WO2020121242A1

WO2020121242A1 - Automatic machine for dispensing beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2020121242A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Doglioni Majer
Original assignee: Carimali S.P.A. Con Socio Unico
Priority date: 2018-12-13
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: IT201800011050A1

Abstract

An automatic machine (1) for dispensing beverages, comprising a front wall (2) and a dispenser element (3) to dispense a beverage prepared in said machine, characterized in that said dispenser element (3) is positioned on an arm (4) arranged in front of said front wall (2) and is spaced from said front wall (2).

Description

"AUTOMATIC MACHI NE FOR DISPENSI NG BEVERAGES"

* * * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a machine for dispensing beverages having a dispenser element spaced from the front wall. More in particular the present invention refers to a machine for dispensing beverages, in particular for dispensing coffee-based beverages, provided with a front wall and with a dispenser element to dispense the beverage prepared in the machine, wherein the dispenser element is positioned in front of the wall, spaced from it. Preferably, the wall extends continuously from the upper end to the lower end.

The machine subject of the invention is in particular an automatic HoReCa machine, namely a type of machine in which the grinding and removal of used coffee from the brewing chamber are carried out by the machine itself. Said machines have compact dimensions and are normally positioned on a supporting surface in the environments where they are used, such as hotels, offices, shops and similar.

KNOWN PRIOR ART

Automatic HoReCa machines have been known for some time. They comprise in a known manner a machine body that contains the brewing assembly and the other elements of the machine, such as grinding assembly, boiler, etc.. The front wall of the machine is provided with a passage through which the dispensing assembly is connected to the external part of the machine, to dispense the beverage prepared inside. Below the dispensing assembly is a supporting plate for the container where the beverage is dispensed.

One problem with the known machines is that of cleaning the machine; dispensing of the beverage entails the production of splashes and drops that deposit on the front wall of the machine, where the controls for selection of the beverage are generally located.

The dimensions of the front wall are also limited, so that there is little space that can be used for elements such as controls, information panels, screens, etc. One solution proposed is that of positioning the controls in an area as far as possible from the dispenser element. Another solution proposed is the one described in EP 2613678, where the entire dispensing assembly except for the dispenser element is arranged below the supporting surface for the beverage container.

The solutions proposed so far entail an increase in the dimensions of the machine and, in particular in the solution of EP 2613678, a considerable increase in costs. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention consists in solving the problems of the known art. In particular, the object of the present invention consists in producing a machine for dispensing beverages which avoids the drawbacks of the known art. In particular, the coffee machine according to the invention must avoid dirtying the front wall of the machine due to splashes and drops of coffee without substantially increasing the dimensions with respect to the front wall housing the controls and the production costs of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to increase the space that can be used for user interface and customisations on the front wall of the machine, without increasing the machine dimensions.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention by means of a machine according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10.

Preferred aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

In particular, the invention concerns an automatic machine for dispensing beverages, comprising a front wall and a dispenser element to dispense a beverage prepared in the machine. The dispenser element is positioned on an arm arranged in front of the front wall of the machine and is spaced from the front wall.

Thanks to the present solution, the beverage is dispensed in a position spaced from the front wall, preventing dirtying of the latter (or at least limiting said dirtying). Above all, the front wall is not interrupted by the dispensing assembly, hence said front wall can be utilized better than in the known art.

According to one aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a supporting portion to support the beverage collecting containers, typically in the form of glasses, cups or similar elements.

Said supporting portion is located at the lower end, namely in the area of the lower end, of the cited front wall of the machine. The front wall extends continuously at least from the upper portion of the front wall of the machine to the container supporting portion.

A flat or in any case substantially flat wall allows elements to be easily applied to said wall. Also the fact that the front wall is continuous (namely there is no opening for insertion of a container in the front wall) contributes to said aspect.

For example, according to a possible aspect, the front wall of the machine comprises a screen, preferably a touchscreen.

As anticipated above, the particular arrangement of the dispenser element allows utilization also of the screen portion below the dispensing point and therefore partially concealed by the beverage collecting container.

One aspect of the present invention provides for the screen to extend for over 80% of the area of the front wall.

According to a further aspect, the arm and the beverage dispenser element mounted on the arm are movable with respect to the front wall.

According to a further aspect, additionally or alternatively to the movement of the arm, the supporting portion is entirely or partly movable with respect to the front wall.

Due to the above arrangement, the machine according to the present invention can be used with different types of containers, in particular with containers of different dimensions.

Above all, typically at least when the machine is not operating, it is possible to move the dispenser element and/or the supporting portion according to what is shown on the screen of the front wall.

According to a further possible aspect, the arm supporting the dispenser element extends substantially horizontally from a vertical side edge of the front wall of the machine as far as the other side edge of the front wall.

According to a further aspect, the arm and/or the supporting portion can preferably be moved from at least a relative resting position to a dispensing position.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the arm and/or the supporting portion can slide along guides provided on the side edges of the front wall.

One aspect of the present invention further concerns a process for dispensing a beverage from a machine according to one or more of the aspects described above, and comprises the steps of: positioning the arm and/or at least part of the supporting portion in a resting condition, in which the arm is adjacent or close to the front wall of the machine; receiving a command for dispensing a beverage; receiving a container on the supporting portion; arranging the arm and/or at least part of the supporting portion in a dispensing condition, depending on the dimensions of the container; dispensing the beverage; bringing the arm and/or at least part of the supporting portion back to the resting position.

Preferably, the arm and/or the supporting portion is moved in a vertical direction. One embodiment therefore provides a movable arm, whereas a different embodiment provides a fixed arm (and therefore a dispenser element mounted thereon) while an automatic or manual lifting system of the supporting surface allows the container to be moved closer to the dispensing point to minimize possible dirtying of the vertical wall.

According to one aspect, in the dispensing position, the arm with the dispenser element is in a higher position with respect to the resting position.

According to an aspect of the method according to the invention, when the arm and/or the supporting portion is in the resting position, at least a first menu is displayed on the screen, and when the arm and/or the supporting portion is in the dispensing position, or moves towards the dispensing position, at least a second menu is displayed.

Preferably, the method described above provides for the arm and/or the supporting portion to be kept in a position that leaves a large area of the screen visible. In this area one or more menus are shown, which for example comprise a series of images and/or icons that permit operation of the machine.

Via a menu, a user can for example select a beverage from those which the machine is able to prepare, for example espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato etc. Once the beverage has been selected, the arm and/or the supporting portion moves from the resting position, where visibility of the screen is maximum, to a dispensing position. The dispensing position is spaced from the beverage container support, so as to allow housing of a container for receiving the beverage below the dispenser element. The movement of the arm from the resting position to the dispensing position can be performed subsequently and not necessarily immediately after selection of the beverage by the user.

In other words, according to one aspect of the method of the invention, in at least one of the resting and dispensing positions said arm is arranged in front of said screen, the method further comprising the step of:

- modifying the menu or the images present on said screen according to the position of said arm and/or of said supporting portion with respect to said screen.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned steps are carried out with the aid of a non-transitory data medium, designed to be read by a computer and/or by a logic unit, said medium comprising instructions which, when read by a logic unit of a device, cause said device to carry out the steps of:

- providing information to said logic control unit on the beverage to be dispensed,

- arranging said arm and/or at least part of said supporting portion in a dispensing condition, according to the beverage to be dispensed,

Another aspect of the invention concerns a non-transitory data medium, designed to be read by a computer and/or by a logic unit, said medium comprising instructions which, when read by a logic unit of a device according to the invention, cause the device to carry out the steps of: - providing information to said logic control unit on the beverage to be dispensed,

- modifying the menu or the images present on said screen according to the position of the arm and/or of the supporting portion with respect to the screen.

The logic unit allows operation of the machine to be adapted to different needs, controlling different machine parameters, including preparation and dispensation of the products, and also the content displayed on the screen. By means of a connection device, it is possible to establish a connection, for example wired or wireless, between the machine and external devices, such as smartphones, tablets, PCs or remote servers by means of internet connection, etc., so as to exchange data useful for operation of the machine, for example within an loT system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures, which show illustrative non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

- figure 1 is a front schematic view of a machine according to the invention, with the dispenser element in the resting position;

- figure 2 is a front view of the machine of fig. 1, at the beginning of the step of preparation of a beverage;

- figure 3 is a front view of the machine of figure 1, with the dispenser element in the dispensing position;

- figure 4 is a plan view of the machine of fig. 1; and

- figure 5 is a side view of the machine of fig. 1;

- figures 6A and 6B are schematic side views of a machine part according to a first alternative embodiment;

- figure 7 is a schematic side view of a machine according to a second alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, a machine 1 is provided in the front part thereof with a front wall 2 and a dispenser element 3 to dispense a beverage prepared by the machine 1. Typically, the machine 1 is further provided with a supporting portion 5, designed to support containers 15, such as glasses, cups and similar elements, to which the dispenser element 3 dispenses, in use, the beverage prepared by the machine 1.

The dispenser element 3 is configured in a known manner to allow dispensing of the beverage prepared by the machine 1 to a user. Typically, the dispenser element comprises at least one nozzle for dispensing the beverage, connected by means of one or more ducts to the elements (known in the art and not shown in detail) of the machine configured to prepare the beverage, for example comprising a brewing assembly.

The dispenser element 3 is positioned on an arm 4 of the machine 1, which is arranged at the front of the front wall 2, so that the dispenser element 3 is positioned at a distance from the front wall 2.

According to a possible aspect, shown in the figures, the arm 4 is arranged (with the machine 1 in an operating condition) in a substantially horizontal manner. Typically the arm 4 extends from a first side edge 2a of the front wall 2, as far as a second side edge 2b of the front wall 2, opposite the first edge 2b. Beverage supply ducts (not shown in detail) are preferably arranged inside the arm 4, or to the rear thereof, in a non-visible position, and connect the dispenser element 3 to the beverage preparation system inside the machine 1, preferably with the ducts slanting in order to allow adequate emptying.

Preferably, the arm 4 (and therefore the dispenser element 3 mounted on the arm 4) is movable with respect to the front wall 2 of the machine 1. In particular, considering the operating condition of the machine 1, the arm 4 is preferably movable at least in a vertical direction, so as to allow the dispenser element 3 to be selectively raised/lowered.

In general, the arm 4 is preferably movable at least between a resting position, shown in figure 1, in which the arm is maintained during the non-operating period of the machine 1, and a dispensing position, shown in figure 2, in which the dispenser element 3 is positioned at a container arranged on the supporting portion 5, so as to dispense a beverage. The resting position of the arm 4 is such as to maximize the surface of the front wall visible to the user.

Various devices, known in the art, designed to move the arm 4 and the dispenser element 3 can be used. For example, in the embodiment shown, the arm 4 is movable along two vertical guides 9a, 9b (grooves in the embodiment shown), arranged at the side edges 2a, 2b of the front wall 2. An actuator, not shown in detail in the figures, like an electric motor, a linear actuator, etc., can be used to control the movement of the arm 4 along the guides 9a, 9b. In a possible alternative solution, the arm 4 can be manually moved.

The position of the arm 4 is controlled by a logic unit 12 (discussed in further detail below), for example according to the type of beverage selected by a user. Additionally or alternatively, the arm 4 can be provided with sensors to detect the presence (and to estimate the dimensions) of a container 15 arranged on the supporting portion 5. The supporting portion 5 is arranged at the lower end 6 of the front wall 2 of the machine 1. The supporting portion 5 typically comprises an upper surface 5a which, in use, is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner, so that it can support a container 15. The upper surface is typically at least partly defined by a grille 5b, positioned at the surface 5a designed to support the container 15. The grille 15 allows any beverage that has overflowed from the container 15 (or in any case has dropped from the dispenser element 3 in the absence of a container 15) to be collected at the bottom of the surface 5a. According to a possible aspect, the grille 5b, or in any case all or part of the surface 5a, is removable, so as to allow the dispenser element 3 to be partially inserted in the supporting portion 5, as shown by means of broken lines in figure 5; in said case the stroke of the arm 4 (and the shape of the guides 9a, 9b) would have to be modified with respect to what is shown in figures 1 and 2, so as to allow a movement of the arm 4 such as to enable the dispenser element 3 to reach the supporting portion, for example by elongating downwards the guides 9a, 9b. This condition is particularly useful if it is necessary to carry out maintenance on the machine 1, since it makes it simpler for an operator to access (and if necessary at least partially remove) the front wall 2 and/or a screen 8 (discussed in further detail below) arranged at the front wall 2. In alternative solutions, not shown in detail, the arm 4 can be removable from the machine 1, for example it can be removable from the guides 9a, 9b by means of threaded elements, or can be (in addition to vertically movable) hinged on a guide and releasable from the other one, so as to rotate the arm away from the front wall 2.

In alternative embodiments, the supporting portion 5 is movable with respect to the front wall 2, typically along a vertical direction, considering the condition of use, so as to alternatively raise or lower the supporting portion 5. The supporting portion 5 can be movable in addition to, or in place of, the arm 4. In other words, embodiments are provided in which only the arm 4 is movable, embodiments in which only the supporting portion 5 is movable, and embodiments in which both the arm and the supporting portion 5 are movable (in addition, obviously, to the embodiment in which both the elements are integral with the front wall 2).

According to possible embodiments, the entire supporting portion 5 is movable, or only a part 5c of the supporting portion 5 is movable.

An example of an embodiment of a fully movable supporting portion 5 is schematically shown in figures 6A and 6B. In said embodiment, movement elements of said supporting portion 5 are provided, known in the art and not discussed in detail. For example, in the embodiment of figures 6A and 6B, the supporting portion is movable along guides 9a, 9b of the machine 1, arranged vertically on the machine 1. The supporting portion 5 is therefore arranged in a resting position, in which dispensing of the beverage is not permitted, and a dispensing position, in which the supporting portion 5 is moved so that the upper edge of a container 15 arranged on the supporting portion 5 is positioned at the dispenser element 3. Typically, as shown in figures 6A, 6B, in the resting position, which can be seen in figure 6A, the supporting portion is in a lower position with respect to the dispensing position, shown in figure 6B. In other words, the distance between the supporting portion 5 and the dispenser element is greater when the supporting portion 5 is arranged in the resting position.

Embodiments in which the resting position of the supporting portion is arranged higher up with respect to the dispensing position are not excluded. In this case, in the resting position it is typically not possible to arrange a container 15 on the supporting portion. In fact, the space between supporting portion 5 and dispenser element 3 is not sufficient to house a container 15. In said case, when a beverage has to be dispensed, the supporting portion 5 is lowered, so as to allow a user to rest a container 15 on the supporting portion 5.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment in which only a part 5c of the supporting portion 5 is movable. Typically, in said case, the movable part 5c corresponds to the one provided with the grille 5b. Also in said case, various devices known in the art can be used to move the movable part 5c of the supporting portion 5. For example, the embodiment shown in figure 7 is provided with a telescopic actuator 5d.

Preferably, the resting position of the part 5c is arranged below the dispensing position (namely the position that allows the dispensing of a beverage into a container 15 resting on the part 5c of the supporting portion 5), shown in figure 7. Similarly to what was discussed in relation to the embodiment of figures 6A and 6B, arrangement of the dispensing position of the part 5c arranged higher up with respect to the dispensing position is not excluded.

If both the arm 4 and (at least part of) the supporting portion 5 are movable, the two elements are moved so that, when a beverage has to be dispensed, the upper edge of the container 15 is arranged at the dispenser element 3.

In general, when at least one of the arm 4 and supporting portion 5 (or part 5c of the supporting portion 5) is movable, at least two different operating conditions of the machine 1 are defined. The first condition is a resting condition, in which the machine 1 (or, rather, the elements of the machine 1 which are dedicated to preparation and dispensation of a beverage) is inoperative. The second condition is a dispensing condition. In said condition, the arm 4 and/or the supporting portion 5 (or part 5c of the supporting portion 5) are moved, and are arranged so that the upper edge of the container 15 is arranged at the dispenser element 3.

The distance between supporting portion 5 and arm 4 is therefore such as to allow the dispensing of a beverage into the container 15. In the resting condition, said distance can be greater, lesser or equal to the same distance in the dispensing condition. In the first case, the arm 4 and the supporting portion 5 are brought closer with respect to the resting condition, whereas in the second case they are moved away. In the third case, when the container 15 is arranged on the supporting portion 5, it has its upper edge at the dispenser element 3, hence a relative movement between the arm and (at least part of) the supporting portion 5 is not necessary.

For example, in a possible embodiment, a machine 1 can be configured to receive two types of containers 15, large and small. For the large containers, the resting condition coincides with the dispensing condition, whereas for the small containers, in the dispensing condition, arm 4 and supporting portion 5 are brought closer with respect to the resting condition.

According to a preferred aspect, at least part of the front wall 2 is flat or substantially flat (namely it has a small radius of curvature). In particular, according to a possible aspect, the front wall 2 extends continuously, and preferably also flat, between its upper portion 7 and the supporting portion 5. Since the front wall 2 extends continuously, there are no openings in the front wall designed to house a container 15 during the dispensing of a beverage.

As anticipated above, this allows elements to be positioned on said wall. According to a particular aspect, in fact, the front wall 2 comprises a screen 8. The screen 8 can be used to show information to a user. If, as in the embodiment shown, the screen 8 is tactile (namely it is a touchscreen), the screen 8 can also be used to allow the machine 1 to receive commands from a user.

As previously discussed, the dispensing means 3 are not arranged on the front wall 2. In this way, the screen 8 can occupy a large area of the front wall 2. According to a preferred aspect, in fact, at least 80% of the front wall 2 is occupied by the screen 8. In embodiments of the present invention, like the one shown in the figures, the screen 8 occupies substantially the entire front wall 2, namely the front wall 2 coincides substantially with the screen 8.

According to one aspect, the screen 8 is mounted removably (or reversibly) on the front wall 2, or in any case on the machine 1. I n particular, the screen 8 can be inserted in a seat la of the machine 1, and reversibly fixed to it, for example by means of reversible coupling elements, such as screws or similar elements, and/or by means of shape coupling/interlocking between screen 8 and front wall 2. The screen 8 can therefore be (at least partially) removed (for example detached from, made to slide with respect to, etc.) with respect to the machine 1.

The electrical connection between machine 1 and screen 8 can be made by means of electrical cables, not shown in detail. Said cables are preferably configured so as to allow at least partial removal of the screen 8 from the machine 1, so as to allow the operator to access the cables, to release them from the screen 8 and/or from the machine 1. Additionally, or alternatively, the screen 8 can have contacts lib, in general at the edges thereof, designed to couple with relative contacts 11a of the machine 1, when the screen 8 is coupled to the latter. Therefore, when the screen 8 is coupled to the machine 1, the coupling between the contacts lib of the screen 8 and the contacts 11a of the machine 1 guarantees (or contributes to) the electric coupling between the two elements. When the screen 8 is removed from the machine 1, the contacts 11a of the machine 1 are released from the contacts lib of the screen 8. In the figures, only two contacts 11a, lib are shown schematically. In reality, it is possible to provide a plurality of contacts 11a, lib to electrically couple the screen 8 to the machine 1.

Typically, the screen 8 is used to display at least one or more menus Ml, M2, MB, M4 which can for example be used to allow a user to select the beverage to be dispensed, or to provide information on the state of the machine (for example on the state of progress of the preparation of a beverage), or other information such as advertising and similar elements.

For example, with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, in the resting state (shown in figure 1) the screen 8 shows a first menu Ml which presents beverages that can be dispensed by the machine 1. The first menu Ml is preferably sized and positioned so that it can be seen by a user, namely so that it is not covered by the arm 4, by the dispenser element 3 and by the supporting portion 5. In the embodiment shown, the first menu Ml is positioned on the screen 8 above the arm 4. As can be seen in figure 2, during dispensing the first menu Ml can be changed into a second menu M2, for example showing the state of progress of preparation of the selected beverage.

Further menus M3, M4 can be displayed on the screen 8, to show further information, advertising, videos, etc. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, a menu M3 (during the inactive period of the machine) shows images with beverages to attract customers; the images of the menu M3 can for example interact with the movement of the arm 4 and/or of the supporting portion 5 (or of the movable part 5c of the supporting portion 5) during preparation of the beverage. At the end of dispensation, the arm 4 and/or the supporting portion is typically in a different position from the resting condition. For example, in figure 3, the arm 4 is in a higher position than the resting position. The space of the screen 8 can therefore be used differently from the resting condition, for example so as to display a further menu M4, designed for example to show a promotional video. During said phase the arm 4 and/or the supporting portion 5 can remain in the dispensing position until the end of the video of the menu M4. With reference for example to the embodiment of figure 3, several menus can be shown simultaneously on the screen. In said embodiment, while in the lower portion of the screen the video M4 described above is shown, in the upper part of the screen 8 a menu Ml is shown again, presenting beverages that can be selected by a user for a new dispensation.

The menus shown are only possible examples of how the screen 8 can be used, allowing the content displayed to be modified in a simple manner according to requirements.

In general, according to a possible aspect, the menus Ml - M4 can vary according to different parameters, including the state of the machine 1, the time of day, the products present inside the machine 1, the position of the arm 4 and/or of the supporting portion 5 (or in any case of the movable portion 5c of the supporting portion 5) etc. In particular, the screen 8 can be configured so that menus are shown that are fully visible to a user positioned in front of the machine, namely located in an area not covered by the arm 4 and/or by the supporting portion 5. An area "not covered" is an area outside the projection of the arm 4 and of the supporting portion 5 on the wall 2. In other words, when the figures of the arm 4 and of the supporting portion 5 are projected on the front wall 2, orthogonal to the front wall 2, the screen 8 preferably has one or more menus which are outside said projection. It is furthermore possible for only part of the menus to meet this condition. For example, with reference to figure 1, the first menu Ml is not covered by the arm 4, while the third menu MB is partially covered by the arm 4.

According to one aspect, the screen 8 is controlled by a logic unit 12, shown schematically in figure 4. The machine 1 can be provided with a connection element 13 designed to receive instructions from an external source for the logic unit 12 concerning control of the screen 8. Said instructions, typically, comprise new menus to be shown on the screen, and information relative to the mode in which the new menus (or the menus already stored in the machine) must be shown. The connection element can be an element designed to allow the connection of an external element (a CD, a USB device, etc.) to the machine, or an element designed to be connected in wireless mode to an external source, for example a bluetooth connection to an external device (smartphone, tablet, etc.), or in wired or wireless mode to an external network, for example by means of a local network or an internet network.

The connection element 13 can also be used to send the machine 1 instructions not relative to the screen 8, for example new programs for preparation of the beverages, or also to send, from the machine 1 towards an external device, data relative to the state and use of the machine 1, for example relative to the level of the ingredients in the respective tanks, or profitability data, etc.

In use, the arm 4 and the supporting portion are in a resting condition, as shown in figure 1 or in figure 6A. Subsequently, a user orders the machine, for example by means of a menu Ml shown on the screen 8, to prepare and dispense a beverage, and arranges a container 15 on the supporting portion 5. With reference to figures 2 and 3, 6B, 7 (in figures 2 and 3 the container 15 is not shown, to allow better display of the machine 1), the machine proceeds with preparation and dispensation of the beverage. As described above, at least one of arm 4 and supporting portion 5 is preferably movable, hence in this phase the arm 4 and/or the supporting portion 5 (or part 5c of the supporting portion 5) moves from the resting position to the dispensing position. During said phase, it is possible to vary what is shown on the screen 8, namely vary the type and/or the content of the menus Ml - M4 shown on the screen 8.

Claims

1. An automatic machine (1) for dispensing beverages, comprising a front wall (2) and a dispenser element (S) to dispense a beverage prepared in said machine, wherein said dispenser element (S) is positioned on an arm (4) arranged in front of said front wall (2) and is spaced from said front wall (2), characterized in that at least part of said front wall is flat or substantially flat.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein said arm (4) supporting said dispenser element (3) is movable along guides (9a, 9b) provided laterally with respect to the front wall (2).

3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said machine (1) comprises a supporting portion (5) to support the beverage collecting containers (15), wherein said supporting portion (5) is on the lower end (6) of the front wall (2) of the machine, and in that said front wall continuously extends from the upper portion (7) of said front wall (2) up to said supporting portion (5) of the containers (15).

4. The machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said front wall (2) comprises, or consists in, a screen, preferably a touchscreen (8), wherein said screen (8) preferably extends for at least 80% of the area of said front wall.

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein said screen (8) is removably mounted on the machine (1).

6. The machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said arm (4) with said dispenser element (3) substantially extends horizontally from a vertical side edge of the front wall of the machine (1) up to the other side edge of the wall.

7. The machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said arm (4) and said dispenser element (3) to dispense the beverage are movable with respect to said front wall, wherein said arm with said dispenser element is preferably displaceable from at least one resting position to one dispensing position.

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the supporting portion (5), or part (5c) of the supporting portion (5), is movable with respect to said front wall (2).

9. The machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said arm (4) supports said supporting portion (5) and is movable along the guides (9a, 9b) provided laterally with respect to the front wall (2).

10. A method for dispensing a beverage from a machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the following steps:

- positioning said arm (4) and/or at least part of said supporting portion (5) in a resting condition, wherein said arm (4) is adjacent or proximal to the front wall (2) of said machine

- receiving a command for the dispensing of a beverage

- receiving a container (15) on said supporting portion

- arranging said arm (4) and/or at least part of said supporting portion (5) in a dispensing condition, depending on the dimensions of said container (15)

- dispensing said beverage

- bringing said arm (4) and/or at least part of said supporting portion back to a resting position.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said arm (4) and/or at least part of said supporting portion (5) is moved along a substantially vertical direction.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the dispensing position said arm is higher than the resting position thereof.

13. The method according to one of claims from 10 to 12, wherein said front wall (2) comprises, or consists in, a screen (8), preferably a touchscreen, comprising the steps of displaying at least one first menu (Ml) in a resting condition and of displaying a second menu (M2) in a dispensing condition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in at least one of the resting and dispensing conditions said arm is arranged in front of said screen, said method further comprising the step of:

15. The method according to one of the claims from 10 to 14, wherein said steps are carried out with the aid of a non-transitory data medium, designed to be read by a computer and/or by a logic unit, said medium comprising instructions which, when read by a logic unit of a device according to one of the claims from 1 to 9, said machine being provided with a screen on its front wall, cause said device to carry out the steps of:

- providing information on the beverage to be dispensed to said logic control unit,

- arranging said arm and/or at least part of said supporting portion in a dispensing condition, depending on the beverage to be dispensed,

- modifying the menu or images present on said screen, depending on the position of said arm and/or of said supporting portion with respect to said screen.

16. A non-transitory data medium designed to be read by a computer and/or logic unit, said medium comprising instructions which, when read by a logic unit of a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, said machine being provided with a screen on its front wall, cause said device to carry out the steps of:

- providing information on the beverage to be dispensed to said logic control unit, - arranging said arm and/or at least part of said supporting portion in a dispensing condition, depending on the beverage to be dispensed,