Originally Posted by
number_6
The Nespresso patents start to expire in 2012, though Nestle is seeking to modify the system in order to obtain new patents and extend the monopoly time. Rather ironically Sara Lee owns Douwe Egbert which has the Senseo system, which was also patented but first successfully challenged in court and then the patents were revoked as not unique, owing to the existence of Nespresso as prior art.
The Spanish (Catalán) company Taurus has jumped in to take advantage of this with their "coffeemotion" machine
http://www.coffeemotion.es
Since many of the Thermomix patens also ran out some time ago the same Catalan company has a "Mycook" machine which is very similar. The coffee pod machines and "robot cook" seem to be the most successful kitchen appliances in Spain at the moment.
Back in the 70s one of these
And a pressure cooker were the essential kitchen items. They probably cost the equivalent percentage of an average salary back then.