US20100031826A1 - Beverage dispensing machine and operating method - Google Patents

Beverage dispensing machine and operating method Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100031826A1
US20100031826A1 US12/516,709 US51670907A US2010031826A1 US 20100031826 A1 US20100031826 A1 US 20100031826A1 US 51670907 A US51670907 A US 51670907A US 2010031826 A1 US2010031826 A1 US 2010031826A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
valve
beverage
brewing chamber
electrovalve
dispensing machine
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US12/516,709
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English (en)
Inventor
Luca Doglioni Majer
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Rheavendors Services SpA
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Rhea Vendors SpA
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Assigned to RHEA VENDORS, S.P.A. reassignment RHEA VENDORS, S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DOGLIONI MAJER, LUCA
Publication of US20100031826A1 publication Critical patent/US20100031826A1/en
Assigned to RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A. reassignment RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RHEA VENDORS, S.P.A.
Assigned to RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A. reassignment RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A. CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF PATENT OWNER Assignors: RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.P.A.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/54—Water boiling vessels in beverage making machines
    • A47J31/56—Water boiling vessels in beverage making machines having water-level controls; having temperature controls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • A47J31/461—Valves, e.g. drain valves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • A47J31/462—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices with an intermediate liquid storage tank
    • A47J31/465—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices with an intermediate liquid storage tank for the heated water
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/52—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
    • A47J31/525—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
    • A47J31/5251—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters of pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/52—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
    • A47J31/525—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
    • A47J31/5253—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters of temperature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/52—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
    • A47J31/525—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
    • A47J31/5255—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters of flow rate

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a beverage dispensing machine and a method for its operation, in particular a fully-automatic or semi-automatic coffee/beverage dispensing machine.
  • Automatic or semi-automatic machines are known for preparing coffee drinks, or the like, by providing a forced flow of hot water to pass through a brewing chamber containing coffee powder, wherein sometime a mechanic valve is positioned at the exit of the chamber to adjust the backpressure.
  • the valve is calibrated to set both the pressure of the water within the chamber and the time lapse of infusion of the coffee powder.
  • beverage dispensing machine it is meant a semi-automatic (the user has to intervene in the preparation of the beverage) or fully automatic machine (preparation of the beverage is carried out automatically by the machine with no need for the user to intervene but for the selection of the desired beverage) for preparing and dispensing a beverage such as, espresso coffee, Americano coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, tea, or the like.
  • US 2001/0050002 discloses a machine for preparing an espresso coffee.
  • the brewing chamber comprises a threaded seat, coaxial with the chamber outlet nozzle, wherein a threaded member is inserted which operates as a manually adjustable valve.
  • the threaded member can be screwed within the seat to obstruct the outlet nozzle to a greater or lesser extent, i.e. to partially close the brewing chamber outlet.
  • the backpressure within the brewing chamber can be adapted to obtain an espresso coffee having the desired organoleptic characteristics.
  • the extent of the insertion of the threaded member within the related seat is provided when the machine is assembled.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,988 discloses an espresso machine provided with a piston moveable within the brewing chamber to press the coffee powder contained therein and to adjust the volume of the same chamber.
  • a mechanical valve is provided to adjust the backpressure.
  • the valve comprises a spring which supports a ball. Normally the ball is pressed by the spring against the discharge outlet of the brewing chamber, thereby preventing the beverage from exiting the chamber. Only when the pressure of the coffee beverage within the chamber is sufficient to contrast the spring load, then the ball is forced back and the beverage is delivered outside the chamber. Controlling of the operation of the valve is achieved by choosing the compression spring characteristic of the valve spring to be installed.
  • valves which acts as a shutter at the brewing chamber outlet.
  • known valves mostly operate as on/off valves and cannot be controlled to rapidly, or instantly, adjust the backpressure to the desired extent, for instance in order to compensate for other non optimal operating parameters of the coffee machine.
  • known valves cannot be set to a backpressure value different from the one corresponding to the initial design value without dismantling the machine or manually adjusting the means for creating the backpressure.
  • This drawback applies not only to espresso coffee machines, but also to other manual or automatic machines for preparing and dispensing espresso and other beverages, such as different kinds of coffee drinks (espresso, Americano, cappuccino, etc.), tea, chocolate, etc., which are usually provided with such known valves.
  • the present invention which relates to a coffee/beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 .
  • the machine may be fully-automatic or semi-automatic.
  • the invention dispensing machine provides several advantages over prior art embodiments.
  • Electrovalves are easy to control continuously, e.g. the control unit can operate the electrovalves at each time during the beverage preparation process.
  • the electrovalves piezoelectric valves have a quick response to electric inputs.
  • the control unit of the machine commands the valve by electric signals to rapidly achieve the desired control over the flow rate of the beverage exiting the brewing chamber.
  • the control unit operates on the basis of memorized algorithms.
  • the electrovalve not only provides an on/off functioning, but does provide also for adjustable choking of the brewing chamber exit.
  • the electrovalve is a piezoelectric valve positioned at the exit of the brewing chamber, for instance within the outlet conduit of the same.
  • the piezoelectric valve may be positioned upstream the brewing chamber.
  • the machine according to the present invention allows for the electrovalve to be electrically controlled to open/close the outlet of the brewing chamber, to the desired extent, during the operation of the machine.
  • the control unit can operate the valve to compensate at least some undesired changes of the machine operative parameters which are preset for a given beverage to be prepared such as, for instance, the temperature of the water supplied to the brewing chamber, the brewing time, the size of coffee powder, the volume of the brewing chamber, etc.
  • the control can be a “real time” adjusting of the valve at the exit of the brewing chamber, i.e. while the beverage is being dispensed; the control can also be carried out before each preparation of the beverage, i.e. for adapting brewing pressure and time to the type of beverage selected by the customer.
  • the control unit commands the valve to open the exit of the brewing chamber after a first time lapse and with a selected flow rate. If the beverage to be dispensed after the espresso is an “Americano” coffee, the control unit commands the valve to open the exit of the brewing chamber after a second time lapse, shorter than the first time lapse, and with a higher flow rate.
  • valve according to the invention is simple to clean, especially the piezoelectric valve.
  • the piezoelectric valve can be operated during a stand-by of the dispensing machine, i.e. when no beverage is being prepared, to promote cleaning of the valve shutter member and the related seat.
  • the valve shutter can be rapidly moved within its seat to clean the related surfaces from residues left by the dispensed beverages. In this way maintenance of the valve is simple and effective, with no need for an external operator to intervene often.
  • FIG. 1 is a scheme of a beverage dispensing machine according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of a first piezoelectric valve to be used in the machine according to the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a section view of a particular of the valve shown in FIG. 2 , in a first configuration
  • FIG. 4 is a section view of a particular of the valve shown in FIG. 2 , in a second configuration
  • FIG. 5 is a section view of a second piezoelectric valve to be used in the machine according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic section view of a third valve to be used in the machine according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic section view of a fourth valve to be used in the machine according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 it is shown a simplified scheme of a beverage dispensing machine according to the present invention, provided with a water heater 1 , a brewing chamber 2 , an electrovalve 3 positioned downstream of the chamber 2 and a discharge section 4 for delivering the beverage to the user.
  • the electrovalve 3 is a piezoelectric valve, i.e. a valve which can be activated by virtue of the response of a piezoelectric element to electric signals provided by a control unit.
  • the electrovalve 3 is a proportional electrovalve.
  • a suitable proportional electrovalve is the series servo-valve sold by the company MOOG Inc.
  • a control unit 5 controls at least the valve 3 .
  • the control unit 5 controls the operation of also the water heater 1 and the brewing chamber 2 .
  • Control unit 5 runs on the basis of memorized algorithms, which may be software programs, firmware, etc.
  • the water heater 2 supplies heat to the water which, in turn, is channelled toward the brewing chamber 3 where the beverage is prepared.
  • the water heater may be provided with a temperature sensor which communicates the temperature of the water to the control unit, thereby allowing the same to interrupt heating the water when the desired temperature is achieved.
  • the brewing chamber 3 provides for a volume to be totally or partially occupied by the ingredient used for preparing the beverage, for instance coffee powder, tea, milk powder, etc.
  • a piston is moveable within the brewing chamber to press the powder to a given extent, i.e. the piston presses the powder at a preset pressure.
  • the control unit controls operation of the piston to adjust the pressure imparted to the powder.
  • the beverage is prepared by supplying hot water to the powder contained within the brewing chamber.
  • the quality of the prepared beverage i.e. its organoleptic characteristics, depend on several operating parameters of the machine, such as the brewing time, i.e. the time lapsed during infusion, the pressure of the water supplied to the brewing. chamber, the amount of powder contained therein and the related grain size, the water temperature, etc.
  • the operating parameters should also be set depending on the type of beverage to be prepared and on the user's preferences. For instance, the user may choose between at least two types of coffee: espresso and americano coffee, and for each beverage the machine should meet the user's preferences for what concerns the quality or the organoleptic characteristics, for instance by varying the amount of powder to be provided to the brewing chamber, the water temperature, the grain size of the coffee powder, etc.
  • the control unit 5 provides for setting of the operating parameters of the machine on the basis of the user's choices.
  • the machine is provided with a user interface allowing the user to select among several settings of the operating parameters.
  • the dispensing machine is provided with at least one electrovalve 3 , that is preferably provided downstream of the brewing chamber for controlling the beverage flow rate exiting the brewing chamber.
  • the valve 3 is provided upstream of the brewing chamber for controlling the water flow rate entering the brewing chamber.
  • two valves are provided, a first one 3 A upstream of the brewing chamber and the second one downstream of the same chamber ( FIG. 1 ).
  • Piezoelectric valves suitable for being used in the machine of the invention are available on the market at low cost and are proved to be reliable. In general such valves have minimum dimensions, thereby being particularly suitable for installation at the exit of the brewing chamber, where usually the room available is limited.
  • Suitable valves are e.g. those sold by ASCO JOUCOMATIC, series 630, and, more generally, those that can handle flow rates within the range of 1-20 ml/s (when open) and pressures within the range 1,5-20 bar.
  • Sensors S are provided for measuring the flow rate and/or the pressure and/or the temperature of the flow downstream of the water heater, upstream and downstream of the brewing chamber 2 and downstream of the piezoelectric valve 3 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a section view of a suitable piezoelectric valve 3 .
  • the valve 3 comprises a body 31 arranged in fluid connection with the brewing chamber 2 (shown in FIG. 1 ) directly or through a short passage 32 .
  • a shutter 34 is moveable within the body 31 to open/close a discharge outlet 39 which opens into a beverage delivering section 4 .
  • the delivering section 4 is for channelling the prepared beverage toward the user's cup, glass or the like.
  • the shutter 34 may have several shapes.
  • the one shown in FIG. 2 is needle shaped and has a first end coupled to a piezoelectric element 36 and a second distal end 38 which is tapered or conical.
  • the shape of the second distal end 38 is complementary with respect the shape of a seat 39 of the valve body 31 .
  • the shutter 34 slides across the internal wall 35 while being biased by a spring element 37 . Normally the shutter 34 abuts the seat 39 with its distal end 38 , i.e. normally the valve 3 is closed.
  • the control unit 5 by means of the electric connection 33 , activates the piezoelectric element 36 which expands, at the same time overcoming the force of the spring element 37 , thereby causing the shutter 34 to retract its second distal end 38 from the outlet/seat 39 .
  • the outlet 39 is open, the beverage coming from the brewing chamber 2 and entering the valve body 31 is allowed to flow toward the discharge section 4 .
  • the control unit 5 deactivate the piezoelectric element 36 , the shutter 34 is pushed by the spring element 37 back in its initial position, thereby causing the second distal end 38 to abut the seat 39 , thereby closing the exit and preventing the beverage from flowing outside the valve body 31 toward the delivering section 4 .
  • the stroke of the shutter 34 is directly controllable by the control unit 5 to adjust the flow rate of the dispensed beverage.
  • the stroke of the shutter 34 depends upon the voltage supplied by the control unit 5 to the piezoelectric element 36 .
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in a section view, a particular of the valve 3 .
  • the shutter 34 in FIG. 3 is raised above the seat 39 to a minimum extent to allow a minimum flow rate of the beverage, for instance 1 ml per second of espresso coffee.
  • the shutter 34 in FIG. 4 is raised above the seat 39 to the maximum extent to allow the maximum flow rate of the same beverage, for instance 10 ml per second.
  • the piezoelectric valve 3 allows the control unit 5 for full controlling the beverage flow rate exiting the brewing chamber, i.e. the control unit 5 operates the valve 3 so as to adjust the flow rate from 0 ml/s (or approximately 0 ml/s) to a maximum value of the flow rate, for instance 20 ml/s, preferably so as to maintain the pressure within the chamber 2 substantially constant.
  • valve 3 has effect also on the pressure of the water within the brewing chamber 2 .
  • the valve 3 When the valve 3 is closed, the pressure within the chamber 2 builds up while pressurized water is supplied from the water heater, by means of a pump, to the same chamber 2 .
  • a certain flow rate of beverage may exit the brewing chamber 2 , thereby reducing, or preventing, the pressure build up.
  • the control unit 5 adjusts the backpressure downstream from the brewing chamber by adjusting the extent of the shutter 34 raising above the seat 39 , i.e. by diminishing or increasing the gap between the distal end 38 and the seat 39 .
  • control unit 5 adjusts the position of the shutter 34 to increase, reduce or stop the flow rate of the beverage exiting the brewing chamber to, respectively diminish or increasing the infusion time.
  • the control unit 5 may also control the operation of the valve 3 so as to maintain the pressure in the brewing chamber within a preset range, for instance 10 to 15 bar, or to compensate for possible variation in the grain size of the coffee powder.
  • the control unit 5 provides for a “real time” feedback control of the piezoelectric valve 3 .
  • the piezoelectric element of the valve for instance the element 36 in FIG. 2
  • control unit 5 is excited, i.e. activated, by control unit 5 at high frequency to transmit vibrations to the shutter 34 .
  • This is done when the beverage dispensing machine is in stand-by, that is when the machine is not required to prepare a beverage.
  • the shutter 34 is forced to vibrate, during a cleaning cycle, residues which may be present on the shutter 34 and the seat 39 surfaces are at least partially detached. In other words, vibrations imparted to the shutter 34 and the friction between the distal end 38 and the seat 39 promote detaching of the residues from the surfaces.
  • the beverage dispensing machine according to the present invention may provide for periodic cleaning cycles of the valve 3 , thereby preventing chocking of the seat 39 by the residues of the dispensed beverages and subsequent malfunctioning of the machine.
  • the valve of the invention machine may be provided with a piezoelectric valve of a different type than valve 3 .
  • the shutters and/or the seat are made of piezoelectric materials and the opening/closing are obtained by the expansions of the elements upon supplying a voltage to said shutter and/or to seat elements.
  • This embodiment has the additional advantage of being simple and faster (no springs are required) and of improving the cleaning effect because the valve is vibrated and expanded.
  • the functioning of this embodiment 3 ′ is disclosed with reference to FIG. 5 .
  • the shutter 38 ′ is a disc fixed onto a support shaft 34 ′.
  • the wall 41 ′ provides for the seat 39 ′.
  • Either one of the shutter 38 ′ or the wall 41 ′ is made of a piezoelectric material and is electrically excited by control unit 5 .
  • both the shutter 38 ′ and the wall 41 ′ are made of a piezoelectric material.
  • the shutter 38 ′ and the wall 41 ′ are made of a piezoelectric material
  • the shutter 38 ′ becomes wider while the seat 39 ′ becomes narrower, thereby chocking or definitely closing the outlet.
  • the extent of the opening of the valve 3 ′ depends upon the entity of the expansion of the piezoelectric material of the shutter and/or the related seat, which expansion is adjusted by powering the material with the proper voltage.
  • the seat 39 ′ remains still, i.e. does not expand.
  • the shutter 39 ′ remains still, i.e. does not expand.
  • valve 3 ′ Cleaning of the valve 3 ′ is accomplished as described above with reference to valve 3 , i.e. by vibrating the piezoelectric member (either one of the shutter 38 ′ and the wall 41 ′, or both).
  • An amount of 8 g of coffee powder is loaded in the brewing chamber and pressed by a moveable piston at 10 kg/cm 2 .
  • the piston is blocked in its final position, i.e. above the coffee powder, by means of mechanical or electrical restraining devices.
  • the coffee powder is provided by a grinder through a chute extending toward the brewing chamber.
  • Water is heated by powering the water heater 1 until the temperature sensor measures 90° C. Circulation of the water across the water heater 1 and toward the brewing chamber 2 is provided by a pump (not shown) positioned upstream of the heater 1 (for instance a rotative pump).
  • An on/off valve, positioned upstream of the brewing chamber 2 is commanded by the control unit 5 to open, thereby allowing the hot water to enter the chamber 2 .
  • the piezoelectric valve 3 remains closed and the pressure within the brewing chamber increases.
  • the control unit 5 commands the valve 3 to open.
  • the piezoelectric valve 3 is promptly responsive and the shutter 34 is rapidly raised a given extent above the seat 39 , this causing the beverage to exit the chamber 2 .
  • the pressure within the chamber suddenly drops, for instance from 15 bar to 10 bar. If the user has selected a “strong” espresso coffee, the control unit 5 commands the valve 3 to close again for a short time lapse, for instance 20 ms, in order to promote a pressure recover within the brewing chamber 2 . Finally the control unit 5 opens the valve 3 for completing delivering of the beverage to the user.
  • control unit 5 After a preset time lapse from the beverage discharge, for instance after 30 seconds (or later or once a day), if the machine is not required to prepare a new beverage, the control unit 5 commands the valve 3 to execute one or more cleaning cycle.
  • Cleaning cycles have a variable duration, for example from 10 seconds to 30 seconds.
  • the piezoelectric element 36 is excited by high frequency impulses provided by the control unit 5 so as to cause rapid vibrations of the shutter 34 .
  • the shutter 34 rapidly moves up and down and repetitively abuts the seat 39 .
  • Such vibrations promote detaching of the beverage residues from the surfaces of the same shutter 34 and seat 39 .
  • An amount of 10 g of coffee powder is loaded in the brewing chamber 2 and pressed by a moveable piston at 4 kg/cm 2 . The piston is then blocked above the coffee powder, within the brewing chamber.
  • Water is heated by powering the water heater 1 until the temperature sensor measures 80° C.
  • An on/off valve, positioned upstream of the brewing chamber 2 is commanded by the control unit 5 to open, thereby allowing the hot water to enter the chamber 2 .
  • the piezoelectric valve 3 remains closed and the pressure within the brewing chamber increases up to 10 bar.
  • the control unit 5 commands the valve 3 to open.
  • the piezoelectric valve 3 is promptly responsive and the shutter 34 is rapidly raised a given extent above the seat 39 , this causing the beverage to exit the chamber 2 .
  • the control unit 5 Upon completion of the delivering of the beverage to the user, the control unit 5 activates the valve 3 for a cleaning cycle of 5 seconds.
  • a 5 ml/s flow rate of hot water is supplied to the empty brewing chamber and through the same valve 3 for rinsing the related surfaces and optimize cleaning from residues.
  • the element 36 may be electrically excited for 5 s, 10 s, 20, s, 30 s, etc. Cleaning cycles may be frequently provided to avoid build up of residues within the valve 3 .
  • piezoelectric valves are operable not only for allowing control over the machine operation during brewing of the beverage, but are also operable to provide “self-cleaning” cycle.
  • FIG. 6 shows another piezoelectric valve 50 positioned to intercept the flow at the exit of the brewing chamber.
  • the valve 50 comprises two plate elements 51 , 52 each having a through hole 51 ′, 52 ′ for allowing the beverage to flow through the respective element. Holes 51 ′ and 52 ′ are not aligned, but are arranged at opposed sides with respect to the centre of the plate elements. Element 51 , 52 are provided with respective shafts 53 , 54 at least one of which is made of a piezoelectric material.
  • the valve 50 is closed, plate elements 51 abut the plate element 52 .
  • the piezoelectric shaft 53 and/or 54 is/are activated, the elements 51 and 52 are separated to the desired extent and a gap is present between them, as shown in FIG. 6 , thereby allowing the flow of the beverage to exit the brewing chamber 2 toward the discharge 4 .
  • a proportional electrovalve may be used ( FIG. 7 ).
  • the valve shown in FIG. 7 comprises two disc plates 60 and 61 , similar to the plates 51 and 52 , having respective slots 60 ′, 61 ′, arranged at the exit of the brewing chamber 2 .
  • the slots 60 ′, 61 ′ are through holes.
  • the disc plates 60 , 61 are positioned one abutting the other. At least one disc plate 60 or 61 can be rotated by a respective shaft 63 , 64 by an electrically actuated element (not shown).
  • the slots 60 ′, 61 ′ are mutually arranged as shown in FIG. 7 the valve 50 is closed.
  • the slot 60 ′ intercepts, partially or totally, the slot 61 ′, thereby permitting the beverage to exit the brewing chamber 2 .
  • the relative rotation of the disc plates 60 , 61 i.e. the extent of superimposition of the slots 60 ′ and 61 ′, it is possible to adjust the flow rate which is permitted to trespass the valve 60 .
  • slots 60 ′ and 61 ′ may have a different shape from the one shown in FIG. 7 .
  • slots 60 ′ and 61 ′ can be circular holes. What is important is that the valve 60 provides for regulating the flow rate by adjusting the superimposition of the slots 60 ′ and 61 ′.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
US12/516,709 2006-12-06 2007-12-05 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method Abandoned US20100031826A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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EP06025196.4 2006-12-06
EP06025196A EP1929905B1 (en) 2006-12-06 2006-12-06 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method
PCT/IB2007/003770 WO2008068597A2 (en) 2006-12-06 2007-12-05 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

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PCT/IB2007/003770 A-371-Of-International WO2008068597A2 (en) 2006-12-06 2007-12-05 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

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US13/602,281 Continuation US10117541B2 (en) 2006-12-06 2012-09-03 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

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US13/602,281 Active US10117541B2 (en) 2006-12-06 2012-09-03 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method
US16/100,200 Active 2028-09-17 US11154160B2 (en) 2006-12-06 2018-08-09 Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

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US (3) US20100031826A1 (es)
EP (2) EP2345355B1 (es)
JP (2) JP5566110B2 (es)
CN (2) CN102613898B (es)
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WO2008068597A3 (en) 2008-10-30
US11154160B2 (en) 2021-10-26
US20120328748A1 (en) 2012-12-27
US20180360262A1 (en) 2018-12-20
CN102613898B (zh) 2015-07-01
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JP6110334B2 (ja) 2017-04-05
WO2008068597A2 (en) 2008-06-12
RU2436489C2 (ru) 2011-12-20
AR064167A1 (es) 2009-03-18
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RU2571807C2 (ru) 2015-12-20
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ATE544384T1 (de) 2012-02-15
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BRPI0717920A2 (pt) 2013-11-05
CN101610704A (zh) 2009-12-23
RU2009125549A (ru) 2011-01-20
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