WO2006066624A1

WO2006066624A1 - Apparatus for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2006066624A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/053645
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Hendrikus Simon Weijers
Original assignee: Martex Holland B.V.; Electrical & Electronics Ltd.; Coval Art Tec Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-21
Filing date: 2004-12-21
Publication date: 2006-06-29

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2), preferably with a froth layer (4), comprising a holder (14) with an access opening (A) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member (12) for closing said access opening. The apparatus comprises closing means (20) for substantially closing said access opening. The closing means is adapted to move said holder and said cover member with respect to each other substantially by translation (T) from a non-closed position to a closed position for said access opening. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a beverage.

Description

Apparatus for preparing a beverage

The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption, such as coffee , tea, chocolate and cappuccino . More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage, preferably with a froth layer, comprising a holder with an access opening adapted to receive a container with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member for closing said access opening.

WO 2004/028318 discloses an apparatus for preparing coffee, comprising a first housing part in which a holder is mounted and a second housing part in which a cover is mounted. The holder is provided with an access opening for placing a pouch filled with a product to be extracted into the holder. The second housing part is adj acent one end connected to the first housing part for rotation about a rotation axis between a first position, in which the access opening is closed off by the cover and a second position in which the access opening of the holder is cleared. The apparatus has clamping means for pressing the holder and cover towards each other when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder and closing means for retaining the cover and the clamping means in position when the cover closes off the access opening of the holder .

A disadvantage of the prior art apparatus is that while closing the access opening by the cover, a sliding force on the interface between the holder and the cover exists . This sliding force may result in a displacement of the container with a soluble or extractable product provided in the holder. Alternatively or in addition a shear stresses may develop on the interface between the holder and the cover when closing the access opening. The effects result in a degraded performance of the prior art apparatus, e .g. leakage of the brewing chamber.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for preparing a beverage with a reduced or eliminated chance of degraded performance, e .g. leakage . This obj ect is accomplished by an apparatus for preparing a beverage, preferably with a froth layer, comprising a holder with an access opening adapted to receive a container with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member for closing said access opening, wherein said apparatus comprises closing means for substantially closing said access opening and wherein said closing means is adapted to move said holder and said cover member with respect to each other substantially by translation from a non-closed position to a closed position for said access opening .

In contrast to the prior art apparatus , that employs a closing mechanism based on a cover that approaches the holder by rotation, the apparatus according to the invention provides for a closing means that allows the cover member and the holder move with respect to each other substantially by translation. Accordingly displacement of the container and shear stresses exerted on the seal between the cover member and the holder are substantially omitted and chances of leakage are reduced. It should be appreciated that the opposite translation results in clearing the access opening of the holder which accordingly constitutes an aspect of the invention. Further, it should be appreciated that the motion by translation in the approach of the cover member and the holder may be preceded by another type of motion, such as rotation, since in that phase no interaction between the cover member and the holder takes place .

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claims 2 and 3 and 14 has the advantage that access to said holder, e .g. for placing or removing the container with soluble or extract- able product for preparing the beverage, is facilitated. Moreover, such an apparatus presents a larger freedom in positioning the various components of the apparatus . The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 4 has the advantage that the translation of the holder and the cover member with respect to each other runs smoothly.

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claims 5, 6 and 7 has the advantage that the apparatus is able to cope with the internal pressure in the brewing chamber, involving the volume available for the container with the soluble or extract- able product , during operation . The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 8 has the advantage that the load on the holder during operation, resulting from the internal pressure in the brewing chamber, can be effectively transferred via the clamping arms to a rigid part of the apparatus, e .g. the heating device, that holds the ro- tatable shafts or another part of the apparatus received in the recess .

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 9 allows the shafts to rotate with an equal angle in the opposite directions with respect to each other .

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 10 allows for a less expensive apparatus of less weight, compared to an apparatus wherein these parts are of metal .

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 11 allows the holder to be firmly held by the clamping arms , while the holder can be released from the clamping arms for the purpose of cleaning or replacing the container with soluble or extractable product . Moreover, this type of fixation of the holder allows release of the holder for further motion, e .g . as defined in claims 2 and 3. This may be particularly relevant to limit the translation between the closed and open position while still having a convenient apparatus to refill the holder .

The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 12 has the advantage that it allows brewing of the beverage only to start if the holder and the cover member are in a closed position.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage, preferably with a froth layer, with an apparatus comprising a holder with an access opening adapted to receive a container with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member for closing said access opening, comprising the step of moving said cover member and said holder with respect to each other substantially by translation from a non-closed position to a closed position for said access opening. The translation avoids or reduces the displacement of the container and the development of shear stresses on the seal between the cover member and the holder and therefore the chance of leakage . The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the attached drawings, which schematically show a preferred embodiment according to the invention. It will be understood that the invention is not in any way restricted to this specific and preferred embodiment .

In the drawings :

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig . 2 represents a three-dimensional image of the clo- sing means according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig . 3 represents a three-dimensional image of the closing means of Fig. 2 from a different perspective;

Fig . 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of the closing means of Figs . 2 and 3 combined with an arrange- ment to position the holder in the non-closed position;

Figs . 5A and 5B present detailed illustrations of the translation of the holder from the non-closed position to the closed position;

Figs . 6A and 6B present detailed illustrations of a clamping arm of the closing means of Figs . 2 and 3 and its operation, and

Fig. 7 illustrates the operation of the closing means in cooperation with a switch for detecting the closed position.

Fig . 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 1 for preparing a beverage 2 suitable for consumption in a cup 3 with a fine-bubble froth layer 4. The apparatus 1 is capable of producing beverages 2 , such as coffee, tea, chocolate or cappuccino, in a predetermined volume, typically one or two cups . The apparatus comprises a liquid inlet 5 , a water container 6 for fresh water for the preparation of the beverage 2 , a pump 7, a valve system 8 and a heating chamber 9 from which heated water is provided into a brew chamber 10. The brew chamber 10 involves the volume available for a container 11 with a filter, also referred to as pad, pod or pouch, pre-packed with a soluble or extractable product to obtain the brewed beverage 2 after the pressurized liquid has passed through the product . The brew chamber 10 has or is defined by a brew chamber lid or cover member 12 , a closing seal 13 attached to the cover member 12 and a holder 14 with an access opening A (see Figs . 2 and 3) for receiving the container 11. The cover member 12 may be a flexible cover member, such as a silicon piston, provided with a valve system, as described in more detail in the co-pending applica- tion ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed at the same date as the present application. This co- pending patent application is incorporated in the present application by reference with respect to the structure and function of the cover member 12. The holder 14 may have a first part 14A and a second part 14B (shown in Fig . I) ₁ e .g. an internal part

14A construed to suitably receive the container 11 and an external part 14B . The apparatus 1 has a frothing device 15 for providing the fine-bubble froth layer 4 for the beverage 2.

In operation, water from the water container 6 is fed to the pump 7 to inject the water under pressure via the valve system 8 into the heating chamber 9. The valve system 8 is the subject of a co-pending patent application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed on the same date as the present application and is herewith incorporated in this ap- plication by reference with respect to the structure and function of the valve system 8. The pressure from the pump for the liquid is in the range of 1.2 - 3 bar, preferably 1.4 - 2.5 bar. In the heating chamber 9 , the water is heated till it has a temperature just below the boiling point . Expansion water during heating may be guided through the valve system 8 back into the water container 6. Subsequently, the heated and pressurized water is provided via the inlet 5 into the brew chamber 10 where it passes through the container 11. As pre-packed containers 11 have a disc shape, with a diameter e .g. in the range from 44 to 62 mm, the internal pressure in the brewing chamber 10 should be counterbalanced by a closing force for the holder 14. This closing force may be as high as 1500 Newton. After passing through the container 11, the flow passes the frothing device 15 that adds the fine-bubble froth layer 4 to the beverage 2 in the cup 3. The frothing device 15 is the subject of a co-pending patent application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicant filed on the same date as the present application and is herewith incorporated in this application by reference with respect to the structure and function of the frothing device 15.

Figs . 2 and 3 represent three-dimensional images of the closing means 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The closing means 20 allows the holder 14 , shown without the container 11 , to move to the cover member 12 , substantially by- translation T, to close the access opening A. In other words , the holder 14 and the cover member 12 , here shown in the non- closed position wherein the access opening A is cleared, are al- lowed by the closing means 20 of the invention to move with respect to each other substantially in a direction along an imaginary straight line, i .e . here in a vertical direction, to close the access opening A, i . e . the closed position. In the embodiment shown, the holder 14 may move upward and downward with respect to the cover member 12. In the closed position, the holder 14 abuts against the heating device 9.

The heating device 9 , e .g . a boiler, comprises a water inlet 21 for supplying cold water from the water container 6 , an expansion fluid outlet 22 and terminals 23 for electrical heat- ing signals . The cover member 12 is rigidly fixated to the heating device 9, e .g. a boiler. The cover member allows the heated and pressurized water to' pass towards the container 11 as described in a co-pending patent application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicant filed on the same date as the present application that is herewith incorporated in this application by reference .

The closing means 20 comprises components adapted to rotate to perform the above-mentioned translation of the cover member 12 and the holder 14 with respect to each other. In the present embodiment , the boiler 9 is arranged as a load bearing component of the closing means 20 by supporting rotatable shafts 24 on the upper surface U of the cover member 12 , while the latter is itself rigidly fixated to the boiler 9. The interaction between the boiler 9 and the cover member 12 is further de- scribed in a co-pending application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed on the same date that is incorporated in the present application herewith by reference with respect to the structure and function of the attachment of the boiler 9 and cover member 12. The rotatable shafts 24 are each on one side rigidly connected to cranks 25. The cranks 25 each have a rotating connection with a clamping arm 26 adapted to snap fit with the holder 14. The clamping arms 26 comprise a re- cess 27 that will be described in further detail with reference to Figs . 6A and 6B . Moreover, the clamping arms comprise plates 28 to effectively clamp the holder 14 during the translation T . The external part 14B of the holder 14 is shaped to perform allow the plates 28 to abut to walls of the part 14B . The rotatable shafts 24 are further each fixated to gear wheel segments 29A, 29B arranged to interact with each other during the translation T. The gear wheel segments 29A, 29B each receive a clamping arm 26 as well such that the clamping arm 26 and gear wheel segments 29A, 29B may rotate with respect to each other. It should be appreciated that the gears wheel segments may as well be full gear wheels . The gear wheel segment 28A may be driven via a driving wheel 30.

Fig . 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of the closing means 20 of Figs . 2 and 3 combined with an ar- rangement 40 to position the holder 14 in the non-closed position. In the situation of Fig . 4, the holder 14 is in a loading position wherein the holder 14 is conveniently available to receive or remove a container 11. Afterwards , the holder 14 may return automatically to the non-closed position shown in Figs . 2 and 3 , preferably by translation Tl .

Finally, Figs . 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B and 7 illustrate several aspects of the operation of the closing means 20 of the apparatus 1 for preparing a beverage fit for consumption.

Fig. 5A illustrates the orientation of various compo- nents of the closing means 20 in the non-closed, position. Fig . 5B does the same for the closed position. For clarity purposes the cover member 12 , that abuts the holder 14 in the closed position to closed the access opening A, has not been drawn. The distance d achieved by the translation T of the holder 14 may e . g . amount to a range between 0 , 5 cm and 5 cm, such as 1 cm or 3 cm. For translating the holder 14 the driving wheel 30 is activated that causes the gear wheel segments 29A and 29B to interact which in turn initiates rotation of the rotatable shafts 24. The cranks 25 make the clamping arms 26 rotate around the shafts 24 at a certain distance from the axis of these shafts 24 such that the clamping arms are moved in a vertical direction resulting in translation of the holder 14. In the closed position of Fig. 5B the access opening is hermetically- closed along the edges of the cover member 12 assisted by the closing seal 13.

As clearly illustrated in Figs . 6A and 6B, this rotation, indicated by the arrow in Fig . 6A, and the shape of the clamping arms 26 (of which only one is shown in Figs . 6A and 6B) allows the recess 27 to receive the shaft 24 in the closed position of Fig . 5B. Consequently, forced exerted on the clamping arms 26 , e .g . resulting from the internal pressure in the brewing chamber 10 , are directed to the shafts 24 making, as these shafts are supported by the upper surface U of the cover member 12 that is rigidly fixated to the boiler 9 , the boiler 9 functioning as a load bearing component . In such an arrangement , the cranks 25 and gear wheel segments 29A, 29B are virtually unloaded allowing these parts to be made at least partially of plastic material . It should however be appreciated that other arrangements, wherein the clamping arms 26 or other components are arranged to slide and/or rotate and rests on a mating component are envisaged as well .

Fig . 7 schematically illustrates an electronic compo- nent 31 , e .g. a switch such as a microswitch, arranged to detect the closed position. In the embodiment displayed here, the switch 31 interacts with the gear wheel segment 29A, the orientation thereof being an indirect indication of the closed position. It should be appreciated that other types of detec- tion, both direct and indirect , for the respective position the holder 14 and the cover member 12 , fall under the scope of the present invention as well .

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2 comprising a holder (14) with an access opening (A) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member (12) for closing said access opening, wherein said apparatus comprises closing means (20) for substantially closing said access opening and wherein said closing means is adapted to move said holder and said cover member with respect to each other substantially by- translation (T) from a non-closed position to a closed position for said access opening .

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is further arranged to move said holder (14) , preferably automatically, between a loading position and said non- closed position in a direction different from the direction be- tween said non-closed position and said closed position.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2 , wherein said apparatus is arranged to move said holder (14) substantially by translation (Tl) between said loading position and said non- closed position.

4. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (20) comprises one or more components (25, 26; 26 , 29A; 26 , 29B) adapted to rotate with respect to each other during said translation.

5. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus further comprises a heating device (9) and said heating device is arranged as a load bearing component of said closing means (20) .

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5 , wherein said cover member (12) is rigidly fixated to said heating device (9) .

7. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said closing means (20) comprises one or more rotatable shafts (24) supported by a surface (U) of said cover member (12) .

8. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said closing means (20) comprises one or more rotatable shafts (24) and clamping arms (26) for holding said holder (14) and wherein at least one of said clamping arms comprises a recess (27) adapted to receive said shafts in said closed position.

9. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (20) comprises two gear wheel segments (29A, 29B) , each fixated to a rotatable shaft (24) , and arranged to interact with each other during said translation (T) .

10. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (20) further comprises one or more cranks (25) and/or gear wheel segments (29A, 29B) and wherein at least one of said cranks or gear wheel segments is at least partially of plastic material .

11. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (20) comprises clamping arms (26) and wherein said clamping arms and said holder (14) are shaped to allow a snap fit connection.

12. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus comprises detection means (31) , preferably a microswitch, for detecting said closed position.

13. A method for preparing a beverage , preferably with a froth layer (4) , with an apparatus comprising a holder (14) with an access opening (A) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage and a cover member (12 ) for closing said access opening, comprising the step of moving said cover member and said holder with respect to each other substantially by translation (T) from a non-closed position to a closed position for said access opening .

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein said method further comprises the step of moving said holder (14) , preferably automatically, from a loading position to said non- closed position, preferably substantially by translation (Tl) .