Device for in-cup preparation of a beverage

Abstract

A beverage production device prepares a beverage from a beverage concentrate contained in a receptacle. The beverage production device includes a support member for supporting the receptacle, a plate member arranged vertically to the support means, the plate member including at least four outlet nozzles for injecting a fluid jet into the receptacle. A liquid supply member is connected to the outlet nozzles, and at least two of the outlet nozzles are designed to direct a fluid jet to an inner side wall of the receptacle and are arranged at different angles with respect the vertical. At least two of the outlet nozzles are designed to direct a fluid jet to the bottom of the receptacle and are arranged at different angles with respect to the vertical.

Claims

1. A method for preparation of a beverage from a food substance, the method comprising: providing a beverage concentrate to a receptacle; and directing fluid jets to the receptacle comprising directing at least two fluid jets to an inner bottom portion of the receptacle and at least two other fluid jets to an inner side wall portion of the receptacle using outlet nozzles provided at a plate member arranged vertically to the receptacle, wherein the receptacle and the plate member move vertically in relation to each other during the directing of the fluid jets to the receptacle, the at least two fluid jets directed to the inner bottom portion of the receptacle and the at least two other fluid jets directed to the inner side wall portion of the receptacle are positioned at different angles with respect to the vertical.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle and the plate member also move rotationally in relation to each other during the directing of the fluid jets to the receptacle.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a motor performs rotational movement of the receptacle and the plate member in relation to each other during vertical movement of the receptacle and the plate member in relation to each other.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is moved to approach a rim portion of the receptacle prior to the directing of the fluid jets to the receptacle, and the receptacle is rotated during the directing of the fluid jets to the receptacle.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a frustoconical shape.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outlet nozzles have angles between 10 and +10 relative to the vertical.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for the 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.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of another preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the plate member housing the outlet nozzles and the outlet of the coffee mixing chamber.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle to be used with the present invention, wherein the impact points of the fluid jets ejected by the outlet nozzles and the outlet of the coffee mixing chamber are indicated.

(6) FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show a top view and a bottom of the device according to the present invention wherein means for closing, opening or restricting the coffee mixing chamber are apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(7) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a plate member 2 comprises four outlet nozzles 4. In addition, the plate member comprises an outlet 3 which is in fluid connection to a coffee mixing chamber 5 which is mounted on the plate member.

(8) The plate member 2 preferably comprises a spray nozzle 8 which is designed to inject a spray A5 towards a receptacle placed beneath the plate member 2.

(9) The outlet nozzles 4, the spray nozzle 8 and the mixing chamber 5 are in fluid connection to liquid supply means 6 of the device.

(10) The liquid supply means preferably comprise a water tank 6a respectively a reservoir suitable for providing a liquid to the device. It should be noted that instead of a reservoir, the device may be connected to a water tap in order to establish a permanent liquid supply.

(11) The liquid supply means comprise a pump 6b which is in connection to the reservoir and which provides liquid to a boiler 6c of the water supply means 6. Thereby, instead of a boiler, a thermoblock or other suitable heating means may be provided. According to this embodiment, the water supply means are designed for supplying a heating pressurized liquid.

(12) In a preferred embodiment however, a by-pass water path (not shown) may be provided in order to by-pass the heating means 6c and thus for providing a pressurized cold water to the outlet nozzles 4 respectively to the spray nozzle 8.

(13) The fluid connection between the liquid supply means 6 and the outlet nozzles 4 respectively the spray nozzle 8 and the mixing chamber 5 is established by means of tubular members 4a, 5a, 8a which are schematically shown in FIG. 1.

(14) Within the fluid connection between the mixing chamber 5, the outlet nozzles 4 and the spray nozzle 8, valve members 23, 24, 25 are arranged. The valve members have at least an open and a closed position in which a liquid flow from the liquid supply means to the outlet nozzles 4, the spray nozzle 8 or the mixing chamber 5 is enabled or disabled respectively. Thereby, the valve members 23, 24, 25 are preferably connected to a control unit 7 which controls the position of the valve members. Accordingly, liquid may be selectively provided to the outlet nozzles 4, the spray nozzle 8 and the mixing chamber 5.

(15) However, it may as well be possible to have only one valve member, e.g. valve member 23, connected between the liquid supply means 6 and the outlet nozzles 4. Thereby, the outlet nozzles 4 are in fluid connection to a single tubular member, e.g. tubular member 4a, connected to the valve member 23. The tubular member 4a may for example be connected to a circular channel in the plate member 2, said circular channel emerging in the different outlet nozzles. Due to the outlet nozzles 4 being in fluid connection to the tubular member 4a, distribution of liquid from the tubular member 4a to the outlet nozzles 4 is enabled.

(16) It should be understood that the outlet nozzles 4 may comprise any means suitable for directing a fluid jet towards the receptacle 13. The outlet nozzles 4 may protrude to a certain extent from the plate member 2. However, the outlet nozzles may as well be formed as an integral part of the plate member, such as for example holes formed in the plate member 2. The holes can be of different size to provide different water pressures.

(17) As can be seen in FIG. 1, a liquid supply to the outlet nozzles 4 results in a jet of liquid A2, A4 being ejected from the corresponding outlet nozzles 4. Thereby, the outlet nozzles are preferably arranged at the plate member 2 such that the fluid jets A2 is directed to a bottom portion 13a of a receptacle 13 placed on a support means 1 beneath the plate member 2. Moreover, at least one of the outlet nozzles 4 is arranged such that the ejected fluid jet A4 hits a sidewall portion 13b of the receptacle 13. Thereby, the fluid jet which is directed to a bottom portion 13a of the receptacle 13 provides the essential force for dissolving a food substance which is preferably provided in powder form to the receptacle. Moreover, the fluid jet directed to a sidewall portion 13b of the receptacle is able to prevent food substance from sticking to the sidewall of the receptacle.

(18) In a preferred embodiment, the outlet nozzles 4 are preferably arranged at a fixed position at the plate member 2. However, adjusting means may be provided for adjusting the position of the outlet nozzles 4 and thus, for adjusting the paths of the fluid jets ejected there from.

(19) The receptacle 13 is preferably placed centrically to the outlet nozzles 4. According to this, the ejected fluid jets are directed to the intended portions of the receptacle 13, as already described.

(20) In order to enable a correct positioning of the receptacle 13 with respect to the plate member 2 positioning means 9 are provided which enable a guidance of the receptacle toward a correct position of the receptacle.

(21) The positioning means 9 preferably comprise annular grooves 9a, 9b, 9c which are arranged concentrically. Therein, an annular ring member 9d may be placed which preferably can be adjusted to different sizes in order to fit the different grooves 9a, 9b, 9c. Hence, the ring member 9d protrudes to a predefined extent from an upper surface 1a of the support means 1. Accordingly, dependent on the size of the receptacle 13 to be used with the present device, a user may adjust the ring member 9d to fit in one of the provided grooves 9a, 9b, 9c and thus, to guide a lower portion of the receptacle 13 in order to enable a concentric positioning of the receptacle 13 with respect to the plate member 2.

(22) It should be understood that the positioning means may be any means for supporting a user of the device in positioning the receptacle with respect to the plate member 2. Moreover, the number of grooves interacting with the protruding ring member 9d may vary from the number indicated in the figure.

(23) The support means 1 are preferably connected to a rotating and lifting device 27 which is connected to a motor 26. Thereby, the motor 26 is preferably controlled by the controlling unit 7 of the device in order to enable an operation of the rotating and lifting device 27 during a beverage preparation cycle as indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 1.

(24) FIG. 2 relates to a side view of another preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Therein, the lifting device is connected to the plate member 2 by means of a connection element 29 which is circumferentially arranged at the plate member 2 and which is connected to a lifting means 27 housed within a housing 100 of the device. The motor 27 is preferably controlled by the controlling unit 7 of the device in order to enable an operation of the lifting device during a beverage preparation cycle as indicated by arrow Z2. The support means 1 are preferably connected to a rotating device 27 which is connected to a motor 26 and enabling the rotation of the receptacle about its central axis C. Thereby, the motor 26 is preferably controlled by the controlling unit 7 of the device in order to enable an operation of the rotating device 27 during a beverage preparation cycle as indicated by arrow Z1.

(25) As shown in FIG. 2, the mixing chamber 5 comprises an aperture 28 and is thus accessible for a user of the device. Thereby, the aperture 28 may be equipped with a lid (not shown) in order to enable an opening and closing of the mixing chamber 5. The mixing chamber 5 is preferably cylindrically shaped and comprises an outlet 3 at a lower portion thereof. Moreover, at an elevated position within the mixing chamber 5, a water inlet 5b is arranged which is in fluid connection to the liquid supply means by means of a tubular member 5a.

(26) Hence, for the preparation of a coffee beverage, a coffee based concentrate dose such as coffee powder 21 may be provided to the mixing chamber 5 by means of the aperture 28. Then, a liquid, preferably hot pressurized water, is introduced into the mixing chamber 5. Hence, the provided liquid interacts with the coffee powder 21 in order to form a coffee beverage which is dispensed from the mixing chamber 5 by means of the outlet 3.

(27) The coffee beverage is thus provided to the receptacle 13 which is placed underneath the plate member 2. Thereby, the outlet 3 is preferably arranged concentrically to the plate member 2.

(28) The outlet 3 may be equipped with a perforated member 3a for preventing the coffee powder 21 from falling into the receptacle before the interaction of the powder 21 with the liquid.

(29) Moreover, for the preparation of a mixed beverage such as a cappuccino or latte macchiato which basically consists of coffee and milk, the milk is prepared within the receptacle by means of an in-cup-preparation thereof.

(30) Accordingly, a food substance such as a dry powder may be provided to the receptacle 13 prior to the beverage preparation. Then, liquid in form of fluid jets A1, A2, A3, A4 is provided to the receptacle 13 in order to dissolve the food substance 20 therein.

(31) For the beverage preparation within the receptacle 13, the plate member 2 preferably comprises four outlet nozzles 4, wherein at least two of the other nozzles A1, A2 are arranged in order to direct a fluid jet to a bottom portion 13a of the receptacle. Moreover, preferably two of the outlet nozzles 4 are arranged in order to provide a fluid jet A3,A4 to an inner side wall portion 13b of the receptacle 13. Hence, effective dissolving of the food substance 20 within the receptacle 13 is obtained.

(32) In a preferred embodiment, the plate member 2 is brought to approach an upper rim portion 13c of the receptacle prior to the provision of liquid to the receptacle. Hence, the pressure of the fluid jets which hit the surface area of the liquid within the receptacle during the beverage preparation is reduced and thus, mixing of the beverage is enhanced. Moreover, the formation of big bubbles due to the impact of the fluid jets and the surface of a liquid within the receptacle 13 is reduced.

(33) With increasing filling level of the liquid within the receptacle 13, the plate member 2 and thus the outlet nozzles 4 can be lifted with respect to receptacle 13. Thereby, the plate member 2 is preferably rotated about the receptacle central axis C by means of the lifting/rotating means 27. According to this, the fluid jets ejected by the outlet nozzles 4 of the plate member 2 are provided to different portions of the receptacle 13 and thus, mixing of the beverage is enhanced. In particular, the fluid jets provided to a side wall portion 13b of the receptacle 13 are provided continuously to an inner circumferential portion of the receptacle 13. Hence, any residual of the food substance which sticks to an inner side wall portion of the receptacle 13 is washed away.

(34) Control means 7 (see FIG. 1) preferably comprise a state machine which enables the control of the liquid supply to the outlet nozzles 4, the spray nozzle 8 and the mixing chamber 5 respectively. Therefore, during a beverage preparation side of a mixed beverage, the control means 7 first provide liquid to the outer nozzles 4 and thus to the receptacle 13 in order to dissolve and eventually froth a food substance provided to the receptacle. Thereby, the amount of liquid provided to the receptacle is preferably controlled by a flow metering device (not shown) connected within the liquid flow path of the liquid supply means 7 and the outlet nozzles 4. Thereby, a user can be able to choose the volume of the liquid to be dispensed into the receptacle 13 by means of a manual interface provided at the device (not shown) or the volume settled for the type of beverage selected by the user can be automatically dispensed according to a predefined program.

(35) After the liquid supply to the receptacle 13 by means of the outlet nozzles 4 is stopped, the liquid supply to the mixing chamber 5 by means of the inlet 5b is enabled. Accordingly, any food substance such as dry coffee powder provided to the mixing chamber 3 interacts with the provided liquid and is thus dispensed through the outlet 3 into receptacle 13. Between the inlet 5b and the liquid supply means, a flow metering device is preferably arranged in order to control the amount of liquid provided to the mixing chamber 5. Thereby, a user is preferably enabled by a manual interface provided at the device (not shown) to control the amount of liquid to be provided to the mixing chamber 5 or the volume settled for the type of beverage selected by the user can be automatically dispensed according to a predefined program.

(36) In addition, the spray nozzle 8 may be supplied with liquid after liquid supply to the outlet nozzles 4 has been cut by the control means 7. Hence, the spray of vapour provided by the spray nozzle is applied to the beverage within the receptacle 13 in order to subdue big bubbles. Furthermore, the spray of vapour supports the formation of small bubbles on the surface of the beverage which is particularly desired for cappuccino type beverages.

(37) In order to enable an efficient mixing of the beverage within the receptacle 13, the outlet nozzles 4 and thus the ejected fluid jets are arranged at a certain angle , (see FIG. 1) with respect to the vertical. Thereby, the angle preferably differs for each of the outlet nozzles 4 designed to direct a fluid jet A1, A2 to the bottom of the receptacle 13a. Moreover, the angle preferably differs for each of the outlet nozzles 4 designed to direct a fluid jet A3, A4 to an inner side wall 13b of the receptacle 13. In a preferred embodiment, the angles , are between 10 and +10 degrees.

(38) In a preferred embodiment, a first nozzle 4 is arranged in parallel to the vertical C (=0). Moreover, a second outlet nozzle is arranged at an angle of =10 to the vertical. In addition, a third outlet nozzle 4 is arranged at an angle of 3 to the vertical. A fourth outlet nozzle is arranged at an angle of 10. The values for the angles , may vary without departing from the scope of the invention.

(39) In a preferred embodiment, a fifth outlet nozzle 11 is arranged at the plate member 2 and is in fluid connection to the liquid supply means 6. Preferably, said fifth outlet nozzle 11 differs in diameter to the other outlet nozzles 4. In particular, the outlet nozzle 11 has a greater diameter in order to provide a bigger amount of a liquid with a lower pressure to the receptacle during the beverage preparation cycle. Accordingly, waiting time for a user of the device is reduced and frothing force of the jet is reduced. The outlet nozzle 4 is in particular useful for the preparation of tea.

(40) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the plate member 2 housing the outlet nozzles 4 and the outlet of the coffee mixing chamber 3. As can be seen in the figure, the outlet nozzles 4 are circumferentially positioned on a ring and the outlet 3 of the mixing chamber 5 is arranged centrically to the centre C1 of the ring in which nozzle outlets 4 are positioned.

(41) The outlet nozzles 4 are preferably of the same outlet diameter d4 thus producing fluid jets of the same pressure. The outlet diameter d4 is preferably between 0.2 and 0.9 mm.

(42) Said outlet nozzles 4 are arranged on the same distance d1 compared to the centre C1 of the plate member 2. Said distance d1 is preferably between 30 and 60 mm.

(43) The spray nozzle 8 is preferably situated at a smaller distance d2 to the centre c1 of the plate member 2. Thereby, the distance d2 is preferably between 20 and 50 mm. The spray nozzle preferably ejects a hollow cone spray of vapour with an angle of 60 to 85. The liquid flow of the spray nozzle is preferably between 1.5 and 3 ml per second.

(44) The outlet nozzle 11 is of a greater diameter d3 than the outlet nozzles 4 and is preferably arranged at the same distance d1 from the centre c1 of the plate member 2. The diameter d3 is preferably between 1.5 and 4 mm.

(45) Preferably, the speed of rotation of the plate member 2 is between 0.5 and 1.5 revolutions per second. More preferably, the speed of rotation of the plate member is between 0.8 and 1.2 revolutions per second.

(46) FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle to be used with the present invention, wherein the impact points of the fluid jets A1, A2, A3, A4 ejected by the outlet nozzles 4 are indicated.

(47) The outlet of the mixing chamber 5 preferably hits the bottom portion 13a of the receptacle 13 at its centre C1. Moreover, as indicated by reference numerals A3 and A4, preferably two of the fluid jets provided by the outlet nozzles 4 hit a side wall portion 13b of the receptacle. Thereby, the distance of the impact points of the fluid jets A3, A4 from the centre c1 preferably differs.

(48) In addition, the reference numerals A1 and A2 refer to impact points of two fluid jets ejected by outlet nozzles 4 which are arranged to hit a bottom portion 13a of the receptacle 13. Thereby, as indicated in FIG. 4, the distance of the impact points A1, A2 from the centre c1 preferably differ. Accordingly, different portions of the bottom portion of the receptacle are hit by fluid jets which results in an improvement of the mixing process. Moreover, due to the rotation of the plate member 2, the fluid jets are continuously rotating about the axis C of the receptacle, thereby inducing a swirling motion within the receptacle. Accordingly, enhanced mixing of the beverage to be prepared is enhanced.

(49) The reference numeral A6 denotes the impact point of the additional nozzle 11 which preferably has a greater outlet diameter than the other outlet nozzles. Preferably, the outlet nozzle 11 is arranged to direct a fluid jet towards a side wall portion 13b of the receptacle.

(50) FIG. 5 is a top view of the plate member 2 to which the tubular members 4a, 5a, 8a supplying the outlet nozzles and the spray nozzle are connected. The coffee mixing chamber 5 lies on the plate so that its outlet emerges through the plate.

(51) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the of the plate member 2 in which the outlet nozzles 4, 11 and the spray nozzle 8 are apparent. Under the coffee mixing chamber outlet 3, there are means for closing, opening or restricting said outlet nozzle. Said means consists in a plate 14 pierced by a hole 142 of which section is almost as large as the section of the coffee mixing chamber outlet 3 and by a restricted hole 141 of which section is smaller than the section of the coffee mixing chamber outlet 3. This plate 14 is moveable so that either the hole 142 or the restricted hole 141 or no hole at all faces the coffee mixing chamber outlet 3. This plate can be moved by a motor 143 of which notched gear is assembled with a notched plate 144 fixed to the plate 14. Motor 143 can then move the plate to open, close or restrict the coffee mixing chamber outlet.

(52) 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.