Beverage preparation with flexible outlet valve

Abstract

A machine (1) is provided for preparing a beverage (4) from flavour ingredients (5a) in a processing cavity (5) by mixing the flavour ingredients (5a) with water (4') and centrifugally driving such ingredients (5a) and the water (4') about a processing axis (30'). The machine (1) comprises a centrifugal valve (30) associated with a beverage passage (26) for controlling the flow rate and / or pressure of the beverage (4) along the beverage passage (26). The valve (30) comprises a valve portion (31, 310, 311) having first and second inertial bodies (31; 310, 311) having first and second centres of inertia, respectively, offset with respect to the processing axis (30'), and a rotation moves the valve portion (31, 310, 311) to control the beverage flow rate and / or the beverage pressure. The first and second inertial bodies (31; 310, 311) move the valve portions (31; 310, 311) when the raw material (5a) and the water (4') are rotated at first and second rotational speeds, respectively. The first and second rotational speeds are different.

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