SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE SUITABLE FOR CONSUMPTION

• US 20150135964A1
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koeling, Hendrik Cornelis, De Graaff, Gerbrand Kristiaan, Brouwer, Gustaaf Frans
• Application Number:
  US14/539,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20150135964A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/283
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/401 whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/41 of liquid ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0046 Mixing chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1275 promoting froth
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information

Abstract

A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption includes an exchangeable holder and an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device which is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid such as water under pressure to the exchangeable holder, while the exchangeable holder is provided with at least one storage space which is filled with a second fluid such as a concentrate.

Claims

1-87. -87. (canceled)

88. A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, including:

an exchangeable holder; and

an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid including at least one of water and steam, under pressure to the exchangeable holder, wherein the exchangeable holder is provided with at least one storage space which is filled with a second fluid including a concentrate,

wherein the holder is further provided with at least a first mixing chamber, at least one outflow opening which is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber for dispensing the beverage from the first mixing chamber, at least one fluid communication between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber and at least one inlet opening which is detachably connected to an outlet opening of the fluid dispensing device for removably connecting the holder to the fluid dispensing device and for supplying the first fluid to the first mixing chamber, the system being further provided with

a dosing device which is arranged to supply the second fluid in a dosed manner from the storage space to the first mixing chamber, wherein the fluid dispensing device is arranged to supply the first fluid under pressure to the first mixing chamber so that in the first mixing chamber the first fluid and the second fluid mix together for obtaining the beverage which thereupon leaves the exchangeable holder via the outflow opening, wherein the system is further provided with a restriction which is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the fluid dispensing device to the outflow opening, via the outlet opening of the fluid dispensing device, the inlet opening of the holder and the first mixing chamber, and wherein the system is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying air to the beverage in the system.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the dosing device relates to a controllable, active dosing device for supplying the second fluid to the first mixing chamber by means applying one of an increased pressure and an increased force to the second fluid.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the system is further provided with a control device for controlling the dosing device and the fluid dispensing device.

91. The system of claim 88, wherein the system is arranged such that the fluid dispensing device and the dosing device can supply the first fluid and the second fluid, respectively, to the first mixing chamber independently of each other.

92. The system of claim 88, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the fluid dispensing device to the first mixing chamber.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating in use a jet of the first fluid, which spouts into the first mixing chamber.

94. The system of claim 92, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating in use a mist from the first fluid which flows into the first mixing chamber.

95. The system of claim 93, wherein the dosing device is arranged to supply the second fluid in a dosed manner from the storage space to the first mixing chamber while the fluid dispensing device supplies the first fluid under pressure to the fluid flow path.

96. The system of claim 88, wherein the system is further provided with a second mixing chamber which forms a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber and the outflow opening.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the restriction is included between the first mixing chamber and second mixing chamber.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating, in use, a jet of the beverage, which spouts into the second mixing chamber.

99. The system of claim 97, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating in use, a mist of the beverage, which flows into the second mixing chamber.

100. The system of claim 88, wherein the system is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying air to the first mixing chamber for whipping, in use, air into the beverage for obtaining a beverage with a fine-bubble froth layer.

101. The system of claim 88, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the fluid dispensing device to the first mixing chamber, and wherein downstream of the restriction the air inlet opening is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber.

102. The system of claim 88, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the fluid dispensing device to the first mixing chamber, and wherein the air inlet opening terminates via a fluid communication into the fluid flow path.

103. The system of claim 88, wherein the system is further provided with a second mixing chamber which forms a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber and the outflow opening, and wherein the system is provided with the air inlet opening for supplying air to the second mixing chamber.

104. The system of claim 88, wherein the air inlet opening forms part of the holder.

105. The system of claim 88, wherein the air inlet opening forms part of the apparatus.

106. The system of claim 88, wherein the restriction forms part of the holder.

107. The system of claim 88, wherein the storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a movable wall which is movable relative to the rest of the storage space so that through movement of the wall, a volume of the storage space can be varied.

108. The system of claim 88, wherein the storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a wall manufactured from one of a flexible or a deformable material including a foil.

109. The system of claim 107, wherein between the storage space and the first mixing chamber, a closure is present which will open when the pressure applied by the second fluid to the closure rises above a predetermined value.

110. The system of claim 107, wherein the dosing device is provided with at least one actuator for moving the wall so that the volume of the storage space can be reduced for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber in a dosed manner.

111. The system of claim 88, wherein the dosing device is provided with at least one actuator for compressing the storage space for dispensing the second fluid in a dosed manner to the first mixing chamber through compression

112. The system of claim 88, wherein the exchangeable holder is provided with a plurality of storage spaces, separated from each other, which are each filled with a second fluid.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein each storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a movable wall which is movable relative to the rest of the respective storage space so that through movement of the movable part of the wall, a volume of the respective storage space can be varied.

114. The system of claim 112, wherein each storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a wall manufactured from one of a flexible and a deformable material including a foil so that through movement of the outer wall, the volume of the respective storage space can be varied.

115. The system of claim 112, wherein the holder is provided with a plurality of fluid communications which each form a fluid communication between one of the storage spaces and the first mixing chamber.

116. The system of claim 112, wherein between each storage space on the one side and the first mixing chamber on the other side, a closure is present which will open when the pressure which is applied by one of the fluids to the closure rises above a particular value.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein at least a number of the closures will open at mutually different pressures.

118. The system of claim 112, wherein at least two storage spaces are filled with fluids which have a mutually different viscosity.

119. The system of claim 112, wherein the dosing device is provided with at least one actuator for moving the movable walls of the storage spaces for reducing the volumes of the storage spaces for dispensing the fluids in a dosed manner from the different storage spaces to the first mixing chamber.

120. The system of claim 112, wherein the dosing device is provided with at least one actuator for compressing the storage spaces for dispensing the fluids in a dosed manner from the different storage spaces to the first mixing chamber through compression.

121. The system of claim 119, wherein each fluid communication forms a communication, via a through-flow opening, between one of the storage spaces and the first mixing chamber wherein the size of a number of the through-flow openings are chosen to be mutually different, for dispensing the fluids from the different storage spaces at mutually different flow rates with the aid of the actuator.

122. The system of claim 119, wherein the dosing device is provided with a plurality of actuators for dispensing fluids, with different dosing devices, in a dosed manner, from mutually different storage spaces to the first mixing chamber.

123. The system of claim 112, wherein the system is arranged to at least one of dispense fluids from at least two storage spaces, at mutually different flow rates and during mutually different periods.

124. The system of claim 122, wherein the system is arranged to at least one of dispense fluids with mutually different flow rates and during mutually different periods with at least two different actuators from at least two storage spaces.

125. The system of claim 88, wherein the air inlet opening is provided with an adjustable valve for setting the size of the airflow.

126. The system of claim 88, wherein the holder is provided with a code and the apparatus is provided with a code reading unit for reading the code and a control device which controls the apparatus depending on the code that is read.

127. The system of claim 126, wherein, depending on the code read by the code reading device, the control unit controls the liquid dispensing device for determining at least one of pressure, amount and temperature of the liquid which, in use, is supplied to the holder.

128. The system of claim 126, wherein the control device controls the adjustable valve depending on the code that is read.

129. The system of claim 93, wherein the first mixing chamber is provided with an inside wall, the restriction being positioned relative to the inside wall such that in use, the jet spouts against the inside wall.

130. The system of claim 93, wherein in the first mixing chamber, a jet impact element is included, the restriction being is positioned relative to the jet impact element such that, in use, the jet impacts on the jet impact element.

131. The system of claim 88, wherein in an inside wall of the first mixing chamber an opening is present which provides the first mixing chamber with a fluid communication to the outflow opening.

132. The system of claim 98, wherein the second mixing chamber is provided with an inside wall whereby the restriction is positioned relative to the inside wall such that, in use, the jet spouts against the inside wall.

133. The system of claim 98, wherein in the second mixing chamber, a jet impact element is included whereby the restriction is positioned relative to the jet impact element such that, in use, the jet impacts on the jet impact element.

134. The system of claim 88, wherein the fluid dispensing device is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing at least one amount of at least one liquid including water under pressure to the exchangeable holder, whereby the outflow opening is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber for dispensing the beverage from the first mixing chamber, the system being further provided with a restriction, included in a fluid flow path forming a liquid flow path and which reaches from the fluid dispensing device to the first mixing chamber, via the outlet opening of the fluid dispensing device and the inlet opening of the holder, the dosing device being arranged to supply the second fluid in a dosed manner from the storage space to the first mixing chamber while the fluid dispensing device supplies the liquid under pressure to the liquid flow path so that with the restriction, a jet of the liquid is generated which spouts into the first mixing chamber while in the first mixing chamber, the second fluid and the liquid mix together for obtaining the beverage which then leaves the first mixing chamber via the outflow opening.

135. An exchangeable holder arranged to be connected to an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device for dispensing at least a first fluid including one of a gas and a liquid under pressure to the exchangeable holder for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, the exchangeable holder being provided with at least one storage space which is filled with a second fluid including a concentrate, wherein the holder is further provided with at least a first mixing chamber, at least one outflow opening which is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber for dispensing the beverage from the first mixing chamber, at least one fluid communication between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber and at least one inlet opening which, in use, is detachably connected to an outlet opening of the fluid dispensing device for supplying the first fluid to the first mixing chamber, wherein the storage space forms part, at least partly, of a dosing device and is thereto bounded, at least partly, by a movable wall which is movable relative to the rest of the storage space so that through movement of the movable wall, a volume of the storage space can be reduced for dispensing the second fluid in a dosed manner from the storage space to the first mixing chamber while, in use, the first fluid is also supplied under pressure to the mixing chamber so that the second fluid and the first fluid mix together for obtaining the beverage which, then, leaves the holder via the outflow opening, wherein the holder is further provided with a restriction which is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the inlet opening of the holder to the outflow opening, and wherein the holder is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying air to the beverage in the holder.

136. The holder of claim 135, wherein the storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a wall of one of flexible and deformable materials including a foil so that the storage space can be compressed for dispensing the second fluid from the storage space to the first mixing chamber.

137. The holder of claim 135, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the inlet opening to the first mixing chamber.

138. The holder of claim 137, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating, in use, a jet of the first fluid, which spouts into the first mixing chamber.

139. The holder of claim 137, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating, in use, a mist from the first fluid, which flows into the first mixing chamber.

140. The holder of claim 135, wherein the system is further provided with a second mixing chamber which forms a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber and the outflow opening.

141. The holder of claim 135, wherein the system is further provided with a second mixing chamber which forms a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber and the outflow opening, and wherein the restriction is included between the first mixing chamber and the second mixing chamber.

142. The holder of claim 141, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating, in use, a jet of the beverage, which spouts into the second mixing chamber.

143. The holder of claim 141, wherein the restriction is arranged for generating, in use, a mist from the beverage, which flows into the second mixing chamber.

144. The holder of claim 135 wherein the holder is provided with an air inlet opening for supplying air to the first mixing chamber for whipping, in use, air into the beverage for obtaining a beverage with a fine-bubble froth layer.

145. The holder of claim 144, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the inlet opening to the first mixing chamber, and wherein downstream of the restriction the air inlet opening is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber.

146. The holder of claim 144, wherein the restriction is included in a fluid flow path which reaches from the inlet opening to the first mixing chamber, and wherein the air inlet opening terminates via a fluid communication in the fluid flow path.

147. The holder of claim 135, wherein the system is further provided with a second mixing chamber which forms a fluid communication between the first mixing chamber and the outflow opening, and wherein the holder is provided with the air inlet opening for supplying air to the second mixing chamber.

148. The holder of claim 135, wherein between the storage space and the first mixing chamber a closure is present which will open when the pressure which is applied by the second fluid to the closure rises above a predetermined value.

149. The holder of claim 135, wherein the exchangeable holder is provided with a plurality of storage spaces, separated from each other, which are each filled with a second fluid.

150. The holder of claim 149, wherein each storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a movable wall which is movable relative to the rest of the respective storage space so that through movement of the movable part of the wall, a volume of the respective storage space can be varied.

151. The holder of claim 149, wherein each storage space is bounded, at least partly, by a wall manufactured from at least one of a flexible or a deformable material including a foil so that through movement of the wall, a volume of the respective storage space can be varied.

152. The holder of claim 149, wherein the holder is provided with a plurality of fluid communications which each form a fluid communication between one of the storage spaces and the first mixing chamber.

153. The holder of claim 149, wherein between each storage space on the one side and the first mixing chamber on the other side, a closure is present which will open when the pressure which is applied by one of the fluids to the closure rises above a predetermined value.

154. The holder of claim 153, wherein at least a number of the closures will open at mutually different pressures.

155. The holder of claim 149, wherein at least two storage spaces are filled with fluids which have a mutually different viscosity.

156. The holder of claim 152, wherein each fluid communication, via a through-flow opening, forms a communication between one of the storage spaces and the first mixing chamber wherein the size of a number of the through-flow openings are chosen to be mutually different, for dispensing the fluids from the different storage spaces at mutually different flow rates with the aid of the actuator.

157. The holder of claim 149, wherein the holder is arranged to at least on of dispense fluids from at least two storage spaces at mutually different flow rates and during mutually different periods.

158. The holder of claim 135, wherein the at least one air inlet opening is provided with an adjustable valve for setting the size of the airflow.

159. The holder of claim 135, wherein the holder is provided with a code that can be read with a code reading unit.

160. The holder of claim 135, wherein the first mixing chamber is provided with an inside wall whereby the restriction is positioned relative to the inside wall such that, in use, the jet spouts against the inside wall.

161. The holder of claim 138, wherein in the first mixing chamber a jet impact element is included wherein the restriction is positioned relative to the jet impact element such that, during use, the jet impacts on the jet impact element.

162. The holder of claim 135, wherein in an inside wall of the first mixing chamber an opening is present which provides the first mixing chamber with a fluid communication to the outflow opening.

163. The holder of claim 141, wherein the second mixing chamber is provided with an inside wall wherein the restriction is positioned relative to the inside wall such that, during use, the jet impacts against the inside wall.

164. The holder of claim 142, wherein in the second mixing chamber a jet impact element is included wherein the restriction is positioned relative to the jet impact element such that, during use, the jet impacts on the jet impact element.

165. The holder of claim 135, wherein the inlet opening is provided with a removable closure including a seal.

166. The holder of claim 135, wherein the outflow opening is provided with a removable closure including a seal.

167. The holder of claim 135, wherein the fluid dispensing device is arranged to dispense a first fluid in the form of a liquid under pressure to the holder whereby the outflow opening is in fluid communication with the first mixing chamber for dispensing the beverage from the first mixing chamber, while, in use, the liquid is also supplied under pressure to the mixing chamber so that the second fluid and the liquid mix together for obtaining beverage which, then, leaves the mixing chamber via the outflow opening.