Beverage preparation unit with safety valve
Portable beverage preparation devices for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule are disclosed and include a beverage brewing unit and beverage dispensing means that includes a safety outlet valve. Also disclosed are systems that include the beverage preparation devices and receptacles for use with the beverage preparation devices.
1. A beverage preparation device for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule, the device comprising:
a beverage brewing unit for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage from the ingredients within the capsule by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule;
beverage dispensing means connected to the beverage brewing unit, the beverage dispensing means comprising:
a dispensing outlet for dispensing the resulting beverage from the device into a receptacle; and
a safety outlet valve adapted to selectively open a fluid communication from the beverage brewing unit to the dispensing outlet dependent on the presence and/or proximity of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is equipped with activation means for the safety outlet valve; and
wherein the safety outlet valve is designed for being magnetically engaged by the activation means of the receptacle.
2. The beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the safety outlet valve is designed to open the fluid communication upon magnetic engagement by the activation means of the receptacle.
3. The beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the safety outlet valve is arranged below a support surface of the beverage preparation device for the receptacle.
4. The beverage preparation device according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the safety outlet valve is arranged movable in a direction essentially perpendicular to the support surface.
5. The beverage preparation device according to claim 3 , wherein the safety outlet valve is biased in a closing position in a direction away from the support surface.
6. The beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the safety outlet valve comprises a movable element having an essentially disc-shaped body with an inner liquid channel that is arranged moveable within an outer guiding element comprising radial flow passages.
7. The beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein a beverage dispensing outlet is arranged to protrude from the support surface of the device.
8. The beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the safety outlet valve is arranged within a removable lid member of the device.
9. A beverage preparation device for preparing a beverage from an ingredients containing capsule, the device comprising:
a beverage brewing unit for receiving the capsule and preparing the beverage from the ingredients within the capsule by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsule;
beverage dispensing means connected to the beverage brewing unit, the beverage dispensing means comprising:
a dispensing outlet for dispensing the resulting beverage from the device into a receptacle; and
a safety outlet valve adapted to selectively open a fluid communication from the beverage brewing unit to the dispensing outlet dependent on the presence and/or proximity of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is equipped with activation means for the safety outlet valve; and
wherein the safety outlet valve comprises a plurality of alternating magnetic poles about a circumference of the safety outlet valve.
10. A system comprising:
a beverage preparation device according to claim 1 ; and
a receptacle comprising activation means designed to magnetically engage the safety outlet valve.
11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the activation means are arranged in a circumferential bottom portion of the receptacle.
12. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the activation means comprise a plurality of alternating magnetic poles arranged about a circumference of the bottom portion of the receptacle.
13. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the receptacle is equipped with a central valve means designed for engaging the dispensing outlet of the device.
14. A receptacle for use with a beverage preparation device according to claim 1 , comprising:
a circumferential bottom portion; and
activation means designed to magnetically engage the safety outlet valve of the beverage preparation device, wherein the activation means is arranged in the circumferential bottom portion.