WO2007068286A1

WO2007068286A1 - Apparatus for preparing substances and container for use therein

Info

Publication number: WO2007068286A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/056828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sander Jeroen Sinot
Original assignee: Vital Products B.V. I.O.
Priority date: 2005-12-15
Filing date: 2005-12-15
Publication date: 2007-06-21

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing substances by mixing components comprises at least one container (17) for a component and a mixing chamber (8) for mixing the components, which mixing chamber (8) comprises component inlets (14) and a substance outlet, wherein between a container outlet (21) for a component and the corresponding component inlet (14) of the mixing chamber a pump means is provided for pumping the component from the container (17) into the mixing chamber (8), which pump means comprises a pump chamber (9, 10) with a displaceable pump member (11) for varying the volume of the pump chamber (9, 10). At least one boundary wall of the pump chamber is defined by a cooperating part of the container (17) comprising the container outlet (21), wherein the container (17) is removably connected to said pump means. A specific field of use is the preparation of beverages.

Description

Apparatus for preparing substances and container for use therein

Firstly the invention relates to an apparatus for preparing substances by mixing components, comprising at least one container for a component and a mixing chamber for mixing the components, which mixing chamber comprises compo- nent inlets and a substance outlet, wherein between a container outlet for a component and the corresponding component inlet of the mixing chamber a pump means is provided for pumping the component from the container into the mixing chamber, which pump means comprises a pump chamber with a displaceable pump member for varying the volume of the pump chamber.

Apparatus of this type are known in many types, for example for preparing and dispensing several types of beverages, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. But such an apparatus also may be used to prepare chemical substances (for example paint) or medicinal substances (for example in- suline) . Although in some apparatus the mixing chamber is fysically present as a part of the apparatus, in some apparatus the mixing chamber only is present fictively as the cup in which the substance is presented. Irrespective the type of apparatus it often is a disadvantage, that the pump means, and especially the pump chamber thereof, gets polluted by the extract. However, it is extremely difficult to reach such a pump chamber for cleaning it . It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus of the type referred to above.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention the apparatus is characterised in that at least one boundary wall of the pump chamber is defined by a cooperating part of the container comprising the container outlet and wherein the container is removably connected to said pump means. Because the cooperating part comprises the container outlet and said cooperating part defines a boundary- wall of the pump chamber, not only a direct connection between the container outlet and the pump means is created, but also the pump chamber becomes readily accessible when the container is removed from the pump means. Removing the container from the pump means results in removing a boundary wall of the pump chamber, thus exposing the pump chamber thereof, such that cleaning the pump chamber (and, if needed any parts positioned therein, such as for example the pumping member) becomes very easy. Because the container is removably connected to the pump means, it further is very easy to replace the container by a different one, for example a container containing a different extract. When such a re- placement of the container occurs, assuring that the pump chamber is properly cleansed before again using the apparatus becomes extremely important. However, replacing the container will automatically lead to a situation, in which the pump chamber is temporarily exposed. Thus, an apparatus is obtained in which the containers are replaceable, and wherein such a replacement automatically leads to an improved possibility for cleaning the pump chamber.

Preferably the apparatus is of the type for preparing beverages by mixing an extract with a diluent, com- prising at least one container for the extract and a mixing chamber for mixing the extract and diluent, which mixing chamber comprises an extract inlet, a diluent inlet and a beverage outlet, wherein between the container outlet for the extract and the extract inlet the pump means is provided for pumping the extract from the container into the mixing chamber.

It is noted, that within the context of the present invention the term "extract" is used for any substance which may be used for preparing a beverage when mixed with a diluent (said diluent, for example, could comprise water) . In most cases such an extract or substance will comprise a liquid, but it is noted that any substance or fluid could be used which is capable of being pumped from the container towards the mixing chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the pump means is a membrane pump. Such a membrane pump is extremely fit for use in an apparatus of the type to which the invention refers. Such a membrane pump comprises a movable or deformable membrane which defines the displaceable pump member of the pump means. Generally, such membrane is mounted in a pump housing of which at least one of the boundary walls is defined by said cooperating part of the container.

Preferably, said cooperating part of the container is positioned oppositely to the membrane of the membrane pump. Such a positioning of the cooperating part, which is removed when the container is removed from the pump means, leads to an optimisation of the accessibility of the pump chamber when the container is removed. Further it is preferred, that the container outlet comprises a one-way valve positioned in said cooperating part of the container, which one-way valve is preloaded towards a closed position and mounted to be opened when the pump member is moved for increasing the volume of the pump chamber to draw the component or extract from the container into the pump chamber.

The provision of such a one-way valve assures that the component or extract within the container is safely contained within the container when the apparatus is inopera- tive, or when the respective container is removed from the pump means. Only when the container is connected to the pump means in an appropriate manner, that means when said cooperating part of the container is positioned in such a manner that it defines said boundary wall of the pump chamber, an operation of the pump means will lead to a movement of the one-way valve towards its open position, in which the component or extract is drawn from the container into the pump chamber.

For next moving the component or extract towards the mixing chamber appropriate mans could be provided, for example another one-way valve positioned at an outlet of the pump chamber connecting the pump chamber to the mixing chamber.

In another preferred embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the pump chamber is defined in a housing provided with housing coupling members cooperating with corresponding container coupling members for removably connecting the container to the housing. Said housing, which generally will define part of the pump housing, therefore is used for establishing the connection between the container and the pump means .

Although the housing coupling members and corresponding container coupling members could come in many shapes, in a preferred embodiment the cooperating coupling members comprise grooves and projections. For example, the housing could comprise two spaced, longitudinally extending parallel projections, whereas said cooperating part of the container then is provided with two corresponding, longitudinally extending grooves for receiving said projections. Mounting and removing the container then will be assured by sliding the projections to and fro in the corresponding grooves. Of course, appropriate locking means also could be provided for assuring that the container remains in its appropriate position, also when the apparatus is influenced by shocks or vibrations, for example when the apparatus is carried from one place to another.

In a handy embodiment, the container coupling members are part of said cooperating container part. However, it also would be possible to provide another part of the container with such container coupling members. As stated before, the pump means comprises a dis- placeable pump member, for example a membrane. In an effective embodiment, the displaceable pump member is activated by an electromagnet positioned in a sealed compartment, wherein the pump means is releasable from said compartment.

Such an electromagnet does not need a physical connection with the displaceable pump member, such that it becomes possible to position the electromagnet (and its activating parts, such as electric connections) in a sealed compartment. Further, because such a physical connection is not needed, the pump means easily can be released from such a compartment, such that, basically, the respective section of the apparatus comprises three main parts : the container with said cooperating part thereof, the pump means (gener- ally in combination with the pump housing) and the electromagnet positioned in its sealed compartment .

For obtaining a very effective operation of the apparatus, it further is preferred that at least one of the component inlets of the mixing chamber is oriented substan- tially tangentially relative to the mixing chamber. Such a tangential orientation of said inlet leads to a swirl-like current of the mixing chamber, providing an optimal mixing effect of the components.

The mixing effect still further can be improved, when the substance outlet of the mixing chamber is oriented substantially radially relative to the mixing chamber.

Although an apparatus in accordance with the present invention could be used for preparing only one substance, its field of application is dramatically increased when, in accordance with yet another embodiment thereof, it comprises a number of containers and selection means for selectively operating the pumping means belonging to specific ones of the containers.

Each of said containers will comprise a different component or extract. Activating a selection means (for ex- ample push button) will lead to a flow of a specific component or extract to the mixing chamber. Activation of different selection means will lead to the flow of different components or extracts to the mixing chamber (it is also possi- ble, that the activation of a selection means will lead to a simultaneous flow of more than one component or extract from more than one container to the mixing chamber) .

It is possible, that the apparatus comprises connecting means for connecting the diluent inlet of the mixing chamber to the standard water supply system, such that tap water may be used for preparing a beverage. However, it also is possible, that the apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a container for the diluent connected to the diluent inlet of the mixing chamber. Such an embodiment of the apparatus also may be used at locations where no connection to the standard water supply system is available .

When the apparatus, as stated before, comprises a container for the diluent, in accordance with a preferred embodiment such a diluent container can be replaceable.

The invention secondly relates to a container presenting all the features of the container disclosed herein and being thus constructed and evidently intended for use in the apparatus according the present invention. That means, that such a container at least comprises a part which, when the container is integrated in the apparatus (i.e. connected to the pump means) defines a boundary wall of the pump chamber. In a preferred embodiment, such a container comprises a cooling member, such as for example a Peltier-member.

The invention also relates to such a container, containing a component, such as for example an extract.

Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawing, in which an embodiment of an appa- ratus in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Herein: figure 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus in a frontal view; figure 2 shows the apparatus of figure 1 in a side elevational view; figure 3 shows, schematically, an interior part of the apparatus in a top plan view; figure 4 shows, again schematically, a section ac- cording to IV-IV in figure 3; figures 5-7 show the operation of a pump means, and figure 8 shows, schematically, an exploded view of part of the apparatus . In figure 1 an apparatus for preparing a beverage according to the invention is illustrated comprising a housing 1, a display 2 and an array of selection means, for example push buttons 3. At the top of the housing 1 a beverage outflow 4 is illustrated. As figure 2 shows clearly, the beverage outflow 4 has a curved shape, such that a cup or a like can be positioned therebelow, for example on top of the housing 1, for receiving a beverage prepared within the apparatus following pushing a push button 3.

Parts of the housing 1 may be removable for ac- cessing inner parts of the apparatus and for replacing containers, to be described hereinafter.

Now reference is made to figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows, schematically, a top plan view of some inner parts of the apparatus according to figures 1 and 2, whereas figure 4 shows, again schematically, a cross-section substantially according to line IV-IV in figure 3. A top plate 5, central plate 6 and lower plate 7 together define a centrally positioned mixing chamber 8 and four different pump chambers (only two of which are represented in figure 4) defined by a lower pump chamber section 9 and an upper pump chamber sec- tion 10 (best illustrated in figure 6) separated by a flexible membrane 11. Each flexible membrane 11 has connected thereto a plunger 12 extending into a plunger chamber 13. The upper pump chamber sections 10 are connected to the mix- ing chamber 8 by means of extract inlets 14, in each of which a one-way valve 15 is positioned.

The top plate 5 defines four pairs of parallel longitudinally extending projections 16 (see also figure 7) which start from a respective edge of the top plate 5 and extend until above the respective pump chambers 9, 10.

Above each pump chamber 9, 10 a container 17 can be positioned. Each container 17 is meant for containing an extract 18 (for example a concentrated liquid of fruit juice) and comprises a cover 19. In said cover 19 two grooves 20 are defined (see figure 7) which can cooperate with the projections 16 of the top plate 5. This means, that a container 17 can be slid from an edge of the top plate 5 into the recesses defined by the projections 16 towards a position, in which it is located above a pump chamber 9, 10. In such a position, the cover 19 defines the upper wall of the upper pump chamber section 10. This is best illustrated in figure 6.

Each cover 19 comprises a container outlet 21 connecting the interior of the container 17 with the upper pump chamber section 10. In each container outlet 21 a one-way valve 22 is positioned.

Again referring to figure 3, one can see that a diluent inlet 23 is provided for supplying a diluent (for example water) to the mixing chamber 8. As illustrated, said diluent inlet is oriented substantially tangentially relative to the mixing chamber 8, such that a swirling or rotating diluent flow is created in the mixing chamber, enhancing the mixing between the diluent and the extract supplied through the extract inlets 14. A beverage outlet 24 also is connected to the mixing chamber 8 and is oriented radially. The beverage outlet 24 will connect to the beverage outflow 4 illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The diluent inlet 23 can connect to the standard water supply system, but it is also possible that a separate container 24 (schematically indi- cated by a chain dotted line 24 in figure 3) is provided which supplies the diluent.

Referring to figures 5-7 it can be seen clearly that an electromagnet 25 is provided surrounding the plunger chamber 13 and plunger 12. The electromagnet 25 is sur- rounded by a screen 26 sealing the electromagnet 25 (and any parts belonging thereto, for example electrical connections) from the surroundings .

The upper plate 5, central plate 6, lower plate 7 and screen 26 may be connected to the housing 1 of the appa- ratus in any appropriate manner. Specifically, the connection between the screen 26 and the housing 1 should be such, that the electromagnets 25 are effectively sealed.

Figure 8 illustrates, that the inner parts of the apparatus basically define three sub assemblies, which can be separated from each other. A first sub assembly comprises the combination of container 17 with cover 19. The cover 19, of course, is provided with the container outlet 21 and oneway valve 22 positioned therein (not shown in figure 8) .

A second sub assembly basically comprises the up- per plate 5, central plate 6, lower plate 7 and membrane 11 with plunger 12 positioned therein.

Arrows 27 schematically indicate the manner, in which the containers 17 (first sub assembly) can be assembled with such a second sub assembly. A third sub assembly is defined by the screen 26 and electromagnets 25 (which sub assembly, possibly, is fixed within the housing 1 of the apparatus) .

The manner in which the second sub assembly may be combined with the third sub assembly is schematically indi- cated by arrow 28 in figure 8. Before use, appropriate containers 17 containing the desired extracts are positioned above the respective pump chambers 9, 10. A desired one of the push buttons 3 is pushed (or, alternatively, a push button of a remote control is activated) and a corresponding pump means will be activated. This process has been illustrated in figure 5-7. These figures show a specific container 17 which will be operated by activation of the selected push button. In figure 5 the membrane 11 is in its rest position, and one-way valve 22 closes the container outlet 21. Activation of the push button 3 will activate the corresponding electromagnet 25, generating a magnetic field moving the plunger 12 downwardly into the plunger chamber 13, and thus moving the membrane 11 downwardly. As a result the volume of the upper pump chamber section 10 is increased, as illustrated in figure 6, which will create a pressure difference across the one-way valve 21 which will move to its open position, thus allowing a flow of the extract 18 into the upper pump chamber section 10. One-way valve 15 remains closed during this stage of the operation of the apparatus.

Next, when the electro magnet 25 is deactivated, the plunger 12 will move upwardly (by means of the resiliency of the membrane 11 alone, or aided by spring means not illustrated) such that the volume of the upper pump chamber section 10 is decreased, while closing the one-way valve 22. Simultaneously, one-way valve 15 is opened and the extract is released into the mixing chamber 8.

This process may be repeated until the desired amount of extract has been filled into the mixing chamber 8. Then, or simultaneously, diluent is supplied to the mixing chamber 8 through the diluent inlet 23, and a mixing of the components occurs in the mixing chamber, generating the desired beverage. The beverage then will enter the beverage outlet and outflow components 24 and 4 for filling a cup or a like. When a container 17 has to be removed (for example, when it is empty or when it has to be replaced by a container 17 with a different extract) it can be simply slid out of the upper plate 5 through the cooperation of the pro- jections 16 and grooves 20. When the container 17 has been removed, the upper wall of the upper pump chamber section 10, as defined by cover 19 of the container 17, has been removed, such that said upper pump chamber section 10 is exposed. As a result, said upper pump chamber section 10 is readily accessible for cleaning purposes.

It has not been illustrated in the figures that a container can comprise a cooling element, for example a Peltier-member. Further is has not been illustrated that means could be provided to supply air (for example pressur- ised air) to any part of the apparatus for enhancing the cleaning effect.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described before, which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preparing substances by mixing components, comprising at least one container for a component and a mixing chamber for mixing the components, which mixing chamber comprises component inlets and a substance outlet, wherein between a container outlet for a component and the corresponding component inlet of the mixing chamber a pump means is provided for pumping the component from the container into the mixing chamber, which pump means comprises a pump chamber with a displaceable pump member for varying the volume of the pump chamber, characterized in that at least one boundary wall of the pump chamber is defined by a cooperating part of the container comprising the container outlet and wherein the container is removably connected to said pump means .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, for preparing beverages by mixing an extract with a diluent, comprising at least one container for the extract and a mixing chamber for mixing the extract and diluent, which mixing chamber comprises an extract inlet, a diluent inlet and a beverage out- let, wherein between the container outlet for the extract and the extract inlet the pump means is provided for pumping the extract from the container into the mixing chamber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the pump means is a membrane pump.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cooperating part of the container is positioned oppositely to the membrane of the membrane pump .

5. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the container outlet comprises a one-way valve positioned in said cooperating part of the container, which one-way valve is preloaded towards a closed position and mounted to be opened when the pump member is moved for increasing the volume of the pump chamber to draw the component from the container into the pump chamber.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the pump chamber is defined in a housing provided with housing coupling members cooperating with corresponding container coupling members for removably connecting the container to the housing.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cooperating coupling members comprise grooves and projections.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the container coupling members are part of said cooperating container part .

9. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the displaceable pump member is activated by an electromagnet positioned in a sealed compartment, and wherein the pump means is releasable from said compartment .

10. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the component inlets of the mixing chamber is oriented substantially tangentially rela- tive to the mixing chamber.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the substance outlet of the mixing chamber is oriented substantially radially relative to the mixing chamber .

12. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a number of containers and selection means for selectively operating the pumping means belonging to specific ones of the containers.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least part of the selection means are remote-controlled.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein air blowing means are provided for blowing air through selected parts of the apparatus.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims in combination with claim 2, comprising connection means for connecting the diluent inlet of the mixing chamber to the standard water supply system.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 1-14 in combination with claim 2, comprising a container for the diluent connected to the diluent inlet of the mixing chamber.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the diluent container is replaceable.

18. Container presenting all the features of the container disclosed in any one of the previous claims and being thus constructed and evidently intended for use in the apparatus according any one of the previous claims.

19. Container according to claim 18, comprising a cooling member, such as for example a Peltier-member.

20. Container according to claim 18 or 19, containing a component, such as for example an extract.