WO2006073317A1 - Dispositif de melange pour distributeur de boissons chaudes - Google Patents

Dispositif de melange pour distributeur de boissons chaudes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006073317A1
WO2006073317A1 PCT/NO2006/000009 NO2006000009W WO2006073317A1 WO 2006073317 A1 WO2006073317 A1 WO 2006073317A1 NO 2006000009 W NO2006000009 W NO 2006000009W WO 2006073317 A1 WO2006073317 A1 WO 2006073317A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
impeller
mixing
mixing device
hot water
outlet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2006/000009
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Frederic Lien
Original Assignee
Aromatique Beverage Group As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aromatique Beverage Group As filed Critical Aromatique Beverage Group As
Publication of WO2006073317A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006073317A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
    • A47J31/401—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mixing device for a hot beverage machine comprising a first dry substance inlet, a first hot water inlet, a first steam outlet and a first product outlet, all in communication with a first mixing chamber.
  • a mixing device for a beverage machine for preparing coffee, espresso, cafe-au-lait, cappuccino, hot chocolate and other hot drinks from one or several different dry substances and hot water.
  • These machines are of the type where every user individually selects a type of drink, which then is produced automatically after the user has ordered.
  • the present invention is especially directed towards smaller coffee machines for small companies or business units with 5-20 users, or in households, hotel rooms or similar places.
  • the mixing device may be suitably adapted for use in any hot beverage machine producing drinks based on the mixing of soluble dry ingredients with hot water.
  • US 6267496 describes an apparatus for mixing iced drinks comprising a whipping chamber containing a mechanical impeller. The impeller is rotated to prepare homogenous mixture and not to provide air bubbles in the drink.
  • US 5975357 shows an apparatus for mixing drinks comprising a bowl containing an impeller. The form of the impeller is not indicated. Further the impeller is arranged under the drink level and accordingly it provides mixing but does not offer the ability to produce foam.
  • the different drinks When prepared the preferred way, the different drinks usually include different amounts and some times different types of foam. It is for instance preferred that coffee has little foam with very small bubbles, this is normally described as crema appearance, whereas cappuccino preferable has a large amount of milky foam but a smaller amount of coffee foam. For the quality of the drink the foam is an important factor.
  • the aim of the present invention was to provide a compact and relatively small mixing unit for a coffee machine, which provides fast and thorough mixing of ingredients and hot water.
  • the mixing unit should preferably be able to provide mixing of a dry coffee substance and hot water without including substantial amounts of air and at the same time prepare a fluid comprising a dry milk and/or chocolate substance, which fluid contains substantial amounts of air/gas bubbles.
  • the mixing device should prevent the forming of ingredients deposits in the mixing bowls.
  • the dry substance inlet should preferable be kept relatively dry and dust free. Preferably it should be possible to adapt the mixing process to fit each possible hot drink product.
  • the present invention provides a mixing device for a hot beverage machine comprising a first dry substance inlet, a first hot water inlet, a first steam outlet and a first product outlet, all in communication with a first mixing chamber, wherein the device further comprises a first impeller rotary mounted in said first mixing chamber.
  • an impeller to mix hot water and one or more dry ingredients secures thorough mixing, which provides a better drink quality as the extraction of flavours from the dry ingredients is maximized. Additionally thorough mixing is secured through giving the hot water and dried ingredient(s) enough time in the mixing chamber while rotating the impeller. This is preferably achieved by controlling the water flow rate through the mechanical design of the mixing chamber and by letting the water flow into the mixing chamber in the opposite direction of the impeller rotation, thus ensuring that the water stays inside the mixing chamber long enough for best flavour extraction form the dried ingredient(s).
  • the first impeller comprises at least one impeller blade with an outer along the axis curved impeller blade surface, and at least one concave impeller surface extending from said outer impeller blade surface.
  • the first mixing chamber and the first impeller according to the invention are especially adapted to mix hot water and one or more coffee containing or coffee like dry substances without including large amounts of air into the product mixture.
  • the first impeller comprises at least one flat axially mounted impeller blade.
  • This embodiment is especially adapted to mix hot water and one or more milk containing or milk like substances to obtain milk or milk like fluid with an optional amount of foam, depending among others on the speed of rotation.
  • the present invention provides a mixing device according to the invention additionally comprising a second dry substance inlet, a second hot water inlet, a second steam outlet, a second product outlet all in communication with a second mixing chamber, and a second impeller is rotary mounted in said second mixing chamber, where the second impeller comprises at least one flat axially mounted impeller blade and the first impeller comprises at least one impeller blade with a outer along the axis curved impeller blade surface, and at least one concave impeller surface extending from said outer impeller blade surface.
  • the first mixing chamber and the first impeller are especially adapted to mix hot water and one or more coffee containing or coffee like dry substances without including large amounts of air into the product mixture.
  • the second mixing chamber and the second impeller are especially adapted for mixing a milk containing dry substance and hot water to obtain a product mixture with a large amount of foam.
  • the mixing device and the hot beverage machine in which it is incorporated are preferable adapted to produce these two product streams in parallel.
  • the first and the second steam outlet are connected to the same or separate suction devices like a fan or similar means for air extraction.
  • the suction device(s) are preferably turned on before hot water is introduced into the mixing device.
  • the function of the steam outlets and the suction device(s) is to remove any steam, vapour or air borne dry ingredients residues from the mixing device.
  • the suction power of the suction device is adjusted to fulfil this purpose without interfering with the mixing system or a connected dosing system.
  • the mixing device is preferably adapted to automatically add the right amount of different dry substances into the first and second dry substance inlet respectively and at the same time add an appropriate amount of hot water through the respective hot water inlet.
  • the speed and the duration of the respective impeller motion are adjusted to secure thorough mixing and the right type and amount of foam according to the selected type of drink. If both mixing chambers are used the streams coming out of the two product outlets flow preferably separately into a cup like container.
  • the first and the second mixing chamber and the first impeller have a conic like shape. This shape has shown to provide thorough mixing and limit the amount of air which is included in the product mixture.
  • the impeller axis are arranged perpendicular to the force of gravity that forces the dry substance and the hot water to flow into the mixing chambers.
  • the first and second product outlets are preferably arrange at the bottom of the broader end of the mixing chamber. This configuration helps to secure that all product mixture is drained from the mixing chamber.
  • the mixing device further comprises a first and optionally a second dry substance funnel with an outlet connecting respectively the first and the second dry substance inlet with the first and the second mixing chamber respectively.
  • first respectively second funnel outlet is arranged below the first and second steam outlet respectively.
  • the funnels serve different aims; firstly each funnel directs one or more dry substances directly into the respective mixing chamber. Secondly the funnel separates the one or more incoming dry substances from the outgoing steam. Steam is formed when hot water enters the mixing device. If the dry substances are brought into contact with the steam the dry substances might absorb part of the steam and thereby they will become sticky and might adhere to surfaces within the device. Therefore it is an advantage to remove the steam and keep the dry substances away from the steam. Further the dry substances should be brought into direct contact with the hot water, preferably within the mixing chamber itself.
  • the first and possibly the second dry substance inlets are at least partly covered by a first respectively second dust cap.
  • the aim of the dust caps is twofold: To prevent dust and steam escaping from the mixing bowl during the mixing process, and protect the dry substances and the funnels from humidity and dust coming from outside the device.
  • the dust cap When arranged in a hot beverage machine delivering systems for dry substances might be introduced through the dry substance inlet. The dust cap will protect these systems from dust and humidity from the outside.
  • the mixing device further comprises a first and possibly a second overflow outlet arranged at least partly below the first or second steam outlet respectively.
  • These outlets are a security feature and their function is to serve as an outlet for a mixture in the mixing device if the product outlet should be blocked.
  • the overflow outlets are arranged so that any overflows coining out through any of the outlets are collected by a spill tray or similar arrangements on the hot beverage machine.
  • the mixing device further comprises a first and possibly a second motor unit rotary connected to the first and second impeller respectively and said motor unit/units are controlled individually by a microprocessor.
  • the motor unit/units and the microprocessor provide of automatically product adapted mixing in the first or both mixing chambers. It is also possible to adjust the duration and speed of the impellers to the type of dry substances supplied to the mixing device. For instance some type of milk powder might require slower mixing than another to achieve the same amount of foam.
  • the microprocessor can by programmed to fit the special wishes of each customer or group of customers.
  • the mixing device may additionally comprise a first and optionally a second cylindrical mixing bowl arranged adjacent to and upstream from the first and second mixing chambers respectively.
  • the respective hot water inlet is preferably arranged on the side of the mixing bowl as a tangent allowing the hot water to swirl around the mixing bowl before it leaves the bowl and enters the mixing chamber.
  • the opening into the mixing chamber is arranged at the bottom of the mixing bowl.
  • the mixing device according to the present invention is preferably arranged so that the direction of rotation of the first and possible the second impeller is opposite the swirling direction of the hot water.
  • first mixing chamber and the first impeller are to be used for mixing hot water and at least one dry coffee substance, where as the second impeller and the second mixing chamber are to be used for mixing hot water and dry milk and/or chocolate substance.
  • the area of the cross section of the second product outlet is preferably bigger the area of the cross section of the first product outlet.
  • the cross section of the first and possibly second steam outlet have a rectangular like shape. This feature facilitates the sucking out of the steam.
  • the outlet is preferably connected to a steam duct leading to a fan providing the sucking action.
  • Figure Ia and Ib shows partly cross section views a long the lines B-B and A-A respectively, of a mixing device according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a dust cap and a dry substance funnel.
  • Figure 3a and 3b are different perspective views of a first impeller.
  • Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a mixing device according to the present invention.
  • Figure 5 shows exploded perspective view of a second mixing unit.
  • Figure 6 shows perspective view of a part of a second mixing unit.
  • Figure 7a and 7b shows partly cross section views a long the lines B-B and A-A respectively, of a second mixing unit.
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second impeller.
  • Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mixing device according to the present invention.
  • Figure Ia and Ib show partly sectioned views of a first embodiment of a mixing device according to the present invention.
  • a first dry substance inlet 2 is covered by a first dust cap 12.
  • the force of gravity makes the substances travel down trough the first mixing bowl 17 into a first mixing chamber 1.
  • Hot water is supplied through a first hot water inlet 4.
  • Steam is to be transported out through a first steam outlet 6; the steam transport is facilitated by a fan or similar means (not shown).
  • the produced mixture leaves the mixing chamber through a first product outlet 8.
  • the outlet 8 is connected to a first transporting device 15 which in use should be in communication with a cup like container (not shown).
  • the device is shown comprising first overflow outlets 13, 13', 13" and 13'".
  • An embodiment of the first impeller 10, shown on figure 3a and 3b is placed within the first mixing chamber 1.
  • the impeller comprises several impeller blades 7, T and 7", each of these visible blades have a outer surface 3', 3", 3'" respectively.
  • the outer surfaces are curved along the axis of the impeller. Between every two adjacent impeller blades concave impeller surfaces 5, 5', 5" and 5'" are arranged.
  • the number of impeller blades and impeller surfaces can be selected freely and will depend on of the total size of the impeller.
  • Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a first dust cap 12 and a first dry substance funnel 9 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first funnel directs the dry substances via the funnel outlet 11 into the first mixing chamber 1.
  • the dust cap protects any dry substance within the dry substance inlet 2 from humidity from the outside and stops dust from entering the mixing device.
  • Figure 4 shows and exploded perspective view of the mixing device according to figure Ia and Ib.
  • the figure shows some of the parts of the first transporting device 15. Further this embodiment comprises a first connection ring member 16 for connecting the first mixing chamber 1 with a part of a coffee machine (not shown) and thereby rotary connecting the first impeller to a first motor unit 14. Said motor unit is shown on figure 9 which shows a very preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a second mixing chamber 21 in communication with a second dry substance inlet 22, via a second funnel 29 with a funnel outlet 31, a second steam outlet 26, a second hot water inlet 24 and a second product outlet 28.
  • a second dust cap 32 covers at least part of the second dry substance inlet 22 and the second mixing bowl 37.
  • the second product outlet 28 is connected to a second transporting device 35.
  • This embodiment further comprises a second overflow outlet 33, 33', 33".
  • a second impeller 30 is placed within the second mixing chamber 21, not visible.
  • a preferred embodiment of the second impeller is shown on figure 8.
  • the second impeller 30 comprises impeller blades 27, 27', 27" with a flat configuration. How the second impeller 30 is placed inside the second mixing chamber 21 is illustrated on figure 9.
  • FIG 5 comprises a second connection ring member 36 for connecting the second mixing chamber 21 with a part of a coffee machine (not shown) and thereby rotary connecting the second impeller to a second motor unit 34.
  • Said motor unit is shown on figure 9 which shows a very preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows a part of one embodiment of the mixing device shown from another perspective comprising the second mixing chamber 21, the second hot water inlet 24, the second steam outlet 26 and the second overflow outlet 33", 33'".
  • Figure 7a and 7b shows one embodiment of a part of a mixing device according to the present invention from different sides and partly as cross sections along the lines A-A and B-B.
  • the figures show the second dry substance inlet 22, the second steam outlet 26, the second hot water inlet 24 and the second product outlet 28, all in communication with the second mixing chamber 21. Further visible are the second overflow outlet 33, 33', 33", 33'" and the transportation member 35.
  • Figure 9 shows how the impellers 10 and 30 are connected to the motor units 14 and 34 respectively and introduced into the respective mixing chamber 1 and 21.
  • the possible two product streams produced in the separate mixing chambers 1 and 21 are led separately through outlet 8 and 28 and transporting device 15 and 35 to a common position where, if adequate both product streams can be entered into the same cup like container (not shown).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de mélange pour un distributeur de boissons chaudes. Le dispositif comprend une chambre de mélange (1), comprenant un impulseur (10), connecté à celui-ci se trouve un orifice d’entrée de substance sèche (2), un orifice d’entrée d’eau chaude (4), un orifice de sortie de vapeur (6) et un orifice de sortie de produit (8). Le dispositif est en particulier applicable pour des distributeurs plus petits et peut offrir des boissons chaudes de grande qualité.
PCT/NO2006/000009 2005-01-10 2006-01-10 Dispositif de melange pour distributeur de boissons chaudes WO2006073317A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20050120A NO20050120D0 (no) 2005-01-10 2005-01-10 Mixing device for hot beverage machine
NO20050120 2005-01-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006073317A1 true WO2006073317A1 (fr) 2006-07-13

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ID=35209749

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2006/000009 WO2006073317A1 (fr) 2005-01-10 2006-01-10 Dispositif de melange pour distributeur de boissons chaudes

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NO (1) NO20050120D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006073317A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2000163C2 (nl) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-29 Bravilor Holding Bv Menginrichting met uitloop.
WO2009101510A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-20 N & W Global Vending S.P.A. Mélangeur pour distributeur de boisson
WO2017031212A1 (fr) * 2015-08-18 2017-02-23 Remington Designs, Llc Appareil de préparation de boissons

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271758A (en) * 1992-10-17 1994-04-27 Stentorfield Ltd Beverage dispensing machine.
US5927553A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-07-27 Bunn-O-Matic Coporation Powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus
US20030150879A1 (en) * 2002-02-11 2003-08-14 Gerhard Ufheil Mixing and frothing device and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2271758A (en) * 1992-10-17 1994-04-27 Stentorfield Ltd Beverage dispensing machine.
US5927553A (en) * 1996-07-24 1999-07-27 Bunn-O-Matic Coporation Powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus
US20030150879A1 (en) * 2002-02-11 2003-08-14 Gerhard Ufheil Mixing and frothing device and method

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL2000163C2 (nl) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-29 Bravilor Holding Bv Menginrichting met uitloop.
WO2009101510A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-20 N & W Global Vending S.P.A. Mélangeur pour distributeur de boisson
CN101998837A (zh) * 2008-02-13 2011-03-30 N&W全球销售股份公司 饮料自动售卖机混合器
WO2017031212A1 (fr) * 2015-08-18 2017-02-23 Remington Designs, Llc Appareil de préparation de boissons

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20050120D0 (no) 2005-01-10

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