Brewing module for portion capsule coffee machine

Abstract

Brewing module (1a) for preparing a brewed drink from a portion capsule, comprising: a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part, wherein said brewing module (1a) comprises a single bar lever (11) operatively connected at least with said second brewing module part, which single bar lever (11) can be brought manually from a first operating position, in which the second brewing module part is in a first brewing module part position, into a second operating element position, in which the second brewing module part is in a second brewing module part position, and back, and wherein the single bar lever (11) comprises a user directed terminal portion (63), in or on which a user interface (14) for initiating beverage preparation is located.

Description

[0001] F07368 22.8.2025

[0002] 1

[0003] TITLE

[0004] BREWING MODULE FOR PORTION CAPSULE COFFEE MACHINE

[0005] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006] The present invention relates to a coffee machine with a brewing unit, which can be opened and closed by means of a manually actuated handle as well as methods of operation of such coffee machines.

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] There are beverage preparation machines which use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved, in particular for coffee.

[0009] Most coffee machines include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or heated by heating means, such as a heating resistor, a thermoblock or the like.

[0010] Such machines typically have a brewing unit for holding and extraction the beverage ingredient. To introduce the ingredient into the brewing unit and then seal the ingredient upon use, the brewing unit has a closure mechanism that may be driven by a handle that is operable by a user. Various configurations for manipulating the machine have been disclosed in the art.

[0011] EP 1 208 782 discloses a coffee machine having a main body including a brewing unit for extracting coffee capsules. The brewing unit is opened and closed with the aid of a handle that can be turned over the main body by an angle of about a 180 deg. from behind to the front of the main body. The handle has a pair of generally L-shaped levers connected at one end by a hand-drivable transverse rod and pivotally mounted at the opposite end to the opening and closing mechanism of the brewing unit. The pivotable L-shaped levers drive a movable part of the brewing unit via a pair of intermediate levers connected at a first end to this movable brewing unit part and at a second end to the corner of the L-shaped levers.

[0012] US 2008 / 0006159 discloses a brewing unit that has a horizontally movable drawer for introducing an ingredient pouch and a vertically movable top part with a piercing mechanism for opening the pouch. These elements are driven by a generally U-shaped movable handle that can be pivoted from an upright open position down to a generally horizontal closed position.

[0013] US 7,165,488, WO 2007 / 111884 and EP 1 829 469 disclose a beverage machine having a brewing unit that can be opened and closed manually by a handle system that is linked to a movable top part of the brewing unit and indirectly to a top front part of the main body.

[0014] More recently, efforts have been specifically devoted to the ease of operation of a beverage F07368 22.8.2025

[0015] 2 preparation machine for a userand ergonomic configuration of such machines, as illustrated in the following documents.

[0016] EP 1 878 368 discloses a beverage machine having a functional block that is rotatably mounted on a support base. The functional block can be designed to be removable from the support base. EP 1 864 598 discloses an autonomous beverage machine that can be mounted onto a docking station. The beverage machine is arranged to be operable whether connected to the docking station or disconnected therefrom.

[0017] WO 2009 / 074553 and WO 2010 / 015427 disclose beverage preparation machines that are configured so that they can be lifted single-handed by a user.

[0018] For allowing the user to control machine operation various systems have been disclosed in the art, for instance as mentioned in the following references: WO 2006 / 090183, WO 2007 / 003062, WO 2007 / 003990, WO 2008 / 104751 , WO 2008 / 138710, WO 2008 / 138820, WO 2009 / 135821 and WO 2010 / 003932.

[0019] Documents such as WO 2004 / 030438, WO 2006 / 090183, WO 2007 / 003990 WO 2008 / 138710 and WO 2010 / 003932 disclose beverage dispensing machines with a generally upright front face having a lower open cavity for receiving a receptacle to be filled via a beverage outlet in the cavity and, on an upper part of the front face, above the opening of this cavity, a generally vertical upper screen, touch screen and / or touch pad arranged as a user-interface.

[0020] FR 2 624 844 discloses a beverage dispenser having a front face with an open cavity for filling a receptacle and a micro-computer with a keyboard and a monitor housed in the machine's front face next to the cavity opening.

[0021] WO-A-2018115184 proposes a brewing module for preparing a brewed beverage from a single-serve capsule has a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part which can be moved, relative to the first brewing module part, between a first brewing module part position and a second brewing module part position. An operating element is also provided which can be manually moved from a first operating element position to a second operating element position. The brewing module is characterized by a stored energy source, which is configured to intermediately store energy coupled into the brewing module by a movement of the operating element from the first to the second position, and, actuated by a release, to convert this back to a movement from the first brewing module part position to the second brewing module part position.

[0022] More advanced user-interface systems may include user-movable laser pointers for setting a level of fill directly on a user-cup, as taught in WO 2006 / 063645, or a sensor for acquiring the position of a finger or a user-operated object pointing onto a desired level of fill on a cup, as disclosed in WO 2009 / 135821 , and filling automatically the cup to such a level. F07368 22.8.2025

[0023] 3

[0024] WO-A-2012032019 discloses a machine for preparing a beverage comprises: a bow handle having a drive portion arranged to be contacted and driven by a human hand to move the handle into a beverage preparation position; and a user-interface for initiating beverage preparation. This drive portion comprises this user- interface.

[0025] There is still a need to further improve the ergonomics of a coffee machine arranged so that its operation by a user is facilitate, in particular accelerated.

[0026] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0027] It is an object of the present invention to propose a new brewing module which provides for an efficient, intuitive and reliable and ergonomic as well as user-friendly operation.

[0028] According to a first aspect of the present invention it correspondingly proposes a brewing module for preparing a brewed drink from a portion (coffee) capsule, comprising: a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part, the second brewing module part being movable relative to said first brewing module part between a first brewing module part position, in which said portion capsule can be inserted into the brewing module, and a second brewing module part position, in which a brewing chamber is formed which during a brewing procedure at least partly surrounds the portion capsule situated in a brewing position, and in which the brewing module is configured to brew a brewed drink by way of introducing a brewing fluid into the portion capsule and to discharge said brewed drink from the portion capsule.

[0029] According to the proposed concept, said brewing module comprises a single bar lever operatively connected at least with said second brewing module part. The single bar lever can be brought manually from a first operating position, in which the second brewing module part is in said first brewing module part position, so the machine is open and a capsule can be inserted, into a second operating element position, in which the second brewing module part is in the second brewing module part position, so the machine is in the closed position and ready for extraction, and back again into the first position, if needed.

[0030] The single bar lever according to this invention is a single, essentially straight linear bar lever, which, with a brewing module directed terminal end is mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis from said first operating position to said second operating position, and which has user directed terminal portion for the manual user manipulation.

[0031] According to the proposed concept, the single bar lever comprises a user directed terminal portion, in or on which a user interface for initiating (and / or terminating) beverage preparation is located. F07368 22.8.2025

[0032] 4

[0033] By way of providing a single bar lever a very intuitive coffee machine is provided, and by providing the user interface in the user directed terminal portion thereof, the user, which has to grip that terminal portion for moving the single bar lever, can, without having to use the other hand and without having to shift the hand, directly actuate the user interface and initiate the brewing process.

[0034] According to a first preferred embodiment of the proposed invention, the single bar lever, in the user directed terminal portion thereof, comprises a handle portion, at the user directed front face of which said user interface is located. Preferably, said user directed front face is a single flat plane (which can be provided with local protrusions or indentations such as ribs, tabs, grooves, or combinations thereof) and that plane is located in a plane essentially perpendicular to the main axis of the single bar lever in the rest position. Preferably only in that user directed (flat) front face user interface elements are located or that front face element form the only user interface element. Preferably, such a single flat plane (which can be provided with local protrusions or indentations such as ribs, tabs, grooves, or combinations thereof) is a stiff element that is tiltably (preferably around a horizontal axis) mounted in a grip portion of the single bar lever.

[0035] Said user interface can also more generally be located in or on a user directed terminal handle. Said user interface can e.g. be located at at least one of: a user directed front face, side portions and rear portions, of said handle.

[0036] By way of providing the user interface, so a corresponding actuation knob or touch sensor element, at or in the user directed front face allows for direct actuating that user interface with the thumb without having to shift the hand after having brought the single bar lever from the first of the second position. Typically, the handle portion is essentially cylindrical or conical and has a flat front face which is arranged essentially perpendicularly to the main axis of the single bar lever. A knob can therefore be provided in that region and cannot only be actuated easily, but is also visible to the user in the best position. The corresponding actuation means can be provided with lighting or other display means, and with tactile feedback upon actuation.

[0037] The user interface can preferably be provided in the form of a silicone dome-based and / or (metal or other conductive material based) contact pill based and / or metal dome based switch, to provide for tactile feedback and high reliability in particular, preferably having at least two individual silicone domes and / or (metal or other conductive material based) contact pills and / or metal domes, preferably individual silicone domes with metal dome inserts.

[0038] The single bar lever in the user directed terminal portion thereof preferably comprises a handle portion, having a body portion (cylindrical or conical, preferably widening in the F07368 22.8.2025

[0039] 5 direction of the user) with a central opening and a front recess, in which the user interface is located.

[0040] The user interface can take the form of at least one user actuatable mechanical and / or touch sensor button, such as at least one mechanical press button and / or mechanical toggle switch button, and / or touch sensor slide, press and / or toggle switch button.

[0041] The user interface can be provided with haptic and / or optical structures and / or feedback. Preferably the user interface takes the form of a multilayer insert with an outermost interface layer or plate, a silicone keypad and a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board being wired to a central control unit of a coffee machine comprising said brewing module through said central opening.

[0042] The user interface preferably takes the form of a tiltable preferably stiff rocker plate mounted on an axis. Said axis is preferably mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the lever in a front face of a handle portion of the single bar lever.

[0043] Preferably the rocker plate is provided with at least one axially outwardly protruding tab, extending in an essentially horizontal or vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the single bar lever (also diagonal or other such perpendicular directions are possible) if the single bar lever is arranged horizontally, and preferably extending essentially across the full width of the rocker plate.

[0044] The single bar lever is preferably mounted on a backside portion (seen with respect to the normal position of the user operating the handle) of the brewing module and above an insertion opening for the portion capsule in the brewing module.

[0045] The single bar lever preferably actuates a rotatably mounted bracket of the brewing module, e.g. by way of at least one lever bar, which bracket is mounted by way of a rotation axis and is having arms, of which at least one, preferably both, are hingedly directly or indirectly connected to said lever bars. The bracket is operatively connected to the second brewing module part to move it between the first brewing module part position and the second brewing module part position.

[0046] The single bar lever can be mounted on a backside of the brewing module by way of an axis mounted in a stationary bearing element of the brewing module or on which the brewing module is mounted, which axis is rotationally fixed to the single bar lever and on which axis a first lever bar is mounted in a rotationally fixed way, such that rotation of the single bar lever leads to co-rotation of the first lever bar.

[0047] At the end of the first lever bar opposite to said axis a second lever bar with its first end can be hingedly attached, and the second end of said second lever bar can be hingedly attached to an arm of a bracket tiltably mounted on the brewing module and operatively connected to the second brewing module part to move it between the first brewing module part position F07368 22.8.2025

[0048] 6 and the second brewing module part position.

[0049] The single bar lever or at least one part of its operative connection to the second brewing module part can be provided with means to lock the second brewing module part position. Preferably said means are by way of a controllable magnetic interaction, preferably not involving any form closure or force closure except magnetic attraction, preferably by providing a controllable electromagnet on a stationary part of the brewing module or a carrier of the brewing module.

[0050] A controllable electromagnet can be mounted on a stationary vertical support plate, and a magnetic counter element can be provided, preferably on a flange, of an extension of a lever arm directly or indirectly hingedly attached to the single bar lever.

[0051] The brewing module preferably further comprises an energy store, which is configured to store energy that is coupled into the brewing module, by way of moving the single bar lever from the first into the second position, and to again convert or return it, activated by a release, into a movement of the single bar lever from the second brewing module part position into the first brewing module part position.

[0052] The energy store may take the form of a spring element, preferably of a gas spring, which is preferably hingedly connected to an arm of a bracket of the brewing module, which is operatively actuated by the single bar lever .

[0053] Typically, it is a brewing module for singleserve capsules, preferably singleserve coffee capsules, preferably with conical or halfdome shape and preferably based on aluminum as capsule material.

[0054] According to a further aspect of the present invention it relates to a method for operating such a brewing module or a coffee machine comprising such a brewing module. According to this method, the single bar lever is manually brought into the first operating position (if not there yet), a portion capsule is inserted into the brewing module, the single bar lever is manually brought into the second operating position, and the brewing process is initiated by actuating manually said user interface, and wherein after the end of the extraction process, either the single bar lever is manually brought back into the first operating position and the capsule is dropping out of the brewing module, or automatically the single bar lever is released and, by way of an energy store is returned into the first operating position and the capsule is dropping out of the brewing module. Further embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims. F07368 22.8.2025

[0055] 7

[0056] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view onto a coffee machine with a single bar lever for manually actuating the brewing unit;

[0059] Fig. 2 shows the coffee machine according to Fig. 1 in a side view in the position, where the brewing unit is open for insertion of a capsule in (a), first operating position, and a closed position, or second operating position, where the brewing unit is closed for brewing the beverage in (b);

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view onto the coffee machine according to the preceding figures in the closed position, wherein the outer housing is removed;

[0061] Fig. 4 shows in a) the brewing unit and the mounting wall with the lever in the open position, in b) the same as a) but in the closed position from a first lateral side, and in c) from the other lateral side, in d) a perspective view of the backside portion of the brewing unit from the front side and in e) a perspective view of the backside portion of the brewing unit from the backside;

[0062] Fig.5 shows several representations of the handle portion of the lever, wherein in a) the assembled handle portion is shown, in b) an explosion representation from the front side and in c) an explosion representation from the backside, in d) an axial cut and in e) an axial cut through the knob portion.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] Fig. 1 shows, in a perspective view from the front side (for the typical user), a coffee machine 1 comprising inside a brewing unit according to the present invention. The coffee machine comprises a housing 2 in which the brewing unit is located. On the backside there is provided a water tank 3 with a lid 4; normally the water tank 3, attached by connector 33, can be removed for filling and reinserted after for operation. The coffee machine resides on a foot plate 5, the front part 6 of which serves as a platform for putting a cup 7 below an outlet 8 of the brewing unit.

[0065] On a top surface 9 of the housing 2 there is a single arm lever 11 , which is hingedly attached to the brewing unit in a backside portion of the coffee machine 1. To this end, there is provided an opening 10 in the top surface 9 of the housing 2, through which the lever 11 , or rather an attachment portion 17 thereof, penetrates.

[0066] The lever 11 has this angled attachment portion 17, a typically cylindrical middle portion 12, and at the terminal end 63 directed to the user there is provided a handle portion 13, which F07368 22.8.2025

[0067] 8 in this case is conically widening in the direction of the user.

[0068] The handle portion 13 has a front face 62, the plane of which is directed essentially perpendicularly to the axis of the lever 11. In this front face 62 an actuation button 14 is provided to form a user interface for initiating the actual brewing process.

[0069] The coffee machine 1 which is displayed is for single serve coffee capsules. To insert such single serve coffee capsules into the coffee machine or rather into the brewing unit of such a coffee machine, the top surface 9 thereof is provided with an opening 15, through which capsules can be dropped. If the brewing process is terminated and the capsule is not needed anymore, and if the brewing chamber is opened, typically these capsules fall down automatically by gravity into a container, which is located in the region below the brewing unit and behind the area where the cup 7 is located, so below a front portion 16 of the coffee machine.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows, in perspective side views, such a coffee machine in the open position in a), where the brewing chamber of the brewing module is open and the lever 11 is under an angle of about 50-60° relative to a horizontal plane, and in the closed position b), where the brewing chamber is closed and the lever 11 is under an angle of about 5-15° relative to a horizontal plane.

[0071] As one can see, in the closed position the handle is handily located right above the insertion opening 15 for the capsules, which prevents inadvertent additional insertion of further capsules.

[0072] Fig. 3 shows in a perspective view from the front side, such a coffee machine after removal of the outer main housing 2. Now one can see the actual brewing module 1a and how the lever 11 is mounted in or on such a brewing module 1a.

[0073] The brewing module 1a has a brewing head 18 or central block, in which a first brewing module part 1a' is located (or block which forms this first brewing module part), this part is normally stationary.

[0074] Also located within this block 18 there is a second brewing module part 1a", which can be translated between an open position, in which a capsule can be inserted through the top opening 19 into the block 18. The second brewing module part 1a" can then be shifted in a translational motion essentially along the horizontal axis of the block 18, in a direction to the user, to close the actual brewing chamber, and to typically also pierce the capsule for the extraction and brewing process.

[0075] In that second operational position, control elements (not displayed), initiated by the user interface on the handle 11 , can then actuate water pumping and heating means (not displayed), to introduce water into the capsule in the brewing chamber, to pass through the capsule and the material contained in the capsule to extract / brew, and to then allow the F07368 22.8.2025

[0076] 9 corresponding brewed liquid to exit the capsule, typically through a lid thereof, to then be dispensed by way of the outlet 8 into a final container.

[0077] The motion of this second brewing module part 1a" is controlled and initiated by way of a bracket 27, which is mounted rotatably around an axis 28 which is oriented horizontally and perpendicularly to the axis of the block 18. The bracket 27 has a bridge portion 30 which joins two downward arms 29 and 29', thus providing lever arms.

[0078] Rotation of the bracket 27 around axis 28, in this illustration which shows the closed position, in a clockwise direction, leads to a translational retraction of the above-mentioned second brewing module part 1a" and correspondingly to an opening of the brewing chamber.

[0079] The bracket 27 is operatively connected with that single arm lever 11 as follows: the single arm lever 11 is mounted by way of the attachment portion 17 on a bearing element 21 which is mounted on top of the brewing unit or on a support plate 22.

[0080] The axis 20 is fixedly attached to the lever, so the construction does not allow rotation of the axis 20 relative to the rotation of the lever 11.

[0081] The bearing element 21 embraces the attachment portion 17, and at the two ends of the axis 20 penetrating beyond the bearing element 21 , there are provided first lever bars 23. These are also rotationally fixed on the axis 20, so they so to speak extend the angled portion of the attachment portion 17 and are fixed relative to it.

[0082] If the single arm lever 11 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first lever bar 23 co-rotates in a clockwise direction as well.

[0083] The other end of the first lever bar 23 is hingedly attached to a second lever bar 24, which on the other side is hingedly attached at 26 to the above-mentioned downwardly pointing arm 29 of the bracket 27.

[0084] So if the lever 11 is rotated in a clockwise direction to open the brewing chamber, this leads to a clockwise rotation of the first lever bar 23, and by way of the second lever bar 24 to a pushing moment to the left onto the arm 29, in turn leading also to a clockwise rotation of the bracket 27 around axis 28, which, as mentioned above, retracts the second brewing module part 1a" and opens the brewing chamber.

[0085] These positions are further illustrated in Fig. 4, which in a) shows a side view of the open position, where the lever 11 is lifted and a capsule can be inserted, in b) shows a side view of the closed position from the same side as in Fig. 3, and in c) shows a side view from the other side.

[0086] In all figures, same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts.

[0087] As one can see in particular from Fig. 3 as well as Fig. 4a) and b), further below on the arm 29, below the hinge 26 attaching the second lever bar 24, there is a further hinge 34 which F07368 22.8.2025

[0088] 10 attaches a gas spring 31 , which on the other side is hinged by way of attachment hinge 32 to the above-mentioned vertical support plate 22, or rather to a flange portion of a foot 35 thereof.

[0089] This gas spring 31 acts as an energy storage device. Energy is stored when the lever 11 is tilted down for closing the coffee machine, and the energy stored in the gas spring 31 is released if the brewing process is terminated.

[0090] How this is implemented can best be seen by way of Fig. 4c) showing a side view from the other side and d) and e) showing the respective perspective view from both sides.

[0091] Here on the side shown in c) and d), the second lever bar 24' is not just a bar but has a locking extension 37 pointing downward. That locking extension 37 is provided with a flange 40 oriented essentially parallel to the main plane of the support plate 22. On that flange 40 there is provided a magnetic element or counterpart 38. On the support plate 22, opposite to that counterpart in the closed position, there is provided an electromagnet 36.

[0092] If the machine is closed and the program is started, automatically this electromagnet 36 is powered and accordingly the counterpart 38 is magnetically attracted and locked on the electromagnet 36. This prevents further motion of the locking extension 37 and correspondingly also locks the bracket 27 from any kind of rotation, since also here on the other side the second lever bar 24'is hingedly attached to a short arm 29' of the bracket 27. If the brewing process is terminated, the electromagnet 36 is unpowered, releasing the magnetic counterpart 38 and correspondingly the locking portion 37 and the second lever bar 24' and in turn allows rotation of the bracket 27. Since energy is stored in the gas spring 31 , this now automatically leads to an opening of the machine, in other words in the view as illustrated in Fig. 4c) this leads to a counterclockwise rotation of the bracket and, due to the coupling by way of the first lever bar 23, to a corresponding counterclockwise rotation of the single arm lever bar 11 .

[0093] Fig. 5 shows how the handle portion 13 of the lever 11 can be implemented. There is provided a body portion 41 , which is cylindrical, or in this case is widening in a conical shape in the direction to the user. The body portion 41 has a central axial bore 42, through which wiring for the actuation button can be guided. The widened portion of that central bore 42 illustrated on the right in figure d) can be used for attaching the handle portion 13 of the lever to the middle portion 12 thereof.

[0094] On the terminal face 62 of the body portion 42 there is a front recess 43 which allows to house the actual button elements. On the outer surface of the body portion 41 there is a circumferential recess 44, which allows to seat a closing ring 47.

[0095] In the front recess 43, which has a cylindrical shape, a layer structure can be located, which on the bottom starts with a fixture plate 56 which has a through opening 58 for the wiring F07368 22.8.2025

[0096] 11 and a recess 57 for a patterned PCB plate 55. This is followed by a silicone keypad 53 which to the front has protruding portions 54 and on the opposite side in corresponding recesses is provided with metal domes 59 for tactile feedback and selectively contacting corresponding contact portions on the patterned PCB plate for activating.

[0097] This layer structure is terminated by a rocker plate 48, which has an outwardly extending horizontal tab 49, and which is rotatably mounted around axis 46, which is located in the openings 45 in the body portion 41 by way of a bearing opening 50 provided in a ridge 60 on the backside of the rocker plate. Also on the backside there are provided actuation protrusions 61 for controllably initiating the protrusions 54 on the silicone keypad 53.

[0098] The cross tab 49 separates the actuation button 14 into an upper first portion 51 and a lower second portion 52. The user can actuate the corresponding button to initiate the brewing process either by actuating the cross tab 49 or by pressing down the corresponding region 51 or 52 depending on the choice to be made.

[0099] Assembly of such a construction is easy and the operation is highly reliable: in a first step the fixture plate 56 can be taken, the PCB 56 can be inserted into the corresponding recess 57 thereof, and then the silicone pad 53 can be attached to the PCB, if it is not already attached to the PCB when putting it into the corresponding recess 57. This can be inserted into the recess 43, by wiring the attachments of the PCB through the corresponding openings 58 / 42, and at the end the rocker plate 48 can be inserted, the axis 46 can be shifted through the openings 45 and at the very end the ring 47 can be shifted over the circumferential recess 44 locking the axis 48. The ring 47 can be attached by a form fit (locking tab) or by a material fit, e.g. by gluing.

[0100] F07368 22.8.2025

[0101] 12

[0102] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0103] 1 coffee machine

[0104] 1a brewing module

[0105] 1a' first brewing module part

[0106] 1a" second brewing module part

[0107] 2 main housing

[0108] 3 water tank

[0109] 4 lid of 3

[0110] 5 footplate

[0111] 6 front portion of footplate

[0112] 7 cup

[0113] 8 outlet

[0114] 9 top surface of 2

[0115] 10 lever opening in 9

[0116] 11 lever

[0117] 12 middle portion of 11

[0118] 13 handle portion of 11

[0119] 14 actuation button

[0120] 15 capsule opening in 9

[0121] 16 front portion of 2

[0122] 17 angled attachment portion of 11

[0123] 18 brewing head, central unit of brewing module, with internally first brewing module part and second (moveable) brewing module part forming a brewing chamber

[0124] 19 opening for capsule in 18

[0125] 20 axis of 11

[0126] 21 bearing element for 20

[0127] 22 mounting wall, support plate

[0128] 23 first lever bar, long arm lever

[0129] 24 second lever bar, connecting arm lever

[0130] 24' second lever bar with locking extension

[0131] 25 hinge between 23 and 24

[0132] 26 attachment joint, moving rotation point

[0133] 27 bracket

[0134] 28 rotation axis of 27

[0135] 29 arm of 27 F07368 22.8.2025

[0136] 29' short arm of 27

[0137] 30 bridge portion of 27

[0138] 31 spring element, gas spring

[0139] 32 attachment hinge for 31 on 22

[0140] 33 water connector

[0141] 34 attachment hinge for 31 on 27

[0142] 35 foot portion of 22

[0143] 36 electromagnet

[0144] 37 locking extension

[0145] 38 magnetic counterpart on 37

[0146] 39 opening for levers in 22

[0147] 40 flange on 37 for 38

[0148] 41 body portion of 13

[0149] 42 central axial bore in 41

[0150] 43 front recess in 41

[0151] 44 front circumferential recess in 41

[0152] 45 opening for 46

[0153] 46 axis for 14

[0154] 47 closing ring

[0155] 48 rocker plate

[0156] 49 tab on 48

[0157] 50 bearing for 46 in 48

[0158] 51 (upper) first portion of front surface of 48

[0159] 52 (lower) second portion of front surface of 48

[0160] 53 silicone keypad

[0161] 54 protruding portion of 53

[0162] 55 patterned PCB

[0163] 56 fixture of the PCB

[0164] 57 recess and 56 for 55

[0165] 58 through opening for wiring

[0166] 59 metal dome

[0167] 60 ridge for 50

[0168] 61 actuation protrusion on backside of 48

[0169] 62 (terminal) front face

[0170] 63 terminal portion of 11

Claims

F07368 22.8.202514CLAIMS1. Brewing module (1a) for preparing a brewed drink from a portion capsule, comprising: a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part, the second brewing module part being movable relative to said first brewing module part between a first brewing module part position, in which said portion capsule can be inserted into the brewing module, and a second brewing module part position, in which a brewing chamber is formed which during a brewing procedure at least partly surrounds the portion capsule situated in a brewing position, and in which the brewing module is configured to brew a brewed drink by way of introducing a brewing fluid into the portion capsule and to discharge said brewed drink from the portion capsule; and wherein said brewing module (1a) comprises a single bar lever (11) operatively connected at least with said second brewing module part, which single bar lever (11) can be brought manually from a first operating position, in which the second brewing module part is in said first brewing module part position, into a second operating element position, in which the second brewing module part is in the second brewing module part position, and back, and wherein the single bar lever (11) comprises a user directed terminal portion (63), in or on which a user interface (14) for initiating beverage preparation is located.

2. Brewing module (1a) according to claim 1 , wherein the single bar lever (11) in the user directed terminal portion (63) thereof comprises a handle portion (13), at the user directed front face (62) of which said user interface (14) is located, and / or wherein said user interface (14) is located in or on a user directed terminal handle (13), and wherein said user interface (14) is located at at least one of: a user directed front face (62), side portions and rear portions, of said handle (13).

3. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface (14) is provided in the form of a silicone-dome based and / or contact pill based and / or metal dome based switch, preferably having at least two individual silicone domes (54) and / or contact pills and / or metal domes, preferably individual silicone domes with metalF07368 22.8.202515 dome inserts (59).

4. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the single bar lever (11) in the user directed terminal portion thereof comprises a handle portion (13), having a body portion (41) with a central opening (42) and a front recess (43), in which the user interface (14) is located, wherein preferably the user interface (14) takes the form of a multilayer insert with an outermost interface layer or plate (48), a silicone keypad (53) and a printed circuit board (55), said printed circuit board (55) being wired to a central control unit of a coffee machine (1) comprising said brewing module (1a) through said central opening (42).

5. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface (14) takes the form of at least one user actuatable mechanical and / or touch sensor button, including at least one mechanical press button and / or mechanical toggle switch button, and / or touch sensor slide, press and / or toggle switch button, and / or wherein the user interface (14) is provided with haptic and / or optical structures and / or feedback, and / or wherein a tiltable preferably stiff rocker plate (48) mounted on an axis (46), said axis (46) preferably mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the lever (11) in a front face (62) of a handle portion (13) of the single bar lever (11), wherein preferably the rocker plate (48) is provided with at least one axially outwardly protruding tab (49), preferably extending in an essentially horizontal, diagonal or vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the single bar lever (11) if the single bar lever (11) is arranged horizontally, and preferably extending essentially across the full width of the rocker plate (48).

6. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the single bar lever (11 ) is mounted on a backside portion of the brewing module (1 a) and above an insertion opening (15, 19) for the portion capsule in the brewing module (1a).

7. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the single bar lever (11) actuates a rotatably mounted bracket (27) of the brewing module (1a), preferably by way of at least one lever bar (23, 24), which bracket (27) is mounted by way of a rotation axis (28) and is having arms (29, 29'), of which at least one, preferably both, are hingedly directly or indirectly connected to said lever bars (23,24), and wherein the bracket (27) is operatively connected to the second brewing module part to move it between the first brewing module part position and the second brewing module part position.F07368 22.8.2025168. Brewing module (1a) according to claim 7, wherein the single bar lever (11) is mounted on a backside of the brewing module (1a) by way of an axis (20) mounted in a stationary bearing element (21) of the brewing module(1a) or on which the brewing module (1a) is mounted, which axis (20) is rotationally fixed to the single bar lever (11) and on which axis (20) a first lever bar (23) is mounted in a rotationally fixed way, such that rotation of the single bar lever (11) leads to co-rotation of the first lever bar (23), and wherein at the end of the first lever bar (23) opposite to said axis (20) a second lever bar (24) with its first end is hingedly attached, and wherein the second end of said second lever bar (24) is hingedly attached to an arm (29) of a bracket (27) tiltably mounted on the brewing module and operatively connected to the second brewing module part to move it between the first brewing module part position and the second brewing module part position.

9. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the single bar lever (11) or at least one part (37) of its operative connection to the second brewing module part is provided with means (38) to lock the second brewing module part position, wherein preferably said means (38) are by way of a controllable magnetic interaction, preferably by providing a controllable electromagnet on a stationary part (22) of the brewing module or a carrier of the brewing module.

10. Brewing module (1a) according to claim 9, wherein a controllable electromagnet (36) is mounted on a vertical support plate (22), and wherein a magnetic counter element (38) is provided, preferably on a flange (40), of an extension (37) of a lever arm (24) directly or indirectly hingedly attached to the single bar lever (11).

11. Brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises an energy store (31) , which is configured to intermediately store energy that is coupled into the brewing module (1a), by way of moving the single bar lever (11) from the first into the second position, and to again convert it, activated by a release, into a movement of the single bar lever (11) from the second brewing module part position into the first brewing module part position.

12. Brewing module (1a) according to claim 11 , wherein the energy store (31) takes the form of a spring element, preferably of a gas spring, which is preferably hingedly connected to an arm (29) of a bracket (27) of the brewing module (1a), which is operatively actuated by the single bar lever (11).F07368 22.8.20251713. Brewing module (1a) according to claim 11 , wherein it is a brewing module (1a) for singleserve capsules, preferably singleserve coffee capsules, preferably with conical or halfdome shape and preferably based on aluminum as capsule material.

14. Method for operating a brewing module (1a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the single bar lever (11) is manually brought into the first operating position, a portion capsule is inserted into the brewing module (1a), the single bar lever (11) is manually brought into the second operating position, and the brewing process is initiated by actuating manually said user interface (14), and wherein after the end of the extraction process, either the single bar lever (11) is manually brought back into the first operating position and the capsule is dropping out of the brewing module, or automatically the single bar lever (11) is released and, by way of an energy store (31) is returned into the first operating position and the capsule is dropping out of the brewing module.

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