Beverage Preparation Machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from beverage ingredient pods, the machine comprising an extraction device with relatively movable upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions 1, 2, a liquid supply system, a motor 10 for actuating movement of at least one of the upstream and downstream container enclosing portions, the liquid supply system comprising a first peristaltic valve 741 for supplying water from either a cold tube or a hot tube to a common connector, and a second peristaltic valve 742 for supplying water to either the first tube or the second tube, the machine comprising a mechanical trigger attached to at least one of the movable pod enclosing portions, the trigger designed and arranged to close or open water passages and pod pathways in the tubes 751, 752, 771, 772 in accordance with movement of at least one of the upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions during a sequence of preparation of a beverage from the pod.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for preparing beverages from single-dose containers. [Background technology]

[0002] WO2020089404 describes a beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage upon interaction of ingredients provided in a capsule with a liquid dispensed therein. The machine comprises a brewing device including a first enclosing member and a second cooperating enclosing member designed to be moved relative to each other. The first enclosing member comprises a capsule opening means and a capsule injection means for opening a first inlet face of the capsule and injecting a liquid into the capsule. The first and second enclosing members are designed to be brought to at least a first capsule insertion position for inserting the capsule between the enclosing members and a second capsule enclosing position in which the opening means and the injection means engage the liquid inlet face of the capsule. The movement of the first and second enclosing members can be controlled by an electric motor.

[0003] In this type of machine, the liquid to be injected into the capsule is supplied by a liquid supply system. This system usually comprises a liquid supply, a pump, and a heater. Depending on the type of beverage to be served by the machine, this liquid supply system may comprise additional valves, such as a first valve for providing either hot or cold liquid, and a second valve for dispensing the fluid into the first enclosure of the brewing device or directly into a drinking cup for the preparation of beverages requiring a final dilution of the brewed beverage (such as Americano coffee). These two valves are usually electrically controlled, which significantly increases the overall cost of the machine.

[0004] As a result, fully automated beverage machines that can prepare beverages from an electric capsule extraction device, provide hot or cold liquid preparations, and dispense liquid into the extraction device are particularly expensive because they require multiple motors.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to address the above drawbacks and to provide a low cost machine that provides all automatic functions with only one motor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] There is provided a beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient pod, the machine comprising: 1. A device for extracting beverage ingredients by supplying an extracting liquid, such as hot water, into a pod, the extracting device comprising: an upstream pod enclosing portion and a downstream pod enclosing portion that are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the pod and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber that encloses the pod during brewing; the upstream portion defines a cage; an upstream piercing mechanism for opening the lower wall of the pod; A liquid injector; It supports the downstream portion comprises a downstream planar piercing mechanism for opening the pod lid and a beverage outlet for dispensing the extracted beverage; a device; a liquid supply system connected to the upstream surrounding portion, a liquid supply unit; pumping means for pumping liquid from a liquid supply; heating means for adapting the temperature of the liquid; a liquid supply system comprising: a motor for actuating movement of at least one of the upstream vessel surrounding portion and the downstream vessel surrounding portion between an open position and a closed position by translation of the upstream surrounding portion relative to the preferably fixed downstream surrounding portion; and a control system configured to control operation of the motor; Equipped with The liquid supply system a cold tube for supplying cold water or water at ambient temperature delivered by a pump means, and a hot tube for supplying hot water delivered by a heating means, the cold tube and the hot tube delivering water to a common connector; a first tube for supplying water to the liquid injector and a second tube for supplying water to the in-cup beverage dispensing area, the first tube and the second tube having a common connector for supplying water; a first peristaltic valve that allows water from either the cold tubing or the hot tubing to be supplied to a common connector; a second peristaltic valve that allows the water dispensed through the common connector to be supplied to the first tube or the second tube; Equipped with The machine includes a mechanical trigger attached to at least one of the movable pod-enclosing portions, the trigger designed and arranged to open and close a water passage in the tube and a pod pathway in the extraction device according to the movement of at least one of the upstream and downstream pod-enclosing portions during the sequence of preparing a beverage from the pod (identification, enclosing and piercing, injecting hot water, ejecting the pod).

[0007] The brewing device of the system is typically included in a beverage preparation machine configured to accept the pod. Preferably, it is a coffee machine, but the machine can be designed to prepare, for example, tea, chocolate, or soup, depending on the ingredients enclosed in the pod. Specifically, the machine is configured to prepare a beverage in a brewing chamber by passing water or another liquid through a pod containing the ingredients of the beverage to be prepared, preferably roast and ground coffee, and thus tea leaves, instant coffee, instant tea, chocolate, cocoa, dairy powder, or dried soup. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage ingredient is roast and ground coffee.

[0008] The device is configured to extract beverage ingredients contained in the pods by supplying an extracting liquid, such as water, into the pods, and includes upstream and downstream pod-enclosing portions that are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting such pods and a closed position for forming an extraction chamber that surrounds the pods during extraction of the beverage ingredients.

[0009] Typically, the pod can be inserted into the extraction device from above under the influence of gravity. Ejection or removal of the pod upon reopening of the enclosure may also be effected by gravity.

[0010] The upstream pod enclosing portion and the downstream pod enclosing portion are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting a pod and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber surrounding the pod during brewing. In a preferred embodiment, the upstream pod enclosing portion and the downstream pod enclosing portion are relatively translatable along the longitudinal axis (XX').

[0011] The upstream or injection portion comprises an upstream piercing mechanism in the form of one or more perforators for piercing the lower wall of the pod body of an inserted pod, and at least one liquid injector for supplying liquid through the perforated first wall of the pod.

[0012] The upstream perforation mechanism may comprise perforators in the form of blades that may be designed and positioned to perforate the lower wall of the pod body when the upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions are in the closed position. A liquid injector, e.g., a shower, in the upstream portion of the cage may introduce brewing liquid through the pre-perforated openings.

[0013] In an alternative form, the upstream piercing mechanism may comprise at least one hollow needle configured to pierce the lower wall of the pod body, and the hollow needle(s) may comprise an internal axial channel for guiding the brewing liquid into the chamber of the pod.

[0014] The downstream or dispensing portion defines a downstream piercing mechanism for opening the wall of the pod lid when the brewing liquid is introduced into the pod. Typically, this downstream planar piercing mechanism is designed to open the lid by engaging with said lid under the influence of the increased pressure of the liquid injected into the pod chamber and the expansion of the lid relative to the piercing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, this downstream planar piercing mechanism comprises a plate, preferably rigid, which is provided on its surface facing the second wall with a plurality of reliefs and recessed elements, e.g., spikes, which may have the shape of a cone or pyramid.

[0015] The plate further comprises a transverse hole for discharging the beverage dispensed from the opened lid to a tube or nozzle which collects the beverage and dispenses it into a drinking cup.

[0016] Typically, the shape of the upstream and surrounding portions of the extraction device is defined according to the shape of the pod it is configured to extract from.

[0017] Generally, the extraction device may include an insertion section for inserting a pod into the device. This section is generally located above the upstream pod enclosing section and the downstream pod enclosing section so that the pod is inserted between these two sections by gravity. Depending on the shape of the pod, this insertion section may be designed to encourage the user to place the pod with the pod lid facing the downstream piercing mechanism.

[0018] The beverage machine comprises a liquid supply system connected to the upstream surrounding part, the liquid supply system comprising: a liquid supply, such as a liquid tank that stores liquid at ambient temperature, also commonly identified as cold as opposed to hot; pump means for pumping liquid from the liquid supply to the extraction device; heating means for adapting the temperature of the liquid before it is introduced into the interior of the pod, if desired; It can be equipped with:

[0019] The liquid is usually water.

[0020] In one particular embodiment, the machine may comprise additional cooling means for cooling the temperature of the liquid.

[0021] The machine includes a motor, preferably an electric motor, that actuates movement of at least one of the upstream and downstream container enclosing portions. The motor is typically connected to at least one of the pod enclosing portions by an intermediate actuator, such as a knee lever. The connection typically includes a gear mechanism between the motor shaft and the intermediate actuator.

[0022] The machine comprises a control system configured to control operation of the motor and accordingly control the relative positions of the upstream and downstream pod surrounding portions during beverage preparation.

[0023] Typically, the control system is also configured to control the pumps and heaters of the liquid supply system.

[0024] In addition, the liquid supply system of the machine comprises a first peristaltic valve that allows the supply of either hot water from the heater or cold water from the pump (or from cooling means, if the machine is provided with one). The outlet of the heater is connected to a flexible hot tube, and the outlet of the pump is connected to an equally flexible cold tube. Both the cold and hot tubes are connected to a common connector provided with two fluid inlets and two fluid outlets. Downstream, this connector is configured to dispense the delivered liquid into the brewing device or into the in-cup beverage dispensing area of ​​the machine.

[0025] Either tube can be clamped or released by a first peristaltic valve to allow water from either the cold or hot tube to be fed into the common connector.

[0026] In one preferred embodiment, by default (i.e., when the valve is in its rest position), the peristaltic valve is configured to release the hot tubing (meaning it does not clamp the hot tubing) and clamp the cold tubing, thus reducing the risk that the material properties of the flexible tubing will be affected by heating and that the tubing will be barely able to open when no longer clamped.

[0027] In addition, the liquid supply system of the machine includes a second peristaltic valve that allows supply liquid to flow through the connector to either the extraction device or the dispensing region of the machine.

[0028] One outlet of the connector is connected by a first flexible tube to a liquid injector in the upstream pod surrounding portion, and the other outlet of the connector is connected by a second flexible tube to an in-cup beverage dispensing area.

[0029] Either tube can be clamped or released by a second peristaltic valve to allow the liquid flowing through the common connector to be delivered to either the first or second tube.

[0030] In one preferred embodiment, by default (i.e., when the valve is in its rest position), the peristaltic valve is configured to half-pinch the first and second tubes. The effect of this half-pinch valve is the same as a check valve that opens when the liquid reaches a certain threshold pressure (e.g., above 1 bar); liquid will not flow through the half-pinched tubes because the pump is only activated when one of the tubes is no longer pinched.

[0031] The use of two peristaltic valves reduces the cost of manufacturing and using the machine compared to electrically operated valves such as solenoid valves.

[0032] The machine includes a mechanical trigger for actuating the peristaltic valve and controlling the movement of the pod relative to the two enclosing portions.

[0033] A trigger for the peristaltic valve is attached to at least one of the movable pod enclosure portions such that movement of the corresponding enclosure portion simultaneously drives movement of the trigger. Preferably, the trigger is fixedly attached to the enclosure portion.

[0034] The trigger for the pod is designed and arranged to open and close paths for the pod depending on the position of the movable pod enclosing portion, these paths being essentially paths to and from the brewing chamber.

[0035] The different triggers are also designed and arranged to close or open the water paths in the tube and pod pathway according to a beverage preparation sequence, which generally includes at least the following steps (particularly for the preparation of hot coffee): Insertion of the pod between the enveloping parts; Encircling and perforating the pod, Injection of hot or cold liquids, Pod ejection.

[0036] Depending on the capabilities of the machine, at least one of the following additional steps may be performed: Recognizing pods before insertion, The introduction of hot or cold water into the beverage dispensed from the brewed pod.

[0037] The position of the trigger relative to the movable pod surrounding portion and the controlled position of the movable surrounding portion(s) during beverage preparation can coordinate the opening and closing of the pathways to obtain the required sequence.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, The downstream pod enclosure is fixed, the upstream pod enclosing portion is translatable along the longitudinal axis (XX') between a fully open position and a closed position; The motor control system is configured to position the upstream pod enclosure portion in at least one intermediate position between the fully open and closed positions.

[0039] The translation of only one of the two surrounding parts provides a simple architecture for the extraction device and also reduces manufacturing costs.

[0040] In this architecture, the upstream pod enclosure can be translated and positioned in different locations, including: a closed position in which the two enclosing portions form a brewing chamber; a fully open position in which the upstream pod enclosure portion is furthest from the downstream enclosure portion; An intermediate position between these two preceding positions to cause the trigger to open and close the liquid and pod paths.

[0041] The machine may include a pod trigger attached to the upstream pod surrounding portion, said pod trigger comprising: receiving and holding the pod above the pod enclosing portion when the upstream pod enclosing portion is disposed in the pod-holding intermediate position; The upstream pod enclosing portion is designed and positioned relative to the first and second enclosing portions to release the pod when the upstream pod enclosing portion is moved to a fully open position.

[0042] In one embodiment, the machine may be provided with a recognition device configured to recognize a pod by contact of the recognition device with the surface of the pod, and the machine may be provided with a trigger for recognition, the trigger being attached to the upstream pod enclosing portion and designed and arranged to push the pod toward the recognition device when the upstream pod enclosing portion is positioned in the pod recognition intermediate position.

[0043] Typically, the machine comprises a pod holder, said pod holder being attached to the downstream pod surrounding portion, said pod holder comprising: a receiving location for receiving and holding the pod in front of the downstream planar drilling mechanism as the pod is inserted; a retracted position at the side of the downstream planar drilling mechanism as the pod is discharged; It is movable between The machine includes a trigger for the pod holder, the trigger for the pod holder being attached to the upstream pod enclosing portion and designed and arranged to release the pod holder from the retracted position to the receiving position when the upstream pod enclosing portion is positioned in the pod holder release intermediate position.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the trigger for the pod holder and the trigger for the pod can be formed from the same piece of material, which is designed to enable two functions. The piece of material can include at least two protrusions extending longitudinally from the downstream side of the upstream enclosing portion. Depending on the position of the upstream enclosing portion, these protrusions can be: a pod-retaining intermediate position in the upstream surrounding portion that can provide support for the pod; or The pod holder may be released at an intermediate pod holder release position of the upstream enclosing portion.

[0045] Preferably, the machine comprises a trigger for the second peristaltic valve, said trigger being attached to the upstream pod surrounding portion, said trigger comprising: opening the first tube to supply water to the liquid injector when the upstream pod enclosing portion is disposed in the closed position; The second tube is designed to open and supply water to the in-cup beverage dispensing area when the upstream pod surrounding portion is positioned in the Americano mid-position, and is positioned relative to the upstream pod surrounding portion and the second peristaltic valve.

[0046] Preferably, at another intermediate position of the upstream pod enclosing portion, the trigger is configured to close the first and second tubes.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the trigger for this second peristaltic valve may be a cam member attached to the upstream surrounding portion, the cam member having a profile with a plurality of protrusions and / or cavities configured to move a pinch element of the second peristaltic valve to clamp at least one of the first and second tubes or to release one of the first or second tubes.

[0048] Preferably, the trigger for the second peristaltic valve is designed to open the first tube to supply water to the liquid injector while the upstream pod surrounding portion moves from the pod-retaining position to the downstream position.

[0049] This design of the trigger allows for the rapid opening and subsequent tightening of the first tube during the continuous movement of the upstream pod enclosure. As a result, excess pressure in the fluid system due to prolonged heating inside the heating means can cause a small amount of liquid in the extraction cage to be expelled. To prevent this small amount of liquid from being sent to the pod, this step is set to take place before the pod is introduced between the two enclosures.

[0050] Preferably, the first peristaltic valve of the machine comprises an actuator movable between at least two positions, in one cold position of the actuator water is supplied from a cold tube and in another hot position of the actuator water is supplied from a hot tube, This peristaltic valve may be a valve as described in WO 2008 / 138820.

[0051] In this first peristaltic valve, the machine comprises a trigger for an actuator of the first peristaltic valve, said trigger being attached to the upstream pod surrounding portion, said trigger comprising: moving the actuator to a high temperature position when the upstream pod surrounding portion is moving downstream from the fully open position; The second enclosure portion is designed and positioned relative to the actuator to move the actuator to its cool position when the upstream pod enclosure portion is moving upstream from the home position to the fully open position.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the upstream pod surrounding portion is driven by a motor, preferably via a gear mechanism; the machine includes a rotary encoder associated with the shaft of the motor; The control system controls the motor in response to signals provided by the rotary encoder.

[0053] According to this preferred embodiment, the rotary encoder can be initialized when the upstream enclosing part reaches a fully open position, which can be detected by measuring the motor current, and in fact, at that position the motor current increases significantly, since the upstream enclosing part can no longer bypass this position.

[0054] In this application: The term "pod" is used broadly to refer to any type of single-dose container suitable for preparing a beverage or other edible product, such as a capsule, cartridge, portioned package, or individual package, without being limited to the shape of this container, particularly the shape of the body, or the type of perforation means required to extract the beverage therefrom.

[0055] The term "peristaltic" valve is equivalent to a "pinch" valve, which is a valve configured to pinch or release a flexible hose or tube.

[0056] The above-described aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above-described aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B are side and top views of a brewing device and part of a fluid system of a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention in an open position; [Figure 1B] 1A and 1B are side and top views of a brewing device and part of a fluid system of a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention in an open position; [Figure 2A] 2A and 2B show side and top views of the extraction device and part of the fluid system of the beverage preparation machine according to the invention in a closed position; [Figure 2B] 2A and 2B show side and top views of the extraction device and part of the fluid system of the beverage preparation machine according to the invention in a closed position; [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of the fluid system of the beverage preparation machine and its cooperation with a trigger moved by the extraction device; FIG. [Figure 4A] 10A and 10B are top and front views of a trigger for a second peristaltic valve. [Figure 4B] 10A and 10B are top and front views of a trigger for a second peristaltic valve. [Figure 5A] 1A and 1B are top and perspective views of a trigger for a first peristaltic valve. [Figure 5B] 1A and 1B are top and perspective views of a trigger for a first peristaltic valve. [Figure 6A] 1A and 2A are side views of the upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions 2 and 1 of the extraction device, respectively. [Figure 6B]1A and 2A in different relative and functional positions. [Figure 7A] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the downstream pod surrounding portion 2 of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 7B] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the downstream pod surrounding portion 2 of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is an isolated view of the downstream planar drilling feature and its surrounding area of ​​FIGS. 7A and 7B. [Figure 8] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the upstream pod surrounding portion 2 of FIGS. 6A and 6B. [Figure 9] 1 shows a pod 3 that can be used in the beverage preparation machine of the present invention. [Figure 10] 2 shows different positions of the upstream surrounding part 2 during the extraction of a hot beverage by the illustrated beverage machine; [Figure 11] 2 shows different positions of the upstream surrounding part 2 during the extraction of a cold beverage by the illustrated beverage machine; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the machine's encoder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] 1A and 1B are side and top views of a brewing device and part of a fluid system of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention. The brewing device comprises an upstream pod enclosing part 2 and a downstream pod enclosing part 1 that are relatively translatable along a longitudinal axis XX'. Preferably, this axis XX' is essentially horizontal. In Figs. 1A-1B, the pod enclosing parts 1, 2 are arranged in the fully open position of the brewing device, with the enclosing parts at their furthest positions from each other.

[0059] The pod is introduced through an insertion section 4 arranged above the two enclosing parts 1, 2 and can fall by gravity from the insertion section 4 into the inside of the pod holder between these two enclosing parts 1, 2. After extraction, when these two enclosing parts 1, 2 move away from each other, the pod can again fall by gravity below these two enclosing parts 1, 2. Arrow F indicates the movement of the pod from the insertion into the interior of the extraction device.

[0060] The two pod enclosing parts 1, 2 are held and movable between two lateral and longitudinal seats (not shown) and two transverse axes 6. At least one of these parts is translatable between these two seats and these two axes to achieve different relative and functional positions. In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the downstream enclosing part 1 is fixed, and only the upstream enclosing part 2 is movable back and forth along the longitudinal axis XX' between its fully open position in Figures 1A and 1B and the closed position shown in Figures 2A and 2B. In Figures 2A and 2B, these two parts are in the closed position, forming a brewing chamber configured to enclose the pod during brewing.

[0061] The upstream surrounding portion is moved by an actuator 103 comprising a knee lever, one end of which cooperates with the upstream surrounding portion and the other end of which cooperates with one of the transverse shafts 6. This knee lever is actuated by a motor 10 via a gear mechanism (not shown).

[0062] Preferably, the insertion section 4 may comprise a recognition device 9 for recognizing or identifying the pod introduced inside the extraction device. a temporary blocking means for blocking the progress of the pod at the recognized position; A recognition device, such as a camera, for recognizing the pod whose progress has been blocked at this temporary recognition position; It can be equipped with:

[0063] The control system may be configured such that, once the pod is recognised, the blocking means allows the pod to drop into a pod holder of the extraction device.

[0064] Figures 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B show flexible tubing that is part of the machine's liquid supply system.

[0065] The cold tubing 752 supplies chilled water delivered to the connector 76; A hot tube 751 supplies hot water routed to this same connector 76 .

[0066] A first tube 771 supplies water from the connector 76 to the upstream surrounding portion 2; A second tube 772 delivers water from the connector to the cup 81 in the in-cup beverage dispensing area 8 (FIG. 1A).

[0067] The passage of water through these tubes is controlled by two peristaltic valves arranged in series upstream and downstream of connector 76 .

[0068] The first peristaltic valve 741 allows water from either the cold tubing 752 or the hot tubing 751 to be fed to the common connector 76 .

[0069] The second peristaltic valve 742 allows the water dispensed through the common connector 76 to be supplied to either the first tube 771 or the second tube 772 .

[0070] The peristaltic valve comprises a pinch device configured for each tube to pinch or release the flexible tube depending on the position of said pinch device, in which in the pinched position the liquid is prevented from flowing and in the released position the liquid can flow if pumped.

[0071] The mechanical trigger is attached to the movable upstream pod surrounding portion 2 and is configured to move with this portion 2 during beverage preparation.

[0072] Several triggers 28, 29 are configured to control the position of the pinch device of the peristaltic valve, allowing either hot or cold water to be directed to an upstream enclosure or dispensing area.

[0073] Other triggers 26a, 27 are configured to control the movement of the pod from a standby position above the extraction device to a recognition position and an extraction position.

[0074] These different triggers are designed and arranged to achieve these effects through movement of the upstream pod surrounding portion during the sequence of preparation of a beverage from the pod, which in this illustrated embodiment includes a recognition operation, a pod loading operation, an extraction position which may include a piercing operation and a water injection operation, and an ejection operation.

[0075] Depending on the configuration of the beverage machine, the machine can be simpler and may not perform some operations, such as recognition operations. Alternatively, the machine may be more complex and may perform additional operations, such as cleaning sequences, descaling sequences for different tubes, or a combination of different beverage preparations. For example, the machine may comprise a module for preparing milk components (such as dissolving milk with hot or cold water, or frothing milk with hot water), and the control system of the machine may be configured to dispense hot or cold water through a second tube that supplies water to this milk module.

[0076] 2A, 2B, which corresponds to an extraction operation, it can be observed that the triggers 28, 29 assume a different position relative to the peristaltic valves 741, 742 compared to the pod loading operation shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B.

[0077] Figure 3 shows the cooperation between the fluid system of the beverage preparation machine and the trigger moved by the extraction device.

[0078] The fluid system typically comprises a tank 71 of fluid (typically water) and a pump 72 for pumping the fluid from the tank. The pump outlet is connected to two tubes: One is connected to a device for adapting the temperature of the fluid, preferably a heater 32; The other bypasses the device and provides fluid at low or ambient temperature.

[0079] The hot water supply tube 751 and the cold water supply tube 752 are flexible and cooperate with a common pinch valve 741. By default, this valve is configured to pinch both tubes and prevent liquid from leaking. This valve can be moved to two different positions; in one position, the valve releases the hot tube, and in the other position, the valve releases the cold tube. WO 2008 / 138820 describes this type of valve. This valve 741 is moved to different positions by a trigger 29 during movement of the second pod enclosing part 2, as shown by arrow A.

[0080] Downstream of the first valve 741, two flexible tubes feed liquid to a common connector 76. This connector 76 feeds the liquid dispensed by the first valve 741 into two flexible tubes 771, 772. The first tube 771 is connected to a liquid injector in the upstream pod enclosing part 2, and the second tube 772 dispenses liquid in the dispense area 8 of the machine to provide either hot or cold water in the drinking cup to dilute the beverage prepared in the brewing device and dispensed in the cup.

[0081] Tube 771 and tube 752 are flexible and cooperate with a common pinch valve 742. By default, this valve is configured to pinch both tubes and prevent liquid from leaking. This valve can be moved to two different positions; in one position, the valve releases the first tube, and in the other position, the valve releases the second tube. This valve 742 is moved to the different positions by trigger 28 during movement of second pod enclosing portion 2, as shown by arrow B.

[0082] 4A and 4B are isolated views of the second valve 742 and the trigger 28 for this second valve.

[0083] The end of this trigger is fixedly attached to the movable pod enclosing part 2, for example to the chassis of said movable pod enclosing part 2. This trigger 28 therefore moves and follows the same movement as the pod enclosing part 2, i.e. a translational movement back and forth in the illustrated embodiment. This trigger 28 is a cam member with a profile configured to interact with a second peristaltic valve 742, which is fixedly attached to the chassis of the extraction device or another part of a fixed machine.

[0084] The second peristaltic valve 742 comprises two pinch elements, each configured to pinch one corresponding tube, i.e., tube 771 or tube 772, to the pod. Both pinch elements are spring-loaded. A trigger cam member cooperates with the valve to release pressure exerted by the spring on one or the other tube.

[0085] As mentioned above, by default (i.e., when the valve is in its rest position), the peristaltic valve can be configured to half-pinch the first and second tubes. The effect of this half-pinch valve is similar to a check valve that opens when the liquid reaches a certain threshold pressure (e.g., above 1 bar), and liquid will not flow through the half-pinched tubes because the pump is only activated when one of the tubes is no longer pinched.

[0086] In the particular valve 742 of the illustrated embodiment, the cam member is two protrusions 281a and 281b for releasing the tube 771 into the pod at two different positions of the upstream enclosing part 2; one protrusion 281c for releasing the tube 772 into the dispensing area at a third different position of the upstream surrounding portion 2; Equipped with.

[0087] FIG. 4A shows the relative positions of the cam member 28 and the second peristaltic valve 742 when the upstream enclosing portion 2 is in the fully open position (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) and both tubes 771, 772 are half-clamped.

[0088] When the upstream enclosing portion 2 is moved from this fully open position to the closed position shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the cam member is translated according to arrow D relative to the fixed second valve 742. During this movement, the cam member can open the tube in three specific positions: First, the protrusion 281a is configured to release the first tube 771 into the pod by releasing the pinch element of said first tube, and then In the so-called "Americano" position, the protrusion 281c is configured to release the second tube 772 into the dispensing area by releasing the pinch element of said second tube, and then In the closed position, the protrusion 281b is configured to release the first tube 771 into the pod by releasing the pinching element of said first tube.

[0089] Typically, when a beverage is prepared from a pod, the movement of the upstream enclosing part 2 is configured to include a translation from the fully open position to the closed position, without any stops between these two positions. Thus, during this movement, the cam member briefly opens the first tube 771 against the pod as it passes along the valve. This brief opening allows for the release of any excess pressure that may have built up inside the heater before the beverage is prepared. This brief excess pressure generates some liquid that can be expelled through the cage of the upstream enclosing part. Because this upstream enclosing part 2 is in a position where the extraction is not yet closed and does not yet hold a pod, this liquid can be expelled below the chamber and collected in a bin provided for receiving the expelled pod.

[0090] Conversely, in the closed and "americano" positions, the upstream surrounding portion 2 is configured to stop and hold its position long enough to allow the opening of each of the first tube 771 and the second tube 772. Water can then be injected into the pod for extraction or dispensed at the dispensing area.

[0091] 5A and 5B show an isolated view of the first valve 741 and the trigger 29 for this second valve.

[0092] The end 292 of the trigger is fixedly attached to the movable pod enclosing part 2, for example to the chassis of said movable pod enclosing part 2. The trigger 29 therefore moves and follows the same movement as the pod enclosing part 2, i.e., translation in the upstream or downstream direction in the illustrated embodiment.

[0093] The trigger 29 carries a pin 291 configured to interact with an actuator 7411 of a first peristaltic valve. This actuator 7411 cooperates with pinch elements 7412a and 7412b of the valve that pinch the hot tubing 751 and the cold tubing 752, respectively. The actuator is configured to place these pinch elements 7412a, 7412b in three different positions: a position in which only the cold tube 752 is pinched by the pinch element 7412b, while the other pinch element 7412a further releases the hot tube 751 to the position of the actuator 7411 in the hot position during the movement of the trigger 29; a position in which only the hot tube 751 is pinched by the pinch element 7412a, while the other pinch element 7412b further releases the cold tube 752 to the position of the actuator 7411 in the cold position during the movement of the trigger 29; Optionally, both tubes are clamped, in a neutral position corresponding to the illustrations of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0094] Figures 6A and 6B are isolated side views of the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 and the downstream pod enclosing portion 1 of the extraction device of Figures 1A and 2A in different relative and functional positions, with the position of the pod 3 being shown diagrammatically by a dotted line.

[0095] In Figure 6A, the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 and the downstream pod enclosing portion 1 are arranged in an open position for inserting a pod from above. A pod holder 11 is visible in front of the downstream pod enclosing portion 1 in a receiving position for receiving and holding a pod 3, as further described below in connection with Figure 4A.

[0096] In Figure 6B, the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 and the downstream pod enclosing portion 1 are in a closed position to form a brewing chamber that surrounds the pod during brewing, in which the pod holder 11 is in a retracted position.

[0097] Figure 7A is an exploded perspective view of the downstream pod enclosing portion 2 of Figure 6A. The downstream portion 1 defines a plate perpendicular (i.e., transverse) to the longitudinal axis XX'. This plate comprises a central downstream planar piercing mechanism 12 for opening the pod lid 32 when brewing liquid is introduced into the interior of the pod, causing the lid to expand. The opening occurs when a spike engages with the lid under the influence of the increased pressure of the liquid injected into the pod body chamber. This downstream planar piercing mechanism may comprise a rigid plate provided with an opening element 121, such as a spike, on its surface facing the lid, which may have the shape of a cone or pyramid, optionally with a removed end. The plate further comprises a transverse hole for releasing the beverage dispensed from the opened lid to a tube or nozzle that collects and dispenses the beverage into a drinking cup.

[0098] The downstream part 1 comprises a pod holder 11 attached to the peripheral area.

[0099] While attached, the pod holder can be moved between two positions: In Figure 7A, the pod holder 11 is in a first position to receive and hold the pod lid in front of the downstream planar piercing mechanism.

[0100] The pod holder 11 comprises a pair of arms 11a, 11b which hold and position the pod when the pair is in the first receiving position as shown in Figure 7A. In this position of the pod holder, the arms hold the pod vertically, i.e., stop the pod from falling vertically from the insertion position.

[0101] The pair of retaining elements 11a, 11b are movable from the receiving position to a second retracted position at the side of the downstream planar drilling mechanism as shown in Figure 7B, an exploded perspective view of the downstream pod enclosing portion 2 of Figure 6B. In this situation, the pair of retaining and positioning elements 11a, 11b are pushed from the receiving position to the retracted position by the upstream enclosing portion 2 when the upstream enclosing portion 2 is translated longitudinally from the fully open position to the closed position.

[0102] Preferably, each of the arms 11a, 11b of the pod holder can be locked in a retracted position during pod extraction and pod ejection to prevent any malfunction during ejection.

[0103] 7C shows how the lockers 135a, 135b of the arms 11a, 11b can be configured. In this view, a portion of the downstream pod enclosure that holds the lockers is made transparent. It can be seen that the arm 11a is locked by the locker 135a, which is a spring-loaded bolt (spring 132a), and the locker can be moved downward by the arm 11b during movement of said arm to a retracted position and then cooperate with a locking surface (not shown) on the arm, so that the holding and positioning element cannot freely return in the upstream direction as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0104] In this particular embodiment, the lock 135a can be designed to extend above the peripheral area 134, where it forms an upwardly rising pin 136b. By applying pressure to this pin against the force of a spring, the locker 135a can be displaced downward, unlocking the released arm 11a. The other arm 11b is similarly locked.

[0105] Each of the pins 136a, 136b has an inclined surface that can cooperate with a portion of the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 so that the pin is pushed downward when the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 is moved toward the downstream enclosing portion 1, allowing the pod catcher to move from the retracted position to the released position. This portion of the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 is designed to be thin enough to slide in the small space defined above the pins 136a, 136b.

[0106] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the upstream pod surrounding portion 2 of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0107] The upstream portion defines an empty cage or cavity 21 for enclosing the pod body.

[0108] The upstream wall of the cage carries an upstream piercing mechanism 22 for opening the lower wall 313 of the pod body. The upstream wall is provided with at least one liquid injector 25 for supplying liquid into the pod through a hole opened in the lower wall of the pod.

[0109] The upstream perforation mechanism can comprise perforators in the form of blades that can be designed and positioned to perforate the bottom wall of the pod body when the upstream and downstream pod enclosing portions are in the closed position, as shown in Figure 6B. A liquid injector 25, such as a shower, in the upstream wall of the cage can introduce the extracting liquid into the closed chamber and into the pod through its pre-perforated opening.

[0110] Preferably, pods 2 of different sizes can be introduced and extracted and the bottom of the cage 21 can be movable to adapt the cage's internal volume to the pods, as described, for example, in WO 2020 / 089404.

[0111] In addition, this upstream surrounding part 2 holds several mechanical triggers with different functions.

[0112] The upstream surrounding part 2 comprises two longitudinal protrusions 26a, 26b extending on the downstream face of the upstream pod surrounding part. when the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 is positioned in the pod holding position or the home intermediate position, it receives and holds the pod above the pod enclosing portion, in which intermediate position the pod is positioned inside the machine but can still be removed by the user before the pod is introduced between the two pod enclosing portions; and releasing the pod from its intermediate position into the pod catcher when the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 moves to the fully open position; This is a pod trigger configured as follows.

[0113] The design of these protrusions (in particular their longitudinal length l) and their position downstream of the upstream surrounding portion can be set by taking into account the dimensions of the pod and the length of travel of the upstream surrounding portion.

[0114] Additionally, the upstream enclosing portion 2 includes another recognition trigger 27 that is designed and arranged to push the pod 2 toward the recognition device 9 when a pod is present in the pod holding or home intermediate position and the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 is moved to a pod recognition intermediate position upstream of the home intermediate position.

[0115] In addition, the upstream enclosing part 2 is provided with other triggers 260a, 260b for releasing the pod holder 11. These triggers for the pod holder are designed and arranged to release the pod holder 11 from its retracted position to its receiving position when the upstream pod enclosing part is moved to the pod holder release intermediate position. They are arranged at the ends of the pod triggers 26a, 26b.

[0116] The illustrated pod holder triggers 260a, 260b are specifically designed to release the pod holder arms 11a, 11b by pressing the rockers 136a, 136b shown in Figure 7C. This action moves the upstream enclosing part 2 to an intermediate pod holder release position between the open and closed positions of Figures 3A and 3B. In this position, the longitudinal protrusions 260a, 260b slide in the spaces above the spring-loaded pins 136a, 136b (Figure 7C) and can push them downward to release the pod holder 11.

[0117] Figure 9 shows a pod 3 that can be used in the beverage preparation machine of the present invention.

[0118] The pod 3 comprises a pod body 31 having one sidewall 311 extending axially from a bottom wall 313 to the top. The sidewall 311 extends to an upper opening 312. At the upper opening 312, the body comprises a peripheral annular flange 314 extending radially outward from the sidewall 311 along the periphery of the opening.

[0119] The flange has an upper surface facing the top and a lower surface.

[0120] Generally, any cross section of the body is circular from bottom to top, and the flange is also circular.

[0121] The body defines a chamber for containing beverage ingredients.

[0122] The packaged beverage ingredients are preferably ingredients that can be brewed, such as roast and ground coffee.

[0123] In a second preferred method, the beverage ingredient may be a water-soluble powder ingredient, such as instant coffee powder, milk powder, creamer powder, instant tea powder, cocoa powder, soup powder, fruit powder, or a mixture of these powders, or even a soluble liquid ingredient, or a beverage concentrate, such as a syrup or a milk concentrate. The powder may be agglomerated or sintered.

[0124] The capsule includes a lid 32 that is secured, sealed, or attached to at least a portion of the top surface of the peripheral flange, thus covering and closing the top opening 312 .

[0125] The lower wall 313 is configured to be perforated so that liquid can be injected into the pod through the perforated opening.

[0126] The lid 32 is configured to be opened by relative engagement with the piercing mechanism under the influence of increased liquid pressure inside the pod during injection of liquid.

[0127] The pod shape is symmetrical about a central axial axis ZZ' extending from the bottom wall to the lid, and the pod shape is asymmetrical about the plane and flange of the lid.

[0128] Figure 10 shows the movement of the upstream surrounding part 2 during extraction of a hot beverage from a pod using the beverage machine described above, this movement being the result of activation of the motor by the control system of the machine.

[0129] At rest, the upstream surrounding part 2 is placed in the home intermediate position. When a hot beverage is to be prepared, the following steps are carried out.

[0130] The user introduces the pod into the machine in step 1: the triggers 26a, 26b block the pod's progression above the upstream enclosure. The user then initiates beverage preparation via the machine's user interface.

[0131] A motor drives the upstream enclosing part 2 to the recognition intermediate position. A trigger 27 pushes the pod against the recognition device to enable recognition. In step 2, the pod is recognized and the preparation recipe is read by the control system.

[0132] The motor drives the upstream enclosure portion 2 to a fully open position where the pod triggers 26a, 26b no longer support the pod. In step 3, the pod drops into the pod holder.

[0133] The motor drives the upstream enclosing part 2 to the closed position. Trigger 29 moves the actuator of the first peristaltic valve to its hot position; By passing protrusion 281a over the second peristaltic valve, trigger 28 vents excess pressure from the heater, if any exists.

[0134] Once the closed position is reached, the protrusion 281a is positioned over the second peristaltic valve and the first tube 771 is opened to allow hot water to be supplied to the liquid injector 25. In this step 4, extraction of the pod can take place.

[0135] At the end of extraction, the motor drives the upstream enclosing part 2 to the fully open position. The extracted pod is ejected during this movement to step 6.

[0136] If the recipe is Americano coffee, the motor momentarily stops the upstream surrounding portion 2 at the mid-Americano position where the protrusion 281c is positioned on the second peristaltic valve and the second tube 772 is opened to allow hot water to be supplied to the cup 81.

[0137] 7A-7C, the pod holder is still in the retracted position to the side of the downstream enclosure and needs to be released. The motor drives the upstream enclosure 2 to the pod holder release intermediate position so that the triggers 260a, 260b release the rockers 136a, 136b in step 7, and then immediately returns the upstream enclosure 2 to the home position.

[0138] If cold or ambient temperature water is required to extract a beverage from the pod, the motor includes additional steps 3' and 3'' to move the actuator 7411 of the first peristaltic valve to the cold position, as shown in Figure 11.

[0139] In the particular illustrated embodiment, this actuator 7411 is configured to be switched from the hot position to the cold position via upstream displacement of the trigger 29, thereby requiring the upstream pod enclosing portion 2 to move downstream to an intermediate position, referred to as the toggle intermediate position, before moving upstream to the cold intermediate position, in which the valve actuator 7411 is disposed in a neutral position that allows its movement to either the cold or hot position, depending on whether the movement of the trigger 29 is upstream or downstream.

[0140] During these adjustments, the movement of the upstream enveloping portion is actuated by a motor and a gear mechanism connecting them. The machine includes a rotary encoder 102 located near the motor shaft 104, and a control system controls the motor in response to the rotary encoder signal, as shown in Figure 12. The rotary encoder can be a slotted disk attached to the end of the drive shaft of the electric motor. It is connected to the control system, which inputs the number of pulses provided by the encoder into the system.

[0141] The fully open position is set as this defined position to allow the control system to initialize the rotary encoder at this defined position, which can in fact be clearly identified based on measurements of the current supplied to the motor, which rises significantly when this position is reached.

[0142] From this defined position, each specific intermediate position of the downstream enclosing portion 2 corresponds to a specific corresponding number of pulses or signals from the rotary encoder. These numbers are stored in the electronic memory of the control system. The correspondence between each specific intermediate position and each number of pulses or signals is shown in Figure 10.

[0143] [Table 1]

[0144] Typically, the process control unit of the beverage machine is arranged to control the pump 33, the heater 32 and, optionally, the recognition device or user interface or display, if present.

[0145] While the invention has been described with reference to the above-described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0146] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0147] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1. Downstream Enclosure 11 Pod Holder 11A, 11b Arm 12 Downstream plate drilling mechanism 121 Spiked part 132a, 132b springs 134 Surrounding Area 135a, 135b Pod holder lock Pins 136a, 136b 2. Upstream Enclosure 21 Cage 22 Upstream drilling mechanism 25 Liquid syringe 26A, 26b Pod Trigger 260a, 260b recesses 27 Recognition Trigger 28 Trigger for second peristaltic valve 281a, 281b, 281c protrusions 29 Trigger for the first peristaltic valve 291 pins 292 End 3 pods 31 Main Unit 311 Side wall 313 Lower Wall 32 Lid 4 Insert Section 5 Extraction Chamber 6-axis 7 Fluid Systems 71 Tank 72 Pump 73 Heater 741 First Peristaltic Valve 7411 Actuator 7412A, 7412b Pinch Elements 742 Second Peristaltic Valve 751 High Temperature Tube 752 Cryogenic Tube 76 Connector 771 1st Tube (to Pod) 772 Second tube (to the dispensing area) 78 Flow meter 8 Pouring area 81 drinking cup 9 Recognition Devices 10 Motor 101 Gear mechanism 102 Encoder 103 Actuator 104 Shaft 20 Control System

Claims

1. 1. A beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from beverage ingredient pods, said machine comprising:

1. A device for extracting beverage ingredients by supplying an extracting liquid, such as hot water, into the pod, the device comprising: an upstream pod enclosing portion (2) and a downstream pod enclosing portion (1) that are relatively movable between an open position for inserting and / or ejecting the pod (3) and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (5) that encloses the pod during brewing; The upstream portion (2) defines a cage (21), an upstream piercing mechanism (22) for opening the lower wall (313) of said pod; a liquid injector (25); It supports a device comprising an upstream pod enclosing part (2) and a downstream pod enclosing part (1), said downstream part (1) comprising a downstream piercing mechanism (12) for opening the lid (32) of said pod and a beverage outlet for dispensing the extracted beverage; a liquid supply system connected to the upstream surrounding portion, A liquid supply unit (71); pump means (72) for pumping liquid from said liquid supply; heating means (73) for adapting the temperature of said liquid; a liquid supply system comprising: a motor (10) for actuating movement of at least one of the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) and the downstream pod enclosing portion (1) between the open position and the closed position by translation of the upstream pod enclosing portion relative to the downstream pod enclosing portion, which is preferably fixed; and a control system (20) configured to control the operation of the motor; Equipped with the liquid supply system a low-temperature tube (752) for supplying cold water sent from the pump, and a high-temperature tube (751) for supplying hot water sent from the heating means, the low-temperature tube (752) and the high-temperature tube (751) supplying water to a common connector (76); a first peristaltic valve (741) that allows water from either the cold tube or the hot tube to be supplied to the common connector; a first tube (771) for supplying water to the liquid injector (25) and a second tube (772) for supplying water to an in-cup beverage dispensing area (8), the common connector supplying water to the first tube (771) and the second tube (772); a second peristaltic valve (742) that allows water dispensed through the common connector to be supplied to the first tube or the second tube; Equipped with the machine comprises a mechanical trigger attached to at least one of the movable pod-enclosing portions, the trigger designed and arranged to open and close water passages in the tubes (751, 752, 771, 772) and pod pathways in the extraction device according to the movement of at least one of the upstream pod-enclosing portion (2) and the downstream pod-enclosing portion (1) during the sequence of preparing a beverage from the pod; Beverage preparation machine.

2. The downstream pod surrounding portion (1) is fixed, the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is translatable along a longitudinal axis (XX') between a fully open position and a closed position; the control system of the motor is configured to position the upstream pod enclosing part (2) in at least one intermediate position between the fully open position and the closed position; 10. The beverage preparation machine of claim 1.

3. The machine comprises a pod trigger (26a, 26b) attached to the upstream pod enclosing part (2), the pod trigger comprising: When the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is positioned at a pod-holding intermediate position, the pod is received and held above the pod enclosing portion; the upstream pod enclosing part (2) is designed to release the pod when placed in the fully open position and is positioned relative to the first and second enclosing parts; A beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the machine comprises a recognition device (9) configured to recognize the pod by contact with the surface of the pod, the machine comprises a recognition trigger (27) attached to the upstream pod enclosing portion (2), the recognition trigger being designed and arranged to push the pod towards the recognition device when the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is placed in a pod recognition intermediate position; A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The machine comprises a pod holder (11), the pod holder being attached to the downstream pod enclosing part (1), the pod holder comprising: a receiving position for receiving and holding the pod in front of the downstream plane drilling mechanism (12) when the pod is inserted; a retracted position at the side of the downstream plane piercing mechanism (12) when the pod is being discharged; It is movable between the machine comprises triggers (260a, 260b) for the pod holders, the triggers for the pod holders being attached to the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) and designed and arranged to release the pod holders from the retracted position to the receiving position when the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is moved to a pod holder release intermediate position. A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The machine comprises a trigger (28) for the second peristaltic valve, the trigger being attached to the upstream pod enclosing part (2), the trigger comprising: When the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is placed in the closed position, the first tube (771) is opened to supply water to the liquid injector (25); a second tube (772) designed to open and supply water to the in-cup beverage dispensing area (8) when the upstream pod enclosing portion (2) is positioned in an Americano mid-position, the second tube (772) being positioned relative to the second enclosing portion and the second first peristaltic valve; A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. 7. The beverage preparation machine of claim 6, wherein the trigger (28) for the second peristaltic valve is designed to open the first tube (771) to supply water to the liquid injector (25) while the upstream pod surrounding portion (2) is moved from the first pod holding position to a downstream position.

8. the first peristaltic valve (741) comprises an actuator (7411) movable between at least two positions, wherein in one cold position of the actuator, water is supplied from the cold tube (752) and in another hot position of the actuator, water is supplied from the hot tube (751); The machine comprises a trigger (29) for the actuator (1411) of the first peristaltic valve, the trigger being attached to the upstream pod enclosing part (2), the trigger comprising: moving the actuator to the high temperature position when the upstream pod surrounding portion (2) is moving downstream from the fully open position; a second enclosure portion (2) designed and arranged relative to the second enclosure portion and the actuator to move the actuator to its cold position when the upstream pod enclosure portion (2) is moving upstream from the home position to the fully open position; A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the upstream pod enclosing part (2) is driven by the motor (10), preferably via a gear mechanism (101); the machine comprises a rotary encoder (102) cooperating with the shaft (104) of the motor; the control system controls the motor (10) in response to a signal provided by the rotary encoder (102); A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the rotary encoder (102) is initialized when the upstream surrounding part (2) reaches the fully open position; the fully open position is detected by measuring the current in the motor; 10. The beverage preparation machine of claim 9.

11. During the break, the first peristaltic valve (741) is positioned so that the high temperature tube (751) is not pinched; the second peristaltic valve (742) is positioned so that each of the first tube and the second tube is half-pinched; A beverage preparation machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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