EP0937678A1 - Method and device for dispensing beverages - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure, in which water or an aqueous solvent is mixed with a drink concentrate and flavoring, consists of adding the flavoring in a constant proportion, independent of the flow rate or concentrate dose by delivering the flavoring into a mixer (1) through a small diameter, i.e. capillary, tube (7). The capillary tube is some 0/.5 mm in diameter and between 10 and 25 mm long, preferably 16 mm, and the flavoring passed through it can contain a number of natural or artificial ingredients.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for distribution of beverages from concentrate, and in particular Juice.

Fruit juice drinks are prepared, in beverage dispensers, from fruit juice concentrates pasteurized or frozen, of which specific volumes are diluted, in the dispensing device itself, for dispensing doses of beverage.

A method and a device for dispensing such a drink is for example described in EP-A-0 179 113.

The organoleptic qualities of these drinks are however not not perfect and remain significantly lower than that of a fruit juice freshly pressed, because the sterilization processes of the concentrate, such as pasteurization, degrade the aromas of the fruit. On the other hand, the aging of the aroma mixed with a fruit matrix is much less than the aging of the isolated aroma.

The solution of introducing the aromas into the drink final is also not practical because it poses problems homogenization.

The present invention proposes to remedy these disadvantages and to provide a method and a device for preparing drinks from concentrate, water and aroma, remedying these various disadvantages and to obtain a drink in which is found significantly restored the organoleptic qualities of the natural product, all respecting the aseptic constraints.

The subject of the invention is a process for preparing and distribution of drinks intended for the final consumer, in which one dilutes in a given volume of water or similar aqueous solvent, a quantity determined from a drink concentrate as well as a defined quantity of aroma at the very moment when a dose of drink intended for the final consumer, characterized in that the aroma is mixed in substantially constant proportions regardless of the flow of formation of the drink or the value of the dose in formation.

In a particularly preferred manner, the aroma is addressed to mixing means forming the final drink through a small duct diameter, namely a capillary. As an example, the internal diameter of such capillary can be of the order of 0.5 mm.

The length of the capillary is, for example, from 10 to 25 mm, from preferably 12 to 20 mm, and in particular, for example, 16 mm.

It is surprisingly found that, under these conditions, we obtains a substantially constant concentration of aroma in the drink final for large ranges of variation in formation flow rates beverage, beverage volumes formed, preparation times for drink, concentrations of the concentrate in the drink and viscosities of the concentrated.

The aroma can be in the form of an aromatic substance duly authorized as well as all combinations of aromatic substances, flavorings or the like authorized for food purposes with or without them supports, solvents, additives and all legally authorized products.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the defined amount of flavor is added to the determined amount of concentrate taken to form the dose of drink shortly before or practically when mixing this concentrate with dilution water.

In this embodiment we can add the defined quantity flavor in a specific volume of concentrate to be diluted, or in a supply line of the quantity of concentrate to a means of mixing with dilution water, or, preferably, at the level of the means of mixing with dilution water.

In a second embodiment, the quantity defined aroma can be mixed with dilution mix water, either in line water supply or, preferably, at the level of the mixing means dilution water and concentrate.

In a third mode of implementation the quantity defined aroma is brought into the drink during dispensing, and preferably at a line which leaves the zone of the mixing means to lead to the drink to the container in which it is dispensed.

Advantageously, the defined quantity of flavor is such that the proportion of alcohol in the final drink is less than the legal minimum allowed, for example 5 per 1000.

In a particularly advantageous way, for mixing the aroma, mixing means arranged to ensure a mixture of aroma and concentrate or flavor, concentrate and dilution water, in almost constant proportions even in case of speed variation of the mixing and, preferably, the mixing of the aroma takes place during practically the entire duration of the formation of the drink from the concentrate.

The invention also relates to a device for setting work of the method according to the invention, device comprising a pipe forming a dilution water supply line capable of being connected to a source of water, internal or external to the device, a means of supplying concentrate connected to a source of concentrate in the device and means of mixing of a given quantity of concentrate and a given quantity of water to form a dose of dilute concentrate forming the beverage, and a means supplying the defined quantity of flavor, connected to a flavor source, in particular an alcoholic aroma solution, and means for mixing said quantity defined in concentrate and / or water, substantially at the time of the formation of the drink, characterized in that the means of supplying the defined amount of aroma is a small diameter conduit, such as a capillary, as defined above.

The means of supplying water preferably uses pressure of a water distribution network.

The means of supply of concentrate and aroma can use pumping means, such as, for example, peristaltic pumps, or others, whose flow rates are preferably proportional, for example thanks to a common training medium.

The mixing means can consist of simple outlets for the supply line, for example the outlet for a concentrate pipeline in a water pipeline and / or outlet an aroma line in the concentrate and / or water line.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the means mixing systems include a Venturi type suction means, for example such as described in EP-A-0 179 113.

Preferably the aroma supply pipe opens into the concentrate supply line, which can optionally be shaped like a Venturi at this location, shortly before the supply duct concentrated itself does not lead into the depression area of the Venturi ensuring mixing with water.

On the one hand, proportional aroma flows are obtained and of concentrate depending on the aspiration caused by the depression-causing organ, and on the other hand an excellent mixture of the aroma in the concentrate just before that it does not mix with the dilution water despite the differences in very high viscosity.

However, we could also introduce significantly in parallel, the two concentrate and aroma supply lines in the depression zone of the Venturi, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the flow of dilution water for the concentrate and tangentially to the flow of dilution water for the aroma which also ensures excellent homogeneity.

Although in such a device, the sections of the pipes of water, concentrate and flavor solutions are very different, in descending order, we can nevertheless guarantee high accuracy maintaining proportionality all the more if we use a solution alcoholic aroma of low viscosity compared to the viscosity of the concentrate.

The invention also ensures very precise support proportions between the three constituents, whether the device is adjusted for deliver small doses of drink or on the contrary doses of drink important.

The mixing means can be an integral part of a beverage dispensing device as described for example in EP-A-0 179 113, this device having receptacles or housings in which you can put in concentrate and flavor containers in which open the supply lines to the mixing means.

Thanks to the absence of mechanical driving parts, the maintenance of the cleanliness of such a device is extremely easy.

However, the mixing means can also be produced by a single injected plastic part which can be an integral part of the packaging or a packaging cap of a double packaging container, on the one hand, the fruit juice concentrate and, on the other hand, the alcoholic solution in separate volumes. It then suffices to connect the mixing means to the supply of water to a beverage dispenser to prepare the beverage, the assembly then being discarded with the packaging at the end of use. This solution can be particularly economical and ensures a level extremely high asepsis in the distribution of beverages.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'une forme de réalisation d'un premier moyen de mélange,
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique d'un deuxième moyen de mélange,
• la figure 3 représente un graphique montrant l'évolution de la concentration en arôme en fonction de la formation de la boisson.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example and referring to the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of an embodiment of a first mixing means,
• FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of a second mixing means,
• FIG. 3 represents a graph showing the evolution of the aroma concentration as a function of the formation of the drink.

We refer to figure 1.

The mixing means shown is part of a device for distribution of cold drink and which can be of the type described in the Patent EP-A-0 179 113 and which comprises, in addition to the means of actuation by the user, a source, preferably refrigerated, of fruit juice concentrate, and a source of alcoholic solution containing aromas.

The mixing device is in the form of a block, by injected example, comprising a Venturi 1 whose upstream channel 2 is connected to a pipe (not shown) connected to a water distribution valve potable under pressure (not shown). Exit 3 of the Venturi leads into a distribution pipe, preferably vertical, under which one can place a cup or container receiving the dose of drink.

At Venturi 1 level, perpendicular to the direction of the water path, a passage 4 connected to a chamber 5 can be connected, via tubing 6, to a source of fruit juice concentrate, by example a sachet or a container.

Perpendicular to the direction of flow of the concentrate, opens out into chamber 5, a small diameter channel 7 which is connected by a corresponding small diameter tubing to the sanitized source of aroma in alcoholic solution.

This channel 7 forms a capillary, for example with a diameter of 0.5 mm. As a variant, the channel 7 can be preceded by such a capillary disposed between the channel and a conduit immersed in an aroma enclosure. The length capillary is for example 16 mm.

The operation is as follows.

To dispense a dose of drink, a control device suitable opens the water inlet valve for a predetermined time. Water flowing quickly through passage 2 and Venturi 1, towards the outlet 3, causes, in the depression-producing organ thus produced, a depression which sucks the concentrate through the tubing 6 into the chamber 5 and the passage 4. The concentrate mixes, in the Venturi in a completely homogeneous way the water that dilutes it. Simultaneously the depression generated in chamber 5 causes the aroma, via channel 7, to be drawn out of its source, the flow of aroma opening perpendicular to the direction of the concentrate of the bedroom 5 and instantly mixing with it.

The choice of the diameters of the different pipes or the use of suitable throttles makes it possible to maintain the respective flow rates water, concentrate and flavor in the desired proportions. At the end of predetermined time the valve is closed again and there is, in the container, that a dose of freshly flavored drink has been obtained and the organoleptic qualities are extremely close to those of fruit juice natural.

Referring to Figure 2, we see a variant of the device of the Figure 1, in which channel 7 has been deleted and replaced by a channel oblique 8 which opens directly into the nearby depressogenic organ 1 immediately of passage 4 and in an inclined direction both with respect to the direction of water than that of fruit juice. In addition, channel 8 is located in a plane substantially tangential to the cylindrical channel 2. We also note that we instantly obtain a perfectly homogeneous mixture with a such device.

As has been specified, the mixing device based on the Venturi 1, can also be formed in or attached to a sealed package comprising on the one hand an enclosure containing concentrate and on the other hand a smaller enclosure containing aroma, aroma and concentrate amounts corresponding to their relative proportions in the drink.

In other words passages 6 and 7 or 8 lead to directly by suitable tubing, for example dip tubes, at the bottom of these enclosures, which can also be rigid or flexible. It is then enough to connect a water inlet pipe to the level channel 2, with a suitable valve, to dispense doses up to exhaustion of the concentrate and aroma in the packaging.

For example, an alcoholic flavor solution is mixed in a concentrate of fruit juice in a ratio of 1/100, then the mixture obtained is mixed with water in a ratio of 1 to 5. The drink has finally an alcoholic content of 2 per 1000.

FIG. 3 shows the curves resulting from a test in which, for each of the tests whose number appears on the abscissa, we have varies the vacuum downstream of the aroma arrival capillary 7 (curve C) which influences the volume of concentrated fruit juice aspirated (curve A). Curve B of the aroma volume in the beverage volume unit formed shows a practically constant concentration.

The table below shows the conditions of the test with a 62 Brix fruit juice concentrate at 14.8 ° C and the diameter of the water injection nozzle of 1.8 mm, for periods of 15 s.

Claims (19)

Process for the preparation and distribution of beverages intended for the final consumer, in which one dilutes in a given volume water or similar aqueous solvent, a specified amount of one drink concentrate and a defined amount of flavor at the same time where we prepare a dose of drink intended for the final consumer, characterized in that the aroma is mixed in proportions substantially constant regardless of the rate of formation of the beverage or the value of the dose being formed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the aroma is addressed to the mixing means forming the final drink at through a small diameter conduit, namely a capillary. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal diameter of the capillary is of the order of 0.5 mm. Method according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the length of the capillary is from 10 to 25 mm, preferably from 12 to 20 mm, and in particular 16 mm. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that the flavor includes one or more natural or artificial flavors. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the defined amount of flavor is added to the determined amount of concentrate taken to form the dose of drink shortly before or practically when mixing this concentrate with dilution water. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that one add the defined amount of flavor to the concentrate to be diluted, at the level a means of mixing the concentrate with the dilution water. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that one add the defined amount of flavor in a concentrate supply line which will be diluted in a mixture of concentrate with the dilution water. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that add the defined amount of flavor in the dilution mix water to the level of a means of mixing the dilution water and the concentrate. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in what we add the defined quantity of aroma in a water supply line towards a means of mixing the water and the concentrate. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in what we add the defined amount of aroma at a line that leaves the mixing medium area to lead the drink to a container in which it is distributed. Device for implementing the method according to one of Claims 1 to 11, comprising a line forming a line (2) dilution water supply capable of being connected to a water source, internal or external to the device, a means of supply of concentrate (5,6) connected to a source of concentrate in the device, and mixing means (1) a given amount of concentrate and a given amount of water for form a dose of dilute concentrate forming the drink, and a means of supply (7, 8) of the defined quantity of flavor, connected to a source of flavor, in particular an alcoholic flavor solution, and means for mixing said amount defined in concentrate and / or water, substantially at the time of formation of the drink, characterized in that the means for supplying the defined quantity aroma is a small diameter conduit, namely a capillary. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the water supply means uses the pressure of a water distribution network. Device according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the mixing means comprise a suction means (1) of the Venturi type. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the aroma supply line opens into the supply line of concentrate shortly before the concentrate feed pipe itself opens in the vacuum zone (1) of the Venturi ensuring mixing with the water. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the two concentrate (5) and flavor (8) supply ducts open into the Venturi depression area (1). Device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the mixing means is produced in a single plastic part injected integrated into or attached to the packaging or a cap packaging a double packaging containing, on the one hand, the juice concentrate fruit and, on the other hand, the aroma solution, in separate chambers. Device according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the diameter of the small diameter conduit (7) is 0.5 mm. Device according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that said small diameter conduit (7) has a length of 10 to 25 mm, of preferably 12 to 20 mm, especially 16 mm.

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