WO2024033711A1 - Automatic beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Automatic beverage vending machine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024033711A1
WO2024033711A1 PCT/IB2023/054655 IB2023054655W WO2024033711A1 WO 2024033711 A1 WO2024033711 A1 WO 2024033711A1 IB 2023054655 W IB2023054655 W IB 2023054655W WO 2024033711 A1 WO2024033711 A1 WO 2024033711A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
brewing
liquid
assembly
branch
heating device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/054655
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio MAGGIONI
Fabio BRUZZESE
Original Assignee
Rheavendors Industries S.P.A.
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 Rheavendors Industries S.P.A. filed Critical Rheavendors Industries S.P.A.
Publication of WO2024033711A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024033711A1/en

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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
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • A47J31/461—Valves, e.g. drain valves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/24—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure
    • A47J31/34—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure
    • A47J31/36—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means
    • A47J31/3666—Coffee-making apparatus in which hot water is passed through the filter under pressure, i.e. in which the coffee grounds are extracted under pressure with hot water under liquid pressure with mechanical pressure-producing means whereby the loading of the brewing chamber with the brewing material is performed by the user
    • A47J31/3671—Loose coffee being employed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/46—Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
    • A47J31/469—Details of hydraulic circuits
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/52—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic beverage vending machine.
  • the present invention relates to an automatic beverage vending machine comprising at least one brewing assembly to produce a hot beverage from a charge of loose brewing product, in particular coffee in powder form, and a brewing liquid, in particular pressurized hot water; a heating device connected with a source of the brewing liquid, in particular the water network, to receive the brewing liquid at a first temperature and further connected with the brewing assembly to supply the brewing liquid at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; a hydraulic circuit to connect the source of the brewing liquid, the heating device, and the brewing assembly; and a pumping device to feed the brewing liquid along the hydraulic circuit.
  • the hydraulic circuit comprises a first branch to connect the source of the brewing liquid and the heating device and a second branch to connect the heating device and the brewing assembly.
  • the brewing assembly comprises a brewing chamber, which is configured to receive a charge of brewing product, in particular a charge of coffee in powder form, from a containing tank for a plurality of charges of brewing product, is connected with the second branch to receive a given volume of brewing liquid, and has a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the hot beverage.
  • US-2018/177328-A1 relates to a beverage producing machine comprising a brewing chamber and at least one hydraulic actuator to control the closing and opening movements of the brewing chamber.
  • a water pump connected to the brewing chamber via a first water path and connected to the hydraulic actuator via a second water path, delivers pressurized water to the brewing chamber and the hydraulic actuator.
  • a heating device and a first valve device are arranged along the first water path.
  • a second valve device is arranged along the second water path between the water pump and the hydraulic actuator. The two valve devices are configured and controlled in such a manner that, during a step of closing the brewing chamber, the first valve device is closed and the second valve device is open. When a closing pressure is reached in the hydraulic actuator, the second valve device is closed and the first valve device is opened, which allows water to be delivered into the brewing chamber.
  • US-2011/293805-Al relates to a method for producing a liquid extract from food ingredients in a beverage vending device provided with a brewing unit actuated by centrifugation.
  • the method involves the supply of food ingredients to the brewing unit, the feeding of a heated liquid into the brewing unit, the centrifugation of the brewing unit by generating centrifugal forces that force the heated liquid to flow through the food ingredients, the dispensing of the liquid extract, and the compensation of the thermal losses of the liquid extract in the brewing unit or collection unit.
  • Automatic beverage vending machines of the type described above have certain drawbacks mainly stemming from the fact that, when the machine is switched on or after a given time interval since the last dispensing of a hot beverage, the brewing liquid contained in the second branch of the hydraulic circuit has a relatively low temperature, which reduces the temperature of the brewing liquid fed from the heating device to the brewing assembly, and compromises at least the initial cycle of delivery of the hot beverage.
  • Automatic beverage vending machines of the type described above also have the further drawback that the brewing chamber has a relatively low temperature, which reduces the temperature of the brewing liquid and, thus, of the hot beverage produced in the brewing assembly, and compromises the delivery of the hot beverage.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage vending machine which is not subject to the drawbacks described above and which is easy and inexpensive to implement.
  • an automatic beverage vending machine is provided as claimed in claims 1 to 10.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for preparing hot beverages.
  • a method for preparing beverages is provided as claimed in claim 11.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the hot beverage vending machine of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic side view, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity, of a first detail of the machine of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a second detail of the machine of Figure 1.
  • the number 1 indicates, as a whole, an automatic beverage vending machine for the preparation of beverages from loose brewing products, for example coffee of different types, tea or chocolate, and a brewing liquid, in this case pressurized hot water.
  • the machine 1 comprises a source 2 of a brewing liquid, in this case the water network, a brewing liquid heating device 3, a plurality of dispensing units 4 for preparing and dispensing soluble hot beverages, and a brewing assembly 5 for preparing and dispensing a hot brewing beverage.
  • a source 2 of a brewing liquid in this case the water network
  • a brewing liquid heating device 3 for preparing and dispensing soluble hot beverages
  • a brewing assembly 5 for preparing and dispensing a hot brewing beverage.
  • the brewing assembly 5 is provided according to the teachings of the European patents EP 2 832 269 Bl, EP 2 140788 Bl and EP 1 867 257 Bl of the Applicant.
  • the machine 1 further comprises a hydraulic circuit 6 comprising, in turn, a branch 7 to connect the source 2 and the device 3, and a pair of branches 8, 9 mounted in parallel relative to each other.
  • the branch 8 connects the device 3 and the units 4, and the branch 9 connects the device 3 and the assembly 5.
  • the circuit 6 further comprises a solenoid valve 10 to control the feeding of the brewing liquid from the source 2; a flow-rate meter 11 mounted along the branch 7 to measure the brewing liquid flow rate fed to the device 3; and a feeding pump 12 mounted along the branch 7 between the meter 11 and the device 3.
  • the branch 7 is further provided with a non-return valve 13 mounted between the meter 11 and the pump 12 to prevent a flow of brewing liquid from the pump 12 to the source 2.
  • the circuit 6 further includes a recirculation branch 14, which is connected with the branch 7 between the pump 12 and the valve 13 and between the pump 12 and the device 3, and is provided with a maximum-pressure valve 15 adapted to keep the pressure in the branch 7 downstream of the pump 12 below a threshold value.
  • the heating device 3 comprises a tank 16, a heating element, in this case an electrical resistor 17, mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 so that it is always inside the brewing liquid, and a temperature probe 18 mounted in the upper part of the tankl6 to measure the temperature of the brewing liquid.
  • a heating element in this case an electrical resistor 17 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 so that it is always inside the brewing liquid
  • a temperature probe 18 mounted in the upper part of the tankl6 to measure the temperature of the brewing liquid.
  • the device 3 is provided with an inlet connection 19 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 7, a first outlet connection 20 mounted in the upper part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 8 to feed the brewing liquid to the dispensing units 4, and a second outlet connection 21 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 9 to feed the brewing liquid to the brewing assembly 5.
  • the device 3 finally comprises a discharge connection 22 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 to discharge the brewing liquid from the tank 16.
  • the branch 9 is equipped with a valve device, in this case a three-way valve 23, arranged in a containing plane extending below a containing plane of the brewing assembly 5.
  • a valve device in this case a three-way valve 23, arranged in a containing plane extending below a containing plane of the brewing assembly 5.
  • the valve 23 comprises an inlet 24 connected with the connection 21, a first outlet 25 connected with the brewing assembly 5, and a second outlet 26 to discharge the brewing liquid from the branch 9.
  • the valve 23 further comprises a known shutter, which is not illustrated, movable between a first operating position, in which the outlet 25 is connected to the inlet 24 and separated from the outlet 26, and a second operating position, in which the outlet 25 is connected to the outlet 26 and separated from the inlet 24.
  • the branch 9 is divided by the valve 23 into two sections 27, one of which (indicated in the following by 27a) extends between the device 3 and the valve 23 and the other (indicated in the following by 27b) extends between the valve 23 and the brewing assembly 5 and has a volume equal to the volume of the section 27a.
  • the brewing assembly 5 comprises a brewing chamber 28, in the illustrated example of a substantially cylindrical shape, which is configured to receive a charge or dose of brewing product, in particular a dose of coffee in powder form, from a containing tank (not illustrated) for a plurality of doses of brewing product, is connected with the branch 9 to receive a given volume of brewing liquid, and has a beverage dispensing nozzle.
  • the assembly 5 further comprises a heating device 30 to heat the chamber 28 by electromagnetic induction.
  • the device 30 comprises a metal sleeve 31 arranged around the chamber 28, and at least one electrically powered coil 32 to generate an electromagnetic field to induce an electric current in the sleeve 31 and preheat the chamber 28.
  • the device 30 comprises two coils 32 arranged on opposite sides of the sleeve 31.
  • the operation of the machine 1 is selectively controlled by an electronic control unit 33 and will now be described from an instant when: the machine 1 is switched off or has been inactive for a time interval at least equal to a threshold value; the section 27a contains a volume VI of brewing liquid substantially equal to the volume of the section 27 a; and the section 27b is empty.
  • the unit 33 is configured to activate at least one heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5, preferably a succession of heating cycles to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5.
  • Each heating cycle comprises the steps of: moving the valve 23 to its first operating position and activating the pump 12 so that a volume V2 of brewing liquid substantially equal to the volume of the section 27a is fed into the section 27a and, at the same time, transferring the volume VI of brewing liquid contained in the section 27a into the section 27b; moving the valve 23 to its second operating position and deactivating the pump 12 in order to discharge the volume VI of brewing liquid contained in the section 27b from the branch 9; and moving the valve 23 to its first operating position and activating the pump 12 to repeat the heating cycle described above or feeding the brewing liquid to the brewing assembly 5 and proceeding with the dispensing of the hot beverage.
  • the valve 23 is arranged in a containing plane extending below a containing plane of the brewing assembly 5 so as to enable, through gravity, the discharge of the volume VI contained in the section 27b when the valve 23 is moved to its second operating position; and the temperature of the volume V2 of brewing liquid fed by the heating device 3 into the section 27a is higher than the temperature of the volume V 1 of brewing liquid initially transferred into the section 27b and subsequently discharged from the branch 9 so that the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 at the end of the heating cycle has a temperature higher than the temperature of the brewing liquid contained in the section 27a prior to the heating cycle.
  • the machine 1 has certain advantages mainly stemming from the fact that the performance of at least one heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 and/or the activation of the heating device 30 make it possible to increase the temperature of the brewing liquid in the brewing chamber 28 and, thus, to improve the quality of the hot beverage dispensed when the machine 1 is switched on and/or after a relatively long time interval since the last dispensing of the hot beverage.
  • the temperature of the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 is relatively high.
  • the machine 1 has the additional advantages consisting in the fact that: the heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to brewing assembly 5 is relatively short and quick and is relatively safe inasmuch as the brewing liquid is fed to the outlet 26 and does not come into contact with the user; and the heating device 30 allows the brewing chamber 28 to be heated in a relatively short time interval and with relatively little energy consumption.
  • the volumes of the sections 27a, 27b are different from each other: when the volume of the section 27b is greater than the volume of the section 27a, the volume VI contained in the section 27a is transferred into the section 27b and discharged from the branch 9 with a single heating cycle completely analogous to the one described above; and when the volume of the section 27a is greater than the volume of the section 27b, the volume VI contained in the section 27a is transferred to the section 27b and discharged from the branch 9 with at least two heating cycles completely analogous to the one described above.

Abstract

An automatic beverage vending machine (1), in which a hot beverage is prepared inside a brewing assembly (5), which is adapted to receive a brewing product and a brewing liquid, and which is connected to a brewing liquid heating device (3) via a hydraulic circuit (6) divided into two branches (27a, 27b) by a valve device (23), which is movable between a first operating position, in which the brewing liquid upstream of the valve device (23) is fed downstream of the valve device (23), and a second operating position, in which the brewing liquid downstream of the valve device (23) is discharged from the hydraulic circuit (6).

Description

“AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
This Patent Application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 22171774.7 filed on May 5, 2022, from Italian Patent Application No. 102022000017277 filed on August 12, 2022, and from Italian Patent Application No. 102022000017295 filed on August 12, 2022 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic beverage vending machine.
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic beverage vending machine comprising at least one brewing assembly to produce a hot beverage from a charge of loose brewing product, in particular coffee in powder form, and a brewing liquid, in particular pressurized hot water; a heating device connected with a source of the brewing liquid, in particular the water network, to receive the brewing liquid at a first temperature and further connected with the brewing assembly to supply the brewing liquid at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; a hydraulic circuit to connect the source of the brewing liquid, the heating device, and the brewing assembly; and a pumping device to feed the brewing liquid along the hydraulic circuit.
The hydraulic circuit comprises a first branch to connect the source of the brewing liquid and the heating device and a second branch to connect the heating device and the brewing assembly.
The brewing assembly comprises a brewing chamber, which is configured to receive a charge of brewing product, in particular a charge of coffee in powder form, from a containing tank for a plurality of charges of brewing product, is connected with the second branch to receive a given volume of brewing liquid, and has a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the hot beverage.
US-2018/177328-A1 relates to a beverage producing machine comprising a brewing chamber and at least one hydraulic actuator to control the closing and opening movements of the brewing chamber. A water pump, connected to the brewing chamber via a first water path and connected to the hydraulic actuator via a second water path, delivers pressurized water to the brewing chamber and the hydraulic actuator. A heating device and a first valve device are arranged along the first water path. A second valve device is arranged along the second water path between the water pump and the hydraulic actuator. The two valve devices are configured and controlled in such a manner that, during a step of closing the brewing chamber, the first valve device is closed and the second valve device is open. When a closing pressure is reached in the hydraulic actuator, the second valve device is closed and the first valve device is opened, which allows water to be delivered into the brewing chamber.
US-2011/293805-Al relates to a method for producing a liquid extract from food ingredients in a beverage vending device provided with a brewing unit actuated by centrifugation. The method involves the supply of food ingredients to the brewing unit, the feeding of a heated liquid into the brewing unit, the centrifugation of the brewing unit by generating centrifugal forces that force the heated liquid to flow through the food ingredients, the dispensing of the liquid extract, and the compensation of the thermal losses of the liquid extract in the brewing unit or collection unit.
Automatic beverage vending machines of the type described above have certain drawbacks mainly stemming from the fact that, when the machine is switched on or after a given time interval since the last dispensing of a hot beverage, the brewing liquid contained in the second branch of the hydraulic circuit has a relatively low temperature, which reduces the temperature of the brewing liquid fed from the heating device to the brewing assembly, and compromises at least the initial cycle of delivery of the hot beverage.
Automatic beverage vending machines of the type described above also have the further drawback that the brewing chamber has a relatively low temperature, which reduces the temperature of the brewing liquid and, thus, of the hot beverage produced in the brewing assembly, and compromises the delivery of the hot beverage.
Ob ject and Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic beverage vending machine which is not subject to the drawbacks described above and which is easy and inexpensive to implement.
According to the present invention, an automatic beverage vending machine is provided as claimed in claims 1 to 10.
The present invention further relates to a method for preparing hot beverages.
According to the present invention, a method for preparing beverages is provided as claimed in claim 11.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the hot beverage vending machine of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side view, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity, of a first detail of the machine of Figure 1 ; and
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a second detail of the machine of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
With reference to Figure 1, the number 1 indicates, as a whole, an automatic beverage vending machine for the preparation of beverages from loose brewing products, for example coffee of different types, tea or chocolate, and a brewing liquid, in this case pressurized hot water.
The machine 1 comprises a source 2 of a brewing liquid, in this case the water network, a brewing liquid heating device 3, a plurality of dispensing units 4 for preparing and dispensing soluble hot beverages, and a brewing assembly 5 for preparing and dispensing a hot brewing beverage.
Conveniently, but not necessarily, the brewing assembly 5 is provided according to the teachings of the European patents EP 2 832 269 Bl, EP 2 140788 Bl and EP 1 867 257 Bl of the Applicant.
The machine 1 further comprises a hydraulic circuit 6 comprising, in turn, a branch 7 to connect the source 2 and the device 3, and a pair of branches 8, 9 mounted in parallel relative to each other.
The branch 8 connects the device 3 and the units 4, and the branch 9 connects the device 3 and the assembly 5.
The circuit 6 further comprises a solenoid valve 10 to control the feeding of the brewing liquid from the source 2; a flow-rate meter 11 mounted along the branch 7 to measure the brewing liquid flow rate fed to the device 3; and a feeding pump 12 mounted along the branch 7 between the meter 11 and the device 3.
In this case, the branch 7 is further provided with a non-return valve 13 mounted between the meter 11 and the pump 12 to prevent a flow of brewing liquid from the pump 12 to the source 2.
The circuit 6 further includes a recirculation branch 14, which is connected with the branch 7 between the pump 12 and the valve 13 and between the pump 12 and the device 3, and is provided with a maximum-pressure valve 15 adapted to keep the pressure in the branch 7 downstream of the pump 12 below a threshold value.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the heating device 3 comprises a tank 16, a heating element, in this case an electrical resistor 17, mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 so that it is always inside the brewing liquid, and a temperature probe 18 mounted in the upper part of the tankl6 to measure the temperature of the brewing liquid.
The device 3 is provided with an inlet connection 19 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 7, a first outlet connection 20 mounted in the upper part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 8 to feed the brewing liquid to the dispensing units 4, and a second outlet connection 21 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 and connected with the branch 9 to feed the brewing liquid to the brewing assembly 5.
The device 3 finally comprises a discharge connection 22 mounted in the lower part of the tank 16 to discharge the brewing liquid from the tank 16.
The branch 9 is equipped with a valve device, in this case a three-way valve 23, arranged in a containing plane extending below a containing plane of the brewing assembly 5.
The valve 23 comprises an inlet 24 connected with the connection 21, a first outlet 25 connected with the brewing assembly 5, and a second outlet 26 to discharge the brewing liquid from the branch 9.
The valve 23 further comprises a known shutter, which is not illustrated, movable between a first operating position, in which the outlet 25 is connected to the inlet 24 and separated from the outlet 26, and a second operating position, in which the outlet 25 is connected to the outlet 26 and separated from the inlet 24.
The branch 9 is divided by the valve 23 into two sections 27, one of which (indicated in the following by 27a) extends between the device 3 and the valve 23 and the other (indicated in the following by 27b) extends between the valve 23 and the brewing assembly 5 and has a volume equal to the volume of the section 27a.
According to what illustrated in Figure 3, the brewing assembly 5 comprises a brewing chamber 28, in the illustrated example of a substantially cylindrical shape, which is configured to receive a charge or dose of brewing product, in particular a dose of coffee in powder form, from a containing tank (not illustrated) for a plurality of doses of brewing product, is connected with the branch 9 to receive a given volume of brewing liquid, and has a beverage dispensing nozzle.
The assembly 5 further comprises a heating device 30 to heat the chamber 28 by electromagnetic induction.
The device 30 comprises a metal sleeve 31 arranged around the chamber 28, and at least one electrically powered coil 32 to generate an electromagnetic field to induce an electric current in the sleeve 31 and preheat the chamber 28.
According to a variant not illustrated, the device 30 comprises two coils 32 arranged on opposite sides of the sleeve 31.
The operation of the machine 1 is selectively controlled by an electronic control unit 33 and will now be described from an instant when: the machine 1 is switched off or has been inactive for a time interval at least equal to a threshold value; the section 27a contains a volume VI of brewing liquid substantially equal to the volume of the section 27 a; and the section 27b is empty.
The unit 33 is configured to activate at least one heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5, preferably a succession of heating cycles to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5.
Each heating cycle comprises the steps of: moving the valve 23 to its first operating position and activating the pump 12 so that a volume V2 of brewing liquid substantially equal to the volume of the section 27a is fed into the section 27a and, at the same time, transferring the volume VI of brewing liquid contained in the section 27a into the section 27b; moving the valve 23 to its second operating position and deactivating the pump 12 in order to discharge the volume VI of brewing liquid contained in the section 27b from the branch 9; and moving the valve 23 to its first operating position and activating the pump 12 to repeat the heating cycle described above or feeding the brewing liquid to the brewing assembly 5 and proceeding with the dispensing of the hot beverage.
With respect to the foregoing, it should be specified that: the valve 23 is arranged in a containing plane extending below a containing plane of the brewing assembly 5 so as to enable, through gravity, the discharge of the volume VI contained in the section 27b when the valve 23 is moved to its second operating position; and the temperature of the volume V2 of brewing liquid fed by the heating device 3 into the section 27a is higher than the temperature of the volume V 1 of brewing liquid initially transferred into the section 27b and subsequently discharged from the branch 9 so that the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 at the end of the heating cycle has a temperature higher than the temperature of the brewing liquid contained in the section 27a prior to the heating cycle.
The machine 1 has certain advantages mainly stemming from the fact that the performance of at least one heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 and/or the activation of the heating device 30 make it possible to increase the temperature of the brewing liquid in the brewing chamber 28 and, thus, to improve the quality of the hot beverage dispensed when the machine 1 is switched on and/or after a relatively long time interval since the last dispensing of the hot beverage.
Obviously, when a plurality of heating cycles are performed, the temperature of the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly 5 is relatively high.
The machine 1 has the additional advantages consisting in the fact that: the heating cycle to heat the brewing liquid fed to brewing assembly 5 is relatively short and quick and is relatively safe inasmuch as the brewing liquid is fed to the outlet 26 and does not come into contact with the user; and the heating device 30 allows the brewing chamber 28 to be heated in a relatively short time interval and with relatively little energy consumption.
According to a variant that is not illustrated, the volumes of the sections 27a, 27b are different from each other: when the volume of the section 27b is greater than the volume of the section 27a, the volume VI contained in the section 27a is transferred into the section 27b and discharged from the branch 9 with a single heating cycle completely analogous to the one described above; and when the volume of the section 27a is greater than the volume of the section 27b, the volume VI contained in the section 27a is transferred to the section 27b and discharged from the branch 9 with at least two heating cycles completely analogous to the one described above.

Claims

1. An automatic beverage vending machine (1) comprising at least one brewing assembly (5) to produce a beverage from a brewing product and a brewing liquid; a heating device (3) configured to receive the brewing liquid at a first temperature and to supply the brewing liquid at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; a hydraulic circuit (6) to connect at least the brewing liquid heating device (3) and the brewing assembly (5); and a valve device (23), which is mounted along the hydraulic circuit (6) to define a first branch (27a) extending between the brewing liquid heating device (3) and the valve device (23) and a second branch (27b) extending between the valve device (23) and the brewing assembly (5), and comprises a shutter movable at least between a first operating position, in which said first and second branch (27a, 27b) are connected to one another, and a second operating position, in which said first and second branch (27a, 27b) are separated from one another and the second branch (27b) is connected to a discharge of the brewing liquid from the hydraulic circuit (6); the brewing assembly (5) comprising a brewing chamber (28) configured to receive the brewing product and the brewing liquid and to dispense a beverage produced by brewing the brewing product with the brewing liquid; and characterised by further comprising a heating device (30) to heat the brewing chamber (28) by electromagnetic induction.
2. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the brewing assembly (5) is arranged in a containing plane extending above a containing plane of the valve device (23) so as to feed, through gravity, the brewing liquid contained in the second branch (27b) into said discharge when the valve device (23) is arranged in its second operating position.
3. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second branch (27a, 27b) have respective volumes that are the same or different.
4. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic circuit (6) further comprises a third branch (7) to connect the heating device (3) and a source (2) of the brewing liquid to one another and a pumping device (12) to feed the brewing liquid from the source (2) of the brewing liquid to the brewing assembly (5).
5. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and further comprising an electronic control unit (33) configured to activate at least a heating cycle for the brewing liquid fed to the brewing assembly (5), the heating cycle comprising the steps of: moving the valve device (23) to the first operating position so as to transfer the brewing liquid from the first branch (27 a) to the second branch (27b); and moving the valve device (23) to the second operating position so as to supply the brewing liquid contained in the second branch (27b) into said discharge.
6. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit (33) is configured to activate a succession of said heating cycles.
7. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve device (23) comprises a three-way valve comprising, in turn, an inlet (24) connected to the brewing liquid heating device (3), a first outlet (25) connected to the brewing assembly (5) and a second outlet (26) connected to said discharge.
8. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brewing chamber heating device (30) comprises a metal sleeve (31) arranged around the brewing chamber (28) and at least one electrically powered coil (32) to generate an electromagnetic field to induce electric current in the metal sleeve (31).
9. An automatic beverage vending machine (1) comprising at least one brewing assembly (5) to produce a beverage from a brewing product and a brewing liquid; a brewing liquid heating device (3) configured to receive the brewing liquid at a first temperature and to supply the brewing liquid at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; and a hydraulic circuit (6) to connect at least the brewing liquid heating device (3) and the brewing assembly (5); the brewing assembly (5) comprising a brewing chamber (28) configured to receive the brewing product and the brewing liquid from the hydraulic circuit (6) and to dispense a beverage prepared by brewing the brewing product with the brewing liquid; the brewing assembly (5) further comprising a brewing chamber heating device (30) to heat the brewing chamber (28); characterized in that the brewing chamber heating device (30) is designed to heat the brewing chamber (28) by electromagnetic induction.
10. The automatic beverage vending machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein the brewing chamber heating device (30) comprises a metal sleeve (31 ) arranged around the brewing chamber (28) and at least one electrically powered coil (32) to generate an electromagnetic field to induce electric current in the metal sleeve (31).
11. A method for preparing beverages in an automatic beverage vending machine (1) comprising at least one brewing assembly (5) to produce a beverage from a brewing product and a brewing liquid; a brewing liquid heating device (3) configured to receive the brewing liquid at a first temperature and to supply the brewing liquid at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; and a hydraulic circuit (6) to connect at least the brewing liquid heating device (3) and the brewing assembly (5); the brewing assembly (5) comprising a brewing chamber (28) configured to receive the brewing product and the brewing liquid and to dispense a beverage prepared by brewing the brewing product with the brewing liquid; the method comprising the step of heating the brewing chamber (28) and being characterised in that the brewing chamber (28) is heated by electromagnetic induction.
PCT/IB2023/054655 2022-05-05 2023-05-04 Automatic beverage vending machine WO2024033711A1 (en)

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EP22171774 2022-05-05
IT102022000017277 2022-08-12
IT202200017295 2022-08-12
IT202200017277 2022-08-12
IT102022000017295 2022-08-12

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110293805A1 (en) * 2009-02-06 2011-12-01 Alexandre Perentes Device and method using centrifugation for extracting a liquid and heat loss compensating means
US8931399B2 (en) * 2008-09-26 2015-01-13 Jura Elektroapparate Ag Brewing apparatus with a drainage valve
US20180177328A1 (en) * 2015-07-03 2018-06-28 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Beverage producing machine
WO2021074733A1 (en) * 2019-10-17 2021-04-22 Rancilio Group S.p.A. Infusion module and coffee machine provided with said infusion module

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8931399B2 (en) * 2008-09-26 2015-01-13 Jura Elektroapparate Ag Brewing apparatus with a drainage valve
US20110293805A1 (en) * 2009-02-06 2011-12-01 Alexandre Perentes Device and method using centrifugation for extracting a liquid and heat loss compensating means
US20180177328A1 (en) * 2015-07-03 2018-06-28 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Beverage producing machine
WO2021074733A1 (en) * 2019-10-17 2021-04-22 Rancilio Group S.p.A. Infusion module and coffee machine provided with said infusion module

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