BEVERAGE DISPENSER FOR PREPARING LAYERED BEVERAGES

Abstract

The invention concerns a dispenser (1) for preparing a beverage, said beverage being dispensed in a drinking container (2), preferably a transparent container, and said beverage being composed of at least two different layers of beverage component presenting different densities, said dispenser comprising: at least one container (3a, 3b, 3c) for storing a soluble beverage ingredient, at least one device (4a, 4b, 4c) for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient from the at least one container, a supply of diluent (5), preferably water, at least one chamber (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) for dissolving the dose of soluble beverage ingredient with diluent to produce a beverage component, said chamber comprising a beverage outlet (61, 61a, 61b, 61c) for dispensing the beverage component, a dispensing area (8) for positioning the drinking container (2), wherein the dispenser is configured for filling the drinking container with the beverage component from the bottom (21) of the container.

Claims

1. Dispenser for preparing a beverage, the beverage being dispensed in a drinking container, the beverage being composed of at least two different layers of beverage component presenting different densities, the dispenser comprising: at least one container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; at least one device for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient from the at least one container; a supply of diluent; at least one chamber for dissolving the dose of soluble beverage ingredient with diluent to produce a beverage component, said chamber comprising a beverage outlet for dispensing the beverage component; a dispensing area for positioning the drinking container; and the dispenser is configured for filling the drinking container with the beverage component from the bottom of the container.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises: a plurality of containers for storing different soluble beverage ingredients; a plurality of devices for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient, each of the dosing devices cooperating with one dedicated container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; and a plurality of chambers for dissolving the dose of soluble beverage ingredient with diluent, each of the chambers cooperating with one dedicated container storing a soluble beverage ingredient.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a delivering device or is configured for receiving a delivering device for taking the beverage component from the beverage outlet of the at least one chamber, guiding the beverage component through the drinking container and delivering the beverage component at the bottom of the drinking container.

4. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the delivering device comprises at least one tube.

5. Dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the at least one tube is removable.

6. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a controller to execute a set of instructions to: receive a beverage recipe selection, said selection including the relative position of the at least two different layers of beverage component in the drinking container; calculate the required density of each layer of beverage component based on the selection of its position relative to the other layer; and successively prepare and deliver the layers of beverage components by dilution of at least one of the soluble beverage ingredient in order to reach the calculated required density, the order of preparation and delivery consisting in preparing and delivering in the drinking container a lower density layer prior to a higher density layer.

7. Dispenser according to claim 6, comprising an input and output device operable to receive a beverage recipe selection, the selection including the step of defining the relative position of the at least two different layers of beverage component in the drinking container.

8. Dispenser according to claim 6, comprising a device for identifying the soluble beverage ingredient stored in the at least one container, and wherein the controller is configured for setting the dilution ratio in the chambers to get a desired density of the beverage component based on the identification of the soluble beverage ingredient.

9. Method for dispensing a beverage with a dispenser comprising the steps of: presenting a beverage recipe to a customer; receiving a beverage recipe selection, the selection including the sub-step of defining the relative position of the at least two different layers of beverage component in the drinking container; calculating the required density of each layer of beverage component based on the definition of its position relative to the other layer; and successively preparing and delivering the layers of beverage components by dilution of at least one of the soluble beverage ingredient in order to reach the calculated required density, the order of preparation and delivery in the drinking container consisting in preparing a lower density layer prior to a higher density layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures:

[0071] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one first embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0072] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0073] FIG. 3 is a representation of a layered beverage susceptible to be dispensed by a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates the steps of filling of the drinking container according to the process of the present invention,

[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates the process of preparation of a layered beverage with a dispenser according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 1 according to the invention. The dispenser is configured for dispensing multi-layered beverages in a drinking container 2 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably the drinking container 2 is transparent so that the consumer can see the visual effect of superposing several layers, here three layers, of different visual aspects.

[0077] The beverage in the drinking container 2 is composed of three different beverage components 30, 31, 32. The beverage components 30, 31, 32 differ by their densities. The densities of the beverage components increase progressively from the top layer to the bottom layer.

[0078] The beverage components 30, 31, 32 can be obtained from the same soluble beverage ingredient dissolved and diluted at different ratios with a diluent so that they present different densities. As a result the different layers present the same taste and colour, but the layers differ visually by the strength of the colour and the strength of the taste that increase from the top layer down to the bottom layer. For example the layers can be prepared from the same strawberry syrup, diluted at different ratios with water in order to get three layers of strawberry beverage differing by their densities but also by the intensities of the red colour and the intensities of the strawberry taste.

[0079] The beverage components 30, 31, 32 can be obtained from different soluble beverage ingredients dissolved with a diluent so that they present different densities. As a result the different layers can present different tastes and different colours. For example the layers can be prepared from three different concentrates like strawberry syrup, orange juice and pineapple puree, diluted at different ratios with water in order to get three layers of different beverage components differing by their densities but also by the colours (red, orange, yellow) and the tastes.

[0080] The dispenser of FIG. 1 comprises several containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d for storing different soluble beverage ingredients. These ingredients can be soluble beverage powders like instant coffee, tea powder, chocolate powder, milk power, fruit or vegetable powders. These ingredients can be concentrates like coffee, tea, chocolate, milk concentrates, syrups, fruit or vegetable purees.

[0081] The dispenser 1 comprises devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient from the containers. Each dosing device is dedicated to one container. If the beverage ingredient stored in the container is a powder, the dosing device can be . . . .

[0082] If the beverage ingredient stored in the container is a liquid, the dosing device can be a peristaltic pump coupled to a flexible tube attached to the container (also called a bag-in-box).

[0083] The dispenser comprises a supply of water 5. This supply usually comprises a pump 51 pumping either hot water, ambient water or cold water from corresponding sources 52, 53, 54 by activation of a selection valve 55.

[0084] The dispenser comprises a chamber 6 for mixing and dissolving at least one dose of soluble beverage ingredient with a dose of diluent by to produce a beverage component. The chamber can be fed with only one soluble beverage ingredient or with doses of different soluble beverage ingredients to produce one beverage ingredient, for example peach and mango purees to produce a mango peach diluted puree.

[0085] The chamber 6 comprises a beverage outlet 6 for dispensing the beverage component prepared in the chamber 6.

[0086] The dispenser comprises a dispensing area 8 in which the customer can position the drinking container 2 so that the beverage components can be dispensed in the container.

[0087] The dispenser comprises a delivering device 7 for taking the beverage component prepared in the chamber 6 and dispensed from the beverage outlet 61 of the chamber and for guiding said beverage component through the drinking container 2 and for delivering said beverage component at the bottom 21 of the drinking container.

[0088] Accordingly each beverage component prepared in the chamber 6 fills the drinking container 6 from its bottom 21.

[0089] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. This dispenser 1 presents the same features as the dispenser of FIG. 1 except that it comprises three chambers 6a, 6b, 6c for mixing and dissolving a dose of soluble beverage ingredient with a dose of diluent. Each chamber 6a, 6b, 6c cooperates with one dedicated container 3a, 3b, 3c respectively for storing a soluble beverage ingredient. Accordingly each chamber is dedicated to the dissolution of one type of soluble ingredient only. This configuration is recommended when the soluble beverage ingredients stored in containers 3a, 3b, 3c present such different natures that they cannot be dissolved with the same chamber, as for example a soluble powder and a concentrate. The chamber for dissolving powder is generally a dissolution chamber wherein powder is impacted by jets or swirled by diluent. The chamber for dissolving a concentrate can be a simple tube or mixing nozzle.

[0090] This configuration can present the advantage of limiting cross contamination of one beverage component by another beverage component too.

[0091] All the beverage outlets 61a, 61b, 61c of the chambers 6a, 6b, 6c respectively cooperate with the same delivering device 7 for taking the beverage component prepared in each chamber, for dispensing this beverage component from the beverage outlet and for guiding said beverage component through the drinking container 2 and for delivering said beverage component at the bottom 21 of the drinking container.

[0092] In an alternative the dispenser can comprise several delivering devices 7 and each beverage outlet 61a, 61b, 61c can cooperate with one of said dedicated delivering device.

[0093] The filling of the drinking container 2 is illustrated in FIG. 4 for the preparation of a two layer beverage comprising two beverage components 30, 31 presenting different densities. In step a), the first beverage component 30 is prepared and dispensed in the container 2 through the delivering device 7. This device 7 is a simple tube positioned between the discharge outlet 61 of the chamber and the bottom 21 of the drinking container. The bottom outlet of the tube 7 is preferably positioned near the bottom surface of the container so as to avoid any obstruction.

[0094] In step b), the second beverage component 31 is prepared and dispensed in the container 2 through the delivering device 7. The second beverage component 31 presents a greater density than the second beverage component 30 and consequently fills the container 20 by the bottom and simultaneously pushes the first beverage component 30 up without mixing with it.

[0095] In step c), the preparation of the beverage is finished.

[0096] In step d), the delivering device 7 can be detached from the dispenser and be used as disposable agitator or straw.

[0097] Both dispensers 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise a controller 9 configured for: [0098] actuating the dosing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d in order to dispense a particular dose of soluble beverage ingredient in a chamber 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, [0099] actuating the diluent supply 5 in order to dispense a particular dose of cold, ambient or hot water in a chamber 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, [0100] eventually actuating the motor of a whipper device within at least one of the chambers 6, 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0101] Both dispensers 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise a user interface 10, or an input and output device, operable to receive a beverage recipe selection, the selection including the step of defining the relative position of the at least two different layers of beverage component in the drinking container. Accordingly the consumer is able to define the vertical order of the beverage components in the drinking container.

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates the steps of preparation of a multi layered beverage implemented by the controller 9 of the dispenser.

[0103] In step 100, the user interface 10 of the dispenser presents to the customer a representation 120 of the drinking container and a list 130, 131, 132 of beverage components that can be introduced in the drinking container in the form of layers.

[0104] In step 101 the consumer is able to select the order of the beverage components 130, 131, 132 in the layers in the drinking container 120.

[0105] In step 102, the consumer validates his/her selection.

[0106] In step 103, based on the selection made in step 102 and illustrated in step 101, the controller 9 calculates the required density d.sub.30, d.sub.31, d.sub.32 of each layer of beverage component 30, 31, 32 respectively so that: [0107] the beverage component 32 in the layer at the bottom of the container presents a higher density than both other beverage components 30, 31, [0108] the beverage component 30 in the layer at the top of the container presents a lower density than both other beverage components 31, 32, [0109] the beverage component 31 in the layer in the middle of the container presents a density lower than beverage component 32 and higher than beverage component 30.

[0110] In step 104, the controller launches the preparation of the beverage component 30 presenting the lower density so that it is the first delivered at the bottom of the drinking container.

[0111] Then in step 105, the controller launches the preparation of the beverage component 31 presenting a higher density than the first beverage component and so that it is delivered at the bottom of the drinking container.

[0112] Then in step 106, the controller launches the preparation of the beverage component 32 presenting the highest density and so that it is delivered at the bottom of the drinking container.

[0113] The controller 9 of the dispenser is particularly configured to execute a set of instructions to successively: [0114] receive this beverage recipe selection including the relative position of the different layers of beverage component in the drinking container, then [0115] calculate the required density of each layer of beverage component based on the selection of its position relative to the other layer(s), then [0116] successively prepare and deliver the layers of beverage components by dilution of (at least) one of the soluble beverage ingredient in order to reach the calculated required density, the order of preparation and delivery consisting in preparing and delivering in the drinking container a lower density layer prior to a higher density layer.

[0117] Once the density of each beverage component has been defined, each beverage component is prepared and delivered in the drinking container starting from the beverage component presenting the lower density and progressively preparing and delivering other beverage components, a lower density component being always prepared and dispensed prior to a higher density component.

[0118] The beverage dispenser of the present invention presents the advantage of enabling customers to prepare layered beverages based on an order of the layers defined by the customers themselves.

[0119] The dispenser and the method of the present invention present the advantage of enabling customers to prepare layered beverages different from the well-known recipes for layered beverages.

[0120] The dispenser and the method of the present invention present the advantage of enabling customers to prepare layered beverages without the systematic presence of foam at the top of the beverage.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

LIST OF REFERENCES IN THE DRAWINGS

[0124] dispenser 1 [0125] drinking container 2 [0126] bottom 21 [0127] layers 2a, 2b, 2c [0128] soluble ingredient container 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d [0129] dosing device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d [0130] diluent supply 5 [0131] pump 51 [0132] hot water supply 52 [0133] cold water supply 53 [0134] ambient water supply 54 [0135] valve 55 [0136] dissolution chamber 6, 6a, 6b, 6c [0137] beverage outlet 61, 61a, 61b, 61c [0138] delivering device 7 [0139] dispensing area 8 [0140] controller 9 [0141] user interface 10 [0142] beverage component 30, 31, 32