Process for Making a Portable Beverage Product and a Filling Line Therefore

Abstract

A process for making a portable beverage product may include the steps of: providing a portable container with an aperture; providing a separation device previously equipped with sealing means including at least one removable barrier; inserting an amount of a drinkable liquid into the container; inserting the separation device into the container to form a first chamber containing the liquid, a second chamber, and a connecting path from the first chamber into the second chamber, the connecting path being closed by the removable barrier; inserting at least one second ingredient into the second chamber; closing the aperture of the container with a cover; wherein the separation device is also positioned in such a way that the removable barrier can be removed in response to a user action on the portable beverage product, thus opening the above mentioned connecting path.

Claims

1-34. (canceled)

35. A process for making a portable beverage product, wherein the product is suitable for preparation of a beverage by infusion or solution of a first liquid ingredient with at least one second ingredient, the process comprising: a) providing a portable container with an aperture, preferably in the form of a can such as a metal can or aluminum can; b) providing a separation device previously equipped with sealing means comprising at least one removable barrier; c) inserting an amount of the first ingredient into the container, the first ingredient being preferably water; d) inserting the separation device into the container, preferably after sterilization of the container, the separation device being inserted in a position, relative to the container, wherein: the separation device and its sealing means delimitate, in a sealed manner, a first chamber of the container and a second chamber of the container, wherein the first chamber contains the amount of first ingredient and the separation device provides a connecting path for the first ingredient to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, the connecting path being closed by the at least one removable barrier; e) inserting at least one second ingredient into the second chamber, preferably selecting pure coffee or a coffee-containing powder as the at least one second ingredient; f) closing the aperture of the container with a cover after the insertion of the separation device and of the at least one second ingredient, to form the portable beverage product; and wherein the separation device is also positioned in such a way that the at least one removable barrier can be removed in response to a user action on the portable beverage product, thus opening the above mentioned connecting path.

36. The process according to claim 35, comprising the steps of: introducing the first liquid ingredient in the container; placing the separation device above the liquid level so that the second chamber is above the separation device; placing the separation device is placed at a suitable height relative to the walls of the container, wherein the height is selected so that the second chamber has a volume equal to or greater than the volume of first ingredient contained in the first chamber.

37. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of positioning a hollow filtering device inside the second chamber, wherein the filtering device is configured to contain the at least one second ingredient.

38. The process according to claim 37, comprising the step of loading the filtering device, before or after insertion into the container, with the at least one second ingredient, and loading the at least one second ingredient in a solid form which is soluble in the first ingredient or adapted to deliver an infusion process upon contact with the first ingredient.

39. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of laying the at least one second ingredient directly onto at least part of an upper surface of the separation device.

40. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of selecting the at least one second ingredient in the form of a powder.

41. The process according to claim 35, wherein step b) includes providing the separation device with any of: a baffle, a septum, a frangible barrier, and a frangible barrier with a perforation means adapted to perforate the frangible barrier in order to open the connecting path.

42. The process according to claim 35, comprising the steps of: providing the separation device with a housing; and placing a filtering device in the housing, wherein the filtering device is configured to contain the at least one second ingredient.

43. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of: giving a hollow shape to at least a portion of the separation device, wherein the at least a portion of the separation device can be loaded with the at least one second ingredient and act as a filtering device.

44. The process according to claim 35, comprising the steps of: providing the separation device with a housing in the form of a through hole; fixing a connecting path through the through hole in a sealed manner so that the connecting path becomes part of the separation device; and closing the connecting path by the at least one removable barrier.

45. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of adopting a plurality of pieces to form the separation device and connecting the plurality of pieces in a sealed manner so to perform a unique separation device structure.

46. The process according to claim 45, comprising the steps of: shaping at least one of the plurality of pieces in the form of a tube; and inserting the tube in a sealed manner in a housing of the separation device, wherein the housing is realized in the form of a through hole, and one end of the tube is closed by the at least one removable barrier.

47. The process according to claim 35, comprising the provision of a separation device including at least a first component and a second component, the process also comprising the steps of: positioning the first component to provide a frangible seal between the first chamber and the second chamber; positioning the second component in a position, relative to the first component, wherein the second component can be operated by the user to break the frangible seal and open he connecting path from the first chamber to the second chamber via the housing; and inserting the second component into the connecting path.

48. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of: positioning the separation device such that the second chamber is above the first chamber.

49. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of selecting a container made of a material suitable for microwave heating.

50. The process according to claim 35, comprising at least one of: a step of purging air from the second chamber and introducing an inert gas in the second chamber; and a step of introducing a selected amount of a propeller gas in the first chamber.

51. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of: applying a piece containing a ferromagnetic material to the outside bottom of the container.

52. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of: providing one or more structural parts of the container with safety means adapted to avoid overpressure of the container.

53. The process according to claim 35, comprising the step of: providing at least one surface of the container with a thermo-insulating layer or with a thermo-insulating element.

54. A production line for the production of beverage products according to the process of claim 35, wherein the production line comprises: a filling head configured to insert an amount of the first liquid ingredient into a container; an insertion means for inserting a separation device into the container, wherein the insertion means is controlled to place the separation device in a target position that defines the first chamber and the second chamber of the container, separated by the at least one removable barrier; an insertion means for inserting an amount of the at least one second ingredient; a closing means adapted for closing the container in a sealed manner, after the insertion of the separation device, to form the portable beverage product, an insertion means for inserting at least one movable component adapted to perforate the at least one removable barrier under action of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a scheme of an embodiment of a process for making a beverage product according to one embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a scheme of an embodiment of a process for making a beverage product according to one embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a scheme of an embodiment of a process for making a beverage product according to one embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows the use of a beverage product obtained with the process shown in FIGS. 1-3;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the process for making a beverage product according to another embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the process for making a beverage product according to another embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0066] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the process for making a beverage product according to another embodiment or aspect of the invention;

[0067] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the process for making a beverage product according to another embodiment or aspect of the invention; and

[0068] FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the process for making a beverage product according to yet another embodiment or aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] In FIG. 1, an aluminium can 1 with a top aperture 2 is filled with a first ingredient in the form of a liquid, such as water 3, by means of a filling head 4. Before this filling operation, air can be removed from the can 1 e.g. by insufflation of nitrogen or another inert gas.

[0070] The filling head 4 delivers a predetermined amount of the liquid 3, until the latter reaches a desired level 5 in the bottom of the can 1.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a subsequent step wherein a separation device 10 is introduced in the can 1 through the aperture 2. In this example the separation device 10 includes a container 11.

[0072] Once the separation device 10 is fully inserted in the can 1, the inner space of the can 1 is divided into a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 13.

[0073] The first chamber 12 is below the separation device 10 and contains the amount of water previously introduced by the filling head 4.

[0074] The second chamber 13 is provided by the container 11 and is designed to collect an intended amount of the water 3, which is the amount that will pass into the second chamber during the preparation of the beverage. Preferably, the second chamber 13 has a volume greater than the volume of water contained in the first chamber 12 (FIG. 3). However a residual amount of water may also remain in the first chamber after preparation of the beverage.

[0075] The separation device 10 includes an infusion chamber 14 filled with an additional ingredient 15 for the preparation of a beverage, for example coffee 15.

[0076] The first chamber 12 and the second chamber 13 are separated by the walls of the container 11.

[0077] The separation device 10 includes at least one frangible seal 16 between the first chamber 12 and the infusion chamber 14. The separation device 10 includes a permeable passage between the infusion chamber 14 and the second chamber 13. In the example said permeable passage includes a permeable wall 17.

[0078] The frangible seal 16 may be a part of a surface of the container 11, for example a part of the bottom wall 18.

[0079] The can 1 is then closed, in a sealed manner, by placing a lid 19 on top of the can 1 and container 11. The second chamber 13 is accessible by a user (consumer) e.g. by removing the lid 19 or by means of a suitable opening on the lid 19.

[0080] FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the device, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0081] A predetermined action of the user causes the rupture of the frangible seal 16. Said predetermined action may include the perforation of the seal 16 with a suitable perforation means, e.g. a cannule or a movable rod. The perforation means may be part of the separation device.

[0082] The water 3 initially contained in the first chamber 12 is then transferred into the second chamber 13, passing through the infusion chamber 14 and the permeable wall 17, as shown by the arrows of FIG. 4. The motive force of said transfer may be pressurization of the water 3 due to a heating of the can 1.

[0083] The water 3 therefore contacts the ingredient 15 and starts an infusion process; the resulting beverage is collected in the second chamber 13. The beverage can be consumed from said second chamber 13 which is directly accessible by the user, e.g. opening the can.

[0084] FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate an embodiment of the process comprising the provision of a separation device 110 including a first component (housing) 111 and a second component (filter) 112.

[0085] The housing 111 is introduced first in the can 1, and then the filter 112 is fitted into the housing 111.

[0086] The process includes a step of selecting a housing 111 having a bottom duct 113 closed by a frangible membrane 114. The housing 111 is positioned in such a way that the end of said bottom duct 113 is immersed in the water 3.

[0087] The filter 112 is selected having an infusion chamber 115, a bottom duct 116 and an upper duct 117 with one or more aperture 118. The infusion chamber 115 is filled, before insertion into the container 1, with the second ingredient, e.g. coffee.

[0088] The filter 112 is positioned in such a way that the aforesaid duct 116 fits into the duct 113 of the housing 111, and an outer thread 118 of the filter duct 116 mates with an inner thread 119 of the housing duct 113. The filter 112 is positioned in such a way that the bottom end remains above the membrane 114. The container 1, after insertion of said housing 111 and filter 112, is closed with a top cover.

[0089] As shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8, a rotation of the filter 112 relative to the housing 111 causes the duct 116 to break the membrane 114, allowing a water flow (induced e.g. by heating) from the first chamber 12 to the second chamber 13, via a connecting path including the duct 116, the infusion chamber 115, the upper duct 117 and the apertures 118. While traversing the infusion chamber 115, the hot water performs an infusion process with the coffee powder and a fresh prepared coffee is collected in the chamber 13.

[0090] The rotation of the filter 112 can be made by the user, after opening the container 1 by removing the top cover.

[0091] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment wherein the process comprises the provision of a separation device 210 including a first component selected as housing 211 and a second component selected as duct 212. The piercing of the membrane 214 is made by the lower end of the duct 212, which operates similar to the duct 116 of the above described embodiment.

[0092] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the process includes the step of depositing the second ingredient (e.g. soluble coffee) on a surface 220 of the housing 211 and, accordingly, no infusion chamber is required. After piercing the membrane 214 with the duct 212, a connecting path is formed by the duct 212 itself. Water flows through the duct 212 and apertures 218 into the chamber 13, where it comes into contact with the soluble coffee contained in the housing 211.

[0093] In another embodiment the process includes the step of providing a duct 212 which is fixed (i.e. not displaceable) relative to the housing 211. In this case, to break the removable barrier 214, the process may comprise the provision of a movable rod inside the duct 212.

[0094] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is understood that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the disclosure as defined herein. Particularly, individual characteristics of the different illustrated/mentioned embodiments can be combined in additional embodiments. Consequently, the description and the drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0095] It is also understood that all the characteristics described with reference to a method can be transposed, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device can be transposed, alone or in combination, to a method.