WO2023016913A1

WO2023016913A1 - Beverage dispensing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2023016913A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/071948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Vannini; Marco DITRANI; Francesco Di Dio
Original assignee: Componenti Vending S.P.A.
Priority date: 2021-08-10
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2023-02-16
Also published as: IT202100021611A1

Abstract

A beverage dispensing machine (1) comprising a brewing device (2) for preparing beverages, which comprises a brewing chamber (3) which has a longitudinal axis (101) and defines an opening (4) for loading/ discharging the material to be brewed, and a fixed frame (5); the dispensing machine (1) comprises coupling means (10) to detachably associate the brewing device (2) with the fixed frame (5); the coupling means (10) comprise an actuation element (11) which can move along a movement trajectory between a release position and a locking position and vice versa. The actuation element (11) is functionally connected to at least one engagement portion (12) for engagement with a respective abutment element (13), the movement of the actuation element (11) along the movement trajectory from the release position to the locking position and vice versa, with the engagement portion (12) engaged with the abutment element (13), is adapted to produce, respectively, a relative movement of the brewing device (2) with respect to the fixed frame (5) in order to produce, respectively, the locking of the brewing device (2) on the fixed frame (5) and the separation of the brewing device (2) from the fixed frame (5), the engagement portion (12) being supported by the brewing device (2) and the abutment element 13 being supported by the fixed frame.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine.

In the sector of automatic machines for dispensing beverages and the like and, in particular for machines for dispensing coffee, solutions are known that use brewing devices of the type that comprise a brewing chamber that has an opening for loading/discharging the coffee (or in general the material to be brewed), a supporting frame that defines two side walls arranged at opposite sides of the brewing chamber, a closing body that can move, with respect to the frame, between a closed position sealing the opening for loading/discharging and an open position, as well as means of supplying water to the brewing chamber, and also a device for dosing the material to be brewed.

In such types of brewing devices, it is known to design the brewing device (or assembly) to be detachable and/or removable from the supporting frame in order to carry out necessary cleaning and/or maintenance operations.

It has been found in fact that the brewing chamber is the component of the brewing device that is most subject to become dirty because the material to be brewed (typically coffee) is contained cyclically in it.

A machine for making coffee is known, for example from European Patent EP1480541B1 in the name of De Longhi, which comprises a device for containing ground coffee and a device for supplying a fluid for making the beverage, which can move with respect to each other in order to define, when they are associated with each other, a brewing chamber for infusing the ground coffee. In particular, the containment device is removably connected to the machine for making coffee.

The containment device has first and second means for connecting to the movement device: the first connection means comprise at least one rotation pivot, while the second connection means comprise connection hooks. A device is known, from European Patent EP3419483 in the name of Spengler, for preparing a coffee beverage, which comprises a brewing unit with a brewing chamber which is closeable by a lid, into which the coffee powder, after being poured in, is compressed by a plunger driven by an electric actuating drive by way of a gear mechanism, and the compressed coffee powder is percolated by heated water introduced into the brewing chamber by an electric pump, the water emerging from an outlet of the brewing chamber, and also an electronic control means which controls the electric actuating drive as a function of the signals of a rotary encoder which is associated therewith, so that the plunger is moved out of a filling position for the coffee powder, via compression of the coffee powder, into a brewing position, and is moved from there into an ejection position for the coffee puck formed by the brewing operation in the brewing chamber. The electronic control means first moves the plunger against a stop in the ejection position in order to calibrate the rotary encoder, and then moves the plunger from this ejection position by a predetermined distance in a downwards direction into the filling position, the length of which corresponds to a first number of pulses of the rotary encoder which is stored in an electronic memory of the electronic control means, then the electronic control means moves the plunger after a predetermined filling time by a second distance in an upwards direction into the brewing position, the length of which corresponds to the number of a second number of pulses of the rotary encoder which is stored in the memory, and then the electronic control means moves the plunger after a predetermined brewing duration back out of the brewing position by a predetermined third distance into the ejection position, in which after the lid has been opened the puck is removed from the plunger by an ejection mechanism.

A brewing device is known, from European Patent EP3644801B1 in the name of Carimali, for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea.

In the condition of normal use, the brewing device is arranged inside a machine for the production of beverages and is associated with a source of hot water under pressure and with a device for supplying a dosed quantity of material to be brewed.

The brewing device is removably attachable to a fixed frame that supports the actuators which are adapted to move the movable components of the brewing device. The brewing device comprises a frame that defines internally a space within which a cylindrical tubular body is mounted which defines the brewing chamber which has an opening for loading/discharging the material to be brewed and is closed below by a plunger for compressing/expelling the material, which is actuated by a reversible electric motor.

The brewing device further comprises a closing body that can move, with respect to the frame and to the brewing chamber, to and from a position in which the upper opening is closed and sealed. In particular, the closing body is actuated by an actuation device and its movements are guided by a control device so as to make the closing body translate and rotate in order to be arranged in the closed position, in the open position and in an intermediate position. To this end, the actuation device comprises an electric motor and a cam transmission interposed between the motor and the closing body.

The brewing device further comprises a U-shaped scraper, which can move together with the closing body in order to discharge the spent material expelled from the brewing chamber by the piston at the end of the preparation of the beverage.

Finally, the brewing device comprises a fastening device in order to releasably connect the brewing device to the fixed frame: the fastening device comprises a release lever which is hinged to the frame of the brewing device in order to rotate about an axis that is transverse to the axis of the cylindrical tubular body, between a connection position, in which the brewing device is fixed to the fixed frame, and a release position, in which it is free to be installed or removed. The release lever is U-shaped and comprises two rocker arms, which are hinged to the outer walls of the frame, and a transverse member shaped to define an operating handle. Each rocker arm is hinged on the respective outer wall in order to rotate about a respective pin.

Each arm has a hook-shaped end portion adapted to transversely engage a respective hooking pin carried by the fixed frame.

In the solution described in that patent, there is also a locking mechanism, of the magnetic type, which is adapted to prevent an accidental removal of the release lever from the connection position when the brewing device is mounted on the fixed frame.

The fastening device also comprises, in addition to the release lever and the locking mechanism, a safety device adapted to prevent the detachment of the brewing device from the supporting body following an accidental actuation of the handle; the safety device comprises two retention teeth which are mounted elastically on the movable frame and are adapted to engage by snap action with respective recesses which are provided on the fixed frame.

DE19855271C1 in the name of Spengler discloses a brewing device for preparing coffee or tea which comprises a cylindrical housing which defines a cylindrical brewing chamber. The cylindrical housing has two pivot pins arranged centrally between the top and bottom ends and which protrude from opposite sides of the housing at right angles to the axis. The opposite sides define planar flat surfaces that extend vertically, in turn defining homologous cam tracks. A sprinkler body can move between an inner position and an outer position in order to close the top end of the cylindrical housing, while a sieve body can move between an inner position and an outer position in order to close the bottom end of the cylindrical housing. The cams are mounted rotatably on the pivot pins in order to control the movement of the sprinkler body, while the cams define further tracks.

US2020268197A1 in the name of Carimali discloses an electronic control system for a brewing device for a machine for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea, which comprises an electronic control unit external to the brewing device, wherein the brewing device comprises:

- a brewing chamber configured to receive a material to be brewed;

- one or more members adapted to cooperate with the brewing chamber to prepare beverages; and

- one or more electric actuators that can be operated to mutually move the members and the brewing chamber in order to prepare beverages.

The electronic control system is configured to be associable with the brewing device and comprises: a sensory system configured to emit electrical signals in order to allow the relative position of one or more of the members and of the brewing chamber to be determined during a beverage preparation cycle, and an on-board electronic control unit which is separate from the electronic control unit of the machine for preparing beverages and is configured to be connectable to the sensory system in order to receive electrical signals output from it, and an electric actuator for providing electrical control signals.

The onboard electronic control unit is further configured to:

- receive from the control circuit board of the machine for preparing beverages, through a fieldbus-based communication network, commands relating to the operation of the brewing device; and

- interpret and execute the received commands in order to respectively emit, also based on electrical signals from the sensory system, electrical signals for controlling the electric actuators.

IT201800021049 in the name of Carimali discloses a brewing device for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea, that comprises:

- a preferably cylindrical brewing chamber having, at one end, a loading/discharging opening for a material to be brewed and limited, at the opposite end, by a piston mounted so that it can slide inside the brewing chamber;

- a lid that can move, with respect to the brewing chamber, between an open position and a closed position, in which it closes and seals the opening; and

- a feed line of a brewing fluid adapted to feed the brewing fluid to the brewing chamber when the lid is in the closed position.

The feed line comprises a channel obtained in the piston and connected to the brewing chamber, and a supply tube coupled to the piston to feed the brewing fluid to the channel.

In particular, at least one fluid outlet portion of the inlet pipe is mounted coaxial to the channel, and the piston is mounted so that it can slide with respect to the inlet pipe.

Furthermore, a dynamic sealing element is arranged between the inlet pipe and the channel.

IT201800021412A1 in the name of Carimali discloses a brewing device for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea, that comprises:

- an electronic control unit, for controlling the movement of the piston, which is programmed to move the piston from a loading configuration, in which the material to be brewed can be loaded into the brewing chamber, a compression configuration, in which the piston compacts the material to be brewed in the brewing chamber, and an expulsion configuration, in which the piston extracts the spent material from the brewing chamber.

In particular, in the loading configuration, the electronic control unit is programmed to lower the piston from an upper level, corresponding to an initial loading configuration, to a lower level, corresponding to a final loading configuration.

International Patent application W02020003201A2 in the name of Carimali discloses a brewing device for a machine for preparing beverages, particularly coffee or tea, that comprises:

- a frame;

- a brewing chamber supported by the frame and with a longitudinal axis and an opening for loading/discharging a material to be brewed;

- a closing body that can move with respect to the frame into and out of a closed position, in which the closing body closes and seals the opening; and

- an actuator device for moving the closing body which comprises a motor and a transmission between the motor and the closing body.

The transmission comprises, in particular, a rack mechanism that comprises driving teeth supported by the frame, and driven teeth supported by the closing body and meshing with the driving teeth in order to move the closing body into and out of the closed position.

EP3644804B1 relates to a brewing device for preparing beverages that comprises a frame, a brewing chamber provided with an opening for loading/discharging the material to be brewed, a closing body that can be moved into and out of a position that closes and seals the opening of the brewing chamber, and which comprises two guide plates which are mounted in order to rotate and translate with respect to respective fulcrum pins supported by the frame. The closing body is actuated by an actuation device that comprises a cam transmission, which comprises two first tracks which are provided on respective guide plates on the side directed toward the brewing chamber, a barrel cam mounted coaxially to the brewing chamber and defining a second track, and two cam followers which extend between the second track and a respective first track for moving the respective guide plate in response to a rotation of the barrel cam. Such conventional solutions are not devoid of drawbacks which include, for example, the fact that managing the operations to disengage and re-engage the brewing device from and to the fixed part of the frame is quite a complex matter.

The aim of the present invention consists in providing a dispensing machine with mechanics that are extremely compact and simple.

Within this aim an object of the invention is to provide a dispensing machine that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

This aim and this and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a dispensing machine according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the dispensing machine according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the dispensing machine according to the invention, with the brewing device disengaged from the fixed frame;

Figure 2 shows what is shown in Figure 1 from another point of view;

Figure 3 is a view similar to the previous view but with the brewing device shown as transparent and associated stably with the fixed frame;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fixed frame in which continuous lines show the engagement portion integral with the brewing device (not shown for greater clarity), with the actuation element in the release condition;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the actuation element in the locked condition;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of arrangement of the brewing device separated from the fixed frame;

Figure 7 is a view similar to the previous view in which the brewing device is coupled to the fixed frame but with the actuation element in the release condition;

Figure 8 is similar to the cross-section of Figure 7 with the brewing device stably coupled to the fixed frame and with the actuation element in the locked condition;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing machine according to the invention with the brewing device coupled to the fixed frame with the actuation element in the locked condition;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 but with the actuation element in the release condition;

Figure 11 is a view similar to the previous view but with the brewing device separated from the fixed frame;

Figure 12 is a perspective view similar to the view of Figure 10 but in which, for greater clarity, the brewing device is shown as transparent;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of arrangement of the brewing device separated from the fixed frame;

Figure 14 is a view similar to the previous view in which the brewing device is coupled to the fixed frame but with the actuation element in the release condition;

Figure 15 is similar to the cross-section of Figure 14 with the brewing device stably coupled to the fixed frame and with the actuation element in the locked condition.

With reference to the figures, the beverage dispensing machine according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a brewing device 2 for preparing beverages which comprises a brewing chamber 3 which has a longitudinal axis 101 and defines an opening 4 for loading/discharging the material to be brewed, and a fixed frame 5.

In particular, the beverage dispensing machine 1 is comprised of a plurality of mechanical, plumbing and electrical units which are associated with a supporting frame which is enclosed within an external body constituted by multiple shells made of plastic material.

In more detail, the dispensing machine 1 comprises a brewing device 2 which defines a brewing chamber 3, preferably cylindrical in shape with a circular base, in which to place a food substance from which to obtain a brew.

In the embodiment proposed, the dispensing machine 1 operates with a food substance, for example coffee in powder form. However, the possibility is not ruled out that the above-mentioned embodiment could make brews of other kinds, such as tea and herbal infusions of various types, as well as any other food substance suitable for brewing and, using suitable modifications to the mechanics of the machine, in other formats, such as pods and capsules.

The dispensing machine 1 further comprises a dispenser assembly 30 which can be arranged so as to close the brewing chamber 3 and can be moved using first kinematic means between a loading and discharging position, in which the dispenser assembly 30 is arranged away from the brewing chamber 3 so as to allow free access thereto, and a dispensing position in which the dispenser assembly 30 is arranged so as to close the brewing chamber 3.

For the purposes of example, the dispenser assembly 30 is of the type described and illustrated in DE19855271C1 in the name of Spengler.

In particular, the fixed frame 5 and the brewing device 2 have respective mutual connection means 21, 22 for connecting the brewing chamber 3, supported by the brewing device 2, to at least one water supply duct.

The dispensing machine 1 comprises coupling means 10 for removably associating the brewing device 2 with the fixed frame 5.

According to the present invention, the coupling means 10 comprise an actuation element 11 which can move along a movement trajectory between a release position (shown for example in the cross-sections of Figures 7 and 14) and a locking position (shown in the cross-sections of Figures 8 and 15) and vice versa.

The actuation element 11 is connected functionally to at least one engagement portion 12 with a respective abutment element 13.

The movement of the actuation element 11 along the movement trajectory from the release position to the locking position and vice versa, with the engagement portion 12 engaged with the abutment element 13, is in particular adapted to produce, respectively, a relative movement of the brewing device 2 with respect to the fixed frame 5 in order to produce, respectively, the locking of the brewing device 2 on the fixed frame 5, and the separation of the brewing device 2 from the fixed frame 5.

The fixed frame 5 has, advantageously, at least one shelf-like body 50 which can engage slideably in a complementarily-shaped seat defined in the brewing device 2.

Preferably, the movement of the actuation element 11 along the movement trajectory from the release position to the locking position and vice versa, with the engagement portion 12 engaged with the abutment element 13, is in particular adapted to produce, respectively, the connection between the mutual connection means 21, 22 and the disconnection between the mutual connection means 21, 22.

For the purposes of example, the mutual connection means 21, 22 comprise first connection terminals 21 and second connection terminals 22 for the connection between the brewing chamber 3 and at least one water supply duct, and/or for the connection between motor means and a respective driving shaft.

With regard to the first and second connection terminals 21 and 22, if these are intended for providing the connection between the motor means and a respective driving shaft, it is possible for them to have, respectively, at least one tab associated with elastic means for its displacement in a radial direction, and a plurality of radial slots that can be engaged selectively by the tab in order to ensure the transfer of motion from the motor means connected to the first connection terminal 21 and the respective driving shaft which is integral with the second connection terminal 22.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the engagement portion 12 is supported by the fixed frame 2, while the abutment element 13 is supported by the brewing device 2.

Alternatively, as shown in Figures 9 to 15, the engagement portion 12 is supported by the brewing device 2, while the abutment element 13 is supported by the fixed frame.

The engagement portion 12 comprises, advantageously, an engagement guide 12a of a cam, while the abutment element 13 comprises a body 13a which can engage slideably in the engagement guide 12a.

With reference to the embodiments shown in the figures, the movement of the actuation element 11 along the movement trajectory from the release position to the locking position and vice versa is adapted to produce a relative movement of the brewing device 2 with respect to the fixed frame 5 along a connection direction, indicated with the reference numeral 110, which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 101 of the brewing chamber 3.

With reference to the first practical embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the movement trajectory comprises a rotation, indicated by the arrow 104b, about a rotation axis 104c which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 101.

With reference to the second practical embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 15, the movement trajectory comprises a straight trajectory 104a which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. There is no reason obviously why the movement trajectory cannot have different characteristics, for example curved or oscillating.

Preferably, the mutual connection means 21, 22 comprise first connection terminals 21 and second connection terminals 22 which are supported, respectively, by the brewing device 2 and by the fixed frame 5.

In particular, the first connection terminals 21 and the second connection terminals 22 extend along a direction of extension 200 that is substantially parallel to the connection direction 110.

According to a preferred practical embodiment, at least one engagement portion 12 is integral with the actuation element 11.

The mutual connection means 21, 22 are part of a hydraulic assembly, not shown for the sake of graphic simplicity and not described in detail in that it is conventional, which is hydraulically connected to the brewing chamber 3 in order to send water into it and consequently obtain the brew by means of the dispensed water passing through the food substance.

However, considering the nature of the present embodiment for the dispensing machine 1 according to the invention, the hydraulic assembly will comprise at least a pump, generally a pressure pump, and a heater for sending hot water into the brewing chamber 3.

To complete the dispensing machine 1, in the present embodiment, this also comprises a presser assembly 40 which is adapted to compress the food substance contained in the brewing chamber 3.

More specifically, the presser assembly 40 comprises a presser body 41 which is slideably associated with the brewing chamber 3 along its longitudinal axis 101 so as to define the bottom of the brewing chamber 3.

Conveniently, the presser body 41 is able to slide in the brewing chamber 3 while maintaining a seal with the side walls 42 of the brewing chamber 3, between an upper dead point and a bottom dead point, via lifting and lowering means 43, and it defines inside it a distributor chamber which is hydraulically connected to the hydraulic assembly and is closed on the side directed toward the inner volume of the brewing chamber 3 by the perforated plate 45 for the outflow of the water in the brewing chamber 3 through the holes of the perforated plate 45.

In more detail, the lifting and lowering means 43 comprise a worm screw 46 which is associated at one of its ends with the presser body 41 and associated with a motorized spindle nut 47 which is integral in translation with the brewing chamber 3.

The motorized spindle nut 47 is kinematically associated with second motor means.

The second motor means move the motorized spindle nut 47 downward (filling position) until the presser body 41 is brought to the lower stroke limit position, where the calibration (zero point) of the encoder is located.

Once the material to be brewed (typically coffee) is loaded into the brewing chamber 3, the second motor means 48 move the presser body 41 upward into the position of total compression of the material to be brewed. The second motor means stop the ascent of the presser body 41 when the material to be brewed and a spring 51 associated with the perforated plate 45 are completely compressed (position of maximum compression).

The extent of the upward movement of the presser body 41 in this step is variable, for example based on the amount of material to be brewed fed into the brewing chamber 3 and on the type of material to be brewed that was fed.

Subsequently, the second motor means 48 move the presser body 41 downward, for a distance corresponding to a number of preset pulses, into the position for dispensing the brew.

Once the brew has been dispensed, the second motor means 48 move the presser body 41 upward by a distance corresponding to the previous position of maximum compression and then, once the upper closing body is open, bring the presser body 41 upward (upper stroke limit), in order to discharge the material.

The brewing device 2 is associated with a supply line which comprises a channel 60 which is wound in a spiral around the worm screw 46 and is connected, at a first end, to the presser body 41, and defines, at the opposite end (during lower use) a connection outlet 22. This configuration, as is evident, ensures to maintain the outlet in a substantially fixed position, even as the height of the presser body 41 varies.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102021000021611 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing machine (1) comprising a brewing device (2) for preparing beverages, which comprises a brewing chamber (3) which has a longitudinal axis (101) and defines an opening (4) for loading/discharging the material to be brewed, and a fixed frame (5), said dispensing machine (1) comprising coupling means (10) to detachably associate said brewing device (2) with said fixed frame (5), characterized in that said coupling means (10) comprise an actuation element (11) which can move along a movement trajectory between a release position and a locking position and vice versa, said fixed frame (5) and said brewing device (2) having respective mutual connection means (21 , 22), said actuation element (11) being functionally connected to at least one engagement portion (12) for engagement with a respective abutment element (13), the movement of said actuation element (11) along said movement trajectory from said release position to said locking position and vice versa with said engagement portion (12) engaged with said abutment element (13) being adapted to produce, respectively, a relative movement of said brewing device (2) with respect to said fixed frame (5) in order to produce, respectively, the connection between said mutual connection means (21, 22) and the locking of said brewing device (2) on said fixed frame (5) and the disconnection between said mutual connection means (21, 22) and the separation of said brewing device (2) from said fixed frame (5), said engagement portion (12) being supported by said brewing device (2) and said abutment element (13) being supported by said fixed frame.

2. The dispensing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of said actuation element (11) along said movement trajectory from said release position to said locking position and vice versa with said engagement portion (12) engaged with said abutment element (13) being adapted to produce, respectively, the connection between said mutual connection means (21, 22) and the disconnection of said mutual connection means (21, 22).

3. The dispensing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that for the connection said mutual connection means (21, 22) comprise first connection terminals (21) and second connection terminals (22) for the connection between said brewing chamber (3) and at least one water supply duct, and/or for the connection between motor means and a respective driving shaft.

4. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement portion (12) comprises an engagement guide (12a) of a cam and in that said abutment element (13) comprises a body (13a) which can engage slideably in said engagement guide (12a).

5. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of said actuation element (11) along said movement trajectory from said release position to said locking position and vice versa is adapted to produce a relative movement of said brewing device (2) with respect to said fixed frame (5) along a connection direction (110) which is substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis (101).

6. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement trajectory comprises a straight trajectory (104a) which is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (101).

7. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement trajectory comprises a rotation (104b) about a rotation axis (104c) which is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (101).

8. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mutual connection means (21, 22) comprise first connection terminals (21) and second connection 18 terminals (22) which are supported respectively by said brewing device (2) and by said fixed frame (5) extending along an extension direction (200) which is substantially parallel to said connection trajectory (110).

9. The dispensing machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one engagement portion (12) is integral with said actuation element (11).