Process and machine for preparing beverages

Abstract

A process and machine for preparing an infused beverage in which a pump conveys infusion water from a reservoir, through a heater and then through a packet containing a product to be infused. The beverage is prepared by a first step of placing the pump in operation, when the heater has reached a first assigned temperature, in order to deliver to the packet a first quantity of hot water for infusion, and at least one operating sequence of halting operation of the pump and generating, in the heater while the pump is halted, steam that passes through the packet, then bringing the heater to a second assigned temperature and restarting the pump in order to deliver a second quantity of infusion water once the heater has reached the second assigned temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of embodiments thereof disclosed by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partly schematic, partly cross-sectional view of a machine according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph containing curves illustrating the time variations of various operating parameters of the machine during an infusion cycle.

Claims

1. A process for the preparation of an infused beverage in which a pump conveys infusion water from a reservoir, through a heater and then through a packet containing a product to be infused, said process comprising: a first step of operating the pump, when the heater has reached a first assigned temperature, in order to deliver to the packet a first quantity of hot water for infusion; andafter said first step, at least one operating sequence composed of, in the order recited, halting operation of the pump, generating, in the heater while the pump is halted, steam that passes through the packet, then bringing the heater to a second assigned temperature, and restarting the pump in order to deliver a second quantity of hot water once the heater has reached the second assigned temperature.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising measuring the quantity of water delivered by the pump during each operation of the pump, and wherein said first step of operating the pump includes stopping the pump when the first water quantity has been measured and said at least one operating sequence includes, after restarting the pump, again stopping the pump when the second water quantity has been measured.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the product to be infused is a freeze-dried powder.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein said at least one operating sequence comprises at least two said operating sequences during each of which a respective second quantity of hot water is delivered.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein preparation of the infused beverage is achieved by supplying a total quantity of water to the packet during an infusion cycle and the first quantity of hot water corresponds to at least approximately 1/3 of the total quantity supplied to the product during the infusion cycle.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein said at least two operating sequences comprise four said operating sequences during each of which there is delivered a respective second quantity of hot water that corresponds to at least approximately 1/6 of the total quantity supplied to the product during the infusion cycle.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the packet has water permeable walls.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the packet comprises an upper chamber containing a first infusion product, a lower chamber containing a second infusion product different from the first infusion product, and at least one passage placing the upper chamber in communication with the lower chamber.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the packet further comprises a wall separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber, the wall having a central part, and a stack formed in the central part of the wall and having a lower part in which the at least one passage is formed.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the first assigned temperature is given a value based on initial temperature conditions of the heater.

11. A machine for the preparation of an infused beverage; said machine comprising: a reservoir; a pump; a heater; and control means connected for controlling operation of said pump and said heater, wherein: said pump is connected for conveying water from water from said reservoir, through said heater and then through a packet containing a product to be infused; andsaid control means are operative for carrying out: a first step of placing said pump in operation, when said heater has reached a first assigned temperature, in order to deliver to the packet a first quantity of hot water for infusion; andat least one operating sequence of halting operation of said pump and generating, in said heater while said pump is halted, steam that passes through the packet, then bringing said heater to a second assigned temperature and restarting said pump in order to deliver a second quantity of infusion water once said heater has reached the second assigned temperature.

12. The machine of claim 11, further comprising a flow meter connected for measuring the quantity of water delivered by said pump during each operation of said pump, and wherein said control means are operative to stop said pump during the first step when the first water quantity has been measured, and to again stop said pump, during the at least one operating sequence, after restarting the pump, when the second water quantity has been measured.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the product to be infused is a freeze-dried powder.

14. The machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one operating sequence carried out by said control means comprises at least two said operating sequences during each of which a respective second quantity of hot water is delivered.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein, for preparation of the infused beverage, said control means are operative to supply a total quantity of water to the packet during an infusion cycle and the first quantity of hot water corresponds to at least approximately ⅓ of the total quantity supplied to the product during the infusion cycle.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the at least two operating sequences carried out by said control means comprise four said operating sequences during each of which there is delivered a respective second quantity of hot water that corresponds to at least approximately ⅙ of the total quantity supplied to the product during the infusion cycle.

17. The machine of claim 11, in combination with a packet containing the product to be infused, wherein said packet has water permeable walls.

18. The machine of claim 11, in combination with a packet containing the product to be infused, wherein said packet comprises an upper chamber containing a first infusion product, a lower chamber containing a second infusion product different from the first infusion product; and at least one passage placing said upper chamber in communication with said lower chamber.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein said packet further comprises: a wall separating said upper chamber from said lower chamber, said wall having a central part; and a stack formed in said central part of said wall and having a lower part in which said at least one passage is formed.

20. The machine of claim 11, further comprising a temperature sensor in thermal contact with said heater, and wherein said control means establish the first assigned temperature based on initial temperature conditions of said heater.