“MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING COFFEE BEVERAGES”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a machine for preparing coffee beverages provided with a container for the coffee, of the removable type, and the corresponding method which allows to optimize the preparation of the beverage in relation to the type of coffee beans or powder contained in said container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines for preparing coffee beverages are known, which are provided with a brewing chamber into which a certain quantity of coffee powder to be brewed is fed on each occasion.

The machine can be associated with a hopper, or a container, suitable to contain either coffee beans to be fed to a grinding device, or already ground coffee powder which can be fed directly to the brewing chamber.

The hopper can be of the removable type and generally, when it is associated with the machine, a microswitch is activated that recognizes its presence, so as to allow the grinding device to be activated.

It is also known that the preparation of a coffee beverage requires a plurality of different extraction parameters to be set and controlled, which often also depend on the type of coffee used, in particular on the type of coffee beans, that is, origin, level of roasting and proportions of different varieties in a blend.

Furthermore, the tendency of consumers to try and change different types of coffee, each of which has its own organoleptic characteristics and therefore requires specific extraction parameters, is becoming more and more widespread. This entails having to modify the respective extraction parameters of the machine every time the bean type is changed in order to obtain a coffee with high quality characteristics. This can be burdensome for the user at least in terms of time.

Document W02010/095937A1 describes a known solution of a machine for preparing coffee beverages to which disposable packaging cartridges containing coffee beans can be removably connected. The cartridges are of the disposable type and include respective identification codes on the packaging, by means of which the machine can receive information about them or their contents and set respective brewing parameters. Documents WO2018/195796A1 and EP2364624A2 also describe respective machines for preparing beverages that use removable containers of the disposable type for the coffee beans, which are provided with identification codes containing pre-set information regarding the type of beans contained in them, and the machines can set the brewing parameters based on this information.

Providing disposable cartridges, however, determines an increase in their production costs, as well as an increase in the material that has to be disposed of, since each cartridge, in addition to the packaging itself, must also comprise means for coupling with the machine.

Document W02004/098361A1 describes a machine for preparing beverages comprising a hopper on which an identification device is provided by means of which the machine can recognize its presence, and which can contain information regarding the type of coffee beans contained therein.

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

In order to do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of providing a machine for preparing coffee beverages that is able to independently select and set the extraction parameters in association with a specific type of coffee bean contained in a specific container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for preparing coffee beverages which allows to change the type of coffee beans to be used quickly and frequently, without requiring burdensome setting operations.

Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine that is simple to use.

Another purpose is also to provide a machine for preparing coffee beverages which allows to dynamically modify and update the extraction parameters associated with a container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for delivering a coffee beverage which allows to automatically select the extraction parameters to be used on each occasion for a given type of coffee bean, and possibly also to automatically set them.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a machine for preparing coffee beverages comprises a plurality of containers suitable to each contain a certain type of coffee beans, each container being able to be selectively associated with the machine, and in particular coupled and connected to a same housing seating.

By “type of coffee beans” we generally mean one or more characteristics including the origin of the beans, level of roasting, percentage of beans with different origins or their size.

The containers in question are preferably of the reusable type, that is, once the beans contained therein are finished, they can be filled again with the same or a different type of coffee beans.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each container is provided with its own identification means and the machine is provided with recognition means configured to interact with the identification means and recognize the container associated with it on each occasion.

In particular, each container, or each of the identification means associated therewith, can be associated with a certain profile of extraction parameters.

The profile of extraction parameters is correlated at least to the type of coffee beans contained in the specific container. The parameter profile can also be correlated to other variables, such as the preferences of a specific user for example.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a control unit configured to receive an identification signal from the recognition means and to automatically select the operating parameters of the machine as a function of the signal received and of the extraction parameters associated with the recognized container.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a user interface communicating with the control unit and configured to make a bijective association between each of the containers and a certain profile of extraction parameters.

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to dynamically associate a specific profile with a specific container on each occasion, and this association can be repeated and updated whenever a user wishes, for example when the container is filled with a type of coffee beans that differs from the first, or even to customize the extraction profile associated with a container.

The control unit can also be configured to directly and autonomously set the operating parameters selected.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the control unit can set the operating parameters selected following the receipt of a confirmation from a user by means of the interface.

According to some embodiments, through the user interface communicating with the control unit, a bijective association can in particular be made between the identification means of a container and the type of coffee beans present therein, and consequently with the respective extraction parameters.

The associations between container - type of coffee beans - extraction parameters can be stored in a memory unit connected to the control unit, for example a local memory or a cloud memory, so that on each occasion it is possible to automatically select, and possibly also set, the correct extraction parameters upon recognition of a specific container.

According to some embodiments, the user interface can be made on board the machine.

According to other variants, the user interface can be provided on an electronic device separate from the machine, such as for example a mobile phone of the smartphone type, a PC or a tablet on which a dedicated software application can be installed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, once the type of coffee beans has been defined, the respective extraction parameters of the machine can be determined automatically on the basis of predefined profiles stored in the memory unit, or possibly entered manually by a user through the user interface.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of profiles can be stored in the memory unit, each comprising its own set of extraction parameters associated with a certain type of coffee beans or a combination of variety/roasting of the coffee beans.

Each set can comprise one or more extraction parameters or even expected values of one or more reference parameters, which are correlated to the extraction parameter/s and directly dependent on them, which, if respected, allow to obtain a quality beverage.

In particular, once a bijective correlation has been made between the coffee beans contained in a certain container, and the extraction parameters associated with them have been defined, every time the container is replaced the machine can automatically and rapidly adapt its operating parameters without additional interventions by the user, automatically adjusting its own brewing and/or grinding means in order to make them operate according to the extraction parameters provided for the particular type of coffee beans.

Thanks to this solution, a user can therefore replace the coffee beans container frequently, possibly even each time a beverage is prepared, always obtaining a quality beverage without having to make manual adjustments or having to set one or more extraction parameters.

According to some embodiments, the control unit can also be provided with a neural network, or with other processing means, which can be configured to receive and process the commands received from a user during the use of a specific container, and condition the operation of the machine and/or adjust the operating parameters of the profile associated with such container as a function of the commands received. In this way, it is possible to associate a specific container, or its identification means, not only with a certain type of beans, but also with a specific user.

This therefore allows not only to automatically set the extraction parameters in relation to the type of coffee beans, but also to set the parameters, or modify the operation of the machine, as a function of the preferences of a user.

According to other embodiments, it can therefore be provided that different profiles are stored for a certain type of coffee beans, possibly modified and stored according to the preferences of a user, and that the control unit is configured to select on each occasion the suitable profile associated with the container recognized by means of the respective identification means and recognition means. In this way, the same type of coffee beans contained in different containers can be associated with a different profile and therefore with different operating parameters.

According to some embodiments, the identification means and the recognition means can be of the mechanical type. According to this embodiment, the identification means can comprise an activator member associated with each container in a certain position, possibly different on one container with respect to another, and the recognition means can comprise a plurality of actuators, each one able to be activated by a certain activator member.

According to some embodiments, the identification means and the recognition means can comprise an emitter and a receiver, respectively, suitable to communicate with each other in wireless mode. The emitter and receiver can, for example, communicate by means of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

According to other variants, a bar code or a QR code can be provided on each container and a receiver suitable to read such code can be provided in a seating of the machine.

These solutions allow to substantially recognize an infinite number of hoppers, and therefore an infinite number of types of coffee beans.

According to other embodiments, each container can comprise at least one surface portion having its own color and the recognition means can comprise an optical device suitable to recognize the color of the container or of a portion thereof.

The present invention also concerns a method for preparing a coffee beverage which provides to:

- make available one or more containers of the removable type, each containing a type of coffee beans, and each provided with its own identification means;

- define a bijective association between each of the containers and a respective profile of extraction parameters of the machine which is correlated at least to the type of coffee beans contained in each container;

- recognize the container coupled on each occasion to the machine by means of recognition means suitable to interact with the identification means; - automatically select and set the operating parameters of the machine as a function of the extraction parameters of the profile associated with the container.

The operating parameters of the machine can be set automatically by the control unit, independently or following the receipt of a confirmation command from a user. In the latter case, it can also be provided that the user can modify at least one operating parameter according to his/her preferences, possibly within a predefined range, so as not to compromise the quality of the beverages prepared.

Once the automatic setting of the operating parameters has been carried out, the machine can continue to operate with such setting until the coffee bean container is removed and then reinserted or replaced with another container. In any case, the steps of recognizing the container and subsequent automatic setting of the operating parameters will be repeated.

According to some embodiments, in order to recognize the containers, the method according to the invention provides to receive an identification signal by means of one of a plurality of actuators activated on each occasion by an activator member of a specific container when the latter is coupled to the machine.

According to one variant, the method provides to recognize the containers by reading a bar code or a QR code disposed on the container by means of a receiver provided in a housing seating of the machine.

According to another variant, the method provides to identify a specific color of the container, or at least of an identification portion thereof, by means of a suitable optical device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the step of bijective association between the container, and therefore its identification means, and a profile of extraction parameters provides to receive, by means of a user interface, an indication of a type of coffee beans and possibly of their degree of roasting, and to select, from a plurality of stored extraction parameter profiles, the one associated with that type of coffee beans.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view of a machine for preparing coffee beverages according to some embodiments described here;

- fig. 2 is a partial schematic view of a detail of the machine of fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is a schematic top view partly sectioned along the plane TI of fig. 2 in accordance with a first variant;

- fig. 4 is a schematic section view of a detail of the machine of fig. 1 in accordance with the first variant;

- fig. 5 is a schematic section view of a detail of a machine according to the invention in accordance with a second variant;

- fig. 6 is a schematic section view of a detail of a machine according to the invention in accordance with a second variant.

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

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

With reference to fig. 1, there is described a machine 10 for preparing coffee beverages according to the present invention.

The machine 10 comprises in a known way means for grinding coffee beans and brewing means, not shown.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the machine 10 comprises a plurality of containers 20 suitable to contain certain types of coffee beans, each container being able to be selectively associated with a same housing seating 11 of the machine 10.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example three containers 20, indicated respectively with the reference numbers 20A, 20B, 20C; however, their number can also be higher or lower.

Each container 20 can be closed at the bottom by means of a closing bottom 21 provided with at least one aperture able to be selectively opened and closed, for example through the reciprocal rotation between the container 20 and the closing bottom 21.

The containers 20 and the seating 11 are provided with respective coupling members 22, 12 configured to cooperate reciprocally and guarantee a stable clamping of the container 20.

The coupling members 22, 12 can also be conformed in such a way as to simultaneously allow both to clamp the container 20 in the seating 11 and also to rotate the closing bottom 21 in order to open the aperture, allowing the transit of the coffee beans.

By way of example, the coupling members can comprise a shaped groove 12 created in the seating 11 and a flap 22 provided on a lower portion of the container 20 which is suitable to be inserted and clamped in the groove 12.

All containers 20 are preferably provided with coupling members 22 identical to each other, or in any case suitable to cooperate with the same coupling members 12 of the same seating 11.

According to another aspect of the present invention, each container 20 is provided with its own identification means 24, and the machine 10 is provided with recognition means 14 configured to interact with the identification means 24 and recognize the container 20 used on each occasion.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine 10 comprises a control unit 15 which is configured to receive a signal from the recognition means 14 which identifies a certain container 20 containing a certain type of coffee beans contained therein, and to automatically select and set the extraction parameters of the machine 10 as a function of the identification signal received.

The control unit 15, once a container 20 has been identified, can set the operation of the various components of the machine 10 on the basis of the extraction operating parameters selected.

According to possible variants, the control unit 15 can set the operation of the various components of the machine 10 directly, or following the receipt of a confirmation command from a user.

According to some embodiments, the profile associated with each container 20 comprises the optimum extraction parameters provided for the certain type of coffee beans contained in the container 20 identified on each occasion. According to some embodiments, the machine 10 can comprise a user interface 16 communicating with the control unit 15, through which a bijective association can be made between each container 20 and a certain profile of extraction parameters.

In particular, by means of the user interface 16 it is possible to make a bijective association between the identification means 24 of a container 20 and at least the type of coffee beans present therein, and therefore with the respective extraction parameters.

The associations between container - type of coffee beans - extraction parameters can be stored in a memory unit 17, 18 connected to the control unit 15, so that on each occasion it is possible to automatically set the correct extraction parameters upon recognition of a specific container 20.

The memory unit 17 can be physically provided on board the machine, or it can be created as a cloud-type platform 18 communicating wirelessly with the control unit 15, for example via an internet network or Bluetooth communication systems or suchlike.

According to some embodiments, the user interface 16 can be produced on board the machine. In addition, or alternatively, there can also be provided a user interface 16 created on an electronic device 30 separate from the machine, such as a mobile phone of the smartphone type for example, a PC or a tablet on which a dedicated software application can be installed.

Thanks to the user interface 16, the user can create a bijective association between a container 20 and a certain profile of extraction parameters.

In particular, the user can create a bijective association between the type of coffee beans contained in a container and possibly also between the type of coffee beans and a respective set of extraction parameters.

Thanks to the fact that by means of the user interface 16 it is possible to define the bijective association between container and profile of the extraction parameters, a user can also have two distinct containers 20, containing the same type of coffee beans, each one associated with a different profile of extraction parameters. In this way, starting from the same type of coffee beans it is possible to have different extraction profiles according to the container 20 used on each occasion. Furthermore, once the coffee beans present in a container 20 are finished, the latter can be refilled with the same or a different type of coffee beans. In the latter case, through the user interface 16 it is possible to create a new bijective association between container 20 and extraction parameters, and store this association in the memory unit 17.

According to some embodiments, when the identification means 24 identify a container 20 different from the previous one, a message can be displayed on the user interface 16 to ask a user whether or not he/she wants to proceed with a new association or not, or to confirm the association previously stored.

According to one aspect of the present invention, once at least the type of coffee beans has been defined, the respective extraction parameters of the machine 10 for that type of coffee beans can be determined automatically, on the basis of predefined profiles stored in the memory unit 17, 18, or possibly also entered manually by a user through the interface 16.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of profiles can be stored in the memory unit 17, 18, each one comprising a set of parameters of its own which are associated with a certain type of coffee beans or with a combination of variety/roasting of the coffee beans, for example single origin/clear, 100% Arabica/medium, etc. Such profiles can be created by a consumer, or provided by means of a software application, for example by respective coffee bean producers and/or resellers.

According to some embodiments, each set of parameters can comprise at least one extraction parameter chosen from: granulometry/grinding level of the coffee beans, quantity of coffee powder for a beverage, temperature of the brewing water, brewing time, flow rate of the brewing water, quantity of brewing water, brewing pressure, quantity of coffee beverage to be prepared, pre-brewing characteristics such as temperature and/or quantity of the pre-brewing water, pre-brewing time, or others.

According to other embodiments, each profile comprises a combination of two or more extraction parameters.

The set of parameters can also comprise expected values of one or more reference parameters, directly dependent on the extraction parameters set on each occasion, which, if respected, allow to obtain a quality beverage. The expected values can be compared with real values, detected during the delivery of a beverage by means of special detection devices, in order to perform a feedback control of the machine’s 10 operation.

The reference parameters can be chosen between flow time, brewing time, or beverage delivery time, pressure in the brewing chamber, brewing temperature, speed/flow rate of the brewing water, quantity of water or beverage delivered, or others.

According to some embodiments, the control unit 15 can also be provided with processing means 19, for example comprising a neural network, configured to receive and process the commands received from a consumer through the user interface 16 during the use of a specific container 20, and to condition the operation of the machine 10 and/or adjust the operating parameters of the profile associated with that container 20 as a function of the commands received.

In this way, it is possible to associate a specific container 20, that is its identification means 24, not only with a certain type of beans, but also with a specific user.

According to some embodiments, the processing means 19 can be configured to adjust the parameters of the profile associated with the container 20 over time, on the basis of a self-learning process deriving from the commands received.

According to these embodiments, for a certain type of coffee beans it is therefore possible to store different profiles in the memory unit 17, which are possibly modified and stored according to the preferences of the consumer. In any case, the control unit 15 will on each occasion select the profile associated with the container 20 recognized by means of the respective identification means 24 and recognition means 14.

According to some embodiments, in addition or alternatively, the processing means 19 can be configured to update the user interface 16 so as to display on each occasion the preferred beverages selected when the container 20 currently in use is used, according to an order defined on the basis of the percentage and/or frequency of selection of a certain beverage with that container 20.

Also in this case, the user interface 16 is updated on the basis of a self-learning process deriving from the commands received. In this way, the operation of the machine 10, once a container 20 has been recognized, is adapted not only to the type of coffee beans contained in the container 20, but also to the specific preferences of a user.

Thanks to the cooperation between the identification means 24 and the recognition means 14, once a bijective correlation has been made between the coffee beans contained in a certain container 20 and the extraction parameters associated with them, each time the container 20 is replaced, the machine 10 can automatically and rapidly adapt its operating parameters without additional interventions by the user.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to figs, from 2 to 4, the identification means 24 and the recognition means 14 can be of the mechanical type.

According to this embodiment, the identification means 24 can comprise an activator member 25 associated with each container 20 and the recognition means 14 can comprise a plurality of actuator members 31, each one able to be activated by a certain activator member 25. The activation of the actuator member 31 causes an identification signal to be sent to the control unit 15.

By way of example, the actuator members 31 can be chosen from mechanical actuators, such as a microswitch for example, or from position sensors of the magnetic or Hall effect type.

Fig. 1 shows that the activator members 25 on the respective containers 20A, 20B, 20C are disposed in different positions with respect to the respective coupling members 22, so that each one cooperates with a respective actuator member 31.

For example, fig. 3 shows three mechanical actuators, identified with the numbers 31A, 3 IB, 31C, disposed in different positions around the seating 11, each suitable to cooperate with a respective activator member 25 of a container 20A, 20B, 20C and transmit a signal of successful identification to the control unit 15.

The machine 10 can also comprise a different number of actuators 31, for example comprised between two and ten, as a function of their physical dimensions and the space available.

According to possible variants, it can also be provided that the actuators 31 are disposed aligned in a same position, possibly disposed at different heights from each other, and that the activator members 25 on each container 20A, 20B, 20C are also offset in height.

As shown by way of example in fig. 4, the activator member 25 can have the shape of a protruding flap, which, when the container 20 is inserted in the seating 11 and clamped therein, is positioned in alignment with a respective actuator 31 and interacts with it mechanically in such a way as to activate it and generate the identification signal.

According to variants described with reference to fig. 5, the identification means 24 and the recognition means 14 can comprise an emitter 26 and a receiver 32, or an antenna, respectively, suitable to communicate with each other wirelessly.

The emitter 26 and the receiver 31 can, for example, communicate by means of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology.

For example, the emitter 26 can comprise a transponder, or tag, integrated in the container 20, preferably in a lower zone thereof, suitable to be inserted in the seating 11, and configured to emit its own identification signal when it is hit by a radiofrequency signal sent from the receiver 32.

According to this variant, it is possible to provide to recognize a substantially unlimited number of containers 20, since there is no physical limit that has to be respected; therefore this solution is particularly efficient and versatile. In this case, as a function of the identification of one or the other container 20A, 20B, 20C, the receiver 32 will give a different identification signal to the control unit 15.

According to other variants, it can be provided that there is a bar code or a QR code on each container 20, which act as identification means, and that there is a receiver in the seating 11 suitable to read such codes. This solution also substantially allows to recognize an unlimited number of containers 20.

According to other embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 6, each container 20 can comprise at least one surface identification portion 27 having its own color and the recognition means 14 can comprise an optical device 33 suitable to recognize the color of such identification portion 27.

The present invention also concerns a method for preparing a coffee beverage comprising:

- making available a plurality of containers 20A, 20B, 20C of the removable type, each containing a type of coffee beans, and each provided with its own identification means 24;

- defining a bijective association between the containers 20A, 20B, 20C and respective profiles of extraction parameters of the machine 10 which are correlated at least to the type of coffee beans contained in each of the containers 20A, 20B, 20C;

- recognizing the container 20A, 20B, 20C used on each occasion by means of recognition means 14 suitable to interact with the identification means 24;

- automatically setting the operating parameters of the machine 10 as a function of the extraction parameters of the profile that is associated with each container 20A, 20B, 20C.

In this way, the machine 10 is automatically set with each replacement of the container 20A, 20B, 20C, without requiring other interventions by the user. In this way, thanks to the bijective association between at least the type of coffee beans/container, it is possible on each occasion to prepare a coffee beverage with the optimal extraction parameters, obtaining beverages that meet high quality requirements.

According to some embodiments, in order to recognize the container 20, the method according to the invention provides to receive a signal through one of a plurality of actuators 31, for example microswitches or position sensors, which is activated by an activator member 25 of a specific container 20 coupled to the machine 10 on each occasion.

According to one variant, the method provides to recognize the container 20A, 20B, 20C coupled to the machine 10 on each occasion by means of respective identification means 24 and recognition means 14 communicating with each other by means of RFID or NFC technology.

According to another variant, the method provides to recognize the container 20A, 20B, 20C used on each occasion by reading a bar code or a QR code disposed on the container 20 A, 20B, 20C or on an identification portion 27 thereof, by means of an optical device 43 provided in the housing seating 11.

According to another variant, the method provides to recognize a container 20 by identifying a specific color of the container 20 or of an identification portion 27 thereof, by means of a suitable optical device 43.

According to another aspect of the invention, the step of bijective association between the container 20, and therefore its identification means 24, and a profile of extraction parameters provides to receive an indication of a type of coffee beans and possibly of their degree of roasting, and to select, from a plurality of stored extraction parameter profiles, the one associated with that type of coffee beans.

Once the bijective association has been defined between a certain container 20/type of coffee beans/extraction parameters, the method provides to store it in a memory unit 17 so as to make it available and accessible every time such container 20 is used and identified.

The user is therefore required to make only a preliminary association between each container 20A, 20B, 20C, or its identification means 24, and a type of coffee beans, and between the type of coffee beans and a profile of extraction parameters, and subsequently the machine 10 will automatically adapt the operating parameters as a function of the extraction parameters associated with the container 20A, 20B, 20C which is recognized on each occasion by the recognition means 14.

According to some embodiments, the method can also provide to receive and process the commands received from a consumer through the user interface 16 during the use of a specific container 20, and to condition the operation of the machine 10 and/or adjust the operating parameters of the profile associated with such container 20 as a function of the commands received.

According to some embodiments, the parameters of the profile associated with the container 20 can be adjusted over time on the basis of a self-learning process of the processing means 19.

For example, if during the use of a specific container 20 a user always selects a “strong” beverage, or modifies one or more parameters, the processing means 19 can define the operating parameters suitable to satisfy the user’s preferences.

According to some embodiments, it can also be provided that on the basis of the data received and processed, the control unit 15 updates the user interface 16 as a function of the container 20 recognized on each occasion, so as to display on each occasion the preferred beverages selected when the container 20 currently in use is used.

For example, the processing means 19 can calculate the percentage and/or the frequency with which a particular beverage is chosen when each container is used, and update the user interface 16 on each occasion in order to display the beverages according to an order of preference. In this way, if when the container 20A is used the beverage normally chosen is a normal espresso, this beverage can be displayed as the first option to choose from when the container 20A is recognized, while if when the container 20B is used the beverage chosen more frequently is a cappuccino, this beverage will be offered as the first option and the espresso coffee can be in another position. The order in which the selection options are displayed can also be varied, on the basis of the commands received, also as a function of the days of the week and/or particular times of the day.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the machine 10 and to the method for preparing a beverage as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of machine 10 and method for preparing a beverage, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

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