EP4598864A1

EP4598864A1 - Method for dispensing a beverage and beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP4598864A1
Application number: EP23802335.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cesare SCHIATTI; Andrea Maria Palopoli; Fabio Grassi
Original assignee: Celli SpA
Current assignee: Celli SpA
Priority date: 2022-10-07
Filing date: 2023-10-05
Publication date: 2025-08-13
Also published as: IT202200020673A1; WO2024075143A1

Abstract

Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) comprising water (W), syrup (S), and carbon dioxide (C) mixed with each other, comprising: storing (30) a predefined foam index (I F) for each syrup (S); storing (31) a predefined syrup intensity index (I s) associated with a respective dilution ratio (R 2) between an amount of water (W) and an amount of syrup (S); storing (32) a water flow (F w); calculating (33) a foam volume (V F) on the basis of a carbon dioxide intensity (C) selected by a user; storing (34) in said storage means (M) a predefined foam stabilization speed (S F); calculating (35) an amount of foam (R F); and calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) to be taken during the dispensing of said beverage (B).

Description

Method for dispensing a beverage and beverage dispenser thereof

The present invention relates to a method for dispensing a beverage .

The present invention relates al so to a beverage dispenser .

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

More in detail , the invention relates to a method of said type , designed and manufactured in particular to determine an optimi zed delivery mode of a speci fic beverage such as , for example, beer, carbonated beverages and the like dispensed by a beverage dispenser .

In the following, the description will be directed to a beverage dispenser equipped with two tapping valves for dispensing a beverage , but it is clear that the same should not be considered limited to this speci fic use .

BACKGROUND

As well known, dispensers or distributors of beverages are currently available on the market .

Such beverage dispensers are manually operable by users , to autonomously dispense one or more beverages .

In particular, such beverage dispensers generally comprise one or more activation/ interrupt buttons to actuate or interrupt delivery of the respective beverages selected by the user .

More in detail , when it is necessary to dispense a beverage , the user can keep the act ivation/ interruption button associated with a respective beverage to activate the dispensing thereof , filling the receptacle , such as , for example , a glass/cup, positioned at a respective slit valve , until a desired filling level is reached . In this case the dispensing is interrupted by releasing the activation/ interruption button .

Alternatively, some beverage dispensers are designed to automatically f ill the glass with the respective selected beverage and according to a predefined amount associated with the si ze of the glass , upon a single pressure of the activation/ interruption button by the user .

However, one drawback of these known solutions i s that they can cause the leakage o f foam from the glas s during the automatic dispensing of the specific beverage , especially in the case o f beverages containing carbon dioxide . As can be imagined, the leakage of foam dirty the cup, and also the dispenser, and this makes impossible , or unattractive , for the user to remove the glass , as well as the subsequent use of the dispenser .

A further drawback of these known solutions is that they do not allow the user to provide any qualitative check regarding the dispensing of the newly made beverage from the beverage dispenser . Therefore , any mal functions associated with the dispensing of the beverage are not detected by the beverage dispenser, which, therefore , will continue to dispense the speci fic beverage with the same operating configuration used previously, without considering any foam leakage .

AIM OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above , it is , therefore , a scope of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above , providing a method for dispensing a beverage that makes it possible to prevent the leakage of foam during dispensing of the speci fic beverage by the beverage dispenser .

It is another obj ect of the invention to provide a beverage dispenser that allows a user to provide feedback relating to the quality of the dispensing .

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a beverage dispenser that is highly reliable , relatively simple to provide , and at competitive costs i f compared to the prior art .

A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide the instruments necessary for carrying out the method and apparatuses that perform this method .

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a speci fic obj ect of the present invention a method for dispensing a beverage comprising water, syrup, and carbon dioxide mixed with each other , by means of a beverage dispenser having a logic control unit and storage means , connected to said logic control unit , wherein said method comprises the following steps :

- storing in said storage means a predefined foam index for each syrup ;

- storing in said storage means a predefined syrup intensity index associated with a respective dilution ratio between an amount o f water and an amount of syrup ;

- storing in said storage means a water flow;

- calculating, by means of said logic control unit , a foam volume as a function of said foam index, of said syrup intensity index and o f said water flow, on the basis of a carbon dioxide intensity selected by a user ;

- storing in said storage means a predefined foam stabili zation speed;

- calculating, by means of said logic control unit , an amount of foam as a function of the ratio between said foam volume and said foam stabili zation speed; and

- calculating, by means of said logic control unit , the total duration of pauses to be taken during the dispensing of said beverage as a function of said amount of foam and on the basis of an amount of beverage selected by said user .

Further according to the invention, said logic control unit is configured for :

- receiving a feedback signal sent by said user at the end of beverage dispensing by said beverage dispenser, and

- veri fying whether said feedback signal is within a predefined range stored in said storage means ,

- i f said feedback signal is within said predefined dispensing range , starting the next dispensing according to the previous steps of the method, i f said feedback signal is not within said predefined dispensing range , modi fying at least one of the stored and/or at least one of the calculated parameters , and recalculating the total duration of said pauses calculated in the preceding step .

Still according to the invention, said logic control unit is configured for :

- receiving a feedback signal sent by a sensor at the end of beverage dispensing by said beverage dispenser, and

- veri fying i f said feedback signal is within a predefined dispensing range stored in said storage means ,

- i f said feedback signal is within said predefined dispensing range , starting the next dispensing according to the previous steps of said method, i f said feedback signal is not within said predefined dispensing range , modi fying at least one of the stored and/or one of the calculated parameters , and recalculating the total duration of said pauses calculated in the preceding step .

Preferably according to the invention, said number of pauses is calculated by means of the following formula : wherein :

I_F is said predefined foam index,

I_s is said syrup intensity index,

C is said carbon dioxide intensity,

F_w is said water flow,

V_B is said amount of beverage ,

S_F is said predefined foam stabili zation speed, and

K" is a normali zation constant .

Always according to the invention, said method may comprise the step of calculating the number of pauses from the total duration of the steps and distributing the calculated number of pauses according to an oblique normal distribution function .

Further according to the invention, the step of modi fying at least one o f the stored and/or one of the calculated parameters is carried out by means of said logic control unit .

Still according to the invention, said method may comprise a step of sending said stored and/or calculated parameters to an external process ing unit , in particular a mobile device or PC or server or to a parameter sharing network of a plurality of dispensers .

Preferably according to the invention, said method may comprise a step of receiving the stored and calculated dispensing parameters of one or more dispensers , and modi fying the initial dispensing parameters of one or more dispensers , by means of a neural network .

It is therefore a speci fic obj ect of the present invention a dispenser of beverage such as beer, carbonated drinks , and the like , comprising a base , a supporting column fixed to said base , a containment structure , connected to said supporting column and comprising a logic control unit , storage means connected to said logic control unit , wherein said storage means are configured for carrying out some steps of the method and wherein said logic control unit is configured for carrying out other steps of the method .

Still according to the invention, said dispenser comprises a dispensing unit operatively connected to said logic control unit , and comprising at least one a tapping valve for dispensing a respective beverage , a sensor configured for detecting any foam leakage from a tank to be placed, in use, in correspondence of said at least one tapping valve, and for providing to said logic control unit a detecting signal associated to said possible detected foam leakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will now be described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a beverage dispenser, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows, in schematic view, an operative connection between a control logic unit and a dispensing unit, comprised in the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 shows the flow diagram of the method for dispensing a beverage using the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1, according to the present invention.

In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the dispenser of beverages B, such as, for example, beers, carbonated beverages and the like, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a base, or drip receptor base 10, a supporting column 11, which can be fixed, also in a removable manner, to said base 10 or to the support plane of the dispenser, a containment structure 12, a control logic unit U and a dispensing unit 2, operatively connected to said control logic unit U, to dispense at least one of said beverages .

In the following description, reference i s made to a dispenser 1 for post-mix beverages B, i . e . , beverages composed of the mixture of soda, or gasi fied water or water W in which carbon dioxide C is dissolved, and a syrup S , but it is clear that this should not be considered as a limitation .

In the disclosed embodiment , the amount of water W and the amount of syrup S are predefined amounts . Instead, the amount of carbon dioxide C is selectable by the user (not shown in the figures ) , as this will be better explained below .

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the amounts of water W, syrup S and carbon dioxide C for each beverage B predefined and/or selectable by the user can di f fer from what has been described, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention .

The drip receptor base 10 , having a substantially rectangular shape , has a surface 100 on which the receptacles or containers R1 such as , for example , glasses and the like , are positioned to be filled with the respective beverages B dispensed by said dispensing unit 2 .

Moreover, in the embodiment being disclosed, said base 10 develops on an XY plane o f a Cartesian re ference system XYZ . However, in other embodiments , the base 10 may have a di f ferent shape , without departing from the scope of the present invention .

The supporting column 11 has one end 11A fixed to said base 10 and another end 11B fixed to said containment structure 12 .

In particular, as can be seen from FIG . 1 , the supporting column 11 develops in height , substantially in the direction of an axis Z , perpendicular to the XY plane of the cartesian reference system XYZ .

The dispensing unit 2 , arranged in said containment structure 12 , comprises a first tapping valve 20 for dispensing a first beverage and a second tapping valve 21 for dispensing a second beverage .

In the present embodiment , the first beverage and the second beverage, which are respectively dispensed by the first tapping valve 20 and by the second tapping valve 21 , are the same beverage B . However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the first and the second beverage can be di f ferent from each other or each tapping valve 20 , 21 can dispense di f ferent beverages .

Additionally, it is possible to provide a number of tapping valves 20 , 21 other than two , i . e . , one or more than two .

In addition, the beverage dispenser 1 comprises storage means M for storing predefined indices associated with each beverage B .

In particular, in said storage means M a predefined foam index I_F for each syrup S are stored, a predef ined syrup intensity index I_s as sociated with a respective ratio R2 of dilution between an amount of water W and an amount of syrup S , a water flow F_w, a predefined foam stabili zation speed S_F .

The logic control unit U is configured to calculate a foam volume V_F as a function of said foam index I_F, said syrup intensity index I_s and said water flow F_w, based on an intensity of carbon dioxide C selected by the user .

Moreover, the control logic unit U is configured to calculate an amount of R_F foam according to the ratio between said foam volume V_F and said predetermined foam stabili zation rate S_F .

Then, the control logic unit U is configured to calculate a number of pauses T to be executed during the delivery of the speci fic beverage B as a function o f said amount of foam R_F and on the basi s of an amount o f beverage V_B selected by said user .

Additionally, the control logic unit U is configured to receive a feedback signal sent by the user at the end of the delivery of the beverage B .

In particular, this feedback signal , associated with the quality of delivery of the beverage B, can be provided by the user through interface means I connected to said logic control unit U or by means of a telematic device (not shown in the figures ) such as , for example , a smartphone , a tablet or a PC .

In the embodiment being disclosed, said logic control unit U is arranged inside said containment structure 12 . However, in other embodiments , the position and the number o f said logic control unit U may di f fer from what has been described, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention .

The beverage dispenser 1 also includes a sensor S such as , for example , an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like .

The sensor S is configured to detect , during the dispensing of the beverage B , any escape of the foam from the container R1 positioned in correspondence of a tapping valve 20 , 21 .

Moreover, the sensor S is configured to supply to the logic control unit U a detection signal associated with the possible detected leakage of foam from the container R1 .

In the embodiment being disclosed, said sensor S is an optical sensor . However, in other embodiments , the type and number of said sensors S may di f fer from what has been described, without departing from the scope o f protection of the present invention .

Furthermore , the storage means M comprise , for example , a database and are adapted to store the values calculated by the logic control unit U and the data acquired by the sensor S .

In particular, said storage means M are connected to the logic control unit U and to said sensor S .

In the embodiment being disclosed, said storage means M are arranged inside said containment structure 12 . However, in other embodiments , said storage means M may be arranged in a position di f ferent from that described, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention .

The method 3 for dispensing a beverage B comprising water W, syrup S and carbon dioxide C, by means of the beverage dispenser 1 described above , is performed as follows . With reference to FIG . 3 , initially, in step 30 , a predefined foam index I_F for each syrup S is stored in the storage means M .

More in detail , the foam index I_F is the parameter that takes into account all the characteristics of the aroma or taste of the respective beverage B .

Table 1 below shows some values of predefined foam indices I_F for their respective aromas .

Subsequently, in step 31 , there is stored in the storage means M, an intensity index of the syrup I_s associated with a respective ratio R2 of dilution between an amount of water W and an amount of syrup S . Next , in step 32 , a water flow F_w i s stored in the storage means M .

Then, in step 33 , a foam volume V_F is calculated by means of the control logic unit U, as a function of the foam index I_F stored in step 30 , the syrup intensity index I_s stored in step 31 and the water flow F_w stored in step 32 , on the basis of an intensity of carbon dioxide C selected by the user .

In particular, in the embodiment being disclosed, the levels of intensity of carbon dioxide C selectable by the user are three : high, medium and low . However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the selectable carbon dioxide levels C can be di f ferent from that described, without departing from the scope of the present invention .

Subsequently, in step 34 , a predefined foam stabili zation speed S_F is stored in the storage means M .

The indexes and the values I_F, I_s, S_F stored in steps 30 -32 and 34 , are calculated experimentally in the laboratory, however, by suitably modeling a physical phenomenon it would be possible to succeed in defining such indices and values even in an analytical way .

In step 35 , an amount of foam R_F is calculated, by means of the logic control unit U, according to the ratio between the foam volume V_F calculated in step 32 and the predefined foam stabili zation rate S_F of step 34 .

Finally, in step 36 , it is calculated, by means of the control logic unit U, the overall duration of the pauses T , expressed in seconds , as a function of the amount of foam R_F and on the basis of the amount of beverage V_B selected by the user.

In particular, to calculate the overall duration of the pauses T in seconds, it is taken into account the type of syrup S, by means of a linear coefficient from 1 to 4, the intensity of syrup I_s, for example by means of a linear coefficient from 0.8 to 1.1, the intensity of carbon dioxide W, for example by means of a linear coefficient of 11.9, the quantity of beverage to be delivered, for example by means of a linear coefficient from 0 to 1.

The overall duration of the pauses T in seconds is then divided into several pauses, for example in a predefined number of pauses, which can be defined depending on the specific beverage B to be delivered or on the basis of the volume to be delivered, or it can be calculated taking into account the foam volumes and the stabilization speed of the foam S_F-

Thereafter, the number of calculated pauses, is distributed according to an oblique normal distribution function.

The table 2 below shows the number of pauses T necessary for each dispensing in a bottle of the type Hydroflask (21oz) , when dispensing 20oz. The values refer to a rate of l,96oz/s (the maximum rate allowed - US 968070) .

Table 3 below shows the number of total seconds of the total number of pauses T of Table 2.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the number of seconds of a pause T to be implemented during dispensing of a specific beverage B is calculated based on the following function: The amount of foam R_F, expressed in seconds over milliliters (s/ml) , is calculated by means of the following function:

The foam volume V_F is expressed in milliliters (ml ) and calculated by means of the following function: In particular, in the present embodiment , the functions for calculating the number of seconds of a pause T to be implemented during dispensing of a speci fic beverage B are the following : whereby K, K' , K" are the constant used to normali ze the parameters .

In addition, in order to optimi ze the subsequent dispensing with respect to the current one , the beverage dispenser 1 performs a dispensing control .

Said dispensing control can take place according to a first embodiment in automatic mode , by means of a sensor S , and according to a second embodiment , in manual mode , by a user .

In particular, according to said first embodiment , the sensor S is able to detect the possible leakage o f the foam from the glass/cup R .

Subsequently, the sensor S provides the logic control unit U the detection signal associated with the leakage of foam from the cup during the delivery of the speci fic beverage B .

The control logic unit U receives the detection signal from said sensor S and is configured to modi fy one of the parameters stored in said storage means M, in particular the foam index I_F and/or the foam stabili zation rate S_F, characteri zing the method 3 described above in order to prevent the leakage of foam in the subsequent dispensing .

The variation is made by step and attempts , i . e . , the control unit U modi fies the parameters , according to the method 3 , at each successive dispensing, until it receives a negative detection signal indicating nonleakage of foam .

In particular, the logic control unit U checks whether said detection signal falls within a predefined dispensing range stored in said storage means M .

I f said detection signal falls within said predefined dispensing range , the subsequent dispensing is started according to steps 30 -36 of the method 3 described above .

I f , on the other hand, said detection signal does not fall within said predefined dispensing range , the overall duration of the pauses T required for the subsequent dispensing is recalculated to prevent the leakage of foam .

The second embodiment di f fers from the first embodiment described above solely in that the detection signal is a feedback or acknowledge signal sent by the user to the logic control unit U .

In particular, the user sends a feedback signal or acknowledge signal to the logic control unit U, at the end of the dispensing o f the beverage B the feedback signal relates to the quality perceived by the user on the dispensing carried out by means of the beverage dispenser B . In particular , the feedback signal relates to the leakage of foam or not .

As already mentioned, this feedback signal can be provided by the interface means I such as , for example , a touchscreen and the like , which are functionally connected to the beverage di spenser 1 or by means of a telematic device (not shown in the figures ) such as , for example , a smartphone , a tablet , a PC, connectable to the control logic unit U .

The logic control unit U may be arranged to share the correct parameters , identi fied based on the various attempts , on a cloud server, a smart device , a PC, or the like , in order to instruct an operator, other delivery devices , and/or a neural network adapted to determine the best parameters for the method 3 .

In particular, said neural network is capable o f receiving the computed initial delivery data of one or more dispensers , and is able to calculate improved initial delivery data of one or more dispensers . Said neural network may be arranged in said logic control unit U or in a remote unit .

Advantages

An advantage of the method for dispensing a beverage according to the present invention is to prevent leakage of foam when dispensing the speci fic beverage by the beverage dispenser .

A further advantage of the beverage dispenser according to the present invention is to allow a user to provide feedback relating to the quality of the dispensing .

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes , according to its preferred embodiments , but it is to be understood that variations and/or modi fications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the appended claims .

Claims

CLAIMS Method for dispensing a beverage and beverage dispenser thereof

1. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) comprising water (W) , syrup (S) , and carbon dioxide (C) mixed with each other, by means of a beverage dispenser (1) having a logic control unit (U) and storage means (M) , connected to said logic control unit (U) , wherein said method (3) comprises the following steps: storing (30) in said storage means (M) a predefined foam index (I_F) for each syrup (S) ; storing (31) in said storage means (M) a predefined syrup intensity index (I_s) associated with a respective dilution ratio (R2) between an amount of water (W) and an amount of syrup (S) ;

- storing (32) in said storage means (M) a water flow (F_w) ;

- calculating (33) , by means of said logic control unit (U) , a foam volume (V_F) as a function of said foam index (I_F) , of said syrup intensity index (I_s) and of said water flow (F_w) , on the basis of a carbon dioxide intensity (C) selected by a user; storing (34) in said storage means (M) a predefined foam stabilization speed (S_F) ;

- calculating (35) , by means of said logic control unit (U) , an amount of foam (R_F) as a function of the ratio between said foam volume (V_F) and said foam stabilization speed (S_F) ; and

- calculating (36) , by means of said logic control unit (U) , the total duration of pauses (T) to be taken during the dispensing of said beverage (B) as a function of said amount of foam (R_F) and on the basis of an amount of beverage (V_B) selected by said user.

2. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to the preceding claim, wherein said logic control unit (U) is configured for:

- receiving a feedback signal sent by said user at the end of beverage (B) dispensing by said beverage dispenser (1) , and

- verifying whether said feedback signal is within a predefined range stored in said storage means (M) ,

- if said feedback signal is within said predefined dispensing range, starting the next dispensing according to the steps of storing (30) a predefined foam index (I_F) , storing (31) a predefined syrup intensity index (Is) , storing (32) a water flow (F_w) , calculating (33) a foam volume (V_F) , storing (34) a predefined foam stabilization speed (S_F) , calculating (35) an amount of foam (RF) , calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) of said method (3) , if said feedback signal is not within said predefined dispensing range, modifying at least one of the stored and/or at least one of the calculated parameters, and recalculating the total duration of said pauses (T) calculated in said step of calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) .

3. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to claim 1, wherein said logic control unit (U) is configured for:

- receiving a feedback signal sent by a sensor at the end of beverage (B) dispensing by said beverage dispenser (1) , and

- verifying if said feedback signal is within a predefined dispensing range stored in said storage means (M) ,

- if said feedback signal is within said predefined dispensing range, starting the next dispensing according to the steps of storing (30) a predefined foam index (I_F) , storing (31) a syrup intensity index (Is) , storing (32) a water flow (F_w) , calculating (33) a foam volume (V_F) , storing (34) a predefined foam stabilization speed (S_F) , calculating (35) an amount of foam (R_F) , calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) of said method ( 3 ) , if said feedback signal is not within said predefined dispensing range, modifying at least one of the stored and/or one of the calculated parameters, and recalculating the total duration of said pauses (T) calculated in said step of calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) .

4. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said number of pauses (T) is calculated by means of the following formula: wherein :

I_F is said predefined foam index,

I_s is said syrup intensity index,

C is said carbon dioxide intensity,

F_w is said water flow,

V_B is said amount of beverage,

S_F is said predefined foam stabilization speed, and K" is a normalization constant.

5. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the step of calculating the number of pauses from the total duration of the steps and distributing the calculated number of pauses according to an oblique normal distribution function .

6. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of modifying at least one of the stored and/or one of the calculated parameters is carried out by means of said logic control unit (U) .

7. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of sending said stored and/or calculated parameters to an external processing unit, in particular a mobile device or PC or server or to a parameter sharing network of a plurality of dispensers.

8. Method (3) for dispensing a beverage (B) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of receiving the stored and calculated dispensing parameters of one or more dispensers, and modifying the initial dispensing parameters of one or more dispensers, by means of a neural network.

9. Dispenser (1) of beverage (B) such as beer, carbonated drinks, and the like, comprising: a base (10) , a supporting column (11) fixed to said base (10) , a containment structure (12) , connected to said supporting column (11) and comprising a logic control unit (U) , storage means (M) connected to said logic control unit (U) , said dispenser (1) being characterized in that said storage means (M) are configured for carrying out the steps of storing (30) a predefined foam index (IF) , storing (31) a syrup intensity index (Is) , storing (32) a water flow (F_w) , and storing (34) a predefined foam stabilization speed (S_F) , of said method (3) according to any one of claims 1-8, and in that said logic control unit (U) is configured for carrying out the steps calculating (33) a foam volume (V_F) , calculating (35) an amount of foam (R_F) and calculating (36) the total duration of pauses (T) of said method (3) according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. Dispenser (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said dispenser (1) comprises a dispensing unit (2) operatively connected to said logic control unit (U) , and comprising at least one a tapping valve (20, 21) for dispensing a respective beverage (B) , a sensor (S) configured for detecting any foam leakage from a tank (Rl) to be placed, in use, in correspondence of said at least one tapping valve (20,21) , and for providing to said logic control unit (U) a detecting signal associated to said possible detected foam leakage.