TW201737211A - Beverage dispenser with powder container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) configured for dispensing a plurality of different beverages comprising: - a plurality of containers (3) for storing, dosing and dispensing different beverage ingredients, - at least one beverage preparation unit (4) for preparing a beverage from at least one of the beverage ingredients and a diluent, - a control system (5) operable to execute a preparation process comprising controlling said containers and beverage preparation unit(s) to prepare the beverage, - the control system comprising a user interface, - the user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons (6) enabling the ordering of different beverages, said selection buttons being positioned on the front face of the beverage preparation machine, and each selection button being associated with one beverage identification label and cooperating with a corresponding backlight device so that the selection button and the associated label are made visible when backlighted only, wherein the control system is configured to: - receive input relative to the number of different beverages dispensable (to be dispensed) by the machine, and - in response to said input:. switch on a number of backlight devices equal to the number of different beverages dispensable by the machine, and. select the backlight devices to be switched on.

Description

Beverage dispenser with powder container

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser which is capable of producing a variety of different beverages and which has a front panel with a selection button for ordering the different beverages.

There are many beverage dispensers that can make a variety of different beverages like espresso and other coffee drinks, milk drinks, chocolate drinks, tea drinks, soups, etc. Usually these drinks are made by mixing beverage ingredients (one can Prepared by dissolving the beverage powder or a beverage concentrate) and a diluent. These beverage ingredients are often stored in containers within the dispenser.

The number of different beverages that the dispenser can make depends on the number of containers in the dispenser and the nature of the beverage ingredients stored in the container; for example, different containers can store the same beverage ingredients or each container can store different beverage ingredients.

Typically these beverage dispensers display a front door with a selection panel that allows the consumer to order a beverage. The selection panel contains selection buttons for each of the beverages that the dispenser can prepare. Usually these selection buttons are mechanical buttons embedded in the front door. In order to optimize the manufacturing cost, since it is not possible to manufacture different front doors having different selection boards and different number of buttons, the dispenser always displays a large number of identical selection buttons even if they can only dispense a small number of drinks. In this case, some of the selection buttons will remain clearly visible and have no effect, or Several selection buttons can be used to prepare the same beverage. So the appearance of the dispenser is not attractive or it seems that some buttons seem to be invalid.

There is a need to improve the selection of beverage dispensers, regardless of the number of beverages that the dispenser can dispense.

It would be beneficial to provide a selection plate that allows the number of clearly visible buttons to accurately correspond to the number of beverages that the machine can dispense.

Providing a selection board allows only some of the buttons of the palette to be clearly visible without giving the customer a feeling that some buttons are missing or broken.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a plurality of different beverages and comprising: - a plurality of containers for storing, dosing, and dispensing different beverage ingredients, At least one beverage preparation unit for preparing a beverage from at least one of the beverage ingredients and a diluent, a control system operable to perform a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the a beverage preparation unit for preparing the beverage, the control system comprising a user interface, the user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons for ordering different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned in front of the beverage preparation machine And each selection button is associated with a beverage identification tag and cooperates with a corresponding backlight such that the selection button and the associated tag are only visible when illuminated by backlighting, wherein during the configuration of the machine, the control The system is configured to: Receiving an input relating to the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and - returning a number of backlights that are equal to the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and selecting the backlights to be turned on.

The beverage preparation machine comprises a plurality of containers for storing, metering, and dispensing different beverage ingredients. Containers of this type often include a tank and a metering device for displacing the beverage ingredients stored in the tank to a dispensing outlet.

The container can be configured to store, dose, and dispense a soluble beverage powder, such as instant coffee, instant tea, milk powder, cocoa powder, dehydrated soup, ... for the dosing of the powder. The device can be any device capable of metering powder dosing, such as a rotary pierced disc, a dosing auger, a shut off valve, and an endless screw. , a bucket, a sliding chamber or other known powder dosing device. Dosing devices are often actuated by motors.

The container can be configured to store, meter, and dispense a soluble beverage concentrate, such as a coffee concentrate, a tea concentrate, a milk concentrate, a cocoa concentrate, a syrup, ... when using a liquid beverage concentrate, The dosing means can be a one-way valve associated with a peristaltic pump. It may be part of the tank holding the concentrate or it may be a separate device and an outlet for the source of the concentrate may be present therein.

The beverage preparation machine includes at least one beverage preparation unit operatively coupled to the containers for preparing a beverage from at least one of the beverage ingredients.

The beverage preparation unit can comprise the following list: a spray head, a mixing bowl, and a whipper bowl.

The spray head can deliver at least one diluent jet for a nozzle. Preferably, it delivers at least two streams of diluent, and even more preferably the head is rotatable during delivery of the diluent through the nozzle.

The mixed tether can be a chamber configured to receive the diluent and the beverage ingredient. It can be designed such that the beverage ingredient and the diluent are in effective contact and improve the dissolution of a beverage ingredient. The whipping bowl typically includes a first portion configured to receive the diluent and a beverage ingredient, and a second portion including a beater configured to make the diluent and the A mixture of beverage ingredients foam.

A beverage preparation unit can be combined with a special container for storing, metering, and dispensing a soluble beverage or a beverage preparation unit can be combined with several (generally two) for storing, metering, and dispensing soluble beverages. Special container. In the latter case, beverages can be produced by mixing and dissolving several beverage ingredients.

- The beverage preparation machine comprises a control system operative to perform a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the beverage preparation unit(s) to prepare the beverage.

The control system can include a processor operatively coupled to the user interface, the container, and the beverage preparation unit.

In general, a memory unit associated with the processor of the control system can have an executable program associated with the preparation program stored thereon.

In particular, the control system can control a motor associated with the containers to dose a beverage ingredient amount and dispense the portion in a portion of the beverage preparation unit. The control system can actuate the beverage preparation unit to mix the portion of the beverage ingredient with a diluent.

The control system includes a user interface. In order for the consumer to select a beverage, the user interface includes an input unit. The input unit includes a plurality of selection buttons for ordering different beverages.

The selection buttons are positioned on the front side of the beverage preparation machine.

Each selection button is associated with a beverage identification tag. Accordingly, the consumer identifies the beverage prepared by the machine when the button is activated. Each selection button cooperates with a corresponding backlight such that the selection button and associated label are only visible when illuminated by backlighting.

During operation of the configuration of the machine, the control system of the machine is configured to: - receive input regarding the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and - return should be entered: - conduction equal to the machine assignable A number of backlights of the number of different beverages, and the backlights to be turned on are selected from all of the backlights of the user interface.

Thus, if the machine is designed to have a user interface comprising one of the N select buttons, but the machine only implements the preparation of n beverages (n < N), the control system effects actuation of only n backlights, and Therefore only n selection buttons become clearly visible in front of the machine. The other N-n buttons remain invisible because they correspond to the backlight The setting is not turned on. For the consumer, there is no impression that the N-n buttons are invalid because they cannot see the buttons.

This operation of the configuration of the machine is usually handled by the operator responsible for maintaining the machine. The choice of the number and nature of the beverage to be dispensed is often determined by the owner of the machine. Based on this decision, the operator configures the front door of the machine by means of the control system.

The control system not only implements actuation of only n backlights, it also selects which of the backlights from the user interface must be turned on. The selection is preferably implemented such that the turned-on backlights are positioned adjacent to each other.

Thus, the selection shows that the buttons that are clustered together do not have the impression that the consumer is separated from other buttons and that a portion of the user interface has failed.

Preferably, the buttons have the same size and the same shape.

According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned on the front surface according to at least two horizontal lines, the buttons are evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the buttons of a horizontal line are compared with the next one. These buttons on the horizontal line are offset.

In this embodiment, it is preferred that the control system is configured to select the backlights to be turned on such that the turned-on backlights are positioned on the same line or are evenly distributed over a plurality of adjacent lines. Button.

Typically the user interface is positioned on the front door of the machine.

Typically, the front door includes a rear wall and a front wall, the front wall includes at least one transparent area and the user interface is positioned between the rear wall and the transparent area of the front wall.

According to a first embodiment, the user interface comprises: - a touch activation switch for each selection button, the touch activation relationship is located near the rear wall and is held on a common printed circuit board, - backlight a device, the backlight device is positioned adjacent to the rear wall, and an optical separator is positioned between the backlight device and the front wall, the light divider directing light of each backlight device to the transparent region of the front wall, a cover positioned between the optical divider and the transparent region of the front wall, the cover being transparent when illuminated by the backlight, - a spring associated with each of the touch activated switches, the spring system Between the cover and the common printed circuit board of the touch activation switch, a beverage identification label is positioned between the cover and the transparent area of the front wall, each label system and a backlight device and a touch The start switch is associated.

Preferably, the backlights are positioned on the common printed circuit board of the touch activated switches.

In the first embodiment, the selection buttons are spring activated.

The cover is positioned between the optical divider and the transparent region of the front wall, is transparent when illuminated by the backlight, and remains opaque if not illuminated by the backlight.

According to a second embodiment, the user interface comprises: a backlight device positioned adjacent to the rear wall and held on a common printed circuit board, an optical separator positioned between the backlight device and the front wall, the light divider aligning the backlights The light of the device is in the transparent area of the front wall, and the touch film has a plurality of touch areas, and each of the touch areas corresponds to a selection button, and the touch film is positioned on the backlight device and the Between the at least one transparent area of the front wall, and each touch area is matched with a corresponding backlight device, a cover is positioned between the touch film and the transparent area of the front wall, and the cover is transparent when illuminated by backlight The beverage identification label is positioned between the cover and the transparent area of the front wall, and each label is associated with a backlight and a touch area of the touch film.

Preferably, the printed circuit board of the backlight device controls the touch film.

The cover is positioned between the optical divider and the transparent region of the front wall, is transparent when illuminated by the backlight, and remains opaque if not illuminated by the backlight.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a beverage preparation machine 1 configured to dispense a plurality of different beverages and comprising: - a plurality of containers for storing, dosing, and dispensing different beverage ingredients, At least one beverage preparation unit for preparing a beverage from at least one of the beverage ingredients and a diluent, a control system operable to perform a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the Waiting for a beverage preparation unit to prepare the beverage, the control system comprising a user interface, - the user interface comprises a plurality of selection buttons (6) enabling the ordering of different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned on the front side of the beverage preparation machine, and each selection button being associated with a beverage identification label and Cooperating with a corresponding backlight device, the selection button and the associated label are only visible when being illuminated by the backlight, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned in front of the machine according to at least two horizontal lines, the buttons are The buttons are evenly distributed across the horizontal lines, and the buttons of a horizontal line are offset from the buttons of the next horizontal line.

As used herein, the term "a" refers to at least two.

The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. In addition, various features may be combined herein with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims.

1‧‧‧Beverage preparation machine

2‧‧‧ front door

3‧‧‧ Container

4‧‧‧Beverage preparation unit; mixing room

5‧‧‧Control system

6‧‧‧ button

7‧‧‧ poster

8‧‧‧heater/or cooler

9‧‧‧ pump

10‧‧‧ allocated area

11‧‧‧ drinking cup

12‧‧‧Power supply

13‧‧‧ memory unit

21‧‧‧ Back wall

22‧‧‧ front wall

23‧‧‧Printed circuit board

24‧‧‧Touch start switch

24a‧‧‧Touch start switch

24b‧‧‧Touch start switch

25‧‧‧Backlight

25a‧‧‧Backlight

25b‧‧‧Backlight

26‧‧‧Optical divider

27‧‧‧ Cover

28‧‧‧ Label

28a‧‧‧label

28b‧‧‧label

29‧‧‧Touch film

29a‧‧‧ touch area

29b‧‧‧ touch area

31‧‧‧Export

41‧‧‧Distribution tube

42‧‧‧Dilution tube

51‧‧‧ processor

221‧‧‧ part; transparent part; transparent area

241a‧‧ ‧ spring

241b‧‧ ‧ spring

242‧‧ ‧ spring

242a‧‧‧ Pressing device

242b‧‧‧ Pressing device

B1‧‧‧ beverage identification label

B2‧‧‧ beverage identification label

B3‧‧‧ beverage identification label

B4‧‧‧ beverage identification label

B5‧‧‧ beverage identification label

B6‧‧‧Beverage Identification Label

B7‧‧‧Beverage Identification Label

B8‧‧‧ beverage identification label

The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following drawings: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a presently preferred beverage preparation machine, - Figure 2 is a view of the machine front door of Figure 1 open, - Figure 3 is based on A schematic view of a front door of a machine according to the invention, - Figures 4a to 4f are schematic representations of buttons of a machine according to the invention, - Figure 5 is a block diagram of a control system of a display machine according to the invention, - Figure 6 is in accordance with the invention The first embodiment shows the different components of the front door of the beverage preparation machine, - Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the door of Figure 6, - Figure 8 illustrates different components of the front door of the beverage preparation machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 depicts a beverage preparation machine in accordance with presently preferred techniques. The front door 2 of the machine includes a user interface that allows the user to select the beverage to be prepared. In Figure 1, the machine includes eight mechanical buttons 6 for initiating beverage preparation and eight labels 28 for identifying beverages associated with each button.

Figure 2 illustrates the machine of Figure 1 opening its front door 2. The machine contains four containers 3 for storing, metering, and dispensing different beverage ingredients. Each container 3 (also known as a canister) achieves storage of the powdered ingredients, achieves dosing (by means of a metering device that is captured in the container), and achieves its distribution (through an outlet 31). Each outlet is positioned above a mixing chamber 4. The mixing chamber allows the portion of the beverage ingredient to be mixed with a diluent, typically water.

The machine comprises a diluent fluid system (not shown) comprising a diluent supply (a tank or tap water line), a diluent heater and/or a diluent cooler and a pump To deliver hot or cold diluent to the dilution tube 42 and into the chamber 4.

The bottom of each mixing chamber contains a dispensing tube 41 for emptying the prepared beverage to a dispensing area 10 in which the drinking cup 11 can be positioned.

The machine can prepare up to eight different beverages, depending on the nature of the beverage ingredients in the container 3 and taking into account the two different beverages available from two different beverage ingredients. Mix together in a drinking cup (for example to make a cup of cappuccino from milk powder and instant coffee).

However, the owner of the machine may not be interested in preparing eight different beverages, but it is possible to fill the containers with only two different types of beverage powders to prepare only three beverages.

In this case only three buttons 6 can be actuated and only three corresponding tabs 28 appear to list these beverages. The other buttons remain visible but cannot be used.

Figure 3 illustrates a machine in accordance with the present invention. This machine displays the same internal parts as the machine of Figure 2, but its front door 2 is not the same as the user interface. - The user interface contains eight selection buttons 6 to enable ordering of different beverages. Each selection button 6 is associated with a beverage identification tag (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8).

Each tag and button is illuminated by a dedicated backlight such that the selection button and associated tag are only visible when illuminated by the backlight. In Figure 3, the eight buttons are visible from the backlight. The consumer can order the preparation of one of these eight beverages.

Figures 4a through 4f illustrate the appearance of the select buttons 6 of the machine of Figure 3, depending on which backlights are turned on.

In Figure 4a, only three backlights are turned on so that only the labels B1, B2, and B3 corresponding to the backlighted buttons are clearly visible. The other five buttons remain invisible.

Similarly, FIG. 4b to FIG. 4f each illustrate a user interface having four to eight backlights turned on.

The machine's control system selects the number of backlighted buttons based on an input from the operator of the machine that provides the number of beverages that the machine can dispense.

Once the number of buttons is set, the control system is configured to select the backlights to be turned on from the eight backlights such that the turned-on backlights are positioned adjacent to one another.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned in front of the machine according to at least two horizontal lines. The buttons on each horizontal line are evenly distributed to each other. Each line shows the same distribution of buttons (the same number of buttons, button size, spacing between buttons). Finally, the buttons of a horizontal line are offset from the buttons of the next horizontal line.

In that configuration, it is preferred that the control system is configured to select the backlights to be turned on such that the turned-on backlights are positioned on the same line (Figs. 4a, 4b) or evenly distributed A selection button for adjacent lines (Fig. 4c, 4d). The average means that the adjacent lines look almost identical and there is no strong difference in the number of illuminated buttons between two adjacent lines. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each line contains a maximum of four buttons, and the difference in the number of illuminated buttons between two adjacent lines is at most one. For dispensers that display more buttons per line, the difference can be higher.

Therefore, the user interface does not seem to have fewer buttons.

A control system 5, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 5 , is operable to control the beverage preparation unit 4, the container 3, the diluent heater and/or cooler 8, and the diluent pump 9 to perform a beverage preparation procedure. The control system 5 generally includes a processor 51, a user interface including a button 6 and a backlight device 25, and a power supply 12.

The user interface is operatively coupled to the processor 51 to provide an input for monitoring the beverage preparation program.

The power supply 12 is operable to provide electrical energy to the processor 51, to the motors of the beverage preparation units, to the motors of the containers, to the heaters and or to the coolers and to the pumps.

For current beverage preparation, the processor 51 is typically operable to receive an input, such as a command from the user interface (one of the buttons 6), based on storage in a memory unit 13 (or The program code of the program logic handles the input, providing an output, usually for the preparation process.

The processor 51 generally includes a memory, input and output system components, and is configured as an integrated circuit, typically a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processor 51 can include other suitable integrated circuits, such as an ASIC, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA, an analog integrated circuit such as a controller. The processor 51 can also include one or more of the aforementioned integrated circuits, that is, a plurality of processors. The processor 51 generally includes a memory unit 13 for storing code (e.g., a preparation program executable for the preparation process) and optional material. The memory unit generally includes: a non-volatile memory (such as EPROM, EEPROM, or flash) for storing code and operating parameters; and volatile memory (RAM) for storing data. The memory unit can include separate memory and/or integrated memory (eg, on a die of the processor). general Processor 51 includes a clock for the timing of the preparation of the program (and for execution of the instructions).

For operation of the configuration of the user interface of the machine prior to operation of the beverage preparation machine, the control system 51 is configured to: - receive input regarding the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and - back It should be entered: a number of backlights 25 that are equal to the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and that are selected for the backlights 25 to be turned on.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the front door of the machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the front door.

The door includes a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22. At least one region 221 of the front wall is transparent. The spaces in the front and rear walls contain components of the user interface.

The user interface includes eight touch activation switches 24a, 24b, ... which are positioned adjacent to the rear wall and held on a common printed circuit board 23.

The printed circuit board 23 holds eight backlights 25a, 25b, ... each of which is associated with a dedicated touch activation switch 24a, 24b. Preferably, the backlights 25a, 25b, ... are LEDs. According to a particular embodiment, each touch activation switch can include a number of associated backlights that vary in color. Thus the color of the activated backlights can provide additional information such as an error mode.

The user interface includes an optical divider 26 positioned between the backlights 25a, 25b, ... and the front wall 22. The light divider prevents light from a backlight device 25a (associated with a touch activation switch 24a) from illuminating another proximity touch activation switch 24b. The light is maintained oriented to the transparent region of the front wall.

The user interface includes a cover 27 positioned between the light divider 26 and the transparent region 221 of the front wall. Preferably, the cover is transparent when illuminated by backlighting. The cover may be made of a clear plastic and one of its sides (preferably facing the front side of the front wall 22) is covered by a layer of lacquer. The nature and/or thickness of the lacquer layer is such that when the cover is backlit, light is not blocked by the lacquer and is visible through the front wall 22. Preferably, a transparent film is present over the lacquer layer to protect the lacquer. It is preferred to produce the transparent film by in-mold labelling.

The user interface includes springs 241a, 241b associated with each of the touch activation switches, the springs being secured between the cover 27 and the printed circuit board 23 of the touch activated switches.

The user interface includes a beverage identification tag 28, 28a, 28b positioned between the cover and the transparent area 221 of the front wall, each of the labels 28a, 28b and a backlight device 25a, 25b and a touch activation switch 24a, 24b are related. Preferably, the labels are self-adhesive and removably adhered to the front surface of the cover 27 for better on the transparent film on the lacquer layer.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the front door of the machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. The door includes a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22. At least one region 221 of the front wall is transparent. The spaces in the front and rear walls contain components of the user interface.

The user interface includes eight backlights 25a, 25b, ... which are positioned adjacent to the back wall and held on a common printed circuit board 23.

Preferably, the backlights 25a, 25b, ... are LEDs.

The user interface includes a light divider 26 positioned between the backlights 25a, 25b, ... and the front wall 22. This light divider prevents light from a backlight 25a from illuminating another close touch activation switch 24b. The light is maintained oriented to the transparent region of the front wall.

The user interface includes a touch film 29 having eight touch areas 29a, 29b for each selection button. The touch film is positioned between the backlights 25a, 25b, ... and the at least one transparent region 221 of the front wall. Each of the touch areas is coupled to a corresponding backlight device through the optical separator.

The user interface includes a cover 27 positioned between the touch film 29 and the transparent region 221 of the front wall. This cover is similar to the cover 27 of the first embodiment.

The user interface includes a beverage identification tag 28, 28a, 28b positioned between the cover 27 and the transparent area 221 of the front wall, each of the labels 28a, 28b and a backlight device 25a, 25b and a touch area 29a. 29b is related. The label is similar to the first embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described above, it is understood that the claimed invention is not limited in any way.

Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. Furthermore, to the extent that there are known equivalents of the specific features, such equivalents are included as specifically recited in this specification.

In the usage of this specification, the words "comprise,comprising", and the like should not be construed as a complete or exhaustive list. In other words, it is intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

Schematic symbol list:

Beverage preparation machine 1

Front door 2

Rear wall 21

Front wall 22

Transparent area 221

Printed circuit board 23

Touch activation switch 24a, 24b

Spring 241a, 241b

Pressing device 242a, 242b

Backlight device 25, 25a, 25b

Light divider 26

Cover 27

Label 28, 28a, 28b

Touch film 29

Touch area 29a, 29b

Container 3

Beverage preparation unit 4

Distribution tube 41

Dilution tube 42

Control system 5

Processor 51

Select button 6

Poster 7

Heater 8

Pump 9

Distribution area 10

Drinking cup 11

Power supply 12

Memory unit 13

1‧‧‧Beverage preparation machine

2‧‧‧ front door

6‧‧‧ button

7‧‧‧ poster

10‧‧‧ allocated area

Claims (10)

A beverage preparation machine (1) configured to dispense a plurality of different beverages and comprising: a plurality of containers (3) for storing, dosing, and dispensing different beverage ingredients, at least one beverage preparation Unit (4) for preparing a beverage from at least one of the beverage ingredients and a diluent, a control system (5) operable to perform a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the or And a beverage preparation unit for preparing the beverage, the control system comprising a user interface, the user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons (6) for ordering different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned in the beverage preparation machine In front, and each selection button is associated with a beverage identification tag and cooperates with a corresponding backlight such that the selection button and associated label are only visible when illuminated by backlighting, wherein during operation of the configuration of the machine, The control system is configured to: receive input regarding the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and return the input: the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense is equal to the number of beverages that can be dispensed by the machine The number of a backlight device, and Select the backlights to be turned on. A beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to select the backlights to be turned on such that the backlights are positioned in close proximity to each other. The beverage preparation machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned in front of the machine according to at least two horizontal lines, the buttons are evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the horizontal line is The buttons are offset from the buttons of the next horizontal line. The beverage preparation machine of claim 3, wherein the control system is configured to select the backlights to be turned on such that the turned-on backlights are positioned on the same line or evenly distributed over a plurality of adjacent lines Select the button. A beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface is positioned on the front door of the machine. The beverage preparation machine of claim 5, wherein the front door (2) comprises a rear wall (21) and a front wall (22), the front wall comprising at least one transparent area and wherein the user interface is positioned on the rear wall And between the at least one transparent region of the front wall. The beverage preparation device of claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises: a touch activation switch (24, 24a, 24b) for each selection button, and the touch activation relationship is positioned adjacent to the rear wall and held at the same On the shared printed circuit board (23), backlight devices (25a, 25b) are positioned adjacent to the rear wall, and a light divider (26) is positioned between the backlight device and the front wall The light a divider directs light from each of the backlights to the transparent region of the front wall, a cover (27) positioned between the optical divider (26) and the at least one transparent region of the front wall, the cover being backlit When the illumination is transparent, a spring associated with each of the touch activation switches is held between the cover (27) and the printed circuit board (23) of the touch activation switches. a beverage identification label (28, 28a, 28b) positioned between the cover and the transparent area of the front wall, each label (28a, 28b) and a backlight device (25a, 25b) and a touch activation switch (24a, 24b) is related. The beverage preparation machine of claim 7, wherein the backlights are positioned on the common printed circuit board of the touch activated switches. The beverage preparation device of claim 6, wherein the user interface comprises: backlight devices (25a, 25b) positioned adjacent to the rear wall (21) and held on a common printed circuit board (23) a light separator (26) positioned between the backlight device (25) and the front wall (22), the light separator directing light of each backlight device to the at least one transparent region of the front wall, a touch film (29) having a plurality of touch areas (29a, 29b), each of the touch areas corresponding to a selection button, the touch film being positioned on the backlights (25a, 25b) And the at least one transparent area of the front wall, and each touch area is matched with a corresponding backlight device, and a cover (27) is positioned on the touch film (29) and the at least one transparent area of the front wall The cover is transparent when it is backlit. a beverage identification label (28) positioned between the cover (27) and the at least one transparent area of the front wall, each label (28a, 28b) and a backlight device (25a, 25b) and the touch film One of the touch areas (29a, 29b) is associated. A beverage preparation machine (1) configured to dispense a plurality of different beverages and comprising: a plurality of containers (3) for storing, metering, and dispensing different beverage ingredients, at least one beverage preparation unit (4) Preparing a beverage, at least one of the beverage ingredients and a diluent, a control system (5) operable to perform a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the beverage preparation a unit for preparing the beverage, the control system comprising a user interface, the user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons (6) for ordering different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned on the front side of the beverage preparation machine And each selection button is associated with a beverage identification tag and cooperates with a corresponding backlight device such that the selection button and the associated tag are only visible when illuminated by backlighting, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are based on at least Two horizontal lines are positioned in front of the machine, the buttons are evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the buttons of a horizontal line are compared to the next horizontal line. As an offset.