Patent Application
20090235825
The invention relates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an exchangeable holder for use in such a system. The invention further relates to an apparatus for use in such a system.
Such a system and such an exchangeable holder are known from WO 2006/043808.
In the known system, there is the possibility that, for instance during and/or after mixing in the first mixing chamber, from the first mixing chamber, an amount of first fluid, second fluid and/or beverage ends up on the restriction, through, for instance, splashing and/or capillary action, so that the restriction becomes contaminated. In an embodiment of the known system, the restriction is for instance included in the apparatus. As a result, the apparatus can become contaminated and is to be regularly cleaned so as to not form, for instance, a health risk.
In another embodiment of the known system, the restriction may be included in the exchangeable holder, so that the restriction that may be contaminated can be disposed of together with the holder. This has as drawback that the exchangeable holder must be provided with the restriction, which is a relatively expensive component as the size of the restriction is to precisely meet a predetermined size in order to generate the jet of the first fluid in an accurate manner. Hence, the exchangeable holder is relatively expensive, too expensive to serve as, for instance, a disposable holder.
The object of the invention is to provide is system with which, if desired, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be avoided and, moreover, other advantages can be realized.
Accordingly, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the system further is provided with a narrow passage which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction and the first mixing chamber for, on the one side, allowing the jet of the first fluid to pass from the restriction to the first mixing chamber, and, on the other side, substantially preventing the first fluid, second fluid and/or the beverage from moving from the first mixing chamber through the narrow passage in the direction of the restriction.
As, presently, the narrow passage is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction of the first mixing chamber, the first fluid, the second fluid and/the beverage can be prevented from contaminating the restriction from the first mixing chamber. Hence, it is possible that the restriction, when this forms part of, for instance, the apparatus, needs not be cleaned, at least less often. Furthermore, the narrow passage can be provided with a less accurate size than the jet forming restriction so that, if desired, the narrow passage can form an inexpensive part of the exchangeable holder so that, if desired, the exchangeable holder can be provided as disposable holder.
It is preferred that the narrow passage has a cross section such that, in use, the narrow passage forms a free passage for the jet. Hence, the narrow passage is sufficiently great, so that the narrow passage does not hinder the jet. In this manner, mixing the first and second fluid in the first mixing chamber will hardly, if at all, be influenced by the presence of the narrow passage.
Preferably, the narrow passage has a cross section such that, in use, the jet substantially prevents the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from flowing from the first mixing chamber through the narrow passage to the restriction. In this manner, the narrow passage is sufficiently small to prevent the first fluid, the second fluid and/the beverage from ending up, upstream, through the narrow passage, “next to” the jet from the first mixing to the restriction.
In a special embodiment, a cross section of the narrow passage substantially corresponds to a cross section of the jet of the first fluid at the location of the narrow passage. Here however, the narrow passage is designed such that it does not, itself, form a jet of the first fluid, but allows the passage of the jet formed by the restriction. As a result, the narrow passage is provided which is sufficiently great and sufficiently small as described hereinabove. Here, a cross section of the narrow passage is preferably 1-2 times, more preferably 1.05-1.25 times a cross section of the jet of the first fluid at the location of the narrow passage.
Preferably, the narrow passage forms part of the exchangeable holder. Hence, if the passage channel is contaminated, with, for instance, the second fluid, the narrow passage can be detached from the apparatus together with the exchangeable holder, so that the narrow passage can be cleaned in a simple matter. As already stated, it is therefore also possible to provide the exchangeable holder in an inexpensive manner with the narrow passage and, if desired, the holder can then be designed as disposable holder, so that the narrow passage that may be contaminated can be disposed of together with the holder.
In a special embodiment, the narrow passage is formed by a passage restriction which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction and the first mixing chamber. Hence, downstream of the restriction and upstream of the first mixing chamber, the passage restriction is provided by, on one side, allowing the jet of the first fluid to pass from the restriction to the first mixing chamber, and, on the other side, substantially preventing the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from proceeding from the first mixing chamber through the narrow passage in the direction of the restriction.
In a special embodiment, the narrow passage is formed by, at least the part of, a passage channel which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction and the first mixing chamber. Hence, downstream of the restriction and upstream of the first mixing chamber, the passage channel is provided for, on the one side, allowing the jet of the first fluid to pass from the restriction to the first mixing chamber, and, on the other side, substantially preventing the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from ending up from the first mixing chamber, through the passage channel, at the restriction.
Preferably, the restriction forms part, at least partly of the fluid dispensing device. Hence, the jet forming restriction, which is an accurate (and, consequently, expensive) component, can be included in the apparatus, so that the exchangeable holder can be manufactured so as to be free of the accurate component so that, if desired, the exchangeable holder can be provided as disposable holder.
It is preferred that the passage channel forms part, at least partly, of the exchangeable holder. Hence, if the passage channel is contaminated by, for instance, the second fluid, the passage channel can be detached from the system together with the exchangeable holder so that the passage channel can be cleaned in a simple manner. If desired, the exchangeable holder can be provided as disposable holder, so that the contaminated passage channel can be disposed of.
Presently, the invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing:
a shows a first embodiment of a system according to the invention;
b shows the system according to
c shows the system according to
a shows a part of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention;
c shows a perspective view of the part of the third embodiment as shown in
b shows a part of a third embodiment of a system according to the invention;
a-6e show a first to a fifth exemplary embodiment of a part of a system according to the invention.
In
The exchangeable holder 2 is provided with at least one storage space 8 which is filled with a second fluid such as a beverage, a concentrate or a powder. In this example, a concentrate for preparing coffee is involved. The holder 2 is further provided with at least a first mixing chamber 10 and at least one outflow opening 12 which is in fluid communication or can be brought in fluid communication with the first chamber 10. The holder 2 is further provided with a fluid communication 14 between the storage space 8 and the first mixing chamber 10. The holder 2 is further provided with at least one inlet opening 16 which is detachably connected to the outlet opening 18 of the fluid dispensing device 6. In
In this example, the system is further provided with a restriction 20 which is included in a fluid flow path 22 which extends via the outlet opening 18 of the fluid dispensing device 6 and the inlet opening 16 of the exchangeable holder 2 from the fluid dispensing device 6 to the first mixing chamber 10 for generating, with the restriction 20, a jet of the first fluid which is supplied to the first mixing chamber. The restriction 20 can comprise, for instance, a local constriction in the fluid flow path, or a different construction for generating the jet of the first fluid. In this example, the restriction 20 is included upstream of the outlet opening 18 in the fluid flow path 22. In this example, the restriction 20 therefore forms part of the fluid dispensing device 6 of the apparatus 4.
In this example, the system is further provided with a supply channel 19 which is included in the fluid flow path 22 between the restriction 20 and the first mixing chamber 10. In this example, the supply channel 19 is included downstream of the inlet opening 16 in the fluid flow path 22. In this example, the supply channel 19 therefore forms part of the exchangeable holder 2.
In this example, the system is further provided with a narrow passage 21 which is included in the fluid flow path 22 between the restriction 20 and the first mixing chamber 10. The narrow passage 21 allows, on the one side, the jet of the first fluid to pass from the restriction 20 to the first mixing chamber 10, and, on the other side, substantially prevents the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from proceeding from the first mixing chamber 10 through the narrow passage 21 in the direction of the restriction 20. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is included downstream of the inlet opening 16 in the fluid flow path 22. In this example, the narrow passage 21 therefore forms part of the exchangeable holder 2.
The storage space 8 forms at least a part of a dosing device 24 as will be further set forth hereinafter. In this example, this dosing device 24 is further provided with a needle 28 which, in use, is pierced through a wall of the storage space 8 for supplying a third fluid to the second fluid in the storage space 8 for dispensing the second fluid in a dosed manner to the first mixing chamber 10. In this example, the dosing device 24 is further provided with a fluid dispensing unit 32 which is connected to the needle. The fluid dispensing unit 32 and the needle 28 form part of the apparatus 4. In this example, the fluid dispensing unit 32 is detachably connectable, at least via the needle 28, to the holder 2.
The apparatus 4 is further also provided with a control device 34 for controlling the fluid dispensing device 6 and the fluid dispensing unit 32. To control the fluid dispensing device 6 and the fluid dispensing unit 32, the control device 34 generates control signals ŝ which are supplied to the fluid dispensing device 6 and the fluid dispensing unit 32. In this example, the control device 34 is designed for controlling the fluid dispensing device 6 and the fluid dispensing unit 32 independently of each other.
The apparatus can further be provided with a code reading unit 52 which is connected by means of a signal wire 54 to the control unit 34. The exchangeable holder can be provided with, for instance, a readable code in the form of, for instance, a bar code or a code stored in a responder known per se. Via the code reading unit 52, the control device 34 reads out a code which indicates, for example but not exclusively, whether or not air is to be supplied to the system, which temperature and/or pressure the first fluid is to have, how much first fluid is to be supplied and/or at what pressure and/or at what speed the second fluid is to be supplied to the first mixing chamber. This code may depend on the type of second fluid stored in the holder 2.
The system 1 described heretofore works as follows. For the purpose of preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, the exchangeable holder 2 is placed in the apparatus 4. Here, the storage space 8 of the exchangeable holder 2 is placed under the needle 28. Also, as shown in
As, with the system 1 according to the invention, both the dosing of the concentrate over time and the dosing of the hot water over time can be regulated well, it can be ensured that the concentration of the amount of concentrate in the beverage can be accurately determined. Furthermore, it can be ensured that the beverage which, during its preparation, leaves the outflow opening 12, is of constant quality, i.e., the concentration of the concentrate in the beverage that is dispensed can be kept constant during dispensing, if desired. The fact is that in this example, the flow rate of the water and the flow rate of the concentrate supplied to the first mixing chamber 10 can each, if desired, be controlled independently of each other. Therefore, it holds in this example, that the system 1 is designed such that the fluid dispensing device 6 and the dosing device 24 can supply, independently of each other, the first fluid and the second fluid, respectively, to the first mixing chamber 10. This entails that the size of the flow rate of the first fluid and the period during which the first fluid is dispensed are independent (in this example through control of the control device) of the size of the flow rate of the second fluid and the period during which the second flow rate is dispensed.
It further holds in this example, that the dosing device 24 is a controllable and active dosing device for supplying the second fluid to the first mixing chamber by applying an increased pressure or force to the second fluid. Herein, an active dosing device is understood to mean that the second fluid flows through the fluid communication from the storage space to the first mixing chamber as a result of an excess pressure or force applied on the side of the storage space.
In the example, the system 1 is further provided with an air inlet opening 42. The air inlet opening 42 ensures that air is supplied to the first mixing chamber 10 so that, in use, air is whipped into the beverage for obtaining a beverage with a fine-bubble froth layer. Thus, a café crème can be obtained. In this example, the air inlet opening 42 is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber 10 downstream of the restriction 20. In this example, the air inlet opening 42 terminates, via a fluid communication 44, in the fluid flow path 22, in this example in the supply channel 19, in this example upstream of the narrow passage 21. It therefore holds in this example, that the air inlet opening 42 as well as the supply channel 19 each form part of the apparatus 4. This is, however, not required. It will be clear that the air inlet opening 42 and/or the supply channel 19 can form part of the exchangeable holder 2.
After the beverage, in this example coffee with a fine-bubble froth layer, has been prepared, the control device 34 stops the fluid dispensing device 6. The control device 34 also ensures that the third fluid is no longer supplied to the second fluid in the storage space, and that the needle 28 is retracted from the respective wall of the storage space 8, i.e., in a direction opposite that of the arrow Pa. Here, it may be such that the control device 34 first provides that the dispensing of the second fluid to the first mixing chamber is stopped and that after that, the supply of the first fluid (in this example, water) is stopped. Thus, the risk of the second fluid contaminating, for instance, the restriction 20 is further reduced.
c shows a situation where the needle 28 is pierced through a wall of the storage space 8 and the third fluid is supplied under pressure to the second fluid in the storage space 8. The situation shown occurs at the moment when the control device 34 will stop the supply of hot water to the first mixing chamber 10, will no longer effect the supply of the third fluid to the second fluid in the storage space 8, and will effect the retraction of the needle 28 from the respective wall of the storage space 8 so that, thereupon, the holder 2 can be taken from the apparatus 4 again.
After this, a user can remove the exchangeable holder 2 and, if a new amount of beverage is to be prepared, place a new exchangeable holder in the apparatus 4. The new exchangeable holder can be provided with an entirely different type of second fluid such as, for instance, a milk concentrate. When, with the aid of the new exchangeable holder, milk is prepared in a manner comparable to that as described for the preparation of coffee based on coffee concentrate, in the prepared milk, no trace will be found of the previously prepared type of beverage. The fact is that the first mixing chamber 10 forms part of the exchangeable holder and when a new exchangeable holder is placed in the apparatus 4, also, an entirely new and, hence, clean first mixing chamber is placed in the holder, and the narrow passage 21 will further substantially prevent contamination of the restriction 20 with the previously prepared type of beverage. Therefore, contamination cannot be involved.
In the example of
In the example of
a-6e schematically show exemplary embodiments of a part of the system 1.
a schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a part of the system 1. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is formed by a passage restriction 23 which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction 20 and the first mixing chamber 10.
a schematically indicates, with interrupted arrows, the jet of the first fluid formed by the restriction 20. The jet can proceed parallel from the restriction 20, can converge or diverge, depending on, for instance, the shape of the restriction 20. In this example, the jet is represented in a slightly diverging manner.
Preferably, the narrow passage 21 has a cross section such that, in use, the narrow passage 21 forms a free passage for the jet. To that end, it is preferred that the narrow passage is designed to be sufficiently great. The narrow passage is sufficiently great if the jet is hardly, if at all, hindered by the narrow passage 21, so that mixing of the first and second fluid in the first mixing chamber 10 is hardly, if at all, disturbed by the narrow passage 21.
When the jet spouts through the narrow passage, the first fluid, the second fluid or beverage will not be able proceed from the first mixing chamber 10, against the flow of the jet, to the restriction 20 at the location of the jet. In principle, the first fluid, second fluid or beverage can proceed next to the jet from the first mixing chamber 10 to the restriction.
Preferably, the narrow passage 21 has a cross section such that, in use, the jet substantially prevents the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from flowing from the first mixing chamber 10 through the narrow passage 21 to the restriction 20. To that end, the narrow passage 21 is preferably of sufficiently small design. The narrow passage 21 is sufficiently small if, next to the jet, no, at least little, fluid can flow from the first mixing chamber 10 through the narrow passage 21 to the restriction 20.
The narrow passage 21 is for instance sufficiently great and sufficiently small, as described hereinabove, if the cross section of the narrow passage 21 substantially corresponds to the cross section of the jet of the first fluid at the location of the narrow passage. In a practical embodiment, the cross section of the narrow passage 21 is preferably 1-2 times, more preferably 1.05-1.25 times the cross section of the jet of the first fluid at the location of the narrow passage.
b schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of a part of the system 1. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is formed by a passage channel 25 which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction 20 and the first mixing chamber 10. With the diverging jet, adjacent the downstream end of the passage channel 25, the cross section of the jet will correspond most to the cross section of the passage channel 25. Hence, the passage channel 25 has, in relation to the diverging bundle, a narrowest point adjacent the downstream end of the passage channel. When compared to the passage restriction 23, it is possible, when using the passage channel 25, to provide, over a greater length of the jet, a smaller distance between the jet and a wall of the narrow passage 21. Hence, the risk of fluid flowing from the first mixing chamber through the narrow passage 21 to the restriction 20 will be further reduced.
c schematically shows a third exemplary embodiment of a part of the system 1. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is formed by the passage channel 25, wherein at least one transverse dimension, such as a width, diameter or cross section of the passage channel 25 increases in the direction from the restriction 20 to the first mixing chamber 10. To that end, one shape of the passage channel may comprise a wedge-shape, cone-shape or half-cone shape. As a result, it is for instance possible, if desired, that with the diverging jet, the distance between the jet and a wall of the narrow passage 21 is substantially constant.
d schematically shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a part of the system 1. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is formed by the passage channel 25, while at least one transverse dimension of the passage channel 25 decreases in the direction from the restriction 20 to the first mixing chamber 10. To that end, one shape of the passage channel 25 may comprise a wedge-shape, cone-shape of half-cone shape. Thus, in a simple manner, a narrow passage 21 is provided having a narrowest point at a distance from the restriction 20. Furthermore, in this manner, upstream of the narrowest point of the narrow passage 21, a space is created adjacent and/or around the jet. In
e schematically shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a part of the system 1. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is formed by the passage channel 25. In
As shown in
It will be clear that thus, the passage restriction 23 and/or the passage channel 25 can form part of the exchangeable holder 2. Here, the passage channel can from part of the exchangeable holder completely, but also in part, for instance a part of the passage channel which is in contact with a wall of the first mixing chamber 10.
As shown in
In the examples, the first mixing chamber 10 is placed at a distance from the restriction 20 in that spacers are included between the first mixing chamber and the restriction. The spacers can be formed by, for instance, the passage channel 25 and/or the supply channel 19. If the jet-forming restriction, at least a part of the restriction that becomes contaminated as little as possible, is included in the apparatus, and the spacers are, at least partly, included in the exchangeable holder, it is possible to reduce the risk of contamination of at least this part of the restriction by detaching this part of the restriction from the holder directly after preparation of the beverage. In this manner, any contamination (for instance first fluid, second fluid and/or beverage) that may be present in the spacers can no longer proceed through, for instance, capillary action to that part of the restriction.
a shows a part of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention. In the system 1 shown in
The system 1 is further provided with a narrow passage 21 which is included in the fluid flow path between the restriction 20 and the first mixing chamber 10. In this example, the narrow passage 21 is included in the exchangeable holder 2. On the one side, the narrow passage 21 allows the jet of the first fluid to pass from the restriction 20 to the first mixing chamber 10, and, on the other side, substantially prevents the first fluid, the second fluid and/or the beverage from proceeding from the first mixing chamber 10, through the narrow passage 21 in the direction of the restriction 20. From the first mixing chamber 10, via an outflow channel 182 forming a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber 10 and the outflow opening 12, the beverage can leave the outflow opening 12.
In the example of
In this example, the storage space 8 and the first mixing chamber 10 are formed by the first holder part 198 and the second holder part 199. In this example, the storage space 8 is bounded, at least substantially, by the first holder part 198 and the second holder part 199. In this example, the first mixing chamber 10 is bounded, at least substantially, by the first holder part 198 and the second holder part 199.
The second holder part 199 is of substantially flat design. This means that the second holder part extends substantially in a (virtual) plane P. The first holder part 198 comprises a substantially flat contacting surface 166 extending substantially parallel to the plane P. The second holder part 199 abuts against the contacting surface 166 of the first holder part 198. In this example, the second holder part 199 is connected to the first holder part 198 at the contacting surface 166, by means of, for instance, gluing, welding and/or sealing.
The storage space 8 comprises a wall 167 which is offset relative to the contacting surface 166. The first mixing chamber 10 also comprises a wall 168 which is offset relative to the contacting surface 166. The walls 167, 168 each form part of the first holder part 198. In this example, the walls 167, 168 are both offset to the same side relative to the contacting surface, in a direction away from the second holder part 199. This offers the advantage that the first holder part 198 can be manufactured in a simple manner, and that the second holder part 199 can be connected to the contacting surface 166 in a simple manner. In the example of
Hereinabove, with reference to
In this example, the fluid inlet chamber 186 communicates, via a zone 187 in which the first holder part 198 is not attached to the second holder part 199, with a fluid communication seal 188 for bringing a fluid communication between the fluid inlet chamber 186 and the storage space 8 into operation through removal of the sealing action of the fluid communication seal 188. In the example, the fluid communication seal 188 is a peel seal 188, i.e., a weakened part with respect to the sealing attachment between, on the one side, material from which the first holder part is manufactured and, on the other side, material of the second holder part. In the manufacturing process of the exchangeable holder, the weakened location can be realized in a simple manner, for instance if the first and second holder part are sealingly interconnected by means of heating and compressing of the first and second holder part, by locally reducing the heating temperature and/or the compression pressure, and/or by locally utilizing a coating, wax or the like between the first and second holder part. The peel seal is a compact and inexpensively manufactured solution for bringing the fluid communication into operation through removal of the sealing action of the peel seal.
In this example, the peel seal 188 adjoins the storage space 8. The needle 28 (see
In the example of
The first holder part 198, comprising the protrusions 177 and 178 which bound the storage space 8 and the first mixing chamber 10, respectively, can be advantageously manufactured by means of vacuum formation, thermo formation, pressing, deep drawing and/or deep pressing. In this manner, it is possible to inexpensively and rapidly mass-produce the first holder part 198, if desired. Here, the first holder part is manufactured from, for instance, plastic.
In the example of
In a special embodiment, the exchangeable holder 2 is designed as a blister pack, while the first holder part 198 is provided with blister chambers (designed here as the protrusions 173, 174, 175, 177, 178) and the second holder part 199 forms a covering of the blister chambers. In the example of
In the example of
In this example, the fluid communication 14 is channel which is not straight in the longitudinal direction of the channel. In
The exchangeable holder 2 is further provided with a chamber 180 which communicates, via the inlet opening 16, with the first mixing chamber 10. Via this chamber 180, the outlet opening 18 of the fluid dispensing device 6 can be connected to the inlet opening 16. As already stated, in
Reference is now made to
Further, the holder receiving portion 157 is provided with further recesses, i.e., a recess 161 for receiving the chamber 180, two recesses 162 for receiving the outflow channels 182, a recess 163 for receiving the peel seal 138 and having it detach under pressure, a recess 164 for receiving the zone 187 and the peel seal 188 and having them detach under pressure, a recess 165 for receiving the fluid inlet chamber 186, and a recess 61 for a protrusion of the holder 2 corresponding to the narrow passage 21.
It is noted that in
For preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, the holder 2 shown in
In placed condition, the holder 2 is, in operation, preferably in a position such that the outflow opening(s) 12 are situated on a side facing downwards of the first mixing chamber 10. Here, the holder 2 can, for instance, be placed such that the first holder part 199 of the blister pack 2 is placed vertically. When placing in the holder receiving portion 157, the holder 2 may still be placed with the first holder part 199 of the holder 2 horizontally, and then, for bringing the system in the operative condition, the holder receiving portion 157 can be turned such that the exchangeable holder 2 is placed vertically.
In
The above-mentioned correspondence of the contours of the protrusion receiving recesses to the contours of the protrusions offers the advantage that in operation, the holder receiving portion 157 contributes to the wall parts of the first holder part being held in place when pressure is applied to these wall parts. This being the case, it is advantageous when parts of the contours of the protrusion receiving recess 160 of the holder receiving portion 157 correspond at least partly to parts of the contours of the first curvature 171 of the fluid communication 14. In this respect, it is further advantageous when parts of the contours of the protrusion receiving recess 160 of the holder receiving portion 157 correspond at least partly to parts of the contours of the second curvature 172 of the fluid communication 14, so that the protrusion receiving recess 160 proceeds at least partly in an S-shape.
Presently, reference is made to
The holder 2 having the two storage spaces 8 and 8B can be used in a system which is provided with a dosing device which is designed for dispensing the second fluids in a dosed manner from the two different storage spaces to the first mixing chamber 10. With respect to the example shown in
For preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, also, the holder 2 can be placed on the holder receiving portion 157 of the apparatus 4, shown in
Preferably, the two storage spaces 8 and 8B are situated on opposite sides of the first mixing chamber 110 and, also, the two fluid communications 14 and 14B are on opposite sides of the first mixing chamber 10, as is the case in the example shown in
As stated, the fluid communication 14 is a channel having, in longitudinal direction of the channel, a first curvature 171 in a plane parallel to the first holder part 199. It is further advantageous when the channel has a second curvature in this longitudinal direction in the plane mentioned, indicated with reference numeral 172 in
In order to avoid that the second fluid does not obtain sufficient opportunity to mix with the first fluid in the first mixing chamber 10, it is advantageous that the location where the fluid communication 14 links up with the first mixing chamber is not too close to the location where the outflow channels 182 link up with the first mixing chamber 10. When the first mixing chamber 10 is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying air to the first mixing chamber, so that, in use, air is whipped into the beverage for obtaining a beverage with a fine-bubbled froth layer, it is advantageous that the location where the fluid communication 14 links up with the first mixing chamber is not too close to the air inlet opening, as otherwise, a favourable supply of air can be disturbed. Through the use of the first curvature 171 and the second curvature 172, for these and other reasons, desired connections of the fluid communication 114 to the first mixing chamber 10 can be realized.
It is advantageous when the cross section of the fluid communication 14 is not too great and the length of a fluid communication 14 is not too small. It is preferred that the maximum cross section of a fluid communication is, for instance, 1 to 3 mm, more particularly 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Preferably, the length of the fluid communication 14 is, for instance, 2 to 5 cm, more particularly 3 to 4 cm. Such cross sections that are not too large and lengths that are not too short of the fluid communication 14 prevent the storage space 8 from emptying undesirably rapidly when the second fluid is, for instance, a low viscous product. What can be achieved with such cross sections that are not too great and lengths that are not too short of a fluid communication is, that a fluid communication of a particular size is suitable for use in different holders containing different sorts of second fluids. Here, for such a fluid communication of a specific size, a matching protrusion receiving recess 160 of the holder receiving portion 157 can be used, so that the protrusion receiving recess 160 is also suitable for different holders with different sorts of second fluids.
The exchangeable holder can be manufactured by means of the method described hereinafter. The first holder part 198 with the substantially flat contacting surface 160 and the substantially flat second holder part are provided. The storage space(s) 8, 8B and the first mixing chamber 10, and, optionally, the outflow channels 182, the fluid communication(s) 14, 14B, the fluid inlet chamber(s) 186 and/or the chamber 180 are provided in the first holder part, each comprising a wall offset relative to the contacting surface, which, each, form part of the first holder part. The second holder part 199 is contacted against the contacting surface of the first holder part. Preferably, the second holder part is connected to the contacting surface of the first holder part after, preferably, the storage space(s) 8, 8B is/are filled with the second fluid.
If the first holder part is substantially plate-shaped, the at least one protrusion (173, 174, 175, 177, 178) can be formed on the plate-shaped first holder part by means of, for instance vacuum formation, thermo formation, pressing, deep-drawing and/or deep-pressing, such that the storage space and the first mixing chamber, and, optionally, the first outflow channels, the fluid communication(s), the fluid inlet chamber(s) and/or the chamber 180 are each, at least partly, bounded by the at least one protrusion.
The invention not limited in any manner to the embodiments outlined hereinabove. In the embodiment according to
In the example, the storage spaces were filled with coffee concentrate and/or milk concentrate. Other second fluids, based or not based on concentrate are also conceivable, here, for instance a squash or powder for preparing a lemonade can be considered. The apparatus may further be provided with additional storage spaces that may be filled with additives such as, for instance, soluble powders or concentrates. These powders too may be supplied to the first mixing chamber by, for instance, forcing out through a third fluid, or by emptying the respective storage space through squeezing. Here, for instance, flavour enhancers, sugars, cocoa and the like can be involved. Also, milk powder and/or milk creamer can be considered. Generally, it holds that, apart from a liquid such as a concentrate, the second fluid can also be a powder and the like, soluble in the first fluid or mixable with the first fluid, for instance soluble in a liquid such as water. A second fluid in the storage space can also comprise both a concentrate and a powder, in mixed form or not in mixed form.
In the examples given hereinabove, the dosing device can dispense the second fluid under pressure to the first chamber. As a result, in the embodiment according to
In each of the outlined embodiments, the first fluid can be a gas such as steam. Then, the second fluid will usually already comprise a beverage to which, in the first mixing chamber 10, the gas is added by, for instance, heating the beverage. The gas can also comprise carbonic acid gas (CO2) for obtaining a carbonated beverage. The first fluid can also comprise both a liquid and a gas.
In the embodiment of
In the embodiments outlined hereinabove, the first fluid is supplied to the first mixing chamber during at least a first period, and the second fluid is supplied to the first mixing chamber during at least a second period. Here, the first and second period can start and finish simultaneously. It is also possible that the second period starts earlier than the first period. However, other variations are also possible.
Further, the fluid dispensing device 6 can be designed for dispensing, at wish, different types of first fluids, such as steam, water, CO2 et cetera. The selection hereof can be regulated with the control device 34 and will often be connected to the type of second fluid or second fluids in the exchangeable holder. If desired, this choice can also be set manually or with the aid of the code reading unit 52.
The temperature of the first fluid can vary. For instance, the first fluid can also consist of water at room temperature or cold water. The temperature of the first fluid that is supplied to the holder for preparing a beverage can also vary over time.
Instead of tearable skins, the seals 38 can also comprise valves known per se which are operated by the apparatus, in order to be opened.
If the holder is provided with different storage spaces, one (1) needle can be pierced in the holder for supplying the third fluid to the second fluids in the different storage spaces. Here, the needle is pierced in a wall of the holder at a position below which there is a space which is in fluid communication or can be brought in fluid communication with the storage spaces. However, it is also possible that per storage space, a needle is pierced in a wall of the holder. Here, this may be in a wall of the respective storage spaces themselves or in a wall of the holder, at positions below which are located different spaces which are or can be brought, respectively, in fluid communication with the different storage spaces.
In the preceding examples, the needle was pierced into the holder by activating the dosing device by pushing the button. However, it is also possible that the needle is pierced into the holder manually. The needle may be attached to a lid of the apparatus. The apparatus is then provided with, for instance, a receiving space for the holder which can be closed off by the lid. By closing the storage space with the lid, the (at least one) needle can then be pierced into the holder.
The holder can further also comprise an assembly of separate first and/or second holder parts, for instance an assembly of separate blister packs, an assembly of separate packages of a different type, or an assembly of one or more blister packs with one or more packages of a different type. Optionally, parts of such an assembly can be designed so as to be separable, for instance tearable, so that users can for instance remove parts of the holder when they want to prepare, for instance, a cup of coffee without milk.
The fluid communication seal needs not necessarily be located on or near the transition from a storage space to the fluid communication. The fluid communication seal can for instance also be located on or near the transition from the fluid communication to the first mixing chamber, or be, for instance, an interruption of the channel of the fluid communication.
Such variants are each understood to fall within the framework of the invention. The temperature of the first fluid can vary. The first fluid may also consist of water at room temperature or cold water. Also, the temperature of the first fluid that is supplied to the holder for preparing a beverage can vary over time.
The volume of a storage space can for instance vary from 5 to 150 ml, more particularly from 6 to 50 ml. A passage opening of the restriction can for instance vary from 0.4 to 1.5 mm, more particularly from 0.6 to 1.3 mm, still more particularly from 0.7 to 0.9 mm. The pressure at which, in use, the liquid dispensing device dispenses the first fluid can vary from 0.6 to 12 bars, more particularly from 0.7 to 2 bars, preferably from 0.9 to 1.5 bars. The period during which the first fluid is supplied to the first mixing chamber for preparing the beverage can vary from 2 to 90 seconds, more particularly from 10 to 50 seconds. The size of the air inlet opening, when this is fully opened, can be, for instance, 0.005 to 0.5 mm2.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1031622 | Apr 2006 | NL | national |
| 1032082 | Jun 2006 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2007/050166 | 4/19/2007 | WO | 00 | 1/21/2009 |
