BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) in which the beverage is prepared by introducing at least one jet of liquid, such as water, in a container (2) comprising a beverage ingredient (3), said machine comprising a nozzle (11) connected to a liquid supplying system (12), said nozzle comprising a tube (110), said tube comprising a liquid inlet (111) and a liquid outlet (112), the jet of liquid emerging from said liquid outlet, wherein the nozzle (11) comprises a sleeve (120), said sleeve presenting an internal section (Ss) greater than the internal section (So) of the liquid outlet end of the tube and said sleeve surrounding the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet (112) of the tube.

Claims

1. Beverage preparation machine in which a beverage is prepared by introducing at least one jet of liquid, in a container comprising a beverage ingredient, the machine comprising at least one nozzle connected to a liquid supplying system, the at least one nozzle comprising a tube, the tube comprising a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet, wherein the nozzle comprises a sleeve, the sleeve presenting an internal section greater than the internal section of the liquid outlet end of the tube and the sleeve surrounding the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet of the tube, and wherein the sleeve comprises at least one opening in its lateral wall, the opening being positioned near the liquid outlet end of the tube.

2. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the internal section of the sleeve is configured so that water flows freely as a jet in the internal volume defined by the sleeve.

3. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet end of the tube presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 0.2 and 1.0 mm.

4. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet end of the tube presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 mm and the sleeve presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 2 and 5 mm.

5. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet end of the tube presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 mm, and the sleeve presents a length of at least 15 mm.

6. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the opening presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

7. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the machine comprises a device for closing the opening momentarily.

8. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the machine comprises a liquid flavor supply and a device for connecting said liquid flavor supply to the opening momentarily.

9. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the machine is configured for orienting the longitudinal axis of the at least one nozzle essentially vertically during the delivery of the jet of liquid in the container.

10. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises an actuator for vertically moving the container and/or the nozzle one to the other during the delivery of the jet of liquid in order to keep the nozzle near the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation.

11. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises: a first sensor for detecting the level of beverage in the container during the beverage preparation; and a processor configured for moving the container and/or the nozzle during the beverage preparation so that the nozzle is kept near the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation.

12. Beverage preparation machine according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a second sensor for measuring the height of the container before the beverage preparation.

13. Method for preparing a beverage with a beverage preparation machine in which a beverage is prepared by introducing at least one jet of liquid, in a container comprising a beverage ingredient, the machine comprising at least one nozzle connected to a liquid supplying system, the at least one nozzle comprising a tube, the tube comprising a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet, wherein the nozzle comprises a sleeve, the sleeve presenting an internal section greater than the internal section of the liquid outlet end of the tube and the sleeve surrounding the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet of the tube, and wherein the sleeve comprises at least one opening in its lateral wall, the opening being positioned near the liquid outlet end of the tube, wherein: aa beverage ingredient is introduced in the container, and bliquid is introduced in the container through the nozzle.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein, before step b), the height of the container is measured.

15. Method according to claim 13, wherein, during step b) the nozzle and/or the container are/is moved one to the other in order to keep the nozzle above and near to the level of beverage in preparation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures:

[0062] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a beverage preparation machine according to the present invention,

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a cross-internal sectional view of the nozzle used in the machine preparation machine according to the present invention,

[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates the movement of the nozzle during the beverage preparation,

[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates one particular embodiment for detecting the height of the container before the beverage preparation,

[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates the control system of the beverage preparation machine,

[0067] FIG. 6 describes a particular embodiment of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention.

[0069] A beverage preparation machine 1 comprises at a first level thereof: [0070] a beverage container support 14 for supporting a beverage container in which the beverage is prepared (this support can be optional in certain embodiments of the invention), [0071] a nozzle system dispensing a jet of liquid in the beverage container to prepare and foam a beverage within the container 2, [0072] a water supplying system 12, for supplying water to the nozzle system.

[0073] The machine 1 prepares a beverage by introduction of a jet of water in a container 2. This container is usually a drinking container. The machine preferably comprises a container support 14 for supporting, correctly positioning the container to the nozzle system and eventually moving the container.

[0074] The introduction of a jet of water in the container 2 enables either the dissolution and foaming of a soluble beverage ingredient, like a soluble powder or a concentrate, or the foaming of a beverage component present in the container, like milk.

[0075] The water supplying system 12 comprises: [0076] a tank 121 that can be replenished with fresh water, or eventually connected to tap water, [0077] a water pump 122 for pumping water from the tank 56. The pump can be any type of pump such as a piston pump, diaphragm pump or a peristaltic pump. [0078] a water heater 123 such as a thermoblock or a cartridge type heater to heat the pumped water, alternatively or in addition to, the machine can comprise a water cooler in a line bypassing the heater, [0079] a non-return valve 124.

[0080] The machine can be provided with a steam supplying device (not illustrated) so that steam can be produced and supplied to the nozzle system, preferably during a nozzle cleaning step.

[0081] The machine comprises an actuator 13 configured for vertically moving the nozzle 11 during the delivery of the jet of liquid in order to keep the nozzle near, and preferably above, the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation. Alternatively or simultaneously the machine can comprise an actuator (not illustrated) configured for vertically moving the container support 14 (according to illustrated dotted arrows) during the delivery of the jet of liquid in order to keep the nozzle near, and preferably above, the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation.

[0082] A processor 17 is provided to control a beverage upon the user actuating or being prompted to press a user interface 18 on the machine.

[0083] FIG. 2 is a cross internal section view of the nozzle 1 implemented in FIG. 1. The nozzle 11 comprises a tube 110. This tube comprises a liquid inlet 111, connected to the liquid supplying system, and a liquid outlet 112, through which the jet of liquid emerges.

[0084] Preferably the liquid outlet end of the tube presents an internal section S.sub.o equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 0.4 to 0.6 mm. Such a nozzle enable the dispensing of water as a jet. Usually water is dispensed at a speed comprised between about 200 to 500 ml/min.

[0085] As illustrated the tube internal section can decrease by one step between the tube inlet 111 and the tube outlet 112. The tube inlet can present a bigger internal section than the tube outlet essentially for manufacturing reasons as it becomes easier to remove the nozzle from the mould further to injection moulding process.

[0086] Preferably the last internal section of the tube outlet extends along at least 2 mm, preferably at most 5 mm along the tube.

[0087] Downstream the liquid outlet 112, the nozzle comprises a sleeve 120. This sleeve 120 surrounds the jet of liquid emerging from the liquid outlet 112 of the tube. The sleeve 120 and the tube 110 extend and are centred along the same longitudinal axis. Preferably the tube and the sleeve are cylinders.

[0088] The sleeve 120 presents an internal section S.sub.s equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter comprised between 2 and 5 mm.

[0089] Generally the sleeve 120 presents a length of at least 15 mm, preferably at most 25 mm. The tube inlet 111 can present the same internal section as the sleeve so that the nozzle 11 can be manufactured by providing a tube presenting an internal section S.sub.s and by introducing an insert within the conduit of the tube, said insert presenting an internal tube with an internal section corresponding to the internal section S.sub.o of the liquid outlet.

[0090] As illustrated the sleeve can comprise at least one opening 130 in its lateral wall, said opening being positioned near the liquid outlet end 112 of the tube.

[0091] Generally the opening 130 presents an internal section equivalent to the internal section of a circle of diameter of about 0.5 mm.

[0092] The above values for internal sections and lengths of the different elements of the nozzle can be adapted depending on the flow rate and the pressure of the diluent introduced there through.

[0093] The diluent is introduced in the nozzle with such a flow that a diluent jet of high velocity is created inside the container. In order to obtain a jet of diluent that reaches a sufficient velocity and therefore sufficient kinetic energy providing high shear forces to foam the beverage ingredient inside the container, the internal section of the tube and the flow rate of the diluent are adapted accordingly.

[0094] FIG. 3 illustrates the movement of the nozzle relative to the beverage surface during the beverage preparation according to one embodiment.

[0095] The body of the nozzle cooperates with an actuator 13 operable to control the distance between the bottom end of the nozzle and the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation. Preferably the actuator is operable to translate the nozzle upwardly during the increase of beverage level in the container 2.

[0096] It is preferred that the nozzle bottom end remains above the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation and does not touch the beverage.

[0097] In a less preferred mode, the nozzle bottom end can touch the surface of the beverage during the beverage preparation, yet it should not deep too much inside the beverage, for example, not more than 3 mm. This mode is less preferred because it requires a more frequent cleaning of the nozzle. Yet this mode leads to the production of a high volume of dense foam too because some beverage can be sucked in the opening 130 of the nozzle. Consequently big bubbles are reduced in size.

[0098] The control of the movement of the nozzle upwardly during the increase of beverage level in the container 2 is implemented by means of a sensor 15 continuously measuring the level of beverage in the container 2 during beverage preparation.

[0099] Based on information provided by the sensor 15 about the beverage level in the container, processor 17 controls the actuator 13 and the position of the nozzle above the beverage surface, preferably by keeping the nozzle continuously above the surface.

[0100] Preferably the sensor 15 is an optical sensor, such an IR sensor. Yet any other sensor for measuring the height of filled liquid in a container can be used.

[0101] According to another embodiment, the nozzle 11 can remain fixed and the container support 14 can be translated by an actuator in order to move the container 2 away from the nozzle bottom end during the beverage preparation.

[0102] FIG. 4 illustrates one particular embodiment for detecting container volume before the beverage preparation.

[0103] The container support 14 is configured for being movable once the container is positioned thereon. A sensor 16 is configured for sensing the container 2 during the movement of the container in order to measure the height, and preferably the internal volume, of the container. Based on information provided by the sensor 16 about the height of the container, processor 17 stops the actuator 13 when, during the beverage preparation, the beverage surface detected by the first sensor 15 reaches the top of the container.

[0104] Based on information provided by the sensor 16 about the volume of the container, the processor 17 calculates the volume of liquid to be injected through the nozzle to fill the container.

[0105] Preferably the sensor 16 is an ultrasonic sensor, such an IR sensor. Yet any other sensor for measuring the height and preferably the internal volume of a container can be used. Other ways for detecting container height, and eventually volume, can be implemented.

Control System

[0106] The control system, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 5, is operable to control the nozzle system and optional heater, and generally comprises: a user interface 18, sensors 15, 16, processor 17, power supply 19, which are described sequentially.

[0107] The user interface 18 comprises hardware to enable an end user to interface with the processor 17 and hence is operatively connected thereto. More particularly: the user interface receives commands from a user; a user interface signal transfers the said commands to the processor 17 as an input. The commands may, for example, be an instruction to execute a foaming process and/or a beverage preparation. The hardware of the user interface 18 may comprise any suitable device(s), for example, the hardware comprises one or more of the following: buttons, such as a joystick button or press button, joystick, LEDs, graphic or character LDCs, graphical screen with touch sensing and/or screen edge buttons.

[0108] Sensors 15, 16 are operatively connected to the processor 17 to provide an input for monitoring the foaming process and/or a beverage preparation. The first sensor 15 provides the controller with input about the level of beverage in the container 2 during the beverage preparation, and the second sensor 16 provides the controller with input about the internal height of the container before the beverage preparation. Other optional sensors may be implemented like liquid temperature sensors.

[0109] The processor 17 is generally operable to: receive an input, i.e. the commands from the user interface 18 and from the sensors 15, 16; process the input according to program code stored on a memory unit (or programmed logic); provide an output, which is generally the said foaming process and/or beverage preparation process. The process is more preferably executed with closed-loop control using the input signal from the first sensor 15 as feedback. The processor 17 generally comprises memory, input and output system components, which are arranged as an integrated circuit, typically as a microprocessor or a microcontroller. The processor 17 may comprise other suitable integrated circuits, such as: an ASIC, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA, an analogue integrated circuit such as a controller. The processor 17 may also comprise one or more of the aforementioned integrated circuits, i.e. multiple processors.

[0110] The processor 17 generally comprises a memory unit for storage of the program code and optionally data. Typically the program code encodes a foaming process. The memory unit typically comprises: a non-volatile memory e.g. EPROM, EEPROM or Flash for program code and operating parameter storage, volatile memory (RAM) for data storage. The memory unit may comprise separate and/or integrated (e.g. on a die of the processor) memory.

[0111] The power supply 19 is operable to supply electrical energy to the processor 17, actuator device 53, pump 122 and heater 123.

[0112] The beverage preparation machine of the present invention presents the advantage of producing a coherent and stable jet enabling the production of a big quantity of foam, said foam presenting homogeneous bubbles sizes and accordingly a dense aspect. As a result foamed milk produced from 13 g of milk powder and 100 ml of hot water injected by the nozzle was produced with a height of dense foam of more than 3 cm.

[0113] Another advantage of the machine is that cold foamed beverage can be produced, in particular cold foamed milk, by supplying cold water to the nozzle system. The result is a cold foamed beverage, preferably cold foamed milk, which result cannot be obtained by foaming milk with steam.

[0114] FIG. 6 describes a particular embodiment of a beverage preparation machine according to the invention comprising a tank 20 of soluble beverage powder and a device 21 for dosing the powder and dispensing said dose in the container 2. In the process of preparation of a beverage, a dose of soluble powder can be dispensed in the container and the beverage can be prepared therefrom by dispensing the liquid though the nozzle in the container. Preferably the powder is milk powder.

[0115] According to a variant, not illustrated, the beverage preparation machine can comprise a beverage production device for producing a beverage component within and for dispensing the resulting beverage component in the container 2 to foam it subsequently or to mix it with foamed beverage component previously foamed in the container.

[0116] This beverage production device can be a mixing chamber.

[0117] This machine enables for example the production of the following beverages: [0118] a frothed single component beverage, like foamed coffee or foamed milk, by dissolution of soluble coffee of milk powder in the mixing chamber, dispensing of the beverage in the drinking container 9, and then frothing of said beverage in the container with the nozzle. [0119] a frothed dual component beverage, like a cappuccino, by introduction of milk by the user in the drinking container, frothing of milk with the nozzle, and then dissolution of soluble coffee in the mixing chamber and dispensing of said coffee in the frothed milk.

[0120] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

[0121] Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.

[0122] As used in this specification, the words comprises, comprising, and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean including, but not limited to.

TABLE-US-00001 List of references in the drawings: beverage preparation machine 1 nozzle 11 tube 110 liquid inlet 111 liquid outlet 112 sleeve 120 opening 130 liquid supplying system 12 pump 122 heater 123 valve 124 actuator 13 container support 14 sensor 15, 16 processor 17 user interface 18 power supply 19 container 2 beverage ingredient 3