A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of interconnected components which include a brewing unit for receiving a beverage ingredient beverage and a liquid; an in-line heater for the liquid; a pump; one or more fluid connecting members; an electric control uni
A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of interconnected components which include a brewing unit for receiving a beverage ingredient beverage and a liquid; an in-line heater for the liquid; a pump; one or more fluid connecting members; an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit. At least two or three modules, each containing at least two components, are preassembled such that the components are automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other.
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1. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing uni
1. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;pre-assembling at least two or three modules, wherein the modules are selected from a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit, a control module comprising an electric control unit, one or more electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s) and rigid connectors that extend from the control unit through the housing, or an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid; andconnecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine,wherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps, andwherein the components of each fully automatically preassembled module have inter-connectable rigid connecting parts that are automatically orientable and positionable and connectable during the automatic assembly step(s). 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the automatic assembly steps are conducted by one or more assembly devices that include a robot or automate, wherein the robot or automate has two to six degrees of freedom. 3. The process of claim 1, wherein one of the modules is a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit and the in-line heater and the brewing unit are inter-connected by a bayonet connector. 4. The process of claim 1, wherein one of the modules is an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid, optionally with the fluid connecting member having a flexible intermediate flow-through duct and a pair of connector ends that are automatically orientable and positionable by means of a vibratory feeder for subsequent connection to the pump and positioning for the source of liquid. 5. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;pre-assembling at least two or three modules, wherein the modules are selected from a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit, a control module comprising an electric control unit, one or more electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s) and rigid connectors that extend from the control unit through the housing, or an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid; andconnecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine,wherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps, andwherein the components of a fully automatically preassembled module have inter-connectable connecting parts that are automatically connectable during the automatic assembly step(s) and that are selected from snap connectors, clipping connectors, clamping connectors, plug and socket connector, bayonet connectors and screw connectors. 6. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;connecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine,automatically preassembling a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit; andautomatically preassembling a control module, followed by automatically assembling the down-flow module and a control module comprising a housing for enclosing a printed circuit board, wherein the electric sensor(s) with the rigid connectors are allowed to extend from the control unit through the housing,wherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps. 7. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;connecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine;automatically preassembling a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit;automatically preassembling an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid; andautomatically assembling the down-flow module and the up-flow module via a rigid fluid connecting member,wherein the fluid connecting member has a rigid duct and end connectors with elastic sealing members, andwherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps. 8. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;connecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine;automatically preassembling a control module comprising the electric control unit and the electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s);automatically preassembling an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid; andautomatically or manually assembling the control module and the up-flow module via an electric connector or flow-meter,wherein the electric connector comprises a detachable portion of the control unit connected by a pre-assembled flexible electric connection to the control unit, andwherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps. 9. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;connecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine;automatically preassembling a control module comprising the electric control unit and the electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s);automatically preassembling an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid; andautomatically or manually assembling the control module and the up-flow module via an electric connector or flow-meter,wherein the electric connector comprises a detachable portion of the control unit connected by a pre-assembled flexible electric connection to the control unit, andwherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps, andwherein the flow-meter is rigidly mounted in the control unit or on a detachable portion of the control unit and is provided with a pre-assembled flexible connection to the control unit. 10. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing at least two pre-assembled modules with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two components selected from a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock, for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit;connecting components a) to f) of each module for assembling the beverage machine;providing an open outer single or double shell beverage housing;automatically inter-connecting the at least two or three automatically preassembled modules;automatically mounting the inter-connected modules into the open outer beverage housing; andautomatically closing the outer beverage housing containing the mounted modules, and, optionally, further connecting two inter-connected modules manually before closing the outer beverage housing,wherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps. 11. A beverage preparation machine comprising: at least two or three pre-assembled modules with each module at least two components selected from: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board, for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit; andat least one inter-connectable connecting part per component selected from snap connectors, clipping connectors, clamping connectors, plug and socket connectors, bayonet connectors and screw connectors;wherein the two or three modules are selected from a down-flow module comprising the in-line heater and the brewing unit, a control module comprising an electric control unit, one or more electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s) and rigid connectors that extend from the control unit through the housing, and an up-flow module comprising the pump and a fluid connecting member for connecting the pump to the source of liquid;wherein the components of the modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other by means of the inter-connectable connecting parts. 12. The beverage preparation machine of claim 11, further comprising: a fluid circuit for guiding a liquid from a source of liquid to a beverage outlet;wherein the printed circuit board of the control unit includes a flow-meter located within the fluid circuit for measuring a flow therein, the flow-meter having a hall sensor that is integral with a separable portion of the printed circuit board. 13. The beverage preparation machine of claim 11, wherein the brewing unit has an ingredient or capsule cage that is mechanically mounted adjacent to the in-line heater by snap connectors, clipping connectors, clamping connectors, bayonet connectors or screw connectors. 14. The beverage preparation machine of claim 13, wherein the brewing unit guides the incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient along a generally horizontal direction towards the beverage outlet; and the in-line heater has a mass with a duct for guiding and heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit, wherein the duct extends generally helicoidally in the mass along a direction that is coaxial with the direction of flow of the liquid in the ingredient cage and leads into the ingredient cage along a direction that is coaxial with the direction of flow of the liquid in the ingredient cage. 15. The beverage preparation machine of claim 14, wherein the brewing unit has a fixed rear part including the ingredient cage and a front part movable thereto between an open position for inserting or removing the ingredient into or from the ingredient cage, and a closed position for brewing the ingredient in the brewing unit, with the front part moving telescopically in and out from an outermost housing of such machine or coaxially with the direction of flow of the liquid in the ingredient cage. 16. The beverage preparation machine of claim 14, wherein the control unit extends adjacent the heater generally vertically or generally perpendicularly to the direction of flow of the liquid through the ingredient cage; and wherein the at least one inter-connectable connecting part per component is selected from snap connectors, clipping connectors, clamping connectors, plug and socket connectors, or bayonet connectors. 17. A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine which comprises: providing a group of components a) to f), with the components comprising: a) a brewing unit for receiving a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule or a pod, and for guiding an incoming flow of liquid through the ingredient to a beverage outlet;b) an in-line heater comprising a thermoblock for heating the flow of liquid to be supplied to the brewing unit;c) a pump for pumping the liquid through the in-line heater;d) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding the liquid from a source of liquid to the beverage outlet;e) an electric control unit comprising a printed circuit board for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; andf) one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic selected from characteristics of the brewing unit, the in-line heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit; andconnecting components a) to f) for assembling the beverage machine, by pre-assembling at least two or three modules, with each module being fully automatically assembled from at least two of components a) to f), wherein the components of the fully automatically preassembled modules are configured with spatial reference portions to be automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other in one or more automatic assembly steps;wherein one of the modules is a control module comprising the electric control unit and the electric sensor(s) for sensing the operational characteristic(s), with the electric sensors having rigid connectors comprising rigid connection pins cooperating with corresponding sockets that are automatically connectable onto the electric control unit, with the rigid connectors extending from the electric sensors to the control unit; andwherein the control unit comprises a housing for enclosing a printed circuit board, wherein the electric sensor(s) with the rigid connectors are allowed to extend from the control unit through the housing. 18. The process of claim 17, wherein the control unit comprises a printed circuit board having a portion comprising a hall sensor of a flow meter which is rigidly mounted onto the portion so that the sensor is assembled to the flow meter. 19. The process of claim 18, wherein the control unit comprises a housing with a through-opening through which the flow-meter extends from the printed circuit board for connection within a fluid circuit extending outside the housing.
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