ES2959050A1 - Machine for automatic beverage dispensing - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine for automatic dispensing of beverages. A machine is described for the automatic dispensing of beverages, such as milk, coffee, chocolate or others, with an external structure (2) provided with the elements necessary for its operation (sensors, heaters, electrical and electronic circuits, dispensers, pumps, valves and other mechanical or electromechanical elements, etc.). The structure houses a device (10) to supply at least one of the beverages, especially milk, which is in a fluid state and not in powder form. In this way, it is possible to obtain beverages with better organoleptic and taste properties than those known in circulation.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Machine for automatic beverage dispensing

field of invention

The invention relates to machines for the automatic dispensing of beverages, such as coffee, cappuccinos, chocolates, tea and the like.

State of the art

As is known, these machines are usually found in public spaces in stations, schools, offices and workplaces in general, where people can stop to have a drink during their commute or work breaks.

These are machines that operate mainly upon payment, with coins, cards, keys or other means, in which the user selects the desired drink using buttons, pushbuttons or other controls, and the machine delivers the drink in a glass from which it can be remove once full.

The drinks are made from coffee beans and powdered preparations based on coffee, chocolate, milk or others, which are mixed with water heated by the machine, possibly with the addition of sugar or sweetener.

The drinks obtained in this way have a satisfactory quality and, in fact, from a general point of view, the dispensing machines have been substantially the same for several years, apart from an evolution resulting from the application of electronic means of control and management.

Powdered preparations are usually arranged in hopper containers fitted with dispensers, which deliver the contents by gravity in controlled quantities (typically a few grams) for each beverage to be dispensed.

To guarantee the correct functioning of the machines, the maintenance staff periodically fills them with drink preparations, glasses, sugar, etc.; The most advanced machines are provided with means of connection to the telecommunications network, to provide remote data on consumption and refill levels, in order to optimize management and service.

Powdered beverage preparations have the advantage that they can be stored without particular difficulty, even at room temperature: this obviously simplifies the structure and operation of the machines, which do not require refrigeration systems.

However, while powder preparations are indicated for some products such as coffee, since they are normally used under these conditions, for other products they are not optimal from the point of view of organoleptic and gustatory qualities.

This is the case, for example, with milk, which is usually a pasteurized, freeze-dried or dehydrated powder product that, in dispensing machines, is mixed with water and possibly coffee, tea, chocolate or others, to create drinks. .

It is a fairly common experience that the milk supplied by dispensing machines does not have very high organoleptic and gustatory characteristics; Therefore, there is a need to improve this condition, which is already well established.

Description of the invention

After this examination, it can be stated that a technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a machine for the automatic dispensing of beverages, with characteristics that exceed the limitations of those currently known in relation to milk.

However, it must also be considered that the same problem could exist for other products other than milk, supplied by dispensing machines, which present similar problems derived from poor organoleptic and taste characteristics.

The idea to solve this problem is to prepare the milk in fluid form, preferably concentrated or condensed, instead of in powder form.

In this way, it is possible to have a product with organoleptic qualities superior to those of powder products, which can be diluted and/or mixed with water, coffee or other products dispensed by dispensing machines.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the automatic dispensing machine comprises at least two modules that supply the concentrated milk, so that one can be used first and then the other when finished.

Thus, it is not only possible to guarantee the operation of the machine for longer than normal, but also the correct conservation of the product for the time necessary to preserve its original organoleptic and taste characteristics.

The features of the invention are specifically set forth in the claims attached to this description.

Brief description of the drawings

These characteristics will become more clearly evident from the example of an automatic dispensing machine according to the invention, which is set out below with reference to the attached drawings provided by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

- Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a dispensing machine according to the invention in an open condition, so that some internal parts remain visible;

- Figure 2 shows a front view of the machine of Figure 1;

- Figure 2a shows a detail of the machine of Figure 2;

- Figures 3, 3a are views of the machine corresponding to those of Figures 2, 2a, with the machine in a different operating state;

- Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, an axonometric view and a plan view of a detail of the machine of the previous figures;

- Figure 6 is an exploded view of the piece of Figures 4 and 5.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

Referring to the figures just mentioned, a machine for the automatic dispensing of beverages, according to the invention, is generally referred to as 1.

The machine comprises an external structure 2 configured substantially as a parallelepiped frame, in which a main part or box 3 is closed by a door or flap 4 with vertical hinges.

In the figures and in the rest of this description, the parts and elements of the machine 1 necessary to understand the invention will be considered, while those that are known to those skilled in the art or that they can prepare for will be omitted or dispensed with. the operation of the machine.

This is the case, for example, of sensors, heaters, electrical and electronic circuits and their respective components (memories, processors, boards, wiring, light or acoustic indicators, connectors, etc.); containers, dispensers, pumps, valves and other mechanical or electromechanical elements; various buttons and controls for the operation and/or manipulation of the machine by users.

However, all these elements must be considered incorporated into the machine 1, which is intended for the automatic dispensing of beverages comprising (or based on) milk, alone or mixed with other products such as coffee, chocolate, tea or similar.

To this end, the machine 1 houses inside the box a milk supply device 10 which, according to the invention, is in a fluid state, that is, not granulated as in the state of the art.

The milk is of the condensed or concentrated type, here these two products are considered equivalent to each other for the purposes of the present invention.

Therefore, in what follows, although only one of them (condensed milk) will be referred to for the sake of simplicity, what will be explained will also be considered valid for the other (condensed milk) or for other types of milk in fluid form, even if they are named differently, that present characteristics equivalent to the effects set forth herein.

In fact, as is well known, condensed milk and concentrated milk essentially differ in their production process and, therefore, this does not affect the scope of the invention.

The supply device 10 comprises a drawer 11 projecting from the bottom wall 3a of the box 3, to which it is fixed by means of supports or other known mechanical fixing means.

The drawer 11 comprises two walls or side panels 12, 13 between which are a lower support shelf 14 and a rear crossbar 15 extended between the walls.

In the front area of the drawer 11, that is, the distal area with respect to the bottom wall 3a of the structure 3 to which it is fixed, there are two housings 16, 17 for the respective valve sets 26, 27, of the corresponding condensed milk containers 36, 37.

The housings 16, 17 are substantially defined by respective pairs of side walls 16', 16''; 17', 17'' opposite, which with a rear wall 16''', 17''' delimit a space in which the valve assemblies 26, 27 are housed.

The latter are respectively associated with the containers 36, 37 within which the condensed milk is contained; The containers 36, 37 are preferably of the so-called "bag in box" type, that is, in which the content (in this case, the condensed milk) is contained in flexible bags of plastic material for food use, arranged in rigid parallelepiped wrappers. or semi-rigid cardboard, plastic or similar metal.

In the drawings, the bags have not been represented for simplicity, but in any case they are in fluid connection with the valve assemblies 26, 27 for the supply of the milk contained therein.

To this end, in the operating state of the dispensing machine 1 of Figure 1, the containers 36, 37 are supported by the drawer 11 on the reinforcing crossbar 15 and the housings 16, 17, in which the sets of valves 26, 27.

Next to the milk supply device 10, the machine 1 also comprises other containers 38 and dispensers 39 for supplying water and other products, such as coffee, chocolate or others, which are not discussed in more detail here because they are not necessary. to understand the invention.

On the interior face of the door or wing 4 of the machine, that is, the face that remains inside the structure 2 when the door 4 is closed on the box 3, there are the columns 40, 41 for dispensing glasses of drink by dropping them.

At the lower end of the columns, there is the cup support mechanism 42, 43, located in the window or opening 45 from which users can collect the drinks.

On the external face of the door 4, not visible in the figures, there are also the control buttons of the machine, through which the user can select a drink, make a payment or perform any other operation depending on the type of machine.

For the operation of the dispensing machine 1, its structure 2 is closed by placing the door 4 against the box 3.

In this condition, when milk must be supplied because a user has selected any of the beverages dispensed by the machine that comprise milk (alone or mixed with water and/or other products such as coffee, chocolate, tea, etc.), the electronic means machine operation control controls operate the supply device 10.

The latter activates one of the valve sets 26, 27, depending on the container 36, 37 enabled to supply the condensed milk.

The necessary dose of condensed milk is poured into glass B positioned below the corresponding valve assembly 26, 27, to then dilute it with water and, if necessary, mix it with other products, such as coffee, chocolate, tea, to prepare drinks. (e.g. cappuccino, stained latte, milk tea, etc.).

According to the invention, milk is withdrawn from one of the two containers 36, 37 until it is completely emptied or, in any case, until a predetermined time based on the time elapsed since it was first opened.

Only then does the supply device 10 switch the operation of the containers 36, 37, excluding the one that is exhausted and activating the other, which is ready for its first opening.

To this end, the respective set of valves 26, 27 is deactivated or activated, to allow the supply of condensed milk from the corresponding container 36, 37.

These situations are shown schematically in Figures 2, 2a; 3, 3a showing the silhouettes of the glasses B, into which the condensed milk is poured, respectively placed under one or another of the valve assemblies 26, 27, depending on the milk container 36, 37 that is operating at that moment.

In this context, it should be noted that the valve sets 26, 27 are substantially electrocontrolled taps, which allow condensed milk to be dispensed by gravity with dosed quantities depending on the type of drink that the machine is going to dispense (milk alone or mixed with other products such as coffee, chocolate, etc.).

Dosing may be achieved by opening a set of valves 26, 27 for a time proportional to the amount of milk required, or in any other appropriate manner depending on the type of valve adopted. In fact, solutions are possible in which the supply device 10 comprises dispensers, volumetric pumps or the like, to supply the condensed milk in controlled quantities.

Since the milk is supplied with two different containers 35, 36 and valve sets 26, 27, in the machine 1 of the invention there are preferably two supports 42, 43 for the glasses B, which are suitable for positioning below of a respective set of valves 26, 27, so that the condensed milk supplied from one or the other of them can be collected.

The supports 42, 43 are configured substantially in the shape of a ring, collar or the like, and can receive the empty glasses fed from the columns 40, 41 by dropping them; The supports 42, 43 are also advantageously positioned to allow the collection of condensed milk and dilution water, as well as other beverage products such as coffee, chocolate or the like, even in powder form.

From what has been described so far, it is possible to understand how the dispensing machine 1 solves the technical problem underlying the invention.

Firstly, it allows the supply of milk in fluid form, thus eliminating all the contraindications associated with the use of powdered milk explained above in relation to the state of the art.

This result is also achieved by overcoming the difficulties associated with the use of condensed or other milk under fluid conditions.

In fact, the applicant verified that the fluid state of the milk entails problems related to the conservation of the product, since, once the container (of the "bag in box" type or other) is opened, it is necessary or, in any case, It is advisable to consume the product within a certain period of time.

This situation is overcome by using two milk containers 36, 37, which can be used alternatively.

In other words, the teaching of the invention consists of dividing the condensed milk into several containers of smaller capacity, instead of presenting a single container of larger capacity.

This effect is amplified by the use of flexible packaging, such as "bag in box" type bags, which prevent or at least limit contact with air and oxidation of the product, which reduces the useful life of the product.

The valve assemblies 26, 27 contribute to this effect by forming a sealing element that isolates the contents of the containers 36, 37 from the external environment.

They also allow the operation of the machine to be changed from one to another, simply by closing one set of valves 26 or 27 and opening the other.

Furthermore, the use of two, or possibly more than two, containers 36, 37 that can be used successively when one is finished, enables an efficient and regular assistance service for the replacement of the finished product without interrupting the operation of the dispensing machine 1 .

In fact, it is easy to understand how the machine 1 is preferably equipped with an indicator, such as a warning light, or a display or other suitable means to signal that the condensed milk in one of the two containers 36, 37 is exhausted and therefore Therefore, it must be replaced.

Meanwhile, machine 1 continues to operate at full capacity, since the other container 36 or 37 automatically switches to supplying milk, opening the corresponding set of valves 26 or 27.

Those skilled in the art can prepare variants of the invention from the explanations provided herein.

For example, one of these variants comprises a cycle of cleaning and/or sanitizing the parts of the machine through which the condensed milk or other product circulates, when the container from which the product is supplied is changed. Said cycle includes the passage of water at high temperature, preferably around 100 °C, in the corresponding set of valves 26 or 27, in order to avoid contamination due to deposits or remains of product; The water is then discharged down the drain of the machine.

However, these variants fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. Machine for the automatic dispensing of beverages, such as milk, coffee, chocolate or others, comprising an external structure (2) configured substantially as a parallelepiped frame (3, 4) to which at least one of: sensors are associated , heaters, electrical and electronic circuits with their respective components, containers, dispensers, pumps, valves and other mechanical or electromechanical elements, various buttons and controls for the operation and/or manipulation of the machine by users, characterized in that It comprises a device (10) for supplying at least one of said drinks in a fluid state. 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drink is a condensed or concentrated fluid. 3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drink is milk. 4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply device (10) comprises at least two containers (36, 37) in which the beverage is contained in fluid conditions. 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the containers (36, 37) are of the type in which the beverage is contained in a flexible bag arranged in a rigid or semi-rigid casing ("bag in box" type). 6. Machine according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the containers comprise respective sets of valves (26, 27) to supply the fluid. 7. Machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the supply of fluid takes place from a container (36, 37) each time until it is exhausted, or for a predetermined time from its first opening. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the containers (36, 37) comprise respective sets of valves (26, 27) for supplying fluid, which are activated or deactivated to allow fluid to be supplied from one or the other of the themselves. 9. Machine according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the containers (36, 37) are arranged next to each other, and in which the machine also comprises a mechanism (42, 43) for supporting the glasses (B), located in the window or opening (45) from which users can extract the drinks, suitable for arranging the glasses (B) under one or another of the valve assemblies (26, 27) of the containers (36, 37). 10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning and/or sanitizing cycle of the parts through which the fluid or condensed beverage or other product circulates, by changing the container (36, 37) from which the product is supplied. 11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the cleaning and/or sanitizing cycle comprises the passage of water at high temperature.