EP4694705A1 - Spherifier apparatus - Google Patents

Spherifier apparatus

Info

Publication number
EP4694705A1
EP4694705A1 EP23844199.2A EP23844199A EP4694705A1 EP 4694705 A1 EP4694705 A1 EP 4694705A1 EP 23844199 A EP23844199 A EP 23844199A EP 4694705 A1 EP4694705 A1 EP 4694705A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spherifier
liquid
inlet fitting
receptacle
pump
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
EP23844199.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Francesco COSSENTINO
giovanni massetti
Mauro Piloni
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.)
Wonderideas SA
Original Assignee
Wonderideas SA
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 Wonderideas SA filed Critical Wonderideas SA
Publication of EP4694705A1 publication Critical patent/EP4694705A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23P—SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
    • A23P10/00—Shaping or working of foodstuffs characterised by the products
    • A23P10/30—Encapsulation of particles, e.g. foodstuff additives

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of instruments and devices used in molecular cuisine.
  • the present invention relates to a spherifier apparatus.
  • the first step in the spherification process involves adding a certain amount of sodium alginate to the desired liquid foodstuff and mixing it to obtain a liquid mixture. Subsequently, drops of this liquid mixture are caused to fall into a bath of water and calcium chloride. The chemical reaction between the sodium alginate contained in the drops of liquid mixture and the calcium chloride contained in the bath causes the drops to be enclosed by a film, thereby obtaining a plurality of spheres. These spheres can then be removed from the bath and rinsed. It is preferable for the bath to be constantly mixed in order to aid the chemical process and improve the appearance of the resulting spheres.
  • the spherification process can also be carried out in a similar manner by reversing the chemical compounds mentioned above, i.e. by causing drops of a liquid containing calcium chloride to fall into a bath of water and sodium alginate.
  • the drops are created by an user with the aid of a suitably sized syringe.
  • the user first draws the liquid from a basin and then creates a number of drops inside the bath using the syringe.
  • the user is required to have some experience and manual dexterity to be able to obtain spheres with perfectly spherical shape and uniform size.
  • this way of performing the spherification process is very laborious and often results in the impossibility to use at a later time the liquid remaining in the bath, due to oxidation of the liquid caused by prolonged exposure to air.
  • WO2017/059525 discloses a portable spherifier apparatus comprising a casing having dimensions such that it can be gripped by a user, a receptacle accommodated in the casing and adapted to contain the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent (such as for example sodium alginate) with which to make the spheres, a removable cap mounted at the upper end of the casing to close an inlet mouth of the receptacle, a conduit connected to the lower end of the receptacle, and a pumping element associated with the conduit to pump the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent from the receptacle to a dispensing nozzle arranged at the lower end of the casing.
  • liquid foodstuff and gelling agent such as for example sodium alginate
  • the user With such a spherifier apparatus, the user must first pour into the container, after removing the cap, the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent with which the spheres are to be generated, and then, after activating the pumping element, for example by means of a special start button, let the drops of mixture flowing out of the dispensing nozzle of the apparatus fall onto a bath of water and calcium chloride.
  • Such an apparatus while facilitating the execution of the spherification process compared to the use of a simple syringe, nevertheless requires a certain skill from the user, particularly in terms of positioning of the dispensing nozzle with respect to the bath.
  • the invention is based on the idea of providing a spherifier apparatus comprising:
  • a support base provided with an inlet fitting for the entry of a liquid for the formation of spheres, said inlet connection comprising an upper part which protrudes from an upper face of the support base and comprises removable coupling means for coupling said upper part to a neck of a bottle containing said liquid;
  • a drip duct which extends upwards from said upper face of the support base and is configured to allow said liquid to flow out in the form of drops;
  • variable-displacement pump in fluid communication on one side with the inlet fitting and on the other with the drip duct to pump the liquid contained in the bottle towards the drip duct when the bottle is connected to the inlet fitting via said removable coupling means;
  • a receptacle adapted to contain a bath for the formation of spheres, said receptacle being arranged in a removable manner on said upper face of the support base so as to intercept the liquid drops flowing out of the drip duct;
  • a controller configured to control the pump to deliver a given liquid flow rate and to control said stirring means to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle at a given speed.
  • FIG. 1 shows a spherifier apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the spherifier apparatus of Figure 1 with some of the internal components of the apparatus shown in transparency;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a bottle containing a liquid for the formation of spheres coupled to the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus of Figure 1 , with the csolure member of the inlet fitting in the open position;
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, in which only the upper part of the inlet fitting is shown and in which the closure member is in the closed position.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 comprises first of all a support base 4, which is provided with an inlet fitting for the entry of the liquid foodstuff with which to form the spheres, said liquid foodstuff being contained in a bottle B.
  • the inlet fitting comprises a body 6, which is mounted inside the support base 4, and a cap-like upper part 2, which is connected at its bottom to the body 6 and has at its top a mouth 20 provided with coupling means, for example a thread, for removable coupling with the neck of the bottle B.
  • the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting protrudes upwards from an upper face 4a of the support base 4.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 further comprises a drip duct 10, which extends upwards from the upper face 4a of the support base 4 and has, for example, a gooseneck shape, and a variable-displacement pump 8, which on one side is in fluid communication with the body 6 of the inlet fitting and on the other is in fluid communication with the drip duct 10 so as to pump from the body 6 of the inlet fitting to the drip duct 10 the liquid foodstuff coming from the bottle B.
  • a drip duct 10 which extends upwards from the upper face 4a of the support base 4 and has, for example, a gooseneck shape
  • a variable-displacement pump 8 which on one side is in fluid communication with the body 6 of the inlet fitting and on the other is in fluid communication with the drip duct 10 so as to pump from the body 6 of the inlet fitting to the drip duct 10 the liquid foodstuff coming from the bottle B.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 further comprises a receptacle 12 adapted to contain a bath for the formation of spheres, said receptacle 12 being removably arranged on the upper face 4a of the support base 4, at a distance from the bottle B, so as to receive the drops of liquid foodstuff falling from an outlet 10a of the drip duct 10.
  • Stirring means 14 are associated with the receptacle 12 to rotate the bath contained therein.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 comprises a controller configured to receive as input from a user a signal representative of a desired flow rate for the pump 8 and a signal representative of a desired rotational speed for the bath contained in the receptacle 12, and to control, based on these signals, the flow rate of the pump 8 and the rotational speed at which the stirring means 14 rotate the bath contained in the receptacle 12.
  • the bottle B contains a mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling substance, such as for example sodium alginate or calcium chloride, so that it is ready for use without the need for further operations by the user.
  • a mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling substance such as for example sodium alginate or calcium chloride
  • the bottle B may be any container made of glass, plastic, or other material, having a protruding upper portion, the so-called “neck", from which the liquid can be poured and which can be closed by means of a cap.
  • the neck of the bottle B has a threaded end for coupling to the thread of the mouth 20 of the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus 1.
  • the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting is configured so as to be separable from the body 6 to be coupled, in particular by screwing, to the neck of the bottle B.
  • the upper part 2 comprises a closure system for preventing the flow of liquid through said part.
  • a closure system comprises a closure member 21 , which is received inside the upper part 2 and is movable along the axis of the upper part 2 (i.e.
  • the closure system further comprises a spring 22 acting on the closure member 21 so as to keep it normally in the closed position.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 can draw the liquid mixture contained inside the bottle B by means of the pump 8 and discharge it in the form of drops from the drip duct 10.
  • a push member 60 is accommodated in the body 6 and is configured to act on the closure member 21 of the closure system of the upper part 2, against the elastic force of the spring 22, so as to move the closure member 21 from the closed position to the open position when the upper part 2 is connected to the body 6 of the inlet fitting.
  • the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting may be provided with a piercing element for piercing an aluminium foil placed at the end of the neck of the bottle B as a sealing means for sealing the same bottle.
  • the pump 8 is positioned within the support base 4.
  • the pump 8 preferably has a flow rate within the range of 10-60 ml/minute.
  • the flow rate of the pump 8 can be adjusted discretely or continuously within this range.
  • the pump 8 is preferably a peristaltic pump.
  • the stirring means 14 are preferably of a magnetic type and comprise electromagnetic windings, which are contained within the support base 4 below the receptacle 12 and are configured to rotate a magnetic rod (not shown) inserted into the receptacle 12, preferably at a rotational speed in the range of 0-3000 rpm.
  • the rotational speed can be adjusted discretely or continuously within this range.
  • the support base preferably comprises a plurality of first control members 16, formed for example by push buttons, with which the user can adjust the flow rate of the pump 8, and a plurality of second control members 18, formed for example by push buttons, with which the user can adjust the rotational speed with which the stirring means 14 rotate the bath contained in the receptacle 12.
  • the commands given by the user via the control members 16 and/or 18 are transmitted in the form of electrical signals to the controller, which then controls the pump 8 and/or the stirring means 14 accordingly.
  • the controller is provided with remote communication means, such as an antenna, configured to receive a wireless signal from a remote control device, such as for example a smart device.
  • a remote control device such as for example a smart device.
  • the user can remotely control the spherifier apparatus 1 by selecting the desired flow rate and rotational speed values via the remote control device.
  • the spherification process by means of the spherifier apparatus 1 described above comprises first the step of coupling the neck of a bottle B containing the liquid mixture for the spherification to the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus 1. This can be achieved, in the event that the upper part 2 is separable from the body 6 of the inlet fitting, by first coupling, for example by screwing, the upper part 2 to the neck of the bottle B, and then connecting, with the bottle B upside down, the upper part 2 to the body 6 of the inlet fitting.
  • the user can transmit to the controller of the spherifier apparatus 1 , for example by means of the buttons 16 and 18 or by means of a dedicated application on a smart device, a control signal for setting the desired flow rate of the pump 8 and/or a control signal for setting the desired rotational speed of the stirring means 14.
  • the controller based on such control signal(s), will control the pump 8 and the stirring means 14 and the liquid mixture for the spherification will be dripped at the desired flow rate from the drip duct 10 into the bath contained in the receptacle 12 and brought into rotation by the stirring means 14 at the desired rotational speed.
  • a sensor capable of detecting a unique code for example a QR code, a bar code, etc.
  • This unique code contains information characterising both the liquid mixture contained in the bottle B and the operating characteristics of the spherifier apparatus 1 suitable for that particular liquid mixture, in particular the flow rate of the pump 8 and the rotational speed of the stirring means 14.
  • the sensor (which may be of any known type) is connected to the controller of the spherifier apparatus 1 , so that as soon as the bottle B has been coupled to the inlet fitting, the controller receives as input the information contained in the unique code detected by the sensor and, based on this information, sets the values of the flow rate of the pump 8 and of the rotational speed of the stirring means 14. In this way, the presence of the control members 16 and 18 can be avoided, since the user no longer has to personally set the operating parameters of the spherifier apparatus 1.
  • the spherifier apparatus 1 may also include a flow sensor positioned at the outlet of the pump 8.
  • the measurements taken by this sensor can be sent to a cloud both for defect prevention purposes and for apparatus utilisation analysis purposes. If the measurements taken by the flow sensor are outside the standard tolerances contained in the above-mentioned unique code, preventive maintenance actions can be activated, such as for example sending an alert to the customer to warn him of the need for carrying out cleansing cycles.
  • preventive maintenance actions can be activated, such as for example sending an alert to the customer to warn him of the need for carrying out cleansing cycles.
  • from the measurements taken by the flow sensor it is possible to estimate the frequency of use of the apparatus and thus, for example, suggest in advance to the customer the purchase of bottles.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

A spherifier apparatus (1) is described comprising: a support base (4) provided with an inlet fitting (2, 6) for the entry of a liquid for the formation of spheres, said inlet fitting (2, 6) comprising an upper part (2) which protrudes from an upper face (4a) of the support base (4) and comprises removable coupling means (20) for coupling said upper part (2) to a neck of a bottle (B) containing said liquid; a drip duct (10) extending upwardly from the upper face (4a) of said support base (4) and configured to allow the liquid to flow out in the form of drops; a variable-displacement pump (8) in fluid communication on one side with the inlet fitting (2, 6) and on the other with the drip duct (10); a receptacle (12) which contains a bath for the formation of spheres and is removably arranged on the upper face (4a) of the support base (4) so as to intercept the liquid drops flowing out of the drip duct (10); stirring means (14) configured to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle (12); and a controller configured to control the pump (8) to deliver a given flow rate of liquid and to control said stirring means (14) to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle (12) at a given rotational speed.

Description

SPHERIFIER APPARATUS
Technical field of the invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of instruments and devices used in molecular cuisine.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a spherifier apparatus.
State of the art
In molecular cuisine, the use of the spherification process, by which spheres or globules containing a given liquid foodstuff are created, is well known.
The first step in the spherification process involves adding a certain amount of sodium alginate to the desired liquid foodstuff and mixing it to obtain a liquid mixture. Subsequently, drops of this liquid mixture are caused to fall into a bath of water and calcium chloride. The chemical reaction between the sodium alginate contained in the drops of liquid mixture and the calcium chloride contained in the bath causes the drops to be enclosed by a film, thereby obtaining a plurality of spheres. These spheres can then be removed from the bath and rinsed. It is preferable for the bath to be constantly mixed in order to aid the chemical process and improve the appearance of the resulting spheres. The spherification process can also be carried out in a similar manner by reversing the chemical compounds mentioned above, i.e. by causing drops of a liquid containing calcium chloride to fall into a bath of water and sodium alginate.
Typically, the drops are created by an user with the aid of a suitably sized syringe. The user first draws the liquid from a basin and then creates a number of drops inside the bath using the syringe. However, the user is required to have some experience and manual dexterity to be able to obtain spheres with perfectly spherical shape and uniform size. In addition, this way of performing the spherification process is very laborious and often results in the impossibility to use at a later time the liquid remaining in the bath, due to oxidation of the liquid caused by prolonged exposure to air.
To facilitate and speed up the spherification process, special spherifier apparatuses have been developed. For example, WO2017/059525 discloses a portable spherifier apparatus comprising a casing having dimensions such that it can be gripped by a user, a receptacle accommodated in the casing and adapted to contain the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent (such as for example sodium alginate) with which to make the spheres, a removable cap mounted at the upper end of the casing to close an inlet mouth of the receptacle, a conduit connected to the lower end of the receptacle, and a pumping element associated with the conduit to pump the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent from the receptacle to a dispensing nozzle arranged at the lower end of the casing. With such a spherifier apparatus, the user must first pour into the container, after removing the cap, the mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling agent with which the spheres are to be generated, and then, after activating the pumping element, for example by means of a special start button, let the drops of mixture flowing out of the dispensing nozzle of the apparatus fall onto a bath of water and calcium chloride. Such an apparatus, while facilitating the execution of the spherification process compared to the use of a simple syringe, nevertheless requires a certain skill from the user, particularly in terms of positioning of the dispensing nozzle with respect to the bath. In fact, it is the user who determines, while holding the device in his hand, the drop height of the drops with respect to the bath, as well as the drop point in the bath. Therefore, even with such a spherifier apparatus, an unskilled user will not be able to produce good quality spheres.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a spherifier apparatus that makes it easier to perform the spherification process, while also allowing to obtain good results with high repeatability.
This and other objects are fully achieved according to the present invention by means of a spherifier apparatus as defined in the enclosed independent claim 1.
Preferred embodiments of the spherifier apparatus according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims, the subject-matter of which is to be understood as forming part of the following description.
In summary, the invention is based on the idea of providing a spherifier apparatus comprising:
- a support base provided with an inlet fitting for the entry of a liquid for the formation of spheres, said inlet connection comprising an upper part which protrudes from an upper face of the support base and comprises removable coupling means for coupling said upper part to a neck of a bottle containing said liquid;
- a drip duct which extends upwards from said upper face of the support base and is configured to allow said liquid to flow out in the form of drops;
- a variable-displacement pump in fluid communication on one side with the inlet fitting and on the other with the drip duct to pump the liquid contained in the bottle towards the drip duct when the bottle is connected to the inlet fitting via said removable coupling means;
- a receptacle adapted to contain a bath for the formation of spheres, said receptacle being arranged in a removable manner on said upper face of the support base so as to intercept the liquid drops flowing out of the drip duct;
- stirring means configured to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle; and
- a controller configured to control the pump to deliver a given liquid flow rate and to control said stirring means to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle at a given speed. By virtue of an apparatus thus configured it is possible to perform the spherification process with a given liquid flow rate and a given rotational speed of the bath, which allows to obtain repeatable results in terms of shape and size of the spheres thus produced. In fact, the inventors have found that the combination of values of flow rate of the pump and rotational speed of the bath results in the formation of spheres with different properties in terms of shape (for example spheres with a spherical shape or a petal-like shape) and size. In certain cases, specific combinations of values of the flow rate and of the rotational speed of the bath are required to perform the spherification process correctly, depending on the type of substance to be spherified, for example acidic liquids, oily liquids, or liquids containing CO2 and/or alcohol. With a spherifier apparatus according to the invention, it is possible to set these quantities to the desired values and thus work with different liquids requiring different combinations of the values of these quantities.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description, which is given purely by way of non-limiting example.
Brief description of the drawings
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 shows a spherifier apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a front view of the spherifier apparatus of Figure 1 with some of the internal components of the apparatus shown in transparency;
- Figure 3 is a sectional view showing a bottle containing a liquid for the formation of spheres coupled to the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus of Figure 1 , with the csolure member of the inlet fitting in the open position; and
- Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, in which only the upper part of the inlet fitting is shown and in which the closure member is in the closed position.
Detailed description
With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, a spherifier apparatus for the production of spheres containing a liquid foodstuff is generally indicated with 1. The spherifier apparatus 1 comprises first of all a support base 4, which is provided with an inlet fitting for the entry of the liquid foodstuff with which to form the spheres, said liquid foodstuff being contained in a bottle B. As shown in Figure 3, the inlet fitting comprises a body 6, which is mounted inside the support base 4, and a cap-like upper part 2, which is connected at its bottom to the body 6 and has at its top a mouth 20 provided with coupling means, for example a thread, for removable coupling with the neck of the bottle B. The upper part 2 of the inlet fitting protrudes upwards from an upper face 4a of the support base 4.
The spherifier apparatus 1 further comprises a drip duct 10, which extends upwards from the upper face 4a of the support base 4 and has, for example, a gooseneck shape, and a variable-displacement pump 8, which on one side is in fluid communication with the body 6 of the inlet fitting and on the other is in fluid communication with the drip duct 10 so as to pump from the body 6 of the inlet fitting to the drip duct 10 the liquid foodstuff coming from the bottle B.
The spherifier apparatus 1 further comprises a receptacle 12 adapted to contain a bath for the formation of spheres, said receptacle 12 being removably arranged on the upper face 4a of the support base 4, at a distance from the bottle B, so as to receive the drops of liquid foodstuff falling from an outlet 10a of the drip duct 10. Stirring means 14 are associated with the receptacle 12 to rotate the bath contained therein.
Additionally, the spherifier apparatus 1 comprises a controller configured to receive as input from a user a signal representative of a desired flow rate for the pump 8 and a signal representative of a desired rotational speed for the bath contained in the receptacle 12, and to control, based on these signals, the flow rate of the pump 8 and the rotational speed at which the stirring means 14 rotate the bath contained in the receptacle 12.
Preferably, the bottle B contains a mixture of liquid foodstuff and gelling substance, such as for example sodium alginate or calcium chloride, so that it is ready for use without the need for further operations by the user.
The bottle B may be any container made of glass, plastic, or other material, having a protruding upper portion, the so-called "neck", from which the liquid can be poured and which can be closed by means of a cap. In particular, as explained above, the neck of the bottle B has a threaded end for coupling to the thread of the mouth 20 of the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus 1.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting is configured so as to be separable from the body 6 to be coupled, in particular by screwing, to the neck of the bottle B. In this case, preferably the upper part 2 comprises a closure system for preventing the flow of liquid through said part. In this way, once the upper part 2 has been coupled to the neck of the bottle B, the bottle B can be tipped over without the liquid contained therein flowing out. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, such a closure system comprises a closure member 21 , which is received inside the upper part 2 and is movable along the axis of the upper part 2 (i.e. , along the axis of the bottle B, when the upper part 2 is coupled to the neck of the bottle B) between a closed position, shown in Figure 4, in which the closure member 21 is in contact with the inner surface of a tapered portion 23 of the upper part 2, thus preventing the flow of liquid through said part, and an open position, shown in Figure 3, in which the closure member 21 is shifted upwards relative to the closed position, so as to leave a free space between the same and the inner surface of the tapered portion 23 through which the liquid contained in the bottle B can flow out. The closure system further comprises a spring 22 acting on the closure member 21 so as to keep it normally in the closed position.
In this way, when the closure member 21 is in the open position, the spherifier apparatus 1 can draw the liquid mixture contained inside the bottle B by means of the pump 8 and discharge it in the form of drops from the drip duct 10.
Advantageously, a push member 60 is accommodated in the body 6 and is configured to act on the closure member 21 of the closure system of the upper part 2, against the elastic force of the spring 22, so as to move the closure member 21 from the closed position to the open position when the upper part 2 is connected to the body 6 of the inlet fitting.
According to an embodiment (not shown), the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting may be provided with a piercing element for piercing an aluminium foil placed at the end of the neck of the bottle B as a sealing means for sealing the same bottle. Preferably, the pump 8 is positioned within the support base 4. The pump 8 preferably has a flow rate within the range of 10-60 ml/minute. The flow rate of the pump 8 can be adjusted discretely or continuously within this range. The pump 8 is preferably a peristaltic pump.
The stirring means 14 are preferably of a magnetic type and comprise electromagnetic windings, which are contained within the support base 4 below the receptacle 12 and are configured to rotate a magnetic rod (not shown) inserted into the receptacle 12, preferably at a rotational speed in the range of 0-3000 rpm. The rotational speed can be adjusted discretely or continuously within this range.
The support base preferably comprises a plurality of first control members 16, formed for example by push buttons, with which the user can adjust the flow rate of the pump 8, and a plurality of second control members 18, formed for example by push buttons, with which the user can adjust the rotational speed with which the stirring means 14 rotate the bath contained in the receptacle 12. The commands given by the user via the control members 16 and/or 18 are transmitted in the form of electrical signals to the controller, which then controls the pump 8 and/or the stirring means 14 accordingly.
Preferably, the controller is provided with remote communication means, such as an antenna, configured to receive a wireless signal from a remote control device, such as for example a smart device. In this way, the user can remotely control the spherifier apparatus 1 by selecting the desired flow rate and rotational speed values via the remote control device.
The spherification process by means of the spherifier apparatus 1 described above comprises first the step of coupling the neck of a bottle B containing the liquid mixture for the spherification to the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting of the spherifier apparatus 1. This can be achieved, in the event that the upper part 2 is separable from the body 6 of the inlet fitting, by first coupling, for example by screwing, the upper part 2 to the neck of the bottle B, and then connecting, with the bottle B upside down, the upper part 2 to the body 6 of the inlet fitting.
At this point, the user can transmit to the controller of the spherifier apparatus 1 , for example by means of the buttons 16 and 18 or by means of a dedicated application on a smart device, a control signal for setting the desired flow rate of the pump 8 and/or a control signal for setting the desired rotational speed of the stirring means 14. The controller, based on such control signal(s), will control the pump 8 and the stirring means 14 and the liquid mixture for the spherification will be dripped at the desired flow rate from the drip duct 10 into the bath contained in the receptacle 12 and brought into rotation by the stirring means 14 at the desired rotational speed.
According to an alternative embodiment, a sensor capable of detecting a unique code (for example a QR code, a bar code, etc.) marked on the neck of the bottle B is inserted into the upper part 2 of the inlet fitting. This unique code contains information characterising both the liquid mixture contained in the bottle B and the operating characteristics of the spherifier apparatus 1 suitable for that particular liquid mixture, in particular the flow rate of the pump 8 and the rotational speed of the stirring means 14. The sensor (which may be of any known type) is connected to the controller of the spherifier apparatus 1 , so that as soon as the bottle B has been coupled to the inlet fitting, the controller receives as input the information contained in the unique code detected by the sensor and, based on this information, sets the values of the flow rate of the pump 8 and of the rotational speed of the stirring means 14. In this way, the presence of the control members 16 and 18 can be avoided, since the user no longer has to personally set the operating parameters of the spherifier apparatus 1.
The spherifier apparatus 1 may also include a flow sensor positioned at the outlet of the pump 8. In this case, the measurements taken by this sensor can be sent to a cloud both for defect prevention purposes and for apparatus utilisation analysis purposes. If the measurements taken by the flow sensor are outside the standard tolerances contained in the above-mentioned unique code, preventive maintenance actions can be activated, such as for example sending an alert to the customer to warn him of the need for carrying out cleansing cycles. Furthermore, from the measurements taken by the flow sensor it is possible to estimate the frequency of use of the apparatus and thus, for example, suggest in advance to the customer the purchase of bottles.
The present invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be envisaged which share the same inventive concept with those described herein, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Spherifier apparatus (1) comprising:
- a support base (4) provided with an inlet fitting (2, 6) for the entry of a liquid for the formation of spheres, said inlet fitting (2, 6) comprising an upper part (2) which protrudes from an upper face (4a) of the support base (4) and comprises removable coupling means (20) for coupling said upper part (2) to a neck of a bottle (B) containing said liquid;
- a drip duct (10) which extends upwards from said upper face (4a) of the support base (4) and is configured to allow said liquid to flow out in the form of drops;
- a variable-displacement pump (8) in fluid communication on one side with the inlet fitting (2, 6) and on the other with the drip duct (10) to pump towards the drip duct (10) the liquid contained in the bottle (B) when the latter is connected to the inlet fitting (2, 6) via said removable coupling means (20);
- a receptacle (12) for containing a bath for the formation of spheres, said receptacle (12) being removably arranged on said upper face (4a) of the support base (4) so as to intercept the drops of liquid flowing out of the drip duct (10);
- stirring means (14) configured to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle (12); and
- a controller configured to control the pump (8) to deliver a given flow rate of liquid and to control said stirring means (14) to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle (12) at a given rotational speed.
2. Spherifier apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises remote communication means configured to receive wireless control signals from a remote control device, said control signals defining a desired value of flow rate for the pump (8) and/or a desired value of rotational speed for said stirring means (14).
3. Spherifier apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising first control members (16) operable by a user to set a given value of flow rate for the pump (8) and second control members (18) operable by a user to set a given value of rotational speed for said stirring means (14).
4. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising sensor means which are positioned on said upper part (2) of the inlet fitting (2, 6) and are configured to detect a unique code marked on the neck of the bottle (B) and containing information related to the liquid contained in the bottle (B), wherein said controller is operatively connected to said sensor means and is configured to set the flow rate of the pump (8) and the rotational speed of said stirring means (14) based on the information contained in said unique code.
5. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet fitting (2, 6) further comprises a body (6) fixed to the support base (4) and wherein said upper part (2) of the inlet fitting (2, 6) is removable from said body (6).
6. Spherifier apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said upper part (2) of the inlet fitting (2, 6) comprises a closure system (21 , 22) configured to take, when said upper part (2) is separated from said body (6), a closed position in which the liquid is prevented from flowing through said upper part (2), and, when said upper part (2) is connected to said body (6), an open position in which the liquid coming from the bottle (B) is allowed to flow through said upper part (2).
7. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper part (2) of the inlet fitting (2, 6) is provided with a piercing element for piercing an aluminium foil placed at the end of the neck of the bottle (B).
8. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump (8) has a flow rate in the range of 10-60 ml/min.
9. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stirring means (14) comprise a magnetic rod inserted into the receptacle (12) and electromagnetic windings contained within the support base (4), below the receptacle (12), and configured to bring said magnetic rod into rotation.
10. Spherifier apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stirring means (14) are configured to rotate the bath contained in the receptacle (12) with a rotational speed in the range of 0-3000 rpm.
EP23844199.2A 2023-04-12 2023-12-28 Spherifier apparatus Pending EP4694705A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202300007005 2023-04-12
PCT/IB2023/063326 WO2024213930A1 (en) 2023-04-12 2023-12-28 Spherifier apparatus

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EP4694705A1 true EP4694705A1 (en) 2026-02-18

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WO (1) WO2024213930A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9320297B2 (en) * 2012-03-22 2016-04-26 Lemniscate Innovations Llc Spherification/reverse spherification automated and integrated system and method
GB201504222D0 (en) * 2015-03-12 2015-04-29 Dovetailed Ltd Droplet assemblies and methods for producing droplet assemblies
ES2540925B1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-01-22 Caviaroli, S.L. Encapsulation procedure of hydrophobic substances
WO2017059525A1 (en) * 2015-10-09 2017-04-13 Cohen Naor A device for producing a spherical gel product
ES2676665B2 (en) * 2017-11-21 2019-03-28 Seduco Ind Corporation S L MACHINE FOR SPRAYING OR ENCAPSULATING LIQUID OR SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS

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