MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

Machine (10) for preparing beverages, comprising a brewing unit (15) configured to prepare at least one certain beverage at a time, a main hydraulic circuit (16) to feed water to the brewing unit (15), a delivery unit (17) configured to deliver the certain beverage, a processor (33) operatively connected to the brewing unit (15), to the main hydraulic circuit (16) and to the delivery unit (17) in order to control and command their drive, a memory unit (36) connected to the processor (33) and a user interface (31) communicating with the processor (33) to select the certain beverage. The machine (10) also comprises recognition means (39) to detect the possible presence of activation means (40) which are at least temporarily associated with or integrated into the machine (10)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a machine and a method for preparing beverages, including coffee-based beverages. The machine can be either automatic, in which all the steps of preparing and delivering the beverage take place automatically, after a simple start command from the user, or semi-automatic, in which the user must perform at least the step of removing the aromatic blend used. Furthermore, the machine is mainly, although not exclusively, designed for domestic or semi-professional use, that is, for example, for offices or small communities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines for preparing beverages, in particular coffee-based beverages, for domestic or semi-professional use, in which the beverage is obtained for example by brewing a coffee powder, are known. The brewing requires a plurality of different parameters to be set and controlled, such as the temperature, pressure and/or quantity of water, correlated to one or more functional units or components of the machine itself and which affect the brewing method. In most cases, the coffee powder is obtained by grinding the coffee beans, carried out by means of a grinding device present in the machine itself.

In addition, known machines are able to modify the preparation and/or the characteristics of the beverage on the basis of specific input given by the user or consumer, such as for example the type of beverage to be consumed (cappuccino, espresso, American coffee, etc.), or the degree of grinding of the beans, the brewing temperature, or possibly the intensity of the beverage to be obtained.

Document US-A-2006/011068 concerns a machine for preparing beverages which is provided with sensors suitable to detect the presence of a carafe in the delivery zone, in order to prevent unwanted spillages of the beverages.

US-2016/287004 describes a machine for preparing coffee beverages, comprising a control unit that regulates the brewing process according to a plurality of inputs received and on the basis of a computer program memorized in a memory unit. In particular, on the basis of the inputs and the program, specific sets of brewing parameters to be used can be defined. US-2016/287004 also provides to be able to obtain sets of operating parameters to be used for preparing a beverage by an external control unit.

Furthermore, known machines can also provide to prepare other beverages, cold or hot, such as tea and various infusions. In this case, brewing temperatures and times different from those required for preparing coffee-based beverages are generally required.

Therefore, these machines are designed to be provided with a plurality of preset commands and/or functions that the user can select from a specific user interface on the basis of specific consumption needs.

However, the presence of a large number of functions and/or commands, constantly active and visible on the user interface, has the disadvantage that the use of the machine is often complex and complicated, especially for non-expert users. In fact, usually, an average user does not have the necessary experience to easily select the many parameters and/or the many specific functions available to obtain the desired beverage, and therefore he/she is often forced to try, even several times, to modify his/her selection until the desired result is obtained.

On the other hand, there is an increasing need to provide machines for preparing beverages that are versatile and suitable to prepare beverages of different types, and in particular machines that can also be modified or integrated with new accessories or functions even after they have been purchased. However, the integration of new accessories or functions generally requires a software update which is often complex to perform, especially by inexperienced users.

There is therefore a need to perfect a machine for preparing beverages which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and perfect a method for preparing beverages which provide the possibility for the user to update the functions, for example by adding functions or modifying them, of the basic machine after it has been put on the market.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and perfect a method for preparing beverages, in which the addition or modification of additional functions takes place in a simple and substantially automatic manner, without the need for complex operations by the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for preparing beverages which is simple to use and highly versatile.

All this by solving the technical problem of designing and manufacturing a machine for preparing beverages which is already provided with special devices, mechanisms and/or components, so that it can then be updated easily and with simple operations by the user, by means of suitable optional accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a machine for preparing beverages according to the present invention comprises a brewing unit configured to prepare at least one certain beverage at a time, selected from the beverages disclosed above, a main hydraulic circuit to feed water to the brewing unit, a delivery unit fluidically connected to the brewing unit and configured to deliver the certain beverage, a processor operatively connected to the brewing unit, to the main hydraulic circuit and to the delivery unit in order to control and command their drive, electronic memory means connected to the processor and configured to store packets of data and programs relating to operating functions associated with the beverages disclosed above, and a user interface communicating with the processor in order to select the certain beverage.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the machine also comprises recognition means operatively connected to the processor and configured to recognize and/or detect the presence of at least one of one or several activation means which are at least temporarily connected to or associated with the machine. In addition, with each of the activation means there are associated additional packets of data and programs relating to additional operating functions associated with the activation means.

Once the processor has received a signal of recognition of a certain activation mean, it can process the packets of data and programs and make the other functions available on the machine.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the recognition means are configured to send a signal to the processor at the time of a first recognition of the presence of one of the activation means, and the processor is configured to activate or make available in electronic memory means another packet of data and programs relating to additional operating functions associated with the recognized activation mean.

Doing so achieves at least the advantage that a user, by means of simple operations which substantially provide to associate the activation means with the machine, is able to update the machine by adding to it, or integrating in it, additional operating functions associated with the activation means.

In particular, the machine can be marketed with a first basic configuration, and it can assume an updated configuration following the at least temporary connection or association of at least one of the activation means.

In the updated configuration, the machine preferably comprises both the operating functions already provided in the basic configuration, and also other additional operating functions associated with the other packet of data and programs that has been activated or made available.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the activation means and/or the recognition means are of the physical type. According to this embodiment, the activation means can comprise one or more accessory members physically connectable to the machine, and the recognition means can comprise detection members and/or sensors suitable to detect the presence of a respective accessory member.

In this case, the recognition means can comprise both detection members and/or sensors suitable to recognize an accessory member each time it is connected to the machine, and also updating means suitable to cooperate with the detection means and the processor at least when the accessory member is connected to the machine for the first time, in order to determine the activation of a respective packet of data and programs and therefore the updating of the machine with the operating functions associated with the recognized accessory member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the activation means and/or the recognition means are of the virtual and/or digital type. According to this embodiment, the activation means can comprise one or more computer codes, each of which identifies one or more of the additional operating functions. In this case, the recognition means can comprise or consist of a user interface by means of which the computer code can be received, for example by means of a code reader, an alphanumeric keyboard, or a wireless transmission.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the electronic memory means are configured to store the additional packets of data and programs.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the additional packets of data and programs are already pre-stored in the electronic memory means.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in the electronic memory means there are stored both packets of data and programs configured to be executed during the normal operation of the machine in a basic configuration thereof, and also additional packets of data and programs which are in a dormant status and temporarily deactivated in the basic configuration and are configured to be made available by the processor upon the first recognition of a specific activation mean, in an updated configuration of the machine.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the processor is able to be selectively connected to a communication network, and it is programmed to connect automatically, or selectively, to such communication network in order to download and/or update the additional packets of data and programs when the additional packets of data and programs are not already pre-stored in the electronic memory means, or they are not updated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the processor is programmed, or programmable, to activate the additional operating functions and command the preparation and delivery of one or more additional beverages and/or other functions relating to the certain beverage, when the recognition means recognize or detect the presence of at least a specific one of the activation means, making the possibility of selecting the one or more additional beverages and/or the other functions associated with the certain beverage accessible to the user, by means of the user interface.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the machine also comprises one or more housing seatings, each configured to house a specific one of the one or more accessory members, and in correspondence with which the detection means are disposed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises coupling members configured to couple to the accessory members, wherein the coupling members can themselves define the detection means or be connected to them, and in correspondence with which there are disposed respective detection members.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing beverages, including coffee-based beverages, comprises a setting step in which a machine is made available comprising a brewing unit configured to prepare at least one certain beverage at a time selected from the beverages disclosed above, a main hydraulic circuit to feed water to the brewing unit, a delivery unit fluidically connected to the brewing unit and configured to deliver the certain beverage, a processor operatively connected to the brewing unit, to the main hydraulic circuit and to the delivery unit in order to control and command their drive, electronic memory means connected to the processor and configured to store packets of data and programs relating to operating functions associated with the beverages as above, and a user interface communicating with the processor to select the certain beverage.

The method also comprises a recognition step in which recognition means, operatively connected to the processor, recognize and/or detect the possible presence of one or several activation means which are at least temporarily connected to or associated with the machine, and an updating step in which the processor activates the electronic memory means in order to store in them, or remove from them, additional packets of data and programs relating to additional operating functions associated with the one or several activation means, and selectively activates the additional operating functions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises an enabling step in which the processor enables the additional operating functions in the user interface, and therefore allows the user to perform the selection of one or more additional beverages and/or other functions associated with the certain beverage.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises an actuation step in which the processor, upon user input by means of the user interface, commands the preparation and delivery of the one or more additional beverages and/or the other functions associated with the certain beverage.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises a connection step in which the processor automatically or selectively connects to a communication network in order to download and/or update the additional packets of data and programs, when the additional packets of data and programs are not available or are not updated.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference toFIG.1, a machine10according to the present invention can be used to prepare one or more beverages, for example coffee-based beverages, but also tea-based or based on other types of aromatic blends.

In the following description, by way of example, we will refer to a machine10of the automatic type, in which the loading of the coffee powder and possibly also its removal, after it has been used, occur automatically.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the machine10can be of the semi-automatic type, as specified above.

The machine10comprises a rest plane11on which there is mounted a frame12shaped so as to have, internally, a compartment13in which there are housed a brewing unit15, of a known type, capable of preparing a certain beverage, a hydraulic circuit16to feed water to the brewing unit15, as well as a delivery unit17fluidically connected to the brewing unit15and which allows to deliver the certain beverage into a container18, for example a cup, a mug, or suchlike.

The brewing unit15comprises at least one brewing chamber19which is configured to contain a certain quantity of aromatic blend M to be subjected to brewing, so as to obtain the certain beverage.

For example, the aromatic blend M can be a powder blend, for example of coffee, or a blend of tea leaves, even partly crushed, or of other vegetable substances.

The hydraulic circuit16comprises a tank20that can be filled with drinking water, a boiler21having the function of heating the water directed toward the brewing unit15and a feed pump22which feeds the water into the boiler21.

The delivery unit15comprises a delivery member23attached to the frame12and provided, in the example given here, with two nozzles25(FIG.2), to simultaneously deliver the certain beverage toward two different containers18.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, only one nozzle25can be provided, or more than two nozzles25can also be provided.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the machine10also comprises a grinding device26(FIG.1) configured to grind the coffee beans, so as to obtain a certain aromatic blend M.

The grinding device26comprises a hopper27which is at least partly inserted in the compartment13and into which the coffee beans to be ground can be introduced, a dosing member29to dose the right quantity of beans, and a grinding member30to grind the coffee beans according to a desired granulometry.

The machine10also comprises a user interface31provided with a display device32, for example a touchscreen, by means of which a user can select the certain beverage and set one or more of its characteristics, as well as any variables or operating modes of the machine10.

In addition, the machine10comprises a processor33of the electronic type, which is connected at least to the brewing unit15, to the hydraulic circuit16, to the delivery unit17, to the grinding device26and to the user interface31, which are collectively defined as “operating components”, in order to command and coordinate their operation.

The processor33is operatively connected to electronic memory means, in particular to a memory unit36, in which both data packets and also programs are stored or can be stored, which are capable of making the operating components described above perform at least all the functions necessary to deliver the certain beverage chosen, on each occasion, by a user.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the memory unit36can be either physically present in the machine10(FIG.1), or contained on an external magnetic medium but able to be selectively associated with the machine10in order to become a part of it, such as for example a so-called USB key, or other computer device of a known type, or which will be developed in the future, or it can be of a virtual type, that is, located on a so-called “cloud” platform.

Furthermore, the processor33is of the type which is able be connected, preferably in wireless mode, to a communication network, such as the Internet, indicated with the reference number37inFIG.1.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the machine10, which leaves production and is commercially introduced on the market with a “basic” configuration, or version, has the characteristic of being able to be updated, for example by means of a simple intervention of the same user, when he/she wishes to integrate one or more additional functions into the “basic” machine10.

For example, the user may also wish to obtain, through the machine10, beverages that are different from those for which it is initially prepared, for example, but not limited to, an Americano coffee, a latte, a macchiato coffee, etc. In this case, the machine10can assume an “updated” configuration, or version, that includes the functions of the “basic” configuration as well as other additional functions.

This can happen because, in a new and original way, the machine10is provided with special recognition, or detection, means39configured to detect and recognize the presence of certain activation means40, each of which allows to activate, or enable, a respective additional operating function of the machine10.

In accordance with some embodiments, in the memory unit36there can be stored both packets of data and programs that have an active status and are configured to be executed during the normal operation of the machine10in its basic configuration, as well as additional packets of data and programs that have a dormant status, which are temporarily disabled when the machine10is in the basic configuration and are configured to be made available by the processor33at the time of a first recognition of a specific activation mean40, as will be explained below, and are made operative in an updated configuration of the machine10.

According to embodiments described with reference toFIGS.1and2, the activation means40can be of the physical type, such as for example physical accessory members43,44able to be connected to or associated with the machine10.

In accordance with these embodiments, the recognition means39can comprise at least a first detection member41and a second detection member42(FIGS.1and2) of the physical type.

According to these embodiments, the recognition means39can comprise both the detection members41,42, which are suitable to recognize a specific accessory member43,44each time it is connected to the machine10, and also updating means38suitable to cooperate with the detection means39and the processor33at least when the accessory member43,44is connected to the machine10for the first time, in order to determine the activation of a respective packet of data and programs and therefore the updating of the machine10with the operating functions associated with the recognized accessory member43,44.

The updating means38can be integrated in the detection members41,42or even be elements separate from them, but suitable to supply to the processor33information regarding the fact that one of the accessory members43,44has been connected to machine10for the first time, so as to determine the activation or the availability of the respective packet of data or programs.

The updating means38can also be integrated in the processor33itself, and be configured to identify when an activation mean40is connected to or associated with the machine10for the first time, or possibly even after a certain time interval, so as to determine the activation or updating, respectively, of the specific packet of data or programs.

The detection members41and42are substantially of a known type, such as sensors or micro-switches for example, and each one is configured to detect, or recognize, a specific accessory member, which can be, by way of example, a specific jug43, suitable to contain milk and having a certain shape and size, or a steam delivery lance44.

For example, if the accessory member is the specific jug43, on the rest plane11there can be a first housing seating45in which the user can position the jug43. The first detection member41, which can be driven by the insertion of the jug43, can be disposed in correspondence with the first housing seating45.

For example, the first housing seating45can be suitably shaped so that only the specific jug43, and not any other jug, can couple to it precisely. Furthermore, the first housing seating45can be provided with suitable guides and/or clamping mechanisms, not shown in the drawings, to keep the jug43stably housed in the housing position.

In addition, in order to be able to deliver the milk correctly, the machine10can comprise another delivery member46(FIGS.1and2), which is provided with a respective delivery nozzle47.

If the accessory member is the lance44, there can be a second housing seating49in proximity to the delivery member23, in which the user can insert the lance44and in correspondence with which the second detection member42is present. For example, the coupling between the lance44and the second housing seating49can occur by means of a suitable snap-in mechanism, or by screwing.

Please note that the jug43and/or the lance44, when they are disposed in the respective housing seatings45and49are, in fact, operatively connected to the machine10and in particular to corresponding auxiliary hydraulic circuits of the latter, which can be of a known type and are not shown in the drawings. These auxiliary hydraulic circuits have the function of allowing additional operating functions associated with the jug43and/or the lance44to be carried out, in order to prepare one or more additional beverages and/or to perform other functions relating to the certain beverage as above.

According to possible variants, it can also be provided that in one or more housing seatings45,49there are also disposed two or more detection members41,42, of a different type, or the same, possibly disposed in different positions from each other, each suitable to detect the presence of the activation means40associated with a specific accessory member43,44.

According to embodiments described with reference toFIGS.3and4, which can also be combined with the embodiments ofFIGS.1and2, the activation means40can be of the virtual and/or digital type, such as specific computer codes C for example, identifying corresponding additional operating functions.

The computer codes C can comprise, for example, strings of alphanumeric characters, bar codes, QR codes, which can be received directly through an application or via e-mail following the purchase of a particular packet of additional features, or possibly supplied inside a package or packaging of one or more accessory members43,44.

According to these embodiments, the recognition means39can comprise, or consist of, an interface, for example the user interface31of the machine10, or a dedicated application installed on a computerized device D, by means of which the computer code C can be received and transmitted to the processor33, for example by means of a code reader, for example a bar code or a QR code, an alphanumeric keyboard, and/or wireless transmission.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the memory unit36is configured to also store additional packets of data and programs relating to the additional operating functions disclosed above, which are associated with the accessory members and therefore with the jug43and/or the lance44.

In order to do this, the processor33is programmed, or programmable, to activate the additional operating functions as above and command the preparation and delivery of at least one of the additional beverages and/or the other functions associated with the certain beverage, when the detection elements41and42detect the presence of the jug43and/or the lance44. In this case, the operating functions can be suitable for the preparation of milk foam and/or steam.

Furthermore, the processor33is able to make the possibility of selecting one or more additional beverages and/or other functions associated with the certain beverage accessible to the user, by means of the user interface31.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the additional packets of data and programs relating to the additional operating functions as above, in particular those associated with the jug43, or with the lance44, can be already pre-stored in the memory unit36. In this case, these additional operating functions are to be considered “dormant”, that is, temporarily disabled and not available to the user, until the jug43or the lance44is associated with the machine10.

Alternatively, if the additional packets of data and programs are not already pre-stored, or are not updated, the processor33is programmed to automatically or selectively connect to the communication network37, for example by means of a command generated by the user interface31, in order to download and/or update such additional packets of data and programs, so as to make them available for the subsequent storage in the memory unit36.

In accordance with other possible embodiments of the present invention, shown inFIGS.3and4, if the activation means40also or alternatively consist of computer codes C, the recognition means39can be integrated even directly into the processor33and be configured to recognize each computer code C associated with a respective additional operating function of the machine10.

The computer codes C can be downloadable by a user either directly from the machine10, when it is connected to the communication network37, or through a computerized device D, for example a mobile phone, operatively connected, preferably in wireless mode, to the machine10.

In particular, each computer code C can contain digital information which allows the processor33to use the additional packets of data and programs already pre-stored in the memory unit36, so as to enable the respective additional operating function, or to automatically or selectively connect to the communication network37, by means of a command generated by the user interface31for example, in order to download and/or update the additional packets of data and programs relating to the respective additional operating function.

By way of example, a computer code C can allow to enable in the machine10a beverage not yet present in the list of beverages that can be initially selected by the user on the user interface31, or to activate new operating functions associated with an accessory member43,44.

The operation of the machine10described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

In an initial setting step, a machine10as described above is made available.

In a subsequent activation step, at least one of the activation means40is associated with, or integrated into, the machine10. In particular, if the activation means40are physical accessories (FIGS.1and2), at least one of them, that is, the jug43and/or the lance44, is temporarily disposed in the respective housing seating45,49.

Alternatively, or in addition, if the activation means40are computer codes C (FIGS.3and4), at least one computer code C is downloaded or obtained in this activation step, according to the modes described above.

Then, in a recognition or detection step, the recognition means39detect and recognize the possible presence or reception of the activation means40, whether these are the accessory members43,44or the computer codes C. In particular, in the case of the accessory members43,44(FIGS.1and2), each detection member41,42detects the possible presence of the jug43and/or of the lance44, and sends the data relating to one or the other, or both, to the processor33.

In the case of the computer codes C (FIGS.3and4), on the other hand, the recognition means39allow the processor33to receive and process the computer code C detected.

Subsequently, in an updating step, if the additional packets of data and programs relating to the additional operating functions associated with the activation means40(FIGS.1,2,3and4) are already pre-stored in the memory unit36, the processor33takes and/or executes them, and activates the additional operating functions.

In the event that the additional packets of data and programs are not already pre-stored in the memory unit36, or they are not updated, in a connection step the processor33automatically or selectively connects to the communication network37, for example by means of a command generated by the user interface31, in order to download and/or update such additional packets of data and programs, so as to make them available for the subsequent storage in the memory unit36.

In addition, in an enabling step, the processor33enables, in the user interface31, the additional operating functions and thus allows the user to perform the selection of one or more additional beverages and/or other functions associated with the certain beverage.

Then, in an actuation step, the processor33, upon user input by means of the user interface31, commands the preparation and delivery of at least one of the additional beverages and/or the other functions associated with the certain beverage.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine10and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

For example, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the accessory members could be more than two, or they could be different from those described above, possibly with other associated operating functions.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the same claims.