Ingredient container receiving module for appliance for preparing edible product from edible ingredient

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an opening mechanism for forming an opening in an ingredient container. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an opening mechanism in a food preparation appliance that enables opening of an edible ingredient container fed into the appliance for preparing an edible product from an ingredient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for forming an opening in an ingredient container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mechanism in a food preparation appliance that enables opening of an edible ingredient container fed into the appliance for preparing an edible product from the ingredient. Background Art

[0002] Disposable containers are known that receive ingredients for preparing edible products in appliances utilizing such containers. Typically, the container is inserted into a receiving module of the appliance where it is pierced or its seal is removed or broken to allow access to the container or to allow the ingredients to be released from the container and fed to a processing unit of the appliance.

[0003] When the ingredient is in liquid form, the container is typically inverted (i.e., lid facing downward) or fed into the appliance at an angle to permit the liquid ingredient to flow out of the container once the seal is broken. However, such angled feeding causes uneven tension applied to the lid by the ingredient contained within the container, often making it difficult to break the seal or maintain uniform flow of the ingredient out of the container after it has been broken. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an ingredient container receiving module and an edible product preparation appliance including the ingredient container receiving module, the ingredient container receiving module enabling receipt of ingredient containers of various volumes and having a mechanism enabling two or more openings to be formed in a lid of the container in a manner that is not affected by tension exerted on the lid by the ingredients and allowing the ingredients to flow out of the container substantially evenly after the container is opened.

[0005] In one of the aspects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for preparing an edible product from edible ingredients, the apparatus comprising: an ingredient container receiving module, the ingredient container receiving module being configured to removably receive an ingredient container having a container body and a sealing film cover, and the module being configured to form two or more openings in the sealing film cover; a processing chamber being fluidly connected to the module, the processing chamber being configured to receive ingredients from the ingredient container received in the cavity through at least one of the openings and to process the ingredients into the edible product; and a dispensing nozzle being fluidly connected to the processing chamber and configured to dispense the edible product.

[0006] 20. The invention also provides a raw material container receiving module, which is also an aspect of the present disclosure, comprising: a cavity sized to removably receive the ingredient container; a rotatable element having at least one cutting edge, the rotatable element being fixed to the wall segment about a rotation axis at a first distance from the wall segment of the cavity and being configured to rotate approximately parallel to the wall segment, the cavity being configured to fixedly receive the ingredient container so that the sealing film cover is positioned facing the rotatable element; and the wall segment being configured to have two or more protruding wall segments spaced apart along the rotation path of the rotatable element and being configured to be engaged by the rotatable element when the rotatable element contacts the protruding wall segments and to shift the rotatable element to a second distance from the wall segment during rotation of the rotatable element along the rotation path, the second distance being greater than the first distance, so that the cutting edge protrudes through the film when the rotatable element is at the second distance, thereby forming the two or more openings in the sealing film cover.

[0007] In other words, the ingredient container receiving module is generally configured to receive an ingredient container and to form two or more openings in its sealing film cover by means of a rotatable element. The container is received in a cavity of the module, which also houses the rotatable element, and is configured to securely hold the container with its sealing film cover facing the rotatable element. During rotation, the cutting edge of the rotatable element is selectively brought into contact with the sealing film cover, thereby forming two or more openings at defined locations in the sealing film cover to permit the liquid contents of the container to flow out of the container and into a processing chamber of the appliance for processing the ingredient into an edible product.

[0008] In this module, a rotatable element is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the plane of the wall of the cavity to which it is attached. Two or more protruding wall segments are formed on the wall and protrude outward from the wall. The protruding wall segments are arranged in a spaced-apart manner along the rotation path of the rotating element so that the rotating element engages these protruding wall segments during its rotation, thereby changing the distance between the rotatable element and the wall segment during this engagement. That is, the rotatable element rotates at a first distance from the surface of the wall segment, and due to the engagement with the protruding wall segment, the distance between the rotatable element and the wall segment increases to a second distance, thereby bringing the cutting edge of the rotatable element close to the sealing film cover during the movement of the rotatable element along the protruding wall segment, so that the cutting edge penetrates the sealing film cover and forms an opening. The position of the opening corresponds to the position of the protruding wall segment.

[0009] By modifying the position, number, and height of the protruding wall segments, selective cutting of the sealing film cover can be achieved at different locations and with different geometries. For example, when using containers of various sizes and geometries, an array of protruding wall segments with different heights can be defined to ensure that at least two of such protruding wall segments displace the rotatable element, thereby ensuring contact between the cutting edge and the sealing film cover. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the height of the protruding wall segments, the cutting edge can be stably stabilized at the second distance throughout its movement during rotation, resulting in a stable cutting motion, regardless of the variable tension of the often uneven sealing film cover. This arrangement ensures a secure and repeatable cut, regardless of the counterpressure exerted on the sealing film cover by the liquid ingredients within the container.

[0010] As noted above, the module is arranged to form two or more openings in the sealing membrane cover during the rotational movement of the rotatable element. At least one of these openings allows the ingredient to flow out of the container, while another of these openings is used to introduce ambient air into the container to allow the ingredient to flow out of the container evenly and steadily. By controlling the position of the protruding wall segments, the relative positions of the openings can be controlled, thereby optimizing the flow rate of the ingredient out of the container.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the rotatable element is biased to maintain the first distance when the rotatable element is not engaged with the protruding wall segment. By one example, the rotatable element is flexible, and thus the flexibility of the rotatable element biases it to maintain the first distance and maintain contact between the rotatable element and the protruding wall segment during engagement of the rotatable element with the protruding wall segment. By another example, such biasing can be achieved by a biasing element (e.g., a spring) associated with the arm.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the rotatable element may include a single cutting edge. The cutting edge may be formed at the distal end or distal portion of the rotatable element (i.e., at the distal end most distal from the axis of rotation). Alternatively, the cutting edge may be formed between the distal end of the rotatable element and the axis of rotation.

[0013] In other embodiments, the rotatable element includes two or more cutting edges.

[0014] By some embodiments, the rotatable element is a rotatable arm and the cutting edge is provided at the distal end or distal end portion of the arm.According to other embodiments, the rotatable arm has a plurality of cutting edges spaced apart along the length of the arm.

[0015] By some other embodiments, the rotating element comprises two or more arm segments extending radially from the axis of rotation, each of the arm segments comprising at least one cutting edge. The arm segments may have the same length or different lengths and may carry the same number of cutting edges or different numbers of cutting edges.

[0016] By some embodiments, the rotatable element is made of a resilient metal or metal alloy.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the ingredient container receiving module includes a container seat configured to receive at least a bottom portion of the container body. The container seat is typically displaceable to permit positioning of the container within the cavity so that the sealing film cover is positioned facing the rotatable element, also assisting in ensuring alignment between the sealing film cover and the rotatable element.

[0018] While the modules described herein can be incorporated into various food preparation appliances that operate based on the introduction and rupture of ingredient containers, the modules are particularly useful for appliances for preparing cooled edible products from such edible ingredients, such as ice cream, gelato, soft serve ice cream, juice, smoothies, sorbets, granita, cold drinks, frozen yogurt, and the like. When preparing such products, the ingredients contained in the containers are typically liquids with relatively high viscosities (such as syrups, creams, dispersions of powders in liquids, gels, emulsions, and the like). According to some embodiments, the processing chamber of the appliance is a cooled processing chamber and includes one or more rotatable mixing pedals.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the cavity is sized to receive an ingredient container configured to hold edible ingredients for preparing a single serving of an edible product from the entire contents of the ingredient container. Typically, the cavity is configured to receive an ingredient container in the form of a single-serving cartridge or capsule. Such cartridges or capsules typically have a volume between about 50 ml and about 1000 ml and are designed so that the entire contents of the container are used to prepare a single serving of an edible product.

[0020] According to other embodiments, the cavity is sized to receive an ingredient container configured to hold edible ingredients for preparing a plurality of edible product servings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to better understand the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 An apparatus for preparing an edible product from edible ingredients according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 shows an ingredient processing chamber in isolation having a capsule feeding unit including a module for forming an opening in a capsule associated therewith, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figures 3A to 3B Shown is a device for use in isolation from an associated capsule Figure 2 A module for forming an opening in the capsule;

[0025] Figures 4A to 4C The following three operating positions are shown: Figures 3A to 3B Module: Rest position ( Figure 4A ), a first position for forming a vent opening in the capsule ( Figure 4B ) and a second position for forming an ingredient extraction opening in the capsule ( Figure 4C );

[0026] Figures 5A to 5C Along the AA line ( Figure 5A ), BB line( Figure 5B ) and CC line ( Figure 5C ) cross-sectional view, corresponding to Figures 4A to 4C location;

[0027] Figures 6A to 6C Shown before insertion into the module ( Figure 6A ), with exhaust opening ( Figure 6B ) and having both exhaust openings and extraction openings ( Figure 6C ) ingredient containers, such as capsules;

[0028] Figure 7 A module for forming an opening in a capsule according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] See first Figure 1 , shows an appliance 10 configured to receive an ingredient container, such as a capsule 200, within a receiving module 100 formed within the appliance 10. A specific example of such an appliance is an appliance for cooling edible products. The appliance 10 generally includes a processing chamber 12 ( Figure 2 ), the processing chamber is connected to the inlet 14 (at Figure 3A1 and 2. The processing chamber 12 is a container 14 configured to contain a plurality of ingredients (see more clearly in the accompanying drawings) and is in fluid communication with the module 100. Ingredients are introduced from capsules 200 received in the module 100 (as will be described) via an inlet 14 into the processing chamber 12 and are processed into an edible product in the processing chamber. The processing chamber 12 typically includes an agitator or one or more rotating blades (not shown) that can be rotated by a motor 16 to mix air and / or supplemental ingredients into the ingredients received from the capsules to obtain a final edible product that is dispensed from the processing chamber 12 via a dispensing nozzle 18. Specific examples of such appliances are countertop appliances for preparing cooled edible products, such as those described in, for example, PCT Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2013 / 121421, WO2015 / 022678, WO2020 / 053859, and WO2020 / 039439 (the relevant contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0030] exist Figures 3A to 5C , module 100 is seen in isolation. Module 100 is configured to removably receive ingredient containers, e.g. Figure 6A A capsule of the type shown in isolation. A container (e.g., a capsule) 200 has a container body 202 and a sealing film cover 204, and holds ingredients therein for use in preparing an edible product with the appliance. Typically, the container 200 is designed to hold edible ingredients for use in preparing a single serving of an edible product from the entire contents of the container; for example, the container may be in the form of a single-serving cartridge or a single-serving capsule, e.g., having a typical volume of between about 50 ml and 500 ml, and is designed so that the entire contents of the container are used to prepare a single serving of an edible product with the appliance.

[0031] At least the sealing film cover 204 is made of a pierceable or cuttable material, such as aluminum foil or a plastic film, to permit its cutting by an opening mechanism resident in the module 100, as will now be described.

[0032] The module 100 includes a cavity 102 that is sized to removably receive a container 200. In this example, the container 200 is received in a container seat 104 formed inside the displaceable cover portion 13. The displaceable cover portion 13 is movable, for example, about a pivot 15 in an open position ( Figure 1 A) and a closed position (not shown), in which the cover portion 13 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the device. Shifting the cover portion 13 to the closed position brings the capsule 200 closer to the rotatable element 110 of the module 100 (described below).

[0033] The seat 104 has a shaped cutout 106 that is configured to retain the container within a cavity below the container rim 206. As indicated, the cover portion 13 is displaceable, thereby displacing the seat 104 associated therewith to move the container, once received in the seat, to a position such that the container cover 204 faces a rotatable element 110 attached to the wall segment 108 at a rotation axis 112. In this particular example, the rotatable element 110 is in the form of an arm that extends radially from the rotation axis 112 and has a cutting edge 114 at its distal end portion. The rotatable element 110 rotates along a rotation path (schematically indicated at 116) that is generally parallel to the face of the wall segment 108 at a first distance d from said face.

[0034] Formed on the wall section 108 are protruding wall elements 118A and 118B having respective heights D1 and D2 such that both D1 and D2 are greater than d, as may be seen in FIG. Figures 5A to 5C 18B are seen in the cross-sectional view in . The protruding wall elements 118A and 118B are disposed along the rotational path 116 and are configured to displace the distal end of the rotatable element 110 from a distance d to a distance D1 or D2 when the rotatable element 110 engages the protruding wall elements 118A and 118B during movement of the rotatable element along the rotational path 116. When the container 200 is maintained in a stationary position relative to the rotatable element 110, the movement from the distance d to the distance D1 or D2 brings the cutting edge 114 proximate to the cover 204. The dimensions D1 and D2 are selected such that once the container 200 is in position, when the rotatable element 110 engages the protruding wall elements 118A and 118B and during movement of the element 110 along the elements 118A and 118B, the cutting edge 114 penetrates the cover 204, thereby forming openings 208A and 208B in the cover 204, as shown Figures 6B to 6C Seen in.

[0035] If you can Figures 4A to 6C As seen in FIG, the positions and geometries of openings 208A and 208B correspond to the positions and geometries of protruding wall elements 118A and 118B, respectively. Thus, by modifying the positions, geometries, or number of protruding wall elements, various opening arrangements can be obtained.

[0036] In this particular example, opening 208B is used to allow the ingredient to flow out of the container 200 into the inlet 12 and from there to the processing chamber 12, while opening 208A is used to allow ambient air to be introduced into the container to allow the ingredient to flow out of the container evenly and steadily. By controlling the position of the protruding wall segment, control over the relative position of the openings can be achieved, thereby allowing optimization of the flow rate of the ingredient leaving the container.

[0037] While in this particular example, the rotation of the rotatable element 110 is in a clockwise direction, it is also possible to rotate the rotatable element 110 in a counterclockwise direction along the rotational path 116 to form the first opening 208B and the subsequent opening 208A.

[0038] While the rotating element 110 is shown in this particular example as an arm equipped with a single cutting edge, skilled artisans will recognize that the number and location of the cutting edges along the rotating element may be modified to obtain additional cutting geometries.

[0039] Figure 7 A variation of module 100, module 100', is shown. Module 100' includes a top opening 120 through which additional ingredients, such as a carrier liquid (water, milk, juice, etc.), can be introduced into the capsule and / or into the processing chamber. In this arrangement, opening 208A can also be used to introduce such a carrier liquid into capsule 200 to form an initial mixture with the capsule's contents. This initial mixture then exits the capsule through opening 208B and enters processing chamber 12.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing an edible product from edible ingredients, the apparatus comprising: an ingredient container receiving module configured to removably receive an ingredient container having a container body and a sealing membrane cover, and further configured to form two or more openings in the sealing membrane cover; a processing chamber in fluid communication with the module, the processing chamber being configured to receive an ingredient from an ingredient container received in the cavity through at least one of the openings and to process the ingredient into the edible product; and a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the processing chamber and configured to dispense the edible product; The ingredient container receiving module includes: a cavity sized to removably receive the ingredient container; a rotatable element having at least one cutting edge, the rotatable element being fixed to the wall segment of the cavity about a rotation axis at a first distance from the wall segment and being configured to rotate substantially parallel to the wall segment, the cavity being configured to fixedly receive the ingredient container such that the sealing film cover is positioned facing the rotatable element; and The wall segment is configured to have two or more protruding wall segments spaced apart along the rotational path of the rotatable element and configured to be engaged by the rotatable element when the rotatable element contacts the protruding wall segments and to displace the rotatable element to a second distance from the wall segment during rotation of the rotatable element along the rotational path, the second distance being greater than the first distance, so as to displace the rotatable element to a second distance from the wall segment when the rotatable element is in the second distance. The cutting edge protrudes through the membrane, thereby forming the two or more openings in the sealing membrane cover. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable element is biased to maintain the first distance when the rotatable element is not engaging a protruding wall segment.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rotatable element is flexible and is biased to the first distance by its flexibility.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rotatable element is associated with a biasing element that biases the rotatable element into the first distance.

5. An appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotatable element comprises two or more cutting edges.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotatable element is made of a resilient metal or metal alloy.

7. The appliance of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ingredient container receiving means comprises a container seat configured to receive at least a bottom portion of the container body.

8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the container seat is displaceable to permit positioning of the container within the cavity such that the sealing membrane cover is positioned facing the rotatable element.

9. An appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the process chamber is a cooled process chamber and comprises one or more rotatable mixing pedals.

10. The appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is an appliance for preparing a cooled edible product from the edible ingredients.

11. The appliance of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cavity is sized to receive an ingredient container configured to receive edible ingredients for preparing a single serving of an edible product from the entire contents of the ingredient container.

12. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the cavity is configured to receive an ingredient container in the form of a single-serving cartridge or a single-serving capsule.

13. An ingredient container receiving module for an appliance for preparing an edible product from edible ingredients, the module comprising: a cavity sized to removably receive the ingredient container having a container body and a sealing membrane cover; a rotatable element having at least one cutting edge, the rotatable element being fixed to a wall segment of the cavity about a rotation axis at a first distance from the wall segment and being configured to rotate substantially parallel to the wall segment, the cavity being configured to fixedly receive the ingredient container such that the sealing membrane cover is positioned facing the rotatable element; and the wall segment being configured to have two or more protruding wall segments spaced apart along a rotational path of the rotatable element and configured to be engaged by the rotatable element when the rotatable element contacts the protruding wall segments and to displace the rotatable element to a second distance from the wall segment during rotation of the rotatable element along the rotational path, the second distance being greater than the first distance, to cause the cutting edge to protrude through the membrane when the rotatable element is at the second distance, thereby forming the two or more openings in the sealing membrane cover; The module is configured to be in fluid communication with a processing chamber of the appliance to permit an ingredient from an ingredient container to be received into the processing chamber through at least one of the openings.

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