PACKS AND MACHINE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

Abstract

The invention concerns a pack (1) with an inner volume (2) in which a food or beverage ingredient (7) is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, said inner volume (2) being defined by sheets of material (10) joined to one another at their edges and said inner volume (2) presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented during beverage production, said pack comprising at least one inlet (3) for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet (4) for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, said water inlet and said beverage outlet being included in at least one insert (5) and being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material (10), and wherein the pack comprises a liquid outlet (6) in at least one insert, said liquid outlet being closed by one sheet of material (10) defining the inner volume (2).

Claims

1. A pack with an inner volume in which a food or beverage ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, the inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges and the inner volume presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane vertically oriented during beverage production, the pack comprising at least one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering the beverage from the inner volume, the water inlet and the beverage outlet being included in at least one insert and being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material, and the pack comprises a liquid outlet in one insert, the liquid outlet being closed by one sheet of material defining the inner volume.

2. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the pack comprises one single insert including the water inlet, the beverage outlet and the liquid outlet, the single insert being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material.

3. A pack according to claim 1, wherein the inner volume is inflatable.

4. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet is positioned next to the top of the single insert.

5. A pack according to claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet is a hole in the lateral side of the single insert, the hole communicating with the inner volume of the pack.

6. A pack according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the single insert presents at least one hollowed out volume, the liquid outlet communicating with the volume.

7. A pack according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet and the liquid outlet are positioned on the same lateral side of the single insert.

8. Machine for preparing a beverages from a pack with an inner volume in which a food or beverage ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, the inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges and the inner volume presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane vertically oriented during beverage production, the pack comprising at least one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering the beverage from the inner volume, the water inlet and the beverage outlet being included in at least one insert and being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material, and the pack comprises a liquid outlet in one insert, the liquid outlet being closed by one sheet of material defining the inner volume, the machine comprising at least: a water supply; a pump for pumping water from the water supply; a water needle for injecting water in the water inlet of the pack; a sensor for detecting an increase of pressure or volume in the pack during beverage preparation; and a hollow needle for piercing the sheet of material closing the liquid outlet and for evacuating liquid from the pack.

9. Machine according to claim 8 wherein the pack comprises a beverage outlet closed by a plug and the machine comprises a device for cutting or tearing the plug of the beverage outlet of the pack.

10. Machine according to claim 8, wherein the sensor detects an increase of pressure or volume of the pack.

11. Machine according to claim 8 wherein the hollow needle is connected to a bin or a drip tray.

12. Machine according to claim 8 wherein the hollow needle presents a diameter configured for entering inside the liquid outlet.

13. (canceled)

14. A method for detecting abnormal inflation of a pack with an inner volume in which a food or beverage ingredient is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, the inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges and the inner volume presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane vertically oriented during beverage production, the pack comprising at least one inlet for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet for delivering the beverage from the inner volume, the water inlet and the beverage outlet being included in at least one insert and being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being at least partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material, and the pack comprises a liquid outlet in one insert, the liquid outlet being closed by one sheet of material defining the inner volume and for emptying liquid from the pack comprising the steps of: detecting an increase of pressure or volume in the pack with a sensor; and piercing the sheet of material closing the liquid outlet with a hollow needle and evacuating liquid from the pack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures, in which:

[0105] FIG. 1 illustrates a pack of the present invention,

[0106] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the single insert of the pack of FIG. 1,

[0107] FIG. 3 is a side view of the single insert of the pack of FIG. 1,

[0108] FIG. 4 is a top view of the single insert of the pack of FIG. 1,

[0109] FIG. 5 is a section view of the single insert of the pack of FIG. 4 according to AA,

[0110] FIG. 6 is a section view of the single insert of the pack of FIG. 4 according to BB,

[0111] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of beverage preparation machine according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0112] FIG. 1 illustrates a pack 1 for producing a beverage according to the invention. The bottom of the pack has been made transparent to show the single insert 5 that is enclosed at its bottom. The pack comprises two flexible water impermeable sheets joined one to another on their edges 111, 112, 113, 114 to define an inner volume 2. These two sheets can be obtained by folding one sheet in its middle to form the top 114 of the pack too; then only edges 111, 112, 113 have to be bonded together. The bonding can be obtained by heat sealing. A food or beverage ingredient is disposed within said inner volume. The inner volume 2 presents a generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented during beverage production.

[0113] The insert 5 is a single piece of material preferably of plastic. It includes simultaneously the water inlet 3 for introducing water in the inner volume and a beverage outlet 4 for dispensing the beverage or food issued from the mixing of the food or beverage ingredient with water. It also comprises the liquid outlet 6 for evacuating any liquid from the inner pack if it is opened.

[0114] In the illustrated embodiment both the water inlet and the liquid outlet external ends are positioned on the same lateral side 5c of the insert. They are covered and closed by the same sheet. According to another embodiment (not illustrated), the liquid outlet can be on the opposite lateral side of the sing le insert.

[0115] The insert is positioned at the bottom of the pack at the bottom side 111 of the pack. The insert presents fins 51 and preferably a raising edge around the water inlet 3 and the liquid outlet 6 on the lateral sides of the insert to improve the adhesion with the flexible material sheet during sealing.

[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 6 the water inlet 3 can present at its external end an inlet chamber 30. This chamber is a hollow cavity; it is globally horizontally oriented. Its dimensions are configured for receiving the hollow needle of a beverage preparation machine in order to inject water. The inlet chamber presents an evacuation end in its upper lateral wall: this evacuation end corresponds to an injection hole 31 from which water can be injected in the inner volume 2, for example under the form of jet. Due to the configuration of the water inlet the water can be injected essentially horizontally at its external end 3a and essentially vertically in the inner volume 2 of the pack. This configuration is adapted for dissolving soluble ingredients in the inner volume.

[0117] According to another embodiment (not illustrated), the creation of a jet is not necessary (for example for an infusable beverage ingredient in the inner volume), the injection hole 31 can be bigger than in FIG. 1 and can be oriented differently with the simple function of filling the pack with water.

[0118] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the beverage outlet 4 is a vertical pipe in the insert. It preferably presents a diameter for dispensing the beverage under free flow. The beverage outlet is closed at its external end by a plug 42. This plug is made of one piece with the rest of the insert.

[0119] The pack comprises a plastic bond 43 for maintaining the plug 42 attached to the pack after removing of the plug from the beverage outlet. Consequently it avoids that the plug falls in the beverage during its production. This bond is made of one piece with the rest of the insert.

[0120] The pack comprises a centring hole 53 extending essentially perpendicularly to the generally plane (P) shape of the inner volume and through the insert. It is positioned under the joined bottom edges 111 of the sheets of material so as to remain free for cooperating with a centring and immobilization device of the beverage preparation machine.

[0121] FIGS. 2 and 4 are top views of the single insert 5. They illustrate the presence of a hollowed out volume 5b in the upper surface 5a of the single insert. FIG. 2 shows that the liquid outlet 6 communicates with said volume 5b and consequently with the inner volume 2 in the pack. This hollowed out volume 5b extends almost through the whole surface of 5a at the top of the single insert. This large volume limits the problem of powder caking in this area, especially when soluble ingredients are in the inner pack. Consequently the liquid in the pack can have an easy access to the liquid outlet 6.

[0122] Moreover the liquid outlet 6 consists in a large hole communicating with the large hollowed out volume 5b at the upper surface of the single insert: this large hole decreases the risk of presence of blocking elements in this area and guarantees a good evacuation of the liquid from the pack through the liquid outlet 6 in case of emergency.

[0123] FIG. 6 illustrates the interaction of a pack 1 according to the present invention with a beverage preparation machine 8 according to the present invention. The machine comprises at least:

[0124] a water tank 84,

[0125] a heater 83 for heating water,

[0126] a bypass line 87 for delivering ambient water,

[0127] a valve (not illustrated) for the selection of either hot or ambient water,

[0128] a pump 82 for pumping water. The pump can deliver water at a pressure comprised between 2 and 10 bar.

[0129] a water nozzle or needle 81 for injecting water in the water inlet of the pack 1.

[0130] Preferably the machine comprises a drip tray 86 on which a drinking cup 9 can be positioned under the beverage outlet of the pack when a beverage is prepared.

[0131] The machine comprises an area 92 for receiving the pack that is configured so that the pack 1 is positioned with the single insert positioned at the bottom of the pack. The pack can be well centred and immobilised in the receiving area by a rod (not illustrated) configured for sliding in the centring hole 53 of the single insert (illustrated in FIG. 1).

[0132] According to the invention the pack is not pressurized during the beverage preparation. This effect can be obtained by opening the beverage outlet before water is introduced in the pack or simultaneously to the introduction of the water in the pack. Consequently the beverage is prepared with the both water inlet and beverage outlet being opened. The opening of the water inlet is usually made by a needle 81 for introducing water. As for the beverage outlet it can be opened by the machine when the pack is placed inside or by the user manually. The illustrated machine comprises a beverage outlet opening means 85, for example a cutter for removing the plug 42 of the beverage outlet of the pack 1 when the pack presents a plug at the beverage outlet. The cutter 85 can be positioned so that the plug of the beverage outlet is automatically cut when the pack is introduced in the machine or when the beverage preparation is activated.

[0133] The machine 1 comprises a sensor 88 for detecting an increase of pressure in the pack during beverage preparation. The area 92 for receiving the pack positions the pack 1 in the machine so that when the pack inflates in an abnormal manner, the sheets move until contacting the pressure sensor and the inflated pack is detected by the sensor 88. The detection of the inflation of the pack is transmitted to the control unit 91 of the machine which can order the evacuation of liquid from the pack. The control unit can activate a motor 90 supporting a hollow needle 89 in order to pierce the liquid outlet and evacuate liquid from the pack. The liquid is evacuated in the drip tray 86 of the machine or a bin. According to another embodiment the inflation of the pack can induce a mechanical movement in a part of the machine and a corresponding mechanical actuation of the piercing of the liquid outlet.

[0134] The system of the present invention presents the advantage of enabling the evacuation of liquid in the pack as soon as an abnormal inflation of the pack appears.

[0135] Another advantage of the present invention is that the process of introduction of water inside the pack does not have to be stopped once the process of evacuation of liquid is activated.

[0136] Another advantage of the present invention is that the liquid evacuated through the liquid outlet is not dispensed in the drinking cup of the customer. Consequently the customer does not receive a liquid that is not a well prepared beverage or not a fully prepared beverage in his/her cup and does not drink it inadvertently.

[0137] Another advantage is that the liquid is evacuated in a proper way through the hollow needle and the evacuation process is preferably hidden.