MACHINE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES COMPRISING AN OPENING DISPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE WITH ANTICIPATED OPENING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine (1) for preparing aromatic beverages by means of extraction of a respective substance, such as espresso coffee and similar, that is characterized in that it comprises at least one extraction device (3) adapted for extracting an single dose of said substance provided in a package (2), for example in the form of a substantially rigid capsule or substantially flexible pod, and a previous opening disposition (5) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3) and adapted to provide passageways (53) in said single dose packages (2) before the latter are supplied to said extraction device (3).

The present invention further discloses a process for preparing beverages with anticipated opening of a package (2) by means of said previous opening disposition (5) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3).

Claims

1. A beverage preparation machine (1) adapted for preparing beverages from single doses of at least one edible substance provided in a respective package (2), or in a support (21) of single doses comprising a plurality of single dose portions (22) of, presenting at least one first and one second package walls (23, 24) provided substantially air tight, whereby said machine (1) comprises: at least one extraction device (3) adapted so that it can collect one said package (2) inside thereof, an opening disposition (5) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3) along the supply direction of said packages (2), and adapted so as to provide at least one, preferentially a plurality of passageways (25) in at least one of said first and second package walls (23, 24) of said packages (2), or single dose portions (22) of, characterized in that said opening disposition (5) comprises at least one opening part (51, 52) that presents a plurality of opening protrusions (53) disposed along a respective perimeter surface and adapted so as to provide said plurality of passageways (25), and in that said opening part (51, 52) is provided so that it can be actuated in rotation around a substantially horizontal or vertical axis and disposed so that it can produce said passageways (25).

2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening disposition (5) is provided so that said package (2), or single dose portion (22), passes by said at least one opening part (51, 52) at least in part along the general direction of the gravity force, so that said package (2), or single dose portion (22) can be supplied to said opening disposition (5) along any direction and can be supplied downstream to said extraction device (3) along a substantially vertical direction.

3. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one opening part (51, 52) is provided in a general cylindrical form comprising at least one opening surface (54) along a respective perimeter surface that presents a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted so as to interact with at least most part of a respective first or second package wall (23, 24) of said package (2), or single dose portion (22).

4. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening disposition (5) comprises two opening parts (51, 52) that are disposed in direct opposition and at a distance in-between so that said package (2), or single dose portion (22), can pass in-between them and so that at least one, preferentially both, can be rotated around a respective axis or be displaced along an axis.

5. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening protrusions (53) present a free edge adapted so that it perforate and/or provoke the rupture of said package walls (23, 24) thereby producing said passageways (25), whereby said opening protrusions (53) are preferentially configured with an elongated form of cylindrical, conic or frusto-conic type.

6. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening protrusions (53) are substantially disposed in a pattern, including a pattern of matrix type, including of orthogonal or radial matrix type, or similar, developing continuously along an opening surface (54) or in groups in respective opening surfaces (54), whereby said opening protrusions (53) are configured with similar or different dimension and/or form forma.

7. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said machine (1) further presents at least one actuation device (6) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3) and adapted so that it can move, by means of traction, a support (21) of single doses presenting a plurality of said single dose portions (22) and thereby successively supply said single dose portions (22) to said extraction device (3), whereby said actuation device (6) is disposed upstream of said opening device (5) with relation to said extraction device (3).

8. The machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said actuation device (6) presents at least a first actuation part (61) provided in the general form of a circular drum so that it is actuated in rotation around a substantially horizontal axis and so that it comprises said opening disposition (5), in particular a plurality of opening protrusions (53) provided on a respective perimeter surface.

9. The machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said actuation device (6) further comprises a second actuation part (62) provided at a distance and developing along part of the outside perimeter of said first actuation part (61) and thereby defining an space in-between them so that there results a back-pressure upon said single dose portions (22) of the support (21) of single doses.

10. The machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least said first actuation part (61) of said actuation device (6) is provided with at least one actuation surface (63) along its perimeter presenting a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted for traction of a support (21) of single doses and for interacting with a respective package wall (23) so as to provide a plurality of passageways (25) thereon.

11. The machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said actuation device (6) presents a plurality of collection zones (64) along its perimeter, provided as recesses relative to the actuation surface (63) and configured so as to surface engage with the single dose portion (22) of said support (21) of single doses, whereby said collection zones (64) preferentially comprise opening surfaces (54) that present a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted for traction of a support (21) of single doses and for interacting with a respective package wall (23) so as to provide a plurality of passageways (25) thereon.

12. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided at least one storage means (4) adapted so as to comprise a support (21) of single doses configured in a strip-like form or similar, and comprising a plurality of single dose portions (22) provided successively along said support (21) of single doses, preferentially so that it can be physically divided in respective single dose portions (22).

13. A process for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine (1) adapted for extracting a beverage from a package (2) containing an single dose of at least one edible substance and adapted to be supplied to an extraction device (3) comprised in said beverage preparation machine, including the following steps: providing said package (2) to a zone inside of said beverage preparation machine (1) upstream of said extraction device (3); actuation of an opening disposition (5) into rotation; interaction between said opening disposition (5) and said package (2) in said zone upstream of said extraction device (3), thereby providing at least one, preferentially a plurality of passageways (25) in at least one package wall (23, 24) of said package (2); supplying said package (2) to said extraction device (3) when in an open position; closing said extraction device (3); injecting water into said extraction device (3) so as to obtain a respective beverage.

14. The process according to claim 13, characterized in that said actuation of the opening disposition into rotation is carried out by means of rotation of an actuation device (6) adapted for traction of a support (21) of single doses presenting a plurality of successive single dose portions (22) to a zone close to said extraction device (3) and passing by said opening disposition (5).

15. The process according to claim 13, characterized in that said process further includes the step of physical separation of a single dose portion (22) further downstream from the remanding support (21) of single doses, so that said single dose portion (22) falls under the action of the gravity force inside of said extraction device (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The invention shall now be explained in greater detail based upon preferred embodiments and in the attached figures.

[0017] The Figures show, in simplified schematic representations:

[0018] FIG. 1: side and front views (on the left and on the right, on the top) of a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the invention, in an embodiment adapted for processing a plurality of packages (2), as well as detail view (P01) of a respective actuation device (6) (bottom);

[0019] FIG. 2: top view (on the left) and side view of part of a support (21) of single portions adapted to be used in the embodiment of machine (1) for preparing beverages according to FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3: side view of a first embodiment of an opening disposition (5) in a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the invention;

[0021] FIG. 4: front view of the opening parts (52, 53) of the opening disposition (5) according to FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 5: side view of a second embodiment of an opening device (5) in a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the invention;

[0023] FIG. 6: side view of a third embodiment of an opening device (5) in a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 7: front view of the opening parts (63) of the opening disposition (5) according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a machine (1) for preparing beverages of the type according to the present invention, including an extraction device (3) adapted for processing single dose packages (2). In particular, FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a machine (1) that presents an opening disposition (5) and an actuation device (6) provided as separate elements and disposed successively upstream and in the supply path to an extraction device (3) adapted for extraction of single dose packages (2). Moreover, both the opening disposition (5) and the actuation device (6) are provided as elements that can be actuated in rotation around a respective horizontal axis.

[0026] As one can observe in FIG. 2, said single dose packages (2) are in this case configured as flexible pods provided in support (21) of single portions configured in form of strip or similar, and comprising a plurality of single dose portions (22) presenting at least two package walls (23, 24) substantially hermetic to air. In particular, the plurality of single dose portions (22) is provided without passageways (25) in any of its package walls (23, 24).

[0027] Said support (21) of single portions (see FIG. 1) is housed inside of a support package (4) that engages in a part of the machine (1) so that said support (21) of single portions can be displaced out of said support package (4) by means of an actuation device (6) so as to successively supply said single dose portions (22) to said extraction device (3). As one can better observe in detail P01, said actuation device (6) is provided as a rotation element, for example of pulley type, rotatable around a horizontal axis, and actuated so as to rotate said support (21) of single portions step-by-step and downwards, until a single dose portion (22) furthest downstream is physically separated and supplied under the action of the gravity force to said extraction device (3).

[0028] FIG. 1 further represents on a merely illustrative manner, an opening disposition (5) indicated as a disposition separate from the remanding and disposed in the path of said support (21) of single portions and upstream of said extraction device (3). According to a first inventive aspect, said opening disposition (5) is provided so that it can actuated in rotation around a substantially horizontal or vertical axis, as it shall explained in greater detail in two embodiments further below.

[0029] FIG. 3 represents a first embodiment of said opening disposition (5), represented schematically and disposed upstream of said extraction device (3)—only partially represented and indicative of the relative position. In this case, it is a front view of the machine (1) for preparing beverages so that the axis of rotation of said opening disposition (5) develops along the depth direction of the machine (1).

[0030] As one can observe, the opening disposition (5) is in this case provided—and adapted so as to provide at least one, preferentially a plurality of passageways (25) in both package walls (23, 24) of said single dose portions (22). In particular, the opening disposition (5) comprises two opening parts (51, 52) provided as cylindrical elements with a side perimeter surface presenting a plurality of opening protrusions (53) and arranged in direct opposition at such a distance that the passage of a single dose portion (22) in between shall produce said passageways (25).

[0031] FIG. 4 shows top views of the opening parts vistas (51, 52) of an opening disposition (5) according to FIG. 3, so that one can observe in particular the distribution and form of respective opening protrusions (53).

[0032] In the case of this embodiment both opening parts (51, 52) present opening surfaces (54) each comprising a plurality of opening protrusions (53) distributed in a pattern on the opening surface (54) and disposed so as to interact with a respectively opposing package wall (23, 24) of said package (2), or single dose portion (22), so that there results a respective passageway (25).

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, said opening protrusions (53) are disposed so as to interact with at least most part of at least one respective package wall (23, 24) of said package (2), or single dose portion (22). Moreover, the respective opening surfaces (54) present a characteristic dimension, in particular a width that corresponds at least to a respective characteristic dimension, in particular a width, of said packages (2).

[0034] As illustrated, the opening protrusions (53) can be configured different, including with a different format and/or relative dimension, because the flow characteristics on the entry-side of the package (2), or single dose portion (22), that is on a first package wall (23), can be required to be different from the flow characteristics on the exit-side, that is on a second package wall (24). In particular, some of the opening protrusions (53)—for example as those represented on a first opening part (51)—can be provided so as to perforate at least one of the package walls (23, 24), eventually one relating to the flow entry-side, whereas other opening protrusions (53)—for example as those represented on a second opening part (52)—can be provided so as to provoke the rupture and/or weakening of material zones previously provided on a package wall (23, 24), eventually in one relating to the flow exit-side.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the present invention, that presents an opening disposition (5) provided integrated on the actuation device (6) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3)—only partially represented and as mere indication of its relative position. In this case, it is a side view of part of a machine (1) for preparing beverages so that the axis of rotation of said actuation device (6) develops transversally relative to the depth direction of the machine (1).

[0036] As one can observe, said actuation device (6) is provided with an opening surface (54) on the exterior perimeter surface that operates as traction element of a strip-like support (21) of single portions, thereby displacing successive single dose portions (22) from a substantially horizontal direction upstream of the actuation device (6) to a substantially vertical direction downstream, before each single dose portion (22) falls under the action of the gravity force inside of a respective extraction device (3).

[0037] Said opening surface (54) presents a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted so as to interact with a first package wall (23) of the successive single dose portions (22) as the latter are displaced along part of the periphery of said actuation device (6).

[0038] As it shall be readily understood by an expert in the field, said interaction between the opening protrusions (53) and a respective first package wall (23) contributes to improve the traction effect, that is the movement transmission by said actuation device (6), thereby enhancing the operation reliability of the machine (1) for preparing beverages.

[0039] Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, it is further provided a back-pressure element (62) disposed so as to exert a back-pressure upon a second package wall (24) on the opposite side and as said single dose portion (22) is displaced through the space in-between relative to the actuation device (6), so as to reinforce the interaction of the opening protrusions (53) with said first package wall (23).

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, said actuation device (6) further comprises a second actuation part (62) provided at a distance and developing along part of the exterior perimeter of said first actuation part (61), thereby defining a space in-between both from which there results a back-pressure upon said packages (2) of the support (21) of single portions.

[0041] As one can observe, said first actuation part (61) said actuation device (6) is provided with at least one actuation surface (63) that presents a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted for traction of a support (21) of single portions and for interaction with a respective package wall (23) so as to provide a plurality of passageways (25) thereupon.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a machine (1) for preparing beverages according to the present invention, that presents an opening disposition (5) provided integrated in said actuation device (6) disposed upstream of said extraction device (3), in a view similar to that of FIG. 5.

[0043] As one can observe, said actuation device (6) presents a first actuation part (61) provided in form of circular drum so that it is actuated in rotation around a substantially horizontal axis and so that it comprises said opening disposition (5), in particular a plurality of opening protrusions (53) provided on a respective perimeter surface.

[0044] As one can observe, said actuation device (6) in this case presents a plurality of collection zones (64) along its perimeter, provided as recesses relative to the actuation surface (63) and configured so as to engage in surface with the single dose portion (22) of said support (21) of single doses. In particular, said collection zones (64) comprise respective opening surfaces (54) that present a plurality of opening protrusions (53) adapted for traction of a support (21) of single portions and for interaction with a respective package wall (23) so as to provide a plurality of passageways (25) thereon.

[0045] According to another preferred embodiment (not represented), said opening protrusions (54) are provided so that they can be displaced in a translation movement forward and backward, relative to a respective collection zone (64). In particular, such actuation disposition of the opening protrusions (54) can be carried out by means of rotation element of eccentric cross section and associated with said opening protrusions (54).

[0046] Said eccentric element is provided in the opening disposition (5) so as to actuate the opening protrusions (54), by means of its eccentric section part, in a generally outwards direction when a single dose portion (22) is collected in a respective collection zone (64), and by continuing the rotation movement, stopping their actuation with said eccentric section part, so that said opening protrusions (54) are withdrawn back relative to the surface of the collection zones (64).

[0047] FIG. 7 shows top views of said first actuation part (61) presenting an opening disposition (5) according to FIG. 6, so that there can be observed in particular the distribution and form of respective opening protrusions (53) (on the left) and a respective engagement with single dose portions (22) provided in a support (21) of single portions (on the right).

[0048] As referred above, said actuation device (6) is provided with at least one actuation surface (63) along its perimeter that presents at least one collection zone (64) configured so as engage in surface with the single dose portion (22) of said support (21) of single portions.

[0049] According to another preferred embodiment, the step of rotation of the actuation device (6) in each operation cycle, is carried out in a rotation extension that corresponds to the advance of successive single dose portions (22) by one position.

[0050] Lisbon, Oct. 12, 2015.