WO2007120038A1

WO2007120038A1 - Method, device and insert for making coffee with foamed milk

Info

Publication number: WO2007120038A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/000101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lambertus Jan Pezij
Original assignee: Nova Products B.V.
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: NL1031614C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for making coffee with foamed milk, such as cappuccino, comprising of providing a pressure chamber having on an underside a bottom provided with a number of passage openings (11) , arranging a quantity of milk product in the pressure chamber above the bottom, arranging a quantity of ground, roasted coffee in the pressure chamber above the milk product, supplying heated water under pressure to the pressure chamber on the side opposite the bottom and discharging on the other side of the passage openings (11) a mixture of coffee extract and milk product, wherein the cross-section of the passage openings (11) in the bottom is chosen such that the openings are substantially impermeable to pressureless milk product and act as restriction for the flow of mixture under pressure . The invention also relates to a coffee-making device, and an insert (10) with which the method can be applied with an existing coffee-making device.

Description

01

METHOD, DEVICE AND INSERT FOR MAKING COFFEE WITH FOAMED MILK

The invention relates to a method for making coffee with foamed milk, such as cappuccino.

It is known to make coffee with foamed milk by first making a coffee extract and subsequently adding equal parts of milk and foamed milk thereto. The ideal ratio of these ingredients is therefore 1/3 coffee extract, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foamed milk.

In coffee machines which use so-called coffee pads it is also known to make use of a coffee pad which incorporates a quantity of powdered coffee milk. Because such coffee-making machines are usually manufactured such that they provide the made coffee with a layer of foam, coffee with foamed milk is thus obtained.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for making coffee with foamed milk which results in a better product. According to the invention this is achieved with the measures as characterized in claim 1. The milk product is first added on the bottom, whereafter the ground, roasted coffee is added. A coffee extract is then formed from the roasted coffee by the heated water under pressure, and mixes with the milk product. When the milk product is added in liquid form, a part thereof will first already be pressed from the pressure chamber due to the pressure increase therein. Because the openings in the bottom act as a restriction for the flow of mixture under pressure, foam is formed due to the pressure drop during the passage through these passage openings. A liquid milk product such as coffee milk or cream can be chosen as the milk product. The passage openings are herein embodied such that pressureless liquid milk product does not flow through the openings to a significant extent. Total impermeability is not necessary. The method according to the invention can still be performed successfully even when several drops flow through the passage openings. Applying the method measure of claim 2 achieves that the milk product initially remains well-separated from the coffee, so that foamed milk is formed first and coffee extract is then mixed with the remaining part of the milk product. A substantially white foam layer thus results .

A suitable embodiment is herein characterized in claim 3. A further development of the method according to the invention is characterized in claim 4. According to the invention the flow of mixture under pressure will be injected out of the passage openings with force. Additional foaming is achieved here by directing this flow against a transverse edge.

The invention also relates to and provides a device for making foamed milk, such as cappuccino, as characterized in claim 6.

The bottom of the pressure chamber of this device suitably comprises spacing means extending a distance from the bottom. These spacing means support the quantity of ground, roasted coffee which is for instance arranged in a so-called pad. Owing to the spacing means sufficient space remains under these pads to allow the water which has flowed through the coffee, or the coffee extract, to flow unimpeded through the passage openings.

The measure of claim 8 is herein applied in advantageous manner. The coffee extract can readily displace the milk product out of at least one reservoir and/or mix therewith. Another suitable embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in claim 9. Under normal pressure the pressure-relief valves are closed so that they are impassable by the milk product, even when it is thinly liquid. As soon as the water under pressure is supplied, the pressure-relief valves open to allow escape of the milk product and the coffee extract . The pressure-relief valves herein serve as restriction in order to achieve the desired extra-foamy effect. A suitable embodiment of the pressure-relief valves is characterized in claim 10. At least the bottom can hereby be efficiently mass-produced.

According to a suitable further development as characterized in claim 12, the device according to the invention can be formed by incorporating an insert, which comprises the bottom with the passage openings, in a per se known device for making coffee.

A generally known coffee-making device of the "Senseo" brand can thus for instance be used in suitable manner according to the invention to make coffee with foamed milk, or cappuccino. The insert with passage openings according to the present invention can be accommodated in the holder thereof in order to receive two coffee pads . Coffee with foamed milk can be made in simple manner by adding a milk product such as coffee milk and placing a coffee pad on the insert .

The invention also relates to and provides an insert for forming a device according to the invention using per se known coffee-making devices in order to enable the method according to the invention to be then applied therewith.

The invention is further elucidated in the following description with reference to the accompanying figures . Figure 1 shows a per se known coffee-making machine which can be formed into a device according to the invention using an insert according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a view with exploded parts of a coffee pad holder of the device of Figure 1, together with an insert and coffee pad.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the coffee pad holder with insert and coffee pad.

Figure 4 shows the top view of the insert of Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 5 and 6 show embodiment variants of the insert .

Figure 7 shows a cross-section according to -VII- in Figure 6. Figure 8 shows an embodiment variant of the insert.

The method, device and the insert according to the inventions are described hereinbelow on the basis of a per se known coffee-making machine, wherein the insert according to the invention is applied. It is noted that the invention is not limited to such an application. The invention can likewise be embodied in specifically manufactured devices .

Coffee-making machine 1 is of a widely known type sold under the brand name "Senseo" . It comprises a pressure chamber 2 which has a filling opening on the top side which can be closed with a lid 6. A so-called pad holder, i.e. a holder for coffee pads or coffee bags can be received in holder 2. A pad holder 3 is shown which is intended for receiving two coffee pads and for making two cups of coffee simultaneously.

Coffee holder 3 is normally placed with the coffee pads in pressure chamber 2 and closed with lid 6. By operating a push button a pumping and heating element is then activated which ensures that hot water is supplied under pressure above the coffee pads in coffee chamber 2 from openings 7 in the lid. This hot water is pressed through the coffee pads and flows via an outflow opening 3 to spout 5, below which coffee cups can be placed. Figure 2 shows the pad holder in more detail . A device according to the invention is obtained by placing insert 10 therein. Insert 10 is applied with the pad holder for double pads, wherein the insert substantially takes up the space in holder 3 intended for one pad. This is clearly shown in Figure 3. Insert 10 is provided with sealing means 14 with which the insert 10 seals the pressure chamber relative to outflow opening 8 of holder 3. Sealing means 14 ensure that the water supplied under pressure is forced to flow via passage openings 11 into the bottom of insert 10. As shown in Figure 3, sealing means 14 can be formed by an 0-ring. In a preferred embodiment the sealing means can be formed by a single or double lip running all around, which is formed during the injection moulding of insert 10 by co-injection of a relatively flexible plastic.

As Figure 3 shows, coffee pad 9 rests on ridges 18 of the insert which thus form spacing means. Defined between the bottom and the spacing means are reservoirs 19 (see Figure 2) which can in this case accommodate coffee milk 12. Another milk product, such as powdered milk, condensed milk, cream or the like, can also be accommodated instead of coffee milk.

As soon as hot water is supplied under pressure above coffee pad 9 to holder 2 it will permeate through coffee pad 9 and therein absorb constituents from the ground, roasted coffee received in coffee pad 9 in order to form a coffee extract. This coffee extract eventually flows into chambers or reservoirs 19. A part of the coffee milk 12 has already been pressed through passage openings 11 beforehand by the pressure increase in pressure chamber 2.

These passage openings 11 are dimensioned, or have a small cross-section, such that coffee milk 12 cannot flow therethrough, or not easily so, when no extra pressure is applied.

The material of the insert is preferably chosen, and the cross-section of passage openings 11 adapted thereto such that no, or only little coffee milk flows through these openings when the extra pressure by the water under pressure is not being applied.

As soon as the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, coffee milk 12 will thus be pressed through passage openings 11. Because these openings 11 act as a restriction to this flow, a pressure drop occurs which contributes toward foaming of the outflowing milk. A second foaming takes place in that the strong jet from passage openings 11 strikes holder bottom 13. The liquid thus foamed to some extent flows further through apparatus 1 in usual manner to outflow spout 5, wherein the usual foaming additionally occurs. A considerable foam layer is thus obtained on the brewed coffee.

This foam layer is initially white because only the coffee layer 12 is as yet being pressed through outlet openings 11, although after a time there occurs mixing of the coffee extract with remaining milk 12 and at a further stage of operation a mixture of milk and coffee passes through the passage openings.

If use is made of powdered milk instead of coffee milk, the powdered milk will first dissolve in the coffee extract and be pressed through passage openings 11 in this form with the associated formation of foam.

It is noted that the total cross-section of passage openings 11 will not be essentially larger than that of outlet opening 8 in order to achieve the effect of the pressure drop and the strong flow through these openings 11.

Although insert 10 has an advantageous embodiment for the bottom of the pressure chamber according to the invention, it is certainly not limited thereto. Nor, as noted, is the use of coffee pads essential . It is however favourable for a porous wall, for instance in the form of a filter paper, to be arranged between the milk product and the ground, roasted coffee. This can however be a separate filter paper on which the ground, roasted coffee is placed.

The bottom of the pressure chamber of the device according to the invention can take many other suitable forms. Figure 5 for instance shows a bottom, in this case likewise suitable for a coffee machine according to Figure 1, which has a smaller number of spacing means in the form of ridges 21 and a larger number of openings 22. The number of passage openings can be adjusted to the conditions, such as the amount and pressure of the supplied water, the type of milk product used and the like.

Insert 25 of Figure 6 has spacing means in the form of upright pins 26. These extend through roughly the same height as ridges 18 and 21 of inserts 10 and 20. Passage openings 27 take a different form. These comprise pressure-relief valves which are normally closed but which are pressed open the moment water under pressure is fed into the pressure chamber.

As Figure 7 shows, these pressure-relief valves are formed by elements of flexible plastic which are provided with a cut-through portion 28. Under pressureless conditions the walls of cut-through portion 28 lie against each other and a closure is thus formed. As soon as sufficient pressure prevails on one side of pressure-relief valve 26, the plastic is deformed such that a passage is created via cut-through portion 28. These pressure-relief valves 27 can be formed in suitable manner by co-injection of the relatively flexible plastic during the injection moulding of insert 25.

Insert 30 of figure 8 has an outer edge 32. Insert 30 has spacing means in the form of upright edges or walls 34, 38, 42 in annular arrangement. These walls 34, 38, 42 serve to support a pad and further as guide for the mixture. Respective openings 36, 40, 44 are provided for this purpose in walls 34, 38, 42. In the shown embodiment these openings 36, 40, 44 lie in one line. An alternative configuration can be chosen depending on the desired flow. Insert 30 is further provided with four passage openings 46. The construction of passage openings 46 is such that they are substantially impassable by pressureless milk product and act as restriction for the flow of mixture under pressure. Use is made here of the degree of cohesion of the mixture, the cohesive effect and the associated viscosity of the mixture. The combination of the properties of the mixture with the material and the configuration of the passage openings achieves that the pressureless mixture in principle remains in the insert. This effect of the passage opening according to the invention applies to all shown embodiments. The number and configuration of these passage openings 46 can also be varied subject to the desired flow. Among other factors, the amount and pressure of the added water, the quantity and properties of the milk product used also determine the configuration of insert 30. The sealing between insert 30 and holder 3 (see also figure 3) is formed in the embodiment shown in figure 8 by making use of the difference in expansion between insert 30 and holder 3. After starting the process of preparing the cappuccino, insert 30 will heat relatively quickly and the plastic material of insert 30 will expand to some extent. The desired sealing is hereby realized. It is noted that sealing means 14 can optionally be provided in insert 30, and that sealing by making use of the expansion process can also be used in the other embodiments.

Claims

1. Method for making coffee with foamed milk, such as cappuccino, comprising of: - providing a pressure chamber having on an underside a bottom provided with a number of passage openings ;

- arranging a quantity of milk product in the pressure chamber above the bottom, wherein the milk product is a liquid milk product, such as coffee milk or cream;

- arranging a quantity of ground, roasted coffee in the pressure chamber above the milk product;

- supplying heated water under pressure to the pressure chamber on the side opposite the bottom; and

- discharging on the other side of the passage openings a mixture of coffee extract and milk product, wherein a material for the bottom and the cross-section of the passage openings in the bottom are chosen such that the openings are substantially impassable by pressureless milk product and act as restriction for the flow of mixture under pressure.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quantity of ground, roasted coffee is separated from the milk product by a porous wall .

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the quantity of ground, roasted coffee is received in a bag of filter material .

4. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, whereby the flow of mixture under pressure out of the passage openings is directed against a transverse wall.

5. Device for making coffee with foamed milk, such as cappuccino, comprising:

- a pressure chamber provided with a closable filling opening and having a bottom provided with a number of passage openings;

- means for receiving a quantity of milk product in the pressure chamber above the bottom, wherein the milk product is a liquid milk product, such as coffee milk or cream;

- means for receiving a quantity of ground, roasted coffee above the milk product; and - means for supplying heated water under pressure to the pressure chamber above the coffee, wherein a material for the bottom and the cross-section of the passage openings in the bottom are chosen such that the openings are substantially impermeable to pressureless milk product and act as restriction for the flow of mixture under pressure.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a transverse wall is arranged under the passage openings.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bottom bears spacing means extending a distance from the bottom.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a number of reservoirs are defined above the bottom and between the spacing means for receiving milk product .

9. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-8, wherein the passage openings comprise pressure-relief valves .

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pressure-relief valves are formed by elements of a flexible plastic provided with a cut-through portion.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bottom is manufactured from a plastic by injection moulding, and the elements of more flexible plastic are formed in the bottom by co-injection.

12. Device as claimed in any of the claims 7-12, wherein at least one annular inner wall is arranged which is provided with at least one opening for guiding the flow.

13. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-12, comprising an apparatus for making coffee, with a pressure chamber provided with a closable filling opening, a holder for a quantity of ground, roasted coffee which can be accommodated in the pressure chamber, means for supplying heated water under pressure to the pressure chamber above the coffee and an outflow opening for coffee extract, wherein the bottom comprises an insert which can be received in the holder above the outflow opening and which is provided on its periphery with sealing means co-acting with a peripheral wall of the holder.

14. Insert for forming together with an apparatus for making coffee a device according to claim 13.

15. Insert as claimed in claim 14, which is manufactured from a plastic by injection-moulding and wherein the sealing means of a more flexible plastic are formed by co-injection.