Patent Description:
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. The capsule may contain an amount of ingredient for preparing a single beverage portion or a plurality of beverage portions.

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.

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 tightly closed about the capsule, water is injected at the first face of the capsule, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of the capsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from a second face of the capsule and collected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass.

It is also known to make portable machines for preparing beverage, for instance as disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Brewing devices have been developed to facilitate insertion of a "fresh" capsule and removal of the capsule upon use. Typically, the brewing devices comprise two parts relatively movable from a configuration for inserting/removing a capsule to a configuration for brewing the ingredient in the capsule. The actuation of the movable part of the brewing device may be manual as disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. Various handle configurations are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. Integrations of such arrangements into beverage machines are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The actuation of the movable part of the brewing device may be motorized. Such a system is for example disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. In this latter disclosure, the brewing device has a capsule insertion passage provided with a safety door assembled to the movable part of the brewing device via a switch for detecting an undesired presence of a finger in the passage during closure. Alternative covers for a capsule insertion passage are disclosed <CIT> and <CIT>.

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: <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a beverage dispensing machine with a beverage preparation module that is movable relative to a base station.

<CIT> discloses a milk frother that has a dispensing head for dispensing the frother milk. The dispensing head is retractable inside the forther's housing for the time needed at the end of a dispensing cycle to perform a cleaning cycle of the dispensing head. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a beverage machine with a dispensing head that is movable into and out of the machine's external casing. <CIT> discloses a beverage machine with a user-interface that is movable into and out of the machine's external casing.

<CIT> discloses a machine for preparing and dispensing a beverage comprising: - a main body containing a unit for preparing said beverage to be dispensed via an outlet to an external user-recipient at a user-recipient placement location; - a beverage dispensing head that includes the outlet and that is movable relative to the main body inwards into the main body into a retracted head position and outwards from the main body into a deployed head position; and - a control unit for controlling the preparation unit to supply said beverage to the outlet. The control unit is configured to: - maintain or leave the beverage dispensing head in its retracted position when the beverage preparation unit is not operated to process a liquid; and/or - move the beverage dispensing head into its deployed position or maintain or leave it in this position only when the control unit operates the preparation unit to process a liquid for dispensing via the outlet.

The claimed invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage according to claim <NUM>. Further optional features are disclosed in the dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>. The beverage preparation machine can be an in-home or out of home machine. The machine may be for the preparation of coffee, tea, chocolate, cacao, milk, soup, baby food, etc..

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. One or more of such ingredients may be supplied in loose and/or agglomerate powder form and/or in liquid form, in particular in a concentrate form. A carrier or diluents liquid, e.g. water, may be mixed with such ingredient to form the beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a portion (e.g. a serving). The volume of such portion may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and even up to <NUM> or <NUM>, e.g. the volume for filling a cup, depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may be selected from ristrettos, espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, latte macchiato, café latte, americano coffees, teas, etc.. For instance, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing espressos, e.g. an adjustable volume of <NUM> to <NUM> per portion, and/or for dispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> per portion.

The machine of the invention has an outside housing with one or more outside faces, such as one or more faces selected from a top face, a side face, a rear face and a front face.

The machine includes a dispensing head that has a beverage outlet and that is movable: outwards out of the outside housing into a deployed operative position in which a beverage is dispensible via the outlet to a beverage dispensing surface for positioning a user-cup or user-mug; and inwards into the outside housing into a retracted storage position.

The dispensing surface can be formed by any suitable recipient support. Examples of suitable recipient supports are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The outlet may be confined within the outside housing in the storage position.

The dispensing head may be surrounded by outside faces of the outside housing that are generally flush with apparent faces of the dispensing head in the storage position.

The machine incorporates a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet. The liquid circuit has at least one activatable unit that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The activatable unit(s) may be selected from: a liquid driver; a thermal conditioner; and an ingredient processing unit.

The thermal conditioner may be a boiler or a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH), for instance an ODH type disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Examples of liquid drivers e.g. pumps and their incorporation into beverage machines are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The liquid circuit can include one or more liquid ducts for guiding liquid to be delivered by the outlet.

The dispensing head is configured so that it can be maintained in: the deployed operative position whether the activatable unit(s) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated; and/or the retracted storage position whether the activatable unit(s) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated.

The machine can have a deployed configuration for use (preparing and dispensing beverage) and a compacted configuration for storage (e.g. non-use and/or displacement of the machine).

The dispensing head may be secured in its deployed and/or its retracted positions such that it remains immobile in the machine under the effect of its own weight when exposed to gravity in any orientation of the machine.

The dispensing head may be configured to be movable manually by a user from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, such machine has a power unit comprising a main switch that is directly or indirectly actuated by the dispensing head when moved between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions.

The dispensing head may be configured to be movable automatically, e.g. by a motor and/or an automatic return-spring, from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, the dispensing head is moved into its deployed operative position when such machine is powered and/or is moved into its retracted storage position when a powering of such machine is interrupted.

The dispensing head can be maintained in its deployed operative position and/or in its retracted storage position by at least one of: a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement.

The dispensing head may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower and cam arrangement.

The dispensing head includes the ingredient processing unit that has an ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat, e.g. a seat in which ingredients are mixed.

For instance, the ingredient processing unit has a first module and a second module that are movable relatively to each other by an actuator between: a distant configuration for inserting into the seat and/or removing from the seat, e.g. towards a waste ingredient collector, an ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient supplied within a capsule into the seat optionally via an ingredient supply channel; and a proximate configuration for processing the ingredient in the seat.

Examples of suitable waste ingredient collectors for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The first and second modules movable relatively to each other may be part of a mixing unit.

Examples of suitable mixing unit with first and second modules that are relatively moved by a motor are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. The first module and the second module of the mixing unit can be relatively movable generally along a longitudinal straight axis. Typically, the first and second modules of the mixing module are distant from each other in the transfer position and close to each other in the mixing position. In the mixing position, the first and second modules may define a mixing chamber, e.g. a chamber for receiving a plurality of beverage ingredients to be mixed together. In one embodiment, the mixing chamber is an infusion chamber in which infusible ingredients, e.g. coffee or tea, are exposed to a carrier liquid, such as water e.g. hot water. The mixing chamber may be configured to receive loose solid ingredient particles and/or to receive proportioned ingredients within a capsule. At least one part of the first and second modules may delimit a cavity for receiving the ingredient e.g. within a capsule, such as a tapered cavity, e.g. a conical or pyramidal cavity, or a straight cavity, e.g. a cylindrical or trapezoidal cavity. Such cavity may extend along an axis that is generally collinear with the above longitudinal straight axis. The other part of these first and second parts may include an extraction plate, such as a plate provided with piercing elements for opening a flow-through face of the capsule or a non-intrusive plate for cooperating with a pre-opened or a self-opening flow-through face of the capsule. Self-opening capsules are for instance disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. The opening of capsules by a machine's piercing elements of a plate are for example disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. Examples of suitable mixing modules with mixing chambers are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>. A flavoured beverage may be prepared by circulating (by means of a liquid driver, e.g. a pump) a carrier liquid, such as water, into the capsule to flavour the liquid by exposure to a flavouring ingredient held in the capsule, e.g. along an extraction direction that may be generally parallel to the direction of relative movement of the first and second modules of the mixing units. When closed capsules are used, the first and second modules 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 from Nespresso™ machines or as disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> and the references cited therein. The interaction between the first and second modules (and optionally a capsule transfer channel) and an ingredient capsule may be of the type disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. The machine may include a capsule loader associated with the transfer channel for loading a capsule. The capsule to be loaded may be of the type described above under the title "Field of the Invention" and/or the capsule may include an ingredient described under the same title. The capsule can comprise a capsule body, e.g. a generally straight or tapered body. The capsule can have a circular peripheral annulus flange, e.g. a flexible or rigid flange, extending from a peripheral part, e.g. an edge or face, of the capsule body. The capsule may contain a flavoring ingredient for preparing tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food. The capsule loader may have: a capsule holding configuration for holding an ingredient capsule away from the mixing unit; and a capsule releasing configuration for releasing the capsule in or into the transfer channel towards the mixing unit. The loader may have a capsule gate that is movable, such as pivotable and/or translatable, between a position obstructing the transfer channel for preventing a passage of the capsule along the channel and a position clearing the transfer channel for allowing a passage of the capsule along the channel. Details of suitable capsule loaders are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. Details of suitable capsule sensing are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The actuator may have at least one of: an automatic actuator, e.g. a motor such as an electric motor; a semi-automatic actuator, e.g. a return-spring arrangement for automatically returning the first and second modules either into their distant configuration or into their proximate configuration; and a user-handle.

Such handle may be connected to at least one of the first and second modules and actuate at least one of the modules by moving the handle from a first position to a second position.

The handle in at least one of its first and second positions may be flush with at least one of the outside housing and a user-interface device.

The actuator can connected to at least one of the first and second modules by a transmission that comprises at least one of a belt transmission, a gear transmission, e.g. a toothed gear transmission, and a lever transmission.

The dispensing surface may be formed by an external placement support for placing such machine in position for preparing and dispensing said beverage.

The dispensing surface can be formed by a user-recipient support device of such machine. For instance, the user-recipient support device is removable from under the outlet, such as separable from a module of such machine and storable in a storage seat of such module, e.g. storable in the storage seat and secured therein by at least one of: friction and/or magnetic force between the seat and the support device; clipping or locking the support device in the seat; and covering the seat by at least one of a door, gate, housing cover e.g. a cocoon-type half shell, carrying handle and belt.

The machine may include a user-interface device, e.g. connected to a control unit of such machine, movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to an outside face of the above one or more outside faces of the outside housing so that the device is accessible by a user for operating such machine to prepare and dispense said beverage; to a retracted storage position in the outside housing so that the device is inaccessible to a user for operating such machine; and/or vice versa.

The device may bear one or more touch elements, such as button(s) or a touch pad or a touch screen, and/or one or more user indicators, such as light means e.g. LED or signal screen.

The device can have in its deployed operative position a main outside face that is generally flush with the housing outside face that is adjacent to the user-interface device. For instance, the device's main outside face in the deployed operative position is predominantly surrounded, e.g. entirely surrounded, by housing outside faces that are flush with the device's main outside face.

For instance, the user-interface device is coupled to the dispensing head so as to be driven by the head or vice versa between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions. The dispensing head and the user-interface device are for example coupled together by a rigid or an articulated arrangement, such as a cam-follower and cam arrangement or a flexible mechanically connector or by a lever arrangement.

The user-interface device may be movable, e.g. manually and/or automatically, from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction and a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction.

The first direction may follow a movement of the user-interface device generally sinking into and emerging from the outside housing, optionally the first direction being generally orthogonal to the housing outside face that is adjacent to device in its operative position or at an angle to such outside face that is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> deg. The second direction may follow a movement of the user-interface device hiding behind and along the housing outside face that is adjacent to the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, optionally the second direction being generally parallel to the outside face that is adjacent to device in its operative position or at an angle to this outside face that is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> deg.

The first direction can be at a large angle relative to a main outside face of the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, for instance a large angle in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as a large angle of at least <NUM> deg. , e.g. a large angle of at least or <NUM> or <NUM> deg. The second direction can be at a small angle relative to a main outside face of the user-interface device in its deployed operative position, for instance a small angle in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as a small angle of less than <NUM> deg. , e.g. a small angle of at less than <NUM> or <NUM> deg.

The user-interface device may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower and cam arrangement. The cam of the arrangement can have a first section extending along the first direction and a second section extending along the second direction. The user-interface device may be associated with a pair of cams having different, sequentially off-set, profiles such that when the user-interface device is moved from the operative to the storage positions it has a front edge that is lowered and displaced underneath the outside housing while a rear edge of the device, uncovered by the outside housing, remains above the front edge during a part of a movement of the user-interface device between the operative and the storage positions.

The machine can have a power supply arrangement comprising a connector to an external power supply, such as an electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and an internal power accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery, for powering to prepare and dispense the beverage when such machine is not powered via the connector. For instance, the accumulator is charged via the connector when connected to an external power supply.

The machine may include a docking station and a or the above module disconnectably connected to the docking station, the docking station and the module having at least one of: a station ingredient supply such as a water tank and a module liquid connector connectable to the station ingredient supply; and a station connector to an external power supply, such as a station electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and a module connector, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in the module, connectable to the station connector, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in the station.

The module may include an arrangement for preparing and dispensing beverage.

The module can integrate the beverage outlet and the liquid circuit can include at least one of: a liquid supply arrangement, such as a main reservoir fluidically disconnectably connectable by a liquid connector to the docking station, e.g. to a main reservoir and/or to a liquid supply line of the docking station; the liquid driver, such as an electric pump e.g. a solenoid pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a positive displacement pump or a peristaltic pump, for driving liquid to the outlet; the thermal conditioner, such as a liquid heater and/or cooler, for thermally conditioning liquid delivered by the outlet; and the above one or more liquid ducts for guiding liquid to be delivered by the outlet.

The module can incorporate at least one of: an internal power supply, such as a rechargeable battery; a connector to an external power supply, such as a module electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains; and a or the above control unit for controlling the module and optionally functions contained in the docking station; and the user-interface device that is optionally connected, when present, to the control unit.

The machine may include one or more movable placement members for placing such machine, such as a or the above module of such machine, onto a generally flat external support surface in an orientation for preparing the beverage in the liquid circuit and delivering such beverage via the beverage outlet to the beverage dispensing surface.

The movable placement member(s) can have a deployed placement position for increasing a stability and/or safely placing such machine, e.g. such module, on the external support surface in an orientation for preparing and dispensing said beverage. For instance, the placement member(s) in the deployed placement position extending away from the outside housing and/or extending laterally beyond at least one of the side face, rear face and front face.

The movable placement member(s) can have a retracted rest position within the outside housing or collapsed against the outside housing, e.g. collapsed against and extending along the outside housing, for: reducing a size of such machine, e.g. a or the above module, to displace it; and/or providing a configuration suitable for placing a or the above module onto a or the above docking station of such machine and connecting the module to the docking station.

The placement member(s) can be pivotably and/or translationally mounted relative to the outside housing, for moving the placement member(s) from the deployed placement position to the retracted rest position and vice versa.

An incorporation of the placement member(s) in such machine may thus provide an overall size reduction when in the retracted rest position (e.g. for storing or displacing the machine) and/or provide a configuration suitable for placing a separable module (fitted with the placement member(s)) of the machine onto a docking station of such machine and connecting the module to the docking station, the module being placeable in the beverage preparation and dispensing orientation with the aid of the placement member(s) on an external support surface when not docked onto the docking station.

In the orientation for preparing the beverage in the liquid circuit and delivering such beverage via the beverage outlet to the beverage dispensing surface:.

The machine may have one or more stationary placement members for placing such machine, such as a or the above module of such machine, onto a generally flat external support surface. For instance, the machine has a stationary placement member protruding upright underneath such machine in an orientation for preparing and dispensing beverage.

The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> illustrate two exemplary embodiments (with minor design differences) of a beverage machine <NUM> in accordance with the invention. The differences are illustrated in <FIG> and relate specifically to the arrangement in machine <NUM> of the liquid supply arrangement 50a.

Machine <NUM> is configured for preparing and dispensing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food.

Machine <NUM> has an outside housing <NUM> having one or more outside faces 30a,30b,30c,30d, such as one or more faces selected from a top face 30a, a side face 30b, a rear face 30c and a front face 30d.

Machine <NUM> includes a dispensing head <NUM> that has a beverage outlet <NUM> and that is movable:.

Machine <NUM> has a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into beverage outlet <NUM>. The liquid circuit includes at least one activatable unit <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The activatable unit may be selected from: a liquid driver <NUM>; a thermal conditioner <NUM>; and an ingredient processing unit <NUM>. For example, the liquid circuit comprising one or more liquid ducts <NUM> for guiding liquid to be delivered by outlet <NUM>.

Dispensing head <NUM> is configured so that it can be maintained in: the deployed operative position whether activatable unit(s) <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated; and/or the retracted storage position whether activatable unit(s) <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated.

Dispensing head <NUM> may be movable manually by a user from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. For instance, machine <NUM> has a power unit <NUM>' comprising a main switch <NUM> that is directly or indirectly actuated by dispensing head <NUM> when moved between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions.

Dispensing head <NUM> can be movable automatically, e.g. by a motor and/or an automatic return-spring, from the deployed operative position to the retracted storage position and/or vice versa. Optionally, head <NUM> is moved into its deployed operative position when machine <NUM> is powered and/or is moved into its retracted storage position when a powering of machine <NUM> is interrupted.

Dispensing head <NUM> may be maintained in its deployed operative position and/or in its retracted storage position by at least one of: a friction and/or magnetic force, clipping arrangement and locking arrangement <NUM>',<NUM>'.

Dispensing head <NUM> can be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower 31a,31c and cam 31b,31d arrangement.

Dispensing head <NUM> includes ingredient processing unit <NUM> that has an ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat <NUM>, e.g. a seat in which ingredients are mixed. For instance, the ingredient processing unit <NUM> has a first module <NUM> and a second module <NUM> that are movable relatively to each other by an actuator between:.

The actuator may include at least one of: an automatic actuator, e.g. a motor such as an electric motor; a semi-automatic actuator, e.g. a return-spring arrangement for automatically returning the first and second modules either into their distant configuration or into their proximate configuration; and a user-handle <NUM>, such as a handle <NUM> that is connected to at least one of first and second modules <NUM>,<NUM> and that actuates at least one of modules <NUM>,<NUM> by moving handle <NUM> from a first position to a second position. Handle <NUM> in at least one of its first and second positions can be flush with at least one of outside housing <NUM> and a user-interface device <NUM>.

The actuator may be connected to at least one of first and second modules <NUM>,<NUM> by a transmission that comprises at least one of a belt transmission, a gear transmission, e.g. a toothed gear transmission, and a lever transmission <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>.

Dispensing surface <NUM>,<NUM> may be formed by an external placement support <NUM> for placing such machine <NUM> in position for preparing and dispensing beverage.

Dispensing surface <NUM>,<NUM> can be formed by a user-recipient support device <NUM> of machine <NUM>. For instance, user-recipient support device <NUM> is removable from under outlet <NUM>, such as separable from a module <NUM> of such machine <NUM> and storable in a storage seat <NUM> of such module <NUM>, e.g. storable in storage seat <NUM> and secured therein by at least one of:.

Machine <NUM> may include (a) user-interface device <NUM>, e.g. connected to a control unit <NUM> of machine <NUM>, movable from: a deployed operative position adjacent to an outside face 30a of the one or more outside faces 30a,30b,30c of outside housing <NUM> so that device <NUM> is accessible by a user for operating machine <NUM> to prepare and dispense beverage; to a retracted storage position in outside housing <NUM> so that device <NUM> is inaccessible to a user for operating machine <NUM>; and/or vice versa.

Device <NUM> may bear one or more touch elements, such as button(s) <NUM> or a touch pad or a touch screen, and/or one or more user indicators, such as light means e.g. LED or signal screen.

Device <NUM> can have in its deployed operative position a main outside face <NUM> that is generally flush with housing outside face 30a that is adjacent to user-interface device <NUM>. Device's main outside face <NUM> in the deployed operative position may be predominantly surrounded, e.g. entirely surrounded, by housing outside faces 30a that are flush with the device's main outside face <NUM>.

User-interface device <NUM> can be coupled to dispensing head <NUM> so as to be driven by head <NUM> or vice versa between the deployed operative and the retracted storage positions. For example, dispensing head <NUM> and user-interface device <NUM> is coupled together by a rigid or an articulated arrangement, such as a cam-follower 31c and cam 35a arrangement or a flexible mechanically connector or by a lever arrangement.

User-interface device <NUM> can be movable, e.g. manually and/or automatically, from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa along a first direction <NUM>' and a second direction <NUM>'' that is non-parallel to first direction <NUM>'.

First direction <NUM>' may follow a movement of user-interface device <NUM> generally sinking into and emerging from the outside housing <NUM>, optionally first direction <NUM>' being generally orthogonal to housing outside face 30a that is adjacent device <NUM> in its operative position or at an angle to outside face 30a that is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as <NUM> to <NUM> deg, e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> deg. Second direction <NUM>'' may follow a movement of user-interface device <NUM> hiding behind and along outside face 30a that is adjacent to te user-interface device <NUM> in its deployed operative position, optionally second direction <NUM>'' being generally parallel to outside face 30a that is adjacent to device <NUM> in its operative position or at an angle to such outside face that is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg. , such as <NUM> to <NUM> deg, e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> deg.

First direction <NUM>' may be at a large angle relative to a main outside face <NUM> of user-interface device <NUM> in its deployed operative position, for instance a large angle in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg, such as a large angle of at least <NUM> deg. , e.g. a large angle of at least or <NUM> or <NUM> deg. Second direction <NUM>'' may be at a small angle relative to a main outside face <NUM> of user-interface device <NUM> in its deployed operative position, for instance a small angle in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> deg, such as a small angle of less than <NUM> deg. , e.g. a small angle of at less than <NUM> or <NUM> deg.

User-interface device <NUM> may be guided from its deployed operative position into its retracted storage position and vice versa by a cam-follower 31a,31c and cam 31b,31d arrangement. Cam 31b,31d of the arrangement can have a first section extending along first direction <NUM>' and a second section extending along second direction <NUM>''. User-interface device <NUM> may be associated with a pair of cams 31b,31d having different, sequentially off-set, profiles such that when user-interface device <NUM> is moved from the operative to the storage positions it has a front edge <NUM>' that is lowered and displaced underneath outside housing <NUM> while a rear edge <NUM>'' of device <NUM>, uncovered by outside housing <NUM>, remains above front edge <NUM>" during a part of a movement of user-interface device <NUM> between the operative and the storage positions.

Machine <NUM> can have a power supply arrangement comprising a connector <NUM> to an external power supply, such as an electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and an internal power accumulator <NUM>, such as a rechargeable battery, for powering to prepare and dispense beverage when machine <NUM> is not powered via connector <NUM>. Accumulator <NUM> may be charged via connector <NUM> when connected to an external power supply.

Machine <NUM> may include a docking station <NUM> and a module <NUM> disconnectably connected to docking station <NUM>.

Docking station <NUM> and module <NUM> can comprise at least one of: a station ingredient supply 50a such as a water tank and a module liquid connector 50b connectable to station ingredient supply 50a; and a station connector <NUM> to an external power supply, such as a station electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains, and a module connector <NUM>, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in module <NUM>, connectable to station connector <NUM>, e.g. a rigid connector stationary in station <NUM>.

Module <NUM> can incorporate an arrangement for preparing and dispensing beverage. Module <NUM> can include (a) beverage outlet <NUM> for dispensing beverage to (a) beverage dispensing surface <NUM>,<NUM> arranged for supporting a user-mug or a user-cup <NUM> and the liquid circuit can include at least one of: a liquid supply arrangement <NUM>, such as a main reservoir <NUM> fluidically disconnectably connectable by a liquid connector 50b to docking station <NUM>, e.g. to a main reservoir <NUM> and/or to a liquid supply line of the docking station <NUM>; liquid driver <NUM>, such as an electric pump e.g. a solenoid pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a positive displacement pump or a peristaltic pump, for driving liquid to outlet <NUM>; thermal conditioner <NUM>, such as a liquid heater and/or cooler, for thermally conditioning liquid delivered by outlet <NUM>; and one or more liquid ducts <NUM> for guiding liquid to be delivered by outlet <NUM>.

Module <NUM> may have at least one of: an internal power supply <NUM>, such as a rechargeable battery; a connector to an external power supply <NUM>, such as a module electric cord and/or plug connectable to the mains; and a or the above control unit <NUM> for controlling module <NUM> and optionally functions contained in docking station <NUM>; and interface device <NUM> that is optionally connected, when present, to control unit <NUM>.

Machine <NUM> may include one or more movable placement members 30e for placing such machine <NUM>, such as a or the above module <NUM> of machine <NUM>, onto a generally flat external support surface <NUM> in an orientation for preparing beverage in the liquid circuit and delivering such beverage via beverage outlet <NUM> to beverage dispensing surface <NUM>,<NUM>.

Movable placement member(s) 30e may have a deployed placement position for increasing a stability and/or safely placing machine <NUM>, e.g. of such module <NUM>, on external support surface <NUM> in an orientation for preparing and dispensing beverage, optionally placement member(s) 30e in the deployed placement position extending away from outside housing <NUM> and/or extending laterally beyond at least one of side face 30b, rear face 30c and front face 30d.

Movable placement member(s) 30e can have a retracted rest position within outside housing <NUM> or collapsed against outside housing <NUM>, e.g. collapsed against and extending along outside housing <NUM>, for: reducing a size of such machine <NUM>, e.g. such module <NUM>, to displace it; and/or provide a configuration suitable for placing such module <NUM> onto a or the above docking station <NUM> of such machine <NUM> and connecting module <NUM> to docking station <NUM>.

Placement member(s) 30e may be pivotably and/or translationally mounted relative to outside housing <NUM>, for moving placement member(s) 30e from the deployed placement position to the retracted rest position and vice versa.

In the orientation for preparing the beverage in the liquid circuit and delivering such beverage via beverage outlet <NUM> to beverage dispensing surface <NUM>,<NUM>:.

Claim 1:
A machine (<NUM>) for preparing and dispensing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate, milk, soup or baby food, such machine (<NUM>) comprising:
- an outside housing (<NUM>) having one or more outside faces (30a,30b,30c,30d), such as one or more faces selected from a top face (30a), a side face (30b), a rear face (30c) and a front face (30d); and
- a dispensing head (<NUM>) that comprises an ingredient processing unit (<NUM>) and a beverage outlet (<NUM>), the processing unit (<NUM>) having ingredient holder forming an ingredient seat (<NUM>), e.g. a seat in which ingredients are mixed, the dispensing head (<NUM>) being movable:
- outwards out of the outside housing (<NUM>) into a deployed operative position in which a beverage is dispensible via the outlet (<NUM>) to a beverage dispensing surface (<NUM>,<NUM>) for positioning a user-cup or user-mug (<NUM>); and
- inwards into the outside housing (<NUM>) into a retracted storage position, optionally a storage position in which the outlet (<NUM>) is confined within the outside housing (<NUM>) and/or in which the dispensing head (<NUM>) is surrounded by outside faces of the outside housing (<NUM>) that are generally flush with apparent faces of the dispensing head (<NUM>);
and
- a liquid circuit for processing said beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet (<NUM>), the liquid circuit comprising at least one activatable unit (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation, such as an activatable unit selected from: a liquid driver (<NUM>); a thermal conditioner (<NUM>); and the ingredient processing unit (<NUM>), optionally the liquid circuit comprising one or more liquid ducts (<NUM>) for guiding liquid to be delivered by the outlet (<NUM>), the dispensing head (<NUM>) being configured so that it can be maintained in:
- the deployed operative position whether said activatable unit(s) (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated; and/or
- the retracted storage position whether said activatable unit(s) (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) is/are activated or maintained activated or deactivated or maintained deactivated.