Dosing device adapted for dispensing a concentrate from a holder in a metered manner

• US 7,014,071 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Inventors: Bramer, Albertus Maria, d'Hond, Paul Isodore
• Primary Examiner(s): DERAKSHANI, PHILIPPE
• Application Number:
  US10/009,853
• Time in Patent Office: 2,100 Days
• Field of Search: 222/333
• US Class Current: 222/333
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/402 Liquid dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/22 for liquid or semiliquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing device comprising a housing comprising at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a liquid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The dosing device is adapted for dispensing in a metered manner a viscous concentrate from a holder. The concentrate in diluted condition forms a beverage suitable for consumption. The dosing device is adapted to be connected, in use, to a storage space of the holder. According to the invention, the dosing device comprises a gear pump to be included in the liquid flow path, which gear pump can be driven in particular by a rotor located upstream of the gear pump, by means of changing magnetic fields.

Claims

1. A dosing device comprising a housing comprising at least one inlet, at least one outlet, a liquid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a pump included in the liquid flow path, the dosing device being adapted for dispensing in a metered manner a viscous concentrate from a holder in which the concentrate is contained, the concentrate in diluted form giving a product suitable for consumption, the holder comprising a storage space in which the concentrate is contained, and the inlet of the dosing device being adapted to be connected, in use, to the storage space of the holder, characterized in that the pump comprises a gear pump.

2. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear pump is driven by a drive shaft of which an axial axis extends in a direction from the inlet to the outlet.

3. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the dosing device is substantially rotation-symmetrical design, with an axial axis of the housing extending in the direction from the inlet to the outlet.

4. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing device is provided, downstream of the gear pump, with a valve included in the liquid flow path, which opens when the liquid pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold valve.

5. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing device comprises a rotor rotatably connected to the housing for rotation around a rotation axis, for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by means of at least one changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanically connected to the gear pump for driving the gear pump with the rotating rotor.

6. A dosing device according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the rotor is connected to the drive shaft for driving the gear pump.

7. A dosing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path.

8. A dosing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path upstream of the gear pump.

9. A dosing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotor is provided with a magnetizable material such as soft iron.

10. A dosing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotor comprises a permanent magnet for contactlessly driving the rotor by means of at least one changing magnetic field.

11. A dosing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotor comprises a plurality of arms extending in radial direction of the rotation axis.

12. A dosing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the ends of the arms form poles of the permanent magnet.

13. A holder filled with concentrate which in diluted form is suitable for consumption, the holder comprising a dosing device according to claim 1.

14. A holder according to claim 13, characterized in that the holder comprises a bag formed from a flexible sheetlike material in which the concentrate is contained, and a housing in which the bag is received.

15. A holder according to claim 14, characterized in that the inlet of the dosing device is connected to the bag.

16. A holder according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing is of more rigid design than the bag.

17. An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, the apparatus being adapted to be loaded with a holder according to claim 13 which is fitted with a dosing device characterized in that the dosing device comprises a rotor rotatably connected to the housing for rotation around a rotation axis, for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by means of at least one changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanically connected to the gear pump for driving the gear pump with the rotating rotor, the apparatus comprising a magnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field changing such that the rotor is contactlessly driven by the magnetization unit for the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder in a metered manner, and means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitable for consumption.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet and driving means for rotating the magnet for generating the changing magnetic field.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a plurality of coils.

20. An assembly comprising an apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption and a holder according to claim 13, the apparatus comprising driving means for driving the dosing device for the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder in a metered manner, and means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitable for consumption.

21. An assembly according to claim 20, characterized in that the holder is detachably connected to the apparatus.

22. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the holder comprises a dosing device characterized in that the dosing device comprises a rotor assembly connected to the housing for rotation around a rotation axis, for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by means of at least one changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanically connected to the gear pump for driving the gear pump with the rotating rotor, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a magnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field changing such that the rotor is driven for causing the dosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder.

23. An assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet and driving means for rotating the magnet for generating the changing magnetic field.

24. An assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a plurality of coils.