Method and apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption

• US 8,071,147 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Inventors: Steenhof, Vincent Jan, Knitel, Joseph Theodoor
• Primary Examiner(s): WEIER, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US11/814,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20080260927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,140 Days
• Field of Search: 426/569, 426/431, 426/586, 426/433, 992/90, 992/91, 992/79, 993/231
• US Class Current: 426/433
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0642 specially adapted to cooperate with a cartridge, e.g. having grooves or protrusions to separate cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber A47J31/0668 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0668 specially adapted for cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3676 Cartridges being employed
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4496 Means to produce beverage with a layer on top, e.g. of cream, foam or froth

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid such as water which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient has a substance to be extracted such as ground coffee, and a second ingredient has a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and such additives, soluble in liquid such as water During a first period, the liquid having, at most, a first temperature, is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a first beverage part, and, during a second period, the liquid having, at least, a second temperature is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a second beverage part. The first and the second beverage parts are combined for obtaining the beverage.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient comprises a substance to be dissolved with a first portion of the amount of liquid and a second ingredient comprises a substance to be extracted with a second portion of the amount of liquid, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

physically separating the first ingredient and the second ingredient;

supplying, during a first period, to the first and the second ingredient, the first portion of the amount of liquid having a maximum first temperature that is predetermined so that, during the first period, the first ingredient is substantially dissolved but substantially none of the second ingredient is extracted for obtaining a first beverage part;

supplying, during a second period, to the first and the second ingredient, the second portion of the amount of liquid having a minimum second temperature that is predetermined so that, during the second period, the second ingredient is extracted for obtaining a second beverage part; and

combining the first and the second beverage parts for obtaining the beverage.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first ingredient comprises an additive such as milk powder, powdered non-dairy creamer, sugar, or artificial sweetener and the second ingredient comprises a substance to be extracted such as coffee or tea.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum first temperature is lower than the minimum second temperature.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first period is earlier than the second period.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum first temperature and the minimum second temperature are selected such that the beverage suitable for consumption has a predetermined temperature in the range of 30-100°

C.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second period directly and without interval follows the first period.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein preparing the beverage is carried out during the first and the second period.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 0-60°

C.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 10-50°

C.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 15-40°

C.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of 60-120°

C.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of80-100°

C.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of 92-97°

C.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 0-60°

C.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 10-50°

C.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 15-40°

C.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 60-120°

C.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 80-100°

C.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 92-97°

C.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first ingredient is included in a first pouch, the first pouch comprising a covering of a sheet-shaped material transmissive to the liquid and forming a barrier to the first ingredient held within, and that the second ingredient is included in a second pouch, the second pouch comprising a covering of a sheet-shaped material transmissive to the liquid and forming a barrier to the second ingredient held within.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the liquid is pressed under pressure through the first pouch and through the second pouch.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein first, the liquid flows through the first pouch and then, after having flowed through the first pouch, the liquid flows through the second pouch.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein the first pouch and the second pouch are placed in a holder system, the holder system being provided with an at least one inflow opening and an at least one outflow opening and a liquid flow path extending from the at least one inflow opening to the at least one outflow opening while, in use, the liquid is supplied to the at least one inflow opening for flowing through the first and the second pouch, the first and the second beverage parts leaving the holder system via the at least one outflow opening.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the first pouch is included in the liquid flow path upstream of the second pouch.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid having, at most, the maximum first temperature and the liquid having, at least, the minimum second temperature are supplied from a first reservoir or a first conduit to the first and the second ingredients.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid having, at most, the maximum first temperature is supplied from a first reservoir or a first conduit to the first and the second ingredients, and the liquid having, at least, the minimum second temperature is supplied from a second reservoir or a second conduit to the first and the second ingredients.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein in at least one of the obtained first beverage part and the second beverage part, air is whipped-in for obtaining the beverage with a fine-bubble froth layer.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first ingredient and the second ingredient is provided with at least one substance which, upon supply of the liquid, generates froth in the relevant at least one of the first and the second beverage part.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the second ingredient comprises a substance soluble in the liquid and at least one substance which, upon supply of the liquid, generates froth.

59. A method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of liquid is water.

61. A method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of 70-95°

C.

62. A method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of 85-94°

C.

65. A method according to claim 20, wherein the sheet-shaped material is filtering paper.

67. A method according to claim 29, wherein the substance soluble in the liquid is one of milk and powdered creamer.

30. An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid, which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient comprises a substance to be dissolved and a second ingredient comprises a substance to be extracted, the apparatus being provided with an at least one holder system for receiving and physically separating the first and the second ingredient, the holder system being provided with an at least one inflow opening and an at least one outflow opening and a liquid supply means for, during use, supplying a liquid to the at least one inflow opening of the holder system, wherein the apparatus includes a control device for controlling the liquid supply means for supplying, during at least a first period, a first portion of the liquid having, at most, a maximum first temperature to the holder system so that the liquid comes into contact with the first and the second ingredient, the maximum first temperature predetermined so that, during the first period, the first ingredient is substantially dissolved but substantially none of the second ingredient is extracted, for obtaining a first beverage part of the beverage which is dispensed via the at least one outflow opening, and controlling the liquid supply means for supplying, during at least a second period, a second portion of the liquid having, at least, a minimum second temperature to the holder system so that the liquid comes into contact with the first and the second ingredient, the minimum second temperature predetermined so that, during the second period, the second ingredient is extracted, for obtaining a second beverage part of the beverage which is dispensed via the at least one outflow opening.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the holder system is provided with a holder for including the first and the second ingredient, while the holder is provided with the inflow opening and the outflow opening of the holder system.

32. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the holder system is provided with a first holder and a second holder for including, per holder, at least one of the at least two ingredients, the first holder being provided with the inflow opening of the holder system, the second holder being provided with the outflow opening of the holder system, the first holder being provided with an outlet and the second holder being provided with an inlet, while the first holder and the second holder are in fluid communication with each other via the outlet and the inlet.

33. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the fluid communication is formed by a conduit.

34. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the maximum first temperature is lower than the minimum second temperature.

35. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the first period is earlier than the second period.

36. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the apparatus comprises the first and the second ingredient, while the maximum first temperature and the minimum second temperature are predetermined such that the beverage suitable for consumption has a predetermined temperature in the range of 30-100°

C.

37. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the second period directly and without interval follows the first period.

38. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein preparing the beverage is carried out during the first and the second period.

39. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 0-60°

C.

40. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 10-50°

C.

41. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the maximum first temperature is in the range of 15-40°

C.

42. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of 60-120°

C.

43. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of 80-100°

C.

44. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the minimum second temperature is in the range of 92-97°

C.

45. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 0-60°

C.

46. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 10-50°

C.

47. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the first period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 15-40°

C.

48. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 60-120°

C.

49. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients is in the range of 80-100°

C.

50. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the temperature of the liquid which is supplied during the second period to the first and second ingredients, is in the range of 92-97°

C.

51. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the apparatus is further provided with a first pouch in which the first ingredient is included, the first pouch comprising a covering of a sheet-shaped material, transmissive to water and forming a barrier to the first ingredient held within, and a second pouch, in which the second ingredient is included, the second pouch comprising a covering of a sheet-shaped material, transmissive to the liquid and forming a barrier to the second ingredient held within.

52. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the first and the second pouch are included in the holder system.

53. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the first and the second pouch are included in the holder.

54. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the first pouch is present in the first holder and the second pouch is present in the second holder.

55. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the first pouch is located upstream of the second pouch.

56. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the apparatus is designed for supplying the liquid under pressure to the inflow opening of the holder system.

57. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the apparatus is provided with at least one heating device controlled by the control device for heating the liquid during at least one of the first and second period.

58. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the liquid supply means includes at least one of a valve and a pump controlled by the control device for supplying the liquid to the at least one holder system.

60. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the amount of liquid is water.

63. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of 70-95°

C.

64. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of 85-94°

C.

66. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the sheet-shaped material is filtering paper.

68. An apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients, comprising:

a reservoir for containing an amount of liquid;

a heating unit in fluid communication with the reservoir, the heating unit configured to heat at least a portion of the amount of liquid;

a holder system having at least one inflow opening and at least one outflow opening, the holder system configured to contain and physically separate a first ingredient and a second ingredient, the holder system in fluid communication with the heating unit and the reservoir;

a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the at least one inflow opening and configured to transfer the amount of liquid from the reservoir to the at least one inflow opening;

a control device operatively connected to the heating unit and the pump, the control device configured to control the heating unit and the pump to supply, during a first period, a first portion of the amount of liquid having a first temperature that is predetermined so that, during the first period, the first ingredient is substantially dissolved but substantially none of the second ingredient is extracted, the pump further configured to supply, during a second period, a second portion of the amount of liquid having a second temperature that is predetermined so that, during the second period, the second ingredient is extracted, wherein the first temperature is different than the second temperature; and

a vessel configured to receive the amount of liquid from the at least one outflow opening,

wherein the first portion of liquid comes into contact with the first and second ingredients to form a first beverage part that exits the at least one outflow opening, and wherein the second portion of liquid comes into contact with the first and second ingredients to form a second beverage part that exits the at least one outflow opening, and wherein the first and second beverage parts enter the vessel and mix therein.

69. An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the first temperature is in the range of 0-60 degrees C.

70. An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the second temperature is in the range of 60-120 degrees C.

71. An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the first ingredient is an additive and the second ingredient is coffee.