BEVERAGE DISPENSER

Abstract

The invention concerns a process for preparing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate with a diluent, the process being implemented in a beverage dispenser, said beverage dispenser comprising: at least one mixing chamber for mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder or of beverage concentrate with diluent, said mixing chamber being at least partially transparent, and the process comprising the steps of: introducing a dose of soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate in the mixing chamber, mixing the dosed soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate with diluent in the mixing chamber, dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber, rinsing the mixing chamber, wherein in said process the content of the mixing chamber is made visible from the outside of the dispenser during the step of mixing only.

Claims

1. Process for preparing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder or of beverage concentrate with a diluent, the process being implemented in a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser comprising: at least one mixing chamber for mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder or of beverage concentrate with diluent, the mixing chamber being at least partially transparent, and the process comprising the steps of: introducing a dose of soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate in the mixing chamber; mixing the dosed soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate with diluent in the mixing chamber; dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber; rinsing the mixing chamber; and wherein the content of the mixing chamber is made visible from the outside of the dispenser during the step of mixing only.

2. Process according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber of the beverage dispenser is a whipperless chamber.

3. Process according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber comprises at least one diluent inlet configured for introducing the diluent in the form of a jet inside the chamber and the chamber is configured so that a whirlpool of liquid is created in the chamber and the jet of diluent entering the chamber hits the whirlpool as long as diluent is introduced in the chamber.

4. Process according to claim 1 wherein at least the middle part of the chamber is transparent.

5. Process according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises at least one lighting device and, in the process for preparing a beverage, the content of the mixing chamber is made visible from the outside of the dispenser by switching on the lighting device during the step of mixing only.

6. Process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting device is positioned in an area of the dispenser, the area being on one lateral side of the mixing chamber or between the front of the dispenser and the mixing chamber.

7. Process according claim 5, wherein the dispenser comprises several mixing chambers and one lighting device is dedicated to each mixing chamber.

8. Process according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a front panel, the front panel comprising an area through which the at least one mixing chamber is visible from the outside of the dispenser.

9. Process according to claim 1 wherein: the at least one mixing chamber is always visible from the outside of the dispenser; the dispenser comprises a lighting device; and the content of the mixing chamber is made visible by switching on the lighting device during the step of mixing only.

10. Process according to claim 1 wherein: the at least one mixing chamber is positioned behind a front panel; at least the part of the front panel positioned in front of the mixing chamber is transparent during the step of mixing only, preferably in front of the middle of the chamber.

11. Process according to claim 1 wherein at least the part of the front panel positioned in front of the mixing chamber is a one-way mirror and the dispenser comprises at least one lighting device for illuminating the at least one mixing chamber and the one-way mirror, the lighting device being switched on during the step of mixing only.

12. Process according to claim 10 wherein at least a part of the front panel is a polarized glass facing the middle of the mixing chamber.

13. Beverage dispenser comprising: at least one beverage powder or concentrate container; at least one whipperless mixing chamber for mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder or of beverage concentrate with diluent; the mixing chamber is at least partially transparent; the mixing chamber comprises at least one diluent inlet configured for introducing the diluent in the form of a jet inside the chamber and the chamber is configured so that a whirlpool of liquid is created in the chamber and the jet of diluent entering the chamber hits said whirlpool as long as diluent is introduced in the chamber; the dispenser comprising at least one lighting device for illuminating the content of at least one mixing chamber; and the dispenser is configured for making the content of the chamber visible from the outside of the dispenser only temporarily.

14. Beverage dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the at least one mixing chamber is a chamber having a transverse bottom wall and a longitudinal upward wall, at least one diluent inlet and at least one beverage outlet located in the bottom wall; the diluent inlet being provided through a lower portion of the upward wall and being dimensioned and oriented for providing a jet of diluent in the chamber oriented along a direction inside the chamber which is offset relative to the longitudinal median axis of the chamber, and which is inclined downwardly in direction toward the bottom wall at an angle relative to the transversal plane of the chamber; and the liquid delivery outlet being configured for enabling liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall further to the jet of diluent entering the chamber.

15. Beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a valve configured for selectively closing the liquid delivery outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures, in which:

[0079] FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to the present invention, the front door being opened,

[0080] FIG. 1a illustrates a mixing chamber of the dispenser of FIG. 1,

[0081] FIG. 2 illustrates the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1 with the front door closed,

[0082] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the steps of preparation of a beverage according to the present invention.

[0083] FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 illustrate the front faces of different embodiments of the beverage dispenser according to the present invention,

[0084] FIG. 8a is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a mixing chamber used in a beverage dispenser according to the present invention along a plan C passing through the diluent inlet (plane C illustrated in FIG. 8c),

[0085] FIG. 8b is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the mixing chamber along the plan A of FIG. 8a

[0086] FIG. 8c is a transverse cross sectional view of the mixing chamber along the plan B of FIG. 8a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to the present invention. The beverage dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2 supporting the different functional devices of the dispenser. The housing can comprise shelves 21 for positioning and supporting these functional devices. The illustrated dispenser comprises three containers 4 for storing soluble beverage powders positioned on a first shelf 21.

[0088] Dispensers according to the invention can comprise more or less containers. The invention also relates to containers configured for storing soluble beverage concentrates. Such containers can be bag-in-box containers or bottles.

[0089] In the illustrated beverage dispenser a dosing device 9 is present in each of the container 4 in order to dose an amount of powder for the preparation of a beverage. According to an alternative embodiment the dosing device can be separated from the container.

[0090] Each of the containers 4 and their dosing devices 9 are positioned above a dedicated mixing chamber 5a, 5b, 5c in order to deliver a dose of beverage concentrate or powder by gravity fall. FIG. 1a is a magnified view of one of the mixing chambers 5a, 5b, 5c. The mixing chamber 5 presents a top part 51, a bottom part 42 and a middle part 53 in between. The middle part 53 of the mixing chamber is made of a transparent material. In FIG. 1a the top and the bottom parts 51, 52 of the mixing chamber are not transparent. This effect can be obtained by positioning a non-transparent material above the transparent material the chamber is made of or by assembling the chamber with three components 51, 52, 53 in which only the element corresponding to the middle part 53 of the chamber is made of a transparent material.

[0091] The chamber comprises a diluent inlet 55 and a beverage outlet 54 in the bottom part 52. The top 51 of the chamber is opened in order to receive a dose of soluble beverage powder or concentrate from one container 4.

[0092] The beverage dispenser of FIG. 1 comprises a dispensing area 7 in which a drinking cup can be positioned in order to be filled by a beverage dispensed from the outlet 5 of one of the mixing chamber.

[0093] The beverage dispenser of FIG. 1 comprises a front door 3. The front door 3 aims to hide and protect at least a part of the internal functional devices of the dispenser. The front door comprises an opening 31. As illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the front door 3 closed, the opening 31 is designed for making a part of the mixing chambers 5 visible from the outside of the dispenser. According to a particular embodiment the opening can be covered by a transparent window, for example for preventing customer from touching the internal parts of the dispenser.

[0094] The front door 3 comprises also a user interface 8 enabling a customer to order a beverage from the dispenser.

[0095] FIG. 1 shows the presence of three lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c inside the dispenser 1. Each lighting device 6a, 6b, 6c is dedicated to one chamber 5a, 5b, 5c and is positioned in order to illuminate the content of its dedicated chamber only. The lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c are supported by a shelf 21 in the dispenser. In order to have the lighting device 6a illuminating the left chamber 5a only, said lighting device 6a is positioned at the left of the chamber 5a. Similarly the lighting device 6c is positioned at the right of the chamber 5c. As for the middle chamber 5b, in order to avoid that the lighting device 6b illuminates the left and right mixing chambers 5a, 5c, a physical barrier, for example a wall 60, is present between the lighting device 6b and the left mixing chamber 5a. It can be noticed that according to an alternative the physical barrier 60 used to control the illumination of a lighting device can be supported by the internal wall of the front door of the dispenser rather than by the shelf.

[0096] Preferably for each mixing chamber 5 the lighting device is not positioned at the back of the chamber or on a lateral backwards position relative to the chamber because, for the preparation of opaque beverages like milk, coffee or chocolate, lighting the mixing chamber from the back projects a shadow of the beverage through the opening 31 of the front door and does not make the content of the mixing chamber visible for the customer who is looking at the dispenser from the outside.

[0097] With the dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2, the process of preparation of a beverage according to the invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0098] In a first step, a dose of soluble beverage powder or beverage concentrate 10 is introduced in the mixing chamber 5 while the lighting device 6 is switched off. The customer in front of the dispenser 1 can see the chamber through the opening 31 in the front door but due to the absence of light the content of the mixing chamber is not visible. The customer does not see powder or concentrate falling downstream to the bottom 52 of the mixing chamber 5.

[0099] In a second step, diluent 55 is introduced in the mixing chamber 5 through the diluent 55 and mixing occurs in the chamber. During at least a part of this mixing step the lighting device 6 is switched on so that content of the chamber is made visible for the customer through the opening 31 in the front door. The customer can see the beverage swirling in the mixing chamber. At this step of the preparation, the reconstituted beverage has the same aspect as the final beverage and the swirling effect provides a nice spectacle. For milk preparation, at this step of the process the reconstituted beverage looks like fresh milk. For espresso preparation, the whirlpool of reconstituted beverage presents two colors: the black colour of coffee at the bottom and the brown colour of coffee cream at the top. For chocolate preparation, the whirlpool of reconstituted beverage makes apparent the thickness of the brown reconstituted beverage.

[0100] In a third step, the reconstituted beverage 12 is dispensed from the mixing chamber outlet 54. During this step the level of the beverage decreases until the chamber is empty and traces of beverage or froth can deposit on the inward wall of the mixing chamber. The lighting device is preferably switched off during this step.

[0101] In a fourth step, the mixing chamber is rinsed by introducing diluent in the chamber. A swirl of water is created and the inward wall is cleaned. The lighting device is switched off during this step.

[0102] FIG. 4 illustrates the front door 3 of a beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention. The dispenser presents the same features as the dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that it comprises only two mixing chambers 5. Moreover the opening 31 in the front door is designed so that it makes only the middle parts 53 of the mixing chambers. Due to the fact that the tops and bottoms of the mixing chambers 5 are hidden behind the front door, there is more freedom concerning the design or the nature of the material of these parts that are never showed to the customer. For example, the mixing chambers can be completely transparent. That provides the advantage of enabling cleaning inspection for the operator. Yet, due to the opening design, the top and bottom of the chambers remain non visible for the customer.

[0103] FIG. 5 illustrates the front door 3 of a beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention. The dispenser presents the same features as the dispenser of FIG. 4 except that the front door 3 comprises two openings 31a, 31b, each of said openings being centred on a dedicated mixing chamber 5a, 5b and being designed so that it makes only the middle parts 53a, 53b of the mixing chambers visible.

[0104] FIG. 6 illustrates the front door 3 of a beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention. The dispenser presents the same features as the dispenser of FIG. 4 except that the window is closed by a non-permanent transparent window. This window can be a one-way mirror which becomes transparent when it is illuminated from the inside of the dispenser housing.

[0105] This window can be a polarised glass which becomes transparent when powered on. In such an embodiment the lighting device and the polarised glass are switched on simultaneously during the mixing step of the process of preparation of a beverage.

[0106] FIG. 7 illustrates the front door 3 of a beverage dispenser 1 according to the invention. The dispenser presents the same features as the dispenser of FIG. 6 except that the front door 3 comprises two openings 31a, 31b, each of said openings being centred on a dedicated mixing chamber 5a, 5b.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 8a to 8c, the preferred mixing chamber used in a dispenser according to the present invention is shown in greater detail. The chamber is preferably cylindrical. The chamber 5 is demarcated by a bottom wall 500 and a longitudinal upward wall 502, said side wall extending upwardly and surrounding an upper central opening 501. The central opening 501 allows the chamber to be fed with soluble beverage powder or concentrate. In order for the ingredient to fall directly in the chamber, the surface of the upward wall 502 is preferably smooth and relatively vertical although a slight inclination relative to vertical is conceivable. The central opening 501 also serves as an air inlet for allowing air to enter the chamber and mix with the beverage being created.

[0108] Diluent is fed at relatively high velocity into the chamber by the diluent inlet 55 through the upward wall 502. The inlet is sized and oriented in a manner to promote both centrifugal circulation of the liquid and shearing on the surfaces of the liquid.

[0109] Preferably, the diluent inlet 55 forms a nozzle of small diameter enabling to create a diluent jet 15 with high linear velocity in the chamber.

[0110] Preferably the diluent inlet 55 is so oriented in a direction that is offset relative to the longitudinal median axis O of the chamber. More precisely, the direction of the inlet is such that the ratio d/r is comprised between 0.2 and 0.9, where “d” is the orthogonal distance separating the centre of the inlet from the longitudinal median axis O of the chamber and “r” is the radius of the chamber at the horizontal level of the inlet (FIG. 8b).

[0111] Preferably the diluent inlet 55 is also positioned preferably at a relatively low position relative to the longitudinal dimension “f” of the upward wall 502 so that splashing of liquid or overflow of liquid out of the chamber due the liquid rising up along the surface of wall by the dynamic of the flow, i.e., a centrifugal effect, is prevented. Preferably, the diluent inlet is situated at a distance closer to the base of the bottom wall than to the aperture 501. More preferably, the inlet is situated at about or within in the lower quarter of the chamber (as measured by the height “f” of the upward wall 502).

[0112] Preferably the diluent inlet 55 is inclined downwardly a certain angle b relative to the transversal plane of the chamber. Preferably, this angle is of from 5 to 30 degrees.

[0113] Therefore, the diluent inlet can be properly oriented toward the surfaces of liquid that circulates in the chamber. The transversal plane of the chamber is normally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the chamber which is thus preferably positioned vertically to obtain a good liquid evacuation of the chamber under the effect of gravity.

[0114] The shape of the bottom wall 500 can be conical so that spreading of the layer of liquid is promoted. The angle “j” of the cone of the bottom wall, relative to a plane transversal to the longitudinal median axis O, can vary of from 1 to 45 degrees. The bottom wall can be rounded or flat as well.

[0115] Preferably the bottom wall 500 of the chamber comprises means for controlling the delivered flow of the frothed liquid through the device. The general principle lies in that liquid is prevented from too quickly leaving the chamber in order to be able to create a layer of liquid that rises up along the side of the upward wall 502 that can be impacted by the jet of diluent and consequently for creating a high amount of shear. FIG. 8a materializes, for example, the surface 4 of the liquid in circulation due to the centrifugal effect promoted by the jet on the liquid in the chamber.

[0116] The flow control means are therefore obtained by a control of the size and configuration of the delivery outlet(s) or by using a valve at the outlet of the chamber to close the outlet during the beverage preparation. The valve can be a pinch valve.

[0117] The chamber can comprise a secondary diluent inlet 503 placed above the main diluent inlet 55. Preferably the secondary diluent inlet 503 is close to the top. Diluent introduced through said inlet is usually used to rinse the chamber after a beverage preparation or to prepare big sized beverages.

[0118] The use of the efficient dissolving chamber devoid of whipper provides the customer with the nice spectacle of a gentle and soft dissolution increasing the perception of the quality of the beverage.

[0119] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

[0120] Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.

[0121] As used in this specification, the words “comprises”, “comprising”, and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean “including, but not limited to”.

LIST OF REFERENCES IN THE DRAWINGS

[0122] 1 beverage dispenser [0123] 2 housing [0124] 21 shelf [0125] 3 front door [0126] 31 opening [0127] 4 container [0128] 5, 5a, 5b, 5c mixing chamber [0129] 51 mixing chamber top [0130] 52 mixing chamber bottom [0131] 53 mixing chamber middle [0132] 54 beverage outlet [0133] 55 diluent inlet [0134] 500 bottom wall [0135] 501 upper central opening [0136] 502 longitudinal upward wall [0137] 503 secondary diluent inlet [0138] 6, 6a, 6b, 6c lighting device [0139] 60 barrier [0140] 7 dispensing area [0141] 8 user interface [0142] 9 dosing device [0143] 10 soluble beverage powder or concentrate [0144] 11 diluent [0145] 12 beverage [0146] 13 diluent jet [0147] 14 liquid surface [0148] 15 diluent jet