WO2022132081A1

WO2022132081A1 - A beverage servicing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2022132081A1
Application number: PCT/TR2021/051021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Metin Berke BASPINAR
Original assignee: Atolye Mekatronik Ve Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2020-12-14
Filing date: 2021-10-06
Publication date: 2022-06-23
Also published as: TR202020470A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage servicing unit (10) comprising at least one cooking chamber (20) connected onto a platform (30) for providing cooking of the beverage in beverage cooking vending machines, and at least one first drive element (35) where said cooking chamber (20) is connected in a manner enabling rotation of the cooking chamber (20) in its own axis. The improvement is that the subject matter beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one service mechanism (40) for enabling transfer of the beverage from a pouring position (II), where the beverage is transferred from the cooking chamber (20) to a cup (50), to a servicing position (III) where the beverage is presented to the user, Said service mechanism (40) comprises at least one guidance arm (44) where at least one grabbing part (45) is provided at one end thereof and configured to be able to be moved by at least one second drive element (41).

Description

A BEVERAGE SERVICING UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a beverage servicing unit comprising at least one cooking chamber connected onto a platform for providing cooking of the beverage in beverage cooking vending machines, and at least one first drive element where said cooking chamber is connected in a manner enabling rotation of the cooking chamber in its own axis.

PRIOR ART

Turkish coffee has an important place in Turkish culture and it is among the oldest coffee preparation and cooking methods as from the Ottoman Empire until today. Turkish coffee has a unique identity and tradition thanks to its unique taste, foam, smell, presentation manner. Turkish coffee is the only coffee type which is presented together with its grounds.

Coffee cooking vending machines are produced in two different types which function with or without money and which can prepare coffee by pressing a single button. Coffee cooking vending machines which function with money do not function when no money is put therein. Coffee cooking vending machines which function without money are beverage cooking vending machines which do not have money putting unit therein. Hotels, companies and dormitories generally prefer to use coffee cooking vending machine as the hot beverage cooking vending machine. Thus, it is possible to see tea-coffee cooking vending machines in such places. Since the used tea-coffee cooking vending machines prepare hot beverages, they are put into service as hot beverage vending machines. Cleaning and filling of the used vending machines are the duty of the company which rents these machines.

The present hot beverage cooking vending machines realize coffee service by pouring hot water onto instant coffee or by grinding coffee beans at thickness between 150 - 200 microns in a grinder and by taking the aroma of the coffee by the high pressured water passed through these grinded coffee beans. However, none of these methods is convenient for cooking Turkish coffee.

Turkish coffee is prepared by heating coffee powder, grinded with thickness of 100 microns, with water up to a specific temperature and finalizing cooking at a correct point. Correct amount of coffee, sugar and water must be put into a coffee pot, and powder coffee must be boiled in water and cooked at suitable heat. It is different from all other coffee brewing methods in the world. Although machines with different functionality for the other brewing methods have been in service for years, the machines developed for preparation of Turkish coffee are only for household usage. Automation levels of such machines are substantially low. For these reasons, the consumption of Turkish coffee, which is already substantially demanding to prepare, does not increase and its famousness in the abroad stays low. As a result, lack of mechanization plays an important role in low famousness of Turkish coffee in the world and less consumption thereof. Therefore, the present cooking vending machines cannot be used for Turkish coffee.

In the present Turkish coffee machines, user has to realize manual processes for the usage of the machines; coffee and sugar are measured and put into the cooking receptacle by the user, servicing of coffee is realized to the cup after the coffee is cooked and the cooking receptacle has to be washed. Turkish coffee comprises a dense fluid part called grounds therein, and thus, transfer of Turkish coffee to a cup with the help of a pipe becomes inefficient since said pipe-like carrier can be clogged over time. Because of manual processes which exist in these processes, an informed user is needed for the machine, and this limits the usage areas. For drinking Turkish coffee in this manner, persons who know how to cook Turkish coffee are needed, and this limits the consumption of Turkish coffee in the world.

As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage servicing unit, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage servicing unit for providing servicing of the beverage, which becomes ready in the beverage cooking vending machine, to the user.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a beverage servicing unit comprising at least one cooking chamber connected onto a platform for providing cooking of the beverage in beverage cooking vending machines, and at least one first drive element where said cooking chamber is connected in a manner enabling rotation of the cooking chamber in its own axis. Accordingly, the improvement of the present invention is that the subject matter beverage servicing unit comprises at least one service mechanism for enabling transfer of the beverage from a pouring position, where the beverage is transferred from the cooking chamber to a cup, to a servicing position where the beverage is presented to the user,

Said service mechanism comprises at least one guidance arm where at least one grabbing part is provided at one end thereof and configured to be able to be moved by at least one second drive element. Thus, the beverage is presented to the access of the user directly from the cooking chamber.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said grabbing part essentially comprises at least two extension parts which at least partially encircle the cup. Thus, the receptacle wherein the beverage is kept is grabbed.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said guidance arm is configured to rotate in a rotation axis by means of said second drive element. Thus, the cup is moved and presented to the user.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one potentiometer is connected in the vicinity of the cooking chamber so as to be on the platform. Thus, the rotation of the cooking chamber can be controlled.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said servicing position is configured to be an interaction point where the user’s access to a cup, filled with beverage, is provided. Thus, the cooked beverage is presented to the access of the user.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the service mechanism is configured to be provided at a cup taking position where the service mechanism is connected to a cup. Thus, a new cup is associated with the grabbing part for the service of a new beverage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative perspective view where the subject matter beverage servicing unit is provided in a cup taking position is given.

In Figure 2, a representative perspective view of a pouring position where the beverage is transferred from a cooking chamber to a cup in the subject matter beverage servicing unit is given.

In Figure 3, a representative perspective view where the subject matter beverage servicing unit is provided in a servicing position is given.

In Figure 4, a representative perspective view where the subject matter beverage servicing unit is provided in a cleaning position is given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter beverage servicing unit (10) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

In Figure 1 , a representative perspective view where the subject matter beverage servicing unit (10) is provided in a cup taking position is given. Accordingly, said beverage servicing unit (10) is essentially a rotary arm mechanism which provides presenting of the beverage cooked in a beverage cooking vending machine to the user. The beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one cooking chamber (20). Said cooking chamber (20) is essentially a coffee pot which enables cooking of the mixture, provided therein, at predetermined duration and temperature value. The cooking chamber (20) comprises at least one cooking element (21) provided in at least one side thereof. Said cooking element (21 ) is a kind of stove which essentially enables the cooking chamber (20) to reach the desired temperature value at predetermined duration. The cooking element (21) is connected to the cooking chamber (20) by means of at least one first connection element (22). The cooking chamber (20) is associated with at least one first nozzle (23). Said first nozzle (23) is essentially a clean water transmission pipe. The water needed for forming a beverage from coffee and sugar provided in the cooking chamber (20) is provided by means of the first nozzle (23). The first nozzle (23) sprays water and thereby provides formation of a partially homogenous mixture in the cooking chamber (20). The cooking chamber (20) essentially comprises at least one first sensor (24) provided at the inner part thereof. Said first sensor (24) is essentially a temperature sensor and provides monitoring of reaching of the cooking chamber (20) to the predetermined temperature. The cooking chamber (20) comprises at least one second sensor (25) provided thereon. Said second sensor (25) is a level sensor and senses the level of the water needed for formation of the beverage. The cooking sensor (20) essentially comprises at least one third sensor (26) provided in the vicinity of the second sensor (25). Said third sensor (26) is a level sensor and senses the information of realization of the cooking process as a result of increase of the volume of the cooked beverage. The cooking chamber (20) essentially comprises at least one fourth sensor (27) essentially at the part which is close to the opening. Said fourth sensor (27) is essentially a level sensor which provides sensing of an overflow condition. The fourth sensor (27) is a safety element.

The beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one lower plate (31). Said lower plate (31) is essentially a plate. The beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one platform

(30) provided on the lower plate (31). Said platform (30) is essentially a frame structure provided in a manner enabling a cleaning area (33) at the inner part thereof. The cooking chamber (20) is connected on the platform (30). The cooking chamber (20) is connected to at least one first drive element (35) provided on the platform (30). Said first drive element (35) is essentially an electrical motor and enables realization of the rotational movement of the cooking chamber (20) by means of at least one rotation element (36). The cooking chamber (20) is associated to at least one position sensor (32) provided in the vicinity thereof. Said position sensor (32) is essentially a potentiometer and enables controlling of the rotational movement of the cooking chamber (20). The cooking chamber (20) is associated to at least one second nozzle (34). Said second nozzle (34) is essentially provided at the base of the cleaning area (33) and provides cleaning of the cooking chamber (20) by spraying water thereinto.

The beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one service mechanism (40). Said service mechanism (40) essentially comprises a body (42) and is provided on the lower plate

(31). The service mechanism (40) comprises at least one guidance arm (44). Said guidance arm (44) is essentially a rod or profile embodiment and is connected to the body (42) by means of at least one second connection element (43). Said second connection element (43) is essentially configured to enable a connection like a rivet, bolt-nut. The service mechanism (40) comprises at least one grabbing part (45) provided essentially at the end part of the guidance arm (44). Said grabbing part (45) can essentially be a structure like pincers, hook or crescent. The grabbing part (45) enables grabbing of a cup which is the receptacle wherein beverage is put which is prepared by cooking in the cooking chamber (20). The service mechanism (40) is associated to at least one second drive element (41). Said second drive element (41 ) is essentially an electrical motor and provides servicing of the cup (50) to the user by means of rotation of the guidance arm (44). The guidance arm (44) is essentially configured to rotate in a complete revolution.

In the beverage servicing unit (10), as the cooking process continues in the cooking chamber (20), a new cup (50) is provided in a cup taking position (I) for the service mechanism (40) and provided in the grabbing part (45). In the cooking position, while the cup (50) is empty, the cooking chamber (20) is full. As the cooking of the beverage in the cooking chamber (20) is completed, as the cooking chamber (20) is tilted by means of the first drive element (35), the beverage which exists therein is discharged into the cup (50). Thus, a pouring position (II) is provided. The cooking chamber (20) provides carrying of the cooked beverage to the cup (50) by pouring residues (grounds) of the cooked beverage. As the second drive element (41) drives the guidance arm (44), the cup (50) is presented to the user. Thus, the service mechanism (40) is provided at a servicing position (III). As the cooking chamber (20) is rotated by means of the first drive element (35) such that the inner part of the cooking chamber (20) faces the floor, a cleaning position (IV) is provided. In said cleaning position (IV), the service mechanism (40) is provided in a partially middle position where the service mechanism (40) shall be associated with a new cup (50). After the cleaning process, the beverage servicing unit (10) is again provided at the cup taking position (I).

By means of all these embodiments, as the user can access the cup (50) after all processes are finished in the beverage servicing unit (10), the tilting movement of the cooking chamber (20) is prevented from leading to a danger for the user. Installation can be easily provided in the usage areas and service costs are avoided. Since the cup (50) is placed at the inner part internally, servicing is provided which is compatible for health.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Beverage servicing unit

20 Cooking chamber

21 Cooking element

22 First connection element

23 First nozzle

24 First sensor

25 Second sensor

26 Third sensor

27 Fourth sensor

30 Platform

31 Lower plate

32 Position sensor

33 Cleaning area

34 Second nozzle

35 First drive element

36 Rotation element

40 Service mechanism

41 Second drive element

42 Body

43 Second connection element

44 Guidance arm

45 Grabbing part

50 Cup

(I) Cup taking position

(II) Pouring position

(III) Servicing position

(IV) Cleaning position

Claims

1. The present invention is a beverage servicing unit (10) comprising at least one cooking chamber (20) connected onto a platform (30) for providing cooking of the beverage in beverage cooking vending machines, and at least one first drive element (35) where said cooking chamber (20) is connected in a manner enabling rotation of the cooking chamber (20) in its own axis, wherein the subject matter beverage servicing unit (10) comprises at least one service mechanism (40) for enabling transfer of the beverage from a pouring position (II), where the beverage is transferred from the cooking chamber (20) to a cup (50), to a servicing position (III) where the beverage is presented to the user,

Said service mechanism (40) comprises at least one guidance arm (44) where at least one grabbing part (45) is provided at one end thereof and configured to be able to be moved by at least one second drive element (41).

2. The beverage servicing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said grabbing part (45) essentially comprises at least two extension parts which at least partially encircle the cup.

3. The beverage servicing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said guidance arm (44) is configured to rotate in a rotation axis by means of said second drive element (41).

4. The beverage servicing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one position sensor (32) is connected in the vicinity of the cooking chamber (20) so as to be on the platform (30).

5. The beverage servicing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said servicing position

(III) is configured to be an interaction point where the user’s access to a cup (50), filled with beverage, is provided.

6. The beverage servicing unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the service mechanism (40) is configured to be provided at a cup taking position (I) where the service mechanism (40) is connected to a cup (50).

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