IT201900002683A1 - IMPROVEMENT OF A MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A SINGLE DOSE OF A FOOD PRODUCT - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

“IMPROVEMENT ON A MACHINE FOR THE

PREPARATION OF A SINGLE DOSE OF A

FOOD PRODUCT"

The present invention relates to an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product.

In particular, the machine in question is used for the preparation, production and dispensing of food products in a liquid or semi-liquid (pasty) state. In particular, it refers to infusion or extraction products (such as coffee) or ice cream products prepared with single-dose units.

From the patent document WO2015 / 092637 of the same Applicant a machine for the preparation of single-dose ice cream products or products for infusion or extraction is known.

The machine includes:

- a device for feeding a solvent liquid (water) having at least one liquid transport duct;

- a device for heating the solvent liquid arranged along the liquid transport duct (heating between 50 ° and 99 °);

- a chamber for housing a single-dose unit or capsule of a food product having an inlet opening connected to the liquid transport duct, and configured to feed the liquid into the housing seat, and therefore to intercept the single-dose unit, and at least an outlet conduit for the product-liquid mixture;

- a cooling unit or chamber (batch freezer) connected to the mixture outlet duct to allow the mixture to be fed into the cooling chamber itself;

- a first product dispensing group formed inside the cooling chamber connected to the same chamber, for dispensing the formed product in a single dose.

In addition to this, the machine illustrated in the patent document has the chamber for housing the single-dose capsule configured to be able to be replaced according to the type of product to be dispensed.

In particular, the housing chamber can be engaged by a first or second housing trolley of corresponding single-dose capsules, replaceable with each other, and configured to diversify the outlet ducts: the first outlet duct of the first trolley, as said, it allows the feeding of the product - single-dose liquid mixture to the cooling chamber (cold product), while the second outlet duct (arranged on the second trolley) directs the product - single-dose liquid mixture directly to a second dispensing unit for the hot infusion product.

The possibility of being able to dispense two types of single-dose products (hot and cold) is made possible by the presence of the heating device for the solvent liquid arranged along the liquid transport duct.

The introduction of a hot liquid has the dual function of obtaining both a direct mixture of a single-dose product from hot infusion, and the feeding of the product-single-dose liquid mixture to the cooling chamber with a high solubility of the product (with immediate dissolution of the fats) and with an immediate sanitization of the outlet duct which, in fact, is already ready for a new and different product to be fed without risk of contamination with the previous product.

Now, during the study and construction of the machine illustrated in this patent document, problems relating to some details of the operation of the operating unit relating to the cold product to be dispensed have emerged.

In particular, the cooling chamber has an internal pressure substantially equal to the external (atmospheric) pressure when it is fed by the product to be whipped, which must be brought from a liquid state to a product / ice cream (pasty / semi-liquid).

During processing (agitation of the liquid product) the product passes from a high arrival temperature in the chamber to a temperature of around -15 ° (this sudden and abrupt decrease in temperature is linked to the need to avoid the formation of too large crystals, to have a smoother and less scaly mixture). The air inside the cooling chamber is captured by the fat and protein molecules present in the product. The stirring of the mixture serves precisely to facilitate the incorporation of air into the product to increase the volume of the mixture and soften it.

In essence, therefore, the absorption of air in the product to increase its volume reduces the internal pressure of the chamber until there is a substantial negative pressure inside the chamber itself.

During the tests, therefore, it was noticed that, at the end of the stirring procedure and activating the first delivery group, the product struggles to be delivered correctly, not having sufficient pressure to be expelled in its entirety (with problems continuous cleaning of the freezing chamber at each product change).

In addition to this, the increase in volume of the product obstructs any opening leading into the chamber with the danger of both clogging the opening itself and making the internal area, for example, of the mixture outlet duct, impure.

The object of the present invention is, therefore, to make available an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement to the machine for the preparation of a single dose of a food product capable of obtaining a rapid and effective delivery of a cold product without affecting the basic structure of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to propose an improvement to a machine for preparing a single dose of a food product capable of increasing the sanitization of the first outlet duct in synergy with the hot mixing liquid.

Said objects are fully achieved by the improvement of the machine for preparing a single dose of a food product object of the present invention, which is characterized by what is contained in the claims reported below.

The main characteristics of the invention will be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a machine for preparing a single dose of a cold or hot food product according to the invention and in a perspective view;

Figure 2 illustrates the machine referred to in Figure 1 in a schematic side view and with some parts removed to better highlight others; Figure 3 illustrates the machine referred to in Figure 1 in a schematic top plan view with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 4 illustrates a component of the machine of the preceding figures in a perspective view;

Figure 5 illustrates the component of the machine of Figure 4 in a perspective view and with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 6 illustrates the component of the machine of Figures 4 and 5 in a plan view from above.

With reference to the attached drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1, the machine in question, globally indicated with 100, is used for the preparation of a single dose of a cold or hot food product.

In particular, see also Figures 2 and 3, the machine 100 comprises a device 1 for feeding a solvent liquid having at least one duct 2 for transporting the liquid.

The machine 100 also comprises at least a first chamber 3 for housing a single-dose unit or capsule 4 of a food product. The first housing chamber 3 has an inlet opening connected to the liquid transport duct 2.

The first housing chamber 3 is also configured to allow the liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule 4 and to release the product-liquid mixture into an outlet duct 5 of the same product-liquid mixture.

The machine 100 comprises a solvent liquid heating device 6 arranged between the liquid feeding device 1 and the first housing chamber 3, so as to intercept the liquid transport duct 2 and heat the same liquid to a higher temperature ( between 50 and 99 °) at the ambient temperature prior to its entry into the first housing chamber 3. The machine 100 also includes a cooling chamber 7 (freezing chamber) connected to the output duct 5 of the product - liquid mixture to allow the entry of the product - hot liquid mixture into the same cooling chamber 7.

The machine 100 comprises a group or head 8 for dispensing a single dose of cold product, formed inside the cooling chamber 7, connected to the cooling chamber 7 itself.

The dispensing head 8 has a device 9 for dispensing the cold product in the form of a single dose.

As illustrated, see also Figures 4 to 6, the machine 100 comprises a second duct 10 for the passage of air connected, at one end thereof, to the outlet duct 5 of the hot liquid product mixture at a junction point between the first chamber 3 for housing the capsule 4 and the cooling chamber 7.

Still according to what is illustrated, the machine 100 comprises an air generation device 11 connected to a second end of the second duct 10 for the passage of air.

Furthermore, the machine 100 comprises a distribution chamber 12 for the connection between the outlet duct 5 and the second duct 10 for the passage of the air obtained at the junction point.

The distribution chamber 12 has a valve device 13 configured to selectively activate the passage of the product-liquid mixture or air.

The machine 100 also comprises a machine control unit 14 connected at least to the dispensing device 9 and to the air generation device 11 and configured to activate the air generation device 11, at least for a predetermined time, in correspondence with an activation of the device 9 for dispensing the prepared cold single-dose product.

It should be noted that most of the components described so far are housed within a closed frame 101 of the machine 100.

Preferably, the first housing chamber 3 (see for example Figure 4) contains the capsule 4 and is structured in such a way as to make the hot solvent liquid flow from the top and towards the upper end of the capsule 4, which is configured so as to to allow a first internal mixing of the solvent liquid - produced inside the capsule 4 and, subsequently, thanks to the sliding of the cap of the capsule 4 towards the bottom of the capsule 4 (under the action of the pressure of the solvent liquid) there is the expulsion of the liquid mixture produced in the outlet duct 5 (the structure of the capsule 4 is described in the patent document WO2019 / 003139).

The water supply device 1 is illustrated as a water containment tank arranged on the rear part of the machine 100 and provided with a supply pump 1a for supplying water, when required, connected to the transport duct 2.

Alternatively, the water supply device can be directly an external (user) water supply source connected directly to the transport duct 2 and to the pump 1a.

The cooling or batch freezer chamber 7 comprises a cylindrical chamber provided, inside it, with a screw agitator 7a for forming the cold product. The agitator is connected to a motorization 7b for its axial rotation.

A spiral duct 7c connected to a compressor 7d forming part of a cold circuit capable of maintaining the cooling chamber at a constant temperature (approximately -15 °) is wound around the cylindrical chamber.

The aforementioned dispensing device 9 comprises a control lever articulated to the dispensing head 8 and configured to open a duct connecting the cooling chamber 7 with a dispensing nozzle 9a.

It should be noted that the air generation device 11 comprises an independent compressor directly connected to the second duct 10.

Preferably (see Figures 4 to 6), the dispensing head 8 comprises, in a single body, a first portion 8a (with circular section) and a second lateral portion.

The first portion 8a is configured for closing the cooling chamber 7 and on which the dispensing device 9 connected to the cooling chamber 7 is mounted.

The second portion extends laterally with respect to the first portion 8a and comprises an internal platform 8b arranged parallel to the cooling chamber 7 (inside the frame 101).

Preferably, the first chamber 3 for housing the single-dose capsule 4 of the food product is associated on the internal platform 8b of the dispensing head 8.

In this opening, on the internal platform 8b there is obtained a bottom 15 for contact with the single-dose capsule 4 connected to the outlet duct 5 of the product-liquid mixture (Figures 5 and 6).

Preferably, the first outlet duct 5 and the second air passage duct 10 are formed on the delivery head 8.

In this opening, the first outlet duct 5 is partly obtained in the internal platform 8b and partly in the first portion 8a of the dispensing head 8 from which it flows into the cooling chamber 7.

In other words, the first outlet duct 5 is composed of two sections connected to each other by the distribution chamber 12 substantially at right angles to each other.

Preferably, the distribution chamber 12 is obtained on the dispensing head 8 and comprises a cylindrical seat 16 having an opening towards the outside, engaged by a removable cap 17, and a bottom into which a first portion of the connected outlet duct 5 leads. to the first chamber 3 for housing the single-dose capsule 4 and the first end of the second duct 10.

In this opening, the cylindrical seat 16 has a further lower radial opening connected to the remaining portion of the first outlet duct 5 connected to the cooling chamber 7.

It should be noted that the distribution chamber 12 is formed on the connecting portion between the first portion and the second lateral portion of the dispensing head 8, so as to position the cap 17 in an easily accessible position.

The valve device 13 can consist of a group of non-return valves housed in the cylindrical seat 16 and arranged to close, respectively, the first section of the outlet duct 5 and the first end of the second duct 10.

In practice, the group of valves intercepts the corresponding section of duct and is set to (automatically) select the supply of the product mixed with liquid or air according to the moment of the product formation or product dispensing process.

In an illustrated embodiment (not limiting the solution in question), the valve device 13 comprises, inside the cylindrical seat 16, a first 18 and a second 19 ball arranged to close, respectively, the first section of the duct 5 outlet and of the first end of the second duct 10.

The valve device 13 also comprises a first 20 and a second 21 elastically compressible holding element for the corresponding first and second balls 18 and 19.

In this opening, the first and second elastically compressible elements 20 and 21 (for example helical springs) are interposed between the corresponding sphere 18, 19 and the bottom surface of the closure plug 17; the two elements 20 and 21 are configured to compress axially, selectively, so as to move the corresponding sphere 18, 19 away from the corresponding outlet duct 5 or from the second duct 10 in the presence of an increase in pressure in the corresponding ducts 5, 10 generated with the passage of the product-liquid mixture or air.

In other words, the distribution chamber 12 allows to select the passage of mixture or air, thanks to the combination of the ball-spring groups, according to the operation to be carried out: the first is that of the passage of the liquid solvent mixture - produced by the first to the second section of the outlet duct 5 (with the second duct 10 closed), the next is the passage of air from the second duct 10 to the second section of the outlet duct 5 and, finally, to the cooling chamber 7.

Preferably, the machine 100 comprises a third open duct 22 connecting the cooling chamber 7 with the external environment and defining a compensation / vent duct.

In other words, a third duct 22 can be made on the dispensing head 8, extending parallel to the outlet duct 5 between the platform 8b and the first portion 8a of the dispensing head 8.

This third duct 22 is used to maintain, in the non-operating state of the machine 100, the cooling chamber 7 at an internal pressure equivalent to the external atmospheric pressure.

The machine 100 also comprises a first trolley 23 for supporting the first housing chamber 3 supported by the platform 8b of the dispensing head 8.

In this opening, the first trolley 23 is configured to translate horizontally between a first rear position, inside the machine 100 (figure 4), for dispensing the product-liquid mixture, and a second forward position, outside the machine 100 (not shown) , for housing a new single-dose capsule 4 or for removing the used single-dose capsule 4.

Preferably, the machine 100 comprises a second chamber 24 for housing a single-dose capsule 4 'for a hot infusion product.

The second chamber 24 is supported by a second carriage 25 which can be moved horizontally between a first rear position, inside the machine 100, for dispensing the product / hot liquid mixture directly outside the machine 100, and a second forward position, outside the machine 100. , for housing or withdrawing the 4 'single-dose capsule.

In this opening, the second chamber 24 is connected with a duct 26 for connection to the device 6 for heating the solvent liquid.

Preferably, the heating device 6 comprises a selector device 27 for selecting the supply of the heated solvent liquid to the first housing chamber 3 or to the connection duct 26 of the second housing chamber 24 according to the type of product to be dispensed.

The second chamber 24 for housing the single-dose capsule 4 'of a hot infusion food product has an inlet opening connected to the connection duct 26 for the hot solvent liquid.

The second housing chamber 24 is configured to allow the hot solvent liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule 4 'and to release the product-infusion liquid mixture into an external dispenser 28 present on the machine 100.

The machine 100 also comprises a user interface panel 29, on the front of the machine for selecting the type of product to be dispensed. The machine 100 structured in this way works in the following way for the production of a cold single-dose food product:

- insertion of a capsule 4 in the housing chamber 3 and consequent sliding of the first carriage 23 inside the machine 100;

- feeding the hot solvent liquid into the housing chamber 3 with mixing of the solvent liquid with the product;

- descent of the liquid-solvent mixture - product along the outlet duct 5 through the distribution chamber 12 with arrival inside the cooling chamber 7;

- formation of the cold product inside the cooling chamber 7 (with an increase in the volume of the product and a reduction in the internal pressure of the cooling chamber 7 and occlusion of the outlet duct 5 and of the third duct 22);

- activation of the dispensing device 9 for the product outlet with simultaneous timed activation of the air generation device 11 so as to make a jet of air flow along the second duct 10 and, through the distribution chamber 12, into the part of the outlet duct 5 connected to the cooling chamber 7 so as to increase the internal pressure of the cooling chamber 7 itself so as to obtain a correct and complete delivery of the product.

The machine 100 structured as follows works in the following way for the production of a hot single-dose food product, selected on the interface panel 29:

- insertion of a capsule 4 'with a hot infusion product in the second housing chamber 24 and consequent sliding of the second trolley 25 inside the machine 100;

- feeding the hot solvent liquid into the second housing chamber 24 with mixing of the hot solvent liquid with the product; - descent of the liquid solvent - product mixture towards the dispenser 28 and relative output from the machine 100 of the same single-dose product.

A machine for preparing a single dose of a cold or hot food product thus structured thus achieves the intended purposes.

The presence of the auxiliary air duct allows correct dispensing of the cold product thanks to the increase in pressure in the cooling chamber with a simultaneous sanitization and cleaning of the outlet channel for a new preparation of the product.

The particular structure of the dispensing head (monobloc) with platform and distribution chamber allows it to be easily and quickly removed for sanitation and control of all the parts involved in the formation and dispensing of the cold product.

The presence of two different trolleys allows you to always have separate preparation and dispensing channels between a cold product and a hot product in order to avoid contamination, but at the same time using the same sources of liquid and liquid heating in order to keep the overall dimensions of the machine extremely reduced. .

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Machine for preparing a single dose of a cold or hot food product, machine (100) comprising: - a device (1) for feeding a solvent liquid having at least one duct (2) for transporting the liquid; - at least a first chamber (3) for housing a single-dose unit or capsule (4) of a food product having an inlet opening connected to the liquid transport duct (2); the first housing chamber (3) being configured to allow the liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule (4) and to release the product-liquid mixture into an outlet duct (5) of the same product-liquid mixture; - a device (6) for heating the solvent liquid arranged between the liquid feeding device (1) and the first housing chamber (3), so as to intercept the liquid transport duct (2) and heat the liquid itself at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature prior to its entry into the first housing chamber (3); - a cooling chamber (7) connected to the output duct (5) of the product-liquid mixture to allow the entry of the hot product-liquid mixture into the same cooling chamber (7); - a group or head (8) for dispensing a single dose of cold product, formed inside the cooling chamber (7), connected to the same cooling chamber (7); the dispensing head (8) having a device (9) for dispensing the cold product in the form of a single dose, characterized by the fact of including: - a second duct (10) for the passage of air connected, at one end thereof, to the outlet duct (5) of the hot product-liquid mixture at a junction point between the first chamber (3) for housing the capsule (4) and the cooling chamber (7); - a device (11) for generating air connected to a second end of the second air passage duct (10); - a distribution chamber (12) for the connection between the outlet duct (5) and the second duct (10) for the passage of air obtained at the junction point; the distribution chamber (12) having a valve device (13) configured to selectively activate the passage of the product-liquid mixture or air; - a machine control unit (14) connected at least to the delivery device (9) and to the air generation device (11) and configured to activate the air generation device (11), at least for a predetermined time, at an activation of the device (9) for dispensing the cold single-dose product. 2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing head (8) comprises, in a single body, a first portion (8a) configured for closing the cooling chamber (7) on which the dispensing device (9) is mounted delivery connected to the cooling chamber (7), and a second portion, extending laterally with respect to the first portion (8a), comprising an internal platform (8b) arranged parallel to the cooling chamber (7). Machine according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber (3) for housing the single-dose capsule (4) of the food product is associated on the internal platform (8b) of the dispensing head (8); on the internal platform (8b) there being a bottom (15) for contact with the single-dose capsule (4) connected to the outlet duct (5) of the product-liquid mixture. Machine according to any one of claims 2 or 3, in which the first outlet duct (5) and the second air passage duct (10) are formed on the delivery head (8); the first outlet duct (5) being partly formed in the internal platform (8b) and partly in the first portion (8a) of the dispensing head (8). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distribution chamber (12) is formed on the dispensing head (8) and comprises a cylindrical seat (16) having an opening towards the outside, engaged by a cap (17 ) removable, and a bottom into which a first portion of the outlet duct (5) connected to the first chamber (3) housing the single-dose capsule (4) and the first end of the second duct (10) open; the cylindrical seat (16) having a further lower radial opening connected to the remaining portion of the first outlet duct (5) connected to the cooling chamber (7). 6. Machine according to claim 5, wherein the valve device (13) comprises a group of non-return valves housed in the cylindrical seat (16) and arranged to close, respectively, the first portion of the outlet duct (5) and of the first end of the second duct (10). 7. Machine according to claim 5, wherein the valve device (13) comprises, inside the cylindrical seat (16), a first (18) and a second (19) ball arranged to close, respectively, the first portion of the outlet conduit (5) and of the first end of the second conduit (10); the valve device (13) further comprises a first (20) and a second (21) elastically compressible element for holding the corresponding first (18) and second (19) ball; the first (20) and the second (21) elastically compressible element being interposed between the corresponding sphere (18, 19) and the bottom surface of the closure cap (17) and configured to compress axially, selectively, so as to remove the corresponding sphere (18, 19) from the corresponding outlet duct (5) or from the second duct (10) in the presence of an increase in pressure in the corresponding ducts (5, 10) generated with the passage of the product-liquid mixture or air . 8. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a third open duct (22) for connecting the cooling chamber (7) with the external environment and defining a compensation / vent duct. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, comprising a first trolley (23) for supporting the first housing chamber (3) supported by the platform (8b) of the dispensing head (8); the first trolley (23) being configured to translate horizontally between a first rear position, inside the machine (100), for dispensing the product-liquid mixture, and a second advanced position, external to the machine (100), for housing the new single-dose capsule (4) or the removal of the used single-dose capsule (4). Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second chamber (24) for housing a single-dose capsule (4 ') for a hot infusion product; the second chamber (24) being supported by a second trolley (25) that can be moved horizontally between a first rear position, inside the machine (100), for dispensing the product / hot liquid mixture directly outside the machine (100), and a second advanced position, external to the machine (100), for housing or withdrawing the single-dose capsule (4 '); the second chamber (24) being connected with a duct (26) for connection to the device (6) for heating the solvent liquid. 11. Machine according to claim 10, wherein the heating device (6) comprises a selector device (27) for selecting the supply of the heated solvent liquid towards the first housing chamber (3) or towards the duct (26) of connection of the second housing chamber (24) according to the type of product, hot or cold, to be dispensed. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 11, in which the second chamber (24) for housing a single-dose capsule (4 ') of a hot infusion food product has an inlet opening connected to the duct (26 ) connecting the hot solvent liquid; the second housing chamber (24) being configured to allow the liquid to intercept the single-dose capsule (4 ') and to release the product-liquid infusion mixture into an external dispenser (28) present on the machine (100).