Machine and method for preparing a beverage

An apparatus for preparing beverages, the apparatus comprising:

• a capsule receptacle adapted to receive a beverage capsule containing a quantity of a beverage ingredient;
• an injection head adapted to inject a volume of a fluid into the beverage capsule to produce a beverage, the injection head being mobile between a first, inactive position and a second, active position;
• a biasing device configured to selectively prevent the injection head from remaining in the first, inactive position;
• and
• a capsule-detecting member adapted to activate the biasing device when the capsule-detecting member detects the presence of the beverage capsule within the capsule receptacle,
• wherein the biasing device comprises an interlock preventing the disposition of the injection head into the first, inactive position,
• the interlock is a blocking pin, the blocking pin being mobile between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position wherein the blocking pin bears against a complementary surface of the apparatus, thereby preventing the disposition of the injection head into the first, inactive position, and
• the blocking pin is located at least partially within the capsule receptacle when disposed in the first, retracted position, such that the insertion of the beverage capsule into the capsule receptacle will cause the blocking pin to move into the second, extended position.

A method for preparing a beverage using an apparatus, the method comprising:

• detecting the presence of a beverage capsule in a capsule receptacle, the beverage capsule containing a quantity of a beverage ingredient;
• activating a biasing device to prevent an injection head from remaining in a first, inactive position;
• injecting a volume of water into the beverage capsule to produce the beverage;
• detecting the absence of the beverage capsule in the capsule receptacle;
• and
• deactivating the biasing device.