阅读说明：本技术 饮料制备机及其方法 (Beverage preparation machine and method ) 是由 伦佐·马宗 詹保罗·特雷维桑 于 2020-03-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种饮料制备机,包括至少一个与用于容纳芳香混合物(11)的过滤容器(13)以及与选择交付装置(29)配合的饮料出口(14、16)流动连接的水箱(12),从水箱(12)抽水的泵(24),用于加热输送中水的加热装置(25),以及连接到用户界面(35)的控制指令单元(34)。该饮料制备机包括一种识别装置(43),该识别装置用来识别设置在交付区域中盛具(15)的存在和/或类型。(A beverage preparation machine comprising at least one water tank (12) in flow connection with a filtering receptacle (13) for containing an aromatic mixture (11) and with beverage outlets (14, 16) cooperating with selective delivery means (29), a pump (24) for pumping water from the water tank (12), heating means (25) for heating the water in delivery, and a control command unit (34) connected to a user interface (35). The beverage preparation machine comprises a recognition device (43) for recognizing the presence and/or type of the receptacle (15) arranged in the delivery area.)

1. Beverage preparation machine comprising at least one water tank (12) fluidly connected to a filtering receptacle (13) for containing an aromatic compound (11) and to beverage outlets (14, 16) cooperating with selective delivery means (29), a pump (24) for pumping water from said water tank (12), heating means (25) for heating the conveyed water, and a control command unit (34) connected to a user interface (35), characterized in that it comprises at least one recognition means (43) configured to recognize the presence and/or the type of a receptacle (15) provided in the delivery area and to transmit a corresponding signal to said control command unit (34), and one or more object detection sensors (45) configured to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation set in extension at the level of the delivery area, wherein said control command unit (34) is adapted to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation according to the signal received from said recognition means (43) and by the user via said user interface (35) A face (35) configured to adjust at least one of the pump (24), the heating device (25) and the selective delivery device (29).

2. Beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a housing (20), said housing (20) being intended to house the filtering container (13), the pump (24) and the heating means (25) and coinciding with a seat (37) delimiting the receptacle (15) below the beverage outlets (14, 16), the one or more optical sensors (45) being arranged on a wall of the housing (20) facing the delivery area.

3. Beverage machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification means (43) comprise a single object detection sensor (45) in the form of a strip, the object detection sensor (45) being longitudinally spread out, configured to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation in the form of a flat band along its height.

4. Beverage machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification means (43) comprise a plurality of object detection sensors (45) arranged at different heights of the delivery zone, each object detection sensor (45) emitting and receiving a respective electromagnetic radiation.

5. Beverage machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the identification means (43) comprise at least one object detection sensor (45a), the object detection sensor (45a) being arranged on a wall of the housing (20) provided with the beverage outlet (14, 16) and being configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation in a vertical or oblique direction.

6. Beverage machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two or more object detection sensors (45) each arranged in parallel rows in the vertical direction.

7. Beverage machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the identification means (43) comprise at least one weight sensor (44), the weight sensor (44) being arranged in a position of the delivery area corresponding to the seat (37) of the receptacle (15).

8. Beverage machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recognition means (43) of the optical type comprise at least one acquisition means (46) of an optical image, the acquisition means (46) being configured to acquire an image of the delivery area.

9. Beverage machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control instruction unit (34) is configured to process the signals received from the identification means (43) and to compare them with data stored in a memory unit (33) in order to determine and/or estimate the capacity or size of the receptacle (15) located in the acquisition area and, on the basis of the determined and/or estimated size or capacity and the number selected by the user, in order to determine whether the receptacle (15) fits the selected dosing cycle.

10. Method for preparing a beverage using a beverage preparation machine comprising a water tank (12) in flow connection with a filtering receptacle (13) for containing an aromatic mixture (11) and with beverage outlets (14, 16) cooperating with selection delivery means (29), characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

-receiving, by means of a control command unit (34), a signal relating to the selection by the user, through a user interface (35), of an organoleptic property of the beverage to be prepared;

-receiving, by means of a control command unit (34), a signal relating to the quantity of beverage to be prepared;

-determining the operating parameters of the pump (24) and of the heating means (25) in order to adjust the water temperature and the flow rate according to the beverage selected;

-identifying, by means of at least one identification means (43), whether a receptacle (15) for receiving the beverage is located in a delivery area of the beverage preparation machine, said identification means (43) comprising one or more object detection sensors (45), said object detection sensors (45) being configured to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation along a direction of extension on the height of the delivery area and to transmit a signal to said control command unit (34);

-controlling at least one of the pump (24), the heating means (25) and the selection delivery means (29) cooperating with the beverage outlet (14, 16) as a function of the signal received from the identification means (43) and of the selection made by the user.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that, in order to identify whether the receptacle (15) is suitable, it processes the signal received from the identification means (43), compares it with data stored in a memory unit (33) to determine and/or estimate the size or volume of the receptacle (15) located in the acquisition area and verifies whether the determined and/or estimated size or volume corresponds to the quantity of beverage selected by the user.

12. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it consists in sending and receiving electromagnetic waves corresponding to the delivery area by means of object detection sensors (45) arranged in two or more parallel rows in the vertical direction, and in processing the received information in order to determine the height and width of the receptacle (15) in order to estimate its capacity.

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, when it is identified that the receptacle (15) is not present or appropriate, the method pauses starting a beverage preparation cycle until the receptacle (15) is positioned or replaced by a receptacle of appropriate size.

14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that if the receptacle (15) is identified as not suitable, the method initiates a beverage preparation cycle and controls the selection delivery means (29) to prevent delivery of the beverage or to allow delivery of only a fraction of the total quantity required.

15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it monitors said delivery area continuously or high-frequency times in order to identify whether said receptacle (15) moves away from said delivery area during the preparation of the beverage, and to control at least said selective delivery means (29) to prevent leakage of the beverage.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic machine for preparing beverages, in particular a machine for preparing hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, infusions of various kinds, or even just water, and to a method for preparing beverages.

Background

Beverage machines for producing american coffee are well known, namely american weak coffee, also known as "drip hand coffee", obtained by infusion of a quantity of ground coffee with hot water.

It is known that such beverage machines have a water tank, a water heating device, a container fitted with a filter element for ground coffee or other aromatic compounds and through which hot water passes, and a receptacle, for example a glass bottle, corresponding to the volume filled with a certain number of cups or mugs.

The carafe is usually coupled with its heating means to keep the coffee beverage warm after it is dispensed.

As is known, drip-type beverage machines are generally designed to dispense a fixed quantity of beverage, generally corresponding to the size of the water tank or a preset volume of beverage, for example one litre, or to set the volume of a container, for example a glass bottle.

Beverage machines for preparing "drip-filter hand-brewed coffee" type beverages, which are capable of selecting the quantity of infusion beverage to be prepared and the degree of infusion thereof, have also become increasingly popular in recent times.

However, selection is only necessary when the user wants beverages of different organoleptic properties. When multiple users want the same kind of beverage, in order to optimize their preparation time, it is actually preferable to start a single preparation cycle to provide a larger amount of beverage.

If a bottle of beverage is to be selected, it takes several minutes, typically 8 to 10 minutes, to complete the preparation cycle.

In order to obtain a cup of coffee without waiting for the end of the operation, it is necessary to remove the receptacle during the preparation cycle.

For this purpose, the beverage machine is equipped with a shut-off valve which is actuated directly by the container (for example a glass bottle), so that the beverage outlet is opened when the container is placed in its housing and closed when the container is removed.

In the case of coffee makers which allow the use of different containers, the coffee maker is generally provided with a shut-off valve which can be actuated manually to close the beverage outlet when the receptacle is removed; the valve must then be opened again to allow the remainder of the beverage to be dispensed.

In other cases, the valve may be servo-assisted, but in any event is actuated after manual intervention or instruction by the user.

However, if the valve remains closed and does not reopen within a short time to complete the dispensing, excessive extraction of the aromatic substance may occur, and the beverage may even be dispensed at an improper temperature.

Another disadvantage is that in most known beverage machines, water continues to flow onto the coffee even if the throttle valve is closed, and the coffee may leak from the overflow aperture if the holder is not replaced within a certain time interval.

Another drawback of the known beverage maker is that once the set quantity of beverage to be prepared has been selected, it leaves the user with a right choice of the receptacle to be used. If he/she may not notice, the receptacle may be used incorrectly and a beverage leak occurs, which may soil the beverage maker and/or the user, with the risk of scalding him/her.

Existing beverage machines for preparing beverages are described by way of example in documents US-A-2017/0172340, US-A-2006/0123994 and US-A-2015/0201795.

The applicant has set the object, therefore, of extending the function and the use of such a beverage machine, avoiding the above-mentioned and other drawbacks.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage preparation machine which is reliable and safe for the user.

Another object is to prepare a quantity of beverage in a precise manner according to the user's requirements.

Another object is to eliminate possible leakage of the beverage due to the use of an improper receptacle that is not in accordance with the setting of the beverage maker.

Another object is to formulate an infused beverage to have the intensity and concentration of the specific ingredients desired.

Another object is to facilitate and simplify the use of the beverage maker by the user.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain the above and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The independent claims recite and describe the technical features of the invention. The dependent claims describe further technical features of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the described embodiments relate to a beverage preparation machine that allows the user to select the kind of beverage to be prepared, for example an infusion beverage with the desired organoleptic properties, or possibly just hot water.

According to some embodiments, the beverage machine comprises a user interface provided with suitable operating instructions, by means of which a user can select the characteristics of the beverage to be delivered.

According to some embodiments, the user may select the amount of beverage to be delivered, the size of the receptacle to be used, e.g., different sized receptacles such as glass bottles, cups, mugs, glasses, etc.

According to some embodiments, the user may select the strength of the infused beverage, e.g., light, normal, or strong.

The beverage machine comprises a water tank which can be filled either periodically, continuously or possibly by means of an access water source.

The tank may be provided with means for indicating the quantity of water, which means may cooperate with signal means and/or automatic means for controlling the input of water into the tank.

The tank is in flow communication, via at least one circuit, with a filtering container for containing the aromatic mixture to be infused in order to obtain an infused beverage.

According to some embodiments, the filtering container can be standard or in any case can contain the desired amount of aromatic mixture.

According to some embodiments, the beverage maker comprises a pump for pumping water from the water tank to the filter receptacle.

A circulating water heating device, such as a flow-through boiler, is also provided along the water path, along which the water fed by the pump passes.

According to some embodiments, the beverage machine of the present invention comprises at least one beverage outlet, said beverage outlet being fluidly connected to said water tank through the above-mentioned circuit.

According to some embodiments, the beverage outlet cooperates with a selective delivery device configured to open and/or close the beverage outlet to allow or prevent delivery of the beverage to a receptacle located at the delivery area.

According to some embodiments, the beverage maker of the present invention comprises a control instruction unit configured to control different component functions, in particular the pump and the heating means, in dependence on a specific beverage selection made by a user through a user interface.

According to some embodiments, the beverage machine comprises at least one identification device configured to identify the presence and/or the type of the receptacle provided in the delivery zone below the beverage outlet and to transmit a corresponding signal to the control command unit.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the identification devices is configured to only identify whether a receptacle is present.

According to some embodiments, at least one said identification means is further configured to identify at least the kind of said receptacle, or at least its size, shape and/or capacity.

According to some embodiments, the control instruction unit is configured to adjust at least one of the pump, the heating device and the selective delivery device in dependence on a signal received from the identification device.

According to some embodiments, the identification device comprises one or more object detection sensors configured to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation along a direction of extension over the height of the delivery area.

According to some embodiments, the identification device comprises a plurality of object detection sensors arranged at different heights, each object detection sensor emitting and receiving a respective electromagnetic radiation towards the delivery area.

The control instruction unit may be configured to process the data received therefrom in order to estimate the shape and/or size of the receptacle located at the delivery area and to use this information to regulate the beverage machine.

According to some embodiments, the object detection sensor may be arranged on a housing wall of the beverage maker facing the delivery area and configured to emit the respective electromagnetic radiation in a horizontal direction.

According to some embodiments, the object detection sensor may be an optical sensor for emitting a light beam having a wavelength in the visible spectral region, e.g. infrared.

According to other embodiments, the object detection sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor for emitting electromagnetic radiation at ultrasonic frequencies.

According to other embodiments, other types of identification means may be provided, such as optical means including acquisition means for acquiring images of the delivery area, and the control instruction unit may be configured to receive the acquired images and refine them to identify the presence and type of the receptacle within the area.

According to some embodiments, the identification means comprise a weight sensor, for example a load cell arranged in correspondence with the carrier seat, for example underneath it, or on the seat and/or integrated therein.

The embodiments relate to a method of preparing a beverage with a beverage machine for preparing beverages of the kind described above.

The method comprises the following steps:

-receiving, by the control instruction unit, a signal relating to a user selecting, through the user interface, an organoleptic property of the beverage to be prepared;

-receiving, by the control command unit, a signal relating to the quantity of beverage to be dispensed;

-determining operating parameters of at least the pump and the heating means in order to adjust the water temperature and the flow rate of the beverage machine according to the selected beverage;

-identifying, by means of at least one identification means, whether a receptacle for receiving the beverage is located in a delivery area of the beverage machine;

-controlling at least one of the pump, the heating means and the selective delivery means cooperating with the beverage outlet as a function of the identification of the receptacle by the identification means.

According to some embodiments, the method identifies the presence of a receptacle by emitting electromagnetic radiation by one or more object detection sensors of an identification device in a set extension direction on the height of the delivery area.

According to some embodiments, the method sends and receives respective electromagnetic waves of the delivery area by means of two or more object detection sensors arranged in parallel in each vertical direction, and processes the received information to determine the width and height of the receptacle in order to estimate its volume.

According to some embodiments, the method identifies the presence and type of the pod when the user makes a selection and at least stops the selective delivery device from operating so as to prevent delivery of the beverage when the pod is not present.

According to some embodiments, when an improper receptacle is identified, the method of the present invention may pause the initiation of a beverage preparation cycle until a properly sized receptacle is substituted for the receptacle.

According to some embodiments, in order to determine whether the receptacle is suitable, the method may process the data received by the identification means in order to evaluate the size and/or volume of the receptacle and verify that it corresponds to the quantity of beverage selected by the user.

According to other embodiments, in the event of an identified receptacle being unsuitable, the method may start the preparation cycle and start the intercepting means so as to allow the delivery of a fraction of the total quantity required, or start the preparation cycle of a small quantity of beverage, this quantity being correlated with the set and/or estimated size of the receptacle.

According to some embodiments, the method may monitor the delivery area continuously or at high frequency in order to identify whether the receptacle leaves the delivery area during beverage preparation, thereby controlling at least the selection delivery device to prevent beverage leakage.

The method may generate a warning signal for the user if the receptacle is not present and/or is not suitable.

Drawings

The above and other technical features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a beverage preparation machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 is a schematic view of a beverage preparation machine according to said further embodiment of the invention;

to facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be combined with or incorporated into other embodiments naturally, without further recitation.

Detailed Description

The embodiment described here in connection with fig. 1 relates to a beverage machine 10 for preparing and dispensing beverages, in particular infusion beverages, which beverage machine 10 infuses or mixes an aroma mixture 11 in powder or ground form with water, or possibly also just hot water.

The beverage maker 10 comprises a water tank 12 which is fluidly connected to a filter receptacle 13, which filter receptacle 13 is adapted to contain an aroma mixture 11 to be infused.

For example, the aroma mixture 11 may be a powder and/or a mixture of particles of a certain size of leaves or parts thereof of coffee, tea, other vegetable matter, etc.

The beverage maker 10 further comprises a beverage outlet 14, which cooperates with the filter holder 13, by means of which beverage outlet 14 the infusion beverage can be transported towards the delivery area and fed into a receptacle 15 provided in the delivery area.

According to some embodiments, the beverage machine 10 comprises selective delivery means 29, which selective delivery means 29 are associated with the beverage outlet 14 and can be selectively actuated to open and close so that they allow or prevent the beverage from flowing out of the filtering capsule 13, so as to deliver the beverage into the receptacle 15 located in the delivery area.

The water tank 12 may generally be a container that holds a quantity of beverage preparation water. The volume of the water tank 12 may, for example, be at least equal to the volume of water required to fill the carafe.

The water tank 12 may be provided with an inlet hole 12a fitted with a cover 21, and a drain hole 17 through which water can enter the water tank 12a, and from which drain hole 17 the desired amount of water can be drained in any case.

According to some embodiments, water tank 12 is located within, or attached to, housing 20 of beverage maker 10, possibly being cleaned and/or filled in a removable manner.

According to a variant, the water tank 12 can be connected to a continuous water supply.

The water tank 12 is connected to the filter vessel 13 by a hydraulic circuit 22.

The hydraulic circuit 22 is connected on one side to the water discharge hole 17 of the tank 12 and on the opposite side to a diffusion head 19, which diffusion head 19 is arranged above the filtering receptacle 13 and is configured to diffuse the water coming from the tank 12 onto the aromatic mixture 11 in order to increase the contact between the aromatic mixture 11 itself and the water.

According to some embodiments, the filtering container 13 for the mixture may be funnel-shaped and the filtering element 18 may be inserted therein to retain the solids of the aromatic mixture 11, preventing it from being conveyed together with the infused beverage.

According to some embodiments, access means 36 and/or movement means are provided and configured to allow access to the filtering container 13, so that in any case the desired quantity of aromatic mixture 11 can be input, and/or moved together with the possible filtering element 18 at the end of the delivery of the prepared beverage.

Beverage maker 10 also includes a heating device 25 disposed along hydraulic circuit 22 and configured to heat water therethrough.

By way of example, the heating means 25 may be a through-flow boiler comprising a water delivery channel 25a and at least one heating element 26, for example an electric resistance, which heating element 26 is fitted with the water delivery channel 25a and configured to heat the water inside it.

Beverage maker 10 further includes a pump 24, which pump 24 is configured to draw from water tank 12 an amount of water required for preparing the selected beverage and supply it along hydraulic circuit 22 to a heating device 25.

According to some embodiments, the pump 24 has an adjustable flow rate to enable adjustment of the water flow rate through the heating device and possibly through the aromatic mixture 11.

According to some embodiments, beverage maker 10 includes a flow meter 27, or other device for measuring the flow rate in water tank 12 and/or along hydraulic circuit 22 to measure the amount of water passing therethrough.

According to some embodiments, flow meter 27 is located upstream of pump 24, enabling faster and more efficient determination of flow rate, and thus dynamic and real-time adjustment of pump 24.

According to some embodiments, beverage maker 10 further includes a temperature sensor 28, which sensor 28 is arranged along hydraulic circuit 22 and is configured to determine the temperature of the conveyed water.

According to some embodiments, the temperature sensor 28 may be disposed downstream of the heating device 25, or inside it, possibly aligned with the outlet end of the water delivery channel 25 a.

According to some embodiments, the beverage machine 10 comprises a control command unit 34 configured to adjust its function according to the user's selection, to prepare the beverage selected in any case.

According to some embodiments, the beverage maker 10 comprises a user interface 35 connected to the control instruction unit 34, by means of which user interface 35 a user can select the kind and/or the number of beverages to be prepared.

According to some embodiments, the control instruction unit 34 may comprise or be connected to a memory unit 33, in which memory unit 33 information about the operating parameters for preparing each selectable beverage may be stored.

According to some variants, the information may comprise an optimal value of water speed and/or water temperature for each beverage, or for each combination, defined by beverage type, quantity, strength, temperature, etc., selectable by the user.

According to some embodiments, one or more of the filter vessel 13, the pump 24, the heating device 25, the hydraulic circuit 12, and/or the control command unit 34 and the storage unit 33 may be disposed within the housing 20.

According to some embodiments, the housing 20 may coincide with a seat 37 delimiting the receptacle 15 at the delivery area below the beverage outlets 14, 16.

According to an object of the present invention, the beverage machine 10 comprises at least one identification device 43, the identification device 43 being configured to identify the receptacle 15 in the delivery area.

According to a possible variant, the recognition means 43 can be connected directly to the selection delivery means 29 in order to adjust their function on the basis of the data collected.

According to some embodiments, the identification means 43 may be configured to transmit a signal to the control instruction unit 34, which control instruction unit 34 may control at least one of the pump 24, the heating means 25 and the selection delivery means 29 depending on the received signal.

For example, the control command unit 34 may control the selection delivery device 29 so as to allow delivery of the beverage selected by the user only when the presence of the appropriate receptacle 15 in the delivery area is identified.

According to some embodiments, the identification means 43 are configured to perform a detection task when a beverage preparation cycle is selected or started.

According to a possible variant, the recognition means 43 are configured to perform the detection task substantially continuously, at predetermined intervals, and within the preparation cycle, in order to monitor whether the receptacle 15 placed in the delivery area may be removed and/or replaced by an unsuitable one.

According to some embodiments, the control command unit 34 may be configured to process the data received by the identification means 43 to determine and/or estimate the size and volume of the receptacle 15 and compare it with the beverage volume selected by the user, in order to verify whether the receptacle 15 is suitable.

Based on the comparison, control command unit 34 may generate a warning signal to indicate to the user that receptacle 15 is not present or appropriate, possibly suspending the start of the preparation cycle until a suitable receptacle 15 is available.

According to other embodiments, the control command unit 34 may also be configured to start the preparation cycle and may control the selective delivery device 29 to prevent the delivery of the beverage until a suitable receptacle 15 is located in the delivery area.

According to a possible variant, the control command unit 34 activates the selection delivery means 29 to allow delivery of only a fraction of the total quantity of beverage requested, adapted to the size of the receptacle, according to the set or estimated size of the receptacle 15 based on the information received by the recognition means 43.

According to some embodiments, such as described with reference to fig. 1, the identification device 43 comprises one or more weight sensors 44, such as one or more load cells, disposed in a position corresponding to the seat 37 of the receptacle 15.

The load cell may be arranged below or above the support 37 or integrated therein.

According to some embodiments, the seat 37 may also cooperate with a thermal insulation device 38, which thermal insulation device 38 may be activated, for example, when the quantity of beverage selected is above a set threshold (for example one or half of a glass bottle).

According to these solutions, the control command unit 34 can be configured to start the beverage preparation cycle and/or to activate the selection delivery means 29 so as to allow the delivery of the beverage only when a weight value greater than a set threshold value is detected.

According to some embodiments, the control instruction unit 34 may be configured to compare the weight of the receptacle 15 with one or more values stored in the memory unit 33, in order to estimate the size of the receptacle 15 and compare it with the quantity of beverage selected by the user, in order to control the assembly.

According to this embodiment, the control instruction unit 34 may also be configured to control the amount of beverage dispensed in dependence on the detected weight.

According to some of all the embodiments described in connection with this, the identification means 43 comprise object detection means 45, which may be optical or possibly ultrasonic, for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation of a set extension in the height of the delivery area.

According to some embodiments, the height extension may substantially correspond to the entire distance between the seat 37 and the beverage outlet 14, 16, or at least to a part thereof, for example between 50% and 90% of the distance above the seat 37.

According to some embodiments, for example, at least one optical object detection sensor 45 may be provided for emitting a light beam through the delivery zone and may receive the light beam (if present) reflected by the receptacle 15 located therein.

According to other variants, at least one ultrasonic object detection sensor 45 may be provided for emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation having an ultrasonic frequency.

At least one object detection device 45 may be disposed on the housing 20, such as on a housing wall positioned in correspondence with the delivery area, and may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a substantially horizontal direction.

According to a possible variant, a further object detection device 45a, for example an optical sensor, can also be provided, which is arranged on the housing 20, on the wall of the housing with the beverage outlet 14, and is configured to emit radiation or a light beam in a vertical direction, or inclined with respect thereto.

If the receptacle 15 is not present, the respective object detection sensor 45, 45a will not receive any reflected light beam, and therefore the control instruction unit 34 will detect that the receptacle 15 is not present.

According to some embodiments, the identification device 43 may comprise a single object detection sensor 45 in the form of a strip, longitudinally spread out, configured to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation along its height. In this case, the emitted electromagnetic radiation may present a flat band in the vertical plane, and the object detection sensor 45 may be configured to determine the height of the receptacle 15 from the portion of the radiation received or the portion that may not be received.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of object detection sensors 45 may be provided, arranged at respective different heights, each for emitting and receiving respective electromagnetic radiation, such as light beams or ultrasound waves. In this case, the control command unit 34 can be configured to process the data received from each of them in order to evaluate the dimensions of the receptacles 15 in the delivery area and to refer to this information whether to start a preparation cycle and/or deliver the selected beverage.

In this case, all the object detection sensors 45 are activated simultaneously, or stepwise from lowest to highest, in order to determine the height of the receptacle 15.

For example, fig. 1 shows two receptacles 15, namely a glass bottle 15a in solid line and a cup 15b in dashed line. When the carafe 15a is positioned, all of the object detection sensors 45 receive respective reflected radiation, e.g., reflected light beams, while when the cup 15b is positioned, only two of the object detection sensors 45 receive signals. Thus, based on the number of signals received by the different object detection sensors 45, the control command unit 34 can determine the height of the receptacle 15 and possibly estimate its capacity.

According to other embodiments, the object detection sensors 45 may be arranged in two or more parallel rows in the vertical direction so as to obtain height information and width information of the vessel 15 at the same time.

The capacity of the vessel 15 itself can be estimated by processing the height and width information.

According to other embodiments, such as described with reference to fig. 2, the identification device 43 may further include one or more acquisition devices 46 for acquiring images of the delivery area. For example, the acquisition device 46 may be a camera or a video camera.

According to these embodiments, the control instruction unit 34 may be configured to receive the acquired images and process them to identify whether the tote 15 and its category are present in the delivery area. The collection device 46 may also be used to determine the amount of beverage to dispense gradually into the receptacle 15.

According to some embodiments, the control command unit 34 may compare the images acquired by the one or more acquisition means 46 with a plurality of sets of images, for example stored in the memory unit 33, to evaluate the dimensions of the identified container 15 and determine whether it corresponds to the beverage selected by the user through the interface 35.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 35 may comprise respective command means 39, such as a button, a selection knob and/or a touch-sensitive screen, by means of which the user can select the characteristics of the material for preparing the beverage.

According to some embodiments, the selection of the beverage includes selection of the type of beverage, and any one or more of its quantity, strength, and temperature.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 35 may include instructions for selecting the amount of beverage to be dispensed 39a or the size of the receptacle 15 to be used, for example, one carafe, one half carafe, one cup, one mug, one glass, or others.

Further, the user interface 35 may include instruction means for selecting an infusion beverage strength 39b, e.g. light, normal or strong, for selecting a temperature 39 c.

According to a possible variant, for example as described with reference to fig. 2, two outlets are provided, one for the beverage 14 and the other for the hot water 16 only, the latter cooperating with a diversion channel 23 separate from the filtering container 13 and communicating with the hydraulic circuit 22.

According to another variant, one of the two outlets 14 or 16 can be used in cooperation with special means (not shown) for preparing beverages, such as coffee, tea, herbal infusions, etc., by using specific capsules containing the aromatic mixture 11.

According to a possible embodiment, the first outlet 14 and the second outlet 16 are advantageously arranged close to each other to allow dispensing of the infused beverage or hot water into the same delivery area.

According to these embodiments, each outlet 14, 16 is associated with a respective selective delivery device 29.

For example, the selective delivery device 29 may include a first valve 30 cooperating with the beverage outlet 14 and a second valve 31 cooperating with the hot water outlet 16.

Closing the valves 30, 31 ensures that there is no risk of dripping when the container 15 can be removed, in particular during the preparation of a beverage.

According to other embodiments, described for example with reference to fig. 2, the beverage maker 10 comprises a flow-directing element 41, which is arranged along the hydraulic circuit 22 and alternately selects the direction of the water flow to the filter receptacle 13 or to the flow-directing channel 23.

According to a possible solution, the flow-directing element 41 may comprise a three-way valve, two of which are connected to the hydraulic circuit 22 as an inlet and a first outlet, respectively, and the other of which is connected to the flow-directing channel 23 as a second outlet.

According to some embodiments, the deflector element 41 may be driven by the control command unit 34 according to a selection made by the user.

According to a possible variant of embodiment, a switching device 40 may be provided, which switching device 40 may be manually actuated by a user and configured to act on the deflector element 41.

According to other embodiments, the switching means 40 can be connected to the selective delivery means 29 associated with the first outlet 14 and the second outlet 16 and adjust their function directly or indirectly so as to allow or prevent the delivery of the beverage.

According to a variant, the conversion means 40 can be integrated in the user interface 35.

According to other embodiments, the flow-guiding element 41 adopts the first or second operating state depending on the position of the switching device 40.

According to other embodiments, the switching device 40 may be connected to the selective delivery device 29 associated with the first outlet 14 and the second outlet 16 and may adjust their function directly or indirectly.

According to some embodiments, depending on the position of the switching device 40, the actuation selection delivery device 29 is arranged so as to open one outlet 14, 16 and close the other outlet 16, 14.

According to a possible variant, the switching device 40 can adopt three different positions, while providing a third position in which the selective delivery device 29 closes the outlets 14, 16 with the respective valves 30, 31.

According to some solutions, the switching device 40 may be a mechanical device, such as a lever, a sliding bar or the like, manually moved by the user.

According to these embodiments, the switching device 40 may directly drive the selection delivery device 29.

According to some variants, the transformation means 40 can be an electric or electronic command, for example driven by an electric motor, a linear actuator or a servomechanism, which can be activated by the user or according to a functional program. In this case, the switching device 40 may indirectly drive the selective delivery device 29.

According to other embodiments, a position sensing device 47 may be provided, which is configured to detect the position of the converting means 40.

According to some embodiments, the position sensing device 47 may include one or more optical sensors, proximity sensors, or other similar or comparable elements, and may operate in conjunction with a mating element associated with the translation device 40.

According to some embodiments, the control command unit 34 may be connected to the position sensing means 47 in order to receive an indication of the position of the conversion means 40 and to change the status of the latter on the basis of the received indication.

The embodiment relates to a beverage preparation method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by means of the control command unit 34, signals relating to the user's selection of organoleptic characteristics of the beverage to be prepared through the user interface 35;

receiving, by the control command unit 34, a signal relating to the quantity of beverage to be dispensed;

determining operating parameters of at least the pump 24 and the heating means 25 in order to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the water flowing to the beverage outlets 14, 16 according to the selected beverage;

identifying, by means of at least one identification means 43, whether the receptacle 15 for receiving the beverage is located in a delivery area of the beverage maker 10;

-controlling at least one of the pump 24, the heating means 25 and the selective delivery means 29 cooperating with the beverage outlet, according to the identification of the receptacle 15.

According to some embodiments, the method monitors the delivery area continuously or high frequency times in order to identify whether the receptacle 15 located in the delivery area is removed by at least one identification device 43.

According to other embodiments, the method processes the data received from the identification means 43 to estimate the size and/or volume of the receptacle 15 and verify that it corresponds to the quantity of beverage selected by the user.

Depending on the verification, the method may prevent the initiation of a beverage preparation cycle, possibly with the sending of a warning signal to the user, or the preparation and/or delivery of a small quantity of beverage corresponding to the estimated size of the identified receptacle 15.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the beverage maker 10 and to the method for preparing a beverage as described heretofore, without departing from the field of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of beverage preparation machine 10 and method therefore, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.