BEVERAGE DISPENSER FOR PREPARING LAYERED BEVERAGES

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage dispenser (1) configured for dispensing in a drinking container (2) a beverage composed of a plurality of layers (2a, 2b, 2c) of beverage components, said dispenser comprising: a preparation unit for preparing the beverage components (30, 31, 32, 33) and dispensing said beverage components in a drinking container, a control unit (9) for enabling a user to control the preparation unit, said control unit comprising: a user interface (10) for enabling a user to select a beverage, a processing unit for driving the preparation unit in accordance with the beverage selected by the user, wherein the user interface (10) enables the user to choose the vertical order of the layers (2a, 2b, 2c) of beverage components in the drinking container, and wherein the processing unit is adapted to calculate the density (d.sub.30, d.sub.31, d.sub.32, d.sub.33) of each beverage component in order to obtain the vertical order of layers selected by the user in the drinking container.

Claims

1. Beverage dispenser configured for dispensing in a drinking container a beverage composed of a plurality of layers of beverage components, the dispenser comprising: a preparation unit for preparing the beverage components and dispensing the beverage components in a drinking container, the preparation unit preparing the beverage components by dilution of at least one soluble beverage ingredients with a diluent, preferably water; a control unit for enabling a user to control the preparation unit, the control unit comprising: a user interface for enabling a user to select a beverage, a processing unit for driving the preparation unit in accordance with the beverage selected by the user; wherein the user interface enables the user to choose the vertical order of the layers of beverage components in the drinking container, and wherein the processing unit is adapted: to calculate the density of each beverage component in order to obtain the vertical order of layers selected by the user in the drinking container, and to drive the preparation unit in order to successively prepare and dispense in the drinking container each beverage component at the corresponding calculated density.

2. Beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: the preparation unit is configured for filling the drinking container with the beverage components from the bottom of the drinking container, and the processing unit is adapted to successively prepare and dispense a lower density beverage component prior to a higher density beverage component.

3. Beverage dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface and during at least one step of the process of selection of the beverage: the graphical user interface provides: an illustration of the drinking container, and a list of a plurality of selectable beverage components, and the graphical user interface enables the user to position beverage components in the drinking container in the form of vertically stacked layers.

4. Beverage dispenser according to claim 3 wherein during the at least one step of the selection of the beverage: the graphical user interface provides an illustration of the drinking container with vertically stacked layers; and the graphical user interface enables the user to position beverage components in the vertically stacked layers of the illustration.

5. Beverage dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the user interface is a graphical user interface and during at least one step of the process of selection of the beverage: the graphical user interface provides an illustration of the drinking container with a plurality of vertically stacked layers of predefined beverage components; and the graphical user interface enables the user to change the order of the layers of the predefined beverage components in the illustration of the drinking container.

6. Beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

7. Beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the graphical user interface enables the user to drag and drop a selected beverage component to the illustration of the drinking container.

8. Beverage dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the preparation unit comprises: at least one container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; a device for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient from the at least one container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; a supply of diluent; at least one chamber for dissolving the dose of soluble beverage ingredient with the diluent, the chamber comprising a beverage outlet for dispensing the dissolved beverage ingredient; a dispensing area for supporting the drinking container; and wherein the dispenser is configured for filling the drinking container with the dissolved beverage ingredient from the bottom of the drinking container.

9. Beverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein it comprises: a plurality of containers for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; a plurality of devices for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient, each of said dosing device cooperating with one dedicated container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient; and a plurality of chambers for dissolving a dose of soluble beverage ingredient with the diluent, each of the chamber cooperating with one dedicated container dosing device and one dedicated container for storing a soluble beverage ingredient.

10. Beverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the dispenser comprises a delivering device or is configured for receiving a delivering device for taking the dissolved beverage ingredient from the beverage outlet of the at least one chamber, guiding the dissolved beverage ingredient through the drinking container and delivering the dissolved beverage ingredient at the bottom of the drinking container.

11. Beverage dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the delivering device comprises a tube.

12. Method for preparing and dispensing in a drinking container a beverage visually composed of a plurality of stacked layers of beverage components, the method comprising the steps of: enabling a user to choose the vertical order of the layers of beverage components in the drinking container; calculating the density of each beverage component in order to obtain the order of layers selected by the user in the drinking container; and successively preparing and delivering in the drinking container each layer of beverage component by dilution of at least one soluble beverage ingredient in order to reach the calculated required density for the beverage component.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein: each layer of beverage component is delivered in the drinking container by filling the drinking container from the bottom of the drinking container; and the order of preparation and delivery of the layers of beverage component consists in preparing a lower density layer prior to a higher density layer.

14. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures:

[0099] FIG. 1 is a representation of a layered beverage susceptible to be dispensed by a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0100] FIG. 2 illustrates the user interface of a dispenser according to the present invention during the different steps of preparation of layered beverage,

[0101] FIG. 3 illustrates the process of preparation of a layered beverage with a dispenser according to the present invention.

[0102] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one first embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0103] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention,

[0104] FIG. 6 illustrates the steps of filling of the drinking container according to the process of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-layered beverage in a drinking container 2 susceptible to be obtained by a dispenser according to the present invention. Preferably the drinking container 2 is transparent so that the consumer can see the visual effect of having several stacked layers, here three layers, of different visual aspects.

[0106] 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 decrease progressively from the bottom layer at the bottom 31 of the container to the top layer (d.sub.30<d.sub.31<d.sub.32). They can also differ by their colours and/or their natures (syrups, purees, juices).

[0107] FIG. 2 illustrates the user interface 10 of a dispenser 1 according to the present invention during the different steps a) to d) of ordering of a layered beverage. The dispenser comprises a dispensing area 8 in which a user can position a drinking container 2, preferably a transparent container. As illustrated in step a) the dispenser comprises a user interface 10 providing: [0108] an illustration 120 of a drinking container with a plurality of vertically stacked layers 2a, 2b, 2c separated by dotted lines, and [0109] a list of a plurality of selectable beverage components 130, 131, 132, 133.

[0110] In step b) the user interface 10 enables the user to select the beverage components he/she desires in the beverage and the position of each component in the layers of the drinking container, for example the beverage component 130 in the bottom layer 2a, the beverage component 133 in the middle layer 2b and the beverage component 132 in the upper layer 2c. Depending on the nature of the user interface, this step can be realised by dragging and dropping the labels of the selectable beverage components in the desired layer of the drinking container.

[0111] In step c), at the end of the selection, the user interface 10 can provide an illustration of the layered beverage as defined by the user in the illustrated drinking container 120. The user can accept or refuse the preparation of the defined beverage through selecting buttons at the bottom of the user interface.

[0112] Once the beverage selection is validated, the beverage is prepared in step d) and dispensed with the layers as defined by the user in the drinking container 2 at the dispensing area 8.

[0113] According to variants the user interface can provide: [0114] an illustration of the drinking container without the dotted lines and the plurality of vertically stacked layers, and [0115] a list of a plurality of selectable beverage components that he/she can position in the drinking container in the form of stacked layers.

[0116] FIG. 3 illustrates the steps of preparation of a multi layered beverage implemented by the control unit of the dispenser configured for enabling a user to control the preparation unit of the dispenser.

[0117] In step 100, the user interface 10 of the dispenser presents to the user a representation 120 of the drinking container and a list 130, 131, 132 of selectable beverage components that can be introduced in the drinking container in the form of vertical layers 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0118] In step 101 the user is able to select the order of the beverage components 130, 131, 132 in the layers 2a, 2b, 2c in the drinking container 120.

[0119] In step 102, the user validates his/her selection. Or in an alternative step 102, the user can refuse the selection and return to step 100 for another choice.

[0120] 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: [0121] the beverage component 32 in the layer at the bottom of the container presents a higher density than both other beverage components 30, 31, [0122] the beverage component 30 in the layer at the top of the container presents a lower density than both other beverage components 31, 32, [0123] 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.

[0124] In following steps the control unit of the dispenser controls successively the preparation and delivery of the layers of beverage components by dilution of at least one soluble beverage ingredient in order to reach the calculated required density d.sub.30, d.sub.31, d.sub.32, 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.

[0125] Accordingly: [0126] 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. [0127] 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. [0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] FIG. 4 illustrates one first embodiment of a dispenser 1 according to the invention.

[0131] The dispenser 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. These ingredients can be fruit or vegetable purees.

[0132] The dispenser 1 comprises devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d for dosing a dose of soluble beverage ingredient from the containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d respectively. Each dosing device is dedicated to one container.

[0133] If the soluble beverage ingredient is a powder, the container usually comprises a tank and a powder outlet. Usually the powder outlet is positioned at the bottom of the tank. The dosing device is preferably a rotatable volumetric dosing member. The dosing device can be comprised in the list of a dosing screw, a dosing auger or perforated discs. Depending on the type of container for storing the powder, the dosing device can be integrated inside said container or provided at the outlet of said container. According to the preferred embodiment the dosing device is placed inside the container and positioned at the bottom of the container. It is preferably a dosing screw. Such a screw displaces a volume of powder from the container to the powder outlet. This sub-assembly composed of the container and the dosing device is usually identified as a canister in current beverage dispensers.

[0134] If the soluble beverage ingredient is a liquid, the container can be a bag-in-box with a flexible tube attached to the outlet, said tube cooperating with a peristaltic pump as a dosing device. The container can also be a bottle with a dispensing and dosing cap.

[0135] 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.

[0136] The dispenser comprises a chamber 6 for mixing and dissolving at least one dose of soluble beverage ingredient with a dose of diluent to produce a beverage component. Usually the chamber is positioned under the containers so that the powder or the concentrate can be delivered in the chamber by gravity fall.

[0137] The chamber can be fed with only one soluble beverage ingredient or with doses of different soluble beverage ingredients to produce one beverage component, for example peach and mango purees to produce a mango peach diluted puree.

[0138] The chamber 6 comprises a beverage outlet 61 for dispensing the beverage component prepared in the chamber 6.

[0139] The dispenser comprises a dispensing area 8 in which the user can position the drinking container 2 so that the beverage components can be dispensed from the chamber in the container.

[0140] 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.

[0141] Accordingly each beverage component prepared in the chamber 6 fills the drinking container 2 from its bottom 21.

[0142] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. This dispenser 1 presents the same features as the dispenser of FIG. 4 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, such 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 and/or swirled by diluent. The chamber for dissolving a concentrate can be a simple tube or mixing nozzle.

[0143] This configuration with several dedicated chambers can present the advantage of limiting cross contamination of one beverage component by another beverage component too.

[0144] The beverage outlets 61a, 61b, 61c of the chambers cooperate with a 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.

[0145] In an alternative the dispenser can comprise several delivering devices 7 and each beverage outlet 61a, 61b, 61c can cooperate with a dedicated delivering device.

[0146] Whatever the dispenser, the preferred way for filling of the drinking container 2 is illustrated in FIG. 6 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 blockage.

[0147] 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, when it fills the container 20 by the bottom, it simultaneously pushes the first beverage component 30 up without mixing with it.

[0148] In step c), the preparation of the beverage is finished.

[0149] In step d), the delivering device 7 can be detached from the dispenser and be used as disposable agitator or straw.

[0150] Each dispenser 1 of FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a control unit 9 configured for: [0151] 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, [0152] 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, [0153] eventually actuating the motor of a whipper device within at least one of the chambers 6, 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0154] Each dispenser 1 of FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a user interface 10, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, 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.

[0155] The dispenser and the method of the present invention present the advantage of enabling customers to prepare layered beverages based on an order of the layers defined by the customers themselves.

[0156] 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.

[0157] 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.

[0158] The user interface of the dispenser of the present invention presents the advantage of enabling the customers to select the order of the layers of beverage components in a simple and intuitive manner.

[0159] 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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

[0162] dispenser 1 [0163] drinking container 2 [0164] bottom 21 [0165] soluble ingredient container 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d [0166] dosing device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d [0167] diluent supply 5 [0168] pump 51 [0169] hot water supply 52 [0170] cold water supply 53 [0171] ambient water supply 54 [0172] valve 55 [0173] dissolution chamber 6, 6a, 6b, 6c [0174] beverage outlet 61, 61a, 61b, 61c [0175] delivering device 7 [0176] dispensing area 8 [0177] control unit 9 [0178] user interface 10 [0179] beverage component 30, 31, 32, 33 [0180] illustration of drinking container 120 [0181] layers 2a, 2b, 2c [0182] selectable beverage components 130, 131, 132, 133