Improvements in or relating to a machine for the preparation of beverages

[0001] The present invention relates to the improvements of a device for the preparation of beverages or related thereto.

[0002] Beverage production systems for producing beverages such as coffee and tea are known in the current state of the art. One example is described in WO2004 / 064585, where a beverage preparation system is available that allows the production of a wide range of beverages such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, espresso and cappuccino.

[0003] Attempts have been made to develop alternative beverage preparation systems that allow the dispensing of both hot and cold beverages. These systems, however, rely on the use of a relatively high-performance cooler, for example an instant cooler, which is designed for very fast cooling of relatively large amounts of water to a suitable temperature at which cold drinks are served. In an alternative solution, the systems use high capacity coolers to lower the water temperature in the entire turbinate tank to achieve the temperature required for cold beverages. High efficiency coolers are coolers that allow for a quick cooling of relatively large amounts of water, or a relatively large temperature change of smaller amounts of water. These systems have disadvantages, including the fact that high efficiency coolers are large, loud and contain a gaseous refrigerant that forms part of the cooling system. This means that these systems take up a lot of space, are expensive and difficult to recycle. They are therefore not suitable for use in households.

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for preparing beverages intended for dispensing beverages, comprising:

a housing;

the position of the first tank;

the first reservoir for storing the aqueous medium, the first reservoir can be combined with said station of the first reservoir;

an auxiliary module comprising a first connector for connecting the auxiliary module to the station of the first reservoir and a second connector for connecting the first reservoir to the auxiliary module in such a way that after mounting the support module is located between the first reservoir and the station of the first reservoir.

[0005] The apparatus may further comprise a second tank station and a second tank for containing the aqueous medium, the second tank being capable of being connected to said second tank station.

[0006] The auxiliary module can be connected between the second tank and the station of the second tank.

[0007] The auxiliary module may be selected from the group consisting of a cooling module, a pre-heating module, a waterborne filter module, a disinfection module and a telemetry unit.

[0008] With the position of the first reservoir or station of the second reservoir, it can be connected to the possibility of a fluid flow of a preheater.

[0009] Preferably, the first tank contains an aqueous medium at ambient temperature. [0010] Preferably, the second tank contains an aqueous medium at a temperature of 5 to 30 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature. Even more preferably, the temperature of the aqueous medium is 5 to 15 degrees Celsius lower than the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature may vary depending on the climatic conditions in which the device is used. The second tank preferably contains an aqueous medium with a temperature comprised between 4 and 15 degrees Celsius.

[0011] The cooling module may comprise a recirculation mechanism for directing the aqueous medium cooled by the cooling module back to the tank. [0012] The second tank can be thermally insulated.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of a beverage production device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in Fig.

1;

Fig. 3 shows schematically a device as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of a beverage production device according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in Fig.

4;

Fig. 6 shows a series of perspective views of the device shown in Fig. 4, whereby the assembly of two auxiliary modules is illustrated;

Fig. 7 shows schematically a device as shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 shows a series of perspective views of a third embodiment of a beverage production device according to the present invention, illustrating the assembly of two water tanks and an auxiliary module;

Fig. 9 schematically shows a disinfection system for use in the above embodiments of the invention; and Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of the beverage preparation system of the present invention.

[0014] Figs. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the beverage production device according to the present invention. The beverage preparation device is generally a device of the type described and described in WO2004 / 064585, in addition to the modifications to the present invention described below, which are defined in the appended claims. WO2004 / 064585 fully describes the basic design and operation of the beverage preparation device and the design and operation of the beverage cartridges used in the device. These aspects will not be described in detail here unless they are relevant to the present invention. The content WO2004 / 064585 has been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0015] It should be noted that the invention may find application in other types of beverage production devices, and in the context of the present invention it is not required to provide beverage ingredients from cartridges or to provide them as a single dose.

[0016] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the beverage preparation device 201 generally comprises a housing 210 housing a water heater 225, a water pump 230, a dispensing valve 235 with an air inlet 236, a control processor, a user interface 240, and a head 250. for refills. The cartridge head 250 includes a cartridge holder supporting the beverage cartridge during use, cartridge recognition means, and an inlet and outlet piercing member that forms, in use, an inlet and an outlet in the beverage cartridge.

[0017] The front half 211 of the housing 210 includes a feeding station 270 in which beverage dispensing takes place.

The user interface 240 of the device is located at the front of the housing 210 and includes a start / stop button 241. The start / stop button 241 controls the start of the work cycle and is in the form of a manually operated push-button, switch or the like. The button 241 can also be used to manually stop the work cycle.

[0019] The rear half 212 of the housing 210 has a recess 214 for fixing the first and second water reservoir 220, 280.

[0020] The first water tank 220 may be made of a transparent or translucent material, so that the user can see the amount of water remaining in the tank. Alternatively, the first water tank 220 may be made of opaque material, but be equipped with a window. In addition, or instead, the first water tank 220 may be equipped with a low water level sensor that prevents the water pump 230 from operating and possibly triggers a warning indicator, e.g. in the form of an LED diode when the water level in the tank drops to a predetermined level. values. The first water tank 220 preferably has an internal capacity of about 1.5 liters.

[0021] The first water tank 220 is in use connected to the stand 120 of the first tank. The first water tank 220 has a substantially cylindrical body that can be cylindrical or cone-shaped, depending on which shape is desired for aesthetic reasons. The reservoir has an open upper end forming an inlet for filling the reservoir with water which in use is closed by means of a manually opened lid 222. The outlet is located near the bottom of the reservoir. The outlet has a valve which is set in the closed position when the first water tank is removed from the station 120 of the first water tank. The outlet may also be equipped with a filter to prevent solid particles from entering the internal parts of the device. The station 120 of the first water tank comprises a base plate 121 configured to house the lower end of the first water tank 220. The base plate 121 is provided with a valve connector 122 that co-operates with the outlet valve of the first water tank 220 when the reservoir is placed on a base plate. The connection of the tank 220 to the station 120 causes the valve to open and allows the water to flow through the valve. [0022] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the channel 123 extending internally from the valve connector 122 is connected to the water heater 225. when the tank is placed on the base plate. The connection of the tank 220 to the station 120 causes the valve to open and allows the water to flow through the valve. [0022] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the channel 123 extending internally from the valve connector 122 is connected to the water heater 225. when the tank is placed on the base plate. The connection of the tank 220 to the station 120 causes the valve to open and allows the water to flow through the valve. [0022] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the channel 123 extending internally from the valve connector 122 is connected to the water heater 225.

[0023] The beverage preparation device 201 is provided with a station 180 of a second water tank. The station 180 of the second water tank includes a base plate 181 equipped with a valve connector 182, the same as for the station 120 of the first water tank. At station 180 of the second water tank, a second water tank 280 may be placed. The second water tank 280 is provided with an outlet valve of the same type as the first water tank that is connected to the valve connector in the same manner as described above. The design of the second water tank 280 and the materials used to make it are preferably the same as for the first water tank 220.

[0024] The base plates 121 and 181 are preferably made in the form of a single element having separate notches indicative of the position of the first and second water reservoir 220, 280.

[0025] The passage 183 extends internally from the valve 182 of the station of the second water tank to the dispensing valve 235.

The water pump 230 is in the form of a volumetric displacement pump that provides a sufficient suction lift to aspirate water from the tanks via the heater and the metering valve 250. A peristaltic pump is preferably used, so that each rotation results in a known volume of water. The water pump 230 provides a maximum flow rate of 900 ml of water per minute at a maximum pressure of 2.5 bar. During normal use, the pressure is preferably limited to 2 bar. The water flow through the device can be controlled by a control processor that allows a fraction of the maximum flow rate to be obtained by controlling the speed of the pump. The pump may preferably provide 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the maximum flow rate. The accuracy of the water dosing through the pump is preferably ± 5%, which leads to an accuracy of ± 5% of the final volume of the beverage dispensed. Where in the case of a peristaltic pump, the volume to be dispensed can be determined by the number of revolutions. Alternatively, for example in the case of non-use of a peristaltic pump, it is possible to arrange a volumetric flow sensor (not shown in the drawings) before or after the water pump 230. The volumetric flow sensor is preferably in the form of a rotary sensor. it is possible to arrange a volumetric flow sensor (not shown in the drawings) in front of or behind the water pump 230. The volumetric flow sensor is preferably in the form of a rotary sensor. it is possible to arrange a volumetric flow sensor (not shown in the drawings) in front of or behind the water pump 230. The volumetric flow sensor is preferably in the form of a rotary sensor.

[0027] The dispensing valve 235 preferably comprises a set of two electrically operated changeover solenoids connected to one-way valves, as shown schematically in Figure 3. In order to properly guide water through the device from the first or second reservoir to the cartridge head, before the flow is started it is selected by control processor suitable dispensing valve solenoid valve 250.

[0028] The water heater 225 has a nominal power of 1550 W and allows the water supplied by the water pump 230 to be heated from an initial temperature of about

20 ° C to an operating temperature in the range of about 88 to 94 ° C in less than 1 minute. The time interval between the end of one working cycle and the possibility of the heater 225 starting a further operating cycle is preferably less than 10 seconds. During the working cycle, the heater maintains the selected temperature with an accuracy of ± 2 ° C. The water supplied in the working cycle to the cartridge head 250 may preferably have a temperature of 88 ° C, 91 ° C or 94 ° C. Heater 225 allows quick adjustment of the supply temperature of water from 88 ° C to 94 ° C. The heater 225 has an overheat switch which switches off the heater when the temperature exceeds 98 ° C.

[0029] Water supply inlets from the water heater 225 and the second water tank 280 are led to the metering valve 235, as shown in Figure 3. The air inlet 236 further allows air to be pushed into the cartridge head 250. If required, a separate air compressor may be provided in the air supply path. The water / air outlet 237 of the dispensing valve 235 is connected to a water pump 230. The water pump 230 is connected in turn to the cartridge head 250.

[0030] The control processor of the beverage production device includes a processing module and a memory. The control processor is operatively connected to the water heater 225, the water pump 230, the dispensing valve 235 and the user interface 240, controlling the operation of these components.

[0031] In use of the device, the first water tank 220 is used to supply water for the preparation of hot drinks that flows to the cartridge head 250 through the water heater 225. A second water tank 280 is used to supply water for the preparation of cold beverages or beverages served at room temperature, which water does not flow through the water heater 225. The water in the second water tank 280 can be chilled before pouring it into the tank. In a preferred embodiment, the water containing container can, however, be cooled in a refrigerator. The water in the second water tank 280 connected to the station of the second water tank preferably has a temperature of 5 to 30 degrees Celsius lower than the ambient temperature or room temperature, more preferably 5 to 15 degrees Celsius lower than ambient temperature. The shape and size of the tank allow it to be placed in the door of the home refrigerator after disconnecting it from the device for preparing beverages.

[0032] The first and second water reservoir 220, 280 may be interchanged with each other at stations 120, 180 of the first and second water reservoirs. In other words, fixing to the stations 120, 180 of the first and second water tanks can be carried out using one tank construction.

[0033] Figs. 4 to 7 show a second embodiment of the beverage preparation device 201 of the present invention. As with the first embodiment of the invention, the device comprises first and second water reservoirs 220, 280 and stations 120, 180 of the first and second water reservoirs. As shown in Fig. 4, the housing structure 210 has a different shape, but the operation of the components of the device is the same as in the above-described first embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise stated.

[0034] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the beverage production device is provided with one or more accessory modules. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are two auxiliary modules mounted to the stations 120, 180 of the first and second water tanks. A pre-heating module 320 located between the first water tank 220 and the base plate 121 is mounted to the station 120 of the first water tank. A cooling module 380 between the second water tank 280 and the base plate is mounted to the station 180 of the second water tank. 180. It should be noted that Fig. 6 shows an optional construction in which the beverage production device is equipped with a single water capacity reservoir 290,

[0035] The auxiliary module 320, 380 is mounted in series with the first and second water tanks. The bottom surface of each of the auxiliary modules is adapted to the joints of the water tanks, while the upper surfaces of the auxiliary modules are shaped in a way enabling the first or second water tank to be inserted. The upper and lower surfaces of the auxiliary modules are equipped with appropriate valve joints cooperating with the joints of the water tank and water tank valve positions. This construction is particularly advantageous if the auxiliary module is a cooling module or a pre-heating module. The filter module can also be used in this construction.

[0036] Fig. 7 schematically shows an internal configuration of a second embodiment of the invention. The arrangement of the pump, water heater and dispensing valve is the same as in the first embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the pre-heating module 320 includes a heater 321. The cooling module 380 includes a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) 381 into which water from the second tank 280 is fed via the tank outlet 383, after which the water is cooled and re-introduced into the tank 280 via the inlet 384 of the tank. The driving force in the recirculation system is provided by a separate pump 382 located in the cooling module 380. If required, the water leaves the cooling module 380 via the valve 385.

[0037] If a cold beverage is required during use, the water is pumped by the pump 230 from the second water tank 280 to the cartridge head 250. Due to the presence of the cooling module 380, the water in the second tank 280 is maintained in the cooled state.

[0038] The cooling module 380 may be used to cool the water contained in the second tank 280, which initially has an ambient temperature or room temperature, or it may be used to maintain the temperature of the water contained in the second tank 280 that has been previously cooled in a refrigerator.

[0039] The pre-heating module 320 may be used to heat at a predetermined degree of water at ambient temperature drawn from the first reservoir 220 before the water is introduced into the main heater 225 located in the housing of the device.

[0040] Alternatively, the second tank itself may be equipped with a cooling mechanism, for example a TEC cooler, being an integral part of the tank.

[0041] Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which the beverage preparation device 201 is provided with a station 300 of auxiliary modules, as well as a station 120, 180 of the first and second water tanks. The 300 auxiliary module stand is used to mount the auxiliary modules parallel to the first and second water tanks, not to the tanks in series.

[0042] The station 300 of the auxiliary modules includes power and fluid connectors. The station 300 of the auxiliary modules may be rotated between the storage position in which it is covered from the stations of the first and second water tanks, and the working position shown in FIG. 8 in which the station is accessible and located behind the stations of the first and second reservoirs. Alternatively, in a version not shown in the drawings, the station 300 of the auxiliary modules may be moved between a storage and a work position using a translational movement, e.g. by sliding, or it may be placed on a movable panel that is lowered when the auxiliary module is used.

[0043] The auxiliary module 300 may be in the form of any module from the group consisting of a cooling module, a pre-heating module, a waterborne filter module, a disinfection module, a telemetry device or the like, as described above. [0044] Fig. 9 illustrates a system modification that can be used in any of the above-described embodiments of the invention. An ultraviolet (UV) chamber 501 used here is part of the water recirculation system. As can be seen in the figure, the water from the second tank 280 is pumped into the second tank 280 via the UV chamber 501 by means of the pump 382 and the three-way valve 500. This recirculation is carried out if there is no need to introduce water to the head 250 contributions.

[0045] The UV chamber 501 includes a housing 503 and a plurality of ultraviolet radiation elements 502 that are arranged to provide for the illumination of water passing through the chamber 501 with UV light. The pipe installation used to move water through the chamber 501 is preferably made of fluoroethylene polymer (FEP), which ensures good penetration of ultraviolet radiation through the pipe installation. Elements 502 emitting ultraviolet radiation have the form of LEDs emitting ultraviolet radiation. LEDs emit ultraviolet radiation with a selected wavelength, which is in the range of 250 to 320 nanometers (nm). LEDs can have relatively low power output compared to low-pressure mercury discharge lamps emitting ultraviolet radiation, because the water recirculation through the chamber 501 causes multiple increases in the total time of exposure of water to ultraviolet radiation. The LEDs can also be arranged to be focused on a small area through the use of a suitable lens system, which provides increased disinfection efficiency. This enables the use of cheaper and smaller LEDs emitting ultraviolet radiation. The LEDs can also be arranged to be focused on a small area through the use of a suitable lens system, which provides increased disinfection efficiency. This enables the use of cheaper and smaller LEDs emitting ultraviolet radiation. The LEDs can also be arranged to be focused on a small area through the use of a suitable lens system, which provides increased disinfection efficiency. This enables the use of cheaper and smaller LEDs emitting ultraviolet radiation.

[0046] The reservoir 280 or the water contained therein can preferably be illuminated by a part of the filtered ultraviolet radiation emitted by the LEDs. The reservoir 280 may be made of a fluorescent material after exposure to ultraviolet radiation or may contain such material. [0047] The use of ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the water used in the system can be used in the water recirculation system in the first reservoir 220 and the second water reservoir 280 regardless of whether the water is also subjected to cooling, heating, or administered at ambient temperature. The UV chamber 501 may be part of the recirculation piping of the cooling module forming part of the device or it may be part of another auxiliary module connected to one of the positions of the water tanks or auxiliary modules. If required, each of the tank stations can be equipped with a built-in UV chamber 501.

[0048] The UV chamber 501 may be part of the main housing of the device or a part of a separate auxiliary module connected to the device. The UV chamber 501 and the recirculation mechanism can be part of a separate disinfectant module or part of a cooling module per se.

[0049] Fig. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the system. In this system, the beverage preparation device 201 comprises a single container station and two water tanks. The first water tank 220 contains water at ambient temperature for the preparation of hot drinks. The second water tank 280 contains water 400 at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature for preparing cold beverages. If required, tanks 220, 280 can be interchanged, removed and placed on the tank station. If the second tank is not mounted in the beverage preparation device 201, it is preferably stored in a refrigerator to prepare and maintain a certain volume of chilled water.

[0050] The second tank 280 is preferably thermally insulated and may be provided with a handle for carrying it. It can also advantageously be shaped in a way that ensures its adaptation to the standard refrigerator compartments, for example to the door pockets.

[0051] In the use of any of the above-described first to third embodiments of the invention, the required auxiliary module is mounted to the station of the auxiliary modules or the positions of the first or second reservoir as desired. Any of the first and second water tanks or both can also be placed in the first and second container positions, as desired.

[0052] Water for preparing a beverage comes from the first or second water reservoir, depending on the type of beverage being dispensed. For example, if a cold drink is required, the water comes from a second container that may contain water pre-chilled in a refrigerator or water cooled by a cooling module or a built-in TEC cooler. If a hot drink is required, water comes from the first tank and is introduced into the heater 225, optionally via a preheating module.

[0053] The principles of the subsequent operation of the device 210 in any of the illustrated embodiments of the invention are described in detail in WO2004 / 064585.

[0054] From the above description it follows that in the present invention, the available accessory modules can be placed in series or in parallel with one or more containers containing water intended for the preparation of beverages. Depending on the desired combination of functions, it is possible to use a combination of one, two or more auxiliary modules with one, two or more water tanks. It will also be appreciated that the various types of auxiliary modules described herein are only an example and may be used in one or more of the embodiments of the beverage production device described above. The auxiliary modules and water tanks used in the above embodiments of the invention can be used in devices for preparing beverages having one,