Beverage preparation machine with reliable dispensing

3:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage transfer channel extends along the direction of flow from the collection cavity around at least 20% of a total length of the sidewall.

4:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the sidewall surrounds the collection cavity to extend from one side to an opposite side of the beverage transfer channel.

5:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage transfer channel has one side that is substantially delimited by the sidewall which extends between the collection cavity and the beverage transfer channel.

6:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage transfer channel and the collection cavity are connected by a passage having a width perpendicular to the direction of flow that is equal to a corresponding width of the beverage transfer channel or that is narrower than the beverage transfer channel width to slow down a flow of the beverage out of the collection cavity and/or prevent a flow of large beverage bubbles out of the collection cavity.

7:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage transfer channel in a beverage preparation orientation has an outlet conduit that extends along an upright flow direction and having a lower conduit part with a bottom end, the bottom dispensing opening or edge located at the bottom end of the lower conduit part of the outlet conduit.

8:

• The machine of claim 7, wherein, above the bottom end, the lower conduit part has a single lateral dispensing opening that is configured to dispense the beverage above the bottom dispensing opening or edge from the lower conduit part to the said area for placing the user-recipient when the bottom dispensing opening or edge is partly or fully obstructed at the bottom end.

9:

• The machine of claim 7, wherein the lower conduit part is associated with an inner flow guide.

11:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage processing unit has a beverage guide and a guide outflow opening via which the beverage is passed to the beverage outlet from the beverage guide.

12:

• The machine of claim 11, wherein the beverage outlet has an inflow penetrator for penetrating a flow of the beverage delivered by the guide outflow opening onto the penetrator prior to reaching the bottom of the collection cavity.

14:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage processing unit is configured to supply the beverage to the beverage outlet.

16:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage outlet is configured to accumulate a pool of the beverage in the collection cavity.

17:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage outlet and/or the beverage processing unit is located at least partly in a stationary frame and/or housing.

18:

• The machine of claim 17, wherein the beverage outlet is movable relative to the stationary frame and/or housing between (i) a dispensing position in which the beverage outlet dispenses the beverage via the bottom dispensing opening or edge to the area for placing the user-recipient and (ii) a non-dispensing position in which the beverage outlet prevents dispensing via the bottom dispensing opening or edge to the area for placing the user-recipient.

19:

• The machine of claim 1, wherein the processing unit has a first part and a second part that are relatively movable between (a) a proximate configuration in which the first and second parts delimit a chamber for containing and processing a beverage ingredient therein and (b) a distant configuration for receiving the beverage ingredient in the chamber and/or evacuating the beverage ingredient from the chamber.