Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine, for instance a coffee machine, provided with a brewing chamber and at least one valve for totally and / or partially blocking the beverage from exiting the chamber. Advantageously, the valve is an electrovalve, in particular a piezoelectric valve, which is continuously controllable to adjust the beverage flow rate being permitted to exit the chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns a beverage dispensing machine and a method for its operation, in particular a fully-automatic or semi-automatic coffee / beverage dispensing machine.[0002]Automatic or semi-automatic machines are known for preparing coffee drinks, or the like, by providing a forced flow of hot water to pass through a brewing chamber containing coffee powder, wherein sometime a mechanic valve is positioned at the exit of the chamber to adjust the backpressure. The valve is calibrated to set both the pressure of the water within the chamber and the time lapse of infusion of the coffee powder.[0003]In general, with beverage dispensing machine it is meant a semi-automatic (the user has to intervene in the preparation of the beverage) or fully automatic machine (preparation of the beverage is carried out automatically by the machine with no need for the user to intervene but for the selection of the desired beverage) for preparing and dispensing a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a beverage dispensing machine that is simple to operate, easy to keep clean, and allows for rapid control of the beverage flow rate. The machine uses electrovalves that can be controlled continuously, and the control unit operates on the basis of memorized algorithms. The electrovalve can be positioned at the exit of the brewing chamber to control the flow rate of the beverage. The machine also allows for the adjustment of the valve to compensate for changes in other parameters of the machine. The valve is simple to clean, and maintenance is effective with no need for an external operator to intervene often."

Problems solved by technology

As a matter of fact, traditional machines do not allow for controlling the operation of the valve which acts as a shutter at the brewing chamber outlet.

In other words, known valves mostly operate as on / off valves and cannot be controlled to rapidly, or instantly, adjust the backpressure to the desired extent, for instance in order to compensate for other non optimal operating parameters of the coffee machine.

Also, known valves cannot be set to a backpressure value different from the one corresponding to the initial design value without dismantling the machine or manually adjusting the means for creating the backpressure.

This drawback applies not only to espresso coffee machines, but also to other manual or automatic machines for preparing and dispensing espresso and other beverages, such as different kinds of coffee drinks (espresso, Americano, cappuccino, etc.), tea, chocolate, etc., which are usually provided with such known valves.

Another drawback of known beverage dispensing machines is that they require periodical maintenance for cleaning the valve provided at the brewing chamber outlet.

Residues of the dispensed beverages, which build up in correspondence of the valve seat, very often jeopardize the proper functioning of traditional valves.

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