WO2006066626A1

WO2006066626A1 - Apparatus for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2006066626A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/053647
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Hendrikus Simon Weijers
Original assignee: Martex Holland B.V.; Electrical & Electronics Ltd.; Coval Art Tec Limited
Priority date: 2004-12-21
Filing date: 2004-12-21
Publication date: 2006-06-29

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a heating device (9) and a brew chamber (10), said brew chamber (10) comprising a cover member (12) and a holder (14) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage. The heating device (9) and said cover member (12) are attached to each other. By integrating the heating device (9) and the brew chamber (10), the heat absorbing mass for the passage of heated water is reduced and, accordingly, the temperature drop of the liquid flowing from the heating device (9) to the cup is reduced.

Description

Apparatus for preparing a beverage

The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption, such as coffee , tea, chocolate and cappuccino . More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage , preferably with a froth layer, comprising a heating device and a brew chamber, said brew chamber comprising a cover member and a holder adapted to receive a container with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage .

WO 03/105644 discloses an apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption, such as coffee , with a fine-bubble froth layer . A hot water unit dispenses hot water under pressure via a conduit to an upper side of an assembly of a holder and a pad. In the pad, ground coffee is extracted so that a coffee extract is formed . This coffee extract will leave the pad under the influence of the pressure of the hot water unit . The coffee extract then flows through grooves , which are provided in a bottom of the holder, to an outlet .

A problem associated with the prior art apparatus relates to the too low final temperature of the brewed beverage . In the heating device , the water is typically heated to a temperature close to the boiling temperature . However, the temperature of the resulting brewed beverage should generally be equal to or higher than 83 degrees Celsius . The prior art apparatus may have a too large temperature drop to fulfill this requirement , particularly when the apparatus is started from a cold state .

It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an apparatus for preparing a beverage, fit for consumption, with a reduced temperature drop of the liquid between the heating de- vice and the cup receiving the liquid .

This obj ect is accomplished by an apparatus for prepar^¬ ing a beverage comprising a heating device and a brew chamber, said brew chamber comprising a cover member and a holder adapted to receive a container with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage , wherein said heating device and said cover member are attached to each other . As the beverage is typically prepared for one or two cups , only a limited amount of energy is stored by the water flowing between the heating device and the cup . In the prior art apparatus , a plurality of parts that absorb energy is passed by the heated water before it is delivered, as brewed beverage , in the cup . By integrating the heating device and the brew chamber, the heat absorbing mass for the passage of heated water is reduced and, accordingly, the temperature drop of the liquid flowing from the heating device to the cup is reduced. The embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 2 has the advantage that a connection ring of the heating device , adapted to a lid of the brew chamber, provides a convenient mechanism for attaching the heating device and said cover member . The embodiments of the invention as defined in claims

3 -5 have the advantage that the piston portion that separates the internal volume of the heating device and the inner space of the holder means provides for thermal contact between the heat ing device and the brew chamber . Accordingly, the brew chamber may be pre-heated resulting in a reduced heat absorption for the liquid subsequently flowing through the brew chamber . The piston portion, particularly the flexible portion thereof , may be of silicon material . Further, the valve system provides suitable means to obtain a flow of heated water from the heating device into the brew chamber .

The embodiments of the invention as defined in claims 6 and 7 provide suitable materials for the heating device . Both materials may be exposed to high temperatures and are allowed to contact water for preparing the beverage . Further, stainless steel does not corrode , while aluminum is inexpensive . A plastic heating device can be manufactured easily, is light weight and low cost .

The embodiments of the invention as defined in claim 8 provide for efficient heating devices . The embodiments of the invention as defined in claims 9 and 10 are preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the attached drawings , which schematically show a preferred embodiment according to the invention . It will be understood that the invention is not in any way restricted to this specific and preferred embodiment .

In the drawings : Fig . 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention,-

Fig . 2 shows an image of a heating device and a holder as separate parts according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig . 3 shows an image of the heating device and the brew chamber in an open state , including closing means , according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig . 4 shows the closed state of the arrangement of Fig . 2 , and

Fig . 5 depicts a cross-section of a detailed portion of Fig . 4.

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 1 for preparing a beverage 2 suitable for consumption in a cup 3 with a fine-bubble froth layer 4. The apparatus 1 is capable of producing beverages 2 , such as coffee, tea, chocolate or cappuc- cino, in a predetermined volume, typically one or two cups . The apparatus comprises a water container 6 for fresh water for the preparation of the beverage 2 , a pump 7 , a valve system 8 and a heating device 9 , such as a boiler or a thermo block, from which heated water is delivered into a brew chamber 10. The heating device 9 will hereinafter also be referred to as boiler 9. The boiler 9 may e . g . heat the water to a temperature of 96 ⁰C . The brew chamber 10 involves the volume available for a container 11 with a filter, also referred to as pad, pod or pouch, pre-packed with a soluble or extractable product to obtain the brewed bev- erage 2 after the pressurized liquid has passed through the product . The brew chamber 10 has a cover member 12 attached to the boiler 9 , a closing seal 13 and a holder 14 enclosing the container 11. The apparatus 1 has a frothing device 15 for providing the fine-bubble froth layer 4 for the beverage 2. In operation, water from the water container 6 is fed to the pump 7 to inj ect the water under pressure via the valve system 8 into the boiler 9. The pressure from the pump for the liquid is in the range of 1.2 -3 bar, preferably 1.4 - 2.5 bar . In the boiler 9 , water is heated till it has a temperature just below the boiling point . Expansion water during heating is guided through the valve system 8 back into the water container 6. Subsequently, heated and pressurized water is provided via the closure member 12 into the brew chamber 10 where it passes through the container 11 to obtain a brewed beverage . After the brewed beverage is output from the container 11 , it passes the frothing device 15 that adds the fine-bubble froth layer 4 to the beverage 2 in the cup 3. The beverage 2 has a temperature equal to or higher than 83 ⁰C .

Figs . 2 and 3 show images of the boiler 9 and a holder 14. The boiler 9 may be of a metal , such as stainless steel or aluminum, or plastic .

The boiler 9 comprises a top section 9A from which a water inlet 20 and an expansion water outlet 21 can be connected in fluid communication with the valve system 8. Further, terminals 22 are available as electrical connections for heating of the water in the boiler 9.

The bottom section 9B of the boiler 9 has attached the cover member 12 that fits to the holder 14 by a brew chamber lid

23 to close the brew chamber 10 assisted by the closing seal 13.

Accordingly, the heated water from the boiler 9 does not have to pass intermediate parts , such as the conduit of the prior art WO 03/105644 , but is directly delivered into the brew chamber 10. As a result , the temperature difference between the water from the boiler 9 and of the beverage 2 in the cup 3 is reduced .

The cover member 12 further comprises a connection ring

24 for attaching a silicon piston portion 25 , provided with a valve system (shown in Fig . 5) and a water distribution plate

26.

It is noted that the boiler 9 does not necessarily comprise a top section 9A and a bottom section 9B, but may be a single unit . The holder 14 , completed by the cover member 12 to constitute the brew chamber 10 is adapted to accommodate one or more containers 11 in the inner space S as described in the co- pending application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed on the same date that is incorporated in the present application herewith by reference with respect to the structure and function of the holder 14. The holder 14 accommodates the frothing device 15 to provide the froth layer 4 for the beverage 2.

In order for the holder 14 to approach the boiler 9 to complete the brew chamber 10 , a closing means 30 is employed as displayed in Fig . 3. The closing means 30 allows the holder 14 , shown without the container 11 , to move to the cover member 12 , substantially by translation T . In the present embodiment , the boiler 9 is arranged as a load bearing component of the closing means 30 by supporting rotatable shafts 31 on the upper surface of the brew chamber lid 23 , while the latter is itself rigidly fixated to the boiler 9. The rotatable shafts 31 are each on one side rigidly connected to cranks 32. The cranks 32 each have a rotating connection with a clamping arm 33 adapted to snap fit with the holder 14. The clamping arms 33 comprise plates 34 to effectively clamp the holder 14 during the translation T . The external part 14B of the holder 14 is shaped to perform allow the plates 34 to abut to walls of the part 14B . The rotatable shafts 31 are further each fixated to gear wheel segments 35A, 35B arranged to interact with each other during the translation T . The gear wheel segments 35A, 35B each receive a clamping arm 33 as well , such that the clamping arm 33 and gear wheel seg- ments 35 (only one gear wheel segment is visible) may rotate with respect to each other . It should be appreciated that the gears wheel segments 35 may as well be full gear wheels . The gear wheel segments 35 are driven to translate the holder 14. The closing means 30 is further described in a co-pending appli- cation ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed on the same date that is incorporated in the present application herewith by reference with respect to the structure and function of the closing means 30.

Fig . 4 shows the closed state of the arrangement of Fig . 3 without the closing means . The boiler 9 is directly coupled to the brew chamber 10. Identical reference numbers have been applied for identical or similar features . Fig . 5 shows a detailed cross-section of a portion of Fig . 4 is the closed state . In particular, Fig . 5 shows a detailed image of the cover member. The cover member 12 comprises the brew chamber lid 23 , a silicon piston portion 25 , a water distribution plate 26 and a valve system 40 including a spring 41. The brew chamber lid 23 is rigidly fixated to the boiler 9. The connection ring 24 has been pressed in from below to fixate the closing seal 13 and the silicon piston portion 25. Clearly, the piston portion 25 separates an internal volume V of the boiler from the inner space S of said holder . The valve system

40 has the function of a release valve to pass heated water from the boiler 9 to the container 11.

In operation, water in the boiler 9 is heated to a temperature of e . g . 96 ⁰C . Pre-heating of the brew chamber 10 is performed by thermal conduction of the heat generated within the boiler 9 through the piston portion 25. As pressure builds up in the boiler 9 , the flexible piston portion 25 moves towards the container 11 until the water distribution plate 26 touches the container 11. The piston portion 25 substantially encapsu- lates the container 11 to hold the container 11 in position, thereby defining the actual brew chamber. When sufficient force, determined by the spring 41 , develops , the valve system 40 opens to pass water from the boiler 9 to the container 11 in the preheated brew chamber 10. As no intermediate components are pre- sent between the boiler 9 and the brew chamber 10 , no energy is wasted in heating such components . Consequently, the heated water entering the brew chamber has a temperature approximately equal to 96 ⁰C which in turn results in an adequate temperature of the beverage 2. The piston system is further described in a co-pending application ( "Apparatus for preparing a beverage" ) of the applicants filed on the same date that is incorporated in the present application herewith by reference with respect to the structure and function of the piston system, in particular the flexible piston portion 24 and the valve system 40.

It should be noted that other structures for the apparatus 1 wherein the heating device 9 is in thermal contact with the brew chamber 10 falls under the scope of the present inven- tion as well . This may e . g . be the case when the heating device 9 is formed by a thermo block or a flow-through heater . For a thermo block, unheated water is led over a relatively long channel through a structure with a high thermal mass for heating the water . Such a thermo block may be made of aluminum with an aluminum or stainless steel channel .

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprising a heating device (9) and a brew chamber (10 ) , said brew chamber (10 ) comprising a cover member (12 ) and a holder (14) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extract- able product for preparing said beverage , wherein said heating device (9) and said cover member (12) are attached to each other .

2. The apparatus ( 1) according to claim 1 , wherein said cover member ( 12 ) comprises a brew chamber lid (23 ) rigidly fix- ated to said heating device (9) .

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said cover member (12 ) comprises a piston portion (25) separating an internal volume (V) of said heating device ( 9) from an inner space (S ) of said holder (14 ) .

4. The apparatus ( 1) according to claim 3 , wherein said piston portion (25) has a flexible portion arranged to allow motion of said piston portion (25) in reaction to pressure variations in said heating device (9) .

5. The apparatus ( 1) according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said piston portion (25) comprises a valve system (40) for passing liquid from said heating device (9) to said brewing chamber (10 ) .

6. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said heating device ( 9) comprises stainless steel and/or aluminum.

7. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said heating device ( 9) comprises plastic .

8. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said heating device (9) is a boiler or thermo block .

9. The apparatus ( 1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said apparatus further comprises a storage container ( 6) arranged to supply cold water to said heating device (9) .

10. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims , wherein said apparatus further comprises closing means (30) for moving said holder (14 ) , preferably by- translation, towards said cover member (12 ) .

11. An apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage (2 ) comprising a heating device (9) and a brew chamber (10) adapted to receive a container (11) with a soluble or extractable product for preparing said beverage, wherein said heating device (9) and said brew chamber (10) are in thermal contact with each other .