Method and System for in-Cup Dispensing, Mixing and Foaming Hot and Cold Beverages From Liquid Concentrate

Abstract

Liquid food dispensing device (1) for dispensing hot or cold beverages or other liquid foods without using any mixing or whipping chambers comprising at least one liquid component source (30, 31) and a diluent source (18), a delivery device and at least one diluent nozzle and one food component nozzle wherein the delivery device and diluent and food component nozzles are configured for ejecting at least one stream (6a, 6b) of diluent at a predetermined spatial configuration inside a container (10) and within a velocity range effective to create turbulence and mix the food component so to produce the food product such as the hot or cold beverage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a liquid food dispensing apparatus. More particularly the invention concerns a dispenser system and a method for dispensing hot or cold beverages or the like reconstituted from liquid concentrates which does not use any mixing or whipping chambers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional hot or cold beverage dispensing systems are widely used in offices, convenience stores, restaurants, homes, etc.[0003]One type of widely used beverage dispenser system uses an impeller, such as blades, disc, etc., driven in rotation by an electric motor that mixes powder such as coffee or tea powder or syrup with a hot or cold liquid such as liquid in a whipping bowl or chamber before being dispensed in a cup. A system of this type is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,401.[0004]Systems of this type are sometimes expensive and cumbersome as a space is required for a mixing bowl or whipper-chamber and impeller engin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In the preferred embodiment, the delivery device and diluent nozzle are further configured for ejecting at least one stream of fluid, and preferably two or more, in a predetermined spatial configuration relative to vertical and within a velocity range effective to produce a layer of foam on the food product wherein the ratio foam-to-liquid obtained within a minute, after the food and diluent have been dispensed, in the container is of at least 1:5, more preferably, of at least 1:4, most preferably from about 1:3 to 1:1. The configuration of the stream(s) of diluent is such that no significant splashing can occur from the container.

Problems solved by technology

Systems of this type are sometimes expensive and cumbersome as a space is required for a mixing bowl or whipper-chamber and impeller engine.

Even though this system eliminates the use of an impeller in the mixing chamber, the wall of the mixing chamber after it has been used becomes quickly soiled by residues so the hygiene is still an issue and periodical cleaning of the mixing chamber is still required.

As the cleaning operations often require the mixing chamber to be removed they are labor-intensive and costly.

Moreover, it has been shown that the foam obtained with this system using one water jet and one concentrate jet typically had a soapy appearance with large bubble size, and stability was extremely poor.

Other dispensing systems use in-cup mixing of dry beverage powder with a jet of water directed to a cup to mix with the powder and to produce foam, as for instance, EP 1088504 A or EP 1 348 364 A1, but there are several disadvantages to these existing systems which are: 1) In-cup mixing of dry powder provides insufficient mixing with certain food components, such a milk powder, 2) In cup mixing of powder does not properly deliver homogeneous cold beverage as certain powders do not dissolve well with a non-heated diluent, 3) The existing devices have too large a footprint for accommodating the powder storage, 4) The existing devices are usually complex and costly with systems to move the cup from the storage area to the mixing area, 5) Some existing devices also provide splashing during mixing as to their particular jet configuration which can create hygienic and / or cleaning issues.

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