WO2017108798A1

WO2017108798A1 - Beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2017108798A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/081934
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Angelo Calderone; Mickael Ferrand; Charlotte MARET; Carine ROUX
Original assignee: Nestec S.A.
Priority date: 2015-12-22
Filing date: 2016-12-20
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising : - at least one chamber (2) for receiving at least one beverage ingredient and a diluent and for producing a beverage, said chamber comprising one outlet (21) for dispensing the beverage, - a main tube (31) connected to the outlet of the chamber for dispensing the beverage to a drinking cup (12) positioned at a dispensing area, said main tube presenting a cross section area S0, wherein said main tube divides into at least two secondary tubes (32) between the outlet of the chamber and the dispensing area, each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area Si such that the sum of the cross section areas Si of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area S0 of the main tube, and all the secondary tubes being configured for dispensing the beverage in the same drinking cup (12).

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the dispensing of beverages from a beverage dispenser comprising a beverage preparation chamber.

Background of the invention

Many beverages are prepared by mixing a beverage ingredient with a diluent in a mixing and processing chamber.

This mixing and processing chamber is configured for contacting a dose of soluble beverage ingredient with a diluent from which will result the beverage. This mixing and processing chamber can be a mixing bowl, a whipper bowl or a combination of both.

Nowadays there is a growing demand for foamed beverages. The nature of the ingredients or the process of preparation can lead to foamed beverages. For example an espresso coffee comprises small bubbles called crema or a cappuccino comprises foamed milk. Whatever the foamed beverage, the aspect of the foam is of particular importance and reflects the quality of the beverage. In general it is preferred that the foam is homogeneous - that is the bubbles of the foam present globally the same size - and that bubbles of the foam are not too big.

Another important demand of the customers using beverage dispensers relate to the speed of preparation of the beverage. Once the beverage is selected and the preparation launched, the customer wants to rapidly get his/her beverage. Yet preparing a beverage of good quality in a short time is not always possible. In the case of foamed beverages, the dispensing of the beverage in the cup is an important step that can affect the quality of the foam if dispensed too rapidly. The issue of speed if even exacerbated if an important volume of beverage is prepared and has to be dispensed. An object of the invention is to address at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art relative to the dispensing of foamed beverages.

It would be advantageous to provide a beverage dispenser for preparing and dispensing foamed beverages in the shortest time as possible without decreasing the quality of the foam. Summary of the invention

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage dispenser comprising :

- at least one chamber for mixing at least one beverage ingredient and a diluent and for producing a beverage, said chamber comprising one outlet for dispensing the beverage, and - a main tube connected to the outlet of the chamber for dispensing the beverage to a drinking cup positioned at a dispensing area, said main tube presenting a cross section area So,

wherein said main tube divides into at least two secondary tubes between the outlet of the chamber and the dispensing area, each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area S, such that the sum of the cross section areas S, of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube, and all the secondary tubes being configured for dispensing the beverage in the same drinking cup.

The beverage dispenser comprises at least one chamber for mixing a beverage ingredient with a diluent, preferably water, so that a beverage is produced.

The chamber is usually configured for receiving the diluent and a soluble beverage ingredient and for dissolving the beverage ingredient. The chamber can be designed so as to make an efficient contact of the beverage ingredient and the diluent and improve the dissolution of the soluble beverage ingredient. The soluble beverage ingredient can be a soluble beverage powder such as instant coffee powder, chocolate powder, milk powder, instant tea powder, a fruit powder, a soup powder. The soluble beverage ingredient can be a beverage concentrate too such as coffee concentrate, milk concentrate, tea concentrate, a syrup.

Preferably the chamber comprises a whipper configured to mix and foam the mixture of the diluent and the beverage ingredient.

The chamber comprises one outlet for dispensing the beverage and a main tube is connected to this outlet of the chamber for dispensing the beverage to a single drinking cup. This drinking cup is generally positioned at a dispensing area of the dispenser. The main tube presents a cross section area So through which the beverage flows.

Generally the main tube presents a globally circular cross-section.

From upstream to downstream, according to the direction of dispensing of the beverage, the main tube divides into at least two secondary tubes between the outlet of the chamber and the dispensing area. Each of said secondary tubes presents a cross section area S, such that the sum of the cross section areas S, of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube.

Accordingly the flow of beverage dispensed through the main tube is not slowed down when it is divided through the secondary tubes and the throughput of the beverage can be kept high.

Preferably all the secondary tubes present the same section surface S,. Accordingly foam of the same quality is dispensed through all the secondary tubes and the dispensed beverage comprises a foam of uniform quality.

Preferably all the secondary tubes present globally circular sections.

All the secondary tubes are configured for dispensing the beverage in the same drinking cup. In particular, the secondary tubes are positioned close one to the other and do not extend too far away one from the others. Preferably the outlets of all the secondary tubes emerge in an area corresponding to the surface of a circle presenting a diameter of at least 4 cm, preferably at least 6 cm. Preferably the outlets of the secondary tubes are at a distance one from the others. Accordingly the outlets do not contact each other and in particular the flows of beverage emerging from the secondary tubes do not contact each other.

Consequently the flows of beverage emerging from the different outlets of the secondary tubes do not mix together, which would have the effect of modifying the quality of the foam before the beverage reaches the drinking cup.

Preferably, the edges of the outlets of the secondary tubes are at a distance one from the others of at least about 20 mm. Accordingly, the flows of beverage dispensed through different outlets of secondary tubes can flow in the same cup without merging together during their falls in the cup.

In the preferred embodiment, the main tube divides in two secondary tubes.

In said embodiment, preferably, the main tube presents a cross section area comprised between about 200 and about 450 mm².

Consequently each of the two secondary tubes present a cross section area comprised between about 100 and about 225 mm².

Preferably the length of the main tube is equal to the length of each secondary tubes. Preferably the dispenser comprises a valve for closing and opening the main tube.

This valve can be a pinching valve configured for removably pinching the main tube, said tube being flexible.

Preferably the dispenser is configured for preparing beverage by dissolution of a soluble beverage ingredient with a diluent and the at least one mixing chamber comprising a whipper chamber, said whipper chamber comprising :

. a whipper housing,

. a whipper,

. a back wall,

the whipper being driven by a drive shaft, said drive shaft being supported by the back wall, and

the whipper housing extending horizontally between the back wall and an opened front end, and

the beverage outlet being positioned at the bottom of the whipper chamber.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for preparing and dispensing a foamed beverage in a drinking cup comprising the steps of :

- introducing at least one beverage ingredient and a diluent in a receiving chamber and preparing a foamed beverage therefrom, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from the mixing chamber through a main tube presenting a cross section area So, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from the main tube through at least two secondary tubes, each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area S, such that the sum of the cross section areas S, of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from all the secondary tubes in the same drinking cup. Preferably the method is implemented within the dispenser described above.

In the present text, "cross section area" means implicitly the internal cross section area of a tube or pipe. The above aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically illustrated and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the claims, from the detailed description, and annexed drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood in relation to the following figures :

- Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of the components of a beverage dispenser according to the state of the art,

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mixing chamber and the tubes of a beverage dispenser according to the invention,

- Figures 3 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 illustrates illustrates a beverage dispenser according to the state of the art.

The machine comprises a container 91 for storing a beverage ingredient. The container is connected to a dosing device 92 configured for dosing and delivering a dose of ingredient in a dissolution chamber 4. The container 91 can be a disposable tank like a cartridge, a can or tin, a pouch, ... or it can be a non-disposable canister that is refilled with beverage ingredients.

The food ingredient can be any ingredient that forms a beverage when mixed with a liquid diluent. It can be a soluble powder or a soluble liquid concentrate.

The dosing device comprises means for dosing the food ingredient. This means can be a dosing screw, a dosing auger, perforated discs or a peristaltic pump for a beverage concentrate. The dosing device 92 is placed at the bottom of the container 91 to receive the beverage ingredient therefrom by gravity.

The dose of beverage ingredient issued from the dosing device 92 is delivered to the dissolution chamber 4 where it is mixed with a diluent, usually water, introduced from a diluent inlet 10. The mixture of the beverage ingredient and diluent falls in a whipper device comprising a whipper housing 2 and a back wall 23. The assembly of the whipper housing 2 and the back wall 23 forms a chamber in which is lodged a whipper 5 such as an impeller. The drive shaft 6 of the whipper is fixed to the frame 8 of the dispenser and is actuated by a motor 7. The whipped beverage leaves the whipper device through an outlet tube 3 and is delivered in a cup 12. Figure 2 is a perspective view from the bottom of the mixing chamber and the outlet tubes at the bottom of the mixing chamber according to the preferred embodiment. The internal design of the outlet tubes has drawn in dotted lines.

The outlet tubes comprise an upstream main tube 31 connected to the outlet 21 of the mixing chamber. This main tube 31 presents an internal cross section area So.

This main tube divides into two secondary tubes 32, each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area S,.

The sum of the cross section areas S, of the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube.

The secondary tubes are configured for dispensing the beverage in the same drinking cup 12 positioned in the receiving area 15.

The distance d between the edges of the outlets 32b of the secondary tubes is defined so that the two flows of beverage dispensed by the secondary tubes do not merge and so that the two flows of beverage dispensed by the secondary tubes fall in the same cup 12.

Preferably the secondary tubes are identical and present a circular cross section.

The diameter of the circular cross section can be comprised between 5 and 10 mm, preferably between 6 and 8 mm. The distance d can be of about 20 mm, preferably of about 35 mm. Although the preferred embodiment present only two secondary tubes, the invention relates also to beverage dispensers wherein the main outlet divides in more than two secondary outlets. The choice of the number of secondary tubes can depend on the properties of the foam produced by the mixing chamber, in particular the size of the bubbles of the foam. Actually, for one particular mixing chamber presenting a defined outlet, greater is the number of secondary tubes, smaller is the diameter of said secondary tubes.

Figure 3 illustrates another aspect preferred embodiment of the present invention. The outlet 21 of the chamber is connected to main tube 31. The beverage dispenser comprises a valve 14 for either opening or closing the tube. This valve can comprise a movable pinching valve 141 lodged in a valve assembly body 142. The pinching valve 141 is made movable to pinch the tube 31 that is a deformable tube. Accordingly the tube that can be pinched and closed or not pinched and opened.

The main tube 31 divides in two secondary tubes 32. The outlets 32b of the secondary tubes are at a distance one from the other but sufficiently close one to the other so as to dispense the beverage in the same drinking container 12. Figure 3 illustrates how the diluent can be introduced in the mixing device through a tube 10 that is part of the beverage dispenser. The tube is preferably oriented to introduce the diluent according to a tangential direction along the cylindrical wall of the dissolution chamber. In a less preferred manner, this tube can emerge in the vertical wall of the dissolution chamber, usually near the top of the wall.

The beverage dispenser of the present invention implementing the outlet tubes of Figure 2 at the bottom of the mixing chamber of a dispenser such as illustrated in Figure 1 enables the preparation of foamed beverage in the mixing chamber and guarantees that the properties of said foamed beverage are maintained during the dispensing of the beverage from the chamber outlet to the drinking cup. Moreover, the beverage can be dispensed more rapidly than in the state of the art.

For example, the same beverage was prepared from 75 g of Milo powder (a chocolate and malt soluble powder) and 210 ml of hot water with a dispenser comprising either one single outlet tube according to the state of the art or outlet tubes according to Figure 2. The beverage prepared with the dispenser of the present invention was dispensed more rapidly (40 sec. against 50 sec. in the dispenser of the state of the art) and the top foam was denser and more stable. Although the invention has been described with reference to the above illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not limited in any way by these illustrated embodiments.

Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.

As used in this specification, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to". List of references in the drawings : beverage dispenser 1

whipper chamber 2

outlet 21

top of chamber 22

back wall 23

housing 24 beverage outlet

main tube

secondary tube

outlet

whipper

drive shaft

motor

frame

beverage ingredient container dosing device

diluent supply

drinking container

locking device

valve

movable pinching valve valve assembly body dispensing area

Claims

1 . Beverage dispenser comprising :

- at least one chamber (2) for receiving at least one beverage ingredient and a diluent and for producing a beverage, said chamber comprising one outlet (21 ) for dispensing the beverage,

- a main tube (31 ) connected to the outlet of the chamber for dispensing the beverage to a drinking cup (12) positioned at a dispensing area, said main tube presenting a cross section area So,

wherein said main tube divides into at least two secondary tubes (32) between the outlet of the chamber and the dispensing area, each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area S, such that the sum of the cross section areas S, of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube, and all the secondary tubes being configured for dispensing the beverage in the same drinking cup (12).

2. Beverage dispenser according to Claim 1 , wherein all the secondary tubes (32) present the same cross section area Si.

3. Beverage dispenser according to any one of the precedent claims, wherein the edges of the outlets (32b) of the secondary tubes are at a distance one from the others.

4. Beverage dispenser according to any one of the precedent claims, wherein the outlets of the secondary tubes (32b) are at a distance one from the others of at least 20 mm.

5. Beverage dispenser according to any one of the precedent claims, wherein the outlets (32b) of the secondary tubes are at a distance one from the others of at least 35 mm.

6. Beverage dispenser according to any one of the precedent claims, wherein the main tube (31 ) divides in two secondary tubes (32)

7. Beverage dispenser according to the precedent claim, wherein the secondary tubes (32) present a circular cross section with a diameter comprised between about 5 and about 10 mm.

8. Beverage dispenser according to the precedent claim, wherein the length of the main tube is equal to the length of each secondary tubes.

9. Beverage dispenser according to any one of the precedent claims, wherein said dispenser comprises a valve (14) for closing and opening the main tube.

10. Beverage dispenser according any one of the precedent claims, wherein said dispenser is configured for preparing beverage by dissolution of a soluble beverage ingredient with a diluent and the at least one mixing chamber comprises a whipper chamber, said whipper chamber comprising :

. a whipper housing (24),

. a whipper (5),

. a back wall (23),

the whipper being driven by a drive shaft (6), said drive shaft being supported by the back wall, and

and- the beverage outlet (21 ) being positioned at the bottom of the whipper chamber.

1 1 . A method for preparing and dispensing a foamed beverage in a drinking cup comprising the steps of :

- introducing at least one beverage ingredient and a diluent in a mixing chamber (2) and preparing a foamed beverage therefrom, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from the mixing chamber through a main tube (31 ) presenting a cross section area So, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from the main tube through at least two secondary tubes (32), each of said secondary tubes presenting a cross section area S, such that the sum of the cross section areas S, of all the secondary tubes is equal to the cross section area So of the main tube, then

- dispensing the foamed beverage from all the secondary tubes in the same drinking cup