MXPA06005126A - Mobile or portable apparatus with pressurized gas supply for preparing beverages or similar products - Google Patents

Abstract

Mobile or portable apparatus (1) for preparing beverages comprising:a module (10) for delivering a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feed tank (7) of sufficient capacity for supplying the module with several volumes of liquid for supplying more than one beverage, gas pressurizing means (65) suitable for supplying the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feed chamber (8), of which the capacity is several times smaller than the capacity of the tank, said chamber being arranged, in a module feeding configuration, to communicate with the gas pressurizing means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to inject pressurized liquid into the module and thereby permit the delivery of the liquid through the module.

Description

MOBILE OR PORTABLE APPARATUS WITH PRESSURIZED GAS SUPPLY TO PREPARE BEVERAGES OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS Field of the Invention - The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing beverages or other similar products using a food substance. The invention relates more precisely to distribution or dispensing machines, such as mobile or portable coffee machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coffee machine type beverage preparation apparatuses using pre-packaged or non-packaged portions of a 'food substance that are very widespread among private individuals, and also in municipalities, shopping centers and companies. The principle of preparation is based on the extraction of portions of the substance by the passage through this substance of a quantity of cold or hot liquid under high pressure, typically a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The pre-packaged pressures can be partially rigid capsules or also flexible bags, which are hermetically sealed or partially open, or also a dose filter. An example of a capsule of a capsule is described in EP Patent 0,512,468 Bl. An example of a bag is described in EP 0 602 203 Bl. These extraction systems have many advantages. On the one hand, individual packages are easy to use and do not require a quantity of coffee or other substances in the machine. The user places a capsule, or a dose of ground coffee or other portions, in the machine, then presses a button to start the extraction. On the other hand, the individual packages are grouped to distribute a beverage, such as a coffee, having the desired characteristics such as sufficient character, flavor, foam or other important attributes. When they are impervious, in this way they usually retain the freshness of the substance, better, until the moment of extraction. Finally, the conditions of preparation, such as temperature, pressure and extraction time, can be better controlled, thus guaranteeing a relatively controlled and constant quality to the consumer. An example of an extraction method is described in EP Patent 0,512,470 Bl. To extract a beverage under pressure from these portions, of the capsule type or another, it is necessary to use a relatively powerful water pump such as an electric compressor. These pumps use the main power supply. They are also rather noisy during extraction.

Therefore, it is difficult to move these preparation apparatuses, such as in a car or simply to transport them. Actually, it would be an advantage to be able to make these more mobile devices to offer drinks in a means of locomotion such as train, plane, or in certain places such as cinemas, theaters, and also in public places such as beaches, parks, swimming pools or other public or private places. The patent application WO 99/02081 proposes a coffee machine, more precisely a mobile machine, in which the pressure required to extract the ground coffee is generated by compressed air. The water used to prepare the coffee is kept in a thermally insulated container. The water can be heated by electric heating elements. That solution offers the advantage of producing the extraction pressure by a self-contained medium, such as a gas cylinder, installed under the machine. The machine can be installed in a cart with the gas cylinder installed in a cart compartment provided for this purpose. However, this device has certain disadvantages. Actually, in this invention, the cylinder gas communicates directly with the hot water tank. This means that the entire tank volume is kept under constant pressure, in the order of several bar. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a tank of greater capacity that resists the pressure; this unquestionably increases the design and manufacturing problems, in order to guarantee sufficient security. If the tank accidentally fractures, it can explode and cause damage. In the case of leakage, jets of water can be discharged and cause accidents, such as burns. In addition, the design of the tank is limited to the choice of materials, and can not use brittle materials, low, specific heat, such as glass, as an example. Finally, prolonged contact of the gas with a large reservoir of water under high pressure can also cause uncontrolled dissolution of the gas in the water; this can therefore alter the flavor of the beverage, for example, by making it slightly frothy or acidulated.k.

Description of the Invention The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for preparing beverages that is suitable for mobile or portable use, while avoiding the disadvantages of the solution of the WO patent application. 99/02081. WO 02/080743 relates to a liquid distribution and heating system operated by deflector for a manufacturer of individual beverages. This system is not configured to be autonomous in energy. Therefore, this system can not be practically portable and / or mobile. In particular, the fluid pressure is provided by an electrically driven air pump that requires the machine to be plugged into an external power supply during the extraction. In particular, one of the objects is to propose an apparatus that has sufficient liquid self-sufficiency, but in which only a small volume of liquid is pressurized, to reduce the risks and disadvantages associated with maintaining a large capacity tank under pressure permanent. A further object is to provide an apparatus in which the water tank can be manufactured from a choice of more varied and thermally insulated materials. A further object is to be able to better control the exchanges of gas with the liquid, for example, to reduce the risks of deteriorating the flavor of the beverage by the gas. In certain cases, in fact, gasification is undesirable such as for example in the production of coffee or hot chocolate. For this purpose, the invention relates to a mobile or portable apparatus for preparing beverages. It may comprise an extraction module suitable for receiving a portion of the food substance for preparing a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid through the substance. In certain applications, however, this module can be replaced by a simple distribution module and the pressurized liquid. It comprises a self-contained liquid feed tank of sufficient capacity to supply the module with several volumes of liquid for the extraction of more than one portion of substance. It comprises a suitable gas pressurization means for supplying the module with pressurized liquid. This means is preferably a mobile gas filling means that makes the gas supply of the self-contained apparatus. It can be a compressed gas reserve. The gas can be any gas. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a liquid feed chamber, the capacity of which is several times smaller than the capacity of the tank. The camera is arranged, in a filling configuration, to communicate with the tank in order to be filled with the liquid. The camera is also arranged, in a power configuration, to communicate with the gas pressurizing means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and communicate with the extraction module in order to inject pressurized liquid into the module and allow this way the extraction of the substance portion. The communication between the gas medium and the chamber is provided so that the gas comes into direct contact with the liquid present in the chamber, and so that the tank remains isolated in the pressure with respect to the chamber, which is to say that the liquid present in the tank can not be subjected to the gas pressure exerted on the chamber. The apparatus further comprises a valve means that can be moved in at least two positions to act, a) in a chamber filling position, to place the chamber in the filling configuration, and b) in a position to feed the module by the chamber to allow the extraction of the portion in the extraction module. Therefore, it appears from the invention that the tank is not necessarily pressurized any longer by the means of gas pressurization, if not on the contrary, a supply chamber is provided, and a smaller capacity than that of the tank., to be subjected to the gas pressure necessary to partially or completely empty the chamber and to send the pressurized liquid to the extraction module. In this way, a smaller volume, independent of the tank, is pressurized by the gas pressurization means, thereby making the system safer. Furthermore, this smaller volume does not need to be maintained at constant pressure thanks to the valve means, which allows the change of the apparatus to the filling position when the extraction is finished. The gas pressure therefore acts on the chamber only when the valve means is actuated to place the chamber in the feed position of the extraction module. Therefore, the pressurization time is relatively short, thereby reducing the risks associated with pressurizing a chamber, and also reducing the gas-liquid contact that is prone to alter the taste of the beverage. In a preferred mode, the chamber is fed by the tank under the effect of hydrostatic pressure. For this purpose, the chamber can be placed at least under the middle of the tank to be supplied with liquid by the tank when the valve means is secured. More preferably, the chamber is placed at a level close to the bottom of the tank, with the opening of the chamber as it becomes possible to close the bottom of the tank. When actuated, the valve means restores the chamber to atmospheric pressure or to a substantially equivalent pressure. This restoration at a substantially atmospheric pressure has the effect of filling the chamber with liquid. In this way, the camera is easily filled without the need for a pump and without external energy input. During its filling with liquid, the chamber is at low pressure therefore without danger. Once filled, the chamber remains at the same pressure until the moment when the module must be fed to extract a drink. Therefore, it is understandable that most of the time, the chamber is maintained at a low filling pressure, thereby reducing the risks associated with high pressure and also reducing the contact time with the gas. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber is brought into contact with the tank by a liquid inlet actuated by a unidirectional valve; the valve is opened in this way during filling by the hydrostatic effect of the thrust of the liquid from the tank to the chamber, and is kept closed by the thrust of the liquid present in the supply chamber under the pressure exerted by the gas. This valve is of simple design and is particularly effective in maintaining the separation between the chamber and the tank in the module feeding position; which is to say when the gas is introduced into the chamber, so that the tank is not subjected to the internal pressure of the chamber due to the gas injected into it. For example, this valve may consist of a moving needle or ball, or any other equivalent means, placed inside the chamber and opposite an opening in the chamber communicating with the tank. In a possible alternative, the valve can be an electromechanical valve. The chamber is preferably made of a pressure resistant and impact resistant material such as metals and / or plastics. Therefore, the chamber is a portion that is more easily safeguarded and, due to its lower volume compared to the volume of the tank, is easier to protect in the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the tank is a assembly comprising thermally insulating walls. In addition, it comprises a removable lid or cap for easy filling. This makes it possible to maintain a liquid for a certain time interval at a temperature necessary for the extraction of the beverage. The liquid can thus be maintained at a temperature between 60 and 95 ° C for several minutes. The liquid can be poured hot or boiling in the tank and / or heated in the tank by a heating means. The insulating walls preferably comprise at least one internal wall made of a low specific heat material and at least one layer of insulation surrounding the inner wall. This can be, for example, "thermos" type walls typically comprising at least one internal glass or metal wall and at least one insulating layer. More preferably, the walls are a double glass or metal wall separated by an insulating layer formed by a gas, or a partial or total vacuum, with or without foam. In a preferred configuration, the camera is actually located in the tank in this way. In this case, the chamber is protected by the tank, and the liquid in the tank that surrounds the chamber, which is at a lower pressure than the chamber pressure. This configuration tends to simplify the device because the camera can communicate with the tank through a simple opening. Preferably, the chamber is placed at the bottom of the tank with its filling opening as low as possible in the tank. This configuration also tends to make the apparatus more compact. Finally, when the tank contains a hot liquid and is therefore thermally insulated, the energy garments in the tank and / or in the chamber are smaller due to the heat transfers made possible between the two vessels. When the chamber is placed inside the tank, the chamber is preferably isolated from the impacts with respect to the walls of the tank. For this purpose, the camera can be connected by one or more elements to the cap or tank cap. The camera can be formed of a tough and durable material such as plastic or metal. The chamber can also be connected to the walls of the tank by a damping means such as an elastomer or other dampers. The isolation of the impact chamber has the advantage of limiting the risk of explosion when the chamber is pressurized, and also that the walls of the tank can be made of any suitable material, including a brittle material, such as a brittle, fissile material and / or pierceable. In an additional configuration, the camera is placed outside the tank. This configuration has the advantage of heating the liquid outside the tank, that is, for example, either heat the liquid in the chamber, or heat it between the chamber and the extraction module. The tank therefore does not need isolation and may contain an unheated liquid. The apparatus can be released from the need to use electricity by providing a non-electric heating means such as a combustion heating means, such as a burner, which are placed to heat the chamber and / or a portion of the line between the camera and the extraction module. The apparatus can operate in this way without a power supply. Preferably, the valve means comprises a bi-directional valve that can be operated manually or electrically. This valve can be, for example, a solenoid valve or a rotary valve of the tri-directional type, for example, or any equivalent means. In general, the valve can be operated manually or by an electrical signal. The cap or cap of the tank can be integral with a supporting structure that supports the various essential components of the apparatus including the lines communicating with the feeding chamber. The main lines are the gas supply line, the tube for venting the chamber at atmospheric pressure, and the supply line from the chamber to the extraction module. An air inlet line in the tank is also useful. For example, its support structure can thus receive the extraction module. It is also arranged to receive the connection device to the gas reserve. It can house the valve means and its means of manual control (such as a lever) or electric (contact buttons). It can also comprise several electrical connections and / or monitoring and control elements. The support structure can be integrated or combined with a means of transport such as a handle, straps or a harness and / or alternatively rotating wheels, a rolling tray or walking trolley, etc., to make transporting easier and / or roll the device. Preferably, the gas pressurizing means must be capable of distributing a gas supply pressure between 2 and 25 bar, preferably between 5 and 20 bar. This pressure is necessary to empty the chamber partially or completely, to transport the liquid through the feed line to the extraction module, and to extract the beverage through the feed substance at a sufficient extraction pressure taking in how much the pressure drop in the circuit. The feed pressure is preferably controlled by a pressure control member such as a pressure reducer adapted to the supply pressure. The gas flow can also be controlled independently by a restriction in order to allow a progressive accumulation of pressure in the extraction module. Under certain circumstances, this restriction is necessary to prevent an excessively abrupt increase in pressure when the valve means is opened. An excessively abrupt increase in pressure can prematurely open, tear or explode the package of the substance portion. The gas used can be compressed air, C02, N20, N2, 02 argon or a mixture thereof, and / or any other suitable gas type. The gas reserve is preferably a cylinder or a reinforced tank with a capacity between 0.1 and 20 liters, preferably between 0.5 and 5 liters. The apparatus according to the invention also preferably comprises a means for heating the liquid before its introduction into the extraction module. This means can be placed to heat the tank and / or the chamber and / or the feed line between the chamber and the extraction module. This medium however is not indispensable, but it may prove important to heat the liquid from a given temperature or simply to compensate for the heat losses of the liquid when it is introduced hot or boiling in the tank. The heating means can be an electrical medium of the resistant type or a thermoblock or a medium of the burner type using a solid and / or gaseous and / or liquid fuel. For example, the heating means can be an electrical resistance or an element placed inside, against or even partially or completely surrounding the feed chamber and / or inside, against or partially or completely enclosing the feed line that carries the liquid to the extraction module. The electrical resistance elements can be of any type such as a metal resistance element, a ceramic cartridge heater or even resistive printed circuits in an electrically insulating structure. The apparatus preferably comprises an integrated means of providing electrical power that is provided to supply the electric heating means, if any. This means of electrical power supply may comprise at least one electrical battery. This battery can be recharged from electricity or be solar or be of a combined type of electric / rechargeable solar. It can also be a battery such as a replaceable but not rechargeable electric battery. If it is rechargeable, the battery can be mounted so that the device can be detached or not. If it can not be detached, the battery can be preferentially recharged by connection, via appropriate connection elements, to a charging station comprising an electrical transformer connectable to the power outlets. This recharging station can be provided as a base on which the apparatus rests to recharge the battery outside the service periods. According to another embodiment, the electric connection means is provided in order to supply the heating means periodically during the connection of the electrical connection means to an external source of electric power supply. For example, these electrical connection means comprise a main AC electrical connector and / or an electrical power connector for connection to a mobile or fixed power supply of the cigarette lighter type and / or an electrical terminal or sub-station that I supplied low voltage power. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention comprises: a module for dispensing a beverage or supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feed tank of sufficient capacity to supply the module with several volumes of liquid for the repeated supply of more than one drink, a suitable pressurization medium to supply the module with pressurized liquid, - a liquid feeding chamber, of which the capacity is several times less than the capacity of the tank; the camera that is arranged, in a filling configuration, to communicate with the tank in order to be filled with liquid and, the camera that is arranged, in a module power configuration, to communicate with the pressurizing means in order to pressurizing the liquid in the chamber and injecting pressurized liquid into the module and thus allowing the distribution of the liquid through the module, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to be mobile or portable for the service to be free of an electrical connection to an electrical supply socket during operation, wherein the pressurizing means is non-electric and comprises at least one stand-alone gas reserve, and wherein the tank comprises heat-insulated walls to reduce the loss of liquid heat during the transport. The invention further relates to a method for distributing a pressurized liquid in a mobile or portable beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: providing a liquid feed chamber that is filled by the effect of the pressure difference between the chamber and a feed tank of the apparatus having a greater liquid capacity than that of the chamber that is emptied after the filling of the chamber under the pressure of a gas supplied from an autonomous gas reserve of the apparatus; the gas that enters the chamber to pressurize the chamber while the chamber is tightened to the feed tank so that the feed tank is free of gas pressure. Preferably, the liquid feed chamber is filled by the effect of hydrostatic pressure between the chamber and the tank. A unidirectional valve can be used to feed the chamber with the liquid coming from the tank. In the method of the invention, prior to transport, the tank is filled with a liquid at a temperature above room temperature or is heated in the tank to a temperature above room temperature and the tank is thermally insulated to compensate Thermal losses during transport. The liquid must be filled into the tank or heated to a temperature of at least 90 ° C in order to provide a sufficient temperature of extracting the ingredients to form the "Serving" beverage of food substance means a pre-packaged or unpackaged portion . A pre-packaged portion may be a dose of food substance in a container such as a cartridge, bag, or other suitable modes of packaging or packaging. A packaged portion may be a dose of food substance, such as ground coffee, introduced directly into the chamber of the extraction module. "Liquid" means water or a food liquid according to the applications. "Electricity supply outlet" means a supply of electrical energy, whether domestic or industrial, typically 110, 220-230 or 380 volts of electricity is provided. These objects, features and advantages as well as others of the present invention are detailed in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments with. reference to the figures annexed to the present. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to the invention of a gas pressurization configuration of the chamber and therefore of the extraction module; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a chamber filling configuration. Figure 3 shows a variant in the apparatus in which the camera is placed outside the water tank. Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the electrical power supply in the apparatus according to the invention. The device according to the invention is an apparatus 1 capable of distributing hot or cold beverages by extraction under the pressure of a substance contained in a pre-packaged portion 5 of the capsule or bag type. A pressurized liquid, typically water, it is sent through the substance and the beverage extracted in this way is collected in a receptacle such as a cup 2. The device of the invention therefore comprises an extraction module 10 arranged in order to receive one or more particular types. of portions 5. The module generally comprises a capsule holder 11, possibly the means 12 for opening the capsule which is operated under the effect of the pressure inside the capsule to release the extract at a given extraction pressure, a means for spraying or injecting liquid into the capsule such that a capsule cage comprising needles or blades opens the capsule combined with one or more holes for injecting the liquid. The module normally comprises a closing means for firmly holding the capsule. This closing means may comprise articulated means 11, 12 in the form of jaws that can be opened / closed by actuating elements by means of a lever (not shown). The module can be part of a body 4 of support structure that combines the essential components of the apparatus thus forming, with the rest of the apparatus, a compact and easily mobile and / or portable assembly. In a preferred construction, a liquid tank 7 can be part of the support structure 4. Tank 7 has a capacity adapted to the needs of the apparatus and its use; The principle is that the appliance can distribute a sufficient number of drinks during the service. The tank 7 is therefore designed to supply the extraction module 10 in a self-contained manner, ie without continuous input of water from a foreign source to the apparatus. The tank comprises a body delimiting a container 6 that is closed by a lid or plug 70 that is adapted by any means of removable connection to the body of the tank, such as forceps, screws or others. Preferably, the tank container is isolated from the external environment by the insulating walls 71. These walls can form a virtually adiabatic insulating assembly commonly known as a "thermos flask". This name can include a large number of possible isolation configurations. The most common is the combination of at least one inner layer 72 of a specific low heat material such as glass or metal (copper, aluminum, steel, etc.), and at least one thermally insulating layer 73 surrounding the inner layer. An insulating layer may be a gas such as air or argon, vacuum or a foam-based or fiber-based material. An efficient thermal insulation assembly will more appreciably comprise at least two layers of glass or metal 72, 74 separated by an insulating layer 73, preferably vacuum or gas. The tank 7 of the apparatus further comprises an impact resistant sheath 75 such as a plastic molded part surrounding the tank insulation assembly. The part 75 may constitute a part of a body part of the tank or a part adapted to the others to form the exterior of the tank 7. According to an essential aspect of the invention, a feeding chamber 8 is provided which separates the tank 7 of the module 10. The camera 8 is connected to the module 10 via a power line 92. This line communicates freely in the camera. The feed chamber 8, in the example in Figure 1, is placed inside the tank 7. The chamber is located in the middle of the bottom of the tank, preferably at the bottom of the tank, and comprises an opening 80 capable of communicate with the tank. The opening is oriented towards the bottom of the chamber, preferably very far to the bottom of the chamber 8. The opening 80 is selectively restricted by a valve 81 of the unidirectional type comprising a ball or a needle and a retaining means and ball seat. The ball or needle is placed inside the chamber in order to ensure closure from the inside under the effect of internal pressure in the chamber and to cause the opening by the effect of a pressure external to the chamber. The seal between the ball or the needle can be improved by an annular seal or other equivalent element, which cooperates with the element around the opening. According to the positioning of the chamber 8 and its opening 80 below the average fill level of the chamber, the chamber is proposed to be filled by the sole effect of the hydrostatic pressure in the tank container 6. The filling is achieved by the thrust of the unidirectional valve 81 by the fluid present in the tank. The volume of the chamber 8 may vary as required. The volume can serve to extract at least a portion of the substance (a capsule or bag or also a non-packaged dose). It can reach several portions such as two, three or even four successive portions. For example, the camera can have a volume between 40 mi and 500 mi. Preferably, the chamber will have a volume of approximately 110 ml; this corresponds to the capacity of a large cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The supply chamber 8 is selectively communicated via the gas transport means 90, 901 with the gas pressurization means 65. These means preferably comprise a gas filler 650 in the form of a cylinder or other, associated as a pressure regulator 651 at the outlet of the filler, such as a pressure reducer. A gas flow regulating means such as a restrictor 652 is also preferably provided in feed between the pressure reducer and the chamber in order to regulate a progressive increase in the pressure of the liquid in the extraction module 10. The transport means 90 ends in the chamber in any appropriate place, such as in the upper part 82 of the camera. The main line 90 is separated by a valve 15 which can be placed between the chamber 8 and the gas pressurization means 65. The tank is connected to the outside via an air intake line 910, which allows the replacement of the volume lost in the tank by air, due to the filling of the chamber with liquid. The valve 15 acts according to a principle of bi-directional movement. In a first position according to Figure 2, the valve connects the supply chamber 8 to a line 900 open at atmospheric pressure. In a second position, the valve 15 connects the chamber 8 to the gas supply line 901. This valve 15 can be operated manually such as a lever, a contact button or other equivalent element. It can also be driven by electrical impulses (solenoid valve). In this case, the valve 15 remains in the equilibrium position in the chamber at atmospheric pressure or "resting position" in the absence of an impulse (Figure 2). During an electrical impulse in the valve, the solenoid valve is changed in the position to supply the chamber with gas (Figure 1). The return on the solenoid valve to the filling pressure (Figure 2) is then triggered by a timer or by measuring a pressure drop in the circuit below a certain threshold or by any other appropriate means of measurement and monitoring. The heating means 45 can be provided to heat the water before it enters the extraction module 10. This heating means can be, for example, at least one heating element or resistance that surrounds the chamber in order to heat it. This heating means can also surround the supply line 92 or it is also placed inside the line. Resistances can be replaced by any equivalent means of heating. These means are connected to a power supply 46. The apparatus according to the invention operates according to the following principle: In the filling position, which corresponds to Figure 2, the valve 15 is in the open position. Chamber 8 then is constantly in equilibrium at atmospheric pressure. When the chamber is partially or completely emptied after extraction, considering that the tank contains a sufficient level of water, the hydrostatic pressure of liquid in the tank pushes the mobile element of the unidirectional valve 81 into the chamber. This allows the water from the tank to completely fill the chamber. When the water level of the tank is lower than below the chamber, it is partially filled at the tank level. However, the level of the tank 7 can be placed under slight excessive pressure to add pressurized gas in order to continue supplying the chamber when the tank water has reached a lower level. Gas can be added by means of gas from the available gas filling, or a gas spill discharged by the chamber when it is filled, or by pumping air into the tank by means of an electric or manually operated pump.

When the feeding chamber 8 is full, the apparatus is again operational to extract a beverage. To prepare a beverage such as coffee, the user therefore inserts a portion of the coffee 5 into the extraction module 10. The module closes around the portion. The user then operates a control means (not shown) to move the valve in the feeding position. The main line 90 then communicates with the gas inlet line 901, which places the chamber under pressure and then closes the unidirectional valve (Figure 1) . As the gas continues to enter, controlled by the restriction 652, the chamber progressively increases in pressure and the liquid in the chamber is discharged to the supply line 92 and to the extraction module. The pressurized water is then forced through the coffee portion to extract the coffee. The capsule opens under the effect of the extraction pressure, and the liquid extract then flows through the portion and into the cup or cup. The flow of the liquid extract is stopped either when the chamber is completely empty, emitting only gas to escape, or when the valve 15 returns to the closed position corresponding to Figure 1. This closure can be carried out manually or automatic. During the restoration at atmospheric pressure, the chamber is again filled with water (Figure 2). The apparatus is then ready to extract the next beverage. Figure 3 shows a mode in which the chamber is outside the tank and the heating means is placed between the chamber and the extraction module. More precisely, the apparatus in Figure 3 comprises a tank 7b containing unheated water. The tank communicates with a feed chamber 8b placed outside the tank and preferably at a level below the tank, in order to fill the chamber by gravity until the tank is completely emptied. The chamber communicates with the gas presentation means 65b by the lines 90b, 901b which are separated by a valve 15b. The valve 15b can be a tri-directional valve. The rotation of the valve 15b, manually or electrically driven, makes it possible to put the lines 90b, 901b in communication with each other in the chamber pressurization position and to put the lines 90b 900b in communication with each other in the pressure rebalance position. and camera stuffing. The pressurization of the chamber has the effect of emptying the chamber 8b and sending the pressurized liquid through the supply line 92b to the extraction module 10B. A heating means 45b, which may be a burner, is provided, for example, mounted along the line 92b to heat the liquid to the extraction temperature. The burner comprises a combustion means 450 of the solid, liquid or gaseous type. Depending on the type of gas in the gas medium, this gas can be used to supply the burner with a derived feeding medium and via a specific pressure reducer. This device has the advantage of being self-contained in terms of energy, ie it can be moved without the need for connection to an external source of energy. Figure 4 shows schematically an example of the electrical power supply of the apparatus according to the invention in a portable or mobile configuration. For example, the apparatus may comprise an integrated means of supplying electric power to the support structure, such as a battery 20. The battery is electrically connected to the medium 45 for heating the liquid. It can also supply a complex electrical circuit comprising the solenoid valve 15, a controller 28 associated with a control panel 29, monitoring diodes, timers, etc. Depending on the heating method, the volume of the water to be heated and the insulation conditions, the energy needed to heat the various beverages in succession may vary. Nevertheless, on average, the battery is selected to have an electrical energy storage capacity of at least 50,000 joules, preferably between 100,000 and 1,000,000 joules. The electric power supply of the battery can be provided by solar electric energy or by periodic or permanent connection to the power outlets. In a solar energy configuration, a solar panel element 21 is placed in the apparatus that converts the solar energy to electrical energy in order to supply the battery 20. The element 21 may be an auxiliary main element depending on the uses. In a main power configuration of power outlets, the battery is connected to a low voltage electrical transformer 22 connectable to the power outlets via a connection 23. Preferably, a rechargeable station or base 24 is provided to receive the power. apparatus in a recharging configuration during which the battery 20 is connected directly to the transformer 22 by an appropriate means of connection. Other means of supplying electric power may be provided as auxiliary or main means, depending on the needs and uses, such as a power supply cable of type 27 of cigar lighter or any other normal or specific electrical connection. The invention can be applied to other beverage dispensing apparatuses such as those using unpackaged food portions such as those used in conventional express machines. Its principle can also be extended to other types of beverage dispensing apparatuses such as a draft beer, by way of example. In this case, the extraction module can be replaced by a simple pressurized liquid distribution module such as, for example, a distribution nozzle or a source with a manually or electrically controlled valve. The number of modules is not critical and several modules can equip a device, particularly if you want to distribute more than one drink at the same time.

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS 1. Mobile or portable apparatus for preparing beverages that include: a module for distributing a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feeding tank of sufficient capacity to supply the module with several volumes of liquid for the repeated supply of more than one beverage, a suitable presentation medium to supply the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feeding chamber, the capacity of which in several times smaller than the capacity of the tank, the chamber that is arranged, in a filling configuration, for communicating with the tank in order to be filled with liquid and, the chamber which is arranged in a module power configuration, to communicate with the presentation means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and to inject pressurized liquid into the module and thus allowing the distribution of liquid through the module, characterized in that the medium of presur This comprises at least one autonomous reservoir of pressurized gas, and wherein in the module feed configuration, the gas comes into direct contact with the liquid present in the chamber while the tank remains isolated from the pressure with respect to the chamber. , that is to say that the liquid present in the tank does not undergo the gas pressure exerted in the chamber.
2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the module is an extraction module suitable for receiving a portion of food substance for the preparation of a beverage by supplying a pressurizable liquid from the chamber through the substance.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a valve means that can be moved in at least two positions to act, a) in a chamber filling position, to place the chamber in the filling configuration, and ) in a position to feed the module through the chamber to allow extraction of the portion in the extraction module.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the chamber is placed under the middle of the tank to be supplied with liquid under the effect of the hydrostatic pressure of the tank when the valve means is actuated to restore the chamber to a substantially equivalent pressure at atmospheric pressure.
5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber is connected to the tank by a liquid inlet actuated by a uni-directional valve; the valve opens during filling due to the hydrostatic effect of the liquid thrust from the tank to the chamber, and is kept closed by the thrust of the liquid present in the supply chamber under the pressure exerted by the gas.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber is made of a pressure resistant and impact resistant material, such as metals and / or plastics.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank comprises thermally insulating walls.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the insulating walls comprise at least one internal wall of material with a low specific heat and at least one layer of insulation surrounding the inner wall.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the inner wall is made of glass or metal.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the chamber is located outside the tank.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the chamber is mechanically isolated from the impacts with respect to the interior surface of the insulating walls of the tank.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the chamber is placed outside the tank.
13. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the valve means comprises a bi-directional valve that is operated manually or electrically. 1 .
14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas supply pressure is between 2 and 25 bar 15.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the gas is compressed air, C02, N2, N20, 02, or argon or a mixture thereof.
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that it comprises means for heating the liquid before its introduction into the extraction module.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the heating means is an electrical means of the resistant type or a thermoblock or a medium of the burner type using a solid, gaseous and / or liquid fuel.
18. 18. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the integrated power supply means is provided to supply the electric heating means; this means of energy supply comprises at least one electric battery.
19. 19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the electrical connection means. it is provided in order to supply the heating means periodically during the connection of the electrical connection means to an external source of electrical power supply.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the electrical connection means comprises an electrical AC connector to the main socket and / or an electrical power connector for temporary connection to a mobile or fixed power supply of the lighter type of cigarettes or an electrical terminal or sub station that distributes low voltage energy.
21. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the module is a pressurized liquid distribution module.
22. 22. Apparatus for preparing beverages comprising: a module for distributing a beverage by supplying a pressurized liquid, a liquid feeding tank of sufficient capacity to supply the module with several volumes of liquid for the repeated supply of more than one beverage, a medium suitable pressurization to supply the module with pressurized liquid, a liquid feeding chamber, the capacity of which is several times smaller than the capacity of the tank; the camera that is arranged, in a fill configuration to communicate with the tank in order to be filled with liquid, and the camera that is arranged, in a module power configuration, to communicate with the pressurization means in order to pressurize the liquid in the chamber and injecting pressurized liquid into the module and thus allowing the distribution of the liquid through the module, characterized in that the apparatus is configured to be mobile or portable for service to be free of an electrical connection to a socket of electric power supply during service, wherein the pressurizing means is non-electrical and comprises at least one stand-alone gas pressurized reservoir, and wherein the tank comprises thermally insulated walls to reduce the loss of liquid heat during transport.
23. 23. Method for distributing a pressurized liquid in a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: providing a liquid feeding chamber that is filled by the effect of the pressure difference between the chamber and a supply tank of the apparatus having a further capacity large liquid than that of the chamber and chamber that is emptied after the filling of the chamber under the pressure of a gas ministered from an autonomous gas reserve of the apparatus; the gas entering the chamber to pressurize the chamber as long as the chamber is tight to the feed tank so that the feed tank is free of gas pressure.
24. 24. Method according to claim 23, wherein the liquid feed chamber is filled by the effect of hydrostatic pressure between the chamber and the tank.
25. 25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the apparatus is portable or mobile.
26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein prior to transport, the tank is filled with a liquid at a temperature above ambient pressure and the tank is thermally insulated.
27. 27. Method according to claim 25, where before transport, the tank is heated with a liquid at a temperature above the ambient temperature and the tank is thermally insulated.
28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein before transport, the liquid is filled or heated to a temperature of at least 90 ° C.
29. 29. The method of claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein the liquid in the tank is heated to at least partially compensate for thermal loss during service. The method according to claim 27, wherein the liquid is heated in the apparatus with a heater, which is electrically supplied by a battery or a burner.