AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE MACHINE

• US 20130344206A1
• Filed: 03/13/2012
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Yoakim, Alfred, Ait Bouziad, Youcef, Agon, Fabien Ludovic, Kollep, Alexandre, Gavillet, Gilles
• Granted Patent: US 10,470,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/232
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/369 Impermeable cartridges being employed
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4492 Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/52 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/525 the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters

Abstract

The invention pertains to the field of the beverage preparation machines having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule. The machine comprises a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module. It further comprises a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner. The machine is configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer means, and then to start the preparation of the beverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a machine providing a convenient and safe solution to fully automate the preparation of a beverage.

Claims

1. Beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule, the machine comprising a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module, a sensing arrangement adapted to detect an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner, the machine being configured, upon detection of the event, to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using a transfer member, and then to start the preparation of the beverage.

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensing arrangement is adapted to detect the event by measuring at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of the capsule:

spectral property, color, electrical property, resistivity, capacitance, electromagnetic property, magnetic induced field, mechanical property, geometry, weight, identifying information, code bar, and emitted or reflected signal.

3. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine is configured to start the preparation of the beverage according to default parameters.

4. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensing arrangement is adapted to identify a type for the capsule, the machine being configured to start the preparation of the beverage according to parameters adapted to, or depending of, the identified type of the capsule.

5. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine is configured to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module upon detection of the event as soon as the machine is ready to start the preparation of a beverage with the capsule.

6. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the ingredient processing module comprises a first part and a second part which are movable relatively one another, the processing module being configurable into an opened position wherein a passage is provided between the first and second part for allowing the insertion of a capsule, the machine further comprising a closing member arranged to close at least partially the passage,.;

the machine being further configured to operate the closing member so as to open the passage upon the detection of the event.

7. Machine according to claim 6, wherein the positioner is positioned relatively to the passage so as to allow the transfer, upon the detection of the event, of the capsule into the ingredient processing module, at least partially under the action of the gravity force.

8. Machine according to claim 6, wherein the machine is configured to operate the closing member so as to open the passage upon the detection of the event provided that the machine is currently ready to prepare a beverage.

9. Machine according to claim 6, wherein the closing member is driven by a motorized arrangement for opening the passage upon the detection of the event.

10. Machine according to claim 6, wherein the closing member is mechanically linked by a mechanical coupling member with the first part and/or a second part of the ingredient processing module for opening the passage upon the detection of the event.

11. Machine according to claim 6, wherein the closing member is part of the positioner.

12. Machine according to claim 11, wherein the positioner comprises a seat adapted to hold the capsule, the closing member comprising a sliding cover forming part of the seat, the machine being configured to operate the closing member for opening the passage upon the detection of the event by translating the sliding cover.

13. Machine according to claim 11, wherein the positioner comprises a rotating body in which a seat adapted to hold the capsule is formed, the closing member comprising a closing part, the machine being configured, upon detection of the event to transfer the capsule to the ingredient processing module by rotating the rotating body into a position in which the closing part closes at least partially the passage.

14. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioner is arranged to hold at least two capsules out of the ingredient processing module, the machine being configured to transfer, in the ingredient processing module with the transfer member, each capsule held in the positioner, after ejection or removal from the ingredient processing module of a previous capsule and to carry on automatically the preparation of the beverage.

16. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensing arrangement is adapted to detect the event by receiving or reading information from the capsule.

15. Method for preparing a beverage with at least one ingredient supplied with a capsule in a beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module, the machine comprising a positioner arranged to hold at least one capsule out of the ingredient processing module, comprising the following steps:

detecting an event related to the insertion by a user of a capsule and/or the presence of the capsule on or into the positioner; and

upon detection of the event, transferring the capsule to the ingredient processing module by using transfer member, and then starting preparation of the beverage.