Capsule System For Producing A Beverage

Abstract

A capsule system for producing a beverage has a housing that defines an inner region of the capsule system. A receiving unit receives a capsule for producing a beverage. A conveyor conveys a capsule received by the receiving unit to a processing position. The conveyor has a conveying carriage which is moved by one or more actuators from an extended state into a retracted state. The receiving unit is arranged on the conveying carriage such that, in the extended state, it is located outside the housing for receiving a capsule and, in the retracted state, it is located at the processing position. A control unit causes the conveying carriage to move from the extended state into the retracted state, in order to convey the first capsule to the processing position, and to cause a beverage to be produced from the contents of the first capsule.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A capsule system for producing a beverage, the capsule system comprising: a housing at least partially surrounding an inner region of the capsule system; a receiving unit configured to receive a capsule for producing a beverage; a conveyor having a conveying carriage and one or more actuators, said conveyor being configured to convey a capsule received by said receiving unit to a processing position in the inner region of the capsule system; wherein said one or move actuators are configured to guide said conveying carriage from an extended state into a retracted state; wherein said receiving unit is arranged on said conveying carriage such that, in the extended state, said receiving unit is located outside the housing of the capsule system in order to receive a capsule and, in the retracted state, said receiving unit is located at the processing position; a processing device configured to open a capsule at the processing position in order to produce a beverage from ingredients contained in the capsule; a dispensing unit for providing a beverage produced from a capsule; and a control unit which is configured: to cause said conveying carriage to move from the extended state into the retracted state in order to convey a first capsule to the processing position; and to directly thereafter cause said processing device to produce a first beverage from the ingredients contained in the first capsule and to provide a first beverage via said dispensing unit.

15. The capsule system according to claim 1, wherein: said conveying carriage has an illumination region with a plurality of illumination states; and said control unit is configured to activate said illumination region in order to output information relating to a production of the first beverage by way of the plurality of illumination states.

16. The capsule system according to claim 14, wherein the information relating to the production of the first beverage includes at least one information item selected from the group consisting of a process status during the production of the first beverage and a type of the first beverage being produced

17. The capsule system according to claim 14, wherein said conveying carriage has an interchangeable front section.

18. The capsule system according to claim 14, further comprising a protective bracket embodied to enclose said conveying carriage in the extended state.

19. The capsule system according to claim 14, further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect an external force acting on said conveying carriage in the extended state, which external force acts in a direction of the retracted state of the conveying carriage; and wherein said control unit is configured to cause said conveying carriage to be moved into the retracted state in response to a detection of the external force.

20. The capsule system according to claim 14, further comprising a sensor configured to detect that the first capsule is transferred to the capsule system by way of said receiving unit; and wherein, in response thereto, said control unit is configured to cause said conveyor to convey said first capsule to the processing position.

21. The capsule system according to claim 14, further comprising a read sensor configured to capture information relating to a capsule received by the receiving unit; and wherein said control unit is configured to produce the first beverage as a function of the captured information relating to the first capsule.

22. The capsule system according to claim 14, configured to produce a beverage from a capsule that comprises a plurality of chambers containing different substances for producing a beverage.

23. The capsule system according to claim 22, wherein: the capsule comprises an outer shell which has an outer base, an outer side wall and an outer lid forming an overall cavity of the capsule; the capsule comprises at least one inner shell inside the overall cavity of the capsule and forming a second chamber for receiving a second volume of a second ingredient; wherein a remaining cavity of the capsule is formed by the overall cavity minus the at least one inner shell is a first chamber for receiving a first volume of a first ingredient; and said processing device is configured to open the inner shell of the capsule and to create a cavity within the capsule for receiving a mixture which fully comprises the first ingredient and the second ingredient.

24. The capsule system according to claim 23, wherein said processing device is configured to tilt the capsule in order to pour the mixture out of the capsule through an opening in the outer lid due to a force of gravity.

25. The capsule system according to claim 14, wherein said housing has a front wall and said receiving unit is arranged on said front wall of said housing.

26. The capsule system according to claim 25, wherein said receiving unit is embodied to enable a capsule having an upward-oriented lid to be introduced into said receiving unit.

27. The capsule system according to claim 14, further comprising a user interface enabling a user to cause said conveyor to convey a capsule to the processing position.

Description

[0035] The invention is described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the attached drawing, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1a shows an exemplary multichamber capsule in the sealed state;

[0037] FIG. 1b shows an exemplary multichamber capsule in the opened state;

[0038] FIG. 1c shows the exemplary emptying of a multichamber capsule;

[0039] FIG. 2a shows a block diagram of an exemplary capsule system for producing a beverage;

[0040] FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of a capsule system for producing a beverage;

[0041] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of exemplary conveying belts for conveying a capsule to a processing position;

[0042] FIG. 3b shows a side view of an exemplary conveying belt for conveying a capsule to a processing position;

[0043] FIG. 3c shows an exemplary receiving unit for receiving a capsule;

[0044] FIG. 4a shows a side view of an exemplary conveying carriage for a capsule in the extended state;

[0045] FIG. 4b shows a side view of an exemplary conveying carriage for a capsule in the retracted state;

[0046] FIG. 4c shows a perspective view of an exemplary conveying carriage;

[0047] FIG. 5a shows a plan view of an exemplary revolving magazine for receiving and conveying a capsule;

[0048] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of an exemplary revolving magazine;

[0049] FIG. 6a shows a side view of an exemplary conveying carriage with protective frame;

[0050] FIG. 6b shows a plan view of an exemplary conveying carriage with protective frame; and

[0051] FIG. 6c shows a perspective view of an exemplary conveying carriage with protective frame.

[0052] As stated in the introduction, the present document relates to the reliable production of a beverage on the basis of the ingredients contained in a capsule.

[0053] In this connection, FIG. 1a shows an exemplary capsule, in particular an exemplary multichamber capsule 100. The capsule 100 depicted in FIG. 1a comprises two chambers 110, 120, the chambers 110, 120 being formed by separate shells, one nested inside the other. An outer shell is formed by an outer side wall 102 and an outer base 103 which enclose an overall cavity of the capsule 100. In the overall cavity there is arranged an inner shell which is formed by an inner side wall 122 and an inner base 123. In the example shown, the inner shell and the outer shell are sealed by means of a common lid 104.

[0054] The inner shell forms the second chamber 120 for receiving a second ingredient 121. Where applicable, a plurality of inner shells forming a plurality of separate chambers 120 for receiving different ingredients or substances may be arranged within the outer shell, i.e. inside the overall cavity of the capsule 100. The overall cavity minus the one or more inner shells forms a remaining cavity which forms the first chamber 110 for receiving a first ingredient 111. The ingredients 111, 121 (which are also referred to as substances in this document) may be liquid and/or solid (e.g. in powder form) or comprise liquid and/or solid (e.g. in powder form) constituents. Each chamber 110, 120 of the capsule 100 may comprise a certain volume of an ingredient. Said volumes of different ingredients are used substantially in their entirety for producing a beverage. Furthermore, the chambers 110, 120 may comprise gases (e.g. air or inert gas), where applicable, which are not used for the production process.

[0055] The multichamber capsule 100 may be embodied in such a way that, as part of the process of producing a beverage, a cavity may be created within the multichamber capsule 100 for receiving an ingredient mixture 101 which comprises the first ingredient 111 and the second ingredient 121 (substantially in their entirety). In other words, the multichamber capsule 100 may be embodied in such a way that there may be produced within the multichamber capsule 100 (e.g. inside the first chamber 110) an ingredient mixture 101 which comprises all of the ingredients 111, 121 of the capsule 100 that are intended for the beverage (e.g. in the form of a solution and/or an emulsion). A reliably reproducible production of a beverage from multichamber capsules 100 may be realized in this way.

[0056] FIG. 1a shows a multichamber capsule 100 in the sealed state. The capsule system may comprise means (e.g. one or more needles) for opening one or more chambers 110, 120 of a capsule 100 and for mixing the ingredients 111, 121 of the chambers 110, 120 with one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 1b, an opening 125 in the inner base 123 of the inner shell can be produced so that the second ingredient 121 can pass (in its entirety) from the second chamber 120 into the first chamber 110 and mix inside the first chamber 110 with the first ingredient 111 in order to produce an ingredient mixture 101. The ingredient mixture 101 can then be extracted via one or more further openings (e.g. in the outer lid 104, in the outer base 103 and/or in the outer side wall 102) from the capsule 100 (as indicated by the arrows). For example, the capsule 100 can be tilted (as shown in FIG. 1c) in order to pour the ingredient mixture 101 out of the capsule 100 through an opening in the outer lid 104 due to the effect of the force of gravity.

[0057] The capsule system may therefore comprise e.g. a needle for puncturing a capsule 100 as well as means for mixing and/or dissolving the substances 111, 121 (where applicable, using one or more liquids such as e.g. water or alcohol or using steam). The capsule system may additionally comprise means to empty the ingredient mixture 101 created in the process and where applicable to mix it with a further liquid or transfer it directly into a glass in order to provide a beverage. FIGS. 1a to 1c show a two-chamber capsule by way of example. However, more than two chambers 110, 120 or where applicable only one chamber may be provided within the overall cavity of a capsule 100.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1b, the one or more (inner) shells or chambers 120 can be opened in order to mix together the substances 111, 121 contained in a capsule 100. Only the substances 111, 121 contained in the chambers 110, 120 can be mixed together in this case. Alternatively, one or more further media (e.g. in liquid and/or gaseous form) can be fed into the capsule 100 from outside in order to mix together the substances 111, 121 contained in the chambers 110, 120. The mixture 101 produced in the capsule 100 can therefore also comprise one or more further media (in particular flushing media) in addition to the ingredients 111, 121. In this case the capsule 100 is preferably designed in such a way that said media can also be accommodated. In order to produce the mixture 101, at least one chamber 120 can be emptied completely and if necessary flushed through by means of a flushing medium. The mixture 101 (e.g. a solution and/or emulsion) produced in this way can then be supplied to the further beverage preparation process (outside the capsule 100) using a variety of implementation ways and means.

[0059] FIG. 2a shows a block diagram of an exemplary capsule system 200. The capsule system 200 comprises a control unit 201 which is configured to control the production process. A capsule 100 can be transferred to the system 200 (into a capsule receiving unit of the system 200 provided for that purpose) by a user. The capsule can then be conducted via conveying means to a processing position 232 in the interior of a housing of the capsule system 200. The conveying means can be activated by the user (e.g. by actuating a pushbutton or directly by inserting the capsule 100). When the capsule 100 arrives at the processing position 232, the production process can then be initiated.

[0060] Within the scope of the production process, the control unit 201 causes the means 221, 220 for opening the capsule 100 (e.g. (hollow) needles) to be guided to the capsule 100. For this purpose, an actuator 204 can be energized so as to introduce e.g. the needles 221, 220 into the capsule 100. In addition, a further actuator 203 can be energized in order to force a flushing medium under pressure (e.g. out of a container 202 of the system 200) into the capsule 100 in order to flush out at least one chamber 120 in the capsule 100. In this way, in a first step where applicable, a mixture 101 of the ingredients 111, 121 can be produced from different chambers 110, 120 of a capsule 100. The mixture 101 can then be extracted from the capsule 100. The system 200 may for example have a tilt mechanism 205 which is configured to tilt the capsule 100 so that the mixture 101 can be poured from the capsule 100 (e.g. through the opening 105 in the outer lid 104). In particular, the mixture 101 can be poured via a dispensing unit 206 of the system 200 into a beaker 210 in which the beverage that is to be prepared is provided to the user. The system 200 may also be configured to fill the beaker 210 with further one or more liquids for the beverage that is to be prepared.

[0061] FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of parts of the capsule system 200. The capsule system 200 typically comprises a housing having a plurality of housing walls which at least partially enclose an inner region of the capsule system 200. On one wall 240 (in particular on a front wall) of the capsule system 200 there may be arranged an opening 230 from which a capsule 100 can be conveyed via a conveying path 231 to the processing position 232 in the inner region of the housing. At the processing position 232, the capsule 100 can be opened and emptied in order to produce a beverage. The beverage can then be dispensed in a dispensing region 233 via a dispensing unit 206. FIG. 2b further shows a user interface 234 (e.g. having a touch-sensitive screen) via which a user can effect a setting of the capsule system 200. As shown in FIG. 2b, the user interface 234 can be arranged on an upper housing wall of the capsule system 200. The capsule system 200 may be embodied as a domestic appliance, in particular as a household appliance which can be placed e.g. onto the countertop in a kitchen.

[0062] In the following there are described exemplary conveying means with the aid of which a capsule 100 is automatically conveyed from a receiving unit (which is arranged e.g. on or in front of the front wall 240) to the processing position 232. For this purpose, the conveying means comprise one or more actuators by means of which a movement of a capsule 100 to the processing position 232 can be effected. As a result of conveying a capsule 100 automatically to a defined processing position 232 with the aid of driven conveying means, misplacements of capsules 100 and/or situations where capsules 100 become jammed can be avoided, thereby enabling beverages to be produced in a reliable manner.

[0063] FIG. 3a shows, as an example of a conveying means, a conveying belt 300 which is moved by one or more actuators (e.g. electric motors) 301 and which is configured to convey a capsule 100 from a receiving unit 302 at the opening 230 of the housing wall 240 to the processing position 232 in the inner region of the housing. The conveying belt 300 can be moved e.g. by means of electrically driven rollers. FIG. 3b shows the conveying belt 300 in a side view. It is illustrated in particular in FIG. 3b how a capsule 100 may be transferred by a user at the receiving unit 302 to the capsule system 100 and is then conveyed automatically by the conveying belt 300 into the inner region of the system 200 to the processing position 232.

[0064] FIG. 3c illustrates how a user may transfer a capsule 100 at the receiving unit 302 to the system 200. In this case there may be arranged at the receiving unit 302 one or more sensors which detect that a capsule 100 is being transferred to the system 200. In response thereto, the conveying means 300 (i.e. in particular the conveying belt) can be activated in order to convey the capsule 100 into the interior of the system 100. Furthermore, the process of producing a beverage can be initiated automatically when the capsule 100 arrives at the processing position 232.

[0065] An input slot 302 (i.e. a receiving unit) may therefore be located at the front of the beverage system 200 (e.g. similar to the input slot on an automated teller machine). The contour of a recess of the receiving unit 302 may in this case correspond to the contour of a capsule 100, thus enabling a defined transfer of a capsule 100 to the system 200. One, two or more guide rails may be used to lock a capsule 100 in position. A capsule 100 can be pushed into the recess of the receiving unit 302 and can be received there by conveying means 300 (e.g. by driven rollers or by a driven belt transport system) and drawn further into the interior of the system 200. The overall appearance of the system 200, achieved by virtue of the styling of the receiving unit 302, enables the capsule insertion process to be realized in a self-explanatory and ergonomic manner, as a result of which operating errors can be excluded or at least reduced. Furthermore, a receiving unit 302 of said type enables the number of interaction steps to be reduced since the insertion of a capsule automatically causes the production of a beverage to be initiated. Moreover, the system 200 exhibits a high degree of robustness because the conveying means 300 are arranged entirely in the interior of the system 200 and consequently cannot be touched and possibly damaged by a user.

[0066] FIG. 4a shows a conveying carriage 400 as exemplary conveying means in a side view. The conveying carriage 400 comprises a receiving unit 402 in the form of a recess into which a capsule 100 can be inserted by a user (similarly to loading a CD into a CD drive in the eject state). The conveying carriage 400 can be driven, e.g. in response to an input by a user, by means of an actuator 401 (e.g. by means of an electrically driven gear wheel) into the interior of the system 200 in order to convey the capsule 100 to the processing position 232. FIG. 4b shows the conveying carriage 400 in a retracted state.

[0067] The front side of the conveying carriage 400 may comprise an illumination region 403 (such as illustrated, inter alia, in FIG. 4c) which can be illuminated in different colors where applicable. A status of the system 200 can be communicated e.g. to a user via the illumination region 403. Alternatively or in addition, information relating to the produced beverage can be displayed to the user (e.g. by means of a defined color coding scheme). The front side of the conveying carriage 400 may furthermore have a cover region 404 which may be used where applicable for sensing an input by a user (e.g. by means of a touch).

[0068] Similarly to a CD tray, the conveying carriage 400 can be ejected from the system 200 and makes available an insertion means (i.e. a receiving unit 402) for loading a beverage capsule 100. A user can place a capsule 100 into the receiving unit 402 and the conveying carriage 400, loaded with the capsule 100, can then be retracted into the system 200, whereupon the production process for preparing a beverage can be started.

[0069] With a closed conveying carriage 400, the system 200 is therefore sealed off from or protected against environmental/external influences. The conveying carriage 400 is opened and closed automatically or by motorized means by way of one or more actuators 401. Triggers for the retraction movement may be in particular the following elements or interactions: [0070] the actuation of a dedicated input region (e.g. key, pushbutton, screen field, etc.) on the beverage system 200; [0071] the front side of the conveying carriage 400, which serves as a dedicated input region (e.g. via a touch interaction or by means of a light pressure as in the case of a CD tray (without use of a sensor on the front side of the conveying carriage 400)); and/or [0072] the actuation of an input via a user interface 234 of the system 200 (e.g. a (possibly virtual) pushbutton integrated therein).

[0073] The conveying carriage 400 may be implemented overall as electrically powered. In particular, a power supply can be provided on the conveying carriage 400 (e.g. for a read system for detecting a capsule type, for the illumination region 403 and/or for input means on the front side of the conveying carriage 400).

[0074] On the underside of the conveying carriage 400 (in particular on the underside of the receiving unit 402) there may be arranged a read system or a read sensor which is configured to detect a capsule 100 after the latter has been inserted into the system 200. Based on the detected capsule 100, the system 200 is able to determine preparation parameters for the beverage that is to be produced. The read system may be based e.g. on NFC technology.

[0075] By means of a correspondingly designed integrated lighting system in the illumination region 403, at least one subsection of the conveying carriage 400 may be lit up in the color of the beverage that is to be prepared as a visual identification confirmation. For example, a lemonade may be indicated e.g. by means of yellow lighting, and a lime juice by means of green lighting. Flexibility in the setting of the color coding scheme is possible in this case. Alternatively or in addition, the status of the production process may be indicated by means of light sequences, e.g. pulsating, static or flashing light. Optionally, a further light source may be provided in the system 200 in order e.g. to illuminate the beverage platform (or the dispensing region 233). The illumination of the dispensing region 233 may be adjusted in accordance with the status of the production process. The interaction with the system 200 can be improved in this way.

[0076] The use of a conveying carriage 400 enables the capsule insertion process to be realized in a self-explanatory and ergonomic manner by virtue of the styling, as a result of which operating errors can be excluded or at least reduced.

[0077] The receiving unit 402 may have a lowered, (at least partially) circumferential edge around an inserted capsule 100. This can facilitate the removal of the capsule 100 (e.g. in the event of a premature termination of the production process).

[0078] The production process can be triggered automatically by the action of retracting the conveying carriage 400. The number of interaction steps can be minimized in this way.

[0079] Provision of an interchangeable cover section 404 affords flexibility in the styling and appearance of the front of the conveying carriage 400. Different covers or tops may be attached, for example. Said covers may consist of a variety of materials and/or have a different surface finish.

[0080] FIG. 5a shows a revolving magazine 500 (or a cylinder) as exemplary conveying means in a view from above. The revolving magazine 500 comprises at least one receiving unit 502 which is arranged outside the system 200 in a specific position on the revolving magazine 500 so that a user can insert a capsule 100 into the receiving unit 502. The revolving magazine 500 can then be rotated (e.g. in response to an input by a user) about an axis of rotation 503 (also referred to as the vertical axis) in order to convey the receiving unit 502 containing the capsule 100 into the interior of the system 200 and in particular to the processing position 232. For this purpose, the revolving magazine 500 can be driven by means of an actuator 501 (in particular by means of an electric motor). The revolving magazine 502 may be protected by means of a circumferential impact protection guard 504 in order e.g. to prevent the revolving magazine 502 from jamming. FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of a revolving magazine 500 (without impact protection guard 504).

[0081] A capsule 100 can be placed intuitively and in an upright position into a revolving magazine 500 of said type, i.e. the capsule 100 can be inserted with the lid side (which may be labeled with an inscription identifying the beverage that is to be produced) facing upward, thereby providing an enhanced level of convenience for a user.

[0082] The revolving magazine 500 represents a kind of carousel which automatically rotates an inserted capsule 100 into the interior of the system 200. A read system may be located on the underside of the rotating receiving unit 502 (or of the case), which read system is able to identify a capsule 100 following its insertion in order to determine appropriate preparation parameters. The beverage preparation process is performed in the interior of the system 200.

[0083] The revolving magazine 500 can rotate backward into the insertion position in order to produce a further beverage (e.g. if only one receiving unit 502 is provided). Alternatively, the rotational movement by means of which a capsule is rotated into the interior of the system 200 may be used to bring out a further receiving unit 502, in which (without further steps) a next capsule may be accommodated. This enables a plurality of beverages to be produced by means of a plurality of capsules 100 in a convenient and timely manner.

[0084] The revolving magazine 500 may therefore comprise one or more insertion openings or receiving units 502 and the rotation of the revolving magazine 500 may, where applicable, be effected in both directions of rotation. Damage to the revolving magazine 500 may be avoided through provision of a circumferential impact protection guard 504 which forms a single surface with the revolving magazine 500. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of receiving units 502 it is possible, where applicable, for a plurality of capsules 100 to be accommodated at the same time by the system 200 (and then be processed sequentially). By virtue of the design, capsule insertion is realized in a self-explanatory and ergonomic manner, as a result of which operating errors can be excluded or at least reduced. The beverage production process can be triggered directly by means of the rotational movement of the revolving magazine 500, thereby enabling the number of interaction steps to be reduced.

[0085] FIG. 6a (side view), FIG. 6b (plan view) and FIG. 6c (perspective view) show a conveying carriage 400 having a circumferential protective bracket 604 by means of which damage to the conveying carriage 400 can be avoided. In particular, the conveying carriage 400 is arranged inside a fixed bracket 604 in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c. A capsule 100 can be inserted in an upright manner (i.e. with the lid side facing upward) into the receiving unit 402 of the carriage 400. The carriage 400 automatically draws the capsule 100 into the interior of the system 200. As soon as the beverage preparation process has been completed, the capsule 100 can be ejected into a collecting container in the interior of the system 200, thereby making the receiving unit 402 available once again. The carriage 400 can then be driven back (where applicable, automatically) into the extended insertion position and is therefore ready to receive the next capsule 100. By providing a protective bracket 604 it is made possible in this case for the carriage 400 to be extended as standard (even in the deactivated state). The level of convenience for a user can be increased as a result.

[0086] The carriage 400 may be driven e.g. by way of a worm gear, a pinion gear, a belt transmission, etc.

[0087] The fixed bracket 604 forms a kind of bumper which protects the system 200 (in particular the carriage 400) against impact shocks and other effects of force.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended simply to clarify the principle of the proposed system.