BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE WITH MANUALLY OPERATED PUMP WITH FLOW CONTROL MEANS

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (20) for providing a pressurized liquid to a dose of beverage ingredients (10) such as a coffee capsule, the machine comprising a pressurizing liquid chamber (1) designed for being filled with a predefined amount of liquid upon operation of a liquid pump (2) connected to a liquid reservoir (3) of the machine, a potential energy accumulator (4) that is associated to the pressurizing liquid chamber (1) and which is designed for being brought into a charged position upon filling of the pressurizing liquid chamber (1), a brewing chamber (5) for receiving the dose of beverage ingredients (10) and which is designed for being selectively brought in fluid communication with the pressurizing liquid chamber (1), the machine (20) further comprising flow control means (6a,6b) designed for regulating the amount of liquid conveyed from the liquid pump (2) into the pressurizing liquid chamber (1) depending on an operating position of the potential energy accumulator (4) and/or on the pressure of liquid in the pressurizing chamber (1).

Claims

1. A beverage preparation machine for providing a pressurized liquid to a dose of beverage ingredients comprising: a pressurizing liquid chamber designed for being filled with a predefined amount of liquid upon operation of a liquid pump connected to a liquid reservoir of the machine; a potential energy accumulator associated to the pressurizing liquid chamber and which is designed for being brought into a charged position upon filling of the pressurizing liquid chamber; a brewing chamber for receiving the dose of beverage ingredients and which is designed for being selectively brought in fluid communication with the pressurizing liquid chamber; a flow control designed for regulating the amount of liquid conveyed from the liquid pump into the pressurizing liquid chamber according to at least two flow control modes depending on the filling state of the pressurizing chamber; and the two modes comprise a first flow control mode in which liquid is conveyed from the pump into the pressurizing chamber and a second flow control mode in which the liquid is conveyed from the pump back into the liquid reservoir of the machine.

2. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the flow control enables an operation of the pump in the charged position of the potential energy accumulator without further filling of the pressurizing liquid chamber.

3. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the operating positions of the potential energy accumulator comprises the charged position of the energy accumulator and at least a non-charged position.

4. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the flow control comprises a system of at least two valves arranged in a fluid path between the liquid reservoir and the pressurizing chamber.

5. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein a first valve of the flow control is situated in a fluid path between the pump and the liquid reservoir and a second valve of the flow control means is situated in a fluid path between the first valve and the pressurizing liquid chamber.

6. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 5, wherein the first valve is designed for being selectively engaged and held in a forced open position in the charged position of the potential energy accumulator.

7. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, wherein the forced open position of the first valve enables a fluid communication solely between the liquid reservoir and the liquid pump.

8. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 6, wherein the first valve is designed for being engaged and held in its open position by an engagement surface of a plunger of the pressurizing liquid chamber and/or the potential energy accumulator.

9. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 5, wherein a third valve is provided which is arranged to direct liquid back to the liquid reservoir when the pressure between the liquid pump and the pressurized chamber exceeds a given threshold and/or the pressurized chamber is sufficiently filled.

10. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 9, wherein the third valve is a one-way valve arranged to by-pass the first valve in the direction towards the liquid reservoir.

11. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the liquid pump is designed for being driven by a manually operated lever arrangement.

12. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 11, wherein the lever arrangement is designed for operating the pump by a reciprocating movement of the lever arrangement with respect to a housing of the machine.

13. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 11, wherein the lever arrangement is fixedly connected to the pump.

14. The beverage preparation machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine further comprises a release valve arranged between the pressurizing liquid chamber and the brewing chamber and designed for selectively releasing pressurized water from the pressurizing liquid chamber to the brewing chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for a skilled person when reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the beverage preparation machine (with part of the housing 11 removed) according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective side partial view of the machine in particular showing a lever arrangement and flow control means of the machine according to FIG. 1.

[0037] FIGS. 3a and 3b are sectional side views of a first empty state and a second filled state of the pressurizing liquid chamber of the machine corresponding to a non-charged (released) state and a charged (compressed) state of the potential energy accumulator.

[0038] FIGS. 4a and 4b are cross sectional views of the machine upon a first step of the filling operation of the pressurizing liquid chamber in which liquid is drawn from the liquid reservoir to the pump.

[0039] FIGS. 5a and 5b are cross sectional views of the machine upon a second step of the filling operation of the pressurizing liquid chamber in which liquid is conveyed from the pump to the pressurizing liquid chamber.

[0040] FIGS. 6a and 6b are cross sectional views of the machine in the filled state of the pressurizing liquid chamber and show the liquid flow upon further operation of the pump in this state.

[0041] FIGS. 7a and 7b are cross sectional side views of the machine and show a release valve of the machine.

[0042] FIGS. 8a and 8b are cross sectional side views of the machine according to a variant of the invention and shows a filling step of the pressurized chamber through the second valve.

[0043] FIG. 8c are a cross sectional side views of the machine according to the variant of FIGS. 8a and 8b in the filled state of the pressurizing liquid chamber and show the liquid flow upon further operation of the pump in this state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] With respect to FIGS. 1 to 3b, a preferred of the beverage preparation machine 20 according to the present invention will be described. The machine 20 is preferably a portable beverage preparation machine such as in particular a portable espresso machine. However, the invention also applies to a non-portable machine such as a table top coffee machine.

[0045] The machine 20 is designed for providing a pressurized liquid to a dose of beverage ingredients such as a coffee capsule 10 that may be selectively placed into a brewing chamber 5 of the machine. The brewing chamber 5 is thus preferably adapted for receiving and housing such coffee capsule. The coffee capsule may be placed into the brewing chamber 5 by removing a lid 11a from a housing 11 of the machine. The lid 11a may be connected via a screw or ramp-type (e.g., quarter turn) connection to the machine 20. The housing 11 is preferably of essentially cylindrical form and may comprise a beverage outlet (not shown) for the resulting beverage to be drained from the brewing chamber e.g. into a receptacle such as a coffee mug.

[0046] The machine 20 may comprise a user interface 13 that may comprise at least a main switch and/or feedback indicators relating to different operational modes of the machine. For example, the user interface may comprise status indicators for the liquid heating temperature and a position status of the energy accumulator (such as Reed sensors).

[0047] The machine 20 comprises a manually operated liquid pump 2 that is preferably driven by a lever arrangement 9 connected to the pump. The lever arrangement 9 may linked to the housing 11 of the machine. The lever arrangement 9 is preferably designed for being operated in reciprocating movement away and towards the housing 11 of the machine 20. In the state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the lever arrangement protrudes from the housing 11 of the machine. In the state as shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b, the lever arrangement 9 is fully retracted and thus essentially flush with the rest of the machine housing 11. The lever arrangement is preferably hinged to the housing 11 of the machine and may comprise a knee lever 9a connecting the lever arrangement 9 to the liquid pump 2 preferably to a movable cylinder 2a guided about a fixed plunger of the pump 2. Of course, the arrangement can be inverted with the lever 9a being connected to a movable plunger 2a in a fixed cylinder of the pump 2. The knee-lever arrangement 9a may be further mechanically arranged with the pump to activate the pump, i.e., cylinder or plunger, only after a minimal angular displacement of the lever, e.g., 5-10 degrees, is attained from the fully retracted position (at a reference of zero degree) so as to leave room for handling the lever properly before effectively starting the pumping action. Of course, the lever arrangement can be symmetrical about the longitudinal plane of the machine in that it comprises a pair of levers 9a; each one linked to a cylinder 2a of the pump.

[0048] The machine 20 further comprises a liquid reservoir 3 in fluid connection to the pump 2 and for holding a predefined amount of liquid at (about) atmospheric pressure. The liquid reservoir 3 is preferably designed for being refilled via a dedicated filling duct. The liquid reservoir 3 may further comprise an overpressure valve 18. Further, the liquid reservoir 3 may comprise integrated heating means (not shown) such as e.g. resistors, induction or radiation means designed for heating the liquid held therein to a desired temperature. The heating means may be battery driven. For this purpose, the machine may comprise a preferably re-chargeable energy source such as an integrated battery.

[0049] The machine 20 further comprises a pressurizing liquid chamber 1 designed for being filled with a predefined amount of liquid upon operation of the liquid pump 2. The pressurizing liquid chamber 1 is thus at least in fluid communication with the pump 2 of the machine. The pressurizing liquid chamber 1 is formed by a first cylinder and plunger assembly 1a,1b which may be moved with respect to each other in order to vary the size of the liquid chamber 1 enclosed therein.

[0050] The machine further comprises a potential energy accumulator 4 preferably comprising a gaseous fluid or spring and which energy accumulator is associated to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. The energy accumulator 4 is designed for being brought from a non-charged position (see FIG. 3a) into a charged position (see FIG. 3b) upon filling of the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. The energy accumulator 4 preferably comprises a second cylinder and plunger assembly 4a,4b that may be moved with respect to each other in order to define therein a chamber 4c for holding the gaseous fluid. The chamber 4c is thus of varying size, thereby providing a compression of the enclosed fluid upon reducing the size of the chamber.

[0051] The cylinder 4a of the second cylinder and plunger assembly 4a,4b is preferably coaxially placed inside the cylinder 1a of the first cylinder and plunger assembly 1a,1b. The plunger 1b of the first assembly 1a,1b is preferably susceptible of retracting inside its cylinder 1a to move the cylinder 4a of the second assembly 4a,4b while the plunger 4b of the second assembly preferably remains fixed to compress the fluid inside the chamber 4c.

[0052] A diameter of the plunger 1b of the first assembly 1a,1b may be between 15 and 50 mm, for example, 34 mm. The stroke of the plunger may be between 30 and 80 mm such as for example 50 mm. The diameter of the cylinder 4a of the second assembly is slightly lower than the diameter of the plunger 1b of the first assembly so as to coaxially fit inside the plunger 1b. The plunger 1b and cylinder 4a can also be the same element (e.g. for reduction of parts). In order to vary the volume of the pressurizing liquid chamber 1, the stroke and/or diameter of the plunger assembly 4a, 4b can be varied. By varying the stroke only, the pressure of liquid delivered to the brewing chamber remains unchanged. By varying the diameter, the pressure of liquid delivered to the brewing chamber can be modified accordingly so as to adapt the machine to different types of beverages and/or capsules. This can also be made by adapting the gas pressure or spring load of the energy accumulator.

[0053] In a variant (not illustrated), the cylinder 4a can be fixed to the housing of the device and the plunger 4b can be the mobile part relative to the cylinder. In this case, the plunger 4b can be arranged, to be at one end, the plunger of the accumulator and at the opposite end to also form the plunger 1b of the pressurized water chamber.

[0054] The reservoir 3, the liquid pump 2, the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 and the brewing chamber 5 are preferably in fluid connection. For this purpose, the machine 20 comprises dedicated fluid circuit, e.g. formed by dedicated conduits 17 interconnecting the respective parts 1,2,3,5.

[0055] The machine 20 further comprises flow control means 6a,6b designed for regulating the amount of liquid conveyed from the liquid pump 2 into the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 depending on an operating position of the potential energy accumulator 4. The flow control means 6a,6b preferably comprise at least two modes, wherein in a first mode liquid is conveyed from the pump 2 into the pressurizing chamber 1 and a second mode in which the liquid is conveyed back from the pump to the liquid reservoir 3. Accordingly, the movement of the lever arrangement 9 connected to the pump 2 is still enabled even when the pressurizing chamber 1 is in its filled state while the pressure in the fluidic line and the mechanical forces on the lever(s) are low.

[0056] The flow control means 6a,6b comprise a system of two valves 6a,6b arranged in the fluid circuit between the liquid reservoir 3 and the pressurizing chamber 1, whereby the first valve 6a is situated in a fluid path between the pump 2 and the liquid reservoir 3 and the second valve 6b is situated in the fluid path between the first valve 6a and the pressurizing liquid chamber 1.

[0057] As e.g. shown in FIGS. 2 and 3a, the first valve 6a is preferably arranged in a T-junction of the fluid circuit interconnecting the pump 2, a connector 14 for connecting to the liquid reservoir 3 and a connector 15 for connecting to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. The connector 15 may be connected to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1by means of a tubular member 17 and a dedicated connector 16 of the liquid chamber 1. The second valve 6b is preferably arranged in the fluid path from the first valve 6a to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. The second valve 6b may e.g. be situated inside or in vicinity of the connector 15.

[0058] The operation of the flow control means 6a,6b during the operation of the pump will be described in detail in the following with respect to FIGS. 4a,b and 5a,5b.

[0059] FIGS. 4a and 4b relate to an initial state of the beverage preparation machine, wherein an unused/new capsule 10 has been placed into the brewing chamber 5 and wherein the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 is in its empty state. Consequently, the energy accumulator 4 is in its non-charged state.

[0060] In a first step of a reciprocating movement of the lever arrangement 9, liquid is first conveyed from the liquid reservoir 3 to the valve 6a via a conduit 21 (see arrows A), a passage or conduit 22 in which a pin 25 of the valve 6a is guided and a conduit 23 between the valve 6a and the pump. The valve 6a is thereby opened (see arrow B in FIG. 4a) by the depression caused in the liquid pump 2, thus enabling liquid to pass the valve 6a, in particular in the conduit 22 in which the pin 25 is guided.

[0061] During further operating the lever arrangement 9 in a second step, preferably in the opposite direction as in the first step shown in FIGS. 4 and 4b, a pressure step is carried out by the pump 2. In this step, water is expulsed from the cylinders 2a of the pump 2 to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. Thereby, due to the pressure applied in the conduit 22 by the pump 2 and as no sufficient counter pressure is present in conduit 22 in which the pin 25 of the valve 6a is guided, the valve 6a remains in its closed (normal) position, thus closing the conduit 22 (see arrow B). The liquid flow (see arrows C) applied in conduits 23,24 thus lead to an opening of the second valve 6b (see arrow D) in order to enable a fluid communication between the pump 2 and the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 (see also arrow C in FIG. 5b). The second valve 6b is preferably a check valve which enables a fluid communication from conduit 24 to the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 only.

[0062] The first and second steps as shown in FIGS. 4a,4b and 5a,5b are preferably continuously carried out during the reciprocating movement of the lever arrangement 9 and thus during the operation of the pump 2 (e.g. reciprocal movement of the cylinder(s) 2a), such as to continuously fill the liquid chamber 1 and simultaneous charge the energy accumulator 4. This is carried out, until the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 is brought to its (completely) filled state as shown in FIG. 6a,6b and in which state the energy accumulator 4 is in its charged position.

[0063] In this configuration of the machine 20, the first valve 6a is held in a forced open position. This is preferably obtained by a dedicated engagement surface 7 engaging the valve pinhead 27 upon reaching the charged position of the energy accumulator 4. The engagement surface 7 is preferably arranged at an outer lateral surface of the plunger 1b of the first cylinder and plunger assembly 1a,1b. The engagement surface 7 may be a sloped or curved surface gradually engaging with the pinhead 27 of the valve 6a upon reaching the charged position of the accumulator and the forced open position of the valve 6a.

[0064] In this open position of first valve 6a, liquid can only travel from the liquid reservoir 3 to the liquid pump 2 back and forth (see arrow E) in conduits 21,22,23 during operation of the lever arrangement 9 and reciprocating pumping operation of the pump. Thereby, the second valve 6b remains in its (normal) closed position because there is no sufficient pressure in the conduit 24 which would lead to an opening of the second valve 6b. As a consequence, the lever arrangement 9 can be moved up and down and placed back in rest position by the user of the machine 20. The pressurizing liquid chamber 1 is full, the energy accumulator 4 is in its charged position and the machine 20 is thus ready for liquid dispensing to the brewing chamber 5.

[0065] In order to selectively provide liquid under pressure from the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 to the brewing chamber 5, the machine 20 further comprises a liquid release valve 12 (see FIG. 7a) arranged between the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 and the brewing chamber 5. The user may thus open the liquid release valve 12, e.g. by means of pressing an activation button 12b (see FIG. 7b) arranged on a surface of the housing 11 of the machine. Liquid under pressure will then be provided from the pressurizing liquid chamber 1 to the brewing chamber 5 and thus to the capsule held 10 therein, e.g. via a conduit 12a interconnecting these parts. The resulting beverage may then be drained from an outlet aperture (not shown) of the machine 20 into a receptacle.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of the energy accumulator 4 and/or of the plunger 1b of the pressurizing chamber may also be controlled by a position sensors in order to provide an accurate feedback regarding an empty and filled state of the pressurizing liquid chamber 1. The position sensors may comprise or consist of Hall sensors.

[0067] The machine 20 may further comprise a control unit designed to control the electrical activation of the release button 12 such as to be activated only when certain parameters are fulfilled such as the water chamber being filled and the temperature of liquid being within predefined target values.

[0068] FIG. 8a represents a variant of the machine of the invention. The machine comprises the same technical means as in the previous embodiment except for the engagement surface 7 which is replaced by a third valve 6c. In the charging step of the liquid pump 2, the cylinders 2a are moved to draw liquid from the liquid reservoir 3 (direction B). As in FIG. 4a, the first valve 6a opens by pressure difference and liquid flows from the liquid reservoir to the conduit 21, the passage 22 and to the conduit 23 to fill the cylinders 2a. A third valve 6c is present which may be positioned to bypass the valve 6a and by fluidly connecting the conduit 23 downstream the first valve 6a to the conduit 21 upstream the valve 6a. The third valve 6c is arranged as a one-way valve such that liquid cannot flow from the liquid reservoir to the cylinder but only in the opposite direction, i.e., from the cylinder to the liquid reservoir via a small conduit 26.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8b, the liquid flow is not possible at the filling pressure of the pressurized chamber 1 such that only the second valve 6b can open as illustrated in FIG. 8a. For this, the third valve 6c is loaded with a spring load which is set higher than the spring load of the second valve 6b leading to the pressurized chamber 1. When the liquid pump reciprocates, the cylinders 2a are moved to expel liquid towards the conduit 23 which so opens the second valve 6b to fill the pressurized chamber 1 (direction C). The first valve 6a and 6c both remain closed.

[0070] The charging and filling steps of FIGS. 8a and 8b go on until the pressurized chamber is filled. In the charged state of the pressurized chamber 1, the liquid is recirculated by the first valve 6a (FIG. 8a) and third valve 6c (FIG. 8c) as shown by direction E. The reciprocation of the liquid pump provides a recirculation of liquid to the liquid reservoir 1 by the third valve 6c opening. No more liquid can circulate through the second valve 6b and the pressure in the conduit 23 becomes sufficiently high to open third valve 6c and to maintain it opened. Liquid passes through the third valve 6c and through conduit 26, passage 22 back to the liquid reservoir 3. The next step starts again by drawing liquid in the cylinders 2a via the first valve 6a opening.

[0071] Therefore, contrary to the former embodiment, in this one, the recirculation is not obtained by forcing the first valve opened in the return direction of liquid based on the filled position of the pressurized chamber 1, but by providing a third valve which arranged opposite the first valve and which by-passes it in direction from the liquid pump to the liquid reservoir 3 and opening depending on the pressure of liquid between the liquid pump and the pressurized chamber 1. When the pressure of liquid, in particular in the conduit 23, reaches a threshold value corresponding to a maximum filling level of the pressurized chamber 1, the recirculation or third valve 6c opens to allow liquid to return to the liquid reservoir via conduit 26 upstream the first valve 6a.

[0072] It should be noted that the third valve 6c can be provided inside the pin of the first valve 6a with a central liquid through-hole, as another constructional arrangement, but still opening in the opposite direction as to the first valve in relation to its passage 22.