WO2001021292A1

WO2001021292A1 - Method and device for production of beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2001021292A1
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sten Drennow
Original assignee: Asept International Ab
Priority date: 1999-09-24
Filing date: 2000-09-22
Publication date: 2001-03-29
Also published as: AU7819200A; SE515590C2; SE9903490L; SE9903490D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for production of beverages on which foam shall be formed, wherein liquid concentrate (6) is brought to a joining zone (12a) in a mixing chamber (12), in which joining zone (12a) the concentrate (6) is brought together or joined with a diluent (7), and wherein the concentrate (6) and the diluent (7) are mixed together in the mixing chamber (12) for obtaining a ready mixed beverage (2), preferably hot chocolate, coffee or juice. The concentrate (6) is pumped into the joining zone (12a) by means of pump device (21). Gas (9) is supplied by means of a gas supply device (30) to a gas supply zone (12b) in the mixing chamber (12) through which the mixture (8) of concentrate (6) and diluent (7) is brought to flow, which is located downstream relative to the joining zone (12a) and which is expanded or widened relative to such parts (12c) of the mixing chamber (12) which are located upstream of said gas supply zone (12b).

Description

Method and device for production of beverages.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for production of beverages on which foam shall be formed, wherein liquid concentrate is brought to a joining zone in a mixing chamber, in which joining zone the concentrate is brought together or joined with a diluent, and wherein the concentrate and the diluent are mixed together in the mixing chamber for obtaining a ready mixed beverage, preferably hot chocolate, coffee or juice. US 5,685,639 describes a mixing device for producing or preparing juice on which foam is formed. This mixing device comprises a mixing chamber in which concentrate, water and air are sucked into the same area by a venturi effect.

While concentrate, water and air are sucked into the same area, desired good mixing in combination with that a sufficient amount of foam is generated which remains on the beverage for a longer time, is not achieved. Furthermore, a mixing chamber with a complex shape is required, whereby the mixing device becomes expensive and difficult to clean.

The object of the present invention has been to remedy these problems and provide a method and a device for production of a well mixed beverage which on the surface has sufficient amounts of lasting foam. The new method accor- ding to the invention comprises substantially the characterising measures of subsequent claim 1 and the new device according to the invention comprises substantially the characterising features of subsequent claim 14.

The method and device according to the invention pro- vice for good mixing in combination with formation of sufficient amounts of lasting foam on the beverage. Also, the method becomes easy to carry through and the device easy to clean and so cheap that it can be used as a disposable device. The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which figure 1 is a schematic side view of the device according to the invention; figure 2 is a section through parts of the device of figure 1; figures 3 and 3a illustrate a valve forming part of the device of figure 1; and figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of the de- vice of figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates a device for production of beverages or drinks 2, preferably hot chocolate, coffee or juice which is dispensed in a cup, mug 3 or similar. The beverage 2 in the cup 3 shall be well mixed and have on the surface a substantial amount of foam 4 which shall have substantial lasting capacities.

For providing such a beverage or drink 2 , the device comprises a drink dispenser 1 which can be designed as a box and in which a mixing device 5 is provided for mixing together a liquid concentrate 6 and a diluent or diluting liquid 7 for admixing gas 9 into the concentrate and diluent mixture 8 thus obtained and for thereafter discharging or dispensing the mixture 8. The mixing device 5 is preferably removably mounted in the drink dispenser 1. The mixing device 5 may e.g. comprise an elbow pipe piece 10 consisting of a first pipe piece 11 and connected thereto a second pipe piece 13 which extends at an angle relative to the first pipe piece 11. The angle between the pipe pieces 11, 13 can be right or substantially right, but it may also have another size.

The elbow pipe piece 10 defines a mixing chamber 12 for mixing concentrate 6 and diluent 7. The first pipe piece 11 thereby defines a joining zone 12a forming part of the mixing chamber 12 and being adapted for bringing together the concentrate 6 and the diluent 7.

In the angular area where the first and second pipe pieces 11, 13 transcend into each other, there is located J c to t h-¹ h-¹

( l o LΠ o LΠ o LΠ

O TJ •0 tr to O P> P. H¹ rt IQ cn cn tr P^J P^J rt a rt 3 rt rt H¹ H¹ SD rt P rt O H¹ Ω SD

Hi H C ^ H- . H- c LΠ tJ' J C Φ Φ o X Φ C P- O X t to H H- H- H- Hi to X

O § cn cn H H- Φ cn Ω Ω fu rt Φ P & X ι-i Ω tr Φ O P < tr ⁽Q rr < TJ 3 rt tn o C rt ft ^* " rt H- rt O ^ P CQ Φ rt 5 SD

X H- φ ω H- Φ O TJ D φ Φ tr iQ H- P X C- C X H- ¹ cn

Φ & J SD 3 X P 1^ H rt α to P_ Φ H ⁾ P ^ iQ Φ ⁽Q ^ TJ Ω O tsi rt Φ cn Φ

Φ 3 3 O H- SD rt ^ z E-f Φ H- P' • <; Hi cn P^J X P^J cn SD Ω to O O H cn

X D ω Hi ω X Φ cn y 0⁾ H- P⁾ Φ »-i rt H- Ω Pi Φ rt P SD P 3 S-i

0 ⁾ -J H- H- cn rt rt P H P H. rt cn φ X cn X H- rt H rt O φ rt H- SD H¹ TJ cn H- 3 o CA H. P> cn Ω Hi C O rt P a P⁾ X C Φ H P^J Ω Φ tr Φ Hi X X to TJ

CD a O Mi C rt X H- H rt O (Q Φ TJ 0) 3 H Φ Φ H. ) Φ Si Φ H- iQ cn Ω Hi rt O Ω H Φ cn ^ O Hi Φ TJ rt TJ Φ Ω O § cn to P φ ; t rt rt P> 3^* O ø O J O 51⁾ Φ rt H O cn 3 H- 0⁾ fu Φ rt Φ cn h-¹ i C SD iQ CQ H H3 o 3^* H tr rt p rt rt H- X K H- ^ O H P H H- h-¹ cn O SD O Ω SD ' N

Φ n TJ Hi £ X Ω X (i TJ Φ Φ y to X P rt tn O Hi J g! ^ ≤ cn Ω rt Φ O o C Ω Φ O TJ σ

Φ Φ H H P⁾ H- N cn H¹ P 0 cn iQ p H- X P' 3

I-¹ Pi 3 R Φ O SD Ω £ H- * N Φ IQ rt P O rt rt t s: Φ cn Φ cn TJ rt cn SD Ω Φ cn H <J TJ X P K 3 rt TJ J Φ 0 cn J rt H- Φ tq P O I-¹ X • O Ω SD H rt SD tr C § P

O H- φ H- Ω H- Φ φ μ- P cn cn O O . φ to PJ Hi TJ rt H- H TJ ^y^* o H¹

3 P SI tr Φ Ω X P. H- P φ C P iQ P. rt P rt H- P- Pi rt Φ rt rt T Φ rt cn to

P ΪV H- Φ h-¹ P O H- P TJ ^ H cn Φ φ H¹ X Hi TJ O ^ Q) cn t-T H X cn tr

H Φ Φ rt c P ⁽Q H- ξ Φ C P O < to Φ rt φ P ⁽Q SD § Φ ^ Φ

I-¹ P H- H TJ iQ •^ Φ H- H- TJ cn Hi X H- ^ O l-T O cn SD P H¹ I-¹ cn z

0 H- rt Ω 3 J X 3 Ω H • s; TJ C O Ω TJ Ω Φ s; T cn to iQ N to Ω Φ X

3 cn Φ ⁾ rt H- Ω Φ φ Φ Φ H- cn rt Φ p⁾ P⁾ H- rt Φ P SD O H Ω μ- ω TJ *<: rt Φ P ^ • ^ φ rt H ft to. CΛ Φ cn X cn 3 3 O rt Ω

Φ to Φ ⁽Q Ω & H> P Φ Ω uι rt Φ J Ω C φ SD O Φ s^ cn H-

H- 3 SD H CTi 5 O φ 0 H- N α X cn P. O O Φ ^■ TJ rt Hi cn H- ω O rt cn "- H- 3 F P H. rt rt tr O Φ ^ o H- Hi H¹ TJ Ω H- C -¹ Ω 2 SD • φ TJ SD H- Φ Φ a I-Γ- cn Φ P cn Ω cn H¹ Pi cn H¹ H rt TJ X cn rr Φ z O H C t-¹ f" σ Φ TJ o o to O f- rt O ΓJJ O φ X TJ tr φ > cn

O H X & H- C O Φ cn cn H- Ω h-¹ 0⁾ Ω g TJ X P cn Φ SD Ω o

H> H- H- rt SD Φ h-¹ rt H- c rt Ω J Pi p TJ Φ z P N cn rt ; SD H. rt O

H . cn Ω X rt H to O Φ rt N Hi to Φ C rt J cn X 0 O 3 P Φ H- Hi Hi

Φ rt X SD rt • (-> p • O Φ Hi tf H Φ T O rt ^ 3 H- P cn H- N P O o ω ^ 0⁾ rt SD l-» 1 iQ O H- rt cn ^ rt Ω H- Ω t φ Φ rt X o I-¹ a rt K g l-T T Ω 1JD l"3 PJ μ- Ω ^ Φ P⁾ Φ N X 1-T Ω X H- P s: O t^ 3

^ Φ rt H H- P' ' H- cn cn H- cn H- H- rt Pi rt Qj 0 rt SD t-¹ rt Φ P φ X Ω Φ cn

Φ H- Φ rt Φ O Φ O c. f" 3 Φ 0⁾ cn P X Φ § P C fu H to H- iQ H- SD H¹ r+i O Hi & P H- fD Ω P H- Φ Hi P. φ H H Φ σ o iQ Ω rt iQ T

H- Φ Ω Hi Ω h-¹ X ft rt rt o rt Φ Φ • P SD Ω to !-T Φ o SD SD rt Φ TJ K SD Z H- P. c O O 1-τ¹ X Pi I-! P X H¹ l-T cn X tr P Hi cn H en X P⁾ P H X PJ φ C . cn Hi N P⁾ Φ μ- O Φ to 00 TJ φ QJ • Ω rt

H- 3 tr X H- cn TJ P TJ Φ O O rt h-¹ TJ ^ 1 σ Φ H H¹ cn O d cn cn

0 tr TJ tr Φ Ω rt rt rt H P i-i P 3 C H p Φ rt H Φ α CT ^ P TJ C C o h Φ P' Φ H- φ iQ P- Φ O cn O m X TJ o TJ Φ ^ ω Ω TJ Hi

H- Φ 3^{^} TJ cn P cn cn »⁾ X P Pi rt Hi P H Φ cn Hi TJ l Φ Φ rt l-T T iQ X H- Ω O SD H- C iQ C C H- cn H- rt C ^ P. O P Φ Ω ι-{ rt

H- 3 H- cn 0 O TJ rt TJ Ω Ω cn P Ω Φ Pi Ω rt ; t-> Ω rt Φ T ; X

P SD Ω 3 Φ P^J φ O TJ 3 t-J- ; D ⁽Q -J rt Qj 0⁾ Φ CQ H- rt X to H. QJ SD Φ

SD rt X SD TJ 0 Φ H- Di H- Ej H <: X Ω H- Φ N o rt 3 K N l-¹ Φ H to cn TJ Hi ; a ft P Φ H- Ω H- O Φ Φ C O o ≤ cn X rt O 3

H- φ o Φ H- φ ' X IQ cn cn X cn P O P rt P TJ P tr cn Φ « in P H- to H- cn o cn φ φ Ω Φ P⁾ H- Hi s: 1 ' P⁾ cn SD φ H- φ φ X

P^{J )} cn CO Ω t Ω C- O K rt rt Q 2 O H- Φ H Ω cn LJ. I-¹ H¹ H- ⁾ φ φ 0 o Φ P X P 1 Hi P. rf ^ φ O SD tSJ 3

TJ & P Φ Φ φ cn Ω P- 1 Ω IQ

Φ 1 H> P, 1 1 1 h-¹

after said compression. In the hose 20 there is a valve 22 which is located between the pump device 21 and the coupling member 19. This valve 22 is at first hand adapted to prevent concentrate 6 from unintentional dripping or flo- wing down into the joining zone 12a and it can also function as a non-return valve.

The valve 22 is preferably operating automatically in such way that is opens automatically when the pump device 21 is operating and thereby increases the pressure in the hose 20 and that is closes automatically when the pump device 21 is disabled and the pressure thereby decreases in the hose 20. Hereby, the problem of having to close the hose manually is obviated, which otherwise is easy to forget . The pump device 21 may be a peristaltic pump or a hose pump of another type which does not compress the hose 20 when said hose is disabled. This is an advantage since the hose 20 can be damaged or "stick together" if it is always compressed. It will also be possible to use hoses 20 of another and less expensive plastic material than silicone material.

The valve 22 is preferably positioned close to the joining zone 12a such that the through-flow volume of concentrate 6 in the conduit 19, 20 therefor between the valve 22 and the joining zone 12a becomes as small as possible. This is an advantage since residues of concentrate might remain in said conduit between the valve 22 and the joining zone 12a, which is inconvenient, and said conduit can also be difficult to clean. In the embodiment shown, the hose 20 itself defines an outer part 23 of the valve 22. An inner part 24 of the valve 22 has an elliptic or substantially elliptic cross section and it is fixedly attached to the second coupling member 16 such that it does not obstruct the flow into said second coupling member 16. The inner part 24 has a largest thickness T which is substantially less than the inner diameter D of the outer member 23, LO LO to to H¹ H¹

LΠ O Lπ o LΠ o LΠ

TJ SD cn SD rt Hi iQ Ω rt Hi rt Ω to O H3 H- 0 tr

H- a Φ Φ h-¹ SD O X O H- O -J Hi tr cn Hi

TJ Ω TJ Pi O cn a Φ H O C Φ rt φ H- o SD z p 3 TJ Z Hi rt rt

3 3 cn Φ H- o φ H- φ X Ω tr tr SD

TJ rt P. cn 3 3 > Ω a 3 O H- H- Φ 0 H Φ

H- Φ SD CT ⁽Q rt rt p SD Hi 3 Ω X P φ Z

Φ H TJ CQ o O IQ H- φ tr tQ tr H- rt SD o H-

Ω 3 H- Φ P. rt SD O i-i H rt φ TJ H- cr SD Pi c P

Φ X rt cn 3 H- tr 3 H- H- φ rt rt

P. Φ LO 3 Hi X Ω 3 Φ Φ CO Φ P Pi Φ tr

H> H- h-> φ O Φ cn rt O iQ Φ H

LO SD TJ 3 C C X C Ω & T 3 Hi 0

• rt H- a

Φ rt tQ iQ TJ Φ TJ H- O Φ H. SD < T

Φ Φ X - X SD TJ Hi 3 3 o rt t φ SD Z

H3 Ω rt cn h-¹ Φ H- ω rt Φ CTi H| Hi X

X z Φ Φ rt cn *< rt 3 φ SD to H- rt H- φ SD P 3^J SD cn O ⁽Q HJ H- LΠ Pi H- Ω rt Ω

I- QM H- H- C

LO Q> • rt 3 Φ SD o X to tr

H- H- cn P. TJ Φ 3 H- φ Ω i 3 Φ L

3 3 TJ < Φ O H{ SD cn H- rt LO SD iQ i iQ h- ' H- 3 3 z SD H- H- _^-. cn

Φ to 3 SD SD •<: Ω § to H- P cn p cn

Pi SD cn cn Φ Φ O OΛ tr rt P. rt p Φ

3 H N H Hi φ tr cn φ Φ SD φ o Z 0 cn cn O LO Hi H- H- Hi Hi

P 3 X 3 C P O to cn 0 T 3 rt TJ Hi iQ

H- LQ H- tQ TJ TJ φ -J SD H Hi TJ H- φ

SD H- Ω T T H- H- φ SD tr Φ SD IQ Hi • rt rt X SD I-¹ H¹ cn O Pi O cn SD Hi Hi C

Φ d P ^ ^ to Hi TJ cn cn cn Φ rt Hi rt

Pi Φ Pi tr TJ Ω φ Φ Φ Hi Φ X

Z H- • Pi N H rt O 3 i SD SD SD in SD

SD 3 iQ H- φ o SD 0 tr c H- 3 tr ^ 3

H SD . 3 < 3 3 Φ TJ P rt φ LO

H P- Φ Pi H- tQ tr P. H- SD tr μ- TJ Ω Pi Ω H- Hi a 3 SD SD

LO ^ cn SD Φ I-¹ rt φ O 3 O O TJ p φ Pi 3

IN H to O Pi P IQ Hi c O Φ P Hi μ- Hi SD LO tr rt IQ H Hj rt O

Ω 3 o O rt Hi SD 3 cn tr rt H- < LO rt

SD H H-¹ tr O H- Φ SD H- Ω Hi Φ SD tr

P cn 3 Φ H- H Φ H 3 ϋ H- rt O O Φ Hi ' — ' φ

SD Φ H cn P Φ ( ¹ α tr 3 ø (-^■ • tr H- Pi 3 cn Hi Φ Φ TJ ^ SD Ω

Φ P z Pi rt H- 0 TJ rt 3 H3 H- iQ tr H- Φ X X TJ to o n X H- 0 tr

H- cn rt Hi Φ rt TJ i t Hi φ Φ 3 Hi φ Φ Ω

P Φ 3^J H- C H* LΠ rt H iQ 3 c

Ω 3 3 H- H *<; SD H- Φ TJ P. tr 3

H- O o rt Φ h-¹ Φ H- 3 H- O φ O 3 SD 0 Hi

3 P c X Pi P QM P P Pi Hi Φ Hi TJ in φ

P P Φ C- OD IQ rt rt O Φ Hi rt tr ω rt O SD TJ & Hi φ

H- ι< rt X 3 o ι-3 Φ rt to 3

P H c Pi H X H - o Ω tQ SD cn 1 Φ O φ 1

3

LO LO to to h-¹ H¹

LΠ o LΠ o LΠ o Lπ rt TJ cn ffi tr cn tr Pi Hi i O IQ X Ω i rt Ω n TJ O 3 cn rt rt cn rt rt O SD Ω iQ t H-¹ tr 0 H- rt Φ Φ X Φ Hi o H- Hi 0 Φ O H- X o SD SD Hi H- C tr tr C tr H- Hi rt X SD LD Φ

H- Ω TJ SD Hi Hi SD < H- Hi 3 X £ H-^J SD 3 iQ cn X TJ Φ Φ CM Φ 0 SD tn <! cn SD φ 3 Φ cn T Φ 3 c tr SD SD TJ 0 rt P. Φ cn rt rt TJ X 3 rt rt Hi i Φ rt Ω t Φ Hi ; T φ O IQ Φ C SD X cn 3 tr tr tr iQ in o H

Ω Φ TJ H3 Φ •<; Hi SD • Hi 3 rt o H- 3 rt H- •-3 SD iQ Φ CΛ Hi ^ C H- rt Φ H¹ Φ Φ φ C

SD P H- X cn 0 Z IQ Φ rt X Ω 3 3 rt t rt tr 3 Φ SD Φ X tr iQ ts TJ p O

P Φ Φ H| X Φ t TJ 0 SD iQ φ Φ ϋ 3 H- N Hi H- SD H- Φ Hi rt o TJ Hi

SD Ω SD cn H- O SD Ω Ω C -> o H-¹ LO H- ϋ 00 O o 3 rt a H- n o TJ tr tr i Φ 3 Hi φ 3 Ω H Hi O O TJ 3 O Ω O H¹ X 3 c iQ p o Hi TJ Φ φ tn φ H- φ Hi H- tr rt H- 3 £ --_^ φ SD Hi o C rt H- Φ 3 H- I-¹- Hi cn P H¹ C

SD H» X H- X X TJ 3 Si T H- tn 1 Hi H- rt e rt rt C O 3 i Ω rt 3 rt H- N O tr

Pi 3 O H- φ o H- Si Φ Hi iQ C (-" 3 Φ Φ rt o T tr Hi Ω H¹ H- tr iQ rt SD 3 O z cn

O 3 c 3 H- Φ H- H- iQ Φ φ H- Hi Φ SD tn to 3 tr X T IQ 3 rt

3 H- SD iQ H- in iQ Hi Ω TJ SD rt 3 Hi H- rt rt H- 3 O rt SD σ IQ § rt Φ H- ⁽Q Φ H- SD

Φ 3 3 3 Hi O SD iQ 3 Hi P O X 3 rt c 00 H- H- in (j^* X TJ SD P 3 rt i Si H- Hi P Φ C Hi Ω l-¹ Φ H- H» rt iQ Φ iQ O iQ O Si Φ 3 Φ IQ φ cn D rt

SD Φ Φ 3 H- Φ Hi TJ SD φ o 3 tf IQ LΠ Φ Φ X SD 3 in rt Hi φ Hi SD to rt H-

Hi iQ rt SD cn in rt Hi Φ • 3 rt Φ 3 rt 3 ⁽Q C tr SD Φ cn TJ o tr X SD rt Hi tr H- rt H- H- H- rt Hi 3 Φ 3 i tr ffi X rt i O SD Ω Hi H¹ 3 o H-

H c rt Φ

Φ SD Φ Ω Φ cn Ω Hi 3 O SD O Q^* Hi rf^ SD Φ φ tr Φ X ^ Hi cn X o to cn Hi ω Φ rt X h-¹

Hi Φ Si Φ Hi IQ 3 H- Hi Φ -— •< Pi Hi o O" Φ O c: . C Ω Φ α TJ ^

X • H cn O 3 Hi H¹ z φ Ω H| rt cn rt iQ in O TJ Φ Φ o H-

Ω c o LΠ o 3 3 O Φ in CTi SD tr Hi o Hi f- O tr C tr tr C Hi H3 TJ rt TJ ξ* TJ H-

0 3 cn •> Hi Hi Φ Hi tr • 3 SD 0 3 TJ cn TJ C tn Φ TJ SD Ω tr H¹ SD p a Φ 3

H- φ o rt Ώ φ iQ H> H- Si Hi H- rt rt TJ rt rt rt H- •<: H¹ L cn p rt 3 Hi X TJ < LΠ tn φ TJ H¹ O Φ TJ X in X tn it in tr TJ C φ t X H- Φ φ Hi φ ~ H- 3 Φ LΠ Hi Φ QJ SD •< rt Φ Φ N SD SD Φ P- Φ •

Ω H- o H- X TJ H| o Hi X Hh 3 SD H- H- - rt § cn X iQ IQ 0 3 H- iQ Φ rt 3 Ω H- Hi tn in fi SD O H- rt 3 X Hi TJ 3 cn N Φ TJ SD 3 SD 3 P. 3 Φ o Ω Φ

H- Z X 3 0 X c iQ rt CTi rt o H- H- H» c LO rt H- IQ i SD Ω φ rt 0 3 rt Φ z SD O SD cn H- cn Φ s: Φ

O CTi ⁽Q ^ X iQ 3 SD cn X TJ LO

P X rt φ c TJ LΠ rt Z TJ H- s T IQ tr Ω H- Φ Φ H- cn H- rt cn H¹ Hi Φ H> H- I-¹ s:

Φ ^ • rt Ω Φ - H- SD Φ 3 X φ φ Φ Hi LO Ω Hi SD 3 C- £ to Φ < 3 LO H-

O IQ 0 rt 0 φ rt H IQ H- 3 rt 0 Hi X LO H-¹ iQ Hi S tr Hi Φ tr rt

Hi P rt iQ H- O h-> 3 • Φ 3 • Ω H- 0 Ω H> H rt to H- Φ rt Φ TJ Φ -¹ SD h-¹ SD tr

Hi tr Φ O Hi CTi IQ Hi H- tr 3 IQ o o tr O Hi tr cn tr H

Φ Ω rt 3 O z n Φ 3 rt H- rt H3 IQ Φ 3 Ω Hi z 3 • LO Φ 00 ^ X SD s; < (i SD

X 3 O X rt tr Hi rt cn tr SD rt Ω Ω O o ω O φ 3 H¹ H- tr i-¹- SD Φ

Φ 3 Φ O X SD SD O H- LO tr Φ SD a c Z SD H- Hi Hi Si Ω rt φ P

SD TJ Hi Hi Φ Φ Ω cn Ω LΠ Φ 3 3 p iQ rt cn 3 X H- o φ tr ^ tr IQ X H-

3 P Hi φ <! tr SD O o Hi rt Φ tr tr cn Φ 3 H o <! SD s: rt cn

H- H- H- rt O Ω Φ O a X Hi z Hi tr Ω Hi P. Si rt 3 s: H- H- SD rt cn H- Φ Ω

X cn Φ ω tr rt O SD rt 3 p Φ Hi tr SD Φ rt rt O O rt o H- Ω cn ft tr rt 3 tr

H- TJ φ φ X C H- Φ X Φ H- H3 rt H- X c g tr s; o 3 Φ Φ H- tr P SD

3 Φ t in Φ TJ TJ Ω X Ω SD cn Ω tr Φ P P Φ iQ p SD H- rt Hi iQ Hi cn 3 Hi

IQ 3 to z Hi SD rt tr H- rt iQ TJ tr c Φ IQ tr rt rt X LO 0 c t-¹ h-¹ rt C iQ cn rt Hj H- Hi O 3 H- O o cn σ> cn H- H- tr Φ SD rt O c Ω o Φ tr TJ φ

Pi Φ tr O tr 3 rt τ Ω IQ O 3 3 Φ H- rt 3 cn 3 TJ H- tr 3 X s: rt Φ

Φ Hi Ω φ 3 Φ IQ H- Φ O 3 Si • SD iQ tr SD rt O cn IQ Hi Hi o Si Φ rt 0

< SD IQ < Ω Si tn H- iQ rt 3 3 Φ Φ H- O H SD SD o TJ SD Hi LO i O TJ

H- H¹ P φ Φ 3 c O SD Φ O X 3 . tr i Φ rt Si rt H- cn Hi c Φ SD LO H- Φ

Ω cn Hi Φ Hi rt < Hi SD iQ Φ P i cn H- P Hi IQ Hi rt TJ TJ cn rt 3

Φ SD tr tr C SD 3 SD Φ H- TJ H- rt H- L TJ SD O 0 tr SD 0 SD SD 1 X w-

3 Φ O tr ⁽Q 1 Hi Ω SD Φ X cn X cn M LO SD H- 3 3 rt Hi Hi 3 Φ 3

LΠ i s; 1 φ Φ Φ Φ 0 cn P. cn Φ 1 rt P. Q cn X Ω φ 1 cn

SD X 3 1 rt

to to h-¹ H¹

LΠ O LΠ O LΠ

Claims

Claims :

1. Method for production of beverages on which foam shall be formed, wherein liquid concentrate (6) is brought to a joining zone (12a) in a mixing chamber (12), in which joining zone (12a) the concentrate (6) is brought together with a diluent (7), and wherein the concentrate (6) and the diluent (7) are mixed together by being brought together in the mixing chamber (12) for obtaining a ready mixed beverage (2), preferably hot chocolate, coffee or juice, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y pumping the concentrate (6) into the joining zone (12a), supplying gas (9) to a gas supply zone (12b) in the mixing chamber (12) through which the mixture (8) of concentrate (6) and diluent (7) is brought to flow and which is located downstream relative to the joining zone (12a) , and providing, for formation of said foam, a gas supply zone (12b) which is expanded or widened relative to such parts (12c) of the mixing chamber (12) which are located upstream of said gas supply zone (12b) .

2. Method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y supplying hot diluent (7) for production or preparation of hot beverage (2), and generating pressure in the expanded or widened gas supply zone (12b) which despite formation of steam in said zone (12b) is sufficient for gas (9) to be sucked thereinto.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y supplying gas (9) at a portion (12e) of the gas supply zone (12b) which, seen in the direction of flow (S) of the mixture (8) , is located upstream of an expanded or widened portion of the gas supply zone (12b) .

4. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by bringing the mixture (8) to flow in one direction and after the supply of gas (9) in another direction.

5. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y bringing gas (9) to flow into portions of the gas supply zone (12b) located down below.

6. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the gas (9) is air which is sucked in by the mixture (8) when said mixture flows through the gas supply zone (12b) .

7. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by directing, by means of a gas supply device (30) , such mixture (8) and/or steam generated during mixing, at the mixture (8), which penetrates into said gas supply device (30) , downwards towards a cup or mug (3) or similar into which the beverage (2) is dispensed.

8. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y bringing the mixture (8) to flow from the gas supply zone (12b) to such parts (12d) of the mixing chamber (12) which are located downstream relative to said gas supply zone (12b) and expanded or widened relative to those parts (12c) of the mixing chamber (12) which are located upstream relative to said gas supply zone (12b) .

9. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by locating a mixing device (5) , in which mixing of the concentrate (6) and the diluent (7) and gas (9) takes place, in a drink dispenser (1) such that the concentrate (6) can be pumped to the joining zone (12a) by means of a pump device (21) provided in the drink dispenser (1) .

10. Method according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y connecting the mixing device (5) to a container (26) for the concentrate (6), preferably a container (26) of flexible material, placing the mixing device (5) and the container (26) in the drink dispenser (1) , removing the mixing device (5) and the container (26) together from the drink dispenser (1) for storage in cold, and once again placing the mixing device (5) and the container (26) in the drink dispenser (1) after said storage.

11. Method according to any of claims 1-9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y placing a mixing device (5) in which mixing of concentrate (6), diluent (7) and gas (9) takes place, for disposal in a drink dispenser (1) with a pump device (21) for pumping of concentrate (6) , connecting the mixing device (5) to a container (26) for concentrate (6) and a conduit (17) feeding diluent (7), removing the mixing device (5) from the drink dispenser (1) after use, preferably when the container (26) for concentrate (6) is empty, and replacing the removed mixing device (5) with a new one of the same type.

12. Method according to any preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y closing automatically a hose (20) or similar for supply of concentrate (6) to the joining zone (12a) for preventing concentrate (6) from im- permissible downflow into the joining zone (12a) .

13. Method according to claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y providing a pump device (21) for pumping concentrate (6) to the joining zone (12a), providing a valve (22) between the pump device (21) and the joining zone (12a) , and automatically closing the hose (20) by means of the valve (22) when the pressure in said hose (20) decreases because the pump device (21) does not pump concentrate (6) through the hose (20) and automatically opening the hose

(20) by means of the valve (22) when the pressure in the hose (20) once again increases because the pump device (21) pumps concentrate (6) through the hose (20) .

14. Device for production of beverages on which foam shall be formed, wherein a mixing device (5) comprises a mixing chamber (12) for mixing concentrate (6) and diluent (7) to a finished drink (2), preferably hot chocolate, coffee or juice, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that a pump device (21) is provided to pump the concentrate (6) to a joining zone (12a) in the mixing chamber (12) for bringing together the concentrate (6) and the diluent (7) in said zone (12a), that a gas supply zone (12b) is provided in the mixing chamber (12) downstream of the joining zone (12a), that a gas supply device (30) is provided to supply or feed gas (9) to said gas supply zone (12b) , and that the gas supply zone (12b) is expanded or widened relative to such parts (12c) which in the mixing chamber (12) are located upstream relative to the gas supply zone (12b) .

15. Device according to claim 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the gas supply device (30) has a gas outlet (34) through which gas (9) flows into the gas supply zone (12b) and which is located at a portion (12e) of the gas supply zone (12b) which, seen in the direction of flow (S) of the mixture (8) , is provided upstream of an expanded or widened portion of the gas supply zone (12b) .

16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixture (8) changes direc- tion of flow (S) in the gas supply zone (12b) .

17. Device according to any of claims 14-16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing chamber (12) includes hot diluent (7) which generates steam in the gas supply zone (12b) , and that the pressure in the gas supply zone (12b) despite said steam formation is sufficient for sucking gas (9) thereinto .

18. Device according to any of claims 14-17, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the gas supply device (30) has a gas outlet (34) through which gas (9) flows into portions of the gas supply zone (12b) located down below.

19. Device according to any of claims 14-18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the gas supply device (30) has a passage (31) for gas (9) which extends in a substantially vertical direction relative to the gas supply zone (12b) .

20. Device according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the passage (31) is located so relative to a discharge pipe (14) for discharge or dispensing of the ready mixed beverage from the mixing device (5) that mixture (8) and/or steam generated during mixing, at the mixture (8) , is/are directed downwards into a cup or mug (3) or similar placed under the discharge pipe (14) .

21. Device according to any of claims 14-20, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that parts (12d) located downstream of the gas supply zone (12b) are expanded or widened relative to the parts (12c) located upstream of said gas supply zone (12b) .

22. Device according to any of claims 14-21, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) comprises a first pipe piece (11) which is directed horizontally or substantially horizontally, that the mixing device (5) comprises a second pipe piece (13) which is connected to the first pipe piece (11), which is directed vertically downwards or substantially vertically downwards and which defines a discharge pipe (14) for discharge of beverage (2) from the mixing device (5), that the first pipe piece (11) includes the joining zone (12a) and the parts (12c) located upstream relative to the gas supply zone (12b) , that a transition area in which the horizontal first pipe piece (11) transcends into the vertical second pipe piece (13) defines the gas supply zone (12b), and that the second pipe piece (13) includes parts (12d) which are located in the discharge pipe (14) downstream relative to the gas supply zone (12b) .

23. Device according to claim 22, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d i n that the discharge pipe (14) defined by the second pipe piece (13) has a lower discharge opening (29) for discharge of the ready mixed beverage (2) from the mixing device (5) , and that the gas supply device (30) includes a passage (31) which forms part of the second pipe piece (13) and which down below has a gas inlet (33) in level with or substantially in level with said discharge opening (29) and at the top a gas outlet (34) at lower portions of the gas supply zone (12b) .

24. Device according to any of claims 14-23, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the gas supply device (30) is a device through which air is sucked from the surroundings into the gas supply zone (12b) .

25. Device according to any of claims 14-24, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the pump device (21) comprises at least one hose pump, preferably a peristaltic pump.

26. Device according to any of claims 14-25, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the pump device (21) is of such type which does not compress the hose (20) when in operation, and that an automatically opening and closing valve (22) is provided between the pump device (21) and the joining zone (12a) in order to automatically prevent the concen- trate (6) from flowing or dripping into the joining zone (12a) after the pump device (21) has stopped.

27. Device according to claim 26, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the valve (22) is provided to open automatically when the pump device (21) , when operative, increases the pressure in the hose (20), and to close automatically when the pressure in the hose (20) decreases when the pump device (21) is inoperative.

28. Device according to claim 26 or 27, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the hose (20) cooperating with the pump device (21) is made of another plastic material than silicone material.

29. Device according to any of claims 26-28, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the valve (22) is located close to the joining zone (12a) such that the through-flow volume in a conduit for concentrate (6) between the valve (22) and the joining zone (12a) becomes as small as pos- sible.

30. Device according to any of claims 26-29, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the valve (22) comprises an outer part (23) in the form of a portion of a flexible hose (20) for concen- trate (6), that the valve (22) further comprises an inner part (24) which is fixedly attached to a tubular coupling member (19) onto which the hose (20) is threaded and which is adapted to guide or feed the concentrate from the hose (20) to the joining zone (12a) , that when the outer part (23) is threaded onto the inner part (24), said inner part (24) expands or widens said outer part (23), that the outer part (23) in said expanded condition closely engages the inner part (24) around it, that the outer part (23) is expandable relative to the inner part (24) for letting through concentrate (6) between said outer and inner parts (23, 24) when the pressure in the hose (20) increases during pumping of concen- trate (6) therethrough, and that the outer part (23) again closely engages the inner part (24) when the pressure in the hose (20) decreases after said pumping.

31. Device according to claim 30, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d i n that the inner part (24) is designed such that it forms a retaining member in order to ensure that the hose (20) remains on the tubular coupling member (19) when the hose (20) is threaded onto the inner part (24) and the tubular coupling member (19) .

32. Device according to claim 30 or 31, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the inner part (24) is elliptical in cross section, and that the inner part (24) has a width (B) which is larger than half the circumference of the outer part (23) .

33. Device according to any of claims 14-32, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d i n that a hose (20) or similar for connection of the joining zone (12a) to a container (26) for concentrate (6) comprises a coupling member (25), that the container (26) for concentrate (6) comprises an inner coupling member (27) which is located within a sealed portion thereof, and that the coupling member (25) on the hose (20) can be pressed through the sealed portion of the container (26) for opening of said portion and moved into the inner coupling member (27) of the container (26) for connection thereto .

34. Device according to any of claims 14-33, c a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) comprises a coupling em- ber (15) for connection thereto of a diluent conduit (17) , that the diluent conduit (17) comprises a coupling member (16) which is connectable to the first mentioned coupling member (15) or vice versa, and that said coupling members (15, 16) are designed such that they fit together only if concentrate (6) and diluent (7) are adapted for mixing together, but otherwise not.

35. Device according to any of claims 14-34, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) and a container (26) for concentrate (6) connected thereto are provided in a drink dispenser (1) in which the pump device (21) forms a part.

36. Device according to claim 35, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) and the container (26) for concentrate (6) connected thereto are removable from the drink dispenser (1) together for storage in cold and then reinstallation in the drink dispenser (1) or for disposal .

37. Device according to claim 35 or 36, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) is posi- tionable in the drink dispenser (1) such that a flexible hose (20) for concentrate (6) forming part thereof, takes such a position relative to the pump device (21) that said pump device (21), by cooperation with the hose (20), can pump concentrate (6) through the hose (20) .

38. Device according to any of claims 14-37, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) is designed for disposal and located in a drink dispenser (1) including the pump device (21) , that the mixing device (5) , after having emptied a concentrate container (26) connected thereto, is removable from the drink dispenser (1) , and that the removed mixing device (5) is replaceable by a new mixing device of the same type.

39. Device according to claim 34, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d i n that the mixing device (5) adapted for disposal comprises a) an elbow pipe piece (10) defining the mixing chamber (12), b) a hose (20) connected to the elbow pipe piece (10) and adapted to cooperate with the pump device (21) in said drink dispenser (1) , c) an automatically operating valve (22) on the hose (20) provided to prevent concentrate (6) from flowing into the joining zone (12a) when this shall not occur, and d) an outer coupling member (25) provided on the hose (20) for connection thereof to the container (26) for concentrate (6) .

40. Device according to claim 38 or 39, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that all members and parts of the disposable mixing device (5) are made of the same or similar plastic material.