Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine, for instance a coffee machine, provided with a brewing chamber and at least one valve for totally and/or partially blocking the beverage from exiting the chamber. Advantageously, the valve is an electrovalve, in particular a piezoelectric valve, which is continuously controllable to adjust the beverage flow rate being permitted to exit the chamber.

1 : A beverage dispensing machine provided with a brewing chamber ( 2 ) and at least one valve for totally and/or partially blocking said beverage, characterized by said at least one valve being an electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′) controllable to adjust the beverage flow rate which exits the brewing chamber ( 2 ). 
   
   
       2 : The beverage dispensing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′) is a piezoelectric valve. 
   
   
       3 : The beverage dispensing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrovalve is provided at least at the discharge outlet ( 39 ,  39 ′) of said brewing chamber ( 2 ). 
   
   
       4 : The beverage dispensing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit ( 5 ) and said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′) is electrically controlled by said control unit to obstruct the said outlet ( 39 ,  39 ′), totally, or partially to the desired extent. 
   
   
       5 : The beverage dispensing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said control unit ( 5 ) operates said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′), on the basis of memorized algorithms, to adjust the pressure within the brewing chamber ( 2 ). 
   
   
       6 : The beverage dispensing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein it further comprises means to monitor one or more operative parameters of the machine, and said control unit ( 5 ) operates said piezoelectric valve ( 3 ,  3 ′) to compensate for variations of one or more of said parameters from an expected value. 
   
   
       7 : A method for operating a beverage dispensing machine provided with a brewing chamber, characterized by regulating the opening/closing of the chamber ( 2 ) discharge outlet, to the desired extent, by means of an electrically operable valve ( 3 ,  3 ′). 
   
   
       8 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein said electrovalve ( 3 ) is a piezoelectric valve. 
   
   
       9 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein said electrovalve ( 3 ) is operated to open said outlet ( 39 ,  39 ′) only after a preset time lapse that water is supplied to the brewing chamber ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein said electrovalve is operated to open said outlet ( 39 ,  39 ′) only after a preset pressure is reached within the brewing chamber ( 2 ). 
   
   
       11 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′) is operated to adjust the beverage flow rate of the beverage being dispensed. 
   
   
       12 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein an electronic unit ( 5 ) provides a feedback control over said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′), adjusting pressure within the brewing chamber ( 2 ) to compensate for undesired variations of the brewing conditions. 
   
   
       13 : The method of  claim 7 , wherein an electronic unit ( 5 ) controls said electrovalve ( 3 ,  3 ′) to adapt the pressure within the brewing chamber ( 2 ) and/or the said flow rate correspondingly to the beverage type chosen by the user and prepared by the machine. 
   
   
       14 : The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said electrovalve ( 3 ) is operated during a stand-by condition of the machine to promote self-cleaning of the same valve ( 3 ,  3 ′) and the related seat ( 39 ,  39 ′).