System for Making a Hot Beverage with Substantially Horizontal Throughflow and Method for Making a Hot Beverage

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for making a hot beverage such as coffee. The system according to the invention includes a raw material container in which raw material for the hot beverage is arrangeable. The raw material container is provided with a liquid inlet, and an outlet with a substantially horizontal flow through the raw material. A nozzle assembly is connected operatively to the outlet and provided with an inlet, an air inlet and a nozzle. An outflow is connected operatively to the nozzle for delivery of the hot beverage.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A system for making a hot beverage, comprising: a raw material container in which raw material for the hot beverage is arrangeable, wherein the raw material container is provided with: a liquid inlet, and an outlet for a mixture of raw material and liquid, wherein the liquid inlet and the outlet are positioned such that a liquid can flow substantially horizontally through the raw material; a nozzle assembly connected operatively to the outlet and provided with: an inlet for the mixture of raw material and the liquid, an air inlet for admitting air during throughflow of the nozzle assembly, wherein the air inlet comprises an inlet configured to introduce or admix air during throughflow of the nozzle assembly, and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly is provided with a configuration wherein air is admixed as the mixture flows through; and an outflow connected operatively to the nozzle for delivery of the hot beverage.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the liquid inlet of the raw material container is positioned substantially centrally and the outlet is positioned substantially at or close to the periphery of the raw material container.

19. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the liquid inlet of the raw material container comprises an entry plate with passages in or close to the centre of the entry plate.

20. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the outlet of the raw material container comprises an exit plate with passages at or close to the periphery of the exit plate.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein grooves are provided which extend in a direction toward the periphery of the exit plate into the passages.

22. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein a diameter and/or width of the passages lies in the range of 0.5-5 mm.

23. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the outlet of the raw material container comprises an exit plate with passages at or close to the periphery of the exit plate and wherein a chamber, in which the raw material is arrangeable, is provided in use between the entry plate and the exit plate.

24. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the air inlet is provided with a controller.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the air inlet adjustable with the controller comprises a continuously adjustable inlet configured to adjust with the controller the quantity of air admixed during flow through the nozzle assembly.

26. The system as claimed in claim 21, wherein a diameter and/or width of the passages lies in the range of 0.5-5 mm.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the outlet of the raw material container comprises an exit plate with passages at or close to the periphery of the exit plate and wherein a chamber, in which the raw material is arrangeable, is provided in use between the entry plate and the exit plate.

28. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the liquid inlet of the raw material container comprises an entry plate with passages in or close to the centre of the entry plate.

29. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the outlet of the raw material container comprises an exit plate with passages at or close to the periphery of the exit plate.

30. A preparation device for preparing a hot beverage comprising a system for making a hot beverage, comprising: a raw material container in which raw material for the hot beverage is arrangeable, wherein the raw material container is provided with: a liquid inlet, and an outlet for a mixture of raw material and liquid, wherein the liquid inlet and the outlet are positioned such that a liquid can flow substantially horizontally through the raw material; a nozzle assembly connected operatively to the outlet and provided with: an inlet for the mixture of raw material and the liquid, an air inlet for admitting air during throughflow of the nozzle assembly, wherein the air inlet comprises an inlet configured to introduce or admix air during throughflow of the nozzle assembly, and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly is provided with a configuration wherein air is admixed as the mixture flows through; and an outflow connected operatively to the nozzle for delivery of the hot beverage.

31. The preparation device according to claim 30, comprising an entry plate.

32. The preparation device according to claim 31, comprising an exit pate.

33. A method for making a hot beverage comprising: providing a raw material in a raw material container, wherein the raw material container is provided with: a liquid inlet, and an outlet for a mixture of raw material and liquid, wherein the liquid inlet and the outlet are positioned such that a liquid can flow substantially horizontally through the raw material; a liquid flowing through the raw material substantially in a horizontal direction; a mixture of raw material and liquid flowing via the outlet to a nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly is provided with: an inlet for the mixture of raw material and the liquid, an air inlet for admitting air during throughflow of the nozzle assembly, and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly is provided with a configuration wherein air is admixed as the mixture flows through; and admixing air into the mixture with the air inlet; and allowing the hot beverage to flow out of the nozzle and an outflow.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, comprising adjusting with a controller the quantity of air admixed during flow through the nozzle assembly.

35. The method as claimed in claim 33, comprising the flow through the raw material taking place substantially in a horizontal direction at a supply pressure in the range of 0.5-3 bar.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, comprising adjusting with a controller the quantity of air admixed during flow through the nozzle assembly.

Description

[0030] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a view of the system according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the system of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an overview of components of the system of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a view of a container with entry plate for a coffee filter system;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a view of a preparation device provided with the system of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIGS. 6-8 show views of an alternative system provided with components according to the invention; and

[0037] FIGS. 9A-I show views of alternative components of the system according to the invention.

[0038] System 2 (FIGS. 1-3) comprises an entry plate 4 provided with a number of inlet openings 6 arranged around central attaching opening 8. In the shown embodiment plate 4 is provided with upright edge 10 and rests on support edge 12 of raw material container 14. Exit plate 16 is provided on the side of raw material container 14 facing downward during use. Exit plate 16 is provided with a number of passage openings 18 close to the periphery. Exit plate 16 is also provided with bent edge 19 which rests on bottom 20 of raw material container 14.

[0039] Space 22 in which raw material can be placed, for instance in the form of a number of pads, lies between plates 4, 16. Situated between exit plate 14 and bottom 20 is flow space 24 through which the mixture of raw material and liquid can flow in the direction of inlet 26 of nozzle assembly 28.

[0040] Nozzle assembly 28 is provided with funnel-shaped inlet space 30, narrowed portion 32 and flow channel 34. Air inlet 38 is arranged close to transition 36. The throughflow opening of inlet 38 is adjustable via rotatable closing device 40.

[0041] In the shown embodiment closing device 40 is provided with a rotatable ring. Outlet 42 of nozzle assembly 28 debouches into outflow part 44. In the shown embodiment outflow part 44 is provided with two outflows 46. In the shown embodiment ring 40 also rotates relative to nozzle assembly 28 and round air inlet 38. It will be apparent that other adjustable air inlets are also possible, for instance a slide valve or a tap.

[0042] In the shown embodiment, for instance for pad systems, system 2 provides the most central possible supply of hot water, wherein the coffee, for instance in a pad, is placed in chamber 22, wherein the combination of a centered water supply 6 at the top and outlets 18 all around at the bottom of the outer side of chamber 22 ensure that the water is guided as optimally as possible through the coffee, whereby the best possible extraction takes place. After use the possible pads can be removed from system 2 after extraction in substantially dry state without further leakage occurring.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment the supply of hot water takes place distributed all around the edges, while the outflow of the coffee from the chamber takes place in centered manner.

[0044] After leaving chamber 22 the coffee mixture then enters nozzle assembly 28, wherein via air inlet 38, which can be opened and closed in continuously variable manner, more or less or no air is mixed with the coffee according to a venturi principle, whereby it is possible in effective manner with continuously variable adjustment to opt to arrange a froth or crema layer on the coffee, or on the extraction product, or to dispense with such a froth layer by not supplying air.

[0045] Coffee filter 102 (FIG. 4) is suitable for arranging ground coffee therein for the purpose of preparing filter coffee. In order to improve the extraction it has been found that use can advantageously be made of entry plate 104, which is similar to entry plate 4 of system 2 but wherein passages 106 are distributed over the surface of plate 104. The distribution is adapted to the form of coffee container 108. Filter coffee is hereby produced in more effective manner.

[0046] System 2 can be accommodated in preparation device 202 (FIG. 5). System 2 hereby forms part of a whole apparatus with which liquid can be brought to desired conditions and can be used in the extraction process.

[0047] In the shown embodiment of assembly 2 a liquid, in particular water, is supplied preferably at a pressure of about 1.5 bar, and subsequently passes through cover part 4 so as to enter chamber 22 for the actual extraction and to obtain for instance a coffee mixture. The mixture then leaves chamber 22 via outlets 18 and enters nozzle assembly 28 via chamber 24. Air is supplied via air inlet 38 and mixed with the mixture such that the mixing in the interior of nozzle assembly 28 takes place as optimally as possible. The mixture is then discharged via outlet 42 and outflow 46, wherein a conical outward flow is preferably realized.

[0048] It has been found that using assembly 2 a good-quality coffee with desired quality of froth layer is realized in the shown embodiment at a supplied pressure of about 1.5 bar. A quantity of coffee product 10 of about 4 grams can be employed here, wherein compared to the 7-7.5 grams in conventional containers the amount of raw material employed at such relatively low supply pressures results in a significant saving of raw material. An improvement in quality of the froth layer can be realized at the same time.

[0049] Sub-system 302 (FIGS. 6-8) comprises a substantially vertically positioned cylinder 304, air inlet system 306 with the same operating principle as already described above, and outlet 308. Sub-system 302 can be applied for both horizontal and vertical throughflow of the raw material, for instance the coffee. It has been found that sub-system 302 is particularly suitable for substantially vertical throughflow. Apparatus 310 (FIG. 8) carries water (in the direction indicated with arrows) to sub-system 302 and subsequently fills cup 312.

[0050] Alternative entry plate 402 (FIGS. 9A-I) is provided with central passage 404, additional passages 406 positioned therearound, wherein ribs 408 are provided between the central part with passages 404, 406 and outer edge 412 on the side facing upward during use. Seal 410 is preferably provided at the transition between the central part and the part with ribs 408. Entry plate 402 rests with edge 412 on raw material container 14. In the shown embodiment passages 404, 406 debouch into throughfeed chamber 414 on the side of entry plate 402 facing downward during use. Exit plate 416 is provided with central closed part 418, wherein grooves 420 with passages 422 are provided close to the periphery. In the shown embodiment passages 422 are arranged in edge 424. Ring 426 is provided with walls 428 and passages 430. Exit plate 416 is preferably provided with clamping fit in raw material container 14.

[0051] During use pad 432 lies between entry plate 402 and exit plate 416 and flow through pad 432 takes place substantially in vertical direction, as indicated with arrows A. Pad 432 is preferably provided with upper side 434 with a usual open structure and underside 436 which is substantially closed in order to enhance horizontal throughflow. Such pads 432 can also be applied in further alternative systems with substantially horizontal throughflow and preferably adjustable air inlet.

[0052] A number of configurations are possible according to the invention, wherein a configuration can be adapted to for instance the type of raw material and/or preferences of the user. This relates for instance to dimensions of the nozzle or nozzle assembly and to attachment thereof. It will be apparent that other combinations of measures and configurations are also possible according to the invention.

[0053] It has been found that, particularly as a result of a combination of the container with the preferred dimensions for the inflow openings with a nozzle which is provided in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm, preferably 0.6-0.9 mm and which most preferably amounts to about 0.8 mm, not only is a correct mixing in the channel of the nozzle assembly realized but also a desired outflow of the liquid into the cup or other container.

[0054] The length of the nozzle assembly preferably employed here lies in the range of 5-20 mm, preferably 8-18 mm, and most preferably amounts to about 15 mm. A part of this length is located in the interior of the chamber of the container, while during use a part of the length extends on the underside to a position outside the chamber of the container.

[0055] The nozzle assembly can be arranged in the container using a clamping fit, wherein a stop or collar/flange is arranged if desired on the outer side of the nozzle with which it rests on the bottom of the container and is pressed against the underside during use by the pressure prevailing in the chamber. The number of components required is hereby very small It has even been found that additional seals are not required. It is possible if desired to embody the container integrally with the nozzle assembly.

[0056] It will be apparent that different measures shown for the different embodiments can also be combined with each other to form new embodiments according to the invention.

[0057] Parts of the present invention can be applied to an alternative preparation device for preparing hot beverages, wherein the throughflow direction is substantially vertical (FIGS. 6-8). The adjustable air inlet can for instance be envisaged here. This is achieved by having the water flow through a cylinder, wherein the diameter and the height of the cylinder are determined by the pressure available in the preparation device, and by the optimal extraction. In the preferred embodiment there is a cylinder with an inner dimension of about 8 to 20 mm, preferably about 10 mm, and a length of about 40 to 100 mm, preferably about 60 mm. This substantially vertical preparation also results in a greatly improved extraction compared to the heretofore known systems. It has been found that good results are achieved at a supply pressure in the range of 0.5-3 bar, preferably 1-2 bar and even at a pressure of 1.5 bar.

[0058] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.