Patent Publication Number: US-2023141710-A1

Title: Beverage preparation machine with handy power management

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention pertains to beverage preparation machines which uses liquid in the preparation of the beverage. The liquid is typically water or water-based. The machine may be configured to prepare the beverage by passing the liquid through an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared, such as at least one of coffee, tea, cacao, milk, sugar and/or soup ingredient. The ingredient may be supplied within a capsule into the machine. For instance, the liquid is mixed with the ingredient contained in the capsule by centrifuging the capsule while the liquid is passed through the capsule. 
     For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc... A “capsule” is meant to include any container such as a packaging for containing a pre-portioned beverage ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient, the packaging forming an enclosure of any material, in particular an airtight or pervious material, porous or non-porous material, e.g. plastic, aluminium, recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape and structure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges for 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, e.g. a thermoblock or the like. 
     Various outside machine configurations have been proposed to handle the machine, as for instance disclosed in WO 2009/074553, WO 2010/003932, WO 2010/015427, WO 2010/037806, WO 2011/144720, WO 2012/055765, WO 2012/093107, WO 2012/126971, WO 2013/037781, WO 2013/037782, WO 2013/037783, WO 2013/127906, WO 2015/140091, WO 2016/083484, WO 2016/156364, WO 2016/156372, WO 2017/037215 and WO 2018/219985. 
     Especially in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted in a brewing device. The brewing device is closed about the capsule, water is injected, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of the capsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from the capsule and collected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass. 
     Heat management in such systems is known from EP 2393404 A1, WO 2010/089329 and in WO 2014/090850. It is also known to interrupt or reduce the powering of the thermal conditioner of a beverage machine to reduce the powering consumption of the machine when not in the process of delivering a beverage, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2011/020779 and WO 2012/007260, or to interrupt or reduce the powering of the thermal conditioner to stop or reduce the thermal conditioning of beverage ingredients in the preparation of the beverage, e.g. as disclosed in EP19181432.6. It is possible to bypass a thermal conditioner to process thermally unconditioned water for a desired beverage preparation, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2018/158179. It is also known to drive, e.g. using a pump, water through such systems, for instance as disclosed in WO 2004/014205, WO 2006/005425, WO 2009/024500, WO 2009/150030, WO 2010/108700, WO 2011/107574 and WO 2018/001750. 
     The preparation of a beverage by using centrifugation is known. Such beverage preparation includes: providing a beverage (flavoring) ingredient, e.g. as powder and/or leaves, in a capsule; circulating liquid into the capsule and rotating the capsule at sufficient speed to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the center towards the periphery of the capsule. As liquid passes through the ingredient, e.g. coffee bed, extraction of the ingredient, e.g. coffee compounds, takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008/148601, WO 2013/007776, WO 2013/007779, WO 2013/007780, WO 2013/007781, WO 2015/173123, WO 2017/202746 and WO 2017/046294 as well as in EP 2019216354, EP 2019216355, EP 2019216356, EP 2019216357, EP 2019216358, EP 19216359, EP 2019216360, EP 2019216361, EP 2019216364 and EP 2019216365. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred object of the invention may be to increase the versatility of beverage machines. 
     Another preferred object of the invention may be to increase the safety in the use of beverage machines. 
     A further preferred object of the invention may be to reduce the manufacturing costs of beverage machines. 
     The invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient. Normally such beverage is then dispensed to a user, e.g. to a user-cup or user-mug. 
     The machine is arranged for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient, e.g. coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk or soup, by mixing water with the flavouring ingredient, e.g. by centrifugally driving such flavouring ingredient with water. 
     For instance, the machine incorporates features disclosed in WO 2008/148604, WO 2009/106598, WO 2014/096122, WO 2010/026053 or WO 2014/096123. 
     The 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 15 to 1000 ml such as 25 to 600 ml for instance 40 to 250 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 cold and warm beverages, for example from cold brewed tea or coffee, or warm/hot brewed tea or coffee, e.g. ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, cafe latte, americano coffees, teas, etc... For example, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing coffee, e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per serving, and/or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 200 ml per serving, and/or for dispensing americanos, e.g. a volume in the range of 150 to 750 ml. 
     The machine includes a beverage processing unit formed of a first processing unit member and a second processing unit member that delimit a chamber and that are movable between a distant configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is received in the chamber and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is held and mixed with the water in the chamber during beverage preparation. For instance, the flavouring ingredient is supplied into the chamber within a capsule, e.g. with a capsule flange. 
     Typically, the chamber is provided or associated with an inlet arrangement and/or an outlet arrangement. Examples of inlet arrangements are disclosed in WO 2010/063644. Examples of outlet arrangements are disclosed in WO 2009/106175, WO 2012/100836, WO 2013/020939 and WO 2017/068134. 
     The beverage processing unit, typically of the centrifugal type, may incorporate features disclosed in EP 2 000 062, EP 2 155 020, EP 2 152 128, WO 2008/148646, WO 2009/106175, WO 2010/026045, WO 2010/063644, WO 2010/066705 and WO 2010/066736. 
     The beverage processing unit (when using ingredient capsules) may be fitted with an arrangement for opening the capsule, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2008/148656, WO 2010/026045 and WO 2010/066736. 
     The beverage processing unit members may be secured together in their proximate position by a corresponding arrangement, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2012/007293 and WO 2014/102048. 
     The capsule may have a body containing an ingredient and a peripherally projecting flange. The capsule may be of the type described above under the header “field of the invention”. The capsule may be a capsule that has a container-body, e.g. a generally cup-shaped or hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoidal body, having a flange to which a cover lid is attached, in particular sealed. Typically, the capsule contains a beverage ingredient. 
     The capsule may have a or the above body that is symmetric or asymmetric, conical or frusto-conical, pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal, cylindrical or prismatic, spherical or hemispherical or frusto-spherical, domical or frusto-domical, containing the ingredient. 
     The capsules (when the machine is intended to be operated with capsules, e.g. capsules of different sizes) may incorporate the features disclosed in WO 2008/148650, WO 2008/148834 and WO 2011/023711. 
     An automatic capsule recognition system, for instance an arrangement configured to read an identification device, e.g. a code, borne by the capsule such as a bar code e.g. a rotationally readable bar code, may be used to parameterize and adjust the processing of the flavouring ingredient contained in the above mentioned capsule automatically in line with the type of ingredient, e.g. a profile of an extraction flow (e.g. speed and/or pressure) and/or extraction temperature. Examples of such technologies and associated features are disclosed in WO2011/141532, WO2011/141535, WO 2012/010470, WO 2013/072239, WO 2013/072297, WO 2013/072326, WO 2013/072351 and WO 2015/044400. 
     The machine has a water source for delivering the water towards the beverage processing unit, such as a connector to be connected to a water supply line external to such machine and/or a water supply tank that has an outside opening for water filling with a water source external to such machine. 
     The machine can have a control device, such as a control device comprising a controller and/or processor, configured to control the delivery of water to the processing unit. Other functions may be controlled by the control device, e.g. automatic ingredient detection and/or sensing and/or capsule recognition system, water availability at the water source, etc... 
     The control device may be associated with a selection arrangement, e.g. a selection arrangement comprising a user-interface and/or a flavouring ingredient sensor and/or capsule recognition system, for selecting one of several available beverage preparation modes. Examples of user-interfaces are disclosed in WO 2015/096998. 
     The selection arrangement may be configured to initiate and/or stop a beverage preparation and/or to select a particular volume of water of a plurality of selectable available volumes to be supplied to the beverage processing unit’s chamber for preparing a correspondingly resulting particular volume of the beverage and/or, when the machine is configured accordingly, to select a centrifugal speed profile of the chamber during beverage preparation. 
     The machine includes a water guide extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit arranged such that substantially all the water delivered into the chamber for preparing the beverage is guided by the water guide. 
     The machine includes one or more electric devices, such as at least one of an actuator, a control device and a user-interface. 
     The machine includes a connection, such as an impervious connection, for powering the electric devices. The connection is disconnectably connected to the electric devices and removable therefrom, for instance via a plug-and-socket arrangement e.g. an impervious plug-and-socket arrangement. The connection has a power connector, such as a plug, for connection to an external power source, e.g. to the mains. The connection may: have one or more electric cords; and/or be configured to process an electric power from said external power source having a voltage in the range of 100 to 240 V at a frequency in the range of 45 to 65 Hz. 
     The above mentioned water supply tank, when present, may have: a resilient valve with a biased gate that is opened by actuation by a tank seat, and/or by a fluid connector of the water guide; and/or an arrangement for mechanical and/or magnetic user-reversible assembly to a or the tank seat. 
     The first processing unit member may delimit a water inlet of the chamber or delimit a beverage outlet out of the chamber or delimit both the inlet and outlet. The inlet may form an extremity of the water guide. The inlet and/or outlet can be formed by and/or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements for piercing the capsule (when the machine is configured for capsules). 
     The connection comprises an electric converter, e.g. a transformer, that is configured to convert the electric power supplied by said external power source into a converted electric power appropriate to power one or more or all of the electric devices. The electric converter can be configured to convert at least one parameter selected from a frequency, a voltage and a shape of power of the power supplied by the external power source, such as to convert an AC power into a DC power. 
     When the machine is produced for different domestic electric power standards, e.g. as known in Japan or in the US that operate with 100-110 V or as known in European countries that operation with 220-240 V, it is sufficient to use an appropriate electric converter without having to change other electric components, especially such components that are inaccessible to a normal consumer. It follows that uniform production of the machines can be achieved with the exception of the separable connection. The converter may be located close to the electric devices or remotely therefrom, e.g. close to or within a connector device (typically a plug) to the mains. 
     By integrating the electric converter in the connection, the converter itself may be placed at a location that is remote from the beverage processing unit, the water source and the water guide, e.g. more than 5, than 10, than 20 or than 30 cm away therefrom. Thus, the water and beverage processed in the machine may be well separated from the power directly drawn by the converter from the mains, which reduces the risk of interference between beverage and/or water with the mains. Thus the safety in using them machine can be increased. To achieve this, the converter may be a dedicated converter for a particular type of mains (e.g. Europe, US, Japan...) or may be a multi-standard converter. 
     The connection may be disconnectably connected to the electric devices and removable therefrom by trained technicians only (when the consumer is not expected to connect or disconnect the connection), or by any consumer using the machine. 
     Using a power converter can be particularly beneficial when the machine does not incorporate high-consumption elements, such as an electric pump and/or especially a thermal conditioner, e.g. a heater, that can require 1000 to 1500 W. Consequently, an economic, even off-the-shelve converter may be used. 
     When the connection is connected to the external power source, the converter may be configured to generate the converted electric power: in the range of 20 to 300 W, such as 30 to 150 W, for instance 40 to 100 W, e.g. 50 to 80 W, for example 55 to 65 W; and/or at a voltage in the range of 2 to 60 V, such as 2.5 to 48 V, for instance 3 to 30 V, e.g. 5 to 24 V. 
     The water guide may be free of a water pump or may comprise a water pump, such as a gear or a peristaltic or a piston, e.g. solenoid, or a diaphragm pump. 
     The water guide, and optionally the water source, may be configured such that the water is driven along the water guide into the chamber by gravity and/or capillary and/or gas pressure and/or depression forces, the water guide, and optionally the water source, being for instance free of any active liquid driver such as a pump, e.g. an electric or pneumatic pump. 
     The water guide may extend uprightly, such as substantially vertically, from the processing unit to the water source, such as to a bottom part of the water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water tank. 
     The beverage processing unit may be configured such that, during beverage preparation, the flavouring ingredient-containing capsule (when present) and/or the chamber containing the flavouring ingredient, is depressurized at least adjacent to an inlet at an extremity of the water guide to draw the water from the water source via the water guide into the capsule (when present) and/or the chamber. 
     The processing unit can be configured to cause such depression by: modifying a volume of the capsule (when present) and/or of the chamber, e.g. expanding the volume; and/or centrifugally driving the capsule (when present) and/or the chamber, e.g. about an axis that intercepts or is collinear or is adjacent to the inlet. 
     The water source can be configured to deliver the water under pressure into the water guide, such as under pressure of compressed gas, e.g. by connection of the above mentioned tank to an air compressor and/or compressed gas reservoir, and/or under pressure of the above mentioned external water supply line. 
     The machine may include a support structure, such as a frame, which has a base that is stationary during beverage preparation. The water guide can include a valve arrangement for controlling, such as interrupting or allowing, a flow of the water along the water guide. For instance, the valve arrangement is directly or indirectly rotatably mounted to the support structure and driven in rotation at a rotational speed by an actuator typically an electric actuator, such as a motor e.g. an electric motor, to control the flow of the water along the water guide. For example, the motor is a hollow shaft motor surrounding part of the valve arrangement or a solid shaft motor. 
     The valve arrangement may be configured to interrupt the flow of the water along the water guide when not driven in rotation and can be configured to allow the flow of the water along the water guide when driven in rotation. For example, the valve arrangement is configured to interrupt the flow of the water along the water guide when its rotational speed is below a threshold speed and is configured to allow the flow of the water along the water guide when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed. 
     One of the processing unit members can be provided with a cavity delimiting the chamber, the first and second processing unit members in their distant configuration being configured for direct manual insertion into, and optionally direct manual removal out of, the cavity of the flavouring ingredient, optionally provided within the capsule. For instance, the cavity-provided unit member is configured to be able to be oriented upwards for insertion of the flavouring ingredient into the cavity and to be oriented downwards (e.g. turned upside-down) for removal of the flavouring ingredient out of the cavity, e.g. with the aid of gravity. By implementing such a simple optional configuration, the machine does not need to incorporate an ingredient transfer arrangement for inserting into and/or removing from the cavity the flavouring ingredient before and/or after beverage preparation. 
     The machine (when using ingredient capsules) may however have a capsule transfer device, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2012/041605, WO 2017/046294 and WO 2017/202746. 
     The water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water supply tank, can be configured to contain a limited amount of water that corresponds to a maximum amount needed for a serving. The machine may be configured to deliver all the water contained in the water source for preparing a serving of the beverage. The limited amount of water can be in the range of 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml. The water source may include an indication arrangement, such as a marking system on the water supply tank, to indicate different levels of water amounts below the maximum amount corresponding to different types of beverage servings. By implementing such a single optional configuration, the machine does not need to incorporate an active control arrangement to manage the volume of water required for a serving, it being sufficient that the user provides the water source only with the required amount for the desired serving and that the water is driven to the processing unit until the entire amount of water from the water source is used up. 
     The machine may be configured to prepare the beverage without thermally conditioning the water delivered from the water source into the chamber, the machine being optionally not provided with an arrangement for active thermal conditioning of such water. 
     It is also possible to provide thermally preconditioned water in the water source, e.g. heat and/or cool the water prior to supplying into to the machine. 
     The water source and the water guide can be thermally passive so as to deliver the water into the chamber unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine, e.g. any electric or combustion thermal conditioner. For instance, such machine is free of any active thermal conditioner. 
     The machine may be configured to deliver the beverage at a temperature below 30° C. such as below 25° C., for instance in the range of 3 to 20° C., for example in the range of 5 to 15° C., e.g. 7 to 10° C. The machine may deliver the beverage at room temperature. 
     The machine can be configured to deliver the water from the water source into the chamber at an average rate for a beverage serving in the range of 10 to 300 ml/min, for instance 20 to 100 ml/min, such as 40 to 80 ml/min. For example, the instantaneous rate of water delivery is lower or close to zero or even zero towards the beginning of beverage preparation, e.g. for pre-wetting the flavouring ingredient, and is higher towards the end of beverage preparation. 
     The beverage processing unit may be arranged in order to rotate the chamber at a speed in the range of 500 to 10000 RPM, such as 1250 to 7500 RPM, for centrifugation of the water with the flavouring ingredient, for instance within the above mentioned capsule, to prepare the beverage. 
     The invention also relates to a combination of a machine as described above and a flavouring ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient contained in a capsule, for preparing a beverage from the flavouring ingredient in the machine. 
     A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing a beverage by mixing water with a flavouring ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient contained in a capsule, in a machine as described above. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a flavouring ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient contained in a capsule, for mixing with water, e.g. by centrifugally driving such flavouring ingredient with water, in a machine as described above. 
     Within the context of the present disclosure, the fact that an operation can be done by a user means that no special tool or special knowledge unavailable to ordinary users is required to do such operation. Normally such operation should not involve any destruction of any part of the machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of part of a machine according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of the machine of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of a fluid line of part of the machine of  FIG.  1    with a beverage processing unit; 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective cross-sectional view of part of the machine of  FIG.  1   , the beverage processing unit being made of first and second members in a distant configuration; 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective cross-sectional view of part of the machine of  FIG.  1    with a disconnected water source; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view part of the machine of  FIG.  1    illustrating the connection of the water source; 
         FIGS.  7  and  8    are cross-sectional perspective views of the machine of  FIG.  1    illustrating the assembly of the beverage processing unit,  FIG.  8    being an enlarged view of part of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the machine of  FIG.  1    illustrating the assembly of the beverage processing unit; 
         FIG.  10    shows is a perspective view of the beverage processing unit of the machine of  FIG.  1    with first and second members in a distant configuration; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a support structure of the machine of  FIG.  1    with an assembly arrangement for the fluid line; 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view from above of the machine of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of a valve arrangement in the fluid line of the machine of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing unit of the machine of  FIG.  1    during beverage preparation; and 
         FIGS.  15  and  16    are cross-sectional views from above of a valve arrangement, e.g. for the machine of  FIG.  1   , interrupting and allowing, respectively, a water flow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  to  16   , in which the same numeric references generally designate the same parts, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a machine  1  and parts thereof in accordance with the invention. 
     Machine  1  is configured for preparing a beverage  3  from a flavouring ingredient  2 , e.g. coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk or soup, by mixing water  4  with the flavouring ingredient, e.g. by centrifugally driving such flavouring ingredient with water  4 . 
     Machine  1  includes a beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  formed of a first processing unit member  10  and a second processing unit member  20 , such as a substantially lid-shaped or plug-shaped first member  10  and a cooperating substantially cup- or chalice-shaped second member  20 , that delimit a chamber  21  and that are movable between a distant configuration in which flavouring ingredient  2  is received in chamber  21  and a proximate configuration in which flavouring ingredient  2  is held and mixed with water  4  in chamber  21  during beverage preparation. Flavouring ingredient  2  may be supplied into chamber  21  within a capsule  2 ′ e.g. with a capsule flange  2 ″. 
     Machine  1  has a water source for delivering water  4  towards beverage processing unit  10 ,  20 , such as a connector to be connected to a water supply line external to machine  1  and/or a water supply tank  40  that has an outside opening  45  for water filling with a water source external to such machine  1 . 
     Machine  1  is provided with a water guide  30  for guiding water  4  between the water source and chamber  21 . Water guide  30  may be free of a water pump or may comprise a water pump, such as a gear or a peristaltic or a piston, e.g. solenoid, or a diaphragm pump. 
     Machine  1  may include a valve arrangement  50  for controlling, such as interrupting or allowing, a flow of water  4  along water guide  30 . 
     Machine  1  can have an actuator typically an electric actuator, such as a motor e.g. an electric motor  60 , for actuating valve arrangement  50  to control the water flow along water guide  30 . For example, motor  60  is a hollow shaft motor surrounding part of the valve arrangement or a solid shaft motor. 
     Machine  1  may have a support structure  70 , such as a frame, which has a base  72  that is stationary during beverage preparation and that supports at least the valve arrangement  50 . 
     Water supply tank  40 , when present, may have: a resilient valve with a biased gate  42  that is opened by actuation by a part of base  72  (when present) and/or by a tank seat  72  and/or by a fluid connector  16  of water guide  30 ; and/or an arrangement for mechanical and/or magnetic user-reversible assembly  44 ,  74  to base  72  and/or a tank seat  72 . 
     Water guide  30  and valve arrangement  50  may be arranged such as to fluidically connect the water source and beverage processing unit  10 , 20  and to control the flow of water  4  from the water source into chamber  21 . 
     First processing unit member  10  may delimit a water inlet  11  of chamber  21  or may delimit a beverage outlet  12  out of chamber  21  or may delimit both such inlet  11  and outlet  12 , inlet  11  forming an extremity of water guide  30 , e.g. inlet  11  and/or outlet  12  being formed by and/or associated with one or more corresponding piercing elements  11 ′,  12 ′ for piercing above mentioned capsule  2 ′. 
     Valve arrangement  50 , when present, may be directly or indirectly rotatably mounted to support structure  70  and driven in rotation at a rotational speed by the actuator to control the flow of water  4  along water guide  30 . Valve arrangement  50  may be configured to interrupt the flow of water  4  along water guide  30  when not driven in rotation and is configured to allow the flow of water  4  along water guide  30  when driven in rotation. Valve arrangement  50  can be configured to interrupt the flow of water  4  along water guide  30  when its rotational speed is below a threshold speed and is configured to allow the flow of water  4  along water guide  30  when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed. 
     Processing unit  10 ,  20  may be configured to be driven in rotation by a or the above mentioned actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as a motor e.g. an electric motor  60 , so as to mix water  4  with flavouring ingredient  2  in chamber  21 , e.g. by centrifugation. For example, motor  60  is a hollow shaft motor surrounding part of the processing unit or a solid shaft motor. 
     Valve arrangement  50  can be rotationally fixed to processing unit  10 ,  20  or processing unit  10 ,  20  can be driven by the actuator such that processing unit  10 ,  20  and valve arrangement  50  have a constant speed ratio. For instance, valve arrangement  50  is fixed to first processing unit member  10 . 
     Valve arrangement  50  and processing unit  10 ,  20  may be driven in rotation about parallel or collinear axis 50′ or about intersecting or skew axis. 
     Valve arrangement  50  may include a rotational speed sensor  52  connected to a valve gate  51  that is configured to act on the water flow and/or on water guide  30  to control the water flow therealong. Rotational speed sensor  52  can be configured to be moved away or towards an axis  50 ′ of rotation of valve arrangement  50  by rotating valve arrangement  50 . 
     Valve arrangement  50  may include an automatic return device, e.g. a return spring  55  or a return magnet, for automatically returning, or assisting a return of, rotational speed sensor  52  towards or away from axis  50 ′ of rotation. 
     Gate  51  can be fixed to or integral with rotational speed sensor  52  or can be actuated by rotational speed sensor  52 . 
     Rotational speed sensor  52  may form an inertia mass. 
     Rotational speed sensor  52  may be sensitive to a direction of rotation. 
     Valve arrangement  50  may include a valve support  53  that is rotationally driven by the actuator, e.g. a or the abovementioned motor  60 , at least one of rotational speed sensor  52  and valve gate  51  being movably mounted to valve support  53 , such as pivotally and/or linearly mounted to valve support  53 , e.g. pivotally mounted at a pivoting axis  54 . 
     Water guide  30  can have a flexible part  31  and optionally a rigid part  32  such as one or more rigid parts  32  that extend downstream and upstream from flexible part  31 . Valve arrangement  50 , when present, may include a or the above mentioned gate  51  that forms a compressing portion configured to compress flexible part  31  so as to control the flow of water  4  from the water source into chamber  21 , such as a plurality of compressing portions  51 , e.g. a pair of compressing portions  51 , flexible part  31  extending between compressing portions  51  that are configured to squeeze therebetween the flexible part  31 . 
     Water guide  30  may extend from the water source to beverage processing unit  10 , 20  and may be arranged such that substantially all water  4  delivered into chamber  21  for preparing beverage  3  is guided by water guide  30 . 
     The water source and water guide  30  may be thermally passive so as to deliver water  4  into chamber  21  unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine  1 , e.g. any electric or combustion thermal conditioner. For instance, such machine  1  is free of any active thermal conditioner. 
     Water guide  30 , and optionally the water source, can be configured such that water  4  is driven along water guide  30  into chamber  21  by gravity and/or capillary forces and/or gas pressure and/or depression, for instance only by gravity and/or capillary forces and/or gas pressure and/or depression. Water guide  30 , and optionally the water source, may be free of any active liquid driver such as a pump, e.g. an electric or pneumatic pump. 
     Water guide  30  may extend uprightly, such as substantially vertically, from processing unit  10 ,  20  to the water source, such as to a bottom part  41  of the water source, e.g. a of the above mentioned tank  40 . 
     Beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  can be configured such that, during beverage preparation, flavouring ingredient-containing capsule  2 ′ (when present) and/or chamber  21  containing flavouring ingredient  2 , is depressurized at least adjacent to an inlet  11  at an extremity of water guide  30  to draw water  4  from the water source via water guide  30  into capsule  2 ′ (when present) and/or chamber  21 . For instance, processing unit  10 ,  20  is configured to cause such depression by: modifying a volume of the capsule (when present) and/or of the chamber, e.g. expanding the volume; and/or centrifugally driving capsule  2 ′ (when present) and/or chamber  21 , e.g. about an axis  50 ′ that intercepts or is collinear or is adjacent to inlet  11 . 
     The water source may be configured to deliver water  4  under pressure into the water guide  30 . For instance, water  4  is delivered under pressure of compressed gas, e.g. by connection of the abovementioned tank  40  to an air compressor and/or compressed gas reservoir, and/or under pressure of the above mentioned external water supply line. 
     Machine  1  may include a fluid module  15  that includes water guide  30  for guiding water  4  between the water source and chamber  21 , fluid module  15  comprising first processing unit member  10  of processing unit  10 ,  20 . 
     Such fluid module  15  may be assemblable by a user as a unit to the water source and to second processing unit member  20  and may be disassemblable by a user as a unit from the water source and from second processing unit member  20 . Fluid module  15  can be assemblable to and disassemblable from the water source and second processing unit member  20  along an upright direction  71 ′ of assembly and disassembly, such as a downward direction of assembly and an upward direction of disassembly of fluid module  15  to second processing unit member  20  and/or an upward direction of assembly and a downward direction of disassembly of fluid module  15  to the water source. 
     Such fluid module  15  and second processing unit member  20  can be disassemblably assembled together by at least one of a bayonet, screw-type, a hook-type, magnet-type, friction-type and latch-type connection  25 ,  17 . 
     Fluid module  15 , when present, may be mountable by a user as a unit to supporting structure  70  (when present) and removable by a user as a unit from such supporting structure. For instance, the water source is: mountable by a user as a unit to supporting structure  70  and removable by a user as a unit therefrom; and/or pluggable by a user to a or the above mentioned fluid connector  16  that is at an extremity of water guide  30  to fluidically connect the water source to water guide  30  and unpluggable by a user therefrom. 
     Fluid module  15 , for instance with second processing unit member  20 , can be configured to be driven in rotation by a or the abovementioned actuator typically a or the electric actuator, such as a or the (e.g. electric) motor  60 , during beverage preparation so as to mix water  4  with flavouring ingredient  2  in chamber  21  e.g. by centrifugation, water guide  30  having at an extremity a or the above mentioned fluid connector  16  that is fluidically coupled to the water source via a seal  43 . For instance, the water source is stationary during beverage preparation and the seal is either: angularly fixed to the water source and slidingly mounted to rotating fluid connector  16 ; or angularly fixed to the rotating fluid connector  16  and slidingly mounted to the water source; or slidingly mounted to rotating fluid connector  16  and slidingly mounted to the water source. 
     Fluid module  15  may include a or the above mentioned valve arrangement  50  for controlling, e.g. interrupting or allowing, a flow of water  4  along water guide  30 , valve arrangement  50  being directly or indirectly rotatably mounted relative to the water source and driven in rotation at a rotational speed by the actuator to control the flow of water  4  along water guide  30 . 
     Beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  may be disassemblable by a user from supporting structure  70  (when present) and assemblable by a user to supporting structure  70 . Processing unit  10 ,  20  can be: assemblable to and disassemblable from supporting structure  70  as a unit; and/or assemblable to and disassemblable from supporting structure  70  along an upright direction  71 ′ of assembly and disassembly, such as a downward direction of assembly and an upward direction of disassembly. 
     When present, fluid module  15 , may be assemblable by a user as a unit to the water source and to second processing unit member  20  and may be disassemblable by a user as a unit from the water source and from second processing unit member  20 . 
     Fluid module  15  and second processing unit member  20  can be assemblable to and disassemblable from supporting structure  70  as a unit. 
     Water guide  30  and first processing unit member  10  may be integrally formed and/or non-separable by a user. 
     When present, supporting structure  70  may include a connector  71 , such as a loop-shaped, e.g. annular, connector, by which beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  is disassemblable by a user from supporting structure  70  and assemblable by a user to supporting structure  70 . When assembled together, connector  71  and processing unit  10 ,  20  may be secured by at least one of squeezing, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and/or elastic constraining, or clamping, e.g. by screw or bayonet assembly or by clamping ribs  26 . 
     Such connector  71  can be rotatably mounted to base  72 , e.g. via a bearing such as at least one of a sliding, magnetic, roller and ball bearing  73 , connector  71  being driven by an actuator typically an electric actuator, such as a motor e.g. an electric motor  60 , for instance via a transmission  611 ,  612 ,  62  such as gear  611 ,  612  and/or belt arrangement  62 , to rotate beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  so as to prepare beverage  4  by centrifugation. Connector  71  and beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  may be rotatable about a or the above mentioned direction  71 ′ of assembly and disassembly of connector  71  and processing unit  10 ,  20 . 
     Machine  1  may include a beverage collector  80  for collecting beverage  3  from beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  during beverage preparation. Beverage collector  80  can have at least one collecting wall  81  directing beverage  3  out of collector  80  to a beverage dispensing area  90   typically via a beverage dispensing opening  82 , e.g. a nozzle. Beverage dispensing area  90  may be located under beverage collector  80 . Dispensing area  90  may be configured to receive a user-receptacle  100 , such as a cup or a mug, in a position for collecting beverage  3  from collector  80 . 
     Processing unit  10 ,  20  and/or such beverage collector can have a peripheral upright drainage wall  13  external to chamber  21  and extending at least partly about chamber  21  for collecting beverage  3  outside chamber  21  after beverage  3  has exited chamber  21  via the above mentioned or at least one outlet  12 . Upright drainage wall  13  can be spaced apart from chamber outlet  12 . 
     First processing unit member  10  may delimit the at least one chamber outlet  12 . For instance, such at least one chamber outlet  12  can be formed by a gap between first and second processing unit members  10 ,  20  in the proximate configuration. For example, such at least one chamber outlet  12  comprises in a loop e.g. in a circle: an outlet forming a continuous passage extending along substantially an entire interface section between first and second processing unit members  10 ,  20  and/or a plurality of outlets  12  forming discrete spaced apart passages distributed along a or the above entire interface section between the first and second processing unit members  10 ,  20 . 
     The above mentioned beverage collecting wall  81  may extend below a bottom part of drainage wall  13  and right underneath processing unit  10 ,  20  to collect beverage  3  when draining off from drainage wall  13  and to direct beverage  3  from collecting wall  81  out of collector  80 . Chamber outlet  12  may be formed by and/or associated with a or the abovementioned one or more corresponding piercing elements  12 ′ for piercing capsule  2 ′ when present. 
     Beverage collector  80  can have an outlet opening, such as a or the above mentioned beverage dispensing opening  82 , e.g. a nozzle, at a bottom of collecting wall  81  to direct beverage  3  from collecting wall  81  to beverage dispensing area  90  via the collector’s outlet opening. For instance, the collector’s outlet opening is right underneath beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  and/or extends along a central axis of the chamber  21  and/or of drainage wall  13  and/or of collecting wall  81 . 
     Peripheral upright drainage wall  13  may extend downwardly substantially in a shape of at least one of a prism, cylinder, pyramid and cone and upright sections thereof. 
     Peripheral upright drainage wall  13  can form a closed loop about chamber  21  or an open loop extending about chamber  21  over an angle of at least 90 deg., such as of at least 180 deg., for instance at least 270 deg. 
     Collecting wall  81  may extend substantially shaped as a dish, such as substantially shaped as a cup or plate or bowl, with a or the above mentioned beverage dispensing opening  82 , e.g. a nozzle, underneath processing unit  10 ,  20 . 
     Collecting wall  81  can form a plurality of beverage guide channels  83 , such as one or more channels  83  delimited by uprightly protruding beverage guide members  84 , e.g. ribs, extending from a or the above mentioned beverage dispensing opening  82  towards peripheral upright drainage wall  13 . 
     Collector  80  may be directly or indirectly user-reversibly assembled to support structure  70  along an upright direction  71 ′ of assembly and disassembly, such as an upward direction of assembly and a downward direction of disassembly. 
     Collector  80  may be directly or indirectly user-reversibly assembled to support structure  70 , e.g. to base  72 , by:
     a mechanical arrangement, such as at least one of a bayonet, screw-type, a hook-type, magnet-type, friction-type and latch-type arrangement; and/or   a magnetic arrangement  75 ,  85 , such as an arrangement comprising one or more field-generating elements  75  cooperating in mutual attraction for the user-reversibly assembly with one or more field-generating elements and/or with one or more ferromagnetic elements  85 , for instance: the field-generating elements being selected from electromagnet elements and permanent magnet elements, e.g. made of at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, rare earth metals, e.g. lanthanide, and alloys and oxides containing such metals as well as polymers (e.g. plastics) carrying such elements and components; and/or the ferromagnetic element(s)  85  being made of at least one of Co, Fe, Fe 2 O 3 , FeOFe 2 O 3 , NiOFe 2 O 3 , CuOFe 2 O 3 , MgO Fe 2 O 3 , Nd 2 Fe 14 B, Mn, Bi, Ni, MnSb, MnOFe 2 O 3 , Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 , CrO 2 , MnAs, Gd, Dy, EuO, Cu 2 MnAl, Cu 2 MnIn, Cu 2 MnSn, Ni 2 MnAl, Ni 2 MnIn, Ni 2 MnSn, Ni 2 MnSb, Ni 2 MnGa, Co 2 MnAl, Co 2 MnSi, Co 2 MnGa, Co 2 MnGe, SmCo 5 , Sm 2 Co 17 , Pd 2 MnAl, Pd 2 MnIn, Pd 2 MnSn, Pd 2 MnSb, Co 2 FeSi, Fe 3 Si, Fe 2 VAl, Mn 2 VGa and Co 2 FeGe.   

     For instance, support structure  70 , when present, and collector  80  comprise each a discrete or continuous magnetic arrangement in mutual attraction for the user-reversibly assembly with a facing loop arrangements e.g. a circular arrangement, such as a discrete arrangement of field generating elements cooperating with a continuous or discrete arrangement of a ferromagnetic element. 
     At least part of the collector  80  may be made of transparent and/or translucid material such that beverage  3  inside collector  80  is user-visible from outside such machine  1 , such as user-visible in daylight e.g. user-visible at an illuminance greater than 10, 100 or 1000 lux. 
     At least part of drainage wall  13  and/or at least part of beverage processing unit  10 , 20 , can be made of transparent and/or translucid material such that, when located behind such material, beverage  3  or flavouring ingredient  2  or, when present, capsule  2 ′, is substantially user-visible from outside such machine  1 , such as user-visible in daylight e.g. user-visible at an illuminance greater than 10, 100 or 1000 lux. 
     At least one of drainage wall  13 , collecting wall  81  and guide channels  83  may be made of such transparent and/or translucid material. 
     When machine  1  has a or the abovementioned support structure  70 , such as a frame, having a base  72  that is stationary during beverage preparation, processing unit  10 ,  20  may be rotatably mounted to support structure  70  about a processing unit axis  71 ′. 
     Machine  1  may have a or the above mentioned actuator, typically an electric actuator, supported by support structure  70 , such as a motor e.g. an electric motor  60 , that has a driving output member  61 , e.g. an output shaft, rotating about an output axis  61 ′. Output member  61  can be coupled to processing unit  10 ,  20  for driving processing unit  10 ,  20  in rotation to centrifugally drive flavouring ingredient  2  with water  4  in chamber  21 . 
     The output member  61  of the actuator may be coupled to the processing unit  10 ,  20  by a or the above mentioned transmission  611 ,  612 ,  62  such that output axis  61 ′ is offset, e.g. substantially parallel, or angled-away, e.g. by an angle between 60 and 120 deg. such as between 85 and 90 deg., relative to processing unit axis  71 ′. 
     The actuator may be located outside vertical confines of an outermost perimeter of processing unit  10 ,  20 . Output axis  61 ′ and processing unit axis  71 ′ can be spaced by a minimum distance of at least 4 cm, such as in the range of 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 6 to 15 cm. 
     Transmission  611 ,  612 ,  62  may include at least one of: gears  611 ,  612 , e.g. spur-gear; belts, e.g. toothed belts  62 , and optionally idler pulleys  612 ; connecting rods; and magnetic couplers. 
     Base  72  can have a main outside housing  72 ′ confining the actuator, beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  being located externally to main outside housing  72 ′ such that the actuator is substantially shielded by main outside housing  72 ′ from beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  and from beverage  3  during beverage preparation. Transmission  611 ,  612 ,  62  may extend through a transmission opening  72 ″, such as a side opening e.g. a window, of main outside housing  72 ′ to couple processing unit  10 ,  20  and output member  61 . 
     Main outside housing  72 ′ can be of substantially prismatic, cylindrical, conical and/or pyramidal upright shape. 
     The water source and water guide  30  can be located externally to the main outside housing  72 ′ such that the actuator is substantially shielded from water  4 . 
     Base  72  can have a stationary support  72 ‴ for a fluid line  34  adjacent to main outside housing  72 ′ at transmission opening  72 ″. Typically, fluid line  34  extends from the water source to a of the above mentioned beverage dispensing opening  82  via chamber  21 . 
     For example, fluid line support  72 ‴ is integral with or fixed to main outside housing  72 ′. Stationary fluid line support  72 ‴ can be configured to assemble processing unit  10 ,  20  to base  72 . Stationary fluid line support  72 ‴ can be configured to assemble the water source and water guide  30  to base  72 . 
     Base  72  may include a connector  71 , such as a loop-shaped, e.g. annular, connector, by which beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  is mounted to base  72 . For instance, processing unit  10 ,  20  is disassemblable by a user from base  72  and assemblable by a user to base  72 . When assembled together, connector  71  and processing unit  10 ,  20  can be secured by at least one of squeezing, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and/or elastic constraining, or clamping, e.g. by screw or bayonet assembly or by clamping ribs  26 . 
     Machine  1  may include one or more electric devices  60 ,  65 ,  721 , such as at least one of an actuator  60 , a control device  65  and a user-interface  721 . 
     Machine  1  can have a connection  76 , such as an impervious connection  76 , for powering electric devices  60 ,  65 ,  721 , connection  76  being disconnectably connected to electric devices  60 ,  65 ,  721  and removable therefrom e.g. via a plug-and-socket arrangement  763 , e.g. an impervious plug-and-socket arrangement  763 . Connection  76  may have a power connector  761 , such as a plug, for connection to an external power source e.g. to the mains. Connection  76  may: comprise one or more electric cords  764 ; and/or be configured to process an electric power from such external power source having a voltage in the range of 100 to 240 V at a frequency in the range of 45 to 65 Hz. 
     When connection  76  is connected to such external power source, converter  762  may be configured to generate the converted electric power: in the range of 20 to 300 W, such as 30 to 150 W, for instance 40 to 100 W, e.g. 50 to 80 W, for example 55 to 65 W; and/or at a voltage in the range of 2 to 60 V, such as 2.5 to 48 V, for instance 3 to 30 V, e.g. 5 to 24 V. 
     Connection  76  can be configured to extend from outside to inside main outside housing  72 ′ to power only such electric devices  60 ,  65 ,  721  that are confined in main outside housing  72 ′ and/or that are mounted in a panel of main outside housing  72 ′, such as a user-interface  721 . 
     Machine  1  may have a or the above mentioned support structure  70 , such as a frame, having a base  72  that comprises a main outside housing  72 ′, a fluid line support  72 ‴ and a supporting foot  72   IV  at a bottom of main outside housing  72 ′. Main outside housing  72 ′ can be stationary during beverage preparation. Processing unit  10 ,  20  and water guide  30 , and optionally water source, may be supported by base  72 . Foot  72   IV  can be configured to rest on an external substantially horizontal surface, such as a table top or a shelf, during beverage preparation. 
     All electric device(s)  60 ,  65 ,  721  of machine  1 , e.g. the above mentioned device(s)  60 ,  65 ,  721 , may be confined in and/or comprised in main outside housing  72 ′ and/or foot  72   IV . 
     Beverage processing unit  10 , 20 , the water source and water guide  30  may be located entirely outside main outside housing  72 ′ and outside foot  72   IV . 
     The water source and water guide  30  may be located externally to main outside housing  72 ′ such that electric device(s)  60 ,  65 ,  721  is/are substantially shielded from water  4 . 
     Machine  1  may include a or the above mentioned valve arrangement  50  located entirely outside main outside housing  72 ′ and outside foot  72   IV . Water guide  30  and valve arrangement  50  can be arranged such as to fluidically connect the water source and beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  and to control, e.g. to interrupt or to allow, the flow of water  4  from the water source into chamber  21 . 
     As mentioned above, valve arrangement  50  can be directly or indirectly rotatably mounted to support structure  70  and driven in rotation at a rotational speed by the actuator to control the flow of water  4  along water guide  30 . 
     Foot  72   IV  may be located right below a beverage dispensing area  90  configured to receive a user-receptacle  100 , such as a cup or a mug, in a position for collecting beverage  3  from processing unit  10 ,  20 . For instance, foot  72   IV  delimits and forms a placement surface for supporting such user-receptacle  100  in dispensing area  90 . Such machine  1 , when free of flavouring ingredient  2  and water  4 , may have a weight ratio of foot  72   IV  over machine  1  in the range of 0.33 to 0.85 such as 0.5 to 0.66. 
     Main outside housing  72 ′ can extend in an upright manner from foot  72   IV , fluid line support  72 ‴ being located at an upper part, e.g. at a top, of main outside housing  72 ′ to hold beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  right above foot  72   IV , such that support structure  70  is substantially L-shaped or C-shaped or inverted -shaped when oriented to prepare beverage  3 . 
     Main outside housing  72 ′ can have a gripping surface  722 , e.g. a textured or striated or corrugated or undulated or ruled or even surface, to facilitate hand gripping, extending between foot  72   IV  and fluid line support  72 ‴ for seizing support structure  70  single-handed such that support structure  70  with processing unit  10 ,  20  and water guide  30 , and optionally the water source, can be carried and displaced single-handed by seizure of gripping surface  722 . 
     Gripping surface  722  may extend over: a height of at least 3 cm, such as at least 6 cm, for instance in the range of 7 to 25 cm, e.g. 8 to 20 cm, for example 9 to 15 cm; and/or a portion, such as a portion of at least 50% for instance at least 66% e.g. in the range of 75 to 100%, of a horizontal outside perimeter of main outside housing  72 ′, the perimeter having a length in the range 3 to 30 cm, such as 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 7 to 20 cm, for instance 9 to 16 cm, for example 11 to 14 cm. Gripping surface  722  may extend over such portion over at least 66%, such as at least 75 e.g. at least 85% for instance in the range of 90 to 100%, of a or the above mentioned height of gripping surface  722 . 
     One of processing unit members  10 ,  20  can be provided with a cavity delimiting chamber  21 , first and second processing unit members  10 ,  20  in their distant configuration being configured for direct manual insertion into, and optionally direct manual removal out of, the cavity of flavouring ingredient  2 , optionally within the abovementioned capsule  2 ′. The cavity-provided unit member  20  may be configured to be able to be oriented upward for insertion of flavouring ingredient  2  into the cavity and to be oriented downward for removal of the flavouring ingredient  2  out of the cavity, e.g. with the aid of gravity. 
     The water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water supply tank  40 , can be configured to contain a limited amount of water  4  that corresponds to a maximum amount needed for a serving. Machine  1  can be configured to deliver all water  4  contained in the water source for preparing a serving of beverage  3 . The limited amount of water  4  may be in the range of 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml. The water source may have an indication arrangement, such as a marking system on the abovementioned water supply tank  40 , to indicate different levels of water amounts below the maximum amount corresponding to different types of beverage servings. 
     Machine  1  can be configured to prepare beverage  3  without thermally conditioning water  4  delivered from the water source into chamber  21 . 
     Machine  1  may be configured to deliver beverage  3  at a temperature below 30° C. such as below 25° C., for instance in the range of 3 to 20° C., for example in the range of 5 to 15° C., e.g. 7 to 10° C. 
     Machine  1  can be configured to deliver water  4  from the water source into chamber  21  at an average rate for a beverage serving in the range of 10 to 300 ml/min, for instance 20 to 100 ml/min, such as 40 to 80 ml/min. 
     Beverage processing unit  10 ,  20  can be arranged in order to rotate the chamber  21  at a speed in the range of 500 to 10000 RPM, such as 1250 to 7500 RPM, for centrifugation of water  4  with flavouring ingredient  2 , optionally within capsule  2 ′ to prepare beverage  3 .