the collector 80, typically through a beverage dispensing opening 82, e.g. a nozzle, to a beverage dispensing area 90. The beverage dispensing area 90 may be located below the beverage collector 80. The dispensing area 90 may be configured to receive a user container 100, such as a cup or mug, in position to collect the beverage 3 from the collector 80.

[0099] The processing unit 10, 20 and / or such beverage collector may have a peripheral upright drain wall 13 extending at least partially around the chamber 21 for collecting the beverage 3 outside the chamber 21 and after it has left the chamber 21 via the or at least one outlet 12. The upright drain wall 13 may be spaced from the chamber outlet 12.

[0100] The first processing unit member 10 can define at least one chamber outlet 12. For example, such at least one chamber outlet 12 can be formed by a gap between the first processing unit member 10 and the second processing unit member 20 in a proximate configuration. For example, such at least one chamber outlet 12 can comprise an outlet forming a continuous passageway in a loop, e.g., a circle, extending along substantially all of the interface between the first processing unit member 10 and the second processing unit member 20, and / or a plurality of outlets 12 forming separate, spaced-apart passageways distributed along all of the interface between another or the above-mentioned first processing unit member 10 and the second processing unit member 20.

[0101] The above-mentioned beverage collection wall 81 may extend below the lower part of the drainage wall 13 and directly below the processing unit 10, 20 to collect the beverage 3 as it discharges from the drainage wall 13 and to direct the beverage 3 from the collection wall 81 out of the collector 80. The chamber outlet 12, if present, may be formed by and / or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements 12', separate or above, for piercing the capsule 2'.

[0102] The beverage collector 80 may have an outlet opening, e.g. a nozzle, or the above-mentioned beverage dispensing opening 82, at the bottom of the collection wall 81 to direct the beverage 3 from the collection wall 81 to the beverage dispensing area 90 via the outlet opening of the collector. For example, the outlet opening of the collector may be directly below the beverage processing unit 10, 20 and / or extend along the central axis of the chamber 21 and / or the drain wall 13 and / or the collection wall 81.

[0103] The peripheral upright drainage wall 13 may extend substantially downwardly in the shape of a prism, a cylinder, a pyramid, and a cone and at least one of their uprights.

[0104] The peripheral upstanding drainage wall 13 may form a closed loop around the chamber 21 or an open loop extending around the chamber 21 over an angle of at least 90 degrees, such as at least 180 degrees, for example at least 270 degrees.

[0105] The collection wall 81 may extend substantially shaped as a deep dish, for example substantially shaped as a cup or a dish or a bowl, and has a further or above mentioned beverage dispensing opening 82 below the processing unit 10, 20, for example a nozzle.

[0106] The collection wall 81 may form a plurality of beverage guiding channels 83, such as one or more channels 83 defined by upright protruding beverage guiding members 84, such as ribs, extending from another or the above-mentioned beverage dispensing opening 82 towards the peripheral upright drain wall 13.

[0107] The collector 80 may be reversibly assembled by a user directly or indirectly to the support structure 70 along a vertical assembly and removal direction 71', for example an upward assembly direction and a downward removal direction.

[0108] The collector 80 is attached to the support structure 70, e.g., to the base 72. a mechanical mechanism, such as at least one of a bayonet, screw-type, hook-type, magnetic, friction-type, and latch-type mechanism; and / or a magnetic mechanism 75, 85, such as a mechanism including one or more electric field generating elements 75 cooperating in mutual attraction for reversible assembly by a user with one or more electric field generating elements and / or one or more ferromagnetic elements 85, e.g., the magnetic field generating elements are selected from electromagnet and permanent magnet elements made of at least one of rare earth metals, e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, lanthanides, and alloys and oxides containing such metals, and polymers (e.g., plastics) carrying such elements and components, and / or the teachable element(s) 85 are selected from Co, Fe, Fe2O3, FeOFe2O3, NiOFe2O3, CuOFe2O3, MgOFe2O3, Nd2Fe 14 B, Mn, Bi, Ni, MnSb, MnOFe2O3, Y3Fe5O 12 , CrO2, MnAs, Gd, Dy, EuO, Cu2MnAl, Cu2MnIn, Cu2MnSn, Ni2MnAl, Ni2MnIn, Ni2MnSn, Ni2MnSb, Ni2MnGa, Co2MnAl, Co2MnSi, Co2MnGa, Co2MnGe, SmCo5, Sm2Co 17 , a magnetic mechanism 75, 85 made from at least one of Pd2MnAl, Pd2MnIn, Pd2MnSn, Pd2MnSb, Co2FeSi, Fe3Si, Fe2VAl, Mn2VGa, and Co2FeGe; It can be reversibly assembled by the user directly or indirectly.

[0109] For example, the support structure 70 (if present), and the collector 80 each comprise individual mechanisms of electric field generating elements cooperating with individual or sequential magnetic mechanisms of mutual attraction, e.g., sequential or individual mechanisms of ferromagnetic elements, for reversible assembly by a user with opposing loop mechanisms, e.g., circular mechanisms.

[0110] At least a portion of the collector 80 may be made of a transparent and / or translucent material so that the beverage 3 in the collector 80 can be seen by a user from outside the machine 1, for example, so that the beverage 3 can be seen by a user in daylight, for example, at an illumination level of more than 10, 100, or 1000 lux.

[0111] At least part of the drain wall 13 and / or at least part of the beverage processing unit 10, 20 may be made from a transparent and / or translucent material so that when located behind such material the beverage 3 or flavouring ingredient 2, or capsule 2' if present, is substantially visible to a user from outside such machine 1, for example visible to a user in daylight, for example visible to a user at an illuminance of more than 10, 100 or 1000 lux.

[0112] At least one of the drainage wall 13, the collection wall 81 and the guide channel 83 may be made of such a transparent and / or translucent material.

[0113] If the machine 1 is stationary during beverage preparation and has a separate or above-mentioned support structure 70, such as a frame, having a base 72, the processing units 10, 20 may be mounted on the support structure 70 so as to be rotatable about the processing unit axis 71'.

[0114] The machine 1 may have another or the above-mentioned actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as a motor, e.g., electric motor 60, supported by a support structure 70, having a drive output member 61, e.g., an output shaft, which rotates about an output axis 61′. The output member 61 may be coupled to the processing units 10, 20 for rotationally driving the processing units 10, 20 to centrifugally drive the flavor ingredients 2 together with the water 4 in the chamber 21.

[0115] The actuator output member 61 may be coupled to the processing unit 10, 20 by another or the above-mentioned reducers 611, 612, 62 so that the output axis 61' is offset relative to the processing unit axis 71', for example substantially parallel or tilted away at an angle of 60 to 120 degrees, for example an angle of 85 to 90 degrees.

[0116] The actuator may be located outside the outermost vertical boundary of the processing unit 10, 20. The output axis 61' and the processing unit axis 71' may be separated by a minimum distance of at least 4 cm, such as in the range of 5 to 25 cm, for example 6 to 15 cm.

[0117] The reducers 611, 612, 62 may include gears 611, 612, such as spur gears, a belt, such as a toothed belt 62, and optionally at least one of an idler wheel 612, a connecting rod, and a magnetic coupler.

[0118] The base 72 may have a main outer housing 72' in which the actuator is housed, and the beverage processing unit 10, 20 is located external to the main outer housing 72' such that the actuator is substantially shielded by the main outer housing 72' from the beverage processing unit 10, 20 and from the beverage 3 during beverage preparation. The reducers 611, 612, 62 may extend through reducer openings 72'', such as side openings such as windows in the main outer housing 72', to couple the processing units 10, 20 and the output member 61.

[0119] The main outer housing 72' may be substantially prismatic, cylindrical, conical, and / or pyramidal upright in shape.

[0120] The water supply and water guide 30 may be located outside the main outer housing 72 ′ so that the actuator is substantially shielded from the water 4 .

[0121] The base 72 may have a fixed support 72''' for the fluid line 34 adjacent the main outer housing 72' at the transmission opening 72''. Typically, the fluid line 34 extends from a water source, through the chamber 21, to the beverage dispensing opening 82a described above.

[0122] For example, the fluid line supports 72''' may be integral with or fixed to the main outer housing 72'. The fixed fluid line supports 72''' may be configured to mount the processing units 10, 20 to the base 72. The fixed fluid line supports 72''' may be configured to mount the water supply and water guide 30 to the base 72.

[0123] The base 72 may include a connector 71, such as a loop-shaped, e.g., an annular, connector, by which the beverage processing unit 10, 20 is attached to the base 72. For example, the processing unit 10, 20 may be user removable from the base 72 and user installable to the base 72. Once assembled together, the connector 71 and processing unit 10, 20 may be secured by at least one of a push-in, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and / or elastic restraint, or clamping, for example by a screw or bayonet assembly, or by clamping ribs 26.

[0124] The machine 1 may include one or more electrical devices 60 , 65 , 721 , such as at least one of an actuator 60 , a control device 65 , and a user interface 721 .

[0125] The machine 1 may have a connection 76, such as an electrical cord or connector, to a power source that extends from the exterior into the main outer housing 72′ and may be configured to power only those electrical devices 60, 65, 721 contained within the main outer housing 72′ and / or mounted to a panel of the main outer housing 72′, such as a user interface 721.

[0126] The machine 1 comprises a main outer housing 72', a fluid line support 72'', and a support base 72'' at the bottom of the main outer housing 72'. IVThe main outer housing 72' may comprise another or the above-mentioned support structure 70, such as a frame, having a base 72 comprising: a base 72', and a water supply source 30; a water supply source 31; a water supply source 32; a water supply source 33; a water supply source 34; a water supply source 35; a water supply source 36; a water supply source 37; a water supply source 38; a water supply source 39 ... IV can be configured to rest on an external substantially horizontal surface, such as a tabletop or shelf, during beverage preparation.

[0127] All electrical device(s) 60, 65, 721 of the machine 1, such as the device(s) 60, 65, 721 mentioned above, are housed within a main outer housing 72' and / or base 72. IV It may be contained within and / or provided on.

[0128] The beverage processing units 10, 20, the water supply and the water guide 30 are mounted externally to the main outer housing 72' and to the base 72. IV It may be located entirely outside of the

[0129] The water supply and water guide 30 may be located external to the main outer housing 72 ′ such that the electrical device(s) 60 , 65 , 721 are substantially shielded from the water 4 .

[0130] The machine 1 is mounted externally to the main outer housing 72' and to the base 72 IV The water directing portion 30 and the valve mechanism 50 may include a separate or above-mentioned valve mechanism 50 located entirely external to the beverage processing unit 10, 20. The water directing portion 30 and the valve mechanism 50 fluidly connect the water source with the beverage processing unit 10, 20 and may be configured to control, for example block or allow, the flow of water 4 from the water source to the chamber 21.

[0131] As mentioned above, the valve mechanism 50 may be directly or indirectly mounted to the support structure 70 and is rotationally driven at a rotational speed by an actuator to control the flow of water 4 along the water guide 30 .

[0132] base 72 IVmay be located in a position to collect the beverage 3 from the processing unit 10, 20 directly below the beverage dispensing area 90 configured to receive a user container 100, such as a cup or mug. IV The dispenser 90 defines and forms a placement surface for supporting such a user container 100 within such a dispensing area 90. When such a machine 1 does not contain the flavor ingredients 2 and water 4, the base 72 for the machine 1 IV may be in the range of 0.33 to 0.85, such as 0.5 to 0.66.

[0133] The main outer housing 72' includes a base 72 IV The fluid line supports 72''' may be located at an upper portion, such as the top, of the main outer housing 72' to attach the beverage processing unit 10, 20 to the base 72. IV , and when the support structure 70 is oriented to prepare the beverage 3, it is substantially L-shaped, C-shaped, or inverted G-shaped.

[0134] The main outer housing 72' may have a gripping surface 722, e.g., textured, ribbed, corrugated, undulating, lined, or flat, to facilitate manual gripping, and the base 72 may be configured to allow for grasping of the support structure 70 with one hand. IV and the fluid line support 72''', so that the support structure 70 having the processing units 10, 20 and water guide 30, and optionally a water source, can be carried and displaced with one hand by grasping the gripping surface 722.

[0135] The gripping surface 722 may extend over a height of at least 3 cm, such as at least 6 cm, for example in the range of 7-25 cm, for example in the range of 8-20 cm, for example in the range of 9-15 cm, and / or over a portion, for example at least 50%, for example at least 66%, such as in the range of 75-100%, of the horizontal circumference of the main outer housing 72′, such as having a periphery having a length in the range of 3-30 cm, for example in the range of 5-25 cm, 7-20 cm, 9-16 cm, for example in the range of 11-14 cm, etc. The gripping surface 722 may extend over such a portion of at least 75%, for example at least 85%, for example in the range of 90-100%, of another or said height of the gripping surface 722.

[0136] One of the processing unit members 10, 20 may be provided with a cavity defining a chamber 21, the first and second processing unit members 10, 20 in the remote configuration being configured for direct manual insertion into and, optionally, removal of a flavor ingredient 2, optionally in the above-mentioned capsule 2', from the cavity. The unit member 20 provided with the cavity may be configured so that it can be turned upwards for insertion of the flavor ingredient 2 into the cavity and downwards for removal of the flavor ingredient 2 out of the cavity, for example with the aid of gravity.

[0137] For example, a water source, such as another or the above-mentioned water supply tank 40, can be configured to contain a limited amount of water 4 corresponding to the maximum amount required for one serving. The machine 1 can be configured to dispense all of the water 4 contained in the water source to prepare one serving of beverage 3. The limited amount of water 4 can be in the range of 200-1000 mL, such as 350-750 mL. The water source can have an indicating mechanism, such as a marking system on the above-mentioned water supply tank 40, to indicate different levels of water volume below the maximum amount corresponding to different types of beverages in one serving.

[0138] The machine 1 may be configured to prepare the beverage 3 without thermally conditioning the water 4 delivered into the chamber 21 from the water source, for example the machine 1 does not include an operable thermal regulator or has a beverage preparation mode in which the thermal regulator is bypassed or not activated, or the machine thermally conditions the water delivered into the chamber from the water source, for example the machine has an operable thermal regulator such as a water heater and / or cooler.

[0139] The machine 1 may be configured to deliver the beverage 3 at a temperature below 30°C, such as below 25°C, for example in the range 3-20°C, such as in the range 5-15°C, for example 7-10°C.

[0140] The machine 1 may be configured to deliver water 4 from the water source into the chamber 21 at an average rate for a single serving of beverage in the range of 10-300 mL / min, such as in the range of 20-100 mL / min, for example 40-80 mL / min.

[0141] The beverage processing unit 10, 20 may be configured to rotate the chamber 21 at a speed in the range of 500 to 10,000 RPM, such as 1,250 to 7,500 RPM, to centrifuge the water 4 and the flavor ingredients 2, optionally in a capsule 2', to prepare the beverage 3.

[0142] The following are some embodiments of the present invention. Clause 1 A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) from a flavoring raw material (2), such as coffee or tea or chocolate or cocoa or milk or soup, by mixing said flavoring raw material (2) with water (4), for example by centrifugal driving said flavoring raw material (2) together with water (4), said machine (1) comprising: a beverage processing unit (10, 20) formed from a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20), the first processing unit member (10) and the second processing unit member (20) defining a chamber (21) and movable between a remote configuration in which the flavor ingredients (2) are received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavor ingredients (2) are held in the chamber (21) and mixed with the water (4) during beverage preparation, optionally the flavor ingredients (2) being supplied in the chamber (21) in a capsule (2'), for example having a capsule flange (2''); a water supply source, such as a water supply tank (40) having a connector for connection to a water supply line outside the machine (1) and / or an external opening (45) for filling with water from a water source outside the machine (1), for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21), the water guide (30) not having a water pump or comprising a water pump, for example a piston or diaphragm pump, e.g. a gear, peristaltic or solenoid type pump; a valve mechanism (50) for controlling the flow of the water (4) along the water guide portion (30) by blocking or allowing the flow; an actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as a motor, such as an electric motor (60), for operating the valve mechanism (50) to control the flow of water along the water guide (30); a support structure (70), such as a frame, that is stationary during beverage preparation and has a base (72) that supports at least the valve mechanism (50); the water guide (30) and the valve mechanism (50) fluidly connect the water source with the beverage processing unit (10, 20) and are configured to control the flow of the water (4) from the water source to the chamber (21); Optionally, the water supply tank (40), if present, comprises an elastic valve with a biased gate (42) that is opened by actuation by a part of the base (72), for example forming a tank seat (72), and / or by actuation by a fluid connector (16) of the water guide part (30), and / or a mechanism (44, 74) for mechanical and / or magnetic reversible assembly by a user with the base (72), for example forming the tank seat (72); Optionally, in a machine in which the first processing unit member (10) defines a water inlet (11) for the chamber (21), or defines a beverage outlet (12) out of the chamber (21), or defines both the inlet (11) and the outlet (12), the inlet (11) forming an end of the water guide (30), e.g. the inlet (11) and / or the outlet (12), if present, being formed by and / or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements (11', 12') for piercing the capsule (2'), the valve mechanism (50) is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the support structure (70) and is rotationally driven by the actuator at a rotational speed to control the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30), and optionally the valve mechanism (50) is configured to block the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when not rotationally driven and to allow the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when rotationally driven, for example the valve mechanism (50) is configured to block the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when its rotational speed is below a threshold speed and to allow the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed. Clause 2 The processing unit (10, 20) is configured to be driven in rotation by the actuator, such as another or the motor (60), to mix the water (4) with the flavor ingredients (2) in the chamber (21), for example by centrifugation, and optionally the valve mechanism (50) is rotationally fixed to the processing unit (10, 20), or the processing unit (10, 20) is driven by the actuator so that the processing unit and the valve mechanism (50) have a constant speed ratio, e.g., the valve mechanism (50) is fixed to the first processing unit member (10); and / or 2. A machine as claimed in clause 1, wherein the valve mechanism (50) and the processing unit are rotationally driven about parallel or collinear axes (50'), or about intersecting or skew axes. Clause 3 3. The machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve mechanism (50) comprises a rotational speed sensor (52), the rotational speed sensor being connected to a valve gate (51) configured to act on the water flow and / or the water guide portion (30) to control the flow of water along the water guide portion (30). Clause 4 The rotational speed sensor (52) is configured to move away from or towards the axis of rotation (50') of the valve mechanism (50) by rotating the valve mechanism (50), and optionally the valve mechanism (50) is provided with an automatic return device, such as a return spring (55) or a return magnet, for automatically returning or assisting the rotational speed sensor (52) towards or away from the rotational axis (50'); and / or said gate (51) being fixed to or integrated with said rotational speed sensor (52) or being actuated by said rotational speed sensor (52); and / or 4. A machine as claimed in clause 3, wherein the rotational speed sensor (52) forms an inertial mass and / or senses the direction of rotation. Clause 5 5. The machine according to clause 3 or 4, wherein the valve mechanism (50) comprises a valve support (53) which is rotationally driven by the actuator, such as another or the motor (60), and at least one of the rotational speed sensor (52) and the valve gate (51) is movably mounted on the valve support (53), for example pivotally and / or linearly mounted on the valve support (53), for example pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft (54). Clause 6 6. The machine of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the water guide (30) comprises a flexible portion (31) and optionally one or more rigid portions (32) extending downstream and upstream from the flexible portion (31), and the valve mechanism (50) comprises another or said gate (51), which forms compression portions, such as a plurality of compression portions (51), for example a pair of compression portions (51), configured to compress the flexible portion (31) to control the flow of the water (4) from the water supply source to the chamber (21), and the flexible portion (31) extends between the compression portions (51) configured to squeeze the flexible portion (31) therebetween. Clause 7 The machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising a fluid module (15) comprising the water guide (30), the valve mechanism (50) and the first treatment unit member (10), the fluid module (15) further comprising a fluid connector (16) to the water supply source, the fluid module (15) being assembled as a unit to the water supply source and the second treatment unit member (20) and being removable as a unit from the water supply source and the second treatment unit member (20) by a user, and optionally the fluid module (15) being mountable to and removable from the water supply source and the second treatment unit member (20) along a vertical assembly and removal direction (71'), for example along a downward assembly direction and an upward removal direction of the fluid module (15) relative to the second treatment unit member (20) and / or along an upward assembly direction and a downward removal direction of the fluid module (15) relative to the water supply source. Article 8 8. A machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein one of the processing unit members (10, 20) is provided with a cavity defining the chamber (21), and the first and second processing unit members (10, 20) in a remote configuration are configured for direct manual insertion into the cavity of the flavor ingredient (2), optionally within the capsule (2'), and optionally for direct manual removal, for example, of the flavor ingredient (2), wherein the unit member (20) provided with the cavity is configured so that it can be turned upwards for inserting the flavor ingredient (2) into the cavity and downwards for removing the flavor ingredient (2) out of the cavity, for example with the aid of weight. Article 9 9. A machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the water source, for example another or the water supply tank (40), is configured to contain a limited amount of water (4) corresponding to a maximum amount required for one serving, and optionally the machine (1) is configured to deliver all of the water (4) contained in the water source for preparing one serving of the beverage (3), and / or the limited amount of water (4) is in the range of 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml, and / or the water source includes an indicating mechanism, such as a marking system on the water supply tank (40), to indicate different heights of water volume below the maximum amount corresponding to different types of beverage for one serving. Article 10 the machine is configured to prepare the beverage (3) without thermally conditioning the water (4) delivered from the water source into the chamber (21), e.g. the machine (1) does not include an operable thermal regulator or has a beverage preparation mode in which a thermal regulator is bypassed or not activated, or the machine thermally conditions the water delivered from the water source into the chamber, e.g. the machine has an operable thermal regulator such as a water heater and / or cooler; and / or A machine as claimed in any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the machine is configured to deliver the beverage (3) at a temperature below 30°C, such as below 25°C, for example in the range 3 to 20°C, for example in the range 5 to 15°C, for example 7 to 10°C. Article 11 A machine as claimed in any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the machine is configured to deliver the water (4) from the water source into the chamber (21) at an average rate per serving of beverage in the range of 10 to 300 mL / min, for example 20 to 100 mL / min, such as 40 to 80 mL / min. Article 12 A machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the beverage processing unit (10, 20) is configured to rotate the chamber (21) at a speed in the range of 500 to 10,000 RPM, such as 1,250 to 7,500 RPM, to centrifuge the water (4) and the flavour ingredients (2), optionally in the capsule (2'), to prepare the beverage (3). Article 13 13. A combination of a machine (1) according to any one of clauses 1 to 12 with a flavour ingredient (2), such as a flavour ingredient (2) contained in a capsule (2'), for preparing a beverage (3) from said flavour ingredient (2) in said machine (1). Article 14 13. A method for preparing a beverage (3) in a machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 12 by mixing a flavour ingredient (2), for example a flavour ingredient (2) contained in a capsule (2'), with water (4). Article 15 In a beverage machine according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, use of a flavour ingredient (2), for example a flavour ingredient (2) contained in a capsule (2'), for mixing with water (4), for example by centrifugally driving said flavour ingredient (2) together with said water (4).

Claims

[Claim 1] A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) from a flavoring raw material (2), such as coffee or tea or chocolate or cocoa or milk or soup, by mixing said flavoring raw material (2) with water (4), for example by centrifugal driving said flavoring raw material (2) together with water (4), said machine (1) comprising: a beverage processing unit (10, 20) formed from a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20), the first processing unit member and the second processing unit member defining a chamber (21) and movable between a remote configuration in which the flavor ingredients (2) are received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavor ingredients (2) are held in the chamber (21) and mixed with the water (4) during beverage preparation, and optionally the flavor ingredients (2) are provided in the chamber (21) in a capsule (2'), for example having a capsule flange (2''); a water supply source, such as a water supply tank (40) having a connector for connection to a water supply line outside the machine (1) and / or an external opening (45) for filling with water from a water source outside the machine (1), for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21), the water guide (30) not having a water pump or comprising a water pump, for example a piston or diaphragm pump, e.g. a gear, peristaltic or solenoid type pump; a valve mechanism (50) for controlling the flow of the water (4) along the water guide portion (30) by blocking or allowing the flow; an actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as a motor, such as an electric motor (60), for operating the valve mechanism (50) to control the flow of water along the water guide (30); a support structure (70), such as a frame, that is stationary during beverage preparation and has a base (72) that supports at least the valve mechanism (50); the water guide (30) and the valve mechanism (50) fluidly connect the water source with the beverage processing unit (10, 20) and are configured to control the flow of the water (4) from the water source to the chamber (21); Optionally, the water supply tank (40), if present, comprises an elastic valve with a biased gate (42) that is opened by actuation by a part of the base (72), for example forming a tank seat (72), and / or by actuation by a fluid connector (16) of the water guide (30), and / or a mechanism (44, 74) for mechanical and / or magnetic reversible assembly by a user with the base (72), for example forming the tank seat (72), Optionally, in a machine in which the first processing unit member (10) defines a water inlet (11) for the chamber (21), or defines a beverage outlet (12) out of the chamber (21), or defines both the inlet (11) and the outlet (12), the inlet (11) forming an end of the water guide (30), e.g. the inlet (11) and / or the outlet (12), if present, being formed by and / or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements (11', 12') for piercing the capsule (2'), the valve mechanism (50) is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the support structure (70) and is rotationally driven by the actuator at a rotational speed to control the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30), and optionally the valve mechanism (50) is configured to block the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when not rotationally driven and to allow the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when rotationally driven, for example the valve mechanism (50) is configured to block the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when its rotational speed is below a threshold speed and to allow the flow of the water (4) along the water guide (30) when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed.

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