SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES OF DISTRIBUTION OF EDIBLE PRODUCTS WITH SELECTIVE ACCESS DISPOSITIONS

Abstract

Systems and processes of distribution of edible products, including an apparatus, in particular a beverage preparation apparatus, for example aromatic beverages such as espresso coffee and similar, that has a recipient placement disposition adapted for placing a recipient of collection of edible product, and an apparatus casing and an access disposition whereby the access disposition is adapted so that can provide selective access to the recipient placement disposition, for example for placing the recipient.

Claims

1. A system for distribution of edible products, said system including an apparatus for distribution of edible products, for example for preparation of beverages based upon an edible substance, said apparatus presenting a placement disposition adapted so that provides support for placement of at least one type of recipient for collection of said edible product, for example a drinking recipient, and associated with a beverage discharge, in particular provided so that the edible product can be discharged along a direction opposite to the gravity force, and said apparatus can further present an apparatus casing that provides part of the exterior envelope, visible by a user, of said apparatus, wherein said apparatus presents an access disposition adapted so that can be selectively disposed in a closed position and thereby cover the product discharge.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition is adapted so that provides selective access at least to the product discharge, preferentially also to the totality of the placement disposition, whereby said access disposition can thereby completely confine a space defined by said recipient placement disposition relative to the exterior of the apparatus in case said access disposition is at the closed position, and said access disposition is adapted so that provides placing a recipient upon respective product discharge in case said access disposition is not at the closed position, in particular is at an open position.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition is adapted, in particular operatively associated to the apparatus casing, so that can be operated between: a closed position, or of retention, where confines the product discharge, optionally also the placement disposition, relative to the exterior of the apparatus, preferentially at least in case the recipient is not placed hereon, and at least one open position, or of removal, where enables access to the product discharge, optionally also to the remaining placement disposition, for operative placement of the recipient hereon, in particular on the product discharge.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition further provides selective access to an introduction passage adapted for introduction of portions of edible substance, preferentially disposed in a plane similar to the plane where said placement disposition is disposed, so that in case at the closed position, said access disposition can also cover the introduction passageway relative to the exterior.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition provides selective access in separate manner to the product discharge and to said introduction passageway, whereby said introduction passageway is preferentially also associated to the placement disposition.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition presents a first and second access parts, whereby a first access part confines and provides access at least to said placement disposition, including product discharge, and a second access part provides selective access to an introduction passageway, and said first and second access parts are adapted so that the opening of at least one thereof is only provided in case of indication of operative opening of the other, preferentially at least the opening of said second access part to the introduction passageway of portions, is provided only in case the recipient is operatively placed on said placement disposition.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition is provided so that can be actuated in manual and/or mechanic manner, whereby said access disposition can preferentially be retained in removable manner on said closed position, and the actuation mechanism of said first and second access parts is provided as at least one of: similar, common, and different.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said access disposition is adapted so that can be actuated, for example by electromechanical means, in a movement triggered by automatic detection of at least one of: proximity of a recipient relative to said access disposition, in particular in a spatial field of detection that develops in the projection of the access disposition; action of manual pressure upon the access disposition; at least one of gesture command and voice command, by means of a respective user interface, whereby it is preferred when said automatic detection only triggers the actuation of the opening movement from said closed position, and the actuation of the closing movement from an open position is triggered by at least one of: previously defined operation event of said apparatus, automatic counting of previously define period of time after a previously defined operation event of said apparatus.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition is adapted so that can be actuated in a movement between a closed and open position thereof, and vice-versa, whereby said movement corresponds to at least one of: a rotation movement and a translation movement of at least part of the access disposition, whereby at least part of said movement is carried out in at least one of: a different plane and plane at least approximately parallel to the plane where the placement disposition extends, and whereby said movement further corresponds to at least one of: to the movement of a single piece, to the movement of a first access part and at least a second access part, preferentially in coordinated manner between each other, to the articulated movement of a plurality of parts, for example of diaphragm type.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition is provided with a general shape of lid, hood or similar type, door, window or similar, for example of planar type, and as a single piece or as a plurality of pieces, and said access disposition is adapted as at least one of: does not extend completely above, preferentially extends completely surround sideways by the apparatus casing in case in a closed position, extends completely above the apparatus casing in case in a closed position; extends in at least most part, preferentially in the entire top region of said apparatus.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access disposition does not present any cavity, projection or opening, and said access disposition is provided with at least one of: total dimension and dimension of the actuation space that corresponds to at least half, preferentially more than half, particularly preferentially at least approximately the width of at least one of: the top region and the frontal region of said apparatus casing.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein in case the access disposition is at the closed position, access disposition and the apparatus casing jointly define an exterior envelope with an Euclidian geometric shape, whereby said geometric shape preferentially corresponds to at least one of: at least most part, preferentially the totality of the exterior top surface of the apparatus, including in case the top surface is the only exterior surface of the apparatus visible to a user, at least most part, preferentially the totality of the exterior surface of the apparatus visible to a user, a volume of apparatus that corresponds to a coherent geometric shape, including shape of regular geometry, association of shapes of regular geometry, or part of at least one shape of regular geometry, and a volume of apparatus devoid of protuberances and cavities associated with the edible product discharge, and without any product discharge exposed to the exterior of said apparatus, at least in the top, frontal and posterior portions of the exterior envelope thereof, whereby said apparatus casing and access disposition jointly provide at least most part of the material exterior envelope of said apparatus, and jointly configure at least approximately the exterior volumetric shape of said apparatus that preferentially corresponds to at least part of a coherent geometry, or to a set of at least part of coherent geometries.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the access disposition and apparatus casing jointly define a materially continuous surface along at least most part of the extension of the exterior surface at least of the top, frontal and posterior portions of the exterior envelope of said apparatus, preferentially also of the lateral portions thereof, with exception of interface regions, for example of slot type, such as for example of at least one of: between said access disposition and the apparatus casing, including a first casing part of the apparatus casing, and between optionally actionable second and third casing parts of apparatus casing and the apparatus casing, whereby said second casing part is preferentially provided as a preparation fluid reservoir, for example water or milk, of said apparatus, and said third casing part is preferentially provided as a collection casing of residues of said apparatus.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus casing comprises a first casing part provided at least in a neighbouring region of, and preferentially adjacent to the access disposition in the closed position, and so that configure a common plane of exterior surface at least in the common vicinity region, and at least one of apparatus casing and access disposition present a first and a second actionable parts configured so that can be moved with relation to the first apparatus casing part, whereby the actuation of at least one of said first and second actionable parts can be carried out in at least one of: in joint manner with, and in autonomous manner relative to the other actionable part.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of apparatus casing and access disposition, further presents at least one respective use interface adapted for providing at least one of: manipulation, portability, energy, information display, whereby said use interface is preferentially configured so that can be swivelled down and thereby confined in the reference surface and/or volume of the apparatus defined by the apparatus casing and access disposition.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of apparatus casing and access disposition, further presents functional connection means adapted so as to provide at least one of: actuation of the access disposition with relation to at least one of: apparatus casing and other part of the access disposition, and apprehension of at least one of: closed condition and open condition of the access disposition.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] The invention shall hereinafter be explained in greater detail based upon preferred embodiments and on the attached Figures.

[0040] The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

[0041] FIG. 1: side and frontal views (right-hand side) of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages of a system of the type of the present invention, according to prior art;

[0042] FIG. 2: diagram of a drinking recipient (1) operatively placed on a placement disposition (2) operatively associated in fluid connection to an apparatus (3), according to prior art;

[0043] FIG. 3: frontal and top views (right-hand side) of a first embodiment of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages of a system according to the present invention, and with the access disposition (4) in a closed position;

[0044] FIG. 4: side views of the embodiment according to FIG. 3;

[0045] FIG. 5: views corresponding to those of FIG. 3, with the access disposition (4) in an open position of a first embodiment thereof;

[0046] FIG. 6: views corresponding to those of FIG. 3, with the access disposition (4) in an opening position of a second embodiment thereof;

[0047] FIG. 7: front and top views (right-hand side) of a second embodiment of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages of a system according to the present invention, and with the access disposition (4) in a closed position;

[0048] FIG. 8: side views of the embodiment according to FIG. 7;

[0049] FIG. 9: views corresponding to those of FIG. 7, with the access disposition (4) in an open condition of a first embodiment thereof;

[0050] FIG. 10: views corresponding to those of FIG. 7, with the access disposition (4) in a condition of first moment of opening of a second embodiment thereof;

[0051] FIG. 11: views corresponding to those of FIG. 10, in a condition of second instant of actuation of the access disposition (4);

[0052] FIG. 12: views corresponding to those of FIG. 10, in a condition of third instant of actuation of the access disposition (4);

[0053] FIG. 13: views corresponding to those of FIG. 10, in a condition of fourth instant of actuation of the access disposition (4);

[0054] FIG. 14: front and top views (on the right-hand side) of a third embodiment of a beverage preparation apparatus (1) of a system according to the present invention, and with the access disposition (4) in a closed position;

[0055] FIG. 15: side views of the embodiment according to FIG. 14;

[0056] FIG. 16: views corresponding to those of FIG. 14, with the access disposition (4) at an open condition in a first embodiment thereof;

[0057] FIG. 17: side and top views of another preferred embodiment of system according to the present invention, whereby the access disposition (4) is provided in a mechanism of diaphragm type, at a closed position;

[0058] FIG. 18: side and top views of the embodiment according to FIG. 17, with the access disposition (4) at an open position;

[0059] FIG. 19: top views of an embodiment of the type of the one represented in FIG. 17, in closed and open positions;

[0060] FIG. 20: underneath and side views of the embodiment according to FIG. 19;

[0061] FIG. 21: exploded perspective view from below of the embodiment according to FIG. 19;

[0062] FIG. 22: exploded perspective view from below of the embodiment according to FIG. 19;

[0063] FIG. 23: side and top views of another preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0064] FIG. 24: side and top views of another preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0065] FIG. 25: flow diagram of embodiment of a process according to the invention;

[0066] FIG. 26: flow diagram of embodiment of a process according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 27: side and front views (on the right-hand side) of another preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention, in a closed position;

[0068] FIG. 28: side and front views (on the right-hand side) of another preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention, in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0069] In the case of the embodiment described hereinafter and that corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention, without exclusion of other in the scope thereof, the apparatus of distribution of edible products, is a beverage preparation apparatus (1), for example of espresso coffee, based upon a portion (7) of edible substance, for example roasted and ground coffee, that is impinged by a pressurized fluid in a product preparation device (5), for example an extraction device that can be actuated between an open and closed position, and vice-versa, and of which results a beverage flow that is discharged to a product recipient (10, 10′), in this case a drinking recipient, operatively placed in a recipient placement disposition (2).

[0070] FIG. 1 represents side view (on the left-side of the drawing) and front view of an apparatus (1) for preparing beverages of a system of the type of the present invention, including recipients (10, 10′) operatively placed on a placement disposition (2) of said apparatus (1), whereas FIG. 2 represents a functional diagram of discharge of edible product (BD) in a system of the type of the present invention.

[0071] As represented, said apparatus (1) presents an extraction device (5), in this case provided inside of the apparatus casing (3) of said apparatus (1), whereby said extraction device (5) is provided so that can collect a portion (7) of beverage precursor edible substance, eventually contained inside of a capsule.

[0072] Said apparatus (1) further presents at least one introduction passageway (8) that provides the supply of said portion (7) of edible substance to said extraction device (5).

[0073] Moreover, said apparatus (1) can include a fluid reservoir (not represented), as well as a fluid pressurization device (6) and a fluid heating device (not represented), so that can supply a flow (FS) at a temperature comprised between 60 and 100° C. and at a pressure comprised between 1 e 20 bar, so as to interact with said edible substance. These means are known to the skilled in the art so that one herewith abdicates from a more detailed representation or description thereof.

[0074] After extraction of the beverage, the beverage discharge flow (BD) is conducted to an exit of said extraction device (5) and to a placement disposition (2) that includes a beverage discharge (21) disposed downstream thereof so that the beverage discharge to the interior of the beverage recipient (10, 10′) unfolds through said base zone (11) thereof.

[0075] The recipient (10, 10′) can present flow regulation means (13) disposed in a base portion (11) thereof an adapted so that only provide flow entry into said recipient if the flow pressure is bigger than a previously defined flow pressure.

[0076] The placement disposition (2) can present at least one of: [0077] a beverage discharge device (21) that includes at least one flow exit generally oriented upwards, whereby said beverage discharge device (21) is functionally connected with the extraction device (5) by means of a tube, preferentially of flexible type; [0078] a recipient placement surface (22) adapted for placement of at least one type of recipient (10, 10′), preferentially at least two types of recipient (10, 10′) presenting at least one of different dimensions and different configurations; [0079] engagement means (23) associated with said recipient placement surface (22) and adapted so that provide removable retention of the recipient (10, 10′) on said placement disposition (2).

[0080] FIGS. 3 to 6 represent a first embodiment of a system of the type of FIGS. 1 and 2, and according to the present invention.

[0081] As represented, the apparatus (1) in this case presents an apparatus casing (3) and an access disposition (4) that jointly define, at least substantially, the volume geometry of the apparatus (1), in particular in a coherent geometry that in this case corresponds at least approximately to a cube.

[0082] Advantageously, said access disposition (4) provides selective access to said placement disposition (2) and product discharge (21), so that prevents the possibility of accumulation of dusts and other residues as a result of exposition to ambient air of a given location of use of the apparatus (1).

[0083] It is particularly preferred, when the product discharge (21) is herewith selectively confined with relation to the exterior of the apparatus (1), so that the possibility of contamination thereof is mitigated.

[0084] Moreover, said apparatus casing (3) and access disposition (4) jointly define a material volume that is preferentially substantially continuous, devoid of projection or cavities.

[0085] According to a particularly advantageous aspect, said apparatus casing (3) and access disposition (4) jointly configure a volume that at least approximately corresponds to a coherent geometry, in particular regular, including a cube, a cone frustum, whereby said volume is devoid of projections or cavities, at least in case said access disposition (4) is at a closed position.

[0086] The access disposition (4) can be actuated, for example by mechanical actuation means triggered by a pressure gesture thereupon, in a rotation movement between a closed position—FIG. 3—and an open position (II)—FIG. 5—where provides access to the recipient placement disposition (2), product discharge (21) and introduction passageway (8) of portions adapted for introduction of a portion (7) of edible substance—here not represented—, for example in the form of a capsule.

[0087] Alternatively, the access disposition (4) can be actuated in a sliding movement in a plane at least approximately parallel to the plane of said placement disposition (2)—see FIG. 6 that represents the access disposition (4) near the open position (II).

[0088] It is preferred when the access disposition (4) can occupy at least an intercalary position between the closed (I) and open position (II), for example corresponding to a semi-open position where provides access to the product discharge (21), but not to the introduction passageway (8) of portions.

[0089] FIGS. 7 to 13 represent a second embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

[0090] As represented, the apparatus (1) presents in this case an apparatus casing (3) and an access disposition (4) that jointly define, at least substantially, the volume geometry of the apparatus (1), in particular in a coherent geometry that in this case corresponds at least approximately to a cylinder.

[0091] It is preferred when, as represented in FIG. 8, the apparatus casing (3) includes parts of casing (32, 33) associated to fluid collection means (32) and residues collection means (33).

[0092] The access disposition (4) in this case comprises two access parts (41, 42) that can be actuated separately, thereby providing access to the placement disposition (2) and product discharge (21), and to the introduction passage (8) of portions.

[0093] As represented in FIG. 9, the actuation movement of said access parts (41, 42) can be a rotation movement and can develop in a plane different from the apparatus casing (3).

[0094] Alternatively, as represented in FIGS. 10 to 13, the actuation movement of the two access parts (41, 42) can be a sliding movement and develop in a plane at least approximately parallel to the plane of the apparatus casing (3).

[0095] FIGS. 14 to 18 present embodiments of apparatus (1) according to the present invention, whereby the apparatus casing (3) and the access disposition (4) jointly define a coherent geometry, such as for example a cone frustum, or a composition of coherent geometries, such as for example several cone frustums.

[0096] It is particularly preferred when the apparatus casing (3) and the access disposition (4) jointly define a coherent geometry, or a set of at most three, preferentially at most two coherent geometries, for example two cone frustums, as represented in FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0097] Moreover, it is particularly preferred when the access disposition (4) extends over the entire top part of the apparatus, thereby defining the coherent geometry of the apparatus (1).

[0098] The access disposition (4) can be provided as a lid adapted so that can be retained and removed from the top region of the apparatus casing (3).

[0099] The apparatus casing (3) can present a use interface (34) adapted for providing at least one of: manipulation, portability, energy, information display, as can be observed in FIG. 15.

[0100] Moreover, the apparatus casing (3) and the access disposition (4) can present at least two regions with materials of different optical transmission properties, including opaque, transparent, semi-transparent or different degrees thereof, whereby it is preferred when the apparatus casing (3) presents at most two different materials, particularly preferentially only one type of material.

[0101] As represented in FIG. 16, at least one of the apparatus casing (3) and access disposition (4) can further present functional connection means (44) adapted so as to provide apprehension of at least one of: closed condition (I) and open condition (II) of said access disposition (4). It is advantageous when they provide an indication that is perceptible by the user of a correct closed condition of the access disposition (4). This input can be further used for regulation of a cycle of preparation of edible product, and other operations of the apparatus (1).

[0102] The access disposition (4) can, as further represented in FIG. 16, present a first access part (41) in a lid shape and adapted so that can provide access to the placement disposition (2) and that can cover a second access part (42) that provides discriminated access to the introduction passageway (8) of portions.

[0103] The access disposition (4) can further comprise a use interface (43) that can be an information interface, an energy interface, or a manipulation interface.

[0104] The information interface can be of screen type, including of interactive screen type by touch screen.

[0105] The energy interface can be a heating surface for pre-heating of recipients (10).

[0106] The manipulation interface can further be a handle adapted so that the apparatus (1) can be carried by hand.

[0107] The access disposition (4) can present functional connection means (44), in this case in the form of contact detection means, so as to provide input relating to the placement thereof, or not.

[0108] FIGS. 17 and 18 represent an embodiment whereby the apparatus (1) presents an access disposition (4) with a first access part (41) that provides covertures of the placement disposition (2) on the top region of the apparatus (1), and a second access part (42) associated to an introduction passageway (8) for portions disposed in a lateral region of the apparatus casing (3).

[0109] Said first access part (41) is provided as a mechanism of diaphragm type that can be actuated between a closed position (I) and an open position (II), and vice-versa.

[0110] Said second access part (42) can be provided as a lid that can be pushed inwards by a portion (7) of edible substance, for example by swivelling around an axis developing on a top edge of the second access part (42), and automatically recovering the initial position thereafter.

[0111] FIGS. 19 to 22 represent details of the preferred embodiment of access disposition (4) represented in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0112] As referred, it is a mechanism of diaphragm type comprising a plurality of access parts (411) adapted so that can be moved in coordinated manner between a closed position (I) and an open position (II), and vice-versa. It is preferred when said access disposition (4) in this case presents three access parts (411) provided so that can engage in a support part (412) thereof. In particular, said support part (412) can be moved in rotation around a central axis thereof and along guideways associated with elements provided stationary, and the access parts (411) engage in mobile manner along guideways configured in the support part (4112) so as to enable the individual coordinated movement of all said access parts (411) as a result of said rotation movement by the support part (412).

[0113] The access parts (411) can be actuated manually, such as for example in the represented case by means of a handle (413) associated with the support part (412), or mechanically.

[0114] As represented in FIG. 23, the access disposition (4) can present functional connection means (44), in the represented case in the form of simple common rotation axis to both access parts, adapted so as to provide actuation, for example by manual or mechanical means, of at least part of the access disposition (4) between respective closed position (I) and open condition (II).

[0115] The access disposition (4) can, as further represented in FIG. 23, present a first access part (41) in form of lid and adapted so that can cover a second access part (42a, 42b) that on its turn provides discriminated access to the placement disposition (2) and introduction passageway (8) of portions.

[0116] As represented in FIG. 24, the access disposition (4) can be configured so that provides coverture of the recipient placement disposition (2) including in case that a drinking recipient (10) is placed on said placement disposition (2).

[0117] Moreover, the apparatus (1) presents an apparatus casing (3) that comprises a plurality of casing parts (31, 32, 33) that confine different elements of the apparatus (1) and adapted so that can be retained in removable manner between each other.

[0118] As represented in FIGS. 25 and 26, the access disposition (4) can be actuated manually, by means of an initial impulse in a first direction that triggers its movement mechanically into an open position (II), and again by means of a manual impulse in the opposite direction that triggers the mechanical movement back to the closed position (I).

[0119] Alternatively, at least one of said movements can be triggered by another input. The closing movement can be triggered by the removal of a first recipient (10), and non-placement of a second recipient on the placement disposition (2) during a previously defined period of time.

[0120] FIGS. 27 and 28 represent another preferred embodiment of system according to the invention, whereby in this case the product discharge 21) is disposed above of the placement disposition (2), and comprising a first and second access part (41, 42) adapted so that provide discriminated selective access to said placement disposition (2), including associated product discharge (21), and to said introduction passageway (8) of portions.

[0121] Alternatively, the access disposition (4) could further be provided in the form of a lid that can cover the whole frontal part of the apparatus (1).

[0122] It is preferred when the access disposition (41, 42), in case of being placed in a closed position (I) as represented in FIG. 27, configures at least approximately a regular geometry together with the apparatus casing (3), for example a cube, and thereby provides an envelope devoid of projections or cavities.