SYSTEM FOR FLEXIBLE FOOD OR BEVERAGE PACKS

Abstract

The invention relates to a spout (10) comprising at least two parts (11,12) relatively moveable with respect to each other such that at least one of the two parts (11,12) of the spout comprise means presenting a measurable resistance to being connected to an engaging part of a beverage preparation device and/or to the relative movement of the two parts (11,12) of the spout. Further, the invention relates to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a spout (10) as described and a container (30) configured to comprise a product to prepare the said food or beverage product The invention also refers to a system for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a pack (100) as described comprising a product and a beverage preparation device that will introduce a fluid in the form of a jet inside the volume of the pack (100), and to a method for determining if a food or beverage pack has been previously used in such a system.

Claims

1. Spout comprising at least two parts relatively moveable with respect to each other such that at least one of the two parts of the spout comprises member presenting a measurable resistance to being connected to an engaging part of a beverage preparation device and/or to the relative movement of the two parts of the spout.

2. Spout according to claim 1 wherein the member comprises piercable parts arranged at least in one of the two frontal parts of the spout and/or in the lower part of the spout.

3. Spout according to claim 1 wherein the member further comprises one or a plurality of indents or bumps.

4. Spout according to claim 3 wherein the indents or bumps are designed as to number, geometry and position in order to control the connection of the beverage preparation device to the spout and/or the movement of the two parts of the spout with respect to each other.

5. Pack for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a spout comprising at least two parts relatively moveable with respect to each other such that at least one of the two parts of the spout comprises member presenting a measurable resistance to being connected to an engaging part of a beverage preparation device and/or to the relative movement of the two parts of the spout and a container configured to comprise a product to prepare the food or beverage product.

6. Pack according to claim 5 wherein the container is configured by at least one flexible film folded in order to shape an enclosed space where the food or beverage product is arranged.

7. Pack according to claim 6 wherein the flexible film is configured overwrapping the spout in its entirety except for the part of the spout which is in direct communication with the inner volume of the container.

8. Pack according to claim 1 configured for allowing the injection of a fluid through the spout and to create a jet inside the volume of the container to prepare the food or beverage product.

9. System for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a pack for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a spout comprising at least two parts relatively moveable with respect to each other such that at least one of the two parts of the spout comprises member presenting a measurable resistance to being connected to an engaging part of a beverage preparation device and/or to the relative movement of the two parts of the spout and a container configured to comprise a product to prepare the food or beverage product comprising a product and a beverage preparation device that will introduce a fluid in the form of a jet inside the volume of the pack.

10. System according to claim 9 wherein the beverage preparation device comprises a control unit configured for measuring along time the resistance of the connection of the beverage preparation device to the spout and the resistance of the relative movement of the two parts of the spout.

11. System according to claim 9 wherein the beverage preparation device comprises a control unit configured for measuring along time, during the food or beverage preparation, the current provided by a driving motor driving the connection of the device to the spout of the pack and also driving the movement of the two parts of the spout relative to each other.

12. System according to claim 11 wherein the control unit is configured to transform the current value of the driving motor into a motor torque or a resistance force value along time, during the food or beverage preparation.

13. System according to claim 11 wherein the control unit is configured to compare the resistance value or the motor torque value with a referential threshold resistance or torque value, respectively, for a pack not yet used.

14. System according to claim 10 wherein the control unit monitors the resistance profile along time to determine the phase or stage in the food or beverage preparation process.

15-18. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

[0032] FIGS. 1a-c show different views of a system for flexible food or beverage packs according to the present invention, showing the way the beverage preparation machine pierces the pack and moves the spout linearly downwards to allow dispensing.

[0033] FIGS. 2a-c show a system for flexible food or beverage packs according to the present invention, showing the way the beverage preparation machine pierces the pack (FIGS. 2a-b) and a graph showing the variation of the driving motor torque when the pack is pierced (FIG. 2c).

[0034] FIGS. 3a-c show a system for flexible food or beverage packs according to the present invention, showing the way the beverage preparation machine moves the spout linearly downwards to allow dispensing (FIGS. 3a-b) and a graph showing the variation of the driving motor torque when the spout moves downwards (FIG. 3c).

[0035] FIGS. 4a-b show the variation of the driving motor torque when the pack is pierced and when the beverage preparation machine moves the spout linearly downwards to allow dispensing, in a new pack and in a pack already used, respectively.

[0036] FIGS. 5a-e show a system for flexible food or beverage packs according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the way the beverage preparation machine pierces the pack (FIGS. 5a-d) and a graph showing the variation of the driving motor torque when the pack is pierced (FIG. 5e).

[0037] FIGS. 6a-d show a system for flexible food or beverage packs according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the way the beverage preparation machine moves the spout linearly downwards to allow dispensing (FIGS. 6a-c) and a graph showing the variation of the driving motor torque when the spout moves downwards (FIG. 6d).

[0038] FIG. 7 represents a graph showing the variation of the driving motor torque first when the pack is pierced and then when the spout is moved linearly downwards to allow dispensing, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 8a-c show different graphs showing the variation of the driving motor torque first when the pack is pierced and then when the spout is moved linearly downwards to allow dispensing, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, designed depending on the measurement resolution and spout design constraints.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a general overview of a flexible food or beverage pack used in the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0041] As previously described, the invention relates to a system for flexible food or beverage packs 100: the system of the invention comprises a flexible food or beverage pack 100 and a beverage preparation machine, where the pack will be inserted and a food or beverage product will be prepared and delivered. A representative pack 100 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9, the pack comprising a container 30 and a fitment assembly or spout 10. The container 30 is configured by one or more flexible sheets overwrapping the spout 10, such that only the part of the spout in communication with the inner volume of the container 30 is not covered by a film or sheet. The pack 100 used in the system of the invention is known as a flexible sachet or pouch.

[0042] The spout 10 in the pack of the invention is as the one described in document EP 16184302.4 belonging to the same applicant, and herewith incorporated by reference, in its entirety. The spout comprises two parts, 11 and 12, moveable with respect to each other, being typically injected elements in plastic. Typically, a primary part 11 is fixed to the beverage preparation device and a secondary part 12 moves linearly with respect to the said fixed part 11. When the pack 100 is in its initial position, the spout 10 is overwrapped and the communication to the outside of the pack is closed, for hygienic reasons. The pack shown in FIG. 9 represents such an initial position. Once the secondary part 12 moves with respect to the primary part 11, the communication to the outside of the pack 100 is opened and so the beverage or food product can be delivered.

[0043] Typically, as disclosed in EP 16184302.4, the content of the container 30 is typically a powder product that will be dissolved by the addition of water, in order to produce a food or beverage product.

[0044] Looking at FIG. 1a, a piercing element (not shown) in the beverage dispensing device, typically configured as a needle, comes to pierce the flexible sheet overwrapping at least one of the piercing holes 13, 14: the piercing element in the device can also be configured as a double needle (two parallel needles) piercing at the same time both piercing holes 13, 14. The piercing element comes to pierce the flexible sheet over the piercing hole or holes 13, 14 and injects water at pressure that goes into the inner volume of the container 30 at high speed through the small injecting holes 17, 18: the configuration of the piercing holes leading internally to injecting holes of a very low diameter converts the high pressure water injected by the piercing element into one or two high velocity jets, which are driven into the container 30: the high velocity jets allow a good dissolution of the product inside the pouch, typically a powder. The beverage preparation device preferably fixes the spout 10 (in particular the primary part of it 11) by means of attaching holes 15, 16 as represented in FIG. 1a. A connecting element 200 from the beverage preparation device is arranged to pierce the film or sheet overwrapping two displacing holes 21, 22: also, this connecting element 200 is configured to displace linearly downwards the secondary part 12 of the spout with respect to the primary part 11 that is typically fixed. FIG. 1b shows the moment when the connecting element 200 in the preparation device pierces the displacing holes 21, 22 in the secondary part 12 of the spout. FIG. 1c represents the position in which the secondary part 12 has been moved linearly downwards to its full travel with respect to the primary part 11 (in this position shown in FIG. 1c, as it will be further described, the product can be delivered to the outside of the pack).

[0045] FIG. 2a shows a further view of the connecting element 200 ion the device in the moment when it is going to pierce the displacing holes 21, 22 in the secondary part 12 of the spout. FIG. 2b shows in detail the two piercing elements 201, 202 in the connecting element 200 of the device configured, as previously descried, to first pierce the film overwrapping the outside of the displacing holes 21, 22 and then arranged to move downwards the secondary part 12 of the spout with respect to the primary part 11 (typically fixed to the beverage preparation device). The communication from the inner volume of the container 30 towards the spout 10 and to the outside of it (to deliver the prepared product or beverage) is done by means of an outlet duct 23, as represented on top view (side inner volume of the container) in FIG. 2b.

[0046] As described, the spout itself is composed of two injected plastic parts 11 and 12, which can be moved (typically translated) with respect to each other. Typically, there are two movements of the device with respect to the spout and of the parts of the spout themselves, to achieve the following two functions: 1) piercing the flexible sheet overwrapping the frontal part of the spout (piercing the displacing holes 21, 22) during a first horizontal movement of the connecting element 200 towards the pack 100, and 2) opening and/or closing actively the product path through the outlet duct 23, during the product preparation process (typically a first vertical movement downwards of the secondary part 12 with respect to the primary part 11 piercing the lower flexible sheet overwrapping the lower side of the spout 10 to allow the dispensing of the food or beverage product prepared through the duct 23 and, once the dispensing has finished, the same movement but in opposite direction, upwards, to reclose the communication of the inner volume of the container 30 to the outside of the pack through the outlet duct 23, in order to avoid any dripping (this would be the final position when the pack 100 can be removed from the beverage preparation device).

[0047] The movement in horizontal (piercing function 1) described above) and in vertical (preparation process function 2) described above) of the connecting element 200 is carried out by a driving motor (not shown) in the beverage preparation device. The torque of the driving motor is proportional to the product of the force by the distance, and the motor current thus varies according to the load torque applied. Taking this into consideration, the driving motor torque presents a peak when the connecting element 200 has to pierce the flexible film or sheet overwrapping the front part of the displacing holes 21, 22 (i. e. when a certain resistance presented by this film needs to be overcome): this is represented in FIG. 2c, by the position P.sub.1 (when this piercing takes place) when the driving motor needs a higher torque T.sub.1. In fact, according to the invention, it is the motor current which is measured along time: this current is an image of the motor torque, which provides information on the resistance to the movement of the spout piercing and the spout opening.

[0048] The aim of the invention is, as described in the Background, that a pack 100 is only used once, for obvious hygiene reasons. Therefore, this high peak of torque T.sub.1 will only take place in a non-used pack. Also, when a pack is manufactured having a defect, this manufacturing defect can also be detected by an abnormal value of T.sub.1.

[0049] When the secondary part 12 of the spout 10 is moved downwards by the connecting element 200, the overwrapping flexible sheet that envelops the lower part of the spout 10 is tear open by an outlet piercing part 24 of the said outlet duct 23, as shown in detail in FIG. 3a. By this downwards vertical movement of the secondary part 12, the communication of the inner volume of the container 30 towards the outlet duct 23 is made free (the upper positioning of the secondary part 23 in FIG. 2b blocking the passage of the content of the container 30 to the outside of the pack) and also the wrapping sheet or film over the lower side of the spout 10 is tear open by the movement downwards of the outlet duct 23, being provided with an outlet piercing part 24 on one of its ends, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Therefore, the beverage or food product prepared inside the pack can be dispensed through the outlet duct 23. In this case, the driving motor torque exerts a higher peak when the outlet piercing part 24 pierces or tears open the lower sheet over the spout 10. This higher torque peak is represented by T.sub.2 in FIG. 3c, P.sub.2 being the position when the outlet piercing part 24 pierces and tears open the flexible sheet. It is also clear that what has just been described will occur only in a pack that has not been previously used, so this is a way to detect non hygienic conditions (not safe for the consumer) and/or abnormal configurations of manufacturing defects of an overwrapped pack.

[0050] Therefore, by measuring the driving motor torque and monitoring it with time, it is possible to control the position of the pack with respect to the beverage preparation device and also the position of the two parts of the spout relative to each other. That is to say, by measuring the torque value applied by the driving motor, it is possible to determine when the connecting element 200 of the device has pierced the pack and has connected to the spout (we have to be in position P.sub.1 with a torque peak of T.sub.1) and when the secondary part 12 of the spout has linearly moved downwards with respect to the primary fixed part 11, and so the film has been pierced by the piercing part 24 of the outlet, moving downwards (we have to be in position P.sub.2 with a torque peak of T.sub.2).

[0051] FIG. 4a represents, for a new pack 100 (i.e. not previously used), the high peaks of torque values over a calibrated referential torque value T.sub.0 in a representative pack 100 as described: during the horizontal movement of the connecting element 200, a high peak of torque T.sub.1 will take place in the position P.sub.1 when the film overwrapping the displacing holes 21, 22 is pierced and a second torque peak T.sub.2 will occur in position P.sub.2 during the vertical movement of the secondary part 12 of the spout with respect to the fixed primary part 11, when the film is tear or pierced open by the outlet piercing part 24 of the outlet duct 23. The value of referential torque T.sub.0 will be initially calibrated for a new pack or pouch not previously used, so the values of torque peaks T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 for the horizontal piercing (displacing holes 21, 22) and for the vertical piercing (tearing open the lower film through the outlet piercing part 24) will be higher that the referential torque of T.sub.0. When looking at FIG. 4b, for a pack already used, when the horizontal piercing has already been done (so the connecting element 200 has already pierced the displacing holes 21, 22), the torque value of T.sub.1 that the driving motor will take for piercing already-pierced holes 21, 22 (position P.sub.1) will be below the referential value of T.sub.0. In a similar way, when the lower film part overwrapping the spout 10 has already been previously pierced, the torque value that the motor will take for piercing this film (position P.sub.2) with the outlet piercing part 24 will be a value of T.sub.2 that will be below the referential value T.sub.0. Therefore, the graph shown in FIG. 4b represents the positions and torque values from a driving motor in the case of a pouch that has already been used (values of torque are below the referential torque value T.sub.0).

[0052] In the system of the invention, the beverage preparation device will comprise a control unit (not shown) that will receive the data of the torque applied by the driving motor with time (i.e. when a beverage or food product is prepared from a pack): in fact, the control unit will receive the data of the current applied by the motor along time, that will be transferred to a motor torque value. The control unit will further have the calibrated referential value of torque of T.sub.0 for a new pack or pouch and will compare the torque values for the horizontal movement (of the connecting element 200 with respect to the spout) and for the vertical movement (of the secondary part 12 with respect to the primary part 11) with the said value T.sub.0 to determine if these are higher. If so, the beverage preparation process will take place but, if not, the control unit will command the beverage preparation device to stop the preparation process. Moreover, the control unit in the beverage preparation device will communicate the device the position of the pouch with respect to the device (that is, if the pouch has been horizontally pierced by the connecting element 200) and will also communicate the device the position of the parts of the spout (that is, if the secondary part has moved and has pierced the film overwrapping the lower part so it has opened the outlet for allowing dispensing of the beverage prepared).

[0053] The control unit in the device will therefore have a double function. It will be able to detect the position of the pouch with respect to the device and also the position of the parts of the spout, that is, it will detect the status in the beverage preparation process, by monitoring or measuring with time the driving motor torque values (when a first peak of torque is detected, the device will know that the pack has been pierced horizontally, and when a second peak torque is detected, the device will be aware that the overwrapping film under the spout has been also pierced and the outlet conduit is open). Also, the control unit will be able to detect if the pack or pouch has been used already or not, by comparing the driving motor torque value with the referential calibrated torque value of T.sub.0: therefore, by detecting if the pack or pouch has been previously used, the device will stop preparation as it will detect a risk of hygiene for the consumer.

[0054] One of the two or the two peak torque values (T.sub.1 or T.sub.2; T.sub.1 or T.sub.2) can be lower than the referential torque of T.sub.0: this will indicate that it has been previously pierced or that it has a manufacturing defect, and so will make the beverage preparation device stop the preparation process.

[0055] The control unit of the beverage preparation device in the system of the invention is configured to carry out the following method steps: [0056] it receives the value of the driving motor torque (the motor current) with time, during the preparation of the food or beverage product; [0057] it checks when a peak of torque takes place and so informs the beverage preparation device of the status in the beverage preparation process; [0058] it compares peak torque values (T.sub.1, T.sub.2; T.sub.1, T.sub.2) with a referential torque value (T0) for a pack not used, and when a peak torque value is lower than the referential value (T.sub.0), it commands the beverage preparation device to stop the preparation process.

[0059] FIGS. 5a-e show a different embodiment of the spout 10, comprising horizontal piercing bumps 40 in the path of the connecting element 200 (of the piercing elements 201, 202), as represented in more detail in FIG. 5d. These bumps 40 represent obstacles placed at pre-defined locations along the travelling path of the connecting element 200 so it is possible to know the position of the said connecting element 200 of the device with respect to the spout 10. With such a configuration of the spout 10, the graph torque and position obtained is similar as the one shown in FIG. 5e: in the horizontal movement (frontally piercing of the pack with the connecting element) there are several torque peaks (several peak torque values over the referential calibration value of torque T.sub.0) represented by T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4, T.sub.5, . . . T.sub.n, n being the number of bumps 40, occurring at positions or moments P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5, . . . P.sub.n, respectively.

[0060] In a similar manner, bumps 50 can also be arranged in the vertical path of the movement of the secondary part 12 of the spout 10 with respect to the primary part 11 of the spout 10, as represented in FIG. 6a, 6b or 6c for example. The position of the secondary part 12 with respect to the primary part 11 is then known by controlling the number of bumps 50 already passed. Looking at FIG. 6d, the vertical movement of the secondary part of the spout can be followed by the torque peaks: each torque peak T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, T.sub.4, . . . T.sub.n, n being the number of bumps 50, corresponds to a bump 50 occurring at a position P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, . . . P.sub.n respectively.

[0061] The complete movement in horizontal for the frontal piercing of the pack and in vertical for the opening of the outlet while the preparation of the food or beverage product takes place is represented in FIG. 7. This replaces a standard motor encoder.

[0062] Depending on the measurement resolution and on the spout design constraints, the number of peaks, their height and their width can be varied depending on the design made for the obstacles, that is, depending on the design made for the horizontal bumps 40 and for the vertical bumps 50. FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c represent exemplary design variations providing variations in the number, amplitude and period of the torque peaks with time. The indents or bumps are designed as to number, geometry and position in order to control the connection of the beverage preparation device to the spout and/or the movement of the two parts of the spout with respect to each other: the different geometries of the bumps or indents create different resistance profiles, and so create different torque/current profiles in the motor.

[0063] Even when the Description refers to measurement of electrical current from the driving motor which is converted into motor torque, the invention can be more broadly applied to measuring the resistance offered by the connection of the beverage preparation device (element 200) to the spout 10 and the resistance offered when the two parts of the spout 10 (parts 11, 12) move relatively to each other. The measuring of this resistance can be done by a strain gauge or the like. However, the preferred embodiment of the invention will be that of measuring the electrical current of the driving motor which will be translated into motor torque value or a motor resistance value.

[0064] Without departing from the aim and scope of the present invention, the various detections presented above can be combined too, as desired: laminate or sheet piercing detection in the horizontal movement of the device towards the pack or in the vertical displacement of one part of the spout with respect to the other, bumps in the horizontal or in the vertical movement of the spout, etc.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.