Patent Publication Number: US-2013247772-A1

Title: Beverage machine with reliable user-indicator

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention pertains to beverage preparation machines, in particular using capsules of an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared, such as beverage preparation machines having a user-interface for communicating information to a user relative to the machine&#39;s status. 
     For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc. . . . A “capsule” is meant to include any pre-portioned beverage ingredient, such as a flavouring ingredient, within an enclosing packaging of any material, in particular an airtight packaging, e.g. plastic, aluminium, recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges containing the ingredient. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or ingredients that are stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added at the time of preparation of the drink. 
     Some beverage machines possess filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, such as a heating resistor, a thermoblock or the like. 
     For allowing the user to interact with such machines, for providing operation instructions to the machine or obtaining feed-back therefrom, various systems have been disclosed in the art, for instance as mentioned in the following references: AT 410 377, CH 682 798, DE 44 29 353, DE 10 2005 057 166, DE 20 2005 002 814, DE 20 2006 019 039, EP 1 448 084, EP 1 676 509, EP 1 707 088, EP 08 155 851.2, FR 2 624 844, FR 2 858 713, GB 2 240 206, GB 2 397 510, GB 2 240 206, U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,385, U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,049, U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,735, U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,419, U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,632, U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,697, U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,020, U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,705, U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,061, U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,508, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,230, U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,981, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,236, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,553, U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,869, U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,555, U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,341, U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,072, U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,603, U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,050, U.S. Pat. No. 7,279,660, U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,455, US 2007/0157820, WO 97/25634, WO 99/50172, WO 03/037151, WO 03/039309, WO 2004/030435, WO 2004/030438, WO 2006/063645, WO 2006/082064, WO 2006/090183, WO 2007/003062, WO 2007/003990, WO 2008/104751, WO 2008/138710 and WO 2008/138820. 
     In particular, in AT 410 377 a touch screen is used in a beverage machine to provide a feed-back of values measured in the machine by using sensors, such as the temperature of a beverage or a supply pressure including the use of a red-green signal. EP 1 448 084 and WO 03/037151 disclose a beverage machine with a display that indicates in a corner the statement “Warming up. Please wait!” when in its start-up mode. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,632 discloses a beverage machine with a display adapted to display an error message, such as “COFFEE MILL DEFECTIVE”, “RESERVOIR EMPTY”, “WATER TANK EMPTY” or “PUMP DEFECTIVE”. U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,385 discloses a beverage machine having a lamp that is switched on while the machine&#39;s heater is being powered. GB 2 397 510 discloses a coffee machine with a series of indicator LEDs, one of which may be used to indicate a low water level in the machine&#39;s tank. A similar interface arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,236 and in WO 2008/104751. DE 202 00 419 discloses a beverage preparation machine that has a user-interface that is separable from the machine for remote operation. 
     There is still a need to provide beverage machines with an economic and reliable and ergonomic user-interface that provides proper information regarding the machine&#39;s status. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a machine for preparing and dispensing a beverage. For instance, the machine is a coffee, tea, chocolate, cacao, milk or soup preparation machine. In particular, the machine is arranged for preparing within a beverage module a beverage by passing hot or cold water or another liquid through a capsule containing an ingredient, such as a flavouring ingredient, of the beverage to be prepared, such as ground coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk powder. 
     The beverage machine comprises:
         a processing unit that has a flavouring module for mixing liquid with a flavouring ingredient to form a flavoured beverage, and that has a liquid drive arrangement for in-taking liquid from a source of liquid and driving said liquid to the flavouring module, and that has an outlet for guiding a flavoured beverage from the flavouring module to a beverage dispensing area; and   a user-interface that is connected to the processing unit and that has an indicator for indicating a status of the processing unit.       

     Such beverage preparation typically includes the mixing of a plurality of beverage ingredients, e.g. water and milk powder, and/or the infusion of a beverage ingredient, such as an infusion of ground coffee or tea with water. For instance, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a serving. The volume of such a serving may be in the range of 25 to 200 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup or mug, depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may be selected from ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, café latte, americano coffees, teas, etc. . . . In particular, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing espressos, e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per serving, and a and/or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 150 ml per serving. 
     In accordance with the invention, the indicator is displaceable, typically displaceable relatively to the processing unit, in a manner visible from outside such machine by a mechanical, magnetic and/or thermal actuation thereof by the processing unit changing status. 
     A user normally operating the machine, e.g. for preparing/dispensing a beverage and/or routine servicing the machine, will be able to monitor visually the displacement of the indicator. Typically, such user indicator serves no other purpose or has no other function than the indication of the status to a user. In particular, the indicator does not participate in the operation of the beverage machine beyond providing information to a user, i.e. the absence of the indicator does not deprive the beverage machine of any operative function such as beverage preparation function or servicing function. 
     Hence, instead of using state of the art user-interfaces, e.g. LED&#39;s, screens, touch screens, etc. . . . , that require sensors and an electric or electronic control logic, such as a processor, that are expensive and involve a significant risk of failure and/or malfunction over time, the user-interface of the invention includes a robust movable indicator that is not depending on any electronic control arrangement. Hence, information regarding the status of the processing unit during start-up, operation, shut down, idling, standby, etc. . . . can be communicated to a user in a simple and reliable manner using an inexpensive and robust interface arrangement. Moreover, such arrangement does not involve additional/dedicated powering like an electric interface and does not require the use of materials that are environmentally unfriendly as encountered in electronic devices. 
     In one embodiment, the status of the processing unit is arranged to change incrementally, the indicator being movable accordingly incrementally, in particular within a range of 2 to 5 increments such as two or three increments. Such status may relate to the state of operation of the processing unit, e.g. in the process of preparing or not preparing a beverage, in a configuration for loading/unloading an ingredient or in a loaded configuration, etc. . . . 
     In another embodiment, the status of the processing unit is arranged to change progressively, the indicator being movable accordingly, i.e. progressively. Such a status may relate to a the speed or pressure of liquid circulating in the processing unit or to the temperature of the a thermal conditioner such as a heater during start-up. 
     Typically, the beverage machine has an outermost housing, the indicator being arranged to extend through the outermost housing. The indicator may also be arranged to move within the housing underneath an opening of the housing to remain visible from outside the housing via the opening. In another configuration, the beverage machine has an outermost housing, the indicator being arranged to move behind a transparent part of the housing, e.g. to be visible by a user but protected from the environment outside the machine. 
     The indicator of the machine&#39;s interface may be translationally and/or pivotally movable between two predetermined end positions. The indicator can be movable in rotation generally infinitely (i.e. not confined inbetween two predetermined end positions), in particular to indicate a velocity, such as a velocity of the liquid circulated in the processing unit. 
     The processing unit may comprise a thermal conditioner for the in-taken liquid, the indicator being arranged for indicating a thermal status of the thermal conditioner. The thermal conditioner may be a cooler or a heater such as a boiler or an in-line heater, e.g. a thermoblock or an instant heater. For instance, the indicator comprises or is connected to a temperature-sensitive mechanical element, such as a thermal expansive element or a bimetallic element in particular a bimetallic strip, in thermal communication with the thermal conditioner. 
     The processing unit can comprises a part that is movable by a change of status and that is mechanically connected to the indicator so as to displace the indicator when the part is moved. Typically, this movable part of the processing unit forms a part of the flavouring module. The flavouring module may comprise a further part that cooperates with this movable part, the movable part being movable relative to the further part: away from the further part for introducing a flavouring ingredient, in particular contained within a capsule, into the flavouring module and/or for evacuating a used flavouring ingredient therefrom; and towards the further part for forming a mixing cavity that holds such flavouring ingredient and that guides a flow of liquid therethrough for flavouring such liquid and that is arranged to deliver such flavoured liquid to a beverage outlet. 
     The movable part of the flavouring module can be motorized. In this case, the user does not have to operate a handle for handling the ingredient, e.g. contained within a capsule, in the flavouring module, this being done automatically by a motor. In this case, the indicator may provide the feed-back to the user as to the status of the flavouring module, e.g. in a loading or unloading configuration or in a beverage preparation configuration, i.e. loaded with a flavouring ingredient. A suitable example of a motorization of a flavouring module is disclosed in EP 1 767 129. 
     Furthermore, the processing unit typically comprises a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is arranged to intake liquid from the liquid source. Without being part thereof, the liquid source is in fluid communication with the processing unit for supplying the processing unit with liquid, as needed. Hence, the liquid source may be disconnectably connected or connectable to the processing unit, in particular to the fluid conduit thereof. 
     The status of such a fluid conduit may be indicated to a user via the indicator of the invention. For instance, the processing unit is associated with at least one of:
         a body drivable by a change of pressure in the fluid conduit, such as a flexible portion of the fluid conduit, that forms said movable part;   a body drivable by a flow in the fluid conduit, such as a rotatable measuring body extending into the fluid conduit; and/or       

     a pump having a drive body, such as a reciprocating piston or a rotatable impeller, for driving through the pump this liquid, the pump, in particular the drive body, forming a mechanical and/or magnetic actuator of the indicator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a brewing unit with a user-interface of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 3 to 5  illustrate a brewing unit with another user-interface of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 6 to 8   b  illustrate a brewing unit with yet another user-interface of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrate a processing unit with a plurality of user-interfaces of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first embodiment of a user-interface  1  for an embodiment of a beverage preparation machine in accordance with the invention. 
     User-interface  1  is associated with a flavouring module  10 , e.g. a brewing unit, of a processing unit of the machine. For the purpose of illustrating this embodiment of the invention, only a movable front part  11  is shown together with interface  1 . Movable front part  11  may cooperate with a rear part, as for instance following the principle disclosed in PCT/EP10/064,772. In particular, the brewing unit illustrated in this reference may be fully motorized, e.g. the handle (manual) actuation of the brewing unit may be replaced by a motorized actuation. 
     Flavouring module  10  of the processing unit is arranged for mixing liquid, such as an incoming flow of hot water, with a flavouring ingredient, e.g. coffee or tea, to form a flavoured beverage. 
     The flavouring ingredient may be supplied within a capsule into the brewing unit. The interaction between the brewing unit and the flavouring ingredient, when provided within a capsule, may be of the type disclosed in EP 1 859 714 or in EP 2 205 133. 
     Furthermore, the processing unit includes a liquid drive arrangement, such as a fluid conduit with a pump that is connectable to a source of liquid external to the processing unit, such as the tap or a water reservoir. The source of liquid may be part of the beverage machine, e.g. in the form of a liquid reservoir, or distinct therefrom. The pump (not shown) is configured for in-taking liquid from the liquid source into the processing unit and circulating the in-taken liquid through the processing unit via the flavouring module  10  to a beverage dispensing area  12 ′ via an outlet  12 . Suitable examples of liquid reservoirs are for example disclosed in EP 10 151 317. 
     User-interface  1  is connected to flavouring module  10  of the processing unit ( FIG. 2 ) and has an indicator  102  for indicating a status of the processing unit, namely of the flavouring module  10  in this embodiment of the invention. 
     In accordance with the invention, indicator  1  is displaceable relatively to the processing unit in a manner visible from outside the machine by a mechanical actuation of indicator  1  by the processing unit changing status. 
     The beverage machine has a housing (not shown) in which indicator  1  is pivotally mounted about an axis  1 ′ fixed in the housing. 
     Flavouring module  10  has a downstream part  11  bearing beverage outlet  12  that cooperates with an upstream part (not shown). Downstream part  11  is translationally movable relative to the upstream part towards and away thereof. The upstream part may be fixed in the housing or movable. In particular, downstream part  11  has an opening  13  that may slide over the upstream part. Lateral openings  18  are provided for guiding downstream part  18  in the machine&#39;s housing along the housing or along a stationary machine part in the housing, e.g. along the heater. Part  11  may include a connector  19  for driving downstream part  11  in the machine&#39;s housing to and away from the upstream part. For instance, downstream part  11  is driven automatically by an electric motor. Upstream and a downstream parts of this type are illustrated in greater details in the abovementioned references. 
     When closed capsules of flavouring ingredients are used, flavouring module  10  may include a capsule opener such as blades and/or a tearing tool, e.g. a plate with a tearing profile, for instance as known form Nespresso™ machines. 
     As for example illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , flavouring module  10  has a first part  11  that is movable between: the transfer position for introducing a beverage ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient such as ground coffee or tea, into the flavouring chamber and/or for removing the ingredient therefrom; and the processing position for forming the beverage from the ingredient in module  10 , in particular by circulating water therethrough. 
     Flavouring module  10  may include two relatively movable parts  11 , 11 ′ to form an ingredient chamber  11 ″ in the processing position, such as a brewing unit, of the beverage preparation module. These parts  11 , 11 ′ are relatively movable from: the transfer position for insertion of the flavouring ingredient into the chamber and/or evacuation of this ingredient therefrom; and a processing position for circulating the liquid through this ingredient in the chamber of flavouring module  10  to form the beverage. Relatively movable parts  11 , 11 ′ can be manually and/or automatically movable apart for opening flavouring module  10  into the transfer position and moved together for closing flavouring module  10  into the processing position. In the processing position, module  10  may tightly enclose the ingredient, typically a solid ingredient such as ground coffee, tea leaves or milk powder, to ensure proper guidance of the liquid through the ingredient. 
     For instance, an automatic actuator for moving movable part  11  of module  10  may be controlled to move part  11  from the processing position to the transfer position automatically at the end of a beverage formation. 
     The beverage machine typically includes one or more of the following components, as schematically illustrated in the Figs:
         a) module  10 , e.g. a brewing unit, delimiting in the processing position an inner flavouring chamber for receiving an ingredient of the beverage such as a flavouring ingredient, in particular a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule, and for guiding via an inlet an incoming flow of liquid for flavouring thereof, such as water, through this ingredient to beverage outlet  12 ;   b) an in-line heater  66 , such as a thermoblock, for heating this flow of liquid to be supplied to the ingredient holder;   c) a pump  65  for pumping liquid through the in-line heater  66  module  10 ;   d) one or more fluid connecting members  61 , 62 , 63 , 64  for guiding liquid from a source of liquid, such as tank of liquid  200 , to module  10 ;   e) an electric control unit (not shown), in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user via an input user-interface (not shown) and for controlling in-line heater  66  and the pump  65 ; and/or   f) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of module  10 , the in-line heater  66 , the pump  65 , liquid tank  200 , an ingredient receptacle, a flow of the liquid (e.g. by a flowmeter  7 , 7   a ), a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic(s) to the control unit.       

     The heater may be a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH), for instance an ODH type disclosed in EP 1 253 844, EP 1 380 243 and EP 1 809 151. Examples of suitable brewing units and capsule management are for example disclosed in WO 2005/004683, WO2007/135136 and WO 2009/043630, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. Suitable beverage preparation modules are for instance disclosed in WO 2009/074550 and WO 2009/130099, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates downstream part  11  when urged against the upstream part (not shown).  FIG. 2  shows downstream part  11  when spaced away from the upstream part. 
     Downstream part  11  includes an opening  14  for inserting an ingredient capsule into flavouring module  10 . In the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 , opening  14  is covered by the machine&#39;s housing. In the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , opening  14  is moved passed axis  1 ′ in front of a corresponding opening of the machine&#39;s housing (not shown). In  FIG. 1 , the housing&#39;s opening is covered by plate-like element  102  of indicator  1 . In  FIG. 2 , indicator  1  is pivoted upright so that element  102  uncovers opening  14  and the housing&#39;s opening. In this configuration, downstream part  11  is spaced from the upstream part so as to permit insertion of an ingredient capsule into flavouring module  10  via opening  14  and the housing&#39;s opening. 
     Indicator  1  has a toothed wheel portion  101  that engages with a toothed rack potion  15  of downstream portion  11  when portion  11  is translated underneath the machine&#39;s housing from the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . Hence, indicator  1  that is pivotally mounted in the machine&#39;s housing along axis  1 ′ is pivoted upwards by the motion of portion  11 . 
     Indicator  1  with its plate-like element  102  in the configuration of  FIG. 1  indicates that opening  14  is not accessible and that flavouring module  10  is in its closed configuration. Indicator  1  with its plate-like element  102  in the configuration of  FIG. 2  indicates that opening  14  is accessible for inserting an ingredient capsule and that flavouring module  10  is in its open configuration. 
     Such a indication to a user is of particular interest when the opening and closing of flavouring module  10  is done automatically, e.g. by an electric motor. In such a case, the user may not rely on the position of an actuating handle to determine the status of flavouring module  10 . 
     In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , indicator  1  is arranged to illustrate two different status, i.e. corresponding to an open and a closed configuration of flavouring module  10 . It is of course possible to configure the processing unit to indicate a further status, e.g. a start-up status, by bringing indicator  1  in an intermediate position between the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , typically during start-up of the heater upon switch-on of the beverage preparation machine. 
     To further increase the ergonomics of the indicator, a marking may be provided on indicator  102 . For instance, indicator  102  shown in  FIG. 1  may bear on its user-visible face (top face), a sign indicating that the flavouring module is in its closed position, such as “brewing chamber closed” or a no-way pictogram; indicator  102  shown in  FIG. 2  may bear on the opposite face, e.g. adjacent passage  14 , a sign indicating that flavouring module  10  is in its open position, such as “brewing chamber open” or an arrow indicating the direction for supplying an ingredient into the chamber. 
       FIGS. 3 to 5 , in which the same numeric references generally designate the same elements, illustrate a variation of the particular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . User-interface  1 , 2  includes a first indicator  1  and a second indicator  2  with first and second plate-like elements  102 , 202 , respectively, pivotally mounted about axis  1 ′ in the machine&#39;s housing (not shown). Indicators  1 , 2  include drive arms  101 ′, 201 ′ that are pushed by members  15 ′, 16 ′, respectively, of downstream part  11  when moved away from the upstream part (not shown). In the configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , indicators  1 , 2  are sequentially moved by the corresponding members  15 ′, 16  so that at the passage of downstream part  11 , indicator  1  is first pivoted from the position shown in  FIG. 3  to the upright position in  FIG. 4  and indicator  2  is pivoted upwards by further moving downstream part  11  away from the upstream part into the position shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Hence, Indicator  1  with the plate-like element  102  in the low configuration is used to indicate the closed position in  FIG. 3 , e.g. for preparing and dispensing a beverage. Indicator  2  with the plate-like element  202  is used to indicate the open position in  FIG. 5 , e.g. for inserting and/or evacuating an ingredient capsule into flavouring module  10 . Indicator  1  pivoted up and indicator  2  pivoted down are used to indicate an intermediate configuration, e.g. during the start-up of the beverage machine, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . For improving the ergonomics of indicators  1 , 2 , plate-like elements  102 , 202  may bear markings, such as “open”, “closed”, “start-up”, etc. . . . 
       FIGS. 6 to 8   b , in which the same numeric references designate generally the same elements, illustrate a further embodiment of an interface  3 , 4  of a beverage machine according to the invention.  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  show cross-sectional views of upstream part  11  of flavouring module  10  in a machine&#39;s housing  20 .  FIGS. 6   a ,  7   a  and  8   a  show corresponding top views of interface  3 , 4  on housing  20 .  FIGS. 6   b ,  7   b  and  8   b  show corresponding views of the actuation of interface  3 , 4  by the movement of downstream part  11 . 
     Front part  11  is urged in the closed position against a rear part  11 ′ as indicated in  FIG. 6 . Front part  11  is movable away from rear part  11 ′ via an intermediate position shown in  FIG. 7  into an open position shown in  FIG. 8 . Front part  11  may telescope in an out of housing  20 . A front cover  20 ′, such as a secondary housing element or part, may be used to shield front part  11  when telescoped out of main housing  20 . 
     In the open position ( FIG. 8 ), front part  11  is spaced apart from part  11 ′ so that a channel  14  is formed therebetween for inserting an ingredient capsule from outside housing  20  via housing opening  22  located above channel  14  into flavouring module  10 . 
     Interface&#39;s indicators  3 , 4  are in the form of generally tubular/cylindrical concentric members that are actuated by pushers  15 ″, 16 ″, respectively, incorporated in movable downstream part  11 . At the passage of downstream part  11 , indicators  3 , 4  telescope through an opening  21  in housing  20  and retract thereinto. In a variation, such indicators  3 , 4  may move entirely or substantially outside or inside the housing or may move in the absence of an adjacent housing. 
     Indicators  3 , 4  are actuated by the displacement of movable part  11  of flavouring module  10 . Part  11  has a geometry  15 ″, 16 ″ appropriate to displace indicators by moving between the open and closed position of module  10 , e.g. in a cam-follower  3 , 4  cam  15 ″, 16 ″ type of arrangement. In particular, movable part  11  bears a first ramp arrangement  15 ″ and a second ramp arrangement  16 ″. Ramps  15 ″, 16 ″, as illustrated in this particular example, are in a side-by-side staggered arranged so that on moving ramp  16 ″ from the closed to the open position, i.e. in the sequence illustrated from FIGS.  6 , 6   a , 6   b  (closed position) via  FIGS. 7 ,  7   a ,  7   b  (intermediate position) to FIGS.  8 , 8   a , 8   b  (open position), indicators  3 , 4  are sequentially raised. Likewise, indicators  3 , 4  are sequentially lowered when movable part  11  is displaced from the open to the closed position. The lowering of indicators  3 , 4  may be carried out by gravity or a spring element or any other suitable means. 
     Ramps  16 ″ are located inbetween ramps  15 ″. Peripheral indicator  3  has bottom openings  3 ′ for permitting the unhindered passage of ramps  16 ″ that move inner or central indicator  4  (FIGS.  7 , 7   a , 7   b ). Outer or peripheral indicator  3  is moved by outer ramps  15 ″ (FIGS.  8 , 8   a , 8   b ). 
     Whereas  FIGS. 1 to 8   b  illustrate mechanical interfaces with indicators  1  to  4  for indicating a status related to flavouring module  10 , indicators  5 , 6 , 7  schematically shown in  FIG. 9  provide information to a user on other parts of a beverage machine according to the invention. These indicators may all be combined. Alternatively, only one or more of such indicators may be implemented in a given machine. 
       FIG. 9 , in which the same numeric references generally designate the same elements, illustrates a processing unit  60  of a particular embodiment of a beverage preparation machine in accordance with the invention. Processing unit  60  is connected to a source of liquid  200 . Source of liquid  200  may be part of the beverage machine, e.g. a liquid reservoir  200  connected to processing unit  60 , of may be tap. Further details on this type of reservoirs are for example disclosed in EP 10163637.1. Hence, source of liquid  200 , without being part of processing unit  60 , supplies unit  60  with the required liquid. 
     Processing unit  60  has a fluid circulation arrangement including a series of pipes  61 , 62 , 63 , 64  interconnected via pump  65  and resistive in-line heater  66  to a flavouring module  10 , e.g. a brewing unit, with a beverage outlet  12 . Flavouring unit  10  has a movable part  11  that cooperates with part  11 ′ to receive a flavouring ingredient capsule  50  into cavity  11 ″ and circulate a carrier liquid, e.g. water, therethrough to form a beverage. 
     The beverage processing unit  60  in housing  20  has a flavouring module  10  arranged for holding a flavouring ingredient, in particular a pre-portioned ingredient such as an ingredient supplied to such module within a capsule, and circulating a liquid therethrough to form a beverage. Flavouring capsule  50  has a cup-shaped body  51  with a rim for fixing a lid  52  thereon. Body  51  is configured for containing a pre-portioned amount of flavouring ingredient. Examples of modules for such capsules  50  are disclosed in WO 2009/074550 and in WO 2009/130099, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. 
     The machine may have a collector receptacle (not shown) for collecting used ingredients, such as tea leaves or ground coffee, e.g. within used capsules, and waste liquid. The collector receptacle, e.g. waste collector, may be located in a lower part of housing  20  of the machine and have an upper compartment for solids and a lower compartment for liquids. Collector receptacle may be insertable, e.g. slidable, into a cavity formed in the machine and removable therefrom for servicing, e.g. emptying the solids and/or liquids contained therein. For example, the storage capacity of the collector receptacle for accumulating used ingredient may be aligned to the storage capacity of reservoir for the supply of liquid such as water, e.g. as taught in PCT/EP10/056,194. 
     The collector receptacle is positioned underneath the beverage preparation flavouring module  10  to collect upon beverage preparation the used flavouring ingredient, e.g. ground coffee or tea, evacuated to the receptacle via an ingredient introduction/evacuation passage  14 , e.g. by gravity. The receptacle typically has an anti-clogging arrangement, as for example taught in WO 2009/074559 and in WO 2009/135869, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. 
     Hence, processing unit  60  is arranged to intake liquid from source  200 , drive liquid via pump  65  into heater  66  and flavouring module  10  containing capsule  50  to form a beverage. The beverage, upon formation, is dispensed via outlet  12  to a dispensing zone thereunder, e.g. delimited at the bottom by a support surface for holding a user cup or mug. Such support surfaces are well known in the art, e.g. as disclosed in EP 1 867 260 and WO 2009/074557. 
     Processing unit  60  cooperates with user indicators  5 , 6 , 7  for indicating to a user the status of different parts of unit  60 . Indicators  5  and  6  are arranged to telescope through housing  20  in and out of the beverage machine to indicate a particular status of the beverage preparation machine. Indicator  7  is arranged to move behind a transparent casing  7   a.    
     Indicator  5  is configured to indicate a pressure in pipe  62  downstream pump  65 . Indicator  5  is mechanically connected to flexible pipe  62  and urged thereagainst by spring  5   a . When pump progressively pressurizes liquid from source  200  and drives the liquid under pressure, e.g. at 10 to 20 bar, via flexible pipe  62 , flexible pipe progressively expands in cross-section, stresses spring  5   a  and pushes indicator outwards housing  20 . When the pressure is released in pipe  62 , spring  5   a  pushes indicator against pipe  62  which is then compressed in cross-section. Hence, movements of indicator  5  indicate the pressure status in processing unit  60 . 
     Indicator  6  is connected via a thermally expanding material  6   a  to thermal conditioner  66 . Expanding material  6   a  is confined within a cylinder  6   b  between indicator  6  and conditioner  66 . When the temperature of conditioner  66  increases, material  6   a  progressively expands and pushes indicator  6  outwards housing  20  progressively. When the temperature of conditioner  66  decreases, material  6   a  progressively contracts and retracts indicator  6  inwards housing  20  progressively. Hence the position of indicator  6  indicates to the user the thermal status of conditioner  66 . In particular, a state of non-readiness of thermal conditioner  66 , and thus of processing unit  60 , may be indicated to a user via non-electric interface indicator  6 . 
     Indicator  7  is in the form of a rotatable flow measuring body in a housing  7   a , e.g. a transparent flowmeter. The rotation of indicator  7  behind transparent wall of housing  7   a  is visible to a user from outside the beverage machine. Hence, indicator  7  will indicate to a user circulating of liquid via pipes  63 , 64  whether liquid is circulated to flavouring chamber  11 ″ or not. For instance, the machine&#39;s fluid circuit may be arranged to carry out a rinsing or cleaning process in which fluid is evacuated from processing unit  60  from inbetween parts  11 , 11 ′ into a service unit, instead as from outlet  12  into a user-mug or user-cup. Moreover, the rotational speed of indicator  7  will indicate the velocity of the liquid in pipes  63 , 64 .