BEVERAGE PREPARATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising a module (1) for producing a beverage from a pack (10), —said pack comprising a bottom side (101), and said bottom side (101) of said pack comprising an area (104) configured for being openable, said openable area being made of a flexible material, and—a module (1) comprising a pack holder assembly (2), a fluid processing device (11) designed to open the openable area (104)) of the pack, and an actuating device (12) to move said fluid processing device (11) and said pack (10) one to the other, and—the pack holder assembly (2) comprises a movable locking device (24) to position the pack (10) inside the pack chamber (22) when a beverage is prepared, and wherein the bottom part of the pack (10) comprises at least two fixing means (103), said fixing mean being a hole or a deformable area, and wherein the movable locking device (24) comprises at least two positioning means (242), each of said positioning means being configured: to move inside at least one respective hole (103) of the pack hold in the chamber, or. to move inside at least one respective deformable area (103) of the pack hold in the chamber and to fit in the resulting deformed area.

Claims

1. A beverage production system comprising a module for producing a beverage from a pack, said pack comprising a beverage ingredient, said ingredient being configured to be mixed with a fluid to produce a beverage, said pack presenting a plane shape oriented along a plane, said pack comprising a bottom side, and said bottom side of said pack comprising an area configured for being openable, said openable area being made of a flexible material, and said module comprising: a pack holder assembly adapted for receiving and holding said pack, said pack holder assembly comprising a pack chamber adapted for receiving said pack through an upper pack inlet and for holding said pack in an essentially vertical position inside the module, said chamber presenting a bottom opening configured to enable access to at least the bottom side of said pack hold in the chamber, and a fluid processing device comprising: at least one inlet for introducing a fluid into said pack for the preparation of a beverage by mixing said fluid with an ingredient contained in said pack, and at least one outlet for dispensing said beverage from said pack, said fluid processing device being designed to open the openable area of the pack, an actuating device to move said fluid processing device and said pack one to the other so that the fluid processing device opens the bottom side of said pack and position the said fluid processing device and said pack one to the other in a fluid introduction position, wherein said fluid processing device protrudes inside the internal volume of the pack in order to introduce the fluid, and the pack holder assembly comprises a movable locking device, said movable locking device being configured to position the pack inside the pack chamber when a beverage is prepared, the bottom part of the pack comprises at least two fixing means said fixing mean being a hole or a deformable area, said two fixing means being positioned around the openable area of the bottom side of the pack, and the movable locking device comprises at least two positioning means, each of said positioning means being configured: to move inside at least one respective hole of the pack hold in the chamber, or to move inside at least one respective deformable area of the pack hold in the chamber and to fit in the resulting deformed area.

2. A beverage production system according to claim 1, wherein the openable area is made of a stretchable material.

3. A beverage production system according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terepthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, a polymer comprising food-grade oxygen and/or moisture scavengers, and a combination thereof.

4. A beverage production system according to claim 1, wherein the pack comprises two circular fixing areas, the distance between the centres of said circular fixing areas being at most 52 mm, and wherein each of the holes and/or deformable areas of the pack encompasses one of said circular fixing areas.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein the pack comprises a front wall and a back wall, said front and back walls being made of flexible material, and at least the edges of the bottom parts of said walls are sealed together around the openable area of the bottom side, and the circular fixing areas are provided in said sealed edges, and wherein the distance between the centres of the circular fixing areas is of at least 40 mm.

6. System according to the claim 1, wherein the openable area of the pack comprises a piece of reinforcing material and the bottom of the pack comprises sealed edges around said piece of reinforcing material.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein said piece of reinforcing material comprises an opening, said opening being closed by a flexible material.

8. System according to claim 1, the opening of the piece of reinforcing material and the cross section of the fluid processing device present circular shapes, and the diameter of the opening is greater than the diameter of the transversal section of the fluid processing device by about 1 mm, said transversal section of the fluid processing device corresponding to the section positioned in the opening of the piece of reinforcing material when the fluid processing device protrudes inside the internal volume of the pack in order to introduce the fluid.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the pack comprises: an external primary sheet of flexible material, said primary sheet comprising a first opening at the openable area, an intermediate secondary sheet of flexible, material, said secondary sheet covering the first opening, and an internal piece of reinforcing material, said piece comprising a second opening, said second opening facing the first opening.

10. System according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the centres of the circular fixing areas is comprised between 40 and 52 mm.

11. System according to claim 1, wherein the pack presents a transversal dimension between 65 and 75 mm.

12. A pack containing a beverage ingredient and configured for preparing a beverage by injection of fluid therein, wherein: the beverage ingredient is a water soluble, dilutable or infusible beverage ingredient, said pack presents: a plane shape, said plane shape being oriented along a plane vertically oriented during beverage production, and a bottom side comprising an area configured for being openable, said openable area being made of a flexible material, and and the bottom part of the pack comprises at least two fixing members, said fixing members being a hole or a deformable area, said two fixing members being positioned around the openable area of the bottom side of the pack, and each of the holes and/or deformable areas of the pack encompasses one circular fixing areas, and the distance between the centres of said circular fixing areas being at most 52 mm.

13. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the openable area is made of a stretchable material.

14. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the stretchable material is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene(PP), polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHA), polybutylene adipate terepthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), starch-based polymers, a polymer comprising food-grade oxygen and/or moisture scavengers, and a combination thereof.

15. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the pack comprises a front wall and a back wall, and at least the edges of the bottom parts of said walls are sealed together around the openable area of the bottom side, and the circular fixing areas are provided in said sealed edges, and wherein the distance between the centres of the circular fixing areas is of at least 40 mm.

16. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the openable area of the pack comprises a piece of reinforcing material and the bottom of the pack comprises sealed edges around said piece of material.

17. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the bottom side of the pack comprises: an external primary sheet of flexible material, said primary sheet comprising a first opening at the openable area, an intermediate secondary sheet of flexible, preferably stretchable material, said secondary sheet covering the first opening, and an internal piece of reinforcing material, said piece comprising a second opening, said second opening facing the first opening.

18. A pack according to claim 12, wherein: the first opening is circular and presents a diameter of 10 mm, and a second opening is circular and presents a diameter of 9 mm.

19. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the distance between the centres of the circular fixing areas is between 40 and 52 mm.

20. A pack according to claim 12, wherein the pack presents a transversal dimension comprised between 65 and 75 mm.

21. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0092] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a beverage production system according to the invention,

[0093] FIG. 2 is perspective view and a cross section view of a fluid processing device that can be used in the beverage production system,

[0094] FIG. 3 is a view of the pack holder assembly of the module for producing a beverage,

[0095] FIG. 4A, 4B are horizontal cross sectional view of the pack and the movable locking device in different relative positions,

[0096] FIG. 5A is an isolated side view of the pack hold by the locking device and pierced the fluid processing device,

[0097] FIG. 5B is an isolated bottom view of the pack hold by the locking device and pierced the fluid processing device,

[0098] FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of a pack

[0099] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different packs can be used in the beverage production system of the invention.

[0100] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the materials of one preferred openable area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0101] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a beverage production system 100 according to the invention.

[0102] The system 100 comprises a module 1 and a pack 10. The module is adapted for receiving the pack and producing a beverage from said pack.

[0103] The module 1 comprises a pack holder assembly 2 and a fluid system to introduce a fluid inside the pack.

[0104] The fluid system usually comprises a fluid source 13, like a water tank, pumping means 14 to pump the fluid from the source. Usually heating and/or cooling means are part of the system to adapt the temperature of the fluid to be introduced inside the pack.

[0105] The fluid is supplied to a fluid processing device 11 configured to cooperate with the bottom of the pack in order to introduce the fluid in said pack.

[0106] Generally, the module comprises am actuating device 12 move this fluid processing device 11 to said pack hold in the pack holder assembly 2.

[0107] The module comprises usually a system control unit 16 to control the above different devices for the preparation of a beverage from a pack.

[0108] Such a beverage production system 100 corresponds to the system described in the publications WO 2021/110650, WO 2021/110654 and/or WO 2021/110652.

[0109] FIG. 2 is perspective view and a cross section view of a fluid processing device 11 that can be used in the beverage production system. It comprises: [0110] a fluid inlet 111 for introducing a fluid into the openable area 104 of the pack hold in the chamber, and [0111] a beverage outlet 112 for dispensing the prepared beverage from said pack hold in the chamber.

[0112] The actuating device 12 is adapted to move this fluid processing device 11 to said pack hold in the chamber and in particular the pointed part 113 to the openable area 104 in order to open the openable area 104 or any membrane or cover provided at this area.

[0113] Other fluid processing device 11 such as described in WO 2021/110650 can be used in the system of the present invention.

[0114] FIG. 3 is a view of the pack holder assembly 2 of the module 1. The assembly comprises a pack chamber 22 presents a plane shape oriented along a plane (Pc), said plane of the chamber being oriented in an essentially vertical position the pack chamber: it is adapted for holding the pack 10 so that the plane (P) of the pack extends along said plane (Pc) of the chamber. The pack chamber comprises an upper pack inlet 222 to introduce a pack 10. The chamber presents a bottom opening 221 configured to enable access to at least the bottom side of the pack hold in the chamber.

[0115] The pack holder assembly 2 comprises a movable locking device 24 that is configured to fix the pack 10, in particular the bottom of the pack, inside the pack holder assembly when a beverage is prepared.

[0116] FIG. 4A is a horizontal cross section view of the pack, the movable locking device and the bottom of the chamber where the looking device releases the pack.

[0117] The movable locking device 24 comprises two positioning means 242, in form of pins, each of said pins being positioned away from the pack 10. In this position, the operator is able to remove the pack form the pack holder or has just introduced a new one in the chamber.

[0118] FIG. 4B is the corresponding horizontal cross section view where the looking device locks and positions the pack.

[0119] The locking device 24 is now positioned close to the chamber 22 and the pins 242 enters in the holes or deformable areas 103 of the pack present in the chamber. Preferably, the pins are positioned perpendicularly to the plane shape of the pack. These corresponding pins and holes enable a correct position of the pack inside the chamber which guarantees a correct interaction with the fluid processing device 11. They also maintain firmly the pack during the introduction of the fluid processing device 11 and they prevent the upwardly movement of the pack inside the chamber when a fluid squirts inside the pack.

[0120] This movable locking device can be moved between two positions by a dedicated actuating device of the module either automatically or manually.

[0121] FIG. 5A is an isolated side view of the pack 10 hold by the locking device 24 and pierced the fluid processing device 11, said device protruding inside the internal volume of the pack in order to introduce the fluid. The device 11 has been previously introduced through the bottom side of the pack further to an upward vertical movement of the device, actuated by the actuating device (motor) of the module 1 (as schematically represented). The pins 242 of the locking device 24 retain the pack during that operation.

[0122] FIG. 5B is the corresponding bottom view of the pack hold by the locking device and pierced by the fluid processing device showing the penetration of the fluid processing device 11 inside the bottom side 101.

[0123] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a pack 10 that can be used in the beverage production system 100 according to the invention.

[0124] This pack comprises an ingredient that is configured to be mixed with a fluid to produce a beverage. The pack presents a plane shape oriented along a plane P. Two longitudinal plane walls 105 (front and back) extends along this plane P.

[0125] In this specific embodiment, the walls 105 are made of a flexible material and the lateral edges 106 of these walls are sealed as well as the edges at the top end 107. The bottom side 101 of said pack is configured for being openable. The bottom side 101 comprises an area 104 that is an openable area and that is made of a flexible material. Usually, this area 104 is configured for being openable by the fluid processing device 11 of the system. This openable area 101 is adapted to enable the introduction of the fluid processing device 11 so that staid device protrudes inside the internal volume of the pack in order to introduce the fluid, as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0126] The pack comprises at least two holes 103 at the bottom end 108.

[0127] The bottom part 108 of the pack comprises two fixing means 103 which are holes. The holes are positioned around the openable area 104 of the bottom side of the pack. These holes are adapted to cooperate with the two positioning means 242 of the movable locking device such as illustrated in FIG. 4A, 4B, 5A or 5B. Precisely, the distance between the two holes correspond to the distance between the two pins 242 so that the locking device is able to move and position and fix the pack inside the chamber 22 during the opening of the openable area 104 by the fluid processing device 11 during its upwards movement and during the introduction of fluid in the pack from said device 10 protruding inside the internal volume of the pack.

[0128] In this illustrated embodiment the holes 103 are precisely positioned to be entered by the pins of the looking device. Preferably these holes are circular.

[0129] The pack 10 can comprises a readable code 102 in its bottom end 108 and the module 1 can comprises a code reader inside or close to the chamber 22.

[0130] FIG. 7B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the above pack wherein the holes 103 present different shapes and dimensions. In particular the surfaces of these holes are larger than the holes 103 defined in FIG. 7A.

[0131] FIG. 7C illustrates an alternative embodiment of the above packs wherein the bottom part 108 of the pack comprises two fixing means 103 which are deformable areas, in particular crossed slits traversing the sealed bottom edge of the pack. These slits are configured to be deformed when the two positioning means 242 of the movable locking device are pushed against it and then traversed by said positioning means. Consequently, the same locking sand positioning function is obtained. Similar effect s obtained with one slit only in place of two crossed slits.

[0132] In the different alternatives of the pack, it is preferred that the holes and/or the deformable areas encompasses specific circular fixing areas 1030, said circular fixing areas 1030 corresponding to two optimal fixing positions of the pack in the chamber for the beverage preparation.

[0133] In FIG. 7A, the two holes 103 correspond exactly to said circular fixing areas. In FIGS. 7B and 7C, the fixing means 103 encompasses these circular fixing areas 1030, which guarantees a proper positioning and fixing of the pack.

[0134] Preferably these fixing areas 103 are positioned at the same longitudinal height as the openable area 104 in the plane shape of the sachet.

[0135] Preferably, the distance D between the centres of said circular fixing areas shall not be too large to prevent the deformation of the flexible material which could be bent around the fluid processing device and create non desirable gap around said device at certain steps of the beverage preparation in particular during the step of fluid introduction. This distance is preferably of at most 52 mm, preferably at most 50 mm.

[0136] In the preferred illustrated embodiments of the pack of FIGS. 7A to 7C and 6, the edges 1051, 1061 of the bottom parts of said walls are sealed together around the openable area 104 of the bottom side and the circular fixing areas 1030 are provided in said sealed edges.

[0137] Preferably, the distance D between the centres of said circular fixing areas shall not be too small to prevent the possible separation of the sealed edges due to an inflation of the pack. This distance is preferably of at least 40 mm, preferably at least 42 mm, even more preferably at least 44 mm.

[0138] Preferably the distance (D) between the centres of the circular fixing areas 1030 is comprised between 40 and 52 mm, preferably between 43 and 50 mm, even more preferably between and 49 mm.

[0139] Preferable the pack presents a transversal dimension comprised between 65 and 75 mm.

[0140] In the preferred illustrated embodiments of the pack of FIGS. 7A to 7C, the openable area 104 of the pack can comprise a piece of reinforcing material 1040. This reinforcing material can define a flat surface around the flexible openable area 104 and facilitates the introduction of the fluid processing device 11 inside the pack.

[0141] Generally, said piece of reinforcing material comprises an opening, said opening being closed by a flexible material, defining the openable area 104.

[0142] Generally, it is preferred that the opening of the piece of reinforcing material and the cross section of the fluid processing device present circular shapes as illustrated in the figures. Preferably, the diameter of the opening in the reinforcing material is greater than the diameter (d) of the transversal section of the fluid processing device by about 1 mm, said transversal section of the fluid processing device corresponding to the section positioned in the opening of the piece of reinforcing material when the fluid processing device 11 protrudes inside the internal volume of the pack in order to introduce the fluid and as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0143] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in one preferred embodiment, the bottom side 101 of the pack comprises: [0144] an external primary sheet 4 of flexible material, said primary sheet comprising a first opening 41 at the openable area, [0145] an intermediate secondary sheet 5 of flexible, preferably stretchable material, said secondary sheet covering the first opening, and [0146] an internal piece 1040 of reinforcing material, said piece comprising a second opening 1041, said second opening facing the first opening. The second and first openings are preferably aligned.

[0147] Preferably, the sizes of the first and second openings 41, 1041 are a bit greater than the size of the transversal section (d) of the fluid processing device. Accordingly, the fluid processing device is able to pierce the flexible or stretchable material 5 and to pass through the second opening 1041 while the pierced flexible or stretchable material covers a part of the fluid processing device 11. Preferably, when the shapes of the fluid processing device and the second opening 1041 are circular, the diameter of the second opening 1041 and the diameter d the transversal section of the fluid processing device can differ by about 1 mm.

[0148] Preferably the diameter of the first opening 41 and the diameter d the transversal section of the fluid processing device can differ by about 1 mm.

[0149] In particular, the above values (1 mm) apply for a diameter d of the transversal section of the fluid processing device comprised between 5 and 15 mm, preferably comprised between 5 and 12 mm, even more preferable comprised between 6 and 10 mm.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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”.

[0153] List of references in the drawings: [0154] system 100 [0155] module 1 [0156] fluid processing device 11 [0157] inlet means 111 [0158] outlet means 112 [0159] actuating device 12 [0160] fluid source 13 [0161] pumping means 14 [0162] heating and/or cooling means 15 [0163] system control unit 16 [0164] pack holder assembly 2 [0165] pack chamber 22 [0166] bottom opening 221 [0167] pack inlet 222 [0168] locking device 24 [0169] positioning means 242 [0170] pack 10 [0171] bottom side 101 [0172] code 102 [0173] hole 103 [0174] openable area 104 [0175] piece of reinforcing material 1040 [0176] second opening 1041 [0177] front wall 105 [0178] bottom edge 1051 [0179] back wall 106 [0180] bottom edge 1061 [0181] reinforcing insert 107 [0182] opening 108 [0183] primary sheet 4 [0184] first opening 41 [0185] secondary sheet 5