WO2007043861A1 - Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption - Google Patents

Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007043861A1
WO2007043861A1 PCT/NL2006/000494 NL2006000494W WO2007043861A1 WO 2007043861 A1 WO2007043861 A1 WO 2007043861A1 NL 2006000494 W NL2006000494 W NL 2006000494W WO 2007043861 A1 WO2007043861 A1 WO 2007043861A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
beverage
wall section
impact zone
jet
outlet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2006/000494
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Roland Waldemar Verbeek
Original Assignee
The Meccano Company Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Meccano Company Gmbh filed Critical The Meccano Company Gmbh
Publication of WO2007043861A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007043861A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/06—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor
    • A47J31/0657—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines
    • A47J31/0668—Filters or strainers for coffee or tea makers ; Holders therefor for brewing coffee under pressure, e.g. for espresso machines specially adapted for cartridges
    • A47J31/0678—Means to separate the cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber, e.g. grooves or protrusions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4496—Means to produce beverage with a layer on top, e.g. of cream, foam or froth

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • NL 1006039 describes a device for making coffee having a foam layer of fine bubbles.
  • coffee extract is supplied to a buffer dispensing chamber.
  • air is mixed in with the coffee extract, resulting in a foam of fine bubbles.
  • the beverage As the impact zone is delimited by a first, substantially level wall section and a second wall section which is upright relative to the first wall section and which adjoins the first wall section, the beverage accumulates in the impact zone during use.
  • the volume of the accumulation is significantly smaller than the volume of the buffer dispensing chamber of the known device, but, in practice, it was found that the level of the liquid is still sufficiently high to realize the desired effect of the formation of a foam of fine bubbles upon impact of the jet on the accumulation.
  • the accumulation of the beverage in the impact zone results from the fact that, due to the arrangement of the wall sections with respect to one another, the beverage cannot escape directly from the impact zone .
  • the outlet discharges the beverage with the foam layer gradually from the impact zone in such a manner that the accumulation in the impact zone remains small.
  • the accumulation is of only a small volume compared to the volume of the known buffer dispensing chamber, discharging the beverage and the foam of fine bubbles from the device will take place more quickly than with the known device and the outlet will drip less.
  • the first direction of the jet nozzle encloses an angle with at least one wall section which is so sharp that beverage from the free jet bounces off that wall section in the direction of the other wall section. As the jet bounces from the one wall section to the other wall section, it is more difficult for the beverage to escape from the impact zone.
  • the device was found to function well if the jet nozzle ensures that the free jet of beverage has a horizontal directional component. This leads to an effective arrangement of the jet nozzle, first and second wall section and outlet with respect to one another.
  • the outlet is positioned in such a manner relative to the impact zone that, during use, the flow of beverage between the impact zone and the outlet has a horizontal directional component which is directed opposite to the horizontal component of the first direction of the jet nozzle. In this manner, a good turbulence is achieved in the beverage in the impact zone.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a guard means which is arranged above the impact zone and which catches splashes from the impact zone, so that soiling of the device is limited.
  • Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an application of a device according to the invention in an apparatus for making coffee with a foam layer of fine bubbles.
  • Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention.
  • a beverage 2 is present in a dispensing chamber 1.
  • a jet nozzle 5 is in communication with the dispensing chamber 1.
  • the jet nozzle 5 is designed to deliver a directed jet 6 of beverage 2, which beverage 2 is to this end withdrawn from the dispensing chamber 1.
  • the jet 6 is a free jet, which means that the beverage in the jet 6 flows freely through the space under the effect of a pressure and does not, for example, run through a tube.
  • the device according to the invention furthermore comprises a collecting means 4 for collecting the jet 6.
  • This collecting means 4 has an impact zone 7.
  • the jet nozzle 5 is directed at this impact zone 7, as a result of which a jet 6 delivered by the jet nozzle 5 hits the collecting means 4 in the impact zone 7.
  • the impact zone 7 is delimited by a first, horizontal wall section 8 which adjoins a second wall section 9 which is upright relative to the first wall section.
  • the jet 6 As the jet 6 is directed at an impact zone 1, the jet 6 hits the accumulation 15 of beverage. As a result, air is mixed in with the beverage, so that a foam of fine bubbles is produced.
  • the jet nozzle 5 is directed such that it delivers a jet 6 which encloses an angle with at least one wall section 8, 9 which is so sharp that beverage from the free jet bounces off that wall section 8, 9 in the direction of the other wall section 9, 8.
  • the jet 6 bounces from the one wall section 8, 9 to the other wall section 9, 8, it is more difficult for the beverage to escape from the impact zone 7, resulting in an effective accumulation of beverage in the impact zone.
  • the direction of the jet 6, which direction is the result of the direction of the jet nozzle 5, has a horizontal component.
  • the direction of the flow 11 of beverage also has a horizontal component, the direction of which is, however, opposite to the horizontal directional component of the jet 6.
  • Fig. 2 shows an application of a device according to the invention in an apparatus for making a coffee product having a foam layer of fine bubbles.
  • the apparatus according to Fig. 2 comprises a pad holder 20, in which a pad 21 can be arranged.
  • the apparatus also comprises a lid 26.
  • the lid 26 In the operating state of the apparatus, the lid 26 is placed over the pad holder 20, so that the pad 21 is in a substantially closed chamber. In this example, the pad 21 is filled with coffee.
  • the pad rests on a pad support 23.
  • the apparatus furthermore comprises a water supply 22, for supplying hot water to the chamber in which the pad 21 is located.
  • the water supply is provided in the lid 26.
  • the water which flows through the pad 21, extracts at least a part of the coffee in the pad 21, resulting in a coffee extract.
  • This coffee extract is guided to a dispensing chamber 27 via the pad support 23.
  • the pad support 23 comprises a plurality of protrusions on which the pad rests.
  • a jet nozzle 5 directs a jet of coffee extract onto the impact zone 7 of the collecting means 4.
  • the impact zone 7 comprises a first, horizontal wall section 8.
  • This first wall section 8 adjoins a second wall section 9 which is upright relative to the first wall section. This results in an accumulation of coffee extract in the zone where the wall sections 8, 9 adjoin one another. Because the jet 6 hits the accumulation 15 of coffee extract, air is mixed in with the coffee extract which creates a foam.
  • the coffee extract and the foam which has been created flow away from the impact zone 7 via the outlet 10.
  • a mug or cup 25 can be placed in order to receive the coffee extract and the foam.
  • the coffee extract runs off from the impact zone at an angle of between 2 and 15°.
  • a guard means 24 is fitted above the impact zone 7. This guard means 24 catches splashes which may result from the impact of the jet 6 on the impact zone 7 and the accumulation 15. This reduces the amount of interior soiling of the apparatus.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption. The device according to the invention comprises: - a directional jet nozzle (5) for dispensing a free jet (6) of the beverage in a first direction, - a collecting means (4) for collecting the jet of beverage, which collecting means has an impact zone (7) at which the jet nozzle (5) is directed, and which collecting means (4) also has an outlet (10) for discharging a beverage and foam from the impact zone (7). The device according to the invention is characterized in that the impact zone (7) is delimited by a first, substantially level wall section (8) and a second wall section (9) which is upright relative to the first wall section (8) and which adjoins the first wall section (8), in such a manner that the beverage accumulates in the impact zone (7) during use.

Description

Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption
The invention relates to a device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption according to the preamble of claim 1.
NL 1006039 describes a device for making coffee having a foam layer of fine bubbles. In this apparatus, coffee extract is supplied to a buffer dispensing chamber. As a result of a jet of coffee extract impacting on the surface of the liquid coffee extract inside the buffer dispensing chamber, air is mixed in with the coffee extract, resulting in a foam of fine bubbles.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption.
This object is achieved with a device according to claim 1.
As the impact zone is delimited by a first, substantially level wall section and a second wall section which is upright relative to the first wall section and which adjoins the first wall section, the beverage accumulates in the impact zone during use.
The volume of the accumulation is significantly smaller than the volume of the buffer dispensing chamber of the known device, but, in practice, it was found that the level of the liquid is still sufficiently high to realize the desired effect of the formation of a foam of fine bubbles upon impact of the jet on the accumulation.
The accumulation of the beverage in the impact zone results from the fact that, due to the arrangement of the wall sections with respect to one another, the beverage cannot escape directly from the impact zone . The outlet discharges the beverage with the foam layer gradually from the impact zone in such a manner that the accumulation in the impact zone remains small. As the accumulation is of only a small volume compared to the volume of the known buffer dispensing chamber, discharging the beverage and the foam of fine bubbles from the device will take place more quickly than with the known device and the outlet will drip less.
It is advantageous if the first direction of the jet nozzle encloses an angle with at least one wall section which is so sharp that beverage from the free jet bounces off that wall section in the direction of the other wall section. As the jet bounces from the one wall section to the other wall section, it is more difficult for the beverage to escape from the impact zone.
In practice, the device was found to function well if the jet nozzle ensures that the free jet of beverage has a horizontal directional component. This leads to an effective arrangement of the jet nozzle, first and second wall section and outlet with respect to one another.
It is also advantageous if the outlet is positioned in such a manner relative to the impact zone that, during use, the flow of beverage between the impact zone and the outlet has a horizontal directional component which is directed opposite to the horizontal component of the first direction of the jet nozzle. In this manner, a good turbulence is achieved in the beverage in the impact zone.
In an advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a guard means which is arranged above the impact zone and which catches splashes from the impact zone, so that soiling of the device is limited.
The device according to the invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the attached drawing, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a non-limiting manner, and in which:
Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an application of a device according to the invention in an apparatus for making coffee with a foam layer of fine bubbles.
Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a device according to the invention.
A beverage 2 is present in a dispensing chamber 1. A jet nozzle 5 is in communication with the dispensing chamber 1. The jet nozzle 5 is designed to deliver a directed jet 6 of beverage 2, which beverage 2 is to this end withdrawn from the dispensing chamber 1.
The jet 6 is a free jet, which means that the beverage in the jet 6 flows freely through the space under the effect of a pressure and does not, for example, run through a tube.
The device according to the invention furthermore comprises a collecting means 4 for collecting the jet 6. This collecting means 4 has an impact zone 7. The jet nozzle 5 is directed at this impact zone 7, as a result of which a jet 6 delivered by the jet nozzle 5 hits the collecting means 4 in the impact zone 7.
The impact zone 7 is delimited by a first, horizontal wall section 8 which adjoins a second wall section 9 which is upright relative to the first wall section. As a result, beverage accumulates in the region where the wall sections 8, 9 adjoin one another.
As the jet 6 is directed at an impact zone 1, the jet 6 hits the accumulation 15 of beverage. As a result, air is mixed in with the beverage, so that a foam of fine bubbles is produced.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, the jet nozzle 5 is directed such that it delivers a jet 6 which encloses an angle with at least one wall section 8, 9 which is so sharp that beverage from the free jet bounces off that wall section 8, 9 in the direction of the other wall section 9, 8. As the jet 6 bounces from the one wall section 8, 9 to the other wall section 9, 8, it is more difficult for the beverage to escape from the impact zone 7, resulting in an effective accumulation of beverage in the impact zone. For effective operation of the device, it is not necessary for the jet 6 to hit the impact zone exactly at the junction between the first and the second wall section. It is sufficient if the distance between the spot where the jet 6 hits the impact zone 7 first and the junction between the two wall sections 8, 9 is such that the beverage 2 from the jet cannot escape directly from the impact zone 7.
In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the direction of the jet 6, which direction is the result of the direction of the jet nozzle 5, has a horizontal component. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the direction of the flow 11 of beverage also has a horizontal component, the direction of which is, however, opposite to the horizontal directional component of the jet 6.
The result of this configuration is that the beverage 2 has to change direction in the impact zone 7. Consequently, the residence time in the impact zone 7 is relatively long and the stream becomes more turbulent in the impact zone 7, as a result of which more air is mixed in with the beverage 2 and the resulting foam is of a better quality.
Fig. 2 shows an application of a device according to the invention in an apparatus for making a coffee product having a foam layer of fine bubbles.
The apparatus according to Fig. 2 comprises a pad holder 20, in which a pad 21 can be arranged. The apparatus also comprises a lid 26. In the operating state of the apparatus, the lid 26 is placed over the pad holder 20, so that the pad 21 is in a substantially closed chamber. In this example, the pad 21 is filled with coffee. The pad rests on a pad support 23.
The apparatus furthermore comprises a water supply 22, for supplying hot water to the chamber in which the pad 21 is located. In the example of Fig. 2, the water supply is provided in the lid 26. The water, which flows through the pad 21, extracts at least a part of the coffee in the pad 21, resulting in a coffee extract. This coffee extract is guided to a dispensing chamber 27 via the pad support 23. In the example of Fig. 2, the pad support 23 comprises a plurality of protrusions on which the pad rests.
A jet nozzle 5 directs a jet of coffee extract onto the impact zone 7 of the collecting means 4. Just as in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, the impact zone 7 comprises a first, horizontal wall section 8. This first wall section 8 adjoins a second wall section 9 which is upright relative to the first wall section. This results in an accumulation of coffee extract in the zone where the wall sections 8, 9 adjoin one another. Because the jet 6 hits the accumulation 15 of coffee extract, air is mixed in with the coffee extract which creates a foam.
The coffee extract and the foam which has been created flow away from the impact zone 7 via the outlet 10. Under the outlet 10, a mug or cup 25 can be placed in order to receive the coffee extract and the foam. Preferably, the coffee extract runs off from the impact zone at an angle of between 2 and 15°.
In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, a guard means 24 is fitted above the impact zone 7. This guard means 24 catches splashes which may result from the impact of the jet 6 on the impact zone 7 and the accumulation 15. This reduces the amount of interior soiling of the apparatus.

Claims

1. Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption, which device comprises: a directional jet nozzle for dispensing a free jet of the beverage in a first direction, a collecting means for collecting the jet of beverage, which collecting means has an impact zone at which the jet nozzle is directed, and which collecting means also has an outlet for discharging a beverage and foam from the impact zone, characterized in that the impact zone is delimited by a first, substantially level wall section and a second wall section which is upright relative to the first wall section and which adjoins the first wall section, in such a manner that the beverage accumulates in the impact zone during use .
2. Device according to claim 1, in which the first direction of the jet nozzle has a horizontal component .
3. Device according to claim 2, in which the outlet is positioned in such a manner relative to the impact zone that, during use, the flow of beverage between the impact zone and the outlet has a horizontal directional component which is directed opposite to the horizontal component of the first direction of the jet nozzle.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first direction of the jet nozzle encloses an angle with at least one wall section which is so sharp that beverage from the free jet bounces off that wall section in the direction of the other wall section.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the horizontal wall section adjoins the bottom edge of the upright wall section.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the outlet is situated below the level of the impact zone.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upright wall section extends substantially in the vertical direction.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the substantially level wall section extends substantially in the horizontal direction.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device also comprises a guard means which is arranged above the impact zone.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a collecting means can be placed under the outlet.
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device also comprises: a pad holder for accommodating a pad containing an at least partially extractable solid, a water supply for supplying water to the pad holder, - a pad support for supporting the pad and passing the beverage from the pad holder to a dispensing chamber.
12. Apparatus for making a coffee product having a foam layer of fine bubbles, which apparatus is provided with a device according to one of the preceding claims.
PCT/NL2006/000494 2005-10-11 2006-10-06 Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption WO2007043861A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1030167A NL1030167C1 (en) 2005-10-11 2005-10-11 Device for obtaining a fine-bubble froth layer on a beverage suitable for human consumption.
NL1030167 2005-10-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007043861A1 true WO2007043861A1 (en) 2007-04-19

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PCT/NL2006/000494 WO2007043861A1 (en) 2005-10-11 2006-10-06 Device for producing a foam layer of fine bubbles on a beverage which is suitable for human consumption

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WO (1) WO2007043861A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009008700A1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 Meccano Asia Ltd. Device and method for the preparation of a frothy liquid for human consumption
US20100159109A1 (en) * 2007-04-24 2010-06-24 N.V. Nutricia Device and a method for preparing a ready to use liquid product
WO2018233240A1 (en) * 2017-06-19 2018-12-27 广东百晟图电器实业有限公司 Capsule coffee machine

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0904718A1 (en) * 1997-09-30 1999-03-31 Sara Lee/DE N.V. Apparatus for preparing coffee
WO2002091889A2 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-21 De' Longhi S.P.A. Filtering-holding cup for a coffee machine and procedure for producing a drink of coffee

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0904718A1 (en) * 1997-09-30 1999-03-31 Sara Lee/DE N.V. Apparatus for preparing coffee
WO2002091889A2 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-21 De' Longhi S.P.A. Filtering-holding cup for a coffee machine and procedure for producing a drink of coffee

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100159109A1 (en) * 2007-04-24 2010-06-24 N.V. Nutricia Device and a method for preparing a ready to use liquid product
RU2525792C2 (en) * 2007-04-24 2014-08-20 Н.В. Нутрисия Device and method for manufacture of liquid product ready for consumption
AU2008241622B2 (en) * 2007-04-24 2014-12-11 N.V. Nutricia A device and a method for preparing a ready to use liquid product
WO2009008700A1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 Meccano Asia Ltd. Device and method for the preparation of a frothy liquid for human consumption
US8607693B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2013-12-17 Jet Liquids Gmbh Device and method for the preparation of a frothy liquid for human consumption
WO2018233240A1 (en) * 2017-06-19 2018-12-27 广东百晟图电器实业有限公司 Capsule coffee machine

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