EP4313843A1 - Cartouche à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons, procédé de fonctionnement d'une telle cartouche - Google Patents

Cartouche à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons, procédé de fonctionnement d'une telle cartouche

Info

Publication number
EP4313843A1
EP4313843A1 EP22718872.9A EP22718872A EP4313843A1 EP 4313843 A1 EP4313843 A1 EP 4313843A1 EP 22718872 A EP22718872 A EP 22718872A EP 4313843 A1 EP4313843 A1 EP 4313843A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cartridge
chamber
beverage
cartridge body
mixing chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22718872.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marc KRÜGER
Günter EMPL
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Freezio AG
Original Assignee
Freezio AG
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 Freezio AG filed Critical Freezio AG
Publication of EP4313843A1 publication Critical patent/EP4313843A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
    • B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
    • B67D1/0051—Mixing devices for liquids for mixing outside the nozzle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0078—Ingredient cartridges
    • B67D1/0079—Ingredient cartridges having their own dispensing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0012—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with mixing devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0019—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes using ingredient cartridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0058—Details
    • B67D3/0061—Details of liquid containers, e.g. filling, emptying, closing or opening means
    • B67D3/0067—Details of liquid containers, e.g. filling, emptying, closing or opening means relating to shape or materials, e.g. bag-in-box packages [BIB], pouches
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D2001/0091—Component storage means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
    • B67D2001/0812—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
    • B67D2001/0821—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers having different compartments for different components

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cartridge for insertion into a beverage preparation machine and a method for operating a cartridge for insertion into a beverage preparation machine.
  • Cartridges for insertion into a beverage preparation machine are known from the prior art.
  • publication WO 2017/121 802 A1 discloses the production of beverages using cartridges that are pre-portioned with a beverage substance.
  • the production of beverages with such systems is extremely convenient for the user, since he only has to insert a cartridge into the beverage preparation machine and initiate a start procedure.
  • the beverage preparation machine also referred to as a dispenser, then takes over the preparation of the beverage in a fully automated manner, i.e. in particular that the beverage substance is mixed with a predetermined quantity of liquid, in particular cold and carbonated water, and fed into a drinking vessel.
  • drinks can be made much more easily, quickly and with less effort for the user.
  • the user can choose from a variety of different cartridges, so that he can produce different drinks as he likes.
  • the cartridge For insertion into the beverage preparation machine and for beverage production, the cartridge has a cartridge body which is connected to a cartridge cover.
  • the beverage substance for preparing the beverage is arranged in the cartridge body and the cartridge lid serves as an interface for coupling to the beverage preparation machine, which enables the beverage substance to be brought into contact with water, mixed with it or dissolved in it, for example.
  • the present invention relates to a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, in particular for use in a dispenser.
  • a cartridge usually has a cartridge body with a chamber in which a beverage substance for preparing a beverage is arranged.
  • the cartridge has a cartridge cover.
  • the cartridge lid serves as an interface to the beverage making machine and provides a mixing chamber into which the beverage substance is transferred from the chamber by a cartridge discharge unit.
  • the beverage substance transferred into the mixing chamber is mixed with a liquid which is supplied to the mixing chamber by a fluid supply from the beverage preparation machine.
  • the cartridge lid has a connection area for connection to the cartridge body, wherein the cartridge lid can be inserted into a beverage preparation machine with the cartridge body.
  • the cartridge cover is preferably designed in the shape of a cap and has a large, free opening on the side facing the cartridge body.
  • the cartridge cover is preferably cleaned before use connected to the cartridge body, in particular to a cartridge neck.
  • This connection is particularly preferably made reversibly or irreversibly, for example via a snap and/or screw closure.
  • the cartridge body is preferably clipped to the cartridge cover.
  • the cartridge body and the cartridge cover preferably have holding elements which engage in one another. It is conceivable that the cartridge cover has a groove and the cartridge body has a flange that engages in the groove. However, it is also conceivable that the cartridge cover has the flange and the cartridge body has the groove. It is also conceivable that the cartridge cover has a latching lug which engages in a receptacle of the cartridge body and is latched therein along the longitudinal axis. It is conceivable that the cartridge cover and the cartridge body are mounted on the groove and the flange and/or on the latching lug and the receptacle so as to be rotatable relative to one another.
  • the cartridge cover is preferably intended to be placed on a cartridge holder, in particular designed in the manner of a balcony, of the beverage preparation machine.
  • Balcony-like preferably means that the cartridge holder protrudes laterally from a housing of the beverage preparation machine and has a substantially horizontal extension. So that the cartridge can be inserted into the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder preferably has a recess, in particular a centered one. The cartridge can then be inserted into this recess, particularly preferably from above, with the cartridge cover first.
  • the cartridge, in particular the cartridge cover is particularly preferably reversibly lockable in the cartridge holder.
  • the cartridge cover has a mixing chamber that can be brought into fluid connection with the chambers and a fluid supply that opens into the mixing chamber for introducing liquid into the mixing chamber.
  • This mixing chamber is preferably a free volume in the cartridge cover and is particularly preferably seamlessly adjacent to the cartridge body.
  • the fluid supply is preferably a fluid supply opening, in particular in a lateral wall of the cartridge cover, so that the liquid is particularly preferably introduced into the mixing chamber essentially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis.
  • the cartridge lid has a cartridge discharge device for at least partially transferring the beverage substance from one or more chambers into the mixing chamber on. Furthermore, the cartridge cover preferably has a beverage outlet for discharging a beverage from the mixing chamber, in particular directly into a beverage container.
  • the cartridge discharge device can preferably be activated in a targeted manner so that the beverage substance cannot be inadvertently transferred into the mixing chamber.
  • the cartridge lid is particularly preferably provided in such a way that it can be mounted on the cartridge body and is then arranged in the beverage preparation machine with the cartridge lid pointing downwards in such a way that the mixed beverage is transferred from the cartridge lid, in particular by gravity, into the beverage container.
  • the cartridge body and the cartridge cover are designed to be rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.
  • the cartridge according to the invention depending on the rotational position, enables the beverage substance to be fed from different chambers to the mixing chamber.
  • a mixed beverage can be prepared without having to change the cartridge, for example by mixing the beverage substance from a first chamber with the liquid, then twisting and mixing the beverage substance from a second chamber with the liquid.
  • identical beverages can be prepared one after the other in quick succession by mixing the beverage substance from the first chamber with the liquid, then twisting and mixing the beverage substance from the second chamber with the liquid.
  • the cartridge cover with its mixing chamber, the fluid supply and the cartridge emptying unit is therefore used several times. In addition to being easy to use and significantly increasing the speed of preparing several drinks or a mixed drink, there is significantly less waste.
  • the cartridge cover is preferably made entirely or partially from a plastic material, in particular by an injection molding and/or a blow molding process.
  • the beverage outlet is essentially channel-shaped, in particular elongated, and/or that the fluid supply is a fluid supply opening that is designed to establish a fluid connection with a fluid line of the beverage preparation machine.
  • the beverage outlet extends essentially along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge when the cartridge body and cartridge lid are connected.
  • the cartridge emptying unit is designed such that it transfers the beverage substance from precisely one chamber into the mixing chamber, this chamber being selectable by rotating the cartridge body relative to the cartridge cover.
  • the rotation to select the chamber from which the beverage substance is fed to the mixing chamber enables ergonomic and comfortable operation, which corresponds to a natural process when selecting from available alternatives, for example using a rotary-push selector switch.
  • the rotation on the cartridge body makes a technically uncomplicated construction possible, whereby a robust and inexpensive cartridge is made possible with a maximum of comfort.
  • the cartridge body has an outer wall in particular in the shape of a cylinder jacket and the plurality of chambers are separated from one another by inner walls running in a star shape from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body radially outwards to the outer wall.
  • an optimal use of the volume available for the chambers for arranging the beverage substance is made possible in an advantageous manner.
  • the star-shaped arrangement of the inner walls allows the chamber selected for transferring the beverage substance to be changed easily by rotating around the longitudinal axis when the cartridge emptying unit is arranged eccentrically.
  • the outer wall is made entirely or partially from a plastic material.
  • the inner walls are made of a plastic material.
  • the inner walls and/or the outer wall are produced by an injection molding and/or a blow molding process.
  • the outer wall and/or the inner walls are made entirely or at least partially of a metal, preferably aluminum.
  • the outer wall and/or the inner walls are made entirely or at least partially of coated paper or cardboard.
  • a base side of the cartridge body facing the cartridge cover is provided with a sealing element is closed, the sealing element preferably being a sealing foil which is particularly preferably cohesively attached to an edge region or a flange of the cartridge body.
  • the sealing element preferably seals the cartridge body in an airtight manner. It is preferably provided that the sealing element is sealed to the edge area or the flange of the cartridge body or is welded or glued to the edge area or the flange of the cartridge body.
  • the sealing foil is a plastic foil or a metal foil, for example an aluminum foil.
  • the sealing element extends over a plurality of chambers and in particular completely over the base of the cartridge body and is materially connected to edge regions of the inner walls. This brings about an advantageously improved stability of the sealing element and reliable separation of the chambers from one another.
  • the separation of the chambers ensures that the beverage substances of the chambers do not mix and that no beverage substance passes from a chamber filled with the beverage substance into an already emptied chamber, which prevents leakage of a partially emptied cartridge body. Provision is preferably made for the sealing element to be sealed onto the edge regions of the inner walls or welded or glued to the edge regions of the inner walls.
  • the cartridge emptying unit has an opening means for opening the sealing element in the area of a chamber.
  • This advantageously opens the sealant in the area of a selected chamber for transferring the beverage substance into the mixing chamber, thereby ensuring that no beverage substance is transferred from a non-selected chamber into the mixing chamber. An unintentional mixing of beverage substances from different chambers in the mixing chamber can thus be avoided.
  • the chambers in which the sealant is not open remain closed so that no beverage substance can escape from them.
  • the cartridge discharge device can preferably be activated in a targeted manner so that the beverage substance cannot be inadvertently transferred into the mixing chamber.
  • the opening means comprises a perforating needle which moves between a retracted position, in which it is spaced apart from the sealing element, and an advanced position Position in which it pierces the sealing element, is displaceable.
  • a perforating needle which moves between a retracted position, in which it is spaced apart from the sealing element, and an advanced position Position in which it pierces the sealing element, is displaceable.
  • the cartridge cover includes a mandrel guide, within which the perforation needle is mounted so that it can be displaced, in particular in a direction towards the chamber. It is preferably also provided that the perforating needle is intended to be transferred from the retracted position into the advanced position by an actuator element of the beverage preparation machine.
  • the perforating needle has a compressed air channel for introducing compressed air into the respective chamber in the advanced position.
  • the compressed air is preferably supplied essentially simultaneously with the liquid during the preparation, so that the liquid and beverage substance enter the mixing chamber at the same time and mix there.
  • the pressurized air particularly in combination with gravity, pushes the beverage substance out of the chamber and prevents the chamber from creating a vacuum which could prevent the chamber from being completely emptied.
  • the cartridge discharge device comprises a compressed air connection and a compressed air line which extends from the compressed air connection to the compressed air channel, the compressed air channel opening into the chamber when the perforating needle is in the advanced position. It is preferably provided that the compressed air connection is provided for connection to a compressed air supply of the beverage preparation machine.
  • the perforation needle has a transfer channel for transferring beverage substance from the respective chamber into the mixing chamber in the advanced position. This allows the beverage substance to flow out of the chamber in a particularly simple and reliable manner.
  • the perforating needle preferably has a plurality of transfer channels for transferring beverage substance from the respective chamber into the mixing chamber in the advanced position.
  • the perforation needle has at least one, preferably several indentations and/or bulges on its outer circumference, which are provided as a drain for the beverage substance. The amount and the size of the indentations and/or bulges preferably depend on the viscosity of the substrate.
  • the compressed air channel and/or the transfer channel are designed as a groove open on one side on an outer surface of the perforating needle or as a tubular line within the perforating needle.
  • a one-sided open groove on the outer surface is a particularly inexpensive way of providing a transfer channel or a compressed air channel.
  • the outer wall of the perforation needle is therefore preferably provided with at least one side channel as a transfer channel for conducting the beverage substance in the direction of the mixing chamber.
  • the beverage substance can flow past the sealing element in the direction of the mixing chamber through the transfer channel formed laterally on the perforation needle.
  • a plurality of side channels are preferably designed as transfer channels on the perforating needle.
  • the transfer channels are in particular all designed in the form of a groove open on one side. It is conceivable that the cross section of the transfer channels and/or the number of transfer channels are adapted to the viscosity of the beverage substance, so that the transfer channels control or limit the flow of the beverage substance in the direction of the mixing chamber.
  • Transfer channels or transfer channels With a high viscosity more transfer channels or transfer channels with a larger cross-section are used, while with a lower viscosity fewer Transfer channels or transfer channels are provided with a smaller cross section.
  • the person skilled in the art understands that this means in particular that a suitable cartridge lid is provided for each beverage substance and thus for different types of cartridge bodies.
  • the perforation needle is the only moving element of the cartridge cover and the cartridge cover is therefore of a robust design and easy to manufacture.
  • a ratchet mechanism is formed between the cartridge body and the cartridge cover, which ratchet mechanism defines latching positions in which the opening means is arranged centrally below a chamber.
  • the ratchet mechanism only allows rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body relative to the cartridge cover in one direction of rotation. This advantageously ensures that after a first beverage preparation with the beverage substance from a first chamber and a second beverage preparation from a second chamber for a subsequent beverage preparation, the first chamber emptied by the first beverage preparation is not accidentally positioned above the opening means again .
  • the ratchet mechanism has a pawl which engages in a toothed locking rail. It is conceivable that the pawl engages in an engagement position between the teeth of the latching rail and that the engagement position defines the latching position. It is conceivable that the pawl is pretensioned for engaging in the engaged position.
  • the pawl and preferably the locking rail are made of a plastic. It is conceivable that the teeth of the latching rail have a slight incline on a first side and a steep incline on a second side. As a result, a different amount of force to rotate in an advantageous manner causes different directions, whereby turning back to an already emptied chamber is prevented or at least made more difficult.
  • a blocking mechanism is formed, which between a blocking position, in which the relative rotary movement of the cartridge body relative to the cartridge cover is blocked, and a release position in which the relative rotary movement of the cartridge body is opposed the cartridge lid is released, is adjustable.
  • the cartridge body or the cartridge cover can be pressed in laterally in order to transfer the cartridge from the blocking position to the release position.
  • the locking mechanism has a first locking element arranged on the cartridge body and a second locking element arranged on the cartridge cover. It is conceivable that the first blocking element and the second blocking element are positively and/or non-positively connected to one another in the blocking position and that the blocking elements are spaced apart from one another in the release position, so that there is no positive or non-positive connection between the blocking elements.
  • Another object of the present invention is a method for operating a cartridge according to the invention with the following method steps: a. rotating the cartridge body relative to the cartridge lid until the cartridge emptying unit is aligned with a desired chamber in a first step; b. opening the chamber by means of the cartridge emptying unit in a second method step; c. transferring the substance arranged in the chamber into the mixing chamber by means of the cartridge emptying unit in a third method step; and d. Supplying a liquid into the mixing chamber by means of the fluid supply in the third method step.
  • the method according to the invention advantageously enables a chamber of the cartridge for beverage preparation by rotating the cartridge body relative to the cartridge lid. It is not necessary to change the cartridge to select a chamber, which significantly reduces the time required to prepare a drink when the cartridge is already in place.
  • the method according to the invention is more convenient, particularly in the case of a sequence of beverage preparations, than comparable methods from the prior art in which none of a plurality of chambers is selected by rotation.
  • a fourth method step the cartridge body is again rotated relative to the cartridge cover until the cartridge emptying unit is aligned with a further chamber, and the second and third method steps are repeated with the further chamber.
  • the rotary movement in the fourth step allows another beverage to be prepared in the fourth step without having to change the cartridge or the cartridge body. This advantageously enables beverage preparations to be made in rapid succession, for example when entertaining guests. If the chambers of the cartridge are filled with different beverage substances, a mixed beverage can be prepared in a simple, quick and convenient manner, in which the beverage from the beverage preparation from the third step is added to the beverage from the beverage preparation from the fourth step.
  • a sealing element closing the chamber is perforated by a perforating needle being displaced from a retracted position into an advanced position.
  • the actuator element has at least one projection which engages in a positive and/or non-positive fit in a lower end of the perforation needle and displaces it in the direction of the chamber when the actuator element is activated within a mandrel guide in such a way that the perforation needle pierces the sealing element.
  • compressed air is passed through a compressed air channel of the perforating needle into the chamber and beverage substance is passed through a transfer channel of the perforating needle from the chamber into the mixing chamber.
  • the compressed air is preferably supplied essentially simultaneously with the liquid during the preparation, so that the liquid and beverage substance enter the mixing chamber at the same time and mix there.
  • the person skilled in the art understands that, depending on the configuration, there can also be a slight time offset in order to achieve complete mixing in the mixing chamber.
  • the pressurized air particularly in combination with gravity, pushes the beverage substance out of the chamber and prevents the chamber from creating a vacuum which could prevent the chamber from being completely emptied.
  • the cartridge discharge device comprises a compressed air connection and a compressed air line which extends from the compressed air connection to the compressed air channel, the compressed air channel opening into the chamber when the perforating needle is in the advanced position. It is preferably provided that the compressed air connection is provided for connection to a compressed air supply of the beverage preparation machine.
  • the perforating needle in an intermediate step carried out after the third method step and before the fourth method step, is shifted from the advanced position to the retracted position.
  • the perforating needle In the retracted position, the perforating needle is not in contact with the cartridge body, so that the rotation of the cartridge body and cartridge lid relative to one another is not impeded by the perforating needle. It is conceivable that the displacement of the perforating needle from the advanced position to the retracted position is brought about by the actuator element of the beverage preparation machine.
  • Figure 1 (a) - (c) shows a cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a single cartridge body of a cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention from different angles.
  • Figure 2 (a) - (c) shows a cartridge cover cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives.
  • a cartridge 1 is shown in perspective according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cartridge 1 has a cartridge body 3 with a plurality of chambers 4 and a cartridge cover 2 .
  • a beverage substance for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine (not shown) is arranged in each of the chambers 4 .
  • the same beverage substance can be arranged in each of the chambers 4 .
  • a first beverage substance is arranged in a chamber 4.1 and a second beverage substance is arranged in a further chamber 4.2.
  • the cartridge 1 and in particular the outer wall 5 of the cartridge body 3 can essentially have any shape, for example a round or angular cross section, and dimensions, in particular length and diameter, in a wide possible range. Only the cartridge body 3 must be designed in such a way that the cartridge 1 can be connected to the cartridge cover 2 .
  • the chambers 4 are formed by inner walls 7 , which are preferably made of a plastic and which, starting from a center of the cartridge body 3 arranged on a longitudinal axis L of the cartridge body 3 , are arranged in a star shape to an outer wall 5 of the cartridge body 3 .
  • the inner walls 7 divide the cartridge body 3 into chambers 4 like pieces of a cake.
  • a cartridge body 3 with eight chambers 4 of equal size is shown. However, any other chamber is also conceivable number greater than one. It is also conceivable that the chambers 4 are of different sizes.
  • the outer wall 7 of the cartridge body 3 is preferably cylindrical and at least partially made of a plastic material and/or a metal.
  • the cartridge body 3 is arranged on a cartridge cover 2 .
  • the cartridge cover 2 has a beverage outlet 6 and serves as an interface to the beverage preparation machine.
  • the cartridge cover 2 and the cartridge body 3 can be rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis L (represented by arrows).
  • FIG. 1(b) the cartridge body 3 is shown viewed from above.
  • a cartridge emptying unit 20 of the cartridge cover is shown which is actually covered by the cartridge body 3 when viewed from above.
  • the cartridge emptying unit 20 is used to remove the beverage substance from a chamber 4 for preparing a beverage with the beverage substance.
  • the cartridge emptying unit 20 is arranged centrally under a chamber 4, 4.1. In this position, the beverage substance can be removed from the chamber 4, 4.1 by the cartridge emptying unit 20 and supplied to a beverage preparation. If the cartridge body 3 and the cartridge lid are now rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis L (represented by the dashed arrow), the position of the cartridge emptying unit 20 relative to the cartridge body 3 also changes.
  • the cartridge 1 has a locking mechanism (not shown for the sake of clarity) between the cartridge body 3 and the cartridge cover 2 which defines locking positions in which the cartridge emptying unit 20 is arranged centrally under a chamber 4 .
  • a drink can be prepared with the drink substance from the chamber 4, 4.1. If another drink is to be prepared, the cartridge body 3 does not have to be removed.
  • the cartridge body 3 is arranged in such a way that the locking mechanism locks in a locking position and the cartridge emptying unit 20 is arranged centrally under a further chamber 4.2.
  • the cartridge 1 has a locking mechanism (not shown).
  • the locking mechanism can be switched from a locking position in which rotation is prevented to a release position in which rotation is released and back. It is conceivable that to transfer the locking mechanism from the locking position to the release position, the cartridge body 3 is pressed onto the cartridge cover 2 or the cartridge body 3 is pulled away from the cartridge cover 2 or the cartridge body 3 is pressed in laterally.
  • the cartridge body 3 is shown in perspective with a view of a base side facing the cartridge cover 2 .
  • a sealing element 19 is provided on the base of the cartridge body 3, preferably in the form of a sealing foil, for example made of a plastic material or metal.
  • the sealing element 19 extends completely over the base and covers all the chambers 4 of the cartridge body 3.
  • it is materially attached to the cartridge body 3, for example welded or sealed, to an edge region, in particular to the end of the outer wall 5 facing the base.
  • the sealing element 19 is also materially attached to the ends of the inner walls 7 facing the base, for example welded or sealed.
  • the sealing element 19 closes off the chambers in particular in a fluid-tight manner, i.e. liquid-tight and air-tight, among other things.
  • the chambers serve as a reservoir for a preferably liquid beverage substance.
  • a drink substance there can also be a food substance, in particular a liquid one, such as baby food, porridge, soup, or medical products such as high-calorie food. It is crucial that the (beverage) substance is intended to be mixed with a liquid, in particular water.
  • FIG. 2(a) shows a perspective top view of the cartridge cover 2 of a cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • the shape of the cartridge cover 2 which is only an example, can be seen.
  • a gas outlet 16 and an actuator receptacle 9 are arranged on a perforating needle 8 .
  • the cartridge cover 2 is preferably made of a plastic material.
  • the cartridge cover 2 here essentially has a dome shape, i.e. it is basically rounded at its end opposite the opening.
  • FIG. 2(a) also shows a jet-forming element 18 in the beverage outlet 6, which is embodied here in the shape of ribs and a cross.
  • the length of the beverage outlet 6, its cross section and the jet shaping element 15 together serve to shape and/or direct the emerging beverage jet.
  • FIG. 2(b) shows a schematic cross section of a cartridge cover 2 of a cartridge 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cartridge cover 2 is open towards the cartridge body 3 , in particular towards the sealant 19 .
  • the cartridge cover 2 has at least two openings.
  • One opening is the beverage outlet 6, through which the finished, mixed beverage can emerge and is preferably transferred directly into a beverage container such as a cup, a mug or a glass.
  • the beverage outlet 6 is preferably designed in the manner of a channel, i.e. it comprises lateral walls extending longitudinally.
  • the length of the beverage outlet 6 is selected in particular in such a way that a directed and homogeneous jet of beverage is generated.
  • the beverage outlet particularly preferably also comprises a jet shaping element 18, for example a cross, which is arranged in the lower region and is designed to shape the jet as desired.
  • a fluid supply 15 is provided in a side wall of the cartridge cover 2 and is designed here as a hole, in particular with a conical border. In the beverage preparation machine, this fluid supply 15 interacts with a coupling element (not shown), through which a liquid, in particular chilled and/or carbonated water, is introduced into the cartridge cover 2 through the fluid supply 15 .
  • the free volume of the cartridge cover 2 serves as a mixing chamber 14 in which the beverage substance is mixed with the inflowing liquid and thus forms the desired beverage before it exits through the beverage outlet 6 .
  • an upper opening of the beverage outlet 6 is located above a lower area of the mixing chamber 15 so that a length sufficient for shaping the jet is achieved. So that the beverage produced in the mixing chamber 14 can nevertheless be discharged completely from the cartridge holder 1 and in particular thus dripping when the cartridge system is removed from the beverage preparation machine and a remaining, unusable dead volume can be avoided, the cartridge receptacle 1 also has a residue outlet 21, which is located in particular at the lowest point of the mixing chamber (in the orientation as shown in the in the beverage preparation machine mounted arrangement) is provided.
  • the residue outlet 21 is particularly preferably provided adjacent to the beverage outlet 6 and/or at least partially part of the beverage outlet 6.
  • the beverage outlet 6 is provided in such a way that it has a substantially circular cross section, but with a small area of the cross section in one area of the circumference is designed as a residue outlet 21 .
  • the upper entry surface of the residue outlet 21 is arranged lower than the upper entry surface of the beverage outlet 6. It also follows from this that the length and the cross-sectional area of the residue outlet 21 is significantly smaller than the length and the cross-sectional area of the beverage outlet 6, since the residue outlet 21 only is provided for discharging a relatively small residual volume.
  • the cartridge cover 2 In order to transfer the beverage substance from the chamber 4 into the mixing chamber 14 , the cartridge cover 2 has a cartridge discharge device 20 . Below the fluid supply 15 , the cartridge cover 2 has a compressed air connection 13 , which also has a conical border here in order to interact with a compressed air supply of the beverage preparation machine, so that compressed air can be introduced into the cartridge cover 2 .
  • a machine-side coupling element preferably includes both a compressed air line and a liquid line, so that the coupling element can be coupled to both openings, the fluid supply 15 and the compressed air connection 13, in particular simultaneously.
  • the compressed air is routed from the compressed air connection 13 in the direction of a mandrel guide 17 .
  • This is designed here as an opening which receives a perforating needle 8 in a form-fitting manner in such a way that it can be displaced longitudinally between a retracted position and an advanced position.
  • the mandrel guide 17 and the perforation needle 8 are part of the cartridge discharge device 20.
  • the perforation needle 8 is provided in such a way that it interacts with a (not shown) actuator element of the beverage preparation machine, so that the Perforating needle 8 can be transferred from its retracted position to the advanced position.
  • the perforation needle 8 perforates the sealing element 19 so that the beverage substance can flow through the sealing film 19 into the mixing chamber 14, in particular via at least one transfer channel 10 arranged on the outer circumference of the perforation needle 8 in the form of a groove-shaped channel.
  • the perforation needle 8 Since a negative pressure would or could arise in the chamber 4 when the beverage substance is transferred from the chamber 4, the perforation needle 8 has an internal tubular compressed air channel 11 which opens into the tip of the perforation needle 8, the perforation needle 8 and in particular the compressed air line 12 being designed in this way that is only in the advanced position of the compressed air channel 11 with the compressed air port 13 in fluid communication. This ensures that compressed air is not accidentally introduced into the mixing chamber 14 .
  • the compressed air is introduced into the chamber 4 during the preparation of the beverage, where it replaces the volume released by the outflow of the beverage substance into the mixing chamber 14 and expels the beverage substance.
  • the beverage preparation machine controls the compressed air supply in such a way that towards the end of the beverage preparation a residual volume of the beverage substance, the liquid and/or the beverage is expelled from the cartridge 1 via the residue outlet 21 .
  • the cartridge cover 2 therefore has a gas outlet 16 which is in particular formed separately from the beverage outlet 6 . Separate means in particular that liquid and/or gas from the mixing chamber 14 downstream cannot get from the beverage outlet 6 into the gas outlet 16 and vice versa. There are therefore no holes or fluid connections between the two preferably channel-like outlets. This ensures that no liquid, i.e.
  • the gas outlet 16 is provided here essentially in the middle of the cartridge holder 1, but can also be arranged, for example, in an edge area.
  • the arrangement shown here is advantageous, however, since it is desirable anyway that the liquid and the beverage substance cover the longest possible path between the fluid inlet 15 and the beverage outlet 6 in order to ensure complete mixing, and thus the central area between the mandrel guide 17 and the beverage outlet 6 advantageously to the Available.
  • the perforating needle preferably has a tip and an obliquely arranged surface, which support perforating the sealing element 19 .
  • the compressed air channel 10 preferably opens out in the aforementioned area and in particular in the center of the perforation needle 8.
  • the perforating needle 8 has an actuator receptacle 9, an area designed here as a recess, in which the actuator element of the beverage preparation machine engages in order to transfer the perforating needle 8 from the retracted position to the advanced position.
  • This area is preferably designed to taper upwards, i.e. in the direction of the tip of the perforating needle 8, at least in sections, in order to enable simple centering of the actuator element, which means that the perforating needle 8 can jam in the mandrel guide 17 and, as a result, possible damage to the cartridge 1 and/or the beverage preparation machine, is avoided.
  • the lower end area of the cartridge cover 2 is provided at an angle, but this is primarily an aesthetic decision; an essentially horizontally arranged end area would also be possible, for example, which is aligned in particular parallel to the opening plane defined by the connecting area and in particular the upper peripheral edge.
  • gas outlet 16 and the beverage outlet 6 have a substantially circular cross-section, excluding in the case of the beverage outlet 6 a small area occupied by the residue outlet 21 .
  • cross sections for example oval-shaped or polygonal cross sections, are also possible.
  • FIG. 2 (c) now shows a top view of the cartridge cover 2 from the direction of the sealing element 19 of the cartridge body 3 .
  • This embodiment corresponds essentially the previously explained embodiments, so that the relevant statements are also relevant here.
  • the cartridge cover 2 has an essentially circular cross-section, with a flattening in the area of the fluid supply 15 and the compressed air connection 13 in order to enable simpler coupling to the beverage preparation machine.
  • the mandrel guide 17, the gas outlet 16, the beverage outlet 6 and/or the residue outlet 21 are preferably formed in one piece.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une cartouche (1) à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons (3) présentant un corps de cartouche et un couvercle de cartouche (2) relié au corps de cartouche (3), le corps de cartouche (3) présentant une pluralité de chambres (4) remplies d'une substance de boisson, le couvercle de cartouche (2) présentant une unité de vidange de cartouche (20), une chambre de mélange (14) et une conduite d'alimentation en fluide (15) aboutissant dans la chambre de mélange (4), l'unité de vidange de cartouche (20) permettant de transférer une substance de boisson d'une des chambres (4) jusque dans la chambre de mélange (14), et la chambre de mélange (14) destinée à la production d'une boisson par mélange de la substance de boisson transférée de l'une des chambres (4) à la chambre de mélange (14) avec un liquide alimenté par la conduite d'alimentation en fluide (15) dans la chambre de mélange (14) caractérisée en ce que le corps de cartouche (3) et le couvercle de cartouche (2) sont conçus de manière à pouvoir tourner l'un par rapport à l'autre autour d'un axe longitudinal (L) du corps de cartouche (3). L'invention concerne en outre un procédé de fonctionnement d'une cartouche.
EP22718872.9A 2021-03-25 2022-03-25 Cartouche à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons, procédé de fonctionnement d'une telle cartouche Pending EP4313843A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102021202961 2021-03-25
PCT/EP2022/057909 WO2022200564A1 (fr) 2021-03-25 2022-03-25 Cartouche à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons, procédé de fonctionnement d'une telle cartouche

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4313843A1 true EP4313843A1 (fr) 2024-02-07

Family

ID=81387146

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22718872.9A Pending EP4313843A1 (fr) 2021-03-25 2022-03-25 Cartouche à insérer dans une machine de préparation de boissons, procédé de fonctionnement d'une telle cartouche

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20240140775A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4313843A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2024511794A (fr)
KR (1) KR20230148367A (fr)
CN (1) CN117120364A (fr)
AU (1) AU2022242033A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112023017030A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA3213195A1 (fr)
IL (1) IL305286A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022200564A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US19824A (en) * 1858-04-06 Syrup-caster
US10913647B2 (en) * 2015-06-11 2021-02-09 LifeFuels, Inc. Portable system for dispensing controlled quantities of additives into a beverage
ES2939370T3 (es) * 2016-01-12 2023-04-21 Freezio Ag Sistema de dispensador con soporte para cartucho

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3213195A1 (fr) 2022-09-29
WO2022200564A1 (fr) 2022-09-29
BR112023017030A2 (pt) 2023-11-07
JP2024511794A (ja) 2024-03-15
CN117120364A (zh) 2023-11-24
AU2022242033A1 (en) 2023-09-14
US20240140775A1 (en) 2024-05-02
IL305286A (en) 2023-10-01
KR20230148367A (ko) 2023-10-24

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