SANITIZATION UNIT, BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH A SANITIZATION UNIT AND BEVERAGE PREPARATION METHOD IMPLEMENTING SUCH A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sanitization unit (1), for sanitizing a liquid to be delivered to a beverage preparation unit (102) in order to prepare a beverage, the sanitization unit (1) comprising: —an irradiation chamber (2) configured to receive an amount of liquid, and—an irradiation device (4) configured to emit sanitizing radiations into the irradiation chamber (2) so as to sanitize the liquid in the irradiation chamber (2), wherein the irradiation chamber (2) comprises: —a liquid inlet (10) located in a lowermost region of the irradiation chamber (2) for introducing the liquid into the irradiation chamber (2), —a liquid outlet located in an uppermost region of the irradiation chamber (2) for discharging the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber (2), and—an air inlet (14) located in the uppermost region of the irradiation chamber (2) so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber (2) and evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber (2) via the liquid inlet (10) and/or via the liquid outlet (12).

Claims

1. Sanitization unit, for sanitizing a liquid to be delivered to a beverage preparation unit in order to prepare a beverage, the sanitization unit comprising: an irradiation chamber configured to receive an amount of liquid, and an irradiation device configured to emit sanitizing radiations into the irradiation chamber so as to sanitize the liquid in the irradiation chamber, wherein the irradiation chamber comprises: a liquid inlet located in a lowermost region of the irradiation chamber for introducing the liquid into the irradiation chamber, a liquid outlet located in an uppermost region of the irradiation chamber for discharging the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber, and an air inlet located in the uppermost region of the irradiation chamber so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber and evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet and/or convey the entered air via the liquid outlet.

2. Sanitization unit according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet is located close to or at the highest level of the irradiation chamber, the liquid outlet is located close to or at the highest level of the irradiation chamber, and/or wherein the liquid inlet is located close to or at the lowest level of the irradiation chamber.

3. Sanitization unit according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation device is positioned with respect to the irradiation chamber so as to be distant from the air inlet.

4. Sanitization unit according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation device comprises a UV light source.

5. Sanitization unit according to claim 1, further comprising an air non-return valve.

6. Beverage preparation machine comprising: a sanitization unit for sanitizing a liquid to be delivered to a beverage preparation unit in order to prepare a beverage, the sanitization unit comprising: an irradiation chamber configured to receive an amount of liquid, and an irradiation device configured to emit sanitizing radiations into the irradiation chamber so as to sanitize the liquid in the irradiation chamber, wherein the irradiation chamber comprises: a liquid inlet located in a lowermost region of the irradiation chamber for introducing the liquid into the irradiation chamber, a liquid outlet located in an uppermost region of the irradiation chamber for discharging the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber, and an air inlet located in the uppermost region of the irradiation chamber so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber and evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet and/or convey the entered air via the liquid outlet, a beverage preparation unit fluidly connected to the liquid outlet, a liquid supply unit fluidly connected to the liquid inlet and configured to supply a liquid to the beverage preparation unit via the liquid inlet, the irradiation chamber and the liquid outlet, and an air supply fluidly connected to the air inlet so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber via the air inlet and evacuate the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet and/or evacuate the supplied liquid out of the beverage preparation unit via the liquid outlet.

7. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, further comprising a first valve arranged in a fluid supply line fluidly connecting the liquid supply unit to the liquid inlet, the first valve being actuatable at least between: i) a first position to allow a liquid flow between the liquid supply unit and the liquid inlet and ii) a second position to allow a liquid flow out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet towards a drainage unit, a drainage tank and/or a liquid tank of the liquid supply unit.

8. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, further comprising a second valve, arranged in a discharge line fluidly connecting the liquid outlet to the beverage preparation unit, the second valve being configured to open i) only in one direction from the liquid outlet to the beverage preparation unit so as to prevent liquid from flowing back toward the liquid outlet and ii) only when the pressure difference across the second valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

9. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, wherein the sanitization unit is located above at least one of the beverage preparation unit, the liquid supply unit and, preferably, the drainage unit, the sanitization unit being preferably located in an uppermost position of the beverage preparation machine.

10. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, further comprising a heating device arranged to transfer heat to at least a portion of a discharge line fluidly connecting the liquid outlet and the beverage preparation unit.

11. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, further comprising a machine control unit configured for controlling at least one of: the liquid supply unit, the air supply, the beverage preparation unit, the sanitization unit and, preferably, the first valve, second valve and the heating device.

12. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, further comprising a flowmeter configured to transmit signals representative of the liquid flow rate in the liquid supply unit, wherein preferably the machine control unit is linked to the flowmeter so as to receive the signals, wherein preferably the machine control unit is further configured to regulate the liquid flow rate under a maximum admissible flow rate that is predetermined so as to obtain an appropriate residence time of liquid into the irradiation chamber.

13. Beverage preparation method, for preparing a beverage by delivering a liquid to a beverage preparation unit, the beverage preparation method comprising: implementing a beverage preparation machine comprising a sanitization unit, for sanitizing a liquid to be delivered to a beverage preparation unit in order to prepare a beverage, the sanitization unit comprising: an irradiation chamber configured to receive an amount of liquid, and an irradiation device configured to emit sanitizing radiations into the irradiation chamber so as to sanitize the liquid in the irradiation chamber, wherein the irradiation chamber comprises: a liquid inlet located in a lowermost region of the irradiation chamber for introducing the liquid into the irradiation chamber, a liquid outlet located in an uppermost region of the irradiation chamber for discharging the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber, and an air inlet located in the uppermost region of the irradiation chamber so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber and evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet and/or convey the entered air via the liquid outlet; activating a liquid supply unit to deliver a liquid via the liquid inlet to the irradiation chamber and further via the liquid outlet to the beverage preparation unit, wherein the irradiation device is activated at least during the delivery of liquid to sanitize the delivered liquid; and preparing a beverage with the sanitized liquid with the beverage preparation unit.

14. Beverage preparation method according to claim 13, further comprising: after deactivation of the liquid supply unit, activating the air supply so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber via the air inlet and further enter the beverage preparation unit via the liquid outlet; and after deactivation of the liquid supply unit, activating or maintaining the air supply so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber via the air inlet, preferably placing the first valve in a position to open the supply line fluidly connected to the liquid supply unit and evacuating, by the entered air, the liquid out of the irradiation chamber via the liquid inlet.

15. Beverage preparation method according to claim 13, further comprising: during a filling period to fill the irradiation chamber, activating the liquid supply unit so as to deliver the liquid at a first flow rate; and, once the irradiation chamber is filled with liquid, delivering the liquid at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate for dispensing a beverage.

16. Beverage preparation method according to claim 13, further comprising: activating the heating device so as to heat up i) the discharge line; and activating or maintaining the air supply so as to let hot air enter the irradiation chamber via the air inlet where the air supply is configured to supply hot air.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0097] The above described aspects and implementation forms of the present invention will be explained in the following description of specific embodiments and aspects in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0098] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a sanitization unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0099] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view, at an angle different from FIG. 1, illustrating the sanitization unit of FIG. 1.

[0100] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view, with a cross-section along plane III on FIG. 1, illustrating the sanitization unit of FIG. 1;

[0101] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view, with a cross-section along a plane perpendicular to plane III, illustrating the sanitization unit of FIG. 1;

[0102] FIG. 5 is a view of detail V in FIG. 4 on a larger scale;

[0103] FIG. 6 is a schematic hydraulic diagram illustrating a beverage preparation machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and including the sanitization unit of FIG. 1;

[0104] FIG. 7 is a schematic hydraulic diagram illustrating the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 4 during a beverage preparation;

[0105] FIG. 8 is a schematic hydraulic diagram illustrating the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 4 after a beverage preparation and during a drainage process of the beverage preparation machine;

[0106] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a part of the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 4 including the sanitization unit of FIG. 1;

[0107] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a part of the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 4 including the sanitization unit of FIG. 1;

[0108] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view, at an angle different from FIG. 7, illustrating the part of the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 7;

[0109] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view, at an angle different from FIG. 7, illustrating the part of the beverage preparation machine of FIG. 7;

[0110] FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a beverage preparation method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0111] FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart illustrating in detail a drainage process performed in the beverage preparation method of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a sanitization unit 1 for sanitizing a liquid to be delivered to a not shown product compartment in order to prepare a beverage. For example, the sanitization unit 1 may be used to prepare an infant formula preparation when the product compartment encloses an infant formula composition.

[0113] The sanitization unit 1 comprises an irradiation chamber 2 configured to receive the liquid. The sanitization unit 1 further comprises an irradiation device 4 configured to emit sanitizing radiations into the irradiation chamber 2.

[0114] The irradiation device 4 may be positioned so as to be distant from the air inlet 14, preferably opposite the air inlet 14 and opposite the liquid outlet 12. The irradiation device 4 may be located in a lowermost region 2.1 of in the irradiation chamber 2 and next to the liquid inlet 10 with respect to the irradiation chamber 2. The irradiation device 4 may be arranged in a lowermost region 2.1 of the irradiation chamber 2, for example at the lowest level of the irradiation chamber 2 as in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0115] The irradiation device 4 may be configured to emit sanitizing radiations having a fluence of about 20 to 80 mW/cm.sup.2 and a fluence rate of at least 40 to 90 mi/cm.sup.2, thus enabling a fairly high degree of sanitization.

[0116] The irradiation device 4 may include a UV light source comprising an array of four UV LEDs 6, two of which are visible in FIG. 5. The UV LEDs may be comprised of solid state electroluminescent diodes and selected to provide a monodispersed light spectrum in the UVB-UVC spectrum (255-300 nm). The UV LEDs 6 may be powered by a not shown DC power source providing a voltage of between 9 V and 12 V and a current of at least 1.2 A. The power consumption of the irradiation device 4 may range from 5 W to 13 W.

[0117] The sanitization unit 1 may further include a not shown UV sensor configured to provide a measure representative of the actual radiations, e.g. of the fluence, of the UV LEDs 6 in order to ensure that the UV LEDs 6 keep operating properly.

[0118] The irradiation chamber 2 comprises a liquid inlet 10, a liquid outlet 12 and an air inlet 14. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, the irradiation chamber 2 may have three ports including the liquid inlet 10, the air inlet 12 and the liquid outlet 12. Each of these three ports may emerge in or be directly connected the irradiation chamber 2.

[0119] The liquid inlet 10 is located in the lowermost region 2.1 of the irradiation chamber 2 for introducing the liquid into the irradiation chamber 2. The liquid outlet 12 is located in an uppermost region 2.2 of the irradiation chamber 2 for discharging the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2, in particular toward the not shown product compartment (FIG. 8). The air inlet 14 is located in the uppermost region 2.2 of the irradiation chamber 2 so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber 2 and evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10, in particular after preparation of a beverage (FIG. 8), and/or convey the entered air via the liquid outlet 12 and preferably further via and out of a beverage preparation unit 102 of a beverage preparation machine 101 as hereafter detailed.

[0120] The air inlet 14 may be located at the highest level of the irradiation chamber 2 as in FIGS. 1 to 4. The liquid inlet 10 may be located close to the lowest level of the irradiation chamber 2, for example close to the irradiation device 4 as in FIGS. 1 to 4. The liquid outlet 12 may be located close to the highest level of the irradiation chamber 2, for example close to the air inlet 14 as in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0121] The irradiation device 4 may extend in the irradiation chamber 2 and distant from the air inlet 14, preferably opposite the air inlet 14. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, the irradiation device 4 may extend at the lowest level of the irradiation chamber 2, while the air inlet 14 emerges at the highest level of the irradiation chamber 2.

[0122] The liquid inlet 10 may be configured to introduce the liquid substantially tangentially to a surface of the irradiation chamber 2, preferably of the lowermost region 2.1. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 5, the liquid inlet 10 may be configured to introduce the liquid substantially tangentially to an upper surface 4.1 of the irradiation device 4 that is planar and horizontal in the service configuration of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0123] The liquid inlet 10 may be arranged to introduce the liquid in the irradiation chamber 2 along an injection direction D10, which forms an angle ranging from 0 degree to 15 degrees with a horizontal direction when the sanitization unit 1 is in its service configuration (FIGS. 1 to 4). In the examples of FIGS. 1 to 6 and 8, this angle is 0 degree, so the liquid inlet 10 extends horizontally. In the example of FIG. 7, this angle is about 10 degrees. As the liquid inlet 10 is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction, the emptying of the irradiation chamber 2 is enhanced.

[0124] The liquid outlet 12 may extend be arranged to collect the liquid substantially horizontally when the sanitizing unit 1 is in the service configuration, as in FIGS. 1 to 4. For example, the liquid outlet 12 may form an angle of 0 to 10 degrees with a horizontal direction when the sanitization unit 1 is in its service configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8). In a top view when the sanitization unit 1 is in its service configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8), the liquid outlet 12 may be laterally offset from the liquid inlet 10, for example offset by an angle ranging of about 90 degrees, as visible in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0125] The irradiation device 4 may comprise a protective window 16 for letting the emitted sanitizing radiations pass through. The protective window 16 may be arranged to separate the irradiation chamber 2 from the rest of the irradiation device 4.

[0126] The irradiation device 4 may further comprise a sealing member 18 arranged to seal the periphery of the protective window 16 with respect to the irradiation chamber 2. The protective window 16 and the sealing member 18 may be integrally assembled with the irradiation device 4.

[0127] The protective window 16 may be arranged to fluidly separate the irradiation device 4, in particular the UV LEDs 6, from the introduced liquid received in the irradiation chamber 2. The protective window 16 may be made of quartz.

[0128] The sealing member 18 may be arranged to seal the protective window 16 with respect to the introduced liquid received in the irradiation chamber 2. The sealing member 18 may be arranged flush with the wall defining the irradiation chamber 2 close to the protective window 16. Thus, no dead volume is formed around the protective window 16, which avoids the growth of microorganisms.

[0129] The shape of the irradiation chamber 2 is designed to make it possible for the irradiation device 4 to reach most or all of the surface and volume of the irradiation chamber 2. Thus, the irradiation chamber and the introduced liquid received therein may be appropriately sanitized. The irradiation chamber 2 may substantially have a spheroidal shape. The surfaces defining the irradiation chamber 2 of FIGS. 1 to 4 may form a spherical shape, except the upper surface 4.1 of the irradiation device 4. Indeed, the upper surface 4.1 may be substantially planar and extend substantially horizontally when the sanitization unit 2 is in its service configuration (FIGS. 3 and 4). The upper surface 4.1 may be defined by the protective window 16.

[0130] The UV LEDs 6 may be configured to emit sanitizing radiations under a solid angle covering most or all of the surfaces forming the irradiation chamber 2, which surfaces define the spherical shape of the irradiation chamber 2 in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0131] Further, the walls defining the irradiation chamber 2 may be made of a material reflecting UV radiations, for example of a material including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The reflection of the UV radiations can enhance the sanitization of the volume and surfaces of the irradiation chamber 2. In particular, the reflected UV radiations may reach portions of the irradiation chamber 2 that are not directly irradiated by the UV radiations emitted by the UV LEDs 6.

[0132] The irradiation device 4 may include a PCB (Printed circuit board) 4.2, on which the UV LEDs 6 may be arranged. The PCB 4.2 may be formed of an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. The PCB 4.2 may integrate the not shown UV sensor. The irradiation device 4 may further include a heat sink 4.4, on which the PCB 4.2 may be mounted in order to evacuate the heat generated by the UV LEDs 6. Cooling the UV LEDs 6 avoids degrading their performances as well as a shift in their light spectrum, hence obtain a reliable sanitization performance.

[0133] Also, the liquid entering in the sanitization unit 1 may serve as a coolant in order to evacuate part or all of the heat generated by the UV LEDs 6. This evacuated heat does not much influence the temperature of the liquid since the liquid volume flowing through the sanitization unit 1 is quite large.

[0134] The PCB 4.2 may include a NTC temperature sensor configured to deliver a signal representative of the temperature of the UV LEDs 6. This signal may be used to manage a safety check as the temperature of the UV LEDs 6 may be monitored. Preferably, the temperature of the UV LEDs 6 should not exceed 55° C.

[0135] As the liquid outlet 12 and the liquid inlet 10 are oppositely arranged, respectively in the lowermost region 2.1 and uppermost region 2.2, the introduced liquid may follow a long path inside the irradiation chamber 2, for example with a swirling motion, such that the introduced liquid may be irradiated for a long enough period of time to ensure its proper sanitization.

[0136] The sanitization unit 1 may further comprise an air non-return valve 20 that is fitted in a wall defining the irradiation chamber 2. The air non-return valve 20 may be arranged close to the air inlet 10 such that most or all of the wettable surfaces of the air non-return valve 20 may get partially or totally exposed to the irradiation of the irradiation device 4. The arrangement of the air non-return valve 20 opposite the irradiation device 4 enhances the sanitization of the wettable surfaces of the air non-return valve 20.

[0137] The irradiation chamber 2 may be defined by at least two parts, for example a lower part 2.10 and an upper part 2.12. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower part 2.10 accommodates the liquid inlet 10, while the upper part 2.12 accommodates the liquid outlet 12. The lower part 2.10 and the upper part 2.12 may be assembled together so as to substantially enclose the irradiation chamber 2.

[0138] The sanitization unit 1 may further comprise a sealing element 22, which is arranged between the lower part 2.10 and the upper part 2.12. The sealing element 22 may be arranged flush with the walls defining the irradiation chamber 2 close to the sealing element 22. Besides, the sealing element 22 may be arranged to be at least partially exposed to the UV radiations emitted by the UV LEDs 6. Thus, no dead volume is formed around the sealing element 22, which avoids the growth of microorganisms.

[0139] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sanitization unit 1 may also comprise a liquid inlet connector 24, a liquid outlet connector 26 and an air inlet connector 28. The liquid inlet connector 24 may be secured to, for example screwed onto, the lower part 2.10. The liquid outlet connector 26 may be secured to, for example screwed onto, the upper part 2.12. The air inlet connector 28 may be secured to, for example screwed onto, the upper part 2.12.

[0140] Respective channels may extend through the lower part 2.10 and the upper part 2.12 so as to fluidly connect i) the liquid inlet connector 24 to the liquid inlet 10, ii) the liquid outlet connector 26 to the liquid outlet 12, and iii) the air inlet connector 28 to the air inlet 14.

[0141] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate a beverage preparation machine 101 for preparing a beverage by delivering an amount of liquid to a not shown product compartment. The beverage preparation machine 101 comprises the sanitization unit 1.

[0142] The sanitization unit 1 may be located above at least one of the beverage preparation unit 102, the liquid supply unit 104 and a drainage unit 126. The sanitization unit 1 may be located in an uppermost position of the beverage preparation machine 101, for example at the highest position, for example on a head 101.1, of the beverage preparation machine 101 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12. As the sanitization unit 1 lies above the product compartment, the gravity can enhance the evacuation of the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10 and the drainage of the discharge line 122 toward the product compartment.

[0143] The beverage preparation machine 101 further comprises: [0144] a beverage preparation unit 102 fluidly connected to the liquid outlet 12, [0145] a liquid supply unit 103 fluidly connected to the liquid inlet 10 and configured to supply a liquid to the beverage preparation unit 102 via i) the liquid inlet 10, ii) the irradiation chamber 2 and iii) the liquid outlet 12, and [0146] an air supply 108 fluidly connected to the air inlet 14 so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber 2 via the air inlet 14 and evacuate the introduced liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10 and/or evacuate the supplied liquid out of the beverage preparation unit 102 via the liquid outlet 12.

[0147] The liquid supply unit 103 may comprise at least one supply line, which is configured to guide the liquid, and a liquid pump 112, which is configured to displace the liquid in this supply line.

[0148] The liquid pump 112 may dispense liquid to the product compartment under a pressure higher than 5 bar in order to achieve a high velocity so as to properly dissolve or extract the nutritional elements. The liquid pump 112 may for example be a type EK2 piston pump.

[0149] The air supply 108 may comprise at least one fluid line to guide air and an air pump 116 configured to move the air in this fluid line. The air entering the air inlet 14 may be compressed air, for example under an air pressure of between 0.3 bar and 3.0 bar, preferably of between 0.5 bar and 2.0 bar.

[0150] The beverage preparation unit 102 may comprise an opening device for opening the product compartment, for example a hollow needle 118, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, 11 and 12. The hollow needle 118 may be configured for piercing a lid of the product compartment and for injecting the liquid therein. The beverage preparation unit 102 may further comprise a not shown opening actuator configured for actuating the opening device so as to open the product compartment.

[0151] The beverage preparation machine 101 may further comprise an upstream duct 120 and a discharge line 122, which are arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the sanitization unit 1. The upstream duct 120 may be fluidly connected to the liquid inlet 10, and the discharge line 122 may be fluidly connected to the liquid outlet 12.

[0152] The upstream duct 120 may be arranged to guide the liquid supplied by the liquid supply unit 103 to the sanitization unit 1. The liquid supply unit 103 may comprise a liquid tank 104, for example a water tank, and the liquid may be tapwater. The discharge line 122 may be arranged to guide the liquid between the sanitization unit 1 and the not shown product compartment via the hollow needle 118.

[0153] The beverage preparation machine 101 may further comprise a first valve 124, which is arranged in a fluid supply line fluidly connecting the liquid supply unit 103 to the liquid inlet 10. The first valve 124 may be actuatable between: [0154] a first position (FIG. 7) to allow a liquid flow between the liquid supply unit 103 and the liquid inlet 10, and [0155] a second position (FIG. 8) to allow a liquid flow out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10 and towards a drainage unit 126, which preferably comprises a drainage line, and which guides the evacuated liquid toward a drainage tank and/or the liquid tank 104.

[0156] The first valve 124 may be a two-way valve like in FIGS. 6 to 8, a three-way valve or a multiway valve. The first valve 124 may be: [0157] normally open, thus fluidly connecting the supply unit 103 with the liquid inlet 10, preferably via the illustrated upstream duct 120, and [0158] shut when its electric actuator is powered, thus fluidly connecting the liquid inlet 10, preferably via the illustrated upstream duct 120, to the drainage unit 126.

[0159] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the beverage preparation machine 101 may further comprise: [0160] a heating system 130 arranged between the liquid supply unit 103 and the sanitization unit 1, the heating system 130 being configured to heat up the liquid during preparation of a beverage, [0161] a machine control unit 132 configured to control at least the sanitization unit 1, hence the irradiation device 4, the liquid pump 112, the air pump 116, the sanitization unit 1, the first valve 124, the heating system 130, the second valve 140 and the air non-return valve 20, and [0162] a flowmeter 134 arranged between the liquid tank 104 and the liquid pump 112 to measure the flow rate of liquid.

[0163] The heating system 130 and the flowmeter 134 are fluidly connected to the supply line that fluidly connects the liquid supply unit 103 and the liquid inlet 10. The machine control unit 132 may be configured to control the heating system 130, the liquid pump 112 and the air pump 116.

[0164] The machine control unit 132 may be linked, e.g. electrically or wirelessly, to the flowmeter 134 so as to receive signals transmitted by the flowmeter 134 and representative of the liquid flow rate. The machine control unit 132 may be configured to regulate the liquid flow rate based on those signals. For example, the machine control unit 132 may regulate the liquid flow rate under a maximum admissible flow rate that is predetermined so as to obtain an appropriate residence time of liquid into the irradiation chamber 2 in order to achieve a proper sanitization of said liquid.

[0165] As illustrated in FIG. 10 the beverage preparation machine 101 may further comprise a heating device 136, which is arranged to transfer heat to at least a portion of the discharge line 122, for example substantially to the whole of the discharge line 122. The discharge line 122 may be made of a thermally conductive material, for example of metal, in particular of stainless steel. The heating device 136 is not shown on the partial FIGS. 9, 11 and 12.

[0166] The heating device 136 may comprise a heating element, a temperature sensor and a heat control unit. The heating element may be arranged around the discharge line 122 and have the shape of a cartridge heater. The temperature sensor may be arranged to measure the temperature of the heating element or of a portion of the discharge line 122. The temperature sensor may be a thermal measuring resistance of the NTC type. The heat control unit may be configured to control the temperature of the heating element so as to heat the liquid present in the discharge line 122 up to a temperature ranging from 65° C. to 90° C., for example about 75 degrees.

[0167] The beverage preparation machine 101 may further comprise a second valve 140, which is arranged in a line fluidly connecting the liquid outlet 12 and the beverage preparation unit 102. The second valve 140 may be configured to open i) only in one direction from the liquid outlet 12 to the beverage preparation unit 102 so as to prevent liquid from flowing back toward the liquid outlet 12 and ii) only when the pressure difference across the second valve 140 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example of about 0.5 bar. In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the second valve 140 may be a check valve or non-return valve and it may be located immediately upstream the opening device (hollow needle 118).

[0168] When the beverage preparation machine 101 is in service, it may carry out a beverage preparation method according to an embodiment for preparing a beverage by delivering liquid to the product compartment. The beverage preparation method comprises: [0169] activating the liquid supply unit 103 to deliver a liquid via the liquid inlet 10 to the irradiation chamber 2 and further via the liquid outlet 12 to the beverage preparation unit 102; [0170] activating the irradiation device 4 at least during the delivery of liquid to sanitize the delivered liquid; and [0171] preparing a beverage with the sanitized liquid via the beverage preparation unit 102.

[0172] The beverage preparation method may further comprise: [0173] after deactivation of the liquid supply unit 103, activating the air supply 108, 116 so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber 2 via the air inlet 14 and further enter the beverage preparation unit 102 via the liquid outlet 12, preferably via the discharge line 122 if present, for flushing and emptying the beverage preparation unit 102 and possibly the discharge line 122 and the product compartment; and/or [0174] after deactivation of the liquid supply unit 103 and preferably after said flushing and emptying, activating or maintaining the air supply 108 so as to let air enter the irradiation chamber 2 via the air inlet 14, preferably placing the first valve 124 in a position to open of the first valve 124 and evacuating, by the entered air, the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10 and preferably towards the drainage unit 126 or the liquid tank 104.

[0175] The beverage preparation method may further comprise: closing the first valve 124 and draining, by the entered air, the liquid out of the beverage preparation unit 102. This draining operation may be performed before the evacuating operation.

[0176] The beverage preparation method may further comprise: [0177] draining the evacuated liquid into the drainage unit 126, [0178] during a filling period to fill the irradiation chamber 2, activating the liquid supply unit 103 so as to deliver the liquid at a first flow rate, and [0179] once the irradiation chamber 2 is filled with liquid, delivering the liquid at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate for dispensing a beverage.

[0180] As the liquid outlet 12 and the air inlet 14 are both located in the uppermost region 2.1, the entered air may flow from the air inlet 14 into the liquid outlet 12 directly, hence without conveying liquid, and then drain the beverage preparation unit 102. Then, as the liquid inlet 10 is located in the lowermost region 2.1, the introduced liquid may be evacuated out of the irradiation chamber 2 via the liquid inlet 10 by gravity under the pressure of the entered air.

[0181] The beverage preparation method may further comprise: [0182] preferably during or (shortly) after the activation of the air supply, activating the heating device 136 so as to heat up i) the discharge line 122 and preferably ii) the air contained in the discharge line 122; and/or [0183] activating or maintaining the air supply 108 so as to let hot air enter the irradiation chamber 2 via the air inlet 14 where the air supply 108 is configured to supply hot air, the temperature of which may range from 40° C. to 70° C.

[0184] FIG. 13 illustrates some steps of a beverage preparation method 201 when the beverage preparation machine 101 and the sanitizing unit 1 are in service. The indications written in FIG. 13 are merely added to enhance the legibility of the flowchart. Further steps may be performed that are not illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0185] The beverage preparation method 201 may be controlled by the machine control unit 118. The irradiation chamber 2 is empty at the beginning of the beverage preparation method 201. The beverage preparation method 201 may comprise: [0186] 202) Starting the beverage preparation method 201, hence also the beverage preparation machine 101. [0187] 203) The heating device 136 may be activated during a brief disinfection period, in order to disinfect the discharge line 122, for example by heating up the discharge line 122 at about 75° C. [0188] 204) Placing the machine head 101.1 in an extraction position. [0189] 206) Setting a target temperature of the heating system 130, e.g. 43° C. in the case of an infant formula preparation. [0190] 208) Checking whether the set target temperature has been reached. If not, waiting until the set target temperature has been reached. [0191] 210) Activating the irradiation device 4, for example powering on the UV LEDs 6, during a first period, e.g. of 5 s, before filling the irradiation chamber 2 with the liquid. [0192] 212) Checking safety of the irradiation device 4, for example of the UV LEDs 6. [0193] 214) Setting a timer for the first period during which the irradiating device 4 remains activated. [0194] 216) Checking whether or waiting until the first period is ended, in which case the set target temperature has been reached. [0195] 218) Set a first volume for the liquid to be introduced into the irradiation chamber 2. The first volume may be set substantially equal, or strictly equal, to the volume of the irradiation chamber 2. [0196] 220) Activating the liquid pump 112 to pump liquid, e.g. water, from the liquid supply 104 and to push the liquid through the heating system 130 and the first valve 124 in order to fill the irradiation chamber 2.

[0197] The liquid is introduced into the irradiation chamber 2 through the liquid inlet 10, for example along the injection direction D10 that is tangential to the upper surface 4.1 of the irradiation device 4. The liquid may be introduced at a low flow rate, for example ranging from 50 to 200 ml/min) in order to avoid or minimize the formation of air bubbles by cavitation, hence to maximize the fluence rate of the UV light in the liquid introduced in the irradiation chamber 2.

[0198] During the filling of the irradiation chamber 2, the air held in the irradiation chamber 2 is pushed toward the liquid outlet 12 and compressed in the product compartment. Due in part to the arrangement of the liquid inlet 10, the liquid outlet 12 and the air inlet 14, there remains no air in the irradiation chamber 2, thus avoiding that the liquid flows along too short a path through the irradiation chamber 2. [0199] 222) Activating the irradiation device 4, for example powering on the UV LEDs 6, during a second period, e.g. of 10 s, in order to ensure that the irradiation chamber 2 is wholly exposed to UV radiations and that the liquid received therein gets sanitized. The second period may directly follow the first period, thus involving a continuous activation of the irradiation device 4.

[0200] The irradiation device 4 may be continuously activated (UV LEDs ON) all along the beverage preparation method 201, in order to ensure the sanitization unit 1 gets thoroughly disinfected, even during the injection of air by the air pump 116. Alternatively, the second period and the first period may be separated by a rest period during which the irradiation device is not activated. [0201] 224) Checking whether or waiting until the first volume has been delivered by the liquid pump 112, while regulating the temperature of the heating system 130. When performing this step the machine control unit 118 may analyze the data emitted by the flowmeter 134. [0202] 226) Set a second volume for the liquid to be dispensed in the product compartment. The second volume may be set as the difference between i) the volume required in the beverage recipe and ii) the volume filling the irradiation chamber 2. [0203] 228) as of step 220) the irradiation chamber 2 is filled with liquid; activating the liquid pump 112 at an increased flow rate, for example at a maximum admissible flow rate of 400 ml/min, in order to push liquid into the product compartment and hence properly dissolve or extract the product.

[0204] The liquid flows out the liquid outlet 12 on top of the irradiation chamber 2 toward the product compartment via the discharge line 122 the liquid non-return valve 111 and the opening device (hollow needle 118). The liquid may thus dissolve or extract the product in the product compartment. [0205] 230) Checking whether or waiting until the second volume has been dispensed, while regulating the temperature of the heating system 130. [0206] 232) Deactivating the liquid pump 112. [0207] 234) Decreasing the temperature set point of the heating system 130, e.g. to a standard preheating temperature. [0208] 236) Performing a drainage process (FIG. 14) for draining liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 and out of the discharge line 122 toward a drainage duct 122 and/or back toward the liquid supply 104. [0209] 238) After the step of dissolving or extracting, the beverage preparation method 201 is completed and the beverage is ready to drink.

[0210] Some steps of the beverage preparation method 201 may be performed in parallel when applicable, as for example steps 212) and 214). Besides, some steps of the beverage preparation method 201 are optional.

[0211] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the drainage process for performing step 236. In order to set the beverage preparation machine 101 ready for preparing the next beverage, the beverage preparation method 201 may further comprise the following drainage process as mentioned in step 236) above: [0212] 240) Starting the drainage process. [0213] 242) Heating the heating device 136 so as to heat up the discharge line 122 to e.g. about 75° C. [0214] 244) Activating the air pump 116 so as to evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2, the discharge line 122, the beverage preparation unit 102 and the product compartment. The period of injection of air may be selected to ensure that the air stream circulates in the whole discharge line 122, along the beverage preparation unit 102, the product compartment, and/or in the whole irradiation chamber 2 and along the upstream duct 120 and the drainage unit 126 via the first valve 124.

[0215] Advantageously, the product compartment is fully emptied in order to ensure a good nutrition monitoring as performed by a not shown monitoring platform from which the product consumption is directly uploaded by the beverage preparation machine 101.

[0216] The entered air delivered by the air pump 116 can also empty the irradiation chamber 2 by pushing the liquid remaining therein through the liquid inlet 10 and the upstream duct 120. Thus, the arrangement of the air inlet 14 in the uppermost region 2.2 facilitates the emptying of the irradiation chamber 2 as well as the emptying of the product compartment and of a discharge line 122 of the beverage preparation machine 101.

[0217] The flow rate of the entered air may preferably be equal to or lower than the liquid flow rate during the liquid supply to the product compartment. [0218] 246) Setting a minimum latency period of e.g. 5 seconds so as to let the liquid be evacuated from the discharge line 122, the beverage preparation unit 102 and the beverage compartment. Meanwhile, the heating device 136 is activated to dry out the discharge line 122 in order to avoid the growth of microorganisms therein. [0219] 248) Checking whether or waiting until the latency has elapsed. [0220] 250) Controlling the first valve 124 in order to evacuate the remaining liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2 and guide it toward the drainage unit 126 and/or back toward the liquid tank 104.

[0221] Thus, the liquid inlet 10 makes it possible to completely empty the irradiation chamber 2 when the entered air evacuate the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2. The gravity might contribute evacuating the liquid out of the irradiation chamber 2. [0222] 252) Placing the machine head 101.1 in a standby position. [0223] 254) Setting a timer for a drainage period, of a few seconds, in order to ensure the irradiation chamber 2 and the upstream duct 120 have been emptied by the entered air. Optionally, activating or maintaining the air supply 108 so as to let hot air enter the irradiation chamber 2 via the air inlet 14 where the air supply 108 is configured to supply hot air. For example, hot air may have a temperature ranging from 40 to 70° C. [0224] 256) Checking whether or waiting until the drainage period has elapsed. [0225] 258) Controlling the first valve 124 back to its normally open position, hence ready to guide liquid toward the irradiation chamber again. [0226] 260) Deactivating the air pump 116. [0227] 262) Deactivating the irradiation device 4. [0228] 264) Setting a timer for a drying period of e.g. 5 minutes in order to dry out the discharge line 122 by means of the heating element 136 and/or hot air. [0229] 266) Checking whether or waiting until the drying period has elapsed. [0230] 268) Deactivating the heating device 136. [0231] 270) End of the drainage process; the beverage preparation machine 101 is ready for preparing the next beverage.

[0232] Besides, the beverage preparation method 201 may also include the following step, which is not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14: Regularly rinsing the beverage preparation machine 1 and the sanitization unit with a liquid heated up to a disinfection temperature of e.g. 75° C. by the heating system 130. For example, such a rinsing step may be repeated every 24 hours or after a predetermined number of hours has elapsed since the last beverage preparation method has been completed. Such a rinsing step ensures that no biofilm can form in the beverage preparation machine 201.

[0233] The present invention has been described in conjunction with various embodiments and implementations as examples. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the independent claims. In the claims as well as in the description the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims.