Beverage dispensing machine and operating method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing machine, for instance a coffee machine, provided with a brewing chamber and at least one valve for totally and / or partially blocking the beverage from exiting the chamber. Advantageously, the valve is an electrovalve, in particular a piezoelectric valve, which is continuously controllable to adjust the beverage flow rate being permitted to exit the chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns a beverage dispensing machine and a method for its operation, in particular a fully-automatic or semi-automatic coffee / beverage dispensing machine.[0002]Automatic or semi-automatic machines are known for preparing coffee drinks, or the like, by providing a forced flow of hot water to pass through a brewing chamber containing coffee powder, wherein sometime a mechanic valve is positioned at the exit of the chamber to adjust the backpressure. The valve is calibrated to set both the pressure of the water within the chamber and the time lapse of infusion of the coffee powder.[0003]In general, with beverage dispensing machine it is meant a semi-automatic (the user has to intervene in the preparation of the beverage) or fully automatic machine (preparation of the beverage is carried out automatically by the machine with no need for the user to intervene but for the selection of the desired beverage) for preparing and dispensing a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine which obviates the aforesaid drawbacks, being at the same time not expensive, simple to operate and easy to keep clean.

[0011]It is still another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine which allows for rapidly controlling of the beverage flow rate exiting the brewing chamber.

[0012]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine which allows for instantly controlling the valve provided at the exit of tie brewing chamber, during the phases of preparing and dispensing the beverage, in order to compensate for possible alterations of other parameters of the machine from the optimal value.

[0013]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine provided with a valve within the outlet of the brewing chamber, which valve can be controlled during the phases of preparing and dispensing the beverage in order to affect the brewing conditions, so as to meet the user's preferences with respect to the type and quality of the selected beverage.

[0016]Electrovalves are easy to control continuously, e.g. the control unit can operate the electrovalves at each time during the beverage preparation process. Among the electrovalves, piezoelectric valves have a quick response to electric inputs. The control unit of the machine commands the valve by electric signals to rapidly achieve the desired control over the flow rate of the beverage exiting the brewing chamber. The control unit operates on the basis of memorized algorithms.

[0022]A further advantage is that the valve according to the invention is simple to clean, especially the piezoelectric valve. The piezoelectric valve can be operated during a stand-by of the dispensing machine, i.e. when no beverage is being prepared, to promote cleaning of the valve shutter member and the related seat. The valve shutter can be rapidly moved within its seat to clean the related surfaces from residues left by the dispensed beverages. In this way maintenance of the valve is simple and effective, with no need for an external operator to intervene often.

Problems solved by technology

As a matter of fact, traditional machines do not allow for controlling the operation of the valve which acts as a shutter at the brewing chamber outlet.

In other words, known valves mostly operate as on / off valves and cannot be controlled to rapidly, or instantly, adjust the backpressure to the desired extent, for instance in order to compensate for other non optimal operating parameters of the coffee machine.

Also, known valves cannot be set to a backpressure value different from the one corresponding to the initial design value without dismantling the machine or manually adjusting the means for creating the backpressure.

This drawback applies not only to espresso coffee machines, but also to other manual or automatic machines for preparing and dispensing espresso and other beverages, such as different kinds of coffee drinks (espresso, Americano, cappuccino, etc.), tea, chocolate, etc., which are usually provided with such known valves.

Another drawback of known beverage dispensing machines is that they require periodical maintenance for cleaning the valve provided at the brewing chamber outlet.

Residues of the dispensed beverages, which build up in correspondence of the valve seat, very often jeopardize the proper functioning of traditional valves.

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