BEVERAGE MACHINE WITH A PARTLY CLOSED DISPENSING FACE

Abstract

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient includes an extraction unit (2) that has: an ingredient extraction seat (20); an inlet arrangement (21) for guiding water into the seat (20); and a dispensing arrangement (22) for guiding beverage out of the seat (20). The dispensing arrangement (22) has a face (220) delimiting a downstream part of the seat (20) and having a flow-through portion (221) configured such that beverage flowing out the seat (20) flows through the flow-through portion (221) towards a beverage dispensing area (1). The face (220) has a flow-inhibiting portion (222, 222a, 222b, 222c) that is at least substantially flush with the flow-through portion (221) so as to delimit the seat (20). The flow-inhibiting portion (222, 222a, 222b, 222c) is configured such that beverage flowing out the seat (20) is inhibited, e.g. prevented, from passing through the flow-inhibiting portion (222, 222a, 222b, 222c).

Claims

1. A machine for preparing a beverage from an ingredient, comprising an extraction unit that has an ingredient extraction seat, an inlet arrangement for guiding water into the seat and a dispensing arrangement for guiding beverage out of the seat, the dispensing arrangement comprising a face delimiting a downstream part of the seat and having a flow-through portion configured such that beverage flowing out the seat flows through the flow-through portion towards a beverage dispensing area, the face further has a flow-inhibiting portion that is at least substantially flush with the flow-through portion so as to delimit the seat, the flow-inhibiting portion being configured such that beverage flowing out the seat is inhibited, e.g. prevented, from passing through the flow-inhibiting portion.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the flow-through portion and the flow-inhibiting portion have a surface area ratio in the range of 0.1 to 10.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the dispensing arrangement has a wall forming the face, the wall having an opened or cut-away or interrupted part forming or delimiting the flow-through portion and the wall having the flow-inhibiting portion, the flow inhibiting portion being formed by a closed part of the wall.

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the wall is formed by a plate-like or sheet-like member that has at the flow-through portion a flow-through structure formed by at least one of: one or more through holes; a reticulated structure; a foraminate structure; and a porous structure.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the face has a at least approximately disc shape.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the flow-through portion has a number of flow-through holes: in the range of 5 to 15; and/or each through hole having a minimum diameter transverse to a beverage outflow direction along the hole, in the range of about 0.1 to 1 mm.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the extraction seat is configured for receiving the ingredient capsule that is provided with an outlet membrane, the face, typically the flow-through portion of the face, bearing a plurality of raised elements that project upstream and that are configured for forming beverage outlet orifices in the outlet membrane.

8. The beverage extraction unit of claim 1, wherein the extraction seat is configured for receiving the ingredient capsule that is provided with an outlet membrane, the face being devoid of any piercing and/or cutting element for piercing and/or cutting the outlet membrane.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the extraction seat is delimited by a first part and a second part that are relatively movable between: an open position for inserting the ingredient, e.g. within the capsule, into the extraction seat and/or for removing such ingredient from the seat; and a closed position for extracting in the seat the ingredient.

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the first part bears the face and the second part bears the inlet arrangement.

11. The machine of claim 9, wherein one of the first and second parts is stationary relative to an outside machine housing and the other of the first and second parts is movable relative to the outside machine housing (1).

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the inlet arrangement is fluidically connected to a water supply arrangement via a water guide.

13. The machine of claim 1, wherein the inlet arrangement is associated with a piercing or cutting arrangement configured to pierce or cut water inlet opening(s) into the ingredient capsule in the ingredient extraction seat so that water circulating along the inlet arrangement is passed into the capsule via the water inlet opening.

14. The machine of claim 1, wherein the seat is associated with an un-extracted ingredient insertion passage.

15. A method for extraction of an ingredient in a capsule comprising using a machine for preparing a beverage from an ingredient, comprising an extraction unit that has an ingredient extraction seat, an inlet arrangement for guiding water into the seat and a dispensing arrangement for guiding beverage out of the seat, the dispensing arrangement comprising a face delimiting a downstream part of the seat and having a flow-through portion configured such that beverage flowing out the seat flows through the flow-through portion towards a beverage dispensing area, the face further has a flow-inhibiting portion that is at least substantially flush with the flow-through portion so as to delimit the seat, the flow-inhibiting portion being configured such that beverage flowing out the seat is inhibited, e.g. prevented, from passing through the flow-inhibiting portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0085] The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:

[0086] FIG. 1 shows an example of part of a beverage machine according to the invention, part of which being schematically illustrated;

[0087] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an extraction unit of the machine of FIG. 1, an ingredient capsule being in the process of being introduced into the unit's seat;

[0088] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the extraction unit of FIG. 2, the ingredient capsule being housed in the seat, ready for extraction; and

[0089] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate variations according to the invention of extraction unit downstream parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a beverage machine 1 according to the invention, FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrating further variations according to the invention of the machine's extraction unit, in particular of the downstream part of the machine's dispensing arrangement 22.

[0091] Machine 1 is configured for preparing a beverage from an ingredient, such as an ingredient supplied within a capsule 100 into such machine 1. See FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0092] Machine 1 has an extraction unit 2 that has an ingredient extraction seat 20, an inlet arrangement 21 for guiding water into seat 20 and a dispensing arrangement 22 for guiding beverage out of seat 20.

[0093] Dispensing arrangement 22 has a face 220 delimiting a downstream part of seat 20 and having a flow-through portion 221 configured such that beverage flowing out the seat 20 flows through the flow-through portion 221 towards a beverage dispensing area 1.

[0094] Face 220 further has a flow-inhibiting portion that is at least substantially flush with flow-through portion 221 so as to delimit seat 20, flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c being configured such that beverage flowing out the seat 20 is inhibited, e.g. prevented, from passing through flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c. For instance, flow inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c is immobile relative to or fixed relative to flow-through portion 221. See FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0095] Face 220 may be non-movable relative to seat 20.

[0096] Flow-through portion 221 may be being able to take different positions relative to seat 20 so as to control a flow path of water through the ingredient when in the seat 20 depending on the position of flow-through portion 221. See FIGS. 4 to 6 which illustrate a face 220 in different angular positions.

[0097] Flow-through portion 221 and flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c have a surface area ratio in the range of 0.1 to 10, such as 0.2 to 5, e.g. 0.33 to 3, for instance 0.4 to 2.5, for example 0.5 to 2 or 0.66 to 1.5 or 0.75 to 1.33, such as about 1.

[0098] Dispensing arrangement 22 can include a wall 223 forming face 220. Wall 223 may have an opened or cut-away or interrupted part forming or delimiting flow-through portion 221. Wall 223 may have the flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c, the flow inhibiting portion being formed by a closed part of wall 223.

[0099] The closed part of wall 223 may be: [0100] an intrinsically closed part 222a,222b,222c formed of a non-pervious part of wall 223 (FIGS. 4 to 6); and/or [0101] an intrinsically open part 222 of wall 223, e.g. provided with at least one through hole 224a, that is closed by a sealing arrangement 23a,23b closing the open part (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0102] The closed part can be: a top part 222,222a, e.g. an intrinsically closed top part 222a or a intrinsically open top part 222 closed by a top sealing arrangement 23a; or a bottom part 222,222b, e.g. an intrinsically closed bottom part 222b or an intrinsically open bottom part 222 closed by a bottom sealing arrangement 23b; or an intermediate part 222c, e.g. an intrinsically closed intermediate part 222c or a intrinsically open intermediate part closed by a top sealing arrangement.

[0103] Sealing arrangement 23a,23b may be located: upstream of the intrinsically open part, e.g. in the seat 20, and/or downstream of the intrinsically open part, typically as an upstream or downstream sheath or plate member or coating; and/or in openings of the intrinsically open part, typically as a filling.

[0104] Wall 223 can be formed by a plate-like or sheet-like member 223 that has at flow-through portion 221 a flow-through structure formed by at least one of: one or more through holes; a reticulated structure; a foraminate structure; and a porous structure.

[0105] Face 220 can have a, at least approximately, disc shape.

[0106] Flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c may form a circular or annular sector, e.g. generally half disc 222a,222b,222c, such as a circular or annular sector having a circle centre that is at least approximately concentric with the face's circular shape. For instance, the circular or annular sector extends to a circular edge of the face's circular shape. The circular or annular sector may have a central angle in the range of 60 to 300, such as 90 to 270, for example 120 to 240, e.g. 150 to 210.

[0107] Flow-inhibiting portion 222,222a,222b,222c can form a disc segment 222a,222b,222c. The disc segment can have a disc centre that is at least approximately concentric with the face's shape. Disc segment 222a,222b,222c and flow-through portion 221 may have a surface area ratio that is in the range of 0.2 to 5, such as 0.5 to 2, for instance 0.66 to 1.5, e.g. 0.75 to 1.33.

[0108] Flow-through portion 222 may have a number of flow-through holes 224: in the range of 5 to 15, such as 7 to 13, e.g. 9 to 12; and/or each through hole 224 having a minimum diameter transverse to a beverage outflow direction along the hole, in the range of about 0.1 to 1 mm, such as 0.3 to 0.8 mm, e.g. 0.4 to 0.6 mm.

[0109] Extraction seat 20 can be configured for receiving ingredient capsule 100 that is provided with an outlet membrane 101. Face 220, typically its flow-through portion 221 and optionally its flow-inhibiting portion 222, bearing a plurality of raised elements 225 that project upstream and that are configured for forming beverage outlet orifices in the outlet membrane 101.

[0110] For instance, the orifices are provided in the outlet membrane by elements 225: before supply of water into seat 20 via inlet arrangement 21, e.g. the orifices being provided in the outlet membrane at insertion of the capsule into the seat; and/or by pressure rise in capsule 100 caused by supplying water, e.g. at a supply pressure in the range of 5 to 20 bar such as 8 to 15 bar, so as to urge outlet membrane 101 against the plurality of raised elements 225.

[0111] Flow-through portion 221 can be provided with one or more flow-through holes 224, such as the above mentioned flow-through holes 224. Flow-through holes 224 may extend from bottom ends of raised elements 225 at face 220.

[0112] The extraction seat may be configured for receiving an ingredient capsule that is provided with an outlet membrane, the face of the dispensing arrangement being devoid of any piercing and/or cutting element for piercing and/or cutting the outlet membrane. For instance, the beverage outlet orifices are provided in the outlet membrane: prior to housing the capsule in the extraction seat, e.g. when the capsule is manufactured or subsequently conditioned e.g. in such machine prior to reaching the seat; and/or by being formed by tearing and/or breaking the membrane by pressure rise in the capsule by supply of water into the capsule, for instance to open pre-weakened parts of the membrane and/or actuate a membrane opening element comprised inside the capsule.

[0113] Extraction seat 20 can be delimited by a first part 24 and a second part 25 that are relatively movable between: an open position (FIG. 2) for inserting the ingredient, e.g. within said capsule 100, into extraction seat 20 and/or for removing such ingredient from seat 20; and a closed position (FIG. 3) for extracting in seat 20 the ingredient.

[0114] First and second parts 24,25 can be relatively movable by an actuator such as by a user-handle or by an electric motor 3, e.g. an actuator connected to at least one of first and second parts 24,25 by a transmission 4 such as one or more of gears 41, belts, cams 42 and cam-followers, levers and/or hydraulic transmissions.

[0115] For instance, first and second parts 24,25 are relatively moved by electric motor 3 that is controlled by a control unit 10 for controlling water supply arrangement 5, such as a unit 10 comprising a processing device e.g. a controller 11 and/or a user interface 12.

[0116] First part 24 may bear face 220 and second part 25 may bears inlet arrangement 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0117] One of first and second parts 24,25 can be stationary relative to an outside machine housing 1 and the other of first and second parts 24,25 can be movable relative to the outside machine housing 1.

[0118] Inlet arrangement 21 may be fluidically connected to a water supply arrangement 5 via a water guide 9. See FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0119] Water supply arrangement 5 may include at least one of: a water source 6 for supplying water to inlet arrangement 21, such as a water tank and/or a connector to an external water supply line; a water driver 7 for driving water to inlet arrangement 21, such as a pump; and a thermal conditioner 8, e.g. a heater and/or a cooler, for thermally conditioning water supplied or to be supplied to inlet arrangement 21, such as a water flow thermal conditioner or a water accumulator thermal conditioner. For instance, water supply arrangement 5 is associated with a or the above mentioned control unit 10 for controlling water supply arrangement 5, such as a unit 10 having a processing device e.g. a controller 11 and/or a user interface 12. See FIG. 1.

[0120] Inlet arrangement 21 can be associated with a piercing or cutting arrangement 21a configured to pierce or cut water inlet opening(s) into ingredient capsule 100 in ingredient extraction seat 20 so that water circulating along inlet arrangement 21 is passed into capsule 100 via the water inlet opening. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0121] Seat 20 may be associated with an un-extracted ingredient insertion passage 20a, e.g. extending from outside such machine, and/or an extracted ingredient evacuation passage 20b, e.g. towards a waste ingredient collector. For instance, at least one of passages 20a,20b is associated with guides 20c such as rails or grooves, for cooperating with and guiding capsule 100 along the passage to and/or from seat 20 and/or with a stop 20d for immobilizing capsule 100 at about a level of the seat 20. See FIGS. 2 and 3.