JP5508500B2 - Beverage extraction method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting beverages such as coffee and tea, including foam beverages such as cappuccino.

  It is known to extract beverages from sachets or capsules packed with ingredients such as individual portions of ground coffee or leaf tea. However, it is difficult to devise packaging and extraction systems that extract a high quality fresh series of individual portion beverages, eg, that are compatible with vending machines.

  In general, both filter coffee and leaf tea are extracted at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure, but the optimum extraction temperature and extraction time are different. Espresso coffee is extracted by passing hot water at 90 ° C. through a coffee bed (coffee dense layer) at a pressure of 5-15 bar. To date, it has been impossible to extract all the individual portion beverages with one device.

  Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, and Patent Literature 3 describe one beverage extraction system. In the system, individual portion of the beverage extraction material is contained in a sachet made of a plastic film having an injection nozzle at the top and a seal at the bottom. The sachet also includes a paper filter at the bottom. In use, hot water is injected into the sachet through the nozzle. The beverage is extracted inside the sachet and the bottom seal is opened before or during extraction from which the beverage can flow out. The device extracts very high quality fresh individual filter coffee and leaf tea. However, the sachet made of a thin film has not been used for espresso coffee extraction so far because it cannot withstand high internal extraction pressures.

  Further, the sachet needs to be formed by a relatively thick sheet material, for example, a laminate in which a layer of metal foil is sandwiched between two thermoplastic films. The reason is that it is necessary to give the sachet strength capable of withstanding the extraction conditions, and to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering during storage. Such sachets are difficult to recycle and become one of landfill waste. Another problem is that the opening at the bottom of the sachet does not necessarily lead the beverage to the cup correctly.

  It is also known to extract individual portions of espresso coffee from individual grind coffee capsules. The capsule shape is generally frustoconical or oblate, is made of an airtight and watertight material and is tightly packed with 1 portion of ground coffee. The capsule is generally inserted into a hard metal extraction chamber that is shaped to fit well around the capsule. The extraction chamber is provided with a filter element at the bottom, as well as a means for making a hole in the bottom of the capsule and a means for extracting espresso coffee, hot water is applied inside the capsule at a pressure of 500 to 1500 KPa (5 to 15 bar). Means for injecting are provided. Such espresso coffee extraction capsules and systems are described, for example, in US Pat.

  The disadvantage of existing espresso extraction capsules is that the capsule is formed for a conventional espresso extraction device that has a hard extraction cavity that is sized for a coffee bed of a specific size and applies the required pressure to the coffee bed. It is. This means that existing espresso capsule systems cannot change much the amount of coffee in the capsule and the compressibility of the coffee bed during extraction. Another disadvantage of the existing espresso system is that the beverage flowing out of the capsule passes through the bottom of the extraction chamber, which contaminates the bottom and creates cross contamination between successive extracted beverages.

  For example, Patent Document 6 describes a capsule containing a beverage extraction material such as espresso extraction coffee. The capsule is deformable and fits the cavity of any espresso extraction device. Thus, no special adapter is required to accurately match existing espresso coffee brewing equipment to the capsule shape and structure. Unfortunately, this also means that the coffee density in the capsule is insufficient and the best espresso coffee cannot be extracted. Moreover, the problem of cross contamination between continuously extracted beverages has not been solved.

  Patent Document 7 describes a beverage extraction method in which a vacuum pack containing a beverage extraction material is sandwiched between clamps, hot water is injected into the vacuum pack with a hollow needle, and the extracted beverage is allowed to flow out of the seam. The pack includes a movable plate for compressing a vacuum pack sandwiched between clamps on the opposite side of the stitches before beverage extraction. The plate constituting the extraction cavity is a hard flat plate, and there is a risk that the vacuum pack will burst if a high pressure is applied to compress the vacuum pack.

  It is known to form edible foams such as milk shakes from fresh milk. It is also known to be served with hot milk foam over coffee and other hot beverages. Hot milk foam is traditionally formed by sending pressurized steam through a hollow steam bar to cold fresh milk and heating the milk. The milk foam is then poured over a coffee beverage to make a beverage such as cappuccino or latte.

  In general, the foaming of milk is performed separately from the extraction of coffee because the essential oil contained in the coffee has a negative effect on the foaming. Conventional methods of making hot milk foam for cappuccino and latte are not suitable for beverage vending machines. One reason is that it is difficult to handle fresh or liquid milk with such vending machines. Furthermore, most vending machines are not equipped with a facility for supplying pressurized steam, and the steam bar immersed in liquid milk causes cross-contamination and hygiene problems.

  The presence of powdered milk for beverages containing nitrogen gas that foams when dispersed in coffee is known. However, the foam is different in size and firmness (stiffness with a spoon) compared to conventional cappuccino foam.

  There is also known a method in which powdered milk is put in a cup, hot water is sprayed to dissolve the powdered milk in a vending machine, and the milk is foamed by a high shearing action between the hot water jet stream and the milk. This method is not well supported by consumers and has the disadvantage that milk is scattered and soiled when milk powder is placed in a cup. In addition, milk powder may not completely dissolve. To completely dissolve the milk powder, the hot water jet must be moved relative to the cup using an XY table or similar device, increasing the cost of the vending machine.

British Patent Application No. 2121762 European Patent Application No. 0179641 WO99 / 05036 Specification International Publication No. 93/17932 Specification International Publication No. 94/02059 European Patent Application No. 0521186 European Patent Application No. 0821906

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for extracting a beverage from a sachet containing a beverage extraction material.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that accommodates beverage extraction from sachets with different dimensions and / or amounts of beverage extraction material.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a beverage brewing device that provides a beverage of value that has never been achieved by a novel combination of brewing temperature, pressure and flow rate.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a beverage extraction device that can handle both high pressure and low pressure beverage extraction.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a beverage brewing device in which no or little cross contamination occurs between continuously extracted beverages.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a beverage extraction apparatus that has a low risk of scattering contamination and can reduce the amount of solid waste as compared with the apparatus and method described in Patent Document 1.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a beverage extraction method using the device of the present invention, including an improved method of the conventional method for extracting foam beverages.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system comprising a beverage extraction apparatus and a beverage extraction sachet that is particularly adapted to the apparatus and method of the present invention.

  The intent of the present invention is to provide an extracted portion beverage with high quality and freshness, especially in vending machines and similar devices.

Means for Solving the Invention

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for extracting a beverage through a liquid through a sachet containing a beverage extraction material. The apparatus defines one or more injectors that inject liquid into the sachet during beverage extraction, and a cavity that substantially holds and holds the sachet in a closed position and forms a beverage drainage path in the lower portion. Responsive to the sachet by changing the shape of the cavity or outflow path, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces has at least one deformable region attached to a movable carrier. The sachet clamp comprising one or more members capable of opening and closing, which can take a desired extraction configuration.

  The device according to the invention is preferably suitable for the extraction of individual portions, for example a cup of beverage. For example, the device can form part of a beverage vending machine. Examples of the beverage include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and soup. The beverage is preferably coffee or tea, and more preferably the beverage extraction material is grind coffee or tea leaves.

  The apparatus preferably comprises a heater for supplying a water-containing extraction medium such as hot water or steam, and the hot water is preferably about 80-100 ° C. Preferably, the device comprises a pump for the water-containing medium, preferably the water-containing medium can be supplied at a pressure of 0.1-20 bar, preferably about 50-2000 ml per minute at a pressure of 1-15 bar, More preferably, about 60 to 1000 ml per minute can be supplied.

  A sachet suitable for the apparatus will be described in detail below. It is a unique effect of the present invention that a series of beverages can be extracted from one sachet with one device. It is a further advantage that the device is adaptable to a range of sachets.

  It is a feature of this aspect of the invention that at least one clamping member has at least one deformable region. In other words, at least one region of the member forming the inner surface of the extraction cavity is not completely rigid. Since at least one inner surface forming the extraction cavity has a deformable region that, after closing the clamp, can change its inner surface shape and thus the shape of the cavity or outflow path under independent control, A desirable extraction configuration according to the sachet can be taken. A change in the inner surface shape of the one cavity usually means a change in the curvature of the inner surface. For example, the deformable region is rich in elasticity and / or plasticity. The deformable region is attached to a carrier that can move alone when the clamp is in a closed position. That is, the shape of the cavity can be changed by moving the carrier independently of another clamp member. Thereby, the shape and volume of the cavity can be regulated by changing an external force applied to the carrier, for example, mechanical or hydraulic pressure.

  In use, the sachet is generally contained substantially completely within the clamp cavity and contacts the inner surface of the cavity.

  During beverage extraction, the deformable region is preferably in direct contact with the sachet and compresses the sachet surface. This is in contrast to all conventional beverage extraction devices in which the extraction cavity is made of a hard material and is generally composed of a fixed plate. One advantage of providing a deformable region is that the cavity can accommodate sachets of different dimensions. For example, beverages having different concentrations can be extracted with the same amount of extraction liquid. The deformable region can also pressurize the sachet during beverage extraction. For example, the beverage extraction material bed inside the sachet can be compressed. This is of course particularly effective for the extraction of espresso style coffee. Similarly, the outlet area of the extraction cavity can be deformed so that the size of the outlet opening can be controlled, thereby reducing the hydrostatic pressure inside the extraction cavity during beverage extraction and the beverage outflow rate from the cavity. It can be controlled in conjunction with. Moreover, a drink can be correctly guide | induced to a container by controlling the shape of the said exit area | region appropriately.

  The shape change of the extraction cavity caused by the deformable region can be controlled statically or dynamically. That is, before the extraction is started with the sachet fixed to the clamp, the shape of the cavity can be preset using the deformable region and the shape can be maintained throughout the extraction step. Alternatively, the shape of the extraction cavity can be dynamically changed during beverage extraction, as described in detail below.

  A special effect of the deformable extraction cavity is that the cavity can be accommodated in the cavity corresponding to a beverage extraction sachet, thereby generating a high hydrostatic pressure inside without rupturing the sachet. it can. In fact, it is considered to reduce the amount of residual plastic waste after beverage extraction by forming the sachet with very thin walls.

  The clamp preferably comprises one or more rigid foundation members, and more preferably comprises two rigid foundation members that move like face-to-face or bivalve to capture the sachet.

  The deformable region of the inner surface of the clamp may be a conformable and incompressible material, preferably an elastic material such as an elastomer layer. Generally, the thickness of the elastomer layer is 5 to 20 mm, the Shore hardness is 10 to 60 Shore, and 20 to 50 Shore is preferable. Preferably, the deformable layer is held down by a hard material lining and a hard peripheral edge extending upwardly from the lining so that the deformable layer does not excessively deform 5-15. Can withstand bar sachet surface pressure. The elastic region preferably extends over the entire inner surface of the clamp with which the sachet's thin film portion contacts. More preferably, the elastomeric layer extends substantially over the entire inner surface of at least one foundation member of the clamp that defines the cavity.

  The inner surface of the elastomer layer is preferably molded so as to substantially match the shape of the sachet. For example, it is preferable that the inner surface of the elastomer layer has a depression. Thereby, when an appropriate mold clamping force is applied, the elastomer layer can exactly match the pressurized sachet surface, and sachet rupture can be prevented. Also, because the inner surface of the clamp exactly matches the surface of the sachet, the beverage extraction material is evenly pressurized, thereby improving the quality of the extracted beverage by reducing the channeling of liquid flowing through the beverage extraction material bed.

  By changing the elasticity of the inner surface of the extraction cavity depending on the location, the shape of the cavity can be changed according to the pressure during beverage extraction.

  Preferably, the clamp has a clamshell configuration in which the two concave base members are releasably interlocked to face each other and capture the sachet therebetween. It is preferred that the entire inner surface of at least one foundation member is substantially covered with an elastomeric coating. The base member may include an outer peripheral wall that surrounds an edge of the elastomeric layer and prevents the layer from being excessively deformed under pressure. For example, by changing the clamping force applied between the two foundation members, the force that the elastomeric coating gives to the sachet can be changed. The mold clamping force can be fixed at the start of the beverage extraction process or can be changed during the beverage extraction period if dynamic clamping is desired.

  At least one elastomeric layer or other elastically supported plastic material that restricts the flow of beverage from the extraction cavity by sandwiching a sachet with another clamping member in the outlet region is provided in the extraction cavity. It is preferable to provide in the exit area.

  By providing the movable part with a movable part carried by the fluid tank, it is possible to improve the adaptability and dynamic controllability of the extraction cavity and the outlet region shape. The movable region is a region made of a plastic sheet material and is generally made of a metal or polymer material, but can also be made of an elastomeric plastic layer. The fluid tank is preferably a liquid tank and is therefore substantially incompressible. The apparatus preferably further includes a water channel for supplying and discharging liquid to and from the tank in order to change the shape of the cavity during or immediately before beverage extraction. The amount of fluid in the tank can be controlled, for example, by providing a mechanical or electromechanical valve in the water channel or using an electrorheological fluid. The water channel is preferably connected to a pump or other machine or electromechanical drive means for supplying and discharging fluid to and from the cavity. The apparatus comprises means for making the pressure in the sachet and the tank filled with fluid substantially equal so that the stress on the sachet wall can be minimized.

  The shape of the extraction cavity can be further controlled by providing at least one clamping member with a plurality of deformable regions attached to a plurality of independently movable carriers. The carrier may be mechanically independently movable, or the deformable region may comprise a plurality of the fluid filling tanks that support a plurality of movable regions. The amount of fluid in the plurality of fluid filling tanks can be individually controlled. Of course, the inner clamp surface can comprise at least one hard elastomeric region supported by the rigid base portion of the clamp, apart from one or more deformable regions supported by the independent carrier.

  In some embodiments, a dynamic clamping region can be provided at the exit region of the extraction cavity. The dynamic clamping region can be formed by providing a layer of a plastic material such as an elastomer in a liquid filled tank. Alternatively, it can be formed by attaching a plastic material layer or an elastomeric layer to a mechanically movable carrier.

Maximum volume of the extraction cavity, the absence of internal pressure in a state where the clamp is closed, about 25～250Cm ^3, it is further desirable that about 30 to 150 ^3. The minimum volume when the side wall is completely pressurized is preferably 50% or less of the maximum volume, and more preferably 25% or less.

  As already mentioned, it is also a feature of the device according to the invention that the size and configuration of the beverage outlet path of the extraction cavity can be controlled. The clamp defines a restriction in the beverage outlet area so that high pressure for beverage extraction can be maintained inside the sachet without rupturing the sachet or without the contents of the sachet flowing into the spill path. It is preferable to make it. Preferably, a clamp member is provided at the outlet region of the beverage extraction chamber, the clamp member being arranged to define the throttling by tightening the lower end of the sachet. It is further preferred that at least one of the members fastening the sachet lower end has an elastic inner surface in the beverage outlet region. When at least one of the members tightening the lower end of the sachet is pressed against the inner surface of another member of the clamp that defines the outlet area, the inner portion has a recess extending over the entire tightening portion where the beverage outflow path is defined. It is preferable to provide a surface. The beverage outflow path can be, for example, straight, serpentine, or dendritic. The beverage outflow path can correspond to a high-speed liquid jet as described below.

  Preferably, the device comprises an injection tube or a plurality of injection tubes for injecting liquid into the sachet after holding the sachet in the extraction cavity. Preferably, the device further comprises a mechanism for retracting the injection tube or the plurality of injection tubes in conjunction with the clamp when the clamp is released. As described in Patent Document 1, the injection tube can be inserted into a nozzle at the upper end of a sachet. In some preferred embodiments, the injection tube or plurality of injection tubes inject liquid directly into the sachet through the side wall of the sachet. The injection tube or the plurality of injection tubes can protrude into the extraction cavity obliquely with respect to the outlet direction of the extraction cavity, and preferably protrude substantially perpendicularly. The method is more preferable than a method using a sachet nozzle. This is because it is much easier to manufacture a sachet without a nozzle.

  In some embodiments of the beverage extraction device according to the present invention, the injector protrudes inward from the inner surface of one member of the clamp member, and the inner surface has a recess around the injector. ing. The recess is preferably a shallow circle or polygon. The term “indentation” refers to a region of the member surface that is displaced relative to the periphery of the member from the center of the extraction cavity toward the outside. The depth of the depression is usually about 1 to 10 mm, for example, about 2 to 5 mm. The average width or diameter of the recess is usually about 5 to 75 mm, for example about 10 to 40 mm. It is preferable that the injector protrudes inward from a hard clamp member, that is, a fixedly arranged clamp member.

  In use, a sachet in the cavity from which the beverage is extracted bulges outward and enters the recess, providing a tight, flat surface, allowing the injector to pierce the sachet reliably. The injector is preferably a tube with a sharp tip so that the sachet can be easily pierced.

  In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for extracting a beverage. The method comprises providing a sachet containing a beverage extraction material comprising at least a part of a plastic sheet material, inserting the sachet into a clamp of a device according to the present invention, and injecting a liquid into the sachet in the clamp. Each step includes extracting and collecting the beverage that flows out of the drainage path of the clamp.

  Preferably, in the step of inserting the sachet, the liquid conduit region of the sachet is arranged to extend through the outlet region of the clamp so that the beverage extracted from the sachet does not contact the clamp. This substantially eliminates cross contamination between successive extracted beverages. It is preferable to restrict the outflow of the beverage from the extraction region by capturing or pinching the sachet lower region by the outlet region of the clamp.

  The liquid is preferably injected at a pressure range of about 0.1 to 16 bar, more preferably about 1 to 10 bar. The liquid is preferably injected at a temperature of 1 to 100 ° C. In the dilution step, some extraction can be performed at ambient temperature, such as 10-25 ° C. In general, hot beverages are extracted at about 80-95 ° C. Preferably, the liquid consists essentially of water. In a particularly preferred processing step, the liquid consists essentially of water at 60-100 ° C., the water is injected at a pressure range of about 2-10 bar, and the beverage extraction material is grind coffee. Thereby, espresso-type coffee can be extracted.

  The liquid is preferably injected into the sachet at an average flow rate of about 50 to 2000 ml / min, more preferably 60 to 1000 ml / min, by a peristaltic pump or a piston pump. It is preferable to enhance the sensory stimulation characteristics of the extracted beverage as much as possible by injecting the liquid intermittently or rhythmically. Preferably, the method further comprises injecting air to drain residual beverage in the sachet after beverage extraction.

  Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving the position of the deformable area and compressing the beverage extraction material in the sachet after closing the clamp, eg just before the start of extraction.

  Preferably, the method further comprises moving the position of the deformable region to change the shape of the sachet. This makes it possible to improve the quality of the extracted beverage most, and to extract a completely new type of beverage, for example, a beverage having some espresso characteristics and another having filter coffee characteristics. it can. It has also been confirmed that the quality of espresso-type beverages improves when the pressure is slightly relaxed during the extraction of the beverage.

  In some embodiments, the method further includes moving the deformable region of the clamp outward during beverage extraction to allow the sachet in the cavity to expand. This allows the extracted beverage to flow more freely from the sachet. In some embodiments, the sachet is made of a material that resists plastic and elastic deformation and can fill a cavity that has expanded and increased in volume without rupturing.

  Preferably, the method further comprises the step of compressing the sachet and discharging the liquid in the sachet by moving the position of the deformable region. This step can be used, for example, to squeeze out the remaining beverage in the sachet after the beverage extraction is completed. This method is more effective than simply injecting air and draining the remaining beverage in the sachet, while at the same time compressing and reducing the waste sachet resulting from extraction and reducing the amount of waste water leaking from the sachet . Preferably, the volume of the waste sachet can be reduced to less than 50% before extraction.

  By adjusting the flow rate of the extracted beverage from the cavity by deforming the deformable region before, during and after beverage extraction, the method regulates the flow rate of the extracted beverage and defines the effective cross section of the outlet region. Preferably, the method further includes the step of maintaining the liquid pressure within.

  Preferably, the method further comprises agitating the beverage extraction material or passing the liquid through a sachet by vibrating the deformable region during beverage extraction.

  In all the embodiments, it is preferable that the deformable region is provided in a fluid filling tank and includes a plastic thin film that can move the position of the deformable region by supplying and discharging liquid to the tank. However, the present invention also includes movable regions that can be moved by mechanical or electromechanical means.

  A further effect of the beverage extraction device according to the present invention is that it can cope with the extraction of beverages containing foamed milk. Specifically, in such an embodiment, the beverage extraction material consists of a product that can make a foam beverage, including chocolate, coffee, dairy and non-dairy powdered milk. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage extraction material consists essentially of a partially or fully dehydrated dairy or non-dairy milk product such as milk powder or granulated milk. The milk product may constitute part of a beverage such as hot chocolate. The dry weight of the foam material is about 1-50 g, preferably about 5-15 g. In other words, the amount of foam material in each package is sufficient for a portion of a foam beverage, eg, a cup of foam beverage.

  The extraction cavity is configured to efficiently mix and disperse the foam material with injected water. In the outlet area of the extraction device, the liquid flowing out of the clamp outflow path is at least one jet having a diameter of about 0.5-2 mm, preferably about 0.7-1.5 mm, most preferably about 1 mm. It is preferable that it is comprised. The jet velocity is preferably about 5 to 50 m / sec. When the jet impinges on the liquid surface in the container placed at the position to receive the jet, a high shearing force is generated, thereby forming a foam. As a result, a liquid having a large volume fraction (about 25% or more), which is stably pressed and compacted, is placed on the surface. By continuously extracting coffee or tea sachets with the same extraction device, this liquid can be made into foam coffee or tea beverage. A similar coffee jet can create an espresso-style “creamer” on top of the coffee. By applying the jet to the cup side surface, the energy of the jet can be dispersed. Also, in some embodiments, the jet can be passed through the capsule energy diffuser.

The jet can be formed by a jet forming structure in the sachet outlet region, for example, a nozzle. Alternatively, a jet-forming restriction can be formed in the sachet outlet region by forcing the clamp outlet region. In general, the inner cross section of the jet forming body outlet is constant and preferably substantially circular. Since the liquid is substantially incompressible and viscoelasticity is not so great, the inner cross-sectional area of the jet forming region at the outlet is generally about 0.2 to ³ mm ² , and is about 0.4 to ² mm ^2. For example, it is preferably about 1 mm ² . By forming a plurality of jets, the jet flow rate can be increased and the extraction time can be shortened.

  If the outlet throttle (thin hole, jet formation region) is too short, spray is formed instead of a jet, and if it is too long, the pressure drop before and after the throttle becomes too large. Accordingly, it is preferable that the diaphragm extends over about 1 to 5 mm along the liquid flow direction, and more preferably about 2 to 4 mm.

  As used herein, the term “sachet” means any portion pack containing a predetermined amount of beverage extraction material, including capsules having one or more hard barrier members.

  In some embodiments, the beverage extraction sachet has a capsule containing a beverage extraction material and a freshness retaining wall that is releasable during extraction, wherein the retaining wall is released within the capsule. A plastic liquid guide is provided extending from the capsule through which the extracted beverage can flow.

  The sachet preferably has at least one region of plastic film material and is deformable in response to external pressure. More preferably, the sachet comprises a pouch made of a plastic film material, for example a pouch produced by a molding / filling / sealing device. The sachet is made of an airtight and watertight material to maintain the freshness of the beverage extractant during storage.

  The term “liquid guide” means a structure with ducts, capillaries, tubes or conduits that provide a predetermined path for the extracted beverage to flow out of the capsule and into the container without contacting the extraction device. . The liquid guide is preferably integrally formed with at least a portion of the capsule, for example, by molding from a single thermoplastic piece, or by joining sheet material to form both the capsule and the liquid guide.

  The liquid guide is at least partially plastic in the length direction. This allows the beverage flow to be accurately guided to the desired cup area and, for example, allows the beverage guide to be bent so that the beverage flow can be received from the horizontal direction and delivered in the vertical direction. Can be made flexible. Furthermore, due to the plasticity, the liquid guide is preferably compressible and can be clamped by a beverage extraction clamp, maintaining a high pressure in the capsule during extraction and controlling the flow rate in the liquid guide. The liquid guide can be formed, for example, by bonding two sheets made of a film material that does not allow liquid to pass through. The beverage can be led out through the conduit defined by capillary action and / or the joining line of the two sheets or embossing or embossing between the two sheets. The liquid guide is preferably at least 10 mm long from the capsule, more preferably at least 15-20 mm. The liquid guide is preferably tapered. This helps guide the extracted beverage to a predetermined dispensing point at the tip of the liquid guide.

  The term “freshness-preserving wall” means a barrier that has substantially air and water tightness that prevents the ingress of air and moisture before beverage extraction and retains the freshness of the beverage extraction material. The freshness protection wall can be released by external mechanical force or heat applied during beverage extraction. The freshness protection wall is preferably releasable by pressure and / or hot water in the sachet during beverage extraction. For example, the freshness protection wall can be composed of a sealant layer that is released by heat and / or moisture, such as the adhesive described in Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 3.

  In another embodiment, the present invention includes a capsule containing beverage extraction material on the inside, joined along a joining boundary line defining each margin on the outside, and a tapered margin region on the first side of the capsule. A sachet is used that encloses a solid beverage extraction material with front and back sheets of individually shaped, substantially water-impermeable film material.

  The maximum length of the tapered margin region (measured radially from the capsule end) is preferably at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm. Preferably, the tapered margin region defines the liquid guide previously described in connection with the first aspect of the present invention. The tapered margin region is preferably substantially triangular, and it is optional whether the sides are curved and / or the corners are circular. The maximum width of the tapered region is preferably 1 to 5 cm, and more preferably 2 to 4 cm. The bottom of the tapered region can be fused with, for example, a side end of an elliptical sachet having a circular capsule in the center.

  The front and back sheets are joined at the first side of the capsule adjacent to the tapered margin area with an adhesive that can be released by hot water and / or pressure in the capsule, and the beverage extracted in the capsule is It is preferable to allow the capsule to flow out through a region having a large margin width between the front surface and the back surface.

  The sachet-forming film material according to any aspect of the present invention is preferably a laminated film comprising a thermoplastic and a metal foil layer.

  In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a capsule made of a substantially water impermeable film material and containing a beverage extraction material on the inside and joined on the outside along a joining boundary defining each margin. In a region having a margin of at least 10 mm in one region along the boundary, the region is adjacent to the region having a large margin width and is bonded by an adhesive that can be released by hot water and / or pressure in the capsule. Using a sachet containing a solid beverage extraction material and / or foam-forming material with front and back sheets having individual shapes that allow the extracted beverage to flow out of the capsule through the wide margin area Yes.

  Preferably, the wide margin region defines the previously described liquid guide. For example, it is preferable that the region having the wide margin width is tapered.

  The sachet is preferably elongated. Preferred shapes (in plan view) include substantially rectangular, elliptical, tapered, and isosceles triangles. In the case of a tapered or isosceles triangle, it is preferable that the liquid guide or a wide margin is provided at the end of the narrower width.

  The center of the capsule is preferably deviated from the center of the sachet. That is, the center of gravity of the capsule (in plan view) is preferably offset from the center of gravity of the sachet (in plan view). The deviation is preferably along the longitudinal axis of the sachet.

  The beverage extraction material includes or is completely dispersed in hot water, such as instant coffee, hot chocolate, or concentrated milk, cream, creamer, milk powder or milk substitutes. Can be. The beverage extraction material contained in the sachet according to the invention may comprise or consist of a material that is not completely dispersed in the water for beverage extraction. For example, the material is preferably grind coffee or tea leaves. Such beverage extraction material needs to be held in a sachet and preferably does not flow out with the extracted beverage. The sachet can be provided with a beverage extraction filter therefor. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a sheet of filter material with edges bonded to the front or back surface of a sachet so that a beverage is substantially perpendicular to the front or back surface. Pass through. This maximizes the effective filter area for filtration. The filter material layer may have substantially the same extent as the front or back sheet of the sachet.

  Preferably, the sachet wraps about 2-12 g of ground coffee or about 1-5 g of tea leaves. In other words, the sachet preferably corresponds to the extraction of a cup of beverage. The beverage extraction material can take the form of one or more compression components, such as a compressed grind coffee tablet. By taking the form of a compression component, the freshness of the material is maintained and the entire package can be made smaller. The extraction cavity may have a shape corresponding to a specific tablet including a sachet.

  In a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for extracting a beverage using the method according to the present invention. The system comprises a beverage extraction device according to the invention and at least one beverage extraction sachet used in the extraction device.

  Preferably, the at least one beverage extraction sachet comprises a first sachet containing foam-forming milk powder and a second sachet containing a material for extracting coffee or tea. As described above, it is preferable that the two sachets can be extracted in succession, and the sachet containing the powdered milk is extracted first to extract a foamed beverage such as cappuccino coffee.

  In some embodiments, the beverage extraction device holds a second sachet and includes a second clamp for simultaneously or sequentially extracting the first and second beverage ingredients from the first and second sachets. I have. The beverage brewing device can open the two clamps at the same time so that a sachet can be loaded.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an extraction device having a hard elastomeric clamp surface according to a first embodiment of the present invention showing the configuration when closing a clamp and extracting a beverage, showing a sachet during beverage extraction within the clamp Figure. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an brewing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention having one fixed clamping surface and one dynamic clamping surface, showing a sachet during beverage extraction within the clamp. It is a schematic perspective view of the beverage extraction device according to the third embodiment of the present invention that is partially cut, and shows a sachet just before the start of beverage extraction in the clamp. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a beverage brewing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, each clamp having a number of independent deformable regions. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a beverage extraction device showing a beverage extraction step and a sachet system in a further embodiment of the present invention. The top view which shows the drink extraction sachet in the further embodiment of this invention after drink extraction, Comprising: The figure which shows the drink outflow manifold formed by changing the sachet of an exit area | region.

  Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the extraction device includes hard metal base members 1 and 2 that are clamped together by a clamping mechanism (not shown). Since the hard base member has a gap at the tightening position, the tightening force at the position can be adjusted, and the compression pressure of the coffee in the extraction cavity can be set to a desired value.

  Each of the base members 1 and 2 is lined with a hard elastomer layer 3 whose inner surface has a slight depression defining an extraction cavity. The elastomer is a silicone elastomer having a hardness of about 40 Shore.

  The beverage extraction sachet 4 is inserted into the cavity between the two clamp parts. The configuration of the sachet 4 is substantially the same as the sachet described in Patent Document 2. That is, the sachet is formed by joining the peripheral portions of two plastic film materials 5 having airtightness and watertightness. A plastic nozzle 6 is inserted into the upper end of the sachet, and the front and back sheets are joined with a sealing resin that is released by heat and moisture during beverage extraction, thereby forming a bottom seal 7. The lower end 8 of the thermoplastic sheet 5 protrudes into the exit area of the clamp and serves as a conduit for extracting the extracted beverage from the clamp.

  The sachet is filled with grind coffee 9, and this coffee floor is strongly compressed by the action of the clamp. As described in Patent Document 2, a paper filter can be provided in the vicinity of the exit area of the sachet. However, in this embodiment, a non-woven polypropylene web layer (not shown) is joined to one sachet sheet near the beverage extraction material to form a filter.

  By using an elastomer-based clamp, the size and shape of the extraction cavity can be changed only by changing the tightening force applied to the hard base member. This significantly increases the flexibility and control power in the extraction process.

  The device spresses the sachet with an elastomeric clamp and then injects hot water at about 90 ° C. in a continuous or rhythmic mode, generally at a pressure of 5-20 bar, preferably 10-15 bar. Coffee can be extracted. The elastomeric clamp maintains a coffee bed internal pressure suitable for espresso coffee extraction. Further, the exit area is clamped by an elastomeric clamp to prevent grind coffee from blowing out of the sachet due to water pressure. Finally, an adaptive elastomeric clamp prevents sachet wall rupture and reduces channeling of water flowing on the sides of the coffee floor.

  By simply tightening the sachet more loosely than when extracting the espresso coffee and injecting a large amount of water with respect to the amount of coffee in the sachet, the apparatus of FIG. In order to reduce the risk of sachet bursting and to optimize the extraction cavity, it is also preferred that the sachet wall be pressed by the elastomeric clamp.

  It is clear that a dynamic clamping effect is achieved by changing the position of the hard member during beverage extraction. For example, by changing the cavity pressure, one brewing operation can move from espresso-style coffee to filtered coffee extraction. At the end of the beverage extraction operation, it is preferable to pressurize the clamp to minimize the volume of the cavity in order to squeeze out as much beverage as possible from the sachet. After beverage extraction, in addition to the above, air is injected into the sachet through the injector 14 to remove residual beverage in the sachet. By combining the pressurization of the clamp and the injection of air, a much higher effect is exhibited compared to the case of simply injecting air. Furthermore, because the sachet is compressed, less space occupies the waste storage unit, while reducing the amount of liquid that can leak from the sachet and contaminate the device.

  2, the present embodiment of the apparatus and method according to the present invention includes a first rigid clamp element 12 and a second adaptive clamp element 13. An injector 14 with three hollow needles extends through the rigid clamping element 12 and penetrates the first surface 15 of the beverage extraction sachet 16. The sachet 16 contains a compressed coffee floor 17. The deformable clamp 13 includes a fluid tank 19 that carries a rigid base member 18 and an elastomeric thin film 20. The fluid tank 19 allows the elastomeric thin film 20 to conform to the top surface 21 of the capsule or sachet 16. The clamping pressure applied to the sachet 16 can be adjusted by changing the clamping force between the clamping elements 12 and 13, and the pressure can also be adjusted by changing the liquid pressure in the fluid tank 19. can do.

  The sachet 16 includes a liquid conduit region 22 that extends further past the exit region of the clamp to pass the extracted beverage and prevent contamination of the clamp with the extracted beverage and cross contamination between consecutively extracted beverages.

  In use, the clamp according to this aspect of the present invention performs substantially the same operation as the clamp of FIG. 1, and provides a dynamic clamping effect by supplying and discharging liquid to and from the fluid tank 19 during beverage extraction. It is done. For example, by reducing the cavity pressure during beverage extraction, one extraction operation can transition from espresso-style coffee to filter-type coffee extraction. Alternatively, the fluid in the fluid tank can be vibrated during beverage extraction to stir the coffee bed in the sachet. At the end of the beverage extraction operation, it is preferable to supply more fluid into the fluid tank in order to squeeze out as much beverage as possible from the sachet. After beverage extraction, in addition to the above, air is injected into the sachet through the injector 14 to remove residual beverage in the sachet.

  In order to protect the user from the hollow needle of the injector when the clamp is released, it can be connected to the clamp so that the hollow needle retracts.

  The device in another embodiment shown in FIG. 3 comprises a rigid clamp element 30 and an adaptive clamp element 31. The compliant clamp element 31 comprises a first region having an elastomeric membrane facing the beverage extraction cavity and carried in substantially the same liquid tank as in the embodiment of FIG. However, the liquid tank 32 is filled with the electrorheological fluid, and the pressure of the liquid tank 32 is adjusted by the electrode 33 disposed on one side of the conduit 34 that communicates with the electrorheological fluid tank 35.

  The lower part of the compliant clamp element is covered with a hard elastomer layer 36.

  The rigid clamp element 30 includes a recess 38 for inserting a hollow needle for injecting water and a recess formed to receive a sachet 39 having a nozzle 40. A shallow depression 41 is provided in the beverage outlet region at the lower end of the clamping element 30 when the rigid clamping element 30 abuts the rigid elastomeric region 36 of the conforming clamping element 31 adjacent to the conduit for guiding the beverage from the extraction cavity. .

  The embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, but the rigid elastomeric lining of FIG. 1 is carried in four fluid-filled chambers 44, 45, 46 and 47. The elastomeric thin film 43 is replaced. Each fluid-filled chamber 44, 45, 46, and 47 is connected via a conduit to a valve and pump means that independently control the amount and pressure of fluid in the chamber. This further increases the possibility of dynamic clamping of the sachet during beverage extraction, in particular the sachet content by adjusting the flow rate of the beverage passing through the outlet region by reducing the pressure in the cavity 47, or by vibration or peristaltic pumping of the membrane 43. The way to stir things opens.

  5 (A) to 5 (C), the system according to this embodiment of the present invention includes an extraction device having a clamp similar to the clamp of FIG. However, the fixed clamp member 61 has a peripheral step 62 around the injector 63, and a circular recess 64 is defined in the hard clamp member 61.

  The embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5C includes a front surface 66 made of a plastic and deformable sheet material that defines a capsule 68 for containing a beverage extraction material such as grind coffee. A sachet having a back surface 67 is provided. A spunbonded nylon filter sheet 69 extends across the back of the sachet and is joined to the back 67 around the capsule.

  In FIG. 5B, the sachet is mounted in the extraction cavity and the deformable clamp member water tank 70 is pressurized at about 12 bar. By this pressure, the sachet back surface 67 is pressed against the hard clamp member, and in particular, the back surface 67 is deformed and raised and enters the recess 64 of the hard clamp member. As a result, the back surface 67 becomes a tight flat surface and is effectively pierced by the needle 63 of the injector. Next, 90 ° C. hot water is injected into the sachet at a pressure of 12 bar, and espresso-style coffee is extracted in the sachet.

  5C, during beverage extraction, a part of the liquid in the water tank 70 is then discharged, and the front surface 66 of the sachet is raised outward by plastic deformation. Since the filter sheet 69 is less likely to deform than the front sheet 66, a beverage zone 72 is formed in the inflated sachet and the beverage effectively flows through the filter sheet.

  The used sachet of FIG. 6 has a front surface and a back surface made of a sheet material having airtightness and watertightness in which a metal foil is laminated between two thermoplastic films. The sheets are joined around the edge 50 to form a hermetic seal around the beverage extraction material. The joint seal under the sachet consists of EVA adhesive that is released by the action of water, heat and pressure in the cavity while the beverage is being extracted so that the beverage can flow out of the extraction area. A plastic nozzle similar to the nozzle of FIG. 1 is inserted at the top of the sachet. At the lower end of the sachet, there is provided a projecting tongue piece 52 made of a sheet material for guiding the liquid beverage ending at the drip point 53 to the outside. The side ends of the tongue pieces can be joined to form a tubular conduit.

  The sachet of FIG. 6 is extracted by a device similar to the device of FIG. In particular, the dendritic pattern 55 corresponding to the manifold is pressed against the sheet material of the sachet by sandwiching the lower portion 54 of the sachet between the hard elastomeric member and the hard plane on which the manifold is engraved. Is. The indentation serves as a conduit for guiding the beverage from the sachet extraction area and defines a portion of the liquid conduit area of the sachet. By making the pressing conduit have the appropriate size and shape, it is possible to control the flow rate of the beverage from the extraction region, and in particular, when the extraction is performed with a high pressure in the cavity, the optimal beverage extraction It can be performed.

  The foregoing description merely illustrates the embodiment of the present invention. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the scope of the claims herein.

30 Hard Clamp Element 31 Adaptable Clamp Element 32 Liquid Tank 34 Conduit 35 Electrorheological Fluid Tank 36 Hard Elastomer Layer 39 Sachet 40 Nozzle

Claims (44)

A device for extracting a beverage through a liquid through a sachet containing a beverage extraction material,
One or more injectors that inject the liquid into the sachet during the beverage extraction;
A clamp for the sachet comprising one or more members capable of opening and closing;
With
One or more members of the clamp, in the closed position, have an inner surface defining a cavity that substantially houses and holds the sachet and forms a beverage drainage path at the bottom during the beverage extraction;
At least a portion of the inner surface is a deformable portion attached to a movable carrier while the clamp is in the closed position;
Thereby, while the clamp is in the closed position, the shape of the cavity or the outflow path can be changed so that a desired extraction configuration corresponding to the sachet can be taken,
The apparatus, wherein the deformable portion has an elastomer layer, and when the clamping force is applied, the elastomer layer coincides with a pressurized sachet surface. The device of claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is substantially composed of an incompressible material. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastomer layer substantially covers the entire inner surface of at least one of the clamps. 4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer layer is carried on a rigid base member which is movable in a position where the clamp is closed. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the deformable portion is held by a hard wall member extending upward from the hard base member. 6. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the inner surface made of the elastomeric layer has a recess unless an external force is applied. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastomer layer has a Shore hardness of 10 to 60 Shore. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thickness of the hard elastomer layer is 5 to 25 mm. 9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the deformable part comprises a thin film carried on a fluid tank. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a conduit for supplying and discharging fluid to and from the fluid tank to change the shape of the cavity during or immediately prior to the beverage extraction. 11. A device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the deformable part comprises a plurality of fluid filled tanks carrying a plurality of thin film regions. The inner surface of the clamp has at least one hard elastomer region carried by a rigid substrate in addition to the deformable part carried by a fluid tank. Equipment. 13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet region of the beverage extraction chamber comprises at least one clamping member that clamps the lower end of the sachet. 14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that at the outlet region, at least one of the members clamping the lower end of the sachet has an elastic inner surface. 15. A device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least one of the members clamping the lower end of the sachet comprises an inner surface having a recess defining a liquid outflow path through the clamping part. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the clamp includes two members that form the cavity by moving in a face-to-face manner. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the injector includes a hollow needle that protrudes into the cavity obliquely with respect to a direction of beverage outflow from the cavity. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the hollow needle protrudes into the cavity substantially perpendicular to the direction of beverage outflow from the cavity. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the injector protrudes inwardly from an inner surface of one clamp member, and the inner surface has a recess around the injector. A method for extracting a beverage,
Providing a sachet containing a beverage extraction material, at least partly of a plastic sheet material,
Inserting the sachet into the clamp of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Injecting liquid into the sachet in the clamp to extract the beverage,
A method comprising the steps of collecting a beverage spilled from the spill path of the clamp. The step of inserting the sachet is arranged such that a lower end portion of the sachet extends through an outlet region of the clamp so that an extracted beverage flowing out of the sachet does not contact the clamp. Item 20. The method according to Item 20. The method of claim 21, wherein the clamp clamps a lower end of the sachet during the beverage extraction. 23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising the step of moving the position of the deformable portion of the clamp and changing the shape of the sachet during beverage extraction. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising moving the position of the deformable portion of the clamp outward during beverage extraction to inflate the sachet in the cavity. 24. A method according to claim 23, comprising the step of vibrating said deformable part during beverage extraction. 26. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, further comprising the step of moving the deformable portion inwardly after beverage extraction, compressing the sachet and squeezing out residual beverage. The method further includes the step of moving the position of the deformable portion before, during and after the beverage extraction, to adjust the flow rate of the beverage flowing out of the cavity and / or to control the fluid pressure in the cavity. 27. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 26. 28. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that the beverage flowing out of the clamp outlet flows out as at least one jet having a diameter of about 0.5 to 2 mm. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the jet velocity is about 5-50 m / sec. The sachet comprises a capsule containing a beverage extraction material and a liquid guide extending from the capsule;
The liquid guide has a freshness protection barrier releasable during beverage extraction, and the beverage extracted in the capsule is allowed to flow through the liquid guide by releasing the freshness protection barrier. 30. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 29. 31. A method according to claim 30, characterized in that the length of the liquid guide is at least 15 mm . 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the length of the liquid guide is at least 20 mm. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32 , wherein a lower end portion of the liquid guide is tapered. The sachet comprises front and back sheets of different shapes, each comprising a substantially water impermeable film material;
The front and back sheets are affixed to each other along a bond boundary to define a capsule containing a beverage extraction material inside the bond boundary and the front and back sheets extending outside the bond boundary Define each margin,
30. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the margin comprises a tapered margin region on one side of the capsule. The front and back sheets are joined to the first side of the capsule with an adhesive that can be released by hot water and / or pressure, and the beverage extracted in the capsule can flow out of the capsule. , 34. Symbol mounting method. 36. A method according to claim 34 or 35 , wherein each of the front and back sheets of substantially water impermeable film material are substantially the same size and shape and substantially overlap. 37. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 36 , characterized in that the liquid guide is defined in facing extensions of two sheet materials that form the extraction area of the sachet. 38. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 37 , wherein at least part of the liquid guide is formed by embossing one or more conduits in the sachet sheet material. 39. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 38 , characterized in that the sachet further comprises a filter between the beverage extraction material and the liquid guide for removing the beverage extraction material. Said filter comprises a peripheral portion of the filter material bonded to the front or back of the sachet, characterized in that it passes through the substantially perpendicular to the filter material to the front or rear beverage, claim 39 The method described. 41. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 40 , wherein the liquid guide terminates at one or more drip forming points. A system for extracting a beverage based on the method according to any one of claims 20 to 40, wherein the beverage extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and at least one beverage extraction used in the device. A system comprising a sachet. 43. The system of claim 42 , wherein the at least one sachet comprises a first sachet containing foam dairy or non-dairy concentrated milk and a second sachet containing coffee or tea extraction material. . The beverage extractor comprises a second clamp for holding a second sachet and extracting the first and second beverage components from the first and second sachets simultaneously or sequentially. 44. The system according to Item 42 or 43 .

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