TWI786040B - 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 capable of preparing various beverages and having a front panel with selection buttons for ordering the different beverages.

There are many beverage dispensers that can prepare various beverages such as espresso and other coffee beverages, milk beverages, chocolate beverages, tea beverages, soups, ... usually these beverages are prepared by mixing beverage ingredients (one can Dissolved beverage powder or a beverage concentrate) and a diluent to prepare. The beverage ingredients are often stored in containers within the dispenser.

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

Typically these beverage dispensers display a front door with a selection panel allowing consumers to order beverages. The selection panel contains selection buttons for each of the beverages that the dispenser can prepare. Usually these selection buttons are mechanical buttons built into the front door. In order to optimize manufacturing costs, since it is not possible to manufacture different front doors with different selection plates, different numbers of buttons, the dispensers always exhibit a large number of the same selection buttons, even if they can only dispense a small number of beverages. When this is the case, some selection buttons remain clearly visible and have no effect, or Or several selection buttons can prepare the same beverage. So the dispenser looks unattractive or it looks like some of the buttons don't work.

There is a need for improved selection panels for beverage dispensers, regardless of the number of beverages the dispenser is capable of dispensing.

It would be beneficial to provide a selection panel so that the number of clearly visible buttons corresponds exactly to the number of beverages that the machine is capable of dispensing.

It would be beneficial to provide an option board where only some of all the buttons on the option board are clearly visible without giving the customer the impression 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 or the and other beverage preparation units to prepare the beverage, - the control system comprises a user interface, - the user interface comprises a plurality of selection buttons enabling the ordering of different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned on the front of the beverage preparation machine and each selection button is associated with a beverage identification label and cooperates with a corresponding backlight device so that the selection button and the associated label are only visible when backlit, wherein, during operation of the configuration of the machine, the control The system is configured to: - receiving an input regarding the number of different drinks the machine can dispense, and - responding to the input: turning on a number of backlights equal to the number of different drinks the machine can dispense, and selecting which backlights to turn on.

Beverage preparation machines contain a plurality of containers for storing, dosing, and dispensing different beverage ingredients. Containers of this type often comprise a reservoir and a dosing device for displacing beverage ingredients stored in the reservoir to a dispensing outlet.

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

The container can be configured to store, dose, and dispense soluble beverage concentrates, such as coffee concentrates, tea concentrates, milk concentrates, cocoa concentrates, syrups, ... when liquid beverage concentrates are used, the The dosing means may be a one-way valve associated with a peristaltic pump. It may be the part of the tank holding the concentrate or it may be a separate device in which the outlet of a source of concentrate emerges.

The beverage preparation machine comprises 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 may comprise one of the following: a spray head, a mixing bowl, and a whipper bowl.

The spray head may deliver at least one jet of diluent to a nozzle. It is preferred that it delivers at least two jets of diluent, even better that the spray head is rotatable during delivery of the diluent through the nozzle.

The mixing bowl can be a chamber configured to receive the diluent and the beverage ingredient. It can be designed to allow effective contact between the beverage ingredient and the diluent and improve dissolution of a beverage ingredient. The whisk generally includes a first part, which is a mixing chamber configured to receive the diluent and a beverage ingredient; and a second part, which includes a whisk configured to make the diluent and the Mixture of beverage ingredients foam.

A beverage preparation unit can cooperate with a dedicated container for storing, dosing, and dispensing soluble beverages or a beverage preparation unit can cooperate with several (usually two) containers for storing, dosing, and dispensing soluble beverages. dedicated container. In the latter case, the beverage can be produced by mixing and dissolving several beverage ingredients.

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

The control system may comprise a processor operatively connected to the user interface, container and beverage preparation unit(s).

In general, a memory unit associated with the processor of the control system may have stored thereon executable programs related to the preparation procedure.

In particular, the control system is capable of controlling motors associated with the containers to dose a quantity of beverage ingredient and dispense the quantity in a part of the beverage preparation unit. The control system can actuate the beverage preparation unit to mix the serving of beverage ingredient with a diluent.

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

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

Each selection button is associated with a beverage identification label. Accordingly, the consumer recognizes the drink prepared by the machine when the button is actuated. Each selection button is associated with a corresponding backlight such that the selection button and associated label are only visible when backlit.

During operation of the configuration of the machine, the control system of the machine is configured to: - receive an input about the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and - respond to the input: . A number of backlight devices for the number of different beverages, and. Select the backlight devices to be turned on from all the backlight devices of the user interface.

Thus, if the machine is designed with a user interface comprising N selection buttons, but the machine only enables the preparation of n beverages (n<N), the control system enables the actuation of only n backlight devices, and Thus only n selection buttons become clearly visible on the front of the machine. The other N-n buttons remain invisible because their corresponding backlight set is not turned on. For consumers, there will be no impression that N-n buttons are disabled because they cannot see them.

This operation of configuring the machine is typically handled by the operator responsible for maintaining the machine. The choice of the number and nature of the beverages to be dispensed is often at the discretion of the owner of the machine. Based on this determination, the operator configures the front door of the machine by means of the control system.

The control system not only enables the actuation of only n backlights, it also selects which of the backlights of the user interface have to be switched on. The selection is preferably carried out such that the backlight devices to be switched on are positioned adjacent to each other.

Thus, the option to display buttons clustered together does not give the consumer the impression that some buttons are spaced out from others and that parts of the user interface are disabled.

Preferably the buttons are of the same size and shape.

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

In this embodiment, it is preferred that the control system is configured to select the backlight devices to be turned on so that the lighting of the backlight devices that are turned on is positioned on the same line or evenly distributed over several adjacent lines. button.

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

Typically the front door comprises a rear wall and a front wall, the front wall comprises 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: - touch-activated switches for the selection buttons, which are positioned close to the rear wall and held on a common printed circuit board, - backlighting device, these backlight devices are positioned near the rear wall, - a light divider is positioned between the backlight devices and the front wall, the light divider directs the light of each backlight device to the transparent area of the front wall, - a cover positioned between the light divider and the transparent area of the front wall, the cover being transparent when backlit, - springs associated with each of the touch activated switches, the springs being held between the lid and the common printed circuit board of the touch activated switches, beverage identification labels are positioned between the lid and the transparent area of the front wall, each label is associated with a backlight and a touch The start switch is associated.

Preferably the backlight devices are located on the common printed circuit board of the touch activated switches.

In this first embodiment the selection buttons are spring activated.

The cover is positioned between the light divider and the transparent region of the front wall and is transparent when backlit and remains opaque when not backlit.

According to a second embodiment, the user interface includes: - backlights positioned adjacent to the rear wall and held on a common printed circuit board, - a light divider positioned between the backlights and the front wall, the light divider orienting each backlight the light of the device reaches the transparent area of the front wall, a touch film has a plurality of touch areas, each of the touch areas corresponds to a selection button, the touch film is positioned on the backlight devices and the Between the at least one transparent area of the front wall, and each touch area cooperates with a corresponding backlight device, - a cover is positioned between the touch film and the transparent area of the front wall, the cover is transparent when illuminated by the backlight - Beverage identification labels are positioned between the lid and the transparent area of the front wall, each label being associated with a backlight and a touch zone of the touch film.

Preferably, the printed circuit boards of the backlight devices control the touch film.

The cover is positioned between the light divider and the transparent region of the front wall and is transparent when backlit and remains opaque when not backlit.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a beverage preparation machine 1 configured for dispensing 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 or the and other beverage preparation units to prepare the beverage, - the control system includes a user interface, - the user interface comprises a plurality of selection buttons (6) enabling the ordering of different beverages, the selection buttons being located on the front of the beverage preparation machine, each selection button being associated with a beverage identification label and cooperating with a corresponding backlight arrangement such that the selection buttons and associated labels are only visible when backlit, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned on the front of the machine according to at least two horizontal lines, the buttons being Evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the buttons of one horizontal line are offset compared with the buttons of the next horizontal line.

As used herein, the term "a plurality" means at least two.

The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Furthermore, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and beneficial features of the present invention will be apparent from the claims, the embodiments, and the accompanying drawings.

1: Beverage preparation machine

2: Front door

3: container

4: Beverage preparation unit; mixing chamber

5: Control system

6: button

7: Poster

8: heater/or cooler

9: pump

10: Allocation 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 device

25a: Backlight device

25b: Backlight device

26: Optical divider

27: cover

28: label

28a: label

28b: label

29: Touch film

29a: Touch area

29b: Touch area

31: export

41: Distribution pipe

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 characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the following drawings: - Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a beverage preparation machine of the present state of the art, - Fig. 2 is a view with the front door of the machine of Fig. 1 opened, - Fig. Schematic representation of the front door of the machine according to the invention, - Figures 4a to 4f are schematic representations of the buttons of the machine according to the invention, - Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the control system of the machine according to the invention, - Figure 6 according to the invention The different components of the front door of the beverage preparation machine are shown in the first embodiment of - figure 7 is a sectional view of the door of figure 6, - figure 8 depicts different components of the front door of a beverage preparation machine according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a beverage preparation machine according to the best state of the art. The front door 2 of the machine contains a user interface allowing the user to select the beverage to be prepared. In Figure 1, the machine comprises eight mechanical buttons 6 for initiating beverage preparation and eight labels 28 for identifying the beverage associated with each button.

Figure 2 shows the machine of Figure 1 with its front door 2 open. The inside of the machine contains four containers 3 for storing, dosing, and dispensing different beverage ingredients. Each container 3 (aka canister) enables storage of powdered ingredients, enables dosing (by means of a dosing device snapped into the container), and enables its distribution (through an outlet 31). Each outlet is positioned above a mixing chamber 4 . The mixing chamber allows the serving of beverage ingredients to be mixed with a diluent, usually water.

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

The bottom of each mixing chamber contains a dispensing duct 41 for emptying the prepared beverage into the dispensing area 10 where 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 considering that two different beverages obtained from two different beverage ingredients can Mix together in a drinking cup (eg to prepare a cappuccino from powdered milk and instant coffee).

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

In this situation only three buttons 6 can be actuated and only three corresponding labels 28 appear to list these beverages. Other buttons remain visible but unusable.

Figure 3 shows a machine according to the invention. This machine shows the same internal parts as the machine of Figure 2, but its front door 2 and user interface are different. - The user interface comprises eight selection buttons 6 enabling the ordering of different beverages. Each selection button 6 is associated with a beverage identification label (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8).

Each label and button is illuminated by a dedicated backlight such that the selection button and associated label are only visible when backlit. In FIG. 3, the eight buttons are visible by backlighting. The consumer can order the preparation of one of these eight beverages. Poster 7 provides information or instructions for the proposed beverage.

Figures 4a to 4f show the appearance of the selection buttons 6 of the machine of Figure 3, depending on which backlights are turned on.

In Fig. 4a, only three backlight devices are switched on and thus only the labels Bl, B2 and B3 of the buttons corresponding to the backlight are clearly visible. The other five buttons remain invisible.

Similarly, FIG. 4b to FIG. 4f respectively illustrate user interfaces with four to eight backlight devices turned on.

The machine's control system selects the number of backlit buttons based on an input from an 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 from the eight backlight devices the backlight devices to be turned on such that the backlight devices that are turned on are positioned adjacent to each other.

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

In that configuration, it is preferred that the control system is configured to select the backlight devices to be turned on such that the illumination of the backlight devices that are turned on is positioned on the same line (FIGS. 4a, 4b) or evenly distributed over several Select buttons for adjacent lines (Fig. 4c, 4d). The average means that the number of adjacent lines looks almost the same 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 at most four buttons, and the difference in the number of illuminated buttons between two adjacent lines is at most one. The variance can also be higher for dispensers that exhibit a higher number of buttons per line.

So the UI doesn't look like it's missing buttons.

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

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

The power supply 12 is operable to provide electrical power to the processor 51, to the motors of the beverage preparation units, to the motors of the containers, to the heater and or cooler and to the pump of the diluent.

For current beverage preparation, the processor 51 is usually operable: - to receive an input, for example a command from the user interface (one of the buttons 6), - based on information stored in a memory unit 13 (or Programmable logic) code that processes the input, - provides an output, usually the preparation procedure.

Processor 51 generally includes memory, input and output system components, and is configured as an integrated circuit, generally a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processor 51 may include other suitable integrated circuits, such as an ASIC, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA, or 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 the storage of program codes (such as executable recipes for the recipes) and optional data. The memory unit generally includes: a non-volatile memory (such as EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash) for storing program codes and operating parameters; and a volatile memory (RAM) for storing data. The memory unit may include separate memory and/or integrated (eg, on a die of the processor) memory. generally Processor 51, for example, includes a clock for the timing of the preparation program (and for the execution of instructions).

For the operation of the configuration of the user interface of the machine before the beverage preparation machine is operable, the control system 51 is configured to: - receive input about the number of different beverages that the machine can dispense, and - return It should be entered to: . turn on a number of backlights 25 equal to the number of different beverages the machine can dispense, and . select the backlights 25 to be turned on.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the front door of the machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view of the front door.

The door includes a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22 . At least one area 221 of the front wall is transparent. The space within the front and rear walls contains components of the user interface.

The user interface comprises eight touch-activated switches 24a, 24b, .

The printed circuit board 23 holds eight backlight devices 25a, 25b, . . . each of which is associated with a dedicated touch-activated switch 24a, 24b. Preferably they are backlight devices 25a, 25b, . . . and LEDs. According to a particular embodiment, each touch-activated switch may comprise several associated backlight devices, which differ by color. The colors of the activated backlights can therefore provide additional information such as error patterns.

The user interface includes a light divider 26 positioned between the backlights 25 a , 25 b , . . . and the front wall 22 . This light divider prevents light from one backlight 25a (associated with one touch-activated switch 24a) from illuminating another adjacent touch-activated switch 24b. The light remains directed to the transparent area of the front wall.

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

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

The user interface comprises beverage identification labels 28, 28a, 28b, which are positioned between the lid and the transparent area 221 of the front wall, each label 28a, 28b being associated with a backlight 25a, 25b and a touch-activated switch 24a, 24b are associated. Preferably, the labels are self-adhesive and removably adhered to the front of the cover 27, preferably on the transparent film on the varnish.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the front door of the machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The door includes a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22 . At least one area 221 of the front wall is transparent. The space within the front and rear walls contains components of the user interface.

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

Preferably they are backlight devices 25a, 25b, . . . and LEDs.

The user interface includes a light divider 26 positioned between the backlights 25 a , 25 b , . . . and the front wall 22 . This light divider prevents light from one backlight unit 25a from illuminating another adjacent touch-activated switch 24b. The light remains directed to the transparent area of the front wall.

The user interface comprises a touch film 29 with eight touch areas 29a, 29b for each selection button. The touch film is positioned between the backlight devices 25a, 25b, . . . and the at least one transparent area 221 of the front wall. Each touch area cooperates with a corresponding backlight device through the light separator.

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

The user interface comprises beverage identification labels 28, 28a, 28b, which are positioned between the cover 27 and the transparent area 221 of the front wall, each label 28a, 28b being associated with a backlight 25a, 25b and a touch area 29a , 29b are related. The label system is similar to the first embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way to these illustrated embodiments.

Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, to the extent that known equivalents exist for the specified features, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if specifically referenced in this specification.

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

List of schematic component symbols:

1: Beverage preparation machine

2: Front door

21: back wall

22: front wall

221: Transparent area

23: Printed circuit board

24a, 24b: touch start switch

241a, 241b: spring

242a, 242b: pressing device

25, 25a, 25b: backlight device

26: Optical divider

27: cover

28, 28a, 28b: label

29: Touch film

29a, 29b: touch area

3: container

4: Beverage preparation unit

41: Distribution pipe

42: Dilution tube

5: Control system

51: Processor

6: Select button

7: Poster

8: Heater

9: pump

10: Allocation area

11: Drinking Cup

12: Power supply

13: Memory unit

1‧‧‧Beverage Preparation Machine

2‧‧‧Qianmen

6‧‧‧button

7‧‧‧poster

10‧‧‧Distribution area

Claims (8)

A beverage preparation machine (1) configured for dispensing 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 carry out a preparation procedure comprising controlling the containers and the beverage A preparation unit to prepare the beverage, the control system comprising a user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons (6) enabling the ordering of different beverages, the selection buttons being located on the front face of the beverage preparation machine , and each selection button is associated with a beverage identification label and cooperates with a corresponding backlight device so that the selection button and the associated label are only visible when backlit, wherein, during operation of the configuration of the machine, the control The system is configured to: receive input regarding the number of different beverages the machine can dispense, and in response to the input: turn on a number of backlights equal to the number of different beverages the machine can dispense, and selecting the backlight devices to be turned on, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are positioned on the front of the machine according to at least two horizontal lines, the buttons are evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the buttons of one horizontal line the buttons are offset compared to the next horizontal line, and wherein the control system is configured to select the backlight devices to be turned on so that the illumination of the backlight devices turned on is evenly distributed over one line or several lines Selection buttons for adjacent lines. A beverage preparation machine as in claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to select the backlight devices to be turned on such that the backlight devices are positioned in close proximity to each other. The beverage preparation machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface is positioned on the front door of the machine. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 3, wherein the front door (2) comprises a rear wall (21) and a front wall (22), the front wall comprises at least one transparent area and wherein the user interface is positioned on the rear wall and between the at least one transparent area of the front wall. The beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the user interface comprises: touch-activated switches (24, 24a, 24b) for each selection button, the touch-activated switches are positioned close to the rear wall and held in a On a common printed circuit board (23), backlights (25a, 25b) positioned adjacent to the rear wall, a light divider (26) positioned between the backlights and the front wall , the light The divider directs the light of each backlight device to the transparent area of the front wall, a cover (27) positioned between the light divider (26) and the at least one transparent area of the front wall, the cover being backlit springs that are transparent when illuminated, associated with each of the touch-activated switches, the springs being held between the cover (27) and the printed circuit board (23) of the touch-activated switches, Beverage identification labels (28, 28a, 28b) positioned between the lid and the transparent area of the front wall, each label (28a, 28b) and a backlight (25a, 25b) and a touch-activated switch (24a, 24b) are related. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 5, wherein the backlight devices are positioned on the common printed circuit board of the touch-activated switches. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 4, wherein the user interface comprises: backlighting devices (25a, 25b) positioned near the rear wall (21) and held on a common printed circuit board (23) , a light divider (26) positioned between the backlights (25) and the front wall (22), the light divider directing light from each backlight to the at least one transparent area of the front wall, A touch film (29), which has a plurality of touch areas (29a, 29b), each of the touch areas corresponds to a selection button, and the touch film is positioned on the backlight devices (25a, 25b) and between the at least one transparent area of the front wall, and each touch area cooperates with a corresponding backlight device, a cover (27), which is positioned on the touch film (29) and the at least one transparent area of the front wall Between, the cover is transparent when backlit, Beverage identification labels (28) positioned between the lid (27) and the at least one transparent area of the front wall, each label (28a, 28b) and a backlight (25a, 25b) and the touch film One of the touch areas (29a, 29b) is associated. A beverage preparation machine (1) configured for dispensing 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 beverage preparation units to To prepare the beverage, the control system comprises a user interface comprising a plurality of selection buttons (6) enabling the ordering of different beverages, the selection buttons being positioned on the front of the beverage preparation machine, and Each selection button is associated with a beverage identification label and cooperates with a corresponding backlight arrangement so that the selection button and the associated label are only visible when backlit, wherein the plurality of selection buttons of the user interface are based on at least two horizontal lines positioned on the front of the machine, the buttons are evenly distributed on each horizontal line, and the buttons of one horizontal line are offset compared to the buttons of the next horizontal line, and wherein the control system is configured to Select the backlight devices to be turned on, so that the backlight devices that are turned on illuminate the selection buttons evenly distributed on one line or several adjacent lines.

Images