FR2775273A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISPENSING COLD BEVERAGES - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for the preparation and distribution of cold drinks, in which a predetermined quantity of a sanitized drink concentrate is diluted, in a given volume of water or a similar aqueous solvent, in order to prepare a dose of immediately consumable cold drink, characterized in that a defined quantity of aseptic aroma is introduced at the moment when the drink will form.

Description

! The present invention relates to a method and a device for

  distribution of cold drinks from concentrate, including

  concentrated natural fruit juice.

  The preparation of cold drinks based on natural fruit juice is carried out, in drink dispensers, from concentrates of pasteurized or frozen fruit juices of which specific volumes are diluted,

  in the dispensing device itself, for dispensing doses of beverage.

  A method and a device for dispensing such a drink

  is for example described in EP-A-O 179 113.

  The organoleptic qualities of these drinks are however not perfect and remain clearly inferior to those of a freshly squeezed fruit juice, because the sterilization processes of the concentrate, such as pasteurization, degrade the aromas of the fruit. The solution consisting in introducing the fruit flavors into the concentrate after the pasteurization stage is impracticable since we cannot guarantee the asepsis of the final concentrate and the

  conservation of organoleptic properties.

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

  homogenization and, moreover, is prohibited in the current state of the law.

  The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and to provide a method and a device for preparing cold drinks from concentrate, water and aroma, overcoming these various drawbacks and making it possible to obtain a drink in which the organoleptic qualities of the product are substantially reconstituted

  natural, while respecting the aseptic constraints.

  The subject of the invention is a process for the preparation and distribution of cold drink, in which a determined quantity of a sanitized drink concentrate is diluted, in a given volume of water or of an analogous aqueous solvent, to prepare a dose of immediately consumable cold drink, characterized in that a defined quantity of aseptic flavor is introduced, in particular of flavor contained in a solution

  solvent alcohol, when the drink will form.

  The aroma which may, in fact, contain a plurality of aromas, may be a natural aroma or, if the law allows it, an artificial aroma, preserved aseptically and, in a particularly preferred manner, in the form of an aseptic alcoholic aroma solution, in which alcohol maintains asepsis. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the defined quantity of flavor is added to the determined quantity of concentrate withdrawn to form the dose of drink shortly before or practically

  when mixing this concentrate with dilution water.

  o1 In this embodiment, the defined quantity of flavor can be added to a determined volume of concentrate which is to be diluted, or in a supply line for the quantity of concentrate to a means of mixing with the dilution water, or, preferably, at the very level of the means of

mixing with dilution water.

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

  dilution water and concentrate.

  In a third embodiment, the defined quantity of flavor is brought into the beverage being dispensed, and preferably at a line which leaves the zone of the mixing means to lead to

  the drink to the container in which it is dispensed.

  Advantageously, the defined quantity of flavor is such that the proportion of alcohol in the final drink is at most of the order of 5 for

1000.

  Particularly advantageously, for mixing the aroma, mixing means arranged to ensure a mixture of aroma and concentrate or aroma, concentrate and dilution water are used, in almost constant proportions even in the event of speed variation of the mixture and, preferably, the mixing of the aroma takes place during

  practically the entire duration of the formation of the drink from the concentrate.

  The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method according to the invention, device comprising a pipe forming a line for supplying dilution water capable of being connected to a water source, internal or external to the device, a means for supplying concentrate connected to a source of sanitized concentrate in the device and means for mixing a determined quantity of concentrate and a given quantity of water to form a dose of diluted concentrate forming the drink, characterized in that it also comprises a means for supplying the defined quantity of aroma, connected to a source of aseptic aroma, in particular an alcoholic aroma solution, and means for mixing said defined quantity at

  concentrated and / or with water, substantially at the time of the formation of the drink.

  The means of supplying water preferably uses pressure

of a water distribution network.

  The means for supplying concentrate and flavor can use pumping means, such as, for example, peristaltic pumps, or the like, the flow rates of which are preferably proportional, for example by

to a common training medium.

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

  an aroma line in the concentrate and / or water line.

  However, in a preferred embodiment, the mixing means comprise a suction means of the Venturi type, for example such

as described in EP-A-O 179 113.

  Preferably, the aroma supply line opens into the concentrate supply line, which can optionally be shaped as a Venturi at this location, shortly before the concentrate supply line itself opens into the depressogenic zone. of Venturi

ensuring mixing with water.

  One thus obtains on the one hand proportional flow rates of aroma and concentrate according to the aspiration caused by the pressure-reducing organ, and on the other hand an excellent mixture of the aroma in the concentrate just before it does not mix with the dilution water despite the differences in

very high viscosity.

  One could however also introduce substantially parallel, the two conduits for supplying concentrate and aroma into the depression zone of the Venturi, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the flow of dilution water for the concentrate and tangentially to the flow of water. dilution for the aroma which also ensures

excellent homogeneity.

  Although in such a device, the sections of the pipes 1o for supplying water, concentrate and flavor solutions are very different, in descending order, it is nevertheless possible to guarantee high precision in maintaining the proportionality of especially as we use a solution

  alcoholic aroma of low viscosity compared to the viscosity of the concentrate.

  The invention also makes it possible to ensure very precise maintenance of the proportions between the three constituents, whether the device is adjusted to deliver small doses of drink or, on the contrary, large doses of drink. The mixing means can be an integral part of a beverage dispensing device as described for example in EP-AO 179 113, this device having receptacles or housings in which containers of concentrate and flavor can be placed. wherein

  open the supply lines to the mixing means.

  Thanks to the absence of mechanical driving parts, the maintenance of

  the cleanliness of such a device is extremely easy.

  However, it is also possible to produce the mixing means in a single injected plastic part which can form an integral part of the packaging or of a packaging cap of a double packaging containing, on the one hand, the fruit juice concentrate. and, on the other hand, the alcoholic solution in separate volumes. It then suffices to connect the mixing means to the water supply of a beverage dispenser to prepare the beverage, the assembly then being discarded with the packaging at the end of use. This solution can be particularly economical and guarantees a level

  extremely high asepsis in the distribution of beverages.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear

  on reading the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example and

  referring to the appended drawing in which: * figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a first mixing means, in figure 2 represents a diagrammatic view of a second

mixing medium.

We refer to figure 1.

  The mixing means shown is part of a device for dispensing cold drinks and which can be of the type described in patent EP-AO 179 113 and which comprises, in addition to the means of actuation by the user, a source , preferably refrigerated, fruit juice concentrate

  sanitized, and a source of alcoholic solution containing aromas.

  The mixing device is in the form of a block, for example injected, comprising a Venturi 1 whose upstream channel 2 is connected to a pipe (not shown) connected to a valve for distributing pressurized drinking water (not shown) ). The outlet 3 of the Venturi opens into a distribution pipe, preferably vertical, under which one can

  place a cup or container receiving the dose of drink.

  At the Venturi 1 opens, perpendicular to the direction of the water path, a passage 4 connected to a chamber 5 which can be connected, by a tube 6, to a source of fruit juice concentrate, by

example a sachet or a container.

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

in alcoholic solution.

The operation is as follows.

  To dispense a dose of drink, a control device

  suitable opens the water inlet valve for a predetermined time.

  The water which flows rapidly through the passage 2 and the Venturi 1, in the direction of the outlet 3, causes, in the pressure-reducing member thus produced, a vacuum which sucks the concentrate through the tubing 6 in the chamber 5 and the passage 4. The concentrate mixes, in the Venturi in a completely homogeneous way with the water which dilutes it. Simultaneously the depression generated in the chamber 5 causes the aspiration, through the channel 7, of the aroma from its source, the flow of aroma opening perpendicular to the direction of the concentrate of the

  bedroom 5 and instantly mixing with it.

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

! 5 natural.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a variant of the device in FIG. 1 is seen, in which the channel 7 has been removed and replaced by an oblique channel 8 which opens directly into the pressure-reducing member 1 in the immediate vicinity of the passage 4 and in an inclined direction both in relation to the direction of the water and that of the fruit juice. In addition, the channel 8 is located in a plane substantially tangential to the cylindrical channel 2. It can also be seen that a perfectly homogeneous mixture is instantly obtained with a

such device.

  As has been specified, the mixing member based on Venturi 1 can also be formed in or attached to a sealed package comprising on the one hand an enclosure containing concentrate and on the other hand a smaller enclosure containing the aroma, amounts of aroma and concentrate

  corresponding to their relative proportions in the drink.

  In other words, passages 6 and 7 or 8 open directly through suitable tubes, for example dip tubes, at the bottom of these enclosures, which can moreover be rigid or flexible. It then suffices to connect a water inlet pipe at channel 2, with a suitable valve, to dispense the doses up to

  exhaustion of the concentrate and aroma in the packaging.

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

  finally an alcoholic content of 2 per 1000.

Claims (15)

  1. Process for the preparation and distribution of cold drinks, in which a determined quantity of a sanitized drink concentrate is diluted, in a given volume of water or a similar aqueous solvent, to immediately prepare a dose of cold drink consumable, characterized in that a defined quantity of aseptic aroma is introduced at the time when the drink will form.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sanitized aroma comprises one or more natural or artificial aromas in io alcoholic solution.   3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in   that the defined quantity of flavor is added to the determined quantity of concentrate withdrawn to form the dose of drink shortly before or practically   when mixing this concentrate with dilution water.   4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that one adds the defined quantity of flavor in the concentrate which will be diluted, at the level   a means of mixing the concentrate with the dilution water.   5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that one adds the defined amount of flavor in a supply line of the concentrate which will   be diluted in a mixture of concentrate with the dilution water.   6. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in   what we add the defined amount of flavor in the dilution mixture water   at the level of a means of mixing the dilution water and the concentrate.   7. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in   what we add the defined quantity of aroma in a water supply line   see a means of mixing the water and the concentrate.   8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that   that we add the defined quantity of aroma at the level of a line which leaves the zone of the mixing means to lead to the drink in a container in which it is distributed.   9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that   that the defined amount of flavor is such that the proportion of alcohol in the   final drink or a maximum of around 5 per 1000.   10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   what is used, for mixing the aroma, mixing means arranged to ensure a mixture of aroma and concentrate, or aroma, concentrate and dilution water, in almost constant proportions, even in case of mixing speed variation.   1 1. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in   0o that the aroma is mixed for practically the entire duration   of the formation of the drink from the concentrate.   12. Device for implementing the method according to one of   Claims 1 to 11, comprising a line forming a line (2)   for supplying dilution water capable of being connected to a source of water, internal or external to the device, a means for supplying concentrate (5, 6) connected to a source of concentrate sanitized in the device, and means for mixing (1) a determined quantity of concentrate and a given quantity of water to form a dose of diluted concentrate forming the drink, characterized in that it also comprises a supply means (7, 8) of the defined quantity of aroma, connected to a source of sanitized aroma, in particular an alcoholic aroma solution, and means for mixing said defined quantity with   concentrated and / or with water, substantially at the time of the formation of the drink.   13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the   water supply means uses the pressure of a water distribution network.   14. Device according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized   in that the mixing means comprise a suction means (1) of the Venturi type.   15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the aroma supply line opens into the supply line of   concentrate shortly before the concentrate supply line itself opens   even in the vacuum pressure zone (1) of the Venturi ensuring mixing with water. I (16. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the two concentrate (5) and flavor (8) supply conduits open into the Venturi depression area (1).   17. Device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized   in that the mixing means is produced in a single injected plastic part integrated into or attached to the packaging or a packaging cap, a double packaging containing, on the one hand, the juice concentrate   fruit and, on the other hand, the alcoholic solution, in separate chambers.