WO2025120147A1

WO2025120147A1 - Beverage foaming and dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2025120147A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/085056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas CAMIER; Julie SAVERYS
Original assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA; Nestle SA
Current assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA; Nestle SA
Priority date: 2023-12-08
Filing date: 2024-12-06
Publication date: 2025-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-08

Abstract

A beverage container (10) delimits an inside cavity (10') configured to contain at least one beverage liquid component (100). The container (10) comprises: a container inlet (11) configured to guide a pressurized fluid (101) into the inside cavity (10') from outside said container (10); a container outlet (19') configured to guide a processed beverage (100a) from inside the cavity (10') to outside the container (10); and a beverage passage (19) extending from the container outlet (19') into the cavity (10') and having a beverage passage inlet (19'') in the cavity (10'). The container inlet (11) and the beverage passage inlet (19'') are located such that during operation the beverage liquid component (100) contained inside the cavity (10') is pressurized and driven into the beverage passage inlet (19'') and along the beverage passage (19) and out of the container outlet (19') under the effect of the pressurized fluid (101) fed via the container inlet (11). The beverage passage (19) has a gas passage inlet (19''') and a mixing area (19a) that is fluidically connected to the container outlet (19'), to the beverage passage inlet (19'') and to the gas passage inlet (19'''). The inside cavity (10') with the beverage passage (19) is so configured that when driven by the pressurized fluid (101) fed into the cavity (10'), the beverage liquid component (100) and a beverage gas component (102) contained in the cavity (10') are passed into the mixing area (19a) via the beverage passage inlet (19'') and the gas passage inlet (19'''), respectively. The beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102) are mixed together in the mixing area (19a) to form together the processed beverage (100a) that is dispensed via the container outlet (19').

Description

BEVERAGE FOAMING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Field of the Invention The field of the invention pertains to beverage processing and dispensing devices. For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant to include any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc… Background Art Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containing ingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or ingredients that are stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added at the time of preparation of the drink. Some beverage machines possess filling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumps the liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated through heating means, e.g. a thermoblock or the like. Especially in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widely developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted in a brewing device. The brewing device is tightly closed about the capsule, water is injected at the first face of the capsule, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of the capsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from a second face of the capsule and collected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass. The preparation of a beverage by using centrifugation is known. Such beverage preparation includes: providing a beverage (flavoring) ingredient, e.g. as powder and/or leaves, in a capsule; circulating liquid into the capsule and rotating the capsule at sufficient speed to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the center towards the periphery of the capsule. As liquid traverses the ingredient, e.g. coffee bed, extraction of the ingredient, e.g. coffee compounds, takes place and a liquid extract is obtained that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples of such systems are disclosed in WO 2008/148601, WO 2011/092301, WO 2013/007776, WO 2013/007779 and WO 2013/007780. Furthermore, certain beverage ingredients, such as roast and ground coffee or tea, must be brewed with a heated liquid, e.g., hot water, within a particular range of temperature to ensure the full extraction of the ingredients including the capture of the desired aroma compounds. It is already known from EP 2393404 A1 to compensate for a temperature loss in a device as described above by using additional heating elements, but these devices are very complex. Advantageous systems to manage the temperatures of the liquid before mixing it with the beverage flavouring ingredient and of the resulting beverage are disclosed in WO 2010/089329 and in WO 2014/090850. The effect of centrifugal forces to brew coffee or prepare other food substances presents many advantages compared to the normal brewing methods using pressure pumps. For example, in traditional espresso or lungo coffee type brewing methods using a pressure pump, it is very difficult to master all the parameters which influence the quality of extraction of delivered coffee extract. These parameters are typically the pressure, the flow rate which decreases with the pressure, the compaction of the coffee powder which also influences the flow characteristics and which depends on the coffee ground particle size, the temperature, the water flow distribution and so on. Therefore, it is not easy to vary the extraction pressure and flow rates because there are essentially determined by the resistance of the bed of coffee and the downstream filtering system. For a centrifugal extraction, the quality of the beverage to be prepared (intensity, taste, aroma, foam/crema, etc.) depends on the control of the brewing parameters, in particular the flow rate of the injected liquid in the capsule. The back-pressure applied on the centrifuged coffee bevearge determines the extraction conditions (e.g., flow rate) thereby influencing directly the coffee taste and aroma. Furthermore, the organoleptic texture such as the foam/crema formed on top of the prepared beverage highly also depends on the applied back-pressure. Thus, with respect to the foam/crema as well as the flow rate of a coffee beverage to be prepared, it is desired to adjust the values of the back-pressure dependent on the nature of the substance provided in a specific capsule as for different types of beverages a different quality and/or quantity of the foam/crema respectively a different flow rate is desired. Example of the control of coffee beverage characteristics are disclosed in WO2017/068134 and WO2020/201469. EP1440903A1 discloses a container closed with a laminate and containing coffee for coffee beverage preparation. The laminate has a piercable water inlet area and is associated with an axially extending central conduit for the dispensing of coffee beverage on the membrane side upon injection of hot water via the inlet. There is still a need to optimise the temperature and texture management and output velocity of the beverage to be dispensed. Summary of the Invention The invention relates to the dispensing of processed beverage. Typically such beverage can be dispensed to a user, e.g. to a user-cup or user-mug. For instance, the processed beverage is coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit juice and flavoured water. For instance, an amount of processed beverage is formed and dispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a serving. The volume of such a serving may be in the range of 15 to 1000 ml such as 25 to 600 ml for instance 40 to 250 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup or mug, depending on the type of beverage. An aspect of the invention concerns a beverage container that delimits an inside cavity configured to contain at least one beverage liquid component. The beverage container may be made of metal, e.g. steel or aluminium, or plastic such as PET. The beverage container has a container inlet configured to guide a pressurized fluid into the inside cavity from outside the container. For example, the inlet is provided with an anti-return valve. The beverage container comprises a container outlet configured to guide a processed beverage from inside the cavity to outside the container. The container outlet may be provided with an outlet valve and/or the cavity may being connected to outside such container via an overpressure or safety valve. The overpressure or safety valve can be in fluid communication with the container inlet. The beverage container includes a beverage passage extending from the container outlet into the cavity and having a beverage passage inlet in the cavity. The beverage passage may be formed by a substantially tubular member, e.g. an upright substantially tubular member. The container inlet and the beverage passage inlet are located such that during operation the beverage liquid component contained inside the cavity is pressurized and driven into the beverage passage inlet and along the beverage passage and out of the container outlet by the pressurized fluid fed via the container inlet into the inside cavity. The beverage passage may extend inside and/or from a container lid part closing an opening of the beverage container. The lid part can be removable from the opening. The container inlet is for instance provided in the lid part. The beverage passage has a gas passage inlet. The beverage passage further has a mixing area that is fluidically connected to the container outlet, to the beverage passage inlet and to the gas passage inlet. The gas passage inlet is spaced apart from the beverage passage inlet. For example, the gas passage inlet is located above the beverage passage inlet. The inside cavity with the beverage passage is so configured that, when driven by the pressurized fluid fed into the cavity via the container inlet, the beverage liquid component and a beverage gas component contained in the cavity are both passed into the mixing area via the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet, respectively. The beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component are mixed together in the mixing area to form together the processed beverage that is dispensed via the container outlet. The pressurized fluid and the beverage gas component may be the same or different fluids. Hence, by providing such a beverage container processed beverages may be dispensed that contain a froth, foam or dispersion of the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component. The beverage container may be configured to dispense the processed beverage at a high flow rate (pushed by the pressurized fluid), i.e. making processed beverage servings quickly available, as for instance desired in bars or restaurants. Moreover, the container can be configured to be compatible with existing beverage dispensing systems as for instance used for dispensing beer or cider from kegs. The container may also be manufactured by retrofitting such beer or cider kegs, e.g. by replacing the keg’s spear by the invention’s beverage passage provide with the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet and the mixing area that leads to container outlet. The beverage passage may be made in an member that has the general shape of such a spear. The inside cavity may contain at least one flexible impervious wall, e.g. at least one flexible pouch. The flexible impervious wall can be made of aluminium and/or plastic, e.g. PE, PP and/or PET. The flexible wall(s) may form a common beverage component area in fluid communication with the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet. The beverage passage inlet can be located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of the beverage passage and the gas passage inlet can be located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage. During beverage dispensing, the beverage gas component may be located above the beverage liquid component in the common beverage component area. The flexible wall(s) may fluid-tightly separate outside the beverage passage a beverage liquid component area from a beverage gas component area, the container inlet being in fluid communication either: - with the beverage liquid component area, optionally the beverage liquid component being formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid; or - with the beverage gas component area, optionally the beverage gas component being formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid. The container may include a plurality of flexible impervious walls, e.g. a plurality of flexible impervious pouches, the walls separating fluid-tightly outside the beverage passage a beverage liquid component area configured to contain the beverage liquid component and a beverage gas component area configured to contain the beverage gas component, the beverage liquid component area and the beverage gas component area being fluid- tightly separated from the container inlet. The container inlet, the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet can all be in fluid communication. The beverage liquid component and/or the beverage gas component may be formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or may be substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid. In such a configuration, a flexible wall as mentioned above is optional and may even not be needed. The beverage passage inlet can be located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of the beverage passage and the gas passage inlet can be located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage. During beverage dispensing the beverage gas component may be located above the beverage liquid component. The beverage passage can have: a minimum liquid cross-section area between the beverage passage inlet and the mixing area; and a minimum gas cross-section area between the gas passage inlet and the mixing area. The passage can have a ratio of the minimum liquid cross-section area over the minimum gas cross-section area of: - at least 5, such as at least 10, for instance more than 15, e.g. above 30; and/or - at most 400, such as less than 350, for instance below 100, e.g. up to 60. The passage can have dimensions of: - the minimum liquid cross-section area in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm², for instance 0.5 to 6 cm², such as 1 to 4 cm², such as 2 to 3 cm²; and/or - the minimum gas cross-section area in the range of 0.005 to 0.05 cm², such as 0.8 to 2.5 cm², e.g. 1.1 to 1.8 cm². The beverage passage may have a uniform cross- section area between the beverage passage inlet and the mixing area (along a beverage liquid component flow direction). The beverage passage may have a uniform cross-section area between the gas passage inlet and the mixing area (along a beverage gas component flow direction). The mixing area may have a uniform cross- section area, e.g. equal to the uniform cross-section area between the beverage passage inlet and the mixing area (along a beverage liquid component flow direction) or between the gas passage inlet and the mixing area (along a beverage gas component flow direction). The minimum liquid cross-section area and the minimum gas cross-section area may be invariable cross- section areas or include at least one variable cross- section area. For instance, the variable cross-section area is formed by a valve, such as a proportional valve. The valve may be controlled from outside such container, e.g. via a wired or wireless connection. For instance, a serving of a processed beverage may include different beverage parts, e.g. with different foam or froth or dispersion properties, by changing the variable cross-section area during dispensing of a serving. Typically, the smaller the minimum gas cross-section area, the smaller the bubbles of the beverage gas component in the processed beverage. In general, the larger the minimum liquid cross- section area, the less gas in the processed beverage. Hence, the relative proportions of gas and liquid in the processed beverage as well as the size of the bubbles in the processed beverage may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the minimum cross-section areas. The inside cavity may have a volume in the range of 0.3 to 40 l, such as 1 to 20 l, e.g. 4 to 15 l or 5 to 10. The container may be configured to resist a pressure above ambient pressure in the inside cavity of at least 2 bar, such as at least 3 bar, for instance at least 4 bar, optionally at least 5 bar, e.g. at least 6 bar. The inside cavity may contain at least one of coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit juice and flavoured water, as the beverage liquid component. The inside cavity may contain at least one of N₂ and CO₂, as the beverage gas component. Before any beverage dispensing, the inside cavity can contain a volume of: - beverage liquid component that is in the range of 20 to 70%, such as 25 to 60%, e.g. 30 to 50%, of a total volume of the inside cavity; and/or - a volume of beverage gas component that is in the range of 30 to 80%, such as 40 to 75%, e.g. 50 to 70%, of a total volume of the inside cavity. Typically, the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component are filed prior to dispensing into the container with an industrial filler, e.g. in a factory. The invention also concerns a beverage dispensing system including a container as described above. The system comprises a dispensing device that has a dispensing outlet and a dispenser connector fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container outlet and configured to pass the processed beverage from the mixing area to the dispensing outlet. The system has a source of pressurized fluid. The source comprises a connector fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container inlet and configured to deliver the pressurized fluid from the source to the container inlet. The source may be controlled, e.g. via a sensor associated with the container, to: _{- maintain a pressure in the container (10) e.g. a given} pressure or a pressure in a given pressure range; and/or _{- deliver the pressurized fluid to compensate in the} container the processed beverage passed to the dispensing outlet. In order to deliver the pressurized fluid to the connector, the source may include: - a pump configured to pressurize the fluid, e.g. ambient air; and/or - a pressurized gas tank, such as a tank of pressurized air, CO₂ and N₂. The dispensing device typically further includes a dispensing valve and a control, e.g. a user-interface such as a handle, controlling an opening and a closure of the valve. The source connector may be connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container inlet, via a fluid conduit of the dispensing device. The source can be connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the control of the dispensing device for controlling the delivery of the pressurised fluid from the source connector to the container inlet. For instance, the source and the control are connected via a wired or wireless or mechanical or magnetic connection. The system may include a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and/or a cooler, e.g. a heating and/or cooling cabinet, configured to thermally condition the beverage liquid component when contained in the inside cavity and/or the processed beverage when driven out of the container outlet. The thermal conditioner may be configured so that the processed beverage is dispensed at a temperature in the range of 0 to 15°C, such as 2 to 12 °C, for example 3 to 8°C, e.g. 4 to 6°C. The thermal conditioner may be configured so that the processed beverage is dispensed at a temperature in the range of 50 to 98°C, such as 60 to 95 °C, for example 70 to 93°C, e.g. 80 to 91°C. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of dispensing a processed beverage from a beverage dispensing system as described above. The method includes: - providing the container with the inside cavity containing the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component; - providing the dispensing device and the source such that the dispenser connector is fluidically connected to the container outlet and the source connector is fluidically connected to the container inlet; - delivering the pressurized fluid from the source to the container inlet and feeding the pressurized fluid into the inside cavity, the pressurized fluid being for instance delivered from the source at a pressure above ambient pressure in the range of 0.1 to 3 bar, such as 0.5 to 2 bar, e.g. 1 to 1.5 bar; - driving by the pressurized fluid fed into the cavity the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component into the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet, respectively; - passing the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component from the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet, respectively, to the mixing area so as to mix the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component in the mixing area and form the processed beverage; - passing the processed beverage from the mixing area to the dispenser connector via the container outlet; and - dispensing the processed beverage from the dispenser connector out of the dispensing outlet. For example, beverage dispensed out of the dispensing outlet is at least partly made of a froth, foam or dispersion of the beverage liquid component and the beverage gas component. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is a is a cross-sectional view of a container according to the invention; - Figure 1a is a cross-sectional perspective view of the container shown in Fig. 1; - Figure 1b is an outside view of the container shown in Fig. 1; - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional and partly schematic view of a system according to the invention, the system including the container of Figs 1 to 3, a dispensing device and a source of pressurized fluid, before connection; - Figure 3 shows the system of Fig. 2 after connection of the dispensing device to the container; - Figure 4 shows the system of Fig. 2 after connection of the source of pressurized fluid to both the connected dispensing device and container of Fig. 3; and - Figure 5 illustrates the processing of beverage in the system of Fig. 4 and the dispensing of the processed beverage out of this system. Detailed description Figures 1 to 5, in which the same numeric references generally designate the same parts, illustrate exemplary embodiments of a container and of a system in accordance with the invention as well as the system during operation to dispense a processed beverage. Beverage container 10 delimits an inside cavity 10’ configured to contain at least one beverage liquid component 100. Container 10 includes a container inlet 11 configured to guide a pressurized fluid 101 into inside cavity 10’ from outside container 10. For instance, inlet 11 is provided with an anti-return valve 11a. Container 10 comprises a container outlet 19’ configured to guide a processed beverage 100a from inside cavity 10’ to outside container 10. For instance, container outlet 19’ is provided with an outlet valve 19a’ and/or cavity 10’ is connected to outside such container 10 via an overpressure or safety valve 19b’. The overpressure or safety valve 19b’ may be in fluid communication with container inlet 11. Container 10 includes a beverage passage 19 extending from the container outlet 19’ into cavity 10’ and having a beverage passage inlet 19’’ in cavity 10’. For example, beverage passage 19 is formed by a substantially tubular member, e.g. an upright substantially tubular member. Container inlet 11 and beverage passage inlet 19’’ can be located such that during operation beverage liquid component 100 contained inside cavity 10’ is pressurized and driven into beverage passage inlet 19’’ and along the beverage passage 19 and out of container outlet 19’ under the effect of pressurized fluid 101 fed via container inlet 11 into inside cavity 10’. Beverage passage 19 may extend inside and/or from a container lid part 10a closing an opening 10b of beverage container 10. Lid part 10a can be removable from opening 10b. Container inlet 11 may be for instance provided in lid part 10a. Beverage passage 19 has a gas passage inlet 19’’’. Passage 10 further has a mixing area 19a that is fluidically connected to the container outlet 19’, to beverage passage inlet 19’’ and to gas passage inlet 19’’’. Gas passage inlet 19’’’ is spaced apart from beverage passage inlet 19’’. Inside cavity 10’ with beverage passage 19 is so configured that when driven by pressurized fluid 101 fed into cavity 10’ via container inlet 11, beverage liquid component 100 and a beverage gas component 102 contained in cavity 10’ are passed into mixing area 19a via beverage passage inlet 19’’ and gas passage inlet 19’’’, respectively. Beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102 are mixed together in mixing area 19a to form together processed beverage 100a that is dispensed via the container outlet 19’. Pressurized fluid 101 and beverage gas component 102 may be the same or different fluids. Inside cavity 10’ may contain at least one flexible impervious wall 12, e.g. at least one flexible pouch. For example, flexible impervious wall(s) 12 is/are made of aluminium and/or plastic, e.g. PE, PP and/or PET. Flexible wall(s) 12 can form(s) a common beverage component area 12’ in fluid communication with beverage passage inlet 19’’ and gas passage inlet 19’’’. Beverage passage inlet 19’’ may be located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of beverage passage 19 and gas passage inlet 19’’’ may be located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage 19. During beverage dispensing, beverage gas component 102 can be located above beverage liquid component 100 in the common beverage component area 12’. The flexible wall(s) may fluid-tightly separate, outside the beverage passage, a beverage liquid component area from a beverage gas component area. The container inlet may be in fluid communication either: - with the beverage liquid component area, the beverage liquid component being optionally formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid; or - with the beverage gas component area, the beverage gas component being optionally formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid. The machine may include a plurality of flexible impervious walls, e.g. a plurality of flexible impervious pouches. Such walls may separate fluid-tightly, outside the beverage passage, a beverage liquid component area configured to contain the beverage liquid component and a beverage gas component area configured to contain the beverage gas component. The beverage liquid component area and the beverage gas component area may be fluid- tightly separated from the container inlet. The container inlet, the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet may all be in fluid communication. The beverage liquid component and/or the beverage gas component can be formed by or mixed with the pressurized fluid or can be substantially immiscible with the pressurized fluid. In such a configuration, a flexible wall as mentioned above is optional and may even not be needed. The beverage passage inlet can be located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of the beverage passage and the gas passage inlet can be located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage. During beverage dispensing the beverage gas component may be located above the beverage liquid component. Beverage passage 19 may have: a minimum liquid cross-section area between beverage passage inlet 19’’ and mixing area 19a; and a minimum gas cross-section area between gas passage inlet 19’’’ and mixing area 19a. Passage 19 may have a ratio of the minimum liquid cross-section area over the minimum gas cross-section area of: at least 5, such at least 10, for instance more than 15, e.g. above 30; and/or at most 500, such as less than 350, for instance below 100, e.g. up to 60. Passage 19 may have dimensions of: the minimum liquid cross-section area in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm², for instance 0.5 to 6 cm², such as 1 to 4 cm², such as 2 to 3 cm²; and/or the minimum gas cross-section area in the range of 0.005 to 0.05 cm², such as 0.8 to 2.5 cm², e.g. 1.1 to 1.8 cm². Beverage passage 19 can have a uniform cross-section area between beverage passage inlet 19’’ and mixing area 19a. Beverage passage 19 may have a uniform cross-section area between gas passage inlet 19’’’ and mixing area 19a. Mixing area 19a can have a uniform cross-section area, e.g. equal to the uniform cross-section area between beverage passage inlet 19’’ and mixing area 19a or between gas passage inlet 19’’’ and mixing area 19a. The minimum liquid cross-section area and the minimum gas cross-section area may be invariable cross- section areas or may include at least one variable cross- section area, such as a cross-section area formed by a valve, for instance a proportional valve, optionally a valve controlled from outside such container 1 e.g. via a wired or wireless connection. Inside cavity 10’ can have a volume in the range of 0.3 to 40 l, such as 1 to 20 l, e.g. 4 to 15 l or 5 to 10. Beverage container 10 may be configured to resist a pressure above ambient pressure in inside cavity 10’ of at least 2 bar, such as at least 3 bar, for instance at least 4 bar, optionally at least 5 bar, e.g. at least 6 bar. Inside cavity 10’ may contain at least one of coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit juice and flavoured water, as beverage liquid component 100. Inside cavity 10’ may contain at least one of N₂ and CO₂ as beverage gas component 102. Before any beverage dispensing, inside cavity 10’ may contain: - a volume of beverage liquid component 100 that is in the range of 20 to 70%, such as 25 to 60%, e.g. 30 to 50%, of a total volume of the inside cavity 10’; and/or - a volume of beverage gas component 102 that is in the range of 30 to 80%, such as 40 to 75%, e.g. 50 to 70%, of a total volume of the inside cavity 10’. A beverage dispensing system 1 may be formed by combining: - a container 10 as described above; - a dispensing device 3 that has a dispensing outlet 3’’ and a dispenser connector 3’ fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to container outlet 19’ and configured to pass processed beverage 100a from mixing area 19a to dispensing outlet 3’’; and - a source 2 of pressurized fluid 101, which comprises a connector 2’ fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to container inlet 11 and configured to deliver pressurized fluid 101 from source 2 to container inlet 11. Source 2 may be controlled, e.g. via a sensor associated with container 10, to: _{- maintain a pressure in container 10, e.g. a given} pressure or a pressure in a given pressure range; and/or _{- deliver pressurized fluid 101 to compensate in} container 10 processed beverage 100a passed to dispensing outlet 3’’. In order to deliver pressurized fluid 101 to connector 2’, source 2 may include: a pump 2’’ configured to pressurize fluid 101, e.g. ambient air; and/or a pressurized gas tank, such as a tank of pressurized air, CO₂ and N₂. Dispensing device 3 may further include a dispensing valve 3’’’ and a control 3’’’’, e.g. a user-interface such as a handle, controlling an opening and a closure of valve 3’’’. Source connector 2’ can be connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to container inlet 11, via a fluid conduit 3a’ of dispensing device 3. Source 2 can be connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to control 3’’’’ of dispensing device 3 for controlling the delivery of pressurised fluid 101 from source connector 2’ to container inlet 11. Source 2 and control 3’’’’ may be connected via a wired or wireless or mechanical or magnetic connection. System 1 may include a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and/or a cooler, e.g. a heating and/or cooling cabinet, configured to thermally condition beverage liquid component 100 when contained in inside cavity 10’ and/or processed beverage 100a when driven out of container outlet 19’. To operate system 1 to dispense beverage 100a, it is appropriate to: - provide container 10 with inside cavity 10’ containing beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102; - provide dispensing device 3 and source 2 such that dispenser connector 3’ is fluidically connected to container outlet 19’ and source connector 2’ is fluidically connected to container inlet 11; - delivering pressurized fluid 101 from source 2 to container inlet 11 and feeding pressurized fluid 101 into inside cavity 10’, pressurized fluid 101 being for instance delivered from source 2 at a pressure above ambient pressure in the range of 0.1 to 3 bar, such as 0.5 to 2 bar, e.g. 1 to 1.5 bar; - driving by pressurized fluid 101 fed into cavity 10’ beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102 into beverage passage inlet 19’’ and gas passage inlet 19’’’, respectively; - passing beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102 from beverage passage inlet 19’’ and gas passage inlet 19’’’, respectively, to mixing area 19a so as to mix beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102 in mixing area 19a and form processed beverage 100a; - passing processed beverage 100a from mixing area 19a to dispenser connector 3’ via container outlet 19’; and - dispensing processed beverage 100a from dispenser connector 3’ out of dispensing outlet 3’’. Beverage 100a dispensed out of dispensing outlet 3’’ may be at least partly made of a froth, foam or dispersion of beverage liquid component 100 and beverage gas component 102.

Claims

Claims 1. A beverage container (10) delimits an inside cavity (10’) configured to contain at least one beverage liquid component (100) and comprises: - a container inlet (11) configured to guide a pressurized fluid (101) into the inside cavity (10’) from outside said container (10), optionally the inlet (11) being provided with an anti-return valve (11a); - a container outlet (19’) configured to guide a processed beverage (100a) from inside the cavity (10’) to outside the container (10), optionally the container outlet (19’) being provided with an outlet valve (19a’) and/or the cavity (10’) being connected to outside such container (10) via an overpressure or safety valve (19b’), the overpressure or safety valve (19b’) being for instance in fluid communication with the container inlet (11); and - a beverage passage (19) extending from the container outlet (19’) into the cavity (10’) and having a beverage passage inlet (19’’) in the cavity (10’), the beverage passage (19) being for instance formed by a substantially tubular member, e.g. an upright substantially tubular member, the container inlet (11) and the beverage passage inlet (19’’) being located such that during operation said beverage liquid component (100) contained inside the cavity (10’) is pressurized and driven into the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and along the beverage passage (19) and out of the container outlet (19’) by said pressurized fluid (101) fed via the container inlet (11) into the inside cavity (10’), optionally the beverage passage (19) extending inside and/or from a container lid part (10a) closing an opening (10b) of said beverage container (10), such as a lid part (10a) that is removable from the opening (10b), the container inlet (11) being for instance provided in the lid part (10a), characterized in that the beverage passage (19) has a gas passage inlet (19’’’) and a mixing area (19a) that is fluidically connected to the container outlet (19’), to the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and to the gas passage inlet (19’’’), the gas passage inlet (19’’’) being spaced apart from the beverage passage inlet (19’’), the inside cavity (10’) with the beverage passage (19) being so configured that when driven by said pressurized fluid (101) fed into the cavity (10’) via the container inlet (11), said beverage liquid component (100) and a beverage gas component (102) contained in the cavity (10’) are passed into the mixing area (19a) via the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the gas passage inlet (19’’’), respectively, said beverage liquid component (100) and said beverage gas component (102) being mixed together in the mixing area (19a) to form together said processed beverage (100a) that is dispensed via the container outlet (19’), optionally said pressurized fluid (101) and said beverage gas component (102) being the same or different fluids. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the inside cavity (10’) contains at least one flexible impervious wall (12), e.g. at least one flexible pouch, for instance the flexible impervious wall being made of aluminium and/or plastic, e.g. PE, PP and/or PET. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the flexible wall(s) (12) form(s) a common beverage component area (12’) in fluid communication with the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and with the gas passage inlet (19’’’), optionally the beverage passage inlet (19’’) being located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of the beverage passage (19) and the gas passage inlet (19’’’) being located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage (19) and wherein during beverage dispensing said beverage gas component (102) is located above said beverage liquid component (100) in the common beverage component area (12’). 4. The container of claim 2, wherein the flexible wall(s) fluid-tightly separate outside(s) the beverage passage a beverage liquid component area from a beverage gas component area, the container inlet being in fluid communication either: - with the beverage liquid component area, optionally said beverage liquid component being formed by or mixed with said pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with said pressurized fluid; or - with the beverage gas component area, optionally said beverage gas component being formed by or mixed with said pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with said pressurized fluid. 5. The container of claim 2, which comprises a plurality of flexible impervious walls, e.g. a plurality of flexible impervious pouches, the walls separating fluid-tightly outside the beverage passage a beverage liquid component area configured to contain said beverage liquid component and a beverage gas component area configured to contain said beverage gas component, the beverage liquid component area and the beverage gas component area being fluid-tightly separated from the container inlet. 6. The container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the container inlet, the beverage passage inlet and the gas passage inlet are all in fluid communication, optionally: - said beverage liquid component and/or said beverage gas component being formed by or mixed with said pressurized fluid or being substantially immiscible with said pressurized fluid; and/or - the beverage passage inlet being located at a bottom part, e.g. bottom end, of the beverage passage and the gas passage inlet being located at an upper part, e.g. top part, of the beverage passage and wherein during beverage dispensing said beverage gas component is located above said beverage liquid component. 7. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the beverage passage (19) has: - a minimum liquid cross-section area between the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the mixing area (19a); and - a minimum gas cross-section area between the gas passage inlet (19’’’) and the mixing area (19a), the passage (19) having: - a ratio of the minimum liquid cross-section area over the minimum gas cross-section area of: - at least 5, such at least 10, for instance more than 15, e.g. above 30; and/or - at most 500, such as less than 350, for instance below 100, e.g. up to 60; and/or - dimensions of: - the minimum liquid cross-section area in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm², for instance 0.5 to 6 cm², such as 1 to 4 cm², such as 2 to 3 cm²; and/or - the minimum gas cross-section area in the range of 0.005 to 0.05 cm², such as 0.8 to 2.5 cm², e.g. 1.1 to 1.8 cm², optionally the beverage passage (19) having a uniform cross-section area between the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the mixing area (19a) and/or the beverage passage (19) having a uniform cross-section area between the gas passage inlet (19’’’) and the mixing area (19a) and/or the mixing area (19a) having a uniform cross- section area, e.g. equal to the uniform cross-section area between the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the mixing area (19a) or between the gas passage inlet (19’’’) and the mixing area (19a). 8. The beverage container of claim 7, wherein the minimum liquid cross-section area and the minimum gas cross-section area are invariable cross-section areas or include at least one variable cross-section area, such as a cross-section area formed by a valve, for instance a proportional valve, optionally a valve controlled from outside such container (1) e.g. via a wired or wireless connection. 9. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein the inside cavity (10’) has a volume in the range of 0.3 to 40 l, such as 1 to 20 l, e.g. 4 to 15 l or 5 to 10. 10. The beverage container of any preceding claim, which is configured to resist a pressure above ambient pressure in the inside cavity (10’) of at least 2 bar, such as at least 3 bar, for instance at least 4 bar, optionally at least 5 bar, e.g. at least 6 bar. 11. The beverage container of any preceding claim, wherein the inside cavity (10’) contains: - at least one of coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit juice and flavoured water, as said beverage liquid component (100); and/or - at least one of N₂ and CO₂ as said beverage gas component (102), optionally, before any beverage dispensing, inside cavity (10’) containing: - a volume of beverage liquid component 100 that is in the range of 20 to 70%, such as 25 to 60%, e.g. 30 to 50%, of a total volume of inside cavity 10’; and/or - a volume of beverage gas component 102 that is in the range of 30 to 80%, such as 40 to 75%, e.g. 50 to 70%, of a total volume of inside cavity 10’. 12. A beverage dispensing system (1) comprising: - a container (10) according to in any preceding claim; - a dispensing device (3) that has a dispensing outlet (3’’) and a dispenser connector (3’) fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container outlet (19’) and configured to pass said processed beverage (100a) from the mixing area (19a) to the dispensing outlet (3’’); and - a source (2) of pressurized fluid (101), the source (2) comprising a connector (2’) fluidically connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container inlet (11) and configured to deliver said pressurized fluid (101) from the source (2) to the container inlet (11), optionally the source (2) being controlled, e.g. via a sensor associated with the container (10), to: maintain a pressure in the container (10) e.g. a given pressure or a pressure in a given pressure range; and/or deliver said pressurized fluid (101) to compensate in the container (10) said processed beverage (100a) passed to the dispensing outlet (3’’), in order to deliver the pressurized fluid (101) to the connector (2’), the source (2) optionally comprising: a pump (2’’) configured to pressurize the fluid (101), e.g. ambient air; and/or a pressurized gas tank, such as a tank of pressurized air, CO₂ and N₂. 13. The dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the dispensing device (3) further comprises a dispensing valve (3’’’) and a control (3’’’’), e.g. a user-interface such as a handle, controlling an opening and a closure of the valve (3’’’), optionally: - the source connector (2’) being connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the container inlet (11), via a fluid conduit (3a’) of the dispensing device (3); and/or - the source (2) being connected or connectable, e.g. disconnectably connected, to the control (3’’’’) of the dispensing device (3) for controlling the delivery of the pressurised fluid (101) from the source connector (2’) to the container inlet (11), optionally the source (2) and the control (3’’’’) being connected via a wired or wireless or mechanical or magnetic connection. 14. The dispensing system of claim 12 or 13, which comprises a thermal conditioner, such as a heater and/or a cooler, e.g. a heating and/or cooling cabinet, configured to thermally condition said beverage liquid component (100) when contained in the inside cavity (10’) and/or said processed beverage (100a) when driven out of the container outlet (19’). 15. A method of dispensing a processed beverage (100a) from a beverage dispensing system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising: - providing said container (10) with the inside cavity (10’) containing the beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102); - providing said dispensing device (3) and said source (2) such that the dispenser connector (3’) is fluidically connected to the container outlet (19’) and the source connector (2’) is fluidically connected to the container inlet (11); - delivering the pressurized fluid (101) from the source (2) to the container inlet (11) and feeding the pressurized fluid (101) into the inside cavity (10’), the pressurized fluid (101) being for instance delivered from the source (2) at a pressure above ambient pressure in the range of 0.1 to 3 bar, such as 0.5 to 2 bar, e.g. 1 to 1.5 bar; - driving by the pressurized fluid (101) fed into the cavity (10’) the beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102) into the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the gas passage inlet (19’’’), respectively; - passing the beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102) from the beverage passage inlet (19’’) and the gas passage inlet (19’’’), respectively, to the mixing area (19a) so as to mix the beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102) in the mixing area (19a) and form the processed beverage (100a); - passing the processed beverage (100a) from the mixing area (19a) to the dispenser connector (3’) via the container outlet (19’); and - dispensing the processed beverage (100a) from the dispenser connector (3’) out of the dispensing outlet (3’’), optionally, the beverage (100a) dispensed out of the dispensing outlet (3’’) being at least partly made of a froth, foam or dispersion of the beverage liquid component (100) and the beverage gas component (102).