Modular beverage dispensing system

Abstract

A beverage preparation system (1,2,3) comprises: a first machine (1) for preparing a first beverage (15), the first machine having a first outlet (11) for dispensing a beverage, such as coffee, onto a beverage dispensing area (12) for positioning a cup or mug (4); anda second machine (2) for preparing and dispensing a second beverage (25) via a second beverage outlet (21), the second machine being disconnectably connected to the first machine and separable therefrom. The first and second machines (1,2), when connected, are configurable so that the second outlet (21) is positioned or positionable adjacent to the first outlet (11) to dispense the second beverage (25) onto the beverage dispensing area (12) and into a cup or mug (4) in position for collecting the first beverage (15) from the first beverage outlet.

Claims

1. A beverage preparation system comprising: a first machine configured to prepare and dispense a first beverage via a first outlet onto a beverage dispensing area for positioning a cup or mug; and a second machine configured to prepare and dispense a second beverage via a second outlet, the second machine comprising a milk supply arrangement and a frothing and/or heating arrangement configured to froth and/or heat milk from the milk supply arrangement, and the frothing and/or heating arrangement comprising a steam generator configured to mix steam into the milk; and a mechanical connecting member comprising plugs fitting corresponding sockets in the first machine and the second machine, the sockets comprising data interfaces which provide a data connection between the first machine and the second machine, wherein the first machine and the second machine are both operable in a standalone configuration, the second machine disconnectably connected to the first machine by the mechanical connecting member and separable from the first machine, and the first and second machines, when connected, are configurable so that the second outlet is positioned or positionable adjacent to the first outlet to dispense the second beverage onto the beverage dispensing area and into the cup or mug in position for collecting the first beverage from the first outlet, and the first outlet and the second outlet are relatively positionable to be distant by no more than 5 cm.

2. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein the milk supply arrangement comprises a milk reservoir comprising a cooling cavity containing a milk tank.

3. The beverage preparation system of claim 2, wherein the frothing and/or heating arrangement further comprises a venturi device for mixing the steam.

4. The beverage preparation system of claim 3, wherein the second machine further comprises a collector reservoir for collecting a cleaning liquid circulated through the frothing and/or heating arrangement.

5. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein the second outlet is movable between an operative position for dispensing the second beverage onto the beverage dispensing area and a distant position.

6. The beverage preparation system of claim 5, wherein the second outlet is movable manually into the operative position.

7. The beverage preparation system of claim 5, wherein the second outlet is movable automatically into the operative position.

8. The beverage preparation system of claim 5, wherein the second machine comprises an actuator for automatically returning the second outlet from the operative position into the distant position.

9. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein the first and second machines are directly or indirectly rigidly connected by a disconnectable mechanical link.

10. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein the first machine comprises a first control module for controlling the preparation of the first beverage, and wherein the second machine comprises a second control module for controlling the preparation of the second beverage, the first and second control modules being in direct or indirect data-communication when the second machine is connected to the first machine.

11. The beverage preparation system of claim 10, wherein the first and second control modules are in direct or indirect data-communication provided by the mechanical connecting member to coordinate the dispensing of the first and second beverages via the first and second outlets.

12. The beverage preparation system of claim 11, wherein the first and second control modules are arranged to coordinate and dispense the first and second beverages on a single user-request of a combined beverage of the first and second beverages.

13. The beverage preparation system of claim 11, wherein the first and second control modules are arranged to provide information to a user via a user-interface that is integrated either in the first machine or in the second machine.

14. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second machines are configured for the beverage preparation and dispensing when the first and second machines are disconnected.

15. A system comprising: a first machine; and a second machine for preparing a second beverage and for use with the first machine, the second machine comprising a milk supply arrangement, a frothing and/or heating arrangement configured to froth and/or heat milk from the milk supply arrangement, the frothing and/or heating arrangement comprising a steam generator configured to mix steam into the milk, a control module and a second outlet for dispensing the second beverage onto a beverage dispensing area for positioning a user-recipient, and a connector disconnectably connectable to the first machine for preparing and delivering a first beverage, the connector comprising a mechanical connecting member that comprises plugs fitting corresponding sockets in the first machine and the second machine, the sockets comprising data interfaces which provide a data connection between the first machine and the second machine, and the first machine and the second machine are both operable in a standalone configuration, the first machine having a first control module and configured to prepare and dispense a first beverage via a first outlet onto the beverage dispensing area, the second control module is arranged to be in data-communication with the first module to coordinate and dispense the first and second beverages on a single user-request of a combined beverage of the first and second beverages, and the first outlet and the second outlet are relatively positionable to be distant by no more than 5 cm.

16. A beverage preparation system comprising: a first machine for preparing and dispensing a first beverage via a first outlet onto a beverage dispensing area for positioning a cup or mug, the first machine comprising a first control module configured to control the preparation of the first beverage; and a second machine for preparing and dispensing a second beverage via a second outlet, the second machine comprising a second control module configured to control the preparation of the second beverage; and a mechanical connecting member comprising plugs fitting corresponding sockets in the first machine and the second machine, the sockets comprising data interfaces which provide a data connection between the first machine and the second machine, wherein the first machine and the second machine are both operable in a standalone configuration, the second machine disconnectably connected to the first machine by the mechanical connecting member and separable from the first machine, the first and second control modules are in direct or indirect data-communication when the second machine is connected to the first machine, and the first and second machines, when connected, are configurable so that the second outlet is positioned or positionable adjacent to the first outlet to dispense the second beverage onto the beverage dispensing area and into the cup or mug in position for collecting the first beverage from the first outlet, and the first outlet and the second outlet are relatively positionable to be distant by no more than 5 cm.

17. The beverage preparation system of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing area is delimited by at least one support connected to the first machine, and the mechanical connecting member connects the first and second machines in a position in which the first outlet is vertically aligned with the beverage dispensing area and the second outlet is positioned or positionable in vertical alignment with the beverage dispensing area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to the invention having a first beverage machine and a second beverage machine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of this second beverage machine;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below of the first beverage machine shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view from behind of the second beverage machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a mechanical connector for mechanically connecting the first and second machines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a system 1,2 according to the invention. This system includes: a first machine 1 for preparing and dispensing a first beverage 15 via a first outlet 11 onto a beverage dispensing area 12 for positioning a cup or mug 4; and a second machine 2 for preparing and dispensing a second beverage 25 via a second beverage outlet 21, the second machine being disconnectably connected to the first machine and separable therefrom.

(8) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, first machine 1 typically includes one or more of the following components: a) a module 13, e.g. a brewing unit, delimiting in a processing position an inner flavouring chamber for receiving an ingredient of beverage 15 such as a flavouring ingredient, in particular a pre-portioned ingredient supplied within a capsule, and for guiding via an inlet an incoming flow of liquid for flavouring thereof, such as water, through this ingredient to beverage outlet 11; b) a handle 1B for bringing module 13 from this processing position into a transfer position and/or vice versa, the transfer position allowing insertion, e.g. from outside machine 1 via a capsule insertion slot 13, of such ingredient into module 13 and/or removal therefrom of said ingredient; c) a user-interface 1A for allowing a user to request a beverage preparation, e.g. two or three different beverage preparations such as espresso or regular or lungo coffee, and/or a hot water switch 1C for dispensing hot water, and/or a master switch (main power switch) for switching machine 1 on and/or off; d) an in-line heater, such as a thermoblock, for heating this flow of liquid to be supplied to the flavouring chamber of module 13; e) a pump for pumping liquid through the in-line heater; f) one or more fluid connecting members for guiding liquid from a source of liquid, such as tank 14 of liquid, to module 13; g) an electric control unit 19 (in dotted lines in FIG. 3), in particular comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), for receiving instructions from a user via input user-interface 1A and for controlling the in-line heater and the pump; h) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from characteristics of module 13, the in-line heater, the pump, liquid tank 14, an ingredient receptacle 15, a flow of the liquid (e.g. by a flowmeter), a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid, and for communicating such characteristic(s) to control unit 19; and/or i) one or more user-recipient supports 12,12 delimiting a beverage dispensing area for positioning a cup or mug 4 under outlet 11.

(9) The heater may be a thermoblock or an on demand heater (ODH), for instance an ODH type disclosed in EP 1 253 844, EP 1 380 243 and EP 1 809 151. Examples of suitable brewing units and capsule management are for example disclosed in WO 2005/004683, WO2007/135136 and WO 2009/043630, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference. Suitable beverage preparation modules are for instance disclosed in WO 2009/074550 and WO 2009/130099, which are hereby incorporated by way of reference.

(10) A pair of user-recipient supports 12,12 can be provided for supporting user-recipients of different heights under beverage outlet 11. Upper support 12 is in particular movable, e.g. pivotable about axis 12, away from under outlet 11 to allow positioning of a larger recipient on support 12 under outlet 11. At least one user-recipient support 12,12 may be provided with an arrangement 12, e.g. a handle, opening or the like, to permit or facilitate manual seizure of the support 12,12 and removal thereof from machine 1. For instance, support 12,12 is/are mechanically connected to ingredient receptacle 15 and removable from machine 1 and insertable thereinto en bloc.

(11) Further details of the flow circuit and structure and operation of such a machine 1 are for example disclosed in PCT/EP10/064772, PCT/EP10/064773, PCT/EP10/068580, EP 2010 152 556, EP 2010 163 649, EP 2010 169 201, EP 2010 169 766 and EP 2010 175 544, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by way of reference.

(12) Second machine 2 may be arranged to dispense a milk-containing beverage 25, such as heated and/or frothed milk, via second beverage outlet 21. Details of second machine 2 are for example disclosed in EP 2010 152 557 and EP 2010 152 558, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by way of reference.

(13) In accordance with the invention, first and second machines 1,2, when connected together, are configurable so that second outlet 21 is positioned or positionable adjacent to the first outlet 11 to dispense second beverage 25 onto beverage dispensing area 12 and into a cup or mug 4 when positioned for collecting first beverage 15 from first beverage outlet 11.

(14) Hence, first and second machines 1,2 are configured so that their outlets 11,21 can be positioned to dispense first and second beverages 15,25 into a cup or mug 4 without having to move the cup or mug under and between first and second outlets 11,21 for collecting first and second beverages 15,25. First and/or second outlets 11,21 is/are typically tubular and generally straight and/or elongated.

(15) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, machines 1 and 2 may be connected together: mechanically, e.g. via a mechanical connecting member 3 that has plugs 31 fitting corresponding sockets 18,28 in machines 1,2, in particular in bottom faces of machines 1,2; and/or logically, e.g. via wired or wireless data-interfaces 18,28. A data-connection between machines 1,2 may be achieved with any communication standard, e.g. USB, XH, RS232 connections or the like. In a variation, the beverage machines may be mechanically connected together directly, i.e. the structures of the machines are mechanically joined, e.g. with a reversible clip mechanism, without any separate intermediate element such as connecting member 3.

(16) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, second machine 2 comprises a milk supply arrangement 22,23, in particular a milk reservoir comprising a cooling cavity 22 containing a removable milk tank 23. Cooling cavity 22 has insulting walls and an insulating door 221 cooperating with one or more cooling elements, typically including a heat evacuation ventilation system 222. Cooling cavity 22 may be maintained at about 5 C.

(17) Furthermore, as schematically illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1, second machine 2 may include an arrangement 24,26 for frothing and/or heating milk 25 from milk supply arrangement 22,23. Frothing and/or heating arrangement 24,26 can comprise a steam generator in the form of a boiler 26. A pump 26 is configured for circulating water from a water reservoir 27 into steam generator 26. Steam 25 generated in generator 26 is mixed with milk 25 and optionally with air 25, in particular within a venturi device 24 in or upstream outlet 21. Frothed and/or heated milk 25 is dispensed via outlet 21.

(18) Moreover, second machine 2 can have a collector reservoir 27 for collecting a cleaning liquid 25, e.g. hot water and/or steam 25, circulated through the frothing and/or heating arrangement 24,26. The cleaning liquid may be generated by boiler 26 fed with water from reservoir 27 via pump 26. Collector reservoir 27 and supply reservoir 27 may be adjacent to each other, in particular formed as a single component with two compartments defining reservoirs 27,27, and/or insertable into machine 2 and/or removable therefrom as a drawer, e.g. a bottom drawer of machine 2.

(19) Second outlet 21 can be movable, e.g. pivotable, between: an operative position for dispensing the second beverage 25 onto the beverage dispensing area 12,12, e.g. the appropriate user-recipient support; and a distant position, such as a rest or service position on a docket station 211. Docket station 211 may have a collar 211 to receive outlet 21 in the distant position. Collar 211 may serve to stop the return movement of outlet 21 and/or confine circulation of liquid from outlet 21 into docket station 211.

(20) As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operative position of outlet 21 is off-set relative to main body 2 of machine 2, in particular on the side of body 2, and located over the dispensing area defined by cup support(s) 12,12 of machine 1. The distant position of outlet 21 is aligned with main body 2, in particular in front of body 2, as shown in FIG. 2. Outlet 21 can be pivotally mounted on main body 2 so as to be movable between the operative position and the distant position.

(21) In particular, second machine 2 can be prevented from dispensing second beverage 25 when second outlet 21 is in the distant position. Likewise, second machine can be prevented from carrying out a cleaning process when second outlet 21 is away from the distant position, in particular when second outlet 21 is in the operative position. One or more sensors may be provided to detect the position of outlet 21, in particular when outlet 21 is in the distant position and/or in the operative position. Docket station 211 may be in fluid communication, e.g. via an inner duct, with collector reservoir 27 so as to collect cleaning liquid from outlet 21 and evacuate the liquid into reservoir 27.

(22) To avoid any undesired collision with an improperly placed cup or mug 4, second outlet 21 may be movable only manually into the operative position above the cup or mug. A return of outlet 21 into a distant position, e.g. on docket station 211 may be automatic, e.g. via an actuator in the form of an internal spring 212 that is stressed by manually moving second outlet 21 into the operative position and that drives second outlet 21 from the operative position into the distant position by relaxing.

(23) The actuator may be configured to return outlet 21 automatically at an end of a beverage dispensing process of second machine 2. For example, outlet 21 cooperates with a locking device that locks outlet 21 in the dispensing position. The locking device may lock outlet 21 in the dispensing position until beverage dispensing is completed or until return is requested by a user or otherwise needed, e.g. for service purposes, and then the locking device releases outlet 21 to allow the automatic return. In a variation, it is also possible to provide an electric motor as an actuator to move automatically the second outlet between the dispensing position and the distant position. The second outlet may be moved automatically into the dispensing position, a collision sensor being preferably provided, e.g. mechanically or optically, to detected and prevent any collision between a user-recipient and the second outlet when moving to the dispensing position.

(24) As mentioned above, first machine 1 can comprise a first control module 19 for controlling preparation of first beverage 15 and the second machine may include a second control module 29 for controlling the preparation of second beverage 25. First and second control modules 19,29 can be in direct or indirect data-communication when second machine 2 is connected to first machine 1, e.g. via corresponding data-interfaces 18,28. Typically, first and second control modules 19,29 may be in data-communication to coordinate dispensing of first and second beverages 15,25 via first and second outlets 11,21. First and second control modules 19,29 may be arranged to coordinate and dispense, in particular successively, first and second beverages 15,25 on a single user-request of a combined beverage of first and second beverages 15,25, in particular via a single user-actuation of a user-interface 1A,2A of the first or the second machine 1,2. Likewise, first and second control modules 19,29 are arranged to provide information to a user via a user-interface 2B that is integrated in second machine 2. For instance, interface 2B is a screen or touch-screen or another device for providing visual and/or sound signals to a user.

(25) For example, when machines 1,2 are connected via interfaces 18,28, a user will have the option of requesting: a first beverage only, a second beverage only, or a combination of first and second beverages. In each case, only one user-selector 1A,2A will have to be actuated by a user. In particular a combination beverage may be requested via user-selector 2A of second machine 2. A proper coordination of control units 19,29, e.g. one control unit operating as a master and the other control unit operating as a slave, will lead to the coordinated control of machines 1,2 and dispensing of beverages 15,25 via outlets 11,21, as desired by a user. It is also possible that, when connected together, only one of user-interfaces 1A,2B remains active.

(26) As illustrated in FIG. 1, machine 2 further includes a feed-back panel 2B, e.g. a screen for providing information on a beverage preparation process and/or the status of machine 2 and/or machine 1, e.g. the temperature or availability of milk in tank 23.

(27) When first and second machines 1,2 are disconnected, first machine 1 can be arranged to prepare and dispense first beverage 15 and/or second machine 2 can be arranged to prepare second beverage 25. Hence, machines 1,2 may be used in combination or separately to prepare a beverage 15,25.

(28) First and second machines 1,2 may have each a power connection 19,29 for separate connection to a power supply, e.g. to the mains. Electric cords may be used to connect each connector 19,29. An arrangement 191 may be provided to guide and/or secure such an electric cord on a face of machine 1, e.g. on a bottom face thereof. Likewise, a similar arrangement 181 may be provided for a data-transmission cable connecting connectors 18,28.