Beverage preparation using rotating impeller

Abstract

A device (1) configured for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22). The device (1) has: a machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (10 '); an actuator (20) configured to actuate the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about the axis of rotation (10 '); at least one fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) having a fluid delivery aperture (30 ', 30A', 30B ') configured to deliver the beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B); and at least one fluid output line (40, 40B) having a receiving aperture (40 ', 40B') configured to direct a fluid (41) away from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B). The machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) has a central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the axis of rotation (10 ') and a peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) remote from the axis of rotation (10') so as to extend between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B). The central region (11, 11A, 11B) is positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture (30 ', 30A') than the or each receiving aperture (40 ', 40B').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of the invention relates to beverage preparation machines with a rotating impeller for processing beverages or components of beverages.

[0002] For the purposes of this specification, "beverage" is intended to include any liquid substance suitable for human consumption, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc. "Capsule" is intended to include any container, such as a package for containing pre-portioned beverage ingredients (e.g., flavoring ingredients), the package forming an enclosure of any material, in particular airtight or water-permeable, porous or non-porous materials (e.g., plastic packaging, aluminum packaging, returnable packaging and / or biodegradable packaging) and having any shape and structure, including a flexible pouch or a rigid cartridge for containing the ingredients. Background Art

[0003] Specialty drinks made at least in part from frothed or heated milk are becoming increasingly popular. The most famous beverage of this type is the cappuccino. It consists of a liquid portion made of coffee, topped with a layer of frothed milk that floats on top due to its very low density. Preparing a cup of coffee typically requires time, effort, and cleanliness.

[0004] In particular, in the field of coffee preparation, a wide variety of machines have been developed in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is inserted into a brewing device. The brewing device tightly surrounds the capsule, water is injected at a first side of the capsule, a beverage is produced within the enclosed volume of the capsule, and the brewed beverage can be discharged from a second side of the capsule and collected in a container such as a cup, mug, or carafe. Examples of such beverage machines are disclosed in EP 1 767 129, WO 2005 / 004683, WO 2007 / 135136, WO 2009 / 043630, WO 2012 / 093107, and WO 2013 / 127906.

[0005] US Patent 6,318,247 relates to an appliance for preparing hot drinks or food, such as hot chocolate, by stirring. Other devices for stirring food are described in WO 2004 / 043213, DE 89 15 094, DE 196 24 648, US 2,932,493, DE 1 131372, US 3,356,349, US 4,537,332 and US 6,712,497. WO 2006 / 050900, WO 2008 / 142154, WO 2009 / 074555, WO 2010 / 023313, WO 2011 / 039222, WO 2011 / 039224, WO 2011 / 144647, PCT / EP20 / 069482, and PCT / EP20 / 069485 propose improved appliances for frothing milk-based liquids or milk. Such devices generally comprise an inner housing for receiving the liquid to be frothed, with a rotatable stirrer positioned within the inner housing; an outer frame for retaining the housing; drive and control means located in a chamber positioned between the inner housing and the outer frame and communicating with switches and electrical connections positioned on an outer surface of the frame; and agitation means for optimizing milk circulation during frothing. Other devices for stirring foods such as milk-based products are disclosed in WO 2016 / 202814, WO 2016 / 202815, WO 2016 / 202816, WO 2016 / 202817, WO 2016 / 202818, WO 2017 / 098037, WO 2018 / 108804, WO 2018 / 108807, WO 2018 / 108808, WO 2019 / 101764, WO 2019 / 101765, WO 2019 / 185782, WO 2019 / 185784, WO 2019 / 185785 and WO 2019 / 211213. Other stirrers are in WO 2014 / 096183, WO 2015 / 197505, WO 2015 / 197509, WO 2016 / 102218, WO 2016 / 102219, WO 2017 / 029267, WO 2017 / 076997, WO 2017 / 081308, WO 2017 / 097674, WO 2017 / 216015 and WO 2017 / 220436.

[0006] It is also known to prepare coffee using rotary processing, as disclosed, for example, in EP 2021216965, which relies on centrifugation and may involve conditioning of the coffee, which involves rotary shearing. Preparation of coffee by centrifugation is also disclosed, for example, in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148650, US 5,566,605, WO 2013 / 007776, WO 2013 / 007779, WO 2013 / 007780, WO 2017 / 046294, WO 2017 / 068134, and WO 2017 / 202746.

[0007] There remains a need to provide a beverage processing device that combines beverage ingredients in a desired manner. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid. Typically, such an apparatus is configured or incorporated into a beverage machine configured to dispense a beverage prepared using the processing apparatus to a user, such as into a user cup or a user mug.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid.

[0010] Such an apparatus comprises: a working surface capable of rotating about a rotational axis; an actuator, e.g., a motor, such as an electric motor, configured to actuate the working surface to rotate about the rotational axis; at least one fluid input line having a fluid delivery aperture configured to deliver beverage ingredient fluid to the working surface, optionally each of the fluid input lines having such a delivery aperture; and at least one fluid output line having a receiving aperture configured to direct fluid (typically processed beverage ingredient fluid) away from the working surface.

[0011] Such devices may also include a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or cooler, configured to thermally regulate the beverage ingredient fluid as it is delivered by the delivery aperture and prior to being received by the receiving aperture. The thermal regulator may be an electrical device, such as a resistive or inductive heater or a cooling pump or a thermocouple, or heat or cool a liquid or gas, such as glycol.

[0012] The fluid may be in liquid form, such as syrup or milk or tea or coffee, or in solid particulate form, such as vegetables or milk or sugar or salt or seasoning powder, or in gaseous form, such as N2 or CO2, or any combination thereof, such as emulsion or foam.

[0013] The beverage ingredient fluid delivered from the delivery hole can be delivered as a single ingredient (e.g., coffee) or as a combination of ingredients (e.g., milk and a gas such as air, or coffee and syrup and / or a sweetener such as sugar). Milk can be of animal origin, such as cow or goat, or of plant origin, such as from soy, almonds, oats, coconut, hazelnuts, rice, cashews, hemp seeds, walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts, flax...

[0014] The rotatable working surface can extend continuously or can be provided with one or more interruptions, such as protrusions or recesses, for example through holes and / or blind holes. Such interruptions can be used to increase the actuation of the working surface on the beverage ingredient fluid during rotation of the working surface.

[0015] The actuator may be coupled to the machined surface via a mechanical coupling and / or a magnetic coupling. The mechanical coupling may be implemented by a shaft with or without a transmission (e.g., a gear) extending from the actuator to the machined surface. For example, to avoid leakage problems, a magnetic coupling may be implemented by using magnets between the machined surface and the actuator, with or without a mechanical coupling between the magnetic coupling and the actuator, as described, for example, in WO 2006 / 050900 and WO 2016 / 202814.

[0016] The actuator may be configured to actuate the machining surface to rotate the machining surface about the rotation axis at a speed in the range of 500 to 25,000 RPM, such as 1,000 to 20,000 RPM, for example 2,000 to 18,000 RPM, for example 3,000 to 16,000 RPM.

[0017] The machined surface has a central region at the axis of rotation and a peripheral region remote from the axis of rotation so as to extend between the central region and the peripheral region. The central region is located closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture than to the or each receiving aperture.

[0018] Thus, during operation of the device, one or more fluids are delivered to the central portion of the processing surface and then rotationally driven to the peripheral region where they are discharged from the processing surface. Such devices can be used to mix liquids together and / or combine liquids with gases, for example to form foam, effervescence, or crema. The device can also be used as a pump for pumping one or more liquids. Furthermore, by multiplying the liquid sources in fluid communication with the processing surface via the fluid input lines, not only can different liquids be mixed, but layered beverages can also be prepared by non-simultaneous processing.

[0019] For example, coffee can be prepared with milk on top or with foamed milk.

[0020] Sweeteners, such as sugar or alternative sweeteners, may or may not be integrated via a liquid feed line, for example as a syrup.

[0021] The fluid delivered via the delivery apertures may be formed from one or more ingredients. When such a fluid contains more than one ingredient, it may be premixed in a device upstream of the delivery aperture, for example, milk and a gas such as air, or it may be supplied to the device as a premix, for example, cocoa and sweetener syrup. Of course, such ingredients (e.g., air and milk or coffee and milk) may also be delivered individually to the processing surface, either sequentially or simultaneously via the same or different delivery apertures.

[0022] The or at least one or all of the fluid delivery holes may be configured to face the machining surface.

[0023] The machined surface may extend from a central region to a peripheral region in a substantially planar, conical, spherical, or ellipsoidal manner. The machined surface may substantially have the shape of a flat disk, for example, formed by the base of a cylinder, such as a short cylinder, or a conical surface with an obtuse aperture angle, or a spherical or ellipsoidal cap. Such an obtuse aperture angle may be at least 120 degrees, for example at least 135 degrees, for example at least 150 degrees, for example at least 165 degrees.

[0024] The machined surface may generally have a circular periphery, for example being formed substantially by a disk or cone with a circular base.

[0025] The device may comprise a plurality of different working surfaces, each working surface being formed by such a fluid working surface.

[0026] Two such different machined surfaces may each have a corresponding central region at the axis of rotation and a corresponding peripheral region remote from the axis of rotation so as to extend between its central region and its peripheral region.

[0027] Two such different processing surfaces may each be associated with at least one corresponding fluid input line having a fluid delivery aperture configured to deliver a beverage ingredient fluid to the corresponding processing surface, for example, each of the fluid input lines having a corresponding delivery aperture. The central region may be positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture than to the or each receiving aperture.

[0028] Two such different machining surfaces can, for example, be formed by a common, substantially wall-shaped member, such as a member extending substantially planarly, conically, spherically, or elliptically, such as a member shaped substantially like a coin. The different machining surfaces can be formed by two opposing sides of a member. For example, the member includes one or more through-holes extending from one of the two different machining surfaces to the other machining surface to fluidically connect the two machining surfaces through the member.

[0029] Through these through-holes, fluids can be combined and processed together on the rotating processing surface. Different fluid pressure levels on each processing surface can be used to direct the fluids to be processed together primarily on one processing surface. For example, milk and air can be supplied at a higher pressure to one processing surface, while coffee is supplied at a lower pressure to another processing surface. This allows the milk and air to be pre-frothed on the processing surface and then transferred to the other processing surface via the through-holes to be combined and processed together with the coffee supplied directly to the other processing surface.

[0030] Two such different machining surfaces can, for example, be formed by different wall-shaped components, for example each component extending substantially planarly or conically or spherically or elliptically, such as each component being substantially coin-shaped. For example, the wall-shaped components can be positioned in different machining cavities and be rotatable therein.

[0031] For example, milk and air can be processed on one processed surface of the wall member in the first chamber to form foam and discharged through a first delivery line, while coffee can be processed together with air on another processed surface of the wall member in the second chamber to form foam and discharged through a second delivery line. Thus, the coffee / air flow and the milk / air flow can be dispensed to a user container, such as a cup, mug, or carafe, simultaneously or sequentially, or partially sequentially and partially simultaneously, through separate delivery lines.

[0032] The actuator may actuate two or more of the tooling surfaces to rotate about the rotation axis.

[0033] The machining surfaces may rotate at the same speed or at different speeds (eg by being connected via a motion conversion transmission such as gears).

[0034] The processing surface may face a confinement wall, such as a confinement wall extending substantially parallel thereto above the processing surface, to define a fluid processing chamber therebetween, the processing surface being rotatable relative to the confinement wall about the axis of rotation.

[0035] The limiting wall may form a housing comprising the limiting wall or be part of the housing.

[0036] The restriction wall may be axially spaced apart from the working surface, for example, by a distance in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, such as 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm, for example less than 2 mm, for example in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The distance may be sufficiently small to establish a Couette flow of the beverage ingredient fluid between the working surface and the restriction wall during relative rotation of the working surface and the restriction wall about the axis of rotation.

[0037] The fluid input line or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the processing surface. For example, the gas source is a source of air or carbonation gas.

[0038] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or a milk-based liquid.

[0039] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

[0040] The or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of syrup such as plain syrup or syrup flavored with a flavoring such as coffee, tea, or chocolate.

[0041] The fluid input line or at least one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line to the processing surface. For example, each of the fluid input lines is fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0042] The valve may be a multi-way valve for combining different ingredients upstream of the fluid delivery orifice, such as air and milk or coffee and syrup.

[0043] The or at least one output line can be fluidically connected to a valve configured to control flow from the processing surface along such line. For example, each of the fluid output lines can be fluidically connected to such a valve. Such an output line valve can be used to create or control pressure buildup on the processing surface and / or prevent dripping from the output line and loss of supply.

[0044] The receiving hole or at least one of the receiving holes may face the machining surface and / or may be adjacent to the peripheral area, and the output line extends from the receiving hole in a direction that may be:

[0045] - is not orthogonal to the axis of rotation, such as parallel to or at an angle in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45°, thereto; or

[0046] - non-parallel to the axis of rotation, such as orthogonal to the axis of rotation or at an angle thereto in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45°.

[0047] The or at least one output line may extend from the receiving aperture:

[0048] - in line with the direction of rotation of the work surface or at an acute angle thereto to facilitate the output of fluid away from the work surface; or

[0049] - Opposite to or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation of the machined surface to slow the output of the fluid away from the machined surface.

[0050] The device according to the invention may comprise an outlet line which is in line with the direction of rotation and another outlet line which is opposite to the direction of rotation of the machining surface about the axis of rotation.

[0051] The device according to the present invention can be configured to rotate the machining surface about the axis of rotation in two directions of rotation. For example, the output line consistent with one direction of rotation can be opposite to the opposite direction of rotation.

[0052] The or at least one outlet line may extend from the receiving opening substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0053] The apparatus of the present invention may comprise a control unit connected to one or more of the following:

[0054] - an actuator to control an output of the actuator to the machining surface, such as at least one of speed, direction, torque and power;

[0055] - one or more fluid input lines to control the supply of fluid along the one or more fluid input lines to the processing surface, such as at least one of: opening and closing of the input line; fluid flow rate along the input line; fluid volume along the input line; and fluid mass along the input line; and

[0056] - At least one fluid output line to control the flow of fluid away from the processing surface, such as at least one of: opening and closing of the output line; fluid flow rate along the line; fluid volume along the output line; fluid mass along the output line.

[0057] The control unit may be configured to control the rotation of the machining surface and / or other apparatus components in order to mix at least two liquids supplied to the machining surface via separate fluid input lines on the machining surface.

[0058] The control unit can be configured to control the rotation of the processing surface and / or other device components so that at least one liquid and a gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, are mixed on the processing surface. The gas can be air or a carbonated gas. The liquid can be foamed with the gas. For example, the liquid is milk or coffee or chocolate (beverage), and the gas is air. As described above, a beverage formed in layers or in succession, such as a cappuccino or a latte macchiato, can be prepared.

[0059] The control unit may be configured to control rotation of the processing surface and / or other apparatus components to pump one or more liquids from the fluid input line to the fluid output line along the processing surface.

[0060] The control unit can be configured to control the rotation of the machining surface and / or other device components in order to flush or clean the device with a flushing or cleaning fluid, which is typically supplied by the fluid input line or one or more of the fluid input lines and / or discharged by the fluid output line or at least one of the fluid output lines. Thus, the fluid input line can be temporarily or permanently connected to a source of flushing or cleaning fluid.

[0061] The device may form a beverage machine configured for preparing a beverage and dispensing such beverage into a user container, such as a cup or mug or carafe.

[0062] The device may have one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of the following: a fluid container; and a connector for connecting to an external fluid source. The or each fluid line may be connected to the fluid source or one of the fluid sources. The or at least one fluid source may be connected to its fluid line via one or more components selected from the group consisting of: a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or cooler; a pump; a valve; and a fluid sensor, such as a flow meter, a thermal sensor, or a pressure sensor; and a device configured to extract an ingredient capsule, such as the type described above.

[0063] For example, the beverage machine may be a coffee maker, a tea maker, a chocolate maker, a cocoa maker, a milk maker or a soup maker. The machine is arranged to prepare a beverage in a beverage processing module comprising an ingredient holder by passing hot or cold water or another liquid through ingredients (such as flavouring ingredients) of the beverage to be prepared (such as ground coffee or tea or chocolate or cocoa or milk powder) held in the ingredient holder.

[0064] Such beverage preparation typically involves mixing a variety of beverage ingredients, such as water and milk powder; and / or brewing beverage ingredients, such as brewing ground coffee or tea with water. Granular ingredients may be contained in a capsule that is extracted by the machine. One or more of these ingredients may be supplied in loose and / or agglomerated powder form and / or in liquid form, particularly in the form of a concentrate. A carrier or diluent liquid (e.g., water) may be mixed with such ingredients to form a beverage. Typically, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed and dispensed according to user requirements, the predetermined amount corresponding to a portion (e.g., a serving). Depending on the type of beverage, the volume of such a serving may range from 15 ml to 1000 ml, such as 25 ml to 600 ml, for example, 40 ml to 250 ml, for example, a volume that can fill a teacup, mug, or carafe. The beverage formed and dispensed may be selected from ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, Americano, tea, and the like. For example, the coffee machine can be configured to dispense espresso, for example, with an adjustable volume per serving of 20 ml to 60 ml; and / or to dispense long coffee, for example, with a volume per serving in the range of 70 ml to 200 ml; and / or to dispense Americano, for example, with a volume in the range of 150 ml to 750 ml.

[0065] Typically, a machine includes one or more of the following components:

[0066] a) a fluid system in fluid communication with the ingredients during beverage preparation;

[0067] b) an in-line heater and / or cooler for thermally conditioning a liquid stream circulated to the flavoring ingredients, or a batch heater and / or cooler for circulating a thermally conditioned liquid from the batch heater and / or cooler to the flavoring ingredients;

[0068] c) a pump for pumping the liquid to the batch, in particular a pressure pump operating in the range of 1 bar to 25 bar, such as 10 bar to 20 bar or 1 bar to 5 bar, for example 1.5 bar to 3 bar;

[0069] d) an electrical control unit, comprising, inter alia, a printed circuit board (PCB) for receiving instructions from a user via a user input interface and for controlling the heater and / or cooler, the pump, the motor and the valves; and

[0070] e) one or more sensors for sensing at least one characteristic selected from the following characteristics:

[0071] Characteristics of the fluid system, characteristics of the heater and / or cooler, characteristics of the pump, liquid tank, batch collector, liquid flow characteristics (e.g. measured by a flow meter), liquid pressure and liquid temperature,

[0072] and is used to communicate such characteristics to the control unit.

[0073] When the ingredient is supplied into the capsule, the capsule may have a body containing the ingredient and a peripheral protruding flange, for example a cup-shaped body and a lid covering the mouth of the cup and extending beyond the mouth to form the peripheral protruding flange.

[0074] The capsule may have a body, which may be symmetrical or asymmetrical conical or frustoconical or cylindrical or spherical or hemispherical or frustosphere-shaped, containing ingredients such as ground coffee, tea or cocoa or other beverage ingredients.

[0075] The capsule may be of the type described above under the heading "Technical Field". The capsule may be a capsule having a container body, for example a generally cup-shaped, hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal body, with a flange to which a cover (or membrane) is attached, particularly when in a sealed state. Typically, the capsule contains beverage ingredients. Examples of suitable capsules are disclosed in WO 2008 / 148601, WO 2008 / 148604, WO 2008 / 148646, WO 2008 / 148650, WO 2008 / 148656, WO 2008 / 148834, WO 2011 / 141532, WO 2011 / 141535, WO 2013 / 072239, WO 2013 / 072297, WO 2013 / 072326 and WO 2015 / 044400. The capsules may be of the kind marketed by Nespresso under the trademarks "Vertuo Line", "Original Line" or "Professional Line".

[0076] The present invention also relates to a method for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid in an apparatus as described above. The method comprises: actuating a processing surface to rotate about a rotation axis using an actuator; delivering the beverage ingredient fluid to the processing surface via a delivery aperture of a fluid input line to process the beverage ingredient fluid; and directing the fluid away from the processing surface via a receiving aperture of a fluid output line. The processing surface has a central region at the rotation axis and a peripheral region distal to the rotation axis, extending between the central region and the peripheral region. The central region is positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture than to the or each receiving aperture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The present invention will now be described with reference to a schematic diagram, in which:

[0078] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

[0079] - Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a side view of the device shown;

[0080] - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the device shown;

[0081] - Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0082] - Figure 6 yes Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of the device shown;

[0083] - Figure 7 is a partially exploded view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention during operation;

[0084] - Figure 8 is a partially exploded view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention during operation;

[0085] - Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention having a pair of fluid processing surfaces on opposite sides of a substantially wall-shaped rotatable member; and

[0086] and

[0087] - Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a device according to the invention having a plurality of essentially wall-shaped rotatable members, each member being provided with a fluid processing surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Figures 1 to 10 Different exemplary embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention are shown.

[0089] Generally speaking, such an apparatus 1 is configured for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22. The apparatus 1 comprises: a processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, which is rotatable about a rotation axis 10'; an actuator 20, for example a motor, such as an electric motor, which is configured to actuate the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B to rotate about the rotation axis 10'; at least one fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, which has a fluid delivery hole 30', 30A', 30B', which is connected to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B; configured to deliver beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22 to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, e.g., each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 having such a delivery aperture; and at least one fluid output line 40, 40B having a receiving aperture 40', 40B' configured to direct fluid 41 (typically processed beverage ingredient fluid) away from the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B.

[0090] Such an apparatus 1 may also include a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or cooler, configured to thermally regulate the beverage ingredient fluids 21, 22 as they are delivered by the delivery aperture and prior to being received by the receiving aperture. The thermal regulator may be an electrical device, such as a resistive or inductive heater or a cooling pump or a thermocouple, or heat or cool a liquid or gas, such as glycol.

[0091] The fluids 21, 22 may be in liquid form, such as syrup or milk or tea or coffee, or in solid particulate form, such as vegetables or milk or sugar or salt or seasoning powder, or in gaseous form, such as N2 or CO2, or any combination thereof, such as emulsion or foam.

[0092] The beverage ingredient fluid 21 , 22 delivered from the delivery apertures 30 ′, 30A′, 30B′ may be delivered as a single ingredient (eg coffee) or as a combination of ingredients (such as milk and gas (eg air) or coffee and syrup).

[0093] The machined surface 10 , 10A, 10B may extend continuously or may be provided with one or more interrupted portions, such as protrusions or recesses, for example through holes 101 and / or blind holes 102 .

[0094] The actuator 20 can be coupled to the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B via a mechanical coupling and / or a magnetic coupling. The mechanical coupling can be implemented by a shaft with or without a transmission (e.g., a gear) extending from the actuator 20 to the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, to avoid leakage problems, the magnetic coupling can be implemented by using magnets between the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B and the actuator 20, with or without a mechanical coupling between the magnetic coupling and the actuator 20.

[0095] The actuator 20 may be configured to actuate the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B to rotate the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B about the rotation axis 10' at a speed in the range of 500 to 25,000 RPM, such as 1,000 to 20,000 RPM, for example 2,000 to 18,000 RPM, for example 3,000 to 16,000 RPM.

[0096] The machined surface 10 , 10A, 10B may extend continuously or may be provided with one or more interrupted portions, such as protrusions or recesses, for example through holes 101 and / or blind holes 102 .

[0097] The machined surface 10, 10A, 10B has a central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10' and a peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B remote from the axis of rotation 10' so as to extend between the central region 11, 11A, 11B and the peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. The central region 11, 11A, 11B is positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture 30' than to the or each receiving aperture 40', 40B'.

[0098] The or at least one or all of the fluid delivery holes 30 ′, 30A′, 30B′ may be configured to face the machining surface 10 , 10A, 10B.

[0099] The machining surface 10, 10A, 10B may extend from the central region 11, 11A, 11B to the peripheral region 11, 11A, 11B in a substantially planar, conical, spherical, or elliptical manner. The machining surface 10, 10A, 10B may substantially have the shape of a flat disk, or a conical surface with an obtuse aperture angle, or a spherical or elliptical cap. Such an obtuse aperture angle may be at least 120 degrees, for example at least 135 degrees, for example at least 150 degrees, for example at least 165 degrees.

[0100] The apparatus 1 may include a plurality of different working surfaces 10, 10A, 10B, for example a pair of working surfaces. Each working surface 10, 10A, 10B may be formed by a fluid working surface of the type described above. Two such different working surfaces 10, 10A, 10B may each have a corresponding central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10' and a corresponding peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B away from the axis of rotation 10', so as to extend between its central region 11, 11A, 11B and its peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. Two such different processing surfaces 10, 10A, 10B can each be associated with at least one corresponding fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B having a fluid delivery aperture 30', 30A', 30B' configured to deliver beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22 to the corresponding processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, for example, each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B having a corresponding delivery aperture 30', 30A', 30B'. The central region 11, 11A, 11B can be positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture 30, 30A', 30B' than to the or each receiving aperture 40', 40B'.

[0101] Two such different processing surfaces 10, 10A can be formed by a common, substantially wall-shaped member 100, for example, a member extending substantially planarly, conically, spherically, or elliptically, such as a member shaped substantially like a coin. The different processing surfaces 10, 10A can be formed by two opposing sides of the member 100. For example, the member 100 has one or more through-holes 101 extending from one of the two different processing surfaces 10, 10A to the other processing surface 10A, so as to fluidically connect the two processing surfaces through the member 100.

[0102] Two such different machining surfaces 10, 10B can be formed by different wall-shaped members 100, 100B, for example each member 100, 100B extending substantially planarly or conically or spherically or elliptically, such as each member 100, 100B being substantially coin-shaped. For example, the wall-shaped members 100, 100B can be positioned in different machining cavities 50', 50B' and can rotate therein.

[0103] In either configuration (involving one or more wall-shaped members 100, 100B), the actuator 20 can actuate two or more of the machining surfaces 10, 10A, 10B to rotate about the rotation axis 10', for example, the machining surfaces 10, 10A, 10B rotate at the same speed or at different speeds (for example, by being connected to different wall-shaped members 100, 100B via a motion conversion transmission device).

[0104] The processing surface 10,10A,10B may face a confinement wall 51, for example extending substantially parallel thereto, to define a fluid processing chamber 10a therebetween. The processing surface 10,10A,10B typically rotates relative to the confinement wall 51 about an axis of rotation 10'.

[0105] The limiting wall 51 may form the housing 50 including the limiting wall 51 or be a part of the housing.

[0106] The restriction wall 51 may be spaced apart from the working surface 10, 10A, 10B (e.g., spaced axially 10') by a distance in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, such as 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm, for example, less than 2 mm, such as in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. For example, such a distance is sufficiently small to establish a Couette flow of the beverage ingredient fluid 21, 22 between the working surface 10, 10A, 10B and the restriction wall 51 during relative rotation of the working surface 10, 10A, 10B and the restriction wall 51 about the axis 10'.

[0107] The fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, the gas source is a source of air or carbonation gas.

[0108] The fluid input line 30 , 30A, 30B, 31 , 32 , 33 or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or a milk-based liquid.

[0109] The fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B, 31 , 32, 33 or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

[0110] The fluid input line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 or one of the fluid input lines may be fluidly connected to a syrup source.

[0111] The fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, or at least one of the fluid input lines, may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 to the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B. For example, each of the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 may be fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0112] The or at least one output line 40, 40B may be fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow from the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B along such line 40, 40B. For example, each of the fluid output lines 40, 40B may be fluidly connected to such a valve.

[0113] The receiving hole 40', 40B or at least one of the receiving holes may face the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B ( Figures 1 to 7 ; Figure 9 and Figure 10 ) and / or adjacent to the peripheral areas 12, 12A, 12B ( Figures 1 to 10 ).

[0114] The output lines 40, 40B may be arranged in a direction not orthogonal to the axis of rotation 10' ( Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 ), such as extending from the receiving aperture 40', 40B' in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 10' or at an angle thereto in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45°.

[0115] The output line 40 may be in a direction not parallel to the rotation axis 10' ( Figure 8 ), such as extending from the receiving hole 40' in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 10' or at an angle thereto in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45°.

[0116] The or at least one outlet line 40 can be aligned with the direction of rotation 10″ of the machining surface 10 or at an acute angle thereto ( Figure 8 ), extending from the receiving hole 40 ′ to facilitate the output of the fluid 41 away from the processing surface 10.

[0117] The or at least one output line 40 may extend from the receiving hole 40 ′ opposite to or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation 10 ″ of the working surface 10 to slow the output of the fluid 41 away from the working surface 10 .

[0118] The or at least one outlet line 40, 40B may be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 10' ( Figures 5 to 7 and Figures 9 and 10 ), extending from the receiving hole 40'.

[0119] The apparatus 1 may comprise a control unit 60 .

[0120] The control unit 60 may be connected to the actuator 20 to control an output of the actuator 20 to the machining surface 10 , 10A, 10B, such as at least one of speed, direction, torque, and power.

[0121] The control unit 60 can be connected to one or more fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 to control the supply of fluid along the one or more fluid input lines to the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B. The control unit 60 can control at least one of the following: opening and closing of the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33; the fluid flow rate along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33; the fluid volume along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33; and the fluid quality along the input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33.

[0122] The control unit 60 can be connected to at least one fluid output line 40, 40B to control the flow of fluid away from the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B, such as at least one of the following: opening and closing of the output line 40, 40B; the fluid flow rate along the line 40, 40B; the fluid volume along the output line 40, 40B; and the fluid mass along the output line 40, 40B.

[0123] The control unit 60 may be configured to control the rotation of the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B and / or other apparatus components to mix at least two liquids supplied to the surface 10, 10A, 10B via separate fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 on the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B.

[0124] The control unit 60 can be configured to control the rotation of the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B and / or other device components to mix at least one liquid and a gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, on the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B. The gas can be air or a carbonated gas. For example, the liquid can be foamed with the gas.

[0125] The control unit 60 may be configured to control the rotation of the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B and / or other apparatus components to pump one or more liquids from the fluid input lines 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 to the fluid output lines 40, 40B along the machining surface 10, 10A, 10B.

[0126] The device 1 may have one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of a fluid container and a connector for connecting to an external fluid source, to which the or each fluid line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 is connected. The or at least one fluid source may be connected to its fluid line 30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33 via one or more components selected from the group consisting of: a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or cooler; a pump; a valve; and a fluid sensor, such as a flow meter, a thermal sensor, a pressure sensor; and a device configured to extract an ingredient capsule.

[0127] During operation of the apparatus 1, the following steps are performed:

[0128] - the actuator 20 actuates the machining surface 10 , 10A, 10B to rotate about the axis of rotation 10 ′;

[0129] - the beverage ingredient fluid 21 , 22 is delivered to the processing surface 10 , 10A, 10B via the delivery openings 30 ′, 30A′, 30B′ of the fluid input lines 30 , 30A, 30B, 31 , 32 , 33 for processing the beverage ingredient fluid; and

[0130] - A fluid 41 (typically a processed beverage ingredient fluid) is directed away from the processing surface 10, 10A, 10B via the receiving apertures 40', 40B' of the fluid output lines 40, 40B.

[0131] The machined surface 10, 10A, 10B has a central region 11, 11A, 11B at the axis of rotation 10' and a peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B distal from the axis of rotation 10' so as to extend between the central region 11, 11A, 11B and the peripheral region 12, 12A, 12B. The central region 11, 11A, 11B is positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture 30', 30A', 30B' than to the or each receiving aperture 40', 40B'.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22), comprising: a fluid processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) rotatable about an axis of rotation (10'), optionally extending continuously or being provided with one or more interruptions, such as projections or recesses, for example through-holes (101) and / or blind holes (102); an actuator (20), such as a motor, such as an electric motor, configured to actuate the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about the rotation axis (10'), such as via a mechanical coupling and / or a magnetic coupling, optionally configured to actuate the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about the rotation axis (10') at a speed in the range of 500 RPM to 25000 RPM, such as 1000 RPM to 20000 RPM, for example 2000 RPM to 18000 RPM, for example 3000 RPM to 16000 RPM; at least one fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33), said at least one fluid input line having a fluid delivery aperture (30', 30A', 30B') configured to deliver said beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to said processing surface (10), optionally each of said fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) having such a delivery aperture (30', 30A', 30B'), e.g. said beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) being delivered as a single ingredient or as a combination of ingredients; and at least one fluid outlet line (40, 40B), said at least one fluid outlet line having a receiving hole (40', 40B') configured to direct fluid (41) away from said machining surface (10, 10A, 10B), Such apparatus (1) optionally further comprises a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or a cooler, configured to thermally regulate the beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) while being delivered by the delivery aperture and prior to being received by the receiving aperture (40', 40B'), Characterized in that the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) has a central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the rotation axis (10') and a peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) remote from the rotation axis (10') so as to extend between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), the central region (11, 11A, 11B) being positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery hole (30', 30A', 30B') than to the or each receiving hole (40', 40B'), optionally, the or at least one or all of the fluid delivery holes (30', 30A', 30B') facing the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) extends from the central area (11, 11A, 11B) to the peripheral area (12, 12A, 12B) essentially planarly or conically or spherically or ellipsoidally, optionally, the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) essentially having the following shape: a flat disk; a spherical or ellipsoidal cover; or a conical surface with an obtuse aperture angle, for example an obtuse angle of at least 120 degrees, such as at least 135 degrees, for example at least 150 degrees, for example at least 165 degrees.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of different processing surfaces (10, 10A, 10B), each of which is formed by such a fluid processing surface, two such different processing surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) each having a corresponding central area (11, 11A, 11B) at the rotation axis (10') and a corresponding peripheral area (12, 12A, 12B) away from the rotation axis (10') so as to extend between its central area (11, 11A, 11B) and its peripheral area (12, 12A, 12B), each of which is connected to at least one corresponding fluid input pipeline (30, 30A, 30B), said at least one corresponding fluid input line having a fluid delivery aperture (30', 30A', 30B'), said fluid delivery aperture being configured to deliver beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to a corresponding processing surface (10, 10A, 10B), for example, each of said fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B) having a corresponding delivery aperture (30', 30A', 30B'), said central region (11, 11A, 11B) being positioned closer to said or each fluid delivery aperture (30, 30A', 30B') than to said or each receiving aperture (40', 40B'), two such different processing surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) being formed, for example, by: a common substantially wall-shaped member (100), for example a member extending substantially planarly or conically or spherically or elliptically, such as a member shaped substantially as a coin, the different working surfaces (10, 10A) being formed by two opposite faces of the member (100), for example the member (100) comprising one or more through-holes (101) extending from one working surface (10) of the two such different working surfaces (10, 10A) to the other working surface (10A) for fluidly connecting the two working surfaces through the member (100); or - different wall-shaped elements (100, 100B), for example each element (100, 100B) extending essentially planarly or conically or spherically or elliptically, such as each element (100, 100B) being essentially coin-shaped, for example said wall-shaped elements (100, 100B) being positioned in different processing chambers (50', 50B') and being rotatable therein, Optionally, the actuator (20) actuates two or more of the machining surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about the rotation axis (10'), for example the machining surfaces (10, 10A, 10B) rotate at the same speed or at different speeds.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) faces a restriction wall (51), such as a restriction wall (51) extending substantially parallel thereto above the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B), to define a fluid processing chamber (10a) therebetween, the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) rotating relative to the restriction wall (51) about the rotation axis (10'), such as the restriction wall (51): - forming a housing (50) comprising said limiting wall (51) or being part of said housing; and / or - spaced apart from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) e.g. axially (10') by a distance in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, such as 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm, e.g. less than 2 mm, e.g. in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, optionally said distance being sufficiently small to allow a gap between the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) and the limiting wall (51) During the relative rotation about the rotation axis (10'), a Couette flow of the beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) is established between the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) and the limiting wall (51).

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) or one of the fluid input lines is fluidly connected to a gas source configured to supply gas at ambient pressure or compressed gas to the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B), optionally being a source of air or carbonation gas.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) is fluidly connected to a source of liquid milk or a milk-based liquid.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines is fluidly connected to a source of liquid coffee or tea or chocolate.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or one of the fluid input lines is fluidly connected to a syrup source.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) or at least one of the fluid input lines is fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow along such line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B), optionally each of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) being fluidly connected to such a valve.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or at least one output line (40, 40B) is fluidly connected to a valve configured to control flow from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) along such line (40, 40B), optionally each of the fluid output lines (40, 40B) being fluidly connected to such a valve.

11. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving hole (40', 40B') or at least one of the receiving holes faces the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) and / or is adjacent to the peripheral area (12, 12A, 12B), the output line (40, 40B) extending from the receiving hole (40') in the following direction: - not orthogonal to said axis of rotation (10'), such as parallel to said axis of rotation (10') or at an angle in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45° thereto; or - non-parallel to said axis of rotation (10'), such as orthogonal to said axis of rotation (10') or at an angle thereto in the range of 0° to 60°, such as 15° to 45°.

12. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or at least one output line (40, 40B) extends from the receiving aperture (40', 40B'): - is aligned with or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation (10") of the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to facilitate the output of the fluid (41) away from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B); or - opposite to or at an acute angle to the direction of rotation (10") of the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to slow down the output of the fluid (41) away from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B).

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a control unit (60) connected to one or more of: - an actuator (20) to control an output of the actuator (20) to the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of speed, direction, torque and power; - the one or more fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to control the supply of the fluid along the one or more fluid input lines to the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of the following: opening and closing of the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); the fluid flow along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); the fluid volume along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); and the fluid mass along the input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); and - the at least one fluid output line (40, 40B) to control the flow of fluid away from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B), such as at least one of: opening and closing of the output line (40, 40B); fluid flow rate along the line (40, 40B); fluid volume along the output line (40, 40B); and fluid mass along the output line (40, 40B), Optionally, the control unit (60) is configured to control the rotation of the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) and / or other device components to achieve at least one of the following: - mixing on the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) at least two liquids supplied to the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) via separate fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33); - mixing at least one liquid and a gas, such as a gas at ambient pressure or a compressed gas, for example air or carbonated gas, on said processing surface (10, 10A, 10B), optionally bubbling said liquid with said gas; and - pumping one or more liquids from the fluid input line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) to the fluid output line (40, 40B) along the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B).

14. A device according to any preceding claim, having one or more fluid sources, such as at least one of a fluid container and a connector to an external fluid source, the or each fluid line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) being connected to the or one of the fluid sources, optionally the or at least one fluid source being connected to its fluid line (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) via one or more components selected from the group consisting of: a thermal regulator, such as a heater and / or a cooler; a pump; a valve; and a fluid sensor, such as a flow meter, a thermal sensor, a pressure sensor; and a device configured to extract an ingredient capsule.

15. A method for processing at least one beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) in an apparatus as defined in any preceding claim, such method comprising: - actuating the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) to rotate about the rotation axis (10') using the actuator (20); - delivering the beverage ingredient fluid (21, 22) to the processing surface (10, 10A, 10B) via the delivery holes (30', 30A', 30B') of the fluid input lines (30, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33) in order to process the beverage ingredient fluid; as well as - directing the fluid (41) away from the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) via the receiving aperture (40', 40B') of the fluid output line (40, 40B), wherein the machining surface (10, 10A, 10B) has a central region (11, 11A, 11B) at the axis of rotation (10') and a peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B) remote from the axis of rotation (10') so as to extend between the central region (11, 11A, 11B) and the peripheral region (12, 12A, 12B), the central region (11, 11A, 11B) being positioned closer to the or each fluid delivery aperture (30', 30A', 30B') than to the or each receiving aperture (40', 40B').

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