SYSTEM FOR REFILLING BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH POWDER

Abstract

The invention concerns a system of a container for storing a food or beverage powder and powder refilling container for refilling said container with powder, in which: the container comprises a tank and a powder inlet, the powder refilling container comprises a powder outlet, the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank being designed for cooperating together in order to create a connection and a path for powder between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank, and wherein said connection between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank is designed so that it enables the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container relatively to the powder inlet of the tank in at least two positions: one first position, in which powder cannot flow through the path, and one second position, in which powder is able to flow through the path, wherein the powder inlet of the tank is movable between two positions and, once the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet are connected, the movement of the powder inlet induces the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container in the first or second position.

Claims

1. System of a container for storing a food or beverage powder and a powder refilling container for refilling the tank with powder, wherein: the tank comprises a storing chamber and a powder inlet; the powder refilling container comprises a powder outlet; the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank being designed for cooperating together in order to create a connection and a path for powder between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank; the connection between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank is designed so that it enables the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container relatively to the powder inlet of the tank in at least two positions: one first position, in which powder cannot flow through the path, and one second position, in which powder is able to flow through the path; and wherein the powder inlet of the tank is movable between two positions and, once the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet are connected, the movement of the powder inlet induces the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container in the first or second position.

2. System according to claim 1 wherein the connection between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank is designed so that once the powder inlet and the powder outlet are connected, the connection enables the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container: in the first position so that the powder outlet of the powder refilling container is oriented upwardly; and in the second position so that the powder outlet of the powder refilling container is oriented downwardly.

3. System according to claim 1 wherein the powder inlet of the tank comprises at least a tube, the tube presenting an external end and an internal end, the external end being connectable to the powder outlet of the powder refilling container, and the tube being configured for being oriented in at least two positions: one first position, in which the tube is essentially horizontally oriented;and one second position, in which the tube is inclined compared to the first position and downwardly oriented from the external end to the internal end.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein the powder inlet of the tank comprises a straight tube and the tube of the powder inlet of the tank is rotatable in a vertical plane.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein the powder inlet comprises a support for holding the straight tube of the powder inlet, the straight tube being attached to the support in a rotatable manner.

6. System according to claim 3 wherein the powder outlet of the powder refilling container comprises a tube designed for sliding inside the tube of the powder inlet of the tank.

7. System according to any claim 1 wherein: the powder inlet of the tank comprises an opening at the upper part of the tank, and the tube of the powder inlet of the tank is able to slide in said opening at the upper part of the tank between a retracted position in the tank and a pulled position outside of the tank, and wherein said tube is designed so that: in the retracted position, the tube is essentially horizontally oriented, and in the pulled position, the tube is inclined compared to the first position and downwardly oriented from the external end to the internal end.

8. System according to claim 1 wherein the powder inlet of the tank comprises a flexible tube orientatable between: one first position, in which the external end of the tube is oriented downwardly; and one second position, in which the external end of the tube is oriented upwardly.

9. System according to claim 1 wherein the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank comprise cooperating fool-proofing shapes.

10. Beverage dispenser comprising at least one tank for storing and dosing food or beverage powder, the tank being refillable by powder, wherein the tank comprises a storing chamber and a powder inlet and said powder inlet is designed for cooperating with the powder outlet of a powder refilling container in order to create a connection and a path for powder, wherein the power inlet comprises at least a tube, the tube presenting an external end and an internal end, the external end being connectable to the powder outlet of the powder refilling container, and the tube being configured for being oriented in at least two positions: one first position, in which the tube is essentially horizontally oriented; and one second position, in which the tube is inclined compared to the first position and downwardly oriented from the external end to the internal end.

11. Beverage dispenser according to claim 10 wherein the powder inlet of the tank comprises a straight tube and the tube of the powder inlet of the tank being rotatable in a vertical plane.

12. Beverage dispenser according to claim 10 wherein: the powder inlet of the tank comprises an opening at the upper part of the tank, and the tube of the powder inlet of the tank is able to slide in said opening at the upper part of the tank between a retracted position in the tank and a pulled position outside of the tank, and wherein said tube is designed so that: in the retracted position, the tube is essentially horizontally oriented; and in the pulled position, the tube is inclined compared to the first position and downwardly oriented from the external end to the internal end.

13. Beverage dispenser according to claim 10 wherein the powder inlet of the tank comprises a flexible tube orientatable between: one first position, in which the external end of the tube is oriented downwardly; and one second position, in which the external end of the tube is oriented upwardly.

14. Beverage dispenser according to claim 10 wherein the dispenser comprises at least two tanks storing different powders and the powder inlets of the tanks are designed differently for being connected to different powder refilling containers storing different powders.

15. Method for refilling a tank for storing and dosing powder with a powder refilling container of a system for refilling the tank with powder, wherein the tank comprises a storing chamber and a powder inlet; the powder refilling container comprises a powder outlet, the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank being designed for cooperating together in order to create a connection and a path for powder between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank, the connection between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank is designed so that it enables the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container relatively to the powder inlet of the tank in at least two positions: one first position, in which powder cannot flow through the path, and one second position, in which powder is able to flow through the path, and wherein the powder inlet of the tank is movable between two positions and, once the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet are connected, the movement of the powder inlet induces the positioning of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container in the first or second position wherein the following steps are implemented: the powder outlet of the powder refilling container is connected to the powder inlet of the tank in the first position; and then the powder inlet of the tank is moved to position the powder outlet of the powder refilling container in the second position.

16. Method according to claim 1 wherein the powder outlet is rotated to position the powder outlet of the powder refilling container in the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures:

[0098] FIG. 1 is a partial view of a dispenser according to the present invention illustrating the soluble beverage powder container,

[0099] FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate the cooperation between the container and the powder refilling container of the system according to the first mode,

[0100] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate e cooperation between the container and the powder refilling container of the system according to the second mode,

[0101] FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate the cooperation between the container and the powder refilling container of the system according to the third mode,

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0103] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a system according to the present invention and the different steps for connecting the different parts of the system. The system comprises a tank 1 for storing a food or beverage powder and a powder refilling container 2 for refilling said tank with powder 3.

[0104] The tank 1 comprises a storing chamber 11 and a powder inlet 12 through which powder can be introduced for the refilling of the tank. Usually this tank 1 is a storing and dosing tank of a beverage dispenser, also frequently called canister. Such a tank usually comprises a powder outlet positioned at the bottom of the tank from which powder is dosed for preparing a beverage. Preferably the bottom of the tank comprises a dosing device like a screw auger or a spring auger. Consequently, in this type of tank, powder is evacuated from the tank through the bottom of the tank and powder has to be refilled in the tank regularly.

[0105] The powder refilling container 2 is conceived for storing a powder 3. It is usually a pouch. The powder refilling container comprises a powder outlet 21. The powder outlet is generally a tube. The tube can present any sectional shape. Preferably the shape is conformal to the shape of the powder inlet of the tank.

[0106] The powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet 12 of the tank are designed for cooperating together in order to transfer the powder of the powder refilling container to the tank 11 and refill the tank. The cooperation consists in creating a connection and a path for powder between the powder outlet of the powder refilling container and the powder inlet of the tank.

[0107] As illustrated in steps a) and b) of FIG. 1, when the powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container is connected to the powder inlet 12 of the tank, the powder outlet is in a first position in which there is a path for powder, but due to the fact that the powder outlet 21 is oriented essentially horizontally, or even upwardly, powder cannot flow through the path. In the first position illustrated in step b), a path is created for powder but powder cannot flow through.

[0108] Once the powder outlet 21 is connected in the first position of step b), the powder inlet 12 can be rotated so as to reach the position illustrated in step c). In this position the powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container is oriented downwardly. As a result powder can flow due to gravity from the powder refilling container 2 to the storing chamber 11 of the tank. Optionally the connection in this second position can enable a back and forth movement of the powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container to accelerate and improve the filling of powder as illustrated in step d).

[0109] To stop the refilling operation, the powder inlet 12 of the tank is rotated back in the first position as illustrated in step e) which induces the movement of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container to reach a horizontal orientation as illustrated in step f).

[0110] Finally the powder refilling container 2 can disconnected from the tank by pulling out the powder refilling container as illustrated in step g).

[0111] FIG. 2a illustrates a system of a tank 1 and a powder refilling container 2 according to the first mode of the present invention. The tank 1 comprises a storing chamber 11 and a powder inlet 12. The powder inlet 12 protrudes at the upper part of the tank.

[0112] The powder inlet 12 comprises a straight tube 120. The powder inlet comprises a support 121 for the tube configured for supporting the tube at the top of the tank and for moving the tube between two positions. The tube 120 presents two pins 1201 on its lateral sides cooperating with two holes 1221 in the support, the cooperation enabling the rotation of the tube 120 of the powder inlet in the support and along the vertical plane P corresponding to the vertical longitudinal plane of the tank 11.

[0113] Preferably the powder inlet is attached to the top of the tank and is not removable therefrom, except for cleaning or maintenance. Consequently the operator has not the ability to refill the tank 1 by other ways than through the powder inlet 12.

[0114] The powder refilling container 2 comprises a powder outlet 21. The powder outlet is a straight tube 21 presenting a shape designed for fitting inside the tube 120 of the powder inlet of the tank. Preferably the external surface of the tube 21 of the powder outlet of the powder refilling container presents pins or slots for fitting with corresponding slots or pins respectively on the internal surface of the tube 120 of the powder inlet of the tank.

[0115] FIG. 2b illustrates the system with the tube 21 of the powder refilling container being introduced inside the tube 120 of the powder inlet of the tank. In this step the tube 120 is oriented essentially horizontally and the tube 21 has to be introduced with the same orientation inside the powder inlet of the tank. Consequently, at this step, the powder in the powder refilling container 2 cannot flow in the path created by the connection of the tubes 120, 21.

[0116] FIG. 2c illustrates the following step wherein the assembly of the two tubes 120, 21 is rotated in order to enable the flow of powder. Due to the fact that the tube 120 of the powder inlet of the tank can be rotated, said tube can be inclined to reach the second illustrated position and said tube can simultaneously incline the powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container enabling powder refilling.

[0117] FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate a system of a tank 1 and a powder refilling container 2 according to the second mode of the present invention.

[0118] The powder inlet of the tank comprises an opening 123 at the upper part of the rear front of the tank and a tube 120 that is able to slide in said opening. The opening 123 is surrounded a by a ring 124, preferably made of elastomer, to enable tightness with the tube. Such a ring also enables the tube to pivot and to be more easily orientatable when pulled out.

[0119] The tube is able to move between a retracted position (FIG. 3a) in the tank and a pulled position (FIG. 3b) outside of the tank.

[0120] In the retracted position, the tube is essentially horizontally oriented, and in the pulled position, the tube is inclined compared to the first position and downwardly oriented from the external end to the internal end.

[0121] The tank can comprise a supporting device (not illustrated) inside the tank in order to support and guide the movement of the tube during its movement between a pulled and a retracted position and in particular to maintain the tube horizontally oriented in the upper part of the tank when retracted.

[0122] FIG. 4a illustrates a system of a tank 1 and a powder refilling container 2 according to the third mode of the present invention.

[0123] The tank 1 comprises a storage chamber 11 and a powder inlet 12. The powder inlet 12 protrudes at the upper part of the tank.

[0124] The powder inlet 12 comprises a flexible tube 120. The tube is sufficiently long and sufficiently flexible so as to enable the orientation of the external end of the tube downwardly as illustrated in FIG. 4a. In this position the powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container 2 can be attached to the flexible tube 120 with the powder outlet oriented upwardly. Accordingly there is no risk that powder falls around the container though the path for powder is created between the two elements.

[0125] Preferably the powder outlet 21 and the external end of the tube 120 presents fool-proofing elements to enable the refiling of the container with the tight powder.

[0126] FIG. 4b illustrates the step where the external end of the tube is oriented upwardly and, as a consequence, the attached powder outlet 21 of the powder refilling container is oriented downwardly. Powder can flow through the path to the container 1.

[0127] To stop refilling, the external end of the flexible tube is oriented downwardly again and the powder refilling container can be disconnected from the tube 120.

[0128] FIG. 4c illustrates how the flexible tube can be compressed to save place within the beverage dispenser.

[0129] FIG. 5 illustrates a beverage dispenser 4 comprising several beverage powder tanks 1 according to the invention. The tanks are positioned so that the powder inlets 12 are in the front of the dispenser, preferably at the upper part of the dispenser. Accordingly the operator can have direct access to the powder inlets 12 without opening the front door 43 of the dispenser. He/she just has to open the covers 121 of the powder inlets 12. Then the operator does not have to remove the tank form the dispenser for refilling. This operation is usually mandatory in current dispensers because there is a risk that the operator dirties the machine with powder during refilling. But in the present invention there is no such risk.

[0130] Behind the front door 13, the dispenser usually comprises beverage preparation units placed under powder tanks 1. The outlets of the tanks are oriented so as to deliver the beverage powder in the beverage preparation for contacting a dose of beverage powder with a diluent. The diluent is supplied by a fluid system comprising usually a boiler, a pump and a heater placed in the back part of the dispenser (not illustrated). The beverage preparation unit 21 delivers the beverage in a cup placed in a dispensing area 42.

[0131] The dispenser usually comprises an input device 41 for enabling a customer to select and order a beverage.

[0132] The tanks 1 can cooperate with motor shafts at their rear end in order to actuate the dosing devices inside the containers.

[0133] Advantageously it is possible to retrofit existing powder tanks for storing and dosing a food or beverage powder of existing dispensers by simply removing the lid and replacing it with a lid comprising a powder inlet in order to cooperate with a powder refilling container according to the invention. Eventually the front door of the dispenser may be adapted too.

[0134] The system of the present invention presents the advantage of inducing the operator to do the right refilling movement to orientate the powder refilling container in a manner that avoids any spilling of powder.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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

[0138] tank 1 [0139] storing chamber 11 [0140] powder inlet 12 [0141] tube 120 [0142] pin 1201 [0143] support 122 [0144] hole 1221 [0145] opening 123 [0146] ring 124

[0147] powder refilling container 2 [0148] powder outlet 21

[0149] powder 3

[0150] dispenser 4 [0151] input device 41 [0152] dispensing area 42 [0153] front side 43