BEVERAGE PREPARATION METHOD

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for producing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder with water in a beverage preparation apparatus, —said apparatus comprising at least one chamber (1) for receiving and mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder with water, said chamber comprising : —an opened top to receive the dose of soluble beverage powder, and —a lateral side wall (11) said lateral side wall comprising a water inlet (2), and —a bottom wall (12), said bottom wall comprising a beverage outlet conduit (3), and —said method comprising the steps of: a) —introducing water through the water inlet (2) to wet the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall, then b) —stopping the introduction of water, then c) —introducing the dose of soluble beverage powder in the chamber, then d) —introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder.

Claims

1. Method for producing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder with water in a beverage preparation apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one chamber for receiving and mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder with water, the chamber comprising: an opened top to receive the dose of soluble beverage powder; a lateral side wall, the lateral side wall comprising a water inlet; a bottom wall, the bottom wall comprising a beverage outlet conduit; the water inlet and the internal shape of the chamber are configured so that water introduced through the water inlet is able to form a swirl inside the chamber; wherein the bottom wall presents the shape of a funnel inclined in direction of the beverage outlet conduit; the beverage outlet conduit presents a hydraulic diameter of at least 5 mm, wherein the funnel is inclined by an angle of at least 30° with horizontal, and, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing water through the water inlet to wet the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall, then b) stopping the introduction of water, then c) introducing a dose of soluble beverage powder in the chamber, then d) introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein, in the wetting step a), water is introduced in the chamber through the water inlet at a flow rate configured to create a swirl of water along the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein, in the wetting step a), water is introduced in a quantity enabling the wetting of the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall only.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein, in the dissolution step d), water is introduced in the chamber at a flow rate configured to create an ascending swirl of water.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the powder is a milk powder.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the chamber presents an internal volume of at least 100 ml and the hydraulic diameter D.sub.0 of the conduit of the beverage outlet is of at least 5 mm.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the outlet conduit does not include any closing means.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the beverage preparation apparatus comprises: a water supply system connectable to the water inlet, and a dosing device configured for dispensing a dose of soluble beverage powder in the chamber.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein, in the chamber of the beverage preparation apparatus: the water inlet is positioned close to the bottom of the chamber, and the water inlet is configured so that the water is introduced in the chamber as a straight jet of water, the introduced straight jet extending transversely through the internal volume of the chamber along a line L, the line L being offset relative to the longitudinal central axis of the chamber, at the area of the cylindrical lateral side wall opposed to the water inlet and crossed by the line L, the chamber comprises a bump extending from the cylindrical lateral side wall inside the chamber, the bump presenting a shape designed: to convert the introduced straight jet of water extending transversely through the internal volume of the chamber into a swirl flowing along the lateral side wall off the chamber, and to reduce the diameter of the swirl rotating back to the bump and to guide the swirl in direction of the water inlet, during the step d) of introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures:

[0066] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a beverage preparation apparatus used in the method of the present invention,

[0067] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chamber used in the apparatus of FIG. 1,

[0068] FIG. 3 is a top view of the chamber of FIG. 2,

[0069] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of the chamber of FIG. 2 along the plane traversing the water inlet,

[0070] FIG. 5a corresponds to FIG. 4, the divider of the beverage outlet being removed,

[0071] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the divider,

[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates the sequences of actuation of the dosing unit and the water pump of the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage preparation apparatus 100 used in the method of the present invention. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber 1 for producing a beverage from a soluble beverage powder and water entering the chamber.

[0074] The beverage powder is stored in a container 107. The container can be a hopper which is permanent or a disposable package containing the beverage powder.

[0075] A dose of beverage powder is metered and dispensed by a dosing device 108. The dosing device has the primary function to meter upon request doses of powder into the mixing chamber 1. The dosing device dispenses the dose of beverage powder in the mixing chamber 1, generally by gravity fall in a top opening of the chamber.

[0076] The dosing device can be any suitable system such as a dosing screw, a reciprocating dosing drawer or a rotating disc. The dosing technology is also of course dependent on the nature of the soluble powder. The soluble powder is typically a dry beverage powder, preferably milk powder. The device is fed upon request with powder as prompted by a controller 114 and command 112.

[0077] This dosing device can be a rotating device such as described in WO 2009/144239 or a translating metering cavity such as described WO 2019/016149.

[0078] A water supplying system 105 is provided in the machine to be able to feed water in the mixing chamber 1, more particularly, hot water.

[0079] The water supplying system comprises: [0080] a tank 101 that can be replenished with fresh water, or eventually connected to tap water, [0081] a water pump 102 for pumping water from the tank 101. The pump can be any type of pump such as a piston pump, diaphragm pump or a peristaltic pump. Preferably, the pump is configured to enable the production of different flow rates of water. [0082] a water heater 103 such as a thermoblock, a boiler or a cartridge type heater to heat the pumped water, alternatively or in addition to, the machine can comprise a water cooler in a line bypassing the heater, [0083] a non-return valve 104.

[0084] Finally water is fed into the mixing chamber by a tube 106. In a variant, not illustrated, water can be fed by two tubes 106 in two different inlets of the chamber.

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mixing chamber 1 can be placed directly above a service tray 109 onto which is placed a drinking receptacle 113 to receive the beverage. Generally, the mixing chamber 1 is removable from the machine for cleaning and optionally for dosing.

[0086] Usually the machine comprises a mixing chamber receiving area to removably fix the chamber inside and provide cooperation between the mixing chamber water inlet(s) and the water supply tube(s) 106.

[0087] Usually, the chamber 2 is immobile within the apparatus. Yet, in a less preferred embodiment, the mixing chamber 1 can be movable to a position placed under the dosing device 108 as described in WO 2009/153157.

[0088] The controller 12 can coordinate dosing of the soluble beverage powder by the dosing device 108 and dosing of water by the pump 102 upon the user actuating or being prompted to press the command 112 on the apparatus.

[0089] Although not illustrated, the apparatus can comprise a second mixing chamber configured to prepare coffee from soluble coffee powder and water and to dispense said coffee inside the same drinking receptacle 113 too. Accordingly, milk and coffee based beverages, such as a cappuccino or a café latte, can be prepared with this apparatus.

[0090] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chamber 1 used in a beverage preparation apparatus such as described in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view of this chamber. The illustrated chamber enables the preparation of a beverage without the need of a motorised whipping device : powder dissolution and beverage frothing is obtained by a jet of water. The method of the present invention is explained by means of the illustrated chamber, yet it is not limited to. Alternative chambers enabling the preparation and the rapid dispensing of a large volume of beverage can be implemented.

[0091] In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the chamber 1 comprises a lateral side wall 11 and a bottom wall 12. These walls define an internal volume able to contain water and beverage during preparation. The lower part 111 of the lateral side wall is preferably cylindrical or close to cylindrical. This lower part comprises the water inlet 2 and a bump 4 at the internal side of the chamber as described later. The upper part of the lateral side changes progressively from the cylindrical cross section to the cross section of a square with rounded corners. This upper shape enables an increase of the internal volume of the chamber. It does not affect the preparation of the beverage that starts and essentially happens in the lower part of the chamber.

[0092] Preferably, the cylindrical lateral side wall 11 is such that its longitudinal distance (height) is close to its cross section dimension (diameter). Consequently, the internal volume of the chamber can be relatively important without increasing the height of the chamber and, as a result, the height of the apparatus. The diameter can be comprised between 40 and 70 mm and the height between 40 and 80 mm. The internal volume of the chamber is generally set so as to be able to hold a volume of liquid bigger than 100 ml. Preferably, the internal volume can reach about 135 ml.

[0093] The cylindrical lateral side wall 11 comprises a water inlet 2. This water inlet 2 is positioned close to the bottom wall 12 of the chamber (see FIG. 4). Generally, the distance between the bottom of the chamber and the central axis of the water inlet is comprised between 5 and 20 mm.

[0094] This water inlet 2 is configured so that the water is introduced in the chamber as a straight jet of water. Preferably, this straight jet is produced by and emerges from a nozzle 6 positioned in the water inlet of the chamber as illustrated in FIG. 4 showing a vertical cross section of the chamber traversing the water inlet.

[0095] The water inlet is also configured so that the straight jet of water extends transversely through the internal volume of the chamber along a line L, said line L being offset relative to the longitudinal central axis XX′ of the chamber, as illustrated in the top view of the chamber in FIG. 3.

[0096] More specifically, the line L is oriented in a direction so that a ratio d/r.sub.0 is comprised between 0,2 and 0,4, preferably of about 0,3, where r.sub.0 is the radius of the cylindrical lateral side wall 11 and d is the distance measured orthogonally from the line L to the central longitudinal axis XX′ of the chamber.

[0097] The nozzle 6 positioned in the water inlet 2 is designed for producing a straight jet of water. According to another embodiment, the nozzle can be moulded in the water inlet that is in the chamber lateral side wall.

[0098] Generally, the nozzle presents an outlet section with a surface area equivalent to the surface of a circular surface of diameter comprised between 0,2 and 0,8 mm, preferably between 0,3 and 0,5 mm and even more preferably of about 0,4 mm. With such a dimension, the delivery of water at a pressure comprised between 2 and 10 bar, preferably of at least 6 bar, in the nozzle enables the production of a jet of high velocity.

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, the water inlet is also configured so that the straight jet of water is inclined downwardly in direction of the opposed surface of the lateral cylindrical wall. The chamber comprises an optional second water inlet 21 at the top of the chamber. This second water inlet can be used to rinse the chamber or to prepare a non-frothed beverage or to wet the chamber bottom.

[0100] The chamber comprises a beverage outlet 3. This outlet is a conduit positioned at the lowest position of the bottom wall 12 of the chamber. The bottom wall 12 presents the shape of a funnel inclined in direction of the conduit. The internal surface of the bottom wall is inclined by an angle a of at least 30° with horizontal, preferably comprised between 30 and 60° . In the illustrated embodiment this angle is of about 40°.

[0101] The conduit is not systematically centred on the longitudinal central axis XX′ of the cylindrical lateral side wall chamber but can be offset as illustrated in the figures. This illustrated embodiment enables the dispensing of the beverage in a receptacle 113, said receptacle being positioned to receive a beverage from a beverage dispensed from the outlet of another chamber positioned aside the chamber 1.

[0102] In another embodiment wherein there is no such constraint, the chamber the conduit of the beverage outlet can be centred on the longitudinal central axis XX′ of the chamber.

[0103] The diameter of the conduit of the beverage outlet is sufficiently large to enable the rapid dispensing of a large quantity of the beverage. The hydraulic diameter D.sub.0 of the conduit of the beverage outlet is of at about 15 mm.

[0104] The combination of the funnel shape of the bottom wall and the large diameter of the beverage conduit creates favourable conditions for the powder to flow directly through the conduit in the drinking receptacle when it is dosed in the chamber, particularly when the chamber is dry.

[0105] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conduit 3 can be subdivided in four straight sub-conduits 30 by means of a divider 31. This divider prevents the rotation of the swirling beverage inside the beverage conduit which can slow down the dispensing and prevents the dispensing of the beverage as a straight proper flow in the drinking receptacle. The divider 31 is removable from the chamber for cleaning. The divider comprises a rod 311 that an operator can easily catch to remove the divider from the conduit and then reposition it. FIG. 5b illustrates the divided 31 removed from the conduit.

[0106] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, the chamber comprises a bump 4 extending from the lateral surface of the chamber inside the volume of the chamber. This bump enables better dissolution and frothing of the beverage. The bump 4 is positioned at the area of the cylindrical lateral side wall 111 opposed to the water inlet 2. The bump 4 presents two lateral, at least partially, curved sides 41, 42. Each side extend gradually from the surface cylinder in opposite directions and converge at a central common essentially vertical edge 43.

[0107] When water is injected, the jet of water reaching the first side 41 of the bump creates a swirl (that rotates counter clockwise in the drawing of FIG. 3). When this swirl passes in front of the water inlet 2, it is agitated and aerated by the entering jet of water as long as water is injected. In addition, as this swirl flows on back to the bump 4, it swirls along the second curve 42 of the bump and it can still be hit again with force by the entering jet of water a second time providing again an efficient agitation. Consequently, the chamber design enables the efficient dissolution of the powder and the frothing of the beverage from the beginning of the process. That provides the advantage of immediately producing an important quantity of foam in the beverage. In order to prepare an important volume of beverage, the chamber can be designed with a quite large diameter, yet the efficient dissolution and frothing effect are still obtained thanks to the liquid circulation imparted by the bump.

[0108] Very rapidly, all the beverage powder is dissolved in the water. As water goes on entering the chamber, the swirl raises inside the chamber and above the water inlet. Above the water inlet, the swirl enables the mixing of the beverage in preparation. At the water inlet, the strength of the jet goes on agitating and aerating the swirl.

[0109] After a certain time, the volume of water in the chamber is such that the bottom of the swirl reaches the beverage outlet 3 and the dispensing in the drinking receptacle starts. The design of the chamber enables the preparation of a large volume of frothed beverage. Yet, alternative chambers with other internal designs to dissolve and froth can be used.

[0110] FIG. 6 illustrates the method of preparation of a beverage with the apparatus of FIG. 1 and a chamber such as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. The process is used in the condition where no beverage has been prepared for a certain time and the chamber is dry. FIG. 6 shows the sequences of actuation of the powder dosing unit 108 (dotted line) and the water pump 102 (full line) during the time of the a beverage preparation. Following the time, the sequence begins with step a) from t=0 to t.sub.1 during which the water pump is actuated. The time length of step a) enables the dispensing of about 2 ml of water through the water nozzle such that water jet forms a swirl of water along the surface of the chamber and wets it. Water pump is stopped at time t.sub.1 (step b))

[0111] In step c), from t.sub.1 to t.sub.2, the powder dosing unit is powered to dispense a dose of milk powder inside the chamber. The first part of powder reaching the funnel at the bottom of the chamber reacts with the film of water and is stopped immediately before reaching the beverage outlet conduit. The rest of the powder is retained inside the chamber by this sub-layer. Consequently, no powder falls directly out of the beverage conduit during the powder dosing operation.

[0112] In step d), starting from t.sub.2, the water pump is actuated again. The time length of step d) and the power of the pump enables the dispensing of water through the water nozzle such that water jet traverses the chamber, hits the opposed lateral wall and forms an ascending swirl of water along the surface of the chamber. Milk powder is dissolved and the resulting milk liquid is frothed.

[0113] The apparatus presents the advantage of not comprising costly internal devices such as a motor to close the beverage outlet and optionally a whipping motor to strongly agitate the beverage and a high pressure pump to supply a high pressure.

[0114] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

[0115] Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.

[0116] As used in this specification, the words “comprises”, “comprising”, and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean “including, but not limited to”.

LIST OF REFERENCES IN THE DRAWINGS

[0117] chamber 1, 1′ [0118] lateral side wall 11 [0119] top edge 110 [0120] lower part 111 [0121] bottom wall 12

[0122] water inlet 2

[0123] beverage outlet 3, 3′

[0124] sub-conduit 30

[0125] divider 31

[0126] rod 311

[0127] bump 4

[0128] first side 41

[0129] second side 42

[0130] central edge 43

[0131] nozzle 6

[0132] conduit 9

[0133] beverage preparation apparatus 100

[0134] tank 101

[0135] pump 102

[0136] heater 103

[0137] valve 104

[0138] water supplying system 105

[0139] pipe 106

[0140] container 107

[0141] dosing device 108

[0142] service tray 109

[0143] command 112

[0144] drinking receptacle 113

[0145] controller 114