Patent ID: 8846121
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A47J,B65D

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing beverages using a beverage preparation machine for preparing beverages from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients, the machine comprising a variable geometry valve, said valve being a ball valve having a rotating valve element rotable within a chamber between preset positions, said valve being located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine, the valve enabling preparation of beverages at a range of pressures and having at least an open position and a restricted flow position, and a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine, the method comprising: determining the type of beverage to be produced from a cartridge using the cartridge recognition device; automatically selecting an initial position for the rotating valve element; and automatically controlling the subsequent position of the rotating valve element during the beverage preparation according to the pressure requirements of the beverage preparation cycle for the type of beverage to be prepared as determined by the cartridge recognition device.