Beverage preparation device

Abstract

In a beverage preparation machine for automatically supplying a hot beverage, in particular a coffee beverage, comprising a water heater, an extraction device capable of supplying hot water from the water heater, a water pump for supplying water under pressure in the direction of the extraction device, a discharge device connected to the extraction device via a hot beverage pipe, and a control device for controlling the automatic preparation and supply of the selected beverage after selection of the beverage, the control device being configured to vary the extraction pressure at which hot water is supplied to the extraction device or the flow rate at which hot water is supplied according to a preset or predefinable profile throughout the preparation process of the selected beverage, for which purpose the beverage preparation machine has a mechanical operating element with an electrical pick-up connected to the control device, via which the user can predefine the profile during the beverage preparation process.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a beverage preparation apparatus for automatically supplying each hot beverage, particularly each coffee beverage, comprising a water heater, an extraction device capable of supplying hot water from the water heater, a water pump for supplying water under pressure in the direction of the extraction device, a discharge device connected to the extraction device via a hot beverage tube, and a control device for controlling the automatic preparation and supply of the selected beverage after the selection of the beverage. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In the prior art, fully automatic coffee makers used for preparing and supplying each coffee-based beverage per portion are known. Here, the selection of the beverage is carried out via a user interface. After selecting a beverage variation, a coffee beverage is prepared according to each specification of the user by a built-in extraction device and supplied to a beverage discharge part. In many cases, in addition to the above-described hot beverage discharge part, each discharge part for each other beverage component such as milk, milk foam or each flavor additive is provided. The respective discharge parts can be grouped together in a discharge head fixedly arranged in the fully automatic coffee maker. 【0003】 In addition, in the prior art, a so-called portafilter device is known, in which a portafilter having a discharge part attached thereto instead of a discharge head is fixedly arranged so as to be sealed. To prepare coffee, the portafilter is removed, filled with coffee powder, fixed again to the portafilter device, and hot water is poured under pressure through the portafilter device until a predetermined amount of hot water passes through a coffee filter contained in the portafilter and the coffee powder contained in the coffee filter. Each other beverage additive such as milk or milk foam is manually added to the coffee beverage by a barista. 【0004】 Finally, hybrid systems are also known that similarly utilize a portafilter, in which ground coffee is automatically filled via a built-in coffee grinder. This type of hybrid coffee maker is described, for example, in International Publication No. 2010 08 58 50. 【0005】 The portafilter method is still highly regarded by many coffee lovers because it allows baristas to adjust the taste of their coffee beverages through their own craftsmanship. 【0006】 In contrast, fully automatic coffee makers enable the automatic preparation and supply of various coffee beverages with consistent taste quality simply by pressing a button. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents] 【0007】 [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 08 58 50 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0008】 The present invention aims to provide a beverage preparation device that enables the automatic preparation and supply of each hot beverage while still allowing experienced users to influence the preparation and improve the quality of the beverages. [Means for solving the problem] 【0009】 This problem is resolved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be derived from each dependent claim. 【0010】 In the beverage preparation apparatus of the type described at the beginning, the present invention is configured such that the control device changes the extraction pressure or flow rate when hot water is supplied to the extraction device according to a preset or presettable profile over the selected beverage preparation process, and the beverage preparation apparatus has a mechanical operating element having an electrical pickup connected to the control device for presetting the profile. 【0011】 The fundamental principle of the present invention is not merely to keep the extraction pressure or flow rate constant throughout the preparation process using the control device, but to change it over time according to a user-presettable profile, the profile of which can be stored for a specific preparation process or for each future preparation process of the same type of beverage. For this purpose, the beverage preparation device has a mechanical operating element having an electrical pickup connected to the control device. Thus, the user can use the operating element to change the desired extraction parameters, i.e., the extraction pressure or flow rate, over time, and thus it is possible to preset highly individualized profiles for preparing a specific beverage or type of beverage. 【0012】 The water pump is preferably located upstream of the water heater, that is, in the cold water flow of the water heater. Of course, if the pump is suitable for hot water, it is also possible to place the pump between the water heater and the extraction device. As the water heater, a boiler or a flow heater can be used in a manner that is known in itself. 【0013】 In a preferred embodiment, the extraction pressure is varied by adjusting the speed or output of the water pump. Thus, by increasing or decreasing the pump speed during the preparation process via the operating element, water is supplied to the extraction device at an increased or decreased pressure. 【0014】 Alternatively, or additionally, an adjustable back pressure valve may be placed downstream of the extraction device in the flow direction. In this case, the extraction pressure or flow rate can be changed by adjusting the valve opening of the back pressure valve. Thus, since the valve opening of the back pressure valve can be enlarged or reduced via the operating element during the preparation process, higher or lower back pressures can be generated in the back pressure element. 【0015】 In a preferred embodiment, the beverage preparation apparatus includes a measuring device located upstream or downstream of the extraction apparatus for determining the volumetric flow rate of the extracted water or the amount of extracted water that has already passed through or will pass through, and an adjustable back pressure valve located downstream of the extraction apparatus in the flow direction. The control device is configured to change the extraction pressure when hot water is supplied to the extraction apparatus via the operating element according to a preset pressure profile, and to adjust the flow rate of the extracted water via the back pressure valve during the extraction process according to each measurement of the measuring device so that a preset total amount of extracted water for a selected beverage passes through in a preset total flow time, regardless of the preset pressure profile via the operating element during the preparation process. 【0016】 In other words, while the extraction pressure can be changed over time via the aforementioned operating element, flow rate adjustment is performed by using the aforementioned back pressure valve to constantly adjust the flow rate so as to achieve a total flow time that is substantially constant with respect to a preset total volume of water. 【0017】 It is reasonable to control the extraction pressure through pump control. Therefore, both the extraction pressure profile and the total flow time can be preset. Since extraction time and extraction pressure are known to be the most important parameters influencing the taste of a coffee beverage, baristas are given a wide range of possibilities to influence the quality of the beverage through their craftsmanship and experience in coffee preparation. 【0018】 It is reasonable that the back pressure valve is formed as a motor-driven needle valve, and the control device opens and closes the needle valve by controlling the drive motor. Since the flow rate can be adjusted very precisely by the needle valve, it is possible to set the flow rate with extreme accuracy via feedback control. 【0019】 Preferably, a flow sensor is used as the measuring device, and the flow sensor is positioned upstream of the water pump or between the water pump and the extraction device in the flow direction, and therefore preferably in a cold water flow. Thus, on the one hand, the hot water flowing through the flow sensor, which would otherwise need to be warmed up at the start of product purchase, is not cooled. In addition, using cold water reduces wear on the flow sensor compared to using hot water. 【0020】 It is reasonable that the control device is configured to determine the amount of extracted water that has already passed through or will pass through from each volumetric flow rate value measured continuously or at least multiple times, and to further open or further close the back pressure valve in order to increase or decrease the volumetric flow rate in the remaining time until a preset total amount is reached. 【0021】 In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical operating element is formed as an operating lever, which can be switched from a neutral position to a first direction to increase pressure or flow rate, or to a second direction to decrease pressure or flow rate. This type of operating lever allows for particularly intuitive operation. For example, the operating lever can be rotated upward or forward to increase extraction pressure or flow rate, and downward or backward to decrease the extraction pressure or flow rate. When the operating lever is located in or adjacent to the dispensing device, particularly ergonomic and intuitive operability is obtained. 【0022】 In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the beverage preparation device is configured to emit a visual, audible or tactile confirmation signal when the operating element is actuated. For example, it is possible to illustrate pressure or flow rate in the form of bars or triangles displayed on a graphic display, and the bars / triangles can be illustrated larger or smaller depending on the position of the operating lever. The tactile confirmation signal can be output directly, for example, in the form of a detent on the operating lever, or an operating resistance that continuously increases as the operating lever is deflected, or a resilience that increases as the operating lever is deflected and that can be felt by the user. 【0023】 According to the invention, the position of the operating lever can be read via the control device. This can be implemented, for example, as a continuous signal via a potentiometer or as a digital signal via a plurality of mechanical contact switches, for example. 【0024】 In a preferred embodiment, the control device has a training mode, in which a profile is input by actuating the operating element, and the input profile is stored for subsequent automatic product purchases. Thus, the barista can input an individual profile and repeatedly call up and execute the profile at each subsequent product purchase. 【0025】 In another embodiment, the beverage preparation device has at least one dispensing head that can be fixed to the dispensing device for supplying one or more beverage components guided to the dispensing device via separate hood tubes, and the dispensing device has a mechanical interface for sealingly connecting the dispensing head. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that a plurality of dispensing heads that can be alternately connected to the dispensing device for different beverages or beverage groups are provided. For example, a first dispensing head for a single espresso and a second dispensing head having a double dispensing part for supplying double espresso to two espresso cups can be provided. Similarly, separate dispensing heads for each milk-containing and / or flavored beverage can be provided. 【0026】 Each of the dispensing heads can preferably be formed in the shape of a portafilter, but the upper surface of the dispensing head is formed by a sealed surface that is closed except where each connection port is provided. Thus, the operation of the device is similar to that of a conventional portafilter device, but differs in that although beverage preparation is carried out in the manner of a fully automatic beverage maker, it is possible to manually change the pressure profile or flow profile. 【0027】 More preferably, the beverage preparation device is formed as a genuine fully automatic coffee machine and has a mill for grinding coffee beans, and the mill automatically fills the extraction device with an amount of freshly ground coffee powder distributed to the extraction device in interaction with the extraction device. Thus, for example, by easily selecting the beverage to be supplied via a graphic user interface, the preparation and supply of the beverage including grinding the coffee beans and filling the extraction device are carried out fully automatically. 【0028】 However, the present invention is not limited to a fully automatic coffee machine and can also be used in a portion coffee machine operated using a coffee capsule or coffee pad. 【0029】 Further configurations and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions of the embodiments based on the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0030】 [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a beverage preparation device formed as a double unit. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the water flow mechanism of a beverage preparation device. [Figure 3a] This figure shows a dispensing head having a double dispensing section, which is usable and removable in a beverage preparation device according to the present invention. [Figure 3b] Furthermore, this figure shows two dispensing heads that can be used alternately in the beverage preparation device according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0031】 The coffee maker 1 shown in Figure 1 is formed as a double device having two separate coffee preparation devices 2a and 2b. Each of the coffee preparation devices 2a and 2b has a dispensing device 3, which has a dispensing section 4 that receives the coffee beverage, and the prepared coffee beverage is supplied through the dispensing section into a drinking container placed below the dispensing section. 【0032】 The dispensing device 3 is equipped with an operating lever 5 that can be swiveled upward and downward from a neutral position. The operating lever 5 is used to pre-set profiles for extraction pressure or flow rate when preparing the beverage to be supplied now or in the future, in the manner detailed below. 【0033】 Two bean containers 6 for raw coffee beans are arranged on the top surface of the device. Each bean container is connected to an electric coffee grinder located below it, which grinds coffee into individual portions for the preparation of coffee beverages. Furthermore, the coffee maker 1 has a powder container 6a for instant powders such as chocolate powder, and it is possible to prepare instant beverages using this powder container as an additional beverage component. 【0034】 Above the dispensing device 3, a touch-sensitive display 9 is positioned as a graphic user interface. Various available beverage variations are displayed on the display for the user to select from. After selection, the selected beverage is automatically prepared and dispensed, and during preparation, preparation parameters such as extraction pressure or flow rate can be changed via the operating lever 5. 【0035】 A steam lance 7 is located in the center of the device, and by operating the operating lever 7a, steam for frothing milk can be supplied through the steam lance. Adjacent to it is a hot water dispenser 8. By operating another operating lever 8a, hot water can be supplied from the dispenser 8 for purposes such as preparing tea, rinsing cups, or preheating. 【0036】 Figure 2 illustrates the structure of an extraction device for preparing each coffee beverage, using a so-called water flow mechanism. This extraction device can be used, for example, in the beverage preparation devices 2a and 2b. The extraction device comprises an extraction assembly 11, a water heater 12 in the form of a flow heater formed as a heating cartridge, an inlet-side water pump 13, and a discharge head 4 for supplying each freshly extracted coffee beverage. A main water valve 15 is located upstream of the water pump 13 in the flow direction, and the extraction device is connected to a drinking water pipe 16 via this main water valve. On the pressure side, the pump 13 is connected to the inlet of the heating cartridge 12 via a flow sensor 17 (flow meter). Hot water from the heating cartridge 12 is supplied to the extraction assembly 11. 【0037】 An adjustable back pressure valve 19 is positioned between the extraction aggregate 11 and the discharge head 4, and the back pressure valve is controlled by the control device 10 according to the measured values ​​of the flow sensor 17. The control device 10 can be implemented by a microprocessor, and the microprocessor can also be used to perform other control and adjustment processes in the beverage preparation apparatus. Furthermore, the control device 10 is connected to the operating lever 5 or an electrical pickup mounted on the operating lever 5 that reads the position of the operating lever 5. 【0038】 Furthermore, the control device 10 is connected to the water pump 13 and controls the speed and, in particular, the output of the water pump 13. In addition, a pressure sensor 18 is placed in the cold water flow of the heating cartridge 12, and each measurement value of the pressure sensor is read by the control device 10. Finally, the control device 10 can also control the heating cartridge 12 to pre-set the heating output of the heating cartridge and, consequently, the temperature of the hot water. 【0039】 The extraction assembly 11 comprises a heater 11a for preheating and maintaining the temperature of the extraction assembly in a manner known in itself, and an extraction chamber 11b into which the dispensed freshly ground coffee 11c is filled. An extraction assembly that can be used within the scope of the present invention is described, for example, in EP 2561778 A1, and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the full text of that publication is referred to herein. 【0040】 The extraction assembly 11 is configured to be open to allow it to be filled with a portion of coffee grounds that are ground each time in the mill of the beverage preparation device. Furthermore, with the extraction assembly open, any coffee grounds remaining after the extraction process can be discharged into a used coffee container. The extraction assembly 11 also has a movable piston (not shown) that compresses the filled coffee grounds against the extraction filter inside the extraction assembly 11. After the piston is retracted, pressurized extraction water can flow through the thus compressed coffee grounds 11c. 【0041】 The pressure generated by the pump 13 as the extracted water passes through the extraction chamber 11b is typically about 8 to 12 bar, although this invention is not limited to this. In conventional coffee makers, this pressure of the extracted water decreases above the compressed coffee grounds 11c in the extraction chamber 11b. In this case, the speed at which the extracted water passes through the coffee grounds 11c depends distinctly on the grind size, type of coffee, quantity, and degree of compression. In contrast, in the extraction apparatus described herein, the pressure drop occurs particularly in the back pressure valve 19 located downstream of the extraction chamber 11b, which is capable of controlling the flow rate or flow rate of the extracted water passing through the extraction chamber via the control device 10, specifically according to the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 17. In this embodiment, the back pressure valve 19 is formed as a needle valve driven via a stepping motor. 【0042】 The operating lever 5 is hinged to the dispensing device 3 and has an electrical pickup 5a that generates a signal corresponding to the deflection of the operating lever 5. The pickup may be analog or digital. For example, a potentiometer can be used as the pickup, in which the voltage drops in proportion to the deflection. Similarly, it is possible to use a plurality of individual microswitches that are switched by the lever in accordance with the deflection of the lever 5. As described above, the operating lever 5 is used as a mechanical operating element for the user to input a profile of extraction parameters. The operating lever 5 can be deflected in two directions, for example, from its neutral position, which is its center position. The electrical pickup 5a is connected to the control device which reads the operating status of the operating lever 5. The control device 10 changes the corresponding extraction parameters in accordance with the deflection of the operating lever 5. 【0043】 In this embodiment, the extraction pressure can be increased or decreased via the operating lever 5. When the control device 10 detects the corresponding deflection of the operating lever 5, the control device increases or decreases the speed of the water pump 13 to increase or decrease the extraction pressure. As the extraction pressure decreases, the flow rate passing through the extraction assembly 11 also decreases. This is detected by the flow meter 17 and read by the control device 10, and in response, the control device widens the valve opening of the back pressure valve 19 to increase the flow rate again, thereby obtaining a preset total flow time. As a result, by appropriately operating the operating lever 5, a preset total amount of hot water passes through the extraction assembly 11 over a preset total flow time, regardless of how the pump speed changes during the preparation process. 【0044】 Through the user interface 9, the user can also select an alternative operating mode that allows the flow rate to be directly increased or decreased via the operating lever 5, rather than the extraction pressure. In this case, the control device 10 controls the back pressure valve 19 according to the deflection of the operating lever 5. 【0045】 Furthermore, it is possible to start a training mode via the graphic user interface 9. In this training mode, the deflection of the operating lever 5 is recorded during the beverage preparation process, and the thus input profile is stored. This profile can then be used for the preparation and supply of each beverage in the future. Thus, it becomes possible to automatically prepare and supply each coffee variation customized by a barista using the coffee maker 1. 【0046】 In contrast, the design of the coffee maker 1, which has functions equivalent to a conventional fully automatic coffee maker, adopts that of a commercial portafilter device. Therefore, the dispensing head 4 is adapted to the shape of a portafilter. The first dispensing head 4 is shown in Figure 3a. The dispensing head has a shape similar to a conventional portafilter and has a carrier 4a with a grip 4b. The grip 4b is optional and can be omitted or formed in a different shape, such as a narrow, forward-protruding grip edge as shown in Figure 1. 【0047】 A circular sealing surface 20 is formed on the upper surface of the carrier 4a, and in the illustrated embodiment, an opening 21 is located within this sealing surface, which corresponds to a double dispensing section 22 on the lower surface of the dispensing head. Two espresso cups can be placed below the double dispensing section 22 and filled simultaneously. The dispensing head 4 is configured to be replaceable and is inserted into the receiving section of the dispensing device 3 and locked therein. A sealed connection and fluid connection are obtained between the dispensing head 4 and the dispensing device 3 via the sealing surface 20. Coffee tubes connecting the extraction assembly 11 to the dispensing device 3 terminate in the dispensing device 3. Furthermore, tubes for other beverage components, such as milk, milk foam, or various flavoring additives, may also be connected to the dispensing device 3. Each corresponding dispensing opening in the receiving section of the dispensing device interacts with the sealing surface 20 of the dispensing head 4. When the dispensing head 4 shown in Figure 3a is used, each of the additional dispensing openings is closed by the sealing surface 20, making it impossible to supply any beverage component other than espresso coffee. 【0048】 Figure 3b illustrates two additional alternately insertable dispensing heads 4', 4''. The left dispensing head 4' is provided with, for example, four dispensing openings 21a, 21b, 21d, and 21g, each of which corresponds to a corresponding dispensing opening in the receiving section of the dispensing device 3. Thus, it is possible to supply and mix a total of four different beverage components using this dispensing head 4'. For example, it is possible to supply coffee beverages with milk foam and various additional liquid flavoring additives. 【0049】 The dispensing head 4" has two openings 21a, 21b on its lower surface, corresponding to the respective dispensing sections 22a, 22b. Two beverage components can be supplied from the dispensing device 3 through the respective dispensing sections 22a, 22b associated with the respective openings 21a, 21b. The central dispensing section 21a is used to dispense freshly brewed coffee, and the dispensing section 21b is used to dispense milk foam. 【0050】 Therefore, by selecting the corresponding dispensing heads 4, 4', and 4”, it is possible to supply different beverages. That is, depending on which beverage to prepare and supply, the barista selects the appropriate dispensing head and connects it to the dispensing device 3. Preferably, each of the dispensing heads 4, 4', and 4” is equipped with an RFID tag that can be read by an RFID reader located in the dispensing device 3. Since it is possible to identify the dispensing head and each beverage component that can be supplied from that dispensing head via the RFID tag, only the beverages or beverage variations that can be supplied by the corresponding dispensing heads 4, 4', and 4” are available and displayed for selection in the user interface 9 of the beverage preparation device via the corresponding control in the beverage preparation device. Therefore, different beverage variations can be provided by easily changing the dispensing head. 【0051】 Within the scope of a preferred embodiment, a heating cartridge having a low thermal mass is used as the water heater 12 to enable rapid heating. The heating cartridge has a cylindrical inner body and an outer casing surrounding the inner body, and a flow path for the water to be heated is arranged between the casing surface of the inner body and the inner surface of the casing, extending in a helical manner. In addition to having a low thermal mass, such a shape allows for a particularly compact structure. 【0052】 In this configuration, the electric heater is formed as a heating coil, which is arranged in each axially adjacent part of the cylindrical inner body, extending spirally around the central axis of the inner body. In particular, each heating coil may be wound around a heat-resistant core that is axially positioned. The space between each heating coil and the outer skin of the inner body can be filled with a powdered material that is electrically insulating and thermally conductive, such as magnesium oxide or other oxides. 【0053】 Because it has a low thermal mass, the extraction temperature can be changed during the beverage preparation process by adjusting or changing the thermal output. Therefore, it is possible to perform extraction not only by changing the flow rate and pressure, but also by changing the temperature.

Claims

[Claim 1] Water heater (12) and An extraction device (11) capable of supplying hot water from the aforementioned water heater (12), A water pump (13) for supplying water under pressure in the direction of the extraction device (11), An adjustable back pressure valve (19) is located downstream of the extraction device (11) in the flow direction, A dispensing device (3) is connected to the extraction device (11) via a hot beverage tube, During the preparation process, a mechanical operating element (5) is provided with an electrical pickup (5a) for providing real-time user input, and A beverage preparation apparatus for automatically supplying each hot beverage, particularly each coffee beverage, comprising a water pump (13), a back pressure valve (19), and a control device (10) connected to the electrical pickup (5a), The control device (10) is configured to change at least one of the extraction pressure and flow rate during the extraction process by adjusting the control of both the water pump (13) and the back pressure valve (19). A beverage preparation apparatus characterized in that control of at least one of the water pump (13) and the back pressure valve (19) is performed by the mechanical operating element (5) in response to real-time user input. [Claim 2] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction pressure is changed by adjusting the speed of the water pump (13). [Claim 3] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extraction pressure or flow rate is changed by adjusting the valve opening of the back pressure valve (19). [Claim 4] The extraction apparatus (11) has a measuring device (17) located upstream or downstream for determining the volumetric flow rate of the extracted water or the amount of extracted water that has already passed through or will pass through. The control device (10) is configured to change the extraction pressure when hot water is supplied to the extraction device (11) according to a preset pressure profile via the mechanical operating element (5), During the extraction process, the flow rate of the extracted water is controlled via the back pressure valve (19) according to each measurement value of the measuring device (17). The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, during the preparation process, it is configured such that a preset total amount of extracted water for a selected beverage passes through it in a preset total flow time, regardless of a preset pressure profile via the mechanical operating element (5). [Claim 5] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the back pressure valve (19) is formed as a motor-driven needle valve, and the control device (10) further opens and closes the needle valve by controlling the drive motor. [Claim 6] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the measuring device (17) includes a flow sensor located upstream of the water pump (13) or between the water pump (13) and the extraction device (11) in the flow direction. [Claim 7] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the control device (10) is configured to determine the amount of extracted water that has already passed through or will pass through from each volume flow rate value measured continuously or at least multiple times, and to further open or further close the back pressure valve (19) in order to increase or decrease the volume flow rate in the remaining time until a preset total amount is reached. [Claim 8] The beverage preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mechanical operating element (5) is formed as an operating lever that can be deflected from a neutral position in a first direction to increase pressure or flow rate, or in a second direction to decrease pressure or flow rate. [Claim 9] A beverage preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it emits a visual, auditory, or tactile confirmation signal when the mechanical operating element (5) is activated. [Claim 10] The beverage preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control device (10) has a training mode in which a profile is input by activating the mechanical operating element (5), and the input profile is stored for each subsequent automatic product purchase. [Claim 11] A beverage preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one dispensing head (4, 4', 4") fixed to the dispensing device (3) for supplying one or more beverage components, each guided to the dispensing device (3) via separate hood tubes, wherein the dispensing device (3) has a mechanical interface for sealing the dispensing head (4, 4', 4") together. [Claim 12] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by comprising a plurality of dispensing heads (4, 4', 4") which can be alternately connected to the dispensing device (3) for each different beverage or each group of beverages. [Claim 13] The beverage preparation apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each of the discharge heads (4, 4', 4") is formed to have the shape of a portafilter, which is formed by a closed sealed surface (20) except that each of its upper surfaces is provided with connection openings (21, 21a, 21b, 21d, 21g). [Claim 14] A beverage preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has a mill for grinding coffee beans that interacts with the extraction device (11) and automatically fills the amount of freshly ground coffee powder distributed to the extraction device.

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